The Rover Princess

by D. E. Kilgore

  “I don’t remember.”

  The knight looked down her nose at Rafael, which was odd because she was the same height as him. “Of course not, we didn’t meet the first time around and the second time we fought. This time I figured you were owed an explanation, if you can control yourself?”

  The knight’s companion paced away. “I’m not facilitating this nonsense.”

  Rafael ignored him and instead stared back at the knight. “I’m in control.”

  The knight looked at Rafael like she didn’t believe him. “Right... I forgot how batshit crazy you became through this time period.”

  The knight’s companion barked in laughter and shook his head, continuing to poke at the ground with a fallen branch from a bush.

  “How do you know how I become? And what time period?” Rafael asked, but felt like he already knew the answer.

  “Trust in the fates, and trust in your future queen, Rafael,” the knight murmured before looking at her companion. He was frowning but just shrugged.

  “Tell him what you want love. You’re the one who will need to explain to the Mystics council, not me.”

  “Yeah, well they will ask what you did to stop me, so there’s that, and I will tell them you did nothing.” The knight sneered at her companion, reverting into mannerisms to that of a child.

  Rafael growled and slapped his hands together to gain their attention. “Focus. Tell me what I need to know.”

  The knight mouthed something Rafael couldn’t catch at her companion, and in response he thew up his hand, displaying a rude symbol.

  Children, Rafael’s Dragon whispered, watching out of Rafael’s eyes.

  “Agreed.”

  Both the knight and her companion looked at Rafael in confusion.

  “Agreed to what?” the knight asked.

  Rafael ground his teeth from frustration. “Nothing. Now tell me what I need to know, or are you two going to stand around bickering like a couple of preteens?”

  “Fine.” The knight threw up her hands like it was Rafael who was causing the scene. “No need to get all princely and demanding. It’s not a good look on you.”

  Rafael was one second away from reaching out and strangling the information out of the knight. His Dragon smiled, approving of that plan.

  “The Mystics never get involved with how the old lands or any other realms operate and so forth. They just make sure there is a balance. Except something is happening.” The knight frowned, as though trying to pick her words carefully. “They started actively getting involved a few decades ago, small things, a task here, an idea planted here. Maribella was chosen not at random for the task she has been sent on.”

  Rafael’s anger got the best of him and he stalked forward, Dragon rising into his mind fully. “Bring her back.”

  The knight never even flinched as Rafael got within inches of her. “No. She needs to finish the mission the Mystics sent her on. The fate of our lands, realm, and others are depending on her, and many more like her.”

  “Tell me then.” The words hissed out of his clenched jaw.

  “I can’t.”

  Rafael shook, anger coursing through his whole being, and it was his Dragon who talked him down, whispering in the back of his mind. She is alive. We will find her without the Mystics’ toys.

  Rafael flared his nostrils and took a step back. “What can you tell me then, Knight?”

  A flash of magic from the knight’s companion caught Rafael’s eye and he focused on him. “Shit!” The knight’s companion muttered before stalking over and grabbing the knight around her waist. “Time to go, Love.”

  “Wait!” Rafael exclaimed as the knight’s mouth rounded in surprise and her face turned apologetic.

  “Don’t burn the realm to the ground before Maribella returns,” she rambled before her companion hauled her backward, arm tight around her waist.

  Rafael threw himself forward, arms wrapping around nothingness as both the knight and her companion completely vanished from view. Letting out a roar of frustration, Rafael’s Dragon broke through, taking control and forcing his shift before launching into the air.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Rafael

  His wings cut through the darkness and he dove, banking hard to the left, barely missing a sharp rock jutting out. The sentries followed quickly, and although Rafael’s Dragon was not the fastest around, he was agile and skilled in aerial acrobatics. He grew up cliff diving next to the training grounds and navigating the mountainous caverns and fissures. Tucking his wings in, the momentum spiraled his body through a tight opening into a small cave system. Both sentries pulled up fast, wings beating so hard the small stones within the cave lifted from the abrupt air pressure drop and rained down just as suddenly upon Rafael’s wings. They flew off toward the drop out point. Too bad they were wasting their time. His Dragon counted to three before launching himself right back out the same way he entered, shooting straight up like an arrow before disappearing into the night sky. The color of his Dragon blended effortlessly against the midnight blue sky, and he soared above the wisps of clouds blocking himself from view.

