Still… this is Legion.

  I can’t see a single one of them getting the upper hand against him.

  “I don’t understand,” I say. “Everyone in Tartarus knows you’re a dragon, and they haven’t targeted you for it. Hell, you’re the general of an entire army. I’m pretty sure no one’s coming for someone in your position.”

  “It’s not about being a dragon.”

  “What is it about?”

  “My blood, specifically.”

  “I don’t⁠—”

  “I was sired by a god and birthed by a demon.”

  “You…” It takes me a second to recover from that one. “Your father was a god?”

  “A good one, from what I’m told.” He lifts a brow. “Is it so shocking that I might have some good in me?”

  I feel my cheeks flush, and I glance away. “I only meant it is an unlikely pairing, a demon and a god,” I explain.

  “Yes, apparently, my father was under the mistaken impression my mother was a fire fae. He didn’t discover her true nature—or intentions—until after she conceived.”

  “You mean she tricked him into getting her pregnant?”

  “That’s her favorite part of the story.”

  “Why?”

  “My mother cares about nothing and no one apart from power. For centuries before I was born, she razed civilizations, cut down her opposition, and took entire peoples as slaves to serve her. But it wasn’t enough. Humans were too easy to conquer. She wanted supernatural kingdoms. When she realized she could go no farther in her domination without help, she began to seek a tool of destruction to accomplish her goals. Since a weapon like me didn’t exist to her satisfaction, she decided to breed one herself.”

  “Wow, she sounds lovely.”

  He grins crookedly. “Where do you think I get my charm?”

  I snort, but my amusement dies quickly. “Are you saying your demon mother made sure you’re more like her than your father?”

  “I’m saying that was her intention, yes.” His tone is sharp, twisting with a self-deprecation matched in his gaze. “Dark magic was involved in making me. Helping to shape my qualities and my gifts to her liking. She only needed his seed. And his DNA. She bent everything else to her own will. She made me what I am.”

  “And what is that, exactly?”

  “The death dragon, of course.” Bitterness coats his words. “The monster of nightmares, apparently.”

  My anger softens as the darkness in his eyes is finally recognizable: self-loathing. “Do you think you’re a monster?” I ask.

  His gaze snaps to mine. “Do you?”

  “Do I think you’re a monster?”

  I’m tempted to offer a quick and definitive yes. That would be the obvious answer given all the stories about him—and the things he’s just essentially admitted to doing. But for some reason, it doesn’t feel quite so obvious anymore. Or true.

  “I don’t know how to answer,” I hear myself say. “The rumors about you…”

  He steps closer, crowding me, challenging me. “What about the rumors?”

  His voice is silky now, but I know better than to take it at face value. I’ve pissed him off. “They say you have wiped out entire armies single-handedly. Destroyed empires. Ended dynasties.”

  His gaze darkens. “Is that a question?”

  “It’s a lot of innocent lives.”

  Fury flashes in his dark eyes—nothing more than a tiny flame in the center of his irises. “Yes, my mother would be very proud.”

  I ignore his sarcasm and the rage brewing beneath it. “Where is she now?”

  “Gone.”

  “Gone as in she ran to the store or gone as in…?”

  “Gone as in she’s the one whose war crimes put me here in the first place. When they came for me, she ran. Left me to take the fall for her. Every clue I’ve found since then suggests she is no longer living.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I’m not.” He watches as I process his words. I wonder if he knows I’m thinking about my own parents now. And how much I miss them. “She wasn’t a very good mother,” he adds as if that makes the loss matter less.

  “Well, then, I’m sorry for that too,” I say softly.

  Something flashes in his gaze. His expression intensifies, but it’s not grief or truth between us anymore. This is desire. The way his eyelids lower and his gaze flicks to my mouth.

  He leans forward, and I hold my breath, hating that I have to stop him.

  “Legion,” I say, my voice cracking because, in this moment, I actually want to let him touch me. To let him kiss me and claim me and never let go.

