That night Drægón stayed in the chamber that had been Xavier’s. The floor was vast enough to accommodate him in his dragon form, and he curled himself contentedly on the stone floor, his tail wrapped around him. Images of Evelyn filled his mind, her delicate human frame resting between his paws and curled into his neck as he wound around her protectively.
They left Storbrook early the next morning, heading northwest over the mountains. They had been flying a few hours when Drægón suddenly veered off course. Down below he saw the black shadow of a cave entrance and for reasons he didn’t understand, he needed to see it. He landed on the ledge and glanced around. Leaning forward, he sniffed the air, then drew back with a soft growl. His own scent filled the cave. Aaron landed beside him.
“You remember this?”
“No.”
“Your lair. You spent a lot of time here.”
Drægón stalked forward, peering into the shadows. Like Storbrook, the cave was warm and inviting, giving him a sense of belonging. He closed his eyes, trying to conjure up some memory, but his mind remained blank and only a feeling remained. He gave the cave one final glance, then turned and dropped off the ledge, spreading his wings wide to catch a current of air. Aaron followed him, and they flew in silence and joined the rest of the group.
They landed near Terranton at dusk and headed into the surrounding hills, where they hunted before finding a place to sleep.
“What will you do with the prisoners at Storbrook?” Drægón overheard Zach asking Aaron.
“They have all been sentenced to die,” Aaron said, “but since Drægón offered us redemption, perhaps we can do the same. We just won’t tell King John!”
The next morning they searched for a trace of Rolf. He had been seen near the capital of Terranton the previous week. Drægón managed to find the scent easily, but it meandered drunkenly across plains and over mountains, criss-crossing the countryside.
“He was searching for the others,” Max said. “It’s strange he did not know their exact location.”
“Perhaps they aren’t all in league with Rolf,” Zach mused. “He could be taking his chances that they will join with him.”
“It makes sense that they would join forces, if that’s the case,” Lleland said.
“Unless they have different motivations,” Lydia added.
The dragons were tracked to the northernmost border, where they had hidden themselves in the mountains. The scents were scattered across various hills and valleys, but the only one Drægón recognized belonged to Rolf. He landed in the middle of a large plain, and the others landed beside him.
“What are you thinking?” Aaron asked Drægón.
“Wait. See who comes.”
“Why?”
He wasn’t completely sure, but Evelyn’s image in his mind would not allow him peace. Flames lit his eyes. “Evie … not just kill.”
“She’d want you to give them the chance to repent.”
“Yes.”
Aaron nodded. “Very well.”
The ten dragons ranged themselves across the plain, some of them finding a spot to lie down and rest. Max paced restlessly, until finally dropping down beside Drægón.
“I say we’ve given them long enough. Let’s go hunt them down.”
“No,” Drægón replied.
“Do you really expect them to come? Either they’re too cowardly or too proud.”
“We wait.”
“I think,” Max began again, then stopped when Drægón bared his teeth with a growl.
“I said wait.”
Max dropped his gaze. “Yes, Master.”
It was Zach who approached Drægón a few hours later. “How long do you want to give them?” he asked.
Drægón glanced up at the sky. The winter sun had already long since passed its zenith and was making its way to the western horizon. “Nightfall,” he said.
The first stars were beginning to appear when the first of three dragons appeared in the sky above the mountains, flying slowly towards them. Even from this distance, Drægón could smell their trepidation. He rose on his haunches and watched as they approached and landed a short distance away. None of the three were strong, and had no hope of beating Drægón in a fight. The first stepped forward and sank to the ground before him.
“Master, I’m here to offer my fealty,” he said.
“Magnus,” Aaron said from behind Drægón. “We missed you at the conclave.”
Fear leaked from Magnus’s pores. “Forgive me, I was foolish. I did not believe in the tales of a savior, and thought that you were promoting your family’s claims above those of others.”
Aaron snorted. “You doubted my integrity. I would kill you for that, but I am no longer your Master. You can, of course, fight Drægón, should you wish to do so. Of course, a dragon of honor would not have made us hunt him down.”
Magnus turned to Drægón. “Master, word has spread that your blood has lifted the curse. My cousin says his cravings for human flesh have vanished, and yet he feels stronger than before. And my sister is with child. I know my actions are deserving of death, but I beg you for a chance to redeem myself. Let me give my oath.”
Drægón glanced at the men behind him. “Just you three?” he asked.
“Yes,” Magnus replied. “Rolf tracked us down and tried to convince us to join him, but we don’t wish to be traitors. He has others with him, though.”
Drægón nodded as he considered. The man needed to be punished for his impudence, but not with his life. He leapt forward and ripped his talons through the dragon’s wings, shredding them as the dragon roared in pain. Drægón clamped his jaws around his neck and drank his blood, draining him far beyond what he normally would. He pulled back and stared down at him.
“Oath tomorrow,” he snarled. He turned to the other two dragons, who had drawn back in fear, and launched himself at them, giving them the same treatment. His actions ensured they would suffer for the night until they were strengthened by his blood the next morning. He turned to Aaron, who nodded his understanding.
