Daughter Of The Dragon Princess

by Nina Croft

  Then something had happened. Something strange. Even now, she didn’t understand, but it had left her renewed, with a small spark of optimism burning somewhere deep inside, fizzing up within her, overriding her pain and her fear for Mal.

  He pulled himself back. She clung for a moment and then allowed him to draw away.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  She nodded. He dropped to his knees in front of her, smoothed up her shirt, and kissed her skin where Vortigen’s fist had punched into her. Her head fell back and she just enjoyed the feel of his mouth. Then she sank to her knees beside him and kissed his lips. He sat, long legs stretched out, and pulled her into his lap, kissing her hair, then her cheek, then her mouth again.

  “I’m sorry,” he murmured against her lips.

  “You’ve nothing to be sorry for,” she whispered.

  He frowned. “You seem brighter than I thought you’d be. Do you understand our situation?”

  “Yeah, basically, we’re fucked. What did he say to you?”

  Mal outlined the options and her little gleam of hope drowned in a wave of despair.

  “Perhaps you should do as he asks,” she said. “You would at least get to go home. It’s what you’ve always wanted, and I think I could bear anything if you were safe.”

  “Vortigen wouldn’t keep his word. Once back on Ankesh, I’m sure he would arrange for me to meet an unpleasant end, and then he could do as he likes with you. For some reason just now, he feels he needs my cooperation. Maybe the others aren’t as behind him as he pretends.”

  “Could that help us?”

  “No. They want to go home too much to question the way things are. Maybe when they’re back on Ankesh, but if by then he has you in his power they won’t risk closing the portal again even if they are on the right side.” He stroked her cheek, looping her hair behind her ear. “No, I can’t accept his terms but I had to speak with you first. After all, I’ll meet death soon. You’ll have to endure an eternity of torment.”

  “Great,” she muttered. “Try and make me feel better, why don’t you?”

  “I’m searching my heart for a solution, but nothing comes to mind but the inconceivable.”

  A flicker of hope ran through her. Inconceivable didn’t mean impossible. She was willing to try anything at this point. “What’s that?”

  “I won’t speak of it. I won’t think of it until all hope is dead. Now, my time is almost up. I’m glad you’re in such good spirits, but why?”

  She thought for a moment, did she want to share this with Mal? Would he think she was a crazy woman? What was new? Then she shrugged. “Mal, after they threw me in here, I had this sort of thing.”

  “Thing?”

  “Well, it was like a dream, except I was awake.” She frowned. “This woman came to me, and I knew her, I’d met her before, in my dreams. Does this sound crazy?”

  Mal smiled. “No, go on.”

  “Well, she didn’t say much, just that I was her daughter. She told me everything would be all right, that I shouldn’t worry, then she was gone, and all of a sudden, poof, I wasn’t worried anymore. Well, right up until your eternal torment comment, that is. So what do you think?”

  Mal was staring at her in wonder. “I think you’ve been visited by the Goddess.”

  The flicker of hope burst into flame. “So is it all going to be all right then?”

  “I wish I could say yes, but it’s difficult to know the ways of the Goddess, or to understand her. Maybe she has heard our prayers. On the other hand, her idea of everything being all right might not coincide with ours. Maybe she believes your rightful place is with Vortigen. I don’t know. We’ll only find out with the passing of time.”

  “Well, I refuse to give up hope.”

  “Good. Now I hear the guards coming back, I have to go.”

  Lily clung to him; she didn’t want to let him go. And she needed to tell him something. She was aware, as she had never been before, that this might be the last time he held her in his arms. The last time he kissed her.

  “I love you,” she whispered against his lips.

  A slow smile spread across his face. “And I love you.” He stood up with her still in his arms and lowered her to the floor just as the guards opened the door. Lily forced her hands to drop from his shoulders. She took a step back and watched as he turned and walked away, the cell door locking behind him.

  ***

  The guards took him back to the red room.

