A Lair So Loyal (The Last Dragorai Book 2)

by Zoey Ellis

  Nevertheless, without knowing how the war started, it was difficult to truly understand the king and queen’s motivations and what outcomes they wanted, and therefore it was difficult to predict the war itself. The fact that, after decades, it hadn’t ended yet, and there was no clear understanding of what they were fighting for or what was at stake for either party, demonstrated a dangerous lack of information surrounding the scenario, which made the Mheyu somewhat uncomfortable. Still, the one thing that was noteworthy, was that both the king and queen had avoided harming the Mheyu sanctums where they could, and since Oshali would be a Mheyu once she stepped outside the sanctum, it was a small reassurance.

  “Here are your Gowns, Oshali,” Guardian Pesilda said as she gestured to the deep maroon gowns hanging next to her.

  Oshali grinned at her, hardly able to believe that she owned a Mheyu Gown for herself. Reaching out, she touched the material. “Thank you.”

  “I’m sure I don’t have to remind you that your Gowns are your top priority,” Guardian Persilda said. “Your safety will be compromised if you don’t ensure they are upkept. I know you have an exceptional memory, but of all the things you must remember, caring for these Gowns is the most important.”

  Oshali nodded, unable to take her eyes from the garment. In training, they had spent nearly two months on learning about the Gowns and it was worth it.

  Persilda left her to change into them and she spent a while examining them.

  The Mheyu Gowns was actually a combination of a dress and robe, which came complete with undergarments, a hood, and an outer cloak. It took seven Guardians to simultaneously cast enchantments for seven days to magic into the woven threads of Gown and once created, they were a powerful piece of clothing. They were also highly sophisticated in style, in Oshali’s opinion. With a fitted torso, long sleeves with puffy shoulders, and a long, drapey skirt that came down to the ankles, they were traditional but with a regal flare that echoed royal fashion over the decades before the war.

  The unique maroon color made from material that can only be sourced and used by the Mheyu, was recognized across the realm, alerting everyone in the vicinity hat they were in the presence of a Mheyu Guardian.

  As the gowns encased Oshali, the magic infused in them almost hummed as if they were alive, and she was so excited that she almost forgot to breathe for the first few moments. She ran her hands down the corset-like bodice, amazed at how light it felt on her body and the power that emanated from it. She grinned up at Persilda as she entered, only to see that she had tears in her eyes.

  She grabbed her hands, squeezing them tightly. “Thank you, Pers,” she said softly. “I never expected this day to really come.”

  Guardian Persilda shook her head, wiping her tears, then dismissed the aides before turning back to Oshali. “We’ve had many children here, Oshali. Hardly any of them reach even close to the heights you have reached or achieved what you have at your age. You should be proud of yourself, everyone should be proud of you.”

  Silette and Jorin rose up in Oshali’s mind, as did Tyomar, but she pushed them all away. This was now her time. She was about to have the adventure of a lifetime, to explore and expand her knowledge, to experience feelings and emotions in things that she had never experienced before. All of those people had to be ghosts to her now, people who she had to consider to be her past.

  “I want you to think about returning here afterward,” Persilda said, “to be being a Guardian.”

  “Pers…”

  “I know you want adventure and excitement,” she said hurriedly. “But you are the only one they might let stay.” She squeezed her hands. “Think about it.”

  Oshali returned her smile and nodded, but she knew she could never come back, not after Tyomar’s refused to even say goodbye to her. She paused. “When I was thirteen and you all told me I’d been chosen to be the contact for the dragorai, you said it was because of all the abilities I’d demonstrated so far.” She held Persilda’s eye. “Was that true?”

  Persilda turned and sat on a nearby chair and looked up at her. “Mostly.”

  Oshali raised a brow. “Mostly? You remember that I was so scared when I met him, don’t you? I cried before and afterward, and I stood petrified while you introduced me. But now I think about it, I don’t know why you would put such a young girl through that just because she had excelled at a few things and had a skill for languages.”

