“Look back into the mirror, Drace,” Nimbus commanded softly.
Drace returned his attention to the mirror. He felt Azure’s approach behind him, but her reflection did not show in the mirror.
She murmured something in the dragon tongue and his reflection wavered in the mirror. An image of him on Pride running the dogue down and killing it with a lance appeared, and the family of Solomon reunited from certain loss if he had not acted. The image wavered again and he saw himself giving instruction to a young man who worked under Cearan and So Lar as they worked with a young horse. The image shifted to show him in swordplay with Jaron at Ferndale. The mirror changed once more and the image was of him holding Ki, showing the look of love and tenderness he gave her.
Drace snorted, “Kinda like a love sick puppy, huh?” he muttered.
“No, it is a man who is considering giving up everything he knew for someone he loves,” Nimbus whispered as well as a dragon could whisper. It was almost as if the dragon spoke inside his head—then Drace realized that was what had happened.
The image changed to the nightmare of a couple nights ago. Drace froze, unable to tear his eyes away, his breath coming hard and fast. When the red dragon turned to strike he wanted to draw his sword but he couldn’t move.
The picture shifted so fast Drace was shocked from his paralysis and he took a couple of steps back almost bumping into Azure who continued to murmur her spell.
An orange alley cat crawled into the lap of a little girl who lived in the apartment a couple of doors down from his, in Las Vegas. It was Thomas and he purred happily as the little girl petted him.
Another shift showed him Cerise, his aunt, separated only by two years in age, as she sat by someone in a hospital bed, her strawberry blonde hair covered her pretty face as her head bowed.
He gasped as he saw himself in the bed, a breathing tube in his throat, connected to a multitude of machines. Drace swallowed hard. “I don’t understand,” he said in confusion, looking up at the big ice dragon.
Nimbus gazed back, his silver eyes gentle. “If you choose to go back after the battle, for I know you will not leave Lady Ki before then, I can send you back to the moment before you left there. This you already knew.”
Drace nodded mutely.
“But you cannot continue to be in two planes forever; even if the time there is frozen for you. The man you were will be only a shell. Although he is alive. his spirit is here with you. If you chose to stay, that shell will die.”
“What of Ki and Cerise? One of them will be hurt.”
“Yes, my Lord, but both are young and brave. Either will grieve for you then they will go on,” Nimbus said.
“That sounds cold,” Drace replied, but knew Nimbus spoke the truth.
“This is true. I cannot see what will happen in either future,” Nimbus admitted.
“What of Pride in the other plane? What happens to him?”
An image of a large grassy meadow on a farm came into view, other Friesians grazing peacefully by a large grave with a marker, Pride’s Dutch name engraved on it. Even with Pride very much alive in the next room, it caused his throat to feel tight and his eyes burned with unshed tears.
“Will it be painless?” he asked, voice rough around the tightness in his throat.
“As much as it can be,” Nimbus answered honestly. “I think you have already reached a decision though have you not?”
Drace looked at Nimbus. “I think I knew the answer the day I saw the unicorns.” His eyes grew hard then with an anger that flowed through him. “I should hate you for bringing me here; for making me choose and causing hurt to those I love, no matter what decision I make.”
“I understand if you do, my Lord, although I hope someday you will forgive me,” Nimbus said, regret in his voice. “What would you have me do, my Lord? I would have you sure before I cast the spell.”
Drace continued to look at Nimbus, his eyes dark gray with anger. It was something that Cerise had remarked on several times in his life. No matter how he might try to hide his feelings, his face carefully blank, his eyes changed with his emotions. Nimbus did not need past experiences to know this. Anger and pain radiated from Drace.
“I will see this through to the end,” he stated coldly and turned back to the mirror…”I will stay.”
“As you wish, my Lord,” Nimbus said and rose back on his haunches, his wings spreading slightly. Nimbus’ voice joined in with Azure’s and Drace felt the magic flow through the cave like a breeze, even tugging the ends of his hair as it passed. The mirror flicked.
