Chapter Twenty Three - Serena
Even without the hood on the air was stuffy and humid. All she wanted to do was leave this place with its twisting, turning paths and dead ends. She came across open spaces where six or seven paths disappeared into the distance. The gloom clinging to the walls made it impossible to tell where any of those paths led. She was lost, not that she had been anything but lost since they had brought her down here.
A new problem soon became apparent. She needed to drink. The hot humid air was making her sweat, and draining the strength from her. It appeared that Dòmhnall was happy for her to die here after all. At this moment, she could not imagine this ending any other way.
In desperation, she had opened her mouth to shout, to scream for Connor. For all she knew, he could be elsewhere in the labyrinth trying to locate her. Yes, the more she thought about it, the more plausible that scenario sounded. They had both been taken into the dark labyrinth, and set free to find each other.
Then why hadn’t she heard Connor calling her? He would not have been worried about waking the supposed beast. He would have called out her name. Unless he hadn’t realised she was here either. Perhaps he was shuffling around trying to find the way out too.
Yet, she could not bring herself to call his name. Not until she leaned her back against one of the walls, for support. She felt faint. If she didn't get out of here soon, she was going to pass out. Her hand went to her stomach, and the baby growing there. If she didn’t escape soon they would both die. There was nothing left to risk.
Taking a moment to catch her breath, she summoned the rest of her dwindling strength and called out his name. “Connor. Can you hear me? I’m here.”
Silence. For one long moment, there was nothing. Only the sound of her voice bouncing off the walls in a never-ending echo. She closed her eyes. He wasn’t here. She was doomed. Pushing herself away from the wall, she staggered on. Until her blood froze, fear making her a statue.
In the distance, a loud roar. She listened; trying to work out of it was the roar of a dragon. Was that the trial? They had to fight another dragon. Which one now. Perhaps Dòmhnall himself.
The sound reached her again. This was not a dragon, it was too deep, but all the same familiar in some way.
“Oh, no.” He hand flew to her mouth as if she could pull the cry back into her mouth, so that it had never been uttered. The labyrinth. The myth came to her, a Minotaur, half man half bull. “A myth,” she repeated.
Yet how could she refuse to believe. Dragons were a myth, until she had met one. Now they were as real, more real, than any human she had ever met. To refuse to believe in the Minotaur was ludicrous. Especially when the ground began to shake. The sound of feet hitting the ground as something advanced rapidly towards her.
Which way to run? She was lost. All she could hope to do was figure out which direction the beast was coming from. Then run from it as fast as she could. Yet she knew she could not out run it for long. She was too tired, and too thirsty. But she had to try.
Keeping her nerve, she stood, holding her breath while the footsteps grew louder. The shape of the labyrinth made it impossible to pinpoint from which direction. The sounds bounced off the walls until they were all around her. She had to choose which way to run. She wished she had been able to speak to Tara before they left. She might have gained some insight about which way he would come from.
But wishful thinking had never proved helpful, so she took a deep breath, and ran. Down the path to her left, her breath coming in sharp gasps. Across a square, she had already passed through, and straight out the other side. Her heart raced. From somewhere she found the strength to move, one foot in front of the other as fast as she could.
Behind her, a loud bellow filled the square she had passed through. She had made the right choice, but he was gaining on her. Maybe he would take a different exit, and go off down another path. But a loud snorting filled the air. He could smell her.
She cried out, and ran on. Her hands brushing the walls, her eyes fixed on the small space in front of her. Serena could see so little, but she dashed headlong down a slope. All the time knowing she was simply going deeper and deeper. Yet there was no choice, she couldn’t go back, only on.
Serena didn’t need to turn around to know he was close. The footsteps were loud; giving her a hint of just how big the beast was that hunted her. What was the myth again? The voice in her head screamed at her she didn’t want to know. Her mind provided the information anyway.
The Minotaur ate flesh. Human flesh. Sacrifices were given to him. And that was what she was, his next meal.
Warm breath on her back, he snorted, and a hand reached out for her. She slammed into a wall, pistoning off it and down a different path. There was no end to this accursed place. She was doomed. The dragons had betrayed her. Too tired to go on, she turned and faced her fate.
The beast stopped, nearly skidding into her. He took a step back, and this gave Serena a chance to look all about her for a weapon. Surely, someone must have dropped something down her over the centuries.
It was too much to hope for. No sliver of light hit a sword, or a dagger. There was nothing only rocks and dirt. Slowly she lifted her eyes up to look at her pursuer fully for the first time. Yes, rocks and dirt were useless. The creature before her was huge. A bull face, with big horns on the top of her head. He would withstand any blow she was capable of inflicting.
He snorted again, shuffling on his feet, looking at her with his head tilted to one side. “It has been a long time since a sacrifice has been made. I thought the world outside of my labyrinth had forgotten me.”
“They have. At least the humans have. You are a myth, not real.”
“And yet here I am.” He took a step towards her. “Very real.”
“Please let me go. I wish you no harm.”
