“I know,” Benti wailed pathetically. “I have brought shame on my entire family. But I know where Fend is. His army is inside Spirit Mountain.”
Rion blinked his eyes a few times before answering. “The volcano to the west?”
She nodded. “Yes. He’s charging his army in the flames. They moved there not too long ago. They plan to advance as soon as Fend has broken Alan—your betrothed’s will.”
Rion crossed his arms over his chest and narrowed his eyes. “Why should I trust you?”
“Because the death of my family is an acceptable loss for having my queen on the rightful throne.” Benti lowered her head and gazed at the stones beneath her.
Her words shocked him. “I never said I would kill your family.”
She wiped her eyes and sobbed. “Not you, Majesty. Him.”
“Explain yourself.”
When she looked back at him, he saw what the price of her treason had cost her. She was empty inside, no longer the bright, sunny woman he remembered.
“Fend entered the servants’ village disguised as one of us not too long ago. No one knew he wasn’t from the House of Terra. A few of his men infiltrated us as well. It didn’t take long before he threatened every one of us to follow him. We were ready for death. We defied him at first, determined to tell the Crown, but he controlled us not by killing us, but by killing the innocent members of our families.
“I watched my Kindred’s throat slit before me. My father mysteriously disappeared. They held my baby daughter, Sire. I couldn’t lose her as well, I just couldn’t! Now that we’ve been arrested, I have no doubt they’ve left our village. I…I don’t even know if Yanshelia still lives! She can’t provide for herself, Majesty. She’s just a baby.”
Rion’s eyes filled with moisture. He’d convinced himself not to feel pity, but watching the heart of this woman break before him was too much to bear. He knelt before her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
“You are sure Alana is within Spirit Mountain?”
Benti looked him in the eye and didn’t look away. “I am sure, my King. I will never betray you again.”
Rion nodded at Herin. The man disappeared out the door to prepare the army to move. Glancing back at Benti, he said, “I will send men to your village and we will scour the woods for Yanshelia. The House of Terra is resilient. I am sure she yet lives.”
“Thank you! Oh, thank you, thank you.” Benti crumbled to the floor and wept, attempting to kiss his feet.
“You will remain here until Alana is safe within the palace. Then I will determine your fate.”
“Please, Majesty,” she said, sniffling, “I know my fate. I am not afraid. All I ask is mercy for Yanshe.”
Rion couldn’t answer her past the lump in his throat.
~ * ~
Alana awoke from her fitful, dreamless sleep by being lifted roughly to her feet. Before she could gain her bearings, she was pushed against the wall and a mouth descended upon hers. Shock flooded her system and instant memories of Rion filled her. But it wasn’t Rion invading her with his tongue. It wasn’t Rion’s hand in her hair or his palm on the skin of her back.
It was Fend, and dear Lord, she wanted to kiss him back something fierce.
He moved against her sensually, letting her feel the length of him pressing into her belly. She pushed on his shoulders and turned her head this way and that, but he merely followed her, not releasing her lips.
A familiar humming buzzed throughout her body, charging her from the tips of her toes to the top of her head. Her magic spiraled within her, once again looking for an outlet. But this time his magic joined hers, and he urged her to send her power into his body.
Damn him, but his kisses turned soft and gentle, coaxing her, urging her to do it, to fill him with her essence. She was lost in the dark, teetering on the edge of sanity.
His thumb stroked her nipple underneath her shirt. That unexpected contact forced her magic forth, draining into Fend, making him stronger. He groaned, still caressing her, heightening her sensations with their combined powers.
She hit his shoulders a few more times before finally succumbing to his dominance. Her hands found their way around his neck and into his hair, pressing him closer.
Fend ripped his mouth away and chuckled, the sound of which sent crackles along her skin. He bit and sucked his way down her neck.
“Even you cannot resist the will of your Kindred,” he whispered, his breath scorching her. She moaned and threw her head back, giving him easier access.
