by Diana Green
As slimy and unappealing as the eels looked, he knew they tasted surprisingly good. And he wasn’t in a position to be picky. Anything that kept him fed, in this strange land, was worth holding onto.
“Just a moment.” He gestured for her to wait, while he cast a quick spell. With a popping noise, the eels vanished.
Valla’s jaw dropped, as she stared at her empty hands.
“I sent them to a small pocket dimension,” he explained, seeing no harm in sharing benign information. “When I want to cook one, I’ll cast another spell to call them back again. In the interim, I can use both hands for hanging on while we’re flying.”
“I suppose that’s for the best.” She shook her head. “You have quite a bag of tricks. Any others I should know about?”
“Not at this time.” He enjoyed the expression on her face, bafflement and worry, mixed with a little awe. It was good to keep the upper hand with her.
“All right then.” She gave him a final piercing look then moved several yards away, to shift.
Whirls of magic spun around her as she morphed into a drake. She tucked her wings out of his way, close to her gleaming flanks, and crouched low so he could climb on. Even in such an unthreatening pose, she looked daunting.
Steeling his courage, Vadin walked over and hoisted himself onto her back. Her scales were unexpectedly warm and supple, more like leathery hide than rigid armor. He grabbed two neck spines and told her he was ready.
She surged into the air, her azure wings beating powerfully. Vadin forced himself to breathe, as the ground dropped away. They sped upwards, angling toward a silvery fan of clouds stretching across the northern sky.
Once they gained enough altitude for Valla to level off, he began to enjoy the ride. This was a spectacular way to travel. She covered a full league in a matter of minutes, each wing-beat devouring another mile.
Moving north, they passed a slow winding river. He saw a herd of hoofed animals, each with four horns spiraling from the top of their heads. They scattered as Valla raced by, some of them plunging into the river, while others fled across the plain.
He laughed, caught up in the rush of flying. Wind tore at his hair, streaming it out behind him. The landscape sped by, a dizzying distance below. It echoed his experiences with trance visions, only this was much more visceral, his body and all five senses fully engaged.
As the sun sank lower, they reached the high cliff at the edge of the plains. The great craggy wall rose up and up, seeming to block half the sky. Valla climbed, wings pumping, sleek muscles moving rhythmically under her scaly hide. The sensation reminded him of riding a galloping horse but more thrilling, by far.
She soared over the cliff top, and Vadin’s gaze snapped northward. A flock of alien flying creatures headed toward them, approaching at an alarming speed. From this distance it was difficult to pick out details, but they didn’t look like any birds he’d seen before. The body shape was all wrong.
Valla changed direction, veering westward, and the creatures adjusted, maintaining their collision course. As they drew closer, he could see they weren’t birds at all, but flying insects. Their bodies reminded him of centipedes, cylindrical with many legs on each side, while their wings looked like those of dragonflies.
Ominous clicking and whirring sounds carried from the swarm as it neared. Each creature appeared to be the size of a large cat, with wide mandibles and clawed feet. The possibility they might be venomous sent a chill down Vadin’s spine.
Had they been sent because of his locating spell? Was the empress still linked to him in some way, using him as a homing beacon for her monsters?
In another moment the swarm attacked, enveloping him and Valla in a pulsating cloud. She whipped her head back and forth, blasting the creatures with fire, but there were too many.
They focused on her wings, clawing and biting through the vulnerable membranes. She roared and jerked violently, trying to shake the monsters off. It was no use. When one fell off, three more swooped in. Soon, she began to lose altitude her wing-beats failing under the onslaught.
For some unknown reason, the insects didn’t harm Vadin. They surrounded him in a mass of black armored bodies, but stopped short of touching him. Their bulbous metallic eyes appeared devoid of intelligence, and yet he felt certain someone observed him. Was it a swarm master, similar to the pack boss who came through the portal? Or was it the empress herself?
The answers to his questions would have to wait. Valla was being forced to the ground, and things looked bad. He had to do something fast.
Summoning the last of his dwindling power reserves, he worked a potent spell. It was difficult, without magic implements or a ritual circle, but he had no choice. The spell exploded out from him, sending a shockwave through the swarm.
Every single insect turned to ice.
He cried aloud the ancient word for breaking, and they shattered into a billion fragments. Tiny ice crystals caught on the wind, glinting in the last rays of the setting sun.
Groaning, he bent forward, his body protesting the massive force he’d channeled. His vision blurred, and his limbs shook with fatigue. He clung desperately to Valla’s neck spines, his knuckles turning white with effort.
You need to land! I can’t hold on much longer. He sent the words to her, hoping her mind link was open to him. If not, he had a long way to fall.
Chapter Ten
Valla heard the desperation in Vadin’s words. She didn’t have time to wonder how he accessed her dragon mind link. There were more pressing concerns, like finding a place to land.
Below her, rolling rust-colored woodlands reached north, as far as the eye could see. The trees resembled conifers, except in color, and they grew densely, leaving little room for a descending dragon. With her wings injured, her maneuvering skills were already compromised. Landing would not be easy.
Soon. Valla. Please! Vadin sounded weaker. And no wonder, considering the magic he’d just worked. Without his freezing spell, they’d have faced almost certain death.
