The Dragon's Soul: Xan (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Kalissa Wayne

  Xan was so fixated staring at Remi and Ad’har lying together, that he almost lashed out when Lorann tried to push by him. Jerking his head around to glare at her, she stared back at him eye to eye. “I’m sorry, Prince, but I must follow Lady Remi’s instructions. Please, help me help your lady. And, Prince…I know it’s not my place to say, but don’t be mad at Ad’har. He’s attempting to help Lady Remi like she is helping the king. Doing…whatever…” Lorann waved a hand between the adults on the bed.

  “What do you need me to do, Lorann?” Xan reined in his temper at the thought of helping Remi.

  “We need to ease her over and into a more upright position. We need to get some of this tea down both her and your father. Then brew a stronger pot while we use some of the mixture on their wounds.”

  Xan moved to the side of the bed and pulled Ad’har from the bed, setting his unconscious form into the chair next to it. Then he gently turned Remi over, easing her into the cradle of his arms. Her skin felt hot to his touch, and her face was flushed. He wanted her to open those beautiful eyes and watch them flash with fire while she argued with him. He wanted her face flushed from his lovemaking, not sickness.

  He thoughts were interrupted by Lorann’s hand near Remi’s chin with a towel in one hand, and her other contained a cup that was barely steaming.

  “It’s not too hot, is it?” Xan growled.

  “No, my lord. Truthfully, it’s lukewarm water mixed with the crushed leaves and only steeped about five minutes. But Reginald and Marcus are brewing a stronger pot. We all agreed it would be better to get some into them immediately. After Lady Remi drinks this, I’ll need to replace the poultice with a new one containing the starflower. By then the stronger tea should be ready. Are you ready, my lord? Please try and hold her jaw open for me.”

  As Xan cupped Remi’s jaw and gently pulled it open, he shot a look toward the fireplace where Reggie and a boy was working diligently over the pots. Lorann moved the cup to Remi’s lips, letting small amounts trickle into her mouth. Remi coughed a little, but everything was swallowed down. Xan was relieved to know she was getting some help.

  “Did I get back in time, Lorann?” Xan whispered, never taking his eyes from Remi’s flushed face.

  “I believe so, Prince Xan. We will do everything in our power to pull this lady through. But to be honest, if Commander Ad’har hadn’t helped her…I don’t think you would have,” Lorann whispered back before looking up to meet Xan’s eyes. “Everyone already knows she is a special woman. Not only did the gods choose her for you, but she has a heart as big as the Keep. You would have been proud of the way she defended your father.”

  At the mention of his father, Xan looked to see Rizon assisting Nic in getting some weak tea into the king. “Will they both survive, Lorann? You told me the truth about Mother, please tell me the truth now.”

  When she didn’t speak, Xan looked at Lorann and hugged Remi tighter. “Honestly, Prince, if it were anyone but these two I would have said they would already be dead.” Lorann met his eyes once more. “But you know how stubborn your father can be. It depends on if his will to live still remains. As for Lady Remi.” Lorann looked down at Remi with an affectionate smile and wiped the sweat from Remi’s forehead. “Remi has probably had an unstable week or so, so she might need you to talk to her. She needs to know where she stands, but I think she will pull through. She seems to be a fighter.”

  Lorann tilted the cup to Remi’s lips once again and kept pouring small sips until the cup was empty. Straightening, she handed the cup to Jeanae. “Now, my lord. If you could just turn her a little more, I can ease the shirt more off of this shoulder and change the bandage.” Xan growled at the thought of anyone seeing his True One’s body, but did as asked. Those in this room had been caring for Remi while he was gone.

  He pulled her to his chest and gently tugged the edges of the shirt down over her shoulder, providing Lorann more area to work. He buried his nose in her hair and inhaled deeply, hoping to keep his dragon calm. He lost himself in Remi’s smell, the warmth, and softness of her body. He thought of how she had felt under him in the bath, of how she’d tasted in his aerie. His dragon purred at the thoughts, calming considerably at the memories.

  “I’m done, Prince. If you could sit her up a little more, we can get some more tea into her.”

