"No. Not that I can recall."
"He had an accident as a child that he recovered from with no memories of it."
"Interesting."
"If he was bonded shouldn't he have had the dragon powers by now?" I inquired.
"Normally yes. However, a rider's power is strongly connected with their dragon. If they are separated, they will never develop them. They don't have the close bond required to progress."
"So he could have bonded, but never been close to his dragon."
"In theory yes, but which dragon?"
"I never knew I was bonded. If I was," James said.
"What do you remember?" Draco asked.
"My hose threw me during a riding lesson when I was a small child. I hit my head on a rock and did not wake for many days. My parents informed me that they took me on a long journey to a special physician who could heal me better than our royal physicians'."
"The witch," Draco mumbled.
"The one who saved me?" I asked.
"Aye," Draco replied.
"What dragon would have given a tear and blood for a prince?"
"There was a dragon, many years ago, who was the royal protector. He left one day to never return. We had all thought he died."
"Where would he have gone? If he bonded with James and James is still alive, that means the dragon is alive," I concluded.
Draco nodded his head, examining James's arm.
"There is only one way to find out," he said. "We must find the witch and question her."
"Will she even remember? It must have been nearly fifteen years."
"The witches don't forget bonding's. Especially blood bonding's."
"Blood bonding's?" I asked.
"Yes. It's a bond between dragon and human that was not done naturally. It is a forced bonding between willing participants. When a dragon willingly gives his tear and blood to save a human it forces a bond between the two that last a lifetime."
"We need to find the witch," I said matter-of-factly.
"When do you want to go?" James asked.
"As soon as we can."
"Morning. We will travel once dawn breaks."
I nodded and rubbed Draco's neck. "Thank you."
James and I returned to the castle, prepared to confront my parents about their deception and inform them of our travel plans.
"Your parents won't be happy," James told me.
"Yes. I know. They will have to deal with it though."
"Let's get you changed."
We hurried to my chamber, where my lady-in-waiting did her needlepoint.
"Madame!" she gasped seeing me in nothing at all.
"Yes, yes. I know. It's a long story, Elizabeth."
"Do I want to know why you are with the prince and without apparel?"
"Um, probably not."
"Lady, you are constantly full of surprises," she said, shaking her head.
"Yes. I am aware."
"Shall you wash prior to dressing, again?"
"No. I just need a gown."
She pulled a hunter green dining gown from the cupboard and helped me into it while James returned to his own chamber to dress.
"Shall we join everyone for supper?" she asked.
"Yes. Let's go. I have many announcements for the evening."
"Shall I bring my fainting fan? Will I need it?" she asked.
"Probably. It would be a good idea, Elizabeth."
"You are not a usual princess, Evelyn."
"I would be such a boring royal if I were usual, Elizabeth."
"You are right, and I wouldn't have you any other way."
She hugged me as we walked toward the dining hall arm in arm, pressing the side of my head into hers. Anxious to get through dinner.
Chapter twenty-eight
Lords and ladies stood about as my parents sat beside James. Taking a deep breath, I took a seat beside him. He looked over, smiling, and squeezed my hand. My mother picked at the food before her not eating much.
"Have you told them?" I asked
"Not yet. I was waiting for you."
Nodding my head, I turned my attentions to the rest of the people. Chewing the inside of my cheeks, I wished my stomach would stop churning. At least for a moment. There was no way I could tell my parents that I was leaving again. Not so soon. They would never have it.
"Are you alright, Evelyn?" Father asked.
"Yes. Quite well, father. Thank you," I mumbled.
The image of James's arm engulfed in flame burned in my mind. I couldn't forget it.
What kind of accident did he have? Why would his father never tell him of his forced bonding?
James took my hand and led me around the great table to the dance floor. Music wafted through the air as the minstrels began to play. James held me close enough that I could smell the distinct smell of his cigars and fire. My cheeks burned as I glanced about us and noticed so many of the nobles staring at us. We were inappropriately close. Even for an engaged couple.
"People are staring."
"I don't care about them, Elie."
"They will talk."
"Does it matter?" he asked.
"No."
"How do you want to tell your parents?"
"About what?" I asked, attempting to seem oblivious to our matter at hand.
"You know what, Evelyn."
"I don't know. They're not going to take it easily."
I closed my eyes as we twirled about the floor, the music seemed so distant. I wanted to spin off the dance floor with James and run away. Run as far from all the problems as we could go.
"Do you want to get out of here?" James asked.
"Yes. Very much so."
James bowed to me, held out his arm for me to hold, and ushered me past everyone. They bowed and curtsied as we strolled past. Once we escaped the confines of the great hall, he broke into a run pulling me behind. My heart sped up as we burst through the front doors into the cool Scottish night. My breath puffed up like little white wisps of smoke as we ran across the front lawn. He slowed only once the castle was out of sight. A shiver ran up my spine as the cold night air seeped through my thick dress.
