Loving Two Dragons (Awakening Cycle Part 4) (BBW Dragon Shifter Paranormal Romance)

by James D. Horton

  "Oh?"

  "My friend and ally has fallen victim to some dark magics. Those I've trusted to assist me in this matter have not been able to. I've been told that no Queen has greater control or ability when it comes to magic than you. I beseech you to aid me in freeing my friend."

  "Who is this 'friend' you speak of?"

  I hesitate a second before I blurt it out. "Remy."

  Her eyes widen forming small cracks in the paint around them but it's only a moment before her face is composed again, unreadable.

  "How could he, of all people, fall prey to dark magics?"

  "He was betrayed," I say. "His apprentice double crossed him, she was working with Marathe."

  Dao sips her tea. We sit in silence that seems to drag out for eons. I don't know if she's debating helping me or toying with me. I sip my own tea but my hand shakes as I raise it to my lips so I set it back down.

  "I am surprised by this request."

  I wait for more but she's silent. Her dark eyes stare at me, her painted face reveals nothing, so I wait. My nerves demand I move, twitch, do something but I push past that reaching for a place of calm and control. I am Queen of the Gold and I will present such to the world. As the moments pass I struggle until I reach a point of calm. As I do everything around me, the distractions of nerves and demands of my body fall away. I am here and I observe as a Queen should.

  I sit in silence now. Dao watches me but now I watch her as well. She smiles and nods.

  "You are the true Queen of the Gold. Untrained, unschooled, but your soul is the one."

  "Thank you."

  "I will assist you. Where is Remy now?"

  I rise and cross to the door. Dao follows me silently and I lead the way through the section of the Black compound that has been given over to me and my compatriots. When we reach a door guarded by two of the men who've pledged to me they stand to attention. I nod and one opens the door through which I lead her.

  Remy stands in the middle of the room, frozen as he has been since the night of Marathe's attack. Dao walks around him in a circle. She reaches her hands out motioning them through the air around him without touching. She does this as she continues to move in a circle and then the air around her hands begins to shimmer.

  I stand a distance off unable to assist and not wanting to be in the way. As she works it feels familiar but not personal. It reminds me of something I've seen and played with but never mastered. I don't believe magic has ever been my strong suit.

  Small bolts of silver electricity begin jumping from her hands as she continues the motion and the circling. The jolts turn blue as they leave her hand and expand around Remy's frozen form. She moves her hands up and down, the bolts increase in frequency and intensity.

  She circles back around and around. The bolts start to connect from one side to the next lasting longer as they do. Then something in the air seems to take shape and resist the bolts. Purple dragons formed entirely of electricity attack the bolts that she creates. Her bolts shimmer as they come into contact with the dragons. Small pops like tiny firecrackers exploding fills the air. A scent of brimstone drifts to me as the purple dragons start to collapse under her attack.

  Remy's eyes blink as they come to life. The dull look in them fades. Dao continues her circle and more of the purple dragons succumb. Then Remy's mouth starts to move.

  "Marathe!" he yells then collapses on the floor.

  Dao looks down at him and nods then walks over to me. "I have given you what aid I can for now. It is on you to use this power wisely. Return your King and find proof of what White is doing. Bring that to me then I will make sure my King is ready to ally with you."

  She curtsies and I bow to her.

  "Thank you."

  She smiles, claps her hand, and in a flash she's gone.

  Chapter four

  Logan

  I spit out a mouthful of blood before looking over at Archer. He's also down on his knees. I chuckle.

  "Had enough yet?"

  "In your dreams." Archer rolls to his back taking a moment to rest.

  "Huh, well if you got some left old man..." I trail off letting him fill in the rest.

  "Old? Huh. I'm what a decade or so older than you? Not really enough to be calling me old."

  I snort then lay down on the floor. My face is swelling, my knuckles are bleeding, and I lost at least part of a tooth. It felt good. The best I've felt since Jennifer returned. Muscles aching, bruising, these are things I understand. They make sense. Archer's always been the thinker, I just do what feels right at the time. Of course that may be what leads me into trouble now and then.

