by H. C. Brown
The Singing Forest
Lumos shook his bleeding knuckles and turned slowly to face the witch. Her tear-stained cheeks surprised him. Why would she cry for a man she thought to be a liar? Nevertheless, there she stood, trembling with one hand outstretched, and begging him to stop hurting himself as if she cared. Did she understand what had angered him? He stared at the ground to gain composure, the need to draw her into his arms more painful than his injuries.
“This is my fault. May the gods forgive me for not believing you?” Thalia stepped closer and lifted his bloody hand. “I am so consumed with my own problems I failed to see the importance of yours. Will you forgive me, mighty dragon?”
Words caught in his throat. He lifted his head, meeting the witch’s flaming dark orbs. He noticed a small scar on her cheek and traced it with his finger. One touch and the connection between them sizzled up his arm. Gods, Thalia had felt the bond between them too and flinched at his touch. Her jaw tightened as if fighting the need to run. He studied her, breathing in her scent.
“You are a brave little butterfly.” He examined her beautiful face and smiled to reassure her. “A seasoned warrior would not dare approach a dragon in a rage. I am not angry with you, little one. It is the man—men—who made you so afraid of me that fuel my wrath. I want to hunt them down and tear them limb from limb.”
“You would do that for me?”
He gazed into her beautiful eyes, brown orbs flaming for him and him alone. “Aye, in a heartbeat.”
“Then you are truly sent by Cymbeline.” Thalia pointed to the center of her chest. “My heart tells me to believe you. Gods, Lumos, I am so sorry.” She sniffed and batted at the tears spilling down her cheeks. “Allow me to tend your injuries. At least my healing spell will help.” She led him to the rock pool. “Soak your hands and I will search the water for the weed I need to make a poultice. With a little magyck, you will be as good as new by the morning.”
Although the witch trembled, she lifted her chin and did not look away. Her courage amazed him. Thalia must be stronger than she appeared to have survived alone after her banishment. Gods willing, he had broken through the wall Thalia had wrapped so closely around her misery. He sat on a rock to strip off his jerkin and boots. “There is no need for you to get wet. I will go. I know what weed to collect.” He stood, walked to the edge of the pool, and dived into the clear, blue water.
Swimming into the pool’s depths, he ignored the sting of his injuries, and floated, allowing the water to cool his boiling skin. Thalia’s fears and doubt in him had brought on the rage of his dragon. The beast wanted revenge against the men who had made her this way. How could he tell her he had traveled through realms seeking the singer of the dragon song to claim her as his mate? Her initial denial of him, the turning away, had cut deep into his heart. His inner beast had fought to get free. Without magyck to liberate him, the raging black Nightdragon simmered just under his skin.
He rested on the bottom of the deep pool, enjoying the freezing water against his burning flesh. The weed she required grew in abundance close by. He grabbed a few handfuls, kicked his feet on the sandy bottom, and broke the surface of the pool.
Thalia swallowed hard at the sight of Lumos striding from the rock pool. Water ran in rivulets from his hair and trickled down his hard, muscular chest. His green gaze met hers with a frightening intensity. He moved closer and she noticed a haze of steam hovered over his bare flesh. The handsome man tossed his dark head, and threw her a smile. Gods, her heart pounded with every step the man made toward her. I must stay calm. Lumos needs my help. It is only a few paces to the edge of the circle.
“This boulder has a small depression, a good place to crush the weed.” Lumos placed the plants on the rock. “I am afraid I do not have any linen to use to bind my hands—do you?” He bent to pick up a round stone, and with slow, efficient motions started to grind the weed.
Thalia winced at the deep cuts in Lumos’s knuckles. “Let me do that. You should sit in the sun to dry.” She took the stone from his hands and kneeled beside the boulder. Calmness enveloped her with a safety she thought no longer existed. Can I trust you, Dragonfae?
“My body heat will dry me rapidly.” He lounged back on the rock and watched her work the weed into a paste.
