book #3 DARK KNIGHT ***COMPLETE***

#16 Princess Alana

once they were all on the shore safely Zara gave the command for the dragons to shift. they were magnificent. absolutely beautiful. Michael was a fire dragon and his scales were absolutely glorius to see. they were a mix of smokey black and red that swirled around creating a beautiful intricate design. the mix of fire and ice dragons took Zaras breath away. it was the first time in centuries they were working together in peace. the white translucent scales of ice that almost absorbed the suns light and sparkled like diamonds. Zara had never seen anything like it before and she smiled as she and avaly climbed onto Michael's back. he was surprisingly warm but not hot to the touch. she watched as Leif climbed onto the ice dragon. "princess Alana. we will follow you and stay low to the waters surface. can you do that?" Zara looked at Alana waiting for her to answer.

a playful smirk spread across her face. She knew most beings underestimatedthe speed of sitens. Sirens had kept many secrets. "oh don't worry about me princess Zara. I can swim fast. it wouldn't even take up much of my energy. and once we are at the palace there is a river that flows up behind it we can follow." she started walking towards the oceans waves as they crashed around her. The spray flying up as she shifted. "that way I can be in this battle with you. if king Jonathan wins." she shuddered with her thoughts. Zara couldn't help but see something in her that wasn't there before. was it fear? what was she afraid of when it came to Jonathan? Zara wasn't sure what it was but she knew she saw it. she knew then that she could trust Alana completely. whatever it was for her motive it was enough for her to fight a battle she could lose her life in. they all could lose their life in this. with an unspoken understanding Zara watched as Alana dipped into the water and start pushing her way up the coast. Diving in and out of the waves her colorful scales glimmering in the light. the dragons rose from the ground and followed her staying close to the waters surface. Zara could almost taste the salt in the air as she held on. the spray from the waves crashing on her. she held on tight relishing the feeling of flying through the air. she had only ever ridden on a dragon one other time and it was her sister in law Scarlett. she recalled the feeling of freedom she got from the winds whipping her and the feeling of weightlessness as they had guided through the air. it was an amazing feeling that Zara would never forget. She felt that same freedom when she shifted into her wolf, yet this was different. Doaring above the ski lone almost able to touch the sun was a feeling that could never compare. shifting to her wolf had always given her the same feeling of freedom and peace. she couldn't deny she loved the feeling. this ride was different though. there was a hint of fear that crept in and threatened to consume her. she knew that this could be it for so many if they failed. the possible death of her friends and now her mate weighed heavily on her. she could feel someone in the back of her head. a voice that wasn't hers or her wolfs. she looked over to see Leif starring intently at her. His body perched on the ice dragon amd his eyes fixed on her. She could feel herself heat up from his gaze. Thoughts swirling in her mind.

I can feel your emotions. they are all over the place.

she smiled. she had been told about all of this but never paid attention when she thought she wouldn't need it. with the mate bond they could mind link and they would feel each other's emotions.

I'm just worried. I don't want to lose anyone. I really don't want to lose you.

they sat there starring at each other silent for a moment. they both knew it was possible they would not make it. it was something they did not talk about before they marked each other. the reality was they both already knew it was too late by then anyways. they and their wolves had fallen for each other and marking each other had just become and extension of what they felt already.

I don't want to lose you either Zara. I don't think either of us could lose another mate.

they were silent the rest of the flight. there was no reason to say more because they both knew what losing each other would mean. neither of them were willing to voice their feelings and just left them in silence. Zara looked down at the ocean swirling around them. up in the distance she could see Alana swimming and jumping through the water as graceful as a gazelle leaping. she swam so gracefully it was like she danced with the waves. the suns light glistened off her beautiful scales. they were a mixture of blues, greens and purples and Zara was stunned by how beautiful she was. the colors mixed together in such a beautiful way they almost faded to the next color. Zara smiled at her new friend. she was absolutely breath taking. deep in her thoughts Zara hadn't realized they had landed on the edge of an inlet. Zara shook her head clear sliding down from the fire dragon. she waited as everyone shifted back to their human forms and dressed and Alana came from the ocean. "princess Alana," Zara bowed with complete respect for her friend. " are you ok to move from the salt water to the fresh water?"

"yes. sirens can adjust pretty easily as long as there is a water source for me to move through. we need to follow this up a ways. the palace is about forty minutes from here." Zara couldn't help but notice her friends hesitation in her words. Zara stopped and stared at her.

cocking an eyebrow at her friend her brain couldn't stop. she knew something was wrong. "what's wrong Alana?" I can sense something new in you. Somethingis off in your voice and demeanor."

Alana took a deep breath before speaking. She never spoke to anyone about this before. "it's just," she looked down for the first time. Zara had only ever seen her friend exude confidence. this was the only time her confidence escaped her. "my father has arranged for me to mate with the king. Jonathan had come to my father and convinced him that it would be best for both of our kingdoms if he were to give me to him as a wife. it would solidify his position as king and I would be trapped with that monster. I begged my father not to do it. he just told me that I had no choice so long as Jonathan was alive." she finally looked up at Zara and the rest of the group. they were all in shock as Alana spoke. Jonathan would stop at nothing to gain control. he had made that clear. Zara placed her hand on her friends and squeezed trying to give her the encouragement Alana needed. " if he is dead then I wont have to be linked to such a monster. his beast is out for blood. his beast seems to be more in control every day. I'm not sure what he has on my father but my father didn't even blink when he told me. It was so cold. My father has never been like this before. He was always kind and loving. He has changed."

"Alana, even if you don't fight with us. we will fight for you. getting rid of Jonathan will save so many lives. I wonder how many of the kingdoms he has gone to doing the same thing. he could potentially be doing this same thing to other kings so he could gain control. he is the king, so potentially he could have many wives and no one would deny him what he wanted. we need to stop him right away. he won't stop until we do." there was a moment of silence as they all took in what Alana and Zara had said. their words settled in their minds like rocks. they knew it was possible for Jonathan to do that. it would seal himself as king if he had queens from every kingdom of the realm. he would have total domination and that was exactly what they needed to prevent from happening. The wives would be in danger as well. Once he was sworn in to all the kingdoms he would no longer need the wives to solidify his position in the kingdom. He could have them killed once they all served his purpose. Forcing them to mate would merely be a means to an end for him. Zara felt a heaviness at the thought. How many beings already had suffered at his hands?