by H. C. Brown
“Do I curtsy? Fall to my knees? What must I do?”
“Dragonfae bow to no one.” The Nightdragon gave a soft chuckle. “Do not fear the king, Thalia. This is your family now.”
“Welcome to the family. Ahh… I see you carry an unusual blend of magyck.” The king narrowed his eyes. “I understand why the dark Magus feared your joining with the Dragonfae.”
Forcing a smile, she gaped at the king. “I had no idea of my bloodlines until recently, Your Majesty.”
“My name is Luka.” The king smiled. He turned to Lumos. “Have you discovered anything more about the Magus’ involvement in this challenge? After you left for Broclarre, I questioned Kird. He still insists he has nothing to do with the Magus and yet none of us can breach his barriers to find the truth of it. I believe, as you do, the Magus is behind Kird’s challenge. The wizard has not returned to Drakka since he supplied the tainted wine. I have posted guards at the Gate to send news of his arrival.”
“He duped us all.” Lumos frowned. “We gave him sanctuary, and all the while he plotted our downfall. The tainted wine was only one of his ploys.” He rubbed his chin. “Thalia is an innocent pawn. The Magus used her to lure me into an ambush. I do not believe he knew of her connection to the dark side at the time. As soon as she used her magyck to defend me, the Magus discovered her true nature.” He glanced at her. “The Magus thwarted our every move because he used Thalia to scry us. She has since built up her barriers to stop him and now we have bonded, he has no chance of using her against us again.”
“Bonded and not yet mated?” Luka rolled his eyes. “You risk a mating rage before a challenge—have you lost your wits, Lumos?”
“There was not sufficient time to complete moonfire before my return.” Lumos squeezed her hand. “I will confine Thalia to my rooms until after the challenge. Do not worry, Father, my rage will be concentrated on Kird and him alone.”
“What do you know of potions, my dear?” Luka turned his gaze onto her. “My dragon informs me you have the powers of a Nomag witch.”
Terrified of this imposing man, she swallowed hard then lifted her chin. Whatever she had been before, she was Lumos’s mate now—a Dragonfae. “Aye, I know potions. I have a wide knowledge of poisons and their cures.”
“Is there any way to discover a cure for the Magus’s potion?”
She nodded and offered him a small smile. “If I could smell the potion, I may be able to discover what roots and herbs were used to make it. If the Magus mixed the ingredients with a spell, my knowledge of magyck is too limited to untangle that riddle.”
“Then I would ask you to work with Yashna on a cure. She has the ability to cast out any spell.” Luka fingered the heavy, gold medallion hanging around his neck. “My mate has tried, but the combination of the potion is foreign to us. Together, you may be able to undo this disaster—many of my young males are addicted to this potion. I would like to see them free of the Magus’s clutches.”
Relieved she could offer some assistance, she smiled. “I will do whatever is necessary.”
“Good. I will send a bottle of the potion to your chambers. Perhaps this task will give you something to occupy your time while Lumos is away.”
“I hardly believe it will take too long to fight Kird, he is little more than a fledgling.” Lumos shrugged “Or have you heard otherwise, Father?”
“Kird roosts with two warriors known to you, Quade and Zaan.” Luka narrowed his eyes. “My dragon insists there is a plot to bring you down. We have reason to believe all three are under the Magus’s spell.”
Footsteps echoed in the hallway and a tall Dragonfae wearing pure white dragon skin sauntered into the room. His long, black hair fell in a braid over one shoulder. The Fae’s features were strikingly handsome and as he moved closer, his lips formed a sultry smile. Beside her, Lumos growled deep in his chest, tensed, and every muscle rippled. His large hand gripped her fingers so tight her bones ground together. Anger radiated through him to her in a rush. Not seeing a threat in this handsome man, she glanced up at her mate to see his lips draw back in a feral grin.
“Hold, Lumos, I am here to save your ugly butt.” The Dragonfae held up his hands. “You have my word I will not touch your mate.”
“I do not need saving.” Lumos stepped in front of her blocking her view. “Take one step closer and, brother or not, I will rip your head off.”
