Tamed by the Fire

by Maxine Mansfield

  Still, he watched her while waiting for the others to return with Maycee and Asla in tow. Wishing there was something, anything, he could do to prove to the woman he hopelessly loved with all of his heart that he truly was worthy of her trust. And the longer he observed her, the more he was sure of his suspicions. Oh, yes, Kitrina Dragonheart was definitely hiding something. Something big.

  The door banged open and a frowning Talon, Wally, Graydon, and Gareth walked through it. Zander was relieved the waiting was finally over, but since there was no Maycee or Asla accompanying them, he also dreaded what he was about to hear.

  Talon took a deep breath before looking him straight in the eye. “I’m afraid I’m destined to disappoint you yet again today, my friend. We searched every nook, cranny, room, and tower of this entire Academy. I’m sorry. Maycee and Asla are both gone, vanished, not even a gown or a hairpin or a shoe left behind to attest to their existence. It’s as if they’ve never been here.”

  Zander fumed. It wasn’t bad enough the two women had escaped and they would have no choice but hunt them down, but the room itself had grown cold with the spreading apprehension. And Kitrina’s face…it had gone from blank to startled and then resigned in the space of time it took no more than three grains of sand to sift through the hourglass. That sight alone scared him more than not knowing where the two missing women were or what they were plotting.

  And then there was Ten and Levin. With Talon’s proclamation, both men lost all semblance of color and looked white as death as they each stoically swiped a tear from their eyes before the offending droplet had a chance to dribble down their cheeks.

  Damn Asla, damn Maycee, and damn the Dragon Heart Opal for causing all of these problems in the first place. And God Draka help Maycee and Asla if he was ever lucky enough to get his hands around either one of their throats.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Asla dragged her feet once more, and Marquart snarled. “If yout don’t move yout ass faster than that, I swear I’ll cut yout pretty little neck where yout stand.”

  “I don’t care,” Asla responded. “I want to go back to The Academy, to Ten and Levin.” She sniffed loudly and broke out into yet another bout of tears. Her third such fit in at least the last ten minutes. It wasn’t to be tolerated.

  Marquart shook her head. “Yout don’t care, and yout want to go back to…to…to the barfling brothers?”

  Why her? Why was it always her who was forced to endure such idiots?

  Marquart put that thought away for a moment, not wanting to dwell on her past or her deeds. The sorry fact was, she did still need Asla’s cooperation in order to carry out two more very specific tasks, and until those tasks were fulfilled, she’d simply have to do a better job of coercing the stupid little chit.

  After all, this was a new day, and the wait was almost over. Marquart knew exactly what she needed to do and how she was going to go about procuring the Stone of Anthion. All she had to do was ensure the opportunity to put her plan into motion came to pass.

  And with the portal stone standing right before them and The Academy of Magical Arts at their backs, all she wanted from the blonde barbarian bimbo was a modicum of assistance to get the ball rolling.

  She cleared her throat and took a deep breath. She could do this, she could play nice…really she could. “Asla, be reasonable. In just a few days, this will all be over and yout will be free to go wherever yout wish. But right now, I need yout to convey a missive to yout father from me. It’s of the utmost importance.”

  The stupid chit had the audacity to shake her head. “No, I won’t do it, Maycee. I’m done helping you, and I don’t care what you threaten to do to me anymore. I…I don’t hate Kitrina like you do. As a matter of fact, I even kind of like her, and I don’t wish harm to befall her or anyone else. And…and…I refuse to betray Ten’s and Levin’s trust in me. They love me and I love them.”

  Marquart chuckled. So much for playing nice. But then, she’d never really liked nice anyway. It was so…tedious, boring even. “Perhaps yout don’t care about anything I can do to yout per say, but what about…what Daddy can do? Especially if yout leave me no choice but to inform him as to what a bad little girl yout’ve been.”

