Alador could not lie to him. He wanted to. The lie lay on his lips ready to spill over, but he could not do it. His eyes dropped as he fought for words that would explain.
“It was not intentional,” he murmured. “She was helping with the spell and it just sort of happened.” His words sounded hollow even to him. Rena had asked him to stop, but he had not known why she was concerned and the storm had been almost complete.
Keensight shook his head sadly. “You have started something you may not be able to finish. Go… Speak to the pair. I will sit here and decide if I should still eat you.”
Alador had a serious feeling that Keensight was not jesting. He hurried down the tunnel toward the ledge.
He had to wait for some time. Alador had to remind himself that he had traveled by magic and Rena was flying. In addition, she had warned him that she would have to find Amaum. It was cold on the ledge, but given the reception he had just received he did not want to complain.
Finally, he saw the two younger dragons slowly circling. It took sometime before Amaum landed on the very edge and clearly with a bit of hesitation. “Are you sure this is safe?” He sniffed the air. Rena landed as Alador answered.
“It is. Keensight is aware of your visit and decided to let us speak alone.” He moved forward stiffly, the blow by the dragon’s head had left him sore.
“You are hurt!” Rena exclaimed. She hurried forward and sniffed at his robes. “What happened? You smell of dragon’s breath.”
“Let us just say that Keensight and I had a bit of a disagreement,” he offered. He watched Rena puff up with outrage and look to the cavern.
To divert her anger, he swiftly added. “Rena, he is not in a good mood and I don’t think we should tarry too long here. I am fine.” He put a hand on her neck, bringing her attention back to him. Amaum just watched the two of them.
Alador turned back to her brother. “Amaum, I have something for you that I think you will enjoy doing.” Alador was intent on getting the two of them on their way. “There is a ship that I am going to be sending back and forth to the Daezun. I need it to have fair weather. However, this is the fun part. If it is attacked, I need you to sink whatever ship fires upon it.”
“Can I keep whatever is aboard?” Amaum perked up at the word attack.
“Yes, I do not care what is on the attacking ship. I just need this one ship to go back and forth quickly and safely.” Alador stated. “It will be flying a flag of blue with a silver dragon embellished on it. Will you do this for me?” He looked up at the dragon hopefully. He had no right to command them, so their cooperation was not guaranteed.
“I will see your ship safe if nothing else but to honor my sire.” Amaum’s toothy grin was a bit alarming after Keensight’s attack. “The sinking of others is a bonus I will enjoy. I can only hope this will happen.”
“The ship has already left Silverport. It will sail around the south to the lowest Daezun port. You will find it somewhere in route.” Alador promised him. “I really appreciate your help with this as I have other tasks to see to.” He closed his eyes with the relief that he felt, and to shutter away the pain throbbing throughout his bruised body.
“Is that all that you wish?” Amaum looked toward the cave, obviously hearing something that Alador could not.
Knowing now how grievously he had erred, Alador nodded. “It is important that this happen so it is no little thing I ask of you. It will take your constant scrutiny as it moves back and forth. You will have probably a day each time it is in port for hunting or other needs you have.”
Amaum laughed. “Yes, other needs. We both have been seeing to those, yes?” Amaum nudged him gently, then turned and launched himself into the air. Rena and Alador watched the dragon climb into the sky and disappear on the horizon.
Alador looked at Rena with alarm. “Does he know?”
Rena shook her head. “He just assumes that all males are like himself.”
“Keensight knows,” Alador bluntly stated.
“Why would you tell him?” Rena squeaked, her features holding genuine alarm.
Alador shook his head. “I didn’t. He just seemed to know. That ... dragon always just seems … To know things.” He had almost slipped and called him Henrick.
“I hope he does not tell my dame.” Rena moved to him and touched his cheek gently with her muzzle.
Alador realized that Pruatra was likely to disapprove the most, and he swallowed down his concern. “So do I, Rena, probably more than you. At least you can fly.” He smiled at her though the concern was real. “I should go speak to my brother then get back to Silverport.”
“I want to spend time with you,” Rena shook her wings as she spoke. “You should spend time with your heart mate.” She reminded him. There was a gentle nuzzle. “We can dance on power again if you wish.”
“Soon, Rena, let me get everything in motion and I promise that you and I will have a very long talk about what all this means.” His gaze was firm as he glanced at her.
“Maybe I do not want to have that talk after all,” she rumbled as she dove off the ledge and snapped her wings open. He watched as she climbed into the clouds and out of sight.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Alador had not gone back into the dragon’s cave that day. He had decided to give Keensight all the room that he needed to set his pile to rights. However, the bestial protection of the chest by the great dragon had made him very curious. It was a curiosity that he did not intend to satisfy. He had come too close to losing friend, mentor, and surrogate father.
He had spent the recent weeks studying everything he could learn about the bloodmines. Alador had broken up his studies attending Luthian’s instructions and wishes, visits with Rena, practicing sword with the guard, and a few visits back to Smallbrook. He smiled at the thought of Rena. They had spent their time in long conversations. She had helped with the storms often, and more than once they had danced on the wings of power. He was learning better control in melding the power to his use and their pleasure.
