“I’ll watch over Drake tonight.”
“There’s nothing you can do. Juturna is with him, and I’ll be also. Drake would want you to rest. Now do as you’re ordered.”
“Of course, my lady. I’ll see you back to the bedchamber first.”
“Thank you.” She took Asad’s arm much the same way she did Drake’s earlier that evening. If only she could stop time and start all over. She would do things differently the second time around. And in doing so, Drake would not be about to die.
THE DRAGON AND THE DREAMWALKER
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Three days passed and still Drake hadn’t regained consciousness. His wounds were healing nicely, thanks to Juturna, but as she said, his soul was not healing. Juturna finished dressing the wounds and pulled the cover up around Drake’s body.
Brynn stared aimlessly out the open-shuttered window. The warm air blew in, and with it so did the smell of damp earth and life. For three days the sun had shone brighter than it had for the last fortnight. If only Drake could be awake to enjoy the nice weather with her.
“I need to replenish my supply of herbs,” Juturna told Brynn. “I’ll have to go up the mountains of Lornoon to find what I need. There’s only a day’s supply left. It’ll take me longer than that to make the trip. I’m not as young as I used to be, and don’t move as quickly anymore.”
“Then I’ll go for you,” Brynn offered. “You can tell me where to find the herbs. I’ll take Gollimer and be back in half the time.”
“If you’d like,” she said, looking down at her bag as she tied it closed.
“Juturna, you’ve known Drake for a long time, haven’t you?”
“Since he was a child.” She looked at Drake’s prone body in admiration.
“Has he always been so angry?”
“No,” she shook her head, looking at Drake’s pale face. “There was a time when he was full of life and love. That was before - that was a long time ago.”
“Before his father killed his mother?”
“So he told you.”
“He didn’t need to. I saw it in a dream. I know all about it.”
“No, you don’t. Not everything.” She gathered up her belongings, taking samples of the dried herbs and putting them in another bag for Brynn to compare to the new ones.
“Is there more I should know?”
“That, I can’t tell you.”
“It has to do with the shapeshifting into a dragon, doesn’t it? Can Drake do that also?”
“I’m not sure,” she answered. “The Pendragons kept their secrets well guarded. Drake’s father wasn’t always evil either,” she told her. “Something happened to him. Something that changes a Pendragon into a dragon. I’m not sure about the process, but I do know that once they’ve changed they are never the same. For some, it takes months, others days, and others no time at all. Either way, once they’ve turned, there’s no going back.”
“So is there hope for Drake or not? The old man told me time was almost up. That I was the only one able to help Drake, but I don’t know how. His father told me that also, at the cave.”
“So you’ve seen his vision in the pool?”
“You know about it? Drake said the cave was secret.”
Juturna looked down to the bag, then handed it over to Brynn. “Drake’s mother confided in me once. She wanted to know how to save her own husband from the dragon.”
“From changing into a dragon?”
“Yes.”
“What did you tell her?”
“I saw in my gazing crystal that there was nothing she could do. Aurelius Pendragon was on his way to self destruction.”
“And then he shapeshifted,” added Brynn. “But what happened to him after that? Is Dracus Drake’s father as he believes?”
“I don’t know the answer to that, my lady. I’m not sure anyone does.”
“What about Drake?” Brynn waited eagerly for the answer. “Is it too late for him as well?”
“I haven’t been able to see that,” said Juturna, looking sadly at Drake. “But my gazing crystal did tell me that you were the only one who may be able to save him.”
“From the dragon,” she answered.
“I didn’t say that.” Juturna directed Brynn to the door.
“Then what did you mean?”
“You must find the answers for yourself, my dear. Only in self exploration will we find our weaknesses and our strengths. Your answer lies within reach, if only you’ll seek it. Now go. We must get those herbs quickly if I’m to keep Drake’s wounds from festering.”
Brynn looked once more back at Drake lying lifeless and pale upon their bed. So unlike the man she’d known, full of life, full of vengeance. So unlike a Pendragon.
* * *
“I’m telling you for the last time, Asad, I don’t need an escort. I know the hills better than anyone. I can find the herbs quicker by myself,” said Brynn.
“I’ll not let my lord down.” Asad answered loyally, like she knew he would.
“Then stay here and watch over him.” Brynn mounted Gollimer and was surprised at the size of the horse beneath her. She felt a little uneasy sitting atop Drake’s stallion alone, without Drake’s protective arms around her. Gollimer had never seemed so large with Drake sitting atop the horse. She didn’t even know if she could ride it. But she knew it was the strongest and the fastest of any horse in the stable. Gollimer would get her there and back with the herbs in time to help Drake.
“Lord Thorndale isn’t going to get into trouble lying in a bed. I think he’d prefer I look after his lady instead.”
His lady. She liked the way it sounded. Though she didn’t truly feel like his lady, she knew now it was an honor to be his wife. Why hadn’t she realized this before? Instead of fighting the man, she should have been working with him to try to save him.
“Oh, all right. Have it your way. But I warn you, I will not wait up for you. If you can’t keep up with Gollimer, then I’ll be forced to leave you behind.”
