Fury

by E. L. Todd

“I have to warn you, being a fugitive isn’t nearly as comfy as having a private tree house in a magical forest. Your back is gonna ache from sleeping on the ground. There’s going to be a spider in your bedroll from time to time. And the food…pretty terrible.”

  She gave a smile. “I don’t mind any of that—as long as we’re together.”

  He didn’t hold her gaze with as much intensity as before. Now his eyes softened, like a flower that began to wilt.

  “There’s something I need to tell you.”

  The stare continued.

  “When I was talking to my father, he told me he was fused with a dragon.”

  The look of longing disappeared when his eyebrows jumped up his face. “King Tiberius of Eden Star? An elf?”

  “Yes.”

  “Whoa…what? When?”

  “A year before he—” her eyes dropped “—he died.”

  Rush digested the implication of her words with a hard jaw, with a look of loathing. His eyes shifted away for a few seconds before his focus returned. “Where did he find a dragon?”

  “He said they were about to challenge the Steward of Easton, and he found her hidden in the forest with two broken wings. I guess she was scared and had nowhere to go, so she trusted him to fuse.”

  Rush dropped his gaze to the fire, his eyebrows scrunched together. “I don’t know how that would be possible.”

  “He wouldn’t lie.”

  “I’m not saying he is. I just don’t understand how there could have been a dragon just sitting in the forest.”

  “Well, she had two broken wings, so she was obviously being hunted.”

  When Rush looked away again, a whole new look of pain on his face, she knew he’d figured it out.

  “What?”

  He gave a quick shake of his head. “I don’t want to say…”

  “Rush.”

  He ignored her look.

  “You can tell me anything.”

  “It’s not that. I just don’t think you want to know.”

  “I probably don’t…but you still need to tell me.”

  After a breath, his eyes reconnected with hers. “My father tortured dragons at random, to keep them in compliance. So, he would force some of them to flee… for us to chase them. To give them that small hope of freedom just so we could take it away…and mutilate them in the process.”

  She inhaled a slow and deep breath, every bit of air painful in her lungs.

  “I never did that…just to be clear.”

  Not that she’d needed more of a reason to kill King Lux, but now she had another. It hurt even more now that she was fused with Ashe, the dragon that had become more than a friend, more than an ally.

  “He was at the right place at the right time… Good for her.”

  “Yeah. He took her to Eden Star, and I guess she loved it. They were really close…from the way he described it. The way he talked about their relationship, it was like he was talking about my relationship with Ashe. Your relationship with Flare.”

  “I suspect the fuse is the reason he’s so partial to this cause. The elves hate dragons so much, I wouldn’t be surprised if they would have just left her there to die. None of them would have offered the fuse. And none of them would have defended her either.”

  “You’re right.”

  “That relationship gave him a perspective that no one else has. You guys are strangers, but it looks like you have at least one thing in common. A unique, profound thing in common. My father and I are both fused, but his relationship with his dragon is vastly different from mine…as we both know.”

  “Yeah, you’re right.”

  “Did he say anything else? What happened to her?”

  She couldn’t meet his gaze as she answered his question. “She passed away…when he did.”

  Whatever his reaction was, she didn’t know because she couldn’t see his face.

  Silence continued, long and weighty.

  She lifted her chin and looked at his visage—and had never seen it so pale. It was the exact color of the moon, like all the blood had been sucked from his flesh by leeches. “Rush—”

  “One less dragon, because of me.”

  “Look—”

  “You can’t make me feel better, so don’t try.” He left the campfire and walked into the darkness. His silhouette was visible, but only for a few seconds. He blended in with the night, his footsteps silent, until he was no more.

  They avoided common paths and trails and stuck to the brush as much as possible. It caused several detours, adding days to their journey. They were just as vulnerable in the daylight as the darkness, so there was no good time to move across Anastille. They just did it—and hoped for the best.

  This is taking too long.

