“Drop your sword,” one ordered.
“No, you want it you come and get it,” he growled back at them. He wanted to be captured but he was not about to relinquish his sword. Two of the soldiers launched themselves at him pinning him to the wall.
“Go on take it if you can!” Kainan spat as the two black-wing soldiers held him back. One of Gemini’s guards approached and looked at him.
“Who are you?” he demanded. Kainan stared at him.
“I am Kainan the King of Malgar and I have come for my wife. I am sure Gemini is expecting me,” he retorted sarcastically. The guard smiled with a nod. Turning about sharply he headed into a room further along the corridor. One of the other soldiers stepped forward he was a large heavily built man. He went to take the Deragan Sword, Kainan’s eyes lifted to his.
“I would not if I were you,” he warned, lifting an eyebrow. The soldier glared at him as he grasped for the hilt. Immediately he screamed in agony as the hilt burned into his flesh. Pulling his hand back sharply he held it close to his chest as the searing pain tore through him, and his flesh began to melt away down to the bone. Still screaming, he ran past them back along the long dark corridor.
“I told you,” Kainan yelled after him with a chuckle, watching as he disappeared into the darkness. One of the soldiers that held him struck him across his face, automatically Kainan elbowed him, and as the stunned soldier released the grip on his arm, he yanked it out punching the other soldier in his mouth and sending him off-balance.
Another soldier, a young lad, spun around in shock. Launching himself at Kainan he kicked him so hard in the face that it sent him flying backwards. Kainan landed on the ground with a thud, and for a second he was dazed. He sat up, wiping the back of his hand across the blood that was pouring from his mouth, and he just laughed.
“What you laughing at?” the young soldier screeched at him angrily. “We may not be able to take it from you but our Lord will,” he scorned. Bending down into his face, he sneered. “You know he has had your woman.” Kainan head butted him hard in the face. The young soldier stumbled backwards stunned. Two other soldiers having recovered quickly grabbed Kainan’s arms, yanking them hard behind his back. The soldier he had head-butted unexpectedly swung back around and begun punching him in the stomach repeatedly. Kainan doubled over at the blows, as pain tore into him. Another pulled his head back up and the young soldier grinned at him before punching him in the face.
“Gemini wants him now,” a guard called from behind him. Turning around he nodded, before whacking Kainan across the face with the back of his hand, and splitting the skin on his cheek. Kainan glared at him.
“Do you feel better for that?” the young King hissed angrily. The young black-wing soldier grinned.
“Sure do. Now it is time for you to pay,” he laughed, nodding to the two who held him to take him through to Gemini. Holding him under his armpits the two soldiers dragged him, his feet scraping along the floor to the awaiting Gemini.
Gemini waited, rubbing his chin with the knuckle of his left index finger. They were in the Sanctuary. Arweyn stood nervously by his side her heart shook anxiously as she waited to see her husband. The guards dragged him through the doors.
“So here you are at last Kainan, the great King of Malgar in all your glory,” Gemini said sarcastically as they entered the room. Kainan lifted his beaten head to his voice. His was face covered in blood and it ran down his neck, his left eye badly swollen he looked terrible. The soldiers threw him to the ground. Looking up Kainan saw his enemy for the first time and his eyes cursed him. Looking to the left of him, he saw his wife and she looked stunning.
She wore a white flowing gown with a golden belt around her waist; her was hair piled up on top of her head and entwined with golden thread, the odd strand of curls cascaded down the side of her radiant face. Sparkling gems adorned her throat and a golden armband wrapped around one of her arms. His heart beat furiously at the sight of her, had he not already been on the floor he would have collapsed at her beauty. Looking at her, his eyes widened with utter desperation, but her eyes showed him nothing in return, she merely glanced at him for a moment and then looked away.
Her whole body shook within as she saw him, beaten and thrown to the ground like an animal, but she held herself together, she had to. The first thing her eyes searched for in that brief moment was the Deragan Sword, and she thanked the spirits when she saw that he still had it.
“Why have you not disarmed him?” Gemini questioned his guard, as he too noticed the sword. The soldier bowed humbly.
