morning sunlight, polished beautifully. Under each helmet were the eyes of a distant Fae race, one I’d only read about during
lessons.
“The riders of Nadrolan,” I said in surprise.
Marcus and Karim looked back at me then quickly at the soldiers that enclosed around us. As a few parted the way, in rode
another with a decorated helmet, atop of it looked like white or light blonde horse's hair. Etched in silver was the crest of
Nadrolan, a dragon surrounded by fire and a dove sweeping through the sky.
“I hear my cousin is in trouble. No, thanks to you.”
As the soldier lifted off their helmet, it revealed a woman with sharp blue eyes and an even sharper tongue. She threw her
helmet to the soldier on her right and dismounted her horse in one quick motion.
Each sword rose towards us, to protect their leader. She circled around us, eyeing us up and down. Karim’s hands lit up,
ready to use his magic if needed.
“You must be the wife I heard about. Quite annoying that I wasn’t invited to the wedding,” The leader spoke again, with a
cunning sense of sarcasm under her voice. “I am Genu, Empress of Nadrolan and I am here to give you and my dim-witted
cousin some help.”
A sigh of relief escaped my lips as my body relaxed suddenly. She wasn’t an enemy or someone on Dorian’s side. She was
here for us, which meant Nicholas would have sent for her to help us. It also meant he thought we’d need help.
“Most of my men have already taken control of the border. I am, however, under orders not to harm your brother, the
crowned prince.”
“And my sister Talia, please.”
She eyed me again, closer this time. Marcus and Karim lowered their swords as I placed my hands on either of their
shoulders.
Her armour was stitched so close to her body it looked almost as if it were skin. Her skin was pale and beautiful, porcelain
even. She reminded me of a Chinese doll who knew how to sting.
“General, send word to find the princess’s sister, Talia, and bring her to me. She may have been mixed with the women
prisoners.”
“You’ve taken the border?” Marcus asked, his mouth widened with surprise.
“We are the riders of Nadrolan. No land is safe from us when we arrive. Many of the soldiers tried to flee or dropped their
weapons in surrender. The crowned prince however, he did attempt to put up a fight, but is now locked away in one of our
carriages.”
I didn’t know if I wanted to ask for Norok’s safety or pardon. He’d allowed Dorian to hurt me, even if it was part of the