by L J Andrews
“When you speak of your unique bond, and love, and anything else about destiny, I think it’s creating something in his mind that is simply impossible. He will be the one to be wounded in the end. It’s never been done, Jade. A wyvern and Mage together? I know everyone here has given you both a wide berth, but I am the only other mage here and feel I need to defend my fellow mage. This relationship only exists here,” she said, pointing to the mansion. “Out there, when we’re in the open, it cannot be. It’s not accepted, nor is it possible. Mage bond with other mages, and wyvern mates are arranged with the benefit of your people in the forefront. It’s the way our races are designed—it’s what makes our people different and also what makes our people able to live in peace amongst one another.”
My voice caught in my throat for at least five, pounding heartbeats. I turned my focus back toward the lawn where Sapphire wrapped his strong arm around Teagan’s neck and dragged him to the ground where Raffi tried to pin him with his blade, but Teagan rolled away before he was trapped.
“I’ve upset you,” Athika whispered when the words refused to form in my mouth. “I apologize, I say them because I want what’s best for everyone. What will bring everyone safely away from any fight against the lindworms and any dark mages.”
Clearing my throat, I tucked my hair behind my ears, feeling the burn of my shift desperate to take place. I wanted to fly away from this situation, but no. I was a queen after all, I had to learn to face difficult situations. “The only reason I’m upset is because you are…misinformed with what you say.”
“In what way?” Athika asked sincerely.
I crossed my legs and squared my body toward her. “Athika, you speak as though I don’t feel as deeply as Teagan, or as though I use his lack of experience as a mage to convince him he has deeper feelings for me. For what? Why would I do that? Do you think it’s so I can demand his loyalty for the benefit of my people over his life?”
“No, I know you care it’s just—”
“That we wyverns have too much influence?” I interrupted. “Or that you think Teagan doesn’t behave like a typical mage and use energy from the earth all the time? Well, you’re wrong on both accounts. I’ve seen Teagan command rivers. I’ve seen him split the bedrock. And I’ve also seen him defeat one of the fiercest wyvern warriors I know with his blade. Raffi could not stop him.” I rose to my feet, slowly and with an air of my royal position. “Teagan is different, but that shouldn’t cause anyone concern. Before I even saw his face, Athika, I knew a greater power had come to Wyvern Willows. I knew it here,” I said pounding my fist over my heart. “The moment I saw him, I was bonded with Teagan Ward, even if I didn’t realize it.”
“Jade, I don’t mean to—”
“No, I have one thing more to say,” I said, my voice cool and direct. “I love Teagan. Because of that love, my own body sealed to him.” I slid my sleeve up to reveal the seal in my skin for her to see again. “You cannot come here and pretend you understand what has happened to us when you have no idea. And, let’s be honest with each other, Athika, you wouldn’t mind if Teagan spoke the words he says to me, to you. That’s what this is about.”
Athika scoffed, her mouth open as she looked away, but she didn’t deny my accusation. We fell into an uncomfortable silence for a long time before she stood, brushing off bits of dirty snow from her sweater. “You’re right, Your Highness,” Athika said slowly. “I don’t know what has happened here. What I do know is, Teagan is your first encounter with a mage—he’s your mage that bond is powerful And you are his first encounter with a wyvern. Feelings are bound to get a little muddled when a bond is so fresh.
“And you’re not wrong. I do think Teagan is an incredible mage—that’s what he is—a mage. I’m not afraid to admit we’d do well together, and don’t forget my bond with someone like Teagan isn’t forbidden.”
Athika bowed her head slightly before tromping back toward the house. Again, I found my voice had abandoned me. Resistance had faced Teagan and I since we’d confessed our deeper feelings for each other, but I’d never used the word forbidden. Wasn’t that what Aldwin insinuated? Glancing once more down the slope, I caught Teagan’s eye. He rolled one of the jade blades in his grip and smiled at me. My heart soared, but also plummeted in weary sadness. What more would try to tear us apart?
With a soft smile in return I turned away, urging my skin to peel back into scales. Before anyone could stop me my wings burst from my shoulders and I took to the skies.
