Tova's Dragon (Kingdoms & Legends Book 2)

by Lyndi Lamont

  Bruno laughed. “An idle threat, my king.”

  Kane stepped forward. “On the contrary, not idle at all. I alerted the castle yesterday.”

  “The Outlaw Kane,” Bruno mocked, a sneer curling his lips. “Is this how you save your kingdom, sir? By allying yourself with scoundrels?”

  “I have heard his story,” the king replied calmly. “And I have pardoned him.”

  A weight lifted off Kane’s shoulders. At least his name had been cleared. As long as someone lived to tell the tale of this night’s work.

  Bruno’s face filled with rage. He lifted his staff, uttered an incantation and a gigantic black dragon erupted out of the astral realm and into the sky. It let out a roar and darted toward the Old Keep. The men in its path cried out and scrambled aside, running headlong into their companions.

  Tova let out a gasp. “What on earth is that?”

  “Chaos dragon,” Kane said as he kicked off his boots.

  “Pure evil,” King Helmut added, his tone grim.

  Kane shifted, rending his garments as he did so, then leapt into the sky to fight chaos.

  *****

  Tova watched anxiously as Kane and the black dragon alternately circled and charged at each other. There was naught she could do but watch and pray for Kane’s life. On the ground, men fought with swords and spears, while others fired arrows into the forest. And still Bruno’s men kept coming.

  The weather had worsened, with freezing winds whipping her hair and clothes. Above, clouds gathered as lightning flashed, followed by loud claps of thunder.

  ::Goddess, what can I do?::

  ::You know the answer to that question. Accept your heritage. Embrace your destiny.::

  Though she was chilled to the bone, a calm stole over her. Raising both arms, she murmured a protection spell, and then cried, “Gods of the sky, use me as thou wilt.”

  A lightning bolt streaked toward her, surrounding her with energy, crackling around and through her. The surge of power both terrified and exhilarated her. Tentatively, she stretched her right hand toward Bruno's men and lightning shot out, forcing them to retreat. She aimed the next volley at Bruno, who used his staff to deflect the lightning back at her.

  The blast nearly knocked her off her feet, but she fought back, ignoring her own fading strength. Bruno was powerful, and she no match for him. She felt herself wavering and realized he was stealing her magic, siphoning it off a little at a time. She thought of Kane, and how he made her feel when he made love to her. How she had helped him clear his name. What she was willing to sacrifice for him and for Velosia. Her magic surged again.

  Kane suddenly appeared in her sight, lunging at Bruno. The chaos dragon was close on his heels, so Tova directed her force at it, severing its tail in two. It let out a screech of pain. Kane turned and flew after the injured dragon, catching it in his claws and clamping his mouth on its neck.

  Tova turned away from the sight, back to Bruno and his men. She drew strength from the stones of the tower, from the earth below, and power from the sky above. Thus reinforced, she kept a steady stream of energy directed at the edge of the clearing, until Bruno’s men broke and ran for the trees. Bruno lifted his staff in a mocking salute, wheeled his horse and joined the retreat.

  Tova collapsed on the floor of the tower, suddenly drained of all life force.

  *****

  Kane and the chaos dragon hurtled to the earth, landing with a jar that shook the ground. The other dragon lay still beneath him, a death rattle coming from its throat. He stepped aside and bowed his head. ::Be at peace, my brother.::

  To his shock, a large white owl with singed tail feathers emerged from the shadow of the dragon. It circled around him thrice, and then flew off, hooting as if in thanks. So that was how Bruno had conjured the dragon.

  Kane would have laughed, but he was too tired. Dimly, he became aware that the sounds of battle had subsided. Was it over? Was Tova all right?

  He launched himself into the air and flew back to the Old Keep. Bruno’s men were retreating, chased by some of the king’s huntsmen and dogs. On top of the tower, a ring of men stood, staring down. As he neared, he saw Tova lying on the floor as if dead, her hair turned to brightest silver.

