The moon was still waning, a shadow in the night. She turned her face to me and smiled down onto the snow, through the icy chill. The sparkling mantle of white stretched through the silhouette of a woodland, mirroring the glittering stars that shone overhead. I could hear the beat of the land, the pulse of the magic that filled the area, and a whisper of elements swirled around me, a cacophony on the wind, weaving a dance as I approached the center of this mysterious glade.

I caught up my breath, squinting, curious as to where I’d been led. But then my questions were answered, for out of the towering trees stepped a figure tall as the sky, tall as a building. He stood astride two cloven hooves, his cock and balls enormous pendulums between his furry legs. His torso, gleaming under what light there was, led to a high and noble bearded chin, and atop a head of cascading locks, two spiraling horns rose high into the night.

“Herne,” I whispered, going down on one knee. When in the presence of a god—kneel.

His son, Tra, danced around him, piping a melody that ricocheted through my core, hitting my blood like silver wine, and I longed to follow it into the forest. I laughed, feeling awash in sight and sound and the touch of velvet magic on my skin.

“My daughter.” Out from behind one of the trees stepped my Lady, clad in a white gown that barely covered her thighs. Her breasts were full and ripe, heavy under her gown, her nipples raised with arousal. Herne held out his arm and she slid into his embrace. I caught my breath, the scent of their desire making me ache to join them.

“My Lady . . .” What could I say? What was I supposed to say? I greedily soaked in the energy, basking in their presence. I could become a living statue, stay here forever, root deep into the forest and let the ivy grow wild over me.

“You need our strength, my child.” The Moon Mother stepped over to me and gazed down, her eyes filled with sorrow. “I did what I could to help while you were in the dragon’s grasp. He is crafty, that one, and old, and treacherous.”

I nodded, tugging at my collar. “Can you release this for me?”

She pressed her lips together, shaking her head. “I would, but I cannot. Freeing yourself from his slavery is woven in the hands of your personal destiny, and not even the gods can challenge the Hags of Fate. There is a reason this has all happened to you, my dear, even if you do not see it now. Walk through the fire, and you will be far stronger than those who have tried to subjugate you.”

Nodding, I let her words ripple through me. No one—not the gods, not mighty heroes, and certainly not mortals—could win against the Hags of Fate. And the Hags of Fate worked within the balance of the realms, of the worlds.

They were the law of the universe, bringing chaos when order reigned too strong, enforcing law when chaos reigned supreme. I accepted the natural balance of life. Shadow and light, both had their place. Even when it hurt.

“What can you do for me, if anything?” I did my best not to sound expectant. Unlike many, I didn’t expect the gods to help me out of rough situations. That wasn’t their job. But I would happily accept all the help they could give if it meant getting even with the Big Bads. Especially Hyto.

The Moon Mother reached down and stroked my face, and the welts on my cheek vanished. She motioned for me to disrobe, and I did. A stroke from her hands and—though the bruises remained—they weren’t nearly so painful. A gentle palm between my legs, fingers rippling over the raw skin and abrasions Hyto had left me with, and their pain, too, faded, and I began to breathe easier. She then kissed my forehead and a river of silver began to run through me, filling me like summer rain. I reveled in the healing waters of her magic, soaking it in, bathing in the glimmering mist that foamed up around me.

“My daughter, listen to me. Sometimes when you give up control, you actually take control. Sometimes letting go means taking the lead. And sometimes fear is the only control someone has over us. Whatever happens, you are my child, and I am deep in your heart. You are my priestess. Kneeling in body can be a shallow gesture—kneel in your heart before those who deserve it. The Hytos of this world don’t need to know the difference—let them be damned.”

As she turned me toward the path, she leaned down and whispered, “Sex is my passion. Herne is one of my mates. Never let anybody take that passion away from you. They may abuse your body, but they cannot own your soul. Because I have first claim on it. And I yield my priestesses to no one.”

I found myself, cleansed and recharged, back on the path, following the trail of sparkles, down the tunnel.

