by Rinelle Grey
Taurian put his hand on her shoulder, offering his support, but didn’t speak. He and Verrian had seemed to think she should be the one to speak to their sister, as though she were closer to her than they were.
Sarian frowned, as though she already knew something was going on. She stared at Latrima with narrowed eyes, then back at Lyrian and Taurian. “What is it?”
Lyrian hesitated. It seemed almost foolish to ask. Surely if Sarian loved Ultrima, she would have said something before they had fought with him? Before they had been injured and entered the Mesmer sleep.
But she had to know. Had to hear the answer from her sister’s lips.
So she took a deep breath, and said, “Do you love Ultrima?”
Sarian stared back at Lyrian, a multitude of expression flashing across her face. Lyrian tried to read them, tried to guess if any of them indicated that Sarian did care for Ultrima, but mostly she saw disorientation and confusion.
She stared at Latrima, and her confusion only grew.
Lyrian could only imagine how hard it must be for her, waking into this situation. It was obvious things had changed in a way she couldn’t even begin to understand.
Lyrian felt bad about pressing her, but she could feel Latrima’s eyes boring into her back. If she didn’t, the Trima dragon would. “Do you love Ultrima?” Lyrian asked again, reaching forwards to lay her hand on Sarian’s arm. “We need an answer. An honest one.”
Sarian’s eyes met hers, and Lyrian could see pain in them. Sadness.
Then they hardened. Her sister lifted her head and looked Lyrian straight in the eye. “Ultrima is our enemy. I hate him.”
Chapter 7
Brad wasn’t too happy to be sent back to the room with Ultrima, but at least they took the lightning dragon away this time. Brad wondered what he’d think of Barry the lawyer.
He wondered what Barry would think of him.
Could anything come of this idea of representing him too? Could anything come of the truce the Rian dragons had been trying to form with the Trima dragons? Did any of it matter, when the police were out there hunting for Lyrian?
Brad heaved a sigh. He felt so helpless here. Even more helpless than he had out there with Lyrian, not knowing what to do when dragons were chasing them.
In retrospect, he’d been able to do quite a lot to help then. Driving cars as they ran away from dragons, shooting at them.
In here, he could do nothing. Nothing except talk.
Maybe that would help at some point in the future. Brad slumped down on the stretcher, exhaustion overtaking him. How long had it been since he’d slept, really slept? He’d lost count of the days. Probably not since he’d come to Australia.
He gave a short laugh. Nate looked at him, but didn’t ask what was funny, only gave a wry smile. His twin brother got it without him even having to say it.
Brad wondered if Ultrima would be gone long enough for him to get some sleep, but he doubted it.
He was right. Ultrima was back not long after. He couldn’t have been gone more than twenty minutes. Well, Barry probably didn’t have as much to say to him.
Brad wondered, though, if Ultrima was interested in the lawyer’s offer of help. Or did the Trima dragon have some plan of his own? He’d have to have, wouldn’t he, to have given himself up to the police like that?
The lightning dragon didn’t say anything as the woman returned him to the room and locked the door behind him. He walked back to the stretcher and sat down, leaning back against the wall and closing his eyes.
It occurred to Brad that perhaps he was tired too.
It was strange, to be feeling sympathy for his enemy. A little uncomfortable.
But really, the Trima dragon wasn’t in a much better position than they were. Sure, he could probably bust his way out of here, but it wouldn’t help any more than Barry getting Brad off any charges would. Their clans would still be in trouble, and somehow, that was far worse than any personal issues.
“Did you ask your legal man to speak to me?”
Was it Brad’s imagination, or was Ultrima’s voice a little quieter this time, more respectful?
“It wasn’t my idea, no. Someone back at the clan suggested it. Lisa, I think.” Ultrima had met Lisa, he’d saved her life in fact. Maybe the Trima dragon would think this was her repaying the debt.
Somehow, he wasn’t sure if it was a good plan to tell Ultrima that his life dragon was working with them to wake the princess and ask if she really loved him. He suspected that wouldn’t go over well.
