by Cassia Briar
“We have. Where would you like to begin?” Iria asked.
Again, I was torn on where to start and what to ask. “Tell me about being a black dragon. I noticed you are each a different color.”
“We are,” Iria said. “I am silver, as was your mother. Silver is the most common among the royal family. My mates are of the four elements. Kostas is a green earth dragon. Artem is gold for the air element.” She swept her hand at her other side. “Theo is a water dragon with blue scales. He put out the fire around your walls.”
“How?” I asked, intrigued.
“Each type of dragon has a special talent. Water dragons can produce both fire and ice with their breath.”
“That’s so cool.”
Iria’s lips curved up. “My mate Zafer is red for fire. Black dragons, like yourself, are rare. They show up like a recessive gene, though more random than that. Black dragons are specific to the royal bloodlines. They are special as they are the only kind among us who can absorb and use magic.”
Zafer, who had full sleeve tattoos, said, “Should we be saying all of this in front of a witch?”
Jaxon tensed. “Excuse me?”
“He is her mate.” Theo’s bright blue eyes glanced from me to Jaxon and back again. “I don’t think he’s likely to kill her.”
“Now—” Jaxon started, but I cut him off.
“We’ve read that witches and dragons have been enemies for a long time.”
Zafer snorted.
Iria shot him a disapproving look. “This is true. We do not trust witches. The fact that you’ve mated one is…most interesting. Since you are a black dragon, perhaps it makes sense that you would take a witch to your side and use his magic. Do you use the fae’s magic as well?”
“No, actually I don’t.” Huh, was that strange? Could I do that?
“Only witch’s magic then.” Iria sounded like this was new information even to her. “As I said, black dragons are rare.” She reached for her bag, the one she’d drawn her robe from, and held it out to me. “Take this. In here you’ll find a copy of our records.”
I took it and reached inside, pulling out a crystal cylinder. “What—how?”
Liam’s hand closed over mine. “Those can be viewed in the trial chamber. You’ll put them in up top where the Trial Master used to work the illusions.”
“Oh.” I tried not to shudder at the mention of the chamber. The scars on my back itched and felt too tight.
The door creaked open and Regina entered, stalking straight for me. She leaned close to my ear and whispered, “Angel and Montrell are here. Angel is hurt, he’s in the hospital right now. Montrell’s there too, and he needs to see you ASAP.”
My pulse spiked. “I’m sorry,” I said, rising, “I need to deal with an emergency. Regina, can you find rooms for our guests? Get them anything else they want or need.”
Everyone stood. Iria said, “I understand. Afterward, please find me and we can speak of your mother and the rest of your family.”
“Thanks.” I left with Jaxon and Liam right behind me, sprinting across campus to the Dean’s Hall. We entered through the infirmary side door. My gaze landed on Montrell where he leaned against the stone wall. I raced to him and threw my arms around his neck.
He grunted from the impact of my body. His muscular arms encircled me and squeezed. I drank in the fresh rainfall scent of him mingled with forest, dirt, and sweat. Tears stung my eyes. I’d missed him so goddamned much. Mate or not, he had gotten under my skin.
“Where’s Angel?” I asked into his chest.
He hugged me tighter. “The doctors are taking care of him. He’ll be okay, now that he can rest and heal. We can go in when they’re done.”
I pulled away. “Where the fuck have you been?” I released him and took a step back. My anger, worry, and relief tangled in a nauseating mix. “What happened out there?”
Montrell glanced over my head at Liam and Jaxon. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I left to follow Angel, in case he needed help anywhere along the way. I should have told you, but I didn’t. I’m sorry. Everything was fine until I lost track of him on his way here and the Tromara ambushed him.”
I gasped, my panic rising.
He continued, eyes on the floor. “They stabbed him and left him for dead. They took the Codex.”
And there it was. The sense of defeat slowly ate up my insides. We’d lost the book, the key to the Tromara’s feeding ceremony.
