by Julia Mills
“He’s gonna wanna go and who are you or any of us, for that matter, to tell him he can’t?” Kellan responded, as matter-of-factly as always.
“But he still can’t see in the daylight without his sunglasses,” Rory commented.
“It’s pretty effing dark in hell. It’s not called the Underworld for nothing.” Brannoc chuckled, clearly trying to lighten the mood.
Sighing, Rory quickly added, “I know, but...”
“But, nothing. If the Assassin wants to go, we’ll figure out a way for him to go. Kayne was one of his. I can’t get in the way of that. Like Kell said, not a damn one of us can argue.”
Laying his hand on the gate to Drago and Alicia’s house, Rian took a quick deep breath before pushing it open then headed to the front door and knocked. Alicia opened the door almost immediately with a knowing look on her face.
“Kyra, right?” Rian could do nothing but grin. His brother’s mate had been right to call ahead. It was something Rian should’ve done himself and would’ve, had worrying about his mate not become almost crippling in its intensity.
“Yeah, she called ahead. I told Drago you were coming with news of Kayne but that’s all. He’s out back on the porch.” She opened the door all the way and motioned for them to come in. “Head on out there. He knows you’re coming.”
Stopping in front of Alicia as the others filed in behind him, Rian touched the young witch’s shoulder before asking, “How is he, really? Getting any better?”
Alicia smiled and patted Rian’s forearm. “He’s better. It’s just gonna take time, lots of time. He was doused in black magic for over a century. His dragon left his body and even if it was only for a moment, it took time to build up their combined magic to the level he needed to begin healing. There is improvement every day but the stubborn old dragon wants to be back to full strength yesterday.” She laughed. “He’ll get there.” Then patting his shoulder, she motioned with her head towards the back door. “Now, get out there and tell him what you came to tell him. It might be just what he needs.”
Rian nodded, winked, and forged ahead. It was now or never. The Dragon Leader needed to tell the Assassin what he knew and get Drago’s buy-in on the trip to hell. There was no doubt the older Commander would be going with them; Rian just needed to know Drago could handle the journey and not come back any worse for the experience.
“’Bout time. What took y’all so long?” Patting the chair beside him, he commanded, “Sit down. I want to hear it all.”
Smiling, they all sat down. Rian began by pulling out the journal and handing it to Drago, who immediately opened to the bookmark and started to read aloud. The Dragon Leader listened to the Assassin read the same words he’d been looking at every day for the last ninety years, amazed that somehow this time they sounded different...almost as if life was being breathed into them.
As Drago read the words, he was attacked, bespelled by evil wizards, separated from his kin, and then imprisoned in human form, there was a slight hitch in the Assassin’s voice and a long exhale before continuing. Alicia had just stepped onto the porch, apparently feeling her mate’s distress. Her hand upon his shoulder seemed to calm the Commander and allowed him to get through the rest of the entry.
“Okay, I’ve read the book and have questions but this one here,” Drago pointed to Rory, “his thoughts are so loud I’m about to go deaf, so go ahead and tell me about Audrey and how she got herself locked in hell. Then you can tell me how you kept all this shit a secret for as long as you did and why the hell you didn’t tell me,” the Assassin smacked the book with the flat of his hand, “right away.”
Rian scowled at his youngest brother before giving Drago the details of Audrey’s stint in hell as the Chancellor’s plaything and then began to explain, the best he could, about his secrecy surrounding the book. “I really don’t have a good excuse for my actions, except to say I was in too deep. It was a decades old confidence I’d never shared with anyone but Eleanor, and that was only because I thought she could help. In my defense, I had no idea who the dragon was the text spoke of because essentially, you and yours were dead. It never in a million years occurred to me we would find you alive, let alone the possibility that there were others of your Force in the same situation.”
Drago’s intense stare never wavered. It felt as if he were boring a hole straight into Rian’s psyche, judging the honesty and integrity of every word the Dragon Leader spoke. Unwilling to let the Assassin think that Rian was being anything less than honest, the Dragon Leader stared back.
