Page 23 of The Flame King's Queen

Isavelle has remained silent the entire time, but she speaks up now. “Kane, you’re a magic user. You’re a warlock, and you know it. As painful as it may be to acknowledge, you are the same as the ones you were forced to hunt.”

Hatred and anger blaze in Kane’s face, and he snaps, “Tell your bitch to hold her tongue.”

Behind us, Auryn snarls, and the ground thunders beneath his forelegs as he rears and stomps. I feel heat blaze in Scourge’s scales, but he doesn’t so much as shift on his talons. On Kane’s far side, the Alpha females are growling and lashing their tails.

“Your dragon sees and feels everything that you do. It’s dangerous to always be losing control around him,” I tell Kane.

“I did not ask for your insincere advice,” Kane snarls. “You want nothing else but for my dragon to rip me apart.”

10

Isavelle

“Itrust my dragon with my queen. Can you trust Auryn near your Omega?” Zabriel asks Kane.

I follow the conversation between the two Alphas with my heart in my mouth. Zabriel’s right. If Auryn goes on a rampage, it won’t just be Kane who’s in danger. Ravenna could be killed as well. I remember how the red-headed young woman was fearful of the flare, especially a dragon of Scourge’s size. She’d probably already had some near misses with Auryn.

“Where is Ravenna?” I ask Kane.

Kane’s dark eyes flick to me, and then back to Zabriel. “By the way, I expected you to send spies, though I didn’t imagine they’d be so stupid.”

“I have sent no spies. Of what are you speaking?” Zabriel replies.

“That hag in red robes. She’s been sniffing around my dragons.”

“Do you mean Elysant the spellbreaker? A young woman in red robes.”

“Just call a hag a hag. She was one of a pair I humiliated when they tried to kill me with their useless magic. Keep her away from my dragons, or Auryn will rip her to pieces.”

“I no longer give Elysant orders. She’s a wanted traitor who tried to kill me and my mate.”

“A shame she didn’t try harder.” Kane flicks a hateful glare at me and then turns to go. “See you in five days. Make sure you kill the Shadow King because I won’t bring that barrier down a second time.”

“Wait,” I call after him. “You have to at least promise us Ravenna is safe.”

“I have to promise you nothing, witch. I don’t need you. You need me.”

“You want the man who is responsible for the Brethren dead as much as I do. I know how much you hate them.”

They treated Kane with nothing but cruelty, force-feeding him addictive drugs and flaying the flesh from his back when he disobeyed. He still carries those scars.

A muscle tics in Kane’s jaw as he glowers over his shoulder at me. Without another word, he disappears into the rocks and trees. A moment later, Auryn flies into the air, and the other yellow dragons follow him.

Zabriel climbs up onto Scourge and throws his leg over his dragon so that he is seated behind me.

“Could you catch Ravenna’s scent anywhere?” I ask, feeling heavyhearted that I came all this way without laying eyes on Ravenna or even being assured that she is alive and well.

“On Kane. A fresh scent, so you can be assured that she lives.”

That’s something at least.

Zabriel wraps his strong arms around me, and I nestle into his chest, seeking the comfort of his body. Ravenna is a witch, I remind myself. She’s smart and strong, and she will survive. She need only hang on a little longer, and then she can be free of her cruel Alpha forever.

We sit quietly atop Scourge for a moment, holding on to each other. I’m so grateful for our love.

“Tomorrow I will travel with the villagers and help them resettle in their homes.”

“I will miss you,sha’lenla,” Zabriel murmurs, holding me tight. His hand splays against my belly. “I will miss both of you.”

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