by L J Andrews
Chapter 22
The High Priest
Nag tapped his black sword along the balcony at the back of the sprawling manor. Blood still dripped from the edge, and the lindworm king seemed remarkably pleased with himself.
“They will never leave their hovels again.”
Shaking away the rage that always seemed to settle in my chest, I looked to the swollen moon. It was almost red tonight—strange energy was whispering in the wind.
“Killing so many humans was unnecessary,” I grumbled.
Nag sighed bitterly. “Where does your sympathy for such a weak race come from? I’ve seen your brutality over the years, but I burn a few towns and you mope for days.”
“It is not the human race I have concerns for,” I snarled, whipping my narrowed gaze toward the king. “How many times must I tell you? If you destroy one energy source, the others will suffer. Take the humans, enslave them, but keep their energy alive.”
“My dear High Priest,” Nag hissed. I hated when he spoke condescendingly, and it took all my control not to fling the edge of my sword against his throat. “There are countless humans in the world. I would not worry about their energy fading too quickly. Besides, the chaos drew out the mages. That was the goal, was it not?” I nodded, my jaw still tense. Nag laughed and dragged one of his fingers through the blood. “Well, then I would count our exploits a success. Or did you want all those weak mages to join with the elemental warriors and the dragon mage?”
My mind filtered through the past weeks. So much death had come to pass, I found myself feeling quite numb to it all. The earth mages, those without a sliver of unique elemental power, had come to protect their scorching land. The Wald clan was decimated. Some of their mages had taken their own lives to protest our power. The others were slaughtered, being the first family of mages we found. The lindworms and dark mages were particularly bloodthirsty.
Creating chaos for the humans was the only way I could ever find the elusive Coille clan, but Nag took it to a dangerous level. The Coilles were more warrior-like and fought valiantly. I’d relished in destroying their clan leaders—slowly, painfully. Some of the Coille mages had joined my ranks, while Nag took some women for his warriors in the future after I told him my plan to create a new dragon mage. I still wasn’t convinced I wanted the mage to come from just anyone, but found myself slightly disgusted when Nag offered some of his own mates for me if I wanted to see to the power myself.
Surprisingly, the Skog mages fought harder than I’d imagined. I remembered the burly chief of theirs from before the divide. He was a man who ate leaves and never left his comforts. I’d lost a few of my dark mages to their people. But in the end, they fled with so few numbers I could hardly call them a clan.
“Bron,” Nag’s voice broke through my thoughts. “What do you say?”
“About what?” I growled.
“About finding the remaining mages? Those that fled will only be welcomed by our enemies.”
I waved my hand. “Leave them. There were so few, it would hardly change anything.”
Nag clicked his tongue and seemed disappointed. “The loss of the royal puts us at a great disadvantage.”
“Does it?” I snipped, grinning.
“Yes,” Nag hissed. “Now all the royals will be united. There comes great power with such things.”
I actually chuckled. “Do you suppose there will be any way to break through the poisoned mind of the onyx bloodline? I wouldn’t be surprised if they were forced to kill him out of fear for their lives. My connection was severed not long ago—I’m confident he was destroyed. Taking such an action against a royal would leave a cursed energy around the remaining royals. The line would forever be tainted.”
“Yes, that is what you said about the jade bloodline, if I recall—there would never be a protector, and yet we stand with your wife’s offspring as our biggest threat.”
“Gaia was no longer my wife,” I snarled bitterly.
“I’m aware,” said Nag, as though he wanted to drive the point deeper into my heart. “How do you suppose we will find them now that we no longer have Onyx?”
Leaning back in the chair, I watched several lindworms dart into the night sky. Their scaly bodies gleamed beneath the bloody moon. “The connection I kept with the royal will leave traces. If any of the earth mages seek refuge, we will track them. We will find them. I’m simply waiting for you…”
My voice was lost in my throat, and my senses perked to extreme focus. The burst of energy was fleeting—so fast I hardly knew if I’d really sensed such a thing.
