by S. E. Smith
Ben’qumain let out a yell as he stumbled backwards falling over a rock and landing on his back. He scrambled backwards unprepared to face an enraged Valdier dragon. “What? This is impossible!” He breathed out. “You are not a true Valdier!”
Abby’s face had changed as well. Her brow had broadened to accept the changes to her eyes which were protected by long, black lashes. Her nose lengthened and her mouth contained rows of small sharp teeth. Her throat burned. She narrowed her gaze on Ben’qumain’s prone figure, images of Zoran laying defenseless on the ground floated through her mind and with a loud roar she opened her mouth and let out a stream of dragon fire before swinging around and moving swiftly towards the opening of the cave.
Ben’qumain let out a scream as he rolled trying to get away from the dragon fire. A long strip of his skin along his back smoked and blistered as the fire passed over him before he could get completely covered.
He screamed as his skin burned. “Kill her! Kill her!”
Abby moved awkwardly towards the entrance, letting out another stream of dragon’s fire to push back the wave of men racing to the entrance. As they fell back, Abby could feel the muscles in her back legs tighten as if she were going to jump. With a downward push of her wings, Abby pushed off the entrance lifting as she went. She felt a sting in her left leg and another near her shoulder as the men on the ground opened fire. Letting go, she let the dragon inside her take over hoping it would know what to do. Abby retreated deep inside wanting to escape into a place she could understand and where she felt safe. Without Zoran, she no longer cared what happened.
Creon motioned to Mandra, Ha’ven, and Zoran to move forward with their men. They received the location of Ben’qumain from Creon’s informant. The last transmission had been two hours before. They spent the last two hours fighting the thick undergrowth of the forest leading to the beginnings of the Hidden Mountains west of the Valdier City. The transports were able to drop them off along the river almost ten miles south of the site. Because of the thick growth, they were not been able to shift to their dragon form and because of the view from the caves, they could not fly in directly without being seen. In addition, they couldn’t risk using the energy transfer from the warship for fear Ben’qumain would read the energy signals. That left them no other options; they had to cut across and through the forest in order not to be seen. If Ben’qumain hadn’t taken Abby, they would have just blasted the hell out of the site. Zoran cursed silently as he and his group of five men moved forward through a particularly thick section. He could not stand the thought of what Abby must be going through. So help him, if Ben’qumain had hurt her, touched her, in any way, Zoran would shred him to little pieces.
Why did this have to happen now? He finally felt like Abby was beginning to accept being here on Valdier. That she finally accepted being here with him. He had been so worried about her while on the warship but in the last few weeks she seemed to enjoy being here. He wanted to show her how beautiful it was; show her how beautiful she was and finally, finally show her what she had become! Moisture burned the back of his eyes as he thought of how helpless he felt when Ben’qumain pulled Abby away from him and pressed his lips to hers.
“Zoran!” a fierce whisper called again.
Zoran jerked his head around to glare at Mandra. He had to get his mind back on what was happening here and now or he would be of no good to Abby. Mandra looked calmly at Zoran for a moment before nodding. With a jerk of his hand, Creon signaled he and his men were making the move up the west side of the mountain and for Zoran to take the east. Ha’ven and Mandra would follow up as soon as Abby was secured. Zoran gave a brief nod and motioned for the men to follow him. With deadly stealth, they moved up the mountain as the sun began to set on the second day of captivity for Abby.
