“But not the magic they do. We play with the dead, yes, we manipulate the dead. Or create an army of the undead. But Axis, I don’t know. I wonder if we are underestimating him. I wonder how much he actually does know,” Kelak told her.
Chapter 29
Obe ran the flint over his sword for what seemed like the hundredth time. He wasn’t really paying much attention to what he was doing, in fact he didn’t actually need to be sharpening the blade at all. The blade of elves seemed to hold the power to stay sharp, ready to kill in an instant. It was one of the many things that amazed Obe whenever he used his weapon. It was like the magic was connected to just him, waiting patiently for whatever it was its master wanted from it. Yet he still felt the need to show it some attention. He needed something to focus on. Keep his mind in the present. He needed to keep the light of the situation they had found themselves in and not be drawn to the darkness.
Not yet anyway.
He was terrified of going back to Mercias. To the streets that he had tried for so long to block from his mind. The darkness that settled in half of him was one he had hoped he would never have to bring to the surface. Obe knew he would not be in complete control of the power, and in truth he was afraid of what he was capable of. Not that he would admit that fear to the others. He had never spoken much of life in Mercias. Not even Ember knew, no matter how much she tried to push him.
The thought of the angel hybrid brought a stab of pain to his once cold heart. Obe had never imagined that he would learn to love another, let alone have someone as amazing as Ember love him back. Obe had never trusted love, never trusted the light. Not daring to believe that there was so much good in the world. At least he didn’t until he stumbled upon Jaxe not long after he had managed to escape the clutches of Mercias. It didn’t take the hybrids long to break through his dark shell. Especially Ember. The moment he had laid eyes on her, he had fallen for her alluring power, choosing not to fight against it. And now, years on, they were stronger than ever. Two hearts bound as one. At least that’s what he had thought until a few days ago. Until those bloody dragons had turned up.
Obe felt his grip tighten round the flint to the point it crumpled in his hands. He had seen the way the dragon prince looked at Ember. The desire held in his violet eyes. Obe didn’t like the thought of leaving Ember in the claws of the white dragon. They were powerful, charming creatures. The Gods only knew what Ash would be capable of when it came to be getting what he wanted, and it was clear Ember was what he wanted. All Obe could hope was that Ember’s love for him was the far greater power. He cursed himself for almost doubting that his angel hybrid would be so quick to disregard all that they had built over the years. To betray him so quickly for a dragon, their biggest enemy. At least they were their biggest threat until now. Although it seemed that it was only Ash and Blaze who they could supposedly trust. The rest of the race still wanted them all dead. Rejecting them just because they were not purebreds. Not only that, but he had to travel with one of these new-found allies, and he knew damn well that Jaxe was no keener on the matter than he was.
“I am pretty sure that blade is as sharp as you can get it.” came Ember’s voice, breaking him from his thoughts.
Obe glanced up at her as she came to his side, dropping down next to it. He could feel her fire red eyes boring into him, but he chose to return his own on the flames that danced in front of them. He wasn’t sure what to say to her, wondering how much of his thoughts she had tapped into. Ember was the only one Obe allowed into his mind at all times, he had learnt quickly how to block the other two out when he didn’t want them there. But he had nothing to hide from Ember, wanted her to always know he trusted her.
“But yet you don’t trust me enough to tell me of your past,” she spoke out loud.
Obe knew that this was coming, he had been waiting for her to bring it up once again, more so since the meeting two days ago. Come night fall he, Jaxe and Blaze would step out into the winter night and leave Caspa and the length of time he would be gone, he didn’t know.
“I am surprised that you have waited this long to speak to me about it,” he replied simply, finally tearing his gaze away from the fire and fixing it on his love, smirking slightly. “You are slacking in your prying, Ember.” His smile was not met, and he found himself dropping the smirk quickly.
“I don’t want you to leave, Obe. There must be another way. We haven’t even tried to see if we can find one,” Ember said.
Obe sighed deeply dropping his gaze to his weapon. “There is not time to find one, Ember. We need to find out what my people are doing and why. If they really are as much of a threat as the dragons say. I still have allies in Mercris, friends that I know I can rely on to be my ears, to bring me the whisperings of the king. You have to trust me. You have to let me do this,” Obe begged her gently, willing her to let him go peacefully and stop the fight. He felt her move next to him, standing as she spoke her next words.
“I love you Obe with all my heart and soul. I cannot accept this, I cannot believe that this is the only way. But I know that I cannot stop you, no matter how much I beg. Will you at least do one last thing for me?” she questioned him.
Obe stood, taking her hands in his, speaking softly as he held her devastated gaze with his own. “Anything, my Queen.”
“Make love to me like this could be the last time we ever see each other,” she whispered, the tears that had been threatening pooled from her eyes, tearing his soul apart.
Saying nothing more, scooping her into his arms he walked back to his bed. For the next hours she would be his and he would be hers. For that moment nothing would matter, the darkness would not claim him. Not while his light burned so brightly within. Her love weaved so tightly around his heart, protecting him from whatever evil was about to bestow him.
