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  “Now, now. Here, drink this. It will calm you,” Uleirlel said, handing her a goblet half-filled with some red liquid.

  Anya gulped it down and felt tranquility surge through her body. “They were all killed,” she told the old woman, choking back a sob.

  “The king is dead?”

  “Yes, a guard told me my father was among the slaughtered. I saw some of it happen.”

  “Child, how did you escape this massacre?”

  “I hid from the aliens.”

  “Surely you had guards? And how is it that you’re naked?”

  “I was bathing. My guards abandoned me when the attack happened. They fled in fear. My serving girls were petrified. Before they had a chance to hide, the alien savages that invaded the palace killed them. All my brothers and sisters died.”

  “That explains why you were almost naked, except for a few scraps of cloth clinging to your hips. If you were bathing alone, how do you know this?”

  “Everyone was in the gardens below. I was late for my sister’s wedding celebration. Before I hid, I watched the alien ships fire their weapons at the gardens. Those weapons vaporize anything and everyone in seconds.” She peered nervously around the cave. “How did I get here? The last I remember I was running through the forest. I was very tired and sat down near a big tree.”

  “Two of our warriors rescued you. You should be grateful. If the Gonks had found you instead, you’d have joined your family.”

  “That would have been preferable. What are Gonks?”

  “Bad monsters. You don’t want to ever run into them.”

  “Father warned us about the forest, the giants, the dragons and monsters that live there.”

  “We’re much taller than your race, but we’re not giants. Our people would never harm you or any…mortal. There are carnivorous animals in the forest, but it’s the Gonks that are the worst predators.”

  “I’m alone now. The palace is destroyed and I have nowhere to go.”

  “Child, there must be survivors. If not at the palace, then at least in the towns.”

  “Are the aliens still on the attack?”

  “I don’t know. I’m only the medicine woman, and I rarely leave my home.”

  “Do you have some clothing I can put on? Can you summon the warriors so I can thank them?”

  “I don’t have anything that will fit your small frame. How old are you, child?”

  “I’ve seen twenty moons.”

  “Really, child? I could have sworn you were still in your pre-puberty years.”

  “No. I am the youngest and the smallest of my family. My sisters were all taller.” At the mention of her sisters, she choked back another sob and wiped her eyes. “My sisters liked to call me elf.” She clutched the animal skin that had covered her to her chest.

  “No need to feel shame in my presence, child. Maybe I’ll call you little elfin.”

  “I’m Princess Anya.”

  “Here, you’re no princess. Anya is a pretty name. Now stop trying to hide yourself. I’ve seen every part of your body when I healed your scrapes and bruises. You are still a virgin. Were you to be wed?”

  “Yes, soon. I don’t know what happened to my betrothed. He was an imperial guard and lived in Klyggim. He was present at the celebrations waiting for me to meet him for the second time in our life. We were to discuss our nuptials with my parents. I fear he was killed with all the others.”

  “Child, I’m sorry. Your tardiness is your savior. Had you been on time for your sister’s wedding celebrations, you would not be here now. Dry your tears. Look to your future. I predict great things for you.”

  Anya remembered the voice she’d heard. “That’s strange. Before I slept, or passed out, I heard a voice telling me the same.”

  “You have the gift.”

  “What gift?”

  “The gift of magick that was bestowed only on certain members of the royal family. The last one I recall was your dear grandmother. She and I were close friends.”

  “You were friends with my grandmother? How is that possible?”

  “Aurdra and I grew up together. It is your father who caused the rift between your people and mine.”

  “Why?”

  “That is something we don’t talk about. I will summon the two warriors who saved you from a monstrous death. You’re to live with them.”

  “I’m not living with two strange men.”

  “Child, you have no choice. You can’t go back to the palace. Cyton and Yerith will care for you, but you need to serve them well.”

  “I’m a princess. I’ll not be a servant to anyone.”

  “Fine. You can tell them. I’m done with you. You are healed.”

