Rise of the Phoenix Queen: Fall of the Dragon King, #2

By Shaquilla Lunsford

Silivia spent a year training and fighting to locate a sister who not only blames her for her kidnapping, but also doesn't want to be saved. Deciding to let her sister go for now, Silivia turns to the challenge of securing a new home. The Kingdom of Rifka is her birth right, but it won't be so simple to take it back from the monarchy currently accompanying it. Determined to prove her claim to the throne, Silivia is given five trials to complete, each more difficult than the last, but it's not just her title that is at stake. The fate of Rifka, and Fenriel as a whole, is dependent on her success.

 

 If that wasn't enough, the tension between the two males she finds herself drawn to is coming to a head. Soon she may have no choice but to choose between the male who has always loved her, and the scarred male who used to be her enemy, but who may actually be her soulmate.

 

With hidden adversaries and soul crushing betrayal stalking her every step, will Silivia make it out with her rightful crown and true mate? Or will the world bring the Dragon King's Heir to her knees for good.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shaquilla Lunsford
• Release date: Jan 26, 2024
• ISBN: 9798989382620

Book preview

Also by Shaquilla Lunsford

Fall of the Dragon King Trilogy:

After the Fall of the Dragon King

Rise of the Phoenix Queen

DOUBT

IT HAUNTS US,

Makes us see every mistake

as the ultimate failure,

Makes us feel

less than those we look upon,

Makes us hesitate,

Makes us fearful,

Makes us small.

BUT YOU ARE AS STRONG as you believe.

Braver because of what you do

despite the fear.

A failure only when you remain on the ground.

Less only when you see yourself an ant

instead of the mountain you are.

DOUBT SAYS WHAT IF...

And watches you fall.

Faith says step anyways

And watch how you rise.

Prologue

DALACIA

Fresh blood dripped onto my room floor. The masters were not pleased with me. Despite how hard I had trained and all the missions I’d completed successfully, this one.... this one they were furious about. When they’d taken me so long ago from that mundane home, they’d told me I was the one they were searching for; that I had power greater than anyone had ever seen before.

"You are the lost princess, the lost heir, and with you we will rule this land."

That’s what they’d told me... until I’d failed every attempt to summon the power they wished. I had no training. My father had deemed me worthless and so neglected to teach me the ways of a warrior. I snarled at the thought of the countless months I spent in and out of the infirmary. The scars that crisscrossed along my back from the countless whippings, until finally, in a fit of rage and desperation, power erupted from me, turning my attacker to ash.

They loved me then, if only because I was their weapon. Now I had a purpose: to capture the one they really desired. Yet, when I fought her, I felt nothing of the so-called great power she was rumored to have. She was nothing but a weakling, and the more I thought about it, the irater I became thinking that she was the reason my parents were dead, and I was here.

My face twisted into a disgusted scowl as I studied the female in front of me. She only scowled back, her blue eyes flashing. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into the skin, steam rising from them. My blood boiled and sizzled as it hit the ground. I reveled in it as I smiled wickedly at the female in the mirror. If they wanted proof, fine. I would just have to kill my beloved sister and prove once and for all that I was the rightful heir.

Part I:

The Lost Princess

Chapter 1

I was the heir of fire and ice....

Wasn’t I?

SILIVIA

I jerked awake, sweat soaking my sheets, the scenes in my head still fresh even after a week. I sucked in several frantic breaths trying to get my heart rate to calm. I felt like I had run five miles through quicksand. Leaning back against my headboard, I gripped my head in my hands. What was I going to do? Flashes of cruel, angry blue eyes passed through my mind. Her red hilted dragon blades thirsty for my blood.

I took a shaky breath. I never would have guessed that I would attempt to save my sister, just to find she didn’t want to be saved. No, she blamed me for everything that had happened, and rightfully so. What had they done to her in the year we were apart? What lies had they spun to get her to gaze on me with such hatred? Or was that my fault too?

