Is this what you want? she repeated as they barreled through the hole, the edges continuing to recede. With time, it would dissipate to nothing, the same way the fog had.
He ignored her. Because yes, this was what he wanted. He wanted his daughter to live down here with him. He wanted an equal to talk to. To rule by his side. He had never wanted to elevate someone to that post by marriage or something so unpoetic as a promotion. He’d wanted his bloodline to dictate the right candidate—the person literally born for the role. All these long years, and he’d never found anyone. He’d never given up hope, though. He’d never bent, always believing it would happen.
And here she was, the woman born to rule. She must want the title that went with her talents. How could she resist? How could she turn away from the beauty down here, the ability to create her dreams and laugh at her nightmares?
“She is confused,” he said through gritted teeth. “Her friends are making her confused.”
They soared over the pits, everyone scattering. He wanted to burn them all where they stood. Clear this place out. It was a cesspool, had been for…countless quantities of time.
In a way, he’d created this mess, this eyesore on the entrance to his kingdom, by putting up the fog. They’d gathered here, the ones who could no longer travel freely inside.
No, he wasn’t the one who’d done it. The elves had pushed this on him. They had forced his hand. He should’ve pushed back before now. He shouldn’t have been so willing to follow their terms.
Reagan neared the exit. Tatsu was right on them. If she got through, then they would get the druid, easy.
No, the druid was pushing up to go first. Reagan was holding back.
You shall have your dragons back, he thought to Tatsu, his focus acute. Most of them, at least.
I do not want them back. Let them go. They’ve been suffocating down here for too long. Let them see clear skies and bask in real sun.
The druid disappeared through the exit. Reagan motioned Saphira on wildly, her movements erratic, desperate to get everyone out. It must’ve been like this when the elves took her. She’d stayed behind and sent the others to safety.
The vampire rose from the back of Archion. He must not have expected it, because he made a wild grab for Reagan, not wanting to leave. The girl on Saphira leaned toward Reagan, her face desperate, as the vampire touched down in a wobbly landing. Her friends did not want to leave her. She was forcing them out, sacrificing herself for them again. Dooming herself.
She thought of him in no better terms than she did the elves.
What Tatsu had said filtered through his mind.
Saphira pushed forward, eagerly, and disappeared from his kingdom. Only Reagan was left, and they were on her now. She had no hope. One push and they would have her.
“Stop.”
His heart broke to hear the word fall from his lips.
“Stop,” he said louder as Reagan turned to him on the back of Archion, not even trying to push through. She must be worried he would follow her. She wanted her friends to get to safety.
Her expression was defiant and resolute.
These last few weeks, he’d gotten the pliant Reagan. The student. The trickster.
Now he could see the steel that infused her backbone. She would never back down, not like this. She could not be forced, Tatsu was right. Just as he could not be, in his younger years. She had been born for the role of heir, and stubborn defiance was part of that.
“Let her go,” he said, needing to hear himself say the words, refusing to sag as his daughter beheld him. Refusing to let her see him breaking. He held up his hand, wishing her well.
Confusion stole over her expression, followed by understanding. She placed a hand on her heart and bowed. Respect given, respect returned.
Turn and go. He tore his eyes away. She won’t trust me to stick to my word. Turn, and let her see us leave.
Tatsu did as he’d instructed, blowing a trumpet to Archion. They got it back, and then they were away.
Shall we go after the vampires? Tatsu thought as they flew over the Edges.
No. Let her deal with them. But if any vampire should come into my kingdom without her, they will see me directly. If they do not, I will make an example out of them.
So you aren’t going to repair the fog?
No. We are going to prepare for war.
They flew, and he let Tatsu handle the details, thinking of his daughter leaving the kingdom. His kingdom. He wondered if she’d ever think of it as hers.
He wanted to ask her.
This time, he would do it on her home turf.