Dragon's Prize (Dragons Awaken Book 2)

by Maya Starling

The mercenary checked the contents and his eyes bulged for a second but he quickly schooled his features back to an indifferent demeanor. “You have a deal,” he confirmed to Kaden.

  “Alright Rhett, they will escort you nearly to the next town, after that, they’re our men. I think you will have no problem in finding new protection there,” Kaden said.

  “Fair ‘nuff,” Rhett grumbled and turned his attention to Olivia. “It was a pleasure trading with you, Lady Moore,” he said politely, his voice devoid of any warm emotions as he climbed back into the wagon with his men.

  “Rylan… don’t forget,” Kaden called out to the Mercs.

  “I’ll return when the time comes,” Rylan responded as he and his partner mounted their horses.

  Kaden nodded and watched them leave with Olivia by his side.

  “What deal did you make with those men?” Olivia said as she turned to face Kaden.

  “They will infiltrate the group of bandits for us, and will return when and if Magnus contacts them. And before you ask, they’ve been paid handsomely, and I promised them even more afterward. They won’t have to work ever again if they do as told. Years of hoarding that treasure will pay off after all. They also agreed to stand on our side, it seems the royal family is not someone they favor. And I used some Órva'ar’s powers of persuasion as well.” Kaden winked and his eyes flashed to amber and back.

  “Oh! That is an excellent idea. I hope they do not betray us.”

  “I don’t think they will. I am quite confident in my assessment of them,” Kaden quelled Olivia’s doubts.

  “Olivia?” Cassiel spoke as he approached them. “Ready for your next phase in training?”

  “Next phase?”

  “Yes, you have mastered the basic skill with the axe, now we need to add the shield. It will be the same as with the armor. You will practice with heavier equipment, making it easier to work with the real armor and shield. In the end, I want you to be proficient with a buckler which will be strapped onto your left forearm. As much as I hope you will not need to use any of the combat knowledge, I also want to make sure to train you properly, in case it is needed… someday,” Cassiel said.

  Olivia sighed. She was not as fond of all the training at the moment. Her muscles never ceased to ache, and new ones hurt each day. Only the magical ministrations of Kaden’s tender hands eased away some of the tension each night. He would even laugh at her moans of relief, and sometimes, he would even kiss the pain away.

  “I will go and get the others and we’ll join you on the field,” Kaden said and winked at Olivia, noticing the blush adorning her cheeks. He kissed her, his lips lingering for a moment longer. “Be careful and work hard. Make me proud and I’ll make sure it’s worth it.”

  “Oh, I will.” Olivia promised and winked back.

  Chapter 47

  Barely a sennight later, the two mercenaries rode onto the estate in haste and sought out Kaden in the main room immediately.

  “They have come,” Rylan said when he burst into the chamber, trying to catch his breath. His voice cut the ongoing conversation short and his partner followed him in, just as breathless, his shirt bloodied.

  “And the witch?” Kaden said as he jumped to his feet, dismissing his dinner.

  “She knows. They know. We didn’t tell them, but the witch somehow found out and the prince has a message,” Rylan said, and continued when Kaden nodded at him, “He said they would come to visit in two days’ time.”

  “There. Your hand should be fine now. You’ll still have a few bruises, but those will heal naturally,” Delilah said as she pulled her hand back from resting on the man’s previously cut arm. She didn’t want to exhaust herself and deplete her natural reservoir of magic. Training others drained her as well, but Delilah thought it worthwhile since they needed all the help they could muster against Lilith and the prince.

  The man, Luke, gave her a crooked but thankful smile. “That’s a mighty fine gift ya ‘ave there, sweetheart.”

  “Umm, thank you,” Delilah said in a timid voice and got off the chair so she could move and sit next to Cassiel.

  “So, now that Luke is healed and you’ve had some food, tell us what happened.” Kaden sat next to Olivia at the head of the table. It seemed to him that they sat a lot at that table, always discussing the same thing, the same person: Magnus.

