Dragonfae & The Soul Catcher

by H. C. Brown

  “Kill them all!”

  Thalia gripped the balcony railing. Smoke rose from the mountains. The floor shook below her feet, and in the square the people had fallen deathly silent. Three hours had passed and, with every tortuous second, the beauty of the afternoon had faded, ripped by the screams and roars of dragons. She opened her mind, dropped her barriers to seek one sound, one emotion from Lumos. Instead, the insidious laugh of the Magus echoed in her mind. His words caught her unawares and she swayed, unable to keep her balance.

  “The Nightdragon falters and soon all of Drakka will be mine. As will you.”

  Thalia built up her barriers and stood gasping, unable to breathe. She turned and ran towards the door. The guard in the hallway raised a hand to stop her leaving.

  “I must see the king.”

  “My orders are to keep you here until the challenge is concluded.” The guard tipped his head towards his companion. “Give him your message and he’ll take it to the king.”

  Wringing her hands, Thalia met the other guard’s gaze. “Tell the king the Magus is here in Drakka—that he contacted me. The message said the Nightdragon is failing and soon the Magus will rule Drakka. Go!” She turned and ran back to the balcony.

  A deafening roar split the silence. Thalia turned to see the Nightdragon soar through the smoke and into the air, his metal talons reflecting the fading afternoon sun. Two smaller dragons, Kird and a larger brown beast circled him. Thalia swallowed hard. A long, ragged tear split one of the Nightdragon’s wings. The Nightdragon rolled and roared in frustration. He swung his spiked tail, swatting at Kird. His long, sharp talons sliced along Kird’s neck, sending a spray of blood into the air. Kird dropped, spiralling towards the earth to hit the ground with an ear-splitting scream of terror. The green dragon lay sprawled on the ground, his neck at an odd angle, his sightless eyes staring at oblivion.

  Thalia’s stomach cramped. Clearly, with a damaged wing, the Nightdragon had lost manoeuvrability, and his ability to hover. She held her breath as the black dragon soared and rolled his massive body, lashing out at the brown dragon with lethal talons. The pair clashed together. Flames shot from the Nightdragon’s nose, scorching the skin off his opponent. In retaliation, the brown dragon clamped its massive maw around the Nightdragon’s neck. Thalia gulped air. The angry roar from Lumos made her blood run cold. The Nightdragon drove his sharp talons into the brown dragon’s chest, slicing deep. Blood fell in a torrent of crimson rain, staining the rooftops.

  Below the balcony, the crowd in the square began to chant, “Lumos, Lumos.”

  Tears stung Thalia’s eyes. She reached out her mind. “I love you, Lumos.”

  Locked in a death grip, the two dragons spun once, twice, then fell towards the gully, tumbling like leaves in a storm. A mighty crash shook the city followed by a mushroom cloud of dust and debris.

  Silence.

  The crowd stopped chanting and stood facing the mountain, their faces splattered with blood. Thalia sobbed, unable to control the flow of tears. Long minutes passed. She slumped to her knees.

  “Please, Cymbeline, I beg you—save Lumos.”

  “There… Look.” A single voice rose from the crowd.

  Grief-stricken, Thalia staggered to her feet. Through a blur of tears, she gazed towards the mountains. A shadow of a dragon loomed in the smoke, backlit by the red glow of the sinking sun. With a triumphant roar, the Nightdragon speared into the daylight. The crowd went wild. Thalia raised her fist in victory.

  “Yes!”

  “I can take it from here. You fought well, dragon.” Lumos burst forth into the fading sunlight and stretched out his wings. In Fae form, he drifted towards the crowd, feet first, with arms outstretched against his wings. Magyck given freely by the crowd hummed into his body, replenishing both him and his dragon. His gaze went to the balcony, taking in Thalia’s tear-stained cheeks and radiant smile. He wanted to go to her, claim her, and ride the wave of delight of her moonfire. The mating heat combined with the overpowering love of his sweet butterfly was indeed an intoxicating mix. He pushed down his need and continued his descent into the crowd. As custom dictated, he must address his people first. His father would greet him to give him the sacred seal and present him with a gold armband, denoting his new position as King of the Dragonfae. The gods would increase his powers ten-fold—already the warm, exhilarating glow of Cymbeline’s magyck caressed his aching body. He swore, berating himself for not explaining this procedure to Thalia. He reached out, seeking their bond, only to come up against a solid barrier. He frowned.

