Enchanted Bookstore Legends (5-book complete epic fantasy romance box set)

by Marsha A. Moore

  She dropped to her knees.

  He smelled of saffron and sandalwood. He lowered one horn and touched it to the top of her head, then turned his face and did the same with the other. The fire within her doubled in magnitude, surging through her heart and mind before it spilled into her soul. When the dragon withdrew, his horns radiated gold light. He kept his face at her level, a sign of courtesy and respect. “My gift is complete, and I also mended wounds gained during the recent attack.”

  How did she appear to Cullen this time? She turned to locate him behind her. He grinned ear-to-ear, his eyes beaming with a proud look.

  The Imperial Dragon continued. “Your guides, naturally permitted by birthright, may join you on your travels through the dark lands.” He pointed with a wingtip toward a range of mountain peaks rising in the distance above the forest. “You will journey to the lair of my nemesis in those elevations. Observe his ways and study his essence, so you may later describe the chill of his spirit in your story. Dangers will be great, but I have seen your courage when you faced deaths of your parents, heartbreak of divorce, and recently in the Sea of Cogadh you endured personal suffering and saved the life of Sire Drake.”

  “Thank you, Head Guardian. How were you able to see me during the years I didn’t have the Book of Dragonspeir?”

  “There are many ways to follow the doings of one who owns Dragonspeir magic.”

  “Am I the only Scribe to naturally have those powers?”

  “I had a need which Brigid, the previous Scribe, answered. She gave up her immortality to pass her abilities along to you. Now, meeting you, I am forever grateful for her service.”

  She clutched her throat. “You mean Brigid gave her life to give me her power? Why?”

  He nodded. “In hopes you may serve the Alliance beyond this quest.”

  “I want to learn more about my ancestors and their experiences.”

  “Save your curiosity for later. First, you must complete the journey before you. All three other Guardians gave you both power and a gift. The Phoenix presented one of her tail feathers within a glass orb. The Unicorn, a heliodor scrying stone. The Tortoise, the jadestone mate to Sire Drake’s. Your hearts are bonded.” He looked to Cullen. “I sense your frustration, Sire Drake. This bond confounds how you access your power. Staying close will join and share power between you. Wield each other’s strength as your own to keep you both safe.” He turned back to Lyra. “My gift to you will be different than the others. It will come after completion of the entire quest as a reward, but something more valuable than any other token you’ve received. I am counting upon you to save this world and maintain the order of good controlling evil. I wish you success, my Scribe.”

  Before she could respond, he extended his wings at least seventy-five feet. One quick downward stroke lifted him off. He flew across the Steppe of Ora toward the high cliffs beyond. His scales glinted in the sunlight like a fireball gliding through the sky.

  Cullen breathed a sigh of relief. “All worked out well.” He squarely faced Glisla with such a fierce look her bird flew into the blighted plain. “What were you thinking, pushing Lyra unprotected into harm? The Imperial Dragon didn’t discipline you, so I will allow you to speak first before I decide whether to draw my staff on you.”

  “He knows my Qumeli tribe well. We are readers.”

  “Yes, I know exactly what you are. That doesn’t make me approve your behavior.”He firmly grasped the shaft of his staff, the sapphire sparking blue light.

  She thrust her chin up defiantly. “Dark One needed to measure Lyra’s great strength before Imperial leader granted his. Now they will fear her.”

  He locked upon her gaze.

  The gypsy woman winced.

  His eyes glowed white, and her body threshed, although unable to look away from him. He took a step closer, causing her to cry out in pain.

  She reached a hand to an amulet, worn as a pendant, and whimpered, “Mystics awaken. Help me.” He leaned closer and she went silent, held bewitched for several minutes.

  Lyra stared intently at the pair. Remembering what the Head Guardian said, she moved a step closer to satisfy her curiosity. Touching her jade pin to intensify the sensation, she felt the direction of his strength. He froze Glisla’s thoughts, and sifted through them until he learned the truth. Glisla had indeed wanted the dark forces to measure her natural power, but not to scare them. To warn them. Why? The Imperial Dragon accepted the Qumeli’s service. She couldn’t find the answer inside the woman’s mind. Did Cullen?