  Xan opened his eyes and realized Lorann had pulled the shirt back up onto Remi’s shoulder, and a light blanket over her lower half. He slid her up his chest and took the cup Reginald held out to him.

  “Little one, you need to drink this. If you don’t, we’ll have words.” Holding the cup to her lips, Xan urged her to drink. He didn’t know if she heard him or was just thirsty, but she parted her lips, and he trickled some into her mouth. Making sure she swallowed everything, he eventually sat the empty cup on the bed stand and eased her down into his arms.

  “Xan, she might rest better if she was laying down.” Nic stood over him, eyeing both Xan and Remi. “Brother, you both need rest. This bed is big enough for six people. Rest here where we can all keep watch. I will wake you if anything changes.”

  “I know you mean well, Nicolas, but I will not rest until she is out of danger. Even now, it feels like she is getting warmer and yet I feel a chill in my soul as if she has already passed into the next life.” Xan stared into Nic’s eyes. “Promise me, on your word, if she passes you will kill me quickly. I do not wish to harm anyone, and I know if she goes I will wreak havoc before someone can put me down.” Xan glanced over Nic’s shoulder at Rizon. “You, too, Brother—your word.”

  Nic opened his mouth as if to argue, but Rizon slapped a hand on his shoulder. “I doubt it goes that far, Anaxandros, but you have our word. Now, if you truly feel as if something is not right, let Nic help you.”

  Xan’s brow knit, gazing down at his little one. He didn’t know if he could stand having yet another male inside his mate’s head, but if it kept her from slipping away, he would have to accept it. Never taking his eyes from Remi’s face, he nodded brusquely once.

  Nic pulled another chair over to the edge of the bed, sat down, and picked up Remi’s hand. Xan’s dragon growled softly at his brother being so close, but Xan argued that their mate needed Nic. The dragon huffed and quieted, but Xan could feel him watching Nic like a hawk with a mouse. Nic reached out a hand toward Xan, who reluctantly released Remi and clasped his brother’s hand. How odd that the dragon didn’t mind Ad’har being wrapped around Remi but his brother was growled at.

  “Close your eyes and concentrate on your mate. You already have a tentative connection, which will make it easier for you to connect,” Nic told Xan before he closed his eyes and concentrated. Xan closed his eyes and concentrated on Remi. He’d known her less than two days, but he already felt as if he’d known her longer. He pictured her hair and her eyes, the sound of her voice. He remembered every detail of her body as she rose from his lake.

  Suddenly he and Nic were standing in the dusty street of a small village as people walked around them. Xan realized the people were hazy, only half seen as if they were ghosts. Passing wagons left dust clouds rising lazily in their wake, no breeze to blow them away as the sun beat down. Looking around, Xan didn’t know where they were at, but he could take a guess.

  “Your mate’s home?” Nic asked, squinting against the glare and dust.

  “Probably. Do you know where she would be?”

  “No clue, Xan. We are in her mind, her memories. Let’s walk that way and see.” Nic pointed off to the left, where the majority of the people were headed. Stepping onto the stone sidewalk, Xan and Nic moved with the ghostly people, headed toward the edge of town.

  As they moved closer to the edge of town, the shops became smaller with houses interspersed. At the very edge was the local blacksmith shop attached to the stables, with what appeared to be two small houses between them and the rest of town. A crowd was forming in front of the stables, a few voices becoming loud and it seemed the crowd was fluid. People were
coming and going and shifting around whatever was enclosed in that noisy circle.

  The closer they got, the noisier the crowd seemed. People yelling that whoever was in the center was worthless, nothing more than a bastard child from a bastard whore. Xan couldn’t understand how anyone could talk to a child like that. Every child was a precious gift from the gods. More were screaming that the person needed run out of town, they were evil incarnate. Others wanted to outright kill the person and be done with it. Xan felt his anger rising, and when he looked at Nic, he knew his brother felt the same.

  Some started to yell “witch,” “demoness,” and all sorts of vile things. Xan began to get a bad feeling he knew who was trapped inside this mob circle. As he pushed his way through the crowd, the people began to fade away although their voices could still be heard. Once he cleared the inner circle and the last of the people faded away, Xan looked upon a woman kneeling in the dirt.

