Forged by Flames: Book 3 (Dragon's Breath Series)

by Susan Illene

  “Are you going to tell me?” Conrad asked.

  “It was nothing.” She shook her head. “He just wanted an account of how things went on the trip is all.”

  Conrad lifted his brows. “And he couldn’t do that outside?”

  She gave him a brief smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “You know how he is around, uh, Aidan. He just thought I might be straighter with him in private.”

  While that was a plausible excuse, Aidan could sense a hint of sadness in her features. Bailey wasn’t telling them everything. He wouldn’t push her now with Conrad in the truck, but if he caught her alone later, he would ask for the truth. Something told him she was barely holding herself together.

  No one spoke for the rest of the drive. They reached the gas station near the fortress and found Kade, Nanoq, and Xanath waiting for them. Bailey pulled the truck up next to them and parked. Aidan watched as she took a deep breath and blew it out before shutting the engine off. Was she nervous about meeting with the pendragon again or was it something else?

  They got out of the truck, and Bailey stopped him by his door. She whispered in a low voice, “My stepfather passed away just like the vision of him in the cavern had said.”

  Aidan stilled. “I am sorry to hear that.”

  “Please don’t tell Conrad or the others.”

  It took him a moment to grasp why, but then he understood. Before, only he and Phoebe knew for a fact that the relative they met with was dead. Most of the group chose to believe their meetings with loved ones were a trick. But if Bailey revealed the news about her stepfather, they’d begin to think what they’d heard was true as well, and yet there wasn’t a lot they could do about it. Aidan could understand why she didn’t want to tell them that this soon after their return. It was something that could wait. At least, for a little while.

  “I won’t say anything,” he promised.

  They walked side by side toward the pendragon. Aidan still felt weakened by yesterday’s events, but he did his best to hide how much his injuries affected him. Bailey was kind enough to keep pace with him so that his slow walk didn’t appear as obvious. Conrad already held the orb out to let the pendragon and others see. He’d had it wrapped in a piece of black camrium cloth before to protect its smooth surface.

  Nanoq studied it closely. “I don’t feel anything from it.”

  “The human was designated guardian of the orb,” Kade explained. “As long as he is holding it, no one can sense or find it.”

  The pendragon lifted his brows. “Truly?”

  “I’ll show you.” Conrad pulled the black cloth from his pocket and set it on the pavement. Then he placed the orb on top of that.

  Everyone except him flinched. The dark power coming from the artifact was so heavy now that it was fully intact that it gave Aidan a headache. Bailey grumbled and rubbed at her head. Xanath and Kade appeared as if they might lose their last meal.

  “For Zorya’s sake, pick it back up,” Nanoq ordered, grimacing.

  Conrad scooped the orb off the ground and carefully wrapped it in the cloth. Everyone sighed a breath of relief when the dark energy dissipated.

  Xanath shook his head. “Only a very corrupt sorcerer could handle such an object. Anyone with a healthy amount of goodness inside them would know that they’d lose themselves with that kind of power at their disposal.”

  “That is interesting to know,” Nanoq said, then ran his gaze across Aidan, Bailey, Conrad, and Kade. “I want to thank each of you for making this journey and recovering the orb. From what Phoebe has told me, it was not without its difficulties and sacrifices. The Taugud are indebted to you for this.”

  Each of them nodded their heads in acknowledgment.

  “Is the chamber ready to hold the orb?” Aidan asked.

  “We worked day and night for the past week, designing a specially built vault with every conceivable protection spell we knew,” Xanath said. The lines of exhaustion on his face proved he’d outdone himself. “Once the human guardian has placed it inside, we will seal it shut with his blood and that of the pendragon’s so that they will be the only ones who can access it or monitor the orb’s presence..”

  Conrad’s lips thinned. “Am I going to get blindfolded again?”

  “No, you have earned my respect and gratitude. The guards will be instructed to allow you into the fortress anytime you wish to visit, though you may never remove the orb without my permission,” the pendragon said.

