Dragon Rift: Riders of Fire, Book Three - A Dragons’ Realm Novel

by Eileen Mueller

  Tonio gave a cool smile, his dark eyes flashing. “Very well, my Queen’s Rider.” He turned to Tomaaz. “Please inform us of Erob’s whereabouts and the extent of his injuries.”

  “Erob is near Death Valley along the border of Great Spanglewood Forest.”

  “South of Monte Vista?” Tonio asked. “Or north of the Tooka River? I hope he’s not anywhere near those shrotty wizards.”

  “Maazini knows the location,” Tomaaz replied. “He’ll show any dragon how to get there. I’m worried about Erob. He’s been lying there with his gut slit for five days now.”

  “We must rescue Erob at once,” Lars interjected. “But it’ll take a few days to reach him. He could be dead by then.”

  Pa spoke. “Actually, Marlies and I have rings of power that can get a rider and dragon to any destination instantaneously.”

  “That’s impossible, Hans,” called Aidan, master of battle.

  Ma interrupted. “Master Aidan, not only is it possible, I’ve used one too. That’s how we escaped Death Valley.”

  “I’d heard that after Anakisha’s last battle—may her spirit fly with departed dragons—the two rings of power were lost,” Tonio said. “Now you’re telling me you have them? Did you steal them when you fled Dragons’ Hold eighteen years ago?”

  Ezaara held her breath. That dirty spymaster was using every lowdown tactic, reminding everyone of how Ma had accidentally killed Zaarusha’s dragonet.

  Ma met his gaze evenly. “The rings were not lost, Tonio, but given to her progeny who were scattered throughout Dragons’ Realm. Her daughter recently gifted one to Hans, and on my way to Death Valley, Anakisha’s granddaughter gifted one to me.”

  Pa nodded. “Although Anakisha’s rings of power create realm gates for travel within Dragons’ Realm, every time a ring is used, the walls of the gate grow weaker, creating a ripple in sathir. Zens senses those ripples. We’ve been warned that overuse could risk Zens discovering the gates.”

  “The result would be disastrous,” Ma said. “Imagine Zens appearing anywhere without warning. He could even breach Dragons’ Hold.”

  Ezaara shivered. Behind her, dragon talons scratched stone. “So, now we can get to Erob, who will go?” she asked.

  “I will,” Tomaaz replied.

  “Not with your hip, you won’t,” Ma said.

  “If I wasn’t your son, would you object?”

  Ma pursed her lips. “Yes, but I know you’re too stubborn to listen. Please rest for a few hours before you leave.”

  “I’m going with Tomaaz,” Hans said. “I know how the rings work.”

  “Then it would seem you’re well-suited to lead the rescue, Hans. There’s still one problem.” Lars gazed around the table. “Any ideas about how to retrieve a dragon with a gaping belly wound?”

  One problem? What about retrieving Roberto? Ezaara’s hand went to the crystal teardrop at her neck. If they didn’t get Roberto back, this wouldn’t be the only teardrop at this table. “I have a solution,” she said, keeping her face devoid of the rage churning within her. “Roberto had a secret.”

  “Only one?” Tonio asked snarkily.

  Resisting the urge to punch the spymaster, Ezaara continued, “Roberto was a great fisherman, catching the fish for all our feasts.” Nods and murmurs of assent rippled around the table. “He and Erob used nets, not a spear. If we can’t heal Erob in Spanglewood Forest, we could place the nets under his wounded belly and lift him home.”

  “Anyone else with a better suggestion?” Lars scratched his blond beard as he gazed around the silent table. “Good, that’s settled. It’ll take two large dragons to lift Erob, though.”

  “Handel’s large enough,” Hans said.

  “Zaarusha is the largest of all,” Ezaara chimed in.

  “You’d risk our Queen’s Rider and the queen?” Tonio asked, shooting Lars a meaningful look.

  Lars gazed at Tonio, some hidden meaning passing between them, then turned to Ezaara. “If Zaarusha is willing, I agree.”

  “Of course I’ll rescue my son,” Zaarusha melded with Ezaara, then roared her assent for the council.

  Lars raised his gavel.

  Ezaara placed her hand on his arm. “Master Lars, before we adjourn, there’s a matter we haven’t settled. How are we going to retrieve Master Roberto?”

