Haytham worried for Andras. Would they all get caught in Derog’s traps? A guard walked over and reached for Hay’s arm. “I can walk unaided, thank you.”
Hay steered Candace to the rogne. She pointed to the one near the middle and they both scrambled into the saddle, Candace sitting between Haytham’s thighs. The guard waited until they settled before he tied Haytham’s wrists together while his arms wrapped around Candace. Then the guard tied Candace’s wrists together and looped the rope through a fastening on the saddle.
Once everyone mounted, the small group returned to the road and continued northward toward the mountains.
“I don’t understand why he ties us. He must know I can burn right through them,” Candace complained.
“It’s probably a dragon thing. Andras said they are exceedingly territorial over their possessions.”
“Derog doesn’t own me.” Candace stiffened in anger.
Haytham nuzzled her neck and kissed her ear. “No, but he wants to,” Haytham whispered. Candace relaxed back into his embrace. “Rest if you can. We’ll try to escape tonight.”
Chapter Ten
“Do you have any siblings?” Candace blurted out.
Haytham had been quiet on the ride, but she wanted to know more about her Destined One. He shook his head.
“No, my parents died when I was young. My uncle inherited my father’s position of head of the Air House. He raised me and never married, so in a way, I’m his only heir.”
“In a way? What do you mean?” Candace glanced over her shoulder.
Hay looked off at the countryside that changed again as they rode. All the trees gone, now low shrubs and an occasional cactus appeared. More and more rock formations stood near the road as if a giant had spilled them out of a bag. They must be getting closer to the volcano.
His jaw stiff, his eyes looked sad as he contemplated her question. “My uncle doesn’t like me much. I never lived up to his expectations. He was furious when the magic chose me to be a Guardian and I began to work on the force. When I do go home, he expects a full report of my activities. I think he wants to make sure I don’t embarrass him.”
“That’s awful. I don’t understand. My brother may drive me crazy telling me what to do, but he does it because he loves me and wants to protect me.”
“When we make it back to Earth, I’ll rent us an apartment in London. We won’t live with my uncle. I wouldn’t submit you to his opinionated comments.”
“I already have a nice flat. You can move in with me.”
Haytham gave her a squeeze. “You’d do that? Take me in?”
“Haytham, you’re my Destined One. Of course, I’d take you in. You do want to live together, right?”
“More than anything.”
“Well, it’s settled then.”
“Tell me about it. What colors do you like to decorate with? Where is it located?”
Candace told Haytham the whole story of finding the flat in a good neighborhood and fighting her brother over getting it. Without even thinking, Candace blew fire across both their bound hands and the ropes fell to the ground. She turned sideways on the saddle and Haytham held her close as they talked.
§
Haytham chuckled at something Candace shared. He’d been doing that a lot today. Laughing and teasing with her. He felt completely relaxed in her company. Something he didn’t feel even with his friends in the Witch Guardians. Well, maybe the lycans. He’d always liked dogs and enjoyed Tolya’s and Seth’s energetic friendliness. If they accepted you, you were family. Garrett had taken him under his wing, except Hay thought of him more as a mentor than a friend.
Being with Candace was different. He wanted to be with her, see her smile, and hear her laugh. If it wasn’t for the guards in front and trailing behind, he would find a place to lay her in the shade and kiss her senseless.
After a brief stop for lunch, where one of the guards rode up and handed them packets of food and a water skin to share, Haytham pulled the small silver flute from his pocket and began to play. He tried a jaunty dance tune first to see if the guards would object. They watched and said nothing. A couple of them smiled and clapped along with the rhythm. Next, he played a love song for Candace, wanting her to know how he felt. The guards nearest them started to look at Candace as if they too loved her. Haytham finished the song prematurely and began a soft melody similar to a lullaby. The guards nearest them began to yawn, their eyes to droop. One of the guards actually fell asleep and began to snore. Candace giggled.
When Derog looked back at the sound, Haytham put the flute back into his pocket. Derog roared the guard’s name and the poor fellow jumped awake and almost fell off his mount. Only the quick thinking of his partner, who grabbed his arm and steadied him, saved the guard from falling. Haytham watched the whole thing, his mind whirling. The magical flute appeared to affect those who heard the tune. Could he use it to help their escape?
“How did you get the flute to play?” Candace asked a little while later. “You never said before.” She rested her back against his chest and Haytham enjoyed the scent that was hers alone.
Her red hair tickled his nose and he loved to rub his face against the silky softness. He told her about the pin and how the blood from his cut filled the filigree Air House design.
“I never saw a pin.” Candace turned to look at him.
“I’ll show you when we stop tonight. I think only someone from the Luften house could play the flute. Most premier musicians have some Air House blood in their background. All sound is a vibration carried on air.”
“I never thought of that. It would explain so much. I don’t understand why the flute was considered dangerous enough to be given to the museum.”
“I think I’m beginning to understand, but let’s talk about it when we’re alone.” Candace nodded and leaned back again. Haytham pulled her closer, enjoying having her in his arms.
