by Meg Xuemei X
Iokul pulled back the drifting snow.
But Blaze was still unable to let go. “Quit fooling around, Iokul,” he snapped. “Let’s get back to the ship now!”
I bet if I were dancing with him, he wouldn’t say we were fooling around.
“I’ll always be in danger as the heir to the throne,” I said. “But that doesn’t mean I should hole up in a dark corner and be miserable. I’d like to celebrate my every free breath when I can. If you can’t take it, you don’t have to join me.”
Blaze’s golden eyes immediately darkened, as if my words stabbed him in the heart. It was the first time I’d been so harsh toward him, when he was only concerned about my safety. A slice of guilt jabbed me, especially since my curse had been completely broken while my mates still had half their curse upon them.
“Blaze meant well, though it came off as overbearing,” Rai said, wrapping an arm around my waist. “He was—we both were—extremely worried when we lost you for a few hours in Amethyst. None of us could locate you, not even through our mating bond.”
That was when Iokul and I had been running in the tunnel. And later on, Elvey must have cloaked us.
Iokul stepped back as Rai pulled me against his chest. I held onto him, taking comfort from his warmness and solidness, inhaling his scent of autumn and rainstorms. From the moment he saved me from the drones while I was in my Fury form, Rai had always been my rock, and he knew it.
My face rubbed against Rai’s chin with deep affection, and the corner of my eyes caught Blaze brooding alone in front of a jasmine bush and staring at me with both regret and hunger.
“Dragons don’t always dwell in the past,” I said softly, mostly to Blaze. “We can live in the moment as well, like the mortals.”
“But if we don’t learn from history, we won’t have a future,” Blaze said. “And our present will be cut short. If we lose you—”
I left Rai’s embrace and went to him. I gripped his chin between my thumb and forefinger and planted a hard kiss on his mouth. “You won’t lose me.”
He grabbed me and kissed me back, fire burning our lips.
Fortunately, we were both dragons.
“Now, can we return to the ship?” Blaze asked, still not wanting me to be exposed to the uncertain night.
I turned to regard my mates, glad they were all here with me. “Fine. And we need to talk.”
“Yes, we do,” Rai said.
We shifted and took off into the deep night sky.
CHAPTER 8
Henry shot toward me, howling in joy as soon as I entered the ship. Sybil landed on my arm, tilting her head to gaze up at me, chirping, and throwing tons of questions at me.
As we walked down the hallway toward the bridge, Henry rubbed against my leg, refusing to give the spot to Blaze. The fire dragon gave the two-headed hellhound a glare and fell behind me with Iokul.
“If it were a man, I’d impale him,” Blaze grated.
Rai chuckled, his strong arm snaking around my waist. “I think Henry is cute.”
I didn’t point out that he’d been pissed, too, when Henry had brushed him from my side the other day.
As the men all gathered, we shared what we’d seen, heard, and discovered. Iokul debriefed everyone about our encounter with Lysandra, and I told them about Elvey’s warning.
Blaze narrowed his eyes in displeasure. “The dude returned so soon?”
“He couldn’t stay on Pandemonium forever,” I said.
“Why the hell not?” Blaze said. “That savage planet suits him well.”
Iokul had been cool with Elvey, but Blaze didn’t accept anyone easily. I used to think Iokul was the most stubborn, distant, and suspicious among all my mates, but it turned out Blaze was the one.
The fire dragon burned brightly and passionately, but he was slower to accept change. He didn’t like change, which was quite contradictory to his fire nature.
“Elvey came back to help Daisy and us,” Iokul said.
“Out of the kindness of his pure heart?” Blaze huffed.
“So, in the end, he and his friends will have a home to return to,” I said, and thought of Rosalinda. I cleared my throat to launch into a speech, and Henry barked once to warn everyone to be quiet. He knew me well. “As you all know, King Daghda lost control of the Danaenyth dynasty. Lysandra has the support of all the humans.”