“You are almost mine, Alanacapria.”
His magic pulsed through her, turning her inside out.
Fendarylonn. His name flashed through her mind until all thoughts of Rion fled. When his warm palm dipped into her breeches and cupped her bare backside, she cried out, desperately needing to feel his strength plunging between her legs.
He was a hairsbreadth away from ripping her clothes from her body when they were rudely interrupted.
“Fend! Sire!”
With a howl of rage, Fend lashed out at their intruder, launching him across the cave into the far wall on the other side.
“What is it?” he screamed, his voice reverberating all around them. The moment he’d turned away, Alana collapsed, spitting into the dirt and wiping her mouth. Her body was filthy, tainted by Fend’s vile caress. Her thoughts once again belonged to her, and she sobbed with hopelessness. She knew all Fend had to do was make love to her and she would never return out from under his thumb. He’d just shown her how easily he could manipulate her body.
She had no chance in hell of resisting him.
The man who’d so foolishly—and so thankfully—interrupted them stood, brushing the dirt away. “Rion’s army comes, Your Grace. He knows we are here!”
Fend growled in frustration and turned to kneel next to Alana. He grabbed her and hauled her underneath him, no longer set on seducing, but rather forcing her into submission.
“There is no time for that, my King!” the other man yelled desperately.
Without sparing him a glance, Fend twisted his hand and snapped his neck with his magic alone. The man crumpled to the ground in a heap.
“I will make time.” Fend’s voice charged her excitement once again.
Fight him, Alana. Holy Christ, fight him!
She kicked and squealed as best she could, but he was too strong, ripping her breeches with his swift hands.
Suddenly the entire mountain shook, and a shower of rocks and dust rained down on them. Another rumble shook the walls before Alana could process what was happening. Screams sounded from somewhere further in the catacombs, finally ceasing Fend’s carnal lusts.
A few more rocks pounded them and he stood, dragging her with him.
“It seems Rion has forced our hand,” he raged. “It’s time you kill the bastard!”
Every hair on her body prickled at Fend’s words. She recoiled at his will, but couldn’t deny a part of her wanted to please her Kindred and do his bidding.
She stumbled behind him as he raced down the corridor.
Eleven
By the time Rion had gathered his army and arrived at Spirit Mountain, dawn broke over the horizon. He’d traveled with only two-thirds of his loyal dragon-shifters, as he hadn’t wanted to leave his palace unfortified. Each one of them flew in formation, scores of blue and black dragons alike descending upon the enormous summit, rising far above the valley floor.
The mountain, named for the great Dragon Spirit who’d once taught the humans of Dragoran to shift into dragons themselves, was the only peak for miles. It was said the Dragon Spirit resided here eons ago, and whenever the volcano erupted, the ancients believed him to be angry.
Now, however, the mountain had been dormant for centuries.
Rion’s army circled the pinnacle, looking for an obvious way in, other than through the cone itself. They couldn’t very well flash inside without knowing where they were going. Flashing was a fast, effective form of magical travel, bu
t without knowing the destination, it was altogether possible they’d flash within a wall of rock. That was not a risk Rion was willing to take.
But the cone had long since closed over. There would be no entrance that way.
“They are in there, Majesty,” one of his black soldiers yelled against the wind. “We all feel it. Magic is flowing freely.”
“I know,” Rion said. He’d felt the familiar buzz himself.
“What do we do? There is no entrance.”
The House of Fire remained hidden within their dome. Cowards. Rion squinted at the rising sun. If he could somehow get Alana out into the open, the warmth of its rays might just be enough to keep her from falling under Fend’s will. But that would mean drastic measures, ones he wasn’t sure the more zealous of his people would agree with.
It didn’t matter. He was their king. He made their decisions, tradition be damned. The fate of a single mountain was nothing compared to the life of the woman he loved.
He glanced at his eager army. “Destroy it. Raze Spirit Mountain to the ground!”
