2. Koarthandris
KOARTHANDRIS
Izzy never left my arms. I carried her and the shifter, one cradled in each arm, off the arena floor into the marshalling area, but I wasn’t sure where to go after that.
The training compound Lhorine had built was safe and secluded in the forest, but also low on amenities, and Izzy needed a soft place to rest, to recover.
The dorm room that had once belonged to Rook also didn’t seem right, nor the shifter barracks.
I had my own room in the dracona atrium, where all the dragons stationed on campus were housed, but it too was lacking.
Soon the entire world would know Izzy was the lost princess and hiding away in lack-luster dorms didn’t seem fitting anymore.
Safir, the tiger shifter who always seemed at odds with Izzy, saw my confusion and hesitation as I moved through the inside of the arena complex.
“Don’t know where to take her?” he asked. The man might be more astute than I gave him credit for. “Let me call someone.” He made a quick call, I had no idea to whom, then smiled.
“There’s a royal residence free, on the far side of campus. I’m assuming it won’t be an issue for you to carry her that far?”
I shook my head.
“And I’ll arrange for some new clothes for Izzy — and perhaps some of yours as well — to be sent over.
” The man wrinkled his nose at my current state of dress.
I’d shredded my clothes when I’d taken my dragon form, during our escape from the secret dungeons after rescuing the titan, Wensuria, Bayn’s sister.
So, I’d stolen some clothes from one of the now dead dragons who’d been protecting Saldrea.
The clothes were torn up and covered in blood from the fight.
I was surprised when Rook joined me, carrying Vyns.
“Didn’t think you two got along,” I muttered.
“We don’t… didn’t… probably never will, but we both love the same woman so…” He shrugged.
I raised a brow at that. “An incubus in love?”
He sighed. “I’d say it was a slip of the tongue, but I’m done lying to myself. How I feel for Izzy is wrong on so many levels, but it’s right… on the only level that counts.”
I grunted.
Hadn’t heard it put that way before, but the man seemed genuine. I wasn’t sure what had brought him around. He’d avoided Izzy most of this past week. I was glad he’d come to his senses.
If Rook carrying Vyns had been a surprise, I was shocked and taken aback when Bayn, the big titan, joined us. His sister was with him, as were the three titans who’d survived the fight with Saldrea’s minions. Two of them were badly hurt, but they limped along in our wake.
“You’ve got your sister, what do you want now?” I asked the stubborn titan.
The big man — I couldn’t say that about most people, but titans were even larger than us dragons — shrugged, face hard, refusing to answer.
His sister elbowed him in the ribs. “Just tell him, you big lug.”
Bayn grunted. “Fine.” He still took a moment, seemingly having a hard time finding the words, before he finally said, “Izzy’s the true princess.
She beat Saldrea, that pretty much proves it to the world.
She can change things… but she’ll have to fight first, and she’ll need all the help she can get. ”
Fascinating.
“You want things to change?” I asked him.
He shrugged and gave a noncommittal nod. “Maybe. Nothing’s been right in this world for a long time. We all know it. Maybe it’s time for something different.”
I wasn’t sure I believed him, but he’d held up his end of our bargain.
We’d freed his sister and he’d turned his titans on Saldrea’s crew, though it had all come too late to save Izzy from fighting Saldrea.
I still didn’t trust the man any farther than I could throw him and given his weight — even with my strength — that wasn’t far.
The trail of people following us only grew as we crossed the southern end of campus.
The presence of the titans kept most at a respectable distance, but more and more people came to see the woman who’d beaten Saldrea.
Some looked unimpressed, others disbelieving, but the majority looked hopeful, relieved.
They could sense a change coming, even if they didn’t yet know Izzy was a royal.
Safir, who also stayed close to me, took another short call before informing me that Lhorine and Olinara had taken care of Saldrea, who was now in a cell in the administration building.
I hoped it was the one Izzy had stayed in last night, wrecked bed and all.
Saldrea’s crew had also been put in binding collars and imprisoned.
The insane false princess’ reign of terror was finally at an end.
But given all of the pictures and messages being shared about her defeat, it wouldn’t be long before word reached Saldrea’s mother, Valnea, the queen regent. And she made Saldrea seem positively sane in comparison.
This was far from over.
But today, at least, we’d won the battle.
And it was as if nature itself knew it; the sun was out and a cool breeze off the ocean tempered the heat of the day. A perfect moment, and I had the perfect woman in my arms, even if she was out cold.
Safir led me to the free royal residence, not far from the lesser residence.
Two mansions sat overlooking the stairs down to the beach — also known as The Tumble — and the ocean.
Where the lesser and nobles’ residences were meant to house many, these mansions housed only a single high ranked elf and their retinue.
With so few actual royals left, most of the “royal residences” on campus had gone to the friends of the queen regent.
But since the queen regent was notoriously insular and anti-social, only five of the six such residences were occupied.
