by Lori Dillon
"Then I guess you've already won, because he won't come." The words tasted bitter on her tongue.
"You think not?"
"I don't know what you did to him while he was here, but he's been avoiding this place like the plague." Jill's heart twisted at the grim truth. "He won't come. In all this time, if he wouldn't do it to end the curse for himself, what makes you think he'll come for me now?"
"Does he love you so little, then?"
Jill didn't want to believe it, but the possibility was there just the same. Did he love her enough? She honestly didn't know.
"We shall have to see, will we not?"
She began to understand the witch a little more. She might be older than Moses, but emotionally she was little more than a vain, spoiled child. A child who lashed out and broke her toys if she didn't get her way.
"You can't make somebody love you, you know. It doesn't work that way."
"Who said I wanted him to love me?"
Jill opened her mouth to respond, but the witch was no longer paying attention to her. Instead, she'd turned to look at the tapestry once again. As Isylte gazed upon Baelin's image, a shadow crossed her face, a whisper of longing Jill recognized all too well.
The Dark Witch was lying. She was a desolate creature, much like Baelin had been, living alone in her palace of ice. She did want someone to love her.
Jill almost felt sorry for her. Almost. But she refused to feel pity for the spiteful woman-child after all she'd done to Baelin.
"Everyone wants to be loved, even those who don't deserve it."
Isylte chuckled, but there was no humor in the sound. "And what do you know of love?"
"Enough to know it has to be freely given, not forced. Have you ever heard the saying, 'If you love something, set it free. If it comes back to you, it's yours. If it doesn't, it never was?'"
The Dark Witch looked at her, perplexed, before laughing.
Jill rolled her eyes. "Yeah, it's a pretty hokey saying in my time too, but it's still true."
"But I did set him free. Yet he has never returned."
"Because you set him free as a monster, so he would be forced to come back to you. But it didn't work, did it?"
"We shall see about that."
Jill opened her mouth to respond, but the witch was no longer paying attention to her. Instead, she'd turned to gaze at the tapestry once again.
A brittle smile formed on the woman's pouty lips. "Well, well. It appears we both underestimated Baelin's affection for you, after all."
"What do you mean?"
The witch did not answer, but continued to stare at what remained of the tapestry.
Jill followed her gaze. The ragged cloth hanging on the wall began to wave and flutter, yet there was no longer any breeze coming from the arched doorways, no draft in the vast chamber that she could detect. She looked closer and realized it wasn't the tapestry that was moving, but the image within the threads itself, as if the rendering of Baelin was trying to unravel itself and break free of the weaving. She blinked her eyes, trying to clear her vision, but the image continued to undulate and sway before her eyes.
"Your gallant dragon-knight seems to have had a change of heart. He has come." Her beautiful face grew tight and pinched, her violet eyes cold. "Let us go greet him, shall we?"
Isylte sailed past her and back into the great hall, leaving Jill behind.
She turned to follow the witch, her heart pounding in her ears, drowning out any other sound in the room.
Baelin was here?
She wanted to shout with joy at the same time she felt like crying out, No, you should never have come for me. I'm not worth it.
As she left the chamber, Jill cast one last glance back at the tapestry, still wavering under a power all its own, and wondered what it meant.
In the great hall, Isylte was back on her ivory throne, every fold of her flowing white gown in place.
Jill found herself flanked by two guards, their black-clad forms a stark contrast to the white walls around her. She turned her attention to the immense doors at the back of the chamber. The same doors the Dark Witch stared at, her gaze so intense Jill was surprised it didn't burn twin holes in the thick carved panels.
Footsteps echoed down the long hallway on the other side and she could picture Baelin in her mind's eye, his long purposeful strides leading him to this long-postponed confrontation.
Or to his death.
CHAPTER 37
Baelin shoved the massive doors open, entering the Dark Witch's inner sanctum for the first time in over two centuries.
Jill's eyes drank in the sight of him, so tall and sure. He showed no fear, only a determined resignation to end the Dark Witch's hold over him, one way or another.
