by Blue Saffire
He nods, before flying away. Putting more space between us, Decima takes a full look around. She releases a high-pitch whistle as she gives me a look of interest.
“Wow, you didn’t tell me you were loaded, big guy.” Her voice is playful. “Maybe I should re-think this whole single thing.”
“I am not… loaded. It is the clans’ land. We all live here,” I say, motioning to a few houses to the east. “My father allowed us to use a small amount of magik to build a community here away from the probing eyes of the humans.”
“If you guys don’t like humans so much, why did you come here to live?” she inquires, shooting me a look of irritation. “The way you say humans is like we’re less. It’s annoying.”
“I don’t talk about your kind as if they’re less. I talk about your people that way because they are less.” Surely she knows that my people are superior in both thought and strength. “Your people continue to fight and struggle over the merest thought of establishing a peaceful and unified society.”
She rolls her eyes. “Right, because everyone in your life gets along all the time,” she says while walking away from me, picking up speed, in an effort to leave me behind. My legs are longer, allowing me to easily return to her side.
“No, but it’s settled amongst men. Ever since we came here from our plain, I have wondered how human males could let their women do such a thing.”
Stopping, she whips around. I won’t say it takes me by surprise. As Ratnik, males are never taken by surprise, but I do feel a wealth of shock as her dark topaz eyes delve into mine. “Tell me. Why did your people come here? It seems to me your people should have stayed where they were if they thought so little of our world.”
“Because, if we did not, we’d have been hunted to extinction.” Civic, that damn nuisance, I’d forgotten he was here. His black eyes look at Decima with no emotion. “There was no choice,” he adds coldly.
I find myself stepping forward, blocking the sight of Decima from him. “That’s enough.”
He looks from her to me, before he turns away from us. “Yes, Vadija.”
She brushes a hand down my back. “You didn’t have to do that.” Her voice soothes something in me. “I should have guessed as much.”
I half-turn and look down at her with a somber expression. “And how could you have?”
She shrugs, her angry expression gone, replaced with a more thoughtful one. “Everyone has a reason for what they do.” She looks up at me and smiles. “And I can’t imagine anyone forcing you to do something that isn’t for your people.”
And once again she holds me captive with her open gaze.
“Radu.”
I face forward to find my brother waving at us from the end of the path. Seeing him reminds me where we’re headed. The stirring emotions chill within as I’m reminded yet again that what I’m doing, what I’m feeling, is against the laws of my people.
Her hand on my back slips away as I take a step forward. “Let us hurry, the elders cannot be left waiting.”
“Ah, yes.”
It’s clear she is taken aback by my sudden coldness. I tell myself it’s better this way there can be no us. A Drakin and a human can never be.
Deci
“Your ability to throw off Branem’s gift is troubling.”
This comes from a large man who sits across from me at the long table. The entire environment feels like a trial, something I hadn’t been counting on. Yet, here I sit with three elder dragons observing me. They don’t appear to be all that old, but they are clearly respected. Even Mr. Arrogant had bowed at the waist to them when we entered.
Radu only showed a gentle side to the woman, by smiling before bowing to her. She has a single gray streak in her hair. Her soft gray eyes are my only oasis in a testosterone filled environment.
Especially after Radu’s sudden change. He stands behind me silent. A wall of coldness, the complete opposite of his prior behavior. I can’t lie, it stings.
But it’s a good reminder that I’m alone here. I’m not going to allow myself the chance to slip into such comfort again. He isn’t my knight, and it’s good of him to remind me of the fact.
Swallowing over the knot in my throat, I answer the man whose silver gaze pierces through me. “I don’t think it’s that bad.”
“No, I’m sure you wouldn’t. However, it’s not about you, but our people’s safety. Having a human running around with knowledge of our clan is a threat.”
“A danger that we have long avoided, because we’ve wiped the memories of those who’ve discovered us.” The other man interjects. He’s the youngest looking of the three. His hair is shaved on both sides. He reminds me of what a Dothraki would look like, while the aura he gives off is one hundred percent barbarian king. “It is very disconcerning to discover there are those of your kind who might not be affected by the wipe.”
I can see where they’re coming from, but then that leaves me with only one question. “So, what does this mean for me?” I try to hide the trembling of my hands, by curling them into fists.
The only thing I can give them right now is my word. And let’s all be real, no one in their right mind would believe me if I told them any of this. Just like no one believes in the curse of Mythos, I think, but don’t say.
“Can’t I just promise not to say anything?”
A sigh comes from the elder woman. “Unfortunately, that wouldn’t be enough, and can’t be left to chance…” She trails off. I knew it.
“So, what? Are you going to keep me prisoner here?”
She glances at the other two. The three share a look that speaks volumes. No, there’s no way I will let them imprison me. I’ve fought for my freedom all my life, and I’m not going to let a stupid coincidence be the reason some Dragon-heads think to lock me up.
Standing abruptly, I ignore Radu clicking his tongue at me. “No, I have something you want and the only way you’ll get it is if you make a deal with me.”
“Deci,” Radu’s harshly calls my name.
