Go. Bring her back. Bond with her, make her yours. She can save us. The voice was that of his beast, his dragon.
If she does not want to be with me, I will not force her. I love her too much to do that.
Don’t be an idiot. You won’t survive much longer in this condition. We need Adarias to kill us, or her to save us. His dragon roared his fury at Saber’s stubbornness.
“Brother?” Zales called.
Saber didn’t answer.
“I feel your madness. Do you need me to come?” Zales asked.
“No,” Saber snapped. He was tired. So tired, and he knew Zales would only try to help, but his brother wouldn’t be strong enough. Saber shakily made his way to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of ale.
As he downed the whole bottle, he grabbed hold of a fleeting thought. He reached into his pocket, then pulled out Adarias’s medallion.
As he studied this last gift from his brother, he tried to focus through the screaming, the cobwebs, and the mire in his mind. Maybe he had the answer right here. Yet it kept slipping away. He knew there was something … something he was missing. Fuck. If only he could concentrate.
Made of a metal supposedly from the realm of the first dragon, and never seen on any of the fifty-two realms, the relic had very tiny, intricate scroll work in an ancient language. It started around the outside and spiraled steadily inward until it stopped at the very middle, where a minute gem had been placed. Adarias and Saber had never come across the stone before. Depending on the light, it changed colors. Passed down from father to eldest son, their father, Skulla, had given it to Adarias right before he disappeared.
Adarias had never used it, but supposedly it was very powerful.
When Saber and his siblings were young, their father told them stories of the ancient dragons, and one such story was about the medallion. Skulla said it was a conduit, connecting all dragonkind, as well as a receptacle. That it held the power of the first dragon ever born, and that was what gave the medallion its strength.
Saber flipped it over and then over again, trying to focus. Think! Then through the fog, it slowly came to him. If it was a receptacle, could another push their power into it as well?
If so, it might be the answer to all his problems. His power, his magic was what kept him alive, let him heal when hurt. It was also what made him so hard to kill.
Saber no longer held out hope that he’d manage to get Adarias back, not with how quickly his soul and mind were degrading. And while he didn’t blame her for her choice, Tirah’s leaving had sped things up.
At least this way, if it worked … if he no longer had his power, he could end his life, and not worry about turning rogue and hurting anyone.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Poisoned
Tirah shivered as she neared the old cabin where she was to meet Mihel. Despite the warm, soothing shadows that lay over the land, she felt cold. As if something was seriously wrong, both here and back at Saber’s lair. She tried to shrug it off as paranoia from having lived for so long searching over her shoulder, but deep down she knew that wasn’t it.
In the sky, Tartaria’s three suns glowed a deep, burnt orange as they prepared the land for sleep. Tirah drew in a deep breath and thought she caught her brother’s scent. Then it was gone. A feeling of intense dread continued to build, making her hesitate. She moved cautiously closer to the cabin, pausing when she saw the door open. “Mihel?” she whispered.
At the faint sound of scratching from inside, relief flooded her, and in her excitement to see her brother, Tirah rushed through the door.
“Mihel?” Tirah peered into the dark interior and knew she’d been wrong. Then, instinct had her moving right as something approached her from behind. She wasn’t fast enough.
A hand clamped over her mouth, and Tirah dropped her pack when she was pushed up against the old wooden table. The person holding her chuckled while Tirah shivered in dread.
“Casin?” Her stomach clenched with unease as he loosened his grip. She turned around. No, please don’t let it be him. It was. Casin grinned and grabbed at her again. Tirah pushed him away. “Let me go.”
“Oh, I don’t think so. I’ve been searching for you for a very long time. Now that I’ve caught you, no way I’m letting you go.” Then Casin shoved her so the edge of the table bit into her back painfully.
Tirah struggled, but even with her training, she was no match for him. Casin knew each move and trick, since he’d gone through the same training.
“Done?” he asked when she stopped fighting. Then he leaned in against her, grabbed her shirt, and ripped it in half, sending buttons flying as he revealed her breasts. Casin licked his lips, and the sick light in his eyes made her want to throw up. Then he yanked at her pants and horror consumed Tirah.
