by test
She fell to her knees. Dylan knelt beside her. She felt sick.
“Mother, can you shed some light on this?”
Pain riddled her body, both emotional and physical. She heard Dylan heave a
great sigh. He had to be feeling some of the sensations she experienced.
At that moment, another wizard burst into the room. He spoke in a hushed, yet urgent tone with Aine.
“I’m on my way.” Her visage turned completely serious, her nostrils flared
indicating that she was furious about something. “I must take my leave.” She watched Dylan’s father follow her.
“We need to get out of here.” Urgency clawed at her being.
“I don’t think that’s such a brilliant idea in the current state you’re in.”
“I’ll be fine, Dylan. I just need to get to Tewkesbury.”
“I rather doubt there will be anything you can do there.”
“Please, Dylan. We can’t just stand around with our thumbs in our bums and our mind in neutral. We need to be where the fighting is, helping in whatever way we can.”
“Okay, but you know this isn’t exactly how I planned to spend my honeymoon.”
“Hey, I wasn’t planning on having a honeymoon, so that makes two of us.”
He seemed as if he was going to say something and paused, waiting while she
caught her breath.
“What do you think really happened just now, Grania? What do you think you
really saw? Could it have been a fabrication of some sort?”
“If it wasn’t so intense, so visual, I would have thought it was a vision of the future, but I know that’s not true. It just happened, minutes ago. I can only pray that I’m wrong about the number of my kind that just fell in battle.”
“So, you think they fell while fighting?”
“I’m sure of it. It feels like the end, Dylan.” She shivered. He gathered her close to him. She allowed him to hold her close.
“It’s not the end. We just entered into the beginning of our marriage. I won’t let it be the end.” He fell silent. The idea of the end for her kind seemed to have rattled him down to his core. He looked as sick as she felt.
“I need to know what’s happened to Blaze and his family.” She spoke after a few quiet moments. Her voice echoed off the still walls of the room. Everyone had left, leaving them alone to contemplate their somewhat uncertain future.
“You know what they say about some ends. They only give birth to a new
beginning. Life is a circle, Grania. And as a circle, we always have time to start anew.”
“It’s going to get dark. I don’t know if we’ll even have light enough to see our way.”
DRAGON’S HEART Marly Mathews 170
“I’ll make the light.”
“Such misery, from one man that used to be a sterling icon for our kind. Not so long ago, the very people he is killing with such enjoyment adored and revered him.
They believed the sun rose and set on him. Now ... now, he’s the worst thing that’s happened to Dragonia in an age. He’s as tarnished as the silverware in my cabinet at home.” She dragged in a heavy breath.
“We could follow my parents. I’m certain they’d lead us right into the thick of battle … my mother always did look forward to a good fight. She's a warrior Queen if there ever was one.”
“No, your mother might be right. I say that very hesitantly but we both want to keep you safe. Perhaps, we should stay here. We can’t play a crap shoot with your life, and with the way things are going for us right now ....”
“My mother can’t keep me safe forever. You need to know how your family has
come out of the latest battle.”
“Not battle. What happened just now was the final showdown between the
royalists and the rebels. We’ve lost.”
“No, you’ve gained an ally. Your problem was that you were fighting the war
against a foe with greater numbers and the ability to fight outside of the rules of normal combat. Your father knew how to fight dirty. He reveled in it. He didn’t care if he had to kill to force his way to the capital city of Dragonia. His sole intention was to win, no matter the cost to either side.”
“You are right.” She looked toward the door. “I doubt that even your magic could supersede the shields of enchantment that have been placed around this building.”
“I could just lie my way out of here. I have quite a charming manner when I
choose to use it. It even earned me the nickname of Cary.”
She craned her neck to the side. “I’m not following .…”
“Cary? You know, Cary Grant.” He sighed. “You don’t recognize his name? He
was only one of the greatest romantic leading men of all time. He graced the silver screen with his charisma and charm. He was also a Brit, so you see the relation. That nickname was given to me by the ladies and it was quite the compliment.”
“Oh … okay. I’m thinking though that your ego didn’t require the boost.”
“Look, just never mind. Anyway, back to the point of what I was trying to say. I can charm my way out of here. My mother might not have told everyone that I was to be kept here. We should leave and return to your cottage. I’m sure that Blaze and his family fell back to your land. Where else would they think to seek sanctuary?”
“I’m not so certain. If they’d found out about the first wave invasion, they might have attempted to make it to Tewkesbury to try and stop Draco.”
“You just admitted yourself that the royalists were trampled by Draco. Why
would they still want to fight? Their will must be at an all time low.”
“They won’t give up. They still believe in the cause. If Earth falls to an invasion
....”
“Earth won’t fall. My mother is mobilizing troops as we speak.”
“Be that as it may, my father will not let a few wizards and witches slow him
down.”
“I think, Grania, that its time we blow this party so I can show you just how
wrong you are.”
