“I know. But that’s because I love Val, not because I care for the dragons.”
“But Val’s a dragon.”
“Well, he’s not perfect now, is he?” Hazel didn’t know how to explain to Runa that she was only doing this for Val.
Aspen chuckled next to her. “They’ll grow on you. Runa, don’t worry, my sister will be a good queen.”
“Not like you, she won’t.”
“I’m only interested in making Val happy. From what I’ve heard, that’s all that really matters.”
Aspen nudged her. “It’s much more than that. But over time, you’ll learn, and I’m sure you’ll come to like them. I’m glad you don’t have to go through the testing though. That was awful.”
“What’d you have to do?”
“I was tortured, blinded, had my mind probed, and was seduced. It was the worst several hours of my life. But I survived, and that meant Sid did as well. It was worth it. Come on, it’s time to go.”
Hazel gripped Aspen’s hand. She and Aspen would need to spend some time together when this was all over and talk. The things her sister had gone through in the last few months were unthinkable.
Hazel watched as Val’s body changed from human to dragon. He brought his head down and blinked his deep brown eyes at her. They were so dark they nearly blended in with his black scales.
You ready?
“Was that you?”
Val’s body shook. Yes, you can talk to me with your mind as well if you try hard enough. We’ll practice on the way to the cave. Now climb on up.
“You want help?” Aspen asked.
Hazel shook her head. She wanted to do this on her own.
Her hands trembled as she placed them on the smooth scales. She threw her leg over his neck and hoisted herself up. It was easier than she thought it would be. She gripped his neck tight when he spread his wings and took off. Suddenly her fear of flying overcame her. Her heart began to race, and all of her muscles tensed. She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to take deep breaths.
You okay?
She shook her head against his body, but she knew he couldn’t see her.
I wish I could kiss you right now.
She almost laughed. That would make it all better. The flight seemed to take forever. But soon the light changed. Hazel peeked and saw they were in a cave. One with ruby studded walls.
Val touched down in the middle of a cavern.
“We beat the council,” Aspen said, scrambling off Sid’s back. She stood below Hazel. “Getting off is harder than getting on. You have to slide down.”
Hazel stumbled a little when she hit the ground. Val changed into a human and immediately brought her in for a kiss.
“What was that for?” Hazel asked.
“Because I couldn’t comfort you on the flight.”
Aspen giggled. “Oh yeah, I forgot Hazel doesn’t like to fly. Oh, here they come.”
A sparkly silver dragon flew above them, followed by a bright red one.
“That’s Pearl. She’s Sid’s sister. Behind her is Eros. Are you related to him, Val?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Val’s a fire dragon,” Aspen continued. Three more dragons flew in after them. “The yellow one is Xanthous. I like him. The blue is Kairi. Be glad you don’t have to go through her test.” Aspen shivered. “Sequoia is the purple and green. Oh, and look, there comes Anasazi. He’s a canyon. That speck behind him is Nedra. He’s blind.” Aspen creased her eyebrows. “Hey, Sid. Did they replace Winerva?”
No. We’ll have to do without an arctic dragon.
“What happened to Winerva?” Hazel asked.
“I killed her. It was an accident, but still, the arctic dragons aren’t happy with us.”
“How do you accidentally kill a dragon? Especially an arctic dragon. They’re enormous,” Val asked.
“She tried to kill me, and I had a sword in my hand.”
“Aspen, you and I are going to have a long talk when we get home tonight,” said Hazel.
“Tomorrow. Tonight you and loverboy will sleep in the king’s chambers. Come on. They want to get started.”
The three of them approached the dragons, who had formed a half circle. Runa flew right behind them. Sid was already standing in front of the council.
Xanthous approached her.
“There has been a change of plans.”
“What do you mean?” Aspen asked, clutching at Hazel’s arm.
“Obsidian convinced us to do away with the testing, but truthfully we weren’t entirely comfortable with that. We need to make sure she will be able to withstand being a dragon queen.”
Sid stepped forward. “Excuse me? We agreed that a testing would not be necessary. Aspen was lucky she survived. We don’t have time to train the new queens. Their sole purpose is so the new kings get the gifts they need.”
Xanthous shook his bright yellow head. “You think that is their only purpose? You have a lot to learn, young king. No, they are much more than simply carriers for the gifts. We need to make sure she’s fitting. We’ve developed a test that will allow us to judge the more important aspects. She will be in no physical danger.”
“Explain.”
“Ah, that would ruin the test now, wouldn’t it? Suffice it to say, we will test her on compassion, temptation, secrecy, and persuasion. Pearl will monitor her emotions, and Anasazi will watch her thoughts and convey them to the rest of us.”
Sid deferred to Val. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s up to Hazel.”
Hazel jerked her head up. She wasn’t sure what she thought. She didn’t know what this test would entail, but listening to Aspen talk about her own wasn’t encouraging. Then again, she needed to prove herself.
“If that is what it takes to become queen, then yes.”
“Fantastic,” said Xanthous. “I do hope you’ll be as entertaining as your sister was. Obsidian, will you take Aspen and Valentine up to the observation area?”
