Sabine yawned and stretched, feeling much better than she had the last time she'd awakened. Her magic flowed through her at full strength once again, and she wove a trace of it through her glamour to soften any jagged edges left as a result of her previous and hasty application.

The blankets next to her were disheveled, and she caught a faint trace of Bane's scent on them as though he'd just recently gotten out of bed. Sabine smiled, pleased he'd stayed the night. Even if she'd suffered some unfortunate effects from trying to interrupt the lich ward, at least it had forced Dax and Bane together again under the same roof. Hopefully, they could resolve some of their differences.

She climbed out of bed to find someone had washed and folded her clothing. It had been left neatly on top of the chest, along with her weapons. Eager to feel their welcome weight against her skin, she quickly dressed and equipped her knives. In some ways, she'd felt more vulnerable without her weapons than her magic. It was a testament to how much she'd changed since coming to live here.

Very few of the Fae would ever understand why or how she'd come to care about the people living here. It probably hadn't dawned on them she'd been living in a city surrounded by humans and mixed magical races. It hadn't been something she'd considered, until Balkin had made the choice for her after he helped her escape from Faerie. Humans, for the most part, were viewed as the weakest of the races and one of the most destructive. Her father had once compared them to insects with a propensity for multiplying out of control and ignorant of the magic of their world. Sabine had come to know another side of them, and their strength of spirit and ability to persevere in almost any situation had opened her eyes.

Sliding the last of her knives into the sheath on her thigh, she pushed open the door and headed in the direction of the wonderful aromas that beckoned to her. Sunlight streamed in through the windows of the kitchen, and Martha hummed a wordless tune as she pulled out a batch of freshly baked bread. Martha was an older woman with a rounded figure, a testament to her ability to create mouthwatering delicacies.

The gray-haired woman's mouth curved upward at the sight of Sabine. "Good! You're awake. Have a seat and I'll fix you something too."

Martha gestured to the table where Bane was already sitting. The demon grunted at her, but he was too busy shoveling food into his mouth to respond.

Sabine beamed a smile at Martha. "If it tastes half as delicious as it smells, it promises to be as divine as your stew last night."

Martha laughed and shooed her to the table. A moment later, she placed a plate with some sort of meat and vegetable pie in front of Sabine. "I've missed having both of you here. Taste this and let me know what you think. I'm trying out something new."

Bane was still busy digging into his food, a sure sign of his approval. Sabine grinned and picked up the spoon. The moment the first bite touched her tongue, she closed her eyes and moaned. The flavors exploded in her mouth, the tang of the spiced meat complementing the savory herbs and vegetables Martha had used. Some of these must have come from Esmelle's garden because she could taste the faint trace of pixie magic on her tongue.

"This might be better than your stew last night," Sabine admitted, pulling the plate closer to her. Bane gave another grunt of agreement and took another bite.

"I'm so glad to hear it, dear," Martha said, bringing over a pitcher and pouring each of them a drink. "Balkin should be here any minute, and Dax asked me to prepare something special for him."

Sabine swallowed the bite she'd been chewing and frowned. "I forgot about that. He hasn't arrived yet?"

Bane paused and glanced out the window. "He should have been. We were thinking he'd be here either last night or this morning, but it's already past midday."

"Have you seen Dax?" Sabine asked, trying to bury her unease.

The village where Balkin lived was situated at the edge of the Silver Forest, less than a week's travel from Akros. By the time Dax had received the message announcing Balkin's imminent arrival, he should have been no more than a day or two away. The message had been worded as a warning, and Balkin would have made haste traveling here, unless something had delayed him.

To her knowledge, the Fae weren't aware he'd helped her escape after her mother had been murdered. It had been one of Sabine's tutors who had taken her to Balkin's village that night. She later learned her tutor had been executed.

If her father ever discovered Balkin was still watching over her, his life would be forfeit too. She didn't even want to think about what they'd do to the rest of his family. Balkin had taken a terrible risk helping her escape, and every time he came to her, he endangered himself again.

Bane frowned. "I haven't seen Dax since I woke up. We were working on a project together for most of the night."

"I think he's in the war room. I'll take care of those plates if you need to speak with him," Martha offered, a trace of worry deepening the wrinkles around her eyes.

Sabine nodded at her. The war room was where Dax usually spent his time organizing his people and assigning them tasks. It was nothing more than a glorified meeting room. She didn't know why it had been named such, except Dax tended to enjoy violence. "The meal was wonderful, one of your best. But I'm afraid this can't wait."

Martha gave her a smile. "Go ahead, dear. I'll save your plate." She turned to Bane. "Shall I put yours away too?"

Bane sighed and pushed it away. "I've missed your cooking, Martha. Are you sure I can't convince you to come work for me? I'll pay you double whatever Dax is paying."

Martha laughed and shooed him off. "Shame on you. Go before you get me in trouble."

As they headed out of the room, Sabine grinned. "Don't you dare try to steal her away. I've been trying to smooth things over between you and Dax. If you convince her to leave, he'll never forgive you and I won't either."

Bane chuckled and wrapped his arm around her waist, navigating her toward the stairway that led to the lower levels of the tavern. "You could always come too. I've been trying to convince you to stay with me for the past few years."

She shook her head. "And all my efforts at repairing the rift between you and Dax will fall apart."

"Ah, but some things might be worth it," he suggested with a teasing grin. Leaning in close, he whispered, "Just think, we could even leave the city. My business isn't dependent upon staying here. You could live in the forest again. I'd take a few jobs here or there, but you'd never have to step foot in a city of stone and metal ever again. How would you feel about having the trees as your ceiling once again?"

Sabine darted a quick glance at him and didn't answer. He knew how much she missed the forest. She'd shared her memories with him over a glass of wine almost six years earlier. One night, after they'd downed an entire bottle, she'd broken down and told him everything. Bane knew far more about her history than even Dax. The next day, Bane convinced her to mark him, claiming it was another way to protect her.

On the one hand, it had helped make living in the city easier with his shared resistance to metals, but she knew Bane wanted the same thing Dax did. No matter how much they might pretend to be otherwise, they were both demons who dreamed about being able to walk in the sunlight without consequences and still retain their full strength. There was a reason the gods had limited their power and dominion to the underworld. Demons were a force to be reckoned with, and left unchecked, their potential for destruction could be devastating.

She might care about and trust Bane up to a point, but she could never risk forgetting what he was and who she was. She would always be Fae, one of the sworn protectors of this world. Allowing a demon to use her magic to walk the world unchecked would go against her very foundation and purpose. A short-term and controlled agreement between them was one thing, but anything more was too dangerous.

Over the years, Bane had occasionally brought up the possibility of them leaving the city, but it was always with a hint of teasing. Bane was much more subtle about wanting to keep her to himself, but in many ways, he was like Dax. He might project himself to be more tolerant and less intense, but he was simply more skilled at controlling his tendencies than his more volatile brother. In short, he was far sneakier and more manipulative.

As though sensing he'd crossed a line again, Bane fell silent as they walked through the empty hallways toward Dax's meeting room. Before they descended the stairwell, Bane stopped her. "Sabine, I want you to be careful around Malek. You should keep your distance from him."

Surprised by the abrupt change of subject, she lifted her head to regard him. His face was carefully neutral, and he was impossible to read when he set his mind to it.