Stop, I admonished myself, yanking on my wayward thoughts. I’d already spent a year blaming myself and spending every waking moment worried about rescuing my sister. In the end, she’d chosen to stay, and at the moment there was nothing I could do about it. It wouldn’t do me any good to keep trying to live my life for her. I needed to start living it for me. It’s what my parents would have wanted.

But I will save you Dalacia, I whispered into the night. Someday, one way or another, I’ll bring you home.

First, I had to reclaim it.  

THE MORNING CAME FITFULLY. Despite attempting to get more sleep, my brain wouldn’t rest. If I was being honest, I was terrified. I was to travel to Rifka’s – the land of the winged – capital today, to the castle. Somehow, I had to convince the people there that I was the great King Fariel’s – my father – heir. It wasn’t going to be easy considering the late changeling king had disappeared into the human world over twenty years ago to be with my mother, something greatly looked down upon in this world of Fenriel. No one heard from him again until the Blood Clan, an organization bent on collecting as much power as they could, travelled to the human world, murdered him and my mother, and kidnapped my sister, thinking she was me. Demi-Fae that are raised in the human world aren’t supposed to develop abilities and are deemed simply humans around here, but since my father was one of the most powerful changeling kings ever known, it was expected that I would still inherit his abilities. Come to find out, I did have some, and entering this world in the very ring of birches my father left from meant my birthright was irrefutable – or at least it should be. But while I was the heir to Rifka’s throne, I would still need to fight for the right of the title.

With a final sigh and look around the room that I had been my home for the last few months, I grabbed my most prized possession. Black blades with golden hilts engraved with dragons shone as I slipped them into the sheaves at my side. They had been my father’s and were the only thing I had left from home. I made my way to the kitchen to find Master Marcus, Teslia, and Tyrian sitting at the table in a quiet discussion. They looked up at me as I approached.

Ah, you’ve finally decided to join us Cowgirl, Tyrian exclaimed, gesturing at the food. You almost went hungry. Tess and I both rolled our eyes as Marcus let out a soft chuckle.

Yeah, like I would let that happen, Tess scoffed, winking at me. I grinned back as I sat across from her and filled my plate.

Glad to know at least one person can think beyond his stomach, I teased, and Ty had the gall to appear insulted. I smiled. The two Resisti warriors had become my closest friends over the last several months, and I was sad to be saying goodbye to them. But it was probably for the best. Things with Tyrian had been a little tense since the incident in the Selondian Forest, where I had returned after days of searching for Ghost, his fellow brother-in-arms. I had yet to explain to him that my hesitation to officially be with him was because I was spiritbonded to Ghost. A bond that connected us in a way I still didn’t understand beyond the fact that I could feel his emotions and communicate mentally with him as I could my bonded dragon Celena.

I’m sure Tyrian simply meant he would have placed a plate aside for you, Master Marcus added, hiding his smile behind interlaced fingers even as his long white beard twitched. As one of the elders of the Resisti, an organization meant to compact the Blood Clan’s greed of power and destruction, he was the leader of this particular band of warriors. His training had been the first time I took the lessons of my father seriously. But despite how difficult Marcus’s training had been, they were second only to the brutal one I received from his second in command in the Selondian Forest this past winter.

I felt a hum down the silver bond in my core and my heart jumped. Speak of the devil. Soon, the owner of that hum strolled into the kitchen. His golden eyes framed by his now longer, but still disheveled, black hair always caught my attention first. He was in his usual black tunic and pants with golden trimmings that hid nothing of the lean, muscular warrior underneath, and his twin wolf blades were strapped crisscrossed on his back. His black mist twisted at his feet, and the aura of power that always followed him sucked the air from the room. With the bond acknowledged, I could feel the extent of Ghost’s power much clearer than I ever could before. If he was ever to fully let the raging darkness within his core loose, I had no doubt it would reveal he was the true alpha in this room, not the white haired elder. It was already a given even with a self-enforced leash on Ghost’s power. I knew it was out of respect that he still answered to Marcus at all. The elder had taken him, as well as Ty and Tess, in after their familial tragedies, and trained them into the warriors they were today.

