Queen of Jade: a dragon shifter fantasy (The Dragon Mage Book 2)

by LJ Andrews

  Chapter 9

  I tried not to worry, but not having a clear idea where Jade might have gone had panic rising like bile in my chest.

  She’d excused herself shortly after the plan with Mitch had been devised. I’d started to follow, but Mitch and Athika wanted my input, so reluctantly I’d let her go on without me.

  She hadn’t returned.

  Raffi and Dash assured me they felt no danger had befallen the queen. Even Eisha told me Jade often slipped out at night. Of course, I knew she enjoyed the stillness of evening when the sky looked like black velvet. Tonight, though, I didn’t share their ease. Jade may not be in danger, but the urgent need to find her was enough to tell me all was not well.

  For two hours I’d wandered, feeling as though Jade had faded from the earth completely. I lowered to my haunches, running my fingers along the frozen soil. The strangest part of being a mage was the undeniable connection with the earth. When I was younger, I thought that since I could hear subtle voices in nature it meant I was slightly insane. Now, I valued the gift. Time and time again, the whispers of the trees encouraged me toward a course of action and so far, nature hadn’t led me wrong.

  It took a few moments to build the connection since the ground was frosty and cold. The winter created a small barrier against my energy, but when I locked on—I knew where to go.

  Jade leaned against a thick aspen tree. The wind battered the top ledge that overlooked the valley below, yet with the protection of the heavy boughs, the chill didn’t bite as hard.

  Jade hugged her knees to her chest. Most days she’d sense my approach before I came, but tonight she didn’t seem at all aware.

  Until she spoke. “I wondered if you would be able to find me.”

  “Did you not want to be found?”

  Jade glanced up at me, the moonlight and stars casting enough white light that we could see each other. “I’m not sure yet.”

  Not exactly the answer I hoped for. She turned away and stared once more at the sky.

  I found a place next to her and leaned against the trunk. “Jade, what’s wrong?”

  “I’ve never felt this before,” she whispered. “Forgive me if I worried you. I didn’t know how to deal with the emotion.” Slowly, I reached for her hand. She kept her arms tucked around her legs, but she did thread her bare fingers with mine. Drawing in a deep breath at the spark of energy rumbling inside at her touch. She let out a long sigh. “And then you touch me, and the other emotion fades away.”

  “What happened? What’s upsetting you that you would stay out here all night?”

  Jade eyed me in the darkness. The green of her eyes glowed brighter when night came. The lindworms controlled the night energy, but Jade thrived in the stillness of twilight.

  “I’m not certain I can even explain it,” she admitted. “May I ask you something?”

  “You can ask me anything.”

  Jade swallowed, and through our palms I was washed in a reluctance, a flash of anxiety. “Our bond—the part that makes it unique—is it fading for you?”

  I played out several questions she might have asked, but that particular question hadn’t ever crossed my mind. My heart thudded in response, like a car spinning out of control. Her anxiety bled through me in similar fashion. I narrowed my gaze, gently easing my fingers beneath her chin so she would look at me. “Are you asking if my feelings for you are changing? Do you think I don’t love you anymore?”

  Jade glanced at the ground sheepishly. “I told you I didn’t know how to explain what I’ve been feeling. Something felt different, and I’m ashamed to admit I’ve questioned your bond ever since…”

  She didn’t finish. Instead, she glanced away into the night.

  “Jade, what is it? Ever since what?”

  How could I have missed her emotions? Was I so disconnected I didn’t see her suffering—her questioning? Sometimes I could be self-absorbed—I was man enough to admit it. With all my illegal and rebellious actions, clearly the urge to think of myself over others was there. My pulse wouldn’t stop racing as her disquiet bled into mine.

  With a sigh, Jade’s glistening eyes locked on mine. “Ever since . . . Athika came.”

  Athika? Like a punch to the gut, I understood. I tightened my jaw to keep the grin from spreading, she didn’t need a laugh right now.

  “See,” she said a little like a lament. Jade covered her face. “It is something foolish. I see it in your face.”

