For the Love of Her Dragon

by Julia Mills

  His older brother looked him in the eyes and spoke with all the authority of a Head Elder, patriarch of their line, and older brother, “They are dead Roy, and no amount of penance on your part can ever change that. There is no way to bring them back. Let it go. Move on, and for all that is holy, stop torturing that little witch. She does not deserve it.”

  Royce pulled from his brother’s embrace and turned away. “It is just that easy for you isn’t it? To put it all away in a nice neat little box and move on?”

  There was silence from where he knew his brother still stood. When he dared look, Rian’s head was thrown back, eyes closed, and if he wasn’t mistaken, his older brother was praying. Royce stood in awe at the complete reverence he felt encompassing his brother. It was several moments before Rian’s head came forward and Royce could see a sense of peace. When his brother spoke, it was his brother, not the leader of a clan. “No, Royce, I don’t put it away in a box, I keep it here,” Rian’s fist struck his chest with a loud thump, right over his heart. “And I use it to remind me to enjoy every minute of every day, to take my joy where I find it. We’ve been given the opportunity to live very long lives, but not one second of it is guaranteed. It is our responsibility to use what we have been given, not squander it. I know mother and Rhianna are at peace because I believe prayers are answered.”

  His brother paused and Royce could see him carefully choosing his words.

  “Roy, you are wasting your life. Your mate is here. She is everything anyone could ever want and she was created for you, just as you were for her.” Royce felt his brow furrow, Rian knew something Royce didn’t, and he only prayed the jerk was going to share.

  “After our last conversation I thought about why the Universe, in Her infinite wisdom, chose a witch for your mate. Stefan and I even prayed with the Elders for an answer, and not until this moment did it all become clear. It is because you insist on letting the past cripple you instead of taking your lessons and moving on. Fate has forced your hand and you, dear brother, have fallen right into Her trap.” Rian paused. Royce could see the wheels turning and wished he would just get on with it, his patience was wearing thin.

  When the winds changed and the scent of patchouli and rose petals reached his senses, it was all he could do not to repeat his actions from earlier. Kyra’s scent was intoxicating, no matter her origins…her very being called to him. He felt like a drowning man with no desire of rescue. He searched the crowd of people moving about for just a glimpse of his mate and like magic, the object of all his angst was before him, walking towards her tent. Thankfully, she was alone. There was no way he could be responsible for his actions if even Devon had been near her at that moment. All he and Rian’s discussions of her and their situation had heightened his mating instincts and pushed his dragon to damned near distraction over the need to feel her in his arms again. Only one hundred and fifty-six years of training and determination kept him from going to her.

  The grin on Rian’s face said he had smelled Kyra’s scent also, and it may not have called to him as it did Royce, but it did confirm that Royce suffered and his brother really didn’t care. “What trap, brother? What the fuck are you talking about?” Royce snapped, unable to keep his ire in check.

  “Tsk, tsk, temper, temper, little brother.”

  “Temper, my ass, Rian. I’m tired of being screwed with. Now just tell me what you figured out and let’s be done with this miserable discussion. You’re accomplishing nothing but pissing me off.”

  “Wake the hell up, Roy. Do you really not know that when you grabbed your mate and spirited away with her, tasting of what you consider ‘forbidden fruit’, you sealed not only your fate, but hers? Are you really that stupid?”

  “Stop the damn riddles, Ri, just tell me,” Royce spit.

  “Fate has blessed you with Kyra and made sure she is half-human to abide by the wishes of the original Elders, but She also made her half-witch, to make you finally move on. To be whole and have the love you so richly deserve. To do that you will have to put your bullshit aside and grab onto your future with both hands and a clean heart and conscience or…you will be forced to live a lonely, loveless life. But you, little brother, have added your own little twist, you have now doomed Kyra to the same fate if you cannot love her for who she is, not what she is.”

  “Dammit, Rian, I swear I’m going to knock you on your ass if you don’t explain yourself without the damn riddles. How did I doom Kyra to anything?”

