by Judith Leger
around her waist. She wanted to join Paladin, stand at his
side, but Rylen took her arm and held her back.
She glanced where he stood a step behind her. He, too,
stared at his brother, worry bracketing his mouth and
wrinkling his brow.
“Will he be safe? Will my son?” She had to know. He lived
with Arcane, witnessed his evil. He might have an idea of
whether the rogues would accept or reject Legion. Please,
don’t let them destroy my son.
He shook his head, moved to her side, and wrapped an
arm over her shoulders. A sob broke through and she
slumped, trying to blink the tears away. No one, not Paladin,
his brother, or anyone here understood how her fear for her
child grew within her. She experienced such joy, pure bliss
with his birth, and hope he would outlive her, sharing his
own happiness with her.
Instead, she stood watching her tiny baby brought out to
the very creatures determined to annihilate all humans.
She’d witnessed Mandy’s death. Was she now destined to
watch another child of her heart die? Her strength left and
Rylen helped her remain on her feet. She kept her gaze
riveted on the man and child she loved.
Next to the six clan leaders, Paladin appeared minute, no
more than a fragile child’s toy. One swipe from their clawed
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hands, and he, along with his precious bundle, would die.
Sending out silent pleas for their protection, she fell to
her knees, rubbing, twisting, clenching her fingers, anything
to stop the numbness from taking over her mind. Sand
bubbled from below Paladin’s feet. She stilled, unable to pull
her attention away.
Earth-toned grains swirled inside a cylinder shape. A
column came from the desert beneath his feet, lifting him
until he rose above the clan leaders’ heads. Over the wind
and roars from the battle continuing to flow over the desert
floor, a low mewling reached her. A baby’s call to its mother.
Her baby. Heart clenching, she focused on the one thread
connecting her to her child. Legion, her treasure, was crying
and she was not there for him.
The sand shimmered around Paladin. It surrounded him,
hiding him from her. She lifted a hand, wanting to help, but
she knelt, useless to them. The sand took on details the same
way it had when Legion had appeared to the dragons
attacking them in the desert at their arrival to the caverns.
The figure resembled the adult Legion, yet this time, wings
furled out from the body, swishing back and forth. Complete
now, the form separated from Paladin, towering above him.
Slender magical tendrils reached out from the form’s
flowing hair, extending toward the dragon clan leaders. The
strands matched the color of the corresponding dragon. Each
beast pivoted, facing outward from where the incarnate
figure of Legion floated above Paladin.
A roar came from Legion, racing across the battlefield in
physical waves, roiling over dunes and beasts. The last echo
ended, he spoke, his voice carrying over the desert. “Hear
me, dragons of Avaris. I am Legion, Dragon King. Bow to me
or die.”
Every movement, every cry ceased.
Seren, shocked by his ultimatum, waited for a response.
The dragons, most battling for their lives against their
enemies, faced him. All stared, eyes unblinking, bodies held
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motionless.
Legion lifted his arms.
Another wave, this time pure magical power, raced away
from him across the open dunes, sending sand spewing up
and away before it.
Upon contact, the beasts cowered, pulling apart from
their combatants, bodies lowering to the ground.
All the dragon leaders roared, showing their support for
him.
A thrill swept up Seren’s back. Wide-eyed, she waited for
the rogues’ reaction. Seconds passed. Quiet and low at first,
soon a multitude of words filtered from the roars along with
the underlying softer grunts and mewls of the attacking
beasts. From forest to sea dragons to the ones who lived in
the highest peaks of unknown mountains, they questioned,
demanding answers.
“Will you seek revenge?”
“The humans will grow in numbers and attack,
destroying our homes.”
“These despicable creatures hold nothing sacred.”
“What will you do with them?”
Legion’s sand form thickened. A fine sheen formed on it.
Each grain, ignited by his power, bonded with the next,
turning the figure into liquid glass. Shifting and undulating
as though alive, Legion’s dragon form turned full circle,
taking in all the rogues and even his allies.
“Your concerns are well met, my kin. I have been created
for one purpose. To be your King. But I am human also and
with that, I will be King over The White Dragon Clan. This
enables me to make changes with how humans affect this
planet also. We all must seek the same course. Avaris is our
home, dragon and human. Together we must strive for
peace. If not, our world will be no more.”
Several larger beasts along the perimeter, shifted through
the dunes, moving closer to Legion. One peeled back his lips,
responding. “Can we trust you? You are half human.”
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Another from the opposite side roared. “Will you send
forces into our lands and attack us?”
