DESCRIPTION
Thegoddessoflovehasdesignedadeadlytrial,andifIdon’twin…Iwilllosemydragonkings.
InthecourtofWater,amonsterlurks. InthecourtofFire,flamesburnawayanylies. InthecourtofEarth,touchiskey. InthecourtofAir,trytobreathe.
Aphroditehasmydragonkingsunderherspell,andtosavethem,Ihavetowinfourtrials,oneineachcourt Aresmaynotbe abletokillme,butthecourtsaredangerouswithhimincharge,andheisn’tgoingtoletmewineasily.Withenemieswithinthe courts,andoutsidethemtoo,Ineedalliestosurvivethis.
Iwasbornofshadows,royalty,andhope WhenIcall,Ayiolynwillrise.
Thisisafull-lengthenemiestoloversfantasyromancewithdragonshifters,abadassheroine,andpossessivealpha males.Perfectforfansofspicyfantasywhychoose?romance.ThisisbookthreeoftheDragonCrownseries;thebooks mustbereadinorder.
MylifehasbeenmarkedbythedecisionsI’vemade Tobeaking Tolovemymateandwife Tohaveachild Life isn’tusuallymarkedbydreams…butthisisnoordinarydream,andIknowitwillhauntmeforyearstocome.
TherehavebeenseveraldreamsinmylifethatIknewwerefilledwithmagic,filledwithawarningthatmustbe listenedto WhenIwastenyearsold,IdreamtofthemostbeautifulyoungwomanI’deverseeninmylife Shehadlongblack hair,brightblueeyes,andshewasstunning.Shewasstandingonastonepier,watchingoutoverastormysea,inaworldthat was not one that I’d grown up in A mortal world I was aware of Earth, and I had always been called to it, never understandingwhy.Iknew,withoutaninchofdoubtinmymind,thatIhadtofindthiswomaninmylifetime.Ihadtomeether, becauseshewouldbemine
Ofcourse,Iwasonlyachild,sowhenIwokeup,fitfullytalkingaboutthisstrangewomanthatI’dseen,myparentsthought Iwas completelyinsane and had lostmymind. Butyears later, Imether onthatexactpier. The same thinghappened inthe dream,butIwasintheshadow,watchingherfromadistance Thistime,Iwastherewhensheturnedaroundandlookedatme withthesameshock,awe,andinstantattractionIfelt.Iknewshewasmymate.Iknewwithoutanydoubtinmyheartthatthis womanwastheloveofmylifeandthattherewouldbenoonebeforeorafterherthatwouldmakemefeelthisway
Naturally,shewasstubbornandmorepowerfulthanIcould’vepossiblyimagined.Shewasthedaughterofagoddess,and herpowersmetmyown,perfectlymatched Iconvincedhertocometomyworld,tomycastle,tobemyqueen Itcamewitha cost.Shedidn’twanttoleaveEarth,aworldhermotherwastrappedin.Butshelovedme,andtogetherwepaidanypricefor ourlove.
Butthiscurrentdream,itdoesn’tfillmewithhope Itfillsmewithdread,withadreadthatturnsmystomachintoapitof ashes.Ilookacrossmylandsfromthetopofmycastle,tastingthedeathanddespairthickintheair.Thelandaroundthecastle filled with houses, temples, structures, and beauty is burning Everything’s beingdestroyed, blown up with magic, and dragonsarefallingfromtheskies.
I’mnotalone.Acloakedenemy,whoIcanbarelysee,stands beforeme.Heholds astaffthatcalls tome.“Your timeis over,King.TheSpiritCourthasfallen.Yourwife,yourdaughter,theyarebothdead,aswillyourpeoplesoonbe.There’llbe nooneheretoremembertheSpiritCourt,andwhenI’mdone,everycourtwillfalltome.Iwillbetheonlyrulerleft.”
Igaspasthismanripsmeapartwithmagicuntilonlymysoulistheretowatchasmyworldiscompletelydestroyedbya godwhowillneverstop.Wordsfillmymind,powerfulandold,fullofwarning.“Aprincessofspirit,boundtoeachelement, willbeborntothenight,promisedwithhope InherbloodliesthesecretsofAyiolyn,andsheneedsonlycall Inthesacred elements,bondswillbeforged.Shewillfindherdestinedmatesinthecourtsofshadow,fire,water,air,andearth.”
Wakingupinmyroom,Ilistenonlytomyheartracingassweatpoursdownmybrow.Myshadowsfloodtheroom,coming to protectme, butIsend themaway. Eventheyare no comfortnow. Ineed myqueen. Ipatthe emptyspace nextto me and frown.“Sheisfine,yourmajesty.”
Iturn,facingthematron,whoisstandingovertheendofmybed “Whatareyoudoinginhere?”Thematronnevercomes intoourrooms.“Where’smywife?”
“She’sinlabour,myking Congratulations”Thematronbowsherhead Joyfillsmysenses,andeventhedarknessseemsto lighten.“It’sonlythestart,andthequeendidn’twanttowakeyou.She’sgonetowalkroundthecastlewithher friends.She sentmetoinformyouthatyoushouldberingingthecastlebells,makingthecourtawarethatthenewprinceorprincesswillbe heresoon Itisyourhonourtodoso,afterall”
Thebellshaven’trungsinceIwasborn.“Imustseeher…”Istop.Ican’ttellheraboutthisdream,notnow,notwhenshe needstoconcentrateonlabouringourchild Isitup,frowning
Thematronistoosmart.I’vealwaysknownthatabouther.“Youhadadream?”Shepauses.“No,adreamofthefuture,and
ithasfrightenedyou.”
Liftingmyhead,Ilookatthematron.Sheisn’tmortal,dragon,goddess,oranythingIcanlabel,andforatime,Iwantedto know whatshe is and whyshe stays here Iremember myfather tellingme she had beenthere since he was a boy, and his grandfathertalkedaboutthematrontohimonce,suggestingshehaslivedaverylongtime.Sheisabeingwho’slivedinthis castlelongerthanIcouldknow,fullofsecretsthatnoonepossiblycouldguess Butshe’sloyaltothecastle,firstandforemost, andshe’sloyaltomyfamily.
Idon’tevenknowhowoldsheis Shelookslikeaharmlessoldlady,agedandwithered ButI’veseenherfight,moving quickerthananywindcouldblow.Therearealotofsecretsabouther,andIdoubtsheishereonawhim.Myqueencouldhave sentanyonewiththenews.Sheturnsfromme,lookingoutpastthebalcony.“Iwasawokenbythemagichauntingyou,calling tomelikeasong Ifeelyoumusttellmeaboutyourdreams,myking,astheymightspeaktomyownforetellingsofthefuture”
“Itwaslessadreamthananightmare,”Ianswer.I’vespentmyentirelifebeingwaryaroundpeopleinthiscourt,asall kingshaveenemies Ourcourt,wehaveplenty ButItrustherwithmylife Sodidmyfatherandhisfatherbeforehim “Aprophecy,aforecastingofwhat’stocome,”sheguesses,hervoicelikeice.
“I’vehadthemsinceIwasachild”MyanswerlingersbetweenusasIdecidetotrustherwiththis Icannottellmyqueen rightatthismoment,butIwill.Whensheisstronger,whenourchildishereandsafe.Iclimboutofthebed,walkingoverto thewindowwherethere’sasmalltable.Ipourmyselfaglassofwineanddownit,wincingatthebittertaste,beforeItellthe matronwhatthedreamwasabout
Afterwards,silenceringsbetweenus,thickandheavy.Thematronwalksovertomyside,watchingoutacrossthekingdom. Itwon’tbelonguntil thesunrises,floodingthedarkkingdomwithlight,butwiththewayIfeel,Ialmostsensethemorning will nevercome.Thesunwill neverrisethesameway,notnow Iknow deathisonitswayforme.“Ihavehaddreamslike this,too.ThefalloftheSpiritCourt.Idonotseethisenemy’strueface,asyouputhim.Justadanger,comingforusall.”
“Ihavetostopit,”Ibite,clutchingtheglasstightlyinmyhand.“Mychildisbeingbornsoon,andtheycannotcomeintoa worldwherethatisthefuture.”
“Thefuturecanbechanged;alldreamscanbe,”sheremarks “Ihighlydoubtthetwothingsarenotcoincidental”
“Themonstersaidthathekilledmydaughter.Iamtohaveadaughter,”Iwhisper.Pridefillsmychestandlonging.We’ve wantedachildsincetheearlydaysofourrelationship,andshewasourmiracle,madeonourmatingday Ourprincess
“Iknowofmagicsodangerousandpowerfulthatyourgrandfatherforbadeit,”thematronbegins.
Iknowofthismagic.MyfatherwarnedmeofitsoImightwarnthefuturegenerations.Deathmagic.Myparentsaregone fromthisworld.TheycastthemselvesintoshadowsyearsagowhenIwasonlyateenager.Ineverknewwhytheydecidedto leave.Maybetheyweredonewithlife.TheywerealwaysdifferentfromhowIam.Theywerecolder,empty.TheSpiritCourt didnotthriveunder their ruling Mymother alwayswaslookingfor somethingelse Lookingfor alifeoutsideofthiscastle Myfatheronlycaredaboutthemagicthatlaydeepwithintheshadows.
“Toprotectyourpeople,youwillneedthismagic Youwillneedtopullallthemagicofeveryancestorbeforeyououtof theshadowswithdeathmagic,throughyourbodyandsoul.”
Mymouthgoes dry. To use thatmagic…itwould curse mysoul. Destroyit. Iwould never find mymate or child inthe afterlife;Iwouldbelost Forever
“Youwerebornaking,anditisyourchoice,butyouhaveseenwhathappensifyoudonothing.Savethem.Thechildren. Thebabies Thewomen Themen Givethemachancetolive,asmanyasyoucan Somewillstaytofight,but ”
“Are youinsane? Thatkind ofmagic…” Iwhisper, butIcan’tfinishthe sentence, as the nightmare haunts me. So many dead,somanylost IsthepriceofmyownlifeworthalloftheirsifI’mdestinedtodieeitherway?
“Itlookslikeyouaregoingtoleadyourselftodeatheitherwayandtakeyourcourt,wife,andchildwithyou.” Ipauseatthat.She’sright,ofcourse.Deathiswhatmydreamsshowedme,andmydreamshavealwayscometrue.Every singleone Butthisonefeltdifferent,morepowerful,moreofawarningthanI’veeverhadbefore Thereismuchtobesaid aboutakingwhodiesprotectingeveryone.IsworetoprotectmypeoplewhenItookmycrown,promisedtobeabetterruler thanmyparents
“Whenyourchildgrows,shewillneedherpeople.Shewillneedanarmytofightforher,andshewillhavenothingifthis courtfallsandisdestroyed Youknowwhoheis”
Tearsfillmyeyes.“Sowillyou.”Though,wedonotspeakhisname,nothere,notinmyhome.Ibarelyevenwanttothink ofhisname.Timewillrevealhimtoher,toeverycourt.“Butifthatevilisreturningtous,Imustinformtheotherkings,call themtofight”
“Youcandothat.Attheend.Ialwaysforeseethecourtsbeingunited,butIdonotthinkit’syourgenerationthatwillunite them,”sheanswers,hereyesglazedoverwithmagic
“Mydaughter?”Iask,desperatetoknowshewillhaveafuture.Dyingforher…Iwilldoit.Iwillsavemypeople,mywife andchild.TheSpiritCourtmustliveon,evenifthereisnothingofmeleft.Wehavetime,Ihopewedo.Mydreamwill not cometrueyet,butwhenitistime…
Thedoor’sknockedonceandwebothturn.“Comein!”
Ayoungboytoddlesin.Thematron’sfour-year-oldward.Nooneknowswhereheandhisbabysistercamefrom,butthis younglittleboyisn’therson.Shejustturnedupwithhimasababy,claimedthathewasfamilytoher,andhemustbebrought upinthecastle Hissisterturnedupafewmonthsagoandissleepinginthenursery,anothermystery WeaskedMatronifany morewereplanningonturningup,butsheclaimedno,thatthesetwoarethelast.Mywifeloveshim,alwaysbuyinghimgifts, andhehasaroomafewdownfromourown
I sense great untouched magic within his soul, and the dark shadows crawl out of the corners to see the child. To communicatewithhim Ipushthemaway,notwantingthemtoscarethechild Theycanwaituntilheisolder
“Terrin,”thematronsoftlyspeaks,andtheboygrins,missingonelittletoothhelostwhenheclimbedthecastleandfelloff, despiteallourwarningsnottoclimbalone.Hisblackhairisshort,hiseyesbrightwithchildhoodinnocence.“Thankyoufor coming,mylittleboy Wehavesomethingtotellyouaboutaprophecy”
Iswingmyheadtothematron.“Wecan’ttellthisboyanything.Thismustbekeptasecret.”
“Agreed,”thematrontellsme “But,myking,theprophecyyouheardspeaksofmyward”Shecupstheboy’sface,who lookswarilyatme.“Terrin,thesearewordsyoumustrememberasyougrowolderandguidethearmyoftheSpiritCourt.”
“Thisboycannotbelefttolead,”Isaytothematron
“Hecanbecausehewillbethemateofyourdaughter.Shadow,asforetold,ishe,”thematroninformsme,andIlookatthe boy.It’shardtoimagineafuturewherehewillbeatthesideofmydaughter,whoIhavenotevenmet.“Hemustrememberthe prophecyashegrows Hemustflythedragonstothewest,whereIbelievetheywill beabletohide Oneday,hewill beat yourdaughter’sside,andheshouldcomewiththeknowledgeofhow tohelpher.IforeseethatIwill notbeabletohelp,or evenrecogniseyourdaughterwhenthetimecomes Youtellhimtheprophecy,myking” “Whosechildishe?”Idemand,wellawaretheboyiswatching,takingeverythingin.
Matronsmilesathim.“Hewasbornwithinshadows,createdindarknessjustlikeme,andthatisallthetruthIcantellyou. Theanswerisforhimtofindwhenheisolder,whenhecomesasking,hopefullywithhisprincessathisside.”
Ilookattheboywhowillbethemateofmyunborndaughter,andnod.Ikneeldownathislevel,somethingakingshould notdo Heisfamily,andIwillprotecthimasbestIcan “I’mgoingtotransformyouintoadragontoprotectyouintheyearsto come,andIneedyoutoremembersomethingforme.Astory,averyimportantstory.”Hebowshishead.Eventhisyoung,heis older thanhis time “I’mgoingtotell youa prophecyabouta babywho’s notevenbornyet,andthen,one dayinthe future, pleasesavemydaughter.”
