Dragons and Mages: A Limited Edition Anthology

by Pauline Creeden

  Morgan knew he wasn’t the only one to gawp at Blaze in surprise. He couldn’t believe that he had openly told them the only way to kill a dragon. Morgan wasn’t sure if he admired him or not. Blaze was either extremely smart or extremely foolish. Telling four people who owned blades of elf steal that they could kill him and Ash with one swipe. The look in the dragon prince’s face told Morgan that he was not impressed with his friend’s revelation.

  “I told you this because we have nothing to hide. We have come here to join forces with you. And now you know how to kill the dragons. But I don’t think that our race is your biggest threat. I believe you need to look into the darker side. The dark magic of the fae. They are our threat,” Blaze told them.

  Morgan found himself starting to respect the red dragon. He was smart, he had a mind Morgan could relate to and he made a point to speak with him more. Maybe he would be of help with strategy should the time come.

  “So, how do we find out more about the fae? It’s not like it is easy to get into Mercias,” Jaxe pointed out.

  “But it is,” came Obe’s quiet voice, causing all eyes to fix on him.

  It was Ember that spoke first. “Obe no. We can figure out another way.”

  “There is no other way Ember. I have the blood of the fae in me. I have the dark magic within my soul. This is the best way to have eyes in Mercias,” Obe replied.

  “But you are not full fae. What about the hellhound in you? They will sense him,” Morgan said, not liking the idea of his friend stepping into darkness alone.

  Obe had always been a haunted soul. No one knew much of his past. Being from Mercias and growing up on the streets of the black city, Morgan couldn’t imagine what he had suffered. He wasn’t ready to throw his friend back in there and leave him to fend for himself.

  “I can hide him. I know how so that he will go undetected. I promise you this is the only way,” Obe assured them.

  Ember went to protest but Jaxe stopped her. Morgan was grateful to the demon. He knew there no point in trying to talk Obe out of this.

  “Fine if that is what you feel you must do then I won’t stop you. But we will escort you to Mercias,” Ember told him firmly.

  Obe shook his head stepping up to her. “Caspa cannot be left unprotected. You can’t leave. And I won’t let you . I won’t let you come near the darkness that is my home,” Obe replied gently.

  “Then I will escort you there, myself and Jaxe. We will leave Morgan and Blaze with Ember,” Ash suggested.

  Morgan looked over at Jaxe. He could see the dilemma playing across his face. The demon wanted to stay and protect Ember, but at the same time he didn’t want to leave Obe alone with Ash.

  Morgan shook his head stepping forward. “Ash, you are too important to us. Just as much as Ember. We cannot risk your life. Jaxe and Blaze will travel with Obe. They will see him into Mercias and then leave him. We cannot risk them staying.”

  There was a few moments of silence before a mumble of agreement spread across the group.

  “Well, it is agreed then. We will plan for your departure over the coming days. Now, if you excuse me I wish to be alone. I have a lot to process,” Ember muttered, walking past the group and out the building.

  Ash went to follow but Morgan stopped him, shaking his head slightly. “Leave her. This isn’t easy for any of us. Most of all Ember.”

  It wasn’t a lie. The phoenix hybrid would struggle the most with Obe’s absence. Morgan just wished there was another way to finding what they needed without Obe stepping back into the darkness that haunted his dreams.

  Chapter 27

  Ash found himself sat alone that night pondering on all that had come to light in the meeting they had just had, and in fact all that had happened since they had left Ustrina. Chucking some more logs on the fire he was building, he waved his hand to bring forth a burst of violet flames. The flames of dragon magic. The moon shone brightly over him, illuminating the snow that had fallen just earlier. He missed the heat of his home, not liking the harsh winter that Caspa clearly suffered. It wasn’t that he was cold, far from it. Dragons were extremely hot blooded creatures, he just wasn’t used to the feel of snow under his feet, or the risk of slipping over should he step on the ice wrong much, to Blaze’s amusement.