  “Thank you,” Anya said in a small voice. She didn’t know whether to be grateful or not. She had no family left, no idea if any of her people had survived and the old woman told her she was to be in servitude to two strange men. Even if they had saved her life, there was no way she’d serve any man.

  She heard the flapping of wings and looked at the cave’s entrance expecting to see birds fly in. Two men entered. They were both very tall. They wore furred boots to their knees. They were bare-chested. A wide metal belt held a short furred skirt that hugged their hips. Swords and axes were at their sides and a bow and quiver of arrows were slung across each man’s shoulders. Metal braces covered their forearms, sharp spikes along the tops. One man had long black hair. The other’s hair was brown, and just as long. It looked clean, shiny, and well kept. Their skin was very smooth and gleaming, as if they’d oiled their bodies.

  She gazed at their faces. They had to be the most handsome men she’d ever seen. The brown-haired man had green eyes, the black-haired man had very dark eyes. She’d never seen men as handsome, or as tall and muscular. Oh, Goddess, I’ve died and I’m in Heaven.

  “You summoned us, Uleirlel.”

  “She’s healed and alert. You can take her with you now.”

  “Did you learn anything from her?” Cyton asked.

  “Only that she’s the only survivor of the royal family. Her name is Anya and she’s seen twenty moons.”

  The tall brown-haired man took a step forward. “Anya, I’m Yerith. Cyton and I are your protectors from this day hence.”

  Anya glanced at the black-haired man who nodded and walked toward her.

  “I’m Cyton. You are to come with us.”

  Anya nodded in return. She needed to get back to her people, to find out if anyone had survived the massacre. For the moment, she’d go along with her supposed servitude. Maybe she could persuade them later on to take her back. “Is the invasion over? Have the aliens left?”

  “I don’t know. We’ll find out when we go hunting tomorrow. Follow us,” Cyton said.

  Anya looked at Uleirlel who nodded reassuringly. “Go with them, child. The Goddess be with you.”

  “Thank you. I think.”

  “You were saved for a greater purpose. Bless you, child.”

  Anya followed the two men out onto a round stone platform, its floor neatly laid with stone tiles. She gazed down at the valley below, at the steep cliff beneath the platform. “How do you propose we go down this? How did I get up here?”

  “Our house is not far below. Cyton and I share a home,” Yerith told her. “Don’t worry. We’ll take you down.”

  Anya watched in consternation as both men shifted into dragons. Scared, she retreated toward the entrance to Uleirlel’s cave.

  “Don’t run. This is who we are.”

  All right, now she’d heard everything. She was surely not on her world anymore. Dragons that spoke? Trembling, her back against the cliff face, she gazed at them as they hovered near her. One was a magnificent blue dragon—the other, a green. At any moment, she expected them to incinerate her. Instead, the blue dragon gently picked her up in his talons. While descending, her stomach crawled up to her throat. Far below, she saw what looked like a courtyard, people walking. They, and the various buildings, looked very s
mall.

  The dragon set her down on another platform in front of a cave mouth. In seconds, the two men stood before her. Suddenly, she was conscious of her nakedness and hid her breasts and pubes with her arm and hand.

  “Please enter,” Yerith said.

  Still trying to cover herself, she hesitantly entered the cave and found it pleasantly lit inside by torches in sconces on the walls. Tapestries decorated the walls and roughly made furniture hewn from wood stood scattered here and there. “So you all live in caves?” she asked.

  “Yes. The Gonks cannot get to us here and we can live and sleep in peace,” Cyton told her. “Your name is Anya. It’s a very nice name.”

  “I am your slave now?”

  The man laughed. “No. We don’t have slaves here. But we are responsible for you.”

  “Oh. Then if you’re responsible for me, I’d like some clothing.”

  “Today, when we go on the hunt, we’ll see if the aliens have left the planet. If they have, I’ll go to the palace ruins and see what I can salvage. There’s no clothing here that will fit you,” Cyton said.

  “Thank you both for saving my life,” she said in small voice.

