by Tara West
Dianna shook off another woman who tried to remove her vest. “I don’t need anyone to attend me.”
“It is a big bath.” Simeon chuckled, pushing himself off the bed. “You may need help.”
She backed away from another girl who reached for her hair. “I can assure you I don’t.”
Simeon stepped closer, ignoring the girls who sighed when he brushed past them. “If you have an aversion to women,” he whispered in her ear, toying with the leather fringe on her vest, “perhaps I can be of assistance.”
“I especially don’t need help from you.”
She pushed him perhaps harder than she’d meant to, but she achieved the desired result. He looked at her with comical horror before falling into the gaggle of girls.
Was he in earnest? No man could possibly be so wounded over a woman’s scorn.
The girls helped lower him on the bed, fawning over him as if he’d been struck in the chest with a spear. Tears welled in their eyes as they smoothed his brow.
She didn’t know if she should laugh or cry at the way Simeon draped a hand across his eyes and let them baby him. Great goddess, Dianna wanted to give them all a good slap.
She threw up her hands. “Have all of you gone mad?”
Simeon let the girls pull him to his feet and brushed himself off as if he’d been pushed in a nest of swarming mites. “They have never seen a woman reject me before.” His lower lip hung down in a dramatic pout. “Neither have I.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “Get used to it.”
The girls gasped again.
“Out!” she yelled. “All of you!”
The girls squealed and draped their arms around his shoulders, practically carrying him out of the room.
She stared after them, wondering if Simeon was only jesting or if he truly was a big man-child in need of a strong tincture of reality.
She fell on the bed with a groan, burying her head in her hands. What had she gotten herself into? She’d come here seeking sanctuary and instead found more madness. How could she possibly stay in this place, with a man who both tempted and infuriated her? With women whose expressions told her they’d gladly slit her throat while she slept?
She jumped up and strode to the door, no longer trusting in the hospitality of the Kyanites. She had to check on Lydra to ensure she was safe. Elements save them all if they’d done her dragon harm.
Chapter Five
Alec did his best to ignore Ryne’s incessant grumbling as they trudged through the forest. The sky was getting darker, and the weeds and brush were getting thicker, but the giant cleared a path for them, so Ryne had little to complain about. Still, he moaned about everything. True, the swarms of flying mites that pricked their skin were bothersome, but as the sun set behind the canopy of trees, the sweltering heat was slowly replaced with cool air, fragrant with the scents of pine and forest flowers. Grim had promised to cut four days off their journey, plus they had a giant’s protection. Still, Ryne refused to look at the positives. Even Ryne’s dog was growing tired of his complaints, preferring to trot at Grim’s heels. Though Ryne argued that Tar was only looking for scraps, the dog continued to shadow the dwarf even after he’d given Des’s dog the last crunchy fish tail.
Ryne’s blue-skinned companions seemed to grow weary of his complaints, too, exchanging sideways looks whenever their friend launched into another tirade.
The giant had just tossed a fallen log to the side when the dogs suddenly launched forward, jumping over Gorpat’s feet and disappearing down an incline, the sound of their wild barking reverberating off the trees.
“Tar!” Ryne screamed. “Get back, you blasted mongrel!”
“Brendle!” Des cried and ran after them, leaving Alec with no choice but to follow Des.
“Wait, Des!” Alec hollered. Though he’d much recovered from his childhood infirmity, Alec sometimes still became breathless. He only hoped he could keep up with the boy. Dianna would never forgive him if he lost him to the dark forest.
“No, doggies!” Gorpat tossed logs and knocked back brush, but the dogs were long gone, their barking distant echoes.
“Elements curse those stupid slogs!” Ryne groaned. “Hurry, before the sun sets, and they’re lost for good!” he hollered up at the giant as she shoved more limbs out of the way.
Alec tensed when Grim turned on Ryne, pointing a stubby finger at him. “Mind how you address my pearl. She’s doing all she can.”
Ryne threw up his hands. “Well, it isn’t enough.”
Gorpat let out a sound that reminded Alec of a dragon’s roar, so powerful it shook the marrow of his bones. She charged the trees like a territorial goat preparing to butt horns with another, flattening a wide path.
