“I don’t blame him. After a time, Leo left Hissing Isle and lived on another island. It shocked everyone when he returned and entered the annual battle. His brothers laughed and placed bets on him losing in the first round. The ultimate battle was something to behold. The current champion wore his arrogance close to the surface. He couldn’t believe Leo dared to challenge him for his title.” The man laughed, a deep bark of amusement. “Leo didn’t muck around. He fought to win. That was three years ago now.”
“His brothers don’t bully him any longer,” Gwenyth said.
“Not that I’ve heard. It was after the champion battle that I ended up in the dungeon.”
Appalled, she said, “You’ve been here for three years?”
“Almost.”
“They must feed you then.”
“When they remember. A word of warning, no matter how hungry you are, try your food with caution. The guards find it amusing to add extra salt to make the prisoners thirsty, then they deprive us of water. Treat everyone with suspicion.”
“Even you?”
“Especially me. I might spin you a lie.”
“Why would you do that? I’m no threat to you.”
“To gain your sympathy. From what I know of Leonidas, he will protest your imprisonment.”
Leo would fight for her. The knowledge brought comfort.
“Do they let us out to exercise?”
He made a scoffing sound. “What do you think this is? A treat for the well-behaved and favored? I keep myself sane by exercising several times a day.”
“Do they kill prisoners?”
He hesitated, and everything inside her pulled tight. Gwenyth wished she hadn’t asked.
“Yes.”
No sugarcoating his answer. “What is your name?”
“Martinos.”
“Are you a dragon?”
“Yes.”
“Can’t you use your dragon to escape? Use your flames or something similar?”
“Such the innocent,” Martinos mocked. “I wear a druid-made bracelet that keeps my dragon trapped. Without a druid’s aid, I cannot remove the bracelet, short of chopping off my arm.”
“That would be drastic.”
“Yes. You didn’t tell me your name.”
“Gwenyth.” As she said the name, it felt wrong, yet no alternative presented itself.
“Well, fair Gwenyth. I can’t say I’m sorry to have someone to talk to. It gets lonely down here.”
“What about the others in the cells?”
“They’re on the upper levels, but this is the original dungeon. I’ve been the lone prisoner here for the last year.”
“Oh.” Gwenyth wondered how he remained sane. The prospect of staying here even one day filled her with trepidation. “How do you keep yourself sane?”
“Who said I was? According to those who put me here, I am a psychopath and capable of great cruelty.”
“Are you?”
He issued another of those humorless laughs. “Wait and see.”
“Apart from exercises, what do you do? It’s so dark down here.”
“You get used to the darkness,” he said in a matter-of-fact tone. “Your eyes will adjust.”
She hoped so. One light shone from the far wall—probably enough light for the guards to carry out their duties.
Martinos described his day. “Exercise comes first. If I ever get the chance to leave or fate allows me to escape, I want to seize the opportunity. Back when I was a free dragon, I used to paint. I’d made a name for myself and had a small shop. I specialized in portraits, but I also enjoy—enjoyed—painting scenery.”
“When Leo and I walked through the castle to meet his parents, I noticed a large number of portraits. Most of those depicted seemed dour and disapproving.”
She received another forced laugh from Martinos.
“I always thought so. I liked to paint mine with unique expressions. Some laughed while others held mysterious smiles. Some were serious and others thoughtful. It depended on their occupation or station in life as to how I tried to portray them.”
“That makes sense. They should’ve hired you to improve on the portraits in the castle. I was half tempted to find a marker pen and do my own alterations.”
“A crime,” he barked. “One that would land you in the dungeon.”
She fell silent at that. Her single transgression had been to meet Leo and start falling for him, to agree to marry him. She hoped he was okay. His friends had watched what went down and had been moving to help Leo once the soldiers left.
“Has anyone ever escaped from the dungeon?”
“No,” Martinos said without hesitation.
