Page 227 of A Dawn of Gods & Fury

“The truth.”

“And if any of them have an issue with it, we will gladly collect them from safety and let them witness what our realms are about to face,” Zander adds cooly.

Footfalls sound, and a moment later, Lord Telor appears, shuffling forward with the support of his cane. “We will be ready by sunrise.”

Elisaf trails behind, his stoic protector.

“Where will all the people go if the Saur’goths breach the wall?” I ask.

“Into the keep. Your stone casters have built us an impressive new locking mechanism that, I hope, will hold.”

It’s better than nothing, I guess. “I wish I could get them all to Ulysede. They would be safe there.”

“It is a kind thought, Your Highness, even if it is impossible.” He pats my shoulder in a fatherly way. “Do we know how far the enemy is?”

“We were just about to fly out and check,” Zander confirms. “I am anxious to know if Malachi and Sofie have joined them. If we can get close enough to find them without being struck by ballistae.”

“About that, I had an idea earlier.” Elisaf taps his mouth with his index finger. “Your Highness, you cloaked fifteen of us the other night.”

“Yeah …” Where’s he going with this?

“Could you cloak a dragon?”

70

Sofie

“Should I have brought my love a carriage to lie in?” Malachi mocks, watching me squirm in my saddle.

“No, Your Highness. I am well.” The sharp burn in my backside from last night’s trials has faded to a dull ache after a day of riding. Gratefully, no one else was involved to witness my humiliation or face his wrath. “How long before we reach the battleground?”

“The front of the line should arrive by midday tomorrow.”

An endless sea of Saur’goths leads us forward, speckled here and there with reluctant beasts hauling weapons on their backs. The villages in their path have been all but destroyed, buildings burned and bodies strewn, some missing limbs that have no doubt made it into the meal cart. But it is the females of childbearing age that twist my stomach in knots. I spot the odd one peeking through windows of the few remaining houses as we pass, their clothing torn and faces bloodied. Others are dragged into the nearby woods, out of the way of the main army so these demon warriors can spill their vile seed without interruption.

I can sense their racing heartbeats.

Their terror.

Given what Malachi said of his warriors’ dual purpose, I imagine these mortals will wish for death before long, once they see what they have birthed.

And I helped accomplish all of this.

Forgive me, Elijah.

Those words are a constant silent prayer these days.

My listless gaze is ahead, dwelling on these dark thoughts, when the indigo dragon appears out of thin air. I have just enough time to shield us before its fire rains down, carving a path of destruction. The flames are so intense, I buckle under its pressure.

And then the dragon climbs into the sky.

With a cry of rage, I lash out, releasing a bolt of fire that disintegrates against its shield.

In its clutches are two figures—the exiled king and a raven-haired female. Romeria.

“She was aiming for us,” Malachi sneers, taking in the hundreds of scorched bodies, the Saur’goths on the edges writhing in pain, burned to various degrees. He’s right—there is no way that was coincidental. She knew exactly where we were.

She tried to kill Elijah.

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