Page 85 of Three Dark Kings and the Gilded Serpent

Nothing I can do destroys the catapults. And nothing I do stops them from firing, their mechanism perfectly automated. Even the unfired canisters are protected from damage by casing made of that same dark wood.

But I can make sure they explode where Stellen can neutralize them, ensuring we control the damage.

My only goals are to keep my men alive and stop the smoke from traveling into my kingdom.

Suddenly, a spear of ice shoots past my ear, so close, it nicks me.

What the⁠—!

When I spin, I catch sight of the canister I missed, now exploding harmlessly within the scattering ice. That canister would have struck my serpent. The exploding dust would have burned out his breathing.

He’s already banking, never shrinking from a fight, the angle of his flight bringing Stellen into my line of sight below me where the Frost King races along the mountain ridge on his wolf.

It seems the spear wasn’t only to save my serpent, but also to get my attention.

He gestures sharply to the ground.

“Down,” I cry to my serpent, grateful for the saddle made out of the dragon’s hide as fire bursts uncontrollably around my chest.

I’ve stopped trying to conceal the dragon’s skin. Only with its protection can I join this fight without fearing I’ll kill my serpent. I’ve even used it as a shield against my fire when I was flying near my men.

As we soar toward Stellen, he shouts, “Thyra’s awake!”

My heart leaps in a way it shouldn’t. Finally, I’ll stand face to face with the Oracle again.

But I can’t see her anywhere nearby, or the presence of a messenger, so how the fuck does Stellen know she’s awake?

He points at the dunes behind the mountain range in the west. “She’s in trouble!”

My serpent speeds over Stellen’s head and in that moment, I’m gripped with indecision, my instincts chaotic.

I’m needed here. Thyra doesn’t know me. She’ll see me as a threat. I could burn her by accident. Stellen should go to her instead of me. But if he leaves the border, the fires will burn and Hadrian will win.

Stellen’s roar carries the power of his Voice, taking on a near tangible force. “Go.”

I shake off the compulsion, his power only lasting a heartbeat, my doubts already vanished.

I shout to my serpent, “Find the Oracle!”

He shoots forward, faster than before, racing through the air along the mountain ridge and then down toward one of the narrow passes through the mountains.

In the distance, I make out a group of fae and serpents gathered on the dunes while a cluster of serpents circles above them.

My serpent flies toward them like a beast possessed, hissing more angrily than I’ve ever heard him, so loudly, I can make out his snarls above the rushing wind.

As we race closer, the details become clear.

Eight serpents and riders bearing Lord Boaz’s insignia circle the air above a group of women huddled where they stand on the ground. Seven more serpents and riders have penned the women in on all sides, but it looks like one of the women is making a move from the center of the group.

Meanwhile, another woman is being dragged toward Lord Boaz while he creates fire lashes in the air.

I expect to hear screams, but the woman being dragged isn’t making a sound. Even the woman in the center is moving silently.

Oh, fuck no.

My lips draw back from my teeth, fury blasting fire around my hands.

Nobody hurts my Mothers.