“Aye, my lady,” said Asad with a smile, mounting his own horse. “You are definitely The Dragon’s wife.”
“The Dragon’s wife I may be, but mark my words, no dragon, especially Dracus, is going to hurt my husband and get away with it.”
“You’re going to challenge the dragon, my lady?”
She thought about that before answering. It was exactly what she’d been doing all along. There wasn’t a day gone by she didn’t challenge Drake, nor he challenge her. But to take on Dracus was more than she was prepared for. Still, some way, somehow, she’d find a way to help Drake stop Dracus.
“Aye,” she agreed, “I suppose I am.” With that, she sped off on Gollimer, leaving Asad in the dust.
* * *
Brynn had an easier time finding and collecting the herbs than she did trying to shake Asad from her trail. She’d planned on losing him somewhere between Thorndale Castle and the cliffs at the far ridge, but was unable to do it. She could see now why Drake had chosen Asad for his squire. He was really a squire doing a knight’s job. No squire had ever acted with such speed, devotion, or accuracy as Asad. It must have been Drake’s own selfishness wanting to keep Asad at his side rather than to lose him, that kept Asad from knighthood.
“You’re very skilled,” she said over her shoulder, heading up the hill to look for the last of the herbs. “Drake must be proud to have you at his side.”
“He saved my own life once, my lady. I owe it to him. If it wasn’t for Drake, I wouldn’t be here today.”
“You’re from a faraway land, aren’t you?’
“Aye. I come from the land of sheiks,” he told her.
“And harem girls,” she added, looking from the corner of her eye to see the smile on his face and the shy downcast of his eyes.
“This is true,” he answered, looking off into the opposite direction.
“Thank you for trying to teach Drake how to woo me.”
The horses’ hooves clomped on
the rocky ground as they made their way higher up the mountain.
“It didn’t seem to work as well as I hoped it would.”
“Are the things you’ve taught him the way the sheiks treat their women in your home land?”
“Oh no,” he laughed. “What I instructed Drake to do is what a lady of this land would expect. I tried to teach him how to please a woman. Where I come from there is no such thing. There, the only importance is that a woman please her man.”
“Then I shan’t think of ever going there,” she said with a stiff upper lip. “I don’t think I’d fare well there at all.”
“I agree,” he added with a smile.
“Here’s the last herb,” she said, slipping off Gollimer and tying the horse to a tree. “I’ll collect it and we’ll be on our way.”
“It is nearing nightfall, my lady. I think we should find shelter for the night. I’ll make a fire and find you a proper meal. ’Tis not safe taking the horses down the steep cliffs in the dark.”
“I suppose you’re right. I don’t think Drake would be very happy if Gollimer twisted an ankle.”
“I think not.”
“I’ll collect the herbs I need while you hunt for food and make a fire.”
“Yes, my lady.” Asad started picking up branches in his arms. “Please stay near, my lady. ’Tis not safe in these hills.”
“Don’t fear for me,” she said, and headed off to collect her herbs.
Brynn had just slipped the last stalk of yarrow into her pouch and was ready to turn around and go back to camp when she heard what sounded like a low whisper from up ahead. Then she spotted the cave. She unknowingly was standing directly in front of the cave where she and Drake had spent the night.
The voice called to her, not in words, but in whispers of sounds and tones. It was luring her closer, and into the cave. Curiosity pushed her to follow. She entered the mouth of the cave, seeing the torches flickering from around the bend by the pool. Drake’s warning to never go near the pool again echoed in her head, but she ignored it and made her way closer.
Once in the firelight, she saw the water. A bluish-white mist sparkled above it as before. It called out to her, drawing her closer. The comfort she felt from this light put her soul at ease. Then the light shifted, and at the other side of the pool, just in front of the shelf that boasted the urn with Drake’s mother’s ashes, was the most beautiful woman she’d ever seen. It took her a minute to realize the lady with the long, dark hair and skin like snow, standing in her nightdress was the same woman she’d seen in her dream. She was sure it was Drake’s deceased mother.
“You can do what I could not,” came her soft whisper. It was so soft and genteel that she thought she’d imagined the words until the lady spoke a second time.
“Drake is not all he seems to be. There is a spark of light even in the blackest of nights. Help him see this and you’ll know how to save him.”
“From the dragon?” Brynn asked, softly so as not to disturb the gentle sight.
“From himself,” said the lady just before she faded. The light of bluish-white sparkles faded as well.
The comfort and warmth left her when she heard the laugh from the pool of water. She looked down, horrified to see Aurelius Pendragon’s face reflected there just as it had been the last time she occupied this cave.
“You haven’t got it in you to help him, do you? You fool girl to even think you could,” he said.
“Leave me be,” Brynn said. “You are evil.”
“So sure of that are you?”
“Drake told me all about you. He told me what you did.”
She backed away slightly, but he wagged a finger for her to come closer.
“You relayed my message much too late.”
“He wouldn’t have listened even if I had told him right away. He has it set in his mind he’s going to kill you. And I’m going to be the one to help him do it,” she boasted.
That seemed to amuse the man more than anything. His laugh reverberated like a low rumble off the stone walls.
