On Wings of Time (Lochlainn Guardians Book 1)

by Linda Boulanger

  Kiernan answered without hesitation. “Twelve. Four actual dragons and eight Blends. Unfortunately, three of them are our own.”

  The realization of Kiernan’s words met him along with the first occupied cavern. Standing in the middle of a double cell, a man with a large chain attached to his leg stared back at them. He looked way too much like Will. Luke felt his heart sink to the pit of his stomach as he started to step toward the bars. Kiernan grabbed hold of his arm and he stopped, turning to look at him.

  “He’s broken free of those bars twice now, Luke. He may look like one of our kin, but his heart is pure Dubhagan.”

  Luke nodded, continuing to stare at the man, realizing the low growl was coming from him. He wondered what the man had done to earn him his fate, considered asking Kiernan, then thought better of it.

  “Why doesn’t he just turn into a dragon and escape his cell?” Luke asked instead.

  Shaking his head, Kiernan motioned for Luke to follow. “Our magic requires light in order for us to change, therefore, those captured as dragons, remain dragons, unless they change before we can get them down here. Those who are in human form, will remain in human form. It’s partly why we have the thick wooden door at the end of the other chamber. The distance and the door keep the light from reaching down here, and should one escape and make it that far, the width of the door should keep him in.”

  They passed by several more similarly caged men before the wall curved out and a very different sort of cell came into view. Behind a triple barrier of bars at least as thick as a man’s arm, a huge beast loomed, froth dripping from his mouth, his eyes red and wild. When he growled and snorted, the breath that blew in their direction had Luke returning the mint infused cloth to his nose as he fought the urge to gag.

  The creature pawed at the ground, making the floor beneath them shake, leaving them on unsteady feet for a moment, especially when his great tail collided with the wall of his barrier. Straining toward the bars, the dragging sound of a heavy chain was followed by the clank of it drawing taut, the long neck whipping around to look down to the clasp around his leg. He howled and bucked and Luke found himself stepping back, even though the barrier should have made him feel secure. Did he look this frightening, this huge in dragon form? He’d viewed himself as beautiful when he’d flown over the pond. Certainly, there was no beauty to the beast in front of them.

  “Come on,” Kiernan whispered. “He’ll settle once we’re past.”

  Luke couldn’t move fast enough for his own comfort, though he quickly stopped when a few short feet down the passage, they stepped in front of another cell similar to the one they’d just left. Only its occupant nearly broke his heart. The dragon inside lay peacefully toward the back wall, its majestic ivory head curled over its massive paws. Luke was startled when the beast blinked and even more so when he noticed the color of his eyes.

  “He’s one of us?” Luke asked, his mouth and brows both drawn down.

  “Don’t let him fool you, Luke. Captured just a couple of years ago, he too is Dubhagan through and through after selling his soul to the dark dragons.”

  The beast chuckled, still not raising his head. “You make it sound so ominous, Blue Eyes.”

  “You chose the wrong side, Branco.”

  Kiernan’s response elicited another chuckle. “We’ll see. Lore has it we are to come out the victors, completely annihilating your breed and making mankind ours to do with as we please. No more of that weak species dictating what we can and can’t do.” He lifted his head and stared down at the trio. “Is that the wrong side, or the right?”

  Kiernan motioned for them to move on, mumbling something about wisdom and stupidity.

  Luke glanced back, saw the expanding chest as the huge beast sighed before plopping its head back to the floor. He’d chosen poorly, and the worst part was that no matter what he said, the Blend in dragon form knew it. Just like humans that get caught up on the wrong side and can’t change even though they want to. They weren’t so different after all. He thought of a conversation he and Kiernan had earlier.

  We’re really not so different—dragons and humans. Our emotions, our likes and dislikes, our sense of self preservation and the desire to protect those we love… Really, it’s mostly just the desire to prepare and cook our meats instead of eating them straight off the kill, and their mounting of their women from behind. Luke had nearly choked on his own spit on that one. Clearing his throat, he’d looked down and laughed when Kiernan added, And I’m guessing that choice is obviously debatable.

