I screamed. Eshshah shrieked. My arms flailed, grabbing at nothing. Senka dove for me and snatched me from the air with his hind claws. The jolt sent lightning pain through my body. My vision clouded, then all went black.
CHAPTER TEN
The ground lay hard and cold under me when I awoke. I inhaled and grimaced. It didn’t surprise me I’d broken some ribs.
The silhouettes of Eshshah and Senka loomed overhead. They faced each other hissing and growling. Dangerously close to each other, their fangs were bared. I felt Eshshah’s fear for my life as her anger increased. Senka crouched over me, keeping Eshshah from coming to my aid.
I lay helpless in the shadow of the large male’s bulk. If the fight came to blows, I would be crushed. Smoke rose from Eshshah’s nostrils. I’d never seen her that menacing.
Senka raised his head and trumpeted a warning.
My heart rate increased. I felt Sovann, and that meant he was close, too close.
Summoning my strength, I shouted in thought transference, “Sovann, stay your distance, circle back. We’ve landed.”
“Amáne, are you hurt?” Sovann asked. “You screamed.”
“Just stay away, please.” Relief spread over me as I felt the distance between us increase, until I felt his presence no more.
The ground shook with the thunder-like growl that echoed in Eshshah’s chest. Heedless that the grey dragon was so much larger, she would not back down.
Senka exhaled and turned his head from her in apparent defeat. Taking care to not trample me, he retreated. I sang a silent song of thanks.
Eshshah kept her whirling eyes on the large grey and stepped toward me. As soon as he put some distance between us, my dragon lowered her head. I felt her healing breath. At first, a tingle, and then intense heat radiated as my ribs began to mend. When Eshshah pulled back, I inhaled deeply.
I sat up slowly, took her fangs in my hands and pulled her face to mine. Leaning my forehead on her nose, I closed my eyes and hummed to her, comforting both of us.
“I don’t know what this is all about. There has to be some mistake, here. I’m sure everything will be fine. Let Sovann and Ansel know we’re all right.”
Senka growled something to Eshshah. My dragon snapped at him.
“He is impatient to return to the air.” She drew her head back down to me, and said, “I convinced him to let you put my saddle on him.”
“That’s a brilliant idea.” I rose cautiously, testing my condition. Eshshah had the most remarkable healing powers of any dragon. My ribs had healed completely.
Before removing the saddle from Eshshah, I pulled off my ring and Queen Fiala’s priceless jewelry and stashed them in a small compartment in the side of the saddle. Not sure of where the saddle would end up, I thought my jewels would still fare better there than on me. I gathered my strength and threw the saddle up onto Senka. Securing it, however, proved to be quite a challenge. Made for Eshshah, the cinch barely reached around the larger dragon’s girth.
“Exhale, Senka, you’re not making this any easier for me. I can’t buckle it if you continue to take such deep breaths. And keep still.”
I ignored his angry retort. Even though he spoke in the ancient tongue, it wasn’t too difficult to guess his message.
Double-checking my work, I tested the buckles before I mounted. Reaching the saddle took a couple tries. He was even larger than Sovann. Once astride, I secured myself into the footpegs, thankful he waited until I was safely fastened before he launched.
The force of Senka’s takeoff gave me a painful jolt. I should have expected it, since chances were he’d never carried a rider. Eshshah and I had flown together so long, we were practically one in takeoff and in flight. Our flights began with a smooth leap into the air, and I was accustomed to her style. Once I recovered and learned Senka’s rhythm, I eventually relaxed in the saddle.
About three hours before dawn, Eshshah roused me from my stupor. The island of Orchila lay ahead. Moonlight shone off the white sand beaches that surrounded the tropical emerald island.
“Eshshah, tell Sovann to veer to the west, to the beach where you waited for me on our previous trip. They can land there and you can stay in contact.”
On our last visit to Orchila, we’d arrived on the southwestern shore. I’d left Eshshah there while I made my way into the small port town. My ill-fated adventure began there. We’d intended only a short trip to procure a map showing us the way to the Valley of Dragons. Instead I’d been sold out as a sacrifice to save a local tribe.
