Ivan held up his hand and went to her. “I don’t mean you.” He swept his arm around to encompass the treasure. “But this. What am I supposed to do with this?”
“What do the other dragon shifters do?” Zara asked. “Fiona and her family. What do they do?”
“Harlan built a vault. They store their treasure there.” He glanced at the gold and jewels. “I could ask them to store this for me. Or I could leave it here.”
“Will you keep the secret?” Gilliam asked Karros and Zara.
“Of course. This is Ivan’s decision.” Karros reached for Zara’s hand. “We won’t tell anyone.”
Ivan sighed. “We came here for answers. We came here to help Larisa’s father and to finally find the truth as to who killed my parents and framed Davy. That hasn’t changed.”
“It has changed,” Larisa told him. “We wanted answers for you, too. Answers about your family. We just never expected to find all this.”
“Why don’t we go back? You must need food and some coffee. Ivan’s treasure isn’t going anywhere. This isn’t a decision you should rush into, Ivan.” Gilliam backed away as if he’d rather be anywhere other than here.
“Why don’t you want to stay?” Larisa jogged over to him, the light from her torch dancing above her head.
“There might not be ghosts here, but I still feel the dead.” He turned to face her. “The treasure, as beautiful as it is, holds sad memories for me.”
“Because of Ivan’s father.” Larisa tilted her head to one side.
“Yes. At first, I figured he’d come for it. Then I heard of his death. It ripped the heart out of me. I swore I’d stay here and wait for his child to come and claim his birthright. But there was never any news of him. And although he was the reason I stayed, that reason faded in my mind. Now it’s back.” He tapped his forehead. “It’s like a laser burning my skin.”
“We can go.” Ivan joined his mate. “Thank you for guarding this for my father. For me. You were a good friend, Gilliam.”
Gilliam looked down at the ground. “Your father was a good friend to me, Ivan. He saved me when I was at my lowest.”
Karros and Zara joined them, and they made their way up the tunnel, the treasure no longer tormented him with its song. It was now a low hum at the back of his mind.
He suspected it would always be there and he was all right with that.
Chapter Twenty-Three – Larisa
Larisa helped Gilliam in the kitchen. The fae insisted on preparing the coffee and food, but she did her best to find enough plates and cups for his visitors.
“Look in the dresser in the second room on the right,” Gilliam suggested when she could only find three plates. It seemed visitors were so rare that Gilliam didn’t keep more stuff in the large, but basic, kitchen.
“Okay.” She headed out of the kitchen and along a wide hallway. The palace was like a maze with various rooms leading from a labyrinth of hallways. Larisa longed to explore the building, but this was Gilliam’s home, and she had no right to snoop around without his permission.
Pushing open the second door on the right as instructed, she entered a sparsely furnished room, her eyes instantly drawn to a tapestry on the wall. She stepped back and stared at it. The tapestry depicted the prophecy Gilliam had told them about.
A massive dragon with red scales that shimmered in the sun stood on a raised platform looking down on a smaller dragon with blue scales. The larger dragon bore down on the smaller dragon breathing fire. But from the left side of the platform, someone threw a spear directly at the dragon’s heart.
“I forgot the plates are in the third room on the left.” Gilliam appeared in the doorway behind her. “Ah, I see you found the tapestry.” With his mouth downturned, he crossed the room to stand next to her staring at the images.
“Is this the prophecy?” She pointed at the intricate work.
He shook his head. “No, I made this in the months following Andor’s death. I call it Gilliam’s revenge.”
“Revenge for what?” she asked.
“The red dragon is responsible for the death of Ivan’s father.” He jabbed his finger at the tapestry. “This is me throwing a spear attempting to take revenge for Andor’s death.”
“So you know who is responsible for Andor’s death?” Larisa turned to Gilliam.
“Argothorn. He is responsible.”
“He murdered Ivan’s father?” This is the information they needed. Surely the pendant belonged to him, too.
