by LJ Andrews
“Come with me, Teagan,” Aldwin said with a curling grin. “I thirst for knowledge only you can give. This way.”
Chapter 2
Eisha’s office at the school was chilled like an ice chest. Sweet rose perfumed the air with a touch of woodsmoke. Before my mage magic released, I never noticed the woodsy hint of dragons, now it brought a calm. Especially in moments as this.
Eisha was the stereotype of a dragon. Where once I detested entering her office, thinking she was an overprotective mother trying to keep me from Jade, now it always drew a smile to my face. She had a fascination with rare gems, coins, stones. Her shelves were stuffed with precious metals and shiny things, so when Aldwin opened the door, I blinked against a glare until I could shade the blinds.
Only Jade and I joined Eisha with the elder. Raffi and Dash were instructed to stay outside, much to Raffi’s disapproval. He flashed me a look that said tell me everything.
Being the holiday break, the school was empty. Private. And something told me Eisha didn’t want the elder at her house.
“Elder Aldwin,” Eisha said, a quiver in the corner of her lip. “I was just informed you had come. To what do we owe such an honor?”
Aldwin’s eyes gleamed with purpose, and the lines in his face only deepened. Jade had been alive for nearly two centuries, but looked, maybe, twenty. Eisha neared five hundred, the prime of her life. How ancient Aldwin must be to have so many divots in his skin.
“Though I appreciate the warm welcome,” Aldwin said. “We all know why I am here, my dear.”
Eisha shot a nervous glance at me as I took my place next to the elder. Jade stood near the door, fists clenched. All the tension drove me insane. Aldwin was intense, to be sure, but the man hadn’t emitted any sort of negative energy since I’d been in his presence.
“Wonderful to see you living so peacefully here, dear Eisha,” Aldwin said. “You’ve done such a marvelous job caring for Queen Ariana. She is nearing her time to rise to the throne.”
“I am not nearing, Elder Aldwin. I am ready,” Jade insisted with a ferocity that only added to the tension.
Aldwin smiled—a grandfatherly sort of grin—but I sensed it was the reason behind Jade’s sudden scowl. “Your strength is so admirable, Highness. I look forward to your ascension.”
“Shall we get along with your questions, Elder?” Eisha asked. She handled a small bit of raw amber, as though the stone lessened the pressure.
“I suppose that’s why we’re here.” Aldwin faced me. “Mr. Ward, as representative for the Elder Council of the Wyverns, am I to believe you had no idea you were born of the mage race?”
We expected this, knew we couldn’t keep what happened a secret forever. Still, my knee bounced with anxious energy. I glanced at Jade. She didn’t hesitate and crossed the space between us. Her fingers brushed my shoulder, then her palm settled there. As if marking me, or defending me without saying a word.
“There were no signs,” I said. “Before coming to Wyvern Willows, and facing a zomok, I was defective class in the magis district.”
Aldwin nodded, but his eyes narrowed. “It isn’t uncommon for the armor to remain dormant until an event occurs. But I’ve never known a mage to not know their lineage.”
“Elder Aldwin, I reported to the council of Teagan’s unique situation. His guardian is not a mage; she is an unpowerful herb witch and knows nothing of any of this.”
Aldwin nodded, never glancing at Eisha. The prickle of my armor trickled along my skin as I waited for him to speak again.
“Yes, I do recall the report,” Aldwin said after a long pause. “Has the woman been questioned?”
“She doesn’t know anything,” I said through my teeth. “We decided to keep it that way for her safety.”
Aldwin chuckled. “Her safety? My dear boy, wasn’t the woman nearly torn to shreds by the serpents?”
“I handled her thoughts on the event,” Jade insisted. “And we had connections to a mentalist witch. Liz has no recollection of what happened. A warrior now stands near her home for her protection, unbeknownst to her.”
Aldwin clicked his tongue. “Wyvern warriors now protect lesser magis, dare I say, even humans?” No, I didn’t miss the sharpness in his tone, nor the disgust. I didn’t like Aldwin the Elder. “Your Highness, forgive me, but manipulation cannot wipe away memories.”