My mates and our guards, who had returned from the other cities, all nodded grimly. Sybil flew to land on Iokul’s shoulder, preening her feathers as she listened on.
“Let’s take war to her door and see how the humans handle it.” Quintrell punched his scarred fist into the air. He’d become as loyal to me as to his lightning prince.
“We’ve gone over that angle,” I said, using Elvey’s script as my own. “If we want to win this war, we need to win smart. It’s better to stab the consort in the back when she least expects it.”
The black witch had pulled the rug right from under me, and I’d like to return the favor.
“We assassinate her?” Jarrod asked.
The warriors looked eager, and all volunteered.
“No, we aren’t going to kill her that way,” Iokul said. “First, it’ll be hard to do because of her powerful magic. She has a large coven to boost her power. Her elite guards are around her all the time. If we fail, it’ll be a complete political disaster. She and the humans will use that to call for an open war to try to wipe us out.”
“Let them try,” Blaze snarled. “Our Oslanian army will meet them in full force.”
The warriors shouted their support and agreement. Dragons were all hotheads.
“Even if we win, the humans won’t accept Daisy’s rule,” Iokul said. “Rebels will rise over and over again.”
“Then we repress them over and over again,” Blaze said. “We might just wipe them all out. And I don’t give a fuck if the humans accept our mate or not. The Danaenyth dynasty is Daisy’s by every right, and we’ll make sure she gets it back. I won’t stand by as the consort bitch and her human pets think they’re entitled to rob my mate of her birthright and drive her out. To war we’ll go.”
Rai hadn’t offered any opinion. He always pondered before he pounced. And when he pounced, it was lethal.
“Daisy doesn’t want war,” Iokul said. “She wants to win over the humans in the six cities while teaching them a lesson, of course, so they’ll never cross the line again.”
Iokul had listened to Elvey’s plan and agreed with it.
“Win over the humans?” A few warriors asked incredulously, and even Rai looked doubtful.
“Arianrhod, the goddess of the land and sky and rebirth, bequeathed my ancestors as the Keeper of the Dragon Realm and the six cities,” I said. “My bloodline can draw magic from the land. We have the power to welcome anyone we want and evict those we don’t.”
Rai gave me a careful look. “It’s a legend.”
“You think so, my thunder and lightning mate?” I asked with an arched brow. “You’re the one who once believed the legend about me and first recognized me for who I was.”
I pulled out a knife and cut across my palm. My hand balled to a fist as my blood dripped to the carpeted ground. “Goddess Arianrhod, your maiden Daisy Danaenyth has returned. I vow to resume my duty to be the protector of the realm.”
Then I shouted, “Show me a sign. Let the land rock!”
It was an impulsive move. If nothing happened, I’d look like a complete idiot and lose all my credibility.
Sweat formed under my armpits as the silence stretched on.
No one laughed at me though.
Then a rumble sounded before the ground beneath Mistress quaked. The ship tilted and trembled from the impact. Alarmed shouts came from the warriors as they lost their footing and some of the crew tumbled from their seats. Those who remained standing grabbed at any solid surface to keep themselves upright.
“Cease,” I called, and the tremor stopped right away. Mistress stilled.
Every he
ad turned to me, eyes wide, mouths agape, awed and disbelieving.
I grinned.
“You’ve got this, Princess Danaenyth!” Jarrod shouted, as if the victory was his. “What are we waiting for? We go evict the consort and her humans right now.”
“Evicting the black witch and her minions is what I’ll do,” I said. “But the people will be my people. We just need to show them the way.”
“You can show them what you showed us, Daisy,” Blaze said, “if you don’t want bloodshed. The humans will fall under your feet and beg for forgiveness when they see your awesome demonstration.”
“I know what I showed you is amazing,” I said. “But my connection to the land won’t be as strong in the six cities as in the Dragon Realm.” Elvey had warned that I would never take back my dynasty without Arianrhod’s endorsement. “I can’t show the humans what I showed you. At least, not yet. The link between my bloodline and the land was broken when King Daghda neglected his duties and deserted the realm. The human governments have chosen to go with Lysandra. They’re happy to be in her pocket and will try their best to deny my rule, unless I renew my vow of fealty to Arianrhod and truly become the Keeper of the Dragon Realm and the six cities.”