  His roar scattered the men around her. Landing on the tower, he shifted and ran to her side, taking her cold, lifeless body in his arms.

  *****

  Tova floated up into the air and watched as her body became smaller and smaller. Odd, her hair was no longer brown but silver, like that of an ancient crone. She felt no pain, though she longed to comfort Kane as he held her close, tears running down his face. He picked her up, unmindful of his nakedness, and carried her body to the staircase.

  To Tova’s surprise, she could follow him and the others down to the room they’d slept in earlier. Lord von Arnwalt held the door for Kane, who carried her to the bed of furs. Kneeling, he laid her down, removed the breastplate, now blackened metal, and covered her.

  She tried to get his attention, but no one noticed her hovering above. “I’m here,” she said, but there was no sound. Was this what it was like to be dead?

  Though she had no regrets for what she had done, the thought saddened her. She had embraced her destiny and perished, just like her father.

  ::Daughter.::

  She looked around, but saw no one. ::Papa, where are you?::

  Next thing she knew, she was hurtling through a tunnel of light. At the end, she came face-to-face with her father. ::Papa!::

  Sven embraced her, though his body was no more substantial than hers. ::My dearest girl, forgive me. I had no wish to see you sacrificed like this.::

  ::Am I dead? What is this place?::

  An even brighter light coalesced into the form of the goddess. Tova knelt, head down to shield her eyes from the magnificent being.

  ::Rise, child of earth and sky.::

  Tova did as she was bidden.

  ::You are between worlds,:: the goddess said. ::You have done well today, child. You will be rewarded. What is it you wish?::

  Tova blinked. ::I want to live. May I go back? To be with Kane?::

  The goddess hesitated. ::I can make no promises, Tova Svensdottir. Your physical body has been damaged, and your soul as well. The healing will be painful and slow, though Kane can help you, if anyone can. And you will have to give up all that is familiar to fly with the dragon.::

  Tova turned to her father. ::Do you mind, Papa? I love him.::

  He smiled, but she saw a tear in his eye. ::Go, child. Always remember, I love you. And do not be so hard on your mother. She has difficulty showing how much she cares.::

  ::I know. I love you, too, Papa, but I have to go.::

  With that, she was once again plummeted down the tunnel of light until she arrived back in her aching, throbbing body.

  *****

  “Leave us!”

  At Kane’s order, everyone left the chamber without protest, King Helmut included.

  “Tova, sweeting, come back to me,” he coaxed, chafing her hands.

  She was cold, so terribly cold, her aura sickly gray and barely visible. Her breath was undetectable, her chest still, yet he refused to give up. Her courage in the face of mortal danger humbled him. He knew not if he’d still be alive had she not wounded the black dragon. He owed her his life and his freedom. And she had stolen his heart.

  “You cannot die and leave me now.”

  Placing his hands just above her body, he pictured green healing light pouring from his palms into her. He was no healer, but he’d learned the basics from his mother. If she’d passed any of her abilities on to him, then let them appear now. Reaching deep inside, he drew upon the universal source of all power. He felt it running through his veins like molten lava.

  After moving his hands down her legs and back up, he lay beside her and gathered her in his arms. She needed warmth, and he had plenty of that to share. He blew warm air into her mouth, his lips hovering above hers. “Breathe, my love.”


  Increasingly desperate, he gripped the pearl around his neck and pressed it to her heart. “Come back, Tova. You are the other half of my heart, my soul. How can I go on without you? Come back and I will share all that is mine.” He laid his head on her breast and thought he heard a faint sound.

  Her body made a sudden jerk, and she gasped for air.

  “Tova?”

  Her eyes opened slowly, gazing up at him with dawning comprehension. “Kane?” Her voice was husky.

  He put a finger on her lips. “Say no more. Not until you’ve had some wine.” He grabbed a flask and held it to her mouth as she drank.

  She reached up to touch his face. “I’m alive,” she said, her tone full of wonder.

  “Thank the gods.”

