by Ciara Lake
“Draconi, if you will excuse me, I will leave Arianna with you and Sarah. I’m going to retrieve some things from Ejdeha Dragoni.” Clayne looked at Arianna. “Is there anything else you need?”
“No.” Arianna smiled. “Sarah has given me changes of clothing. They seem to have everything here.”
“Very well.” He bowed. “I leave you in good hands. Thank you, my liege.”
“Clayne, I will gladly see to your mate. By the way, I hear Amuliana is looking for you and Arianna. Zaj contacted me with the warning. It seems she is tormenting your father, your uncle the king, and your soldiers looking for you.” Draconi shook his head, a smirk on his face. “She will be really fuming and in a tizzy when I give her the invitation to attend the joining ceremonies here in my realm. She was already pissed I was even attending. To have it in my home will add to her annoyance.” Draconi threw back his head and laughed. “I enjoy watching her squirm. She hates to be too near to the Enchanted Forest or here where I am in complete control.”
“Perhaps she won’t come,” Clayne said in a hopeful tone.
“Oh no, she’ll be here. She must be the center of attention. Plus, she has a definite interest in our Arianna. She won’t miss this event. However, it would be best to avoid her for now. She’s especially bitchy when you don’t follow her orders. Next time you encounter her it should be here.”
Clayne nodded. “I’ll do my best to avoid her, but it can be difficult. She pops in at the most unwanted times.” Smiling in Arianna’s direction, he winked. “She has no respect for others’ privacy.” He walked over to Arianna and kissed her on the side of her face. “I shall be quick, my love.” He vanished.
* * * *
“Seth, you’re an idiot,” Amuliana screamed.
Seth winced. The shrill of her voice hurt his eardrums.
“I did not instruct you to go into the dragon’s realm. How dare you do so on your own initiative? Now those scaly creatures may suspect that I gave you the key to enter.”
“Suspicion is not proof.” Seth shrugged.
“You are an idiot,” Amuliana repeated. “Draconi is always watching me, too closely. You’re all stupid bloodsuckers. I don’t know why I even bother. Who in Hades decided to go after Arianna at the dress shop? And to kill those humans? Something happened there I need to know, and so far it has been withheld from me.” Amuliana paced the room. “You may have captured the attention of the council of gods in these actions, especially entering the dragon’s realm.”
“I cannot speak for the dress shop incident. The ones who went there died at the hands of the dragons so there is no one to question. We knew nothing of their plan. Perhaps you should free Saltar?” Seth dared to say. “Together you would not be fearful of the council.”
“Free him?” Amuliana’s eyes widened. “Are you out of your blood-drained mind? Saltar must stay within his prison. It was the agreement with the dragons and other immortals. Saltar openly killed immortals for no reason. Zeus expects him to be held. The council is far more powerful than any of us. Zeus could blast you out of this universe with one flick of his finger.” Amuliana’s face contorted into a sneer. “You are beyond stupid, you foul collection of rotted flesh.”
“We went to see the dracvipen, she’s kin to us. We wished to see her for ourselves.”
“You fools. Did you think they would allow that?” She huffed. “Arianna may have your blood in her veins, but she is not at all interested in helping you. She’s mated to the dragon Clayne MacDagon. He will kill you where you stand if you attempt to approach her again. Do you want to lose your heads or be melted to the floor? Perhaps you want him to rip your body into shreds. To rain your blood upon the fields. He is an expert in those techniques of ridding himself of your kind.” Amuliana’s complexion turned pitch black. Her eyes were silver. Like a coiled snake she seethed within her own fury. “Now that those idiots went to the dress shop and appeared as monsters to her, she will never join with you.”
“Perhaps it was your hope.” After he uttered those words, he cried out, dropping to his knees.
“You dare to speak to me in this way? Do you wish to join Saltar? I can arrange that, you know? What do you mean ‘perhaps it was my hope’?” She slapped his face with the back of her hand.
“No, goddess, I prefer to be free or dispatched directly to Hades than to suffer what is Saltar’s fate.” Seth moaned. “Forgive me, goddess. I’m emotional regarding my brother. I have said things making no sense. My apologies.”