Later that afternoon, the guards let them off the rogne to stretch their legs and drink water. The men who had heard the love song were much nicer to Candace, but seemed to look at him jealously. Haytham wandered closer to the guards that rode up front with Derog. They whispered amongst themselves. With a wave of his hand, Haytham moved the air molecules to bring the sound to him.
“The master says we will be at the volcano tonight. That we will camp within its shadow.”
“Everyone says the mountain in haunted, that only the pure of heart may come near. We’re all going to die.”
“Shut up! If the master hears you talk like that, you won’t have to fear the ghosts of the mountain. He’ll burn you to a cinder.”
Haytham began to turn away. They would reach the volcano tonight. He stopped when he heard them speaking of Candace.
“What about the girl? She’s burned through all the ropes we’ve tied her with. Are you sure she won’t turn on us?”
“As long as the master is here, she’ll do what she’s told. Now get everyone back on their mounts; the master is coming.”
So, Candace and her magic scared some of the guards. No wonder none of them tried anything with her. Maybe that could work to their advantage. He walked back to Candace where she smiled prettily at the other two guards. Haytham felt possessiveness start to surface. His hands fisted, but he stopped himself from doing anything. Candace was as safe as she could be in Derog’s company with two guards in love with her and the other two afraid, and that’s all he could ask. She saw him and excused herself, like a queen holding court. He motioned her to their mount.
“What did you find out?” she whispered, a trickle of smoke came out of her nose. She wiped it away.
“We’ll be at the volcano tonight.”
“Give me the volume on the First Dragon. I need to see the map again.” Haytham handed her the book from his pocket.
She opened the work near the back and found the page she wanted. Instead of reading it, she ripped it from the book and handed the volume back to him. She stuffed the map into her pocket and
turned to mount the rogne.
“Put the book in our pack. I want Derog to find it if he comes looking.” Haytham nodded and did as she instructed. His Destined One could be a bossy little thing.
He felt to make sure the work on the Marwolaeth still resided in his doublet pocket and mounted the lizard behind her. Derog took the lead again and motioned all of them to follow. After a quick whispered conference, the two guards in charge of them decided not to tie their wrists. Candace picked up the reins and urged the beast forward.
As they traveled, all foliage disappeared until rocky terrain and sand surrounded them. The road ended in a field of boulders. They followed a small trail barely wide enough for one rogne to pass. The path led up, turning first one way, and then another, going around the large rocks littering the landscape. Huge cracks ran along the ground venting hot gases. The wind became hotter and the smell of sulfur filled the air. Sweat soon dotted their faces.
Haytham called on his magic to surround their mount and the two of them with a bubble of cool air. The guards began to complain and mutter. Derog ignored them all and continued leading the group higher and higher.
The sun began to set behind the west side of the mountain, throwing a huge shadow across the ground. Derog led their group off the path to a cluster of rocks that formed a small semi-circle. Next, he ordered the men to make camp. Derog reached up and plucked Candace from the rogne before Haytham could stop him.
“Put me down,” she complained. Haytham quickly dismounted.
“In a moment. Tomorrow, I am sending you into the volcano. Such a shame I can’t taste the bloom beforehand. Eat dinner with me. I’ll tell you my fabulous plans for when I become king.”
“No. I’d rather go without than dine with you.” Candace struggled to free herself. Haytham took a step forward. He couldn’t stand there and do nothing.
“I like your fire, sweetheart.” Derog took a huge sniff at her neck. “See how your Destined One is ready to fight for you? If you want him to survive the night, you will remember to stay on my good side.” Derog pushed Candace into Haytham’s arms. “Guards tie them up and put them against the rocks. I wouldn’t want my prize to get away. Oh, feed the woman first. She’ll need her strength to get my stone in the morning.”
Haytham caught Candace before she fell and watched Derog walk away.
“You shouldn’t have angered him.” He held her close. His heart pounded. They walked a fine line here.
“He didn’t expect me to eat with him. He played with me like a cat with a mouse.” She put her arms around his waist. He nuzzled her hair and kissed her temple.
“Or a dragon with his dinner. You need to be more careful, Candy.”
“Candy?” She looked up at him. “It’s funny, nobody has ever called me that, not even my father. He called me ‘Red’ or ‘Little Red’ when I was small.”
“Well, I’m glad to be the first. Come on; let’s see if the two guards are still enamored of you. Maybe we can convince them we won’t try to escape and get some food.”
Candace smiled and winked. “Two dinners and a water skin coming up.”
She walked, her hips swaying, up to the guards who still unloaded supplies from the rogne. After a few bats of her eyes and a giggle, the guards handed their dinner to her. Haytham sighed. His Destined One would be a handful. Of course, as long as his hand held hers, he didn’t really mind so much. She walked back and after checking for ants, they settled on the ground against one of the taller rock formations.
Derog began his nightly routine of making a smoke ring around their camp. Haytham noticed that nobody crossed the ring once in place. When Derog finished, the huge brown dragon took off, filling the air with sand and dust. Candace buried her face in his shirt.
