by K. E. Young
"Captain, I swore to her on my honor I would allow no one to harm her that way again even before she trusted me enough to tell me what happened in her old world. I won't allow her to become a prisoner, a sex slave, or a victim again. Due to her history, I know being Empress would destroy her. I will let no one force her, not with words or actions. Not even the Emperor." Captain Blas looked uncomfortable at this, but he was still listening.
"Yes, Sara and I bonded. My dragon and I loved her long before we discovered she was an earth mage. She is the reason I defied my father's command to marry at the coronation. My dragon had already chosen his mate and would have accepted no one else. I am still in awe she has chosen to trust me when everything in her life has taught her not to trust anyone, especially men. Our bonding was Sara's choice."
Kaio looked up at the stars, deciding how to phrase the rest. "When I received the notes from my father and the Emperor two hours ago, Sara asked me why I was so angry. She read the notes herself. Her first reaction was fury, and then she shattered. She had reached her limit. Captain, Sara does not wish to mate the Emperor, but she is meek enough if Urash told her she must for the good of the Empire, she would do it."
Kaio's eyes captured the Captain's and his voice hardened. "But she would still see it as a return to those years she spent locked up as her stepfather's sex slave. She doesn't see it as an honor. To her, it's a horror she thought she had escaped. She broke, Captain. She says she can't go back to that and I believe her. Sara was hours away from suicide when the Goddess brought her here and she's not far from it now. If the Emperor insists on this course, she won't live long enough to bear him an heir."
Captain Blas nodded thoughtfully. "I understand Lord Shalatu. You could have done nothing else."
Kaio felt a wave of terror and was already moving when Sara's scream rang out.
Sara: 32nd of Hunting, 3837
I dreamed I was in the basement again with endless empty hours in the dark dreading his return, knowing what would happen. There were ghosts around me resembling the Therysi court, but they weren't real, only the basement was real, the dark, the waiting, the dread, and the pain. I remembered Kaio and I knew this was wrong. This shouldn't be happening. I fought against it. If I could find Kaio, he would rescue me. Kaio would keep him away. I felt mired in tar and I could feel his approach. I had to get away! Where was Kaio? The more I struggled, the more it hurt and the closer he came. The creak of the stairs… I could smell his cologne… NO!
I felt hands on me and I screamed again.
"Sara! It's me, Kaio."
I wrenched my eyes open to see Kaio's concerned face. "You came!" I threw my arms around his neck and sobbed in relief because I wasn't in the basement anymore. I knew it was a dream, but it had felt so real. He held me tight and I felt his love and determination through the bond. It helped more than I would have imagined.
"Call for a healer. Some of her wounds have re-opened. She's bleeding again."
It took me a while to pull myself together. When I felt up to it, I looked up at Kaio. "I'm sorry. I was back in the basement and I could feel him coming. I could smell him. It felt so real."
"Battle curse is like that, Lady Sara. The event imprints itself on the mind. When something evokes it, you relive the experience in all its detail." I looked over my shoulder. I didn't recognize either the voice or the face. "Forgive me. I am Captain Blas. The Emperor sent me and my men here to protect you."
I sniffed. "He wanted to keep Kaio from claiming me and make sure his prospective bride didn't get assassinated by idiots." Their high-handedness annoyed and upset me. I didn't feel like being diplomatic.
He smiled wryly. "That may have been his intention, my lady, but your mate explained the situation. The Emperor will find another bride. I promise you, my men and I will do everything in our power to keep you safe and well." I felt Kaio's relief. The captain wouldn't be a problem.
"Thank you. Now you're here, I can begin researching how to destroy the valbore permanently." The captain's eyebrows climbed and Kaio chuckled.
"If anyone can do it, My One, it's you." His faith suffused the bond and warmed me like sunshine, steadying me. "Calum, when the healer gets here would you get Sara something to eat?"
"If you will excuse me, my prince, I should see about getting my men settled. We'll take up the duty in an hour." The captain bowed and followed Calum out.
"You're shaking. Are you all right?" Kaio's voice was soft in my ear.