He stood at the window of the library watching the small birds play along the balcony. In two nights, the moon would be full. In two nights, he would attempt to set the largest part of the geas to rest. The dragon, Renamaum, had imprinted the need to save the fledglings and hatchlings so deeply that he had found himself increasingly anxious as the time to assault the bloodmines grew closer.
He wandered back to the desk and went over the plan one more time. He sat looking blankly at the desk before him. He had not dared to commit anything to paper so was forced to mull it over in his own mind. There were just so many places that this plan could go wrong. There was a knock at the door; he looked up to see Radney.
“Lord Alador, there is a woman to see you. Her card says Lady Morana, High Priestess of Dethara.” Radney looked at Alador, obviously impressed.
Speaking of places the plan could go wrong, Alador felt his heart skip a beat and he swallowed hard. “I suppose it is too late to tell the lady I am not at home?”
“Much too late,” the lady answered as she swept into the room. She looked at Radney. “Do be a sweet man and fetch me some warm cider and something to eat. I fear that I am quite taxed after that journey.”
Alador nodded his assent to the servant as he moved to the woman who now stood in the center of his library. “May I take your cloak, milady?” His offer was out of politeness as he did not want her in his home any longer than she had to be, however, she had just ordered food so he might as well attempt to be civil.
She smiled and turned her back to him. He carefully took the item without touching her.
“I am surprised to see you here, my lady.” Alador frowned as he laid the cloak across a chair. “Shall we sit by the fire?”
“I would like that.” She moved and settled into the chair.
Alador could not miss the obvious sensuality the woman oozed, nor that her clothes were hardly appropriate for the cool thaw of early spring. “Now, what could possibly bri
ng you to my door?”
Morana pouted; her lush lips were hard to miss. “Must we jump to business within the first breaths? I am sure that a little bit of conversation would be warranted.” Morana leaned back in the deep chair, her hands clasping the ends of the rounded arms.
“I find when a lady comes to bargain dressed as you are, I am usually on the losing side of said bargain.” Alador attempted the same easy humor as his father. It sounded false even to his own ears.
“Yes, well I imagine your uncle sends you all kinds of tempting leavings.” Her eyes hardened although she smiled.
Alador sat down across from her. “Is that your purpose then, tempting leavings?” He let his eyes rove over her; there was no way he was letting this woman lay lips on his again. Whether priestess or goddess, the woman was dangerous.
“I should be insulted.” Morana huffed with indignation.
Alador chuckled. “Yet you are not.” He leaned forward, resting his arms on his legs as he looked over. “Why are you here Morana?” He was more direct this time. The sooner they got to the heart of the matter, the sooner she was out of his house.
“I have come to arrange your bonding.” She stated quite bluntly. She crossed her ankles showing a length of thigh.
Alador stared at her in confusion for several blinks of his eyes before he managed to find words. “My bonding?” He coughed into his hand to try to hide his shock and dismay.
“Yes, I have, residing in my temple, a priestess who is also a princess from across the sea. A bonding with one of the ruling houses of Lerdenia would cement trade and a peaceful voice in the lands beyond our oceans.” She spoke casually as if she were speaking about the weather or the harvest. “She is not from our island so does not have the predisposition of prejudice against the Daezun that you will find in these elite quarters.”
“I assure you, Lady Morana, I am quite capable of finding my own bond mate,” he managed to answer calmly as he made himself sit slowly upright.
“Oh, I am quite sure you can. However, I am offering you a royal princess of a large land,” she pointed out.
Radney opened the door at that moment to wheel in the cart. Alador stood, grateful for the interruption and hurried to the cart to serve them. He put together a small plate of tidbits for the lady with Radney’s help. Once the man had served Morana both plate and cider, Alador nodded to the door.
“Thank you, Radney. Please make sure no one interrupts us,” he commanded.
“No one?” Radney asked.
“Absolutely no one.” Alador insisted. He moved to his chair and sat back down. He had simply poured himself a drink to be able to fortify against this conversation. Alador had taken the few moments of respite to carefully construct his answer. He did not speak until Radney left, closing the door gently behind him.
“While I am honored you would think me a fitting hand for a princess, I am but a bastard and know my place.” Alador toasted her with his glass and took a drink.
“Pssshhht, half the tier occupants are bastards if one looks close enough. You hold your father’s name, that is what matters.” She sipped her own drink in a very dainty manner as if too great a sip would break the cup.
“I am grateful for your attention to me but, I am really not looking to bond right now.” Alador tried to again dissuade her from her cause. He found his eyes straying to her lips as she pulled her cup away.
Morana laid her small cup aside and after she had popped a sweetmeat into her mouth, turned her full attention on Alador. “I am not looking for you to bond right now either.” She held out an envelope. “I am having a ball at a friend's named Lord Tenzin. I would like you to attend and meet the young lady for yourself. If you are not pleased by the end of the ball, well then you may bow out of those who I am considering.” She fluttered her lashes as she smiled at him.
Alador forced his eyes away and took the envelope. “Well, I suppose that seems fair enough.” He had no intentions of attending any ball that this woman held, but if it would get her out of his home, he would pacify her.
