by Elise Whyles
“Do you believe there to be a war coming?” Draconi stared at her.
“Aye, my lord dragon, there is a war on the horizon. One we must win if we’re to save our children.” Selene stepped through the door and strode past the guards. She smiled at the dancing moonlight streaming through the windows of the massive stone castle. Draconi was fair and just, and he’d do what was right.
* * * *
Liam jerked out of a sound sleep, his gaze sweeping the shadows. His blood simmered, burning through his body to gather in his groin. He could feel the twinges of arousal, the need. Vague half-formed images from his slumber danced across his memory to fade into nothingness. The voice of the female who haunted his nights whispered through him as he lay trying to still his racing hearts. Every muscle tensed at the awareness of flesh against flesh. He turned his head, his hearts stumbling in his chest as he stared at the sleeping figure pressed against his body.
He inhaled the smell of female and something else. Carefully, he studied his surroundings. The flames had burned down to red embers. Beyond the wall of stone, he could hear the roaring of the wind in the night. Uncertain what had woken him, he shifted, pushing at the hides covering his body.
Soft, feminine, the body wrapped around his senses. Her sweet perfume toyed with his nose as he breathed deep. His blood heated as he traced his fingers across her pale cheek. His lips ached to taste her, to claim what he held. What was this woman’s power? She didn’t seem to be like the other mortal females, she’d understood his words after a very short time.
Like the blow of an axe he felt the kick of power, of need. His dragon instincts stirred, waking from the slumber to claw for control. Sucking in a quick breath, he forced himself to calm his inner storm, his mind seeking the reasoning for his beast to wake. Yet no matter how hard he struggled, his thoughts kept circling back to the woman sleeping next to him.
She was no different than other human females. Frail, weak, mortal, she’d not survive mating. He shuddered at the images of her broken body in his mind. He bit back a roar at the thought of anyone harming her. Tucking the furs tighter around her, he rolled to his feet and paced to the opening.
Liam stared out, his gaze picking up the shadows beyond the storm. Eyes narrowed, he focused on a line of figures seeming to leap through the air to appear and disappear again and again. He sucked in a breath, the familiar stench of death and rancid blood curling along his nostrils.
“Bloodsuckers.” With a glance at the sleeping woman, he reached for his battle axe. What better way to sort through the clutter in his mind than to kill a few of the enemy? Cracking his neck, he snickered to himself as he shifted, growing into the massive form he was born to. His wings unfurled with a soft whoosh as he took to the darkened sky.
Chapter 6
Una wrapped the fur tighter as she stared out into the growing light. Snowflakes drifted to and fro, the soft breeze carrying them along. Beyond them, the land stretched out, covered in a sparkling blanket of white, marred by blackened scars crisscrossing the rolling hills. The smell of burnt flesh stabbed through the fresh crispness of the air.
“We need to move.” Liam’s voice reached her moments before he strode forward from the west.
“There was a battle last night?” She motioned to the marks.
“In a manner of speaking.” Liam shrugged past her, several long, jagged cuts running the length of his chest. “We’ve no time. By nightfall they’ll have returned with a small army.”
“Who?” Una turned to run after him as he tossed things about in the cave. “Who are you running from, my lord?”
“I run from no one.” Liam whirled, his teeth snapping together in warning. “Mortal, hold your tongue and make ready. We’re leaving.” Huffing an impatient breath, he ignored her as he reached for the weapons above his bed-roll.
“And how are we to get down from this icy perch you’ve placed us on?” Una caught the lance, her fingers wrapping around the smooth wood with ease. “I see no reason to run. The battle was below on the plain, what cause is there for us to leave this place?”
“Woman, do not try my patience. The sun is only the first line of protection. If we stay, they will catch us.” Liam turned, his narrowed eyes hard, cold. “As much as it would please me to destroy a few more of them, I cannot risk warfare with you.”