“You’re no better than he is. I don’t know why I waste my time trying to help. I rather think my ways were much more effective when I walked the earth.”
“What does that mean? Explain yourself.”
“You wouldn’t listen anyway,” he said with a wretched smile.
“Mayhap I would,” she said, challenging him, though she didn’t know why she was being so bold. She should have just left the cave at the first sight of him. Drake wouldn’t like what she was doing.
“All right. I love a challenge,” he told her. “Even now. Especially now, as it is quite boring where I am.”
“And where is that?” she asked curiously.
“Come and see.” She saw the reflection of his hand reach out toward her. “Unless you’re afraid.”
“I am not afraid of you,” she said, making her way closer to the edge of the pool.
“Who said you’re afraid of me? I meant your other fear. Your fear of water, Witch.”
She didn’t know if it was the challenge that made her step forward, or the way he’d called her Witch that charged her senses. Before she knew it, she was dipping one toe in the water.
“Embrace your fears or they’ll embrace you,” he told her. Before she could ask what he meant, his hand - a physical hand - reached out of the water and pulled her in.
She screamed just before she went under, almost forgetting to hold her breath. She struggled against Aurelius Pendragon, but his strength was too much for her. He was going to drown her. She never should have ignored Drake’s warning. She was going to die, and this time Drake couldn’t save her.
He pulled her to the bottom of the pool, and she figured this would be the end. But to her surprise, he pulled her right through the floor of the pool and they appeared somewhere beneath it. Somewhere without water.
“You can let go of your breath now,” he told her, but did nothing to release his tight grip on her.
She did just that, feeling blue in the face. She gasped the air around her and tried to see through the mist that surrounded her like a veil.
“Where am I?” She trembled in his grip and he seemed to grow in strength from her fear.
“You’re in my world now.”
“What are you? Some sort of sorcerer?”
“Now if I was, don’t you think I’d have left here by now?”
“’Tis so foggy. I can’t see anything. It’s like we’re trapped between two worlds.”
“You create your own world, my lady. Your thoughts will turn into your surroundings if you let them.”
“You are hurting my arm. Let go of me.” The more she struggled, the tighter his grip became. Then his eyes turned red and his laugh echoed around her. She felt more afraid than she ever did before. His body shifted in size, his head forming like a lizard, his hands growing talons and his back growing wings. Before her very eyes the man had turned into a wretched, putrid-smelling, fire-breathing dragon.
“The dragon lives,” he hissed. “The dragon feeds. If you won’t help the Dragon’s Son, then you can help me instead.”
That’s all she needed to hear. She wasn’t going to do anything to help Aurelius Pendragon. The man was a demon and she wanted nothing more than to rid herself of him.
“Let me go,” she screamed, tears forming in her eyes. The more she struggled, the bigger he grew in size. When she realized she was no match for the beast, she stopped pulling and closed her eyes trying to calm herself.
“My lady,” she called softly, beckoning Drake’s mother for help. “My lady, I need you.”
“She can’t help you,” the dragon roared, but Brynn didn’t believe him.
“My lady,” she called louder. “Help me.”
“Close your eyes. Think of Drake. Think of dreamwalking with him,” came the woman’s gentle voice in her head.
Brynn was suddenly embarrassed, wondering how Drake’s mother knew about their dreamwalking together.
&
nbsp; “Think only of your time alone with Drake. Think of the way you felt when you made love.”
Suddenly Brynn was reliving the moment. Drake held her tenderly in his arms, and placed gentle kisses on her brow before he filled her with his essence and became one with her etheric body. She relaxed, she sighed. She forgot about Aurelius Pendragon and his tight hold on her wrist with his taloned claws. She was with Drake. She was safe in his arms, far from harm. She felt the love within her pure and fresh.
“No!” screamed the dragon, hissing and blowing fire and smoke from his nostrils. Her wrist was released as if she’d burned him, and she felt herself being lifted up into the mist. His glowing red eyes were all she remembered before the water started filling her nostrils and running down her throat. Suddenly the fear was back. She struggled in the pool, wanting for the strong arms of Drake to pull her to safety, though she knew it wouldn’t happen.
She opened her eyes, hearing the rumble of the dragon’s laughter, and spotted his glowing red eyes at the bottom of the pool. He was coming for her. He was reaching up for her, and she struggled and kicked to keep him from touching her again.
With a whoosh she was lifted from the water, but instead of Drake’s strong arms, the arms of Asad pulled her to safety. He dragged her out of the water and sat her on the edge of the pool, her feet still dangling over the edge.
“My lady, you must have fallen in. If it wasn’t for that kind lady who came to tell me, you’d have drowned.”
“What lady?” she asked, coughing and trying to catch her breath. “Who?”
“I’m not sure. But she was beautiful. Long black hair and skin like a new fallen snow.”
“In her nightclothes?” she asked.
“Aye. How did you know?”
She didn’t have time to answer. Out of the water came the dragon’s claw, hooking onto the hem of her wet skirt.
“Asad!” she screamed as it started to drag her under.
Asad reached out, grabbing her by the arms and pulling to try to keep her above water.
“My lady. If I let go to grab my sword I’ll lose you.”
Tall, Dark, and Medieval Page 44