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Still, it was our sanctuary, and I could finally breathe.

‘Makosh, have mercy, what are those!’ Danka cried before shrinking back under Rey’s glare.

‘Fill the bathtub and ensure no one disturbs us,’ he said, sitting us down on the bed. Something pulled on my back again, and I shrugged my shoulders, almost falling on my face when a gust of wind propelled me forward.

‘What the…’ I gasped as Rey caught me.

‘We need to talk, Viper,’ he murmured, far too softly. It was the tone loved ones used when about to deliver bad news.

‘What did I do?’ It had to be something I did. The way people had looked at me, the way my body hurt… ‘Oh gods, no, please no.’

I twisted, trying to look behind me, as the fragments of information fell into place. Rey cupped my face and forced me to look at him.

‘You’ve done nothing wrong. You saved everyone, and I don’t care if the woman I love has wings, a tail or horns. I love you in every way, shape, or form.’

‘I have a tail and horns?’ I ran my hands straight over the top of my head but couldn’t find anything unusual.

When I reached behind myself, Rey caught my wrist.

‘No horns, no tail, just wings. Beautiful, iridescent dragonfly wings. If they are a reflection of your magic, your soul, the gods should envy you,’ he said, kissing my cheek.

‘I want to see,’ I quavered. Did I want to see another monster my magic had created?

Reynard nodded, guiding me to the Cheval mirror in the corner of the bedroom.

My dress had survived the fight with the wraiths. However, it had seen better days. It was damp, muddy from the dungeon floor, and… I stopped short at the sight of four large opalescent dragonfly wings sticking out of my back.

I bit my lip to hold back my tears. Then, in an act of pure defiance, I rolled my shoulders, trying to make the damned things move. They unfurled, large and shimmering with the colours of the rainbow, while Aether flashed over the translucent membranes.

‘It’s my fault, Sana. Boyan told me the stone took your mother’s wings. I thought he was speaking metaphorically,’ he said, as he stroked my arm. I collapsed, hiding my face in my hands. ‘If you hate them that much, I’ll find a way to remove them. There must be a way to reverse this.’

My hands dropped, searching for the stone, but it was gone. Only the golden chain remained, the setting empty. Yet its pulse still throbbed inside me. Whatever my magic had done, this piece of my mother’s soul was now a part of me; the ring was gone too. Both living stones fused with my body.

‘There is no way back. Not unless you cut it out of me. What do I do now? What about my magic?’

‘Why would you think that’s changed?’ he asked, and I shook my head.

‘You saw what I did with our room and to the dungeon. I can’t control it.’ I sucked in a breath. ‘And you can’t marry a monster.’

‘You are not a monster!’ he shouted in my face, grasping my shoulders with such force that I jerked back. ‘You’re not a monster, and even if you turned into a two-headed frog, I would still love you. Sana, please, for a moment see yourself through my eyes.’

I blinked, holding onto his words as if my life depended on it.

‘Your courage, your poise, your fortitude. Your beauty is bewitching, but we all wither and die. I’m not marrying a pretty face, but the woman who charges at death, not once asking the price she’ll have to pay. Even an elder dragon can’t resist the light in your soul. I see that light too. Please don’t take it away from me.’

Those last few words formed a quiet plea that broke through my grief. I looked up. Rey’s thumb caressed my lips before he leaned in and kissed me. The sweet, tentative gesture calmed my racing heart, and I leaned against his chest, letting the steady beat of his heart reassure me.

I was still me, still Roksana Regnav.

‘The bath is ready, my lady. Should I take a few dresses for the seamstress to alter? I think two slits and some strategically placed ribbons should do the trick for now,’ Danka chattered as she entered.

There was no condemnation or disgust in her voice, and this simple practicality became the final straw that tipped the scales.

If I couldn’t change how I looked, I might as well accept it.

Rey was about to scold the maid for not following his orders, but I distracted him by standing up.

‘Do one first, then we’ll see how it goes.’ I turned my back to Rey. ‘Help me with this, please. If you still have your dagger, that is.’