“Enough,” Jordeek interrupted. “We have no time. I’ve had a report that Salvadia’s army is on the move. I’ve drawn up a battle plan.”

  Waving me over, he indicated a rolled out parchment map. Pointing at the miniature flag of Glyneria, he huffed. “This is where we are now. My army will advance straight towards the flatlands, right next to the swamp. We’ll meet Salvadia there. The nobles’ army will come around the left flank, with your dragons covering the swamp on the right.”

  Watching him bend over the map, I swallowed hard, trying to resist the urge to reach out and move a piece of hair that had fallen over his forehead as he spoke. His passion was evident in the rise and fall of his voice. Why did he have to be the enemy?

  His eyes looked up to see if I was paying attention. Our gaze locked before I cleared my throat and looked at his map. I would let Jordeek take the lead in this battle, considering the King of the Unseelie was coming after him and not me.

  “Your plan looks strong enough. However, where will my dragons land if they need to come down? The swamp isn’t safe.”

  Frowning, Jordeek rubbed his forehead. “You won’t need to land. I want the maximum scare tactic, not a bloodbath. King Salvadia needs to be executed. I will carry that out with my guard. You will strike fear into the hearts of the Unseelie, forcing them to flee back to Falonia.”

  “You want to assassinate the King?” Sarsia came closer, looking down at the map. “You’ll cause an outcry from the Unseelie.”

  “I know what I’m doing,” Jordeek replied, not bothering to look at Sarsia as he addressed me. “Will you fly over the armies?”

  Sucking my bottom lip into my mouth, I watched as he leant his hands on the table. All the softness from the cave was gone, the ruthless ruler back in his place.

  “You told me that King Salvadia was an evil king. I need reassurance of your claims.”

  Indicating that Sarsia step forward, I glanced at the oracle who stood with Liliya. Did Jordeek know that she was my sister? Did she?

  Sarsia reached her hand over the map and placed it on Falonia. Her eyes fluttered closed as her mouth silently moved. When she was in a trancelike state, I touched her shoulder, linking in to her energy.

  My eyes snapped closed as images played in my mind. Screams and the smell of smoke overtook my senses. A young troll was being chased by Salvadia’s guards, arrows sticking out of his back where they had tried to bring him down.

  “Just kill him!” the King commanded, waving a goblet overflowing with red liquid.

  He followed the guards on a chariot, his face jovial as he laughed.

  The troll was very young, his features only just out of babyhood. Why would the king treat the fae so unfairly?

  When it looked like the troll was getting away, the King grew angry, his face blistering red as he threw his cup on the ground.

  The scene changed quickly, the troll now hung by his arms and legs from the trees of the forest. The King was laughing hysterically as his guard stuck swords into the troll, causing the poor thing to cry out in pain.

  Ripping my hand away from Sarsia, I gasped in a breath. My gaze met Jordeek’s as he ran a hand through his hair in an agitated manner.

  “Have you seen enough?” he asked.

  Sarsia glanced at me as she moved away from the map, nodding discreetly. “We’ve seen enough,” she said, gesturing for Jordeek to carry on.

  “Fine.” Pointing at the little wooden figures, he coughed before he went on. “I’ll advance with my army, but right at the last minute, I’ll disappear with a small group of my men. Liliya will transport us to Salvadia’s side. I’ll take him by surprise, killing him before she brings us back.”

  Looking at Liliya, I studied her face as she watched Jordeek. It was calm, collected and almost calculated. Could Jordeek trust the witch? Had she become his alliance instead of his prisoner?

  “Once the King is dead,” Jordeek said. “We’ll retreat. I want minimal casualties.”

  “Where has this caring Jordeek come from?” Sarsia muttered as she turned to leave.

  “I’ve always been this way, I’ve just...” His sentence trailed off when his gaze met mine. “... tried to be something I’m not.”

  His cryptic words sent a thrill down my spine, making me shudder. He noticed, his eyebrows raising as he cleared his throat again and stepped around the table.

  “Fire-power is not needed in this battle. I’m certain that when the Unseelie see the dragons, they’ll retreat, leaving me to deal with the King swiftly.”

