by Diana Green
“Too bad, I can’t fly us there,” she said, shading her eyes from the afternoon sun. “It’d be so much quicker.”
“But we don’t know how many swarms the empress commands. We can’t afford to risk exposure.”
“I know. It’s frustrating.”
She started out again, setting an even faster pace. The forest gradually thinned, opening up to bare slopes. Luckily their eldrin cloaks blended well with the rocky terrain, providing camouflage. A few patches of trees still grew along streams and sheltered ravines, but the safety of good cover continued to dwindle.
As evening approached, they found a river to follow. It ran mostly north to south, helping them keep their course true, despite heavy clouds that moved in to obscure the sun.
The farther north they went, the deeper the channel cut into a rocky gorge, until the river dropped more than a hundred feet below. The roar of whitewater rapids filled the air, drowning out all other sound.
Because of this, neither he nor Valla heard the empress’ soldiers. The wind blew from the wrong direction, so her dragon sense of smell gave no warning.
One minute, Vadin mused on how best to get another kiss from Valla. The next moment, he faced a snaggle-toothed barbarian, decked out in tattered furs, swinging a blood-stained club. Three more charged from behind a stone outcropping, howling feral battle cries. They wielded axes with blades larger than his head.
“No magic! I’ve got this,” Valla shouted, leaping into action. Her sword flashed in the fading light, taking one soldier’s head off before he could even grunt his surprise.
As tempting as a spell might be, she was right. His magical reserves were already low, and he would need all his power to open a portal home, not to mention the possibility of facing the empress. For now, he’d fight like any other man.
Fortunately he had a stout staff in hand, broken from a tree limb several days ago. Valla had also given him a dagger, when they left the valley. It was an encouraging sign of trust, and the weapon would certainly come in handy now.
Relying on agility and speed, against the soldier’s brute strength, he prepared to engage. He angled his body, to provide the narrowest possible target, and relaxed his muscles. Taking a rigid stance would only slow him down.
The barbarian swiped with his club, missing by mere inches. Vadin ducked to the side, and landed a blow to his opponent’s knee. It seemed to have no effect.
The soldier struck out, his fist glancing off Vadin’s brow. Pain flared and starbursts broke up his vision, but he managed to evade another plowing swing of the club. Darting in, he slammed his staff into the barbarian’s chest.
They circled each other, looking for an opening. Meanwhile, Valla spun and slashed her way through another two foes. She fought with lightning speed and deadly precision—a force of nature unleashed. Before Vadin could even draw blood on his opponent, she’d finished the rest.
With a quick stab, she put her sword through the final soldier’s gut and kicked him to the ground. Vadin watched with a mixture of relief and awe. She was a good friend to have at a time like this.
“You’re amazing,” he said. “I’ve never seen anybody fight like that.”
“I had excellent teachers.” She wiped the blade of her sword on a clump of dry grass. “My clan chieftain and his son are both masters. They taught me everything I know.”
“I’m glad of it. Without your skill, we’d have been—”
Before he could finish his thought, another band of soldiers appeared over the nearest ridge. There were at least a dozen this time, though more might be coming.
“Too many,” Valla said, grabbing his arm and pulling him away from the approaching enemy. “We still have time to run.”
He raced after her, as she fled along the edge of the gorge. Behind them, the barbarians raised clamorous cries, giving chase.
The drop off grew more sheer on their right side, while the slope on their left steepened, becoming an impassible wall. This funneled them along an ever narrowing ledge, but it was too late to turn back.
Coming around a sharp corner, he saw Valla disappear over the edge. Before he could slow down, his feet slid on the loose stones of a rockslide, the previously level ground giving way. He skidded forward, tumbling into empty space.
There wasn’t time for magic or anything except an anguished stab of regret. Now, he’d never know just what he and Valla might have meant to each other. What a terrible waste, a precious opportunity lost.
Chapter Seventeen
Valla shifted in mid-air, her drake’s wings snapping open to catch the air currents. There wasn’t a moment to spare, as Vadin careened over the cliff’s edge, spinning toward the wild river below.
She swooped to intercept him, locking her talons around his torso and legs, with his feet only inches above the churning water. Her heart soared at having reached him in time. The longer they were together, the more she grew to care for him. His death wasn’t something she wanted to face, now or ever.
Pumping her powerful wings, she flew up and out of the gorge, leaving the empress’s soldiers far below. It felt marvelous to fly again, the wind rushing over her scales, the open sky stretching in all directions.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t wise to stay in the air for long. After a few minutes, and several miles covered, she spotted a wooded ravine. It looked as good a spot as any, so she landed, shifting out of drake form, as soon as she set down.
“I can’t believe we made it!” Vadin laughed, eyes bright as stars. He hugged her impulsively, clearly elated at having escaped death.
The rush of adrenaline combined with Vadin holding her close, ignited an irresistible passion. Heat swept through her body, melting away any remnants of hesitation. She brought her mouth to his, kissing him without restraint.
Twining fingers through the long fall of his hair, she drank him in as though parched. Their lips parted, tongues darting and exploring. She burned with liquid fire, all her pent up sexual energy combusting at once.
