As she came out of the water onto the beach, she noticed a young boy approaching her. Water drizzled down her body, coating her in what appeared like a dress of raindrops. The boy stopped a pace from her with eyes wide as he inspected her flawless body. His mouth opened as wide as his eyes. He brushed his long black hair from his face. He was young still, less than fifteen, and barely shy of what Arria would consider for more pleasing tasks. His name was Kelvnar, and she had made him her squire after he did her bidding to kill his family at her command.
“Do you like what you see?” she asked.
“I … uh.”
“Answer me truthfully, boy.”
“Yes, I do, milady.” He gulped.
“Good.” She smiled. “Perhaps one day … if you serve me well.”
“I will, milady.”
“My armor.”
He began to put her armor on her at once. His hands were careful not to touch any of her bare flesh as he did. Arria was pleasantly surprised he held back. Perhaps he would make a good companion for her, when he grew old enough. The corner of her mouth rose as she noticed the bulge in his breeches. Yet, there would be no time, even if she desired to take one so young. There were many things she had yet to do, many traps to spring.
The first objective she had would be to complicate matters for the gallant Searon, who proved to be a larger problem than first thought. His leadership as well as his skills with a blade had proven fatal for her and her master, Zergiel. She didn’t care much for the warlock, but she planned on using him as he was using her, until an opportune moment occurred where she could strike him down. Soon, she would be the ultimate leader of Calthoria, and all would bow to please her. Yet, she wouldn’t be so hasty as she had been the last time.
“What have you found out, young Kelvnar?” she asked once all her armor fit securely.
“They are with the faeries.”
“Have the little bugs decided to help them?”
“No, they have not. Instead, they proposed a riddle to the man. Only if he answers will they assist him.”
“Excellent.” Arria smiled. “It sounds like they need a little convincing.”
She pulled out a small exoskeleton of a scorpion from her black leather pouch to stare at. Her skill at necromancy would be considered amateur compared to the necromancers of Zergiel’s order, but she had been studying. Dark magic was strong with resurrection spells, and even though she had only just begun studying them, progress was swift. She twiddled her thumbs on the sack of black powder at her waist. Her focus changed from her sister to Searon. He would be her largest threat. Nothing would fall into place until he was destroyed. Anaela would be an inconvenience because of her sister’s affection for the woman, but a necessity just the same. Arria knew she wouldn’t be able to accomplish it on her own against the two of them, but that wasn’t her task. Not yet, anyway; instead, she had to throw them off before they realized what she planned. It did not matter now, because they would be too late.
She smirked, petting the dead scorpion before gently setting it on the ground. She dug in her cloth bag for a handful of black powder. Her power had grown enough for her to use spells without the black powder, but with a complex spell that she hadn’t practiced, she wanted to use it to be safe.
“Astra vileed omnoshca deslocka,” she whispered.
Arria blew the powder in her hand until it swirled about her, turning purple, and then it entered the scorpion. The magical energy lifted the scorpion into the air, spinning in circles a centimeter from the ground, until all of the power flowed into the creature. It dropped to the ground as the winds surrounding them ceased. Kelvnar let go of Arria’s leg, where he had held on tight when the winds surrounding her began with the spell.
The ground shook and the creature began to grow, slowly at first—and then rapidly, until a large scorpion on two hind legs stood in front of her. Its pincers crunched together as it glanced at Arria, but it did not move. Instead, it awaited her command, completely in her control. Six red eyes stared at her, unblinking, waiting for her will.
“Find Searon and Anaela … and kill them,” Arria said.
The nacropis blinked, tilting its head. She pointed west, and without any more hesitation, the nacropis turned away, sprinting through the forest. Arria smiled at its departure. She knew the lone creature stood no chance against Searon and Anaela, especially if the faeries got involved. Yet, any damage the nacropis could do would be to her advantage. Even if it was only emotional damage, it would prove useful with what she had planned next.