MakingthechoicetotrustabackstabbingliarisoneoftheworstdecisionsIcouldknowinglymake Oratleast,that’s whatHopekeepsrepeatingtome,andIdon’tthinksheiswrong.Artywatchesmefromthelivingroom,herlocksof blondehaircoveringherleftcheekwhereit’sbruised andnotfrommyattackearlier Myclothesaredrynow,the truthisout,andIshouldfeelmoreincontrol,butIdon’t.IfeellikeI’mspirallingintoanotherworld,anotherperson,andthere isn’tanyoneheretostopmefromdrowning,becausethemenIlovedecidedtosacrificethemselvesandabandonme. Myshouldersdropslightly.Theydidn’tabandonme;I know that,butthebitter stingissomethingI’mnotsureIcanpush aside.Ichosetobewiththem,forustofaceourbattlestogether,andeachoneofthemdecidedtoleavemeonEarthandtake onaninsanegoddessontheirown
Mygrandmother’ssoftvoiceechoes.“Areyouready,Elle?” AmI?
Turningtomygrandmother,Hera,Ican’thelpbutbesilencedbythememoriesthatarestillfloodingbacktome.Heraismy grandmother.I’mthegranddaughterofagoddess,andIhavepowers,strongpowersthathavebeenhonedbygods.Iwasnever muchgoodatthemindcontrolaspectofmypowersIinheritedfromherandmymother,butshadows?Theybreathedforme, andtheystilldo.
Mygrandmotheristhegoddessofmarriage,offamilyandrebirth andshebroughtmeuptobestrongerthanIfeelrightat thismoment.Mymumanddadbroughtmeuptobeaprincessofthefifthcourt,withallthepowerofanheirofdarknessand shadows andIdon’tknowwhatmymotherisgoingtosaywhensheseesme Thatis, if she’sreallystillalive
HopeandLiviawatchmefromthekitchendoor,bothofthemworried,buttheyhaven’ttoldanyonewhathappenedtome.I closemyeyesforamoment,aflashbacksmackingintomymindofhim,andsuddenlyIcan’tbreathe.Istepawayfromthemall, facingthebackwallofthekitchenandsuckinginadeepbreathasthememoryfadesaway Whenitdoes,Inoticeit’ssilentand shadowsfloodthefloor,likeacarpetmadeofmymagic.Theydon’ttouchmyfamilyorfriends,whoshouldn’tneedtofearthe darkness Myfather’slessonscomebacktome,howhetookmetothepitsofdarknessinthebaseofthecastle,ofourhome, andtaughtmetheirways.“Elle?”
Ilettheshadowsretreatandsinkintothecracksinthetiles,waitingformycall “I’mreadytoleave Weshouldgointothe garden.”
Mygrandmotherstepsinfrontofme,cuppingmyface,hereyessoftlyglowinginthedimlightofdawnasitcastsayellow haze through the windows Even with light flooding the small roomand glowing all around her, I can see nothing but the darknessineverycorner,whisperingtome,promisingmerevengeifIseekit.Myfatheroncewarnedmethatspirit,themagic ofdarkness and shadow, is fed byour emotions Itreacts to them, breathes them, and rightnow I’mnotincontrol “You’ve grownstrongersinceyouleft,butthereisadarkness,somethingyou’renottellingme,andit’shoveringoveryourmindnow.”
“IneedtogettothemandseeifArtyisn’tlyingaboutmum,” Ianswer,steppingoutofher grip.Ican’ttalktoher about whathappened,notyet.IreachagainforLysander,forTerrinandthesmallbondsIcanfeelwiththeothersnow,butnothing.I can’tfeelthem.
Hertroubledeyesstaywithmeassheopensadrawerinthekitchensideandpullsoutasmallmagicalbox Theboxlooks likeanormalflatwareholder.I’vepasseditadozentimes,butwithmymemoriesback,Irememberit.Shehandsittome,andI place itonthe counter Iwave myhand over the box, a giftfrommyuncle Several locks clickinside before the top slides open.Insidearetwodaggers,ancientandornate,possessingtheirownmagicandsouls.UnclePhobostaughtmeofthelegends of these daggers, how they once were people who used too much magic and ended up transforming themselves into these weapons.Onebladeisblack,theotherwhite,andtheyarediamondencrustedexceptfortheblackleatherhilts.Ipullthemout oftheboxandhidethemintheshadowssoIcangettothemwheneverIwant.
Livia walks over,lookingaroundlike she cansee the daggers inthe darkness “I’mnever goingtogetusedtoyouusing magic so easily.” Jinks runs into the room, jumping right into Livia’s arms. The white cat with glowing red eyes purrs
innocently.“He’ssuchasweetcat.”
Mygrandmother flashes me a grinfor a second. We bothknow he isn’tjusta cat, and he isn’tsweetatall. Livia would drophiminasecondifsheknew Ialmostsmile
Hopestepsforward.“Weshouldn’twasteanymoretime.”Shelooksrightintomyeyes.“Theywillneedus,nowmorethan theyeverhave Idon’tcareifthisiswhattheywantedforyou Weallknowyouwon’tleavethemthere,right?”
“I’mfurious withthemfor makinga choice Ididn’taskfor or want, butIwould never leave themto the fate theyhave woventoprotectme”Mystatementlingersintheair “Ihaven’tmetAphrodite,butshehasthem Iwishtheyhadtoldmeabout thedeal.”
Artyclears her throat. “Ibelieve the deal was to be your mate, all four ofthem, before the time was up. Ibelieve they wantedyoutomakethedecisionyourself,notfeelforced”
IfeelasuncomfortableasIcanpossiblygetwheneveryonelooksrightatme,likeI’mmeanttohavealloftheanswersand know everythingtodonow Iremember Mygrandmotherwatchesmewithinterest “Areyoudatingoneofthem?How could sheexpectyoutomateallfourkingswhen…”Hergazedriftsoff.“Ah,fatehasbeeninteresting.”
“Theybelongtoher”HopewavesherhandatmewhenIcan’tanswer “Allfourofthem,andtheyarefoolsfornotbeing honest.”
Mygrandmother’sfacecreases.“Inallmytime,inallmyimmortallife,Ihavenotmetonepersonwhoisn’tafoolinthe nameoflove Itisnotasin,notamistake,andtheywishedtoprotectyou Ilikethesekingsalready” “Iwantyoutomeetthem,”Isoftlyreply.
She smiles brightly “Then you best go back to your world and get them You are a princess of the Spirit Court, granddaughter tothegoddessHera,andmorepowerful thananyoneI’veknown.Never forgetit,never letanyonetrytosteal yourpowerandlight.”Myheartraces.It’salmostlikesheknowswhatalmosthappenedtome,whatishauntingmyeverystep. “Justcomebackalive.I’vealreadylostnearlymyentirefamilyinthatworld.AworldIcan’tevenstepintohelp.”
Ican’tpromiseheranything,butInodonce,andshekissesmycheek.Hopeleansonthecounternexttous.“Whyisthat? Whycan’tyougointoAyiolynbutAphroditeandAresarethere?Andtrapped?”
Mygrandmother sighs.“Ares enteredAyiolynfirst,pullingalongAphrodite after a few hundredyears ofdestructionand pain ThepeopleinAyiolynhadtheirownmagic,andtheyblockedanyoneelseafterAphroditebecausetheyknewtheirworld couldn’thandleanothergod.Theycouldn’tgetridofthem,buttheydidtheirbesttomakesurenogodscouldentertheworld again.As for beingtrappedthere,Ibelieve Ares andAphrodite are lackingintheir magic,andonce theyare strongenough, theywon’tbetrappedinoneworldforlong.”
Ishiver, thinkingover that horrible thought. Hope still has more questions. “And were youoriginallyfromEarth? Born here?”
Mygrandmotherpicksupateacup,hertealukewarmnow.Shesipssomebeforeshetalks.“No.We’refromanotherworld. Aworldwheregodsoriginatedfrom Afew ofusleftandcametothisworldhundredsofyearsago Weweresearchingfor another,andmanyleft.IdecidedtostayonEarth.Sodidmanyofthegods.Butothers,likeAresandAphrodite,decidedthey neededaworldtheycouldconquermuchmoreeasilythanEarth.Peopleheredon’tbelievesomuchinmagicanymore,andour powerisweakhere Ayiolynisaworldofmagic,soakedrichinitslandandpeople” Hopecontinues,“Doyoumissit?Theworldyou’refrom?”
Shesmilesather IthinkshelikesHope,mostlybecauseHopeisrespectfultoher,andit’sthefirsttimeI’veseenHopebe nice.“It’snotmuchdifferenttoAyiolyn.Therearewolfshiftersthere,angelswhofeedoffblood.Therewereafewgodsthere whenweleft,causingtheirownproblems” Liviasmilesbrightly.“Angelsarereal?”
“Yes.Theyhavemassivewings.ThepeopleofLapetusbelieveingods,theoldwaysandfatedmates.Thingsthatarenot hereonEarthanylonger”Mygrandmotherturnstomeagain “Justcomeback,mygranddaughter”Shelooksoverhershoulder atArty.“IfthedaughterofAphroditeislyingaboutyourmother,killher.Ifsheisnot,tellyourmotherhowmuchIloveherand missher”
Arty’seyesnervouslyflashbutshestayssilentwithKianatherside. “Iwill”
Shekissesmycheekoncemore,touchingmyshoulder.Istraightenmybackandliftmyhead.It’stime.“Areyoucoming, Arty?”
ArtywhisperssomethingtoKian,whoholdsherhandalittletoolongbeforelettingherwalktothegardendoor “I’mnotcomingwithyou.”WeallturntoLivia,whoshiftsawkwardly,withJinksbyherfeet,brushinghisheadagainsther leg,andIglareathimforasecond Helooksrightupatme,andIraiseaneyebrow Heinnocentlymeows “I’mgoingtostay onEarth. I’mno use againstthe gods. Ican’treallyfight, and Idon’tknow the courts. There is nothingfor me to do inthat worldtohelpyou;I’djustbealiability.IwantedtogetbacktoEarth,andnowI’mback.I’msorry,Ijustwanttogobackto myfamily.”
Iwalkover and hugher tightly. “Thankyoufor beingatmyside for so long. It’s notwrongfor youto wantto go home.
Don’tapologisetome.You’remyfriend.”
“Whataboutyourdragon?”Hopesnaps.“Doyouthinkyourdragonwillbecoolwithyoubeingacowardandrunning?”
Liviastepsawayfromme “I’mnocoward,andmydragonwouldonlybeindangertryingtohelpme Thisishowit’sgot tobe,”shesaysfirmly.“Ihopetoseeyouagainsoon,”sheadds.
Hopehuffsandturnsawayfromher,hershoulderspulledtight
“I’llhelpherfindherfamily,”mygrandmotherclaims,placingherhandonLivia’sarm.
“Ishouldcomewithyou,”KianstatestoArty,ahintofpossessivenessinhistone Hewantstokeephersafe,evenwhenhe knowseverythingshehasdone.Idon’tknowwhattomakeofthestrangethinggoingonbetweenthem.
“No,”thequeenall butshouts,steppinginfrontofher son.“WithoutLysander,youareall thatisleftoftheWater Court. Theylockedyouuplasttime;theymightuseyouagainstLysanderiftheycatchyouagain Worse,theymightkillyou”
Imeethiseyes,eyessomuchlikehisbrother’s.SomethingcutsdeepwithinmychestwhenIlookathim.SomethingI’mnot readytoadmit “She’sright IwillfindLysander”
Helooksatmesuspiciously.“Youhatehim.”
Iwishitwerethatsimple “It’scomplicated,butnogoddessgetstokillhim” Itseemstoquietenhim,evenasthequeenstepsclosertome.“Whataboutthecourts?Thepeople?Theyaresuffering.” Ayiolyn will always fight for you, but not yet. Live, and save our people one day. Remember, Ayiolyn is yours if you claim it Iblink, pushingbackagainstmymother’s words to me “Those gods aren’tmeantto be inour world, and they’ve destroyedtoomuchofit.Myparents,mycourt,mypeople.IwasachildthelasttimeIwasaSpiritCourtprincess,butI’mnot anymore I’mgoingtogetitback,allofit,andmakethegodsregretcomingintoourworld”
Iwalkpastthemintothegarden,knowingI’mgoingtoneedalotofspacetopullindarknesstomakeaportal.I’venever madeone,butIunderstandthedynamicsofit.Iremembermyfather’slessonswell.Myfather.Imisshimsomuch.Ihope,by usingmySpiritCourtpower,I’mkeepingalittleofhimalive.Theproud,brilliantkingIremember.Allshadowscanleadto allplaces,allworlds.IcanconnectthroughthedarknessandshadowstoworldsandplacesIknow.Icanweavethemtogether andmakeaportal IknowIcan “Idon’tknowhowlongI’llbeabletoopentheportalfor,sonomessingabout” HopeandArtystopatmysideinthegarden.“Areyougoingtothinkofyourmother?”Artysuggests.“Weneedtogotothe dungeonsoftheWaterCourtcastleandnowhereelse,otherwiseit’stoomuchofariskofsomeoneseeingus” Igritmyteeth.“I’veneverbeenthere,soit’sgoingtobedifficulttoaimfortherightplace.Myfatheralwayssaid,when youweave to places, youshould onlyweave to the places you’ve beenor youmightend up ina wall or underwater. Iwas nevertakentotheWaterCourtasachild,letalonethedungeons.”
Hope smirks. “Ihave. I’ve beenthere for years and know itverywell. Canyousee itinmymind? Hera obviouslyhas poweroverminds,soyoumusthavesomeofthatpower YoucanlookintomymindandseetheWaterCourt Youcanseethe dungeons.You’llknowexactlywheretogothatway.”
Her planwould work, but “I’mnotverygood atlookinginto minds It’ll hurtyou Youwill feel mypowers invading yourmind.Mygrandmothertriedtoteachme,butshesaidittakeshundredsofyearstodoitwithoutcausingalotofpain.”
Hope uncomfortablyrubs her armand blows out a breath. “Lysander, Arden, Grayson, and Emrys are the onlyfamilyI have IwasbroughtupintheWaterCourt TherearepeopletherewhoIcareabout Justlikeintheothercourts,too Abitof painforthem,forthecourts,Icando.”
“Itwillbemorethanabit”Ifrown Shenervouslylaughs.“Let’sadmitit,you’vealwayswantedtohurtme,youcrazybitch.”
IalmostlaughasIreachforher “Still,I’msorry”Itouchthesideofherface,andshescreams Imagesflashinmymindas theWaterCourtflashesthroughtome.Ifocusontheplaces,nothermemorieswithinthem,andblockherout.Thethroneroom oftheWaterCourtisclearfirst,aplaceoflaughterandjoy,andthenshethinksoftheentirecastle.It’samassivegreyishblue toweringbuildingabovethesea Sandybeachesarespreadaroundoneside,andtheotherislayeredwithstormyseasblowing harshwavesontothecliffside.Twopartsofthesea,viciousandcalm,andit’sall beautiful.All aroundthecastleislandare dozens, if not hundreds, of islands that probably make up the entire court I watch in a haze as her memories slip through variousroomsinthecourtinsecondsuntilIseeit,thedungeons,stretchingoutinfrontofme.
Ilowermyhandandshefalls,collapsingtoherkneeswithherlongdarkhaircoveringherfaceasIsuckinadeep,shaky breath.Ididn’tjustseeherpast,Ifeltsomeofheremotions,too.Thelonesomeness,thedesperationforfamily,theseekingof herpast.Itwasintense,justlikesheis.