"I'm not discussing him with you."

Sabine started to turn away, but he grabbed her arm. She frowned, looking up into his amber eyes that reminded her so much of his brother. Bane shook his head. "He's not who you think."

Without waiting for a response, he walked down the steps and toward the meeting room. She stared after him and shook her head. Something obviously bothered him about Malek. She just wasn't sure if it was because she'd shown an interest in the ship captain or if there was something else going on.

For all the years she'd spent with Dax and Bane, sometimes it felt as though she barely knew either of them. They were as foreign to her as the humans that surrounded them. It had led to a lot of mistakes made by all of them, but they'd tried to avoid them whenever possible.

Sabine blew out a breath and continued descending the stairs. Trying to corner Bane wouldn't get her anywhere. He'd eventually tell her what was troubling him, but not until he was ready or it suited his purposes. Sabine followed him into the meeting room where Dax was sitting slouched low in a chair, his hands steepled together. She halted at the sight of Terrance's ledger on the table in front of him. Parchments with scribbled markings were scattered around him, leading her to believe he'd been there for hours.

"You're still working on it?" Bane asked, circling the table and looking over Dax's notes.

Dax ignored Bane and met her eyes, a faint trace of temper in them as he gestured to the chair beside him. "Have a seat, Sabinthea."

She froze. It had been years since Dax had called her that. It wasn't her real name, but it was close enough his use of it made her uneasy. Even more disturbing was the sight of the book and Malek not being anywhere near it. She couldn't sense him through the mark, but that might not mean anything. It still wasn't working right.

"Where did you get the ledger? And where is Malek?"

"Your new friend shared it with me last night." Dax stood, his eyes flashing to silver and staying that way. "Sit. Down. Now."

Sabine narrowed her eyes at Dax, sending a sharp lash of her power toward him in warning. It struck him like a whip, a not-so-subtle reminder she would never bow to him. "Have you forgotten who you're talking to, Dax'than Versed, son of Kal'thorz? I will never obey your commands."

Dax glared at her, his breathing heavy as though he were struggling to get control of himself. Sabine remained where she was, waiting and hoping he wouldn't force the issue. Balkin had repeatedly warned her about allowing a demon to issue orders. Dax might make a request, which she could decide whether to accept or decline. But once someone allowed a demon to circumvent their will, it was much more difficult to retain their autonomy. So far it had proven to be sound advice, but the path she walked was treacherous. Sometimes she thought demons were more dangerous than the Fae who wanted her dead.

Bane crossed his arms over his chest, still studying the parchment on the table. He would be no help in this, which indicated he wasn't particularly happy with her either. She just didn't know why. Something more than just jealousy or possessiveness was going on.

Dax grabbed the edge of the table and hurled it across the room, causing it to splinter apart. Her heart thundered in her chest, but she didn't move. It was never a good idea to run from a predator, especially one such as Dax. It took everything in her to keep her expression neutral and her body relaxed as she held his gaze. Feigning nonchalance, she arched her brow. "Well, that was rather unnecessary, don't you think?"

Dax snarled and prowled toward her. Despite her false bravado, he was starting to scare her. She took a half-step backward before she caught herself, but it was enough to give Dax the advantage. He closed the distance between them and wrapped his arm around her, yanking her even closer. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't bind you to me right now."

Sabine blinked up at him and placed her hand against his chest. "You could try, but I would destroy you before you had a chance."

Without giving him an opportunity to respond, she blasted him with her power. Dax flew backward, hitting the wall with enough force the stone support behind him started to collapse. Broken plaster and a piece of wood fell from above him, the dust coating the top of his head and his horns.

Straightening her shoulders, she approached him. Infusing her words with magic, she reminded him, "You are not my equal, Dax'than Versed. You walk freely under the sun only because I will it. If you ever try to force a binding between us, I will banish you to the underworld and be done with you."

"You've made your point, Sabine," Bane said in a dry tone and picked up the ledger from the ground where it had fallen.

Dax laughed, a cruel and harsh sound. She frowned as he got to his feet and brushed himself off. Seemingly unconcerned by what had happened, Dax smirked at Bane. "She's back to full power."

"Yes, she is," Bane agreed, flipping through the pages of the ledger. "The twenty-four-hour grace period begins now."

Sabine's gaze darted back and forth between them. "What in the name of Underhill is going on?"

Bane glanced up at her. "Dax wanted to make sure you were fully recovered."

Her mouth dropped open. "And you didn't think to just ask?"

"Not nearly as much fun," Dax said, picking up some of the papers and handing them to Bane.

Sabine threw her hands up in surrender. "May the gods save me from foolish demons. I could have hurt you, Dax."

He shrugged. "A bit of foreplay never hurt anyone."

Sabine rolled her eyes and picked up one of the papers from the floor. Someone, most likely Dax based on the handwriting, had been working on deciphering the code. "Where's Malek? I thought he was trying to decode this."

"He's... otherwise engaged."

Sabine jerked her head up and narrowed her eyes on Dax. "What did you do to him?"

"He's alive and unharmed for the moment, but whether he remains that way is yet to be seen," Bane said with a shrug. He walked over and handed her the ledger. "Terrance was tracking our movements for the past two months—mine, Dax's, and yours. We believe he may have paid off some of our people to acquire this information."

Sabine frowned. "To what end? I'm hardly involved in either of your operations anymore, and none of Edvar's kids would sell information about me."

Dax nodded. "I suspect you're correct. That's why we believe Terrance paid off Riven to find out your whereabouts. Your name was listed much less often in the ledger than either Bane or myself. Terrance foolishly considered you the weak link between us, and I was the actual target."

Sabine looked at the ledger again and shook her head. "What reason would he have to target you? You said Terrance was new to the city, and you'd given him rights to operate his gambling hall with little interference."

Bane shrugged. "He was probably hired to track us or to determine a way to have Dax eliminated."

"And framing the leader of the local assassins' guild for my murder would be the quickest way to have you and Dax turn on each other," Sabine murmured with a sigh. "I suppose the old adage is true. Send a demon to kill a demon."

"Indeed," Dax agreed, dropping the papers on a chair. "The most likely culprit is the councilman whose home we burglarized. The heightened security and addition of the mercenaries was enough to pique my interest. He laid a trap by embedding a valuable object with a lich ward that was targeted to me."

"So we've been dancing to the councilman's tune ever since he spread word about artifacts being discovered in the catacombs under the city." Sabine didn't bother to hide her disgust, but it still didn't answer her earlier question about Malek and Bane's cryptic warning. "If you think Malek had a hand in this plot, you're wrong."

Dax chuckled and approached her with a shrewd look in his eyes. "Have you fallen for the ship captain? Is that why you're so quick to defend him?"

She slapped the ledger against Dax's chest, refusing to answer his questions. "He isn't responsible. You were likely planning to go after the items even if Malek hadn't negotiated a deal to acquire them. Now, tell me about Balkin."

Dax tossed the ledger onto the nearby chair. "He hasn't arrived yet, nor have we heard anything more from him. I know he's still alive, but beyond that, it's impossible to know."

Sabine frowned, that uneasy feeling beginning to fill her once again. Dax had been marked by Balkin years before she'd come to Akros. Dax was able to sense him, but unlike the mark she shared with Bane, Dax couldn't track Balkin. Such an ability had to be gifted or inherited.

