ASSASSIN’S FATE

The Assassin and her Dragon Princes I

IVY CLYDE

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2019 by Ivy Clyde. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be used or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted and reproduced in any manner or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or whatsoever without written permission of the author.

For information contact,  Ivy Clyde

Table of Contents

ASSASSIN’S FATE

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3

4

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11

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Ready for the next part in Daria’s journey?

About Ivy

ASSASSIN’S FATE

Three sexy dragonborn princes. An assassin with an erased past. And the impossible mission of assassinating the dragon emperor.

I have spent my whole life training to be an assassin of Linmoor Valley, an underground gild of the world’s most lethal assassins. My past is a blank, my master merciless. I kill on command, no questions asked.

Life changes after the day I’m sent to the town’s brothel to make a kill.

The people who ordered the killing now want me to execute the greatest assassination of our time. Their mission is simple: Kill the tyrant dragon emperor and bring peace to the four kingdoms.

A wiser assassin would refuse the impossible. But I can’t.

From the moment I see the three dragon born princes, I know I belong to them. And they, to me.

Assassinating the emperor is no longer my only mission. I must protect the three princes, for they are the only hope of reviving the four kingdoms.

My tasks seem impossible, but I am determined to carry them out if only for a chance to be with the men who make my frozen heart throb and bleed.

Assassin’s Fate is the first in an intrigue-filled whychoose fantasy romance that support’s our heroine’s right to choose more than one mate. Get ready for this captivating tale full of heart-pounding romance and edge-of-your-seat action.

Note: The Assassin and Her Dragon Princes is a reverse harem series meant for mature readers who enjoy their fantasy fiction with no restraint to language, violence and a few heated scenes.

1

Strings of red paper lanterns shifted gently in the cool evening breeze. The main street of the town was filled with vendors, selling poor quality cloth and vases. They called out to me, thinking a pretty, young maiden would give them her coins for fooling her with their abysmal ware.

I passed by, discreetly covering my face with the painted fan in my hand, letting the shopkeepers drink in my nubile body clothed in an expensive silk dress. They would never know a stranger was among them, someone who intended to assassinate one of their numbers.

My wandering steps took me up an arch bridge built over a narrow stream that cut through the town square. Reaching the topmost point, I stopped, pretending to take in the market scene down below me. Closing my eyes, I waited for my magic to connect with Tuto, my pet ghost owl. The breeze lifted the stray strands of my ebony hair while I waited for the connection to take place.

When I began sensing sounds and smells other than the ones around me, I knew I was experiencing the same things as Tuto. My eyes fluttered open and the green depths of my irises turned a tawny gold as a different vision opened up before me.

I was perched on top of a small, round hole cut in the wall. There were no windows in the room down below. Most of it was cast in shadows except for the lit area in the corner. A young girl, aged around twelve, lay on a cot. Her arms and face were grimy and she wore a dirty, ragged dress of coarse wool. Red paper lanterns hung over her unmoving body, bathing her pale skin in an aura of scarlet.

“What place is this?” I murmured, looking all around the room.

I willed Tuto to sniff the air. Rich notes of perfume mixed with sweat wafted towards me. My glance fell on the mounds of brightly colored dresses in the corner. They were attractive but the fabrics were cheap. Only one place in this town of starving peasants would have such items discarded so carelessly.

“A brothel.” The word came out in a whisper from my lips.

Blinking my eyes, I cleared the vision away and broke the link with Tuto. I inhaled lungfuls of the cool air, knowing I would have to hurry before the girl became a prey to the monster I was out to hunt tonight.

Raising my head, I took a step forward and promptly collided with a hard wall. Moaning at the impact, I rubbed my forehead and looked up at a tall man. He was handsome and richly dressed in an expensive outer robe that fell down to his ankles. Locks of dark braided hair framed the sides of his face. He had high cheekbones but my gaze was drawn to his luscious lips. They were curved up in a smile.

Desire curled up in my stomach as I gazed up at him. He was so different from the rest of the men in that town square. There was no meanness or desperation in his clear gray eyes.

“Are you all right, Miss?” he asked in a deep voice. The timbres of his baritone shuddered through my body, making me even more aware of my throbbing heart.

“F-fine,” I mumbled. I might be an assassin by profession but I was still a virgin woman of nineteen.  My heart fluttered but I suppressed the feeling. I couldn’t let myself get distracted while I was on a mission. Clearing my throat, I said, “Could you tell me which way is the brothel?”

Surprise flickered in his eyes. “Why do you care to know?”

“My friend asked me to wait for him there.”

“Would you like me to go with you?” he asked as concern clouded his features. This handsome man was making my heart pound harder against my chest. Why did he have to be so nice to me?

I shook my head. “It’s not what you think.”

A soft chuckle escaped him. “Of course. I know you don’t belong there.”

My cheeks warmed as I looked away from him. I’d never reacted this way to another man before. My curiosity heightened. Who was he?

He placed a gentle hand on my shoulder and turned me towards the western side of the town square. Extending his arm, he pointed in the distance. “Take that street and walk straight. You’ll find the place you’re looking for.”

“Thank you,” I replied, raising my head to look up at him. This close, I could smell the fragrance of peppermint on him. I inhaled deeply, memorizing his scent.

“Be safe.”

Mesmerized by his intense eyes, I could only nod.

“My name is Cain. Meet me at the tavern later tonight.”

“Really?”

He nodded. “It would ease my worrying. A young woman like you…” He shook his head, looking away from me. When he turned his attention back on me again, he said, “If it’s money you need, I will help you. Okay?”

I wondered what a man like him was doing in Oakhedge. Only peasants resided here and conmen roamed the streets looking for their next victim. He seemed like a prince from a faraway kingdom.

“I hope my work will be finished by then,” I said. “Either way, don’t worry about me. I can look after myself.” I smiled, hoping to reassure him.

“What’s your name?” he asked just as I was about to pass him by.

Turning back, I grinned. “Daria.” Giving him a small wave, I walked down the bridge and onto the crowded street below. Focus on the job, I told myself, fighting the urge to look back at Cain.

Following Cain’s directions, I walked to the western end of the square and entered a narrow alley. It was shadowy without a single lantern lighting the way forward. Only the brightly lit building at the end of the road illuminated the path. The stench of vomit and urine gagged me as I moved along, feeling dark stares upon me. My hand brushed over the bodice of my dress and a single poisoned needle came away, discreetly clutched between two fingers.

I kept my gaze focused straight ahead, ignoring the catcalls and jeers of the men who leered at me. They either showed me their dirty copper coins or grabbed their crotch.

“Hey, beautiful,” said a man, blocking my path. “You’re mine tonight.” I moved out of the way as his grubby hand shot forward. With lazy effort, I plunged the needle into the side of his neck. My movement was quick enough to go undetected by him or the men staring at our exchange. It only took a few breaths for the poison to act. Tottering like a drunkard, he fell to the ground, followed by loud jeers. I continued walking forward but this time, no one came to stop me.

The brothel was a four-storied structure. Red paper lanterns hung from the sides of the doorway as well as the tall walls that surrounded it. An air of lust and merriment hung over the place as drunken men walked in and out of the place. The stench of stale alcohol, vomit, and exotic perfume threatened to burn my nostrils. Unfolding my fan to its widest span, I brought it over my face and walked through the entryway.

My senses were blown away by the cacophony of noise and sight before me. Women in colorful garbs were surrounded by dozens of men, each fighting the other in a bid to get closer to them. The ladies laughed, clearly enjoying the attention. From time to time, they would leave with one of the men, probably the ones who promised to pay the most.

Keeping my face hidden by the fan, I walked through the crowd. No one seemed to mind my presence there. Everyone was too busy drinking or trying to attract a prostitute for the night. Anger simmered inside me to think the way these peasants were spending their hard earned wages while their wives and children were starving at home. Controlling the urge to inflict pain on them, I moved towards the wooden staircase in the corner.

I climbed it, feeling the gazes of men and women who dotted it. Still, no one stopped me, presuming I was heading upstairs to one of the rooms to service a client.

The staircase became dark after the third-floor landing. It looked unused. Discarded wooden boxes were stacked to the sides. This had to be the place Tuto found. Making sure no one was watching me, I climbed upward, effectively melting against the shadows.

A single door lay before me. This part of the building was quieter. The noise from the lower floors was dulled here. My feet crept towards the rays of candlelight leaking through the cracks in the wooden door.

My ears pricked at the sound of soft, muffled cries coming from inside the room.

Fuck! Was I too late?

2

My hands pushed at the door. To my astonishment, it swung forward, almost throwing me off balance.

“Who’s that?” grunted a man.

As my eyes adjusted to the red luminance of the red paper lanterns, I spotted a large man in the corner. Beside him, lay the young woman I’d seen through Tuto’s eyes.

Her body was bound to the cot with thick ropes. She struggled weakly against them and cried softly. Her right hand hung limply from the edge of the bed. A glistening scarlet X was cut on the underside of her wrist. Thick streams of blood steadily poured from it and fell into a silver bowl on the floor.

My blood turned cold as my gaze focused back on the fat man beside her. He had a pale, greasy face. Mean black eyes stared back at me.

“What are you doing here, bitch?” he asked sternly. “No one is allowed to come up here.”

“No?” My voice was barely a whisper.

I closed the door shut behind me, making sure to latch it securely before turning back to look at my mark. The mission was to kill the man who bled young girls and to find the names of the men he sold the blood to. In recent years, a roaring trade had been built upon selling virgin blood. People touted medicinal properties which would bring both virility and longevity in those who drank it. Of course, it was another way to scam money from the rich nobles who ruled the country.

Blood was blood. A virgin’s was no better than a whore’s.

“Get out of here!” the man hissed. When I continued to stand my ground, he swore and got to his feet. “I am going to make you regret this, bitch.” He came at me, his hammy fists raised.

I stepped out of the way and threw a poisoned needle at the bald patch on his head. With a cry, he came to a sudden halt.

“Wait there while I patch her up,” I said, moving towards the cot. The man wouldn’t be going anywhere. The needle poisoned him with a paralysis drug. He would die that night but not until I completed the second part of my mission.

Reaching the bed, I tore off a piece of fabric from my underskirt. “Here,” I said in a low, gentle voice. “You’re going to be okay.” I tied the cloth over the cut and pulled it tightly. Next, I took a few more needles from inside my sleeves and stuck them to specific points on her neck and chest. “This will slow down the blood flow.”

She stared at me wide pale gray eyes. “Will I live?”

“Of course, you will. He’s the only one to be dying tonight,” I said, my tone cheerful.  I gestured with my thumb at the fat man who stood still at a strange angle. The girl looked confused. At least, she’s not terrified anymore, I thought, walking back to my prey.

“I am going to allow you to talk,” I said, piercing him with a needle in his throat.

“Who are you?” he asked at once, his voice heavy with fear. “What do you want from me?”

“Who do you sell the blood to?”

He swallowed.

I repeated the question, speaking slowly.

“Just…just…nobles and officers of the army. They are the only ones who can afford to pay.”

“Really?”

Beads of sweat appeared on his face as he evaded my gaze. “Yes. That’s it.”

Coming to stand in front of him, I fumbled around his pockets.

“Stop! Please stop! You won’t find anything in there.”

I started searching every fold in his robes for what I was looking for. Coins of gold and silver, a wooden comb, a half-eaten sweet bun and a handful of peanuts scattered onto the floor.

“Stop!” he cried when my hands reached under his robe to fumble around his crotch.

I stopped. “Will you give me the names?” I grasped him by the balls and squeezed until I had him screaming again. “You are dying tonight, Master Blood Trader,” I whispered as he wheezed. “Won’t you like to take your friends to hell with you?” For effect, I crushed his balls again.

He screamed, proceeding to cry and plead. “I will tell you,” he whispered through his sobs when I released the pressure on his hairy sacks. “Will you let me live, then?” He sounded hopeful.

“Tell me the names,” I said. There was no chance he was getting out alive.

“Gaelway,” he said as I stepped away from him.

“The town’s mayor?”

He nodded. “And General Abel and Valhad. They distribute it among their friends and acquaintances.”

I made a mental note of all the names the man spewed out. He took my thoughtful expression to be one of leniency.

“That…that’s all,” he finished lamely.

I closed my fan, sliding it inside my belt. The interrogation was over.

“Free me now,” said the man desperately.

Without a word, I stabbed him in the neck with a poison needle. He gasped, his hairless face breaking into an expression of surprise. Within minutes, frothing saliva bubbled out of his mouth and he fell to the floor with a loud thud.

Target hit, I noted.

“Help me. Please.” I started at the weak voice. I’d almost forgotten about the bound girl on the cot.

“I will free you.” Reaching the girl on the cot, I took out a small dagger and began cutting the cords binding her. “What’s your name?”

“Tilly.”

“I’ll get you out of here and then you can run home.”

She shook her head as tears seeped into her rusty red hair. “I can’t.” I helped her sit up on the bed but she continued to sob. “Take me with you. Please.”

“I can’t do that.” I was an assassin of a hidden sect that dwelled in the mountains. Very few knew of our existence in the realm. It was no place for a lost young girl like Tilly. “The best I can do is take you home.”

“No! Please!”

I frowned, looking down at her. “It’s not fun to be where I live,” I told her. “It’s a hard life. I don’t walk around looking like this every day.” I gestured at my lavish silk gown. “You may even end up dying in that place.”

“It doesn’t matter,” she said, falling to the ground and bowing low. “I will follow you anywhere as long as you get me out of here.”

“Get up, girl!” I scolded, pulling her up. “You will make the injury worse.”

I forced her to stand up but Tilly swayed on the spot. “They sold me,” she whispered. “If I go back, they will do it again.”

“Your family sold you?”

She nodded. “My mother died many years ago. It’s just my brother and I. Father loves him better than me. When our crops failed this year, he sold me for a sack of grains to feed my brother.” She halted, swallowing down the sobs. “That’s all I’m worth. A sack of wheat.”

I was torn between slipping out of the brothel and helping her.

Tilly’s life was so pitiful, it was moving me. I was taken to Linmoor at the age of five. No one asked me if I wanted to go. One day, I just found myself there. My memories before that time were lost. While life had been terrible there, if my master hadn’t taken me in, I would probably be another body on the cot with my wrists slit open.

“Please, Miss. Take me with you.”

“All right.”

She looked stunned for a moment. She quickly wiped away the tears with the ends of her tattered sleeves and looked relieved for the first time since I saw her tied up in the cot.

“Stay still. I will remove the needles.”

She stood motionless before me. I was glad to see she was obedient. She would fit in with us at Linmoor perfectly. I retrieved the needles from the fat man’s body as well, making sure I left no trace behind me. Before we exited the room, I pulled off the corpse’s outer robe and handed it to Tilly. “Wear this over your dress.”

The brothel was quieter now. It was mostly drunken men who filled the place. A few women remained among them but they were older and probably hadn’t found any takers for the night. We were able to slip out without any obstacles.

I inhaled the fresh air deeply, willing it to chase away the stench of the brothel from my nostrils. Tuto, my ghost owl, flew overhead and gave out a high-pitched cry.

“Come on,” I whispered, shivering. The night had turned cold. Emerging on the empty market square, my gaze went to the arch bridge in the distance. Disappointment weighed heavy in my stomach. I wouldn’t be able to see Cain that night. Regret washed over me. He was the first man to make my heart pound with an emotion that wasn’t fear.

A part of me wanted to blame the shivering girl at my side, but even without her presence, I wouldn’t have gone to meet Cain. There was no way he could know about my identity. Even though I gave him my real name, my existence was the same as the night mist. Come daylight, I would disappear without a trace.

With one last sigh, I looked towards the path leading out of town and walked away.

Tilly kept up with my pace despite the blood she’d lost. I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of cruel labor she endured under her father. The girl even had a ghost of a smile as she held my hand tightly.

Soon, we reached the edge of the woods. I recognized Tuto’s low screeches and spotted her in the far distance. She was perched on the branch of a tree, her snowy white body glowing under a shaft of moonlight. Down below, my horse stood waiting, his reins tied to the trunk.

A pang went through my heart, surprising me. I was still missing Cain.

You don’t even know him, I told myself, leading Tilly to the horse.

“We will wait for dawn to break,” I said. “It’s still too dark to travel through the forest.”

“Okay.”

She made no fuss of being cold or hungry but I could see exhaustion taking over her. Going to the horse, I searched for rolls of bread and the bottle of wine I’d stored in a bag tied to the saddle.

“Eat this,” I said, handing her a roll.

“Thank you, Miss,” she said gratefully.

“Call me Daria.”

She smiled at me.

“How old are you, Tilly?”

“Twelve.”

She stared at me, waiting for me to ask more questions. “Go on. Eat it.”

She tore into the bread and began wolfing it down. The girl looked starved. I uncorked the wine bottle and drank deeply from it. “Take a sip,” I said, lowering the bottle to her lips. She looked too weak to be able to hold onto it with her injured arm.

She drank thirstily and I had to stop her. “You will pass out if you drink like that.”

“Sorry, Miss.”

“Go on. Eat the bread. There’s more.”

She looked excited at the prospect and stuffed the rest in her mouth. “Easy now,” I said with a chuckle. “You don’t want to die choking.”

She grinned but waited patiently until I gave her another roll. I picked out strips of dried meat from the bag and called Tuto. She swooped down, her white wings spread wide open and hopped onto the forest floor.

“There you go,” I said, kneeling down and throwing her pieces of meat. She hopped closer and began gobbling them up.

“Is the owl your pet?” asked Tilly.

“She is more of a familiar but I suppose you could call her a pet as well.” Lowering myself, I sat down and rested my back against a tree trunk. “Sit with me, Tilly. We’ll be warmer together.”

Tilly scooted close to me. After the second bread roll, her head lolled onto my shoulder and within minutes she was snoozing. Without someone to distract me, my thoughts went back to the stranger I’d met that evening.

He was the second handsome man to appear before me. The first one was a dark-haired hero with tresses so black, they almost looked blue. He appeared in my dreams, plaguing me with a need I didn’t even know I had. My heart fluttered at the easy smile on his handsome face. I loved the hardness under my palms when I placed my hands on his muscular chest. Cain made me feel the same emotions he had.

The dreams started a month ago. I kept a lookout for him everywhere I went but he never appeared before me. I was a witch but not one with the gift of vision. My powers came from my blood and the magic that Elga, my master, taught me.

I kept expecting to see the blue-haired man but as I thought about it, my heart was just as happy to meet Cain. A deep sigh escaped me. There was no point in yearning for either man.

Linmoor was no place for a man. Along with Elga, every other dweller was a female.

I closed my eyes, hoping to meet the blue-haired man in my dreams.

3

I walked along the busy evening streets, wondering if I’ll see or hear the assassins who were supposed to carry out my orders to investigate the virgin blood trade and finish it from the core. My kingdom was in turmoil, but this recent fad was giving rise to crimes in small towns and villages. Young girls were being kidnapped and bled to death for the sake of earning gold coins.

Before embarking on this mission, I’d consulted Prince Ning Adal, the sixth prince of Baledonia. He was one of my closest friends and a scholar of the highest order. His library was renowned as the largest among the four kingdoms of our realm. If I could trust anyone’s knowledge and wisdom regarding the potency of virgin blood, it would be his.

“Virgin blood is no different than an ordinary woman’s blood,” he told me. “It’s just a hoax the group created to make some quick money. They sell it at high prices to the men and women of noble families who can afford such vulgar luxury.”

That was all the confirmation I needed to set out on eradicating the threat risking the inner law and order of my kingdom. However, it was more difficult than one might anticipate. I couldn’t ask my generals to take care of the problem. This would make the crisis official.

As was decreed by Drakhaven, everything official in the lesser three kingdoms had to be reported to Emperor Ivan. And once he knew there was something wrong in Iorna, he would use it as an excuse to station one of his sons in my palace. Emperor Ivan’s son, Mekhi, had already killed the last royal heir of Redfall by accusing him of treason.

Both Adal and I knew it was a matter of time before we would be attacked as well, either by force or a made-up reason. I was determined to keep the inevitable at bay for as long as possible.

It was a problem I couldn’t solve on my own and once again, I reached out to Prince Adal.

“We could seek out the assassins of Linmoor,” he told me.

“Who are they?”

“It is an underground guild of assassins. They are the best at what they do. Their identities are hidden and they can’t easily be found or contacted.”

“How did you know about them in the first place?” I asked, intrigued.

“My great grandfather mentioned it in one of his personal journals. He left detailed instructions on the way to their secret hideout in the mountains.”

As always, I was astonished at the span of Adal’s reading list. Apart from the thousands of manuscripts in his library, he even managed to read the personal diaries and notes left by his predecessors. Even though I was a prince myself, I never found the inclination to visit the archives in my palace. The very air and heavy silence was enough to make me drowsy.

“Will you lead the way, Adal?”

“Might as well. When they run out of virgins in Iorna, they will come to Baledonia. Better to root out the problem at the source.”

He led me to Oakhedge, a small town on the mountainous strip in the western part of my kingdom. From there, we followed the covert trail to Linmoor Valley, the den of the assassins he’d spoken of. To my surprise, the leader was a graying, elderly woman, named Elga.

“I will take care of the problem for you,” said the woman in a clear voice. “We will tackle it from the very source. Come back in two days and we shall have the names of the parties involved in the virgin blood trade.”

It sounded too good to be true but my instincts told me to trust her words. Despite her hag-like appearance, an aura of intense power surrounded her being. She was no ordinary woman.

Adal and I would return to Linmoor next morning. I was too anxious, hoping the assassins wouldn’t create a ruckus to fulfill their mission. The most important condition I’d given them was everything had to be done discreetly. It was imperative Drakhaven remained unaware of the problem before news leaked out to the other kingdoms.

To calm myself, I walked around the town. It was a rare opportunity to walk among the people I ruled. The peasants and merchants on the streets were unaware of my princely status. No one bowed down or greeted me at every step. It was so much easier to breathe out here than the clean, luxurious corridors of my palace.

Something soft collided against me. Looking down, I saw a beautiful young woman rub her forehead as she stared up at me with sparkling green eyes. A shaft of moonlight fell on her at that moment, making her flawless, porcelain skin shimmer with radiance. She was dressed in a sensuous gown of lavender silk that hugged her every curve intimately. Her lips were pink and petal-soft.

I wanted to kiss those rose-bud lips that curved in an expression of mild curiosity. The urge was so intense, all I could do was stare at her. I struggled not to gaze at the way her gown hugged her ample breasts. I didn’t want to startle or disgust her by the waves of lust thrashing against body. I had to remember I was Prince Cain, the ruling prince of Iorna, and not a common man who couldn’t keep from ogling at a beautiful woman.

Ignoring the way my body was reacting to her beauty, I said, “Are you all right, Miss?”

“F-fine.” Her nervous stutter was adorable. Her cheeks turned a beautiful pink as she looked away from me. Her next question jerked me out of my lustful thoughts. “Could you tell me where the brothel is?”

I couldn’t believe what she was asking for. She looked healthy and well-off, not the kind of woman you’d think would go to a place like a brothel to sell herself.

“I am meeting a friend there,” she explained but I knew she was lying. It had to be something else.

“Would you like me come with you?” I offered.

She refused at once. Then, as if she realized what going to the brothel implied, she quickly added, “It’s not what you think!”

I couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped me. This woman was interesting. I rarely found a female companion with whom I could hold a proper conversation. The ones in the harem of my palace looked for every chance to get close to me. Their fawning and backstabbing each other put me off from going near them a long time ago.

The stranger looked at me expectantly, so after an internal sigh, I placed a hand on her shoulder and turned her towards the direction of the town brothel. It was the first place I was recommended to visit by the innkeeper. 

Warmth seeped through the thin fabric of the sleeves and onto my skin. Even an innocent touch was enough to make fire spread through my veins. “It is that way,” I said, my voice sounding incredibly husky to my own ears.

“Thank you.” She stared up at me and in that close proximity, I could smell the subtle fragrance of lotus and jasmine on her. I inhaled deeply, memorizing her heady scent.

“What’s your name?” I asked before she could walk away from me.

“Daria.”

“I am Cain. Meet me at the tavern later tonight. Also, if it’s money you need, I will help you.”

She smiled me. “I’m not sure how long it will take but you don’t have to worry about me. I can look after myself.” With that, she walked past me and disappeared in the throng of the market square in an instant.

I returned back to the tavern and found Adal sitting in a shadowy corner at the back. Even though he was dressed in cheap linen clothes, the air of regality about him didn’t disappear. Curls of golden hair fell around his face as he read a thick scroll with absolute focus. The noise of the tavern didn’t disturb his concentration one bit.

Walking towards him, I sat down and pulled away the scroll from his hands. At once, his face turned thunderous. It took him a few moments to realize he was glaring at me, and not one of his servants.

“Ahh, Cain. It’s you.”

I laughed as he relaxed back in the chair. We’d been friends since we were children. In the past, when our kingdoms were peaceful and our parents still alive, we’d often spend summers visiting each other’s palaces. There were no restrictions on the movement of the Royals back then. Adal, Norvin, and I…we’d become close friends as we played together all those years back. Out of the three, only Adal and I remained alive.

“It’s getting late. Should we head to bed?” asked Adal, drinking from a small cup. My friend was in a tavern and somehow he’d managed to get the owner to brew him tea.

“I am waiting for someone.”

“What? Who?”

“A woman I just met.”

“Cain. We can’t reveal ourselves here. You know the risks,” he said in a lowered, worried tone.

“She doesn’t know who I am.”

“Good.” He got to his feet and snatched away his scroll from my hand. “I am going upstairs to rest. We have to be awake before dawn to set out to Linmoor. You know we can’t delay it beyond that before risking someone following us there.”

“I know, Adal. Stop nagging me.”

“Goodnight to you.” He walked away, his back ramrod straight, completely unaware of the attention he was attracting to himself. I couldn’t help wondering if I was failing at my disguise too.

A young maid came to the table and leaned down beside me. “Would you like something, sir?” She’d made sure to pull down the front of her dress to reveal her ample cleavage.

“Get me whatever he was drinking,” I said, gesturing at the clay pot on the table.

“Right away! Are you sure you don’t want anything else?” she asked suggestively. “I can take a break for a few hours.”

“No, that’s all.”

The girl’s face fell. She took the pot and walked away, leaving me with my thoughts. My mind went back to Daria. A part of me struggled to stay at the tavern and not go looking for her in the brothel. While I knew she wasn’t a whore, it was a dangerous place for a woman as attractive as her.

The tavern girl brought me back tea and attempted to start a chat with me. She amused me, so I let her go on while I waited for Daria.

“You don’t talk much, do you?” Cary, the tavern girl said after an hour.

“Apologies.”

She huffed a sigh. “Oh well. It was a worth a try. Darla back there,” she jabbed a thumb towards the bar. “She said you were only interested in the pretty man who was here earlier. Guess she was right and I wasted my time.”

I laughed out at her. “It’s not like that.”

“Still, I have been wasting my time,” she muttered with a pout.

“Here you go,” I said, pushing a gold coin into her hand.

Cary’s eyes went wide and she smiled toothily. “Thank you, sir!”

“I’m not such a waste, am I?”

“No,” she said, giving me a tight hug before skipping away from the table. I chuckled into the teacup and leaned back in the chair. Ordinary women were so much warmer than the ones residing in the palace. Perhaps, a day would come when the constant threat from Drakhaven would disappear. I would get rid of all the women in my harem and fill it up with some lively ones from small towns and villages. The amusement would be never-ending.

Slowly, the hours trickled by. The tavern emptied by midnight but I decided to sit in my spot.

“We are closing,” said the burly innkeeper an hour later. “If there’s nothing else, you should go upstairs to rest.”

“Can you keep the place open? I will pay you five gold coins if you can keep my request.”

The man’s expression changed at once. He smiled and nodded. “For that much money, I would serve you my best ale while you stay up.”

“I don’t want your ale. Just keep the gates open.”

“Yes, master.”

The night turned cold. I knew Daria wouldn’t be coming back there. A desperate part of me hoped she would be safe at least.

My eyes closed briefly but they opened at the sound of footsteps approaching.

“Why are you still sitting here?” asked Adal. He was fully dressed. Looking around at the empty tavern, he said, “Why haven’t they closed shop yet? I was hoping we could take advantage of the dark to slip away.”

“I paid the owner to stay open.”

His sapphire-eyes flashed at me. “You are still waiting for that woman. Cain! Have you gone mad? Have you forgotten what’s at stake here?”

“No,” I said in a tight voice. “It’s just…” How could I explain the connection I felt with Daria? She was a stranger but my heart couldn’t stop thinking about her.

“Stop. Don’t explain,” Adal said shortly. “We have to leave now. The tavern master is asleep at the counter. It is the best chance to slip away.”

“Get the horses to the back. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

Adal gave a nod and walked out of the tavern. I went up the stairs to pick up my sword. Both Adal and I had decided not to parade the streets with our ornate weapons that would easily attract attention. Merchants never carried anything more lethal than dirks or knives. For the sake of our fake identities, we’d hidden our swords.

Drawing my cloak around me, I went downstairs. The tavern owner snored loudly as I walked past him into the street outside. Adal was already mounted on his steed.

“Let’s get going.”

I got on my horse. Adal trotted away but I took a moment to look around the street one last time. It was completely deserted.

“Stay safe, Daria,” I whispered to the sighing winds before riding away.

4

Morning chill seeped through the blanket covering Tilly’s body and mine. She was still deeply asleep, her head leaning against my shoulder. The girl looked so peaceful and innocent, I wondered if it would be better to leave her there and carry on towards Linmoor. At least, her innocence would be preserved a little longer that way.

As the gray light of dawn lit up the woods around us, my mind went back to reminisce my childhood. Elga, our leader, had found me abandoned in this very forest. To this day, I don’t remember how I got there. My memories from before that day were lost. While Elga fed and clothed me, it became apparent I was meant to be more than an errand girl in the hidden society of the most deadly assassins in the world.

Ever since I was five, Elga took over my training. Your blood is too powerful to be wasted, she’d said to me. Over the course of my education, I understood what she meant. While she could control the elements to some extent, I could conjure them through my powers. Elga could make the flame of a candle sway and dance but I could light up an unlit taper, a feat none of the practicing assassins could boast.

Along with Elga, there were thirteen assassins living in Linmoor. There were servant girls and maids too, but they were never sent on missions. The most interesting feature of our society was that only females were allowed to stay there.

Tilly stirred, pressing her thin body to mine for warmth. The girl couldn’t go home and if I left her to wander on her own, she might end up as someone else’s prey. A heavy sigh escaped me. Tilly left me no choice.

I prodded her shoulders. “Wake up. It’s time to go.”

Her eyes slowly blinked open and she looked blank for a moment. It took a few moments for her memories to surface and realization slowly dawned on her.

I got to my feet and stretched my arms over my head. My whole body was sore. Tilly came to stand next to me. There was color in her cheeks and she already looked much better than last night.

“Get on the horse,” I said.

She looked at the horse blankly before moving towards it. Tentatively, she extended an arm and touched its buttock.

“What are you doing?” I asked, untying the reins and watching her prod the horse’s leg with her finger.

“I am scared,” said Tilly in a small voice. “I never got on a horse before.”

“Didn’t your farm have one?”

“Yes, but only my brother was allowed to ride on it.”

Pity flared up inside me at once. “Come on. Put your foot here,” I said, pointing at the stirrup. “Grab the saddle. That’s it.” I pushed at her buttocks, giving her the lift she needed. Once she was seated, I mounted behind her. “Are you comfortable?”

“Yes. It feels so high up here.”

A chuckle escaped me as I led the horse to trot lightly through the trees. The pathway to Linmoor was further inside the forest.

“Miss Daria,” Tilly spoke up after a while. “Who sent you to save me?”

“No one.”

“But you killed that man and rescued me.”

“Yes, but I was only sent to kill him. Rescuing you was my personal choice.”

“Who sent you to kill him?”

I brought the horse to a halt. It was important she understood where she was going until it was too late. If she didn’t want to stay among a group of female assassins, we would have no choice but to silence her.

“Do you know what I am, Tilly?”

She turned back to glance at me and shook her head.

“I am an assassin. My master gives me the order to kill and I obey. Sometimes, I get paid a lot of gold for it. I was just a few years older than you when I first killed a man.”

Her pale eyes widened and she gulped. “Would I have to kill people too?”

“It takes years of training to become an assassin. If you are not suitable for it, no one will force you.”

Tilly looked visibly relieved at that.

“I am asking you for the last time, Tilly. Are you sure you don’t want to go home and make peace with your family? You can’t turn back once we leave.”

“I can’t go home,” she said in a sad but strong voice. “I will go with you, Miss Daria. You have shown me more kindness than anyone in my life. If you let me, I am ready to serve you all my life.”

“Ayah! You’re not so unfortunate as to be my lifetime maid,” I said with a laugh. “All right, then. We’ve dawdled long enough. Let’s go home.”

The horse sped up and soon we were on our way to Linmoor through the forest pathway. The trees whisked past us and the cool morning breeze felt good and fresh against my cheeks. Tilly often cried out with mirth, suddenly being the child she truly was. I made sure to keep one arm around her as we rode. Her excitement made me wary she would fall off anytime.

At times we would slow down to change directions. The route back to the hidden valley was convoluted, making sure our location was always concealed from common folk.

It was a few hours before we reached the point that separated Linmoor from the forest. The horse came to a stop at the edge of a cliff. Tilly peered over and then looked back at me. “How do we cross the chasm?” I smiled at her confusion. The cliff fell sharply several hundreds of feet from where we stood. A broad, swirling river gushed down below.

Turning the horse away from the edge, I climbed down from it. I hauled Tilly down next. Taking the reins in hand, I gestured towards a group of boulders. “That’s the way forward.” She looked confused but followed me. From a distant, it looked like a pile of rocks with thorn bushes around it.

Reaching close to a low rocky hill, I removed the dead bushes covering a part of it and revealed the hollow chamber inside. The entryway was tall enough for the horse. We entered it and I made sure to conceal the gateway before moving forward.

It was dark inside the cavernous hollow. Only the shafts of sunlight coming through the gaps in the bushes gave us some light. Tilly’s hand grabbed onto a handful of my dress as I started walking forward.

After a few minutes, we came upon a stone staircase that spiraled down several feet. In the low light, the bottom was hidden in darkness.

“What kind of place is it?” asked Tilly in a timid voice.

“You will see.”

Flames erupted on my fingertips, making Tilly gasp loudly. “Sshh. Follow me.”

