Heir of Dragmoore- The Veiled Haven

by Jennifer Ann Schlag

  Gavin looks over at the Wilderness, wondering. Hoping. Can the child be right? Has she come back to him?

  Desmond has brought his party to a river with roaring rapids. It’s a breathtaking view. Wildlife peeks out from their safety zones to inspect the newcomers. It’s a land that is rarely touched by people. The mystery and the dangers that exist inside the Wilderness have kept it mostly untouched. Those who have gone into the Wilderness come out changed or they are never seen again.

  “Now, you each take one of these and we will be down the river in no time.” He points to where large, round, flat pieces of leather sit near a huddle of rocks.

  Upon closer inspection, Talen recognizes them for what they are. “Flat-top tortoises?”

  “Their shells make excellent rafts. Very sturdy. There are always old shells left behind.”

  “They feel heavy but they’re actually quite light.” Logan tosses one up into the air and it flutters down.

  Desmond grabs one of the shells.

  “Why do they feel like leather but clearly they are not?” Remy asks.

  “I have no clue. Their skin is used in leatherworking. Just ask our leatherworkers in Dragmoore.”

  Logan tries out his on land to see if he fits properly.

  Talen finds one that is big enough for her and Kip. “Think of this as a fun adventure.”

  Talen, promise me that you won’t leave me.

  “I won’t. You know that.”

  They put their tortoise shells into the river and jump on. The strong current takes them right away.

  Kip hides his head at first but Talen brings his head up. They pass tons of Wilderness animals of all shapes and sizes and colors. Talen is eager to see if she can spot other sacred beasts. Her knowledge on them is limited. She probably won’t even recognize one. She feels ashamed for wanting to be a Master and not knowing what every single animal looks like.

  Remy tries to maneuver to the best of his ability so he doesn’t hit any rocks.

  Desmond is controlling his shell perfectly.

  Logan makes conquering shouts as he zooms past rocks and animals. Like he has become the master of the river.

  Remy smacks into a rock and gets turned around.

  “Remy, you have to watch out,” Talen says.

  “I know that.”

  Remy hits a few smaller rocks along the way, bumping him up and down. As he approaches a larger rock, Kip leaps off the shell he shares with Talen. Remy hits the rock, goes flying into the air. Kip lands on him, pushing him over to the land. Remy’s shell continues going down the river, smacking into more rocks and eventually heading over a waterfall.

  Desmond and Logan jump off their shells and land on the shore near Remy. Talen yanks her shell to the left and is able to bring herself right up onto the ground.

  “That was fun,” Logan says. “There she goes, to save her prince,” Logan says.

  “You think she is?”

  Talen finds Remy lying on the ground. Thinking he is hurt, she bends down to inspect him. He grabs her and she screams.

  “Don’t frighten me like that.”

  Kip runs over with feathers coming out of his mouth.

  “After this, no more adventures,” Remy says.

  “Agreed.”

  Felp looks at the sign post with Dragmoore on it. “You think you will be welcomed back with open arms?”

  “If you touch Gavin, I will bind your heart to one of my sister’s cursed heartfruits.”

  “Mrs. Dragniss, you are quiet disagreeable.”

  “You may have given me life again, but you will not rule over me.”

  “Of course I will. Or I’ll put you back into tiny pieces.”

  Felp signals to a group of Grecians to follow him. Kylie Dragniss brings up the rear. She definitely doesn’t look like a woman who had endured being torn to pieces by a Wilderness animal. Her beauty is in perfect condition. On the inside she is torn up worse than the first time. She has to play along in a madman’s game. All for the sake of ensuring her daughter helps bring the true heir of Dragmoore back alive so that they may destroy a darkness that never should have awoken.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Desmond sets up camp.

  “I want to take first watch,” Talen says.

  “Your dragon will be safe with me. I don’t mind staying awake. Besides, we aren’t staying here long. Just need a few hours of rest and we will be at the dark path by sunset.”

  “Desmond, let me do this.”

