Kastali Dun

Reyr had never heard a roar quite like Talon's. He hoped to never hear it again. Even now, it echoed in his mind, haunting his memory. His heavy heart was broken in half, though not as badly as Talon's.

He stood near Talon's fireplace, hand braced on the mantle, gazing into the flames. The others sat around the room—everyone but Saffra and Bedelth.

He still couldn't believe what the Sprites had done for the seer. What Meira and Selphie had managed in a matter of seconds. They'd acted quickly. The moment they'd fallen through the portal, they'd used their magic, singing healing into her wound, knitting the skin back together as the final dregs of her lifeblood drained away. Saffra wasn't human. If she had been, they'd have failed. Thank the gods Saffra was inhuman.

No, thank the gods for the Sprites.

Bedelth had fallen to his knees before them, weeping. He'd promised them a life vow in exchange for saving Saffra's life. Such a thing wasn't done lightly. Now her mate was indebted to them. A small price to pay.

Bedleth was with her now. Saffra was resting in her chambers. Her stubborn mate refused to leave her side. No one faulted him for it.

The rest of them were here, recovering from their shock like a lost flock of sheep. The king looked like an empty shell of himself. As if the moment Claire left their world, she'd taken him with her. His face was blank, his eyes glassy an empty. Resigned.

He'd tried to go after her in those initial moments. He had transformed and leapt into the sky. It had taken four of the king's Shields to subdue him, to keep him from rushing off so recklessly.

That was exactly what Kane wanted.

Reyr glanced around the room. Every face was bleak. Many expressions still held fragments of disbelief. The moments leading up to now felt like a dream. He half expected Claire to walk through the tower door and ask them why they all looked like someone had died.

But she wouldn't. She couldn't. She was...gone.

Even little Batty knew something was wrong. He'd crawled into Talon's lap and mewed up at the king with sad eyes. A tiny little thing pleading with a beast of a man. Talon's large palm rested on Batty's small body, absently stroking Batty's fur. It was the only sign that there was still some part of the king lurking within.

Their discussion had come in fits and bursts. Starting and stopping. Broken segments that didn't quite fit together.

When he did speak, Talon continued insisting that he fly halfway across the kingdom to the Gate Kane had used in Celenore. It would take days to get there, leaving the king exposed. And yet, every moment they waited, planned, Claire was at risk. Who knew what danger she would find, getting dropped into her old word.

Reyr knew—he'd been in that world. "She will do better than you give her credit for," he had argued, trying to help Talon see. "She knows how to navigate her world far better than you, my king," he'd added.

They'd fallen silent again, after that.

A throat cleared. "What of the gate beneath the keep," Feowen said, finally speaking. He'd been unusually quiet. Likewise, his sister beside him. Even Taylynn looked utterly shocked. This had not been an expected turn of events. Her expression said as much. It turned out the all knowing Sprite princess wasn't entirely...all knowing.

"What of it?" Verath snapped. He, too, was on a short temper. He held Desaree cradled in his lap. It was a shock to see such a composed Drengr, who wouldn't normally show his affection publicly, fawning over the woman he loved. He'd let out a dangerous growl upon seeing the blood marring Desaree's neck. He hadn't calmed down until she reassured him that she was unharmed.

"Well," Feowen said. "The gate beneath the keep is not a three day flight away."

"It's broken," Reyr reminded him.

"By Isabella, yes. She used some kind of Sprite magic to break it. I've heard the story. But...what if it could be reconstructed? Restored."

Reyr growled. "Don't give him any ideas, Prince."

"So, what?" Feowen crossed his arms, the expression on his features turning dangerous. Sometimes, it was easy to forget through all of Feowen's joking that he was a thousands-of-years-old immortal. He hid his lethality behind a facade. "You're just going to leave my cousin in her world? You heard what the king said. Kane bound her memories. That gods' damned sorcerer used some kind of potion to suppress them. She very likely has no idea what is going on." Feowen threw up his hands. "We do not know the extent of the potion. He could have reduced her to a simpering, empty-headed woman who can't form words, let alone thoughts. We have no way of knowing. We need to go to her. She. Is. Our. Queen."

The last of the prince's words were said with enough emphasis that Reyr flinched. As if he needed reminding. How did one balance an entire kingdom's safety against a single woman. Especially a woman who had become that kingdom's beating heart?

"There is no we," Talon said, speaking again. Some of the awareness in his gaze returned. "I will go and get my queen." The proprietary use of that word was not lost on them. Talon was volatile. He needed to express his possessive nature in whatever way he could. Claiming Claire for himself above all.

Everyone broke into protests again. "But, leaving the kingdom is exactly what Kane wants," many of them argued. "A kingdom without its king is vulnerable. Kane will sweep in and plant himself on the throne—"

"We need a plan." The voice that spoke from the doorway was filled with calm authority. Silence fell. They turned to find Saffra in the doorway, looking worse for wear. Behind her, Bedelth was frowning as if this was the last place he wanted her. He would have to learn, in time, what it meant to be wrapped around the finger of the one he loved.