  She shook her head. “Tsk…tsk. Yout no longer hate, as he does, the very woman who, for all intents and purposes, ripped yout father’s hard-earned grasp of the barbarian throne right from his fingers? Falling in love with useless halfling mutants, two of them, really? At the same time? And worst of all, they are men without a practical title between them that yout father could use to his advantage? Now, won’t those accomplishments just make yout father so very proud?”

  Asla’s face turned a bright shade of red, and Marquart leaned in close and whispered, “I know what he’s done to yout when yout’ve proven to be a disappointment to him in the past. Yout do remember of what I speak, don’t yout? The deliciously vile things he’s achieved…in the dark, in his dungeon, late at night, behind locked doors and walls so thick no one ever hears yout screams?”

  Asla shuddered, all color draining from her face.

  Marquart cackled. “Oh, yes, I know everything. Of that, have no doubt. Not only have I got eyes and ears all over Albrath, my silly little barbarian, but I’ve also seen yout scars and I’ve even played with his…tools.”

  She laughed again as she handed Asla a rolled up parchment and pushed her toward the portal. “Now, take this message to Daddy and be quick about it. And if yout know what’s good for yout, yout better be with yout father when he and his men join me at Castle Kuropkat by this time tomorrow or else.”

  ****

  God Draka, she was sick to death of waiting.

  Kitrina paced the small confines of the room she shared with Zander and contemplated her next move. It had been four days, four very long days since Maycee and Asla had disappeared into thin air without a trace. And it had been three equally long days since a missive had been urgently sent to Castle Kuropkat, explaining her concerns and strongly suggesting her family join her here at The Academy for the annual Yulemass celebration instead of traveling home for the holidays herself as planned.

  There had been no word from any of them, however. Not that she’d expected to hear from Maycee and Asla so soon, though she had no doubt they were anything but done with her and she’d definitely be informed of their intentions in the future. But what really concerned her was the fact she’d not heard a single word from her father or her mother and not even through the psychological link with Obsidian, her dragon.

  She understood Sid was probably still a tad miffed at her for leaving him behind, but not to answer her mental summons? It wasn’t heard of. And her parents? Never had they neglected to ease her fears. Oh, yes, something was wrong, very wrong, and it was high time she found out just what it was.

  Making up her mind as to what she needed to do, Kitrina hurriedly dressed. She’d just donned her traveling tunic, breeks, and boots, when the door swung open and Zander walked in.

  “Going somewhere?”

  Kitrina chewed her bottom lip. She didn’t want to lie to him…again, but there was no way around it. She couldn’t afford to tell him the truth. If there really were something wrong at home, it would be much more dangerous to her family for an entire group of huge men to march through the portal of Castle Kuropkat and arrive on her father’s doorstep, than it would be for one itty bitty rogue to sneak through unnoticed and check the situation out first.

  “Ah, I see you’ve caught me,” she laughed. “I was just about to go out in the woods and search for some…herbs. I’m getting low on some of the supplies Mother swears I must keep stocked. We’d hate to be caught needing something I don’t have, now wouldn’t we?”

  She picked up the small medicine bag, slung it over her shoulder, and headed toward the door.

  Zander not only barred her way with his body, but he stopped her all together with a single shake of his head.

  She stomped her foot. “Why do you always have to
be so unreasonable?”

  “Why are you being untruthful with me about your destination, Kit? You may very well be the leader of this quest concerning the Dragon Heart Opal, but, you’re not in it alone, and it’s still my duty to protect you. Even from yourself. And especially if you are contemplating running off to Castle Kuropkat as we both know you are.”

  Heat wicked up her neck and filled her cheeks. “I am not co-co-contemplating anything,” she stuttered. “And how dare you call me a liar, Zander Hammerstrike? I-I-I do need fresh herbs. But what I don’t need is a protection detail from you or anybody else just to go for a quick hunt in the woods to find a bunch of leaves, seeds, and stems. Now, let me pass.”

  The infuriating man had the nerve to grin at her while shaking his head. “Not on your life, Kitten.”

  She was so mad she was seething. Kitten? She should really show him a kitten. It would serve him right if she shifted this very minute and darted between his legs and out the door. The only thing that kept her from doing just that was the sudden appearance of Talon right behind him.

