Page 46 of The Kingdom of Flames and Ash

“What is the meaning of this?” Lira’s eyes cut toward her parents.

“We had no way to inform the guards on duty here that we were bringing the Unseelie home. It’s nothing to be concerned about.” The king glanced at Hestia. “Order them to stand down and inform them that the Unseelie are returning.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Hestia darted out of the group and headed toward the oncoming Seelie guards. However, when she glanced back at Brenin, she hesitated.

Something was wrong.

When I followed her gaze, my entire world shifted. Terror froze my heart, and I yanked Lira behind me.

Five figures soared in a slithering fashion high in the sky.

Dragons were coming to Aetherglen, somewhere they shouldn’t have known we’d be.

16

LIRA

My body jerked as Tavish slung me behind him. I found myself with my chest plastered against his back, the jolt of our connection springing to life as his terror clawed inside me.

Alarm rang through me. Only one thing would put him on edge like that.

Dragons.

Needing to know what was going on, I flew an inch higher to see over his shoulder.

The world seemed to tilt. Of course, they’d arrive as soon as we reached the kingdom. We couldn’t have even a few minutes to get settled before the next threat materialized.

“We need to hide Lira,” Finnian said and turned in our direction. “There’s no telling who is part of the party or what they’re going to demand once they arrive.”

Our group moved forward once more, Tavish keeping a firm grip on my wrist to keep me behind him.

“I’m not hiding.” I’d sneak away from everyone if I had to. The dragons had Eiric, and I needed to know how she was doing. I wouldn’t turn my back and let my sister suffer because she’d gotten into this whole mess by protecting me.

You’re not going anywhere with them, Lira.Tavish’s body coiled, bracing for attack.I’m not losing you again. I’ll kill them all if that’s what it takes.

I believed him, but even if he could follow through on that promise, that wouldn’t fix the entire problem. My sister was being held by the enemy, and she’d already been there for several days, far longer than any of us intended.

Yet I understood that handing myself over wouldn’t get her back. They’d have no reason to let her go. Dragons loved to hoard, and they were angry with my parents for the choices they’d made in sending me to Earth and not notifying the dragons upon my return, as well as from learning that I had a fated-mate bond with the Unseelie king.

They wanted retribution, and I had no doubt they would use Eiric to get it.

There were only two ways we could get her back safely—either by making an exchange where I was handed over at the same time she was given back or starting a war. Because, at the end of the day, the dragons were determined to solidify a union between their prince and me.

With the injuries we’d sustained and the chaos of the Unseelie rebellion, we hadn’t gotten a chance to address the problem. And now we faced a decision we might not be prepared to make.

The five dragons drew closer, and I noticed their scales were black, iridescent, hunter green, royal blue, and silver. Not the crimson of the prince, the gold of the king, or the jade of the queen.

“I doubt that’s the royals. They wouldn’t come here with so few guards,” Mom said before I could inform everyone.

“That means the dragons fear we might challenge them or fight to ensure that Lira remains here.” Father rubbed a hand over his beard as our entire group continued to move.

Dad drew his sword, preparing to defend my parents and me, just as we reached the edge of the island where the Aelwen River flowed between the border of the Seelie and Unseelie kingdoms. The leader of the guards who’d been flying toward us finally stopped in front of Father and Mother. The moment I noted the auburn hair flying out of the helmet, I knew exactly who it was.

Sorcha.

The female guard who’d given me a hard time when Tavish had been captured. She hadn’t trusted me not to do anything foolish.

“Your Majesties,” she said, bowing her head and then narrowing eyes that reminded me of flames under a midnight sky. “We were concerned when we saw the large group flying toward us and then the dragons. I needed to check that you weren’t under attack or being threatened.”

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