“I’m not fondling him!” Talila snarled, “Get up!” She snapped at Um’Vec, “go to the stables and see to the horses!” Um’Vec obeyed, leaving the room. Talila leaned over and picked up the blood-soaked towel she used to clean Um’Vec with, “How long have you been there?” she asked smiling at him.
“Long enough to be concerned.” Dracon stared right through her.
“You have nothing to be concerned about,” she chuckled, “I have to make sure he’s presentable, that’s all.”
“How can you speak its language so well, so quickly?” Dracon asked.
“I am a Vordalyn now, I understand all creatures.” Talila took a few steps closer to him. She could see he was either, angry, or jealous, she could not tell which, or why. They looked at each other a moment quietly, both considering the other. “I-”
“I had a dream last night.” Dracon cut her off.
“Oh, what sort of dream?” Talila relaxed her posture and walked over to him, then passed by him through the door to their room.
“You, and Venalina, feeding on me.”
Talila laughed nervously.
“Were my sisters there as well?”
“No, just you and Venalina,” He shut the door to the adjoining room then turned back to watch her as she went about the room, fidgeting, not knowing what to do with herself, “funny, it was here, in this room, in that bed.” He pointed at the bed, “did we make love last night, Talila?” she was stunned for a moment and didn’t know how to answer. He cocked his head curiously, staring at her, waiting, he could see she was unnerved.
“Yes.” She couldn’t look him in his eyes, “You often take me in the night, sometimes you’re ravenous.”
“No, no I don’t. If it did happen last night, it would be the first time since we’ve been in these lands that we made love, wouldn’t it?”
“Yes, I suppose, I don’t know. What do you want me to say, I was impassioned for you after last night’s events, so, we finally made love? Does it anger you I wanted you?”
“I don’t remember, Talila. That’s the problem. Did you feed on me? It was like when Venalina had you and your sisters put me in that daze. I haven’t felt that in a long time, I don’t like it.” Dracon walked over to the pacing Talila, “What’s going on with you, Talila?”
“We can’t even make love without you dreaming of Venalina!” she shouted, “Sometimes you act as if it were my fault, with all your contempt of what I can and cannot do!”
“I don’t blame you…” He started to say then realized she was trying to distract him, trying to steer the conversation away from any of his concerns. Dracon said nothing and stared at her with a blank look on his face, his eyes looking her up and down, carefully. It made her self-conscious. “I’ve been talking to Satana and Grik, we all agree, it’s time to put down that Um’Vec.”
“Without consulting me? You made this decision without me?” Talila’s face changed to a mixture of shock and anger.
“That’s right, I constantly make decisions without your input. If I need-”
“No.” She said abruptly, “You are not going to touch him.”
“And, why exactly is that?” Dracon asked.
“He is not a bug you can swat! He is, to his kind, what you are to yours! He is our ally, we need him!” Talila marched over to Dracon, making him smile at her rage.
“You think I need him?”
Talila’s face twisted trying to find the right words in her fury.
“We need him for the, the meeting with that Cosik, we need him to be our champion!” She started to pace, then faced him again, “Or, did you change your mind about helping that little thief? You can’t hurt him! I forbid it! I’ll kill that thief, then, then, I’ll fry Satana! And that Grik, I’ll tear him to pieces! He is mighty among his own, you saw how he led so many to Ganlin, seeking only to serve you! This is how you treat him? He could help us here, he can, he can… he can keep other creatures at bay with a mere glance! He’s my servant, he took an oath to serve me, to serve you! Us!”
Dracon could feel the temperature rising in the room, matching her fury.
“Is that right?” he asked.
“Yes!” Talila snarled.
“Then I suppose we’ll have to let him live then?” Dracon smirked.
“You never had any intention of killing him.” Talila narrowed her eyes to mere slits, “You’re toying with me!”
“I know now, you’ll turn on us for him. Defy me outright.” Dracon folded his arms over his chest, “Kill my childhood friend.”
