by Meg Xuemei X
“We like treacherous peril,” the warriors had grunted.
So, off we went from the castle.
My mates and Chiron carried heavy bags packed with all sorts of supplies, and they insisted I carry the lightest one. They weren’t so kind to Henry, though, and they somehow managed to tie a few bedrolls on the hellhound’s massive back, as if he was a horse.
For my sake, Henry didn’t resist, but he wasn’t happy. He barked at Blaze when he tried to load a whole box of bottled water on his neck.
Blaze ignored the hound’s protest but grated, “The Fae mage and his lady friend are late!”
“With Elvey, one can never know when or where he’ll pop out,” I said with a hint of irritation. “We’re not waiting for them. I’ve given him access, and it’s up to him as to how to use it.”
“We’re giving him too much leverage by allowing him to enter the Dragon Realm,” Blaze said.
“Where are we going then? Which direction?” Chiron asked eagerly, looking around the ridge mountains. He carried most of the medical supplies.
“We don’t know yet,” Rai said. “Just one of the mountains. If we have to search all of them to find King Daghda, so be it.”
My four companions and I, plus a hellhound and a flying lizard, set off toward the center of the snowy mountains.
CHAPTER 10
Sybil flew ahead, twirled in circles, then flew back to us, chirping excitingly.
Henry slanted an unimpressed look at her as he trotted beside Chiron.
Are we there yet, Daisy? Sybil asked.
Not yet, I said.
We prowled forward with a steady pace, and the narrow road ahead became more difficult to tread since few had ever passed through the path before. Dragons did not walk. But none of us were allowed to shift. If we did, we would fail the quest.
After half a day’s trek on a dirt road without a break, even Henry was panting. We couldn’t afford to take many breaks. The longer we were on the road, the sooner Lysandra would have my realm in her claws.
We passed a lake, woods, and a small patch of swamp, yet the mountains didn’t appear to be any closer.
I’d never missed flying more than I did now.
Sybil grew impatient and restless and flew ahead of us. When an hour passed, and she hadn’t returned, I started to worry. I stretched my consciousness and searched for her but couldn’t locate her.
My mind-searching required magic. Elvey had said that no magic would work as soon as I started the pilgrimage, except the magic directly connected to the land. Fortunately, I could still mind-talk to Sybil, not by magic, but through our bond.
Sybil! I called and got no answer.
“Sybil is missing,” I told my mates, anxiety stabbing me.
“Do you want us to go search for her?” Iokul asked.
Henry barked skywards vehemently.
“No need,” I said. “She’s coming. He can feel her more than I can from a distance.”
Chiron glanced between Henry and me. He was fascinated with the bond between my hound, my hybrid bird, and me more than the bond between my mates and me.
“I saw an abandoned temple on a side road,” Rai said. “Let’s take a break and wait for your bird there.”
All my mates had a hard time categorizing Sybil. In the end, they just called her a bird instead of a flying lizard, believing that was politer.
Blaze and Iokul went ahead to scout the temple, and the rest of us reached the surrounding broken pillars before they signaled that it was safe.
Green moss covered the stone temple.
A vast old tree that was split through the middle concealed the entrance with its twisted trunks.
“It’s empty and dusty,” Blaze said.
“It must have been built long ago devoted to one of the gods or goddesses,” I said, a bit ashamed that I didn’t know my own realm’s history. But I had been a mere teenager when the curse befell me.
“Maybe it’s Arianrhod’s shrine,” Iokul said.
“Gods and goddesses are forgotten in this era of science, technology, and human uprising,” Rai said regretfully. “As are myths and legends.”
“Even so, magic is still a force that can’t be reckoned with,” I said, suddenly remembering Elvey’s line. “When nature gets its revenge, no one can resist its wrath. Humans will learn the lesson the hard way if they don’t back off.”
Just then, a vast shadow cast on the ground. We snapped our heads up, and Rai nocked his arrow skywards. The shadow flitted by. At an eye blink, it was gone.