  Gods, she blocks her mind from me. What has happened?

  Folding his wings, Lumos landed in a sea of Faeries. All offered congratulations and the chant broke out in earnest. The crowd parted and Lumos saw the beaming face of his father. The king descended the palace steps and raised his hands for quiet. Lumos met his father with a bow.

  “Father, I have won the challenge, and stand before my king to receive my reward.”

  Luka slipped off his armband, and, with a boyish grin, presented the decorative band to Lumos. “The band of office.” He turned to receive a gold seal from a guard, which he handed this to Lumos. “The Royal Seal. All hail the king.”

  Lumos opened his mouth to speak to his father. The next second Lucinda had jumped into his arms. Only reflex action drew his arms around her. Her small hands went around his neck and her wet lips clamped down on his own. The crowd closed in around them, trapping them together. A ripple of anger, tinged with disgust, hit Lumos. How dare Lucinda touch him? He had made his position quite clear to the Faerie. Lucinda knew full well that he belonged to Thalia. What game was this? He pulled his head back and glared at Lucinda.

  “What do you think you are doing?” He glanced up at the balcony to see Thalia’s shocked expression, the tears glistening on his love’s cheeks. His heart clenched at the sight of his true mate turning away from him. I must get to her and explain.

  “I’m celebrating your victory.” Lucinda gave Lumos a pout. “Come now, Lumos, you can’t possibly intend to breed with that Nomag. Now you’ve had your fun with the little witch, come back to me. Make a blood-born your mate.” She pressed harder against Lumos. “Let Thalia leave, she doesn’t belong here.”

  Taking the supreme effort not to break Lucinda’s arms, Lumos prised the Faerie’s fingers from his neck, and set her away from him.

  He narrowed his gaze. “What have you done?”

  “Done? Whatever do you mean?”

  “You planned this…this embrace to upset Thalia, didn’t you?” Lumos ground his teeth. “Do you think I’d ever want you again? I belong to Thalia, and even if she died, I’d rather follow her through the veil by my own hand, than take you as my mate. You’re a vicious, self-centred bitch, and I know you betrayed me to the Magus. I suggest you leave this realm, never to return.” He turned away and pushed through the crowd.

  Thalia swiped at the tears streaming down her cheeks. What Lucinda had said was true, after all. Instead of flying straight to her side, Lumos had dropped into the crowd to greet Lucinda. She had seen Lumos kiss the Faerie. The pain in her heart was too much to bear. She bent to pick up Brew.

  “We have to leave this place, and if anyone tries to stop us, I’ll kill them.” Throwing open the door, she brushed past the guard. “I’m going down to Lumos.”

  “My queen.” The guard inclined his head.

  My queen? The man has lost his wits. Thalia ran along the corridor, down the steps, and through the hall to the courtyard. The palace appeared empty. All had gathered in the city square to welcome Lumos. She slipped through the stable doors and ran between the stalls, searching for Albert. She started at the sight of Axim leading a pure white stallion from a stall.

  “Well, hello, Thalia.” Axim gave Thalia a wide grin. “Are you trying to get away from the noise, too?”

  Thalia caught sight of Albert and edged her way towards his stall. “Yes, I’m not used to all this madness. I’m going for a ride to get
away for a while.”

  “Then allow me to saddle him for you.” Axim waved a hand and Albert stood ready to depart. “Do you plan to ride in that gown?”

  With a sigh, Thalia glanced down at the beautiful gossamer gown. “There was no time to change.”

  “May I?” Axim grinned. “Oh yes…my dragon skin suits you very well.” He turned and lifted Thalia onto Albert’s back. “May I suggest a ride to Draconia? Pyro sent a message. He’s arrived with the men you wish to punish. I’ll send word to Lumos to collect you there.”

  The white dragon-skin tunic and pants clung to Thalia’s body, warm and soft against her flesh. I should be wearing the Nightdragon’s skin. A lump formed in her throat. She swallowed hard and tried to focus on what Axim was saying. She met Axim’s amused gaze. Goddess, he had the same expressive eyes as Lumos, the same black, silken hair. Tears threatened and she blinked them away.

