He won’t bend Fiona to his will, Ivan’s dragon replied. With Fiona and Egan on our side, we will win.
Ivan sighed. He wanted to believe his dragon, he wanted to feel optimistic over their chances at defeating Argothorn, but he also needed to remain cautious. There was no room for complacency against someone like Argothorn. He’d been in power for a long time. He wouldn’t have survived without cunning and cruelty.
“How far is it from the shore to the fire pits?” Elise asked.
“A couple of hours’ hike.” Silas tilted his head back and closed his eyes, absorbing the sunlight. “It’s not far but the terrain is difficult. The fire pits are not supposed to be accessed on foot.”
“And we can’t shift and fly there?” Fiona asked.
“No, you need to stay hidden until Argothorn arrives. If he senses you are there before, he might change his mind and run back to his tower before we have a chance to show the council what he really is.” Silas continued to turn his face to the sun. It was as if he’d been turned to stone where he stood.
“If Egan can’t persuade the council to go to the pits, it’ll all be worthless anyway,” Ivan said.
“If the council doesn’t come then we will alter the plan.” Silas blinked a couple of times and then fixed his eyes on Ivan. “Argothorn’s rule will end tomorrow.”
“What is plan B?” Caleb slipped his arm around his mate’s shoulders and drew her close to him.
“We subdue him, and I will convince him to go to the authorities and admit to killing Ivan’s parents and Murray.” Silas clasped his fingers together.
“Isn’t that plan A?” Caleb asked.
“No, plan A is to get Argothorn to admit what he did in front of the council. Then we get him to admit his crimes,” Elise explained.
“What happens if the council doesn’t hear his confession?” Ivan recalled Silas’s fears of a power vacuum. Would the fallout hit Wishing Moon Bay?
“That’s an unknown.” Silas turned his back to the ocean and leaned on the rail. “It will depend on who Egan does get to come to the fire pits. There are a couple of good men among them. But they are old. It might be better if they lend their support to Egan and make him the new dragon lord.”
Ivan nodded, relieved the job wouldn’t fall to him. He had no intention of staying on Cairnnor any longer than he had to. Wishing Moon Bay was his home and always would be.
“Is our friend still in his tower?” Elise asked.
Ivan took the map out of his pack and unrolled it. The wind tried to tear it from his hands, but he gripped it tightly as he stared at the unmoving dot. “He’s not moved.”
“Good,” Silas said. “All the pieces need to be in place before he arrives at the pits.”
“Maybe we should go rest,” Elise suggested. “It’s going to be a long night.”
“Good idea.” Silas closed his eyes as if he were asleep standing up.
“Come on. We can sit at the back of the boat.” Elise tugged at Caleb’s hand, and he followed her to the rear of the boat where they settled down on the wooden deck with their backs against a couple of crates.
“I might go rest my old bones, too,” Fiona said. “This hike doesn’t sound very pleasant.”
“You’ll do fine,” Ivan told her.
“Are you coming to rest, too?” Fiona touched his lower arm as she passed him by.
“No.” Ivan shook his head. “I want to stay here.”
She followed his gaze as he stared out to sea. “You’re waiting for your first glimpse of Cairnnor.”
He pressed his lips together and nodded, feeling a little stupid. “I am.”
Fiona’s hand dropped to her side, and she went to join Fiona and Caleb, leaving Ivan alone with Silas.
“It’ll be okay,” Silas reassured him.
“Will it?” Ivan leaned on the rail and stared into the distance waiting for the first sight of the dragon isle.
“I believe so.” He sighed contentedly. “The time is right. I can feel it in my bones.”
“And do your bones ever get it wrong?” Ivan asked.
“Rarely. When you’ve lived as long as I have, you have a feel for these things.”
“And you didn’t have a feel for them when you and Fiona paid Argothorn a visit last time?” Ivan asked bitterly.