Sometimes, pixies could track the Beastpeople, since they'd also been created from Fae magic. She could try to ask Blossom to locate him, but she was hesitant to send her away, especially with the arrival of a new pixie clan.

A noise in the hallway caught her attention, and she turned to see Javyn escorting a hooded individual into the room. Her heart thudded in her chest as he lowered his hood, revealing pointed ears and a face more animal than man. More than a millennium ago, when the dragons and other races started slaughtering her people en masse, the Fae infused their magic into some of the most dangerous creatures of the forest. They became one of their most lethal forms of defense, sworn to protect their creators, much as the Fae had once been created to serve the gods.

Balkin walked upright on two legs like the humans, but there could be no confusing him with anything other than one of the Beastpeople. Sabine suspected Balkin's family were descended from one of the larger predatory cats. He was covered with a pelt of fur from top to bottom, but the golden hair on Balkin's head was even longer, reminding her of a lion's mane. His snout was elongated, and he possessed whiskers that twitched when he was annoyed or found something amusing. They'd twitched a great deal when she'd been a child. At least, until she'd been forced to flee Faerie.

"Balkin," she whispered as memories from the past crashed over her. She rushed toward him and he swept her up in his arms, holding her tightly against him.

"Sabin'theoria," he murmured in a voice quiet enough no one else could hear.

She squeezed her eyes shut, ignoring the tears that escaped as the welcome scent of the forest and home surrounded her. It had been so long since anyone other than Balkin called her by her true name. His chest rumbled in a purr, and she smiled against his neck. She hadn't seen him for more than a year, and she'd missed him dearly.

She sniffed and wiped her eyes. Balkin leaned back, his golden catlike eyes scanning over her with no small amount of affection. Sabine's mother had trusted him above all others, and he'd been a near-constant fixture and protector while she was growing up. She gave him a small smile. Taking his furred hands in hers, she sent a gentle wave of her power over him. His purr grew louder, and he returned her smile.

"My kitten has become a fierce warrior, much like her mother," Balkin said with pride. His voice was raspy as though unaccustomed to speech, which was likely if he'd been spending most of his time in his village. His people relied more heavily on thought-based communication rather than typical speech patterns. They could also speak to the Fae through mind contact, but demons didn't share in that ability.

Dax approached them and motioned for Javyn to withdraw. As soon as the door closed, Dax said, "We were expecting you much sooner, Balkin. Was there trouble on the road?"

Balkin's golden eyes began to glow as they focused on the demon. "There is always trouble when dealing with the treachery of the Fae. You have been negligent in caring for my charge, Dax'than Versed. The Wild Hunt will fly again soon."

"What's happened, Balkin?" Sabine asked, trying to bury the fear his words evoked.

The Wild Hunt was a Fae creation. Once, it had been used as the army of the Unseelie Fae to seek out those who were oath-breakers or to battle against their enemies. After the portal closed and their original purpose was no longer necessary, the magic changed. It was wild magic, neither Seelie nor Unseelie, but something in between and outside of anyone's control.

Balkin turned back to her, blinking away the golden light. "Whispers have reached Faerie concerning a Fae who possesses dual facets of power, both light and dark, Seelie and Unseelie. Your father has heard these whispers and knows you still live. He will come for you soon."

Sabine's mouth went dry. "And my brother?"

"Rhys'ellesar has agreed to rouse the Wild Hunt, in accordance with his father's wishes. It is no longer safe for you in Akros, my darling kitten."

Sabine blanched, and the entire world started to tilt. Faster than any normal mortal, Balkin wrapped his arm around her before she collapsed. She gripped his cloak and whispered, "Why would Rhys do this? He has to know I had nothing to do with the death of our mother."

"Your father has been whispering in his ear for more than a decade, Sabine," Bane said, taking a step toward her. "We all expected it would come to this. Your brother and father must die to ensure your survival. With your leave, I will head to Faerie and take their heads."

Dax gave Bane a nod of approval. "I will accompany you. With Sabine's marks upon us, we can move safely through the Silver Forest."

Sabine's eyes widened, and she darted a glance between all three of them. Their expressions were grim, but she couldn't allow them to do this. Pulling away from Balkin, she took a step backward and shook her head. "No. You will not kill my brother, and you won't be able to get close to my father. I will not agree to this."

"Your brother is planning to summon the Wild Hunt. He doesn't deserve your loyalty," Bane said, his eyes flashing to silver.

Her hands curled into fists. "Rhys doesn't know the truth! If I speak to him or get a message to him about what happened that night, maybe—"

Balkin shook his head, his gaze filled with sorrow. "Rhys'ellesar will ascend to the Council of Eight in less than six moon cycles."

Sabine's heart fell into her stomach. She turned away to stare at the crumbled wall where she'd thrown Dax, a fitting representation of her chaotic emotions.

After the portal had been sealed with magic provided by a renegade goddess, widespread war had occurred between the races as territories were divided and reorganized. When the Fae began to face certain annihilation, they'd banded together, both Seelie and Unseelie, and formed the Council of Eight as the ruling body of the Fae.

Sabine's mother had been one of the Unseelie representatives and her father one of the Seelie. Upon her mother's death, Sabine had been expected to take her place. But that was before her father had tried to have her killed.

"This decision has been approved by the rest of the Council?" she asked quietly, already knowing the answer.

"The seat has been empty since you left," Balkin said gently and rested his clawed hand on her shoulder, the gesture a comfort and painful reminder of everything she'd lost. "Your father still retains his place. Your brother will now join him."

"Rhys is Seelie," she whispered, turning back to look into Balkin's eyes. "That seat has always been held by an Unseelie. Why would they allow this?"

"The Seelie do not wish more of the old magic returning. They will do anything, including trickery and deceit, to accomplish their goals."

Sabine frowned, suspecting Balkin was right. The Seelie had always been threatened by the darker magic the Unseelie embraced. It had been centuries since the Unseelie left Underhill to rejoin the rest of Faerie, but the division between the two groups still remained.

Bane took a step toward her. "He has a point, Sabine. From what you've told me, your parents' union made your brand of magic possible. I wouldn't be surprised if they started killing off the rest of the Unseelie to prevent it from happening again."

Dax crossed his arms over his chest. "Sabine, you need to be practical about this. Your father knows your continued existence is now a threat to your brother, which is why he's probably pushing for your brother's ascension so quickly. He's trying to force a confrontation and lure you out of hiding."

Balkin glanced over at him and nodded. "Your protector speaks the truth. Rhys'ellesar needs your death confirmed before the ascension, or he risks jeopardizing his standing among the Fae. Your father has declared him your mother's legal heir."

Sabine laughed—a harsh, bitter sound. "My mother never would have allowed a Seelie to take her place and allow them ruling control over the council. Rhys knows that."

"That's probably why he hasn't called for your death until now," Bane said with a shrug. "But it sounds like your father has forced him into this path. His efforts at killing you failed years ago, and he's now assigned your brother to the task. Do not sacrifice yourself to protect someone who doesn't deserve it. If you aren't willing to strike, my brother and I will act as your weapons."

