Liza (Dragon Isles Book 1)

by Shelley Munro

  Gwenyth wrinkled her nose. “You promise it’s a brief flight time. Right?”

  “We’ll arrive at our destination in mere minutes.”

  “Well, in that case, I can deal. I might even try to keep my eyes open this time.” Then she shuddered. “Not my mouth though. I prefer to enjoy my protein.”

  * * * * *

  “Our mate shows bravery,” Leo’s dragon said. “Our parents were worse than usual.”

  “Yes.” Leo placed his talon around Gwenyth and flapped his wings to lift them into the air. They flew straight to the battlegrounds. When he landed, his old friend hailed him. Leo shifted to human form and accepted his clothes from Gwenyth.

  “The castle is huge,” she said, and awe shimmered in her eyes. “I can’t imagine growing up here.”

  Leo scanned the sprawling honey-gold monstrosity with its towers and fortifications. “The best thing about the castle was the sheer number of places to hide from my three brothers.”

  Another of his friends, Jakab, strolled over to join them. A big dragon, he stood half a head taller than Leo. With his flowing jet-black hair, bulky body, and scarred face, the dragon intimidated some. Leo was curious how Gwenyth would react to his friend and in his friend’s response to Gwenyth.

  “Gwenyth, this is my friend, Jakab. We trained together, and now he trains younger dragons to battle.”

  “I’m glad to meet a friend of Leo’s,” Gwenyth said and extended her hand.

  Leo grinned inwardly and wondered what his friend would do at the human action.

  Jakab stared for an instant before taking her delicate hand in his enormous paw. “Great to meet you.” His gaze caught on the ring Leo had given Gwenyth. “You’re wed?”

  Leo grinned, awe and pleasure winding through him. His dragon’s hearty sigh echoed his satisfaction. “We are.”

  “Felix told me you went to see your parents. How did the meeting go?” Jakab asked. “You saw them?”

  “We did, and our meeting went as I expected. They ordered me to set aside Gwenyth and treat her as my bit on the side.”

  A huff escaped Gwenyth, and Jakab sent her a sympathetic glance before he turned back to Leo. “What will you do?”

  “First, I need to catch up on the castle gossip. Something is going on in the background. My parents have secrets, and they don’t wish me to know the reasons for this hasty betrothal. Have you heard anything?”

  “Nothing that might force a betrothal,” Jakab said. “I’ll keep my ears open, but if there are whispers, they’re not making it to me. Have you visited the kitchens yet? Cook hears all the gossip.”

  “I’ll do that,” Leo agreed. “Cook will want to meet Gwenyth.”

  Jakab grinned. “Now, I know you’re serious about your marriage to your human.”

  “Yes,” Leo acknowledged and reached for Gwenyth. “My dragon and I agree.”

  “Oh yes, we are sincere,” his dragon cooed. “Tonight, we’ll feast on each other. I cannot wait to taste her again.”

  “If Gwenyth wishes the same,” Leo cautioned along their private channel. “I refuse to force her to do anything against her will.”

  “She likes us in return. She stroked me so gooood.”

  Leo bit back his groan of agreement to concentrate on his friend.

  “What is your next move?” Jakab asked.

  “We require information.” He scanned their surroundings and saw the other dragons were ignoring them, each of the five trainees busy with the exercises Jakab enjoyed setting to increase fitness levels.

  “Have you heard any rumors regarding a break in the Dragon Isle’s protective barrier?”

  Jakab gaped enough for Leo to view sharp, white teeth. He shook his head and burst out laughing. “You jest.”

  “No,” Leo said, his tone grim as he lowered his voice. “The last time I visited the castle, I left in a temper. Instead of returning home as I’d intended, I gave in to impulse and went for a flight across the sea. The barrier wasn’t present, and I spied the mainland. That’s how I met Gwenyth. I snatched her from the sea, and we barely made it back to our world. The barrier didn’t snap into place immediately. It was like flying through thick soup. Once I forced my way through, the barrier was present, and the mainland invisible again.”

