“I apologize, love. I didn’t realize I was that quiet.” Kaden kissed Olivia’s head and then looked at Aimee. “I apologize to you as well.”
“Oh…” Aimee responded, waiting for her own heartbeat to settle. “That’s alright.” She narrowed her eyes and studied Kaden.
Kaden found it unnerving, a child trying to penetrate his soul. He raised his scarred eyebrow.
“Are you the dragon man?”
“Yes.” He answered and his eyes flashed amber.
“Nice trick… prove that you’re a dragon.” Aimee scoffed and crossed her arms over her chest.
Kaden’s loud laughter rumbled from deep within. He had never expected such a reaction from someone, especially a child.
His hesitation to answer didn’t go unnoticed by Olivia. “No. You are not stomping the flowers again.” Olivia turned in Kaden’s arms and scowled up at him.
Kaden pouted and a real, heartfelt laughter bubbled past Olivia’s lips. “Please do not pout,” she said when she finally caught her breath, “It does not become you.”
“So, how do I prove myself to the young lady then?” Kaden let go of Olivia and took her hand in his.
Aimee blushed. No one had ever called her a lady.
“You can do it later… in the riding field, now we need to break our fast. Have you and your sister eaten?” Olivia asked.
“No. Millie woke me up when she snuck out, so I followed her to make sure she wouldn’t get into trouble. We’re new here.” Aimee shrugged and looked over at her sister, who crouched between the white roses.
“Alright, come and eat with us then.”
Aimee nodded her acquiescence and ran to get her sister.
For the rest of the day, Olivia helped the new people settle in, while Kaden and Bast discussed possible scenarios of what could happen if Magnus came with Theo, Damien and Charlie. In the end, they decided to wait for Cassiel’s input before making any decision. The knight would be the one to best predict prince’s actions.
Life became routine during the next few days. The servants returned to their duties, taking care of the estate and the business of trading. Olivia had to oversee everything with the help of Kaden, while at the same time, continuing her training as well. Bast took it upon herself to train Giant, despite Charlie’s jealousy. But in the evenings, when the six of them would gather in the family room, Charlie cherished the moments with Bast, always cuddling close, seeking her attention.
As the days passed, Olivia became more and more anxious because Cassiel had not returned yet. He was late, and she worried about his safety and her father’s life.
One day, when the sun shone brightly and puffy clouds floated through the sky, the group sat in the field, having a picnic lunch after an exhausting hour of practice. Charlie rolled in the grass with Olivia straddling her hips, tickling her sides.
“Apologize, Charlie!” Olivia laughed.
“No! No! Stop! Bast!” Charlie squirmed, trying to break free as she gasped for air.
“You’re on your own, Charlie… you should have known better!” Bast grinned and shook her head at the frolics.
Suddenly, Kaden shot to his feet. Bast reacted promptly, jumping to her own, grabbing for her weapons. Damien and Theo strung their bows. They all stood ready, the threat of Magnus’ retribution hovered over them every day.
“One horse,” Kaden said.
They looked toward the forest and the path that led to the estate. A rider appeared, his dark skin a contradiction to his gleaming armor, the sun reflecting of off it almost blinding them.
“It’s Cassiel!”
“Someone’s riding with him.” Kaden took Olivia’s hand, preventing her from running to the knight.
“Something is not right,” Kaden said as he led them toward Cassiel.
Cassiel noticed their approach so he turned the horse in their direction. “Delilah?”
“Yes, Cass?” Delilah mumbled, fighting off the sleep. “Are we there yet?”
“We are.” He entwined his hand with hers, resting around his waist. “Let me talk with them first, before we tell them who you are.”
Delilah looked beyond his shoulder at the group of people approaching and the two animals following them. She tensed. Adrenalin surged through her, waking her fully. “I trust you.”
Cassiel dismounted and helped Delilah down. When he turned to face his friends, the scowl on Kaden’s features and the way he narrowed his eyes at Delilah made him pull her closer to his side.
