by S. E. Smith
Trelon hurried up the path with Symba by his side. As he pushed through the narrow entrance, he shifted his sight so he could see in the darken cavern. His breath caught as he glimpsed the weakened figure of Cara’s dragon. She was laying on her side near a small pool of water not moving. Trelon walked over to her slowly, almost afraid of what he would find.
“Cara, mi elila.” Trelon murmured tenderly. “Cara, I am with you, suma mi mador.”
Trelon ran his hand down over the delicate head of Cara’s dragon. Trelon’s dragon pushed against his skin wanting to touch his mate. Closing his eyes, Trelon let his dragon have his wish. The huge male knelt down next to his mate and gently began licking her. He cleaned her face first using long brushes of his tongue. It was only when he moved to her neck that he felt the first stirrings of awareness. She moved her head slightly until her snout brushed against his neck. He moved closer to her chilled body and continued cleaning her. When she moved closer to his warmth, a low vibration began deep in his chest as he began to purr. While his dragon slowly cared for his mate, Trelon continued to try to reach his.
“Cara, mi mador, please answer me.” Trelon said desperately.
He couldn’t feel her. He called to her over and over, telling her he loved her and needed her to wake up and drive him crazy. He promised to let her tear apart anything her heart desired. He would even let her loose all by herself…well, not all by herself because he never wanted her out of his sight again… but he would let her do whatever she wanted in his workshop. He promised her long flights over the ocean and hours of love making and never being upset with her again if she wasn’t there when he woke up. But, still she remained quiet. In desperation he had Symba link bands of gold between them so he could feel what she did as she checked Cara over. Symba moved over Cara’s dragon, healing each cut and each burn carefully. Throughout it all, Symba could not reach the spark that was Cara. She searched and searched but Cara seemed to have disappeared inside the tiny dragon until not even a spark of her human self seemed to remain. If he could not find her and bring her back, Cara would be unable to transform and would live out the remainder of her life in her dragon form. She would never be quite whole again and would not live very long with such a large part of her missing.
Chapter 18
Morian Reykill stared down over the garden where her son laid next to his mate. It was almost a month since they found Cara buried in the cave and she still did not respond to Trelon’s call. Her dragon had healed quickly from her wounds thanks to Symba’s care but the little human was still lost to them.
“Is there anything we can do to help her?” Trisha asked quietly.
Trisha, Ariel, Carmen, and Abby had taken turns sitting out in the garden with Cara. They read to her and talked to her. Cara’s dragon would lay in the sun and listen but she seldom moved or showed any response until Trelon’s dragon appeared.
Morian watched as the tiny dragon’s head turned to rest her cheek against the huge male’s chest. Tears formed in her eyes as she watched Trelon wrap one of his wings around the smaller dragon, pulling her close. If something wasn’t done soon, they could lose both of them.
“I think it is time to have a talk with my daughter.” Morian said turning and walking determinedly towards the doorway.
“Trelon, we need you. Zoran has commanded that you appear. You have not been to any of the meetings we have had and there are new developments that have occurred. We need your expertise.” Kelan said forcefully.
Trelon’s dragon growled menacingly. He would not leave his mate. He looked down at Cara’s small head nestled against his chest. She was sleeping. She never slept for long, a few minutes here or there. It was during the first few moments when she woke that broke his heart. She would jerk awake, looking around terrified, large diamond shape tears coursing down her face and her little heart pounding against him. She never made a sound. It was almost like she forgot how too. He hadn’t heard her voice in over a month. He missed his little mate’s energy, her chatter, her spirit. He could feel her slowly slipping away from him and it scared him. He had never known such a deep fear. His dragon could feel his mate weakening as well and was bewildered as to what to do. His only desire was to stay near his mate and protect her. He didn’t give a damn about his brothers or anyone else. His mate was his only reason for living.
“Trelon.” A feminine voice said sternly. “I taught you better than this. You are needed by your people. You must do what you can for them, even if it is only for a short while. I will watch over your mate for you while you are gone.”
Trelon turned his head, the threatening growl dying as he saw his mother standing there. She knew what it was like to lose a mate. While his father had not been her true mate, she had loved him all the same. His father’s symbiosis had never quite accepted her. Their mating had been of royal decree, binding two royal houses to one. He loved and respected her for the strength she had given to not only him and his brothers but during her long rule as the Valdier Queen Mother.
Trelon focused for a moment, shifting. “You promise to not leave her alone?” Trelon's question came out more as a plea.
Morian walked over to her son and wrapped her arms around him. “I promise.” She said softly. “Everything will be alright. The Gods and Goddesses would not have brought your little mate to our world just to lose her. She is destined to bring much joy to our world.”
Trelon pulled back and gazed down into his mother’s eyes. He didn’t even try to hide his tears from her. “I love her so much, Dola.”
Morian placed her palm against Trelon’s cheek. “I know, my son, I know. And, so does Cara.”