  "What are we doing?" I muse.

  Looking at Archer fills me with emotions I don't understand. There is no clear cut this is what feels good.

  "Kicking your ass," he says breathing heavily.

  "Huh. Yeah. Besides that what are we doing now?"

  "I don't know Logan. We've lost. I lost. I shouldn't have lost control."

  My chest tightens and it feels like my heart is being squeezed too tight. I can't draw in enough air. The pain in his words ring of despair, deep and dark without hope or light left.

  "Every man has a breaking point."

  "I should have done more. Somehow. Now look at us. In a month or less she'll be dead again. We're stuck here and they haven't rescued us yet. That means somehow Remy is out of the game. I'm only going on because I don't know what else to do. If White finishes their plan then it’s more than over."

  I push myself back to a sitting position. Stabbing pain in my side tells me I've got at least two broken ribs. It'll heal, faster than a regular man, but slower with the Mark of Binding that prevents us shifting.

  "Archer."

  "What Logan? What words of wisdom will you of all people impart to me?"

  He doesn't look at me. Doesn't rise up from the ground. There's more he's not saying.

  "We have to hope," I say.

  "Why? Hope for what? You know as well as I do how many times we've failed. I don't understand why..." his voice chokes off and he raises one arm up resting it over his eyes.

  I wait for him to speak again but he says nothing.

  "What is it Archer? Please, trust me, as I trust you. Say what's on your mind."

  "Why does she choose you?"

  Stabbing pain hits my chest driving into my heart. The question we both ask but never out loud. We never voice that, not to each other, not to anyone. Why us, why both of us? Why can't either of us live without her?

  "I don't know," I force the words out through my tight throat. "Why does she choose you? Why is neither of us enough on our own?"

  "Huh," Archer says pushing himself to a sitting position. "You broke my rib."

  "Yeah, me too."

  I stare at Archer and try to sort out the warring emotions overwhelming me. His beard has grown out since we've been exiled here. Full and strong, outlining his jaw, his deep set eyes look haunted. Looking at him something fills me up. Happiness slides through the heartache and the jealousy, sending a soft thrill through my body.

  "Logan. I can't do this anymore."

  "I know."

  I do. I can't either. I can't live without her but what I don't think I've ever realized or admitted to myself, I can't live without him. Ever since that night when we first fought together our souls and our fates have been bound together.

  I get to my feet and hold my hand out to Archer, helping him up. I grasp the back of his head leaning in until my forehead rests against his. His hand is on the back of my head. We lean in supporting each other as magic heals our wounds.

  "It's not just her Logan."

  "I know Archer. It's not."

  "You know?"

  "I do."

  He nods. "Good. This is good."

  I chuckle. "We should get moving."

  "Yeah."

  We step apart but the change is there. I feel it and I see it in him. There's something beyond the hopelessness. I see him daring to hope again
. It's good. It makes me happy.

  "That book something to save?" I ask.

  "I need Remy to look at it but maybe."

  I go back to the wall I'd left off exploring and resume running my hands over it. My hand pushes through a part of it finding an illusion I had hoped would be here somewhere. Inside I feel a stick of some kind so I pull on it. A soft rumble and a whoosh then another secret door opens. I look in and see a stairway leading down.

  "Look what I've found," I say.

  Swords drawn we progress down the stairs. It's not long before they end in another room, this one filled with books. A table sits in the middle with two chairs on opposite sides. A massive tome rests on that table with a stack of papers next to it. Archer looks at the papers and then over at me.

  "The prophecy," he says.

  "Which prophecy?"

  "And she shall bear a mark on her skin from birth," he reads from the paper in his hand. "Her skin will be as scales, touched by the dragon. She will mark the end and the beginning. In her rests the power to maintain the balance or to destroy it. She will dream with the Ancients and carry their words forth."