  Well, we can’t fly.

  We could. I blend into the darkness better than any other dragon.

  And the others?

  They can meet us there.

  We stay together.

  That wouldn’t be a problem—if the company weren’t so unpleasant.

  Ashe, he feels terrible—

  He could feel worse, and it wouldn’t make a difference. A lifetime of repentance and remorse doesn’t even scratch the surface. He slays dragons. He kills kings. That’s who he was—and still is.

  Cora knew her dragon well enough to know that nothing would assuage his anger. She let the conversation die, waited for a change in the tide to dispel his foul mood. Rush was in the lead, so she quickened her pace to catch up. They hadn’t spoken since last night, and judging from the distance he kept between them, he still didn’t want to. “Whatever happened with the goats?”

  Rush turned at the question, his high eyebrows showing his surprise. “We didn’t run into them on the way out. If we had, probably wouldn’t have made it.”

  “You think we’ll run into them again?”

  “Unfortunately.”

  “Come on, goats are cute. I want to see them.”

  “These are not ordinary goats. These are the kinda goats that will knock you flat on the ground.”

  She rolled her eyes. “The only animal you like is your dragon.”

  “When did I ever say I like him?”

  She gave him a hard nudge in the side.

  His short wince was quickly replaced by that smirk along with his deep chuckle. “I’m getting an earful right now.”

  “Good.”

  He rubbed the tender spot as he continued to walk, and once it subsided, his arm dropped to his side. “How’d you sleep? Probably miss your bed made of flowers or whatever.”

  “Wasn’t so bad.”

  “I’m not sure what I’m looking forward to more. Defeating my father and freeing all the dragons or having a bed again.”

  “The second one, probably.”

  “You know me so well.” He turned his attention forward, leading the group through the trees and taking cover from the skies. The Stronghold was visible on a clear day, but so was the distance they had to cover to get there. “So, I’ve been doing some thinking—”

  “Wow, that’s a first.”

  Now he nudged her in the side. “Ha-ha. Blah-blah.”

  “Careful…I’ll throw a rock at your head.”

  He chuckled and kept going. “I’ve felt a target on the back of my head all day.”

  “I’ll save it for the…what do you call them?”

  “Fazurks. Or the Big Uglies. Terms are interchangeable.”

  “Not gonna lie. I’m relieved I have Ashe for this.”

  “If you didn’t, I wouldn’t even entertain this idea.”

  “Come on, I handled General Noose on my own.”

  “You’re right.” He gave a nod in agreement. “Wish I hadn’t missed it…but also hope it never happens again.”

  “So, what were you thinking about? Must have been important since you do it so rarely.”

  “Wow, just gonna keep ’em coming, huh?”

  “Like I said, I missed you.”

  His eyes sof
tened the way they did long ago, in a different time, in different circumstances. His gaze lingered like smoke hovering over the flames. “Your father was fused with a dragon when he conceived you. Perhaps that explains your abilities.”

  Ashe’s powerful voice intruded. He’s right.

  “But what does that explain, exactly?” she asked. “That…I’m part dragon?”

  Yes.

  “Yes.” Rush continued his pace even though his entire focus was on the conversation between them. “When you’re fused, you’re one. So, if you were conceived under those circumstances, perhaps parts of the dragon were transferred to you.”

  “That doesn’t explain why other people fused with dragons don’t sire children with the same abilities. What about you?”

  “My father wasn’t fused before I was born. Come to think of it, no one has been fused and had children. Families were born a long time ago, and now that they’re immortal, there’s no reason to continue reproducing. My father is very picky about whom he allows to fuse with one of his dragons. Most of the time, they’re temporary fusions. He doesn’t grant immortality to just anyone.”

  “That’s why they continue to serve him—because everyone wants to live forever.”

  He nodded. “And he has a small inventory, so he has to be deliberate in his decisions. General Noose was promised a dragon for his loyal service, so that’s why we’re seeing him everywhere we go.”

