She chuckles. “As should you. Perhaps it’s something we can work on together.”

Together.

The word sends my pulse racing before I remind myself our time is ticking and that Zhuliya isn’t really my forever.

Soon our moments together will end because that’s the ultimate goal—to undo the bond I accidentally forged.

Dairfyn jerks our bubble through one of the main ones surrounding the city. Instead of popping, the larger bubble absorbs our personal one, spitting Zhuliya and me out the other side.

My mate stumbles, and I catch her elbow to keep her from falling to the sandy ground. “Are you alright?”

“Yes, sorry, I wasn’t expecting that.”

“Apologies, lovely human,” Dairfyn says with a wink. “I forget your kind is not as agile as mine. Are you ready to meet the Kueeng?”

“Do we need to change?” she worries.

“No, no. Their Majesty isn’t concerned with that. Come. This way.”

We follow the Dagon to the first building. The doors sweep open automatically, much like some human ones, although I know the technology is vastly different.

I hold onto Zhuliya’s hand, tugging her along as her attention is everywhere but where we’re walking.

All the buildings in the kueengdom connect, much like the Dagon underwater tunnel system.

Eventually, we make our way to the palace entrance. Two Dagon guards stand at attention, deadly spears tipped with poison at the ready.

Dairfyn mutters something, and they part, allowing us to pass. The swish of the Dagon’s silky black pants echoes around us as we follow.

Finally, we come to a set of golden double doors that our Dagon escort pushes open to reveal the throne room.

“Our Ithaquan friend and his mate, welcome!”

The Kueeng’s booming voice sounds twice as loud in the cavernous room as Dairfyn presents us with a bow.

“My liege, may I present to you Ilian, who you know, and Zhuliya, his lovely mate.”

The Kueeng smiles at me regally, but their attention is focused on the woman beside me.

“What do you think, human? You are the first to enter my kueengdom.”

“I have no words, Your Majesty. It’s more fantastical than anything I could’ve ever imagined, like a Walt Disney dream come true!”

The Kueeng’s dark brow furrows. “Who is this Walt Disney?”

“Oh, he’s another human who builds castles.”

“Ah, a king, then?”

Zhuliya laughs. “Not quite, but he created magnificent worlds, too—not nearly as breathtaking as yours, though.”

The Dagon leader strokes their long whiskers, so like a catfish’s, coming down from the side of their mouth.

“It is breathtaking. I like you, human. Perhaps I’ve been wrong about your kind.”

My mate wrinkles her nose. “No, most of my people are idiotic jerks, and I’m convinced that online shopping has a direct correlation to the decrease in grocery store violence.”

Dairfyn chuckles. “I see why she is your mate, my friend. I think I need one, too.”

Something feral snaps inside of me, and I pull Zhuliya into my arms while glaring at the Dagon Ambassador.

“Mine!”

Guards around the room shift their positions, pointing their spears in my direction, but the Kueeng merely waves a hand. “Possessive, I see. Dair, you will need to find another human to be your mate. Ilian is quite taken with this one even though he seeks to dissolve their union.”

Both Dagons smirk at me, and I run a hand between my horns. “I apologize to everyone. That just…burst from me.” I turn to Zhuliya. “Please forgive me. You’re not a possession.”

“But you do feel covetous, eh?” Dairfyn prods, and I scowl.

“Of course. Zhuliya is special.”

She stares up at me with her big, dark gaze, and I’m lost for a moment in the beauty that is all my mate.

The Kueeng raises their voice, reminding me of where I am. “Special things are rare. It isn’t wise to waste them.”

I can’t tell if they’re talking to me or Zhuliya—perhaps both of us.

Before either she or I can respond, a Dagon in a simple dress bursts through the doors, bowing before the Kueeng. “Your Majesty, Duri is missing!”

Dairfyn and I share a look.

Not again.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Zhuliya

“Who’s Duri?” I whisper to Ilian as the throne room erupts into activity.

“She’s the Kueeng’s youngest child—gets into more trouble than even Dairfyn.”

“I heard that!” The Dagon shouts as they sprint out of the room.

“Come on.” Ilian tugs my hand. “We’ll help look.”

We follow Dairfyn for a bit before the Ithaqua weaves us down another corridor.