by T. A. White
Translucent shapes wheeled and dipped through the sky in the distance, changing direction as they caught the disturbance from Ilith’s arrival. You didn’t traverse space without causing a bit of a fuss.
Ilith would have liked to know exactly how Jax recreated the Avenue of the Ancients, the path their strongest once used to access other worlds. More than one dragon had chosen a new world to settle in while on their odyssey. Content to die there rather than exist forever. Ilith was the last to use the Avenue since it had closed shortly after her departure. Until Rath who she suspected had made use of it once he felt Ryu’s pull, she thought it gone forever.
Rath’s case wasn’t unique. Every once in a while, a dragon discovered an existence that drew them in. Of course, in those days, a dragon was more likely to bond with a vein of minerals or a mountain range than a living creature. It spoke to how rare Ryu was, to be able to attract a dragon naturally rather than through something like the Rift.
Tate’s people changed that.
Tate, stay silent for the next little bit, Ilith ordered.
Are we in danger?
Ilith made a sound in the back of her throat that was derisive.
Right, silly me. Who would dare threaten the mighty dragon Ilith?
Despite the confidence Ilith projected, she was nervous. She was weak from her long exile and not all dragons were kind to those who trespassed in their territory. Over a thousand years had passed since her last visit to this place. That was a long time even for beings like them. She didn’t know who was in that flock or if they would see her as a threat.
A tinkling sound like wind chimes carried on the air.
Translucent beings settled in a circle around Ilith. The air chimed as they whispered among themselves. The sun caught their crystalline bodies, sending prisms of color shimmering along their sides.
The most powerful of those present lifted his head. Unlike the others he’d grown enough to retain his coloring. Gold made up his base color with iridescent greens, blues, pinks speckled throughout.
It was rare for a dragon to have that coloring and made Ilith curious as to his development.
Welcome, exiled queen.
You know who I am? Ilith hadn’t been certain anyone would still remember.
Your story is a cautionary tale. The only queen with a true name exiled to wander alone. We never thought to see you under these skies again.
Ilith lifted her gaze to the sky he mentioned, her wings burning with the desire to take flight. To soar under never ending skies and relentless tides of power.
Why have you come here?
The question shook Ilith from her fantasy. I don’t know.
The truth. Her kind believed in destiny. If she was here, according to that belief, there was a reason. Only she didn’t know what that reason could be.
His gaze shifted to Ilith’s chest where her heart rested. I can feel another’s presence in you. You’re not fully of us. This isn’t your place any longer.
That was surprising. Ilith hadn’t thought they’d be able to sense Tate and hadn’t been sure how they’d react if they did know. This place was once considered sacrosanct. Only those judged worthy could pass under these skies.
If he could pick up on Tate’s presence so easily, she’d have to revise her estimation of him. He was a lord at the very least. Not some barely evolved youngster as she’d thought.
She feels like the other wanderer who visited a small time ago, the iridescent peacock colored dragon said.
He’s talking about Ryu and Rath. This must be where they came. That’s why Rath is suddenly more powerful, Tate said suddenly.
The other dragon tilted his head. You are correct, little one.
Tate’s surprise tangled with Ilith’s own. Hearing another’s bonded was rare.
It is time for you to return, the dragon said, jarring Ilith from her thoughts.
Indignant rejection filled Ilith. She just got here, and he wanted her to leave already. Desperation bubbled. She wasn’t ready. She needed more time.
Ilith, he’s right. We left Ryu and Rath, and the others. Tate’s guilt was a sharp dagger, digging past Ilith’s defenses.
The worst part was that it wasn’t only guilt over the ones they’d left, but also over asking Ilith to return and give up everything that was here.
Ilith closed her eyes. She’d forgotten for a moment in the rush of being home why she’d ended up with Tate in the first place. Resignation filled her along with relief. Tate had taught her what sacrifice was.