Senka stayed on his current path, heading to the north of the island.
Eshshah dropped low to just above the tree tops so she wouldn’t be in the line of sight of anyone tracking the night sky.
I caught a view of the north shore. The waves broke over the sand and lit up as if by their own luminescence. The jungle grew almost down to the water, leaving only a strip of white sand. A cone-shaped form rose to the west. I’d read about those mountains that held an inferno in their depths. When their pressure built, they erupted in molten rock.
As we descended, I could make out a clearing, like an ugly black scar in the midst of the dense jungle. The clearing was set a small distance south from the north shore. I focused on the dark patch.
We approached quickly. A black castle came into view, partially in ruins. The sinister-looking stronghold had blended into the darkness of the clearing and was upon us before I realized what it was. Its spires twisted like deadly vines silhouetting against the green backdrop. Built from the black rock of the volcano, the fortress reared up from the dark scarred earth. The back north section lay toppled and appeared to almost melt into the hardened lava flow that had reclaimed a portion of the stronghold. The front looked like it had survived a violent mountain eruption. Building equipment took up the area around the ruined section, restoration under way.
Who would set up a fortress in the path of a lava flow? And why would someone choose to rebuild it?
Senka began his spiraling descent. My heart quickened. My body shook. The purpose of my capture would soon be evident.
“Eshshah,” I whispered out loud.
“I’m with you Amáne.” Her calming strength filled me.
I watched below as torches were lit and men scrambled across the south-facing courtyard. Soldiers were posted on the battlements. I caught the actions of bowstrings being drawn. Blades glinted the torchlight.
A groan issued from Senka. I followed the direction of his gaze and my heart sank. In the middle of the courtyard lay a large yellow dragon. Chains covered her like a spider’s web. Not one of her limbs could move more than an arm’s length — my arm’s length. An iron collar surrounded the dragon’s neck, just behind her head. Even from where I observed, it was too tight to allow her to swallow anything large enough to fully nourish her. An unhealthy number of her scales were scattered on the ground.
Flames of anger overcame my fear. The moment Senka touched ground, I slid from the saddle. Crossbows were brought up as the soldiers rushed toward me. Some aimed at Senka, others at the yellow dragon and a few at me.
“Halt there,” a rough-looking man yelled.
“Why am I here?” I turned on the man. “Who’s ordered my capture?”
“Amáne,” Eshshah warned.
I spun in a full circle, searching for the person responsible for my capture. Only soldiers were present, and possibly a captain. If that someone didn’t want me alive, then I would already be with my ancestors. The thought gave me a sense of boldness. Keeping my eyes focused on the defeated dragon, I moved in her direction. I put out calming thoughts and exuded a sense of sympathy that I knew she could feel.
“I said halt, or we will shoot!” the man commanded.
Only when I faced Senka’s mate did I halt. I felt the dragon’s pain and terror, but also her trust. Senka’s suffering wrenched my heart.
I wheeled around and faced the men surrounding me, their crossbows close enough to go right through me, should they c
hoose to fire — or fire by mistake. I noted many kept their eyes on the dragon, their fear reflecting overtly.
“I’ve been delivered,” I shouted at the soldiers. “Senka has done what he was coerced to do. Now let his mate go. Unchain her.” I doubted she even had the strength to fly.
“Now, if that isn’t a sight that would make the next legendary ballad ...”
A chill went up my spine at the sound of the oily voice that filled my ears.
“‘The Girl of the Prophecy That Destroyed a Reign Goes on to Save a Captured Dragon.’ I’ll instruct my musicians to come up with something befitting your fame.”
I swung my eyes to my right. On a second-story balcony a dark silhouette stood against the light that spilled from behind him. Galtero. The man who had sent Ansel’s parents to their ancestors. The same man who, though he didn’t wield the blade, was responsible for slitting my father’s throat.