“Are you sure you are ready to do this? You really don’t have to Blaze,” Ash asked his best friend, watching as he attached a sword to his side.
Ash wasn’t entirely sure why Blaze was bothering with a materialistic weapon. Ash couldn’t remember the last time he had ever used one, they had both trained when they were younger but there was no reason for a dragon to use them, they had the magic of fire, and the strength to out match any living soul.
“Yes, I do. It is what Ember wants and we need to keep her on our side. And yes, Ash, I do need a sword,” he answered the silent thought.
Ash glared at him, his friend really needed to learn to stop stepping into his mind without asking. Blaze raised an eyebrow, telling him that he had heard that thought also.
Ash growled. “Keep yourself out of my head, and make sure you come back alive. Remember all that you need to do is to escort the hybrid to Mercris and then return. If Jaxe wants to stay, then let him. But you don’t need to. We need you back here, your mind is too sharp to be wasted, Blaze.” Ash told him firmly.
Blaze snorted in response. “What is so funny?”
“The fact that you have just admitted that my mind is sharp. You have never called me smart, Ash, and I am grateful for the complement, but I am sure you will be just fine. Morgan is the brains of the operation and he is staying. Just don’t go getting yourself into any trouble,” Blaze replied.
“What do you mean? It’s not like there is anything for me to do here,” Ash muttered.
It was true, Caspa was proving to be boring. The last few days hadn’t been so bad, preparing the three of them for their journey. But Ash knew that once they left there would be very little for him to do. He longed to go with them, if he was honest, he was a little jealous that Blaze was travelling to a land he had never been to, even if it was the land of darkness.
“Oh, but there is plenty for you to do here….” Blaze smirked.
Ash frowned, not understanding what his friend was trying to say.
“Oh, come on, Ash. I have seen the way you have been looking at Ember. You like her, you did the moment you laid eyes on her. May I remind you that she is taken, by a Fae hybrid, who I da
re say is very protective of her. Chasing after the Queen of Caspa will only get you in trouble and ruin our alliance with them. Hell, it is shaky enough as it is, we don’t need you letting your need for something you can’t have making it worse,” Blaze told him.
Ash felt himself bristle at his friend’s words. How dare he accuse him of such a thing? He couldn’t believe that Blaze would even think that he would risk everything on a night with the hybrid Queen. Yes, she was a beauty, but that was all, it wasn’t like he wanted anything from her. Or did he?
Shaking his head slightly, he blocked out the thoughts from his mind. He couldn’t allow himself to let his heart rule his head, not now, not when they were on the brink of something that none of them knew of.
“You need to stop letting your imagination run wild, Blaze. I don’t know what you are talking about,” Ash snapped, not bothering to comment on the snigger that left his friend’s lips.
A whistle echoed through the silence. It was the call for Blaze, it was the call for them to leave. The two friends stood, silently staring at each other, neither sure what to say. Ash didn’t want to think the worse, but there was a chance that Blaze would not return, that they would get caught by the fae. He didn’t know what he would do without his best friend. He had always known Blaze to be by his side. He was the one who kept his mind on the task at hand, or dragged him out of the trouble he often found himself in. Blaze was his voice of reason and Ash owed his life to him.
“I will come back, Ash. Like you said, we are only escorting the hybrid to Mecris, it’s not like we are entering the city. And besides I have no intention of getting myself caught by the fae,” Blaze assured him.
Ash smiled, reaching out and bringing his friend into a tight hug. “You better, Blaze. You are more like a brother to me, and I don’t intend to lose the only family member that I trust,” Ash muttered as the pulled away.
Blaze shook his head pulling open the door to the hut they had been living in since they had been granted freedom of Caspa.
“Stop being so soft, Ash, it doesn’t suit you.” Blaze smiled.
Ash didn’t say anything, instead followed his friend, his eyes falling on the two figures that were waiting for them. Ash glanced over at Ember she wouldn’t look at him instead she kept her gaze ahead. He knew this was hard on her, and he wished there was something he could say to make it better.
“I have a suggestion,” Morgan broke the tense silence.
Ash felt the heat of the stares of the rest of the group and they weren’t even directed at him, he knew that he himself was staring expectantly at the elf waiting for him to continue.
“Why doesn’t Blaze fly them as much of the distance as he can? Then once they feel it is not safe to fly, they continue on foot?” Morgan suggested.
The ripple of objection that spread through the group was no surprise to Ash. He could tell that Blaze wasn’t too keen on the idea, and the hybrids certainly weren’t willing to set foot on the back of a dragon.
“Can you carry them both?” Ember, asked ignoring the protests coming from Obe and Jaxe.
Blaze nodded in silent answer.