“Guard them,” Aaron told Lleland and Lydia. They glanced at Drægón, who confirmed the order with a nod. Already words were slipping from his mind. Evie, he thought, he needed Evie.
He launched himself into the air and sniffed, picking up the scents of the remaining traitors. While Drægón’s group waited on the plain they had moved deeper into the mountains, but he knew it would just be a matter of time before he tracked them. The others joined him and he roared as they shot towards the distant peaks.
The traitors were still fleeing, but it didn’t take long before Drægón caught sight of them in the distance. He increased his speed, shooting like an arrow towards his target. His mind was focused on Rolf, whose scent he caught amongst the others.
He closed the distance and saw Rolf flying within a group of dragons. As the wind rushed past him, he pushed away his flames, letting them consume his beastly form until he was no more than a blazing flame. He streaked forward, easily gaining on his prey. At the last moment he pulled back the flames, and stretching his talons he ripped through Rolf’s wings.
Rolf shrieked as he began to fall to the ground, and Drægón dived after him, catching him and burying his claws in his belly. His gaze met Rolf’s in the moment before he sank his teeth into his neck and bit down hard, crunching through bone. Blood flooded Drægón’s mouth and he drank deeply as he hurtled with the dead dragon to the ground below. They were within feet of the ground when he wrenched his teeth from the body and shot upwards into the sky.
He turned to see that his dragons had already caught up with the other traitors and were ripping them apart. One was trying to escape undetected, and Drægón plunged toward him, breaking his neck with a swipe of his talons and flinging the body to the ground. When he looked around again, the rest of the traitors were dead.
Without waiting for the others, Drægón headed back to the plain where the three injured dragons were huddled together. He had to
ld them to wait until morning, but he felt an urgency that could not be denied. He landed before them and bared his neck, and a moment later Magnus stepped forward and drank. Drægón felt the bond strengthening, but he ignored it and wrenched himself free, offering himself to the other two dragons. At some point Aaron landed beside him, but he ignored the golden dragon and shot into the air, turning his snout south. He needed to get back to the city. He could no longer remember why, but there was something there he needed to reach before it was too late. He felt Aaron flying silently beside him, but did not even glance in his direction.
He pushed himself harder, not stopping even when night fell and darkness covered the earth. He reached the city late the following afternoon, but as they neared, Aaron butted Drægón with his snout.
“Go to the cave,” he ordered. “I’ll bring her to you.”
Drægón growled. He wanted no delay, although he did not remember what it was he was seeking. Aaron bared his teeth and lashed him with his tail.
“Cave,” he ordered. Drægón snarled. This dragon had no right to order him. But being in the cave rather than amongst humans seemed appealing, and he turned west and headed into the hills. He felt the other dragon watching him for a moment before turning and heading in the opposite direction.
Chapter 44
When Aaron rushed into the house, Evelyn was in the parlor with Keira. He paused for a moment to give Keira a kiss, then turned to Evelyn.
“He needs you,” he said.
“What is it?” She rose to her feet. “What’s happened?”
“Too much dragon blood. He’s losing himself again. I sent him to the cave.”
“He needs my blood.”
“Yes. Do you want to help him?”
She turned to Keira, meeting her gaze, then nodded. “Yes. Let’s go.”
They were out of the house a moment later, hurrying towards the city gate. “Did you find the traitors?” she asked.
“We did.”
“Are they dead?”
He glanced at her. “Not all of them. Drægón offered mercy to those who asked for it.”
“He did? Why?”
“Because it’s what you would have wanted.”
She smiled. Over the last few days she and Keira had shared many long conversations. She had learned of how Keira first learned that Aaron was a dragon, and her repulsion at having to drink his blood. Keira had told her more about the bond that dragons shared with their mates; they were equally bound, Keira said, joined together in a way not possible between two humans. A dragon and his mate could feel each other’s emotions, tied together as they were. Their lives were no longer their own but belonged to the other.
When she returned home after her visit with Robin and his family, she had been dismayed to realize that Drægón was not there. She had looked ruefully at the outline of his body scorched on the quilt, and wished she had been home sooner. Each night, she had lain herself over the burn and imagined that he was there with her. She regretted her hasty words about taking his blood, and could only hope he would give her a chance to explain.
She and Aaron reached the outskirts of the city, and she turned away as Aaron changed into his dragon form. He lifted her onto his back with his tail and in a few moments they were plunging through the air, heading towards the hills at a rate so exhilarating it almost stopped her heart.
She slid off his back as soon as he landed, and rushed into the cave.
“Drægón?”
He was stretched over a bed of flames, an enormous white dragon that gleamed in the shadows. He started to growl, but when his eyes met hers, he stopped. She could see the confusion in his gaze, but then his voice ran through her mind.
“Evie.”
“Yes.” She sank to her knees beside the fire. “Aaron told me you need my blood.” She pushed up the sleeve of her gown and extended her arm. “Come, score me and drink.”
He ignored the proffered arm. “Mine.”
“Yes. I’m yours, and you’re mine.”
He stared at her for another moment, then dropped his gaze to her arm and licked it with his forked tongue.
“You need to drink,” she said. “Use your talon.”
He pulled back. “No!”