“Something was spying on us,” Iokul said. “It’s too high to make out what it is.”
“One of us will always stand guard,” Rai said. “We’ll take a half hour break. Daisy needs food and drink.”
While Rai chose the first shift, Blaze and Iokul found a large flat rock and covered it with a sheet. They pulled out dried meat, fruits, bread, and bottles of water from the bags and set the picnic on the rock.
Chiron fed Henry before he strode to take over the guard duty from Rai. As was proper, he would let his prince eat first.
“Go eat, Chiron,” Rai said, and the healer nodded. Rai’s every word to him was an order. Chiron inserted a slice of dried beef and cheese between his bread and took a huge bite.
I sat down on an even rock. Blaze and Iokul brought me my share of food and drink before they prepared theirs. Ever since we’d mated, they always made sure I was taken care of first.
Iokul sat across from me and Blaze perched beside me, so they could both shield me in case of attack. I leaned over to give Iokul an appreciative kiss, then turned to kiss Blaze on the cheek. But he turned his lips to me, signaling that I should kiss his mouth. I brushed my lips over his, then tore a piece of bread and popped it in my mouth.
My mates gazed at me intently, desire in their eyes.
Rai swallowed and tore his eyes away from me. He needed to stay alert for any threats.
It didn’t matter where we were. We’d always want each other. The mating call was forever eager. Maybe tonight when we set up the tent, we could warm our bed.
Skin to skin. The image made me blush and hope for the night to descend earlier.
As we ate, Sybil shot toward us, her wings fluttering rapidly.
Corns, Daisy! Corns ahead! she called. I ate lots of sweet corns.
I relayed Sybil’s information to the rest of my group.
We soon set out again and climbed over a hill. Standing on top of the hill, I surveyed acres of cornfields in the valley.
At the end of the golden cornfields was a vast green plain with silver trees. The white mountains weren’t far from there.
“We’re finally close,” Rai grinned and grabbed me for a kiss. I hadn’t bestowed him with a kiss during our break.
Henry charged ahead of us toward the cornfields, and Sybil flew over him, chirping, before alighting on the shoulder between his heads. She was hitching a ride after her long hours of flying.
We traversed through the large path dividing the columns of corn, joking with one another. Our hearts lightened. We’d soon reach the mountains. But when we exited the cornfields, we didn’t see the green plain and silver trees. We’d returned to the barren hill where we’d started.
We cursed, puzzled, and tried again. We ended up at the hill again.
“What the fuck?” Blaze said. “It isn’t even a maze. Who’s fucking with us?”
We tried another route and another. Over and over, we were sent to the starting point at the hill.
We detoured, avoiding the acres of the cornfields, and in the end, we still stood at the base of the hill.
“It’s like some force keeps shifting us back,” I said. “And we can’t see how it was done.”
Even Henry panted, his tongues hanging out and looking at me for answers.
Sybil chirped furiously.
We sent Sybil out to fly across the cornfields and see if she could find the path out, but even she found no path.
Whate
ver lay before us wouldn’t let us pass.
We put our heads together, discussing and debating and cursing, and we were out of ideas. Iokul and Blaze spat insults at each other, every word growing increasingly offensive. At this point, I had accepted that when my three mates were together, it was impossible for them to have complete silence and peace. It was against their nature.
So, I trained myself to block out their arguing if the subject matter didn’t require my input. At least, I took comfort that they weren’t stabbing each other in the back. And I was certain if and when danger came upon us, all my dragon mates would watch each other’s backs and defend me. Perhaps that should be enough.
I took a deep breath, remembering how the land had responded to my blood. With a determined sigh, I pulled out a dagger from the sheath in my boot and cut my palm again, my former wound still fresh.
My dragon blood dripped to the rocky soil beneath my feet.
“I’m Daisy Danaenyth, the last of the bloodline of the Danaenyth dragon royal house,” I said. “I’m seeking a safe path for my companions and me in order to continue on Goddess Arianrhod’s quest. You shall not keep us here and anger the goddess.”