“All right, we all know you’re big bad Dragon Guardsmen, now cut the shit and figure out what we do from here.” Alicia’s exasperated tone broke their battle of wills and had the entire group chuckling.
Reaching for his mate’s hand, Drago smirked, “She’s a keeper, isn’t she?”
“Reminds me of the one I have at home.” Royce grinned.
“And this is why I fight so hard. Why I’ve kept the secrets and done the things I’ve done. Because I want this kind of relationship with my mate. Don’t I deserve it? Even more than that, doesn’t Audrey deserve to live a normal life, to be happy, to be out of the Underworld, and to be free?”
Rian paused and looked from Drago to Royce and back again. “Don’t we deserve to have what y’all have?”
Drago nodded and while handing the book back to Rian, agreed, “You damn sure do, son. I know your bullheaded father would’ve done the same thing.” He sat back and pulled Alicia into his lap, kissed her temple, and then finished. “This trip to hell is yours to command. I offer my sword, myself, and my dragon to you in any way I can.”
Rian saw the determination in the Assassin’s eyes, but it was the unconditional support that Alicia offered her mate that hit him square in the heart. Sitting there watching the couple, all the Dragon Leader could think of was Audrey and how much he longed to have her in his arms, safe and whole, and out of the clutches of Adramelech.
Lost in thought, Rian was nowhere near ready for the slap on the back that almost sent him out of his chair and onto his knees. “You stepped in it this time, asshole, didn’t ya’?”
Shocked that the golden dragon from the MacLendon Force had already arrived, all Rian could do was stand and hold out his hand while agreeing, “I damn sure did. You here to kick my ass or help me out of it?”
“I was thinking a little of both. More helping than kicking, but you know how I am?”
“Yeah, we do,” Royce was the one to answer and slap his brethren on the shoulder. “Y’all made good time. Weren’t expecting you for another hour or so.”
“I hurried it as much as I could with Doc on my back.” He paused, hugged his mate closer to his side, and kissed her on the top of her head before continuing. “I figured you’d run off halfcocked and get into even more trouble or try to leave me behind. I know how you are.” He laughed. “Seems like raising hell has become your specialty. Who knew?” Lance raised his eyebrows and tilted his head, the look the smartass was known for on his face.
Admitting defeat, Rian simply nodded and grinned. “Yeah, I’ve been a bad dragon. Now, you done giving me grief and ready to hear what’s going on?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be. But can we take this discussion to Royce’s house? Kyra is waiting for Sam and that is one little witch I don’t want to piss off if I can help it.”
“No worries. Kyra said to send her over. She’s got food ready and a fresh pitcher of tea.”
Samantha, Lance’s mate and one of the two human doctors the Guardsmen had been fortunate to have as part of their clan, stood up on her toes, kissed her mate soundly just as he was about to abject, and then said, “Stay. Get this all figured out. I know my way.”
“Hey, Sam, mind if I go to? I’m sure you boys can take care of yourselves, and it’s been ages since I’ve talked to Kyra.”
“Sure. Come on,” Sam agreed.
“Behave yourselves and don’t get my mate into too much trouble.” Alicia chuckled after kissin
g her mate goodbye.
Both Lance and Drago watched their mates disappear around the corner of the house. Rian looked at their expressions of love and devotion and once again was envious, but this time he promised himself and Audrey they too would soon be together.
I will save you. We will be together.
“So catch me up.” Lance’s words broke the spell just the mere thought of Audrey always created within Rian.
Clearing his throat, the Dragon Leader opened his mouth to speak but never got the words out as a roar shook the very ground beneath him. Another started while the first still echoed through the atmosphere, but this time it ended with threats.
“You better run, you stupid piece of shite! ‘Cause if I catch you I’m gonna beat you to within an inch of your worthless life! Then I’m gonna let you heal just to do it all over again! Hell, I may heal you myself to keep things interesting.”
Rian knew that voice. Had heard it many times over the years but never once with such venom. Standing and walking out into the yard, the Dragon Leader prepared for a fight as Maddox rounded the corner of Drago’s house like the madman everyone knew him to be.
