Someone grabbed her from behind. She kicked back, connecting with the man’s thigh. She couldn’t let them get her. She couldn’t. She thrashed, struggled, used her elbows. The man’s forearm pressed her throat. Choking, she tried to pull his arm away.
“Enough!” Finius dropped his sword and held his hands up. “Let her go. Don’t hurt her!”
The man behind her loosened his grip but didn’t release her. He grunted. “I’m not going to kill her.”
Finius’ face, what she could see of it in the dark, held pure rage. “If you hurt her, the weight of the Daryk Ones will come down upon you. And you don’t want that to happen.”
“Come on. You’re going with us,” another man said.
“Where are you taking us?” She tore herself out of the man’s arms, but he grabbed her forearm and held fast.
“Where are you going, bitch?” the man asked.
The biggest Daryk One spoke. “Finius here is sloppy. He talked too much and too loud, and we heard about your venture. Blame him for your failure. We’re going to Drakus Fina’s lair.”
Her stomach curled with anxiety and anger. “No!”
Finius looked gut-punched. “I didn’t say anything to anyone. I swear.”
As they shoved Finius and her along, she wondered if this was the beginning of the end.
* * * * *
Arrows hailed down upon Dane and the old woman as the enemy unleashed the hells. Searing pain sliced the back of Dane’s right calf as he huddled over the old woman he’d thrown to the ground. He’d run hard and fast to reach her, afraid he wouldn’t make it. His body jerked as another arrow found his right biceps, slicing deep as it went.
Damn all the fuckin’ hells that hurt.
At least none of the arrows made a direct hit.
As if to prove him wrong, three more arrows stuck, banging off his breastplate. Good thing the damn armor covered his back as well. He half expected an arrow to slice off his ear or penetrate his hands and hit his skull. The whish of arrows raining down on them stopped. He waited, making sure.
The old lady had screamed when he’d knocked her down, and now her flailing limbs proved she wasn’t down for the count. “Get off me! Get off!”
He rolled off her, ignoring his wounds.
Gray-haired, trembling and pale, the wrinkled little woman stared at him. “Thank you, Dane Charger. Thank you for saving my life.” She leapt to her feet with surprising agility, but then started to limp as she ran.
He went after her, but that’s when all the hells really did break loose. A fireball sailed over the curtain wall, looking as big as a wagon. “Get down!”
The old woman dived behind a wall, and Dane ran her direction, hoping he’d make the same shelter. He veered off at the last minute, diving into an alcove that was closer. The fireball missed them both, but flames crowded up the curtain wall between them. Dane saw the old woman dash away. Damn it all, flame or arrow would hit her if she didn’t find shelter. He couldn’t worry about that now when his fellow warriors needed his help. A rush of anger and raw primal warrior rose up inside him, and as he felt the strange sensation arise, he realized he understood what it was.
A guttural roar left his throat, and a red haze filled his vision. Power rushed to his limbs, his body surging with power. This was his body filled with a battle rage, and part of him relished the desire to kill, to protect those who needed him. His muscles felt larger, fuller, more capable than ever before. Energy sluiced through his body with a rush that almost knocked him off his feet.
Anyone who came in here without permission would face his wrath. Would face a Daryk One’s power.
As he ran toward another tower closer to the south and the drawbridge, he heard a battering ram making weak thumps against the drawbridge. Did they expect to break down the door that way?
A loud roar from the dragon pierced the air.
A moment later twenty Daryk Ones raced into the courtyard from all directions. Their eyes were red, their bodies looking larger and more fierce. More dangerous. Again the dragon roared, the sound coming closer. The ground vibrated under Dane’s feet. The dragon headed his way. Archers from the ramparts started shooting and they must have hit the mark on the enemy. Men cried out in pain and the dragon’s irritated shrieks filled Dane’s ears. Stomping and growling, the dragon battered the drawbridge. Dane didn’t move. He knew it didn’t matter what the men by the drawbridge did. The dragon would—
The drawbridge gave way and loud cracks echoed across the jungle.
