by H. C. Brown
Chapter Five
The Singing Forest
Lumos shook his bleeding knuckles and turned slowly to face the witch. Her tear-stained cheeks surprised him. Why would she cry for a man she thought to be a liar? Nevertheless, there she stood, trembling with one hand outstretched, and begging him to stop hurting himself as if she cared. Did she understand what had angered him? He stared at the ground to gain composure, the need to draw her into his arms more painful than his injuries.
“This is my fault… I’m sorry for not believing you.” Thalia stepped closer and lifted his bloody hand. “I’m so consumed with my own problems I failed to see the importance of yours. Will you forgive me, mighty dragon?”
Words caught in Lumos’ throat. He lifted his head, meeting the witch’s flaming dark orbs. He noticed a small scar on her cheek and traced it with his finger. One touch and the connection between them sizzled up his arm. Gods, Thalia had felt the bond between them, too. The witch had flinched at his touch. Her jaw had tightened as if fighting the need to run. He studied her, breathing in her scent.
“You are a brave little butterfly.” He lifted his chin. “A seasoned warrior would never approach a dragon’s rage. I’m not angry with you, little one. It’s the men that made you so afraid of me that fuel my wrath. I want to hunt them down and tear them limb from limb.”
“I know you would.” Thalia pointed to the centre of her chest. “In here, I believe you. Gods, I’m so sorry.” She sniffed and batted at the tears spilling down her cheeks. “Allow me to see to your injuries. At least my healing spell will help.” She led Lumos to the rock pool. “Soak your hands. I’ll search the water for the weed I need to make a poultice, and, with a little magyck, you will be as good as new by the morning.”
Although the witch trembled, she lifted her chin and did not look away. Her courage amazed him. Thalia must be stronger than she appeared to have survived alone after suffering such a heinous crime. Gods willing, he had broken through the wall Thalia had wrapped so closely around her pain. Lumos sat on a rock to strip off his jerkin and boots. He gave Thalia a smile.
“There’s no need for you to get wet. I’ll go. I know what weed to collect.” He stood, walked to the edge of the pool, and dived into the clear, blue water.
Swimming into the pool’s depths, Lumos ignored the sting of his injuries, and floated, allowing the water to cool his boiling skin. Thalia’s fears and doubt in him had brought on the rage of the dragon. The beast wanted revenge against the men who had made her this way. How could he tell her he had travelled through realms seeking his mate, the singer of the dragon song? Her denial of him, the turning away, had cut deep into his heart. His inner beast had fought to get free. Without magyck to liberate him, the raging black Nightdragon simmered just under Lumos’ skin.
The Dragonfae rested on the bottom of the deep pool, enjoying the freezing water against his burning flesh. The weed the witch required grew in abundance around his feet. He grabbed a few handfuls, kicked his feet on the sandy bottom, and broke the surface of the pool.
Thalia swallowed hard at the sight of Lumos striding from the rock pool. Water ran in rivulets from his hair and trickled down his hard, muscular chest. His gaze met hers with a frightening intensity. A haze of steam hovered over his bare flesh. The handsome man tossed his dark head, and threw her a smile. Gods, her heart pounded with every step the man made towards her. I must stay calm. Lumos needs my help. It is only a few paces to the edge of the circle.
“This boulder has a small depression, a good place to crush the weed.” Lumos placed the plants on the rock. “I’m afraid I don’t have any linen to use to bind my hands—do you?” He bent to pick up a round stone, and with slow, efficient motions started to grind the weed.
Thalia winced at the deep cuts in Lumos’ knuckles. “Let me do that. You should sit in the sun to dry.” She took the stone from his hands and knelt beside the boulder. Calmness enveloped her with a safety she thought no longer existed. Can I trust you, Dragonfae?
“My body heat will dry me rapidly.” He sat on the rock and watched Thalia work the weed into a paste.
“You are soaked through. The leather of your pants will be ruined.” Thalia examined the glossy leather, so like the skin of a snake with half-moon scales. The Dragonfae’s clothes and boots shimmered in the same unusual leather.
