by T. S. Ryder
Most of Darilth’s surface wounds had healed and he felt his strength returning. His heart raced as he took a deep breath, silently wishing for her to be alive.
As the circular elevator came to a stop, the massive doors slid open. Darilth turned on a fluorescent light stick that emitted blue-white light. Dr. Wyern led the way through a dark tunnel. They walked for what felt like ages until they reached a door. Dr. Wyern opened the door and they stepped into a dimly lit hallway. A guard sat outside the first door in the hallway, asleep. Dr. Wyern went up to him and quickly injected him with a sedative in the neck. The guard immediately dropped to the floor unconscious. As soon as the door to the cell opened, Darilth rushed inside. He held up his light and there in the corner he found Ella. She was unconscious. Her chalk white skin was now pale gray and felt cold and damp. Her hair was matted to her face. She lay sprawled sideways, and he saw that her belly was big. He smoothed out her hair away from her face and kissed her forehead.
Ella... forgive me...
Her breathing was erratic and shallow. Dr. Wyern checked her pulse. “She is weak and her body is going into shock,” he said. “Give her Merelith’s potion first. It will work faster than any other medicine. Let’s get her out of here now.”
Darilth scooped Ella up in his arms and slowly poured the contents of the vial into her mouth. He wrapped the warm robes around her and carried her outside as they quickly made their way back. All the while, Darilth fought back his tears. She shouldn’t have had to endure all this pain. She had to suffer because she chose to be with him. His pain turned into rage, hot and boiling as it surged through his blood. Keralth had to pay for what he had done. He would see to it. Vengeance now drove his every move.
Back at the ship, the doctor injected her with medicines. Then she was transferred into the healing capsule. Darilth set the course for his home on R13 and then went back into the healing chamber to be at her side. She lay there, still unconscious, oblivious to the world around her. He stared at the large bump that her frail body had to support. The life growing inside her sucking every ounce of lifeblood, taking everything she had. Eventually, it would kill her. And, yet, she had endured it all. She was a warrior like no other, fighting a grave battle with death.
He placed a hand on the glass, his long fingers spreading, wanting to touch her bulging belly. He could see the baby moving inside her and he felt a strong tug in his heart. She had sacrificed herself to give him an heir. He ached to touch her again, to feel her soft lips on his, her delicate body against his own, her warmth against his cold. If he were given a choice to save one life, the mother’s or the baby’s, he would undoubtedly choose her. He was nothing without her. His existence didn’t matter without her own. Nothing mattered without her. His heart grown cold with vengeance, he resolved to set things right and save her life. All he needed was a plan to destroy his enemy.
Chapter Nine
Cold Vengeance
Prince Darilth’s cottage on the moon R13 was warm and cozy. Ella lay under the covers in a warm, neatly decorated bedroom. There were books lining the shelf to her left and the window to her right was covered by heavy curtains. An artificial fire lit up the room, making it bright and warm.
Ella stirred and woke up, blinking. At first, she thought she was dreaming again. But as she glanced around, she saw him. He sat in a chair close to her bed. Seeing her awake, he came over to her, held her hand and bent down to kiss her.
“How are you feeling, Ella?” he asked gently. She saw the drained look on his face and felt that dull ache in her heart.
“I... I think I’ll be alright now that you are here,” she said with a dazed look in her eyes. The effect of the sedatives was still evident.
“Dr. Wyern says you should rest and stay warm. Ella, I’m so sorry for what happened to you,” Darilth said, and she saw the worry in his intense blue eyes. There were bruises on his face.
“Darilth...” she whispered as her voice broke. “I think the King knows about us.”
“No, no... The King is dead. Murdered,” Darilth said quietly, his jaw clenched. “Keralth is behind it. He did this to us because he wants the Draco’s Eye and the throne.”
“Then you must go back. Fight for your rightful place,” she said, taking his hand.