  “I would’ve thought in your hatred of witches you would’ve learned all there was to know about them, but I guess you have blindly hated for so long that even you missed something vital to your particular situation. The moment you took Kyra in your arms and ‘consummated’, so to speak, your relationship,” Rian winked and Royce wanted to punch the condescending smirk right off his face, but held back if only to find out what Rian had to say. “You made it impossible for Kyra to ever even find solace in another’s arms.”

  Royce stood dumbfounded, not really understanding but drawing his own conclusions, and not liking any of them. Unable to speak, he motioned for Rian to continue. What he heard would have driven a lesser man to his knees, as it was, he had trouble drawing breath. “What you failed to realize before your rash actions was that only a witch’s one true mate can bring her to completion. She can have other lovers but never climax. Still, a few witches I know find immense pleasure with others and refuse to even look for their mates, not that you care about those instances. What is important to you is that once an Earth witch has found her mate and he has brought her to her peak, there can never be another…in any way.”

  The world seemed to darken to a single point over Rian’s shoulder. How could this be? How could he be responsible for Kyra’s future in such a way? He knew what Fate had in store for him and had been slowly learning to accept that he would be loveless, that there would be no mate, no children, nothing like he had seen the others of his Force experience. Although he was not thrilled with the prospect, he couldn’t think of another way around it, but to know that someone else’s life was being irrevocably damaged because of his decisions was like a weight around his neck.

  He did the only thing he could think of…he struck out at Rian with all his might, hoping to knock the all knowing smile right from his lips, and with any luck break his nose in the process, the sound of breaking bone was just what he needed to help with his guilt and pain. But Rian knew him too well and was prepared. He moved to the right causing Royce to catch only air. The force of the swing knocked him off balance and before he could stop, he was lying flat on his back staring up at Rian and unfortunately, also Rory.

  “You really need to work on your delivery, big brother,” his younger brother scoffed as he extended his hand.

  Royce took Rory’s hand and stood, embarrassed by his action but still pissed about what he had just learned. “Thanks,” he offered and then grumbled, “What the hell are you doing here? This is not a family meeting.”

  “I wasn’t looking for your grumpy ass. I was actually looking for Ri. Seems your little witch needs to speak to him and was unable to locate him. She asked if I would tell him she was looking for him and that she would be with Rayne and the others, so here I am.” Rory was grinning the same shit-eating grin he had seen on Rian’s face entirely too much lately.

  Not willing to deal with anymore of their bullshit and feeling the undeniable need to lick his proverbial wounds, he turned and stomped farther into the forest, but not before he heard Rian in his mind, “Don’t cut connections, Roy. We’ll be preparing for Andrew and I’ll need to be able to get a hold of you.”

  “I have no intentions of cutting anything. You do what you need to do and I’ll do the same. Leave the connection open while you plan. I’ll add what I can. I’m headed to high ground to scout,” Royce replied. He hoped Rian was too focused on whatever Kyra had to tell him to realize that his only intention in asking him to keep the line open was to hear her voice. Yes, the looming batt
le mattered. Catching Andrew mattered, but he had to hear her voice. She was an obsession. One he knew he couldn’t have, but craved with all he was.

  “Will do. Let me know what you see and Roy…”

  “Yes?”

  “Get your head out of your ass before it’s too late.”

  He didn’t respond, just nodded as he made his way to the hidden trail he had found earlier during his stay at the base of the mountain. If only it was as easy as simply ‘pulling his head out of his ass’. Didn’t Rian, or any of them for that matter, think he would have already done it? He wanted love. He wanted to know what it felt like to have Kyra in his arms, his life, and his bed, every minute of every day until the end of time, but how could he lay over a hundred years of pain and bigotry to the side? When it was only his destiny in question, he had strengthened his resolve, made his decision, and was making peace with it, but now both of their fates rested squarely on his shoulders, and he had no clue how to save either one of them.

