Wings of Flame (The Dragons of Ascavar Book 5)

by JD Monroe

  Marlena was already outside, sitting on a blanket a few hundred feet from the outpost. Her eyes were closed, her face tilted up to the morning sun. As Velati approached her, she rose to meet him. Her curiosity was piqued, but Sohaila remained on the outpost steps, pointedly watching Kaldir instead as he walked toward the gathered contingent of the Iron Blade.

  As Kaldir disappeared into the waiting crowd of soldiers, she stole a peek. Velati held Marlena’s face tightly, their foreheads pressed together. She gripped his wrists, nodding as he spoke. A pang of sorrow stitched through Sohaila. The only reason a man like that would be so angry was because his love was so fierce. Then he folded her into his arms, and they remained that way for a long time, as if neither was willing to let go.

  Finally, he pulled away, shoulders rising as he drew a deep breath. He swiped at his eyes as Marlena pulled the ring from her finger and handed it to him. Then he beckoned to Sohaila.

  She set her jaw as she walked down the stairs. There was a distinct red tinge to Velati’s bright blue eyes, but she ignored it. “Is she ready?”

  His gaze held Sohaila’s. “Promise me,” he said quietly, fiddling with the ring. With a deep breath, he offered the ring to her. “I don’t want to lose this in the battle. When this is over, she needs it back.”

  She took it and squeezed it tight. The simple bit of metal felt heavier than stone, a promise she had to keep for all three of them. “You have my word.”

  He frowned. “Should I…I don’t know if it helps or hurts for me to be here.”

  “Stay here on the steps,” she said. She smiled at him, trying to conceal her own sorrow. “She’ll know you’re here.”

  Leaving him on the steps, Sohaila approached Marlena. She heard the other woman’s racing heartbeat long before she met her in the grassy field. Shifting uncomfortably on the balls of her feet, Marlena fiddled with her loose linen robe. Her short, dark hair was tousled around her face. A forced smile contorted her expression as Sohaila approached with her basket of supplies. “I guess it’s time for me to put my money where my mouth is.”

  “Money in your mouth?”

  Marlena laughed, a nervous titter. “It’s a saying from home. Maybe if all this goes well, you can come back with us sometime.”

  “I would like that,” Sohaila said. “Are you ready?”

  Marlena drew a deep breath. “What should I expect?”

  “I think I know you well enough now to assume you want honesty.”

  Her lips curved into a genuine smile. “You’re correct.”

  “It will be painful and very disorienting. It will not be quick,” Sohaila said. Marlena nodded, though her golden skin was going pale beneath the red markings. “But I’ll be right here the whole time.”

  “What if I hurt you?”

  “You won’t,” Sohaila said. “If you get scared, just listen to my voice.” She glanced over her shoulder. “He’s here, too.”

  “Okay. Let’s get it over with.”

  Sohaila took a large glass flask from the basket. Her nose wrinkled in distaste at the sight of the purple glow. “I wish there was another way, but this has to use blood magic. If all goes well, it’ll just be this once.”

  “Listen, my body is covered with it,” Marlena said. “I’m not as squeamish about it as the rest of them.” She accepted the flask and brought it to her lips, then hesitated. “Sohaila, if this goes wrong, or you can’t bring me back, I want you to know it’s okay. If you have to save someone else, do it.” Her eyes drifted over Sohaila’s shoulder. “If you have to save him, then—”

  “That’s enough,” she said sharply. Marlena’s eyes widened. “I don’t mean to be harsh. But I am so tired of you all planning for the worst. First Kaldir, and then Virnan, and now you. I know you think you’re being rational and realistic, but this is not the time for it.”

  “I just—”

  “I know,” Sohaila said. “But you’re my friend now. No matter what you say, if something goes wrong, your absolution won’t heal the pain we feel.” Marlena flinched, her gaze drifting over Sohaila’s shoulder. “But I believe in myself, and I believe in you. I have known fear and doubt. More in the last year than ever in my life. But I have never doubted my abilities, because they come from a power that is far greater than me. I can’t put my hands on someone who needs me and think I can’t do this. I know I can. I have no other choice. And as far as I’m concerned, neither do you. You’re going to come out of this whole and that’s just how it is.”