Bile – and fear – rose from my stomach. I forced a swallow.
“Chain the girl. Take her to the tower. I’m going back to bed.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
I sat with my back against the cold stone and surveyed my round cell. Tilting my head back, I stared at the partially-restored ceiling high above. Three small windows, barred and too far out of reach, let in the first light of dawn. The irons around my wrists and ankles cut into my skin.
“Oh Ansel,” I moaned to myself. A tear slid down my cheek. I lifted my chained hands and wiped it away with the back of my arm.
Was it just the day before I danced, laughed and kissed my new husband? Our wedding night over and only a handful of kisses had passed between us.
My head jerked in the direction of the door as a key slid into the lock. Hinges creaked and it flung open. My cell filled with six men, fully armed.
I raised an eyebrow and couldn’t stop myself from saying, “All six of you just to fetch me?”
“No talking. We won’t be bewitched by you.”
“Bewitched? What did he tell you of me?”
“Silence!” The man bent over and took a swing at me. I ducked.
He raised his hand again.
“Stand back,” said the head guard, coming between the first man and me. He yanked me to my feet by my chains. I winced and rubbed the raw skin under the irons. With teeth clenched, I glared.
One of the guards leered at me. His greasy hair hung down to his shoulders and into his pockmarked face. I wondered if he’d ever visited a bathing room in his life.
“Maybe y’are possessed but yer a pretty little thing up close, yeah,” he said.
He reached out and ran his finger along my face and down to my collar bone. I turned my head and leaned away.
“I like my women with a little more weight on their bones, uh huh,” he continued. “With somethin’ to ‘em, y’understand? But yer not half bad.” His eyes raked my body up and down.
My heart pounded against my ribs. His captain watched on, amused.
Where is their sense of honor? I huffed at my own question. They have no honor.
The odious man grasped my face and brought his closer. “Mmm, an’ ya smell good, too. I bet ya taste just as good.” He leaned in.
Hot anger seized my fear.
“Eshshah.”
“I’m with you, Amáne.”
Her strength poured into me. I ducked my chin and headbutted the knave. His close proximity didn’t give me the full advantage and force, but it was enough to stop his advance. He cried out and grabbed his face. Blood gushed from his nose.
My jaw flashed with pain as his fist slammed into me. I stumbled backwards into the arms of another guard.
The men burst into laughter.
“Aww, Gahn, you got a lot ta learn about how to get what ya want from a woman. Let me show ya how it’s done.”
The man who’d caught me, tightened his arms around me and brought his face down to my neck.
“Yer, right, she does smell g —”
I arched my back, rammed the back of my head into his chin, scraped my foot down his shin and stomped on his foot.
He released me. I spun around and held my chained hands in front of me in a defensive stance. A futile act, maybe, seeing the six armed men before me, but I was ready to draw more blood. With Eshshah’s help I stood a chance — a small one, perhaps, but a chance nonetheless.
“That’s enough,” said the captain. “Galtero won’t take kindly to damage done to his valuables. You had your fun, boys. It looks like her answer is, ‘no,’ for now.”
Without another word, they dragged me out of my cell. Three men preceded me and three took up the rear. I noted the greasy one tried to position himself close, but was blocked by another who took up behind me.
The stairs out of the tower were narrow. We went single file as we snaked our way down. I peered out of an arrowslit and noticed we’d reached ground level, but we kept descending.
They ushered me through several turns down a confusing maze of corridors. We arrived at a set of large wooden double-doors.
My guards shoved at the heavy portal, which opened up to a lengthy chamber. It gave all the appearances of a throne room. There, Galtero ensconced himself in a high-back chair, both hands rested on the carved arms, a superior smirk on his ugly face. He wore a crown and acted every bit the king.
King of what?
The soldiers led me down the long plush carpet woven with images of phantasmagorical landscapes and creatures. They stopped me several paces in front of a narrow table that stood before Galtero’s chair.
