Page 140 of Song of Her Siren

Stumbling to my feet, I draped the sack with my rabbits over my shoulder when a midnight black and a deep crimson dragon landed opposite us, snarling as their riders jumped off their backs.

Prince.Radnor’s growl reverberated in my skull.We have a problem.

Helian struggled to stand, thanking Finn when he helped him up. “What is it?”

Two of Ivar’s cronies are demanding justice, Radnor said as two beefy dragon riders approached us, swords drawn.They say you broke the rider code.

Still in his imposing monster shifter form, Finn stepped between us, snarling at the riders like a rabid dog.

I rubbed Finn’s furry arm, worrying he would pounce on the riders and then get eaten by their dragons. No doubt these friends of Ivar were part of the attack on Lupine.

Helian’s curse echoed in my mind.

Who are they?I asked through thought.

Viddar and Tyrus, he answered.Ivar’s cousins. They’re not too happy with me for challenging Ivar’s rule.

You want to lead the dragon riders?I asked.

No, I want to be king, Helian answered with a wink.I figured it was time I grew up.

It is.Finn let out a menacing growl, his gaze locked on the riders.Now, let’s wipe out Ivar’s family line like he did to ours.

Helian rubbed his chin, holding his ground when both riders spit in the dirt in front of us. “You think I broke the code?”

“Weknowyou did.” A tall rider with midnight black, tousled hair and a scar running down the side of his blotchy face beat his chest like a troll. “A rider shall not attack another rider when his back is turned.”

“A rider shall not attack another rider’s dragon.” Helian raised his fists while facing the tall rider. “What of that code, Viddar?”

Viddar’s gaze darted from Helian to his cousin, the smell of deceit leaching from his pores. “He hadn’t attacked Radnor yet.”

Finn’s dark laugher echoed in my mind.What a load of troll dung.

“He was charging him with his sword!” Helian tossed his hands in the air. “And before that, he stabbed me with a hidden dagger!”

“Ivar is dead with a blade in his back.” The other dragon rider, I assumed to be Tyrus, shorter with pale skin and long, silky auburn hair, motioned at the pile of splat that was once his friend. “We demand retribution!”

I wrinkled my nose when the strong stench of stale mead invaded my senses. I didn’t understand how these riders thought it was a good idea to get drunk while knowing all of Faedom was on the brink of a war.

Swearing, Helian shook his head. “When?”

“Now!” Viddar grabbed the hilt of his sword, squeezing until his knuckles whitened. “A rematch.”

My gaze snapped to Helian, his eyes framed by dark circles. He needed rest, not war, after such a powerful healing. I glared at the riders. “My mate has lost a lot of blood. He’s in no condition to fight.”

“We don’t care.” Tyrus thrust his fist into the air. “We demand justice now!”

Finn stepped forward. “I will fight both of you as my brother’s proxy.”

I grabbed my shifter mate’s arm, my heart catching in my throat.No, Finn, I projected through thought, not wanting our adversaries to hear our conversation. I didn’t trust these riders not to fight dirty, and I couldn’t lose Finn. Not now, not ever.

Finn squeezed my shoulder, his long, clawed fingers stretching down my back. He looked like a creature of nightmares, with his pointy, fanged maw and glowing eyes, but inside, he was my sweet Finn, my protector and the children’s nurturer.

Darling, I’m sorry.He let out a wolf’s whimper.Please understand, I need to do this for Lupine.

Blinking back tears, I craned my neck to look into his eyes.I do understand.

He nodded, then looked away, curling his claws.

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