The feel of his long hard body pressed to hers, his hands roving hungrily over her curves, the feast of texture, taste, and scent, all fed the aching need spreading from her center. It had been too long since someone touched her like this. She wanted more. She wanted all of him.
“We have too many clothes on,” she murmured breathlessly, already unbuckling his belt.
“You’ll get no argument from me.” His deft fingers quickly opened her leather doublet, as he kissed a line of fire down her throat to her breasts.
Off to their left, in the darkening trees, a twig snapped. Vadin froze, as Valla’s hand flew to her sword. Scuffling and squeaking noises were followed by a small creature’s scream, then silence.
“Just some night predator, finding dinner,” Vadin said, looking relieved. “I thought it might be more soldiers.”
“It easily could have been.” Valla took a step back, gathering her scattered wits. “As much as I’d like to finish what we started, this isn’t the right place. Anybody or anything could walk up on us. We’re practically at the empress’ backdoor. We need to be on guard.”
“I suppose you’re right.” He gave her a regretful smile, gaze lingering over her exposed skin. “It’s a damn shame.”
“It is.” She started fastening the front of her leather armor. “But this won’t be our last chance.”
“Promise?”
She couldn’t keep from grinning. “Definitely.”
****
Hathos tried to resist the pull on his life force, as the empress sourced from him. It was no use. Her power proved as unassailable as the sorcerer’s had been.
Beside him, Oliana moaned, arms clutched around her middle. Bright energy pulsed along the sourcing cord seated in her chest. It tortured him, seeing her being used like this, wondering if the draining might kill her, and all the while he was utterly helpless.
They stood in the center of the empress’ ritual chamber, a circular room, hollowed out of massive crystals. The altar
, floor, walls, and soaring ceiling, were translucent and smooth as glass. They refracted white sunlight all around, the brightness almost blinding him.
Hathos had never seen any place like it. In different circumstances, he’d have thought the architecture beautiful. Now, the chamber looked hard and frightening, like the empress herself.
She stood, a few feet away, her arms raised, one hand gripping an amethyst orb. The magic implement glowed with the same uncanny brilliance as her eyes. Around it the air rippled with power.
Her voice cut through the silence, crying aloud a magical incantation. A gale rose suddenly from nothing, whipping through the chamber, tearing at Hathos’ hair and clothes. It spiraled above him, a whirlpool of sorcerous energy.
The air grew stifling hot before turning frigid cold. Thunder rolled across the room. Still no portal formed. The magic twisted and boiled but nothing more happened.
His vision blurred as the empress dragged more and more vitality from him. Oliana crumpled to the floor, pale and unconscious. He knew it wouldn’t be long till he passed out as well.
“Why isn’t it working?” the empress shrieked, her face contorted with fury. “Where is the portal?”
With his last lucid thought, Hathos thanked Oatha for the empress’ failure. At least she couldn’t pass through to his home world. It might not be much comfort, but it was better than nothing.
****
Vadin surveyed their surroundings, searching for a possible place to shelter through the afternoon. They had reached the heart of the barren hills, where nothing grew. Not one tree. Not a single blade of the hardiest grass. It was as if a poison choked all life from the land.
He spotted what might be a cave entrance, tucked behind some fallen boulders. On further investigation, it turned out to fit their needs well. The opening was inconspicuous and small enough that he had to crawl, angling his shoulders diagonally to fit through. Once inside, the space widened.
Neither one of them could stand to their full height, but kneeling left a good two feet clearance above their heads. The cave was roughly twenty feet long by ten wide. More than enough room to stretch out and get comfortable.
The floor consisted of fine gray sand, dry and reasonably soft, especially with an eldrin cloak laid down for cushioning. There was only one way in, so he could place a protective warding over it with little effort. All in all, the cave proved to be a lucky find.
This was as close as they dared come to the empress’ castle, in daylight. Now they planned to rest and wait till nightfall. Under cover of dark they’d find the secret passage into the stronghold.
Vadin rolled onto one side and then the other, trying to settle for sleep. The sun wouldn’t go down for another few hours, and he needed to gather his strength during that time. It was bound to be a long challenging night.
“Can’t relax?” Valla asked, from nearby on his left.
“Sorry if I’m keeping you awake.” He returned to his first position, lying on his back, hands behind his head.
“It’s fine. I’m restless too.” She propped up on one elbow and looked at him. “I can’t help thinking about tonight, wondering what’s going to happen.”
“I keep thinking about what comes next, if we succeed.” He sighed, staring at the craggy cave ceiling. It felt decidedly unpleasant to consider a final farewell with Valla.
“That’s simple. We go home. Right?”
“It may be simple for you, but I still have to deal with Lord Baylis and his bunch. I pledged to free the humans under their rule.”
“I’ll help you.” She made the offer casually, as if fighting other dragons wasn’t a problem.
“But they’re your own kind.”
“Doesn’t matter. I don’t agree with slavery, and they need to be stopped.” She brushed loose hair out of her eyes, pushing it behind her shoulder. “Like I said, when we first met, there are good and bad dragons, just as there are good and bad humans. I just try to make the right choices and fight for the principals I believe in.”