  “And the goddess.” Her smile was tremulous.

  He laughed in grateful relief. “And the goddess. How could I forget her?”

  Her laugh ended with a cough and a wince.

  “You are in pain. Where does it hurt?”

  “Everywhere. The goddess said my body had been damaged, but that you could help me.”

  “I will try,” he promised, kissing her cold hand. “What do you need?”

  “Warmth first.”

  He gathered her in his arms, but she pushed him away. “Skin to skin. My clothes are cold.” She couldn’t control the shivering. “As if they absorbed some of Bruno’s evil.”

  Kane rushed to strip off her clothes and throw them across the room. When he turned back to her, he noticed her aura had brightened. “They shall be burnt,” he promised, as he again drew her toward him.

  She burrowed closer, kissing his chest. Unbidden, his cock stiffened.

  Not now, he thought.

  “Yes, now,” she whispered. “I came back for you.”

  Tears filled his eyes as he gazed into her beloved face. “I love you, Tova.”

  “Love you, too,” she said in a raspy voice. “Only you can heal me. Make me feel alive again.”

  He bent his head and kissed her cool lips, warming them with his own. She opened her mouth to let his tongue enter, sharing breath with breath. He willed more of his life force into her. She responded by wrapping one leg around him, drawing him closer. He rained kisses over her face, her neck and shoulders as he cupped one full breast. She sighed with pleasure and moved her leg over the back of his thigh.

  He kissed her breasts, her belly, her thighs, willing her to respond. As he entered her, he felt the hum of life stirring inside her. Their auras blended into a rainbow of colors just as the rising sun slanted its rays through the open window, and he knew all would be right with his world.

  EPILOGUE

  Tova stood at the window of her little cottage, staring out at the snowflakes drifting from the sky. Her reflection stared back at her in the wavy glass, that of a pale woman with hair as white as snow. She turned and glanced around the familiar room. For years, she had loved this little cottage nestled into the side of the hill. Now it no longer seemed safe and snug as much as small and stifling.

  Everything had changed since she’d met Kane.

  She went to the hearth to stir the vegetable soup bubbling there. It had been six weeks since he brought her here, weak and exhausted. Before he left, he’d promised to return. Then he’d flown away to play scout for the king, and she had not heard a word from him since. Though her body had healed, her heart ached for him.

  The events of the night at the keep were hazy in her mind. The last thing she remembered clearly was standing on the battlements and absorbing the power of the lightning. The battle consisted of hazy images of arrows flying through the air, men screaming in pain, dragons careening through the sky, and Bruno directing all of his malevolence at her. She had dueled with the most powerful wizard in the land and lived to tell the tale.

  But just barely.

  Had she really died and gone into the spirit realm? Or was it all just a dream? All she knew was it had taken all of Kane’s dragon heat and healing power to bring her back from wherever she had been. She owed him her life. Vaguely she recalled hearing him say he loved her when he thought she might die, but he’d said little afterward. Just that when he returned, she would have a decision to make. She’d clung to those words, praying they meant he wanted them to be together. Where mattered not. She’d follow him to the ends of the earth if need be. Had the goddess not told her she would have to give up everything familiar to fly with the dragon?

  But she never told him that.

  It was the only thing she regretted, but she had been in no shape to think clearly. If he didn’t return to her, she would seek him out in the spring. She had done so once before. Perhaps Mutti Zee could help her find him again. Just making the decision lightened her spirits.

  A knock on the door startled her out of her thoughts, and she hurried to answer. Someone might have need of her herbal remedies. She opened the door to see a tall man swathed in a hooded cloak of black wool. He pushed the hood off, and joy flooded through her.

  “Kane!” she cried as she threw herself into his arms.

  His laugh rang out as he spun her in a circle, letting snow into the cottage.

  “Put me down and close the door,” she ordered.

  “Yes, milady.” He set her on her feet and closed out the cold and damp.