“I would never have harmed them. I only said that…”
“I think you meant it. Just like you killed Velen, another childhood friend of mine.”
“That’s not fair!” Talila walked over to Dracon and put her hands on his forearms, “He was trying to kill you and you know it.” Dracon avoided her eyes, “Ever since the day I joined Venalina in her carriage, I have only ever served her, and you. I have given you my life, my heart. Venalina taught us magic to protect you, to be worthy of you. Everything I do is for your well-being.” She put a hand to his cheek and started touching his scar with her thumb unconsciously. He jerked away from her.
“You like scars, do you?” Dracon sneered, “Like to touch them, mine… his… any creature with a scar, gets your affection?”
“No.” Talila shook her head.
Dracon went to the bed and sat down, then started putting his boots on. He stopped after one boot.
“I’m irritable, I’m hungry, I’m extremely out of sorts, being lost in these lands. I should not be taking it out on you. I should not have compared you to Venalina, either. It was a mistake and I think it has created this volatility that seems to be emanating from you lately.” He confessed.
Talila walked over to him and knelt on the floor at his feet and grabbed his other boot then held it for him, helping him put it on.
“There may be a way for me to go back to our lands, or at least to wherever my sisters are.” She announced.
“What?” Dracon asked almost standing up but Talila raised her hand for him not to get his hopes up.
“I won’t be able to take you or anyone else with me. That’s why I haven’t mentioned it, I’m uncertain how it can be helpful.”
“How then, explain.” Dracon ordered.
“I can transport myself to where my sisters are, but it would require one of them returning in my place without their knowledge beforehand. I am uncertain I can perform the magic required, and if I could, whether or not I could do it a second time to return to you.” Talila explained.
“The priests have a portal if you could get to them, you could get us back?” He pondered.
“That depends on where my sisters are, Dracon.” Talila cautioned.
“But it’s a start?”
There was a knock at their suite door, then it burst open and Satana walked in, followed by Grik.
“Beg ya pardon, my lord,” Grik said from behind Satana, it was obvious she just pushed passed him, “Girlie here doesn’t seem to be patient enough to wait for an invite.”
“Invite.” Satana repeated under her breath, chuckling and shaking her head.
“It’s fine, Grik, she’s never seen fit to knock. Why would she start now?” Dracon laughed and stood up.
“I’ve seen him bed whores by the dozen, it’s nothing new for me to see with this one.” Satana looked at Talila.
“Did you ask to be burned alive?” Talila asked in return.
“Stop.” Dracon commanded, “What do you want?”
“We’ve been contacted.” Grik said passing Satana. He handed Dracon an envelope addressed to Talila.
Dracon opened it and Talila snatched it from his fingers.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he asked, watching her walk away, opening the letter.
“You can hardly keep your attention on the man, now you wish to be the Lady Talila, this is addressed to?” she opened the letter and scanned it, “You realize I can r
ead?”
“I do now.” Dracon chuckled.
Talila shot Dracon an angry look, “I am an educated woman!”
“Can you educate us all and read it aloud, my lady?” Katlin asked sitting in the open window on the other side of the bed.
Satana had her sword in hand in a blink of an eye. Katlin did not react to her alarm and continued to sit there, sure as if it were a seat at a table. Katlin was used to that type of reaction, given how he made a living.
“Yours is a dangerous profession… for you.” Dracon growled.
“I saw no harm, you were all here, we are in this together, are we not?” Katlin asked slipping off the window ledge and walking over to the group. “I could have remained just outside the window eavesdropping, but I find that rude, wouldn’t you agree?”
“I find your whole existence rude.” Talila said.
“Amusing, coming from someone with a bugbear to do her bidding? Unnatural relationship, if you ask me.” Katlin pondered.
“Just read it.” Dracon ordered.
“A carriage will come for us this afternoon and there is a cage, uh, this is ridiculous!” Talila let her hand drop with the letter in it.