“We couldn’t my Lord, one of my men tried and it burned the very flesh off his hands.”
“Mmm,” Gemini mumbled, pausing in thought. “The Deragan Sword I presume. You have no power but the sword still does, how interesting.” He turned to Arweyn. “You see now my love how weak he is. Even my lowly guards can easily beat him near to death. Soon it will be as you wish. With Kainan dead, you will be released from your bond and free to become my Queen. Together we shall drink the dragon’s blood and live together for all eternity.”
Kainan looked at her, his heart trembled she could not possibly have turned against him. She loved him as he loved her, more than life itself, unless Gemini had done something to her, enchanted her somehow?
“Stand up!” Gemini yelled at him. Kainan pulled himself to his feet his eyes widened as Gemini drew the Gameron sword. Arweyn’s heart shook fearfully. The timing had to be precise, too soon, Gemini would realise but too late, and he could kill her husband.
“Come on then show me this great power,” he hissed at Kainan, gesturing with his hands for him to attack. “You and I King one on one.”
“Gemini,” Arweyn said, in a pleading whisper.
He shot her a dark look, and then smiled.
“Do not fear I will win my love,” she smiled feebly at him. He was not her concern.
“I will show you that I am the most powerful man of all time,” he added. Turning his eyes towards Kainan, he glared furiously at him, breathing through gritted teeth. “You will see how weak your husband is compared to me. Come on great nephew, just you and I.” Her eyes shot to her husband, her heart pounded furiously as he drew the Deragan sword. Gemini turned to Arweyn, grabbing her waist he pulled her to him and then kissed her; she kissed him back even though in her head she dreaded what her husband must have been thinking.
“Stand back,” he then ordered, pushing her from him. She backed away, her eyes shooting from one to the other. This was not going to plan. How was she going to get the sword off him now? She could not let him kill Kainan.
The young King watched heartbroken as Gemini kissed his wife. He was confused with doubt and fear, and he gripped the Deragan sword angrily, it was now or never. He had to fight for his wife or it was the end of everything. He attacked.
The two huge swords clashed metal on metal and the sound rang out all around the room, sparks flew between the swords as the magic of the twin swords connected briefly. Gemini’s guards fled back towards the door, getting right out of the way of the battling duo. Swords locked, the two fought face to face. Kainan’s eyes pierced into Gemini’s, but he merely laughed.
“I have your wife King, and when you die she will be my Queen,” he boasted. Kainan shook with anger, but he could not bring forth his magic. Gemini however could, and using his power he pushed the young King off his sword, and striking out quickly, he sliced him across his shoulder. Kainan cried out in pain, urgently backing away he retreated behind his sword. Gemini lunged again, Kainan swung hard and caught the Gameron sword, but once again Gemini used his magic against him and Kainan stumbled backwards and fell to the ground. Gemini laughed, swinging the Gameron sword around loosely in his hand.
Arweyn watched in horror as he struck again at Kainan. Her husband was only just managing to deflect the blows. She could see Gemini was using magic against him; it was an unfair fight, a fight her husband could not win alone. She stared intensely at the Gameron
sword she had to get it. Kainan jumped to his feet and rushed him slamming Gemini hard up against the wall he punched him in the face, sending him off-balance. Gemini rolled his eyes angrily, and as the anger consumed him, the dragon within him came forth.
Arweyn screamed in horror as she watched him push Kainan off and hurtle him across the room. His eyes yellow like a dragon, he glared down at the young King, as he lay stunned on the floor. She looked at Gemini in hidden horror as the scales of a dragon protruded from his neck.
“You see now my love what power I have within me. The power of a dragon,” Gemini gloated, his voice deep and menacing. Wandering over to her, he gestured with his sword towards Kainan. “He is no match for me. He is merely an annoying bug that needs to be squashed.” Inside she shook but outwardly, she pulled on her strength and gazed at him. Her hand rose to his scales and she ran her fingers across them.
“Gemini you did not tell me of this,” she whispered tantalisingly. His dragon-like tongue whipped around his lips lustfully as he stared at her.
