Miriam looked from Cassie to her and nodded. “Where are my children?”
“By the doorway with King Ammandon. He said the butler came to get the king about a half-hour ago. He came back and gathered a few of the others including King Iver and King Kearney. They know something.”
Both looked at Cassie, but she just shrugged.
“Did you talk to one of them?” Kemyss hissed and grabbed her wrist.
Gasping, Cassie shook her head. “I haven’t talked to any of them.”
“She was just dancing with Prince -----. Queen Arlyn’s brother,” Miriam revealed.
Kemyss turned black eyes toward Cassie. “What did you say?”
“Nothing,” Cassie returned. She winced as more pressure was applied to her wrist.
“We’re leaving now. It’s almost time anyway. Get moving!” She jerked Cassie’s arm forward and didn’t release her until the got to the doorway where the others stood waiting.
“Take her,” Kemyss whispered to Petunia.
Smirking, the younger girl reached over and snatched Cassie’s other wrist.
“Is this really going to work?” King Ammandon glanced at Cassie and inquired.
Kemyss turned her black glare on him.
“Right,” he cleared his throat.
“Meet us at the back woods in twenty minutes. Keep your eyes open,” Kemyss gave her final instructions before sweeping out the door.
“Be safe, my love,” King Ammandon patted Miriam’s arm as he walked away.
“You too,” Miriam whispered in a soft voice.
Cassie had never heard her stepmother speak in such a tone. She almost sounded loving. Kind, even. Glancing between them, she almost stumbled as Petunia jerked her arm forward.
They walked out of the castle, past the guards, and down the stairs. No one tried to stop them. Cassie took another glance over her shoulder, hoping to glimpse Simon. He was no where to be seen.
“You know, sister, it will be a pity to get rid of you once this night ends,” Petunia whispered. “I know you wanted me to change my mind over this scheme, but your words won’t work. We are going to win.”
Cassie swallowed but refrained from speaking a word. She knew what she said wouldn’t make a difference. This was her fault.
Her arm popped in its socket as Petunia shoved her against a tree and stood beside her. Cassie watched them as they paused, once again on the border of the woods. No one said a word. They all stood there.
Eyes wandering, Cassie tried to see a way to escape. Aven came and stood to her right, blocking that exit. With Petunia on her left, she’d have to wait until both were distracted before she could make a run for it.
Where to run? she asked herself. There’s no way I can outrun Kemyss and her spells.
So far no one had stopped or followed them. Cassie wondered if Simon had even told anyone to watch them. The guards had been at their places around the room, but she hadn’t noticed any other eyes upon their group. They’d walked away without anyone stopping them.
If the kings are with Simon now, he might be telling them everything I told him.
She glanced up and found Aven’s eyes upon her. He kept staring at her, as if he wanted to say something, but he didn’t utter a sound. Her eyes held his, and she pleaded with him silently. Finally, his gaze fell away.
The clock struck the quarter hour somewhere in the distance.
Miriam clasped her hands together and waited. Kemyss stared into the sky, and Cassie began looking up in fear of the dragon’s return. The dark night held a deep, blue-black sky with a few stars to lighten it. The moon was bright and full. A perfect globe to see by, and she knew its light would only aid Kemyss in her plot.
A few more minutes passed, and in the shadows, she could make out a figure coming down the front steps and headed in their direction. Holding her breath, Cassie feared it might be Simon. However, as the person got closer, she could make out the lack of height and the block-like frame.
“King Ammandon, did you find out anything?”
He shook his head as he drew up beside her and stopped. “No, Kemyss. I couldn’t get near the hallway they disappeared down. I walked around, and noticed the butler come in and talk to Queen Arlyn. That’s when I left.”
“Good. We’re almost there. The hour is upon us and perfect for what needs to be done. Miriam, Petunia, come join hands with me and the king. We’re about to begin.”
“What about me?” Aven asked and took a step forward.