Too irritated to listen, I walk toward the table. “I know you’re looking for Crai… I mean Xzith, and I know how to find out where he is.” They all become tense. “If you promise me two things, I’ll give you that information.”
They once again share a look, before the woman glances behind me. “Anaes, is she speaking the truth?”
“He doesn’t know,” Radu speaks up, coming to my side. He shoots me a look of annoyance.
I didn’t care if Mr. Arrogant is angry. He’s the one that changed the minute we entered the building, not me. As far as I’m concerned, someone who switches up so fast isn’t someone I can trust.
“She received a message from someone while in my presence and has yet to share the information with me.”
“And she won’t be sharing it with anyone, if you don’t give me what I want,” I add.
The silence stretches as they contemplate my words. For a second, I think it’s not going work, but then the one in the middle that started this inquisition speaks. “What is it you want?”
“Elder Lerian—”He drew his hand up, cutting off Anaes’s protest.
“Let her speak, you more than anyone should be interested in her offer.” He focuses his hard eyes on Anaes. “You are aware of the rift that has occurred because of the sudden death of your father.”
This silences Anaes. I wonder at this rift he speaks of, but don’t ask. It isn’t my business. I’m solely focused on getting myself out of being imprisoned. Elder Lerian returns his gaze to my face with such intensity I have to force myself to remember to breath.
“Speak.”
“I want you to promise me two things. One, that you will trust me to keep your secret and not imprison me.”
He observes me for a moment, before he gives me a slow nod.
“Lerian.” The female gasps out. “You cannot promise her such a thing.”
“Disik,” he says, his voice low. “Arag died a coward’s death,” his words cause the t
ension to climb so high, the silence that follows his words fills the room with a sorrowful air. “My friend, the man who reached out a hand to all the clans, died a coward’s death.”
Disik turns her head away. “That is unfair.” She clasps her hands together, “Fine, I will not stop you.”’
“I thank you, Disik.”
Lerian looks at me kindly. “Now, tell me your second request.”
Feeling unsure if I should continue, I inhale a deep breath. The one thing I’m sure of in this entire situation is my small attempt at capturing a thief has brought me into some serious shit.
“I want to help you hunt him down.”
“And why would a human wish to help us?” The wild looking one demands.
I cross my arms and shrug, trying my best to look nonchalant. “Because he stole something from me, and I want to get it back, or at least find out what he did with it.”
“No.” Of course, Mr. Big Head would open his mouth now. “I will not allow it. I am the one in charge of the Ratnik.” Apparently, everyone follows my example of ignoring Mr. Leader because no one bothers to respond to his protest.
“I’m not accustomed to having other people clean up my mess,” the wild looking one laments. “And this is a mess you feel you need to clean up?”
I give him a curt nod. Seeing this, his expression goes from skeptical to impressed. He turns to Lerian.
“I see no harm in allowing her to accompany them. Let’s also not forget that while our Ratnik are definitely able to capture Xzith, they might not do so as covertly as we would like.”
“Yes, Hurik, you have a point,” Lerian agrees, pointedly looking at Radu. “Your eagerness to capture Xzith has already resulted in one human learning of our existence. It would be good to have a human accompany you in your search.”
By the rumbling sound coming from Radu’s chest, I can tell he isn’t happy with the elder’s words. Too bad for him, I will be helping him whether he likes it or not. I’m going to prove to him that humans aren’t weak, especially not human women.
Wait, why did I care in the first place?
Shaking off the thought, I give Lerian a friendly smile. “Thank you.”
His expression softens and he gives me a smile back. “The quicker we are able to find Xzith, the easier we can learn about Kraken’s whereabouts.”
Who is Kraken?
Before I can ask, the three are already rising to leave. Lerian turns his attention to Anaes. “Lord, the deal has been made. The human, Decima, will remain our guest until the time Xzith is captured. Until then, do treat her with the same honor you would treat any Drakin woman.”
“I will do so,” Anaes agrees.
Lerian then turns his attention to Radu, quirking a brow. “And Radu, you will ensure her safety when she is out with you?”
Grumbling something under his breath, Radu crosses his arms and nods. Although by the ticking in his jaw, I can see he isn’t one hundred percent agreeable to the new plan. Seeing this, Lerian smirks. Without voicing his thoughts, he and the other two elders leave the room.
Chapter 6
Radu or Fries
Radu
I am furious. Do the elders think hunting for Xzith is a joke? Lerian wants me to take an innocent along as we plunge deeper into the plot set by Kraken? Impossible.
This is the first time I’ve ever felt resentment toward the elders and their choices. Even after dropping Decima at her assigned room, I can’t get rid of my anger. There is nothing left to do but see Anaes.
As usual my brother can be found in the main library. Since our father’s death, he spends more and more time in the very room our father died in. He spends most of his time reading, but occasionally he handles some business within the walls.
Pushing the doors open, I find him doing neither of those things. Instead, he’s staring at the floor. And while there is nothing there, I know what he’s seeing in his mind’s eye.