Artycatchesher,butHopepushesheraway “Don’ttouchme Ineverwantyourhelp” Shethrowsherarmsup.“Iwasjusttryingtohelpyouup.”
“Idon’twanthelp fromsomeone like you,” Hope snarls inreturn, and painflashes across Arty’s eyes For a moment, I almostfeelsorryforher,butthenIrememberthepeopleshekilledintheDragonCrownRace.Irememberherunlockingher father’scageandlettinghimfreetomurderhundredsofthousands.IrememberherdoingnothingasIwasinjuredandthrown intoadeserttodie.Irememberherbetrayingmeateverychanceshegot.IofferHopemyhand,andshepullsherselfup.
“Sincewhendoyoutwogetalong?”Artyquestions.“IthoughtLysander ”
Webothnarrow our eyes onArty,andshestops,andneither ofus answers her.Hopelooks atme,rubbingher forehead. “Didyouseeit?Ihaveaheadachenow.”
“Sawit Everyoneneedstobequietanddon’tmove”Iclosemyeyesandreachforeverybitofdarkness,embracingitand sinkinginto the power like the feelingofcominghome after a longday. Darkness spreads across the ground, all the wayup aroundus,likeacurtain,takingouteverylight,everystar Ipullthedarknessfromtheshadowsunderthetrees,thepitch-black pits inthe soil ofthe earthand anythingIcanfeel. Ipull sharply, weavingitlike it’s a tapestryand pullinghundreds ofthe strands together withonlyone thought inmymind One place I weave themrepeatedly, pushingand pulling, the pit of my power spreading. Ifocus onthe Water Court, onthe prisons, as Iforce myshadows to spread all the waythere, throughthe worlds.
Iopenmyeyes,prayingthis worked Ashimmeringveil is infrontofme,coveredinwater shadows Thewater is pitch dark,differenttoportalsI’veseenbefore,butontheothersidearetheWaterCourtprisons.RelieffloodsmeasIturntoHope and nod once Hope jumps through, withArtyfollowingher, lookingbackatme once Iprayto everygod outthere, to the mightydragongodsthatI’veneverprayedtooncebefore,thatshe’snotgoingtobetraymeagain.
Ijumpthroughtheportallast,landinginsoftwaterthatclimbsuptomyknees Ileavetheportalopenforawhile,justin caseweneedafastescape,butit’squietandempty.Deserted.Thedungeonsaredarkandreekofdamp,mould,andfish.There areafewglowingbluespheresliningthewalls,andwithinthemareglowingwhitefish,swimmingroundincircles.
Artynodstoherleft,andIseealumpofsomeonelyingonawaterybed,mossgrowingallaroundherlongblackhair My heartisinmythroatasIrecognisemymother,andIstumbleastep.I’venotseenherinsolong,andIthoughtshewasdead.I neverletmyselfhope,notevenforasecond,thatI’dseeheragain She’ssopale,sothinandtiny Herlonghairspreadsdown herback,fallingoffthebed,andwaterdripsoffitintothepuddles.Shelooksnothinglikethehealthywomanthatthesorcerer mademeseeagainandagain,tryingtogetmetotrusthimallthosemonthsago.Itfeelslikealifetimeago.No,thisismyreal mother,who’sapparentlybeentrappeddownhere.
IusemyshadowstoblasttheprisondooropenasIruntoherside.Ipushherontoherback,buthereyesstayclosed,and she is floppy “Mum!” Ishake her shoulder, butshe doesn’treact Iturnto Arty Myeyes narrowed “She’s notwakingup What’swrongwithher?!”
Artyholds her hands up, nervouslylookingat the snakes of shadows lacingaround the corners of the room “I d-don’t know.Sheneverwakesanymore.Ithinkitmustbeaspellofsomekind.Mynanny,Tara,aspelledhuman,comesdowntocare for her and makes sure she is havingsome food and water. But she told me she doesn’t eat or drinkanymore, the last few weeks.”
Ilookattheportal,makinganewplan.“WesendherbacktoEarth,tomygrandmother.”
HopenodsatmebeforeturningtoArty “Watchthedoorandmakesurenoonecomesin”
“No one will come downhere. There are no other prisoners,” she whispers. “Father kills or spells anybodywho fights him Hedoesn’tkeepthemprisonersanymore PrinceKianwaskeptdownhere,butFather’snotevennoticedhe’smissingyet Orhedefinitelywouldhavebeensearchingforhim.”
“Still,watchthedoor,”Hopesnaps.
Itouchmymother’shand,runningmyfingersoverthesilverdragonbraceletonherwrist ThememoriesofwhenIplayed withitallthetimerushbacktome,andIrememberhopingonedayshewouldletmewearit.Igulpdowntheemotionsrunning tothesurface,knowingIcan’tloseithere Ihavetobestrong “Thankyouforcomingtome,fortellingmeaboutmymother Artemis,Imightnevertrustyouagainasmyfriend,butIamthankfulforthis.”
“Iwillkeepearningyourtrust I’mdonebeingaslavetomyparentswhenIknowtheydon’tloveme”Sheliftsherhead witheveryword.Artywalkstothedoor,herbacktous.
Hopecomesover,kneelingandlookingatme.“She’sstillbreathing,andthat’sallthatmatters.Yourmum’salive.”Idon’t knowhowsheknewIneededtohearthat,butIdid
“Alive,” Ibreathe the word outas Irise to myfeet. WithHope’s help, we carrymymumthroughthe portal and layher downonthegrassinthegarden,sendingmyshadowstoleadgrandmotheroutsidetoherinasecond Ileandowntomymum “I’mgoingtosaveourcourtandfreeourpeople.I’mgoingtosaveAyiolyn,justlikeyoutaughtmeto.”Ishakilykisshercheek beforegoingbackintotheportalwithHopeandlettingitclosebehindme,leavingmyfamilyinanotherworld Theyaresafe,I remindmyself.
Terrin’s relieffloods mymindas he senses me backinthis world.“You’re alive,” he whispers tome,his voice broken. “Youshouldnotbeinthisworld Itisfalling,myrider”
“AndyoushouldnotmakeachoiceformetoleavewithoutaskingmeifIwantedtoornot.I’mfuriousatyouandthem,but rightnow,Ineedyoutoflytome”
“Onmyway,”hesimplyreplies,soundinglikehewantstosaymore.Icuthimoff,knowingIcan’targuewithhimaboutit allrightnow.
IlookatHopeandArty,theonlyonesIhavetotrustinthiscastleforeverythingtoworkout.“Now,wegetourcourtsback andsavethekings.”
Noonewatchesmeinthecorridors,andit’sablessing I’mashadow tothem,whichinall honesty,isperfectforme rightatthis moment. I’ve always beena shadow to myparents, and Iunderstand it. Imightbe the daughter oftwo powerful Greekgods, but I don’t have anymagic, not evena drop, and theymake sure everyone knows I’mnot a threat Still, the people ofthe Water Courtkeep a good distance fromme, fromeveryone, as theymake their waydownthe pathwaysofthecastle.
This castle is alive,the verywalls seemtobe listening,andIswear theyguideme totheroomquicker thanIever have beenbefore. Imake mywayinto the side roomofthe chambers ofthe throne, a public roomthatis now completelyempty exceptfor the bookthatmymother has leftoutfor anyone who dares to sign The door opens for me, and Islip inside, my breathscomingoutinclouds.Idon’tknowifthecastlecanhearme,whatmagicitreallyholds,butIwhisper,“Pleaseletme knowifanyoneiscoming.”
Inresponse,thedoorlockclicksshutbehindme Igrin ItfeelstooeasyasIpushmybackagainstthecolddoor,listening tothesoundsoftheguardswalkingthecorridoroutsideandtheechooftheseaoutsidethecastle.It’scold,empty,andsilentin thisplace IrememberthestoriesmynannyTara,aspelledmortaltaskedwithbringingmeupinmortalways,toldmeofthe joyfulWaterCourt.Shelivedhereforatimewithoneofthewaterqueens,butshewasfromEarth.Thecourtusedtobefullof watercreatures,splendidfeasts,andartdisplays Now anythinggoodlikethathasbeendrainedaway
Inervouslyglancearoundtheroomfor aminute,makingsureI’malonebeforewalkingtothebook.Thebookis simple, withafeatherpenrestingonthetipofit,andIfeelnothingstrangefromitlikemagic.Iquicklywritehernameonthepaper, justlike she askedme to: Princess EllelinSpiritIlrothofthe FifthCourt Myheartis racingas Iputthe pendown,noticing there’snotasingleothernamesignedinthebook.Idon’tblamethem.EvenbeingqueenoftheWaterCourtisnotworthbeing under the gods’control like slaves Anyone who signs this, they know they’re signing up to be a prisoner, unless they’re extremelypowerfulorstupid,whichfeware.
Itsurprisesmehowmanyareloyaltothekings,nomatterwhatmyfatherormotherdoestothem.Theyremainloyal.Many screamedthatit’stheDragonCrownRacethatchoosesthequeen,evenrightbeforemyfatherkilledthem.
TheywillkillmewhentheyknowwhatI’vedone.Irushoutoftheroomwiththatthought,slippingbackintothecorridor. I’vemadesomanymistakes,listenedtomyparents’everyword,andneveroncethoughtformyselfuntilKianshowedmetobe better.Icandiemyownperson,whichmakesmericherthanIeverhavebeenbefore.Ihopethisisasteptowardsredeeming someofthehorrorsofmypast
IrubmycheekasIstrolltomyroom,findingTarasittingonachairinthecorner,stitchingadress.Tarahasrichwrinked skin,lightbrownhairthatshekeepsinabobunderherears,andshealwayswearscolourfulpatterneddressesthatmakeher eyessparkle.Herdarkbrowneyesbrightenwhensheseesme,andsheopensherarms.Idon’thesitatebeforerunningintoher arms,oneofthefewbitsofcomfortIeverget.“MydarlingArtemis,youlookpale.Areyouwell?”
“I’mfine,it’sjustbeenastrangefewweekswiththembothhereandfree”Ipause TaraknowshowIreallyfeelaboutmy parents,andshehasalwayssupportedmeandprotectedmehowevershecan.I’veaskedmorethanonceaboutherlifebefore myparentstookher andforcedher toworkfor them,butsheonlyever saideveryonewhomeantsomethingislonggonefor her.OnlyIremainednow.Tarabroughtmeuptobegood,andIdidn’tbecomewhatshewantedintheend.Icanseeitnow,the slightdisappointmentinhereyes.“IpreferreditwhentheypretendedthatIdidn’texistandleftusalone.”
Her brow creases “Arty,”shewhispers,thenicknameshegavemeinsecret Myparentshatedthenicknamewhenever I askedthemtocallmebyit.Shelookslikesheisabouttosaysomething,somethingimportant,butmydoorisyankedopen. Iturntoseeaguard,thedarkbluearmourshining “Artemis,you’vebeencalledtothecourtbyyourparents Come”The guardhasicyblueeyes,whitehair,andaredhazetohiseyesthatsuggestshe’scompletelyandutterlyundermymother’sspell.
Shespelledtheonesthatwouldnothelpandkilledtheonesthatweretoostrongforthespells.Someofthecourtisnotspelled, andtheychoosetostay.Thisguard,somethingabouthisfaceshaperemindsmeofLysander,andIwonderifheissomekindof relative Inodbeforestanding IlookdownatTara “Iloveyou I’llcomeandseeyouwhenIcan” “Ilove youtoo, darling,” she gentlyreplies, and Igrinat her. Ifeel her eyes onme all the wayout ofthe room, and I struggletokeepupwiththeguardandhisgiantfootsteps Myribsarestillbroken,andI’mbruisedfartoomuchtoberunning withhim. Myfather was especiallybrutal the lasttime Isaw him, and everyinchofme wants to runinthe other direction ratherthancometotheircall I’mtrapped,butnotforlong Ellelinishere,andthingsaregoingtochange I felt somethingdifferent the moment I met Ellelin, and not because I knew who she was and what I needed to do but becausesheissodetermined.Myfathergavemesimpleinstructions:takeEllelin’sbloodaftershewasmyfriend,sotheblood waswillinglygivenasperthecurse’sinstructions,andkillalloftheothercompetitors Icouldhavepoisonedthemall,killed themintheirsleep,doneanumberofthingsonthefirstnight,butIdidn’t.Myfatherwasfuriousatmeforchangingmymind and claimingthat it wasn’t easyto get Ellelinto be myfriend, whenintruth, she was myfriend fromthe beginning Iwas myselfwithher,thegirlTarabroughtmeuptobe,withallthehumanpartsofTarathatshetaughtme.Notthemonstermyfather commandedmetobe
IwishIcouldchangethingsandnotletfearcontrolmydecisionslikeIdid.
Asweweavethroughthecastle,it’ssilent.Fartoosilent.AsIturnintothethroneroom,theguardremainsatthedoor,and Iknowwhythecastleisprettyempty Thethroneroomisfloodedwithpeoplefromthecourt,awaveofbluedressesandsuits oneither sideofthepathwaytothethrones.Their heads arebowedandnotoneofthemdares lookupor makeasound,not eventhechildrenorbabiesIspotmothersholding
Mymotherandfatheraresittingonthethrones,loungingonthem,liketheyaremeanttobethere,wheneveryoneelseinthis roomknowstheyarenot.Imposters.Myfather’sstaffisspreadacrosshislap,andhetapshisfingersonitasIapproach.On either side ofmyparents are the dragonkings ontheir knees, and theyare broken. Ared glaze covers their eyes, and thick chains are wrapped around their wrists. They’re under my mother’s spell and they don’t move. There’s a feeling of hopelessnessechoingaroundtheroom,anditthreatenstosuckmeintoit Ellelin Elleliniscoming Theprincessoftheonly courtmyfatherfearsishere.
Mymotherwavesmeover Sheiswearingathinredgown,herlegscrossed,revealingadeepslitupherleg,showingall ofhergoldenskin.Herlongblondehairfallsdowntoherwaist,andeverybitofhersparkleslikesheisthesun.Beautiful,but unlikethesun,sheisemptyandcoldinside.“Wherehaveyoubeen?”
“Justaround,”Ilie.Iliewell.Shetaughtmethat.
Mymother rolls her eyes. “It’s animportant day, and yet no one has signed up for the tests.” She looks at me. “I was thinking,andperhapsyoucouldsignup”
Myheartraces.“WhywouldIdothat?”
Sheleansforward,alooknothingshortofmaliceinhereyesbecauseI’vedaredtochallengeher “Weneedpeopletobe enticedtosignup.Itseemsthatmytestwasn’tthatpopular,andIwanttoplayagame.I’mbored.DoIneedtoconvinceyouto doasIask?”