  Remi was on her knees hunched over with her hands clapped over her ears, trying to make herself as small as possible. Xan didn’t even look at Nic as he moved to kneel in front of her. He put his hands on top of her head and felt her flinch away from him. He stroked her hair before clasping her wrists and pulling her hands down. He felt her arms trembling as he grasped her shoulders and pulled her up. She was refusing to look up and tried to curl back into a ball.

  “Remi, my True One. What is wrong, little one?”

  At the sound of his voice, Remi jerked loose and tried to scoot away from him. Xan wasn’t having it and grabbed her ankle to pull her back. Even as she struggled, he pulled her onto his lap. He wrapped his massive arms around her and refused to let go, even as she pushed at his arms and chest.

  “Let me go. Let me go!” Her voice was broken and choked. The panic and fear choking her voice caused Xan’s heart to drop into his boots.

  “Little one, it’s me, your mate, you are my True One. Calm, little one, and tell me what is wrong!” Remi curled into a ball in his arms, but at least she did stop struggling. Her shaky breaths told him she still wasn’t ready to talk and may not, even at this point, recognize him.

  He looked up at Nic with an unspoken question. Nic was scanning the area, his attention split between Xan, Remi, and their surroundings. Xan hugged Remi tighter in his arms and stood, scanning the same as Nic. He couldn’t see anything but Nic had to know something.

  “We need shelter. Don’t ask me what it is, but something is wrong here.” Nic had a troubled look when his eyes met Xan’s. “I believe we’re in her mind, but there is something else here.”

  “Good or bad?” Xan trusted his brother’s instincts and tightened his arms around Remi. He would protect her with his life, but if he could get her out of here safely, he would. She was his first priority.

  “Actually, I’m not sure. Dangerous yes, but to who? Or what? I just can’t tell, but it’s…” Even as Nic stopped, a shadow passed over them, and the ground shook from an impact.

  When the dust settled, standing before them was a huge white dragon. Bigger than even Xan’s dragon, the white dragon had shining black talons and ice blue eyes. Every scale on that giant body was pure as snow and sparkled like sunlight on water. As the dragon folded his wings back against his body, he settled his bulk down onto the dusty ground, never taking his eyes from the three humans.

  “Do not fear, children of Tchon-Xi. I am here to present knowledge you will need in the coming decade. Great changes are coming, and you will be in the whirlwind’s path.”

  Chapter 22

  Xan and Nic looked at each other prior to looking back at the white dragon. Each knew what the other was thinking. Could this possibly be the great white dragon of legend?

  “Yes, children. I am the white dragon that your ancestor, Tchon-Xi visited. Let us get these questions out in the open and over with so we may continue with the purpose at hand.” The dragon lazily crossed his front paws over each other and tilted his head to the side. “Daughter, calm yourself. These are your memories, not the real thing. You have overcome those who were in your past. You will play a major role in the coming events, so you must listen, as well, Remunada Summers.”

  Remi turned her head, still buried in Xan’s neck, until she could look at the dragon. The fear was still present, but it was fading fast. “What do you need from me, Dragon? I’m nothing but a simple healer.”

  The dragon snorted, causing a breeze to stir the air. “You are a healer, true, but you are anything but simple. You come from a long line of battle mages as well as healers. You have barely scratched the surface of your abilities.” The dragon held up one claw as he continued speaking. “I realize your heart is more turned toward healing than battle, but the ability to fight is used as protection as well as aggression. You will be the one to protect the future of the royal line as well as the bargain I made with Tchon-Xi. You must study with Anaxandros’s Dragon Guard and learn everything you can.”

  “Also, your skills as a healer, while good, are not near what you are capable of. You will find teachers in the strangest places. Learn your lessons well, daughter. There are mysteries even I don’t know the answers to, but you shall.”

  The dragon slid his gaze to Nic. “You, son of Agatha and Minos, have a gift only a handful have received in the millennia since I met with Tchon-Xi. Use this gift wisely and guard it well. There are those who would want to make even a royal a slave to have use of that gift. Protect your family, and you will have no problems.”

