Liza (Dragon Isles Book 1)

by Shelley Munro

  “We do,” Leo said, even though he agreed with his dragon. Hidden trouble loomed, and frustration filled him because he couldn’t unlock the puzzle of danger. Everything he’d learned of her told him anyone who mated with Nan would never have a peaceful existence. Hell, it was clear who’d take charge. However, if the female thought to direct Leo’s life, she should reconsider.

  His mind slid to Gwenyth. At last resort, he could assemble a group of dragons loyal to him and storm the dungeon with force to rescue his mate. Of course, that’d mean losing everything he’d worked for on Hissing Isle. He and Gwenyth would need to leave. His farm, his home, and his property forfeited. Unless he challenged his parents and fought for supremacy.

  Not the route he wished to travel.

  This path would require him to deal with his three brothers.

  Russays, The Magnificent, his oldest brother, hoped to inherit the position of leader. That was no secret. Russays would never stand aside and let Leo seize the spoils.

  The visiting dragons landed, and Telus gestured at five servants dressed in scarlet-and-black livery. Once the visitors shifted to their human forms, the servants handed them cloaks to shield their nakedness.

  Leo’s father cleared his throat and pasted on a polite smile. “Nandag, The Strongminded, you are welcome to my home, and soon, we accept you into our family. Many have mentioned your beauty, and I see they have not exaggerated. Any of my sons would be lucky to have you as their mate. Leonidas, Champion of the Skies, is fortunate, indeed. Nandag, welcome. If you are ready, my head butler will escort you to your quarters. Later this evening, we will dine together and speak of the future. Does that meet with your satisfaction?”

  Nan acknowledged the greeting with a curt bow of her head. His father was correct. She was a stunningly beautiful woman with her straight raven-black hair and creamy skin. Her eyes were an unusual pale golden-brown. While tall, she was curvy rather than lean in the way of most dragon women.

  Despite her beauty, she radiated an arrogance and self-awareness of her worth. That she cast other women in the shade would be a source of pride to her.

  “She isn’t Gwenyth,” his dragon whispered.

  Exactly.

  Gwenyth was the one who lit their world and made everything else unimportant.

  “We have to rescue her,” Leo told his dragon. “I hate this standing around while our friends risk their lives by going against my parents.”

  “We have generous friends.”

  “We would help them,” Leo said.

  “True.”

  Nan extended her hand to his father. Leo bit back his disgust as his father bent over her and brushed a kiss over her knuckles. Nan’s gaze lifted and connected with his. Her lips curled, but it wasn’t a smile. It was smug satisfaction.

  What the hell was going on here? He hadn’t managed to get any of his brothers alone to interrogate them. To his mind, they’d attempted to avoid him.

  In the past, they’d made a game of taunting him. At least until he’d become Champion of the Skies, and Leo had decided the runt no longer accepted their teasing. His oldest brother had tried, pushing his luck.

  Leo had knocked him down in two punches. Mostly, he avoided his family. It was time for him to stop running. Time to take a stand and demand respect.

  “Any luck?” Leo asked Jakab, the moment Leo spotted him waiting outside the castle gate.

  “Not here,” Jakab muttered. “Come to my private apartments while I shower and change for dinner.”

  “My parents expect my presence, however I’ve decided not to follow their instructions to the letter.”

  The pair walked side-by-side, taking the narrow back alleys to get to Jakab’s town apartment. The businesses that sprawled outward from the castle had closed for the day, and there were fewer dragons around to spot Leo. A fact he was grateful for. If no one noticed him, they’d be less likely to inform Telus.

  The entire time impatience simmered through Leo, but he bit back his questions. They’d barely stepped inside Jakab’s apartment when someone knocked on the door.

  Leo scowled at Jakab. “Who’s that? Have you set me up?”

  “Truly,” Jakab snapped, glowering at Leo. Jakab strode over to his door and opened it. “My brother is here. I asked him if he’d mind speaking with us both. He has information.”

  “I apologize.”

  Jakab slapped Leo on the back and squeezed his shoulder before he went to answer the summons. “You’re worried about your woman. I get it.” He opened the door. “Karlos, thanks for coming. You know my friend, Leo?”