They stared at him in disbelief before reacting. Rion took the initiative. He closed his eyes and concentrated hard, drawing every ounce of his magic from within him. Soon, each dragon was doing the same. In one tremendous burst, their magic rushed forward as one, hitting the peak with such force the rim of the cone crumbled in on itself and filled the valley with a deafening roar.
“Again!” Rion shouted, drawing his magic forth once again.
Another wave of magic hit, this time carving an enormous crater in the side of the slopes. Like ants escaping an ant hill, red dragons began fleeing their safe haven, soaring into the sky only to find themselves flying directly into the face of a vast army. One by one, they were picked off as they battled in the air.
Rion deftly avoided the carnage, flying swift and true to the new entrance they’d created. He was followed by more of his soldiers as he descended.
A few reds recognized him and absconded. Only a handful even dared to engage him. Without mercy, Rion intensified his power, focusing it through his outstretched claws. Those unlucky enough to get close were torn to ribbons as his talons sank deep into their flesh, tearing massive hunks from their blood-red scales.
The lower they flew into the mountain, the hotter the air became. Rion knew he wouldn’t be powerful for very long. He made every swipe, every bite, every pulse of magic count. Fire was the polar opposite of ice, and the lava below would surely drain him of his magic. But he had to find Alana. He had to save her despite the odds.
The black dragons surrounded their king as they flew lower, knowing of his weakness. The darker the cavern grew, the more powerful the House of Night became, finding strength in the shadows.
“Search every cave, every passage!” Rion yelled over the screams of battle. “We cannot let Fend escape.”
It didn’t take long before they came to a vast pool of molten lava. Rion’s grasp on his magic was slipping. He could barely find the power within himself.
“Rion!”
That was Alana’s voice!
With desperate eagerness he turned toward the sound, only to find Fend and Alana together on a ledge high above the flaming pool. Fend clutched Alana by the neck. She tried to fight his grip, but Rion knew she couldn’t. The Kindred bond was too strong.
Now that he had her in his sight, he sent his thoughts to her and her alone.
“Alana, is there a way you can fight him?”
“No!” she sobbed in his mind. “He’s ordering me to kill you!”
She raised her hands and two balls of burning fire appeared. She gave a mighty heave and the fire flew, hurtling toward Rion with uncanny speed. Instantly, one of his soldiers blocked their path, erecting an invisible shield. The fire exploded harmlessly.
Instead of fire, Alana’s hands now held lightning. Her entire body crackled with it. She screamed in defiance, but still couldn’t seem to control herself, launching the bolts in much the same way as the fire before them.
Once again, Rion’s soldiers took the brunt.
“Kill him!” Rion ordered, pointing at Fend.
The blacks didn’t waste a single moment. They surged forward, intent on taking the traitor down. But before they reached the alcove where he stood, they each fell from the air, one by one, as Alana’s magic blasted from her hands through their shields. Their cries of pain echoed and merged with the screams of battle all around them.
More red dragons flew into the fray, challenging Rion and the others who’d rallied around him. One of them got in a lucky punch and tossed Rion across the chasm like a rag doll. Alana screamed.
Fend raised his arm, his insane eyes blazing with hatred. While holding onto Alana, he drained her power and pulled it into himself, sending a giant wave of force toward Rion as he helplessly flailed about above the lava. The wave struck him so hard he didn’t have time to think before he tumbled end-over-end, closer and closer to the liquid rock.
His vision was filled with nothing but fire. He could barely draw breath.
Sweet, magnificent Spirit, if you ever truly existed, please don’t let this be the end!
“Rion!” he heard Alana’s voice screaming in his head. “I love you!”
Twelve
Alana’s heart flew out of her chest at the sight of Rion tumbling toward the lava. “No, Rion! I love you!”
As hard as she tried, Fend held her steady. “Let him burn!” he yelled, laughing hysterically. “The throne is mine!”
For a fleeting moment Alana’s will was his and, to her horror, she turned away from Rion’s imminent death.