“I do not believe I asked you to risk anything for me.” Una straightened. Her chin lifted, she clutched the weapon, her heart racing. Her fingers burned to soothe him, to touch the flesh and ease his worries. “How dare you accuse me of anything! I have done nothing—”
“Let us keep it as such.” Liam leaned closer, his hot breath caressing her face. “Prepare. I will not risk your safety.”
“I am hardly dressed to go traipsing about in the freezing elements.”
“Your attire is suitable.” Liam plunked a fur-lined hat on her head with a quick grin. “Come, woman, it is time to go.”
Una stared, open-mouthed, as he bundled the last of the robes and draped them over her shoulders. She lifted a hand to push them off, stopping as her fingers brushed against his skin.
Glowing eyes and dripping fangs. Blackened claws ripped through flesh. The screams of battle, of pain, filled the air as sword met axe. Mighty blows sent men careening back. Wave after wave, man after man raced forward, their lips gaping, their eyes filled with an eerie light.
Blood coated one’s face, his tongue lapping at it as if he relished the flavor. Wounds that should have killed healed. Flames leaped through the air, engulfing all those not fleeing from the scorching reach. Massive scales covered long, narrow fingers tipped by thick, sharp claws. Deep furrows cut into the ground as the fiends launched forward. Agony and blood lust flowed like water.
“Woman.” Liam shook her. “We need to move.”
“What manner of beast were they?” Una whispered. She stared at Liam, fighting the clarity in her mind as her inner voice whispered the truth. “You warred with some force other than a man. Yet there can be no other... What magic is this?”
“There is no trickery.” Liam nudged her toward the opening. “Come. Safety first.” He grabbed her wrist, tugging her behind him as they neared the opening.
She shivered at the first slash of wind driven ice against her face. Moving closer to the warmth offered by Liam’s massive frame, she gasped as they inched along a narrow ledge.
Head bowed against the weather, Una clung to his hand, her fingernails digging into the flesh. Mouthing prayers of safety, she stifled a scream when he whirled, his arm wrapping around her waist.
“Save your prayers, little one. Your goddess has forsaken you.” His lips brushed her ear. “And if she hasn’t, you’d best pray she does. Her lover’s army has already risen, and she’ll not show mercy to you. Amuliana is not known for her kindness.”
Una gasped, anger roaring through her as she jerked from his grasp. “How dare you defile my service. I have served her loyally for years, she’d not...” Yet even as she protested, Una couldn’t help the wave of uncertainty, the disbelief in her own words as she gaped at him.
“She already has. If you must pray, pray to Draconi. He, at least, is benevolent enough to grant you life or a quick, merciful death. Your service to her has ended. I do not question your service, little one, only her kindness.” Liam jerked her into his body. She clung to him, wide-eyed, her pulse racing at the heat building in her body. Her blood throbbed, slow and hot, through her veins to pool low in her belly.
“You are as...” Una swallowed against the rising tide of awareness. Stretching onto her toes, she stared into his green eyes. A trembling hand cupped his jaw, her thumb tracing over his bottom lip. Driven by instinct, her fingers tangled in his hair as she leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.
Flashes of heat roared to life at the barest touch of his lips. Heat swirled and danced around her. Flames leaped skyward as he pulled her closer, his big hands wrapping around her waist. With a whimper, she opened her mouth to
his questing tongue.
Una clung to him, her heart racing with each sweet swipe of his tongue against hers. Thunder roared in her ears as he pulled her closer, his hand cupping her hips to press her against the growing hardness of his erection. The faint but bitter taste of ash barely penetrated the heated fog of desire as she moaned again.
Pulling back, she stared into his green-gold eyes, her mind a haze of passion. Una pressed a finger to her lips. “Goodness.”
“Come.” Liam turned abruptly and tugged her arm as he headed down the path.
Una followed wordlessly, her mind racing. Why did she kiss him? She didn’t even like the lout. Staring at him, she couldn’t stifle a shudder of awareness. There was something more to the man than she’d seen, and a soft whisper inside bade her to trust in him and in her heart.