"Baelin," the queen practically purred. She sounded so cool and serene. But Jill watched as the witch's long fingers clutched the arms of her throne, the nail beds turning white from the force of her grip. She was not nearly as calm as she seemed. She was as surprised as Jill that he had actually come. "My love. It has been too long."
"You are right about that, Queen Isylte. It has been 216 years too long. 'Tis time to put this to an end."
He strode through the hall, ignoring the black knights lining the way with their weapons at the ready. Jill was not surprised to see Roderick close by his side, equally prepared for battle.
"Oh, Baelin. Must you be so rude in front of our guests?"
He stopped before the dais. "There is no civility between us. There never has been."
"And whose fault is that?" Isylte looked down her nose at him. "I offered you everything a man could want, yet you repudiated me time and again."
"Your offerings were gilded with unacceptable conditions, their price too high for any honorable man to pay." He shook his head, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Nay, Isylte. You forced and you took, but you never offered a choice. Not truly."
Her plump lips thinned into a tight, harsh line. "Do not test my benevolence this day. There are worse things than being turned into a dragon."
"Aye, there are. As you shall soon discover when I send your black soul to hell where it belongs."
The Dark Witch's eyes flared, amethyst crystals shimmering with cold heat. "Try and I shall destroy all that you hold dear before your very eyes. I did it once before. Do not think I shall not do so again."
For the first time since he entered, Baelin's gaze strayed to Jill and she read the first hint of fear on his face. But it wasn't for himself. It was for her.
Don't, Baelin. Don't let her use me to get to you.
Not now, when they were so close. So close, she could feel it. She knew with a soul-deep certainty the last test was somewhere within the witch's fortress, the final challenge to be met here where it all began. It had to be. But where?
Behind Baelin, something caught Jill's eye. Through one of the arched openings a dark object appeared in the sky, its form silhouetted against the flame-colored sunset.
She knew what it was instantly.
The great beating wings. The long, reptilian tail. It reminded her so much of the first time she'd seen the terrifying beast side of Baelin as he soared down out of the clouds to claim her as his own.
But this dragon was not Baelin. And as the winged beast loomed closer, she realized the thing clasped in its claws was not a sacrificial maiden.
"Owen!"
All eyes turned as the dragon dove through the archway, its massive wings tucked to avoid clipping the stone columns. It skidded to a stop on the floor of the great hall, the thunderous crash shaking the fortress to its very foundation. Steadying itself, the great beast sat back on its haunches, its fore-claws still clutching its prize.
"Ah, look." Isylte sat straighter, a look of feigned surprise artfully painted on her beautiful face. "Uhtred has come to see you. Surely you remember him, Baelin. After all, you two share so much."
Jill looked closely at the dragon. A starburst mark blazed the scales of its broad chest. Was this ano
ther dragon like the man she'd slain while he was in his dragon form? Could it be another dragon-knight like Baelin?
No. Somehow, she knew this one was different. Maybe it was the smug tone of the Dark Witch's voice as she greeted its arrival. Or maybe it was the horrified look on Baelin's face as the dragon pierced him with its predatory golden eyes.
This wasn't just any dragon. This was the one whose heart beat within Baelin's chest. And if that were so, did Baelin's human heart even now beat within this dragon's breast in return?
"And look what Uhtred has brought me. A gift. A pet. A new plaything." Isylte clucked her tongue. "But he does seem a bit young yet, even for my tastes. Perhaps I'll turn him into a baby dragon." She slid her violet eyes to Baelin. "Just. Like. You."
"Never!" he growled.
"Never?" She laughed, the throaty sound at odds with her angelic façade. "You once told me you would never set foot in my realm again and yet here you are. Never does not seem to be as long as it once was."
"You have no interest in the boy. Let him go. Let them all go. They mean naught to you," he spoke through clenched teeth. "'Tis me you want."
Isylte descended the dais and approached Baelin, circling him. He stood tall, his fists clenched, following her movements with only his eyes.