DRAGON’S HEART Marly Mathews 170
“I wouldn’t want to put you at risk. If something that I do causes you to get in harms way .…”
“Not going to happen. When your king and queen enlisted you to protect me they thought I was some stupid, helpless little geeky wizard.”
She wanted to tell him he was mistaken, but after a few moments decided against it. He was probably right. She doubted that her king and queen even believed that Dylan was capable of walking two feet without tripping, let alone protect himself from incoming dragon shifter assassins.
“Come on, we can’t just stand around here all day, while the fate of our world literally hangs in the balance!” He took her hand and gently guided her toward the door.
It opened with ease. “Well, at least she didn’t hex the door shut.”
He laughed. “Very funny. My mother is going to have a run for her money with you as her daughter-in-law.” They walked calmly through the corridors while a frenzy of activity milled around them. “I actually think she might deserve you.”
“You could slice the tension in here with a knife.” She kept her voice to a whisper so they wouldn’t attract undue attention.
“The situation must be worrying. I haven’t seen them all have this kind of a
conniption for seven years.” They both almost lost their footing when a quake shook the building.
“What was that?” She’d asked the question, even though she most certainly knew the answer. Either a dragon was in the vicinity of the building—or her father was here and he was using his elemental power over the Earth to make the ground literally shake.
“This isn’t good … I think that could be the demonstration of one of my father’s most terrible abilities. He has power over the Earth.”
“I don’t follow .…”
“Earth, Air, Fire and Water.”
“It just never ends … why can’t anything ever be easy?”
“As dragon shifters, we all hold power over the varying aspects of the elements.
Of course, fire is one of our specialties, but we all excel in other aspects.”
“Yours is attached to the weather, isn’t it?”
“Yes. And I also have a special control over water.”
“Great … good to know. So, when I weigh all of that into consideration … your kind could literally turn Earth upside down. Water world, anyone?” He chuckled ruefully.
“Now you know what’s been going on with Dragonia. Our realm must be
devastated by now. I can only imagine what sort of damage occurred during the final standoff.
“We shouldn’t have a problem getting out of this building. Everyone seems to be doing business under a state of organized chaos. My mother will be proud when she reads the status reports.”
“That’s how you live when a crisis of this magnitude hits. This is the start of something you never should have seen.”
DRAGON’S HEART Marly Mathews 170
Chapter Eleven
They’d almost reached the outer doors when the witch that had guarded the entrance on their way in, waylaid them.
“Where do the two of you think you’re going?” She still sat behind her desk,
though Grania noticed that the knickknacks that had been on her desk were now cleaned off. Her wand was hitched on a holster on her waist, and she didn’t look as out of it as she had before. Now, her eyes were sharp and keen. She was definitely on guard.
“We’re leaving for our honeymoon.”
“And I’m Lord Merlin.” She shook her head. “Really, Dylan, I had expected
more from you. Your mother told me you might be inclined to pull a stupid stunt like this.” Sighing, she swiveled her chair to reach into a cabinet that had just materialized in thin air. “Of course, your mother and I have always agreed to disagree on most subjects.
Do you think you can render assistance to our people that are struggling out on the battlefield as we speak?”
“Aye.” Fierce determination lined Dylan's visage. Pride welled in Grania's heart.
He had the heart of a warrior. That realization made her heart thrum.
She paused, seemingly giving the topic a great amount of consideration. She
leveled her piercing gaze on Grania and then, shifted it to Dylan. She heaved another huge sigh.
“Then, put on these jackets. They are fire resistant. Just do try to keep a low profile, Dylan. And for goodness sake, don’t do anything too asinine. Your mother will have my hide if anything happens to you, not to mention the fact that I’d never forgive myself for letting you leave. I intend to see you in one piece when all is said and done.
Understood?”
“Understood. I’m so relieved to find out that you don’t think I need to be kept in here protected from Draco.”
“I don’t. I happen to think you’re a grown wizard. You wield power that most of us can only dream of. I say most of us … I’m not talking about myself.” She winked at him. “I’m stuck here at this desk because they trust that I can protect this facility from falling into enemy hands. I only ask that you protect him with your life.” She pinned her penetrating gaze on Grania.
“It’s my sworn duty, and now I’ve taken an oath of a different kind. I won’t fail Dylan.”
“That relieves my heart.” The witch nodded in approval.
“Why do you believe me?”
“Because, I think that this is a new age, a time for forgiveness and coming
together. We can’t hold onto our prejudices in light of the threat your father presents. I also know that Dylan can hold his own just fine in a fight.”
“Aurora was the one that taught me all of my tricks. She’s the best fighting
instructor a student could ever ask for.”
“Yes, those were better times. Now, I’m stuck on desk duty. But, maybe one
DRAGON’S HEART Marly Mathews 170
day, they’ll put me out in the field again. I’m not past my magical prime, yet.” She chuckled. She looked down at something she’d been monitoring. Glancing over at her human counterpart, she frowned. “Have you just received the same news, I’m getting, Bonnie?”