“My pearl!” Grim’s hands flew to his mouth. “You’ll tear down the whole forest.”
Ryne brushed past Grim and chased after Gorpat, cutting down the few plants that had miraculously survived the giant’s assault. Alec followed close at Ryne’s heels, though his lungs strained for breath.
By the time they reached the bottom of a clearing, Alec was surprised to find the dogs sitting in front of a warm campfire, happily devouring scraps of meat tossed to them by a company of at least two dozen dwarves. Gorpat was sitting on a large overturned pine beside the fire, laughing with the dwarves as if they were old friends. Ryne was keeping his distance from the group while trying to no avail to call Tar back to his side. The rest of their company still hadn’t caught up to them.
When Alec halted to catch his breath, chest heaving from over-exertion, a familiar-looking dwarf stood and turned toward them. Alec recognized the dwarf’s tall pack, which was laden with goods, leaning against a nearby tree. Zier the trader traveled through Alec’s village every spring and fall. His family had known Zier ever since he could remember. The trader had given their father many pints of strong brew in exchange for the animal pelts from his brother Markus’s hunts.
Grim, Des, and the others barreled into the clearing, stopping as if they’d struck an invisible wall and gaping at the campfire.
“Cousin!” Hunched over, as if he still wore that heavy pack laden with pots, pans, and furs, Zier wobbled toward Grim.
Alec noted how Zier’s once vibrant red beard was now peppered with strands of gray, and his eyes had more creases at the corners. The man looked like he’d aged ten years since he’d last seen him. What could have caused this?
After Grim and Zier exchanged hugs, Zier turned to Alec, his jaw dropping. “Alec Jägerrson is that you?”
Alec dropped to one knee, coughing into his fist and then offering the trader a warm smile. “It is, sir.”
Zier came up to Alec, grasping his shoulders. “Lad, I hardly recognize you. You look so hearty.”
“Thank you.” The last time he had seen Zier, Alec was living with Dianna and still recovering from his sickness and the injuries sustained by his father’s abuse. Zier had promised to take Alec to Aloa-Shay once he’d fully healed.
Zier’s mossy green eyes searched Alec’s. “What miracle is this?”
Alec smoothed a hand down his chest. Not long ago his lungs felt as if they were buried under the crush of an avalanche. Now, his sickness hardly pained him. “Dianna cured me.” He turned his head to cough. “Well, for the most part.”
“Dianna, eh?” Zier rubbed his bushy beard. “I always figured her for a witch.”
Des stepped forward, a wild, dark curl falling over one eye as he puffed up his chest. “A good witch.”
“Of course, of course.” Zier chuckled, waving away Des’s concern. “They can’t all be like the sea siren and the ice witch. At least,” he added with a sly smile, “I hope not.”
Gorpat stomped up to them, making Alec’s brain rattle in his skull. She frowned down at Zier, her big, bulging eyes nearly crossing. “No say bad words, cousin. Ma put soap in mouth.”
Zier grimaced, his cheeks turning a ruddy red. “Sorry, my dear.” He patted Gorpat’s big, grimy toe as if he was soothing a ba
by.
Gorpat smiled at Zier, stroking his head with a finger, like she was petting a mouse. “It okay, cousin.” Then she let Grim lead her back to the campfire.
The old dwarf hollered and hooted, clasping hands and embracing his kinsmen. The other dwarves took turns welcoming the giant into their circle, treating her as if she was their little sister. Alec imagined they found great comfort in claiming such a powerful protector as one of their own.
Des cleared his throat, clenching his hands by his sides. “My sister’s the best witch and the best person in the whole world.”
Alec repressed a chuckle. Des obviously wasn’t about to forget Zier’s slight. He admired the boy for his loyalty. It was one reason why he didn’t have the heart to tell the child Dianna wasn’t his blood sister.
“Easy, lad. No offense meant.” Zier ruffled Des’s mop of hair before magically producing a small pie out of his vest pocket. “Desryn, is it? I traded with your parents years ago.” He handed the pastry to the boy. “You’re a long way from home, son.”
When Des greedily took the offering, Alec wondered how these dwarves came by so many pies. It was almost like currency to them or a means of winning over children. Alec remembered with fondness Zier slipping a few pies to him and Markus when they were younger.