  Finally, he dropped his gaze to the ground and released Glisla.

  She collapsed at his feet.

  He glared at the woman, but his eyes no longer held magic. “Your partial truths do not endear me. Answer me completely and honestly from now forward or you will suffer.”

  Kenzo silently flew up and hovered at Lyra’s shoulder, whispering, “Fascination—he’s talented at it. She’ll be fine, only roughed up a good bit.” He snapped his beak. “Needed it too.”

  “Let’s move!” the sorcerer cried out and motioned forward with his staff.

  “Where’s Tama?” the buck bleated. “I last saw him before the green dragon was killed.”

  There were no hiding places in this open expanse of plain. Lyra turned in every direction, but didn’t see the fox.

  “I hope he used this delay to get a head start with scouting. Tis and Taz, go on at top speed and keep an eye out for him while you check for danger. Report back when the sun is at its highest point,” Cullen directed.

  The squirrels scampered into the shadow lands, chasing cautiously from tree to tree.

  “Everyone be on lookout for Tama, and, more importantly, for any forces intending harm.” He shouldered his pack more securely, before giving Lyra a quick hug. “Ready?”

  She nodded. “Yes, I am. I can do this.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three: The Scribe’s Journey

  Only dedication to her three purposes—to Cullen, Brigid, and the Alliance—held foremost in Lyra’s mind, kept her feet moving across the bleak plain.

  When Noba treaded across the demarcation, he shuddered as he impacted evil in the air, and flew up to a perch on top of his master’s pack.

  Wind whistled through charred tree limbs and blackened stumps, which dotted this side of the Steppe of Ora. The parched, cracked ground changed to dust under their footsteps. Silva Nocens lay a couple miles in the distance. The sight was a welcome relief from this barrenness, but every so often a breeze told Lyra otherwise and wafted a stench of organic decay mixed with evil from the wood.

  She trudged beside Cullen, and, on her other side, Bero plodded unyieldingly. His great stamina encouraged her. Kenzo flew close, unusually quiet. Snakes and lizards slithered in the darkest shadows, hissing at them as they passed. Glisla walked behind, untrusted and unwelcome.

  The width of the plain seemed to grow with every step. Finally, they reached the edge of the outer line of trees. Inside, the dense foliage blocked most light. The air hung deadly calm and silent. After Lyra took a few more paces, the forest came to life—birds screeched, frogs croaked, insects snapped—all in some secret language. She sensed they talked about her.

  Cullen pulled them up to conference. “Kenzo, use your best silent flight and cruise around the immediate vicinity. I smell the fetid odor of green dragons.”

  The owl glided out with amazing stealth and sped around close trunks in the dim light.

  Lyra pulled her brooch from under her chin to gain a view of the attached heliodor. In order to feel safe enough to concentrate, she stood back to back with Cullen. She took a deep breath. What was the one question she wished it to answer? Many fought to be the one. What danger would she meet next? Focus. Breathe. Focus. Repeating the question over and over to herself. A tiny star on the gem twinkled, and an image of two green dragons flashed through her mind. She jumped.

  Cullen also started. “Through our touch, I saw your vision. Not nearly as nice as your first,” he said in a
hushed voice.

  Bero bent his neck lower, next to their faces. “What did you see?”

  “A pair of greens,” the wizard responded.

  “I know you don’t trust, but I can help,” Glisla offered. She walked a few steps off the trail to the left and turned to give an encouraging look.

  The tiger owl surprised them with his noiseless return. He hurriedly settled onto his master’s leather wristlet and spoke so low Lyra strained to hear even from beside Cullen. “Two greens ahead on the right, coming this way.”

  The sorcerer motioned them all to follow Glisla. “At least she has the correct direction.”

  The Qumeli guide quickened her pace, darted under tree limbs, and raced around thickets.

  Lyra worked to keep up.

  Their guide stopped by a tiny stream, then waited for all to gather. “Walk through water, not touching any dry rock surface.” She squatted down at the bank and placed her fingers in the water. “Water spirits, friends of Qumeli, aid me now.” The current slowed to an ebb. “We cross now.” She went first and stepped into the water.

