In the Arms of the Dragon Princes

by Jessica Miller

  Cadmus laughed. “Oh really? You don’t even know where you are.”

  “Some godforsaken cave in the mountains.”

  “This cave is a gateway,” he told her. “It’s the entrance to Althelus, the dragon city of the mountains. All I have to do is walk straight back there and I’ll have a whole court of dragons to attend to me.”

  “Oh yes,” Geneva scoffed as she pulled a length of rope out and began binding his hands, noting that the jewels of his gold band were light purple still. She figured she must have imaged the color change from earlier that morning. “You’re what, a lord of dragons?”

  “Prince, actually.”

  “Well then, your highness, why don’t you play diplomat and come to the Citadel with me. You can explain how it’s not your fault that my village is destroyed and my friends are all dead.”

  Cadmus’s eyes fell away as he realized their banter had not lightened the mood at all. “Geneva, I’m sorry, but you don’t understand-”

  “You’re right,” she snapped, “I don’t understand how you could burn a village full of innocent people, but you can explain that to the lord of the Citadel while they decide the best way to execute you.”

  Cadmus decided to keep his mouth shut as she pulled the knots tight around his wrists and then turned away. She pulled the length of the rope behind her to lead him outside and he followed without a struggle. He felt truly sorry for what had happened, but she didn’t understand. Sometimes he wasn’t allowed to have control over his actions, no matter how terrible they were, the band around his wrist ensured that.

  They made their way down the mountainside in the heat of the afternoon. A couple of times Geneva slipped on loose pebbles and Cadmus caught her. The second time this happened she almost thanked him and caught herself. Their faces were inches apart as she looked up into his blue eyes.

  Clearing her throat, she pulled away without a word. Cadmus sighed and muttered under his breath, “You’re welcome.”

  The sun was hanging low by the time they reached the tree line. They had not exchanged words since leaving the cave. Geneva was wrapped up in her thoughts, questioning herself and rationalizing again and again that it would be better to take him to the Citadel rather than killing him. Cadmus on the other hand, was both bored and anxious.

  “So, we’re not going to make it to the Citadel tonight. When do you plan on making camp?”

  Geneva didn’t turn around as she answered. “Don’t worry, your highness, only top notch establishments for you. Can’t have you sleeping on the forest floor.”

  Cadmus almost retorted, but thought better of it. Instead, he followed obediently as she led him deep into the forest and tried not to step on too many brambles.

  In the waning light of the evening, they finally reached their destination. It was a small tree house that Geneva and Winda had built years ago when they started hunting together. It overlooked a small clearing and was a handy place where they could stay when they were on extended hunting trips and couldn’t get back to Haven with their kills.

  “Cozy,” Cadmus remarked.

  *****

  Geneva sat quietly staring into the campfire they had built on a stone slab that had been incorporated into the tree house for just that purpose. The flames were warm but she felt incredibly cold. Everything here was infused with memories of Winda. Every memory made her regret saving Cadmus, twice. The grief was so near that even the stored food in the tree house reminded her of her lost best friend.

  Still, Cadmus hadn’t tried to flee, he was calm and accepting of being her prisoner. And aside from their brief encounter this morning, he didn’t try to attack her. In fact, he had caught her when she nearly fell on the way down the mountainside. It didn’t quite make sense that he would do that if he had malicious intent. She had even decided to leave his hands untied after giving him something to eat.

  She was starting to believe more and more that maybe he didn’t have full control over his actions. Specifically, Geneva thought about the gold band on his wrist. It seemed odd that he’d be completely naked except for that. Perhaps it was imbued with some sort of dark magic that controlled him.

  If that was the case, he was still dangerous. She still couldn’t let him go. Their only option was to get to the Citadel so that the magician there could help him.

  Reaching towards the fire, she pulled out a branch that had a nice sized ember on the end of it. She let it cool and began to write on one of the floorboards of the tree house.

  “So, almighty Dragon Prince,” she said to get his attention, “what’s it like in your magical dragon city?”

