Page 57 of Crown and Dragon

“What is going on?”

“Was that really a dragon or part of the magic?”

“Are you Unseelie, Durniad? Are you Fae?”

“Someone bring him down here to explain himself!”

Flustered, Durniad ignored the yelling and focused on Tahlia. She couldn’t exactly remain in the water and no doubt Ragewing had to leave the city and find someone to patch him up. So she thought she might as well go along with the guards.

She swam over to them. “Fine. You have me. But be aware, fellas. The big red boy up there isn’t the only dragon I know. And I’m pretty sure Big Red will return fairly soon and he will be powerfully angry.”

The guards grabbed her under the arms and hauled her out of the slanted riverside. To their credit, though they paled at her warning, they held her tightly and didn’t make a sound to give away their fear.

“Listen, I’m half-human. I am a lot like you. You can see this Durniad arsehead is a complete wreck of a person, right? Why follow him? The crowd is behind us. Let’s overthrow him right now. It’ll be fun!”

“Shut it, woman,” the guard on her right snapped.

“Don’t act like you’re not thinking about it,” she whispered as they dragged her toward their fool of a boss.

Durniad’s dark blond hair stuck to his sweating forehead. He pointed at Tahlia with a thick forefinger. “I have a delightful surprise for you, my dear.”

“I seriously doubt my reaction is going to match your expectations.”

“No, you don’t understand.”

“I don’t comprehend you? I agree.”

The madman chuckled and came close. Tahlia could break out of these guards’ sad little hold on her arms, but it would be smarter to wait for a better moment to escape. Granted, said adventure would need to happen before they locked her into a dungeon somewhere or lopped off her head or whatever sick stuff Durniad had planned for her.

“I am going to make you my queen.”

Tahlia’s mouth fell open. She nodded slowly and exhaled. “I have news that’s going to disappoint you, good sir.”

He frowned, then one of the guards holding Tahlia said,“She’s mated to that Fae male on the dragon, my king.”

Durniad waved off the man’s words like they were annoying gnats. “We aren’t in the Realm of Lights now, are we? We are in the human world. I can be her human husband. We will wash that Fae side right out of her.”

“Why in the name of all the gods would you want to wed me? I loathe you. And let’s get really honest here. I could kill you. Pretty easily.”

A laugh boomed from Durniad as they started down the steps of the festival stage. Durniad must have ordered more guards into the streets because the crowd was breaking up now under the strike of clubs, swords, and fists.

“You entertain me, lady. Now, what is your name?”

“Why don’t you call me whatever you like since you seem to think you’re a god.”

“I am rather like one, aren’t I? Fully in control of my fate despite setbacks. I am unbeatable even without the crown.”

“Are you though? Because my mate isn’t finished with this fight. I can promise you that.”

He chuckled again—a disgusting sound that included a sort of wheeze—and led his men forward. Tahlia didn’t tug at her captors, but instead, she let them carry her along, giving herself some rest. She’d be slipping away shortly and she needed the energy to run and climb.

“Well, if I am going to be your sweetheart, maybe you could give me some food? I’m starving.”

“Of course!” Durniad smiled at her over his thick shoulder. “You’ll have everything you want. You’ll be a queen. We will reign here on the off-seasons.”

“Off-seasons of what?”

He lifted a hand. His sleeve fell back and a pirate’s inking showed—this particular rendition being a skull and a sword. “Pirating, of course.”

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