“Watch her,” Kemyss told him and pointed at Cassie.
Aven nodded and retreated to stand right beside her. Cassie observed him, but he wouldn’t meet her gaze. The others formed a circle and began to chant. Kemyss spoke the ancient and weird language again, and the others listened and repeated what she said.
A dark, black swirl began to cover the ground. Black mist rose around them and disappeared into the sky. As their voices blended and sped up, a shadow covered the sky and earth.
“Aven, please,” Cassie whispered.
“I can’t,” he told her.
Yet, she heard the note of agony in his voice. It was as if he was waging a war inside of himself. His words said no, but his voice wanted to say yes.
“Yes, you can. Aven, you can do this. Just let me go.”
He shook his head. “You don’t understand. We’re going to finally be free. The restrictions of this world will be forgotten. You need to understand, Cassie. We have to be free.”
Their eyes met and held. Cassie shook her head. “This isn’t freedom, Aven. It’s a different type of prison. One where you’re now at her mercy. Don’t think she won’t turn against you, if it serves her purposes. How do you know she’ll keep her word?”
He glanced at the group. There was a glow emanating from around them. The light was bright and sharp. It lit them from the inside out.
Aven’s eyes widened as he watched. The world around them grew so bright, he and Cassie had to shield their eyes and look away. The light arose to the sky. It was blinding.
Cassie didn’t even ask, she turned to run off into the woods. Her feet slapped the earth and were illuminated in the light at her back. Running at full speed now, she jumped over an exposed root.
Taking a sharp left, she started to backtrack to the castle. She was far enough away to only see a slight glow of light. A bell rang in the distance. She ran parallel to the castle for a few more feet before turning left again and heading back up.
A few more feet, and she tripped and fell. Gasping as her forearms hit the ground and scrapped against the sticks and stones littering the dirt, Cassie didn’t stop to check the damage, but climbed to her feet as fast as she could. Her dress ripped and weighed her down, but she continued up.
“Cassie!” a voice called out.
Aven, Cassie thought.
Picking up as much speed as she could, she tried to outrun his voice. She stumbled and caught herself on the side of a tree. The bark scratched her palm, gasping, Cassie ran forward.
The castle came into view between the hanging limbs. Just a little further and she’d be behind it. Her plan was to get inside and find Simon.
A force hit her as soon as she exited the woods. Slamming into the ground, her head hit the ground. Stars danced in front of her eyes. Hand to her forehead, Cassie sat up and groaned.
Closing her eyes, she heard their approach.
“You can’t escape this,” Kemyss’s voice reached her ears. “There’s no where you can go. I will find you.”
Petunia stalked up to her and kicked her in the leg. “Stupid,” she jeered.
Aven came over and held out a hand. Cassie looked up at him with tears in her eyes. She took his hand, and he pulled her to her feet.
Cassie whimpered as the world spun around her. Aven kept his hand on her arm while she steadied herself. It was then she noticed the large object hovering over them in the air. It cast a large shadow upon them before it descended. The dragon appeared out of the black night and landed on the grassy
lawn beside them.
“You know your duty. Kill them all. Or I shall kill her.” Kemyss' words were in English.
Cassie heard the words and understood Kemyss was talking about her. Yet, why would a dragon care about what happened to her? Looking up, Cassie stared into the eyes of the creature before her. The yellow glow was bright even in the dark. She watched as the two, huge orbs blinked, for just a second Cassie saw the bright green of another pair of eyes.
“Father?” her voice whispered on a gasp.
The bright green registered once again, and Aven held onto her as she slumped backward. Grasping his arms, Cassie struggled to stay standing.
“No,” she murmured.
The dragon bowed his head in recognition. Petrified, Cassie could only shake her head.
No, it can't be.
“You are the key,” Kemyss once again seemed to read her mind. “I keep telling you, but you won’t listen.”
