ASSASSIN’S CROWN

The Assassin and her Dragon Princes III

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 CROWN

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

Ready for the next part in Daria’s journey?

About Ivy

ASSASSIN’S CROWN

I’m not the woman I used to be, and the world around me seems different now.

With the unlocking of my past memories, I know my identity is much greater than just being an assassin of Linmoor. I am the future of Drakhaven. Its queen.

A new sense of responsibility infuses within me. Every injustice I see, I must protest. My people are mine to protect and shield from the greed and apathy of the dragon emperor and his nobles.

But it won’t be an easy feat to reach for my thrown just yet.

Our secret is revealed to the dragon emperor. With the whole kingdom looking for us, it’s gotten harder to move, but if there’s one thing I can promise, it’s that I will never stop going after what’s mine.

The threads of fate have long bound me to the three dragonborn princes at my side and I am determined to protect them even if it costs me my life.

Assassin’s Crown is the third book 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 Princess is a reverse harem series with sexy dragon shifter romance and action meant for mature readers who enjoy their fantasy fiction with no restraint to language, violence and some heated scenes.

1

A look at the stars told me the hour was past midnight. The branches of a nearby tree swayed in a gentle breeze. In the dead of the night, the sound of chirping insects sounded uncomfortably loud.

“Any sign of them?” asked Norvin, stepping beside me and looking out into the distance. We stood at the threshold of the abandoned shack where we’d agreed to meet Daria and Adal. So far, neither had appeared.

“No,” I answered, desperately hoping they would show up.

“Where are they?” Norvin’s voice was heavy with anxiety. I felt it growing every minute in the pit of my stomach. It had already been a few hours since we last saw Daria. Adal should have already left the palace and reached the abandoned shack by now.

“Daria should have finished her talk with Lady Jifa and her handmaiden and be on her way here. Adal though…should’ve been here already,” I replied.

“Do you think something happened to them?” he asked, voicing the concern in my own head. His hand gripped my shoulder, forcing me to look at him. His purple-hued eyes were narrowed at me. “What if something happened? Zane was already looking for Daria when Adal sent you to look for us at the dragon temple.”

“Let us hope for the best.”

A frustrated roar escaped Norvin as he pushed me back. He swept back his horribly dyed hair out of his eyes, glaring at me. “Don’t give me that nonsense, Cain,” he said through gritted teeth. “They could both be in trouble.”

“I am worried about them too.”

Norvin muttered a curse under his breath and walked out into the night, leaving me standing at the cottage’s doorway. I was as anxious as him, but it was in my nature to stay patient and assess the situation at hand before making a move. The past had taught me not to give in to haste and raging emotions. These tendencies made my elder brother and sister lose their lives when they rebelled against Ivan, leaving me alone to fend for myself when I was barely fifteen years old.

I left my post, not wanting to let Norvin out of my sight. No matter how frustrated we were, it was imperative we stayed together. It would be impossible to find one another if all four of us were separated.

I found Norvin some distance from the cottage, close to the banks of the stream that flowed through the wooded area. He turned towards me the moment I got closer.

“Oh,” he said in a disappointed voice. “It’s just you.”

I could feel his angst even when he stood still, glaring into the distance. His hands were tightly fisted at his sides like he was forcing himself to stay calm. Not meeting my gaze, he said, “Why don’t we go to the palace and see what’s happened?”

“We were lucky to escape without anyone being alerted of our presence,” I replied. “Adal decided to flee with us because he wouldn’t give up his personal maid up to Prince Zane. Can you imagine how bad it would be if Zane found out he was harboring two traitors? The whole royal family would be implicated over it.”

“I feel like something’s gone wrong, Cain.” He turned around to face me, the dampness in his eyes glittering in the pale moonlight. “Back when Mekhi snatched away my kingdom and life, I thought things couldn’t be worse. Now it feels like the pain was nothing compared to how I’d feel if something happened to Daria.” He swallowed the choke, the lump in his throat bobbing with the effort. “I can’t handle losing Daria. I’ll burn the whole of Drakhaven if she’s not returned to me.”

“Norvin,” I warned. “You know how dangerous such thoughts are.”

“If anything happens to Daria, I swear I’ll…” I snatched the front of his tunic, bringing him close to me until my face was an inch away from his.

“Don’t finish that sentence, Prince Norvin, son of King Narvahl,” I whispered angrily. “Nothing will happen to her. As long as we breathe, she’ll be safe. And you…you will not speak of burning innocents to satiate the angst in your soul.”

Norvin glared at me for a moment before exhaling the breath he’d been holding. He pushed me away roughly. “I know.”

I watched his shoulders sag. Momentary relief rushed through my veins to see his anger dissipate. Norvin had gone through torture and pain so bad he lost his human self, transforming into a mere snake-like creature for survival. Daria looked after him during a time when he was most vulnerable. He was in love with her. There was no doubt there, but it also brought a new danger.

Dragons were always susceptible to give in to their emotions. Anger, sadness, love…we felt it stronger than the human heart. Over the centuries, there had been cases where a dragon went so mad with grief or jealousy, he razed entire kingdoms.

I didn’t want Norvin to turn into a beast without control. Uncontrollable rage was a disease of the mind which would lead a dragonborn to permanently stay as a dragon. His humanity would perish, leaving behind nothing but an animal to be hunted and killed. That’s not the end we’d ever thought for ourselves.

Buried in my thoughts, I didn’t notice the sudden wind blowing around us. As my clothes fluttered about me, I turned to look at Norvin. Within seconds, it turned into a gale.

“What’s happening?” he shouted, his voice sounding muffled in the wake of the storm.

My gaze turned towards the sky. A large shape seemed to block out the rest of the clear night sky. As I watched, the mass grew larger, steadily descending down on us. It took me a moment longer to realize it wasn’t a storm cloud. It was the underbelly of a dragon and the beat of its massive wings was causing the air to churn like a gale.

“Shit! Did Ivan find us already?” Norvin shouted over the rush of strong wind.

Panic struck me hard, my heart pounding with fear. “It can’t be,” I cried. “There’s no way they know where we’ve been hiding unless…unless Adal told him.” I tried to calm my fast beating pulse. “It’s not Ivan.”

Next moment, four monstrous feet struck the ground, making a tremor spread through the landscape. I stared up at the magnificent golden-scaled dragon before me, feeling awestruck at the sheer beauty and majesty of the creature.

“Adal,” my voice was barely above a whisper.

“Cain.” My eyes widened when I heard Adal’s voice in my mind. Next second, a haze obscured my vision and Adal stood before me. It had been years since I last saw a dragon morph into a human. The transformation was seamless. It was difficult to see the full scale of the shifting magic when I was doing it on my own.

“What happened to her?” cried Norvin, rushing past me to reach Adal.

His urgency woke me out of my momentary daze. Under the shafts of pale moonlight, I saw the limp figure he held in his arms.

“Daria!” shouted Norvin, staring down at the body in Adal’s arms. Gripping Adal’s tunic, he jerked him hard. “What the hell happened to her?”

Ice flowed in my veins. I was rooted to the spot, too afraid to approach the figure in Adal’s arms. I couldn’t bear the sight of it. My greatest fear seemed to materialize before me as Adal gently lowered the body onto the grass.

“Daria, wake up,” whispered Norvin. The anguish in his voice was enough to confirm my fear. Blood pounded in my ears, blocking all sound.

My feet slowly moved towards Adal. His gaze was fixed on the unmoving body on the ground. I didn’t know whether it was truly Daria. I was too much of a coward to confirm it.

“Why are you so late?” I asked, my voice sounding oddly mechanical.

“Zane, Mekhi, and Helena stood in my way,” said Adal. The sound of those names made fire burn through me. They’d hurt my people, tortured Norvin and now, they’d hurt the woman I loved. The dragon inside me snarled with rage, urging me to find them and annihilate them.

“Are they at the palace?” I asked at the urging of my dragon. It was a struggle to keep a control over the beast residing within me. He was curious to know where he might find the people who’d hurt Daria. Once he found them, he would burst out of me and tear the limbs of the people who’d dared to hurt his mate.

“Yes,” said Adal in a grim voice. “Helena came to the palace with Mekhi and she identified me the moment she laid eyes on me. Daria was forced to follow Zane because he caught her in my mother’s quarters. To avoid placing them in danger, she willingly went with him.” He swallowed the sob choking him. “He hurt her. I got her out of the burning tower where Zane held her. Now they know I’m involved in the plot against Ivan too. I was forced to reveal my true dragon form to get out of there with Daria.”

A soft moan sounded in the still, silent night. My gaze dropped to the figure on the ground.

“Daria!” said Norvin, sounding wild with sudden hope. “Open your eyes.”

I dropped to my knees beside him, intently taking in Daria’s unmoving form. Relief washed through my body to know she was alive. While tears flowed down my face to see the state she was in, at least, she was still fighting to live.

Daria’s clothes were ripped to tatters, exposing her breasts, stomach, and long legs. A long slash in her torso oozed blood gently, soaking the remnants of her dress. There were bruises marring every exposed part of her body. Her chest rose and fell in an erratic pattern. At least, she is alive, I repeated to myself to rein in the rage that threatened to overtake my senses.

“What’s that she’s holding?” asked Norvin, moving to her left.

I focused on her left hand which seemed to be clutched around a…

“Is that a severed dick?” Norvin shouted with a cackle.

“What?” Adal kneeled down beside me.

Sure enough, Daria’s fingers were wrapped around a human dick. Blood dripped from the end of the limp shaft. I cringed internally.

“Good girl,” said Norvin, bending down to peck her lips. He looked at us with pride glowing in his purple-hued eyes. “How proud does she make you?”

A rough chuckle escaped Adal as he glanced at me. I couldn’t help but smile, forgetting all our anguish for the moment.

“Who does it belong to?” asked Norvin.

“I believe it’s Zane’s,” said Adal, bending down to take a closer look.

Norvin burst out laughing while Adal and I grinned, despite the obvious air of doom hanging over our heads. Our situation had worsened several times than before. All three of us were now branded as the rebel princes. Not only would it be harder to hide but Daria was badly injured. We had no place to go and the temporary shelter in the abandoned shack would only last through the night. Come morning, we’d have to leave.

2

My pounding heart slowed down considerably after hearing the soft sound that escaped Daria’s lips. When I fled with her in my talons, I had no idea whether she was alive. No matter how much I shouted at her through our mental link, she hadn’t stirred or answered me. I exhaled out a long breath, staring at the length of the detached penis in Daria’s hand.

It didn’t take a genius to guess what Zane intended to do her. He’d led her into a solitary tower to rape and kill her. Rage flowed like hot lava through my veins. The fact that she’d cut off his offending dick was a slight balm to the angst painfully throbbing inside me.

“What about Daria though?” said Norvin, brushing his fingers through the wild tangles of his dark hair.  “She’s always been the one to patch us up. We need someone to bind her wounds.”

“We need medicines too,” said Cain. His gaze flicked between himself and Norvin. They were both attired in blue and white tunics, the standard uniform among the servants of the palace. I could read Cain’s mind even when he didn’t state the obvious. None of us had any money. I’d packed gold and a few clothes with me when I was preparing to leave, but the bundle was lying abandoned in a palace courtyard at the moment.

I got back on my feet. “Take her inside the shack,” I said, looking between Cain and Norvin. “I will get someone to look at her and bring medicines.”

“Can you trust them?” asked Cain grimly.

I nodded. “He is acquainted with my mother and worked as the royal physician during my father’s time. The news of my escape won’t spread until next morning, so I have a few hours to move freely through the capital and the lands surrounding it.”

“Hurry back, Adal,” added Norvin. Daria was in his arms now. He held her securely, letting her head rest on his chest. To my surprise, I only felt relief. Jealousy was at bay at a time like this. I couldn’t trust Daria with anyone other than Norvin and Cain. They would protect her with their lives.

I nodded at my companions, stepping back several feet before breaking into a jog. Once I’d put sufficient distance between us, I morphed into my dragon form. Extending my wings to their widest span, I let them beat, getting a pleasant lift off the ground. As the cool night air whipped over my glittering scales, I felt the irresistible sense of freedom.

I flew westward, heading for the small settlement near the border of Redfall. The man I was looking for was Koishi Nam, an elderly gentleman who now lived in isolation, away from the palace and the capital city of Huadu. While the court forgot about him, my mother kept a steady correspondence with him. Koishi was the reason she was able to birth me even when she was poisoned close to my delivery.

The incident left my mother paranoid. She always kept a close watch over me as I was growing up and strictly forbade me from entering politics or train in martial arts. Even when my father was alive, she made sure I never stepped on the toes of the elder princes. All through the years, she only allowed Koishi to administer any medicinal herbs I took.

Koishi Nam spent his time living peacefully in a cottage at the edge of the woods, collecting herbs and making medicine that he gave away for free to the poor peasants of the village. His son had taken his place as the royal physician and worked at the palace now.

It would have taken hours to reach the western borders by horse, but in my dragon form, I made the distance in minutes. There were no obstacles in my path as I soared through the vast night sky. Even though I was hovering several hundred feet from the ground, I could see everything clearly in the pale moonlight.

Nearing the border, I spotted the lone cottage at the edge of the woods. Knowing it to be my destination, I circled over the area once, making sure there was no human presence nearby. We only had the hours until dawn before we would be forced to leave our temporary shelter.

My feet touched the ground. Even though I wanted it to be light, a low rumble sounded when I landed.

Just as I morphed into my human self, the door to the thatched cottage flew open.

“Who’s there?” the wavering voice of an old man shouted.

Turning my gaze towards the cottage, I saw Koishi stomping through the front yard of the cottage, looking in every direction. When his gaze fell on me, he came to an abrupt halt.

“Prince Adal?” he muttered like he doubted his own senses. “Your Highness?”

I stepped away from the shadows cast by a nearby mahogany tree and stood before him. “Lord Nam,” I said with a tilt of my head. “How have you been?”

His gaze swept me from head to foot, his sharp black eyes looking for injury. “Been well, My Prince. But why are you here at this hour?”

“Can’t I come over to check up on the healer who delivered me into this world?”

He chuckled, sweeping back the long length of his white, wispy hair. “I held you before the king or Lady Jifa, My Prince. I’ve seen you grow up. You’ve never been one to beat around the bush, so stop jesting like the court nobles and tell me why you’re here.”

“Nothing escapes you.”

“Your Highness?” His gaze was now narrowed at me, his mouth curving downward. “Does Lady Jifa need this old servant again?”

I shook my head. “Mother is fine. At least, I think so.” Moving closer to him, I stared into his glassy, obsidian eyes. “Someone else needs you. She’s been badly hurt and slashed with a sword. The wound isn’t deep enough to be immediately lethal but it’s been over an hour and she still bleeds. You will have to bind it for her and give us the medicine to feed her as long as she’ll need them.”

“Who is she?”

I paused before answering him. Should I lie and tell him she was nothing but a maid? As I looked at Koishi, I could see he was staring at me closely. He was seeing right through me at the moment. He could feel the anxiety seeping from me, and even hear the pounding of my heart in the silent night.

“She is the woman I love,” I said, looking him in the eye. “Prince Zane of Drakhaven hurt her and she needs you urgently, Master Koishi. Please help me one last time. I’ll make sure never to ask you of anything in the future.”

Koishi’s wrinkled face softened at once. He shook his head as he gripped my elbow. “That’s no way for a prince to talk. Come with Koishi and tell me what happened.”

He led me inside the humble thatched hut and lit a lantern.

The main front room was filled with racks of drying herbs. Some hung from the ceiling. A mortar and pestle stood in the corner. There was no furniture other than a thin mattress in the corner that served as his bed. It was astonishing to see how the best healer in Baledonia was living now.

“Where is she?” asked Koishi as he put on a tunic over his under robe. “It will take some hours to reach the palace.”

“She is not at the palace,” I replied, glancing at the jars of dried and ground herbs. “We’re hiding her. And you can’t tell anyone about tonight.”

Koishi glanced at me from the corner. “Why is that, My Prince?”

“You’ll know soon enough.”

I waited as Koishi stuffed his reed bag with yards of linen bandages, rolls of cotton, bags of herbs and jars of poultices.

“You’ve packed enough herbs and poultices, haven’t you?” I asked when he slung the heavy bag around his torso. “We won’t have any opportunity for a refill when we’re fleeing to Drakhaven.”

“You’re leaving?” he stared up at me, halting in his steps.

“Meet my mother later today. She’ll bring you up to speed. And while you’re there, tell her I’m fine. I don’t want to worry her needlessly. And whatever you’re going to see tonight, you must keep it to yourself. Do you understand?”

Koishi shook his head, knotting the length of his white hair on top of his head. “I am just a humble medicine man. I treat the patient despite who he or she is. My patient’s secrets are mine to keep.”

“Good man. Let’s get going.”

I led the way out of the cottage, glancing backward to make sure the bent old man was keeping up with me.

“Is the lady in the woods?” he asked, panting as he tried to keep pace with me.

“No. I will take you to her. I’m just making sure that when I transform, I won’t trash your cottage.” I came to a stop at the spot where I’d landed near his yard. “Master Nam, this may come as a shock to you but try to brace yourself.”

“What?”

In reply, I let my dragon take over. Within seconds, I was staring down from several feet down on the cowering old man. He was looking at me with wide, glassy eyes, his lips moving in an unreadable mumble. I was about to speak to him when he turned around and fled towards his cottage.

“Master Koishi!” I shouted, but it came out as a loud roar. “Damn it!” Extending my dragon’s neck, I let my monstrous teeth delicately bite into the back of Koishi’s loose tunic. He screamed and thrashed as I lifted him off the ground. “Stay calm!” I grumbled, hoping he could hear me in his mind just as Daria and my friends could.

I took flight, making Koishi screech out in shock.

“Just hold on,” I told him. “We’ll be there soon.”

Thankfully it didn’t take hours to reach the river side near Huadu. Flying was really the best way to travel in my opinion without any obstructions.

Reaching the clearing at the edge of the woods, I landed on my feet and gently dropped Koishi to the ground. The old man scarpered away several feet before falling to his knees and hurling the remnants of his dinner.

Morphing back to my human self, I rushed towards him.

“Are you okay?” I asked, gently massaging his back.

He turned around to stare at me with wild eyes. “Your Highness!” he shouted, staying on his knees. “You’ve transformed into your true form. You’re a true son of your father!”

I smiled, not believing he was the same man who’d been screaming madly. “Are you all right now, Master Koishi?”

He nodded, slowly getting to his feet. “I am too old for this kind of surprise.” A low moan escaped him as he massaged his chest. “You’ve got to warn an old man or risk making his heart stop!” he chided.

I allowed him a few more minutes to catch his breath. Part of me felt guilty for disturbing his peace but there was no one else I could trust to treat Daria. It had to be him.

Koishi looked all around him. “So where is the injured lady?”

“This way,” I said, leading the way into the woods. He followed after me, stumbling on rocks and roots in the dark. A short distance away, I spotted the lit windows of the abandoned cottage. “There it is,” I whispered, rushing forward.

“Wait for me, My Prince,” gasped Koishi, panting after me.

I couldn’t wait to see Daria anymore. It had been hard to leave her side when she was fighting to live. I wanted to hold her hand and tell her she would be fine. That she just needed to hold on a little longer, that help was near. This close to her, I just wanted to reach her and hold her in my arms again.

3

We watched Adal’s dragon fly into the night sky and disappear within seconds. It was an awe-inspiring sight, something I thought I’d never see unless Emperor Ivan was coming down to kill me.

It was incredible to think I’d transformed into my true form only hours ago. Both Daria and I had been so intimate, reaching our climaxes together. And while I went through the horrific pain of my first transformation, Daria had been submerged into her locked and suppressed memories.

I looked down at the wounded woman in my arms. A sob caught in my throat as I tried to say her name. Matted blood and bruises covered every exposed part of her body. Her pretty face was horribly pale.

Cain stepped towards me, laying a gentle hand on her forehead. “She feels so cold.”

“It’s not right for a dragonborn to go cold,” I said, looking down at Daria. The most unbelievable secret had come to light that night. Daria was the daughter of King Helmut and the long lost princess of Drakhaven. Being his daughter made her a dragonborn and being Queen Eibhlin’s child, she attained the powers of a blessed woman of the Fire Clan. That was the reason, we were able to transform into our true forms after mating with her.

“Let’s take her inside the cottage,” said Cain, bringing me out of my thoughts. I nodded, heading towards the direction of the abandoned shack.

Entering it, I cringed at the state it was in. The place was dusty and in desperate need of repair. Neither Cain nor I had bothered to clean anything because we assumed we’d be on our way to Drakhaven that very night.

Cain moved past me to the cot in the corner. Pulling off the dusty covers, he beat it a few times, throwing clouds of dust in the air. He laid the blanket back on the bed.

“Put her down now,” he said.

Gently laying Daria on the bed, I straightened. Her face was scrunched in an expression of pain as cold sweat covered her forehead. My heart squeezed painfully to see her in so much agony. The dragon within me roared with rage, promising death and destruction to the people responsible for doing this to our mate.

Calm yourself, I said internally. We need to protect Daria before the burning and killing. My dragon settled down but I could still feel his white-hot rage coursing through my veins. I barely had a minute to myself when a large shape descended down on me, pecking at me with sharp talons and beak.

“What the…” I shouted, throwing my arms over my head to block out the screeching white owl intent on tearing my hair and clothes. “Calm down, you fucking owl!”

“Calm down, Tuto,” said Cain in a cold, commanding voice. “Norvin is only helping your mistress.”

The owl flew away and flopped on the floor of the cottage. It hooted and squawked angrily, glaring at both of us.

“Hey, we didn’t do this to her,” I shouted, hoping the infernal creature could understand me. We both had bred some enmity between us from the time he tried to eat me in Linmoor. The owl thought to make a meal out of my snake form. He was disgruntled with me from the moment Daria scolded him.

Tuto hooted, a little more reservedly now. Turning his back on us, he flew up to the wooden beam overhead and perched there, glaring down at us.

“I can’t watch her like this,” said Cain, turning his gaze on me. “I am going to get some water and wash the blood off her. Stay with her till I get back.”

I nodded. “Thank you, Cain.”

He squeezed my shoulder before heading out. A long breath escaped me as some of my pent-up frustration was released. Cain’s calm and determined façade helped me stay grounded, despite the sudden changes in our circumstances. He was the sole reason I could control my dragon’s rage.

Sitting down on the cot beside Daria, I gripped my hair. I can’t rely on any more excuses, I told myself as well as my dragon. We will stay alert and focus on what’s best for Daria and our friends. We keep our emotions under control at all times. We’ll never hurt innocents and turn into the very tyrant we’re trying to defeat.

To my astonishment, I felt my dragon agree wholeheartedly. I could feel his rage cool. A strange calmness spread through me, allowing me to focus better on the woman at my side.

Leaning down, I moved away some of the loose strands of Daria’s hair that had fallen on her face. Unable to bear looking at her half-naked body covered in wounds, I shrugged off my tunic and used it to cover her. My fingers gently caressed her cheek. She was cold to the touch as Cain had said.

“This won’t do,” I muttered, taking off my undershirt as well. Baring myself completely, I climbed onto the bed beside Daria. Space was cramped, but it was to my advantage. I held her against me tightly, letting the heat from my body seep into her chilled skin.

A soft moan escaped her as she nestled closer to me.

“I’ll keep you warm,” I whispered in her ear while my fingers gently stroked her hair. “Adal said he’ll bring someone to heal you. I doubt the person will be as good as you, but at least better than us three trying to patch you.” I chuckled softly at my lame joke, feeling my tears choking my throat once again. “You’ll be fine. Just hold on.”

I used Cain’s robe to cover both our bodies, forming a more efficient way to warm up Daria. Her powers had been suppressed for years but now they’d manifested fully. A dragonborn was stronger than a regular human. Daria’s body would heal itself fast but first, we had to stop the long gash from bleeding.

Sound of soft footfalls alerted me. Raising my head, I watched Cain coming inside the cottage with two buckets of water. His silvery gaze fell on me. For a moment, I caught the emotions flicker through his eyes. He may act calm but he was just as worried and angry as me.

Without a word, he burned the twigs that he and Daria had stored some time ago. Once the flames rose up, he filled a copper kettle with the water from the bucket. Hanging it over the fire, he came over to lean over Daria.

“She looks slightly better,” he said in a low voice, his intense gaze fixed on Daria. “It was a good idea to warm her with your body heat.” I was about to get up, but he gestured for me to remain beside her. “Stay by her side. Once the water heats up, I will wipe away the blood.”

Going back to hold Daria firmly against me, I watched Cain systematically pouring the boiled water in an earthenware basin. From the corner, he brought out a basket of clothes. Choosing the cleanest ones, he ripped them into tatters. Setting both the basin and pieces of torn fabric on a wooden board, he brought them over to us.

“How did you learn to do such things so efficiently?” I asked in awe. As princes, we rarely lifted a finger in our palaces. We even had people to bathe and dress us. I was truly impressed to see Cain being this competent in such manual tasks.

“Daria taught me,” replied Cain in a grim voice, setting the tray on top of a rickety stool. “This is what she did when we brought you in here the first time. She heated the water and used unsoiled cloth to clean your wounds. Of course, she had her herbs to do it better but for now, this would have to do.”

He dipped a strip of cloth in the steaming water and wrung it out. Starting with her forehead, he gently made his way down her face, then her neck and her arms.

“Let me help too,” I said.

“Stay by her side,” said Cain. “It’s the best way to keep her warm.”

I nodded, lying back on my side, content to observe Cain instead.

It was harder to watch when he lifted aside my clothes to expose the long gash in her torso.

“What the fuck was Zane trying to do to her?” I whispered, staring at the bloody wound.

Cain shook his head. “Looks like he was trying to weaken her before raping her,” said Cain, his fist closing over a damp piece of cloth. “He is as sick as his father.”

“Daria left her weapons in Adal’s quarters before leaving for the temple,” I said. “I believe she was unarmed when she faced him.”

A string of curses hissed out of Cain’s mouth. His fists shook at his side while his broad chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm. I knew he was struggling to keep his dragon under control.

“Why would she do that?” he asked in a hoarse voice. “Why go to the temple unarmed?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” I said. “She didn’t want the wrong needle to poke her or me while we were being intimate. No one could foresee the events that happened afterward.”

“What about later? She didn’t arm herself after reaching the palace.”

“She was too excited and desperate to see Lady Jifa and her maid,” I said, thinking back to the events when we were outside the dragon temple. “Don’t be hard on her, Cain. Daria always wanted to know where she came from. She had a hard life in Linmoor. A delicate little princess doesn’t turn into the best assassin of a secret guild of mercenaries overnight. She even had her powers suppressed by the old hag.”

A shudder ran through Cain. “Lady Elga could extinguish the life from our hearts if she wanted to.”

“Yeah, that’s one heck of a monster,” I said, relaxing against Daria. Cain continued to clean the wound, turning the water in the basin a dark crimson. “I can’t even imagine the torture she went through with a master like that hag.”

Cain walked away to change the water, coming back with a basin of fresh, clean water. He exposed her legs and wiped them. Apart from a few scratches, there were no open wounds there. We both held our breaths as he reached between her thighs. Before he could proceed, I covered her.

“She’s fine over there,” I said, meeting Cain’s gaze.

“Of course,” he said, dropping the cloth in the basin.

The part of the tunic covering Daria’s torso was soon soaked in blood. Adal needed to hurry back. Just as I was about to mention him, I heard the sound of approaching footsteps.

“They are here,” said Cain, getting to his feet.

Within seconds, Adal rushed inside the cottage and came straight to the cot. After a quick glance at me, he stared down at Daria. His sapphire-blue eyes burned with a mix of rage and pain. Kneeling beside the cot, he leaned down to gently kiss her forehead.

“Thank you for looking after her,” he said, raising his head to look at me.

“Don’t thank me for that. She is as much mine as yours,” I replied, not bothering to leave out the hint of possessiveness from my voice.

Before Adal could reply, a panting old man stumbled into the cottage. He looked in a terrible state with his thin white hair coming out of the small knot on his balding head. His skin was badly sunburnt and wrinkled like he’d been outside for hours. Snot dribbled down his nose as his beady black eyes looked all around the cottage. A loud angry roar escaped the man as his gaze fell on me.

Spluttering and pointing at me, he hopped on the spot. “How…how dare you sleep beside the prince’s woman? Do you want your head taken off your shoulder?”

I smirked and glanced at Adal. He looked too tensed to find any humor at the old man’s fury.

“Lord Koishi,” said Adal in a tired voice. “That’s Prince Norvin of Redfall.”

“What?” The man stared at me with a parted mouth.

“And that over there,” said Adal, gesturing at Cain, “is Prince Cain of Iorna.” A hoot sounded from overhead. Glancing at the snowy white owl, Adal motioned at it. “And that’s Tuto, my lady’s pet owl.”

The man’s left eye twitched as he stared between me and Cain. “What are you doing with the rebel princes, Your Highness?”

“They are my companions,” said Adal, turning away from Daria to look at the man. “This is not the time for this talk. Come take a look at Daria. She still hasn’t stopped bleeding.”

The man muttered something about having a talk with his mother but he obeyed Adal and came forward to hover over Daria. He kept shooting me dirty looks but quickly checked Daria’s pulse and prodded her around the throat and chest.

“The lady has been poisoned,” he said after his thorough external examination.

“Poisoned?” Cain walked over to us and towered over Koishi. “Do you have the antidote?”

He nodded. “It’s not a rare poison. This is the reason her bleeding won’t stop. The body is trying to repel it and let it flow out through the blood. Somehow, she’s managed to lower her heartbeat which has preserved her life so far.”

Even though Koishi looked like a senile aging peasant, he seemed to know what he was talking about. Relief spread through me to know he could treat her.

“Help her, Master Koishi,” said Adal. “I will owe you for this.”

Koishi waved it away. “I need all three of you to move away. You’re crowding me.” His shiny beetle-black eyes pointedly stared at me. “You too, Prince Norvin of Redfall.”

I obeyed him, climbing down from the cot while Koishi moved closer to Daria. The three of us stood near the threshold of the cottage, giving the healer space to use his herbs and poultices, but also near enough so we could be by Daria’s side if she needed us.

We remained silent, each of us lost in our own thoughts while Koishi cleaned Daria’s wounds, spread poultices on the gash and bound it well. The linen bandages stayed unsoiled. It was a relief to see she wasn’t bleeding any more.

Koishi proceeded to boil some herbs in the kettle over the fire.

“Feed her the potion slowly,” said Koishi from the corner. “I am giving you packs of the mixed herbs so you can give it to her twice a day.” He held up thick packages wrapped in dried lotus leaves.

“Thank you, Master Koishi,” said Adal gratefully.

We allowed the healer to feed her the medicine for now. Once he was done, he motioned for us to follow him outside the cottage.

“She’ll be fine,” he added, understanding our trepidation. “No one will materialize in there to harm the young lady.” The scorn in his voice made us move after him.

“She needs to stay under complete rest for at least two days. The herbs will keep her asleep but you must keep feeding the potion to her. She will sweat at times but it’s a good sign because the remaining poison will be flowing out of her body.”

“How long will it take until she heals completely?” I asked.

“She is someone like you three, isn’t she?” he asked.

Cain, Norvin and I exchanged a glance. No one had told him about who Daria was.

“There is no need to look like that,” cackled Koishi. “I can tell it from the beat of her pulse. She is a dragonborn.”

“She is, Master Koishi,” agreed Adal. “But you must not tell a soul what happened here today. It is for your own protection.”

Koishi nodded, sweeping away the wispy white strands of hair away from his face. “I understand, Your Highness, but does Lady Jifa know about all this?”

“She does,” said Adal. “But it’s best to stay away from her at the moment. I’m sure the royal family won’t take my betrayal lightly. She will have to pretend to be ignorant of everything.”

Koishi nodded, strapping his bag over his shoulders. “I will get going then, My Prince,” he said. “I don’t understand what you are up to, but I wish the best for you. Take care of yourself for your mother’s sake.”

Adal nodded meekly. He must have been close to the old healer for the man to treat him so candidly. We watched him walk away on slightly bent legs and disappear into the shadows of the night. 

4

A long breath escaped me when the healer hurriedly left the cottage. While our situation wasn’t ideal, at the very least, Daria was going to be okay and the three of us were united again. I cast a glance at my companions. They looked visibly relieved as well.

“So what now?” asked Norvin.

“We have no choice,” said Adal. “We should leave this place before Zane and Mekhi forces my brother to send soldiers to capture us. Both Kurozeru and the soldiers know they don’t stand a chance against me, but do you think Mekhi would care? He will want retribution for what happened to Zane.”

Norvin scoffed. “Zane got what he deserved.”

While I agreed with him, I knew things had become extremely personal. It was no longer about being traitors to the four kingdoms. Daria, our woman, had cut off Ivan’s son’s dick, rendering him impotent for life. It was an act worse than killing him. We would no longer be spared. Ivan would come for our blood himself.

“We leave,” I said, walking back towards the cottage.

Entering through the open doorway, I moved to look down at Daria. Koishi had done a good job of bandaging her wounds. There was no blood on her anymore. Only the darkening bruises remained.

She was still being covered by my blood-soaked tunic. Going to the corner, I brought out the basket of clothes Daria stole from a washerwoman last time we were there. Choosing one of the kimono-style dresses from the bundle, I walked back to her.

“Gather the herbs and poultices that Koishi left,” I said as soon as Adal and Norvin entered the cottage. “I’ll dress Daria and we’ll leave immediately.”

As Adal went about gathering the things, Norvin walked over to the cot’s side. “Where do you think we should flee?”

“Drakhaven,” I answered.

Adal came to stand beside Norvin. “That was our destination in the first place. Let us not delay.”

Both my friends helped me dress Daria as gently as possible. She was deeply unconscious, not even stirring as we moved her hands into the long sleeves of the plain cotton dress. Norvin used his fingers to remove the tangles from her long, ebony strands and tied them back in a lopsided braid.

I touched Daria’s cheek with the back of my hand. She didn’t feel cold anymore. That was a good sign.

“We should travel northward to Okarijun,” said Adal in a thoughtful voice. “It’s close to the capital but overall, a small town. It is heavily forested and surrounded by mountains. It will be perfect to hide in the caves there. We can go to the town in case we need anything urgently. We should be safe until Daria is well again.”

I nodded, impressed by his knowledge of geography of a foreign land. “That’s where we’ll head then. You’ll lead the way, Adal.” Bending down, I easily picked up Daria’s limp body in my arms. “Let’s go.”

Tuto’s shrieks broke the silence in the cottage. He flopped down from his perch and squawked at us, clicking his beak threateningly. His head rotated sideways as he glared at me with large amber eyes.

“We are taking her to a safer place,” I said as Norvin complained about the owl under his breath. “People might find us here by morning.”