  The dragon turned back to Xan, as he stood with Remi in his arms. “Prince Anaxandros e’Minos, Firstborn Son of King Minos e’Tyros, Heir to the Throne, Dragon Lord of the Armies of King Minos, Keeper of the Flame of Tchon-Xi, Protector of the Kingdom of Aquateae, blah, blah, blah.” The dragon shrugged and waved one paw negligently. “The most important titles you have are Keeper of the Flame and soul mate of Remunada Summers. You will soon be called to defend your rule and this continent against those who would rise up and overthrow your father.”

  When Xan opened his mouth to speak, the dragon stopped him once again. “I cannot tell you when or who, but the status quo needs to change. The descendants of Tchon-Xi have grown complacent and narrow-minded in their beliefs and views. Change is coming, and there are those who don’t want change. You will be the next king, Anaxandros e’Minos. You must open your mind and see all sides of the arguments and serve both your people and justice. You have brothers who can help with that, use their skills and judge wisely.”

  The dragon stared into Xan’s eyes, seeming to search for something before he snorted again. “You are a typical Alpha except when it comes to your lady. Search your soul carefully because Ad’har is her Queen’s Paladin and without him, the tides of change will not go in your favor. Search your heart. Listen to your dragon. He wasn’t upset when you found Ad’har wrapped around her so ask yourself why. You must be a triumvirate of power. There may or may not be an intimate relationship between the queen and her paladin, that is between the three of you, no one else need know. But either way, Ad’har will be as close to her as you are, sometimes more than others. He will be her protector and that bond will be the necessary link for the future. You must accept this as reality. There are a few relationships like this now, there will be more in the future.”

  The dragon looked between the three. Remi had herself under control and was watching the dragon with red-rimmed eyes. “Daughter, you already love this dragon. Do not worry about the future, for the past will not be repeated. Ad’har is your paladin as well as Anaxandros being your True One.”

  The dragon shifted his gaze to Xan. “Anaxandros, gods willing, you will rule well for many years. Protect all and do what is just.”

  “And last, but not least, Nicolas e’Minos.” The dragon looked at Nic. “You have a murky path ahead of you, but you know what must be done. You and you alone must walk it, none can do it for you. If it be the will of the gods, there is a great reward at the end of your journey.”

  The sky began to darken, and the bu
ildings began to vanish. “My time grows short, as does yours. Return to yourselves, but you must remember what you have heard here. Great change is coming and you three will all play a major role.”

  With that, the white dragon leaped from the ground, and within two great sweeps of his wings, he vanished into the roiling clouds. The three people remained still, staring into the darkness before looking at each other.

  Nic was the first to leave, fading quickly from sight. Xan sat Remi on her feet, but wrapped in his arms and close to his body.

  “I do love you, my little one. Not just because my dragon has claimed you as our mate, but because of your giving heart and fiery temper. You have enslaved me to your will, and I willingly serve. Stay with me, for without you I am nothing. I will follow you into the next life if you choose to leave.”

  Remi raised her hand and ran it along his jaw, cupping his cheek and gazing into his eyes. “You have intrigued me from the first moment I saw you, and while I don’t know if it’s love, I have feelings for you I have never had for anyone else. You inspire me to do better, you have become my whole world. I will stay with you, but we need to speak more of this later. I have a feeling we must return now.” Remi raised her eyes to the sky, where the clouds appeared to be lowering around them. She looked at Xan one last time before closing her eyes and concentrating on her body.

  * * * *

  Remi became aware of her surroundings slowly. Her whole body ached, and her head felt like it was going to split open. Sounds seemed to bounce around her head, even the softest sound of a pestle grinding something in a bowl. She could hear a low murmur of voices, a fire burning somewhere close and voices raised in the hallway.

  Slowly peeling one eyelid open, all that met her gaze was a broad clothed chest. Stirring slightly, she felt two arms tighten around her like steel bands. Tilting her head back, she discovered she was lying in Xan’s arms as her eyes locked with the black eyes of his dragon. She felt a rumble deep in his chest as he raised one hand to touch her cheek gently.