A blood red sky of a setting sun shone over Pride’s other worldly grave, the horses in the pasture spooking into motion and they galloped past, manes and tails streaming.
Then it took him back to the hospital. Drace felt a strange tug in his chest and moved his hand over his heart as if to hold it there.
A monitor shrieked a warning and his aunt came to take his hand. Doctors and nurses rushed in. but the spirit of him was gone. In moments it was over and Drace watched as a nurse comforted Cerise as best she could in the stark hallway.
Drace felt the pulling sensation cease and he was able to take a deep breath. He realized his fists were clenched in anguish at Cerise’s pain. He sank to his knees on the cave floor. “May God forgive me for what I have done,” he moaned. Tears slipped down his face.
Nimbus’s voice came soft and gentle in his head. “Rest easy now, my Lord. You have a new life ahead of you. Enjoy it to the fullest for as long as you may live. We will give you some time to yourself.”
Drace barely heard the movement of scales on the rock floor as Nimbus and Azure went into the next room. Afraid of what he might see, he took a deep breath and let it out in a sigh then looked up into the great mirror. The magic was gone and only the reflection of a man, torn, stared back at him.
With shaking knees, Drace rose to his feet and stood still for a moment, gathering himself. He wiped his eyes with the back of a gloved hand. He turned from the mirror and left the room, stopping by Nimbus in the doorway. He tugged at his gloves but did not remove them. “Two questions, my Lord Nimbus.”
The dragon lowered his head so that they might speak quietly. “Yes?”
“What you see with Ki and me; how much do you see?” he asked, a slight flush staining his high cheekbones.
“I do not pry into personal affairs, if that is what you ask.” Nimbus answered. “And the second?”
“The red dragon; what does that dream mean? It scares the hell out of me.”
Nimbus reflected a moment. “It is a warning of things that may come to pass. Take heed, my Lord.”
“I would ask that you say nothing of my decision to Ki. I want it to come from me,” Drace tilted his head up slightly and gave Nimbus an anguished look through the tangles of his hair. “I should thank you for what you did today, but I just can’t do it right now. I hope you understand that.”
“Yes, I do. Do not be ashamed to grieve. Seek comfort in your mate.”
Drace nodded in reply and gave a respectful nod to Azure as well; then he strode across the room to tighten the girth on Pride’s saddle, avoiding Ki’s concerned gaze.
“My Lady,” Nimbus called across the room. “Send word to the High King, Yeager. He will send forces also when the time comes.”
“Of course, my Lord,” she answered as she swung up on Valor then rode out of the cave, the rest following behind her.
At the foot of Morenta, the group split with Cearan, Vashti, and Ka’Ril and rode on to see the Dwarves at Fortune, and then on the High Kingdom. Ki and Drace would ride for Oralia. The prophesied war was upon them and there was much to do.
Chapter Sixteen
FOR THREE HOURS, Drace and Ki rode as hard as the horses could handle, alternating between galloping and walking. They finally stopped to rest at a large tree, guiding the horses under its shady branches. Drace was sweating under his armor and mail; he was thankful for a break from the sun.
Drace t
ook a water pouch from his saddle and offered it to Ki. She took a long drink then handed it back. He swallowed then wiped his lips with the back of his hand.
Ki watched him drinking, his thoughts obviously turned inward. “Are you alright?” she finally asked, worried at the pained expression that flickered across his face.
Drace turned slightly in his saddle to face her. “Yes and no.”
“Would you kindly translate that for me?” Ki asked with a tilt of her head.
“I made a decision today…” he paused, “…one that I don’t regret, although I am now a poor man.”
Ki raised an eyebrow, confused, but silent as he searched for the proper words.
“Remember how I told you about bringing you to my farm and us settling there?” he asked, his brows furrowed.
Ki nodded, gazing at him patiently, picturing the farm he had described.
“Well…” he dropped his gaze, studying his hands that rested on the pommel of his saddle. “I gave that up today, so I have nothing to offer you.”
