Thanks so much to everybody who has read, favorited, reviewed, and encouraged me to continue this fic! I'm sorry I've been away for so long—college has kept me insanely busy, but the support I've received from you guys has re-inspired me. I promise I will make more time to write now. Thanks again :)

Green eyes stared blankly at her. Jacqueline traced the smooth jawline of her princess with her fingertip and let out a deep, dirty chuckle. Stepping closer, the French woman buried her nose in brunette locks and inhaled the sweet scent deeply.

"Andrea, kiss me," she said quietly.

The brunette obeyed, and Jacqueline allowed her eyes to slip shut, savoring the texture of the younger woman's plump lips. It had been a long time since she had been with another woman, and she missed the sensual intimacy of it. Her hands, which had been tangled in Andrea's hair, started to wander as she deepened the kiss. As they neared the princess's breasts though, a white light shot out and Jacqueline snatched her hands away, crying out in pain.

"What is this?" the sorceress glared at the faint red lines on her palms.

Andrea stood silent, her position the same as when Jacqueline first brought her to her bedchambers. With blank eyes, she watched as the older woman paced around the room, examining her scarred flesh. The sorceress was muttering French rapidly under her breath as she alternated her angry gaze from her palms to Andrea. Finally, she stopped and turned to face the princess.

"Ah, I had forgotten," Jacqueline tapped her finger on her upper lip pensively. "Your little...connection with the Queen has prevented me from taking what I want from you. Very inconvenient, but I can work around it. We may still kiss without interference."

She grasped Andrea's chin firmly, her sharp nails leaving crescent indents in fair skin. "But I tire of that. It's time to practice magic. We must be ready ma chérie, for when Miranda comes."

Jacqueline released her and swayed seductively out of the room, crooking her index finger behind her. "Come with me. I shall make the most out of your magic."

Blindly, Andrea followed.


Miranda gritted her teeth when she caught another man leering at her from his horse. True to Nate's word, the men didn't question her sudden presence among them. Unfortunately, Miranda suspected it was because they were too busy ogling her body. She straightened her posture and continued to walk, thankful that her dragon nature scared the horses enough so they walked a few feet away from her.

With nothing but her thoughts to accompany her, she began to feel morose once again. The unaccustomed feeling of guilt flooded into her being. It was her fault her darling Andrea was taken by Jacqueline. Her fault for closing herself off when the young woman needed her the most, her fault for leaving Andrea in a moment of weakness. Miranda closed her eyes and tried to ignore the sharp stabbing pain in her heart she felt as she walked. The guilt over Andrea quickly turned into guilt over not being there for her daughters their time of greatest need. She had lost so much time with them because of her foolish, selfish actions. Remorse soon turned to anger and self-loathing. She was a Queen. And the two most defining moments in her life suggested she was weak and self-centered. Miranda shook her head firmly, trying to rid her depressing thoughts. In a few days, she would be with Andrea and her daughters once again, and she would explain her actions and apologize. The rest of her life would be dedicated to making their lives beautiful and filled with love once more. Her determination and desire to free both her Andrea and her daughters shone through, and she continued her trek with her head held high.

After a few hours of walking in silence, Nate instructed them to stop when he spotted water. As the horses took a much needed break, the men subtly elbowed each other, all glancing pointedly at the silver-haired woman who stood quietly away from the group. One of the soldiers puffed his chest up and confidently strode towards the enigmatic woman, encouraged by the muffled cheers from his friends. He reached her side, and before he could even open his mouth to introduce himself, she cut him off with a chilly, "Don't."

Ego sorely bruised, he frowned and shouted so the men could hear, "She's an icy one but I can warm her up!" His friends guffawed and it was all Miranda could do to restrain the dragon within her that yearned to ignite the man on fire. It would not do to reveal her true nature now and potentially risk the future wellbeing of Andrea and her daughters. Thankfully for the still-snickering knight, Nate appeared next to the Queen and indicated with a tilt of his head that she should follow him.

Before they left, Nate frowned at his men. "Be prepared to take off again in twenty minutes," he hardened his voice, "and do treat this woman with more respect. You are the king's soldiers, not a group of adolescent boys."