“Loveofmine,”myfatherinterrupts,touchingherbareleg Shefaceshim “Whywouldyoubebored?Everythingisinour palmsinthisworld,andthere’snoonetoopposeus.ThedragonsoftheWesthavegonecompletelysilent,hiddenwiththeir dragons’tailsbetweentheirlegs Theideaofbeatingusisgone,andwewilldestroythemsoonenough Ourmagicisgrowing andsoonwewillbeabletoopenaportaltoanotherworld,formorewa ”
Sheplacesherfingeronhislips “Youarethegodofwar Iamthegoddessoflove Wardoesnotinterestme,itboresme Allthatdeathandfornogoodreason.”Sheflicksherthicklocksofhairoverhershoulderandlooksatmeagain.“So,doyou needconvincing?”
Acryreachesme,andIturn,myeyeswideningasTaraisdraggedintotheroombytwoguards Theydumpherinfrontof mymother.“WAIT!NO!”Ican’tdoanything,I’mnotfastenough,andIhavenopowertostopmymotherfromwrappingred magiclikeacloudaroundTaraanddrainingthelifefromherasIruntostopit SheknowsIloveTara,shecansenseit,and loveisaweaponsheusesagainsteveryone.Evenherowndaughter.WhenIgetclose,shedropsTaraonthestonelikesheis nothingandsighsasIgrabhershoulders,pullingherontomylap,knowingsheisgoingtodie “No,no,no,no”Icry,hottears fallingdownmycheeksandasobechoinginmythroat.Icanbarelyseethroughthetears,myheartbreaking.
Mymothersighs.“Honestly,shewasjuststaffandapointlessmortal.Whyareyoucryingoverher?Inamedyouaftermy friend,apowerfulgoddess,andhereyouare,powerlessandpointlesslycryingoveramortal’sdeath”
Iweepas IholdTaratome,hearingher crackledwhisper inmyear.“Youarenotpowerless,mydarlingArty.Proveto themhowgoodyouare,andIwillseeyouintheskieswiththemightydragongodsofthisworld”
Ascreamescapesmythroatasshegoesstillinmyarms,herchestfreezingalongwithwhatfeelsliketimeastheroomgoes still.I’mdonewithmyparents;I’mnever,everhelpingthem.I’mgoingtomakesureEllelinwinsandmyparentsdie.Ibarely notice the shadows spread across the room, washing around my legs and Tara’s body at first. My father shouts, “What is happening?Whoisdoingthat?”
Shadowsspreadeverywhereuntilmassivedarkwingsmadeofshadowsshiftintotheshapeofadragonappearingoverthe throneroom.Itcrashesdown,rippingofftheroofofthethroneroom,sendingstoneeverywhereaspeoplerunoutoftheroom screaming Ellelin,ridingamassiveshadowdragonwithwingsbiggerthananydragonI’veeverseen,landsinthemiddleof thethroneroom.Thedragondisappearsaroundher,lettinghergentlyfalldowntoherfeetinacloudofdarkness.Itdisappears inthe air,and for a moment,she looks like she has shadow wings spreadingoutofher back Ellelinis inblackarmour and tight-fittingblackclotheswiththeSpiritCourtdragonsymbolonherchestplate.Shejustneedshercrownnow.
Myfatherstands,liftinguphisstaff,instantlythrowingmagicstraightather Onlyforittosimplybounceaway,unableto touchheratall.Helooksatherinpureconfusionandcompletefear.Somethingaboutthefifthcourtscareshim,andI’mgoing tofindoutwhatthatis.“That’simpossible!”heroars.
Mymotherlaughsandlaughs “Stupidspiritgirl,yousignedupformytest!Theonethatofferedpureprotectionfromboth ofus?”Sheclaps.“Verysmartoridiotic.Youdiditinthenameoflove,andIadmirethat.”
“Whathaveyoudone?”myfatherallbutgrowlsatAphrodite,grabbingherwrist Sheroughlytugsherwristoutofhisgrip.“HowwasItoknowshe’ddothis?”
TheprincessoftheSpiritCourtstandsinfrontofthegodsandmakesonesingleclaimthatshakesthisrealm “Theybelong tome,notyou.Youwillgivethemback,oryourworldisgoingtodrowninmydarkness.”
Shadowsspreadaroundmelikesmallrivers,mixingandspreadingintoeveryinchoftheWaterCourtthroneroom They continuespinningaroundthecold,dampairthattastesandsmellslikeseawater.NoneofthepeopleoftheWaterCourt arehurtasmydragondisappearsintothevoidofdarknessandshadow,waitingoncemoreformetocall Thethrone roomismorethanIexpectedittobe,withhugewaterfallsdowneachwall,creatingsteadystreamsofbluewaterwithinthe stonepathways.SomeguardsbarelygettwostepscloserbeforeIthrow themintothewallswithmyshadowsandholdthem there.Therestofthemstepback,theirweaponsdroppingtotheground.Dragonroarsechooutsidethecastle,buttheyreachus all,andIwonderiftheyareroaringformeorforthegodssittingontheirking’sthrone.
IbarelynoticedAresandAphroditeonthethrone,whichisburiedinanarchwayatthebackoftheroom,withfourshort bluestonestepsleadinguptoit.HerlaughterechoesaroundtheroomasmyentirefocusshiftsontotheonlymenIhaveever loved Mydragonkings Mychesthurts,myheartslammingsohardthatitfeelslikeitwill beatitselfoutofrhythm They’re kneelinginpuddlesofwater.Eachoneofthemhasacompletelyblankexpression,theireyescoveredinaredhaze.Theylook blackand blue withbruises, buttheyare alive. Reliefthreatens to pull me to myknees. The gods haven’tkilled them. Even wheneveryinchofmeisdesperatetoruntothem,toopenaportalandbringusalltoEarthtoescape,Iholdstill Thatplan wouldnotworkandit’stoorisky.
I’msigned up for a magical test, once again, but this time I’ve joined willingly I watch themwith every bit of hope, longing,anger,andpainthatIcouldfeel.Ihopetheyareawareofwhatishappening,thattheyknowI’mheretohelpthemand get themout ofwhatever curse they’re under Istraightenmyshoulders, pullingmyeyes frommydragonkings withall the strengthI’ve gotleft.FacingAphrodite andAres is easier thanthe menI’minlove with,whodraggedus all intothis mess. Theyarewaitingformetoacknowledgethem.“Howdidyousurvive?”heasks.
Iturnmygazetohim Ares’slonggreencloakcoversthethroneroomseat,hisstaffrestinginhand,readytobeused He murderedmyfather,killedhundredsofpeopleinmycourt,andtriedtoconquerthisworld.Ilosteverythingbecauseofhim.I don’tcareifheisagod;heisfuckingdead “Ares”Hefrowns “Mygrandmother,Hera,explainedtomewhoyoureallyare Shesendsherwishesforyourlong,painfuldeathatmyhand.”
His eyes narrow “I prefer the title sorcerer, and your grandmother is a fool, trapped in a magicless world” He is practically shaking with anger. “You made a grave mistake turning up here and signing up for that test. I’m guessing my worthlessdaughterhadsomethingtodowithit.”
Ifollow his gaze to Arty, who’s onher knees, holdinga dead womanto her chest, cryingher eyes out Ididn’tkill the woman, and Idon’tknow who thatis, buther cries are nothingshortoflosingsomeone she loves. She barelyevenlifts her head at her father’s mentionof her name, but her voice echoes as she proclaims, “I stand withthe fifthcourt, and the true princess.”
Aresthrowsshadowsherway,butIblockthembeforehecanhither,aclashoflightandshadowexplodingbetweenusall. Artydoesn’tmove,andshecontinuestoclingtothedeadwoman.Aphroditestands,herlongredgownpoolingontothesteps asshewalksdowntome.Shelooksoverhershoulder.
“That’senough,husband ItseemsourdaughterisundertheprincessoftheSpiritCourt’sspell,”shesaysbeforeturningto me.“Suchstrange,curious,andpowerfulmagic.Icanseeitallaroundyou.”Shepausesonthelaststepsosheisstandingover me Webothknowshepurposelystoppedthere Itrynottolookatmydragonkingswhilesheiswatchingmesoclosely “No wonderyoufoundfourkingstoloveyou.Theyaredevoted.Itisimpressive.”
There is silence whenno one replies to her, and Iwon’tgive her the satisfactionofananswer. She twirls a lockofher glisteningblondehair.“Noonesignedupfor mytestother thanyou,andI’mguessingnoonewill now.Whowouldwantto competewiththeprincessofthestrongestcourt?So,let’smakeadeal?”
Ilookintohereyes,makingsuresheseesme MakingsuresheunderstandsthelengthsIamwillingtogotosavethem My life…Idon’twantitiftheydon’tsurvive.“Iwantmydragonkingsandthecourtsback.”
Shefinallygivesupthesteptowalkaroundme,butshedoesn’ttouchme,althoughIkeepmyshadowsatbayjustincase.I don’ttrustherword,herspells,ortests.“Didyoulearntheconditionsofmydealwiththefireking?”Sheraisesaneyebrow whenIsilentlynod “Ifanydecidedtotakeyouastheirmates,thiswouldneverhavehappened Aren’tyouupsetwiththem?” Icurlmyhandsintofists.“They’remine,andIdidn’tcomeheretodiscussmyfeelingswithyou.”
Her laughisenchantingasitechoes “All ofthisisaboutyour feelings Loveisendlessandstupid,or youwouldnotbe here.”Shegrinswidely.“I’mthegoddessoflove.Icanseethebondsoflove.Theechoesoflovethathaveonlyjustbegunare likestrings,andIhavethepowertotugonthemasIseefit Icanseetracesintheairthatbindstrangerswhohaven’tevenmet yet, and ifIwish, Icanpull two strangers onto one path.” She leans in, her voice a whisper. “Isee your feelings, princess. They’re your mates,aren’tthey? Fate has boundyoutofour powerful kings.Your bondis strongandclear withone,butthe othersyouhavenotbondedwithyet It’sallsointeresting”
“Whatisthepointofallthis?”Aressnaps,slamminghisstaffontheground,crackingthestone.“Justendher!Youmade thisfoolish ”
“Iamgettingtomypoint,”Aphroditeinterruptswithasmileofpureseductionflashedatherhusband,whichdropswhen shelooks myway “Youlovethem,andloveis aweaponIwieldthebest Ithas always beeninterestingtomewhatpeople wouldn’tdoforlove.Thepoetshavealwaysclaimedthatit’soneofthegreatestweaponsknowntohumans.It’salsooneofthe greatestweaponsknowntous.Togods.Todemigodslikeyourself.Topossessivedragons.”
“Stopplayinggames,mywife,”Areswarns,“andjustkillher”
Aphrodite rolls her eyes. “The game has begun, myhusband, and nothingwill stop it. She has myfull protectionfrom everybody,includingmyself Icannotkillher”
“ThenI’llorderaguardtoo!”heshouts,fulloffrustration.
Iholdmyhandup,shadows wrappingaroundmyfingers.“Doyoureallythinkaguardwouldbeabletostopme?Don’t bother.”Ipullshadowsaroundme.“Youkilledmyentirecourt,andyoushouldbemoreconcernedaboutwhatisstoppingme fromattackingyou.”
“Ifyoutouchmyhusbandorme,Iwillkillyourdragonkingswiththeclickofmyfingers,”Aphroditeinterrupts Idropmy powers,myshadowsleaving.IseeabitofArtyinherface,inherexpressions,asshefacesme.Theyhavethesameclassic beautyinsomelights,butherbeautyisrotten Aphroditeisalluring,seductive,butdeadinside Sheisn’tgoingtomakeanyof thiseasyforme.“Asyoucansee,they’reundermyspell.Mycurse,sotospeak.Itcan’tbebrokenunlessIwishit.Iwillgive youthembackforeachtest,andifyouwin,youkeepwhatisleft.Ifanyofthemdie,Iwin.”
“Thateasily?”Iquestion.InoticeArtypullingthebodyofthewomanawayandoutthesidedoor.Herparentsdon’tnotice herleave.Aphroditegrinsbeforesheleavesmetositbackonthethrone.“Thisthroneshouldbeyours,destinedmateofthe WaterCourtking There’ssomeironyinthefactyouaredownthere,beggingforhelp”
Iliftmyhead.“Whatdoyouwantinreturnforthespellbeingbrokenandthesafetyofthecourts?”
Aphroditerunsherhanddownthearmofthethrone “WecontinueonwithmygameandtheplanthatIsetup Onetest,in eachofthecourts,andwewilltravelbetweenthem.Youcanfinallyseethecourtsyouhaven’tseensinceyouwereachildas weconquerthem.Thiswillbeentertainmentforuswhilewewait.”
“Whatkindoftests?”Idemand “In the court of Water, a monster lurks.
In the court of Fire, flames burn away any lies
In the court of Earth, touch is key.
In the court of Air, try to breathe
Theseareyourhints,butIwillnottellyoumore.”ShewatchesmeasItakeinhercrypticpoemandtrytoworkoutwhat anyofthetestscouldbe.Idon’tlikethesoundofthefirstone.Amonster?Fuckingbrilliant.“Ourdealwillgolikethis.Ifyou win,thenyougetthemback,courtbycourt Dragonbydragon Witheachwin,thecourtwillbeyourstorule Wewillleavethe courtalone.”
“Areyououtofyourfuckingmind?”Aresroars,grabbingherarm “Iamnotgivingup ” Sheputsher handover his,andhestopsmid-sentence.I’msomewhatimpressedthatshemanagedtostopthegodofwar withjustahand Isshemorepowerfulthanhim?“Andifyoulose,allofthemagicofthespiritisours Thiswouldmeanthe instantdeathofyourcurseddragons.Yes,weknowaboutthat.Whispersflyaroundhere.” Myheartnearenoughstopsasshecontinues.“Youwillessentiallykillanybodythat’sinyourcourtifyoulose.”
Terrin All ofthe dragons thatare cursed,thatIpromisedtofree atsome point Mypeople,whomyfather sacrificedso muchtokeepsafe.IfIlose,theydie.IfIrefuseher,mydragonkingsandtheircourtsdie.There’dbenogoinghomeforanyof us Bothchoicesarecurses Iglanceatthem,andIknowmyanswerbecauseit’sselfish It’snottheanswerofaruler It’sthe answer ofsomeone that’s completelyinlove.There is nothingIwouldn’ttryfor them,nothingthatIwouldn’tdo.Ihate that theyputmeinthisposition.Ifonlymydragonkingshadspokentome,doneanythingotherthanthis.Wecouldhaveavoided everyhorrorI’mabouttosignupfor.I’msotired,sotiredoffightingandsurvivingandnothingmore.
“Iwantyoutopromisethatmydragonkingswillnotbehurtwhilethetestscontinue.Artyisalsotobeleftalone,”Iaddin.
SheisthereasonIevenknewaboutthisandhadachance.
Aphroditenods.“Youhaveadeal.”Sheclaps,andpowerechoesintheroomasredfogrollsinthroughtheceiling.Aresis quiet,fartooquiet,ashesitsbesideher Whenheseesmelooking,hemeetsmyeyesandsmirks
Thatalone makes mystomachsink. I’mplayinga game ofthe gods, and Iknow theyare goingto tryto screw me over. Aphrodite’smagicspreadsaroundme,anditliftsmyarmintotheair “Iwillmention,forwordshavecertainpowerwhenit comestothiskindofmagic,thatduringthetest,youareforbiddentouseyourpowers.”