  “If he wants to be retrieved,” Master Tonio muttered.

  Ezaara stood. “I was in this room when Roberto refused to go. He finally agreed, in order to serve his queen.”

  Zaarusha roared her confirmation.

  Again, meaningful glances shot between the council leader and the spymaster. What was going on?

  “We need our master of mental faculties and imprinting. We must save Roberto from Zens,” Lars said. “But now that he’s in Zens’ hands, we’ll need to take precautions. I don’t want more riders or dragons captured. We’ve only just rescued your mother and brother, Ezaara.”

  As if the council had helped. Pa had rescued them himself, without the council knowing what was going on. “I disagree,” said Ezaara. “We must retrieve Master Roberto as soon as possible.”

  “Roberto went there on your behalf and now you’re abandoning him?” Tomaaz jabbed a finger toward Tonio. “We have to get him out.”

  “And we will,” Tonio placated, “as soon as we’ve brought Erob back. He’ll have information that will be vital to rescuing Roberto. I suggest you all leave as soon as possible.”

  Hopefully, they wouldn’t be too late. Erob could already be dead.

  Lars raised his gavel, but Ezaara’s chair legs grated across the stone as she stood, drowning out the council leader’s words. She stalked from the meeting room, fuming.

  There was no way Commander Zens would let Roberto escape after he’d thwarted Zens’ last attempt to make him his protégé. Would Zens try to bend Roberto to his will again? Or would he kill him outright?

  If no one else was prepared to save him, she’d go herself.

  Prank Gone Wrong

  Lars shook his head. Ezaara had done well in saving Queen Zaarusha recently, but it was downright rude of her to stalk from the meeting before he’d officially closed it. And with Roberto in Death Valley, it wasn’t as if he could have a word with her master to make sure she obeyed protocol. Guilt needled Lars. Was Roberto all right in Zens’ hands? Tonio did have a point: Roberto had survived Zens last time, and he could still be gathering information. Alternatively, he may even be on his way home now. No point rushing in when a man didn’t need rescuing.

  But on the other hand … Lars didn’t want to consider the alternatives.

  However, Erob was a different case altogether. The dragon was obviously stranded and injured.

  Lars stowed his gavel in the cubbyhole under the table and glanced up at the nearly-empty council chamber. Why were Jerrick and Derek hanging around? That’s right; Jerrick had mentioned a problem with his archers. “Master Jerrick, what was the uproar with your archers this morning?”

  Jerrick cracked his knuckles. “All of our arrows are missing, Lars. I’ve searched high and low and can’t find them anywhere.”

  “Do you remember where you last had your quiver? I’m sure it will turn up soon if—” Jerrick was frowning at him like a brewing storm. “What is it?”

  “Everyone’s arrows, Lars. Well, nearly all of them. Each archer has two arrows left in his quiver, and the rest are gone.”

  “All of them?” Lars scratched his beard. “Have you searched the armory?”

  “All gone too.”

  “The blacksmith and fletcher?”

  “They both said a lad collected the arrows due for the armory, but they never got there.”

  Derek, master of training, added, “And no one knows who collected them or took the other arrows from the armory.”

  They’d never guarded the armory. No one except dragon riders could access Dragons’ Hold, so why bother? “Do you suspect a thief? Who?”

  Derek grimaced. “There’s been growing rival
ry between the young sword fighters and Jerrick’s archers—arrow flingers, they call them. I suspect my charges have hidden your arrows.”

  My charges, Derek had said, although they wouldn’t have been his if Master Jaevin hadn’t been murdered by Bruno and Fleur—those traitorous vipers.

  “Mine call yours blade thrusters,” said Jerrick, shaking his head. “How can they face tharuks if they can’t even cooperate? This is the last thing we need with war coming.”

  “They’d defend each other’s backs if they were in a tight spot,” said Lars. “But you’re right—their timing is lousy. And this ridiculous rivalry has gone far enough. Find out who the perpetrator is and send them to me.”

  §

  “It’s been five nights, Adelina. Five nights of awful nightmares that Tomaaz has been wounded and dying.” Lovina backhanded a tear from her cheek. “I’ve barely slept and I’m so worked up, I can’t eat.” Her eyes were underscored with bruise-colored shadows. Although she’d gained weight since arriving at Dragons’ Hold two moons ago, she was still so thin that there was barely any flesh on her bones.