  Cadmus looked up from where he sat leaning against the trunk of the tree. He saw that she was writing with the coal end of the stick and moved over. It was only a simple question: Band is magic?

  “It’s built inside of the heart of the mountain,” he said as he took the offered stick from her hand, “and it’s more lavishly decorated than all the castles of the land combined.”

  “I bet.” She took the stick back and read his answer: Yes.

  Geneva looked over into his eyes. He was sitting incredibly close to her and she felt her throat close as she fumbled with what to say next.

  “Everything is decorated in gold and silver and jewels,” Cadmus continued on. “Beds are wider than this tree house and covered in the softest furs and linens, and pillows stuffed full downy feathers.”

  “Well, I’m sorry that the finest we have to offer here is somewhat soft deer skin leather.”

  Cadmus smirked. She understood now and some of the tension had eased between them. He chuckled and said, “Well you look pretty soft.”

  Geneva let out a short laugh. “Don’t push your luck just because I’m emotionally vulnerable. You’re still the bad guy here, and the prisoner.”

  His arm was around her and she thought briefly that she might even want to kiss him on those soft pink lips. The tied end of the blanket left most of his side exposed and his flesh was pressed up against her bare arm. He was very warm; much warmer than the fire they had built.

  Cadmus gently touched her cheek, “I am your prisoner, and you can do whatever you want to me.”

  Geneva laughed out loud and gave him a playful shove. “I’m sorry, your highness, but I’m not going to sleep with you.”

  “Ouch,” he grabbed his wounded side in mock pain. “I thought you said you weren’t going to try to kill me again. I’m mortally wounded by your words.”

  “Good,” she said and they laughed together. For a moment, she forgot about her burned village and dead friends. She even dismissed the looming threat of dark magic wrapped around Cadmus’s wrist. She needed the laugh.

  Geneva fell back into silence, but there was far less tension now. She was almost at ease sitting there watching the fire with Cadmus’s arm around her. In fact, she began to relax enough that she unconsciously leaned her head against Cadmus and eventually dozed off for a spell.

  When she woke up, it was to find herself alone. The embers of the fire were burning low and one of the soft hide blankets was draped over her. She looked around in a panic. Cadmus was nowhere to be seen.

  She was about to get up and look for him when she heard a soft rustling on the ground below. Geneva stiffened. There were wolves and bears in these woods. It was not safe to be on the ground after dark. She held her breath, hoping that if it was a predator that it would move on.

  She waited until the sound of Cadmus’s voice made her jump. “I didn’t expect you to be awake.”

  “Where have you been,” she hissed.

  “You’re not much of a guard,” he pointed out as he climbed up into the tree house. “You leave me untied and let me wander around wherever I want. You must be new to this whole business of keeping someone prisoner.”

  “You didn’t answer me.”

  “Were you worried about me?” his eyes lit up playfully and Geneva felt that same disgruntled annoyance she always felt when she had to talk to children.


  “Actually I was hoping you’d been eaten by the wolves.”

  Cadmus laughed as he came to sit next to her. “They actually ran off after I started eating the first one.”

  Geneva rolled her eyes, but then caught sight of fresh blood on his hands. “Did you really-”

  “I’m a dragon. I eat a lot more than you do.” A look of horrified surprise was etched all over Geneva’s face so he added, “Don’t worry, I won’t eat you.”

  *****

  In the morning, Geneva woke up much more relaxed than the previous night. She hadn’t had any nightmares of Winda. Yesterday had been a whirlwind of finding out about Cadmus, nearly killing him, and finding out about the magic that controlled him.

  As she woke up the rest of the way she felt Cadmus cuddled up against her. His body was warm and his arm was draped lightly across her waist. It was comfortable and she breathed in deeply for a moment, wishing she could stay here in this tree house forever, forgetting about everything else.

  Cadmus groaned in his sleep and his arm tightened around her, pulling her close against him. His breath was warm and tickled her neck with every exhale. His hips pressed against her and Geneva had to bite her lip to keep from letting out a low moan.

