Medea was frozen by the unexpected sight of the massive ancient Greek warriors who came through the door, first as gargantuan black owls. Then as armored soldiers. Armed with spiked shields, oversized pauldrons, and swords, they meant business and were here for blood.
Their blood.
The woman in her could appreciate their handsome, ripped bodies, but the demon warrior who’d survived countless battles didn’t welcome them in her domain. She saw them for the threat they were, and wanted them dead or gone.
Their choice. Either option was fine by her. The bloodier, the better, because with what they would be bleeding, she’d get a free meal out of it.
She licked her fangs in expectation of a most satisfying dinner.
Stepping back, she manifested her own sword and made ready to send as many of them as she could to whatever god they worshiped if they chose to fight.
This was bullshit and she wasn’t about to sit back and let them have her family. Not without it costing them life and limb.
Falcyn moved in to protect her. “What are you doing here?” he demanded of them.
“We’re here for your stone, dragon.”
Falcyn tsked. “Ah, see, you don’t want to be going there, guys. You come for my stone and I’ll be handing you yours instead. Now before the massive geldings commence, I suggest you take yourselves back to whatever moron sent you out on this suicide quest and bitch-slap them with my deepest regards.”
Medea rolled her eyes at his sense of irony while Davyn made an indefinable noise that landed somewhere between humor and horror. Her father actually laughed.
Her mother applauded. “I like the way your dragon thinks, Medea.”
“I knew you would, Mum. Knew you would.”
The strykyn moved in to attack, but before they could get near them, a murder of Charonte overran their group like a school of starving piranha.
Medea ducked as one of the Charonte almost took her head off in his enthusiasm to chow down on the nearest strykyn.
They howled as the Charonte tore into them with glee.
Falcyn screwed his face up. “Guess they’re not on Acheron’s Charonte no-eat list.”
Obviously. Just as Apollymi must still be looking out for her Daimon army, as well. Nice to know the goddess of destruction hadn’t abandoned them in their hour of need.
Made her feel almost warm and fuzzy inside.
Or maybe that was the sudden weird nausea caused by the hungry demons.
Medea cringed as one of the female demons moved to rip a strykyn apart. “Wonder if they taste like chicken?”
“Ew, Chicken Little! I know we’re cannibals, technically, but still.…” Davyn nudged at her. “You’ve been hanging out with the dragons too long.”
“Actually, Simi.” Worse? This was making her crave barbecue. Yeah, she was sick and she admitted it.
But then, that was what made her the villain. And what made her appreciate the darker side of Falcyn.
Which terrified her. She’d spent centuries alone, never thinking about being with someone else. Never considering the possibility of ever being part of a couple again. She’d become relegated to the concept. Complacent.
Now …
Dare she trust Brogan’s prophecy?
Her own feelings?
For so long life had given her more kicks than it’d withheld. And that made it all the harder to trust. All the harder to believe. How could she have faith when all she knew was betrayal and pain?
Then again, two negatives did make a positive. And no one and nothing was more negative than Falcyn and her.
Together …
He scowled at her as he caught the look in her eyes. “What’s that mean?”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
Falcyn snorted. “You must be thinking something good about me then.”
“I was.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I don’t believe it.”
She popped him playfully on his arm. “Told you.”
Shaking his head, he whistled at the Charonte. “As much as I’d love to see a bloody banquet ensue, and that it pains me to put the brakes on your feast. But…”
The Charonte actually whimpered.
“Yeah, we might need the war birds, so could you stow the condiments and hang on to the poultry for a few?” He walked over to the strykyn leader and literally plucked him from the hands of the Charonte who’d been one bite away from his jugular. “Who exactly sent you?”
With an audible gulp, the strykyn rubbed at his bite wound. “Morgen and Apollo.”
He draped his arm around the warrior’s shoulders and pulled him away from the demon. “And how loyal are you feeling to them at the moment?”
The strykyn glanced around the room to the faces of his men and the Charonte who were begging him to be loyal to the Greek god and fey queen so that Falcyn would allow them to finish their meal in peace. “Um … Not very.”
“Good answer. Which means I’m going to not feed you to the Charonte.”
There were more protests from the disappointed demons as they begged harder for him to reconsider.
“–Quite yet.” Falcyn held his hand up to quell them. “There’s always later. However, I’m feeling uncharacteristically charitable at the moment. So I would urge the lot of your friends here to not try my patience, or that of Apollymi’s. And definitely not tempt the Charonte, who have no restraint whatsoever, and an insatiable hunger. Pack your wings, strykyn, and fly home, empty taloned. What do you think?”
The strykyn didn’t hesitate with his answer. “I think your stone looks good on you, my lord.”