Val gave Hazel a lingering kiss. “You don’t have to do this.”
“Of course I do. They said I wouldn’t be in any danger. I can handle it.”
TWO DRAGONS holding a cage flew into the pit. They set it down on the ground in front of Hazel, and she paled when she saw that it contained a human. Not just any human either.
Paul.
She ran to the bars. “Are you okay? Why are you in there?”
Xanthous stepped around the side of the cage. “Because he tried to kill our king.”
“He was trying to kill the human killer.”
“But he didn’t. He shot Obsidian.”
“This is ridiculous. Let him go.” Outrage filled Hazel’s mind.
“Are you sure that’s what you want? What if his sentence is all that stands between you and Valentine? If we let him go, we may not let you become queen. Think carefully of what you want.”
Hazel didn’t know what to think. On one hand, Paul didn’t mean to shoot Obsidian, but on the other hand, she could see how they might think otherwise.
She took a deep breath and stepped away from Paul’s cage.
“Exactly what is it you want from me?”
“We want you to make a decision. You’ll be queen. This is part of your duties. What should happen to this man who thinks it is okay to shoot at innocent dragons? Keep in mind that your thoughts and feelings will be monitored.”
Oh great, so even her thoughts could condemn her.
She decided to start easy. “Look, Sid is fine. There is no reason for Paul to be held here. Let him go.”
“You would let him go? What if Obsidian had died? Would your answer be any different?”
Hazel stopped short. Would it? It should be. Obsidian was her sister’s love. That deserved something.
“Of course that would change my response. If Obsidian died, everything would be different.”
“But Paul’s actions would be no different. The crime is still the same.”
Hazel looked
over at the cage. Paul was looking around like he couldn’t see or hear anything that was going on.
“What’s wrong with him? Why won’t he look at me?”
“Because he is in an enchantment. In thirty seconds, we’ll remove that enchantment. You will be able to see and converse with him. You cannot tell him of Val or your role among our kingdom. Our secrets must be kept. Once the enchantment is lifted, you’ll have fifteen minutes.”
“Fifteen minutes to do what?”
“To decide his fate.”
Hazel barely had time to process those words when she saw the light shift, and Paul saw her.
“Hazel, what are you doing here?”
She went to the cage. “Are you okay?” she asked.
He nodded. “What am I doing in here?”
“I don’t….don’t know.” She didn’t know how to tell him about the dragons without revealing the secrets they didn’t want revealed. “How did you get in there?”
“I’m not sure. I went to bed, and then I woke up in here a couple of hours ago. Can you get me out?”
“I don’t think so.” She sat down in front of the cage and studied him. He didn’t deserve to be in there. What he did was an accident. But Xanthous’s words floated around in her head. His actions were the same, no matter the outcome.
“Can I ask you a question?” Hazel asked.
Paul sat. “Sure.”
“If you were up in the tree again with that gun, but you knew that you’d hit the wrong dragon, would you still pull the trigger.”
“Come on, Hazel, they are just dragons.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“Yeah, I would. If there was any chance at all that I would get the human killer. I had to.”
“Why?”
“Because those were my orders.”
“What? To kill the human killer?”
Paul snorted. “No, to see if the gun would work.”
Hazel stood and backed away from the cage. That was not the response that she expected.
“And what do you think? Did it work?”
“It needs a few modifications, but overall the effect was desired. Next time it should do what it was intended to do.”
“What is that?”
“Kill the dragons. Come on, Hazel. They can’t be allowed to live.” Hazel wanted to tell him to shut up, to stop talking because he was only guaranteeing that no matter what she said, he’d be killed.
“They took care of the dragon that was killing humans.”
“Sure, this time. They are too big, too threatening to be here. They should’ve died out with the dinosaurs. There’s no place for them in the human world.”
A week ago, she would’ve agreed with him, but now she knew better. Plus she didn’t want Val to die.
“So what’s going to happen to them?”
“Once the guns are done being modified, we’re going hunting.”
Hazel recoiled, but she also knew there was no way they could kill him now. Believe it or not, he’d just ensured his survival. She figured she had about five minutes left. Five minutes to convince him that he was wrong.
“Paul, you can’t mean that. They are basically peaceful.”
He laughed. “Since when do you say stuff like that? I’d swear I’m talking to Aspen and not you.”
“Maybe she got to me.”
“Maybe she did.”
The next few minutes passed faster than she had hoped, but she hadn’t made any headway with Paul. Hazel could tell the second time was up.
“Hazel, where’d you go?” Paul was looking wildly around, and Xanthous appeared in front of her again.
“So, have you made a decision for that despicable man?”
“I have.” Xanthous would not like what she would say. “Let him go.”
With the exception of the orange dragon, the dragons around her shifted and colored smoke poofed out of several snouts.
Calm down. Hear her out.
The dragons all stilled, and Hazel knew the canyon dragon had spoken to them all.
Pearl, does she mean to deceive?
Not that I can tell.
