Dragons and Mages: A Limited Edition Anthology

by Pauline Creeden

  “I am going to go and light the fire,” Jaxe snapped, stalking off to where ever it was that Obe had deposited dinner.

  Ember turned to face the Fae hybrid, finding herself as always lost in his beautiful emerald eyes. Eyes that always looked so haunted and sad. Morgan had left them also, claiming he had to check on a new child within the settlement.

  “Thank you for getting dinner tonight, I am sorry if I worried you.” Ember broke the silence between them.

  Obe shrugged lightly, flashing her a rare grin. “It gave me something to do. I needed to let the beast out of his cage. He enjoyed the hunt,” he replied, referring to the hellhound that made up the other half of him.

  Reaching up to brush a lose curl of dark hair from his face, Ember leaned in brushing her lips to his. Obe was the youngest of the group by a decade, but that meant nothing. He was almost as smart as the elf, being half fae his mind was just a nimble as Morgan’s, but he also had the strength to match Jaxe. He was a balance of the other two hybrids, but he was the most troubled by his past. A past, Ember only knew half of, despite sharing a bed with him every night. From the moment he had entered their camp her heart had cried out to his. They had connected in a deep, passionate way that she had never felt with Morgan and Jaxe. Ember loved Obe, and his broken soul. They were all broken here, she knew that. But they had learnt to heal each other. Hybrids belonged here, they were family, even if the outside world rejected them.

  “Come on, let’s go and eat before Jaxe really loses his temper,” Obe joked, taking her hand and leading her to their private area, today she would enjoy the company of her three most loyal hybrids.

  The family she would die to protect should the time ever come.

  Chapter 3

  Axis watched as the young dragon stormed from the room. The prince had a temper, much like his father’s, yet Axis knew that he wasn’t so easily swayed. The lack of respect shown to him didn’t bother him. Why should it? The dragons may well be the most powerful of the races, but they didn’t have the brains that the fae did. Nor did they have the ability to have the power to control their emotions. It was their downfall and it was what made it so easy to manipulate them.

  Thinking back to Ash, Axis had to marvel at his strength, one that easily out matched his father’s. He could sense the power within the white dragon. The only pure white dragon that had ever flown these skies, or so the myths said. Axis longed to see such a sight, but each time he had visited Ustrina the prince had not been present. This was the first time that Axis had ever meet him, and he was impressed. It wouldn’t be easy but, he could be tamed. It was capturing him that would prove to be the challenge, one the fae king was eager to accept.

  “My apologises for my son’s behaviour Axis,” Izzeris voice broke through his musings.

  Returning his attention back onto the dragon king, Axis waved his hand dismissively. “He is a young, hot headed dragon. Much like you were at his age if I remember rightly. I take no offence to it, so please don’t worry,” he assured him, forcing a smile as he spoke.

  He didn’t want to put the dragon king on edge any more than he was. It had taken years of practice, patience and a little help from his necromancer Zurina, to manipulate the mind of King Izzeris. Even longer to subdue the mind of the beautiful Queen Ervi. It was her strength that Ash had clearly inherited. Zurina would have to use the same tricks she had done on Ervi to break the white dragon down, once they had him in their clutches.

  “Still he should have treated you with much more respect. He will be punished by my own hand once you leave us,” Izzeris assured him.

  Axis didn’t doubt the dragon’s words. The old fool was a brutal creature, he was certain his son bared many scars from the hand of this father. Though he would do the same to his son if he had shown the disregard Ashran had to royalty that visited their home. Not that the fae prince would dare do such a thing, he had far more respect for his father, than the dragon prince did for his.

  “That is a matter that does not concern me. What does concern me, however, is what he may or may not have heard. Should I worry that he will ruin our plan, Izzeris?” Axis questioned, taking a seat upon the Queen’s throne, ignoring the glare received from Izzeris.

  The dragon was many things, but he wasn’t foolish enough to challenge a fae, knowing that his necromancer was lurking in the shadows of the castle. Ready to be called upon should a threat rear its head.

  Axis wasn’t sure how much Ashran had heard, it didn’t seem like he heard much of what was said. But the dark look that had been held in those violet coloured eyes of the youngster told Axis that Ash knew something was not right. And he was right to think such a thought. Axis could not afford a hot-headed dragon prince to ruin what he had been working towards long before he had hatched from his egg.

  “I am certain my son heard nothing of importance, Axis. And even if he had, I will be sure that he speaks to no one about it. You have my word, that what is spoken between us in this room goes no further. I have just as much as you have to lose if it does,” Izzeris replied, causing Axis to laugh out loud, once more marvelling at the intelligence or lack of, of the dragon race.

  “My old friend, I don’t have anything to lose. It will be you who will suffer greatly should your son say anything. So, I suggest you be sure that you speak with him tonight. Before he has a chance to act upon whatever idea he has got into that mind of his,” Axis said casually, though he knew that Izzeris heard the hidden threat for what it was. If Izzeris didn’t tame the white dragon, he most certainly would.

  “As I said Axis. I intend to make sure my son knows the consequences of any action he should take on his foolish thoughts. He has always been one to act first and think later. He will listen I will make sure of it.”

