“You are perfectly safe with me,” the sorceress said as she lifted her spear. “I know what you seek.”

  Lifting my legs up onto the saddle as she came nearer to Cerys, I looked around to see if there was anyone else present. The woods were thick, the canopy heavy above our heads. I shivered as the cold set into my skin, leaking into every pore. Could I jump down from Cerys's back and escape?

  Your amulet won't let you, Cerys whispered in my head. Listen to her.

  “What do I seek?” I asked.

  Swirling her long wooden spear, she closed her eyes and whispered in a language I had never heard. A circle of bright yellow light spun in front of her, created by the movement of her weapon. In the centre of the circle, a stone amulet appeared, not dissimilar to my own.

  Her eyes opened when Cerys glanced up through the canopy. The sounds of the dragons above echoed down to us. If King Leonard knew that we were underneath, on the ground, he would kill Cerys... and probably me too.

  “You seek freedom...” The sorceress reached through the swirl of magic with her free hand, gripping the amulet in her palm. “With this, you shall have it.”

  Coming closer to Cerys, she looked up at the dragon, her bushy eyebrows raised in question. Dipping her head, Cerys dropped her neck, almost sending me tumbling from the seat.

  “With this amulet,” the sorceress said, “the bond between rider and dragon will be forged.”

  Leaning over to watch the woman place the amulet on Cerys's armoured chest plate, I tried not to gasp. The pretty blue amulet melted into the gold of the metal, disappearing from the eye. My chest felt warm where the amulet rested on it. It glowed as the sorceress slowed her twirling of the spear, gently releasing it to drop to the ground. When the thud resounded around the woods, my brain became foggy.

  “Can you feel her?”

  Blinking, I stared at the woman below us. I could feel a heartbeat that wasn't mine, a breath that was longer and shallower than my own. Was it Cerys?

  “Cerys will always be tied by blood to the King, unable to resist his command.” Picking up her spear, she stroked Cerys before stepping away. “However, you're Queen of the Dragons. You’re a fae princess, able to feel into the nerves and emotions of animals and nature. You can use Cerys's magic to transform into a dragon.”

  “How? I mean, I can't... I don't know-”

  “Just trust your magic. Allow yourself to imagine yourself as a dragon, feel the fury that invoked your first shift.”

  Shaking my head, I tried to clear it of the new sensations, but it didn't work. “Wait. You know about that?”

  I told her what happened, Cerys thought gently. My guilt overrode my fear of King Leonard's wrath.

  “You shall be the victor,” the sorceress said, turning on her heel. “On the full moon tomorrow night, you shall find something to help you.”

  My mouth opened, about to call to her, but she slunk behind the trees, her form merging with the surroundings.

  Cerys moved quickly, crouching before she jumped. My whole body rattled as we appeared in the sky, right next to Sarsia and Trenton, who were bantering between themselves.

  “Don't you think, Layanna?” Trenton called.

  “Sorry, I missed that,” I replied, trying my hardest to assimilate Cerys's emotions as well as not appearing fearful about what had just happened.

  Tutting, Trenton guided his dragon nearer to me. “I said,” he shouted, “it would be mighty handy if King Leonard fell off Peeras and crashed against the rocks.”

  “Trenton!” I snapped. “Don't say such vile things about the King!”

  The tone of my voice was convincing, even if the wink I sent his way wasn't. The fairy had to be careful. He suspected that the dragons hated the King as much as we did, but the risk of his own life was too great. If the dragons decided to tell the King what had been said, Trenton would be executed.

  I can feel your sadness, Cerys whispered.

  Gripping the amulet that now connected us, I blinked away the tears that came to my eyes. “I can feel yours too.”

  “What was that?” Trenton circled his dragon as Larnika and King Leonard swung around, coming back towards us.

  Waving my hand in dismissal, I turned also, urging Cerys to go ahead of the others.

  When the racers thrust past us, their cries of excitement reached my ears. How could Larnika be happy? How could he enjoy riding the creatures who had been trapped doing one man's bidding for years?