“By the god!” Dane cursed, but he wished his words had the power to change the terror he couldn’t stop.
Three small ballistae machines were set up at the farthest wall away from the dragon and drawbridge. They wouldn’t do near the damage a trebuchet would, but they’d have to do. A few regular men stood in the middle of the courtyard, blades drawn and faces etched with pure terror.
Dane gestured to the men. “The ballistae. Light them!”
The men broke from their trance and raced to the large weapons. Dane knew it would take a while before the men could get the weapons ready, and by that time the dragon and rogue Daryk Ones would be upon them.
Dane rushed toward the drawbridge, his heart banging like a drum. He might die for this, but at least he’d have the honor of knowing he’d tried his best. The dragon’s head came through the damaged opening as the creature stomped on the wooden drawbridge until it snapped like kindling. Dane winced at the ear-splitting noise. Another angry roar came from the dragon. Thank the god this dragon didn’t have the ability to breathe fire. It didn’t matter. Furious, huge and relentless, this was one of the most dangerous animals on Dragonia. And somehow that bastard Drakus Fina had tamed it.
Seething with anger, Dane challenged the beast. He waved his arms, screamed obscenities. “Come on, you bug-infested lizard! Come on!”
The dragon turned its head to look at him. Its eyes were the strangest he’d seen—he’d never been unfortunate enough, until now, to see the eyes of this type of dragon. A kaleidoscope of colors made the pissed-off male creature’s eyes sparkle like jewels.
Dane stepped back but not far. If the dragon had a chance to get too close to the ballistae, the weapons wouldn’t be effective.
He heard the men behind him pulling back on the levers required to send flaming masses toward the dragon. He half expected the dragon to go after him. Suddenly, a familiar figure charged in behind the dragon. Dane’s heart hammered, his stomach dropping. Drakus Fina. Enemy of the people. The enemy of everyone who valued honor, love and life.
In those fleeting seconds, Dane took in his brother’s presence. Dane saw their family resemblance in the hair and the structure of his face and body. Brandishing a sword, the tall, powerful man moved forward.
A sneer cut across Drakus’ face as he directed the dragon. “Simian, take the tower!”
Dane’s heart practically stopped. Drakus was targeting Armen. He dashed toward the tower ahead of the dragon, his breath rasping in his throat. The men guarding the tower stayed while Dane rushed up the stairs. He reached the first floor where Armen stood at the window, looking out at the approaching terror. Armen’s face was impassive.
Dane grabbed his arm and pulled. “My lord, we must run!”
“No time, my friend. I dreamed about this over and over again every night. It is my destiny to die this way. Promise me you’ll protect this castle.”
Dane’s anger boiled over at his leader. “It may be too damn late. Come on!”
But the roar outside the window told the truth. Before Dane could move, the dragon roared and its heavy weight slammed against the rock walls. Cracks formed by the window. The dragon screamed again and threw its weight against the ropes holding it.
Dane was tired of this shite. He grabbed Armen’s arm and shoved him toward the staircase. The tower vibrated under the dragon’s assault. Momentum carried the men forward. Dane heard the foundation shudder, vibrations rumbling through the donjon. Before Dane could
do more than fly down the stairs with Armen in front of him, all the hells broke loose.
Armen cried out as he lost his footing. Dane reached for him, but the planet seemed to tilt forward. Dane couldn’t keep his balance, and he cried out in fury. As the building started to crumble around him, something hard hit him in the back and head. Pain rushed over him in a hot wave, and he fell into the darkness.
Chapter Sixteen
The road became long and arduous, and Ketera considered rushing into the jungle and making a run for it. More than one problem with that though. Four rogue Daryk Ones surrounded her and made it less likely she could escape. They’d taken her backpack with all her supplies. Trying to escape without supplies meant she’d die of thirst or starvation if she couldn’t find her way out soon enough. Though she had some idea how to navigate because her father had taught her, and she could use the moons to work out direction, so many dangers lay under the jungle canopy she knew nothing about. She wished it were daylight. At least then she had a better chance of surviving this mess. On the other hand, if she stayed with these wretched men, she may not survive much longer.