Dragons didn’t have the same moral compass as humans but even among her kind she was considered selfish and difficult. Tate had shown her another way. As much as Ilith yearned for home, it wasn’t time yet. The life they’d carved on the other side was everything she’d never known she’d wanted.
As much as this place pulled at Ilith, she’d find none of the delicious, cooked meat Tate called steak here. There’d be no reclaiming the hoard she’d started without her Savior’s permission.
The emperor’s crown would be so lonely without her. Not to mention her new acolyte waiting to worship Ilith’s majesty.
Are you sure? Tate asked, hearing Ilith’s thoughts.
Ilith flicked her tail impatiently. When had she ever been unsure of anything?
I’ll take you at your word and ignore the part about the hoard.
Tate could ignore her all she wanted but she’d claim both the crown and the huge, shiny gem again. See if anyone stopped her.
Maybe if you do a good job saving the emperor’s life, he’ll award you with a different gem.
Ilith perked up. Yes, a bigger horde was always better.
The other dragon watched Ilith with fascination. Little one, you are a unique being, he said speaking to Tate. I see why you were able to bond with the queen.
Ilith slammed a foot on the ground and displayed her teeth. Tate wasn’t anyone’s Savior but her own. He could get his own bonded if he was so fascinated.
The other dragons, all younger than the one before her, giggled. Their voices chimed a goodbye as a discordant note grew in volume.
A sucking sensation pulled at Ilith as the translucent dragons took flight. The last thing she saw was the iridescent dragon’s wise eyes and a voice in her mind saying, Until we meet again.
Despite her earlier resolve, Ilith couldn’t help but cling to the last vestiges of her world as it faded, trying to burn the image into her brain. Soaking in the feel of the invisible tides of magic.
Fog and ocean replaced the plains; snowcapped peaks of mountains much gentler than her home jutting into the sky.
Black birds darted in the sky as a trio of humans struggled to battle them. A dragon swooped overhead, setting fire to everything within reach.
A roar built in Ilith’s chest, erupting as Ilith gave voice to her grief. It felt like she’d lost her world again all over again.
Ilith. Ilith. I will find a way to send you home. I promise.
Ilith’s roar faded, and she shook herself from snout to tail, shedding those annoying feelings that hadn’t been part of her essence before she’d bonded with Tate. Somehow, the human’s emotions had begun to affect her.
Strange that Ilith didn’t hate it.
No need. I won’t go back there again. Ilith flared her wings as she trained her eyes on the birds.
Her bond with Tate was a worthy trade for that lost world.
Ilith looked around, taking stock of her surroundings. Her mate never said it, but she could sense his desire to protect the man who insisted on calling her crown his.
She gave a small hop, startled at the sight of the group cowering on the ground close to her.
Her head cocked.
Foolish two leggers. Didn’t they know it was hard to flee when hugging the floor?
I think they’re terrified of you. The roar probably had something to do with that.
Ilith snorted disdainfully. Even a moderately intelligent creature would know that roar had nothing to do with aggression
and everything to do with expelling her emotions.
Odd how these humans didn’t even recognize a behavior she’d learned from them.
The shiny one Tate referred to as the emperor raised his hands, sparks gathered in the air around them as Ilith cocked her head with interest.
Oh ho. Not all of these two leggers were useless.
Maybe don’t admire it so much and try to seem like less of a threat.
Such a waste of time. As if the shiny one could hurt them, Ilith groused to herself as she waddled in their direction.
The faces of the two next to the shiny one paled but they didn’t back away.
Brave two leggers. Just like her Savior.
She lowered her face, her chin almost touching the ground. She nudged the shiny one and waited.
When he did nothing, she nudged him again with impatience. How much clearer did she have to be?
I don’t even know what you’re trying to do. How are they supposed to know?
Slowly, almost hesitantly, the shiny one lifted a hand, settling it on Ilith’s nose. His expression was weird, but Ilith chose to ignore that as she rose.
What? That was it? You wanted him to pet your nose?
Ilith ignored her, waddling in a circle and rearing onto her hind legs as she observed the sky.
