By the next afternoon, the palace courtyard on the Isle of the Sea Serpent looked like a staging area for a massive attack force. Mike had never seen such a mixture of warriors in his life. He couldn’t imagine how the war between each of these species must have played out. Hell, even with only one dragon, it was enough to scare the shit out of him.

He glanced up at the sky. A dozen of Nali’s airships, complete with the thunderbirds, hovered above them. Earlier, he had seen the same number of pirate ships. Nearly a hundred giants appeared, arriving on great flying beasts that looked suspiciously like the hippogriffs he used to draw when he was a kid.

“This is incredible,” Marina breathed, coming to stand next to him on the front steps.

“I have to agree,” he replied with a grin.

Mike watched as Marina hugged Mr. Bow to her chest. He could feel her nervousness and her excitement for her people. He reached over and ran his hand down along her back in comfort.

“Surely with this much force, the Sea Witch can be defeated,” she added, nervously biting her bottom lip.

“We will not stop until your people are free, Marina,” Orion promised, coming to stand next to them.

“How badly will Magna’s spell affect everyone?” Mike asked.

“It is possible it will affect some of us more than others. We have planned the attack so that our powers are minimally impacted if the spell does affect us strongly. We do not plan to give Magna time to utilize her magic,” Orion explained.

“Everyone is ready. Of my people, I could possibly be the only one affected by Magna’s spell. My monsters will protect me until dawn if that is the case,” Nali said, climbing the steps.

“I will remain in my dragon form. The spell should not affect me as much then,” Drago replied.

Mike was warily as Ashure came up the steps two at a time. Ashure nodded to the others before he turned his gaze to Mike and Marina. Mike pulled Marina closer to his side when the pirate chuckled.

“You are a smart man, my wily human warrior. She is worth keeping a close eye on,” Ashure remarked.

“Are your men ready, Ashure?” Drago asked.

“Of course! They live for a good fight—especially one where they will more than likely die or be turned to stone like your unfortunate clan,” Ashure replied dryly.

Drago started toward Ashure, but Carly stepped forward and put her hand on Drago’s chest. Tugging gently on his beard, she made him look at her instead. Mike watched in amazement as Carly skillfully distracted the giant dragon.

“You’d better not get hurt, or I’m going to take the kids and my paper birds back to Oregon,” she threatened in an unsteady voice that broke on the last word.

The rumble of Drago’s growl was easily heard by everyone standing nearby. Drago swept Carly into his arms. He scowled at all of them.

“I need to speak with my mate,” he said in a gruff tone before he turned and disappeared into the palace.

“I never expected that,” Ashure commented with wide eyes.

“Everyone prepare to leave in two hours,” Orion said, his gaze locked on where Jenny was pensively standing by one of the pillars.

“I need to speak with my men,” Koorgan stated.

“Well, I could use a drink. Ashure, come on. You can pour it,” Nali ordered in a tone that said she wanted to have a talk with him.

“What did I do this time?” Ashure with a groan that quickly turned to a loud curse when Nali wrapped her arm around his waist. Mike blinked and took a step back when wings suddenly appeared from her back and she pushed up off the ground. “Goddess’ fingernails, Nali! You know I hate it when you do this without warning!” Ashure yelled.

Mike shook his head and watched as they disappeared over the side of Nali’s airship. Shaking his head, he looked down at Marina. He could see the wonder in her eyes as well.

“I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks this is crazy,” he teased.

“I never thought that royalty could be so entertaining,” she confessed with a grin.

“You know, we have a couple of hours that we could kill doing something much more interesting,” Mike murmured.

Marina’s eyes widened before she gazed at him with a wicked gleam in her eyes. “Can I tie you up this time?” she asked with a suggestive grin.

“Oh, please! Put me in the closet again,” Mr. Bow muttered with a sigh.

* * *

Two hours later, Marina called out to Mike as he finished pulling on his boots. He felt strange dressed like the locals. The knee-high, dark-brown boots fitted over the form-fitting, matching, brown pants. The taupe-colored shirt and black vest finished off his outfit. He felt like he was dressing up to go find missing treasures. All he needed was a broad-rimmed hat and a whip!

“Mike, it is time to leave,” Marina called from the other room.

“I’m ready,” he answered, buckling his gun holster around across his chest before picking up his jacket.

“Do you…. Shit, Marina,” Mike said, pausing in the doorway between their room and the bathroom.

“What is it?” she asked, turning in a circle and frowning.

Mike pulled his jacket on and walked toward her. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her against him. She tilted her head back and rose up on her toes to kiss him.