I walked down the stone staircase with the horse’s rein in hand. He let out a nervous neigh but I soothed him with low whispers. It was difficult for him to walk down those stairs and the only part of the journey that caused him discomfort. As the three of us went down, the flames on my hand surrounded our little party in a ball of light, shrouding the rest of the cavern in shadows.

It took fifteen minutes for us to reach the bottom. From there, the underground chamber increased in height and led the way through a tunnel. Flames from lit torches flickered in the dark, lighting our way forward. It gave me pause. Those were rarely lit like that. Is someone else expected to come to the valley? I wondered.

We moved forward and the thunderous roar of the river flowing overhead echoed in the cavernous passageway. I quenched the flames in my hand and Tilly promptly grabbed my arm.

After half an hour’s walk, the ceiling of the cave began coming closer to our heads. Just when it was getting claustrophobic, cool, fresh air skimmed our faces. We rounded a bend and our eyes screwed tight shut because of the bright sunlight streaming through the wide opening a few feet away. The horse neighed loudly.

“Welcome back home, Cereus,” I said, patting the horse’s neck. “Come, Tilly.”

I led the way forward.

Our path was surrounded on all sides by green woods.  The sound of the river was now a gentle murmur in the background as we headed towards Linmoor.

A heavy mist surrounded us as we got closer to the entrance of the valley.

“This place is so strange,” said Tilly, looking all around.

“It’s hidden well,” I explained. “No one knows the way in except for the people of the valley. Those who come to seek us out are led by one of our members.”

Wisps of thick, white fog soon surrounded us. Letting the reins fall from my hand, I stood with both arms outstretched to the front. Closing my eyes, I conjured the elemental power of wind and parted my arms, mimicking the motion of parting curtains at a window.

“Wow,” Tilly breathed.

When I opened my eyes, a pathway had been cleared for us. Taking the horse’s rein, I walked ahead with Tilly following behind me. The entrance to the village was marked by an ancient stone archway. Several small cottages lay in the distance. 

“This place looks so much nicer than my village,” said Tilly. “Everything is so green here.”

“Elga is an expert in earth magic. Even in winter, the woods remain green and we are never short of food.”

“I am hungry again.”

“So am I.”

As we reached the village, I spotted a pair of girls hurrying towards the kitchen. They were carrying a massive pitcher of water between them.

“Gia! Taria!” I called out loudly.

They stopped and looked towards me, instantly noticing the stranger beside me. I hurried towards them as they set the pitcher back on the ground.

“This is Tilly,” I said, gently pushing the girl in front of me. They stared at her curiously, taking in her bandaged wrist and ragged dress. “She will be living here with us from now on. I need you to help her bathe and put on some fresh clothes. Get her something to eat as well.”

Tilly stared up at me, looking doubtful.

“Go with them. I will come find you later.”

“Come with us,” said Taria, the older of the pair. “We are going to the kitchen to finish our chores and then we shall eat.”

Tilly gave me one last glance before following the girls. I took Cereus and led him to the stables. The warm sun felt good against my face after the chilly night I’d spent outdoors. After putting him in his quarters, I took off his reins and saddle. With barely much energy left, I made sure his water bucket was full and dumped sweet hay before him.

“I’ll be back with sugar lumps later,” I promised him.

Leaving the stables, I hurried towards my living quarters. It was a small cottage but it solely belonged to me. It was one of the perks I earned at age twelve after becoming a professional assassin. A smile rose on my lips to see it in the distance.

Lavender blossomed in thick clusters on the path near my cottage. Their heady fragrance hung in the air, making me inhale deeply. It further helped to cleanse the rank odor of the brothel from my lungs.

Pushing open the door, I entered the cottage. Tuto was already dozing on his perch in the corner while my pet snake, Naya, snoozed in a patch of sunlight falling on my pillow. His navy blue scales glittered in the light and he looked utterly beautiful despite his strange abnormalities. Naya had four little horns on his brow. He even had four tiny limbs attached to his foot-long body.

I smiled at him, going to sit on the edge of the bed. With a large sigh, I fell back on the mattress. My movement woke him up and he came to slither up my chest and perch there, his dark, purplish eyes looking into mine.

“Hello, there,” I said. “Missed me?”

His head bowed in reply. This was another thing I liked about him. Naya seemed to understand everything I said and even responded to it. I’d found the strange little creature last month. He’d been washed ashore on the bank of the river. His glittering azure scales attracted my attention and I’d fished him out of the shallows. He was close to death, barely moving or breathing. I nursed Naya back to health, painstakingly catching grasshoppers and the occasional lizard to feed him.

“I brought a new girl to the village today,” I said. “She is a victim of the virgin blood trade. Isn’t it good I reached her before the bastard was able to bleed her out completely?”

His small head gave a nod.

“I met a handsome stranger on the way,” I said, reminiscing about Cain. “He was so nice and looked like a prince. I bet he was a noble.”

Naya’s eyes turned a shade darker. Within a flash, he sank his tiny but sharp fangs into my thumb.

“Naya!” I cried out, pushing him off my chest. Two red holes appeared on my pale skin and a drop of blood oozed out. “Bad, bad snake,” I admonished, climbing off the bed to go to cupboard in the corner. “Why did you have to bite me for no reason?” Taking a wooden box out, I opened it and fumbled around for the medicine reserved for snake bites. After I sprinkled the powdery substance on the wound, I waited. It was after a few seconds, I realized there was no pain other than the slight sting from the broken skin.

“Are you poisonous, Naya?” I asked, looking down at the snake who was coiled up near my feet.

He shook his head.

I breathed out a sigh of relief, leaning against the cupboard. “You’ve never bitten me before. What came over you just now?”

He remained quiet but slowly slithered up my legs and nuzzled his head on my knee. “Good thing you’re so sweet, Naya, or I would have given you to Elga. She would make a nice soup out of you.” A giggle escaped me as I gently caressed his horny head while he stared at me with reproachful eyes. “I am joking, silly. You know I love you.” Bending down, I kissed his head.

“Daria!” a voice called my name. “Have you returned yet?”

“I have,” I said, picking up Naya in my hand and taking him back to the bed. Leaving him there, I went outside. It was Sanita.

“Elga asked you to go see her now.”

“Now?”

“Now.”

I frowned. What was so urgent she sent Sanita, the second-most senior assassin, to call me? I was hoping for a long nap and a hot bath afterward. Instead, I followed Sanita as she led me towards Elga’s quarters.

Elga’s cabin was situated in the center of the village. We passed by other cottages and several women waved at us as we walked past them.

“Go in,” said Sanita, gesturing towards the open doorway. She turned around and walked away.

Curious, I walked through the door and entered Elga’s receiving chambers. At once, I knew something was up. There were two tall men sitting before her. At my entrance, they both turned around to glance at me.

I stopped short, my heart suddenly beating fast. One of the men was Cain.

5

I led the way through the dark underground passage that ran underneath the river flowing over us. Cain and I were on the road to Linmoor. So far, we’d been quiet. He was brooding over a woman he met last night. I knew he was reproaching me for not letting him wait longer at the town tavern for her to show up.

Cain was usually the most level-headed guy among the three of us, yet he was acting irrationally silly. How could he be swayed by the charms of a woman when both our lives and the lives of our people were dependent on keeping our identities secret? I wondered if I should have Elga check him for poisoning or some kind of spell that was making Cain so illogical. The leader of the assassins was a practiced witch and potion master. She would surely be capable of detecting an enchantment placed on him by a spy.

The grip on the rein of my horse tightened as I realized the amount of time I spent thinking about the woman Cain met last night. We were already close to Linmoor and I hadn’t spoken to him about the plot that had been brewing in my mind ever since I found out about the secretive assassins’ guild. When Cain came to see me about the virgin blood trade running rampant in his kingdom, I knew it was the perfect chance to see whether my great grandfather’s directions would really take me to the assassins’ lair.

I came to a halt.

“What’s wrong?” came Cain’s tight voice from behind me.

I turned around to face him. “I have something to talk to you about.”

Cain’s eyebrows furrowed. “Now?”

“Yes.”

“I can barely hear you over the sound of the water flowing over our heads. Can’t it wait until later?”

I shook my head and led the horse to a corner. Conjuring up a ball of flames in my hand, I sat down against the wall of the cavernous tunnel. It was the only magic I was capable of doing because of the dragonblood coursing through me. Both Cain and I could summon fire and withstand very high heat without any physical harm. It was the only advantage we had over mortal men.

Cain looked surprised and came to sit beside me. “Do we need to converse this very moment?”

I nodded, turning to face him. “This is the best place for the conversation we’re about to have.”

Light from the flames flickered over Cain’s grim, unshaven face. “Go on.”

“After Norvin’s passing, I’ve been thinking of adding a new member among us, someone who can help us with our ultimate mission of ridding the four kingdoms of Emperor Ivan’s dictatorship. Even before we came to Linmoor, I wanted to have an assassin assist us with our plan. While we won’t always have the freedom to move around, this person could do it for us. The assassins of Linmoor work without leaving any trace behind. It would be perfect to have someone like that working for us.”

“It would,” he agreed. “Do you think Lady Elga would agree though?”

“I don’t think she will leave Linmoor,” I said, looking ahead into the dark corridor. “But it would be just as good to have one of her trusted people working for us.”

“It will be a woman.”

“I know.” Every assassin in Linmoor was a woman. In fact, every resident there was a female.

Cain let out a deep breath. “We’ve kept this fact to ourselves for so long. It feels strange to even think of letting an outsider know what we’re up to.”

“Emperor Ivan and his sons know very well what we’re up to. They murdered our fathers and brothers, mass massacred the entire Fire Clan and took over the control of our kingdoms.” I watched Cain’s features harden as his entire body was covered in flames. His rage was infectious. Deep resentment coursed through my veins as I thought of the emperor’s atrocities towards us.

“They will never sit still until they’ve eradicated the last of our line,” I said, balling my fists. “Look what happened to Norvin. He was trapped by his own stepbrother. We can’t be sure when we’ll be betrayed next. It’s imperative we strike before they do.”

The blaze on Cain’s body died out, making the cave go dark again. The flames flickering on my palm suddenly felt too dim. “I am glad you’re still with me, Adal,” he said in a low, choked voice. “My mind hasn’t been clear since the day I learned of Norvin’s death.”

“I understand what you mean,” I said, swallowing down the choke in my throat. “It’s just that this is something I’d been planning on before he died. Now that we’ve already been to Linmoor, we can be confident on the skills of their assassins.” I got to my feet and looked down at my companion. “So you agree with me to hire an assassin for our use?”

“Yes.” Cain came to stand beside me. “We can communicate faster through them and ultimately carry out our plans. Let us be on our way.”

We began walking towards the cave’s exit once more, my heart a lot lighter after the conversation with Cain. I hoped we would get a positive report on the case of the virgin blood trade, after which we could proceed with selecting an assassin for our personal mission.

It was still early morning when we emerged into the woods. We spent a moment to enjoy the sunlight streaming down on us and deeply inhaled the cool, fresh air.

After riding for a short distance, I got the first glimpse of Linmoor. Slowing the horses to a trot, we entered through the ancient archway, leading the way into the village. Some of the women on the path looked up at us with wary gazes but nobody blocked our way.

Reaching the central part of the village, Cain and I climbed off our horses. A young maid came forward immediately.

“Merry morning,” she greeted. “I will take away the horses for you.”

I nodded, letting go off the rein. The girl looked about fifteen years old and was dressed in simple cotton. She looked too soft and innocent to be an assassin.

“Has anyone announced our presence to Lady Elga?” asked Cain, looking towards the tallest cottage nearby.

“I am sure she’s known of our presence since the moment we stepped into the valley.”

“Very well, let’s go see her,” said Cain, walking towards the cottage where we’d met Lady Elga on our first visit.

The doorway to the cottage was wide open but as we entered, I felt a sudden change in the air. It felt somehow denser as I breathed. A cool chill ran down my spine. A similar shudder went through Cain. The fire in both our blood had been subdued.

“Isn’t it too early for a visit, princes?” asked Lady Elga. She sat near the furthest wall of the room. A low table was positioned before her. At a glance, I could see there were complicated astronomical charts covering its surface. It never failed to astonish me to see the elderly, graying woman having so much more knowledge than a scholar in the royal court of Baledonia.

“We didn’t want to be seen or followed,” said Cain.

Lady Elga gestured towards the cushioned seats near the table. Once we settled down, she watched us with her eerie gray eyes, like she was reading our thoughts. It was unnerving.

“The assassin I sent to do the job returned only minutes ago. I haven’t had the chance to get a report from her yet,” said Lady Elga. “I’m afraid you’d have to wait a little longer. Would you like some tea in the meantime?”

I was hungry but politely accepted the offer of tea. Lady Elga got to her feet and went to the corner where a low fire was burning in the hearth. She hung a copper kettle over it and began fussing about making tea, giving the impression of a regular old grandma.

She returned with a tray. The tea was fragrant and at once, I felt aware of my thirst. Lady Elga poured the brew in earthen cups and served it to us.

“Thank you,” I said gratefully, taking a sip of the tea. It was the most refreshing drink I’d ever had.

“While we wait,” began Cain. “We would like to discuss something else with you.”

“Tell me.” Lady Elga folded her hands on her lap and looked at us with the most utmost concentration.

Cain gestured for me to talk. Taking the lead, I began. “You know the recent history of the four kingdoms.”

Lady Elga nodded.

“The four kingdoms are in chaos. The royal families no longer have any power. Our every step is monitored and censured. Thugs and merchants are paying tithe to Emperor Ivan directly and he approves. It won’t be long before law and order disappears completely. The common folk are suffering in all four kingdoms.”

I paused to take a deep breath. “I believe the royal families would be wiped out too. Prince Norvin, the ruling prince of Redfall was wrongly accused and killed without a trial. If he’s not stopped, Emperor Ivan will rule over every soul in this realm with similar injustice.”

Lady Elga remained quiet but her attention was on me.

“We want one of your assassins to assist us in deposing Emperor Ivan.”

The air left my lungs just as I said those words.

I wanted to kill the man who’d murdered my father nineteen years ago but I had never said those words aloud. Not even in the privacy of my bedchambers in the palace. Even the barest of whispers heard by Emperor Ivan would bring death to me and my mother. While Cain, Norvin and I had the same goals, we’d never spoken it aloud. It felt oddly freeing to speak the thought that had haunted my mind all these years.

“That is very brave of you, Prince Adal,” said Lady Elga in her clear, quiet voice. “Emperor Ivan is the only true dragon left in the realm. Can you really go up against him?”

“No,” said Cain. “We can’t. No one in the four kingdoms has the power to go up against a true dragon, but an assassin can do the job. He can be killed in his human form. The stealth and strategy of an assassin can accomplish that. The assassins of your guild are legendary in that regard.”

“Is that what you propose now, princes? You want me to take up the assassination of Emperor Ivan?”

“Yes.” Both Cain and I said at once.

“It is the deadliest mission for any assassin,” said Lady Elga.

“We will offer whatever price you ask.”

“There is no price for a life.” A cold chuckle escaped Lady Elga. “You must think it odd for an assassin to say that, but I never take on missions until I know it’s an act of mercy to take a life.”

“How can it be mercy to take a life?” asked Cain.

“Say you saved a tiger that was caught in a trap. Is it mercy to save its life? The same tiger would go and kill many other creatures in the forest. That’s not true mercy. Mercy only happens when you are saving thousands of life by killing one.” Elga fixed her gray eyes on both of us. “Do you understand what I am saying?”

“I think so,” I said slowly, pondering the example she gave. “Is that why you readily agreed to assassinate the group involved in the virgin blood trade? Killing those few men can save hundreds of innocent lives.”

“Yes.” A soft smile lit up Lady Elga’s face. “You understand.”

“Killing Emperor Ivan would save many more lives, Lady Elga,” said Cain in a grim voice. “The four kingdoms won’t last long if his reign continues. The common folk are starving and the vultures are swooping in to take what they can. The virgin blood trade is just an example. Many more people will die if we don’t bring an end to him.”

“Will the common folk be better served by you?”

“Of course,” said Cain. “You have seen how our fathers ruled their kingdoms. There was peace among us all. No war. No famine. No plague. Adal and I…we are taking the risk for our people.”

Lady Elga remained quiet. Her expressions didn’t give any indication to her thoughts. I waited with bated breath to see if she would agree to take up Emperor Ivan’s assassination.

It was a long time before she spoke again. “See if anyone’s outside the cottage. Bring them inside.”

I got to my feet at once to obey her. Going outside the door, I found a middle-aged woman in a simple but elegant blue gown. “Pardon me, Miss. Could you please come inside for a moment?”

The fair-haired woman gave me a cold stare but she didn’t refuse. The women of Linmoor were unnerving. They were independent and fearless. My status as a prince counted for nothing in this tiny village of female assassins.

“Sanita,” said Lady Elga as soon as the two of us entered inside the cottage. “Would you please bring Daria to me?”

“Of course,” said the woman with a tilt of her head.

Lady Elga went back to being quiet while Cain and I waited. Was that the name of the assassin she would assign us? Would she be as domineering as Sanita? Questions swirled around in my mind until I heard the sounds of soft footsteps approaching us.

I turned around and instantly felt my eyes widening. Before me stood a beautiful young woman with long, flowing hair. The lavender gown she wore hugged her soft curves intimately, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop the pounding of my heart. My gaze rested on her plump, pink lips and the desire to taste them ignited within me.

The thought caught me unaware. I’d never been affected this way by a woman in my life. As a man, I valued intelligence over beauty in a lady. There were plenty of beautiful women in the palace of Baledonia but I was never attracted to them.

I didn’t even know the stranger before me, and yet I couldn’t dismiss the pull I felt towards Daria as her gaze met mine momentarily before flickering towards Cain. Recognition settled in her emerald green eyes the longer she gazed at him.

My hand almost went to my heart to soothe the sudden stab of jealousy it felt at that moment.

6

My mouth parted slightly to see Cain standing beside the golden-haired man. It was rare to see men in Linmoor and I’d never been allowed to engage with them before. 

“Cain,” I blurted out. “What are you doing here?”

“You know the prince?” asked Lady Elga, her gaze focused on my face.

I quickly rearranged my features. Thirteenth rule as an assassin? Don’t give away your emotions. “I met him last evening in Oakhedge, but I wasn’t aware he is a prince.”

Cain turned back to glance at Lady Elga. “She is not aware of my identity.”

“Is she the woman you met last evening?” asked the golden-haired man beside him.

“Yes.”

My gaze focused on Cain’s companion. He was just as handsome as Cain but in a very different way. While Cain was tall and broad-shouldered, appearing like a trained soldier, the stranger was lean with a keen look in his soft blue eyes. His features were smoother and less harsh. Even his skin shone like polished marble. He was dressed the same way as Cain, in plain cotton clothes, but the air of regality about him was the same as him.

“Come forward, Daria,” said Lady Elga.

I moved past the two men to reach Lady Elga and bowed down low. Before either one of us could say a word, strong fingers grabbed hold of my elbow. I twisted my body and would have hit Cain in the face with my other elbow if his companion didn’t stop me. Suddenly, I found myself in the grip of two men.

“What is this?” I muttered, struggling against them.

“Sshh,” whispered Cain, his hot breath on my face.

“Let me smell you,” said the golden-haired man in a low voice in my ear.

My heart was pounding heavily. I was acutely aware of their warm touches on my skin as their noses skimmed over my skin. Warmth pooled between my thighs as they pressed my body between theirs. I bit my bottom lip hard, struggling to suppress the moans threatening to come out of me. Lady Elga could never know the emotions these men were bringing out in me. The consequences of her finding out would not be good for me.

“Do you smell him on her, Adal?” asked Cain.

“I do. It’s so strong…like she’s been rubbing herself against him.”

“Lady Elga,” I called out breathlessly. “What do you command?” I could free myself from both men but they would both be hurt in the process. I still didn’t know whether they were guests or people she brought in for a training session.

“Let the child go.” Lady Elga’s voice was cold.

Cain and Adal released me at once and stepped away, but their gazes were filled with anguish as they stared at me. What was making them act so desperately? Cain wasn’t so agitated last evening.

“Where is he?” asked Cain. “Where did you see him?”

“Who?”

“The dark-haired man,” said Adal. “You must have been very close to him for his scent to be so strong on you.”

I turned to Lady Elga. “I don’t understand what’s going on. Who are they and what are they talking about?”

“You will calm down, princes,” said Lady Elga. “Explain your sudden excitement before you touch her again.”

“Lady Elga,” said Adal. “This young lady has the scent of Prince Norvin all over her. Both Cain and I cannot be mistaken.”

Surprise flitted through Lady Elga’s gaze. “How is that possible?”

“That’s what we want to know,” said Cain. There was pain in his silvery eyes and his voice was heavy with anguish. He turned towards me. “Please, Daria. Who have you been closest to recently?”

“There is a stranger in Linmoor,” I replied, meeting Lady Elga’s stern gaze. “She is a young girl called Tilly I rescued on my mission. She is with one of the girls now. I’d hoped to present her once she was cleaned up and fed.”

“They are talking about another man, Daria,” said Lady Elga. “Who else have you been close to? Who else have you…touched?”

“Touched?” I thought of the events since last evening. “The man I killed, Tilly and my pet snake are the only creatures that I’ve laid hands on since yesterday.”

“You have a pet snake?” asked Lady Elga, her thin eyebrows arched high.

“I got him only a month ago, though I am not really sure he’s a snake. He’s got horns on his head and tiny limbs on his body.”

“It’s a dragon,” said Adal. An excited smile came over his beautiful face. “Cain…could it be Norvin?”

“They never found his body after being thrown in the river,” said Cain, his own voice rising with excitement.

“Please, Miss Daria,” said Adal. “Can we see your…err…snake, please?”

I looked over at Lady Elga. She gave an imperceptible nod.

My curiosity was taking over the strangeness of the situation. I still didn’t know who Cain and Adal were but since Lady Elga seemed to favor them so much, I would treat them respectfully and avoid hurting them.

“Come this way,” I said, turning around to walk out of the cottage.

Everyone stared at me as I led the two strangers through the village path towards my cottage. My body yearned for a hot bath and nap, but I was desperate for an explanation. I had to know who these men were. Their strange behavior was making my emotions run wild. I was angry, confused and curious while my body throbbed with need.

“Here we are,” I said, walking inside my cottage to see Naya on my pillow.

Cain and Adal strode past me to get a closer look. I held back, watching them.

“It is him,” said Adal, picking up Naya gingerly.

Naya opened his purple eyes to stare at Adal. His head slowly turned to stare at Cain next. Even from the distance, I could see the surprise in my pet’s gaze. Naya leaped from Adal’s palm to fall onto the floor. Before I could move to pick him up, a man materialized in his place.

My whole body tensed at the transformation that occurred before my eyes. I’d never witnessed shifter magic before but I’d read about them. Certain mortals with ancient blood could turn themselves into the beast from which their ancestors emerged. The change happened in the blink of an eye.

I recognized the young man who stood before me now. He was the same person I’d been dreaming of since the past few weeks. I took in the dark hair that almost looked navy under the sunlight, his purple eyes and the way his lips curved up as he smiled at the two men before him.

“Norvin!” Cain and Adal gasped together. They fell on him and hugged him tight, shouting and crying incoherently.

I almost pinched myself at the sight to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. Such extraordinary things never happened in Linmoor. Now, there were three handsome men in my cottage, embracing each other like lost brothers.

“Naya,” I called out, unable to keep a hold over my emotions.

The blue-haired man looked in my direction and smiled. “Hello, Daria.”

I stared at him. He was grinning at me and the cheekiness in his voice was exactly the kind of vibe Naya gave off.

“I don’t understand,” I said slowly. “Why didn’t you show your true form to me before?”

“Would you have let me share your bed if I did?”

My mouth fell open at the question as my cheeks grew hot. “No.”

“You have a tale to tell, Norvin,” said Cain, moving forward to drape an arm over him.

“How could you keep yourself hidden like this?” asked Adal who still looked moved. “We thought you were dead.”

“I am sorry,” said Norvin, his gaze suddenly grim. “I regained my human form only two days ago. Before that, I was still playing Daria’s pet snake.”

“Who are you really?” I asked, looking at the three men. “What are you doing in Linmoor?”

“We will explain,” said Cain. “But before that, I want to know whether you’re the assassin Lady Elga sent to destroy the virgin blood trade.”

“I am,” I replied. “I tracked the man who bought the girls and bled them dry. He gave me the list of people who bought from him. I assume you’re the people who ordered the assassination?”

“Yes,” said Cain. “I am Prince Cain of Iorna.”

I started at him. He was the ruling prince of the kingdom where we resided. No wonder, Cain had the air of authority around him even when he was garbed in plain cotton like a common merchant.

“This,” he gestured towards his golden-haired companion, “is Prince Adal of Baledonia.”

“And I am Prince Norvin of Redfall,” said the man who’d been playing my pet snake.

I’d only read these names in the journals Lady Elga made us read from time to time. The realm was divided into four kingdoms- Drakhaven, Iorna, Baledonia, and Redfall. Drakhaven was the greatest among them all and ruled by Emperor Ivan.

From what I knew so far, Prince Cain was the ruling prince of Iorna. Prince Norvin of Redfall was recently condemned for treason and killed. Prince Adal was the sixth prince of Iorna. Out of the three, there was almost no information about Prince Adal. It was usually because a prince who was born to a concubine and sixth-in-line to the throne was hardly considered important.

Some of the pieces of the puzzle were finally settling into place. Prince Cain was the one to order the assassination of people involved in the virgin blood trade. He hid his identity to come this far from his capital.

My gaze fell on Prince Norvin. He had to be the most striking man among the three. The color of his hair and eyes set him far apart from ordinary folk. As far as the news went, he’d been killed. So, how was he here then?

“I think I am ready to listen to your story too, Na…Prince Norvin,” I said while they were still embracing each other. I’d never seen such display of affection before. Now, I was curious to know the relationship between them.

“You can call me Naya if you want,” said Prince Norvin with a wink. “You’re mine now anyway.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” said Cain at once. “You were just a pet snake she found in the woods.”

“So what?” Norvin argued back. “We still shared a bed most nights. As I see it, Daria is my woman.”

“Why don’t we allow Lady Daria to decide that?” said Adal with a tilt of his head towards me. “You might not know this but she’s a very capable woman.”

I couldn’t help but smile at Prince Adal.

“How do you know each other?” I asked, still intrigued by their brotherly bond. As far as I knew, the royal families from the three kingdoms have been forbidden to be in any kind of relationship.”

The three men exchanged glances between them before looking towards me. “Our friendship started long before Emperor Ivan took the throne of Drakhaven,” said Cain. We’ve known each other for years now.”

“Wow,” I breathed. “So you remember a different way of life.”

“Yes,” said Adal. “The kingdoms were peaceful and there was prosperity all around. But things changed overnight when Emperor Ivan murdered our fathers.”

“I never understood how he did it,” I said slowly, thinking back to the history lessons I had as a child. Of course, I was to be blamed for not paying enough attention. However, now that I was directly speaking to the princes, I wanted to know more. “Ivan wasn’t even a true dragon back then.”

Cain and Norvin sat down heavily at the edge of my bed. “I can’t tell the story without burning this shack down,” said Cain. “You better do it, Adal.”

Another realization hit me. The three princes had dragon blood flowing in their veins. While I manifested my magic through strengthening my inner power, their magic was inherent. They could produce fire, control it and even withstand its heat without a single burn on them. Even if they couldn’t shift into a true dragon form, they were still more powerful than regular humans.

“Take a seat, Miss Daria,” said Adal who was now leaning against the wall beside the bed.

I obeyed, bringing a chair closer to the bed. When I’d taken a seat on it, Adal began.

“Nineteen years ago, the four kingdoms had true dragons ruling over them. The greatest of them was King Helmut of Drakhaven.”

I nodded. This was something I remembered from my lessons.

“Do you understand how we shift into our true forms, Lady Daria?”

“Not really. I don’t think this was ever explained to me.”

“It is complicated magic that most don’t understand,” explained Adal, speaking slowly so I could follow him. “Most of the ancient texts were burned by Ivan when he captured the palace of Drakhaven. But I’ll tell you the secret because I read it long before the catastrophe occurred.”

I was perched on the edge of my seat, leaning forward with interest.

“A man with dragon blood in his veins can trigger the shifting magic only if he mates with a woman from the Fire Clan or a female dragon. Women with dragon blood need only mate with a man who’s already a true dragon.”

My ears perked up. “Who were the Fire Clan? I don’t think I’ve ever heard them mentioned.”

“No,” said Adal with a shake of his head. Norvin and Cain were brooding, their fists clenched tightly. “They were eradicated nineteen years ago. Long before the four kingdoms were created, the dragons were united under the Fire Clan. Some of the tribe members married humans and the blood was mixed but some remained who still retained the divinity gifted to us by the Fire God.”

“When the dragons divided themselves into four different clans, the Fire Clan kept to themselves, not siding with anyone. For their dedication to age-old traditions, some of their women were blessed with mating magic. They were deeply revered, for a dragonborn could shift into their true dragon form only after mating with such a woman.”

“Over the centuries, the Fire Clan was protected by the kings of all four kingdoms. The highest ladies of their ranks were either employed by the kings to act as priestesses in the temples or wed to princes and kings. Before Emperor Ivan took over the throne, he had the whole clan massacred. It was one of his devious plans to remain the sole true dragon. The power allowed him to become the emperor of the four kingdoms.”

“What about his sons, then?” I asked. “How will they ever shift into dragons without them?”

Norvin hissed from his corner. “Ivan doesn’t want them to shift. He murdered his own brother. Do you think he will trust his sons not to depose him? He didn’t take the chance. He had them all killed.”

“How did Ivan take down four dragons?” I asked. “It’s a difficult feat for someone who couldn’t even shift into a true dragon. He went against four of them.”

“He was cunning, of course,” said Cain. “He got King Helmut to invite the royal families on the occasion of his daughter’s fifth birthday. He sent his sons to destroy the Fire Clan while he remained in the palace and poisoned the wine served to the royal guests.”

“Our fathers died without given a chance to fight,” said Adal, his soft blue eyes suddenly blazing with suppressed rage.

My hands came up to cover my mouth. “I am terribly sorry,” I whispered.

“Ivan saved Queen Eibhlin alone,” said Adal in a grim voice. “He dragged her to his chambers and raped her, for she was a woman from the Fire Clan. It allowed him to turn into a true dragon. It is said he promised to make her his queen but she jumped from the tower, choosing death over the life he offered her.”

Despair clawed at me when he finished. How could so many people be killed by one single person? How far did greed control Emperor Ivan?

“And Queen Eibhlin’s daughter?” I asked, remembering the massacre occurred on the occasion of a child’s birthday. “What happened to her?”

“She probably died too. It was too chaotic for anyone to know but it’s easy to guess he won’t keep the child alive. That baby would have been the sole survivor of the Fire Clan and the true heir to the throne of Drakhaven.”

I sat among the three brooding princes, too horrified to think of the scale of atrocities performed Emperor Ivan. The people of the four kingdoms already knew he was a ruthless ruler but history was never clear on how he rose to such power. He’d indeed done his best to suppress as much information as he could. Burning of the libraries and the temple archives was a calculated move on his part.

“We became friends at a young age,” explained Norvin when the silence in the room stretched too long. “We were of the same age and so it was even easier to bond together and complain against our other siblings. We were close to ten when the tragedy occurred. Ivan forced us to cut our ties but by then, we already knew how to contact each other through methods devised by Adal. Other than us, no one can read our letters to each other.”

“Do you realize this is the first time we’ve actually recounted what happened all those years ago?” asked Cain, looking at his companions.

“Yes,” said Norvin. “It is oddly freeing.”

“Prince Norvin,” I said, fixing my gaze on him. “I think it’s time to hear your tale now. I am sure both Prince Adal and Cain would like to know how you survived your execution.”

Norvin’s playfulness disappeared at once. His face darkened as his hands balled into tight fists. “That bastard Mekhi…I vowed if I ever got another chance to live, I would rip out his jugular.”

“Tell us what happened?” said Cain. “How did you come to be here of all places?”

“When Mekhi captured me, he dragged me over to the Cliff of Death,” said Norvin. Seeing my reaction at the name, he said, “The castle of Redfall is surrounded by lochs on three side. A narrow strip of land connects it to the mainland. Over the centuries, our executions have happened in the sea.”

He took a deep breath before continuing. “Mekhi forced me to take the Ice Elixir.”

Cain and Adal had horrified expressions on their faces. “What does it do?” I asked.

“It turns the blood into ice,” said Norvin. His handsome face was like stone as he said it. “For dragon-blooded males, it’s a gruesome poison. Our hearts will turn to ice and we fear nothing more than the cold. Mekhi threatened to kill every last person in the castle if I put up a fight. So, I drank the poison he offered.”

I leaned forward to place a hand on his. He looked at me with tear-filled eyes and placed his other hand over mine. His skin was warm. “You are kind, Daria,” he whispered.

“You’re even more compassionate. You chose the life of your people over your own.”

Swallowing down a choke, he cleared his throat. “They threw me into Loch Inver, thinking I would never survive it. Here’s an interesting fact Makhi overlooked though. The dragons of Redfall draw their power from air and water, rather than fire. It’s one of the anomalies that separate us from the others. Had he buried me, I would have died, but he wanted to a make a mockery of my death.”

He chuckled darkly before continuing. “It was painful. From the moment the poison passed my lips, I felt it would be easier to just die. However, being submerged in water helped preserve my life. My human form disappeared and I turned into a kind of water snake. It’s a stretch to call my form a snake. I was merely a worm crawling on my belly. The water currents carried me far from Redfall and washed me ashore here.”

Norvin gazed at me lovingly as he squeezed my hand gently. “Then this beautiful lady picked me up and cared for me. Of course, she thought I was a snake and treated me like a pet. And that bloody owl of hers would try to eat me. It was still worth staying here because Daria would kiss me to make me feel better.” He gave me a hearty wink, making my cheeks burn hot.

“Those don’t count,” I muttered, looking away from him and snatching my hand out of his hold.

“She’s right,” agreed Cain. “Kissing a snake is very different from kissing a man. Though I can’t imagine why you would kiss a snake, Lady Daria.”

I chuckled. “I thought he was cute.”

The three men before me laughed. It made my heart lighter to see them smiling.

“All jokes aside,” said Norvin, his expression turning grim. “Daria has great inner power. Every night I was able to absorb some of it. Two nights ago, I had enough inner strength to regain my human form.”

“Why didn’t I notice?” I wondered aloud. “I dreamt about you though. Every night I saw your human form in my dreams.”