“Thanks!” Des said around a mouthful of crumbs. “I’m going on a quest with Alec.”
“Are you now?” Zier patted Des’s head once more before turning to Alec with a sullen expression. “Alec, I’m sorry about your brother.” He squeezed Alec’s shoulder. “I know the two of you were close.”
Alec remembered Zier had been the last person to see Markus before his brother had fallen into Ice Kingdom, the last person to witness Markus being pursued by the ice dragon, Lydra.
Alec stood, dusting dirt off his knees. “My brother is fine, Zier. He’s dwelling with the ice people.”
The dwarf stumbled back, looking as if he’d been struck in the chest by an invisible mallet. “Well, I’ll be a gnaz’s hairy ass. Last I saw him he had a dragon pursuing him. How did he escape?”
“Pure dumb luck.” Alec couldn’t help but laugh as he recalled his brother’s story about the dragon getting stuck beneath an avalanche while he tried and failed to climb Ice Mountain. If it hadn’t been for the girl, Ura, who found him with a broken arm and bruised skull, Marcus would have died.
Zier squinted at Alec, then shot Des a questionable look, at which the boy shrugged.
Zier shook his head. “And here I thought the ice people only fable.”
Ryne, who’d tried and failed to lure Tar back to his side, stomped up to them, pounding his chest. “Do we look like fables?”
“Great goddess!” Zier’s gaze traveled up the length of Ryne’s body. “No, you do not.”
Alec motioned to his scowling blue friend, whose cheeks were turning a soft shade of purple. “Zier, this is Ryne and his companions, Ven, Luc, and Filip.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you all.” Zier grabbed Ryne’s hand and heartily shook it. “You are truly ice dwellers?”
“We are.” Ryne pulled his hand away, shaking it as if he’d been scalded.
Alec couldn’t help but feel ashamed for the ice dweller. His foul mood from yesterday seemed to be getting worse.
Zier smoothed a hand down his beard as he gaped at Ryne and his companions. “Your skin is blue as in the fable.”
Ryne crossed his arms. “Again, we are no fable.”
“My apologies.” The dwarf swept a hand in front of him and bowed, looking ready to fall face-first into the dirt as his back was already bent at an odd angle. He straightened as best he could. “My tongue wags when I’m in shock.”
“I think we’ve all experienced that a time or two, Zier.” Alec patted him on the back while shooting Ryne a warning glare. It would do no good to make enemies of the dwarves, especially not when they had a roaring fire and two boars roasting on the spit.
“Indeed.” Zier beamed at Alec, seemingly unaware of Ryne’s deepening scowl. “My family is from the village of Aya-Shay.” He nodded to his company of dwarves.
“I have heard tales of the dwarf village,” Des piped up, wiping crumbs off his tunic.
Alec had heard tales, too. Aya-Shay meant “blessing by the sea.” The town had to have been blessed, for they prospered like no other. It was said their harvest was so abundant, they had enough canned goods to last a century.
“What have you heard, young Desryn?” Zier asked with a wink.
Des flashed a wide smile, his teeth sticky with fruit. “That is where the best pies and pastries come from.”
Zier tilted back his head and let out a hearty laugh. “Indeed, you are correct.” He patted his rotund belly. “Aya women know how to keep their husbands well fed.”
Des swiped a hand across his mouth. “Dwarf pies are the best I’ve ever eaten.”
“Wait until you taste one fresh from the oven.” Zier rubbed his hands together, licking his lips. “The buttery crust will melt on your tongue.”
Des practically jumped from his tattered boots. “I can’t wait.”
When Ryne let out a frustrated groan, Alec cringed. He was starting to regret accompanying the ice dwellers on this quest. Though he was grateful for their numbers, their leader’s perpetual bad temper reminded Alec too much of his dead father.
“We head to Aya-Shay, and then travel to Aloa-Shay,” Alec interjected, stepping in front of Ryne and hoping to block his dark looks and groans.
“I travel that way, too.” Zier slipped his hands inside the pocket that ran across the belly of his fur-lined vest and rocked on his heels. “It’s part of my trade route. Perhaps you wouldn’t mind more company.”
