Page 120 of Song of Her Siren

I shared a look with Helian before climbing onto Isa’s back.

“We’ll be back soon,” Helian called to Finn as he jumped on Radnor’s back.

The dragon pair launched into the sky, the draft from their wings causing ripples in the water below. The children’s squeals of laughter echoed as Triss splashed them with her tail while Finn supervised.

I couldn’t deny it felt amazing to break free on the back of Isa with Helian and Radnor nearby while the wind blew my hair. As the dragons soared above the town, I spied nests of other dragons on the beach. They were lazing in the sun, too tired and lazy to come fly with us. I inwardly cringed when I saw piles of wyvern skulls near their nests. Hopefully, they got their fill, because they wouldn’t be dining on wyvern again. Fortunately, I didn’t see any wyvern spirits, which meant they’d passed beyond the veil. Squinting against the sun, I spotted a camp of hundreds of tents along a ridge, far beyond the other side of the dunes.

I caught Helian’s eye as he glared toward the camp.

They don’t belong there, he projected to me.

I know, I answered grimly.

They are an army without a king.Radnor’s deep voice echoed like a gong in my ears.A shame, because we could use them in this demon war.

Helian’s cheeks flushed as he looked away.

There will be time to address that later, Isa interjected, a note of pity laced in her voice.For now, we need to hide the town. Are you ready, Goddess?

Yes, I answered, magic pooling in my fingers, though I couldn’t stop thinking that Radnor was right. We needed the dragon army, the army needed a king, and the only logical choice was Helian. What would that mean for our family? I didn’t think Finn or Ash would be welcomed to join them. And I knew they wouldn’t want to join the army, either, not after what they’d done to Lupine.

Rub my neck, Isa instructed.

Do you have an itch?

Her deep chuckle reverberated my bones.No, Goddess. It’s where you’ll find your strength.

I arched a brow as the wind whipped my hair across my face.I’ve never heard of that.

Just try it.

I released the tension in my neck and shoulders, focusing on the magic that buzzed in my veins, made stronger after hugging and kissing Finn. When I released my hold on the pommel and rubbed Isa’s neck, the strangest thing happened. The tingling in my fingers magnified tenfold. It was like the feel of her scales awakened a well within me. Why hadn’t she told me this before?

Because it also drains my energy, she projected to me, as if she’d been reading my thoughts, her voice a lazy, slow drawl as she soared lower and slower over the town.

Oh, Isa. I didn’t know.

It’s fine, Goddess. You have my strength. Now use it.

And so I did. Magic poured from my fingers, dusting the town below as I imagined nothing but an endless shoreline of rolling dunes and undulating waves. No boardwalk. No clapboard buildings. No dock with rocking ships. Just a vast, empty beach.

By the time we landed on the beach, the town had disappeared, and I was slumped over Isa’s back, completely drained of my energy. Isa splayed across the sand, letting out a blubbery snore. Radnor sat protectively beside his mate and whimpering child, growling at other dragons who popped up their heads from behind dunes.

I thought I heard startled voices crying out, but I was too tired to care.

Finn and Helian helped me from Isa’s back, and Finn carried me across the dunes.

“What about Abyssus and the shifters?” I mumbled, forgetting the name of the shifter town.

“They can wait,” Finn rumbled.

I didn’t want to wait. I wanted to save everyone now. My wretched fatigue. Why was I so tired all the time? Was this all from the pregnancy? I didn’t remember being this tired when I was pregnant with the twins. Then again, I had never used this much magic before.

I rested my head against his broad chest.Do you know where you’re going?

A shifter knows, he answered.

Good, I murmured before giving into my fatigue and closing my eyes.

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