by L J Andrews
“There are many who surprised us.” I glanced up and saw Tao, the warrior who’d argued with Thane. He nodded his head, his dark hair damp against his forehead. “My queen. Were you injured?”
“No,” I replied cautiously. There was a definite snarl in his expression, and I knew he was against my kindness toward Laina by the way he glared at the woman. “Thank you. Were you?”
“No, but I slashed through one or two serpents.” His eyes locked with Laina’s, and he smirked arrogantly.
“Perhaps we could speak away from here,” I said sharply. “There are those trying to heal.”
“No matter, Highness,” he said bitterly. ‘I know you wish to protect the snake’s feelings. It’s certainly a good thing none of our people were killed.”
“I hope we all will become one people.”
Tao scoffed. “I do not share your optimism, my queen. All I can hope in this moment is that the throne will always place the needs of its loyal people above our enemies.”
“That was my vow,” I snapped. “That is what I will always do.”
Tao smiled and bowed his head low. “I would not doubt it.”
I watched Tao stalk toward a huddle of warriors, leaving me with the sick feeling there was more damage done to the elementals tonight than perhaps even the lindworms.
Teagan told me the warriors lived in a cave, so when we arrived at the dark, open mouth just as the sun was rising, I don’t know why I was so surprised. Ced and the lindworms were bound the moment we gathered around the cave. The day was cold, but there was the breath of spring on the horizon, and it lifted my spirits, even if I hated the way the lindworms were marched around the opening. I hoped there was another way inside and that they weren’t going to be left out in the cold. If so, I would overrule that immediately.
I nearly burst from my skin when I saw Eisha standing at the mouth of the cave. She shrieked in delight and rushed toward me, scooping her arms around my neck in a suffocating embrace.
“Jade,” she breathed. “I didn’t…how did they find you?”
“We unknowingly were after the same stone,” I chuckled.
Eisha’s brows furrowed, and she wrinkled her nose when Teagan walked by still covered in the smelly blood. “What happened?”
“Lindworms,” Teagan snapped. “Oh, and we have a few coming to stay with us.”
I narrowed my eyes at Teagan’s foul mood. No one had eaten or slept in nearly two days, and his shoulder was healed but not painless. Eisha glanced at me for clarity. “I’ll explain everything. I think Teagan needs a nap and a bath.”
He chuckled but removed the jade blades from his back and huffed into the cave. Eisha linked arms with me and drew me into the cave. Inside was massive and filled with rambunctious energy from mages and warriors alike. I saw small children with earthy marks just beginning on their skin. I saw wrinkled men and women covered in the armor. Each studied me curiously, but eventually would nod their heads respectfully whether they knew who I was or not.
Athika was walking toward me, and my chest tightened. She grinned at Eisha before looking to me. “Jade, I thought I could show you where we can clean up. There’s everything you’ll need.”
I smiled, giving Eisha a cautious glance that hopefully relayed to come find me if I wound up missing, and followed Athika.
A wave of relief passed over my shoulders when I saw Ruby and Amber in a sudsy hot spring, scrubbing away the grime and blood from the battle. Athika wasn’t shy and soon stripped her dingy clothes and sank deep into the water. Her hair was crimped from braids, and when she released her waves around her shoulders, I saw how much black blood had dripped in her golden hair.
The water was soothing—I enjoyed the natural hot spring—and something about the cave attached to some primal wyvern instinct inside. I could stay here quite comfortably. I scrubbed every inch of me, staying hidden in the suds but feeling completely relaxed. Rochelle stalked in after some time carrying piles of clothes. She didn’t look ruffled in the least and had already changed into a long yellow robe that matched her armor well.
“Here you go,” she said with a smile. “Gaia had me bring these to you. Jade, Teagan was looking for you.”
Ruby smirked and Amber twitched her eyebrows as I wrapped myself in a scratchy towel.
“So, things have settled back as they were?” Athika asked. I bit the inside of my cheek, but in all honesty I didn’t hear the same bitter longing in her tone.