  What are we doing? Rafael asked his Dragon, trying to push through and retake control.

  His Dragon pushed back. Going away. Speak to Rovers. Search for mate without complications.

  The sentries can help us. We are just distracting them, pulling them off the search for Maribella. Rafael pushed back.

  His Dragon snorted in distain, ignoring the push. We will speak to the Rover’s ourselves.

  Remember what the Knight said, no burning down the realm. Rafael murmured but agreed to his Dragon’s plan. It was best to speak to the Rover’s himself, and he knew just the camp.

  I wish I could remember doing so, it sounds like a fun time. Rafael’s Dragon grinned menacingly, putting emphasis on the word fun.

  “Maribella would not approve of us slaying innocents.”

  His Dragon grumbled but agreed. He didn’t want to disappoint his mate.

  They both sat in silence within their mind, freezing air whipping across their scales. They would arrive at the camp soon.

  RAFAEL’S DRAGON LANDED a few miles out from the Rover camp, shifting back into his human form, still dressed in his black trousers and silken off-white shirt. Hair a wild mess, feet bare, he trudged the last few miles on foot, coming in from the side of the permanent Rover encampment. The hour was early, and only a few people sat around a fire near the center of the small encampment. At Rafael’s unexpected appearance they stood, hands ready at their weapons. One of the men broke off, running in the direction of a large permanent cabin. Rafael approached the remaining men slowly, hands raised. “I’m here to see Maccus. Tell him Rafael is here.”

  “Jonny ran off to get him at your appearance. We figured something strange had gone down when we spotted the three Dragons flying overhead an hour or so back. Your presence just confirms that,” one of the men said before motioning to Rafael to sit on a fireside log.

  Rafael shook his head and instead paced, waiting for Maccus to show. It didn’t take long before the hulking form of the man Maribella affectionately referred to as her real father strode into view.

  “Rafael, is it? You wouldn’t be Maribella’s Rafael, would you?” Maccus extended a greeting but stopped a few feet out of reach. That was right, Rafael thought. They had never met, though he was more than flattered Maribella had mentioned him to others. This was about to get awkward.

  “Maribella is missing,” Rafael said looking Maccus dead in the eyes.

  “Did she not make it to the Mountain Dragon Stronghold?”

  “No, she made it.”

  Maccus frowned. “Did she run away? I know she had once in the past, but she was very adamant about staying the course this time. For her sister.”

  Rafael clenched his jaw and took a deep breath. “She didn’t run. She was snapped out of my sight on the same balcony I was standing on right after our mating ceremony. I need help finding her.”
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  Maccus stared at him, unblinking. Rafael sighed. “I’m the prince of the Dragon Mountain Stronghold.”

  Maccus let out a bark of laughter before glaring at Rafael. “Boy, I knew who you were three years ago. What I’m trying to figure out is how you lost my adopted daughter and what I’m going to do about it.”

  Relief coursed through Rafael’s body and his shoulders slumped. “One of the Mystics’ knights showed up. I was able to find the knight and her companion later, but they only confirmed my fear. The Mystics are interfering in our lives because something is coming.”

  “And they chose Maribella for a quest,” Maccus murmured, interrupting Rafael. “Of course, they would meddle in her life. Hasn’t that girl gone through enough?”

  “Will you spread the word? Be on the lookout for when she pops up?” Rafael rubbed his neck.

  Maccus nodded, taking in Rafael’s state of dress. “How are you doing, boy? Do you need a place to stay?”

  Rafael shook his head and let his Dragon rise up. “No, we just came to ask for help before you learned the news elsewhere.”

