"What the hell…" Serena murmured. "Are you waterboarding me?"
"You are supposed to drink it, Serena." Elara was trying very hard not to laugh.
Serena opened her eyes to see Elara leaning over her with a wicked grin on her face.
"You take a sip. I dare you," Serena said, deadpan. It tasted like she had literal swamp water in her mouth.
"Still dramatic." Elara shook her head.
"Where are we?"
"Drakenfell. King Tiberon needs you to step in for Dex."
Serena blinked, then exhaled slowly. "Of course."
She wasn't going to leave them unprotected. But she had no desire to ask about Dex.
Elara noted that and did not elaborate.
Then Serena realized a pair of arms were around her, and she was in a bathrobe.
She recognized the scent instantly. Finnick Shadowclaw.
"King Shadowclaw carried you in here," Elara explained, choosing her words carefully.
Serena nodded, but then felt a wave of nausea.
She was up, in the bathing chamber with the door locked before Fin could get there.
She threw up more of whatever the hell went down her throat. After splashing water on her face and rinsing her mouth, she left the bathing chamber.
The drink was still sitting out and she gagged at the sight.
"I'll help you. King Shadowclaw stepped out for a minute," Elara said. "The combat suit you wore was laced with poison. He noticed it."
Serena gave her a look.
"Let's save that story for another day and a glass of wine," Elara added.
Serena started to crack up. "Elara… I think it is fair to say this has been the best twenty-four hours of my life."
Elara laughed with her as she helped her change. "Yeah, I would say walking in on your fated mate cheating. Twice. Then being forced to sit through a Battle Address after he walked in with the woman he cheated with..."
She paused, then winced. "Damn. That actually sounds horrific."
"I would rather walk the war summit naked in silver cuffs than sit through that meeting again," Serena said voice flat.
Elara snorted. "See, aren't you glad you had that whiskey before? Told you it'd be useful."
"That whiskey clocked in, saw the situation, and quit," Serena said.
"On the bright side, everyone in the room felt sorry for you."
Serena shot her a look. "Gods, please don't ever say that again. That is the opposite of a bright side."
"It's true though. He looked 100% in the wrong."
"That doesn't make me feel better."
Elara mindlinked her, strangely.
Elara: Shadowclaw is listening. There's something you need to know.
Serena took a moment to respond, fidgeting with the blanket on the bed. Normally, she would have jumped on that. But today had been a rough one and she wasn't sure if she was ready for more.
Serena: Can it wait?
At that moment Fin walked in. Neither girl realized Hyran had given him and Aeron gold cuffs. He could absolutely hear her mindlink.
Serena turned and his scent hit her hard like a cannon. She tensed, eyes widening.
Was it that strong when she first woke? Or earlier in the day at the War Summit?
"Thank you for your help." She swallowed, voice level. "I'm sorry to keep you from your men."
"Of course," he said, tone soft. To Serena's shock he closed the distance, pulling her into his arms.
Elara slipped out of the room, fully planning on eavesdropping through the door. The gods themselves couldn't have stopped her.
Serena didn't realize how badly she needed a hug until he did it. She hugged him back.
Everywhere their skin touched, it felt like electricity. Similar to how it felt with Dex.
She stiffened in his arms.
"Serena, there's something I need to tell you," he said, pulling away. "Do you remember what happened?"
She met his gaze. She remembered being in pain.
She looked down at her bracelet, remembering that she was transported back to the rune and thinking, oh damn, I'm about to die.
But nothing after that.
Did he come with her when she transported?
Or did he take a portal?
Did he carry her up to the infirmary?
His voice interrupted her thoughts.
"I'm supposed to tell you to drink this."
He handed her two white tonics.
She drank both rapidly, one after the other, only realizing how desperately thirsty she had been when the second was gone. Relief followed fast, the pressure in her head easing.
"Damn," Fin remarked, watching her closely as the pain dulled through the matebond. "Those work better than advertised."