As if he’d received some unspoken signal, Rath banked.
Ilith opened her mouth. Black flame erupted with the force of a volcano. The displaced air sent a shock wave that would have knocked the three behind her off the platform if she hadn’t curled her tail around them at the last second.
So fragile, she noted with disapproval. She’d have to put distance between her and them if she wanted to fight at maximum capacity.
No, rather, you’re too strong, Tate said seriously. I didn’t know you could do that.
If not for their trip to that other world, Ilith might not have been able to.
What are those birds? How are so many being controlled at once?
Ilith released the squawking two leggers from her tail. Not birds.
They were something much more dangerous.
Ilith’s tail whipped back and forth as she tracked the creatures. She licked her lips. They looked quite tasty despite not being birds.
Suspicion rose from Tate. What are you doing?
Ilith didn’t answer. Sometimes demonstration was better than words—especially when she was pretty sure her Savior would object.
Ilith launched herself into the air, not giving the birds time to react. In a blink, she’d snatched several, swallowing their woefully inadequate bodies in the next second.
Crunchy. And tasty. Unfortunately, their bodies were much too small to satisfy a dragon’s hunger fully.
She’d just have to eat the rest as punishment.
A creature’s pain-filled screech fractured the air. Ilith’s chuckle was a low rumble. There he was. She’d wondered how much longer he was going to pretend.
The birds began to fly into one another, madly crashing in what would have looked like suicide to those below.
They formed little inkblots, merging finally to form a creature twice the size of Ilith. It hovered in midair, a bastardized version of a dragon. Two sets of wings beat at the air. Bedraggled feathers speckled its carcass, many spots bald and seeping black ichor. It only had a set of hind legs which were tipped with claws the length of a human arm. Two sets of mouths split its face as it bared teeth that looked like needles.
Its smell was as foul as she remembered. The stench was inescapable as it burned her nostrils.
What. Is. That?
Ilith banked. It’s the amalgam.
Is this what they summoned? Are there more like it out there?
No, this creature is a product of the Creators. It’s the only one that exists.
Shock rippled through Tate. You’ve faced this before?
A spurt of amusement filled Ilith. You have too.
Confusion traveled down their bond and Ilith caught an image of Tate frowning to herself, her gaze distant.
I don’t remember, Tate whispered, sounding lost.
Ilith was pretty sure her Savior hadn’t meant her to hear that last part. As a good partner, she should pretend ignorance.
Ilith set aside all thoughts. In a battle, thinking could get you dead.
Her wings folded as she dove at the amalgam, arrowing through the sky at a breakneck speed. Closer and closer. She extended her back claws, reaching for the neck of the amalgam.
It broke apart, thousands of tiny birds screeching as they swooped out of reach.
Ilith belched blue flame the color of the hottest part of the fire, snickering to herself at the pain-filled cries as hundreds of birds dropped.
The amalgam was an annoying opponent, requiring time and effort to whittle down. In addition, if even a single piece of him escaped he could replicate himself and grow into a future threat. Something Ilith had no intention of allowing to happen again.
For all that, his pieces were astonishingly simple to destroy, offering little resistance unless they were in a mob or part of the final form.
As if sensing her thoughts, the amalgam reassembled.
Ilith dove, her claws inches from its bedraggled feathers when it burst apart again.
She snarled in frustration. Now she remembered why she hated fighting him. He was a vexing opponent, weak yet strong at the same time.
It didn’t help that Tate chortled in the back of her mind.
Sensing Ilith’s rising irritation, Tate sobered. You’re doing great, your majesticness.
Ilith preened. Her Savior wasn’t the type to lie. If she said it, it must be true.
It didn’t matter if the amalgam was a difficult opponent. She was Ilith. Dragon. Supreme ruler of the sky.
Ilith’s claws slid in and out of their sheaths as she fantasized rending the stupid shadow creature apart.
How dare it not give itself over to death? Who did it think it was?