“Then I agree with Morgan. It is a good idea, and as it was pointed out to me earlier time, is not on our side. If it was, we would have found another way to get the information we need. You will fly Blaze until you feel like it is a threat to do so. I must admit I am looking forward to seeing a dragon spread its wings. I have only ever seen the visions in my dreams,” Ember said.
Ash caught Blaze’s look and he nodded his head. If Ember had agreed, then they would have to obey.
“I would stand back,” Ash said as he took a good few steps back from his friend.
The others did as he said. Ash kept his eyes on Ember wanting to watch her reaction at a dragon taking form. He felt the ripple of change wash over him as Blaze took his natural form. Ash’s own dragon screamed out to join him. It had been so long since they had flown together without the risk of being caught or having to fight for their lives. The look on Ember’s face was enough to make Ash smirk. He could see Blaze’s great red form reflected in her eyes, and he couldn’t help but feel pride in the beauty of a dragon.
He watched as Ember stepped forward, Blaze lowered his head as he looked her in the eye. She reached up her hand and ran it gently over his skin on his cheek. Ash felt a pang of jealousy, finding himself wishing that it was his skin she was touching.
“You are beautiful,” she whispered.
Ash took a look at Obe, he could see the underlying rage just below the surface. The fae hybrid clearly felt threatened by the dragons and Ash found it strangely satisfying to see.
“Enough. We need to go,” Obe snapped, breaking the moment between the two creatures that had once enemies.
Stepping up to Blaze, Obe climbed on, taking hold of one of the ebony scales that rose off his back. Jaxe silently followed, not making eye contact with any of them. He was furious that much was clear, but Ash understood why both Morgan and Ember had suggested this. It wasn’t just to make it a quicker journey. It was also to show to the people of Caspa that the dragons could be trusted and that they were now allies.
Ember stepped back as Blaze stretched out his magnificent wings, turning his back to them he began to run, flapping them as he did and causing the air to rise, bringing the snow to swirl around them. In no time at all they were circling Caspa. With one last swoop of wings Blaze turned from them fully and took flight over the red forest.
Ash swallowed heavily as a feeling of unease settled over him. They were headed straight into the darkness that was the black city. The Gods only knew what they would meet there, or the struggles they may face on their journey. He just prayed that they would return soon enough with the information they needed to defeat the fae. He dared not think what the outcome would be should they fail.
To be continued…
About the Author
Becky is a fantasy writer originally from London currently residing in New Zealand. When she isn't writing she is either reading, working as dog supervisor or binging supernatural.
https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaMurrayAuthor/
Exile: The Silure Dragon
Victoria DeLuis
Exile © 2020 Victoria DeLuis
All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Chapter 1
I’m not one for dramatics, but my mind raced towards full out panic, and my emotions darted between joy and blazing fury when a dragon landed in the field adjacent to my house.
Her scales gleamed in the sunlight, reflecting a brilliant shade of silver that matched the steely look in her eyes, and her wings stretched like those of a bat. She shook a head crowned with a neck frill and six large spikes, sending a great chuff of air through her nostrils.
Eighty years! Eighty years since I’d last laid eyes on another dragon.
I flicked off the incessant beeping of the proximity alarm and watched the monitor as Megan changed into human form and dressed.
I remembered every fibre of her being, her perfect face, the intoxicating scent of her skin.
Rose-tinted memories surfaced forefront in my mind. I scowled and pushed them aside. So much had changed. I had and maybe, just maybe, Megan had, t
oo.
Yeah, right!
I slapped my face to bring me back to reality and moved from the screen to the large sash window. Who knew, maybe it was just a dream. Although, nightmare may be a more appropriate term.
Sure enough, there she stood, flesh and blood. Untouched by time, as though stepping from a memory. Megan trudged through the grass towards my house, framed by a backdrop of sandstone hills shrouded in grass and heather. The cool touch of the wind blew a few strands of long chocolate-brown hair around her face. The rest hung in a loose braid over one shoulder, contrasting against the whiteness of her shirt. Her hair, face, and clothes — even the jacket hooked around her waist — and the stonewash jeans looked familiar. Only the change in style depicted the passage of time.
I listened at the front door for her footsteps. They crunched on the gravel, leading closer and closer.
I opened the door before she had time to knock.
“It’s good to see you, Trystan,” she said, while I remained silent.
I faced her, arms crossed, as she looked me up and down. Her gaze lingered on my abdomen before flickering lower. Heat soared in her eyes.
Damn it! She always had a way of making me feel like a piece of meat. I cleared my throat.
“What do you want?” Wariness crept into my voice. I shivered and told myself the blame rested on the chill mountain air.
“It’s been a long time,” she said, flashing her eyes at me while stating the obvious. “Can’t an old friend stop by for a visit?”
I toyed with the idea of playing all nicey-nicey, inviting her in for a little chat, a catch up on old times. On the other hand, I possessed a temptation to gouge my eyes out with a spoon. Either option would be just as painful.
Dragons and Mages: A Limited Edition Anthology Page 113