Tuto calmed down considerably, his eyes gazing at me with intelligence. “We are flying to the mountains in the north. You can follow us there. We’ll be faster than you but I’m sure you’ll catch up eventually.” I gave Tuto a minute to see whether he would throw another tantrum. When he simply flew back to his perch on the beam overhead, I nodded at Adal.

With Adal leading the way, we stepped out of the cottage. Despite the grim atmosphere among us, I could feel a subtle shift within ourselves. There was a hint of unbidden glee as we glanced at each other under the moonlight.

“We finally get to show off,” said Norvin with a chuckle.

“I never thought such a day would come,” said Adal, glancing at Daria. “I wish she could see her mates in their true form.”

“She will,” I said determinedly. “The future is open for us all.” A sudden bout of willpower surged through me. The four of us were still together. We were still going to bring down Emperor Ivan. And we were dragons.

Adal dashed forward and within the blink of the eye, he transformed into his glorious form. His scales reflected the moonlight as he took flight.

Norvin shrieked joyfully, dashing past me and shifting as well. His true form was a rare magnificent water dragon with a long, coiling body that sailed through the air like a snake in water. His cerulean scales glittered blindingly as he followed after Adal.

Tightening my grip on Daria, I morphed. Within a second, I was in my dragon form, holding Daria in my forelimbs. She remained unconscious despite my transformation. I couldn’t help but smile at her. Dari had been terrified the first time she laid eyes on my dragon. A snort escaped me, resulting in a hiss of black smoke bursting from my nostrils.

Scanning the night sky, I picked out the shapes steadily moving westward. Unfurling my wings to their widest span, I took flight.

Wind rushed past me as I flew over the terrain. The world down below disappeared as the wisps of clouds floated by. I didn’t fly as high as Adal and Norvin, hoping to keep Daria away from the cold at higher altitudes.

We flew for over two hours before I noticed Adal circling over a group of mountains. He seemed to be looking for a cliff edge wide enough for us to land. A few minutes later, he dived down. Norvin’s dragon followed him. I hovered over them, waiting for them to choose the best spot.

Adal landed on one of the cliff edges and shifted back to his human self. Norvin followed him and disappeared into a minuscule figure in the distance. Flying lower, I headed for them. As soon as my feet touched the ground, I morphed back. Daria pressed herself against me as a frigid breeze blew by. After the warm weather of Baledonia, Drakhaven felt especially cold.

“This has got to be the safest place for us,” said Norvin, looking at the vast mountain range around us. The cliff was several hundred feet high. Only another dragon could come up to this spot.

Flames sprang up in Adal’s hand. “Let us check out the cave’s interior. It needs to be sufficiently sheltered from the high winds.” He tore his gaze away from Daria and walked into the shadowy depths of the cavernous chamber set against the mountain.

“Wait for us,” said Norvin. “We’ll make sure there aren’t any bears or mountain lions hiding inside.” He hurried after Adal, leaving me standing with Daria in my arms. A flurry of snow drifted down on us. While the cold didn’t bother us, Daria’s weakness would worsen if she was exposed to the weather for long. I also noted we would all need new clothes to blend with the people of Drakhaven who were used to the cold weather all year around.

“It’s empty,” said Norvin, stepping out of the cave. “Go in.”

“We’ll be needing wood for some fire,” I said, looking down at the shivering woman in my arms.

“That’s not a problem,” said Norvin, walking to the edge of the cliff. “This place is surrounded by wood.” Before I could say anything, he jumped off the ledge, taking me by surprise. He dropped sharply before transforming in midair. His dragon dove right down to the pine forest below. Disappearing for a moment, he reappeared with an entire tree clutched in his forelimbs.

“This should be enough.” Norvin’s voice sounded in my mind as he soared back to the cliff. Hovering in the air, he splintered the thick trunk of the pine tree like it was nothing but a crumbling oatcake. I stared in awe as he broke the branches and trunk into twigs and piled it all up within minutes.

“That was impressive,” I said loudly. Norvin’s dragon coiled to his full length and hovered over my head before morphing back.

“Bring her in,” he said, bending down to pile his arms with wood. “It is chilly out here.”

Walking behind Norvin, I entered the shadowy interiors of the cave. It was deep and the ceiling didn’t touch our heads. It was cold and draughty but that was no longer a problem. We had enough kindling to warm up the place. Moving deeper into the passageway, I caught the sight of flickering flames in the distance. Adal stood there, his hand ablaze.

“This is safe,” he said, turning around to look at me.

I nodded. Holding Daria close, I lowered myself to the hard ground and slowly sat down. Norvin placed the pile of woods near us and promptly lighted it. A bright, hot blaze caught up the twigs and the cavern sprang into life. Heat from the inferno seeped into my skin, making me relax.

Adal and Norvin sat down before me. We were quiet for a while, all our gazes fixed on the flames leaping before us as it consumed the wood.

“It will soon be daybreak,” said Adal. He looked tired and I could see the anxiety weighing heavy in his sapphire-blue eyes. With a moment to spare, I could understand how he felt. After spending a lifetime in the shadows, he’d finally shown what he was capable of to all his brothers. His mother was now practically a hostage to them as well. He’d done it all to protect Daria.

“We need to visit the town to gather some supplies,” said Norvin. “We’ll all need newer clothes. Anyone may recognize these Baledonian palace uniforms.”

“I am absolutely empty-handed,” I said.

“Same here.”

We both looked at Adal.

“I don’t have any gold either but we could probably use some of this.” Adal pulled off the rings on his fingers. My gaze went to the golden circlet on his brow as well. Even his royal robes, heavily embellished with gold and silver threads, would fetch a good price.

“And we’ll need food,” said Norvin, leaning against the cave’s wall. “I’ve been famished since the time I got out of the dragon temple.”

“We can split up and get everything done,” I said. “One of us stays with Daria.”

“I’ll look for food,” said Norvin at once, getting to his feet and stretching his arms over his head. “Getting water up here would be difficult but I’ll figure something out.”

“Let me have the rings you want to sell,” I said. “Among the three of us, I’ll stand out the least.” My dark hair was too common in the four kingdoms. It was Adal’s sunshine blond locks and Norvin’s blue-tinged hair and purple-hued eyes that stood out in a crowd.

Laying Daria on the ground gently, I stood up as well. The pale light of dawn lit up the cave’s entrance. It was a new day and another new opportunity for us all.

“It’s best to start out early,” I said, slapping Norvin’s shoulder. “Let’s be off.”

We nodded at Adal. He glanced at us before shrugging off his outer robe. Balling it up, he placed it under Daria’s head. Relief spread through me. Once again, I thanked the goddesses watching over us. I couldn’t have asked for more trustworthy companions on this impossible mission.

5

The black veil stretched in my mind endlessly. Cold and dread pumped through my veins so strongly, it became impossible to conjure any of my magic. I could feel blood and warmth flowing out of me, leaving me weak and chilled.

The last thing I remembered as my consciousness dimmed was the way I’d managed to take away the weapon Zane intended to use on me. He would never hurt another woman that way again. I had no idea if he was dead or alive. In fact, I couldn’t tell whether I’d survived the ordeal. Adal’s voice floated in my mind just before my eyes fluttered close but it could just have been my imagination, conjuring up the voice of my gentlest lover in my last moment.

Thoughts came in and went, making me wonder if I was really dead.

Death was the promise of oblivion, an erasing of the life we once lived. My thoughts only got louder, some deep intuition urging me to break out of the suppressing black veil. I tried to suck in a deep breath but ended up with a hacking cough. Pain flared up in my entire body, and for the first time, I knew I wasn’t dead. Blood throbbed through my veins as my eyes slowly blinked open.

“Gently, Daria.” Adal’s voice spoke from somewhere close to me.

I tightly shut my eyes and opened them again, searching for him in the darkened room. Blindingly bright light from leaping flames caught my attention.

“Are you waking up?” said Adal, his face coming to hover over mine.

“It’s really you,” I said in a low, halting voice, my hand rising up to touch his cheek. His skin was so warm.

I tried to sit up and gasped. Pain flared up in my torso, reminding me of the bloody gash that Zane had given me.

“Take it easy, Daria,” said Adal, rushing towards me to support my back so I didn’t fall back on the hard ground. Sitting up, my fingers brushed over the wound. Surprisingly, my hand touched rough fabric. I could feel thick bandages wrapped just underneath it. Slowly, looking down I found myself fully clothed in a simple kimono dress.

My gaze turned towards Adal. Fear and worry clouded the depths of his sapphire-blue eyes as he met my stare. Some deep emotion rose within me. My lips parted to speak but I couldn’t form the right words. Instead, tears ran down my cheeks.

“Are you in pain, Daria?” asked Adal, his gaze searching my face for an answer.

“Nothing happened,” I managed to blurt out.

“What?”

“Nothing happened between me and Zane,” I said, the words pouring out of me like I was trying to vomit out poison. “He touched me everywhere but I didn’t let him breach me. I destroyed his manhood forever so he can never hurt another woman like that again.”

“It doesn’t matter, Daria,” said Adal, pulling me against him. Warmth seeped through his tunic and into my skin as I desperately clung to him. “Even if he managed to hurt you, I would never give you up. You will always be mine to protect and cherish. The state of your body and mind will never change that. Zane will die for laying hands on you anyway. Those hands should be cut off just as you severed his dick.”

“So he is still alive?”

“For now. Last time I saw him, Zane was thrashing on the floor, shrieking curses at you and the world.”

“The Drakhaven princes have as many lives as a cat,” I said, cold suffusing my voice. “They keep escaping death.”

“Not for long,” said Adal, his tone grim. “We’ll not hold back anymore. The game is up. It’s war from now on.”

“What happened?” I asked, not knowing how Adal came to save me from the top of the burning tower. As far as I knew, he should have left to meet up with Cain and Norvin at the shack. Just thinking about it made me realize we were inside some kind of cave. “Where are we?”

“Just as I was about to leave the palace, Kora came to me. She said you’d been taken away by Zane. So, I rushed out to find you, only to be blocked by my brothers and Mekhi and Helena.”

“Helena?” I ground my teeth at the name.

He nodded. “She identified me as Cain’s third partner. They already guessed who you were.”

My gaze swept down Adal’s body, looking for injury. I could see nothing through the luxurious full-sleeved tunic he wore but he didn’t seem hurt.

“I shifted before them so they couldn’t do a thing to harm me,” said Adal, answering my unasked question. “I caught sight of you near the tower casement and flew up there in time to save you from falling to your death.”

“So that’s what happened…”

“I took you to the shack where Cain and Norvin were waiting for us. While they looked after you, I went out to get a healer.” He smiled suddenly. “You’re going to be fine.”

“Thank you for saving my life,” I said. The words hurt my throat like I was trying to swallow shards of glass. Elga made me responsible for keeping the princes safe and here I was, fumbling along, committing mistake after mistake. Excuses, like I was too engrossed in my personal feelings, would never be a good enough reason for my master.

“It was nothing,” said Adal. “We would give up our lives for you.”

“Don’t,” I said at once. I could see it hurt him but sacrificing themselves to protect me would never work in my favor. I would still die for failing my mission of protecting the princes.

Instead of telling him the secret pact between me and my master, I leaned into him and pressed my lips to his. I could feel his astonishment as he went completely still. Next moment, his arm brought me in closer as he returned the kiss, mashing his mouth forcefully against mine.

Heat flared up inside me. My heart pounded strongly, pumping blood and vigor throughout my body, igniting an ache between my thighs. The dark was gone. The cold disappeared. At that moment, my whole focus was on Adal. His touch made me feel alive again. The fact that I’d survived Zane’s trap finally settled within me.

With a laugh, Adal fell back to the ground as I straddled his waist.

“Daria, you’re injured,” he reminded me.

“I don’t care,” I said through heavy panting, wrestling with the ties of my dress. Why were the knots so tight?

A haunted look came over Adal’s eyes. They darkened as his hand rose up to cup my cheek. “For a moment, I thought I lost you,” he whispered, his voice hoarse with pain. “I thought they’d snatched away the only woman I ever loved. I could have burned them all for it.”

I was finally able to free the dress. It slid away from my shoulders and I tugged it down further, revealing my breasts. My gaze went to the bite marks and scratches left by Zane on my body. The sight of the other bruises disgusted me. I could never forget how my pain and helplessness gave him pleasure. The linen bandages were wrapped just below my breasts, covering my entire stomach.

My body didn’t make an alluring sight at the moment but only Adal’s touch could burn away the lingering feeling of Zane’s dirty hands. “Take me, Adal,” I begged. “Make me feel alive again. Please…”

A tortured expression came over him. Before he could change his mind, I leaned down to kiss him. Once we started, I knew we wouldn’t be stopping there. Adal’s hot breath fanned my face as he plunged his tongue through my lips. I lightly grazed his plump bottom lip, urging him to kiss me deeper.

I cheered in my mind as Adal’s kisses grew more desperate. His hands roamed my bare back, sending fiery shivers throughout my body.

Breaking the kiss, I attacked the tunic he wore. Wrapping an arm around my waist, he sat up. I was pressed against him tight as he used his other hand to take off his under robe. I worked onto loosening the knot on his trousers. He got frantic, moving to help me pull them off. Another cheer rose in my head to see his bulging and erect manhood.

I smiled down at him, throwing him back on the ground. His pants were barely off his legs but I couldn’t wait any longer. My patience had long evaporated. Positioning my hips right over his erect shaft, I slowly took his cock in my hand. It pulsed in my hold. My core throbbed in rhythm, hungering for it.

Adal groaned as his head fell back. Stroking his length, I held it at my dripping folds. With torturous patience, I slowly sank on it. Hard moans escaped me as his thick member stretched my walls to the limit, filling me completely.

“Daria,” he breathed, his hands rising to grasp my hips.

I placed my hands on Adal’s chest, running my fingers delicately over the hard ridges of his muscular chest. My insides tightened deliciously. I swayed my hips, causing my clit to grind against his pubic bone. “This is what I needed to feel alive,” I whispered through the moans escaping me. “Only your touch can wash away the dirt that’s stuck to me.”

“No dirt can ever malign you, sweet, brave Daria,” said Adal, lying underneath me as I rode his shaft, taking the pleasure and heat I craved. His hands rose up to cup my breasts gently. He held himself back even though I could see his patience crumbling.

I knew I could never stop loving him, this man who continued to give without asking for anything in return. My heart swelled with emotions just as my body reacted to his pulsing hardness inside me.

A soft cry escaped me as I came undone suddenly. My inner core throbbed with the fast beats of my thundering heart. I slumped over his chest, feeling completely spent but not fully satiated. Adal groaned as my walls tightened around his pulsing shaft. Holding me against him, he thrust into me.

His hard thrusts threatened to undo me once again. I felt greedy, wanting to feel nothing but the heat that rose within our bodies. There would be time enough to ask where we were, where Cain and Norvin were, whether we had enough to survive…All thoughts vanished from my mind, leaving me open to focus only on the pleasure coursing through me.

“I am close, Daria,” said Adal through gritted teeth.

I knew it by the way he was thrusting inside me. Burying my head in the side of his neck, I let him take over my body. Holding me tight against him, Adal plunged inside me until his cock twitched, almost at the verge of filling me with his seeds. I slammed my body down, wanting him to reach his climax along with me.

His heavy groan shattered the stillness of the cavern. Pleasure exploded through my body just as I felt the first burst of Adal’s white-hot essence inside me. My body trembled against his hard chest as he held me tight against him.

Pure pleasure and joy filled me to my heart’s content. It felt like I was finally able to breathe freely again. My juices drenched his cock just as wave after wave of his hot, creamy seeds exploded inside me.

It was a while before I came down from the high cloud of pleasure. When the haze of lust cleared from my eyes, I stared into the depths of Adal’s bright azure eyes.

“I love you,” I whispered, still lying on top of him.

“And I love you,” he replied, holding me to him. His cock softened inside me but he didn’t pull out. Laying my head on his chest, I felt my weakness take over me once again, but this was a sweet kind of exhaustion that promised a deep, dreamless sleep.

6

I watched Norvin’s dragon disappear beneath the thick foliage of the rising evergreen trees. The gray light of dawn illuminated the mountain range around me. For the first time since last evening, I was able to breathe freely. From my vantage point, I could see we were sheltered in the most secure place possible. Nothing and no one could climb this high to harm us.

Casting one glance back at the cave’s entrance, I drew in a deep breath. Daria would be safe with Adal watching her. The thought allowed me to focus on the task at hand. Standing on the edge of the cliff, I stared down at the sharp descent down below. It’d seemed extremely fun when Norvin did it. But could I morph mid-air like him? I wondered. The reserved part of me scoffed at the idea, telling me not to risk it.

Closing my eyes, I connected with my other half. “Can I do it?” I asked him.

A low grumble filled my mind. “Of course,” it said.

Taking a few steps back, I sprinted forward. My heart leaped into my mouth as I felt the downward tug towards my death, but just as I fell through the air, my body morphed.

Large wings unfurled at my side, giving my heavy body a pleasant lift. I glided over the sea of green, feeling the steady rush of air sliding over the length of my body. A roar escaped me as I flew for a few minutes, shedding the anxiety that had been suffocating me for so long.

Flying higher, I searched for the small town Adal mentioned. It was supposed to be close by, only a few miles away from the towering mountains. Moving northward, I spotted the minuscule buildings making up a village. Making my way back to the woods, I searched for a deserted clearing. Finding the perfect spot within a few minutes, I landed among the frosted grass.

Morphing back to my human self, I looked around the forest. It was deathly silent. My breath rose up in small clouds before my eyes as I began walking northward. It would take me at least a few hours to reach the town of Okarijun but I couldn’t risk my true form being seen by any of the townspeople. The news would bring down Mekhi and perhaps, even Emperor Ivan here. With Daria still recovering from her wounds, we had to be careful.

The cold breezes didn’t bother me but soon I needed to find proper clothing. My Baledonian-style tunic and loose trousers would give me away as a foreigner immediately. To blend among the townspeople, I needed to find some fur and woolen garments before entering town. Taking Daria’s lesson on camouflaging myself, I scoured the edge of the woods, looking for clothes to steal.

Unfortunately, no one hung their laundry outside that early in the morning.

Since the sun had barely risen, I decided to walk the streets of the central town to familiarize myself with the area. Closed shops and two-storied buildings covered both sides of the paved road. It looked like one of the regular villages in Iorna.

Something caught my eye just as I was walking by a crumbling statue of a crouching dragon. Tall wooden boards had been set up around the place, each of their surfaces covered with dozens of posters. Moving closer, I took a look at one of them.

My eyes widened as I stared into a fairly close-resembling portrait of mine. Across my bust were the words:

Prince Cain of Iorna

Traitor to the four kingdoms

Prize of five thousand gold coins to the one who captures him dead or alive.

My gaze went to the board next to it. There was a ‘wanted’ poster for Norvin there, stating his unusual hair and eye color. Other than the short stay at the abandoned shack, I’d spent most of my time inside the palace of Baledonia. If I’d bothered to roam the streets of Huadu, I’m sure I would have come across such notices in the city center.

Daria had been clever to dye Norvin’s hair with henna. A servant could have easily identified him if they’d seen these posters.

I moved onto the next one and saw an image of Daria staring back at me. There were no description about her other than she could be found near me and Norvin. The price on her head was ten thousand gold coins!

My unease grew. If they considered her as our maid, the price on her head wouldn’t be so high. Did Mekhi somehow relate the silver-scaled dragon to me and her?

“No, it can’t be,” I whispered to myself, shaking my head. “He might just want to capture her badly for the humiliation she caused him.”

People started appearing on the street, going about their daily chores. I moved away from the posters, not wanting anyone to look up and see the similarity between me and one of the ‘wanted’ princes. Hiding in a narrow alley reeking of stale urine, I watched the street.

A drunken man sauntered into the alley. Ignoring me, he promptly pulled down his pants and began pissing on the wall nearby. Disgusted, I turned away, but a thought had me look back at him. The man was leaner but was about the same height as me. Just as soon as he’d finished his business, I fell on him, striking him in the back of his head.

The man went limp and fell backward on me.

Dragging him deeper into the alleyway, I took off his stinking clothes. Undressing completely, I put on his things. I left the naked man leaning against a wall with my own clothes in a bundle beside him.

Just a few more hours, I told myself, unable to breathe through the stench rising into my nostrils. The clothes reeked of vomit and sweat. Endure until you can buy new clothes.

I waited until the sun rose higher. Within the hour, the streets filled up with more people going about their business. The shops opened up as well.

My face already had thick stubble around the jaw. Letting my long tresses hang untidily about my face, I walked out into the open. Not sure whether it was my stinking clothes or my common looks, no one paid me any attention, allowing me to move freely.

The keeper of the pawn shop didn’t even bat an eye as I handed him Adal’s precious rings. He greedily swept them into his hands and offered me twenty gold coins and fifty silvers. Even though I knew the rings were worth more, I didn’t argue, acting the ignorant peasant. A lifetime ago I may have disputed the price of such priceless jewels but now, I knew the importance of keeping up my pretenses. Either way, twenty gold coins would suffice for the supplies we needed.

I went around the market square, buying clothes, making sure to dispute the prices of those common items. To my surprise, I was able to buy two sets of clothes for each of us with only a few pieces of silver. I made sure to take a trip to the herbs and apothecary to buy some dried henna powder for Adal’s use. After Norvin, he was the one in need of disguising himself.

Remembering that Daria no longer had a weapon, I went back to the central market area. Earlier I’d seen a shop selling dirks and knives. They weren’t as sophisticated as the ones I’d prefer but it was better than nothing. Choosing one with a carved ivory hilt, I paid the man the remaining silvers I had.

By now, I was already burdened with the packages of clothes and bags of potatoes and fresh meat. People were beginning to stare, so I decided it was the best time to leave before attracting further trouble. I was about to enter an alleyway off the main market square when something caught my eye.

Two men in maroon uniforms carried a wide wooden board between them. They began setting it up beside the ones with mine and Norvin’s posters. Their activity attracted the notice of the rest of the people milling around. I hid myself in a shadowy alleyway, watching them erect the board.

The townspeople murmured among each other but I couldn’t hear them clearly. It sounded like the loud buzzing of a thousand bees. Perhaps, they were too scared to even voice an opinion openly. I wouldn’t doubt that since we were in Drakhaven now.

The sun began to wane as the late afternoon sunlight faded. I waited until the square cleared away.

Close to dusk when the place had emptied sufficiently, I walked out of my hiding spot. Reaching the newly erected board, I stared up at the brand new posters the authorities pasted on its entire surface.

The new notices had the likeness of Adal painted over them, stating the color of his sunshine-gold hair and describing his “beautiful” features. It looked like our whole company was on the ‘wanted’ list in every corner of the four kingdoms.

7

Every single scratch and bruise on my body throbbed. As I lay against Adal’s chest, covered by his cloak, I tried not to squirm. He was still sleeping and by the way his lashes trembled, I knew he was dreaming. Even though I was in pain, my body didn’t feel cold anymore. Adal’s passion drove it all away, making me feel safe and warm again. The terror that had gripped me since the moment the poisoned wine passed my lips was gone too.

The fire burned bright in the shadowy cave. Its dry heat and sound of crackling wood relaxed me further. Whoever bound the gash along my stomach did a good job, considering I still didn’t break it open while riding Adal’s cock like a mindless woman in heat. Even though the wound throbbed, I knew it would heal soon enough. With my dragonborn abilities unlocked, I could feel my heart beating with a stronger pulse. An injury like this before would have weakened me so badly, it would have taken weeks to recuperate without engaging my magic. 

Now that all threats were thwarted for the moment, questions rose up in my mind. Where were Cain and Norvin? Had they been in danger, Adal wouldn’t have given in to my lust and desperation. And where exactly were we?

Moving with care, I gently rolled away from Adal. It hurt to move as I slowly got to my feet. Away from the fire, I could feel a chilly breeze grazing my naked body. I picked up my discarded clothes and quickly wore them, biting my lips as each movement brought fresh waves of agony. Even as I walked towards the cave’s mouth and the breeze got stronger, the cold no longer bothered me.

Being a dragonborn was amazing.

Stepping out into the bright sunlight, I sucked in a breath. We were several hundred feet from the pine forest down below. At eye level, we were surrounded by peaks of tall snow-capped mountains. The light Baledonian dress fluttered in the strong wind. My braid beat against my shoulder and I noticed someone else did them. It was lopsided with several strands coming loose. It made me smile. In my mind, I could almost imagine Norvin combing my hair and tying it up.

His handsome face burst in vision. It had only been a single night but I missed him. The mating ritual unblocked my old memories. There was so much I wanted to tell him, Cain and Adal. My heart swelled with a mix of emotions as the full weight of my knowledge slammed into me.

I wasn’t Daria, the assassin anymore. I was much, much more.

For the moment, I had no idea where we were. The high cliff surrounded by a sea of green pines felt isolated from the rest of the world. Just as I was about to head inside, a great gale swept over me. Cowering down, I looked up in time to see the glittering blue scales of Norvin’s dragon. The magnificent creature circled overhead with at least three limp deer hanging from its mouth.

The dragon nosedived, heading for the cliff. I retreated several steps away.

The deer carcasses hit the ground with a sickening thud.

The dragon’s body shimmered before my eyes and next moment, it morphed into Norvin.

“Norvin!” I cried, rushing towards him. At once, a gasp escaped me as the wounds in my body protested the sudden movement.

“Easy now,” said Norvin, moving forward to hug me.

His familiar scent enveloped me as I pressed myself against the pleasant heat of his body. “I’m so glad to see you,” I said in a muffled voice. My face was squashed against his hard chest.

“I’m glad you’re well enough to move around,” he replied, kissing the top of my head. “You gave me a scare.” Stepping away, he held me by my shoulders. “And fucking good job at cutting off Zane’s dick. I think that’s what I’d like to do to Mekhi too.”

“Adal told you about that?”

He chuckled, his purple-hued eyes dancing with mirth. “You were clutching the poor thing in your hand when Adal brought you to us.”

“What did you guys do with it?”

Norvin’s eyes widened at the question. “Don’t tell me you wanted us to bury Zane’s dick after the shit he put you through.” When my lips parted in a laugh, he smiled and swept the wild locks of his dyed hair back. Even with that horrendous shade, he still managed to look painfully handsome. “I think his dick is lying somewhere in the woods near the cottage. Your owl might find it and make a meal of it.”

“Ahh, Tuto! Where is he?” I asked, thinking fondly of my familiar. It had been a while since I saw him. Since I didn’t want anyone noticing the large ghostly-white owl visiting me in the palace of Baledonia, I let him hang around the woods outside Huadu, hunting and doing as he pleased. It was time to be reunited with him again.

“We left him in Huadu,” said Norvin, stepping close to me again. “The damned owl threw a fit when he found you. I have no idea how he came to us just as Adal left to find a healer. He wanted to peck us to death.”

I laughed. “He can overreact sometimes.”

“Overreact?” he scoffed. “He’s wanted to kill me since the time he laid his beady eyes on me.”

I laughed harder. It hurt to laugh but I felt good. The clouds of terror further dispersed away.

“What are those for?” I asked, gesturing at the deer carcasses.

“Dinner,” he said with a shrug. “I am going out to fetch water and some wine now.”

My gaze went to the mountains in the distance. Only dragons could fly so high and carry something as heavy as three massive full-grown deer.

“Where will you find wine?” I asked curiously. It was possible to get water from a stream or a freshwater lake in the wilderness but it felt exaggerated when he mentioned wine.

“There is a winery in the woods down below,” he said. “I already checked it out. This early in the morning no one’s around. I was about to go back there to pick up a barrel for us. I’m too famished right now and might just devour all that venison on my own.”

Just as he mentioned venison, my stomach grumbled. I was famished too.

“Do you have a blade I can use?” I asked. “I need to start cleaning one of those. It will be ready to roast by the time you come back.”

“You’re still in pain, Daria,” said Norvin in a grim tone. “Get Adal to do it. He can do it in seconds in his dragon form. Heck! He just needs to breathe on it and you will have roast venison before you.” He looked down at me as I laughed. “Where is he?”

“He is resting inside.” My cheeks flamed at once, knowing the reason why he was exhausted. I’d used his body completely.

“I’m not even going to ask why you’re red as a tomato or why I can smell Adal’s scent all over you,” said Norvin, turning his back on me and walking to the edge of the cliff. “Just make sure you don’t hurt yourself anymore.” He took a few more steps, falling off the ledge.

A scream tore out of me as I ran towards the edge. Next moment, Norvin’s dragon materialized before me, coiling its glittering length around my body. His form terrified me the least, probably because I’d already seen it before in a miniature state. With his large purple-hued eyes brimming with affection, it just felt like looking at a very large version of my favorite pet, Naya.

“Go on, then,” I said, admiring his scales up close. “Make sure no one sees you stealing a barrel of wine. That’s not how a dragon should behave.”

I could hear him chuckling in my mind as his body uncoiled and flew further away from me. He sailed away in graceful curves through the air, quickly disappearing around a bend of the mountain.

As Norvin predicted, it was quite an easy job for a dragon’s razor-sharp claws to skin and gut a deer. Adal woke up soon after Norvin left to fetch the wine he promised. When he saw the deer carcasses, he had the same idea as me. We had to immediately clean it and roast it or we’d starve.

His golden-scale dragon did the job in a matter of minutes. He even took it away from the cliff to gut the meat so that our temporary residence would stay clean. When he returned, there were two freshly gutted and cleaned deer bodies.

“What happened to the other one?” I asked as Adal morphed back to his human self.

“My dragon ate it.”

“The whole thing?”

Adal smiled at me, taking away my breath. Even though it looked like he’d endured a rough night, he still managed to look beautiful. “It was about the same as a meat bun to it. Dragons have a voracious appetite.”

“I’m glad he got a snack,” I said, moving to the pile of wood in the corner. “Where did you get so much wood?”

“We have Norvin to thank for that,” said Adal. “His dragon uprooted an entire tree and brought it up here. He snapped off the branches and trunk himself.”

I chuckled. “Norvin is being quite practical with his new powers.”

Adal sniggered, moving past me to pick up some logs. He motioned for me to step aside as he started piling them together.

Soon, we had massive mounds of venison roasting near the flames from the fire.

Norvin arrived within the hour with a massive barrel of wine. Its intoxicating scent wafted in the wind, making me realize how thirsty I was. We broke into the cask, each taking turns to drink out of the wooden bowl Norvin had stolen from the winery.

The wine hit us strongly as we drank despite our empty stomachs.

“I don’t think I can wait anymore,” said Norvin in a slurred voice. Slapping Adal on the back, he gestured at the roasting meat mounted on thick sticks. “Use your fire. It’ll be faster.”

To my surprise, Adal hiccupped loudly and stood on tottering feet. His pale skin was a beautiful shade of crimson now. Stumbling forward, he placed his hands on the sizzling meat. Closing his eyes, he let his hands glow white-hot. Smoke arose from the spot he touched. He slid his hands all over the legs of the carcass, making the meat sizzle and smoke.

“That’s it!” cried Norvin drunkenly, cheering Adal.

I watched them both with a drunken fascination. My head swam. It could either be exhaustion or the wine but in my intoxicated haze I didn’t care about either. My stomach growled, demanding the sizzling meat in front of me.

“That’s enough,” shouted Norvin, stumbling forward to stand beside Adal. “Don’t burn it completely.” Extending a hand, he tore off a chunk of the smoking meat. It was perfectly cooked with a burnished gold skin and blushing pink flesh.

My mouth salivated as Norvin consumed it, the juices running down his fingers. His gaze met mine as he chewed with a satisfied expression on his face.

“You want some too, Daria?” he asked.

I nodded.

Breaking an entire leg off, he brought it to me. I giggled at the sight but broke into it, stuffing bits of meat in my hungry mouth. It was delicious. Over the next hour, we gorged on it, leaving the other deer carcass to roast slowly.

As my stomach filled up, some of the intoxication from the wine lessened. The late afternoon sunshine was quickly fading away now.

“Shouldn’t Cane be back by now?” I asked as I lay on the ground sandwiched between Adal and Norvin.

“He has a lot of things to buy,” said Adal. “He even needs to pawn the jewelry I gave him first.”

I sat up, unable to relax without having Cain beside me as well.

“What do you think will happen to him?” said Norvin from beside me. “Do you think anyone can lay their filthy paws on a true dragon?”

The thought brought me relief. Of course, my princes were dragons now. Apart from Emperor Ivan, they were the most powerful men in the four kingdoms. However, I still felt uneasy about them showing their true forms before others. They’d just turned. There had to be a ton of knowledge left for them to gather before they could hone their skills to face Ivan.

“How close are we to the capital?” I asked.

“Still quite some miles between here and Fuvaros,” said Adal.

I nodded, glad to know there was still between distance us and Ivan. Just as I was about to lie down, a great rush of wind blew over us. Adal and Norvin sat up beside me, looking towards the sky.

Cain’s silver-scaled dragon was hovering right over us. Among the three dragons I’d seen so far, his was the most fearsome. I still shuddered internally at the sight of those terrible sword-long teeth visible inside his maw.

We backed away towards the entrance of the cave so that Cain could land without accidentally hitting us with one of his body parts. His form shimmered against the darkening sky and in the blink of an eye, he stood before us, carrying a mountain of packages in his arms.

“Where have you been?” I asked, rushing forward to meet him. My wounds flared up again but I ignored the pain, reaching out to him with open arms. His baggage slipped from his hands as he embraced me in a warm hug. I breathed in deeply, eager to smell his familiar scent but suddenly my nose was full of a reeking stench. “Eww!” I gasped, pushing him away.

Cain chuckled. “I’m sorry about the stink.”

Norvin came closer and instantly put his hand over his nose. “What is that smell? Did you shit on yourself?” he grumbled.

“I borrowed the clothes from someone,” said Cain, looking around us all. His glance fell on the cooling roast meat. “You have arranged quite a feast while I was gone.”

I moved away to fill the bowl with wine while Adal and Norvin sat with him outside the cave’s entrance. They watched him tear off the meat and eat it hungrily like he’d been starving. A pang of guilt sliced through me. While I ate and drank, Cain had been busy buying supplies for us all. He looked worse with dark stubble covering his strong jaw. Even his hair was a mass of dusty tangles.

“Drink this too,” I said, placing the bowl of wine before him.

“Is this wine?” he asked incredulously, taking a swig.

“Norvin stole it from a winery nearby,” said Adal with a smile on his luscious lips.

Cain chuckled, drinking the wine thirstily. He wiped his mouth, his head falling back in sheer content. “I’m proud of you, men,” he said in a deep voice. “Thank you for this monumental feast.”

Adal and Norvin tilted their head forward.

All three princes wore plain, worn-out clothes but their elegance didn’t diminish one bit. Cain was stinking of stale sweat and vomit, but he still managed to look regal even as he tore chunks of meat off a whole roasted deer.