“Nothing to offer me?” she replied. She pointed a long finger at Pride. “Do you have any idea what that stallion is worth here? Horses indicate wealth. A quality horse such as Pride is worth the High King’s ransom. That is why Len Ra was so generous with his silver. Cearan has asked how much coin to offer you, afraid to insult you if it is not enough for breeding privileges to that horse.”
She paused to glare at him, a red stain of irritation making her cheekbones look even leaner, and the soft accent in her speech becoming more pronounced. “You are a man of wealth and you must never forget it. The knowledge you hold, which you can pass on to others is a great value to the rest of us. You are a Knight of Kismera for as long as you wish to stay. The honor alone is worth something. There are not many; Cearan, a handful of others, and now you.”
She took a deep breathe through her nose then exhaled sharply. Her voice softened; she became calm. “Never say I do not have need of you. The very thought that you may leave makes my heart ache. Truth is, I need you more than I care to admit. I need your companionship, and your touch to make the blood sing in my veins.”
Ki moved Valor so close to Pride, her leg rubbed Drace’s as the horses stood nose to tail. “I have been in battles before. I do not fear conflict. However, this coming war is not a group of thieves or raiders, or some misguided bunch bent on mischief. Our people’s very existence may depend on my decisions.”
She placed a hand on his arm and her expression turned worried and a bit sad. “I am afraid, Drace. I cannot let anyone see, for I am the leader of my people. I cannot frighten them with my insecurities. I do not feel that I can share this with Cearan, even if he can see for himself. I sometimes tire from trying to be the strength that was my father. I have worked so hard to have my people think the same of me as they did of him.”
Drace sat quietly and listened to her, realizing for the first time what it had cost her to be who she was; what she was.
As if she had read his thoughts, Ki continued, her husky voice low with emotion. Drace caught the glimpse of tears in her tawny eyes. “But with you, I can just be.”
“What do you mean?” His hand moved to cover hers, which rested on his arm.
“I can just be me; be a woman and only that. You ask me for no more. By sweet Tala, I do so need you Drace. That is why I dread the day you ask to leave and return to your world. I do not know how I will survive it.”
Drace rubbed a thumb over the back of her hand, all the anger drained out of him at her words. “I think you missed part of what I was telling you.”
Ki gave him a puzzled look.
He leaned over and gave a reassuring kiss. “I’m not going to leave you.”
“You will stay?” Ki asked in disbelief.
Drace smiled and continued to rub his thumb over her hand. “That’s what I’m trying to tell you. If you will take me—faults and all—for better or worse, richer or poorer, and all that other stuff—I’m here to stay. We’ll face all that’s coming together. I love you, Ki.”
“I love you as well.”
Drace pulled his hand away, reached for the water, drank, and handed it back to Ki. He absently rubbed Pride’s neck as she drank.
Ki handed the bottle back to him. Her demeanor changed to concern. She had seen him struggling with something that grieved him “What is wrong, my love?” she asked. “I know there is something bothering you.”
Drace gave her a wan smile. “I really don’t want to talk about it right now, Ki, if that’s alright with you. Please?”
Ki nodded. She turned Valor and headed out from under the tree’s shade, Drace followed her. Once back out in the open, he came along- side her.
I know a good place to rest for the night,” she said and kicked Valor into a canter.
An hour before dark, they forded a small stream they had been following and stopped in the middle to let the horses drink.
Once across, Ki led him into a large stand of trees, working her way deeper until they came into a small clearing, just large enough for the two horses to have some grass.
Ki and Drace stripped the horses of their tack, rubbed them down with twists of dried grass, and tied them apart to graze.
Ki dug a hollow spot to lay a fire then produced a flint and steel. Drace hunted for fallen limbs and soon had enough for a good fire.
We have a little daylight left. Would you like to hunt?” Drace asked. “Maybe you should keep it smaller than an elk.”
Ki chuckled. “Yes, but let us do it the human way.”
Drace raised an eyebrow. “Oh and how is that?”