The ledge where Teagan had released my ability to shift had become one of my most peaceful refuges. I enjoyed watching the town from above. So many humans lived amongst us—they were our neighbors, but did they know what risk my family, my people were bringing to their lives. I was fooling myself if I believed Nag would spare their lives should he attack. In the silence of the afternoon, I vowed we would find a way to rid the town of the families, the people, the shop owners. Everyone must leave, and if the tremble of urgency in my heart meant anything, it would have to be soon.
I shifted to my human form, wishing to feel the breeze along my burning skin. The gown was sheer in places, and revealed a lot of my body. It was perfect for the moment. Breathing deeply, the frigid winter air soothed the last of my fiery lungs, bringing me to a calm.
Until I wasn’t alone.
In a rush of wind and wings I whipped around. My heart plummeted to my feet when I saw the ancient dragon fold his wide, clawed, white wings. Elder Aldwin’s body was gray like ash, with milky eyes and long, curled fangs that bent over his lips. His shift wasn’t as swift as my own, but when his human skin molded over his sharp scales, the elder stood with arrogance and satisfaction.
“Elder Aldwin,” I gasped. “It’s been some time since I’ve had the honor.”
“Yes, my queen. Some time. And it would seem much has happened in my absence,” he wheezed. His white hair stood wild about his face, and I thought his beard had lengthened in our time a part.
“Is Frenrir with you?” I asked, scanning the skies for the smaller, yellow dragon.
Aldwin shook his head, folding the dark robe around his bare chest. “No, I am making this visit alone. I sensed your troubled heart.”
Rising to my feet, I took a few cautious steps closer to the elder, my heart pounded wildly in my chest. Something on the breeze whispered to proceed cautiously. “I am alright, thank you for your concern. It is just the unknown that causes me worries, but aren’t we all unnerved at the unknown?”
“That we are, my queen,” Aldwin sighed, staring at the distant horizon.
Swallowing with effort I found my voice, straightened my shoulders, and continued the conversation. The sooner he said what he’d really come to say, the sooner he would leave. “What else brings you, Aldwin. I know my well-being is not the only thing on your mind.”
“Very perceptive,” Aldwin muttered with a faint smile. The smile wasn’t kind. “Your senses are sharp, just as your mother’s once were. I come with a determination from the council. We’ve made a final decision regarding the jade mage.”
My breath pitted in the space between my ribs. Pressure pulsed down on my shoulders and my throat tightened and scorched with fire in my lungs. “Regarding, Teagan?” I whispered. “What sort of decision are you talking about?”
Aldwin faced me, his expression like ancient stone—for he was ancient. “The council only puts the benefit of the wyvern race in the forefront of every decision. After our observations, and from Frenrir’s reports we have determined it is for the benefit of our queen, and all royals if the mage be removed.”
“You cannot do such things,” I snarled, the hair on my neck standing on end. My fists curled, and my fingernails dugs so deep into my palms they drew blood.
“We can, Highness,” Aldwin said sharply. “I understand you have a mage bond with the boy, but such things fade given time. This bond has confused you, my queen, and you do not see reason. You do not remember the bloodshed of the first battle. It is unwise
to keep an unknown mage in the presence of our most powerful royals.”
“He will not leave,” I snapped. “Teagan will refuse.”
“Oh, we will not leave him with a choice,” Aldwin said through a chuckle. “He is of the jade bloodline—the lineage coming from our greatest enemies. If we cannot find the dark High Priest to charge for his crimes against our people, then his son shall pay the price.”
I stepped directly next to the elder, my nose pressed into his wrinkled, haggard face. “What are you saying, Elder Aldwin?”
“The mage is to be executed. It is the only safe decision—for our people, Highness. Or have you misunderstood what your role will be once you ascend the throne?”
My throat turned to ash, and I found every limb trembling with seething, anger—no, blinding fury. Never had I experienced such debilitating hatred for a living being. “I will never allow it,” I said through clenched teeth.