“There’s something you should all know,” said Cain, his gaze sweeping over us all.

“What is it?” I asked.

“There are ‘wanted’ posters for us all. They added Adal’s today in the market square. I reckon they have our painted likenesses in every town of the four kingdoms.”

“How much is the emperor offering?” asked Norvin.

“Five thousand gold pieces for each of us and ten thousand for Daria.”

“Wow,” gasped Norvin, glancing at me. “Why her?”

Adal looked anxious. “Do you think they figured out we transformed through her?”

Cain nodded. “It’s a strong possibility. Helena certainly believes we’ve been using her between us.” His grim gaze met mine momentarily. “It’s either that or they think we’ll submit if they get their hands on Daria.”

“They should know it would be impossible with me by her side,” said Adal in a determined voice. “No one other than Ivan can come to hurt her.”

I shook my head. “I don’t think it’s that simple. There’s so much you don’t know about your own strengths and weaknesses. If you weren’t pushed to it, you wouldn’t even know that you could fly. We still need to be careful and stay hidden until we are stronger.”

“She’s right about that,” agreed Cain with a nod.

Norvin yawned widely and got to his feet. “There will be time for all that another day,” he said, smothering another yawn. “Tonight I just wish to sleep.” Moving close to me, he suddenly picked me up in his arms.

I gasped, throwing my arms around his neck to avoid toppling backward.

“You’re keeping me warm tonight,” he said, pecking my cheek. Warmth pooled in my cheeks immediately as he carried me inside the cave.

8

For the night, I lay against the cavern hall with Norvin holding me from the back. Exhausted already, I fell asleep without hearing Cain or Adal coming in to rest. Next morning, I found myself surrounded by them all.

I was the first to wake up. Making sure not to disturb my mates, I slowly stood up and padded out of our cavernous home. A low breeze blew by as I stepped outside. Breathing in deeply, I looked out at the mountains surrounding me. By birthright, they belonged to me. The sea of pine down below, they belonged to me too. And the people living nearby, they were mine to protect.

For a moment, the full consequence of coming face to face with my past overwhelmed me. My memories were no longer suppressed. Neither were my powers as a dragonborn. Last night, I dreamed of walking in the corridors of the palace where I was born and brought up. Each corner felt familiar. Each smiling, doting face was familiar. Kora’s face stood out the most. I felt anxious not knowing how she and Lady Jifa were faring after we fled the palace.  All I could do was hope they were safe.

I wanted to go home. My real home in the palace of Fuvaros.

“You should have woken us up,” said a familiar voice from behind me.

Turning around, I smiled at Cain.

Moving closer, he wrapped his arms around me, drawing me against him. Looking into his silvery-gray eyes, I caught the anxiety swirling there. It had already been more than a month since he’d left his palace and was being chased throughout the four kingdoms.

A heavy sigh escaped me, thinking how my circumstances were similar to my three princes. We’d all been driven out of our homes by Ivan and his sons.

“What’s bothering you, Dari?” he asked, gently moving a thick strand away from my face.

“Everything,” I said, laying my head on his chest.

He embraced me tighter like he was trying to hold me together without breaking me.

“We’ll return your kingdom to you. You will be avenged.”

I raised my head to look at him. He was always so strong and calm, the voice of reason. Being with him always made me feel safe. In his eyes, I could see the promise he’d just made.

“There’s so much I need to do,” I said. “Assassinating Ivan isn’t the only task anymore.”

“No,” said Cain, looking into my eyes. “You need to rebuild your kingdom and care for your people.”

“How do you do that?”

“What?”

“How do you care about every person?” I asked, suddenly overwhelmed by the idea of being responsible for the fates of so many people.

Cain smiled and brought me back into a hug. “You’ve already been doing that, Dari. You are just and will never allow any injustice to take place before you. Just keep doing that and you’ll be a great queen.”

“Queen…” The word sent a jolt through me.

A soft chuckle rumbled through Cain’s chest. “You’ll be our queen,” he said. “I can already imagine the heated debates the nobles of the four kingdoms will get into over it.”

“You’ll help me, won’t you?” I asked, looking up at him.

He nodded. “Of course.” Leaning down, he softly captured my lips between his. The touch of his lips seared my skin as his tongue swept over mine in a slow, languid kiss. I moaned into his mouth, pressing my body against his. A familiar sweet ache throbbed between my thighs. I wanted Cain so much at that moment.

Cain suddenly broke off the kiss. His silver-gray eyes blazed with intensity as he panted. “I need you to myself, Dari,” he whispered in a strained voice. “Let us get to a proper town with a proper bed. I fear I might break you if I take you among these rocks and stones.”

I smiled through the torturous sensations running up and down my body. My bruises throbbed even more painfully than yesterday. It was the only reason I didn’t push Cain to the ground and take the same advantage as I’d done with Adal. Heat bloomed in my cheeks as my core pulsed with need.

“I wondered where you’d gone.” Norvin’s voice sounded right next to me as he hugged me from the back, effectively sandwiching me between him and Cain. I shivered from the gathering heat coursing through my body.

Cain was the first to step away. “Have you seen the things I bought yesterday?” he asked, walking back to the cave’s entrance. “There’s a special gift for you too, Dari.”

“A gift?” Curiosity drove me to step out of Norvin’s hold and follow after Cain.

“Hey! Get back, Daria!” he shouted after me but I chuckled, following Cain inside the cave.

“Norvin said you’d left behind all your weapons,” said Cain, rummaging among the bags he’d hauled in a corner. “It isn’t much but should be helpful until you can find the needles and darts you usually use.” Straightening up, he faced me. A small dirk with a carved ivory handle lay in his palm.

Norvin picked it up before I could. He unsheathed the knife and held it closely to his eyes. The glint of steel told me it was sharp enough for serious injury. Snatching it from him, I felt the weight of the blade. It was light enough.

“Thank you, Cain,” I said, leaning forward to kiss his lips. “This is perfect for me.” Even as I thanked him, I realized how naked I felt without the familiar weight and chink of the needles and flattened blades I usually carried under my clothes. Those special weapons could only be found in Linmoor.

“Why do you look so anxious?” asked Norvin, turning me around to face him directly.

“I left all my weapons back in Baledonia,” I said. Panic flared inside me. The old terror of being caught by Zane and being completely weaponless crept back inside me.

“Isn’t there any other place you can buy them from?” asked Cain. “There’s still a lot of gold left with me.”

I shook my head. “Those needles and blades were specially made in Linmoor. No other place I know makes them that way.” The thought of returning to Linmoor after traveling this far into Drakhaven made my gut fill with dread.

Norvin laid a gentle hand over my head. “Stop worrying, Dari,” he said in a mocking voice. He chuckled as I frowned at him. “Just tell me what you need and I’ll get them for you.”

“You can’t find them anywhere other than Linmoor,” I replied, pushing at his chest. “Aren’t you listening?”

He nodded. “Then that’s where I’ll get them from.”

“What?” I stared up at Norvin as he smiled down at me.

“I’ll travel to Linmoor while you go ahead with Cain and Adal. Tell me what you need and I’ll get them for you. Also, I want to have a chat with Lady Elga.”

I glanced at Cain. He seemed to be in agreement with what Norvin was saying.

“You have to make sure you fly over the clouds,” said Cain. “You can’t be seen heading to Linmoor.”

Norvin nodded. “I’ll be careful.”

“I wish I could write a letter to Lady Elga,” I said, wishing there was ink and parchment to let her know that my memories were back. It would have been convenient to list out the things I needed as well.

“You can,” said Cain suddenly. “I bought ink and parchment yesterday, considering one of us may need to send a message.”

“That’s great!” I said excitedly, turning around to hug Cain tightly.

“Why are you all so excited?” came Adal’s sleepy voice from further inside the cave. “Are we in danger?”

“No, Prince Moron,” shouted Norvin. “Go back to sleep.” Leaning closer to me and Cain, he whispered, “How does he sleep on that hard ground? I’m sore all over.”

“It’s hard on me too,” said Adal, walking over to us. His luscious lips were shaped into a pout as he glared at Norvin. His sunshine blond hair fell into his narrowed sapphire-blue eyes, making him look even more irresistible.

Surrounded by my mates, I couldn’t help but ignore the demands of my pleading body. Don’t be such a wanton, I chided myself!

“I got something special for you too, Adal,” said Cain, going back to rummage among his haul. Straightening up, he slapped a small package onto my annoyed prince’s hand.

“What is this?” asked Adal, looking at the wrapped package in his hand.

“Henna,” announced Cain. “You will have to use it to keep yourself concealed as well.”

Adal stared at Norvin’s ugly dyed hair. A low groan escaped him as he covered his face with his hands.

“You’ll still be more beautiful than me, Adal,” I said, gripping his arm. “I don’t think a change in hair color will change that fact.”

“You weren’t this sweet to me,” said Norvin accusingly.

“I wasn’t being sweet,” I said, shrugging. “I was stating a fact.”

Adal smiled, the look of irritation vanishing from his face. “You really can be sweet too, Daria.”

Over the next hour, we busied ourselves by checking every item that Cain bought for us. He’d been thoughtful, bringing particular things for each of us. While the princes dressed into their new garbs, very similar to the attires they wore back in Iorna, I walked outside into the sun with the roll of parchment and ink pot.

Setting up a sheet on a bit of smooth, flat rock, I dipped the pigeon-feather quill into the dark ink. I smiled at the humble quill that Cain bought. Had it been before, he would have surely bought one with a pheasant or peacock feather.

Master Elga, I wrote, pausing to think the best way to breach the subject. While a part of me refused to forgive her for the torturous training she made me go through, I still had to be grateful to her. She’d protected me in her own twisted way and strengthened me enough to have the courage to assassinate Ivan. There were times when vengeance failed and good people refused to soil their hands with blood. Elga made my hands so dirty with blood, there would never be a reason to step back from killing Ivan despite him being my uncle.

A shudder passed through me as the image of my broken and defiled mother rose up in my mind. No, there would be no forgiveness for what he did to her.

Dipping the quill into ink once again, I began writing.

Master Elga,

Unforeseen circumstances delayed my journey to Drakhaven but I have presently arrived there in the company of three princes. They are fleeing their kingdoms with me, but all hope is not lost.

They were able to achieve their true dragon forms through me.

But you must have already guessed or at least predicted it would happen. You knew who I was all along. All these years, you suppressed the powers in my blood, but they are back now. The magic of the sacred chambers of the dragon temples removed every block from within me.

I know I am a dragonborn and the princess of Drakhaven. The throne of the kingdom rightfully belongs to me and that I took up the assassination of my own uncle.

I will complete the tasks given by both you and the princes.

I am mated to them now in more ways than you could possibly imagine.

And while Prince Norvin of Redfall is there, I would humbly request you to send me the weapons and herbs I am listing in the next sheet.

Lastly, as much as I’ve hated you all my life, I am also grateful that you kept your promise to Lady Kora.

Thank you.

Humbly,

Princess Daria of Drakhaven.

I breathed out a long breath, pausing before I brought forward a fresh parchment to list the herbs and weapons I wanted. A breeze blew by, making the parchment flutter wildly. Pressing my hand on it, I wrote out the items I needed immediately.

The princes were fully dressed by the time I headed inside the cave. They were back to wearing coarse hemp and cheap wool. The colorful Baledonian attires lay heaped in a pile in the corner.

“Are you hungry yet?” asked Cain. “We’ll be heating up some wine and meat from yesterday.”

“Thank you. I’ll get dressed too and join you.” Walking towards Norvin, I handed him the rolls of parchment. “Give this to Lady Elga for me. I’m sure she will let you have everything I need.”

He nodded, placing my letter inside a side flap of his tunic. Cain and Adal dragged him out of the cave, giving me an opportunity to change my clothes. As the Baledonian dress fell away, I looked at the linen bandages wrapped around me securely. The wound underneath didn’t hurt as much as before.

Cain had bought me a woolen dress instead of the leather breeches that I preferred. Perhaps, he considered that to be the norm among women here and wanted to further conceal my identity. While it would limit some of my movements, I decided it was best to play a farm maid than get caught by some authorities.

The delicious aroma of roasting meat wafted through the air. Putting on the sturdy boots Cain bought, I headed outside the cave, eager to fill my stomach with the leftover venison from yesterday.

I sat between Norvin and Adal, picking at the meat while Cain passed around a bowl of warm wine. We bantered, laughed and ate and drank to the brim, for it would be a while before we could stay in such safety and isolation as the mountain cliff. Norvin would soon leave for Linmoor and I would march forward to Fuvaros with Adal and Cain.

9

Fuvaros, the capital of Drakhaven, lay some miles away from Okarijun, the closest town to our temporary abode. It was the same place Cain explored to buy our clothes and supplies. Hoping to buy ourselves horses for the rest of the journey, we decided to head into the village.

Our new attires helped us blend with the rest of the townsfolk. However, as we walked around, I could feel people take note of us. In small villages like these, it was usual for everyone to know their neighbors. Strangers not belonging there were easily spotted. The only bit of relief came from the fact that we were well-disguised.

As predicted, Adal looked beautiful even with the perverse shade of henna-dyed orange hair. As the late morning sunlight fell on him, illuminating the strands of his hair, he looked utterly mesmerizing. He glanced at me, smiling at the dazed expression on my face.

“Next time, please try riding me,” he said as we walked through the market square. “I promise to be as gentle as Cain when I am carrying you.”

I nodded but cringed internally. Riding dragons weren’t the same as riding a horse. Apart from the danger of falling from a thousand feet, it was also highly uncomfortable and nerve-wracking. The force of the wind as a dragon flew was enough to topple any rider off their backs. Only the magical sphere of air I conjured kept me safe.

“It’s best you accompany me to the dragon temple of Drakhaven,” I said, winding my arm around his. “Perhaps, mating with a true dragon will help me transform too.”

Adal came to a sudden halt. Cain, who was walking a few feet ahead of us, noticed and stopped to look back at us.

“With you close to death and fleeing from Baledonia, I didn’t even consider the possibility.”

“What are you talking about?” asked Cain, coming closer to us.

“Daria could turn into her true form if she mates with one of us now. I suppose it would have to be at one of the dragon temples, but it’s a strong possibility,” explained Adal, his blue eyes brightening like the sky above. “We’ll have a dragon queen for Drakhaven,” he whispered, letting his smile widen.

“Save this banter for later,” said Cain in a grim voice. “We don’t know who’s listening.”

I looked around us. People went about their business, hardly paying any attention to us, but Cain was right about being wary. We were still strangers to the townspeople.

“What is happening over there?” said Adal, drawing my attention to the corner of the street he was pointing at. Several people had crowded around someone.

“Get away from him!” someone shouted, stomping past us. “Get away before you catch the sickness.”

An older man shouted until the crowd dispersed, looking scared and wary. As people parted, I noticed someone had collapsed in the middle of the street. He wasn’t too old, close to his late thirties but looked awfully emaciated. Sores covered the exposed skin of his hands and face.

I strode forward.

“Get back, woman,” shouted the old man gruffly, pulling me back forcibly.

Suppressing the urge to break the man’s wrist, I glared up at him. “Why? What’s happened to him?”

By the look of the older man’s decent clothes, I could tell he was either a merchant or a well-off farmer. His curious gaze swept over me before loosening his hold on me. “You are newcomers to Okarijun, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” I replied. “So what?”

“So you don’t know about the sickness spreading throughout Drakhaven. The winds are carrying it further north and affecting every village in its path.”

My mind instantly thought of Helena and the “plague” she’d been spreading, but this sounded different. The merchant was saying it’s spreading through the villages. Moving forward, I kneeled down beside the fallen man. His chest was still moving but I could see he was having difficulty breathing.

“Didn’t I tell you to get away from him?” shouted the merchant. Before I could turn around, he uttered a shriek of pain. Cain had his wrist locked in a painful grip.

“Don’t touch her,” he said in a warning tone.

“She is a healer,” added Adal.

“A healer?” The merchant calmed down and Cain let him go. “Can you help treat these people?”

“I don’t know yet,” I said, turning back to the sick man. Placing my fingers on his forehead, I closed my eyes, focusing on the flow of his internal energy. Thick tendrils of black miasma emanated from his heart. A gasp escaped me as I snatched my hand away. This man was close to death.

“What do you think, Daria?” asked Adal, bending next to me.

“It’s a sickness.” Meeting his gaze, I knew what he wanted to ask. “It’s not like last time. It’s a real disease that will kill this man.”

“He is about to die?” asked the older man in a voice thick with apprehension.

“Yes.”

A heavy sigh escaped him. “I will call the undertaker to arrange for a cremation. It is best if you lot don’t go near him. You will catch it too.”

“You said the sickness is spreading,” said Cain. “But we don’t see any sick people around here.”

“That’s because the sick are driven from the town,” said the man. “This man may have come here to buy food but he’s going to be dying anyway.” He made a disgusted noise. “Selfish lot! Why do they have to spread the plague to the rest of us?” Turning away, he walked down the street, muttering to himself.

No one came close to the fallen man. People kept their distance as they passed by him.

“Please…help…” The sick man’s weak voice reached my ears. Moving closer, I tried to hear what he was saying. “My children need food. Please help them.”

“Where are they?” I asked, looking around the busy market street. There were no children nearby.

“In the woods,” he whispered but couldn’t speak any longer as a hacking cough overwhelmed him. Blood spurted from his mouth. Cain pulled me back in time so I wasn’t sprayed completely.

“What is going on here?” I asked, straightening up and looking between Adal and Cain. “What should I do?” My heart thundered heavily in my chest. We were supposed to buy horses and look for an inn for the night, but with so many people suffering, I wondered if I could concentrate on anything else. I had to do something.

“Breathe, Daria,” said Cain, holding my shoulders in a gentle grip. “Let us find more about the plague and then we’ll know what to do to help the ones who are suffering.”

That sounded like the most sensible thing to do. I stared up at him gratefully, glad I had a ruling prince by my side. It had only been two days since I discovered my identity as the princess of Drakhaven. Somehow, it didn’t feel like an excuse for ignoring the plight of my people. I was no longer the little girl who refused to speak and eat after witnessing the cruel deaths of her parents. It was time I pulled myself together to aid every person in Drakhaven.

“Let’s go to the place where they are staying,” I said.

“Perhaps, we should carry some grains to them,” said Adal. “If the sick are not allowed inside the town, they must be starving in the woods.”

More relief spread through me. I could trust Adal for a good strategy. I nodded. “Let’s do that.”

We bought as much grains as we could carry which turned out to be a few silver’s worth. Borrowing a hand-pushed cart from the seller, we set towards the area where the sick were being kept. Now that I knew what was going on, I could see the gloom over everyone. There were no children on the streets and the adults walked with their heads bowed, not making eye contact. It looked like someone related to them was already suffering.

“I can’t believe Mekhi, Zane and Helena are out of Drakhaven when a plague is spreading through the entire kingdom,” I said, panting as I hurried after Cain who was pushing the cart.

“They never cared,” said Adal, walking alongside me. “Emperor Ivan is satisfied to collect his yearly toll to erect his statues and monuments. He doesn’t care if people are starving.”

“And if you can’t pay the tithe, he will burn you,” said Cain in a grim voice filled with suppressed rage. “He’s burned so many villages in both Iorna and Redfall. Only Baledonia can keep up with his demands.”

“It is one of the many reasons Cain and Norvin decided to revolt against him,” said Adal. “It is more than just revenge for their families.”

I understood it all before, but never experienced the anger or helplessness that my princes felt. For the first time, I was seeing and feeling things through their perspective. It only added heat to my already searing rage.

It took us over an hour to reach the area where the sick were accommodated. It was far from the main town with horrendous living conditions. Tents had been erected for them but in the cold weather of the region, I doubted they made good lodging for the sick.

I stared all around the clearing in the woods, not knowing which way to go. Men, women, and children crowded the tents or lounged sickly among tree trunks. No one had the strength to look after themselves or their families. Despair and doom hung in the air. It was easy to tell these people had given up hope from their thin, tired faces.

Panic flared inside me. What was I to do in a situation like this? How was I to help so many? Elga taught me to kill many. Why didn’t she teach me to save them as well? Even if I gave up my life, I could only save one of them.

I met the gaze of a young child. She sat leaning against a tree trunk, staring at me with unfeeling eyes. She was quiet while the adults around her wept or moaned in pain. Moving close to her, I knelt by her side.

“Are you all right?” I asked, laying a gentle hand on her shoulder.

I could feel the cold seeping into my skin through the thin material of her dress. My gentle touch was enough to make her sag and fall sideways. It took me another moment to realize the girl was dead. I choked on the cry of shock.

I scrambled away from the corpse.

“Daria,” Cain’s voice sounded close to me but I remained staring at the dead body before me. A child had died and no one had noticed. What kind of fresh hell had I stepped into?

Cain’s voice was beside me now, but I couldn’t understand a word he said. My mind rang with the collective moans of pain rising up in the forest. Turning away from the sight of the dead girl, I bolted into the trees, desperate for a breath of fresh air.

Eyes glazed with tears, I relied on my feet to take me away. Cain’s voice continued to echo in my mind but I didn’t stop.

It was a while before I halted, suddenly out of breath with my legs burning. I was deep in the woods now with trees growing close together. Taking great gulps of air, I filled my lungs with the scent of fresh pine. The area was quiet and that was exactly what I needed to calm myself.

Back in the village of Carran, I wasn’t this badly affected. Back then, I wasn’t responsible for any of those souls. They were Cain’s people and I was merely lending him a hand to help him and his subjects. This was different. The sick of Okarijun were my people. I was the one responsible to heal and comfort them.

Tears ran down my cheeks as my chest heaved with wracking sobs. How many more people were suffering while I remained ignorant of my responsibilities? Just how many children died without anyone to mourn them?

Leaning against a tree trunk, I slid down to the ground, bawling like I’d never done before. Every suppressed emotion came to the surface and I sobbed and whimpered, recounting every injustice done to me since I was a child.

It was a long time before my attention went to my surroundings. As calm settled after the outburst, I realized my head was leaning against something very warm. Alerted, I sat up.

“Are you better now?” asked Cain, looking down at me. All this time, I had been leaning against him without even realizing it. He remained so quiet and unmoving, it had been impossible to tell him apart from a rock.

“What are you doing here?” I asked. Silver-gray eyes looked at me with such understanding that I felt my throat choke up with another sob. His fingers brushed away the lingering tears on my cheeks.

“I saw you run off into the woods,” said Cain, still caressing my cheek with the back of his hand. It was so soothing, I leaned into his touch. “You were upset by what you saw.”

“It’s more than that,” I said, looking into his beautiful silver eyes and knowing it was safe to tell him how I felt without any fear of judgment. “I would have been upset to see people suffering anyway. It is different now, though. They are my responsibility. I have to be able to do something to make things better for them.”

“I am sure you will find a way, Dari,” he said gently. “You are an excellent healer. Check on them slowly, keep a handle on your emotions and determine what herbs would help alleviate their pain. Most of these small towns and villages don’t even have doctors. The poor suffer without ever getting proper treatment. Now that you’re here, I’m sure you can help them.”

“How do you stay so calm?” I asked, desperate to know the secret to his composed demeanor.

“There’s always a storm that rages within me, Dari,” he said, his voice low and grim. “I remember every injustice done to me, my family and my people. My brother and sister let their emotions dictate their actions. They died, leaving me alone when I was barely fifteen.”

He inhaled deeply, swallowing the sob that came with reminiscing the past.

“My inexperience as a ruling prince during the most chaotic period of our time brought further harm to my people. I made many mistakes but always found that the commoners suffered as a consequence. Had my elder brother stayed alive, the people would have suffered less. In the end, the lesson was beaten into me. My every action has a repercussion on my companions and people.”

I stayed quiet, understanding what he meant. My every action would have an impact on the commoners. Giving up hope wasn’t a solution. Neither was blaming Ivan and those who wronged me. My next action was laid out clearly before me. I had to find a cure or a way to lessen the pain of those affected with the disease.

I exhaled heavily. Cain’s confidence in me lit up a new hope inside me. With every breath I took, I felt my heart and hope strengthen. Suddenly, the fear, panic and utter helplessness vanished.

I got to my feet abruptly, looking towards the direction of the camp. If I was truly the princess of Drakhaven, the heavens would aid me in bringing peace and healing to the people.

“Are you ready to face the challenge?” asked Cain, coming to stand beside me.

I nodded. Fierce pride glowed in those silvery eyes as he stared at me with such intensity it made my heart pound.

10

I was bent before a suffering old man when I noticed Cain shouting for Daria. Looking ahead, I saw her running deeper into the woods without paying heed to Cain’s calls. My gaze lingered at the spot she’d been in. A child lay on the ground, her open eyes staring lifelessly at the world.

Getting to my feet, I went over to the fallen body.

I waited by her side but no one came for the child. For a moment, I wondered if she belonged to the sick man we’d met earlier. Did he leave her to buy some food and she died during that time? My heart ached for them. We’d been too late to save her.

Daria must’ve had the same thoughts. With her past revealed, she had a new identity to her name. Daria was no longer an assassin living in the shadows. She was the future queen of Drakhaven. It must have shocked her to see the suffering of these people and realizing she was responsible for helping them.

Being a prince was never easy. You were constantly reminded how your actions would affect the common citizen. Every relation and alliance we made had to be scrutinized from every angle. If it didn’t help our people, we rejected it completely. Princes who were meant to be rulers had it tougher. Both Cain and Norvin faced terrible situations as ruling princes. Norvin was even ready to die twice to save innocent lives.

I was about to go after Daria but saw Cain rushing past me after her.

For a moment, I was ready to follow after them but something caught my attention. Two men, garbed in white with masks over their mouth and nose, were walking among the sick. Sometimes, they would stop and feed the person spoonfuls of a thick, creamy concoction. Intrigued, I decided to follow them. Cain would protect and keep Daria safe while I gained some more information about what was happening here.

The men seemed to stop by the sickliest patients. After each administering of the white potion, the person would droop down and fall into a doze.

One of the men must have noticed me following them because he straightened and looked directly at me. Undeterred, I walked up to him.

Crows’ feet gathered at the corner of his eyes as he stared at me. “Who are you?”

“I am passing by and happened to hear of the spreading sickness,” I said. “What is it you are feeding them?”

“Poppy’s milk,” grunted the man. “It’s the only thing that helps them in their last moments.”

Poppy’s milk was a well-known powerful seductive but a high dose could kill.

“If you know there’s a sickness spreading through these lands, why come into the heart of it?” he asked me gruffly. “Were you sent by Lord Tasher to spy on us?”

“No. I don’t even know who Lord Tasher is.”

He spat on the ground, cursing. “He’s the reason these people are without medicines and perishing.”

“I don’t understand. Is he poisoning them?” I asked, thinking about the incident in Carran where Helena had poisoned the townspeople.

“Don’t be absurd,” said the second man. He’d straightened after putting an elderly woman to sleep. From his voice, I could tell he was younger. “He is not as cunning as that fake princess of Fuvaros.”

“Tasher is greedy though,” said the older healer. “As soon as he heard of the sickness spreading, he had his men buy the medicines needed to treat the disease. He is hoarding them, waiting for the plague to reach the capital.”

“Won’t he be affected by it too?” I asked, baffled. “How can he know he’ll be immune to the disease?”

“He has the herbs to heal him if he does get sick,” said the younger healer. “When the rich get sick, he will sell them the herbs for the price of gold. The poor be damned as long as he can fill his coffers.”

“So this disease is curable?” I asked, hope rising within me.

“Don’t get excited yet,” said the younger healer in a grim tone. “Without the herbs, it’s useless. We’re just helping these people ease some of the suffering. My father and I haven’t slept properly in the past month.”

“Would it help if we traveled to another county to get the herbs?” I asked. “I and my companions are travelers. We can ride to the next town and bring you the herbs.”

The healers shook their head.

“You think we haven’t tried that already?” said the older healer. “Tasher has had those herbs disappear from the whole kingdom.”

“What is your name?” the younger healer asked suddenly. He removed the mask away from his face, revealing the features of a young man of about twenty.

“Cover your mouth, Davon,” chided his father. “You know how it’s easy to catch the disease.” He turned his suspicious gaze at me. “You too, traveler. Take your friends and flee this place.”

They turned to leave, so I jogged after them. “If I could get you the herbs, you can surely cure the disease?”

The older man stared at me for a moment and then nodded.

“If I give you a great amount of them, you can save the rest of the people afflicted by the disease?” I asked.

“Of course, but where will you get them?” he asked. “The only place where you can find those herbs is Lord Tasher’s private vaults.”

“I’ll find a way,” I said, looking both men in the eye. “What are your names? How do I find you?”

“I am Davin,” said the older man. Gesturing at his son, he said, “This is Davon. We live in the cottages closest to the woods.”

“Thank you.”

They nodded, proceeding to hand out the milk of poppy to the people in pain. The whole camp was full of such men and women. There were very few children among them. It was easy to guess how their weaker bodies gave up long before the adults’. My fists tightened at the atrocity of the nobles. Whether it be Baledonia or Drakhaven, they were the same. They would keep the rulers suppressed and suck the blood of the people.

The cart of supplies we’d brought lay ignored in the far corner of the clearing. People were too sickly to even attempt to steal anything from it. They need food and sustenance, I decided, heading towards the cart. A good meal will raise their spirits.

I pushed the cart deeper into the woods, intent on setting up a fire for cooking. Daria and Cain would soon return as well. The relative privacy would allow me to talk to them without the fear of anyone overhearing us. As the healers suspected, there might be spies among the sick.

I’d just managed to make a big pile of wood when the sound of approaching footsteps alerted me. Looking to the direction of crunching dead leaves, I saw Cain and Daria heading my way.

“What are you doing here?” she asked curiously, staring at the pile of logs in my arms.

“Setting up a cooking station,” I said, dropping the logs on the pile. “Those people are too sick to even fend for themselves. A full belly might help them survive longer. Also,” I lowered my voice, moving close to both Cain and Daria. Instinctively, they inched closer. “There is a cure to the disease. The healers know of it but a noble called Lord Tasher has had all the necessary herbs stored in his vaults. He’s bought every available ingredient needed for the cure and hoarded them. Once the plague reaches the capital, he would sell them at the price of gold.”

Astonishment flickered through Daria’s emerald-green eyes. “Of all the insane things people did for gold, this scheme sure deserves top spot.” She looked stronger than before. The fire that always burned in the depths of her eyes had returned. Daria was no longer helpless or overwhelmed. She had her emotions under control.

Daria drew in a deep breath. “Tonight we stay here and tomorrow morning, I’ll leave for the capital.”

“You want us to separate?” asked Cain.

“For now,” said Daria. “At least one of us must stay back here to meet up with Norvin. Once he returns, come find me in Fuvaros. I’ll leave Tuto with you. He will know how to find me. In the meantime, I’ll scour the noble or whoever is in possession of those herbs.”

Daria’s voice was strong. Not a trace of doubt lingered there.

“Let one of us come with you, Daria,” said Cain. “You’re not fully healed and don’t even have enough weapons to protect yourself. You are going into another dragon’s grotto. You should have one watching your back.”

“Take Cain,” I said, suppressing the stab of inadequacy I felt. He was a seasoned warrior, unlike me. I would be useless in a fight where I couldn’t expose my true form.

Cain glanced at me. There was deep sincerity in those intense gray eyes.

“Thank you for your confidence in me,” he said, tilting his head towards me. He turned towards Daria and said, “I will come with you.”

“Will you be all right by yourself?” she asked, the cold mask falling off her face to reveal the anxiety she felt for me.

“I am a dragon now,” I said with a smile, hoping to reassure her. “Only another dragon can harm me now.”

11

We ended up sleeping under the cover of a large oak tree in the woods with nothing more than our cloaks covering us through the night. The cold didn’t bother us and with Adal and Cain’s bodies pressed to my either side, I was pleasurably warm.

It was still dark when my eyes slowly opened. Even when we stayed at a distance from the camp of sick patients, I could still hear the low echoes of their moans.

While I was angry at the way a nobleman decided to use the sickness to his advantage, part of me was grateful to know there were common people like the two healers helping people in need. I was sure to remember their names until the time came when I could reward them for their service. When I become queen, I would make sure to gift citizens who were useful to others, instead of favoring the haughty nobility who were simply using the chaotic times to fill their coffers.

When I become queen…the thought came so naturally to me. It was surprising how easy it was to think of Drakhaven’s throne as mine. Only a month ago I had been content to call Linmoor my home, despite how rough life was. Now, I would be marching into Fuvaros, the capital of Drakhaven, to see my real home.

I stood up and faced the east as the first light of dawn spread over the woods. Taking a deep breath, I strengthened my resolve. Find Lord Tasher’s vaults and smuggle out as much herbs as possible to distribute among the people. If I come across the man, I may as well slit his throat and hold some justice of my own.

Draping the cloak over my shoulders, I headed to the corner where we’d cooked barley and meat stew last night. The fire underneath it had long gone cold. Bending over the pot, I found remnants of the meal still filling half its depth.

The patients had been too sick to eat much. With their strengths waning, I felt even more desperate to get my hands on those herbs. I gathered wood and twigs from the forest floor and took them to the campsite. The fires we’d lit yesterday had burned out by now.

A few people saw what I was up to and came to help. They were the family members of the sick who were staying there despite the risk of getting infected. Once we had a few piles of logs and twigs, I set them on fire. If they thought the task was too easy for a common woman, they made no comment about it. With shadowed faces, they brought their family to warm up by the flaming firewood.

Going back to my companions, I shook them awake. Both princes looked exhausted. The past few days had been hard on them. Sleeping in caves and forest floors had to be tough when they spent most of their lives in utter luxury. Still, they never complained. Smiling at me warmly, they got up and stretched their arms over their heads.

“You should go to the inn in town and wait for Norvin there,” I said to Adal. “There’s no point in staying here unless we have the herbs with us.”

Adal nodded. “He should be here by tomorrow.”

It would have taken a few weeks had Norvin traveled to Linmoor on horseback. His superior dragon form gave him extreme speed as he flew through the skies without a single obstacle in his way, covering the distance miraculously fast.

“Keep an eye out for Tuto,” I said. “If there’s any news, I will send it through him.”

“Should we leave now?” asked Cain, drawing my attention to him.

“Yes. We should be on our way.”

Adal moved forward, bringing me into a tight embrace before claiming my lips. Fire shot through my veins as I felt his tongue sliding over mine. Heart pounding like crazy, I kissed him back. Suddenly, all my exhaustion was driven out of me as my blood pumped hard, heating me to the tips of my fingers. My lips still felt singed from the fiery kiss. Licking them, I turned to Cain and nodded.

Moving forward, he slapped Adal on the arm and drew him into a hug. “Stay safe.”

Adal grinned. “You too.” His eyes fell on me and even when he didn’t say it, I knew he hated parting with us.