I thought Jade might glance away, embarrassed. To my pleasure and pride, she only took a step closer, her shoulders squared and an arrogant smirk along her rosy lips. “Well, with all due respect, Elder, you have never witnessed my abilities. Nor allowed yourself to learn the prowess and talents of lesser magis creatures, as you put it.”
“Lesser being the word, my queen. They have no standing in our world, therefore take up no estate in my thoughts.” He chuckled and surveyed the room. “I sense such tension. I am not your enemy. We are obligated to understand any change, and mages entering our way of life once more is certainly of note. You understand, young mage, that we must keep you in our sights? You were able to retrieve the High Priest blades, were you not?”
I didn’t want to speak about the blades. I didn’t want Aldwin to connect any doubts that put me in the same realm as Bron, but I could see the cogs working in his ancient mind. Everyone believed the same thing. Jade was the only one who understood how ashamed I was knowing the mage who had slaughtered most of the royal wyvern family was my father.
Bron believed it. I believed it. Everyone believed it as truth.
Swallowing the tension in my throat, I raised my eyes to Aldwin. “Yes. I was able to take the blades from the ground during a time of need. They banished the lindworms, for now.”
“Yes, but the banishment will not keep out the likes of King Nag. I’m certain the dark High Priest has been breaking apart the blades’ power since leaving. You understand as a jade bloodline mage, as the one who summoned the blades, your lineage is certain to come from the highest mages. One is a known murderous traitor. The other has not been seen or heard from since the willow of this town was placed as a protection.”
“We know, Aldwin,” Eisha said. “We know all this. None of us can control who our parents are.”
“Very true,” he said. “Although, I remain suspicious. It is not meant to be taken personally, mage. The elder council watches over the wyverns, and I am not satisfied you are not a threat to my people. For this reason, the sentry of the council will be placed as a protection for our purposes. Think of him as a scout of sorts.”
“You’re sending someone to spy on me?” The heat building along my neck was like a spray of boiling water. I knew the armor flashed into a richer green, with shimmering gold in the hue. I was threatened, and I wasn’t convinced Jade and the others were completely safe, either.
“If you want to view it in such a way, yes,” Aldwin said flatly. “Listen to me, Mr. Ward. I care little if this choice is accepted by anyone in this room. I will do what is necessary to ensure the safety of my people. I won’t—nay, I refuse to—be witness to the carnage delivered at the hands of the mage so many years ago.”
“You would punish Teagan for the sins of another, Elder?” Jade asked, chin lifted.
“For the sins of his father, it would seem, Highness. And for now, I will. You were too young to understand the loyalty among the mages. Their bonds and connections rival that of our own. It would not be hard to imagine a son remaining loyal to a father.”
My fists balled, and I directed my words at the carpeted floor. I couldn’t look at the elder for fear I might strike the man. “Even if the man abandoned me and tried to kill me?”
“Even then. Bonds are at times, impenetrable.”
“The only bond I have loyalty to is with Jade.”
Aldwin ignored me. “I assure you, Frenrir will not be a bother. You will hardly notice him.”
“Frenrir?” Eisha questioned, though I saw her glance toward the door where Raffi and Dash would be waiting.
“Yes, my dear. That is the cou
ncil’s decision. I shall take my leave of you now. By law, the council will be informed of anything changing, yes?”
“As always, Elder Aldwin,” Eisha insisted.
With a nod, Aldwin rose from his seat, adjusted the black tailored suit he wore, vastly overdressed, and stepped out of the office. Eisha followed, leaving us alone for half a breath before Raffi and Dash hurried inside.
“What was said?” Raffi asked.
“I get a babysitter.” I slumped in my chair.
“Don’t see it in such a way,” Jade said, her hand rubbing my shoulder. “Let the council believe what they will. Each of us knows what you sacrificed to keep us alive. It will be made known soon, and the council will be out of our business, and back in the cave where they hide and congratulate themselves on their long lives.”