  Bero followed, careful to get each hoof into the water of the narrow creek. Lyra crossed next with no trouble. Noba and Kenzo stretched wings to balance their awkward hops. Cullen purposely took the rear, to protect their backside from attack.

  Once all passed, Glisla paused, bent to the water, and repeated her ritual. The current swelled into fast-moving rapids. “Washes away our essences. Greens cannot detect us now.” She stood and continued to lead them on a circuitous route through the wild for a long distance.

  Lyra glimpsed the pair of dragons beyond trees to the right, but they surveyed in every wrong direction, clearly thrown off. Thankfully, the Qumeli’s help proved useful this time.

  Their group continued for maybe half an hour, until finally, the woman headed them onto a narrow trail.

  Within minutes, Tama and Glisla’s red bird met them. “The way ahead is clear,” the fox reported.

  Lyra stooped to give the golden fox a good rub along his back. “Did you see the squirrels? We sent them to find you.”

  He shook his head. His fur stood on end, and his golden aura expanded as he looked at the red bird. “I’ll watch for them.”

  The bird perched on his mistress’s shoulder. They traveled the path that Glisla deemed safe deeper into the wood. The floor lay mostly clear of underbrush since little light supported growth. The trees there were massive and ancient, their leaves black, absorbing whatever illumination did penetrate.

  Suddenly, from high in the limbs, a recognizable chatter sounded. Tis and Taz raced along a branch over their heads. Their squeaks grew frenzied.

  A part man, part dragon creature sailed on black, webbed wings toward the squirrels. He grabbed one of them with a clawed hand and smashed the tiny rodent onto the ground. The beast dropped directly in front of Lyra and her guides. Although his head appeared human, he hissed through fangs of a dragon. His long tail with sharp spines slashed from side to side. Brown scales covered his lower torso, wrists, and ankles, while his chest, arms, and legs were well-muscled and human-like with skin.

  Immediately, two other winged creatures jumped down, surrounding them. They had the same shape, with crude human-like arms and legs. However, feathered wings protruded from their shoulders and serpent tails from their hindquarters.

  The leader’s head looked like a handsome man with long, flowing hair, but the winged ones were grotesque. One resembled a giant frog, except he had four pairs of eyes and a gaping mouth, lined with pointed teeth.

  The other possessed no skin or scales, its muscles and tendons all visible. A forked tongue extended several feet from its mouth, tasting the air and drooling, as though the scent of their bodies piqued its hunger. Red eyes glowed wickedly, set between two horns. The demon hunched, having no neck and a humped back. It leaned forward and grunted at them, before lurching a few steps closer.

  Cullen lowered his staff and aimed a lightning-fast powerbolt at the hunchback, sending it back a few paces. However, its considerable strength kept it on its feet even after that blast.

  Noba bravely flew at the creature and stung its neck with the point of his tail.

  Annoyed, it easily slapped the pseudodragon to the ground with the back of its hand.

  The leader captured Lyra’s eyes and drew her in with magical seduction. “Come,” he beckoned.

  She located the fire within her soul, channeled it through her mind, and tore her eyes away. The jolt that resulted from her release sent him onto his back.

  Meanwhile, Cullen worked over the frog man, hurling him onto his face. Although quick, the wizard was unprepared for a second attack by the hunched demon.

  The beast coiled his long, sticky tongue around Cullen’s staff and sent it flying out of reach.

  Bero charged, antlers lowered, at the frog beast, successfully pinning it to a trunk while Kenzo used talons to scratch at its multiple sets of eyes.

  “Good going, Bero, Kenzo!” the wizard called out. He looked over his shoulder at Lyra and moved closer to her.

  The dragon-man remained in a heap, snarling at Lyra. She didn’t even see him move, and he now hung over her, fangs dripping saliva and ready to bite. If Cullen had lost his staff, how could she beat this monster? Where was Glisla? Why didn’t she help them?

  Tama bit hard onto the dragon-man’s leg.

  The beast drew away, wincing as he struck the fox with his spiked tail.

  The skinless, hunched demon circled Cullen, staring him down, drooling and laughing wickedly.