“What’s wrong?” Nag asked, glancing around the balcony. “Bron, what has happened?” He spat when I didn’t respond.
“I felt something—a strange energy, though also familiar. It reminded me of moments when…Gaia was truly happy before we parted, but then it was gone,” I whispered, glancing about and feeling a little as though I might be losing my wits.
Nag scowled and sunk deeper in his chair. “Well, I felt nothing. Besides, the High Priestess is dead. You said so yourself.”
“Yes, she is dead,” I muttered. I’d accepted long ago that Gaia’s energy was no longer on the earth. “But part of her lives on, does it not?”
“You sensed the dragon mage?” Nag seemed more interested now.
I smiled devilishly. “I can’t be sure, I hardly sensed anything.”
“Why would you feel your dead ex-wife’s bastard?”
My jaw clenched. I didn’t want to explain, but Nag was not one to let anything go. “Because I never released her from my heart and maintain a connection to bits of her energy.”
Nag laughed, as I knew he would. “You betray the woman, nearly kill her by severing her bond with the royals. Trap her in a prison, kill her mate, manipulate her son—then again, try to kill him, and then you actually kill her after all this time, and you admit you still have feelings for this woman?”
“I was there for every event you mentioned, I don’t need you to retell my history,” I snapped, never correcting the king about Thane’s existence. When I’d tried to take his heart, I was sure he would die from the wound, even after his warriors drove me back. He was only a wyvern, no powers, nothing but brute strength. Learning he was alive had brought me to killing four dark mages with one strike. Now, it didn’t concern me the warrior lived—for he would die like the rest of them. I’d made that promise to myself long ago.
“You care for the memory of the High Priestess still,” Nag mocked.
I didn’t care for Gaia—but even I could not lie to myself that I mourned her absence in my life. “The bond I once had is not easy to be free of. Even with everything you mentioned.”
Nag’s lip curled. “Pathetic,” he scoffed. “I assure you, High Priest, were the High Priestess alive, she would not hold you in the same regard. I believe she released your bond of marriage the night you stood at my side.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” I growled.
Nag studied me for a moment before sighing. “Fine, you kept a sliver of your connection to her essence. What did you feel, if it was truly from the dragon mage?”
“Joy,” I answered flatly. “Happiness. Something wonderful has happened—for him, at least.”
Nag glared into the night and rose from his seat. “I do not want our enemies to feel overjoyed by anything. They do not fear us enough, it would seem.”
“I agree,” I snapped, though I grinned at the lindworm king. “I think we must have left them in peace for far too long.”
“What are you saying?”
“That we merely use this glimmer of peace to track their hideaway since they have warded it from us. Find the mages that might be running toward them. We should put Onyx to good use and use the traces I’m certain he left behind. I’m saying it’s time to finally end this war that has spanned across the ages.”
Nag’s mouth twisted into a frightening grin. I responded in turn, and inside I was overwhelmed with a twisted excitement to finall
y remove any glimmer Gaia had existed on this earth—so perhaps I would finally release her and be free of her insufferable good heart. Her son’s joy, whatever he found peace in, would not last long.
Chapter 23
The Queen
I couldn’t get enough of little Malik. I wasn’t the only one. Before he was born, I imagined Gaia and Eisha would be the ones fighting for time with my son, but I was wrong. Mitch was arguing with Sapphire, who clutched Malik’s tiny body in his arms. Eisha, of course, wasn’t far behind. I laughed, pulling my hair off the back of my neck and embracing the slight burn of the sunshine. In the daylight, it seemed Teagan and I were the ones who fought to hold our own child. It made me grateful for the quiet moments at night when Teagan would whisper soft words about what the world would be when Malik grew—what he promised it would be. Nothing had prepared me for the breathtaking sight of seeing Teagan hold our child.
