Dragon Soul

by Diana Green

  “I wonder where they’re going.”

  As if in answer to her question, the swarm made a beeline for the valley, dropping in altitude as they passed over the intervening ridge.

  “They shouldn’t be able to see the settlement through the protective warding.” Vadin’s brow furrowed. “I don’t understand what they’re doing.”

  “Sssh.” Valla strained to hear. She could just detect the distant clang of weapons and tromp of heavy feet. “I think there’s trouble.”

  Keeping to the thickest cover, she hurried back up the slope, Vadin close behind. As they neared the top, the first scent of smoke reached them. Screams joined the clamor of battle noise rising from the valley.

  “Stay low,” she warned, peering over the crest of the ridge.

  From this vantage point, it was difficult to see much, but she could make out a few areas of the settlement burning. Somehow the magic shield had been destroyed.

  She raced along the ridge, looking for a better view of what was happening, at last finding a break in the foliage. Keeping hidden behind a stout tree trunk, she surveyed the chaos below.

  What must have been the empress’ forces ran rampant through the valley, dragging eldrin from their homes, and setting buildings on fire. There were packs, of the same kind that attacked through the portal, along with the swarm of flying bugs.

  In addition to these, oversized fur-clad barbarians joined the fray. Something about their lumbering movements and massive shoulders made her think of trolkin. They fought mostly with axes and clubs, plowing through the valley like wild boars let loose in a rose garden.

  “We have to help the eldrin!” Valla plunged down the slope, reaching for her sword.

  Vadin leapt alongside, grabbing her around the waist in a desperate tackle, knocking them both to the ground. They rolled a few feet, before thumping into a boulder.

  “What are you doing?” she growled, pushing him away.

  “Trying to keep you from getting killed. There are too many of them. You won’t stand a chance.”

  “But we have to do something!”

  “Agreed.”

  “Then move out of my way.”

  “No. I won’t see you hurt.”

  “Then what do you suggest?” She glared at him. “People are dying down there.”

  “I’ll cast a spell, to deal with the empress’ troops.”

  “Can you really do that?” There were hundreds of them, possibly thousands, counting each insect in the swarm.

  “I can try. It’ll require a lot of energy, but—”

  “Here. I’ll help” She scooted next to him and rested her hands on his shoulders. Closing her eyes, she began building the energy in her center, breathing it up through her chest and down her arms into him like she’d done before.

  “I’ll try not to use too much,” he said, concern tightening his voice.

  “Don’t worry about that. Just do what needs to be done. I’m strong.”

  “I know you are.”

  “Then hush. Concentrate on casting the spell.”

  He fell silent, and the draw on her energy increased. The process came more naturally than the first time she’d tried. She could feel her vital essence and his mingling, swirling together into a brilliant vortex of power.

  The connection was unlike anything else she’d experienced, heady and intoxicating, yet also personal, unique to her and Vadin. It was much more intense than the previous time, perhaps because the emotional channels between them had opened.

  The magic built higher and higher, till Vadin shone like the white sun, rising behind the hills. He cried aloud an incantation, flinging his arms out, toward the eldrin settlement. A whip-crack sound marked the spell’s release, followed by a moment of eerie silence.

  The fighting stopped. No more clashing weapons, no more battle cries. The empress’ ground forces crumpled, on the spot, and her swarm dropped from the sky.

  “You did it,” Valla murmured, hardly believing her eyes.

  Vadin slumped against her, his face slack, eyes rolled back, and skin cold. He’d pushed himself over the edge, protecting her from giving too much energy.

  Fear lanced through her belly. What if he died? She couldn’t bear the thought. Not now, after they’d come so far together.

  She had to get him help. The eldrin knew about magic. If she could just carry him down to the valley, they might be able to restore him. If only her limbs weren’t so wobbly.

  Gritting her teeth, she grabbed him under the arms and tried to stand. Black spots danced in her vision, and the world spun. She sank back to the ground, barely clutching at consciousness.