A soft grumble broke the silence around Arria. She spun around toward the sound. The grumble turned into a growl. Smiling to herself, she strode through the trees, brushing the leaves from her face, until she reached a clearing. When she exposed herself, she heard a soft roar. She knew it could not be heard from far away. She sauntered to the creature who stood on four legs, watching her. Arria placed her hand on its snout to calm it. A few puffs of smoke exhaled from its nostrils before it rubbed its nose against her neck. Her hand stroked it behind its large ears, soothing the creature.
The hard black scales were rough against her soft skin, but she had grown used to the feel. She admired the creature. It made an elephant seem like an ant. Its beautiful black wings spread out long on each side, each nearly half the length of its entire body. The creature’s tail stretched as long as the rest of its body and coiled against its belly. She smiled as she kissed the beat below one large black-and-gold eye. Many years ago it was only a small black egg she had found and smuggled, but now, years later—after the war with her sister, it had grown. Even after all the years, she still managed to keep its presence secret. Soon, it would be revealed to the land of Calthoria. Soon, all of her enemies would bow before her, knowing Arria had resurrected the extinct and tamed it as her pet. She would rule all, and everybody would do her bidding. The only remaining dragon of Calthoria was hers to command.
Chapter 44
Warm rays of sunlight awoke Searon as they peered through the shades of the open window. Searon rolled lazily, not quite wanting to get up, and his hand came across something softer than silk. His eyes sprang open, cautious as he glanced to his side, and he was shocked to discover Anaela lying cuddled next to him in nothing but her green nightgown. He gulped as he tried to recall events from the night before, but to the best of his knowledge, he went to bed alone. The night before he had taken the floor and made sure she lay secure in the bed, as was the gentlemanly custom, at least for him, but last night she hadn’t been ready to sleep yet, and his mind grew tired. She insisted he take the bed. She claimed her thoughts had strayed, and she wanted some fresh air from the night to ponder on all they had learned.
Yet, there she lay in the same bed as he, curled next to him, as if she would fall off the bed if she weren’t tangled with him. He was glad to be wearing his underclothes, instead of the way he preferred to sleep when alone in bed, though he couldn’t see himself doing that so close to the gorgeous kheshlar, or else thoughts might go astray when he awoke. The warmth welcomed him, and yet, he wasn’t sure what he should do. In the past, she had grown frustrated with him if he came too close. How would she react if he returned her closeness? He fought every urge in his body to caress her and hold her tight in his arms. Instead, his hand found hers, and his fingers entwined with her own. He smiled to himself and closed his eyes.
His heart warmed with her so close to him. She shifted in her sleep until her other hand draped over his bare chest, entangling in his chest hair. His grin widened as he felt her warmth on him, and he wondered if it was what perfection felt like. For so long, he had been miserable, with the loss of his family always on his mind, but Anaela seemed to cure his sorrow from the first moment he met her. He didn’t understand it, but instead, went with it. Without the constant reminder of how many days and hours had passed since the loss of his family, his mind was soothed. With her in his life, his past was still there, but it didn’t affect the front of his mind like it
had before. He could sleep through the night. The previous night, when the two had lain cuddled together, was the best sleep he’d had in years.
Anaela stirred and Searon froze, not relinquishing her hand as she shifted to open her eyes. They grew wide as they saw where her body lay compared to Searon, but she did not move. Her breaths came in rapid bursts as she tried to see if Searon were awake, which turned into a gasp when he turned his head to look at her and smile. She withdrew her hands, tearing a few strands of chest hair out in the process to roll to her side of the bed, where she immediately began slipping into more modest clothes.