The guards swore and coughed. A couple tried to cover their faces. When the dust began to settle, Haytham wiped his hand down his face. He had a sneaking suspicion Derog did that to make them all suffer. The food they hadn’t eaten now ruined. He looked down at his dirt colored clothes. Whether Derog did it on purpose or not, he gave them the best camouflage by covering them in dust the same color as the rocks around them.
Haytham offered the water skin to Candace. “Here. At least the water is still clean.”
“I bet he did that on purpose!”
Haytham laughed. “I’m sure he did. Don’t worry about it. We now blend in perfectly with our surroundings.”
Candace looked down at her clothes and then up at him. A smile broke out on her face and then she laughed, a full-bellied guffaw. The guards looked at them in confusion. She laughed so hard that tears rolled down her cheeks. Finally, she controlled herself and got to her feet. She shook out her hair, trying to get rid of the worst of the dust.
“I think another trail pack is in order. I’m still hungry. I’ll be right back.”
Haytham chuckled and watched Candace work her magic on the guards. They couldn’t seem to do enough for her. The other two guards had taken up position to do patrols, still not crossing the line of smoke. Hay looked to the sky. Where had Derog flown off to? Did he know they would try to make their escape tonight?
§
Candace carried the two new food packets to the rocks. Haytham leaned against one of the taller boulders, his ankles crossed, his blue boots covered in dust. He watched her and she liked it, liked him even. She found herself slowing. She wanted to impress him, be sexy for him, something she’d never felt before. Of course, being covered in sweat and dirt from the road and Derog’s exit didn’t help any kind of image she might want to portray. Still, she batted her eyelashes a little while handing a packet to Haytham.
“Thank you,” he said, their fingers touching lightly. He was always polite to her. She liked that too, as well as the little electric zing that flowed between them. Candace couldn’t help but want more.
She found a small rock to perch on and opened her packet.
“What kind of music do you like?” she asked, choosing a piece of jerky to munch on.
“Well, the Air House is known for its music, so I like most kinds. I find myself listening to country music when I want to hang out. How about you?”
“Country is good, but I like Katie Perry and Taylor Swift. So, more pop, I guess. Do you like to dance? You looked pretty good dancing when we met.”
“You saw me? I only danced with Eileen Amhurst as a friend.”
“I’m not jealous, silly.” Though maybe she was… If Eileen expected a repeat performance with Candace’s Destined One, she could think again. Candace ripped into her jerky.
“My job doesn’t give me much down time, but yes, I like to dance. Maybe when we get back to Earth, I can take you to one of the clubs.”
“That sounds like fun. Do you really think we’ll make it back?” He seemed so sure.
“Absolutely. I know where the portal is so we can find our way to it. We need to escape our dragon friends.”
“Yeah, that’s going to be harder than you think.”
“I didn’t say it would be easy. Let’s worry about getting the stone first. If I didn’t like Andras so much, I would suggest we bargain with Derog. The stone for our escape to Earth. But I think of Andras as a friend, and I wouldn’t want to bring trouble to his family, or yours either now that your mother is queen.”
“Yeah, that complicates things.” Candace pulled the ripped page showing the map to the Chamber of the First Dragon. “Look, if I’m right, the opening into the mountain isn’t far from here. We could probably reach it in an hour or so.” Haytham took the paper and smoothed it out before studying the page.
“This looks impossible. The map indicates a chamber near the center of the volcano. The heat from the magma will cook us before we get there.”
“It will be hot, but you can do your magic thing and cool the air.”
“I’m not sure I can cool it that much.” Haytham shook his head. “Look at this warning. It sounds like the trail is booby-trapped. Maybe we should forget this whole thing.”
“No! I’m going to get that stone. Are you going to help me or not?” Candace searched his face. This would tell her so much. Was he the hero she imagined him to be?
“Of course, I’m going to help you. You’re my Destined One.” His tone spoke of annoyance. “I want you to be safe. I didn’t find you, so we could go on a suicide mission for a dragon.”
She would rather he say he loved her. She nodded. “Since, Derog will kill us if we don’t, I think our choices are limited. Once camp settles, we’ll need to escape.”
“Save a piece of the food wrapping to stuff your ears with. I’m going to play our guards a lullaby. I noticed the flute has a magical effect on the listener.”
Candace nodded again. She’d noticed the same thing. “I think I’m going to get us a couple more food packets and another water skin. We may need it inside the volcano. I’m sure I can flirt my way into the guards giving them to me.” She got up and took a step.
Haytham grabbed her wrist and swung her around until they stood chest to chest. He kissed her, his mouth nibbling at her lips. She opened and speared her fingers through his hair. How she loved his hair, the blond tresses a little long to be considered proper. Their tongues tangled. A fire sparked. When Haytham suddenly ended the kiss, Candace found herself panting. He set her back a pace. Her hands fell to land on top of his at her waist.
“I wanted to remind you who your Destined One was.” Haytham ran a finger down her cheek before taking another step back.
Candace touched her lips. They tingled. Heat blazed in her cheeks. “I won’t forget.” She turned and walked away.
§
Haytham watched the sway of Candace’s hips. He also didn’t miss the quick look over her shoulder to see if he watched. Destined One lore was true. He fell and fell hard into love.
Fiery Magic Page 12