Not much older than me, the Dagon had snuck into the royal cellar and stolen a case of kurunnum, intoxicating enough to kill a human in one sip.

And they drank all of it before passing out on top of a broken sheet of ice.

While unconscious, a winter storm formed ice around the Dagon, sealing them inside so much so that they couldn’t move.

To this day, I’m unsure of what the Kueeng knows, only that Dairfyn swore me to secrecy about everything that transpired as well as who they are.

Either way, I’m one of the few non-Dagons to be welcomed into the kueengdom.

“Ilian?”

“Yes, soyam?”

“I’m scared.”

My chest constricts. “I know, but I promise we’re safe. We’ll be at the palace soon.”

“You’re friends with royalty—that’s amazing. How is your Dagon friend connected to the Kueeng?”

“Dairfyn is the ambassador for their people.”

“That’s quite the job.”

“Indeed. They also have a tattoo by me.”

“Really? I didn’t see.”

“It’s along their back in white ink. It nearly blends in, but it’s what they wanted.”

“You didn’t almost imprint on them, too, did you?” she teases me.

“It was a close call, but don’t tell them that.”

Dairfyn looks over their shoulder and smirks, proving they can hear every word beyond the bubble.

When Zhuliya rested at the hotel and I went to call upon Dairfyn, I told them everything about what had happened.

The Dagon was kind enough to convince the Kueeng to see us. Of course, this doesn’t mean we’ll be given access to use their transportation, but I can hope.

It’ll take at least half a week or more aboard another ship to get to the Kuril Islands in this weather, but the Dagons have tunnel systems with a type of crystal train that can travel quickly.

As in seconds.

If humans got their hands on such an invention, they wouldn’t know what to do with themselves.

I’m nearly certain the Kueeng will grant us access once I present my case, but I’ll do anything to keep my mate off another boat.

Watching her be sick was soul-crushing. Never in my life have I hated myself so much for putting her in such a position to begin with.

Suddenly, Zhuliya shifts. “Ilian, is it getting…lighter?”

“Yes, we’re approaching the main city of kueengdom where the palace is.”

“Oh, that was fast.”

“Dagons are extremely swift in water—don’t ever let one trick you into a race.”

She laughs. “I won’t.”

“Speed is important to the Dagons. They pride themselves on it. You’ll see.”

But my mate isn’t listening to me anymore. She’s moved out from my arms to lean forward as the Dagon city comes into view.

The entirety of it is encased in various bubbles just like the one we’re currently in. Everything inside is dry and made of glass and twinkling lights.

It truly is an empire of wonder.

And there in the center sits the Dagon Kueeng’s palace. It towers over the rest of the crystalline buildings, complete with golden spires and sparkling turrets.

Much time has passed since I last saw it, but everything looks the same—clean and glittering with brilliance.

“Ilian, look! It’s…it’s…miraculous! Have you ever seen anything so marvelous?”

I turn to stare at Zhuliya, her dark curls piled atop her head to showcase the perfection of her face.

Her full red lips form an O of amazement, and all I can do is drink in my mate because I have seen something so marvelous.

It’s her.

“I’ve been here once, long ago.”

“When you saved Dairfyn’s life?”

“Something like that.”

For a moment, Zhuliya just looks at me, so much emotion flowing into me through our bond, and I realize it’s nearly the same awe I have for her.

Does she think I’m…special?

As if reading my mind, Zhuliya reaches up to cup my face. “I’ll say it again—Ilian Yaniqu, you’re beyond amazing, and I wish you saw yourself in the same light.”

Dairfyn snorts, glancing over their shoulder to nod in agreement with my mate, and I shift under the weight of their stares.

“I suppose we all have different opinions of ourselves that others don’t hold.”

“And they usually aren’t the best, sadly. Even I can admit to not holding myself in the best esteem—”

“But you should!”