"But you have brought these mortals to my door, so they very much concern me now." She strolled past Roderick, her walk fluid, sensual. "Your dragonslaying friend here, while quite tempting to look upon, has destroyed more of my pets than any other, even you. He has cost me greatly and for that he shall pay." She gave the knight a seductive smile. "One way or another."
The witch's stroll took her by the dragon, still holding Owen, pale and trembling, in its sharp claws. She ran her hand down its glistening scales in an affectionate caress, startling Jill when it enticed an otherworldly purr from deep within the massive beast.
"As for the boy, his worth remains to be seen. If he means as much to you as I think, he may turn out to be quite valuable indeed."
Isylte turned cold eyes Jill's way. "Which leaves her."
She glided into the center of the chamber, her pet dragon watching her every step of the way. "To you, she is the dearest of all, therefore she is the one who concerns me the most. The others, I may set free eventually, if we can come to an agreement of sorts. Or not." She glanced back at Baelin from over her shoulder. "'Tis up to you."
Isylte glided up the stairs to sit primly upon her throne.
"What do you want, Isylte?"
"Why, Baelin, you know what I want. In all this time, it has not changed." She smoothed the folds of her gown with the ease of someone who didn't have a worry in the world. "I already have your heart, in the physical sense." She looked up, piercing him with her gaze, all girlish pretense gone. "Now I demand all of you. Your warrior's skill on the battlefield and your body in my bed. I will take naught less than your total and complete submission, body and soul."
Baelin's eyes closed and his nostrils flared. "And if I give you what you want, you will release them, unharmed? Unchanged?"
"Baelin, no!" Jill shouted, but neither he nor Isylte took notice of her.
"Perhaps." The Dark Witch smiled without humor. "But I may have to keep them close at hand to make certain you keep your promises."
"I would never break my word."
"I am aware of that, only too well. But still…" Isylte glanced out over the courtyard to the horizon beyond and the sinking sun hovering above the mountains in the distance. "The decision is yours. But do not take too long. Already the sun is setting. You have but moments to stay the half-man you are before the dragon returns." Her gaze came back to Baelin. "Stay with me and I will lift the curse and you shall be a man whole once more. Choose the maiden and you will remain the dragon forever."
"Don't do it, Baelin." Jill tried to go to him, but the guards on either side of her barred her way, holding her back. "You've held out this long. Don't give into her now. The sun hasn't set yet. We still have time. We can still break the curse."
Isylte laughed. "My, what a poor, simple creature you have chosen, Baelin. She will not be able to finish it. You and I both know it, so why did you even try?" She cocked a finely arched brow at Jill. "You gave over your dragon's armor so she could survive the first test, did you not? And the second? An unfortunate accident. An accident that cost Lorcan his life and one she will pay dearly for once I am done with this nonsense."
"I will never allow you to harm her." Baelin stalked toward the witch.
Isylte's hand shot up and a wave of power blasted through the air. "Stand down, dragon."
Baelin stopped instantly, as if his feet were glued to the flagstones.
"Have no fear. I will not harm her. But I know as long as the maiden lives and breathes, you can never be completely mine. 'Tis an obstacle I shall not tolerate. " Isylte smiled as she leaned back on her throne, the cold violet of her eyes cruel and calculating. "Nay, my love. I will not harm the girl. You will."
Raw fear drained all color from his face. "Isylte, do not…"
"Slay the maiden, dragon-knight."
No! his mind screamed even as he took a stilted step toward Jill, fighting the motion with all the strength in him.
Though he railed against it, the dark power welled up from within, forcing his limbs to move, following a command his body could not disobey. He fought against it nonetheless, nearly tearing muscle from bone in the effort to regain control over his body. And yet he couldn't stop himself from taking another step, and yet another, drawing closer and closer to the woman he loved.
To the woman he'd been commanded to kill.
"Nay, Gosforth!" Kendale reached out, grabbing Baelin's arm. "What in God's name are you doing?"