Ghost’s eyes found mine first as he made his way to the table, and a small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. My stomach did a flip and I quickly glanced away. I was still getting used to his more relaxed, teasing demeanor. Something Tess had told me was just as common as the fierce, furious male I was familiar with. After spending almost a year at each other’s throats, to feel anything but loathing and disgust from him was jarring, but we shared the same pain, and in the end, that similarity had caused us to make peace with each other... and start making peace with the past.

What? You started without me? Ghost said, glaring pointedly at Tyrian. Ty only shrugged. I could feel an undercurrent of tension still between them that I tried to ignore. Apparently, so did they.

You snooze, you lose mate. Ghost snorted and sat down beside me. He continued his banter with Ty as he filled his plate.

"You okay?" I started, and glanced sidelong at him, but Ghost’s attention was still on his brother-in-arms.

"Yes," I answered tentatively.

"Liar." I fought the snarl forming on my face, but despite the relaxed look on his, I could feel the worry radiating down the silver bond.

Silivia, are you ready to head to Rifka today? I tensed, gripping my fork in my hand so tightly, it left an imprint in my palm.

"Easy." I swallowed, trying to dislodge the rock choking me.

Yeah, it’s going to be a blast, I answered sarcastically. Marcus gave me a sympathetic look.

I know it’s a daunting endeavor, but if you still wish to take it on, we are at your disposal.

What do you mean? I frowned. Teslia and Tyrian glanced at each other and then gave me broad grins. Wait, you guys are coming too?

Of course. You didn’t think we would send you to face those knuckleheaded bureaucrats alone, did you? Tess winked at me. I stared at her aghast.

Really?

We wouldn’t miss it for the world! Ty added. Plus, you need full time guards for the amount of trouble you tend to attract. Poor Ghost here might want a break every now and again. I grimaced at the reminder of exactly all the trouble I’d gotten into over the last year. Grigors and hogars popped into my head, and I shuddered. Ghost snorted.

I can handle myself just fine, he reminded Ty, his signature black mist twisting higher in confirmation. Tess and I shook our heads at Ty’s answering grin.

Want to bet?

Sooo, I said, cutting off what was bound to be a tussle for male dominance. You’re all coming? Tess nodded.

All but Master Marcus. I turned to the elder, who inclined his head.

Tyrian is correct. The Rifka court is not a place to go without backup, especially with the attacks there becoming more common. They will go as your guards, and Ghost will continue your training. You will need it to face whatever is thrown your way, and like any muscle, it must be used to be strengthened.

I looked from one to the other. Is it really going to be that bad? I’d heard about the attacks that included dragon napping and killing of pegasus, but I wasn’t sure why it would affect this trip. It wasn’t like the attacks had been on Fae, and they had no reason to hunt for me. Only those in this room, and my sister, knew who I actually was.

Have you ever been around court politics? Tess asked. I shook my head, wondering if it was as complicated as politics in the human world.

Yeah, it’ll be that bad.

Oh great, I thought, glaring at the ceiling. Sighing, I turned to them again. Well, sounds like we better get going then. Teslia and Tyrian grinned at me in answer. Ghost said nothing, but I felt his dark power stroke my own.

IT WAS EARLY EVENING when we finally reached the edge of the forest surrounding Rifka, having traveled through the protected area of Marcus’s domain – which tended to shift locations as needed. We would have to travel through Rifka to the capital protected at its heart.

I stared up at the massive cedar trees mixed in with maple and oak, realizing this forest spoke to me just as much the Selondian Forest– even without the snow. It seemed to call to me, welcoming me as we strolled in between the massive trunks.

Is the entire kingdom of Rifka within this forest? I asked Tes, who rode to my right on a pretty brown mare. My own appaloosa mare snorted as Tess shifted closer to us.

Yes, this is the forest which helps protect it, she answered, looking up at the canopy above us. We’ll be out of it in a day or so depending on how often we rest, and then you’ll get to see the rest of Rifka, including all the winged beasts who call it home. She winked at me with a knowing smile.