“I’m so sorry,” Montrell said again. “I failed you.”
“You did the best you could,” said Liam. “Try not to beat yourself up over it. We’ll come up with a new plan. We’ll get it back and destroy it. Somehow.”
“Angel must be feeling like shit about it too.” Jaxon moved toward a door down the hall when a doctor stepped out. “Hey!” he called to the doc. “Is Angel in there?”
“You can see him, but he’s resting—”
We all pushed past and filled the small room. I took Angel’s hand, settling lightly on the bed. He was so pale, his eyes closed.
“Oh, Angel.” I kissed the back of his hand, then his forehead. “I’m so glad you’re back. The dragons have arrived. Get better so you can meet them.”
10
Caprice
“Your mother was our eldest sister.” Iria reclined on the sofa in her guest accommodations in the Dean’s Hall. Regina and Dean Wright had done their best to find a room to suit the dragons. The space was pretty posh, in an old world sort of way. I totally wanted to move in, especially after seeing the giant bed that nearly took up the entire bedroom. My mind went to all kinds of naughty places.
“I’m the middle sister,” she continued. “Our youngest is Ariana. Lyra should have been queen one day, but she always said her destiny lay elsewhere. We didn’t believe her of course, no one leaves Cyprus. Our fathers and mother strictly forbad it. It came as a shock when she disappeared. At least now, I have put the pieces together and finally know what happened to her. I still can’t believe she mated with a witch.”
“Like mother like daughter, I guess,” I said, hanging on her every word. “What was she like?”
“Mm…stubborn, brave, independent. A bit full of herself at times because no dragon could resist her. She would have had the choice of all of them for mates. Despite her flaws, she would have been a good queen when the time came.” Iria eyed me. “From what I understand, you come from a long line of rulers on both sides of your family. You’re surely destined to the role. Though you have not fully mated yet. Why?”
“I’m working on it. I’m only nineteen.” That still seemed too young to get married, at least according to the human world where I grew up.
“Yes, a late bloomer among dragon-kind.” Iria sipped iced tea.
Maybe nineteen wasn’t so young? “How old were you when you mated?”
“Sixteen. Among the records I gave you, you’ll find the mating ceremony instructions. You must complete it with your mates to take your full form.”
“Oh. I hadn’t realized it was so formal.” I drank from my own glass to busy my hands. My aunt’s intense dark gaze was unsettling, more so now that we were alone and I was her single focus.
“Much in dragon society is formal. It is how we survive in the world. Many millennia ago we ruled this planet until a catastrophe nearly wiped us from existence. Gradually, we grew again in numbers only to once again face near extinction at the hands of witch knights on their mighty quests. Now we live by a strict code, hidden on Cyprus.”
Iria evaluated me. “Your mother broke that code. She could be reckless at times. And now you are the result of her disregard for our rules. One piece I will stress upon you. If you remember nothing else from our conversations, remember this: Humans must never know about us.”
I frowned in confusion. “I thought witches were the problem.”
“Who do you think made those witches into knights and sent them after us?”
“Oh.”
“We would prefer no s
upernaturals knew about us either, but now they do, and there is no going back. You, Caprice, are more out in the world than any of us have been in centuries. You have a grave responsibility to keep us safe. Do you understand?”
“I do. I get it.” A lead weight dropped over my shoulders. As if being queen wasn’t hard enough, now I had to also keep the dragons safe so they didn’t go extinct for real. No pressure.
“You have many decisions and challenges ahead of you. Keep in mind that your children will be dragons—it is the dominate supernatural gene. What kind of world do you want them to live in?” She held up a hand. “You don’t have to answer that question now. You must think on it, then decide. Equally as important. Remember you are queen here. This slouching will not do.”
I straightened my spine.
“Much better. The instinct for royalty and leadership is in your blood. All you have to do is connect with it, trust it, and let it flow from you. Listen to your instincts.” She was all grace as she took another sip of tea. “We will be leaving tomorrow at midnight.”