“Lucia?” The name slipped past Kaden’s lips in astonishment. “It… It can’t be,” he stuttered, his eyes wide, mouth agape. All the memories slammed back into him in a dizzying whirlwind of emotions. He would have stumbled, if not for Olivia’s hand in his, keeping him grounded. “No, you are too young. But, you look so much like her and…” he shook his head, trying to clear his mind, “…she’s dead.”
“The witch’s sister Lucia?” Olivia asked, equally astounded and worried. “What is going on, Cassiel?”
“I apologize, my lady, for this… inconvenience. I hoped I would have time to explain, before introducing Delilah.” Cassiel spoke her name to clear any confusion as to who she was. He stood in front of Delilah, shielding her, holding her hand behind his back. After everything they had been through on their way to the Moore estate, he had promised himself he would try his best not to let any harm befall her.
Olivia, as did the others, noticed Cassiel’s protective actions. Cassiel had never shown such public affection for anyone, always behaving with utmost courtesy, but aloof.
“And who is she exactly?” Kaden narrowed his eyes at Delilah. “She looks too much like Lucia.” Órva’ar stirred as possibilities ran through Kaden’s mind. Is this one of Lilith’s tricks? Has Cassiel succumbed to her manipulations?
Cassiel took a step forward, dropping Delilah’s hand. Even though a fence stood between her and the others, Delilah could hear the blood pulsing in her ears as rising panic made her breath quicken. Exhaustion shook her body. She could not think. She hid her face in the back of Cassiel’s cloak and clung tightly onto the fabric, hoping they wouldn’t have to run away. Keeping Lilith at bay from her mind had drained Delilah of the magic she could usually wield.
With everyone so tense, Cassiel decided that any excuse or deferring the answer would only worsen the situation. He took the plunge. “She is Lilith’s daughter.”
“What?” three voices echoed but Kaden’s boomed loudest and deepest, topping over Olivia’s and Charlie’s disbelieving squeaks.
Delilah dared to peek at them, and regretted it when Kaden’s eyes flashed amber at her. She whimpered and the quiet sound nudged Pup and Disa into action.
The wolf and the mountain lioness sprung forward, soaring over the fence, their paws touching the ground gracefully in front of Cassiel and Delilah. Teeth bared and hackles raised, Pup growled and Disa hissed. At their own masters. They were facing the group, defending the newcomers instead of rushing at them.
“Disa! Come to me!” Bast commanded eyes wide with shock, hurt by the betrayal. Her face paled when Disa didn’t respond.
“Pup! Here, now!” Kaden said in a cold, low voice.
The wolf and the big cat didn’t budge, still baring their deadly fangs and snarling at all of them. It angered Kaden. It infuriated Órva’ar. The witch is to blame.
Kaden furrowed his brows, crinkling the scar over his left eye as he took a menacing step forward. Bast followed, gripping the hilt of the machete strapped to her thigh.
Cassiel unsheathed his sword, pointing the tip at Kaden while he held Delilah behind his back with his other hand.
The animals’ growls and snarls grew louder.
“You witch! What are you doing to them?” Kaden snarled as he drew nearer.
Damien and Theo stood back, but knocked their arrows, in precaution.
“I… I’m not doing anything!” Delilah yelled back. “Tell them, Cassiel.”
Cassiel looked over his shoulder at D
elilah, pleading with her big dark eyes. She had been through too much. He turned his attention back to Kaden. “Stand back. She has done nothing wrong. Hear us out first.”
“Stop!” Olivia and Charlie bellowed at the same time. Everyone halted in their actions. Even the animals.
The two women shared a look and Charlie nodded for Olivia to speak first.
“My father?” Olivia asked the question that had plagued her mind since she saw Cassiel.
“Safe and recovering in the good hands of the forest people,” Cassiel said, his sword still poised. Kaden was about to lunge at him.
“Kaden, I said stop!” Olivia stomped her foot. “Let us be reasonable about this.”
Kaden looked back at Olivia with narrowed eyes. She could see the struggle in them, against the memories of his own betrayal and against Órva’ar.