“I am.” The one named Bonnie looked scared half to death. “You’d better let
those two out; we’re going to have to go into lockdown mode.”
“Take these jackets and for heaven’s sake, wear them. Here, you’ll also need
what’s in these knapsacks. Wear them, and use what the bag gives you when you need it.”
“It’s empty.” Grania felt the feathery lightness of it.
“Of course it is. It’s a magical bag ... you know the sort that Father Christmas wears?” Aurora smiled. “Just go now. Bonnie and I have a big job ahead of us. We’ll be shutting the facility down as soon as Queen Elizabeth and the Prime Minister arrives.
We’ll be having quite the entourage since their families will be accompanying them, not to mention the rest of parliament.”
“What about my mother? You can’t just leave her out in the line of fire. She is our leader!”
“She knows how to handle herself. She’ll be the one assuming the Prime
Minister’s position until it’s safe for him. Draco will try to kill him first; fortunately, your mother will give him a surprise. She's a warrior Queen, Dylan. You know that.
Her role as our leader has always been a low key one. She's not one that gives into the pomp and circumstance. She believes her duty is to protect her subjects, and by assuming the Prime Minister's role, she will be in part doing that. If many humans perish in this assault, she will never forgive herself. Once Draco breaks the human population, he will target us. Your mother hopes to stop him before he can get that far. She's a marvel. You should be proud of her.”
“My mother ....”
Grania watched worry crease his brow. “She’ll be fine, Dylan.” Grania tried to bolster his spirits even though she was plagued by indecision herself. She didn’t know if Aine would be fine .… “Trust me, my father will think twice when faced with such a bitchy witch.”
He laughed. “You’re right. This is what she’s lived for. Her career took
precedence over everything else in her life. I don’t know why I worry about her … she’s one witch that knows how to take care of herself.”
“Amen to that,” Aurora said. “Your mother will be fine. But she might need
your help, so get out there and do what I’d do. Do everything that I would do in fact, with my complete blessings.”
He nodded, pulling her toward the door. As the door swung open, Bonnie spoke.
“The Queen and her family as well as The Prime Minister and the rest of the cabinet have arrived. We can now go into lockdown mode.”
“May the Graces be with you, Dylan and Grania. When you save England, you’ll
save the world.”
In the next instant, they were out in the street. Grania looked back. The building was disappearing before their eyes.
“You won’t see them again, unless we figure out how to stop your father,” Dylan said, giving her an encouraging look.
DRAGON’S HEART Marly Mathews 170
“The solution is simple, Dylan. You’ll have to use the spell.”
“I don’t want to. Not now. I can’t!”
“You have to.”
“I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to do, my dear wife. I won’t be a
destroyer of a race. I can’t. I don’t have the stomach or heart for it anymore.” Despair etched his face. Even though she was exasperated with him, her heart went out to him.
She understand how he felt, she just couldn't condone it, not when so much hinged on him using that spell against her father's legions.
“You have no other choice! I won’t let you throw away all of your hard work.
Listen carefully to me, husband. If my father is capable of killing hundreds of my kind at once, then, I’m telling you, he’s too far-gone! There is not hope of saving him now --
we’ve lost him forever. I knew that a long time ago, and the events of today have only reaffirmed and crystallized that realization for me. I can't live in denial any longer. I won't.”
“If you’re that passionate about it. Maybe.”
“No, not maybe. You use it when you have to. Don’t think about me, or the
others that it could hurt. My aunt and uncle knew the consequences of that spell and they still wanted you to finish it. Now, that you’ve finished it, I see no ....”
“I never said I’d finished it.” He gave a look of supreme annoyance. His eyes flashed with ill humor.
“You didn’t have to. You’re about as telling as a crystal globe, at least to me.”
“We need to get off the street … did you feel that second tremor? I feel as if I’ve had one too many at the local pub.”
“I did feel it. Either my father is still playing show and tell, or there’s a dragon walking toward us.”
“Tewkesbury is about a twenty minute drive from here.”
“If we fly, we could get there faster.”
He looked sharply at her. She shrugged her shoulders. “I know, I’m the one that likes to drive, but the streets might be clogged with traffic, considering the mass chaos that's going on as we speak. It’s a wonder it hasn’t migrated here yet.”
“In due time.” He looked over at a trendy little silver sports car. It looked like a car a super spy would drive. And, since they were outside of the MI6 building, she wouldn't be surprised if a super spy did drive it.
“What are you doing?”
“I can make that contraption fly.”
“You wouldn’t. It would give your kind away.”
He gave her a pointed look. “Do you actually realize what you just said? Are you hearing yourself?”
“Yeah.” She snorted. “I’m sorry, I’m having a hard time dealing with this news.
It’s rather surreal to me. I never thought it would go this far, but it has. Now, we have to do whatever we can in the way of damage control.”