A thousand thoughts ran through her mind. Was Dane all right? Had the battle ended? Had Finius actually betrayed her? Doubt-riddled, she decided to stay with the men.
Finius stumbled along in front of her as they periodically struck him with a club in the back. The big man didn’t fall, even when the blows became heavy. How did he endure it? Time crawled as they moved through the night, and even when she could barely take another step, they prodded her to continue. To her surprise, a clearing came into view where the jungle had been hacked away to make room for a dozen large tents. The night was forced back by torches surrounding the camp, and a few men and women milled about. Women? Were they prisoners too, or willing conspirators?
“What is this place?” she asked.
“Drakus Fina’s camp,” one of the men in front of her said.
Deep inside she trembled at the thought of meeting Drakus for the first time.
As if he’d read her mind, the man said, “He’s not here.”
“Out to take Grimnald Castle,” said another man near her.
“Grimnald Castle?” She repeated the statement and felt raw.
She’d known that Drakus’ men planned an attack, but not Drakus specifically. Worry for Dane assaulted her. Dane fought to save the castle, and he’d do everything he could. His life could be in danger, and she couldn’t do a thing about it.
“Let’s move it,” one of the men said, urging a faster pace as they dropped down a slight incline to reach the encampment. The camp buzzed even at this extremely late hour, and she wondered why.
One of the rogues said, “Take Finius to the far south tent. Tie him up there until Drakus returns.”
As two men led Finius away, Finius said, “Don’t worry, my lady. You will be fine.”
Fine? Did he honestly believe that? She seethed with an anger she couldn’t define. Fury that once again she’d lost an opportunity to return to Magonia and save her father. Despair that every minute of her life these days seemed fraught with danger. She never honestly had a moment to rest, to gather her thoughts. To find a way out of this mess.
A thought whispered to her. Not exactly true.
Not everything in this trip had proved horrible. One bright spot still brought a blush to her cheeks at the thought of it.
She’d had long minutes to find love with Dane. For if she spoke honestly to herself she did love him. How she could in such a short time, she didn’t know. Perhaps it was because she knew his heart. Knew that he’d given everything for her, had shown his true goodness in so many things he’d done for her already. All she could hope was that he found a good life, if and when she returned to Magonia. He could find a new woman, someone he would realize could mate with him just as well as she could.
But she realized it wasn’t likely she would survive this adventure. Not if Drakus Fina decided he wanted her for a mating partner or made the decision he’d rather eliminate her. Her stomach curled with nausea at the thought. For a few seconds she couldn’t think, her breath ceasing with anxiety.
A man pushed her along. “This way. You’re going to Drakus’ tent to wait his arrival.”
“When is that?” she asked, tension creeping up her spine.
“Don’t know.”
Right then she made a decision. She would survive this. For she had to return to her father no matter the cost. One way or another, she’d beg, borrow or bargain her way out of this camp.
* * * * *
Pain throbbed through Dane’s body, a thud, thud, thud that didn’t seem to have a source, a beginning or end. He remembered weight pressing down on him, the overwhelming pressure, the defeat, the loudest roar he’d ever heard in his life.
A dragon? Or the donjon falling on him?
He thought he heard rain splattering on a roofline and the crack of thunder overhead.
I’m alive.
He couldn’t form more of a full thought than that for what seemed an eon. He sensed movement around him and the relentless sound of people moving about, talking, hands touching him with care and concern. Still, he wanted to move and squirm and ask for them to leave him alone.
“Rest easy, old friend. We’ve got you.” The voice rumbled nearby, reassuring and promising safety.