  Leo crossed the ground separating them and extended his hand. “Karlos, thank you for agreeing to help me. Have you seen Gwenyth? Is she all right?”

  “Let Karlos inside first,” Jakab protested. He closed the door and offered his brother and Leo drinks. Once they settled around a scarred wooden table, Karlos, at last, nodded at Leo.

  “Your mate is alive. They have her imprisoned in the bottom dungeon. I was on duty today, and the head guard notified me a visitor would arrive to see the other prisoner incarcerated on the same level.”

  Leo cocked his head, wondering why Karlos would mention this visit. “Who is the other prisoner?”

  “Martinos, The Rapist,” Karlos said.

  Leo released a surprised hiss. “Martinos hung around with my brothers. Although I’m younger, I have met Martinos. One time my brothers let me hang out with them, and we visited pubs. I saw no hint of danger in Martinos. He never showed temper or brutality. Yes, he was as young and stupid as the rest of us, but he never stepped over the accepted line with conduct. The charges of rape surprised me.”

  “What I didn’t know until today is that Martinos is sister to Nandag, The Strongminded,” Karlos said. “Did you realize that?”

  Shock struck a blow in Leo. “I knew he visited with a group of dragons from Smoking Isle. No one ever mentioned a sister.”

  “Nan visited him today. I escorted her to the lower dungeons and stayed with her until she ordered me to leave. Before I left, she made me unlock your mate’s cell too.”

  Leo half stood before Jakab grasped his sleeve and yanked. Jakab silently bade Leo take his seat and listen. Leo and his dragon obeyed, but not before a testy growl raced up his throat.

  “Stop that,” Jakab snapped. “Listen to Karlos.”

  “Sorry,” Leo said. “Please continue.”

  “I eavesdropped from outside the main door. My feeling is Nan had something to do with her brother’s imprisonment. Something about the situation reeked like old fish.”

  Impatience simmered in Leo, making him want to leap to his feet and protest. “How will this help me free Gwenyth?” All this talking was wasting valuable time.

  Jakab sent Leo a warning glance, and Leo struggled to regain a smidgen of patience.

  “Nandag knew about your marriage. She has spies at the castle.”

  “That was quick,” Leo said. “I informed my parents of the marriage as soon as I saw them. Jakab knew, but I told no one else. I trust Jakab with my life.” He cast his mind back over the events. “Maybe one of the guards who arrested Gwenyth. Or Telus. Telus knew. He’s aware of most of the castle secrets.”

  “Knowing Telus, I’d believe anything. The dragon has always slithered like a snake,” Jakab said. “The way he swans around the castle issuing orders. Nothing escapes him.”

  “He’s very accommodating for my parents,” Leo said. “I’ve never liked him, and the feeling is mutual. Our first battles came when I was a youngster.”

  Jakab picked up his mug of ale. “Do we know his island of origin? Is it possible he has ties to Smoking Isle?”

  “I’m not sure who’d we ask without creating more of a furor. Back to Gwenyth. Are you certain she is all right? Nan didn’t harm her?” Leo asked, tension sliding across his shoulders.

  Something uncomfortable slipped across Karlos’s face.

  “What?” Leo demanded. “What haven’t you told me?”


  “Nan struck Gwenyth. Twice. I could do nothing to help her, and the head soldier appointed me as one of Nan’s guards. I could not check on your Gwenyth. She was still breathing, though. Martinos protected her when Nan tried to kick Gwenyth in the ribs.”

  “Tell me everything,” Leo ordered. “Miss nothing.”

  “I escorted Nan to the cell, and she had me unlock the cell for Martinos. Gwenyth made a sound, and Nan asked who was in there. I had to answer or draw attention to myself.”

  Leo leaned closer. “What happened next?”

  “Once I opened the cell door, Nan ordered Gwenyth to show herself. When Gwenyth hesitated, Nan threatened her. Gwenyth came out, and Nan acted all haughty. I could tell news of the marriage had reached Nan, and it interfered with her plans. I missed the bit before Nan struck Gwenyth. Martinos stuck up for Gwenyth and told Nan she was an innocent, but that incensed Nan even more. The second time, she hit Gwenyth so hard, your mate fell. I think she hit her head because she didn’t move or speak.”

