by Rinelle Grey
Hopefully, Taurian would at least have some clothes on by now.
Chapter 45
Taurian found it hard to concentrate on the elders' squabbles over a new lair location. Their fussing just wasting time. Time when Ultrima and the rest of his clan would be gathering and heading this way. Where they went really didn’t matter. One temporary lair was as good as the next.
Apparently, that’s not how the elders saw it. Each one had their own idea of where would be best, and it seemed no agreement could be reached. Taurian knew he should be taking this opportunity to learn a little more about each of them, and figuring out who he could trust and who he couldn’t, but he found it hard to care.
He felt like his whole world was ending, and it had nothing to do with his greatest enemy being on the way, and everything to do with Karla’s refusal to mate with him.
He could see, and even agree, with all her reasons, but that didn’t mean he had to like it.
“We’ve spent far too long in this desert,” Ostrian’s voice was raised. “We need to be near the river.”
“So does everyone else, it’s too populated near the river, and we need to stay away from the humans, you know that,” Mesrian argued.
“There’s not that much need to stay away from humans anymore.” Ostrian eyed Taurian sideways. “So I think the benefits of being near water outweigh the risks.”
The look annoyed Taurian. “Two humans who we trust knowing where we are is very different from situating our lair near the human town,” he said firmly. “We have survived at this distance from the water until now, we will survive in the future. Until we have defeated Ultrima, the safety of our clan is far more important than any benefits of being near the water.”
The disappointed look on Ostrian’s face brought him far more pleasure than it should have. It must be difficult for him, as a water dragon, to be so out of his element. But Taurian’s words were true, the clan’s safety was paramount.
“I have the perfect place, Prince Taurian,” Mesrian offered. “West of here the scrub disappears, and there is nothing but sand. The humans never go there because their cars get stuck.”
“Humans aren’t the problem,” Ostrian argued. “Dragon’s don’t get stuck. They will fly over and spot us instantly if we have no cover. And we can’t dig a lair in sand.”
Mesrian turned her disdainful eyes on him. “If you’d let me finish, Ostrian.” He folded his arms and glared at her, so she turned back to Taurian and continued. “In the middle of this sand, almost covered by it, is a rocky outcropping. I believe there could already be a cave there.”
It sounded promising. “Check it out,” Taurian ordered. “We need a cave, we don’t have time to dig one. If it has one, no matter how small, we’ll go there. We don’t have time to be picky. We can find a more suitable lair once this is done, if necessary.”
He only said the words to calm the elders. He already knew where he was planning on going, just as soon as he’d found a way to deal with Ultrima for good.
Home.
The thought filled him with longing. The lair that he had grown up in had become almost as much of a symbol of his success as defeating Ultrima. He would do it, and without the help of a life dragon.
As if reading his thoughts, Kyrian piped up, his voice troubled. “How are we going to create protections in the area without a life dragon? This is the first time we’ve had to move without the assistance of one.”
Damn them and their obsession with the cowardly dragons. Taurian certainly didn’t need their help. “The location will do that for us, and dragon patrols will do the rest. There is nothing to be worried about.”
“Of course,” Kyrian said, but Taurian’s words didn’t erase the concern from his face.
He hated the fact that Karla was right. He needed to mate, to give them hope, at least. By the time it was either confirmed or denied that the pairing would produce a life dragon, he hoped to have convinced everyone that they didn’t need one.
To do that, he needed a clan that was fighting for the future, not fearing it. “Kyrian and Mesrian, you can check out this area. Return at once if it is suitable, and I will begin preparing for the evacuation here.”
Both nodded immediately. Good.
Taurian turned his attention away from them, and to the more immediate task at hand.
Where would he find Wayrian?
He headed back to the main hall with a heavy heart. Almost all the dragons were gathered there, and they looked to him for guidance immediately. Taurian ground his teeth. Wayrian was in their midst, but he couldn’t possibly talk to her while the others were present. This conversation needed privacy.
As Ostrian and the rest of the elders arrived behind him, that need became even more pressing. Because Wayrian’s eyes immediately found her grandfather, and there was tension in them. A hope that she didn’t desire the match flared, then was extinguished. Even if she didn’t, there were plenty of other candidates.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Karla and the other humans enter the cavern. Taurian had to force himself not to stare, to look equally over everyone gathered. “We must prepare to evacuate,” he said, his voice raised. “Make sure all trace of our occupation of these caves is removed. We will leave no evidence that we were ever here. Go quickly, we don’t know how long we have. Gather back here once you have packed, and we will wait for Mesrian and Kyrian’s return. If the place they are scouting is suitable, we will leave under the cover of darkness.”
There were nods and murmurs all around. No one objected. Everyone seemed more than grateful to be told what to do.
Taurian caught Wayrian’s eyes. He beckoned to her.
It wasn’t easy to force his eyes not to stray to where he’d last seen Karla, but he managed to keep them focused on the young woman in front of him. When she was close enough for him to speak without his voice carrying, he said quietly, “Can I speak with you in my chambers?”
She nodded, her head jerking, not meeting his eyes.