“Leaving?” No, no, no. “But I have a ton to learn from you.”
“That is what the records are for. You will learn more from them than you ever could from me.”
“I was hoping…” I drew in a deep breath. “I was hoping you’d stay and help me win this war. With six full dragons we could be done with this in a matter of days. I could really—”
She shook her head. “This is your fight, not ours.”
Disappointed, I frowned at the floor. “I totally understand that, but I could really use your help. With you and my uncles, the Tromara and old Council wouldn’t stand a chance. Please?” I was not above begging.
“You must understand…” Iria’s eyes glazed over and became unfocused. “You are meant to lead and fight on your own. This war will lead you to your mates, and to knowing your true self. It is in this place and time that you will become the strong leader you’re destined to be. No one can help you with that. You must do this alone.”
The Tromara had the Codex, the old Council was recruiting people to their side, and I had no idea where to start. “You talk a lot about destiny,” I said. “How can you know any of that?”
Her lips curved. “Silver dragons are seers. It is how your mother knew she had to leave, to follow her destiny, and change the world by giving birth to you. I see your potential. I also see that I must not interfere with your path.”
I deflated completely. “So, what, am I some kind of chosen one?” I wanted to make air quotes, but I refrained—too caught up in this sense of hopelessness.
Her gaze latched on to mine and flared. “One may be chosen—that does not mean they will succeed. Fate and destiny may throw you on a certain path. It is then up to you to decide how you will walk that path. Never assume you’ll be victorious simply because you were chosen. Many have perished before you because they believed they were invincible. Don’t make the same mistake.”
I swallowed hard. “I won’t.”
If anything, without help, I was afraid I’d fail. Chosen or not, I was in over my head. I rolled my shoulders back and sat up a little straighter. The dragons refusing to assist us was just another hurdle. Like Iria said, I came from royal blood on both sides of my family. The time had come for me to start acting like it, to trust my instincts. Maybe then, I’d know what the hell I was doing.
The Council took the news about how I expected.
“What do you mean the dragons won’t help us?” Olin’s voice was deathly low. “Why would they come all this way only to turn tail and leave?”
I sighed. “They came to find me. To give me information, and that’s all.”
The old vampire sneered. “A lot of good that will do us.”
I ignored his snide comment, letting my gaze drift down the long table. Angel and Montrell sat next to each other at my left. My werewolf wasn’t fully healed yet, but he was doing better. However, he and Montrell wore the same glum expression. I knew they blamed themselves for losing the Codex. But it wasn’t their fault.
At the far end, Kyle spoke up, “We don’t need them. All we need is Caprice.” His pale green eyes unnerved me. “You need to find your fourth mate. One dragon is more than a match for the Tromara, no matter how powerful they become.”
Angel glared at Kyle. Jaxon scowled.
His faith in me was unsettling. And how was my personal life common knowledge? I probably needed to get used to that, being queen and all. Unfortunately, Kyle was right. But how was I supposed to choose a mate among those on campus? Go on dates? Pick a name from a hat? I didn’t have time for this nonsense. I needed to be a full dragon, like, yesterday.
“I’m working on that,” was all I said. “Now, the dragons are leaving and we need to be out there to see them off.” I stood, and quickly walked to the door. I wanted to see them shift form.
Outside, the lawn was cleared, and hundreds of people stood at the perimeter. They parted on this side to let me and the rest of the Council through.
I tilted my head toward Iria, holding out my hand for her to shake. “I hope you—”
She pulled me in for a fierce hug. “You will come visit us. Your grandmother, grandfathers, and the rest of your family will be eager to meet you.” Iria released me, and Kostas snatched me up in his buff arms.
“Take care, niece,” he said.