"No," she snapped, curling her hands into fists again and infusing her voice with power. "I will not allow you to kill my brother. You would do well not to ask me such a thing again."

Without waiting for a response, she stormed out of the room. The hallway was clear, most likely on Dax's orders. With Balkin's arrival, he would have made sure to keep everyone away. Balkin was too recognizable as being connected to the Fae, and he didn't possess the ability to glamour himself. The lack of curious onlookers was for the best. In her current mood, she didn't want to see or talk to anyone.

Pushing open the back door of the tavern, Sabine stumbled out into the sunlight and bent over, resting her hands on her thighs as she tried to breathe through her tumultuous emotions. The smell of stone, dead wood, refuse, and human frailty and sickness filled her nose. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to find a calm oasis in her mind. It was always so difficult here, without the forest and nature surrounding her. She stared up at the sky, thinking of Rhys and how things could have come to this.

He was asleep the night she'd snuck out and followed her mother deep into the forest to find out who she was meeting. It shouldn't have mattered that Rhys hadn't accompanied her. He knew her better than anyone. Or rather, he had. Sabine shook her head and wrapped her arms around herself, not wanting to believe her brother thought she was capable of killing their mother.

The evidence against her was fairly damning. Her father had made sure of that. Her escape from Faerie had been used against her too, but she wouldn't have survived if she'd remained. She'd been too young and inexperienced to fight against opponents who'd had centuries to hone their skills. Even now, she still couldn't match their magic. She might have raw power, but she lacked finesse. Her years of living surrounded by humans and suppressing her magic had made sure of that.

Part of her had held out hope that once she returned, her brother would have joined her side to help clear her name. She'd thought, perhaps foolishly, her brother wouldn't have believed she'd been responsible for their mother's death. Twins were supposed to have a mystical connection to each other. Sadly, she'd never shared anything like that with Rhys.

"Are you all right?"

Sabine brushed away her tears and turned at the sound of Malek's voice. She managed a weak smile and then shook her head. Lies came so easily for humans, but the Fae couldn't lie. Sometimes she thought it might be easier if she could.

"I don't think I've been all right for a long time."

Malek frowned and moved closer to her. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

She swallowed and glanced at the closed tavern door. Bane or Dax would probably come looking for her any minute, and she didn't want to talk to them right now. Their solution was simple; once Rhys and her father were dead, she'd be safe. That was the way of demons and one of the sources of contention between the two brothers. Find a problem and kill it.

But she wasn't a demon. It would destroy something inside her to allow them to harm her brother. The only reason she'd left him behind years ago was because Balkin had assured her he would remain safe. After all, Rhys was her father's chosen heir.

Balkin had made it clear he would support Rhys's execution. The thought was enough to twist her stomach into knots. She looked up into Malek's concerned eyes. "I don't think..."

Her voice trailed off, and she glanced at the closed door again. Her emotions were too volatile when it came to her past. Some space might help provide a bit of clarity.

She straightened her shoulders. "I need to get out of here for a bit. Will you take me on a tour of your ship?"

Malek paused, his eyes widening in surprise. "My ship? Ah, of course. I'd be happy to show you."

"Perfect," Sabine said and fell into step beside him.

Malek was quiet as they headed for the docks, both of them seemingly lost in their own thoughts. His silent presence was more comforting than she expected. His hand brushed against hers, and that slight touch made her heart flutter in appreciation at the reminder she wasn't alone.

Perhaps Bane was right and she was starting to fall for Malek. It was more than the power she sensed within him. She'd started to care about him. It had been a long time since she'd thought someone might feel the same way about her, and not just because her magic allowed them to walk under the sun.

She'd been lonely for a long time. It might be smarter to push Malek away, but the constant secrets and subterfuge were beginning to wear upon her. She darted a quick glance at Malek, wondering how much more she could trust him.

Wanting to distract herself, she asked, "Will you tell me about your ship?"

Malek gave her a smile, his eyes twinkling in amusement. "Ah, well, the ship is your typical smuggler's vessel. It's designed to look like a merchant ship, and more or less functions as one. We have a crew of about fifty but with the capacity for many more."

Her eyes widened. For all the time she'd spent living close to the sea, she hadn't spent any of it on board a ship. "I didn't realize so many people lived there."

"It takes more people than you might expect to keep things running smoothly. The crew works in shifts around the clock, but on occasion, they need to pull double duty. Any fewer than that number and you begin to run into problems."

They approached the docks, and the wind brought the strong scent of salt and fish along with it. Akros was a port city, but it wasn't wealthy like some others. Many merchants elected to take their wares someplace else where their merchandise could fetch higher prices. They had some quality artisans, but many of them paled in comparison to cities which specialized in exotic textiles, wines, weapons, and other items.

Malek's ship was larger than she'd expected, with the center mast reaching higher than the tallest warehouse. She stared in surprise, feeling a bit out of her element. Although most Fae didn't have a problem with water, very few of them ever elected to spend time on a ship made from dead wood. Some creatures who claimed the sea as their dominion wouldn't take too kindly to any other magical race trespassing. Sabine had enough problems with the ones on land. She didn't need to add more enemies to the mix.

A wooden plank bridged the gap between the dock and ship. Malek took a step onto it and held out his hand toward her. She hesitated only for a moment before allowing him to help her on board the ship. Despite its large size, the ship swayed lightly under her feet, and each of her footsteps sounded hollow as she stepped onto the dead wood.

Some of Malek's crew were on the deck and called out greetings to their captain while also giving her curious looks.

Malek put his hand against her back and leaned in closer. "I can give you the grand tour, if you'd like. Or if you'd prefer some privacy, we can go to my cabin and talk."

Sabine swallowed, searching the dock for any familiar faces. Dax would have some of his people working in the area. Word she'd boarded Malek's ship would reach him quickly. "Privacy would probably be better. I can't stay long."

He nodded and led her toward the rear of the ship just as another man ascended the nearby stairs. Levin's eyes widened at the sight of her, and he grinned.

"You joining us when we depart, Sabine?"

Sabine halted in her tracks.

Before she could say anything, Malek frowned at his first mate. "She's simply here to see the ship. Can you arrange to have some tea sent to my cabin?" He glanced at her. "Is tea acceptable? Or would you prefer wine?"

"Tea would be good," she said, unwilling to get lost in more memories, especially on the heels of Balkin's news.

"Of course," Levin said easily but with a trace of his smile still in place. "I'll take care of it."

He moved aside to allow them to pass, and Malek led her up some stairs to a deck area where the wheel of the ship was located. Behind it were two doors, and Malek opened one of them, gesturing for her to enter. She did, somewhat surprised to see a rather large bedroom with a desk, shelves, and several chests in the corner. It wasn't as spacious as the attic room in the tavern, but it was bigger than she'd expected.

"Levin's cabin is next door. The rest of the crew sleeps below deck. On a nice night, some of them sleep under the stars. I've done it myself a time or two."

Sabine didn't answer right away, too busy looking at everything at once. It was a small glimpse into Malek's life, and she wasn't sure what she'd been expecting. The room was neat and clean but also more ordinary than the fascinating man who slept here.

Pausing at the desk, she ran her fingers over the map of the world and wondered what sort of magic Malek possessed. He could be one of the Merfolk or maybe a shapeshifter of some kind, perhaps one with an affinity for the sea. It would explain the power she detected within him and his decision to captain a ship.