We got a ride from Okarijun to Fuvaros in a horse-driven cart for a few coppers. It saved us the hassle of buying horses, thus helping us save more of our gold. In hindsight, it was the best thing to happen as the slower pace allowed me to look at everything closely. It was the first time I’d traveled this far north and while I’d been born in Drakhaven, I didn’t know anything other than the palace corridors.

Drakhaven was colder than Iorna. Vast mountains rose up in every direction and wildflowers covered the roadsides and meadows. A cold breeze always seemed to blow down from the north but under the warm sun, it felt quite refreshing.

The people we saw along the way looked poorer than the peasants of both Iorna and Baledonia and a general air of despair hung over their heads as they got on with their business. 

“Are you looking for a place to stay tonight?” asked the man driving the cart. He was in his late forties with a sizeable belly and rosy cheeks. From the looks of it, he was a wine merchant. Cain and I were squeezed among the barrels in the back of his cart. The alcoholic fumes wafting around us was quite intoxicating.

“Do you know of a good place?” asked Cain. “We’re short of funds.”

“I reckoned from the looks of you two,” he said, smirking at us. “Well, I am heading for the Hog’s Tail. There’s a wedding happening there. It’s the innkeeper’s own daughter’s wedding, so if you pretend to be my helpers, you’ll get free lodging tonight. Of course, you’ll both be helping with carrying the wine barrels.”

Cain glanced at me. I nodded imperceptibly. It would be a great way to enter the capital under the guise of being helpers to the wine merchant. The guards at the city’s gate won’t bat an eye while we pass through.

“So, what are your names?”

“I’m Darla and this is Cade,” I lied.

“Are you two married?”

“Yes,” said Cain at once. “We are man and wife.” His hand came to squeeze over mine, making my heart throb as I looked into his deep, silvery eyes. The morning light shone on his handsome face as his luscious lips curved up in a smile.

“Shame,” grunted the merchant. “I was hoping she could warm my bed.” He barked out a laugh while Cain glared at his back. I squeezed his wrist to warn him. He was glaring at the back of the man’s head.

“And what’s your name, sir?” I asked.

“They call me Dalton,” he said, glancing back at me. He flashed a quick grin before turning his attention on the road ahead.

While the merchant kept his back to us, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. In my mind, I searched for the connection I was hoping to make. To my surprise, it happened sooner than I expected. Opening my eyes, I saw a heavy pine forest. A cold breeze blew by, making Tuto hoot with annoyance.

“You’re already in Drakhaven,” I whispered. “Well done.”

Tuto fluffed out his chest.

“Try finding Adal,” I said. “You know him, right?”

He hooted reassuringly.

“Good.”

I blinked away the vision of the forest ground down below me. Back to being rattled against the wine barrels, I opened my eyes.

“You were talking to your owl?” asked Cain, staring at me intently.

I nodded. “He’s here.”

It was another hour before the gates of the capital came into view. They were visible in the distance, vast doors rising into the sky with a dragon carved on the top. Their silent but violent snarls warned every newcomer. Crowds of people moved in the same direction as us. Suddenly, the deserted roadsides disappeared and we were surrounded by other horse and mule-driven carts and people on foot.

“Welcome to the greatest city in the four kingdoms,” announced Dalton from the front.

Heart pounding with both dread and anticipation, I stared ahead as the cart passed through the wide open gateway. Soldiers in maroon uniforms watched us pass by but they didn’t stop us, their gazes moving to the people coming in behind us.

Fuvaros definitely made an impression on me the first time I laid eyes on it. Vast monuments and buildings rose up in every direction. People, from the richest to the poorest, crowded the city streets. While some vendors sold cups of exotic wine to crowds of well-dressed patrons, others gave out thin gruel to groups of starving children.

Every corner of the town seemed to have statues of a particular dragon erected. From the polished look of the black stones, I could tell they were put up in recent years.

“Watch out for the great grand dragon,” said Dalton. He kept his attention on the road as the crowd around us swelled. “We will be passing by soon.”

“What’s the great grand dragon?” muttered Cain from beside me.

I shrugged but looked out for another statue. Something gold glinted in the far distance. Focusing my attention there, I waited for the cart to draw nearer.

“The fuck’s that?” Cain growled as a gigantic dragon statue came into view made completely of gold. I felt my lips part at the sight. It was bold and beautiful on first impression, but as we got closer, I saw the groups of poor people being pushed away by soldiers for getting too near the statue.

“Get your filthy paws away from the great grand dragon,” shouted the soldiers, pointing their spears at the fleeing peasants in rags.

“No one gets to touch the statue,” said Dalton with a backward glance. “If you plan to stay in Fuvaros, you should at least know that.”

“It’s vile,” I said through gritted teeth. There were people starving in all four kingdoms and Ivan was erecting gold statues of himself. Was there no limit to his apathy?

Dalton shrugged, turning away. “The strong do what they please. It’s the only law in the four kingdoms.”

I opened my mouth but Cain placed a hand over my lips. He shook his head, warning me with a grim look. I exhaled, letting my shoulders droop in defeat. There was no use in correcting Dalton. The time hadn’t arrived yet.

“Do you know of Lord Tasher?” I asked, hoping a wine merchant would know of the rich noble.

“Of course,” said Dalton, glancing back at me. “He’s the second most powerful lord in Drakhaven.”

“Really? Who’s the first?”

“That would be Lord Malnar,” said Dalton in a low, hushed voice. “He is the commander of the army. There is no one in the nobility or the court who would dare top him except for the emperor and his sons.”

“Malnar murdered the commander-in-chief fifteen years ago,” whispered Cain in my ear. “He aided Ivan in stamping out every revolt. He’s the one who barricaded us in our chambers while our parents were being murdered at the feast.”

Rage, hot and swift, flared inside my chest. That was another name added to my list of personal vendetta.

We left the bustle of the main city square and entered a quieter area with more residential buildings cropping up along the street. The shops here were sparse and sold mostly grains and fruit. The cart slowed down and came to a halt before a two-storied house. A rusty signboard hung from a side bar proclaiming it to be the Hog’s Tail. A faded painting of a hog was still visible through the rust that gathered over the display.

An older man came rushing outside to greet Dalton.

“You are here,” cried the man, hugging Dalton around the middle before he could climb out of the cart. “I didn’t think you’d come.” He wore robes of deep purple and the length of his long, graying hair was swept back and braided in a thin plait. It was easy to tell his inn was bringing in good business.

“Why won’t I come to sweet Myrtle’s wedding?” said Dalton, puffing out his chest. “I also brought her and the guests a present.” He gestured at the barrels of wine in the cart. “Those two will be helping me, so you got to let them stay the night, Finn.”

“Of course.” Finn tilted his head towards us. “Guests of Dalton’s are guests of mine. Don’t be shy! Make yourselves at home.”

Cain and I glanced at each. We weren’t expecting such a warm welcome from the owner of the inn. Of course, we didn’t even know Dalton was doing a favor for his friend.

“Bring the wine in,” said Dalton. “Best not to keep them in the sun for too long.”

Cain’s hand wrapped around my wrist just as I was about to get up. “Leave it all to me. Go and wait for me inside.”

“Are you sure?”

“You’re still injured, Dari. Carrying these won’t be a difficult task for me. I can do it on my own.”

My joints creaked as I unfolded my knees and climbed out of the cart. The hours of sitting among the casks had stiffened my body. Looking all around the street, I followed after Dalton and his friend.

It was darker and warmer inside the inn. The floors, as well as the walls and ceiling, were made of dark mahogany wood. The aroma of wine and aged ale seeped out of every corner, making me inhale deeply. The main hall was vast. Tables and chairs had been shifted against the walls to make space in the middle of the room.

“You’ll be losing a lot of business today,” I commented, looking at the higher platform set up against the furthest wall.

“It doesn’t matter to Finn today, does it, my friend?” said Dalton, slapping the older gentleman’s back.

“No,” said Finn with a soft smile on his wrinkling face. “I am done with the inn. My daughter will go off to live in her husband’s house tomorrow and I’ll move to a quieter village to spend the rest of my life.”

“You are selling the inn?” I asked in surprise. The place was incredibly neat and well-maintained. Whoever ran it was sure to make a lot of money.

“Finn’s been getting trouble from the nobility,” whispered Dalton.

“Dalton.” Finn’s voice was full of warning.

“I don’t care for the nobility. And neither does my husband,” I said, glancing at Cain who’d just entered the room with a cask on his shoulder. The sleeves of his tunic tightened over his bulging muscles. Suddenly, I wanted those arms around me. Licking my bottom lip, I drank in his powerful frame with my eyes.

“It is best to stay quiet about such matters,” said Finn in a grim voice. “You seem close to my daughter’s age, so I hope you’ll heed my advice.” The man’s gaze was genuinely sincere. Once again, it irked me to think a good man was losing his home and livelihood because of the nobility.

The inn began filling up with people as the afternoon progressed. Cain and I were mostly ignored. We were left to sit in the last row of chairs that had been set in the empty space. (Dalton had made us help set those up too). We were served with cheese sandwiches and cups of Dalton’s delicious wine along with the rest of the guests. It further helped us unwind and enjoy the moment of peace.

When the sun was about to set, a young maid rushed into the room. She wore a simple gown of blue silk, looking fresh and pretty. Her appearance made everyone go back to their places and put a halt to the loud conversations.

“The groom should take his place,” she announced in a loud voice. I could see her struggling from screaming out with excitement. “The bride is ready!”

A tall, handsome man rose up from the front row. Dressed in a long navy velvet outer robe, he looked quite well off. His young face was glowing with pride and happiness as he walked up to the dais. Men cheered and clapped for him while a few of the older women dabbed at their tearing eyes. I assumed they were his family.

The young maid began singing a slow, lilting melody. The words were of love and hope for a bright future, absolutely fitting for a wedding ceremony. A faint rustle of silk had the whole crowd look back towards the steps that led up to the upper floors of the inn. The bride stood there, her face covered by a gauzy red veil. Her dress was the same shade of crimson. Gold bracelets jangled at her wrists as she walked into the room and made her way to the dais to join her soon-to-be husband.

The maid continued to sing her song while the women in the crowd continued to sniff. Strangely, I felt my own throat choke up. I’d never seen a wedding before but my emotions astonished me. Why did I feel like crying and wanting Cain to hold me tight in his arms? I wasn’t in any pain but strangely my heart ached.

As if he could read my mind, Cain’s arm came to drape around my shoulders, pulling me against his chest. His hand found mine and squeezed it gently.

“Someday soon, that would be us,” he whispered in my ear.

My heart fluttered as I looked into his warm silvery eyes. My hand rose to cup his cheek. His stubble felt comfortably rough against my palm as I leaned in to kiss him.

The kiss seared my lips.

Heat flared up inside me as his hands moved up and down the side of my body, coming up to cup a breast and squeezing it ever so gently. I moaned into his mouth, my body demanding rougher touches.

Cain suddenly pulled away, panting slightly. His eyes were glowing with hunger as he stared at me. “I won’t be able to stop myself,” he said in a rough voice, his chest rising and falling.

“I don’t want you to stop,” I said, meeting his gaze squarely. The wedding ritual continued in the background but all my focus was on Cain now. The place between my thighs throbbed and ached for him.

He stood up abruptly, extending his hand towards me. Taking it, I got to my feet and discreetly followed him up the staircase in the corner.

Pushing open the door to the room we’d been assigned for the night, Cain gently pushed me in. It was a small, neat room with a bed taking up most of the space. After the days of sleeping in the wild, the sight of it felt especially luxurious. My hand caressed the rough linen sheet.

Cain closed the door behind him and walked towards me.

He took off all his clothes before reaching the bed. A gasp escaped me as I found myself staring at his gloriously muscled broad chest.

“It’s been far too long since I’ve had you all to myself.” Cain’s voice was ragged with need. The intensity in his eyes lit a fire deep within my core. With a sudden move, he picked me up in his arm and threw me on the bed.

Out of balance, I scrambled to my feet but before I could sit up, Cain was upon me, his lips locking onto mine. I threw my arms around his neck while his hand impatiently pushed up my skirt. I moaned, feeling his rough hand moving up my calves. He squeezed my inner thigh, tantalizingly close to my core.

I shifted, wanting his hand to touch me in the most intimate spot.

“You have no idea what it does to me when you’re so eager,” Cain’s voice was barely a whisper as his finger suddenly slipped through my slit.

“Ohh!” I moaned, feeling my muscles closing over his digit.

Cain clamped his mouth over my gasping lips, inserting a second finger inside me. He worked me fast and rough, driving me to the edge of pleasure. For a moment, I was so lost to the throbbing ecstasy in my body, I forgot all about kissing him back.

I needed him inside me. Only the feel of his hard, pulsing member could satiate the fire in my core.

My hand went down to grasp his hardened shaft. It was hot to the touch as I pumped his length hard and firm.

“Dari,” he groaned, throwing his head backward. “I wanted us to last the whole night, but fuck it all!”

He pulled his fingers away, leaving me empty and pulsing. Before I could pout, Cain was rubbing his thick head at my entrance, coating it with the juices dripping from my lips. I moaned, staring up into Cain’s face as he positioned himself over me.

I cried out as soon as he thrust in, feeling him slip a few inches inside my wet folds. Pulling out, he pushed in hard again, this time entering me fully and burying himself to the hilt. His lips sought mine as he began moving inside me. I kissed him back intermittently, gasping and moaning with his every thrust.

My pleasure rose higher, almost making it unbearable. My nails dug into his back, urging him to keep going. Cain slowed down suddenly, his cock pulsing inside me. I groaned, thrusting my hips upward, eager for his hard length to hit me deep.

“Always so eager, my love,” he whispered in a pained voice, leaning down to kiss me. I opened my mouth willingly. His tongue swept over mine and with a sudden move, he began thrusting hard and fast again. My mouth opened wide as my body reached the peak of pleasure. Delicious shivers ran down my spine, tightening my core until I couldn’t bear it anymore.

Crying out his name, I let go, drowning in the waves of pleasure that cascaded down my body.

“SShh!” warned Cain, pecking my lips.

But I couldn’t control the loud moans escaping me. Biting down on his shoulder, I took in his relentless thrusts.

Soon, I could feel his own pleasure taking over him. His groans began sounding rougher and more desperate. His mouth sucked the sensitive skin on the side of my neck, unraveling me once again.

My walls clamped around his hardness as he plunged inside me. All my senses were blocked out by the haze of pure pleasure flooding my body. His teeth sank into the skin of my neck as he reached his own peak. He shattered inside me, filling me to the brim with his raging hot essence.

“Cain!” I cried out as he collapsed onto me with a welcome weight.

We lay like that, struggling to catch our breaths. My heart raced uncontrollably as heat spread to the very tips of toes and fingers.

Cain pulled out and shifted to my side. “I wanted us to last the whole night,” he whispered, moving closer to wrap his arms around me in a warm embrace.

I laughed. “The whole night?”

“My patience runs thin every time I’m with you.” He smiled as he gently moved a strand of hair away from my sweaty face. “You look lovely, Dari.”

I blushed harder, my cheeks burning with heat.

He pulled up the blanket to cover both our cooling bodies. “It’s the owners’ family wedding and we’re the ones consummating our bond up here.”

Cain chuckled. “With the amount of wine Dalton brought in, I doubt the bride and groom would be in any condition to be consummating their marriage tonight.”

I closed my eyes, loving the feel of having an actual bed underneath me. With Cain’s warmth wrapped all around me, I closed my eyes.

12

It was late at night when my eyes suddenly flew open. Cain’s arms were wrapped around me, keeping me warm. I could hear the faint sound of his regular breathing from beside me. So what woke me up? A door crashed open somewhere down below. Feeling more alert now, I sat up.

Thin shafts of moonlight filtered through the shutters of the window. My ears strained to hear more of what was going on downstairs. It was probably a few guests at the wedding who got drunk and were creating a ruckus. I was about to lie back on the pillow when shouts and screams rang into the night, breaking the silence completely.

Cain sat up beside me. The long lengths of his dark hair curtained his face as he looked around himself.

“Something woke you too, Dari?” he asked, rubbing his eyes and looking at me.

“Listen,” I whispered.

Clang of metal hitting metal joined the shouts and screams. Heart thundering, I turned to face Cain. His eyes glowed in the dark.

“Are they here for us?” I asked.

He shook his head. “I don’t think so.” Climbing off the bed, he started gathering our clothes. Throwing my dress to me, he began putting on his trousers.

We’d barely finished putting on our clothes when the door was thrown wide open. A large figure stood in the doorway, gasping and panting. It entered the room and shut the door tight.

“Stay here.” It was Dalton’s tight voice.

“What’s happening downstairs?” I asked.

“It’s Finn,” said Dalton, shaking his head. “His family and the groom’s family members are being attacked and killed.”

“What?”

“Ssshh, wench!” he hissed. “The soldiers don’t know we’re up here. Your screeching will bring them up here. If you want to live, stay quiet!”

“Why are the soldiers attacking him?” I whispered.

“I told you about Finn having trouble with the nobility?”

“Yes.”

“Well, things were bad already but his daughter refused to marry Lord Malnar’s second son and become his fourth concubine,” said Dalton, rubbing his head. He took several deep breaths before continuing. “She fell in love with a court scholar and married him. Malnar and Finn’s enmity goes long back. Over the years, he levied extra taxes on Finn’s inn. After his daughter rejected the proposal, the taxes were made so high, Finn decided to sell this place and live elsewhere. I suppose Malnar couldn’t be satisfied with that alone. He had to come and destroy his daughter’s wedding,” Dalton ended bitterly.

The clash downstairs became louder than before. It was loud enough to attract the neighbors by now. However, I could only hear the screams of people. Something felt very wrong about it.

“It won’t be long before they all die,” said Dalton, his voice wavering. He was sobbing openly now.

“But why? Won’t the neighbors help?” I asked.

“Are you thick in the head, wench?” he said, hitting me in the side of the head. Cain stepped forward at once but I held him back. “Who can dare to go against armed soldiers and Lord Malnar himself? They would all be dead.”

I looked towards Cain. “We need to help them.”

“Daria, not tonight.” His voice was thick with anxiety. “You can’t give yourself away.”

“We can’t let them all die.”

Cain grabbed my arm, whirling me around until I was pressed against his chest and looking into his face. “You are recovering right now. Other than the blade I gave you, you have no weapons. Stay back this time, Daria. Please…”

It felt wrong but I knew what Cain was trying to do. He didn’t want the soldiers to know we were in the city and the news to spread to Ivan. We were in his domain now. Yet, the angst rising within me was impossible to ignore. Finn sheltered us for the night. He even invited us to attend his daughter’s wedding with open arms and fed us. A good man like that…he didn’t deserve such injustice.

The cries of a woman cut through the sound of clashing swords, piercing the walls of the room. Dalton sobbed harder, sinking to the floor and cursing himself for being a coward. I could understand why he was hiding up here. He was a simple wine merchant, not a warrior who knew how to hold a sword. But I…Cain and I were different. We could fight.

I strode towards the door. Cain grabbed my arm and yanked me back.

“Don’t, Daria.”

“I won’t sit back while those men rape her,” I said through gritted teeth. My voice was cold with determination. Throwing off his hand, I wrenched open the door. The first-floor landing was completely dark. It looked like Dalton had put out all the lanterns and candles before entering our room.

I hurried down the stairs. Cain was right behind me. I knew he wouldn’t let me go alone. He probably wanted to help the people in distress but was forcing himself to stay back for my sake. I was able to breathe openly now that I was heading into the eye of the storm. There was no fear within me but an insane, hot rage flowing through my veins. First, the poor peasants who’d been denied of medicinal herbs and now, this innocent family was being slaughtered for no other reason than pettiness.

My hands were balled into tight fists as I stepped out into the courtyard on the other side of the main hall. Corpses littered the ground. My gaze took in the bodies of the older women I’d seen earlier at the wedding. What kind of people would kill these soft-hearted women?

I tore my gaze from the dead bodies to look ahead at the screaming woman. I hadn’t seen the bride’s face before. She was young and beautiful and still wore her bridal gown of red. Two men held her husband down on his knees before her. Finn lay on the ground nearby, writhing with pain.

“Please don’t kill my husband,” the bride begged. “Please.” She was on her knees before an armored man. From the looks of the gold-carved breastplate, I knew it was the commander, Lord Malnar.

At least, two dozen men surrounded the family and Malnar.

“After the night is over, you’ll only be fit for a whorehouse,” said Malnar. “That is what you deserve for rejecting my son’s offer to marry into my family.”

“No…please…”

Malnar turned to glance at a man nearby and signaled him to move towards the groom. The soldier unsheathed his sword and slowly walked towards the struggling man in blue robes.

“Don’t!” cried the young woman. “Please, don’t! Kill me instead!” Her screams pierced through the quiet night, shattering my heart. She was a stranger to me but her pain was mine now.

“Don’t cry, beloved,” said the groom in a choking voice. “I will always be watching over you. I promise.” Tears ran down his handsome face as he kept his gaze focused on his bride. I’d seen the very same man beaming that evening as his bride walked towards him.

“Stop!” I cried, my voice rising higher than the sobbing woman’s.

They all glanced at me.

“I thought you killed them all,” said Malnar, fixing his gaze on one of his men.

“They must have hidden somewhere, My Lord.”

Malnar sighed and gestured for the man to move forward. “Kill them.”

Standing my ground, I focused my magic into the center of my palms. The soldier stomped towards me with his sword raised. I hated the expression on his face like we were just a pair of annoying insects who’d sat in his food and he couldn’t wait to squash us. Is that what it felt to be part of Malnar’s army?

“Daria, draw your weapon,” hissed Cain from beside me.

“There’s no need,” I whispered. “They are all men after all.”

The soldier was a few feet away when his clothes suddenly caught on fire. Of course, it was my doing. His sword clattered to the floor as he screamed and beat at his body to douse the flames steadily spreading all over him.

Leaving the soldier to shout for help, I walked forward, passing him by without glancing at him.

“Who else wishes to meet the same fate?” I asked in a loud voice.

Lord Malnar looked at me closely. His gaze swept me from head to foot before scoffing loudly. “I’ll believe you if you can do it again.” Malnar was in his late forties with a cruel bend to his mouth. The flames from the burning soldier reflected in his glassy, dark eyes as he sneered at me.

“Shall I try it on you, My Lord?” I asked. “Or would you be kind enough to leave this place with your men without further bloodshed?”

Malnar turned to face me directly. I could see the thoughts racing through his mind as he tried to determine whether I was truly a threat to him.

“How dare a street rat like you think of looking me in the eye?” he shouted. “Kneel!”

Both Cain and I stood our ground.

“You dare?!” he unsheathed his own sword. “I will kill you myself.” As soon as he stepped towards me, I lit his clothes on fire. Surprise flitted through his eyes as he saw the flames engulfing his entire body. His cry of shock and pain came a moment later.

“Help me!” he cried, batting at his clothes and armor.

His soldiers stared at each other nervously, not knowing what to do. A few came forward to throw him on the ground and stomp at his body to extinguish the flames, but it was no ordinary fire. It continued to burn the thrashing, screaming man on the ground.

I walked past them to stand squarely before the other soldiers. Their nervous faces were illuminated by the flickering flames of the torches they held.

“Let him go,” I said in a clear voice, glaring at the two men who held the groom by his arms.

After a moment’s hesitation, they released him. The man hurried forward to embrace his bride. They both sobbed together, holding onto each other for strength.

“Check your father,” I said.

Slowly, still shaking, the bride crawled towards the man nearby. Placing her head on his chest, she waited. “He’s still breathing,” she announced in a wavering voice. “Father is alive.”

Turning around, I looked at Cain. “Bring Dalton. He needs to leave with them.”

With a nod, Cain hurried inside the inn.

“Who are you?” asked one of the soldiers. They were no longer circling the family of the innkeeper and were lined up against the wall of the courtyard.

“I am your savior and queen,” I said, looking at each of them. “Shouldn’t you be kneeling before me?”

The soldiers glanced at each other. I knew they were fearful of me and that their kneeling meant nothing other than their hope for survival, but something deep within me commanded their absolute obedience. One by one, the soldiers dropped to their knees.

“Thank you, My Queen,” said the soldiers. Smoke and the stench of burning flesh filled the night air as they chorused, “Thank you for sparing our lives.”

Cain and Dalton came onto the scene.

“Finn!” cried Dalton, rushing to the coughing man on the ground. His daughter rubbed his back but it was a relief to see him sit up.

“We don’t have much time,” I said, looking towards them. “Get ready to leave. We will escort you out of the city gates.”

“That’s impossible,” moaned Dalton. “We need a higher official’s seal to make the guards open the gates.”

“That’s not a problem. Take what you need the most and prepare to leave.”

Turning to look at Cain, I said, “Lock up the soldiers in the inn.”

“My Queen!” chorused the soldiers in fearful tones.

“I won’t kill you. Not tonight,” I said. “However, make sure you don’t step out of the inn until daybreak. If you do, you’ll meet the same fate as your commander.” Slowly, the soldiers rose to their feet, glancing at each other nervously. “I will keep my word if you follow my command,” I said in a cold tone. I watched the men pass by me. “Stop!” When they looked back fearfully, I said, “Two of you should leave your uniforms and armor here.”

The men closest to me obeyed, stripping out of their armor and uniform. They were only in their long undershirts as they hurried to join their company.

“What do you plan to do, wench?” asked Dalton, stepping close to me.

“Cain and I will dress up in the armor and escort you and Finn’s family out of the city. Hide them in your cart among the wine casks and take them to safety. Do you understand?”

“Child, who are you?” asked Finn, coming nearer to me. He was being supported by both his daughter and her husband.

“You will know me soon enough,” I said. “In return for saving your lives, I want your complete silence on what happened tonight. Don’t speak of it until the right time.”

“The right time?” asked Dalton. “When would that be?”

“You’ll know when it comes. Until then, don’t speak of me to anyone.”

“We won’t,” said the young woman. Her pretty face was covered in bruises and streaked with tears. “Thank you for saving my father and husband. I wish you’d appear sooner though…” A sob choked her as she looked around at the fallen bodies of her family and friends. She couldn’t speak for a moment. “You could have saved them too.”

I glanced at Dalton who hung his head, not meeting my gaze anymore. “Forgive me,” I muttered.

She nodded. Dalton moved forward to lead her away along with her crouching father and husband. 

Cain came back to the courtyard. “They are all inside,” he said. “What do you plan to do now?”

“Let’s put on those clothes and armor,” I said, gesturing at the pile of uniforms and armor left by the soldiers. “And get Malnar’s seal. It should easily get us out of the city without any problems.”

“We’re going back?”

I nodded. “We have to get Dalton and Finn’s family out of here. Let’s meet up with Adal and wait for Norvin to get back. We’ll be back as soon as we’re ready to attack Tasher.”

Cain moved to the burnt body of Lord Malnar. After a few seconds of searching, he pulled away the personal seal of the commander.

“They’ll know it was you, Daria,” said Cain, looking at the charred remains of the commander’s corpse.

“It doesn’t matter,” I told him. “They would have heightened the security in the city anyway.”

“I suppose so.” He exhaled a long breath and suddenly moved towards me to pull me into a tight hug. “Thank you for not listening to me, Dari. It was the right thing to save the ones who sheltered us.”

My shoulders relaxed as a smile hovered on my lips. “We’re the true rulers of the realm. We must exert our will more strongly from now on.”

“Yes.”

Movement in the corner of our vision alerted us. Stepping away from Cain, I looked at Finn and his daughter and son-in-law. They each carried a bundle in their arms.

“You know what to do, Dalton,” I said. “Make sure to be discreet.”

“Don’t worry about that. No one will dare peek outside their houses tonight.” He beckoned Finn’s family to follow him.

Cain and I changed into the soldiers’ uniform and armor. We were both ready by the time Dalton signaled us. Leaving the courtyard behind, we crossed the main hall of the inn and stepped out into the street. As predicted, not a soul loitered there. Everything was quiet as Cain and I picked two horses among the ones stationed outside the inn.

Mounting the horse, Cain signaled for Dalton to move. His horse-driven cart moved down the street with us following him. The wine casks were covered by a rug. Somewhere underneath, Finn and his family were hiding.

Time seemed to speed up the closer we got to the city’s gates or perhaps, it was the absence of the crowd we saw earlier that morning. We passed the gold statue of Ivan’s dragon, ignoring its silent snarls.

There were more soldiers this time of the night. They were alert and stared at us as we got closer to them. Blood thundered in my ears as one of the men came forward to talk to Cain.

“We have the commander’s seal,” said Cain, handing him the seal we’d stolen. The soldier inspected it closely before giving it back. Turning around, he signaled for the gates to open. I heard Dalton’s faintly whispered curses as he made the horses trot forward.

I exhaled a long breath as soon as we passed through the city’s gates, not realizing I’d stopped breathing for a moment back there. My heart slowed down as we moved further away from the city gates.

13

By next day, we were back in the camp for the sick.

After following Dalton up to the outskirts of Okarijun, I got in touch with Tuto. My faithful familiar had kept a close watch on Adal. To my surprise, I found him back at the campsite, sleeping under the open sky with a small fire burning at his side. Bidding Dalton and Finn’s family a quick farewell, we headed to the woods which housed the sick.

It was well before dawn when we reached the camp and sought him out. Adal’s astonishment at seeing us was clearly written on his face. After a moment’s hesitation, he brightened up.

“You’re both all right,” he said, his blue eyes sweeping all over us.

“We’re fine,” said Cain. “But what are you doing back here? Couldn’t you find an inn in town?”

Adal shook his head. “It didn’t feel right to sit in an inn while everyone was away doing something useful. So, I came back here to help the two healers I met the other day.” A smile rose up on his face as he said, “Davin gave me a map of the city marked with Tasher’s warehouses. And we know the one that’s storing all the herbs.”

“That’s amazing!” I whispered excitedly. “It makes our task so much easier.”

“Are you sure it’s not a trap?” asked Cain. “How would a healer know what and where a noble is storing?”

“Davin used to be a court healer,” said Adal. “He knows the nobles in the Drakhaven court quite well. He was also the one who spied on the carts of spices and herbs that were entering Tasher’s storehouses. That’s how he knew about the whole plot Tasher planned out.”

Cain nodded. “That’s reasonable. And I suppose it makes no sense for a spy to be treating sick people at the risk of getting ill himself.”

“No,” said Adal. “So, tell me. Why are you back here? And what’s with the soldier costumes?”

I sighed, settling down beside Adal and leaning against him. “Cain will tell you all about it.”

Cain chuckled. “Me? I followed in your wake most of the time, wondering when I might have to shift to save you from the men gathered in the courtyard. You should be the one to tell the tale so I can understand what was running through your head.”

Adal glanced down at me. “You got into trouble there?”

I shrugged, sitting up straighter. “Trouble followed us there.” Stifling a yawn, I narrated the incidents that happened at the inn that night. Even though I was tired, it was good to be in my mates’ company, feeling safe and warm after the heart-pounding escape from the city with Dalton and Finn’s family. For the rest of the dawn, we talked and planned the raid on Lord Tasher’s warehouse.

The next morning we decided to stay at the inn in Okarijun for a day’s rest. Food and water were scarce in the camp and we didn’t want to hoard what little was available for the sick and needy. We had enough gold with us to last at least a week.

“I’ll let you deal with the food since I’m starving,” said Cain, heading up to the room we’d rented for us. “If I do it, I’ll buy the best of everything and attract every person’s suspicion on us.”

Chuckling softly, I nodded.

“I’ll help you bring up the food,” volunteered Adal. “But yes, you have to be the one to buy it.”

Cain gave me a handful of copper coins for the purchase. After the short time we spent at the inn yesterday, I was craving for another good meal and a clean bed to sleep in. It was a struggle not to order the best breads and all the meat dishes they had to offer.

“Is it hard for you today?” asked Adal as I stood near the counter, not able to make up my mind.

“Staying in the palace of Baledonia absolutely spoiled me,” I said with a grin. “You have no idea how much I miss the bathing chamber in your quarters.”

Adal chuckled. “I can understand. It’s been a while since I had a proper bath too. Thankfully, the weather is not as sweltering as Baledonia’s.”

I took a deep breath, strengthening my heart against greed. “What can you give us for a silver and thirty coppers?” I asked the man at the counter.

“How many in your company?” he grunted.

“Three.”

Grunting once more, he played with the wooden beads of his abacus. “You can have the freshly baked bread, lentil stew, and a jug of ale.”

“That’s all?” I asked, astonished. We could have gotten quality meat for a silver back in Iorna.

The man stared at me and Adal closely. “Where are you folk coming from?”

“Iorna,” I said.

“Ahhh, the taxes aren’t as high there as it is here,” he said with a curse. I stared at the man, wondering if he was really telling the truth. The taxes in Iorna were already too high with peasants going hungry every day. How could it be possible that it was even greater in Drakhaven?”

“Ask around for the price of food around here,” said the man at the counter. “People are so starved these days, they go out into the woods to forage and hunt. That’s how some of them brought back the disease plaguing these parts. Stay here for a few days and you’ll know I’m not robbing some ruddy travelers over bread and stew.”

I shook my head and handed him the coins. “There’s no need for that. Just give me the food.”

Waiting for the meal to arrive, I couldn’t help but realize how much the kingdom of Drakhaven was dying. While Iorna, Redfall, and Baledonia had princes willing to sacrifice their lives for the welfare of their people, there was no one to do it for Drakhaven. All I could do was thank the dragon gods and goddesses for letting me remember my past before it was truly too late.

Norvin arrived at the inn next morning. Being the only place that rented rooms for travelers, it had been easy for him to find us there. Cain spotted him in the main hall downstairs when he went to buy our breakfast and brought him upstairs to the room we were sharing.

“It’s so cramped here,” he said, stepping inside the room after Cain.

I couldn’t hold back the smile that bloomed on my face at the sight of him. He looked healthy and fresh, quite different from the rest of us. Lady Elga must have treated him well because he wore an expensive lavender silk tunic to match his beautiful eyes. His hair was set in long, orange-hued braids.

“They did the same to you, huh?” said Norvin, walking towards Adal and picking up a thick strand of his shiny henna-dyed hair. “At least it doesn’t look as horrible on you as me.”

Chuckling softly, Adal slapped his back. “It’s good to see you again.”

Norvin set down the bundle that hung from his shoulder. “All for you,” he said, meeting my gaze. “Now I wish I’d asked the old hag to send you all some clothes. You look terrible…the lot of you!”

“Try spending nights in the woods and escaping from the army’s commander-in-chief and then talk,” grumbled Cain.

“You brats got into trouble without me, didn’t you?” said Norvin, coming to sit on the floor. “All right, then. Let me hear the tales of the misadventures I missed.”

While the princes bickered and teased each other, I picked up the large bundle from the floor and carried it over to the bed. It was heavy. Opening it, I found sachets and vials of the choicest herbs and poisons. Next, I inspected a three-tiered wooden box. It was filled with the needles and darts I was accustomed to using. I smiled picking a long, thin needle from the collection. I put it back, my gaze going to the roll of parchment tucked under the box.