  “No,” I hurried to say. I tugged her closer, though she resisted. “No, I’m sorry. You’re not foolish, I promise.”

  Jade’s voice croaked. “Then what is it? What is this feeling. Why do I feel . . . tight and ugly and angry whenever she’s nearby? I’ve searched for malice in her, but have found nothing. Still, my blood heats through my human form whenever she speaks.”

  She let out a kind of growl behind her hands.

  I glanced at the sky, uneasy. Athika had mentioned the bond of mages, perhaps Jade sensed it, then interpreted it wholly wrong.

  “Jade.” I cupped the side of her face. “I’m sorry.”

  Her lips pressed together and I saw a tiny hint of steam around her eyes. Hot wyvern tears against the cold night were always impressive, but I didn’t want Jade to cry.

  “So, I was right,” she said through a strained voice. “There is something.”

  “No.” I took her face between both hands, pressed a kiss to her nose. “No, I’m sorry you’ve thought this at all. If you believed for even a second I felt something for Athika, then I’ve neglected you.” Jade tried to look away, but I wouldn’t let her go just yet. “I mean it. There is a mage bond, true, but it is nothing compared to ours.”

  “How do you know it couldn’t grow into something more? You didn’t always love me,” she asked. Jade’s heart was strong, it was almost unnerving seeing her so unsure over something.

  “From the first glance at you I was connected.” I stroked her cheek with my thumb. “Loving you would’ve come even without the bond, though. I love you because of you, not because of fate, not because we share the connection to the jade stone. Because I love you.”

  She drew in a shuddering breath. “Then, what is this feeling?”

  I grinned. “It’s called jealousy. I felt it when I thought you were involved with Raffi and Sapphire.”

  She furrowed her brow. “So, you don’t have . . . affection for Athika?”

  “I don’t. Jade, I can’t breathe at the thought of not having you with me. I can breathe without Athika. You are the first person I think of each morning, or when something happens, or when I’m about to fall asleep. Not Athika. Not Sapphire. Not anyone else.”

  Jade’s arms slowly found their usual place around my waist and she scooted a little closer toward me. “I feel so ridiculous worrying over such things when there is so much more at stake. I couldn’t name what I was feeling. It’s just, I’ve seen the way Athika tries to be with you—tries to connect with you.”

  I scanned my memories, but couldn’t quite pinpoint any moments where Athika was forward. I didn’t feel anything toward Athika, so it was likely I would have missed the hints. “I’m sure it’s just because we’re the only two mages, and she wants to work together. Please don’t think of her for another second. This falls to me and making sure I show you how much you matter to me.”

  “You don’t have to,” Jade said, looking to the stars, deliberately avoiding my eyes. “It was a stupid mistake. I won’t bring it up again.”

  “Jade, you can tell me things. Even if you think it’s stupid. That’s what I should be for you, the person you can talk with about anything.” The words must have meant something because she smiled for the first time that night. Shifting my weight on the frigid earth I inched slightly closer to her ear. “Are you sure you don’t want me to show you how much you mean to me because I have some ideas.”

  Jade arched into me. “Really? What sort of ideas?”

  I laughed and claimed her mouth with mine. Jade mi
ght have been right about our distance. When our lips touched, a dizzying rush overcame me. It had been too long since we’d been alone. She dug her fingers through my hair, drawing me closer. I was invigorated the longer her lips guided mine. My arms wrapped tight around her slender waist, pulling her against me until I felt her heartbeat against my own.

  Her kiss deepened. Her hand slipped beneath my T-shirt, over my bare chest, the touch an anchor to reality. Without it, I would be lost. Jade leveraged so she straddled my waist and kissed me and kissed me and kissed me.

  When we pulled back for air, I sighed and slumped back on the ground, smiling at the stars. Jade kissed the side of my face, my neck, then nestled against my chest and watched the sky.

  “Teagan,” she said after a long, comfortable silence. “You know I’ll do anything to keep you safe.”

  “I know,” I whispered. “I’ll do the same.”

  “You should know, I sense King Nag is aware of our connection. Bron certainly told him there is something different with us. I believe he’s going to use it against us.”