Malek leaned against the wall, seeming content to watch her explore his cabin. She trailed her fingers over the shelves, studying the titles of the books. Many of them appeared to be historical in nature, detailing life at sea or in some other port towns.

"You enjoy reading? I noticed you looking at the books in the councilman's library."

She nodded. "Yes, but they're hard to come by here. The councilman has one of the largest collections in the city. I recognize some of these titles from his library."

A light tap on the door interrupted them. Malek opened it and accepted a covered tray from whomever stood on the opposite side. He closed the door with his foot and carried the tray over to the table. Sabine rolled up the map to give him some room.

"You can put that map in the chest over there, if you'd like," Malek said, uncovering the tray to reveal a small pot of tea, two cups, and a plate of biscuits.

Curious, Sabine opened the chest to find several other rolled parchments, most likely also maps. She placed it inside and noticed a small painted mask in the corner of the chest.

"Oh," she murmured, carefully lifting the mask to examine it. Small shells had been affixed to it, each one giving another splash of color and depth to an already remarkable creation. Tilting it to catch the light, she admired the intricate workmanship of the artist who had crafted and painted it.

"Ah, I see you found one of the gifts I plan to give to my sister," Malek said with a chuckle and poured some tea into the cups. "She fancies herself as an artist. Between you and me, she's probably more likely to collect works of art instead of creating them. She loses interest too quickly, but she's always had an eye for it."

"It's beautiful," Sabine admitted, looking for an artist's mark or signature. "I've never seen anything like it before. Where did you get it?"

"I picked it up in Karga about a month ago. The seller claimed he acquired it from a local tribal shaman. It's supposed to imbue the wearer with good fortune and luck."

She carefully replaced the mask, making sure it wouldn't get damaged in transit. Standing, she accepted the cup Malek held out to her. She inhaled the familiar aroma of several flowering plants designed to promote relaxation, and her mouth curved into a smile. "This is one of Esme's special blends, isn't it?"

Malek chuckled and took a sip of his tea. "I wondered if you would recognize it. I told Levin about her shop, and he decided to check it out. Your witch friend is very talented and quite charming. I think Levin spent quite a bit of coin there."

Sabine laughed, thinking about how Esmelle would preen when she heard the compliment. "I'll remind you about that if she ever decides to try out some of her experimental mixtures. Those can be a little... interesting."

"Your warning is noted," Malek said with a grin and took a drink. "But it's difficult to imagine after tasting this mixture."

"Mmm," she agreed, her gaze roaming over the rest of the cabin and falling on the chest again. "Will you tell me more about your sister?"

"Kaia?" Malek asked, his expression turning curious. "What would you like to know?"

Looking down at her cup, she realized she just wanted to know more about him. Sometimes learning more about a person's loved ones and how they spoke about them was an insight into who they were as a person. Perhaps it would provide her with some clarity into her own situation.

"Did you always get along with your sister?"

He studied her for a long time and placed his cup on the table. "Not always. There's a significant difference in our ages. I was tasked with acting as her guardian and protector quite a bit. She resented it when she was younger, and I didn't care much for constantly having to bail her out of trouble."

"But that changed?"

Malek nodded. "It wasn't overnight. I started spending more time away from home, and the distance helped our relationship grow. We both matured. We've always cared about each other, but I'm much closer to her now than I used to be."

Sabine studied the books on the shelf again. The eclectic mix of titles indicated Malek had an interest in various cultures and races. There were very few stories, but more about the history of their world. Running her fingertips over the spine of a book about the Fae, she said, "I told you I have a brother."

Malek fell silent for a long time. "I'd heard siblings among the Fae are uncommon."

"They are," she agreed, walking over to the desk to put her cup down. The tea had helped steady her a bit, but she still needed to figure out what to do about the situation with Rhys. "My people aren't as prolific as humans. Multiple children are rare enough, but twins are almost unheard of."

Malek's eyebrows rose in surprise. "You have a twin brother?"

Sabine nodded and wrapped her arms around herself as though it could protect against her emotions. Only Dax, Bane, and Esmelle knew about her brother, and each of them had sworn a blood oath to keep it secret. She'd never been tempted to trust anyone else, but Malek spoke to something inside her and she wanted a deeper connection with him.

"When we were very young, we spent every waking moment together. The other few children were either much older or younger. Rhys and I were more than siblings. We were friends. Playmates. Confidants. We were inseparable."

"But that changed?" Malek guessed, sitting halfway on the edge of the desk.

"It did," she said quietly, running her fingers over the rim of her cup on the desk. "When our abilities began to emerge, the Elders began marking us in accordance with our budding powers. Each mark is created by infusing our blood with our magic below the skin. No matter what happens, we can draw upon the marks and the power locked within them."

Malek nodded. "I saw the markings when you lowered your glamour. It looked like it had taken a long time."

"Hours upon hours," she said quietly, remembering the pain. It was a rite of passage, but the agony of each mark was a type of sacrifice that could fuel one's magic to even greater heights. "A Fae's markings are a sign of growing power and the complexity of the magic contained within their blood. My brother's markings weren't as extensive as mine. I gained power at a much faster rate. Almost as soon as one Elder finished a mark, another began. My father was convinced I'd stolen some of my brother's magic while we shared a womb."

Malek shook his head, his confusion apparent. He placed his hand over hers in a comforting gesture. "I don't understand. Magic can't be stolen, only gifted. Why would your father blame you?"

She studied his hand over hers. It was such a small thing, but it meant far more to her than it probably should. Turning over her hand, she interlaced her fingers with his. "How much do you know about the Fae and how we form family bonds?"

He hesitated. "Not much. My grandmother was Fae, but she came to live with us later in life. She wasn't a blood relative, but my grandfather cared for her deeply. She was the greatest love of his life, even though he'd met her toward the end of his."

Sabine blinked up at him in surprise. "That's how you know the language of the Fae and the oath of no harm?"

Malek nodded. "Even though I wasn't related to her, she took a shine to me. Much of my childhood was spent at her home, and she'd frequently tell me stories while she gardened. That's where I first met pixies."

Sabine smiled, envisioning an Elder telling fairytales to a dark-haired little boy. He was probably just as charming as a child as he was as an adult. She suspected she would have found it impossible to resist him. Children were always a fascination to the Fae, probably because they were so rare. Her people still occasionally spirited away an unwanted or partially magical child, bringing them to Faerie and raising them there. It didn't occur as often now that their territory was so small, but it still happened.

"My parents weren't so fortunate. They had an arrangement between them. It wasn't a love match, but rather a way to consolidate power."

He frowned. "Is that common?"

Sabine shrugged. "It's not uncommon. Ever since the Dragon War, my people have struggled to grow our numbers. Unlike humans, we simply don't produce enough children. A couple may be fortunate to have one child in a century, but some go most of their lives without conceiving. Our Elders began arranging pairings based on what they believed would maximize the chances for a child."

"I'd heard something to that effect. But if children are precious to the Fae, why would your father have blamed you for being more powerful than your brother? You still share the same blood."