“Wonderful.” She picked up her cup and resumed drinking as if she had no intentions of leaving now that she had stated her business.
Unable to quell his distaste or curiosity, he forced himself to remain calm as he spoke. “I do have one question.”
She set her cup on the saucer. “Yes, Lord Guldalian.”
Alador unconsciously winced at the stressing of his family name. “Why should I attend the ball of a woman who tried to kill me?”
Lady Morana smiled as she set her cup down on the table. This time she leaned forward exposing a large expanse of breast to his gaze. “It was not personal,” she said. “Removing the ruling council would allow new blood to lead our fair country.”
She rose moving over to him. Like a fly caught a spider’s web, he could do nothing but watch her slow approach. Alador found himself trapped between her body and his chair as she straddled his knees. Her dress split to allow her such a movement exposing her smooth white thighs.
“I assure you, removing such a fine mage would have bothered me.” He caught her hands as she went to put them on his chest. “It was an opportunity that would rarely come again.”
Alador rose forcing her backwards while still holding her hands. “Do not use your wiles on me, priestess. I know who and what you are. If you think for a moment that I did not take trying to kill me personally, you are daft or crazy.” He looked her over. “While I might go with insane, I suspect more likely that you just lie where truth would suit better.” He gently pushed her away.
Her perfect ruby lips set into a small pout. “What is it with you Guldalian men and your constant rebuffs of my favor?”
“Would you like the list?” Alador could not help himself. His anger was building and he knew he dare not strike this woman in any capacity. Dethara had shown her pleasure with her priestess, and her death or injury was going to draw even more of the goddess’ attention. “I think our business here is done.”
“I do have one other message for you from my beloved Goddess.” She spoke as she watched him cross to where he had laid out her cloak.
Alador held it out for her. “I doubt that any message is going to be pleasing, so out with it then you can be on your way.” Morana turned to force him to lay the cloak on her shoulders and he winced as her fingers cast over his to take it from him. Her long silken hair smelled of lavender and fruit. The scent was pleasing and he shook his head as he stepped back.
“I will be honest, I do not know the meaning. She indicated that I was not to worry about it, that you would know.” She turned as she fastened the clasp of her cloak.
“Well, what is it then?” he growled.
“She said that if you continue on the path you are walking, that every ounce of you will regret your choice.” Morana licked her lips. “She went on to say that some pains in life cannot be healed.”
Alador felt his heart turn over in his chest, and the lump in his throat was palpable. “I will take your words to heart,” he said. It was vague, but given his plans in two days it drove fear through him. Did Dethara know exactly what he was about?
He escorted her out of his library and down the hall to the great door. He had a firm hand in her back. Considering her quick step, she was being forced to move faster than she desired and it was not fast enough for him.
“I do hope you will not let this matter at your test give you false prejudice to the princess?” She was pouting but he did not care. She put a hand on his arm as he opened the door with his other hand.
“I make no promises, Lady Morana. You say it was not personal, but I can tell you that when someone tries to kill you, it IS personal.” He rolled his eyes at her and indicated the open door. “I hope your ball is successful.”
She licked her luscious lips and stared up at him with those large lined eyes. “Please Alador, please say you will come.” She searched his face worriedly. “I do fear something terrible will happen to you if you do not
.”
The only horrid thing he could think of at the moment was falling into this woman’s web of lies and deceit. “I will consider it, but I make no promises, milady. Good day.”
She seemed satisfied with that and finally left. He shut the door and leaned his forehead against it. The last few weeks he had grown quite comfortable. His studies, his time with Rena and family had brought him moments of peace and happiness.
Because he was getting his way, Luthian had been a pleasant host and guide. They had not ever spoken of his test again, and Luthian seemed intentionally doing things to keep Alador, at the least, content.
In addition to his main activities, he occasionally spent his evenings with either Sordith or General Levielle. Sordith was knowledgeable on many subjects not taught in the guard. He seemed intent on making sure that Alador knew the Lerdenian histories taught to most Lerdenian small ones at a young age. They discussed trade and even some thoughts on foreign trade beyond the Great Isle.
General Levielle seemed intent on strategy and history from a more militant point of view. He enjoyed these discussions best because they were usually over a game of King’s Men. Levielle had given him information on suspected strengths of such encampments such as the main bloodmine. They had discussed the siege of Silverport during the Great War and why it had failed. He felt a bit guilty, but at the same time, he was fairly certain Levielle was at least aware of the reasons for Alador’s many questions. If he had been, Levielle had never pressed or asked the mage for further reasons.
His time with Rena, he had learned a spell to see the places she had been. She would visualize a place, then he would use the amulet to join her there. They would start the day in frigid cold and end it on some small warm island. He loved those times. She taught him dragon history, spells that might be of use, and most of all she talked to him as an equal. There were no designs on his life, no demands for his time; just simple conversation. They had talked about everything from the gods to the little animals that formed the reefs off one island that they had visited. Only with Rena did he find himself completely relaxed.
Pseudo-Dragon (The Blue Dragon's Geas Book 4) Page 32