“Jade,” Dash warned.
“What? I tire of our ancient ones seeing only one way. It is nearly impossible to open their minds up to new possibilities. I’ve said it before, recent events prove that change may be the way we finally defeat King Nag. Hiding and sticking to old traditions did no good for anyone.”
“I agree,” Raffi said. “We’re just a little shocked to hear you speak of the elders in such a way. The royals have always revered them like deities. You’re speaking like a warrior.”
“Like my father was before he was royal. I take it as a compliment,” she said and took hold of my hand.
I knew little of Jade’s parents, but did recall she had mentioned her father, Malik, had served as a powerful wyvern warrior before vowing and bonding with her mother.
“So which elder is being sent to watch Teagan?” Dash asked.
“I do not think you’ll care for the response,” a frigid voice filled the room.
A slender, crimson-haired man stood in the doorframe. His jaw pointed and sharp. His brow pulled tight, as though locked in constant worry. Ash layered on his skin, woodsmoke followed him where he went. Dragon, yet a weak-looking wyvern. Most dragons carried themselves with undeniable strength and confidence. He was a scarecrow.
Raffi and Dash gaped, both a little stunned. Fiery anger flashed through their eyes, and in unison, the two warriors faced the newcomer.
“Hello, warriors. Have you missed me in my promotional absence?”
Raffi’s fists clenched so tightly I thought his fingernails would break through his skin. “Frenrir?”
“Good to see you, Raffi. And Dash, you as well.” Frenrir’s eyes drifted toward me, and I sensed immediate hatred. Jade stepped in front of me, and Frenrir bowed his head. “My young queen, stunning as ever. This must be the mage?”
I rose. Frenrir’s pasty skin and spindly limbs brought little threat. “I’m Teagan.”
“Yes,” he hissed. “I know you find this unfair, and frankly, I would rather be anywhere than thrust into the life of a mage, but I warn you, I will be watching. I may not seem threatening, but one word from me will bring the council of elders upon you with the utmost violence.”
“You always were a weasel, Frenrir. Always stomping over others to rise to the top. Do not forget, we hold the word of the queen and the royal of the sapphire line over yours,” Raffi said with a low growl.
“True,” Frenrir said lightly. “But we all know the elders are no small opinion, either.”
“Look.” I took a step at the dragon, and he backed away. It brought a certain sort of pleasure to cause him a bit of anxiety. “Do what you must, but stay out of my way. We have other things to worry about than a snooping dragon servant.”
“I am no servant,” Frenrir said with bitterness.
“Sounds like you’re no warrior, no royal, and no elder. To me it sounds like you do just about anything old Aldwin asks,” I said. Dash and Raffi nodded in agreement. “So, to me, that makes you their servant. I could use a different word if you’d like?”
Frenrir glared at me with sharp eyes like the point of a knife, but I took Jade’s hand and stomped past him.
“Where are you going?” he snapped.
“Away. We have things to do, pretenses to keep. See you around, Fren.”
Raffi chuckled arrogantly and followed close behind us. Dash slammed the door. Jade went stiff at my side, and I couldn’t blame her—I felt much the same. I was quick with my tongue to hide the truth of my worries, but with her touch she could read my discomfort as plain as if I’d said the words out loud.
We quickened our pace, a pounding warning in the back of my mind that the elders had more plans than they let on.
Doubtless, it involved ridding the wyvern race of anything resembling a mage once and for all.
Chapter 3
Frosty blue light filtered across the porch when Jade and I returned to the reform house. Raffi and Dash stuck with us; Raffi’s endless complaints of Frenrir followed our every step.
“He couldn’t survive warrior training. His father, you remember Norshak the Hornback, was one of the more vicious warriors. Everyone expected such great things from Frenrir. Look at him, he’s withering away,” Raffi said with each crunching step along the gravel.
