But Ren had surprised everyone by fitting in. Not only with the royals, but even the Cadwaladrs. Bercelak had nothing but good things to say about him, and Brannie’s uncle had nothing good to say about anyone.

It was Keita, though, who became Ren’s closest ally, the pair heading off on their own adventures when they’d become old enough.

And their friendship over all these years had never waned.

“I’m sorry for Keita, Mum, but . . . so?”

“He was heading back to the Eastlands to see if the Empress would join us in our fight against the Zealots.”

Brannie let out a frustrated breath. “Well . . . again, that’s unfortunate, but—”

“And somewhere between Annwyl’s castle and the Port Cities Ren vanished. An event that has put us in a very bad situation.”

“Why?”

“Because Ren was under our protection when he vanished and has been since the day he’d stepped on our territories.”

“What did his guards say?”

“They’re dead.”

“Oh.” Brannie glanced off. “Well . . . that’s not good.”

* * *

Talwyn saw her father land in the midst of the chaos as their troops worked to get their new camp set up. And by the time she’d pushed past all those in the way, her father was in his human form and had on his leggings and boots.

She ran into her father’s open arms.

“Daddy!”

He lifted her off the ground and hugged her tight. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.”

“Of course she is. She’s pure evil.”

Talwyn smiled. “Good to see you too, Uncle Briec.”

“Demon offspring,” Briec greeted back. “Now where is my perfect daughter? You kept her safe, didn’t you?”

“She’s fine.” Talwyn tapped her father’s shoulders and he placed her back on the ground. “She didn’t react well, though, when the spells began to fly.”

“What do you mean?”

“She started bleeding from the eyes, but—”

“My baby!” Briec barked, tearing off into the camp.

Talwyn shrugged and focused on her father. “She’ll live.” She glanced around. “Where’s Uncle Gwenvael?”

“I’m sure he’s fine,” her father said dismissively.

“Why are you here, Daddy?” Talwyn asked, not in the mood to delve further about the missing Gwenvael.

“These recent attacks have changed our plans. Even before this nightmare . . . the queen had a new move.”

Talwyn cringed. “That sounds ominous, Da.”

“When it involves your grandmother—it usually is.”

* * *

“We need Ren found.”

“And if he’s dead or if we can’t find him?” Brannie asked her mother. “What then?”

“Then you accompany Keita to the Eastlands and protect her while she kills the Empress and most likely all of Ren’s siblings.”

Brannie’s eyes grew wide as her mother tried to walk off. She grabbed her arm and yanked the She-dragon back.

“Have you two lost your minds?”

“If that dragoness thinks we’re responsible for the death of her son, she’ll call for war anyway. And that we can’t afford. A new emperor may be more reasonable.”