The dead body of our father, the blood beneath his head pooling from his mouth. Anaes’s brow creases as he looks up, his eyes are cloudy with the past before his entire demeanor suddenly changes from my entrance. It reminds me that my brother has yet to fully grieve, too busy with taking on the responsibility of our people and becoming our survivor. As our leader, he isn’t allowed to give in to his anger and emotional turmoil.
“I didn’t think the call was real.” His words pull me from my thoughts. “When Lerian called to tell me what happened to father, I thought it was some kind of joke,” he scoffs, his expression becoming somber.
“I mean, how could the great Arag be killed so easily. Our father wasn’t weak, ever. The only time he ever showed a soft side was when our mother spoke.” He chuckles but it sounds self-mocking. “I thought he was going to live forever.”
“Mother would say he does,” I close the door behind me and move to where he stands. I stop right behind him and release a grunt. “We will avenge him, brother.”
“Oh, of that I have no doubt.” He turns around to face me fully. “And to do that, you’re going to have to allow Decima to go along with you and your men.”
I frown looking away from his probing stare. “Her presence is a hindrance.”
“I didn’t think any human could ever be a hindrance to you. An annoyance, yes, but not a hindrance.”
“She is....” What can I say? Decima is far more than a hindrance or an annoyance. I haven’t focused so much on a female in my life. “She will be difficult to control.”
Anaes scoffs at this. “If she is harmed while you’re out, it would do little harm to us. In fact, the problem of her knowing of our existence would cease being a problem.”
“Don’t.”
Silence permeates the room after my outburst. It isn’t often I raise my voice in disagreement with my brother, but his words have stirred up the very anger I thought I’d hidden.
Harshly breathing in through my nose, I try to regain control of myself. My brother isn’t to blame for my anger, and to be honest, on several occasions we’ve been forced to make such decisions to protect our people. Yet this is different. Deci is different.
I can’t stomach the idea of her being in harm’s way, much less being killed. “We can’t involve a human in Drakin business. We should leave her on the estate and find another means of wiping her memory.”
“Radu.” The way Anaes says my name, makes me realize how emotional I’ve become. That and the smoke coming from my feet. Looking down, I curse where I stand. My temper has triggered my flame, causing the rug beneath me to burn.
Taking a deep breath, I seek the calm within that settles and cools me. Swallowing, I look away from him. “Brother, please do not ask me to do this.”
“Then take my seat.”
Hearing this takes me aback. “What?”
He motions to the desk before him, a humorless smile playing at his lips. “This, the title of Lord, the responsibility. Take it, I won’t fight you for it. Then you can keep the little human safe.”
“Anaes, what are you saying?” I demand, more shocked than angry. “You are the first son. It’s only right that you take the title.”
He shrugs, shoving his hands into his pockets. “It could have as easily been you. Honestly, if dad had actually had a choice, it would have been,” he says darkly.
For a moment, I contemplate it. I could rule as well as my brother. I have proven myself in battle, bloodied myself against those who hunted our race. For Decima’s safety, I could take the reins from my brother. I could do this. I don’t want her harmed.
While I haven’t been unwilling to look deeper at my desires, I know that I have already lost to them. Quickly enough, the chill of where my thoughts are going fill me. I’m seriously contemplating taking the rightful seat of rulership from my brother. I shake my head dismissing the selfish thoughts.
“No, brother it’s your right and calling.” I give him a smile. “I would spend most of my time defying the elders.
“Our people would
n’t have much peace. Between the two of us, the only one to ever outsmart Kraken was you. So, no brother, I will not take your place.”
Hearing this my brother’s eyes darken. As he straightens, his expression hardens. “I am sorry then, the decision stands. You will take the female with you and find Xzith.” With that he gives me his back, clearly done with the conversation.
Left with nothing but my brother’s orders, I reluctantly give a short bow and leave. There’s nothing to do but ensure the safety of Decima. If that’s my only recourse, I will do so. After all, I am the Ratnik Vadija and there is little that can harm me.
Deci
Radu hadn’t looked too happy about my winning the elders over. The slamming door was also a bit of a clue. Despite this, I refuse to give it any attention.
What matters is that I’m not going to be locked inside of a room or forbidden from going back home. Radu can stuff it. Still, as I flop back on my bed, I can’t shake my concern over what he thinks of me.
My whole mood in life has been not caring about what other people think. Ever since I was a kid and felt drawn to the book Sleeping Beauty, I’ve felt an immediate need to fight against what’s supposed to happen in my life. The character I’m cursed to be like has her life completely manipulated by those around her. From her parents, to the fairies and then the supposed prince who swooped in and saved her life.
My entire life is dictated by a story that has so many versions it’s impossible to know which is the original. But one thing I’m sure of is… I’m not her. I’m not some damsel, draped in silks awaiting my prince charming.
I’m a tomboy, who enjoys wearing jeans and large T-shirts. I can eat a rack of ribs by myself and can take down three guys without breaking a sweat. No one in their right mind would see me as a princess.
I release a sigh and roll over to face the wall. I should be trying to escape. Honestly, how can I fully trust these people to keep their word?
They could easily burst into the room and drag me to some hidden dungeon. I mentally laugh at that. I can see Radu glaring down at me, quoting his favorite speech about the weakness of women and humans.