“They will be fine. The fabric is a part of me and it will dry in a few minutes.” Lumos smiled. “Thank you for caring.”
This close, the scent of the man befuddled Thalia’s senses. Her face grew hot and she busied herself grinding the weed. Finding her attention constantly returning to watch a drip of water travel over the rippling muscles of the man’s broad chest, she turned away. I must stop looking at him. She tossed her hair over one shoulder.
“There, the poultice is ready.”
Without a second thought, she raised the hem of her cotton dress, and ripped off a wide band. Thalia looked up to see Lumos staring at her bare knees. She cleared her throat and coughed. This action brought the man’s head up swiftly and she frowned at him. Doubt, that nagging voice in her head, came again to haunt her, warning her not to trust him.
“This will do for a bandage.” She sighed, wanting the calm, safe assurance she had experienced before to return. “Lumos, I find it uncomfortable when you stare at me like that… It reminds me of Erik.”
“Erik?” Lumos held out his hand for Thalia to tend. “Is he one of the king’s men who raped you?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know, little butterfly, that you look at me the same way? I enjoy the way you admire my body.” Lumos met her gaze. “There is no sin in taking pleasure from the sight of another’s body, little one.” He touched Thalia’s cheek and lowered his voice to a whisper. “The gods gave us bodies to be admired. The sin is in taking what is not freely given, without love or respect for one another.” He lifted her chin. “I am not like Erik. I would rather die than hurt you.”
I wish I could believe that, but you are still a man and men bring pain and misery. Thalia applied the green sludge to Lumos’ wounds. She ran the tips of her fingers over each injury and called to the magyck. The familiar tingle ran through her hands as white light bathed Lumos’ raw knuckles. She lifted his other hand and his warm flesh pressed against her palm. Fear curled in her belly followed by an exhilaration that astounded her. Gods, her mind had made two opposite decisions about Lumos. I must be losing my wits. She concentrated her spell on the deep cuts. He deserves my honesty.
“I do look at you. In truth, I have never seen anyone like you. I must say, you are most handsome.” She wrapped the linen around Lumos’ hands and tied both bandages in a neat bow. She lifted her head. “I want to trust you but it is difficult to push back the memories of Erik. My mind won’t let me forget what he and his men did to me.” Forcing a smile, she patted his knee. The rock-hard thigh rippled under her palm. The soft fabric, warm, alive at her touch, sent a ripple of desire surging through her folds. Her breasts swelled and her aching nipples pressed against the rough linen of her dress. Gods, what is happening to me?
“Your reaction to me is normal. We are attracted to each other, little butterfly.” Lumos sighed. “If not for Erik’s cruelty, what you are feeling for me would seem natural.”
“Natural?”
“Come now, before Erik laid hands on you, had you never looked upon a male with admiration?” Lumos raised an eyebrow. “For most girls of your age, it is all they speak about. My sisters are forever giggling over one Fae male or another.” He frowned. “I would hope that this joy is not lost to you forever.”
With effort, Thalia fought the need to run. Sitting this close, the heat of Lumos’ near-naked body radiated through her thin dress. She bit her bottom lip. To have a normal conversation with someone would be bliss. She wanted to know everything about Lumos and his sisters.
“I am almost nineteen summers and hardly a girl. Tell me about your sisters.”
“Whimsy is the b
aby, a blue Faerie—she resembles my mother, Yashna. Then there is Tani—she has black wings like me and only last moon was mated to Rnaja.” Lumos grinned. “Are you avoiding my question? Have you ever admired a male?”
She swallowed hard. “Yes, I did often gaze on a man with admiration but then I had no idea how cruel a man could be. I now know why men want a virgin for a wife. No woman in their right mind would willingly marry if they knew what was to come.”
Lumos gave a snort, his green eyes blazing. “The Fae have a different approach. We love freely until we meet our chosen mate. A Fae male offers a female only pleasure. If we failed in our duty, I believe you would see many statues of Fae males.” Lumos chuckled. “Because, sweet butterfly, a Faerie has the magyck to turn her lover to stone.”