  Damn. He’d rather be with Amileigh trying out that thought. He shook his head and moved on, sucking in his breath in awe as they moved to the next cell, and the next, and the next one. Huge beasts, every bit as loathsome as the shackled dragon only larger… much, much larger, slept in the caverns toward the end, their large bodies taking up the majority of each room. Luke wondered how they could sleep through the commotion.

  A thousand sleeps. Kiernan’s words echoed in his mind.

  Luke should have kept his thoughts of their impressiveness tuned down a bit, because nothing could have prepared him for the sight in the last cavern before the passageway ended. Impressive shades of black, glass-like scales shimmered even in the darkness around the dragon that was larger still by at least six to eight feet. It was hard to tell since he too was laying down, his body relaxed in a state of sleep.

  The horns protruding from the massive head weren’t white and unmarred as Luke’s had been. They were crooked and chipped, some broken, as were many of the spines along the ridge of his neck and tail. This dragon had seen many battles… and loved every one of them, the voice inside Luke said. With every breath, the air recharged with the darkness that was in the old dragon’s heart. Luke could feel it winding around him, trying to find a way in. He shuddered, drawing Kiernan’s attention.

  “Come on,” the old man in his younger body whispered. “Let’s get you out of here.”

  Gladly, Luke thought with one last glance at the dark king sleeping behind thick bars.

  As they passed the others, Luke couldn’t help but look at them. He found himself pulling up short in front of one of the smaller, double layered cages. Frowning, he looked at Kiernan. “Isn’t that the man who was after Amileigh in the forest?” Kiernan nodded and his frown deepened. “We thought you’d killed him… you washed the blood from your blade in the Room of Embers.”

  “Wounded only before dragging him here. That’s what took me so long. I wanted him alive so I could question him.”

  Luke nodded slowly, looking at the battered body of the man. “Why didn’t he change back into a dragon? It was daylight out.”

  “The wounds,” Kiernan told him. “You can’t change once you’re wounded to a certain degree either.” He sighed. “Obviously, he refused to speak, even after a royal beating. We even threatened to put him in with the mad dragon down there.” Kiernan cocked his head in the direction of the dragon who had slung slobber their way while rattling his chains.

  The dark Blend would have probably welcomed that as certain death. “How many others do you think are out there, Kiernan?” he asked as they walked back to first the metal gate, and then the wooden plank.

  Kiernan shrugged. “It’s hard to tell, but obviously they still have those who have yet to transform. Otherwise they wouldn’t have such a need to possess Amileigh.” He looked at Luke and chuckled. “Only now, she’s not much good to them, is she?”

  Both men chuckled and Luke could feel the heat returning to his body. He may have spoiled her usefulness to the Dubhagan—she may not be any good to them, but she was certainly good with him. Damned good. Hands down, the best.

  At the top of the dungeon stairs, Kiernan paused, telling Luke to take a few minutes to wash up and change. Luke agreed, more than ready to wash off the stink of nearly a thousand years. When his stomach growled loudly, Kiernan laughed and told him to meet him in the dining hall. They’d eat lunch before heading out to the training fiel
d. He felt a wave of disappointment. It looked like there would be no flying for him that day.

  Too bad he was wrong about that.

  Not even an hour into their training, the shadows began and Luke noticed the others with them seemed to notice them as well, unlike the times before. He looked at Kiernan who seemed remiss to put an end to their session and hightail it back to the castle. He kept reminding himself that Amileigh was safe inside, her guards having been increased to the one outside her door and one watching each staircase, just as an added precaution before the wedding, at Kiernan’s request. Luke tamped down his worry… or tried anyway. Concentrating on his training, he seemed to be succeeding until the whoosh of wings and the startled cries and commotion from his companions had him feeling the spines of his own dragon nudging against his back.

  “Kiernan!” he yelled above the hubbub of the men running toward the canopy of the nearby trees.

  Kiernan was shaking his head. “Not yet, Luke. Wait…”

  A roaring screech and screams from the midst of the men changed everything in a split second as one of the dark beasts swooped in, his massive head swinging, sending men flying even as they stopped to wield their swords against the glass-like plates of the armored body.

