Chapter 5
Ara
It wasdark when we waded onto shore, our ship already leaving Drakous behind. It was risky enough with the Fae King’s armies being so large. Wrapped in shadows, we were concealed well, but we didn’t know exactly what the king’s powers were. Nobody had known he could create dragons with his magic. What else could he do?
Weapons drawn, we trudged across the beach in tense silence. I shivered, my wet clothes clung to my skin.
A bird called in the distance, the sound making the hair on my arms stand on edge. Or maybe that was from the chill in the air.
“I’ve got it,” Laera said from nearby. Even I couldn’t see where any of my friends were. The shadows concealed us from each other just as well as they did from the outside world.
I caught movement as she breached the veil of our dark cocoon, but she was swallowed by the night almost immediately.
The bird sounded again, the call forlorn and haunting in the darkness. Even though I knew to expect the Dragon’s liaison to make the noise, I didn’t trust it.
“We’re good,” Ryvin suddenly said. “Laera confirmed it.”
I didn’t want to know how he knew that information. There was a lot I still didn’t understand about Laera’s magic.
The shadows dispersed, slowly fading away until we were able to see each other again. I crept forward, staying close to Ryvin and Vanth as we made our way to where Laera was waiting with a uniformed man. We left the sand behind, climbing onto the rocky shore, each step getting more difficult to navigate.
“Your highness,” the man inclined his head.
“Not necessary,” Ryvin said, “I’m Ryvin, this is Ara, and Vanth. You already met Laera.”
The man’s jaw tensed, looking uncomfortable at the familiarity, but he nodded. “I’m Rashid. I’ll take you to our camp.”
We followed him silently, continuing to make our way over the rocky terrain. Loose rocks rolled away, clattering down. I glanced backward and realized we’d climbed higher than I thought.
It was getting a little harder to catch my breath as we continued the incline, but just as I was wondering if I’d need a break, we reached a trail.
It wasn’t a road, it was flattened plants and shifted rocks that told us a large group had been through here. I frowned. “Not exactly hiding this location, are you?”
Rashid looked over his shoulder. “We have five hundred dragons gathered in one place. There’s not a lot we can do to fully hide.”
“Good point,” I conceded.
Ryvin gave my hand a quick squeeze. “The Fae King isn’t going to come for us here. He wanted the city. And he’s vain enough to think that he can wait for them to attack him. He’s got the advantage where he is. If he leaves, he loses that.”
“That’s what we’re counting on,” Rashid said.
We walked so long, my trousers were nearly dry and I was no longer shivering. The sky turned a faint pink, the early signs of dawn approaching. I glanced toward the sunrise, a twisting sick feeling making me uncomfortable. Was I ever going to be able to appreciate a sunrise again?
As we crested the top of another hill, I caught the sight of simple tents and figures moving around. A few more steps and I could see the whole thing. My lips parted as I took in the sight of so many soldiers gathered. We’d seen their camp in Athos, but somehow, it looked larger and more impressive on the top of this mountain.
“You really don’t think the king will come here?” It was impossible to hide this many dragon shifters.
“He can try,” Rashid said.
My brows lifted in surprise and I glanced at my friends. Ryvin shrugged and Vanth didn’t even seem fazed by the dragon’s confidence.
“They have plans,” Laera said with a smirk. “Well, I suppose we go find their king and figure out the new way we tempt the fates.”
I shuddered as I recalled Morta’s words. I felt like all I’d been doing the last few weeks was tempt fate. It was impossible that I was still alive.
“This way,” Rashid gestured, then led us through the tents.
Shifters watched us, not bothering to hide their stares. Many of them had been on the shores of Athos not long ago, and now we were at theirs. We traded one battlefront for another.
My shoulders slumped as I realized how little progress we’d made. It was difficult not to feel defeated.
I recognized Bahar seated on a large boulder, surrounded by a group of men and women. They were hanging on his every word as he gestured toward a large paper that looked like a map.
A couple of the people around him noticed us and turned their attention in our direction, causing Bahar to stop speaking. He stood, then faced us, a smile growing on his face immediately.
“You found us,” he said.
“Your message was thorough,” Ryvin commented.
“Our father is in your throne room. He’s already killed your entire council,” Laera announced.
“Subtle,” Vanth murmured.
Laera glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, but didn’t seem bothered by his comment.