The climb took almost an hour. Zoran had no trouble seeing as the skies began to darken. He shifted his vision so he could find the hand and foot holds he needed to pull himself up and over the narrow ledge that ran up to the caves. Pushing back as far as he could to blend into the side of the mountain, he didn’t wait for the other men before he pushed ahead towards the faint glow of lights. He moved swiftly and silently up behind one man and with a quick jerk, broke the man’s neck. Pulling him over to the side, he pushed the body into the shadows even further. He moved towards the front of the cave. Ben’qumain must have felt more confident than he should. There had only been two guards out front. He took care of one and Creon took care of the other. Zoran glanced over at his brother and nodded. Each man shifted into their dragon form, their symbiosis forming armor around them as they crouched. Zoran glanced around the cave noting the position of each man, ten in all, sitting or laying around small artificial fires. Zoran’s eyes narrowed onto one figure in peculiar, Ben’qumain, who was sitting without a shirt on near the back of the cave. Zoran’s eyes narrowed with hatred as he watched another man use a med scanner on Ben’qumain’s back. Ben’qumain jerked, cursing violently at the man before rising slowly to stand. Zoran could see a long line of pink, scarred skin running a path from Ben’qumain’s right shoulder across his back and down to his hip. The skin looked new and traces of blood could still be seen. Zoran’s lips curled back. Ben’qumain would have more than that before the night was over. Zoran frowned when he couldn’t find any sign of Abby. He swung his gaze around and before he could stop himself, a deep growl erupted from his throat as he saw Ben’qumain stiffly bend down and pick up what remained of Abby’s shift and throw it into one of the fires.
Ben’qumain’s head jerked up when he heard the low growl. With a yell, he reached for a blaster on his hip. Zoran charged forward, confident his brother would not be far behind him. With a loud roar, Zoran and Creon each let out a stream of dragon fire at the men closest to them. The men didn’t have time to pull up their shields before they turned to ash. In a matter of minutes, the fight was over. Ha’ven and Mandra followed quickly with the ten men Zoran and Creon had and they quickly over powered the small group Ben’qumain had. Ben’qumain took a blast to the leg and Zoran scorched him across his chest and arm. Zoran shifted all but one hand as he approached him. Wrapping a claw around Ben’qumain’s neck, Zoran growled deeply squeezing the neck he held until the tips of his claw punctured the skin.
“Where is she?” Zoran growled menacingly.
“Dead!” Ben’qumain said with a nasty smile. “But not before I tasted her. Do you want to hear how she screamed as I took her?”
Zoran felt his dragon’s roar of pain and outrage. Unable to control the unimaginable grief wielding up inside him, he dropped Ben’qumain and shifted letting the pain pour out of him in the form of dragon fire. He ignored Ben’qumain’s screams as he burned him to ash.
Zoran shifted back before he turned numbly and walked to the entrance to the cave. He stared out into the night sky blindly. He didn’t understand how he could even still be standing. It was as if his body didn’t even exist anymore. Was it possible for the body to be alive while the rest of him was dead? He didn’t even jump with he felt the hand on his shoulder.
“Zoran?” Ha’ven said quietly. “She is alive.”
Zoran turned and stared blankly at Ha’ven. “What?”
“My informant says the female is alive.” Ha’ven repeated softly.
“Where is he?” Zoran said, his eyes beginning to glow.
Ha’ven motioned for a young Curizan man of about twenty to come forward. “This is Kehid. He has risked much to help us. He was here when the female escaped.”
Zoran looked at the young man who returned his stare calmly. “You saw her escape?”
“Yes, My Lord. She was in the shape of a dragon though. Ben’qumain had taken her to the back of the cave to…” Kehid cleared his throat. “There was nothing I could do to save her from that, My Lord. Ben’qumain had ordered us to stand outside. I am sorry.”
Zoran closed his eyes fighting back moisture. Clenching his jaw, he opened his eyes and nodded for Kehid to continue. “Go on.” Z
oran choked out.
“Not long after, we heard screams. Ben’qumain yelled orders for us to kill the female. When we arrived at the entrance to the cave, a small pale blue, gold, and white dragon appeared breathing dragon fire. She flew off to the north, over the mountain.” Kehid finished.
Zoran took a deep breath. Abby was alive and had transformed. All that mattered was she was alive. Zoran felt the change as his dragon roared for the right to find his mate. He would let his dragon take over. He would be able to sense where his mate was and would not stop until he had her safely under his wings.
“One more thing, My Lord.” Kehid called out. “She was wounded. I do not know how badly.”
Zoran’s growl turned to a roar as he lifted off, flying straight up until he could turn to the north. His dragon scented the air, catching the faint odor of his mate’s blood. Zoran spoke softly to his dragon. Soon, my friend, soon she will be with us and we will never let her out of our sight again.