  Somehow, she had to move him, at least far enough to be concealed. What if the empress sent more monsters? How could she fight them, in this state?

  With her last bit of strength, she crawled toward a more sheltered spot, hauling Vadin with her. As she finally struggled into a dense thicket, she passed out, his body sprawled loosely across hers.

  ****

  Valla gradually came awake. Sunlight sifted down through red boughs, warming her skin. Next to where she lay, a blue wildflower bobbed in the breeze, tapping her cheek with an irregular rhythm. A hint of smoke tainted the air, but all was quiet.

  Vadin’s weight rested across her torso and thighs, where he’d been when she lost consciousness. With care, she eased him off to the side, rolling him to lie on his back. He stirred, murmuring something she couldn’t understand.

  “Vadin?” She touched his brow, brushing long pale hair away from his face.

  His features reminded her of Alloweth’s, with his sharp cheekbones, chiseled jawline, and narrow nose. But his face had a masculine strength the eldrin lacked. Alloweth was fair and pretty, but Vadin was magnetic.

  The attraction that began as a wary fascination had deepened into something more. Exactly what, she couldn’t say. Last night they’d acknowledged friendship, but that label didn’t begin to describe the complexity of her feelings.

  Now that she knew his story, understanding softened her view of his past actions. He’d admitted his mistakes and was trying to make amends. There was unquestionable goodness in him. The fact he’d risked his life, to save the eldrin settlement, offered ample proof.

  She placed her hand over his heart, reassured by the steady beat and the slow rise and fall of his breathing. At least he’d survived casting the spell. Sorcery of that magnitude would kill a lesser man.

  Perhaps his dragon soul made him strong. He’d told her how it slowed his aging. What other effects might it have?

  That aspect of his tale intrigued her. He was part dragon, born of human parents. How was that possible? Yet she’d felt the truth of it, when their energy blended in working magic. They shared a kinship, soul to soul, more alike than she ever would have guessed.

  “Please wake up.” She traced his cheek and jaw line with her finger. “I need to know you’re going to be all right.”

  If she fed him energy, would it speed his healing? Though she didn’t feel completely back to normal, she was in better shape than Vadin. It would be worth a little sacrifice to help his recovery.

  She knelt by his side, spreading her hands over his chest, and breathing energy down her arms. It felt warm and tingly, pulsing through her palms and fingers. She began to see its flow, like a shimmering gold stream, similar to Orwenna’s healing powers.

  Were the same dormant abilities awakening in herself? How strange, to think someone who’d spent their life training in the arts of battle might also be a healer. She rather liked the idea.

  As the intensity of the energy current increased, she slipped into a trance. Time slowed then lost all meaning, as she drifted in a dreamlike bubble, nothing existing but the connection between her and Vadin.

  Uninhibited, her feelings for him swelled, expanding her heart. In this state, she knew no caution, no doubt. Without a second thought, she leaned forward, kissing the proud curve of his mouth.

  His scent, taste, and textur
e filled her awareness, as he woke and responded, kissing her back. Their breath mingled, lips caressing, sending shivers of pleasure through her body. Energy poured from her, into him, a flood of warmth and vitality.

  Without warning he pulled away, breaking the contact and pushing her hands from his chest.

  “Conserve your energy,” he told her, his voice stern. “You can’t afford to waste it on me.”

  “I didn’t waste anything. I healed you.”

  She meant to speak more forcefully, but her mind turned to mush, and her vision blurred. Perhaps it wasn’t just the kiss affecting her. She might have drained her energy too low, without realizing it.

  “You don’t know when to stop,” he spoke more gently now, worry evident in his eyes. “I won’t let you harm yourself.”

  “But it worked. You woke up.”

  “Yes.” His serious expression softened. “And a very pleasant awakening it was. Thank you.”

  She wanted to say something fitting, but the trees spun, and she eased back into the grass, closing her eyes.