A pang of sadness tightened Reyr's chest. He'd learned that lesson once. Now he would be alone...always alone—

"Saffra!" Desaree squirmed free of Verath's lap. Jocelyn also rushed over, taking Saffra's hand in hers. Their faces brightened.

"I think Claire knew something was going to happen," Saffra said to the room. "Before the battle, she was acting odd. Perhaps she didn't anticipate this, but she did have an inkling, or an intuition. I made her a promise, to keep a level head and be the glue that keeps this group together should anything happen. Why do you think she made me promise that, if she thought we'd all be fine?"

Silence filled the room.

"So, as I said—" Saffra lifted her chin. "We need a plan."

"The plan," Talon growled, his voice hoarse and insistent, "is that I'm going to find her."

"That settles it," Feowen announced, as if he'd been waiting for the right moment to back the king. "Talon will go and rescue his mate, and the rest of us will hold the kingdom together in his absence."

"And how do you propose we do that, when news breaks that the king is no longer here to protect his kingdom?" Now free to stand, Verath was on his feet, his face flushed.

"It's simple," Taylynn said, finally speaking. "We don't allow the world to find out. Kane will never know."

"He holds court almost daily," Reyr said, keeping his voice as calm as possible. "Not to mention the vast numbers of meetings with prominent court individuals and his lower council. He could be gone days, months, years? We don't know. And what do we do in the mean time? You forget, Princess, that there is a kingdom to run."

"No, Lord Reyr, you forget the bounds of Spriten magic." Taylynn faced Reyr with a cutting tongue. Behind him, a chuckle that sounded suspiciously like Koldis had him throwing a glare in the Drengr's direction.

"Fine. What, then, oh great princess, do you propose?" His words came out harsher than intended. The result was a low growl, followed by the pressure of a hand as Koldis found his shoulder and squeezed. It was both a warning and a restraint. Reyr sighed, then glanced at his brother. "Forgive me, I am at the end of my tether."

"It is my mate, to whom you should seek forgiveness."

"She started it," he grumbled, caring little for how childish the argument sounded. This entire situation had all of them acting out of character. No wonder Claire had made Saffra promise to be the glue holding them together. They were all about to fall apart.

"You, Lord Reyr, will act as king in Talon's absence," Taylynn announced. He huffed, ready to shoot down the absurdity of the argument. Taylynn beat him to it. "Our magic will transform your appearance. A guise, if you will. We can place the deception over you like a shroud. No one, not even the Drengr, will know otherwise. Well, they might suspect, should you be a poor actor. But surely you are willing to play the part, if it means your king will be free to rescue his queen?"

She lifted a challenging eyebrow.

His mouth opened and closed. Speechless. She'd rendered him speechless.

Koldis's hand, which still rested on his shoulder, squeezed once, then disappeared. Koldis was mated to the women. He knew exactly how she could be.

"But...but..." Reyr tried to sputter his way through a refusal. "Talon will need a guide in Claire's world. I've already been. I can help him navigate the absurdities there." Two snorts sounded—Jovari's and Koldis's.

"You forget, brother, that we were there, too." Jovari stepped forward. "We know—"

"Jovari will be coming with me." Talon's voice silenced the room. Everyone turned to the king, who was now standing, Batty deposited in his place on the armchair. "Jovari is mateless, and the obvious choice. Koldis, your mate is here. I will not put a world barrier between the two of you. And Reyr, I need you here running my kingdom. You are the one I trust for this."

Koldis and Taylynn shared a glance.

Talon turned towards Jovari. He'd been the youngest of their group until Dallin had come along. "Are you willing?"

"Need you even ask?" Jovari blinked at him as if he'd grown a second head. "I am your Shield. I am at your command, my king. I go where you need me."

Talon appeared to relax a measure, his shoulders dropping from their tense position.

"Good, it is settled then." Taylynn's face brightened. "Let us work out the details. My brother, who is skilled at reversing magic, will take a look at the gate beneath the keep. I, in the mean time, will work with the rest of Claire's guards to devise a fitting disguise for Lord Reyr. I am afraid, Your Majesty, we will need you for the process. Think of it like posing for a painting."

Talon snorted. "I don't pose for paintings."

"No? Then you will not be adding your painting to the Hall of Kings when your mate returns?" Taylynn knew just the right thing to say. A flush crept up Talon's cheeks. He muttered something that none of them could hear, but gave her a curt nod.

The next several days both crept and flew by. Talon would have left the moment Claire disappeared, if given the choice. Instead, they used the time to enact their plan. Feowen spent most of his days beneath the keep, studying the magic that the first queen of Dragonwall had used to break the gate. In the mean time, Reyr was hidden away with Talon to undergo his transformation. Because the guise was implemented in layers, he could not leave the king's tower. He was forced to remain in the lower levels, Claire's levels, away from the servants. Only their immediate circle could know of this, or word might get out, ruining all they had worked for.

First his golden hair changed, from orderly locks to messy and dark. Then his frame was enlarged. While all Drengr were larger than humans, Talon was one of the largest of their kind. His shoulders were slightly broader than Reyr's. His muscles, slightly bulkier. Then came the most difficult part. Talon's scars. It had taken three days to cover his body in the same, identical markings.