  “Go and lay with your husband.”

  Talen stomps her feet as she goes into the tent where Remy is lying down.

  Logan sits down next to Desmond. “You get sleep too.”

  “I am fine.”

  Talen grabs the blanket off Remy and lies down. She pulls it over her.

  “Is it okay for me to have some of the blanket?”

  She shifts and leaves some for him.

  “Maybe you can sleep closer and it won’t be so difficult to share.”

  She turns over and pushes him on his back. She lays her head against his chest. His heartbeat is getting faster. “You nervous?”

  “About what? Almost dying today? I doubt it’ll be the last time.”

  “About me being this close to you?”

  He puts an arm over her and rubs her back. “No.”

  She picks her head up. “You sure?”

  He tries to read her eyes. What is she asking of him? He bends his head a little forward and kisses her. She presses her hands down on his chest and gets on top of him. Starts kissing him along his jawline. “Nervous now?”

  He puts his arms around her waist, then lets them fall on her hips. The flap to the tent slaps against the sides. “Sleep in the other tent. Please.”

  “You are nervous.”

  “No. Just want you to sleep somewhere else.”

  She gets up and goes right into the other tent.

  Remy peeks his head out. “She is a tease.”

  “They all are,” Logan says. “Lovers’ quarrel?”

  “They aren’t lovers. Watch Kip and the fire. I’m going to talk to her.”

  Kip opens one eye and stares at Logan.

  Desmond finds Talen crying into a blanket. He sits down next to her. “Did he hurt you?”

  “He doesn’t want me. I tried to get him interested, and he was for a moment, but he changed his mind.”

  “Some men have a problem being intimate with other men around. Remy is a virgin. He probably doesn’t want to appear unworthy of your affection. He probably thinks he won’t last long enough to please you.”

  She brings him into her arms. “I’m glad you are my friend, Desmond. I don’t have anyone that I can trust out here. Kip is just a dragon. He can’t understand human emotions.”

  Kip heard that. It shatters his heart.

  Desmond caresses her head. As much as he wants to try something, he has to restrain himself.

  She lies back and brings Desmond with her. “Don’t leave me. I don’t care what Remy says. Please stay with me.”

  “I’ll stay with you. Always. Forever.”

  “I should have married you.”

  That’s all he had to hear. He lifts her face to him. He trembles as he presses his lips against hers. She is kissing him back. He wraps his arms around her, brings her close to his body. They come up for a breather and she looks at him strangely.

  “What is it?”

  “Your eyes. They are back to normal.”

  “If that’s true, it’s because of you.”

  The image from the washroom comes back. He almost believes this is another vision, just a dream. If that’s true, he is going to enjoy this dream. He brings her in for another kiss.

  She stops them.

  “What?”

  “You have seen the world a great deal. Maybe not as much as Logan.”

  She lies down away from him.

  “I haven’t been with as many women as you may think. But the ones that I did sleep with, it was
because sometimes when I thought of you, my body felt like it was going to tear itself apart. I had to quench my thirst for you.”

  “I can’t do it. I want you but I can’t give into it.”

  “You really love Remy?”

  “Just stay here and hold me.”

  He brings a blanket over them and holds her close to his chest.

  Hours later, Remy pokes the blanket. “Wake up.”

  Talen looks at Remy. His face is blank. Either he is in shock or so mad he can’t bring forth a fascial expression to match his anger. Desmond opens his eyes, looks at Remy. He gets up and goes to find Logan. Doesn’t say a word to Remy.

  “He’s out there staring off into nothingness.” Remy sits down next to her. “I’m sorry about before.”

  “Why are you not jumping on Desmond right now trying to kill him?”

  “Because you came to me first. Whatever happened between you and Desmond, I know it’s my fault. You wanted to be with me like I want to be with you, but I stopped us. Judging by both of your looks, I doubt you two did anything.”

  “Not really.”

  “You must be so filled with passion for me. Let’s not talk about it. We will be married soon at Dragmoore and we will have a proper wedding night. I promise that we will not leave my bed for days.”