  “Kitrina, Zander, I’m glad you’re both here. Leeky just called a meeting, and you’ll never guess what it’s about.” He grinned. “Asla’s back. Gareth caught her trying to sneak into The Academy, and he, umm, escorted her up to Wally’s classroom so we’d have privacy. She looks like she’s been through VoT and back, but I bet even Ten and Levin won’t feel sorry for the back-stabbing little barbarian after we get to the truth out of her.”

  They hurried along the hallways, and though it was difficult to keep pace with the two huge barbarians in front of her, to Kitrina’s mind, they were all traveling at no more than a snail’s pace. She felt each and every crack in the rough cobblestones beneath her slippered feet, and noticed every subtle color change in the gray stone walls she walked past. Why? Why had Asla suddenly returned, and more importantly, if Asla was here, then where was Maycee?

  She didn’t have long to ponder her questions, however, as Zander flung the door wide open and Leeky Shortz’s voice flooded the corridor.

  “What the pissed-out-of pecker on a pox-ridden dwarf dandy trying ta entice some poor unsuspecting high elf debutant inta a closet for a game of touchy-feely and honey-bunny-in-ya-cunny do ya mean we gotta wait for Kit ta get here before ya’ll talk?” He shook his fist at Asla. “Trust me, lass, ya’ll talk.”

  Kitrina stopped in her tracks, right inside the doorway. Though she knew the woman standing across the room surrounded by an entire group of angry men was most absurdly Asla, there was little resemblance left to the barbarian female she’d almost come to, if not exactly like, not completely despise anymore.

  This woman looked so defeated and alone in the world. Even Ten and Levin stood off to the side…waiting. Her lovely golden blonde hair hung in untidy short clumps about her head. Her once startling blue eyes appeared empty and dead. Her always pristine tunic was ragged and torn in various places. And what looked like deep scratches or, God Draka forbid, burns marked both her arms and legs. What on Albrath had happened to Asla Fistslammer in the last four days?

  Ten and Levin didn’t even glance at each other as in unison they both moved until they stood on each side of the barbarian female. Kitrina wasn’t sure why, but she was proud of them and grateful for their show of support to a woman who had most probably betrayed them all and wished her harm.

  “Sheesh, Uncle Leeky,” Ten implored. “Give her a break.” He pointed toward the door where Kitrina still stood. “See, Kit’s here now, and I’m sure Asla will explain everything.”

  Levin added his own plea. “Yea, Uncle Leeky. You’ll see. I bet Asla has a perfectly good reason for taking off like she did.”

  The woman they were talking about looked up and gulped. Was that guilt, shame, remorse, or a combination of all three Kitrina saw starring back at her from the depths of Asla’s eyes? She wasn’t sure. The woman’s gaze darted back and forth between Ten and Levin. She sighed, took two more deep breaths, and swallowed. As if finally coming to a decision, Asla once more locked gazes with Kitrina and her eyes hardened. She stood up straight, stiffening her spine, and spoke as if reciting from a script.”

  “Kitrina Dragonheart, you are to return to Castle Kuropkat this very day, and you are to go alone. If you refuse or fail in any way to follow these instructions, there will be dire consequences. Your family has been taken prisoner, and the dragons your people are so proud of protecting have been rendered useless to your plight. You now have exactly twelve turns of the hourglass to comply or else.”

  Kitrina gasped as pandemonium broke out in the room. She didn’t hear a word, though, as Zander gripped her arm, leaned down close, and whispered, “Don’t even think about it, my lady. You aren’t going anywhere without me.”

  She ignored him or at least tried to. No matter how much she struggled, there was no getting loose from the stubborn barbarian’s grip. She settled for putting Zander’s dictates out of her mind for the moment and decided since she had no choice but remain at his side, for the time being anyway, she might as well attempt to get answers to the questions running rampant through her mind.

  “Is my family unharmed?” she shouted over the roar of everyone else in the room. All talking suddenly ceased. Only the breathing of the occupants could be heard in the silence that followed.