“I admire your integrity.”
“Thank you. I admire your willingness to change how you think about things.”
“I’m trying, though it may be too little, too late.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think so. Trying to be a better person is always worth the effort.”
“At least you no longer see me as a villain.”
“I could say something similar.” She tapped his chest with a slender finger. “When we first met, you seemed to think I was a heartless beast.”
“That feels ages ago.” How could he have ever been so foolish? Her many excellent qualities were clear for anyone to see.
“Strange to think we met less than two weeks ago,” she mused. “Now, I can’t imagine not knowing you.”
Heartened by this comment, he dared to speak more of his feelings. “I’m hoping you won’t be in a hurry to part ways, after all this is over.”
She seemed to consider his words. “I’ll need to make sure Hathos gets home to Dragonvale. But you could come with us.” Her face brightened. “Then you could see how my clan lives. I know you’d like them.”
He hesitated. Had he really changed enough to stay with a bunch of dragons? A part of him shrank away from the possibility.
As if sensing his reluctance, she gave him a way out. “Of course, you probably have places to go, a home to get back to. I wouldn’t expect you to take all that time just to join me in a—”
He raised a hand to stop her saying more. “It’s not that. I’d love nothing better than spending more time with you. I just don’t know how well I’d fit in at Dragonvale. I might be a fish out of water.”
“But Orwenna likes it. She’s human and a magic-user, same as you.”
“She’s probably a much more agreeable person.”
Valla shrugged. “I find you agreeable enough.”
“I appreciate that. I truly do. But I’m not used to being around so many…people.” He’d been going to say dragons, but thought better of it. “I’ve always tended to keep to myself.”
“Do you really prefer it that way, or is it just a matter of habit?”
Lately, he’d been asking himself the same question. “I honestly don’t know. It seems like I’ve never fit in well—any place. Not since being taken from my family. I’m not sure it’s possible for me to belong anywhere.”
“But that wasn’t of your doing! No child should have to face such loss.” Her blue-green eyes darkened with emotion. “What happened to you was tragic, but it doesn’t need to define your whole life. Surely you can get past it, sometime.”
“I want to.” Speaking the words aloud, he knew they were true. He felt ready to lay the past to rest and begin a new life.
“Good!” She gave him a broad smile. “Why don’t we start here and now?”
“What do you mean?”
Her eyes sparkled, as she leaned closer. “Let me show you.”
She kissed him, her lips like satin, her body warm and inviting. A powerful longing stirred, as her hand trailed across his chest and downward, her tongue still teasing his. He’d never wanted anyone so badly.
“Weren’t you planning to sleep?” His voice came out husky with desire.
She chuckled. “Sleep is overrated. Besides, this could be our last chance. Why waste it?”
“I’m convinced.”
Despite the pressure building in his body, he was determined to take his time, to savor every moment. If this was indeed their only time together, then he wanted it to be special for both of them.
He undressed her slowly, an explorer discovering rare treasures. Gliding over her skin, his hands shaped themselves to her curves and hollows. She shivered under his touch, nipples hardening, eyes deepening to indigo.
His tongue followed where his hands had traveled, tasting her delights, till she gasped with pleasure, tugging at his clothes, and covering him in kisses.
They tumbled together, bodies hot and eager. He thrust i
nside her, overcome with sensation, lost in the sweet fire of her embrace. Moving as one, they created a perfect pulsing beat, older than time itself.
She rode the waves with him, crying out when they crested in ecstasy. He burst into a thousand pieces, and his essence blended with hers, their dragon souls twining together.
This was bliss. Not just lust satisfied, but so much more. There was love here, whether she ever chose to call it that or not. He felt the emotion fully, and it nourished him like bread given to a starving man.
Chapter Eighteen
Valla stretched along the naked length of Vadin’s body, relishing their newfound intimacy. He was mesmerizing, electrifying, and addictive. Now that she’d had a proper taste of him, she found herself undeniably hooked.
No one had ever touched her the way he did. There was such tenderness mingled with his fire. He looked at her as though she was precious, his heart in his eyes.
With him, she felt cherished, adored, and honored. An experience none of her dragon lovers inspired. With them sex had been raw and wild, over in the blink of an eye. With Vadin it became a feast, equally rich for the senses and emotions.
“I wish we could just stay here, like this,” he said, stroking her hair. “If only the rest of the world would go away, at least for a few days.”
“This cave might start to seem pretty cramped,” she teased, tracing a spiral over the tight muscles of his abdomen.
He grinned. “It’ll feel like a palace, as long as we’re together.”
“Listen to you. All poetic.”
“What can I say? You inspire me.”
“From anyone else, I’d probably scoff at that. But coming from you, it’s quite touching.”
“Because I mean it.”
“I believe you do.” She kissed a path along the warm skin of his throat, making her way up to nibble his earlobe. “It’s a sign of just how far we’ve come.” Her hand strayed lower, brushing across his right hip on a path to more sensitive terrain.
He inhaled sharply, arms tightening around her. “Is this your way of suggesting we should make up for lost time?”