The Dragonsong Trilogy Box Set

by H. C. Brown

  With a snort, she tossed her head. “You are a fool.” She stared into the distance. The sight of the Nightdragon, glistening in the sun, warmed her heart. “They have the wisdom of the ancients.”

  “We should let her go.” Rom rubbed his chin. “You can do what you like, I am returning home. I have no intention of fighting a dragon over this wench.”

  “I agree.” Yulac moved his horse beside Rom. “Look at the size of the beasts. If I have to face one, I will no doubt fill my boots with piss.”

  “Have you no brains? The witch conjured these beasts. What if they are no more than smoke in the wind?” Bunt waved his arms around. “We will lose a great deal of gold.”

  “She had no time to conjure anything.” Yulac rolled his eyes. “Think, brother, if she had such magyck, we would be all shriveled in her fire by now. Let her go, Rutta, it is for the best.”

  “Then run away, piglets. I will share the gold with Rutta.” Bunt spat on the ground.

  Thalia watched the two Boars ride into the distance in a cloud of dust. The noise from the raging dragons echoed through the valley. The ground beneath her feet shook. Birds took to the air in great screeching flocks and wildlife fled in all directions. Throwing caution to the wind, she lifted her head, and began to sing the Dragonsong.

  The Nightdragon dropped the blacksmith to the floor. The man had told an interesting tale and the dragon had decided to spare his life. He lifted his head and flared his wide nostrils to seek the sweet scent of Thalia above the stink of fear. Inside, Lumos pushed hard against the dragon, trying to gain control. His request fell on deaf ears—the only sound his dragon heard came from Thalia. The sweet melody carried on the air above the terrified screams of the townsfolk. The dragon turned his head, his inquisitive ears moving back and forth.

  Lumos heard the call. “Thalia.”

  “Aye, close by. I will take you there.”

  “I am the master, dragon. I am fully recovered and will fight for our mate.” Lumos forced his will on the Nightdragon. “We must have trust in each other’s abilities, you and I.”

  “We are one, Lumos.”

  As they approached the small group of trees beside the wide, chalk road, through the dragon’s sight, Lumos picked out the red glow of heat images beneath the spreading boughs. The Nightdragon dropped to the ground, morphing into Lumos. With wings outstretched, Lumos turned to Pyro. The Fae’s face betrayed the anger within. “I would ask that you let me deal with these pigs.”

  “Then remain in wing, should the bastards take flight. I have no intention of hurling magyck at them and putting your mate at risk.” Pyro unsheathed his sword.

  Lumos plunged into the trees. His gaze went to Thalia, sitting astride a horse with a Boar’s arm around her waist. His mate’s face was ashen. He bit back a howl of fury, at the sight of a black bruise staining her cheek. She clung to the horse’s mane with bloody hands, but she sat straight, not cowering in the saddle. He regarded her determined expression. Love blazed for him in her dark orbs. He caught the slight upward curl of her lips at his arrival. Stay strong, butterfly.

  Every muscle in Lumos’s body tensed, ready to fight for his mate. Anger came in an uncontrollable lust for blood. He slowly moved his head to take in the men who had dared to touch Thalia. Inside, the Nightdragon fought to be free, sending a white cloud of steam flowing from his nostrils. He folded his wings, strode toward the horses, and raised his chin. “You have something that belongs to me.”

  “Let us negotiate. I am Bunt and this is my brother, Rutta.” Bunt smiled. “A dead witch is of no use to anyone.” He indicated the knife that Rutta now held against Thalia’s throat. “What do you offer for the life of this female?”

  Lumos revealed his fangs and growled a warning. “I will offer you a quick death, although my dragon would prefer to tear your head off.”

  “Ah, but I have the upper hand. My brother has a knife to your woman’s throat.” Bunt chuckled. “How much gold do you offer for her life?”

  Drawing his magyck around him, he concentrated on Rutta. A Dragonfae of his power could stop a heart with a look—a dangerous spell, and to some, perhaps the coward’s way to win a fight. He did not care—to hold a knife to the throat of a female was the ultimate in cowardice. The spell took him inside the man’s chest, through skin and bone to the beating heart within. He wrapped the spell around the throbbing muscle and squeezed. He watched Rutta’s face turn blue, the tremble of the Boar’s hand, the ragged gasps as the man fought for life. Lumos ground his teeth, fighting the desire to kill and end this farce. He glared at the Boar. “Release—my—mate.”