“Really, sweet Daria?” asked Norvin, snatching my hand once again. “Were we very close in your dream?”

“No. I just keep seeing your face, not understanding where I may have seen you. I don’t leave Linmoor Valley unless I am on a mission.”

“Are you truly as assassin, Lady Daria?” asked Adal.

“I am.” I suddenly felt hesitant. Would it affect how they behaved towards me? Most men wanted meek, submissive women as wives. I worried whether the three princes would look at me differently now. Slowly, I raised my eyes towards Adal. A breath of relief escaped me as I only saw admiration in his soft blue eyes.

“Where exactly are we?” asked Norvin. “What’s this about her being an assassin?”

“We are in Linmoor Valley, Norvin,” said Cain, slapping his shoulder. “You’re in the middle of a secret guild of female assassins.”

“Wow.”

“We are the only three men here.”

“Wow!”

Jealousy flared inside me at Norvin’s excitement. I wanted all three princes to be my friends. Heck! If I was being honest, I would be glad to be closer to them than just being friends. The possessive impulse rising inside me astonished me. I wasn’t usually a girl who got jealous over petty things.

“We came here to take care of a problem for Cain,” said Adal in a grim voice. “I am assuming it’s taken care of, Lady Daria?”

“Yes. I have the names of the generals and nobles involved in the virgin blood trade.”

“Good. We want you to accompany us on another mission.”

My happiness died like the flame of a candle being snuffed. “What mission?” I asked cautiously. “Lady Elga has to agree to it before I can take on anything.”

Adal gave a nod. “Cain and I have spoken to her. You’re the one she summoned for the job.”

“Oh.”

“We don’t want to force you, of course,” said Cain. “In fact, I’d prefer to hire someone else. Somehow, I can’t bear you to take such risks for us. Being close to us can cost you your life.”

“I would have to be close to you?” I asked, my ears suddenly perking at the invitation.

“Yes,” said Adal. “You will be working for the three of us.”

“What’s the mission?”

“To assassinate Emperor Ivan.”

7

I’d become an assassin at the age of fifteen after making my first kill. Over the next four years, I killed whoever Lady Elga commanded me to. There were no questions asked apart from details that would help me complete my mission. So far, I’d successfully completed twelve assignments and they’d all been humans. Some of the tasks took skills and strategy to get close to the target, but at the end of the day, they were all human, easy enough to finish off with my bare hands.

“Assassinate Emperor Ivan.” Adal’s voice rang in my head.

I hadn’t seen a dragon in my life but their descriptions filled pages of every archive in the four kingdoms. Gigantic, fierce and merciless. These were a few choice words that came to mind when one thought of dragons. Footlong talons, sharp as swords, clouds of fire and ash, scales as hard as rocks. Was it really possible to overcome a dragon?

I lay down on my bed, still fully dressed in my dusty attire from last night. The princes left me to make my decision, saying they would speak to Elga only after I agreed to do it. It was the first time someone gave me a choice.

My hand brushed over the fat cushion beside me. It was almost a habit now to stroke Naya every now and then to feel his warm smooth scales under my palm. A part of me wished he hadn’t transformed into the handsome Prince Norvin. I missed my pet snake.

A heavy sigh escaped me. The princes left me with a lot to contemplate.

A knock sounded on the door. Sitting up, I called for them to come in.

To my surprise, Tilly appeared at the doorway. She looked a lot better now. Her skin was clean and she wore a long wool pinafore. “I brought you some food,” she said shyly.

“Thank you, Tilly. I haven’t eaten a bite since I got back.”

“Oh.” She shifted guiltily. “I already ate two meals.”

I chuckled. “It’s all right. Bring the tray over here,” I said, gesturing at the low table in the corner of the cottage.

Tilly moved inside to place the tray there. She unloaded it and then proceeded to sit in the formal position by bending her legs and sitting on them, with her feet tucked under her bottom. It looked like she was already being trained to be a server.

“Can you draw me a hot bath, Tilly?” I asked, picking up a bowl of wheat porridge.

“I don’t know where the ladies bathe,” she replied, looking uncomfortable. She suddenly shrunk away just as I was about to pick up the spoon.

“Good goddess, Tilly!” I chuckled at her relieved expression. “I am not going to hit you for not knowing where the bath is. You’ve only just arrived here.”

“Thank you, Miss.”

“You don’t have to be so afraid here. As long as you follow instructions, you will be treated right.”

She gave a nod.

“Okay, go find someone in the kitchen and tell them to fix me a bath. I will go there within the hour.”

“Okay, Miss.”

I smiled after her. Tilly was obedient and would fit in Linmoor like a glove.

I finished the rest of the meal. Feeling much better with a full stomach, I went to look into the cupboard. Assassins like me had a closet full of expensive gowns, makeup, and jewelry. They were never supposed to be for the sake of vanity. They were just another form of weaponry we chose to complete our missions.

However, today’s situation was different. I wanted to dress up solely for the princes. They made my heart flutter every time I glanced at them. The three princes were the most beautiful men I’d ever seen. Not only that, they treated me with so much care. In just one conversation, I felt close to them. Maybe it was my closeness with Prince Norvin, but even Prince Cain and Adal welcomed me to join their banter.

The other thing I couldn’t ignore was the way my body reacted in their presence. The intimate place between my thighs throbbed along with my heart. It was a heady, addictive emotion that I wanted to explore further.

I knew my decision before I’d even finished contemplating the consequences of taking on the mission to assassinate the emperor who ruled over the four kingdoms.

I wanted to be close to the princes. The feelings they brought out in me were addictive and I desperately needed to see where they would lead me to.

My hand brushed over the silk of the gowns in the cabinet. After going through the stacks, I chose a bright red one. It was new. I’d unconsciously been saving it, unwilling to wear it on a mission. The hair ornaments that went with it were red beads and gold pins. A smile hovered on my lips as I took them out and laid them on the bed.

I began taking off the dress I wore. The layers of lavender silk fell down my body, leaving me in my white linen robe. A sudden realization crossed my mind. Naya would always stay perched on the cushion while I undressed. My cheeks turned hot at the thought. Prince Norvin had seen me naked! Heat gushed through my body at the thought, leaving me flush and breathless.

Tightening the ties of my robe, I wore my straw slippers and came out of the cottage. The late afternoon breeze felt cool against my hot cheeks. The bath house was close by, so it didn’t take long for me to reach it.

The wooden tub was already filled with steaming water. Sprigs lavender and rosemary floated on top, adding their scent to the mist. Letting the robe fall off my shoulders, I stepped into the deliciously warm bath. When my body was immersed fully under the water, I pulled on the bell rope nearby, hoping someone was around to help me bathe.

There was a shuffle of footsteps behind me.

“Help me wash my hair, please,” I said without turning towards the maid.

With gentle hands, she took out the ornaments and pins from the tight braids of my hair. I felt even more relaxed as I stretched out my legs and leaned back against the tub. The maid poured hot water over my shoulders and head. A murmur of absolute relief escaped my lips as my eyes closed shut.

After a while, I felt thick, hard fingers massaging my scalp. It felt a little strange because most of the maids had soft skin. I didn’t feel like complaining because she was doing a good job but I turned around to see who it was, making up my mind to call her the next time I took a bath.

A heavy hand closed around my mouth, drowning the shriek that rose up within me.

“Sshh!” said Prince Norvin, putting a finger to his lips. “I’m letting go. Just don’t scream.”

My heart was beating wildly in my chest. “What are you doing here?” I hissed, shrinking under the water.

“I missed you,” he said simply. “Besides, it’s nothing I haven’t seen before.” My cheeks warmed at once. Leaning close to me, he caressed my cheek. “I never got the chance to say how beautiful you are, Daria.”

“Thank you,” I murmured, looking into his beautiful purple-hued eyes. “I’ve missed you too.”

He chuckled softly. “Me or Naya?”

“Naya,” I admitted with a smile.

“I would turn into a snake for you, Daria,” he said, moving behind the tub to gently massage my shoulders. “There’s no way for me to return back to Redfall. My stepbrother is on the throne now. He would capture me the moment I set foot in the castle and do the same thing to me once more. Don’t you think it’s better to stay here with you?”

I tried not to let myself get distracted by the feel of his warm, rough hands on my bare shoulders. It made my insides throb harder. I had to keep my thighs pressed tightly while he spoke.

“What about the plan you discussed earlier? Don’t you want Emperor Ivan to die?”

“I want him to die a thousand deaths for what he did to me and my people,” he hissed.

“Your friends need you. They have been very worried for you. You can’t imagine the pain in their voices every time they spoke of you. It’s rare to have people who care about you. I’ve never had such a relationship with anyone, so let me tell you how precious it is.”

Norvin’s hand slipped under my chin. He turned my head around so I was looking at him. “I care for you, Daria. Truly.”

“Really?”

“You’re beautiful, kind and smart. I don’t think I would have survived the ordeal if you hadn’t taken me in. The Ice Elixir was in my system for days, keeping me weak and on the verge of death. Only by sapping some of your inner power I could stay alive.”

“I am glad I could help, Prince Norvin.”

“Call me Norvin.” He leaned so close to me I could feel his warm breath fanning the stray strands on my forehead. My heart beat hard as his lips brushed over mine. “You’re mine, Daria.” There was no mirth in his purple-hued eyes. He was being serious.

“If I take on the mission, you’ll come with us?” I asked.

He moved away from me, going back to massage my shoulders. “Are you sure you want to do it?”

“It’s the most dangerous thing I’d ever do in my life but things have never been easy for me. I don’t remember anything that happened before I came to live to Linmoor. Every lesson, every advantage I gained, came with a price. I have killed men without a question.” I stopped, feeling the tension rising in my muscles. “Linmoor is familiar but I have no ties to it. Death is always a companion when you’re an assassin. You do your best to hunt but you never know when things will fail and you’ll be the one to end up dead.”

“I wish I could take you away from it all,” said Norvin, pouring water over my head. “Can you ever be free of the old hag who commands you?”

I chuckled at his choice of words for Elga. “I am always free to leave. It’s just…there’s nothing out there for me. This place, its people…this all I’ve ever known.”

“So if you get a chance, you can leave?”

“Yes.”

“If our mission succeeds, you’re welcome to live with me in the castle of Redfall.”

“You’ll make a concubine of me, Prince Norvin?” I asked in a soft voice.

“No. You’ll be my one and only wife.”

I smiled at that, treading the water before me in playful swirls.

“Does that please you, Daria?”

I gave a nod, flushing with pleasure.

“Cain and Adal seem to like you too,” he added after a while.

“I like them too.”

“What?”

I laughed. “I like all three of you.”

“You have to choose.”

“I don’t want to choose.”

Norvin chuckled softly. “You’ll drive us crazy fighting over you.”

“There’s no need to fight, Norvin,” I said. “From this moment on, I’ll belong to all three of you.”

Suddenly, I realized I’d spoken my mind very clearly. I wanted all three princes beside me. The notion of belonging to them felt right. “I have made up mind.” I rose to my feet and stepped out of the tub. Norvin came behind me and covered my body with a fresh linen robe. Tying it at my waist, I turned around to face him. “I am going to assassinate Emperor Ivan.”

8

Back in my room, I sat near the hearth fire, combing the long strands of my jet-black hair. The dry heat from the crackling fire dried my tresses as I continued to smooth out the tangles. The loose robe slipped off my shoulder but I didn’t bother to pull it up.

While my decision was made up, part of me reminisced the years I spent in Linmoor. The only thing certain about the future was that I wasn’t coming back here again. While Linmoor was home, it hadn’t been easy growing up there. I was the youngest person to ever set foot in the valley run by assassins. Without past memories of who I was, I heavily depended on others to guide me.

Lady Elga was strict with me since I was a child. True, without her training I would be nothing today, but none of it had been easy. I was beaten, starved and driven close to an inch from death. Standard assassin training when Elga was your master.

Then, came the extra tutorials for harnessing the magic in my blood. While I could control fire and stay unburnt, it wasn’t always like that. During a meditative practice, I set the cottage on fire. While the other girls ran out, I remained absorbed in my mind, unaware of the flames growing all around me.

When I became conscious, I felt death would have been easier. I was badly burnt, barely holding onto life. The agony from all the burns on my body was unbearable. Lady Elga kept me drugged over the next few weeks until my body was healed mostly with her healing magic.

It took two years of intense patience to get rid of the scars on my body. The elder girls ridiculed me. I was even afraid to look into mirrors during that time. I cried until I couldn’t cry anymore. Only then I realized no one was coming to comfort me. My tears had no value. No one was moved by them.

My gaze flickered towards the ornate mirror set up against the wall on the far side of the room. My complexion was flawless now. The skin on the exposed part of my shoulders was smooth and pale. None of the scars remained, but the memory of the pain lingered. My green eyes glittered like gems as I held onto the tears, not allowing them to be shed.

The experience hardened me against the assassins I competed with. As time passed by, I steeled both my heart and body. My control over the magic in my blood grew stronger. I became cold and distant, shielding my emotions from everyone.

I spent the last five years being one of the best assassins in the guild. The status didn’t make me prideful. I’d paid a heavy price to control my magic, after all. Even now, I woke up in a sweat, thinking I was twelve years old, my body crying with burn wounds.

Over these years, I remained aloof. There was no reason to smile or feel joy. I would either spend my days practicing my martial arts or go on missions. The first time I smiled was when I got Naya. The little snake creature was lively and seemed to understand everything I said, responding to my questions and squeals of delight. He was able to open my heart once again.

I wondered if I would have bothered to help Tilly if Naya hadn’t opened up my heart to other people’s feelings. If I was my old self, I would just leave the girl behind, not caring whether she lived or died.

Elga often preached about keeping our emotions under control. But I didn’t want to do that anymore. It was exhausting. It was more liberating to feel them. I loved how the three princes made my heart and body throb with desire. I would never wish to suppress these feelings.

A dark shadow flew in through the open doorway. Tuto flopped beside me on the floor, his snowy-white wings spread wide. A mouse dangled from his beak.

“Go on,” I said, stroking it head. “Gobble it up.” His large, tawny eyes stared up at me before starting on his meal. “We’re going on a journey,” I told him while he tore into the mouse. He made no response. Tuto was like that. He listened but never responded.

Sighing, I got off the floor. Pulling the robe over my shoulders, I fastened the tie securely around my waist. It was time to get dressed and see Elga.

I began with my hair. Taking sections of it, I began braiding the strands. While my hands worked, my mind went back to contemplating the meeting to come. That morning, Elga called me to give the mission of assassinating Emperor Ivan. If she hadn’t been interrupted by Cain and Adal, she would have directly given me the command. And once an order was given, there was no way to refuse it.

Anger shone in my green eyes as I stared at my frowning reflection. It was definitely the right choice and time to get out of Linmoor. Elga would never care for me, no matter how long she’d known me. Still, the lost little girl inside me hoped she would have shown some shred of affection after all this time.

My hair was fashioned into an elegant bun perched high over my head. Selecting gold ornaments from a box before me, I began decorating my dark hair with them. I tried to stretch my lips into a smile, hoping it would make me feel better. It didn’t. With a defeated sigh, I began putting on the red silk gown. Its sleeves were longer than the tips of my fingers. The ends flared out and hung close to my ankles. I secured the waist with a tight sash of gold fabric.

I added more gold jewelry to my wrists and ears. Soon, my reflection looked like a traditional bride from Baledonia who wore kimono-style robes on special occasions. It’s fitting, I thought, considering how I was leaving my home to belong to the three princes. There was no need to add rouge to my cheeks. All I had to do was think of Prince Cain or Adal or Norvin, and they would be flush with pink.

Satisfied, I turned away from the mirror. Putting on a pair of dainty shoes, I headed out of the cottage. Tuto flew over my head, his wings slapping me with a blast of air as he soared up into the night sky.

Golden lanterns dotted the path leading to the center of the village. Following it, I reached Elga’s hall.

She was alone. A steaming terracotta cup sat before her on the table. She raised her head as soon as I stepped inside the room.

“You’ve come at a good time, Daria,” she said in her high, clear voice. Gesturing me to come forward, she pointed at the table. “I just brewed some tea.”

Moving forward, I sat on the reed mat placed by the low table. I sat in the traditional position, supporting my body on bended knees and tucking my feet under my bottom.

“The princes gave you a choice,” she said without preamble, pouring tea into a cup. She pushed it towards me. “Have you decided?”

I nodded. “I will do it.”

I looked at her weathered face. There was no way to know how old Elga was. A sly smile stretched her thin lips. “You don’t seem very happy, Daria.”

Great. She’d seen through me.

“Why did you choose me for such a mission?”

“You think it’s because I dislike you, child?”

“You don’t seem to like anyone.”

Elga chuckled but her voice was cold. “You already seem to think you’re no longer a part of Linmoor.” Before I could say anything, she continued. “Even if you decide to travel the four kingdoms, you will always be an assassin of Linmoor. No matter how much you dislike your fate, that’s what you are. Without the skills taught to you, you would be nothing. Just think of the girl you dragged in this morning. You would be someone like her or worse.”

I swallowed the bitterness welling up inside me. At least I gave Tilly the choice. No one asked the five-year-old child whether she wanted to live in a village of assassins.

“You asked me why I chose you. It is simple, Daria. You’re the best assassin among us. Your magical prowess surpasses even mine.”

I stared at her like she’d grown an extra head on her bony shoulder. Elga just praised me!

“It’s the truth,” she said, taking a long sip from her cup. Looking up, she gestured at my cup. “Drink.”

I took a sip of the nettle tea she’d served me.

“You will face your past soon.”

“What?”

“The memories that you’ve so adamantly locked away...you will face them soon. You should be prepared for that.”

“I don’t understand. Do you know something about me that I don’t?”

“There are many things I am privy to, child. I won’t disclose them to you.”

I brought the cup to my lips in a bid to hide away the annoyance on my face. Elga always left me feeling frustrated every time the subject of my past came up. There were never any straight answers. Not even when I was on the verge of leaving Linmoor.

“You must have your wits about you while you face Emperor Ivan. He cares for nothing. In his hands, death is the least of your worries.” Her grim voice sent a chill down my spine. “He and his sons like playing with their prey before devouring them.”

I nodded, grasping the cup tighter. “He is a dragon.”

“He is a beast.” Elga’s gray eyes glittered in the dim light of her room. She was being deadly serious. “Those three princes are the last hope the four kingdoms have of recovering. Protect them with your life. It is my command.”

Placing the cup on the table, I moved backward and lowered my head to the floor in obeisance. “Yes, Lady Elga.”

9

I walked out of Elga’s cottage into the cool night air, inhaling deeply. Elga gave me so much to think about. Not only was I supposed to be assassinating a full-fledged dragon but also ensure the safety of the three princes. The latter task seemed even more daunting than the first. I was used to killing people, not keeping them safe.

Up ahead, I heard the soft whispering of female voices. Moving closer to them, I saw two maids heading towards the kitchen.

“Where is Tilly now?” I asked.

“Who, Miss?”

“The new girl who came in this morning. Have you seen her?”

“Oh, her?” said one of them. “She looked exhausted, so Megga sent her to rest. The girl is probably in the maids’ quarters to the west.”

“Thank you.”

I watched the glow of their lantern disappear down the bend in the path. Tilly was already being taken care of. Megga was the head of the kitchen and watched over every woman under her. While the chores were harder, she didn’t drive them like slaves. Deciding to see Tilly after knowing what the princes planned, I headed towards the place reserved for guests.

The guest cottages were located far from the main village center. It was isolated, hiding the rest of Linmoor from them. Most days, it was dark. Today, however, the place was bright with lit lanterns hanging from the trees surrounding the area.

The doorway to the nearest cottage was open, so I decided to step inside there. At once, my heart sped up at the sight of the three princes sitting around a low table and drinking from flasks of wine. They looked relaxed, their long tresses loose about their shoulders.

Adal glanced up at me. His blue eyes widened in surprise but he was quick to hide it. Clearing his throat, he called out to me. “Daria. Please, come inside.”

I tilted my head low and entered the room. Norvin shifted towards Adal to make space for me at the table.

“You look lovely, Daria,” said Norvin, draping an arm around my shoulder and pulling me against his chest. “Red really suits you.”

“Thank you.” I looked around the room, hoping to calm my racing heart. I didn’t understand the flurry of desire and emotions that filled me every time I was around them.

“Norvin already told us you’ve decided to be our assassin,” said Cain. His steely gray eyes were grim. Piercing. With his dark hair hanging loosely at his side, he looked utterly beautiful. Maybe it was the fact he had dragon blood coursing through his veins that gave him an almost god-like aura. I had to keep reminding myself to breathe as I met his intense gaze.

I nodded. Suppressing the fluttery feelings in my stomach, I cleared my throat. “I want as much information about the emperor as you can give me. Even facts about the people he is close with could prove important. Can you procure a map of his palace? It will be really useful.”

“None of us have stepped into his palace after the massacre nineteen years ago,” said Cain. “That kind of information is very hard to come by, but Adal has mapped some of it out.”

“Do you remember the details well enough?” I asked, shifting my attention to the man on my left.

“I went through my family’s journals,” said Adal. “There is always some description of the halls, the corridors and the pathways to the temples. I have been adding the entries to make up a loose plan of the layout of the palace. It’s not much but anything’s better than blindly walking inside, not knowing which way to turn.”

“That’s a good start,” I agreed. “I can find out the rest when I reach Drakhaven.”

Norvin poured wine into a porcelain cup and pushed it towards me. Picking it up, I took a sip.

“Do you have a deadline for me?” I asked, taking more sips of the floral, sweet wine.

“No,” said Cain. “It’s a long journey from Linmoor to Drakhaven. The closest route will have you travel half the length of Iorna, then cross into Baledonia and then move north to reach Drakhaven.”

I nodded, leaning into Norvin. The wine warmed my belly, making me relaxed. Until now, I never allowed myself to get drunk, always staying sharp. One never knew when Elga would spring up a surprise training drill. Somehow, with the three princes, I felt utterly safe. The tension in my body loosened.

“How long do you plan to stay here?” I asked after a while.

“We are leaving at daybreak tomorrow,” said Norvin. “We will be taking the mountain pass from here to reach Partaig, the closest town to Cain’s capital.”

“That will take at least a week,” I said, startled. “If we follow the main path from Oakhedge, it will be so much faster.”

“We can’t go through Oakhedge,” said Cain in a low, urgent voice. “The town will already be in an uproar by now.” His silvery eyes fixed on me. “I told Elga to send out assassins to finish every person on the list you gave. With the death of the generals involved, the town will have more soldiers and high officials coming in. We can’t be on that route and risk being identified.”

“Do your ministers know you’re here?”

Cain shook his head. “They think I am in isolation at the dragon temple.”

Novin chuckled beside me. “You really need to hurry back, Cain. You never know when one of them decides to keep you company during prayers.”

Cain exhaled a long breath. “I know.”

“We will accompany you until Partaig,” said Adal. “From there, I’ll take the route to Baledonia. You and Norvin will proceed with Cain to Gweryn’s palace. Norvin will hide there while you’ll be tasked with bringing some ancient manuscripts Cain found in his temples. You will have to be our courier as we can’t trust anyone else with them.”

“Sure. I’ll keep them safe.”

“The texts are all in the ancient tongue, and somehow escaped Ivan’s notice when he was looting and burning the temple archives of the four kingdoms,” said Cain. “We believe it could have some key information for us.”

“Or it could just be a recipe to brew peach ale,” said Norvin with a grin.

“Let’s not hope so,” said Adal with a grimace.

I put down the cup of wine. A part of me wanted to stay close to Norvin and enjoy the warmth of his body but if we were to leave next morning, I had to prepare things for the long journey. I got to my feet.

“Where are you going?” Norvin spoke up at once, grabbing my wrist.

“If we are to leave tomorrow, I need to make preparations.”

“You should rest well,” said Adal.

“Good night, Daria,” said Cain.

Norvin kissed the palm of my hand before letting me go. “I’ll be coming to bed soon.”

Both Cain and Adal looked like they were about to protest.

I laughed, snatching my hand out of his hold. “I miss my side of the bed, you know. Goodbye.” Still chuckling, I walked out of the cottage, turning towards the west side of the village. Before starting with my preparations, I wanted to see Tilly one last time.

The maids’ quarters were empty at that time of the evening. It was dinner time and everyone was probably in the kitchen or finishing up serving Elga and the assassins.

Reaching the quarters, I entered inside the large cottage. It was a single vast room, filled with rows of cots. Only one at the far corner was occupied.

I walked towards the bed. Tilly was lying there with the blankets covering her body. One hand dangled on the side of the cot. Her wrist was still bandaged with the torn piece from my underskirt. I gently shook her awake.

Her eyes opened wide, scanning the darkened room in panic until they fell on me. Slowly, her breathing slowed down and she was able to sit up.

“Are you still scared?” I asked.

Pulling the blanket up to her chin, she gave a small nod.

I sat on the edge of the cot and rubbed her shoulder. “It’s all right. No one will hurt you here. We are all women here.”

“I understand that,” she said in a small voice. “It’s just…every time I close my eyes, it feels like I am back at the brothel. Someone will come and bleed me out.”

“It will pass. I promise.”

She remained quiet, content to stay in my arms. When her breathing was regular, I broached the subject. “I am leaving Linmoor tomorrow.”

“What?”

She scooted back, her large eyes on me. “Where are you going?”

I shook my head. “You can’t ask an assassin where they’re going.”

“Oh…you’re going to kill someone?” she whispered.

I nodded.

“When will you come back?”

“I am not sure,” I lied. “It’s a long task.”

“I will wait for you, Miss Daria. One of the girls said if we are good and obedient, we can become maids to one of the ladies here. When you come back, I’ll be ready to serve you.”

I smiled. “It’s all right. Don’t wear yourself over serving someone else. The only thing I want you to promise me is that you’ll live well. Don’t make me regret saving your life.” She gave me a nod and smiled. “Go back to sleep now.”

I waited until Tilly was lying in bed with the blanket covering her completely. Her eyes closed and within minutes, she was asleep. Peace flooded my chest as I watched her sleep. Norvin, as Naya, had awakened the feelings I’d long suppressed inside me. His playfulness drove away the dark clouds that had lingered over me most of my life.

Getting to my feet, I walked out of the room. I headed towards my own quarters now. It would be at least a few months before the mission would be completed. Traveling on the roads wasn’t easy, especially when we would be avoiding the main towns.

Reaching my cottage, I began packing a bundle with simple clothes. It would have to be wool and coarse hemp, fabrics worn by the poorest lot. They were warm and provided an extra layer of protection from thieves and robbers. I remained in the red silk gown even though it was getting in my way. The large, long sleeves were a hindrance but I didn’t stop to change. It would be a while before my body would be clean enough to don such luxurious clothing.

In a second bundle, I added pouches of herbs, extra needles, and vials of my choicest poisons. My weapons would be part of my person. Additionally, I packed strips of dried meat for Tuto. He was still absent from the room, hunting in the night but I knew he would return before dawn.

When everything was prepared, I sat on the edge of my bed and began taking out my hair ornaments. After loosening the long strands of my hair from the bun and braids, I lay down among the pillows. I was still wearing the silk gown, not willing it to take it off yet. It would be terribly wrinkled by next morning, but it wasn’t something I had to worry about any longer. The maids would fix it for whoever decided to covet my things after I was gone.

10

It was still dark when I woke up. Morning chill crept in through the gaps in the doors and shuttered windows. Shivering, I almost went to the hearth to light a fire. Endure Daria, I told myself. You won’t always have a warm fire when you’re on the road.

Yawning and stretching, I hurriedly took off the red silk gown. It was crinkled like scrunched up parchment by now. Throwing it on the bed, I donned a pair of fitted leather breeches and a linen undershirt. Over it, I wore a coarse woolen tunic. Instantly, I felt warm despite the roughness against my skin. Over the next hour, I added layers of blades and needles around my clothes, hanging them from tiny wiry hooks. The weapons were wafer thin, making them very light but incredibly sharp, sliding over each other along with the movements of my body.

I braided my hair in a thick, long plait, leaving it plain and unadorned. Without a speck of rouge to color my cheeks, I looked like a farm maid in my woolen garb.

I wore knee-high leather boots, the only item of luxury among the hemp and wool. I could do without fancy clothing but an assassin had to be quick on their feet. These boots were my best asset.

Tuto hooted sleepily, one tawny eye opening as he watched me tie a cloak around my neck. I prodded him in the chest. “I am leaving soon. Can you find me when I call for you?” He snapped at my finger and turned around to show me his tail. “Grouchy.”

I moved away from my grumpy familiar. Come daylight, Tuto will fly to me. He wouldn’t have trouble finding the way because of our connection.

Going to the low table in the corner, I poured myself some water from the earthen pitcher. There was a parcel of wrapped leaves with leftover bread from yesterday. Sitting down, I tore into the bread and drank the cold water, reminding myself not to go into the kitchen for hot porridge. My meals would be like this until I’d completed my mission.

After the meager breakfast, I shouldered my bundle and headed out to meet the princes.

Dawn was breaking in the east. The whole valley of Linmoor was covered in thick gray fog. Some of it snaked its way around the cottages and trees, giving everything a smoky, spectral appearance. Reaching the princes’ quarters, I saw packed horses neighing softly by their cottage.

Adal walked out to reach for one of the horses. He was attired in coarse brown wool, similar to mine, but his regal persona wasn’t diminished one bit. When his soft eyes landed on me, he came near and smiled. “How are you, Daria?” he asked in a pleasant voice.

“Sleepy.”

He laughed softly, rubbing one of the horses’ necks fondly. “I had to drench both my companions to wake them up. They aren’t used to waking up before dawn.”

“What about you?” I asked. “Why would a prince need to wake up so early?”

“Sometimes, I study the stars,” said Adal, looking up to the sky. I followed his gaze and looked at twinkling specs left in the lightening sky. “Some can only be seen at break of dawn, so I am used to waking up early. There are nights when I get so engrossed in a text, I forget to sleep. It’s no hardship for me at all.”

I glanced at the golden-haired prince. He was the most beautiful of the three princes. While Cain and Norvin exuded their masculinity in speech and manners, Adal was soft-spoken and gentle. He was highly intelligent but his wisdom didn’t make him vain. He seemed eager to share what he knew. A warm feeling expanded in my chest as he related stories of his observatory room back home.

“I would love to look at the stars through one of your glass pieces,” I said as he explained about the crystals that could bring a far-off object into close focus. “By the way, Prince Adal, are you hungry? The kitchens don’t open for another hour but I could get you something.”

He placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, stopping me from turning away. Up close, I looked up at his soft eyes and felt my heart race. “We want to leave before anyone wakes up. I drank some water for now. We will find something to eat on the road.”

Cain and Norvin stumbled out of the cottage, looking disheveled and exhausted.

“How can you two look so fresh and summery?” groaned Norvin as he came close to us. “It’s still night time.”

“Don’t complain,” said Cain shortly, struggling to suppress a yawn. Dark stubble coated his strong chin. With shadowed eyes, he looked towards me. “Are you ready to head out, Daria?”

“I am.”

“Let us move then.”

We mounted the horses and trotted through the mist, heading towards the entrance of Linmoor village. A cool breeze blew by, lifting the stray strands of hair away from my forehead. I breathed in deeply, feeling the sense of freedom. Even if I died on this mission, I would at least never return to this oppressive place.

All four of us knew the way back to the cavernous tunnel that followed the river flowing overhead. As daylight broke through the gaps in the forest foliage, Cain led his horse into a gallop. We followed after him, reaching the exit gateway of the valley in a short time.

To my surprise, flames erupted in the hands of my three companions. Lifting their palms away from the reins, they headed inside the cavernous passageway. I followed after them. There was no need for me to conjure up my magic to illuminate the way forward.

“You don’t look surprised at all, Daria,” said Norvin, leading his horse to trot beside mine. “All the women fall in love with this particular ability of ours.”

I chuckled and conjured up my own magic, letting the flames lick my fingers.

“Wow! How’d you do that?”

“I have my own magic.”

“It looks very similar to ours,” said Adal, moving closer to stare at my hand. “Do you have dragon blood in your veins?”

“I don’t know. I wasn’t born with this ability like you three. Elga trained me in magic to control the elements of fire and air.”

“We had to train as well,” said Adal. “We are able to control our fires only after hitting puberty. Both Cain and I were fifteen when our ability surfaced.”

“I was fourteen,” said Norvin.

I fell silent, drowning the flames as I followed after Cain and Adal. For a moment, I considered being a lost princess of the dragons. But as images of my pitiful childhood flashed by my mind’s eyes, I discarded the notion completely. I was just Daria without a last name. An orphan, a bastard child. That’s what I remembered Elga telling me.

After an hour’s journey through the underground tunnel, we emerged out into the early morning light. Shielding our eyes against the sudden burst of sunlight, we rode slowly until we’d emerged out of the woods completely.

“Oakheadge is that way,” said Cain, pointing at the road ahead. “We travel north by taking this path and avoid the town completely.”

“Let’s get on the road already and find an inn,” grumbled Norvin. “I am starving.”

We followed Cain’s lead, riding hard and fast through the tree-lined dirt path. We rode for an hour until we came onto a roadside shack, selling breakfast. Rickety benches were placed around similarly wobbly wooden tables. Men sat around most of them, eating their meals while a young maid walked about serving them. A stout man with shaggy beard and gray hair stood at the counter, ladling out porridge or adding toasted bread to wooden plates.

“We’re eating here,” announced Norvin, lightly jumping off his horse in one fluid motion. His cheerful demeanor had me frowning. Even though he was dressed like a peasant, he was acting like a cocky prince. I glanced at Cain and Adal.

“We need to blend in,” I said in a quiet voice. “We never know who’s watching us.”

They nodded. We dismounted our horses and tied the reins to a nearby tree. While our mounts grazed on the grass, the three of us went to sit at the table where Norvin sat.

“I ordered everything on the menu,” he said as we sat around him.

“Idiot,” I hissed.

He looked taken back at my scowl. “What?”

“We can’t show we’re a wealthy lot,” I whispered urgently. “We look like peasants. Even ordering barley porridge is rich of us.”

“Ugh! Who would want to eat horse feed? I told them to get us sausages and fried liver.”

My unease was growing as I looked at the men sitting around us. They were either eating bowls of thin porridge or thick, charred bread without butter. No one ate meat.

I was forced to abandon my disapproval when the food arrived. The smell of still sizzling liver with herbs and spices enticed my grumbling stomach. The three princes dove into the sausages, spearing them with makeshift forks.