Finally, his voice and eyes. That was the moment he found himself looking in the mirror, gasping at what he saw. There was nothing of Reyr left in his appearance. He was an exact replica of his king.

He didn't need coaching on how to behave or act. He knew all of Talon's tells. But he did spend time practicing, forcing himself to act in a way that wasn't natural for his body.

It wasn't until Feowen appeared, announcing that he had found a way to reverse Isabella's magic, to rebuild the gate and save Talon from flying to Celenore, that the enormity of their plan came crashing down upon Reyr. The realness of it. The pressure.

"How do you do it?" he managed to ask, during one of the rare moments he and Talon found themselves alone together. They stood side by side on a lower balcony in the darkness, looking out over the sea. Had anyone seen them, they'd have died with fright. Two of King Talon was far more frightening than one.

"I'm almost glad you get to do this," Talon said. He'd been in a better mood since the day of Claire's disappearance. Having a plan and a goal to work towards had instilled a measure of hope in their king. "Now you get to suffer as I do. You get to see exactly what it's like. If I'd have known it was this easy, I'd have begged the Sprite princess to do this earlier. Who knows, maybe when I get back, I'll bribe her to keep the disguise in place. Or maybe, I just won't come back. I'll slip into Claire's world—"

"Don't you dare finish that thought," Reyr said, whirling on him. "You are needed here, and I am but a poor substitute."

Talon cracked a small smile, the only one he'd seen in days. Before Claire, his king had never smiled. He'd grown fond of the changes she'd wrought. "You are better than you think."

Talon's faith meant a great deal.

They stood side by side, soaking up each other's company, knowing this was the last night they'd be together for a while.

The following morning wasn't easy. Feowen managed to repair the gate, but none of them was willing to test it out. Talon insisted he didn't want anyone going through besides himself and Jovari. They'd face whatever world they found together, without the risk of any others. "And don't you dare follow me. Any of you. No matter how long I am gone. You are needed here."

Orders were given, choked goodbyes, promises to keep in the king's absence. None of them wanted to consider what might happen if he never returned. Especially not Reyr, who would be stuck ruling for the remainder of Talon's reign.

The important thing was fooling Kane. The sorcerer needed to believe he'd successfully sent the queen away, and that the king had not followed. It was genius, really, fixing the gate beneath the keep. It was unlikely that Kane knew of it. He'd have the capital watched, and was likely waiting to see the king depart north, to find his queen.

The sorcerer would be disappointed on that matter.

Talon spoke to each of them, saving Reyr for last. They'd said all they needed to in the past few days, sitting together, undergoing Reyr's transformation. It didn't stop Reyr's heart from seizing up, fear and worry, taking hold. He hated goodbyes. He'd lost so many loved ones. Would he lose Talon, too?

No. He couldn't bear to think of it.

Everyone watched in strange fascination as two identical kings clasped forearms, and then hugged. Talon clapped him on the back. "Do not forget—you are me now. Big shoes to fill, yes? But you will do brilliantly. I wouldn't allow this plan, otherwise." Reyr's throat closed up. He blinked, then nodded.

Jovari said a similar goodbye to each of them.

Everyone stepped back on the rocky outcropping in the cave that had offered them so much discovery, wonder, and possibility over the past months. They stood together as Talon and Jovar stepped up to the Gate. Reyr suppressed a shudder, remembering a time when he'd faced a Gate just like this, to search for Cyrus. Time, it seemed, love to come full circle.

He pushed the thought away.

"Shall we?" Talon turned towards Jovari. "How about together?"

Jovari's throat bobbed, but then he nodded. Talon hooked a brotherly arm around Jovari's neck, then guided them forward. Every breath in the cave was held as every eye watched in unison. The king of Dragonwall, paired with one of his trusted Shields, walked forward between the two pillars of black stone, then disappeared from Dragonwall completely. 

⭐🌟 DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!!🌟⭐

Happy Friday, Bookdragons!

I had so much fun reading your reactions to last week's chapter. There were many great comments, speculation, and pairings of love+frustration. I get it! Waiting is hard! It will be so difficult to end things on this cliff hanger. 

As with each book, I always end with the chapter for who the book is named for. We have a Bedelth chapter coming, to close out his story. I haven't decided if I'll do a bonus chapter before Bedelth's. It will depend on my inspiration.

Otherwise, we really just have one big chapter left. Currently, BtO is sitting at 147,000 words. I tend to shoot for 160,000 - 180,000. This one might end up being the shortest one of the bunch thus far. However, editing always tends to grow the word count.

I've had a lot of questions, namely, when will we see book 6??? Truthfully, I don't know. I am VERY excited to get started. My inspiration is bursting. But I also have some other obligations on my time, too. Usually there's about 6 months between books posting. If that's the case, we'll see chapters around the Feb/March 2024 time frame.

See you all next week!

-Mel

P.S. Book six will be Jovari the Blue. Notice how I am sending Jovari with Talon? That puts him in a perfect position to be the highlight of book 6!! That was intentional on my part. :)