Page 19 of Crown of Slumber

He rolled his eyes. “Ican’tlie, remember? It was a hunch. You seemed very protective of your dragons, so I figured you’d come here.”

“Of course I’m protective of them, when bastards like you show up under false pretenses.”

“I never lied to you!”

“You deceived me,” I snarled. “It makes no difference if the words coming from your lips were lies or not. They were misleading. If you wanted to negotiate me, you should have been forthcoming from the beginning.”

He huffed a dry laugh. “Would you have listened?”

I didn’t answer. Instead, I turned to Mal, prepared to climb on him bareback. I didn’t care if his scales would leave me bruised and sore tomorrow; there was no time to fetch the saddle.

“Princess, let mehelp,” Fennick urged.

“Go to hell!” I snapped. “You come into my kingdom, put my people in an enchanted sleep, and then expect me to trust you to help rectify the situation? This is your last warning to leave the Summer Court before I let my dragons have you.”

Kade would wake soon, and she had a nasty temper. If she found the Midnight Prince lingering by the nesting grounds, she wouldn’t hesitate to attack. I almost smiled at the thought.

I lifted one leg before swinging onto Mal’s back. He had lowered himself to the ground to allow me to climb on, but the sharp edges of his scales still dug into my legs, even through my cotton skirts.

I was about to spur him into action when a shout from behind stopped me.

“I swear on my blood and the entire Mardion bloodline that I had nothing to do with this sleeping enchantment that has befallen your kingdom, nor did I know it would occur!”

My nostrils flared as I looked over my shoulder at the prince, prepared to tell him just what he could do with his false promises. But when I saw the trickle of blood running down his palm, I faltered.

Fae bargains were binding. But swearing in blood was the holiest and deadliest of vows. It could not be altered. It could not be undone.

My mouth fell open, and I couldn’t form a response. Fennick’s face was rigid with determination, the sword in his hand still oozing droplets of his own blood.

“And I swear on my blood,” he continued, stepping toward me, “that Iamhere to help. Not to deceive.”

“You are here to negotiate,” I argued. “You said it yourself.”

“That was my original purpose in coming here. But in this moment, your kingdom is in dire need of help. Do you deny it?”

I said nothing.

“Right now, I am the only person able to assist you.” His eyes burned with intensity.

I swallowed, my throat dry. He was right. And yet… “You are only offering help to earn favor with me for your negotiations.”

“Perhaps. But wouldn’t you like to end this animosity between our kingdoms for good? All it takes is one act of good faith. Whether or not you decide to discuss terms with me in the future, I am here to help. I will not revoke that help if you decide you still despise me.”

I chewed on my lower lip, considering his words, searching for a loophole or a phrase that could be twisted against me. He had a good point. Especially if I hoped to acquire stardust to save Azure. Perhaps if we took this step to smooth things over between our kingdoms, it would be easier for me to ask for a favor to help the hatchling.

“Do I need to slash open my other palm?” Fennick said impatiently.

“No,” I said. My gaze slid to the emerald spires jutting out from the other side of the trees. Inside, my entire family lay asleep, unable to be roused. How long before the kingdom fell apart? How long before the other courts noticed and attacked?

Our dragons had been coveted for centuries. All it would take was one whiff that something was amiss in the Summer Court, and our foes would come running.

My eyes narrowed as I looked at Fennick again. He would only need to send word to his ruthless mother, and their armies would be on my doorstep.

“Fine,” I said at last. “Come with me.”

Fennick’s eyebrows lifted. Clearly, he hadn’t expected me to agree. “I shall fetch my horse.”

“There is no time,” I snapped. “There is room for us both on Mal.”

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