Page 54 of Crown and Dragon

“This would honestly be hilarious if they weren’t trying to beat us up and hand us to an all-powerful madman,” she whispered.

Marius grunted, his gaze darting to the buildings surrounding them. “Let’s climb.”

“Don’t have to tell me twice.” Tahlia grabbed the closest downspout and began scrambling up the side of a tailor’s shop.

Using his full Fae strength and agility, Marius jumped onto a low balcony, then reached up to swing onto a second balcony above that one. Soon, they were both on the roof, looking down at the nightmare this day had become.

The people of the city lifted their heads as one to watch Marius and Tahlia. Durniad stood on one of the many temporary wooden stages the city had erected for the festival. The crown shimmered on his brow and he lifted a bronze speaking tube to his lips.

“Climb, you idiots!” Durniad shouted. “Shoot arrows at them if you can. Just don’t kill them. Not yet!”

“Can they do that? I mean, with half-human blood, I can’t do what you did on those balconies. They are fully human; surely they can’t scale this…”

Her words faded from her tongue as a slender brown-haired human man began to climb the building next to the one they were on. He used the jutting spots of plaster and planks of wood support to rise higher and higher. Slowly but surely, more followed the man. They would be overrun in a matter of minutes.

“Marius. Listen. I broke the crown’s hold on my mind by reminding myself who I was. I pushed the urge to obey the crown away. Maybe I can help everyone do that too?”

“They’re human. You have Fae blood. You were able to do that because of your Fae blood.”

“I don’t think so. I think it was my human blood fighting something that threatened its freedom. Humans enjoy doing exactly what they want to do.”

“And Fae don’t?”

“Fae are more instinctive. Don’t you agree?”

Marius tipped his head to one side and shrugged. The movement meant he saw her point but didn’t love it.

“I’m going to talk to them.” She stepped even closer to the front edge of the building.

Marius was right beside her. “They will be here in a moment. We must figure out a way across to the building behind us. Just there. Then perhaps we can find a way to the city wall and down.”

“And maybe I’ll sprout wings. Come on, Marius. We are completely toasted here. No chance unless I make this work.”

“Tahlia.”

Tahlia paused, the tone in his voice tugging at her heart. “What’s really wrong? You’re acting off.” She spoke quickly. They were about to be overrun with attackers, so there really wasn’t time for this, but… “Something is bothering you. I mean, aside from all this.” Waving her hand around, she indicated their current situation.

“You don’t realize how simultaneously weak and evil humans are.”

That actually hurt a bit. “I think I do. I am half one of them.”

He shook his head like there was a bee in his ear. “You’re not truly, though. When they killed Bellona…” His throat moved and his eyes shuttered briefly.

Her chest went tight and she gripped his forearm. “Oh.” She finally understood what he’d been dealing with during this mission. “Marius, you know, deep down, that the humans are good and bad and everything in between. Just as the Fae are. We are all faulty and kind and cruel and beautiful. We are all complicated creatures.”

He exhaled roughly, his gaze going to the ledge. “We can talk more when we aren’t in mortal danger.”

“Agreed.” Not waiting for him to say more, she lifted her arms. “Hello, humans! I am half-human and I’ve enjoyed watching you embrace life in all its messy glory. Break the hold Durniad has on you by reminding yourself that you are you and you have the freedom to do exactly as you see fit. Find your center. Imagine pushing Durniad’s magical influence away from you.”

A few here and there blinked and frowned as if they were hearing her, but not quite understanding. She repeated her words.

“No tyrant will control us! No tyrant will control us!” She shouted the phrase again and again and soon the festival-drunk crowd was echoing her, joining in on the chant, their faces clearing of enchantment and showing anger as they turned to face Durniad.

Marius stood beside Tahlia, his mouth parted in shock.

Tahlia squeezed his hand. “They are not the villains here. They are victims.”

Nodding, Marius stared and stared.

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