A few moments later, I began to lose consciousness, and when I opened my eyes, I was on the bed, surrounded by my loved ones. The collar still chafed, but I knew—even though I still wore Hyto’s mark—he would never own me again.

Chapter 20

“Camille—are you okay?”

I was getting a little tired of that question. “Yes, I’m fine. I just had a panic attack and then an out-of-body experience, and quite frankly, please, just give it a rest. I need more food. I need sugar. Caffeine.”

As I mulled over what had happened, I realized that the panic had disappeared. I was still terrified of Hyto, but now the fear was based on the battle we were facing, not what he had already done to me.

“There is no help for it—Smoky, we have to face him. We can’t let him decimate the area.” I pushed away hands that would keep me in bed and stood, the pain in my body substantially less than it had been a few minutes ago. “I’m tired of hiding. I’m tired of being afraid. I’m tired of feeling like my life is out of control. I am going to face him, and I’ll be carrying the horn of the Black Beast when I do. Your father doesn’t know I possess it.”

The cloak made out of the Black Beast’s hide would go a long way toward protecting me, too. I straightened my shoulders. “It’s time to end this.”

Delilah stood beside me. “I’ll be there.”

Smoky frowned. “I don’t want my wife in any more danger from—”

“You idiot. Still you spout off about this?” I hit him lovingly on the arm. “I’m in danger as long as Hyto is alive. I’m in far worse danger if you get yourself killed and I’m still alive. We stand together. We’re husband and wife.”

“And husband.” Trillian stepped forward.

Morio started to pipe up, but I stared him down. “Not you. Shut up. You have every reason for staying in bed, and stay there, you will.”

“I can be of use—”

“Yeah, you’ll be of use all right. I’ll be so worried about you that I won’t be able to concentrate. You stay here, guard Maggie and Iris—”

“Oh no, girl.” Iris slipped through the pack. “I’ll be there with you. My powers are far stronger than they were before we went back to the Northlands. Long have you helped me and protected me. I owe you one, Camille. I owe all of you a great deal. I’ll be there.”

I held up my hand as they all started to chime in. “I got it, I got it. All for one, one for all. But somebody has to stay behind to guard Menolly while she’s asleep, and Maggie, Morio, and Hanna. And Georgio and Estelle.” I looked over at the pair, and they both smiled shyly.

“Fair maiden, what sort of treachery could you possibly worry your beautiful head over?” Georgio said, sweeping into a low bow. “I would be glad to put asunder your worries.”

I quietly walked over to him. “St. George, my stalwart hero. Do not worry yourself over this matter. You stay here and help to guard those who must stay behind, and you will assuage my worries. Will you do that for me?”

He smiled then, his face lighting up. “I will do that and more for you.” With a look over at Smoky, he shook his head. “I still find it odd that you would unite yourself with the dragon—you know I must slay him—but until that day, we stand a truce between us if there is a common enemy come to call.”

Feeling my heart warm, I leaned forward and kissed Georgio on the head. “Brave knight. Stand tall.”

Turning to the others, I shrugged. “Well, then. Trillian, Vanzir, Roz—you three stay here tomorrow. Shade, Delilah, Iris, Smoky, and I will march out to meet . . .” I paused, my gaze flickering over to Georgio. Best he not know another dragon was coming into the mix. He hadn’t figured out Shade yet, which was a good thing. “To meet Hyto.”

Smoky let out a long sigh. “I wish . . . I have to make a quick trip. Stay inside, all of you. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Do not let Camille out of your sight. I implore you.” He slipped on his ankle-length trench and took off out of the door.

“Where’s he going?” Vanzir asked.

“I have no idea,” I said. “Not a clue.”

By the time Smoky got home, Trillian, Morio, and I were the last ones up. We waited in the bedroom, me sitting cross-legged on the bed while Morio sat fidgeting in his wheelchair and Trillian paced the room. As Smoky burst through the doors, I let out a long sigh of relief.

“I was afraid you might have gone to meet Hyto by yourself—to hunt him down.” I blurted out the words before thinking them through.