Trelon glanced one last time at the tiny dragon watching him through wide, frightened eyes. He hated leaving her. She always looked so frightened when he left, even when the other women came to stay with her. She never left the garden. When he had first brought her back to the palace he had tried to bring her to their living quarters. She had fought him and cried so hard his dragon refused to force her. They had stayed in the garden no matter what the weather had been like. He covered her with his wings when it rained and shielded her from the hot afternoon sun. He held her close at night under the brilliant stars and comforted her when she became frightened. She had had a long line of visitors. All the warriors who helped dig her out came by to see her. A small group of boys had grown to a small army. Trelon learned Cara had met several of the boys one day in the market. She showed them how to toss fruit up into the air and do tricks with them. Several of the boys had gotten very good at it and they came once a day to perform for her. Through it all, she would lay quietly watching them but never responding. Trelon didn’t know what to do. The fatigue of worry was taking a toll on him as well. He had lost weight and interest in anything but Cara. He started when he felt Kelan’s hand on his shoulder.
“She will be alright.” Kelan said quietly. Trelon just nodded sadly.
Morian studied the tiny dragon whose eyes followed the departing figure of her mate. She walked over to the small bench that had been set up for Cara’s frequent visitors and sat down. With a wave of her hand, a servant appeared with refreshments. She waited patiently, not saying anything until the tiny dragon turned her head back around to look at her. Morian finally spoke just as Cara’s eyes began to droop.
“It’s a shame about Trelon.” Morian began. She paused to take a sip of her drink. Cara’s dragon picked her head up at the sound of her mate’s name. “He’s dying, you know.”
Cara’s dragon stared at Morian, listening.
Morian looked pointedly at Cara. “You are killing him, Cara. You see, without you he cannot survive. Each day a little more of him fades away as he watches you. He doesn’t eat, doesn’t sleep, and has turned his back on the needs of his brothers and his people. You are not the only one who needs him, little one. He needs you just as much and so do our people.”
Cara listened intently to Morian’s words. Trelon was dying. Because of her? Cara’s dragon felt
the first stirrings deep inside her as the tiny human hidden so deep began to move. Cara couldn’t let Trelon die. She had protected him. He was hers. He had promised her he would always love her. If he died then she would be all alone again. Her family would be shattered. Cara forced herself to pull away from the place where she had hidden. She was a fighter. She was a survivor. Didn’t she prove to her Uncle Wilfred and her dad she could make it? Didn’t she prove to the kids at school they couldn’t drive her away? Didn’t she prove to Darryl that she wasn’t some mindless bitch in heat? She could help Trelon. She thought like he did when it came to building things. He had shown her what it was like to truly be loved. And, he had promised her children. She wanted to give him lots of little girls to drive him nuts and make him feel loved.
Morian watched the struggle taking place in the tiny dragon’s eyes. She felt a wave of relief as the glint of determination came into the eyes of Cara’s dragon. She knew the exact moment when the tiny human triumphed over the fear holding her encased in its powerful grip. Moments later, Morian knelt on the ground holding a sobbing Cara in her arms. The tiny figure curled into her as she murmured reassurance.
“I don’t want him to die.” Cara sobbed. “He promised me he would always love me.”
“He does, Cara.” Morian cooed gently as she ran her hand over Cara’s hair and down her back. “He loves you more than life itself.”
“He promised me a family. He promised me children.” Cara whispered hoarsely.
Morian chuckled. “Well, I will be very happy with him fulfilling that promise as quickly as he can.”
Cara pulled back and looked into Morian’s eyes. “I want lots of little girls. He would be a really good dad for our daughters.”
“Oh, my.” Morian said softly. “I do believe you’re right.”
Cara frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Look inside you, child.” Morian said. “I think he may have already granted your wish. This may be why it was so hard for you to come back.”
Cara stared at Morian in disbelief. She looked down at her flat stomach and pressed her hand against it. Closing her eyes, she saw the tiny light tucked deep inside her. As she stared the light became two. Two brilliant, tiny lights glowed brightly inside her. She had been wrapped around them, protecting them until she knew they were strong enough to survive.
Cara’s eyes opened brimming with tears. “I see two. Two baby girls.” She whispered in awe.
Morian smiled tenderly at her little daughter. She helped Cara stand up, wrapping an arm around her as she wobbled. First, Abby and now Cara. She smiled up towards the sky and thought of her mate. She knew he would have loved being here for all this. She understood why he couldn’t; but, that did not mean she still didn't wish for his company so she could share her joy with him.
Trelon sat impatiently as his brothers talked about their next plan of attack. Creon was going on the hunt for King Vox. He stated Carmen would go with him. One look at his face and none of the brothers even bothered to argue. He would meet up with Ha’ven once he arrived in the Sarafin galaxy. Mandra was heading to the Curizan galaxy to meet with Ha’ven’s brothers. He insisted Ariel would go with him. He was not about to leave her unmated and alone. Besides, he insisted looking at Creon with a raised eyebrow, if either of them got into any trouble they could always send the women in.