I took a deep breath. My stepfather's aftershave still tickled my nose. "No. It's too close. I can still smell him."
His hand kneaded the muscles in my neck. "Don't worry Sara, I'll keep you safe. The Captain is loyal to the Emperor, but we have won him to your defense. Urash isn't stupid or cruel, he just doesn't… connect with the feelings of others. He relies on those he trusts to advise him on that. Urash is younger than either Dragos or I so we didn't spend much time with him. He grew up around adults. There wasn't anyone else his age in the palace so he didn't learn how to deal with people properly. Anyway, if his handpicked man tells him his plan won't work, Urash will believe him."
"Will it cause problems for you?"
"Until he finds a mate it might be best if we stay here. Some felt I would make a better Emperor and they may…" Kaio sighed and fell silent.
"I understand. They might decide for themselves that you want to be Emperor, and not listen when you say you don't. They would drag you into treason kicking and screaming. We can stay here. What about your father? His note was cruel. I don't think I like him."
"He isn't always like that. I think you would enjoy talking about magic with him. He's a brilliant man. A scholar, mage, and teacher, but politically he's a disaster. He simply doesn't understand it but thinks that because he's a member of the imperial clan he's as competent at it as the rest of the clan. "
"He still wasn't nice. Doesn't he trust you at all?" I wasn't ready to give up my grudge.
"My father doesn't understand there are valid reasons for secrets. He sees the world in black and white, good and evil. Keeping a secret is lying and lying is evil. Therefore, the role I fulfill for Dragos is dishonorable and an embarrassment to the family name. I don't think he's realized Urash has a spymaster too. Emperor Rhal certainly did, but he never told father about it."
"With reason, it seems. He really has no clue?"
"It is unfortunate. I'm surprised mother put up with him."
"He can't be all that bad. He fathered you so you get half of who you are from him. Maybe he got dropped on his head as an infant."
Kaio shook with laughter. "It would explain a few things."
"I still don't like him though."
"We'll spend most of our time here. He stays in Drakken unless mother forces him to bring her. Sometimes she comes with the courier though. You'll like her. I know she'll love you."
"You keep saying that."
"You'll see."
The bond conveyed a solid belief. I wasn't sure but Kaio was. I didn't know how to handle that so I changed the subject. Time will tell. "So, we go to the vault-library first thing tomorrow."
His brow cocked with humor. "I would think getting dressed would come first."
I poked him in the ribs. "You know what I mean."
He nuzzled the top of my head. "We'll go after breakfast. Dragos said he'd bring the key by after dinner."
"Speaking of dinner, will you be dining with the court or here?" I didn't want to be alone. I had been alone too long already and the nightmare made me shaky.
"I want to dine with you, but Dragos is announcing the valbore to the court and I need to see the reactions of the lords. Someone hired that man to poison you and didn't care how many others he also killed. Now Captain Blas and his men are here, I can check with my agents about who's been buying Perisal venom or the services of an assassin. I also want to look through my files on the factions from when we came to Therys. I want you safe and until they're stopped and dealt with permanently, the
y'll remain a danger to you."
Through the bond, I felt concern, determination, frustration, and over it all the warmth of his love. He had been right, I could trust him, and the bond was teaching me that in a way I had never dreamed was possible before. It bypassed all of my defenses but I didn't mind. The bond showed me I didn't need them with Kaio.
I sighed into his chest. "When I found myself back in the basement waiting for him, I remembered you and I knew the dream was wrong. It tried to tell me only the basement existed, but I knew you would rescue me so I fought against it. It felt as if I was in tar and it hurt, but anything was better than… waiting. And you did! You came and you rescued me just as you did on the road. I realized in Dragos' office, I would never have made it to the next town. I should have thanked you for that."
"You needn't thank me. I was following Dragos' orders, but I will always protect you."
He cuddled me on his lap until the healer arrived. It was one of Bedin's assistants and I didn't know his name. Kaio helped me with the nightgown and held me with my back to the healer so he could work. I heard quiet cursing at the door and looked over my shoulder to see Dragos frowning at my back. "Forgive me, Lady Sara. I hadn't realized… I'm sorry to intrude."