  “Where was this?” Jakab asked. “I fly parallel to the barrier most days and have never noticed what you describe.” His gaze sharpened. “When was this? What time?”

  “Three days ago, in the afternoon.”

  “Most of my training flights are in the morning. No one else has mentioned this. I’ve not heard rumors of a failing barrier. What do you think it means?”

  “Could mean many things. Gwenyth and I will travel to Perfume Isle. I’ll speak to our friends there and ask them if they’ve seen or heard anything.”

  “Your parents have paid the tithe to the druids?” Jakab asked, his hard frown making the bottom of his scar shift a fraction. “Could they have money problems? I see no signs of cost-cutting.”

  Leo shrugged. “I try not to spend much time at the castle. My family and the other inhabitants and hangers-on are a nest of vipers. I prefer fresh air, open skies and land, and choosing my way in the world.”

  “Likewise, brother,” Jakab said. “I enjoy training dragons for battle, yet more and more, I dream of living a simpler life without all the bloody politics and jealousy that finds its way into my world. Do you intend to enter the next titanic battle?”

  “I was going to,” Leo said. “But now that Gwenyth is part of my life, I’m undecided.” He smiled at Gwenyth, who’d been standing at his side, listening to their conversation. “I thought to discuss the pros and cons with Gwenyth before I made my final decision.”

  “Retire as a champion,” Jakab said.

  “Exactly.”

  “Back to the other, I’ll make discreet inquiries. I might vary the times of my training flights too.”

  “Take care,” Leo said. “Getting trapped on the other side might end up disastrous.”

  “I will heed your warning,” Jakab said. “When do you leave?”

  “As soon as I’ve spoken to Saffron about a better way to transport Gwenyth. She is not fond of flying clutched in my talons.”

  “I’ve been thinking about that,” Gwenyth said. “All I require is goggles to keep the wind and the insects from my eyes. I can tie back my hair and wrap a scarf around my face to keep the bugs at bay.”

  Jakab cocked his head to the side and considered Gwenyth. “Remember the fight where Chancery injured his head. The saw-tooth made him wear a helmet. I think it’s still in the storage room. Gwenyth is smaller, but maybe we can adjust it to fit her needs.”

  “Would that work for you, my lodestone?” Leo asked.

  “Anything is worth a try,” Gwenyth said. “I don’t understand why the bugs don’t bother you.”

  “They do,” Leo said. “But they seldom bite us because they have difficulty getting through our scales. Also, we fly higher where it’s cooler with few bugs. I didn’t want you to freeze.”

  “I could wear a thicker coat and perhaps gloves to keep my hands from freezing. Let’s try the helmet combined with more clothes. How long did you say the trip to Perfume Isle would take?”

  “A minimum of two hours,” Leo said. “It depends on the weather and wind levels. Sometimes, the trip takes longer.”

  “Is there somewhere I can purchase gloves and a warm coat?” Gwenyth asked.

  “The coat should be easy,” Leo said. “We might have to improvise until we can get gloves made to fit your hands.”

  “That’s fine. I think that will—” Gwenyth broke off, her eyes going wide. “Who are they?”

  Jakab and Leo shifted position for a better view.

  Leo stiffened. “Soldiers.”

  “This is bad,” Jakab murmured. “They’re heading in this direction.”

  The group of ten soldiers marched toward them without hesitation. Their scarlet uniforms drew the eye and denoted the
ir training and positions within the castle guards. These soldiers were his parents’ guards.

  The troop halted in front of them, and one soldier stepped out of line. He opened a coiled message and started reading in a pompous voice.

  “Gwenyth, The Weak Human. I charge you with enticing Leo, The Younger Son, and distracting him from his formal duties. By order of Qille, The Taker of Life, you will be imprisoned, pending a public trial. Take her,” he snapped to a soldier.

  “No!” Leo roared. His dragon burst from him, his clothes ripping at the seams. Before his change finished, a dart pierced his skin. The immediate numbness of the fast-acting drug had Leo staggering and collapsing. “Gwenyth,” he cried, struggling to get to her side, crawling.