  His hand moved and slipped under the rough material of her blouse. Geneva let out a sigh. His hand was soft as it moved across her abdomen. She reached up with her free hand and began to loosen the lacings and the front clasps of her bodice. On her neck she felt Cadmus’s soft lips as he nibbled down towards her collarbone.

  Geneva turned over and Cadmus lifted her on top of him, his hips thrusting with need while he helped her lift the bodice over her head. He was already naked, and pulled her body tight against his while he kissed her deeply. Their arms wrapped tightly around each other.

  Cadmus held her close as he turned her over to lie on her back. He kissed her down both sides of her neck and down her sternum. His tongue glided over her skin as he explored her breasts. Her nipples hardened as his fingers lightly pinched and teased.

  Geneva gasped softly. The feeling was exquisite. His nails gently raked down her sides, giving her goose pimples as he kissed down her abdomen toward her leather breeches. His fingers gripped lightly around the top and yanked them all the way down to her ankles in one swift movement.

  One at a time he lifted her legs up in the air to rest on his shoulders. His kissed the soles of her feet and ankles and all the way up to her knees. Geneva moaned with her need for him.

  Teasing, Cadmus ran a finger lightly across the shining wetness between her legs as he mumbled, “Now what do we have here?”

  Geneva was breathing heavily as his fingers lazily explored her clitoris, sending her body into miniature convulsions with every motion. Her eyes were closed and her brows furrowed as her voice quietly begged, “Please.”

  In one swift moment Cadmus was inside of her and Geneva let out a deep moan as he held her legs up and began thrusting deep and rhythmically. His grunting joined her moans as they met each other’s thrusts and pushed the rhythm faster and harder and faster again.

  Geneva’s moans climbed in pitch and Cadmus dropped her legs, pulling her up to sit on his lap as he pushed deep inside of her. Her fingers knotted in his silvery hair as she raised and lowered herself, eager to finish.

  Cadmus held her hips tightly as he also neared his end. As he came his moan was almost a roar, and those final driving thrusts sent Geneva over the edge as he filled her and she clung to him, trembling with her ecstasy.

  His breath was hot and ragged as he held her, his head resting on her shoulder. She absentmindedly ran her fingers through his hair while she caught her breath, her cheek resting against his head. She kissed the top of his head.

  Geneva heard him mumble something between his heavy breaths and asked him to repeat it.

  “I said now we’re even.” When he saw her perplexed look he gave her a wink and explained. “You stabbed me and now I stabbed you.”

  Geneva’s jaw dropped in mock anger. The two of them began laughing and play wrestling. Cadmus let her pin him down before she got up and began to get dressed.

  As they descended from the tree house, they heard a horrible shrieking call and Geneva looked up to see a great black bird descending from the sky. Cadmus grabbed her by the waist and pulled her back.

  “It’s a harpy.”

  Geneva looked, and indeed the great bird of prey had the face of a woman. She notched an arrow on her bow but Cadmus turned and held her by her shoulders.

  “Don’t,” he said, “you don’t stand a chance against her, and I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

  He leaned in and kissed her deeply. Geneva opened her eyes after the kiss ended and asked, “And what are you going to do?”

  “Just you watch.” Cadmus smiled and stepped back from her. His whole body seemed to be vibrating and growing as he shifted from his human form into that of the great serpent.

  As the harpy stretched its’ talons towards the ground, Cadmus sprung out into the clearing and attacked her. She let out a harsh shriek of pain as she beat him with her wings, trying to dislodge the grip of his claws in her body and his jaw on her shoulder.

  The harpy was larger than the dragon, and she managed to dislodge him when she discovered his injured wing. Once she gained the upper hand Cadmus found himself incredibly outmatched. Unable to fly, he had no alternate angles of attack and she was relentless with her sharp talons.

  Geneva could not watch this happen. She moved towards the edge of the clearing to get a clean shot. She notched her arrow and aimed for the jugular.