  Marlena stared at her for a long stretch, then smiled. “I don’t know about the Skymother. I spent the last ten years believing in a false god, so I’m a little skittish about worshiping any more dragon deities. But I have faith in you.”

  “Then I will be worthy of your faith. You have my word,” Sohaila said. She gestured to the flask. “The sooner we start, the sooner it’s over.”

  Marlena’s nose wrinkled as she took a long pull from the glowing purple liquid. “I forgot how terrible this was,” she said, coughing slightly. Then she shook her head, closing her eyes as she drank it quickly. A shudder wracked her body as she handed the flask back to Sohaila.

  “Come here,” Sohaila said. She reached out to Marlena, touching the sides of her face. “Grab on to me. Wherever you’re comfortable.” The woman hesitated, then grasped her forearms. Her grip was tight, her skin already hot. “There’s a spark down deep. It wants to be free. Do you feel it?”

  “Yes,” she said, her voice strained.

  “Push your power into it. Just like when you use it normally, but bring your power inward instead of pushing out,” Sohaila said. Her grip tightened, and Marlena gasped. She could already feel the tumultuous effect of the elixir on her body. The crimson tattoos ignited, shining as if fire burned beneath her skin. Then she jolted, and Sohaila heard the telltale crack of bone as the shift began. Marlena cried out, pulling away from Sohaila, but Sohaila held her face firmly. “This is normal. I’m here. You’re safe.”

  Her back arched, and she lurched into Sohaila, cracking their heads together. Wincing, Sohaila pulled away slightly, easing her down to the ground. The woman was on all fours, struggling to catch her breath. Sohaila glanced up to see Velati staring in horror. He met her eyes, taking a tentative step forward, but she shook her head.

  This was only the beginning.

  A shockwave radiated from Marlena as the elixir ignited in her bloodstream. Her tattoos glowed blindingly bright, and a prickling sensation washed over Sohaila. Her back split open in a bloody seam. White scales burst through. Her breathing was ragged, almost sobbing with the effort. She let out a choking sound as her head elongated, eyes shifting from bright green to eerie pale blue.

  “You’re doing so well, Marlena,” Sohaila said, forcing herself to watch the gruesome process so she wouldn’t be alone. “I’m still here. Listen to my voice. Envision the most beautiful dragon you’ve ever seen. A great scaled body, wide powerful wings.”

  A heavy, thick smell of metal and smoke billowed around her. It was blisteringly hot. Sohaila eased away from her, but still stayed close, keeping one hand on her back. It came in fits and starts, but the white dragon began to take over. Soon, there was no more of Marlena’s human form as the alabaster body materialized.

  The sun was creeping toward the horizon as her body expanded far beyond the size of a normal dragon. She was enormous, and she was soon beyond Sohaila’s grasp. The red ink lines seemed to hang in the air around her like crimson smoke. The ground trembled as Marlena growled. Sohaila had to fight to maintain the barrier between them. Marlena’s chaotic energy was like fists pounding against a closed door. “You’re so close,” Sohaila said, bracing one hand against her front leg. “Wings. You can do it.”

  Marlena snarled at her, a warning pulse of heat emanating from her. She tossed her head and groaned as long razor-sharp teeth slid out of her new jaws.

  “I know,” Sohaila said. “I know.” The huge body solidified, but light and energy still swirled over h
er back. “Come on, Marlena. You’re almost done.”

  To her surprise, Velati stepped up next to her. Her head lowered to meet his gaze. Touching the side of her scaled jaw, he spoke to her in another language. His voice was curiously gentle, his expression soft. She started to pull away, but he dug his fingers into her scaled jaw, still speaking gently.

  As he spoke, the huge muscles shifted, letting Marlena’s massive, silvery wings burst free with a sound like falling trees. She let out a deafening roar. Her wings kicked up a billowing cloud of dust, and Sohaila had to cover her mouth to keep from inhaling a lungful of dirt.

  It was done.

  Letting out a sigh of relief, Sohaila hurried back toward Marlena’s head. “You did so well,” Sohaila said. “The worst part is over. I’m so proud of you.”