Sabine shook her head. "I shared more in common with my mother and her type of magic. I can draw upon the magic from my father's line, but my mother's magic has always been stronger for me. She claimed me as her heir, leaving my brother to follow my father. That would have been acceptable, but Rhys, my brother, could only tap into our father's line. The shadows have never claimed him as one of theirs."

"You're Unseelie," Malek murmured, studying her thoughtfully.

She sighed. So many outside the Fae had preconceived notions about the Unseelie and Seelie. They were essentially from the same fountain of power but had different facets and purposes. The Unseelie worked better in the darkness, while the sunlight was the dominion of the Seelie.

"Not exactly. My mother was Unseelie, but my father was Seelie. I can draw upon the powers of the light and the dark. My father viewed it as a taint upon his magic, that his pure Seelie blood should be skewed by the dark." She frowned, studying their entwined hands and the contrast of her pale skin with his more golden tones. "I don't know why the Elders decided to pair my parents together. It may have resulted in two children, but my father always resented their edict."

Malek straightened, his hand tightening around hers. "That's why you had to leave your home."

Sabine gave a half-hearted shrug. It wasn't the whole truth, but she wasn't willing to share everything—not yet, maybe not ever. "When I left, it was with the understanding my father wanted me dead. Since we're twins, my brother should inherit my magic once I'm gone from this world."

"But you said your brother has never shown an affinity for it," Malek pointed out with a frown.

"No, not for my Unseelie magic. But he could take my Seelie magic and entwine it with his. At least, that's what some Seelie Elders suggested to my father. It was enough for him to believe it." She paused, staring at the closed port window that overlooked the ocean. All of this seemed like a lifetime ago, but she knew her father would never rest until she was dead. Even if Rhys never acquired her mother's magic, Sabine's existence was a shadow upon her father's Seelie name.

With a sigh, she said, "After my mother died, I didn't have a choice except to leave. I wasn't strong enough to fight my father and survive. A Beastman who swore a life oath to my mother's line helped me escape from the Silver Forest. He was the one who brought me here."

"To a city of stone and metal, surrounded by humans, where the Fae would never consider looking," Malek murmured.

Sabine looked up at him. The compassion and understanding in his gaze were nearly her undoing. She swallowed, trying to bury her tumultuous emotions.

Malek reached over and cupped her face in his hands. "You did what you needed to do to survive, Sabine. I can't imagine how difficult living here must be for you. In my wildest dreams, I never imagined finding someone like you."

Her heart soared at his words, mirroring her own feelings for him. Placing her hands against his chest, she said, "I'm glad you decided to come to Akros, Malek. I never imagined meeting someone like you either."

Without another word, he lowered his head, claiming her with his mouth. His kiss took her breath away as barely restrained passion and need erupted between them. She whimpered, and he pulled her closer, consuming her with his heat. She wanted him, needed the understanding and compassion he offered like she needed her next breath. This is what she'd been missing, this feeling of connection.

His power called to hers, and she desperately wanted to unleash her own. Running her hands under his shirt to touch his heated skin, she infused her touch with a trace of her magic. Through the mark she'd given him, the power between them flared to life.

His kiss became even more demanding, and he lifted her into his arms. Wanting more and everything he promised, she wrapped her legs around him as he carried her to the bed. They fell onto it, and something jabbed into her side.

She broke their kiss with a laugh. "Weapons."

Malek chuckled and tossed his sword aside, and then his clever fingers disarmed her in less time than she expected. His hand brushed against the edge of her shirt and slid underneath, caressing her bare skin. She wanted his hands everywhere, but there were too many clothes between them. Reaching down, she tugged his shirt up in a silent demand. He pulled it off, tossing it aside, and she ran her hands over his bare chest. His skin was warm, hotter than she expected, and she felt the power nestled within him flare to the surface. A medallion around his neck began to glow. Before she could touch it, he grabbed her wrists, breathing heavily as he stared down at her.

She blinked up at him in surprise, and he took a ragged breath, his expression tormented. He was gentle, holding her in place, but it was obvious he struggled with an internal battle of some kind. With another curse, he pulled away and climbed off the bed. Sabine frowned and pushed herself up as he ran a hand over his head and paced the length of the cabin. The medallion around his neck began to dim, and she arched her brow, waiting expectantly.

He continued pacing for another few minutes, and Sabine settled back, taking the opportunity to admire his muscular physique. He wasn't wearing glamour. She'd thought maybe he possessed a form of it, but whatever Malek was hiding didn't translate to that type of illusion magic. He was a delicious specimen all on his own, and Sabine swept her gaze over him again. If the top half was any indication of what she might expect from the rest, she looked forward to exploring every inch of him.

Malek halted, his heated gaze perusing her as she watched him from his bed. He shook his head. "This wasn't how I planned this, but I can't seem to think clearly when you're around."

She laughed and sat up. Reaching down, she started unlacing her shirt. "Thinking is overrated, Malek. What I want to do with you doesn't require much... thought. Only sensation."

"I can't," he whispered, a trace of a growl in his voice as she slowly untied the bindings of her shirt. His medallion began to glow again, and he squeezed his eyes shut as though in pain.

Sabine paused, tilting her head to study him. Lowering her hands to the bed, she asked, "All right. Why don't you tell me what's going on?"

"I want you," he whispered, opening his eyes and taking a step in her direction. "Your taste, the smell of your skin, every inch of you. I see your face every time I close my eyes. I want you in every way imaginable. You're all I've been thinking about lately."

Although his words made her stomach flutter, Sabine waited for him to finish. He was barely keeping hold of his inclinations, and while the thought of causing him to lose control was thrilling, she wasn't willing to push too far until she knew what was affecting him.

"I'm not human," he admitted, gesturing to the medallion that had been hidden under his shirt. "I hired a witch to create a ward that would allow me to hide my magic."

She glanced at the disc around his neck and nodded. "I figured that out a while ago."

He paused, his frown deepening. "You did?"

She gave him a small smile. "I realized you were wearing a ward when I had to keep refreshing your mark. I don't know what you are, but we all have our secrets. I'm not asking for yours."

The conflicting emotions in Malek's gaze tugged at her heart. She wouldn't push him, but she wanted him to know how she felt. Keeping her voice soft, she said, "I want you, Malek. I wouldn't be here with you if I didn't think you wanted me too. But your secrets aren't part of that, unless you want to share them."

Malek shook his head and wrapped his fist around the medallion. "You're irresistible, Sabine. I've wanted to have you here like this, in my bed, since the moment we met. I've thought of a hundred different ways to tell you the truth, but I haven't been able to bring myself to say the words."

"Why not?" Her first thought had been he might possess Fae magic, but the few traces of his power that had filtered through the mark were unlike anything she'd experienced before. It was a strong and complementary magic of a sort, but the overall flavor of it was different. It was closer to Bane and Dax's power than hers.

He sighed and crossed the room toward her. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he said, "I don't think you'll forgive me once you learn the truth."

Sabine frowned, surprised by the depth of concern she saw in his eyes. Malek didn't strike her as someone who would worry for naught. Reaching up, she placed her hand against his cheek. "You're worried this will change how I feel about you?"

"Yes," he admitted as though the words pained him. "I hope it doesn't, but it will."

The concern in his gaze touched her, but it also reaffirmed her earlier belief Malek had a good heart. It was enough to make her willing to abandon caution, despite living a lifetime of it over the past several years. If things were about to change between them, she wasn't in a hurry to speed it along.