“Really. So if I put a sword in your hand you would not use it against me?”
“Please. The dragons brought me here. This is meant to be a trial, but they have betrayed me.”
“And why should I care? The dragons are at least creatures of the old world, like me.” His voice low and mellow. Masking his power and cruelty. “You however, are a human, a scourge on this earth.”
“But I carry a dragon. I am with child.”
He stepped closer. She could see the bulging muscles of his arms, massive, bigger than Connor’s. This beast would be stronger even than Dòmhnall. No wonder Arran and Kier did not want to meet him.
“It is better for the dragon to die than to have a mother who is human.”
“How can you say that?” She put her hand protectively on her precious baby.
“You have been forced to bear the dragon child. What will become of it? Will you shut it away so that the world will never see it?”
“No. I want my child to be born free, to fly in the blue sky, to live in the fresh air.”
“But you carry a monster in your belly.”
“I carry my child. He was made with love. My mate is a dragon. I will love him to the end of my days.”
He laughed. “From where I stand that is not very long.”
“Please,” she begged. “Let me go”
“No. I do not believe you carry a beast. Why would the dragons bring you here if you were carrying one of their own species?”
“It’s true. Please, give me your hand and you can feel him, the heat from his body warms my skin. Here, feel.” She took his hand, trying not to think about how big it was. With one swift movement, he could break her neck and crush her bones to dust.
They were strong hands, the skin rough, but his touch on her belly was gentle. He stood still, and she thought his breathing stopped for a moment while his hand rested on the swell of her baby.
“I can feel his heat. I can hear his heart beat.”
“He is a dragon. And I want this child so badly. Please.”
“I don’t believe a human can love a beast. You will lock him away.”
“No. I
promise you. But I have to get out of here to find my baby’s father. I have no idea what they’ve done with him”
“I have always wondered what it would be like to have a mate. One who is not filled with abhorrence at the sight of me.”
“It is the most amazing thing in the world. And he has waited thousands of years for me, for our child. I beg you to let me go to him.”
“You are nothing to me. Your love is nothing to me. Why should I do this for you? Where is the gain for me?”
“I have nothing to give you. Only my thanks and friendship. You must live a lonely life here. Spare me and I swear I will come back and talk to you. I can tell you of the outside world.”
“You would leave here and forget your promise.”
“No. I won’t. I swear on my child’s life. I’ll even bring the baby dragon to see you. And you will know you spared his life. And I will make sure he never forgets what we owe you.”
He threw his head back and roared. A disturbing mixture of rage and laughter. Serena wondered when was the last time he had laughed. Or whether he ever had before.
“I can see why you are the mate of a dragon. He is a lucky man. I will hold you to your bargain. Now, let me see if I can remember the way out to the sea.”
Chapter Twenty Four - Connor
His free will had left him. No matter how hard he tried, he could not drag himself away from the voices calling him. He knew he should be searching for something. However, he could not keep his mind straight for long enough to grasp what it was.
“Come with us,” they beckoned, and he wanted to follow. Their voices mingling with the sounds of the waves crashing upon the rocks. A soothing noise. Lulling him until there was nothing left in the world but those beautiful faces and the sounds of their silvery voices.
“Connor, swim with us,” and then a cascade of harmonious voices cocooned him. He took one step, and then another. Why should he deny himself this joy? They held out their arms to him, and beckoned him to join them. He could think of nowhere he would rather be. If he died here, right now he would die happy, because they touched him with their hands. While their voices touched his soul.
The water was warm, as he sat with them on the rocks, with the waves washing over him. He was born again, no longer a creature of fire; he belonged with them in the water.
From behind him, he heard another voice. “Connor. Connor,” it cried, but it did not have the same effect on him. Still he turned, and he saw her there. He knew what she meant to him, but the mermaids had a hold on him that he could not break. So he stood mute, while she wept tears of anguish and betrayal.
“He is ours,” said one of the mermaids, whose hair was long, tinted by the sun and the salt of the sea. It blew across her face and he reached out to touch it, to brush it back from her graceful neck.
“No. Please. He is my true mate.” Behind her stood a monstrous beast, with horns on his head. A stab of jealousy hit him in the heart. Still he could not react, the silky web of these sirens wrapped mercilessly around him.
“Connor,” she called again, but he turned away. The hands of the beauties from the sea caressing him.
Chapter Twenty Five - Serena
Tears of anguish and frustration traced their salty paths down her cheeks. She had survived the Minotaur's labyrinth, and now she was about to lose Connor to the sea.
Why didn’t he come to her? Of course, she knew. Another creature who belonged to myth and legend held him fast. She was powerless against them.
“Why are you doing this?” she asked.
“Because you need to learn that there is no such thing as true love.”
“That’s not true. He loves me. We are mated forever. It’s only your spell that makes him forget me.”
“But surely true love conquers all?” One of the mermaids rose up, pushing herself further out of the water. Serena could see her beauty, in the tone of her skin and the colour of her hair. She sparkled like sunlight on the rippling sea. But it didn’t explain the hold they had over Connor.