“NO!”Ishout,butit’stoolate Iscreamashermagicripsintomyskin,leavingmarkingsintheshapeofchainswrapped aroundmyhand.Eachonehasasymbolofanelementshiningwithinthelockofthechainonmypalm.Waterisatthetop.She looks atLysander. As he rises to his feet, his eyes still hazy, he looks rightthroughme witheverystep. Mywater king, my enemy,andI’mhappytoseehimcomingtomedespiteeverything Icouldn’tbemorefuriousathim,atthemall,butusstaying aliveismoreimportantrightnow.Hestopsrightinfrontofme,toweringsotall Iarchmynecktolookupathim,wishingI couldseehisgreeneyes Hisredhairiswavyaroundhisstupidlyhandsomeface “Youwillgotogether,andwewillwatch Whatdothehumanssay?Goodluck.”
Aportalopensrightbeneathus,andIimmediatelyplummetthroughtheair,screamingintonothing Idesperatelyreachout forLysander,buthe’srippedawayfrommewithinmoments.AllIseeisthecoldwashofagiantwaveasitslamsrightinto me,andthen bang!Myheadhitsarock.
Mybodyawakens tothe taste ofsaltwater andthe thunderous soundofwaves Myeyes wideninshockas a wave crashesintomewithoverwhelmingstrength,plungingmeunderthebittercoldsaltwaterthatburnsmyeyeswhenI forcethemopen Iswimbackuptothesurface,mymusclesachingasIspinaround,lookingforsomething Thereis ahuge,jaggedrockstickingoutoftheseanexttome,andImusthavehitmyheadonitandsomehowstayedalive.Mypurpledipped,wetlocksofhairarewrappedaroundmyneckandface,andIpushthemawaytoseebetter.
EverythingisfuzzyasIseeafloatingtreetrunk,andIdiveforit.Severalwaves,notasbigasthefirstone,pushintome andmake the trunkfloatfurther awayeachtime I’mclose.I’mexhausted,cold,andangrybythe time Icangrabthe floating piece oftrunk Ipull myselfonto it, lyingdownas it floats throughthe sea, somehow skirtingover the waves Ican’t stop shakingas Itouchmyhead,pullingmyhandawayandseeingredbloodcoatingmyfingers.Ibarelygeta chancetolookup beforeanothergiantwaveslamsintomeandsnapsthetrunkinhalf,throwingmebackintothewater
Lightningflashesacrossthesky,andIgasp,takinginwater,coughingonitasIbreakthesurface.Ireachformypowerson instinct,wantingtohelpmyself,butAphroditewasright.Shetookthem.Thestorms,thewaves,allofitbecomesamildthreat whenIfeelsomethingbrushagainstmylegs Lookingdown,Iseesomethingbrightgoldasitflashespastme Mybloodruns coldasItrytostaystillandsilentasthemassivecreatureswimsaway.AtleastI’mnotalone.“Massiveseacreature”wasn’t exactly on my list of helpful friends here though But it hasn’t tried to eat me, so I’mhoping it’s not on the people-eating monsterlist.
Lysanderwouldknow Lysander Heisheresomewhere,andhecan’tbedead I’dknowit I’dfeelit Heismydestined mateafterall,anddespitehowmuchIhatehim,Ineedhimrightnow.
“LYSANDER!”Iscreamhisname,searchinginthedarkseasforhim,anewdesperationtofindhimwashingawayallmy fears Hedoesn’tshoutback,nooneanswersme Calm Ihavetocalmdown,evenifitfeelslikemysoulmightleavemybody inpurefear.Ispininthesea,lettingthewavesmovemealonginthewater,butthere’snothingbutwaterineverydirection.I’m floating,lost,andfailingthis test I’mfailingmypeople “LYSANDER!” Iscreamhis name over andover,hopingthathe’ll hearme,hopinghe’ll call back.Butbetweentheblisteringicyrain,theseawaves,andthestorm,I’mnotsureI’devenhear him Ishoutthroughourbond,butheissilent ToosilentforLysander Evenhewouldn’tletmediehereandignoreme Ihope Essentially,Ishouldbeabletofindhimanywherewiththisbond.WitheverybitofstrengthIhave,Iclosemyeyesandlet everything leave my mind except for him. I picture himin front of me, his dark red hair, devastatingly beautiful features, muscularbody,hisevilsmile Icanfeelhim,likeastringvibratingalongsidemyownsoul Inallthismadness,knowingthata creatureoftheseacouldeatmeatanysecond,thatI’dbescrewingovermyentirecourtifIlose,Ifeelhim.He’snearme.
DeterminationburnsinmymindasIopenmyeyes,suckinadeepbreath,andbegintoswim Thewavesareagainstme,the veryseapartingus,butIdon’tgiveup.Thetuggingsensationislikeaflutterinmychest,pullingmetofollowit,promisingme hewill beontheother end.WitheverythingIhave,Ikeepswimminginthatdirectionevenas waveafter wavehits me.My heartleaps whenIspotsomethinginthe distance, floatingface downinthe water. Lysander. As Inear him, Isee thathe is actuallyflungoverthesideofwhatlookslikeamini-islandofmoss,onlybigenoughtoholdhimonit.Hisredhairislikea beacontome,andmyshouldersdrop Ifoundhim
Idivetohim,pushingagainsttheseatoletmegettomyLysander.MyarmsachewhenIfinallygetcloseenoughtograbthe rockyislandheisonandpull myselfupnexttohim Ishakehisshoulder,pullinghimontohisback Ican’tnamethereliefI feelwhenIseehischestmovingupanddown.He’salive.He’sactuallyalive.Thereisbloodontherocks,andhemusthave landedhere.Myreliefissoontemperedbyanger.“Lysander,wakethefuckup!” Hewakesup,openinghiseyes,andforamomentIalmostforgotthespellhewasunder.Butthereisnorednessinhiseyes. It’sgone,andwhenheseesme,hesmilesforjustasecond.Justasawaveisgoingtohitus,Lysandergrabsmetightlyaround mywaistand makes walls ofwater spiral around us, protectingus ina spinningcyclone The wave justcrashes againstit, sprayinguswithdroplets.Lysandertouchesmyforehead,frowning.Hismagicwashesoverthecut,soothingme.“Youneedto
stopinjuringyourself,witch.”Ihuffoutalaugh,pullingbackfromhim.Hiseyesarelikeglowinggreencrystals,andtheyare fullofdisappointment.“Whatthefuckareyoudoinghere,Ellelin?”
Herarelyusesmyfullname,andredcloudsmyvisionasIglareathim EvenwhenI’mstuckinthemiddleofthesea,no thanks to him, he is tellingme off. Iscreaminfrustrationand slammyhand into his shoulder. “WhatamIdoinghere? Iam fixingyourfucked-upmistakes!This” Iwavearoundme “isallyourfault Andtheirs Howdareyoumakeupacrazyass planto just leave me onEarth? What did youthinkwould happen? Do youthinkI’d be able to live knowingyouwere on Ayiolyn,sufferingordead?DoyouthinkI’dbeokaywiththat?WhatlifedidyouthinkI’deverbeabletohave?”
“We ”
Islammyhandintohischestthistime,stoppinghim,myhottearsfallingdownmycheeks.“Imademychoice,backinthe desert,backinthecourts,thatIamfromthisworld,andIamnotchoosinganormalhumanlife Icouldn’tjustgoandliveon Earth,pretendingIamnotinlovewiththekings ofanother world.”Islammyother handintohis chest.“Doyouknow how worried I was when I woke up without you four? How fucking scared I was for you? I’ve had to process everything that happenedtomewhilecomingbackhere,fightingforyou,andfixingyourmistakes.I’vehadtomakeadealwithAphroditefor thelivesofmyentirecourtandallmymagic Justbecauseyouguyswouldn’tspeaktome,wouldn’tincludeme,andchoseto betheheroesthatnooneaskedfor!”
Ismackmyhandsoverandoveronhischest,unabletoseethroughmytears.
“Ellelin ”
“NO!”Ishout.“Howdareyoudothattome?Ineededyouafter…Ineededyou.”Ipause,actuallylookingathim.Lysander looksdevastated “Ineededyou EvenwhenIhateyousometimes,Ineededyou”HepullsmetohischestevenasIfighthim, untilI’mashakingmessinhisarms,clingingtohisshirtasheholdsmetightlyagainstthestormsaswerockinthesea.
Whenthereisnothingbutthesoundofastorm,hekissesmesoftlyontopofmyhead.“I’msorry.”Idon’tthinkI’veever heardhimsaythosewordsbefore.Ididn’tknowhewascapableofthem.“Youdon’thatemeanymore,andIneverhatedyou. ButIfuckedupeverything,overandover,andsayingsorryistheonlywayIknowhowtobegintofixitall.Iwantedtodothat sincethenightIfoundyouinjured Somethingbrokeinmethatnight,andIwishIcouldgobackandtellmyselftoadmitit In mysoul,Isuspectedthatyou’remymate,butIhadnoproof.Ididn’tknowweweremindspeakinglikedestinedmates,butI was curious how itwas possible Ifeltyour fear whenyouweredrowning,andfor amoment,Ithoughtofhow water could takeyoufromme,andIhatedit.Ihatedwater,mypower,mycourt,for daringtotakeair fromyour lungs.Evenbeforethat, evenwhenIconvincedmyselfthatIfeltnothingforyou,Iwasobsessedwithkeepingyousafe.Iwouldn’thavetouchedyour grandmother,andrevengewentonthebackburnerinmymind.”Iliftmyheadup.“WhenArdentoldmeofthedealhemadeto getusout,thedealwithAphrodite,Iagreedwithitbeforeeventhinking.EmryscameupwiththeplantogetyoubacktoEarth, likeyouaskedforfromthemomentwekidnappedyou”
“Thingschanged.”
Helooksup,raindrippingdownhisface Whenhelooksdownatme,Ifeelliketheworldstops “Iwantedyoutohavea normallife,awayfromusall,ifitwasonEarthornot.Butfuck,didIwantalifewithyoumore.Iwouldfightforalifewith you,foramomentwithyou,justanythingyouarewillingtogiveme.You’remyenemy,myspiritwitch,andI’minfuckinglove withyou”
“Lysander ”
“Idon’texpectyoutosayitback,notevenforasecond,becauseIfuckedupineveryinchofourrelationship Ican’tspeak for the others, butIshouldn’thave lied to youaboutall ofthis. We should be inthere together, and ifyouwould give me a chance,Iwilldrownthisworldtofixitforyou”
“Drowningseemsprettyeasyatthemoment,”Imanagetosay.Ican’tsaywhathewantsmeto,notrightnow,notwithhow angryIstillamathim.Wehavetoomuchtodiscuss,Ardenforstarters,andhowhethinksmyfatherkilledhis.
“You’resafewithme,evenifweareinastorminthemiddleofoneofthemostfuckingdangerousseasinAyiolyn Iwould use mypower towardjusta few seconds ofpeace withyouanymoment,anytime,inanyworld.” Myheartraces.Lysander neverspeakstomelikethis,andI’mstartingtothinkheismoredangerouswhenheisbeingseductivethanheiswhenheis beingcruel.
“You’vechanged,myenemy”
Hegrinsatme,holdingmecloser.Hishandsinksintomyhair,pullinguscloser.“I’mdonepushingyouaway.Iamdone pretendinglikeyouaren’teverythingtome.We’regonnafightourwayoutofthis.We’llwinthistestandshowthegodsthey havenothingondragons Dragonsrule”
HemovesussocloseIcantastehimonmyeverybreath.“I’mnodragon.”
Lysander’s lips tilt but his eyes are filled with determination “I saw you on the shadow dragon Every bit of a spirit princessofthefifthcourtdragons.Youareadragon,myspiritwitch.”Heleansintome,andmybreathhalts.“I’mgoingtokiss youandneverletyougo.Youneedtopushmeawayifyou’renotready ”
Ikisshim.Ikissmyenemylikeheisn’tmyenemyatalland,instead,heismyentireworld.Hislipspressharshlyagainst mineinreturn,anechoofagroanvibratinguphisthroatthatIfeelinmyblood.Lysanderbrutallykissesme,adesperaterush
totakeasmuchofmeashecanwithjusthismouth.Justforamoment,theworldblurs,andhemakesmefeellikeI’malive.I wasn’tsureI’dbeabletokisshimaftereverything,butitfeelseasy.Naturaltokissmydestinedmate,someonebornformeas muchasIwasbornforhim Ourpast,ourargumentsandfights,areamemoryforafewsecondsasIsinkintohishardbody, rainstill pouringonus, remindingme that we’re still indanger. I cantaste himonmylips as I breakawayfromhim. He reachesformeagain,butIplacemyhandonhischest “Whatdidyoumeanwhenyoutalkedaboutthemostdangerousseain Ayiolyn?”
“Ihaven’tbeenbackhereinyears MyfatherusedtobringushereasatestforroyalswhenIwasakid,”heanswers,so casuallythathebarelyregistersthelookofhorroronmyface.
Aticinhisjaw twitchesasmywordswashoverhimlikesmoke.“How oldwereyou?”How couldhisfatherbringhim here,tothishorridplace?
“Young,”hesharplyanswers,andhelooksaway,lettingmego.Heisn’tgoingtotalktomeaboutit,notrightnowatleast.I pushtheknowledgetothebackofmymind “What’swrongwiththeseseas?”Iask.
“It’sfullofmonstersthatarekeptawayfromtheislands,andtheseaisknowntodestroyshipsandlife Giantseacreatures dwellinthedepthsthatmakedragonslookliketoysforachild.Thisistheonlypartoftheseathatdoesn’tabidebymyrule. It’s too wild, too unkept, and no king has ever been able to claimthese seas or the monsters within. I believe my greatgrandfather tried once, buthe was eaten” Myeyes widen Thatmusthave beenone crazybastard “Butto survive the seas means youare a true king. Iused to be leftouthere for weeks, and Iknow there are little islands around. Theyappear and disappearonthetides Weneedtomakeourwaytooneofthem ”Hekeepstalking,makinghisplan,butI’mstuckonthefact hisfatherlefthimouthereforweeksasayoungchild.Lysanderfinallylooksatme,andhiseyesnarrow.“Idon’twantyour pity.”
Itrytohidemyemotions,knowingweneedtoworktogether.“Right.Howarewegoingtogettoanisland?Canyoushift? Ihaven’tgotmypowers,orIwouldcallmyshadows.”
He smirks atme “Mydragonis blocked bythatbitchgoddess, butI’mthe fuckingkingofthe Water Court Ruler ofthe seas,theoceans,therivers,andyouaremine.Iwillgetusoutofhere.”
Purepossessivenessflashesinthedepthsofhiseyes I’mstillangryathim IthinkI’llbeangryforyearstocomeforwhat theyhavedone,butIdon’tcorrecthisclaim.I’mhis,webothknowit.Heisminetoo.Wemightdietogetheratanymoment, andI’drathernotdiecompletelyhatinghim.Plus,itwasn’tjusthimthatmadethatchoice.I’mfuriousatallofthem.“Stayon theturtle.”Lysandertouchestheisland.“Thankyouforsavingme,friend.”