“Then you vow it, Daisy,” Rai said.
“I hope it’s that simple.” I sighed heavily.
“What do you need to do? What do you need us to do? We’re here,” Rai said.
I had to tell them the prophecy, good or bad, so I told them about the nightmare, how I might lose them if we went on a quest to seek the goddess’ blessing.
“I’ve been trying to come up with many different solutions,” Iokul said. “In the end, Elvey’s is the only one that makes sense. It’s the only one that will work in every way.”
“I think we should go around it,” I said, uncertainty and fear in my voice. “If I lose any of you, I won’t survive.”
“You won’t lose us, honeybee,” Blaze said fiercely. “It’s the enemy’s voice in your head, trying to stop you from fulfilling your great destiny.”
“But the first part of the dream came true,” I said. “Look how my realm burned.”
“It’s the fear talking, sweetheart,” Rai said, kissing the top of my head to expel my anxiety. “The enemy always delivers mixed messages. We won’t let them stop us. We’ll proceed and go seek the goddess.”
I bit my lip. No matter which direction we turned, there was danger lurking at every corner. “We can try. We’ll need to find my grandfather first. Hopefully, he can point us in a direction that will lead to Arianrhod.”
“Let’s set out tomorrow,” Rai said.
The warriors stood to attention and nodded. They had no fear of war or qualms about a quest to seek out the goddess. They just needed something to do, needed to know where to go and when to hit.
None of them were concerned about my nightmare. I was the only fearful one.
“We have the fastest ship,” Quintrell said, rubbing his hands excitedly. “We can take it to the end of Inanna and any part of the world.”
“That’s the thing. There are conditions,” I said. “We can’t take the ship. We’ll have to make the journey on foot. Neither can we shift to our dragon forms before we meet the goddess.”
“That’s going to take a long time,” Blaze said.
“That’s why it’s called the Arianrhod’s quest,” Iokul said.
“How do you know about the Arianrhod’s quest all of a sudden?” Blaze challenged.
“I have my resources,” Iokul snapped.
“I bet your resource is Elvey Fionn,” Blaze sneered. “I don’t trust that warlock.”
“Then I have some good news for you, Blaze,” Iokul said. “Daisy can take only six companions. Two spots have been reserved for Elvey and his lady friend Rosalinda. On our side, there are only four positions available. Rai and I are going, and we’ll pick two others.”
Raucous roars deafened me as every warrior made their voices heard in an attempt to be chosen.
“Shut up,” Blaze roared, and momentary stillness descended on the crowd. “There’s no fucking way that I’m not going. You can’t stop me, Iokul. I’ll drag you down.”
“Then why must you always whine?” Iokul said. “You give Daisy headaches.”
“I didn’t whine,” Blaze said. “I just want to protect my mate.”
“Our mate,” Iokul said.
I shook my head with a sigh. Would they never tire of reminding each other that I was all of theirs?
“Exactly! Then how dare you deny my rights to guard our mate since she isn’t only yours?” Blaze demanded.
The warriors snapped their heads between the two princes as they quarreled.
“This is tiresome,” Rai spat. “I can’t imagine how our mate puts up with you two. She’s too kind.”
“Daisy has a fierce and tender heart,” Iokul said.
“And she’s most gorgeous.” Blaze smiled in reverence. “And ferocious.”
“We need to pick one more warrior to go with us,” Rai said.
Sybil turned to Henry and chirped sharply at him, and Henry growled at me. Sybil flew to me, landing on my arm and voicing her demand.
I scratched Henry behind his ear and said to Sybil with a sigh, “Fine, you two can come. You aren’t dragons, so the number doesn’t include you.”