“Axim is here to prevent the Magus’s treachery.” Luka moved between his sons. “Should you be overcome by the three dragons, I will order Axim to fight by your side. I do not intend to lose Drakka, Lumos. You will abide by my decision while I am king.”
“I—will—not—lose—Drakka.” Lumos’s mouth became a thin line. “The Nightdragon fears nothing, and he will prevail. The gods gave me Thalia to rule Drakka by my side, to produce a king with mixed blood so we will never be in this position again. I trust Cymbeline to protect me against all that dare to bring Drakka and our kind down. I fight in Her name as we all do.” He jerked his head toward the door. “Go back to your females, Axim—or stay, and I will give you reason to defend your realm.”
“Very well, Brother, after you have mated Thalia, we will celebrate together.” Axim gave her a wink. “Not all of us are so … angry. Lumos has given you the wrong impression of the Dragonfae—we are lovers and, in truth, only fight when we have to defend our realms or the gods.” He grinned at Lumos. “May the gods watch over you in the challenge.” He turned around and strutted from the room leaving a warm spicy male scent in his wake.
“It is time for you to prepare, Lumos.” Luka smiled grimly. “My heart flies with you, as does my faith in your ability to win.” He slapped Lumos on the back. “Have no fear. I will post guards around your quarters. You have my word no male will enter. I will have Yashna take the potion to Thalia.”
“Aye, it will give me comfort knowing my mother waits with Thalia.” Lumos let out a long sigh. “Thank you, Father.”
“Return a king, my son.” Luka gave Lumos an encouraging smile.
She trembled. How could she possibly concentrate on the ingredients of a potion while Lumos fought for his life? In silence, she followed Lumos back to his rooms. Inside the sitting room, he pulled her against his hard chest and she could hear his heart racing. He pressed warm kisses to her face and feathered kisses over her lips.
“Do not move from this room no matter what happens to me. My father will keep you safe and you must trust him to do so.” Lumos gazed down at her. “We will fight in the air so you may not be able to witness the challenge. The Nightdragon will block our bond so that nothing distracts us from the fight. I am not afraid of Kird, butterfly, and trust in my dragon to win and so must you. I will finish this as soon as possible. Have no fear, little one, I will return to you.” Lumos stepped away and with long strides moved through the door to the balcony. He opened his tall, black wings, and with one leap, soared into the sky.
A rush of fear of losing him prevented her from sprinting after him. She stood motionless, staring at the empty space where Lumos had stood. The sudden loss of the Fae’s body heat left her bereft. A shiver walked slowly down her spine. Goddess, what would happen if he lost the challenge? How could she possibly live without him? She lifted her head toward the heavens. I will beg, offer anything to see his safe return. “Cymbeline, I beg you to protect Lumos in this challenge. Please, bring him back to me.”
Her attention moved to the open doorway leading to the balcony. The hum of voices drifted up from the city square followed by a loud cheer. Stiff-legged with fear, she stumbled through the doors and out onto the balcony. Below, the city of Drakka sparkled in the noonday sun as if oblivious to the terror about to unfold. A crowd had gathered and all had turned their faces toward the sky, their wings open like a field of multicolored flowers. The next moment a shadow fell over the city. The Nightdragon flew low over Drakka and let out a roar of challenge. The sound reverberated through the streets and shook the palace. The beast spread its massive
wings wide, allowing his gigantic body to hover in an updraft. The dragon’s black skin sparkled in the sun’s rays each scale reflecting as if damp from a shower of rain. The beast’s spines stood erect from head to tail. Encased in steel, the Nightdragon’s talons caught the sunlight, each long claw honed to a lethally sharp blade.
A rumbling roar, followed by a flash of orange flames, heralded the arrival of the challenger. Kird, within a green dragon made one circle of the village then hovered above the mountain with his long snake-like tail swishing from side to side. The Nightdragon made a long sweeping turn and dived toward him at great speed. She held her breath and took a fast hold of the balcony railing. The green dragon folded back its wings and sped away swooping out of sight behind the mountain range.
The Nightdragon sent a blast of crackling fire into the air and gave chase through a cloud of black smoke. Within seconds, both dragons had disappeared from sight. In the distance, the sound of thunder rumbled through the valleys shaking the ground, not a storm but the sickening sound of dragons fighting to the death.
