Page 119 of The Heart of the Dragon

A growl sounded from Isaac's chest as a definitive warmth filled in the air around them, and while I'd thought they were only teasing each other, I suddenly wasn't sure. "Then why are you here?"

"Stop. Both of you. Rose is going to get the wrong idea and besides, you two bickering is not what she needs right now."

"No. She needs her head examined for not heeding my warning. Didn’t give a second thought to what I told her, nor did she take steps to prevent all of this."

I blinked, taken aback. “Me? How the hell was I supposed to stop this freaking train wreck? Magnus wasn’t going to stop until that bastard was dead and I don’t blame him.” I’d stand up for what he did until my last breath if that’s what it took. However, what I didn't need now was a damned lecture, especially from a creature I wasn't sure I could trust. I couldn't wrap my own thoughts around what had happened, so I had no intention of discussing it with someone I didn't know or understand. Her ability to predict this had been uncanny and while I wasn't foreign to the concept of someone having "the sight", I'd never encountered it this intensely.

I still had a lot to learn about magic.

“You are his mate. That alone gives you the power you need.”

“Ensley, you know better than that,” Kitra said. “These dragons are alphas. They protect what they love, but they also destroy their enemies. It is their way.”

"Is there a point to this conversation other than to chastise me?" I glared at Ensley while silently acknowledging that my stress level was at an all-time high and my ability to hold my tongue might be affected.

Ensley smirked, Isaac smiled, and Kitra's mouth dropped open.

"I'm sure she has an agenda," Isaac sniffed. "She always does."

"Well, I came to see if I could help the king-slayer. And see an old friend." Ensley laid a hand on Kitra's arm and she softened further towards the sprite.

"I've missed you," Kitra whispered. "So much."

"It's been no time at all for me. But you've no doubt learned that time is a fickle beast, and our two worlds like to clash over it."

Kitra nodded. "That's putting the difference mildly. When we return a lot will have changed."

"Maybe. Maybe not. Only time will tell." Ensley bent and laughed at her own joke. When she straightened again, her face turned serious. "You should not have come. This kingdom can only handle one of them." She pointed at Isaac.

"Don't start, demon. If you make me regret not smothering you in fire when I had the chance, I might be tempted to find another opportunity."

She glared at Isaac, and I honestly couldn't tell whether these two truly hated each other or if this was some weird banter amongst frenemies.

"If you don't want my help, that's fine. I can leave." She turned away from us and I was kind of relieved and guilty at the same time. Kitra had warned me that I would need Ensley's help. However, before I could say anything, Kitra lunged for her friend and grabbed her arm.

"Don't go. It's been a horrific day. We're all just tired, hungry and worried. Magnus isn't doing very well. Apparently, the king had some poison prepared and?—"

"The new dragon king has many enemies here. Nothing will be easy for him."

King.

I let the title circle its way through my mind.

I hadn't given it much thought before now.

"And are you one of those enemies?" I demanded, interrupting her before she could say anything else against my...

"To be honest, I'm not sure. Under the King's spell, his cruelty knew no bounds. As you've heard, the destruction he caused has been cataclysmic. A fact you will sadly learn more of in time." I was about to throw those words back at her like daggers when she continued, "I, like many in this kingdom, will need some time to discover his true nature. And trust me, if you had seen what he did firsthand, I'm not sure you'd forgive him either."

"Don't!" I screamed at her. "Don't you dare stand here and throw his past in my face when he isn't here to defend himself. When he is fighting for his life." Anger began to boil in my blood at her distrust. Fuck her. "Besides, you just said it. He was under a spell. It was the king who controlled what he did, not Magnus. Where is the sympathy for what was done to him?"

Ensley shook her head. "That would imply to the entire realm he was of weak mind. Is that how you would describe him? How you want everyone else to see him? A more likely scenario was that the King's spell made his true nature worse. If he were as pure of heart as you seem to think, then I don't believe that spell would have had as much power as it did."

"That's interesting, coming from you. Aren't you a demon? Most of whom are not known for their kindness, correct? What right do you have to judge Magnus?" My voice raised several octaves with every question as the panic and anger rose. What I didn't realize was how much I'd advanced on Ensley until Isaac's hand landed on my shoulder and stilled my progress.

"Rose," his quiet, but strong saying of my name finally stilled me until a tear dripped into my mouth. Embarrassed, I quickly wiped the others away and turned from Ensley. I was losing control of my emotions, and I didn't know what to do about it. I was so so scared and standing here doing nothing wasn't helping.

"I need something to do," I said quietly. "Anything other than stand here and?—"

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