“There’s always a first time.” Gwenyth explored her prison. The room was the size of a bathroom. Enough room to lie down and attempt to sleep. Enough room to pace. Enough room to exercise—if she followed Martinos’s advice. The walls consisted of solid rock. Her fingers ran over the rough, damp surface. A few stones held cracks, but not enough to allow a prisoner to escape. She scuffed her right foot and tripped over something on the ground. Not in time to catch herself, she shot off-balance, striking her knees on the rough cobbles. Gwenyth grunted, and tears shrouded her vision.
“You all right?”
“Tripped over the bed. You didn’t think to tell me it was there?”
Martinos barked out another of his emotionless laughs. “Not your keeper.”
She bit back another retort and pushed herself to her feet. Wetness dribbled down her leg. Blood, she assumed. She could feel it beneath her trews. Probably lucky she had a layer of fabric between her skin and the hard floor. She might have injured herself worse. As it was, she’d need to take care not to get an infection while in this hellhole.
“Anything else in here, I shouldn’t trip over?” She’d thought her eyes had adjusted enough to see. Obviously not.
“Chamber pot. You’ll want to keep that intact.” Amusement sounded in his rough voice.
Gwenyth pulled a face. “Do the soldiers empty them?”
“Nope. There’s a drain somewhere in your cell. Mine is underneath the bed.”
Her eyes rolled. “This keeps getting better.”
It was time for escape plan A. If that failed, she’d move on to plan B because the thought of remaining in this damp, cold cage was inconceivable.
12 – Trouble. Big, Big Trouble
Leo came to slowly, his eyes flickering at the bright light shining in his face. He groaned, his mouth dry as he tried to recall how he came to be in this position.
“He’s awake,” someone said.
Leo didn’t recognize the dragon’s voice.
“Leo.”
Another voice he did recognize.
“Jakab?” Leo pushed upright, and instead of the usual fluidity of his muscles, each part of his upper body groaned a sullen protest. He rubbed the back of his head, his fingers locating a lump. “What happened?”
“Your bloody family happened,” Jakab snarled, his usually calm friend agitated and out of sorts.
Leo stiffened. “Where is Gwenyth?”
“They took her,” the stranger said. He circled to a position where Leo could see him without straining his neck.
A younger dragon, and one he hadn’t met before. One of Jakab’s students.
“Tell me what happened,” Leo said, his mind fuzzy.
“They shot you with a dart. Drugged you.”
“Two darts,” another student said as he joined his friend.
“That’s why you’ve recovered slower than Jakab.”
“Once they’d subdued you and Jakab, they escorted the woman to the dungeons.”
“My bloody parents,” Leo said. “I underestimated them. I thought Gwenyth would be safe with me. If they kill her, so help me.” His hands curled to fists. “I’ll visit them. Demand they release her.”
“No,” Jakab said. “Stay away from your parents. If they realize how much you care for her, they might issue a kill order.�
�
A chill struck Leo as he considered his friend’s declaration. Would his parents kill an innocent human? They hadn’t before, although they’d ordered soldiers to run humans and lower dragons out of the castle. Killing a human... He paused, his brow wrinkling while he cast back his mind. He wasn’t positive since his parents typically ignored him. His older brothers might have a better idea. Not that facing them was more palatable than approaching his parents.
“Does anyone have a clue of why my parents want me to wed Nandag, The Strongminded? I don’t understand why they’re so determined on the betrothal. Why not one of my older brothers? They have far greater standing than me. The three of them live at the castle and involve themselves in various family money-making enterprises. That’s the part of this that surprises me.”
Jakab stroked his nose. “That’s the thing. I’ve heard nothing. No gossip. No rumors. No speculation. I’m aware they’re planning a ball, but the purpose never reached me. My sister works in the kitchen. She told me Telus informed them visitors were arriving. The butler issued each department with a list of duties and the various functions they were to prepare for. Secrecy surrounds Nan’s visit.”