"Guards, remove that man from my hall."
Kendale's fierce grip was wrenched away. An uproar commenced at Baelin's back, but the dark power commanding him would not allow him to turn around. He heard swords drawn, curses shouted, blade striking blade and knew Kendale fought against the knights with the same skill he'd used so many times against him. One man against many. But there was naught he could do to aid his friend. He had another battle to wage.
The one within.
"Do not kill the dragonslayer…yet," the witch ordered her men. "I have something much more entertaining in mind for him later."
Isylte's veiled threat did little to deter Kendale as he continued to battle against the witch's warriors, no doubt in an effort to break free and stop Baelin from doing the unthinkable.
As he approached Jill, Baelin could read the fear in her eyes, the comprehension of what was happening. Isylte held rein over the dragon within him and though he'd fought the beast for over two hundred years, now, when it mattered most, the beast was winning.
The two guards on either side of Jill grabbed her arms, stretching her out between them, holding her in place. She stood there, unable to move, more the sacrificial maiden now than she ever had been bound to the stake on that windswept field.
And at this moment, he was more the beast in coming for her.
"Fight her," Jill pleaded. "She can't make you do this. Not if you fight her."
He did fight. With everything he had within him, he waged war against the dragon's pull as never before, but it was a foe neither honed skill nor sharp steel could defeat. Sweat broke out on his forehead from the strain of his inner battle and yet he couldn't stop himself from taking another step closer, drawing ever nearer to the kill.
"Don't, Baelin. Please don't do this." Jill's lower lip trembled as she struggled against her human bonds. "I love you."
His dragon heart swelled with joy at her words, even as he drew his sword slowly from its sheath, the warm sting of a single tear trailing down his cheek.
"Yes, my love. That's right," Isylte crooned. "Finish it."
His sword arm tensed and shook, even as his fingers refused to release their grip. Nay, he could not let this happen. He had to end the witch's control over the beast inside of him. H
e had to stop the dragon. He must. He could not harm Jill.
God in Heaven, he would not kill her.
"For the love of God, my lord, do not hurt Lady Jill!" Owen cried out.
Baelin heard the deep rumbling growl of the dragon holding the whimpering boy captive. He forced his gaze away from Jill to face the beast. Its jaws were half open, revealing razor-sharp teeth. It was as if the creature was laughing at him, knowing it had a hand in this wicked game the witch played. As its golden eyes pierced him with their evil glow, its massive claws closed in reflexively, slowing crushing the small boy within its grasp.
"Owen!" Kendale shouted. Baelin watched from the corner of his eye as the knight rallied, breaking free of the warriors surrounding him and charged to the boy's aid. The witch's warriors gave chase but slowed, more afraid of the fire breathing beast than the witch's wrath.
Kendale's sword sliced down on the dragon's claw, the sharp blade skittering across the impenetrable scales without leaving a mark.
The beast swung its horned head, its massive jaws snapping closed on naught but air as the knight jumped out of harm's way. He edged down the dragon's side, stabbing the tip of his sword at the edges of the scales, trying to find space between the tight plates to thrust the blade inside and into the vulnerable flesh beneath. It did the beast no injury, but only served to anger it, forcing it to turn to keep the dragonslayer in its sights.
Enraged, the dragon opened its maw wide, spitting fire at the pest plaguing him. With no shield of hardened metal to protect him from the hot flames, Kendale dove into the midst of the witch's guard, availing himself of a human barrier instead.
Shrieks of agony rang through the great hall as several of the unfortunate men tasted the kiss of the dragon's fire.
"Uhtred!" The Dark Witch stood, her violet eyes wide with anger and just a trace of alarm. "Do not wipe out my entire garrison in one breath!"
As the remaining knights attempted to aid their comrades, Kendale rushed the dragon once again.
Baelin's soul felt torn in two, one part desperate to join the battle and help his friend to save the boy. The other, darker side, still wrenched against his will, urging him on to the kill.