“I need to learn more about them… but still… how?” Delilah looked at Charlie again, a curious frown pulling her eyebrows down as she scrunched up her nose. “Touch it again.”
“No,” Charlie shook her head, her braid bounced left and right. “I don’t want anything to do with it.”
“Please? Did it harm you? No? Good… I just want to see if it will happen again.” Delilah held up the amulet. “See… it’s just a carved piece of wood.”
“I can do it,” Olivia volunteered instead of Charlie who gave her a thankful smile.
“I guess that will do.” Delilah took the amulet from around her neck and held it out in her palm.
When Olivia touched it, nothing happened. Encouraged by her best friend and before Delilah could pull her hand back, Charlie touched it as well. It glowed again and she snapped her hand back. “I didn’t do anything.”
Delilah sighed. “I don’t know what it means. I’ve never told anyone this… I guess I should give trust back to you. The amulet has some magical properties I can tap into, but this has never happened before. Can I touch you? I want to feel if there is any magical potential hiding in you.”
Charlie looked at Olivia for guidance. “Do it… I am curious now,” Olivia said.
“That’s unusual.” Charlie rolled her eyes but held out her hand nonetheless.
Delilah bit her lip again, hesitating as her palm hovered above Charlie’s. When she didn’t feel anything, her eyes shifted from Olivia to Charlie. She inhaled and her hand made contact with Charlie’s.
No surplus magic flowed through the redhead… besides the natural reservoir every person had. But there was something familiar about her energy. It felt comforting and very much in tune with her own.
I will have to think on it after I’ve had some sleep. Maybe I’ll find answers in my journal.
Delilah let go of Charlie’s hand. “Thank you, you were right. I guess your natural magic, your flow of energy is similar to the one stored in the amulet.” She shrugged.
“That’s alright.” Charlie nodded, unsure whether the whole ordeal was a good or a bad thing.
Delilah’s stomach rumbled and broke the now uncomfortable silence.
“I guess we should feed your beast,” Olivia said and smiled at Delilah.
“Yes. And don’t worry… You still have friends in us.” Charlie grinned. She took Delilah’s hand and tugged her along.
Chapter 44
“I think this is the best meal I’ve ever had… thank you,” Delilah said as she pushed the empty plate away. She fought the urge to pile up more food, but didn’t believe she would be able to take another bite.
Olivia’s eyes were wide. “I can tell. I have never seen anyone eat as much. Well, maybe Kaden, but still…”
Delilah blushed and ducked her head. “I was just really hungry,” she mumbled.
“I did not mean anything by it. I was just surprised. There will be plenty of meals like that. Do not worry about it. You can eat as much as you want,” Olivia added quickly.
“Yes, the cook here is marvelous. I can’t seem to stop eating either,” Charlie said as she reached for an apple.
Delilah peeked through her hair and smiled softly at Charlie, and at the attempt to make her feel better.
She felt a warm hand encase hers and looked down at her lap, where Cassiel’s fingers intertwined with her own. The contrast of their skin tones still amazed Delilah, hers being a milky white and Cassiel’s silky brown. So different, yet they fit so perfectly, the colors complementing each other - just as their hearts did. A shy smile danced on Delilah’s lips. She felt as if all the awful things she’d had to endure led to this moment, and if she had to, Delilah knew she would willingly suffer through it all again. The feeling of safety and adoration provided by Cassiel’s embrace was worth much more.
It wasn’t as if her life with Lilith had been so awful… well… it had but still, a lot of people had it so much worse. Delilah only had to obey Lilith’s orders and wishes, and in return, she’d get a few moments to herself. Lilith never did much harm to her, because Delilah knew not to defy her mother. At one time, she did talk back and Lilith sewed her mouth shut with magic. Delilah shuddered at the memory of plucking the thread apart. But Lilith never did manage to cure Delilah of her doodling and lack of concentration.
A deep sigh slipped past Delilah’s lips.