“No. I did not. The time wasn’t right. The two men who stood the best chance of keeping the dragons from erupting into civil war were dead. If we’d removed Argothorn, the remaining dragons would have split into factions and that would have brought the downfall to us all.” Silas straightened up as he stared at the ocean.
“You mean my father and Egan’s father?” Ivan asked.
“Yes.” Silas nodded. “But that was then. The people have had time to realize exactly what type of dragon their ruler is. I think they are ready to accept a change in power.”
“Egan?” Ivan asked.
“If he wants the job.” Silas pointed at a small bump on the horizon. “There it is.”
Ivan leaned forward and stared at the small imperfection. He hadn’t expected to feel anything at the first sight of his homeland. Yet a shiver passed down his spine. Not one of fear but of excitement. “I never thought I’d come here.”
“Never say never,” Silas said.
“Did you ever think you’d walk in the daylight again?” Ivan didn’t look at the vampire, he didn’t want to take his eyes off the horizon.
“I heard a rumor Hannah had been working on a spell for a while. I didn’t know if she’d perfected it.” He chuckled. “I hear a lot of rumors in my line of work.”
“Do you hear them or see them?” Ivan tapped his head. “You must see a lot of things when you peek under the hood.”
“Things I would rather not see,” Silas admitted. “But I also see the good in people. I see how hard some people try. It restores my faith in people.”
“Restores your faith. Now that sounds like a story I’d like to hear.” Ivan glanced sideways at the vampire.
“It’s not one I tell.” Silas pointed toward Cairnnor. “This is going to be tough.”
“Are you changing the subject?” Ivan asked.
“It’s more about changing our focus. And this is what we need to focus on for now. The hike is going to be difficult and when we reach our destination, we’re not exactly going to be among friends.”
“Are you asking me to have your back?” Ivan asked.
He chuckled again, his mood lighter than normal. Perhaps because of the feel of sunlight on his skin. “I’m not the one I’m worried about. I can look after myself. I can disappear if I need to.”
“Especially if that spell wears off.” Ivan held up his hands. “Sorry, that was uncalled for.”
“No, you’re right. But the pits have deep tunnels beneath them, I can find somewhere to hide until night and then I’ll figure out a way home.”
“Carlton will come to get you?” Ivan arched a questioning eyebrow.
“I made him promise not to follow me under any circumstances.” Silas looked vulnerable for a moment but then he smiled. “Your mate has courage.”
“You’re changing the subject again.”
“I am,” Silas agreed and then fell silent as he stared at the landmass which grew bigger as each moment passed by and the ocean lapped at the boat.
An hour later, the crew steered the boat into a small cove. A dinghy attached to the back of the boat was lowered and the crew helped them climb into it. One of the crew members, a small man with tanned skin and deep creases down his cheeks, rowed them ashore.
He watched the skies ceaselessly as he landed the boat. His expression was enough of a warning to the four strangers to Cairnnor. They were in dragon country. If they were caught, things would go badly.
As they set out for the dragon pits, Ivan had no intention of getting caught.
But then he’d never had any intention of going to the fae realm or ever setting foot on Cairnnor.
But fate had a way of chan
ging your path and leading you where you never expected to go.
Chapter Thirty-Seven – Larisa
Larisa landed on the balls of her feet and hunkered down, her hands covering her head as the downbeat of Egan’s dragon’s wings nearly sent her sprawling across the rocky ground. One, two, three beats later, she looked up to see the silhouette of the dragon flying away from her.
She was alone. No one would come to rescue her.
She stood up and brushed the dirt from the skirt of her dress and shook her cloak before smoothing her hair and clothes. Elves were serene, in control of their actions and emotions.
At least that’s what she’d read in the caption beneath the hand-drawn picture in Egan’s book.
Her chin wobbled. She was certain Egan kept the book because it was a link to his father.
She missed her dad.
Tears misted her eyes, but she blinked them away. If she entered Argothorn’s apartment with smudged makeup, he wouldn’t take her seriously and the plan would fail before it had even begun.