  “I don’t wish to see Lumos.”

  “Well, then, perhaps we should forgo the Gate and go directly to my palace.” Axim drew a circle of light. “This will take us directly to my stables.”

  Thalia squeezed her knees and urged Albert through the circle. They stepped into a bright stable. Whitewashed walls presented a stark contrast to the dim interior of the one at Drakka. Biting back the pain of losing Lumos, she turned to Axim.

  “Lumos has told me a little about you. I know you are king of Draconia. Do you have a mate?”

  “No, the gods have not blessed me yet.” Axim gave his horse to a groom and turned to lift Thalia from Albert. “Does that cat go everywhere with you?”

  Forcing a smile, Thalia dropped Brew to the ground. “Aye, he does, but, for now, he will be happy to stay in the stable with Albert.”

  With a heavy heart, Thalia followed Axim from the stables, and out into the late afternoon sunlight. Before her in magnificent glory stood a palace made entirely of white crystal. Transfixed by the beauty of the building, she gaped in wonder.

  “It is impressive, don’t you think?” Axim touched Thalia’s arm. “It has the most beautiful gardens and I have a waterfall in the central courtyard.” He turned and looked down at Thalia. “You’ve been crying. Tell me what Lumos has done to make you so sad.”

  Meeting Axim’s gaze, Thalia cleared her throat. How could she tell this Dragonfae that Lumos had broken her heart, lied to her, used her?—the Fae was his brother.

  She forced a smile. “Oh…it’s nothing. I made a mistake, that’s all.”

  “A mistake?” Axim led her up a flight of stairs. “What kind of mistake?”

  Thalia moved up the steps and out into a wide passageway. She caught her breath at the beauty. Flowers of every type and colour spilled from window boxes surrounding a circular room. A wide balcony overlooked the ocean, blue and sparkling against a clear sky. Axim gave her a warm smile and indicated for her to sit on a large sofa covered in dragon skin. The Fae moved towards a table and paused, watching her intently before pouring two goblets of wine from a crystal decanter. Thalia decided to tell him the truth.

  “Lumos has forsaken me for Lucinda.”

  “Lucinda?” Axim handed Thalia a goblet and sat down beside her. “I doubt he can change the goddess’s mind. Indeed, why would he want to? He loves you, Thalia. You are his chosen mate.”

  Anger grew inside her like a black monster. Thalia’s hair tingled with magyck. “Then perhaps Cymbeline needs to inform Lumos of that fact. He holds no love for me. Not five minutes ago, I saw him kiss Lucinda, and he knew I watched from the balcony at his insistence. Before that happened, the stupid Faerie came to me and told me it was Lumos’ wish I leave Drakka. Lucinda told me he’d go straight to her after the challenge—and he did.” She took a long drink of wine. “Lucinda said Lumos used me and my magyck to get back to Drakka.” With a snort, she pushed to her feet. “Males are all the same—they use, and abuse.”

  “By the gods, you’re beautiful when you are angry.” Axim raised his glass to Thalia. “I must say you have the most delightful wings.”

  “Wings?” Thalia stared over her shoulder. “I have wings?”

  “Look for yourself.” Axim waved a hand and a tall mirror appeared. “Do you doubt you belong to Lumos now?”

  Thalia gawked at the mirror with surprise. “You must have very powerful magyck to produce a mirror from thin air.”

  “As king, the goddess enhances our powers. Lumos will be the same now.” Axim waved a hand and a plate of fruit and cheese appeared on the table. “We’re completely self-sufficient. Now, do gaze upon your wings. Then I insist you eat something. I can tell you’re famished.”

  Gold surrounded Thalia from the tips to the feathery tails. She took in every detail, every vein. Her wings were gold replicas of Lumos’ right down to the crescent moon, although the black moon on hers depicted the colour of the Nightdragon. With a thought, she folded them and watched them vanish into her back, only to bring them out again. Lumos had told the truth—using wings had become as easy as blinking. She folded them again and sat beside Axim on the sofa.