“Emotional?”
Seth doubled over more.
Amuliana tapped her foot. “Well, you best not allow your emotions to take your head or I will.” Her eyes blazed, flashing from black to silver. “You don’t happen to know who sent those vampires to the human realm, do you?” Her complexion returned to its normal alabaster.
“No, goddess. I do not. Are you sure you don’t know?”
“Such insolence.”
Seth screamed out as he flattened to the floor in pain.
“Why do I have the feeling you are lying to me or even baiting me? You should not dare this attitude with me. I will cause you great pain. Great suffering. I can crush you with only a thought.”
“Goddess, I am not lying. I know nothing of why they went to fetch her in the human realm. Our goal was not to alienate the dracvipen. We wished her to be fond of us. We are her kin.”
“Yes, she is a potent dracvipen of some unusual power. I’m sure it could be advantageous to your Saltarians if she were fond of you.”
“My goddess, please allow my apologies.”
“Shut up, fiend. I should have forsaken you and yours as well.” She held her hand out in front of her. “I feel Clayne has returned to Ejdeha Dragoni.” In a moment, she was gone.
* * * *
“Where is he?” Amuliana shrieked. She stood at the head of the great hall. The dragons turned to focus their eyes on the enraged goddess who had interrupted their meal and meeting.
“Who, my goddess?” King Arach stood, an impassive look on his face.
“You know who, Arach. Don’t play a fool with me.” She narrowed her eyes.
“Clayne MacDagon?” King Arach calmly replied.
“Yes, Clayne and his mate. They have purposely avoided me. They should be punished for their disobedience.” The goddess’s voice remained elevated.
“You just missed Clayne. He was here. However, he was summoned by God Draconi to serve in his castle.”
“That egotistical dragon god in my way again. Is that where he has been hiding, behind the dragon god? Draconi has interfered. Arach, you need to go get Clayne and bring him back here with his female. Now!” She stomped her foot hard. The glasses on the tables jumped, some spilling their liquid.
“Why the rush, Amuliana?” a cool voice replied from behind her.
She rotated on her heels to face the person who’d spoken to her. “How dare you speak to me such?”
“I can speak to you as I wish, Amuliana. I hardly interfered with anything. I’m certainly not egotistical.” Draconi raised his eyebrow as he regarded her. “Or at least let’s not have the pot calling the kettle black. It’s simply asinine.” Draconi stood in a defiant stance of his own. “For sure, Clayne does not hide from anything. He is a fearless and honorable warrior. You have seen him in action.” Draconi stepped between Arach and the goddess. “I have given Clayne and Arianna chores to do on my behalf. When I’m done with their service, you may have their attention. Also, I would prefer you stop terrorizing my dragons.” Draconi scanned the room. “You are most troubling as of late to this realm.”
“How dare you? What in Hades do you mean?”
“Really, how dare I?” Draconi stepped closer to her. His normal size dwarfed her. “I dare often, I am a powerful god.” His smile turned to a threatening glare. “These are my people under my protection.” He motioned to the others standing around them. “I’m telling you not to speak to me thus or to them. They offer you all the respect you are
due. Respect them and me in return. Or we shall have an issue between us.” He smiled, yet it did not reach his eyes.
Amuliana paled at his warning. Her complexion became ashen.
“Don’t fret, Amuliana, all is well at this time. Just do as I instruct and be more polite.” Draconi’s tone was mocking. “On a lighter note, I am formally inviting you to my joining ceremony.”
“You are joining with someone?” Amuliana sneered. She looked incredulous. “Are you kidding? Anyway, dragons are immortal, so they are my dragons as well.” She crossed her arms in front of her and stood defiantly facing him.
“I’d hardly kid over things of this importance. Yes, I am joining with a mate, and I wish to celebrate openly with others. She is a lovely creature. I do hear what you are saying about the dragons being immortals. It’s fine, but I am their primary deity. How can you deny that?” Draconi regarded her, awaiting her reply.
“Mated? Primary deity to the dragons? You’re ridiculous.” The goddess looked stunned.