This was for her dad. This was so her family could finally be free.
So she could be free to spend her life with Ivan. Free to raise their children in peace and safety.
Larisa turned around and searched the horizon for a glimpse of the ocean. If only she knew Ivan and the others had arrived safely.
Faith. She needed to have faith in him.
And faith in herself.
Ignoring the unfamiliarity of the clothes and braided hair, she turned her attention to the tower and the concealed window high above. Egan assured her there was a way to access the window.
She ducked down and flattened herself against the uneven side of the tower. Was that the sound of a dragon approaching?
She let out a long breath. It was just the sound of the wind.
“Okay, Larisa. You’ve got this.” She placed her hand on the rock and followed the curve of the tower wall. Her fingers butted up against a large stone that jutted out. Taking a step back, she looked up. Egan was right, there was a way up.
Why wasn’t it guarded?
Would she get halfway up and find it was blocked?
She wouldn’t find out unless she climbed.
Pushing the cloak back from her shoulders and wishing that she was wearing jeans and boots, she took the first step.
Higher she rose, aware that if she fell, she’d likely kill herself. Was that Egan’s plan? Perhaps he intended to get rid of her after all.
No. He was on her side.
A broken fingernail and four bruised knuckles later, she saw the window and understood why there was no guard on this side of the tower. The window was small. Maybe too small for her to fit through.
If only she’d shifted the extra pounds she carried on her thighs and stomach. They’d never bothered her until now.
Reaching up, she grabbed the ledge and lifted herself enough to see inside the room beyond. If she came face to face with Argothorn, she would need to think fast and act fast.
Her hand lingered on the knife. Perhaps she should just go stab Argothorn and finish it.
But she wasn’t a murderer. And she didn’t want Argothorn to make her or anyone else into one.
Not when there was a chance to end this peacefully.
The room beyond was dimly lit but she couldn’t see anyone. Her arms ached and her knuckles throbbed as she pulled herself over the ledge and wriggled through the narrow window.
She couldn’t fit. Panic gripped her as she stopped moving half in and half out of the window.
A scream built in her head, but she didn’t let it out. She had to stay calm if she was going to get through this.
She smiled despite the situation.
She had to stay calm if she was going to get through this window.
Larisa relaxed her body and assessed the situation. The window was a rectangle shape. If she turned on her side and put her arms through, she might be able to wriggle out of this mess.
Conscious of making too much noise, she changed position and pushed herself forward. Then she used her hands on the other side of the wall to heave herself through. For a terrifying moment, she was stuck. The knife on her belt was caught on the window ledge.
Raising herself up an inch or two, she rolled to the right. The hilt of the knife cleared the ledge and she quickly pushed herself the rest of the way in.
Larisa collapsed onto the floor with a bump and held her breath, waiting for someone to approach. No one came.
Rolling into a ball, she hugged her knees to her chin as she caught her breath and calmed her nerves. She might be through the window, but she was now trapped inside the apartment. There was no way she could go back out of the window. If she managed to wriggle out, she’d fall down the tower wall and die from her injuries.
She had no choice. Somehow, she had to convince Argothorn she was an elf and that she was here to help him.
Easy.
Larisa stood up and rested her hand on the window ledge. A cool breeze cooled her skin.
She wished she had a mirror. The climb had made her hot and her makeup might have run. Larisa looked down at her clothes. Thankfully she hadn’t torn the dress or cloak but there were smudges of dirt along the hem of the skirt and a patch of dust where her knee had rubbed the fabric on the window ledge.
Larisa brushed her clothes, but it made no difference. She’d have to go with it.
A groan yanked her attention from the state of her clothes. There was someone in the room beyond.
Argothorn? There was only one way to find out.
Her hands trembled as she smoothed her hair and she shook them, releasing the tension in her body. With a shake of her head, she straightened her back and assumed her role.