The entire cave rumbled and shook beneath their feet in a colossal earthquake. Both she and Fend lost their footing and fell to the floor of the alcove. The slopes of the mountain were crumbling! Alana watched in shock as the walls fell to pieces and the light of day illuminated every corner.
The moment the sun’s warm rays cascaded over her body, she was filled with renewed vigor. She stood and relief washed over her, cleansing her very soul. Her magic now seemed so easy to wield as she bent and twisted it, felling dragon after dragon from the House of Fire. The fetters of her Kindred bond melted away. Only the sunlight mattered as she turned to Fendarylonn, hands outstretched.
He gazed at her with his mouth hanging open in fright.
“Stop!” he wailed. “You cannot harm me, I am your Kindred!”
Alana ignored him. Every inch of her skin glowed through the power of her House. She was going to kill Fend once and for all.
~ * ~
Rion’s wings beat furiously the moment he’d heard Alana’s voice in his head. She loved him! For her sake, he had to live.
Never in his life had he tried so hard to take flight, to save himself from a freefall. Mere inches from the lava, his magic returned to him, however miniscule it was. With the power of his wings, it was enough to stay aloft. But that didn’t stop the intense heat of the lava from scorching the underside of his belly.
The cave rumbled and huge boulders fell from the very walls as they collapsed all around him. The mountain was being pulled down by the remnants of his army.
Hope lit within him when a beam of pure sunlight shot through the air, illuminating the alcove where Alana and Fend stood. The closer he flew, the more he could see Alana’s skin glowing with the light of enchantment. Dragons fell here and there through her new-found rebellion. Rion couldn’t be prouder of her.
She turned to Fend just as Rion lined himself up with the outcropping of rock. Before she could release her magic upon the traitor, Rion rushed in and pounced, baring his claws and teeth.
“Drain him!” he shouted over his shoulder at Alana.
She’d understood what he’d meant, and Fend’s strength slowly ebbed. Rion sent a silent prayer of thanks for her Kindred bond, which allowed Alana to tap into Fend’s magic weaves. His power was hers to wield.
“No, please! Have mercy!” Fend screeched, trying his hardest to cast, but unable to
do so.
“Like you had mercy on Alana? Or my parents? Or what about the House of Terra—like you had mercy on them?”
“Please, my King, I’ll do anything. Anything you command!”
Rion snarled, “Yes, you will, Fendarylonn. I command you to die.”
With his magic gone, the leader of the House of Fire could do nothing more than thrash about beneath the heavy weight of the blue dragon pinning him down. Rion’s teeth flashed, ripping through Fend’s throat with ease. But that wasn’t enough. Not for everything this son of a bitch had done.
His claws bit into Fend as well, shredding his human body until there was nothing left to shred.
“Rion.”
Alana’s voice broke through the rage and pain. Her cool hand touched his shoulder and the fight went out of him.
Instantly, he shifted back to his human form, leaving only his wings spread behind him. Using his magic, he cleaned himself of Fend’s blood before turning to his betrothed. Without a word, he grabbed her and took to the air, beating his wings furiously to gain altitude.
Alana’s magic swirled within him like a balm, giving him the strength to carry on.
Once he shot into the sky, he sent a call to his soldiers to level the volcano, thus burying every single traitor within its fiery depths. In an immense cloud of death and destruction, Spirit Mountain crumbled in upon itself, leaving behind nothing more than the remnants of the proud peak it had once been.
Thirteen
“Rion, you’re hurt!”
Alana took in the burns on his chest and belly as they flew. She knew he’d come close to plunging into the molten rock, but she didn’t know how close until that very moment. Tears welled in his eyes when she placed her hand lightly on his skin. It was easy to bend the sun’s energy and pulse it through her hand to heal his wounds. He took a deep, cleansing breath and gazed at her.
His entire heart was in his eyes—his love, his fear, his relief. He didn’t have to say a word.
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