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My hackles rose. Elias’ did, too, and his grip tightened on me. He squinted up at the sky. The great shape above circled a few times, swooping dramatically, causing the shadow to cover and uncover us like a blanket. The dragon then arced down, cutting through the canopy with expert ease and landing with a thump in the clearing.

The rich green scales shot through with gold were unmistakable. The dragon folded his immense wings to his back and stood on his back legs, surveying us, eyes flickering as he bared his golden fangs.

Elias sat halfway up, concealing me from view. “Draunar,” he said, low like growl, the lack of title akin to an insult.

10

K

ing Draunar bared all his teeth in a draconic smile. He took a step closer. His long, lizard-like tail swept the moss behind him. Then, the air sang with energy, and King Draunar shifted back into his human form. It was unlike the ceremonial change he’d done to welcome us to his palace when we’d first arrived. He wasn’t draped in gold fabric or dripping in jewelry—he was as nude as we were, his tan skin seeming to glow under the dappled sunlight and his green eyes blazing. I felt my face heat, both from embarrassment and from a not-insignificant amount of fear.

I didn’t want King Draunar to see me like this, not in this vulnerable moment that was meant only for my husband. I shifted back into my wolf form. I felt safer, with my jaws to defend me, and my bare body hidden from King Draunar’s bright desiring eyes.

Seeing me shift, King Draunar only looked more interested. He grinned as he approached. Elias climbed to his feet, and I stayed low to the ground behind him, my ears flattened back against my head and my tail low.

“What a gorgeous wolf,” King Draunar said. “I’ve never seen a pelt so pure white.”

My hackles raised, and I had to fight my instincts in order to not bare my teeth.

“What do you want?” Elias said. “Why have you sought us out? We had no obligations today.”

Draunar chuckled quietly. He clasped both hands behind his back, once more indifferent to his naked state. Something about that only made me more afraid. Inside the palace, when we were surrounded by other court members and dressed up in our fine silk and leather, Draunar and Elias had to play their royal roles. Out here, stripped of all finery like animals, glaring at each other, those roles were dissipating. They faced each other, both in wide, defensive stances—anger radiated off Elias. I nudged my nose against the back of his thigh, trying to remind him silently to keep his temper under control.

“I’ve come to a decision,” King Draunar said, grinning coolly, “regarding our stalled treaty negotiations.”

“It couldn’t wait until tomorrow?” Elias asked.

“I thought you might want to hear it sooner rather than later,” Draunar said. “I know you’re eager to see these negotiations come to a close.”

“So what is it?” Elias snapped. “What was so important you had to interrupt us?”

“I require one more amendment to the treaty in order to sign it,” Draunar said. “A show of good faith from Frasia, to ensure that our kingdoms live in peace for generations to come.”

Elias said nothing. He tensed from his shoulders down to his feet. I pressed closer to his legs, steadying myself against his body.

“The queen,” he said.

“What?” Elias said. “What about her?”

“I want Reyna,” Draunar said. “You must give me your queen as a tribute to prove your good faith. Only then will I sign the treaty.”

My blood ran cold. I bit back a whine, then bared my teeth at Draunar. How dare he make such a crazy request?

Right? It was crazy, wasn’t it?

Elias laughed, sharp and angry in the quiet of the forest. “You must be a fucking fool,” he said. “You think my wife is something to be traded, like a pawn in a chess game? That was never on the table. You offend me by even requesting such nonsense.”

The cool smile didn’t budge from Draunar’s face. “Those are my terms.” His green eyes flashed. “Either you give the woman to me, or the treaty falls apart.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Elias snarled. “You would cast aside all the work we’ve done for our nations on a foolish whim?”

“It’s no whim,” Draunar growled. “These are my requirements.”

“Selfish bastard.”

“Selfish?” Draunar asked with a laugh. “Tell me, Elias, does the wolf know how you took the throne? Would she be so keen to hide behind you if she did?”

“Do not speak of what you do not understand,” Elias growled. “Have you no consideration for your country?”

What did Draunar mean, how Elias took the throne? He had succeeded his father, fairly young, but it had been nothing remarkable. I nudged my nose against Elias’ thigh again. I wanted him to defend me—but I didn’t want him to prod at Draunar’s temper. Not while we were still technically guests in his home.

“I only have consideration for my country,” Draunar said. He took another step closer, so he was looming over Elias, staring down the bridge of his nose at him. “Should you refuse this request, and thus let the treaty fall apart, it will not only be a single treaty that falls apart. I will bring Shianga to your doorstep. We will not be tenuously neutral as we are now, King. We will be at war.”

Elias bared his teeth. “You’re crazy.”Draunar flashed his golden incisors back. “It’d be easier for you to understand if I were, wouldn’t it?” His gaze drifted to me, blazing with desire. “But I’m not crazy at all. I simply know the truth—the truth that Shianga is much stronger and much more stable than Frasia is. My dragons have trained under my family for centuries.