“I’d like to get paid before you lot eat this king’s dinner,” said the stout man, placing a tray of bread before us.

“Sure,” said Cain in an imperial voice. “This should suffice?” He handed the man a gold coin. The man’s beady eyes flashed at once and he bit into the thick metal.

“Real,” he grunted, eyeing the coin in amazement. Next moment, he was staring at the princes and me. I observed the subtle change in his expression. His amazement was steadily turning into greed. Pocketing the gold coin, he walked away. For the rest of the time we stayed, he kept his eyes on us.

“Eat up, Daria,” said Norvin, pushing the plate of sausages at me.

I ate but remained wary. Closing my eyes, I invoked my connection with Tuto, urging him to wake up. The owl ruffled his feathers begrudgingly but opened his eyes, giving me a look at the interior of my cottage. Blinking, I cleared my vision. Tuto would be here soon.

Feeling marginally relieved, I stuffed some bread and meat into my mouth.

When breakfast was over, the princes sat back to talk amongst themselves while I remained vigilant. Elga’s command to protect them was getting harder by the minute. Once we were in the woods, away from this shack, I would have to teach them to blend better around village crowds. They were acting far too complacent and handing out gold. It was astonishing Cain and Adal made it this far from their palaces.

We were about to leave when a gust of wind jolted away my braid, followed by taloned-feet digging into my shoulders. “Oww! Get off, Tuto!”

He flopped away to perch on a low branch, looking at me with reproach.

“There’s no need to be like that,” I told him, loosening the knots on the rein of my horse. “I told you we were leaving last night but you stayed out late.”

Norvin chuckled beside me. “Why are you bringing this creature along?”

“I need him,” I said shortly, still angry at his nonchalant behavior. He seemed confused but I was eager to get out of there.

“We better get out of here soon,” I said, watching a cloaked man riding off on the path we were headed on. He’d been talking covertly with the shack master only minutes ago.

Cain and Adal sensed my urgency. They mounted their horses after me, leaving Norvin to dawdle behind. I kicked at the sides of my mount, urging it to pick up pace.

Soon we’d left the shack behind us. Our pace slowed down as we entered a wooded valley. Tuto flew overhead. From time to time, I switched my vision to get a bird’s-eye’s view of the vale.

Suddenly, something shifted down among the greenery. Stopping the horse, I focused on it, urging Tuto to fly lower. It could just be wild wolves but I wanted to be sure it wasn’t a threat.

Men in black garb moved down the hills. They were concealed among the thickets but moved fast on their feet. Long, naked daggers flashed in their hands.

“Stop!” I cried out.

The three princes came to a halt, glancing back at me. Before they could ask me anything, an arrow whistled past me, narrowly missing Adal but sinking into his horse’s neck. The beast’s shriek of pain shattered the silence of the forest.

All three pairs of eyes looked just as desperate as mine.

We were being ambushed.

11

Adal jumped off his horse before it could fall to the ground. He watched with shocked eyes as the animal writhed in agony on the forest floor.

“Take cover,” shouted Cain, his voice booming around the woods, startling us out of our stupor. Norvin and Cain rushed their horses towards a clump of trees, Adal was left behind, still standing beside the writhing creature. As I glanced at him, I realized the prince wasn’t carrying his sword. It was still strapped to the saddle of his horse.

Jumping off my horse, I dashed towards Adal.

Reaching him, I pushed him down until he was lying on the leaf-strewn forest floor. Arrows whistled over our heads. Heart in my throat, I protectively laid an arm over his torso.

Closing my eyes, I entered the mind of my horse. Fear and confusion from the creature threatened to choke me but I suppressed it, subduing the beast’s mind. “Go after Cain and Norvin,” I said through gritted teeth. “Get out of the open.” With a loud neigh, the horse sprinted towards the bushes through which Cain and Novin had disappeared moments ago.

“Fear not, Daria,” said Adal, turning to look at me. “I will protect you.”

“You’re not even armed, Prince Adal.”

He seemed to realize that and glanced towards his fallen horse. Getting onto his feet, he dashed towards it. He kept his head low as arrows continued to rain down upon us. Further ahead, I heard the clash of swords. Cain and Norvin must’ve been attacked.

“We’ve got to get out of the open,” I shouted, running towards Adal. He’d managed to grab his sword by then. To my surprise, he covered me with his body as we sprinted towards the trees through which Cain and Norvin had disappeared.

Men’s shouts filled the air.

The clang of metal on metal was deafening, but I couldn’t help marvel at the courage of the man beside me. Adal was no warrior, and yet, he was be using his body to shield me. My heart swelled with gratitude. No one had ever wanted to protect me before.

All too soon, my mind returned to the situation at hand. Adal parried off a blow from a black-clad bandit. I was pushed back while he kept getting hit by the man in black. Without wasting a breath, I shot a needle at the robber who’d dared to attack my prince. Clutching the side of his neck, he fell within seconds.

“Stay close to me, Your Highness,” I shouted, throwing poisoned darts and needles at the men in my vision. As the bodies fell, I was able to look further ahead where Cain and Norvin were being attacked by five men at once. They were good with their swords but they couldn’t keep it up long.

More men charged at us, their black attires making them look like crawling ants over the hilly terrain.

“This won’t do,” I muttered, my heart racing as I looked for a way out. For a moment, I closed my eyes, shifting inside Tuto’s mind. The men were coming from the south, west, and east. “Good,” I whispered. The way north was left open and that was the direction we were meant to head towards.

My vision shifted away from Tuto’s mind but suddenly, I fell backward, feeling a heavy weight pushing on me. Blinking to clear away my eyes, I saw Adal leaning on me while a bandit raised a blood-stained sword to attack his back.

“No!” I cried out, stumbling backward as Adal continued to press his body against mine. Before I could fall to the ground, I let loose two poisoned needles. My aim was bad but one of them hit the man in the forehead.

“Daria,” Adal whispered urgently. “Are you okay?”

“I am fine,” I replied, swallowing the wave of panic threatening to choke me. My hand resting on his back came away wet and shining with blood. I stared at the sight of my bloodied palm. “What…” My voice shook with dread. “You took a blow for me!”

“I won’t let them hurt you.”

I clutched onto Adal’s shirt as my eyes squeezed in agony. He was the one who was slashed and bleeding, but it felt like I was the one who was stabbed in the heart.

Get a grip, a cold, calculated part of my mind instructed me. The voice was that of Elga’s.

As soon as I realized it, Elga’s frigid gray eyes flashed in my mind. At once, my panic cleared away. I knew what to do. “I have to get you out of here,” I shouted over the sound of struggles.

Closing my eyes, I searched for my horse’s presence. As soon as the orb of black and blue was visible to me, I reached forward, settling into the beast’s psyche. Willing it to stop panicking, I made it come back towards us.

When the horse came nearer, I hauled Adal to his feet. He swayed and leaned heavily on me. He was at least two heads taller to me, so it was a struggle to get him to climb on the horse. Once he was on it, I glanced around us to see five bandits approaching us. Their gazes flickered between me and the fallen men. Good. They knew to be careful with me.

Taking a deep breath, I conjured up my inner power, letting both my hands erupt in leaping flames. The bandits cried out in surprise but I wasn’t done with them yet.

I focused my power on them next, lighting their clothes on fire. Their shouts of surprise caught the attention of the men attacking Norvin and Cain. They halted momentarily, watching with astonishment as their comrades’ bodies erupted in flames.

Their shrieks of agony rang through the forest. 

Even rolling on the ground would not douse the flames that were steadily covering their bodies.

The men standing close to Cain and Norvin stared at me, their eyes widening with horror.

My hands were covered with fire too, but instead of shrieking out like the men around me, I was smiling coldly.

They began backing away.

“Get on your horses,” I shouted.

Cain and Norvin, now free from the attacks, jumped onto their mounts.

“Come on, Daria,” shouted Norvin. His handsome face was a mask of horror and panic as his horse reared on its hind legs.

Giving him a nod, I climbed on my horse. By now, Adal had slumped forward. I wrapped my arm around his waist securely while taking the reins in another hand. I urged the horse to trot after Cain and Norvin.

Aware of the danger they were in, the bandits stopped attacking us.

Even as we rode north, the stench of burning flesh was carried over by the wind.

Tuto flew overhead, guiding me towards escape. I’d already communicated my need for a secluded place. Catching up with Cain, I signaled him to follow me. He gave me a nod, slowing down a fraction to get behind me. Norvin brought up the rear as we thundered towards the hilly caves Tuto showed me.

My gaze flickered towards Adal. The patch of blood on his tunic was continuing to grow. My hold around his waist tightened. Panic welled inside me but I suppressed it. Adal needed me. I couldn’t allow myself the luxury of breaking down and crying.

Because crying never helped with anything.

Soon, tops of the hills that I’d seen through Tuto’s eyes came into view. I cried out, urging the horse to move faster. I was driving him hard with two grown people on his back but I couldn’t bring myself to care for the moment.

Reaching the entrance to the caves, I pulled in my reins. Cain and Norvin stopped on either side of me, their gazes on the slumped figure before me.

“Help me get him inside,” I said, my voice cold and hard. Norvin came to aid him, lifting Adal from the horse. I glanced at Cain. “I need wood and water immediately.” Before he could ask me anything, I said, “Go westward from here. There’s a freshwater lake.” With that, I dismounted and began taking my bundles from the saddle.

“Look after him,” said Cain in a tight voice before riding away.

I took several deep breaths, struggling to keep my panic down. How could I fail my mission when the day was just beginning?

Walking inside the cave, I found Adal lying on Norvin’s cloak. His face was pale and sweaty.

Norvin sat beside him. As soon as he saw me, he rushed towards me. “Are you okay, Daria?”

“Fetch me some wood.”

“What?”

“I need wood for a fire. Don’t delay.”

I sat down next to Adal on the floor and opened the bundle containing herbs and potions. Norvin stood by, watching me. Why wasn’t he going yet? My irritation with him was rising.

Moving closer to Adal, I gently turned him around, so that his back was facing me. The tunic was soaked with blood by now. With shaking hands, I tore at the fabric.

Norvin gasped. A deep slash marked the otherwise flawless skin of Adal’s back.

“I need wood for a fire,” I repeated. Taking wads of clean linen from my pack, I pressed it onto the wound.

“But Daria…”

“Cain will be here with the water soon. It will be useless without some burning wood to heat it. There’s so much magic I can channel while treating his wound.”

“Fine. I am going but we’re going to have a talk when I get back.”

I grit my teeth from replying to him. Norvin didn’t understand why I was being short with him. He was still being a prince of Redfall, used to giving orders and not taking them. But this wasn’t his palace or kingdom. It was the wilderness.

A hiss of pain escaped Adal’s lips. Good. He was still conscious.

“Stay with me, Adal,” I said in a loud voice. “You’re going to be fine. Just stay with me, okay? I know it’s painful but I will heal you until there’s not a sign on your skin.” My hands shook as I kept talking to him like he was a child. Tears ran down my cheeks as I continued to press the linen to his wound, hoping both Cain and Norvin would come back.

From time to time, I checked the outside of the cave through Tuto. The owl was disgruntled, not happy with playing sentry in broad daylight but I controlled him with sheer forceful power. I would make it up to him with lots of fresh meat slices.

Keeping the linen on Adal’s back, I searched through my pack for a porcelain vial containing herbal ash. It was strongly antiseptic and would protect the wound from festering. When my finger felt the cold, smooth surface of the bottle, I breathed out a sigh of relief. Uncorking it, I sprinkled the powdery substance on the deep, bloody gash.

Adal hissed out in pain.

“I am sorry, my prince,” I said in a heavy voice choked with tears. “It’s terribly painful but it will help you heal faster.” My sobs filled the quiet, shadowy interiors of the cave.

It’s my fault. I was careless and he took the blow for me. I should be the one to be wounded for not paying enough attention! The thoughts wouldn’t leave my mind. With guilt burning my insides, I waited for Norvin and Cain to arrive.

Tuto’s hoots from outside the cave startled me. Grasping Adal’s hand tighter, I made the connection with Tuto and was glad to see it was Cain and Norvin. Within minutes, they were inside the cave.

Without a word, Norvin gathered the wood into a pile. Conjuring up his own dragon magic, he lit it. Within minutes, a warm fire was crackling, heating and lighting up our cavernous refuge.

Cain heated up the water by placing his hands on either side of the metal pail. When steam rose from the surface, he placed it beside me.

“Thank you, Cain.” I dipped clean linen into the hot water and began washing away the blood from Adal’s back. “I need you to lift him up a little so I can wrap the wound.”

Cain moved forward and gently lifted Adal’s body, giving me ample space to wrap the bandage around his torso.

“Is he going to be all right?” asked Norvin.

“I hope so.” In the flickering light of the flames, I could see Adal more clearly. Sweat shimmered on his deathly pale face. His eyes were closed shut in an expression of agony and he was starting to shiver. Taking off my cloak, I covered him. I was no dragon, but even I could tell it was bad for a dragon-blooded man to be feeling cold.

I checked in my pack, looking for the potion that helped with fevers. Finding the crystal container, I tipped some of the dark green liquid into Adal’s mouth. He groaned, shifting under the cloak.

“Would you require more water?” asked Cain.

“I may.”

“There’s no way we are going anywhere today,” said Cain decisively. “It would be good to store up some more wood and water, even hunt and forage for food.”

I nodded, grateful he was taking the lead on things while I could tend to Adal. “It would be good if you could catch some wild fowl. A hot soup with herbs will help strengthen him.”

Cain nodded. “Stay with Adal. We’ll go and take care of the rest.”

“Thank you,” I said gratefully, looking into his anxious gray eyes. A part of me even expected him to blame me for what happened to his friend. Instead, he clapped Norvin on the back.

Norvin cast me a grim look before getting to his feet without a word. I could feel his anger towards me, but at the moment, I could only worry for Adal. 

12

The skin and muscles of my back burned. My teeth ground together as I struggled to rein back the groans of pain escaping my lips. Teardrops fell on my face but I couldn’t form a word of comfort. All I could do was control my breathing and not scream out in pain.

“I am so, so sorry,” she whispered. I let the pressure of her hand on mine distract me for a moment. Daria’s voice was heavy with anguish. This was the sort of pain I wanted her to avoid in the first place and yet, she was crying and shedding tears like she was the one to get slashed by a sword.

My mind went back to the moment it happened.

We were surrounded by men in black attires. My horse was shot down and within seconds, even more arrows flew towards us. While Cain and Norvin moved away, Daria stayed back with me. I wasn’t a warrior like them but there was no way I could let those bandits hurt Daria.

My heart belonged to her from the moment I saw her. Ancient lore often spoke of dragon mates, the one with the true half of our soul, the one we would recognize from the moment we laid eyes on them. Daria was the only woman who’d ever awakened such deep desire within me.

Her beauty and intelligence left me breathless. There was a touch of innocence in her despite the fact she was an assassin. Even when Norvin made every effort to show his possessiveness over her, I could not relinquish my desire for his sake. There was nothing I coveted in life until I met her.

My days were dedicated to acquiring as much knowledge as possible to aid Cain and Norvin in their efforts to topple Emperor Ivan. Being the son of a concubine, I knew I would never be favored by the courtiers to take the throne. In fact, other than the title of prince, nothing truly belonged to me. After the death of my father, my existence was even more insignificant than before.

However, meeting Daria changed the dreary perspective of my own life. She was the woman I wanted by my side. From the moment our gazes met, I knew she was my one true mate, both in body and soul. It didn’t matter who stood in my way from claiming her, my heart belonged to her.

So when one of the bandits moved towards Daria with his sword raised, I couldn’t help but get in his way. She’d already proven to be an excellent fighter, throwing poisoned darts and needles with expertise, but for that single moment, the green of her eyes had changed to tawny. I’d noticed it happen before and knew she was communicating with her owl. It was dangerous for her to get distracted in the middle of a fight but only now I realized she was trying to find a safe passage for us to escape the armed men attacking us.

I took the hit for Daria, and even though I was fighting through a haze of sheer agony, I didn’t regret the decision. I couldn’t imagine a life without her anymore.

The feverish cold rose and ebbed. At times, I was in a soundless void. Only when I saw the flickering flames and heard Daria’s soft sobs I knew I was conscious. Her warm hand never left mine. And for that, I was grateful. Just to feel the softness of her skin on mine, I fought to stay awake. Even when I was in pain, I yearned for her touch.

“Stop crying, Daria.” My voice was barely a whisper and I wondered if I was talking in a dream.

“Adal.” She leaned towards me, her green eyes searching my face for something. “You’re awake.”

“Barely.”

“Why did you do that for me?” she asked. “Why did you have to get hurt because of me?” Her voice was rising steadily. “I am an orphan, an assassin of Linmoor Valley. My life is not worth anything.”

How could she think that of herself? Daria was young and beautiful, a trait most women in the royal palaces would kill to have. She was intelligent and had the power to control and conjure fire. Even in the face of danger, Daria kept a cool head. Even the general of an army would be lucky to have her beside him.

“You’re wrong.” I wanted to shout it to her but my voice was barely audible.

She shook her head. Fresh tears streamed down her beautiful face as she looked at me with regret and desperation. “You must never do something like this, Adal. Promise me.”

“I will not.”

For a moment, she stared at me, her lips parted slightly. “Why? Why…would you care for me? I am just an assassin. If I fail in killing the emperor, you could always hire another.”

A hundred retorts came to mind but none were formed into words. A hacking cough attacked me and for a moment, my vision faded to blank as a rising wave of cold threatened to drown me.

“No! Adal! Adal!” Daria was shouting but her voice was steadily diminishing.

No matter how hard I tried, my eyes remained closed. Trapped in a void, I fought to breathe and stay alive. It was a futile effort as my body got heavier, sinking me further into the shadowy depths.

Suddenly, a bright silvery blue light shone in the corner of my vision. Focusing all my strength on it, I watched it grow in shape and intensity.

“Breathe, Adal.” It was Daria’s voice but I couldn’t see her. In the black void, her voice seemed to come from my own mind. “I am passing you some of my inner power. You have to hold on, Adal.”

“Don’t do that, Daria.” I wanted to break free from her but her control over me was absolute. “You will weaken yourself.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’ll never give up on you.”

The sphere of light became so intense I could no longer bear to look at it. With a sudden gasp, my eyes flew open. My heart was racing while my chest heaved as my lungs drew in breath after breath. The glow from the burning fire came in my vision and I realized I was back in the cavernous space.

Daria was gasping for breath. A sheen of sweat covered her pale face. The glow of her emerald-green eyes dimmed. Slowly, she lowered her body until she was lying beside me.

“Are you all right, Daria?” My voice was stronger now. The slash on my back still burned but I was no longer cold.

“Give me a minute.”

Daria just proved herself to be an excellent manipulator of soul energy. She’d transferred some of her own inner vigor to me. It weakened her terribly, bringing her close to death but it’d breathed life in my body. Such skill required years to master. Only healers in the most advanced stages of life could perform such feats. Daria was only nineteen. I was slowly beginning to understand why Lady Elga chose her for the assassination of Emperor Ivan. No one else could compare with her prowess.

With effort, I turned towards her. Daria’s eyes were closed and she seemed to be asleep.

“You’ve pushed beyond the point of exhaustion.” She didn’t stir. I moved my body closer to her and covered us both with the cloak covering my body. Pulling her against my chest, I draped my arm over her. My lips pressed against hers in a gentle kiss.

The fire burned brightly, heating up the cavernous space. With Daria’s body against mine under the cloak, it was getting warmer. I could feel strength seeping into my limbs. The burning pain in my back became a dull, throbbing ache. Closing my eyes, I breathed deeply. It was so quiet and peaceful, my eyes drooped closed.

13

My arms were full with the twigs I’d collected. Cain was already at the banks of the lake about a mile from the hilly cave where Daria was tending to Adal. It was amazing how fast she’d found the place and led us to it. Without her, three of us would still be fumbling around in the woods.

Laying down the bundle of wood, I leaned against a tree trunk and looked towards the sky. It was already late afternoon. Apart from the cries of birds, the forest around me was silent.

The bandits didn’t follow after us. With a chance to finally breathe freely, I thought back to the attack. None of us saw it coming except for Daria. If she wasn’t in our company, the three of us would’ve already been skewered by arrows. The sight of the writhing horse rose up in my mind, sickening me to my stomach. It could have been Adal.

He was still in danger though. The cut in his back was a foot-long gash. It was fortunate the sword didn’t cut into his spine or he would have been dead already. His tunic was drenched in blood by the time we reached the safety of the cavernous hills. Again, thanks to Daria.

“Norvin!” Cain’s shout came from behind me.

Turning around, I saw him striding towards me with a pail of water in one hand and a pair of dead pigeons in the other.

“Is that going to be enough for all of us?” I asked, staring pointedly at the skinny birds.

“They are for Adal.” He walked closer and sat down near the pile of woods. “The rest of us can eat the bread and cheese from our saddlebags.”

I made a face at that, earning a grim look from my friend.

“What?”

He shook his head. “I am exhausted.”

“It’s not every day you get attacked by a horde of savage bandits.”

“We would be dead without Daria on our side,” he said, voicing the thought in my head.

The sight of Daria setting the men on fire rose up in my mind. Her own hands were flaming while she stared at the men attacking us. The cold warning in her green eyes had been enough to make them withdraw.

“Do you think she has dragon blood in her?” I asked. Ever since I met her and felt her inner power seeping into my body, I knew she was much more than an ordinary woman. It was my closeness to her that allowed me to shift back to my human body.

“She is more than just that,” said Cain, looking into the distance. “We can conjure fire, let flames lick every inch of our body without pain but we can’t set an object in the distance on fire. We would have to channel it out or throw balls of flames at it. Daria has immense magical prowess. It takes years of training to do what she can.”

“That old hag knows how to push people to the limit. I bet she drove Daria to get as good as she is.”

A worried look came over Cain. “She must’ve gone through a lot. She’s not even twenty yet.”

I nodded. “It was hard to imagine her as an assassin until today. Did you see how easily she fell those men with the darts and needles? They were struck before they even knew what she was up to.”

“I knew she was extraordinary when Lady Elga recommended her as the assassin to kill Ivan.” He closed his eyes and exhaled a long breath. “I fell in love with her the moment I saw her.” His expression was tender as he opened his eyes to look at me. “When I saw her the first time, she seemed to be the daughter of a wealthy merchant. I was determined to find her after going back to my capital.” A chuckle escaped him. “I was going to have her enter my harem.”

“Daria would never enter a harem. She would rather have a harem of her own,” I said, thinking of the conversation we had before we left.

Cain smiled indulgently. “I would love to sign up for that.”

I stared at Cain. “Really?” Among the three of us, he was the one with a large harem. “You already have enough women. Let Daria be mine.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “You can have all the women in my harem, Norvin. I just want Daria.”

“Why?”

“I don’t like any of them,” he said with a grim expression. “They are daughters from noble families. Some spy on me, while the others want to be queen and would sabotage each other. There are days when I wish I could send them all home.”

“You can. Once Ivan is dead, we can take control of our kingdom and people once again.”

We stayed silent for a while, each lost to his thoughts.

“So, we’re in love with the same girl,” said Cain.

“Not just us,” I said. “I suspect Adal too.”

Cain nodded. “He took the hit for her. The idiot could’ve died!” He exhaled a long breath and looked at me. “But who am I to call him an idiot? I would have done the same if I were near her.”

“Great,” I said, seething. “Now I have two of you to compete against.”

Cain chuckled. It was a rare sight to the ruling prince of Iorna laugh so freely. It was unnerving. “What’s wrong with you?” I demanded. “Shouldn’t you be angry?”

“Why should I be angry?” asked Cain. “We all have hearts, don’t we? I can’t be angry at you or Adal for liking Daria. She’s just that kind of woman. Any man would want to covet her.”

“Won’t you be jealous if she chooses one of us?” I asked, digging deeper into Cain’s good humor, hoping he would show his frustration.

“I suppose I’d be jealous but we must make a pact amongst ourselves,” said Cain in a severe tone. “We will never harm each other to compete for her heart.”

I stayed silent, pondering his words. “Of course, I won’t harm you or Adal,” I muttered.

Cain shook his head. “We will make a pact. I have seen what happens to women who fixate on a man too strongly. Obsession can get deadly. Don’t argue on this, Norvin. I speak from experience.”

I ran a hand through the strands of my wild, midnight-blue hair. “Fine!” I huffed. “Once Adal gets well enough, we’ll make a pact among ourselves. Damn it, Cain! It feels like we’re back to being boys.”

“There’s nothing childish about this,” said Cain. “I am sure Adal would agree. We can’t let our emotions come in the way of our mission. It’s a long shot to kill Ivan, even with Daria on our side. By some miracle, if she does succeed, we would have to resurrect our kingdoms from the ruins. Peace between us is of prime importance. It’s one thing we can’t sacrifice, even for Daria.”

I wanted to argue with Cain. Say I didn’t care about the people, but deep in my heart I knew it would be impossible for me to place myself before the needs of my kingdom.

“You win,” I said after a while. Muttering a few choice swear words, I got to my feet and stretched. “Stale bread and hard cheese. That won’t do, Cain. I need meat.”

“It’s already getting late. Can you even aim?” asked Cain. I flexed the fingers of my right hand, earning a glare from my friend. “You can’t use your powers, Norvin. What if someone sees you?”

I shrugged. “I am supposed to be dead, remember? It’s you and Adal that have to keep yourselves hidden.” Before Cain could put a damper on things, I stretched out my right arm and aimed at a group of pigeons, flying just over the treetops. Bluish white light glowed on my hand before it started crackling with electricity. I pointed towards the target and a thin thread of lightning shot out from my hand. It caught the birds mid-flight, zapping them. Next second, they fell to the ground with soft thuds.

“That’s quite handy,” said Cain. He picked up his two kills and began heading towards the cave.

“Oy! Stop! Take these with you.” Cain turned back to glance at me. I gestured at the pile of wood at my feet. “I’ll be carrying these, remember?”

He strode back and picked up the dead birds from the forest floor. There were at least half a dozen pigeons, enough to feed all of us. I followed Cain, carrying the heavy load of twigs and branches I’d collected earlier.

The sun dipped below the horizon just as we reached the hilly caves. The spot was still deserted. Daria’s snowy-white owl was perched on a ledge overhead. He watched us with an irritated look, clicking his beak.

I followed Cain inside the shadowy interiors of the cave. He halted suddenly and I almost bumped into his back. Looking ahead, I saw both Adal and Daria sleeping. Adal’s arms were wrapped around her protectively, pressing her close to his chest. They didn’t stir as we walked forward.

“Tell me this doesn’t bother you,” I whispered, staring at the pair.

Cain chuckled. “They are only sleeping. Let them be.”

I stared at Adal’s calm, peaceful face. He was the most handsome among the three of us with a beautiful face, curls of golden hair and sapphire blue eyes. Even the women were jealous of his looks. Too bad he spent most of his days buried among his books or he could be one lethal heartbreaker. Jealousy burned my insides when Daria looked just as peaceful as him in his arms.

“Should I wake them?” I asked, striding forward.

Cain placed a heavy hand on my shoulder and pulled me back. “Let them rest.” He gestured me to follow him out of the cavernous room.

“We’ll prepare the food,” he said when we emerged out of the cave. “I will get the fire started and you can clean the birds.”

“Ugh!”

14

I woke up to a delicious smell. Stirring gently, I felt warmth spreading through me. Something heavy was draped around my body, holding me close to the heat source. My eyes slowly blinked open.

The cavernous chamber was hidden in shadows. Only glowing embers remained of the fire I’d started a while back. With a jolt, I realized I was pressed against Adal. His body was the heat source warming me thoroughly.

Gently removing his arm away from me, I sat up. Since it was too dark to see, I conjured up a ball of flames in my palm. Holding it close to Adal’s face, I saw he was sleeping peacefully. The ghostly pallor disappeared from his skin and he was no longer shivering.

“You look good,” I whispered softly, caressing his warm cheek gently. Even though I felt completely worn out, my heart was at peace. The transfusion of inner power worked. Adal was no longer in the danger of losing his life.

I moved to stand up but stumbled forward, barely able to hold my balance. A hiss of pain escaped me. Every joint in my body ached.

By the time I’d taken a few steps to look at the wound on Adal’s back, I was panting. My body was terribly weakened. With difficulty, I sat down at Adal’s side and held the ball of fire over him.

A smile came on my lips despite the exhaustion I felt. Only a pale brown spot appeared on the linen bandage wrapped over the wound. It was a good sign. He was no longer bleeding. From the steady rhythm of his breathing, I could tell he was out of immediate danger. Leaning down, I kissed his cheek.

As my anxiety ebbed away, I became aware of the heavenly smell wafting from outside. Rubbing the chill off my arms, I walked towards the low-hanging entrance of the cave.

Cain and Norvin were sitting around a fire with a pot of bubbling stew over it. Sparks from the blaze rose high in the air. A stone rolled from under my feet.

The sound made them both turn around to look at me.

“Daria.”

Norvin got to his feet to come towards me. “Are you all right?”

I nodded. “Just a little tired.”

“You body is so cold,” he said, rubbing my arm for me. “Come sit by the fire and warm up.”

“Thank you.” I leaned heavily on him as he guided me towards Cain. He seemed to notice it at once.

“What happened after we were gone?” asked Cain, looking up at me anxiously. “You weren’t this weak when we left.”

Norvin helped me to sit down. Panting slightly, I shook my head. “It’s nothing. Some food and rest will bring back my vigor.”

“But what happened, Daria?” insisted Norvin. “Why were you as deeply unconscious as Adal?”

“I transfused some of my inner energy into him,” I explained. “He was fading fast after you left. His body was going cold. I don’t know much about dragons, but that felt like a warning sign. I had to do something to save him.”

“Daria!” Cain grabbed both my wrists, pulling on them to make me face him. “That’s a very dangerous thing to do. What if you gave up your life instead?”

“I am practiced,” I replied, not meeting his anxious eyes.

“Even so, Daria. You went too far. Your body is cold and you’re not even able to breathe properly.”

Pulling my hands out of his grasp, I fixed him with a glare. “You would have done the same for him if you could.”

Cain looked taken aback at that. He relented, falling silent.

“Do you like Adal that much, Daria?” asked Norvin in a low, gloomy voice.

“I would have done the same thing for both of you,” I said, turning to look between him and Cain.

“I wasn’t even aware you could manipulate inner force,” said Cain. He looked impressed with me. Despite the throbbing headache, it made me giddy and I smiled. “It’s a very advanced art. As far as I know, it takes years to master. None of the healers in my palace can do it.”

“Tell that to Elga,” I muttered with a humorless laugh. “She forced me to learn a lot of things I’d have avoided. While I detest her methods, it allowed me to save Adal’s life today. I don’t regret it one bit.”

Norvin got to his feet and moved the contents of the pot with a wooden ladle. The heavenly smell of the stew was making my stomach groan.

“Is it done yet?” I asked, determined to eat it even if the meat was raw and the potatoes still hard. I was starving.

“Looks done,” said Norvin, taking a sip of the broth from the ladle. Sheer patience and extreme exhaustion were the only thing holding me down from snatching it from him. “Care to take a look, Cain?”

“I am sure it’s fine,” I said at once. “Just serve me a bowl.”

Norvin chuckled and took the wooden bowl that Cain passed him. “I am giving you some but you have to wait until it cools down a little or you’ll have a burned tongue.”

“At this point, I am ready to sustain a burned tongue.”

He laughed and generously filled the bowl to the brim with bits of meat and vegetables. “Here you go.” He set the meal before me.

“Where did you find all this meat?” I asked, stirring the bowl with a small spoon that Cain handed me.

“We have our ways,” he said with a wink.

Spooning some of the stew, I blew on it until the rising steam disappeared and put it in my mouth. The warm broth was deliciously spiced with earthy herbs. With a smile, I ate some more of it, not even caring about the way the hot liquid was scalding down my throat. With my stamina at its lowest, I couldn’t conjure my magic to protect me from the extreme heat.

“Slow down, Daria.” Cain looked worried once more. I couldn’t help but notice how observant he was.  He had his own way to make me feel special and cared for. It was an addictive feeling because no one had ever shown the slightest bit of concern for me before.

“You guys are amazing cooks,” I said after the bowl was licked clean and Norvin was filling it the second time. “We should make our own meals from now on instead of stopping at a tavern or shack.”

“Don’t get used to it, princess,” said Norvin, setting the bowl down. “It’s a lot less hassle to eat at a shack.” I immediately knew from his nonchalant speech that he still hadn’t figured out the attack on us.

Letting the stew cool at my feet, I turned grim eyes on both Cain and Norvin. “Haven’t you still figured it out? The owner of the shack made the attack happen.”

“What?” Cain looked alert while Norvin still looked confused. “What do you mean, Daria?”

“I was observing him the whole time. As soon as you handed him the gold coin, he began keeping a close watch on us. I even saw him talking to a man in black attire. My instincts were already on alert. That’s the reason I sent for Tuto. He saw them moving, but by the time I could warn you, the arrows started flying at us. Even if we were in rags, our spending habit would tell them we were pretending to be peasants.”

“But why us?” asked Norvin. “There were so many men there.”

“You still don’t understand. While we are wearing rags,” I said, gesturing at my own clothes. “We’ve been acting like princes.”

“What does that mean?” Norvin demanded.

I took a deep breath. “Did you notice what the other people around us were eating?” Both Cain and Norvin shook their heads. “They were eating thinned down barley porridge. The moment you ordered meat at the table, you had everyone’s attention. The moment you handed the man a gold coin, they knew we were a rich party. The promise of gold was enough to attract the whole horde.”

“That can’t be good,” muttered Cain. “I’ve tried to be careful, but I have been making mistakes the whole time. I thought the only thing to worry about was not revealing our powers. It’s the only reason we didn’t light those bandits on fire like you did.”

“At least you were aware of that,” I said, picking up the bowl to resume eating again. Taking a large sip of the stew, I put it down again. “There’s more to blending in than just wearing these cheap clothes and concealing our powers. Observe what people around us are doing and then mimic them.” I drank some more of my stew before continuing. “I doubt the bandits thought you were princes but they knew you were rich and loaded with gold. The peasants around here have never seen what gold looks like. They barely have anything to eat. Most survive on whatever roots they can dig up on their lands.”

“You’re like an army general, Daria,” said Norvin, gently bumping my shoulder. “You think from every angle.”

A humorless chuckle escaped my lips. “I am an assassin.”

“Yes, but you’re ours now.”