Chapter 7
Damn fool, why in the underworld would you be so stupid? She’s mortal, forbidden to you. She’d run screaming from you in your true form. Liam berated himself as he trudged along the narrow pathway. He shot a quick glance over his shoulder and sighed. His lips still burned, and her taste clung to his tongue, stirring the embers of need, of longing, within him.
He froze, a faint scent on the wind drawing his attention. Pulling her closer, he blocked the wind as he surveyed the area. The snow had stopped and he could see for miles in every direction. A glance above revealed sheer rock face—nothing would descend from there. Rolling plains covered in white spread out like a cloak across the land, he couldn’t see a single being coming. Inhaling again, he caught the smell of smoke and cinder. It could only mean another dragon or perhaps a demon. He relished the idea of fighting either of them. A simple slice of his blade and he’d take their head. His train of thought stuttered to a halt as he glanced back over his shoulder to Una’s trembling form. Worry and fear in her gaze soaked through the faint mask of anger he wore.
“Shh. I’ll not let any harm come to you.” He patted her awkwardly on the hip and turned to face the oncoming being. Bracing his feet, Liam stared down the trail, every sense on alert. Still he felt a bolt of shock when he caught sight of the figure approaching.
He sniffed, checking for signs of trickery as he watched the female approach. She navigated the path with ease, her bow slung across a shoulder, a sword hanging from a hip. Pure rage flowed through his veins as he caught the faint but distinct scent of her mistress. With the scent came awareness, the woman striding so carefree was a fey. No matter, she would die by his blade.
“That’s quite far enough.” He reached for his lance before moving to block Una from sight. “What does a fey have to do here?”
“Let me pass.” The fey reached for her sword. “I have business with the fleshling.”
“I’ll not allow you near her,” Liam ground out. “Speak your business then be off. Else, I’ll kill you and leave your corpse for the carrion eaters.”
“You fool. I serve Amuliana!”
“Amuliana sent you?” Una darted past him. “Really? She has sent you for me? I am to return to the temple?”
“Una, be silent.” Liam grabbed her by the cloak and pulled her back before she could get far. The girl’s naïvety would not ensure a long life. “She was sent for you, aye.” He shot Una a quick look before turning back to the hovering fey. “But your mistress did not intend her to be returned to the temple, did she, fey?” Liam hissed a warning when Una slapped his arm. “Well?”
“It matters not to you, dragon. I’ll take both your heads at the same time.”
“You’ll not lay a hand on her.” Liam rolled his shoulders, his body burning with the need to transform. He could feel his skin tightening, the scales rubbing against each other in agitation. “Have I made myself clear?”
“To the death then.” The fey pulled her sword, her eyes narrowed on Una. “And then it will be your head, you pitiful mortal.”
Liam risked a quick glance at Una who stood frozen, her face losing the last traces of color as the fey’s words sank in. Putting her from his mind, he focused on the battle.
Launching forward, the fey screamed a primal battle cry as she swung her sword toward him. Easily deflecting it, he met her blows with his lance, again and again. The clash of metal jarring through his bones as he held his ground. Quick, agile, the fey darted past his defenses time and again. Cursing the bulk of his frame, longing for the sky to fight in, Liam spun, his lance crashing into the rock above the fey’s head.
Gasping in agony when the blade sliced through his arm, Liam swung out, striking her. His lance narrowly missed. Roaring in fury, he lunged upward when the fey grabbed Una’s long hair. The flash of light on the blade against the pale column of her throat stirred his inner beast. Liam growled a low warning, struggling to keep it in check for a split second before the first trickle of blood pushed past any reasoning. “Do not press me, woman. Let her go.”
With a furious snarl he felt his body bending inwardly. Flesh ripped and tore from bone as he transformed. Scales replaced skin. His claws grew to their full length, biting into the rock like flesh. A slash of his tail sent rocks skittering down the mountain below.
“So the beast reveals himself.” The fey snickered. “It will do you no good. She’s as good as dead. A quick slice and she’ll bleed out before you can save her.”