Smoky scowled. “No, but that doesn’t mean the thought didn’t occur to me. But no, I had other matters to attend to. Come. We should get some sleep before tomorrow. We’ll need all our energy.”

I bit my lip, staring at the floor. “This may be the last night we all have together. Hyto is ruthless.” Lifting my head, I gazed at each of them, exhausted. “I’m tired.” Part of me felt like we should have sex—celebrate life even in the midst of what we were facing, but the truth was, I was just exhausted. “Sleep with me. Surround me with your love.”

And so they pulled Morio’s bed close to Smoky’s four-poster, and then Smoky, Trillian, and I crawled into the billowy folds of the comforter, and together, pressed warm against each other. I trailed my hand over Trillian’s side to hold Morio’s as we slept.

Sometime before dawn, we woke and dressed. I wore my spidersilk skirt, a matching tunic, the cloak of the Black Unicorn, and sturdy granny boots. As I slid the horn into my side pocket, relieved that it still had power in it, I wondered what would work against a dragon—which element? White dragons used mist and snow and ice . . . but they also breathed fire. Would wind or earth work best? They flew, so they were adept in the air. But earth . . . earth might actually do some harm.

Breakfast was a silent affair, with Delilah serving fried-egg sandwiches, and Trillian silently fuming. He wanted to come with us, but he knew that we needed him there to protect the others.

Iris had changed clothes, too—she was in her priestess robes, and her hair was done up in a wrap of braids around her head. She carried her wand of Aqualine crystal with her, and as I sat playing with my food, she slipped over to my side.

“Don’t fret. We’ll take care of him.” She lightly touched the collar around my neck. “Something feels different about this.”

I nodded. “I can’t lose it just yet, but the Moon Mother came to me last night, and some of its power has been stripped away. I can’t tell you quite why, but I feel stronger. Ready to face him.” Inside, I was a quivering ball of fear-jelly, but I tried to own the fear and let it go.

Iris smoothed my hair back and braided it. “No sense giving him any advantage,” she said. “I think you’re learning a hard lesson, one that you’ve never been able to accept. You’re learning that you can’t always be the rock, you can’t always be the one who makes things better.”

“I’m not in control of this situation. Only of my reaction to it?” I smiled at her, drinking in her winning smile and brilliant blue gaze. Iris had far more common sense than most people I knew, but she wasn’t soft. She was the epitome of tough love—and she had that rare gift of making you love her for scolding you.

“Ah yes . . . then you are learning.” She stood back, eyeing my hair. “There, done for now. Finish your sandwich and we’ll go.”

“Thank you,” I mumbled, taking another bite. I shoved the last bit of sandwich into my mouth and drank down a huge glass of milk.

Delilah dusted her hands on her jeans. “I can’t believe we’re going to fight a dragon. Smoky, Shade, I just hope that you guys can take care of him, because I’m damned if I know what to do.”

Shade jerked his chin at her, smiling. “You and your sisters need to have higher opinions of yourselves. Come now. Let’s be off and get this done so we can attend to other business.”

His almost laissez-faire attitude went a long way into helping me calm down. Smoky said little, merely pulled me onto his lap and wrapped a gentle arm around my waist. I leaned into him, forehead against forehead, and kissed him lightly.

“We can do this, my husband.”

“We can, my wife.” His voice was calm, but his eyes were flashing with lightning and I knew he would not rest until Hyto was lying in a million little pieces strung out over the forest. Sometimes he loved me so much—they all did—that it scared me. I never wanted to endanger that love, but I was so far from perfect that I wondered if I was worthy of their devotion. Just then Trillian leaned in over my other shoulder and kissed me. I walked over to Morio for another kiss. Finally we were ready, and—with one last glance at the barrow—we headed out to meet Hyto.

The path leading to our designated meeting place was winding and steep. Smoky insisted on lifting me over every tree and boulder—to save my strength, he said—and Shade helped Iris. Delilah was able to clamber over the trees without a problem; she was tall enough and strong enough.