I faced her and shook my head. “No,” I muttered, picking a soft tunic top and a pair of black pants. “My feelings for Teagan are not the same as when I left. I love him more now. How could we ever be the same? He has found his family, and I have brought the lindworms. But after what Amber and I faced with King Nag, I know what I value most of all, and I know how desperately I will fight for it.”
Athika nodded, a smile spreading across her face. “I hoped you’d say something like that.”
“Surprising coming from you, Athika,” Ruby said, slipping into a dark, satin robe.
“Perhaps,” she grinned, dipping her head under the water again. “I suppose my eyes were opened once I met Thane’s mate.”
I chuckled. “Ah, so it’s the truth that it is possible for a dragon to mate with a mage.”
She nodded, her eyes playful for the first time in our entire acquaintance. “I can tell you I was the most surprised of us all. But I see the High Priestess and feel her love for Thane, and his for her is impossible to ignore. It puts my heart at ease knowing you can feel as strongly as Teagan does for you.”
“I don’t know who started the rumor that wyverns aren’t capable of love,” Ruby grumbled. “We love—we just have arranged mates usually. That doesn’t mean we’re incapable of emotion.”
“Yes, we know you are very capable of emotion, Ruby,” Amber chuckled.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Ruby snapped.
“Onyx? Is Onyx here? Has anyone seen Onyx?” Amber twittered.
I laughed, braiding my wet hair over my shoulder. Ruby glared at Amber, dipped down by the edge of the spring, and splashed hot water in Amber’s eyes. “My dear Amber, dare I say what I’ve sensed from your heart?”
“Don’t,” Amber warned. “Do not say what you’re thinking, for you are terribly wrong.”
“Oh, the idea that you find the lindworm prince more than just an enemy turned ally?” Athika sneered. Ruby chuckled, and I thought Amber’s cheeks might burst into flame when she dunked beneath the water.
“Have a good night,” I snickered and waved them goodbye, my heart feeling lighter than it had in weeks.
I wandered from the hot spring, slightly turned around, but once I left the corridor I found Teagan. He leaned over the edge of a rope bridge, his skin cleaned and the rank smell of Olc’s blood replaced with the woodsy spice I loved so much.
He smiled and wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pressing his lips to my forehead. “You look amazing,” he whispered, eyeing me with anticipation.
“I wouldn’t say that,” I chuckled. “Rochelle said you were looking for me.”
Teagan nodded. “I’m always looking for you,” he teased. “I just wanted to know if you planned to sleep with Ruby, or Eisha or…if you had other plans.”
I leaned against his chest, my neck craning so I could look into his eyes. “Is Mitch sleeping with you?”
Teagan nodded slowly. “He has been.
“Well, then of course I’m coming with you. Bunking with you and Mitch is a dream come true.”
He laughed and tugged me by the hand across the bridge. “Well, you’ll just have to settle for half a dream—Mitch already moved in with Raffi and Dash.”
Teagan slept soundly at my side in the small cavern. I knew the dawn was coming soon, though it was still black outside. I rolled onto my side and traced his jaw gently before kissing his cheek and slipping out of the small cave. There was the crackle of fire down below, and slowly I made my way toward the wide space.
I peeked around the corner of one of the stone walls and tried to backtrack, but stopped when he called to me.
“You’re welcome to join us,” Thane said. Gaia nodded and motioned for me to come sit with them around the flames.
“I didn’t know anyone would be awake,” I admitted, sitting on a stone near the couple. The flames were boiling against my already warm skin, but I found it enjoyable to sit in the calm.
“You don’t sleep long either?” Thane asked.
I shook my head. “I’ve always enjoyed the quiet of the night.”
He smirked and nodded. “Me as well.”
“It took me years to get used to your overheated body next to mine,” Gaia said, her hand wrapping around Thane’s large bicep. “Then I was constantly cold for seventeen years when we were parted. If he leaves, I freeze to death.”
I chuckled, enjoying the way they looked at each other.