Two things propelled him into action. Thoughts of saving Armen and needing to live for Ketera. More than anything he must live for her. He longed to see her with an ache the superseded the pain spiking over his body like lightning strikes. He groaned from frustration and pain and tried to move. Pain sliced through his ribs and he clutched at his side. Using his training, he attempted to assess his injuries.
Broken ribs? Or just cracked?
Bleeding out?
How long had he lain here?
Yes, his body would repair itself, but perhaps not quickly enough to save the castle and the people in it. Or, if the damage was too much, too massive, he might not survive.
Time seemed to drift on, an eternity of people coming and going, his life easing in and out of clarity. He didn’t have a coherent thought for a long time, a time he couldn’t define. No pain, no fear, no…nothing.
“Dane?”
The voice whispered close, and Dane jerked. “By the hells!”
His gasp came through a throat that felt sour, as raw as if he’d been screaming or had screamed for hours. He managed to open his eyes slowly. Minilos stared down at him, eyes momentarily reflecting sheer concern and perhaps a weariness that had no end.
“What the fuck is happening?” Dane asked through his parched throat.
“You bloody well almost died. Didn’t think it was possible for you, you bastard.” Minilos sank back into a chair next to the bed. “But I can see by the cleanliness of your language you’re well and truly on the mend.”
Minilos’ dark humor wasn’t lost on Dane, but he managed only a half smile. “How is it I survived such a royal mess?”
“Damn good luck, I’d say.”
Ketera. “Where is Ketera? Did she come to you during the battle? Is she safe? Did Finius take her—?”
“Easy there, friend.” Minilos clasped Dane’s biceps. “Finius has already taken her to the ship.”
Part relief and part disbelief ran through Dane’s mind. “How do you know they’ve reached the ship? Have you received word or evidence?”
“No, of course not. It hasn’t been near long enough for that. Finius is a good man. He’ll get her there.”
Dane was skeptical. “He’d better. Anything happens to her, anything or anyone lays a hand on her—” Dane groaned as pain sliced his rib cage.
“You need rest. You’ll be like new in no time, but right now you need time to mend. You can’t waste time thinking about her.”
Dane almost came up off the bed but weakness kept him from getting more than a couple inches off the bed. “Waste time? She’s my mate!”
Minilos held out one hand.
“Easy, my friend. I know that.”
Dane decided he needed to believe this almost more than he needed to breathe. To do that, he’d have to take Minilos’ advice to try to mend. He couldn’t help Ketera this way.
Dane glanced around an unfamiliar room. “I’m not in the donjon.”
Minilos sighed. “You were dug out of there twelve hours ago. It’s night.”
Shocked, Dane took in the room and saw curtains pulled over a large window. Candlelight flickered from several candles around the expansive room. “I didn’t recognize your quarters at first.”
“I didn’t either. Damn maid did too fine a job of cleaning it the other day.”
They chuckled softly, and Dane gasped from the pain. “How the hells did I get here?”
“Daryk Ones who survived the siege brought you here through the tunnel from your room.”
Dane tried a deep breath, but the pain in his ribs dictated otherwise. “Wait. Where is Armen?”
Minilos’ expression sobered considerably. “He didn’t make it.”
Dane groaned, his anger mixing with undeniable pain. Armen had been a good man and a wonderful leader. “Draconus! That means…”
Minilos threw up his hands for a second, his voice a growl. “It means you’re our leader for now. Armen’s will was changed some time ago and it said you would be the successor. From this point forward, you’re our leader. The savior of Grimnald Castle.”
Dane sucked in a pained breath. “He told me. I didn’t believe him, and I damn sure didn’t want it.”
Minilos nodded. “It is a horrible and great responsibility. You must think of it as an honor and not a burden.”
“Fuck that.” Dane didn’t want to hear it. “It is a burden.”
Minilos looked grave, his frown telling. “Perhaps it is better your mate returned to Magonia. She could have been harmed or killed if she’d stayed.”
Irritation replaced Dane’s affection for his friend. “She still might be harmed or killed when she goes back to Magonia. She doesn’t have my protection.”
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