“If Argothorn hadn’t banished Andor from the dragon isle, he would never have been murdered in the world beyond.” Gilliam choked on his words as his emotions threatened to take control of him.
“So he didn’t actually murder Andor?” Larisa felt deflated.
“Andor was murdered by a human from the world beyond.” Gilliam wiped his hand across his eyes.
“No. He wasn’t.” Larisa shook her head firmly. “It was a lie. We’re certain that he was murdered by a dragon shifter. We have the pendant that was used as payment for the information that led to Ivan’s father being murdered.”
“A pendant?” Gilliam asked. “Don’t people in the world beyond usually pay in cash?”
“They do,” Larisa confirmed. “But the person who killed Andor wasn’t from the world beyond.”
Gilliam frowned. “The person responsible for the murder, a man named Reginald, went to prison for other crimes, but the police were convinced he had something to do with the murder. He had an accomplice but the accomplice was also murdered.”
“Your detective was thorough, I’m sure,” Larisa said.
“But you’re telling me this is not true?” Gilliam asked.
“My father was framed for Murray’s murder. He was framed by the person who killed Andor.” Larisa reached out and touched Gilliam’s shoulder as his face paled. “Are you okay?”
“Are you sure? Are you sure you are not just trying to clear your father’s name by blaming someone else?” Gilliam’s gentle tone wasn’t meant to offend her. Of course, it was a natural conclusion to jump to.
“I’m sure.” She smiled sadly. “My father was a friend of Andor. A good friend. He was devastated by the death of Ivan’s parents. Then his face appeared on the TV and in newspapers. He was the prime suspect in Murray’s murder. It has haunted him ever since.”
“So who killed them? Who does the pendant belong to?”
“We thought you might be able to help us with that. We came here because Hannah thought you might know.” Larisa guided Gilliam to a solid wooden chair in the corner of the room. He reached out his hand and the chair rocked as he gripped the back of it tightly.
“Why would she think I’d know? I only ever visited the dragon isle once.” Gilliam sat down on the chair, his head in his hands as he stared at the floor. “Hannah is the only person I ever told. When we were young, we used to meet in the wildwood and explore together. She was my most trusted friend.”
“Hannah never told us why you might be able to help us.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out the pendant but kept her fingers closed around it. “Perhaps if you looked at it, you might recognize it.”
Gilliam nodded and Larisa opened her hand and showed him the large diamond pendant. He stared at it for a long moment before he picked it up and held it in his hand. He closed his eyes and stayed still as if he were meditating.
Larisa held her breath not daring to hope he might have some answers for her, that they would make a breakthrough in their hunt for the dragon shifter who framed her father. But when Gilliam opened his eyes once more, there was no sign of recognition.
“I’m sorry. I have never seen this before. There’s nothing I can tell you about it.” He handed the pendant back to Larisa. “We could try a location spell.”
“Hannah already cast a location spell on it. Ivan has the map. It does seem to belong to someone on the dragon isle, but they are not moving.” She wrapped her arms around her body and walked to the window. “I want to fin
d him to clear my father’s name and so that Ivan can get the answers he needs.”
“Does Ivan need these answers?” Gilliam got up from his chair and came to stand beside her. “You are caught up in the past. Does it matter to your future? Ivan has spent his whole life not knowing these answers.”
“You’re asking if I’m doing this for me? For my family?” She didn’t look at him as she contemplated his words. “Don’t you want to know? Andor was your friend and if he was murdered by a dragon shifter, don’t you want to know?”
She turned around and strode across the room to the tapestry. “Who is this dragon?” She pointed at the red dragon who seemed to shimmer as her swift movement disturbed the air in the room.
“He is Argothorn. He is the one who banished Andor. He’s the one who sent Andor to the world beyond. If he hadn’t gone, there would have been no murder.” Gilliam shook his head as he wearily got up from his chair.
“Could it have been Argothorn who murdered Ivan’s parents?” Larisa asked.
“No. Dragons don’t kill dragons. It’s...abominable.” Gilliam’s horror was real as he stepped away from Larisa. “Argothorn had already banished Andor. He wouldn’t murder him in cold blood. He had no need.”