  “You are dying, Rutta.” Pyro moved closer. “Drop the knife.” He turned to Bunt. “There is no escape. Your horse will not obey you.”

  Lumos squeezed harder. The man’s heart strained under his spell. Rutta swayed, his eyes rolled back in his head, and the knife slipped to the ground. Lumos ran forward and dragged Thalia from the horse. With gentle care, he placed her on the ground, and ran his hands over her, searching for injuries. He poured glamour over her, giving her the comfort she needed. “Apart from your hands, are you hurt elsewhere?”

  Relief flooded over him at the shake of her head. He pulled her into his arms and buried his face in her hair. Thalia’s small body trembled against his chest. Her heart-rending sobs cut deeper than any wound. He pressed kisses on her tear-soaked cheeks and gently rocked her. “You are safe now… Hush, sweet butterfly.” He pushed the damp strands of hair from her face.

  “I knew you would come.” Thalia clung to his neck. “When they took me from the blacksmith’s cellar, I sang to you, but Bunt hit me. They planned to sell me to a dark Magus as a sex slave.”

  “The Nightdragon heard your song. You are so brave. I should not have left you alone. I am a fool to have done such a thing. This is my fault.”

  “No one is to blame.” Thalia sniffed. “The Nightdragon said you were injured fighting the Shadow Walkers. I was worried about your safety, too.” She looked up at him. “Are you badly injured?”

  He cupped her tear streaked face and gazed into her eyes. “Aye, I was injured, but my dragon has healed me now. The beasts were stronger than I could have ever imagined.” He glanced at the two Boars and anger rose again in his blood. He met Thalia’s soft brown eyes. “I will tend to your hands at once.” He searched her face. “I must ask, sweetness, did these pigs rape you?”

  “No, not rape. Bunt slapped me and tied a silver belt around my wrists until it cut deep into my flesh.” Thalia drew a ragged breath. “Rutta wanted to rape me but Bunt stopped him, but only because they could ask a bigger price for me if I remained a virgin. The pig Rutta constantly fondled me—he is disgusting.”

  “Then he shall die.” He held Thalia close and rubbed her back. The witch shivered beneath his hands. “They will both die.”

  “May I decide their fate? First, I beg you to remove the silver shackles from my wrists. I now understand how you felt, Lumos. The silver blocks out nature’s gift of magyck, the hum we feel from every living thing. Gods, without the connection it is as if I am without thought—as if someone has stolen my mind.”

  “Of course, I will remove the silver at once.” He touched the metal and it vanished. He poured white magyck over Thalia’s wounds to heal them. He looked into her eyes, and at that instant understood his mate’s personal need for revenge. Would the dark magyck flowing in her veins compel her to kill these men or would she show the compassion Cymbeline had instilled in her? Could he allow her to let these pigs go unpunished if that was her wish? He drew a deep breath and opened his arms, turning his hands palms up. “I am yours to command. What would you have me do to the Boars, sweetness?”

  “I have a punishment worse than death for these pigs.” Thalia turned toward the Boars. “They live to rape with no thought of the pain they inflict. I want to make them impotent, so they may never again lay with a female.” Thalia rubbed her wrists. “Strip them naked, take their belongings, and leave them her
e. I do not want their deaths on our hands.”

  “Oh please, allow me the pleasure.” Pyro flashed a grin at Lumos.

  “Castration?” Bunt’s eyes rolled. “You cannot possibly take direction from a female. In truth, all would ask the same thing. Take my life but not my balls.” He slipped off his horse and fell to his knees at Pyro’s feet.

  “Oh, you may keep your balls.” Pyro chuckled. “I would not bloody my knife on you.” He flicked his fingers, bathing both men with a flow of crackling magyck. “Although I would have relished inflicting pain on the both of you for what you have done to Thalia, my spell is quite humane. Now, my dear fellows, you are both as flaccid as eunuchs for the rest of your sorry lives.”

  Lumos waved a hand and both men stood naked, their piggy eyes flashing from one Dragonfae to the other. He grinned. “On your way, both of you, before I change my mind and take out your eyes as souvenirs.”

  Without uttering a word, the Boars took off at a run and disappeared into the undergrowth. Lumos turned to Thalia. “Perhaps they will learn not to treat females as chattels from now on.”