“You are so beautiful, and I’m scared to death something might happen to you,” he admitted in a slightly uneven voice.

Her gaze softened, and she raised a hand, running it down his cheek. Mike turned his head and pressed a kiss to her palm. He wished there was a way to leave her here with Jenny and Carly.

“They are my people, my family. I have fought to protect them, and I will continue to do so. Erin and the other children are there. I’ve already been gone too long. What if something has happened to them as well?” she fretted.

“They are smart. You taught them well—just, be careful,” he said.

“I will. I promise,” she replied.

* * *

Her promise didn’t completely wipe away Mike’s feeling of unease. He was going up against creatures straight out of a horror novel. The memory of the Hellhound he had killed on the beach flashed through his mind. It had only been injured until Marina shot it with her arrows. Now, he had only a few bullets left. Once his clip was empty, he was defenseless against such creatures.

A knock on the door drew their attention to the fact that it was time to leave. Nodding to Marina, he followed her to the door. Marina strapped Mr. Bow to her side, and took a deep breath before she opened the door. Jenny stood on the other side of the door looking pale but composed. She gave them an uneven smile before murmuring that Orion and the others were waiting for them on the front steps.

Following Jenny down the grand corridor, Mike couldn’t help but think of the young woman he had met over a year ago. His admiration for her grew when he realized everything she must have gone through after finding herself in this strange world.

“Jenny.”

Jenny slowed and glanced over her shoulder at him. They paused a short distance from the open front doors. Mike could see that Jenny was having a hard time keeping her eyes from moving to Orion.

“Yes, Mike,” she said, turning to look at him.

“Did you ever have any second thoughts or doubts that you belonged here?” he asked, aware that Marina had stiffened beside him.

Jenny’s tense expression softened, and she shook her head. “Never,” she said. “Do you?”

Mike shook his head. “No, it is strange, but it feels right to be here,” he finally admitted.

“Is everything alright?” Orion asked, stepping through the door to join them.

Mike nodded. “You don’t happen to have an extra knife or a bazooka on you, would you?” he half-heartedly joked.

Jenny giggled while Marina and Orion looked at him with a blank expression. Clearing his throat, Mike twisted his lips in sardonic amusement. Obviously they didn’t have bazookas in magical realms. Of course, who needed them when you had fire-breathing dragons and scary monsters?

“I could use a knife if you have one to spare,” Mike clarified.

“Ah, yes, of course,” Orion said with a nod. “Kapian, Mike needs a blade.”

“Yes, your Majesty,” Kapian said, with a snap of his fingers.

A minute later, Mike was strapping a sword on his hip. He would have made a sarcastic comment that it was overkill, but he felt that, before the night was over, he would be thankful he had it instead of the hunting knife.

“My men are ready. We will arrive by sea as planned,” Orion said as Mike secured his sword.

“Are you sure Magna won’t know we are coming?” Mike asked, studying the man.

Orion returned Mike’s scrutiny with a determined look of his own. “Magna’s spell should not affect us as it does those living on the Isle of Magic. Our magic is different and all spells do not work the same. Also, we will not be affected for as long as those on the isle,” he explained. “Drago will come in from the air while we approach from the sea. As we planned earlier, Marina and you will meet us on the north beach as it is close to the river and more isolated. There is no reason for any of Magna’s creatures to be there since there are no villages along that section of the isle according to Marina.”

“We will guide you to the river, King Orion. Drago will patrol the skies until you reach the lake. Nali and her monsters will descend upon the palace from the city. A reminder, King Orion, that the river that runs under the palace walls to the north and comes up on the other side into the lake is very deep and treacherous,” Marina warned.

Orion gave a sardonic smile. “For those who cannot breathe underwater,” he interjected. “I will take several of my men with me and open the gates for Nali’s warriors.”

“Will she be able to protect the statues in the garden? She might be weak from Magna’s spell,” Jenny commented with a frown.

“Nali informed me a short while ago that she has come up with a solution to the issue. She won’t be in a form that will be affected by the spell,” Orion assured Jenny.

“Inside the palace, King Drago will protect those that she turned to stone and destroy the Hellhounds while Mike and I locate the King and free him,” Marina continued, recounting their plans from earlier.

“I will deal with Magna once and for all. We cannot risk her harming the Queen and King.” Orion stated.

“It’s time to move out. We will see you in three hours,” Mike replied with a nod to the others.

“We will meet you in three hours on the north beach,” Orion confirmed. “It will be dark and Magna should have retreated to the palace by then.”

Mike watched as Orion reached out and pulled Jenny towards him. They held each other for a moment before Orion stepped back. Turning, the Sea King lifted his hand and signaled to the others that it was time to leave.

