Carved

by Miki

  After he’s gone, I throw open the boxes and put my clothes away, all except one set that I take to the bathroom with me. I shower, then dress in my finery. I braid my hair, flipping it behind my back. It’s a few minutes until the sun sets. Posing, I wait in front of my guygoyles. Opening my tablet, I make sure I’m up to date on my messages. I get a tickle the minute they start to change and look over at them. They stop mid-stretch to stare at me.

  Mica says, “Sexy lady. Will you look at that hot stuff?” He makes me feel very happy.

  “Pulse of my heart, you look exquisite,” Kino tells me.

  Spar just whistles.

  Okay, I got what I wanted; all the attention from these super sexy monster boys. Yeah, they love me.

  We’ve been making it a habit to fly fast and hard for at least 10 miles, then go wash up and break our fast. Mega says we do this to increase our endurance for battle. Kino’s been my partner for training while Mica’s been working with Spar. Today Mega wants us to learn to throw an opponent with wings. He thinks Barat will be using Crafted to kill hand to hand. They are quick but not agile.

  While we’re practicing, Kino manages to come up behind me, putting his enormous arms around me, pinning my wings in his strong hold. I lift with them as much as I can while bending at the waist, then pull him over by his own wings. Ha, I knock the breath out of him. He’s face up on the ground, struggling to catch his breath. Looking into his face to make sure he’s all right I breath on him to help. He instantly catches his breath and tells me, “I love to feel your hot breath on my body.”

  We glance over in time to see Spar rush at Mica. Who bent his knees and plants his feet. As Spar gets to him, he shoves into his abs hard, pushing straight up. Spar sails through the air toward the castle wall. I wince—that’s gonna hurt. To my surprise, though, he just sails right through the wall like a ghost. I can’t believe my eyes.

  Mica turns, “Did you see that?”

  “We saw! Spar went straight through the castle wall. So, do you think…” I start when he walks right back out the same way he went in.

  “Well, I guess I found my gift. Did you see that Mega?” he asks his dad proudly.

  We laugh and Mega pats him on his back, telling him that was his fourth test. Now, for the fifth and final test—which is combat in the arena. He’s got to clean up, then go to Navan and meet with the High Guild to prepare the next test. I’m excited and anxious at the same time. I’m left out of the loop on Spar’s testing. They said a queen usually knows the details, but because he’s my consort, it’s too touchy. The High Guild won’t let him integrate with the Guild or become an Elite Warrior if they’re not sure he did it all on his own.

  Knowing Spar’s gift and practicing it daily makes us thoughtful of everyone’s gifts. We should be figuring them out—at least, where Jared and Dana are concerned. Everyone else is perfecting their own.

  It doesn’t take us long to discover Dana’s gift. Dana’s a workaholic and goes back to Navan several times a week. He’s helping restore the city. While he’s been working there, he’s found that working with stone is part of his gift. He places his hands on whatever he’s molding then concentrates on the shape he wants. The stone forms in the pattern he dictates. He’s testing different types of stone to see if one is easier or harder to manipulate. He dropped a wrench and discovered that on accident, he can shape metal too, because he squeezed the wrench. Now it has his finger divots.

  Not long after that, we figure out Jared’s gift… by accident. We’re in the middle of a hot, sweaty practice. It’s a cloudy, muggy day, one of those days you want to be in the pool, not near the pool! A short redhead I can’t place who looks familiar walks toward the pool in a very small string bikini. When Jared sees her, the temperature shoots up about 10 degrees and the low-hanging clouds shoot straight up in the sky. It doesn’t take us more than a few seconds to piece it together. Jared can control the weather with how he’s feeling. Today, he has extra training to control that, to make sure it isn’t always storming in our battles—unless we need it to storm. Cool thing, we get too hot and he cools the air down around us.

  I’ve been practicing the gifts I’ve discovered. I don’t have to do much about health. Everyone at the castle is healthy while I’m here. I only help heal one soldier who’d been injured in combat training. He had a compound fracture on his right leg below the knee. The laser I can shoot from my mouth is dead on target every time. I control it with my mind: think of using it, and I’m ready. Persuasion is the gift I work on most. I’ve found being nice sometimes is too much. One day, half a dozen young men followed me to Jamie’s shop when I stopped at a bakery and was joking with them while the baker packaged my order. Jamie told me anytime he needs a sexy date he’ll call me; if I’m going to bring men into his shop, he isn’t going to say no. He makes me laugh. I’m so glad we met.

  There’s a meeting with the Ducere soon. I’ll tell them all about the gifts. They’ll have a fresh perspective on how we can use the gifts. Maybe they know someone who has them and can give us more ideas about training on their uses. I’m sure Jericho and Duke Findare will be able to help in this area. The more we know, the better we can use them to help others. Jared’s already made it rain in an area that has been in a drought for months. Findare is talking to the villagers in the area so they’ll welcome TASS workers to learn planting. Afterwards, Jared’s scheduling to make it rain enough to grow food without changing the ecology too much.