Theo, Artem, and Zafer each embraced me in turn. I’d only just met them, yet as they stepped away longing gripped my heart. I’d been so disappointed—and angry—at Isabella’s betrayal. It had felt like I’d lost my entire family when her true self came to light. Now I knew I had not lost everything. I had a large, caring family of dragons in Cyprus.
Iria took my hands in both of hers and squeezed. “Have faith in yourself, Caprice. We will see you again once you’ve fulfilled this part of your destiny.” Letting go, she stepped away and shrugged out of her robe. Silver scales covered her body as it expanded and morphed. She grew nearly two stories tall, the bulk of her body the size of a tank. The sheer strength and danger of her took my breath away. One day soon, I would be like that. A shiver raked up my spine.
Her mates transformed as well. Seconds later, dragons in blue, green, gold, and red stood in the middle of the field next to their silver princess. Iria was the first to spread her wings and leap into the night sky. I shielded my face from the turbulent air as the others took flight.
We all watched in awe as their forms disappeared over the towering trees, leaving a reverent silence in their wake. We’d all seen them—proof of them—dragons. Now we all knew what I would become. It was time to get down to business.
I turned to Liam. “Meet me in the trial chamber.”
11
Caprice
“So… I just stick the crystal cylinder in here and the visual record will play down in the chamber?” I asked Liam. The two of us were in a tiny room near the top of the trial chamber. Nearly a month ago, the Trial Master had stood up here weaving horrific illusions for all the first year students. My stomach soured, knowing he’d been standing where I was now.
“That’s how it works.” Liam rubbed one of his large, warm hands up and down my back. A gesture that should have been comforting, instead it reminded me of the deep scars there, ones I’d received in this very chamber.
I forced away the memories. “We have five crystals. I guess we’ll start with this one labeled History.” I took it from its protective wooden box and placed it in the slot of a weird obelisk made of the same black stone as the tower. Besides the ancient shelving against the far wall, this was the only object in the dark, dank space.
The crystal slid into place. Below, shimmering light illuminated the circular stage. It pulsated and swirled, but no image formed. I glanced over at Liam.
“Looks like you need to go down there to activate it,” he said. “I’ll stay up here and make sure it all goes smoothly.”
I sucked my bottom lip between my teeth and frowned. Did I really have
to go down there? Climb those few stairs to the stage of horrors and wait for whatever realistic illusion decided to come up? I sighed, I knew I did.
Giving Liam a quick kiss, I took the narrow staircase down to the ground level. The small door at the end opened into the main chamber. My skin instantly prickled. Reluctantly, I climbed to the center of the grey stone dais as my heart pounded in my ears. I slowly exhaled through my mouth. Everything was going to be fine. Liam was in charge up there.
The familiar dome encased the stage, signaling the start of the illusion. I struggled against the urge to flee. Feeling trapped, my senses went on high alert. I blinked and all around me the chamber faded away, replaced by a desolate landscape of rocky mountaintops. I stood on one peak gazing over the ridges and deep ravines. A bright sun stared down in the clear blue sky.
A soft roll of thunder echoed in the canyon below. I moved closer to the edge, knowing the sound was not a result of the weather. As I leaned forward, a massive chest of golden scales nearly brushed my face on its ascent. I flinched backward. The force of air from huge, leathery wings, had me stumbling further back as five dragons rose and blotted out the sun. They were each a different color, like Iria and her mates. Graceful, elegant, beautiful creatures. My heart longed to fly with them.
A feminine voice startled me. “This is the first record in the history of dragon-kind, in the beginning when humanity was young.” The narrator’s soft voice filled the air. “Dragon-shifters emerged in the warmest areas on nearly every continent, our numbers were growing and had much variation in appearance. Even then we stuck to small, mated clans and thrived.
“The might and power of our kind was rising in domination until the last ice age. The plummeting temperatures killed nearly all of us. When that age ended, we were no longer thriving. Witches, humans, and other supernaturals had faired much better than us, and we never again gained superiority.”