"Where are we going?" I asked through chattering teeth.
"Not much further."
"It's so cold."
"I know. I promise we're almost there."
We broached the forest and squeezed through the heavy brush and trees that seemed to be closing in on us. A tree branch seemed to reach out and slap me in the face. The stinging echoed throughout my head as warm liquid slid down my face. I reached up, wiping it away.
"I'm bleeding."
"What?"
"I was hit in the face with a tree branch."
"Sorry. We're almost there."
More trees seemed to reach out for us. The skirt of my gown was caught on something; I reached down and tugged on the fabric until I heard a rip.
Elizabeth is going to be furious.
We breeched the tree line and entered a circular clearing. James led me to the center and stopped. The moon hung high in the sky, casting eerie shadows around us. It was so dark I couldn't see much further in front of my face. The wind blew across the field, bustling my skirts about my legs.
"Why are we here?" I asked quietly.
"We're waiting."
"W-waiting?"
"Yes. Be still and you'll see."
I pursed my lips and clutched James's arm. I wasn't sure what we were waiting for or why we were in the center of a field. In the distance, a small blue flame like light seemed to appear from nowhere. It hovered above the ground, as if it invited us to go towards it. I took a step forward, but James grabbed my arm.
"Wait."
"I don't understand."
"Wait."
"What is it?"
"It's a wisp."
"A wisp?" I asked. "Those don't exist."
"You've seen dragons, magic, and immortals while
here and a wisp is unbelievable?"
I shrugged my shoulders. "I suppose it fits in with the way life has been going."
As I watched the small wisp intensify more appeared, forming a trail into the opposite end of the clearing.
"Now we go."
"Go? Where?"
"Wherever they lead us," James said.
"Aren't they deadly? Won't they take us to our death?"
"They haven't led me astray as of yet."
"You've followed them before?" I inquired as we walked across the clearing.
"Yes."
The blue glow of the wisp lit up James's face. He appeared hypnotized by the fire that bounced in front of us. Releasing James's arm, I reached out to touch the wisp. My fingers went through the cool flame. My hand and arm tingled as it travelled up my arm.
"What's happening?" I asked.
"I don't know. I've never tried to touch it before."
Stepping forward, I gasped as the wisp vanished. We followed the trail of orbs into the forest. There was no way to tell how far we'd gone before they stopped in front of a door. The house it was attached to was small and unassuming if not odd that it was in the middle of a Scottish forest. Reaching out to knock, James grabbed my hand and shook his head.
"Why not? They led us here for a reason, right?"
He held a finger to his lips and crept to the side of the house, motioning for me to follow. A small window was a glow from a fire that raged in a massive fireplace. A black cauldron bubbled as a shadow crossed in front of us. My breath hitched, and I ducked down so the occupant wouldn't see me. James remained positioned in front of the window.
"Young royals, do come in through the front door," a voice called from the front of the house.
"She saw us?" I whispered.
James shrugged.
"I see all, dear child."
The woman had retreated into the dimly lit house by time we creeped back around to the front.
"Do we go in?" James asked.
"I think."
"Yes, yes! Do come in. You're letting the heat out."
"Who are you?" I asked as James closed the door behind him.
"Someone who has answers. Otherwise, those pesky wisps wouldn't have led you here. Sit, have some tea to warm yourselves."
"Do they lead people to you often?" James questioned.
"No. You're the first in quite some time."
"How long?"
"It has been about eighteen years I suppose. Not since a young king and his queen brought their child to me for saving."
"My parents?" James asked in a gasp.
"Yes, young prince. Your parents."
"I don't understand."
"Sit."
He nodded and we took the mugs of steaming tea from the old witch.
"When you were not but a babe you had a terrible accident. It was tragic for the young king and queen seeing as how they were unable to have children and had waited so long for your arrival. They begged and pleaded for me to save your life, which I obliged. They'd been very open with the wonders of the world and did not hunt down my kind, or Reginald's."
"Who is Reginald? What happened to me?"
"Reginald was the dragon who gave up part of his heart and his tears to save your young life."
"So it's true? I am bonded."
She nodded her head and took a bit from a biscuit.
"What happened?" I reiterated.
"You had fallen quite from quite a height onto a dagger. It pierced your small heart."
"The scar..."
"Yes. You still have the scar. By time your parents had found the wisps and brought you here, you were dead. Your small body was so cold and lifeless. Reginald stopped by for a visit at the exact moment the king and queen arrived. He knew how important you would be to the future of all and agreed to bond with you despite the fact you weren't his rider."
"You were able to bring me back to life?"
"Aye, young lad."
"What happened to him?" I asked.
"He's still about. He returned to his clan's grounds and remains as their leader."
"Why are we here now?" I asked.
"You need me again."
"Why?"
"I do not know," she answered.
"You don't know?"
"The wisps do what they believe needs done."
"We don't know why we're here," James said.
"No? How peculiar they would bring someone here that didn't need help."