  Tonight, you must practice turning into a dragon. Feel into my body, stretch your muscles and skin, allowing them to form into however they please. To defeat the King, you must be able to turn into a dragon.

  Keeping my eye on the castle, I held onto the metal pole of the saddle and aimed straight. The sorceress had given me a gift, one that I would not take for granted. I would try my hardest to turn into a dragon.

  Cerys, I whispered in my mind. When I'm free of King Leonard, I promise to release every single one of you.

  A sigh echoed in my mind, but Cerys spoke no more as she took me back to the castle. My intentions were good, but something about her silence made me doubt whether any of it would be that easy.

  Chapter Two

  Jordeek

  Where was she? Since the day she had disappeared up to Dragonscale, I hadn't heard a thing. Was she alive? Had King Leonard killed her? For some reason, my chest squeezed and my hands lined with sweat at the thought of the King harming Layanna. If I was sensible, he would be doing me a favour if he did.

  “Your Grace,” Jin interrupted my thoughts as I hung over the side of the throne.

  Lifting my head lazily, I stared at him. “What?”

  “The King of the Unseelie Court is almost here.”

  Snapping into a seated position, I tugged on my fine robe, snarling in distaste as it settled against my skin. The soft fabric was bright purple, lined with a white fluffy edging. Why did the Fairlings feel the need to be so pompous with their rule?

  “Bring the oracle,” I muttered as Jin came up the steps of the dais and righted my silver crown.

  He covered a cough, quickly stuffing it back down his throat. “She's already here, Your Grace, right beside you.”

  Glancing at Liliya, who sat on a chair beside me, despite her not being my queen, I sought out the oracle who looked a little like Layanna. Her long blonde hair hung to her waist, nothing like the Lost Queen, but her eyes... they reminded me of the woman who haunted my dreams.

  The oracle had been given her own chambers, although she was never allowed to roam the castle. She had tried to see where Layanna was, but neither she nor Liliya were able to track her. They both assumed she was dead.

  “Very good.”

  “Sire.” Jin put one hand on his sword handle. “Are you sure you're well enough to speak with the King today? We could always-”

  “Of course I'm well!” I barked. “I just got bored waiting.”

  Getting up from the throne, I paced in front of it, my boots loud on the stone floor. The stained glass window was reduced to grey shards now, the life gone from them. Shadows danced across the floor, the grey a stark reminder of what was happening to my land.

  A footman came into the hall as the huge double doors creaked open. “Your Highness, King Salvadia of Falonia.”

  After the announcement, a small group of military fae marched into the throne room, the King at the back. Standing in front of my throne, I waited for them to proceed down the chamber. The King, his nose in the air, his arms held behind his back, was slow on his feet.

  His long robe almost tripped him up, the light yellow a contrast to my purple. At least we looked nothing alike. His bulbous red nose and the wrinkles around his eyes made his greying hair look even lighter.

  “Your Grace,” I greeted loudly as the men parted, allowing the King of the Unseelie to saunter up to the steps below my throne.

  Bowing ever so slightly, the king nodded at me. “Your Highness, thank you for seeing me.”

  Inclining my head in return, I gestured for him to take the seat that Jin placed behind him.

  He eyed the elegantly carved wooden chair before gingerly lowering himself down. Once facing me, he placed his hands in his lap and waited for me to sit.

  “I believe you have a request of me,” I started, flicking out my robe before sitting myself.

  King Salvadia squirmed on his seat, trying to get comfortable. “Yes, I want my people back.”

  His sharp retort caused the hairs on my arms to stand on end. Did the King dare to speak to me so bluntly? Surely, he knew that it was protocol to be diplomatic with a ruler of the land adjoining his kingdom?

  “I have no control over your people,” I said slowly, resting my elbow against the glass arm of the throne and lounging gracefully.