Anticipation and fear curled in my stomach. It wasn’t that I necessarily feared the beasts she spoke of, but during my time in Fenriel, it seemed everything was out to kill me, and I’d already met some of the winged who called Rifka home. I stared up past the canopy to the dark figure flying high above. I could barely make out her color from here, but the bond that thrummed within me told me Celena, my midnight blue dragon with silver eyes and wings, was flying overhead. She, along with the rest of my companions’ dragons had been circling back and forth as guards.

Rifka was home to the Fanged mountains, where the dragons lived in the caves in its highest peaks, but it was also home to other terrain that homed creatures such as the hippogriff, a creature with the head and talons of an eagle, but body of a horse, and the similar griffin, whose body was of a lion instead. There were of course pegasus and various other bird like creatures I’d never heard of before. And that was only a few examples of what lived here. Even the Fae embodied all things dealing with flying. Teslia had explained as we travelled that some preferred to be in the form of the beasts they considered to be superior, either fully or with certain aspects such as the claws or wings. Some even preferred the homes of the winged, living in houses that floated in the sky or caverns lit by glow worms.

Still working on wrapping my head around the place I was supposed to be the heir of, I stared ahead towards the two males riding in front of us. Although they both wore all black with equally deadly weapons at their backs, my eyes went to the one on the right first. Of course, he had chosen a black stallion to ride. I tried not to stare at how the muscles of his back and arms under his short-sleeved tunic shifted as he moved with the horse. My eyes stopped at the tattoo of the ancient Fae language shaped like the infinity symbol on his right wrist, symbolizing one who was an ally to the winged. I bit my lip and dragged my eyes away before it trailed over the rest of him. Those muscles only served to remind me that he was more than capable of wielding his deadly howling blades with as much efficiency as he could the darkness he possessed. I sucked in a breath as I felt a tinge of the darkness stroke the silver bond within me, trying not to squirm from the thrill it sent through me.

"See something you like," came the cocky whisper. My cheeks heated, but I narrowed my eyes at his back.

"No!" I could feel his chuckle, and I could have sworn his body shifted slightly with it. I glared at his back again and faced the male beside him. If Ghost eluded at immense power, then the spikey, bronzed-haired Tyrian with large, broad shoulders was the muscle man. What he lacked in magic, he held in sheer strength. Plus, his tracking skills knew no parallel. He preferred the massive broadsword that was strapped down the middle of his back to twin blades, but it was no less deadly. No one could doubt that either were seasoned warriors, no less than the fierce and beautiful female riding beside me. Unlike the males, she liked more color in her outfits. She was currently sporting a hunter green colored tunic and pants. It was due to her that my own clothes tended to flow from color to color. Although, more often than not, I wore black with either blue or gold accents or trimmings. Blue because of my favorite color, but it didn’t take a genius to know why she often chose gold as well. Every time I’d asked her why she bought me clothes similar to the dark male in front of us, she only gave me a knowing smile and changed the subject.

Her preferred weapons were her bow and elongating staff, but considering she could knock the males in front of me on their butt with a gust of wind, I wouldn’t say that was her only ones.

I smirked to myself, remembering Tess doing just that when Ty attempted to catch her unawares the other day. Let’s just say no one besides the table he had landed on and broken was more surprised than him.

What are you laughing about over there, Tess asked, a smile teasing her lips.

Ohhh nothing, I replied grinning, with a head gesture towards Tyrian and a wave of my hand mimicking her wind. She laughed, instantly catching on, and the males shifted in front of us. Ty turned to glance at us over his shoulder.

What are you two giggling about? He raised a brow when Tess and I only grinned broadly at each other.

Ohhh nothing, we sang in unison, and then burst into laughter. He frowned.

Why do I feel like this is at my expense? He glared at Tess. "You two are talking about what I think you’re talking about aren’t you?

"Considering we were simply laughing, I don’t think we were talking about anything." He bared his teeth at her, his canines flashing, and I giggled.

Don’t worry Ty, I assured him, "your manhood is not in question." Tess almost fell off her horse from cackling, and I was sure Ghost’s shoulders shook with his own laughter now. I could sense amusement down the bond.

Ty stared at me in disbelief, and I wiped the tears from my face as my sides ached.

