I should have expected what happened next. When I failed to answer the letter, Astrid herself arrived on the island, the witch in question behind her. Both of them stood proud and tall, their eyes searching the group of drakens hard at work as their braids hung over their shoulders.

I stepped away from the drill I was running, handing my sword to Kieran. “I don’t think—”

“There.” The air witch with Astrid pointed towards my drakens, singling out one in particular.

As if her point was some kind of magick on its own, Trego dropped the daggers he’d been training with and sprinted towards the witches. His brown hair bobbed behind him, bound up high to stay out of his way while he fought. To my annoyance, he shifted into his human form to greet them. “Cassie?”

My eyes narrowed as he gave them a bow . . . a bow . . . and straightened. Cassie?

“Cassiopeia and I need to speak with you.” Astrid’s tone brokered no discussion. She turned her head, those silver eyes finding me easily. “And you.”

I growled. As much as I hated to give the appearance of coming when the witch called, the thought of divulging such business in front of my people was worse. I stomped towards the trio and reluctantly held out my hands. We appeared in my treehouse. Unfortunately for us, Ronan was there, studying supply lists and inventories. I opened my mouth to tell him to leave, but the young witch had no scruples as she pinned Trego with a fierce gaze.

“I am with child.”

The statement hung heavily in the air, and Ronan’s eyebrows rose in incredulity. Trego just stared. Then, he seized Cassiopeia around her waist and twirled her in the air.

“What wonderful news! My king! We have . . . ”

He cut himself off when he actually looked at me, standing there with anger and fury across my face. Trego gently put the witch down and not-so-subtly put himself between me and her.

“What have you done?” I demanded, the entire mess already giving me a headache. Trego had never been a particularly dominant draken, preferring to yield to the stronger ones than get into any real fights. I remembered he was one of the few who had assisted Wren in freeing the lykos, but otherwise wasn’t remarkable in any other way. Now though, he was transformed. He stood tall, his wings arched protectively between the witch and me, fire blazing in his eyes.

“I am moving on, my king.”

My eyes narrowed, and Astrid stepped forward.

“Why don’t you take Cassie out, and talk things over Trego?” Astrid glared at me as she said it, so I kept my mouth shut. Trego bowed lightly to me, then picked the air witch up in his arms, and flew off the balcony. The witch squealed in pleasure, her arms tightening around his neck in happiness. The moment they were gone, I rounded on Astrid.