Page 96 of A Court of Sugar and Spice
“Fin!” I squeal, clutching his arm.
“It’s all right.” He chuckles. “It’s Lir. His curse is broken.”
“Lir?” I squint, shading my eyes, as the shape descends.
It’s a dragon.
A great silver dragon, with mirrorlike scales, a long neck, immense wings, and a sleek snout. And my sister is riding on its back.
“Lir is a dragon?” I gasp.
“It’s one of several forms he can take, as the King and High Protector of the Seelie,” says Fin. He practically skips forward, shouting, “Welcome back, cousin!” He smacks the side of the dragon’s neck and the beast rumbles in response.
Louisa slides down the dragon’s shoulder, flushed and windblown. Her clothes are bloodied and torn, but she looks whole.
“We came as soon as we could,” she says, throwing her arms around me. “We had to burn up all the Rat King’s armies in the Ravine, of course, and finish off another part of the army that was attacking the Seelie, but the minute that was done Lir scried where you were, and we headed this way. Oh god, Clara, I’ve been so worried! I’m so glad you’re both all right?”
I open my mouth to answer, but a rippling snarl interrupts me. The Lir-dragon is crawling toward Drosselmeyer, its jaws leaking smoke.
“No, don’t kill him, Lir!” I cry. “He defeated the rest of the Rat King’s forces, everyone remaining inside the lair. He saved us. And he has agreed to free all his captives, if you’ll spare his life.”
The dragon’s shape contorts, shivering and shrinking until Lir stands before Drosselmeyer—the Lir I’ve come to know, his usual height and size. He’s completely naked, but Finias clears his throat and conjures a kingly velvet robe around him, one with glittering embroidery, an immense feathered collar, and a ridiculously long train.
Lir glances down at the robe and shoots a glare at his cousin.
“Sorry.” Finias winces, then grins. “Thought you needed a bit of finery while you pronounce judgment.”
“Drosselmeyer,” says Lir.
There’s such dreadful intensity in that word, such a wealth of suppressed power. I’m not surprised when Drosselmeyer drops to his knees.
“You’ve caused me a world of trouble,” Lir continues. “Explain to me why I should spare you.”
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I believe Lir always intended to spare Drosselmeyer in exchange for the return of the captive Fae. But he makes the inventor grovel for it awhile, and honestly I love him for that.
Once the bargain is finally struck, Drosselmeyer and Fin go back into the Rat King’s lair so Drosselmeyer can dispel the curse on the Seelie prisoners and concubines. Lir and I walk through part of the lair, marveling at all the Unseelie lying there, reduced to harmless toys.
“The most powerful sorcerer your world has ever seen, I think,” murmurs Lir, picking up a shard of the former Rat King. “A pity his magic is limited to curses.”
“While we’re speaking of magic and powers—you never told me about your different forms. A giant? A dragon?”
He smiles, a dimple popping into one cheek. I’ve never seen him smile so widely. “I thought that part of my abilities should be a surprise.”
“I nearlydiedof that surprise.”
“You did not.” Laughing, he pulls me in for a kiss.
“What other forms can you take?”
He looks at me quizzically. “You’re thinking about this for sex, aren’t you?”
“Maybe.” I flutter my lashes at him. “You have to admit, this ability of yours will keep things interesting. How does it work if you come in your giant form? Is there a river of cum?”
Lir blushes right to the tips of his ears. “Hush, you!” He catches me up in his arms and carries me out of the lair, while I giggle and squirm. Once we’re outside, he sets me down.
“I have to deal with several matters,” he says, sobering. “My people will need me after this time of turmoil, and so will the prisoners Drosselmeyer frees. But after that, sweetheart, you and I—we are going to do everything you can imagine.”