  “It was frowned upon by The Timeless One, but we couldn’t leave you in the forest to be eaten by the Gonks,” Yerith told her.

  “What happens now?”

  “We are to take care of you. While you’re living with us, you’ll cook for us, keep our home clean and we’ll, in turn, bring home food.”

  “That’s all I have to do?”

  “Yes. For now.”

  Oh, my Goddess. I’m surely dreaming or hallucinating. Where on this planet could I find a pair of such gorgeous men? She imagined what lay hidden beneath their short skirts and felt heat between her legs, an unfamiliar throbbing she’d never experienced except when playing with herself. “I’ve never cooked.”

  “Obviously, if you were indeed a princess,” Cyton said and chuckled. “You’ll have to learn. Talk to the other women.”

  “How do you propose I do that? I don’t have wings, like you.”

  “Before we leave for the hunt, we’ll fly you down to the courtyard. You can mingle with our women and learn,” Yerith said.

  “I need clothing first.”

  She watched Cyton go to a crude cupboard and produced a skirt similar to his own. He threw it at her followed by a long piece of fur. “Put these on for now. They were mine when I was a boy.”

  Anya quickly stepped into the skirt and pulled it up. It fit her, as did the metal belt. The other scrap looked more like a neck shawl. It wasn’t long enough to wrap around her body so she hung it around her neck, its ends barely covered her nipples. “All right, whenever you leave to go hunting, I’m ready.”

  “We’re leaving now. Unfortunately, I don’t have any of my boyhood boots,” Cyton said.

  Being picked up by a dragon was something she’d need to get used to. Used to? Damn, there was no way in hell she was going to stay and get used to any of this. And she’d not be a servant to any man, whether they saved her life or not.

  After Yerith set her on the ground and reverted to his man, she turned to them both. “I will not be your servant. I’m a princess.”

  “You’re not our princess, darling. If you want to live, you’ll wait on us,” Cyton told her. “Ask Lon to get you some clothes and boots.”

  Was that a threat? And who was Lon? She was about to lash out at them but merely watched them stalking away. Forlorn, she scanned her surroundings. Tall women flitted about, carrying buckets or bags. Anya had no idea what to do. A dark-haired woman joined her. Her hair hung below her hips. She was big, making Anya feel puny. “Hello. My name is Lon,” she introduced herself. “I’m Cyton’s woman.”

  “Are you?” Anya took in the woman’s appearance. She wore a silver belt and fur wound around her waist. A loincloth made from round metal pieces resembling silver coins covered her pubes. The same metal discs formed some kind of bra that covered her nipples. Around her neck, she had a fur piece, like the one Cyton had given her. Her boots were made of animal hide and so were the braces on her forearms. She was a striking woman with her waist long black hair and flashing green eyes. Anya wouldn’t exactly call her beautiful—she was more handsome, with her strong features, straight nose and full lips.

  “Yes. And I advise you to stay away from him or you’ll have me to deal with.”

  “I’m a stranger here and Cyton was one of the two men who saved me.”

  “Exactly. But now you live with him and his best friend, Yerith. Make sure it’s servitude only, Princess.”

  “You know who I am?”

  “Of course. Everyone knows who you are. The king’s daughter. The only surviving member of the royal family. Princess Anya.”

  “I have no desire for your man. I only wish to return to my home.” It was a lie and Anya felt the woman’s disbelief.

  “Oh, baby, I can help you do that. Just stick with Lon.”

  “I am to make dinner for them. I don’t know how to cook.”

  “Of course you don’t. I’ll teach you.”

  “How can they change to dragons and back to men fully clothed? I don’t understand. Where are their clothes when they’re dragons?”

  Lon laughed. “You don’t know much about us, do you? We have magical powers.”

  “You do?”

  “If you’re a royal daughter, surely you’ve heard tales about us?”

  “No. Our elders warned us about giants and monsters in the forest. Your men are much taller than the men of my people, but I wouldn’t call them giants.”

  “You never heard of the dragons?”