Leo eyed the younger dragons who were loitering and eavesdropping on their conversation. He drew Jakab farther away. “This smacks of blackmail. That’s the one reason that might force my parents to act in this manner.”
Jakab tapped his chin. “Either that or Nan and her family have something your parents covet.”
“I wonder if my brothers are involved,” Leo mused. “The reasons don’t matter. If I don’t prize Gwenyth from the dungeon, our marriage won’t mean a thing.”
“You care for her.”
“She is my mate, Jakab.” Leo didn’t explain further since he wanted Jakab to believe the bond between Leo and Gwenyth was solid. The last thing he needed was for everyone to discover their marriage was fresh, and their relationship tenuous.
Jakab stared at him, the gold of his dragon displayed in his widened eyes. “I thought mates were tales our elders told to make us careful in choosing a partner. A fallacy like pink unicorns.”
“It’s hard to explain. She fascinates my dragon half, and we both experienced the solid click inside when we first met Gwenyth. If we’re with her, the world is better. Brighter.” His brow wrinkled. “I sound like a sap but having Gwenyth at my side is pure magic.”
“I heard mates can speak with each other via thought. That will help.” Excitement flashed through Jakab, and he eyed Leo in clear anticipation.
“I’ve tried to communicate,” Leo said. “My dragon and I hear nothing but silence.”
Jakab scratched his chin. “Perhaps it’s because she’s a human.”
“Or it might be the distance between us. None of the tales I heard about mates explained the finer details. We were given broad strokes.”
“True. What are you going to do?”
“I’ll visit the kitchen and the other castle departments where I have allies. Ask questions and gather information to come up with a viable plan.”
“And if that fails?”
Leo straightened his shoulders. “If that fails, I’ll rally an army and attack. I will get my wife back.”
“And if anyone harms her, we’ll tear them limb from limb.” His dragon emphasized his thought with three rapid puffs of smoke.
Jakab barked out a laugh. “I take it your dragon is exerting his opinion.”
“He is. I must go. Speed is of the essence.”
“Wait.” Jakab grasped his elbow to halt him. “If you require help, ask. I have men loyal to me. Dragons who know us both and will fight for what is right.”
“Thanks. That means a lot.”
“One more thing. My brother is a guard at the dungeon. He wasn’t with the group who took your mate, but he’ll know where they’ve imprisoned her. I’ll visit him to learn what I can. Once you’re done, return here to compare notes.”
Leo’s throat tightened, the offer of trust and friendship one that almost unmanned him. He managed a clipped nod before he departed. Leo hoped Jakab understood how much his friendship meant to him.
* * * * *
Several hours later, Leo strode to the battlefield to consult with Jakab. Although he’d met with his friends, he’d learned little. Frustration tensed his muscles, and he had to concentrate on holding his human form.
“Let me out,” his dragon roared. “Now is the time to attack. Take them off guard.”
“We require a plan,” Leo gritted out. He coughed from the surge of dense smoke that poured from his throat. “Quit it. You’re wearing us out when we require every bit of cunning and intelligence to recover our mate. What would she say if she saw this tantrum of yours?”
His dragon paused, and it surprised Leo his other half was listening to him.
“You’re right,” his dragon said, his tone sulky. “I will work with you rather than against. What is our plan?”
“We’ll hear what Jakab has learned first,” Leo said.
“There you are! I’ve searched the castle for you.”
Leo turned to face Telus. “Now you’ve found me.”
“You’re required at the tailor to have your fitting for the celebration ball tomorrow. Your mother is insistent you appear in the correct clothes.”
“No.” Leo turned his back on the butler.
“Your mother informed me if you ignored her orders, I was to send word to the head guard to mete out punishment to the human.”
Leo froze. Telus’s tone told Leo everything. The butler was enjoying relaying this message. Leo shifted to face Telus. “I see. And what other tasks do my parents have for me?”