The seal stamped over it told me it was written by Lady Elga. I looked towards my three princes. They were in deep discussion and sharing the events that happened over the past few days when Norvin was missing. Taking the letter, I discreetly walked out of the room.

The corridor outside was deserted. Muffled sounds from the main hall reached my ears. I walked to the furthest side of the corridor where a round hole was cut into the wall to let in some natural light.

Tearing off the seal, I unfurled the parchment. Dark, curving, elegant letters filled the page before me. It was written in Lady Elga’s hand.

Dear child,

You have always been the rudest among those who have lived in Linmoor. Even without your memories and powers, you held on strongly in this unforgiving place. You should be proud of yourself.

When you came to me, you were a weak girl, unwilling to even eat or drink. There was so much about you that I needed to protect. No one could know who you were. Even one of our numbers could betray me for the favor of the strongest being in the four kingdoms. I could never let that happen. So, I treated you harshly and saved you from the jealousy of those weaker than you. As far as my capabilities go, it was the only way to bring you up. I shall not apologize or ask for your forgiveness. It was the best I could do and I have kept my word to Lady Kora.

You have been burnt. And you have been beaten. Did you know it’s the only way to make the purest form of gold? The more you heat it, the purer it gets. Think of yourself as that. Your heart and body was forged in fire. It is strong and flawless. You have both the strength and compassion needed to rule a kingdom.

You know your destiny now. It has been of your choosing all along, from following the three princes to assassinating the emperor. You just never knew it would become a personal vendetta as well.

Linmoor’s doors will always be open at your service.

If you require any other assistance, just send word.

Always remember your origins and never forget that you’re still under my command until you’ve completed the mission.

Lady Elga of Linmoor.

Her seal was stamped over her signature. A long sigh escaped me as I reread the letter a few more times. Lady Elga suppressed my powers to keep me safe from the other assassins of Linmoor. After growing up with those savage women, I knew it had been the right choice. There was no point in blaming my master. The things I suffered had been a part of my destiny.

Folding the letter, I placed it inside my bodice. It was time I took responsibility for my people.

14

The inn was unusually packed that evening. A number of people were spending silvers, insisting on the best ales and meat dishes. It was easy to tell they were travelers from outside Drakhaven by the state of their clothing. The man at the counter, as well as the two waitresses, were happily serving the rich clients despite the rush and their loud demands.

"What are these people doing here?" I asked the three princes seated around the table. There were goblets of fine wine before us along with joints of some sumptuous roast hog. We'd taken advantage of the rich merchants around us to order some good for us as well.

"I believe it is time for the annual lantern festival in Drakhaven," said Adal, bringing a goblet to his lips. Placing it back on the table, he said, "It is an occasion to worship the dragon and fire deities. However, there's always a lot of fairs and celebrations that go on in the cities. I believe these people are merchants who will be setting up their wares for sale during the festival."

I looked at a group of Baledonian travelers sitting close to us. They didn't look as rich as some of the merchants there. Their clothes were simpler and they were eating bread and cheese only.

"What do you think that group would be selling?" I asked, gesturing at the table near us.

"They look like sword dancers," said Adal after a moment's inspection. He gestured at the long, fancy swords tucked under the table where they sat. "I believe they will perform on some street stage during the festival."

A new plan began hatching in my mind as I took in the various group of travelers around me. I'd spent the whole afternoon thinking of a way to get inside the city without any suspicion. After the incident at Finn's inn, I was sure there would be stricter security around Fuvaros.

It was important to get inside without any inciting incident. We needed time to familiarize ourselves with the city as well as take out the herbs we'd decided to steal from Tasher's warehouses. It would all get too difficult if the city was alerted of our presence too soon.

"How about we disguise ourselves as one of them?" I asked suddenly.

"You mean pretend to be merchants?" said Cain.

"We could be like those sword dancers," I said in a low voice. Leaning forward, I gestured for the princes to bring their heads closer. "We could be fire acrobats."

Norvin chuckled. "You would be quite convincing at that."

"I know! If they want us to prove our talent, I can do some simple fire magic for them." I gazed at Cain. No matter what we came up with, he would be the one to pay the closest attention to detail. If there was a flaw in our strategy, he would be the one to find it first.

Cain’s gaze met mine. "It's a good plan," he said with a warming smile. He took a long swig of his wine. "It will allow us to rent a place at an inn and come and go without any suspicion. We should be good until the festival lasts."

"We can leave for Fuvaros tomorrow morning and join the parties heading for the gates," said Adal.

"We'll need a cart or carriage though," said Norvin. "And perhaps, fancier clothes than what you're all wearing."

"We start early next morning and buy everything we need. With the festival, I'm sure it will be easy to get hold of the items we'll be requiring."

A new energy suffused within our group. We were in deep discussion but it didn't look out of place in the crowded inn’s dining hall. People at most of the tables were talking with their companions. There was an air of excitement in the vast hall. No one paid us any attention, allowing us to further cement our plan of action.

A weak sun shone down on us as we trundled through the streets of Okarijun in a horse-driven carriage. Norvin was at the front, driving us. At the back, Cain, Adal and I were seated among boxes of firecrackers we'd purchased that morning along with the carriage. We'd all changed out of our gray woolen clothes and now wore fancier colorful silk. They were of cheaper quality but still felt softer and smoother on my skin than the wool.

"We are running out of money," said Cain in a grim voice.

"I still have my other jewels that we can pawn in Fuvaros," said Adal. "There's a gold necklace and my circlet which will fetch us more gold."

Cain nodded. "Let's hope we don't have any major purchases over the next few weeks."

Our dwindling gold became a new source of concern for me. Apart from getting medical aid for the suffering people, our main goal was to gain information on both Ivan and the city so we could plan our attack on him. I also wanted another chance to be with my princes at the dragon temple there. If I could mate with one of them there, I could shift into my true dragon form as well. In the fight against Ivan, I would finally be at par with him.

Soon we were following a procession of similar carriages, heading for the city of Fuvaros which was a few hours away from Okarijun. There were caravans among us too. Over the next week, the city would be full of foreigners. It was the perfect opportunity for us to enter the capital and rob Tasher's warehouse.

It was midday when we reached the gates of Fuvaros. It was chaotic near the entrance as the carts and caravans gathered there. The merchants were impatient to go inside but there weren't enough soldiers stationed there to hurry the inspection. Again, it helped our cause as a frustrated guard looked into our carriage, sweeping his gaze over us.

"What is this stuff?" he asked, removing the cover of a box with fireworks.

"We are acrobats, specializing in fire," said Cain. "We will need them for the show we'll be putting up."

The guard's gaze settled over me. I smiled candidly at him. His annoyed expression immediately softened as he stepped away from the carriage.

"Perhaps, I will come see your performance at the festival," he said, keeping his gaze on me.

"I will wait for you," I said, bowing my head, pretending to hide a blush.

The soldier smirked and signaled for the men to let us enter the city gates.

"You're absolutely lethal, Daria," said Adal as we passed through the gates. "That guard is absolutely smitten by you."

Cain chuckled. "That's how I felt the first time I laid eyes on you."

"But it was different," I countered. "I was just as smitten by you. You're the one who is too handsome," I said, glaring at Cain. Turning towards Adal, I added, "And you're too beautiful. You have no idea the effect you have on other women."

"As long as you're pleased, I don't care about other women," said Adal. His words warmed my insides like the most exquisite wine.

Moving the flap over the tiny window of the carriage, I looked out at the city. It was even more crowded than a few days ago but the stark difference between the beggars and the rich patrons still remained.

We heard Norvin asking for directions to a cheap inn. The first few we visited were already full.

I checked the map of Fuvaros given to Adal by the healers he'd met. If we could get a place to stay at the next inn, we would be closest to Tasher's warehouse.

By luck, we were able to get a room for rent there. The area was located further away from the main market square. It was cheaper as well.

While Norvin drove the carriage to the stables in the back courtyard, Adal, Cain and I waited for him in the inn's main hall. By the looks of it, the place would soon fill up as well.

"It's better that way," said Cain. "No one will be able to keep an eye on so many patrons."

"Tasher's storehouse is nearby," I said, feeling impatient now that we were so close to it. "I want to go and survey the area."

"Let us have a meal first," said Adal. "You can pretend to go for a walk afterward."

I nodded. The shadows of evening would give me more opportunity to prowl around the area undetected.

"I am starving," announced Norvin grumpily. "And my joints ache!"

"Stop complaining," chided Cain. "It was worse for us. You were driving so badly we were being tossed around the carriage."

"Let's get inside and eat," I said, hoping the promise of a good meal would soothe my princes. Adal grinned at me, leading the way inside the inn.

We ordered a simpler meal this time. With our purse strings much tighter now, we would have to be frugal. Still, we were able to get fresh rye bread and a spicy vegetable stew for all of us.

With the evening closing in, more patrons came into the inn's dining hall. Drinks began to be served and by nightfall, the place was filled with loud cheers and the boasting of the men crowding the tables.

"I'm going out," I said, looking at my three princes. "Stay here a while longer before moving upstairs."

"Be careful, Daria," said Norvin, his purple-hued eyes filled with anxiety.

I nodded. "Tuto will be with me."

"Please be quick," said Adal. "We'll be worrying the entire time you're gone."

I smiled like an idiot, too happy with my princes caring for me like a precious gem. I would be close by, yet, they were anxious for my safety. Making sure no one was staring at our table, I got to my feet and discreetly slipped out of the inn.

A cold breeze blew by as I stepped out into the empty street outside. The inn behind me was well-lit and the voices of its patrons filtered out through the walls. There were a few cottages nearby but other than that, the area didn't have any buildings of note.

I'd memorized the directions to the warehouse from the map. Keeping to the shadows, I followed the road further west until my eyes caught sight of leaping flames in the distance.

More alert now, I headed towards it.

Guards in black uniforms surrounded the tall walls that fenced in the one-storied warehouse. Torches were lit around the place, making sure no strangers lurked nearby without the notice of guards.

Staying behind a thick oak tree, I closed my eyes, calling for Tuto. He was nearby, the connection between us happening almost instantly.

"Fly over the house," I told him.

The green depths of my eyes were a tawny gold as I watched what Tuto's eyes saw. He flew over the warehouse like a ghostly shape in the night, giving me an aerial view of the place I intended to rob.

The inner courtyard was also surrounded by guards in black uniforms. Torches burned brightly all around the place. Tasher had made sure to secure his hoard very well. It would be impossible to breach the place without causing a ruckus.

Despite the obstacle before me, I found myself smiling, my thoughts going to the bundle of items Lady Elga sent me. Among the herbs and poisons, there was one that could help me breach through Tasher's security. All it would need is some blood magic...

15

The lantern festival started in the city the next day. Excitement was running high among both the residents of Fuvaros as well as the merchants and performers who'd arrived. Even the people from poorer communities seemed cheerful. The reason for it became apparent later in the evening that day.

"What have you got there, Daria?" asked Cain as I slid a dirk inside the folds of my bodice. It was the same ivory-handled one he'd gifted me.

"I am preparing for the evening," I said, collecting some of the poison I would be using later in a separate piece of parchment. This particular concoction was extremely rare and precious. If my guess was correct, it came directly from Lady Elga's personal stores.

We were resting during the afternoon while the rest of the city prepared for the lantern festival. With three tall, well-built men in the room, the place felt packed and crowded. I sat on the bed, serenely arming myself while the others lounged on the floor space. Norvin was already snoozing, his long legs spread over Adal's lap who was leaning against a wall and studying the map of the city. He was trying to look for the best way to escape with the stolen goods.

That morning, Norvin had already driven the carriage out of the inn's courtyard to hide it near Tasher's warehouse. He said it was behind a large bramble bush further down the road. With that taken care of, we just had to get ourselves inside the storehouse and bring out the herbs.

Cain watched me closely as I slipped the needles and wafer-thin darts under my clothes. Their familiar weight felt comforting. Over the past few days, it felt like a part of me was missing. Now I knew what it was. I may never go back to Linmoor but the assassin within me would always follow me.

"So, how exactly will you do it?" asked Cain for the umpteenth time.

"I am going to put all the guards to sleep. The warehouse is in a remote location without any houses nearby, so hopefully, no one will notice the passed out men. Then we go inside and get what we need," I explained.

"But how?" asked Cain. "How will you administer the poison?"

Trust Cain to want to know every detail of every step. I sighed and patted the folded piece of parchment on my lap. "With the poison in here." Before he could ask how exactly I'd do it, I put up my hand. "You will see, Cain. I cannot explain the procedure. It will involve a bit of magic."

"Daria can be trusted," said Adal from his spot. The rays of afternoon sun falling on him made his newly-dyed hair shimmer like fire. My scholarly prince looked breathtaking even outside his palace.

Cain looked tensed. He'd inadvertently taken up the role of our leader and protector. Moving from the bed, I went to him stand behind him. My arms wrapped around his waist. He stiffened for a moment but then relaxed in my embrace. His hands cupped over mine as I leaned my head against his broad back.

"We'll be fine, Cain. I promise."

"I just want you safe," he said, turning around to face me. His silvery gray eyes stared at me intently, making my heart race.

With my princes so close by, it was impossible to keep control of my heart and body. What wouldn't I give to have all three of them take me at once? I chuckled at the idea.

"What's so funny?" asked Cain.

"I was thinking all of us being naked together," I said, boldly meeting Cain's baffled expression while my cheeks flamed.

"You're a little demon, Daria," said Adal from his corner. He was laughing, looking down at Norvin who was still asleep. "You will make Norvin turn mad if you said it. He made it very clear he doesn't want to see either me or Cain naked."

"Yeah," added Cain, chuckling. "In his own words, he doesn't want to see our twigs and berries nor flash his to us."

I sighed internally. Someday when we were all relaxed, Norvin might just relent and let me fulfill my dream of being naked with all my mates at the same time. Someday...

As the afternoon waned, we could feel the excitement. The chatter in the inn down below us became louder. We waited, hoping for night to fall over the city completely.

Two hours later, we stepped out of our rooms.

The whole place had gone quiet by now. The usual chatter downstairs was completely gone. Reaching the main hall, we found it had emptied. Even the innkeeper had another servant watching over the place, disappearing somewhere.

I gasped in surprise as soon as we stepped out into the street outside the inn. A string of red lanterns was lit along the street. It was beautiful under the dark night sky. We could see more lighted lanterns in the direction of the city's main square. Instead of going that way, we headed down the road towards the warehouse.

The road leading to Tasher's warehouse was dark. No one had bothered to light up lanterns in this part of the city.

"This is good for us," said Adal as we made our way to the storehouse. "There is a hill further down the road. Being so far from the city, it should be deserted. We can shift into our true forms without the fear of being seen."

"We'll have to fly very high so we're totally invisible to the people on the streets," said Cain.

"That shouldn't be a problem," said Norvin. "Getting out of the city with sacks of herbs would have been impossible without our dragons."

I came to a stop when I sighted the flames from the guards' torches in the distance. I motioned for my princes to follow me behind the large oak tree there.

"I'll get Tuto to fly over the place and make sure nothing's out of order," I said.

Closing my eyes, I entered Tuto's mind. He was perched on the branch of the same oak tree under which we hid. Taking flight, he soared through the night sky like a white phantom and circled over the warehouse. Nothing had changed from yesterday. The same guards surrounded the place, both inside and outside the tall walls that fenced the storehouse.

I blinked, feeling three pairs of eyes on me.

"I still can't get used to the change in your eyes," said Cain as I blinked away Tuto's vision.

"What did you see, Daria?" asked Norvin in a grim tone.

"It's the same as yesterday," I replied, keeping my gaze in the distance. Turning towards the three princes, I said, "I will move ahead by myself now. When the time is ready, I'll send a signal through Tuto. The path should be cleared by then."

"Be careful, Dari," whispered Cain.

I gave his hand a squeeze and nodded at both Norvin and Adal before slipping out from behind the tree trunk. Hurrying forward, I kept to the shadows until I'd reached a tree closest to the warehouse. It was dangerous now. If a guard caught sight of me, the plan would fail.

Pulling up the hem of my dress, I folded the length of the skirt and tucked it tightly around my waist. With my knees freed up, I quickly climbed over the branches of the oak, reaching the highest point so I could get a better view of the place.

Securing my position on a sturdy branch, I looked out at the warehouse. Few of the guards chatted between themselves and some shared a pipe between them, but they were all alert. There was a mean, bloodthirsty look about them all. Scars marred their dark, sunburned skin. Swords and knives hung at their waists while each of them carried a spear in their hand. The sight of them was enough to keep ordinary folk at bay.

Taking the ivory-handled knife from my bodice, I held it tight in my right hand. The sharp blade glinted in the moonlight as I brought it over the palm of my left hand. Gritting my teeth, I slashed a thin line in my palm. Blood spurted out, soaking my pale skin with dark crimson.

Ignoring the blood dripping from the wound, I placed the knife back inside my bodice. The wound throbbed but ignoring it, I focused my attention on the thick scarlet liquid ebbing away from the slash.

The few drops that fell from my hand stopped in midair. Channeling my inner power, I made the shiny drops hover before my eyes. From now on, every single drop that left my body joined the crimson orbs floating before me. When enough of these had gathered, I brought out the sachet of poison from the sash at my waist.

I sprinkled the powdery substance over the glistening crimson bubbles and watched it turn a darker shade.

"Disperse," I whispered, channeling the magic of elemental air from within me. The small drops of dark, poisoned blood burst into dust-like particles before my eyes. The reddish-black cloud hovered before me, waiting for my next command.

Taking a deep breath, I let the shimmering dust float away towards the warehouse. An unnatural air current aided me in spreading the poison throughout the periphery of the building.

Within a matter of a minute, the guards slumped forward. It was enough to inhale a few particles of the poison-soaked blood. I waited a few more minutes to make sure they were all passed out before proceeding forward.

Reaching the front gate of the house, I poked a guard with my boot. He was passed out for good. Keeping my skirt well above my knees, I ran forward and leaped lightly to reach the top of the wall.

Positioning myself on my new perch, I spied at the guards who were stationed outside the main warehouse building. They were more in number and if possible, looked even fiercer than their comrades outside the walls.

The sleeve of my dress was soaked in blood by now. Ignoring the nauseous feeling, I repeated the same process of soaking my blood droplets with poison. This time, it got harder to focus on my magic. The loss of blood was beginning to have an effect on me. It was the main reason why blood magic was dangerous and rarely used. The risk of injuring ourselves was always great.

"This is the last time," I whispered to myself, coaxing my mind to focus on the task at hand.

Conjuring another air current, I let the particles of the poison-soaked blood flow all around the courtyard. As expected, the guards soon succumbed to the lethal sedative, falling to their knees without a single protest.

Rising from my position, I ran the length of the walls surrounding the courtyard. Every guard was down. If anyone was left unaffected, he would have made noise and tantrum over his fallen companions. The torches burned brightly, illuminating the still and silent warehouse.

Closing my eyes, I got in touch with Tuto. "Let them know they can come here," I whispered, knowing Tuto would know exactly what to do. I waited on the wall near front entrance.

Cain, Adal, and Norvin arrived within a few minutes. Their gaze went to the fallen men near the gates of the building before searching for me.

"Over here!" I called, attracting their attention to me.

"What are you doing up there?" asked Norvin, rushing forward. "And that dress is quite becoming, Daria." He licked his lips, drinking in the sight of my long, slender legs.

Chuckling softly, I leaped down in front of him.

"I would ask how you did it but I guess now is not the time," said Cain.

I shook my head. "The effect won't last beyond two hours. Let us hurry inside."

I didn't bother lowering my skirt. It was easier to move with my calves and knees freed and exposed. "Come along," I said, leading the way through the main gate. "The storehouse is further ahead."

Because of Tuto's aerial vision aid, I'd already located the entrance to the warehouse. Reaching it, we stared at the heavy padlock keeping it closed to the world.

"Move aside," said Cain, stepping forward. His hands glowed white-hot as he gripped the shackles of the lock. Within minutes, the metal melted away in the heat of Cain's inner fire, falling to the ground with a metallic thud. He kicked the door open.

It was completely dark inside. My princes let flames erupt in the palm of their hands, illuminating the vast hall.

"Why are you bleeding, Daria?" asked Adal, his intense eyes trained on the blood-soaked sleeve of my left hand.

"I am fine," I said, moving towards the racks before me. There was no time to bind the wound. We had to hurry before the effects of the poison waned. The entire space was filled with six-tiered wooden racks, containing a variety of items, most of which were dried roots and herbs. Apart from them, Tasher had also stored away boxes full of gold and silver ingots.

"What the fuck has he been doing to accumulate such wealth?" whispered Norvin, picking up gold ingots from a nearby box.

"Sucking the blood of peasants makes you rich," muttered Cain darkly. His gaze turned towards me. "Are you sure you'll be fine?" he asked.

I nodded. "I will heal myself as soon as we get done here. So, let's hurry."

We picked up discarded gunny bags and began filling them with every herb in sight. As I swept them into my sack, I noticed they were commonplace roots and herbs like ginger root, ginseng, and holy basil leaves.

"These herbs grow abundantly in Baledonia," said Adal. "It's twisting my mind to think Lord Tasher bought them all, emptying the apothecaries of any herbs at all. These aren't even expensive," he said, looking at a block of dried turmeric root.

"There is no limit to man's greed," added Norvin, sweeping everything in sight into sacks.

"Why don't we take the gold too?" I asked. "You can distribute it among the people Tasher stole it from."

"Yes," said Norvin, picking up another dusty sack from the floor. "And let's pocket a few each too. I feel awful about Adal selling his family jewels."

"It doesn't bother me," added Adal. "It's a very small price to pay."

"Nah, let's rob this fucking noble today," said Norvin savagely, sweeping an entire box of gold ingots into a sack.

It took us a long time to clear away most of the storehouse. Even then, many more boxes of herbs remained.

"We don't have enough time to take them all," I said in dismay. "We need to get the carriage and carry them all up the hill."

A gentle hand settled on my shoulder. "Don't worry, Daria. I will get the healers more herbs from Baledonia. I know someone who can help." Adal looked at the bags of gold ingots. "There's enough money here to purchase herbs for the entire kingdom of Drakhaven."

"All right, then," said Norvin. "Bring the sacks to the back entrance. I'll go get the carriage."

I let Cain and Adal carry the sacks out of the warehouse. As much as I wanted to help them, I felt my strength waning. Leaning against a wall, I channeled some of my inner energy into the palm of my left hand, sealing the skin. The blood flow stopped but left me reeling. I grabbed onto a nearby rack to stop myself from hurtling to the floor.

I got up quickly just as I heard the sound of approaching footsteps. Adal and Cain couldn't know how weak I'd gotten. They would all be leaving me behind tonight to help distribute the herbs.

Hold on a little longer, I coaxed myself. You can go sleep for an entire week after the task is completed.

Just the thought of the task kicked in my training. My resolve strengthened. No matter what happened, the task had to be completed before I could give up.

"Are you feeling all right?" asked Cain, coming to stand before me.

"Absolutely," I lied, giving him my best smile. "See," I showed him my recently-healed palm. "I am healed. I am no longer bleeding."

"That's a relief," said Adal, smiling at me. Picking up two sacks in each hand, he turned away to walk out of the warehouse. Cain followed after him.

Soon, all the sacks were taken to the back entrance of the building. Norvin helped load them all to the back of the carriage. My heart pounded as the last of the bags were put into the carrier. We didn’t have much time left.

"Let's go," said Norvin, taking his place at the front of the carriage while Adal, Cain, and I hopped in the back. With the crack of a whip, the wagon moved forward.

Adal squeezed my shaking hand. I looked up at him and instantly felt comforted. We were going to make it.

It was a while before we reached the deserted clearing at the top of the hill. The city of Fuvaros stretched out below us, twinkling with a myriad of lights. It looked like a sea of gold from our vantage point.

"I can carry the gold while you two can deal with the herbs," said Norvin. Turning towards me, he suddenly threw a couple of ingots at me. "These should help you get by until we return."

"Thank you," I said, grinning. It would be enough to last me for months!

Soon the sacks were piled on the grass-covered ground. My princes moved forward, each taking their turn to kiss me, pouring their emotions of love, affection and extreme possession into the brief encounter.

With tears stinging my eyes, I stepped away from them so they could shift into their true forms. I was glad it was night or they would have all seen the uncontrollable tears flowing down my cheeks.

I couldn't wait to achieve my true form as well. If I could turn into a magnificent creature as the three before me, I could have gone with them to aid in the distribution of the herbs. Instead, I looked up to the sky as they each took flight, disappearing into the night sky like fast moving masses of dark clouds.

16

I watched my second brother writhe and curse at the maids struggling to put him to bed. Zane looked wild; the locks of his thick dark hair clumped and tangled together, his pale blue eyes wide and unblinking as he thrashed against the women trying to make him lie down.

"Don't touch me!" he screamed, throwing the maids off him. The four women landed on the floor, gasping and moaning.

"Get out!" I commanded.

The look of relief on their faces infuriated me but I let them go for now. There would be enough time to punish them later.

Zane was shaking his head and mumbling to himself. Anger and resentment coursed through me at the sight. It was that infernal maid who'd done this to him.

I closed my eyes for a moment, and the scene rose up in my vision.

It was a while before any of us had dared to go out into the courtyard. The sight of the scholar prince, Adal, turning into a fearsome dragon had shocked us all. When we eventually ventured inside the tower to look for Zane, we found him lying in a pool of blood and screaming like a madman.

But that wasn't the worst of it.

Zane was completely naked from the waist down which allowed us all to see the wound that had caused all the blood. His manhood had been cut off...

Everyone present there, me, Mekhi, Prince Kurozeru and his soldiers, saw my brother's utter humiliation. The maid he was supposed to rape and abuse had injured him in the worst possible manner. The best elixir in the world couldn't bring back what he'd lost. No wonder my poor brother was losing his mind.

I heard footsteps behind me. Turning around, I came face to face with Mekhi. Even though he was fine, he looked haggard and exhausted.

"Did you see father yet?" I asked.

He shook his head. "I haven't gathered the courage to tell him about Zane." A long breath escaped him as he took in our brother's state.

"Did something else happen?" I asked. Mekhi looked pale and exhausted. Other than our father, the great emperor, no one else could have this effect on him.

"Lord Malnar was found dead in an inn."

I gasped. He was the most powerful noble in the Drakhaven court who commanded my father's army. "How did it happen?"

"No one knows for sure. He'd gone into an inn to dole out punishment to the innkeeper and his people and somehow, ended up burnt to a crisp. His soldiers were locked inside the inn and claim they saw nothing. There were bodies of the family he intended to kill but he's dead as well."

"Who locked away the soldiers?"

"They claim it was a man and woman."

"It's her!" I hissed at once. "There is no doubt about that, Mekhi. No other woman could take on a dozen soldiers and burn the commander-in-chief to death. Tell father to give out his command. She will have to die for what she did to our brother! No! She must be tortured until her last breath."

Mekhi sat down on a plush chair. Zane was now curled up in the bed, softly weeping.

Pouring wine into a silver goblet, I handed it to Mekhi. "You don’t look so well, brother. Have a drink."

He took it from me and drank deeply. "Who exactly is she?" he asked, looking up at me. His pale gray eyes looked at me questioningly. "You saw her in Iorna along with the three princes. What is her purpose for being with them?" Before I could open my mouth to answer, he held up his hand, silencing me. "Don't tell me she's their whore. She might be a pretty face but there's much more to her than that."

I was fuming by now. "Even you think she's special?"

"Only a fool would think otherwise."

"Mekhi!"

"Open your eyes and see the truth for what it is. Adal is the golden-scaled dragon we saw in Baledonia. Few weeks before that, a silver-scaled dragon broke into the tallest tower in Partaig to rescue her and the prince of Redfall. At this point, I can only assume it to be Prince Cain. The woman has two dragons protecting her."

I sat down with a huff. My nails dug into my palms as I balled my hands into tight fists. I hated Daria. She was the one who lost me the favor of Prince Cain and turned him into a rebel. He was the only man I ever loved and wanted. I could never forgive the bitch for taking away the one man I wanted to marry.

"What does father think?" I asked. "About the woman and the dragons?"

"He is angry, of course," said Mekhi, his gaze focused on the furthest wall. "He also commanded me to guard the dragon temple. Other than a priest or a member of the royal family, no one can step inside."

"What's the point of securing the dragon temple?" I asked, surprised. "He needs to increase security in the city and towns surrounding the capital. That bitch is here. I know it!"

"We can't be sure, Helena," said Mekhi, pouring himself some more wine. "It could be someone else too." His gaze met mine. "How do you think Prince Adal turned into his true form? Even his elder brothers were as shocked as us."

I shook my head. "I don't know."

"It's got to do with her," said Mekhi. "I can feel it."

"You think she's responsible? That she has the power to trigger the shifting magic that can turn a dragonborn into a true dragon?" My anger was rising, clawing my insides for a way to unleash itself. "You think she's that important? She's nothing but a whore!"

"Helena." Mekhi's voice was thick with warning. "If you'd rise above petty jealousy, you'll be able to see things clearly. She is not someone to be tampered with. We need a thorough plan before facing her."

I scoffed. "Jealousy? How could I be jealous of someone like her? I am the princess of Drakhaven and she's a whore on the street."

I hated how Mekhi shook his head, falling quiet and sipping his wine. He was dismissing my feelings and opinions completely. I turned my gaze towards Zane. He'd gone quiet now, curled up and snoozing.

Getting to my feet, I moved towards the bed and gently covered him with a blanket. The maids and servants were utterly useless in looking after him. He seemed to be calm only when I and Mekhi were around. The change in him made my throat choke up with tears.

Zane never feared anyone. He was the great dragonborn son of Emperor Ivan. Other than Mekhi, no one dared to stand against him. And now, he was reduced to something worse than the lowliest of men.

There was a knock at the door and the voice of a guard announced the presence of Lord Tasher. Turning around, I glanced at Mekhi. It was odd the court noble would come to meet us in our personal quarters. It was more common to be meeting in one of the parlor rooms of the palace.

"Tell him to come in," said Mekhi loudly, pouring the rest of his drink down his throat and slamming the goblet on the table.

"May be we should speak elsewhere?" I said, gesturing at Zane.

"Let's see what's the emergency first," said Mekhi.

A gasping, panting Lord Tasher stumbled into the room. His usually smirking face was pale and his dress robes were a crumpled mess. He looked stricken and for a moment, he simply stared at Mekhi. When he became aware of my presence, he bowed clumsily.

"What's the matter?" asked Mekhi in a cold, commanding voice.

"My warehouse was looted, My Prince," said Lord Tasher in a choked voice. I'd never seen the conniving nobleman look so upset. His beady eyes were full of unshed tears.

"Aren't your storehouses secured by personal guards?" asked Mekhi. "Are they all dead now? Perhaps, burned to death?"

He shook his head. "No, Your Highness. Those bastards are absolutely untouched."

"Shouldn't you be investigating them, then? They must have looted your gold themselves."

"I already did that, Your Highness. The men said they fainted and when they awoke, the storehouse was empty."

"How is that even possible?" I said. "How could everyone faint at once?"

Tasher nodded. "I need your assistance, Your Highness. I need the royal guards to investigate the matter."

"It would have to wait, Lord Tasher," said Mekhi with a sigh. "They are busy investigating Lord Malnar's death."

"The man is dead already! What's the point of investigating now? My other stores could be looted next!"

I chuckled. "What if the same person comes after you, My Lord?" I asked.

He stared at me, his eyes wide as a new realization hit him. "You think some rebel is murdering the nobles of the court?"

"You should leave now, Lord Tasher," said Mekhi in a tired voice.

"But, Your Highness -"

Mekhi put up his hand. "Enough. My brother needs to rest and we can have this conversation another time."

Tasher looked like he wanted to argue but Mekhi's coldness was a palpable thing. After a moment's hesitation, the man bowed low and scuttled out of the room.

Mekhi got to his feet. His gaze warmer than before, he stared down at me. "It is the lantern festival. You should go out and enjoy the festivities. Don't stay here and seethe over things you can’t control."

"Will you come with me, Brother?" I asked hopefully.

He shook his head. "I need to run my own investigations about these bizarre events. Also, you need to stay away from Daria or Darla or whatever her name is."

"I will kill her the next time I see her," I vowed.

"No."

"What?"

"You can't kill her. I need her alive so I can find out the secret of how Cain and Adal turned into their true forms. Father will never tell me. He's determined to be the only dragon in the four kingdoms."

"How would that inconsequential maid know something you don't?" I argued. "She doesn't deserve the importance you're giving her." I was seething. Even Mekhi was protecting her now.

"Heed my command, sister," he said, coming to stand before me. His pale eyes were like chips of ice as he stared down at me, intending to intimidate me. He could bully the nobles with that look but not me. I stared back at him defiantly. "She must not die until I've had my answers. Do you understand?"

"Fine," I huffed. "You don't need to worry so much about the tramp. I'll make sure to torture her before giving her sweet release."

He groaned. Turning away, he walked out of the room, leaving me to glare at his back.

I went back to sit on the edge of Zane's bed. My brother looked like a suffering child having a bad dream. It hurt to see my handsome brother reduced to such a pathetic state. As tears ran down my face, I wondered whether we weren't truly related to each other by blood.

The emperor adopted me when I was a child, telling me I would be the princess that he'd lost a long time ago. Nobles and courtiers feared me as much as the emperor's sons. Even though I didn't wield the power of a dragonborn, people didn’t see me as someone lesser. Father had seen to it.

I was the princess of Drakhaven and I could never stay still while the one who hurt my brother roamed free. No matter what Mekhi said, Daria would die by my hands.

Gently caressing Zane's dark locks, I leaned in to kiss his forehead. "Sleep well, Brother," I whispered, taking one last look at him. Straightening up, I brushed away the tears from my face. Taking a deep breath, I walked away.

Stepping out of Zane's bedchamber, I headed to my own quarters. Maids bowed low before me but my gaze never acknowledged them. Spotting my handmaiden, carrying a tray of hot wine and cups towards my chambers, I called her.

"Your Highness," she said, bowing low. Heather was attired in a scarlet dress, different from the maroon uniforms of the palace. All my personal maids dressed that way, distinguishing themselves as superiors among the other servants.

"I will be going to the lantern festival tonight. Prepare my clothes as well as call Lord Farral to my chambers."

"Lord Farral, My Lady?"

I nodded. "Prepare my crossbow too. We're going hunting tonight."

Heather looked thoroughly confused by my instructions. Giving her my strictest look, I gestured for her to get going.

Daria was in Fuvaros. I was sure of that. Every bizarre incident that had Mekhi worried was her doing. I will find you and teach you lesson, I vowed, breathing hard.

