House of Blood and Bone

by Kimberley J. Ward

  Oh, my little Rider, an otherworldly voice spoke in Nessa’s head, how I’ve longed for you to be by my side.

  Nessa raised her hand, the one bearing the mark representing their tie to one another, and pressed it against the dragon’s nose.

  “Aoife,” Nessa whispered.

  For the first time since waking up in the forest, alone and lost, her memories gone, did she finally feel a semblance of peace settle over her. After six months of being separated, dragon and Rider were finally together.

  They were complete.

  Chapter 7

  The stars glittered and gleamed like diamonds, a hundred thousand watchful eyes that turned their gazes downwards to peer at Nessa and Aoife as they sat together, learning everything they could about one another. Admittedly, it was rather one-sided, taking into account that Nessa couldn’t remember anything from before last night.

  Aoife didn’t seem to mind, though, and shared some of her memories with Nessa, offering her a glimpse into the life she’d been trying to recall. Inside the dragon’s mind, Nessa experienced Aoife’s first flight. She felt Aoife’s exhilaration as her own, seeing the earth from a thousand feet above it, a patchwork quilt of fields and forests, towns and mountains. She witnessed herds of wild horses running through meadows, their manes flowing out behind them, and saw the slow change of seasons, the patterns of migrating birds.

  Flowing alongside these visions were memories of Hunter and Orm. Aoife delighted in showing Nessa the sparring sessions between them, which usually started in a serious manner only to swiftly descend into a rowdy wrestling match filled with underhanded moves and insults. They were Aoife’s more light-hearted memories, and brought a smile to Nessa’s face. Even so, she could sense the undercurrents of sorrow and incompleteness that had been Aoife’s constant companion.

  Although I had Hunter and Orm, Chaos too, our separation was almost unbearable, Aoife said softly, curling her long tail protectively around herself, keeping Nessa tucked up against her scaled side. There is no substitute for the loss of a Rider. Nothing and no one can fill that void.

  “I’m sorry to have caused you so much pain,” Nessa murmured.

  It was not of your choosing, my little Rider. I blame you not. You are with me now. That is all I care about.

  “I’m never leaving you again.”

  As if I would ever give you the chance, Aoife chuckled. With our bond, I’ll be able to sense where you are at all times. If you’re ever in danger, I’ll swoop in and whisk you away.

  Nessa had to admit that the idea of being protected by a dragon was a rather pleasant one. However, she couldn’t help but ask, “Then how come you couldn’t before?”

  Aoife exhaled. You were hidden from me. Margan and Shadow are both experienced Dragon Riders and have had much time to learn magic. They must have shielded you behind spells and wards. Through the bond, I could sense that you were alive, but not much more than that. I could not find you or tell how you were faring. It was as if a wall of darkness was between us.

  “So, being a Dragon Rider gives the Rider the ability to use magic?”

  Indeed it does, amongst other things. Aoife winked. Just one of the perks of being bonded with a dragon.

  “Does that mean I’ll be able to use magic as well?”

  All in time, my little Rider. Although, even without me, you’d still be able to use it.

  “Because I’m an Old Blood?”

  Yes.

  “Do you know what kind I am?”

  Aoife ruffled her wings, settling them into a more comfortable position. I do not, my little Rider. But even amongst the Old Bloods, you are something special. I am sure of that.

  “Hmm.” Nessa sighed and shifted, turning her head to rest a cheek against Aoife’s shoulder, the scales were hard and surprisingly warm against her skin. She tapped a fingernail against one, amazed by its depth of colour. Even in the semi-darkness of the gathering night, the campsite lit only by the stars and the campfire, Aoife was a beacon of splendour, her scales ablaze with an inner glow.

  As Aoife continued to talk, telling her not to worry and other inconsequential things like that, Nessa’s gaze strayed to where Orm and Hunter sat on their makeshift stools, the firelight caressing their faces. They were trying to decide what should happen next, their voices a low murmur as they debated where they should go, where the safest place was.