“You are soaked through. The leather of your pants will be ruined.” She examined the glossy leather, so like the skin of a snake with half-moon scales. The Dragonfae’s clothes and boots shimmered in the same unusual leather.
“They will be fine. The fabric is a part of me and it will dry in a few minutes.” Lumos smiled. “Thank you for caring.”
This close, the warm male scent of him befuddled her senses. Her face grew hot and she busied herself grinding the weed. Finding her attention constantly returning to watch a drip of water travel over the rippling muscles of his broad chest, she turned away. I must stop looking at him. She tossed her hair over one shoulder.
“There, the poultice is ready.”
Without a second thought, she raised the hem of her cotton dress, and ripped off a wide band. She glanced up to see Lumos staring at her bare knees. She cleared her throat and coughed. This action brought his head up swiftly and she frowned at him. Doubt, that nagging voice in her head, came again to haunt her, warning her not to trust him.
“This will do for a bandage.” She sighed, wanting the calm, safe assurance she had experienced before to return. “Lumos, I find it uncomfortable when you stare at me like that… It reminds me of Erik.”
“Erik?” Lumos held out his hand for Thalia to tend. “Is he one of the king’s men who mistreated you?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know, little butterfly, that you look at me the same way? I enjoy the way you admire my body.” Lumos met her gaze. “There is no sin in taking pleasure from the sight of another’s body, little one.” He touched her cheek and lowered his voice to a whisper. “The gods gave us bodies to be admired. The sin is in taking what is not freely given, without love or respect for one another.” He lifted her chin. “I am not like Erik. I would rather die than hurt you.”
I wish I could believe that, but you are still a man and men are not to be trusted. She applied the green sludge to Lumos’s wounds. She ran the tips of her fingers over each injury and called to her magyck. The familiar tingle ran through her hands and white light bathed Lumos’s raw knuckles. She lifted his other hand and his warm flesh pressed against her palm. Fear curled in her belly followed by an exhilaration that astounded her. Gods, her mind had made two opposite decisions about Lumos. I must be losing my wits. She concentrated her spell on the deep cuts. He deserves my honesty.
“Yes, I admit, I do admire you. In truth, I have never seen anyone like you. I must say, you are most handsome.” She wrapped the linen around Lumos’s hands and tied both bandages in a neat bow. She lifted her head. “I want to trust you, but it is difficult to push back the memories of Erik. My mind will not let me forget what he did to me.” Forcing a smile, she patted his knee. The rock-hard thigh rippled under her palm. The soft fabric, warm, alive at her touch, sent a ripple of desire surging through her folds. Her breasts swelled and her aching nipples pressed against the rough linen of her dress. Gods, what is happening to me?
“Your reaction to me is normal. We are attracted to each other, butterfly.” Lumos sighed. “If not for Erik’s cruelty, what you are feeling for me would be natural.”
“Natural?”
“Come now, before Erik laid hands on you, had you never looked upon a male with admiration?” Lumos raised an eyebrow. “For most girls of your age, it is all they speak about. My sisters are forever giggling over one Fae male or another.” He frowned. “I would hope that this joy is not lost to you forever.”
With effort, Thalia fought the need to run. Sitting this close, the heat of Lumos’s near-naked body radiated in a blissful caress through her thin shift. She bit her bottom lip. To have a normal conversation with someone would be wonderful and she wanted to kno
w everything about Lumos and his sisters.
“I am almost nineteen summers and hardly a girl. Tell me about your sisters.”
“Whimsy is the baby, a blue Faerie—she resembles my mother, Yashna. Then there is Tani—she has black wings like me and only last moon was mated to Rnaja.” Lumos grinned. “Are you avoiding my question? Have you ever admired a male?”
She swallowed hard. “Yes, I once gazed on a man with admiration but then I had no idea how cruel they could be. I now know why men want a virgin for a wife. No woman in their right mind would willingly marry if they knew what was to come on their wedding night.”
Lumos gave a snort, his green eyes blazing. “The Fae have a different approach. We love freely until we meet our chosen mate. A Fae male offers a female only pleasure. If we failed in our duty, I believe you would see many statues of Fae males.” Lumos chuckled. “Because, sweet butterfly, a Faerie has the magyck to turn her lover to stone.”