Spittle flew from his lips as he spat insult after insult. His long dark hair, streaked with grey, stuck out in every direction and his clothes were so disheveled it was clear he’d been ignoring all forms of personal hygiene while waiting to give Rian the beating the old dragon felt the Dragon Leader so deserved.
“Need any help?” Royce’s voice sounded in Rian’s head just as Maddox launched himself into the air, fist at the ready.
“No, he has every right to try to kick my ass.”
“I notice you said ‘try’,” Rory chuckled, joining their mind-to-mind conversation.
“Yeah, well, he got in some good punches on the cliffs. I’m not taking much more. He...OOMPH!”
Just as Rian would’ve finished his thought, Maddox hit the Dragon Leader square in the chest with the entire weight and force of his body. The two men hit the ground with a loud THUD! And the brawl was on. They became a tangle of arms, legs, and fists that made it difficult to know where one man ended and the other began.
Landing an especially powerful punch to Maddox’s midsection that left the old man wheezing, Rian scooted out from under his friend and jumped to his feet. Standing at the ready, poised for another attack, Rian was shocked when Maddox simply rolled over and huffed into his scruffy beard, staring up at the afternoon sky with his normal unfocused expression.
With patience on the end of a very short thread, Rian walked closer to where his oldest friend was doing his best imitation of a log and said, “You done or just trying to get the jump on me for the third time.”
When no indication Maddox had even heard him came back, Rian added, “Because I’m done letting you kick my ass. I know what I did was messed up and I’m ready to apologize for it, but this trying to kill me shit is over. We’re either gonna talk this out like men or you’re gonna go back to your mountain and stay there. Enough is enough.”
From one heartbeat to the next Maddox was on his feet, nose-to-nose with the Dragon Leader, fire burning deep in his cobalt eyes. “Boy, you will not talk to me that way. I trusted you. You were the last person I thought would ever steal from me. You took our friendship and wiped your dirty feet on it like it was a cheap, dime store rug. You’re lucky I don’t take your heart.”
Just like that, Maddox drew his short blade and held it to Rian’s chest. In a flash, Rory and the others circled around the two men, swords drawn, ready to defend the Dragon Leader against one of their own.
A chuckle sounded behind Rian as he heard Drago make his way down the two steps and onto the grass. His footsteps on the soft earth came closer, making the Dragon Leader wonder what the Assassin had planned. A warm hand clapped him on the shoulder a second before Drago came into view and did the same with his free hand to Maddox.
Standing between them, the Assassin looked first to Maddox. “You know you’re not gonna kill him. Even if he wasn’t your best friend in the world and the only one of us that doesn’t think you should be committed, Rian is Ronan’s boy and you loved that man like a brother. Besides, you know the kid had a good reason. Put down the damn blade, calm yourself, and come have a drink. Looks like you need one. Let Ri explain. I think you’ll understand why he did what he did.”
“But he...”
Drago shook his head and interrupted, “Yeah, he stole from you. But it wasn’t really yours. You were just keeping it safe and the boy needed, well, needs it. We all do. So before you make me draw my blade and spank you like a child in front of these youngsters, can you for the love of the Universe pull your shit together for an hour or so and listen?”
Lowering his blade and tucking it back into its sheath at his waist, Maddox backed a few steps away from Rian. “I’ll listen. But I won’t promise to forgive and I damn sure won’t forget.”
Nodding, Rian sighed. “I know and that’s on me.”
Grumbling something about damn fools under his breath, Maddox turned and walked to the patio with Drago, while the others sheathed their weapons and stood back for an extra minute.
When he saw that Maddox had downed a few shots of the whiskey he’d gone into the house and gotten for him, Rian turned to his brothers and brethren. “Looks like Maddox is calm enough to listen. Ready for round two?”
“Round two? I never got my round one,” Lance joked, and Rian appreciated his attempt to lighten the mood as the others laughed.
As soon as everyone was once again on the porch and had a drink, Rian told his tale again. It seemed to be all he’d been able to accomplish in the last fifteen or so hours and although tedious, the Dragon Leader knew he was to blame for the predicament he found himself in.