17

The late afternoon sun shone through the shutters in the window. Still feeling lethargic, I rolled on the bed, content to just stay under the sheets while the day passed by. The room in the inn which had felt so cramped yesterday, appeared too large today.

The princes were away, distributing the herbs we'd managed to steal from Tasher's warehouse last night. My heart swelled with emotion knowing the people suffering would find relief once they were fed the medicinal concoction. It was a bittersweet feeling, knowing how many had perished while I was absent from my kingdom. The image of the dead girl with her eyes wide open flashed through my mind. Even in the warmth of my sheets, I shivered.

With a sudden move, I sat up. Rubbing my eyes and face, I climbed out of bed. My thoughts had taken a more melancholic turn and without Cain, Adal or Norvin nearby, I knew I would drown in them without an escape.

With a start, I realized how accustomed I'd become to their company. It had been weeks since I was completely alone without at least one of them accompanying me. At first, I didn't want to allow my heart to fall weak and struggled hard to keep the princes away. Back then, I was nothing but an assassin at their service.

I exhaled a long breath, realizing how different my life had become. Back then, I was overwhelmed by the idea of murdering a dragon. Now, the thought of taking back my kingdom and healing it felt like a far daunting task. Killing Ivan and eradicating his sons were mere hurdles in my path.

Going to the small table in the corner, I splashed my face in the basin of water kept there. A hiss escaped me as the cold water hit my cheeks and eyes. To my surprise, it was incredibly refreshing.

With my stomach grumbling with hunger, I decided to put on my woolen dress and head down to the inn's dining hall. A lot of my energy had been depleted last night because of the blood magic. The effects of it had been spectacular. We'd completed the task without shedding blood. Well, except mine of course.

I yearned for a good bath where I could submerge my whole body into hot, clean water. My scalp felt itchy, demanding a good wash. I sighed in resignation, knowing it would be a while before we could have the luxury to bathe to our heart's desire.

After brushing out the tangles in my hair, I braided it back. Without hair ornaments and a simple woolen dress, I looked like one of the peasants but I didn't care. Appearances were fleeting. They could always be fixed.

The weight and light jingle of my darts and needles underneath my clothes comforted me. Even without the presence of Cain, Adal, and Norvin, I felt safe. Unbidden, the memory of being weaponless and poisoned flashed through my mind. Panic flared inside me and I had to make a conscious effort to calm myself.

"You're safe now," I whispered in the silent room. "You are strong. You can defeat anyone who dares to attack you." I waited for the panic to subside. Taking deep breaths and being mindful of the rise and fall of my chest soon calmed me.

Stepping out of the room, I followed the narrow corridor and walked down the stairs to reach the main hall of the inn. Evening was about to fall and the place was crowded with merchants and performers, eating and drinking their meals before they went out to sell their wares at the festival. Not a single table was free.

"Oy there!" someone called from my left. Turning towards the voice, I saw a rosy-cheeked man waving at me. His table was full of men who looked like him, dressed in rich velvets with long braided locks. "Come and sit with us!" he hollered.

I smiled, taking up on his offer. They had an empty chair at their table and I took it.

"Have some food," said the man who'd invited me. "You look pale."

"Thank you," I said, picking up a bread roll from the basket he offered. I looked around at his companions and found them to be of the same age. "Are you merchants?" I asked, tearing into a roll.

"Aye! We sell silk brocades," said the man. "We serve the finest of the finest." Smiling jovially, he said, "My name's Arran. These are my fellow traders from Iorna."

The five men surrounding us nodded and grunted.

"And what about you, pretty maid? Are you all by yourself here?" His eyes glinted with a familiar curiosity. I'd seen men give me that look often enough.

Smiling, I stuffed the rest of the roll in my mouth. "My husband is away for now. He should be back in a day or two."

"Oh," he muttered with a disappointed shrug of his shoulders.

"I am leaving, Arran," said one of the men beside him. "It's time I set up my stall for the evening."

"Ahh, yes, of course."

One by one, his companions excused themselves.

"Are you a loyal wife, lady?" asked Arran, trying one more time. "You know if you were to make me happy, I could gift you a gold coin."

I chuckled. "My husband left me with a few ingots. If my loyalty was measured by gold, I'd say he's already won." I let the smile fade away from my face. "Not every woman is born to be bought by you."

The man sputtered and coughed, quickly getting to his feet. "I meant no disrespect."

"But you did," I said coldly.

"Here," he said, slapping a silver coin beside me. "Have a meal and forget I said anything."

I kept my amusement concealed as I watched the man bump into other tables as he hurried to get away from me. At least, he had the sense to be ashamed of approaching a married woman.

Ordering myself bread and a vegetable stew, I sat at the dirty table. It was filled with the leftovers of the men who'd just left. The waiters and maids were too busy serving food to the crowded inn to care much about cleaning.

By the time I finished my meal, the inn had emptied. Night fell and the glow of lanterns from the street outside entered the open doorway of the inn.

With no other option than going upstairs and be lonely, I decided to take a walk through the streets of Fuvaros. A part of me was excited to get more familiar with the city that served as the kingdom's capital.

Paying a few coppers to the man at the counter (not the innkeeper who'd disappeared like yesterday), I went down the street towards the city's market square.

My heart swelled at the sight that awaited me. The market square was even more gaudily lit with lanterns. Someone had gone to the effort of making large paper mache, shaped like lotuses, roses, and hibiscuses and putting lit candles inside them. They were hung on strings that ran past the street, illuminating up the place beautifully.

Stalls were erected around the square, selling everything from silks to roasted peanuts! Children gathered around sweet shops. The wealthier among them bought their favorites while the rest watched on, strings of saliva dripping from their open mouths.

Moving towards one of the shops, I looked at the sweet delights on display. A few of them like honeyed oatcakes and spun cotton-sugar were familiar. Drakhaven seemed to have more varieties of sweet treats than any other kingdom.

"What are those?" I asked the seller, pointing at a pile of shiny, brown blocks.

"Butterscotch toffees. Thirty pieces for a silver!"

Expensive, my mind retorted.

"Those are the best ones," I heard a young boy say to his friends. From their simple hemp and woolen clothing, it was easy to tell they belonged to the lower classes and were too poor buy anything from the seller.

"Move away!" shooed the seller in an annoyed voice. "Let the customers take a look. You!" he added, staring at me with a frustrated expression. "Buy or get going."

"You're a rude one," I muttered. "Give me the toffees," I said in a louder voice.

The man held out his palm for the silver. I wondered how many had hoodwinked him for a piece of his sweets that he was so distrusting of customers. Sighing, I gave him the coin and waited while he filled a parchment paper bag with the toffees. With a start, I recognized it to be made up of a wanted-poster for Norvin.

"Here you go," he said, handing me the wrapped parcel.

It was both amusing and dangerous. Cain had already warned us about the wanted posters he'd seen in Okarijun. And yet, vendors were using them as wrappers for their wares. I took it as a warning. Until Cain, Adal, and Norvin arrived, I had to stay low.

Moving away from the stall, I unwrapped the package. The smell of the butterscotch toffees was enticing. They smelled like burnt sugar and butter, but in a good way. Taking a deep whiff, I picked a piece and popped it in my mouth.

My eyes closed in pure pleasure as the sweet melted on my tongue, leaving me to taste an exquisite blend of burnt sugar mixed with cream and butter. The child at the stall had been right. This truly was one of the best things I'd ever tasted.

"Hey!" I called out to the children who were still loitering near the sweet shop. I beckoned them, gesturing at the parcel of toffees in my hand. They glanced at each other warily before coming to me. "You were right. These do taste delicious. So as a reward, I will let you have them."

"You are jesting, lady," said a boy of about twelve. "Tell us what you want from us."

"I want nothing." Stepping towards him, I thrust the parcel into his hands. "Share it with your friends." He stared at me with astonishment but I walked away quickly before he could focus too much on me.

Coming face to face with a wanted poster of our group, I decided to stray away to a less crowded area of town. Even though it was dark, the market square was too well lit. It was enough to make me recognizable if someone had been looking for me.

My wandering feet took me down a dark street with ash trees lining both sides of the avenue. There were no shops or houses here. The path wound up towards a hill. Without the lanterns and the chatter of the crowd, this place was oddly calming and serene.

A cold breeze blew by as I walked forward. It was strange that no one lingered there. The place was close enough to the market square for it to have people walking around.

I walked for half an hour until I reached the top of the hill.

A tall statue of a woman stood before me. Behind her, high walls of marble rose up to the sky. I stared up at the monument once again. She was beautiful and achingly familiar. With the shafts of moonlight directly falling over it, I could see her every feature come alive.

It was a statue of Queen Eibhlin, my mother.

She stood there in all her glory with a wide, sweeping mantle at her shoulders. A crown graced her forehead as she stared out into the distance with a gentle smile on her face. This was not how she looked in her last moments. She'd been torn and battered to shreds, in both body and soul, by Ivan.

Tears coursed down my face but I made no effort to stem them.

Sinking to my knees, I sobbed, letting my sorrow take over me completely.

"Mother...I am so, so sorry," I whispered through the choking tears, looking up into her face. "I am so sorry it took me this long to mourn you." I swallowed thickly. "Please continue watching over me. If I survived this far, I'm sure to go all the way and avenge you and father."

It was a while before I calmed down. My heart felt several times lighter as the sorrows filling it up finally flowed out of me.

Getting to my feet, I looked around the place. It seemed to be a shrine dedicated to my mother. The sudden realization that it was probably set up by Ivan irked me. No matter how many monuments he erected in her honor, the world knew he'd been the one to snatch it from her.

Still curious, I walked towards the walls behind the statue. Getting closer, I saw a closed gate, blocking the way inside the grounds of a magnificently built mausoleum. There were no locks to keep away visitors.

Pushing open the gate, I proceeded to reach the marble monument. It was beautiful, created completely from white, flawless marble. Under the moonlight, its polished stones shimmered.

Movement in the corner of my eye alerted me. Turning that way, I poised ready to throw a poisoned dart but halted. A child stood some distance from me, staring at me with wide, expectant eyes.

"Hello?" I called to her. She was in a tattered dress and appeared to be alone. I wondered if she was among the group of children I'd seen earlier at the sweet shop. "Did you want something from me?" I asked, walking towards her.

Without a word, she ran the moment I got close to her.

"Do you need help?" I asked, following her out of the mausoleum grounds.

The child stopped, wordlessly beckoning me.

Her behavior was strange. She looked frightened and wary of me but continued to lure me away. I looked all around me, wondering if I was being followed. Oddly, there didn't seem to be anyone there.

Curious, I followed the child, wondering if she was mute. Perhaps, she really needed someone to help her. Keeping my wits about myself, I followed her down the hill and into the market square. The girl was always a few feet away, leading me away from the crowds and into a quieter area.

Suddenly picking up speed, she ran through partly opened gates of a vast building. Stopping, I looked up at the vast house, fenced in by tall walls. It seemed like government house or a place of administration.

Slowly, I stepped forward to peer in through the gap in the gate. The girl had disappeared by now. I bent down to look from a wider angle when a hard blow landed on the back of my head.

I blacked out before I could even gasp from the surprise attack.

18

My eyes fluttered open in the dark, followed by a throbbing pain in the back of my head. A moan escaped me as I gingerly touched the spot with light fingers. There was a large bump sticking out of my scalp. Still staying on the ground, I tried to remember how I'd got the injury.

Visions of a shimmering marble mausoleum, a skittish girl drawing me away from the hilltop and a strange building flashed by my mind. The last thing I remembered was peering through the doors to look for the child.

A splash of ice-cold water fell on me, drenching me through my woolen clothes.

"Get up!" shrieked a disturbingly familiar voice.

Head still pounding, I slowly sat up to look at a sneering Helena through the bars of a prison.

"Ha! I never thought I'd see that look on your face, bitch," she said with a sneer. Her dark eyes flashed as her mouth curved up into a sinister grin. "The expression I really want to see on that ugly face is that of terror and pain. After what you did to my brother, you deserve to be cut up in pieces!"

I chuckled despite a shiver running down my spine. "You think these prison bars will keep me at bay?"

"I didn't bring you here to keep you locked up." She gestured at the men behind her. "Drag her out." As they unlocked the cell, she glared back at me. "Don't even think of resisting or I'll have that child killed."

The men moved in to haul me up to my feet. "You know about the child?"

"There's that look again," she said, chuckling softly. Her black eyes glittered manically. "I sent that filthy runt to lure you here." She stepped close to me when she was sure I was secured by the guards. "After everything you've done, you still have the gall to walk around the city freely. I saw you, buying sweets and giving them away. Did such petty charity make you feel big?"

"I know who I am," I said, meeting her gaze. "I don't need to pretend to be a princess or saintess to prove anything."

The remark earned me a slap across the face. Stepping away, she signaled for the guards to drag me away.

I could get away from the men pulling me forward but I still needed to know where I was and where exactly the exit was. For now, it looked like an underground tunnel with cells housed in both sides of the pathway.

We'd walked some distance when the groans of people reached my ears. Looking ahead, I saw several human hands wrapped around bars of the prison cells. The sound of their collective groans became louder. An awful stench threatened to choke me the closer we got to the cells.

"Let us out! Please, spare us!" they chanted in weak, pleading voices.

Passing by the cells, I saw several men packed inside the small prison cell. Their clothes were dirty tatters, barely hanging onto their bodies. The men were thin with layers of grime coating their faces, hair, and bodies.

"Who are they?" I asked as we passed by more cells filled to their capacity with such emaciated men.

"They are slaves," answered the guard to my left. "You are one of them now."

"Where did they come from?" There hadn't been any wars in the four kingdoms for centuries except for the time of Ivan's rebellion. As far as I knew, any rebels that lived were burned by Ivan.

"They are people who didn't pay taxes on their land or committed similar offenses."

"What about their families?" I asked.

"Probably dead..." The guard on my left frowned at me. "Stop asking questions, girl. You won't be living through the night from what I know. Worry about yourself before these poor souls here." His grip on my arm loosened slightly as he stared ahead.

I could tell he hated his job as a guard. There was compassion in his heart, yet he was forced to work here. I couldn't blame him. He was probably doing it to feed his family and not end up as one of the men inside the cells. There had to be plenty others in the government who had no power to oppose the conniving nobles or the cruel royals.

The narrow tunnel opened up to a wide arena, fenced in by rising tiers of wood-constructed rows. I looked all around the circular hall, wondering what fresh hell Helena prepared for me.

The guards let me go, followed by a gentle push until I was standing in the middle of the central space. They left me by myself. Next moment, the sound of a hundred feet filled up the area. The seats of the arena were steadily being filled with the captive men I'd seen earlier.

I whirled around, looking in every direction until my gaze fell on the figure I was searching for. Helena was perched at the highest tier, staring down at me with a haughty, self-righteous expression. She really wanted to see me punished that night.

Fear poked at me, but I kept its cold whispers at bay. There was no point in panicking until I could determine what I was really against.

Detecting movement behind me, I tore my gaze away from Helena and turned around. Three large men stood before me, glaring at me imposingly. They looked different from the men who'd been shepherded into the galleys of the arena. Apart from being tall and muscular, they wore leather vests and breeches. Thick, dark beard covered most of their faces, leaving me to focus on their dark gazes.

"Are you the fake saintess's mercenaries?" I asked, gesturing to the spot where Helena stood.

"Break her pretty mouth first," said the man in the center.

"I would rather fuck that mouth," mumbled his companion to the left.

"Fuck her after she's broken. That's what the princess commanded," instructed the leader.

So, this was her plan? Hire mercenaries to break my body and then get me raped in front of the poor peasants who'd been taken in as slaves?

I looked back at Helena who glared at me with a triumphant expression. "Is that it?" I shouted over the mumbling crowd. The place fell silent at once. "You want me to fight through your hired help?"

Helena stayed quiet but next moment, one of the mercenaries moved forward to attack me. I was quicker than him, dodging the punch he threw at me. Bending away, I swiped needles between my fingers. Before he could straighten himself, I stabbed at his neck. It was only a few seconds before he fell to the ground, unconscious.

His remaining companions glanced at each, their looks of confidence vanishing instantly. They came at me together. Standing my ground, I threw my darts at each of them. Both of them crashed to the ground before they could get close enough to me.

I looked back at Helena. "I'm done playing with you," I shouted. "Your men are dead, so let me out of here."

"You won't leave this place alive!" she screamed. Moving her gaze from me, she looked at the men gathered below her. "Capture her, kill her. I will award freedom and gold to anyone who can finish her off."

The peasants were all too weak to pose any serious threat to me but it would be impossible to take them all at once. Besides, I didn't want to hurt them. They weren't there by choice. The sound of a hundred moving feet had me look all around myself. Men were inching closer to me. A few remained back in the tier, looks of horror in their faces.

"Fight her or die!" shouted Helena. The air was suddenly being sliced by swift-flying arrows, hitting the men who hadn't moved from their places in the arena. Armed soldiers gathered around Helena, standing poised with arrows strung to their bows.

"Stop it!" I cried as the bodies of the shocked men collapsed among the seats of the arena.

"They must fight you or die," shouted Helena. "There is no other way to escape this place."

The slaves inched close to me. Most looked scared but a few had determined expressions on their dirty faces. The very first moment I saw them, pity was all I felt. Even as they readied themselves to kill me, pity was still all I felt. Torn from their homes and families, they were caged up like animals, rotting away in their own filth. Treated worse than animals, they were given no other choice.

It was all too much.

Magic, both inherent and acquired, raged and broiled inside me. Ignoring the mob closing in on me, I stared at the spot where Helena stood. She was too far away. Lucky bitch! Or we would have all seen you burn.

Bringing back my attention to my vicinity, I let the magic flow out of me. Flames exploded from both my palms, illuminating the shadowy pit used for slave fighting. The crowd jumped backward but I had no intention of burning them. Instead, I lay waste to the wooden seats that were closest to me. A ring of fire erupted all around us.

"What...what are you?" mumbled a man near me. Flames from the burning wooden tiers were reflected in his wide, fearful eyes.

"I am getting us out of here," I replied, noticing Helena and her guards escaping through a door at the topmost tier. Glancing back at the hesitating crowd before me, I took a deep breath before speaking. "Calm down," I said in the loudest voice I could muster.

Every pair of eyes turned towards me.

"I am getting us out of here. The fire will not burn you but those who've kept you chained down here. Will you follow me?" I stopped breathing, wondering whether they would choose to stand with me.

"Can you really get us out of here?" someone shouted from the crowd.

"I will try my best. That much I can promise you."

Fire raged all around us. If I wanted, I could douse it but I'd rather see this evil establishment crumble to ashes.

"Come on!" I shouted, running into the crowd. The men parted to let me through them as I created an exit through the wall of fire. Entering through it, I motioned for them to follow me.

We ran to the topmost tier of the arena to reach the door through which Helena escaped. It led the way into a narrow tunnel ending with a staircase. I climbed it, hoping it would lead us out of the building.

At the top, we came onto another corridor. It was deserted but I knew why. The floor beneath our feet was trembling. It could give way any time and throw us back into the dark pit from where we came.

With a backward glance at the men, I shouted, "Hurry!"

At least a hundred pairs of feet thundered after me as I ran down the hallway, breathlessly coming upon a massive doorway. I halted.

"Why aren't we moving?" someone asked from behind me. "We're almost there."

I raised a hand to signal silence. "Stay here. Let me go out first. Be ready to run when I call for you." I turned around to see the grimy faces of the prisoners. They had hopeful expressions despite their ribs sticking out of their thin chests. I nodded at them before moving to the doorway.

An arrow flew towards me the moment I stepped out of the door. I was fast enough to dodge it but more were shot at me. And one of them embedded into my shoulder.

Shit!

Stumbling backward, I took a moment to gather my fire. Letting it rage all around me, like my body was a lit beacon, I stepped out into the courtyard. The soldiers who'd been striking at me stopped, staring at me with wide, panic-filled eyes.

"Burn," I whispered, sending out a seven-headed dragon, shaped from the flames that engulfed me. Each of those heads, separated into a dragon, snapping its jaws at the soldiers who were at the front line with arrows strung to their bows.

The men burned, screaming into the night like wild beasts. The soldiers behind them dropped their weapons and turned around to retreat. Pain flared inside me as the arrow dug deeper into my muscles. Ignoring it, I called for the men to come out.

"Run! Run into the hills and woods," I said as they gathered around me. Their gazes were fixed on the long arrow sticking out of me. "Go now. The soldiers and guards will be distracted for a while. It’s me they want. It will give you the time to hide yourselves."

"We'll take you with us, lass," said an older man with wisps of dirt-matted gray hair. "I am not leaving you behind."

I shook my head. "Just go. They will come back for me. Please..."

"Come on," said a few of the others. They ran forward on bent and limping legs, escaping past the tall gates that fenced in the slave arcade. I waited until the last of them fled out of the gates before collapsing to my knees.

My hands gripped the arrow's shaft and pulled hard. A cry escaped me as flesh and skin ruptured with the head's removal. Tears of pain coursed down my cheeks. Pressing a hand to the wound, I took a few shuddering breaths.

The sound of boots falling on stone reached my ears. More soldiers were coming my way. Behind me, flames spread through the building, burning it from deep within. I smiled despite the bleeding wound at my shoulder. At least the slaves were free and this cage was burning.

"She's there!" Helena's voice came from the distance. "She's injured. Capture her now!"

I raised my head to glance up at her. She was close by now, close enough for me to burn...

Only a small wisp of my magic escaped me as a dark shape suddenly moved before my vision. Screams erupted further ahead, telling me Helena was burning despite the little magic I was able to send her way.

My vision turned hazy as warm blood soaked through my clothes. A dark figure leaned down close to me.

"Looks like you kicked the hornet's nest and the hornet," said a strange voice. My head swam with exhaustion as my strength began failing me. Next moment, I felt my body being hauled into someone's arms.

"Cain?" I whispered, but I knew it wasn't him. The person holding me didn't smell or sound anything like.

"It is I, Ren."

Ren? The name sounded oddly familiar in my muddled head. My eyes closed, drowning me into a sea of oblivion as blood continued to pour out of me.

19

The pain that made me lose my consciousness was a dull throb now. That's surprising, I thought, my eyes still closed. I should be writhing in pain or be dead by now.

Expecting to find myself in a shadowy dungeon, I slowly opened my eyes.

A painted ceiling came into view. It was several feet above me, illuminated brightly by shafts of sunlight. I blinked my eyes several times, wondering if I wasn't dreaming as my gaze focused on the crimson roses among a sea of green vines. It was a truly unique painting, not something I would conjure in a dream or imagination.

My lips parted to ask where I was but a sudden bout of thirst overcame me. I squirmed under the heavy blankets, struggling to sit up. I gasped as the pain in my shoulder flared up at once.

"Stop moving," said a strange voice. With a start, I remembered it. I'd heard it just before losing consciousness. My glance went to my side.

A young man about my age stared down at me intently. A shaft of sunlight hit his vivid ginger hair, making his curls appear like plumes of fire. The eyes looking into mine were a deep blue, reminding me of a summer sky in Iorna. He was beautiful, with kindness shining in his gaze.

"Who are you?" I croaked through my parched throat. My hand went to touch my neck. "Water..." I pleaded.

"Of course," said the stranger, moving to the side and bringing a silver chalice up to my lips.

I looked at him questioningly. So far, he hadn't harmed me. Deciding to trust him for the moment, I parted my lips. He slowly poured a stream of cool, sweet water into my mouth. I gulped, reveling in the feeling of satiating my thirst.

"Do you want more?" asked the man, lifting the goblet.

"No."

With a gentle smile, he moved away.

Confusion settled within me. Who was this man? Other than the three princes, no one had looked at me with such kindness. However, there was something more in his expression. He treated with a familiarity I'd never witnessed before.

"Who are you?" I asked once again.

"Do you truly not remember me, Daria? I recognized you the moment I saw you."

My lips parted in surprise. I'd never seen this man before in my life and yet, he knew my name without even asking me. My gaze went back to stare at his fiery locks, framing his beautiful face. There was something familiar about that though. It felt like watching an object float up from the bottom of a lake and bob on the surface. One of my long lost memories flashed by my mind's eyes.

"Ren." The name came onto my lips just as the memory of a young boy with the same fiery shade of orange hair came to my mind.

The man smiled. "You remember, then."

Ren was my playmate in the palace, the only cousin who didn't push me around and bully me. He was the youngest of my uncle's sons and my constant companion for playtime.

"Prince Ren," I uttered the name, feeling my throat choke with a mix of emotions. He was Ivan's third son. Foremost, was fear. What did he want to do to me? His brothers had tried to rape and kill me. Did he want to do the same to me?

Despite the pain throbbing at my shoulder, I sat up. Throwing aside the heavy blankets, I lunged at the man before me. To my surprise, he let me push him down on the bed and pin his shoulders under my hands. Straddling his thighs, I sat on top of him, bringing a hand to grab his throat.

To my astonishment, he stared back at me calmly, with utmost trust in his eyes.

"Why don't you resist?" I asked, tightening my grip on his neck.

"You won't hurt me, Daria. I know that much about you."

My eyes widened as my grip loosened. What was about this man who kept surprising me every moment? With a frustrated noise, I slid down his body. He remained lying on the bed, not making a single move to get away from me.

"How do you know I won't do what I did to the soldiers at the slaves' prison?" I asked, my voice cold with suspicion.

"You freed the slaves though," said Ren, folding his arms and resting his hands under his head. He looked utterly relaxed. "It told me you're not bloodthirsty like my brothers and sister. You wouldn't murder for the sake of enjoyment and sport."

"No,” I said. "What happened to the slaves?"

"They are currently running free all over the capital," said Ren with a smile. "If they are clever enough, they can evade the soldiers. Mekhi is too busy trying to placate the nobles who are demanding soldiers for extra protection." He chuckled like he was enjoying a joke. "They don't care for the slaves who escaped but I bet my father will have a word with Helena after she's a little better."

"What about her?" I asked, not remembering what happened to her.

"You lighted the front of her dress before passing out. The flames damaged the left side of her face and neck." His jovial look disappeared as he turned grim eyes on me. "You meant to do worse to her, didn't you?"

"Yes. If I didn't faint from blood loss and pain, she would be dead."

Ren closed his eyes but didn't say a word to curse me even though I could feel he was upset with what happened to Helena.

"You can say what you really think of me," I said through gritted teeth, hating the way he subjected me to his sudden silence.

"She's not completely rotten," said Ren. "My father and brothers spoiled her to the core. She has become entitled and forgotten her own roots. I feel sorry for the pain and torment she's going through." He glanced at me, the warmth coming back into the depths of his blue eyes. "I don't blame you for what you did to her. Helena would have done worse to you if she caught you."

It was the strangest feeling ever as jealousy flared inside me. Years had passed since the last time I saw Ren and yet, his support for Helena burned my heart. He'd been my favorite person in the palace other than my parents. He was my playmate as well as a boy I considered an elder brother.

But, it had been years...

"What do you plan to do with me?" I asked, my voice cautious.

"For now, I want to keep you safe so you can heal fast."

"But why? Why save me at all?"

Ren sat up, his eyes watching me closely. "You've truly forgotten me, Daria," he said, sadness lacing his tone. "You reappeared in my life suddenly with Helena surrounding you with a small army. She hates you and I can guess the reason why. You're the one responsible for hurting Zane and the rest of the catastrophes over the past month." He released a long breath and sprang up from the bed. "This isn't the time to be discussing such things. I will bring you your medicine and you should eat something. It will help heal you faster."

I was about to climb out of bed but he stopped me. "You need to rest, Daria. Please trust me this once. I don't wish to harm you. My house is the only place you'll be safe in for the next few days. So, please stay."

He walked out of the room, closing the door behind me. It was hard to find any logic behind Ren's attitude and behavior, yet my stupid heart already trusted him. "It's been years," I reminded myself. Yet, I was actually happy to see Ren.

Climbing off the bed, I walked to the tall window on the other side of the room. A weak afternoon sun shone over a cultivated rose garden. It was beautiful to look upon the crimson blossoms nestled among the dark green shrubs. Just looking out into the garden told me I wasn't in the palace of Drakhaven.

Confusion rose up within me. Why does Ren live here? He said it was his house...

The door opened and Ren walked in with a small tray. Coming close to me, he handed me a small porcelain bowl of dark amber liquid.

"I would have killed you already if I wanted to," said Ren as I sniffed at the bowl.

"Don't blame me for being suspicious. Zane poisoned me with some wine."

He winced before looking at me with wide eyes. "Did you really cut off his...his...you know?"

I laughed, the emotion of mirth suddenly bursting out of me. "I did. He was about to rape me and I wasn’t in my right mind. Otherwise, it would have been his head and not his cock that got cut off."

Ren ran his fingers through the long locks of fiery-red hair. "He shouldn’t have attempted to do that. You’re practically family!"

I shrugged, drinking the medicine. It was bitter. Swallowing the rest of it in one go, I placed it back on the tray. "Zane had no idea who I was. Unlike you, he couldn’t recognize me. He even cut me with his sword before getting down to raping me. I was nothing but an insignificant maid to him."

A greenish tinge appeared under his pale, flawless skin. He looked visibly ill.

"Zane has a reputation with women and blood play,” he said slowly. “His lovers don't often survive long but the lure of gold and his status always brings some unfortunate soul into his bed." He fixed me with another inspecting glance. "Your color is coming back," he said, moving close to me. Bending down, he caressed my cheek with the back of his hand. "I am glad you heal as fast as my brothers."

It was an odd thing to say. Why compare me with his brothers and not himself. He was supposed to be a dragonborn too. "What about you, Ren? Don't you heal fast too?" I asked, wondering if something had gone wrong with him. Even as a child, he was weaker than Mekhi and Zane.

"I am not a dragonborn. Of course, I don't heal as fast as you or them."

I blinked. "What are you talking about? You are Ivan's son."

A mocking smile spread across his face. Leaning in so close I could feel the warmth of his breath, he whispered, "I am not."

"What?"

Grinning, he straightened up and took a step back from me. "We have a lot of catching up to do, don't we?"

I nodded dumbly. How could such a thing be possible? Ren was born from Ivan's concubine, Lady Renita. Even my mother spoke of being there at the time of his birth. He was the youngest of the three princes and my closest friend in the palace. How could Ren say something as preposterous as this?

My gaze went to glance at him as he stood with his back towards me. The last rays of the afternoon sun glinted on his vivid ginger hair. It was a feature that made him different to both his brothers and father. Even his eyes of vivid blue and delicate pale skin were different from the usual Drakhavenian features of dark hair and olive skin.

Lady Renita had those blue eyes but her hair had been auburn. For the first time, I wondered who gave Ren the fiery orange locks.

"Lady Renita is your mother, isn't she?" I asked.

He nodded, turning around to face me. "She was."

"So your father..."

"Is not the emperor."

"But how?"

Ren glanced at the door which was tightly closed. He came back to sit with me at the window sill. "You're not as young and innocent as not to know, Daria. My mother had relationships with another man other than my father."

"I don't think I can blame her," I mumbled under my breath.

"No, the emperor is a monster," said Ren in a grim tone. "He always suspected her and treated me with disdain but he became sure of the truth fifteen years ago during the rebellion. You'd somehow disappeared without a trace and the palace was searching for you." He took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment. "I was mad with worry for you. So when I crossed paths with my father, I berated him, called him all the sordid names I'd learned from the palace cooks and may have even kicked him in the knee."

When he opened his eyes and looked at me, there was pain and anguish in his eyes. "Ivan grabbed me by the throat. He was angry and his hand was red-hot." Ren removed the high collar of his tunic to show me the pale scar where the four thick fingers had held him. "My skin seared and burned. And that's when he knew."

I waited, knowing the consequence of such a discovery couldn't have been good. "Ivan left me to die while he proceeded to my mother's chambers to kill her. Miraculously, I survived but my mother didn't. No one knows of the truth. The emperor was too ashamed to let it out after the way the queen treated him."

His gaze bored into mine. "You know what happened to the queen, didn't you?"

I nodded without a word.

"He threatened to kill me if the secret ever came out. Even my brothers are not privy to the truth. They think Ivan hates me because I shirk all responsibilities and spend my days at the brothel, drinking and frolicking."

"Why did you tell me this?" I asked.

"You are the last person alive from a time when life was different." His gaze was somber. "It's time you told me your secrets too. They can't be bigger than the one I just told you."

"You want to bet on that?" I asked, my lips curving into a grin.

"Ohhh! You’ve got to tell me everything!" he cackled, rubbing his hands together. The sudden change in his expression made me chuckle harder.

"But first you must bring me something to eat. I am starving."

He groaned but smiled. "Be right back, princess."

My gaze followed him as he walked out of the room and firmly closed the door behind him. A defeated sigh escaped me. I believed every word that Ren said, but I wondered if I could bring myself to trust him. My heart said 'yes' but the wary assassin inside me wanted more time to assess him and the situation. I knew I would sleep after eating a meal, so at least for the night, I could get away without explaining anything to him.

Tomorrow, I would choose what to do, I decided, watching the sky turn a dark purple.

20

I woke up to a gray dawn the next day. Stretching luxuriously under the sheets, I yawned, despite having slept well the entire night. Tuto kept watch over me, staying inside the room for the night. I'd instructed him to hoot as loud as he could if anyone came in. Thankfully, no one disturbed my slumber.

"You deserve a special treat," I whispered, glancing at him. He was perched over the backrest of a chair and sleeping.

Climbing off the bed, I went to him and gently prodded him awake. "Thank you, Tuto," I whispered, affectionately stroking his soft, white feathers. "I'll get some nice meat strips for you later." He hooted softly, his large amber eyes watching me intently. "I suppose you want to go out now?"

Moving to the window, I unlatched it. Tuto's wings brushed against the top of my head as he flew out, leaving me to contemplate everything Ren told me yesterday. The wound in my shoulder was still irksome but the painful throb I suffered before had lessened. His medicines were helpful in aiding my recovery as well as helping me sleep through the night. So far, Ren hadn't hurt me.

Still too early to tell, I decided, taking a seat at the window sill to watch the first rays of the sun light up the beautiful ornamental rose garden down below.

My thoughts went to Cain, Adal, and Norvin. They should have finished distributing the herbs to the major towns and villages of Drakhaven by now. Relief spread through me to know the people were being helped despite my lateness to come to their rescue.

I said a small prayer to the dragon gods and goddesses for their blessing. The power of a dragon was immense. Apart from breathing fire and ash clouds, it was also given the gift of flight, covering large distances in a matter of hours. I could only imagine how efficiently the kingdoms were managed during the times of our fathers.

My desire to turn into my true self strengthened. All I had to do was conduct a mating ritual at a dragon temple. The nearest one was located just outside of Fuvaros.

The mere thought of the mating ritual with one of my princes ignited my core with a fiery need. It felt like a long time since I'd been intimate with them even though it had been barely a week since I lay with Cain.

A small noise of frustration escaped me.