  “You should’ve intervened,” Leo snapped.

  Leo rose again, and Jakab grasped his arm, jerking him to a halt. “Use your brain, Leo. If Karlos had stepped in, all our planning would’ve been for naught. We need time to get our plan sorted and our people in place. Our best chance to rescue your Gwenyth is if we move during the welcome ball for Nan and her people. You know this. We’ve discussed it as the likely scenario.”

  “She was still alive when I left. I escorted Nandag to the office before returning to check on the prisoners. I’d locked the outer door so that they couldn’t escape.”

  “You left Martinos alone with Gwenyth,” Leo burst out. He leaped to his feet and grasped Karlos by the throat before he could escape. Jakab wrenched them apart and thumped Leo in the chest to force him to listen.

  Karlos rubbed at his throat, more alert now than he had been on first sitting. He’d also moved his chair to place more distance between himself and Leo.

  “He never hurt her. When I arrived back in the lower dungeon, he’d placed Gwenyth on the stretcher bed in her cell. Before he re-entered his cell, without my having to use a weapon—I might add—he told me Gwenyth hadn’t regained consciousness, but she seemed to be breathing. I checked her and saw Martinos was right. Your mate should wake, and once she does, she’ll have a cut on her face from where Nan struck her. Bruises too, but Gwenyth will recover.”

  “I’d like to wring Nan’s neck myself,” Leo growled. “I’m no closer to discovering why my parents appear to be jumping to her orders and handing me over like a prize. My brothers are avoiding me. I’m determined to hunt them down this evening.”

  Jakab rose to fill their tankards with more ale. “I wonder if Telus is related to Nan.”

  “I know how we can find out,” Karlos said. “The head soldier is assigning me to the two lower dungeons this evening. I’ll ask Martinos. Since Martinos is Nan’s brother, he should be able to tell me.”

  “You couldn’t have told me you will see Gwenyth tonight?” Leo bit out. His hand clenched his mug, and he imagined it was Karlos’s neck.

  Karlos pulled a face. “You wanted details of her meeting with Nandag. At least if I’m in charge of the lower dungeons, I can make sure your lady receives clean water, food, and another blanket. I can check on her and let you know when she regains consciousness.”

  Leo sucked in a harsh breath, then released it. “Thank you.”

  “Karlos, how many soldiers can we count on to look the other way, if we break into the dungeons tomorrow night during the ball?” Jakab asked.

  “If you can offer them a bribe, I’d say at least half.” Karlos glanced at Leo, his expression full of apology. “Your parents do not pay well.”

  “Organize it,” Leo said. “Let me know how much you need. Getting my hands on money will not be a problem.”

  “All right,” Karlos said. “I’ll start my approaches this evening. Should I contact Jakab to let him know your mate is awake?”

  “Please,” Leo said, not as confident about Gwenyth’s health as Karlos. This was the second hard knock she’d had. Humans were far weaker than dragons, and he prayed Nan hadn’t damaged his mate beyond repair. Worry forced him to his feet and had him pacing the compact space in Jakab’s apartment. “Thank you for your help.”

  “You’re welcome,” Karlos said. “I loathe the way they’re treating your mate. Bullying is not right.”

  Jakab stood too. “Leo, your fidgeting is irritating. We might as well start our search for your brothers.”

  “What I’d prefer to do is storm the dungeons and rescue my mate,” Leo said.

  “That would rate as stupid,” Karlos said. “Let your parents and Nan think you’re going along with their plan. Ease their suspicions, at least until tomorrow. I’d suggest you try to disguise your appearance. Even better, send someone else you trust to gain the information you seek.”

  Leo glared at Karlos. “I can’t sit back and do nothing. If it were your mate, you’d want action.”

  “Let’s send some of my fellow trainers to locate your brothers and to collect any gossip that arises. We might be better to locate a copy of the castle plans. Find the exact location of the dungeons and the area around them. That might be the better way to release Gwenyth.”

  Karlos rubbed his chin. “Jakab is right.”