Mike wrapped his arm around Marina’s waist. He tightened his face in resignation when she handed him the colored stones from her grandmother. He gave her a wry smile before he bent over and placed them on the floor. Straightening, he looked at her, glad that they were alone.

“At least I’ll have time to get over being sick before everyone else arrives,” he said with a rueful expression.

Marina shook her head as she stepped into the circle beside him. “I have an idea,” she replied.

Mike started when she wound her arms around his neck. He instinctively moved his hands down to her waste and gripped her hips, pulling her against him. Bending his head until his lips were almost touching hers, he couldn’t resist closing the final distance. He pressed a brief, hard kiss to her lips.

“What idea is that? Is it anything like a couple of hours ago?” Mike teased.

Marina sighed. “If only it could be. I’m going to distract you. I don’t have to say the chant aloud for it to work,” she murmured before she closed her eyes and kissed him again.

Mike’s low groan echoed through the room as the swirling colors engulfed them. He closed his eyes, hoping to keep the nausea at bay this time. He could feel the magic flowing around him—through him. He was familiar with the feel of it now and didn’t resist the invisible tug as Marina cast her spell. Warmth swept through him, and he swore he could see the silvery threads connecting them together even though his eyes were closed. He deepened their kiss when Marina’s lips parted beneath his and her tongue teased him, reminding him of the other pleasures she had given him a short time ago.

As far as I’m concerned, she can distract me any time she wants, he thought as the room around them faded, and he found himself standing on a soft, sandy beach.

Lifting his head, he blinked in disorientation. Moonlight glittered on the water a short distance from where they were standing. To their left, the trees swayed in the breeze as if cheering Marina’s return.

“That wasn’t so bad,” Mike murmured, his eyes quickly adjusting to the darkness. He turned to look down at Marina just as her eyes rolled back in her head. “Marina!”

Mike’s arms protectively tightened around Marina when her legs gave out from under her. Her eyes fluttered for a moment as she fought to keep them open, but it was impossible. The weight of Magna’s spell had slammed into her, draining all the energy from her body even with Mike’s touch.

He picked her up in his arms and carried her over to a nearby tree where he gently lowered her to a soft thatch of grass growing underneath. He unhooked Mr. Bow and laid it to the side before he slid his hand along her cheek and cupped it. His hand trembled slightly as he waited until she opened her eyes. He needed to reassure himself that she was alright.

“It’s Magna’s spell and the drain from creating the portal. My magic is not made for such spells,” she whispered, forcing her eyes open. “Give me a few minutes.”

Mike breathed a sigh of relief. “Take all the time you need,” he said.

He removed his jacket and placed it over her. Turning, he sat down next to her and gently lifted her head so she could use his lap as a pillow. He tenderly brushed her braid to the side.

Shivering, Marina rolled onto her side and pulled his jacket around her. “I can feel the power within you,” she whispered with a sigh. “It is giving me strength. Already, I feel stronger than I would have.”

“Take all the power you need, honey,” Mike offered, leaning back against the tree and staring out at the ocean. “It is beautiful here.”

“One day I would like to show you how beautiful it truly is,” Marina murmured in a barely audible voice.

Mike tightened his hold on her slender figure. He could feel her fatigue. The spell took a lot out of her. Before, her grandmother had helped. This time, Marina had used every bit to transport them here.

He leaned over and picked up Mr. Bow, placing it next to her. He smiled when she pulled the bow under the jacket and hugged it close to her. Shifting a little more, he moved until he could straighten his legs. Tilting his head back, he stared up at the stars. Unobstructed, he could see the center of the star system running south to north like a wide river.

“Sleep,” he instructed, brushing his hand along her silky hair. “I’ll wake you when the others arrive.”

Marina started to shake her head before she sighed. “I shouldn’t, but I’m so tired,” she grumbled

Mike’s hand paused. “Get some rest. We will need you to be ready,” he ordered in a gruff voice.

She was silent for several seconds. Mike thought she had fallen asleep until she turned her head and brushed a kiss against his leg.

“You are a good man, Mike Hallbrook,” she sighed. “I’m glad you are here.”

Mike felt his chest tighten at her softly spoken confession. He listened as her breathing grew steady and knew she had fallen asleep. Relaxing, he leaned back against the tree and gazed out at the glittering ocean. The light from the twin moons created millions of dancing diamonds that reflected on the surface of the water. Love and fear warred inside him as he continued to tenderly stroke her hair.

“I’m glad I’m here, too,” he whispered, settling down to watch and wait for the others’ arrival.