But then, she didn’t know if it wasevera happy, beautiful place. She assumed it was with itstowering mountains, rolling green fields, the golden towers of thepalace, and purple sky, but she couldn’t be positive.
If anything, over the past millennia, theland and immortals here had endured someveryunhappy years.Once the Arach turned on and destroyed each other, Dragonia becamea miserable, bloody place to reside.
In all the realms, the immortals lived underthe rule of a leader corrupted by the power of a throne that didn’tbelong to him.
She liked to think that before the arachdestroyed themselves, Dragonia had been a place of beauty andwonder. But it couldn’t have been all great if the arach fought somuch.
It doesn’t matter if it was once a happyplace or not; I will make it so when we take down the Lord.
The guards stationed outside the portal wereall focused on them. They all held swords or staffs, but nonelifted a weapon against them. In fact, they all shifted uneasilyand glanced away from Cole’s penetrating stare.
“King Colburn,” one of them greeted. “It’s apleasure to have you back in our realm.”
The man looked like it was anything but apleasure as he stared over Cole’s shoulder while speaking.
“It’s a pleasure to be back,” Cole repliedwith an aplomb that almost made Lexi believe this was all going togo well.
Almost,but she wasn’t an idiot.
When a shadow sweeping across the landblocked out the sun, Lexi tilted her head back as a green dragonsoared into view. The hair on her nape and arms rose on end assomething inside her reacted to its power and beauty.
Yearning clawed at her insides in a way itnever had when she’d seen the formidable creatures before, but shecouldn’t shake it, and she didn’t want to. She longed to be upthere, sweeping over the land with the dragon.
For all she knew, the dragonsneverallowed that, not even with the arach who once lived so freelyamongst them. It would probably eat her if she tried to climb ontoits back, but she itched to go to it and touch it.
The dragon didn’t look at her or tip itswing; it showed no reaction to her presence in their realm,herrealm, but the reaction in her body was undeniable.
“The Lord will be happy to see you,” the mancontinued. “All of the other guests have already arrived.”
Cole stiffened a little but showed no othersign that the man’s words irritated him.
“We’ll be happy to see the Lord too,” Colereplied.
“This way,” the man said.
As he started toward the golden palace, setup high on a mountain, they followed him. The man turned his headto speak over his shoulder. “Congratulations on yourengagement.”
“Thank you,” Cole said.
“Thank you,” Lexi murmured.
They followed the guard into the bailey andthrough the outdoor market area. They passed immortals with hunchedshoulders, dirty clothes, and shadows under their eyes. Though theywere trying to sell their wares, they barely waved theirmerchandise in the air, and they didn’t shout about itsabilities.
Lexi lifted her skirt as they hiked the dirtpath leading up the hill and toward the rock bridge spanning theriver. The river ran far below the palace, and as they climbedhigher, it became nothing more than a ribbon of blue as the rush ofwater over rocks faded away.
She tried to imagine what it would be like tolive in a place so beautiful and grand, but she couldn’t seeherself here. She didn’t fit into this world. But she would have tofigure out how to fit because this washers.
There was no denying the growing feeling ofpossessiveness inside her. This was her realm, her land, andherdragons.
CHAPTER 47
She stared at the back of the man in front ofthem as they arrived at the bridge. Trying not to fidget with herskirt or necklace, she searched for something to distract herselffrom what lay ahead of them.
“I’m not a very good dancer,” she toldCole.
“It’s a good thing you’ll have me to lead theway then. And I’ve danced with you before; you were amazing.”
“You’re biased.”