And I’ll get to see Elvey again. Sybil flashed Elvey’s image, which she believed was hot, in my head, before she flew in a rapid circle around the dragon warriors with giddiness. She made their heads spin, but none dared to criticize her, knowing how much I indulged Sybil.
CHAPTER 9
In the mist, the charred castle floated in the clouds, the distant mountains in the backdrop a silvery wave. I circled the peak of the castle in my dragon form, ready to say goodbye.
Three dragons, silver, gray, and fire-orange patrolled the air.
My mates weren’t allowing me to wallow in self-pity or dismay. Since I’d mated with them, solitude was no longer an option. They’d always be with me and around me. I would never be alone again.
I shifted to my Fae form in the jasmine garden.
Before I went to find King Daghda, I needed to perform the ritual Elvey required me to perform. No Fae could enter the Dragon Realm, just as no dragons were allowed to step into the dark Fae realm. But as part of the royal bloodline of the Danaenyth house, I could grant Elvey and his companions access to my realm.
I pulled out a dagger from my hunting boot and sliced across the heel of my palm. My mates swooped up and down in the air above me, watching me attentively.
“I, Daisy Danaenyth, the last of the bloodline of the Danaenyth royal dragon house, grant Elvey Fionn, Rosalinda Whifflethorn, and their friends who will be my allies, access to this realm. The land will accept them and not harm them.”
My blood dropped to the rich soil beneath my feet. I waited, wondering if the land would answer me again. After what felt like an eternity, faint magic brushed against me.
The land tugged at me. I let out a sigh of relief.
A single plant sprouted where the soil had absorbed my blood. A jasmine with seven white petals blossomed right in front of my eyes.
An offering from the land.
An acceptance.
I plucked the flower with a grateful smile and tucked it in my hair behind my ear.
My journey started now. I wouldn’t shift into my dragon form until I had completed the quest.
I sheathed my dagger and bandaged my palm. From this moment on until we met Arianrhod, I couldn’t use my magic, either. Which also meant there would be no quick healing for me and my companions if we were wounded.
I gazed up at the three dragons circling above me and called them to me.
They came to me. Blaze landed first and crouched in front of me, his massive wings spread out.
I held onto his thick dragon neck and climbed onto his solid back. His fire-orange scales under my butt were a bit wet because of the mist. As soon as I settled, he
lifted off, following his brothers, and took me to our travel companions, who were waiting at the gate of the castle.
When I slid off Blaze’s back and thanked him, he shifted to his human form, as did Iokul and Rai.
Our companions were Chiron, Henry, and Sybil.
Sybil perched on Chiron’s shoulder, preening her feathers. Ever since Elvey had given back her other wing, she’d been taking extreme care of her wings.
Henry paced impatiently as he glanced up at her.
Chiron, the meekest-looking dragon shifter with brown-gray eyes, grinned from ear to ear, as if he’d won the lottery.
All the warriors had fought to be the chosen one to come with us. Jarrod and Quintrell had been most unhappy when the princes picked Chiron.
Quintrell had insisted that we take him with us to make use of his great sword skills.
“Sure,” I’d said. “You also insisted that Prince Rai use your great sword to cut off my three heads on Pandemonium.”
“How do you still remember that?” Quintrell had said, looking so hurt.
Blaze and Iokul had glared at him and growled.
“I dare you to come near my mate again,” Blaze had threatened.
Quintrell had spread his arms apart, his face reddening with shame. “How was I supposed to know the beas—the Furies—were actually Princess Daisy? No one could have ever put the two together.”
“Rai did,” I’d said. And my lightning dragon looked proud. “But you’re forgiven, Quintrell, if you stay quiet now.”
He’d heaved a sigh.
Jarrod didn’t know where the king had gone other than that he’d gone to the mountains, so he couldn’t serve as our guide. And we needed him here with the Oslanian warriors to provide local support.
“Base operations are very important,” Rai had tried to console the rest of his men. “During the trip, we aren’t allowed to shift or use magic. We’ll need a healer. And for your information, it won’t be a great adventure. The path will be full of treacherous peril.”