“What have you done to him?” Serena asked.
“We only sang to him. Now we are going to take him home with us. He will be the father of our children.”
“No. He already has a child. I will not allow you to take him. Our son needs his father. I am only a mortal; Connor will live forever, and teach our son how to be a dragon.”
“But he has betrayed you. See how he comes to us, how he longs to swim with us in the sea.”
She was right, Connor, her Connor, was lost to these creatures of the sea. He stroked their hair, fascinated. While one of them held his head in her arms and sang her song of sweet subjugation.
She could do nothing. If they would not willingly release him, Connor would be lost.
“Why would you do this? You can take any man. Why take one that belongs to another?”
“Because we can.” And they laughed, and the seas sparkled in their eyes.
“But you can free him.” Another said.
“How?” Serena asked.
“You want someone to look after your son through all is long years. And you want to free this poor weak willed man.”
“Yes.”
She lifted her hand out of the water and offered Serena a knife. “Cut out his heart. Take the stone and you will gain his immortality.”
“No!” Serena said, stumbling back as though they had hit her in the heart.
“Do it. His sacrifice will be your gain. Isn’t that what you want? To be an immortal.”
“No. Not at the expense of Connor’s life. No.”
“Come now. He is lost to you anyway. We do not release those we have enslaved. But this thing we will grant you. You are a woman; you know the weakness of men. Don’t suffer because of it.”
“No.” She shook her head, tears spilling down her face.
“You would rather lose him to us, than sacrifice him for immortality?”
Serena stood, unable to comprehend how they had got here. Why had she been so foolish? Dòmhnall never had any intention of giving the secret away. He had planned this all along. But she couldn’t sacrifice Connor. Rather that he lived a long life with these women, than died by her hand.
“Yes.”
The water swirled as the mermaids disappeared. Taking Connor, her true love, her soul mate, with them.
She stood and watched. Behind her, the Minotaur took a step forward and rested his hand on her shoulder. Feeling the shuddering sobs as they erupted from her. He didn’t move. Offering her no further comfort, only his presence. As if through her, he was experiencing emotion for the first time.
He watched over her as she crumpled to the floor, before turning to look down the beach. “Dragons,” he said, and bent to pick her up. “Come with me, I will keep you safe.”
Serena shook her head. “No. Thank you. There is something I have to do. Something I should have done before we came here. This is all my fault.”
“Come with me. You are not safe here.”
She placed her hand on his. “Thank you.”
He looked at her once more, and then he disappeared back into the dark depths of the labyrinth. The only sign he had ever been there, that such a creature was real, were the giant footprints in the white sand. She sat staring at them, tears flowing freely as the dragons drew closer.
When Dòmhnall bent down and picked her up, she didn’t resist. Nothing mattered. Wherever they took her, whatever they did to her, she didn’t care. She was broken inside. Not even the thought of their unborn child could raise her from this state of living death.
***
The night air was chill. They brought her from the villa where they had spent the rest of the day. Food had been offered, and refused. Only water passed her lips, and then only because she knew the baby needed it.
She was severely dehydrated. Her head throbbed as she lay on the white cotton sheets. The fan overhead whirring constantly, cooling her heated fever. Despite her exhaustion, she could not sleep. Afraid t
hat if she did she would forget him.
Strong arms wordlessly lifted her onto a dragon’s back. She didn’t care who it was, she simply wrapped her hands around a thick spine and held on. He leapt into the air and flew, under the cover of darkness, back to Spellholm. The hours didn’t drag this time, because time had stopped for Serena. Her soul was still standing on the beach, waiting for Connor to return. Although she knew, he never would.
The sun was already peeking its head up over the horizon when they left the ocean behind. Despite their long flight, the dragons picked up speed to reach Spellholm before the day broke. Leaning over the dragon’s back, she watched as the forests of Spellholm passing by. Feeling some small relief that the spell didn’t hit her this time. If it had, she might have given up right then and let go, to fall to her death.
“You have his child,” she told herself. Someday that might be enough to fill the hole in her heart, but not yet.
The castle stronghold came into view, its tall turrets rising up out of the trees. She would no doubt be a prisoner there until the birth of the baby. Then what? Would they kill her?
The dragon flew lower. She prepared for the jarring bump that would come when his feet hit the ground. There it was, she lurched forward, and almost immediately slipped from his back. Into a heap on the floor.
Beside her Dòmhnall changed into his human form. Once more, he gathered her up in his great strong arms and carried her inside.
“Wait,” she said. “There's something I need to do.”
“You need to rest. You will harm the child if you don’t.”
His words confirmed her fears. They would take the baby from her when it was born. Once more Dòmhnall had exiled a dragon who wanted to know the secret of the heart stone. Only this time his actions were so cruel, she questioned what she was about to do.
Heart Of The Dragon: BBW Romance (Her Dragon's Bane Series Book 3) Page 9