“Very. Not as restricting as a dress I would presume, although I do prefer even less restriction.” Bast shrugged.
Sophie harrumphed but nodded.
Kaden joined them in the kitchen, now wearing dry clothes. “All done. I got the fire going and our things hung to dry.” He walked over to Sophie. He gave her a side hug. “Thank you for having us.”
Sophie scoffed. “Not like I had a choice.”
Kaden chuckled as he went to Olivia’s. She handed him his own cup of hot tea. “Thank you, love.” He kissed the side of her head.
“I was wondering which one was yours.” Sophie smiled. “Should have guessed you’d go for the shy one.” She approached them, pushing Kaden to the side. “Move, boy.”
“Let me take a look at you.” Sophie cupped Olivia’s cheeks in her hands. She studied Olivia’s features, gazing deep into her bright blue eyes. Olivia noticed the softness and warmth of Sophie’s face, and the prominent laugh lines around her mouth and eyes.
Olivia smiled, imagining Sophie as a young girl saved by a grumpy dragon.
“She’ll do, Kaden. She’ll do just fine for my dragon.” Sophie smiled back as she patted Olivia’s cheek. “Pretty pair of eyes you got.”
“Thank you.” Olivia glanced over Sophie’s shoulder to Kaden. His chest was puffed out, a corner of his lips quirked up.
Sophie turned to Kaden. “Now boy, tell this old hag wha’s been going on?”
“Much has happened in the last few days.” He took Olivia’s cup from her hands and placed it on the table next to his. She furrowed her brows while looking up at Kaden. He scooped her from the chair and sat her on his lap.
“Kaden! That is not appropriate!” She tried to squirm away.
“If you continue squirming like that, the consequences won’t be appropriate,” he whispered in Olivia’s ear. She immediately stilled.
Charlie heard him as she choked on a laugh. “Here we go again…” she giggled.
Sophie raised an eyebrow.
“He cannot keep his hands off of her, she protests, he kisses her, she forgets… next thing you know… we have to pry her away from him.”
“Oh Charlie! Not you too!” Olivia expelled an exasperated sigh. Thunder shook the little house. She squeaked and cuddled deeper into Kaden. His chest shook with mirth.
“You two leave the girl alone.” Sophie scolded, glaring at Kaden and Charlie through small beady eyes until their giggles subsided.
“Good! Now finally tell this old woman what happened. Gods only know it’s boring out here. Make it interesting!” She flicked her wrist in the air, but also noticed the surprise on Bast’s face when she mentioned Gods, not God. She scrutinized Bast once more, noticing the fine leather, the beads in her hair and the weapon she didn’t seem to ever part with. She figured that Bast was one of the forest people; she had lived long enough and close enough to them to know the difference.
“Well, I can tell you the most interesting part is that my Olivia here,” he wrapped his arms around Olivia’s waist, “stabbed the prince himself in his… most private parts.” He chuckled. It would never cease to entertain him.
“Oh… so she’s a spirited one as well. Good, you need a woman who’ll keep a tight hold on your reins.” Sophie winked at Olivia, making her smile and relax, leaning her head on Kaden’s shoulder.
“How about the part where Kaden has a dragon living inside him?” Charlie said before taking a sip of her tea.
Sophie’s eyes widened. “How about the part where you start from the beginning, eh? It’s hard to keep up with you like this. My brain is just as slow as my body.”
Charlie walked over to Sophie. “You go ahead and sit down, I can finish this up.”
Sophie wanted to protest but Charlie interrupted again. “We’ve been riding the whole day, I just can’t sit anymore.”
Sophie saw right through her ruse but obliged, her old body protesting already.
Kaden launched into recounting everything that had happened in the few days since he had left. While he was still telling his part of the story, Cassiel came in, drying his armor off. He changed clothes as well and joined them in the kitchen.
By the time they finished eating so did the story.
