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“I won’t go without you,” Princess Danyetta claims angrily to her parents with tears streaming down her face. “And what about Andolyn? She can’t come with me. Who will take care of her?”
Her pet dragon breaks through some clouds in the distance, emitting a sad roar at seeing her favorite person leave. The silvery scales, large wings, and long tail are a stunning sight. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to a real dragon flying around.
To me, it was just last week that I met the beast, and my first encounter with Andolyn was hostile, to say the least. She was guarding her island on the Endless Sea, and she burnt some of my hair off with her fire—that’s why my head is shaved on the sides. I suppose I should thank her if I get the chance, because Ro seems to love the style I’m sporting now.
“Andolyn can take care of herself,” Queen Quinn says with a reassuring tone. “I’ll tell her to go to the Day Realm.”
“What if she doesn’t listen? What if she tries to stay and sacrifice herself? I need to talk to her.”
The princess is stalling, but her resistance is ignored.
When the group stops just a couple paces away from the bright portal, I can tell it’s leading to Earth because of the field. The farming tactics are different there, and the identical rows of harvested crops were obviously made by a powerful machine.
“Dani, you’re the future of this kingdom,” King Kirian tells his daughter.
“So are you,” she cries.
Dark sadness invades my entire body when she projects her Empath power. It actually hurts my bones.
“What is that?” Ro gasps, rubbing her aching chest.
“The princess is trying to sway her parents with devastation.”
“Ouch.”
“Ouch is right.”
I’d forgotten how much Princess Danyetta’s emotional influence can hurt, and it affects anyone within the vicinity. Several of the warriors loading the cannons begin sobbing as they work.
King Kirian sniffles, but he stays firm on his decision. “We’re the current rulers. We’re staying because it’s our duty to defend the realm. Someday, you might have to make the same choice as queen. But today is not that day.”
Looking at her father with a defiant glare, Princess Danyetta goes for a low blow. “How could you let your mate die? Because that’s what’ll happen. If you stay, you’ll die, which means Mom dies, too.”
King Kirian gazes down at his other half with a bittersweet smile and wetness in his eyes. “Your mother and I have discussed that possibility, and we’ve accepted it. We’ve had a good life. Such a good life.”
Queen Quinn grins up at him through her tears. “I couldn’t have asked for anything better. I’ve received more love than most people do in a hundred lifetimes.”
They both pull Princess Danyetta to them for a hug, but she’s still not okay with the circumstances. She clutches them tightly, refusing to let go. “Come with me. Please. This can’t be goodbye. It can’t.”
“Torius,” King Kirian says over his shoulder. “Only return when it’s safe to do so. This is my last wish. A final request from your best friend.” His voice softens with warm affection. “I’m not your king. I never was, was I? You and I are more than that—we’re family. Take care of our loved ones, okay?”
The warrior wears a good mask of indifference, but his voice wavers with emotion when he promises, “I will.”
“Boys,” King Kirian says to his sons next, then amends the way he addresses them. “Men. I mean, men. Get the new queen to safety.”
“No!” Princess Danyetta howls as her brothers pry her away and step through the portal, taking her with them.
Keeping up a strong façade, her parents plant kisses on little Princess Greenlee’s wet cheeks, but as soon as they turn their backs, their features scrunch with anguish.
As they walk away, they cry because they know it might be the last time they see their children and granddaughter.
After Princess Danyetta and the twins have passed through the portal, Torius goes next with Princess Greenlee, but Lady Isla hangs back.
At the last second, the honored lady in waiting tosses the luggage to the human realm.
“Isla? Isla! What are you doing?” Princess Danyetta’s panicked question echoes from the other world.
“I’m sorry, milady,” Lady Isla calls. “I’m so sorry, but I’m staying.”
