Curse of a Dragon's Claim

by Ciara Lake

  Sarah reached for Arianna’s hand and led her toward a doorway into the glass castle.

  “Oh, Arianna, things are so wonderful. This place is so grand, with all sorts of miraculous things. Draci has given me a new, wondrous life in a magical place where he loves and protects me. He’s a strong, magnificent dragon. Good Lord, he’s a god. A sexy man too. He’s warm and hard.” Her smile was as bright as the glass walls of the castle.

  “Draci?” Arianna nearly stopped to laugh at Sarah’s cute name for her lover, an awesome deity.

  “Yes, it’s my name for him. He’s so cute.”

  “I see.” Arianna giggled into her hand.

  “Come on. I’ll show you all around this place. I can’t wait to see Clayne’s realm, the royal realm of the dragons, and all of the other realms. This realm has an enchanted forest too. It’s amazing. The world beyond ours is fascinating. Do you know they can time travel? They can visit way into our Earth’s future.” Sarah’s face was full of happiness. “Humans are very clever in the future. Now I know where you got those shampoos, you tricky girl.” Peals of laughter escaped from her. “Oh, this is a dream.”

  * * * *

  “Clayne, I believe your dracvipen has significant power in her.” Draconi’s eyes twinkled.

  “Yes, she does,” Clayne proudly answered.

  “It’s somehow connected to her emotions. Love, passion, fear, hate, anger, all of these strong emotions bring about a display of her powers. I think we’ve only seen part of what she can do.” Draconi sat down on a cast iron bench. “Emotions are amazingly powerful. I felt them when she called me. When our mortal women make love to us, relish the moment. They’ll never lose their passion. It comes from being born mortal.”

  “I do relish that.” Clayne smiled. “Of course, what you say of emotions makes sense. What more do you know about Arianna?”

  “The deities have been awaiting a combination such as Arianna. There have been other dracvipens, of course. Maud was one. A lovely one she was too.” Draconi shook his head as if in regret. “It’s a shame to see a creature who’s meant to live forever die such as she did. But she lives on in another way. Her soul is secure in the realm of our heaven. Persephone sees to her needs.”

  “Yes, I know.”

  “I’m sorry, Clayne. I know you miss your sister greatly. I do as well. She’s also well within heaven. The shame is immortals seldom move on to see their lost ones. This is one advantage mortals have over immortals.”

  “It is a shame. We all miss those who pass away very much.” Clayne put his head in his hands. Draconi patted him on his back.

  “Arianna demonstrated amazing power when she called me to her. The existence of her was foretold some time ago. She links together the races, including humanity. She has the dragon’s strength and character, the vampire’s determination, and the human’s intense emotions such as compassion as well as love. This mixture has created a new, powerful magic.”

  “We can love. I love Arianna fiercely, with all of myself. How can humans love more than we do?”

  “Yes, of course you can love. Immortals can love intensely. But still, not like a mortal’s love. The love we feel for our mate is different. It is not to be compared to what I speak of. Not all humans are capable of such love, or love at all, just as some of us are cold, uncaring. But for the most part, humans can have tremendous depth of emotions. You’ll never understand the difference, but it’s connected to their fragile existences. They must love passionately because their lives are so short. So they give it all they have.”

  “I see. It makes sense. Humans don’t have time to contemplate as we can or to drag things out.”

  “Exactly! Those ingredients are a potent magical mix. This magical blend has created Arianna’s power. Her passion is her fuel. The musical part of her gift is the expression of her emotions. They ring out of her, bespelling those around her. The vampires are fearful she’ll bespell them permanently. They wish to find out more about her. They want to know how far her powers reach and how long they’ll work. If she can bespell someone it’s similar to what holds Saltar in his prison. Her power was strong enough to call to me here, in this realm. It’s what Saltar and his followers fear, yet wish to control. Arianna’s the key to holding Saltar longer, with tighter reins, or perhaps freeing him. It can impact him in whatever realm he’s being held.”

  “What of Amuliana’s control over him?”

  Draconi grinned. “Oh, she grows tired of holding her lover prisoner.”

  “Her lover?” Clayne shook his head. “Just as I thought.”