“Are you sure you were gone only a few days?” Sophie couldn’t help but ask. “I’ll have to meet that dragon of yours before you leave, maybe he can show me what my home looks from above.”
Kaden choked on his drink, the others surprised as well. “You want him to fly with you?” He could sense Órva’ar’s alarm and disapproval.
“Not fly… just maybe lift me up a bit?”
Kaden couldn’t really say no to Sophie, but yet again, he felt Órva’ar protesting.
“I will let you talk to him about that tomorrow. If the weather serves us, that is.”
“Aye… fair enough. Now, if you would excuse me, having this many guests is tiring. You help yourself to whatever you see, but I need my beauty sleep. You see, there’s this new neighbor...” Sophie winked, making Charlie and Olivia laugh.
“We should rest as well. We have a long journey ahead of us.” Olivia slid down from Kaden’s lap.
“Since my home is humble, you will have to share the front room. I expect you all to behave and be decent.” Sophie raised her eyebrow at Kaden.
“Why do I have a feeling that was meant only for me?” Kaden said as he stood up to help Olivia gather the dishes.
Sophie chuckled, starting to clean up.
“No, we will take care of our own mess. It is the least we can do.” Olivia took the bowl from Sophie’s hand.
“I wouldn’t argue with her, Sophie. She’s probably as stubborn as you are. Just go to sleep, we’ll take care of everything. As you said… that old body of yours ain’t what it used to be,” Kaden said and got smacked for it by the old woman. He’d known she would do that, so he only laughed.
“Good night then.”
It didn’t take them long to clean up and get ready for sleep. Olivia, Kaden and Charlie took the front room while Cassiel and Bast decided to share the kitchen, much to Charlie’s disappointment.
One day was behind them, and they hoped the ones ahead would be as easy. Maybe this time, they really would get lucky.
Chapter 26
That same day, Damien and Theo watched two boys leave the house Magnus was currently occupying. One set off at a gallop on the Asil road and the other in the opposite direction, probably towards Remor.
That fact didn’t sit well with Theo as a foreboding feeling enveloped him. His muscles tensed up, and a shiver ran up his spine, prickling his shoulders, down his arms to the tips of his fingers. Goosebumps followed its path.
He strode casually to Reed, who had seen the boys off. “Where are they going? What’s the rush?”
“None of your business,” Reed snapped. He shoved Theo out of his way as he marched back into the house.
Damien came to Theo’s side. “What was that all about?”
“It’s Reed,” Theo said as if it explained everything. “I only asked what the rush was all about.”
“I have a bad feeling about this.” Damien only confirmed Theo’s qualms as he put a hand on his lover’s shoulder.
“Me too, we’ll wait and see. I don’t think we will be leaving this village with Magnus.”
“It’s finally time?” Damien asked.
“I think it will be.” Theo nodded, his face grim, lips pinched. He expelled a deep breath. “Let’s go eat.”
Damien followed Theo to the village’s only inn. They were served promptly. The innkeeper refused to take payment. Magnus made sure that most of the village abided by his will.
It was the village Manu had sent them to.
Magnus was very demanding, aggressive and snappy towards everyone, practically evicting the owners out of the house for as long as he would be there. His harsh and disrespectful behavior didn’t go unnoticed by the people of the village. Hushed whispers spread quickly, traveling to nearby v
illages as well.
Everyone was just relieved that he had shut himself off, barely venturing outside at all. But they knew it wouldn’t last very long, only until he recovered enough.
The only people he would see were Reed and Donovan. The boy healer was still tending to his injury. Magnus was getting more and more frustrated because he had still not regained his favourite and most important function.
Donovan explained to him it would take time to heal before he could determine the real extent of the damage, but Magnus’ patience was running low. They would stay about a sennight in this small village, until Magnus had his stitches removed and was well enough to ride to Asil.
In the meantime, he was hoping his luck would change, and that the witch would get to him in time.
Wherever she may be.
Chapter 27
Delilah gaped, awestruck.