  “I believe the Boars are set in their ways.” Thalia sighed. She glanced up at Lumos. “I know you wanted to kill them for touching me, but, in truth, their crime did not warrant death but I will not stop you seeking vengeance on Erik and his cohorts. Although I believe the dark Magus had something to do with his lust toward me, it is common knowledge King Garro’s militia rape and pillage. They are vermin.”

  “My anger burns to destroy them.” Lumos rubbed the back of his neck. “I will seek justice for you, my love. You have my word.”

  “When we are safely in Farrell, will you allow me to fetch these men?” Pyro met Lumos’s frown. “I owe you both so much and for Thalia to return to Broclarre would only bring back unwanted sadness.”

  “Do you want to face Erik?” Lumos gazed into Thalia’s eyes. “In truth, I would prefer you allow me to pass judgment on these beasts.”

  Thalia shivered. Her stomach clenched at the thought of being close to those disgusting animals. “To kill them would send them to the Underworld and as disciples of the dark Magus, I would imagine they would obtain status for hurting me. Killing is too good for them.”

  “Then I will seek the goddess’s guidance.” Lumos smiled at Pyro. “I would be glad of your assistance, but I believe it will be better if you escorted them to Draconia.”

  “Then I will make it so.” Pyro collected the reins of the Boars’ horses and led them forward. He turned to Thalia. “Where did you leave Brew and Albert? Your cat will be out of his mind with worry.”

  “I left them in a barn outside the village of Hartly—where the Boars captured me.” Thalia frowned. “I hope Brew has not wandered off searching for me.”

  Lumos lifted Thalia onto a horse. “Then we shall ride back to Hartly and find them. We can leave these horses there and use a circle of light to return to where Argos and Conker wait for us. They are in a place not far from Longbrook.” He turned to Pyro. “I think it is best if we leave this realm as soon as possible.”

  “Then we will make our way at once to the Gate, and enter”—Pyro inclined his head toward Thalia, and raised an eyebrow—“you know where. You have only two days before you meet Kird for the challenge in Drakka.” Pyro swung up into the saddle. “You must take the time to rest. Look at your mate, Lumos, she is exhausted, and soon to face moonfire. She needs your comfort.”

  “Good advice.” Lumos leaped up behind Thalia and gathered her in his arms. “I will make you sleep now, little one. When you awake, we will be safe.” He kissed the top of her head and cast the sleeping spell. As Thalia fell into a deep sleep, he turned to Pyro. “I thank you for not mentioning the Shadow Walkers to her. I would rather she not know of the possible danger ahead.”

  “I thought as much.” Pyro gazed into the distance. “The sun drops toward the mountains and we do not have much time before nightfall.” He kicked his horse into a canter. “After last night’s battle, they may attack again at sunset. We must reach the Gate to Farrell tonight. The Magus will stop at nothing to prevent you from entering Drakka.”

  “Have no fear, I know the Gate to Farrell well.” Lumos followed Pyro along the dusty trail. “As soon as we have Brew and the horses, we can make the distance to the Gate by a circle of light. We will make Farrell before dusk.”

  “As soon as we reach Farrell, I will go to Broclarre and collect the man who raped Thalia and his cohorts. There will be Shifters in Farrell who know Broclarre. With their knowledge, I will be able to travel there and back with a circle of light.” He glanced at Lumos. “I understand you went from Drakka through the Gates to get to the Singing Forest. That way takes too much time.”

  “The Shifters, gods, I never thought to ask them for help. My mind was in turmoil.” Lumos shook his head. “I did consider a circle of light, but I could find no one who knew the Singing Forest well enough to form one for me. So I found the closest Gate and flew from there.”

  “Well then, gods willing, I will find a guide and begin my journey to Broclarre first thing in the morning.” Pyro smiled. “I will have the rogues in Draconia before you finish your challenge.”

  Lumos shook his head. “No… I cannot expect you to do that for me. Your mate waits for you in Drakka.”

  “Ah, Lumos, my friend, the next time I see my mate, I will not leave her—not for any reason.” Pyro smiled. “After so long away, one more day makes little difference.” He gave Lumos a baleful look. “To be honest, the time alone will give me pause to think of a reasonable excuse for pretending to be dead.”

