Varus’ low warning growl beside me tells me he is uncomfortable with this greeting, as well.
“Oh, stop it,” Lilliana rolls her eyes at him and I’m surprised when he immediately stops. “It’s just a handshake. It’s not like I’m asking to claim him or something.”
Varus pulls her back to his side and gently nuzzles her hair, murmuring, “Forgive me, my linaya. I am still learning the ways of your people.” He turns to me. “Now, tell me. Why would you want to leave your fated here?”
With a heavy sigh, I explain my father’s reaction to my human mate and her crew.
Varus narrows his eyes. “If he tries to come for the females, we will be ready for him.”
Lilliana glances at her mate in alarm. “You think they would come here and try to take us?”
“I won’t let that happen,” I reply firmly. “I am returning to the Wind Clan castle to try to reason with my father and convince him to relinquish the throne.” I pause. “And if he will not see reason, I must take the Clan from him by force.”
Skye tugs at my arm. “No, it’s too dangerous. I won’t let you go.”
“Skye, I have to—”
Alarms suddenly blare throughout the city, the shrill sirens sending a chill down my spine.
Rakan rushes in. “My prince! It is a trap! The Wind Clan is attacking!”
Varus snarls. “How dare you try to deceive me!”
“This was no trick!” I deny. “I spoke truth!”
Instantly, he transforms, his tail whipping out to wrap around my mate and pull her behind him.
How dare he take my mate from my side! I shift into draka form, roaring in anger. “She is mine!”
“You think to bring ruin and destruction upon my people?” he growls.
“If ever you loved me as a brother, know this,” I grind out. “I would never betray you like that. I did not deceive you. My cousin Durzain is now controlling my father and wants me gone. He wants the human females too. I’m sure this attack is his doing.”
“He’s not lying!” Skye cries out. “Listen to him! He’s telling you the truth!”
Varus scrutinizes me intently. After a moment, he inclines his head. “I believe you.”
Another guard rushes inside. “They’re after the humans! They’ve already taken some from the city!”
Panic fills my veins, for I do not know my cousin’s intentions toward the humans if he is willing to steal them away against their will. I have reassured Skye that my people would never harm a female, but Durzain is a dishonorable male. He would not force-mate them, but he might imprison them, only allowing freedom to those who choose a mate among our people.
“Warriors, to me!” Varus commands. I follow him and his guards outside and we take to the skies in our draka forms.
I’m shocked and appalled to find Durzain leading several Wind Clan warriors in an attack on the city. Many of my brethren carry human females on their backs. As the humans wail in terror, I have never felt more ashamed of my people.
Chapter 22
Raidyn
The city is in complete chaos as Drakarian Wind and Fire warriors collide in the air, tearing into flesh with teeth and claws. Obsidian blood rains down onto the city below.
I roar in anger as several of the Wind Clan males, carrying human females on their backs, try to escape by turning to race toward the desert.
“Stop them!” I command Varus’ men.
In the distance, I notice Tai and a few other warriors still loyal to me approaching from the north as if pursuing the warriors that are under Durzain’s command. They turn as one and rush toward me.
I look to the Fire Clan warriors. “These warriors,” I gesture to Tai and the rest, “are loyal to me. Do not attack them.”
Blue and aqua scales flash by and I gape as Water Clan warriors join our ranks. Where did they come from? More importantly, on whose side did they come to fight?
As if in answer to my question, a blue male approaches me. Silver eyes meet mine and I immediately recognize Prince Llyr. “We are here to help.”
Before I can answer, he shouts an order to his warriors to chase down the Wind Clan males who have taken the human females, then spins back to face me.
“Thank you for your help.” My gaze shoots to Durzain. “I will pursue the leader.”
Furiously flapping my wings, I rush toward my cousin—now my enemy. “Durzain! Call off this attack before the females are hurt!”
“No!” he snarls. “The humans belong to the Wind Clan.”
I watch in horror as one of the Wind warriors spins to avoid an attack from a Water warrior but fails. The Wind warrior roars in pain at the impact while a human female falls from his grip. She releases a feral scream as she tumbles toward the ground with dizzying speed.
Another Wind warrior catches her and she hits his back with a thud. As he turns away from the capital, the distraught female yells something incomprehensible and jumps from his back.
Prince Llyr swoops low and catches her just before she hits the ground. I note in dismay that she hangs limply, horribly silent as he races toward the Med Center and the Healers.
Rage boils like fire through my veins as I rush toward Durzain.
Females are being injured. All of this is his fault. It sickens me that a member of my own family is responsible for such a hideous crime.
I barrel into his side, slamming him into a nearby wall. He hits the clay with a sickening crack. Recovering quickly, he swipes his claws at me, tearing through one of my sails.
I dig my claws into his flesh and he cries out in pain. Obsidian blood splatters the buildings around us as we circle and attack, over and over again, until we’re falling toward the ground, our claws locked in a deadly embrace.
I twist at