  The wizard hurled power which sent it backward a short distance, stunned, but still on its feet. He sent two more strikes at the beast before it could regain faculties, and this time, it crumbled into a squat.

  The frog creature cast power at the buck’s head and demolished some of his rack to get free. Then, it lunged at Cullen, catching him off guard. Its teeth clamped onto his thigh.

  Cullen cried out in pain.

  With Lyra distracted by Cullen’s cry, the dragon-man seized the moment. He lunged and sank his fangs into her neck.

  She screamed with the sharp pain.

  Kenzo’s silver wings beat against her skin.

  The dragon-man yelled and withdrew as the owl’s talons gouged his delicate human flesh.

  Noba and Taz dropped down onto him from the limb above, biting and stinging.

  Lyra used that second to reach out and touch Cullen, remembering what the Imperial Dragon told them. At first, she was jolted by his enormous pain from the frog-man’s bite, then Cullen’s power rushed to meet hers. The new energy helped her overcome the pain throbbing in her neck. She raised her free hand and hurled powerballs at the frog-man until he lay in a motionless heap.

  The buck picked up the staff in his mouth and dragged it over to his master.

  “Thanks, Bero!” the wizard called out and grabbed it. With a loud yell, he spun around, slashing the air with a swath of blue lightning. Lyra maintained contact with him and he utilized her power. Her fire rushed through his staff and into a sharp bolt.

  He sliced clean through the neck of the dragon-man. The head bounced along the ground, while the body jerked reflexively for at least a minute before it lost all signs of life.

  Lyra’s body shook with their enormous collective power channeling through her. Although trembling, she liked their power over these evil forces.

  Cullen turned and wrapped Lyra’s hand around his wizard’s staff, then covered it with his own. “Finish off the other two. You can do it. We don’t want them finding us tonight.”

  She lowered the sapphire tip and focused. The strength almost overwhelmed her, at first making her dizzy. She gulped and again focused within. A bright golden blue beam shot out. She slashed it across the neck of the frog demon and neatly severed his head. She and Cullen spun as a unit, holding the staff, and she repeated with the last creature. That one possessed more power and required her to cut twice. The head rolled spitefully toward them,
the tongue latching onto anything in its path.

  “Stand clear of that tongue!” Cullen called out. “It’s poisonous.”

  Kenzo yelped as it stuck to and pulled out one of his feathers.

  With the danger passed, Lyra rushed to kneel at the limp body of the fallen squirrel.

  Taz and Tama cried beside their friend.

  She carefully scooped up the little body, hoping for a miracle.

  Cullen placed a hand on her shoulder. “He’s beyond our magic. I’m sorry.”

  As she caressed the furry tail, some of the sparkle of his aura rubbed off in her hand.

  A snow-white bird suddenly appeared overhead. She remembered it from somewhere. It looked like a giant crane. Cranewort. “That’s one of Cranewort’s birds, isn’t it? What’s it doing here?”

  No one seemed to want to answer. Finally, Bero cleared his throat and spoke. “His cranes carry souls of the dead home. Their presence is respected even among the Dark Realm, although most here possess no souls.”

  The mighty bird descended with elegance and grace. It slowly accepted the small body into its feet.

  Lyra looked up through her tears. They all cried for the little hero.

  A drop fell from the crane’s eye before it lifted off.

  In silence, they watched it depart and then Cullen said to Lyra, “Let me mend that bite on your neck.” He covered it with his palm and held tight for a minute. “There’s still a bit of venom within. We’ll treat this a few more times. Anyone else need some healing before we travel? Night’s falling. We need to make camp.”

  “Not before I heal your leg as best I can.” Lyra unpinned her cloak and held the jade brooch. Cullen leaned against Bero’s sturdy shoulder while she ran it over his wounded thigh. “I can’t see through the blood-soaked pant leg. Is that better?”

  “Yes, much.” He tested it with a few steps. “Good enough to journey a few miles. Let’s get out of here quickly, before the death smell tempts more darkness.” He looked around. “I don’t see Glisla or her companion. No surprise there. She very well might have led us into that trap. Tama, did you scout any farther ahead?”