"Yes. But not that one," she replied, glancing at the waterboarding tonic.
Fin chuckled, the sound unexpected and warm. For a reckless moment, he had the urge to tackle her onto the bed just to hear her laugh too, to chase the smile before it could disappear.
Their eyes met.
Neither of them moved.
The tension between them tightened, something she didn't fully understand.
Fin leaned in.
She let him.
Their lips met.
Serena jolted, the sensation shocking her. It felt like a wire snapped into place between them.
She drew back for a second, surprised. He paused an inch away from her lips.
She didn't pull away further.
He closed the distance again, kissing her slowly. This time she was ready for the sparks.
The kiss was gentle, like he was afraid she might shatter.
She kissed him back.
For the first time in a day, her mind was on something else. Even if it made no sense.
Fin broke the kiss, inhaling sharply. "Serena..."
Before he could say anything else, there was a knock on the door.
Serena jumped, stepping away from Fin. Her face went red as her mind caught up to what she just did. Confusion and guilt warred inside her chest.
The door opened and Alaric, Aeron, and Hyran walked in.
Serena had not been expecting Hyran, and she definitely had not been expecting Aeron.
"I hear you have had a very exciting twenty-four hours," Alaric remarked dryly.
Serena laughed. Part delirium, part sheer absurdity.
To her surprise, Hyran laughed too.
It was brief and soft and completely wrong on his face.
Alaric and Aeron both stared at him like he had sprouted a second head.
That did it. Serena laughed harder.
Aeron watched Hyran with a look of pure bewilderment. "You must be special. If Hyran is cracking a smile."
Then Serena noticed they were both in Drakenfell battle suits.
"We are staying," Fin announced easily, a grin tugging at his mouth. "Strictly for research purposes. Need to see if you are actually all that you are cracked up to be."
Serena shook her head, face going red for a reason she didn't understand.
Alaric smothered a smile and gestured toward the door. "Buckle up."
Hyran handed her the crown she had on earlier. It flashed white as soon as her fingers touched it. She put it on, unbothered. This was nothing new.
Maybe they'd let her keep it as a souvenir?
Doubtful, but maybe.
Her hair was wavy down to her waist. She gathered it back into a low ponytail as they moved, footsteps echoing through the hidden tunnel.
"Are the omegas, women, children, and elders secure?" Serena asked without slowing. She knew the answer, but wanted to hear it anyway. She wanted the reassurance.
"Yes," Alaric answered immediately.
"Red Death—"
"Yes," Hyran cut in smoothly.
Serena nodded once, satisfied.
They walked another minute in silence before Aeron broke, words tumbling out like he had been sitting on them far too long.
"That crown. Did it reveal itself to you, or was it given?"
"I found it," Serena said.
"I saw it when you entered our tent and couldn't put my finger on it then," Aeron continued with a look of disbelief. "Do you know what that crown is?"
Serena glanced at him. "No. Have you seen it before?"
Aeron gave a dark laugh.
"Aeron laughs about as often as Hyran," Alaric drawled. "So I assume we are already in trouble."
"Do tell us all. What is that crown?" Hyran asked, eyes narrowing.
"That crown, my dear, is a myth." Aeron answered. "Given by the Moon Goddess to the first queen who ruled over wolves, mages, fae, and beasts. Last worn by the First Dragon Queen, according to legend. If the crown revealed itself, it chose you."
Serena felt her blood oath activate instantly. The adrenaline meant Aeron was circling something he shouldn't be.
"That's kind of you. I think you must be mistaken. This was an extra crown we had," Serena said, tone neutral. "I tend to get myself into trouble finding closed-down parts of the castle, and found this."
Aeron shook his head, amused. "You do not lie well. But I will not press."
They made their way out of the tunnel into the far end of the castle wall.
Just in time to hear the tail end of King Tiberon's final command speech to the Draken Forces, stepping in for Dexmon.
His voice held no warmth.
"You were chosen for this line. Do not fail it."