A breeze whizzed through my mind, then the awareness of the land seeped into my entire being. I was getting better at reading and responding to the elemental magic. As its power traversed in me, I probed further to see what force was stopping us from reaching our destination.
As I pushed forward, I sensed moving lines, forms, colors, and all life forms pulsing in an abstract fashion, and they were all connected. The magic of the realm vibrated beneath me and in the air. As I kept calling for it, a giant beast rose from the land.
It sat in front of us, blocking the entrance of the cornfields.
The nine-foot-tall creature had a man’s face, a lion’s haunches, and a dragon’s wings.
And it was sightless.
As one, my mates and Chiron stepped between the freak of the beast and me with battle growls, their lethal swords raised.
Henry barked in fear and rage.
Sybil withdrew and landed on my shoulder, her claws clinging to my outfit.
“Don’t fight him,” I said, pushing between Rai and Iokul. “I summoned him.”
The creature sniffed and laughed in delight.
“Who are you?” I demanded.
“You are Daisy Danaenyth, the dragon heir to the throne of the Danaenyth dynasty,” he said, “but you aren’t the Keeper of the Dragon Realm yet.”
“I intend to be,” I said. “I’m on my way to earn the privilege, and you’re in my path.”
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m Sphinx.”
“Sphinx?” Rai cried in outrage. Among all of us, he was the expert on all myths, legends, and folklore. “Sphinx is a mythical guardian humans made up. The humans named Sphinx the beast of riddles.”
Sphinx smirked, turning his head to look at Rai. He didn’t need sight to see my mate.
“This isn’t your true form,” I said. “Sphinx isn’t your true name.”
“I call myself whatever I want and take whatever form I fancy,” he said. “For you, I borrowed a concept from a human legend about a ruthless magical guardian. You see, I guard the path. If you want to pass, you’ll have to answer my riddle correctly. According to the mythological stories, those who can’t come up with the correct answer to the riddle suffer a horrific fate—being eaten by a ravenous monster, and that will be me.”
“Sphinx is said to be treacherous and merciless,” Rai whispered in my ear.
“Hmm, delicious,” Sphinx said, as if Rai had flattered him. He scanned us hungrily, like he couldn’t decide which one of us he’d eat first.
“You didn’t exactly get the shape right,” Rai said. “The human face and the lion body maybe so, but the sphinx has no dragon wings. So, your claim of being the guardian of the path is invalid. If I were you, I would move away this instant and let us pass.”
“What’s wrong with being creative?” Sphinx said. “I made some modifications. What’s the big deal? I like dragon wings. It’s nice to treat myself. Anyway, you all have passed back and forth and ended up where you are now, haven’t you? My moving away isn’t going to change that.”
“So, you’re just toying with us?” Blaze hissed, pointing his sword at Sphinx.
Sphinx arched an eyebrow. It was a disturbing sight since he had no eyes on his flat, broad face. “You want a fight, boy? That’s marvelous! I haven’t had a duel for an eon. No one challenges me. I’m desperate for some fun after being woken up by your girlfriend.”
“She’s my mate!” Blaze said.
“Not yours only,” Sphinx said.
It would be a disaster if Blaze got into a duel with Sphinx.
“Not a chance,” I said. “We won’t fight Goddess Arianrhod’s gatekeeper.” I had recognized who he was now. I turned to give my mates a quick, warning glance. “Unless we want to be doomed.”
“The females always spoil the fun,” Sphinx said.
Iokul growled.
Henry snarled but stopped at the creature’s glare and hunched down on his rear paws with a whimper.
“What’s the price to get to the other side without being returned here?” I asked.
“The usual—answer my riddle correctly,” Sphinx said.
My heart sank. Must the goddess make the journey so difficult? I had never been good at riddles. I hated spelling, riddles, and the like, even as a little girl. Adrian had often made fun of me for my aversion to all sorts of games.