  “Yes, her lover.” Draconi nodded. “Thus, her hold weakens. She’s a lonely bitch. She says his weakened bonds were caused by an error. She blames…playing with time, was it? Amuliana claims she mistakenly weakened her hold?” His eyebrow rose as he glanced at Clayne. “Such lies. Manipulation is all the bitch is capable of.”

  “Her lover,” Clayne repeated.

  “Yes, one of her lovers, anyway, I should say. She doesn’t have just one of anything. She collects lovers.” Draconi waved his hand as if waving a fly away. “Saltar’s lesser than she is. He’s below her as he’s only a vampire. But it matters not to her. She’s unable to really love. She plays with men. She was fond of him at one time, but there was no actual love. Their attraction was purely an affair where they used each other for pleasure. She toys with men, all men, mortals and immortals. She played with him, and now she regrets it.”

  “It’s her nature to use others,” Clayne agreed. “Of this I’m fully aware.”

  “When Saltar disobeyed her and sought his own power, she was angry, and captured him and imprisoned him. All the while winning the dragons to her side with her seemingly loyalty to all of you. She increased the war between the vampires and the dragons for her amusement. I don’t know this for fact or fully understand her reasons, but I suspect her manipulation and more.”

  “I trust your wisdom.”

  “I have waited with my suspicions to be certain of her betrayal before I revealed this to you. I don’t want your king to know my suspicious, at least not yet.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I need to be sure. She is a goddess. She’s an equal to me in most ways.” Draconi looked back toward his castle. “Isn’t she lovely?”

  “Sarah?”

  “Yes, of course Sarah.” Draconi chuckled.

  “She’s lovely, as is my mate. Please, my liege, tell me why so much secrecy about Amuliana. She’s a danger to our way of life.”

  “Sorry.” Draconi looked down into his hands. “The female occupies my mind like nothing else. She’s part of me now, as your mate is part of you. I shared a part of me, my essence, with her to give her life. I took a risk, but as I held her in my arms I knew she was mine.”

  “I understand the feeling.” Clayne grinned.

  “I’ve chosen to tell you of my theories concerning Amuliana because I believe Arianna’s in danger from the goddess. If Saltar can escape, he might be a tad irritated with Amuliana for imprisoning him. Saltar may believe he can convince his descendant, Arianna, to release him.”

  “His descendant?” Clayne asked.

  “Yes, I’m almost positive of that. It makes perfect sense why Amuliana would hide Maud’s jewels with the women of Saltar’s own linage. It’s so Amuliana like. Those jewels were made to enhance a dracvipen’s power. The troll who designed it knew one day a dracvipen would have the magic the jewels needed to amplify. Trolls are knowledgeable of all things magical. They’re very curious immortals. I wish to spend more time with them.”

  “Saltar will obtain his freedom and reveal his former lover’s betrayal to all the deities, ridding himself of Amuliana.”

  “Exactly.” Draconi nodded. “She betrayed her own, immortality itself, for a fling with a mere lover. Evidently, for a brief moment, she fancied she loved Saltar then changed her mind, betraying him. She should be banished for her crimes.”

  “She’s responsible for my twin’s deat
h?” Anger made Clayne’s blood boil.

  “Yes, I fear so. Saltar will no longer need Amuliana to release him if he has Arianna to do it. However, I want to be even more sure of Amuliana’s betrayal before I declare this to others. It’s a difficult thing to accuse another deity of such a wrong.”

  “Just because Arianna could be his descendant, what makes Saltar think he could convince her to help him?” Clayne asked.

  “You know what they say about blood being thicker than water. Vampires should know.” Draconi winked. “But I don’t believe Saltar would be able to convince Arianna to come to his side. Especially not now. Arianna sees them as monsters. They are idiots in the ways they attempt diplomacy. Most of them don’t understand humans at all. Exactly what Arianna was raised to be. Plus, she’s very much dragon too. Though there’s no dragon sire to identify with.”

  “If we truly wished, we could discover her dragon ancestor.”

  “Yes, but it will change little. I believe he’s no more, killed in the war. Another immortal sent to the underworld due to Amuliana’s betrayal.”

