I watched with wide eyes as the dragon lifted its tail in the air. The appendage’s shadow fell between Remington and me, marking its path.
My lungs tightened in my chest, and I scrambled to the side just as the massive tail came towards the ground. It hit the ground with a bang as the dragon roared. The sound echoed through me, as though it was calling to my very soul.
Something about this dragon felt… safe. Which was odd, considering it was trying to kill me.
I filed that thought away as something to deal with later. If there would be a later. At that very moment, I was fairly certain I was looking at my executioner.
Stumbling back, I clenched my fists at my sides. I wished I had a weapon—any weapon. At this point, I’d even settle for a single dagger to help me defend myself. Although what good would a dagger do against a dragon?
I made it three steps back when suddenly, long red ribbons snaked between my legs.
“No!” I yelled, but it was too late.
Remington’s ribbons dragged me back. There was nothing gentle about the magic he sent to bind me, and within moments, I found myself with my back against a tree. My heart raced as I struggled against the binds, but they continued to tighten.
Soon, I couldn’t do anything but watch as the dragon and Death Elf faced each other. The dragon was so much bigger than Remington that it barely looked like a fair fight. The sight would have been almost comical if it wasn’t for the small matter of my fate on the line.
The Red Shadow’s wings beat in the air as he hovered a foot over the ground. He twisted, snarling in my direction. “I’ll deal with you later. But first, enjoy this show of your future husband’s strength. Who knows? Maybe this will make you change your mind about me.”
“I doubt it,” I replied. “Unless you plan on completely changing your entire personality, there is no way in the seven circles of hell the two of us will ever marry.”
“We’ll see about that,” he said, before summoning a ball of red magic in his hand.
I watched as he shaped it into a spear, launching the weapon at the dragon. It sailed through the air, and the beast roared when the spear made impact. Billows of thick, gray smoke came from the animal’s mouth as its body writhed in pain.
Death smells like smoke and ash.
The thought popped into my mind as I tried to free my hands from Remington’s magic. The dragon didn’t even seem to notice me. Its golden gaze was firmly on the prince.
On the other side of the beast, the prince in question was spooling his magic into another whip. He took a step away from the beast just as the dragon raised a taloned claw in the air. Then, red light erupted from the Death Elf as his whip cracked in the air.
A pain-filled roar echoed in my ears as the dragon lurched backward. Fire erupted from its mouth, as the Red Shadow erected a shield around himself. Even though I knew red magic could be shaped and pulled, I’d never seen it work like this.
I’d no idea Remington was so powerful.
The next few minutes seemed to pass in the blink of an eye as Death Elf and dragon fought. I watched, wide-eyed, as they engaged in the timeless dance of bloodshed. It was evident only one of them would be leaving this deadly arena alive.
A mix of smoke and fire, blood and ash filled the air as beast and Elf attacked each other. They moved so fast that I could barely see them. Every time they slowed, more blood poured from their bodies.
I had no idea who would survive.
Fire and magic clashed over and over again until the air was filled with the scent of ash and copper.
And then, something happened.
Remington turned.
He turned, and he flew away from the dragon, who was lying bleeding on the road. For one blessed moment, I thought Remington was retreating.
“Coward,” I whispered. “Are you running from your death?”
Then, as if he heard me, he landed on the ground. A wolfish grin appeared on Remington’s face that was visible even from here. His shield dissolved as he twisted his hand in the air. Blood dripped from his shoulder, a long claw having run through his chest, but he was still standing.
His death magic pulsed once before it gathered in his fist like a bright ball. Sparks like tiny bolts of lightning filled the air around the sphere as the Red Shadow pulled back his arm.
“My father did the right thing wiping you and your kind out a century ago,” he roared. “I will finish what he started now.”
“No!” I cried out as my stomach twisted and bile rose in my throat.