  Rylan nodded. “Yesterday, the prince arrived with the witch and his men…”

  Chapter 48

  “Where in damnation is that bastard leading us, Reed?” Magnus snapped. He held a branch at bay, away from his face, as they walked through the tall bushes.

  “He said there’s an old abandoned mill close by. It’s where the bandits are based,” Reed said over his shoulder then turned back to follow his contact from Remor.

  “Can’t you do something with these… pesky plants?” Magnus said as he glanced back at Lilith.

  “Why? They’re just plants.”

  “Well, they’re bothering me.”

  “You’ve been living on the road for a while now, sleeping in forests and who knows where else and now you’re whining about a few pesky plants?” Lilith smirked at the prince’s back.

  “I’m not whining!” Magnus said, failing to notice Reed’s shoulders shaking with mirth. “I’m a prince! I demand. I have a supposedly powerful witch at my side, I might as well use you.”

  A low, raspy laugh bubbled from Lilith’s throat. “Remember the deal, my prince,” she spat back once her amusement subsided. “I am not just another of your whores. You don’t order me and I won’t have to discipline you as I used to that traitorous daughter of mine.”

  Magnus bit back his retort, deciding that the witch wasn’t worth his words after all. She was right, they had a deal and he would go through with it. Magnus was well aware that the circumstances of his confrontation with the dragon would be much different now, and not to his advantage. He also didn’t know how powerful the young witch was. Lilith had informed him that Delilah joined his adversaries, and even though the witch had assured him that her daughter was worthless, Magnus remained unconvinced.

  He did mumble under his breath though, “Women…”

  It didn’t take them long to leave the overgrown foliage behind and enter a little clearing. The grass underneath their feet was soft and colored a lush green. A weathered stone building stood next to a creek, its waterwheel no longer reaching the receding stream.

  Their guide halted them and whistled out a bird call.

  A gnarled wooden door squeaked open and a broad-shouldered man with an unkempt beard appeared in the doorway. He aimed his bow at the newcomers. Moving shadows could be seen behind the filthy windows.

  “Who’s that with ya, Starr?” the man called out.

  “The prince!” Starr yelled back.

  The man bellowed a laugh. “What would a prince want from us? Afraid to get his hands bloodied?”

  Magnus stepped forward, Reed right by his side as the rest of his knights spread around, including four new men he had hired. Lilith walked forward, uninterested and unconcerned by the situation, as Magnus spoke up.

  “Be careful with that tongue of yours, if you don’t want to lose it,” the prince threatened, standing tall and proud in his golden plate armor. He didn’t reach for his sword, though he barely resisted the urge to fist his hands at the disrespectful words. “Mind you, I have killed a dragon already, I have no qualms about cutting you down as well.” He held his hand up as the man raised his bow again. “I really would not recommend doing that if you want to live. I also have gold I’m willing to share.”

  “Well, that just might get us talkin’ and discussin’. I appreciate a prince who supports his local bandits,” the man snorted and a few chuckles were heard from inside. “Usually a king would send his knights to deal with our sort.”

  Magnus shrugged. “I come to you not as a prince. Although, you should not forget who I am. I come as a man in need of a few daring fighters willing to earn some bloodied gold.
”

  “I don’t mind it being bloodied as long as it’s real. And I see you’ve got a whore with you, that’s an added bonus,” the bandit said and another head popped out of the door at the mention of a woman. He said something back and a round of approval and whistles rang through the house.

  Reed stiffened and put a hand on his sword. Lilith brushed her hand over his shoulder as she walked by, narrowed hazel eyes looking at the offending man, lips drawn in a tight line.

  “Your mother was a whore!” Lilith snapped and smoothed out her dress. Her leisurely actions were a stark contrast to her words and cold, threatening voice.

  “Wha—” The man’s argument was cut off, when another bandit put a dagger to his throat from behind. His eyes widened, and he dropped his bow and arrow.

  “I- I- I’m not…” The other bandit now stuttered into the leader’s ear.

  Lilith took a few more steps forward. She clicked her tongue and waved her finger as if scolding a child. “Now see, that was a bad choice of words.”