He stared into her eyes with sadness. “We aren’t safe while he is at the castle. He is already planning to frame me for Father’s murder. I won’t let him get away with it.”
“You should go,” she said with a faint smile. “The doctor will take care of me.”
“Ella, I promise you, I won’t fail you this time. I will take you back as my Queen. You will be at my side and the castle will be your home. You deserve the Rothgar throne as much as I do. Nobody is fit to rule at my side but you.” He said it with an intensity that made her heart race. His piercing gaze seared her very core.
“Dr. Wyern is trustworthy. You can ask him anything you need,”
Darilth said as he got up to leave. “I’ll see you soon, my love. May the higher force protect you.” His last words had a profound effect on her. Somehow, he sounded as if he were referring to God, so Ella prayed that night for her husband’s victory and was grateful that he was alive and well.
***
Darilth wore a black leather hooded military trench coat and black leather pants. He strapped on the Lazarus, the sword that had been in his family for centuries. He glanced at the Draco’s Eye he wore at his wrist. It was silently healing his wounds and he could feel his strength returning quickly. He pulled on his dark cloak and left for the spacecraft waiting for him outside.
Merelith was already waiting, and as soon as Darilth settled in, the spaceship left the ground and sped away toward Iovis. Their journey took almost two days.
“Wait for my signal, Darilth,” Merelith whispered as they made their way toward the throne room. Darilth had his hood pulled down low as he walked behind her.
She was dressed as a royal concubine and he was disguised as her servant and protector. She wore a crimson low-cut gown which was backless, and she let her long dark hair down. Using her magic, she had changed the appearance of her face so Keralth wouldn’t recognize her as Merelith.
Keralth sat on the throne looking bored. Merelith walked up to him and knelt on her knees.
“Who sent you?” Keralth drawled.
“My lord, King Syrelith sends his regards. I am a gift for King Rezelith,” she said in a soft seductive voice.
Keralth ordered the guards and his men to leave them alone.
“He sends it too late. The King is long dead. But I could make use of his gift,” he said eyeing her lewdly. He stood up from the throne and came toward her. “Your king has good taste,” he rasped, as he tipped her chin up. “Stand up.”
Darilth stepped forward, pulling out his sword. “That’s enough Keralth!” Darilth said as he pointed the Lazarus at Keralth’s throat. Pulling back his hood, he glared at his brother as Merelith stepped out of their way.
“Well, well. Darilth is back. I didn’t know you had started keeping whores after your ‘mate’ got sick,” Keralth rasped and laughed like a maniac.
“Shut up, Keralth!” Merelith said as she turned back to her real form.
“Ah, of course, Merelith. I should have known. Long time no see,” Keralth said sarcastically.
“It’s time for you to give me back my throne, Keralth,” Darilth said.
“Give me the Eye and this will all end,” Keralth replied with that sinister gleam in his eyes.
“The eye does not belong to you,” Darilth said calmly. “I am exiling you to the Dark Moon as punishment.”
“You are as foolish as the old man was,” Keralth said as he lunged after Darilth with his sword. Darilth parried the attack easily.
“I almost had the throne when he rejected that human whore of yours and kept you in exile, but you had to screw things up!” Keralth said through clenched teeth as he again swung at Darilth who stepped back and parried again. This time, Da
rilth struck him, creating a deep gash on his arm. Dark blood oozed out as Keralth clutched at his wound.
“The old man was going senile. You were never meant for the throne. Look at how long it took you to get yourself a mate! I am better suited to rule this land,” Keralth panted but kept swinging blows at Darilth. And with one blow he cut Darilth across his chest, drawing dark blue blood.
“And when the Eye awakened, the old man completely lost it. He thought of making you king, so I had to finish him off,” Keralth said as he parried and attacked again and again, madness overtaking him. Darilth fought back as metal clashed with metal.
“Father should have seen what kind of monster you had become. He trusted you, but you betrayed him,” Darilth said, wincing when a gash seared his upper arm. He ducked and turned around, changing position as he tried to back him up at the nearest wall, parrying and attacking along the way.