Ultrima raised an eyebrow. “Lisa? She wanted to help me? After I made her mate promise never to see her again? Somehow I find that hard to believe.”
That’s right, Ultrima didn’t know Latrima had rescinded that deal either. Brad hid a wince. “Maybe she’s hoping that you’d release him in gratitude?”
The Trima leader’s eyes narrowed. “What is going on? Tell me the truth, human. Or you may not live to regret it.”
Brad swallowed, then took a deep breath, trying not to give into the fear. Any connection he’d felt to the Trima dragon after their chats earlier dissipated. He and Nate were locked in a room with the irritated lightning dragon, angering him probably wasn’t the best plan. Maybe he should have just kept quiet.
But Nate was watching him, a trusting smile on his face. His brother didn’t seem worried at all. He seemed confident that Brad could deal with the Trima dragon.
Brad straightened his shoulders. He was a Rian prince. He could do this. Even if he did have no idea how.
Inspiration hit him as he thought of all the dragons needed to accomplish.
“Look, you’ve seen all those humans out there. They’re scared, and I probably don’t have to tell you that when humans are scared, they can be just as dangerous as dragons. I figure if we want to keep the clans safe, and find a place for them in this world, then we need to show them a united front. If they see us constantly attacking each other, then they’re going to see us as warlike and dangerous. I’m sure you don’t want that any more than we do.”
Ultrima was still frowning, but his expression seemed a little less angry now. “Are you suggesting a truce?”
“It seems like it could be a good idea. At least until we get out of here and get these humans off our back. The enemy of my enemy is my friend and all that.”
Brad held his breath, wondering if there was any hope the dragon would agree with them. The possibility seemed too good to be true, but then again, the Trima dragon hadn’t blasted him yet.
Ultrima raised an eyebrow. “You’re not even a dragon. Why do you think Rian clan would agree to a truce, even if you managed to convince me it was worth my while?”
Brad hesitated, torn between using his credentials to add weight to his offer, and keeping his mate a secret to protect her.
But he knew that Lyrian wouldn’t hesitate. She’d put her life on the line if she thought it would keep her clan safe.
Could he do any less?
He took a deep breath. “I’m mated to Princess Lyrian.”
One of Ultrima’s eyebrows shot up. “Rian clan has managed to wake another dragon? Trima clan must be shirking their duties in my absence.”
Brad hesitated. Was it possible the Trima dragon had an inkling that things had been going on behind his back? Latrima was only trying to help him achieve his aim, but it was possible he might object, if he knew the truth.
But his story, at least, didn’t incriminate his clan. “Actually, my uncle woke Lyrian a year ago by accident. Up until last week, she has been searching for her clan. I helped her find them.”
“And she mated you because of her undying gratitude?” Ultrima’s mind voice sounded amused. Teasing, if a dragon could be teasing.
“That, or because she loved me. One or the other.”
As soon as the quip was out of his mouth, Brad wished he could take it back. What was he doing, joking with a dragon?
But Ultrima actually let out a laugh. “I like you,” he p
roclaimed. “If your lawyer is smart enough to get us out of here, I might just agree to work with you. For the good of both our clans, of course.”
Brad stared at him, finding his words hard to take in. Had Ultrima just agreed to a truce with Rian clan? Because of something he said?
Or was the lightning dragon just wanting to get closer to Rian clan, so he could find a way to talk to Lyrian’s sister? To pressure her again?
“See,” Nate said into his mind. “I knew you could do it.”
Brad was glad his brother had had confidence in him, because he certainly hadn’t.
He had no idea what he was doing. He was feeling his way in the dark by guess and intuition. It was hard to stride confidently when he was sure that at any minute he was going to smash his knee on a jagged rock and fall.
But inching along in the dark wasn’t going to get them out of this.
Chapter 8
Lyrian swallowed. She thought she’d been prepared for her sister’s words. Would even have said she had expected them. But the way her stomach dropped when her sister was so vehement in her hatred for Ultrima indicated otherwise.