  “So have you persuaded her to be sensible?” Vortigen asked.

  Mal stood looking down at him. Then he thought—what the hell? He might never get another opportunity, and he’d wanted to wipe that smug smile of Vortigen’s face so many times over the past two thousand years. He lunged with inhuman speed. The smile slipped, and then he was at Vortigen’s throat. He pulled him from his seat and smashed him across the table, raised his fist and crashed it into Vortigen’s nose, reveling in the harsh metallic scent of blood that filled the air. He stared down into the king’s face—the smirk was gone now—and then Mal punched him in the stomach with all his strength. The air left Vortigen’s lungs with a whoosh and Mal grinned in savage satisfaction.

  “That was for hitting Lily,” he snarled.

  He stepped back, letting his contempt for the other man show. “You sneer at the Dragon Princesses, but the truth is without them you would have been dead long ago. You’re a weak king. Someone would have challenged and beaten you were it not for Cara. You owed your continued survival to her and now you seek the same protection from her daughter. As mate to the last Dragon Princess, you think you’ll be beyond reproach, but as you pointed out, things change. You may think you’re in control here, but events don’t always play out as you expect. Do your worst.”

  Vortigen raised himself painfully to his feet. He wiped his hand across his broken nose and stared at the blood, then turned to Mal. “Your little whore will pay for that.”

  Mal took a step forward and smiled as Vortigen retreated before him. “You’ve already threatened the worst you can think of. Besides, you won’t touch her until the others are safely in Ankesh.”

  “And that will be tomorrow night. Then we’ll see how sweetly she comes to me while she watches her lover tortured.”

  “Tomorrow night is a long time off. A lot can happen in a day.”

  “I’m afraid not for you. I’ve arranged for you to sleep the time away. Save you from getting any ideas. Guards!”

  The door opened and the four guards entered. Two took hold of his arms. The King came to stand in front of him. As he drew close, Mal tensed himself for what he knew was coming. Vortigen kneed him viciously in the groin. Pain surged through him, but he stood up straight a slight smile on his face as Vortigen kneed him a second time. He tensed himself to break free, but even as the thought came, a needle pricked his neck. His legs gave way, leaving him hanging from the grip on his arms, and then blackness.

  ***

  Lily raised her head at the sound of footsteps.

  Her heart lifted. Maybe it was Mal returning. The door opened, and two men came in holding Mal’s unconscious form between them. Lily gasped. They dropped him to the floor and she fell to her knees besides him, touched his face. He was warm, alive.

  She glanced up as Vortigen entered the cell. “What have you done to him?”

  “Nothing permanent. Just given him something to keep him out of trouble, but I thought it might be useful to have him present at our little chat. It’s just a pity that he’s going to miss this.” He drew back his foot and kicked Mal brutally in the ribs. Lily bit back the gasp of protest. It would do no good. She forced her face into blankness.

  “Not going to plead for your lover?” Vortigen snarled as he kicked out at Mal again.

  “What do you want?”

  “What do I want? A good question. I want you naked beneath me.”

  She was liking him less and less by the minute. “Never going to happen.”

  “Oh, it wi
ll.” He kicked Mal again. “This is nothing to what I will do. Maybe I’ll geld him first. Would you like that? Or would you do anything to prevent it?”

  Lily swallowed. The truth was that she would. She’d crawl to this man rather than have him harm Mal. But for now, she had to stay strong. Mal had told her Vortigen would do nothing drastic until the others had returned to Ankesh. She had to cling on to her little glimmer of hope until then.

  He smiled. Definitely not an improvement. “But Lily, it needn’t be like that. I’m not a monster, just a king trying to do what’s right for my people. I’m giving you the chance to help me save them. All my people, including Malachite.”

  Lily watched him warily. She preferred him when he was being openly sadistic. At least she knew where she stood. She didn’t trust him, didn’t believe he would let Mal live whatever she promised, but maybe it would be better to let him believe she might give in. At least it would stop him hurting Mal any further.

