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subjects or have anything to do with them. No one from our clan was allowed to venture beyond the forest. This law was passed to all the clans to obey at all times. Yurkis was and is The Timeless One and much revered among our people.”
    Anya tried to absorb it all. She’d always known her father was fickle, a philanderer, but this was beyond cruel. To lead a woman on into believing she would be his queen only to discard her like a dirty rag, that was unforgiveable. “I’m so sorry. I knew my father was spineless, and not the best of kings, but for him to do something like that, is unthinkable. I wish I could make it right.”
    “It happened so long ago. Yurkis himself broke the rules when he allowed you to remain with us. He has a good heart. To send you back would have meant certain death.”
    “Maybe he thought that the death of all my brothers and sisters was enough retribution for the loss of his child. Dragons live for hundreds of years. Doesn’t he have other children?”
    “Sons. No daughters.”
    “I would like to see peace between us. We can all live in harmony. Why can’t dragon folk live among mortals?”
    “You’ve seen how big we are when we shift and the spread of our wings. We need plenty of room. Your houses and streets are too confined for us. Look at the size of our courtyard.”
    “I suppose you’re right. But there are the open fields.”
    “And how would you know about the fields? I thought you’d never left the castle.”
    “I was told about them. My father didn’t allow us to go beyond the main gates, but others shared their knowledge.”
    Uleirlel snorted. “He was still afraid of Yurkis’ retaliation.”
    “Do you think that was the reason?”
    “Definitely.”
    “If I’m the only royal descendant left, I will claim the throne. As queen, I’ll do everything in my power to bring peace back to us all.”
    Uleirlel nodded. “I said you were saved for greater things.”
    “Now, can you unlock the magick within me?”
    “Your father must have had the sorcerer Unayus cast a spell to lock the magick in all mortals, though I should stop calling them that. They’re about as mortal as me. Why he would do such a thing, I don’t know. I also don’t know if I can find a counter spell, but I’ll try. Since Unayus lived in your castle, he may not be alive for me to contact him. That’s if he’d even talk to me. I’m tired now, child. Leave me be.”
    “Cyton hasn’t returned yet.”
    “Go wait for him outside. He’ll see you and will come to fetch you.”
    Anya spent the day in the courtyard with the women, trying to learn as much as possible about their culture. When the men returned from their hunt, she waited eagerly for them to join her.
    “Did you check out the castle, Cyton? Yerith?” she asked.
    “We did,” Yertith said, his face somber.
    “It’s all gone?”
    “Much of the castle is still standing but there is no sign of any life,” Cyton told her in a soft voice.
    “The aliens?”
    “We didn’t see their crafts. There are survivors in the townships.”
    Her heart was heavy. “I need to go back.”
    “We’re not positive the aliens have all left. We didn’t see any of their ships, but we didn’t delve into the townships deep enough. There could still be aliens present,” Cyton said, not meeting her gaze. “I think it’s dangerous for you to return right now. If they find out there’s a royal alive, they’ll try and capture you to get information about the treasure.”
    “I don’t know where the treasure is or if there even is one. Surely my father would have talked about it.”
    “But they don’t know that, do they?”
    Yerith confirmed it. “No, they wouldn’t, and they would torture you horrendously. You need to wait, bide your time. Cyton and I will investigate further as time goes on. When it’s safe for you to return, we’ll tell you.”
    “And in the meantime, I’m nothing but a slave—all right, a servant. Are there no other