She wrapped her arms around her stomach, unable to drag her attention away from the sky. From inside the room, Brew’s long, curse-like howl brought her around to face a Faerie with long, blonde hair, and a pinched, angry expression.
Gods, this cannot be Lumos’s mother—can it?
“So you are the little witch they call Thalia.”
She dragged her gaze away from the fight and swallowed. The hate in this female’s expression unnerved her. “Aye, and what do I call you?”
“Me? The gods give me strength. I am Lucinda—Lumos’s intended.” Lucinda’s fists bunched at her waist. “What magyck did you use to spellbind him? He belongs to me.” Her mouth curled into an ugly smile. “Now he has returned home, he will soon forget you—your pathetic love spells will not work in Drakka.”
Taken aback by the Faerie’s venomous attitude, Thalia chewed her bottom lip. Lumos had mentioned Lucinda. Indeed, he had accused this female of betraying him to the Magus. Unnerved by the presence of such an evil being, she trembled with indignation.
“I used no magyck to gain his love. Lumos came to me by way of Cymbeline. I am his chosen mate.”
“Yet you are not mated are you, witch.” Lucinda laughed. “How foolish, but then you are a child. My dear Lumos used you for his means to get home. He has no love for you, and why would the next king of Drakka want a Nomag changeling for a mate?” She snorted. “Look down into the square. All are blood-born Dragonfae—every one of them more acceptable as a future queen than you.” She tossed her head allowing the long silken mass to fall over her shoulders. “You are not welcome here. Lumos told me to make sure you had left before he returned.”
Mind reeling, she stood her ground. Her anger reared, Lucinda’s threat sent a tingle of dark magyck flowing into her palms. She pushed down the need to destroy this Faerie with black fire and faced her. “Lumos told me you would betrayed him and we both know you informed the Magus of his destination. You are a traitor to all Dragonfae and the one who should leave.”
“Oh, really?” Lucinda’s mouth curled up in the corners. “Lumos gave his promise to me before he left Drakka—I will be his queen.” She gave her a slow acid smile. “Do you remember, Nomag, the moment you arrived at the palace, Lumos left you alone in the stable?”
She frowned. “Aye, he left me for no more than five minutes to send word to the king of his arrival.”
“He did not need to speak to the king, his dragon would have notified him. In fact, Lumos came straight to me.” Lucinda moved closer. “Come here, can you not smell his scent all over me?” She exposed her neck to display two distinct fang marks. “He could not wait to mark me and he will come to me after the challenge, not a pathetic little Nomag witch.”
Lumos’s distinct scent wafted from Lucinda. This is trickery. The Faerie had known Lumos for some time and she could have easily retained one of his garments. Thalia fought for breath. She reached for the dragon and found nothing but a void. Fighting to dispel the wave of uncertainty brought on by Lucinda’s harsh words, she strengthened her resolve, lifted her chin, and moved toward the Faerie.
“You lie. Get out of my room.”
“Then watch and learn, Nomag.” Lucinda curled her lip. “By this evening you will be an unpleasant memory and I will be queen.” She spun away and flounced from the room.
Heart pounding, she turned back to search the sky for Lumos. She touched the bite on her neck. Goddess, the taste of him still lingered on her lips. The Dragonfae had given her his promise, not Lucinda. The bond between them had flared and only mates could experience each other’s emotions. I will not believe her lies. Lumos is mine.
* * * *
“Dragon, I do believe this is a trap.” Lumos spied the two dragons perched along the gully. Wings outstretched, Quade and Zaan hung like giant bats to the sheer rock face on either side of the ravine. Kird gave a threatening roar, dropped from a peak, and claws outstretched, sped toward the Nightdragon.
“Aye, so it would seem.” The Nightdragon bellowed a warning and spearing downward like an arrow charged toward Kird. “Although I do have the advantage with steel-tipped talons, three to one is going to be complicated in such a restricted area.”
“Ha, I do not believe these fledglings have a chance, Nightdragon.”