  A cold chill runs down my spine. "The female shifters."

  Archer nods. "This book is our proof. It's all here. There's more on that island, it says something about a teleporter. We need to get this to the Council."

  The door we entered slides shut as the room starts to rumble. The wall opposite behind Archer explodes. Splinters of wood and ice fly through the air tearing at my skin. Fresh pain blossoms in my side as a piece of wood stabs me. Archer leaps over the table flipping it with him as he rolls across the top, using it to shield himself as he works his way towards me.

  A grinding sound is followed by more shaking. Two massive iron men stomp into the room wielding swords that are as big as either of us. I look at Archer and shrug pulling my weapon.

  "Golems?"

  "Why not."

  We leap to the attack from different directions. The golem on my side parries my sword then punches. I dodge it, barely. A grunt followed by a cry of pain and Archer flies past me having failed to dodge.

  "Archer!"

  Chapter five

  Jennifer

  Remy breathes slow and easy. I sit watching him, hoping that soon he'll be awake. I need him. I don't honestly know what to do next. Who am I to lead a revolution? Here, alone in this room, I think about my doubts and fears. Outside this room I have to be the Queen. I cannot let my people see I'm afraid. They need my strength and I give it to them.

  There's a knock at the door.

  "Come in."

  "Lady," Cindy, one of the few women who were able to escape Marathe's rule, says coming into the room. "I'm sorry to bother you. The kitchen staff is worried about the food supplies. There's also a shortage of blankets. We've had a few more arrivals and our supplies are running low."

  "Of course, it's no bother. Prepare me a list of what we need. I will speak to our allies and see if they can make a delivery."

  "Thank you Lady," she says smiling.

  I can feel her relief. Whether that's because she feared I would be angry or relief I agreed to handle it I'm not sure. I haven't spoken to Nephetitia in days, since before Dao came and assisted with Remy. The small fortress that Black has granted us the use of was previously abandoned having no existing supplies. They bring us what they can but they're being watched and cannot be seen to openly support me. Remy coughs pulling my attention around as Cindy closes the door behind her. When I look he's sitting up in the bed.

  "How long?" he asks.

  "Almost six weeks."

  He nods. "Where's Archer?"

  "Missing."

  "Logan?"

  "With Archer."

  He swings his legs off the edge of the bed and starts to stand but then sinks back down. I go to his side and offer my support putting an arm around his shoulders. I expected him to ask about Sarissa. He rises again, wavers a moment, then steadies himself.

  "Where are we at?" he asks instead.

  "Black is hiding us right now."

  He nods. "Where are my things? I'll need to cast a scrying spell."

  "Are you sure you're ready for that?"

  He looks at me directly for the first time since waking. A passion burns in his eyes. I don't know how else to read him. His jaw tenses and he nods sharply.

  "I will be fine."

  "Okay, if you're sure."

  I lay the pack of his things on a table and he starts digging through them. He lays out a copper bowl, some powders, some crystals, and a small knife. Looking around the room he walks over to a pitcher of water and returns with it. Pouring it into the bowl he starts mixing the powders and arranges the crystals around in a ring. He holds his arm over the bowl and uses the small knife to cut his forearm. A small drop of his very dark blood falls into the water and purple fire erupts dancing around the surface.

  He leans over the bowl staring intently. He chants something softly getting close enough to the bowl that the flames dance around his head but apparently cause no harm. This goes on for several minutes while I sit by waiting. At last he waves a hand over the bowl, the fire goes out, and he looks at me.

  "I've found them. We need to get them out. Now. How many warriors do we have?"

  "Six, led by Lou."

  "Fetch them."

  I stare at him feeling offended by his brusque attitude and the entire situation. Frustration bubbles in my heart and soul. I'm not his errand girl. Then I realize my attitude is ridiculous. He's just gotten up from whatever magic was cast on him, was betrayed by his apprentice, and I'm relatively sure lover. I want to act all hurt because he isn't treating me with proper respect? Well boo hoo for me. I rush to the door yelling for Lou.

