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“Sinsha!” I called as we landed on the snowy ground. The moment my feet crunched into the snow, Ven lifted off behind me, sending a storm of white all around.

I grinned like a crazy person when their leader stepped out of the haze. She was every bit the large and imposing warrior I remembered. Her long russet limbs, tinged with the reddish glow of the mountain elves, stood out in stark contrast to her white fur clothing, which revealed a toned, bare midriff and muscular thighs. The elves seemed to never be cold.

“I’m so happy to see you again!” I exclaimed. But when I threw my arms open in greeting, she shoved the tip of a spear in my face, just inches from my forehead. I froze.

“Who are you and how do you know my name?” she demanded,

I’d forgotten I wore a different body. I stepped forward until the tip of her spear grazed my skin, keeping eye contact and staying calm. “It’s me, Nyah. This is my sister’s body. It is a long story, and one I’ll gladly share with you. My companions are on their way up here, and we need your help.”

Sinsha narrowed her eyes. Her long ponytail swayed in the wind, the only movement aside from her eyes. I waited, knowing better than to show fear. I also knew that unlike last time, I had the magic to fight if need be. But the last thing I wanted was to harm a friend.

“Rivven is coming. You’ll recognize him,” I continued, the edge of panic just starting to invade my mind. I’d been so sure she’d give us a warm welcome. Rune’s body had become so natural that I hardly noticed it the way I had at first. I wasn’t the type to check mirrors often or adjust clothing or hair. While mine had always served me well, The body was simply an extension…a part of me, and I was just that in my mind. Me.

“If it is you, then you will give me what you promised me the last time you were here,” she challenged.

“Balram’s head. I don’t have it.” With that pronouncement the other elves started stomping and beating the bottom of their weapons into the icy ground. I winced at the sound, then attempted to shout over it. “Not yet, but we will. That’s why we need your help.”

Sinsha raised her free arm, and the uproar halted. “I heard the Imrati was won by an Astridonian.” She lifted the spear higher and leaned closer. “Assuming it is you, I should kill you anyway. You failed in your quest and are bringing more strangers to our home.”

Torvo chose that moment to land to my right. He slipped from his mount and bowed low. “I am the one you heard about. The winner of the Imrati.”

Sinsha finally set the butt of the spear down as she took in the impressive specimen that was Torvo. She probably hadn’t met many humans taller than she was. Either way, she eyed the champion suspiciously. “Why are you not marrying the princess?”

Torvo exchanged glances with me, and I cleared my throat. It would appear the elves had heard more of the outside world than I’d expected.

“There is much to share.” I would have preferred a comfortable discussion perhaps over a meal in her cave. But this would have to do, so I recounted exactly what happened at the Imrati and since. I looked at Torvo. “Where are Rivven and Galan?”

“Flying slower due to Rivven’s lack of…proclivity for flying,” he said quietly.

I sucked in my bottom lip, wanting to jump back on Ven and search for them. I hadn’t been thinking, so tempted to ride a dragon. But Rivven had been weakened during his captivity. Surely, he’d be okay. That was most certainly why Galan had stayed back and was moving at a slower pace—to keep an eye on him.

“So, you are running from the king,” Sinsha said after a silence that went on uncomfortably long. “And you bring his soldiers to our borders?”

“No,” I objected, my attention back on the present. “We would not do that. I hid our ascent with magic. They don’t know where we are. But they are looking. We had to turn away from the Gates of Lehon and didn’t know where else to go. But there are answers at the Synbari Isles. I know it. We just have to make it to Tromodia so we can get there.”

A second elf stepped out of the crowd and joined Sinsha. I recognized the beautiful woman—so similar in features—as Sinsha’s daughter, Kendara, who’d helped me disguise myself the last time I was on this mountain. She smiled kindly, laying a hand on her mother’s arm.

“I recognize the way the ether gathers around her, and you must as well,” Kendara said with a nod in my direction. “Nyah is a friend, Mother, and look how powerful she is to tame a dragon. Let us help her.”

“I do not see how running away like a coward will bring me the evil king’s head any time soon,” Sinsha groused, but her stance relaxed. “Very well. You may stay for the night and share more of your plans. But you will all leave in the morning. I will not endanger my people any more than necessary. And you will tell me what magic you’ve used to inhabit a different body.”

Before the others even arrived, we were taken to Sinsha’s cave. Out from under the judging glares of her guards, I relaxed as much as possible without Rivven in my sights. At her direction, we settled around a firepit. Kendara sat to my right, Torvo to my left. Food was brought out. It was as hearty and delicious as it had been the last time I’d visited. I passed Torvo the large spiral horn that we’d all been taking swigs from. The liquid inside warmed me on its way down and tasted vaguely of pilas fruit, my favorite.

Rivven finally arrived, bringing with him a chill that had nothing to do with the weather as he forced his body between us. Torvo nearly choked from tipping back his swallow but scooted to the side to accommodate the brooding male. I furrowed my brows at Rivven as Galan greeted everyone with a deep bow before sitting across from us.

Rivven wouldn’t meet my eyes. Was he still upset I rode Ven? He just needed time to get over it, I decided. If that was what he required, I’d give it to him—I was just content that he’d arrived safely. He’d been through so much, and it was hard not to blame myself for it. Maybe whatever little thing had triggered his mood was what would finally set off his rage at me. It was deserved. I blamed myself for what he’d suffered even if I hadn’t meant to hurt him. I’d had no idea what my true nature was, and I’d have done anything to change what happened.

Stifling my own onslaught of guilt and sorrow, I cleared my throat and attempted to focus on the current gathering. I scanned the circle, searching for another elf, Terra, the woman Kendara seemed to have feelings for the last time I was here. I wondered where she could be. A woman nearly twice Galan’s size passed him a clear bowl with a thin tube attached, filled with swirling blue smoke. He took hold with a nod and sucked in some of the smoke before passing it to the male on his right. Then he blew out a perfect cerulean circle that burst into sparks, making the woman laugh and clap.

“I see no one’s dead,” Rivven murmured after some time.

“Nope,” I agreed. “I explained much of what’s happened since we last visited. We have to leave in the morning, but we’ll be able to stay here safely tonight.”

A grunt was my only answer.

“You’re angry,” I observed. Maybe this was when he’d finally let me know how much I’d hurt him.

“You’re careless.”