  At the sound of his name, he jolts, and I can see the moment he remembers himself—and remembers all the reasons he can’t do this. Disappointment turns to a fury that I don’t fully understand.

  Before I can figure out what caused the change, he backs away. “I have a meeting.”

  “A meeting?” Didn’t he just ask me to go out sightseeing with him today? “Where?”

  “What?”

  “Where is your meeting?”

  When he finally answers, his tone is curt, his expression completely closed off. “At the king’s residence.”

  “Oh.”

  He doesn’t say anything else before he turns and walks out.

  His dark eyes flash with something that is so unexpected I almost miss it. Hurt. The death dragon is hurt. Not angry. The surprise of it leaves me at a loss. The idea that I could possibly have the power to hurt him, that he cares what I think so much, is not something I know what to do with.

  I don’t go after him.

  Maybe I should, but I have no idea how to heal whatever wound I’ve just opened in him. I’m still standing at the window in his room when I see him stalk through the gardens and onto the launch pad. He shifts, shredding his clothes, before diving off the side of the ledge and vanishing into the sky.

  Chapter 23

  Tori

  An hour later, I’m sitting in the garden, surrounded by rosebushes now blooming black and gray, when I see Legion return. He doesn’t notice me, and after what happened earlier, I decide to keep it that way, ducking out of sight as he stalks through the gardens and into the house. Part of me wants to go after him. To pick a fight. Not because he deserves it but because it’s the only way we’ve connected until now. It’s familiar. Knowing I’ve hurt him is far more uncomfortable than knowing I’ve pissed him off. But I don’t get up.

  Soon, the doors open again, and I glance through a gap in the rosebushes to see Legion re-emerging. He’s dressed in pants and a black tee that stretches across his broad chest, showing off his muscled arms. He strides toward the far side of the Keep before disappearing around the side of the estate. I frown, confused. The only thing over there is a steep hillside of thick trees, so I wait, unsure what he could possibly be doing.

  A moment later, I hear voices including a child whooping and yelling in excitement. Curious, I stand to investigate. But by the time I round the corner, they’re gone.

  Frustrated and confused, I return to the house, nearly running into Kendall as she strides toward me.

  “Hey,” I say, “I was just coming to find you. Want to hang out in the garden with me? Watch me try to grow some poisons?”

  “Oh.” She blinks and looks away uncertainly. “Um.”

  I zero in on the jacket she wears. “Are you going out?”

  “Yeah, that’s what I came to tell you. Chaya has to get some things for the house, and she asked if I want to go into town with her.”

  “Kendall, it’s not safe. Legion⁠—”

  “Legion already cleared it.”

  “Seriously? He’s sending you off alone?”

  “Actually, he’s coming with us.” She eyes me with a smug sort of knowing. “He sent me up to ask if you’d like to join us.”

  Instead of convincing me directly, like he’d tried doing earlier, he’s resorted to using Kendall. Sneaky asshole.

  “Fine,” I say. “Let’s do it.”

  “Really?” Her eyes widen like she didn’t expect me to agree. “I thought you were going to be way more difficult.”

  I glare at her. “I am not difficult.”

  “Please.” She rolls her eyes, laughing, as we descend the stairs. “I had money on the whole ‘Kendall, you have to be street smart about this. People are assholes and the world is dangerous, blah blah blah.’”

  Her voice lilts dramatically with her impression, and I laugh.

  “Spot on impression,” I tease. But my smile fades quickly. “Actually, I’m starting to think I’m not the best person to be giving you life advice. So far, your choices are a hell of a lot better than mine.”

  “I’m glad you’re finally starting to see who the real adult is here.”

  I stick out my tongue at her. “Punk.”

  “I rest my case,” she says then sticks out her tongue in return. “Punk.”

  I laugh, feeling lighter than I have in days.

  Downstairs, Chaya is already waiting in the large foyer.

  “Hey,” I say to her, hoping to make up for my complete rudeness thus far. “Thanks for inviting me along.”

  “Of course. I’m happy to show you a less violent side of Tartarus,” she says, eyes sparkling with humor.