  “You are welcome here anytime. You’re family now.” Maccus thrust out his arm and Rafael took a step in, gripping the man’s huge hand and was pulled into a hug. Maccus squeezed him, lifting Rafael from his feet briefly before setting him back on the ground. “I’ll send out the scouts, every single Rover across the realm will be looking for her. I can guarantee that.”

  Rafael took a step back, pushing down the grief slowly building in his chest. He didn’t have the time right now. He turned to go, beginning to trot down the wooded path, away from the camp when Maccus called out to him. “Take care of yourself, Rafael. We don’t want Maribella coming home to find you a shell of a man.”

  Rafael nodded before continuing down the path into the darkness of the forest. This time he didn’t have a clue to where his Dragon was taking him.

  RAFAEL LANDED IN THE meadow outside of Maribella’s cabin, startling one of the castle sentries.

  “Sire, we’ve been looking for you!”

  Rafael shifted and stalked past the sentry. “Go back to the Stronghold. Tell my father and Ildrex to not waste time looking for me.”

  The sentry ran behind him. “Sire, we were told to bring you back.”

  Rafael halted and turned, coming face to face with the young sentry who skidded to a halt. “Go home. That is an order. Disobey me and I will make you wish you were never born.” He put every ounce of menace he could into his voice, letting his eyes spread to Dragon amber.

  The sentry took a nervous step back and gulped, but steeled his resolve, readying himself against the fury Rafael promised to bring down upon him. It never came as the all too familiar voice of Ildrex rang out next to Maribella’s cabin. “Go back to the Stronghold, I’ll speak to the prince alone.”

  At Ildrex’s command, the young sentry took off running into the field before leaping and shifting into his Dragon form. Rafael’s eyes followed his retreating form into the night before glancing back over his shoulder. “Shouldn’t you be at the Stronghold overlooking the patrols instead of worrying about me?”

  Ildrex blinked, never breaking his composure. “Your father was worried when you took off suddenly.”

  “I spoke to the knight and her companion.”

  “And how did that go?”

  “I think you know the answer.”

  Ildrex cocked his head before strolling over to Rafael, looking up to the fading stars. Morning was heavy on the horizon; the dark night sky slowly fading to light grey and a softer blue. “I would like for you to return to the Stronghold soon, Sire, but not today.”

  Ildrex’s voice was gentle and Rafael glanced at him. “I would think you would force me back by command of the king.”

  Ildrex’s shoulder dipped slightly before regaining his steel composure. Out of all the things Rafael had seen tonight, the Commander of the Guard shrugging briefly was an unexpected surprise.

  “Your father has never lost a mate. Your pain, I understand.”

  Rafael stared at Ildrex in a new light. He had never been a fan of the Dragon man standing next to him, but to have this conversation with him was something else. “I didn’t know.”

  Ildrex took a deep breath. “Not many do.”

  Rafael clenched his jaw and looked back at Maribella’s cabin. He could almost see her, her presence surrounding the place, and he shut his eyes, throat tightening. “She is still alive.”

  Ildrex nodded. “And I don’t know if that is worse. The hope in knowing she is out there and unable to do anything, or knowing she is gone forever.” He grabbed Rafael by the shoulder, squeezing it before walking away into the meadow. “I’ll be expecting you sometime tomorrow, or maybe the next day. Any longer and I will drag you back to the Stronghold myself.” Ildrex shifted and launched up into the sky.

  Rafael waited a few minutes more, watching the sky turn light before the sun decided to rise, throwing pink, orange, and yellow highlights across the sky. He turned, striding toward the cabin and hesitated, hand up, habit of knocking so ingrained over the last three years. Rafael could almost see it if he closed his eyes.

  He would knock and the door would fly open before he could announce himself, but she always knew it was him. Heart skipping a beat the second he took her in. One side of her lips always twitched up in a smile when he came to visit her. She would pull him in, trying to frown at the inconvenience of him always showing up at the worst times, but it was all for show. Maribella loved his visits. He could see it in the way her eyes lit up when he pulled out a letter or small trinket from his pocket, just for her. Rafael never told her how he would agonize for days trying to find the perfect gift for her, and instead just let her assume it was something he picked up on random in his travels.