“You would do well to let her go.” Liam growled, smoke curling upward from his nostrils. He could taste the bittersweetness of embers at the back of his throat. The slow melt of flame upon his tongue as he gathered himself. “I have no desire to hold back if you harm what is mine.”
“Yours? Do you believe she’d have you? A monster? A dragon? She is mortal still…she’s never grown into her immortality and she never will. Amuliana has bid her death and she is cursed. Yours indeed.” Laughing, the fey jerked Una’s head back.
“No!” Liam screamed. He rushed forward, hand outstretched as she cackled. “Do not risk my wrath, fey. I’ll rip out your heart! This I swear.”
“Dark,” Una choked out, her nails clawing into her captor’s arm. “Soulless. Liam, help me!”
Echoing Una’s cry of pain, Liam leaped forward, morphing into his full size, his wings outstretched. He roared in fury when the blade sliced through Una’s tender flesh, the hot wash of her blood flooding over his fingers as he grabbed the blade. He caught the understanding, the flare of heat in Una’s eyes before the light began to fade from them. Pain thundered through him as he grabbed for his own throat. Through a haze of red, Liam watched Una crumple to the ground. With a snarl, he turned his attention to the laughing fey.
“Pitiful, aren’t they?” She snickered as she slid her weapon into the sheath. “Weak, frail. Hardly worth note. When Amuliana is queen they’ll be vanquished to their place serving us.”
“You’ll not see the day,” Liam vowed as he swooped in to gather Una’s body close to him. With a snap of his massive wings, he pushed away from the mountain. Liam roared a fiery torrent down on the fey who screamed in agony. Thick bilious clouds rose as the ice and snow melted, rushing down the face of the mountain.
With Una clutched to his chest, Liam climbed higher in the sky. He barely felt the prickles of ice along his scales as he flew through the clouds. He needed help, and he had no idea where to find a human who could tend to Una. Cursing in Dragonish, he circled, his eyes searching for a safe place to land.
“There is no help for her in the mortal realms, dragon warrior.” Feminine, the voice whispered through his hearts and he trembled at the truth of the words. Here in this plain, Una was as good as dead.
He blinked, his resolve settling like armor upon his soul. He needed her. Needed the tiny mortal alive, and there was one place he knew he could take her that would aide him. “It will not be this realm, but mine.” He glanced down at Una’s pale form. “Hang on, little one. Just hold on for a few more moments.”
Chapter 8
Una stood before the ornate gates, her hand at her itchy throat. A sense of unease clung to her like a gown as she gla
nced around. Massive trees with flowing branches swayed in the gentle breeze, the rustle of the leaves singing softly. Above her the cry of a bird drew her attention for a moment. Huge wings stretched out as it circled, ducking and dancing along the air currents.
The smell of flowers soaked the air, their richness reminding her of another place, another time, though she couldn’t put her finger on where it was. Hearing the soft patter of footsteps, she turned. Una stepped back as the gates began to creak open. Delicate gold chains trailed from the handles across the stone pathway. She looked up and froze.
Tall, beautiful, the woman who gazed at her had an air of power. Dark eyes studied her from beneath a slim veil of gold. The massive crown tangled in her hair sparkled and danced with every breath she took.
“Child, what are you doing here?”
“I do not know, milady.” Una bowed. “I do not know where here is.”
The woman smiled, her red lips turning up at the corners. “It is not your time yet, my dear. You must go back to him.”
“To where?” Una struggled with the rising tide of panic. She looked behind her and shuddered as memories stirred with the echo of a terrified roar. “I do not know what has happened.”
“You will, Una, you will.” The woman floated forward, one hand going to grasp a side of the gates. “Seek the answers to your questions in your mother’s embrace. You are not meant to enter here this day.”
“My mother? But I am...”
“Seraphine, you are most generous.” Soft, warm the voice flowed over Una as she turned to stare at the dark-haired beauty stepping down from a silver chariot.
“You honor me, Selene. She is young, but she will learn.” The gates swung shut with a soft clatter leaving Una staring at Selene.