  “Really?” Conrad’s brown eyes lit up. “I can come anytime?”

  The pendragon nodded—reluctantly.

  “So if I just want to stop by and eat with ya’ll, that’s okay?” Conrad pressed.

  Nanoq’s shoulders relaxed a degree once he realized what the human truly wanted. “You will be welcome at our table anytime. Though the toriq must not know the story of the orb, they will know you did a great favor for us that has earned our esteem.”

  “And I’m fireproof now, so I don’t have to worry about one of you burnin’ me.” Conrad reached out his free hand and grabbed Nanoq’s arm for a few seconds before releasing him. “See?”

  “I heard,” the pendragon said, looking like he just ate something that didn’t sit well with him.

  “And the slayer?” Aidan asked.

  “While she has earned my gratitude and a measure of trust I never would have thought I’d afford a slayer, her situation is a little more complicated.” Nanoq paused and studied Bailey. “Allowing you free access to the fortress is not something I can give at this time, but I do believe we can allow supervised visits upon occasion.”

  Bailey crossed her arms. “No chains or blindfolds?”

  “No, none of that. As long as you continue to prove loyal and useful to the Taugud, I will not subject you to such treatment again.” He cleared his throat. “In fact, your first appearance as a guest among our toriq may be soon.”

  Aidan tensed. “What do you mean?”

  “Your brother,” Nanoq began, eyes darkening. “He may have let it slip to the Faegud pendragon that we allow a slayer to run loose in our territory and that she has the discipline not to attack shifters.”

  Aidan’s jaw dropped. “He did what?”

  Nanoq held up a hand. “Believe me. I was no more pleased about this than you, especially because I only found out after checking on preparations for the upcoming mating event and meeting with Hildegard. She has requested that Bailey should come visit her during the third day of the mating festival.”

  “What is he talking about?” Bailey asked, turning to Aidan.

  He had chosen not to tell her about the event since he would not be required to mate. It appeared he’d have to explain himself now. “Part of the peace treaty with the Faegud requires some of our toriq members to join with the Faegud.”

  “Who exactly must do that?” Annoyance burned in her gaze.

  “Ruari and some of the others,” he said.

  “But not you?”

  “No.” He shook his head.

  The pendragon watched this exchange, lips thinning until Aidan feared Nanoq might lose them altogether. Anyone within fire-breathing distance could sense the interplay going between him and Bailey. He’d hoped to keep this from anyone else for a while longer.

  “I see that there is more to you two than you prefer to let on,” the pendragon said.

  Kade cleared his throat. “They have become very good friends, especially during our arduous journey—we all forged bonds together.”

  “I am not a fool,” Nanoq growled.

  “Then you should know better than to try keeping them apart anymore,” Aidan’s uncle answered to everyone’s surprise. “I have seen for myself what they can do together, and it is to our people’s benefit.”

  Nanoq shot him a dark look. “I did not ask for your opinion.”

  “Will you lock me away in the library like my brother for speaking my mind?” Kade lifted a brow.

  “No.” The pendragon rubbed his face. “I have sworn I w
ould not go to the extreme lengths he did.”

  Xanath stirred from his silent observation. “I am afraid I must take the seer’s side on this matter. Whatever you think of Aidan and Bailey’s…” He cleared his throat. “relationship, keeping them together would be wise.”

  “Why?” Nanoq glanced at each of them.

  Kade was silent for a moment, considering his words. “I have seen several possibilities for the future. Each of them is dark with distressing events tied to them, but the one that will work out best for our people is the one where Aidan and the slayer are allowed to be together.”

  “You will explain this in greater detail later,” Nanoq said, a warning in his tone.

  Aidan’s uncle shrugged. “I could, but to reveal anything more would alter the future as well, and nothing good will come of that.”

  Nanoq looked up at the sky and mumbled something about needing Zorya to give him patience. “Very well. What would you have me do? It is bad enough you insisted Aidan not be required to mate at the festival.”