  “He almost took Eden Star…and would have received a dragon if he had.”

  “But it didn’t happen—because of you.”

  I must feed.

  We’re out in the open right now.

  But my scales are as dark as night—and the blanket of clouds conceals the stars.

  What does that matter?

  My body won’t block out the stars, so you can’t see me pass.

  Oh…gotcha. “Rush?”

  “Yes?” He examined the field and the distance before he turned back.

  “Ashe is hungry.”

  I don’t need his permission.

  “And a bit grouchy…”

  Rush took another scan of the surroundings before he regarded her. “It’s not ideal, but we need him to be strong for the Stronghold. Tell him to be careful since he doesn’t know the terrain well.”

  I DO NOT TAKE ORDERS FROM YOU.

  Cora winced at the scream in her head.

  Rush must have noticed it because he dismissed himself.

  “Alright, let’s do this.” She stepped farther into the stalks of grass, away from everyone else so she’d have ample room to make the separation. She pulled her mind away and felt his mind mirror it, their souls coming apart. Then the world shook as she lost her footing, swaying until she hit the ground.

  Ashe opened his wings and took flight.

  A large hand moved to her shoulder. “You alright?”

  She pushed herself up, getting to her knees and then her feet. “Yeah. I’m just not used to it yet.”

  Rush looked into the sky where Ashe had been—and saw no sign of him. “He really is invisible.”

  “Yeah.”

  “That’s going to be a big help in the future.” He withdrew his touch and stepped back. “You’ll get used to the mechanics.”

  “Got any tips?”

  He chewed the inside of his lip as he considered. “It’s been so long that I don’t even remember what it feels like…”

  “Oh, that makes sense. I used to get really sick. At least that doesn’t happen anymore.”

  They returned to the main campground, where everyone else was settled in their cots. But no one was asleep—because Ashe took their full attention.

  Liam continued to stare into the darkness, hopeful for a glimpse. “I hope to see his scales in the light of day.”

  “How big is he?” Lilac asked.

  “Freakin’ humongous,” Bridge said. “He’s nearly twice the size of Flare.”

  “What’s he like?” Lilac turned to Cora, who took a seat beside her.

  “Majestic. Wise. Glorious,” Cora answered. “And a bit stubborn…”

  “He can’t be that stubborn,” Bridge said. “He’s here, right?”

  Cora gave a nod.

  “Since we’re all awake, let’s talk about the plan,” Rush said. “We’re still a few days out, but we should figure out what we’re going to do when we arrive.”

  “Wait…you don’t know what we’re doing?” Zane asked. “That’s the plan?”

  “Come on, I never have a plan,” Rush said. “And we do just fine.”

  “We were almost trapped underground forever,” Lilac said. “I don’t think that constitutes fine—”

  “Almost,” Rush said. “I got us out of there, didn’t I?”

  Lilac rolled her eyes.

  “I think we’ve got to lure as many of the Fazurks out of the tunnels as possible,” Rush said. “Burn them to a crisp. Do it over and over.”

  “But how are we going to get them out of the tunnels?” Cora asked.

  “That…I don’t know.” Rush sat with his arms on his knees. “Maybe good ol’-fashioned bait?”

  Bridge narrowed his eyes on Rush. “I hope that means you’re volunteering…”

  “Cora and I can’t do it,” Rush said. “We’re the ones with the dragons.”

  “Of course…” Bridge shook his head. “Look how that worked out.”

  “What about water?” Cora asked.

  Rush stared at her, perplexed. “Water?”

  “What do you mean by that?” Lilac asked.

  “I’ve never been there before, so this could be a total miss, but could we flood the mountain?” Cora asked. “Is there a lake nearby or something?”

  “Hmm…that’s an idea.” Bridge looked at Rush. “Flush ’em out. They gotta have a water system of some kind.”