“You like to repeat me. Yes, I am to be mated.” Draconi nodded. “Yes, I am the god of the dragons.”
Amuliana looked as if she could explode.
“I’ve invited Clayne and Arianna to celebrate their joining with ours. It’ll be tomorrow night in the garden of my castle. Will you attend?”
The goddess seemed to sober.
“I will be gifting them with something special.”
“You are sharing your ceremony with Clayne and his dracvipen?” Her mouth hung open in surprise. “Gifting them with something special?”
“I am. Again, you like to repeat me. Have you lost some ability to hear?” He studied her.
“I shall attend. I would not miss such an event.” A wicked smile came to her face. “I’ll gift them with something special too.”
“Very good. We will expect you.” Draconi approached her and held out a crisp, white parchment. “I’ve prepared this invitation especially for you. It has all the details. Don’t be late, we will start on time.”
Amuliana snatched it from him and disappeared.
“Well, she was less than polite,” Draconi commented to the others. He looked around the room, taking in everything. “I guess I should not be surprised.” He chuckled. “She is a moody female who never seems to be satisfied.”
“Thank you, Lord Draconi.” King Arach approached Draconi. “She was in a fit. I appreciate you calming her down. She can have an awful temper.”
“Yes, I always affect her mood in some way. I would not call it calming her down. I simply refocused her wrath onto me for the time and gave her something new to think about. However, she dare not show her temper to me. At least not directly show it.” Draconi smiled. “Or I will make her very unhappy.” Draconi’s voice deepened. “King Arach, all of Ejdeha Dragoni is invited to the ceremony.” He handed Arach another white piece of parchment. “You will be my honored guest, king of the dragons.” Draconi turned to speak to Zaj. “Zaj, your son is much favored by me. As are you and your king. This will be a festive affair. Not only am I your god, I’m your family.” Draconi bowed. “I am happy to share this with all of you. I’m grateful for Arianna to have caused me to know Sarah. I appreciate you celebrating with us. I look forward to seeing all of you there.”
“Of course, my liege, we are honored.” Arach bowed. “I would not miss this momentous occasion celebrating both your joining and my nephew’s joining. My sister must be excited by all of this. She loves a good party.”
“She is very happy,” Zaj chimed in. “Thank you for your kindness, Draconi.”
“When I say I am your primary deity I mean it. I will treat you all as most important to me. You are of my image and character. Your protection is my duty. As dragons, we are one.” Draconi patted Arach on his back. “Krilata is now with Timka, working with our mates in the planning. There’ll be much merrymaking. I will take my leave to join the others in our preparation. Until tomorrow night.” Draconi bowed then vanished.
* * * *
“Oh, my love, you look most beautiful. Your dress is lovely beyond words,” Clayne whispered in Arianna’s ear as he pressed against her. “I want to make love to you right now.” He kissed her behind her ear.
“No, no, we have so much to do. We can make love later.” Arianna gently pushed him away.
“Promise?”
“Of course.”
The dress’s gauzy white material floated around Arianna, making her look angelic. It complimented her shape, yet it seemed to continually move. The dress definitely had an otherworldly appearance.
“This dress was a gift from the Goddess Persephone. She gave one to both Sarah and me. A messenger arrived with boxes and a note explaining they had been made especially for us to wear at our ceremonies. You weren’t supposed to see me in it.” Arianna frowned for a moment, and then shrugged.
“That was very generous of the Goddess Persephone. She does not often send gifts. The dress truly enhances your beauty.”
“We received lots of other gifts too. Come and look.” She grabbed his hand, leading him to the table of gifts. “This ring is from Axel Venrick. It’s fantastic.”
Clayne picked up the gift from the troll Venrick. “It’s a joining ring. It looks to be a flawless canary diamond,” he remarked as he held it up to the light. “Rings are symbolic, especially to the trolls. They always give their mates a specially made ring. Rings typically mean unity and forever, a never-ending circle.” Clayne placed it back inside its black velvet box. “Axel is very talented. It’s certainly bespelled.”
“In a good way?”