  That was news to Aidan. He had no idea his uncle had stepped in for him.

  “This is the way I see it going best,” Kade began, brightening. “You do not like keeping Aidan at the fortress because it threatens your position. Let him stay at his lair with the slayer instead, and he can assist in guarding the nearby borders or conduct any other missions as you see fit.”

  Nanoq’s face turned red. “You are telling me I should allow a shifter under my command to live with a woman born to kill our people?”

  “Yes.” Kade nodded. “I believe that covers the gist of it. She has a great deal of control over herself, but part of that comes from regular exposure to us. When she doesn’t see any of our people for protracted periods, it makes it harder for her once she does—trust me on this. Allowing Aidan to stay with her full time ensures our safety and her cooperation in working with us in the future.”

  Aidan could hardly believe he was hearing these things from his uncle. How long had Kade been thinking all this up? The man had insisted Aidan meet Bailey since before the dimensions collided. Could he have known even that far back how things might play out?

  Nanoq turned to Xanath. “What is your opinion on this matter?”

  “I have seen into the slayer’s mind, and Kade’s assessment is correct. It is Bailey’s exposure to Aidan that proves to help her the most. If not for how close they’ve grown, I doubt their quest to recover the orb would have succeeded,” Xanath replied.

  Aidan glanced down at Bailey who watched the exchange with varying degrees of horror and amazement. Neither of them could add their own arguments. All they could do was wait for their fate to be decided for them.

  Nanoq directed his attention to Bailey. “You would agree to live with a dragon shifter full time and believe you can refrain from harming him?”

  “I’d hurt myself before I’d hurt him,” Bailey said with no hesitation, then glanced at Aidan. “And I’d have no problem sharing a home with him.”

  “Would you accept orders from me if I have missions for you to carry out?” Nanoq asked.

  Bailey knitted her brows. “As long as you don’t ask me for something I find morally wrong.”

  Aidan was proud of her answer. The pendragon could hardly argue with that.

  “And will you attend the festival in two weeks?”

  “As long as you can guarantee I will not be attacked while I’m there,” she said.

  Nanoq took a deep breath. “Very well, then you and Aidan may live together, but I ask that everyone here refrain from spreading the news. It will get out, of course. I would just prefer we not make a bigger issue of it than absolutely necessary.”

  “Agreed.” Aidan nodded. It felt as if a weight had lifted from his chest. He would never have thought the pendragon would agree to this sort of arrangement, and he would do anything necessary to keep from jeopardizing it.

  “Congrats, Bailey.” Conrad gave her a pat on the back. “If these stiff guys can accept your weird relationship, then I guess I gotta, too.”

  “Um, thanks,” she replied.

  Nanoq ground his jaw. “Let us get on with relocating the orb. Aidan, you will accompany us, and you can meet with the slayer later to discuss your…plans, after you return the human to his home.”

  “Of course, milord.” He turned to Bailey and gave her a meaningful look. “I will see you tonight.”

  She lifted her chin. “You better.”

  The pendragon, Kade, Aidan, and Conrad began the walk to the fortress. He glanced back once to watch as Bailey headed for her truck and opened the driver’s side door. She paused before climbing inside to grin at him. Aidan memorized that moment, hoping there would be many more like it to come.

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  Dragon’s Breath Series:

  Stalked by Flames

  Dancing with Flames

  Forged by Flames

  Christmas with Dragons (coming December 2016)

  Other Works by Susan:

  Darkness Haunts

  Darkness Taunts

  Chained by Darkness (novella)

  Darkness Divides

  Playing with Darkness (novella)

  Darkness Clashes

  Darkness Shatters

  Darkness Wanes

  Dragon Language Glossary

  Alefire: Thick and potent ale with a spicy aftertaste that the dragons drink (more than two mugs will make them drunk).

  Bitkal: Ritual which decides who will become the next pendragon.