For the first time since she had left Broclarre, she tipped back her head and laughed. In less than a day, Lumos had made her relax. She took in the sight of him, grinning like a monkey, and the fear locked inside slowly fell away. His story unfolded in her mind. She believed he had come here because of her song and for whatever other reason she could not care less. She pushed to her feet. “I will go and get the wagon. It will give you a place to sleep while we plan your escape.”
“Are you really going to help me?” Lumos stood and gave her a regal bow. “I am in your debt.”
The gods help her. She could not dismiss the overwhelming need to believe him. Should she, against her better instincts, trust him? He needs me. She inclined her head and frowned. “No, Lumos, you are not in my debt.” She patted his arm. “I will help you as a friend, for I am sorely in need of a companion.”
“As am I, sweet butterfly … as am I.”
* * * *
“It has been three days and we are getting nowhere. I am such an idiot.” Thalia buried her face in her hands.
Lumos laughed. He ached to hold her, or simply brush the hair from her face. His attempts to take Thalia’s hand had resulted in her swift withdrawal and a look of mistrust had clouded her eyes. My touch frightens you. I will be patient, little butterfly. He would be content to brush her fingers on occasion and try not to react to her hesitant touch, although the frequent squeeze of her small hand on his thigh sent an aching flood of warmth to his steel hard cock. He forced his mind to concentrate on anything but sex. “Think of the spells you have cast before and tell me how you make a spell work.”
“This is different. I do not need inner sight to cast a spell.” Thalia pulled a face. “I cannot see what you see, Lumos. This will never work.”
“Your magyck worked its charm overnight on my injuries. You have strong powers and must start to trust in your own abilities. How did you cast the spell to heal my hands?” Lumos held out his hands. “Describe each step to me.”
The breeze caught a strand of her hair, lifting it across her eyes. He caught the silken strand and wound it around his finger. His attention drifted to the witch’s hard nipples pressing proudly against her thin cotton gown. She always reacted this way to a simple touch. He inhaled her scent, sweet, and so intoxicating. Concentrate.
“First, I must want to heal. It is the same with anyone or thing. I have treated Brew on occasion.” Thalia wrinkled her brow. “In your case, I looked at your injuries and imagined your hands as they are now, without the cuts, then I cast the healing spell.”
She has only to realize this is the way of all magyck. “And fire… How do you make wood burst into flames?”
“I see the flames dancing over the logs, feel the heat, and smell the smoke. Then, I point at the wood and it ignites.” Thalia lifted her chin. “Oh, this is getting us nowhere! I am useless to you.” She ran a hand absently over Brew’s head.
“And how did Nell make you see the result of a spell before you cast it?”
“Nell said I should use my—Gods, Lumos—I must use my imagination.” She jumped to her feet and stared at the invisible magyck circle. “I can see the circle, Lumos—I can see it!”
He stood slowly and grinned at her excitement. Taking a deep breath, he moved closer to the witch and with infinite care, slipped a hand around her waist. “Gather your magyck. See the circle shatter and fall away into a cloud of silver dust.” Heart pounding, he concentrated on the barrier. “Point, Thalia, and make it so.”
With a tinkle of bells, the magyck circle dissolved and blew away, swirling into oblivion on the wind. He noticed an instant change in Thalia and stepped away. The realization she had removed not only his prison wall but also her protection from him showed plainly on her face. She shot him a glance of pure terror and acting as nonchalant as possible stepped further away and smiled. “Well done! You are truly amazing.” He rubbed his stomach and moved his attention to the basket of food. “All that work has made me hungry. Shall we eat now?”
“I thought you would sprout wings and fly away.” Thalia waved a hand toward the sky. “There is nothing keeping you here now.”
