Here There be Dragons (Book 4 in the Twilight Court Series)

by Amy Sumida

  I hunched over Cat as Raza tensed but the attack never came. I looked up and saw Raza's face lifted, his eyes staring off into the distance. So regal and beautiful, yet he became even more so as a glow bathed his body. Then he sighed and his whole form shivered. The sounds of battle died away and an awed murmur spread among the fey. I craned my neck and saw that the Sluagh was gone, replaced by a sea of kneeling fairies. Cries of Danu filled the air and I knew what Raza was gazing at.

  “She's here, isn't she?” I asked him with hope rising in my chest. If anyone could save Cat, it was Danu.

  “An image of her.” He kept his stare set forward and added with wonder, “She's turning back the Sluagh.”

  “Oh,” the hope died.

  Danu wouldn't come and help us, she had a greater goal in mind. As she always did. And Cat wouldn't be a priority for her.

  “Seren,” Raza's great head bowed down to nestle against me. “Let me see Cat. It's okay, my love. Let her go.”

  I reluctantly eased my grip on Cat so Raza could look at her wound. He sniffed at her and then lifted his head briefly to give a short screech. Cat trembled but it wasn't from fear. She was getting colder and I knew it was death coming for her. It wouldn't be long now.

  “I love you, little Cat,” I leaned over and kissed her nose. “Thank you for being a part of my life. Thank you for being such a brave and true friend.”

  She sighed into my neck and I closed my eyes, waiting for death with her.

  But then a cool hand eased me back gently and I opened my eyes to see one of the grindylows standing beside us. She smiled at me as she held her hands over Cat's wound and they began to glow. Cat's body shook again and I eased up on an elbow to watch as her wound knitted together. Her eyes blinked open and settled on me steadily.

  “Cat?” I hugged her and then reached over and pulled the grindylow into the hug with us. “Thank you, thank you,” I let her go as she giggled and then I looked back to Cat. “Are you okay?” When I pulled away, she jumped to her feet and started cleaning my face with an exuberant tongue. “Sweet Danu, I thought you were a goner.” I shook my head at her complete recovery in wonder.

  “Grindylows are exceptional healers,” Raza sniffed at me and nudged my leg. “Let her work on you now.”

  “Oh,” I looked down and saw a giant tear in my breeches, blood was seeping from it steadily. “Right. But there must be soldiers more wounded than I.”

  “Seren,” Raza growled and the grindylow jumped forward with her glowing hands outstretched.

  I felt the twitching of my muscles knitting back together and my pain faded.

  “You're damn good at that,” I said to the grindylow.

  “Very good,” she agreed. “Very good and very happy to help you, Your Majesty.”

  “It's actually; Your Highness,” I corrected gently. “But that's okay. I won't forget what you've done today. If I can ever repay you, just ask.”

  “You will be Queen of Unseelie,” the grindylow nodded sagely. “She told me. I'm satisfied with that as repayment.”

  “Danu told you that?” I asked with a sigh and the grindylow nodded before bopping off to mend other wounded fairies.

  “Come, my love,” Raza's massive claw eased beneath me and helped me up. “It's time to accept your uncle's surrender.”

  “Where's Danu?” I looked across the blood soaked field.

  “Returning the Sluagh to their rest beneath the castle,” he said serenely. “She saved us, Seren. Which means she supports my claim to the throne.”

  “Of course she does,” I shook my head at him. “Do you think she would have guided us down this path if she didn't?”

  “There is that,” he chuckled. “You should have seen them. Even the sea fey stopped fighting and dropped to their knees.”

  “I had more pressing matters to attend to,” I stroked Cat's silky head and she huffed happily at me.

  My knights settled in around us as Cat and I walked through the battlefield with Raza. Fairies pulled back respectfully, bowing as we passed, but then, out of the calm, came my father. He galloped towards us with Bress still at his back and his knights surrounding them. As they approached, my Star's Guard broke off and joined me.

  “You have the best timing, Your Highness,” Conri smirked. “It was starting to look like certain death out there.”