I smiled at that. It was astonishing how close I felt with the three princes. Was it because I was already friends with Norvin as Naya? Or was it the one chance encounter in the night market of Oakheadge with Cain? Something seemed to pull me towards them all. And they seemed to have made me a part of their special group already. They didn’t treat me like a person for hire at all.

It was bizarre how people I met only a few days ago could care so much about me while the women who knew me my whole life didn’t even bother to stop me from leaving Linmoor.

Life was strange indeed.

“Do you think it’s safe to stay here for a while?” asked Cain when I’d proceeded to slurping the delicious pigeon stew.

“I think so. The bandits who attacked us were coming from the direction of Oakhedge and the east. The northern trail is free of any activity.”

“That’s good.”

“I am sure you freaked them out by lighting their pals on fire,” said Norvin. His face was grim. “I wish I could’ve killed them with my own hands for daring to attack us.”

“I am glad you didn’t,” said Cain shortly. “You can’t give away the fact you’re still alive, Norvin. Ivan himself will fly down here to eat you alive.”

Norvin’s hands were balled into fists. “If the good goddess ever gives me the chance, I will chew on his bones.”

“We can stay here,” I said, diverting the discussion. “Adal may be out of danger but he still needs to rest for a few days before traveling. I’ll be stronger by tomorrow. Among the three of us, we can hunt, keep watch and tend to Adal.”

“You should go inside and rest,” said Cain. “We’ll take turns to keep watch tonight.”

“Thank you,” I said gratefully. My stomach was full of the delicious stew and all I wanted was to curl up next to Adal and sleep. Warmth washed over me as I watched Norvin and Cain settling down to eat as well.

My eyes rose up to the sky. It was a clear night with thousands of stars twinkling overhead. I couldn’t help the smile rising on my lips. For the first time in my life, I was feeling happy despite the calamity I’d just overcome.

15

It was still dark when Cain came out of the cave. The fire we’d build earlier was just a pile of ashes now. Even though the night was chilly, I felt no cold. It was one of the perks that came with having dragon blood flowing through your veins.

“Anything going on?” asked Cain, coming to stand beside me. He stretched his arms over his head.

“Nah. A few wolves came sniffing around but that’s all.”

“Daria chose a good hideout,” he said, suppressing a yawn. Sitting down on the ground, he gestured towards the cave entrance. “Go and get some rest now.”

Yawning widely, I slapped his shoulder and moved inside the shadowy interiors of the cave. A low fire was burning near the place where Adal and Daria were sleeping. From the pieces of unburnt wood, I could tell Cain had added some fresh ones before he left. I couldn’t fathom how he could stand to be in this closed space with the sight before him. Adal’s arms were once again wrapped around Daria’s body, holding her to his chest. They looked like an intimate married couple.

Jealousy burned inside me. Electricity raced up and down my arms, causing the air to crackle, but the two continued to sleep. Breathing deeply, I suppressed my anger. I took another look at the pair and decided to do the next best thing. Spreading my cloak beside Daria, I lay down on it, putting my arm around her.

“At least I get to touch you too,” I whispered, kissing the back of her neck. Daria was now sandwiched between Adal and me. Closing my eyes, I imagined Cain’s reaction in the morning when he came to wake me.

I pressed my body to Daria’s back. At once, my cock hardened. Making a tent in my breeches, it poked at Daria’s soft asscheek. My hips jerked forward, wanting to feel more of her.

“Calm down,” I whispered to my cock. “We’re all trying to sleep.”

My body wouldn’t stop reacting to her closeness. Swearing under my breath, I turned away from her. Now I was left to look at the fire. It calmed some of the heat still coursing through my body, but I knew it was only a matter of time. My hunger for Daria was growing every day.

Sleep came as soon as I closed my eyes. The exhaustion of the previous day finally caught up with me and it was blissful to let myself relax.

The next time I opened my eyes, the shadows in the cave weren’t as prominent as before. By then, the pile of woods was smoking. My joints creaked as I turned around to look at Daria.

She was gone.

Only Adal lay beside me, still deep in slumber.

Sitting up, I moved closer to him. Even with the jealousy I felt towards him, I couldn’t help caring for him. His face was no longer pale and sweaty. A relieved sigh escaped me to see him looking better than before.

I got to my feet and stretched my arms to get some of the stiffness out. My back ached from sleeping on the hard stone floor of the cave, but at least we were all safe.

Walking out of the cave, I found Daria warming her hands beside a small fire. She and Cain were talking in soft voices.

“Morning,” I said, moving towards them.

“Did you rest well?” asked Daria.

“As well as one can manage in these circumstances.”

She chuckled, turning her attention to the man beside her. “Would you like to go and get some rest, Cain? I can hunt and cook for us today.”

“I’ll go with you,” I said at once.

“Who will keep watch?” asked Cain. Dark stubble coated his chin and his eyes looked tired.

“Since it’s daylight, I can keep a watch through Tuto,” said Daria, getting to her feet. “We won’t go too far. You can rest without worrying.”

Cain nodded. “Look after her,” he said, his silvery eyes on me.

“Don’t be a nag.”

He frowned but went inside the cave.

“Shall we go to the lake?” asked Daria with a smile. “I could do with a quick wash.”

“Sure, princess.”

Running my hand through the long strands of my midnight-blue hair, I followed after, staying a few feet behind. The length of her thick braid brushed over the swell of her ass. For a moment, I imagined her dark hair loose and flowing while she sat naked before me. My cock stirred immediately at the thought.

“Should I lay some traps?” Daria asked, turning to look at me.

“Sure,” I muttered, not even hearing her question. My mind was still hung on the image of her being naked. How could she be so carefree and not notice the filthy thoughts racing through my mind?

We’d walked half a mile from the hilly caves with the trees growing closer together here. Birds flew from branch to branch, but I decided not to zap them for now. Daria laid her traps as we moved further towards the lake. From the looks of it, we would be eating rabbit for supper as nothing bigger could be entrapped in those shallow pits she dug.

“We can stay here today but once Adal gets up, we can move on tomorrow.” She clapped her hands together, letting the dirt fall out. Daria was dressed in coarse wool and leather without a single touch of rouge on her porcelain skin, and yet, she still managed to look as beautiful in her huntress attire as her lavish gowns of silk and gauze.

Suddenly, the green of her eyes shifted to tawny as she looked towards the direction we came from. She went quiet.

Just as suddenly, her eyes turned normal again as she glanced at me.

“What happened just now?” I asked, moving close to her and looking into her eyes.

“I was checking the perimeters of the cave. Everything’s fine.” She grinned. Her smile made my heart pound in my chest, making it hard to control myself from kissing her. Stepping away, I took a few deep breaths, letting my mind think of the next pressing matter.

“Is Adal going to be all right?”

She nodded. “I already checked his wound under the bandages. It is healing remarkably quickly. Part of the reason might be the dragon blood inside him. Do you heal fast too?”

“I suppose so. We’re stronger than average humans, after all.”

“I’ll be relieved once we reach Partaig and Adal can go back to his palace. He will be safer there than being around me.”

Grabbing her elbow, I gently pulled Daria until her back hit my chest. “I don’t think Adal cares about being safe when he can be close to you,” I whispered in her ear. Locking my arms around her tightly, I held her against me as she struggled.

“What are you doing, Norvin? Let me go!”

“Just let me hold you. Please,” I said in a softened voice.

She stopped and leaned into me. “What is it, Norvin?”

I turned her around to face me and gently pushed her against a tree trunk. Her warmth seeped through my shirt and I could no longer control myself. Breathlessly, I grabbed her waist and kissed those full, luscious lips.

Daria tasted of honey and raspberries.

Just one hint of her intoxicating fragrance and I was consumed with hunger.

I bit into her plump bottom lip. The moment she gasped out, I pushed my tongue in, savoring her sweetness.

Daria tentatively swirled her tongue around me. At that moment, I knew. It was her first kiss. A wave of possessiveness hit me. Pushing my tongue inside the sweet cavern of her mouth, I deepened the kiss.

She went limp, her fingers clutching onto my shoulders for support. I sucked and nibbled at her lips until she moaned out.

My fingers tightened on her waist as she pressed her hips against mine. Every last inch of space disappeared from between us. Daria began kissing me back furiously, her own needs coming to the surface. Her hands moved up my arms and onto my chest, exploring the shape of the hard muscles underneath my shirt. Her touch ignited my body on fire and I subtly rocked my hips against her.

A sudden sharp realization hit me. Only the thin fabric of our clothes stood in our way. In my primal state, I pulled at Daria’s tunic to bare her shoulder. I let my hardness press against her thighs as I kissed the soft skin of her neck.

She moaned out, her fingers digging into my shoulders.

“Say you’re mine,” I whispered urgently against her ear while her eyes close in intense pleasure.

“Yours!” she cried out as I bit into her earlobe.

My hips thrust forward, hitting her thigh with my hard erection.

“Say you’ll belong to no other.”

Suddenly, her eyes opened up. “What?”

“You can’t keep being close to Cain and Adal.”

Something seemed to snap inside her. The hazy lust in her eyes disappeared as she glared up at me. In one fluid movement, she twisted my arm and pinned me against the tree trunk. Her strength magnified, twisting my arm, holding me in place. It was painful but not enough to surpass my endurance.

“What are you talking about?” she asked in a dangerously low voice.

“I don’t like you being close to them. Why can’t you just be mine?”

She released her hold on me, stepping back. By the time I turned around, she was already walking towards the direction of the caves.

“Daria! Wait up!”

She didn’t stop, increasing her pace as she strode forward without a backward glance. Her sudden rejection hurt me. If I’d kept my mouth closed, we could have kept going.

I rushed after Daria, my heart racing painfully with dread. She was offended but I didn’t even understand what exactly I’d said.

“Daria! Stop!” Reaching close, I grabbed her upper arm and pulled her back. She stumbled at the sudden movement and crashed into my chest.

“Let me go!” she shouted, getting back her balance and twisting out of my hold.

“Tell me what’s wrong?”

She glared at me. “Why do you keep insisting to possess me?”

“I like you, Daria. Is it wrong to want you for myself?”

“No. But you can’t tell me to stay away from Adal and Cain.” She was breathing hard. “I’ll stay away from other men. I can swear on that, but not them.”

“I don’t understand you, Daria. Are you saying you’ll stay close to the three of us and reject all other men?”

She nodded.

“Why can’t you choose one among us?”

“I can’t.” Turning away from me, she stomped away.

I ran after her, pulling at her arm so she would stop and talk to me.

“What do you want from me?” she shouted. Her eyes were burning with anger as she glared at me.

“Do you really want to be shared among us?”

Something shifted within her. “Yes.” Her voice was softer now.

I’d never met a woman like Daria before. Even the notion of sharing a woman between three men was unimaginable to me. Cain was more open-minded towards it but I was baffled. Did one have to get a harem of women to really understand this logic?

“I don’t want to anger you, Daria. But you’ve got to explain it to me. How can you share your heart with three men?”

She remained silent and I wondered if she would walk away again. We were close to the caves now. If she chose to march away, I would never get the chance to hear her thoughts.

“I’ve never felt warmth from another human being until I met you three.”

I looked at her and saw her eyes welling with tears. “Daria…” I moved towards her but she stepped away.

“Do you know what that feels like?” she asked, her voice filled with anguish. I was about to tell her I was an orphan but she held up her hand to stop me. “You grew up in a castle with maids and nurses doting over you. After all, you’re a prince. There are women who adore you and would kill to be in your bed.”

That fact was true. Some women would go to any lengths to gain the favor of a prince.

“It wasn’t like that for me.” She took several deep breaths before continuing. “I was beaten to an inch of my life while I was training but no one would come to heal me or patch me up. Weakness is not tolerated in Linmoor. They will break you but you’re going to have to mend yourself if you want to survive.”

Her voice wavered as a faraway look settled in her eyes. “You see my flawless skin and think it pretty? Allow me tell you the truth. The skin on my body was sliced several times and every inch was burnt bloody raw. If you could have see me then, you’d never want to kiss me.”

Chill spread through me at her words. What was she talking about? How could anyone survive such vicious torture? My gaze focused on her face. Her skin was porcelain-smooth and flawless. Not the slightest abrasion marred its beauty.

She smiled but her eyes remained cold. Daria was starting to scare me.

“You doubt what I say.”

It wasn’t a question. She was looking right through me.

“I killed more men than any of you yesterday. How do you think I gained such ease in slaughtering people? Yes, I am an assassin but I didn’t go to the marketplace to buy my skills for a handful of gold coins. No. Every ability was either beaten or burned into me.”

“Daria…”

I could feel the pain and rage radiating off her.

Suddenly, I felt shame.

Until now, I’d only seen her as a beautiful woman. She was lethal, and that combination of stunning beauty and danger was highly arousing and attractive.

It was the first time Daria exposed a part of herself that she always kept under tight wraps. She never allowed her pain to spoil the beauty of her smile. Her past didn’t imprison her soul. There was still kindness in her heart. She’d single-handedly brought me back to life. Without her, I’d have surely died in the wilderness in the body of a pathetic creature.

Daria didn’t cry. She stood mere feet away, hugging herself like she was suddenly very cold.

“You, Cain and Adal are the only people who’ve shown me any kindness. You make my heart beat so fast.” She placed a hand over her left breast while she looked at me with tear-filled eyes. “I always feel so warm inside when I am with you three. No one’s ever treated me so well in my life. It’s not my fault I fell in love with you all.”

“Daria, I am…” I was lost for words. How could I form coherent words from my scattered thoughts? I wanted to tell her sorry for all that she endured but also that I loved her. Too soon, the moment passed.

“I am heading back. I’ll check on the traps later.” With that, she turned around and walked away.

This time, I let her go.

16

Even though I headed in the direction of the caves, my feet carried me further away into the woods on the other side of the hills. After the confrontation with Norvin, I needed to cool my head and sort through my thoughts.

My emotions were in turmoil while my body was still yearning for Novin’s warmth. I groaned in annoyance as sparks of need and lust shot through me, the throbbing ache for him nestling deep within the space between my thighs. At the same time, I wanted to weep over my past.

It was easy to hold onto my tears before Norvin. We were trained to conceal our emotions at all times. The assassins of Linmoor, including Elga, always wore masks. We smiled and went about our jobs, never revealing our innermost thoughts. It was one of the most essential skills we learned. If the enemy didn’t know what hurt you, it would give you an edge over them.

Now that I was far from Norvin and Linmoor, I allowed the tears to fall. Great gasping sobs wracked through my body. With no audience, I indulged in crying my heart out.

It was a while before I calmed down again. Now that the tears had passed, I questioned the reason for my breakdown. Norvin hadn’t really hurt me other than demand I be his. He was the most possessive of all the three princes but it never bothered me until now. It was the question of sharing my heart that got me twisted into a knot.

I was aware of the laws that existed between men and women of the four kingdoms. While the men were allowed to have three wives and five concubines, the women could choose only one man as a husband for the rest of her life. They had no freedom to leave their husbands no matter how abusive they got. However, men were free to divorce their wives anytime they wished.

The assassins at Linmoor were always separated from the rest of the world. The laws governing the four kingdoms didn’t exist in our world. We had our own edicts to live by. Elga had no qualms about her assassins choosing to sleep with multiple men.

Our sexuality wasn’t tied to our honor.

Having grown up in such an environment, it didn’t feel wrong to love three men at once. If I was being honest, my heart really belonged to Cain, Adal, and Norvin. I would never be able to choose one over the other.

But they’re different.

The thought startled me.

The princes were probably used to the notion of owning many women who would all be devoted to them. Having harems in the royal palaces was a common practice. My heart squeezed painfully at the thought of sharing Adal, Cain, and Norvin with other women.

A sudden vision of Cain lying naked came to mind. Along with that, came the image of his muscled chest being caressed by a number of female hands while he closed his eyes in pleasure.

“No!” I shouted, punching a tree trunk. Layers of bark cracked under my knuckle while the pain and shock reverberated through my bones. Blood marred the skin of my hand. Despite the intense ache, my rage refused to subside.

Tears of frustration poured down my cheeks as I slowly sat down and leaned against the trunk. If Elga could see my pathetic breakdown, she would have definitely punished me with twenty lashes of the whip. A shudder ran through me at the memory of that keen leather that left angry welts on the skin without breaking it.

Brushing away the tears from my eyes, I checked on Tuto. The owl was napping. Urging him awake, I took a quick glance at the surrounding area of the cave. All was quiet. Nothing out of the ordinary.

I needed to toughen myself. My mission to protect the princes almost failed. The assassination of Emperor Ivan was still before me. How did one kill a full-fledged dragon? Will my needles pierce through scales as tough as stone? I wondered amusedly. Linmoor taught me the most creative ways to kill men. Suddenly, my skills seemed laughable compared to the task I was handed.

I needed to toughen up. It was time to wake up from the stupid dream I kept having. No matter how good the princes were to me, I couldn’t let my heart distract me from my mission. So far, it had only complicated matters between us.

Norvin’s anger was justifiable. He didn’t understand me or my feelings. I wasn’t an ordinary woman. I was an assassin of Linmoor tasked with the elimination of Emperor Ivan.

I took several deep breaths, willing the choking emotions to subside. It was time to stop playing a silly girl in love and be the assassin accompanying them. I would stay close to them but only for their protection. I won’t let my emotions take over my mind again.

Getting to my feet, I walked back towards the cave. My stomach was groaning with hunger. I’d not eaten anything before running out with Norvin.

The sun was already overhead. It would be a relief to escape inside the cool, shadowy interiors of the cave and eat a roll of bread and water.

I saw two figures perched on the edge of the hill where we were camped. Drawing nearer, I saw it was Adal and Cain. They were both looking out towards the forest in the west, probably waiting for me and Norvin to arrive.

Adal’s golden curls moved gently with the wind. From my vantage point, he looked utterly beautiful. The color came back to his cheeks and lips, and with the way he was standing, I could tell he was no longer in pain.

My heart swelled with joy. I started running towards him but then stopped.

What was I doing? Didn’t I just decide not to let my emotions come in the way? Slowing my gait, I walked up the hill to reach him.

I was halfway to the top when he heard my footsteps and rushed to come towards me. “I am so happy to see you, Daria,” said Adal as soon as he saw me.

“Where is Norvin?” asked Cain.

I shrugged, not meeting their eyes. Just being close to them made my heart pound with longing. “Still out there, I suppose.” Walking past them, I went inside the cave.

Staying quiet, I picked up my pack and took out the parcel of bread. Moving towards the wall in a corner, I sat down and began wolfing down the loaf.

After eating half of it, I placed the rest inside its package and took up the waterskin. The clear, cool liquid felt soothing against my throat after the dry bread. Satiated, I leaned against the wall for a nap.

When I woke up again, the interior of the cave was several shades darker. There was a chill in the air as I slowly stood up to go outside.

Even before crossing the threshold, I could hear the three princes talking in low voices. The smell of roasting meat wafted towards me, making me hungry again. A part of me wanted to stay back in the cave and not see any of them. Just being near them made my emotions go berserk. It was easier to stay away. But my grumbling stomach didn’t care for those reasons.

I walked out of the cave. Several sticks with whole, skinned rabbits were stuck to the ground beside a burning fire. The skins on them were already roasted a burnished gold, making my mouth water.

“Are you hungry, Daria?” asked Cain. Moving away from the spot he was sitting in, he waved towards me and gestured at the space beside him.

I sat down next to him. “You should have woken me up earlier. I could’ve helped with the skinning.”

“We decided to let you rest,” said Adal. “You must’ve used up a lot of your inner strength to heal me.”

I nodded and muttered a thanks. Adal moved close to me, close enough for his body to touch mine. Taking my hands in his, he whispered, “Thank you.”

I looked into his soft blue eyes. “It was nothing.”

“You could have died doing what you did.” His eyes were full of emotion as he squeezed my hands.

My gaze flickered towards Norvin. As expected, he was staring at us.

Looking back at Adal, I pulled my hands away. “Don’t worry about it. I can’t let my patrons die, right?”

I pulled out the nearest stick with a rabbit on it. “I am starving,” I declared, tearing the skinny flesh of the breasts. It would have burned a normal person but I was able to touch the searing hot meat without any hesitation.

Adal exchanged a look with both Cain and Norvin. I kept my gaze lowered to the ground, eating the rabbit with gusto. It was still a tad bit raw and bloody on the inside but I was happy to let it distract me.

“We’ll be able to ride out tomorrow,” said Cain after a while.

I looked towards Adal. “Will you be all right?”

He nodded. “The wound has dried up. It is still sore but I am sure it will heal further tonight. The amount of energy you transfused inside me was enough to kill you.”

He wasn’t wrong about that. I avoided looking into his grim face and continued to gnaw at a small drumstick.

If I wasn’t so distracted by own thoughts, I would have realized how silent the three princes were that night.

17

We were up before dawn the following day. I left the three princes to gather their things while I went out to the lake some distance from the caves. My bundles were already packed but the waterskins needed a filling. From last night’s discussion, it was agreed we would be traveling the whole day, only making stops to rest the horses.

A sickle moon hung in the western sky as I made my way through the woods to reach the lake. The ball of fire dancing on my palm lit the path forward. Calls of foxes and wolves rang throughout the forest but none of that scared me. I was strong enough to take on these mindless beasts by myself. It was my own thoughts and emotions I feared.

A cold breeze lifted the stray strands of my hair. Shivering, I looked out towards the dark expanse of the lake before me. The moon and stars shining overhead were reflected on its smooth, glassy surface. I remained there for a while, soaking in the calmness. Once we left the shelter of the caves, we would be on the open road again and vulnerable to attack.

I breathed in the fresh, chilly air deeply.

When the eastern horizon began turning gray, I moved towards the edge of the waters, taking care not to slide on the slippery stones. The soft gurgling of water as the waterskin filled was disturbed by the sound of hooves coming towards me. Knowing it was the three princes, I remained stationary, letting the waterskin fill up.

When both the waterskins were filled, I got to my feet and turned around. Adal, Cain, and Norvin were mounted on the horses with everything else packed and loaded to the saddles. I walked towards them and realized we only had three horses among the four. I sighed internally. Sharing a horse with one of them would be the opposite of trying to keep my distance.

“I’m sorry, Daria,” said Adal. “Looks like you would have to ride with one of us.”

“It’s best if you choose me or Cain,” said Norvin. “Adal is still not fully healed, so we’ll let him have his own mount.”

Frowning, I looked up at Cain. He smiled warmly at me. It was an easy choice between him and Norvin at the moment. Dumping my waterskins at Norvin, I walked towards Cain’s horse. Things between me and Norvin had to cool down despite my body’s yearning for him and his hardness.

Cain helped me mount up the horse, seating me in front of him.

“Are you secure?” he asked, taking up the reins.

“All good,” I muttered. My back was against Cain’s chest and as we trotted towards the woods, our bodies were gently colliding. The heat from his body was seeping into me, warming me up. As we sped up, the cold wind didn’t bother me anymore.

The woods on both sides of the narrow path flashed by as we rode hard and fast towards the north. Wind whipped the strands of my hair away from my face as I looked forward to the never-ending road before us. The enthusiasm with which I left Linmoor had already faded. Now, I just wanted to get on with the mission and finish it as fast as possible.

It was mid-morning when we stopped for a break. We were beside a roadside tavern in a small village square. A deep groan escaped me as my feet touched the ground. My thighs were stiff and sore from the hours of riding. I wasn’t used to traveling such long distances on horseback.

“Let’s eat and rest,” said Cain, climbing off his horse.

He gestured at a young stable boy. “Feed and water the horses for us. We’ll be ready to leave within two hours.” To my relief, he gave the boy a single copper coin. He glanced at me and caught me staring at him. “I see you approve,” he said with a grin.

His smile made my heart throb. I gave him a nod and looked away to hide the rising blush on my cheeks. Stop acting so girlish, I chided myself. You will never see him once the mission is over.

“Shall we go in?” I asked as Norvin and Adal came to stand beside us.

“Yes,” said Cain. Glancing at Norvin, he said, “Make sure not to spend more than a few copper coins for food and drinks. Don’t forget what happened last time.”

Norvin made a face but agreed.

“How about I buy the food?” I asked once we’d located a free table inside the tavern. “I can play the maid and avoid any suspicions.”

“All right, then,” said Cain, taking off his cloak. “Go ahead.”

I walked towards the man sitting behind a counter and stacking up coins of copper. A number of eyes followed my movement but I pretended not to notice.

“What can we get for ten copper coins?” I asked.

The elderly man glanced up at me. “Just for ye?”

“For me and my masters,” I said, pointing towards the three princes who were easily noticeable in the crowd of peasants, vagabonds, and drunkards. They were clean, well-shaven and sat straight. The three could very well be sitting for a feast in the royal dining room and not a dirty old tavern in a village. Every female eye was on them.

A sweet ache shot through my heart. That’s how things were supposed to be. There was no way an assassin like me could covet the princes for herself. It was as fanciful as wanting to touch the stars.

“For ten coppers, ye get a loaf of bread and a pint of ale each,” said the man, interrupting my thoughts. “Add twenty coppers more and ye get a loaf of bread each, a hunk of cheese and ale for all.”

“I can’t give you more than twenty coppers.” I placed the coins on the counter. His hands shot out at once, pulling the coins towards him. “Curses on ye travelers! Robbin’ me blind in broad daylight. Aye Etti!” he hollered. “Give ‘em bread and cheese and ale. No more than a pint, mark it!”

A middle-aged woman in a dirty apron shouted back at him.

I walked back to the table. Norvin pushed a stool at me with his foot. Taking it, I took my seat and looked around at the three princes.

“So, what are we having?” asked Norvin.

“Bread, cheese and a pint of ale each.”

“How much did it cost you?” asked Adal, leaning forward with interest. I was glad to see his soft blue eyes sparkling with life and curiosity once again. His old cheerful self was back.

“The tavern master asked for thirty coppers. I got us the same deal for twenty.”

“No wonder the man was crying bloody murder,” said Cain with a chuckle. “You did good, Daria.”

I couldn’t help the bubble of happiness that swelled inside me at his praise. Damn it, Daria! Stop smiling like an idiot! It’s not like he’s praising you for single-handedly killing a whole battalion.

No matter how hard I tried, my lips would curve into a smile each time my gaze met one of theirs. The food was low quality but it didn’t dampen the fluttery happiness shooting through me. The bread was hard and the cheese too sour and gray, but the ale made up for it.

“Why can’t we have more?” demanded Norvin after finishing his in one go. “This is the only thing worth paying for in this place.”

“We don’t have any more money,” I hissed under my breath.

He slammed his hands on the table, making the whole thing tremor. “I demand a feast when we get to your castle, Cain!”

“Shut up, Norvin!” I hissed, rising to my feet to cover his mouth.

Suddenly, he’d snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me against him. His face was barely an inch away from me as I fell into his lap.

“You’re finally ready to touch me again,” he whispered. His hot breath fanned the stray strands on my forehead. Desire coiled deep inside me.

“Spank her ruddy buttocks!” someone shouted from behind us. Others chorused similar sentiments, the tavern breaking out in cheers. Nasty bastards!

Norvin chuckled softly, his purple eyes glittering darkly. Leaning into me, he whispered, “When I get the chance I will.”

My cheeks were warm as he pulled away from me.

“This is becoming quite an adventure, isn’t it?” said Adal, exchanging a look with Cain.

Cain laughed as I sat down on my stool. “Things are definitely livelier.”

“What are you guys talking about?” I asked, looking between them.

“Cain and I traveled the same road before, but we barely got any attention from anyone. Having you with us is a lot more exciting.”

“It’s not true,” I said in a low whisper. “All the women here are staring at you.”

“It’s nothing compared to the eyes on you, Daria,” said Norvin with a wink. “They’re all imagining how we use a sweet maid like you between us every night.” He leaned close to me. “You imagine the same, don’t you, princess?”

“Shut up,” I said coldly. I couldn’t tell if he was joking or being sarcastic. My good mood vanished once more, reminding me to guard my heart around them.

“Let’s get back on the road,” said Cain, getting to his feet. “If we ride for four hours, we’ll get close enough to Partaig. Rest the night and we’ll be there tomorrow morning.”

“Oi! You lot,” said a lean man with a long, ginger beard. “Heard you going to Partaig.”

“Yes,” replied Cain, tying his cloak around him.

“Better avoid Carran on the way.”

“Why’s that?”

The man shook his head. “It’s plague-ridden. I heard the saintess is there but if I were you, I’d avoid it.”

“Have you heard of such a thing, Cain?” asked Adal.

“No. I haven’t heard a thing about it.”

“Is it spreading here too?” I asked.

The stranger shook his head. “It’s been three weeks now and the villagers are dying. The plague is contained within Carran. It better not spread here,” he said fearfully.

“That’s interesting,” mused Adal as the man walked away.

“What is?” asked Norvin.

“Plague usually spreads. How is it possible that it’s staying concentrated in one place?” Adal glanced towards me. “What do you think, Daria?”

I shrugged. “I am no expert in sickness.” But something I’d read a long time back came to mind. “However, if it’s some kind of disease, then there’s a chance it may spread through air or water.”

“Precisely,” agreed Adal. “What’s more suspicious is that Princess Helena is here and you don’t even know about it.”

“Who is Princess Helena?” I asked, never having heard the name mentioned before.

“She is the princess of Drakhaven,” said Adal. “Her name is rarely connected to Ivan and his sons because she was adopted among them as a child. Also, she spent most of her life among the priestesses of Athelney. They say she has miraculous healing powers. The woman travels a lot from place to place, rarely setting foot in the palace. She has earned her reputation as the Healing Saintess.”

“You’ve left out the most important fact, Adal,” said Norvin.

“Please, don’t,” groaned Cain.

“What is it?” I asked curiously.

“She’s betrothed to Cain.”

My heart came to a stop for a second before starting to beat hard again. I blinked, hastily pulling on a mask of indifference. “That’s wonderful. Congratulations!”

Cain looked grim. “Have you lost your mind, Daria?” he whispered, leaning close to me. “I hired you to kill her father. What kind of nuptial are you congratulating me for?”

“She is not as evil as him. Besides, she was adopted and goes around spreading health and joy.” My voice sounded bitter in my ears.

“I vote we make a stop at Carran,” said Adal. “It’s strange she would come to Iorna and not send a message to you.”

“Perhaps, she did but I am not to be disturbed in the temples. Remember?” said Cain.

“Besides, if we go she will recognize me.”

“Norvin and I have never seen her.”

“Do you both want to see her?” I asked, already feeling annoyed the conversation about her was still going on.

Norvin shrugged but Adal looked serious. “I want to investigate the plague and her. Norvin and I will pretend to be your guards while Daria can be your maid.”

I scoffed. “The role I was born to play.”

“Let’s do this,” said Norvin. “At least we’ll know whether the rumors are true and investigate the plague as well.”

“What if one of us gets affected?” I asked. My sixth sense was already detecting some hidden ploy about the sudden plague in Carran. My anxiety grew. Nothing good could come from meeting the princess or visiting this cursed village. “We should keep our focus on the mission.”

“Our journey won’t be delayed,” said Cain. “Carran falls on the road to Partaig. We’ll reach there in a few hours. It will be noon by then and we can look around and investigate. If nothing’s suspicious, we’ll be on our way by dawn tomorrow.”

Defeated, I followed them out of the tavern.

18

We reached Carran by noon. Fields of wheat and corn grew around for acres in the valley with small cottages dotting the area. A warm breeze blew by, making the leafy branches sway overhead. From where we stood, it looked like a prosperous village, untouched by any plague or famine. It was hard to believe a sickness was festering here.

“Doesn’t look too drab, does it?” said Norvin.

“No. Let’s check things in the village,” said Cain, taking the reins.

We rode the small distance from the edge of the woods to the village square. Gradually, we began seeing the effects of the plague on people. Every person walked with their head bowed, determined not to meet the gaze of the newcomers. Getting closer to the main square, we saw several sick people lying on the side of the dirt paths. Their clothes were ragged and dirty. Every so often, someone would vomit and cough blood. No one was there to look after them. Covering our mouths and noses, we moved on.

A tall building came into view further up the street. I call it ‘tall’ because it was tallest structure among the wooden cottages surrounding it. The white marble walls glittered under the noon sun. A statue of Goddess Brigid stood in front of it. Carved of the same marble, her seductive figure was wrapped in flowering vines. At her feet, lay several people, looking visibly ill and weak.

“This seems to be the gathering place,” said Adal, bringing his horse to stop beside ours. “Princess Helena must be inside.”

“Let’s see what Cain’s bride looks like,” said Norvin, climbing off his horse.

My insides felt frozen. I didn’t want to meet the princess or the saintess who claimed to be some miracle healer. It hurt to think some stranger had more right over Cain than me.

When did you start feeling so entitled? I asked myself. You can’t blame Elga’s upbringing on this.

No. It was Cain’s fault. And Adal’s. And Norvin’s.

They treated me so well, it was almost impossible not to fall in love with them.

Fuck! Did I just think of ‘love’?

“Come on, Daria.” Cain’s deep voice jolted me out of my thoughts. Looking around, I saw they’d all dismounted. Cain came close, holding his arms out to me. “Come on.”

I let myself fall into his arms as he helped me down the horse.

“Are you all right?” he asked, bending a little to look me in the face directly.

“Yeah,” I replied, flashing him a quick smile.

“Let’s go, then.” Cain led the way forward. Adal and Norvin took their places beside him while I trailed behind them.

The interior of the shrine was cool and dark. No sunlight entered the stone chapel. Oil lamps and candles burned in rows carved into the walls.

People filled the central chamber. Their moaning and weeping filled the space with a strange buzz. We made our way through the praying and beseeching mass to reach the people crowding the center of the hall.

“What is going on here?” Cain’s voice boomed all around the chamber. Everyone’s gaze fell on him at once.

Cain stood tall. Even in his coarse attire, he looked handsome and regal. The length of his dark hair was tied with a piece of leather, and yet it appeared like an expensive jewelry. The crowd parted around us. Hush silence fell over the hall as people simply stared at him in awe.

A soft tinkling sound broke the silence.

All attention went towards the sound as a well-dressed young woman walked towards us. She wore a gown of red water silk that cascaded down her tall frame in billowy ripples. Ornaments of gold and rubies adorned her dark hair. Her face was pale but the lips were painted a bloody red, matching the color of the dress she wore.

Coming closer, she let her gaze sweep over me, Norvin and Adal before settling on Cain. The annoyance in her expression slowly faded until she gasped in recognition.

“Your Highness.” The people around us gasped loudly as she sank into a low bow.

So, this was Princess Helena.

“Rise,” said Cain in that regal voice. He was like a completely different person with that deep, emotionless voice.