  The trip to the concealed lookout point where he had spent countless hours since returning to his homeland was spent listening to all that Kyra had gleaned from scrying and several other Location spells. He damned near jumped off the mountain and flew back to camp when it was decided that she, Devon, and Aidan would head out to make sure the black magic perimeter she had gone through on the hike to the lair was not closing in around them. Only Rian’s voice warning him that he needed to stay put kept him in place. Luckily, Rory decided to tag along and opened their unique link, allowing him to listen in as they hiked.

  The second the evil magic touched his mate, not only did he hear the concern in his brethren’s voice at her discomfort, but he could feel its inky darkness trying to invade her soul. He was nauseous and knew it came from Kyra through their strengthening bond. His heart ached at the discomfort he knew she felt and he wondered if maybe there was a way for them to make a life together, but his musings about the future were cut short when a familiar voice sounded through Rory’s open link. “Well, what do we have here, fucking Dragon Guardsmen and their pet witch? Tell me boys, is today a good day to die?”

  Royce moved faster than he’d ever thought possible as he yelled to Rian, “Andrew’s there! He’s with them! That little fucker just threatened her life!”

  He could hear Rian and Rayne shouting orders and knew there was help on the way but he was not leaving Kyra’s safety to anyone else. It was his responsibility. The farther he traveled, the more intently he listened to the ranting of the lunatic they had once called friend and brethren. “So Kyra, I see you have chosen the losing side.”

  “Win or lose, at least they tell the truth, Andrew,” Kyra responded. He was amazed he heard no fear in her voice, only anger and the residual effects of the black magic.

  “When did I ever lie to you, my sweet?” Andrew responded.

  “You told me they were after you and that you only needed to hide from them. You never mentioned that you were going to take my pure, white, Earth magic and destroy it with your piece of shit black magic. You never mentioned that you were out to hurt, even kill, innocent women and children. You’re a dick and a liar…a fucking liar.” By the time she finished, she was screaming and Royce could feel her fury.

  “She really is sexy when she’s pissed off isn’t she? The flush on her cheeks just brings out her beauty.” He had no clue who the traitor was talking to, but he wanted to rip his head from his neck. Just the fact that the little bastard was daring to talk to Kyra made he and his dragon roar in anger.

  It was Aidan that responded, his voice vibrating with animosity and outrage, “Andrew stop this shit! You’ve done enough. It’s me you’re pissed at, me you want to hurt, so let’s settle this between us. Leave everyone else out of it.” It was amazing how calm his brethren sounded considering that stupid little asshole had tried to kill Grace, Aidan’s mate.

  Royce arrived on the scene just in time to hear Andrew laugh, “But Brother, you’re not the only one that left me to die. How would it be fair for you to pay for everyone’s sins?”

  Andrew continued, obviously enjoying the sound of his own voice, “I wonder if the Blue Thunder Guardsmen know what you did. Do they know that the mighty MacLendon Force is actually made of cowards? That they are willing to leave a member behind to be tortured because they are too scared to mount a rescue? Oh, well, since it is obvious you are allies, they’ll find out soon enough. You will betray them just as you betrayed me.”

  Just behind Andrew, Royce could see Rayne, Rian, and the others surrounding the traitor. He caught his Commander’s eye with a questioning look. Rayne answered through their link, “He has himself protected with some kind of spell or something. It seems to be specific to dragon shifters. We can’t get in. I think he closed it when the others reached a certain point. My best guess is he is trying to grab Kyra.”

  Royce immediately saw red, “There is no way in hell that son of a bitch is touching a hair on her head.”

  “Glad to have you back, Brother. No, let’s get her out of there and catch that little shit.”

  Aidan was still trying to reason with whatever was left of the younger brother he loved while Royce was trying to find a way through the shield Andrew had constructed. As he crept around the perimeter, he noticed footsteps heading off in the other direction. It looked to be about fifteen or twenty men and some were dragging something very heavy if the indentations in the ground were any indication. As he worked his way around he listened to the conversation taking place to his right, but tuned into the forest. He found a small break in the shield at the same time he heard a voice off in the distance. “Make sure the amulets are exactly where the map indicates. We don’t want those big guys to break free.”