  At the thought of his best friend, Ash felt a fear rush through him. The fear of the unknown, which was exactly where Blaze was headed in a few days. He had been angered when he had been told that he was not allowed to leave Caspa. That his best friend was to go instead. Ash didn’t like the idea of Blaze being alone with the two hybrids that wanted to kill them the most, and it pissed him off that he didn’t have a proper say in the matter. He respected Ember, he understood that the beauty was the Queen of Caspa even if she denied such a title. But he still felt he deserved more of a say in the decision to send his friend to the dark city.

  A snap of a twig from behind brought Ash from his musings. His body tensed as he sensed the presence of more than one person coming up behind him. He knew who it was, had expected them to come after him. The elf wasn’t with them, of that much he knew, and neither was Blaze. He was alone with the two hybrids that hated him the most, this was going to be fun. Standing and brushing down his clothing, he turned to face Jaxe and Obe. Flashing them a dazzling smile as he did so. They didn’t scare him. He was always going to be more powerful than them, even unarmed, which made him wonder why they had been so stupid as to approach him alone.

  “I wondered when I would have the pleasure of a private audience with the two of you. I have been so keen to get to know you better. I do feel we didn’t exactly get off on the best foot. But forgive me for that, I had just come out of a fight and travelled for a good many days,” Ash said.

  “Do all of you dragons speak this much?” Obe asked as he circled Ash.

  Ash didn’t respond, instead he stood patiently, allowing the fae to suss him out. He had nothing to hide, all he had said to them in the meeting, all Blaze had said, it had been truth. He wondered if Ember knew of their little meeting at the moment.

  “She doesn’t know,” Jaxe said causally shocking Ash.

  Had he really just invaded his thoughts? Ash narrowed his eyes at the demon, daring to lock his gaze with Jaxe, he could tell that his serpent was well contained within. That the pair had no intention of hurting him, at least not for now anyway. Maybe they weren’t as foolish as he had thought.

  “You read my thoughts? Do you know how rude that is?” Ash snapped, the laugh that came at his response only pissed him off more.

  “You think I really care? As I said before, dragon, you are no prince of mine, and while you are in Caspa we will do what we wish with you. So that means that if I want to read your thoughts, I can,” Jaxe sneered,

  Ash went to step forward, to do what he wasn’t sure, but was stopped by Obe blocking his path.

  “Now, come on. We didn’t come here to hurt you. Ember would never forgive us if we killed her new ally. We just want to talk. To know what you are really doing here. Not the bullshit you spun us in that meeting. We all know we say things we have to, when we want to live. So, dragon prince, what is it you really want from us? From Ember?” Obe demanded.

  Ash sighed deeply, shaking his head slightly. He was getting sick of having to go over the same thing again. When would these god damn hybrids stop being so stubborn and accept the truth for what it was? Not have to find a problem with every little thing. Ember had chosen to believe Ash and Blaze and for that he was grateful, he just wished she could make the others do the same.

  “I don’t know what you are expecting me to say, boys. I can assure you that all I have said over the last days, all Blaze has said over the last days has been true. We have no hidden agenda. Why would we? I ran from my father, from my people, from my home to come and find you. Do you really think I would have bothered leaving all that behind, leave my people in danger of the fae and their evil, for nothing? I don’t lie. I can’t lie, it is who I am. I know that most dragons
do, it is part of our charm I suppose. But I swear on my life that I am not lying. I am truly here as your ally, and for your help,” Ash replied, hoping that they would believe him not wanting to have to keep defending his honour and loyalty to the forgotten race.

  “It just doesn’t make sense. Your race have always hated us. Wanted us dead, just because we are not pure blood. Why would you two rogue dragons want to change that? One of them being the prince of said race. Willing to go against his father’s beliefs,” Obe said.

  Ash growled in annoyance. The sound bringing with it two drawn swords. Ash shot the two hybrids an unimpressed look. Did they really think drawn weapons were going to concern him. Obe and Jaxe were definitely the fighters of the gang. Morgan and Ember being the brains it seemed.

  “Please sheath your weapons and know that I have nothing more to say on the subject. I have told you the truth. It is up to you if you chose to believe it,” Ash told them, turning his back to them and taking his seat once more.