  “I’m sure Lumos has a good explanation for kissing Lucinda.” Axim frowned. “To be perfectly honest, once a Dragonfae is bonded, kissing another female would be like kissing a dead fish—most unpleasant. Lumos has bonded with you or he wouldn’t have warned me off.” He chuckled. “We’re very close and yet he‘d kill me in an instant for daring to speak to you. My guess is this little charade is Lucinda’s doing.” He sipped his drink. “I’d imagine Lumos will be here shortly, beating his chest and threatening to spill my blood all across Draconia.”

  * * * *

  Lumos moved beside his father and they walked through the crowd to the palace steps. “You were correct. The Magus had a hand in plotting my downfall.”

  “Aye, but he only stepped into Drakka for a few minutes. As soon as he noticed my guards, he vanished back through the Gate. A simple spell will keep him from entering Drakka for a while.” Luka smiled. “Have no fear—I’ll remain here while you attend to your mate. I must confess, your mother is anxious to make our home at Summer Palace. However, she insists working with Thalia is the only way to solve the problem of the Magus’ potion. I would have sent her to Thalia today, but, with the Magus in Drakka, I could not risk letting her out of my sight. We’ve both agreed to stay our departure until an antidote for the Magus’ potion is discovered.”

  “That could take years.” Lumos shook his head. “The minds of the dragons I fought had turned to the dark side. I fear for those that followed the Magus to Fullmount to seek more of the bastard’s potion.”

  “They are safe for the time being.” Lukas placed a hand on Lumos’ shoulder. “While the Magus had his attention on you and Thalia, Axim and his men recovered all but one of the poisoned Dragonfae males from Fullmount. They were all compelled by the potion and so will remain in a deep sleep until we can solve this problem.” He slapped Lumos on the back. “All is well. Go to your mate.”

  Lumos took the stairs to his chamber. On the air, he caught Thalia’s scent. His mate had passed this way not long ago. A strange fear curled in his belly. He reached out again for his sweet butterfly but again a strong barrier met his mind. A wave of panic echoed through him from the Nightdragon. A thundering pulse rang in his ears. Instinct told him Thalia had fled the palace. Gods, his sweet mate had witnessed Lucinda’s kiss. He feared the trust he had spent so long cultivating in Thalia had shattered to dust. Chest heaving, he stopped before the open door to his chambers, and addressed the guard.

  “Has the queen left my chambers?”

  “Aye, my king, the queen informed me, she was going to see you. She took the cat with her.”

  Damn. Lumos ran back through the palace. People had started to mill into the great hall for the week-long celebrations. With a gasp of despair, he opened his wings, and flew down the stairs. “Dragon, where is our mate?”

  “I cannot mindspeak with her. She refuses to lower her barrier.”

  Lumos flew out into the courtyard and
headed towards the stables. Could she leave him? Where would she go? Gods, what am I to do? Knowing Thalia would not leave without Albert, Lumos folded his wings and marched into the stables. Fear of losing Thalia tore at his heart. He glanced along the row of horses, seeking Albert’s intelligent head.

  “Dragon, contact Brew. He is with her. We must hope the cat can give us some information.”

  Without warning, the dragon’s anger hit him like a sledgehammer. His legs grew weak. He reached the stable door and grasped the wall for purchase. The Nightdragon shimmered on the surface, trying to break through.

  “Calm yourself. What did the cat say?”

  “Our mate is with Axim—she wears his dragon skin.”

  Clutching at his chest, Lumos fought for breath. No blow could hurt more than this betrayal. He drew a circle of light to Draconia. With a roar of fury, he stepped directly into Axim’s solar.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Thalia placed the goblet of wine on the table. She clenched her hands in her lap to stop them shaking. The Dragonfae male beside her had an air of danger about him. A bad boy, without doubt. How could she have been so reckless as to leave with him? The air on the other side of the room shimmered and tendrils of crackling magyck announced the arrival of Lumos. His green gaze drifted over her for a few intense seconds, then fixed on Axim. Blue magyck crackled off Lumos, sending sparks flying from his massive body. His presence filled the room with an unspoken challenge. He radiated male dominance, yet his unique scent called to Thalia. Her heart swelled and her pussy wept at the sight of him. You are magnificent.

  She swallowed hard. Lady’s blood, Lumos’ eyes had turned black with rage. His body shook. Her mate had directed his entire focus on Axim. Thalia opened her mouth to say something but the anger on Lumos’ face stopped the words falling from her lips. Beside her, Axim leapt to his feet.