  “It's not me you have to thank,” I looked around and saw the group of sea dragons approaching us. Behind them, their army closed in.

  “We appreciate the assistance,” my father nodded to the dragon kings as Bress slid off his horse. “But I think you'll agree that you owed us a debt after you attempted to murder my daughter.”

  “Not the time, Dad,” I shook my head. “Just say thank you.”

  “You're right, Seren,” Keir looked grim. “Now's the time to send our men after the fleeing ex-monarchs of the Unseelie Kingdom.”

  “What?!” Yazi screeched as the rest of the dragons began to growl.

  “Uisdean and Rue have fled,” Keir nodded to a portion of the forest. A band of mounted knights were already headed towards it with all haste.

  The sea dragons roared and began to bound off in the same direction. Their army followed. I had no idea an entire army could move so fast.

  “I almost pity them,” I said tiredly.

  “Why did the dragon kings help us?” Keir dismounted and strode over to me.

  “Revenge,” I shrugged. “They wanted to get even with Uisdean for betraying their arrangement.”

  “Well, I suppose we should be grateful, whatever their motivations,” Keir sighed and cast his gaze towards Bress.

  “I know this moment must be hard for you,” I said to Bress. “So I'm not going to ask what happened to make you change sides. I just want to thank you for saving my father,” I stuck out my gloved hand.

  Bress stared at me as he took my hand. He had a stronger look to him now, something steady in his gaze, and I knew suddenly that Queen Rue's return had been the catalyst for Bress growing a backbone. Perhaps he'd seen insanity from another perspective and it had opened his eyes. Or maybe Rue had just scared the stupid out of him. Whatever it was, I was happy that my cousin had finally decided to save himself and in doing so, he had also saved Keir.

  “I did it for myself,” Bress admitted. “I hope that offer of sanctuary still stands.”

  “You're always welcome,” I said immediately. “But I don't think you'll need sanctuary anymore.” I looked pointedly to Raza.

  “You're welcome to stay, Lord Bress,” Raza said generously.

  “There's still the issue of my mother,” Bress reminded us.

  We all froze and searched the battlefield but Moire was no where to be seen.

  “Did she escape with Uisdean?” I asked.

  “No,” Keir said. “When Uisdean entered the battle, Moire kept riding into the castle. I'm sure she's fled by now.”

  “She could be anywhere,” Bress grimaced. “This may sound cowardly but I'd rather not remain in Unseelie when my mother's whereabouts remain unknown.”

  “I don't blame you,” Raza chuckled. “Moire can be ferocious when she feels betrayed.”

  “There's no doubt about it,” Bress clenched his jaw, “she was betrayed. I betrayed her.”

  “Nephew,” Keir dismounted and went to place a supportive hand on Bress' shoulder. “Your mother has betrayed you for your entire life. What you did today was not betrayal, it was self-defense.”

  Bress took a deep breath and nodded.

  “We'll be happy to have you in Twilight,” Keir added and then looked up at Raza. “Now, I think congratulations are in order. King Raza; Unseelie is yours.”

  “Thank you, Your Majesty,” Raza bowed his head to Keir. “But I'm not king yet.”

  “Then let's get 'er done,” the bronze dragon spoke with Hana's voice. “Come on cousin, I've been waiting a long time to see you crowned.”

  Chapter Forty-Three

  “Where are you going?” The deep velvet bar
itone sent an electric shock racing down my spine.

  I turned to see Raza standing in the doorway of my guest room.

  “Home,” I said simply.

  My things had been fetched from the forest, along with the dragon king's supplies, which would be held for them until they returned to claim them... hopefully with Uisdean and Rue in chains (magic dampening chains). I had showered off the mud and blood, then slipped into a fresh pair of leather garments; a riding outfit. I think that was what gave me away, even more than my packing.

  “I haven't been crowned yet,” he came into the room like a tiger stalking its prey and I nearly laughed at his intense expression.

  “I said I'd back you and I did,” I shrugged. “You're here in the Unseelie Castle, about to be crowned its king.”

  “I'm transferring the court to Craos-Teine,” he scowled.