“I’m afraid as it stands the elder council is the final word on such matters. I’m sorry to cause more distress to your day, my queen. I’m certain within time you will see this was for the benefit of our people. I’m certain his true intentions will be made known, especially if the dark High Priest attempts to save him from execution.”
“You are using him as bait to ensnare, Bron!” I shrieked.
Aldwin chuckled and followed two falcons sailing through the clouds. “In a way, I suppose you’re right. But if the dark High Priest doesn’t show, well then at least we will have one less threat of the mage against our people. I bid you a pleasant day, Highness.”
Aldwin bowed his head briefly, a disgusting arrogant smile on his thin lips. I wanted to tear out his throat, but in a matter of moments the old one transformed to his expansive ashen form and took the skies. I was left in a stunned state, my heart ringing in my ears and my blood flushing through every inch of my body. With a deep breath my human flesh folded into hard scales and the wind soon brushed rapidly over my wings.
I hardly had time to shift before I burst through the doors of the mansion. Onyx and Ruby were in the front room, both jumped from their seat on the sofa. Peran was speaking with Frenrir. I snarled at the Elder’s spy, but I wanted him to witness what came next.
“Konrad!” I shrieked. “Eisha, where are you!”
“Jade,” Raffi’s voice drew my attention to the dining room where Teagan sat, an ice pack pressed to his lip as he studied me with concern. Athika even sat across from him at the table, between the two warriors who were once again eating. I was so angry, I didn’t even care that she was there. “What’s wrong?” Raffi finished at the same moment Eisha and Konrad rushed into the room.
“Jade, you’re so flustered,” Eisha said, clutching one cheek as she studied my face. “What has happened?”
“I claim the throne,” I snarled. The room silenced so that a pin could be heard dropping from the upper floor. “I claim the throne. What must I do to rise as queen?”
Sapphire stepped forward, his dark eyes determined, and I thought, slightly proud. “We hold the ceremony. You will be our protector, Jade. It could disintegrate the protection of the willow. Remember what I said,” he whispered. “Everyone will know our location.”
“Fine,” I snapped. “We evacuate the humans. Tonight. Tomorrow we make it known the Queen of Jade is on the throne and all decisions are once more given to the royal wyverns.”
Eisha clutched her chest, and I saw glistening tears brim along her eyes. “You are your mother’s daughter,” she whispered.
I was. I was queen, and as my eyes landed on Teagan, only he could see something truly had happened to bring such a rabid decision. It was for him, I would risk it all for him. Something in the back of my mind told me I was about to risk everything. I also knew, I might possibly lose everything.
Chapter 13
Manipulation on the scale of evacuating an entire town was agonizing. My body trembled every time I touched one of the doors of each home along the roads. Teagan clutched my hand, when I felt as though I might not be able to go on. Our connection added strength to the task. Five homes remained on the final street, just before the trees encompassed the mountainside.
My chest seemed as though the mountain had been placed on top, and I gasped for each breath. Teagan’s arm around my shoulders offered comfort, but even as I clutched his waist and rested my head on his chest it seemed as though I would die from lack of energy if I touched another foundation. Taillights from cars disappeared along the roads as the idea to leave town flittered into the minds of the people of Wyvern Willows. Like fading fireflies, cars abandoned the town. I hadn’t specified any reason why it would be good to leave, I simply created an urgency in their minds. The town was unsafe. Some took longer than others to actually get the gumption to leave their homes, but now I was faced with five homes—that was all.
“No more, Jade,” Teagan whispered, his kiss pressing against my head.
“I can’t leave them,” I gasped.
“Then let me do it,” he replied. Gently he released my body and immediately I felt weaker. Sapphire took hold of me, helping me stand straighter. Teagan stepped forward, his gaze finding Athika. My heart sank. I was going to become queen, I should be able to finish this task without pushing Teagan to Athika. I squirmed, but Sapphire wouldn’t release me.
“Jade, let it be,” he whispered. “It doesn’t show weakness when you know when to ask for help. I would think you weak if you insisted on doing this all on your own.”