“I’ve written a list,” Telus said. “Nan will arrive in three hours with her entourage. You will be present with your parents and brothers to help welcome her to Hissing Isle.”
“I thought she was arriving tomorrow.”
“The plan changed.”
“Give me the list.” Leo held out an imperious hand. Telus remained in place, and Leo snatched the papers from the officious dragon. Without another word, he stalked toward the battlefield.
Telus shouted instructions after him, but Leo’s steps never faltered.
“I dislike that dragon. He has always treated us as if we were manure beneath his prissy feet,” his dragon said. “He doesn’t or never used to treat your brothers like that. Why does he disrespect us? We’ve done nothing to upset him.”
“My parents and brothers treat us in the same way. It makes me wonder if one of my parents had an affair. I mean, our appearance doesn’t stand out, but that doesn’t mean we have both parents in common.”
“How will we learn the truth?”
“Some of the old retainers might hold secrets.”
“Will they talk?”
“Don’t know,” Leo said. “Not that it matters. The most important thing is to free Gwenyth and spirit her away from the castle.”
“Priorities,” his dragon replied with approval. “I wish we could speak with her.”
“Me too. Maybe we’ll manage that once we make love to her again.”
“Yessss,” his dragon hissed in approval. “I dream of our bodies joining.”
“So that’s why I keep waking up with a stiff cock,” Leo muttered.
His dragon sniffed. “You want her.”
“More than anything,” Leo agreed. “She is our one. We cannot lose Gwenyth.”
“If anyone damages her, I shall go on a warpath,” his dragon said, and it was a promise rather than a threat.
“I will be right there with you. Anyone who injures Gwenyth will not go unpunished.”
Leo arrived at the battlefield to find Jakab hadn’t returned from visiting his brother. While he waited, he observed the younger dragons training for an upcoming battle on Smoking Isle. The youngsters completed their exercises and landed. Once they shifted, Leo started talking.
“You,” Leo said, pointing at a bright blue dragon with blue eyes. “Y
ou’re taking the corners too wide. Streamline your limbs to avoid your body dragging against the air.”
A green dragon sniggered. “You’re overweight,” Leo stated, shutting the youngster down. “If you drop some of that poundage and muscle up more, your speed will increase.”
“What about me?” a small black dragon asked.
Leo grinned. “You need to eat more and build muscle. Work on your strength and endurance. Practice your turns. Even though I’m advising you to put on muscle, your smaller frame will allow you to turn faster. That will give you an advantage.”
“You should listen to Leonidas,” Jakab said from behind Leo. “He has experience and knows what he’s talking about. We rarely have a champion such as Leo to offer tips.”
“The Leonidas?” the green dragon asked, and he peered more closely at Leo. “I didn’t recognize you.”
“There’s no reason you should. I have been focusing on things other than training and entering battles.”
“Are you retired?” the black dragon asked.
“Not officially.” As Leo uttered the words, he didn’t feel the urge to test himself against other dragons. He’d achieved his goals. None of his accomplishments had changed his parents’ behavior toward him. Something to consider.
“Be here tomorrow morning, and we’ll practice those turns,” Jakab said. “Bring your battle suits, and I’ll arrange a battle with a few of my friends. That will show the difference a fast turn makes in winning or losing a battle.”
“Yes, sir!” the three trainees chorused.
Leo waited until the young dragons entered the changing rooms and were out of earshot. “What news?”
“My brother says they have incarcerated her in the bottom level of the dungeon,” Jakab said.
“In the old dungeons?” Shock filled Leo at the update. “That’s where they detain the worst of the criminals. Why would they keep her there?”
“Because it’s almost impossible to escape the lower level. No one has done it before.”
“Almost?” Leo asked.
“Karlos, my brother, says the lower dungeon is in bad repair. Cracks are appearing in the walls and the cells flood during the rainy season. One prisoner drowned last year.”
Liza (Dragon Isles Book 1) Page 12