  “Are you?” I asked conversationally. “I hope someone will stay behind and see to the midnight garden, I'd hate to see it die.”

  “Hana and Kader will share this castle while Rayetayah comes with me,” he slashed a hand through the air, ending my tangents. “Seren, you must be there. I want you to crown me.”

  “You want me to do it?” I lifted my brow in surprise. “I don't think that's appropriate. You should have Rayetayah or perhaps my father.”

  “My future queen will crown me,” he growled.

  I turned and calmly slapped him across the face. Cat whimpered and dug her way beneath the covers on the bed.

  “Seren!” Raza nearly roared.

  “Snap out of it!” I shouted back at him. “We are not going to get married. I am not going to be your queen. I'm not even going to be your girlfriend. Move on, Raza.”

  “You're wrong,” he whispered calmly as his face settled into stubborn lines.

  “Whatever,” I sighed. “I'm done fighting about it and I'm done with this whole situation. Uisdean is on the run with Rue and can no longer hurt this kingdom. I'm satisfied with that. So now, I'm going home.”

  “Seren, consider for one moment, the possibility that I'm right,” Raza said gently. “What if we do marry? Will you look back on this day and wish you'd been the one to crown me? Regrets are the worst bedfellows, Seren.”

  A shiver coasted over my skin and my stomach clenched with premonition. I didn't see anything but I knew he was right. For whatever reason, I would regret not crowning him.

  “Damn it,” I hissed, knowing I couldn't ignore that feeling. “Fine, Raza,” I turned and pointed a finger in his face. “But just so you know; I'm doing this to shut you up, not because I believe we'll ever be together.”

  “As you wish,” his lips twisted up into a smile.

  “And then I'm going home.”

  “What; directly after you place the crown upon my head?”

  “Yes.”

  “You won't even join me for dinner?”

  “No.”

  “We're having roasted mirten with honey and almonds.”

  “That's my favorite,” I whispered. My shoulders fell as I thought about the chicken, I mean mirten. Mmmm; honey and almonds. “No!”

  “Alright, my love,” he kissed my cheek, then went to the door and motioned someone in. It was a slim unseelie sidhe woman holding a whole lot of silk over her arms. “I would like for you to wear this,” he motioned the woman to the bed and she laid the dress out, bowed, and left.

  “What's this?” I spread the material out and long, slim sleeves were revealed.

  The dress had a high neck with a simple decoration of seed pearls along the edges and it flared out into voluminous skirts. From the neck to about mid-waist it was black but a pattern of flames rose from the bottom hem and lifted around both the skirt and arms as if the whole thing was in the process of burning.

  “Red and black,” I looked over to him with a lifted brow.

  “The new colors of the Unseelie Court,” he smirked.

  “It doesn't seem appropriate,” I frowned at it.

  “That's the second time you've used that word,” he scowled. “Are you having second thoughts over my taking the throne?”

  “Not at all,” I blinked at him in surprise. “It just seems like the Unseelie colors should be black and silver, like the colors on the rath doors.”

  “They were originally black and red,” he said quietly. “As black as midnight and as red as blood.”

  “Or the scales of its king,” I noted.

  “Yes, well done,” he noted. “The first Raza was a red dragon as well.”

  “But I am not unseelie,” I said and folded up the dress.

  “What?” He gaped at me.

  “I meant that the dress wasn't appropriate for me,” I explained. “Did it ever occur to you, when you were so highhandedly ordering a gown for me to wear to your crowning, that I may prefer to wear the colors of my own court?”

  “I...”

  “If you want me to crown you, you'll have to accept me as I am,” I waved a hand over my leathers. Some kind fairy, probably a brownie, had cleaned them while I was showering, so at least they were clean.

  “So be it,” he declared. “I've won my crown on the battlefield, I may as well be crowned by a warrior princess.”

  “Oh thank the Goddess I was the only one to hear you call me that,” I groaned.

  “What? Why?”

  “Xena the... never mind,” I waved it away. “I happen to agree with you. I think that would be fitting.”