The glass dragon’s clawed hands clenched. “Will you test
me?”
The defiant creatures halted their movements.
“Are you strong enough to defeat me? I am giving you a
choice to live in peace. If you desire to fight me then my
choice will be final. For you! Which do you prefer?” A glass-
eyed stare, flicked over the tense battle field.
Gradually, one by one, all the dragons across the sand
dunes lowered their heads in deference to Legion. Most
stared at the Dragon King with a mixture of resentment and
pride in their gazes, but none refuted his claim over them.
Others appeared to have smiles curling their lips, happy to
have Legion as their King.
“Return you to your clans. Should I have need of you or
you of me, come, I will listen to your needs.”
Roars rolled across the fields, praise for the new King.
The rogues took flight. The desert erupted with a chorus
of roars, squawks, and wings flapping.
Seren shifted to the barrier, waiting, muscles tense until
they departed, leaving the land empty of all but the allied
forces. The glass dragon shattered into a shower of glistening
sand. The clan leaders took to the skies, each soaring in the
direction of their own homes. Through the dust, Paladin
appeared, Legion held against his chest.
His gaze met hers and she managed a small smile. Rylen’s
strong hand helped her stand. Largin opened the passage
through the barrie
r, but she waited. He came to her, his walk
slow and easy. Damp streaks marked his face. She covered
her mouth with one hand. He stopped in front of her, staring
into her eyes. She wrapped her other arm around his waist
and embraced both him and their son.
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Chapter Twenty-Nine
Cool breezes fluttered the white gauze curtains inside the
open terrace doors. Seren stretched out across the bright
covers on her bed, enjoying the peaceful afternoon. During
the short time they’d remained in the safekeeping caverns
after the battle, Ren returned to Durfalin. She didn’t
understand how he’d done it, but in those few days, he
restored his home to its former splendor. She asked Leo
about it. He’d quirked a brow at her, and muttered
something along the lines of the magic on Avaris.
She grinned at the memory, passing a hand over the soft
fluffy hair on Legion’s rounded head. Though she tried, the
image of Ren standing watch while workers repaired his
home didn’t work for her. Leo commented that there hadn’t
been any workers, just wizards, making the repairs to the
destroyed home.
“I suppose it doesn’t really matter, does it?” she
murmured to Legion. His bright blue-gray eyes focused on
her face and he cooed.
A week. One very long week. She missed Paladin. He’d
stayed at the cavern after almost everyone else departed.
From there, Largin informed her, he’d gone to the White
Dragon Kingdom to straighten out some of Rylen’s messes.
Cie and Rie traveled with him to give support should any
question his right to the throne.
Someone knocked on the closed door. Curious about who
would be disturbing her, she called for them to enter.
Everyone in the house knew this time of day she stayed in
her room with Legion. Normally, Legion took a nap, but for
some reason he wanted to play today. His awareness grew
more and more each day.
The door opened to reveal a servant. The turbaned, dark-
skinned man informed her Master Ren and His Royal
Highness, Paladin Fulcan requested her presence in the
study. Coldness swept over Seren. She thanked the servant
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and he left.
Paladin had arrived? Why hadn’t he come to her? With
the trouble gone, didn’t he want to see her? Uneasiness crept
into her mind, making her tense for the moment she would
see him.
Hurrying, she stood, lifted Legion and went below. She
stopped outside the closed door of the study. Taking a deep
breath, she clasped the handle, opening the door.
He stood across the room from her with his back to the
mantle. His clothes, white trimmed with gold, made him
stand out against the dark wood tones. Rylen had worn a
similar style during his reign. Matters must have gone
smoothly for him at home.
Their gazes caught, and for a brief second a spark ignited
in his. Another moment and the joy she witnessed lay hidden
behind the veil of his lashes. She glanced at where Ren
reclined in a large armchair. He stared morosely into the
tankard clasped between his hands. He offered no help so
she returned her gaze to Paladin.
“What’s up? The dragons aren’t causing problems, are
they?”
“No. I met with the clan leaders. They have agreed to
open the portal so you may return home. To Earth.”
Her heart froze in her chest. That’s all. Nothing about
him missing her and his son. He stood there, so stiff, his tone
cold and non-committal. Even after all they’d been through?
His words registered. The dragons agreed to send her home.
She’d leave this world behind. She narrowed her eyes,
studying him. Would he miss her?
She didn’t comment, so he continued.
“We leave today, in an hour. If there is anything you
desire to bring, you must do so now. My ship is waiting.”