Abby didn’t know where she was. She flew as far as she could before the combination of blood loss and fatigue forced her to land in the first available opening. She had finally become a little more conscious of what was going on to her. At the cave, Abby as a person, had withdrawn so much inside herself that the dragon part of her took over. But, the further she flew, the more curious she became as to what was happening to her. At first, she was terrified! When she realized she was flying, Abby screamed, scaring the dragon part of her, causing her to tumble over and over before righting herself. Her dragon giggled at Abby’s reaction. The further they flew, the more Abby began to realize her dragon was much like a young child looking out over a new world for the first time. Abby finally began to enjoy the feel of the cool, night air on her face and wings and the glitter of stars in the night sky. She could see at night as good as she could during the day. Eventually, the burning from her wounds began to seep into her consciousness and weariness pulled at her until she finally began the slow descent. She landed in a mountain valley that contained a long, narrow meadow. Abby limped, whimpering at the burning pain in her back leg and front shoulder. Lifting her head, she sniffed the air for danger. All she smelled on the gentle breeze was the aroma of wild flowers. Tilting her head, she heard the soft sound of water gurgling nearby. Abby limped over to the small brook and buried her nose in the icy water. Taking a deep drink, she slowly lowered herself down along the bank and began licking the wounds on her shoulder and back leg. The bleeding had stopped but both of them still stung. Laying back on her side, Abby gazed up at the stars and let out a series of small, coughing sounds. She knew her dragon was calling for help from her mate. Abby didn’t have the heart to let her dragon know that her mate would not be coming. All she could do was whisper over and over to her dragon that everything would be okay, even as her own heart broke into little pieces. Her dragon knew of course. They were one and the same and her dragon could see the image of Zoran in the meadow, helpless. Large, silvery tears glittered, then slowly coursed down the cheeks of pale blue, gold, and white to fall like diamonds into the soft purple grass as Abby’s dragon continued to call for her mate on the wind.
Zoran flew into the moonless night, slowing occasionally to swerve back and forth when his dragon lost the scent trail of his mate. It was strange, but for the first time, he felt the total connection of his dragon, symbiosis and self as all three struggled not to be overwhelmed. He had covered almost two hundred miles from the cave when his dragon suddenly jerked as if shot. Zoran could feel his heart thundering as the soft sounds of a dragon’s call reached him. Joy burst through him as he recognized the calls of Abby’s dragon. It was the same soft coughing noises she made when her dragon was trying to emerge while they were making love over the past week. Zoran swept his eyes back and forth as he flew between two peaks and began a downward descent into a long, narrow valley. As he flew lower, the sounds of a dragon’s soft cry of mourning reached him. There was so much pain and sorrow in the cry Zoran’s dragon had to respond. He let out a long rumble of joy, calling to the female. Answering her with a mixture of low growls and deep rumbling to convey his need to love and protect her. As Zoran’s eyes lighted on the still figure of the small dragon laying in the soft purple grass, he felt his heart swell with love at how beautiful she was. With a strong downward swept of his wings, Zoran landed a few feet from where Abby laid. Zoran moved quickly over to where the small dragon laid, lowering his head to gently touch his snout to hers. When Abby’s dragon tiredly raised her head to rub against him, Zoran could no longer hold back the tears of relief. Gently, tenderly he moved his body closer to Abby’s and spread his wings to enfold her as close as he could against him. Wrapped in his wings, he lowered his head and laid it across her neck protecting her as she finally drifted off to an exhausted sleep.
Chapter 21
Abby dreamed that she was a dragon flying through the air. She moved in her sleep, snuggling closer to the warmth that seemed to surround her. Stretching out her legs, she smiled. She felt so good and something smelled really, really nice. Moving her head without opening her eyes, she followed her nose, sniffing. Mmm, Zoran. He always smelled so good to her. Brushing her mouth against his neck, she let her tongue move over his scales to taste him. Mmmm!