“This ends now!” Darilth said with a finality in his tone and pinned Keralth against the wall with the Lazarus at his throat. “Merelith!”
“I have his full confession here,” Merelith said, holding up a small circular disc. “And the council is listening to it right now, at this very moment.”
“Thank you Merelith,” he said, smiling, as Keralth looked around, baffled.
“Guards!” Darilth said as they entered the throne room, initially confused to see Prince Darilth instead. “Arrest him immediately and send him to the Dark Moon, right away!”
As the guards took Keralth away, Darilth collapsed on the floor, too weak to stand any longer. The gash on his chest was deep and a throbbing headache pounded at his temples.
Merelith came toward him. “Let me see that,” she said. “Poison. His sword was poisoned,” she said disgustedly. “Hold up your hand and concentrate, Darilth. Use the power of the Eye to heal you,” she instructed. He did as he was told and within a few minutes, the gash healed itself. Darilth felt his strength returning.
“The Draco’s Eye... You need to learn to use its powers. It’s a great gift to those who bear it,” she said.
Merelith’s communicator beeped just then. It was Dr. Wyern.
“We must go now,” she said, panicked. “Ella is in labor.”
***
Anxiousness flitted across Darilth’s sapphire blue eyes as they made their way to the docking station.
They chose the fastest ship to take them to R13, making the journey in almost half the time a normal spacecraft would. For Darilth, the next hours on the ship were the most torturous ever. What if she didn’t make it?
Please hang in there, Ella. Mekarth wailed, already restless and pacing around.
Merelith sat in her seat and checked the messages on her communicator. “The Council has made their decision. Keralth will be tried for the murder of his father and the misuse of power against his brother and his mate,” she said with a smile.
Darilth nodded and continued brooding, and Merelith noticed the drained look on his face. He seemed to have aged.
“We must arrive before she delivers the baby,” Merelith said, concerned. “Her life is in grave danger. She won’t survive for long after the birth. She needs you now more than ever. Only your Drakonaar blood can save her.”
Darilth took a swig of his wine. Taking a deep breath to calm his frantically racing heart, he raked a hand through his long hair. The ship wasn’t moving fast enough. All he could think of was how much pain she must be in. The feeling of helplessness brought tears to his eyes. He roughly wiped them away with the back of his hand. All he could do was wait and see what fate had in store for him.
Chapter Ten
Birth of the Half-blood Prince
Ella writhed in pain as Darilth stood there helpless, holding her hand. The baby was too big and she didn’t have the strength to push. Dr. Wyern was trying to keep track of the contractions. But he was getting hopeless. The baby was too big and might break the mother’s bones. He would have to go for a C-Section.
Merelith stood by, reciting incantations that would ease her pain a little, but the situation seemed grave. Ella was pale and gray. Her skin was clammy and her hands were growing cold. Her breath came in shallow gasps. Yet, Darilth saw that there was still a glimmer of hope in her eyes, even though it was quickly contorted by pain.
“D... Darilth,” she gasped, “If I... die... please... take care of my baby.”
“No, you are not to die, Ella!” Darilth’s voice broke as he blinked and held her hand tighter. He kissed her face, again and again, trying to rid her of the horrible pain she was in. “You will live! You are not going to leave me alone!”
But she was too weak to respond.
“I can’t give her anesthesia. I need her to be conscious. Spinal Epidural will do,” Dr. Wyern said as he injected her with the drugs. Then he made the first incision.
Soon, the cries of a baby filled the air and eased some of the tension. It was a beautiful boy. Ella smiled faintly as she looked at her son. He was half human and half Drakonaar. A true half-blood prince. The subtle scales on his temples were there but he had human eyebrows too.
Ella was relieved but could feel herself slipping away.
“Darilth, you must do it now,” Merelith said.