Birds sang a gentle song outside the window. Searon didn’t want to get to his feet, but knew he must. Carefully, Searon slid to the edge of the bed, where he put on a robe to mask himself from the cool breeze coming from the window. He looked to Anaela, who still had a terrified expression on her face. In that moment, Searon knew she would keep away from him as much as she could, just as she had the time before when they got close. It was something to expect now, but at least he knew she cared for him, but remained too scared to get too close. He still didn’t know why—whether it was because she was afraid of him or because she was afraid of the kheshlars and what they would think. Searon grabbed a small coal from the wood stove with a pair of tweezers. Stepping out onto the balcony with his pipe and tobacco, he lit it with the hot coal and began puffing.
Anaela softly stepped behind Searon, holding her breath. She slipped an arm around Searon and hugged him tight in a half embrace. Searon spun to regard her, an eyebrow raised.
“I am worried. Without the help of these faeries, at least their magic in some way, I do not feel we can overcome the army approaching Sudegam,” she said.
“I understand, and yet I feel if we stay here too much longer … we will be too late. It would not take them long to learn we have left,” Searon said.
“This tension of an upcoming battle that we may not be able to win has me stressed. I needed to feel comfort last night, something to put my mind at ease.”
Searon put his arms around her, holding her tightly, not wanting to let go. She allowed him to hug her, resistant at first, but soon she embraced him as tightly. She trembled in his arms, making his heart race. She looked to him with watery eyes, shivering at his gentle touch, looking like she wanted nothing more than to stay secure in his arms forever. Searon knew it, but he also knew she would never admit to it, and that thought saddened him slightly; nonetheless, he would never give up hope.
“You do know that we could never be,” Anaela whispered, grabbing his hand in hers.
“Why? Why do you fight the connection that you know we have?”
“Kheshlars cannot be with humans. It is not permitted; it has always been so, and will always be. It is forbidden.”
“By whose judgment? Who is it that sets forth these ridiculous rules?”
“The king.”
“Elsargast?” Searon asked. “The king is dead. Who is it now who brings such fear into your heart?”
“What if he was right? What if there was a reason behind it? What if the reason he has forbidden kheshlars and humans is because it is a danger to mix the two races? Have you ever thought of that, Searon, burn you!” She shook with tears cascading along her face. “Well I have! I have thought about it every day since I’ve met you! Every day I have to decide whether to follow my head or my heart, and I never know if I’m making the right choice. Do you know what it’s like to be so unsure of yourself? Not only do I not know where I come from, but I’m having a hard time figuring out where I’m supposed to go. For if kheshlars cannot be with humans for some reason, then my heart is wrong, and the pain I feel inside is just. However, if it was the king’s ploy to keep the races separate, then this needless hurt I feel inside is foolish when all I should do is let you take me into your arms as has been on my mind ever since I met you.”
Anaela had pushed away from Searon during her speech, but he drew her back close, holding her tight. “Shh,” he said. “Everything will be all right.” He stroked her hair gently. Her head rested against his chest, and she sobbed, soaking the thick fabric of his crimson robe.
“All I want is to know what I should do,” she whispered.
“Those words of discouragement were of the high kheshlarn king. You do not know what your own kheshlarn king or queen would have to say. I did not trust Elsargast when he was alive, and felt that he hid much. I say that one way or another, we will find the truth to this, because never in my life have I met someone as special as you. Your beauty is undefined by any word, your grace is beyond that of any butterfly, and your wisdom excels that of any scholar. I am entranced by you, as I have not been in such a long time.”
She pulled away only slightly to look into his eyes, all worry seeming to diminish. Her face appeared serene and blissful. Shivers trembled from her head to her toes as she stared at his green eyes.
“Anaela, I want you,” Searon said, holding her tight. “I need you.”
Her mouth opened in a gasp as she gazed into his eyes, but before she could speak, Searon leaned toward her, pressing his lips against hers. They held in their breaths as they kissed. A spark, like lightning from the gods above, crashed over them, feeding them like kindling fed a fire. They seemed to melt into each other, unaware of the worries they spoke about only moments before. In that instant, nothing else mattered, no war blocked them, and there were no pesky faeries to worry about; it was only them. Together they felt like they could accomplish anything.