While I desperately wanted to see my princes again, I didn't want to worry about them. The fact that I attracted Helena's wrath right after they left would cause them to be anxious. Thanks to Ren, I was fine. Another day's rest would make me strong enough to heal the remnants of the arrow wound.

A knock sounded on the door, followed by the turning of the knob.

I stood up from my perch just as the door opened to reveal Ren. He balanced a large tray in one hand while closing the door with the other.

"Don't you have servants for this kind of thing?" I asked, walking up to him and taking the precariously balanced tray from his hand.

"I told my servants I'm entertaining a special lady. Over the years, they've learned not to venture into my personal quarters. Some sights you can't wash away from your eyes," he said, grinning mischievously.

I chuckled, carrying the tray to a small table nearby. Before I could start on the creamy porridge, he said, "Drink the medicine first. It needs to be taken in an empty stomach." He removed the cover from the smallest bowl and gestured towards it.

Picking it up, I drank the bitter concoction he gave me last evening.

"It's a very special brew," said Ren, watching me as I swallowed the last of the potion. "The herbs in it are extremely potent for the dragonborns. I stole them from the emperor's stash."

I giggled, starting on breakfast. "He hates you but can't really stop you from prancing around as a prince."

"No."

"Mekhi and Zane have maligned your reputation too. People clump you along with the three princes of Drakhaven, portraying you to be just as ruthless and cruel as them."

He nodded, picking up a cherry from one of the bowls and popping it in his mouth. "It's advantageous. People stay away and do my bidding without me having to lift a finger. The fear of my brothers works in my favor."

Once I'd eaten my fill, I decided to ask the question bothering me the most.

"You rescued me from the soldiers back in the slavers' arena. What will you tell Helena if she asks you about me?"

"The same excuse my siblings have been giving for not being able to capture you," said Ren, flashing me another grin. "I'll just say I was attacked by a dragon on my way to the dungeons and that I barely managed to escape with my life."

I gaped at him. He was a trickster.

"You can stay here as long as you like, Daria," said Ren in a graver tone. "My house is not monitored and even the servants will stay away from these quarters as long as I tell them. I want to help you take back what's yours."

"Are you helping me to avenge your mother?"

"Partly," he replied. His blue eyes were somber as he looked at me. "Also, because you are my first love, Daria. I suffered not knowing whether you were dead or alive. Every day, I prayed, bargaining with the goddesses to bring you back. I vowed to help you if the goddesses ever let me see you again."

An ache flared inside my chest. Tears stung my eyes as I struggled to control the emotions raging inside me. Ren was truly the only friend and family I had left since the last time I was in Drakhaven. So far, I thought I was alone but his appearance brought back a surge of happy childhood memories.

"You know what I really want?" I asked, fixing Ren with a grim look.

He straightened up. "What is it, Daria?"

"I want a bath."

He laughed out, his eyes lighting up with mirth once again. "Is that all?"

I nodded. "You have no idea how hard it is for a woman to go without a proper bath in the wilds."

Ren turned serious once more. "There's so much I want to ask you. Where have you been all these years? Was it hard to live away from the palace? Did you ever think of me?" He ran fingers through the thick locks of his fiery orange hair, a forlorn expression marring his beautiful face. "Those questions can wait though, right?"

"I need some time, even though I know there isn't a lot of it. The only thing I can tell you is that I am determined to avenge both my mother and father. Ivan won't be the only one paying. Even the nobles who have been under his wing will pay for their wrongdoing against my people."

"That's the only thing I need to know. No matter what, I'll help you." Ren's warm hand closed around mine. He suddenly got to his feet, moving behind my chair. Leaning down, he hugged me from the back, taking me by surprise. "I am still the old Ren. I may have changed to the world, but it's still me."

I froze for a moment before letting myself relax in his embrace. Even though the assassin within me scoffed at the emotions welling inside me, warning me of making a mistake, my heart swelled with warmth.

Ren stepped away, walking towards the door. "Finish your food. I will get some clothes for you and you can take a long, long bath."

"Thank you," I said just as he closed the door.

I was finishing up the rest of the cherries when Ren came back with a pile of clothes and linen towels. Dropping them on the bed, he said, "This house was built around a natural hot spring. Just wait till you experience the best bath you've ever had."

"I can imagine," I said, having experienced a bath in a hot spring up in the mountains during a mission. It was truly wonderful to soak up in the luxuriously heated water that drove away all exhaustion and made the skin smooth as porcelain.

Ren led the way out of the room, carrying the pile of clothes and towels in his arms. The corridors of the house were light and airy. It wasn't as lavish as I'd expected from a prince's manor but the place was homely and warm. He took me down a staircase and into a vast hallway at the bottom, beyond which stood the natural spring he'd mentioned. Steam wafted inside the hall, blown in by the gentle breeze that blew in through the open doorway.

"I can go the rest of the way," I said, taking the clothes from Ren. "How about you come back in an hour?"

"All right, then. Enjoy yourself. I might drop in to peek later..."

"Ren! We are cousins!"

"No, we aren't," he said, winking at me and turning away. "I fully intend to pursue you, Daria. This hot spring is only the beginning of the many wonderful things I possess. I'll show you more when we're courting."

I shook my head and walked through the doorway to reach the hot spring. It was several degrees warmer here. I suppose it was time to tell Ren about my mates and who and what they were.

Taking off my blood-stained garments, I dipped a toe in the steamy water. It was hot and soothing. Stepping fully into it, I submerged my body in the healing waters, reveling in the feel of heat against my skin.

Over the next hour, I contemplated over the things I would tell Ren.

The morning sunshine was warm as I walked through the pebbled paths of Ren's rose garden. The heady fragrance from the hundreds of blossoming roses was intoxicating. I inhaled deeply, savoring every scented breath.

Ren walked beside me, dressed in a long, luxurious outer robe of maroon velvet. I was attired in a lavender silk dress with my hair flowing loose behind me as it dried in the sun and wind.

"Are you willing to tell me what happened since the time you left the palace all those years ago?" he asked, coming to a halt beside a stone bench. He motioned for me to take a seat on it.

"I witnessed what happened to my mother," I began when we were both seated. "She killed herself before my eyes."

Ren's gaze was kind as he squeezed my hand.

"I was in shock for years. One of my mother's maids escaped with me and left me under the care of a powerful sorceress in the south. In all that time, I never knew who I was. My memories remained buried deep inside me."

"Then what caused you to remember?"

"I am coming to that," I said, knowing it was time to tell Ren about my relationship with the three princes. "While I lived in the sorceress's care, I had the opportunity to meet Prince Cain, Prince Adal, and Prince Norvin."

Surprise flitted through his face. "The three rebel princes."

I nodded. "I have been their companion over the past month. During that time, I also mated with each of them. They are the three dragons you've been hearing rumors about."

"Wait, wait, wait!" Ren was staring at me with wide eyes. "Three dragons? I have only heard them mention two!"

"Well, there is a third dragon too," I said. "He just hasn't made a dramatic entrance in front of my cousins yet."

"Three dragons...wow..." Ren shook his head, glancing at me excitedly. "Ivan isn't the only dragon in the four kingdoms anymore."

"No. A fourth dragon will join the party soon."

"You," Ren guessed correctly. As I nodded, he became thoughtful. "So how did they help you remember the past?"

"The sorceress kept my inherent powers suppressed while I stayed in her guild. When I mated with the princes, each of those blocks was removed. I regained my powers as a dragonborn and my memories surfaced back. Yesterday, a few more memories came back to me after meeting you."

A hopeful smile lit up Ren's features. "So, you haven't forgotten about me? About us?"

“No, I remember.”

His smile broadened. "So you can think of me as a man and not your cousin? At least, give me a chance?"

"No, Ren," I said with a shake of my head. "I am mated to the three princes now. My heart is theirs now."

"I understand what you're saying," he said slowly, his brows contracted. "You mated with them as part of a ritual so they could shift into their true forms. Once you take back the throne, you will help them get back their kingdoms and positions."

"I hope so," I added, studying a stray leaf that the breeze put in my lap.

"So, the princes will go back to their own kingdoms and you will stay in Drakhaven. You will need a king by your side. Someone you can trust."

It took a moment for me to understand Ren's concern. He thought the princes would leave me once Ivan was defeated. We hadn't really discussed what we would do when the time finally arrived, but I was sure of one thing. There was no way I could live without seeing them. If need be, I'll fly across the four kingdoms to see them.

"We didn't know Cain would shift into his dragon form after mating with me," I explained. "Back then, my memories and abilities were still locked within me. They are my true mates, Ren. I can't love anyone the same way I love them."

"Love," Ren mused. "Are the three princes ready to share you between themselves?"

"Yes," I said in a confident voice. "I have been upfront with them. They will not make me choose."

Ren got to his feet and casually looked towards the sky. "Three men willing to share one woman..." He glanced at me. "You are too precious for them to give up. They would rather give up their egos." Nodding at me, he smiled. "I can see why you are so loyal to them. It's all for the best though. Bizarre as it would be, the four kingdoms bound by ties of marriage can only mean peace and prosperity for all."

"I am going to need an advisor," I said, moving to stand beside Ren. "You are able to think of the future clearly when we just started conversing."

He chuckled. "It's part of being in the royal court, Daria. You must think of your future moves before proceeding with any plan."

"I have no idea how a royal court works," I mused. Suddenly, the idea of sitting on a throne in front of hall full of scholars and nobles felt daunting.

"You have nothing to worry about," said Ren, throwing an arm around my shoulder. We began walking through the garden once more. "You just sit there and listen to the old vultures fighting among themselves. In the end, your decision and command will be followed anyway."

"I am going to get rid of those greedy nobles," I said at once. "I want intelligent individuals who care for the people. My aim is to heal the land and the people. That's the kind of queen I want to be."

Ren came to a halt, stopping me in my strides. He stepped before me and sunk onto his knee. Keeping his head bowed, "I will make sure your vision comes true, My Queen," he said.

There was no mirth or mockery in his voice. It was the first time someone called me queen. A new emotion erupted inside, one of extreme power and gratitude. The three princes showed me how passionate a ruler had to be to truly be responsible for their people. Cain, Adal, and Norvin gave up their thrones and lives to abide by their duty. I would be the same, I vowed as my gaze fell on Ren.

"Thank you," I said, kneeling down before him. His blue eyes looked into mine. "In the war to come, you will be my ally."

"An ally and a friend," he added.

We both smiled as I moved forward to hug him, just as I'd done a thousand times as a child.

21

I watched the contents of a large copper cauldron bubble and broil, the liquid a dark shade of brown because of the herbs infusing in it. It was the third day since I brought the herbs to Davin, the healer tending to the people of Okarijun. It was at a good time too because his son, Davon, had contracted the sickness.

"We can't thank you enough," said Oisha, a middle-aged healer from a neighboring town. "Whoever gave you these herbs is the most magnanimous in the four kingdoms!"

I smiled, knowing he was talking about Daria.

"And we thank you too," said an elder lady who was a healer from a nearby village. "You have saved a lot of lives."

"I just wish we'd known earlier," I said in a low voice, remembering the suffering we saw in the campsite outside the woods of Okarijun. As I looked ahead, things had definitely changed over the course of a few days.

There was medicine being handed out, steaming pots of cooking porridge stood nearby and there were more people helping out than before.

"You are a good man," said the older lady with a smile. Her wrinkled face reminded me of Kora, my mother's handmaiden. Every time I thought of her, my stomach contracted uncomfortably. I could only hope she was alive and doing well.

One of the younger men came forward to bow before me. From the state of his simple hemp clothing, I could tell he was a peasant. "My mother sent me to thank thee," he said, looking at me. Red spots appeared in his cheeks as he quickly averted my gaze. "My sister's fever is gone after taking the potion."

"That is good news indeed," I said with a smile. The boy looked struck. Mumbling, he bowed clumsily once more and ran away. I looked at the healers gathered around the pot of brewing herbs. "Did I say something wrong?"

The elder lady smiled and hit me in the back. "You're so pretty you made the boy blush. Tell me the secret now. Which noble house do you belong to?"

I hesitated. "I am just a simple farmer."

"I don't think so," said Davin, coming to take a seat beside me. "You may dress like one but your speech is far too refined. And as granny said, you're too pretty and polished to be a farmhand."

I chuckled, knowing it won't be long before they started taking the matter seriously. So far, they'd been too busy making the potion and tending to the sick. Now that the danger was averted with plenty of herbs to go around, they would start questioning my identity and background.

I hoped Norvin and Cain would be back tonight to meet me on the nearby hill so we could leave for Fuvaros tonight. We'd left Daria on her own for three days. While I knew she could protect herself, I couldn't stop the anxiety weighing down my stomach. She was, after all, in the emperor's territory.

I glanced at Davin beside me. He was no longer covering his mouth with a cloth as he moved around tending to the patients. With the availability of the right herbs, the sickness was leaving.

"Could I speak to you in private?" I asked.

He nodded, getting to his feet.

I followed him deeper into the woods, away from the crowd of recovering people and other healers. Reaching a secluded spot, he turned around to face me.

"What would you like to tell me?" he asked in a grim voice.

"If you require more herbs, contact Lord Koishi in Baledonia and let him know about the situation here." I took out the heavy bag hidden underneath my outer robe and held it out to him. "There is gold here. Use it to buy herbs from Baledonia. The ingredients you need grow abundantly there and are quite cheap."

The healer stared at the bag in my hand but didn't proceed to take it.

"Where did you get the gold from?" he asked, his gaze grim.

"The same place we found the herbs."

"You stole it from Tasher?"

I nodded.

He stepped back, creating a distance between us. "I don't want his gold, especially when it was stolen. Take it back, young master."

"The gold is given to you by the same person who sent the herbs," I said, stepping closer to Davin. "She is the one who has the right to it, not Tasher. You can accept it without any guilt upon your consciousness."

"She? Who do you speak of?"

"The Queen."

He shook his head and closed his eyes. "I don't understand what you speak of. You don't seem like an ignorant or dumb person. Only the emperor rules over these lands."

"Not for long, Master Healer," I said in a firm voice. Meeting Davin's gaze, I lifted my chin. "The true heir to the throne has arrived in Drakhaven. It won't be long until she washes away the filth that has accumulated in the royal court."

Davin looked fearful for a moment but slowly, the fear faded away. His eyes turned bright and he looked at me with wonder. "I will keep it a secret, young master. You can trust my words. My son is saved from the plague solely because of you and this queen you speak of. I will not betray you, so tell me who you really are."

"I am Prince Adal of Baledonia."

Davin stared at with widened eyes before looking away. When he turned back to glance at me, he bowed before me respectfully. "Thank you for everything, Your Highness. We'll always be in your debt."

"It's our duty to protect our people. We regret it took us this long to get to you."

Davin shook his head, anger creeping into his expression. "The emperor and his minions have thwarted your every effort to help us, Your Highness. I have seen the posters and notices they've strung up all over Okarijun. They wish to capture you to extinguish the last hope of the people." He moved nearer now, his hand moving to close over mine. "If you need any assistance from me, please let me know, Your Highness."

I smiled, feeling a rush of gratitude for the elder healer. It was the first time I had an actual citizen thank me for my efforts. While it was my duty to help them anyway, it felt good to know I'd done something right to alleviate their suffering.

"Take this gold," I said, thrusting the bag of gold at him. "I am not giving it to you to spend it on yourself, Master Healer. This is for you to buy herbs from Baledonia. Help the ones in need. This is simply a resource for that."

Davin nodded, taking the heavy bag from me. "Thank you, Your Highness. I will surely use it to help the townspeople." He looked thoughtful for a moment before glancing back at me. "If I may, Your Highness, could I ask you another question?"

"Go ahead."

"Among the posters plastered all over town, there is one of a woman. Is she your companion or someone greater?"

I wondered if it would be all right to give away Daria's identity. He already knew who I was. He already knew I was in league with Prince Cain of Iorna and Prince Norvin of Redfall. It was only natural he knew of our fourth companion. The world would know her soon enough anyway."

"She is Queen Daria, the daughter to King Helmut and Queen Eibhlin, the rightful heir to the throne of Drakhaven," I announced.

"The long lost princess has come back," he whispered, joy and wonder mixing into his voice. Bowing deeply, he walked away towards the camp by himself.

I looked westward. The sun had already set by now, casting long shadows on the forest floor. Shots of pink and gold stained the darkening sky. The day was at its end. Knowing I could trust Davin, I left the camp behind and began walking towards the hill where I'd separated from my companions.

It was hours before either Cain or Norvin appeared. The cold worsened as the evening turned darker. I hope Daria is safe and warm, I thought, looking at the stars overhead. I loved stargazing since I was a child. It was a lonely endeavor but I passed many nights learning the names and positions of the many constellations hanging in the night sky.

The memory of a particular stargazing night flashed through my mind. It was a warm Baledonian night and for the first time, I had company in the astronomical tower. Daria's scent still filled the observatory even after she left the next morning, leaving me to revel in the pleasure I'd experienced with her. She was my mate and lover. My heart throbbed painfully from missing her. The pain of separation was always unbearable.

A sudden gust of wind had me looking towards the sky. Two large shapes blocked out the twinkling stars. They soared closer and I was able to gaze upon the magnificence of the two dragons preparing to land near me. While Cain's dragon looked similar to mine, Norvin's was very different. He was a water dragon, with a long snake-like body and sharp spikes covering his spine. His scales glittered in the moonlight as his body circuited around me playfully.

"Stop showing off!" I said, chuckling hard.

The ground trembled as Cain's large silver-scaled dragon landed on the hilltop. His form shimmered under the moonlight before vanishing in a haze. He stood before me in a hemp tunic, giving me a rare smile. Norvin appeared next to him, raising his hand in greeting.

With a start, I realized I missed them too. I was so used to their company by now, it was odd not to have them around me.

"Is the task done?" I asked, moving forward to embrace each of them.

They held me tight, returning my welcome.

"Yes," said Cain. "The herbs are distributed among the western villages."

I looked towards Norvin.

"The eastern villages are also healing well," he replied. "The tonic that Master Davin prescribed is a miraculous concoction. People are recovering faster than I expected."

I nodded. "It is the same here." As the wave of relief washed over me, I thought of another thing. "Did you disclose your identity to anyone?"

"They were getting quite curious," said Norvin. "It was a good thing I was able to leave the village before they held onto me too tightly."

"Same with me," said Cain. "I was glad we didn't delay our meeting any longer."

"I told Master Davin who I am," I revealed. "He figured out the rest himself, thanks to the many posters covering every wall in Okarijun."

"I wouldn't worry too much about it," said Cain. "Ivan and his sons know us and our intentions well enough by now. There's no point in hiding anymore other than to strike them in a surprise attack."

"Wow, you're talking about surprise attacks," said Norvin, wrapping an arm around Cain. "I think we're the ones who're actually surprised."

Cain shirked off his arm and glanced at us grimly. "We can chat on the way to Fuvaros. It's already been three days since we last saw Daria. I don't know about you two, but I am aching to see her."

"I am aching in places too," said Norvin with a wink.

I groaned internally. While it was becoming easier to share Daria with my friends, it was also strange to hear them talk about her. It was weirder because I felt the same as my comrades. My heart and body missed her so badly, it was a physical ache.

"Let us leave," I said. Fuvaros was only a matter of minutes away in our true forms.

We let our dragons take over. Flying high above the clouds to stay hidden completely from view, we headed towards the capital. We went at our highest speeds, playfully competing with each other. It made the distance feel even shorter.

Under the cover of night, we landed on a hill close to the inn we'd rented. Shifting back into our human forms, we hurried through the wooded area to reach the winding road leading towards the city.

Light from the lanterns hanging at the inn's entryway soon came into view. We walked faster, eager to reach our rooms and see Daria.

"Let's order some food as well," said Norvin as we got closer to the building. "I am starving."

Lanterns from the festival still glowed near the inn. It gave us an excuse for returning this late at night.

Entering through the doorway of the inn, we found a sleeping servant at the counter. The main dining hall was empty. With no one around, we headed to the first-floor landing where we'd rented our room.

Cain pushed the door open. My heart pounded with anticipation, expecting to see Daria. However, as the doorway fully opened up, we were greeted by an empty room.

"Where is she?" demanded Norvin at once, stomping inside the room.

Cain and I followed after him. Everything looked normal, so at least no one came to attack her here. Loud hoots from the window made us all turn towards it.

Tuto, Daria's pet owl, was perched on the window sill. His large tawny eyes glared at us as he raised a leg. A small brass cylinder was attached to it.

"Looks like Daria sent us a message," said Norvin as I moved forward to get close to the owl. Tuto held still as I quickly untied the tiny brass cylinder from his leg. As soon as it came off, he unfurled his wings, almost slapping me in the face rudely.

"Stop that!" I chided, swatting at him as he flew into the night. Waiting for us probably caused the owl to be so disgruntled.

"What is it?" asked Cain, coming to stand beside me.

"I don't know." With immense patience, I managed to open the tiny container to reveal a piece of parchment that had been tightly jammed inside it.

I am safe. Stay at the inn and stay hidden.

I will be back soon.- Daria.

"How helpful," groaned Norvin, taking a seat on the edge of the bed.

"At least, we know she is safe," said Cain in a grim voice. "We just stay patient for now and wait for her to return."

I nodded, agreeing with Cain.

Disappointment rose within me. It was the same emotion I could feel emanating from Cain and Norvin as well. In this strange relationship that we'd built for ourselves, at least, we weren't alone in feeling dejected and missing the woman we loved so much.

22

Daria looked better this morning. A pale pink blush rose on her porcelain-smooth cheeks, reminding me of the fresh petals of a cherry blossom. Long strands of her ebony hair flew behind her in the gentle breeze as she turned her face to the sun, soaking up the warmth it had to offer. Dressed in a light lavender silk gown, she was utterly breathtaking.

"You've been staring at me like that for a long time," said Daria, her eyes closed as she continued to face the sun. "What is it you want to say?"

I wanted to tell her how beautiful she was and that I was still hopelessly in love with her.

Instead, I let a smile mask the pain hidden in my heart. "Have you been to the palace yet?"

Daria turned to face me, her emerald-green eyes weighing the words I'd just said. "No. I am not sure which is the way yet. Until now I've been busy finding a way to cure people of the sickness."

I nodded. That part hadn't changed about her. Even if she lost her memories for over a decade, she still remembered the lessons King Helmut taught her. The welfare of the people was more important than anything else. Even if the king has been dead all these years, the lessons he passed down to her weren't forgotten.

My heart pounded in my chest every time she caught my eye and smiled. I wondered if she could hear it knocking against my rib cage. Daria was the first and only love of my life ever since I was ten years old. She may have been my cousin by the false relationship we were set up in, but even as child I knew I wanted her as my playmate throughout my life. It was only when the truth was revealed that I started thinking of her in a different way, wanting her to be my lover and bride.

Over the years, Daria had become more of a fantasy to me. She was lost and probably dead. While my heart continued to beat for her, I didn't think I'd ever see her again.

The evening of the lantern festival I caught a group of armed soldiers running through the street, shouting about some command from Princess Helena. After she and Mekhi brought Zane back from Baledonia, she'd been angrier and more vengeful that I'd ever seen. Spoiled rotten by the emperor and his sons, Helena never spared anyone who affronted her.

As more soldiers ran through the streets to join the previous group, I followed them to the slave prison on the other side of town. If Helena was gathering so many armed soldiers, it had to be to catch one of the perpetrators who'd injured Zane. Wild rumors of dragons and rebel princes were spreading like wildfire throughout the kingdom. It was the perfect chance to see if there was any truth to them.

My curiosity piqued, I hurried inside the prison quarters to find Daria shooting dragon-shaped flames towards the vanguards. It was the most incredible sight I'd ever witnessed. With her body alight in flames, she looked nothing short of a fire goddess. The only thing that caused me to worry was the long arrow sticking out of her shoulder.

It was only when I managed to get closer did I recognize her. She was the spitting image of her mother, Queen Eibhlin. If I hadn't seen the queen dead and cremated with my own eyes, I would have taken it to be her. The next realization that came to me was it had to be Daria, my long lost playmate.

I watched her throw one last shot of fire at Helena before collapsing to the ground. Not caring for my safety, I'd run to her. Her eyes were the same as King Helmut’s. I recognized them instantly, for I'd never stopped dreaming of her. The only difference was that she was no longer a five-year-old child but a grown woman.

Helena's momentary distraction allowed me to escape with Daria. While the soldiers gathered around their precious princess, I was able to get her out of the prison quarters and smuggle her inside my house without anyone noticing. Even the servants were unaware of her identity. They just assumed she was one of the many courtesans I often brought back from the town whorehouse.

"Can you get me inside?" asked Daria, her keen gaze locked with mine.

Coming out of my thoughts, I looked at her questioningly. "What?"

"Can you get me inside the palace?" she repeated. "I keep dreaming of corridors and gardens. They feel familiar but I'm tired of seeing them in my dreams. I want to see if they're real and give my mind a rest."

"It would be dangerous," I said, wishing to keep Daria to myself a little longer. She was determined to get back her throne and go back to the three princes who she kept talking about incessantly. Jealousy raged within me despite her clearly rejecting me. She still thought of me as her cousin but there were times when I could see doubt flitting in her eyes. Daria didn't trust me and she would be a fool if she wasn't wary of every single person in the Drakhaven court.

"I don't mind danger," said Daria. Getting to her feet, she stretched out her arms and bent sideways. "Also, I'm not used to sitting idle. My wound is healed and my body feels strong." Turning back to me, she grinned. "Please, Ren. I want to go see the palace."

I couldn't help but agree with her. That playful grin was so familiar to me, it ached. Taking her inside the palace would be a breeze if we were clever enough about it. Suddenly, it felt more like a game than a dangerous sortie.

"All right, then," I added, moving to stand beside her. "We're going to the palace where you could be discovered by a fire-breathing monster and his cockless son. Nothing to worry about that, aye?"

Daria chuckled. "I am not ready to face Ivan just yet." A cold glint came to her eyes as she said, "I want to even the ground between us a bit more before I do that."

I liked she could control her emotions. There was revenge in her mind but she didn't let it consume her reason and intelligence. My foolish heart beat harder as I stared down at her. Stop already, I chided at it, my hand moving to clutch my chest.

"Are you feeling well, Ren?" asked Daria, noticing the change in me.

"Fine." I walked away from her to rearrange my facial expression. She followed after me, telling me how her princes were waiting for her and that she was worried they would get anxious for her.

"You are going have to dress like a palace maid," I said, hoping to change the direction of her thoughts. I didn't want to hear her love-struck remarks about one of the princes, the lucky bastards. It only flamed my jealousy.

"Any news on how Helena is doing?" she asked. "With Zane down, only she and Mekhi will recognize me."

"As far as I know she's confined herself to her quarters," I said. I couldn’t help the concern I felt for Helena. While I knew she was cruel, Helena was still sweet to me and considered me a brother. She was affectionate and caring towards me. While I was ashamed of how she'd chosen to pursue her life, I couldn't stop worrying about her.

"What about Mekhi?"

"He has been out of the palace lately under the emperor's orders. I've seen him commanding troops to fortify the city."

"Find out what he's really up to," said Daria, walking alongside with me now. "It's best to know what the enemy is planning."

"Yes, My Queen."

She punched my shoulder playfully, following me inside the house. Telling her to go upstairs to her chambers, I went to find a maid's uniform among the servants. While they weren't required to wear them in my household, it was mandatory for them to be attired in the palace-issued maroon dresses when they accompanied me to the palace.

The servants' quarters were empty during that time of day. Entering the hallway with five cots set in a row, I headed to the wardrobe in the corner. Opening it, I found neatly folded garments on the shelves. The maroon of the palace uniforms was easily visible among the hemp and linen. Taking a set out, I hurried to my quarters to find Daria.

Daria was sitting before a mirror and braiding her hair into a long, thick braid. She stood up as soon as I entered the room.

"Did you get it?" she asked.

I held up the folded dress in my hands.

Smiling, she took it from me. Unfurling the length of the dress, she took a closer look. "It even comes with a veil," she said, taking the light, gauzy fabric in her hand. "Thank you, Ren."

"All right, then. Get dressed and we'll go visit the palace. Keep the veil on and meet me at the front foyer of the house."

She nodded, taking the clothes and dropping them on the bed. Leaving her to get changed, I went downstairs. Meeting a maid on the way, I asked her to inform the stable master to bring two horses to the front of the house.

It was half an hour before Daria appeared before me. Dressed in the maroon uniform with a dark veil covering her face beneath the nose, she looked unrecognizable. Only the green of her eyes was familiar. It was a simple disguise to infiltrate the palace but the most effective. If she took care, we'd be laughing and walking out of the palace gates.

"We're riding to the palace," I said, leading the way through the hallway and beyond to step out of the main gates of the house.

"What excuse will you give for visiting?"

"Excuse?" I asked with a chuckle. "I am Prince Ren. I don't need an excuse to visit the palace."

She nodded, stepping out onto the street with me. Two horses stood waiting for us with one of the servants holding the reins.

"Your Highness," he said, tilting his head as he handed me the rein.

I gestured for Daria to take the second horse. Once she'd mounted up, I led the way towards the palace.

The streets were crowded as usual but there was a definite air of resignation among the residents today. The lantern festival had closed yesterday and the festivities were over. In the absence of bright silk stalls and loud food vendors, Fuvaros felt even more dismal than usual.

I kept a lookout for Mekhi in case he was around. Over the past week, he'd been busy re-stationing the troops. I made a mental note to find out more about the emperor's command and intentions that day.

The palace of Furvaros was away from the main town square. Nestled at the top of a wooded hill, it commanded a view of the whole valley and nearby hills. Once we left the hustle and bustle of Fuvaros, we paced our horses to go faster through the path leading up to the palace.

There were guards and soldiers at every turn and their numbers increased the closer we got to the palace. The emperor was definitely watching out for trouble. In all these years since he became emperor, Ivan seemed this tight about security only in the first year of his rule. Back then, people still rebelled but it hadn't taken much for him to squash the resistance down.

It was good to see his confidence wane for the first time in fifteen years.

The large palace gates opened for us at our approach. I was secretly happy Daria could come inside the palace through the front gates and not sneak in, killing a few guards in the process. She was the true heir to the throne and everything rightfully belonged to her anyway.

Daria followed after me, keeping up the pretence of being my maid.

We trotted up the wide path, flanked on both sides by towering statues of dragons in black marble. A backward glance told me Daria was taking in everything between here and the rising palace building in the distance. As children, we rarely came here. The servants kept us confined in the inner courtyards and gardens.

Still, I hoped she was remembering her past. A secret part of me hoped she would remember any lingering feelings she may have had for me too. It was too far-fetched but you couldn't blame a man for hoping, could you?

We rode to the back of the palace and entered the stables. Leaving the horses in the care of the stable boys, I led Daria through an open entrance to step inside the palace.

I purposely followed the direction of the late queen's quarters. That was the part which Daria frequented most often. These days the wing was mostly closed off. Only the princess's residence which was adjacent to the queen's remained open for Helena's sake. She was, after all, Ivan's fake princess to replace the one he'd lost.

I halted in my steps until Daria caught up with me.

"Are these corridors the same as in your dreams?"

She nodded, the green of her eyes appearing deeper than usual. It took me a moment to realize her eyes were filled with tears.

"My mother's quarters are beyond those stairs," she said, pointing at the wide sweeping staircase which indeed led to the queen's residence.

"They are," I replied. If I had any doubts whether she was really Princess Daria, this little piece of information wiped them all away.

A commotion at the end of the corridor made her step backward.

A handful of maids rushed towards us, looking relieved at the sight of me. One of them sported a cut on her forehead. Sounds of a woman’s screams reached my ears, drawing my attention to the room at the end of the corridor.

"What's the matter?" I asked in a deep, grim voice.

"Your Highness," pleaded the closest woman. "You must help us. Our princess is not well at all."

Anxiety spread through me. I glanced at Daria who was listening and observing the women before me.

"Please, Your Highness," said a second maid. "Please come with us. We are unable to calm the princess. With Prince Zane unwell and Prince Mekhi out of the palace, we can only rely on you."

Helena's screams punctuated the maid's begging. If she didn't calm down soon, she would end up hurting herself.

"I shall be fine by myself," Daria whispered, leaning against me.

It was a testament to how frazzled the maids were they didn't notice Daria acting so out-of-norm. Turning towards her, I focused on her. She gave a nod and gestured towards Helena's chambers. "Go take care of her," she said in a cold voice. "I know you want to."

Daria was jealous. There was no mistaking the tone. I'd heard it many times when we were children and she found me playing with some of the boys from the stables. Now, she was envious of Helena, the woman she utterly hated. All for me. A foolish part of me actually liked it.

"Stay out of trouble," I muttered.

She nodded.

I turned towards the women waiting for me with anxious faces. "I will see the princess," I announced, walking down the corridor. They followed after me, leaving Daria behind without a backward glance.

A strong smell of herbs reached my nostrils just as I stepped inside the room. In the far corner, Helena stood on the bed, wild curls of her dark hair framing her face. Ripped pillows were scattered on both the bed and floor with goose feathers littering the whole space.

"Please calm down, princess," beseeched Helena's personal handmaiden.

"It hurts!" Helena screamed. "It burns!"

A part of her hair shifted to reveal a dark brown paste smeared on her left cheek and neck. I winced, thinking of the pain she was in. She and I weren't dragonborns. Our wounds wouldn't heal as fast as our false siblings. It would be weeks before she was healed and the scars would remain for as long as she lived.

Why did you have to go up against Daria with such vengeance? I wanted to ask her. She is far stronger and superior. How could you let your false superiority destroy you like this?

"Sister," I called out.

Helena's wild gaze focused on me. "Ren..." A glimmer of a smile flashed through her face before vanishing completely. She turned away from me. "Don't look at me like this."

I moved forward, motioning for the maids to leave the room. They didn't need to be told a second time. They scarpered, giving me the privacy I asked for.

"Come, sister," I said, climbing on the bed to stand behind her. "Enough of your crazy behavior."

She turned around to face me, some of the wild anger in her dark eyes cooling a degree. "You are here to comfort me and you're calling me crazy." She chuckled, slowly sinking to her knees."That is why I like you the best, Ren. You don't treat me like fragile glass."

I draped an arm around her small shoulders, bringing her against me. "You are not fragile, silly girl. You are brave and stupid enough to go after an enemy far stronger than you. What were you thinking?"

"I hate that bitch," she spat, her fingers clutching the front of my tunic. "She is vile and an absolute whore. I wanted to capture her and kill her before she could hurt any of us again. I thought the soldiers would be enough."

"Only the emperor can stand against her," I said. "Lesser mortals could never be a match for her."

She pushed me and scrambled away. Pointing a finger at me, she sneered at me, crumpling her pretty face into a mask of fury. "You dare speak highly of her!" she shrieked. "You know what she did to Zane. Look what she did to me!" She moved her hair away to show the extent of her injury. "I had her that night. If you hadn't interfered, if the soldiers weren't stupid, she would be dead by now."