  She starts laughing. “I’m sorry. That just sounded funny.”

  “Okay, well maybe not days, but hours.”

  She sits up and kisses him.

  “I can taste him on you.”

  “It won’t happen again.” She kisses him again. He wants to believe it.

  Felp comes into the farmland with his group of Grecians behind him. The farmers at first don’t know what to make of this man in a white linen shirt, blue harem pants, and white sandals. His men behind him dressed in white robes. And a woman dressed in a white silk dress with pointed ears. They recognize that she’s an elf.

  “Where is Gavin Dragniss?”

  Gavin comes across the farms. He wears a determined look. “Felp? You have never left Grecia in your life. What are you doing here?”

  “Your daughter broke a law. I see that no one here punished her for it. We have come to punish her.”

  “Felp, my daughter is not a commoner. She is to be married to Prince Remy. She is also a Master. You dare to come for a Master.”

  “She’s not a Master yet.”

  “She is. I am not going to stand here and let you take my daughter and do as you like to her.”

  “Listen to him, my dear.”

  Kylie comes from behind the Grecians.

  Gavin’s face goes white. “Kylie?” His eyes roll back in his head and he collapses.

  “Secure the city,” Felp says.

  “Don’t you dare kill anyone,” Kylie says.

  Felp walks on with his other Grecians.

  Bessy comes running down. “You?”

  Kylie recognizes Bessy. She walks up to her. “Have you been pleasing my husband?”

  “No. Definitely not.”

  “Has my sister? She was always in love with him.”

  “He has continued to mourn you.”

  “You will be helpful. This city will be razed unless I see my daughter right now.”

  “She’s on her way to the Veiled Haven.”

  Kylie grabs Bessy. “Tell me that she hasn’t married Remy yet? Or is it Desmond? I must know.”

  “I don’t know. I know they love each other. King Tully had written it down and sealed it that Remy and Talen will be married when they return from the Veiled Haven. Tully is dead.”

  “My sister will do whatever possible to ensure Talen marries Desmond. You can’t trust the Grecians. They are the masters behind the darkness coming.”

  The mother that Gavin had asked to plant his garden, kneels down beside Gavin. “Wake up. We need you.”

  Kylie walks over to Gavin. “Don’t touch him.”

  “Kylie?”

  Kylie’s eyes soften. “Jenny. Oh, Jenny.” The two women embrace.

  “You’re alive? I thought my boy was delusional.”

  “The Grecians brought me back. I must confide in you for I cannot trust anyone else. I won’t be around for too long. It’s temporary. I have to stop my sister from unleashing a darkness upon this world.”

  “I think you’re too late.”

  “The Waking Ripple. It can be stopped. I need Talen to kill her.”

  “Talen is a strange girl but she won’t kill someone.”

  “Has Talen ever been with a man?”

  “Why are you asking these things?” Bessy says.

  Jenny takes Kylie into her house. Bessy follows. She isn’t letting either woman out of her sight.

  “I’ve seen her kissing guys but the only one she’s ever shown interest in is Prince Remy.”

  “No one else?”

  “We heard a rumor once that the Marksman, King Desmond, is in love with her.”

  “That’s no rumor. He is.”

  Felp comes into the house. “Sharing secrets?”

  He drags Kylie out into the farm.

  “Leave her alone,” Jenny says.

  Felp walks back over to Jenny and grabs her by the throat.

  Kylie’s eyes turn a deep royal blue. “You will unhand her right now.” She moves her hand a certain way and Felp feels his back tighten.

  Felp lets Jenny go.

  “I warn you now, Grecian. You touch anyone else in my city, I will use whatever magic I have left to kill you.”

  “Bold threats. Let’s see how long you can keep them.”

  Her hold on him is gone.

  Bessy readies her bow and arrow.

  “Bessy. Your father misses you. He’d be very happy if I returned to Grecia with you.”

  “Not happening.” She fires off the arrow and it flies into Felp’s shoulder.

