Page 143 of Song of Her Siren

That didn’t seem right. The night I had struck Ivar for insulting Tari, he had six goons with him. I recognized those goons as high-ranking riders. They would’ve assisted Ivar in planning the attack. “Ivar had three other friends with him when I confronted him in Peloponese.”

“He did have three other friends,” he said. “Ivar and his cousins killed them, along with their dragons, yesternight when they questioned his leadership. It was a dishonorable murder done while they were asleep.” He motioned to the other clusters of riders who were slowly moving closer to us. “I don’t speak for the other riders, but most of them were ready to turn on Ivar after that.”

Finn’s nostrils flared as he glared at the approaching riders. “What about the rest of the riders and dragons who attacked Lupine?”

“I don’t pretend to speak for them,” Leif answered. “Most of them were threatened by Ivar and his cronies, death by dragon fire if they refused Fachnan’s orders. They have asked us for our forgiveness and said they will do whatever it takes to atone for their sins.”

I turned to Finn, speaking through thought.I know I’m asking a lot of you, but we can’t be a cohesive unit if we’re still fighting among ourselves.

You’re not asking a lot, Finn answered, his gaze drifting to Tari, who slowly sipped the tea Declan had brewed for her.I know.

Iwasasking a lot, but I appreciated that my brother was so understanding, even after he’d just shredded two dragon riders to ribbons. He wasn’t doing this for me, though. He was doing it for Tari. The more dragons we had helping us, the more buffers we’d have between the demons and Tari.

We would have to kill most of the dragon army if we wanted vengeance on all who attacked Lupine, I continued,and we need them to help us win this demon war.

Finn flashed his fangs.I know that too.

But the leaders are all dead.I gave my brother a long look. He appeared absolutely terrifying in his monster wolf form, though I supposed that was the point, for most of the other dragon riders still kept their distance.Will that be enough for you and Ash?

His chest caved inward as he let out a wolf’s whimper.It’s enough for me if they are willing to lay down their lives for Tari, and I’m sure Ash would agree.

“Let’s find out,” I said aloud.

The dragon riders had moved closer. As far as I could tell, most of them were here, about seven hundred in total. Though Fachnan’s army had a thousand dragons, not all of them had riders yet.

Finn cleared his throat while glaring at the crowd. “Kneel for your king.”

To my surprise and relief, all seven hundred of them fell to the sand, bending on one knee.

A tremor coursed through me at the thought of being king to over a thousand dragon army, at the responsibility of having to lead these Fae and dragons back to Peloponese to take back our city. They were counting on me now. I couldn’t fail them.

Radnor and Isa landed beside us, snarling at the other dragons who’d also landed nearby, curiously looking in on us like felines watching fish swim in a pond. Tari appeared rested and refreshed as she went with Finn to help the girls off Isa. They carried the children back to me, standing beside me while the dragons hovered above our heads.

“Please rise,” I said, committing to memory those riders who grumbled and glared, lest they also try to thrust a dagger into my gut. “I’m not going to pretend that some of you don’t resent Radnor and me after our absence.” I motioned toward Radnor. “I’m not going to pretend that you don’t mistrust me for being Fachnan’s spawn. Or maybe you don’t agree with the way I killed Ivar after he gutted me with a hidden dagger.”

My hand instinctively flew to my stomach, feeling as if a phantom blade was still lodged inside me. “I don’t care what you think of me. I do care that we work together toward one goal—defeating the demons who threaten our very existence. Beyond that, nothing else matters until all demons are sent back to hell.”

I matched each of their hardened stares with one of my own before finally heaving a sigh. “I know I’m asking a lot for you to put your faith in me, and I don’t blame you for being wary. The Elements believe I should be one of three protectors of the white witch prophesized to bring down the demons.” I smiled at Tari when she took my hand. “If the Elements trust me, then I hope you will learn to trust me too. Ready yourselves. Come morning, we will fly north to reclaim our city.”

The crowd broke into a cacophony of cheers, jeers, and roars. Most of the response seemed positive, which was a good thing. I had enough enemies to worry about. I didn’t need to worry about my fellow riders slitting my throat while I slept.

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