  Marlena’s huge blue eyes blinked. She made a growling noise, then a rising sound that sounded like a question. Sohaila instinctively touched the amulet on her chest, reminding herself that she was protected.

  “You can’t talk like they can,” she said. Sohaila rubbed the soft underside of her jaw. “Just remember. You’re Marlena. If you get lost, you have an anchor.”

  “You have me,” Velati said. “Always.”

  “And after you win, I’m going to bring you back,” Sohaila said. “And I’ll make you the best tea you’ve ever had, and you can sleep for a week.”

  Marlena growled again, but there was a satisfied purr in it, rumbling into the ground and shaking Sohaila’s bones.

  She gestured to Velati. “Do you want to help her fly?”

  He nodded. “I’ve got this.”

  Sunset had come and gone, leaving a hazy purple veil of dusk over the harsh landscape. Marlena slithered across the sky, her huge, white-scaled form following Velati’s smaller, silver-scaled dragon. A massive shadow followed, darkening the outpost beneath her. Sohaila wasn’t sure whether to be proud or disgusted. Even though she was willing, it felt like she’d tainted Marlena with Sidran’s magic.

  A smoking crater yawned open a few hundred feet from the outpost. There was all the proof they needed that Marlena had figured out how to use her destructive power. Her flying was awkward, but she seemed to grasp it well enough for their purposes.

  Finally, Velati landed, with Marlena slamming to the ground behind him. He shifted quickly, jogging back toward them. “When we hit full dark, we go,” he said. He nodded to Sohaila. “Make your final preparations.”

  While they were having flying lessons, Sohaila had repacked her essential supplies and checked that the Scalebreakers had received their vials of antidote. Once she was satisfied, she’d quickly braided her hair and donned her dusty traveling cloak. Citra would stay here in case a retreat was called, while Virnan would carry Sohaila to a watchtower a few miles south of the city so that the Scalebreakers could return to her quickly.

  At Velati’s order, the Scalebreakers gathered on the terrace. Some watched Marlena with wide eyes. She sat in the open field, almost cat-like with her long tail curled around her and her head resting on her front limbs. A few faces showed fear, even disgust, but no one said anything.

  On the opposite side of the outpost, the sea of Ironflight dragons was undulating, with cloaks and clothing being discarded. Shouts rang out as the captains gave orders. Several dragons moved through the crowd, laden with large buckets strapped to their sides. The Iron Blade painted a golden slash onto their throats so they would know foes from friends.

  Velati turned to them. “The time has come,” he said. “You have your orders, and you have my gratitude for your strength and honor through this difficult time. Our victory depends on each of you following through,” he said. “It is not my place to bestow such titles, but each of you has fought as bravely as the Arik’tazhan, even without the fame and reputation that accompanies it. I am humbled and honored to fight with all of you.” He turned to her. “Sister?”

  Before she could even speak, the gathered Scalebreakers sank to their knees. Clearing her throat, she began to sing the Aegis Hymn. Her voice trembled at first, as she realized some of them might not return. See them all, she prayed silently. Bring them all home.

  As she had done before they went to Ironhold, she approached each of her charges and gave them the Kiss of Mara, stronger than before. Each kiss felt like a blow to her chest, and by the time she reached Velati and Kaldir, she was a bit uneasy, her balance slightly off.

  Velati lifted his eyes to her, but didn’t speak. She grasped his face, shocked by the ice-cold skin. He was already preparing for the fight, his eyes distant. After kissing his cool brow, she murmured, “You have my promise. Get her back to me, and I will bring her back to you. Go with my blessing.”

  He squeezed her wrist, sending a chill up her arm. “I will.”

  She approached Kaldir, wishing she could kiss him properly. Even as she bent to kiss his cheek, her mind thought one last kiss in case… She shoved the thought away, sealing it away in a prison where other traitorous thoughts belonged.

  Instead, she sent her energy into him, feeling where the threads of her power were still entangled around him. She gave him as much as she dared, then pulled away. “You made me a promise. We will see the gardens in Theszand when this is over.”

  His amber eyes were solemn. “We will.”