“No.” It didn’t matter if she couldn’t win, she just fought blindly, driven by panic and terror. But eventually, she tired and grew still. Casin was bigger and stronger, and nothing she did had any effect on him.
A sob tore from her throat at the knowledge that she wouldn’t be able to stop him from doing what he wanted, when a furious growl drew her eyes past her brother.
Tirah blinked, sure she was seeing things as Casin was yanked away from her. Saber! Relief engulfed her at the sight of the large male until she saw his eyes. There was no recognition, only blind rage as Saber tossed Casin against the wall. When he turned back, Tirah let out the breath she’d been holding.
“What did he do to you?”
Already trembling, Tirah swallowed in apprehension at the menace in Saber’s voice as he approached her. She knew he’d be angry that she left, but hadn’t expected such cold, dark rage, or for him to find her so quickly. Then he surprised her by slipping his shirt off and handing it to her. “Put this on.”
Tirah’s hands shook as she accepted Saber’s offering and then pulled it on. It didn’t help. She still felt exposed, violated. “I’m … how did you find me?”
“I can find you anywhere now.” Saber growled, making her shiver. Was he finally going to kill her? Surely not, he wouldn’t rescue her to do that, would he?
Relieved that he’d stopped Casin, part of her was also a little thrilled that he had found her. The other part was terrified.
“Are you hurt?” Saber asked, showing he cared, though there was still a lack of warmth, along with something else—confusion?—in his eyes.
Tirah shook her head. “No, he just—” she didn’t get the words out because Casin had begun to chant a spell. Foul magic sizzled and Tirah tried to move but couldn’t. She was frozen.
Then a very quiet, yet deadly snarl sounded and Tirah realized it was coming from Saber. Although frozen as well, he was fighting against the magic. Tirah felt his power begin to rise.
Still chanting, Casin pulled himself to his feet. Blood dripped down the side of his head, and wiping it away, he smirked as he cautiously approached them.
Saber’s power grew stronger, and Tirah breathed it in, loving the feel of it. She could also feel Casin’s spell beginning to weaken.
Casin paled, then with a mask of hatred, he plunged his dagger into Saber’s back. “Die,” he shouted, right as the spell collapsed under Saber’s power.
“No!” The scream tore from Tirah’s throat only to be drowned by Saber’s roar of fury and agony.
“Saber?” Tirah lunged for him, but he was too heavy for her. The cabin’s rickety floorboards groaned when he collapsed.
She tried to pull him to his feet, but he didn’t budge.
“What did you do?” Fury gave her strength and she rushed her brother.
But Casin merely laughed, pushed her away, and grinned as he watched Saber. “I remember him from that night.”
Ready to claw his eyes out, Casin’s words halted her. “What night? What are you talking about?” Then understanding dawned. “You were there?”
Casin snickered and reaching into the leather pouch hanging from his side, pulled out a large ruby, along with a tiny
red dragon scale that could only have come from a baby dragon. Tirah felt her gut clench.
“Of course, who do you think sent the other one to Hades?” Casin said proudly.
Tirah covered her mouth. While she may not have been personally responsible for Saber’s brother, her own blood was responsible. Horror and disgust consumed her. “Why?”
Then Tirah decided she’d rather not hear any of Casin’s excuses. They would make no difference to how she felt about him. She went to check on Saber when Casin grabbed her.
“Why, you ask?”
“Let. Me. Go,” she screamed at him, rage building at what he had done, and she could almost feel her hands turning to claws.
“You want to know why?” Casin studied her, eyes glazed with lust. Then he met her gaze. “I don’t think you’d understand.”
“What don’t I understand?” she asked.
“You think I don’t know about you?” Casin sneered as he raked her body with his gaze. “Do you know, Mother never even tried to stop Father from taking me. But she tried to stop him from taking you, and our baby brother.”
“Mother loved all of us. She cried all the time over her children that had been taken from her. Why would you say that?” Tirah asked, stunned.