  The hint of tears glistened in the eyes of the woman across the room, but she nodded her head. “I do believe your father was…beaten and your mother and sisters were, umm, threatened, but other than the fact they are…caged at the moment, they all seem well enough. Though, I do not know how long that will last. You must hurry.”

  Kitrina held her breath, wanting desperately to scream, to yell, to strike out at Asla and bury her dagger so deep within the barbarian traitor’s heart she’d never again have the opportunity to bring such news to another. She didn’t, though. She forced her mind to calm and continued her interrogation in a fashion that would’ve made her father proud if he could’ve been here to see it.

  “Since Maycee disappeared the same day and time as you did, I take it she is also involved in this scheme?

  Asla nodded. “She is the catalyst.”

  The barbarian female suddenly turned first to Ten then to Levin and sobbed. “I didn’t know she was Marquart the fourth troll commander at first. I swear I didn’t. I would have never helped her if I’d known. No matter what Father…” She hung her head.

  Asla’s father? How interesting. What did the Baron Fistslammer have to do with Marquart and the crazy troll’s obsession with the Dragon Heart Opal? There was more to that story than had yet been told, but now was not the time. There were far more pressing questions.

  “You said the dragons had been…subdued. H-how?”

  Asla’s eyes filled with terror. “It was horrible. The troll army destroyed many of their eggs, and with Uthiel Dragonheart in chains before them, the dragons didn’t even try to defend their nests.” She paused for a breath. “You see, Marquart had threatened to kill him if the dragons interfered.”

  Asla sniffed. “Your father was so brave, though. He ordered the dragons and the other paladins present to ignore Marquart’s threats and attack the troll army anyway. I think they were going to do just that, but then the trolls uncovered the golden egg.”

  Kitrina gasped. A golden egg? Really? It could only mean one thing. A new male dragon had been conceived and would soon hatch.

  Male dragons were rare, very rare. As a matter of fact, Obsidian was the only male dragon successfully hatched in over a hundred years. He was the undisputed future of the dragon race, and with the existence of a brand new golden dragon egg, it appeared he was well on his way to living up to that expectation.

  “They took the golden egg and placed it at the foot of that great big statue in your castle’s courtyard.” The words flowed quickly from Asla’s mouth now. It was as if once she’d gotten started, she could no longer stop. “My father’s barbarian solders are standing guard around it at all times. Marqu
art calls the egg her insurance policy that your father, the dragons, and even the other Paladins of Albrath will not interfere with her plans for you.”

  Asla took a deep breath and locked gazes directly with Kit. “Oh, and Kitrina? Avoid Castle Kuropkat’s dungeon at all costs, for the certain death of your family awaits you there.”

  Kitrina gasped and knew what she needed to do. There was no doubt in her mind now. She somehow had to get away from these men who had sworn to protect her with their very lives and make her way to Marquart…to the dungeon. Even though Asla had warned her, she knew offering herself up to the troll commander was the only chance she’d have to save her family. And though she was a female and therefore not a true Paladin of Albrath, she also had to find some way to save the precious new male dragon.

  Zander’s grip on her wrist tightened. “Don’t even think about it. We’ll find another way.”

  She took a deep breath. “You and I both know there is no other way. At least let me scout ahead and bring back word. Trust me, if I know Maycee, I mean Marquart, she’ll have a whole gaggle of troll warriors waiting for us right on the other side of the portal. I really am a very good rogue, Zander. Perhaps if I go first, I can sneak through their lines and find where they have my family. I must try.”

  He shook his head at her. “I can’t allow you to take that risk. You’re too important to us, too important to me. I pledged to protect you and protect you I will. Even from yourself if need be.”

  She gazed into the handsome face of the man who held her heart in his hands and sighed. So, it had finally come to this.

  Kitrina reached up and with her free hand stroked the stubble-covered cheek of the man she loved. She could do this. She was brave enough. She had to be. Her family and the dragons she’d sworn to protect needed her to be strong.