"It's all right. There's not a lot you shouldn't see from that angle." I was more worried about what Kaio thought of it, but he didn't seem too troubled so I let it go. Besides, given the number of men who had already seen me unclothed in my life, most with less than friendly intent, one more who did have my best interests at heart wasn't worth troubling myself over. I tucked my head under Kaio's chin, closed my eyes, and waited for the healer to finish.
Dragos cleared his throat. "Lady Sara, do you feel up to coming to the dining hall while I announce the valbore? Kaio will carry you there and back. Your presence may shake up the lords when I announce it. Kaio, you can bring your Lady back here and join her for dinner afterward if you wish. I'll give them the news first. If it spoils their appetite, so be it."
I thought about it for a moment. The ladies of the court and I had never gotten along and they were a lot crueler than Kaio had ever been. That they bored me to tears didn't help. However, I owed these men a lot. I would do whatever I could to help. "Yes. I might as well eat there too. Calum can bring my dinner there as easily as here. Do I have to sit with the ladies though? We don't get along well."
Dragos was wearing his fatherly smile again. "Of course not, little one. You'll sit with your bonded at the high table. Even if you were still unbonded, your place would be at the high table as my ward. Did they make you sit with the women while we were in Drakken?" He asked this last with a less than pleased expression.
I nodded and he looked angry. It occurred to me Durra was in trouble. Oops. Even though I had been grateful not to sit at an empty table, I couldn't muster the energy to feel sorry I had snitched. Durra and I were not friends. I doubted Durra had any.
After Dragos and the healer left, Kaio helped me to dress again. I washed my face and Kaio carried me to the dining hall, escorted by the marines.
Durra, Dragos, and Captain Blas were talking outside the doorway when we arrived. Dragos was glaring at Durra who was pale and looked like he had swallowed a fly. I saw the lords and ladies of the court already in their places. They were losing patience from the noise. We were late.
Dragos' tone was low but so fiercely clipped it was clear even from a distance. "No excuses Durra. You violated my orders, never do it again. You're easy to replace."
Dragos nodded grimly and preceded us in, Captain Blas striding beside us with one hand on his sword. As Kaio and I cleared the doorway, the room fell silent for a moment before the whispering started. Kaio settled me in a thickly cushioned chair inserted between his and Dragos'. Captain Blas took up a post behind me. Dragos didn't bother seating himself.
He glared out at the court for a few moments. "It appears the lessons of yesterday have gone unheeded. Perhaps today's lesson will be more effective. I will warn you all now, you have no more chances left. Any further displays of such selfish and destructive behavior and none of you will be in any position to do anything ever again." He lapsed into silence for a moment. "Earlier today, an assassin slipped Perisal venom into Lady Sara's lunch. He did this by dropping it into the pot, which the kitchen staff served to fifteen other people before it was discovered. Fortunately, Lady Sara noticed the taste and Lord Haradis retrieved it all before anyone other than that poor potboy could eat it." He snarled and his fist rattled the table. "It's not funny!"
Dragos paused a moment to calm himself then said, "Now let me tell you why it isn't funny. During the investigation into Lord Fanul's activities, we found that Dagresh, his guard captain, has been preparing to free a valbore. Before she escaped, Dagresh bound Lady Sara to the valbore to be its steed. If Lady Sara dies, her soul and all her very considerable magic go straight to the valbore, giving it all the strength it needs to break free immediately. We also found Dagresh and his companions do not intend to control it once it's free. Its sole purpose is to wipe out their competition. You." Dragos' audience wasn't laughing now.
He took a deep breath. "No valbore has ever taken an earth mage as its steed. I am uncertain the full power of Drakken's mages could restrain it if that were to happen." There was no more whispering.
"You got lucky this time. Dagresh and his faction want control of Therys and they don't care who dies. You will work together for the benefit of Therys or the dragonlords will salvage the libraries of the Accusers and the Mage-Kings, seal the borders, and leave you to your fate. For the first time in over eight hundred years, Drakken will not fight a valbore."