The entire clan was watching them, not even making a show of disinterest. Taurian was used to it, but Wayrian probably wasn’t. Maybe she would be a little bolder once they were alone.
She followed him down the hallway, not saying a word. Nor did she speak when they were alone in his chambers.
Not a good start, but he didn’t have time to draw her out slowly.
“Did your grandfather consult you before including you in this plan of his?”
She sucked in a deep breath, and nodded.
For some reason, her lack of talking irritated him. That would teach him to ask yes or no questions. “What is your opinion of it?”
Her eyes widened. Taurian wondered if it was the first time anyone had ever asked for her opinion. “I… It seems like a good plan, Prince Taurian. If we could create a life dragon…” Her eyes shone.
Her willingness appeared not to be in question. But Taurian had to be completely sure. “You are willing to mate with me?”
It was not romantic in the least. Not at all like the way he had imagined this moment going with Karla. But it seemed pointless to pretend something he didn’t feel. It wasn’t unusual for dragons to mate for convenience. The mating bond would ensure they cared enough about each other to make the relationship work. If Taurian hadn’t spent so long around Karla, he wouldn’t even be considering it.
“If that is your wish.”
Not exactly an enthusiastic agreement, but it was an agreement none the less. Taurian didn’t have time to push for more certainty.
“Good. I shall arrange it as soon as we are settled in our new lair. For now, I would appreciate your help in getting everyone moved.”
She looked up at him, her eyes wide.
Did it not occur to her that as his mate, she would be expected to fulfil a certain role? If she was not capable of that, then this pairing would never work, life dragon or not.
But after a moment’s stunned silence, she straightened her shoulders and looked at
him squarely. “Of course. What can I do to help?”
That threw him. There were so many tasks to be accomplished, it hadn’t occurred to him to think of a specific job for her. Karla would have stepped in with something that had to be done, probably something he hadn’t even thought of.
He needed to avoid comparing her to Karla. She would never measure up, but that wasn’t her fault. No one could ever measure up to Karla.
“Keep everyone moving, and then check the rooms to see that nothing has been left behind,” he said.
Wayrian nodded. “Of course.”
She walked with him back out to the main room. As they neared the entrance, Taurian knew he had to make some sort of sign to his clan. Probably even an announcement. His stomach clenched at the thought. But it would help the evacuation go more smoothly.
This wasn’t about how he felt, it was about what was best for his clan.
Chapter 46
Karla tried to ignore the fact that Taurian emerged from the tunnel with Wayrian. She especially tried to ignore the fact that they were holding hands. His return to his dragon clothes, the tight hugging leather shorts and a leather vest with elaborate embroidery, just accentuated the fact that he had left her and their relationship behind.
Turning away, she focused on the dragon children sitting cross legged on the floor in front of her. She’d been a little surprised at how readily the mothers had left their children in the care of her and Gretchen when they’d offered, but it wasn’t like she was going to be out of their sight. And there was so much to do, it was impossible to watch young children at the same time.
“I have an announcement to make.”
There was no ignoring the way Taurian’s loud voice slashed at her heart. She wished she was anywhere but here, to hear his announcement.
The sympathetic look on Gretchen’s face was even harder to watch, so Karla turned towards Taurian.
He held up his hand, clasped with Wayrian’s. “I know this is a trying time for all of us. It feels like all is lost, like we have no choice but to run, and little chance of any other options in the future.” He drew in a deep breath, looking around the room, catching almost everyone’s eyes. Except Karla’s. As though he didn’t dare look at her. Then he continued, his voice strong, “That is going to change. I am going to change it.
“Wayrian has agreed to be my mate, and together we will lead the clan to a new era. We will wake my brothers and sisters, and, luck willing, we will give birth to the first royal life dragon. That will cement our position as the foremost, and eventually the only dragon clan.”
The blade that had slashed her heart before dug deeper. Then twisted. This was it. The announcement made. The promises spoken. The death knell for any hope that had struggled to hang on in the face of reality.
Every breath hurt. But it would get easier with time, wouldn’t it?
The other dragons cheered and clapped. They couldn’t see the pain this was causing at all. They couldn’t see the heavy weight of responsibility that clouded Taurian’s eyes. All they wanted was to feel safe and secure in their future. Taurian was offering them that.
Karla’s heart ached. For Taurian. For her. Even for Wayrian. The nervous, shy young dragon woman wasn’t the mate for him. He would overpower her and she would quickly lose herself in his shadow, even without the supposed difficulties of a fire-water mating. She wouldn’t help Taurian in any way.
Except for the baby she could give him.
Karla turned away, unable to watch any longer. She had just opened her mouth to continue the story she had been telling to the dragon children, when a scream echoed from outside.
Everyone’s head jerked up. Taurian dropped Wayrian’s hand and strode towards the entrance. Wayrian stood watching him, frozen to the spot. Karla turned away from her in disgust.
Taurian was nearly at the entrance when Yesrian, another of the elders, latched onto his arm, stopping him. “You need to stay here, Prince Taurian,” he said urgently. “We can’t risk you getting hurt. You need to gather together as many of the dragons as you can and evacuate immediately. We will hold off the Trima clan.”