Ki went to her gear and produced the long bow that normally rode under her right thigh when on horseback. “Ka’Ril has been giving you instruction. Let us see if you have learned enough to get us supper.”
Drace took it and the string and strung it easily. He leaned it carefully against a tree and went to Ki and began to unbuckle the straps of her breastplate.
“I thought you were going to hunt?” she asked with a suggestive smile.
“I am, but I move quieter without all of this stuff,” he said and soon they were stripped down to their breeches and thick linen shirts.
Ki had retrieved her quiver and handed it to Drace and they set out through the trees toward the plains. Notching one arrow, Drace moved through the brush, moving quietly for his size, which surprised Ki.
He turned his head to look at her and smiled at her expression. “I use to play a lot in the woods when I was a boy. I made it a game to sneak up and watch deer and other animals. It made Cerise angry because she couldn’t find me when I hid from her,” he whispered, and then moved on.
A few moments later, Drace saw the large rabbit at the same time he felt Ki’s hand on his back. It was a big brown rabbit, similar to the jackrabbits in Nevada. He slowly straightened, carefully pulled the string back, and sighted along the arrow. He took a breath and held it to steady himself. Satisfied, he released the arrow and the rabbit jumped as the arrow passed just under it.
“Shit,” Drace swore quietly and quickly notched another arrow. He followed the rabbit’s flight, drew back, and let loose. The arrow caught the rabbit behind the front legs and it came to a sliding stop.
A loud whoop from behind him made Drace turn to see Ki smiling broadly.
“Excellent shot, my Lord.” She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his neck. “That deserves a reward.” She pulled his head down and gave him a slow kiss. When his brain was sufficiently fogged she released him, gave him a look of promise, and then strode off to gather the rabbit. She squatted down and drew her dagger from her belt, and then expertly cleaned the rabbit.
While she worked, Drace hunted through the grass and located the missing arrow. They returned to the camp, and following Ki’s instruction, Drace started his first fire using flint and steel. Once he had the fire going, he spread their blankets as close as was safe as Ki set the spitted rabbit over the fire.
They s
at in companionable silence while the rabbit cooked, and after they had eaten Drace built up the fire once more against the night’s oncoming chill. He removed his boots, stretched his long legs toward the fire, leaned back against his saddle, and yawned until his jaw popped then he ran his hand through his hair. “Damn, but I’m tired,” he sighed and closed his eyes.
He heard Ki moving around the camp. She removed her own boots and he heard them drop one at a time close by. He started when her shirt landed in his lap. His eyes popped open in surprise in time to see her working the laces at the top of her breeches. The tie loose at last, she pushed them down.
“Is it safe enough to get that comfortable?” he asked, although his body shouted that it didn’t care and rose to the occasion.
At her nod, he stood and removed his own clothing. He opened his arms and she stepped into them. She bit him sharply on his shoulder and that seemed to spur him on. He swept her off her feet and lay her down on the blankets. Their mating was violent as they both strove to erase the day’s events. When it was over, they lay spent, breathing raggedly, their damp bodies cooling in the night air.
Drace gently touched Ki along her collarbone knowing she would be bruised in the morning, his other hand still clenched in her hair.
Ki ran her hands down his back, causing his breath to come out in a hiss as she touched the marks her nails had made. Slowly, she unwrapped her legs from around his hips and he moved to lie beside her; he pulled her into the curve of his shoulder.
Drace lay awake in thought as he felt Ki relax into sleep. That had probably been one of the most powerful experiences he had ever had but didn’t think he would be game to repeat it anytime soon. His back stung like fire. He dozed off to sleep.
Something roused him and he turned to look at Ki. A large paw on his chest pinned him and he understood Ki, in lion form, wanted him still and quiet. She turned to look out into the trees and then Drace heard them.
It was a small pride of lions; the huffing call of the male was loud in the still night. Two females answered him. Ki turned back to look at Drace then removed her paw, rose, and slipped into the darkness, giving the same call as the male had earlier.
Dark Lord of Kismera: Knights of Kismera Page 15