Helena rose to her feet. She smiled shyly, revealing sharp canines.

“I am surprised, Your Highness. If I’d known you were coming, I would have received you in the proper way.”

“How long have you been in Iorna?” asked Cain.

“Over a month now,” said Helena.

“Why didn’t you visit the palace and stay there?”

She hesitated. “My maids brought news you were in seclusion and praying in the temples. I didn’t want to stay in the palace without you, Your Highness.” She looked up at him and a determined look came over her. “I will make sure to punish the maid who brought me the false information.”

“The news isn’t false, Princess Helena,” said Cain. “The goddess visited me in my dreams and showed me the sickness spreading in my kingdom. I took a few of my people and came to investigate as per the goddess’s instruction. I am surprised to see you here.”

Helena nodded, a sorrowful expression settling on her pretty face. “I was passing by this town when I heard the news of sickness. For the whole month, I’ve been tending to people here. Some get healed but many perish. I should be punished for my incompetence.”

A distressed wail rose up from the crowd at her words.

“Silence!” Cain’s voice boomed over them. Lowering his tone, he shifted his attention back on Helena. “What is this sickness?”

“Allow me to show you, Your Highness.” Turning around, she walked forward. The silk of her gown rustled and the bangles at her wrists jangled with that delicate tinkle. Cain followed her, with us behind him.

Helena stopped at the altar. Aside from the usual offerings of flowers and fruits crowding the site, a cot lay just below it. A young girl lay writhing on it, clutching her stomach.

I moved myself closer, almost at Cain’s side.

“She is the youngest person to be afflicted, Your Highness. Yori is only seven years old.” Helena pressed a hand on the girl’s forehead, making her moan out with pain. “I am doing my best to cure her but the goddess remains adamant. She is carrying the sins of her mother who worked at the brothel and died giving birth to her. The child may be innocent but her soul is maligned.” The crowd muttered under their breath and a few women even swore loudly. “I am failing to help her. Only the goddess’s blessing can cure her.”

I looked back at the girl. A sheen of sweat coated her face. Thin hands clutched at her belly as she sobbed softly. My heart softened at the sight. While I believed in the divine energies, I knew they weren’t partial towards anyone. It didn’t matter who invoked them. Whore and assassin alike could wield them to their advantage.

I walked past Cain and reaching the girl’s side, bent down on my knees. Taking one of her clammy hands in mine, I studied her pulse. It was erratic. Next, I pressed my fingers at her neck. The pulse was slippery and slow.

Closing my eyes, I decided to feel the energy coursing through her body. In my mind’s eye, veins of indigo throbbed throughout her body. This is how things appeared when a person was poisoned. A disease would appear as a black miasma emanating at the heart.

I opened my eyes and stared at the poor girl before me. Was it really a disease affecting her? Could she be poisoned from eating something she picked up on the ground? 

“Who is this woman?” Helena’s voice broke me out of my thoughts. Her eyes were cold as she stared down at me.

“She is my maid,” said Cain at once.

“You can trust her,” said Adal. “She is good with remedies.”

“And who’re you?” She narrowed her eyes at him and Norvin.

“They are my personal guards,” said Cain.

I stood up and moved close to Cain. Suddenly, I felt cold fingers gripping my upper arm. It was fortunate I was quick enough to know it was Helena and not react by breaking the wrist that held me.

“How dare you get so close to His Highness?” she seethed. She wrenched me backward. “Unruly maid.” She raised her hand to slap me but Cain stopped her at once, wrapping his fingers around her wrist.

“If you have any grievances towards her, you will report to me,” said Cain in a low voice but the warning seeping out of it was palpable. “Only I get to punish her.”

Helena looked stricken. She let go of me immediately.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” I said and moved to stand behind him. My gaze remained fixed on Helena now. The demeanor of the shy, hesitating princess was gone. Somehow, my approaching the sick girl had forced her mask away.

“I must apologize for my rudeness, Your Highness,” said Helena with a tilt of her head. “There are still a number of people who’ve come to see me and get the goddess’s blessing. I must go back to tending them.”

The crowd chorused hymns and thanks, some even going as far as to shower Helena with petals of flowers. Helena smiled warmly at them, the perfect image of a benevolent saintess.

“Then I shall not stand in the way,” said Cain, turning around to walk out of the hall. The crowd bowed low as he passed by.

Adal, Norvin and I followed him out of the temple. Since the people on the street outside didn’t know his identity yet, they simply ignored us.

“What do you think, Daria?” asked Adal in a low whisper. “Did you find anything while checking on the girl?”

I nodded. “She’s poisoned. But the rest of the people, I am not sure…”

“Check them,” said Cain. “Now that the people know who I am, they will keep a close watch over me. Adal and Norvin. Stay with Daria.”

“We will.”

“I will let Helena’s maid escort me to wherever she’s staying. I am sure it won’t be difficult to find me.”

“We’ll find you,” I promised.

“Stay on alert,” said Norvin. “This princess is not as coy as she’d have us believe.”

“No,” agreed Cain. “I am going to stay close and find out what she’s been up to so far.”

We’d barely had a few minutes to talk when three maids in similar red uniforms appeared before us. Their clothes weren’t silk and the difference in fabrics was visible even though they’d been dyed crimson.

“We serve the princess,” said one of them. “She commanded us to look after your every comfort, Prince Cain. We have been instructed to take you to Her Highness’s dwelling.”

Cain glanced at us before turning his attention to them. “Lead the way.”

When they were out of sight, I turned back towards Adal and Norvin. “I don’t like this place,” I said, looking at the people that lined the street. They looked haggard, all clutching onto their thin bellies as they groaned or vomited. “Worse, I feel you’re all in danger here.”

“What kind of danger do you detect, Daria?” asked Adal.

“Helena already recognized Cain. That’s dangerous enough. What if she recognizes you too?” My gaze stayed longer on Norvin. The emperor’s men would be here in a moment’s notice to capture him if they identified him.

“Don’t worry about me,” said Norvin. “I am dead to them. As far as Adal is concerned, they aren’t concerned about a prince who spends his days locked in the palace’s archives. They will not recognize any of us.”

“How about we check some of the people here?” said Adal. “Their symptoms look the same as that girl’s.”

“Not here,” I said. “Let’s get to another part of the town where her people won’t be watching us.”

We walked away from the village square to look around the other parts of the village. While some people moved about their chores, looking perfectly healthy, there were others visibly suffering from intense stomach aches and vomiting everywhere.

We were near the edge of a wheat field when the sounds of heaving floated towards us. A tall man was doubled over and vomiting at the foot of a tree.

“Gross,” muttered Norvin.

“Let’s check him,” I said. “There’s no one around here.”

“Why him of all people?” asked Norvin. “Why not someone who isn’t puking out his guts.”

Grabbing his arm, I turned him towards the man. “Look at him. Other than the vomiting, he looks fine. He’s tall, well-built, big arms and hands. He’s clearly a farmer. His crops are doing well enough. Why is he sick then? I find it strange…diseases will generally spread faster among the poor.

“Let’s go speak to him,” said Adal. “We can get some information on Helena as well. Hear whatever rumors are flying around the town.” He strode forward, leaving us to follow him as he reached the man. “Let my friend take a look at you, brother,” said Adal, bending beside him.

“Is she one of the saintess’s maids?” he asked, casting a narrowed gaze at me.

“No. Look at her,” said Norvin, pushing me forward. “She ain’t wearing bloody red, is she?”

The man looked relieved for a moment before doubling up in pain and dry heaving again.

“Check him, Daria,” said Adal, moving aside.

I went close to the man and took hold of his hand. His pulse was fluttering like Yori’s. The pulse at his neck was the same as hers.

“Help me lower him down,” I said, taking out some of the long, thin needles from under my sleeve. The man stared at them fearfully. “I won’t hurt you. Relax.”

When Adal helped him sit up against a tree trunk, I bent down to prick him with the needles at strategic points. Within minutes, the man sighed.

“This is the first moment of peace I’ve had since yesterday,” said the man, wiping his brow.

“What’s your name?” asked Norvin.

“Barden.”

“Did you eat or drink anything strange yesterday?” I asked.

His face darkened. “I drank the elixir water given out by the saintess’s maids. They said it would protect me against the plague but I fell sick right after taking it. I am glad I didn’t give it to my sons yet.”

“Barden, do you still have any of that elixir left?” I asked.

“Yes, but don’t take it!” His face screwed up in rage as he looked at us. “I don’t care what the villagers say. Goddess, saintess, my big, furry arse! If they weren’t such a bunch of fools, they’d have realized the disease started once she came into this town.”

I stared at Adal.

“Will I have to walk around with these needles sticking out of me face?” Barden asked. “’ coz I would if it would keep the aches and chills away.”

I shook my head. “I am sorry, Barden. This will relieve your symptoms only for a short while.”

His face paled as he grabbed my hands. “Please, miss. Help me. I will die if this keeps up.”

“Let me think,” I said, snatching my hands away. The symptoms shown by both Barden and Yori were similar to a poison which was commonly used in palaces. Suddenly, a new idea formed in my head. “Give me the elixir.”

Barden hesitated.

“I won’t be drinking it. I just want to check something.”

He rummaged around the sash about his waist and took out a wooden bottle. “Here.”

Taking it, I dipped one of my silver needles inside it. Adal and Norvin gathered around me. The needle came out blackened.

Norvin swore.

“This is arsenic,” said Adal, staring at me with a horrified expression.  I nodded. It was the most common toxin used in the royal palaces. Small doses would never have immediate reactions but over time, it became fatal. It was the best way to poison an enemy without getting caught.”

Norvin went to Barden and grabbed him by the collar of his tunic. “You’re certain you got that from the princess’s maids?”

“Y-yes,” he blurted.

Norvin pushed him away but stared at me with wild eyes.

“She is poisoning people,” said Adal slowly. “It is as I suspected. This is no plague or disease. It is poison.”

“What do I do?” Barden cried out. “Please, you have to save me.”

I looked towards the distressed man. Going to him, I check his pulse once more. It was steadily slowing down. Frustration set inside me. I could heal him the way I’d done for Adal but it would surely cost me my own life if I performed it again. There was only so much magic you could use at a time without paying the price with your life.

“Listen to me carefully,” I said, bending down beside Barden. “Drink a lot of water. Vomit it out when you’re too full. And drink again. It’s the only way to flush it out of your system since you ingested the poison. It is fatal if it spreads to your blood. I will need time to find the herbs that can cure everyone. Until then, you have to endure.”

Barden sobbed softly.

“Daria,” called Adal from behind me. “Let’s check some of the others. Once we’ve confirmed that they have all been poisoned, we can report back to Cain.”

I took out the needles from Barden’s skin, meeting his fearful eyes.

“Please don’t leave me,” he begged.

“I am sorry,” I whispered. “I will help if I can. But I must go now.”

Looking towards Adal and Norvin, I nodded. Their expressions tightened.

Adal brought me into a hug as soon as I reached him. I almost gasped at the action, but it was comforting to have him press me against his broad, hard chest. “We’ll find a solution, Daria,” he whispered in my ear. “It’ll be all right.”

A sob shuddered through me. I took the comfort he offered, knowing it won’t be long before I was separated from him.

“Come along, you two,” said Norvin. “There’s still much to do.”

19

I was escorted by the maids through the streets to wherever Helena’s dwelling happened to be. People pointed and stared at us, some excitedly bowing to them and others shouting curses. The three maids walking before me paid no attention to any of it. Their behavior along with the reactions of the villagers was bizarre.

We walked past a high-walled mansion and stopped at the open gateway. Turning back to me, one of the maids said, “This is the governor’s house but he’s allowed our lady to reside here. As her guest, you’re welcome to stay as long as you please.”

“Where is the governor now?” I asked, finding it odd he would leave his whole house for Helena. “I would like a word with him.”

The maids exchanged looks between them.

“The lord is living here but I’m afraid he’s not well enough to see anyone.”

“What about the people who work for him?”

“He only has his officials come here to get his instructions every day. The rest of the villa is filled with Princess Helena’s people now.”

A second maid stepped forward and bowed. “If you require any assistance, please let us know.”

Bizarre. Why would Lord Carran give up his home to a bunch of foreign visitors? He could shelter them but it was a strange notion to let go of the entire household and fill it with Helena’s maids. No matter how much these women pretended to be saintly, I could smell something sinister brewing here.

“Show me to my quarters,” I said.

We entered through the unguarded gateway into a large courtyard with blossoming peach trees. Pale pink petals littered the ground. The main building rose high above us but I was taken away from it. We took a side path and went around it until we reached a group of smaller houses.

“Her Highness lives here,” said one of the maids, pointing to the central house. “You may stay in the adjacent building.”

“Where do the servants live?”

“There are cottages for the household servants close to the kitchen. We are residing there.”

“Very well. Bring me some fruits and tea.”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

I walked into the house they’d pointed me to, eager to get rid of them.

The faint smell of roses lingered in the air. Walking further inside, I noticed the pale floral prints on the walls. The place was bare but the large canopied bed and the few furniture that remained appeared to have belonged to a woman.

These smaller houses outside the main mansion were often used to shelter the concubines. It was strange to think Lord Carran got rid of them as well. If he was really sick, they would all insist to stay behind to look after him.

I took a seat at the table and closed my eyes for a moment. Anxiety weighed heavy in my chest. Daria, Adal, and Norvin were on their own for now. After spending the last couple of days with them, it felt like parts of me were missing. After the death of my family members, I kept my thoughts to myself, rarely engaging with people outside of court matters. Only Adal and Norvin knew the thoughts that swirled in my mind. And now, Daria knew them as well.

It was astonishing how fast she bonded with us. She was Norvin’ savior and knew him the longest. Yet, she was just as affectionate towards me and Adal.

Daria didn’t know, but both Adal and I heard the fight between her and Norvin. We didn’t exactly know what Norvin did, but from her outburst, we could guess closely. He must have expressed his feelings for her and demanded she be his alone.

Since the time we got together, I’d worried over this one single issue between us. We loved each other, and incidentally, we’d all fallen for Daria. I made Norvin swear not to let it come between us three brothers.

I assumed he’d taken his chance to confess to her when they went out into the woods. However, Daria surprised us all with her side of the story. She loved us all. In the short space of time, Daria could feel our affections for her.

Perhaps, it was a strange notion for a woman to be bonded to three men, but if men could wed three wives and keep five concubines, capable women like Daria should have the same freedom. If by some miracle our mission to eradicate Ivan succeeded, I would pass this decree in my kingdom. My ministers would go nuts, of course, but I would be king and they would have to agree to certain laws no matter how ridiculous. I smiled at the thought.

“I’m glad to see you’re happy here.” A soft voice broke me out of my thoughts.

Helena stood before me. Her red gown and gold ornaments reminded me of the night when Daria had dressed up in a similar attire. Her face swam before my mind’s eyes, making me miss her presence.

“Is everything to your liking, Your Highness?”

“I won’t be staying long,” I replied, meeting Helena’s gaze. There was something about those impenetrable jet-black eyes that made me wary.

“Would you like to return back to the palace with me?” She bowed her head, feigning shyness. It was a move the women of my own harem tried on me on a daily basis. Helena had to try harder.

“Why would I take you? You’re doing a wonderful job here. The people would perish without your blessings.”

She smiled and looked away from me. “They won’t need me long. I am sure the plague will disappear soon.”

“How can you be so sure?”

Helena turned her dark gaze on me. With a smile like she was hiding a secret, Helena moved close to me, close enough for her skirt to rustle against my legs. “Don’t you find me beautiful, Your Highness?” she asked, bending down on her knees. “I can be of great service to you, Prince Cain.” She laid a hand on my thigh. I struggled to keep my composure and not brush it away. “Both in bed and in court. With my father on your side, you’d be the second most powerful man in the four kingdoms.”

I took Helena’s hand in mine, struggling not to crush it completely. “You flatter me, Princess,” I said through gritted teeth.

She smiled up at me. “Not at all. I am so happy Father arranged my marriage to you. It’s the only present I wanted since I turned fifteen.”

“You don’t have to force yourself, Helena. I know you prefer to be a saintess and work for the people. There’s no need to enter my harem and let all your hard work go to waste.”

She shook her head. “You don’t understand me, Your Highness. I’ll be your queen. The people will support my accession to the throne. The harem is no place for me. I am to be wed to you with all ceremony and sit on the throne beside you.”

“I didn’t think you’d be interested in becoming queen.”

“It is you I covet, my prince.” Her onyx-black eyes glittered. “I’ve been in love with you since the moment I saw you in Drakhaven.”

It was a struggle not to let my emotions break out. The only time I’d been to Drakhaven was the year Ivan chose to murder the royal families. My own parents perished in the massacre. Helena remembered me at the worst moment of my life.

“You’re the most handsome prince,” she continued while my mind was ringing with rage. Helena wasn’t related to Ivan by blood but he’d adopted her as a daughter. Would it hurt him if I burnt her to a crisp right this moment?

“I am yours to take, Prince Cain,” she said, getting to her feet. “All the work I did over the years, touching the sickly, poor peasants…it was all to secure my place as queen. I’ll be the only woman allowed in your bed and by your side.” Her benign expression melted away. “You can have a taste right now, Your Highness.”

Helena loosened the ties of her dress. Before I could stop her, she pulled away the outer robe, revealing smooth, rounded shoulders and long, slender arms.

“Please, Princess,” I said, bending down to pick up the abandoned piece of clothing. “I don’t need you to do this. We’re not married yet.” I covered her with the robe. “It is wrong to touch an innocent woman like you.”

Rage flashed through her eyes but she was quick to hide it.

“Please rest, Your Highness. I shall come again later.”

As her crimson-clad figure disappeared through the door, I wondered what the woman was what up to. All I could do now was to wait for Daria and my companions to figure things out. There was no way I would allow someone as twisted as Helena to be my queen. That place was reserved for only one woman and that was Daria.

20

We checked more people on our way back to the village square. Most of them showed the same symptoms and claimed to have been afflicted after taking the elixir offered by Helena’s maids. A few of them, however, insisted their family members were cured by the saintess. When they saw the miracle, they wanted the potion for themselves. They’d paid all the money they had to the saintess, only to be affected and unable to recover.

“I don’t understand the point of all this,” I said after we finished speaking to a dying woman. She claimed her daughter recovered from the sickness. However, taking the elixir didn’t have the same effect on her. Her organs were already ruptured. A quick death was the only blessing she could hope for now.

“Why poison these people? Is it all for money? How much can she hope to make from these poor villagers anyway? Wouldn’t the emperor grant her a thousand times more if she asked?”

“The motive is more than just getting rich,” said Adal, passing a meat-stuffed bun to me. Even though my stomach grumbled with hunger, I didn’t feel the appetite to eat it after seeing all the sickness around me.

“She is looking for attention,” said Norvin, stuffing a whole bun in his mouth. He was leaning against the trunk of a tree and gazing into the distance. We were resting beside a maize field, staring out at the setting sun in the far horizon. “Poison some innocent people. Give them the cure. Pretend you’re a godsend saintess. It’s a common tactic among some princesses to get the public on their side by donating food and clothes.”

“Again. What’s the point?” I asked. “She is a princess. People will adore her anyway.”

Norvin chuckled and exchanged a look with Adal before turning his attention to me. “You need the adoration because you’re vying with other princesses and noblemen’s daughters for the throne.”

“All this so she can be queen?” I asked, bemused. “She hasn’t even married Cain yet.”

“Once she marries into his harem, she won’t have the freedom to move around so much,” said Adal. “Helena is setting the groundwork before that.”

Jealousy burned inside me. How many women did Cain have? And were they all as beautiful and painfully cruel as Helena?

I rubbed my forehead, suddenly tired. To think how many innocents were suffering because of Helena’s petty ambitions made no sense to me. What was so great about being a queen when the king commanded the army as well as the government officials? Heck! You couldn’t even stop your husband from sleeping around with other women.

“You know what you’ve got to do,” said Adal grimly.

“What?”

“You have to steal the cure from her.”

A sound of frustration escaped me as I sank to my knees and kneeled against the tree trunk. My legs were still aching from all the riding we did that day.

“I’m sorry to ask, Daria,” said Adal, laying a hand on my shoulder and gently squeezing. “It’s the only chance to save these commoners.”

“I’ll help you,” said Norvin, coming to stand close to me. “My ability to shift into my snake form will be quite handy in a stealth attack.”

“You’re probably right. I should’ve thought about that.” I didn’t like how exhausted I felt. My emotions were on the surface of my mind, blinding me to logic and sense. I had to get a hold of myself.

I took several deep, calming breaths.

“Norvin and I will sneak into Helena’s quarters and see what she’s up to. It would be good to get the ingredient list for the cure, so we can make a whole batch for the village. I am sure her maids are in charge of brewing it while she prances around being a saintess.

“I will wait for you here,” said Adal. 

“What about Cain?” I asked. “Shouldn’t we tell him of our plans?”

“It’s better if he’s not seen with us for the moment,” said Norvin. “Let’s get the cure and evidence first. He can handle the rest for us.”

Adal nodded. “Get going.”

The sun dropped below the horizon, leaving behind a bloody horizon. Norvin and I walked back towards the village square. Before we got on the road, I stopped him.

“Change into Naya,” I said. “It will be easier to slip in without them catching sight of you.”

“Daria.” He took my hand in his and pulled me close to him. “About yesterday…”

Why was he choosing this time to bring it up? Struggling to keep the mask of indifference on my face, I said, “Let’s focus on the task at hand for now. Shift. You can ride on my back or shoulder, depending on the situation. Your dark hide will blend in with the night and my clothes.”

He drew me close, moving a strand of hair behind my ear. “You’re the only woman who gets to boss me around.” Leaning down, he captured my lips between his. My traitorous heart throbbed with joy, urging my body to press against him and kiss him back.

We can’t be doing this now!

Taking control over my emotions, I pushed him back.

“Not now, Norvin!”

He noticed my breathlessness. Grinning broadly, he pecked me once more on the lips. “I just wanted to say…I understand you, Daria. I never thought I’d fall for an assassin. Or a woman who would love three men. Guess we never have a choice when it comes to matters of the heart. If your heart loves the three of us, you can’t help it, can you?”

His words startled me. His mesmerizing purple-hued eyes were sincere as he spoke to me. “I love Cain and Adal more than my brothers. You couldn’t have chosen better men to give your heart to.”

I was glad it was getting dark or Norvin would’ve seen me blushing like a new bride on her wedding night. His words were like a balm to my heart. My exhaustion vanished and I felt energy surging through my veins.

“Let’s get this done.”

He nodded determinedly. In the blink of an eye, Norvin’s shape dissolved. He disappeared but my pet snake stared up at me from the ground.

“Naya!” I cried out excitedly, picking him. “I missed you so much.” I kissed the little horns on his head while he stared at me with wide eyes. “I know it’s still you, Norvin, but I missed my snake so much.” I chuckled at the look of incredulity in his large purple-hued eyes. “All right, then,” I said, clearing my throat. “Let’s go see the princess.”

I held him to my shoulder until he climbed over it. His small limbs grabbed onto my tunic and he was stuck to me like a lizard against a wall. Even as I ran, he remained attached to my clothes.

As the cottages surrounding the village square came to view, I lightly leaped over a branch of a tall oak tree. Using the boughs, I climbed higher. When it was high enough, I jumped onto the roof of the closest hut.

The height gave me the advantage of aerial view over the square. Some blocks away, I could make out the walls surrounding the tallest building in Carran. It looked like the village head’s house. It was easy to guess that’s where Helena was staying. She may have been given a courtyard for her and her servants’ use.

Silent as a shadow, I lightly leaped over the roofs until I was close to the walls. There were no guards at the entrance gate which made it easy enough to slip inside. Lanterns had not been lighted yet, leaving the area dark in the dusky evening. A couple of beggars hung around the gates but they didn’t enter the courtyard. Perhaps, they already knew they won’t be getting any charity there with the added risk of getting beaten to death if caught.

Climbing down the building, I melted into the shadows stretching over the wall. The beggars didn’t notice me as I stealthily moved alongside it until reaching the open entrance. Quietly, I slipped in.

Naya licked my neck. “Don’t do that!” I chided, rubbing the stickiness away from my skin.

I hid behind the trunk of a peach tree in the front yard. Two maids passed by, holding lanterns in their hands. In the glow of the bright flame, the crimson of their clothes appeared even deeper.

“Let’s follow them,” I whispered. Norvin as Naya licked me in the neck again. “Cut it out!” I hissed. His large purple eyes glittered with mirth as he stuck out his tongue at me. His playfulness made me laugh. “We’ve got to focus. Let’s get inside Helena’s chambers and search for the cure. Okay? Be good.” I patted his tiny horns before facing the way the maids disappeared.

Skirting the side of the building, I reached the back courtyard where a number of small houses were lined in a single row. Only two of them had light shining through the curtains at the window. Two dark shapes appeared at one of them. Taking the clue, I sneaked inside the empty building.

At once, I knew the place belonged to Helena. It was lavishly decorated with painted walls and expensive pottery. Golden lanterns were placed on every open surface while the air smelled of perfumes and scented oils.

Walking further inside, I came upon a room with a number of racks lining the walls. Tomes and scrolls filled the rows of these wooden racks. The walls were bare and other than a window on the farthest wall, there was nothing else there. Only a single stick of candle burned on the ground.

“Let’s look in here,” I whispered, moving towards one of the walls.

The books and scrolls looked untouched from the thick coat of dust gathered on them. Ignoring it, I moved to the adjacent row. The scrolls looked haphazardly placed there. No dust either. I began opening the scrolls one by one, hoping I would find something that could point us towards a cure.

Naya slithered down my body, scarpered off the ground and climbed onto the rack.

“Can you read in this form?”

His eyes narrowed at me. Guess he could…

He began sniffing at the scrolls and tomes. I continued my own search as well, steadily getting frustrated from finding nothing. They were all related to taxes and financial documenting of the grains brought in and sent away.

Naya hissed at me. He was sitting atop a thick tome and staring at me with wide eyes.

“Did you find something?”

He leaped off the book and onto my arm, climbing on top of my shoulders to perch there. Picking up the thick tome, I found a red feather sticking out of between its pages. Opening it there, I found a white parchment containing a list of ingredients. It looked new compared to the yellowing parchment of the book.  A quick look was enough to tell me it was a potion but I had no idea whether it was the one we were looking for.

Footsteps approached from behind me. Naya slithered off my shoulders to perch on breast, effectively hiding from whoever was at my back. Quickly grabbing the page, I shoved the book back onto the shelf. I crumpled it into a ball in my hand before slowly turning around.

Helena stood before me. Her coal-black eyes were cold as they stared at me. I could feel Naya on my back. 

“What are you doing here?” she asked, taking a step towards me.

“I believed it to be His Highness’s quarters. Please forgive me if I have trespassed into the wrong place.” Keeping my head bowed, I looked up at her through my lashes. Helena’s lips were curved in a knowing smile.

“Do you keep the prince company?” she asked, stepping in front of me.

I nodded. “When he wishes so.”

She took my hand in hers. “Your skin is really smooth.” She caressed my palm and wrist as if testing the quality of it.

I clutched onto the page still in the grasp of my other hand. A slight tug on it made me aware of Naya pulling at it. Perhaps, it was for the best.

“Princess Helena, you’re so beautiful yourself,” I said, loosening the hold on the piece of parchment. Naya snatched it up at once. Helena cast her gaze on me, effectively giving Naya the opportunity to slip out unnoticed.

21

 “It is only natural that I’m beautiful,” said Helena with a smug grin. “I am a princess and my father rules over the four kingdoms. You on the other hand…” She grasped my chin hard, her nails digging into my skin.

I stared into her bottomless, dark eyes and didn’t flinch.

“You’re used to pain, little lady,” she whispered, her face hovering close to mine. “That’s good. You’ll be fun to play with.” Helena stepped away and slowly walked towards the window. “First, I want to ask a few questions.”

“Ask me, Your Highness.” I could have killed her right there as she stupidly kept her back open to me while staring out of the window. However, if I could glean some information from her, my patience would be worth it.

“Is it only the prince’s bed you warm? Or do his two men take their turns with you as well?”

I wish. A low sigh escaped me.

Helena turned around at once, her eyes flashing with rage. Coming towards me, she slapped my face hard. My skin burned but I kept on the mask of indifference firmly in place. It enraged her further as she struck me again. Blood coated the inside of my mouth from a cut in my inner cheek. Spitting it out, I looked back at her.

“You’re a dirty whore,” she screamed. “How dare you malign the man I’ll marry?”

I shrugged. “I heard Prince Cain has a whole harem full of women. I am sure his virginity was maligned a long time ago.” A grin spread through my lips at her sour expression. It was painful to smile but I couldn’t help it as I cocked a brow. “Will you be treating them the same? Not sure the prince will like it much, you know?”

Helena suddenly grinned. “I’ll tell you a secret.” She leaned close until her breath tickled my ear. “I am going to kill them all.” She chuckled happily. “They won’t even know what happened! I can be the only woman by Cain’s side. No one will stand in my way.”

“Won’t you be punished for killing them?” I asked, keeping my voice neutral. A third person might even assume we were talking about the possibility of adding pork mince to beef mince for a steamed meatball recipe.

“They’ll never know,” she whispered, putting a finger to her lips. “I have killed hundreds of men. No one will ever know.”

“You’re using the plague, huh?”

Her eyes widened. “What did you say?”

“You only work in these remote villages, don’t you? There are no healers or doctors here. You tell them it’s a plague and they believe you blindly. After all, you’re the healing saintess.”

Her face paled. “How…how did you know?”

It was good to see her squirming. Her façade of a calm, pretty princess was cracking, revealing the cold murderer within.

With a sudden move, she grasped my braid in her hand. Pulling on it hard, she made me follow her out of the room. “Geena! Karen! Come in here right now!”

Two maids appeared at once.

“Get the men. This bitch needs to be buried immediately.” While the two women scarpered off, Helena turned her attention back to me. She was fuming but a wary look had come over her. “Why aren’t you begging for your life?”

“You beg for things you can’t have.”

“Your life is in my hands now. Beg!”

I chuckled at her.

“Are you mad?” she shouted, slapping me again.

“Is Prince Cain nearby?” I asked, spitting more blood out. “Do you want him to see this side of yours?”

She hesitated. Ahhh…he must be close then.

“Why don’t you run?” she asked. “The men aren’t here yet. Why don't you simply run?” Her voice wavered. Helena was slowly becoming aware how little control she had over me.

“A wolf won’t run away from a lamb.”

“What?” She took a step back.

Smiling through my hurting cheeks, I stepped forward. “I am going to rip off that mask, saintess,” I said in a low voice. “You’ll never hurt Cain. Or anyone else for that matter.”

Her hands balled into tight fists. Half a dozen men entered the room with her maids hanging behind them, looking scared. Helena looked more confident now. “You won’t leave this place alive.” She glanced back at the thugs blocking the entrance. “Get her.”

They came forward at once, leaving the exit unguarded. They probably thought I was a regular maid, too weak to even fight against one man.

One of the men extended his arm to grab me but I evaded him easily, kicking another’s shin. As the man went down with a cry of pain, I slipped from between them and ran out into the courtyard.

I stopped, giving the men a chance to catch me again. It wouldn’t be fun if they gave up too easily, thinking I was a hard target. I wanted to take the fight into the village square where people would see the men sent by Helena. Once they were seen and captured, they would blurt every tiny detail. Once the evidence was secured, Cain would be able to bring her into submission.

“What are you doing?” shouted Helena. “Get her!”

The men were at the threshold when a different voice boomed throughout the courtyard.

“What’s happening here?”

We all looked towards the house beside Helena’s. Cain stood at the threshold, his eyes staring between me and the men.

“Your maid attacked me, Prince Cain,” said Helena at once. “I am getting these men to capture her.”

“Attacked you?” scoffed Cain. “Then why are you unharmed and she’s the one who looks like she took a beating?”

“That maid has bewitched you, Your Highness. She’s evil. Trust me, my prince.” She glanced at the men. “What are you still waiting for? Get her!”

They advanced towards me while I backed away.

I broke into a run as they got closer, pushing past the maids who tried to block my path. Rushing through the way I came in, I reached the gateway leading into the streets. The beggars I'd seen loitering earlier were still there.

“The saintess is going to kill me,” I shouted, drawing attention towards me. “She’s sending men to kill me. Help! Help!”

Even though darkness had fallen over the village, there were still plenty of people on the streets. I ran towards the main square, drawing Helena’s men into a more populated area. By now, a number of men had gathered around us, all groaning about the saintess who gave them cursed elixirs.

“Call for Prince Cain,” someone shouted from the crowd. “He’s here among us. Let him hold justice for us!” The man’s cries were taken up by the mob. Several torches were lit up.

Helena’s goons glanced at each other, unsure of what to do. The people in the crowd stayed away from them, too fearful of getting beaten. Their shouts and protests were helping though. The mob was growing larger in size.

Cain appeared on the scene with Helena close on his heels.

“She’s the one who attacked me,” screamed Helena. “Don’t you wish to be cured? If she kills me, you’ll all die!”

“She is lying,” I shouted back. “She has been poisoning you. You will live and die on her whim.”

“She is lying!” Helena shrieked. “That woman is evil!”

“Daria is not evil!” It was Cain’s thunderous voice. A hush fell over the square as he drew closer.

“Do you have any idea what you’re doing, Your Highness?” asked Helena. “What proof do you have to accuse me of lying?”

Cain looked at me. He had no idea about the things I, Adal and Norvin had found out about her. I gave him a nod. “I have proof.” Looking around at the people gathered around me, I took a deep breath before continuing. “If one of you can hand me the elixir, I can prove it’s poisoned.”

An old lady stepped forward. “Prove your word, girl,” she said in a croaky voice. “This thing has taken my granddaughter’s life. Tell me she didn’t die because of her sins.” Handing me a glass vial, she stepped back among the crowd.

“This is a silver needle,” I said loudly, procuring one from my inner sleeve. A shaft of moonlight fell on it, making the needle glint in the dark. “Watch me as I dip it into the elixir.”

I left the needle for a whole minute while everyone watched with bated breath.

When I took it out, a portion of it came out blackened. “Take it and see, old mother,” I said, holding out the needle to the old woman. “It is black. The saintess mixed a common but potent poison into it. She has the cure but she will only hand it out to whoever she likes. She has been making a name for herself on the sacrifice of innocents like you.”

“It is black!” the woman’s thin voice spoke into the silence.

The crowd muttered, everyone passing the needle among themselves as they all inspected it in the light of their flaming torches.

