The DragonWitch Tales - An Unexpected Beginning

by Shannon Harris

  Addison stood up and Paisley accepted her hand. “Who are you?”

  “I am me.” He laughed and produced a blue fireball in his hand. “You’re not as powerful as everyone seems to think.”

  She didn’t feel the need to correct him. Her powers may have been blocked, but she felt an electrical current race through her veins. The dragon’s powers weren’t muted. She wasn’t sure how much she would be able to do, but she would give it her best shot. “People think what they want to.”

  He pointed his finger at her. “I don’t know why the queen is so stuck on you.” He raised his hand and Addison stiffened next to her. The archers behind him straightened. As soon as his hand lowered, Paisley threw out her hand. The look of disbelief on his face was almost comical as the arrows connected with the barrier around them and bounced off. Her excitement at one-upping him vanished when she watched Addison fall to the ground, an arrow sticking out of her upper chest.

  Paisley knelt by her side. “Addison, hang in there.”

  “That’s all I can do. It was through and through. I don’t think it hit anything major, just hurts.” She gasped and balled her hand up in a fist.

  Paisley’s mind was in overdrive. This was a perfect opportunity. They would never get another chance like this one. She leaned over Addison and whispered in her ear. “If you die, they’ll never look for you.” Thank god Addison was a quick study. She nodded. Paisley ran her hand down Addison’s check. “I’ll get us out of here quickly.” She jumped up. “You killed her!” She screamed, tears running down her cheeks. Tears for K.G., her family, her dad’s family, Alexia, tears for everything. “I hope you realize what you’ve done,” she sneered.

  “I know what I’ve done.” He laughed, eyeing Addison, who lay still on the ground. “There is no way out of this. Just give yourself up.”

  “I am leaving and I am taking her body with me to bury. You can’t stop me.”

  “Your father was a stubborn one, too.”

  She shut out his words and connected with the powers coursing through her body and tapped into them. She grinned and knelt next to Addison and spoke to the man. “You’ll regret what you’ve done today. The last time someone killed a friend of mine, I killed her. Granted, your death won’t be as quick as hers was, but it will be just as satisfying, and you will get what’s coming to you. The only reason I’m not killing you now is because I have a better use for my powers.” She latched onto Addison’s arm, waved her hand in the air, and they were engulfed in a gray fog. In an instant, they were transported to her family’s living room.

  The transition, thank goodness, was flawless and a lot easier than she’d anticipated, which led her to believe her dragon’s magic was guiding her own. She jumped up and directed her uncle and nephew to carry Addison’s body to one of the bedrooms where they tended to her wounds.

  With a final glance at Addison, she walked back into the living room, confident they would be able to save her friend. Kennedy, wearing a pair of black leather pants, long-sleeved white shirt, and purple jerkin, waited for her by the front window. She wore her hair down and finally looked the way Paisley had expected her to upon their first meeting.

  Before addressing Kennedy, she walked up to her aunt. “To anyone who asks, Addison is dead. That’s what the bastards that attacked us think, and I want to keep it that way. The leader of their group was accompanied by six of the Queen’s Archers.” She reached for and caressed her aunt’s hand. “Can I trust you to get her to safety? She deserves to live a life free from the confines they have put on her.”

  “I will do my best, Paisley.”

  She hadn’t expected anything else from her. Although she wanted to question her loyalty, she didn’t have time. The choice was taken out of her hands and she had to believe that she put her trust in the right person. She nodded, withdrew the piece of paper from her pocket, walked to the pile of her belongings, and recited the spell. In the blink of an eye the pile had been reduced to a square the size of a Rubik’s Cube. It would be easy to doubt her actions or even herself, but instead she picked up the cube, placed it beside the dragon egg, then slipped the backpack on. “I’m ready.”

  Kennedy nodded. “I’ll be outside while you say your good-byes.”

  Paisley ignored the fluttering of her stomach as she hugged each of her family members and then knelt beside her nana’s chair. “I’ll miss you.”