“It’saturtle?!”Ishoutashemakesagapinthewatershieldaroundus.Lysanderdoesn’tanswermeashesuddenlyjumps offtheturtle,divingintothesea,leavingmebehind Theturtlemovesup,revealingmoreoftheshell,anditspurpleheadpops abovethewater.Itlooksrightatme,andasoundlikeawhalecrysingsfromitsthroat.It’sabeautifulnoise.Itouchitsback. “Thankyouforhelpingus”
Thesongcontinues,evenastheturtlelooksawayfromme.Waitingandwaiting,Iwatchtheseathroughthegap,theviolent wavesandflashesofpurelightningthathighlightnothingbutthedarkrainclouds.It’sbeentoolong.Istandup,readytodive intotheseaforhimifhedoesn’tappearsoon Istepbackassomethingcrashesoutoftheocean,flashesofgoldfloodingmy vision.Agiantcreaturelandsonthewateroutsidethegap,anditlookslikeawatersnakehadababywithaneelmadeofgold. Small whiskersthatbuzzwithelectricityfill thewateratitssides,andsittingonitsbackbetweenitshumpsisLysander He wipeshishairfromhisface,hisotherhandholdingintoaleashmadeofseaweed.Heoffersmehishand.“Comeon,witch.”
Iraiseaneyebrowandhelaughsasawaveofwaterswiftlyliftsmeupintheairandthrowsmeathim Lysandercatches metooeasilyandslidesmeinfrontofhim.“You’reinsane!”
“Andyouarebeautiful.”
I’mstunned for a second at his compliment, but my eyes widen as the whiskers of the creature lift, spreading out and revealingwebbingbetweenthem. All ofthatlooks like wings. Lysander wraps his armtightaround mybodyas the golden creature dives inthe water,pullingus bothdownwithit,andIclutchLysander’s armtightly Itcrashes outofthe sea again, rightupintotheair,andstartsflyingstraightupintothesky.Itdivesthroughthestormcloud,rightintopure,warmsunlight.I lookbackatLysander,theburntorangeandsunfloweryellowraysofthesunmakinghishairlooklikethebeginningofafire “Theseaisnotyourenemy,Elle.Youwereborntobethequeenofit.”
“Iwoulddisagreeaboutitbeingmyenemy,”Igrumble,makinghimlaugh.Igrinasthecreatureshootsthroughthesky,any warmthfromthesundepartingintheicywind Apiercingnoise,likeamusical trill echoesoutofitsthroatasitflieshigh I missthesweetturtlesinging.Weflyaroundforabit,andIshiver,leaningbackintothewarmthofLysander.I’mnotsurewe haveadestinationinmind,butsuddenlythecreaturedivesthroughtheclouds,mystomachswirlingfromthedrop Lightning flashesnearus,andIcanbarelyholdonasthecreaturemovesfaster.Aswebreakoutofthestormclouds,Iseeasmallisland withnothingbutsandandtwowindswepttrees.Lysanderlandsthecreatureonthebeach,anditwaitsforhiminthewaterafter wehaveclimbedoff.
Isitonthesand,pullingmykneesup,mywetclothesstickingtome.Lysanderchoosestostand,watchingtheseas.“There’s
gottobeatesthere.Can’tjustbesurvival.”
“Agreed,”Ianswer,butI’mclueless whattosuggesttheanswer is.EventuallyLysander sits withme,andIbuildasand castle Hekicksitwithhisfoot “You’remean”
“Neverclaimednottobe,”heanswers,butheissmiling.It’sweirdtoseehimsmilesomuch.Forawhile,wesitonthe beachtogetherandjustwatchthegiantoceanstorms,thewavesbiggerthanhouses,swallowingupeverythingintheirway I wanttoaskabouthisfather,butIknownow’snotthetime.Ifeellikehimadmittinganyofthattomeisenough.It’sastepinthe rightdirection
Whendawnstartstobreakaroundthehorizon,lightcrashesthroughthestormsofcloudslikebeacons.Butit’snotthelight thatmakesmybloodruncold.Anoverlysweetfemalevoicefillsmymind.“Savethesevenbetrayers.Ifanyarelost,sowill yoube”
Irushtomyfeet,rightbeforeIseeawhirlpoolintheseaandhearamonsterroarthatmakesmeclampmyhandsovermy ears Ispotflashingredlights inseveral places aroundthe seas Lysander isn’tlookingatme,buthe is pale Where the red flasheswere,smallboatsarefloating,beingsuckedintothepullofawhirlpool.“Itisn’tawhirlpool,butit’stheCharybdis.” “WhatisaCharybdis?”Iquietlyask
Lysanderfinallylooksatme,andIdon’tlikethefearinhiseyes.“It’slikeawormwithalotofteeththatlivesinwater, anditeatseverything.Itcan’tbereasonedwith,andit’stoldashorrorstoriesinmycourt.Iwasn’tawareitwasevenreal.I won’ttakeyououtthere”
“No.”Itouchhisarm.“Wegotogether.Iknow it’srisky,butwhatshesaid?Sevenbetrayers?That’speopleoutthereon thoseboats,andweneedtogettothem Don’tleavemebehindagain”
Hetenses,buthisshouldersdrop.“Fine,butwillyoudoeverythingItellyou?” Ismile.“Justthisonce.”
Lysanderkissesmequickly.“Iwouldn’texpectanythingless.”
IclimbupontothegoldencreatureafterLysander,andhetakesoffstraightintotheskies.Thefirstboatisnearest,witha dark-hairedwomantryingtowiggleoutofropetiedaroundherarms Lysandergrowls “She’sfrommycourt,agoodfriendof mymother’s.Theseareallhighnoblesofmycourt.What’sleftofthem.”
Aphroditecalledthembetrayers TheybetrayedherandAres’srule,notLysander Thisiswhatisleftofthehighnoblesof theWaterCourt.LysanderswoopsthecreaturelowenoughbeforeIjumpoff.Ipullattheropebindingheruntilit’soffher,and shemeetsmyeyes.“Thankyoutoyouboth,thetruerulersofwater.”
“Climb on,” I gentlyinstruct her, noticinghow she looks weak, too weakto evenstand. Lysander pulls her behind him beforehelpingmebackon.Onedown,sixtogo.Thankfully,theboatsarespreadoutandprettyfar fromtheCharybdis.The whirlpoolitiscreatingispullingthemin,bitbybit,andwedon’thavelong
Thewomanissilentaswegofromboattoboat,untyingandhelpingthemontothebackofthecreature.Ayoungteenage boyandtwoelderlywomenarethenextwerescue Lysanderfliesthembacktotheisland,leavingthemtheretowaitbefore wetakeofffortheotherthree.MyheartraceswhenIrealisethey’refarclosertotheCharybdis.Achild’scryreachesmyears overthestorm.“That’sachild!”
“What?Where?”Lysander demands,his voicefurious Myhandshakes as Ipointtotheboatnearestthemonster,slowly beingpulledintothecurrent.LysanderturnsthecreaturetowardstheboatIpointedto,butIseetheothers.“Whataboutthose twooverthereontheotherside?Wecan’tgetthemboth”
Lysander stops the creature near the child’s boat. Alittle girl, no more thanthree, is cryingina corner, her blonde hair hidingherface “I’mgoingtostaywiththechild,”Itellhim “Yougettheothertwoonthatside Wecan’tloseanyofthem,and I’mnotleavingthatlittlegirl.”
“Fuckinghell,no.”Lysandergritshisteeth,lookingdownatme.“Ican’tleaveyouhere.” Icuphischeek,speakingintohismind “Itrustyou,myenemy Comebackforme”Beforehecanstopme,Ipushoutofhis armsandflingmyselfoffthecreature.ThewindwhipspastmyfacebeforeIhitthewater,rightnexttotheboat.Igasp,feeling the current pullingme under as I grab the ropes around the edge of the boat Lysander’s emerald eyes find mine before he speedsofftowardstheothertwo.Ipullmyselfintotheboat,trippingoverawoodenstepandlandingrightinfrontofthechild. Sheshakesfromheadtotoeinthecorneroftheboat,andIknow thiswillhauntherforyearstocome I’mnotsogoodwith children,andIhavenoideawhattodo,butIcrawlovertoher.Sittingup,Iopenmyarms.“Ipromiseyou’resafewithme.I’m goingtogetyououtofhere.”
Sheliftsherhead,hereyessowideandabrightshadeofblue Shethrowsherselfatme,clingingtomyneck,andIblow outabreath.TheboatrocksandshakesandIpullmyselftotheedge,lookingdownatthemonsterandwishingIdidn’t.Teeth, millionsofyellow,decayingteeth,inawhirlpoolofseawaterisallIcanseeformiles IsearchtheskiesforLysander,finding himbythe other boats. Lysander is grabbingthe other two as the water starts to speed up around our boat, and we beginto spin.Iscream,pullingthegirltomeandclimbingtothemiddleoftheboatsoIdon’tgetthrownout.Thegirlscreamswithme, hercriesterribletohear,andIcan’tdoanything.
“I’mhereandI’mnotlettingyougethurt.”Lysander’svoiceroughlyfillsmymindwithavowfromthekingoftheWater
Courttohismate.IlookupasLysanderleavesthecreatureintheair,andhedivesstraightintothewateraroundthehorrifying creature.
“Lysander!Whatareyou ”Ipauseaswatershootsintotheair,shapedlikeathrone,withLysandersittingrightonit The boatgoesstill,andIlookdowntoseeacushionofwaterfloatingusupintotheair.Thewatersgostillaroundthemonster,and itfeelslikethestormsthemselvespausefortheirking
Lysander stops the sea, stops the waves and the Charybdis. The Charybdis roars, shakingthe water withripples before divingunderandleavingtheseastilllikealake Suddenly,Lysanderdropsdown,thegoldencreaturecatchinghimandflying himtous.Theboatdropstooandcrashesintothewater.Thegirlcries,butsheissilentasIstand,watchingthecreatureland. TwomenhelpLysanderintotheboat,andIputthegirldown,handinghertothenoblesshemustknow,andcuphisface.Heis pale,likeheusedtoomuchmagic,butheisokay Idropmyforeheadontohis “Howdidyoudothat?”
“No one has tried to stop himbefore. To tame these seas. Ijustdid,” he answers. Igrinjustbefore a portal opens right below theboat,andwecrashthroughit,theboatlandingrightinfrontoftheemptythrones AresandAphroditestandinthe middleoftheemptythroneroom,withArden,EmrysandGraysonbehindthem.Ilookatthemfirst,wishingtheycouldseeme.
Aphrodite looks pleased, and Ares looks murderous “We will meet you at the Fire Court in three days Well done, princess.Don’tworry,yourotherloveswillbekeptclosetome.”
Theyleavethroughaportal,andIreachoutforthemlikethereisanythingIcandotostopherfromtakingtherestofmy heartwithher Hopeclearsherthroatfromthebackofthethroneroom “Wehaveaproblem”
WhenIwasalittlegirl,Ibelievedthatdreamswerestories Storiesthatyoutellyourselfinyourmindwhenyou’re sleeping,andyouhadcompleteanduttercontroloverthem.Iusedtodreamofprettyunicornsinfieldsofflowers andfierce dragons burningdowncastles Iusedtodreamofseeingmymother smile inthe morning,andoftimes withmyfathertrainingmeintheshadows.Idreamtofthecosynightsintheirbedroom,wherewe’dwatchthestarsoutsidethe balcony,andthey’dtellmeaboutalltheconstellationswhileIdrankhotchocolateandatemarshmallowsthathadbeenroasted overthefires.
Butcontrol slips as youage, especiallywhenyour life gets drowned indarkness and your dreams turninto nightmares. Whenthe dreams become real things thatyoucan’twake from, no matter how muchyoutry, how muchyoubegyourselfto wakeup.Butyoucan’t.You’relost,astraywithinthedream,withinthenightmaresorealitmakesyousweat.Itdoesn’tstop becauseIwantitto;itdoesn’tdisappearevenwhenIbeg Iseethecommandernow,leaningoverme,insidehistentthat’sso dark.Hishauntingsmile,hishandschokingmeandrippingatmyclothes.
I’mpowerless tostopthe nightmare andpowerless tostophim.Ican’tmove,Ican’tbreathe,Ican’tdoanythingtostop him No one’s going to stop him No one’s going to help me I screamand I scream, begging anyone to help, wishing my shadowswouldhelp.ButnonoiseleavesmymouthasIscream.Justsilence.Ican’tbreathe.Ican’tdoanything.“ELLELIN!”
Ihearsomeoneshoutingmyname SomeoneIknow Butthatcan’tberight “Ellelin,you’regoingtobringthecastledown! WAKEUP!” Ihear himshoutingandshouting,beggingfor me towake up,butI’mfrozen,lookingatthe commander leaning overme Hekeepsrippingatmyclothes,overandover,and “ELLELIN!”
Gasping,Iwakeupinacoldroomthatsmellslikesaltwater,andit’sfull ofshadows.Thebed,thecastle,isshakingas more and more shadows flood the room, buttheydon’ttouchme buttheyhurthim. Lysander leans over me, and Iscream, backingawayfromhim, crawlingup the bed to the headboard ofthe strange room Ittakes me a momentto realise I’mnot dreaming,tomaketheshadowsdriftaway,andtobeabletobreathe.WaterisrunningaroundthecutsalloverLysanderwhere myshadowsliterallywererippinghimapartashetriedtowakeme Gods,Ididn’tmeantodothat
Myarmsarewrappedtightlyaroundmykneeswhenallmysensesfullyawaken,andIcanseethroughthefearandknow it’s Lysander tryingto help me His hands are up athis sides, insurrender, and he is slowlybreathing, tellingme I’msafe Waitingforme.Hischestisbare,he’swearingnothingbutapairofblackshorts,andIcan’tstoprunningmyeyesoverhimfor amoment.Helooksatme,nothingbutworryinthedepthsofhiseyes.“It’sme.It’sonlyme.Iheardyouscreaming,soIcame in Iwillnothurtyou Ihadnightmarestoo,foryearswhenIwasachild Thisistheonlywaymymothercouldcalmmedown ShetoldmerepeatedlythatIwassafe.”
“I-I’ms-sorryfor hurtingyouand for the roomI’ve destroyed,” Imutter, flinchingatthe mess ofthe room There are so manycracks inthe walls,the floors,andthe glass doors tothe balcony.Lysander has fullyhealedhimselfnow.Mycloakis stillonmyshoulders,wrappedtightlyaroundme,andmyleatherclothesareasweatymess.Watercoolsdownmybody,andI blink,surprisedtorealiseLysanderisallbutwashingmewithhismagic.