“Are you sure?” She rounded on Gilliam. “Are you absolutely certain?”
“Do you have the map with you?” Gilliam asked.
“Yes. Ivan has it.” She glanced over her shoulder. They had been so deep in conversation, they’d both forgotten why they had come to the room. “I’ll go fetch the plates.”
Gilliam nodded but didn’t follow her from the room. “Third door on the left,” he murmured.
“Got it.” She left the room and took a left turn, counting the doors as she sifted through her thoughts. Gilliam was convinced a dragon shifter was not responsible for Ivan’s parents’ murder. But her father was convinced of the opposite.
If Gilliam was right, then the years spent looking for the pendant might have been a worthless waste of time. She brushed a hand across her eyes. She’d spent her life searching for dragons in an attempt to clear her father’s name. Were all those years wasted?
As she pushed open the door and went inside the second room, she squeezed her eyes shut as she fought back tears. Her search had brought her here. It had brought her Ivan. Her mate. The man she was meant to spend the rest of her life with.
Perhaps he was all she was searching for all along, she just didn’t know it before.
Larisa went to the dresser and knelt to open the door which looked as if it might drop off its hinges if she used too much force. The furniture inside the palace had received less care and attention than the building itself.
As she got up, she ran her hand over the solid oak surface. It needed some work, but it was a beautiful piece of furniture. Had it been carved by the elves who once lived here?
She turned on her heel and walked away. She had to focus on the reason they came here. They needed answers from Gilliam. They needed to be certain they were not chasing down a dragon shifter.
“I found the plates.” She held them up as she entered the kitchen where Gilliam was stirring a pan on the stovetop.
“Are you all right?” Ivan got to his feet and came to her, his eyes flickering in Gilliam’s direction as she took the plates from her and set them down on the counter. “You were gone for a while.”
“Gilliam and I were talking.” Larisa looped her arm through Ivan’s.
“Talking about what?” Ivan eyed the fae suspiciously before he focused on his mate.
“About the pendant.” She took it out of her pocket and dangled it in her hand before she leaned over Zara’s shoulder and placed it on the table. The gold chain coiled around with the large diamond resting on it. The light from the sun’s rays shone through the window and reflected off the many facets.
Karros caught his breath. “I know many fae lords who would pay a fortune for such a gem.”
“But it’s worth more than money,” Zara reminded him. “This pendant is going to lead us to the person who killed Ivan’s father and then killed Belle’s father.”
Gilliam tapped the side of his pan with a wooden spoon and turned around, his face still pale as he stared at the diamond. Then he took a deep breath. “Show me the map Hannah gave you.”
“You told him about the location spell?” Ivan raised an eyebrow at Larisa.
“I did.” She slipped away from Ivan and went to his pack. Picking it up, she handed it to the dragon shifter. “Gilliam doesn’t think that a dragon shifter was involved in your parents’ murderer. He doesn’t believe that the same dragon shifter tried to cover his tracks by killing Murray and then framing my dad for the murder.”
“Ah.” Ivan nodded and dumped the pack on an empty chair before unbuckling it and taking out the map. He spread it out on the table and all eyes were drawn to the mark made by Hannah’s spell. “It still hasn’t moved.”
“Maybe the spell didn’t work,” Zara suggested.
“Hannah’s spells always work,” Karros assured them.
“But the mark hasn’t moved in hours.” Zara stood up and leaned over the map. “It’s still in the exact same place.”
Gilliam came closer as if drawn to the map even though he didn’t want to look. He was like a child hiding under his bed who couldn’t help peeking at the monster in his closet. As he stared at the mark, he sucked in a sharp breath.
“What?” Larisa snapped.
“I know who the pendant belongs to.” He covered his mouth with his hand and sat down on the chair Zara had vacated.
“Who?” Ivan asked.
“The red dragon,” Gilliam whispered.
