by Zoe Parker
“Let me help you.” Kyle was immediately by my side, holding my elbow as I made sure my knees didn’t decide to suddenly give way under my weight.
“I don’t need your help,” I hissed in response, trying to wrench my arm free from his hold. I didn’t like the three dragons looking at me like a fragile and defenseless being. I was the Queen of Faery, for the love of the Goddess! He looked at me, frowning and biting his lip, probably to keep himself from delivering an insolent retort. We stared into each other’s eyes for a moment. I kept my chin up and refused to be the first to look away. I wanted him to understand, to realize that I could hold my own. A corner of his lips curled upward in a hint of a smile. With a simple shake of his head, he turned away.
While Kyle and I were locked in our little power struggle, Jason and Jacob had tied up the horses and unloaded the small amount of luggage we were traveling with. I made sure my face was well concealed under the hood before going inside the inn, my dragons in tow.
When we stepped into the squalid dive—there was no other way to describe the place—a dozen heads turned towards us, intrigued by the presence of strangers. We didn’t return their looks but headed straight for an empty table in a corner of the room. The fire in the hearth opposite us crackled cheerfully. The lanterns on the tables gave off a dim glow, casting dark shadows that danced on the faces of the patrons.
A woman came to our table. Underneath her stained white apron she wore a coarse woolen dress, cut low in the front. Completely ignoring my presence, she favored my companions with a languid glance.
“What can I get for you, dearies?”
I cleared my throat to get her attention. A strange feeling was growing in the pit of my stomach. “You may bring us the specialty of the house. And please prepare four rooms for the night and maybe even prepare a hot bath.”
She glanced at me and snorted before returning her eyes to my dragons and repeating her question.
“What can I get for you, dearies?”
“Four beers and four bowls of soup, please. We also need a room for the night,” Jacob answered.
“Right away, dearies.” She fluttered her eyelashes at Jacob and laid a hand on his shoulder before sashaying away.
A low growl escaped my throat. “What’s her problem?”
Jason smiled. “We aren’t in your castle anymore, my Queen. Things in the real world are a little different than they are in yours.”
“This is my world!”
“No,” he insisted. “Your world is where it’s normal to have someone prepare a warm bath for you, turn down the covers on your bed, or serve you delicious tidbits to eat. But the real world, the one where the commoners live, doesn’t work like that. We’re at an inn that probably has five or ten rooms. Look around you, my Queen. Do you see there are other people here? Other travelers needing shelter for the night? Also, how can you ask for delicious food when, as you know, there’s nothing left to eat? As for your hot bath, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but hot water is a luxury around here. You’ll have to content yourself with washing in cold water or, if you prefer, you can always warm it up yourself.”
I looked down at my hands, which had suddenly become quite interesting. I really wanted to be a good ruler, yet I knew so little about my people. Perhaps my enemies were right to think I wasn’t equipped to rule. But what did it matter now? Everything depended on the success of my mission. If I failed, Faery would die.
I took a deep breath and raised my head so I could look Jason in the eye. “You’re right,” I said, trying to swallow my pride. “This world is different from the one I grew up in, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t still my world. I would be grateful if you could help me to understand it better during our journey.”
He studied my face carefully, surprised by what I’d just said, but wary of what I represented under the rough clothes I was wearing. After a few seconds of silence, he nodded. “I would be honored, my Queen.”
“Victoria,” I corrected him. “Please call me by my name. Let’s dispense with the formalities. We’re going to be spending a lot of time together and I don’t want to draw attention to myself.”
This time a genuine smile illuminated his face. “Okay then, Victoria.” On his lips, my name was a light caress that sent little shivers running through my body. I swallowed and felt my cheeks grow warm. Luckily, the woman brought our food at that moment. A wooden bowl, from which a strong, unpleasant smell emanated, was placed in front of me. I wrinkled up my nose and pushed the steaming bowl away.
“You need to eat, Victoria,” Kyle reproved me gently. “I assure you it tastes better than it smells.”
I sighed. Being a good ruler was proving to be a very difficult task. Holding my breath, I lifted a spoonful of the mystery broth to my lips. Going by the smell, I’d expected it to taste like dirty feet, but I had to admit it wasn’t quite that bad.
“Drink some beer,” Jacob suggested. “It will warm you up and help you get the soup down.”
I picked up the mug and took a huge gulp of the amber liquid. I was used to taking only a sip of wine with my meals, never a whole glass. My body couldn’t handle much alcohol. I felt my muscles loosen and my senses blur just a little. I was finally starting to relax, and I was grateful to the beer for helping me. The road ahead was still long and tortuous, but for now I decided I would enjoy this moment of peace without worrying—at least for a few hours—about how my world was falling apart outside these four walls.
6
Victoria
“There’s only one bed,” I murmured uncertainly when we went upstairs and entered the room.
“We’ll sleep on the floor.”
“Jacob,” I said, “there’s no need. The bed is big enough for all four of us.”
“My Queen . . . Victoria,” he corrected himself, “that wouldn’t be appropriate.”
