Sabine leaned heavily against the railing, watching the city grow smaller as the ship moved deeper into the ocean waters. Most of the buildings around the docks were still on fire, and she stared at the flames rising over the rooftops as Akros continued to burn. It would take years for the city to recover.

Humans were resilient, far more than many of the other magical races. It would take time, but they'd eventually manage to rebuild. Before she'd ever come to Akros, she wouldn't have believed such a thing was possible. Her experiences here had taught her the magic contained within the human spirit couldn't be destroyed. It would survive and one day, thrive again.

Blossom landed on her shoulder, her weight a comforting presence. "Do you think you'll ever go back to the city?"

"I don't know," Sabine admitted, somewhat surprised by her mixed feelings. She'd lived in Akros for more than ten years. It had been difficult living amongst the humans at times, but she'd miss parts of it. "I'm not sure when it'll be safe to return or even if it's a good idea. I know Edvar and Talia will look after the children for me. Dax can handle himself and his people too."

"Esme's going to miss her shop, but she wants to learn more about your magic," Blossom said quietly. "Are you angry with her for working with Balkin against your wishes?"

Sabine sighed, more weary than anything. "No. I'm not angry with Dax or Bane either. If you hadn't warned me years ago about the agreement they made with Balkin, I'm not sure I would have been able to forgive them. I expected something like what happened, but I wish there had been another way. I didn't want them to leave their homes or lives."

Blossom giggled. "Balkin thinks all pixies are spies."

Sabine's mouth curved in a hint of a smile. "You are, but you're my spies—and you're the best spymaster I could ask for."

The pixie patted her cheek affectionately. "I'm sorry I couldn't warn you about your brother sooner. The other pixies tried to get here with the news as fast as they could. Barley and my sisters are escorting them back to your father's court. They can watch Balkin too, if you want."

She nodded, recalling Blossom's cryptic warning in the tavern basement. The pixie hadn't been able to speak freely in front of everyone, but Sabine had understood her message. "Keep an eye on Balkin in case anyone becomes suspicious of him, but my father and brother need to be the primary focus. We also need to start determining which families have split loyalties and may consider supporting me against my father and brother. Can you get a message to your family while we're on the ship?"

"It's harder to access the in-between, but I can do it."

"I'll see about getting a few plants for you at the first place we dock," Sabine promised, making a mental list of everything else they'd need. Money was going to be something of a problem, but they'd figure something out. Malek still wanted her help to locate the artifacts, so they could probably come to an agreement between them.

Sabine shivered. It was a warm night, but the absence of her magic would continue to keep her chilled for a while longer. The chalice shielded the tiny embers of her magic, but it wouldn't last. It couldn't do anything about the chill inside her either.

"The demon comes," Blossom whispered and buried herself in Sabine's hair.

A heavy blanket was placed over her shoulders, and she glanced up at Bane before focusing again on the city. Bane sighed. "I won't apologize for my hand in what happened, but I am sorry it hurt you."

"I didn't expect you would," she admitted, wrapping the blanket tighter around her. It helped alleviate the worst of the chill. "But if you ever follow Balkin's orders again instead of mine, I will see our pact at an end." She lifted her gaze to regard him, needing him to understand she wouldn't tolerate another betrayal. She placed her hand over the mark on his wrist. "You're mine, Bane. I don't want to lose you, but I need to be able to trust you."

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Bane exhaled slowly and nodded in acceptance, placing his hand over hers. She turned back to stare out across the water and in the direction of the burning city. It was growing increasingly smaller, and she no longer felt the prickle of wild magic on her skin. The Wild Hunt would likely abandon their pursuit for now, but it was only a matter of time before her family realized she was still alive.

They stood in silence for a long time, the only sound was of the crew working and the crashing of the waves as the ship moved steadily through the water. The moon had reappeared, casting a silvery glow over the ocean.

Bane sighed and leaned heavily against the railing. "The dragon believes you're angry with him. You should consider speaking to him when you feel up to it."

Sabine turned to look across the ship. Malek's crew worked diligently doing... whatever it was to make the ship move. Malek stood at the giant wheel, staring across the horizon. His black hair was tied back, but a few strands had escaped, the inky darkness contrasting with his golden skin. He was a beautiful man, but an extraordinary dragon. She'd never forget the way his wings had seemed to swallow the sky whole or how he'd tried to divert the Wild Hunt away from the children hiding near the ancient temple.

As though sensing her quiet observation, Malek's gaze landed on her and remained there. She hadn't spoken to him since she was brought on board the ship. Things had happened rather quickly while they set sail, but they'd have time soon enough.

She gave him a small smile and dipped her head in appreciation for everything he'd done. He might be one of the fearsome creatures from legend that had almost destroyed her people, but Malek was different. He cared.

Malek's eyes warmed at the gesture, and he smiled. He angled his head in acknowledgment, and a pleasurable warmth spread through her.

A dragon. She almost laughed, recalling her near hysteria as he'd flown across the sky. Balkin had claimed she'd charmed a dragon, but she wasn't quite so sure. In her mind, Malek had been the one who had charmed her.

"Dax will come for you as soon as he can escape Balkin's orders," Bane said, still staring in the direction of Akros. "Will you bind him to you as well?"

"I don't know," she admitted, unsure about anything right now. "I'd hoped to do it before I had to leave Akros, but we haven't found a balance between us yet. I'm not strong enough to hold him if he keeps challenging me, and I have no wish to see him broken. I need strong allies, not more adversaries."

Bane nodded as though he'd guessed her answer. "Perhaps the distance is for the best then. It may be the only thing that breaks the strength of his will. My brother has always been foolishly stubborn."

Sabine placed her hand over Bane's again. "I'm sorry I took you away from Akros."

With a chuckle, he lifted her hand and kissed it. "I'm not. I hated that city. It will be good to see more of the world."

"Do you know where we're heading?"

"The dwarven city," Bane said, glancing over at Malek at the ship's wheel. "Balkin told the dragon one of the artifacts was hidden there centuries ago. He gave us the name of someone to speak to once we arrive. It's unknown whether it's still there, but at least it's a lead to follow."

Despite the precariousness of their new situation, Sabine smiled. She'd always dreamed of traveling to the dwarven city, and now she'd be able to see it for herself. Although, Balkin never did anything without good reason.

"Balkin wants me to forge an alliance with the dwarves, doesn't he?"

Bane nodded. "You need more allies. If we're going to make you Queen of Faerie in truth, you'll need every resource we can manage. Having the Unseelie stand behind you won't be enough."

The chalice attached to her belt warmed in response to Bane's words. Sabine frowned. "I made an oath when I accepted the power of the chalice, Bane. My first priority is to ensure this world is protected. Faerie politics and my duplicitous family will need to wait until the immediate threat is handled. If our world is destroyed by another war, it won't matter who holds the throne."

"They may not be willing to wait," Bane warned, his hands tightening on the railing. "If you wish to help the dragon acquire the artifacts to lock down the portal, it will be done. But you may need to eliminate the threats against you first, or risk facing the Wild Hunt again. It's unlikely we'll be able to escape them a second time. Only the gods themselves know what's coming, and they're not talking."

Blossom tugged gently on Sabine's hair, and she smiled at the reminder. The gods hadn't stopped talking to anyone. The portal closing had simply made it more difficult for most people to listen. Fortunately, pixies had always been very good at listening—even when they shouldn't.

Sabine squeezed Bane's hand. "I think I'll go speak with the ship captain. If we're traveling all the way to the dwarven city, we'll need to see about acquiring some supplies."

Without waiting for a response, she turned away from the demon and walked toward a dragon. And behind her, the city continued to burn.