They reached Asil after being delayed for a day by the rain. She was on her knees on the wagon, holding onto the sides for balance as she looked ahead. The sight in front of her held her mesmerized. She couldn't help but stare openmouthed. She loved living in nature more than anything, but this city could make her change her mind.
Asil sat atop a grass covered hill, the city walls seemingly merging into the rocky cliff which dropped off on one side.
The city was surrounded by washed out white fortifications and the spires within reached high up towards the sky. The sun shone down, reflecting off the walls, giving it an unearthly glow. It looked as if heavenly creatures might reside within. Delilah's mind conjured and wove a wonderful tale of forbidden love and a fight for freedom. It was about a heavenly man falling in love with a beggar girl. He would swoop down and save her from her cruel mother, flying them to the sanctuary of his home in the highest spire, encircled by fluffy white clouds.
"Delilah!" Lilith said, yanking Delilah out of her daydreaming. "Close your mouth and sit down. I don't need you looking dumb and falling out of the wagon!"
Delilah snapped her mouth shut, narrowing her eyes. The twins, who were now sitting on the wagon with her, snickered as they murmured between themselves in hushed voices.
"Yes, mother!" she responded, glancing at the magnificent city one more time before sitting back down. Turning her back on the demonic twins, Delilah summoned her journal and began to write down the story still unfolding in the back of her mind.
It would take them a few more hours to enter the city. They had to go around the cliffside so they could follow the road winding up the hill and toward the city gates.
Just as her heavenly hero bumped into the poor beggar girl on the streets of the city, the book was snatched out of her hands.
Delilah shot up with a speed she had never realized she possessed and turned to face her repressors.
“Give it back!” she threatened the twins.
The girl was holding the book to her chest, a wicked smile on her face. The boy stood in front of her, arms crossed on his chest, legs spread apart, keeping his balance.
Delilah didn’t even try to keep her balance, feeling the soft breeze envelope her, holding her steady. She was livid. She had never been more infuriated in her life. No one but her was allowed to lay their hands on her precious journal. It held everything she was within its pages, her thoughts, her desires, her magic, her dreams.
“Or what?” The boy taunted. Even though the twins were a few years younger than her, they were both of bigger build than Delilah, the boy full of muscle, the girl lankier.
“I have never threatened anyone in my life but I have no qualm to threaten to take yours,” she saw the boy hesitate for a moment, but he gathered his courage again, so Delilah added, “or your sister’s.”
“Don’t you dare even speak of that,” the boy spat back, balling his fists tightly at his sides.
“There would be no need for that if you gave it back.”
“No!” the girl shrieked. “We’re bored, and this little book looks very interesting. Where have you been hiding it? We’ve been through your things before.”
Delilah’s suspicions were confirmed. She was glad she had kept her most precious possessions close.
“Sit back down or I’ll make you fly to the ground so you can eat the dust of the road.” The boy snarled the threat at Delilah and they hit a bump in the road. All three managed to keep their balance.
“What’s going on back there? What is the ruckus about?” A feminine voice carried back to them. Delilah glanced over her shoulder. The twins’ mother and her own were peeking out the windows again.
“Nothing mother!” the girl called back with a sweet voice. “We just want to have some fun and Delilah is being a bore!”
“Play nice, Delilah! The family was kind enough to let us travel with them, you could at least keep them entertained,” Lilith said as she glared at her daughter and sat back into the coach, mumbling something about having an ungrateful child.
Delilah took a calming breath, holding back the tears. The loneliness was overwhelming, just her against the world.
“You heard your mother... Play nice Delilah!” the girl mocked.
Attention back on the twins, Delilah narrowed her eyes again. She had finally had enough of everyone trampling over her.
“No!” Delilah said resolutely.
“Wh… What?” the boy stuttered. Both twins were surprised by her defiance.
“I said no.” Delilah was now more confident in her decision to stand up for herself.
The twins shared a look and burst out laughing.
“It would be wise of you to remember that my mother is a witch.” She gave them yet another chance to oblige her.