Falcyn patted him on the cheek. “Thought you might feel that way, punkin. Now take your little owlkateers and vamoose.”
Medea waited until they were gone. “You think you can trust them?”
“Hell, no. But I think I can trust their fear of our friends here.” Falcyn looked down at her and frowned. “However, that’s not what really concerns me.”
“No?”
“Nope. What rates highest on my shitometer at the moment is just how the hell they got into Kalosis to begin with. I mean, think about it. Breaching the portal … not an easy feat. We know Mama Polly didn’t open it. We didn’t let them in.” He glanced to her parents. “Lucy, want to take this?”
Her father turned pale. “He’s right. The number of people who can open a bolt-hole is finite and small.”
Medea went cold. “There’s a traitor among us.”
Davyn’s eyes widened. “Who would dare?”
Only one name came to mind.
She arched a brow at him as they both knew that Davyn had dared in the past, but that had been for Urian’s benefit alone. And while she knew he’d carried information to her brother, she didn’t suspect him in this. It was one thing to help out his friend. Quite another to help out an enemy who’d betrayed them all.
An enemy and god no one could stand.
No. Davyn would never have helped Apollo against his own race. A race Apollo had cursed to die.
Only a rank idiot would be so stupid. So who among them was that said idiot?
Her mother crossed her arms over her chest. “We will find them and eat their entrails.”
The Charonte perked up at her words.
“Yes,” her mother said, louder. “I will personally hand-feed them to you, my demons. With barbecue sauce.”
“Find the traitor!” they chanted as they rushed from the room to begin a search.
“Wow.” Falcyn let out a nervous laugh. “Charonte are some scary beasts. Basically flying piranha, except piranha aren’t nearly as … hungry.”
“No kidding. Makes you wonder what the Lemurians were thinking when they created them.”
“That they hated the Atlanteans.”
The four of them stared at Falcyn for his flat-toned response.
“What? I was there … ish. It was what they were created to attack.”
“Then how did they end up enslaved to the Atlanteans?” Medea was dying to know.
“Same way you ended up with a dragonstone.”
She scowled at his answer. “Huh?”
“The queen found the only set of chains that could hold a truly feral beast. She captured the heart of their leader. Took him deep into her lair, warmed him with her fire, and made it so that he never wanted to leave her side ever again.”
Those words melted her as she understood the underlying meaning and what he was saying not just about the Charonte, but about himself. “And is the dragon tamed?”
“Never, my lady Daimon. Like a Charonte, you can never tame so savage a beast. Only make him crave the fire where you are more than the cold where he used to live.”
Her father laughed. “I would be angry over this, but I can’t help thinking that having our own dragon can’t possibly be a bad thing.”
Falcyn scoffed at her father’s words. “Unless you piss me off, Stryker, I wouldn’t advise doing that.”
“Ditto.”
“Then do we have an accord?”
Stryker dropped his gaze to Medea. “So long as you treat my daughter with all due regard and like the queen she is, we will have no problems, you and I.”
“Then we will never have a problem.”
“Except for the god who is still out to end us.” Medea scowled as she met Falcyn’s gaze. “This isn’t over. Apollo’s not finished with us, as the strykyn proved. You’ve saved my parents. But we still have a traitor to find.”
Falcyn shook his head at her, then glanced over to Davyn. “Chicken Little?”
“Always. She can’t help herself.”
And he still had his son to free. Somehow.
Overwhelmed and losing hope by the second, Falcyn sighed. “I need to see to my sister. Make sure she’s all right with the others.”
Medea stepped forward. “I’ll come with you.”
“You sure?”
She nodded. “Just don’t let me burst into flames.”
“I’ll do my best on that, as it would ruin my best day, and I’m sure it wouldn’t make yours, either.” He held his hand out for her. The moment he felt her touch, a strange flutter went through his chest. He wasn’t sure if he’d ever get used to having such tender feelings for someone else. To having a living weakness.
Honestly? He didn’t like it. It was hard to know that she was an easy means to his destruction. That alone made him want to push her away and deny her. He hated the feeling of vulnerability she wrought.
She narrowed her gaze at him. “You okay?”
No. He had a new, profound respect for her as he realized just how much strength she possessed. The fact that she’d been able to survive without her child and husband …
His only solace over the centuries had come from the fact that he hadn’t known Maddor. His son had been a concept for him. Not a reality. He hadn’t held him or known Maddor at all.
Not the way he knew Medea.
Now …
She was a part of him.
The best part.
And the thought of something happening to her was crippling.
“How did you survive after Evander?”
Her eyes turned dark and haunted. “One breath at a time. Some days, that was all I could manage to get through.”