“What does it say?” Dracon asked.
“There is a cage in the stables waiting for Um’Vec for safe travel to the event.” Talila read on.
“So?” Satana asked.
“So, he is not travelling in a cage!” Talila hissed.
“It’s understandable, given the nature of the beast.” Katlin added.
“I agree.” Dracon said, “It’s unavoidable.”
“We are going to have to follow their rules if we are going to pursue this any further, Lady Talila.” Grik said, his respectful tone softened Talila’s anger.
“I imagine we won’t all be able to go,” Katlin queried, “Probably just the lady and the gentleman.” He pointed at Dracon.
“No. You’re right, the invitation is only good for the two of us.” Talila also looked at Dracon.
“I’ll follow from a safe distance until you get-”
“We’ll follow.” Satana interjected.
“We,” Katlin corrected motioning to Grik and Satana, “When we get there, you two can wait outside for your friends, while I do what I came there to do, your roles will be at an end. You can enjoy the party or leave; it will no longer matter.”
“What exactly are you going there to do?” Satana asked.
“It isn’t relevant for you to know; our bargain is that you get me there and turn me loose. Nothing more.” Katlin walked to a table next to the wall and picked through the food on it.
“I think it is relevant, we are putting ourselves in harm’s way for you. If you are discovered or something goes a foul, we too will be in danger.” Talila pointed out.
“I hardly think you, my lady, will ever be in danger from the likes of them.” Katlin gave her a slight bow and a smirk.
“Nevertheless, she is right, we are at risk of discovery,” Dracon said, “We are new to these lands, too many enemies, too soon, would make us stand out. I do not wish to stand out.”
“I can guarantee you, that on my part, I will not be the one to give you away. So, mind yourselves, and all will be well.” Katlin picked up an apple from the table then cleaned it on his shirt.
“All will be well…” Dracon repeated in a whisper only Talila could hear. She looked at him and could see he had a distant look in his eyes, “Everything will be all right.” he said. Dracon remembered his dream and Venalina’s words. All will be well, my king. He looked around the suite absently, no longer interested in the conversation. Feed me the blood of anyone, someone, even these around you will do! His Unholy Reaver spoke to him, then showed him flashes of battle, with Dracon standing among thousands of dead warriors.
“Dracon?” Talila asked, “What do you think?”
“What?” he asked, he could see a twitch in Talila’s eye and knew he was annoying her again with his inattentive behavior, “Excuse me, I was reminded of something just then, please, go on.” He motioned to Katlin, who was not the one talking.
“I was saying,” Satana said putting her hand to her chest, “We should pack up and be ready to move on from this event and make no plans on returning to this town, just in case things do take an unexpected turn.”
“I agree,” Dracon said, too low to be heard.
“What?” Satana asked, “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” he said then cleared his throat, “I agree.” Dracon turned away from the group and started gathering his things.
“Meet us in the stables,” Talila ordered the others, “Satana, would you stay a moment?”
Satana eyed Talila curiously, then gave Grik a nod. He nodded in return, then left. Katlin had already departed out the window, same as he arrived.
“Dracon, could you leave us?” Talila asked.
“No.” he said with a chuckle and a shake of his head, “I don’t think so. Whatever is about to happen between the two of you, will not happen behind my back.”
“Fine.” Talila turned to Satana who stood waiting with her hands on her hips, “This discord between us, I don’t know where it comes from, but I do know, it is not good. I don’t understand why you feel the way you do toward me. Have I wronged you somehow?” Satana shook her head and laughed in disbelief then looked at Dracon, “I saved his life,” Talila pointed at Dracon, I rescued you from that battle that surely meant to kill us all, and yet, you spite me and spit venom in my direction with every breath, I don’t understand it? Why?”
“You wanna know why? I’ll tell you why, this!” she waved her hands at both Talila and Dracon, “This whole thing does not sit well with me! The first time I met you, you were a silly, stupid little girl, with no brains to speak of, at the mercy of the world around you!”