“I won’t run.”
Taurian’s eyes burned, and the set of his jaw said he wouldn’t listen to any arguments.
Yesrian winced. “You must. The clan needs you.”
“If Ultrima is out there, no one is going to escape from here alive,” Taurian thundered. “Surely you realise that?”
“But…” Yestrian began.
“Enough.” Taurian held up his hand. “I am a prince. You do not tell me what to do.”
He turned and strode towards the entrance. Karla looked quickly at Gretchen, who nodded to her and gathered the children close.
Karla followed Taurian.
Somehow, the sight as she stepped out of the entrance to the lair didn’t surprise her. There stood Ultrima, in all his dragon form glory, his silver scales glinting in the light of the setting sun.
Karla froze. Kyrian was right. Taurian should have run while he had the chance.
Ultrima roared right in Taurian’s face, the wind from the sound blowing his hair straight back.
Taurian didn’t move.
Karla couldn’t help admiring his courage, even as she dreaded the outcome of this meeting.
This meeting Taurian had probably been hoping for. A chill ran down her spine. The best they could hope for was for Ultrima to be distracted by the fight with Taurian, and buy time for the rest of the clan to escape.
That didn’t help her any. She didn’t care about the rest of the clan. Her concern was for Taurian.
“Ultrima, how nice of you to show up.”
Taurian’s voice was loud enough to carry down into the cavern below, where everyone stood frozen. From her position just inside the entrance, Karla could see them, panic written on every face. No one had any idea what to do.
Karla should get them moving, get them all out of here. But there was no way she was going to leave Taurian. She stepped up beside him, and Ultrima’s head swivelled around to regard her.
Taurian kept talking. “I was going to send you an invitation, but it seems you have beaten me to it. I’m about to be mated, can you believe that?”
Hot dragon breath washed over Karla in a humph.
She could almost feel Ultrima’s disdain.
“Your clan supports you choosing the human as a mate?” Ultrima’s voice filled her mind, the intensity of his thought words taking her breath away.
Taurian glanced sideways at Karla for a second, sadness written on his face. Then he turned back to Ultrima. “I mate with Wayrian, a water dragon.”
Until that moment, Karla had never imagined that a dragon could raise an eyebrow. But that’s what Ultrima did. He stared at Karla for a moment, then turned back to Taurian. “Where is this Wayrian?”
How was Taurian going to explain his mate’s absence?
“She is preparing for the mating ceremony. As I should be too. We would be honoured if you would attend.”
This was completely surreal. Karla had imagined that the two dragons would be tearing into each other by now. Not politely having a conversation. Not one inviting his most hated rival to a mating ceremony.
Ultrima’s eyes bored into Taurian’s for a few moment. “I was planning tearing you limb from limb, but I believe this could be more interesting. For a while at least. We can fight afterwards, yes?”
Karla swallowed.
Taurian didn’t flinch. “I would be disappointed if we didn’t.”
Lightning flashed in Ultrima’s eyes, and his dragon face almost seemed to smile.
Karla wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or terrified.
Chapter 47
Her heart thumping in time with the rhythm of her feet, Karla raced down the corridor into Taurian’s clan’s lair as though Ultrima himself was hot on her tail.
Because he was.
He wasn’t chasing her exactly, but that didn’t make it any less hair-raising. Memo
ries of the last time she’d seen him, right before his terrifying fight with Taurian outside his lair, and the wounds he had given to Taurian, flashed before her mind. The fact that this time, she could hear Taurian exchanging pleasantries with him, even though his voice sounded strained and forced, just made it worse. How could he pretend so well, given all that had gone before? Didn’t he know Ultrima could change in an instant?
Of course he did. He knew only too well. But he had no choice.
The polite pretence could change in an instant once Ultrima walked down into the lair and found out Wayrian wasn’t preparing for their mating as Taurian had claimed. She couldn’t let Ultrima discover the truth. She had to do something.
If Ultrima realised Taurian had lied to him, then there was nothing to stop the Trima clan leader from attacking everyone then and there. Taurian inviting him to his mating ceremony had bought them all some time. But only if there was a mating ceremony for him to attend.
Right now, she had bigger concerns than who was mating who, no matter how bitter it tasted. Even though every bit of her heart protested, there was only one thing she could do.
All dragon eyes focused on her as she ran into the room. Couples clutched at each other, their faces white.
“Taurian has invited Ultrima to his mating,” she announced.
Everyone stared at her, their eyes wide, even the elders.
She ground her teeth. Did she really need to spell it out for them? “So we need to give him a mating. Quickly!”
“A mating?” Kyrian asked, as though he was still confused.
Karla glanced behind her, but there was still no sign of Ultrima or Taurian. She took a deep breath, trying to force her words to come out slowly so they could follow them. “Ultrima decided he would rather feast at his enemy’s mating than kill him right now. That’s a good thing. But he’s expecting to see a mating, and if he finds out Taurian is lying, he could destroy the whole clan. You need to move. Now.”