  “Arianna’s one of us regardless of whom sired her ancestress,” Clayne insisted.

  “Of course she is,” Draconi reassured him. “The vampires are power hungry. They are stupid with their hunger. Saltar doesn’t have complete control over those who are following him. Vampires never do exactly as they’re told. Besides, it’s hard to control a group when you’re imprisoned. They certainly don’t fear Saltar as they would if he were free among us.”

  “So, when those vampires were at the dress shop they were there to take Arianna, but they allowed their blood thirsty temptations to get in the way of their mission?”

  “Correct.” Draconi nodded. “They caused Arianna to show herself. She awakened, or they awakened, what she has buried beneath.” A glass of water magically appeared in Draconi’s hand. “I need to quench my thirst when I speak of bloodsuckers. They leave a bad taste in my mouth.”

  “I need a drink as well.” A glass materialized in Clayne’s hand.

  “Thus, it’s why the goddess sent you to find Arianna. She knew what Arianna would mean to you. Our powers as deities give us glimpses of some things. She wanted you to win Arianna’s love and loyalty. Amuliana knew you were mates. She knew there would be a strong pull, too strong for either of you to deny. Arianna would love you far more than her desire to connect with her ancestor. At least that was Amuliana’s thinking. Her hope. But her plan was a gamble. She didn’t fully realize Arianna’s power. It was hidden from her preview. She had no idea of Arianna’s amazing powers or the connection to Maud’s jewels. Now she’s beginning to realize the threat Arianna is to her. Amuliana is worried she has been sloppy. Arrogance makes us all sloppy.”

  “But it adds up, doesn’t it?” Clayne drank his glass of water down with one gulp. “How else could the vampires have penetrated our realm without the help of someone more powerful, like a goddess?”

  “Yes, at least to my way of thinking. But I tell you, my favored of dragons, Clayne MacDagon, son of Zaj MacDagon, I care for you as my own son. I have a great fondness for your sire. Know this, I only want the best for you and yours. But obey me in this request—you are not to reveal this information to anyone. Block your mind so others cannot read this from you. I shall assist you in that. Don’t allow your mate to discover what I have said either. I need to wait until there’s more to go on before confronting the bitch. We must be cautious. It’s a great problem to accuse another deity of such things. All I have are my own deductions. If we are to catch her, we must be right and ready.”

  “Yes, my liege. I am your servant, of course I’ll do as you instruct.”

  “Very good. Arianna and you will stay here until you’ve joined with her. Or as long as she desires. This is also her home. Have her keep Maud’s jewels here with her. She’s weak as she’s still mortal, still extremely fragile. She’s safe here in my kingdom. Neither Amuliana nor the vampires can get to her here. Your mother’s free to visit here to work with the girls to plan our great day of celebration. I want it to be wonderful for my Sarah and Arianna. After our joining we’ll all travel to the human realm to visit with their fathers.”

  “You’re most gracious.” Clayne stood, bowed at his waist. “I will fetch Maud’s jewels, then return.”

  “I look forward to hearing your mate sing at our joining.”

  “I do as well. I’m sure Sarah will encourage her to sing for us all. We’ll have a joyous occasion, like none we’ve ever celebrated.”

  * * * *

  Clayne strolled into the parlor where the women were giggling. “Arianna, are you and Sarah still busy making plans?”

  “We’re not done yet, but we could take a break. Would you show me the enchanted forest? Sarah has told me all about it. It sounds interesting.” Arianna jumped to her feet. She dashed over to him, throwing her arms around his neck.

  “Oh, what a glorious greeting. I’m pleased you’re so happy. Sure, we can go visit the trees. Come, I will take you now.”

  “Wonderful. Sarah, I’ll be back to finish with our plans.”

  “Go have fun. We’re nearly done planning.”

  “It’s going to be a fantastic celebration,” Arianna exclaimed.

  Clayne led Arianna outside. The wind blew softly across her face. The scent of the flowers was intoxicating. He led her out further into the field. Within seconds, the huge blue dragon she was growing accustomed to materialized.