  Axis stood from the throne, brushing down his clothing as he did so. Removing any traces of dragon from the fine dark green silks he wore. Clicking his fingers, one of his servants appeared to hand him a velvet cloak of the same green. Attaching it to himself, stepping elegantly down the stairs that took him away from the king. He had had enough of this land for now. There was only so much time he could spend in the heat, and the smell of the dragons. He hated Ustrina, but it was an important visit if he wanted to keep Izzeris on his side.

  Axis turned to face Izzeris, a deadly spark flickering in his emerald eyes, smirking darkly as he spoke. “You know I watch all that goes on here. I will see if you stay true to your word, Izzeris, and if you don’t, I will be sure to silence your son in my own way. And I am not entirely sure what that way will be. So, I shall leave this minor problem in your capable hands. I shall visit again soon.”

  Not waiting to hear if Izzeris had any more to say, Axis turned and left the throne room. As he made his way down the corridor, towards the carriage that would await him to take him from the god forsaken land, he allowed his eyes to roam over the dragon skulls that graced the walls.

  The dragons were a strange race, when they died they took the form of the winged beast, their flesh removed, and the skulls used almost as a trophy within their homes. He shook his head slightly as he left the building. Why they did that he would never know, he didn’t want to know. They were barbaric in many ways, and Axis was happy to let them have their traditions.

  Stepping into the carriage, which was pulled by two magnificent ebony unicorns, their eyes glowing a deep read as they watched him approach.

  Axis was still in awe at how Zurina had taken the once pure, white, gentle beasts and made them into the deadly animals that they were now. Unicorns were known to be gentle souls, their magic full of healing and strength. There was no healing in his breed of unicorns. Just the want to kill and bring suffering to any that would dare harm their master. Allowing himself to settle back against the fine silks of the cushioned seats, sighing contently as the carriage pulled away.

  “How did it go, my Lord?” Zurina questioned him once they were on their way. Axis glanced her, simply flashing her a dark grin in response, before tur
ning to the horse master.

  “Take us to Temero. I need to pay a visit to King Kelak.”

  Chapter 4

  Ash stood hidden in the shadows of the castle ground watching as Axis left. Shuddering at the sight of the beasts pulling the carriage. The once beautiful majestic unicorns had been transformed into the ebony colour that only matched the dark and evil that surrounded the fae.

  Ash was half tempted to release the dragon and follow the king, he was certain he wasn’t returning straight back to Mercis, and he longed to see just what Axis was up to. His thoughts were disturbed by the angry tone of his father.

  Growling, he stepped out of his hiding place and waited for the king to find him. Ash knew full well that he was about to be punished for what he had done earlier. He didn’t care. King Axis deserved no respect from him, he was evil in its truest form. Ash was damned if he would bow down to him.

  Leaning lazily against one of the marble pillars that surrounded the walk way of the gardens, he waited for the old dragon to reach him. The glare in the king’s eyes only caused a smirk to spread across Ash’s lips. His father didn’t scare him, he hadn’t for a long time. The day King Izzeris had allowed his heart to freeze and his soul to die was the day he had lost the respect of his son. Besides, Ash knew that he was far stronger than his father, and more powerful.

  “You think this is funny?” Izzeris snarled, finally coming to stand before him. He towered over Ash, but only a little. Despite his age, the king was still a beast in his own right.

  His violet eyes locked with Ash’s own. Ash held his glare. He was just as pissed as his father was. He wanted to know just what the hell was going on, and just how many times the fae had visited Ustrina.

  “I don’t think this is a joke,” Ash replied simply, not even flinching as his father’s hand wrapped around his neck, slamming him against the pillar.

  “Then why the cockiness? It will be your downfall, Ashran. You need to learn to respect your elders,” Izzeris snapped, his grip tightening and causing Ash to gasp slightly.

  His own temper took hold of him. Wrapping his hands round his fathers, trying desperately to keep the dragon caged, he ripped them from his throat shoving his father away.

  “You lost my respect so many years ago, Father. And I will never bow down to the fae. They are the epitome of evil, and I demand to know why they were in this castle. How you could allow them on our land? It puts our people at risk. Or tell me, Father, do you no longer care for your kingdom?” Ash snapped, his body trembling with the rage that was pulsing through him, he could feel his dragon thrashing around within, wanting to be released, he wanted to show his father that he was wrong to underestimate him.

  “You demand, do you? And what gives you the right to speak to your king like that? You’re a mere prince, Ashran. You don’t run this kingdom yet, and the behaviour that you showed today tells me you never will run Ustrina.”

  “Tell me what the hell is going on, Father! I will gladly challenge you for the throne if it means saving our people from whatever mess you have managed to get yourself into with the fae. And you know as well as I do that I would win that fight,” Ash fired back.

  A silence settled over them for a few moments, neither of the males breaking eye contact, a mental battle of will happening. If anyone had walked around the corner at that moment they would have likely feared for the kingdom of Ustrina. Ash knew that the fight between father and son would happen. He also knew he was very much alone in it, apart from Blaze. His mother had long since given up on him, though why he would never know. The dragons of Ustrina were always loyal to their king, no matter what that king did. Ash was just their prince and until he sat upon the throne they would show no loyalty to him, even if they wanted to.