She missed her drawing. Maybe now she would have the time to do more than just doodle, she could try and paint. On a canvas! A big white canvas at her disposal, to fill with whatever her heart desired and mind conjured. She would probably start with something bright, maybe yellow… she needed brightness in her life. And then probably –
“Delilah?” Cassiel’s worried voice broke her daydreaming as he gently squeezed her hand.
“Huh?” Delilah raised her head only to see Cassiel’s brows pulled together with worry. “I’m sorry… I just got lost in my thoughts.”
Cassiel smiled softly at her and said, “Bast asked you a question.”
“She did?” Delilah’s eyes searched Bast’s face. She noticed the others looking at her expectantly.
“I did,” Bast answered. “I asked about your magic…”
“Oh…” Delilah’s eyes shifted about nervously. “I’m best at healing… and ummm…” she didn’t like being the center of attention again. “I have a gift with animals as well. Those two would be my strengths, I guess.” She shrugged, her gaze dropping again. When Cassiel started making soothing caresses with his thumb over the back of her hand, she relaxed.
“That’s good. It will work to our advantage. I think you have a shaman in you. Like my little brother. But he’s also gifted with foresight, through his dreams.” Everyone could hear the pride in Bast’s voice when she spoke of Koda.
Delilah smiled and nodded at Bast in acknowledgment.
“Back to what we were discussing… Cassiel, you know Magnus best, what will he do? Can he come at us with the King’s army? That would mean that we really have to move. I really didn’t consider the consequences…” Olivia sighed.
“No, my lady. He would not dare call upon his father’s army. The two do not get along. Magnus would have to have a much more valid reason than personal vengeance to seek that kind of help and the army was not meant to deal with such a task. It’s too much bother for something so insignificant, for the Kingdom as a whole. We are really not doing any harm besides not bowing to Magnus’ every whim. Furthermore, I think he wants to prove himself by handling such a situation on his own, so he can come back victorious and gloat…,” Cassiel explained. “Not saying that he will,” he added.
“That’s a relief, then… It means he’ll try to keep it as inconspicuous as possible,” Kaden said as he rested his hand on the back of Olivia’s seat. He twirled a lock of her dark hair, noticing how it had grown.
“Delilah has heard some of their plans,” Cassiel said. He squeezed Delilah’s hand in support. He knew all eyes would be on her again.
“They often forgot I was around, so I heard things,” Delilah said, and gathered her courage to look up, locking onto Kaden’s eyes. She hated how Lilith made her so timid. “Magnus spoke of doing things you wouldn’t like hearing. I won’t speak of those… it’s really not important. What I do know is that he was hiring new men. At least he sent word out. Also, there was talk about some sort of a new weapon and that he ordered new ammunition for it?” Delilah shook her head, trying to remember. “He was angry because it was late or lacking… No… wait… I think he wanted more of the new weapons but they were not done and that made him angry, but the letter said he would get new ammunition soon. Yes… that’s right.”
“Oh, no, Kaden. Not—” Olivia looked at Kaden with fear in her eyes. She remembered what the new weapon could do to him.
“Hush, It’s alright. I’m alright. We know better now what it’s capable of and what to expect.” Kaden brushed some hair away from Olivia’s forehead and laid a gentle kiss there. He turned ba
ck to Delilah and nodded for her to continue.
“So, that was about the weapon and about him hiring more warriors. Well, there’s my mo– no, there’s Lilith. She’s a powerful witch… I’m… she’s… She’s good at getting into people’s heads to manipulate them. She can do other dangerous magic but that is her strongest, so Lilith will probably use that to their advantage. I’ve been fighting her off since we left… she’s been trying to invade my mind, even succeeded at first and it was terrible.” Delilah shuddered and glanced at Cassiel with regret in her eyes.
“It was not your fault…” Cassiel wanted to bring their intertwined hands up and kiss the back of her hand, just as spontaneously as Kaden would. Not used to such intimacies, or public displays of affection, Cassiel only managed to provide Delilah with a small smile. “And you managed to fight her off.”
“You’ll have to tell us what happened on the journey with the two of you.” Charlie piped in.