“Kill her right now!” shrieked Helena, pointing towards me. “Silence her immediately!”

I backed away as the men raised their swords at me. Cain shouted for them to stop but they weren’t under his command. They came at me, intent on attacking me at once.

I leaped backward, filling the space between my fingers with poisoned needles. Taking aim, I shot at two of the closest assailants. They fell moments after they were hit but his companions didn’t stay back. I ducked, avoiding the slash of a sword, kicking at another man as he came from the side.

Engaged in open fighting with more attackers than I could handle, I began to look for a way out.

Just as I fell two men, four more charged at me. Weren’t there only six men before? More armed assailants came my way, not giving me enough space to use my darts. The crowd had backed away but not enough for me to take the fight in a more concealed area. They formed a solid wall and I was stuck battling Helena’s mercenaries in that enclosed place.

Out of breath, I backed away, only to find five men advancing from behind me.

For a moment, I wondered if I would be defeated by a bunch of mercenaries. I was sent by Elga to slay a dragon and I couldn’t even get past these men with cheap swords.

Something flashed by the corner of my eyes.

Next moment, the men behind me were caught in a roaring blaze. The crowd scattered further away, their surprised gasps drowned by the agonized screams of the burning men.

“Get them.” Cain was beside me. My gaze flicked over to where Helena stood. Her face was white, making the red of her lips look like a bloody gash. Dark eyes burned with rage as she stared at me with pure loathing.

The corner of my lips lifted in a cold smile. Time to show the saintess who she was playing with.

Closing my eyes, I conjured the power of air and fire. My hands swirled around, mimicking the movement of the elements around me. Using the flames cast by Cain and the light breeze blowing by, I channeled the blaze towards us until we were both surrounded by a wall of flames.

The men surrounding us looked scared now. Opening my eyes, I used my inner powers to mold the flames into dragon heads. Each of them had their maws wide open, ready for attack.

“Burn them all!” I hissed, sending the many-headed fiery blaze towards the goons.

Screams shattered the silence of the night as a dozen men roared out in pain, their bodies ablaze. Helena watched them, the glow of the flames mirrored in her glassy, black eyes.

“Daria.” Cain’s voice was low in my ear. “It’s all right now.”

The flames died down, leaving the night a lot darker than before. As my mind grew more aware of the surroundings, I noticed people on their knees, chanting something in a strange language.

“What are they saying?”

“It’s a prayer to the dragon gods in the old tongue. What you just did now…it goes beyond the powers of a dragon. Dragons can conjure fire but they could never make the elements dance to their whim. You’re absolutely amazing, Daria. You know that, right?” His arm came around my shoulder, pulling me against his chest as I stared up at him.

Cain wore a prideful smile.

My heart fluttered at that look reserved just for me. I smiled back despite my aching cheeks.

“Daria!” called another familiar voice.

Turning around, I saw Adal striding towards us. His gaze took in my face and at once, a frown marred his perfect lips. How awful did my face look after Helena’s slaps?

“Norvin and I found boxes of antidote in the kitchen,” said Adal. “While you kept them busy here, we were able to sneak inside the governor’s mansion. You have no idea about the conspiracies at work here.”

The air was filled with the stench of burning flesh. From the position of the stars overhead, I could tell it would be a few more hours until dawn.

“There’s no time to waste. We should start distributing the cure right away.”

“That’s no trouble,” said Adal. “There’s already a lot available along with a fresh batch bubbling in the kitchen. It looks like the saintess was about to cure the village and be on her way to Gweryn for a marriage.”

Cain gazed at Helena who was rooted to the spot. She was seething, her black eyes trained on me. It felt especially good to be smiling back at her now.

“Are there any capable men around?” Cain’s voice roared over the low buzz of the crowd. “I command all healthy men over the age of fifteen to come forward.”

It was a few minutes before a small force of doubtful-looking men gathered before Cain. A few were young but the rest were past the age of fifty. Had Helena poisoned most of the younger population?

“He will show you where the cure is,” said Cain, gesturing towards Adal. “Follow his lead and distribute it among the people who are sick.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” They gave clumsy bows.

“I told Norvin to stay out of sight,” whispered Adal. “Now that we’ve kicked the hornet’s nest, spies and enemies would be around, keeping watch.”

Cain nodded. “Good.”

The crowd broke away from the scene, all eagerly entering the governor’s mansion for the cure. Cain walked towards Helena. I followed after him, eager to see the saintess’s mask wrenched off her wicked face.

“Do I need any more proof?” asked Cain.

“What do you plan to do with me?”

“Give up on marrying me.”

Her head wrenched up to stare up at him. Shaking her head, she threw herself at him. “I did all this for you, my prince. You can’t push me away because of a few peasants. Let us kill the whole village so no one knows about this. You can marry me, the saintess who can cure any disease. ”

“Those peasants are my people!” he shouted, pushing her away from him. “And how dare you suggest such atrocity in front of me?”

Helena’s gaze fell on me. “It’s all your fault!” she seethed. “I will kill you!” She drew out a dirk from her belt, intent to plunge it inside my heart but Cain stopped her. Flames burst out of his palm to surround the knife’s hilt. It slipped out of Helena’s grip and fell to the ground. It glowed red.

“You will not hurt my people again,” said Cain in a low, warning tone.

Helena suddenly erupted out in laughter. “There’s nothing you can do if I choose to do so. You wouldn’t really go against my father, will you?”

Cain’s eyes blazed.

“Get out of Iorna,” he hissed through clenched teeth.

“Take me as your queen.”

“Never. A woman like you doesn’t deserve to be anywhere in my kingdom. Go now before I change my mind and kill you here right now.”

Helena’s gaze moved to the two maids who’d appeared near us. “Ready the horses. We’ll leave at once.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

“What did you do with Lord Carran and his household?” asked Cain when the maids disappeared inside the manor’s walls.

Helena scoffed. “The fool is locked up in the basement. The rest of the household is buried in the woods behind the house.”

I stared back at the woman before us. A cold shudder ran through me at the way she said it so calmly. While I never took pleasure in taking a life, Helena seemed completely apathetic to it. There was no remorse over the innocent lives she’d sacrificed for her selfish agenda.

The maids came out with more of their numbers. They each held reins to their horses, prepared to leave Carran before the people recovered from their sickness and drove them out themselves.

Helena walked towards the horse waiting for her. Before mounting, she glanced back at us.

“I will never forget the dishonor you brought on me, Prince Cain,” she said. “You’ll be paying for it.”

“Prince Cain didn’t ask you to go around poisoning people,” I spoke out at once. “You brought this on yourself. Thank your stars you’re able to escape and not being torn apart by the people whose families you destroyed.”

“You…I will make you burn!” she vowed.

I laughed in her face. “Even your daddy dragon wouldn’t be capable of that.”

“You will have to get through me to get to her,” said Cain, coming beside me to hold me against him. “No matter what you do, you’ll never be my queen. Word of your cruelty will spread. I will make sure you’re not welcome in any of the three kingdoms.”

Helena hissed a curse under her breath and mounted up her horse. She barked out commands at her maids and within seconds, they were riding down the street.

I exhaled out a breath. It had been one long day and I was exhausted.

22

Cain left me to rest in one of the smaller houses lining the back of the governor’s manor. Before leaving to supervise the distribution of the cure, he warned me to stay indoors.

“If there aren’t spies swarming here already, they will come soon,” said Cain. “Adal will leave at daybreak and Norvin will set off tomorrow noon. I don’t want them seen hanging around me or each other. You and I will leave for Gweryn day after tomorrow. Things should calm down by then.”

“Don’t worry about me,” I told him with a nod. “I can handle myself but you have to be careful out there.”

“I will,” he said, lingering a moment longer before leaving the room.

I couldn’t help but be impressed by him. He was very aware of his responsibility towards his people. We were all exhausted but Cain wouldn’t let anything stand in the way of protecting them. For the first time, I personally wanted to eradicate the emperor who’d sapped all power from the royals of the four kingdoms. Without proper governance, common folk were suffering every day. Even as a ruling prince, Cain had to be wary of spies.

Even though he wanted me to stay inside the house, I went out to the stables near the temple. My horse was still accommodated there with my packs and bundles of herbs. The ache in my face was growing by the minute and my body felt sore with exhaustion. I’d used quite a lot of my inner force to control the wind and fire battling Helena’s mercenaries. A hot bath with my special herbs would help cure some of my fatigue.

I made sure to stay close to the shadows during my trip. It was an easy feat considering it was only a few hours after midnight. People were crowded in the manor but no one looked twice my way. They were too focused on the queue before them. Everyone wanted a cup of the cure to feed their ailing family members.

After getting back with my bundles, my next concern was to get water to boil the herbs. The hearth in the corner was stashed with dry twigs but I still needed water. Knowing Helena’s quarters to be equipped with basic toiletries, I snuck in there. It was empty but I stayed on alert.

To my luck, I found two large earthen pots of water in the corner of the bedroom. Going through her things, I found fresh linen towels and plenty of perfumed oils and facial pigments. It took two trips to carry the water back to my temporary room but the distance wasn’t long enough to tire me.

Starting a fire, I put a copper kettle to boil.

Once the water was warm, I poured some of it into a shallow basin and put the kettle to heat once more. When steam gushed out of the spout, I added the herbs to stew in it.

Making sure the door was closed, I stripped out of my clothes. Dipping a linen towel into the warm water, I began washing my body clean. With the fire burning near me, the heat soaked through my skin, warming me from the inside. I struggled to cleanse my face because of the bruises. Being as gentle as possible, I lightly dabbed and wiped it.

I could still taste the tang of blood inside my mouth. Pulling on a fresh cotton robe, I sat down on the floor. It would take a tiny amount of inner power to heal the insides of my cheeks. Closing my eyes, I channeled my healing magic towards it.

A minute later, my inner cheeks felt smooth. Most of the ache disturbing me earlier vanished as well, making me sigh in relief. Getting up from the floor, I checked on the kettle. The distinct smell of stewing herbs wafted towards me. The potion was ready.

Taking the kettle off the heat, I poured the medicine into a stone cup. Blowing on the steaming liquid, I went to sit on a chair nearby.

The first sip of the warm potion instantly energized me. It tasted bitter but left my body invigorated. I drank half of it in a single gulp.

A sudden knock on my door alerted me.

Holding a poisoned dart between my fingers, I headed to the door slowly. “Who is it?” I asked in a tight voice.

“Me.” It was Adal’s voice.

Putting away the dart, I opened the door. Adal’s gaze went down my face to the revealing robe I wore. A quick downward glance told me it’d come loose and half my milky breasts were on display. Not bothering to cover it, I said, “Come in.” When he stepped inside, I closed the door behind him.

“Are you all right, Daria?” he asked, coming close to me. His finger hooked under my chin to lift it up. Surprise and relief spread through his handsome features. “Your bruises look a lot better now.”

“Was it really ugly before?”

“They looked painful,” he said in a tight voice. His arms wrapped around me as he gently drew me close to his chest. My heart began racing at our closeness. I could feel his warmth seeping through the thin fabric of my robe. I tried to concentrate on what he was saying as heat pooled between my thighs.

“Norvin is staying on the outskirts of town. He may come and visit you tomorrow before he leaves. I wouldn’t have come so late but I ride out early in the morning.”

“I wish we could have stayed together longer,” I said, leaning my head on his chest and holding him close. Somehow, things were always easier with Adal. He seemed to understand my feelings the best. “It feels like I was just getting to know you.”

“You will see me again when you bring back the scrolls Cain hands you,” he whispered, burying his head in the side of my neck. “I am already missing you, Daria.”

I stepped away from him to look into his warm blue eyes. Heart pounding against my ribs, I rose on my toes to press my lips to his. A surprised gasp escaped him as he stared back at me. Disappointment hit me. Did I go too far?

Before I could take another step, Adal’s arm wrapped around my waist, drawing me closer as his lips descended down on me. I opened up to him willingly, eager for a taste of him. The mellow fragrance of sandalwood and sweet wine enveloped me as our kiss got deeper. At first, I was hesitant but soon I mimicked his movements, swirling my tongue around his.

This was my second kiss after sharing the first one with Norvin.

My heart swelled with joy as it thudded against my chest.

Adal’s lips moved down my chin. Soft moans escaped me as I arched my neck backward, giving him more access to the sensitive skin there.

“You taste so sweet, Daria,” he whispered, his hot breath fanning against the side of my neck as he kissed and nipped my soft skin.

My moans got louder as his hand rose to rest on my breast while the other was placed low on my hip. Wanting him to touch me more, I pressed against him.

“Tell me if this is going too far…” He whispered in my ear as his hands gently began kneading my breasts.

“Please don’t stop!” It was a demand as well as a plea. The place between my thighs was throbbing in rhythm with my heartbeat. I was desperate for him to touch me there.

Adal’s grasp on my breasts tightened. I breathed into his mouth as he kissed me fiercely.

With a tug, the front of my robes opened. Adal came to a sudden halt as his gaze took in the sight of my bare breasts. His eyes darkened as he pushed the robe off my shoulder.

Heat spread through my neck and onto my cheeks as Adal stared at my completely naked body. When his eyes locked into mine, I nodded, answering the unasked question. I wanted him.

With a sudden move, he swept me off my feet and into his arms. He made the short distance towards the bed in the corner and laid me among the pillows. As he got on top of me, my fingers began undoing the ties on the front of his tunic. I wanted to feel the hardness of his chest against my breasts.

Adal seemed as desperate as me. He pulled the tunic over his head and threw it on the floor, moving to capture my lips again. It felt incredible to have my soft breasts squashed against his hard chest. I could feel the hardness between his legs pressing against my thighs as he positioned himself over me.

While I was thoroughly enjoying the sensations exploding through my body, I couldn’t believe this was actually happening. Adal and I were being intimate and it was no dream.

“Ahhh!” I cried out as Adal’s lips closed around my tight nipple. He sucked on it hard, making my back arch off the bed. My fingers dug into his soft, golden curls as I held him in place.

“You’re so beautiful, Daria,” he said after a while. I was lying naked under him with only his breeches between us.

I gazed up into his warm blue eyes. Lust and affection swirled in those beautiful sapphire orbs. They were the most beautiful eyes I’d ever seen in my life. I was suddenly breathless, transfixed. The look in his eyes was pulling me in deeper and deeper.

He lowered his head down my body, his warm lips skimming my breasts and the expanse of my stomach until they reached my sex. Parting the lips there, he let his tongue swirl inside the folds of my pussy.

“Adal.” His name was like a prayer on my lips as my hands grabbed onto the sheets.

The strokes of his tongue were luxurious, gentle and sure. My whole body ignited on fire. He whispered something but it was a guttural rumble in my ears. I could no longer hold onto my thoughts as pleasure pushed everything aside.

My body tightened.

My back arched away from the bed as he kissed, licked and sucked at the folds of my sex.

The sensations throbbing through my body rose higher, concentrating in my center until I could take it no longer. While I was taught the art of sex, no one ever told me it would feel this way. A dam seemed to collapse inside me. A sudden cry escaped me as waves of pleasure cascaded down my body, drowning every thought in my head.

My mouth was wide open as I gasped for breath. Adal was looking down at me as his fingers gently moved away the stray strands of hair from my face.

“You looked so beautiful as you came,” he whispered, pressing a soft kiss to my lips.

“Please, Adal. I want you inside me.”

I was desperate for him to enter me. My body demanded it. My heart begged for it.

“Daria…I…” He was hesitating, suddenly unable to say the words on his lips.

“What is it?” I asked urgently. “Did I do something wrong?” Panic gripped me tight in its hold. Elga’s lessons on pleasing men went through my head. I could still feel his hardness against my thighs. As far as I knew, it meant he was aroused too. But then, why? Why was he holding himself back?

“I am not experienced, Daria,” he said in a low whisper.

I smiled. “Neither am I. But, Adal…” I sat up, putting my hands on the sides of his face. “You’ve already made me feel such pleasure. Perhaps, it’s time for me to reciprocate.”

Before he could say a thing, I pushed down on his shoulders to make him lie back on the bed. My fingers untied the chords of his breeches and pulled them off his legs. His manhood sprang out and stood erect. Just as I was taught, I wrapped my fingers around the thick length.

“Daria…”

His cock felt incredibly hard and hot against the softness of my palm. As my hand moved up and down his shaft, it lengthened and got harder. Adal’s head fell back among the pillows as low groans escaped him.

Guessing I was doing it right, I took the thick head inside my mouth. I had to stretch wide to accommodate it inside. Slowly, hesitatingly I swallowed more of the length until the tip of his cock hit the back of my throat. My tongue swirled around the head while my hand moved up and down the part that was still outside my mouth.

“Oh, goddess! Daria!” Adal sounded breathless. His eyes were closed and his mouth was pressed tight in an expression of pain and pleasure.

Gaining more confidence, I began bobbing my head up and down his impossibly hardened shaft. Adal’s grunts were becoming hoarser by the second. He was desperately uttering my name. I could’ve never imagined how great it felt to give pleasure.

With a sudden move, he sat up and placed his hand over mine. “Stop, Daria.”

I looked up at him, worried.

“I won’t be able to control myself any longer if you keep going,” he said breathlessly. His chest was heaving. His eyes darkened as he pulled me close to him for a kiss.

Laying me on my back, he positioned himself over. With his lips on mine, he rubbed the tip of his cock against my wet folds.

The swirls of his tongue around mine distracted me as his head breached through my entrance. Pain flared up inside me as his thick girth slowly stretched my walls.

“Relax, Daria,” he breathed. “It’ll be okay.”

I inhaled deeply, willing my body to relax. My insides felt tight and full with his manhood entering me. With a sudden thrust, Adal buried himself fully inside me. I gasped out but his soft kisses distracted me once again.

Adal stayed still for a while, giving me time to adjust to his girth. His patience surprised me. According to Elga’s lessons, men couldn’t control themselves once they were this intimate with a woman. At that moment, warmth exploded within me. Adal was taking things slow for my sake. Kissing him back, I raised my hips upward, urging him to move inside me.

As Adal began moving, the pain slowly melted away. Pleasure took up its place as I felt his hard throbbing cock inside my pulsing pussy.

He kissed my lips, chin, and breasts, continuing to thrust inside me at a steady rhythm.

“You feel so damn good, Daria,” he said with a groan.

“Go faster, Adal,” I whispered, feeling my pleasure rise with each of his thrusts.

He complied, plunging inside me harder and faster.

My body began tightening once more, winding towards the delicious peak I was seeking. My breasts moved with his thrusts while my pussy throbbed with need. Adal’s mouth was on mine. I closed my eyes as deep moans escaped me.

Adal was becoming more determined and as he sensed my mounting pleasure, he took a nipple between his teeth and closed down on it. A flash of pained delight rushed through me. Crying out with the thrill of it, I felt myself unravel under him.

I climaxed, feeling my whole body shudder under him. My body thrashed back among the sheets, tangling them up but Adal held me down with sheer power. He didn’t stop moving inside me even though my walls clamped onto his shaft.

As the pleasure from the orgasm slowly washed away, I looked up at him. His beautiful face was crumpled in an expression of pain and pleasure as he plunged inside me.

“Come for me once more, Daria,” he whispered hoarsely. His hand moved between our bodies, seeking the swollen nub of my pussy. He stroked it hard while his mouth latched onto my nipple. His cock began hitting me perfectly, each thrust threatening to drive me over the edge.

The combined effect of his thrusting cock along with the attention to my throbbing clit made my mind swim with pleasure. My body abandoned itself to him.

I anticipated my climax, and yet I wanted to delay it, hold it off for as long as I could, to simply feel his cock in my pussy, to feel my nipples pressed against his chest, to feel his fingers tormenting my clit to near ecstasy.

Forever and ever and ever…

I didn’t want this to end.

I didn’t want him to come out of me, to come off me, to come…

I was enjoying being caught on the knife-edge of pleasure-pain too much.

However, I knew I couldn’t hold back any longer. He was plunging inside me so fast now I knew he was close to his own release.

Adal’s breath heaved out of him. Every muscle straining against me was hard and taut.

I finally let my body take me to the edge. My mouth opened wide to cry out as pleasure gripped and shook me. Still, he moved deep inside me, his heat pulsing through me like a heat wave. I was coming, harder than ever before, right down to the tips of my toes as they curled hard.

My walls clenched onto his shaft, drawing deep, raw grunts of pleasure from him. Burying his head in the side of my neck, he thrust in hard, only to explode inside me with a loud groan. His seeds burst inside me, adding more heat amidst the overwhelming sensations.

His cum spilled inside me thrice. He pushed again and as my walls clamped onto him, he spurted once more, emptying himself inside me with every last drop he had.

“Daria…Daria…” He remained slumped against me, as completely spent as I was.

It was a while before he tenderly pulled out of me.

I felt his seeds drip out of me and immediately clamped my legs shut, not wanting to lose the warmth of him.

I turned towards him breathlessly as he lay down beside me. His gaze met mine and a gentle smile rose up on his lips. He drew me against him and pulled up a blanket to cover our bodies. There was no need for any words between us. We were entangled in each other’s arms, soaking up the warmth and bliss that enveloped us.

No more thoughts plagued my mind that night as I succumbed to a blissful slumber.

23

It felt like I’d just closed my eyes when someone was gently shaking me awake.

“Wake up, Daria.” I moaned, stretching out my legs. It sounded like Adal. My hands brushed over the side and came up empty. Where’d he go? Slowly, I opened my heavy lids.

Adal’s face was close to mine. His golden curls framed his beautiful face as a smile rose on his luscious lips. “Please wake up, love.”

Yawning wide, I sat up. It was still dark outside but the grayish light of dawn filtered through the shuttered windows. “Why are you up so early?” I asked, suppressing another yawn.

He placed a gentle hand on my head. “It’s time for me to leave now.”

“What?”

I blinked hard and rubbed the sleep still clinging to my lashes. Adal was fully dressed with a hooded-cloak wrapped around his shoulders.

“I wish you could stay longer,” I said, grasping his hand and bringing it to my cheek. I would miss Adal’s warmth and kindness.

Bending down, he kissed my cheek. “I wish that too. I hate leaving you right after we made love.”

He smiled, capturing my lips between his. Before I could deepen the kiss, he pulled away. “I’ll be tempted to get back to bed with you.”

I chuckled and then, sighed. There was really no way we could do as we pleased. After the chaos I created last night, it would be dangerous for both Adal and Norvin to be identified alongside Cain.

“I have something for you,” he said, clasping my hands in his. I felt something smooth and solid pass into my grasp.

Opening my hands, I saw a small rectangular jade tablet carved with letters from the Baledonian script. The letters were surrounded by floral designs on all four sides.

“It’s beautiful,” I said, caressing the smooth, cool stone.

“This is a royal badge issued by me,” he explained. “Every servant that goes out of the palace to run errands for me must have one of these to return back to the palace. It’s a very important seal and you must be careful with it. In the wrong hands, it could bring a lot of trouble to me and the people of my house.”

“I understand.”

“Show it to the palace guards when you reach Baledonia and they will bring you to me.”

I stared at the jade tablet in my hand, already missing the man beside me.

“We’ll meet very soon.” Adal’s hand closed over mine to squeeze it gently.

Unbidden, a sob choked my throat. I blinked back the sudden tears that pricked my eyes.

“Are you crying, Daria?” Adal bent low, so he could be level with my face.

I was as surprised as him. It had been years since I felt this emotionally sad. Brushing the tears away, I smiled up at him, but the ache in my heart wouldn’t go away.

Adal kissed my lips, cheeks, eyes, and nose. “I will miss you every moment I’m apart from you.”

“Go.”

“Daria…”

“I am not used to partings,” I said, brushing away more tears. Why was it such a struggle to control my emotions around him and the others? I had never been affected this way before. “You should go, Adal. I’ll be fine.”

“Promise me?”

“I promise. Now go before the sun rises.”

With one last kiss, he walked out of the room.

Locking the door behind, I came back to bed. The sheets felt cold without his presence beside me. I stretched my arms over my head, wondering if I should get dressed. But the soreness in my pussy as well as body won. Pulling the blankets over my naked body, I fell back among the pillows.

My pussy ached with need. A part of me wished to keep Adal for another hour before he left. “Stop it!” I chided myself.

Mercifully, sleep overcame me, giving me an escape from my lustful urges.

The sound of loud knocking startled me out of sleep.

As I woke up the second time, the last rays of a setting sun shone through the shutters of the window. With a start, I realized I’d slept through the day. It had to be the reason my body felt so good. The knocking sounded again.

“Who is it?” I called out, pulling the sheets over me and climbing off the bed.

“What’s taking you so long to answer?” It was Norvin’s voice. “I was about to break down the door.”

“Give me a minute to get dressed,” I hollered.

“I am definitely breaking down this door!”

“Norvin!”

“Open up, then!”

Frustrated, I marched forward to open the door. If there were people standing around him, they would get an eyeful of me as well.

Norvin marched inside the moment I opened the door. Closing it shut behind him, I faced him. “What’s going on? Is something up?”

From his attire, I could tell he was ready to travel. A thick bundle hung from one shoulder. Dropping it to the floor, he stared at me, his eyes going wide. For a few moments, he didn’t speak as he watched me transfixed. Pointing a finger at me, he said, “What have you been doing, woman?”

I gaped back at him, not understanding his strange behavior. “What are you talking about?”

He strode forward to stand close to me. “I can smell him all over you. What have you been doing with Adal?”

A hot blush spread through my neck and into my cheeks. “That’s between me and him,” I muttered, not meeting his accusing gaze.

“Daria. Look at me.” He turned my face towards him. “Did you both really…did you actually…”

“We did.” There was no need to hide it from him. He already knew the way I felt about Adal and Cain.

He let go off me and took a step back. “I don’t believe this.” He ran his fingers through his wild midnight-blue hair. “He’s never been with a woman before.”

“I know.”

“You know?”

“Adal told me. But, it didn’t matter. I am happy with the way things happened between us.” I fought another blush but my cheeks heated up at the memory of him on top of me as he thrust inside me.

“How many men have you been with before?”

“Counting Adal? One.”

He looked astonished for a moment, but within seconds, a smug expression set in. “How do you know whether it was any good? You have never even been with a man before.”

“It was very good,” I insisted.

“Why don’t you test it out with me?” He walked close to me. “Let me have you too, Daria.”

I hesitated. While I was just as attracted to Norvin, I doubted his intentions. “Are you sure you wish to share me with Adal? Or do you intend to use my body and forget about it?” A cold wave hit me in the chest. Would Norvin be as cruel as the men I’d been warned against?

He looked like I’d just struck him. Shaking his head, he turned away from me. “You don’t trust me, Daria.”

“I want to, though.”

Exhaling a long breath, he turned around to face me. “I came to tell you I’m leaving within the hour.”

“Can you tell me where you’re going?”

“Cain told me to lay low in Partaig. He’s arranged a safe house for me.”

I nodded. “I will find you.”

Norvin walked close to me. Leaning down, he drew me into his arms and leaned down to press his lips to mine. Surprised, it took a moment for me to respond. I opened my mouth to his probing tongue, tasting his intoxicating minty taste.

Suddenly pulling away, he stared at me. His purple-hued eyes were burning with intensity, setting the place between my thighs to throb hard with need.

“I can smell your arousal, Daria,” he said in a low voice. His gaze dropped down to my lips and then to my heaving breasts, straining against the bed sheet still wrapped around me. He raised the back of his hand to caress my cheek. To my flaming skin, his touch felt cool. “I will wait for you to trust me with your heart, Daria. It’s not just your body I want. I need all of you.” Pecking my lips once more, he strode out of the room.

Closing the door after him, I sat down on the edge of the bed. Now that he’d left, I was regretting not letting him have his way with me. My body felt hot and my pussy throbbed like a second heart.

I need to cool this fever before I throw myself at Cain like a wanton, I decided, quickly putting on some clothes. Remnants of my night with Adal were a dried mess on my thighs. I definitely needed a proper wash.

Going into the back courtyard, I looked around. The crowd of people I saw last night had disappeared. A few women remained but they were busily carrying buckets of water or walking past hurriedly. They were too busy to even glance at me.

The sun dipped below the horizon as I moved further away from the house. Closing my eyes, I summoned for Tuto. As our minds connected, I caught flashes of a maize field down below. It was only minutes before I saw his ghostly white form fly overhead.

The kitchens were supposed to be located behind the row of houses, so I assumed a well had to be someplace nearby. Going around a bend, I came to the wide open doors of the kitchen. Slipping through the long shadows, I peered inside.

A couple of women were inside. Huge pots boiled around them as they talked loudly.

“Who do you think she was?” the taller of the two said.

“I heard she was His Highness’s woman. Sam swears the prince called her his maid,” replied her companion. They both looked to be middle-aged.

“Either way, she belongs to him.”

“Don’t sound so happy, Gendra. Both the prince and his woman went up against Princess Helena. Do you think Emperor Ivan will let it slide?”

“It was that witch’s fault!” cried the woman. “She murdered my daughter. I wish the prince would drag her through the streets until her hair came off her scalp. If she still lived, I’d have liked her to be beaten to death like a rabid bitch.”

“Now, now, Gendra…” She hugged her friend. “Calm down for now. You and I can do nothing. Even the prince can do nothing against the might of the emperor. The fact that he even allowed the truth to come to light is something we need to be grateful for.”

The woman called Gendra broke down in tears while her distraught friend struggled to calm her. I moved on, skirting the sides of the kitchen building to look for the well. After the wonderful few hours with Adal, I’d almost allowed my mind to forget about the terrible crimes done by Helena.

She remained safe while the people of Carran would have to pick up the broken pieces of their lives and try to survive. Daughters, sons, mothers, and fathers…Helena killed them all without a care. Anger and hatred burned inside me. My determination to kill the emperor was steadily becoming a personal one. It was because of him little girls were being bled to death. He’d made the ruling princes helpless to protect their own kingdoms. He was the reason for the death of law and order.

As I crept away from the kitchen, a large well came in sight. The area was quiet and I could just pretend to be a maid in the governor’s house if anyone asked me questions. Reaching it, I dropped a bucket in the dark waters down below. Filling it up, I drew it back up and poured the water in a large wooden pail that was resting beside the well.

When the pail was full, I began washing up. The water wasn’t cold yet, helping me bathe without any problem. The area remained deserted but I let Tuto keep a watch just in case.

Both Adal and Norvin were gone. It would soon be time for Cain and me to leave as well.

24

I stopped at an unmarked site on the road to Partaig. It was dangerous for common folk to stop in a deserted place lest they get robbed, but I had no choice. According to Cain, the emperor’s spies were gathering in these parts. It was risky to get noticed and taken back for a second execution.

Wild beasts prowled the woods on either side of the roads but it was easier to take a chance with them than an army of mercenaries controlled by one of the Emperor's spies. Lighting a small fire in a clearing, I decided to spend the night there. Once I reached Partaig, I could go to the safe house Cain arranged for me.

I was plagued all night by mosquitoes. While the fire kept the wolves away, it had no effect on the tiny bloodsuckers. To distract myself, I kept thinking of Daria’s naked body wrapped in a thin sheet. All I had to do was tug it out of her clutching fingers and she would be unraveled before me. My cock hardened at the thought. I was sure to give myself blue balls just thinking about her. There was no guarantee I would meet Daria in a long, long time.

Using my cloak for a sheet and a bundle of clothes for a makeshift pillow, I lay down close to the fire. The clear night sky gave me a beautiful view of the stars overhead. My mind went to Adal who loved studying them since he was a boy. Memories of us sitting by a river bank in Redfall, gazing up at the stars, flashed through my mind. A part of me was surprised I wasn’t consumed with jealousy and rage for what he’d done before leaving.

He was the first man to touch Daria, to be inside her. Adal always spoke of being with the one woman he fell in love with. While Cain and I slept with the ladies of our court on occasions, Adal kept himself pure for a woman he hadn’t even met. It baffled me during my younger days but I was beginning to understand him.

No matter how torturous it is, I couldn’t think of another woman other than Daria. Thoughts of her filled my heart and mind. If she’d agreed to run away with me back in Linmoor, I would have easily given up on vengeance and spent a peaceful life with her.

I wasn’t even angry with Daria for choosing to be intimate with Adal. While it was one thing to jealous of Adal’s luck, I couldn’t curse either of them for their choices. I still loved Adal as a brother. And I was still madly in love with Daria.

Nothing had changed.

Cain had it right this whole time. We were all dragons, beasts in our most primal form. It was in our nature not to care about the rules set up by humans. Among us, we could have multiple partners. There was no room for jealousy or seniority among our families. All our mates were treated equal, unlike the humans, who sought to divide women into wives and concubines, leading to differential treatment.

Perhaps, the three of us had become part of Daria’s harem. She was as loyal to us as we were to her.

Cain and Adal already understood this about their relationship with her. They treated her with kindness and understanding while I bickered with her all the time. Now that I was miles away from her, I couldn’t even tell her how stupid I’d been.

My thoughts kept me awake the whole night, only getting me to doze towards dawn. However, as soon as the eastern sky turned lighter, I was up. The earlier I rode, the quicker I’d reach Partaig and get a proper bed to sleep.

The journey to Partaig was uneventful. Other than stopping at a roadside tavern for some hard bread and ale, I kept riding, making sure to keep my hood up at all times. Both my midnight-blue hair and purple-hued eyes were uncommon in the four kingdoms. I received them from my mother, a concubine to the late dragon king of Redfall.

It was the first time for me to be visiting Partaig. My earlier visits to Iorna were always restricted to the palace of Gweryn.

Now, however, I stared out into the vast city which was right outside the gates of Cain’s palace. It was close to noon, and the streets were full of vendors selling fruits and vegetables, silks and luxury goods, and earthenware. The people shopping around looked well-off and happy. None of the poverty I saw in the smaller towns and villages of Iorna touched this city.

“Hey, old man,” I said, leaning down my horse towards an elderly shopkeeper selling oranges. “Which way to the finest tavern in this town?”

He stared at me, his large gray eyes taking in my appearance from head to foot. A calculative look replaced his earlier expression of boredom. Unease stirred inside me. Raising a hand, he pointed forward. “Keep going straight until you see it.”

Thanking him, I headed to the tavern. I hadn’t spent more than a few copper coins on the way, keeping to Daria’s logic. My exhaustion was about to rebel though. I hadn’t slept or eaten properly for two days now and was craving for a decent meal of wine, meat, and freshly-baked bread. Since most of the people on the streets looked well-off enough, I decided they wouldn’t take note of a man spending a few silvers to get a meal.