The door was unlocked when we arrived, and waiting for us inside was Svokol, the dwarf who’d helped us in the past. Apparently, he wasn’t afraid to hide his position anymore, coming out as a firm royalist.
“Everything’s ready,” he said to me as I entered.
“Follow that hall to the end.” He indicated a hall off the main entranceway and sitting area, and I took Izzy to the room in question, a grand master bedroom, worthy of her station.
A wall of windows looked out over The Tumble and the ocean, a stunning view.
The massive four-poster bed could easily fit Izzy six times over and only took up a small portion of the room.
Several large wardrobes lined the wall behind me and before me was a sunken sitting area around an open fireplace.
On the opposite side of the room from the bed was an office area with a grand desk and many bookshelves.
And closer to the windows was a table and chairs, the perfect place to have a private breakfast or dinner while looking out at that spectacular view.
I laid Myel and Izzy on the bed. Her golden blond hair splayed out like a halo around her head, framing her pale features.
When I set her down, she stirred, sea-green eyes blinking open. Perfectly pink lips smiled.
“Where…?” she asked lazily.
“Don’t worry, you’re safe, rest for now.” I don’t know what came over me, but I kissed her brow softly.
She smiled.
“My big, strong dragon,” she mumbled, eyes fluttering shut.
Had she liked that? I’d worried I’d gone too far, but… she didn’t seem to mind.
I stood guard at the side of the bed, and now that the fight was over and Izzy was safe my thoughts slowly caught up to me.
I’d been so worried about losing Izzy and never having the chance to be with this perfect woman. But she had survived, and I could be with her… if she wanted me.
I’m all in, if you’ll have me. My words still echoed in my mind.
She hadn’t said yes, but she hadn’t pushed me away either.
And given her reaction when I’d kissed her, I assumed she was okay with me wanting to be with her, but I couldn’t be sure.
Perhaps she’d been half asleep and not known what she was saying.
Although she had previously told me she wouldn’t mind exploring a new partner.
There’d be plenty of time to confirm all of that later, and I’d make sure she was safe until then. Because it was still my duty to watch over her, protect her.
And somehow… I’d figure out how to protect her while also being with her.
My brain said it would be easy. I’d always be near her, always ready to leap into a fight. It wasn’t like I needed armor or weapons. So even if I was naked in bed with her, I’d be able to protect her as well as any other time.
But still, questions plagued me.
Would this amazing woman be too much of a distraction?
Would I react fast enough when needed?
Would my feelings for her lead me to make the wrong choice in the heat of battle? I didn’t even know what the wrong choice would be… only that I’d made it last time, leaving Mynrial to try to save her parents… or perhaps being with Mynrial in the first place?
What if I focused too much on Izzy and Myel got hurt again? I’d seen the torment she’d gone through when he’d been tortured. I’d need to protect both of them. But could I? Maybe, if they both stayed close to me, but I didn’t see that being possible all the time.
Would I need more guards?
Did I trust anyone else to guard Izzy or those close to her?
Vyns maybe.
But even with his help, I couldn’t protect everyone around Izzy all the time. Especially if Valnea was coming for us. With an all-out war brewing, and Izzy probably in a leadership position… it seemed impossible to protect her and those around her all the time.
But I couldn’t fail her again.
I’d been so far away when she’d been tossed into that arena with Saldrea. Izzy had nearly died today and I’d not been there to protect her.
I couldn’t reconcile these thoughts and was starting to spiral when the door to the room opened. I was instantly on high alert, but it was only Rook.
He staggered over and slumped into one of the soft chairs in the sitting area.
“I’m done.” He laid his head back against the plump cushion and looked over at me. “Vyns is resting in another room. Thought you’d want to know.”
“Thank you,” I grunted. “How is he?”
Rook shrugged. “Other than still alive, I have no clue.” The incubus grimaced.
“He… gave a lot of himself. I was partially connected to him. He was infusing me with spirit so I could take Izzy’s thoughts of doubt and pain.
And he was giving his spirit to Izzy too…
but I think he gave too much. Suddenly his infusion into me stopped and he slumped over. ”
That didn’t sound good.
“I’ve never seen anyone give away all of their spirit before,” Rook continued, “didn’t think it was possible. If that’s what he did, I have no clue what that means, other than, it’s going to be a while before he wakes up.”
I clenched my jaw.
Partly in concern for my friend, but mostly because Vyns had been able to help Izzy when she’d needed us the most, but I hadn’t. I’d have happily given all of myself to free Izzy, but instead, Vyns had done it.
Everyone else was connected to Izzy in some way.
Myel was bonded to her, Vyns had a spirit link, and Rook had some sort of mental connection.
I had nothing. The others could all help her in various ways when she was suffering.
I could only protect her body. And I hadn’t been there when she’d needed me today.
And the thought which plagued me was: what if I wasn’t there when she needed me in the future?