Page 78 of Hidden Fate

Our warriors and Spike’s group would be in dragon form to start, while the rest of us would stay in human form until we knew what we were up against. There was one hard rule: Thorn, Vlad, Theron, Saphira, Wyvern, and I would stay in human form to enter the château through the secret passage, which couldn’t be done in beast form.

We got organized in silence since, this had all been agreed on before now.

Thorn and I took our position front and center. It had been a point of contention with the others, but we’d stood our ground. How could we expect any of them to participate in this fight if we weren’t willing to lead the charge? It didn’t seem ethical.

Are you ready?Thorn asked, taking my hand. We each held a dagger in our other hand. His anxiety mixed with mine, and I knew it had more to do with the possibility of me getting injured than the fight itself.

I needed to counter him with confidence.Let’s do this.

Our group moved quickly and a lot less quietly. The dragons would know we were coming, so we needed to use surprise to our advantage.

We hurried onto the dragon lands, crossing the road that marked the territory. I could hear our people shifting into their dragons behind us, but from what I could tell, this area was clear.

Our group stood in the clearing, waiting for Drake’s warriors. That was the plan—lure the warriors out so we could fight them here.

Time ticked by, and Vlad groaned. “They aren’t coming,” he sneered. “They’re making us come to them so they have the upper hand.”

My heart sank. Of course Drake wouldn’t let his warriors leave his side. He wouldn’t want to risk his life, knowing we’d be desperate to get tohim. But he hadn’t accounted for one thing. Something that would bring him to his knees.

I turned around and scanned the group. “Who has a phone I can use to connect to the Dragonnet? I have an idea.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX

Drake’s egowas his ultimate weakness, and I planned on using it against him. He had enough advantages over us—we needed to force him to send the warriors here.

“I do.” Spike held out his phone. “I’m already logged in.”

What are you thinking?Thorn asked and squinted at me like he was trying to see inside my mind.

You’re going live on Dragonnet to tell the world we’re at the château, about to attack, and that you’re going to be king as your father decreed moments before death.I turned to him and looked into his eyes. I’d just called the king his father.

He flinched but recovered quickly enough, so I continued,Ramble, do whatever it takes, but stick with that story. Make Drake lose his shit and want to shut you up, even if that means the warriors leave him to come here.

His eyes twinkled.You’re brilliant and downright scary. Remind me never to get on your bad side.

You’d better not.I arched a brow, enjoying his teasing.Or you’ll have more at risk than losing the crown.

Before taking the phone from Spike, I lifted a hand. “This could put your whole thunder at risk. I want to make sure you’ve considered that.”

“My presence here already does that,” Spike countered, placing the phone in my hand. “It won’t make a difference.”

I took the phone, not having a rebuttal. That was true and one reason I didn’t blame other dragon shifters for not showing up. If we lost, they, and potentially their thunders, would die for allying with us. They had just as much at stake as Thorn and I did.

I nodded because my throat was thick with too many emotions to express. These people believed in us, and all I could do was hope we didn’t let them down. I reached for Mom’s bracelet and our rings, none of which, of course, were there. They were all safely back at Spike’s cabins so I wouldn’t lose them during the battle. One day, I’d be able to wear all my precious jewelry without fearing I’d need to fight or shift.

Thorn took my hand and squeezed it comfortingly.Let’s do this together. If we make it through this, it’ll be you and me leading our people.

Part of me wanted to say no, that he was the one they needed to see, but it would infuriate Drake more if the woman he’d proclaimed as his was standing by his brother’s side where she was always meant to be.

“Actually…” I handed the phone right back to Spike. “Will you record us?”

“You’ve got it.” He lifted the phone. “Just tell me when you’re ready. I’ll use the king announcements hashtag to get the live stream on Drake’s radar quickly.”

“Use all you need.” Thorn placed an arm around my waist, pulling me against his side.

We should’ve dressed differently for this, but we’d come here assuming the warriors would be eager to attack us. The possibility of us going live hadn’t occurred to us, so we were wearing dirty jeans and black shirts to blend in with the shadows.

Even so, Thorn always held an air of power. His dragon was so damn strong, far stronger than Drake’s, and that couldn’t be ignored, even without being physically in Thorn’s presence. His chiseled face was entrancing, and add in the light scruff that emphasized his strong features, and he was a highly arresting man…and allmine.

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