Dragos' fingers tapped the knife on his belt absently. "Should Dagresh's faction restrain the valbore unaided, we'll remove them, and turn the empty countryside over to the Karthim. If not, we will wait until it weakens of starvation and lock it away then. Either way, you will no longer be a problem. True, many innocents will die, but as those who have dealt with Therysi outside this country can attest, 'There is no such thing as an innocent Therysi'." Some of the audience looked ill now.
He surveyed the silent court. "It's your choice now. I'm done coddling you. I've already sealed the city and locked down the port. Your fate matches that of your nation now. If you would live, you need to earn the right."
Dragos took his seat and filled his plate, the other dragonlords following suit. Calum arrived with my dinner and I dug in although with less gusto than I might have before hearing Dragos' speech. The picture he had painted was horrifying.
I couldn't help but glance at the court. It was a long time before any of them moved to eat anything. Some left without eating at all and I presumed the court would be emptier in the morning despite Dragos' threats. There were no more smiles. Those who weren't grim appeared terrified.
I had a cold hard knot in my stomach. I had met that thing so I knew how bad it was personally, but now I had a better idea of how bad it could be on a larger scale. Genocide. The descriptions Calum and Kaio had given me meant more now. It hadn't really connected before. This was why Calum was so horrified. I now had an even better reason to find a way to destroy it than my own survival. The people who had been kindest were the ones least able to protect themselves — and the most likely to be abandoned.
Kaio: 32nd of Hunting, 3837
Dragos had done it. He had dropped the axe. At last, the lords had pushed too far. Kaio's stomach was in knots and from Sara's expression, hers wasn't any better. Countless people would die unless the lords either stepped down or gave up their pettiness and worked with the dragonlords rather than against them, and Kaio saw several of them didn't believe Dragos would do it. Kaio didn't know how he could seal the borders, but if Dragos said so, then he would and could do it. The sole question was how.
As if in answer to his thoughts, Sara's small, faltering voice raised the question that concerned him. "Lord Gonturan? How would you seal the borders? How would you keep the valbore in?"
Dragos
sighed and put his glass down. "Oddly enough, it's because of you that we can do it at all. I too read Ariset. Further, I'm already familiar with some of his sources. I already knew how the Mage-Kings protected this city-state. By repairing the stone, you repaired the infrastructure those ancient spells used. Those original spells protected them from the valbore and its predecessors. It wouldn't take much to rebuild the spell but reversed to keep things in instead of out and adding the lock to tie the valbore to the land inside the shield. Then we watch the border to ensure it doesn't ride one of its victims out."
"You would really refuse to fight it?"
"It was not an easy decision, Sara. Many innocents would die either way. They always do. Even if the Drakkeni fight this valbore, the innocents will die first and I doubt we have much time. They were bold to steal you from the palace. They would not have chanced discovery unless they were close. We may not have time to get our forces in place. If we aren't prepared then a lot of dragonkin will die in the attempt to corral it and lock it away. The last time we fought a valbore almost three hundred and fifty dragonlords and twelve times as many dragonkin died in the effort or after. That was twenty-four years ago. We can't afford to sacrifice so many of our best again so soon. We don't have that many available. If we can't get to it before it breaks free we may not be able to fight it at all."
Sara was silent for a few moments. "Can we use that infrastructure to make the trap or shield smaller than the entire country? Maybe just the city? Put the trap in place first so the people can leave then put up the shield once everyone is out?"
"The structure that the Mage Lords built is based on the structures of the land itself. We would need a feature in the land that is both easily defined and touches or is formed by bedrock to base the boundaries on."
Kaio thought about it. Sara's idea had merit. A smaller border would be easier to guard and easier to power, possibly faster to put in place too. He thought the fault line ridge past the palace that bordered the Waste might work as one edge, the sea itself as another, the mountains opposite as the third. The problem was the last side. "Ridge, sea, mountains, but how do we define the southern border?"