SOON THE SUN SET, AND we stopped for the night near a small outcropping of grass for the horses. The dragons had flown off to either hunt or explore the area. Flying to keep up with us on horses was most likely a boring endeavor for them. With my ability to call for Celena over long distances, it was safe for them to wander off for a bit. Tyrian was still grumpy as he started a small fire. Teslia and I mumbling quietly to each other as we brushed the horses didn’t help. I grew silent as we finished, thoughts of the tension between the males, tugging at my mind.

Are you okay? I jolted as I glanced at Tess. I’d stopped brushing, and she was watching me with a worried expression. I opened my mouth to say I was, but no sound came out. She glanced towards the fire where Ghost leaned against a tree whittling, and Ty sat by the flames roasting jackalopes for dinner. She glanced back at me and signaled for me to follow her. She led us deeper into the woods until it was unlikely either male could hear us.

What’s going on Silivia? You’ve been unnaturally quiet since the Selondian Forest, and while I know a part of it is most likely due to your sister, something tells me it also has to do with the reason I had to blast the males apart. I looked away into the forest, the gentle breeze pushing tendrils of my curly hair across my face.

It’s...complicated, I whispered, rubbing a hand down my arm. She tilted her head. She moved to sit down on a fallen log and indicated I should join her. Sighing, I sat down beside her, but continued staring out at the trees.

Take your time, she encouraged. We sat there in silence for several moments as I tried to get my thoughts together.

We’re spiritbonded, I whispered finally.

You and Ghost? She didn’t sound surprised, and I glanced at her. She waited calmly for me to answer.

Yes.

When did you figure it out? When had I figured it out? I knew long before the night I’d run after Ghost, but I’d felt it solidify in my core then.

A couple weeks ago, he took me to Spirit Mountain. She nodded. She must know the place I meant. I...I looked into the Reflection Pool, and I saw a golden eyed dyrewolf. Shivers ran through me, making goosebumps bubble along my skin. Spirit Mountain was set in its own dimension and only welcomed certain people within it. Those who could enter were shown their true selves and to whom they were bonded. The last thing I had expected was the golden eyed dyrewolf that had appeared by my side in the water. Especially since normal dyrewolves had silver eyes.

I didn’t think much of it. Not as a phoenix made of blue flames rose above the pool. I just figured it was a representation of the animals I’d been encountering. I took a shaky breath. I realized it later, when Ghost told me his spirit animal and I saw the dyrewolves he made with his mist, but I didn’t really accept it until I found him at his childhood home. Tess frowned, and I explained how Ghost had run off for days after having a nightmare that he would kill me with his darkness. I’d found him at the place of his pain, and only after acknowledging we were spiritbonded had I been able to calm him and convince him to return to his cabin in the Selondian Forest.

Wow, Tess breathed. That explains a lot. I raised my brows in surprise. About why you two have always been at each other’s throats, she explained. You’re mirror images of each other. Plus, with your snow and ice and his mist and darkness, you’re basically ying and yang. I always thought you had some kind of connection. She grinned broadly at me with a wink.

Really? You think we’re ying and yang, I asked dubiously.

Of course! Why do you think you two are drawn to each other despite your animosity? My eyes widened.

There’s no attraction between us though, I insisted. We’re just spiritbonded liked Celena and I. Tess raised a brow skeptically.

Silivia, there is no way in hell your bond to Ghost is anything like the one with your dragon. I shook my head, my eyes wide.

You’re wrong. Ghost doesn’t feel anything for me but the camaraderie from being bonded in our experiences. He may hate me less, but that’s it. I could tell she didn’t believe me, and honestly, I couldn’t tell whether the knots forming in my stomach was because I wanted it to be a lie, or because I feared it to be true.

"And what do you feel?" she pushed, leaning towards me.

I... What did I feel? I didn’t hate him, and I couldn’t deny the slight attraction I felt towards him, not when we’d kissed not one, but two times now. Three if you counted the brush of his lips on mine after he taught me to create snow animals. Of course, the first had been a fit of adrenaline after almost drowning in the rapids, and the second time.... well, that had just been the intensity of discovering we were bonded. But besides that, we were barely friends. He still drove me crazy with his boorish attitude and ruthless approach to meeting expectations.