Chapter Twenty-Four – Ivan
“Who is the red dragon?” Ivan rested his hands on the table and leaned closer as if there was a window in the map through which he could climb and finally confront the dragon shifter who had killed his parents.
When Gilliam didn’t reply, Larisa said, “There’s a tapestry in the room on the right. Gilliam said the red dragon is the same dragon who banished your father from the dragon isle.”
“It is,” Gilliam croaked. “His name is Argothorn. He has ruled Cairnnor for as long as anyone can remember. Your father was banished for questioning his laws.”
“Why didn’t he stay and fight?” Ivan asked. “If he thought the laws were wrong, why did he go away instead of accepting his banishment?”
“He had only just met your mother. He knew he put her in danger with his outspoken views and so he kept her a secret from everyone.” Gilliam buried his face in his hands. “She supported him. But then she got pregnant, and everything changed. Your father accepted his banishment and moved his treasure here.”
“He ran away,” Ivan ground out. “And that’s why he was murdered.”
“No.” Gilliam shook his head. “It’s not black and white. By raising concerns, he effected change. The council grabbed power from Argothorn Dragon Lord. Enough power to keep your people safe.”
“My people?” Ivan asked. “My people are my family. Valerie and my brothers, along with their mates. The people of Wishing Moon Bay are my people.”
“They are,” Gilliam agreed. “But that doesn’t mean that the dragon shifters of Cairnnor are not your people.”
“You’re arguing over the past,” Larisa told them sharply. “But we need to figure out what we do about the future.” She jabbed her finger at the mark on the map. “Argothorn has brought nothing but misery to each of us here.”
Karros stared down at the map. He was the only one who hadn’t been directly affected by Argothorn. But his mate had.
And that’s enough for him to be involved. Ivan’s dragon swished his tail angrily.
“What are you going to do, fly over there and kill him?” Gilliam asked bitterly. “Will that make things, right?”
“No.” Ivan turned to face the fae. “Is he still in power?”
“I believe so,” Gilliam replied.
“And that�
�s okay with you?” Ivan asked. “It’s okay that the people of Cairnnor live under the rule of a tyrant?”
“They are not my people.” Gilliam raised his head, his eyes red-rimmed as he studied Ivan. “I didn’t know he murdered your parents until Larisa told me.”
“This is not just about my parents,” Ivan replied. “I came here because of Larisa. Her father was framed for a murder Argothorn committed. I came here to help prove his innocence. The pendant is our proof and now we have linked it to the dragon shifter who banished my father. I think the facts speak for themselves. We don’t have to spill blood, we just need to bring him to the authorities. Then the dragons of Cairnnor will be free. Change will come.”
Gilliam laughed but there was no humor in it. “And how do you propose to do that?”
“With your help and knowledge of the dragons,” Ivan said calmly. “You said you’ve been there. Do you know how to get into there?” He pointed to where the mark remained still.
“I do.” Gilliam nodded. “But you won’t get close enough to penetrate the outer defenses let alone that room. They’ll sense you coming from a mile away.”
Ivan took the vial out of his pocket and placed it on the table. “Not if I use this.”
“The apartment Argothorn lives in can only be reached by a set of steep well-guarded stairs or by a dragon on the wing.” Gilliam rubbed his hand over his chin. “You need to ask yourself if this is worth it. If it’s worth the risk.”
“It is,” Ivan replied. “Not just for Larisa and her family. But for mine, too.”
Gilliam raised his eyes and looked at Ivan. “You’ll do it for revenge?”
“For justice,” Ivan replied. “There is a difference between the two.”
“We’ll help in whatever way we can,” Zara assured him, and Karros nodded, although he didn’t look too certain.
“I need to do this alone,” Ivan replied.
“No,” Larisa corrected. “We need to do this together. You and me.”
“It’s too dangerous.” Ivan closed the distance between them.
“And it’s not too dangerous for you?” Larisa’s cheeks flushed pink, and she put her hand on her hips in defiance.
The Dragon Shifter's Desire: A Wishing Moon Bay Shifter Romance Page 16