  His hand reached for me before a commotion at the entrance to the tent garnered our attention. We turned to see Larnika and Trenton waving for us to join them.

  “It’s time,” Jordeek muttered, his hand brushing my arm as he moved past me.

  Liliya followed him, ignoring me as she went out. The smell of flowers followed her, a sure sign of powerful magic. I hoped that my intuition was correct. If they tricked me, I would have to take drastic action.

  “Your heart is true,” came the whisper of the oracle.

  Turning, I sucked in a breath. She stood in front of me, her eyes watching me closely. Her pale cheeks were tinged with pink, making her look like a doll I’d had as a child.

  “His heart is true, too.”

  Reaching out, I touched her knuckles. She jumped back, her eyes widening as she swallowed hard. A flash of our parents slipped through my mind, both holding a baby each in their arms.

  Wringing her hands in front of her, the oracle shook her head. “He called me Helania. I shouldn’t have a name.”

  “Does it hurt you to have a name?”

  Frowning, she looked around. “I suppose not.”

  “I was told that you’d been asleep for many years. Are you well now?”

  Moving back further, she kept her gaze on the entrance to the tent, her eyes widening when Sarsia called me from outside.

  “Can I trust him?” I asked.

  She nodded quickly, gesturing for me to leave. “Yes, I have seen the outcome. All is well.”

  “Thank you,” I whispered, before marching out of the tent.

  My heart thundered in my chest. I had never dreamed that I would be the heir to a throne, let alone have a sister. Where had the child-woman Layanna gone? She had grown, blossomed into the woman she was supposed to become.

  “The army is moving fast,” Larnika announced. “I just did another flyover and they’re over the border.”

  “I ordered my army to go forth a couple of hours ago, they should be nearing the Unseelie now. We must hurry.” Jordeek turned to Jin, who handed him the reins of his beautiful white steed.

  Going over to Cerys, I started the ascent to my seat. Once up, I settled myself and looked down at the acting King, who sat regally on his mount. How long would our truce last? And, how long would my heart betray me, skipping when he looked upon me?

  “If we defeat Salvadia, I shall never forget your help,” he called up to me.

  My mouth opened but nothing came forth. How could I explain that I had seen in him a part of me? Or at least, the same value and morals. He hadn’t treated Altheanians with the best of intentions, but he had pledged to help ease the suffering of the Unseelie. A contradiction, maybe, but I had always rooted for those worse off than myself. I had a feeling that Jordeek saw the people of Althea as much better off that the Unseelie.

  “Good luck,” I called back when he indicated that Liliya spell them away.

  The remaining troops on their horses, disappeared into nothing, Jordeek and his people going with them. The sudden silence that surrounded us made me glance around.

  “Jin informed me of the plan,” Larnika said as he brought Peeras closer. “I approve.”

  A smile lit my face as I raised my eyebrows. “You approve of our enemy’s plans?”

  Rolling his eyes, he glanced across to Sarsia, who now sat upon her dragon. Trenton was nearby, fiddling with his armour.

  “We have to do what’s right for the greater good.” Larnika strapped his metal helmet on and indicated that I do the same.

  Placing the contraption over my head, I growled low in my throat. I hated being confined under the armour, it weighed heavy on me. However, my safety came first, according to Larnika and Trenton.

  Cerys? I inquired in my mind. I have no idea how this day is going to turn out, but I thank you for being my friend.

  Always, my Queen, she replied as I urged her to take off.

  Ducking down low, she pressed her feet against the ground as her wings opened up beside me. Flapping them, she thrust up and soared in the air, followed by her friends, her family.

  I clung to the seat as we headed towards the swamplands near the border of Falonia. We had one objective, to scare the Unseelie into retreat.

  As the land below us became a distant memory, I prayed to Mother Earth that we might get through the battle unharmed. My mind was set, ready for my goal. If everything went to plan, it would be over very quickly.