James and I glanced at each other, sipping the tea. I tried to think of all the reasons why the wisps would lead us to such a powerful witch. Nothing had happened except for the Guild.
The Guild!
"Have you granted immortality to anyone?"
"I have."
"Who?"
"There were three young men quite some time ago who sought me out. They begged for lives that never ended so that they may help rid the world of evil and to preserve the world's kings and queens."
"The Guild."
"I do not know of any Guild."
"Agnolo, Vincenzo, Berard?"
"Yes. Yes those are the men."
"How did you give them immortality?" James asked.
"Why are you so curious?" she asked.
"The power has gone to their heads. They take young girls from their families and force them to become assassins. If they disobey, they're killed."
"Aye. I did hear whispers of a great rebellion by your mother some years ago, and the great escape orchestrated by you."
"You know?"
"I'm a witch. I know all."
I sat back and stared at the old woman in awe. She continued dunking her biscuit in a mug of tea, acting as though everything that happened should have happened. As though it were all predetermined.
Is this our destiny set into motion hundreds of years ago? Are we meant to save the young nobility of all from the evil of the Guild?
Chapter twenty-nine
My mind reeled from the revelations. Everything was setup to happen as it did.
"What do we do about them?" I asked.
"About who, lass?"
"The Guild. What do we do about the Guild?"
"Aye, they are a bit of a problem."
"Do they have a weakness? Can they be killed?" James asked.
"One did die, did he not?" she asked.
"Yeah, but I'm not sure how. The others weren't harmed."
The old woman stood from the table and turned to a cabinet behind her. Beyond the ancient doors rested many dozens of potions. She dug about the old vials picking up one, shaking her head, and placing it back. A loud ah ha and the doors slammed shut.
She handed over a glowing red liquid to me. It felt hot in my hand as I held it up in front of me. Reaching to remove the cork, she slapped my hand.
"Ow."
"Do not let that touch any part of you."
"Why?" I shook the bottle, mixing up the volatile potion.
"If it touches your skin it will turn you mortal. Your bond to Draco will be broken."
"Is that how it will destroy them? Will that kill them?"
"I'm not sure. It should, but if there is another spell protecting them on top of the one I performed, they may not be able to be destroyed."
"Wait, what? Is that possible?"
"Anything is possible?" She returned to dunking her sweet biscuit in the tea, munching happily as though our lives weren't in danger from a dangerous band of people.
I nudged James and got up from the table. "Thank you for the help, Witch."
"Do be warned, child. This is not a simple nor easy adventure you embark on. There are many dangers you must watch for along the way, and do not be surprised if not everyone from your party returns."
James and I glanced at each other and nodded before hurrying out the door. The horses tied up out front let out an ear-piercing whinny as we climbed into the saddles. My hea
rt leapt to my throat as I watched the old witch's house vanish before my eyes. Gripping the reigns tightly, my feet nudged the horse into a gallop anxious to get out of the mysterious and mystical woods. James and I rode hard, not stopping until he castle came into sight. Horses stomped about the front grounds as people held lanterns towards the tree line closest the castle.
"Shit," I muttered.
"They're looking for us," James grumbled.
"Yes. I know. I suppose that's what happens when the prince of Scotland and Princess of England go missing in the midst of a supper."
"Ho! There they are! The missing prince and princess," a man shouted, running toward us.
Sighing heavily, we slid off the steeds and handed over reigns to the first stable hand who reached us. The horses trotted happily back to the barn, sweat covering their chestnut bodies.
"Evelyn! Where have you been? Why did you leave? What is the meaning of this foolishness?"
"Calm down, mother."
She spun me around, checking every part that she could see. Once Mother was satisfied that I hadn't been harmed she drug me into the castle as though I were a mere child and not a woman trying to save the world. Or at least my world. Her clench tightened around my wrist as we hurried down the darkened halls of the old castle. A cold breeze swept down the corridor as we approached my chambers. A fire roared in the fireplace, Elizabeth sat in a chair near it doing her needlepoint. Mother slammed the door behind us and shoved me further into the room.
"Child, you have absolutely gone mad. What were you thinking? Going off alone with nobody to protect you!"
"Oh calm down. Nothing was going to happen to me. Moreover, I wasn't alone. I had James with me."
"James? A prince? What could he possibly do to save you if the Guild should attack? Nothing, Evelyn! Nothing!"
"He can do more than nothing. He's not so different from me. He's been running this country for quite a few years now. Plus he's bonded."
"Bonded? Bonded to what?"
Taking a deep breath I went into the elaborate story the old witch divulged to us. She shook her head and muttered under her breath the entire time. Her disbelief baffled me. She knew the dangers that were posed to our families and our countries if I didn't do something. She knew it was time to let me take over as assassin of the family.
She rubbed her temples, continuing to mutter under breath. I stomped my foot and let out as mighty a yell as I could.
The Defender's Daughter: The Defender's Book 2 Page 17