“Anyone good at riddles?” I asked hopefully.
My mates and the healer looked back at me blankly.
Okay, we didn’t have a riddle expert here. That was bad.
Only Sybil chirped cheerfully, I like riddles.
I darted my eyes wildly around. Where was Elvey? It would be the perfect time for him to show up. I’d bet that he could take on this task better than any of us. He himself was a riddle.
The air didn’t crackle, and there was no flashing light to indicate his arrival.
I sighed. Just when I thought I could rely on him, I found out he wasn’t all that reliable.
“We can try,” Rai said coolly, as if it was no big deal.
Sphinx snorted. “You can try? Do you understand the consequences if you fail?”
Judging from the determined expressions on my mates’ masked faces, I believed that they’d decided to fight our way through if we couldn’t solve Sphinx’s riddle.
“The test is magically bound,” Sphinx said. “If you can’t answer the riddle, I’ll have the rights to eat you all. I’ve been hungry for a long time.”
I bit my lip. There was no way out of this.
Blaze snorted. “You can try!”
Iokul wielded his sword with deadly swiftness.
“How did you bump into these three clueless, pompous asses, Daisy?” Sphinx asked. “Who assigned you the true loves? Fate? Then Fate’s an asshole. The dragon boys are good-looking, I’m sure, but true loves should be more, right? I know you have doubts. You aren’t one to lurk in someone else’s shadow.”
The dragon princes and I all glared at Sphinx.
My mates seldom showed fear. When they did, it was fear for my safety.
“Who are you to challenge Fate’s choice?” I asked sharply. “I have no doubts about any of my mates.”
“Really?” Sphinx sent me an equally sharp look. “Since you scolded me, little dragon, I’ll show you what Fate’s choice is. Because of your snide comments, I just crossed out an easy, old riddle that would have played in your favor. I’m going to give you a new one, and it’s going to sting.”
“What’s the riddle?” I asked. The longer we tangled with him, the worse it would be for us.
“Spill it, Sphinx, and let’s get it over with,” Blaze said.
Sphinx opened his mouth, and his words poured out.
“The first one becomes the last, and the last ones stole the first kisses of blessing and curse.<
br />
The first is robbed of everything that’s his.
Heart doesn’t know. Heart betrays. Heart breaks. Heart divides. Heart deceives. But the blind has to see, then the heart reveals.”
Suddenly a pair of piercing eyes, one purple and one red, appeared and glowed under Sphinx’s bushy eyebrows. He was telling me that he was no longer blind, and as such, I shouldn’t be either.
“It’s not one, not two, and not three,” Sphinx said. “Only when you find the missing piece of what the heart desires will you finally find your way home.”
My heart pounded. I wasn’t good at riddles, but I instantly knew the answer to this one. It was as if Sphinx speared me in my heart to show me what it was.
I didn’t want to say the answer.
“Let’s get to work and solve it,” Rai ordered, and the three of my mates and Chiron started to put their heads together.
One got an answer, then another man found a flaw and denied it. And on and on they went.
Sphinx put his head on his paws and snorted at the shifters’ debates.
The wind swirled around us. The sun was going to set before they could find the answer. No one could get this riddle, except me.
“Four,” I whispered to Sphinx, my throat dry as the word scratched against it.
His snort stopped, and he opened an eye.
“Four,” I said in a low voice. Why must he make me repeat myself? “Four is the real number.”
My mates stopped arguing with each other and trained their attention on us. Tension crackled in the air.
“Uh, magic number,” Sphinx said. “You’ll have to say the whole answer.”
He was tormenting me. He knew my curse, my history, and everything related to me. And he wanted to torment my mates more because they’d offended him.
Merciless and treacherous creature!
“It’s not three true loves, but four,” I ground out, clenching my jaw with every word.
A deadly silence from my mates stretched, hurting me more than any loud objections, for I’d hurt them. How I hated myself for that.