  Even though Leo chafed at the lack of physical activity, he saw sense in the suggestion. Secrets swirled around the castle as thick as mud. But given he was an outsider now, his time was best spent studying the plans and prodding at the castle’s defensive weaknesses.

  “Gwenyth,” his dragon whispered. “Hold on. We’re coming for you.”

  Leo set his jaw and followed Jakab from his apartment. He and his dragon were of the same accord. They’d do anything to save Gwenyth, even if it meant he needed to exercise patience.

  * * * * *

  It was a nightmare. Fiery dragons chased her, spurting blistering flames from their toothy maws. She couldn’t tell who to trust, where to run for help. She was tired. So tired, yet she forced her exhausted body to keep moving. If she stopped, she was making her capture easy for the dragons. They’d sprang at her without warning, their red eyes full of malice. She’d run. Of course, she’d run.

  Jagged shards dug into her head, her cheek, her chin. Her face blazed with heat and throbbing pain. Her eyes twitched in constant spasms. An old symptom of stress. She fought through physical agony, swam through the cruel darkness that surrounded her. Each breath came in a hoarse gasp, those excruciating too.

  Every instinct shouted at her to open her eyes, to fight the lethargy, the raw discomfort. A pained gasp whooshed past her lips, and her body jerked upward. Her eyes opened this time, although her surroundings were poorly lit.

  Where the devil was she?

  She rose on trembling legs and thrust her hand out when she discovered her balance compromised. Her knuckles smacked against something substantial.

  “Ouch,” she muttered. Now something else hurt. Her head thumped in concert.

  “Gwenyth,” a male voice called.

  It took Gwenyth’s aching brain a while to comprehend and catch up, but her reality squeezed into a semblance of memories. She was married to a dragon shifter, and because of this, his parents had chucked her in the dungeon.

  “Gwenyth,” the voice came again, this time carrying concern along with insistence.

  “I’m all right, Martinos. Your bitch sister hit me and scrambled my brain.”

  He laughed, dusty and dry as if he hadn’t used his throat much. “Tell me about it. I’m almost certain she was in collusion with Leo’s brothers. Surprisingly, we don’t have medical supplies for your face. The best you can do is collect the water dripping off the walls and use it to ease the swelling.”

  She gingerly fingered her sore cheek and her aching eye socket. “No wonder my head is pounding.”

  “I’m sure Leonidas is working to free you from the dungeon. With my sister’s arrival
, his task has become more difficult.”

  “Yes.” Gwenyth accepted Martinos’s assertion without hesitation. Leo was an honorable man, and he and his dragon would do their utmost to free her. She imagined he’d need to make a plan because failure at the first attempt would make everything worse. Or maybe he intends to leave you here.

  No! That was Leo’s prim and proper parents. He’d never do that to an innocent.

  “What did your sister want?”

  “To gloat over how low I’ve fallen. Nan informed me she has taken over the family business. According to her, it has become more successful than when I was in charge.”

  “Why does she require marriage to Leo if she’s already successful?”

  “Simple. She wishes to increase her wealth and power. Smoking Isle is smaller than this island. The land is rugged and unproductive compared to Hissing Isle, which is why our family became traders. We also have a successful factory producing high-end pottery and ceramics.”

  “What do they do on Perfume Isle?”

  “The volcano that formed the island is much older, and it has made the soil fertile and suitable for many crops. There are more arable areas too. The island boasts many farmers. Why do you not know this?” The words held suspicion. “I thought you grew up here on Hissing Isle?”

  “My memory is hazy after your sister hit me.” True. Her memory seemed on the same level as it had been after Leo saved her. Although a few strange things popped into her brain, some of which made no sense at all.

  “I see.”

  A door slammed, and Gwenyth heard voices. More than one. “Lie down and pretend you’re unconscious,” Martinos murmured.

  She followed his instructions and waited, scarcely breathing and her heart racing.

  The outer door to their section of the dungeon opened. Bloody hell. It was Nan again.

  15 – Leo, I Didn’t Know You Cared

  Leo ran down a copy of the plans in the library. While most castle residents socialized with the visitors from Smoking Isle, he’d ducked from the salon to visit Jakab.