  Nana patted her cheeks. “You’ll be fine, sweetheart. Just fine.”

  Paisley kissed her palms, stood up, then kissed her cheek. “I’ll never forget you.” She turned, and without looking back exited through the rear door. The sweet smell of the wildflowers she had become used to every morning when she woke up calmed her racing heart, and she sighed at what she was once again having to give up. Losing two families in a matter of a few months had to be some sort of record.

  “Don’t think too hard, Paisley. We need to go.” Kennedy stood beside what she could only describe as a beast. The horse was at least a foot taller than Kennedy and Kennedy stood almost six feet tall. Paisley eyed the horse, then Kennedy, before she stepped up next to her.

  “I don’t particularly care for riding.” In truth, she had never ridden before in her life because it didn’t interest her, and as beautiful as the beast was, she knew she would sustain quite a few injuries if she fell off.

  “I didn’t ask if you did.” Kennedy cupped her hands and laced her fingers together to form a stirrup. “Hop on. Shadow is a sweetheart.”

  Paisley knew it wasn’t a request, and when she was settled Kennedy climbed on in front of her. Out of instinct, Paisley slipped her arms around Kennedy’s waist and tightened her hold. The last thing she wanted was to fall off. Even though Kennedy was virtually a stranger, she was the sole friend she had, if only by proxy, and Paisley was grateful for her presence. Some of her nervous energy dissipated when Kennedy patted her hands, then nudged the horse into motion.

  ****

  “How much farther is it?” The humidity had been steadily rising all morning and seemed to grow worse as the day went on. Paisley pulled her ball cap low on her brow and a quick look at her watch told her they had been riding for well over six hours with only a few breaks to allow Shadow a chance to rest. The day she didn’t have to ride a horse anymore would be the day her ass would thank her.

  Kennedy ignored her and instead asked a question of her own. “Has it occurred to you that since you left without the queen’s permission you will now be considered a traitor to the crown? Even if you are married to her daughter.”

  Paisley tightened her grip around Kennedy’s waist when her words washed over her. At one point, she did have a fleeting thought about that, but had never dwelled on it. But it was a big deal. How did her life get so messed up? “Yes. I assume it means I won’t be able to go back without facing jail time?”

  “Yes, but there is probably something else you haven’t thought about.” She tightened her hand around Paisley’s arms.

  That didn’t sound good at all. “What? If I don’t have to see them again, I think my life will be better off.”

  “Do you ever want to see your other family again?”

  “Of course. What kind of question is that?”

  “The only portal that will allow you into your world is in Dangor.”

  Crap. “I’ll never be able to see them again. I didn’t even think about that.” It never even dawned on her that there was only one portal, and now she had just screwed her chance to ever see them again. “There is no other way?” There had to be another way.

  “None that I know of.”

  Even though she would have loved to have seen them again, she didn’t feel the heartache she thought she would have at the news. “It looks like Goldenmare will be a completely new start for me.” The last thing she needed right now was to become depressed. They could still be ambushed. She also didn’t imagine something like a neutral country would keep the queen out.

  First, she would need to practice her ma
gic, then learn how to control her dragon, then she would find Alexia and the girls. Every time a thought of them would enter her mind, she would shove it back as far as it would go. Their safety was her number one priority, and letting herself get distracted by anything might lead to her to lose focus.

  Even if she wanted to see them, she wouldn’t risk their lives in the process. Everything was too risky. Hell, riding on Shadow with Kennedy was risky. She would have loved the opportunity to at least see her family again, but right now she had to focus on herself, Alexia, and the girls.

  She was jerked out of her thoughts when Shadow slowed, then stopped, and Kennedy slid to the ground. Why where they stopping? There was still plenty of daylight left. She accepted Kennedy’s hand and landed next to her. After a few stretches, she was ready to go. “Are we making camp here?”

  “No. The shack isn’t far from here, we’ll walk. Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?”

  “You can, but I might not answer it.”