“We will. Let us deal with the more important things first,” Cassiel said.
Charlie rolled her eyes. Their story was just as important. She would just have to be patient. Cassiel might not want to talk about it, being the gentleman he was, but maybe she could persuade Delilah.
“Go on…” Olivia encouraged Delilah.
“I’m not fighting her off at this moment. She seems to have quit trying, probably waiting for me to drop my defenses so that’s exactly what I did… no—” Delilah held her hand up when Kaden was about to speak “—I’m careful if she comes back. I have nothing to hide anymore. Maybe she will leave me alone once she knows where I am but I won’t let her take control over me, she can’t. I’m strong enough now.”
Kaden sighed and said, “Alright, if you feel her, let her see me. I somehow have a feeling she will leave you be after that.”
Delilah nodded in understanding. “It could work. Oh! And one more thing. I know you have a dragon within you, but, you can also shift into one, am I right?”
“Yes,” Kaden responded, curious as to why she wanted to know.
“I heard them talking about an amulet and how Magnus wants it so he could turn into a dragon as well. It’s one of his goals now. To take it away from you.”
“That will be a bit impossible,” Olivia scoffed.
“Why? Where is it?” Delilah frowned and her eyes finally sought a chain around Kaden’s neck - a chain which didn’t exist.
“It’s gone. Or better yet. It is a part of me now. There is no amulet as is… I can shift into a dragon when I want. Well, except when Órva'ar won’t let me,” Kaden explained.
“Oh! That’s interesting. Well… Magnus will be greatly disappointed when he realizes that. I trust he will have a hard time believing such a powerful thing doesn’t exist after all. He craves it so much,” Delilah said and shook her head.
“Now that we know what he wants, who he has on his side and what he’s planning to do…. What will we do? Fight? Or flight?” Theo asked, resting his elbows on the table, clasping his hands.
“No.” Olivia spoke in a calm, determined voice. “I do not wish to run anymore. I think we have a chance at facing Magnus off, if we stand our ground with Kaden as a dragon on our side. This time, I think that everything is in our favor. And with Cassiel, Theo, Damien and Bast…” her eyes flitted over each person, gaining a nod of consent, “I think we can make him back off… leave us alone and retreat.”
“He has Lilith,” Delilah said.
“We have you,” Olivia countered, making Delilah scoff.
“She’s much more powerful than me,” the young witch shook her head.
“And he’ll probably summon the bandits to his aid again,” Cassiel added.
“We have Delilah and a dragon. We have some of Magnus’ best warriors on our side, and I hope some of my people will stay and fight alongside with us.”
“But, my mo – Lilith might take control of some of the people on our side.”
“You can teach us how to protect our minds, can you not?”
“I’m not sure. But I’m willing to try.”
Olivia beamed and said, “That is good enough for me.”
“I can train the people that stay,” Bast offered, perking up at the idea of training others.
“I will help,” Cassiel added and inclined his head slightly.
“I guess I need to talk to my people, and those who came with you,” Olivia said and looked towards Damien and Theo.
“I think they will stay and fight after their last encounter with the prince,” Damien answered and smiled at Olivia’s enthusiasm and determination.
“Right. You can talk to them, and I will talk to my people. We can start training those who are willing to stand with us, just in case a fight does occur. Delilah will help us work on protecting our minds from Lilith’s influence. Ummm… what else? Yes, we need to continue to train as well. We do not know when they will come, so we’d better be prepared as best as possible and as soon as possible.”
“I still don’t feel as confident. Magnus will have much more experienced fighters on his side. I’ve fought the bandits and know their skill. And Lilith is a big advantage,” Kaden voiced his thoughts and doubts.
“You in your dragon form are a big advantage as well. If you distract the witch, she will not have time to meddle with people’s minds. How many people do you think he could recruit, Cassiel?” Olivia said, her mind buzzing with possibilities and numbers.