  His gaze narrowed on me, his light eyes almost glowing with the hatred he felt towards me. I couldn't help but smirk just a little, which probably didn't help the Unseelie's mood. He had been known to be violent and evil towards his people.

  “You shall order them to return to Falonia at once!” Getting to his feet, the King strode two steps towards me, before my guards, including Jin, moved to block his approach. Staying where I was, feigning ease, I stared at the King.

  “You treat the Unseelie with contempt, cruelly killing them. I shall offer safety for them in Althea until there is such a time that you change your ways. Or, another Unseelie takes over your rule.”

  Almost spitting, the King clenched his hands into fists at his side and held his breath until his cheeks glowed a dark red, showing the pockmarks in his skin. The fae had really let himself go with his vices.

  “I am the King of the Unseelie Court,” King Salvadia shouted. “The fae that are in your land belong to me. I shall take them with force if necessary!”

  Tilting my head to the side, I narrowed my gaze on the King before slowly getting to my feet. My boots were sturdy on the stone floor as I took a step down towards the King. He backed up as I drew my sword out of its scabbard, the slicing sound of metal upon metal loud in the silent throne room. No one threatened Althea. No one threatened me.

  “I shall fight you,” he spluttered, asking his guard to hand him a weapon.

  When I tapped Jin on the shoulder, he and his friend, both stepped aside, allowing me closer to the King.

  The Unseelie guards watched their master, waiting for his orders. If they dared to try and attack me, my men would kill them all instantly. The Althean Guard were the most powerful fae in the world.

  “Is that a challenge?” I said slowly, circling the King as he snatched a sword from his guard.

  He fumbled as he scuttled further away, almost making me feel bad for taking advantage of the cruel King. He was older than me, his hair greying at his temples.

  The Unseelie King had an enduring scowl on his face, his evil ways etched into the lines on his skin.

  “You were an Unseelie boy once.” His words echoed around us as I parried towards him, my sword slashing in the air. “Now, you've risen far above your station. You're as evil as your father... Just look at the ground at our feet.”

  The King preferred to fight with words, which wasn't a surprise considering he was barely able to hold the heavy sword. My insides cringed as I lunged again, the movement only half serious as King Salvadia stumbled backwards, almost knocking into one of his guards.

  “Stop this nonsense. I have an army of many UnSeelie back in my lands. You may have placated my people in Althea, but how long can you persuade them that you're true to your word when you can't even look after the Seelie Fae?”

  Fury blasted through my chest, forcing me to fall back, away from the King.

  I was dallying with him, not really wanting to harm him. The war against Layanna had been hard enough, let alone one against the UnSeelie Court. Althea didn't have the strength to go to battle, not with the shroud taking over, and the common folk fleeing for their lives.

  “You are an evil king, killing those of your own kind, instead of protecting them. The Seelie Court is kind, we strive to better ourselves at all times. That is why I allowed your people to come into my kingdom. You should be grateful that someone cares about them.”

  Spitting on the ground at my feet, the King threw his sword on the stone. The clang of metal on stone made the guards straighten their spines, ready for battle if needed.

  “You may have been Seelie originally, but I took in your father, helping him in his quest to take over the Althean throne,” the King said, spittle flying from his mouth. “However, you're nothing like your father. He promised to form a tight alliance with me. Instead, you rule with a flimsy nature, too kind for your own good.”

  “Kind?” I barked, laughter erupting from my chest. “I'm not sure the Seelie would agree.”

  “Uniting the Courts is impossible. Your nature is nothing like mine. You're not like your father, even though you like to think that you're hard and cruel. You are not a hero King, you're a pathetic one.”

  Turning, the King stormed through the guards as they moved to allow him to leave. I let him go, not bothering to call him back. I wasn't trying to be a hard and cruel king, I was trying to bring peace to both kingdoms. The Unseelie deserved a life free of torture, even if they weren't the most morally correct fae.

  “If you want your people back,” I called after him. “Change your ways as ruler.”

  He didn't look around, instead waving his guards to follow him, which they did.