“Oh, yes.” Clayne nodded. “He would do us no harm. He’s kind to other immortals…unless you’re his enemy.”
“Look, we received this aqua ball from the merfolk. It looks to be filled with seawater. It shines like a jewel.”
“This is a window-globe to the sea. It’ll allow you to see things within its depths.” Clayne carefully sat it back down on the table. “That may be useful one day after we know how to use it.”
“Even the vampires sent us a gift, a blood red jeweled necklace. I wondered about it, since we are at war with them.”
Clayne appraised it closely and read the enclosed card. “It’s from King Hema, a vampire with a sense of honor. He has been invited to our ceremony. He may not attend based on the issues which are ongoing, but he was our ally. Nevertheless, he wishes us well.” Smiling, Clayne placed the note back on the table next to the box containing the necklace.
“There are so many more gifts from others. They keep arriving.” Arianna danced away from him. Excitement shone on her face.
“It’s not every day an immortal joins with another. It happens but not as frequently as human marriages. I am a prince too.” Clayne grinned. “My princess.” He kissed her forehead. “Plus, this event is very special since it is with Draconi, in his home too. Who knows from who or what we will receive as joining gifts.”
“I need to get out of this dress to save it for the ceremony. I’m sorry you caught me in it. I wanted to surprise you.”
“I’ll act surprised, my love.” He kissed her lips. “Please honor me by wearing Queen Maud’s tiara and ring for our ceremony. They will go beautifully with this dress.”
“Excuse me.” Timka cleared her throat. “I have a special gift from the siren queen.” In Timka’s arms was a lap harp. It shimmered with jewels of various colors and shapes.
“It’s so gorgeous.” Arianna’s eyes widened.
“Here’s the card.” Timka handed the card to Arianna. “I was told by the messenger for you to read it right away.”
Arianna took the note and read it aloud. “Dear sister of song, we have sent you this harp so you may play it at your ceremony. We long to hear your beautiful, enchanting voice. We have felt its vibrations within the human realm. Now we are honored to be in your presence while you sing. May your voice reach the heavens and each realm. With blessings, Sepharia, Queen of the Sirens.”
“News t
ravels fast.” Clayne took the harp from Timka and set it on the table. “This is a lovely instrument.”
“I can’t play the harp.” Arianna sounded panicked.
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll be able to play this one. This harp is special, no doubt. You must try.” He rubbed her back. “We don’t want to upset Queen Sepharia. She will be attending with her court. I think it is a great honor to be called Sister of Song.”
“Yes, it is,” Timka agreed. “I’ll leave you two. I’m working with Krilata preparing things. Already guests are arriving.”
“Oh dear.” Arianna chewed on her nail. “Arriving already? For some reason, I’m very nervous. Where’s Sarah?”
“In chambers with Draconi. He’s keeping her busy. They are very loud.” Timka grinned. “You don’t need to feel nervous. All will be well. You will look gorgeous in your gown and jewels.” Timka hugged Arianna. “I’m excited to hear you sing. Much anticipation has been built regarding hearing you.”
“That’s not helping me.” Arianna smiled.
“Hush, all will be well,” Timka soothed her. “I’m off to help Krilata with the guests. Draconi has turned the castle over to Krilata to be hostess. She’s in her bliss. She was definitely born a princess.” Timka rolled her eyes, smiling. “We’re having lots of fun. Clayne, be sure you both are ready for the ceremony at the designated time. Draconi wants things to proceed timely. Your mother has placed your clothing on the love seat in your room. I have to get back to assisting in the great hall and garden. I’ll be seeing you soon.”
“I’m going to our room. I’m changing out of this dress until it’s time. I wish my father could be here.”
“We’ll visit him shortly. Draconi mentioned he planned for us all to visit.”
“That’s good.” Arianna looked wistful. “I understand why he can’t participate, but it’s still hard.”
“I know.” Clayne gently pushed her hair behind her shoulder. “He would think you are an angel of loveliness. Come, I’ll see you to our room so you can rest and prepare.” Clayne took her arm. “Have you been practicing dancing for the party?” He twirled with her.