Deep down, she’d begun to believe Latrima’s words. Believe that her sister did feel something for the former Rian dragon. They’d made a kind of sense that this war within her clan never had.
And with one sentence, Sarian threw away any chance they had at a truce with Trima clan and threw them back into chaos. She glanced over at Taurian, watching from behind Latrima, and met his eyes. They showed as much concern as she felt.
Latrima was similarly concerned. She frowned, her lips a thin line, and Sarian stared from the life dragon, to her sister.
“What is going on?” Sarian demanded. “Who is that dragon and what is she doing here?”
It was time for the explanations, now that they wouldn’t affect her sister’s answer. “This is Latrima, a life dragon from the Trima clan. She agreed to let us wake you, so long as she could be present and hear your answer to my question from your own lips.”
Sarian’s frown didn’t lift. Nor did Latrima’s. The two dragons glared at each other for several minutes.
“Since when did Trima clan have a life dragon?” Sarian demanded into Lyrian’s mind. Lyrian felt the echo of her question in their brother’s mind.
Her sister’s voice was weak, her magic still drained from the long Mesmer sleep. Lyrian needed to get her some privacy, so she could complete the ritual and regain her full strength. They were going to need it.
They were going to need all the help they could get.
But she wasn’t sure how she was going to convince the Trima life dragon to leave and give her sister that time. She wasn’t sure how Latrima was going to react to this at all. Thus far, she hadn’t attacked, but Lyrian didn’t trust that she wouldn’t yet.
Despite that, she couldn’t help feeling some sympathy for Latrima. The Trima life dragon had pinned everything on the belief that Sarian and Ultrima were in love. She’d broken Ultrima’s deals, and even offered Rian clan a peace treaty without any backing from her leader, all because she thought he was going to be happy when Sarian declared her love.
Now she was going to have to explain all that to her leader when he returned.
Lyrian winced. That would not be fun at all.
None of that showed on Latrima’s face though, it was impassive and emotionless.
Taurian’s voice echoed in Lyrian’s mind as he responded to their sister’s question. “It’s a long story sister, but the truth is, you’ve been asleep for three hundred years. A lot has changed in that time.”
Sarian’s eyes widened slightly. “Three hundred years? And Ultrima is still alive?”
Lyrian had been surprised that their enemy had survived all that time too. “I have no idea how, but I can assure you, he’s quite alive. And been harassing our clan, preventing them from waking us, all this time.”
“Where is he now?” Sarian asked sharply.
“He’s not here, you’re quite safe,” Taurian assured her. “He let himself be arrested by police.”
Taurian’s voice was reassuring. He clearly believed their sister’s assertion without question.
Lyrian wasn’t so sure.
Sarian’s nose wrinkled at the unfamiliar word, but she got the gist of its meaning from Taurian’s mind with her words. “We don’t have a lot of time then,” Sarian said. “We have to get out of here and back to the lair.” She stared at Latrima. “How do we get rid of her?”
Lyrian was wondering the same thing. There would have to be a discussion of some sort, of that she was sure. But so far, Latrima hadn’t said anything. She’d been unusually quiet, watching the two princesses, her lips thin.
She had to know the Rian dragons were conversing, and guess she was the topic of discussion. Maybe she was hoping Sarian would change her mind after talking to her sister. Maybe she hoped Sarian would admit something to Lyrian that she wouldn’t say out loud.
Either way, Lyrian looking at her indicated their conversation was over.
“Are you sure that is your final answer, Princess Sarian?” Latrima asked.
Sarian’s eyebrow shot up. “Are you asking me if I’m sure I hate your leader?” Her lips twisted in a sneer. She grasped hold of Raven’s hand and used it to help lever herself into a sitting position. She hadn’t quite gained enough energy to stand, but it wouldn’t take long. She kept hold of his hand, using the connection to help replenish her.
“Let me explain something to you,” Sarian said, her voice quiet. “Your leader attacked my people. He injured me, and my brothers and sisters, and killed many of our clan. He has kept us trapped in the Mesmer sleep for three hundred years. And you think there is some chance I feel something for him? I don’t know about Trima clan, but in Rian clan, we don’t attack the family of those we love.”