That was a sobering thought he didn’t want to even contemplate. Terrified beyond rational thought, he pulled her into his arms, and teleported her to his home. “I will never let you go, Medea.”
“I’m counting on that, dragonfly.”
Taking her hand, he led it to his lips and kissed her palm, then stepped back so that she could inspect his island home.
Medea gasped at the beauty that was Falcyn’s “lair.” No wonder he’d been so defensive when she’d accused him of living in a cave. This was absolutely breathtaking. Open and airy, it was technically a cavern.
Just a very large, spacious one with an ocean view that took her breath. The enchanted walls were crystal clear, so that he could look out, but not be seen by anyone else. Their transparency made them shimmer and sparkle from the daylight that burned her eyes, yet not her skin.
“How long have you lived here?”
“Forever and a day.” He winked at her.
Shaking her head at his humor, she turned a small circle to survey everything. Outside the cavern, the landscape held ancient ruins of some Greek city and temple. Inside, it was a bit cramped by the number of dragons. She could see why he’d balked a bit about having them here.
Still, without them, it would have to be lonely. Such a large space with no company …
Yeah, that wouldn’t make her happy.
But then she’d never really been alone. She’d always had her mother and then her husband.
Unlike Falcyn. Never had she been forced to live by herself. Family had always been a part of her life.
His sister came over to them. “Like the new decorations? Wall-to-wall dragon?”
“Ha ha. I hate you so much.” Yet there was a light in his eyes that said he appreciated his sister’s teasing.
And Xyn knew it, too. “Ah, you’re not fooling anyone. I know you missed me.”
Falcyn made a disgruntled face at her.
Medea pressed her lips together to keep from laughing. It was so strange to see this side of him. He was so protective with his brothers. Protective with her and Xyn as well, but they saw the much less serious part of him. While he could be flippant and sarcastic with Blaise and Urian, it was a different kind of humor than the more vulnerable one he showed the two of them. He was softer and kinder to the women in his life.
“So what do you plan to do with all of these beasts, Xyn? I’m not planning to let them move in, you know. Definitely not comfortable with them here.”
“Why not? It’s rather cozy.” Xyn smiled.
Falcyn let out a sound of supreme disgust. “You know why. And don’t start on me. As the old saying goes, door’s in the wall.”
“Oh relax, you old mangy beast. They’re not planning to stay, anyway. We’re just messing with you.”
His relief was tangible.
Xyn met Medea’s gaze and shook her head. “How do you put up with him?”
“I think he’s hilarious.”
She blew a raspberry. “This one’s a keeper, brother. You better not let her go.”
Before he could comment, the light dimmed near them.
Medea braced herself for another battle, then relaxed as she saw Shadow manifesting near Xyn. Yet for the life of her, she couldn’t imagine why he was here, given the condition he’d been in when last they’d seen him. She would have thought he’d have been out of commission for a while.
At least laid up for a month or more.
But apparently, nothing kept the being down for very long.
Inclining his head to them, he approached Xyn and spoke to her, letting them know that he must have been assisting her for a bit now. “I’ve found a few more homes.”
Falcyn let out an audible sigh. “Shadow … you’re my man.”
Shadow let out a nervous laugh. “Since when?”
“Since I saved your ass. How are you feeling?”
“Like I had the hell beat out of me … And you’re welcome.”
Crossing his arms over his chest, Falcyn’s expression said those words chafed him. Yet the gleam in his eyes betrayed his amusement. “How has Varian failed to gut you all these centuries?”
“Not from lack of effort on his part, I assure you. I’m just quicker than he is.”
Falcyn shook his head. “Anyway, I’m glad to see you back on your feet.”
“Glad to be back on my feet. Especially without Varian hovering over me like some great hairy mother. And I heard you made friends with little brother, Lombrey.”
“Yeah, you can keep him.”
“Hmmm, so everyone keeps telling me. He’s actually not so bad. Get him liquored up and laid, you can get about five or ten minutes of peace before he’s in your face again.”
“So that’s your secret.”
“Basically. I find it works on most people.”
Falcyn laughed. “And why is it that I think there’s a little more to it than you’re letting on?”
“Again, he’s not so bad. You just have to understand where he’s coming from. We’re all creatures of the hell that birthed us. Are we not?”
Medea would give him that.
“True.” Falcyn stepped back as one of the dragons approached them.
“Are the sanctuaries ready?” he asked Shadow.
Shadow nodded. “Merlin’s preparing them. We should be able to transport more of you before much longer. Kerrigan and Merewyn said they’d come to assist you as soon as they’re open.”
“Thank you.”
“Our pleasure.”
“Kerrigan?” Medea vaguely recalled the name, but couldn’t place it now. She remembered that Merewyn was Varian’s wife.