  He was vaguely aware of Jakab’s attempts to help, but the soldiers fired at his friend too. Jakab thumped to the ground beside him as darkness swooped at Leo’s mind. His bloody parents. A fishy stench clung to the castle, and his parents were at the center. Leo fought the weakness of his limbs, strained to climb to his feet.

  Gwenyth cried out, and even drugged and almost unconscious, Leo heard the terror in her scream.

  “Gwenyth,” he shouted, but the words emerged as an unintelligible croak. His eyelids grew heavy even as he continued his fight. Beside him, Jakab attempted to rise. His friend toppled back with a mighty thump. Leo groaned again. His parents had bested him this time.

  There wouldn’t be a next time.

  He was done.

  Once he discovered their scheme, he’d foil them. He’d seize their precious control and power. Leo might fill the position of the youngest son, but he’d become successful in his own right. The minute the drug released its grip on him, he’d rescue Gwenyth, and they’d leave this cursed castle. This was the last time his parents would use him to further their own ends.

  The absolute last time.

  11 – Things Take A Bad Turn

  A dragon soldier snapped cuffs on her wrists, and once he’d adjusted the size to fit, he forced her away from Leo and Jakab.

  “Move, human,” he ordered.

  Gwenyth didn’t have to search his face to understand he’d enjoy applying more force. His satisfied expression told her he’d savor the physical violence. She trudged in the direction he shoved her, every part of her screaming for Leo. She craned her head, and tears filmed her vision on seeing Leo and Jakab lying on the field. Four dragons hovered in the air above the battlefield, the group of scarlet-clad soldiers having attracted their attention. Not one interfered with the soldiers, but once she and her captors left the grassy area, the dragons landed beside Leo and his friend to render aid.

  Her breath eased out. They’d be okay. Their friends and fellow-dragons would look after them.

  She was the one who faced danger.

  Popsicles.

  The word jumped into her mind when she’d rather have bitten off a robust mouth-pleasing curse. Instead, she remained silent and paid attention to her surroundings. The soldiers were heading toward the arched entrance at the front of the castle and the raised gate with myriad spikes. This was a nightmare.

  Given what Leo had told her about his parents and what she’d witnessed, she should’ve expected a flat rejection of Leo’s marriage. Their faces. They’d acted so icily toward Leo and treated him like a possession rather than a beloved son. Was that the dragon way? She had no idea, but given Leo’s sweetness and determined protectiveness, she’d assumed his parents possessed a smidgeon of honor.

  The soldiers marched into the vast courtyard that lay beyond the entrance. Other men filled the area, and from what she saw, she assumed they were training. Some fought with swords while another group pummeled each other with their bare fists. Those not fighting stood around, laughing and joking and critiquing performances. The scent of ash and body odor still perfumed the air.

  The two soldiers striding beside her wheeled left and directed her into a dim-lit corridor. Each of the doors contained a barred window, and a few held prisoners since she saw them peering at her. One issued a sharp wolf-whistle and shouted an obscene comment that had heat crowding into her cheeks. Eew! A shudder of distaste rippled through her.

  “She can share my cell,” another shouted, cupping his groin as they passed.

  Holy Hannah. Would they do that to her? Force her to share a cell with a strange man? Surely they wouldn’t be that cruel.

  When they reached the end of the corridor, a soldier opened a door. She started as a rat scuttled in front of them and disappeared through a crack in the wall. The soldiers didn’t flinch. They escorted her through and down a set of steps into another hall. The prisoners’ raucous cries were even more disturbing, and an icy wave prickled over her skin, leaving chill bumps in its wake.

  She prayed even harder they didn’t intend to make her share a cell.

  The dragon prison was many levels deep and increasingly darker and colder. Fear and panic played with her mind, and begging words bubbled up, pushing for freedom. Luckily, the knot in her throat prevented them from spilling free. However, a croak of dismay escaped, and one soldier laughed.

  “Wouldn’t want to be in your shoes, human,” he said.

  They kept marching onward, and she and the soldiers strode along another two corridors before her captors halted outside a door. A tall soldier opened it with a huge key—the sort one might see in an old movie or read about in a book. Gwenyth pushed at the thought, and her head throbbed, so she backed off.