  Flying closer to the enemy, I could see a mass of people in the distance. They buzzed like bees, joined in a hive. Shouting preceded the clash of metal. Jordeek’s army had already arrived. It amazed me how quickly we had all come together to fight the battle. It had been a matter of hours since Jordeek had requested our help.

  “They’ve started,” Larnika shouted above the whistling of the wind.

  Diving closer, I circled to the right, following Jordeek’s orders to head over the swampland. A stench rose up from the boggy mud below, a few trees interspersed yet thrived in the disgusting dirt.

  Keep high, Cerys, I don’t want the pixies to attack you.

  Hopefully the creatures would remember what Peeras had done to them when they attacked us last. Jordeek had asked for minimal casualties, so we would honour his request.

  Very well, my Queen. Can I just remind you that their arrows cannot poison us? They cannot even penetrate our scales.

  Good, I thought back as the people below grew bigger.

  Several of the Unseelie glanced up when they heard the sound of Cerys’s wings.

  The King of Falonia was standing on a chariot, safe behind a line of guards. An assortment of different fae creatures were in front of him, engaged in battle against Jordeek’s men.

  A pixie flew up in front of us, his bow aimed for me.

  Cerys ducked, swiping him with her nose as we hurtled past. I held on tightly, trying my best not to fall to the ground as the pixie twirled downwards in a spiral.

  I didn’t see him land as we moved on, circling back towards the swamp.

  Peeras let out a plume of smoke behind me, sending it straight into the Unseelie mass. They coughed and choked, each looking up to see what had caused the cloying smoke.

  Screams of pain carried on the wind as men and women sliced each other down.

  King Salvadia was standing tall on his chariot, pointing enthusiastically towards my dragons. I couldn’t hear what he was saying over the cries of battle, but his red cheeks alerted me to his anger.

  Layanna, Larnika pushed into my mind. Be careful of the swarm of pixies to our left.

  Dodging past the small flying creatures, Cerys careered down, her belly almost touching those fighting on the field.

  Be careful! I warned her, pulling on the metal rail of my seat in an attempt to lift her up.

  Laughing gently in my mind, she moved her position, her neck aiming up. Just as she went to fly away, something landed on me. My hands released the seat as the momentum of a witch on a broomstick took me with her.

  “Really?” I muttered, trying to push her skirts off me as they wrapped around my head.

  Dropping from her grasp, I careened to the ground, landing in a thump against the edge of the swamp.

  Jumping to my feet, I seized out my sword as the woman landed next to me. She possessed black eyes, and cracked skin covered her face. She looked as frightening as the witches I had been told about when I was a child.

  My Queen, Cerys called. I’m coming to get you.

  Glancing up, I spotted Cerys turning above the swamp. The witch came closer, a high-pitched chuckle falling from her lips.

  “You don’t have to do this,” I told her. “We’re here to help you.”

  Tilting her head to the side, the witch frowned, pulling the cracked skin of her forehead low over her eyes. “I don’t need any help.”

  Reaching out a hand, she swiped it to the left. I flew through the air, landing straight in the swampy waters. Thrusting up from the dirt, and trying not to gag at the same time, I spun to face the witch.

  She ran for me, her skirts flicking up the mud.

  Throwing out my arm, I aimed my sword at the witch, calling upon its power. The blue swirls lit up, making the witch frown as she tried to slow her momentum. It was too late, she was aiming straight into the blade.

  “Stop!” I ordered.

  Her feet crashed to a halt right in front of me.

  I swung my sword out of the way, instead, using my body to push her.

  She fell to the ground, her hands sinking into the swamp.

  “I don’t want to hurt you,” I said through clenched teeth.

  Looking up when I heard the flap of wings, I spotted Cerys. She was hovering nearby, trying to bat a pixie away.

  I’ll run for you, I told her. Just surge towards me.

  Pulling back her head, Cerys pushed forward, straight for me. Running away, I tucked my sword in its scabbard and reached up. An arrow barely missed my feet as I jumped right when Cerys’s tail swooped past. My arms wrapped around the end of her tail, my hands grazing against the hard spikes. Gritting my teeth through the pain, I managed to cling on as she flew us away from the battle.