The coldness radiating from him rivaled the icy tundra of
his homeland.
The close bond they’d developed for so long had
vanished. A towering stone wall separated them. Her mind
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scrambled to find a way to reach him. A week ago, nothing
would have stopped him from coming and embracing her.
He’d have kissed her with passion. But not this man. The
King of the White Dragon stood there and acted the part
perfectly. Numbed by the news, and the tremendous change
in the man she loved, she nodded, spun on her heel, and
hurried from the room.
She reached her room and waited for the tears, the
anger—for some way to react. Instead, memories of his
gentle touch, his caring words, and his oath to keep her safe
rushed through her mind. What changed him? Had he lied
when he acted like he cared for her? He’d never told her he
loved her. Yet, his actions had shouted he did. Had he lied?
Again?
Laying Legion on the bed, she stared at him. He returned
the look, his wide eyes unblinking. Every time the baby acted
this way, she expected him to open his mouth and speak. He
never did, but the impression that he wanted to lingered.
“Well,” she glanced about the room, “it’s been fun while it
lasted. He’s right. I’ve harped on wanting to go home the
entire time I’ve been here. Now it’s happening. I should be
happy.”
She packed a few things, keepsakes from her time here.
The cards Luci gave her, a few clothes, and the sock toy Leo
put together for Legion to chew on. Touching the ugly sock,
with its red triangle tongue and its round black thread eyes
brought the sting of tears. He’d done each thread with love.
She’d miss him.
Taking a deep breath, she fought back the sorrow of
leaving a friend and tucked her treasures into a small cloth
bag. On top of all these, she placed the baby’s things.
Hanging the bag from its strap over her shoulder, she
lifted Legion and returned downstairs. When she came
through the doorway, the men stood. She stopped several
feet from them and said. “I’m ready.”
With a nod, Paladin turned to Ren. “Do you travel with
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us?”
“Of course. It is only fitting I bid my farewells to the One
Dragon King and his mother.”
Seren stiffened at the sarcastic tone of Ren’s answer. Her
gaze went from one man to the other. The slight tightness
bracketing Paladin’s mouth revealed the tension between the
friends. What had happened? She’d been so excited to see
Paladin, followed by numbness with his standoffish attitude;
she’d never noticed anything wrong with them.
Fear kept her from discovering the answer. She needed to
remain strong, so she stayed quiet.
Paladin walked to her in his lazy, easy stride. Her
memories of his smiles, his laughter, his touch, and his
> passion flared to life. Fighting the growing weakness at his
nearness, she looked over at Ren, hoping to divert her
thoughts from the man she loved.
“May I carry him?” Paladin asked.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm
her racing heartbeat. Smiling past the increasing heartache
within, she placed Legion in his arms. Those same arms
which held her, protected her, and carried her. In silence, she
fought against the growing fear of losing the one constant on
this planet—Paladin’s tenderness. He walked to the door,
and she followed him out the room.
* * * *
Flocks of dracs, rainbow streams, flew in tight bunches
on either side of the ship. They hawked, shrilled and danced
over the strong air currents. She held Legion to see them. He
batted his hand and kicked his legs in excitement.
Lior’s island drew closer. Sorrow rose in Seren,
remembering the mighty creature whose influence brought
her to Avaris. Lior made it possible for her son’s existence. In
her heart, Seren thanked the great white dragon.
The eroded sandstone cliffs along with the giant pillars
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grew larger with the ship’s approach. Most of the passengers
stood at the rail near her, gazing at the tiny land mass.
“Seems strange,” she murmured, positioning Legion so
he rested on her shoulder. She patted him on the back in a
gentle rhythm. Coos and tiny happy gurgles came from him
every few seconds.
“What?” Leo shifted from one foot to the other.
“Last time I came here, I was scared to death.” She
smiled, glancing at him. “This time, I’m still scared.”
He nodded in understanding. “I suppose I’d be the same
way.” He stood quiet for several moments. He cleared his
throat before he faced her. “You sure you want to go back?”
Surprised at his question, she hesitated. Was this what
had bothered her these last few days? She’d wandered the
deck both day and night, soaking in every second of her time
left on Avaris, wanting to engrave each part of this new world
in her heart so she’d never forget. She looked over Leo’s
shoulder to where Paladin stood at the helm. He, too, stared
at the island.
No emotion showed on his features. Ever since they’d
departed from Durfalin, he’d kept his own company. She
tried to decipher what he thought of her leaving, but he