  “Just a little dizzy,” she mumbled.

  “See. You gave me too much.”

  Moving closer, he stroked her hair, his touch light as feathers. He spoke a quiet incantation, and comfort spread from the top of her head, all the way to her toes. The nausea and shakes vanished, and when she opened her eyes, the world no longer spun.

  “Now you’ll be weak and woozy, from using magic too soon,” she scolded, sitting up. “I would have been fine, with a little rest.”

  He grinned. “We could go back and forth like this all day. But thankfully, we’re both conscious and mostly functional. Let’s call things even.”

  “All right.”

  He handed her the water flask, and opened their travel rations. “We should both eat plenty and take it easy for a while. Magic can be hard on a body.”

  “It felt quite good, while it was happening.”

  “We do have an uncommonly strong connection. I would never have expected it to come so naturally.” He studied her, his eyes thoughtful. “Without your help, I don’t think I’d have survived that spell. It seems I owe you my life, yet again.”

  She didn’t know what to say, caught in his silver gaze, the memory of their kiss still fresh in her mind.

  He looked away first, glancing down at the settlement, where wisps of smoke still rose from the smoldering ruins. They appeared utterly deserted, no signs of life or movement anywhere. The eldrin had probably all fled, fearing more of the empress’ soldiers might be on their way.

  “Do you think it’s our fault this happened?” The words caught in her throat as she spoke them. The valley had been a wonderful place. It hurt to see such beauty destroyed.

  He shook his head. “No. If the empress knew where we were, she’d have tried to capture us before now. I’m guessing she learned the settlement’s location from the missing scout party. She also knew how to break the protective warding.”

  “I just wish we could have done more.”

  “We saved many lives. That counts for something.” He spoke gently, offering her food.

  Sadness dampened her appetite, but sustenance was needed for a full recovery. She forced herself to eat, tearing her gaze away from the battle-ravaged valley.

  “I’m starting to really hate this empress person,” she said, between bites. “The eldrin here weren’t doing her any harm.”

  “I can’t be sure of her motives, but if she’s anything like the dragon lords, she wants total rule—without exception.”

  “The sooner we get Hathos and Oliana away from her, the better.” Valla pushed to her feet, stretching to work the tightness out of her body. “I’m ready to leave.”

  “Remember we need to pace ourselves. Give our strength time to rebuild.”

  “So that means no more magic.” She pointed a finger at him. “If we run into trouble, let me handle it.”

  “As you wish.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Oliana and Hathos cuddled together at the back of their stone cage. She rested along his right side, her head on his bare chest, his arm snug around her. The warmth of his skin and the strong beat of his heart against her cheek lulled her into a state of sweet contentment.

  Despite the trials of the past weeks, she’d finally found her true love, handsome and noble as any hero in her books. That was joy enough to light the darkness. Together, they could face anything.

  “When we’re free of all this, will you come to Dragonvale with me?” he asked, turning his face to kiss her forehead. “My family would welcome you.”

  “Are you sure? Won’t they think I’m wicked, because of the slaves?”

  Hathos had made it clear, he wouldn’t live in her father’s fortress. He abhorred the practice of slavery and believed the humans should be set free and given back their land.

  She couldn’t argue with that, especially when he told of all the fine humans he’d known, including Orwenna who taught him the art of healing. Her own past looked shameful in comparison.

  She’d always felt, in her heart, that the slaves were treated unfairly, but she’d never had the courage to confront her father. It had been easier to go along, accepting his authority and view of the world.

  “They’ll understand,” he assured her. “You weren’t in a position to change things, and you’d been raised to think it all acceptable.”

  “But I knew, deep down, it was wrong. I should have been braver.”

  “And what would your father have done, if you challenged him?”

  “He’d have laughed or lost his temper and had me locked in the tower for a day.”

  “See there. What would you have gained?”

  “But I still should have tried,” she insisted. “I want to be a better person, like you.”