  The man gripped the hand at his throat.

  “None of you inside should meddle, unless you want this one dead,” Lilith warned. “We’ll all have a nice chat, talk some business, make some plans and you’ll get a chance to earn money. I will not be whored. I will be respected or I’ll make you cut each other’s heads off. Understood?”

  Magnus and Reed watched in amusement as the man quivered and said, “Aye. Understood, we cause you no problems; keep our hands and dicks away. We keep it business only.”

  “Good. It would be a waste to off you as a part of my lesson, we need all of the… Hmmmm… there’s nine men inside and the two of you… so yes, all eleven of you in fighting form.” Lilith waved her hand off as if dispelling magic, and the man with the dagger stumbled back. She’d had to sacrifice some of her own life-force for such a strong manipulation, not wanting to show her dependence on spell components. But when the time came, she would have plenty of unwilling sacrifices to power her spells.

  “My name is Norman, welcome to our camp,” the bandit leader said quickly while rubbing at his throat.

  “That’s a much better welcome.” Lilith turned and smirked at Magnus, who only glared back.

  It didn’t take them long to get settled. All the bandits stayed away from Lilith as if she were a plague bearer herself. She didn’t mind it, choosing mostly to linger around Reed. The scarred knight basked in the attention and the fact that this beautiful woman preferred him over the others, her power only making her that much more enticing to him. Magnus, however, didn’t approve, so Reed found himself in a bit of a dilemma.

  When night fell Magnus shared a campfire with Reed, Lilith, Cathal and Galor on his side while Norman, the bandit leader, sat on the other with two more men flanking him. The prince divulged their plan with no explanations of the reasons behind them. Norman was surprised when he found out they would be attacking the Moore estate again, they’d had quite a few losses the first time, which only served to justify his reluctance. When he found out about the dragon, and before he could argue back, Lilith effortlessly persuaded his mind and eased his worries. She had a plan for the dragon.

  As they discussed their course of action in detail, Lilith’s eyes kept flickering to the two men huddled a bit away from the rest.

  “Those two are new,” Lilith said.

  “Aye, joined us a sennight ago,” Norman said, looking at the two.

  “You trust them?”

  “They’ve proved themselves to me. Both are quite efficient.” The bandit shrugged and turned back to face the fire.

  “Assign one of the two for the first night shift. They’re a bit too edgy. I’d like to have a chat, can’t be bothered with it now.” Lilith too, faced the fire again.

  “Aye, Ma’am.” Norman nodded although he thought everyone was extra nervous with the witch around, but he didn’t want to defy her.

  The discussion with the prince continued.

  Once the plans were made and confirmed, the prince shared them with the rest of his men and the bandits. He handed out some coins as motivation, together with promises of much more after their goal was accomplished.

  The bandits retreated to sleep inside the old stone house while Magnus and his men camped outside. The prince did not trust the partially caved-in roof of the building. Luke volunteered for the second shift and used it as an opportunity to sleep outside as well, closer to Rylan.

  Lilith announced that she would be taking the first shift as well. Soon after, everyone was asleep but the two of them. The witch didn’t talk at first, writing in her spellbook, ignoring the man sitting across from her. His body posture was tense, and out of the corner of her eye, Lilith noticed him throwing surreptitious glances her way. Sometime later, as the fire crackled, the crickets chirped and the snores of the men surrounded them, Lilith decided it was time to play. She would need to use her magic sparsely.

  Lilith closed her spellbook and put it into her shoulder bag. She slid off the log and sat on the ground, leaning back against the stump.

  “So, Rylan, right?”

  The man nodded once.

  “Let us converse. It will help us stay awake for a while longer. Tell me, what brings you here?” Lilith asked in a soft voice, looking at him from under her lashes as she pulled her knees up and hugged them.

  Her false innocence didn’t fool Rylan. His eyebrows pulled down as he looked at the witch curiously. “Money,” he said.

  Lilith titled her head to the side. “Truth. What did you do before you joined this marvelous group of men?” Sarcasm laced Lilith’s words.