“What does that have to do with you? We heard your mother talking to ours. You’re weak, and obviously pathetic! Better you learn your place sooner rather than later, you might be cleaning my house someday.” The girl giggled as she ran her fingers over the intricate carving on the leather cover, still hiding behind her brother.
Taking a deep, calming breath so she wouldn’t do something she would regret, Delilah concentrated on the girl. A sudden flare burst in front of the girl’s eyes. The girl screamed and dropped the book. The yell of alarm drew the boy’s attention to his sister. He grabbed the front of her shirt, preventing her from toppling over and out of the wagon.
Delilah used the distraction to levitate the journal back into her hands.
“I told you I was a witch. I gave you plenty of chances to listen to me. Now you’ve learned that you are the ones to know your place. Better not say anything to my mother or I’ll blind you, little girl… permanently.” Delilah ended her threat with squinted eyes. She turned around and sat back down in her corner.
The twins huddled across from Delilah in the wagon, not engaging her again until they entered the city and finally parted ways.
Once inside the city walls, it wasn’t as grand as it appeared from the outside. It was still beautiful, but the people were not. It was just as crowded as the capital. She wasn’t used to having so many people around her, someone always brushing past her, nudging her this way and that. She barely kept up with her mother as Lilith asked around for a good place to stay.
They would probably spend a couple of nights here, until her mother gathered enough information about the prince’s possible whereabouts and if there had been any dragon sightings recently.
The one thing Delilah and her mother managed to agree upon was that she was to stay in her room while Lilith roamed the city. Delilah really didn’t want to know about her mother’s methods of gathering information or anything else Lilith might be up to.
The first day, Delilah spent her time on the balcony overlooking the main street. She liked the room her mother had chosen for her. It had a nice view of the people, as well as the city spires, and Delilah hoped she would get to see the sun set over the city walls.
She watched the people walk by, imagining who they might be and what their stories were. Nobody noticed her, in fact, no one ever looked up and she wondered
why. The sky was a beautiful sight to behold, especially when clouds danced across it like today, or at night when the stars were out.
She loved the sky and the freedom it offered. Glancing up, Delilah felt a bit silly because she thought she might see that same heavenly creature her mind had created.
She spent almost the whole day watching the city, and when dinner came, she retreated back inside and ate a solitary meal.
“Happy birthday to me…” she mumbled the words as she began to eat. She was eighteen and hoped the new year of her life would bring good changes.
Her mind kept drifting to the words she had found written in her journal. You are not alone. They gave her comfort and hope. Whom did the words refer to… moreover, who’d written them? What did it all mean?
The door to her room burst open as Lilith stormed in, eyes ablaze with fury. Delilah knew the look in her mother’s eyes didn’t bode well, especially when they were narrowed at Delilah.
The door slammed shut on its own.
Lilith paced, outraged.
Delilah slowly put her fork down and pushed the plate away. She stood up and tucked the chair in, making sure she had the table between herself and her mother.
“What is wrong, mother?” Delilah was hesitant, but dared to ask nonetheless.
“What’s wrong? What’s wrong, you ask?!” Lilith threw her hands in the air. “Everything’s wrong!” The plate soared through air and smashed against the wall. Lilith stopped pacing and scrutinized Delilah. “What am I to do with you?” She sighed as she sat on Delilah’s bed. “Don’t worry though, mother will fix it.”
“Fix what?” the young witch asked.
Lilith continued talking to herself though. “I’ll have to make him leave her.” She looked up at her Delilah again. “You wouldn’t know how to seduce him and there’s no time to teach you, you’re hopeless. Although… no, that wouldn’t work. You have to be untouched for him. Yes. That could work. Maybe I could make you watch and learn. That’s a possibility. You’ll have to please him well, Delilah, do you understand?” Lilith shot to her feet and stalked towards her daughter.
Dragon's Prize (Dragons Awaken Book 2) Page 23