I don’t know, I finished lamely.

Maybe start with that. Allow time for you two to figure out just what it means to be spiritbonded, and who you are to each other besides loathing and the pain you share. She was right. We needed to learn more about each other beyond the masks that had been worn the last year. I couldn’t really begrudge the brutal, merciless warrior Ghost had become. He’d had centuries to walk in the darkness of his memories, and while it felt like a lifetime to me, my world had only been turned upside down for just over a year. Despite the softening of malice between us the last few months, a small part of me still wondered if Ghost would ever look at me the way his brother-in-arms did. I sucked in a breath, brushing my hair out of my face.

And what about Tyrian, I asked. The tension between them was going to be unbearable. Tess considered for a moment. The gentle breeze ruffled loose strands of her long, wavy black hair that was half in a bun and half laying down her back. I loved how it stood out so vividly against her olive skin and hazel eyes.

Be straight up with him. Tell him you need time to figure out what’s going on between you and him, and you and Ghost. He’ll understand. Would he? I’d seen the way he’d competed with Ghost the last few months, even if I couldn’t figure out how the latter felt about it. I’d seen the look of betrayal on Tyrian’s face when I’d come back with his brother-in-arms, and it’d been plain something had changed between Ghost and me. But I nodded, hoping maybe it would be that simple.

Regardless, I’m here if you ever need to talk, she added softly. Or if you want to knock them on their asses. She winked and I chuckled. As we rejoined the males at the campsite, I considered what she said. I owed it to myself to see what this was with Ghost before I decided anything. No one said I had to decide right away. Who knows, maybe I would finally become friends with the dark male.

That night I slept fitfully, golden eyed wolves and angry azure eyes haunting me. As I slipped deeper into my consciousness, images of wings and blood clouded my dreams, causing me to toss and turn. I woke up the next morning with an overwhelming feeling of dread, unsure of why.

Chapter 2

Take me back to simpler days

where I was just me

and you were just you.

SILIVIA

A little more than a day later found us leaving the protected canopy of the forest. I sucked in a breath at the sight of the rolling hills peppered with trees before me.

To the northwest, on the opposite end of Rifka, you’ll find the Fanged Mountains, Tyrian said from where he rode beside me, indicating the massive mountains that I could see even from this far away. Teslia and Ghost were not far behind us. I glanced at Ty, relieved he was talking to me like he normally would. To the northeast, not far from the sea lays the Valley of Whispers. Rifka’s capital, Aurevel sits in the center and of course you know the Selondian Forest is to the west of us. Just east of us lays the other major forest here, The Forest of Dreams.

And the corners? I asked, looking in the directions he indicated as if I could see the other locations from here. More rolling hills and trees met my gaze.

Southeast is the Silent Hills and to the southwest lays a group of natural hot springs called the Pools of Reverence. Of course, you’re familiar with the forest we’ve just left. It circles everything I’ve just mentioned and is simply called the Shielded Forest. Scattered throughout Rifka are smaller cities and villages. I wouldn’t be surprised if we pass some of the inhabitants and winged creatures of the land soon.

My mind was a whirlwind as I tried to absorb the odd names and the locations of everything as we rode past acres of farms and a village or two. I stared at the simple styles of housing that ranged from cabins to huts as we passed, as infatuated with them as I was the various creatures who called them home. One village was entirely made up of toros, creatures with the horns of bulls that could readily transform into one, especially when provoked. We made sure to skirt the edge of their village. Toros like minotaurs – creatures with the heads of bulls that remained in that halfway state – were quick to anger.

How many different winged creatures live here, I asked as he pointed out a city in the distance supposedly home to Fae that favored the wings of bats and were active at night. Apparently they only ate raw meat, believing it to be tasteless otherwise. I shivered, wondering if they were the inspiration behind vampires in the human world.

Ty shrugged. Who knows. Someone most likely counted at some point, but I don’t remember the number.