Casin snarled. “Like I care. She is a filthy whore. Father told me all about her. He told me the truth. I know that I was never wanted. I wasn’t precious little Tirah, or baby Wren. He told me that neither he nor Mother wanted me.”
Tirah had known their father was cold and uncaring, though why he would say something like that to his own son was beyond her. Tirah heard Saber groan and worry took over. “Saber?”
She shoved at Casin, then yelped when he punched her in the stomach, knocking the wind from her lungs. He hit her again and sent her to the floor. Tirah tried to get up, but the room spun, making her gasp. Finally, she lay still and stared at the dragon shifter she’d grown to care about. “Saber—”
His breathing was shallow. Tirah knew the blade buried in his back must be coated in poison.
“Who is he?” Casin asked.
Tirah ignored him. “Saber?” She sighed in relief when the gorgeous blue eyes she’d come to love opened and stared at her.
“Isn’t that sweet, you like him. No matter, I’m going to send him to Hades to join his brother. Then you and I will have our fun. Did you hear? I have Mother locked away at Darry Caverns.” Casin chuckled and set the large ruby on the table. Then using the dragon scale, he pierced his thumb and squeezed out a drop of blood. Tirah watched in horror as he smeared it over the ruby. Then Casin rubbed some on the scale before propping it against the ruby.
“Knife,” Saber rasped, his voice growing weak. Tirah watched his eyes close and panic choked her.
Casin started to chant again, but a different tune this time, and as his magic rose, Tirah shuddered. It felt as if creepy fingers crawled over her. Then the ruby began to glow.
Tirah knew she didn’t have much time and wiggled closer to Saber. Then careful not to draw Casin’s attention, she reached out and grimaced as she pulled the knife from Saber’s back. She tried to be gentle, but it wasn’t easy, and she couldn’t help but cringe at the agony he had to be in. Hand shaking, she let the knife drop.
“Saber?” He lay so still that Tirah felt panic threaten. Then his eyes opened, and her heart skipped a beat as his wondrous magic washed over her. Awareness grew in Saber’s eyes, then a dark black rage took hold, and suddenly his power blasted through the small cabin. Tirah’s breath caught in her chest.
In the blink of an eye, Saber stood, scooped up the dagger that Casin stabbed him with, and let out a mighty roar that shook the room. Dust swirled about as Casin’s spell faltered, then collapsed. Her brother spun to face Saber. “How—?”
“You killed my niece and sent my brother to Hades. How do I get him back?” Saber pressed the blade into Casin’s throat, causing a trickle of blood to run down his neck.
Still dizzy, Tirah watched, her heart in her throat, as Casin sneered. “There’s no getting him back. He’s where he belongs, and even if I knew, I’d never tell you.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Darry Cavern
Saber snarled at the hatred spewing from the Ilyium male and suddenly seeing red, he slit the bastard’s throat. He let the body fall and approached Tirah.
Face filled with horror, she scooted back. “No, don’t.”
“Who was he?” Saber asked.
Wide, terrified eyes blinked up at him. Then she averted her gaze.
A scrambling in the corner of the room, behind an old rusted wood stove, caught Saber’s attention. He kept an eye on Tirah as he went and checked it out, surprised to find another man tied up. This one had short, dark hair and blue eyes. At the sight of Saber, he clawed at the gag in his mouth. Saber lifted it away.
“That was Casin. Her brother,” the guy said.
Guilt and horror washed through Saber. I just killed my mate’s brother?
“I’m Mihel. Do you mind?” The guy held up his bound arms.
Saber studied the other man. He appeared to be a little older than Tirah, and built like a warrior. “You are Ilyium.”
Mihel shrugged. “Somewhat, and not by choice.”
“What does that mean?” Saber asked.
“Just … nothing.” Mihel sighed.
Saber untied the rope binding Mihel’s hands and let the guy untie his own legs, then turned back to watch Tirah. She hadn’t taken her gaze off the body of her brother.
“Tirah?” Saber called, but she didn’t respond.