Oh, little butterfly, your fear is not of me but the worry I will leave you alone in this place. “Why would I go when I want to stay here with you, Thalia? Unless you tell me to go, I will never leave you alone. You have my word. We are friends and friends help each other.” He led the way to the wagon and reached inside for the basket of food. “If I could morph into the dragon, I would have asked you to come with me, far from this place to the safety of my home. Unfortunately, I remain earthbound as long as the silver remains and I would so love to show you my wings. In truth, I am very proud of them and my dragon… Well, he is spectacular.” He carried the basket to the shade of a tree and sat down. “Without my magyck, it will be a long journey to Drakka through many realms. I will have to find someone with great powers to remove these silver bands.” He ran a hand through his hair. “The journey will be dangerous, because a Fae without powers is only as good as the strength within. Although as needs be, I can call on my dragon’s life force for help.” With a grimace, he stared into the distance. “Once the dark Magus discovers I have escaped, he will send the Shadow Walkers to hunt me. Fighting these creatures of darkness will be difficult—they are cunning and lethal.”
“How long do you think you have before he discovers you have escaped?” Thalia sat beside Lumos and reached for the basket.
“As soon as I use magyck, he will know I am free.” He tossed his hair over one shoulder then turned to see her worried expression. She would need explanations every step of the way. “Magyck holds a trace of each user and he will know instantly where I am.”
“How will you manage to return to Drakka without magyck?”
He sighed. How could he explain exactly what he needed from her without causing her more stress?
The Nightdragon drifted into his thoughts.
“Tread carefully, Lumos. To reveal she is our mate will frighten her away. I advise you seek her help. I do believe she needs us and the trust will grow.”
Lumos shrugged in a non-committal way. “I had hoped you would come with me, far from this place and away from the Magus but if traveling with me frightens you, and you prefer to remain here alone, I will understand. I must return to Drakka because my people depend on me.” He dragged a hand through his hair. How could he explain so she would understand? “I gave you my word I would not leave you alone, but you must make the choice, to remain here or come with me. If you decide to come, we must leave first light. I do not want to leave you, butterfly.” He touched her face. “If you choose to stay, I will come back for you, the moment the challenge is over, I promise.”
“No, you cannot leave. I mean… What do I mean?” Thalia gripped Lumos’s arm. “I will come with you and on the way to Drakka, you must teach me how to use my magyck against these Shadow Walkers.” She reached into the basket for an apple. “Bring the basket. We will eat on the way to my cottage. If we are to leave in the morning, I must pac
k my belongings. Will you bring the horse back here to collect the wagon?”
The heat from Thalia’s small hand seeped into his arm. He covered her fingers and gazed into her excited face, relieved she did not balk at his touch. “Take only what is necessary. We may have to leave the wagon and ride the horse. Is he a big beast capable of carrying us?”
“Aye, he pulled the king’s ale wagon.” Thalia dropped her hand. “I call him Albert.”
He picked up the basket. Her touch tingled on his skin in a reminder of their bond. He moved toward the pathway, turned, and held out his hand seeking more of her touch. When Thalia coyly rested her small digits on his palm, his dragon sung with joy. He gazed down into her flushed face. “Come then, we have much to do before we leave.” He chuckled and led her forward. “I have yet to meet a horse named Albert.”
Chapter Eight
Lumos gaped at the pile of silk dresses on the chair and frowned. “Leave those gowns behind, you will not need them. Take only your undergarments and we will buy boy’s clothes for you at the first village.”
“I am to dress as a boy?” Thalia stared at Lumos. Her mouth dropped open. “That is … is … most unbecoming. Everyone will see the shape of my legs.”
He shrugged. How could he tell her of the dangers of traveling as a woman? They would transverse many realms, filled with creatures unknown to her, many of which would desire her in much the same way as Erik had. In truth, many warriors, as an addition to their tribe, would highly value the witch’s chestnut hair and her powers.
“The way will be rough, sometimes cold. Wearing pants and a cloak will be more comfortable and we may have to fight or run for our lives.” He fingered a delicate, yellow silk dress. “You cannot ride in a garment like this without exposing a good part of your legs. At least a pair of pants will cover them and you will be much warmer traveling through the mountains.”
