Page 110 of A Storm of Fire and Ash
I nodded. “They won’t.” I paused. “But the Prince… I’m not so sure, honestly.”
Zayn’s demeanor shifted at the mention of Fintan. “I’ll talk with him.”
I rubbed Zayn’s hard chest. “He isn’t going to be happy. We had a lot of words exchanged last night. I was so close to freeing Father…”
Zayn kissed my forehead. “I know, Peach. We will get him out. I promise.”
“We have to get him out today. Will you help me?”
“It would be my honor to help you,” he smiled, and my heart nearly sank at how beautiful he was.
“Do you know anything of a dragon?” I asked suddenly.
Zayn’s body stiffened. “Yes. Do you?”
“Uhm, well… I’ve been having these dreams. And um… also someone—some… thing—has been talking to me in my head since the day I was whipped.”
I looked into Zayn’s eyes, and he didn’t say anything for a moment. Then, “Yes. There was talk that King Aymon has a dragon here somewhere and plans on using him to destroy the Fae lands.” I gasped. “What are your dreams like?”
I told him everything, and he told me about his.
“What do you think that means? Do you think they are… friendly?” I asked.
Zayn kissed my forehead, “I have many theories, but friendly isn’t one of them,” he chuckled. “You know what you truly are, don’t you?”
He didn’t need to say the words. I knew. And I think I’ve known for a while. So I just nodded.
“The thrones are yours, Elara. You are the rightful heir to them all and when you walk into the Fae lands, your magic will call to the fates and you’ll be marked heir to the thrones.” Zayn’s voice was a dark promise against my ear. “I’ll burn kingdoms to ash to see you on them… and then I’ll kneel—not only in surrender, but to worship the queen who owns me.”
I guess I never really thought about the other thrones… I’ve been so focused here at Irongate with everything, the Fae realms never even crossed my mind. Did I want this? I wasn’t so sure. I wasn’t even sure if I could take the thrones… if I stood a chance against the other Kings.
I rested my chin on his chest, tracing the lines of muscle beneath my fingertips. Changing the subject, I said, “Tell me about your mother.”
The shift in his expression was subtle but warm. “She’s… lovely. Gentle. Her heart is pure in a way that feels impossible in this world. She’s the reason I know what kindness looks like.”
“Then why is she with your father?” I asked softly.
Zayn chuckled, the sound rich and amused. “She isn’t. My mother lives in the Water Court.”
“Luminara,” I stated, and he gave a subtle nod.
“That’s where I grew up—before I became my father’s assassin and ended up in Windaria.”
“Why did you do it? Become his assassin?”
“I had no choice. I am the King’s only heir. I needed him on my side so I could take his crown and rule Windaria, and make it a safe place for others again. My father… he is a cruel man. Uses Mages for their magic, hunts Mer and hangs their tales like trophies in his castle, treats Non-Royals either as slaves or forces them to fight in his army.”
“Eryndor?” I asked.
“Yeah. That’s why she is the way she is. We became friends right away. She wanted to learn to fight after my father killed her parents. Her and I came up with a plan to one day take his crown. She is loyal. And she is my best friend.”
I smiled. “She’s mine too.”
My stomach growled loud enough to make him smirk.
“Let’s go get you some food,” Zayn chuckled, his voice still rough from sleep.
I sat up, letting the cool air kiss my bare skin as I swung my legs over the side of the bed. The sheets slid down my body as I stretched, toes brushing the cold stone floor.