  “Kiernan!” They looked over to where Amileigh’s oldest brother had dropped down beside Auley, blood soaking the younger man’s shirt. They ran over just as another shadow swooped in. Grabbing the wounded man, the other warriors protecting their backs, they ran the last few feet for the trees. When they settled him, Luke ripped off his shirt, pressing it to the gash across Auley’s chest.

  “Damn,” Amileigh’s twin cussed. “That’s two of my shirts down.” He tried to laugh, ending on a sucked in breath and a wince.

  “It’s not bad,” Luke told him, pulling the shirt back so he could see. “You’re going to hurt like hell, but you’ll live.” He was glad. He’d grown to like the younger man over the last few days.

  Standing, the oldest McCollum brother moved to the edge of the trees and was almost pushed back by the edge of a swiping wing. He turned to stare at Kiernan. “I can’t have my men or my family jeopardized by this insanity any longer, Kiernan.”

  Nodding, Kiernan stood after administering a reassuring squeeze to Auley’s shoulder. He stared out, watching the shadows move over the field before them. “Luke.”

  When Kiernan motioned him over, Luke stood as well. He could feel the nerves working on his stomach.

  Head close, Kiernan told him in a low voice, “There are three. At least. I believe there could be another waiting out of sight, but I’m not certain. I could handle two, maybe three, but not four.” He paused, looking down before locking eyes with his future great grandson. “They need to get Auley back to the castle. If he’s not treated quickly, a deadly infection could set in.” He looked over his shoulder. “I didn’t want them to know… all these years I’ve walked in their midst, my true identity hidden from most of them, believing that was for the best.”

  Luke nodded, wincing when another roaring shriek came from the sky, his mind turning to Amileigh. She must be terrified. Swallowing hard, Luke turned to Kiernan. He may not be ready, but what choice did he have? What had Kiernan said about the likenesses of humans and dragons? Something about their desire to protect those they love. Dragon or man, Luke felt an urgency to protect the woman he loved as well as her relatives and those who served them. “I’ll follow your lead, Kiernan. Let’s do this.”

  Amidst cries of protest and affirmation that they were madmen, Luke and Kiernan stepped from the protection of the trees. Arms out to the side, they began to run, both men changing, transforming into beautiful, multicolored beasts. He could hear the gasps from behind him, even over the shrieking cries above. Pull your head into the game, he told himself. This wasn’t the time to dwell on anything other than the fight.

  “Go for the neck,” Kiernan yelled, nodding toward one of the smaller dark dragons coming at them from the side. “Just under the head. And get him on his back if you can.”

  Luke wasted no time, knowing Kiernan would hold off the others as long as he could, but with their size, he’d soon need help. Best to get this one out of the way. He shot upwards and then dove down, circling his confused opponent before climbing again and repeating the maneuver, only this time, when the beast raised his head, Luke lunged, his huge jaws closing over what had to be the only tender flesh on the whole creature. When the dark dragon lashed out, his claws scraping against Luke’s less armored belly, he sunk his teeth in and bits of scale and blood filled his mouth. Cheers from below fueling his fury, he lunged forward, flipping his opponent onto his back. A great moan of defeat filled the skies as the beast screamed.

  Behind you, Luke. Look out!

  Ami! Of course, she could see from the castle. Luke hated that she had to be a part of any of this, and yet he was doing it for her, to protect her and the future of the Kedan Blends. He crunched his jaws tighter before releasing his prey and pulling back just in time to fend off an attack from another dragon that dropped over the trees. The fourth dragon that Kiernan had suspected. For the future… his future, and theirs.

  Sheer will and forty minutes of time had him and Kiernan dropping back to the earth, both heaving for breath for several seconds before their dragons melted back into man form. Luke bent over, his hands on his knees as he glanced around at the four dragon bodies scattered across the field. He’d never worked so hard for anything in his life.

  You’re beautiful, dragon man, he heard in his head. Truly amazing.