“I feel as though we should offer you the largest cavern—as the queen,” Thane said.
“No, please don’t,” I insisted. “I’m completely comfortable. You’re the High Priestess and lead warrior—I say we’re on the same plane.”
Gaia laughed in the back of her throat. “Well, I’m at least glad Teagan has made his space comfortable enough for a queen.”
My cheeks flushed, and I sensed Thane and Gaia had a moment of enjoyment drawing out my embarrassment. They knew Teagan and I had seals for each other, but it still hadn’t been said out loud between the three of us. We fell into a quiet for a moment before I leaned forward, lowering my voice. “May I ask you—both of you—about my mother and father? I hardly remember them, and I just…I want to be the queen they would want me to be. You both knew them well, I just thought…if anyone could tell me, it would be you.”
Gaia’s smile faded a bit, and for a moment I thought they would refuse, but Thane’s deep voice broke the quiet. “I knew your father well,” he began. “Malik and I were warriors together before he joined with your mother. Then he asked that I be his guard. He was a good man. He loved Reya, and you.” Thane smiled broadly and looked to Gaia. “I remember so many times when King Lux would get so frustrated looking for Malik, only to find him running around the grounds chasing Jade.”
Gaia laughed and nodded. “Your grandfather was wise, but didn’t bond with children quite like your father did with you.”
Thane cleared his throat, looking to me again. “I have carried a lot of guilt since Malik was killed. That night—I don’t speak of it often—his last word was for me to ensure you were safe. Myself and Eisha’s mate, Gregor, personally found you and hid you in the castle. Gregor didn’t live long after that. We were attacked on our way to hide you. Bron had placed Gaia in a sleep that night and got the upper hand. But when she woke, I knew she would be the only one who could defeat him. That moment though, the moment I knew I was the lead warrior, with you scared in my arms, I’m ashamed to say I thought we would lose everything. I shouldn’t have underestimated our people, and Gaia,” he whispered, glancing with passion toward his mate.
Gaia sighed, her eyes distant as she replayed memories. “Your mother was my dearest friend. I was her mage, your father’s and yours, you know. The night Bron severed our bond, I was devastated. I was at her side when she died, and like your father, her last words were of you. She loved you deeper than anything. I have no doubt you will be the queen she and Malik always dreamed of you being.”
I felt the sting of tears behind my eyes listening to them speak of my family. We drifted in easy conversation. I learned about Thane’s scar and despised Bron even more. I enjoyed hearing them tell me stories of Teagan as a child—and how they stood against tradition and mated when no mage or wyvern had ever done so. It was peaceful, and I craved the feeling to last forever.
When the sunlight flooded the crevices of the cave, I felt as if I’d known Thane and Gaia for years. I embraced their love for each other. I stared at Thane’s mage seals on his arms often—they were identical to the seal on my arm. Whether it was because they had known my parents so intimately or that I was in love with their son, I wasn’t sure, but when other warriors and mages interrupted our solitude, I left them feeling like I was part of a real family and that I would be for the rest of my existence.
Chapter 12
The Mage
I trudged into the dining area of the cave, saluting a hand toward the old mage, Johan, who spent his days manipulating the food we ate. He held a plate of odd shaped fruits for me to look over. Some looked like crosses between mangos and apples, or oranges and apricots. One fruit had spikes and was hot to the touch.
“That is my own version of dragon fruit,” Johan chuckled, pointing at the strange plant.
“You’ve been having fun this morning,” I teased, taking one of his apricot-oranges and drifting toward the enormous table. Most of the seats were already taken as usual. Warrior wyverns spent more free time eating than sparring. Raffi and Dash were laughing loudly with Leoch, Haitian, and Mitch.
Mitch was human, but he had a wild expression on his face after surviving the lindworms. He looked more like a warrior.
“Hi T,” Aunt Liz’s pleasant voice drew my attention toward the head. Pleasant voice, but there was still a tremble in her tone, and her smile seemed forced.