  “What do you have in mind?” she asked.

  “I’m giving you the chance to save him. Come to me, renounce Malachite before the others, and take me as your mate. I’ll spare his life and allow him to return home. You’ll be consort to a king. We’ll be good together, and after all, are Malachite and I such different men?”

  He was out of his egotistical little mind. She bit back her words of disbelief and nodded. “You promise you’ll let Mal go home?”

  “Of course.”

  She chewed on her lip as if considering his offer. “I don’t know. I have to think about all this.”

  “Why do I get the feeling you’re lying to me? Never mind. We’ll have this conversation again under different circumstances, and I’m sure your answer will change. By then it won’t matter. Once the others are in Ankesh, I can do as I please here on Earth. Now, I’m going to let you join your lover. Guard.”

  One of the guards stepped forward, a needle in his hand. Lily didn’t try to evade it. It was impossible to fight them, and she couldn’t stop the needle entering her arm. She had a moment before the darkness overcame her and she managed to lay her head on Mal’s chest as she was dragged under.

  She came awake in stages. Unable to move, a wave of panic washed over her. It took her a moment to realize her hands were cuffed painfully behind her, pulling at her shoulders. Someone had also taken her clothes, and she shivered, the stone floor icy cold against her bare skin. Mal lay on his side across the room from her, his hands also tied behind his back, his eyes closed. She stared at him until she made out the steady rise and fall of his chest then she struggled to her feet, crossed the room, and sank down on her knees besides him.

  “Mal?”

  No response. She needed to touch him, to stroke his face but couldn’t with her hands tied behind her. Leaning over him, she kissed his lips. His mouth opened under hers and he kissed her back, his tongue slipping between her lips, exploring her mouth. When she straightened, his eyes were open, running over her naked body.

  “How come you get to keep your clothes?” she asked.

  He ignored the question. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded. “I’m just really pissed off with the taking my clothes off thing.”

  “Have they hurt you, touched you?”

  “I don’t think so. I was drugged the whole time, but I think I’d know if Vortigen had had his slimy paws anywhere near me.”

  “Good.” He sat up, wincing a little.

  “How are your ribs?” Lily asked.

  He frowned.

  “Vortigen kicked you a couple of times,” she said.

  “That explains it. But they’re fine, almost healed.”

  Lily sat back on her heels. “What are we going to do, Mal?”

  “You’re going to open the portal.”

  “Then what?”

  “We’ll see.”

  Despair welled up within her. There was no way out of this. She was going to lose him forever. “Maybe I should give in to Vortigen. He told me he would let you go home. At least if you’re alive there’s hope.”

  “He’ll never let me go free now. Besides, I’ll die before I see him touch you.” He glanced up at the door. “They’re coming.” He leaned over and kissed her hard only drawing away as the door opened behind them.

  “Good, you’re both awake,” Vortigen said.

  Lily turned to see his gaze wandering over her naked body and her skin crawled. Two men followed him into the room. The King nodded toward Mal and they went to him and pulled him to his feet, holding him between them. Lily scrambled up and faced Vortigen. He came across and stood before her, his hand coming out to cup her breast. Mal growled behind her, but he just smiled and pinched her nipple viciously. She bit back her cry of pain.

  “Just a little taste of what’s to come,” he murmured, then released her and stepped back. “So are we ready?”

  “I need the bathroom,” Lily said.

  He shrugged. “On the way out. Turn around.”

  She frowned and didn’t move.

  “I just intend to un-cuff you,” he said. “But if you want to remain like that, I must say it does do amazing things for your breasts.”

  Lily turned. He unlocked the cuffs and then she was free.

  Chapter 18

  It was late and already dark, the roads empty, as they sped through the night. Vortigen had refused to return her clothes, but they had given her a blanket to wrap around herself. She sat huddled in the corner of the back seat, keeping as much distance between them as possible in the enclosed space.