Flame left her mouth, singeing the creature’s flank as Rath attacked from the bottom. Between the two of them, they managed to tear several gaping wounds into the creature before it split apart. Its screech sounded like saw blades assaulting her ears.
Annoying pest, Ilith grumbled to herself.
She no longer had any interest in gobbling down its smaller forms. Better for the whole thing to die.
Rath wheeled out of the way as Ilith concentrated. Wind gathered, smacking the amalgam out of the air as if it were a giant hand.
Ilith and Rath dove at the same time, their bodies two streaks as the ground sped toward them.
Unable to stop himself, the amalgam crashed into the ground. He thrashed, trying to find his feet.
Ilith and Rath descended on him, their wings snapping out to break their plummet at the last second. Claws extended they slammed into the amalgam at the same time.
Ilith roared in the amalgam’s face, digging her claws deeper into his chest. Rath appeared from the side. His paw flashed, ripping off the amalgam’s head. He gobbled it down in the next second.
Ilith shredded the amalgam’s torso, not giving it time to break apart. Finished with his treat, Rath tore into the other end of the amalgam with a single-minded fury that would have terrified Ilith’s bonded at the beginning of their relationship.
Lost in her blood lust, Ilith paid no attention to the concerns of her bonded as she ripped pieces of flesh off the amalgam and swallowed them. The hot splash of blood whetting her appetite.
If Tate chastised her, Ilith couldn’t hear as she reared, sending flame licking over the amalgam’s carcass. Rath warbled and pounced on one tongue of fire, catching it in his paws and breathing on it with his own fire.
The two blazes danced together as the shrieks of the amalgam gradually died and the smell of burned flesh overtook the amalgam’s stench.
Ilith bared her teeth in satisfaction. The sound of the amalgam’s death throws was a welcome symphony.
Rath prowled toward her, ru
bbing his side against hers. He nudged her head with his, sliding his jaw over the top of hers.
Ilith objected, batting him away. Cocky dragon, trying to establish dominance on Ilith. Rath settled on his haunches, showcasing a satisfied look as he gave her a bloody grin that managed to be goofy and terrifying at the same time. Perhaps it had something to do with the impressive row of teeth.
Ilith snorted and looked away.
Mate, Rath thought at her. He extended his neck, blowing softly into her nostrils, letting her catch his scent.
She set a paw on him and nudged him away. Males could be so needy.
It’s not over. He likely left several pieces of him outside the main body.
His chuckle reverberated in her mind. Alright, mate.
The distortion spat out several bodies, Dewdrop and Willa among the men and women wearing clothes with the image of a dragon curled around a shiny blue stone.
Ilith harrumphed at those wearing the fake stone. Liars. All of them. The last time she’d tried to pry one of them off a person’s chest, there had been so much blubbering. All she got in the end was a few scraps of cloth. Disappointing in the extreme.
How did Willa get here? Tate asked, sounding distracted.
Ilith ignored her as a man strode out from their center, glancing once in the direction of the two leggers and the shiny man before taking in the rest of the scene. The still burning amalgam, Ilith and Rath in their dragon forms.
His face tightened and his hand opened and closed. Metal crawled over his body as a whip made of blue light extended from his hand.
Ilith watched it all in fascination, her head cocking.
Roslyn’s father, Tate whispered.
Tasty?
No!
Ilith chuckled to herself. Sometimes antagonizing her Savior was just as fun as a good battle. The man Ilith had heard Tate refer to as the Duke of Spiritly was much too vexing of an opponent to fight. That armor would make eating him difficult. Not impossible, but Ilith didn’t want to have to throw up the metal pieces later.
“Are you kidding me?” Dewdrop cried, looking around him with a growing fury.
Uh oh, Tate muttered as Ilith looked up at the sky. Anywhere but at the young man who nearly vibrated in place from anger.
The Veles cub nudged a piece of the dead amalgam, seeming impressed at Ilith’s hunting prowess. As well she should be.