“Jade,” a soft voice broke my focus on my son.
“Onyx,” I gasped. “You’re outside.”
The royal smirked, his hand clasped tightly in Ruby’s as though she were the very thing keeping him alive. Peran and Shiv stood close behind their older brother while Donovan stood a few steps off to the side, simply watching.
“Yes, well, it’s been suggested the sun might do me some good.”
“You look like death,” Shiv grumbled.
Onyx flushed, but smiled a cautious grin. In fact, Onyx looked better than I’d seen him look in weeks. His dark hair was cut short now, but had filled in the gashes that had stripped him of tufts of hair. The scars along his neck and chest were still angry but healing well with the help of the mages. It was the symbol of the dark High Priest carved over his heart that sent my stomach turning. The wound was deep and most likely would remain in Onyx’s body for life. His relaxed stance, though, took my thoughts from the gruesome symbol and back to the reality that Onyx was alive, and he was at peace.
“I think you look great,” I insisted, resting my hand on his arm.
“I don’t, but thank you,” Onyx muttered. “I needed to see you. First, I need to beg your forgiveness for trying to kill you.”
“Onyx please, I know it wasn’t you,” I said.
“I still must say it. I would never harm you, or any of you here. I also want you to know I am overjoyed to know you and Teagan mated finally, and your son—he’s remarkable.” A ball of emotion lodged in the back of my throat, making it impossible to respond. Ruby seemed much the same as me, as she threaded her fingers tighter in Onyx’s hand. “But there’s something else.”
Onyx glanced at Ruby, who nodded. “Tell her,” she encouraged. “Anything could help.”
Onyx met my eye and stepped closer. I admitted, my heart dove into my stomach. I didn’t want to be frightened of my fellow royal, but there were still moments where he forgot himself. It seemed only Ruby was strong enough to pull him back. “I think I remember something, though it is difficult to know what is real and what is just in my head.”
“What is it?” My eyes widened.
“The day I was sent to find you, I remember King Nag and the dark High Priest speaking about mages. They were going somewhere together, it’s the reason the dark High Priest wasn’t with me when I…well, when you found me again. I must ask, are there still other mages that are not in the caves?”
My heart was racing as I nodded. “Yes. Much like the common wyvern, there are earth mages who don’t control the elements. We met some a few months ago when we tried to get them to join us.”
Onyx’s jaw flinched. “That’s what Ruby said. I had to hear it from you. Do you suppose these mages will have joined the dark High Priest? If what I remember is even real.”
I shook my head. “I can’t say for certain. They seemed very intent on remaining neutral.”
“Were you intimidated by them?”
I shook my head. “Honestly, no. They were so peaceful, I imagine they wouldn’t lift a finger toward a weapon.”
Onyx nodded, and he released a long breath. “Well, I’m sure it’s something to keep in our minds. I’m not as concerned if they are as docile as you believe. You will speak with the High Priestess about it?”
I nodded. “Of course. Onyx, you know you’re welcome around us. Don’t stay in that dark cavern anymore. Please.”
He smirked. “I know, I just…the thought of hurting anyone, it sickens me.”
“We won’t let you go completely insane,” Peran chuckled.
Ruby rubbed the top of his hand and nodded. “Just day by day. You will get to the point you were once more, I know it,” she whispered.
Onyx kissed her fingers and nodded. “I have hope. I didn’t mean to upset your morning, Jade. It seems like you were getting ready to…go into battle.”
Onyx chuckled, staring at the blade on my waist. It sounded so nice to hear his laugh again. “Oh, I was going to practice with Teagan. Now that I’m back to myself, I think it’s time I brush up again.”
Onyx glanced over my shoulder and smirked. “Don’t beat him too badly.”
I followed his gaze and chuckled watching Teagan secure his blades over his shoulders and stalk toward us. He nodded at Onyx and his brothers before Ruby tugged Onyx’s hand and pulled them toward Nuka and Sapphire, who had shifted and slashed claws at each other as they sparred.