  Ah, the usual strength normally associated with Jade returned. She was certain, and every word resonated inside me that I knew what she said was true. “I agree. But that doesn’t mean you should do anything drastic.” I rolled onto my side and stroked her hair. “Jade, we do this together right. Don’t do anything you think will protect me on your own. Promise me, please. Because if anything happened—if somehow that disgusting prince got a hold of you—I would be dead anyway.”

  She kissed the corner of my mouth, grinning.

  “I want to show you something,” she said, rolling up her long sleeve.

  On her skin was a beautiful design of gold, silver, and hints of green just like my own markings. The swooping ribbons of color formed a tight shield of intricate symbols. Mage symbols. I didn’t know how I knew the language, but I did. It connected to a part of me, and I knew it was important.

  “Did you have this put on?” I asked, brushing my thumb across her skin.

  She shook her head. “No, it’s been slowly taking shape for some time, but I hardly noticed. This morning, when I was alone, I was worried for you. I glanced down, and it was more vibrant than ever. At first I believed it had something to do with my accepting my rise as queen, but when I showed Eisha—she said it was the language of the mage. I think . . . I think it’s a seal—for you.”

  I met her eye, my pulse pounding in my ears as I inspected the mark once more. “Has this ever happened?”

  Jade’s hand covered mine. “Eisha had never heard of such a thing. Teagan, this is why when I allowed myself to think, well, that you might not feel the same, I thought I might break in two. I knew my feelings were only strengthening; this is proof to me. I don’t know what this means, but I’m certain we are the first mage and wyvern to seal to one another.”

  A haze took my skull, heady as wine. I pressed a kiss to the seal on her arm, traveled it to her shoulder, her jaw, her lips.

  She kissed me back, whispering as she did. “You’re mine, Teagan Ward. And I am yours. I will always be yours.”

  The High Priest blades were crossed in sheaths along my back. Dash and Sapphire found the holster in the weapons store earlier that night. Having the blades so close to my skin released spurts of energy throughout the night. I paced along the porch of Eisha’s mansion. Frosty light twinkled from the rooftop and each pine tree was wrapped in blue and white and green.

  “Through all this you took time to decorate for the holidays?” I said, brow raised.

  Eisha chuckled, the tension bleeding from her face for a second. “It’s a tradition. Jade and I wanted to fit in with the humans in town, so we’ve always decorated. You know I love sparkly things. So, I thought—if this is our last year here, I had better make it the grandest yet.”

  I took in the pleasantries around the house, and heartily agreed. The lights, the holly, the hint baked apple and cinnamon eased a bit of the mounting pressure of the looming battle.

  “Any word on the other two royals?” I asked.

  Eisha shook her head, her lips pulling tight, and I caught the muscles in her jaw flinching. “The onyx bloodline has several in the family still living. I haven’t heard if any of the wyverns have answered Sapphire’s call. Amber hasn’t responded, nor have we seen any signs of a mage. I’m not worried . . . yet. Much longer and I fear we may be charged with defending three royals, not five.”

  “What do you make of the weapon Ruby mentioned? It had something to do with the stones,” I whispered when I heard footsteps fast approaching. Eisha was filled with knowledge, but I rarely had a moment to speak with her alone.

  “I’ve been hesitant to mention anything,” she said with urgency. “I’ve seen such a blade. It belonged to the High Priestess, Teagan. The High Priest had those,” She pointed to the swords on my back, “the Priestess had the stone blade.”

  “So, what does it do?”

  “It powers the elemental stones into one vessel. If Bron or Nag took hold of such a blade, with all five stones, with Jade’s bloodline in his family, and his ability to harness night energy—he would be unstoppable.”

  “So the High Priestess has the sword?”

  Eisha looked thoughtful for a moment before shaking her head. “No, I don’t believe she does. I’d nearly forgotten until it was brought up again. She returned the sword after powering the willow. She returned it to our warriors. They were to hide the blade and the stones. Now, Bron is gathering them.”

  “Do you think Nag has the sword then?”