  It all clicked into place and he yelled through mind speak to Rayne and Aidan, “It’s a trap! That little shit is keeping us busy while the others with him set a trap.”

  He saw Aidan shift Kyra even farther behind him and was both irritated and proud that she fought to stay in the forefront. Aidan told Rory and Devon what Royce had figured out and together they slowly pushed Kyra farther and farther from the traitor. Andrew continued his posturing, so caught up that he didn’t notice their slight movements.

  Rory had taken up the rear position. As soon as he reached the boundary, he slid his foot through. Everyone listening breathed a sigh of relief that at least they could get out. It sounded like Andrew’s monologue was coming to an end, so Royce urged the Guardsmen with Kyra to simply grab her ass and haul her out of there. Rory reached for her just when Andrew spoke up, “I’m sure by now you cowards have called reinforcements and I’m surrounded. How thrilling! I am absolutely quaking in my boots. I knew when I saw you were all here that it wasn’t a family reunion, but I decided to stop by and say hi anyway.”

  He turned to leave and then swung right back around. “Oh, I almost forgot…Kyra, have you ever heard the Prophecy about the Earth witch destined to mate dragon shifter royalty?”

  Andrew stared right at Kyra and Royce felt the hair stand up on the back of his neck. “Well, after the little show I watched of you and Royce on the ridge, I guess you have found your mate. Does he know you are destined for bigger and better things, or that the very witch that killed his mother came from your coven? Might make for some interesting pillow talk, ya think? Catch ya later, little witch.”

  Royce was stunned, unable to think, let alone move. Everything was happening around him and he just stood there like a stump. Andrew disappeared into thin air. Rory had Kyra thrown over his shoulder and was speeding to safety while she screamed obscenities he had never imagined. Rayne was ordering every available man to find the traitor and follow the tracks Royce had found in the forest to gather up the followers.

  Rian yelled along their unique connection for him to get his ass back to camp, but all he could do was focus on the last thing the traitor had said. Could it be true? Did she know? What the hell was he going to do now?

  CHAPTER THREE

  And
rew looked on from his hiding place high over the Dragon Guard’s encampment. Things had not gone according to Plan A, but that was the beauty of having a Plan B and C, along with his returning dragon senses. The moment he sensed the Dragon Guard’s proximity to his own, he had revised his plan. His partners were not thrilled, but after using his considerable charm, Mr. A and Master Eaton had relented and headed back home, leaving all the underlings with him to delay the dragons with a wild goose chase.

  He did feel bad that his dark magic bothered Kyra as much as it did, even though she was with his sworn enemies, he still admired her. They could have been great partners if not for her destiny. When he had read the part of the Prophecy pertaining to the witch and the dragon, he had immediately known it was her. It was an added bonus that the Grand Priestess, who he now knew was her mother, had kept personal notes stashed in the volume. It truly helped put the pieces together. The look he had seen on her face when he mentioned Ilsa had been priceless, and he was sure Royce was waiting in the sidelines somewhere, but Andrew could not figure out why he left Rory and the others to protect her. Surely, he would not trust his beloved mate to any but himself.

  He thought back to the scene he had witnessed on the ridge. The lovers definitely looked to be hitting it off until Royce was called away. The longer he replayed the memory, the more Andrew realized his original assumption had been incorrect. Royce’s speedy departure, the look of devastation on Kyra’s face, and the way her shoulders had fallen forward as if in defeat spelled out something totally different than his first thought. Royce had not been called away; he had simply left his mate without a backward glance. That explained why Devon had shown up. Royce had called his longtime friend to get her safely back to the others. What an interesting development, he pondered. The wedge he was hoping to drive between them was already firmly in place, it was up to him to make sure it was permanent.