  “Of all the people you could have chosen, why Alexia? And please understand, I don’t mean any disrespect.”

  “Why not her? She’s gorgeous, funny, powerful, loving, sexy, strong, loyal, the list could go on and on. But the real reason is because once I laid eyes on her I couldn’t stop thinking about her. I was pulled to her from the moment we met. I don’t think I could have stopped it even if I wanted to, but believe me, I don’t want to. My heart races and my palms get sweaty, and I have to remind myself to breathe every time I see her. I feel safe when she holds me, and loved. I don’t want to ever not know that feeling. We’re just getting started on the two of us, and I want to give that a chance to flourish.”

  “You love her?”

  “Yes,” she said without hesitation. “I can’t explain it and I am not even going to try, I just know it’s right. I can feel it.” It was an unreal feeling, but she knew she loved her. From the moment she laid eyes on her. She didn’t believe in fairytale romances, or love at first sight, but she knew when to admit defeat. Love at first sight was such a cliché.

  “The same way you knew it wasn’t right with Lana?”

  “Yes. Lana was never my choice, she chose me. She just showed up and slapped the bracelet on my arm. The matter was taken out of my hands. After talking with my parents, grandma, Addison, and even Lana, I was willing to give a relationship with her a chance, but then Alexia happened again and whatever I was feeling for Lana burned out and died. I thought perhaps we could be friends, but then she pulled that stunt at the marketplace and she solidified her place in my life.”

  “Sometimes people do the wrong things for the right reasons.”

  Paisley tightened her hold on her backpack straps and rolled her eyes. “She was willing to stand back while the guards killed Alexia and her babies. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I let anything happen to them.”

  “You won’t always be able to protect them.”

  “Maybe not, but I will die trying.” Kennedy didn’t seem to be in a hurry to reach their destination, so Paisley just enjoyed the walk. She swung her gaze back around when Kennedy slowed down beside her. Then her gaze locked on what Kennedy was looking at.

  When Kennedy said they were heading toward a shack, she had assumed she meant a cabin, but that was not the case. It really was a shack. From the way the building was leaning, it was a miracle it was still standing. Moss and some type of vine she couldn’t recognize had grown across the sides of the shack and up onto the roof.

  Paisley adjusted her glasses. “It’s not what I was expecting.”

  Kennedy had an unreadable expression on her face. “I don’t think it’s what’s on the outside that will interest you.”

  “I don’t—” Paisley shut her eyes tightly when an all too familiar sound reached her ears and she bit back a sob. “How?” As she wiped the tears running down her face, Kennedy patted her on the shoulder, and she opened her eyes. Kennedy had a big grin on her face and motioned for her to turn around. The sight that greeted her was one she wouldn’t soon forget. Alexia stood in the lopsided doorway with a smile on her face, and she was flanked on either side by the girls.

  “Go to them,” Kennedy whispered in her ear. “They’ve been waiting for you.”

  Before Paisley could even take a step toward them or register what was happening, two little girls squealed and ran down the walkway. Paisley crouched on the ground, and the only thing preventing her from falling flat on her back when their bodies collided with hers was Kennedy’s hand on her shoulder. They were talking nonstop, but all she cared about was that they were here, in her arms. She inhaled their familiar scent and kissed them both on the head, then pulled back.

  “Girls,” Kennedy hollered. “Why don’t you come inside with me. I have a present for each of you.” As quickly as they had come they were gone.

  Paisley didn’t have the energy to get up, and in truth she was afraid that when she did stand up, Alexia would be gone instead of standing in front of her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Alexia flex her fingers and offer her hand. Paisley couldn’t speak, but buried her head in her hands and cried.

  “Paisley, please stand up, darling. I am much too old to be kneeling on the ground, and I think I deserve a proper hello.” Alexia grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet. She wiped Paisley’s tears. “Please don’t cry. We are fine.”

  Paisley hiccupped, then wrapped her arms around Alexia and buried her face in her neck. “I had hope, but I didn’t know.”