“Don’tbe,”hefirmlystateswithalltheconvictionofaking.“Youdon’tneedtotellmewhatyournightmareisabout.Isee thesamethingsinmynightmares IthinkI’llseethesamethingsuntilI’mdead”
“IhopeIdon’t.Ihopeyoudon’teither.”Mywhisperechoesbetweenus.“Hedoesn’tdeserveanyofustothinkabouthim, eveninournightmares”
Welookateachotherinthedarkness,withonlythestarsforlight,asmybreathingcalmsdown.MybreathcatchesandI lowermyarms,pullingthebluequiltsaroundme.Idon’tevenrememberfallingasleep.It’sbeensuchalongdaysincewetook backtheWaterCourt.Somanywereinjuredalready,butasapartinggift,Aphroditehungupoverathousandnoblesoutsidethe castlewalls.Wesavedasmanyaswecould,usingmymagicandLysander’storipdownasmanyofthemaspossible,who were hangingoutside the castle walls above the sea Alongside anynobles or guards whohadthe strengthtouse magic,we saved them. The children were locked away, and thankfully, they didn’t hurt them. Lysander and his court are good with
healing,buteventhen,someofthenoblesweretoofargone.Ithinkthefuneralswillringacrossthiscourtforyears.
Hopeshowedmethisspareroomonlyafewhoursago,andIlaiddownwhatfeltlikeaminutebeforeIfellasleep.“Icame in to check on you earlier, but you were fast asleep You did a lot for my court today They are singing your praises and promisingyoutheworld.”
Isigh “Ididwhatanyoneelsewouldhavedone”
Thesilver-touchedmoonlightshinesaglow aroundLysanderashegazesoutofanarchedwindow thatoverlooksnothing butstarsandseas “Theywillneverforget,neitherwillI”
“I’msorryIcouldn’tstopthegodssooner,”IsayquietlybeforeIclearmythroat.I’malmostnervousaboutaskingLysander anythingtoopersonal.“Whatdidyouusedtohavenightmaresabout?”
Iseethemusclesonhisbacktense “Aboutsurvivingthoseseasasachild ThecreatureItamed Ilearnedhow totame themprettyquicklywhenIwasdownthere.Icanbreatheunderwaterforlongeramountsoftimethanmostofmypeople,who canjustaboutbreathefortenminutesbeforetheirlungswantair,butthecoldwaterusedtolockmybodyup,andIstruggledto move.Sometimes I’djustfloatinthewaves for hours,unabletomove.Iwas achild,andmypowers weren’twhattheyare now” He looks at me over his shoulder, those startling green eyes locking onto mine “You could say I dreamt of being powerlessandfrozen.”
Inaway,wehavethesamenightmare.Iliftmyhandtotouchhisbackbeforesecond-guessingmyselfandloweringitback totheblankets HecarriesontalkingandIknowit’sdistractinghimselfmorethanme Lysanderisthekingofdenialinevery sense.“Thesegoldencreaturesarekind,easytotame,andtheytookmefromislandtoisland.Iusedtopull afishoutofthe watertoeat,makefiresfromthetrees FreshwaterwasmoredifficulttocomebyasIhadnoknowledgeofhowtogetsaltout ofthesaltwater.Occasionally,Ifoundislandswherethewaterhadbeenfilteredinrivers,buttheywerefewandfarbetween. Theislandsdisappearedatnight,andIonlyallowedmyselftosleepforshortperiodsintheday.”
“Whydidn’tyoushiftintoyourdragonandjustflyaway?”Iask,needingtounderstandhim.“Oraskthecreaturetoflyyou backhome?”
Lysanderfacesmethistime “ItisthewayofthekingsoftheWaterCourt,andmyfatherwasteachingmehowtobestrong Toleave,toshift,wouldbeasignofweakness.Iamanythingbutweak.”
Aprotective wave crashes into me, and Iblurtoutmythoughts withoutpausing “Inever said youwere weak, butIam tellingyouthatyourfatherwaswrongtodothat,Lysander.Youwereachild,anditishorrificthatyouhadtoendurethat.Fuck yourfather!”
Lysander’ssmileiscruel,hisvoicealowwhisper.“Youwouldsaythat.Itwasyourfatherandyourcourtwhokilledhim.” Iblanch, movingbackwards, and for a second, he looks like he regretted sayingthat. Sometimes words cannotbe taken back “Idon’tknowwhathappenedthatday,butmyfatherwasagoodman,andhewouldhavenevergottenyourfatherkilled fornoreason.Youforgetmyfatherdiedthatdaytoo!Ifyouwanttoliveyourlifestuckinthisstateofwantingrevengeover everythingelse,Lysander,thendothat,butitwon’tbewithmeatyourside Therewillbenothingbetweenusuntilyouaccept thepastandstophidingbehindit.Youmademistakes,Lysander,butIthinkdeepdownyouareagoodperson.Maybealittle fuckedup,butatthis point,weall are.Stoplyingtome,toyourself,tothe whole fuckingworld.Youaren’tthe villain,you aren’tmyenemy,anduntilyouadmitthat,thentherewillbenothingforus”
“Nothing?” He arches aneyebrow, his face full offury. He crawls over to me, and myeyes widenas he grabs mychin. “Therewillneverbenothingbetweenus,mywitch”
JustwhenIthinkheisgoingtokissme,hepullsbackandslidesintomybed.“Whatareyoudoing?I’mmadatyou!Get out!”
Hedramaticallyyawnsanditonlyinfuriatesmemore.“I’mgoingtosleep,andyouarealwaysmadatme.It’sabigpartof whywearegoodtogether.”
Ipushagainsthisshoulder,buthedoesn’tmove “Ididnotsayyoucouldsleepinmybed!Idon’tevenknowyourcastle, butI’msureyouhaveotherrooms!Goandfindone!”
“Thisroomismynewfavouritebecauseitsmellslikeyou”Hepullsthepillowcloserandrollsonhisside,facingme,all humour gone. “You’re still indanger, and Ican’t sleep without knowingyou’re safe. Now, Iamtired after healinghalfmy court, so we sleep Tomorrow, we will get mymother and brother backand leave the court to them We have to save my brothers.For that,we mustbe rested.” He smiles atme as Imove toglare athis stupidlyperfectface.“Keepglaringatme, witch,andmycockwilltelljusthowmuchIlovethatlookonyourface.”
Iglare athimwithrosycheeks for another minute, testingmyluck, butIknow he is right Islide downthe bed and get comfyonmyside,facinghim.Itdoesn’ttakelongfor Lysander todriftofftosleep,andIroll onmyback,lookingupatthe ceilingforasecondbeforelettingmyeyesdriftonceagaintohim Lysander’schestisperfect,annoyinglyso,andcoveredin blacktattoosormarkings,butmostareinanotherlanguage.MyskinflushesasIlookathim,adampnessgrowingbetweenmy legs.Itmustbeamatething,as Ican’tlookathimandnotwanthim.EvenwhenI’mnotsureIwantthatwithanyoneatthe moment. I’mnotready. Asymbol for the Water Courtis over his heart, a crownwrapped around it, and onhis six-packare moresymbolsthatmeanwater.Irememberthemfrommychildhoodlessonsfrommytutor.
Even with Lysander next to me, my heart is still racing fromthe nightmare, and every time I close my eyes, I see the commander.EventhoughIknow he’s dead,Istill feel likewhathedidhas somecontrol over me.It’s notfair.Heshouldn’t haveanycontrol over me YethereIam,beggingmymindtoforget,beggingmybodytoletgoofthefear itis clingingto I needair.Throwingthe sheets tothe side,Irushouttothe balcony,closingthe glass doors behindme,breathinginthe cold, darkanddampair
Thissideofthecastleiscalm,untouched,withnothingbutsandyseasformiles.Crystalgreenseasaresoclearthat,even inthe moonlight, Icansee vibrant coral reefs below The darkness is touched bystarlight here, hundreds ofstars, and I’m watchingthemjustasafewblinkoutofexistence.MysmileisasbrightasastarasIfeelanalltoofamiliarbondbrushagainst mymind,touchingmyverysoul.Terrin!Iwatchastheskyisfilledwithhundreds,ifnotthousands,ofblackdragonsandafew colouredonestoo Terrinlandsonthebeach,sendingsandflyingeverywhere “Areyoucomingdown,princess?”
“Thisisn’tRomeoandJuliet,”Ijokebacktohim.
“Whoarethey?”Terrinasks,completelyconfusedbymyjoke Ofcourse,hewouldn’tknowwhotheyareunlesstheyread Shakespeareinthisworld.GlancingbackatLysander’sroom,Ismile,knowinghe’sgoingtobepissedatmeforleaving.He’s right, annoyingeachother is justus Iuse myownshadow as shadows to make a small dragononthe edge ofthe banister beforeclimbingupandsittingdownonthedragon.Itcrashesthroughtheair,landingonthebeachanddisappearingwithina matterofseconds.“ShouldIbejealousyoucanmakeyourowndragonandhavenoneedformenow?”
Ilaugh,shakingmyhead “It’snotthesame Theshadowdragonispoweredandcontrolledbyme Brieftripsarefine,butI wouldstruggletousemypowerstobothfightandmakethedragontoride.”
Herubshisfaceagainstmyarm “Fine,Iwillnotbejealous Much”Ilookuptoseesomanyhundredsofdragonsfilling thesky,afewhoveringnearthecastle.“I’mgladthatthepeopleoftheWaterCourtgotthemessagefromyourkingnottoattack usasweflewin.WepassedmanyoftheWaterCourtdragonsintheskies,andIwouldn’thavelikedtohurtthemtogethere.”
“YoubroughtalloftheShadowCourtwithyou?”Iask.“TherearesomanymorethanIthought.”
“Theyknewtheirprincesswashere,fighting,andthereisnowhereelsewewouldbe.Wehaveouryoungandeggswithus. Wemustfindsafety,”Terrinexplainstome
“GototheSpiritCourtislandandtakeitback,”Isuggest.IwishIcouldgowithhim,seemytruehomeoncemore.Iwas thereformonths,cluelessthatitwasmyhome,theplaceIwasborn Everyinchofmelongstobebackinthemagiccastle,to feel theenergyoftheshadowsoftheSpiritCourtlikeIdidasachild.Ijustcan’treturn,notyet,butsoon.Ipromisemyself soon.
“LeavingyouisnotsomethingIwish ”
“Terrin,Ineedyoutotake backmycourtandkeepmypeople safe.There’s nothingyoucandofor me here,andI’mnot puttingyouindanger,”Ifirmlystate Irunmyhandover his scales “Please IdoubtAres lefttheSpiritCourtlands without someofhisstolenarmytowatchthecastle.Ioweyousomuchforsavingmefrom…”
Terringrowlslow,sendingshiversdownmyspine “Weshall notspeakofthatmonster Hedoesnotdeservetohavehis nameevenwhisperedinourrealm.”
Iclearmythroat.“NowthatIhavemyshadowmagicback,IwonderifIcandosomethingforyou.”
“Whatdidyouhaveinmind?”heasks,curious “Staystill.”Istepback,closemyeyes,andpullmyshadowsaroundhim,wrappingtightaroundeveryinchofhisdragon formandsensingthemagicbindthat’stherearoundhim It’shardtovisualiseit,andthemagicisincrediblypowerful,andI cansensemyfatherallaroundit.Ithinkhediedtomakethismagic.Itfeelslikechainswrappedaroundhim,andIbreakthem withalashofmyshadows WhenIopenmyeyes,it’snotmydragoninfrontofmeanymore It’saman abeautifulman He lookstobeafewyearsolderthanme,smoothdarkskin,aslightdarkbrownbeardthatmatcheshishair,whichislong,pasthis shoulders and silkysmooth. His eyes are the exactsame as his dragonform, greenstars ina darksky, and he’s completely naked He’s gorgeous,butcompletelyandutterlynaked Ilookupfromhis body,andhe chuckles low,the soundmakingmy skinpebble. Ipull offmycloakand drop itbetweenus as Ikeep myeyes highup. The dragonkings are stunning, the most stunningmalesIhaveevermet,andTerrinisrightuptherewiththem
Idon’tknowwhattheymadethesedragonswith,butfuck,it’sdangeroustowomankind.
“Youcanopenyoureyesnow,”adark,deepvoiceseductivelysuggests Hisvoiceisdarker,different,andIreallylikeit “I’vewaitedsolongtoseeyouasmytrueself.”
Hetakesashakystepforward,andIrushover,catchinghim.“I’dmakea Little Mermaid referencetogettinglegsforthe firsttime,butyou’dhavenoideawhatI’mtalkingabout”Isigh,reachingupandtouchinghishair “I’mnotsurehow longI canholdthemagicback.Whatevermyfatherdid,it’ssopowerful.I’msorryIcan’tdomore.”
Terrinwraps his arms around mywaist, and he cups myface withone large hand There is a ringonhis thumb and a symbolImissseeing.TheSpiritCourtshadow,withadragonwithintheshadowflame.“Mate,ifweonlyhaveafewseconds, Imusttasteyou.”
Terrinkisses me withall the intensityofa burningflame. Igasp atthe firsttaste ofhimonmylips, a burningattraction comingtolifethroughmychest.Heismymate.It’sadifferentfeelingthanLysanderandIhave,butsosimilar,likeshadows
andlight.Hemightnotbegoodatwalkingaftersomanyyearsasadragon,butkissing?Yup,hehasthatonedown.Ileaninto himashebreaksawayfromme,suckinginadeepbreath.“SometimesIimaginethegodsnevercametoourworld,andwemet intheSpiritCourtasteenagers Thatweknewfromthebeginningthatwewerematesandspenttimegettingtoknoweachother withoutwarloomingoverusandmagickeepingusapart.Iimagineourmatingceremonyinfrontofthecourts,ofournightin thespiritofdarknessunderneaththecastlewherewewouldbeasoneforthefirsttime Itisunfair Wenevergotanyofthat” Irunmyhanddownhisarm.“AndwheredoLysander,Arden,Grayson,andEmrysfitintothis?”
HelaughsandIcouldlistentohimlaughallnight “Wewouldfighttothedeathforyou,andI’dwin,ofcourse”
Shaking my head, I laugh at his joke, even if we all do need to talk about this. Somehow, I’ve ended up in serious relationshipswithfivemen,andIdon’tknowhowthatcontinuesafterthewar,whenthegodsaregoneandit’sjustus.Terrinis rightinoneway We’djusthavetheSpiritCourttoourselves,asheisfromthere Theothershavetheirowncourts,andwould IbeenoughforthemifIhadtogobetweenallofthecourts?
“Mypoweriswaning,”Iwhisper,pushingmyinsecurethoughtstothebackofmymind Terrintucksmyhairbehindmyear Isensefamiliareyesonus,andIlookuptoseeLysanderonthebalcony.
Evenwiththedistance,Ifeelhisburningjealousyandangerlikeit’smyownemotions “Whothefuckisthat?”
“Protect our woman until I am back,” Terrin speaks into my mind, but somehow, it’s sent to Lysander, too. A shared connection. WhenI was beingattacked bythe commander, I thought theyspoke throughmymind, all of them. How is that possible?
Terrinsteps back, droppingmycloak, and I get a glimpse of all of himonce againbefore myspell breaks, his dragon shiftingbackinacloudofshadow “IwillwaitforyouintheSpiritCourt,asyouwish,andsowillyourpeople Goodbye,my mate.TheSpiritCourtlandswilldampenourbondandspeakingtoyou.However,ifyouareindanger,Iwillknowstill.”