  Persilda shot her a look. “You can trivialize your achievements all you wish,” she said disapprovingly, “but you had already shown great promise at that age. I don’t think you realize how difficult it is to speak Thrakondarian—you were very different indeed.” She sighed. “But yes, that wasn’t the only reason we chose you. We also wanted to appease the dragorai.”

  Oshali frowned. “Appease them? Why?”

  Persilda shrugged. “They accepted us onto their territory when they didn’t have to, and asked for nothing in return accept the opportunity to have regular meetings with a knowledgeable Guardian. They have never hunted near us or made us feel like we or any of our records would ever be in danger, which cannot be said for many of the other sanctums. When the anointed one, Tyomar, brought you to us and you ended up being so clearly different, it made sense that you should be the contact. And you had to at least meet a dragorai before you started studying them, and so you knew what to expect when you started at eighteen.” She smiled. “Besides, we were proud of you.”

  “But to start training at thirteen?”

  Persilda shook her head. “It was never about age.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “One thing you should remember,” Persilda said, leaning forward. “Historically, some qualities were more valued that others, and that made a difference to how decisions were made.”

  Before Oshali could digest what that meant, Persilda stood up and carefully drew Oshali’s hood onto her head and rested her hands on her shoulders. “I have been very proud to help raise you, Oshali,” she said. “And I know you will continue to make us proud out in the realm. Be safe.”

  Oshali smiled, tears stinging her eyes. While Vy was the first adult Oshali remembered formally meeting, Persilda had been with her on a day-to-day basis, overseeing her studies and scolding her, Silette, and Joren when they were being troublesome. “Thank you, Pers,” she whispered, just before Persilda drew her into a hug.

  On the morning of the third day, Oshali had one final meeting with Guardian Vy clarified the assignment, advised her on her chosen route and answered final questions. Finally, her briefing came to an end.

  “Good luck, Oshali,” Guardian Vy said solemnly. “This will be a challenge, but we have faith that you will succeed.”

  Oshali swallowed, ignoring the nerves simmering underneath her excitement. “Thank you.”

  “Farewell, and may the Seven guide your way.”

  Oshali picked up her traveling pouch and headed straight for the exit.

  The exit for Mheyu guardians was different from the farewell archway. Since the sanctum sat on the side of a mountain and extended down into the valley, there was an entrance by the valley that they used. Oshali wasn’t sure how frequent travel was to and from the sanctum, but she knew Tyomar allowed Guardians to come and go as they pleased. Anyone else was at risk of being incinerated by his dragon.

  As Oshali walked through the door out onto the rocky valley, she breathed in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. The air was sharp and fresh, and the rising sun bathed the valley and the mountain range in a gorgeous golden glow.

  Oshali turned to begin her journey but stopped abruptly, shocked to see a huge figure standing before her.

  Tyomar.

  He stood with his thick arms crossed and his feet in a wide stance as though he was blocking her way.

  Oshali stared at him bewildered, but she quickly remembered she was no longer a novice now and had to behave appropriately. “I’m not sure what you are doing here, anointed one,” she said as peacefully as she could. �
�But I am not able to give you an audience today. This is not our usual meeting place and I am no longer your contact. Please go to the usual meeting spot.”

  Tyomar’s eyes dropped to her lips, then darted over her face and back to her eyes but he said nothing.

  Oshali suddenly realized he was seeing her face for the first time and she cringed, her hands tightening on the strap of her traveling pouch. She hadn’t prepared for this. A waft of insecurity bled into her new-found confidence, and she suddenly felt like that thirteen year old girl again, being silently assessed and judged by him. She forced herself to start walking around him.

  “I am escorting you,” he said finally, his deep voice echoing in the valley.

  Oshali shook her head. “I need no escort, thank you.”

  “You are on my territory,” Tyomar growled. If I wish to escort you, then I will.”

  Oshali slowed to a stop. “You haven’t stopped any of the Guardians from traveling on your territory before,” she said evenly. “Do you escort everyone?”