  “I know. I know.” Alexia squeezed her tighter before pushing her back and wiping her tears again. “I—”

  Paisley didn’t wait for her to finish before she pulled her down and kissed her. The feel of her lips after weeks without it almost brought Paisley to her knees. The only thing keeping her upright were the arms wrapped around her waist. Paisley pulled back and bit down on Alexia’s bottom lip before trailing kisses down her jawline and nipping the spot behind her ear. She snickered into Alexia’s neck when she moaned. “I cannot wait to get you alone.”

  Alexia slid her hands down Paisley’s back, cupped her ass, and pulled her close. “Do you have any idea what you’re doing to me?” She cut off Paisley’s response with another kiss. “I didn’t think I would ever feel this way. You have destroyed me for anyone else, Paisley. When you touch me, my magic flares up and shimmers under the surface. I love you.”

  “I love you, too.” Paisley kissed her neck, then licked the same spot. “I thought that only happened with my magic.”

  Alexia groaned. “We have to stop, as much as I would love to continue this. We have a lot to talk about, there are two little girls who missed you, and I have another surprise waiting for you inside the cabin.”

  “Shack,” Paisley corrected her.

  “Whatever.”

  Paisley held on tightly, afraid if she let go she would never hold her again. She didn’t think she could bear it if that were the case, so she held on tighter.

  “Paisley, I’m right here and we are not going anywhere.”

  “Promise?”

  “Yes. Now I can make you that promise. We’re not going anywhere. I’m not sure how our lives are going to play out, but I don’t plan on living them separately. Do you?”

  “God, no.” She pulled back and clasped her hands behind Alexia’s neck. Everything she had ever wanted to see was reflected back at her. Love, caring, understanding, hope, was all shining from Alexia’s eyes. It was both a blessing and a curse. Living the rest of her life with her and the girls would be a dream come true, but she knew if that dream ever came to an end because of outside sources, she would burn that country to the ground. That scared her.

  It scared her how much she felt for the woman in her arms. She knew it wasn’t that easy, but she had hope, and together she was confident they could overcome everything anyone threw at them. She had to, because for her there wasn’t another option. Now that she had them, she would never let them go.

  Paisley pulled back fr
om her love’s embrace, turned away, and raised her arms into the air and stretched. She didn’t think she could ever be this happy. Not after everything that had happened up to this point.

  Before she could lower her arms, a pair of hands slid around her waist and pulled her back into a warm body. Soft lips slid down her neck and Paisley tilted her head to allow better access. She moaned when Alexia nipped her ear, and laughed when she was spun around and her lips were captured. The kiss offered so much love, trust, and care. Paisley couldn’t believe she had made it this far. Thing were so much sweeter than she could have ever imagined.

  Alexia kissed the tip of her nose. “Shall we?” She motioned with her head to the shack.

  “There is nowhere else I would rather be.”

  About the Author

  Born near Chicago, but raised in Southern Illinois, where she still lives, Shannon spends her free time writing. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys binge watching fantasy, science fiction, or true crime shows.

  You can contact Shannon at -

  Website: smhfiction.com

  Email: smh1981@live.com

  Facebook: facebook.com/smharrisauthor

  Twitter: @smhfiction

  Check out Shannon’s other books

  The Adearian Chronicles - Book One - The Oath – ISBN – 978-1-943353-17-0

  Ex-mercenary, Lanis Welsh, is finally at a place in her life where she is content with what and who she is; High Priestess Anya’s Protector and Lover. After an unexpected request, she has no choice but to leave Anya’s protection in the hands of someone else and travel back to the one place that holds nothing but bad memories. When she is manipulated into signing an oath she has no desire to fulfill, she questions the very truths she has built her life on. As strangers become friends and enemies become allies, Lanis must face the demons from her past. It doesn’t take her long to realize there is more going on than anyone could have ever foreseen and nothing and no one can be trusted.