It was time.
Larisa tiptoed toward the door. If possible, she didn’t want Argothorn to know she’d scaled the tower. He’d be more likely to think she was an apparition if she simply appeared before him.
Why was she here? She’d never been more scared.
For Ivan. For her father and Simon. For Egan and Jacintha.
She touched the knife for comfort before she reached for the door handle and gently eased it down.
Praying that the door hinges were well oiled and not likely to give her away, she pulled the door toward her inch by inch.
When there was a big enough gap for her to slip through, she edged around the door, fully exposing herself to anyone who might be in the next room.
She paused and looked around, there was no one there.
Larisa hurried through the door and pulled it closed behind her.
She was in a short corridor. As she stood still, she listened for signs of life. There was someone else in the apartment. She’d heard them. But where were they?
A cough and the sound of something clattering across the floor answered her question.
Stepping to the left, she hugged the wall and followed the sounds of movement. A door on the other side of the corridor stood ajar. This was it. He was in there.
Larisa barely breathed as she tiptoed to the door and peered through the gap. Her heart thundered so loudly in her chest, she was certain the man in the room would hear it.
Or sense her? Why hadn’t he sensed her?
The man was bending down over the side of a sofa. He was trying to pick up whatever he’d dropped.
This was her chance.
She slid into the room and tiptoed to the far side of the room, making sure she stayed out of his line of sight. Then she stopped and turned to face him.
Larisa adjusted her cloak, pulling it around her, making sure the knife was hidden. Then she waited.
The man, thickset and balding, was cursing under his breath as he turned his body to the side and stretched farther. With a grunt, he finally got whatever he’d dropped and straightened up.
He didn’t turn around or even sense she was there. Perhaps Egan had gotten it wrong, and this wasn’t the right apartment.
Larisa eyed the door.
But before she had a chance to run, the man finally turned around, a glass filled with an amber liquor in his hand.
She froze, but still, he didn’t seem to notice her. Had Jacintha given her an invisibility cloak?
“Argothorn.” She whispered his name so quietly he didn’t hear. “Argothorn,” she repeated, louder this time.
Argothorn flopped down in the seat, his eyes wide as he looked at her. A deep amber glow flickered in his eyes, and he snarled at her like a wild beast.
With enormous effort, she resisted the urge to pull out the knife to defend herself. Until he moved, until he threatened her, she would project outward calm.
“Argothorn, Dragon Lord of Cairnnor.” She fought through the fog of fear in her brain.
“Who are you?” he snarled.
She hadn’t come up with a name. Why hadn’t she thought of a name?
“Sylvian...a.” Did that sound like an elf name?
“Sylviana.” His brows furrowed. “How did you get in here?”
“You conjured me, oh, dragon lord.” Larisa channeled her inner elf. She was going to need good acting skills to get through this.
“I conjured you?” Argothorn got off the sofa and stood on unsteady feet. No wonder he hadn’t sensed her, he was drunk.
“You did.” Keep it simple, she reminded herself.
“Why?” Argothorn asked.
“Because it is time.” She bowed her head in reverence.
“Time for what?” Argothorn asked suspiciously.
“For you to ascend.” Ascension was always a good bet.
“Ascend?” Unless you were too drunk to comprehend the bigger picture, which Argothorn was.
“Yes. As the dawn rises over the fire pits of Tolarth, you will ascend and claim your dragon rider.” She kept her features smooth, expressionless as she waited for him to tell her to go away and stop talking nonsense.
“A dragon rider!” She’d gotten his interest.
“Yes.” She stepped forward but then froze as he stumbled to his feet. “We have been watching you, Argothorn, Dragon Lord.”
“You have?” he asked cautiously.
“There has never been such a dragon lord as you.” She wasn’t lying. But Argothorn grinned, thinking it was a compliment.
The Dragon Shifter's Desire: A Wishing Moon Bay Shifter Romance Page 25