“Did you feel something for him, before all this started?” Latrima persisted, her voice quiet. “Is it possible that Ultrima attacked your clan because you betrayed his love?”
Sarian didn’t answer immediately, and when she didn’t speak, Taurian broke the silence. “Are you questioning my sister’s answers? Suggesting that she might be lying?” he demanded. His hands clenched into fists.
Lyrian glanced at her sister, catching a flash of pain on her face.
It was gone in an instant, to be replaced by a steely determination. “I cannot betray something that never existed. Ultrima may think he feels love for me, but his actions clearly demonstrate otherwise. He shows nothing but lust and a need for power. Not qualities I admire in a dragon, or ever have.”
Her sister lifted her head regally and stepped down off the platform, only her firm grip on Raven’s arm showing how much effort the movement cost her.
“Now if you’re quite finished your questioning, I’d suggest you leave, before I have reason to make you.” Sarian stared at Latrima, unfazed by the life dragon’s power. If Lyrian didn’t know she’d just woken from the Mesmer and hadn’t had a chance to finish the ritual, she never would have doubted that she could carry out her threat.
But she had…
And Latrima knew it as well as she did. The fight would still be two against one, but that might not be enough against a life dragon.
Lyrian watched Latrima closely, looking for any sign that might indicate she was about to attack. Taurian stood behind her, his eyes on their enemy. Dragon claws slipped out of the end of his human fingers. He was poised to attack. If necessary.
Truthfully, Lyrian would prefer not to fight her. The Trima dragon might be their enemy, but so far she’d shown a reason and sense that Lyrian respected. She would not like to have to hurt her.
Latrima showed no intention of attacking them. She was still looking at Sarian, as though she itched to ask her about her feelings again.
Somehow, Lyrian was pretty sure that wouldn’t go well, so she stepped in.
“You have been present at Princess Sarian’s waking, as we agreed, and heard her answer,�
�� she said firmly. “It may not be what you want to hear, but that is not your choice. It is my sister’s. And she’s made it quite clear that she is not interested in mating with Ultrima.”
Latrima’s mouth twisted. “I am not convinced it is the truth, but that is of no consequence. Being present when Princess Sarian woke was only part of the deal. Lisa and I also agreed that Ultrima would get a chance to talk to her.”
Lyrian hadn’t heard that part of the deal. She glanced over at Taurian, one eyebrow raised.
Her brother frowned. “Even if that is so, Lisa could not make an agreement based on what my sister does. If she has no wish to see Ultrima, then she has no need to. Not that it matters right now, Ultrima is at the police station, not here.”
“It was also part of the agreement that Princess Sarian not mate with the man who woke her,” Latrima said quickly.
Lyrian stared at Latrima. If this were true, she needed to give Lisa a stern talking to. Who did she think she was, making these sorts of agreements without talking to the rest of the clan? To Sarian?
“So you’re telling me that you and Lisa, whoever she is, made decisions about who I would and wouldn’t sleep with in my absence? And you think I should acquiesce to them?” Sarian demanded.
Latrima didn’t quail, exactly, but she did glance down at the floor for a moment. “Of course not, Princess.” Her voice even sounded deferential. She lifted her head, staring at Sarian, her expression indicating that she was warring with something inside herself.
“I have no wish to make demands on you,” she said quickly. “I only wished to be able to offer you a choice. A chance to choose love, if you so wished.”
Sarian stared at her for a moment, and then her expression softened. Her voice was almost gentle as she said, “That is kind of you, child, but your concern is misplaced. I have never been coerced into any decision I did not wish to make.”
Latrima stared at her for a few moments, then nodded. “It appears we may have been lied to.”
Sarian nodded her head, as though to agree, then to Lyrian’s surprise, said softly, “Do not be too hard on your leader. It is not uncommon for dragons to believe so strongly in what they want to come to pass, that they overlook evidence to the contrary.”