Since the first time since she had left Broclarre, Thalia tipped back her head and laughed. In less than a day, this Fae male had made her relax. She took in the sight of Lumos, grinning like a monkey, and the fear locked inside slowly fell away. His story unfolded in her mind. She believed he had come here because of her song and for whatever other reason she couldn’t care less. She got to her feet.
“I will go and get the wagon. It will give you a place to sleep while we plan your escape.”
“Are you really going to help me?” Lumos got slowly to his feet. He bowed. “I am in your debt.”
The gods help her, an overwhelming need to believe this man flowed over her again. Should she, against her better instincts, trust this man? He needs me. Thalia inclined her head.
“No, Lumos, you are not in my debt.” She smiled. “I will help you as a friend, for I am sorely in need of a companion.”
“As am I, sweet butterfly…as am I.”
* * * *
“It has been three days. I am such an idiot.” Thalia buried her face in her hands.
Lumos laughed. He ached to hold her, or simply brush the hair from her face. His attempts to take Thalia’s hand had resulted in her swift withdrawal and a look of mistrust had clouded her eyes. My touch frightens you. I will be patient, little butterfly. He would be content to brush her fingers on occasion and try not to react to her hesitant touch, although the frequent squeeze of her small hand on his thigh sent an aching flood of warmth to his steel hard cock. He forced his mind to concentrate on anything but sex. “Think of the spells you have cast. Tell me how you make a spell work.”
“This is different. I don’t need inner sight to cast a spell.” Thalia pulled a face. “I can’t see what you see, Lumos. This will never work.”
“Your magyck worked its charm overnight on my injuries. You have strong powers and must start to trust in your own abilities. How did you cast the spell to heal my hands?” Lumos held out his hands. “Tell me each step.”
The breeze caught a strand of her hair, lifting it across her eyes. Lumos caught the silken strand and wound it around his finger. His attention drifted to the witch’s hard nipples pressing proudly against her thin cotton gown. She always reacted this way to a simple touch. He inhaled her scent, sweet and so intoxicating. Concentrate.
“First, I must want to heal you.” Thalia stared at Lumos’ unmarked skin. “Then, I imagined your hands as they are now, without injuries, and then I cast the healing spell.”
“And fire… How do you make wood burst into flames?”
“I see the flames dancing over the logs, feel the heat, and smell the smoke. Then, I point at the wood and it ignites.” Thalia lifted her chin. “Oh, this is getting us nowhere! I am useless to you.” She ran a hand absently over Brew’s head.
“And how did Nell make you see the result of a spell before you cast it?”
“Nell said I should use my— Gods, Lumos… I must use my imagination.” Thalia jumped to her feet and stared at the invisible magyck circle. “I can see the circle, Lumos—I can see it!”
Lumos got to his feet. He grinned at Thalia’s excitement. Taking a deep breath, he moved closer to the witch and slipped a hand around her waist. “Gather your magyck. See the circle shatter and fall away into a cloud of silver dust.” Heart pounding, he stared at the barrier. “Point, Thalia, and make it so.”
With a tinkle of bells, the magyck circle dissolved and blew away, swirling into oblivion on the wind. Lumos noticed a change in Thalia and stepped away. The realisation that she had removed not only his prison wall but also her protection from him showed plainly on her face. The girl shot him a glance of pure terror. He acted nonchalant and gave her a slow smile.
“Thank you. All that work has made me hungry. Shall we eat now?”
“I thought you would sprout wings and fly away.” Thalia waved a hand towards the sky. “There is nothing keeping you here now.”
Oh, little butterfly, your fear is not of me but the fear I will leave you alone in this place. “I want to stay here with you, Thalia. You have my word. I will never leave you alone. We are friends and friends help each other.” Lumos led the way to the wagon and reached inside for the basket of food. “If I could morph into the dragon, I would have taken you far from this place to the safety of my home. Unfortunately, I remain earthbound as long as the silver remains. I’d so love to show you my wings. In truth, I’m very proud of them and my dragon… Well, he is spectacular.” He carried the basket to the shade of a tree and sat down. “Without my magyck, it will be a long journey to Drakka through many realms. I’ll have to find someone with great powers to remove these silver bands.” He ran a hand through his hair. “The journey will be dangerous, a Fae without powers is only as good as the strength within…yet I can call on my dragon’s life force for help.” With a grimace, he stared into the distance. “Once the dark Magus discovers I’ve escaped, he’ll use the Shadow Walkers to hunt me. Fighting these creatures of darkness will be difficult—they are cunning and lethal.”
