Of Dragons and Fae: The Complete Series by Walt Jasmine

Author:Walt, Jasmine
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dynamo Press
Published: 2023-11-27T00:00:00+00:00

25

Einar

“The dragon,” I repeated as the mermaid queen’s avaricious gaze bore into mine. “You do realize I’m standing right here, yes?”

“Yes,” Queen Lethta agreed. “You are, which is a marvel in and of itself. I don’t believe a dragon has ever visited us before. I daresay this is a historic event.”

“Einar isn’t for sale,” Adara said. Her entire body bristled as she stepped in front of me, and I couldn’t help feeling pleased at the surge of possessiveness I felt through the bond. “He’s a person, not an object for you to treat with.”

The queen’s eyes narrowed. “I’m sorry you feel that way,” she said with a delicate shrug of her bare shoulders. “But your dragon is the price if you want safe passage through my kingdom.”

Adara whirled on Prentis, fury blazing in her cornflower-blue eyes. “Why didn’t you mention the mermaids required a tribute as well?” she hissed, grabbing his arm hard enough to bruise. “If I’d known this was a possibility, I wouldn’t have brought Einar at all!”

“I didn’t think it was important!” Prentis protested. He seemed distressed by the predicament, though I wasn’t sure if that was because he was actually upset on my behalf, or because Adara was digging her fingernails into his bicep. “How was I to know the queen would ask for Einar? I thought the kraken tooth would be more than enough!”

Sighing, I stepped in front of the arguing pair and faced the queen. “Your Majesty,” I said, bowing low. “It seems we are at an impasse.”

“Indeed.” The queen arched her eyebrows. “Will you be taking your leave, then?”

“Actually,” I said, giving her my most charming smile, “I was hoping you would allow me to make a counter-proposal.”

“A counter-proposal?” The queen fought to maintain a disinterested expression, but I could see from the renewed gleam in her eyes that I had her intrigued. “Surely you do not have a better prize to tempt me with than your own flesh and blood.”

“Not quite,” I admitted. “But I can offer the potential for entertainment. Set me the most difficult trial you can—the one that only the most elite of your warriors have ever been able to pass. If I pass it, you’ll grant my friends and I safe passage through your kingdom both to and from the temple. If I fail, I will remain here and devote myself to you as your servant for the next thirty days.”

“No!” Adara released Prentis so she could grab my arm. She tugged ferociously, trying to get me to meet her eyes, but I refused to break the queen’s contemplative gaze. “Einar, don’t! We’ll find another way. Please.”

“Very well.” The queen’s lips widened into a catlike grin that sent shivers down my spine. “I accept your terms. And I look forward to seeing you kneel at my feet.”

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