Page 49 of The Kingdom of Flames and Ash

“We do not agree.” Father lifted both hands, his fingertips brown with his own magic. “So you should leave.”

“That won’t be happening,” Zyndara scoffed. “Don’t make us use force.”

Smoke trickled from the four dragons’ noses as they prepared to drench us in flames.

Oh, hell no. I wouldn’t stand for that.

I yanked on my water magic, ready to unleash it.

17

LIRA

Straightening my spine, I lifted my hands, allowing my refreshing, cool water magic to pulse from my palms and raise the water from the river behind the dragons. I could also shoot water from my palms if needed, but I wanted to make a stand. Attacking them would no doubt cause this situation to escalate further, which wasn’t my intent. Though a part of me would like to douse the ashbreaths in water and relish watching them squirm, that wasn’t in my best interest. “Let me be clear; I won’t allow you five to take me. My magic is strong enough to drench you with water if needed.”

The water rippled behind them, causing Zyndara to look over her shoulder and take a large gulp.

A few other Seelie stepped forward with their hands raised, and I had no doubt they could also bend water and would be stronger since they weren’t half drained.

Tavish tilted his head back and jutted out his chin. “And though my people don’t control water, they can use ice, which complements the water the Seelie can wield.”

The dragon sneered, her eyes brightening like a star flashing. “We came in peace, asking for the princess betrothed to our prince to come with us, and this is the response we receive?”

“Let’s be clear.” Mother lifted a brow. “You just proclaimed that our daughterwouldbe leaving with you three years before the agreed-upon date. If anything, your royals are abusing our agreement terms to fit their needs, which won’t be tolerated.”

I sighed, ready for this all to be over. I wanted to get out of the asinine agreement with Pyralis, kill Eldrin, and live happily ever after with Tavish. Was that really too much to ask? “In other words, I’m not going anywhere.”

“Very well.” Zyndara moved her feet shoulder-width apart. “I didn’t want this meeting to come to this as we were hoping it would be amicable, but if you refused to have Princess Lira return with us, we were to deliver a message.”

My stomach tightened, and Nightbane growled, the fur around his neck rising.

“Princess Lira is to come to Tìr na Dràgon of her own free will within three days, or there will be dire consequences.”

My breath caught, and heat slammed through our bond as Tavish’s face flushed.

We both knew exactly what they were going to dangle in front of me.

Eiric.

“And what exactly are those consequences?” Father asked curtly while both Mom and Dad stood frozen like statues.

Zyndara steepled her fingers, and her pupils elongated. “Her friend perishes slowly and brutally.”

My heart squeezed. Mom’s wings twitched, ready to fly forward, but Caelan snagged her wrists and held her back.

I couldn’t believe they were threatening someone so important to me, but it was the only way they would get the desired outcome.

Tavish unleashed his magic, causing snow to fall and the sky to be shrouded in darkness. “Not only does the ashbreath keep claiming my mate, but he’s willing to kill someone she cares about just to get her to come to him? He is either ignorant or suicidal.”

“It’s obviously the first one.” Finnian scoffed and wrinkled his nose. “I’d heard the rumors that dragon’s penises were large, but the sacrifice was a lack of intellect. Most of the energy rushed to the penis and testicles, leaving only leftovers for the brain.”

I coughed a laugh as both Mother’s and Father’s eyes widened. That was one thing about Finnian; he didn’t act cold and broody like most of the Unseelie fae. If I hadn’t known better, I would’ve believed he was Seelie.

The royal-blue dragon huffed, a trickle of flames coming from his mouth. I readied to toss water in his face, but he didn’t actually attack. He must have reacted in disgust.

“Insult us all you want.” Zyndara smirked. “But these are our demands, and we aren’t asking for anything truly unreasonable. Prince Pyralis simply wants to ensure that his future wife doesn’t breed with a nightfiend. He wants his wife’s bloodline to continue only from him.”

Tavish unsheathed his sword and darted toward the dragons. Zyndara’s skin thickened, her dark scales returning.

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