  “I’m far from perfect. In fact, years ago…” He fell silent when torchlight flared across the cavern walls.

  The empress entered, and trailing behind were two of her pale-faced servants. Watching them pass by, Oliana wondered where the third one was. Had he been sent away on some grisly errand?

  “Rise,” the empress commanded, arriving at the other cage and speaking to the eldrin prisoners. Two figures stood, pale in the flickering torchlight.

  Oliana sat up, rushing to pull her clothes on. Hathos did the same. Hopefully the empress wouldn’t want anything from them. Since first arriving in the dungeon, they’d been left alone. It was unquestionably better that way.

  “How is it my troops were defeated, when they attacked your valley?” The empress’ voice rang out, echoing through the cavern. The eldrin prisoners said nothing.

  “Tell me, this instant!” Her usual controlled demeanor cracked, revealing intense displeasure. “If your people have a secret weapon, I will know of it.”

  “We have nothing like that,” one of the prisoners responded. “All we desire is to live peacefully.”

  “Defying my laws, hidden away like rats in a hole? You wish to see me driven from power. Don’t deny it. I’ve searched through your minds.”

  “Then you must realize we have no knowledge of a secret weapon.”

  “Perhaps you shielded it from me, with some trickery Huranthir dreamed up. He always was a slippery fellow.”

  “The council told us nothing.”

  Oliana heard desperation and fear in the prisoners’ voices. They had to know their lives hung in the balance. Nothing could be more dangerous than the empress when angered.

  “Where will your council lead the survivors?” she demanded.

  “We don’t know.”

  “You must!” Her voice turned shrill. “There had to be a plan, in case I attacked. Where would they go?”

  Still the prisoners gave her nothing. With a snarl of rage, she raised her hands, fingers curled like claws. The captive eldrin cried out, doubling over in pain.

  “I will not be denied!” As she spat the words, power crackled around her. The prisoners lifted off the ground and slammed into
the sides of their cage, blood splattering through the gaps in the stone.

  Without a backwards glance, the empress turned and left the cavern. Her cloaked servants hurried after.

  ****

  A fresh breeze lifted Vadin’s hair as he strode along. It carried only wholesome scents of the forest, all remnants of smoke and death having been left far behind in the valley. The memory of such pointless carnage haunted him, but he tried to keep his mind on happier thoughts.

  Valla’s kiss for example. A purely delightful experience to dwell on. What a way to wake, with her lips on his, her dark hair falling around him like a silken veil.

  Picturing it now, he felt an echo of his earlier desire. If only she hadn’t been draining herself of energy, he would have gladly kissed her all the long afternoon.

  Since they had set out, she’d said not a word about their brief intimacy, seeming to pretend it hadn’t happened. He wanted to raise the subject, but caution restrained him. Perhaps she regretted the kiss, and forcing the issue might drive a wedge between them. In this case, patience was probably the best strategy.

  Valla walked ahead of him, swinging along with a smooth comfortable gait. He admired the pleasing contours and movement of her body, the sway of hair across her shoulders, the slight bounce in her step. Everything about her appealed to him.

  Was it possible they’d only met days ago? A comfortable camaraderie and undeniable attraction had blossomed in that time. More than he’d felt with any woman, in this entire lifetime. Of course, as Turrok, he’d been head over heels in love with Asahni, but that chapter was closed, and could never reopen.

  “I think I see the dark hills,” Valla called back over her shoulder. She stopped and pointed through a gap in the trees.

  Vadin caught up with her. Sure enough, there was a glimpse of barren gray hills, looming in the distance. In that same direction, the sky took on a different tint, edging toward the yellow he remembered.

  “Only a few more hours and we’ll be there.” He couldn’t generate much enthusiasm as he spoke.

  The hills looked bleak and inhospitable. Besides, reaching their destination meant the journey’s end. He wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Valla. On the contrary, a part of him wished they could just keep traveling, never facing the empress or the possibility of farewells.