  Vortigen ignored her. She could sense his barely suppressed excitement, an excitement shared by everyone she’d encountered. Some part of her could understand that. They were going home after two thousand years of exile, and the night pulsated with expectancy.

  The excitement eluded her. All she could feel was a deep dark dread, eroding the last of her hope. Her mind flinched away from what would happen once the portal was open and the dragons returned to their homeland. Vortigen would lose all restraint. Her breasts ached where his vicious fingers had pinched them, and that would be nothing compared to what he would do. While she had been with Mal, she’d been able to keep her hope alive, but separated from him it drained away. She turned her head around. Through the back window of the car, she could make out the vehicle he was in, but she couldn’t see him. She reached out with her mind, but couldn’t connect.

  The cars pulled to a halt, and even in the dark, she recognized the place. They were at the base of the hill below the standing stones of Taryn Carnack.

  “Get out,” Vortigen said.

  The night was warm, but a shiver ran through her as her bare feet touched the grass. She peered over her shoulder as Mal got out of the car behind. His hands were still tied behind his back, and a guard stood at each side. He caught her gaze, and something fierce woke behind his eyes. She stared, taking him in, filling her mind with his image to give her strength.

  A hand touched her arm, and broke the contact between them. She gave Mal one last look, and then allowed them to push her toward the steep path that led to the standing stones. The grass was soft against her bare feet, but once on the track she winced as the gravel cut into her skin. She stubbed her toe and swore under her breath. The man in front of her glanced behind, and then murmured to Vortigen. He stopped and turned to her—it was one of the guards who had held her the night before. “Princess,” he said. “I will carry you.”

  She had no time to object, just a moment to clutch her blanket around herself, and then he lifted her into his arms. After that, the journey passed swiftly. He carried her with ease, and after a couple of minutes, she relaxed against him.

  The moon rose as they climbed, bathing their procession in silver light. No one spoke, but she could sense the excitement building with each step. Then they were there. The stones loomed vast and dark in front of them. The guard lowered Lily to her feet.

  Nausea churned in her belly, and she wrapped her arms tight around herself to stop the s
hivers that wracked her body. But standing before Taryn Carnack, she became aware that beneath her fear, another emotion struggled to break free. A sense of rightness, as though her whole life had been leading here. She knew that if she had been standing with Mal beside her, this would have been a moment of sublime triumph. This was why she had been born. She could feel the mark at her arm take on a life of its own as she walked between the tall guardian stones and into the inner circle.

  A gentle hum filled the night air. The sound rose as she approached the arch, until it buzzed like a swarm of hungry bluebottles, and she could feel the power mounting within her. The dragons followed her into the circle, took their places around her, and through the arch the first fires of Ankesh burst into life. She reached out a hand, and the flames leapt higher.

  Vortigen came to stand beside her. She turned away, searching until she found Mal standing at the outer rim, chained to one of the great guardian stones. Two of Vortigen’s sons stood guard, guns trained on him. She cast him a quick smile, but then the archway commanded her attention. Vortigen took her hand.

  No freaking way.

  She jerked free and stepped forward alone to the altar. Dropping the blanket, she stood naked before them, and gasps erupted all around her. The buzz was now a roar and within that roar, she could hear the crackle of flames. The scent of smoke filled her nostrils as the gate opened, and the fires of Ankesh were before them.

  A wild longing washed through her. Home.

  The thought brought her to her senses. How could Ankesh be her home, when she’d never been there? Still, the compulsion wouldn’t leave her and she had to force her feet to stand still. Stretching out her hand toward the gateway, the heat and fire of Ankesh warmed her fingertips. Vortigen made some gesture beside her and the dragons came forward. The first stood before her. He smiled, nodded his thanks, and stepped through the archway. The flames roared red and orange, and Lily saw a huge shape take form, dark against the conflagration. Then it was gone.

  One by one, the dragons entered the archway. Through the flames, she saw figures swooping and flying, dancing in the air beyond, and the longing rose like a wrenching pain.