With a sigh of exasperation, she grabbed his claw and ran it over her skin, scoring herself. He looked at her in shock, then dropped his gaze to her arm and breathed in deeply.
Leaning forward, he began to lap the welling drops, pulling her arm to his snout as the blood flowed into his mouth. He lifted himself from the fire and sidled closer, and she wrapped her free arm around his neck.
“I missed you,” she whispered.
“Missed you too,” he replied. He placed his paw over her eyes, and a moment later his fingers were tangling in her hair as she fell against his chest. She looked up into his ice-blue eyes as his arms slipped to her waist and wrapped around her.
“Evie.” His mouth descended to hers and he pulled her tighter as she wrapped her hands around his neck. He was already tugging her gown from her shoulder when the sound of a clearing throat made him look up.
“Aaron.” Drægón smiled sheepishly and rose to his feet, bringing Evelyn with him. “Thank you.”
“Clearly you need Evelyn to remain at your side,” Aaron said. “Perhaps it is time for you to complete the mating.”
Drægón frowned, then turned to Evelyn. “Must talk.”
“I will leave you two alone,” Aaron said. “Come to the house in the morning.”
Drægón placed his hands on Evelyn’s cheeks and stared down at her. “Not enough words,” he said.
“Tell me in your mind.”
He pushed the hair from her face and buried his hands in her thick curls. “Mate bond not like other bond. You, me, we same.”
“Equals.”
“Yes. Equals. Not master.”
“I know.”
He pulled back to look at her. “You do?”
“Keira and I had plenty of time to talk while you were away. I’m sorry I acted without knowing more.”
“Should told you.”
“This isn’t going to be easy, Drægón.”
“No. But worth it.”
She smiled. “Yes, definitely.”
“Be my mate?”
“Be mine?”
He dropped his lips to hers and kissed her deeply. “Forever,” he whispered. His arms came around her, pulling her close. “My blood save others, your blood save me.”
“Redemption,” she whispered.
A glow leaked from his skin, brightening the cave. “Redemption,” he agreed.
They returned to Drake House the next morning and as they flew, Drægón told her about Storbrook. “Very big. For dragons.” He turned to look at her. “Want you there.”
“I wasn’t sure I would ever get to see it,” she said.
“Why?”
“Because your original plan was to provide me with a house in the city and return without me.”
He growled and flames filled the air. “No!”
She laughed. “I wouldn’t have made it easy for you to leave, however. I was already falling in love with you, my dear dragon.” He landed beyond the forest behind the palace, and they walked hand in hand as they made their way back to the city.
“I wrote to my family while you were away,” she said. “It wasn’t easy to explain how you returned from the dead.”
He quirked an eyebrow at her. “What you say?”
“I said that Aaron noticed you were still alive and had taken you to a place where you could recover, but because he was unsure you would, he had kept it a secret. And that you had lost your memories.”
He snorted in amusement. “Truth. They write?”
“They were astonished and amazed, of course, and said I should bring you home so you could recuperate.” She grinned at his look of dismay. “I thought you didn’t remember my mother!”
“Just feeling,” he said.
“Well, I declined t
he offer. Although, I would like to see my sister sometime.”
“One day Storbrook.” He grinned. “With Robin.”
She laughed. “I think I like that plan.”
They arrived at Drake House to a flurry of activity. “Oh good, you’re here,” Lydia said when she saw them standing at the doorway. “Xavier, grab those benches and move them to the wall, and Evelyn, go find Keira – she wants to check the fitting of your gown.”
“What is this for?”
“Your binding ceremony, of course.”
“Our binding – but how did you know?”
Lydia laughed. “Really Evelyn, how blind do you think I am? All you needed was some time alone with Keira. Now go on, there’s not much time.”
Evelyn glanced at Drægón, meeting his gaze, and he gave a rueful smile. “Not our ceremony,” he said, walking off in the direction indicated by Lydia. Evelyn watched him with a grin before going in search of Keira. She found her in one of the chambers, stitching the hem of a white gown.
“White?” Evelyn asked as Keira held up the gown. Silver embroidery swirled over the bodice of the gown, while pearls sparkled along the neckline.
“Matches Xavier, don’t you think? I wanted to make something special since he doesn’t remember your marriage. A red belt and red ribbons in your hair will set it off perfectly. Now take off that grubby thing you’re wearing, and let’s do a fitting.”
The rest of the afternoon passed as everyone in the household was put to work to prepare for the binding ceremony that evening. It would just be a small crowd, Keira assured Evelyn through the pins in her mouth. About a dozen dragons and their mates. Robin would also be in attendance, the only human without a dragon mate who was invited to attend.
Guests began to arrive as darkness fell, and Evelyn watched as they approached Drægón warily, their eyes lowered as they thumped their chests and gave a formal greeting before turning away.
“I thought all these people were family,” Evelyn whispered to him.
“They are.”
“But they seem scared of you.”
Evelyn heard his laughter drift through her mind. “Yes. I’m Master.”
She sent him a wry look before turning to greet the next person, a large red-haired man. Aaron stood a few feet away, and he came over as soon as he heard the voice.
Dragon Redeemed Page 33