  Eisha shrugged and lowered her voice even more when the door burst open and Raffi, Dash, and Mitch came outside. “It’s possible. But he doesn’t have all the stones yet, we would certainly know. If he has the blade, it is only a blade until all five elemental powers are returned to the hilt.”

  “Why would the High Priestess have such a weapon?” I continued, more to myself than anyone else.

  “It’s a mage blade. It was forged when our people joined together. The ultimate trust between races was handing our powerful relics to the mage to protect. I suppose—and I hate to say it since I blamed the High Priestess in a way for not seeing Bron’s inner thoughts sooner—but it must have been a great sacrifice for the High Priestess to return her final bond of protection back to the wyvern race. She left with nothing. Her bond was severed, her people slaughtered, her husband.” Eisha paused. “Well, I imagine giving up the sword was difficult.”

  I smiled. “Eisha, don’t look now, but I think you might be leaning toward the idea the High Priestess is on our side.”

  “Shocking, isn’t it? Perhaps having you around is softening my idea of the mage honor. You’re sealed to Jade, Teagan. She’s sealed to you, that makes you one of us. You will always be a part of this family now.”

  Part of her family—it meant a great deal coming from Eisha.

  “We’re ready to go,” Raffi said. A look of excitement lit his face. An actual mission. Dash explained, for a warrior, having a purpose beyond protection was what they lived for.

  Mitch had donned in black from the knitted cap on his head to the black boots on his feet. He tugged on a pair of leather gloves and cracked his neck as though preparing to run a marathon. “I’m ready.”

  Clearing my throat, I drifted to his side. “I don’t like that you’re doing this. You promise you’ll be careful?”

  Mitch shoved my shoulder. “Hey, we all have our superpowers, right? Mine just happens to be thieving.”

  “And mind manipulation,” Dash said.

  “And sprouting thorns on wolvyn backs,” I added.

  “Stop,” said Mitch, imitating tossing his hair over his shoulder. “My ego groweth too large. Anyway, you do your magic thing with your impressive green swords, and I’ll be a dirty criminal.”

  Athika stepped up to Mitch, leaving Ruby at Jade’s side. Ruby looked stronger now, though she seemed worried. I understood. I loved Jade, but we also had the mage and wyvern bond. That
was hard enough to separate. Ruby wore her worry for her mage in every furrow of her brow.

  “We’ll be okay, Ruby,” Athika shouted over her shoulder, doubtless sensing the same fears. “Just focus on healing completely, yes? It’s been much too long since we had a good spar.”

  Ruby grinned and nodded. “I must admit, I’ve gotten better with my knives. I think you’ll be surprised how quickly you fall.”

  “We’ll see.” She turned to me, her smile widening. I was careful to keep a slight distance. “I’ll take care of him. It’s what the mage do for each other.”

  “It’s what we all do for one another,” I said simply.

  “Come on,” Raffi groaned.

  “It’s a good thing none of you are warriors. At the rate you move, all our enemies would have slaughtered us by now,” said Dash.

  “Oh, just go,” Jade laughed, shooing away her two friends.

  Raffi nodded to her with respect and in a scraping of skin and scales, shifted to his enormous wyvern shape. Dash followed, and only the lights from the décor lit his dark, scaly body against the backdrop of the night. Mitch stood in awe for a few moments before following Athika down the steps. Mitch tucked behind Dash’s broad, bluish-black wings while Athika mounted Raffi’s ridged spine.

  I stomped down the steps when the dragons tore into the sky, the brush of their wings powdering the steps in a brush of snow. As I watched them leave, there was a tight knot in my chest. I should be with them. My eyes scanned the surrounding trees, and I heard the whispers. Something was coming, and the tremble of fear along my spine told me this night would not go as expected.

  Part Two

  The Queen

  Chapter 10

  Sleep evaded me, yet when the gilded light of the morning broke through my window, I wasn’t tired. The light washed over the beautiful symbols embedded in my arm. Each line, each delicate curve of the design, was a marvel to me. Smiling, I traced the seal, feeling a comfortable rush in the pit of my stomach. I was sealed to a mage, something that had never happened outside the wyvern race.