Searon pushed her inside. She followed his lead. Their lips didn’t part as they moved, but seemed to dance in a form matching their movements. Each moved from top lip to bottom and back again, letting a tongue slip between the other’s lips from time to time. At first, they were gentle kisses, but as they neared the bed, they became more intense, with passion that neither fully realized they held for the other. They melted into each other like butter left out in too much sun, becoming one with each other. Each heartbeat matched the other’s, fast at first, but soon gentle and slow. He pulled off the green silk dress she had slipped over her nightgown. He took the gown off next, and her underclothes were exposed. She tore at his robes, exposing his bare chest once again, but she didn’t stop there, as she nearly ripped off his sleeping breeches.
He slammed her on the bed, where they continued to kiss for a few moments before he kissed her all over her soft green body, making her moan ever so lightly. He kissed all around her neck, around her underclothes, and all the way back to her lips. As his lips met hers again, he slid his left hand behind her back, where it undid the strap of her lacy green underclothes top. She didn’t try to stop him this time, but only shivered at his touch. He climbed on top of her, each now without clothes, and stared deep into her eyes. As he leaned in for a final kiss, a scream came from outside.
He spun around, hearing more screams echo through the forest as well as the sound of thrashing. Anaela slipped past him, putting her underclothes back on. She rushed to the window and gasped, turning back around to face him with fear in her eyes.
“What is it?” he asked as he slid his breeches on.
She didn’t speak, but continued to stare blankly out the window before abruptly turning around to secure her green-and-silver plate mail and cape. Searon tiptoed forward, uneasy about what he would see. He grabbed his plate mail and secured it over leather garments before edging his way to the window. Outside, he saw a nacropis destroying trees and plants all around the faerie settlement. Many faeries shrieked as they attempted to attack the creature, yet many of their arrows and small swords were ineffective. Some of their magic pushed it back, but Searon knew they would not be able to contain the nacropis. Others transformed into larger faeries, but even with larger weapons, they weren’t able to penetrate the creature.
He grabbed his claymore and sheathed it in his scabbard before dashing out of the door behind Anaela. They reached the mother faerie as the other council members surrounded her. Many cast vile
looks toward Searon and Anaela, but he paid them no heed, his attention on the mother faerie only.
“Did you bring this creature to us?”
“I would never do such a thing, Mother, and neither would this creature be clever enough to follow us. We can fight it, but you must restore us to our natural size.”
She nodded, touching Searon and Anaela on their foreheads. Tingling magic entered their heads and shivered through their bodies as they grew. They felt swollen as they grew, as if their bodies expanded tenfold with the throbbing of a bee sting. Searon took off his gauntlet to stare at his sparkling hand until it stopped glimmering and looked normal again. His mouth fell wide with amazement at the magic, but after a glare from Anaela, he closed it, putting his gauntlet back on.
He rushed forward, searching for the creature, only to stumble through a bush and be caught oblivious to its location as its claw slammed into his shoulder, tossing him to the ground. Pain shot through his arm as he rolled on the ground to avoid the stinger as the nacropis continuously buried it into the ground on each side of him. Anaela immediately began loosing arrows toward the creature; most bounced off, but some embedded themselves between shell joints. A small percentage of her arrows turned to ice with enchantment as they left her bow. When they contacted the creature, they froze parts of its body, but with its strength and rage, it shattered the ice on itself before it could spread.
Hundreds of faeries rushed out, buzzing all around the creature, appearing as if they were butterflies or dragonflies. They shot magic and arrows at the creature. Most seemed to have no effect on the nacropis, but a few damaged the creature, and it grew weaker. Searon used the opportunity to surprise the creature from behind with a slash to its right and left side. It reared on Searon with both pincers and stringer coming for him. He dodged the claw while slicing the tail just above the pincer. He grinned as the poisonous tip slammed to the ground, convulsing. An arrow froze the creature at the neck. Searon gained confidence to attack.
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