  He pulls it out. Takes out a small square device from his pocket. Kylie flinches. He flips open the lid and a purple goo bubbles inside. “Time for you medicine, my sweet elf.”

  A dagger is at Felp’s throat. “You are no magic user. Whatever chemistry you manipulate, along with the sea witch queen’s blood, I can still spill your guts all over the place,” Gavin says.

  Felp drops the device. Gavin tosses Felp at Bessy who puts him in a stronghold.

  Gavin picks up the device. “What is this?”

  “Just some silly experiment of his,” Kylie says.

  “Bessy. Take our friend to the dungeon.”

  Bessy takes Felp up the path to the palace.

  Gavin looks Kylie over. “How are you alive?”

  “I wish I had time to explain. I’ve missed you, Gavin.”

  “It’s this stuff, isn’t it? Whatever is in this box is keeping you alive. Kylie, how can you do this to me? Have you been in Grecia this whole time?” He brushes a strand of hair away from her face.

  “I’ve tried to contact you.”

  “I’m going to kill him.”

  “Don’t say that. He wants a war. And, Gavin, it is coming.”

  Jenny has made dinner for Kylie and Gavin. They are enjoying a friendly conversation until Kylie senses her spirit being called. Her hand trembles with the spoon she is holding. The bowl of soup also starts trembling.

  Gavin leans in to Jenny. “It’s Galaria. She is trying to summon Kylie.”

  Kylie closes her eyes, falls out of the chair, and lands hard on the floor.

  Jenny gets up.

  “Don’t touch her. When elves are connecting, anyone who interrupts it risks their own life.”

  “What can we do?”

  Gavin gently touches Kylie’s face.

  Kylie’s eyes open but there is a white film over them. She screams out.

  Gavin brings her into his arms. “It’s okay. I’m here.”

  Kylie cries into his chest. “She will destroy Dragmoore unless I go to her. Gavin, I must go.”

  Jenny cleans up the mess and tells her kids to stay in their rooms. “I would never shut you out,
my friend, but if elves come back here, we won’t survive it. We have no king. Where is Desmond? Where is Remy?”

  “They will return soon.”

  Jenny slaps the wet cloth on the dining table.

  Gavin helps Kylie to her feet.

  “I need to see Felp. Watch Kylie for me.”

  “Of course.”

  Gavin hurries out of the house.

  Gavin goes down to the dungeon.

  “Come to your senses, Gavin?” Felp asks.

  Gavin leans against one of the wood columns. “I am not sure what to make of you. I thought I knew Galaria’s intentions, but she has whirled my brain to the point I don’t know what I’m doing anymore. I thought I knew what you were up to. Why would you want a war?”

  Felp leans against the bars. “I brought your wife back to life with the help of Morga. We need both elf sisters alive in order to make our plan work.”

  Gavin reaches through the bars. “Tell me the truth.”

  “If the Masters involve themselves, it’s over for all of us. With Talen on the elf throne she will destroy the elf magic forever. The only pure magic left will be with the druids. You need this to happen.”

  “Sending out the Waking Ripple does what for you?”

  “It’s a friendly reminder that I am being serious. I can control it. I can stop it.”

  Gavin rests his head against one of the wood columns. “What is going to happen to my wife?”

  “She will return with me to Grecia.”

  He is going to lose her again. He isn’t going to bother asking to come with her because Felp isn’t about pleasing anyone else. He only hopes that he gets to say goodbye before she leaves. Spend quality time with her before she’s gone forever again.

  “Don’t dwell on this, Gavin.”

  “We have been friends for a while. Why would you hide this from me?”

  “Because you didn’t need to know. I hadn’t expected to come here, but elves are never trustworthy. Your wife has deceived you as well. She could have got word to you but she didn’t.”

  Gavin has heard all that he needs to. He accepts this arrangement but that doesn’t mean he isn’t going to try and find a way to break this arrangement she has with Felp and keep her with him. “Do whatever you must.”