  Adelina could understand Lovina’s agitation. Hearing about her friend’s nightmares did nothing to calm her own growing anxiety about her brother, Roberto. He was the only family she had. For the hundredth time, she questioned why Tonio had suggested he go back to Death Valley with Tomaaz. Sure, there was the obvious rumor that Zens was breeding new monsters that could fight dragons, but did Tonio have an ulterior motive? He’d never liked Roberto—or her. In fact, he was pointedly rude to them.

  Putting her arm around Lovina’s shoulders, she said, “I know I’m not much comfort, but if you’d like to sleep here on the couch, I’ll be nearby. Maybe that would help you get some rest.”

  Lovina turned her blue eyes to Adelina. “That would be great.”

  Adelina fetched some blankets. “Here, it’s cold. You’ll need these.”

  Tugging the blankets over her, Lovina curled up on the sofa. “Thanks,” she said. “I haven’t had a friend since I was a littling.” She drifted to sleep.

  Shards, how awful, spending your life in Death Valley and then as a slave to one of Zens’ spies. Lovina was lucky to be alive. If it hadn’t been for Tomaaz, she wouldn’t be. Adelina jumped into her own bed and lay staring at the stone ceiling. The thing was, Roberto had been on her mind since … she counted back the days. Five days, too. Was it a coincidence or had something happened to him?

  Hours later, rapping at the door woke Adelina.

  Tomaaz stepped inside.

  Bleary-eyed, Lovina sat up on the couch, her face breaking into a smile. “Tomaaz, you’re back.”

  But Tomaaz didn’t smile and run to hug her. He gave her a short nod. Face grave, he walked stiffly into the cavern, holding himself as if he had an old leg injury. “Sorry, Lovina, first I need to talk with Adelina.”

  Adelina’s heart cracked. Her hands grew clammy. She sank into a chair, eyes fixed on his somber face.

  Tomaaz took her hand, his fingers like icicles, but nothing compared to the icy shivers that ran down her arms. “It’s Roberto, isn’t it?” Adelina squeaked, throat tight.

  Tomaaz nodded. “Zens has captured him. I’m sorry.”

  The room seemed to still. Tomaaz continued talking, explaining how her brother had been captured, but his voice was muffled, far away, as if someone had stuffed Adelina’s ears with sheep wool. Her mind spun. Roberto. With Zens again. Zens would be doubly vigilant this time—and four times as mean. Roberto already had enough scars from Death Valley. How could her brother survive? She stood, feet like lumps of wood, and walked to the door.

  “Adelina, shall I come with you?” Lovina asked, rising.

  Shaking her head, she fled into the corridor, Tomaaz’s protests echoing along the rock walls.

  Adelina ran to Roberto’s cavern. Here, she’d find comfort. Here, she’d find Erob. She dashed through to Erob’s den. It was empty. “No, not Erob, too,” she gasped.

  Adelina sank to the stone. For years, she’d dammed up sorrow, putting a bright face on life. Through her father’s betrayal, through him selling Roberto out to Zens and causing her mother’s death, she’d tried hard to be cheerful for Roberto’s sake. He’d borne the brunt of their father’s treachery and it had broken him. But he had been her mainstay, and now, he was gone. Hugging her knees and burying her head in her arms, she let her tears come.

  §

  Despite him calling after her, Adelina had fled. Tomaaz stood in the doorway, staring down the tunnel. Should he follow her?

  A gentle hand rested on his arm. “She needs time, Tomaaz, just like I’d need time if it was you who hadn’t come back.” Lovina’s cornflower-blue eyes looked up at him.

  He nodded. He’d talk to Adelina later. He stepped back inside.

  Lovina had changed in the six weeks he’d been gone: her face had almost lost that gaunt haunted look; her skin glowed; and her hair was glossy and healthy.

  “Do you mind?” he whispered, his hand hovering above her hair.

  She closed her eyes and flung her arms around him, and he ran his hand over her hair, her back and then hugged her—the way he’d dreamed of hugging her every day he’d been in Death Valley. Her hair had a floral scent, and her body was warm against his. He’d been cold for weeks. Blankets in Death Valley had always been thin, and although it wasn’t snowy like here, the nights had been bitterly cold and much of the valley shrouded in shadow, even during the day.