There were some grumbles, but the men nodded their acquiesce, and averted their gazes from Miranda. Nate rolled his eyes and led the Queen away even further for a more private conversation. As soon as they were alone, he blurted, "Do you think you could get your people to help us in this battle?"

Crystal eyes blinked slowly. "I'm not sure."

"Hear me out here," Nate started pacing. "We need serious reinforcements if this plan is to work. If we can get your people on our side, we will not only defeat the evil sorceress for good, but we will also save Andrea, the princess. King Richard cherishes his daughter. If he knew that the dragon people helped save his only child, he is sure to forgive, and the severed bond between our cultures will be healed."

"It is not our fault that the bond was severed," Miranda sniffed.

Nate raised an eyebrow. "You did plan to capture our land and rule over all of us—" he held up a hand to prevent any protests Miranda might have had, "—I'm not saying it was all your fault or it was all of ours. But I do know that this plan will work."

"And if it doesn't?" Miranda crossed her arms.

"Worst case scenario? Andrea will die at the hands of Jacqueline, and most likely, so will I and all my men," Nate narrowed his eyes. "And Jacqueline will only become more powerful as the years go by. There will be no formidable opponent, since the dragon people and humans refuse to work together to bring peace to the once-beautiful land. Both humans and dragons will be slaughtered."

Miranda took a moment to digest his words. "Fine," she inclined her head. "I will call to my people and have them prepare for battle."

"Er, that's probably a good thing," Nate lost some of his confidence, "since they are now being hunted by Sir Christian."

Surprisingly, Miranda didn't snap at him. "Many have tried to find our colony. All have failed."

"Oh. That's good," Nate gave her a small smile. She nodded in return.

"I shall tell them to fly directly to Jacqueline's," Miranda shielded her eyes and surveyed the terrain. "They will arrive when we do if I can send them clear pictures of the area to guide their path."

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Nate asked.

Miranda's piercingly blue eyes caught his, and he cursed himself when his heart fluttered a little faster at her intense gaze. She was just so...beautifully mysterious. "I won't forget this..." she trailed off.

"Nate," he supplied, slightly baffled at the fact he had never introduced himself. She stared at him. "Well it's Nathaniel," he said weakly.

"Nathaniel," Miranda tilted her head.

He nodded back at her with a genuine smile, and then turned back to go round up his men. Miranda hid a small smile as he left. The young man had guts and brains — the makings of a great leader. She turned back to the craggly landscape and closed her eyes, calling out to Nigel telepathically.

Yes my Queen?

Nigel, Andrea has been taken by Jacqueline.

There was a cry of agony though their connection, and Miranda's heart ached in response to the pain Nigel felt.

Six?! No!

Nigel, I need you to round up the best fighters we have, and prepare a small army to fight with us at Jacqueline's fortress. In addition to saving Andrea, we will save my daughters and rid the world of Jacqueline. I will send you images of where I am and my scent should still be fresh for you to follow.

I'm not sure they will fight for the daughter of King Richard.

Then don't mention her at all. I know they will all realize it, but your job is to divert their attention to Jacqueline. They will fight to kill the sorceress, and I will be free to kill anything or anybody who stands in the way of my daughters.

There was a pause.

I will have an army ready by sunset.

Thank you Nigel.

Good luck my Queen, and I will see you in battle.

Their connection broke, but Miranda kept her eyes closed. This plan had to work. Sending a quick prayer up to the heavens, she turned and joined the army of men, grateful that their leering had ceased. Their trek was resumed in silence.


"Très bien!" Jacqueline clapped her hands as she watched the brunette incinerate an iron breastplate. "That was the last metal we have to practice on."

Viridescent eyes turned to glow at her.

"Ah, what now," Jacqueline tapped her upper lip that slowly curled into a smile. "Oui, a kiss I think is fitting for all your hard work."

Her ruby red lips met the soft flesh of the younger woman's, and Jacqueline could hardly contain the glee she felt rising inside. It was such a sweet predicament she found herself in. She held the King's daughter, Miranda's lover, and Sir Christian's betrothed in her arms. This woman was extraordinarily gifted in her magical abilities, and with Jacqueline's teachings, they had only grown in magnitude and finesse. The key to taking over the kingdom, and soon the entire world, was standing quietly in her embrace. The French sorceress started to chuckle. First softly, and then louder and louder as she basked in the fact she won. The world was hers for the taking.