AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Your sister is nothing like those monsters,” Maddox mutters.
“Leave her alone.”
He falls silent for a moment. “Do you really think so poorly of me?”
I don’t regret protecting my sister, but I hate hurting his feelings. “No, but I think highly of Orlena,” I say with a laugh. “She deserves a prince.”
Maddox scoffs. “She’d eat a prince alive.”
“That’s disturbing.”
“It’s true. What are they talking about?” He juts his chin in my father’s direction.
“I don’t know, but I don’t like it.”
“The snake will never be truly loyal to you.” Maddox scrubs his hand over his jaw.
“He’d never willingly step down.” Basil is a high ranking official, but I don’t want him anywhere near my court.
“Not without a little help,” Maddox says.
“Are you offering?”
“If you need the help, I will do what needs to be done.”
I grunt and we fall silent. There’s a darker side to what Maddox does for the kingdom. He deals with things most wouldn’t be able to stomach, and he’s the best. The snake can’t be trusted, but I don’t know that I want to authorize his assassination. Once the crown is officially mine, I’ll give him a choice. On the off chance he makes the wrong decision, then I’ll consider Maddox’s offer.
But first, we need to get Daisy back.
FORTY-FOUR
Furies are not furry
DAISY
Riding on a dragon is terrifying. Or maybe it’s Prometheus being so young. It doesn’t seem tired carrying the three of us, but it’s still a little unsteady with gusts of wind. When we reach vampire territory, the sky is still dark but there’s a faint lightening of the blue on the horizon. Prometheus dives toward the ground, and I scream, grasping at the leather straps. Harald and Lagertha cling on for dear life, their pint-sized bodies lifting into the air with the force of the current.
“Prometheus!”
The dragon releases a shriek and adjusts so it’s not such a steep descent, but my stomach still lodges in my throat. We land in a soft field of bluegrass and wildflowers, and the impact rocks through Prometheus’ body and bucks me and the trulls off its back. I land with a thud and roll onto my back, panting and staring up at the starry sky.
Is it swirling? I blink a few times and my vision clears and the world rights itself. Note to self: Work with Prometheus on landing, or better yet, never ride a dragon again.
“Fuckin’ tart whales, that was rough.” Harald groans.
“Tart whales?” I ask with a laugh and sit up.
Lagertha is already on her feet and scrutinizing our surroundings. “They’re coming.”
“How do you know?” Prometheus pokes its head in my line of visions and chitters. I stroke the dragon’s neck and give it some praise. It’s not really its fault.
“The vampires know everything that happens on their lands.” Lagertha eyes me. “I hope yer plan works.”
“Me too,” I say around a swallow.
Harald walks over and stares up at me. “I meant what I said when I offered to kill your enemies. Vampires are a nasty bunch, but I’ll fight with my life if it comes to it.”
I shake my head. “If it comes to it, we run. Do you think you can get us out safely, Prometheus?”
