Page 50 of The Kingdom of Flames and Ash

My heart hammered, and I prepared to do whatever was necessary to protect my mate.

I couldn’t lose him.

Not like this.

Not when his goal was to save me.

“Blighted abyss,” Caelan rasped, flying after Tavish with Finnian on his wings.

Heavier smoke trickled from the dragons’ snouts, and I smelled brimstone. It made me want to gag.

They all pivoted, readying for Tavish to strike Zyndara, but instead, Tavish cloaked himself in darkness and stabbed the pearl-colored dragon on the end through the neck. Crimson blood sprayed as it tossed its head and roared.

Both Finnian and Caelan paused about ten feet away as the other dragons opened their mouths to let loose their flames on Tavish so I didn’t hold back. I directed the stream so the water crashed into their faces, pushing liquid up their noses and down their throats.

Both Seelie and Unseelie guards sprang forward as the earth shook under the dragons’ feet. Between that and the way they thrashed, I suspected that Tavish, if not more Unseelie, was using his illusion magic on the dragons.

“Stop,” Zyndara shouted, gripping the sides of her head as a snout began to form on her face. She growled, “We don’t mean you any harm. If we don’t arrive back in Tìr na Dràgon by the end of the day, your friend will die.”

I stopped calling the water, but I kept my hands upright.

“Stop the attack,” Dad bellowed, voice rife with panic.

As the pearl dragon dropped to the ground, succumbing to death, Tavish pushed the darkness away, revealing himself right in front of Zyndara. The blood from the pearl dragon splattered all over his face. He could’ve killed her too, if he’d desired.

“Inform Pyralis and the other royals that their message was received and that if he sends anyone else here to threaten my mate or her friends, I won’t stop at one death. I’ll kill them all.” His wings spread out behind him, blocking my view. “This is our land once more, and I won’t tolerate my enemy treating it like it’s their home. Do I make myself clear?”

Zyndara’s face smoothed into its human form, and her chest heaved. “I’ll inform the royals. I’m sure they’ll be very interested in the turn of events here.”

“Excellent.” Tavish slid his sword back into its sheath, unafraid that the other dragons would attack.

In fairness, it would be foolish if they did. They were grossly outnumbered, and our magic was stronger here.

“Three days,Princess.” Zyndara focused on me once again and curled the side of her mouth. “I hope you take this time to get your affairs in order and come to us so your friend might live.”

“How do I know they’ll truly hand her over?” None of the royals were here making the vow, and I needed to make sure they weren’t trying to skirt around the law of the realm.

She snarled, “The girl’s parents can come with you. When you arrive at the border, we’ll release her. You can watch her return to them before handing yourself over.” Then she allowed a sinister smile. “And if you try something foolish, we’ll wage war. It’s that simple. Either way, the Unseelie king will pay for killing Pyralis’s cousin.”

I hated the way my knees wanted to give out. Tavish killing a royal family member had made the situation worse.

He didn’t miss a beat. “I look forward to it.” Tavish folded his wings back and gestured to the castle. “I invite Pyralis to come any time and take this issue up with me. In fact, tomorrow works perfectly.”

Did you know that dragon was related to Pyralis?A sour taste filled my mouth because I hoped that my nagging suspicion was wrong.

“I’ll alert him,” Zyndara gritted out through clenched teeth, making the disdain she felt for him clear. “Now we’ll take our dead and leave.”

“Please.” Tavish brushed at the blood that stained his sleeves. “I’d rather not have dragon remains left behind to poison our soil. If you don’t, I’ll be forced to toss him into the water.”

The hunter-green dragon breathed heavily, but with water still dripping from him, he could barely make a trickle of smoke escape his nose. I took a step forward like I might use my magic on him once more, causing the dragon’s eyes to widen marginally.

At least they had reservations about my abilities. Granted, on dragon land, who knew how strong I’d be, but this close to Gleann Solas, I could feel my power intensify.

The royal-blue dragon lifted the pearl dragon in its talons while the green and silver dragons watched and Zyndara transitioned into her dragon form.

The silence surrounding us seemed deafening as the four of them flew away.

As their figures grew smaller and smaller, I clenched my hands together and repeated the question. I suspected that his continued silence validated my thoughts.Tavish,did you know?

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