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“It was my mate he harmed,” Eldric says softly. “The honor should go to me.”

“That’s a good idea, Tharion,” I whisper. “Let’s go finish our date.”

His tight body loosens when I put a hand on his flexed arm. He sighs and then tosses the tiny lord onto the ground.

“Alright,” he says, looking at me with love in his silvery eyes.

“Thank you,” I say. I’ve seen enough killing for my lifetime. I don’t want to see it anymore. Not in my father’s shop, not here, not anywhere.

Tharion picks me up in his big strong arms, holding me to his warm chest.

“You’re not going to let him go are you?” Tharion asks Eldric.

Eldric looks like he’s in no mood for forgiveness. He shakes his head, his rage-filled eyes locked on the lord. “No way.”

“But…” Lord Harshballow’s eyes widen in panic when he realizes his fate. “You can’t! I’m a lord!”

“And I’m a lord of the forest,” Eldric says, advancing. “And you attacked my mate.”

“Let’s go,” I whisper, stroking Tharion’s cheek.

His face softens as he looks at me and then we’re up in the air, flying over the gorgeous forest canopy with those big powerful wings.

The last thing I hear before we soar past the waterfall is Lord Harshballow bellowing out his last scream.

“Where should we go?” Tharion asks as we fly over The Wildwood.

“I need to speak with my father,” I say with my stomach sinking. “We don’t need to stay long, but I have to talk to him.”

“As you wish,” he says and turns toward the Forge District.