“Unless he goes to a different province, he will not be able to hire many. Not after what happened in that village. Word gets around fast. My approximation would be anywhere between three to ten men. Mostly young ones trying to make it on their own,” Cassiel responded, his curiosity piqued.
“And Kaden… How many bandits survived the attack on my estate?” Olivia continued.
“If I remember correctly, around fifteen attacked and six of them died,” Kaden answered, giving her an intrigued look.
“I guess they could not have gathered more men to get back to that number by now, and they’re probably still recovering as well?” Olivia asked.
Kaden and Cassiel nodded.
“If they did, the probably didn’t find as many as they lost,” Theo added.
“Alright, so… Magnus, Reed, Lilith, those brothers, assuming Lilith could heal them… umm… Donovan…” Olivia ticked them off on her fingers, “… but he is not much of a fighter. On average, Magnus could have recruited five new men, mostly inexperienced fighters but again, we shall err on the side of caution and presume they are mercenaries who know how to fight, and the bandits… there are nine of them and if they have new members, I will raise their numbers to twelve… that is,” she paused for a moment, “twenty three of them altogether.”
Everyone nodded, captivated by Olivia’s reasoning.
“Let us look at our numbers, excluding Delilah and Charlie, and me. If all of my people stay, there could be,” Olivia bit the inside of her cheek as she counted the faces in her mind, “twenty souls able to fight. I am not including the elderly and the children. What of the people who arrived with Theo and Damien?”
“I think six, Giant included,” Damien said.
“Right, six of them…” Olivia repeated.
“Don’t forget my Disa, she counts for at least two men,” Bast added, leaning forward in anticipation of Olivia’s conclusion. “Pup, too…”
Olivia cringed at the thought of Pup getting hurt, but nodded. “I will count Disa as one, Pup, too. That could be thirty six people on our side. I mean… if it really came to that, it would be twenty three of them against thirty six of us.”
“Those are quite impressive numbers!” Charlie spoke, bewildered.
“I know there are too many what ifs for now. We will know for sure when we talk to the people. But it is a place to start.” Olivia finished and looked at everyone for confirmation of her thoughts.
Kaden kissed Olivia’s temple, pride swelling inside him. “I think it’s a good place to start. We should also try and
keep an eye on the bandits’ movements… maybe… hmmm… maybe have someone stationed in Remor so when Magnus and his group appear, that someone can ride here and give us a warning?”
“That is an excellent idea.” Olivia said, then sighed. “We have so much to do and so much to lose.”
“Don’t worry, love. We’re all in this together, and if we stay strong in our intentions, loyal to each other, I believe we can achieve it.”
“I believe so, too. We have all come a long way. It is time for that journey to come to an end so we can all move on.” Cassiel squeezed Delilah’s hand and looked down into her eyes, letting her know he wanted to move on with her at his side. “This prince’s expedition did him more harm than good in the end. The rumors I have heard about him and the dissent among the people does not bode well in any case. I hope he will see the truth of things and go back.”
Theo scoffed. “I somehow doubt that… so far he’s only gotten worse. With Reed at his side… and now this witch.”
“Oh… I believe Lilith is much worse and much more dangerous than Magnus. She even has him afraid of her.” Delilah shivered involuntarily.
“What did they do to you?” Charlie asked, nibbling the corner of her lip in worry. She hoped they hadn’t done to Delilah what they had done to her.
“It is not what they did, but what they planned to do. Lilith promised to fix the prince’s problem and help him defeat the dragon, and in exchange he was to marry me so I could bear royal children for my mother,” Delilah answered and sighed.
“What about you?” Charlie asked again.
Delilah frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“What did you want from all of that?”
“Nothing. I just wanted my freedom… and—” Delilah blushed as she glanced at Cassiel, “—and my knight.”
“Awww… that’s so sweet. You got your knight and he saved you from the wicked witch. There should be a story about that.” Charlie giggled, making Delilah’s cheeks redden even more.
Olivia chuckled along and then asked, “Is there anything else we should know about Lilith and Magnus?”
Dragon's Prize (Dragons Awaken Book 2) Page 39