Darilth nodded and cut his wrist with his knife. He then sucked his blood filling his mouth. Then he cupped her chin with one hand and closed his mouth on hers, slowly draining his dragon blood down her throat with the swift movement of his tongue. All the while, Merelith recited incantations.
He made her drink his blood until she drifted into a deep slumber. He knew she would be fine when she awakened and arose like a phoenix. Yet, she would have changed. She would be one of them, a Drakonaar. It would take some time for her to cope with the change. The Ella he fell in love with would still be there – her soul just the same. The same innocent woman he adored. But she would be much stronger than before. And she would be his Queen forever.
***
Darilth walked down the great halls of the castle toward his chambers. The Council meeting had just ended and the Chief had finally sentenced Keralth to death. He would be executed the next day. The dagger Keralth had used to stab his father was found as well as the assassin who killed the guard and the maid. Before they could get him to confess, though, he killed himself.
Darilth was at peace, but part of him felt sad. He just wished his father were alive to see his grandson. He would have seen then that his son was truly worthy of the throne. But it wasn’t destined to be. He took a deep breath and quietly entered his chambers.
***
Ella woke up. The first thing she saw was the light coming through the large window of the room. She was at the castle. She tried sitting up, but her head spun. Otherwise, she felt better, rejuvenated, as if filled with some kind of renewed energy. She looked at her hands. They were the same, but she felt different and she couldn’t figure out what it was.
Suddenly, she thought of her baby. Where was he? She slowly got out of bed and walked up to the window. She stopped halfway when she caught her reflection in the mirror at the opposite wall. She wore an ivory and gold chiffon dress. The gold, laser-cut, intricate motif covered her neck up to her breasts in a halter fashion. The fabric beneath the motif clung to her breasts, and the sheer fall of the gown just below her waist gave her an ethereal look. What caught her attention was that she was no longer an albino - no longer even human. She was one of them: a Drakonaar. She stared at her reflection in the mirror. The woman staring back at her was confident and beautiful. Her hair was silver-white with a beautiful sheen. Her eyes were now a deep shade of sapphire blue. Her skin was still pale, but a different shade of white. She touched the subtle scales that appeared on her temples and forehead. The brow-line was prominent with its subtle scaly ridges. She thought she looked strange but beautiful.
She was still gazing at her new image when Darilth came up behind her and wrapped two strong arms around her waist, his hard body against her soft one. He kissed her neck, his nose in he
r hair. Her scent was more exotic now, headier even.
“Darilth...” she whispered and turned in his arms, facing him. “How did this happen?” she asked him.
“I promised you that I would make you my queen, remember?” he said with that gorgeous smile of his. “I couldn’t let you die so soon.”
She simply gazed back at him in wonder. He claimed her mouth by his own with a passion so fervent and demanding that it took her breath away.
“Where’s our baby?” she asked.
“Come here,” he said in his low voice as he led her toward the other end of the room. A crib was placed there alongside one wall and in it slept their son peacefully.
“Thank you, Ella, for this wonderful gift. Thank you for giving me a reason to live,” he said, kissing her again.
“You are welcome, husband,” she said smiling her dazzling, alluring smile. She picked up the baby and held him close to her heart.
“What should we call him?” she asked.
“Prince Zoralth Rothgar,” Darilth said, smiling down at his son. “It means brave warrior.”
“I like it,” she said as she rested her head on his chest, the baby between them.
Epilogue
Six months later, Prince Darilth Rothgar was crowned the King of the Rothgar throne, and Ella Darilth Rothgar was crowned his Queen. The ceremony was grand and the people of Iovis celebrated their new King and Queen.
It took Ella a few months to adjust to her new form. The dizziness and headaches went away eventually and Darilth taught her how to summon her inner dragon. It was a strange and thrilling experience for her when she first shifted form. It was as if she were discovering a whole new side of her inner self. Her dragon was pure and graceful, a manifestation of her soul. Darilth named it Saphira the Magnificent.