Bahar’s hands balled into fists. “What else do you know?”
“They’ve got the princess. He’s holding her hostage,” Laera added.
Someone charged us, but Bahar interfered, dropping the attacking shifter to the ground before I even lifted my blade. The man’s head made a sickening crack when it hit a rock. Blood poured, turning the earth crimson. Empty eyes stared up at us. A knife lay near the dead man’s hand.
Gasps and whispers sounded, but nobody else made a move for us.
“Anyone else have a problem with our guests?” Bahar asked.
A woman stepped forward, chin high, posture strong. She lowered her eyes to look at the fallen man and her upper lip curled in momentary disgust before looking at her king. “If you say they are allies, they are allies. But I want to know how the witch knows this information.”
Bahar looked at Laera.
The princess rolled her eyes, then let out an exaggerated sigh. “I’m not sure if I’m more insulted at the insinuation that I’m a spy or the fact that my reputation wasn’t enough.”
“She’s got a unique gift,” Ryvin said.
“She can read minds, is what you’re saying,” the woman accused.
Several of the dragons standing behind her shifted their weight uncomfortably. One of them covered their ears with their hands as if that would keep Laera out.
Laera shrugged. “If you say so.”
“It’s considered impolite to ask fae what their magic can do,” Bahar said. “Even their own parents don’t know. Which in this case, benefits us.”
The woman grunted. “Stay out of my head.”
“I don’t waste my time on useless drivel,” Laera said with a dismissive wave of her hand.
The woman tensed, and for a moment, I thought she might attack Laera, but she relaxed, then returned to the group.
“Come on over,” Bahar said. “I have a feeling you three will be able to help us with this plan.”
We listened as someone explained the drawing of the tunnels and I tried not to think about the last time I’d been underground. The wild magic had nearly killed me, but we weren’t facing that. This time it was crumbling, ancient tunnels that hadn’t been used in so long, they weren’t even sure if they were still intact.
“You don’t think these entrances are monitored from the inside?” Vanth asked.
“The only people who knew about them are all dead or here with us,” Bahar replied.
“Who’s dead?” Kabir asked. He was limping, and one side of his face was angry and red. The prince must have been injured in the initial attack on the city.
Bahar rose and rushed to the newcomer. “You’re up, thank the gods.” He embraced the man in a curt manner that made the other man grunt.
“Careful, Nissa says I’m fragile now. Or at least I will be until I heal up a little more.” He nodded toward me. “Princess,” then at Ryvin, “Your highness.”
“I am also royalty, but please, continue to ignore me,” Laera said smugly.
“None of us need the titles,” Ryvin cut in.
Laera huffed. “Speak for yourself.”
Kabir walked over to where Laera was sitting and he took her hand, lifting it to his lips. I stared in shock as he kissed her hand. “I’ll call you anything you want me to, your highness.”
Laera’s cheeks flushed and her lips parted. For a long moment, she was speechless. Then she seemed to collect herself and tugged her hand away. “Now, how hard was that? Why can’t the rest of you behave that way?”
“Because you’re more likely to rip someone’s arm off, then allow them to touch you,” Vanth supplied.
Laera glared at him.
“Well, you seem to be feeling much better, brother,” Bahar said.
“I should be able to join you if you’re just crawling around some tunnels,” he said.
I lifted a skeptical brow. He was limping. We could all see that.
“We’ll discuss that before we leave,” Bahar said.
“What was that about dead?” Kabir asked, returning us to the original conversation.
“The Princess of Konos can see things,” the woman from earlier explained. “She said the entire council is dead and Tatiana is a prisoner.”
Kabir paled, then he turned to Laera. “Is she alright? Have they harmed her?”
Laera shook her head. “The princess is unharmed for now. But I don’t think they like keeping her around. She’s almost escaped twice. She’s going to get herself killed.”
Kabir growled and his eyes flashed dangerously. It was the first time I saw that he was just as deadly as his brother and all the other warriors around us. His playfulness was gone.
“We’re going to get her out,” the woman said.
“Yes, we will.” Kabir looked at his brother. “Any word on Zayn? Is he also a prisoner?”
“I haven’t seen anything about the prince,” Laera replied.
“He would have tried to fight, but it’s possible he got out,” Bahar said. “We’ll find him,” he slapped his brother on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. We’ll get both of them to safety.”