Looking at Maddox, he started with the only thing he in good conscience could say, “I’m sorry. I was a jerk. I should’ve just come to you and won’t make excuses for what I did. I just hope someday you’ll trust me again.”
“Hfmph,” was the only response Rian received, but he was determined to have the crazy old dragon hear him out.
Starting at the night on the beach when he first saw Audrey to their fight in the yard not long before, the Dragon Leader explained in explicit detail everything that had happened. When he was finished, there were several moments of utter silence. The looks on his brothers and brethren’s faces all said they were digesting everything he’d just said, even those who’d heard it before. Something about hearing it all at once with no interruptions had left them speechless.
Rian felt it too. The true magnitude of the situation was daunting to say the least. The list of things at stake was unimaginable. Should they fail to bring Audrey home, Rian was doomed to a life of loneliness and an early death. If Kayne fell into the hands of not just Adramelech, but any Demon Lord, the world as they knew it would never be safe again. If the Focus Stone fell into the hands of anyone in hell, dark magic could overtake all they’d ever known.
Love was what had brought Rian to this fight, but now there was so much more at stake. Audrey was and would always be his number one priority, but he couldn’t turn his back on his kin. Thankfully, Lance’s question pulled him from his thoughts before they turned dark.
“Well, damn. I’m not the last Golden Dragon. There’s a chance Kayne is still alive.”
“I was sure you would lose your mind when you found out,” Rory teased.
Shaking his head, Lance chuckled. “Nah, actually I’m kinda glad. I always hated the idea of being the last golden, ya’ know? I mean I’m sure Doc and I will have little ones but it feels right to know there’s another out there.” He grinned his patented shit-eating grin a split second before turning to Rian with a straight face and adding, “What freaks me out is that the Universe actually made a woman strong enough to deal with your shit.”
Laughter erupted. Even Maddox had a smile on his face as the laughter died down and he spoke. “I see you had your reasons. I think you should’ve come to me, but I
can see why you didn’t. Your dad lost his mind when he found Riona, too. Seems like you O’Reilly boys fall hard for your women.”
The crazy old dragon winked at Royce before continuing, “I haven’t forgiven you. Don’t know if I ever will trust you again, but I understand why you did it and I’ll help get your mate back and bring Kayne home. Just don’t make me work with Eleanor. That witch makes my skin crawl.”
“No worries. Kyra, Calysta, Alicia, and the McKennons will be helping with all things witchy,” Royce said as he stood and stretched.
A brief look of panic flashed across Maddox’s face when Royce named the white witches aiding them in their rescue mission. Rian had to wonder what had the old dragon on the run but thought better about asking. The peace between them was tenuous at best. The Dragon Leader stored it away, deciding to pursue it later.
“Okay, now that we’re all playing nice again, I’m thinking we need a plan. I’ll take the book and find out everything I can about the River Lethe and how to get to it. I’m thinking after grabbing your mate and slaying the Chancellor,” Brannoc nodded to Rian, “we’ll be off to get Kayne out of whatever hole they put him in and we need to know where in hell we’re going. Then, all that will be left will be to get some hair from a Hellhound’s belly and we’re headed back topside.”
“You make it sound like we’re baking a cake.” Kellan’s low raspy voice only added to the humor of his flat statement.
Laughing aloud, Rory added, “Only you would equate a trip to hell with baking a cake, Kell.”
“I like cake,” was all the scarred Guardsman said as the group once again howled with laughter.
Only dragons could make a party out of going to hell...
Chapter Six
Magic sucks! Just sucks! That’s all there is to it.
Audrey had resorted to talking to herself during her down times, also known as her ‘BTB’ – between the beatings. After the first good thrashing Adramelech gave her, the princess thought her death was a forgone conclusion. She’d said her goodbyes to the man who owned her heart—even if it was only to the glimmer of the bond they shared buried deep in her soul, told the Universe thanks for the opportunity—sorry it didn’t work out—and had given a big ol’ zerbert to the rest of the world, who she wasn’t really thrilled with anyway.