I moved one pace closer to an enraged father with murder carved into his stare.
His dragon shrieked, a bone-rattling sound, then hurled fire above me. A warning. He wouldn’t hesitate again.
I advanced.
Greaves’ armored tread echoed behind me, no balm for the thunder in my chest. Doubt fused with grim resolve. If this ended in my death, so be it. I would die chasing the one I loved.
Nienna was worth it.
Another step.
Nereus, King of Draconia, loomed ahead. Snow-white hair and a trimmed beard marked his age. Though leaner than me, his navyleathers clung to a warrior’s frame. Ice-pale eyes burned beneath furrowed brows, his face reddened with fury.
I could have sworn blue sparks danced in his glare.
Another step.
He moved, bridging the last of the distance. My boots hit the dock. His hand shot out, seizing the front of my overcoat.
“It was a mistake coming here,” he spat, yanking me close.
I grabbed the collar of his jacket, gripping him with as much force as I dared. My fingers twitched above my sword.
“I’ve come for a private word. King to king.” I knew the risk. Fallione waited aboard the ship. No one else would disembark until I secured our safety.
Nereus hissed, his lip curling in a snarl. “You are no king.”
“Then man to man.” I was in no place to test him, but my life was already forfeit. He hadn’t killed me yet. That counted for something.
“Man? Nomanwould have done what you did.” His tone dripped acid.
“A man recognizes his failures and seeks to right them.” Our noses were breaths away, each of us clinging to the other with barely restrained violence. I’d stood on countless battlefields, but nothing prepared me for the Dragon King’s fury. Whatever held him back was wavering—and fast. Even the Velli’s threat paled in comparison to this king’s wrath.
“Father.”
My breath lodged in my throat. I refused to look past him, not yet. I needed to face Nereus first, explain what happened. Right my wrong. Only then could I ask her forgiveness.
And pray she still wanted me.
Gods, if she didn’t–
“You want me to hear you like a man?” Nereus stepped back and shoved off my hold. “So be it. You’ll be escorted to the landing as the criminal you are, tried for your crimes against Draconia—”
“Father!” Nienna’s voice broke in a quiet plea.
“—And against my daughter.”
His fist lashed out. Reflex saved me from a shattered jaw. His knuckles grazed my chin as I dodged, and the blow sent me staggering.
Elohios—did he pack that punch with magic?
I steadied myself, ignoring the throbbing sting as he spun on his heel. Above me, his beast loomed, saliva dripping from fangs longer than my legs.
Ronan held Nienna back, but I couldn’t look at her. Not yet. The king came first.
“You, to your mother!” Nereus pointed at her, then to the smaller black dragon—Prince Ronan’s mount.
Tried as a criminal, but not eaten.