  “We haven’t finished talking to you, dragon,” Jaxe snapped. Ash felt the cold of his blade against the back of his neck. He didn’t flinch. Instead he replied calmly.

  “Well, that’s a shame, because I have finished with you.”

  “You may have Ember fooled, have her believe your words, but she is the only one,” Obe added.

  “Actually, that isn’t true. I believe them,” came Morgan’s voice.

  Ash couldn’t help but smirk at the elf’s words. Blaze was with Morgan also. It really was turning into a male bonding session.

  “Why, Morgan?” Jaxe questioned as Ash felt the removal of the sword from his neck. Not that he had been worried that Jaxe would have swung it. Jaxe was many things, but Ash knew how loyal he was to Ember. Therefore he wouldn’t dare go against her wishes and kill him.

  “Because I have spent time with Blaze, and I know for certain what they say is the truth. So, will you please stop overreacting to everything? Unless of course there is another reason why you feel so threatened by these two?” Morgan replied, his eyes resting on Obe as he made his statement.

  Ash frowned slightly, wondering what he had missed. Flicking a look over at Blaze, his friend shrugged in response. If Obe or Jaxe knew what Morgan was implying they didn’t let on.

  “The only threat is them. But if you and Ember feel like they are our allies now then I will drop it. Just don’t blame either of us if they end up killing you all when we are gone,” Obe responded.

  “Well, as there is only going to be one of ‘us’ left here while you are gone I don’t think they have much to worry about. I am not about take out the whole village on my own,” Ash assured them.

  He had to admit that he was very much enjoying the look of rage on the two bigger hybrids faces. They were beyond pissed that they had lost the argument.

  “Well, if this little discussion is over I actually would like to spend some time with Ash. There are things we need to talk about,” Blaze spoke up, breaking the tense silence that had settled over the group.

  Morgan took the hint, understanding that the two dragons wanted to be alone.

  “We have a lot to prepare before you all depart in a few days. Come on Jaxe, Obe I am sure Ember has things she wants to talk to you about,” Morgan said, taking the lead and turning from Ash and Blaze.

  Ash fixed a gaze on the other two.

  “Go on. You aren’t needed here anymore. And don’t even think to dip into our minds to spy on what we are saying,” Ash warned.

  Jaxe went to protest but Morgan’s voice stopped him. “You have our words that you have the privacy that you deserve. Now, come on you two. We don’t need to be here anymore.”

  And with those last words, Jaxe and Obe reluctantly followed Morgan away from the dragons. Ash sighed deeply, shaking his head as Blaze joined him on the fallen tree.

  “They are something, aren’t they? Morgan is nothing like them. He has the more sensible mind. I actually quite like the elf,” Blaze said.

  Ash didn’t reply at first. He agreed that Morgan seemed to be the peacemaker, and the thought of Blaze being left alone with Jaxe and Obe didn’t bring him any comfort.

  “They won’t hurt me. It’s more than their life is worth if they do,” Blaze replied to his silent thoughts.

  Ash pulled at a loose bit of moss from the bark, shredding it as he replied. “Doesn’t make me worry any less. I don’t trust them, Blaze.”

  “Well if they do try to kill me I will just burn them to a crisp. It’s simple,” Blaze assured him smirking darkly.

  “Behave yourself, Blaze.” Ash laughed, nudging his friend slightly. “No matter how tempting it would be to have some fun.”

  “Come on there is stuff we need to go through and I don’t know about you, but I would rather do it in front of a fire with some ale. It’s pretty good stuff, and it’s too bloody cold to stay out here much longer,” Blaze suggested, standing up and holding out a hand.

  Ash took it allowing Blaze to pull him to his feet. “You find it cold too? I thought I was just me,” Ash muttered, falling in step with Blaze.

  “Are you kidding? It’s bloody freezing. I am glad Ustrina doesn’t suffer with winters like this.”

  “Well I guess if they did we would be hardened to these elements,” Ash pointed out.

  “That’s true. But we aren’t, so hurry the hell up. I need that fire and ale!” Blaze exclaimed, speeding up the pace.