  With a sigh, he pulled the door open. No one greeted him and the silence surrounding the cabin was deafening. His Dragon pushed at him to step inside and close the door. Reaching up and to the side, he grabbed the hanging lantern and turned the knob until it clicked, internal fire starter sparking and allowing the oil-soaked wick to catch flame. Shadows danced across the space in front of him, everything the same as the night he left, yet so empty. It pulled at Rafael’s heart as he allowed his feet to drag him to the back, to Maribella’s sleeping room. The bed was neatly made, and Rafael sat, pulling his hands through his hair, back slumping as his face began to heat up. Pure sadness overwhelmed his senses. “Why are we here?” The words felt thick against his tongue.

  To grieve in peace for just tonight. Rafael’s Dragon sunk down into the back of his mind, leaving Rafael alone with a gift he didn’t realize he needed.

  Maribella might not be dead, but she was gone, and neither Rafael nor his Dragon could do anything about it. Rafael shook his head and slumped over onto the bed, grabbing the pillow and curling around it. Burying his face into the worn fabric, the smell of honey and freshly dug dirt tickled at his nose. It was Maribella’s scent, and he buried his face deeper, hot with unshed tears. Grief plunged low into Rafael’s heart and he wept silently, the scent of Maribella clinging to his senses until exhaustion finally pulled him under.

  TRUE TO RAFAEL’S SILENT agreement with Ildrex, he returned to the Stronghold the next day. The king and queen were waiting for him, emotions flickering between sadness and relief. His mother opened her mouth but quickly shut it when Rafael stalked past her and shook his head, heading straight to the guard’s station in search of Ildrex. He crashed to a halt, both leaders of the Stronghold on his heels. “Where do you want to place me?” Rafael’s voice was thick, hoarse from tears shed.

  Ildrex glanced at him before looking back down. “We have yet to send anyone to the Southern Isles.”

  Rafael opened his mouth to protest, but his father interjected. “Son, you are the only one who has built a rapport with the Dragon clan in that part of the realm. We cannot afford the time it would take to convince them by sending someone else.”

  Rafael growled. “Fi
ne. But I go alone. It will be easier to move though the swamp alone.”

  The king and Ildrex silently agreed with a nod, and Rafael turned, stalking away.

  Chapter Twenty

  One Month Later -Rafael

  Rafael shook his head as he landed, pushing his Dragon back and shifting into his human form. As negotiated, his Dragon instantly went to sleep, having been awake and in charge for the last three days. Now it was Rafael’s turn to take the lead in the hunt to find Maribella. It had been over a month and they still had no results. Stalking into the guard station, he zeroed in on the king and Ildrex. His father looked up at his son’s approach and took in Rafael’s travel wear. Rafael might have had a tough go at it when he went down to the Southern Isles.

  Ildrex passed him a courtesy glance before leafing through the pile of papers in front of him and extracting a blank page. He thrust it towards Rafael. “Write down your report, and I’ll file it with the rest.”

  “Did anything come of your meeting with the ruler of the Dragons in the Southern Isles?” the king asked.

  Rafael shook his head before taking the blank paper from Ildrex and leaning over to scribble furiously of his failure to find Maribella. He had flown to the Southern Isles to speak to the Dragon’s leaders, Srorthen and his mate, Teeva. Their alliance was new in the making, but out of all the clan leaders, he trusted Srorthen the most. The issue with the Southern Isles was that it was pure swamp land, filled with all the old lands’ more devious creatures. The Dragon Clan itself didn’t control the surface, instead they thrived underground, within the caverns and inside the mountains running through the Isles. Rafael hated being underground for so long; unable to soar through the sky was pure torture in his mind.

  “I spoke to Srorthen. His mate and her people on the surface have their eyes open if Maribella shows up in their part of the realm. He’s still hesitant in trusting another Dragon clan with sensitive information, but agreed to sign the pact between our two clans once we are ready.” Rafael grumbled and stabbed at the paper with more force than necessary. Shoving it across the table Ildrex snatched it up, sorting it into the correct pile.