“I am the same age as you.” Talila declared immediately.
“But in your society, you might as well be a small child, in my society I am a woman, a soldier! I have seen war since I was a child, I have lived and experienced more than you can ever imagine! Forced to grow up quick, not like you in your pampered life with suitors at your door every day!” Satana walked closer to Talila.
“I have lived! I have not been a warrior, but I have lived my years and experienced different things than you. I have not known war or battle, before that day. But I have still lived? I may not have had such an upbringing as yours, but I am a woman all the same! I am not a dumb child!” Talila finished with a shout.
“You’re right! A dumb child would not have been able to kill our mentor and friend, Velen! A dumb child would not have been able to weasel her way into my friend’s bed behind Venalina’s back, and now tries to replace her! That takes skill! Cunning!” Satana shouted back at her.
“Satana!” Dracon tried to intercede.
“No!” Satana yelled pointing at Dracon, “You don’t get to talk! This is between me and her, if you can’t stand there with your mouth shut! Then get out!” Satana pointed at the door.
Dracon took a step back and sat down on the bed.
“I did nothing behind her back, I did as she told me to. I love her, Satana.” Talila said, “Your friend, that Captain Velen, he attacked Dracon, along with all those others who came to fight him, his brothers, his sister, your countrymen. I did not do that. I stood by his side against those who would harm him, those who tried to harm him, tried to harm you too!” Talila pointed at Satana, her words made Satana turn her back on Talila, “When Dracon rode out to meet them, and while he was talking to his sister, your friend, your mentor, attacked Dracon. I killed him, there is no way around that, I did it. I know he was your friend; I know he was Dracon’s friend, and if it were to happen again, I would kill him again. Because it was your friends and countrymen who turned on you! And him!” she pointed at Dracon just as Satana turned back around. “Venalina taught us magic, gave us a new life, by his side,” Talila said still pointing at Dracon, “We swore an oath to Venalina, my sisters and I,
she asked us to love her, and to love him, as our own husband. She trained us to defend him, to protect him. That day, not only did I defend him, but I defended you!”
“Ah yes, the five wives of Dracon,” Satana laughed and shook her head, trying to erase the truth of Talila’s words from her mind, “Five wives?” She looked at Talila, finding something new to say, “Does that sound right to you? I mean, you’re suddenly an intelligent woman. That doesn’t bother you?”
“No.” Talila straightened up, tall and proud, “Is that how you respond, attack, when you cannot defend?”
“I find, my attacks are deadly!” Satana put a hand on the hilt of her sword, only too happy to change the war of words, to a war of fists.
“You take your hand off that sword if you want me to stay out of this!” Dracon growled.
Satana glared at him, then slowly let her hand slip off the hilt of her sword, back to her side.
“Where are your sisters? He’s no longer a king, so they don’t want to be his wives anymore? Or, did they flee in terror from the approaching army? No, that can’t be right, you’re all Vordalyn now, thanks to Venalina. Are they exploring the world as new women?” Satana asked.
“No. There’s a new Vordalyn queen, she called them. They had to answer.” Talila looked down.
“Oh, but not you?” Satana asked.
“I answered. You remember? On the wall, before Dracon walked out to meet his sister?” Talila asked.
“You were the only one who came back. What did she want, this queen?” Satana asked
“She did not want us to get involved. She made my sisters stay but I came back. My sisters knew I was strong with the fire, they knew I could help the most.”
“And she just let you go?”
“I didn’t give her a choice. My sisters were scared of her.”
“You never told me that, any of it? Why?” Dracon asked.
“It doesn’t matter anymore.” Talila said.
“It does matter, if you go back and one of your sisters comes here, what will happen to you? How will you be able to help us if this queen should try to intervene again?” Dracon asked.
“What are you talking about? Comes here? Who’s coming here and where are you going?” Satana asked.
Dracon and the Edge of the World Page 10