“Reasonable? You want me to be reasonable about this?” He spread his hands wide. “Lilith is her mother.” His voice was haunted, as if both he and the dragon spoke at the same time. “The witch that did this to us... the one who betrayed me when I needed her the most. It’s because of her I lived over a hundred years in misery! It’s because of her I struggle each day with another entity occupying my head.” He inhaled through clenched teeth and continued, “Many envy me the ability to change into a dragon, none think about what it costs me.”
“No, Kaden.” Olivia said in a soft voice as she took a step toward him, the others moving back. “That is precisely why I expect you to be reasonable about it. You of all people should know not to judge someone prematurely. You have been through it and know how it feels. Now, just imagine for a moment that, Delilah…” Olivia offered an encouraging smile to Cassiel and the young girl, “… that she really is innocent in all of this. You know, from personal experience, what it feels like to finally be heard. Would you deny it to another? To her?”
Kaden sighed, his posture relaxing when he thought back to the first time he had talked to Olivia. “You speak the truth… it’s just… She’s Lilith’s daughter –”
“Only by blood.” Delilah’s timid voice reached them and Kaden turned his gaze back at her.
“What did you say?” Kaden snapped instinctively.
“I said…” Delilah spoke with more confidence, as she now stood next to Cassiel, his hand on her lower back. She drew strength from that simple touch. “She is my mother only by blood, something I had no choice over.”
“It could be a deception,” Kaden snarled. “I apologize…it’s just...” He turned to face Olivia again and placed a hand on her cheek. She could see his muscles coiling again. “Órva’ar doesn’t understand. He seeks revenge.”
Kaden winced and tilted his head to the side. “He fights me for control. He has been raging since we found out who she was. He hasn’t been listening in… hasn’t heard your reasoning. It’s harder now that we’re aware of each other. I’ve been practicing keeping him at bay so he won’t take over so easily.” Kaden’s palm twitched against Olivia’s cheek from the sudden onslaught of Órva’ar rage. “He doesn’t like it.”
He pulled his hand back and cringed again. As he pressed the heel of his palm against his temple, Kaden felt a warm liquid drip out of his nose and over his lips.
“Kaden?” Olivia wiped away the blood with her thumb. “You’re bleeding!” She grabbed his head in her hands. His eyes kept flashing between the draconic amber and his natural smoky quartz. His shallow, panting breaths brushed her face and her own heartbeat quickened. “What’s wrong?”
“I told you. It’s him... Raging. I can’t hold him off much longer.” Kaden shut his eyes tight against the pain and leaned into Olivia’s palm.
“Let me talk to him,” Olivia whispered.
Kaden opened his eyes and peered into Olivia’s. He hated seeing her worried, frightened… helpless. Her eyes should be sparkling, bright with happiness and life. He missed that spark. After wiping away the blood with the back of his hand, Kaden kissed Olivia’s forehead.
“If I let him out, he’ll charge straight for her… His hate is infusing my own… intensifying it tenfold. That’s why I have the need to…” He balled his fists at his sides as he glared back at Delilah over his shoulder.
“Then let me try,” Delilah said with uncertain bravado.
“No!” Cassiel and Kaden said at the same time.
“It would be the death of you.” Kaden spoke in a cold voice. “Everyone should just get away from me.”
Delilah took a step forward, and Cassiel halted her by putting a hand on her shoulder. She looked back at him and graced her knight with a reassuring smile. Giving him one final nod that she knew what she was doing, Delilah faced Kaden again.
Sudden sadness coursed through her from the sight of the broken man and his obvious struggle. She knew the feeling.
“He doesn’t have to come out if you let me in. He cannot harm me there. I really don’t want trouble and only seek shelter from Lilith and Magnus. I can help.”
“What do you m –” Kaden felt a knock on the door of his mind. The door which kept Órva’ar at bay, the one cracking under the constant onslaught of the dragon’s attempts to break free, for he hadn’t expected such a fight from his human.
“Please?” Delilah’s voice was low and soft. She knew how hard it must be for him. To fight the beast within and to trust her, the daughter of the person who had betrayed him the most.