“I don’t see any other solution to our problem. I won’t let you sleep on the floor when you can rest comfortably on a warm bed.” I was surprised by the ease with which the words came out of my mouth. I’d never thought of inviting someone into my bed before. It was probably the beer talking.
The room was small and bare, furnished in oak, which made it seem darker despite the light from the lantern. Kyle had put our bags at the foot of the bed. I rummaged in mine, searching for something suitable to sleep in, but there were only two more heavy woolen dresses that I suspected would irritate my skin as much as the one I was wearing. I sighed and let myself fall onto the bed.
“Are you all right?” The mattress sank with the weight of another body. Jason had sat down next to me. He looked at me with an unreadable expression on his face. I shook my head and untied the cloak I’d worn for more than twenty-four hours, letting the heavy fabric slip off my shoulders to reveal my reddened, irritated skin. Jason frowned, glancing at my neck, then resting his eyes for a few seconds too long on my décolletage.
“You could . . .” He cleared his throat. “Maybe you could take it off, Victoria.”
My eyes widened. “I don’t think that’s appropriate.”
His face had turned redder than my irritated skin. “You could wrap yourself in a blanket. We’ll turn out the light.”
“I—” I stammered. I really wanted to be free of that damned dress, but how wise could it be to share a bed with three gorgeous men when I had nothing on but my bare skin? I took a deep breath and nodded weakly. “Fine.”
Jason gave me an uncertain smile, then stood up and blew out the flame in the lantern, leaving the room in near-total darkness. The only light came from the rays of moonlight that shone through the window. I heard a clink as one of them locked and chained the door, then the rustle of clothing being removed. After a few moments, my eyes adjusted sufficiently to the dark for me to make out the outlines of the three dragons. Grabbing a blanket from the bed, I tiptoed into the farthest corner of the room.
“Could you close your eyes?” I asked no one in particular when I heard the bed creak under the weight
of their bodies. There was no answer, but I knew they’d done as I’d asked. Dragons could see in the dark, though not as well as in the light. Holding the blanket around my body with one hand, I tried with the other to take the dress off. A slight sigh of relief escaped me when finally the heavy, itchy woolen garment fell to the ground. Pulling the blanket tight around my body, I crept toward the bed, stopping abruptly when I stubbed my toe against it.
“Sleep in the middle,” someone said. Kyle, I thought. “You’ll be warmer.”
I didn’t answer, but I climbed over them to the middle of the bed. I felt their bodies moving, making space for me. I laid my head on the pillow, releasing a long breath I didn’t know I’d been holding.
“Are you comfortable?” Jason asked. He was on my right, his mouth so close to my face his breath caressed my cheek.
“Yes,” I whispered back. Though I couldn’t quite make out his features, I could have sworn he was smiling.
“Goodnight, my Queen.”
My body was begging me to fall asleep, but my mind and heart were too awake and excited to surrender to sleep. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was finally where I belonged, between my dragons, their bodies pressed so close to mine it felt as if we’d suddenly recognized and realized we belonged to each other.
A hand came to rest on my hip, taking my breath away. Asleep, Kyle had nestled closer to me and put his arm around me. I should have freed myself from his touch—it was bad enough that I was completely naked, sleeping in a bed with three men—but instead, I placed my hand over his. My intention was to push it away, but my hand seemed to have a mind of its own. I found myself caressing his hand and gently squeezing it. It was hard and callused, with strong fingers used to wielding a sword. The hands of a warrior. I wondered how he used them to caress his women. Was his touch delicate? Or was it hard and forceful, showing the same strength he used in combat?
My stomach twisted at the thought of those fingers on a different female body. I was jealous of something that didn’t belong to me. I wanted it to be mine.
Kyle’s breathing became less regular. “I’m sorry,” he murmured. His lips brushed the nape of my neck. I knew he was lying, because he didn’t move away, but rather, tightened his arm around my waist, pulling my back closer to his chest.
“Kyle,” I whispered, “what are you doing?”
“I don’t know, my Queen. You’re driving me out of my mind.”
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. “We can’t, Kyle.” The words were so hard to say.
“Yes, we can,” he insisted. “No one will know. It will be our secret.” His hand caressed my belly, drawing circles around my navel. “I know you want it too. I can smell it, Vickie.” This was the disadvantage of traveling with magical creatures, I realized—their superior sensory powers. His hand began to descend.
“Kyle . . .”
“Hush, my Queen, let me serve you.” He shifted his weight so he was leaning over me. Bending his head, he traced the line of my jaw with his tongue. I tried to protest, but he cut me off, pressing his mouth to mine. He bit my lower lip, drawing a small moan of pleasure from me which he took advantage of to thrust his tongue into my mouth. His kiss was hard, demanding, hungry, as if he were desperately seeking from me the oxygen he needed to survive.
I rolled onto my back, placing my hands against his chest. When the pressure between my thighs grew unbearable, I forced myself to push him away with all my strength.
“No. We can’t.”
His eyes widened and his jaw tightened as he looked at me. The shadows of the night danced across his face, emphasizing his frustrated expression. Closing his eyes, he exhaled forcefully, reminding me that he was a dragon.