  Lovina’s back trembled under his hands, then shook. She was sobbing.

  He pulled back, and tilted her chin. “Lovina?”

  “I’m great,” she said between sobs. “I couldn’t be better. I’m just so glad you’re home.”

  He pulled her back into his arms, rubbing his cheek on the top of her head. He’d never thought of anywhere except Lush Valley as home, but she was right—Dragons’ Hold was his new home. Now that he’d imprinted with Maazini, it was the best place for him to live, but what about her? “Lovina, is this your home too?” he murmured.

  Through tear-filled eyes, she smiled. “Yes, Tomaaz, it’s my home too.”

  “Then why are you crying?” He stroked her cheek.

  “I had the most terrible dreams for the last five nights. Always the same. You were trapped under a landslide with tharuks swarming down a hill toward you. I’m so glad they’re not true. So glad you’re safe.” She sniffed. “And when I paint, the pictures come out the same as my dreams—you injured, lying under rocks.”

  So, they were tears of relief. “Five nights?” It was five days’ flight to Death Valley. “Lovina, your dreams were true. I was trapped under some boulders five days ago, but Maazini freed me.”

  “And you weren’t hurt?”

  “Ma healed me. My hip was shattered.” Tomaaz tilted his head. There was more to her than met the eye, but then, he already knew that. “You might have the gift of prophecy.”

  “Me?” Her eyes flew wide.

  “It’s possible. You dreamed of something that happened. You should talk to Pa. He has visions and dreams too. His dragon Handel does as well.”

  Lovina pulled his arm, leading him toward Adelina’s couch, but he resisted. “Lovina, there’s something I have to tell you.”

  “What is it?”

  “I’m not here for long. I have to go back and help Ezaara and Pa find Erob. He’s wounded and can’t fly.”

  “Erob?” Adelina’s voice came from behind them. “Erob’s wounded? Where is he?”

  “Near Great Spanglewood Forest,” Tomaaz replied, turning to face her.

  “Oh, that’s only a day’s flight away. Good.” Although her eyes were red-rimmed, Adelina had an overly-bright smile stuck on her face.

  “It’s further,” Tomaaz said. “He’s on the other side of the forest, near Death Valley.”

  “I don’t care how far it is. I’m coming too,” Adelina said stubbornly. “No one’s going to rescue Erob without me. My brother’s dragon is the only reaso
n I’m alive. My father would’ve given me to Zens too, if it hadn’t been for Erob. He hid me in a cave while he freed Roberto from Death Valley.”

  Tomaaz nodded. “Roberto and Erob both care about you. Roberto made me promise I’d look after you if anything happened to him.”

  “If he cares about me that much, he can just sharding-well come home, then, can’t he?” Despite Adelina’s brave words, her bottom lip trembled.

  Lovina hugged her. “Do you want me to stay with you?”

  Adelina waved her off. “No, I’m fine. I have things to do.”

  She was anything but fine, but she shooed them out the door. As they left Adelina’s cavern and walked along the tunnels to his family’s quarters, Lovina slipped her hand into Tomaaz’s. It felt so natural and right. He smiled at her. “Your arm’s not splinted anymore. How’s it feeling?” Her bruises had also faded and her cuts had healed.

  “A lot better. Marlies has given me exercises to strengthen it.”

  Every time he looked at her, wonder bubbled inside him. “What about your drawing? Have you done any more pictures?”

  She ducked her head and blushed. “A few.”

  “Can I see them?” He could hardly wait. Looking at Lovina’s art was like seeing a hidden landscape within her.

  Her face grew even redder. “I, ah … well, some might be of you.”

  Oh. He hadn’t expected that. Tomaaz chuckled, trying to put her at ease. “Only some? I was hoping they all were.”

  That made her grin. He squeezed her hand, and they approached his cavern. He hesitated. Lovina hung back too. Eyes locked, they spoke at the same time.

  “Do you mind if—”

  “Is it all right—”

  They laughed nervously.

  Tomaaz slipped an arm around her waist and touched his lips to her hair, then pulled closer. “I don’t mind at all,” he whispered.