  “Yes. Peaceful creatures. I’ve seen them high in the sky, but no one ever told me they were shifters.”

  Lon sighed. “You have much to learn.”

  Anya thought she’d found a friend in Lon. That whole day, Lon showed her everything, taught her where to shop, showed her how to cook a meal. Until the men returned in the late afternoon, laden with what they called Thrath. Anya thought they looked like large birds.

  Within minutes, people thronged around the two men. When Lon walked up to Cyton, and placed her arm possessively around his shoulders, Anya watched him shrug it off. He and Yerith deposited the huge carcasses onto a table, and a loud cheer followed.

  “I’ll bring Uleirlel her promised share after the meat is ready,” Yerith said.

  Several women set about plucking and dissecting the birds, then took the chunks of meat to a small house at the back of the courtyard. Anya sniffed the aroma of smoking meat.

  Lon was constantly at Cyton’s side. A wave of jealousy attacked Anya suddenly. Why should she be jealous? She’d just arrived there, was a stranger in their midst, and even if the two men who’d saved her were hunks to die for, why be jealous of a woman already involved in their lives? After all, they were one of a kind. She was merely a mortal.

  He was at her side. “Anya, you need to take meat home for us.”

  “Me? I can’t even get up there on my own.”

  “That’s fine, but it’s the women who get the most meat. Soon as the smoker is extinguished, go grab as much meat as you can possibly carry,” Cyton told her.

  “I have nothing to carry it in.”

  “Lon, get a couple of bags for her?” Cyton said casually over his shoulder. “And some clothes and boots.”

  Lon glared at her for a moment. Jealousy sparked from her green eyes. She stalked away to one of the small buildings and returned quickly with several bags fashioned from animal skins. One of the bags held some clothing and boots.

  “I’d like to bathe. Do you have a bathing house? A pool?”

  Lon burst out laughing.

  “What’s so funny? You all look clean. There must be a place to bathe.”

  “Lon, don’t make fun of the girl. Yes, there is such a place, but you can’t go to it alone. One of us has to go with you to stand guard.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s a natural
pool, Princess. You’re not in a palace here,” Yerith told her.

  “Oh. You mean it’s in the forest?”

  “Yes. Not far from here is a waterfall. Cyton, do you want to take her? I have some things I need to take care of.”

  Cyton nodded. “The meat will take a while. Come, girl. Follow me.”

  It was hard to keep up with him. He took such long strides she almost had to jog to keep up. Anya blinked at the bright sunlight when they came to a clearing. The roar from a waterfall was deafening. It cascaded into a crystal-clear pool surrounded by huge trees, large exotic blooms, ferns and white sandy beaches. She gasped. It was beautiful and so tranquil.

  “I never knew anything like this existed on our planet,” she said loudly.

  “How often did you leave the palace?”

  “Never. We weren’t allowed outside the walls.”

  “You’ll find special cleansing items inside this tree,” Cyton told her, pointing at a hollow tree.

  She bent and looked inside. There was an array of flasks. “How do I know what’s in them?”

  Cyton joined her. “This one is to cleanse your hair. The brown flask is to cleanse your body. The other flasks are various oils to use after you bathe.”

  “Won’t the soap taint the water?”

  “Everything is made from natural ingredients. No, it won’t taint the water. The pool is constantly refreshed by the waterfall and the water rushes down that river.”

  Anya walked to the edge of the water. “It’s freezing cold.”

  “You really are spoiled.”

  “Can you please turn around while I bathe?”

  “Sure.”

  She waited until he’d turned his back to her, quickly took off the skirt and removed the fur from her neck. Gasping, she walked into the icy water carrying the flask of shampoo. To her surprise, it foamed nicely. After washing and rinsing her hair, she fetched the soap flask from the beach and washed from head to toe. Now that she felt clean and her body was used to the water, she didn’t want to come out. She swam to where the fall cascaded into the pool and frolicked in the spray. When she swam to the other side and turned around, she saw Cyton watching her. It didn’t matter. The water covered her.