  Camrium: Leather or suede-like clothing worn by shifters and the humans living with them that is fireproof and spelled with magic for protection.

  Cryas: Soul.

  Dijis: Attack.

  Fushka (pl.- fushkan): Fool, idiot.

  Galus: Die/be dead

  Jakhal: The clan seat of power—their capital.

  Kederrawien: Dimension the dragons lived in for the past thousand years.

  Petroes: Dragonflies (not the ones native to earth) who only come for a short period each summer. They can breathe tiny flames that will harm humans much like being sunburned.

  Shifitt: Dragon curse word similar to damn or shit.

  Shiggara: Stasis or limbo (an invisible place for dragons to store a small amount of supplies).

  Stinguise: A foul smelling juice that can temporarily cover up other scents.

  Sude camria: Black Camria, the plant used to manufacture the garments worn by dragon shifters while in human form. The end result can have a leather or suede-like appearance, depending on the process used to weave the cloth together.

  Toriq (pl.- toriqan): Clan/Tribe.

  Zaphiriam: A fire-proof metal with qualities similar to steel that dragons use to forge weaponry. It is black with red veins running through it.

  Zishkat: Dragon dung.

  Zorya: The dragon goddess.

  Dragon Clan Names

  Shape-shifter clans:

  Taugud- Clan in mid-western U.S. (southeast Oklahoma) that Aidan belongs to.

  Straegud- Clan in eastern U.S.

  Craegud- Clan in western U.S.

  Faegud- Clan in north/northeast Texas with a mixture of pure and shape-shifter dragons.

  Pure dragon clans:

  Shadowan- Dragon clan in Oklahoma that holds the northeast part of the state, as well as parts of Arkansas and Kansas.

  Thamaran- Dragon clan in Oklahoma that holds the west side of the state and the Texas panhandle.

  Bogaran- Dragon clan that holds the southern half of Arkansas

  Ghastanan- Dragon clan in Texas that holds the central portion, including Dallas.

  About Susan Illene

  Instead of making the traditional post high school move and attending college, Susan joined the U.S. Army. She spent her eighteenth birthday in the gas chamber — an experience she is sure is best left for criminals. For e
leven years she served first as a human resources specialist and later as an Arabic linguist (mostly in Airborne units). Though all her duty assignments were stateside, she did make two deployments to Iraq where her language skills were put to regular use.

  After leaving the service in 2009, Susan returned to school to study history with a focus on the Middle East at the University of Oklahoma. She no longer finds many opportunities to test her fighting abilities in real life, unless her husband is demanding she cook him a real meal (macaroni and cheese apparently doesn’t count), but she’s found a new outlet in writing urban fantasy heroines who can.

  For more information visit: www.susanillene.com

  To subscribe to Susan’s newsletter click here. If you prefer to only receive email alerts when she releases new books, click here.

  You may also find her at:

  Twitter- @susan_illene

  Facebook- www.facebook.com/SusanIllene1

  Goodreads- www.goodreads.com/author/show/6889690.Susan_Illene

  Acknowledgments

  As always, I have a lot of people to thank. My family are my greatest support with my husband making sure I eat when I’m spending an especially large number of hours in the day working on a book. My father who is happy to help critique chapters and research topics for me. And all my extended relatives who are always happy to support me in any way they can (this includes you- Aunt Connie and Uncle Jerry for going with me on the research trip).

  Special thanks to my editor, Angela, and to all my beta readers. This book would have all sorts of issues without the helpful feedback I’ve gotten from you all.

  A huge thanks to my cover artist, Jeff Brown, for the beautiful cover. I appreciate photographer Josh McCullock for his great work getting the model shots, as well as Rahela Mahmood for posing! I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better team. Also to my design brain storming group- Rachel, Kristy, Sarah, and Heather. They help give me great concept ideas and feedback for my covers and track down the best places to get the model’s wardrobe. On top of that, Rachel and Sarah have taken over running my Facebook fan group page and they’re doing an outstanding job with it.