“You’re up for this?” Teagan asked. He grinned the coy smile I’d fallen in love with. His hair was longer than when we’d met in Wyvern Willows, and now the jade markings trailed all along his chest, stopping just below his jaw on his neck. I imagined he would look handsomely intimidating when the marks finished curling around his jaw and head. Even now, staring at him, I found it difficult to catch my breath. Since becoming parents, by the way my insides rolled with attraction, it had clearly been too long since we’d had time alone.
Clutching the sword Thane had commissioned for my use, I beamed and trailed my fingers across his armored chest intentionally. “Of course I’m ready to destroy you,” I said in a husky whisper, my voice intentionally taking on a mimicking arrogance. “I am the queen, you know, Dragon Mage.”
Teagan chuckled and spun one of his swords in his hands, as if accepting my challenge. “All this time I’ve tried to get a few moments alone with you, and now we’ll spend it sword fighting.” Teagan glanced up, scanning the flat cliffside. “Wait, where’s Malik?”
I rolled my eyes but laughed, pointing to where Eisha now laid our son on a large quilt. The child was like a magnet to mages and wyvern alike. Garwin bent at his waist while Mitch still remained close, staking claim on his nephew. Even Athika had dropped her knives and knelt by his face, her nose scrunched as she tickled his cheeks with her long hair.
“He’s fine,” I insisted. “Now, are you going to pass up a moment alone with your mate, or should we join the others?”
Teagan sneered and hardly gave me a moment to adjust my stance before the flash of his sword careened against my own. Something had changed in my blood. Laina was right; after giving birth to Malik, I felt stronger than I’d ever felt before. Teagan struck hard—I was grateful he wouldn’t go easy on me—but I returned a strike with just as much strength. He whistled, egging me on to strike when he reeled back to reposition his stance.
“You’re rather arrogant with those swords, Teagan Ward.”
He chuckled, his shoulders curling slightly as he readied to defend himself. “Would you really have me any other way?”
Shaking my head, I drew my sword down, clashing with his crossed blades. We went back and forth through several intricate foot patterns Thane had taught the both of us. Teagan dodged a strike, and I knew he would jab upward. With my own bit of arrogance, I dropped my sword and embraced the burn that came when my smooth skin transformed into hardened, sharp scales. Teagan sighed, his jaw set as he watched me shift.
Not exactly fair, he spoke to my mind.
Nothing is fair in battle, my love, I snickered, blasting a stream of flames toward his feet.
Teagan sneered and studied me for half a breath before dropping his blades and darting toward my front haunch. I felt him scramble on, and without needing him to say the words, I blasted into the sky. The rush of wind breathing beneath my spread wings was welcome after so many months remaining in human form. I hadn’t tasted the fresh breeze in weeks. Malik was worth it all, but I couldn’t hide the sheer joy of climbing through the thin clouds toward the sun.
Teagan stood straight on my back—he had enough confidence and balance he had no need to remain seated any more. One hand rested gently on the back of my large skull. When the cliffs below were nothing but gray specks and the air was thin enough it would be hard to spark a flame in my throat, I felt Teagan lunge off my back.
Show off, I called after him.
What are you doing? Are you just going to let me fall, or will you fly with me?
Bellowing a playful roar, I dove toward the earth. Teagan’s arms were splayed wide, and his eyes were closed. I knew enough about his energy to know there were few things he loved more than the power of air. The forest may be his haven, but the sky was a close second. He rolled over easily, now that he had command of the energy. Remarkably, it seemed he had enough strength to slow his fall as I flew beneath him. Teagan’s feet plodded gently along my spine as though he were simply running down a path. With a second jump, he leapt back into the air, spinning several times and beaming as he fell through the clouds.
Catch me, Teagan, I whispered.
His eyes locked on me as I shifted my body back to human form.