Nor would he, Tess laughed, riding up on my other side. Tyrian was known for taking naps during our history lessons.

Hey! It’s not my fault they were always so boring, he complained with a pout. We both chuckled.

We spent the better part of the next couple of days riding through the hills. We passed by a few more farms along the way, and I tried not to stare at the Fae who would stop their work to watch us pass. They looked like normal people minus the elongated ears, and it wowed me to see them doing such mundane tasks. I watched one on horseback leading a flock of cows with twisted horns, a giant dog larger than a great dane – that honestly looked more like a young dyrewolf – nipping at their feet. Another I found trimming the top of a tree that grew in the middle of their house. While yet another coxed what appeared to be a group of brown, cat sized deer with tiny wings and a small round head like those of the Chinese water deer – that Tyrian said were called dileks – into a pen.

I blinked. Okay so maybe not so mundane, and after careful examination, I noticed other characteristics beyond the ears. Some had horns or antlers twisting up from their hair. Others the tails of different animals such as foxes or wolves; these I knew were foxlings or wolflings – Fae that favored the attributes of those animals. But the most common trait was the sheer amount of various wing types, from the tiny, translucent wings of a pixie to the giant feathered ones of a changeling. Considering we were in the kingdom of the winged, it made perfect sense.

I eventually found myself at the back of the group as I slowed to study the land that was to be my home. I had wanted to stretch my legs, so I guided my mare alongside me. Ghost and Teslia were several yards ahead of us and cresting a hill when I realized it was Tyrian who had slowed to dismount beside me. I lifted my eyes from a batch of blood red flowers which reminded me of peonies. I peeked at his side profile without turning my head. He stared ahead at where our companions had disappeared from view. As if sensing my gaze, his eyes shot to mine. They were wary at my contemplative stare.

What is it? he asked carefully. I swallowed. I hadn’t planned on having this conversation like this, but it was just us, so what did it hurt.

Are...are we okay? I asked tentatively. He didn’t say anything for a few seconds.

Are we Cowgirl? My heart jumped at his nickname for me. I took a deep breath.

It doesn’t feel like we are, I replied softly. Is it something I did?

Not you. He sounded so bitter that a block of ice filled my stomach. Every part of me wanted to let it go, but I knew it wasn’t going to solve anything if we pretended there wasn’t a wall between us.

This has nothing to do with him, I started. Tyrian threw me a nasty look, his hands tense around his reins.

No? You sure? Seems like he went from treating you like something he wanted to squelch under his boot to suddenly giving a damn. Last time I checked, I was the one who picked you up every time he kicked you down, and now you want to me to believe he suddenly feels differently? Suddenly you want to forget everything he did? Forgive me if I call bullshit, he spat. I flinched. Okay, so we weren’t fine.

It’s not like that, Ty. You of all people should know that, I insisted.

"I know him, and I know he has an inherent distaste for anything that is even remotely human and definitely anything he deems a waste of his time. Yeah, he’ll follow orders, but best believe there has been others he’s made it very clear to how worthless they are. His eyes flashed as he spat on the ground. It doesn’t help Teslia is of the same opinion of them as he is. At least she would give them a chance. Maybe I’m just more tolerant since I’ve never had the power they have."

My stomach twisted with the disgust of which he spoke. Do you hate that you don’t have those abilities? I asked quietly. He shot me another disapproving look.

At one time maybe, but no. One of us has to represent the little folk. I still sensed such bitterness in his words. And before you ask, no, neither of them has ever treated me less because of it. What I lack in power, I make up for in other ways.

Why do you make it sound like he’s incapable of caring then? He stiffened, then sighed.

It’s not that. He’s just incapable of making any kind of real connection with a female...and most people. I felt my stomach drop to the ground, but he continued. "I.... I think losing the two most important ones in his life made it impossible for him to open himself up that way again. He does care a lot, and that is why his animosity is so strong. I think in a way the weakness of human halflings reminds him of just how powerless he was to stop what happened." My heart clenched as I recognized the truth behind Tyrian’s speculation.

He peered up at the trees as we passed under them. "I know he cares for Teslia and