Tethering the horse to a nearby post, I entered the inn. It wasn’t crowded but there were several tables filled with patrons. Heading to the back of the pub, I took a seat at an empty table.

“You don’t look familiar,” said a middle-aged woman, waddling towards me. From the tight stretch of her apron over her protruding belly, I could tell she was pregnant.

“Just passing through.”

“What can I get you, traveler?”

“Get me the best stuff you’ve got.” I placed two silvers on the table. “Enough?”

She seemed to be taking in my appearance with an unusual scrutiny, same as the old seller I met at the city’s gates.

“Stay there. I’ll get your meal,” she said, sweeping away before I could decide whether to leave the tavern and head straight for the place Cain arranged for me. Without my companions at my side, I was suddenly feeling vulnerable. It was barely a week and I’d already gotten used to the feeling of watching each other’s backs.

The woman came back with a basket of bread rolls and wine. “I’ll get you some more meat in a while. It will take some time to cook it through.”

“Thank you,” I said, happy to have something to eat and drink for the moment. The rolls looked buttery and soft. Ignoring her, I stuffed a whole roll into my mouth. Chewing on it, I poured some wine into the wooden goblet left behind by her. I chased down another roll with a gulp of the wine. Within minutes, I’d wolfed down all the bread and sat drinking the wine.

It was only then I noticed the sudden hush that had fallen over the inn. The patrons filling up the tables were all gone, leaving the place empty and deserted. An odd silence filled the vast space. Unease settled in my chest.

Getting to my feet, I decided to walk out. It already seemed like a bad idea to have come into the tavern. Senses alert, I walked through the tables until I was at the door. Through the open entryway, I spotted a whole garrison of men stationed outside. My gaze flickered to the other side of the inn. Through the dirty glass windows, I saw more soldiers surrounding the building.

Fuck! Were they here for me?

“Look what the cat dragged in.” An unsettlingly familiar voice sneered. Shifting my gaze away from the windows, I looked towards the man before me. Fuck, fuck, fuck! It was Mekhi, Emperor Ivan’s eldest son, the man who’d already executed me once. A sinister grin curled the corner of his thin lips. With a sideways glance, he said, “Come along, Helena. Is this the man you saw hanging around Prince Cain?”

To my horror, Helena came to stand beside him. Her cold black eyes rested on mine. “That’s him.”

Mekhi sniggered, slowly dragging his feet to walk towards me. “How did you live through your last execution?” Before I could say a word, he held up his hand. “Wait! Don’t tell me now. We’ll have plenty of opportunity to carry on our conversation in one of Cain’s dungeons.”

Electricity crackled around my hands, steadily flowing through both my arms.

Mekhi laughed openly in my face. “Are we still doing this? You know what happens when you try to resist.”

With a backward glance at the soldiers behind him, he said, “Kill at will.”

The battalion broke away and before my horrified gaze began stabbing at the people who were shopping and going about their business mere moments ago. Their screams of anguish pierced through me. The men and women ran in every way they could, only to be intercepted and slashed to death.

“How could you do this to your own people?” I shouted at the soldiers. Their maroon and gold uniforms were the standard colors of Iorna. “You should be listening to your prince. Not him!” None of the soldiers stopped. They continued their assault on the innocent.

“Cain won’t be prince much longer,” said Mekhi, lazily looking at his nails. The bloodshed happening behind him had no effect on him. “Now that we have proof of his alliance with you, do you think the emperor will support his claim to the throne?”

“Cain can have power only if he marries me,” said Helena.

“Don’t be stupid, sister. Father will never agree to it.”

“I’ll ask him to hand over Iorna to me,” she insisted. “I want Cain as my husband. And no other!”

Mekhi shook his head. “Do you have any sort of attachment to him?” he asked, sticking a thumb towards me.

“He’s handsome too,” said Helena, her gaze raking me. “But I still want Cain.”

“He won’t thank you,” I said, balling my hands into tight fists. “I can tell you that, bitch.”

Her dark eyes flashed with rage. She stomped forward with her fist raised but Mekhi pulled her back. “Let’s get him to come with us first,” said Mekhi. Turning his gaze at me, he casually asked. “Are you coming or what, Norvin? I don’t mind cleansing the whole city for your submission.”

It was getting harder to breathe. Was my life really worth any of the ones that died today? Would my dying stop the carnage Mekhi unleashed on Cain’s people?

“Tell them to stop.” I drowned the electricity surging through me to calm down. “Please.”

“Nah. I’ll let them continue a while longer. I really hate it when you resist me.”

“Stop this now!” I bellowed, shooting a tongue of lightning at Helena’s feet. She gasped, jumping backward. Her feet caught onto the train of her gown and she stumbled to the ground. “Do it or I’ll roast this bitch right now.”

Mekhi’s sickening grin finally vanished from his face. “Stop!” he shouted to the soldiers in the back. “Tell them all to stop.”

The streets were already littered with corpses. Rivulets of blood flowed down the dusty ground, getting darker. My stomach threatened to turn at the sight of those wide, lifeless eyes frozen in an expression of terror and pain.

“Come along, now,” said Mekhi in a deceptively soft voice. “Don’t test my patience anymore.”

Helena glared at me as she got to her feet.

I walked out through the threshold of the inn and onto the street. Mekhi was waiting for my arrival in the city. He’d stationed his informers everywhere in Partaig. The moment I stepped through the city’s gates, I was in his grip.

As I let two soldiers roughly drag me out to the street, I wondered if Adal had managed to escape. It would be disastrous if Cain was lured out to save us. He and Daria were supposed to leave Carran that morning. Would they get news of what happened in Partaig before they got too close?

Despair and dread settled in my chest. I’d already suffered torture under Mekhi’s hands and knew what waited for me. I was anxious for Cain, Adal, and Daria. Would they be forced into Mekhi’s trap when they tried to rescue me? At that moment, I really wished I’d died the first time I was poisoned and thrown away to drown in the river.

Gritting my teeth, I walked through the streets, keeping my gaze straight ahead. The grounds were covered in corpses and each time my boot hit one, I felt a cold shudder run through me. My heart was breaking at the senseless massacre. Even in that moment of agony and despair, I wished for Daria’s presence beside me.

Please be safe, my love, I prayed.

25

Cain came to get me at dawn.

After a cold bath and thorough rest, I was ready to take on the last leg of our journey until we reached Gweryn. I was already missing Adal and Norvin. Hopefully, I would be able to see Norvin before heading to Baledonia to meet Adal with the scrolls.

“I am sorry I couldn’t come to see you,” said Cain as he stood at the threshold. Dark rings circled his eyes. Coarse beard shadowed his chin and his dark hair was unkempt. He was the one in need of a good bath and a proper meal. I’d somehow managed to do both by sneaking around the back courtyard but he barely must have gotten time to look after himself.

“You look awful.”

He chuckled, the dullness in his blue eyes vanishing for a moment. “I’ve missed you, Daria.” He walked inside the room and set down the bundle he was carrying. “You have no idea how tempting that bed looks.”

My mind went to the intimate moments that passed between me and Adal. Even though I’d washed myself well, I wondered if Cain could smell the sex and sweat in the room.

“I am ready to get going,” I said, showing him my packed bundles. “Am I riding with you or taking a new horse?”

“You’ll ride with me, Daria. It’s still dark out there and the best time to slip out. If I went around asking for a new horse, it might’ve looked suspicious.”

I nodded. “What about the villagers? Has the cure worked on them?”

He let out a long breath. “It has. Everything is calm for the moment but I know they all want justice. Helena needs to be put on trial but that will never happen. Not until the emperor falls.”

“You should’ve asked me to assassinate her.”

“Daria.” He looked grim at my suggestion.

“Don’t tell me she doesn’t deserve a death sentence for killing these innocent people. You’re the rightful king. You can give the command.”

He moved close to me and suddenly hugged me. “She still needs to go through a trial and be sentenced. Even a criminal deserves that much. Word of this will spread throughout the four kingdoms. She’ll never be welcomed anywhere other than Ivan’s palace now.”

“Still not fair,” I muttered, pressing my head against his chest.

“I know.” Stepping back, he bent down to look into my eyes. “Shall we head out? I am really looking forward to reaching the temple by daytime so I can show you some of the beauty of the dragon temple of Iorna.”

“Would we stop in Partaigh?”

“No. We’ll go around the city to reach the temple. I don’t want to be seen riding through town in this garb.”

I nodded but couldn’t help feeling the pinch of not seeing Norvin before leaving for Baledonia. “Will Norvin be staying with you?”

“I will try to get him inside the palace but it has to be done carefully. It’s much harder to move through the palace.”

“But you’re the ruling prince!”

Cain laughed again, his hand playing with a stray strand of my hair. It was such an intimate gesture, spreading warmth through me. Soon, I would have to leave him behind too. The journey to Drakhaven would be especially lonely after having traveled with them for a week.

“There are more eyes on me in the palace than here,” explained Cain. “They watch my every move.”

“Still not a fair deal.”

Cain shook his head. “No, it’s not.” He gestured towards the doorway. “Let’s get going then. The sooner we get out of here, the better.”

I nodded and shouldered my pack, heading out of the door with Cain at my side.

The courtyard of the manor was completely dark without a single soul in sight. Tuto flew overhead, keeping a watch for us as we headed outside to our waiting horse.

“What happened to Lord Carran?” I whispered as we crossed one of the paths through the courtyard.

“He is very weak. I’ve sent him to live with one of his relatives so he can get well and look after his village.”

“Helena is a monster.”

“She is,” he agreed. I still bristled from the way she wanted to covet Cain like he belonged to her alone and she would kill anyone who stood in her path. I couldn’t help the smug grin that lifted the corner of my mouth as Cain helped me mount the horse. We would be riding together all the way to the dragon temples outside Partaigh. I suddenly wished Helena could see me with my back pressed to Cain’s chest while his hand rested on my stomach.

“Ready?” asked Cain, settling himself behind me.

“Ready.”

We took the open road and rode hard and fast, leaving the village behind in a short time. Tuto was like a ghostly shape, flying low over us. The eastern skies soon turned lighter but we kept going.

The only stop we made was a few hours before noon. It was a remote spot with nothing around it except for a small stream cutting through the expansive wild moors. Letting the horse drink and rest, we built a small fire to roast sweet potatoes. I’d smuggled some from the kitchen last night while I was there to hunt for some food.

“Have some bread and cheese. And there’s this wine too,” I said, taking out the earthenware jar of sweet, spiced wine.

“When did you have time for all this?” asked Cain as he eagerly opened the wine jar.

“I got that from Helena’s quarters,” I said, gesturing at the wine. “The rest came from the kitchen. There’s this bacon too I stole.”

Cain laughed. Despite his haggard appearance, he looked relaxed now. The wind whipped through his long, dark hair and as he grinned at me boyishly, I felt my heart race. I was so lucky to see this side of him. He rarely got to act so free.

For a short time, we ate and drank in comfortable silence. The cool breeze felt wonderful against the warmth of the sun shining overhead. It was easy to pretend I wasn’t on a mission to assassinate the emperor. We could just be enjoying a picnic outdoors.

“I am going to miss this,” said Cain, laying down on the grass and looking up to the sky. “The palace would feel even more suffocating after this short adventure.”

“I still don’t like riding long distances but I’ll miss you, Adal and Norvin.” I lay back on the grass beside him.

Cain shifted closer to me, offering his arm so I could use it as a pillow. It was astonishing how intimate it felt as he brought me in a warm embrace. My heart wished for the moment to last forever, us lying under the sun in a deserted moor with the breeze blowing around us. It was so easy to pretend the world didn’t exist.

Cain turned to look at me. This close to him, I could feel his hot breath fanning my face. My gaze dropped to his luscious lips. He moved nearer, his lips brushing mine and all I could do was close my eyes.

His lips were warm against mine.

Cain’s hand rested on my shoulder while I almost climbed on top of him, kissing him. He held me close, his arms wrapping around my body. When he opened his mouth to me, I let my tongue slide over his. Within moments, I was addicted to the delectable peppermint taste of his kiss.

When we parted, I was breathless. My body was already on fire, burning and tingling from the closeness.

“We should get going,” he said, his own voice sounding strange. “Or we’ll really end up staying here.”

Chuckling, I got off him and sat up. “We have a long way to go, don’t we?” I didn’t just mean the physical distance between the moor and the temple, but the enormity of the tasks lying ahead.

“We do.” Getting to his feet, he stamped out the remnants of the fire.

I packed up the rest of the remaining food and handed them to him.

We were on the road once more but now my mind was distracted by the kiss we’d just shared. I wondered if he knew about my intimacy with Adal. While he never acted jealous or angry like Norvin, I couldn’t help speculate what he thought of our relationship.

This isn’t the time, my mind insisted.

We rode over the next few hours, not stopping for any breaks. Close to an hour after noon, we reached the outskirts of a lush green forest. Unlike the wild abandoned ones common in these parts of the hilly region, the woods looked tamer with a visible path disappearing inside it.

“Are we there?” I asked, peering through the foliage. Something solid and white shimmered through the gaps in the leaves but there was no way to know what I was seeing.

“We are. I’ll leave the horse here while we go the rest of the distance on foot.”

Great! My thighs were sore and burning again after the hours of riding. It would be good to walk to ease some of the stiffness in my legs and back.

I followed Cain through the trees ringing the forest. Dappled-green sunlight fell through the gaps in the leaves overhead, illuminating the shadowy woods beneath. A few paces later, I got the first view of the dragon temple.

It was a beautiful monstrosity of pure white marble. A mammoth stone dragon towered over the structure. I stared up at it, feeling my lips part in awe. The creature looked so real I could feel myself staring at its exposed teeth, imagining them impaling right through me and crunching every bone in its path.

“Is this life-size?” I whispered.

“Yes.”

I quickly turned to look at Cain. “An actual dragon gets this big?” Both Cain and I were sure to appear minuscule from where the dragon’s eyes were located.

“Most are bigger.”

A wild chuckle escaped me. I’d taken up the mission to bring down a man who could shift into such a powerful, awe-inspiring being. Not for the first time, I wondered if I’d bitten more than I could chew.

“Come along,” said Cain, taking a hold of my hand. He gave a gentle tug, effectively bringing me out of my stupor.

We walked through the creature’s legs, as high as tall pillars, and into the cool interiors of the temple. The place was huge, bigger than the temple we’d come across in Carran. My gaze immediately went to the four dragon statues stationed in the center of the hall.

Their bodies were coiled around each other, their jaws open in silent roars. The idol was smaller than the one gracing the entrance but it was just as beautiful and magnificent in the way the details were carved into them. My fingers itched to touch the smooth scales on their back. A low wall of marble encircled the statue, effectively keeping my urge to touch it in check. Flowers and offerings of fruit and cakes surrounded them.

“Where are the priests?” I asked, looking up at Cain.

“They come at sunrise every morning for the prayer rituals. In the evenings, they will clean up everything and return the next day.”

“So we can’t be here long.”

“We can stay in the temple as long as we wish. The priests and their disciples are allowed to come only to this part. The rest of it belongs to the royals of the Lachnan family.”

“There’s more to it than this?” I asked, still awed by the size of the magnificent chamber. The structure looked big from the outside but I couldn’t imagine it being larger than the hall where we stood. The domed ceiling rose as high as the building looked from the outside. “Where’s the rest of it?”

Cain smiled. “Come with me.” He took my hand and guided me through an opening in the wall I hadn’t noticed before. It was hidden from view by the clever architecture. “The only time outsiders entered these scared halls was the time when Ivan’s men invaded it to destroy the scrolls and any artifacts left behind by my ancestors.”

“But why?” I couldn’t imagine the emperor coming to these remote parts just to destroy holy scripts. “He left the main temple untouched.”

“He destroyed most of the knowledge about dragons. Whatever we know is from the things that our parents told us. The tomes and books on dragons will tell you what a dragon looks like, what it feeds on, how hot their fires are, but they will not tell you what makes a dragon sick, what causes it to transform, when does the first transformation occur…There is nothing of importance to the dragon born sons and daughters.”

“So he destroyed anything that could actually help you unlock your powers,” I said, understanding the emperor’s logic. “There is also no way to know a dragon’s weakness. He’s destroyed all knowledge to keep himself safe.”

Cain nodded, his fists balling tightly at his sides. “He’s done all he can to keep us maimed.”

We reached a small chamber. It was empty except for a low cylindrical column in the center. A smaller replica of the four-dragons statue stood on it. Cain walked towards it and placed a hand over them. Exerting a sudden pressure, he made the statue sink into the pedestal.

The ground beneath my feet shook, like an earthquake had come upon us. I glanced wildly at Cain but he looked calm. Before my startled eyes, a chasm opened up as the stone floor cleanly divided into two sections.

“Adal insisted I search the inner sanctum thoroughly. The information about the Fire Clan women and how the magic from the mating rituals helped in transforming a dragonborn into a dragon came from the scrolls he found hidden in the dragon temple of Baledonia. Before that, none of us were aware what it took for one of us to shift into our true forms.”

Cain gestured me to follow him down a flight of stairs leading under the temple. It was so deep I couldn’t see the bottom of the steps. Conjuring up flames in the palm of his hand, he led me downstairs. “I found some scrolls stacked away under a stone statue. They are all in the ancient tongue which was forbidden to be taught to us by the emperor. Adal, the scholar he is, taught himself to read it.”

An indulgent chuckle escaped him as he thought of his friend. “I have no idea whether these scrolls have any useful knowledge but it’s worth it to have Adal take a look. They seemed too valuable for me to carry them when we ventured out together, so I am sending them through you.”

I nodded. “I will keep them safe until Adal has them.”

It seemed like we were climbing down the stairs for hours. The walk reminded me of the dark passageway connecting Linmoor valley to the outside world. Cain and I were surrounded in a circle of light while the rest of the underground chamber remained hidden in shadows.

At long last, Cain came to a stop. “We are here.”

26

Cain threw a blast of fire to his right. Flames leaped up in a stone basin mounted over a stone pedestal. He did it again but to his left. Giant flames erupted out, bathing the underground chamber with light. My eyes hurt from the sudden illumination but as they adjusted to the brightness, I realized we were standing under an archway. Ancient symbols were etched onto the pillars. Two snake-like dragons curled themselves around it, growling silently at our approach.

“This way.”

He lazily threw more balls of fire at the pedestals, bathing the place in bright light. As the walls came in view, I gasped. They were all filled with the most beautiful murals of men, dragons and epic battle scenes.

“Who did all this?” I asked, my voice filled with wonder at the lifelike paintings that still looked as good as new. Somehow, they hadn’t faded away with time or the ravage of humidity and dust.

“My ancestors.”

I followed him further down the passageway, falling behind as my eyes tried to take in the magnificent paintings on both sides of the wall.

“Careful, Daria.” Cain’s hand grabbed hard onto my arm as I skidded past him on a bit of loose stones. He pulled me into him, drawing out the heat and desire in my body.

“Sorry,” I mumbled, hastily getting my balance.

We stood at the edge of what looked like an open doorway. A pair doors, made of heavy wood, dwarfed both of us. “This looks big enough for a dragon to get through,” I whispered, staring up at it.

“It gets more interesting,” said Cain, stepping through the threshold.

I followed after him into another chamber which was completely shrouded in darkness.

Cain threw out more balls of fire. Each of them hit the stone basins lining the sides of walls. “You know your way around here,” I said, marveling at the accuracy of his hits even in pitch darkness.

“All the royal children were brought down here since the moment we could walk,” said Cain. “I can find my way through these halls with my eyes closed.”

I believed him.

As the massive underground space came into view, different kinds of murals took up space among the walls. While the paintings outside were all about warriors, dragons, and battles, these were more…romantic.

There were scenes of a man and a woman bathing in a pool. The scenes were sensuous as they bathed each other in the most intimate places. Warmth rose up to my neck and cheeks as the next paintings depicted them walking into a bed, naked. The scenes progressively got more heated, ending with the pair having hot, lustful sex.

“Like what you’re seeing?” Cain’s whisper was deep and husky.

“Uhh…”

Chuckling softly, he pulled me away from the larger-than-life paintings and dragged me further down the chamber until we came to a stop before a round marble space sunk into the floor. I turned back to the murals. The couple had been bathing in an exact replica of the bath before me.

“This is…”

“A part of the ritual depicted on the walls.”

“Where did the water come from?” I asked, my mind refusing to think of anything else but the image of me and Cain inside that bath. Being naked and intimate.

“You’re curious about that?” said Cain with a soft chuckle. He kneeled down and the sound like a rusty door hinge sounded. Next moment, seven spouts sprang out of the stone walls. Crystal clear water flowed out them, steadily filling up the massive round hole in the floor.

“You said we could stay here as long as we wanted to?”

Cain’s gaze was sharp as they fell on me.

I met his gaze even as I struggled to keep the heat and embarrassment from my face.

“Are you ready to be with me too, Daria?” he asked, his voice hesitant but hopeful.

“You too? Did you already know about me and Adal?”

He nodded. “It’s part of being a dragonborn.  We have very sharp senses. I could smell him in your room, on you…it’s a scent I know belongs to Adal.”

I inspected Cain’s expression. He seemed calm.

“It doesn’t get you angry I want you as much as I want him?” I asked. My tone was slow and halting.

He moved closer. Wrapping his arms around my body, he held me to his chest. I could never stop craving these hugs from him.

“I have no right to be possessive of you, Daria. At this very moment, I have fifty-six women lounging in my harem. I’ve even slept with a few of them.”

Pushing at his chest, I stared up at him. Anger and jealousy burned inside my chest. Chuckling softly, he held onto me tighter.

“I don’t feel a thing for them,” he said. “The ones I was forced to consummate with were brides sent by Ivan’s nobles. I’d rather relieve my urges at a whorehouse than get intimate with those conniving women who came to my palace to spy for their fathers.” Cain took several deep breaths before looking down at me. “Since the moment, I laid eyes on you, I knew you were the woman for me. My mother used to talk about a dragon’s true mate. You’re no dragon but I feel like you are my mate, both in body and soul.”

“I’ve felt the same way,” I said, remembering the first time I met Cain. Just a casual conversation had me yearning for him. “But it’s not just you, Cain. I feel the same for Norvin and Adal.”

“I know, Dari.”

“Dari?” I asked with a chuckle.

“You’re my Dari from now on.”

Dari? I liked it.

“I know how you feel for the three of us. You haven’t had a traditional upbringing like the others of the realm. Linmoor has its own rules and you were brought up with a different sense of relationships between men and women. I don’t see anything wrong with a woman having multiple mates. If a man is allowed, why shouldn’t a woman too? These things should depend on the individuals, it’s not something to judged by outsiders.”

Warmth gushed through me at his words. “You understand me so well.”

“Should I tell you a secret, Dari?”

“A secret?”

“Adal and I happened to listen to the confrontation you had with Norvin. We heard how you were already in love with us.”

I stared up at him, my cheeks burning hot. “You…you did?”

“Norvin will come around,” he said with a smile. “I know he likes you very much. I haven’t seen him this crazy about another woman before. And Adal…he’s been waiting for you all his life.”

Tears fell down my eyes. I had no control over them or the emotions raging inside me. Could an orphan girl like me receive love from men like them?

Cain brushed away the tears and leaned down to gently kiss my lips. As the last of my tears fell away, I wrapped my hands around his neck, capturing his lips between mine. Heat throbbed in my core as our kiss deepened.

When we parted, my gaze went to the water lapping inside the already filled bath. It looked like a small pool, waiting for us to take a dip.

“You need a wash,” I said, fighting the blush rising on my cheeks. Cain grinned and quickly began taking off his tunic, revealing the hard planes of his pecs. My greedy gaze dropped past the well-defined muscles of his abs to the delectable V just below his loosening breeches. My tongue darted out to lick my dry lips as Cain lost the last shred of his clothing.

“Why aren’t you getting rid of your clothes?” asked Cain.

It was a struggle not to look at his hardened manhood, proudly standing erect. Actually, every inch of his body was a delight to the eye, from his well-defined chest to the strong, toned muscles of his long legs. Taking a deep breath, I loosened the belt around my waist. I pulled off my tunic and the undershirt I wore, taking care to arrange them properly or the next time, my concealed darts and needles could poke me in the wrong place.

Cain’s gaze grew dark as he stared at me unblinkingly. Extending a hand towards me, he called, “Come to me, Dari.”

Shyly, I walked to him and took his hand. Wrapping an arm around me, he led me to the edge of the pool. “Place your foot on the steps.” He gestured at the small stone steps leading inside the bath.

I placed a tentative foot in the water, testing the temperature. It was cool, but not uncomfortable. Feeling more at ease, I took a few more steps into the water. Cain followed after me, and after a while, we were both submerged in the water. Cain’s chest stood out while the lapping water covered me up to my breasts.

Something tingled all over my skin. It wasn’t the familiar dull throbbing need I usually felt around him. This felt like…magic. I wasn’t qualified in earth or water elemental magic. It was fire and air that naturally came to me, but still, I could feel the energy rising from the surface of the water like invisible steam. It infused with my skin, energizing me and lighting a fire in my core.

Before I could fully comprehend the powers of the water, Cain pulled me into a tight embrace and kissed me deeply. As his hardness pressed against my thighs, I realized the water meant to ignite our sexual desires. My mind went back to the murals I’d seen earlier. They were probably a rendition of a certain ritual.

Cain’s lips were on my neck now, kissing and nibbling. All thoughts of analyzing the magic around me disappeared as my body throbbed with need. Pressing myself against him, I ground my hips against his hardness.

Cain’s arms went around my thighs, lifting me off the water to hold me close as he dipped his head to plop a tight nipple in his mouth. I cried out at the sensation, throwing my head backward. Every touch of Cain’s lips seared onto my skin.

I wanted more.

Needed more.

“Take me, Cain,” I whispered, my voice hoarse. “I can’t stand this anymore.”

A low growl escaped him as he stood to his full height, taking me with him. I hung onto him, my arms wrapped around him as he climbed out of the water. I expected him to stop beside the pool and take me on the floor but he was purposefully striding towards another chamber that led away from the bathing area.

A bed appeared in the midst of a hall built of black marble. The ceiling rose high, perhaps as high as these underground chambers were buried deep into the ground. Cain dropped me among the dusty sheets and climbed on top of me.

Capturing my lips, Cain rubbed the tip of his cock at my entrance. I gasped into his mouth, my body hungering for his hardness inside me. My fingers dug into his shoulders, keeping him close to me. Wrapping my legs around his hips, I urged him to enter me.

When he did, I was overwhelmed by the sweet pain as his thick girth penetrated through my tight core. Cain continued kissing me, distracting me from any discomfort.

Soon, he was moving in a slow but steady rhythm.

My body writhed under him, eager to take his whole length as he thrust into me. Leaning down, he took a rose-bud nipple in his mouth and sucked hard. The combination of sensations pulsing through my body was enough to bring me to the edge of pleasure.

My body tightened and within seconds, I was gasping.

“Cain,” I called out to him.

“Come for me, Dari,” he whispered, his voice hoarse. “It’s all right.” He bit into my nipple. The sharp ache coupled with my throbbing pussy drove me off the edge. Gripping onto his muscular shoulders, I let the climax shudder through me. For one glorious moment, I felt lost in the intense, bone-melting pleasure.

When I floated back to reality, I felt Cain’s thrusts once more but they’d gotten harder and faster. He kissed me deeply, plunging deep inside me, hitting that particular spot that sent waves of pleasure cascading down my body.

“You feel so incredibly good, Dari,” he whispered in a husky voice. His face was so close to mine, our noses brushed together. The pale gray of his eyes seemed to glow like molten silver. In the dim chamber, they shimmered as if fire really burned within them. Even in my pleasure-soaked mind, I knew something strange was happening.

Strands of energy were binding around our bodies. In my mind’s eyes, the threads glowed orange and red, like strings of fire.

“Dari.”

Cain’s breathless whisper distracted me and I opened my eyes to see him looming over me. His expression was frozen in a mix of pain and pleasure as he continued to plunge inside me. My body reacted to him, my hips raising up to meet his every thrust.

My core was tightening while my pussy pulsed around his thick shaft.

“Come with me, Dari,” he whispered, thrusting into me hard.

I had no way to answer him as my mouth opened wide in silent gasps. My senses were already lost in too much pleasure. He didn’t have to worry about me coming with him. I was already doing so, my juices flowing out, making my walls slicker.

Cain groaned, his eyes screwing shut. I held onto him as my body trembled beneath him. My walls clamped onto his throbbing length and with a shout, he came. Just as his essence exploded inside me, the threads of magic binding us glowed blindingly bright and suddenly burst into flames. Cain still closed his eyes to it all but I stared speechlessly as the flames licked our entangled bodies, raging white hot.

I cried out, both from shock and the intense pleasure wracking through me. Cain’s essence gushing inside me felt as scorching as the flames around me. Was I the only one who could see and feel it?

Cain slumped over me, his breathing rough and ragged.

He wouldn’t feel the heat from the flames. As a dragonborn, he was immune to it all, but me…I needed my magic to protect myself against it. The flames burned out, leaving the chamber as dim as before. Turning my gaze, I looked towards my arms, still wrapped around him. They were fair-skinned and flawless.

My chest heaved and Cain kissed me fervently but my mind was stuck to the vision I’d just seen. There were flames, but only my magical vision allowed me to see them. They ignited so suddenly, I couldn’t even conjure my magic to protect myself against it. Then why was I not burnt like the time in my childhood?

Cain shifted away from me. He was speaking and that was the only thing that drew me away from my thoughts. “Daria! Daria!” I felt gentle slaps on my face. “Open your eyes.”

I blinked my eyes open to see Cain’s anxious face hovering me.

“Are you all right? Why wouldn’t you open your eyes?”

“I don’t understand it myself.”

“I feel something inside me too,” he said in a hesitating tone. “I am always warm but right now, it feels like I am burning from the inside out. It’s getting painful.” He fell back beside me, his fingers clawing at his naked chest. In my mind’s eye, I saw what was happening. The flames that burned around us, were now ignited inside him.

Cain roared, making me jump.

“What’s happening to me?” he asked, his eyes suddenly fearful.

“You are burning from the inside,” I said, sitting up in bed. Cain climbed down, his knees hitting the stone floor as he tried to rein in the gasps of pain.

Suddenly, he went quiet.

Next moment, he screamed, throwing his head back, his fingers clawing all over his chest. Flames erupted around him, covering his naked body in their leaping glory.

As I watched with horrifying fascination, Cain’s body disappeared inside the inferno. A loud roar sounded, echoing off the walls of the chamber. The mound of fire continued to grow in size, reaching higher and higher towards the ceiling.

I didn’t even bother to cover my body as I slowly approached him, too scared and shocked to know what was happening. Did I do this to him?

“Cain!” I shouted but my voice was drowned amidst the inhuman roars filling the chamber.

Shielding my eyes from the raging inferno, I shouted his name again.

This time, only my own voice echoed all around me. Realizing the painful roars had subsided, I lowered the elbow blocking my face. My jaw dropped at the sight before me.

A gray dragon stood before me. Its scales glimmered in the dimness like a collection of swords wrapping the creature’s body. For a long while, I couldn’t speak. Was I hallucinating?

The creature’s fiery eyes stared down at me and I felt my body freeze. The dragon’s head brushed the tall ceiling of the chamber, larger than the lifelike marble statue outside the temple.

Was it a trick of the temple? Some magic in the water that was making me hallucinate bizarre sights?

As I continued staring into the glowing red eyes of the dragon, I felt a deep familiarity within me. Like I knew him?

Him? How could I be sure it was a male?

The dragon lowered its head and I scarpered back at once.

My back hit the wall and I was soon pinned between it and the dragon’s maw. The large eyes stared at me unblinkingly. There was no wrath in them. They were…kind. And gentle. Just like Cain’s.

Realization dawned on me. “Cain?”

The dragon gently thumped its head into my body. Wow…Cain was a dragon.

27

I was at the edge of consciousness, willing my mind to succumb to the numbing blackness than feel the hundreds of lashes and cuts on my body. My legs gave way a long time ago and now I hung from my arms. At least they’d gone numb by now, saving me from feeling the bite of rope tied around my wrists.

Blood still dripped from my nose, seeping down my chin to fall onto my chest. My tunic was already darkened with drying blood. Every inch of my face throbbed. Fire burned beneath my skin. Even breathing was painful.

“Looks like you’re going to sleep.” Mekhi’s voice is deceptionally soft, the cruelty barely concealed underneath. I hung from the ropes, a dull ache in my arms as I stared at him from painfully swollen lids.

He only waited a moment before throwing a bucket of ice-cold water at me. I snarled out as shivers ripped through my body. It steadily leached away the warmth of my body, making me even weaker.

“Cain is yet to enter the city,” he whispered conspiratorially. “Wouldn’t you like him for company? I’ll have him strung right next to you. Aren’t I the best host or what?”

I couldn’t speak. Even the smallest movement of my facial muscles sent agony washing over me, adding a new layer to the pain I was already suffering from. I closed my eyes, blocking the sight of Mekhi’s cruel face, willing my mind to go black so I could escape.

A very logical part of me told me not to hold onto hope. I’d been tortured by Mekhi before.

He would not let me fade that quickly. He would let me rest and feel every burn and ache in my body. Just before exhaustion overtook, he would begin the beatings and lashings once again.

The small hole set high in the wall told me the sun was sinking fast. As far as I knew, Cain wouldn’t be entering Partaig. He would skirt around the city to enter the dragon temple with Daria to hand over the scrolls he’d found in the inner sanctums. I desperately prayed Cain would hear the news of my capture and the massacre in the streets before entering the palace.

Daria must already be on her way to Baledonia. If both mine and Cain’s fates are doomed, I hoped Adal would shelter and protect Daria.

Sobs wracked through my frame at my own helplessness. We’d asked Daria to assassinate the emperor and we hadn’t even been able to reach Drakhaven yet. A part of me was certain she wouldn’t stop until she succeeded in her mission or died trying.

A crack shattered the silence of the tower, and next moment my back burned with the lash of Mekhi’s whip. Closing my eyes, I grit my teeth against the pain.

Please be safe, Daria…

And with that thought, the blessed blackness finally swallowed me.

Ready for the next part in Daria’s journey?

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About Ivy

Ivy is an Electrical engineer by profession. She started writing fanfiction in her spare time and after a whole year of writing; she decided to start writing an original series with her own characters.

Although, work and tight deadlines often have her drinking coffee, she is a tea-lover at heart. She loves to read, but keeps taking trips to Hogwarts now and then. (Who could miss JKR’s lovely invitation?) Her favorite current TV shows are Game of Thrones and Pretty Little Liars.