Ariel and Carmen had been dubbed the Juuli, or the gods’ revenge, by the warriors assigned to protect them. All Valdier warriors grew up with their parents telling them the story of the Juuli. It is said two of the goddess’ got tired of all the warriors of Valdier misbehaving and running amuck. They were lead by two royal brothers who listened to no one, not even the gods or goddess’. Two of the goddess’, the sisters Arosa and Arilla, decided it would take two strong females of a different race to bring the brothers back under control. Arosa and Arilla called forth two sisters’ from a distance galaxy, bringing them to Valdier and placing them in the palace. The two sisters’ were furious at being taken without their permission. They were used to a world where women were the warriors and the rulers. The warriors were unprepared to meet such strong willed women who would stand up to them as equals. The beauty of the women drew many males who tried to court them but each was turned away. Time after time, the males would challenge the two sisters and time after time they were defeated until the two brothers appeared. As the brothers stood before the two sisters a great threat appeared from the skies. Arosa and Arilla, in the guise of a great flying serpent, descended on the sisters. The brothers, sensing a threat to their mates, transformed into a dragon to protect the two women. When it looked as if the brothers would be defeated, the two sisters joined forces with them. The two sisters were unable to stand by and watch the two men who fought so gallantly to save them die. Together, the four of them were able to defeat the serpent. The two sisters, seeing how brave and strong the men were, fell in love with them and agreed to stay in their new world. It is said only a true mate can tame the Juuli, any other is destined to return home alone and defeated. Trelon could really care less who came or went, he wanted to get back to his mate. He nodded when he was supposed to but had no idea what he was agreeing too. He had never been so relieved as when Zoran said they were finished.
“Trelon, I’d like to speak with you a moment.” Zoran said quietly.
Trelon threw an impatient look at his older brother. “What?”
“How is your mate?” Zoran asked softly.
Trelon tossed his head back and looked at the ceiling for a moment before he returned his gaze to Zoran.
“She is doing better.” Trelon didn’t care if Zoran knew he was lying or not. He just wanted to be with her as long as possible.
“If you need me or Abby to help you, please let me know.” Zoran replied.
Trelon stood still for a moment before his shoulders slumped. “When…” His voice broke. Trelon took a deep breath and tried again. “When the time comes…I want you to make sure we are together.”
Zoran’s eyes flashed with fire. “The time will not be for many, many more centuries.”
Trelon looked at Zoran with deep sorrow in his eyes. “Just promise.”
Zoran nodded briefly, a nerve in his jaw ticked as he force out the words his brother wanted. “I promise.”
Trelon nodded before turning to leave. “Thank you.” He said softly.
Zoran watched his younger brother walk away. Once he knew Trelon was far enough away, he slammed his fist against the table in helpless rage.
Trelon hurried through the corridors and out into the garden. It had taken everything in his power to remain in control as he had asked his brother to make sure that Cara and he be buried together. If he had only a short time left to hold her while they were alive, then he wanted an eternity with her in his arms in death. Trelon ran down the path towards the fountains where he and Cara had been staying since her return. He froze as he turned the corner and saw nothing but empty purple grass. The outline of her body was still imprinted on the thick blades. When he didn’t see his tiny mate, he turned in a circle roaring out in pain. “Where is she?” Trelon cried out hoarsely. “Where is my mate?”
His mother approached him slowly, her hands outstretched. “Trelon, she is fine.”
“Where is she? You promised to be with her. I left her in your care.” Trelon choked out.
“Trelon, she is fine. Cara is in your living quarters. Go to her.” Morian said tenderly, his pain more than her mother’s heart could bear. “Go to her.”
“Our living quarters?” Trelon asked hope beginning to flare as he finally heard what she was saying.
Morian smiled and nodded. “Go to her. She needs you.”
Trelon lifted trembling fingers to his mother’s face and touched her cheek. He didn’t care that she saw her grown son cry. She had given him a miracle. He brushed a soft kiss across her forehead before he turned and ran through the garden towards his living quarters.
Chapter 19
; Trelon burst through the door to his living quarters looking around desperately. Symba was bouncing excitedly back and forth between the living area and the sleeping area. Trelon walked slowly through to the other room. He could hear the muffled voice of his mate singing softly in the cleansing unit. He walked through the sleeping area and paused inside the doorway of the cleansing unit watching his mate through the clear glass as she tilted her head back and let the water run through her hair. It’s getting longer, Trelon thought distractedly, and her purple streaks are disappearing. He made a note to find out how to put them back in. He liked her purple streaks.
All thoughts vanished from his mind when she turned around to face him with her eyes closed. Trelon quietly opened the door to the cleansing unit and stepped in. Cara started and her eyes flew open when she felt warm hands slide along her wet hips. Her mouth was slightly open still from singing but the words had died as she stared into the emotion-filled eyes of Trelon. Neither one said anything for a moment. Cara let one of her wet hands rest on Trelon's shoulder while the other one gently caressed his cheek.