  “That sounds great,” I say with a smile. “And thanks for all the clothes and supplies.”

  “Of course. I know what it’s like to come here with nothing.” Her expression flashes with shadows, but she blinks, and everything brightens. “Maybe you can help me stock up for the next guests. Pay it forward.”

  “I would love that,” I tell her.

  Legion appears. His gaze is immediately drawn to me. He seems completely recovered from earlier. In fact, his dark eyes gleam with charm at the way he’s maneuvered me into his plan.

  “Glad to see you’re joining us,” he says.

  I smirk. “I couldn’t turn it down.”

  His grin widens. He glances past me, saying, “We’re just waiting on⁠—”

  “I’m here!”

  A boy of about five or six runs into the foyer with enough momentum that he slides to a stop. His eyes are bright, and his grin is wide as he looks from Legion to Chaya. “Can we go?” he asks eagerly.

  I study him in surprise. Something about seeing an innocent child in a realm I’d always thought of as hell has broken a stigma for me. I hurriedly wrap my scarf more tightly around my face. This kid’s energy is unpredictable. I don’t want an accidental brush to end his life.

  “Where’s your father?” Legion asks, tousling the boy’s hair.

  “Here.” Klyn appears, looking a little disheveled. “Damn kid is way too fast,” he adds, and I’m even more stunned.

  Klyn? The grizzly, bearded guy is a dad?

  Legion grins at him. “What’s it like to get old?”

  “Fuck off,” Klyn says, and the boy’s eyes widen.

  “Dad, you said⁠—”

  “I know what I said. Can we get moving?” Klyn asks.

  Legion chuckles. Chaya takes the boy’s hand, but he twists around, staring up at Kendall and me like he’s just now noticed us standing here.

  “Hi,” he says shyly to Kendall.

  “Hello.” She smiles back at him, and he lowers his eyes then turns to me.

  “Are you Mr. Legion’s girlfriend?”

  “Um.” I can feel every single pair of eyes fastened on me now.

  Klyn snorts. I glare at him but am distracted when I note that Legion’s grinning widely, clearly enjoying this.

  “Why is your face covered with that?” he asks when I don’t answer.

  “I’m Kendall.” My sister holds her hand out. “That’s Tori, my sister.”

  “I’m Bron,” he says, shaking her hand, completely distracted from his questions. “I’m a wolf shifter. What are you?”

  “Bron, it’s rude to ask people that,” Chaya says.

  “Why?”

  “Come on, kid. You can ride up top.” Legion opens the massive front door and snags Bron’s hand on his way out. In the next second, he swings Bron up and onto his shoulders as if the kid weighs nothing at all. Watching the two of them together makes it strangely hard to breathe. I look away, making sure to stand back to give everyone else plenty of room. When I look up again, Legion’s watching me. I startle at his attention, but he shocks me even more by tossing me a wink and then turning away again.

  I blink, a little stunned by this new flirty side of my mate. Broody and angry I can handle. Fun and flirty? I have zero experience with any of that.

  I wait until everyone has filed out before bringing up the rear.

  Outside, the waning double moons offer plenty of light to navigate by as our little parade makes its way out of the front gates—which are now unlocked and wide open, I note. From there, the path heads down a gently sloping grade that is all too familiar until we reach the same intersection from yesterday.

  There’s no trace of the bear. Not even the scent of a dead animal. Images of those claws and snapping teeth fill my head, but I shove them away. Legion wouldn’t bring us out here if that were a risk today. Especially not a child.

  It’s not until we all fall into step on the wide dirt road that I realize we’re going to walk the entire way. Not that I’m complaining since it beats being dangled by a dragon thousands of feet in the air. But it makes me wonder if they have any other modes of transport here. From what I’ve seen, Tartarus isn’t modern like Earth. Not a single car or cell phone spotted so far. And if I’m being honest, the slower pace of life is a relief for me. There’s a peace here I’ve never felt on Earth.

