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Flare stepped forward, abusing royal protocol. “The stronger of us, like Shadow and myself, she put into her military training camps.” He yanked at his collar. “We’re leashed like dogs to her bidding.”
Fire flashed in the king’s eyes, and Flare backed away.
“What bidding?” the king asked. “Killing my people?”
“Shadow, myself, and eight other hunters were sent to kill Snow,” Flare said, using my name for the first time.
I felt a strange giddiness at the way it rolled off his tongue.
“The magic within the collar will shrink the metal and strangle us if we do not tear out her heart and give it to the witch,” he added.
“Sire,” I said. “The collars are made of Draconian metal infused with magic. We came here, seeking your assistance to get them off.”
That heat in the king’s eyes dampened when he turned to me. “I may not be of use for the magic part, but I can most certainly assist with the metal.”
I smiled at the somewhat positive news for a change.
The king sniffed my neck. “But you are bleeding. You and your friends are all injured, and in no state for such an occasion such as my shriek.”
How true. But desperation to have the collars removed itched at me.
The king motioned to one of his personal guards. “Bring the healers.”
“Yes, sire.” The soldier bowed and hurried from the room.
The old Snow would have taken his hands between hers in appreciation. Not me. Mine were plastered to my sides.
The king jerked his head, indicating for me to follow him, and I join him in the corner.
“My kingdom has been on lockdown and will remain so until the threat is eradicated,” he whispered once we were out of earshot. “These are strange times. Something evil grows in this land. I feel it in my scales.”
I knew exactly what he spoke of thanks to the mirror’s warning. Beneath my cape, I pressed the magic mirror to my body tightly.
All of a sudden, the king grabbed my wrist, and my free hand flew to my chest. “Astrolea has not returned from her visit to the Fae kingdom. Searches far and wide have resulted in nothing. My two sons continue their investigation into her disappearance.” Despair crept into his voice.
My heart twisted. Princess Astrolea and I had played together whenever my father and I had visited. We’d stayed in touch all these years. Every moon cycle, a letter arrived from her. But I had not heard from her since my imprisonment. If my stepmother was behind this, what did she intend with the dragons? They would make powerful weapons if she managed to collar them, too. Knowing that witch might have taken Astrolea charged me with more fuel to find my stepmother and destroy her.
“I have some friends,” I said, tugging my wrist free and rubbing it. “We will help find your daughter.”
The king stared at me as if I were still the little child who played in his halls. He gave me a fleeting smile as if he believed my intentions but doubted my ability to fulfill them. After all, I was just a mere human, not a mighty dragon. But I had three panther shifters with me, and I knew my way around the forests well enough to find clues, and I had a pretty good idea who had his daughter.
Three healers entered the throne room, ending our conversation on this particular matter.
“You and your friends are welcome to dine with us tonight,” the king said, patting my hand.
I flinched beneath his touch, my flesh hurting as if I were bruised.
“I will see to it my chefs roast the finest boar and bake the finest desserts, and that my servants pour the finest wines for my guests,” he added.
Just the thought made my stomach rumble with delight. The palace chefs were some of the best in Haven.
“Sire, you are always most gracious and kind,” I said. “I dream about the tarts, soufflés, and pies served at your court.”
This made the king chuckle. “That’s why I insist they be baked each day.”
Dragons’ sweet tooths were renowned throughout all of Haven. Every baker dreamed of working for the dragon king. It was considered one of the highest honors. A baker in Tritonia once did a three-year stint for the king, and overnight, he became famous, his treats at his shop back home selling out daily. To keep up with demand, he’d opened up another three bakeries.
Cape swishing with each step, the king strode over to the healers. “Snow and her panther friends are my guests,” he said. “See to it that they are afforded the best care for their wounds. Find them suitable chambers afterward.”