“I won’t be able to do it as pleasant as Jade,” Teagan shouted to the group. “Does anyone have any issues with how we have to get these people out of town?”
No one protested.
With a final glance in my direction, Teagan lowered to his haunches and placed his hand along the earth. Athika followed suit, though at a greater distance down the road. When Teagan closed his eyes and focused, I felt the shift in the ground. The soil rumbled, and it seemed the entire mountainside burst to life. Thundering rocks tumbled down the hillside landing precariously close to the homes. The road split in two. Teagan shouted to Athika to push harder. The wood siding along the cabins split, some logs ripping from the walls. All the porches shifted and sagged from the pulse of energy ripping apart the neighborhood. I heard screams.
Teagan held up one hand, a hydrant near the end of the road burst with frigid water spraying like a geyser into the sky. I smelled gas. The scent so strong the back of my throat ached. From the corner of my eye I watched Onyx drift toward the hydrant. He bowed his head but touched nothing. The geyser ceased, but the ground was suddenly soaked in standing water. I heard the rush dripping toward the lower rooms in each home. Ruby followed the example. She rolled her palms and when her fingers were once more aimed at the sky, each palm cupped a flaming ball of white fire. Ruby sniffed the air, and moved to where the scent of gas was greatest. In an explosive blast the fireballs erupted into wild flames. Ruby drifted to the shadows where she could contain the fire so it wouldn’t approach the innocent people, but it would be enough to frighten them.
The first house had lost its door when a shouting father clutched a young child against this chest, followed by a large, barking dog, and a mother with two older children. The darted for their cars, hardly noticing Teagan and Athika slipping down the street to take cover in the dark forest. All the people noted was the fire, the flooding water, and the shaken earth.
While others escaped their crumbling homes, I knelt against the cold grass, and with what final strength I had manipulated their ideas so the people might never return. It seemed so drastic, but in the deepest parts of my heart I didn’t know how a battle with Nag would end.
Wyvern Willows was ghostly quiet. Darkness engulfed the town, but it was empty. Only those who understood what was coming remained.
“Well done, my queen,” Onyx said lightly.
“I’ve never seen you control your elements,” I whispered to Ruby and Onyx.
“I don’t often,” Ruby admitted. “But
I enjoyed it.” With a wave of her hand the fires eased. “I thought Konrad might blow the fires about too much if he joined in.”
Sapphire scoffed. “I once enjoyed showing off my talents with wind, but I’m not a fool,” he said.
Teagan tromped toward me, his gentle fingers brushing away a lock of hair from my face. “It’s all done. You did it, now Nag can’t hurt anyone.”
“My queen,” Frenrir’s nasally voice broke through the tender moment. “I really wish you might allow me to announce to the council.”
“No, Frenrir. I forbid it—trust me they will know soon enough, and frankly I want nothing more to do with those relics.” Frenrir eyed me as though I’d stabbed him through the heart. Even Teagan met my eye with surprise at my bitter tone. “You have a choice, Frenrir. Scurry away and tell the council I will ascend. Or stay and serve your queen.”
“Be wise for the first time in your life, Frenrir,” Dash grumbled. “The council would rather bury their heads in the sand than face King Nag. Admit it. They want us to rid the world of mages all because of the High Priest. You’ve seen how desperately we need all the help we can get to fight against the lindworms. What’s your choice?”
“If you choose the council, I’ll personally volunteer to be your escort back to their cave,” Raffi muttered with a mischievous glint in his eye.
Frenrir swallowed hard and took in every peering eye surrounding him in the night. “I am not your enemy,” he snapped. “Of course I support the royal lines. I was merely suggesting the council be made aware. I’m certain they will be thrilled the throne will be once again intact.”
“Sure, Frenrir,” I hissed, linking my arm with Teagan and turning away. “I’m certain they will be overjoyed.”
As soon as dawn dusted over the mountaintops I stood in Eisha’s room as she wrapped a gilded robe around my shoulders. “You look beautiful,” she crooned. “Are you certain you want to do this in human form.”