“How long do you think you have before he discovers you’ve escaped?” Thalia sat beside Lumos and reached for the basket.
“As soon as I use magyck, he’ll know I’m free.” Lumos tossed his hair over one shoulder. He turned to see Thalia’s worried expression “Magyck holds a trace of each user and he’ll know instantly where I am.”
“How will you manage to get back to Drakka without magyck?”
Lumos sighed. How could he explain what he needed from her?
The Nightdragon drifted into his thoughts. “Tread carefully, Lumos. To reveal she is our mate will frighten her away. I advise you seek her help. I do believe she needs us and the trust will grow.”
Lumos shrugged. “I had hoped you would come with me, but if travelling with me frightens you, I have no choice but to leave alone at first light. I don’t want to leave you, butterfly.” He touched her face. “If you choOse to stay, I’ll come back for you, I promise.”
“No, you can’t leave. I mean… What do I mean?” Thalia gripped Lumos’ arm. “I will come with you. On the way, you must teach me how to use my magyck against these Shadow Walkers.” She reached into the basket for an apple. “Bring the basket. We’ll eat on the way to my cottage. I must pack my belongings. Will you bring the horse back here to collect the wagon?”
The heat from Thalia’s small hand seeped into Lumos’ arm. He covered her fingers and looked into her excited face, relieved she did not baulk at his touch. “Take only what is necessary. We may have to leave the wagon and ride the horse. Is he a big beast?”
“Aye, he pulled the king’s ale wagon.” Thalia dropped her hand. “I call him Albert.”
Lumos picked up the basket. Her touch still tingled on his skin. He moved towards the pathway, turned and held out his hand seeking her touch. When Thalia coyly rested her small digits on his palm, his dragon sung with joy. He gazed down into her flushed face.
“Come then, we have much to do before we leave.” He chuckled. “I’ve yet to meet a horse named Albert.”
Chapter Six
Lumos gaped at the pile of silk dresses and frowned. “Leave those gowns behind. Take only your undergarments. We’ll buy boy’s clothes fo
r you at the first village.”
“I’m to dress as a boy?” Thalia stared at Lumos. Her mouth dropped open. “That is…is…most unbecoming. Everyone will see the shape of my legs.”
He shrugged. How could he tell her of the dangers of travelling as a woman? They would transverse many realms, filled with creatures unknown to her, many of which would desire her in much the same way as Erik had. In truth, many warriors, as an addition to their tribe, would highly value the witch’s chestnut hair and her powers.
“The way will be rough, sometimes cold. Wearing pants and a cloak will be more comfortable and we may have to fight or run for our lives.” He fingered a delicate, yellow silk dress. “You can’t ride in a garment like this without exposing a good part of your legs. At least a pair of pants will cover them and you’ll be much warmer travelling through the mountains.”
“I understand.” Thalia picked up her woollen cloak. “Then I’ll need only one bag for my clothes and another for medicines.”
Lumos let the tension in his jaw relax. He smiled at her. “I’ll pack some food.” He glanced around at the ample provisions stacked in the small cottage. “The dried fruit and nuts will remain fresh for some weeks.”
“How will you buy clothes without money?” Thalia pushed a pile of neatly folded garments into a canvas bag.
Lumos sniffed a jug of elderberry wine. “In every village there is a shrine or sacred spring where Nomags give offerings to the gods. I’ll take what we need.”
“Steal from the gods?” Thalia covered her mouth. “No! There must be another way. Perhaps I can sell my dresses?”
“As a Dragonfae, I’m permitted to use offerings to aid me in times of need.” Lumos carried an armful of jugs through the front door. “You didn’t mention you had wine. Did you make this?” He stowed the wine in the wagon.