“Your company is always welcome,” Alec said, then forced a loud cough when he heard Ryne grumbling behind him.
Zier peered around Alec, winking up at Ryne. “’Twould be my pleasure to learn about the ice people. Perhaps we can even discuss trade.”
Before Alec could stop him, Ryne grabbed hold of Alec’s belt and yanked him backward. “Alec, a word please.” Ryne growled in Alec’s ear.
“Excuse us.” Alec made a hasty bow before Ryne dragged him away, the other man’s superior strength reminding Alec he still hadn’t fully recovered from his infirmity.
Ryne grabbed Alec by the collar, hauling him close until they were nearly nose-to-nose. Alec’s chest tightened, and his breaths came in shallow gasps. How many times had he been held in just this way by his father?
“You forget I lead this expedition.” Ryne spoke with a jaw so tight, his lips hardly moved.
Alec jerked out of Ryne’s grip, anger threatening to burst his skull in two. He let out a slow and shaky breath, knowing it would serve no one if they both lost their tempers. He turned up his chin, refusing to be intimidated. “These dwarves know the safest routes. It would be wise to accompany them.”
“This. Is. Not. A. Trade. Mission.” Ryne enunciated each word as if he was speaking to a child.
Alec had suffered from his father’s bullying his entire life, and he refused to have his will bent by another again. “It would serve you well to make friends on this expedition.” He smoothed his rumpled vest, hating the way his hands shook. “You may never know when you’ll need them.”
Ryne opened his mouth to speak, but Alec held up a silencing hand. He was tired of the ice dweller’s incessant complaints. “Des and I stay with the dwarves. You may depart anytime if their company isn’t suitable.”
Ryne rolled his eyes before sidestepping around Alec. “Are you traveling straight to Aloa-Shay?” he pointedly asked Zier, his voice as rough as a boar’s hide.
Zier narrowed his eyes at the blue man. “Aye, after I visit with family a spell.”
“We don’t have time for a spell.” Ryne sneered.
Alec stifled a groan, then flashed Zier an apologetic smile.
“Suit yerself then.” Zier crossed his arms and muttered under his breath. He offered Alec a friendly smile. �
��You may camp with us tonight if you like. Tomorrow we leave for Aya-Shay.”
Alec placed a hand on Zier’s back, walking with him toward the fire. “We would appreciate the warmth of your fire and the company as well. You always tell the best stories, Zier.” Alec shot Ryne a dark look over his shoulder, not surprised to see his scowl had returned. He sent a silent prayer to the Elements that Ryne wouldn’t say or do something to anger the dwarves tonight, though he feared his prayer would go unanswered, and he and his friends would be forced to complete their quest on their own.
* * *
Dianna found Lydra sleeping along the bank of the pond, snoring loudly as little flecks of ice blew out of her nose.
Five female healers attended the dragon, gracefully jumping over puddles of water mixed with snow and ice and rubbing a sticky orange paste on Lydra’s wounds. All the healers were tall and lanky with long, elegant necks and large golden eyes. Their skin varied from warm honey to dark ebony, and they were all pretty. Very pretty. She wondered if they, too, had fallen for Simeon’s magical charms, then berated herself for caring.
At least two dozen armed guards clustered around them, standing as still as statues, tightly gripping their spears. Dianna knew they were there to protect the healers, but their presence unnerved her. She didn’t want them upsetting Lydra.
She slid across a sheet of ice and placed a hand upon her dragon’s neck, running her fingers down scales still charred from Tan’yi’na’s attack.
“What has happened to her?” she asked a nearby healer.
The girl looked over at Dianna long enough to scowl. She then turned back to the paste she was stirring in a wooden bowel, the gold-and-silver bangles adorning her arms chiming with each stroke. “She is sleeping. We gave her a healing draught. She had many injuries.” She smoothed the paper-thin membranes of Lydra’s wing. “Look. We removed an arrow tip.”
“Oh, Markus.” Dianna ran her hand along the scar covered in dried orange paste, recalling Markus telling her he’d hit Lydra with an arrow in an attempt to slow her pursuit. That was when Lydra had been intent on turning Dianna’s brother into a block of ice. “Thank you for caring for her.”