Liz was speaking with Sapphire, probably for the first time since she’d discovered the truth that he wasn’t human. She seemed more at ease around the dragons, but I still sensed a hint of fear. I smiled when I saw Thane, Gaia, and Jade seated across from them. It seemed the people I cared most about couldn’t get enough of one another either.
“How did you sleep?” Liz asked.
Jade laughed. “I was worried we’d have to come check on you for life. We’ve been awake for hours.”
I ran my thumb along her open palm and smiled, leaning my head back against the stone wall at the back of the table. “I was out—I’m not sure I moved all night.”
“Mr.—well, I guess you don’t really go by Mr.—Sapphire has been telling me about your adventure,” Liz said sharply.
My throat tightened when I met her stern eye. “I should have told you where we were going,” I quickly said, seeing Gaia nod from the corner of my eye, though she didn’t say anything. “We’re going to have to face the lindworms though. You know that, right?”
Liz shifted, glancing at Sapphire. “It seems you’ve faced them many times. Jade, here—by the way, I’m so glad to see you again, my dear,” Aunt Liz said with a perfect smile before glaring at me again. “Jade took away whatever block was in my mind. I’ve been taken by lindworms!”
I sighed and nodded. “Not just lindworms, Aunt Liz. It was a powerful mage. He used you to get to me. We thought it was best to keep the truth from you before.”
Liz leaned forward and nodded. “I understand, but no more. Promise? I am tougher than I might look, but if you’re going to face danger, I would at least like the opportunity to give you a squeeze.”
I laughed softly and hung my head before answering. “Deal.”
Jade took my hand and drew my gaze to her. “Teagan, Thane and I have been talking on how we should go forward.”
I lifted a brow. “Thane and you have been talking,” I repeated, glancing toward my father.
“Yes, I do that from time to time—talk to people,” Jade scoffed.
I chuckled and kissed her temple. “You’re quick with your wit lately. Nag and Bron must have stirred something inside you.”
Jade scoffed. “Sorry,” she said sheepishly. “I practically had prepared sarcasm for if and when Bron ever spoke to me.”
Gaia huffed, and there was a flush in her cheeks at the talk of Bron. Thane leaned forward, catching my eye, and smiled easily. “It’s time to gather the remaining stones,” he said. “We might not have the sword, but we have the royals. If each stone was returned—apart from the fire stone—Bron’s weapon will be pointless to use.”
“Great,” I muttered. “You know where they are, right?”
/>
Thane bobbed his head. “More or less. I took mages with me and like Rochelle, I had them actually do the hiding. Being the lead warrior, I thought I should know the area, but if I were ever taken, I didn’t want to know the exact locations.”
“So, these stones will do what?” Liz asked, sipping some of the bitter tea the dragons loved so much. The taste seemed to be growing on her.
“They amplify our ability to harness our bloodline’s energy,” Sapphire answered quickly. “The sapphire family, we have powerful energy of the wind apart from normal wyvern energy. If I had the stone, I would have the strength to manage wild storms if I wanted.”
“But where does the mage, like Teagan, come into play?” Liz pressed.
“Mage have the ability to harness the energy of the earth, while the dragons rule the power on a different level. With destined bloodlines, they can manipulate specific elements easier than other mages. Mage and dragon bonds simply help strengthen the power. Alone we are strong and capable, but together—bonds are difficult to break. Usually a betrayal of heart is the only cause of a broken bond,” Gaia spoke gently, though the break of her heart was still there.
“It’s all just so…fascinating,” Liz breathed, staring each of us in the eye. “But yours is different, right Jade?”
“As far as I understand, the jade bloodline has power over all the elements. Which is why we claim the throne, and the jade mages are the High Priestess and…well, Teagan,” Jade paused, smirking at me.
“So, see, Aunt Liz,” I offered. “We’ll be fine. The lindworms don’t have half the power we do.”
Thane rose from his place and tethered his blade around his waist again when we drifted into shallow conversation. “I promised Jade I would go with her to check on the prince and his warriors.”
“I’m coming,” I mumbled quickly.
