Yushir watched the proceeding duel with consternation while his passive friend’s eyes remained on the woman opposite them. A commotion outside the duel caught the prince’s attention. The next moment, a small explosion of dazzling silver light burst out of the wolf clan area. Two guards were flung in opposite directions and one of them crashed into the rear wall of the grotto. Everyone else close to the explosion was knocked off their feet.

  “What in all the realms-” Yushir started just as a slim figure dashed out of the light. His eyes widened as he recognized the familiar form of Lady Roberts. “Is that-” He winced as her light struck his eyes, and he was forced to cover his face with a raised arm.

  Dadan took a step forward, his face a picture of absolute shock. He fought against the instinct to blink as waves of brilliance flowed out of her like ripples in a pond. The glow of silver light around her increased in strength with each step as she raced toward the two combatants. He froze when something else appeared on her forehead.

  It was a dazzling crescent moon.

  The beautiful goddess raced into the middle just as the two shifters reached the center of the grotto. She flung out her arms at the two of them and more blinding light burst from her palms, throwing them back. The brilliant light swept over the entirety of Sanctuary and a wind followed, blowing nearly everyone off their feet.

  The illumination faded and Dadan’s eyes remained focused on the center of the dueling area. His heart skipped a beat when the clearing air revealed nothing.

  Anna was gone.

  The reverberations of her magic had ceased for a few seconds before the crowd stirred. Both parties scrambled to their feet and hurried to their respective leaders, blocking the view from those who lingered.

  Two of those were Yushir and Eastwei who had both managed to keep their feet. The prince whipped his head about to face Dadan and his mouth was slightly agape. “Was that Lady Roberts?”

  The prince had never seen such an expression on his friend’s face. Dadan stood there stunned with his eyes wide and his lips slightly parted. He stared in shock at where Lady Roberts had interfered in the duel.

  Yushir grabbed his friend’s arms and shook the limb. “Dadan? Did you hear me? I believe that was-”

  Dadan took that moment to shake off his stupor. He stiffened his jaw and strode forward. Yushir quickly followed and they joined the crowds that had hurried onto the battlefield. Dadan pushed through the onlookers and many scurried out of his way as a fiery heat radiated off him. The men reached the center and found Wearg and Pangberan both laying on their backs a few yards from one another. Both had reverted to their human selves and were unconscious. Their human forms still showed many of the same wounds they had given one another in their other shapes. Each one was attended to, with Wearg having his men around him and Pangberan being worked on by Lujun, Dian, and Jin.

  A few murmurs of surprise began to fill the air.

  “Where is the wound on King Wearg’s leg?” one of the wolf soldiers asked.

  “I swore part of his ear had been swiped off,” another spoke up.

  “General, my father’s throat wound,” Dian whispered to his companion.

  Lujun wiped away the blood and revealed hardly a scratch. “Yes. It’s gone.”

  Yushir furrowed his brow as he looked up to his silent companion. “Could Lady Roberts’ magic have done this miracle?” Dadan didn’t get a chance to reply.

  “Prince Yushir! Lord Eastwei!”

  The frantic shout came from Arian as she pushed her way through the crowd. She stumbled into their little clearing and flung herself at the prince. Yushir caught her in his arms and would have enjoyed the attention if not for the tears that slid down her cheeks. Her whole body trembled and she clung to the front of his robes as if letting go would drown her.

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  “What is the matter?” he questioned her.

  “I cannot find my friend anywhere! You must help me find her!” she pleaded.

  “I am sure we will find her soon,” Yushir assured her.

  Dadan had long begun the search when his eyes fell on Jin. The young man had stood from helping his bear king and an expression of confusion marred his face. He turned in a circle and noticed Dadan’s gaze upon him.

  The young man hurried over to them with confusion and panic written all over his face. “Have any of you seen Lord Wyrmir? I cannot see him.”

  Yushir knitted his eyebrows together. “Lady Roberts disappears at the same moment Lord Wyrmir vanishes. It cannot be a coincidence, but why would he desire to take her?”

  Arian’s eyes widened and her heart skipped a beat. “Lord Wyrmir showed a great deal of interest toward my friend before the battle.”

  Yushir cast a gentle smile at her. “You need no longer keep the ruse, Lady Arian. Your friend revealed herself and we cannot unsee what was seen.”

  The color drained from Arian’s face and she shivered even harder. “B-but what will you do with her if you find her?”

  “We will decide that when we find her,” he replied as he studied her tear-stained face. “Now tell us how Lord Wyrmir showed interest in Lady Roberts.”

  Arian bit her lower lip and her unfocused eyes flickered to and fro. “He. . .he seemed very interested in her when King Wearg introduced her as a goddess. Lord Wyrmir asked her from where she had come and he did not appear at all satisfied when she answered that she was from a far land.”

  “He’s in charge of the immortal rolls, isn’t he?” Jin questioned the elder gods.

  “Just so,” Yushir confirmed as he cupped his chin in one hand. “But I cannot fathom why he would care about Lady Roberts enough to steal her away.”

  “And more so that he knew she was to be the prize for the victor,” Arian added.

  “We will look into this matter immediately, but first we must know how Pangberan and Wearg fair,” Yushir promised as he inspected the toppled monarchs.

  Jin folded his arms over his chest and furrowed his brow. “It’s quite a miracle, Prince Yushir. King Pangberan has a few cuts where the deepest gashes had once been but most of what you see is just dried blood. The wound itself is healed.”

  “And the same for King Wearg?” Yushir persisted.

  Jin half-turned to the dozen men who surrounded the wolf king. “I think so.”

  Yushir looped an arm around Arian’s upper back and turned them toward Wearg. “Let us see to this matter and then we will head immediately-Eastwei!”

  Dadan had strode forward but his quick steps meant he passed through the gap between the fallen royals and headed toward the bridge.

  “Wait a moment for me!” the prince pleaded.

  Dadan didn’t acknowledge his friend’s request but hurried to the top of the bridge. He vanished in a mist of scarlet-hued light and flew into the air before zipping away.

  “A curse upon his goldfish pond. . .” Yushir muttered before a tug on his arm brought his attention back to Arian.

  Her big brown eyes stared into his and she had stiffened her chin. “Go with him.”

  Yushir’s shoulders sagged and he swept an arm over the proceedings. “I cannot leave the duties entrusted to me by my king.”

  “You are no more useful here than I, but I am not as swift as either Lord Eastwei or you,” Arian insisted as she offered him an encouraging smile. “I will ensure King Wearg and my father are properly cared for. You must see to our friends.”

  The prince sighed but nodded. “Very well. We will return as soon as we can, and I hope with good news.” He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I take your heart with me, Lady Arian, and we will meet again soon to trade our treasures as a token of our love for one another.”

  A heavy blush accented Arian’s cheeks and she bowed her head. “S-see you soon then.”

  Yushir reluctantly released her and rushed after Eastwei. He passed Jin who had a vexed expression on his face. The prince was silently amused by the situation but his joy was short-lived as he reached the top of the bridge and flew into the air after his friend.