A door to his right opened and a tall woman, hauntingly beautiful, glided out. She came to a halt beside Galtero, placing her hand over his. I couldn’t judge her age, but she was much younger than him. Even young enough to be his daughter. Her alabaster skin, nearly translucent, accentuated her striking features. The lady’s painted red lips stood out in sharp contrast against her pale complexion. The thought of why this beautiful lady wanted to be with him turned my stomach.
I revised my initial impression of beauty when I met her eyes. Looking into them was like gazing into a ghastly dark pit. I thought Galtero had a malevolent glare, but hers put a chill up my spine. If poison were personified, it would be she.
Over her black gown, the lady wore a dark cape lined in red, and on her head was a circlet with a ruby that hung on her forehead. The vision of a black widow came to mind.
Minutes passed as Galtero took his time to study me. His scowl deepened, his lip curled up on one side. The woman eyed me with disdain.
I called on Eshshah for mental strength to bare their scrutiny without loosing my tongue.
“I’m with you, Amáne,” Eshshah responded. “Please take care. Don’t say anything rash.”
After a heavy sigh, Galtero broke his silence. “You’re just a little girl. You don’t look like much up close, for as much grief as you’ve caused me,” he hissed. “All the more reason why I burn to send you to your ancestors. I swore if I ever had the occasion to endure your presence again, I would end your despicable life.” His voice was nasal and he held his S’s.
A snake and a black widow. My present company couldn’t be more malicious.
I remained silent.
He rose from his seat and moved around to the front of the table. That’s when I noticed his left arm hung limp at his side. My memory flew back to our last meeting when I thought he’d killed Eshshah. I’d gone berserk and cut down all his men to get to him. The coward had been astride a horse, which he wheeled around to escape my wrath. In desperation I’d hurled my glaive, at his back as he retreated. Although I aimed for his black heart, my blade found purchase in his shoulder.
I couldn’t hide my smirk as I realized his useless arm was to my credit.
“I see my injury amuses you.” His eyes became slits. If he could have dispatched me with only his glare, this would have been the moment.
Reaching behind his back with his good arm, Galtero drew a wicked-looking dagger. He flourished it in front of my fac
e, coming so close, I felt the air move. I tried to hold my gaze steady, but couldn’t help but blink when his knife neared my eyes.
I swallowed. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the red lips of the lady curve up in a gratifying smile.
Galtero’s display over, he held his dagger vertically between his face and mine. With the thumb of the same hand, he ran it along the blade, testing its edge.
A drop of red formed on his thumb. He examined it and then slowly licked the blood from his finger.
I nearly retched.
The villain’s eyes focused on mine. He turned his wrist and pressed the blade to my neck. My blood froze.
“Yes, I fantasized about all of the ways I would finish you —to pay you back.” He licked his lips.
I turned my turned my head away in disgust and suppressed a shudder. Clenching my teeth, I pulled my eyes back to his face.
“But,” he said, pulling the knife away. He paused as he admired his reflection in the polished metal. “Unfortunately you are more valuable alive. Especially now that you are the Queen Consort of Teravinea.”
He barked a sharp laugh, ending in a hiss. “Oh, go ahead and glare at me little girl. Glare all you like. Aren’t you going to ask me how I could be so generous as to spare your life?”
As curious as I was, I would not give him the satisfaction he craved. I kept my eyes on his, and didn’t lower my gaze. I could tell this irritated him.
His lady crossed her arms and let out a long slow breath. The passage of air through her throat created a rushing-ocean sound. I felt her eyes on me even as mine didn’t leave Galtero’s.
He went on as if I had asked. “I am going to test your new husband to find out if he thinks you’re worth ransoming. Are you dear enough to him to trade you for a dragon egg?”
“A dragon egg?” I couldn’t help saying.
I’d let Eshshah in on our conversation via open thought transference. She shared the events through my eyes. “Doesn’t he know a human doesn’t choose the dragon, the dragon chooses their rider?” she said.
Amáne of Teravinea - Black Castle (The Teravinea Series Book 4) Page 6