  He removed his cloak and hung it by the door. He looked as handsome as ever in a dark green huntsman’s tunic and breeches. His black hair was pulled back and tied at his neck, and he wore a sword around his waist.

  “Let me look at you,” he said, walking around her. “You seem healthy again.”

  “I am,” she confirmed. “But still white-haired. I keep hoping it will turn brown again.”

  “It doesn’t matter.” His gaze sent heat through her. “You are unique among women and beautiful to me.”

  His words pleased her greatly. “Come warm yourself by the fire. The soup is almost ready.”

  He sat by the hearth and held his hands out to the fire. “It smells wonderful.”

  “I hope there is enough,” she teased, as she spooned some into a bowl and handed it to him. “I remember how much you eat.”

  He laughed. “That hasn’t changed.”

  An awkward silence descended as they ate, and she tried to think of a topic. “Has Bruno been caught?”

  “No, though Sir Rolf and his knights are still looking, along with two of my men. Youngsters eager to prove themselves.”

  “And your pardon?”

  He put down his empty bowl and reached for her hand. “The king signed the pardon and had it proclaimed throughout the land. Thanks to you, I am a free man again.”

  “You earned it.”

  He stared at her, sincerity in his amber eyes. “It would not have happened without you. I owe you so much, Tova.”

  She fought the tears welling in her eyes. Now he had his pardon, he didn’t need her any longer. The thought made her want to weep. What if he didn’t want her any more? “And I owe you my life. I would have died that night, but for you.”

  He rose and pulled her up and into his arms. “I know,” he said, his voice gruff.

  She snuggled into his warmth for a moment, but then leaned back so she could see his face. “Will the dragonfolk return to Velosia?”

  “No, even with Bruno on the run, ’tis too dangerous now the truth is known.”

  Dread crept up her spine. This time he would fly away from her forever. “What will happen to Drakkenberg? I hate to think of it sitting alone and empty.”

  He smiled at her fondly. “Drakkenberg will be turned over to the king, with the proviso it be re-opened as a school to train Velosia’s young in the proper use of magic.”

  “I like the idea,” she said. “And what of the treasures in the caves?”

  “They will be moved to our island home.”

  “I wish you did not have to leave,” she blurted out, unable to stop herself.

  His gaze was steady. “There is really no choice. I must return to my people.” />
  “Of course. I understand.” She drew back, but he refused to let her go, catching hold of her hands.

  “Will you come with me as my bride? I know it is much to ask of you.”

  Her heart leapt with gladness. “Are you certain, Kane? I am not of your kind. Our children will not be able to shift.”

  “That matters not. They will have a magic all their own.”

  She stepped closer to him. “But what will your people think? Will they accept me?”

  “When they hear our story, they will think me the luckiest dragonlord who ever lived. I love you, Tova Svensdottir. Will you marry me?”

  She threw her arms around him. “I think ’twas not luck but destiny that brought us together. Yes, I will marry you, Kane of Drakkenberg. Now stop talking and make love to me.”

  *****

  A few days later, Tova and Kane were married and left Velosia to live contentedly on a secluded island far to the west, where thunderstorms were rare. His people marveled when they heard the tale told by their lord and his beautiful, silver-haired bride.

  Back in Velosia, the Old Keep still stands, its roof open to the rain and snow. But those who witnessed the battle still speak in hushed tones of the day the Lightning Maiden rode to earth on the back of an outlawed dragon to save the kingdom.

  About the Author

  Lyndi Lamont is the racy alter ego of romance author Linda McLaughlin. Writing sexy stories gives her a license to be naughty, at least between the pages of her books! She has written several full-length novels plus numerous short stories and novellas, ranging from historical to futuristic. She believes that love is unending and universal, and enjoys transporting her readers into a different world where her characters learn that, in the journey of life, love is the sweetest reward.

  Connect online:

  Website: https://lindalyndi.com

  Reading Room blog: http://lindalyndi.com/reading-room-blog/

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  Twitter: @LyndiLamont

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