Very well, Hazel, tell them why you want to let him go.
“Because he’s obviously a pawn in this plan. If you kill him, you’ll never find the guns that he is speaking of until it’s too late. By letting him go, you can follow him and destroy the guns before they have a chance to use them against you. It makes no sense to kill him or keep him locked up.”
Xanthous cocked his head. “So you would have us let him go to protect us?”
“Yes, I would.”
“Pearl, does she speak the truth?”
I believe she does.
“Very well. Let us talk for a moment. Obsidian, you can come back down.”
They lifted Paul’s cage out of the pit, and Sid, Val, and Aspen joined them from the top of the cavern. Aspen threw her arms around Hazel. “That was amazing. Though I have to say, you got off easy.”
“That didn’t seem so easy.”
Val changed to a human form and slid his arm around her waist as Xanthous approached her.
“You passed the test. You showed immense compassion for both the dragons and the humans. Paul was the one person who could possibly change your mind because you care for him a great deal, yet neither Pearl nor Anasazi sensed your desire to be with him. In this, you resisted temptation. You also did not reveal our secrets to him. Then you persuaded us to keep that despicable man alive. You do not love the dragons, and yet you seem to only desire what is best for us. I still sense some hesitancy from you. Are you willing to accept this life among the dragons?”
“I am.”
He studied her for a moment and then seemed to accept her sincerity. “Let us begin. I will start by giving you my gift. From me, you’ll receive the ability to converse in all tongues and with any species.”
He touched his snout to her hand, and she felt a warmth flow through her. She tried not to think of the ramifications of his gift.
The purple dragon with the bright green wings approached her next.
I give you the gift to heal those around you. She brushed her forehead, and another thread of warmth flowed through Hazel. Now she understood how Aspen had healed Sid on the field.
The brown dragon came next. From me, you are given strength.
Followed by the orange dragon. I give you the ability to hear the thoughts of those around you.
Then the blue dragon. I give you the power to shield your mind from unwanted watchers.
The red dragon didn’t even bother to speak to her. He just touched her head with his snout. She’d have to ask Val later what his gift did.
The silver dragon came last. I give you the gift to feel the emotions of those around you.
Hazel was now buzzing with the thoughts and feelings of everyone around her. She couldn’t make heads or tails of it.
“You okay?” Val asked.
Hazel nodded. “Is there any way to block out the thoughts?”
The orange dragon came forward once again. You must build a shield in your mind. Think of a brick wall. It is not difficult.
Hazel consciously built a wall around her mind, and immediately the voices disappeared.
“Whew. That’s better. Now what?”
“Now we become bonded. You ready?”
She smiled at him, and Sid approached them. This works best if you embrace one another.
“No complaints here.” Val brought her into his arms. She clutched at his back and rested her face on his chest.
She watched as Sid opened his mouth and bright white flames spewed forth. For a half second terror filled her, but as the flames engulfed her, she realized that it wasn’t hot. She felt herself merging with Val. It was a strange sensation. His memories became hers, and almost immediately she wanted to ask him about them. Within seconds it was over.
She untangled herself from Val, and Aspen caught her up in a hug. “Now, we have two queens in the
family. I think it’s time to tell Mom.”
“She won’t believe us.”
We have company.
The voice had come from the canyon dragon. Everyone turned to face the entrance to the cavern. In flew another black dragon. Val pulled her back and whispered fiercely in her ear. “Go hide. We don’t know if this dragon is safe or not. He’s been deliberately hiding from us, and we don’t know why. Take Aspen and go.”
Hazel took his hand in her own. “I’m your queen now. I’ll stand next to you, thank you very much.”
The dragon hovered for a second before dropping to the floor. It took a moment for Hazel’s eyes to take it in, but soon she realized that he had a person on his back.
The young man slid off of the dragon. In spite of the cold, he wore only a t-shirt, with ripped jeans and Converse sneakers. His blonde hair was spiked, and his brilliant green eyes sparkled in the dim light. Hazel couldn’t help but admire the muscles that rippled as he reached up and patted the dragon on its neck. The young man stepped toward them, and Aspen squealed.
“Rowan!”
Aspen raced for him and embraced him. Hazel right behind her. He didn’t look like himself, but Hazel didn’t care. Rowan was alive. He crushed her in a hug.
“You scared the hell out of me,” she mumbled into his shoulder. She let go of him. “Where have you been?”
He grinned. “That’s a long story.”
“Yeah, and I expect it has to do with that black dragon over there. How’d you find him when the rest of the dragons couldn’t?” Aspen asked.
Rowan snorted. “Him?” Then he turned around. “Love, I think it’s time you revealed yourself.”
The black dragon rapidly shrunk into the most beautiful woman Hazel had ever seen.
“Skye?” Aspen looked at the girl with confusion.
“The one and only.” She waltzed over and put arm around Rowan’s waist. “Have we got a story to tell you.”
I HOPED YOU enjoyed reading Valentine. If you are interested in the next book in the series, it will be released in September 2016.
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Valentine (The Dragon Kings Book 3) Page 17