Abby’s eyes flew open when she realized she was licking scales with a very long, narrow tongue. Lifting her head, Abby stared into the golden eyes of a large, male dragon. Zoran! She was wrapped in Zoran’s wings and he was in his dragon form! Abby blinked again and looked down at her body that was snuggled up against him. She was a….
“I’m a dragon!” Abby whispered in awe.
“A very beautiful dragon, elila.” Zoran replied softly brushing his snout against Abby’s neck and licking her.
“But, how?” Abby turned to look into Zoran’s eyes. “How can I understand you?”
“Dragon-speak. It is how we communicate with each other in this form. You are my true mate, Abby. You survived the dragon fire. You were accepted by my dragon and are the true mate to him. This is what I wanted to show you. Your dragon has wanted to transform for the past week. It has been hard to convince her to wait.” Zoran’s eyes grew sad. “The first transformation is the scariest, even for the Valdier. I wanted to be with you, to help you. I am sorry, elila.”
Abby leaned up and licked Zoran’s mouth. “I love you so much. When I thought you were dead…” Abby couldn’t continue.
Abby pushed up, wobbling a little as she adjusted to the feel of her new body. She glanced down at her shoulder and back leg. Both were healed. Abby noticed that she had what looked like a large necklace of gold hanging down low. Abby moved over to the small brook and took a drink before lifting her head up high and shaking her body all the way from the snout of her nose to the tip of her tail. Looking over her shoulder, she spread her wings out wide behind her.
“This is so cool!” Abby said laughing as she twirled around in a circle trying to see every part of her body.
Zoran’s dragon let out a deep growl as he watched his mate raise her tail and flick it back and forth in an unconscious invitation. Zoran felt the wave of desire hit him quick and hard. He shuddered at the overwhelming feelings of desire and need to possess that came over him.
“Abby.” Zoran growled again as he watched Abby’s dragon duck her head down and stretch her neck in an invitation to dominate her.
Zoran’s dragon moved closer, preparing to bite down and take Abby’s when suddenly Abby’s dragon let out a snap and growl and leaped into the air away from him. Zoran’s dragon let out a roar at the challenge to him. He felt the surge of primal need to capture and claim his mate and with a powerful leap followed the smaller dragon as she flew straight up.
“Abby! Submit to me. I claim both you and your dragon.” Zoran roared.
“You have to catch me first!” Abby laughed as she swirled heading for the trees at the end of the meadow.
Zoran’s heart swelled as he followed his little dragon. He chased her giving her a lead as
she flew in and out of the large branches, sometimes closer to them than he or his dragon liked. Whenever he got close enough to nip her tail, she would tuck it up under her little body and swerve. After almost half an hour of playing chase and tag, Zoran and his dragon had had enough. He wanted Abby with a hunger unlike anything he had ever felt before. Determined to bring her back to the meadow, Zoran cut Abby off pulling his larger body closer to hers and forcing her to move out of the protection of the trees into the sky above where he could safely pin her to him. He watched as Abby pushed through the top canopy of the trees into the clear sky. As he broke through, he put on a burst of speed rolling so he came up under Abby’s soft belly. Grasping her with his front claws he pulled her, forcing her against him tightly. Zoran’s dragon let out a low growl of warning as he bit down on her neck forcing her to submit to him at the same time he thrust up, impaling Abby to him. The only thing keeping the little dragon from trying to break free of the grip was Zoran’s grip on her neck.
Abby was startled when Zoran’s dragon grabbed her front claws twisting her around and locking her to him. She wanted to fly some more. She had never felt so free and wild before. As she struggled to pull free, she felt Zoran’s sharp teeth bite down on her neck forcing her to stop. All she could do was flap her wings in an effort to break free until she felt the long, full length of Zoran’s dragon’s arousal against her before he flicked her tail to one side and took her. Abby felt the shock and desire as her dragon responded to the aggressive possession of her mate. Each flap of her wings seemed to impale his hard length deeper into her and a hot wave of answering passion flared. Zoran pushed down on Abby’s neck, forcing her to slowly let him take control of her as he forced her back down to the meadow where they separated right before they landed.