  “But I don’t know where it is or how it works,” Rush said. “And I don’t know how to drain it either. Plus, if there are surviving dwarves down there, it could drown them too. That’s a good idea, but I don’t think it’ll work. Let’s stick with the bait idea.”

  “Do you think they’ll be stupid enough to fall for that, though?” Zane asked.

  “Yes,” Rush said quickly. “They’re a bunch of idiots.”

  “What do we do about the Shamans and Obsidian?” Bridge asked. “When they see the commotion on the mountain, they’re going to come back.”

  “The Shamans won’t be a problem this time.” Rush turned to Cora. “Because we’ve got this superpower right here.” He gave her a wink.

  Heat flushed her cheeks as if she’d submerged herself in the hot springs.

  “And I hope Obsidian does come—because it’s two-on-one this time.” Rush held up two fingers.

  “That might be a problem…” Cora was relieved that Ashe was on the hunt so he couldn’t hear this conversation. “Since Obsidian is Ashe’s brother.”

  “Ashe has already said he’ll do what’s necessary,” Rush said. “Back on Mist Isle.”

  “But it’s one thing to say that and another to actually do it…” She understood his mind better than anyone else—except Diamond. She felt his raw emotions, knew his responses to circumstances without sharing a thought. To feel that anguish with him…would be terrible.

  “I suspect that once Obsidian sees Ashe, he won’t be able to move against him,” Rush said. “He’s been fused with my father for a long time, so perhaps his mind is too far gone at this point, but it’s a possibility.”

  “True,” Cora said.

  “But then my father will know that free dragons still exist…somewhere.” Rush dropped his head. “We would lose that element of surprise.”

  “And he would search everywhere for that island,” Cora said. “We can’t let that happen.”

  “You’re right,” Rush said. “So, if Obsidian comes…you’ll have to hide.”

  Cora nodded. “Got it.”

  33

  Baaaaaahhh

  I see the way she looks at you. />
  Rush stopped at the edge of the tree line, examining the landscape for a passing army, for a dragon in the sky, a tiny black dot far into the distance.

  She misses you.

  Look, I’ve finally gotten to a decent place about the whole thing…so don’t yank me backward.

  I’m just saying.

  Well, don’t.

  Just wanted you to know that you aren’t alone in your heartbreak.

  Rush shaded his eyes as he studied the surroundings at the base of the mountains. They couldn’t scale the mountain in the dark, so they had to go first thing in the morning, even though that left them exposed. I doubt they’re there. Probably assume we wouldn’t return.

  Probably.

  Bridge walked up as he spoke to Cora. “Sailing the seas on a pirate ship sounds cool and everything, but it sucked. I was so sick the entire time. And then we almost died a couple times—and I can’t swim.”

  “Why were you on a ship if you can’t swim?”

  Rush turned to her. “Thank you.”

  Bridge rolled his eyes. “I don’t live in a port city and I’m nowhere near a lake, so when would I learn?”

  “Everyone else here learned,” Rush said.

  “Well, I guess my mom was too busy dealing with the monster-spawn that is my sister.” He propped his hands on his hips and looked at the looming mountain.

  Lilac gave him a slug in the stomach as she passed. “We’re climbing that thing again?”

  Bridge leaned over, holding his stomach as he labored through the pain.

  “Yep,” Rush said. “And we gotta do it fast.”

  “I’ve never climbed anything before,” Cora said.

  “Stay in front of me,” Rush said. “I’ll catch you if you fall.”

  Lilac’s eyes shifted back and forth between them, her gaze narrowed.

  Rush caught the look and stared back. Before she could make a comment, he took a step forward. “Coast is clear, so let’s get to it.” He started at a jog, moving across the stalks of grass and to the base of the rocks. He boosted Cora up then went behind her.

  She climbed to the top of the boulder then looked down. “So, where are the goats?”

  Rush pulled his heavy body to the top and got to his feet. “You’ll smell them before you see them.”