  Nessa could only hear bits and pieces of their conversation, and she couldn’t help her mind going back to the last time they’d had a hushed discussion. She had to wonder. Which story they had decided to tell her? Had they told her the truth about her past, her abduction? Or had they sowed the seeds of a deception? How would she know?

  Aoife could sense Nessa’s growing discontent and looked down at her. You can trust them, my little Rider. They only want what’s best for you.

  “Do you?” Nessa turned to Aoife. “Trust them, I mean?”

  With my life.

  Nessa pushed aside her misgivings and forced out a small smile. “They did look after you, so I guess I owe them for that at the very least.”

  You trusted them before, surely that stands for something?

  “I suppose it should.”

  Aoife touched the tip of her snout against Nessa’s forehead, a dragon’s version of a kiss. Give them a chance, my little Rider. They care about you more than you know.

  “Because I might be powerful enough to kill the king one day?”

  Because they’re your friends.

  “Mmm.”

  Besides, if you want to run around killing kings, then you had better eat your dinner. Right now, a leaf could knock you over.

  “Ha.” Nessa grinned. “If Orm’s cooking scrambled eggs for dinner, then I’ll happily let a leaf best me.”

  Fear not, Aoife said, sniffing at the air delicately. That isn’t on the menu tonight. Smells like pheasant to me.

  “Pheasant?”

  Yes. Chaos snuck away a while ago and seems to have been successful in his hunt.

  “Oh. Well, pheasant sounds a lot nicer than the monstrosity Orm likes to call scrambled eggs.”

  Aoife laughed, a rough chuffing sound, and jerked her head. Here he comes. And look, I think he’s brought you some boots.

  Nessa peered in the direction that Aoife had nodded to, and at first, saw nothing but the gloom of the forest. Then, she spied a shadow of movement from between the tree trunks, and a shape detached itself from the darkness, entering the campsite. Nessa blinked several times, wondering if her mind was playing tricks on her. It appeared that Chaos had wings.

  Large and bat-like, with frightfully sharp talons peeping above his shoulders, they were a scary sight to behold, just as he himself was. Chaos was tall, almost as tall as Orm, and his black hair fell as straight as a pin to his waist. He wore a leather surcoat that came to just below his knees and heavy looking boots, thick-soled with metal caps over the toes. As he neared, Nessa saw that in one hand he held a brace of pheasants, already plucked and gutted, and in the other, he carried a pair of old boots.

  Chaos flung the pheasants onto Hunter’s lap. “You may cook these,” he said, his frigid tone leaving no room for argument.

  “Considering you’ve got them all ready,” Hunter murmured, “I’m more than happy to.”

  “I am not the one who prepared them.”

  Hunter frowned. “Who did then?”

  “One of the somebodies these used to belong to.” Chaos held up the pair of boots.

  “Ah,” Orm murmured. “Stealing, I see.”

  “I did not steal them,” Chaos sneered. “They were given to me when I asked for them.”

  “With great haste too, I imagine,” Hunter said with a smirk.

  Chaos inclined his head. “And quite a lot of screaming.”

  Nessa couldn’t tear her wide-eyed stare away from Chaos. Aoife? Nessa said, hesitantly planting her words directly into Aoife’s mind, just as Aoife does when she speaks. Chaos is an Old Blood, isn’t he?”
r />   Indeed he is.

  Does that mean I’ll grow wings? Because looking at his, I’d prefer to go without.

  Aoife laughed quietly. Fear not, my funny, little Rider. You are wingless.

  Nessa breathed a sigh of relief.

  Chaos’ head snapped to the side, only just noticing that Nessa was there. Eyes the colour of glacial ice ran over her and Aoife. Nessa barely stifled a gasp of horror. Around them was a thick ring of white scars, a ghastly mockery of a mask. They were deep and jagged. It looked like something had tried to claw Chaos’ eyes out.

  Don’t worry, Aoife said calmly. He is no threat. I’ve already warned him that if he’s mean to you, I’ll eat him.

  Oddly enough, that really isn’t a comfort right now. Nessa could feel the energy coming off him in waves, almost dizzying in strength.

  Nessa forced herself to stand when she realised that Chaos was making his way over to her, and rested a hand on Aoife’s shoulder, reminding herself that she wasn’t alone anymore.