With relief, she spotted a small clearing on one of the wooded hillsides. It would only take another minute to reach it.
Hang on, she sent to Vadin. I see an opening. We’re almost there.
Being as careful as her torn wings allowed, she landed. Vadin immediately slid from her back, crumpling face first onto the ground. He lay sprawled there, so motionless, she feared he might be dead.
She shifted to eldrin form and hurried to his side. Though he wasn’t her first choice for an ally, he remained her only option. His magic made her nervous, but it also came in incredibly handy. Like it or not, she needed him.
“Are you all right?” She rolled him onto his back, noting the pallor and coldness of his skin.
He moaned, one hand moving to the center of his chest. “The empress has a hook in me.” His silver eyes opened a slit. “If I don’t remove it, she’ll find us again.” He shuddered. “I need to break the connection and cast a hiding spell, but you’ll have to help me. I’m too exhausted.”
“What can I do?”
“I’ll need to source energy from you.”
“I don’t like the sound of that. Remember what sourcing did to Hathos and Oliana. It laid them out flat.”
“With them it was different. I took their energy by force. With you, I’ll only use what you offer willingly. It shouldn’t be unpleasant, and we’ll stop before you grow weak.”
“What if I refuse?”
“If I can’t source from you, we’re finished. Simple as that.” His voice sounded oddly flat and emotionless. Perhaps he didn’t have the energy to get worked up. “The empress will send more creatures, and we’re sitting ducks with no cover and no defenses. It’s your choice.”
“You’re sure she can find us?” How could Valla believe anything he said? On the other hand, did she dare ignore his warning?
“When I cast the locating spell, the empress managed to reverse my magic. I thought I’d severed the link but apparently not.
I can still feel it tugging in my chest.” He seemed sincere. “I should have told you, but I assumed I had the situation resolved. My mistake.”
She took a deep breath and released it, trying to relax the knot of fear in her stomach. “It doesn’t look like I have much choice. How do I give you energy?”
“It’ll be easiest if you lay your hands on me. That way I don’t have to conjure a sourcing cord.”
“Then what?”
“Use your breath to build energy in your center. It’s not so different from kindling dragon fire, in drake form, only this is pure energy. Channel it down your arms and out your hands, into me.”
“I’m not sure I can to do that.”
“Just try. Once a bond forms, I’ll guide the process.”
What bond? She didn’t want any ties to this sorcerer. What if he took advantage and drained more energy than she could afford? Of course, falling into the empress’ clutches would be worse.
“I’ll do my best.” She reluctantly rested her hands on his chest. His heart beat under her palm, as she felt the rise and fall of his breathing.
“Close your eyes and inhale slowly,” he instructed. “Visualize a ball of glowing energy at your center. As you breathe in, build the energy up, then exhale, picturing it flowing out of your hands into me.”
She did as he said. It felt awkward at first, but after a few breaths the energy flowed more smoothly. He was right. It was like building her drake’s fire.
A channel opened between them, as Vadin drew energy from her in a steady stream. To her surprise, the process wasn’t painful. In fact, it felt strangely soothing.
As she concentrated on each breath, her muscles relaxed, her mind cleared, and her awareness deepened. She was able to perceive his unique magical essence, like a pulsing warmth under her hands, mixing with her own energy. For a moment his magic shone brighter, and she sensed instinctively that he’d broken the empress’ hold.
She observed his protection spell expand gradually outward, till it formed a beautiful shimmering bubble around the two of them. It continued to grow, until the entire clearing was shielded.
As soon as this was accomplished, he pulled away, severing their connection. She blinked and rubbed her head, feeling dazed.
“I’ll cook some eels,” he said, rising to his feet. “There should be plenty of firewood lying about, and I hear a stream nearby. We’ll be all set for the night.”
“I should help.” She spoke slowly, her mind gone mushy like porridge.
“No. You’d better rest. The magic took more from you than I intended.”
“But the protection spell is working?”
“Splendidly. As long as we camp within its perimeters, the empress won’t find us…even if we light a fire.” He started to walk away but stopped and looked back over his shoulder. “You have a potent life force, Valla. It gave me everything I needed and more. Thank you.”
She watched him disappear into the darkening forest, the tall gray trunks seeming to swallow him up. Overhead, the sky deepened to twilight, as the first stars appeared. Without meaning to, she flopped down in the cool grass and dozed.
****
The smell of crisping eel skin roused her, as did the hiss and pop of fat dripping into a fire. She opened her eyes and saw a mound of red coals, filling a shallow fire pit. Vadin had skewered eels on sticks and secured them for cooking.
She felt duly impressed. Who’d have guessed a sorcerer could manage such practical tasks? He’d proven a lot more useful than expected.
At present he appeared lost in thought, gazing into the glowing embers, seemingly unaware she’d woken. She took this opportunity to study him, reluctantly acknowledging how striking he looked.
His face was finely chiseled, with a long patrician nose and pronounced cheekbones. Colors from the fire reflected in his eyes and sleek curtain of hair, casting him in a supernatural light. It transformed his features into those of a flame elemental, straight out of the tales old Tirza used to tell.