Cassie sunk to the ground as she stared up at the monster. She was the key, and her father was about to become a murderer.
21
“The curse I put into motion twenty years ago had to wait until you were born,” Kemyss proceeded to explain.
“Me?” Cassie shook her head. “Why?”
“Well, I had to wait for the right dragon to be found: your father, in fact. The others were too weak and never survived the transition. I had to wait for someone to survive their death and reincarnation, as well as someone who would fight for something.” Kemyss sighed as she recalled the past.
“Becoming a dragon is no easy task. When your father died, my spells kept him alive and evolving until this moment. It took me forever to find the right body, the right bloodline. It also took me forever to find someone who loved another more than themselves. Riches and power don't work on a dragon unlike the tales of old.”
She paused and swept out her arms to encompass them all. “The whole 'lives in caves and collects immense wealth' is just a myth. The good ones, true ones, are only happy when they destroy others. The weak ones only want to die. They can't handle being a dragon. The fire is too much for them. Sadly, I've learned that lesson multiple times over the last twenty years.”
“Now, though,” she leaned toward Cassie and smiled. “I have someone who can withstand the flames. Someone who can set my curse into motion. Then, as luck would have it, I came upon the one man in his bloodline to care about something more than destruction or dying.”
Aven assisted Cassie back to her feet. Petunia sneered at her, and Miriam stood back with her arms crossed.
“Amazing,” King Ammandon gushed. “Undeniably amazing. Kemyss, you are a wonder. I didn’t think you’d be able to pull it off. How?”
“Hours of research, trial and error, and many deaths. However, I finally found the one who might succeed. Miriam was gracious enough to keep me connected to you both. She married your father, so I could have access to you both. A genealogy of your background was difficult to find, but I finally came across it. Did you know your descendants of the most powerful dragon family ever to live?”
Cassie swallowed and shook her head.
“You are. Amazing really. I’d tell you the history, but we’re about to have company, and I need to speed this all along.”
Pinching Cassie’s chin, Kemyss shook her head back and forth. “You. You are the key. As long as I have you, your father is mine to command. At last, my curse shall be finished, and all of King Tritium's family will know my wrath. My power.”
Evil laughing commenced, and Cassie couldn't even appreciate the irony because of the words Kemyss has just spoken. Her father was a dragon. The curse. His duty was to kill everyone of King Tritium's family or watch her die.
Simon.
Her mind breathed his name, and she knew what she must do.
“Don't, father,” her words cut through the laughter. “This isn’t who you are.”
“Stupid girl!” Kemyss threw out her arm, and Cassie flew backward and hit a tree.
Falling to the ground, she heard a loud roar.
“Go now before I end her!” The witch shouted.
“No!” Cassie screamed with all the breath she could muster. “Please don't. I'm not afraid to die. You know better, father. I know you're in there. You can't do this!”
In the distance, she heard voices. The knights? Perhaps. She needed to end this first.
“You know you don't have to do this.” Cassie was lifted and thrown against the tree again as the voices seemed to get closer.
“What's that?” Petunia cried out.
“Soldiers!” Miriam shouted.
“Now is the time!” The voice was unrecognizable, rage distorting it. A clock began to strike the hour.
“Do what you have to do, father. Just know they'll kill me anyway,” Cassie shouted.
“It is time!” Kemyss shouted. “Join hands!”
“Father!” Cassie screamed as her body was thrown backward again into the tree. She was slammed repeatedly into the trunk.
Darkness and shapes swirled around her with dancing lights.
Their voices began to blend once more. Her father, the dragon, sat up and spread its wings out over them as he roared.
She watched flames spit onto the ground and create tiny fires. Head spinning, Cassie attempted to take a step forward but was yanked backward once more. Other voices filled her ears.
“Cassie?” Aven was next to her whispering.
She’d never seen such fear in his eyes. Watching him come to her side, she waited for him to hold onto her and keep her there. The power coursing through her body held her in place. Aven inched forward, gazing at the circle and back to her.