  Keeping his voice steady, Ash broke the tense silence. “What the hell is going on, Father? I have a right to know if my people are in danger.”

  “Your people? They are not your people until you are sat on that throne, Ashran.” His father scoffed, before narrowing his eyes at Ash. “I need you to tell me what exactly you heard,” he demanded.

  Ash tilted his head slightly, folding his arms over his chest and raising an eyebrow at his father’s question. “Why should I do that, Father? This suggests to me that you are either planning an alliance with the fae king or, you are in trouble with him. Either way, this is not something I can allow to continue,” Ash answered, as a flash of red flew at him, throwing him back into the wall of the castle.

  His connection with the stone caused a hole to form, but he didn’t have any time to assess where the sudden pain was coming from before another burst of flames came at him. Rolling out the way, he was caught with a blast of his father’s magic to his side, he felt something snap within and knew a rib or two had been broken. The magic of a dragon was powerful, a mere flick of the hand and the right spell and a victim’s skeleton could be shattered into a million pieces. Taking a deep breath, wincing slightly as he did, and confirming his suspicions, Ash did now have at least one broken rib.

  A shadow settled over him and he looked up at his father who glared down on him. Snarling, Ash pulled himself up, ignoring the pain in his side as he squared up to his father. He was damned if he would look weak.

  “I will ask you again, Ashran. What did you hear?” Izzeris hissed, stepping closer to Ash, but Ash stood his ground. He could feel the anger radiating of the king, could see his features fighting the urge to change into his dragon.

  “I heard nothing, Father. But tell me what it is that is I could have heard!” Ash said, even though he knew his question would not be answered.

  Something flickered in his father’s eyes. Was it fear? It was gone so quick that Ash wasn’t sure exactly what it was. But something told him that the king was in deep trouble. And to owe a debt to the fae was a death sentence.

  Izzeris stepped away from him, looking down at him with a disgust that Ash had never seen from him. The look felt like a stab to the heart, and he realised then just how much his father resented him. Ash was not sure why.

  “If I hear that you so much as mention anything about what happened today to anyone, you will experience a punishment you would dare not imagine. I don’t believe that you didn’t hear anything. Now, get out of my sight, your disrespect to me and King Axis disgusts me. I am embarrassed to call you my son. It was not how you were raised, Ashran,” Izzeris snarled.

  Ash held his father’s glare for a moment longer, he had so much more to ask him. This time though he would do as his father demanded. Plus, he needed to get some food and heal. Nodding his head slightly, stepping round his father as he spoke. “I will leave this for now, but I will not let it lie. You are mixed up with an evil that you cannot control, Father. We may well be the most powerful race, but the fae are dark, they wield a magic we cannot begin to imagine. And you really want to allow Ustrina to get dragged into that darkness. You are no king if you wish for our people to fight your war, to clean up your mess. Be assured that if that is the case, I will fight you for the throne, because I will not let dragons die, to protect a king that cares nothing for them.”

  With those words, he stalked away clutching his left side as each movement pulled on his injury. He could sense the effect of his words on his father, could feel the rage building within him. Ash had challenged him, had challenged the throne. That fight would come soon enough but first Ash needed to find out the truth. If his father was caught up in some debt to the fae king, then this was much worse than he first thought. He would need help to defeat such a force of dark magic.

  “What the hell happened to you?” Blaze’s voice caught him off guard. Ash waved his hand dismissively, pushing open the large door to his quarters.

  “Father decided to punish me for my lack of respect today.”

  “Did you find out what was said?” Blaze questioned, taking a seat on one of the chairs as Ash collapsed heavily on his bed.

  “No, I didn’t, I suppose I should have known I wouldn’t. But I thi
nk it is worse than I first thought. I truly believe Father owes a debt to the King Axis. And if this is true, then Ustrina is in trouble. I challenged him for the throne.” Ash explained, laughing slightly at the look of shock on his friend’s face.

  “You did what?”

  “I challenged him. It won’t happen yet, first I need to find out the truth, and I need to get us help,” Ash replied.

  “Help? Who exactly will help us to fight the fae?” Blaze questioned.

  Ash shrugged in response, he hadn’t got that far yet in whatever plan his mind was coming up with. “I have no idea Blaze. I’ll visit our seer tomorrow. Talk with him, find out more of our history. See if there is something I might have missed in our lessons when we were younger. I just can’t let the dragons fight an enemy that I am not sure we can win against. And all because their king was a fool and made a deal with the devil himself. So, I have to do something. I am just not sure what yet.”

  Chapter 5

  The smell was foul as Kelak made his way through the chambers below his castle. The dungeons that once held those that had chosen to wrong the king of Temero were now alive with the sound of an army being formed. Cries of pain, roars of anger, and screams of terror rang through the stone corridor. The shadows that danced from the flamed torches that littered the cold walls were large, thick set monsters. Kelak couldn’t help but smile as he watched the dark shapes move across the stone. It was clear his army was coming together nicely. As he stepped into the main chamber, the sight that greeted him only confirmed his thoughts.