  My own guard waited for their orders, standing perfectly still. Nodding at Jin, I gave him permission to make sure they were escorted out of the palace.

  “Your Grace,” a soft feminine voice said behind me.

  Turning, I froze when the oracle reached forward and placed a hand on my shoulder. An image of Layanna on a dragon surged into my mind. Ripping away from the girl, I sucked in a breath as the image faded away. Panting, I glared at her, trying not to lash out. Had she only just seen the vision or was it something that had been in her mind for a while?

  “What is your name?” I asked, trying to regain composure as Liliya stood from her seat and came to stand beside me.

  The oracle kept my gaze, her confidence evident in the way she held herself, her hands clasped together softly in front of her. The flow of her white dress caught my attention when the breeze from the closing door moved it.

  “I don't have a name,” she said quietly. “I'm the oracle. I'm here only to serve the Fairlings.”

  My hands clenched into fists but before I could react, Liliya grabbed my wrist, forcing me to calm. “We shall give you a name. That way, you shall serve the true king who has named you, one who has given you an identity.”

  Relaxing, I gently took my arm away from Liliya, giving her a nod in appreciation. She was right, the oracle wasn't someone to be tamed by fear. I would have to tread carefully with her, especially if she had news of Layanna. So, the Lost Queen was alive. And flying a dragon, no less.

  “I shall call you Helania.”

  The oracle’s eyes widened slightly before she blinked rapidly. Inclining her head, she dropped her gaze to the ground. “As you wish.”

  Glancing at Liliya, I shook my head. “She's alive.”

  “Layanna?”

  Liliya put her hand on her chest, her breath shortening. Was that relief? Surely not. The witch had decided to stay by my side to help me, in exchange for seeing her sister occasionally. Jin always listened in to their conversations in order to make sure they didn't conspire against me, but neither Liliya nor Helania had seen Layanna in over a month. How had she suddenly appeared?

  “You look pleased that the Lost Queen is well. Should I be worried?”

  Putting my sword into its scabbard, I faced Liliya, my gaze searching hers. She shook her head quickly, reaching out to grasp the sleeve of my tunic.

  “No, Sire, I'm shocked... and disappointed with myself. My magic should've been able to pick up on Layanna.”

  Keeping my own expression blank, I sucked my top lip into my mouth. “I shall find her. You shall find her. Now.”

  Closing her eyes briefly, Liliya sucked air into her chest. “I'll do everything in my power to-”

  “No,” I said, stepping up to her and bending my head so I came close to her face. “I have enemies on all sides. The Unseelie King, the Lost Queen of Althea. You will find Layanna Fairling so I can kill her once and for all.”

  Swallowing hard, Liliya nodded in response, her bottom lip trembling slightly. Was the witch beaten down? A pang squeezed my chest when she raised her gaze to look into my eyes. Pain settled in them before the emotion was sated.

  “I'm here to serve you, King Jordeek,” she muttered before spinning, her skirts flying out to hit my breeches, and marching away.

  Watching her leave, I clenched my jaw, biting and releasing. I vowed to protect both Seelie and Unseelie from the harm of those who would threaten us, and yet, I played a part in spreading that fear. It hadn't bothered me before, but suddenly, the thought unnerved me.

  “Helania,” I said, turning to the oracle.

  Her wide innocent grey gaze flew to me, staring straight into my soul. I almost tripped back as she peered at me, making me shudder. Could she see into me?

  “Who are you?” she whispered before she glanced up at the momentous statue of my father behind her.

  As she stood watching, I followed her gaze. My father had ruled with a firm hand, unfairly, and brutishly. I had believed that I wanted to be like him, but... I was no longer sure who I was. What sort of ruler did I want to be? What sort of king could I be?

  “The time will come,” Helania whispered. “When you shall have to face the truth of who you are. You won't like what you see. There's only so long you can fool yourself.”

  Chapter Three

  “I can’t do this,” I pleaded with Sarsia as she gathered her things.