“You are pleased with how I look?” Gemini asked, surprised. Her eyes flickered to his sword, before lifting to his eyes. She smiled deeply, pushing her long hair behind her shoulders. Moving towards him flirtatiously, she raised her hand to his face.
“Very much,” she whispered running her hand down his scaly neck and towards the middle of his chest. “I now see that you are indeed the most powerful man of all time.” He leaned forward and kissed her, she closed her eyes, trying with all her strength to focus on what she had to do, and not on his disgusting dragon like tongue that now searched her mouth. Her hand rising to his face affectionately she traced the scales on his face.
Struggling to his feet, a cold sickening tingle shivered down Kainan’s spine as he watched in utter disbelief. She turned and moved around behind Gemini, kissing his neck and running her hands around his body. Kainan could hardly believe what she was doing he could feel his heart breaking, his will to live dying. Life would be pointless without her.
“Arweyn,” he begged to her, but she ignored him. He could not bear it, launching himself to his feet he charged at Gemini.
“You will not have her!” Kainan screamed, slicing the Deragan Sword into his shoulder. Gemini roared, as he spun around.
“No!” Arweyn screamed in anguish. Gemini looked at her and smiled, swinging the Gameron Sword around in his hand he retaliated. Metal hit metal and the two men struggled against each other. Kainan dived across the black and gold table kicking off the candelabra and smashing it across the floor. Arweyn was desperate Kainan did not understand what she had been trying to do. If she did not intervene, Gemini would kill him. Blade met blade and despite being without his magic Kainan held him back. Gemini roared angrily, his hand came out swiping the young King across his face. Kainan cried out in agony as the claws that were once Gemini’s fingers ripped the flesh on his face. Gemini jumped and kicked out with his feet, sending Kainan spinning across the floor, he lay dazed. Gemini walked over to him and kicked the Deragan Sword out of his hands he lifted the Gameron Sword to finish him. Arweyn rush towards him.
“Gemini you have done it!” she cried victoriously, her eyes glowing at him. His sword hovered over Kainan’s chest. He glanced at her she licked her lips back at him. “Kiss me now,” she begged seductively. His sword wavered as he glanced back down at Kainan and then back to her. She widened her eyes at him, heaved her chest towards him.
“I want you Gemini,” she begged. His wild eyes stared at her, then he smirked, he would let him watch her kiss him, tormenting him further only heightened the pleasure.
“Gemini, you are my love and I cannot wait to become your Queen,” she rushed, desperately trying to stop him from plunging the sword into her husband’s heart. He could not resist her look the desire in her eyes for him was too much. He grabbed her and kissed her, and for that brief moment, he closed his eyes. She quickly stole a glance over to her husband and waited until his broken eyes came up and met hers. He looked into them deeply for a long moment and followed her gaze as she looked down to his sword. Breaking from the kiss Gemini smiled at her.
“I will be your Queen Gemini I will drink the dragon’s blood to become an immortal so that I may be with you. You are my life. I give to you my eternal love, my life, my soul.” Kainan’s eyes widened as he listened, they were the words from their bonding vows. “For now and eternity, this is my bond.” Gemini closed his eyes, laughing with satisfaction. As he did, she looked at Kainan and smiled gently. His heart shuddered with joy; she was playing him. Arweyn knew this was their only chance it was now or never. This moment would decide whether they lived or died, and she knew that if she could not be with her husband, then she did not want to live.
Reaching down she grabbed hold of the Gameron Sword, yanking it from his relaxed hand. Searing pain erupted through her hands as the sword burned into her flesh. With great effort, she heaved the heavy sword up in to the air, throwing it towards Kainan. Launching into the air, he caught it with one hand and with the other; he called out to his sword.