“You have to get out of here,” he whispered. “Just stay still and don’t talk.”
Whatever they were chanting was irritating the dragon. His wings kept stretching, and his roar extended into a screech. Fire reigned down on the earth.
The chant sped up and toward the end, Cassie heard a guttural groan come from Kemyss even as she levitated off the ground. Her body arose from the others and the connection broke. Light poured through her, and she opened her eyes to look down on the dragon and swiveled to Cassie.
The voices now had bodies. Men approached from the front of the castle. Soldiers, guards, and many others rounded the corners and made straight for the edge of the woods.
Kemyss didn’t even glance at them.
“They’re coming!” King Ammandon shouted.
He and the others continued to hold hands. They reformed their circle and began their chant again. Kemyss shimmered and floated above them.
The dragon snarled and roared.
“Father, don’t do it!” Cassie yelled as loud as she could before she felt an invisible force choking off her airway.
“Cassie! Shut up!” Aven growled from her side.
Kemyss flicked her hand in their direction, and Aven was thrown backward into another tree. He crumpled to the ground and didn’t get up. Cassie felt her body slam against the tree again and was pinned there.
“Kill them, dragon!” Kemyss hissed for all to hear.
The dragon's wings stretched out, and another roar escaped. Soldiers shouted, and several men ran behind the safety of those with swords.
“Kill them!” the shout came again. “Or watch her die.”
The dragon seemed to be looking from her to Kemyss. Cassie tried to shake her head. She couldn’t speak and barely turned her head.
Cassie, a voice spoke inside her.
Father? Cassie whispered inside.
I can’t let you die.
If you kill them, I’m already dead.
“Cassie!” Simon's voice was heard in the distance.
The dragon turned to find his voice.
No, she thought. No.
“Cassie!” Simon was calling to her, but she couldn't answer.
Stay away, she tried to tell him. Father, it’s Simon.
Roaring, the dragon snarled at the men who drew closer. The
y paused and backed up. His snout turned toward Simon’s voice before rearing its head back in Cassie’s direction.
“Do it now,” Kemyss hissed.
The chanting, the voices of the soldiers calling out commands, the deep grumbles of the dragon filled Cassie’s ears. She could no longer hear Simon’s voice or her father’s inside her mind. Their link seemed to sever as Kemyss banged her body against the tree once more.
The invisible grip was once more around her whole body. Cassie felt every plea for air leave her. A bone seemed to crack. The one thing she could do was shake her head once. Her last message to her father.
Kemyss sent an invisible force against all the soldiers as well. Men fell. The Prince fell. The Kings fell to the ground. Still, the dragon snarled and hissed.
Black dots filled her gaze, and nothing but a pinprick of light was left. Cassie knew she was going to die, but the worst part was knowing everyone else would die with her. She had saved no one.
A final roar filled her ears, and then, all was darkness. The last sound signaling midnight echoed through the land. Her body collapsed to the ground.
22
The dragon reared back and spit fire around him. The soldiers struggled to take a stand once more, and they grasped their weapons as tightly as possible. The guards had let go of King Ammandon in the fall, and with no one to hold him back, he sprung to his feet and ran to Kemyss' side.
“Kill them!” he shouted.
Kemyss spoke in a strange language that Simon didn't recognize. The dragon continued to shake his head and shoot spits of fire in every direction. No one else dared to stand within the creature's vicinity.
Simon could tell the dragon didn't know whom to target. Kemyss' words pounded into the dragon and had him turning to King Tritium. The guards held shields up and surrounded their king and prince. Simon peeked through the slits of the shields.
What could he do?
“Kemyss, what is going on?” King Ammandon demanded. His face turned purple enough to match his tunic.
“Don’t play innocent,” she hissed. Miriam and Petunia locked hands and continued to chant. Kemyss drifted over them in the air still.
The Four Tales Page 19