“Let her try to help…” Charlie’s voice surprised everyone. “You don’t want to hurt Olivia if he breaks free in rage. We really don’t know what he’s capable of… And honestly… I think it would be a bit too much for any witch to try and control the both of you. Am I right?” She took a step forward, closer to both Delilah and Kaden with Bast right by her side. “And just look at her… really see her…”
Kaden studied Delilah’s features in detail. Even though she had stepped forward in her bout of confidence, her body was leaning back, subtly proclaiming her fear. Her eyes were red rimmed with dark patches underneath, as if sleep itself forcefully tried to creep in. Kaden followed the hand on her shoulder back to Cassiel. Was I wrong about him?
The knight’s gaze was resolute when their eyes locked. The two spoke without uttering a word, just like they had done back at the cave, only their roles reversed now.
Kaden broke the staring duel as another hit pounded in the forefront of his head.
“Do you trust her?” he asked Cassiel.
“Yes. With my life, and I would gladly give mine for hers.”
Kaden’s gaze shifted back to Delilah. When he nodded, opening the door a bit, just enough for her to slip through, another spasm brought him to his knees.
Chapter 42
Flames surrounded Delilah when she opened her eyes. Panicked, she swatted her hands, trying to put out the fire blistering her skin. Then she remembered. She closed her eyes and let the raging inferno engulf her while convincing her body that the pain wasn’t real.
The heat subsided. Delilah’s willpower held strong against the illusions of Kaden’s mind.
When she opened her eyes again, Delilah marveled at the fires consuming the trees around her. Standing in the middle of it, unharmed, she felt powerful. She smiled as she passed her hand through the flames. She couldn’t hear anything above the roar of nature’s feast as the scent of burning wood and sulfur tickled her nostrils.
A loud crack behind her, the ground trembled beneath her feet. It snapped Delilah out of her daze and she remembered why she had come here.
She rushed through the burning forest, letting her magic be her guide as her amulet shone bright white. The flames kissed her skin and caressed her dress but left no mark. She took in the destruction surrounding her. What it must be doing to Kaden’s mind….
The words of power came to her in a melodious song. The glow of her amulet spread all over her and as Delilah continued her trek, the fire she passed through ceased its devouring, easing Kaden’s mind as well.
In one moment Delilah walked ove
r the forest ground, and the next, her feet sunk into the soft grass of a meadow. She lifted her gaze and drank in the sight. Since the day she had taken her first breath, Delilah had a special bond with nature. She loved the beauty of it but she had never witnessed such magnificence. The green field, dotted by white and purple flowers, stretched far around her. It was surrounded by the forest and it cradled a large lake in its midst. Beyond the glistening water, loomed a high mountain, its peak hiding behind clouds of smoke.
The fire behind her ceased spreading and began to dwindle.
Her feet carried her to the middle of the green clearing where she sat among the flowers, waiting for the dragon to come. Everything seemed more… the colors unnaturally vivid. An unearthly glow about everything. It felt as if she were dreaming while awake.
A thunderous roar shook the ground Delilah sat upon. She remained composed, but her heart skipped a beat at the sound, pounding against her ribcage. Adrenalin coursed through her, making her hands tremble. She took in a few deep calming breaths, knowing she was safe from harm.
A shadow passed over her and Delilah turned her eyes skyward.
The dragon soared high above, gliding on wide spread wings. He circled her as a predator would circle its prey, never losing sight of the little human.
The dragon beat its wings with three powerful strokes, gaining altitude then pivoted down toward Delilah. Another roar rent the air, and smoke billowed out of his nostrils.
Delilah couldn’t tear her gaze away from the dragon plummeting down, ready to rain fire on her.
It took all of her newly gained courage to remain sitting, unwavering against this intimidation.
When Órva’ar drew close, he inhaled, gathering the fire deep within, churning like a molten ball of lava.
“Your flames won’t hurt me here, dragon. You cannot harm me. I came to talk. I am no enemy and I am surely not my mother.” Delilah interrupted his intent. She knew her voice carried loud enough for the dragon to hear.
Dragon's Prize (Dragons Awaken Book 2) Page 37