  “Uh-huh… Well, good luck with that but with a mate so wise, why not tell her the truth? I am sure she will understand.” Lumos grinned and turned the horse into the cart track leading to the barn. In the barn, he could make out Brew sitting on a bale of straw, his gold eyes flashing. He reached out his mind to the cat. “Thalia is safe. We are leaving for Farrell straight away.”

  “When we get there, will you ban me from the bedchamber again? I am not used to such treatment.”

  Lumos laughed. “Aye, for a little while. Do not worry, cat, when we reach Drakka, I have a very beautiful female to introduce you to.” He whistled and Albert came trotting from inside the barn.

  “Really?” Brew purred. “Then you may have as much time alone with Thalia as you wish.”

  With gentle care, Lumos slipped off the horse with his arms wrapped around Thalia. “I thought you would say that. Now get back in your basket before I leave you behind.”

  Chapter Four

  Wentich Palace

  Darkness surrounded the city of Farrell. Lumos led the way using the lights lining the road to Wentich Palace to guide his way. In the distance, the palace stood out like a huge, dark blot on the landscape. From the crenellations, the guards’ light globes moved along the walkway like ghosts. The palace housed a good friend, Lantar, from the proud house of Centich—the Cougar Shifters. This proud race controlled the peace in this realm of all peoples of magyck.

  Built on the side of a mountain, Wentich Palace offered sanctuary and a chance for weary Fae travelers to renew their powers. The realm held a wealth of natural beauty, from waterfalls to valleys filled with an abundance of flora and fauna. Lumos drew in a deep breath and his magyck hummed with the infusion of the sweet honeysuckle fragrance.

  He turned to Pyro and grinned. “Gods, it is great to be here. I feel better already.”

  “You are lucky to be alive.” Pyro narrowed his eyes. “I beg you not to do anything foolish before the challenge.” He lifted his chin toward the palace. “These shifters have the morals of cats when it comes to females. A fight over Thalia would weaken you for the challenge and I would advise you to keep her well away from everyone here. You are entering the mating fever and Dragonfae are unpredictable in this state of arousal.”

  “Have no fear, my friend. I have known the Pride leader, Lantar, for many years and he will understand. The Prides females experience
moonfire too and they will respect Thalia as my mate.” Lumos stroked Thalia’s hair. “Although, I will keep her secluded for the entire time we are here. When we return to Drakka, she will be secreted in my rooms at the palace until we mate.” He smiled. “I have no intention of introducing her to anyone.”

  “Her transformation is startlingly fast now. You do realize, when you kiss her, she will become Fae within a day?” Pyro rubbed his chin. “I do hope you have explained everything to her.”

  Lumos chuckled. “Yes, I have explained. Gods, the thought of going through moonfire with her is daunting and yet exciting, too—is it all it is made out to be? Can a female become any more insatiable?”

  “Moonfire is something you will never forget.” Pyro smiled into the darkness. “It is the only time you both link to the dragon’s emotions. The mating will join the three of you on all levels, although it is not as if the dragon takes your place like when we morph. But … every touch, every sensation becomes more—well, more intense. You will be insatiable, too. The three days blur into one, long incredible ride.” He turned and grinned at him. “Thalia’s scent will drive you to madness and this effect, although lessened after moonfire, will continue forever. Our mate’s rule our emotions before and after the mating.”

  Lumos turned Argos onto the drawbridge. He grinned. “Then I will make sure she has her rest tonight. I would not have my butterfly too weak to enjoy her moonfire.” He frowned. “I assume she will enjoy moonfire? I have never dared ask a female such a thing.”

  “Oh, my friend, ‘enjoy’ does not come close. In fact, I do believe the females call the three days of exquisite desire ‘moonbliss.’” Pyro chuckled. “Yes, you may do well to let her sleep tonight. I would imagine you will waste no time claiming her after the challenge.”

  A soft pillow nestled against Thalia’s cheek. She inhaled the delicious scent of Lumos close by. The heat from the Dragonfae’s body caressed her naked skin. Her nipples tingled and a familiar ache curled in her folds. The bite on her neck throbbed delightfully and she fought back a moan. Heavens above, the mating heat clawed at her, demanding satisfaction. How much more wanton would she become? Moonfire—goddess, how could she possibly survive such longing if her desire for Lumos became stronger? Nothing but his love could calm this craving. Gods, she wanted him constantly. Stifling a yawn, she opened her eyes to feast on the image of the man watching her so intently. His green eyes bathed her with a love so intense it sent goose bumps over her skin.