"Will your secret keep for a while longer?"

Malek hesitated. He tucked her hair behind her ear, trailing his fingers over her skin. "Do you have any idea how tempting you are?"

When she smiled, he leaned in closer and kissed her again. Her eyes fluttered closed, and he cupped her face, easing her back onto the bed. A pounding on the door interrupted them.

Malek pulled back with a loud curse and threatened to tear the limbs off whomever was on the other side of the door. He stood, and Sabine sat up again with a sigh.

Someone shouted, and the door crashed open. Sabine dove for her weapons. Twisting her body, she gripped the hilt of her knife and prepared to throw, halting at the sight of Bane standing in the doorway. Levin stood behind him with a weapon drawn and aimed in Bane's direction.

She blinked up at Bane. Ignoring Levin as though his threat was inconsequential, Bane glanced over at her and then turned to Malek with a thunderous expression.

"You didn't tell her," Bane said with a growl, his eyes flashing to silver.

"I was about to tell her before you broke down the damn door," Malek retorted, glaring at Bane. The medallion around his neck began to glow softly, and Sabine frowned.

Pushing up from the bed, she stepped between the two men. "Why are you here, Bane?"

His jaw clenched, and she waited, taking the opportunity to fasten the laces on her shirt. After a moment, Bane took a shuddering breath and his eyes reverted to their usual amber color. She could tell his anger simmered just below the surface. It wouldn't take much to send him back to that jagged edge.

"Your ship captain is a dragon. When I realized you'd gone with him, I knew he hadn't told you the truth."

Sabine froze. She blinked, turning to stare at Malek with a combination of shock, horror, and underneath... fear. It couldn't be possible. The dragons never descended this far south, preferring to remain closer to their Sky Cities. She studied Malek, her gaze gravitating toward the medallion and remembering his offer to travel with him. Had he wanted to bring her to his ship so he could take her back to the Sky Cities?

"Take off the medallion," she whispered, desperate for Bane to be wrong about this.

Malek didn't say anything, but his expression was pained. He reached up to unfasten the necklace and dropped it onto the bed. The moment it was removed, power, foreign and alien, filled the cabin. She took a half-step backward. By the gods. It was true. He really was a dragon in human form. She'd heard the stories about how they had two forms, but she'd never met a dragon before. There could only be one reason he was here.

"Sabine," Malek began and started to walk toward her. "I never—"

Before he could finish that thought, she raised her hand and blasted him backward against the wall of the cabin. She couldn't risk him getting close again. Not now. The books on the wall tumbled down, the wooden shelves broken beyond repair. Malek, however, was unharmed, likely protected by his own magic. Her hand trembled as she lowered it, and she curled it into a fist to stop it from shaking. In a match against a dragon, she wasn't sure she'd survive. She'd never considered this to be in the realm of possibilities. In all the stories she'd heard, it had taken several Fae working together to bring down one dragon.

Behind her, the sound of Bane drawing his weapon caught her attention, but Malek held up his hand. "That's not necessary, Bane. No one will harm Sabine. Levin, put away your weapon too."

Malek continued to hold her gaze, but he made no effort to stand. "I never intended to deceive you, Sabine. My oath to you still holds true. I won't harm you."

Bane snorted behind her, but she ignored him. Having the demon at her back helped give her the strength to remain standing. Otherwise, she'd be running as far and fast as possible. "Why are you here in Akros?"

"May I stand? It's a little uncomfortable here."

Sabine hesitated and then inclined her head, watching as he got to his feet. Malek kept his movements slow and deliberate. Her hands flexed outward and then curved into fists again, more to stop the tremors and magic that wanted to be used. It wasn't wise to admit her increasing fear when surrounded by predators.

A dragon. The man she'd started to fall for was a dragon. He was one of the creatures who had slaughtered thousands of her people, almost to the point of extinction.

Sabine swallowed, her mouth impossibly dry as she thought back to every conversation they'd shared. "Your Fae grandmother. The one who told you the stories. She was a captive, wasn't she?"

Malek winced and nodded. "Initially, yes. When my grandfather met her, he fell in love with her. I believe she loved him too. At the end, she wasn't a captive. She chose to remain with him."

Sabine made a small noise of despair, kicking herself for her foolishness. She'd trusted Malek, but dragons would always be enemies of the Fae. It wasn't simply a matter of liking the persona Malek had shown her. If it were that simple, it wouldn't matter what he was. Dragons hoarded power and magic, just like they collected shiny trinkets, gems, and gold. The Fae had suffered for centuries when dragons imprisoned them as part of their hoard.

It was no wonder his "grandmother" hadn't returned to her people. Even if she wasn't a captive in the conventional sense, Sabine had never heard of a dragon relinquishing their hold on someone once they fell into their clutches. Then again, Malek had saved her—more than once. She wouldn't have been able to escape the councilman's home and gotten back to Dax without his help. He could have taken her back to his ship or done whatever he wanted while she'd been unconscious, but he hadn't. He'd protected her instead.

A flash of a memory tickled in the back of her mind. She remembered waking up to a pleasant warmth and seeing Malek's face when she opened her eyes. Lifting her hand, she brushed her fingertips against her lips, recalling a kiss and the taste of his foreign magic. "You kissed me after you brought me back to the tavern. What did you do to me?"

His brow furrowed and then he sighed. "You were dying, Sabine. Your glamour was draining you. I infused you with dragonfire to give you enough power to wake up. Bane did the rest."

She stared at him in shock, hearing the ring of truth in his words. Dragonfire? Desperate for him to be lying, she looked over at Bane, and he gave her a curt nod, indicating Malek spoke the truth. This had the potential to be disastrous. She'd been little more than a teenager when she'd fled her homeland, and she didn't have enough training or experience to know how her magic might be affected. She'd need to speak with Balkin at the earliest opportunity to see if he knew what lingering effects dragonfire might have on her.

Unfortunately, there was another matter that now needed to be handled. The heaviness of a debt between them weighed upon her shoulders, demanding repayment. Another debt. This one a life debt... to a dragon.

"There is no debt between us for such a thing," Malek said quietly, correctly guessing one of the sources of her unease. "You were injured as a result of my request to acquire the chalice. I won't ask you for more."

Sabine paused, feeling as though the universe was weighing his release. After a moment, the heaviness lessened and the tight band around her chest eased enough to allow her to take a full breath. Relieved, Sabine nodded in acceptance of his words, but the thought of what could have happened left her disconcerted.

Malek started to take a step toward her. She shook her head in warning and lifted her hand again, wary about allowing him too close just yet. He frowned but remained where he stood.

"Why did you really come to Akros, Malek?"

"For you," he admitted with a sigh. "But not for the reasons you may think."

"He needs a Fae," Bane said beside her.

Malek narrowed his eyes at Bane, but when he answered, he focused only on her. "I heard rumors the leader of the local thieves' guild had a penchant for finding rare magical artifacts, particularly those of Fae origins. I thought Dax might have a contact who was Fae or he might have an affinity for Fae magic. I never expected to find you."

Sabine frowned and lowered her hand. "The chalice? Why are you looking for Fae artifacts?"

"Not just any artifacts," Malek said, rubbing his hands over his face. "I'm looking for the artifacts that were once used to seal the Dragon Portal."