Within a few moments of eyeing each other, Kird initiated a game of charge and retreat. The young dragon was no match for him. The tactic to lure the Nightdragon into the gorge away from the spectators was an old ploy. He had expected treachery from the simpering weasel but more in the form of magyck. Expecting to see the Magus appear at any second, he gave a mental shrug and joined consciousness with his dragon. They would fight with one mind today, not two.
True, defeating the two extra combatants would prove difficult in a restricted area. The Nightdragon had the size advantage, but the smaller dragons could maneuver more easily. In the narrow ravine, the Nightdragon’s outstretched wings touched both sides of the sheer rock face.
Clucking like chickens, Quade and Zaan dropped off the side of the chasm, and took positions on either side of the gully. Kird’s dragon hovered in an updraft at the mouth of the canyon. Anger curled in Lumos’s belly. He had not intended to hurt Kird, perhaps just give him a lesson in manners. Now, with the addition of seasoned warriors, the Nightdragon would be fighting for his life. Did the fools realize by defeating him they would place the entire Dragonfae race into slavery?
“Mindspeak with them. Remind them that to become involved in a challenge is a traitorous act.”
The Nightdragon slammed into Kird, the impact jarring Lumos’s mind. His metallic talons flashed, scoring a deep red line across the green skin of Kird’s dragon. The green beast gave a frightened yelp and swerved away. In truth, the Nightdragon had played with Kird like a cat with a mouse. The young Dragonfae’s attempts at combat were laughable. He directed his dragon deeper into the ravine and they dropped onto a nearby peak.
“What do they say, dragon?”
“They fight for the Magus. Their minds are gone. All embrace the dark side. What would you have me do with these traitors, Lumos?”
Lumos’s mind went to Thalia. Her smile, the look of trust in her flaming eyes—gods, he loved her more than life. The image of her running from him in the Singing Forest flashed across his mind—his butterfly, brutalized to the point of fearing all males—her terror would stay with him forever. How she had suffered because of the Magus. If he failed the challenge, Thalia would fall under the Magus’s rule, and his people would become slaves to the dark side. The laws of the challenge had been set in stone for as long as time existed. One hundred years between challenges, winner takes all. If he failed today, the Dragonfae people would not dispute the Magus’s claim—so few knew of the dark wizard’s treachery. He strengthened his resolve and gave himself up to the Nightdragon.
“Kill them all!”
Thalia gripped the balcony railing watching in terror
at the smoke rising from the mountains. The floor shook below her feet, and in the square, the people had fallen deathly silent. Three hours had passed and with every tortuous second, the beauty of the afternoon faded. The sky darkened with thick smoke, and the silence was continuously ripped by the screams and roars of dragons. She opened her mind, dropped her barriers to seek one sound, one emotion from Lumos. Instead, the insidious laugh of the Magus echoed in her mind. His words caught her unawares and she swayed, unable to keep her balance.
“The Nightdragon falters and soon all of Drakka will be mine. As will you.”
Immediately, she built up her barriers and stood gasping, unable to breathe. She turned and ran toward the door. The guard in the hallway raised a hand to stop her leaving. “Allow me to pass. I must see the king.”
“My orders are to keep you here until the challenge is concluded.” The guard tipped his head toward his companion. “Give him your message and he will take it to the king.”
Wringing her hands, she met the other guard’s gaze. “Tell the king the Magus is here in Drakka—that he has contacted me. The message said the Nightdragon is failing and soon the Magus will rule Drakka. The king must send Axim now or Lumos will die. Go!” She turned and ran back to the balcony.
A deafening roar split the silence. She turned to see the Nightdragon soar through the smoke and into the air, his metal talons reflecting the fading afternoon sun. Two smaller dragons, Kird’s green and a larger brown beast circled him. Terrified, she pressed her knuckles to her mouth and swallowed hard. A long, ragged tear split one of the Nightdragon’s wings making him unsteady. He rolled unable to right himself and roared in frustration. Gaining his balance, he swung his spiked tail, swatting at Kird. His long, sharp talons sliced along the green dragon’s neck, sending a spray of blood into the air. Kird dropped, spiraling toward the earth to hit the ground with an ear-splitting scream of terror. His green dragon lay sprawled on the ground, his neck at an odd angle, his sightless eyes staring into oblivion.