  It takes twenty minutes but in that time a fully armored expedition force is ready to deploy. I'm strapping on my own sword when Remy looks at me frowning.

  "What are you doing?"

  "I'm leading my men."

  Lou smiles behind Remy, pride shining in his face. Remy stares.

  "Your men?" he makes the statement a question.

  "Yes."

  I see something shift in his face and stance as much a feeling as any physical thing. He nods before speaking again.

  "My Queen, the King is in danger. It would be the wisest course if you were to remain behind in case this mission fails. It should be in and out but I would not risk your safety as well as his."

  I frown but he's right. No matter that my heart wants to rush into Archer and Logan's arms, my duty is here with my people who are left behind. If I am to be Queen I must accept my role and responsibility. I want to protest but I can't.

  "Of course. Thank you for your wise counsel."

  Remy nods then turns to Lou. "You have to move fast. They've awoken two golems. Do not worry about engaging the enemy, get our King and Logan and retreat. Physical force will be of little use against those monsters."

  Lou nods and motions over his shoulder with one hand. The men line up with him two abreast. Remy motions, chants, and opens a portal. The men rush through quickly. I can hear the sounds of battle on the far side and my heart aches. The desire to know what is happening is overwhelming. I hear a scream then another. One of the men flies backwards through the portal slamming into the far wall and sliding down it broken. I rush over to him. He's barely breathing and blood trickles down his chin. I lay him out in a more comfortable position before opening the door and calling for a healer.

  There is the clank of metal and two of the men rush back through the portal dragging someone between them. It takes only a moment for me to recognize Logan. His face is battered and bruised, with swelling on one side. He appears to be barely conscious. The men drag him through, look around quickly, then move over and lay him out beside the other. I kneel beside him and he looks up at me smiling.

  "What a beautiful sight you are," he says then coughs and blood flecks his lips.

  "Oh Logan!" I cry out my heart breaking.

/>   I hear more men returning behind me. As I turn two more are through but I don't see Archer or Lou. The portal flickers a moment then Archer, with his arm around Lou for support, steps through and Remy motions closing it.

  My heart sings at the sight of my husband. I rise up and rush over. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him with all the passion I have to give. Thankfulness and gratitude flood through me. I'm so happy to see him alive. He looks like hell, his beard is grown out, he's bruised and in pain, but he returns my kiss. I take the side opposite Lou and help Archer towards where the healers are working. As I do, I see Logan laying there on the floor and I see the pain in his eyes betraying the smile on his face.

  Chapter six

  Logan

  I can't stop the stab of jealousy in my chest as I watch Jennifer kiss Archer. She didn't kiss me when I came back, but he gets the full passion play. I'm being silly, I know I am. She can't be kissing me in front of all the members of the court and kingdom. But I want her to. I want to be the one.

  The healers work quickly. Their magic works with our bodies so what would take days to heal happens in minutes. The knitting bones will be healed in a few hours fully which is a relief. I don't want to admit how badly I'm hurting and not just from jealousy. Archer thoroughly kicked my ass before we had to fight the two iron golems, which are never a good idea to confront lacking magical backup. I really hate things that are impervious to my sword.

  "I'm so glad you're back," Jennifer says with her arms still wrapped around Archer's neck.

  He smiles. That winning, I'm too handsome for my own good, smile. I hate him. I love him. He's my best friend, a part of my soul, and the luckiest son of a bitch alive because he has her. After all these years I keep thinking it will get easier but it never does. When it happens, when she's gone, we become as close as any brothers could be. But when she returns to us the fighting starts again. We fracture over our desire for her. Our unwillingness or inability to be happy sharing her love.

  She loves us both. We both know it. Why can't we be happy with that? I shake my head standing up and stretching to test the limits of my ribs. I don't have that answer. Maybe if I did it would be different.