There was something magnetic about him, from the intelligence and intensity of his eyes, to his confident bearing, as regal as any dragon chieftain. Despite knowing better, Valla found herself attracted. She could try and deny it, but the flutter in her belly said otherwise.
Something had changed with the energy sourcing, creating an unexpected intimacy. She’d sensed his life force, possibly even his soul, and it felt surprisingly familiar.
Of course she would never act on her impulses. Past history proved she gravitated toward males who were no good for her. Self-engrossed heartless asses, every one of them. The last thing she needed was to become entangled with this sorcerer.
As if suddenly aware of her scrutiny, he looked up, his gaze meeting hers. His eyes held questions and something else she couldn’t readily define. Was it concern, gratitude, or even admiration? None of those options seemed likely.
“Are you warm enough?” he asked, reaching over to a stack of firewood and tossing another branch on the fire. Sparks danced up into the night, briefly illuminating the pearlescent dome of his protection spell.
“I’m fine.” Her leather armor offered more insulation than his thin shirt and trousers. Nevertheless, she was thankful for the heat of the fire.
“These will be ready soon.” He poked one of the eels with a stick. “You should eat plenty, to make up for the energy loss.”
“I feel better after resting.”
“Good.” He gave her the edge of a smile. “I appreciate the fact you were willing to trust me.”
“I wouldn’t go that far.” She sat up, tucking a strand of stray hair behind her ears. “It was more a matter of preferring you, just slightly, to the empress. That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement.”
“Regardless, I’m glad you’re recovering quickly. I wouldn’t want to have caused you lasting harm.”
“Because you need my help in reaching the empress and creating another portal?” It came out as a question, even though she knew it was true. He had no other reason for caring about her well-being.
“There is that,” he responded. “But I wouldn’t wish you ill, even if you were of no use to me. You seem like a decent individual…for a dragon.”
“Careful. All that flattery might go to my head.”
“Take my words however you like. I meant them well enough.”
They fell into an awkward silence as the eels finished cooking. Once the meal was ready, they both ate ravenously. Amazing how much flying, surviving an attack of killer insects, and helping work magic honed her appetite. Impossible to believe she’d eaten only a few hours ago.
As she picked eel bones out of her teeth, Vadin inquired about the injuries to her drake’s wings.
“How long do you think it’ll be before you’re able to fly again?”
“I can fly short distances, now,” she responded. “But that will slow down the healing process. As much as I want to reach Hathos and Oliana, the best thing may be staying grounded a few days, and continuing on foot. The sooner I heal, the sooner I can safely fly again.”
“It might be just as well. In the air we’re much more visible, and I’m not keen to encounter another of the empress’ swarms. I don’t know how often I can manage a freezing spell like I did today.”
“It was pretty damned spectacular.” She didn’t begrudge him well-earned praise. He’d saved both their hides.
He inclined his head, acknowledging the compliment. “I’m glad you approve. Perhaps we’re not such ill-suited travel companions, after all.”
“There you go again, making assumptions.” She spit an eel bone into the fire. “I’d rather travel with a rabid wolf. It’d be less trouble and a whole lot more trustworthy.”
“Glad you’re growing so fond of me.”
“Oh yes. I’m sure you return the feeling, especially with me being a dragon and all.”
“You can’t help your unfortunate birthright.”
She tensed, a growl sounding deep in her throat. �
�I come from a proud lineage. There’s nothing unfortunate about it.”
“Just a legacy of greed, oppression, and senseless bloodshed.”
“I told you already, I don’t live in that southern fortress. My clan is nothing like them.”
“I was referring to the dragon lords of old, those who tried to enslave the trolkin and steal their treasures. They caused a terrible war, one that raged for years, killing innumerable innocents. You can’t deny those facts.”
No, she couldn’t. But it had nothing to do with her or the Dragonvale clan. “So that’s why you hate dragons? Because of the trolkin war?”
“It’s one of the reasons.” His face looked grim, any hint of friendliness gone.
“I’ll have you know, my great grandparents disagreed with the dragon lords and left their city—before the war started. Along with a few dozen others, they moved to the Drake’s Teeth Mountains and started our clan. In the time since, we’ve done none of the things you speak of…no conquest, no slaving, and no hoarding wealth.”
“This is the first I’ve heard of a group leaving the gilded city.” He tossed another log on the fire, moving closer to warm his hands. “I don’t know if your tale is true, though I see you believe it to be so.”
“Because it’s the way things happened!” She wanted to reach across and slap some sense into him.
“Perhaps.”
“There’s no ‘perhaps’ about it, sorcerer. For once, you’re going to have to admit, you don’t know everything. There are honorable good-hearted dragons in the world. Your ignorance of that fact doesn’t make it a lie.”
He shrugged. “It’ll take more than angry words to convince me. But I’ll concede this…there might be some things I don’t know about dragons. My experience hasn’t been exhaustive.”
She shook her head. “Hurrah for a drop of humility.”
“I think you’ll find, I’m not completely hard-headed, once you get to know me better.”
“You’re an arrogant bastard,” she retorted. “But maybe not irredeemably so. Only time will tell.”
