“You don’t have to go,” Thaddeus said, steaming her purple hair with his wide nostrils.
She fanned away the smoke. “Yes, I do. Remember.” She gave her mates a pointed look. “If I lose his favor, I lose his protection.”
They flinched. Serah knew their male egos were crushed, but Violet’s safety mattered more than their pride.
It was no secret Sir Goblingout still harbored ill will toward them after they’d refused his summons, demanding Violet explain why she’d used the unbreakable curse when the Arcane Army tried to kill her. It was also no secret that witch justice was anything but just, and Violet was safest with the dragon king’s protection. The prime minister was deathly afraid of Tormung.
The king landed behind them with a thud and let out a cross between a roar and a whimper. “Where’s my potion, witch?”
Violet dug into her bag, removing several smaller bags and a large vial. “Coming, coming.”
He sat down like a feline, tail curled around his legs, watching her as a cat watches the mouse right before he bats her between his paws for fun. Firelight danced across his crimson scales, making him look more demon than dragon. When he gave Serah a sinister look, it took all her willpower not to piss her pants.
He’s still angry with you for using our siren voice to bring him to his knees, Thelix said.
Yeah, she agreed. He doesn’t look too pleased with me. Not like she’d had a choice. Under a powerful rage spell, he would’ve killed her mates if she hadn’t subdued him.
Serah was shocked the king had managed to make the flight, but if Tormung had one flaw more powerful than his anxiety, it was his thirst for revenge, and he wanted to burn her grandfather to a crisp. That was the condition under which he traveled with their party. He’d made Sir Goblingout, her mates’ fathers, and the Fae queen promise to leave Goldenwand to him (if he still lived), for her grandfather had once sent a witch to implant a cursed thorn in his tail, altering his memory and triggering his rage. King Tormung still attributed his anxiety to that thorn, even though it had been long since removed, and he believed the only way he could conquer his fear was to kill the mage who’d cursed him.
Serah wasn’t so sure killing her grandfather would bring the dragon king any peace, but she could not care less if her deceitful grandfather died. She’d loved him once, but he’d proven himself to be a selfish, nasty prick, and she would not shed another tear over him.
After Violet poured various herbs into a bottle and shook it, she hastily made her way to the king, handing the bottle to him with a plastered smile.
The king pinched the bottle in his talons, then tossed it in his mouth, crunching glass before letting out a smoky belch. He didn’t bother thanking Violet before turning tail and stomping away.
Violet shrugged and returned to her mates, who sent frosty looks at Tormung but said nothing. The king flew circles above them with five other dragons, his generals, all mighty leviathans with fangs as long as swords and scales that reflected prisms of light.
These beasts were one reason why her mates and their family had refused to shift into humans during their journey. They were more menacing as dragons, and they needed to be constantly vigilant, not just around Tormung and his generals, but also the witches and Fae. Though shifters and witches had signed a temporary truce, there was little trust between their races. Goblingout had already angered Tormung after sending mercenaries for Violet and her mates’ older brother Thaddeus, demanding they face an inquisition after defeating the rebel Arcane Army. As if they needed to explain themselves for ridding the world of malicious witches.
How could Serah trust the Fae when they’d been so openly indifferent to her? Though she was half Fae, her two Fae uncles had refused to acknowledge her. She pretended their treatment of her didn’t bother her, but it did. Her father had showed how little he cared for her when he’d drugged and kidnapped her in an attempt to give her to Goldenwand. Why should she expect his brothers to be any different?
You shouldn’t, Thelix said. All Fae think they’re better than other races, but I bet none of them can lick pussy.
How do you know? Serah asked, amused. Her siren measured character by how well they could lick pussy.
With those pinched mouths? Her siren snorted. They couldn’t suck the cream off a cupcake.
Serah heaved a groan. What am I going to do with you?
“You okay, Serah?”
She looked over at Teju, who was giving her a quizzical look, his wise dragon eyes assessing her as if he could see through her. Yes, she projected back. Why wouldn’t I be?
Sitting on his haunches, he rubbed his horned skull. You look upset.
She looked at her leather boots. I have a lot on my mind.
He flashed a fanged grin, waggling his scaly brows. Shall we fly up there and burn down their flimsy palace?
Yes, please, Thelix squealed.
No. She gave them each a stern look. I won’t have you start a war over my hurt feelings. The last thing they needed was conflict between the Fae and dragon-shifters. Perhaps her mates had forgotten that Queen Rhia carried the amethyst scepter, and she could burn holes through their armor-plated hides.
Ladon laughed. I don’t think anyone else would mind watching their stuck-up asses fall off their perch.
Craning her neck, she wagged a finger beneath his jowls. “We need to focus on our real enemy,” Serah said sternly, wishing they understood how uncomfortable it made her to talk about attacking the Fae. Her mates would do anything to defend her honor, and she loved them for it, but she was starting to realize the Fae had no honor and wouldn’t comprehend, or care, about insulting her.
Got it. Teju kicked up sand and pebbles. After we crush your grandfather, we’ll teach your uncles a lesson.
She dragged a hand down her face. After we crush my grandfather, we’ll return to school and focus on passing our exams. Their jokes had been funny at first, but now all they did was stress her.
You and Draque have been studying hard. You’ll pass. Teju turned up his chin, giving her a confident grin. You’ve aced the practice exams.
If not, you can suck Teju’s dick for a passing grade. Thelix giggled.
I just want this to be over, so we can return to the eggs and Lily. She missed her baby sister and her three unhatched eggs, and her anxiety worsened the farther they traveled away from them. Lily had been burdened with the Phoenixfire curse, preventing her from ever reaching adulthood. She’d burst into flames and had been reborn as an infant hundreds of times over. Only a few months ago, she was a seven-year-old child. Now she was an infant again, destined to live a cursed life, never growing old enough to experience true love. She prayed her mates’ grandparents and mother were taking good care of them while also overseeing the Fifth Realm.
Ladon nuzzled her shoulder. It will be over soon.
Her roiling stomach settled when Draque returned to them, and she didn’t see any bony Fae limbs sticking out of his teeth.
Where have you been? Teju asked.
Found us a place to sleep, he answered, then lowered his head for Serah to mount him.
Hopefully alone, so we can get sex, Thelix said and squealed.
You can be quiet now, Serah chided.
You’re no fun. Thelix pouted. I’ll come back when they take off our clothes.
Using his paw as a stepstool, she climbed onto Draque’s back and settled between his shoulders. Being the alpha dragon, he was also the biggest, with a wide neck she could barely straddle, but she loved riding him.