  Ash just laughed, hurrying to catch up with the red dragon. Maybe just for tonight they could forget about the unknown path that lay ahead of them all.

  Chapter 28

  The fire from the torch danced shadows over the stone walls as Zelak made his way through the damp labyrinth of paths hidden under the black city. He would have preferred entering the dungeons of the castle of Mercis by the more dignified way, that being through the castle itself. Had he have done that, though, he would have had to explain everything to Axis, and he wasn’t ready to let the fae king in on the secret that was happening right under his nose. In fact, he wasn’t completely sure he would ever tell Axis about the army of the undead. Kelak didn’t trust Axis, not entirely anyway. No, this would be something he would keep to himself. And it was that reason alone that he found himself stalking through the tunnels of the castle to go and meet his dark beauty. He had not had a chance to see much of her lately. The moments they had been given had not permitted them to do anything more than talk.

  Frustration was pulsing through kelak as he sped up his pace. Sexual frustration to be more precise. The further he walked into the murky depths of the castle, the more he wished he had brought some guards with him. He had told them to stay back, wanting to be alone with Zurina so he could satisfy his growing needs. But truth be told, he didn’t feel safe. There was a sense of unease settled in the stale atmosphere, and it wasn’t the thousands of corpses that lay behind a closed door at the end of the seemingly endless pathway. He couldn’t figure it out. Mercis was the city of black magic, of evil, so to speak. Zelak’s city wasn’t much better. He was a necromancer after all. Yet the evil that settled over the black city was one even Zelak couldn’t explain and one that sent a feeling of dread to a necromancer’s dark soul.

  Finally, a large metal door appeared at the end of the tunnel. Zelak knew by the cold in the air, the darkness, and the damp stale smell that he was far below the castle. He was certain even Axis didn’t know this room existed. Raising a hand ready to knock, he was stopped when the door flung open seemingly by its own accord.

  “I could smell your fear from far off, Zelak. I must admit I am surprised. Tell me what is it that you are so scared of?” came the musical voice of his dark beauty.

  Zelak didn’t reply at first. Instead, he stepped silently into the room, closing the door behind him not being able to hide the jolt that pulsed through his body as it banged shut. His eyes took a moment to adjust to the sudden change in light. Although it was still dark, it was a different type of darkness, one with shadows of all sizes
that lurked across the stone walls. He couldn’t see the army, but he could smell them, feel them. He felt the power of evil flood him, an evil that was not the same as what he had felt walking to this hidden treasure. No, this was a powerful evil that only a necromancer of great skill could wield, not for the first time did Zelak thank the gods for bringing him Zurina when they did. She was the missing part to his soul. Together they were more powerful than any dragon, any race, in fact, and he couldn’t wait to make her his queen of all the lands.

  “So, come on, tell me what it is you fear? I will not show you the army until you spill what it is that has rattled the dark, deadly king,” Zurina purred, stepping closer to him and trailing a lone finger down his chest.

  Kelak shifted slightly under her gaze, just her being so close was causing him to become increasingly uncomfortable down below, and by the look on his dark angel’s face she knew exactly what she was doing to him. Reaching up to take hold of her finger, teasing his tongue over the tip of it, he never broke eye contact with Zurina as he did. Zelak smirked darkly, letting her finger go and pushing her away ever so slightly, still close enough that he could breathe in her scent, allowing himself to get heady on the smell. He needed to keep focus for that moment, he needed to be the king and leader that he was as he stood before his army. They had to know that they would also be answering to him, and he couldn’t bring that power forth when he was a trembling, sexually frustrated mess in need of a fix from the drug that was his dark angel.

  “You know me too well, my dark beauty. I won’t lie to you. Walking through the depth of this castle, I could sense evil. An evil that I am not so sure I can explain,” Zelak replied truthfully.

  Zurina’s beautiful features creased into a soft frown, causing him to step back from her fully. “What is it?” Zelak stayed silent.

  “Are you starting to think that we have to worry about Axis? Come on now, Zelak. We are far more powerful than he will ever be. The fae are wielders of dark magic, but so are we,” Zurina pointed out.