  Luke smiled. And my dragon side isn’t so bad either, is he? He heard Ami’s laughter in his head just before he and Kiernan were swooped up by the cheering men.

  At the door of the castle, Auley called to him.

  “If you weren’t already marrying my sister tomorrow, you know I’d have to challenge you on the fields, don’t you?”

  Luke offered a lopsided smile before nodding. He was so tired that the wounded man could have most probably done it, too. His mind was too tired to play games.

  Auley faked anger before laughing. “That’s what I thought.” The younger man sobered. “Do right by her.”

  Luke ignored the threat, knowing he had no intention of doing anything else. He looked up, his heart clenching when he saw the woman in question standing at the end of the hall. Without a word, he started walking toward her, picking up his pace when she began to run, his arms going around her waist when she didn’t slow and their bodies tangled as he spun her in a circle. Her hands in his disheveled hair, she pulled his face to her, covering his mouth with her own and coaxing his lips open with her tongue. From the gasps he chose to ignore he guessed public displays weren’t something common in medieval castles. He heard the cleared throat of her father and started to pull away, only to be stopped by another voice.

  “Let them alone, Gairlich,” Lady Saundra admonished her husband. “Do you not remember being young?”

  Still kissing their daughter, he cut his eyes to see them as they walked by, Gairlich still mumbling, his wife’s head leaned against his arm that she hugged. She winked at Luke and he couldn’t help smiling.

  Amileigh pulled back, staring up at him through lowered lashes. “May I have the honor of helping you bathe your wounds, my Lord?” she asked sheepishly.

  Blinking, Luke grabbed her hand and turned toward the back stairs knowing if they didn’t hurry he might just take her right there on the floor.

  Amileigh had dinner sent up to them, claiming the soreness of her companion from his battles and her unwillingness to leave him as their excuse not to join the others in the dining room. She laughed when the portions sent up were enough to have practically fed him in dragon form and the staff who delivered them were eager to quickly leave them. Their lack of being disturbed otherwise led her to believe her mother had obviously found a way to occupy her father as well. Popping another grape between Luke’s teeth then leaning in to bite it in half, she smiled while she chewed. She�
�d have to find a way to thank her.

  The daylight beginning to stream through his window had Ami scampering away from Luke’s room, her insides jumping with giddiness. In just a few hours, they would be married, joined together for all eternity.

  We already are, he’d told her during the night. Ami supposed if she was being honest with herself she’d have to go further and admit that not only were they, but they always had been. It wasn’t often that Fate reached down and stirred the pot of time to bring couples together who were separated by six hundred years.

  A knotted fist grabbed hold of her inside. She didn’t want to think about that because if it could happen to bring them together, it could happen again causing her to lose him.

  “What’s wrong, Milady?”

  Amileigh’s head snapped up when Abigail entered her room. When her smile faltered, the maid came to stand beside her putting an arm around her shoulder in a manner that most servants wouldn’t have dared.

  “So much has happened in such a small amount of time, Abigail.” She blinked back the tears that filled her unusual lilac eyes. “It’s not every day the man of your dreams comes out of nowhere.”

  “And then ye find out he’s a dragon,” Abigail added with a chuckle.

  “Yes.” Amileigh laughed. “Who would ever have thought…”

  Her words trailed off as the light in her room changed. She frowned. “Did you see that?” she asked, walking toward the window.

  “See what?” Abigail was already moving toward the wardrobe. “Your mother sent over a dress last evening for you, she did.” The maid pulled a white gown from the cupboard, her hand stroking down the length of silken material before she laid it on the bed.

  With another look out at the sunny sky, Ami moved to join her maid, her heart pounding as she stared down at the gown. “’Tis beautiful,” she confirmed. She knew this dress. It was the one worn by her mother at her own wedding, and her mother’s mother before her. She fingered the delicate beadwork along the hem. Sucking in a slow, deep breath, Ami blew it out loudly and walked away to stand before the still opened wardrobe. She reached up, pulling out the dress she’d worn on her ride with Kiernan, the one Abigail said she had yet to wear.