  “Finally, you have been found,” Chaos said in way of greeting. He came to a stop an arm’s length away from her. Nessa couldn’t quite tell if he was happy or irritated about that. His lips were a thin line and his jaw hard. “Seeing as you have no clothing of your own, I took the liberty of collecting these for you.” He held out the boots. “Although, judging by the state of your feet, my efforts have come a little too late to be of much use.”

  Peering down at her bare feet, which were bruised and cut much like the rest of her, Nessa gladly took his offering. “Well, I suppose something’s better than nothing, right?”

  Giving what Nessa assumed was his best attempt at a smile, Chaos turned around and stalked over to his tent, swiftly disappearing inside.

  Nessa looked at Aoife, stunned by his abrupt departure. “That wasn’t too bad.”

  No?

  “I feel perfectly at ease with him now.”

  Oh, really?

  “Nope. I’m lying. He’s scary.”

  You’ll get used to him, given time.

  “I hope not,” Nessa mumbled. If she ever felt at ease with someone, something like Chaos, it would be a clear sign of madness. She gave the boots a quick inspection, seeing that they were well worn, the toes scuffed and the laces close to snapping in places, then stepped over Aoife’s tail and placed them by her tent. She made her way over to the campfire, deciding that it was time to join Hunter and Orm, but also because she felt Aoife’s encouragement silently urging her, through their bond, to spend more time reacquainting with the others. When she looked over her shoulder, Nessa saw that Aoife had curled up into a ball, her head tucked neatly under a wing, her tail coiled tightly around her body.

  Nessa sat cross-legged between Hunter and Orm, her long overcoat pooling around her like a blanket. When she stood, the hem reached almost to her ankles. The pheasants, she saw with pleasure, were already positioned over the fire, skewered on a metal spit. Her stomach clenched in anticipation, eager for the meal.

  “Fancy that,” Hunter said to no one in particular. “Chaos does know how to be civil. Although I must admit, he seems to be a little out of practice.”

  “It’s the trying that counts,” Orm said.

  Nessa smirked.

  “Maybe he should try a little harder,” Hunter suggested. “And more often. He’s always welcome to practice with me.”

  “He’s scary when he’s being polite,” Nessa said with a wry grin. “I dread to think what he’s like when he’s angry.”

  “Terrifying,” Hunter and Orm said in perfect harmony.

  “I bet.”

  Hunter reached out and turned the spit, letting the pheasants cook evenly. “Now you can see why I don’t enjoy his death threats very much.”

  “You must have nerves of steel.”

  “Or a rock in his head instead of brains,” Orm quipped.

  “How dare you say that,” Hunter said. “Each and every one of his threats was completely unprovoked and unnecessary.”

  Orm cocked an eyebrow. “Oh really?”

  “Yes.”

  “So you never go out of your way to wind him up?”

  “Never.”

  “You haven't jumped at every opportunity to make fun of him?”

  “Of course not.”

  Orm snorted and turned to Nessa, peering down at her with amusement. “He gets a weird thrill in angering Chaos, and endeavours to irritate him on a near-daily basis until there’s a reaction.”

  “Lies,” Hunter mock-whispered to her. “He tells you lies. I’m nothing but polite to Chaos. It is he who takes offence at the slightest thing.”

  Nessa laughed, not quite sure what to make of either of them, yet somehow feeling at home with them, their easy banter the perfect balm for her near-constant jitters of unease. “So, while I was with Aoife, did you manage to decide what we’re doing next?”

  Hunter rested his elbows on his knees, watching the pheasant’s browning meat with hungry eyes, firelight showing him in warm hues. “It’s best not to linger here any longer than necessary, especially when we don’t know who might be nearby. Margan or Shadow could discover that you’ve escaped at any time, if they haven’t already. We’d be foolish to stay here.”

  “So we’re going somewhere else?”

  Hunter nodded.

  “And our destination is?”

  “We haven’t decided yet.”

  “Excellent.”

  “We’ll go to Ellor,” Chaos declared, leaving the confines of his tent and coming to stand over them.