  Rylan shrugged. “Been a merc before that. Me and my cousin. Decided the money was better here.”

  “Ahh, truth again. I appreciate that,” Lilith said and smiled.

  The witch’s smile made a shiver run down Rylan’s spine and his head felt a bit light. He raised his eyes questioningly but got no answer back, just another question.

  “So you’ve killed before?”

  “Aye. Part of the job. I believe it’s kill or be killed. I prefer to live.”

  Lilith chuckled quietly at the blunt response. “Oh, I like you Rylan, but too bad—” she shook her head, “No. Never mind. Have you ever met a dragon?”

  The question caught him off guard. Rylan gulped but recovered quickly. “No. I have never met a dragon.” He tried to play it off with another shrug. Dizziness threatened at the fore of his mind, but he shook it off.

  “Truth, yet again. But, I believe there’s more behind that answer.” Lilith perked up and her eyes darkened.

  Rylan’s gaze shifted around as if seeking an escape route. He wiped his palms on his pants and held back from gripping his sword. He had never been afraid of a woman in his life, besides his own late mother. But the witch terrified him. She had an unnerving way about her. The sound of her voice made his eyes switch back towards her.

  “Have you ever met a man claiming to be a dragon? No! Wait… I’ll be more specific. Have you met a man named Kaden? Kaden Underwood?" When she spoke the name, Lilith’s voice deepened and blackness seeped into her eyes.

  Rylan gulped again. He couldn’t look away from her, but he managed to grip the hilt of his sword. Another shiver racked his body.

  “I—”

  “A-a-a-aaa….” Lilith warned, an evil glint in her onyx eyes and a wicked smile stretched across face. “You will tell me the truth.”

  Her command settled deep into his very soul.

  “Yes, I have met a man named Kaden Underwood.” The words slipped past Rylan lips uncontrolled.

  Lilith’s throaty laughter echoed around them, earning her a few disapproving grunts from those who woke.

  “I knew it!” She stood up, brushing at her dress. Rylan shot to his feet, unsheathing his sword. “Just wanted to hear you say it. I must admit, well played by them.”

  “What is going on?” Magnus grumbled as he stumbled toward Lilith, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

  Lilith glance
d at the disheveled prince and said, “We have a traitor in our midst, a spy, if you will.” She turned her eyes back at Rylan just to see him kick his cousin awake.

  “What?!” Magnus bellowed, and his eyes widened, then narrowed at Rylan.

  The men around them stirred but Magnus’ knights were quick to come to his side, weapons drawn.

  “Get up, Luke. It’s time to leave,” Rylan said to his cousin without looking down, his eyes trained on the men in front of him, sword poised to strike.

  Luke saw the sight in front of his cousin, and as adrenaline surged through his body, he jumped to his feet, pulling out his own sword.

  “What is the meaning of this?” Magnus snapped at the two traitors in front of him and took up his sword when Reed brought it to him. “Kill them!”

  Magnus’ men lunged forward.

  “No! Wait!” Lilith countered, and rolled her eyes when Magnus glared at her. “So temperamental. Kill the cousin, make this one watch,” she pointed at Rylan, “and then let him go and tell on us to the dragon and others.”

  “Don’t you love the way this woman thinks?” Reed said. “I think we should roughen him up before killing.”

  Rylan and Luke stood back to back, swords raised and ready to fight even though they were surrounded.

  “What’s happening ‘ere?” Norman staggered out of the mill-house with his men, sleep still hadn’t left him.

  “Those two are sent by the ones we plan on attacking,” Lilith said, a victorious smile stretched on her face.

  “What?!” Norman’s eyes bulged and then snapped to the cousins. The humiliation in front of the prince, after he had slandered him, made his blood boil. When neither Rylan nor Luke said anything in their defense, he bellowed, “Kill them!”

  The bandits lunged but Magnus’ men looked toward Lilith first. The reluctance of the prince’s men made the bandits hesitate.

  Lilith expelled an exasperated sigh. Men were so predictable when angry. Most of them reacting hot-headedly, succumbing to thoughtlessness.