“Raffi,” Jade breathed deeply. “He’s in human form—”
Dash snickered, shoving his hands in his pockets when frigid wind picked up. “You know our human forms are a likeness of our true form. I agree with Raffi, Frenrir was a sniveling disappointment to the warrior clan. He does better snitching than fighting. Rumor was he knew the High—I mean, Bron was dissenting, but he saw it in his favor to wait for the last second and report to the elder council as though he’d had a premonition. Visionary wyvern are always fast tracked to the elder council. Seems it may have worked.”
“You’re accusing a wyvern, despite his unseemly qualities, of treason. If Frenrir truly heard rumor of Bron’s misdeeds, he is just as much responsible for what happened to our people as anyone,” Jade insisted.
“Exactly,” Raffi grumbled. “That’s why I don’t trust him in the slightest. He’s going to spin something about Teagan. I know it.”
“I can handle myself,” I said and held the screen door open for Jade.
Sapphire wouldn’t be pleased I’d returned so late. It was becoming more difficult for the man to make excuses for my long absences with the other reforms in the house. Today, however, he would have to understand.
“Teagan, you know I’ve placed my trust in you after the incident, but you’ve never dealt with the elder council,” Raffi said, running a hand through his hair, the tips like fire from the light on the porch.
Raffi was right—human characteristics did match their wyvern forms. Jade was a beautiful dragon. Her body was strong, yet sleek and soft. Her eyes large and knowing—and her beauty transferred to her human form. Dash was dark and strong with ashen wings. His hair in human form was like the night sky, with his skin rich and brown. Raffi gleamed like fire and brawn whenever he shifted, and his cinnamon hair and blushed complexion were both appropriate for the warrior.
Jade’s grip on my hand tightened when we sauntered into the kitchen. She let out a long sigh. “Raffi’s right. The elder council is laden in tradition. You heard how Aldwin felt about me rising to the throne now. Even if I were crowned in earnest, I’m certain the council would be an ever-constant voice in my ear.
“Frenrir could quite possibly be here for me as well as you. I’m concerned he will find . . . my feelings for you a threat. I fear my presence in your life might possibly be dangerous.”
I paused, grateful Raffi and Dash were too buried in their complaints to hear our conversation. I eased Jade into the front living room. No reforms had lost their private room privileges as of late. The cots were all stacked neatly along the wall, and we could be alone for a moment.
I gently traced her jawline with my thumb. “I don’t like that kind of talk. We knew it would be dangerous to be together. It’s never happened with mages and dragons, right?”
She nodded, her lips parting slightly. Her pulse raged against my chest as I drew her into my body.
“Do you want to separate?” I whispered. “Do you want to live as protectors of each other and nothing else?”
She hesitated, and for a moment I wondered if I’d get an answer I didn’t want.
“I don’t want anything to happen to you,” she admitted. “But even if I tried, I’m not certain I would be able to stay away.”
My favorite thing was when Jade stroked her fingers through my hair. It sent my head into a spin, and this moment was no different. Pressing my forehead against her brow, I grinned. “Then we stick together. We knew we’d meet those who didn’t approve—even Sapphire still views it as unnatural. You are the youngest queen, I’m a mage without a past, a mage with a personal seal of a wyvern. We are firsts in many ways. Why not be the first to do other things?”
I smiled coyly and brushed my lips against hers, lingering just long enough until her breath hitched in her throat. Jade was the one who finished the job. She pulled my lips against hers, sweet and raw. A surge of electricity pulsed through my body.
It was a fact I’d accepted long ago—I would never tire of Jade’s kisses. The wall braced her as she wrapped her arms around my neck, and I pressed closer. The moment could have lasted all night were it up to me, but a booming, angry shout broke us apart as fast as we’d joined together.
Jade pushed through the swinging kitchen door first. A wall of pungent, greasy bacon struck my face. Raffi was purple with exertion. His fists balled, and corded muscles in his neck throbbed in anger. What the hell happened?
It didn’t take long to find out.
Sapphire pressed his strong arm against Raffi’s chest, pinning him against the wall. Behind the island counter, ten steps away, Frenrir stood smugly, arms folded over his chest.