Falcyn let out a bitter laugh. “The former Pendragon of Morgen’s Circle. He was the one who took Arthur’s place to lead her knights.”
“Now he fights with the Lords of Avalon.” Shadow smiled. “War and love make strange bedfellows.”
That was certainly true, but it made her wonder one thing. “Why did he change sides?”
Shadow jerked his chin toward Blaise and Brogan. “Kerrigan was the merlin charged with the sword Caliburn. His wife Seren was the merlin for the loom of Caswallen that Morgen demanded he and Blaise capture. In the process of taking it from her, the Lady Seren won Kerrigan’s heart. He couldn’t hand her over to Morgen any more than Blaise was able to hand over his Brogan to the Crom. So Seren and Kerrigan, and their son and daughter, now live in Avalon with the others, where they continue to fight against Merlin and her fey court.”
Medea glanced to Falcyn. “Like you.”
“I have no plans to relocate to Avalon.”
“You know what I mean.”
Falcyn looked a bit uneasy. “What? That I’d follow you anywhere?”
“Would you?”
Falcyn’s gaze scorched her and warmed the darkest coldness inside her. “You know I would.”
He placed a kiss on her cheek, then turned toward Shadow. “Can I beg a favor?”
“Depends on the favor, especially given what happened to me the last time I did you one.”
“Can you get me back into Camelot? Near Morgen?”
Shadow made a truly spectacular sound of scoffing disbelief. “And what level of special stupidity have you achieved, dragon? I know you took a significant hit to the head, but didn’t realize it’d given you brain damage. Should we get you a CAT scan? Dog scan?”
“Ha ha. And I’m serious.”
“Yeah … so am I. I actually like having my bullocks attached to my body. While I don’t get to use them as much as I’d like, I still prefer the comfy feeling of having them there over the alternative of seeing them in a jar on my desk.”
“Then you’ll help me or I know what to attack.”
A tic started in Shadow’s jaw. “Really hate you, dragon.… Fine. But if you’re caught, I don’t know you. Never saw you and I have no idea how you got there. And I’m sending Lombrey to rescue or kill you, whichever. His choice.”
“How have you managed to live so long without anyone killing you, again?”
“Told you, I’m fast on my feet.” Shadow sighed. “So when do you want to partake of your suicide?”
Falcyn glanced around his crowded home. “Now would be a good time. It’ll keep me from freaking out over my OCD.”
Xyn scowled. “OCD?”
“Overpopulated communal den.” He pointed to the group. “Get rid of that while I’m gone.”
She rolled her eyes at her brother. “Ugh, you big baby. You never did learn to share!”
“Oh, that’s not true. I learned to share pain and misery, early on.”
“No, no. You learned to deliver pain and misery. Big difference. Being a carrier and deliverer isn’t the same as sharing, m’gios. Do not confuse those terms.”
“You’re determined to annoy me, aren’t you?”
Xyn smiled. “Always. Aren’t you glad now that you woke me?”
“Thinking I should have overlooked your statue.” Falcyn growled in the back of his throat. “Blaise! Why did we wake Xyn again?”
“You missed her!” he called out across the room.
“I lied!”
Xyn pushed him toward Shadow. “Go on and take him before he has a nervous breakdown. Or I kill him.”
Medea laughed. “C’mon, dragonfly.”
He paused at her actions. “What are you doing?”
“I know what that look in your eyes means. You’re going back for Maddor. I plan to go with you.”
“No. You’re not. You’re going to stay here.”
Cocking her head, she gave him an oh-no-you-didn’t stare.
Falcyn cleared his throat. “No?”
“I’m going with you,” she repeated firmly.
Shadow laughed. “I wouldn’t argue with that, dragon. She looks kind of pissed off, and while I’m no expert in women, that is the kind of expression that in the past hasn’t boded well for my body parts being happy at a later time and date whenever a female pointed them at me.”
He gave Shadow a droll stare. “Do you not have an off switch or filter?”
“Not really.”
With a deep growl, Falcyn shook his head. “Fine. I can’t argue with both of you. Let’s get this over with. See if I can work some miracle.”
“What kind of miracle are you thinking?”
“No idea. Hoping for inspiration.” Falcyn took a deep breath. “All right, Shadow. Lead us in.”
“Lead us in, he says. Like that’s easy. Like all I have to do is snap my fingers and poof.” Shadow snapped his fingers and they were in Camelot.
Falcyn arched his brow at Shadow’s continued bitching.
“Well, that part was easy.” His voice broke off as they realized they were surrounded by Adoni warriors. “But this is what I was talking about. Lousy, pointy-eared bastards tend to notice when we come and go. Worse? The little bitches attack like locusts.”
He’d barely finished that sentence before they proved him right and pounced.