  “Layanna,” Trenton shouted, his dragon appearing below me. “Let go, I’ll catch you!”

  Without a moment’s thought, I released my hands and allowed myself to drop. The wind whipped up my dress until I landed on the back of Trenton’s dragon. It wasn’t the most delicate of landings, with my buttock hanging off, but as he reached for me, I laughed.

  “What’s so funny? You almost got killed by a witch.” Trenton leant over to inspect the scene below.

  Cerys moved down so that she was flying next to us. My stomach almost hit the ground when I realised what I had to do if I wanted to ride her again.

  “The seat!” Trenton exclaimed. “It’s damaged, you can’t ride Cerys again.”

  Layanna? Jordeek’s voice filtered through my mind. I need you to distract the swarm of pixies, lead them away so their arrows stop hitting my men.

  How could I help them if I couldn’t ride Cerys? The answer stared me in the face as I patted the scales of Trenton’s dragon.

  Cerys, I need to transform into a dragon. I’ll need to use our bond to do so, so I don’t run out of magic.

  My dragon breathed fire into the air. No, my Queen, it’s too dangerous.

  I understood why she would be afraid for me, but I wouldn’t put the other dragons at risk. I had agreed to help Jordeek, it was his fight, not theirs. If I flew above the pixies, I could lure them away.

  Trust me, I breathed in my mind. This will work.

  Grasping Trenton’s arm, I squeezed. “Please, drop me off in the swamp so I can repair Cerys’s strap.”

  The lie weighed heavily on me as he lowered me to the ground.

  Jumping off, I smiled up at him, thanking him for saving me.

  “Stop it!” he replied, his cheeks flourishing red. “Anyone would ride a dragon to your rescue, I just happened to be flying past.”

  Laughing, I took off my helmet and looked for Cerys. She flew above, swirling in the sky.

  “Go,” I told Trenton. “Let’s end this.”

  Nodding, he tapped his dragon’s back, instructing him to take flight. The dragon did as he was asked, soaring up and disappearing over the trees.

  The sounds of the battle raged on, screams and groans loud enough to reach my ears. I had managed to find a dry bit of land in the middle of the swamp. No one would bother me here.

  I don’t like this, Cerys thought as I closed my eyes and drifted into her consciousness.

  Tingles exploded over my skin, forcing me to inhale sharply. An image of scales and a tail formed in my mind. Pain rushed over my muscles as they stretched and broke, reforming under my skin. I breathed deeply as my body rose higher from the ground. Smoke came up my throat, making me choke. The sensation made me queasy, but I steadied myself, trying not to fall over.

  It’s done. Cerys didn’t sound pleased.

  Blinking, I opened my eyes and looked down. My purple scales reflected in the sun overhead, causing me to squint. My tail wound around me, almost tripping me when I went to take a step forward. If I wasn’t careful, I would fall into the swamp.

  What’s the plan? Cerys asked.

  Looking up, I watched as she circled around again. She was one of my best friends, connected to me by a spell I had no control over. And yet, I was grateful to have her by my side. However, this was my journey, my choice.

  Please fly on ahead and check that the other dragons are doing their job. I’ll join you in a moment.

  A hummed reply was followed by her disappearing from the sky above me. Taking a deep smoky breath, I stretched my wings out, marvelling at the beauty of them as they extended from my back.

  Layanna? Jordeek’s voice was tense.

  I’m on my way, I thought back, shuddering at the idea of what I was about to do.

  My massive paws pounded the ground as I moved forward, almost thumping into a tree. Pulling my wings in, I pushed them back out as I started to run, only getting a few steps before I crouched down and pushed myself off the ground.

  A squeal left me as I vaulted into the air, my wings beating slow and hard, forcing the air to rush under me.

  The trees were below me in an instant, their branches bending down from the pressure of my flight.

  The battle came into sight directly ahead.

  My heart pounded, the noise rushing in my large dragon ears.

  My eyes searched for Jordeek. There, he was fighting through the throng of people, getting closer and closer to King Salvadia, who still stood on his chariot behind his men. A swarm of pixies hovered over him, firing arrows at the enemy.