Sabine stared at him in shock and horror. The portal was a gateway between dimensions. No one knew who had first created it—most likely the gods. It allowed the denizens of this world and others to pass back and forth. As the war for supremacy progressed between the dragons and gods, their world began dying. To battle against the dragons, the gods drew upon the magic of this world to fuel their attack, which ended up crippling and killing the magical races who were dependent upon the magic to survive. Even now, the Fae were still struggling to regain their previous level of power.

Understanding their world would be doomed if the war continued, one of the gods met in secret with representatives from some magical races and gifted them with the knowledge on how to end it. Several artifacts were created and then used to seal the portal, thus ending the war. Unfortunately, it also trapped everyone where they happened to be—including some humans, dragons, and other creatures not native to this world. No one knew if the battle continued in other dimensions or if any of the magical races from this world were still trapped on others.

The closing of the portal may have ended the war and prevented this world from dying, but it had come at a great cost. Some races had disappeared completely. The Fae and those closely related to them still hadn't fully recovered. With the magic of the gods suddenly disappearing from the world, they might never return to their former glory.

Sabine didn't know all the details about the artifacts or how they worked. Most of what she knew had been passed down in stories, with the Keepers of Knowledge protecting the precious tomes that detailed the Fae's history. Supposedly, the artifacts had been hidden after they'd been used to seal the portal. She didn't know where or even what they looked like.

From what she could recall of the stories she'd heard, the artifacts Malek mentioned could be used to remove the enchantment on the portal. That was why they'd been split up and hidden. If the seals on the portal were removed, it would allow the war between the dragons and gods to resume. Only this time, the dragons would have the upper hand since the gods wouldn't be expecting the attack. If that happened and the last of the magic faded from this world, everyone tied to it would die, especially her people. The Fae were the caretakers of this world, and they wouldn't survive its loss.

Her nails dug into the palms of her hand, and she shook her head. "I won't help you kill the gods."

"I'm not asking for that," he said quickly, lifting his hands in a peaceable gesture. "The portal seals are failing, Sabine. Everyone in the Sky Cities feels it. The magic from the other realms is beginning to filter through. I came here to find the items that were used to close it so we can ensure another war never happens again."

Bane snorted. "You can't be suggesting the dragons want the portal to stay sealed."

"Not all, no," Malek admitted. "Many of my brethren are eager at the opportunity to once again take to the skies and leave this dimension. I don't believe we can risk another war. For good or ill, we're part of this world. We need to protect it. Allowing the portal to open again will cause widespread destruction."

Sabine frowned. "You would turn against your people?"

Malek shook his head. "Not exactly. I'm not alone in my thinking. In addition to my family, several other dragon clans believe the same thing. We're a minority, which is why I left the Sky Cities in secret and have been masquerading as a smuggler while I conduct my search."

Bane crossed his arms over his chest. "Have you discovered any of the artifacts yet?"

"Not for certain, but I believe the chalice may have been one of the artifacts entrusted to the Fae for safekeeping. I won't know until Dax turns it over to me."

Sabine frowned. The chalice was old enough to be from that time, but she couldn't say whether it had been used to seal the portal. All she knew was that it was an object of power.

Malek focused on her again. "Sabine, I can't imagine what you must be thinking right now. I apologize for not telling you sooner. I never expected to find a Fae here, only someone with trace amounts of power or someone with Fae ancestry. I wasn't sure that would be enough, but I needed to start somewhere. Then I met you, and I held off telling you the truth because I wanted to get to know you better."

His words had the resonance of truth, but she wasn't sure she could trust him. He was still a dragon, and all the stories she knew were of terrible creatures who'd unleashed death and destruction upon their world. She didn't want him harmed, but he knew her identity and that knowledge was dangerous.

"If Dax agrees to give you the chalice, will you leave Akros?"

Malek hesitated. Her heart thundered in her chest, waiting for his response. He held her gaze and took a cautious step toward her, keeping his hands at his side where she could see them. She wanted to trust him, but she was still wary of his intentions. He was taking great pains to make himself appear nonthreatening, which helped a bit.

"If necessary, yes. But I'd like your help to locate the remaining objects. The information I've gathered over the last year indicates only a Fae who possesses the magic of the gods can wield the objects. Someone from each of the original magical races will be needed to work the actual spell to reseal the portal, but you're the only one who can locate them. I've compiled years of research that detail my findings and found a few old scraps of notes that allude to it, but I'm afraid I haven't been able to sort out everything yet. I can show you what I've learned, if you're willing to consider it."

Sabine didn't answer right away. She was tempted to refuse, but part of her was curious. She might want to believe Malek, but he was right; everything had changed between them. Trusting a dragon, especially one as likeable as Malek, would require careful consideration.

"I'm willing to review your notes and take another look at the chalice. Beyond that, I won't commit to anything more right now."

Malek nodded and his shoulders relaxed as though a weight had lifted from him. Apparently, her agreement had given him a great deal of hope. "If you plan to return to the tavern, I can bring them over shortly. Or I can deliver them to Esme's shop."

"The tavern will be fine."

Bane put his hand on her back. "We should get back. Balkin brought more news he needs to discuss with you."

She nodded but didn't make any move to leave. Instead, she searched Malek's expression. Nothing in his face or body language indicated he was being anything less than truthful. He hadn't harmed her, even when she'd used her magic against him. Instead, he'd protected her—not once, but several times. The only flaw was the fact he'd hidden his identity from her. It was impossible to fault him for that.

If she'd been in Malek's shoes, she probably would have done the same thing. Only a few people in the city knew her real identity, so it wasn't fair of her to be angry at Malek for hiding himself. Dragons weren't trusted anywhere in the southern cities. And he tried to tell her the truth before allowing things between them to become even more entangled.

Unwilling to leave things so unsettled between them, Sabine slowly approached Malek. He didn't move, but he seemed surprised as she continued to move closer. She probably wouldn't have been so brave if Bane hadn't been standing at her back. Reaching down, she took Malek's hand in hers. Without the medallion around his neck, his power flared against hers. She jerked her head up to meet his gaze.

"You have nothing to fear from me, Sabine," he said gently but made no other move toward her. "It's been difficult wearing the medallion when you're around. Your power calls to mine and has from the moment you first touched me. That's what you're feeling now."

She didn't respond, too busy focusing on the nuances of his magic. It was stronger than she expected, even more potent than some Fae magic. Like he said, his power called to hers too, and she had a moment to wonder what it would be like between them without the medallion in the way. Tracing her fingertips over the mark on his wrist, she infused her magic into it, feeling it seal properly this time. Liquid fire heated her skin in the same location of his mark, but it was a small price to pay.

Malek placed his hand over hers and squeezed it gently. "Does this mean I still get to have that dinner with you?"

"As long as I'm not the main course," she said, only halfway kidding.

Malek chuckled and lifted her hand, placing a soft kiss against it. "I promise."

She offered him a small smile before withdrawing her hand and turning away. If Malek was typical of dragons, maybe her people had made a mistake. Perhaps they weren't as evil as the Fae believed. For now, she'd withhold final judgment. But she'd still remain cautious.

Without saying another word, she walked past Levin and off the ship with Bane following behind her.