Shit. What have I done? Regardless of what happened, blood was blood and I just killed her brother. She’s going to hate me forever.
Mihel crouched down beside Tirah. “Hey, are you all right?”
Saber frowned, wondering who the guy was to his mate.
Tirah blinked up at the him. “Mihel?” Then a bright smile lit her face.
“Yeah, it’s me. I had no idea Casin followed me here,” Mihel said as Tirah hugged him tight.
Jealousy flooded Saber and then quickly morphed into rage. How dare this man touch my mate. He moved toward the pair. Don’t do it, the voice in his head warned, stopping him. Then he clenched his jaw and backed up against the wall.
The poison from the dagger had entered his bloodstream, and his strength was rapidly being depleted. Normally he’d have been able to rid himself of any poison, but with the insanity taking hold and his soul disappearing, he was unable to do so. What was on that blade? Saber watched the female, who had worked her way into his soul, hug the other man. Then they separated, smiling.
Saber drew in a deep breath and exhaled in resignation at Tirah’s happiness. He had never asked if she had someone she loved. Could this man be the reason why she had left him?” And really, didn’t he want her to be happy?
“Casin said Mother is at Darry Caverns,” Tirah said.
Mihel nodded. “Yes. I’ve heard that Casin keeps a few prisoners there.”
Saber frowned. He tried to think but it was getting harder and harder to concentrate. Then it came to him. Darry. That used to be the lair of an old friend. A brutal battle had been fought there and the losses had been great.
“Why would he send her there, or keep anyone there?” Tirah asked.
Mihel’s face tightened with anger. “I don’t believe it, but Casin spread rumors that Mother was working with the rebels.”
“What? That is crazy. How could she? She was never allowed out of the slave compound. Even their market was inside. What was Casin thinking?” Tirah stared down at her dead brother, and Saber didn’t like how pale and shaky she seemed. “What happened to him that he would do … all that he’s done?”
“I don’t know, but I have someone on the inside of Casin’s group.” Mihel pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m sorry, Tirah. I heard the prisoners aren’t being fed or taken care of.”
Tirah clutched Mihel’s hand. “No. We have to get her out of there.”
Once in the sky, Saber flew as fast as possible in the direction he remembered. His deteriorating mind replayed scenes of that long-ago day. It had been another ambush and way too much blood was spilled.
He circled the rocky area surrounding Darry Caverns, his night vision taking in the five guards. Drawing on more power, despite growing weaker, Saber roared and startled the men. Then he used his telepathy. “Go. Run if you want to live,” he told the five on the ground. Four of the men stared up at him, then with a cry, quickly hurried away from the entrance to the cavern. The fifth stood his ground.
“So be it.” Saber shot a stream of dragonfire at the man. Within seconds he was dead. Then Saber made another sweep and once sure he hadn’t missed anyone, he then landed. His pulse was thready and it took a moment to steady himself. Damn, I feel drunk. Then he thought of Tirah and how drunk she’d gotten the other day, which led to thoughts of her in his bed—naked and underneath him. Stop. Thinking of what he couldn’t have wasn’t helping his situation. He wasn’t drunk, but knew it was a combination of the poison in his system and his soul disappearing that gave him trouble.
For the second time that day, he realized this was an opportunity he badly needed. No longer worried that he’d go rogue once his soul was gone, he staggered with a little grin toward the entrance. The poison seemed to be taking care of his problem. He stumbled, fell to his knees, then struggled to his feet once more and leaned against the rock wall.
Mind fuzzy and breath ragged, he waited until he could walk without falling, then went inside and pulled up short at the sight. The cave walls were stripped bare of all the gems and jewels, which should have adorned and brightened the place with natural and magical light, leaving gaping black holes behind.
With a snort of disgust, he slowly made his way out of the main room and into the tunnel. His friend had been so proud of this place when he first made it. Good thing he was gone, he’d have been devastated at what became of his home.
Saberthorn (A Paranormal/Fantasy Dragonshifter Romance): Dragonkind ~ 52 Realms Page 15