"If I hadn't interfered, you would be dead," I said grimly. "That woman is far too powerful. A mere arrow wouldn't be enough to bring her down."

A noise of frustration escaped her as she kicked at me. "I hate you for losing her."

"You think I'm stupid enough to stand before a dragon and argue?" I asked. “I’m not like you.”

Helena's chest heaved as she stared at me angrily. Slowly, gradually, she calmed down. Tears poured down her cheeks as she shook her head. "No, Ren. I don't want you hurt as well."

I opened my arms to her. Slowly, she moved into my embrace and let me hug her. Clutching onto me, she cried, sobbing and weeping until all her energy ran out. I held her, whispering soothing words of comfort until she calmed down.

"Why are you by yourself here?" I asked as she lay her head against my chest. "Where is Mekhi?"

"Father commanded him to secure the city as well as the dragon temple," she muttered.

"Why the dragon temple?"

She shrugged. "Other than books in strange languages, there's really nothing worthwhile there. I don't know why father would bother putting guards there. He should have them around the palace and the city."

"You're right." Stroking her hair gently, I said, "You should rest now, Helena. It's the only way you will heal faster."

"You think so?" she asked in a small voice.

"Of course," I said brightly. "Sleep a lot and eat all the nutritious food the kitchen sends. I will get you some good herbs too. You'll be better in no time."

A soft chuckle escaped her as I slowly laid her on the bed. Covering her with a sheet, I moved to climb off the bed.

"When I'm better, I swear I'll kill that whore."

"Helena..."

"I will kill her."

Before I could say another word of warning, she'd closed her eyes. Helena, the false princess of the false emperor, was still in delusion. She would keep going against Daria to prove her worth which was truly nothing more than dirt.

Helena was a street urchin plucked up by Ivan and placed in the palace to fill Daria's place. The four kingdoms were aware of the atrocities she committed under the guise of a saintess. Without Ivan's power, she would be nothing. I just wished she realized that.

With one last look at her, I walked out of the room. Two maids waited by the door. As soon as I came out, they went in, leaving the corridor free of any unwanted spectators.

I hurried to the spot where I'd left Daria. It was the bottom of the staircase that led to the late queen's residences. Double-checking both sides of the corridor, I ran up the stairs.

The very top of the stairs had thick chains dangling from the balustrades uselessly. They'd been melted away to make a way through them. The late queen's residences were out of bounds for everyone. Even Ivan rarely stepped in there. The punishment was nothing less than death.

Taking a deep breath, I walked through the space between the broken chains and entered another corridor. It was quite dark here with the windows and casements boarded up by planks of wood. Cobwebs hung overhead. Small clouds of dust rose up in the air with every step I took.

Light poured from a room up ahead.

I hurried forward, knowing it could only be Daria who'd dared to venture into these prohibited halls. Pushing at the open door, I stepped inside the room, gasping at the sight that waited for me there.

Daria was attired in a luxurious crimson gown and seated on the throne that once stood in the assembly room of the palace. Ivan had it brought up here and locked away, using the throne belonging to the king. The Rose Crown, belonging to Queen Eibhlin was on her brow. It was a special crown wrought for the late queen by her husband, King Helmut. It featured five roses of pure gold over the curved headpiece with rubies embedded between them.

Bright emerald-green eyes stared at me. It was the only thing keeping me sane and not go insane, saying a ghost sat before me. At that moment, she looked too unnervingly like Queen Eibhlin.

My heart pounded in my chest with an unknown emotion. It was both awe and fear, mixed together with my love for her. I may care for Helena but I would never stop protecting and loving Daria.

Almost like an involuntary reaction, I felt myself sinking to my knee. "My Queen."

23

Just when the maids and Ren disappeared inside my old bedchambers, I turned away to walk up the staircase leading to my mother's quarters. The maroon uniform and the accompanying veil had disguised me effectively so far.

Reaching the top of the stairs, I found the way blocked by thick iron chains strung across the two balustrades. I placed my hands on the cold metal and conjured my inherent ability, letting my palms heat up until they were white-hot. It took time, but I burned through the obstacles set in my path.

My heart was already full of emotion. So far, I recognized every corridor we passed since the moment we stepped inside the palace. Of course, a few changes had come over the place such as a change in a painting or a decorative piece, but the polished stone walls of the palace remained the same as before. This close to my mother's chambers, my heart beat frantically with anticipation.

Walking down a long corridor covered in dust and cobwebs, I found my way to my mother's bedchambers. A part of me still expected to see a young Kora, bustling about the room, straightening curtains or preparing my mother's gown and jewels. Then the image of what happened the last time I came there rose up in my mind. My mother, broken and helpless, with Ivan towering over her…forced to take her own life.

The door opened at the lightest pressure, creaking with years of disuse and abandonment.

Inside, I found the throne on which my mother sat beside my father. It was set next to the large bed. Everything was dusty and even the air smelled stale and suffocating. It was clear that no one had been here in years.

I took several deep breaths, forcing my mind to stop thinking about my mother's last moments.

My feet took me before a tall carved wardrobe. This was where my mother's most precious belongings were stored. With a pounding heart, I pulled at a handle. To my astonishment, the doors opened up to me.

My hands moved across the gowns hanging there. Even though the fashion had changed over the past decade, the gowns were still gorgeous. However, most were moth-eaten and in a bad state of disuse. I stopped at a blood-red gown and took it out. It was beautiful and in a better state than its neighbors.

Bringing the dress close to me, I inhaled the scent still clinging to it.

The faint fragrance of roses wafted from it.

"It smells like you, Mother," I whispered, bringing the gown in an embrace. Closing my eyes, I held it to my chest, imagining it to be my long-dead mother.

Laying the dress on the dusty bed, I rummaged among the other items in the wardrobe. Carved ivory boxes full of jewels sat nestled in the back. Years ago, Kora would go through them, selecting the dress and matching jewelry for my mother.

My hand brushed over the cool surface of a glass case. Moving away the clothes, I brought it out and stared at the Rose Crown. It was designed and wrought by my father, King Helmut, for my mother. The carved gold roses still glittered along with the large rubies embedded between them.

Opening the glass case, I took the crown out.

After inspecting it from every angle, I placed it on my head. Its weight felt oddly comforting.

Walking to the tall mirror in the corner, I took off the dusty sheet covering it. I stared at my reflection in the grimy surface. Something didn't feel right. Without bothering to close the door to the room, I stripped off the maid uniform.

Taking the crimson gown I'd placed on the bed earlier, I wore it. A separate maid would have been helpful to tighten the laces but I managed to do it on my own even though it took longer.

Satisfied with my gown, I walked back to the mirror. The image looking back at me reminded me strongly of my mother. How many times had I stared at a mirror and only saw myself? That day, I saw my mother in me. My eyes glowed with emotion, reminding me of the wisdom my father held in his gaze. In a moment of deep pain and nostalgia, I found them both within me.

"I am queen of Drakhaven," I proclaimed to the reflection in the mirror.

My gaze fell on the reflection of the throne behind me. That seat had belonged to my mother.

And now it was mine.

This was how Ren found me, decked up in my mother's gown and her crown jewels.

He seemed struck for a moment, his mouth parting as a flurry of emotions flashed through his face. No mocking or snide comment fell from his lips. Instead, he sank to his knees and called me queen.

Power surged through me at his utter acceptance.

"Daria..."

His blue eyes reflected the flames that were engulfing me. I hadn't even noticed it. The gown on my body burned, suffusing the stale air of the room with an acrid smell. I swallowed and reined in my power.

Ren moved forward quickly and covered me with his cloak. "Not that I didn't enjoy the little sneak peek, but we should leave before someone notices us."

I nodded.

"I will get dressed," I said. Ren turned his back to me, giving me the privacy to get rid of the remnants of the smoking gown. Putting on the maid uniform, I walked before him.

"Are you taking that with you?" he asked, gesturing at the Rose Crown placed inside its glass case.

"It is mine."

"I know but let's not march out into the streets with something as valuable as that. Here, give it to me." Taking the box, he wrapped it in his cloak and tucked it under his arm. "How's that?"

I grinned. "Definitely better."

"Put the veil back on. Let's go home. My heart can't take anymore sneaking around."

I shook my head. "It's time to find my princes. They are waiting for me."

"What do you intend to do, Daria?" he asked. His gaze was somber, making me feel a slight twinge of guilt for involving him with me and the princes. Even though he had no loyalty towards Ivan, it was still dangerous for him. He was, after all, just a human.

"I want to go to the dragon temple," I said. "There's something important there." I hadn't told him about the exact process that led Cain, Adal, and Norvin to shift into their true forms.

"You probably want your hands on the artifacts and the books he's stolen from the other kingdoms," he said, trying to guess my motive.

"Yes," I lied.

"The dragon temple is heavily secured at the moment. That's what Mekhi is doing at the moment. Ivan commanded him to guard the temple."

"I must get there," I said determinedly. "No matter what." I met Ren's anxious gaze. "Let's hurry to the inn where the princes wait. Please?"

"All right, then. I'll do as you wish, My Queen."

"Stop that!" I chided. "The moment has passed."

He chuckled as I put on the veil. "You're the queen of my heart, Daria," he said, his eyes shining with emotion. I chose to ignore it, feeling sadness well up inside me. Over time, I hoped he would accept my heart had chosen Cain, Adal, and Norvin as my true mates, both in body and soul.

A new day dawned with no other news from Daria. Leaving Adal and Norvin to play a game of cards they’d bought that morning, I paced the corridor outside the room. With the lantern festival at an end, it would be highly suspicious if we kept staying at the inn under the guise of carnival performers. Most of the rooms had already been vacated already. We had to either move out soon or think of a reason for remaining there.

The innkeeper hadn’t noticed one of our numbers missing just yet. Thankfully, the man was always busy counting his coins at the counter or watching over the servings the waitress served the patrons. He seemed utterly oblivious to anything other than the profits his business was making.

Feeling the need to breathe some fresh air, I headed down the stairs to reach the main dining hall of the inn. It was close to noon and the place was filled with merchants and rich shopkeepers having tea and refreshments. With nothing better to do, I sat at a table and ordered myself a pot of nettle tea and scones.

My gaze flickered among the patrons sitting there. Noticing an air of excitement among them, I moved my chair closer to a group of local shopkeepers who were loudly discussing a very arguable topic.

“Some soldiers claimed a dragon freed the slaves and some say a woman did it,” said one of the men. “If you ask me, I think it’s both!”

“It must be the same woman from the posters all over town,” said his friend.

A maid moved in my vision to place a pot of tea before me. I batted at her to make her move away, earning a glare from her as she passed by. My ears pricked up as soon as I heard the words ‘fire’, ‘dragon’ and ‘woman’. 

“What exactly happened?” I asked, interrupting the shopkeepers’ loud discussion. “You can join my table for refreshments,” I said, gesturing at the steaming teapot and plate of freshly baked scones.

It only took a nod amongst themselves before the five men joined my table, eagerly grabbing at the scones.

“So what happened?” I asked.

“The slaves at the prison were all freed three nights ago,” said the leader. His voice dropped dramatically as he leaned forward, making the rest of us to lean in as well. “I believe it’s the strange woman and the dragons in league with her. Who else would dare do such a thing in the capital?”

“I know,” said the man beside him. “Only someone who is a dragon can dare go up against the emperor. They’ve been striking every opportunity they get. I wonder if the rebel princes are the dragons.”

“They must be,” said the leader. “Who else would have the balls to go up against the emperor and live to tell the tale? Those three princes are still at large. It has to be them!”

I looked around at the men, happily discussing me and my companions, completely oblivious that one of the dragons was sitting right at his table. Perhaps, we’d achieved a legend-like status that people enjoyed telling stories about but never quite believing in them.

“So what happened afterward?” I asked. “Did they catch the slaves or the one who freed them?”

“Of course, not!” said the leader of the shopkeepers joyfully. “The slaves have not been caught and I doubt the soldiers are attempting to either. Last I heard, Prince Mekhi was seen directing troops all over town.”

“Is it true the princess got hurt last night?” asked his friend on the right.

“Yes! I heard so too.”

“That fake princess and her ugly saintess business,” said one of them with a shake of his head. “She ought to be punished for her falsities and lies.”

The leader chuckled. “Like that would ever happen as long as the emperor was alive.”

A dark look was exchanged between them.

The shopkeepers hung around for another half an hour before leaving for their shops. From the discussion, I was sure the incident had something to do with Daria. With Helena involved, nothing good could have come off it.

Questions raced through my mind. What was she doing in a slaves’ prison in the first place?

Draining the last of my tea, I headed back upstairs to the room we’d rented. Adal and Norvin had to know about it too. Only the note that Daria sent last night telling us she was safe kept me from losing my mind.

My heart pounded with a mix of worry and anticipation. I couldn’t wait to see her once again and demand an explanation, followed by a heavy session of intense lovemaking. My cock throbbed with excitement. Struggling to calm my rising hardness, I pushed open the door to the room.

The tension in the small room at the inn got so thick, I had to open the window wide open despite the chilly breeze blowing down from the mountains. Ren stood before me while Cain, Adal, and Norvin faced us with folded arms and suspicious glares.

"Are you saying you actually believe him?" asked Norvin, pointing a finger at Ren. "His entire family is a bunch of vile, lying scum."

"Don't say that," I countered at once. "Ivan is not his father. Look at him properly. He doesn't even resemble Mekhi and Zane."

"I've known twins looking as different as an apple and a melon," Norvin argued.

"There is a simple test that can prove his word," said Adal. Norvin rounded on him, glaring at him angrily. Adal put up his hand to silence Norvin before looking around at us. "It will hurt you though, Ren."

"What do you have in mind?" asked Ren through gritted teeth.

Flames engulfed Adal's right hand. "Allow yourself to be burned."

"Adal..." I couldn't believe he would suggest something like that. Norvin was more prone to rashness with Cain being obstinate about his own views. Adal was always the voice of reason among us.

"I did say it would hurt," said Adal in a calm voice, fixing his blue eyes on Ren. The azure of their eyes was so similar. "But it's the best test to see whether he is telling the truth. If he burns, we'd know he is not a dragonborn and trust what he has to say."

Ren turned back to look at me and gave me a soft, pained smile. "He is right. I can endure a small burn for your sake, Daria." He moved forward, extending his fingers into the flames that leaped around Adal's hand. Hisses of pain escaped him as he continued to keep it there.

"Enough!" I cried, pulling Ren backward. The skin of his hand was blistered badly. Adal, Cain, and Norvin moved close to take a look as well. "Are you done yet?" I asked them angrily.

"So, it's really true," said Cain, glancing up at Ren who was gritting his teeth to stop himself from seething in pain. His face was pale and cold sweat beaded his forehead. He was in pain.

Turning my back on the princes, I gently took Ren's hand in my hold and channeled a stream of healing magic into it. He gasped, looking down at me.

"What are you doing?" he asked, his voice filled with wonder. "I don't feel the pain anymore."

I looked up at him and grinned. "Of course, you don't. You are healed. Look."

His eyes widened as he stared at the smooth skin of his hand. "But how?"

"Daria is more than you'll ever know," said Norvin. A long breath heaved out of him as he went to sit on the edge of the cot. "So, you're saying we actually have an ally in you?"

"Yes," said Ren. "However, my loyalty is for Daria. I may extend it to you but you've got to treat me better."

"I apologize," said Adal. "We have been betrayed by our own blood before. Trust is a hard thing to win in our circumstances."

"I heard about what Kurozeru did," said Ren. He glanced towards Norvin. "And I heard how your brother betrayed you for the throne. I guess I can't blame you for not trusting the third prince of Drakhaven."

"So, what now?" said Cain, turning his attention to me. "You want Ren to help us get inside the dragon temple."

I kept my gaze steady. Since Ren came with me to meet the princes, I hadn't got a chance to tell them how much Ren knew. "Ren will help us in getting the tomes from the temple's archives," I said, staring at him hard, hoping he would understand what I was trying to say. "We need those books to help us find anything useful about a dragon's strengths and weaknesses."

"Is that all we're going there for?" asked Norvin.

I nodded, meeting his gaze. "Since Adal is the only one who can read the ancient tongue, he'll come with me to the archives. Ren will stay with you and help create a diversion so that the soldiers, as well as Mekhi, can be lured away from the spot."

The princes exchanged looks between themselves.

"Can dragonborns communicate non-verbally?" asked Ren, staring around at us. "Because it feels like something's going on between you all but I don't understand it at all."

"We can communicate through our thoughts when we are in our true forms," said Cain. "Right now, we're just going over what Daria said.” His silvery eyes settled on me. "So, you're sure you want Adal to go with you?" he asked.

I nodded.

"All right, then. That's that." Cain turned towards Ren. "Do you have any ideas on how we can get the guards and Mekhi away from the temple premises?"

"That's easy," said Ren with a chuckle. "Appear in your true form near the temple and fly towards the city. You'll have the soldiers chasing after you. I'll inform Mekhi about a dragon sighting in the city. While everyone is confused about your location, Daria can steal as many books as she wants."

"The only flaw in this plan is that there's a risk of facing Ivan," said Adal. "He's close enough that word would reach him if we're nearby. We still need to strengthen ourselves before facing him head-on."

"There will be two of you," said Ren, looking between Cain and Norvin. "Distract the soldiers in different directions. So even if the emperor comes after you, he won't know which way to turn. Besides, you need to show yourself for a few minutes. Shift back to your human forms and hide in the woods. Public hysteria will take care of the rest."

"I don't want innocents to be hurt," I said at once.

"A little panic won't hurt them," said Ren. "Most will just run inside their homes to take cover."

"So, when we do this?" asked Norvin.

"Tonight," I replied.

The princes focused their attention on me. Even if Ren sat among us, I knew what they were all thinking. I would soon be joining their ranks as a true dragon.

24

That evening, we rode out into the woods on the outskirts of Fuvaros. It was a cold but clear full moon night. Patches of moonlight fell through the gaps in the foliage, lighting the path before us. Ren led the way forward since he was confident he knew a secret pathway unguarded by the soldiers. Only Ivan and his royal sons knew of it.

We slowed down our horses just as he halted a few feet ahead of us. Through the gaps in the branches, we could see the flames of the torches lighting the area nearby. Gigantic statues of dragons stood all around us, rising taller than the surrounding pine trees. Looming in the dark, they watched our approach.

At Ren's signal, we dismounted and tied up the horses to nearby trees. I communicated with the horses to stay calm and silent. With no sign of danger or disturbance yet, they seemed content to oblige. Tuto hooted on a branch overhead, keeping a lookout for us.

"You and Adal stay back here," said Ren. "I will go up to the soldiers and ask for Mekhi. Of course, he won't be here at this hour, but you know, I'm not the brightest among my brothers. I'll probably pretend to be drunk. Cain should come after five minutes and shift before us all."

"All right," said Cain.

Ren glanced at Norvin. "You stay back here and keep watch. You'll know if you have to shift as well."

"Understood."

Ren loosened the front of his tunic and crumpled it. Raking his fingers through his hair, he made a complete mess of the orange-hued locks. Climbing back on his horse, he trotted towards the soldiers ringing the temple's perimeter.

He spoke loudly, calling out for Mekhi. His presence caused an instant stir among the soldiers as they moved in to surround him. Then, when they realized who he was, their leader commanded a few of them to escort him home.

"That's my cue," said Cain, walking forward and emerging out of the shadows. At first, the soldiers didn't take note of him but as soon as he shifted into his true form, the men screamed with fright and panic. Cain's dragon roared, the sound making the very earth tremble beneath our feet.

The soldiers broke up, running in every possible direction they could. I'd already requested them all to not to harm the guards. Cain shot a cloud of fire and ash, but it wasn't directed at the alarmed men. Nonetheless, they fled, too scared to actually face a dragon. Unfurling his large wings, Cain took flight, moving in the direction of the city.

"Let's move," said Adal. He exchanged a glance with Norvin, nodded and took my hand, leading me forward.

The temple premises were empty now. However, we were headed to the small chapel at the back of the main building. That was where the hidden location to the inner chambers was located.

Entering the unlocked building, we lighted our hands on fire to illuminate the hall. It was small, barely capable of holding more than a few people. Reaching into the corner, I kneeled on the floor. From memory as well as Ren's recent news about the temple complex, I knew the exact tile that would cause the doorway to open for us.

I pressed onto an aged black tile.

It was a moment before I felt the whirr of the ancient mechanism. A chasm opened up on the floor, wide enough to let a grown man fit into it.

We waited a few seconds, straining our ears to listen to any approaching footfalls. When none came, I nodded at Adal. He let me lead the way through the trapdoor which really was the first step down a long stone staircase.

Darkness threatened to swallow us as we went down into the inner chambers of the temple. Only the flames leaping on our palms lit our way forward. This part of the journey was very similar to the ones we traveled before to reach the sacred halls of the other temples.

"Does Ren not know why we're really here?" asked Adal when we'd descended several steps.

"We do want some of the tomes down there, don't we?"

"Yes, but..."

"I didn't tell him everything," I interrupted him. "He knows nothing of Linmoor or my life there. Some things need to be kept secret. Even from him."

"I am glad you decided it for yourself. Ren always stayed away from the cruel pranks his brothers played on the servants' children. I remember that much about him. Still, he is not a royal or a dragonborn. Some things should be kept among us alone."

"I know."

"Have you noticed anything else about him?"

I halted, glancing up at Adal's lit features. "What do you mean?" I asked.

"The man is in love with you. We can see it in his eyes and the way he looks at you. That's exactly how we look at you."

"He told me about that," I confessed. "He came to know Ivan wasn't his father fifteen years ago. He hasn't thought of me as a sister or cousin since then."

"What about you, Daria?" asked Adal in a quiet voice. "How do you feel about Ren?"

By now, we'd reached the bottom of the staircase. A tall archway, carved with letters from the ancient tongue stood before us. Before I could step towards it, Adal pulled me back. "Answer me, Daria."

"You should know by now how I feel," I said, extracting my arm out of his hold. "I belong to you, Cain, and Norvin. No one else. And as far as Ren is concerned, I've always thought of him as an elder brother. I just can't imagine being with him the same way as I'm with you." A shudder wracked through me.

A soft chuckle escaped Adal as he pulled me into a hug. "You have no idea how relieved I feel. It is hard enough not to feel jealous of Cain and Norvin at times."

I stayed in his embrace for a moment, soaking his warmth. We barely had time to talk about the mission they'd been on. Even though they asked about every detail of my escape from the slave prison, I didn't get to hear a thing about them. Just seeing them unhurt had given me a boost to me.

"Did everything go well in Okarijun?" I asked.

"It did. The potion was made with simple ingredients and all the healers we encountered knew how to brew it. If Tasher hadn't hoarded those common herbs, the sickness could have been stopped a long time ago instead of spreading throughout the kingdom."

"I will punish him when the time comes. I'll never forget," I vowed as the sight of the dead and suffering rose up in my mind.

"Do we head to the mating chamber first?" asked Adal.

My cheeks heated up at once, making me realize how the energy of the sacred chambers was already suffusing within my body. The magic coiling around me was stronger too. It felt like the temple was inviting me in.

"We should check the archives and decide on what to take," I said, ignoring my body's need. Adal's closeness was making it difficult to concentrate on the task at hand. "We won't be able to take everything with us."

"I agree." He pressed a kiss on the side of my neck, making my core throb harder.

"Not fair," I moaned, leaning into his chest. It felt like we'd been separated for months and not a few days. My hunger for him rose every minute. Stepping away from him, I walked through the ancient archway, hoping the distance would cool down my inner fire.

The archives were the first hall we found ourselves in. It was a vast chamber, filled to the ceiling with wooden shelves containing thick leather-bound tomes. For a moment, we simply stared at the enormous library Ivan had created with all the books stolen from the other three kingdoms.

"How would we ever choose?" said Adal, staring at the tall shelves that dwarfed us.

"There is a way," I said, moving forward. "I had to find a particular book in an archive and kill the owner." I watched for any signs of disapproval in Adal's features. When I found none, I continued. "I can make air flow through these books and gaps. If I concentrate hard enough, I'll know the spots that have the least amount of dust. It's an extremely minute difference, but I can feel it."

"Least dust would mean recently used by Ivan," said Adal, guessing my logic behind the enchantment. "Perform it, then."

With a nod, I faced the rows of bookshelves rising before me. Closing my eyes, I channeled a small stream of air to permeate through the gaps between the books and skimming over their surfaces. In my mind's eye, I could see the particles of air as twinkling blue dust particles.

"The shelf over there," I said, pointing to the right, still keeping my eyes closed. "The seventh shelf from the bottom. All the books there are almost free of dust." I heard Adal's footsteps passing by me.

"They are books on dragon physiology and poisons," he spoke.

I opened my eyes, finding Adal pulling the thick tomes one by one. Reaching him, I looked at a book. It wasn't in the ancient tongue. In fact, most of the books that Adal pulled out were in the universal language, taught to everyone in the four kingdoms.

"If your magic is right, then it means the emperor doesn't know how to read the ancient tongue."

"No," I said. "He killed those scholars back then so there would be no one who had more knowledge than him."

Adal unfurled a sack and began filling it with the tomes. Already, I was itching to read the book on poisons, wondering if I'll find the recipe Ivan used to poison my father and the other dragons.

"All done," said Adal, tying the mouth of the sack. He looked expectantly at me. "Perhaps, we could take care of the other thing we risked coming here for."

I smiled shyly, feeling the rush of heat to my neck and cheeks. "Let us go," I said, suddenly grabbing Adal's wrist and pulling him towards the adjacent hall that housed the mating chamber.

Adal dragged the sack of books behind him as he followed after me. "You have no idea how jealous the others are feeling right now," said Adal, walking beside me.

"About us being together?"

"Not just that, Daria. I would be the one you will mate with so you can achieve your true form. They might feel it gives me more claim to you."

"What do you think?" I asked, turning to face him and stopping in my steps.

His eyes glowed in the dark as they looked down at me. "I can only feel honored, Daria," he said in a soft voice. "I never thought you'd consider me as a mate when my two friends were beside me. My lack of skills in the martial arts department makes me feel less of a man."

"Adal..." My hands rose up to cup his cheeks, making sure he would not look away from me. I wanted him to see the genuine love I had for him. "You have no idea how the world sees you. How I see you. The women in Baledonia have set their hearts on you, even the married ones." A chuckle escaped me as I said, "Learning how to wield a sword doesn't make a man out of you. It's how you wield this other weapon that determines it..." Leaning close to him, I boldly brushed my hand across his crotch, feeling the hardness there. "And let me tell you, Prince Adal, you are no less in any way when it comes to using it."

Adal stared at me with slightly widened eyes. Next moment, he'd pulled into his chest and crashed his mouth to mine. His lips moved against mine, coaxing me to open myself to him. His hands grabbed my ass cheeks, making a gasp escape me. Taking the opportunity, he slid his tongue inside my mouth, swirling it over mine in a slow, languid kiss.

We'd barely stepped inside the mating chamber and my body was already on fire. Adal's slow and deep kisses made every part of me come alive. My hips jerked forward, his hardness pressing against my stomach as he continued to kiss me.

I moaned into his mouth, feeling my knees weaken with need.

"I need you so much right now," I whispered, breaking away and staring into his eyes. "So, so much that I don't even care about the coming pain of my first transformation." My voice sounded breathy like I was having trouble making my lungs work.

Breaking away, I kneeled down on my knees, my hands frantically unlacing the ties of his breeches. Adal took off his tunic and vest underneath while I pulled away the layers of clothes keeping his manhood away from my reach.

When his hardened length came onto my hand, I slid my fingers over the smooth skin of his shaft. Adal groaned, his head thrown back as I fisted his cock. I'd never done this act before with one of my mates before but I wanted to perform it on Adal. The women back in Linmoor swore it to be the most pleasurable thing for a man.

Dipping my head, I took Adal's cock in my mouth. His eyes snapped open as he felt the wet warmth of my tongue sliding over his length.

"Daria, what are you doing?" he whispered in a wavering voice. "Oh, that feels so good!" His momentary hesitation disappeared as I slid my mouth up and down his length, letting the tip of his thick head reach the very back of my throat. "Oh, my goddess! Daria!"

Adal's grunts grew more desperate as his hips jerked hard, jamming his cock further down my throat. "Oh, fuck this!" he cursed. Grabbing the sides of my head, he pulled out his length. "There would be nothing left of me if you kept it up," he whispered breathlessly. With a sudden move, he turned me to face the wall, his hands sliding up my legs, bringing up my skirt.

I moaned as he slid his warm hands over my bare thighs, reaching higher until his fingers brushed over the soft puff of curls covering my intimate slit. "I can't wait any longer, Daria," he whispered harshly against my ear, his lips moving against the skin of my neck. Forgive me for not making it as pleasurable for you."

"Just do it!" I bit out. My inner walls were pulsing hard, aching for his rigid length to fill its empty channel. Adal's fingers dipped into my hot, wet core, drawing more moans out of me. He'd just said he couldn't control himself. Why was he bothering with making me even more desperate than I already was? “I’m ready,” I said, almost whimpering.

With a sudden move, Adal’s body slammed behind me so that I was forced up against the wall. He didn’t even bother undressing me as he positioned his cock at my entrance. Moving my braid away, he smothered the side of my neck with kisses while thrusting into my wet, waiting core.

I gasped, both with relief and pain, as his long, thick length entered me, sliding into my tight channel. My head fell backward as Adal began moving inside me immediately. The sounds coming out of my lips were embarrassing but I was loving every moment of this sudden, thorough lovemaking. My dress was bunched up around my waist as he drove inside me. The very impulsiveness of our mating was making me lose all control.

My core tightened, my walls clenching onto his shaft. Moaning, I placed my hands against the wall for support, bracing myself for the flood of pure ecstasy about to rush through me.

I cried out, feeling my body shudder with waves of pleasure as my legs turned to mush. Adal held me up, his hands gripping my hips tightly as he continued to plunge inside me. It was the only thing keeping me on my feet as I lost myself for a moment.

“I can never get enough of you,” said Adal in a thick, raspy voice. The slap of his balls against my ass rang all around us in the vast, empty chambers.  Our pleasure rose collectively as wisps of magic rose around us, binding our bodies together.

Adal’s hand grabbed a breast over my clothes and squeezed hard as he plunged in hard and fast. His every thrust threatened to drive me over the edge. All I could do was hold on while my inner walls clenched around his throbbing cock.

“I am close, Daria,” he said in a harsh whisper. His movements became fast and almost too desperate, driving me over the peak of pleasure. A dam seemed to break inside me as waves of pleasure cascaded down my body. At the same time, Adal came to a sudden halt. His cry echoed in the vast empty hall as he shattered inside me, filling me to the brim with his hot, creamy essence.

My body shuddered uncontrollably as Adal pressed himself behind me, keeping himself joined to me until he’d spilled the last drop of his seeds inside me.

The strands of magic binding us glowed strongly. As our breathing slowed down, I felt the streams of magic concentrating themselves over my body. Adal pulled out gently before turning me to face him. His face was flushed with exertion as he stared into my eyes. My skirt fell down my legs as he leaned in to kiss my lips, cheeks, and eyes. They were soft, fluttery kisses full of warmth and affection. I smiled up at him, feeling the last of my pleasure leaving my body to be replaced by a growing warmth.

“It’s happening, isn’t it?” he asked, his expression turning grim.

I nodded, feeling the unstoppable heat searing my skin. It had been years since I really felt an actual burn. Old traumatic memories rose up in my mind, wiping away the sight of Adal’s anxious face from view. I was back to being a child, screaming with terror as the flames rose all around me.

“Daria!” I heard Adal shouting but it felt like he was too far away and not directly before me.

It was a while before I realized my body was writhing and thrashing on the floor, the rough, hard floor cutting into my skin through the dress.

The fire was inside me, engulfing me completely. My skin blistered away and my very bones melted in the inferno.

Elga’s cold voice of reason breached through my terror and panic. This is supposed to happen, my mind told me, mimicking her hard, unfeeling voice. Endure it.

Easier said than done, I retorted back.

My throat ached and the screaming sounded strange to my ears. Closing my eyes, I waited for the agony to recede or die from it. There was only so much I could endure.

And just as suddenly, the fire retreated, flowing away to concentrate in my heart.

A vast surge of power rushed through me, almost making me forget about the pain I’d just suffered. I’d never felt such strength in my limbs. My eyes blinked and the vision before me changed. I was staring down at the ground from a very high point.

“Daria…”

I focused on Adal’s voice and found him staring up at me with wide, awe-struck eyes from down below. He was still completely naked.

“Adal.” Except my words came out in a puff of sulfurous clouds from my nostrils.

I’d shifted. Slowly, I moved, turning my neck to look at my back and the sides of my new body. I was a black-scaled dragon, just like my father had been. I turned around in a circle, trying to see the vastness and magnificence of my dragon.

“Careful, Daria!” Adal shouted as my tail scratched against the walls and showered him with large pieces of stone.

“Sorry!” I giggled with glee internally. My princes scared and surprised me each time they shifted. It’s their turn now.

“Try shifting back,” he said.

I wanted to throw a tantrum. The sacred chamber wasn’t big enough for me to stretch my wings. The idea of flying had fascinated me ever since I saw Cain gliding into the night sky. I wanted to try it too.

“Please, Daria,” said Adal. “We need to get out of here before the guards come back here.”

I sighed, letting steam escape from my nostrils. Closing my eyes, I urged the power residing in my heart to release the magic that was keeping me in my true form. The transformation was instantaneous. I was back to being a human.

“Congratulations, Daria!” Adal shouted, rushing forward to embrace me. “You did it.”

“Thanks,” I said, smiling broadly as he pressed me against his naked body. “I am a match for my three dragon princes now and strong enough to lay claim over the throne of Drakhaven.”

Adal stepped away to look into my eyes. Fierce pride glowed in the depths of his sapphire-blue eyes. “We can claim back the four kingdoms now. There’s nothing to stop us now.”

I nodded, agreeing with him wholeheartedly.

Ready for the next part in Daria’s journey?

Dear Reader,

Thank you so much for reading until the end.

This book took an unexpected turn with the introduction of Prince Ren. Originally, I’d planned to make him as evil as his siblings but he wouldn’t have it. So, the story got rearranged and a fourth book is in the works. It will be the last one of the series.

Since, I didn’t hire the cover design and edits, the publishing date will be pushed back to late August. But not to worry, it will be ready soon! And as soon as I have a date, I’ll put the book on pre-order.

Lastly, I hope you enjoyed the story and would consider leaving a short review on Amazon. Even a simple “I liked it” will make my day.

Assassin’s Reign will be available on Amazon in August. If you’d like to stay updated, please join my newsletter or ‘like’ my Facebook page. You can join my Facebook group too.

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.