  “Who’s Ellor?” Nessa asked.

  “Not who, but what,” Chaos corrected sharply. “Ellor is a place, a city.”

  “Not just any damn city, though,” Hunter said heatedly. “It’s the bloody capital. Ellor is the last place we should go.”

  Chaos growled low in this throat and fixed his glacial eyes onto Hunter. “It is the best place for us.”

  “Yeah?” Hunter smirked. “Care to share the reasoning behind your wacky idea?”

  Chaos looked just about ready to murder Hunter, and Nessa was starting to see where Orm was coming from. Hunter had the gift of annoyance, and he wasn't afraid to use it. He knew exactly how to get under Chaos’ skin.

  “What Hunter means to say,” Orm interjected calmly, “is why should we go to the one place that naturally needs avoiding?”

  Nessa was quizzical. “Why do we want to avoid the capital?”

  “Because of the king,” Chaos snapped. “Idiot girl.”

  From where she rested, Aoife growled a warning, lifting her head out from under her wing. Her gaze locked with Chaos’ and something passed between them. Nessa guessed that only Chaos was privy to what Aoife had to say. He muttered under his breath and cuffed Hunter around the head.

  “Off my stool, peon,” Chaos ordered.

  Although indignant, Hunter did as he was told, moving across from Nessa on the other side of the fire. “Peon?” he mouthed to Nessa, who shrugged with an amused smile. She watched Chaos settle himself down on the log stool from the corner of her eye, curiosity getting the better of her, noticing that the bottom tips of his wings brushed against the ground.

  “King Kaenar resides in Ellor,” Orm explained. “It’s basically his home. He rarely leaves the palace. It’s a dangerous place for us to go. We really should keep as far away from him as possible right now.”

  “So he doesn’t learn of my existence and kill me,” Nessa summarised.

  “Correct.”

  “Then why do you want us to go there?” she asked Chaos.

  “Because it is the last place anyone, Margan in particular, would expect you to go. You’d be hidden in plain sight. It is also the perfect strategic position. Over the last few weeks, the king has been summoning his Dragon Riders. Margan is one of them. Why King Kaenar might be doing this, I have yet to find out. If we were to go to Ellor, we would hear whispers from the king’s inner circle and ascertain what he might be up to.”

  “Could he ha
ve learnt about Nessa?” Hunter asked, worried. “Might that be why he’s calling the others back? To see if they know anything?”

  “I believe the king may have sensed a change in the kingdoms, as there is when a powerful Old Blood is about to come of age,” Chaos mused. “However, I do not think he is certain, as Nessa is still a way off from this happening. No, I think he only suspects the change has been caused by a young Old Blood, not Nessa specifically, and he definitely does not suspect that there is a Dragon Rider free from his control. I have a feeling that he is preparing himself in the event of confirmation; then he will send out his Riders to deal with it, as he’s done in the past.”

  “So we’re safe at the moment?”

  Chaos shrugged. “As safe as we can be given our circumstances. From our travels, we have learnt that only Margan and Shadow know of Nessa and her legacy. I am sure that neither of them will tell the king unless absolutely necessary. For now, we can assume that the king only suspects the presence of a strong Old Blood, but that is it. Because of this, I feel that it would be wise to go to Ellor.”

  “And spy on the king?” Hunter’s grin was wicked.

  Chaos inclined his head. “In a fashion.”

  Orm looked troubled. “You say he’s summoning his Riders? Who has he called back so far?”

  “Six have arrived. Tolan of House Mægen, Aggnarr of House Ðunor and Braelyn of House Blēoh were the first to arrive at Ellor three weeks ago. Cade of House Eodor and Kassian of House Hālig arrived a few days ago, and Margan of House Īren flew out yesterday. He must have arrived by now.”

  Orm was contemplative. “What about Shadow?”

  Chaos shook his head. “He is hidden to me, but I do know that he has not been called back yet. It is only a matter of time, though.”

  “Far too many Dragon Riders in one place for my liking,” Hunter grumbled.

  “Now is the best time to go to Ellor,” Chaos insisted gruffly. “While Nessa is still anonymous, we must make the most of it.”