  At the front, Legion walks along with Bron on his shoulders. The kid doesn’t come up for air as he chatters on, asking fifty million questions. Klyn walks beside them, joking and laughing easily. My chest tightens at how natural they are together. How easy and established their friendship seems.

  It makes me think of Stella. And Niamh. And how, even with them, I held myself apart. Always focused on my responsibility and keeping Kendall safe. Spencer, the girl I met at Spells, was the same way. Standoffish but not rude. Just… apart.

  It makes me wonder what happened to her to cause it. And whether there’s anyone out there making her feel safe enough to let her walls down. I never saw it coming, but Legion’s doing that for me.

  Just ahead of me, Chaya and Kendall walk close beside one another, talking quietly. I watch them for several minutes, grateful Kendall has found a friend here. Life back home was isolating even with her job and Natalia’s training.

  At least, Uziah can’t get to her here.

  For the remainder of our walk, I’m lost in my own thoughts, cataloging worries.

  Nothing attacks us, but that doesn’t stop my anxiety from inventing scenarios to worry about. Feral bears are hardly the only threat. A town full of people is, in many ways, far more dangerous, and by the time we reach the outskirts, I’m certain I’ve made a mistake in coming at all.

  At the first sign of people, I draw my shoulders in tighter and make sure my scarf is secured. No one else seems concerned, but I continue scanning the crowded market area, making sure no one is coming too close as they wander the vendors set up in the square.

  Several people call out to Legion and Klyn. They’re casual with the dragon general. Friendly, even. Legion addresses them all by name, asking about their families and whether business is good. It’s not what I expected, but then, neither is he. And if I’m being honest, neither are the people in the market. There’s no trace of the danger from the other day left here. People are chatting, kids are playing soccer in a tight circle, and mothers push babies in strollers.

  It's so normal. And charming.

  “I thought the farmers market only happened on the weekends,” I say to Chaya.

  “This is a Februlune celebration,” she explains. “Every three months, they extend the market days for celebrating newly mated couples. Tonight, they’ll host parties and joining ceremonies for anyone who has just mated.”

  “Oh.” My gaze flicks to where Legion is browsing a booth farther back. “So, like a wedding? That sounds like fun.”

  She gives me a strange look. “I take it Legion hasn’t explained our customs to you yet?”

  “I guess not. Is it something I should worry about?”

  She shakes her head. “I’ll let him tell you about it sometime.”

  I watch as Chaya and Kendall disappear into the thick of the crowd. Out of pure habit, I bite my lip, debating trying to go after them, when a voice sounds beside me.

  “She’s safe.”

  I look over to find Legion standing beside me and realize he’s right. I blow out a breath, glancing around. Bron and Klyn are nowhere in sight.

  “Where’s everyone?”

  “Bron wanted a pastry from Mel’s. Klyn knows better than to tell the kid no, especially about pastries.”

  I can’t help but smile at that. “I know the feeling. Kendall’s favorite place to go at home is the donut shop.”

  “And what is your favorite place?”

  I hesitate, caught off guard by the question. “I don’t know,” I admit. “I mean, donuts are great. I love them. But… I guess I’ve never thought about it before. Kendall always came first.”

  “Well, maybe you should.”

  “Should what?”

  “Think about it.”

  I’m not sure how to respond to that. Or even how to do it. Before I can tell him so, a young male soldier rushes up to us, his uniform pristine, his buttons shining in the moonlight.

  “General,” he says, offering Legion a salute.

  “Riggs.” Legion returns the salute, frowning. “I thought you were assigned the royal residence. What the hell are you doing way out here?”

  “The king sent me, sir.” His eyes dart to me, and he adds, “May I have a word?”

  “Sure.” Legion brushes a hand over my elbow, as if touching me even through my jacket isn’t the most dangerous risk to everyone in this realm. “I’ll be right back,” he murmurs.

  I watch as he follows the soldier far enough away that I can’t hear them. While they converse, Klyn returns with Bron, who is eating a pastry like it’s a popsicle. Most of the icing has already transferred to the kid’s face, but he looks thrilled nonetheless.