Hejumpsupandfliesbackintotheair,joiningtheothers.Witharoarthatcouldshaketheverystars,thedragonschange directionandheadofftoourcourt.“Besafe,Terrin.”
Imakeadragonoutofshadowandflybackuptothebalcony,landinginapitofshadowsinfrontofaveryjealous-looking Lysander Helinksourfingers “Idon’ttrusthimorlikehimhavingyou Idon’tgiveafuckifheisyourmate”
“Lysander,Ididn’tmeantohurtyou.Canwealltalk ”
“Let’sfocusonsavingtheothersfirst,andthenwecantalkabouthowyou’remine,”hecoldlyanswers,leadingmebackto thebed.Lysanderpullsmeontothebed,wrappinghisarmstightlyaroundmelikeImightjustdisappearintotheshadows.
Thetempleofthemightydragongodsisfilledwithbodiesandmourners Marblecoffins,rowsandrowsofthem,line thetemple’sstonefloor,andthecriesoftheirfamiliesechoaroundlikeaprayer.Candlelightbrightensthedarkroom, butitdoesnothingtochaseawaythegriefthatisthickintheair.Ithinktheyarelucky,thedeadandaliveinhere…they lovedsomeoneenoughtogrieve Peoplelikeme wedon’thavethat ThefuneralsfortheWaterCourtwillgoonforweeks, butfornow,thebodiesarebeingkeptcoldbymagic.There’saplaceinAyiolyn,theDeathMist,wherethedeadaretaken,but fornowthepriestsofthemightydragongods,theTwilightthemselves,willwatchovertheselostsouls
Istandintheentrancehall,watchingasafamilymournsoveracoffin,prayingformoretimethattheywillnotbegiven.I won’tknowwhatit’sliketomournsomeonelikethat Thebitterstingofitishardtoswallowattimes Ilookupatthestatues ofthegods,sweepingdragonsthatfilltheceiling,watchingoverthedead.Therearesomanyformsthedragongodstake.In each court, it is a little different, but this one was always my favourite. Simple dragons, no different to the hundreds of thousandsofpeoplearoundus Themightydragongodshaveneverdoneanythingforme I’mnotsureIevenbelieveintheold storiesofthem,butthestoriesstaywithme.
Iwalkoutside,donewithmyworkforthemorning,mybraidhittingmybackwhenthewindblowshard Mybootsclickon the weathered stone as Ihead downa pathwaythatis lined withmarble pillars thatstretchhighup into the arched ceilings. Suddenly, cold water slams straight into me like anarrow, smackinginto mybackhard enoughthat I feel myribs crack I screamasIcascadethroughtheair,onlystoppingwhenmybodyslamsintoapillarandmyheadsmackshardagainstthestone. DizzinessheavilyweighsmedownasItrytorisetomyfeet,leaningagainstthepillarandwheezing.
Myeyeswideninfearasicefreezesaroundmybody,lockingmeinplaceandmakingitimpossibletomove Myfingers stretchformydaggeratmyside,reachingforanythingtosavemyself,buttheyfreezetoountilIcan’tfeelanythingthroughthe bittercold Justastheiceiscrawlingupmyneck,atall manstepsoutinfrontofme AnobleoftheWaterCourt,ifIhadto guess fromhis expensive clothes andperfectdarkskin.His blackhair is indreadlocks,fallingaroundhis face anddripping withwater.Bluemagicswirlsaroundhishand,andhiseyesmatchthecolourofhispower.Idon’tknowhim,andIdon’thave anyideawhyhe’sattackingme.“Why?”Imanagetocroakout,clawingattheiceatmysidewithmynails.Itspreadsaround mybody,tightandstrong,andfearmakesmepanic.
Ifsomeonedoesn’tcomesoon,nooneisgoingtocometosaveme Idon’thaveanyone There’snooneherethatevenlikes meinthiscourt,evenifIcareaboutsomeofthepeopleIgrewuparound.Idon’thaveafamily;Ihavenoonelookingafterme. Nothing ItwouldbeawhilebeforeanyoneevennoticedIwasgone Lysander’smothermighthavelookedforme,butsheis wallowinginher rooms,thickingriefandsadness for those lost.“You’re the king’s mistress,or whatever theywanttocall you.Manyofusarenotinfacthappywithhimandhisrule.Hegotmywifekilled!”
“Notmyproblem,youfuckingpsychopath!”Isnarl.“Killingmewon’tgetherbackorevenbotherLysander!Youfool!” Rage fuels him, and mywords don’thelp. Fuck, I’mso screwed. “She was slaughtered bythatgoddess, all because she decidedtobeloyaltoKingLysander Idon’tknowwhyshethoughtthatwasagoodidea Heisnotakingworthbeingloyalto So,IthoughtI’dtakewhatwashis.Heclearlylikesyou,keptyouaround,it’swellknownwithinthecourt.I’msorry.”
“Stop!” I shout at him, begging I don’t beg for anyone, but for my life I’ll beg right now for my life The ice starts coveringmymouth,likehecan’tstandtolistentome.No,hewantstodrownme.Watersharplypoursdownmythroat,andI gasp,onlymakingitworseasitsuffocatesme.Istruggleagainsttheiceholdingme,chokingonthewater,andthemansmirks, purevengeanceglisteninginhiseyes NeverinmylifehaveIwantedtobesomethingmorethanmortal Someonesaveme.
Please,someone
Asdarknessbeginstoshadow myvision,Itrynottoclosemyeyes,togiveup.JustwhenIthinkit’sover,thatmylifeis
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Kalanchoe glaucescens Britt.
Canna indica L.
Loranthus curviflorus Bth.
Berchemia yemensis Defl.
Jasminum officinale L.
Kalanchoe lanceolata Pers.
schīle (U.)
schīmisch (S.)
schiruaī (W.)
schírue (H.)
schochádd, schuchädd (W.) ⎰ ⎱
schöcham (T.)
schohhāb (H.)
schoger (Hadhram.)
schōk-el-'agūs (M. W.)
schōk-el-hhamīr (S.)
schoqāb, schuqāb (W.)
schótb (Hodj.)
scho'ūss (U.)
schūass (H.)
schubbóta (U.)
schuēk (Hodj.)
schúgab (H.)
schúmar (S.)
schummésa (W.)
schurä' (H.)
Cyperus leptophyllus Hoch.
Citrus Aurantium Risso.
Cocculus villosus D.C.
Cucumis ficifolius R. var. echinophorus Naud.
Barleria diacantha V.
Barleria trispinosa V.
Eragrostis pungens Bth. Hk.
Grewia Schweinfurthii Burr.
Ocimum basilicum L.
Cnicus lanceolatus W.
Cynara Cardunculus L.
Grewia Schweinfurthii Burr.
Phoenix reclinata Jacq.
Kalanchoe glaucescens Br.
Pavetta longiflora V.
Cassytha filiformis L.
Pisonia aculeata L.
Premna resinosa Schum.
Foeniculum capillaceum Gil.
Micromeria biflora Bth.
Ipomoea triflora (F.) Schwf. (= I. obscura Ch.)
ssa'ade (M.)
ssabī'-el-benāt (W.)
ssabr, ssubr (M. W.) ⎰ ⎱
ssábul (U.) (der Fruchtkolben)
ssalī'ch, ssalīq (H.)
ssámr (A. B. W.)
ssán, ssén (M.)
ssāq-el-ghorab (H. M.)
ssa'tar (S.)
ssaúrab (U.)
ssebī', ssibbǟ'
ssechége (U.)
sseférgel (S.)
sseférgel-hindi (S.)
Euphorbia helioscopia L.
Croton lobatus L.
Aloe rubroviolacea Schwf.
Aloe vera L.
Andropogon Sorghum Brot.
Barbacenia sp. n.
Acacia spirocarpa Hoch.
Acacia Edgeworthii F. And.
Clutia Richardiana Müll.Arg.
Cocculus Leaeba G. P.
Heteromorpha arborescens Ch. Schl.
Rhoicissus jemensis Schwf.
Thymus serpyllum L.
Hypoestes paniculata (F.) Schwf.
Gomphocarpus fruticosus R.Br.
Eragrostis megastachya Lk.
Cydonia vulgaris Pers.
Annona squamosa L.
ssēf-er-robáhh (H.)
ssehhēl (U. W.)
ssuhhāle, ssuhhēl (H.)
sseijāb (H.)
Canavalia polystachya (F.) Schwf.
Cordia ovalis R.Br.
Cordia gharaf (F.) Ehrbg.
Euphorbia inarticulata Schwf.
Scabiosa columbaria L. Cissus quadrangularis L.
sselām (T.)
sselēm (Ch.)
sséllebe (H.)
ssemíll (B.)
ssénef, ssínif (H. M. U.)
ssenjām (H.)
sser (U.), ssár (W.)
sserr (H. W.)
ssorä'r, ssorrer (W.)
Acacia flava (F.) Schwf. (= A. Ehrenbergiana Hne.)
Acacia Seyal (F.) Del.
Celosia trigyna L.
Cucumis melo L. var. chate Forsk.
Acanthus arboreus Forsk.
Centaurea maxima Forsk.
Pavetta villosa Vahl.
Pavetta longiflora V.
sserrhh (A. Hodeida. B.) Maerua crassifolia F.
ssibǟ' (H.)
ssidr (M.)
ssīle-asadiracht (S.)
ssīss (S.)
ssodād (T.)
ssoffēr (W.)
Ionidium suffruticosum D.C.
Ziziphus spina-Christi L.
Melia Azedarach L.
Jasminum officinale L.
Capparis decidua (Forsk.) Pax.
Adenia venenata Forsk. ssufrēg (Hodj.)
ssolām (Hodj.)
ssöna (H.)
ssōram (H.)
ssōreq (W.)
ssōreq (W.)
ssubā' (H.)
ssuēd (W.)
ssujēb (H. W. Ch. U.)
ssujēl (Hodj.)
ssunjam (H.)
ssunjām (H.)
ssúqum (el-Hami, Südküste)
tahīje (M.)
tamar-hhenne (S.)
tarrä'hh (B.)
télahh (T.)
tenuīb (H.)
Ziziphus mucronata W.
Cassia angustifolia V.
Polygala obtusissima (H.)
Canavalia polystachya (F.) Schf.
Rhoicissus jemensis Schwf.
Gomphocarpus fruticosus R.Br.
Jasminum gratissimum Defl.
Euphorbia inarticulata Schwf.
Acacia abyssinica Hochst.
Centaurea maxima F.
Tarchonanthus camphoratus L.
Ficus Sycomorus L.
Pelargonium multibracteatum H.
Lawsonia inermis Lam.
Blastania fimbristipula Ky. Peyr.
Euphorbia inarticulata Schwf.
Abrus Bottae Defl.
tenūn (Schugra, Südküste)
tibbä' (W.)
Chrozophora obliqua A.Juss.
Citrus Bigaradia Lois. tibba'i (H.)
tiffáhh (H. S.)
tiflúk (M.)
tīn (S.)
titímme (U.)
togāch (W.)
Pyrus Malus L.
Sempervivum chrysanthum H.
Ficus Carica L.
Laggera pterodonta Sz.B.
Ziziphus mucronata W. togāsch (H.)
tōm-el-hhánasch (M.)
tómalle (M.)
tombak (H.)
toschóm (W.)
tubakschi-ghulghul (H.)
tuchān-rēb (H.)
tūm (S.)
tumár (H.)
tumātum (S.)
tuschmá' (H.)
tuttūn-assuud (H.)
Allium sp.
Malva verticillata W
Grewia bicolor Juss.
Cassytha filiformis L.
Jatropha lobata (F.) Müll.Arg.
Trichodesma calathiforme (H.)
Allium sativum L.
Acokanthera Deflersii Schwf.
Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.
Cassia Absus L.
Nicotiana Tabacum L.
tha'b (el-Hami, Südküste)
thálab (M. H.), thālub (U.)
thalīg (Hodj.)
thalīq (H.)
thebīr (U.)
thélaba (U.)
thō' (Hodj. W.)
thū' (W.)
thuēleb (U.)
thummām (T.)
Ficus salicifolia V.
Rhus retinorrhoea St.
Panicum geminatum Forsk.
Barbacenia sp. n. (= Xerophyta)
Acokanthera Deflersii Schwf.
Heeria insignis O.Kze. (= Rhus)
Boscia angustifolia R.
Rhus abyssinica H.
Pennisetum dichotomum Del.
tssalīq (H.)
tssanddal-hēge (W.)
tssūf-el-hhér (H.)
Barbacenia sp. n. (= Xerophyta)
Osyris abyssinica H.
Asparagus officinalis L.
ttalhh (M.)
tta'm (T.)
tta'm (T.)
tta'm-'áhhnessi (U.)
tta'm-diger-kubri (Hodj.)
tta'm-kubri (M. U.)
tta'm-gā'aidi (M.)
tta'm-gherb (T.)
ttarāh (H.)
Acacia abyssinica Hochst.
Andropogon Sorghum Brot.
Rottboellia hirsuta V.
Andr. Sorgh. var. albidus Kcke.
Andr. Sorgh. var. rubrocernuus Kcke.
Andr. Sorgh. var. arabicus Kcke.
Andr. Sorgh. var. bicolor. L.
Gymnosporia senegalensis Loes. ttarrār (W.)
tténeb (H. U. Hodj.)
tterān (H.)
ttifeléq (H.)
Cordia abyssinica R.Br.
Gymnosporia senegalensis Loes. (= Celastrus)
Cotyledon Barbeyi Schf. ttúfluq (M.)
ttōlaq, ttōluq (H. Hodj.) Ficus vasta Forsk.
ttra' (W.)
ttua'm (T.)
tturǟch (T.)
ttūria (B.)
Gymnosporia serrata Loes.
Rottboellia hirsuta V.
Cocculus Leaeba G. P.
Luffa cylindrica Roem.
tturúng (W. S.)
uāle (H.)
uard-el-hhamām (M.)
uarim (H.)
'udeda'ān (H.)
uénem (M.)
'ugé (B. T.)
uhhbä' (U. W.)
u'lān (U. W.)
umm-el-lebbēn (U.)
uóbal (M.)
uódhom (M.)
uólla' (W.)
uossér (W.)
usara (H.)
'úthrub (W.)
uúsab, uús.sab (W.)
Citrus medica Risso.
Plectranthus tomentosus Bth.
Scabiosa columbaria L.
Teclea nobilis R.
Hibiscus vitifolius Cav.
Medicago hispida W.
Commiphora Myrrha Engl.
Bersama abyssinica Fres.
Commelina Forsskalii V.
Euphorbia granulata Fk.
Panicum scalarum Schwf.
Periploca ephedriformis Schf.
Chenopodium foetidum Schrad.
Justicia flava Schf.
Ruellia patula Ness.
Rumex nervosus V
Ocimum menthifolium H.
Ocimum sanctum L.
bédahh (W.)