“Deragan!” The sword flew off the ground and into his waiting hand, and with a sword in each hand he drew them together and a bright and powerful light illuminated the swords, joining them as one all-powerful Twin Sword. The magic surged from the Twin Sword and shot outwards, straight into Gemini before he had even time to realise what she had just done. His body convulsed as all his powers drained from him. Kainan shook uncontrollably. He knew that he was screaming aloud, but could not stop himself the power exuberating from him was incredible, the energy from the combining of the swords and the power that he had taken from Gemini overwhelmed him as it entered his entire being. Arweyn ran to him just as he raised the Twin Sword and threw it towards Gemini. It twisted and spun through the air at an incredible speed, striking Gemini in the chest.
The force of the blow threw him backwards, and his body skidded across the floor. Kainan raised his hand, the sword juddered, and easing itself out of Gemini’s chest, it flew back into his hands. Kainan turned to face Gemini’s soldiers but they had already fled the room.
“Arweyn,” he cried to her and she flew into his arms.
“I am so sorry,” she wept as he held her tight.
“It is okay. It is okay I thought I had lost you.”
She shook her head. “Never, I am so sorry, but it was the only way I could think of to get near to the sword.” His kissed her and held her tight, feeling her love and warmth. She placed her arms around his neck and buried her head into his chest, sighing happily has she heard the familiar beat of his heart. She wanted to stay there forever.
“Arweyn your hands,” he cried, when he saw how badly burned they were.
“It is okay, they will heal.” She looked down at Gemini he was not yet dead. His breathing laboured he gasped, calling Kainan’s name. Arweyn let go of her husband and watched as he walked over to him, kneeling down beside him he listened.
“You are a lucky man. I would have given up everything for her,” he choked, as his bright green eyes began to fade. “Please let me speak to her…” Kainan bit his lip as he contemplated his request. He nodded, looking up at her.
“Only, if you want to.” Smiling grimly she nodded, kneeling down beside him. Kainan stood up and moved back, he held his sword close, ready.
“Arweyn, I love you….” She swallowed.
“I am sorry Gemini, but I love Kainan and I always will. There was no other way, I had to stop you, you must understand that,” she whispered. He smiled weakly and coughed.
“Maybe, if we had met before...?” She looked up at Kainan, and he smiled back down at her. She turned back to Gemini as he continued. “I have never loved any woman before,” he smiled. “I know deep down you loved me Arweyn, I felt it in your kiss,” his mouth twitched a smile. “It felt good.” Then he was gone. Kainan knelt back down next to her. Reaching forward he closed Gemini’s eyes. He looked at the sadness in her eyes and asked her gently.
“Did you love him?” She smiled back, giving a shake of her head.
“No,” she said, looking down at Gemini. “If anything I pitted him. There was so much evil in his heart, so much anger, and hate.” She reached for her husband seizing his hand she held it to her cheek for a moment. “He was a bad man Kainan and so many people have suffered because of him. I did what I had to do to get near to the sword.” Pulling her to him, he held her, kissing the top of her head. He let out a troubled breath, he worried about what it was she had had to do to enable her to get so close to him, he wanted to ask her, but he was afraid too.
Before he had the chance, the Fortress began to shake.
“We need to get out of here the whole place is coming down. With Gemini dead his magic will die too.”
“Kainan,” Arweyn screamed horrified.
“What?” he cried back in alarm.
“Look at him, look at Gemini.” Kainan looked down at Gemini’s body it was disintegrating before their very eyes.
“Five hundred years is catching up with him,” he smirked and she smiled at him. The room shook again.
“Come on we must get the prisoners out of here,” she said, looking to him urgently.
“Prisoners?” he asked. She nodded.
“He took me around the Fortress. At the rear, there is an area behind some large gates. He called them his workers, but they were just more people that he had taken from their homes, stolen from their families. Kainan some of them are not even from this world, they are from Earth. He still sent his men back through the portal to take them. We have to free them and help them to get back home.” He nodded.
“There is a dragon as well,” she added quickly.
“A dragon?” he queried, lifting a brow. She nodded.
“It is Kailan, Meladrom’s son.” Kainan gasped.
“His son is still alive!” A smile beamed across his face. He had left Meladrom and the other dragons to fight the black-wing army and their black dragons. He knew his dragon was still alive because he could feel him.
Deragan Sword Prophecy: Book 02 - Meladrom Page 31