  “Finally, something she approves of,” he huffed at the ceiling.

  “But before I do anything else, I have to locate a crystal ball.”

  “Tiernan?” He made a disgruntled face.

  “Yes, Tiernan.”

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Tiernan was deeply relieved to hear from me, even more so when I reported that we'd won the day. But when I told him about Uisdean, his smile turned into a glower.

  “I'll gather a team,” he said.

  “It's already been handled,” I assured him. “The entire undersea army went after him. We still have their stuff,” I laughed. “Uisdean ran and they immediately gave chase.”

  “Alright,” he remained glowering.

  “Dad sent men after Uisdean too,” I added.

  “Oh, okay then,” he brightened and I shook my head and laughed.

  “Your Highness?” A red cap filled the doorway to the library.

  “Yes?”

  “Beg pardon but your father is asking for you,” he glanced down the hall. “He be in with the new.. oh er.. the soon to be... um... he's with the dragons, Princess.”

  “Okay, one moment please,” I turned back to Tiernan. “I have to go but I'll leave right after the ceremony.”

  “No. Wait till morning, Seren,” Tiernan said immediately. “I don't want you setting off in the dark just because you think I don't trust you there.”

  “Um okay,” I chewed at my lip.

  It wasn't that I didn't think Tiernan trusted me; I didn't trust myself.

  “I'll see you in a couple of days,” he grinned and touched his fingertips to the crystal. “I love you, little star.”

  “I love you too,” I touched the spot over his fingers and then stroked my hand over the crystal and ended the scry. “Alright,” I stood. “Lead on.”

  “This way, Princess,” the red cap nodded and lumbered off.

  I followed him to Uisdean's dining room, up in his tower. The kuperi cage was gone and the dining table was being used to conduct a meeting. My father nodded to me when I entered the room and I took a seat beside him. There was a heated discussion going on and no one paused to fill me in. I lifted a brow at my father.

  “Our men have reported back. Uisdean and Rue made it through the Alaskan rath,” Keir informed me.

  “What?” I narrowed my eyes on him.

  “There was no one watching the rath, no one to stop them,” my father grimaced and I looked down the table to where Chad sat, his face a mix of rage and guilt.

  “Chad came to suppo
rt Raza,” I interrupted the debate. “I hope none of you are holding him accountable for this?”

  “Of course we're not,” Kader snapped and Raza gave him a furious look. “I mean, of course we're not, Princess Seren,” Kader added in a more respectful tone.

  “Then you must be blaming yourself,” I said gently to Chad. “You have that look.”

  “How can I not, Princess?” Chad sighed.

  “Because it's not your fault,” I said reasonably. “Everyone agreed that you leaving Uisdean in the lurch was a good thing. None of us could have foreseen that he'd use it as an opportunity to flee.”

  “I suppose,” Chad sighed.

  “I saw you out there, King Chiwen,” I leaned forward with a smile. “You were glorious on that battlefield; all shining turquoise and flowy whiskers. Beautiful and so deadly. Raza was lucky to have you with him.”

  “I was. I am,” Raza leaned across the table to stare steadily at Chad. “Without you, we may not have held out until Seren brought us reinforcements. You were right where we needed you to be.”

  “And who's to say that had you been at the rath, you would have been able to stop them?” Keir shrugged. “Uisdean has Dagda's club, it's an unfair advantage.”

  “He still has the club?” I gaped at my father.

  “You expected him to drop it as he fled?” My father lifted a brow.

  “No,” I ground out, “I suppose not.”

  “So let's stop blaming ourselves,” Raza said reasonably, “and figure out our next step.”

  “Uisdean and Rue are in the Human Realm with Dagda's club,” I groaned. “I don't know about all of you but I know what my next move has to be.”

  “What's that?” Hana lifted a brow.

  “I have to warn the Human Council and the witch elders.”

  The entire table sat back in their seats as the severity of the situation settled on us. My evil Uncle Uisdean and his insane undead queen were running amok among unsuspecting humans.

  “Well shit,” Chad summed it up nicely.

  Chapter Forty-Four