Dragon Wish

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