  She lifted her hands to the night sky, clear and full of twinkling silver gems. “Blessed Skymother, let these brave warriors follow in the paths of brave Shadori, mighty Asha, and wise Mara. Keep them in your sight. Strengthen their wings and sharpen their minds that they would be your sword against evil. Bring them all home in glorious victory.” She finished the Aegis Hymn, watching as the gathered Kadirai smiled. Her head swam as the final notes rang out.

  When it was over, she approached Virnan, adjusting the straps of her pack. All around them, Kadirai were shifting. The Iron Blade were already dividing into neat, triangular formations that spread like a wave of red and black over the landscape.

  Her bodyguard was fully dressed, even wearing his well-oiled leather armor and a sharp sword at his waist. He made no move to undress. She tilted her head, gesturing to him. “It’s time to go.”

  Virnan shook his head. “We’re staying here.”

  She frowned. “That’s not the plan. You’re to carry me just outside the city.” Virnan simply shook his head. With worry sinking into her belly, she turned to find Kaldir. “Kaldir, please tell him.”

  Kaldir approached, but his gaze was stony. “The plan has changed. Virnan will bring you to the outer gates of the city after midnight.”

  Anger bubbled in her chest. “I need to be there to help you if something happens.” She started to walk past Kaldir, but he gently caught her arm. Trying in vain to pull away from him, she shouted across the courtyard. “Velati Rimewing! Tell him!”

  “He agrees,” Kaldir said.

  Velati’s gaze was unwavering as he joined them. “I do. You will stay here.”

  “How am I supposed to help you from here?”

  “How are you supposed to help me in the middle of a chaotic battle? You’ll do me no good if a stray Aesdar kills you,” Velati said.

  “And Marlena?”

  “That’s why he’ll bring you to the gates later,” Velati said. “Marlena knows, and she approves.”

  Tears stung at her eyes as she glared at Kaldir. “What happened to you not lying to me?”

  “I’m not lying to you,” he replied. “The plan changed. It’s done.”

  She yanked her arm out of Kaldir’s grasp. Hurt stung in his eyes. “It’s not your decision to make. Why do you get to decide what’s best for me?”

  “Sometimes that’s what love is,” Kaldir said. “And when I come back to you, I will be happy to see you alive to vent your anger at me.”

  She lunged at him, but Virnan grabbed her arms firmly, pulling her back against his chest. “Let go of me,” she ordered, struggling against his grasp. Fear swept over her, but her anger overwhelmed it. “Kaldir, don’t you dare leave
me here!”

  He ignored her, but if she could have struck him with her gaze, he would have fallen to his knees. It was a good thing for all of them that she no longer had her flames.

  “I’m sorry, sister,” Virnan said, holding her back as Kaldir and Velati walked away. Further out in the field, Kaldir shifted into his dragon form, spreading those beautiful crimson wings out wide as Azeria settled on his back.

  He never looked back.

  Velati and Lotheraos climbed onto Marlena’s back. They’d cut apart the large harness, saving one large strap to secure around her back, just above the wing joint. Both men remained in their human forms, grasping the strap as she began to beat her massive wings.

  She set her jaw, watching in helpless rage as they rose, flying away into the night. A deafening chorus of roars thundered through the air as the Iron Blade followed, their tight formations like thunder clouds in the night sky. At the point, the leader of each formation breathed a cone of flame, then split away to create one gigantic formation. It was beautiful, filling her with pride that distracted her from her anger for just a moment.

  But as they flew away, fading into the distance, Virnan finally released her. She whirled on her heel. “You conspired with them.”

  “They gave the order,” Virnan said. “I followed it.”

  She huffed. “You serve the Marashti, not Velati and Kaldir.”

  “I do indeed,” he said. “And I swore an oath to protect the sisters of Mara. To protect you, Sohaila Mara.” His blue eyes glinted. “I follow your orders as long as they don’t interfere with my oath. My vow trumps your desire to be up close.”

  “Then I’m supposed to just sit here and wait?”

  “Indeed,” he said. “You have given your blessing and called upon the Skymother. Now you wait. Your fight is here.”

  With a thousand of his trained soldiers at his back, Kaldir was strangely at peace. Cold dread knotted in his belly, but it was mixed with a strange sense of relief. One way or another, they were going to see the end of this.