“Forgive me, my Queen,” he said formally.
Before I could respond, he slipped out of bed and sat down on the floor, leaning against the wall. He looked crushed, as if I’d just slapped him. A single tear rolled down my cheek, but I managed to hold back the sob that followed. I’d just had my first kiss and all I wanted to do was curl up into a ball and cry like a little girl.
7
Victoria
The soft light of dawn, followed by the warmth of the sun, seemed to melt the chill between us somewhat. Kyle had kissed me and I’d pushed him away. I knew my refusal had hurt him, but it wasn’t the right moment. I had to deal with the reason I’d made them come on this mission before I could focus my attention on the three dragons at my side. For their part, they were doing their best to ignore me and avoid even looking at me. I didn’t know if Jason and Jacob had heard us last night. The mere idea was horribly embarrassing.
I watched my traveling companions. They’d been born to give their lives for mine. It wasn’t fair to lead them into certain danger without even telling them, but I knew secrecy was vital. If the regent of the Winter Kingdom got wind of my intentions, I would certainly fail, especially given how weak my powers were becoming.
But there’s another, more self-serving reason you don’t want to tell them, the little voice in my mind reminded me. I felt my cheeks grow hot with shame. I didn’t want to admit it was all my fault that Faery was dying. I looked at my dragons again, promising myself I would make it up to them when this was all over.
The pale morning light illuminated the snowy landscape. The forest that had once been so filled with life now made me shiver. The bare trees greeted us, intertwined like the naked bodies of lovers who faced death as one being. The dark poetry of nature, so fragile yet so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes.
The air was redolent of wet earth and the special tang of cold winter days. There was no sound aside from the hoofbeats of our horses and the occasional faint song of some small bird. The animals slept securely in their long hibernation, unaware of our presence.
It was toward the end of the second day that I heard something different: a faint whistle. I looked at my upper arm and saw a tear in my cloak. Small red spots appeared, dampening the coarse fabric and spreading quickly to form a large crimson stain.
“Victoria!” The cry came from my right. A hand grabbed the reins of my horse. “We have to hide.” Jacob’s eyes went from the wound on my arm to the surrounding landscape. He was looking for something. It took me a few seconds to realize what.
Ten men on horseback emerged from the trees. They wore black armor and their faces were covered with finely crafted helmets in the shape of a dragon’s head. As soon as I saw them, I understood: the Dragon King, as he liked to call himself, was in league with the regent of the Winter Kingdom, and had just sent his guard to stop us. I’d known the risk of being discovered was high, especially as we neared our final destination, which was why I’d insisted on absolute secrecy. Well, one of the reasons, anyway. How had Mason known I was coming?
“Victoria, are you wounded?” The voice that asked the question was warm and low but edged with worry.
“I think she’s in shock,” said Jacob, who still held the reins of my horse.
I snorted in a definitely undignified gesture. I was not in shock. It was just that my mind needed a few more seconds to be able to work out what was happening.
“We need to get away quickly,” Kyle insisted. “There are too many of them.”
I was about to open my mouth to tell them our next move when another hiss cut through the air. The sound ended abruptly in a dull thunk. Ahead of me, Kyle jerked and slumped forward in his saddle, almost falling off his horse. Maybe I really was in shock, because it took me a few seconds to understand that Kyle had just been hit by an arrow.
Jason dismounted and ran to his friend. He helped him off the horse and slung an arm around him, supporting his weight. “Don’t you dare die,” he growled.
I knew dragons weren’t easy to kill, but the mere thought that one of my company—one of my Twin Flames—had been injured made the blood boil in my veins. I closed my eyes and let my rage take over. The horse trembled beneath me, neighing in pure terror when the ground began to shake.
My pow
er may have come from a dying world, but I put all I had into the attack I launched at the ten silent guards in their relentless approach. I called upon the strength of the earth that I could sense under the layers of snow, asking it to open up for me and devour the men who had dared attack us. I opened my eyes again and lifted my arms to the heavens, ignoring the pain of the wound on my arm. I hurled all my rage at my enemies, defying them to attack me and what was mine.
A deafening rumble was the only warning the soldiers had before their cries of terror joined the desperate neighing of their steeds. The earth opened beneath them, dragging them down and devouring them, immediately closing again with a horrible creaking sound that made me feel sick. I’d never killed anyone before.
I turned to my dragons and saw a mixture of fear and respect in their eyes. Dumbfounded by what they’d just witnessed, none of them spoke. Few had seen the true power of the Queen of Faery.
A smile curved my lips, in spite of the nausea and fatigue overwhelming me. “As you can see, I’m not in shock,” I said to my companions with dignity. I was about to add I told you I wasn’t weak, but at that precise instant the world decided to begin spinning around me. Before I knew what was happening, I’d slipped off my horse’s back and fallen into a welcoming darkness.
8
Victoria
I opened my eyes. A dull pain in my head muffled the sounds around me. A hand stroked my forehead, brushing a lock of hair from my face.
“How are you feeling?”
I tried to get up, but my head was spinning and my muscles refused to cooperate.