  “Get upon my back. I’ll take you to Filaflophia Forest.”

  “Do others live there?”

  “Yes, trolls, elves, and nymphs live here. They love wooded areas. Any supernatural being can visit, if they wish. It’s an amazing place. The trees are very wise and discreet.” He looked around, winking up at Arianna.

  “Discreet?”

  “Yes, my love. Many things occur beneath their foliage. Many secrets are whispered. For sure I’ll whisper tender endearments. I wish to make love to you in the magical place.”

  “Oh, Clayne, do you ever think of anything else?” Arianna laughed.

  “Of course I do. I’m often hungry, then I think of food,” Clayne replied as he took off, up into the sky. “Look to the west, you’ll see the forest from here. Its enormous trees dwarf even me. Do you see?”

  “It’s gorgeous. It must be very old to have tress that huge.”

  “Yes, it’s as old as time itself. Hold tight, I’m going to take us within the trees. Let’s hope they allow me to enter. They become finicky and irritable at times, and I haven’t visited in a while.”

  The trees parted as if pulling their branches and leaves aside for him to glide down under their tops. A clearing was created in front of them. Clayne landed and swiftly shifted to his human clothed form.

  “Hello, wise trees. I offer you my greetings and respect. I thank you for welcoming us.” Clayne bowed at his waist. He looked up at the majestic trees. “This is my mate, Arianna. She wishes to spend time with you in your forest. Please allow our presence under your limbs.”

  To Arianna’s amazement, the trees seemed to move closer to them, closing in the clearing. It grew darker within their shade. It was slightly cool and damp. The ground smelled musty with wet earth and new growth. The trunks of the trees were the size of houses or small buildings.

  “Mighty dragon, maker of fire, we welcome you as well as your mate within our shade. We exchange our protection for yours,” a loud voice answered from above. The leaves shook over their heads.

  “It’s true, they do talk,” Arianna said in amazement.

  “Yes, they do.” Clayne nodded. He wrapped his arm around Arianna’s waist, bringing her close to his side. “As always I’ll protect and respect you, Great Wood. Come, Arianna, let’s explore. I used to spend a great deal of time here. When my sister died, I came here to be quiet and alone. The Wood allows you to enjoy the peace.” Clayne stepped away from Arianna, leading her by her hand. “Come, let me show you a place I truly love. A stream
that has many wonderful things around the water’s edge and soft grass to lay you down upon.” Clayne winked.

  “Is the stream enchanted?”

  “Of course, all things are within the Enchanted Forest.” Clayne grinned at her. “Even we’re enchanted supernatural creatures.”

  “The trees seem to move around.” Arianna paused to look around her. “I’m sure I saw things change before my very eyes.”

  “Yes, they like to move. You can easily get lost in the Wood, because it’s always changing in appearance. Sometimes the trees make music, and often they dance, swaying to the sounds they make.”

  “I would love to see and hear that.”

  “I knew you would.” He squeezed her hand. “Perhaps they’ll make music for us later when we’re settled by the stream. When the wind blows the leaves make a unique sound. It’s like a whispering song of sorts.”

  “That sounds wonderful. How big is this Wood?”

  “No one knows. It’s part of the enchantment. The Wood goes on forever and ever. In its way, it’s immortal too, never ending, always changing.”

  “That could be scary.” Arianna sighed.

  “There are tales of those who have been banished here within the Wood and have never been seen again. The Wood keeps them here. They are truly lost. This Wood can be a wonderful place or your personal nightmare. The Wood is kind to me, so don’t worry.” Clayne smiled. “I’ve spent much of my life under these limbs. They’re my family, and I protect them as such. I’m glad you asked me to bring you here. It’s been too long since I’ve enjoyed the cool shade of the Wood’s mighty arms. When I was born, my parents held my and my sister’s birth celebration here near the stream. All dragons believe in protecting the Wood.”

  “I can see why. Dragons are enchanted beings. You enchant me.” Arianna smiled up into his handsome face. She leaned in to kiss him. “Look, look over there, there are pink flowers opening up all over the forest ground. It’s like a rug. What are they? I’ve never seen such a flower, they’re spreading rapidly.”