  Tyomar simply watched her and said nothing. He looked gorgeous today. Maybe it was the bright morning sun, or just that they were in a different location for the first time in seven years. But he was very handsome in his layered tunic, pants, and leather boots. A powerful craving for him spiraled in Oshali’s stomach. If only she could get close enough to breathe in his scent one more time…. But it was a trap. Dragging her eyes from him, Oshali sighed and continued to walk down the valley. She couldn’t waste daylight trying to communicate with him. If he wanted to accompany her, so be it. At least she would be rid of him once she reached the edge of his territory.

  As she trudged on, her footsteps crunching on the dusty gravel, her excitement rose with each step. She was free! She was going to take the opportunity to do everything she could to make it a worthwhile experience. The mountain range was beautifully peaceful, and she stopped every so often to observe a pretty shrub or a tiny creature darting past. After she’d been walking for while, she glanced behind her to see what Tyomar was doing, but he was gone. She paused, frowning as she surveyed the area. He was nowhere to be seen. A strange feeling flooded her for a moment, but she turned her focus to getting to the edge of his territory and continued walking.

  It was almost midday when Oshali reached the edge of Tyomar’s land. She stood looking over at the direction she was about to head in, shocked. The end of Tyomar’s mountain range had a very clear boundary, and beyond that the land was stark and desolate. There were no houses or buildings, just brown, dull land, not much vegetation, and minimal signs of life. Oshali checked her map and then peered out over the land.

  As she was contemplating, rhythmic beating of wings descended from overhead. Glancing up, she saw Tyomar drifting down from above, his dragon flying overhead.

  He landed with a soft thump, facing the direction of the desolate land. “You made good time,” he commented.

  Oshali didn’t answer.. She hadn’t thought to check the skies when she was looking for him, but she should have. He’d obviously followed on dragon-back.

  Moving again, she crossed out of his territory into what was officially the South Dominion. She smiled to herself that she was now truly out in the realm, even if it didn’t look particularly remarkable. She steadied into a reasonable pace so that she wouldn’t become tired too quickly. The sensation of walking across land like this was one of the things she wanted to experience, but she was under no illusion that she wouldn’t feel the effects of it. They undertook some physical exercise at the sanctum, but there was no opportunity to do any real physical training for something like this. Still, the Gown should help with the worst of it, and she simply wanted to experience trudging along.

  Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned to see Tyomar striding up to her. “I thought you were only escorting me to the edge of your property?” she asked.

  “I decided to continue,” Tyomar said, maintaining pace beside her. “I believe that you will benefit from my presence.”

  Oshali stopped abruptly and stared at him in disbelief. “No! You cannot come with me.”

  “I can go anywhere I please.”

  “Not with me,” Oshali insisted. “This is a Mheyu assignment.”

  Tyomar scowled. “I am aware.” He began walking again, and Oshali tried to keep up with him.

  “Then you know you cannot interfere. There are strict protocols for—”

  “I will not be interfering. I am simply escorting you.”

  Oshali sighed in frustration. He didn’t seem to understand. “I’m supposed to do this by myself, the journey too.”

  Tyomar pursed his lips. “That is not happening.”

  Annoyed, Oshali opened her mouth to respond, but she realized he was spoiling her good mood. So what if he wanted to walk with her? As long as he wasn’t interfering, it wasn’t really a problem.

  In her Mheyu Gowns, she didn’t feel as incapable as she once did around him. She wasn’t the girl in the little cloak or the novice who had to accommodate him. She was a Mheyu, and he had to respect that. Granted, her Mheyu status was only temporary until she returned to the sanctum, but she was still officially representing the Mheyu and the Seven Goddesses, and nothing, not even Tyomar, could interfere with that.

  So she pretended he wasn’t there.