  The shot fell a hair lower, lodging into the base of her neck and was quickly followed by a second arrow. The harpy let out another piercing shriek as she searched for the new attacker. Geneva continued to let loose her arrows on the harpy, even as she was spotted and the harpy made a dive towards her.

  Staring into her eyes, Geneva locked her last arrow onto the harpy and let it fly. It hit the harpy directly in the eye and lodged deep. She screamed and rolled back on her wings, but there was no stopping the momentum of her already initiated attack, and Geneva didn’t have time to get out of the way of the talon reaching for her.

  She felt the bones in her body cracking as the open talon collided with her and sent her flying back against a solid oak tree. The wind was knocked out of her and she saw black spots before her eyes.

  Geneva could hear Cadmus as he let out a ferocious roar as her legs crumpled beneath her and she slumped against the trunk of the tree. She tried to breathe, and after a minute great gasps filled her lungs. As soon as she was able to breathe a coughing fit ensued and she spat up blood.

  Before she knew it, Cadmus was at her side, cradling her gently in his arms. His mouth moved, but she couldn’t discern what he was saying. Her ears were filling with a heavy pressure as darkness encroached on her vision.

  Geneva didn’t try to hold on.

  *****

  Coming out of the depths of the blackness that had enveloped her, Geneva wondered if she had died. She didn’t know where she was, everything felt soft, like a newborn calf. She tried moving and was pleasantly surprised to find that she could. She wondered if she was in the afterlife.

  Opening her eyes, Geneva found that she was in a large bed with soft furs, pillows, and blankets with an ornately gold framed mirror hanging overhead. Long banners of silk billowed out from the edges of the mirror and enclosed the bedframe like a cocoon.

  Geneva stared at herself in amazement. She was clean and dressed in a white cotton gown. Her honey-colored hair was splayed out around her in soft curls. Her mind told her that this had to be the afterlife. Not even kings and queens had such beautiful things.

  The sound of a door opening and closing broke the silence of Geneva’s thoughts and she sat up. Through the silk, she could make out the silhouette of a figure walking towards the bed. If this was the afterlife then maybe…

  They reached out and grabbed hold of the silk draperie
s, and Geneva called out expectantly, “Winda?”

  Her gasp of confusion did not adequately articulate her shocked disappointment. Geneva backed away to the far corner of the bed. The person who came through the silk was not Winda. Instead, it was the one person she had not expected to find in the afterlife.

  “What are you doing here, Cadmus?”

  “Cadmus?” The man was taken aback for a second before a slow, understanding smile graced his face. “I’m sorry, it’s an unfortunate resemblance. Cadmus is my younger twin brother. I’m Drake.”

  Geneva eyed his outstretched hand suspiciously as she held a pillow in front of her, as more of a comfort than actual protection. Her heart raced as she tried to understand what was happening. Cadmus had never mentioned having family. This man, Drake, looked identical to him except that he was wearing actual clothes. He was dressed in a dark blue uniform with shining silver brocade.

  “Please, Geneva, allow me to explain,” Drake said as he retracted his hand and sat cross-legged on the bed, trying to appear as non-threatening as possible.

  She felt like a trapped animal. “Where is Cadmus?”

  “We found you after Cadmus had attacked you and tried to kill you. It’s all going to be okay though, we have already arrested him and he’s locked up. He’s not going to hurt you, Geneva. You are safe and a welcome guest among us.”

  Geneva did not relax. “Cadmus didn’t attack me, a harpy did.”

  Drake laughed, “My dear Geneva, why do you think we allowed you to take him prisoner in the first place? We knew of his guilt and were allowing you to try out your human form of justice on him. Obviously he overpowered you.”

  He held out his hand and Geneva was certain she did not trust him. Something about Drake set the hair on the back of her neck on end. Looking into his face she noticed that his eyes were the one difference between him and his brother, they were brown.

  “You’re safe now,” he encouraged. “Come with me, Geneva.”