  The hinges on the door squeaked as it opened.

  “In you go,” one soldier shunted her through the doorway.

  It was like entering a black hole. Somewhere in that darkness, water trickled from the ceiling, the steady drip-drip-drip bringing to mind dungeons in drafty castles. Oh, wait. This was a dungeon in a drafty castle.

  “What have I done to deserve this?” The words burst from her, distinct this time.

  Sympathy etched into one guard’s face, but he didn’t speak.

  The other guard said, “Don’t know. Don’t care, human. We’re following orders.” He pushed her another two steps, backed up, and slammed the cell door shut. The key turned in the door with a scraping click.

  “Wait! Don’t leave me here.”

  The soldiers ignored her plea, the click of their boots on the stone floor receding. In the distance, a door opened. A few seconds later, it slammed, and Gwenyth pressed her forehead against the icy steel bars of the solitary window in her prison.

  “Leo will find me,” she murmured, the sound of her voice bringing minor comfort. The truth rattled in her brain, pressing against her temples in a pounding ache. How would Leo find her?

  Her shoulders slumped.

  That was if Leo recovered enough to realize the soldiers had taken her.

  “Hey, human.”

  The quiet voice had her stiffening. Compared to the other prisoners they’d passed, he sounded normal. Gwenyth hesitated to respond. It behooved her to use caution and not trust anyone.

  She bit her lip, wondering if she should reply before curiosity got the better of her. “Yes?”

  “Why did they toss you in the dungeon?”

  She considered and decided there was no reason not to tell the truth. “I married Leonidas, Champion of the Skies.”

  There was silence before the man barked out a laugh of genuine amusement.

  “Yeah, that would do it. I doubt Tudoarreo, The Dragon Lord, and Qille, The Taker of Life, would accept their son’s marriage to a human.”

  “How do you know I’m a human?”

  “I can smell it on you.”

  “Oh.”

  “How did you meet the youngest son?”

  “At the human village,” Gwenyth lied.

  “I’ve heard he does business with the humans and helps them if they require aid.”

  “What are Leo’s older brothers like? Have you met them?” Talking to the stranger, even if it was through a prison wall, helped to regain her equilibrium. Besides, her father always said inf
ormation was power. He—

  A gasp emerged, and she tentatively tugged the info that had popped into her mind unbidden. As usual, pushing and pulling to free the memory resulted in the recollection dissipating like Leo’s smoke. Frustration brought misery, and she tapped her forehead against the bars three times. Each tap was progressively harder, but the outer pain jogged nothing free. She sighed. “Are you still there? Do you know Leo’s brothers?”

  “I know them.” Bitterness surged in his tone.

  Gwenyth caught her breath, waiting for more.

  “They used to be my friends. We grew up on different islands, but our families visited often. Played together. Created mischief and mayhem.”

  “And then?”

  “They took things too far. They raped a girl. The three of them with two of our other friends. I tried to stop them, but I was one against five drunken dragons.”

  “What happened?” Gwenyth asked.

  “The girl committed suicide.”

  “You ended up in the dungeon?”

  “The five ganged up together and accused me of the crime. I told the truth, but it was my word against theirs. The three oldest sons of the clan rulers plus two dragons of equally highborn parents. I never stood a chance.”

  Gwenyth got a sense of where this was going, but she asked anyway. “Who are your parents?”

  “My father is highborn but lacks the standing of Leo and his brothers. My family is not as wealthy. Father is a scholar and teaches while my mother ran our pottery business. As part of his employment package, I received a decent education. My father thought the opportunity might help me advance and make valuable contacts.”

  “I see.”

  The man sighed. “I never had much to do with Leo since there is a seven-year age gap between him and his next oldest brother. I know his brothers teased Leo. Their mischief often tipped over into bullying. I hear whenever Leo didn’t have lessons, he made himself scarce. No one knew where he went or what he did. His brothers didn’t care.”

  “I know little of Leo’s life. Only that he hates visiting the castle and prefers to live at his home rather than spend time with his family.”