  She walked with a bounce to her step and stopped to examine everything, from the small puddles to rock formations. She set her own pace and settled into a rhythm that was comfortable for her. They traveled in silence for hours until late afternoon, when Oshali’s stomach growled. She slowed to a stop and sat down off of the main dusty path to eat some of the dried snacks from her pouch. She glanced at Tyomar. “Would you like some?”

  He stood with his arms crossed, his face to the sky. “I’m not hungry.”

  She glanced upward. “Where is your dragon?”

  “He is nearby,” Tyomar said.

  “You don’t have to stay on the ground with me,” she said. “You can ride him if that’s easier for you, like you did on your territory.”

  “I won’t leave you in vicinity alone.” He glanced at her. “Besides, he will bring attention to us.”

  Oshali almost rolled her eyes. As if a dragorai-alpha would not bring attention to them. “You are not exactly inconspicuous yourself, anointed one,” she said.

  “You will call me Tyomar.”

  Oshali frowned up at him. “None of the other Mheyu’s call you that in your presence.”

  Slowly, he turned to face her, uncrossing his arms. “You are not like any other Mheyu.”

  Heat rushed to Oshali’s face. Something about the way he said that made her think of the ledge, and her nipples tingled. Floundering, she tried to think of something to say. “You haven’t met them all to say that,” she muttered.

  Tyomar chuckled. “That is a bold thing to say.”

  Oshali smiled up at him, pleased he wasn’t going to remain in a difficult mood. “Why is that?”

  “I’ve been alive for a long time.”

  Oshali nodded. “You might have visited all the sanctums, but I doubt you’ve met all the Guardians.”

  Tyomar peered down at her, a smile playing on those delicious lips. “You realize that Guardians live for a long time? Longer than most lesser-mortals.”

  “Yes.” She was aware that the Mheyu Gowns also prolonged life. “But not as long as the dragorai.”

  Tyomar eyed her. “Is that one of the things that attracts you about being a guardian? The longer life.”

  Oshali shook her head as she popped the last of her dried fruit and nuts into her mouth. “No. What’s the point of a longer life if you’re alone?”

  Tyomar tilted his head, a strange look on his face, but said nothing.

  Oshali got to her feet and brushed her hands off, and pulled her leather flask out of her pouch. “There’s no one else here to see your dragon, or even me. You don’t have to stay down here.”

  Tyomar narrowed his eyes a little and then turned
back to gaze at the sky.

  They continued for the next few hours until the dusty road veered sharply to the right to avoid a forest made up of close-knit leafless, lifeless trees. Oshali stared into the forest for a moment, taking in everything she could see, which wasn’t much. Everything was dead.

  “We go this way,” Tyomar said, pointing to the barren forest.

  Oshali glanced at him as she stepped further along the dusty road. “I’m not going that way.”

  “You are,” Tyomar ordered. “That way is dangerous.

  Oshali turned to him, her tone measured. “I already have my route planned out.”

  “If you had a good route planned then you’d know that that route is dangerous,” Tyomar said. “There is ember everywhere. Do you have a way to get through ember?”

  Oshali narrowed her eyes at him, annoyed by his tone but unable to answer. Of course she had no way to get through ember. It was one of the most destructive substances in the realm, and one that the king and queen used liberally in their attacks against each other. It was likely to be everywhere.

  “You may not wish for me to be here,” Tyomar said, “but I am. And I have traveled these lands more recently than they have been mapped. Ember covers that whole route, and there are people there. It is not safe.”

  Oshali paused, unsure what to do. There wasn’t any real reason why he would misdirect her, or that she shouldn’t listen to him, but it was highly unconventional for a Mheyu to go against their own decision or inclination while on assignment. She was not supposed to be guided by anything but her instincts and her abilities. That was the whole point of going on an assignment as a Mheyu; everything was down to the individual wearing the Gowns. It was also how those instincts were honed and developed, and how new, unexpected facts got recorded. If Mheyu guardians started relying on others for information, the whole system could become corrupt. It was about integrity, and she had to prove she had some, regardless of what she allowed to happen on the ledge at their last meeting.