  Today Mega tells us our training will include weapons. He wants us proficient with as many as possible. We’ll try everything, to find something special to us, individually.

  We’re going to Navan to train today. Jericho’s escorting us through the portal to the training grounds. I remember being here not long ago, but I don’t remember weapons. Spar tells me I’ll be impressed. I guess we’ll see.

  Mega leads. The cave is different to me. I sense something strange, like fright but not. I’m happy to be here and am greeted by the entire Elite Warriors Guard. I touch each and every one of them in some way. Amber and Flint get big hugs. “I have not forgotten you, Flint. We’re planning a celebration in your honor. I intend for the Ceorfan Guild to know that you’re a hero. One who saved his Queen.” He shakes his head at me with a smirk. “No, don’t down grade what you did it’s very important to me.

  “Now come and help me pick a weapon, will you?”

  Oh my! I love this room full of arsenal! There are knives, but not many, I notice.

  Flint tells me, “Let me see your claws, Pulse of the Ceorfan.” I do. He looks them over scraping one with his own then scrapping it against the cave wall. “How is it we haven’t taught you to sharpen your claws yet, my queen?”

  Now that’s a thought. Why didn’t I sharpen them myself? Amber’s been on assignment collecting intelligence until today. Kino’s with me at my shoulder and asks, “Flint, where is the files and polish?”

  Flint tells him, “I’ve got some in my quarters, I’ll go get it and be right back.” When Flint flies off to retrieve his kit.

  Kino apologizes. “Beloved,” he speaks quietly, “I am so new at taking care of my lady, I have forgotten this. Please forgive me.”

  “What are you saying Kino? It’s meaningless, a little thing, don’t worry about it, okay?”

  “It’s very personal to a gargoyle, beloved. In days gone, it was a warrior’s duty to sharpen his love’s claws and ready him or her for battle. I had given up all hope of having a mate, much less one as impressive and beautiful as you.”

  Flint hands his kit straight to Kino instead of me. I’m sure it’s the custom and gargoyles follow the process accordingly.

  I smile at Kino and hand him my hand. Mega tele-speaks to me. I have fallen down on that score also, my queen. I apologize also. It might take a little while for your first trim. When he finishes, it is customary for you to run your sharpened claws down his arm without cutting him. Don’t worry if he gets a small cut, though it is considered loving.r />
  Thanks for the tip, I tell Mega.

  Take all the time you need, later we can do some target shooting and see if claws interfere with your aim. Mega starts to show Jared and Dana how to sharpen their claws. He sends Mason to acquire kits for all of us.

  Good idea, General, that’s something I need to know, if I can shoot with them or not. If I can’t, I wonder if I can morph my trigger hand in flight. If it’s possible, let’s have Flint’s award ceremony quickly. I don’t want it to be forgotten or late.

  We can do that. I will get back with you on the specifics. That is something we do need to practice. It will be good knowledge to have. He says.

  Kino continues working on my claws. I thought they were sharp before, they’re deadly sharp now. They look nice. He’s putting something on them and polishing them up.

  “Beloved, this is a mixture of oils to penetrate your claws. It will keep them from getting too dry and flaking or weakening,” he tells me as he wipes off all the excess oils. “I will make some for you. This one smells like patchouli—what do you like?”

  Wow! My claws look wonderful; the deep red shows up against the black quick. “I like the smell of oranges and citrus, but I like the musky spicy scents too.”

  “In that case, I know just what I want.” He smiles.

  I smile and scrap both my claws down both of his bare arms while I look straight into his eyes. His pupils expand darkening them. I add a little pressure from my right hand and cut him on the bicep. He draws a quick breath. I lean into him, putting my lips on his, keeping my claws on his arms. Just a soft touch of our lips. I breathe on his lips, saying, “We need alone time together soon.”

  “I want to be alone with you now.” He growls a little, his hot breath on my lips sending a tingle straight to my core.

  “That turns me on, my hot goyle.”

  Mega marches closer to us and says, “Nice job, Kino. Are you ready for your lesson, Edling? I have the targets ready.” Nothing like a commander who can sense your passion! Thank goodness he didn’t say, ‘break it up, lovebirds.’ We get the hint.

  I smile at Kino and say, “More later.”

  He tells me, “The longer the wait, the sweeter the fruit.”

  Fuck that, I’m hungry now. Guess I’m on a fast of sorts.

  Mega teaches me how to shoot like I’m a beginner. That’s what it feels like, anyway. I cut myself twice before I figure out not to dig my left pinky claw into my right hand. I figure out my claws don’t make a difference in the way I shoot, for the most part. I was a fraction of a second slower at first, because I was thinking about getting my claw through the trigger guard. I still pull the trigger with the pad of my finger. No difference. Still, I need practice so I keep pulling until it becomes second nature.

  I tele-speak to Mega. Thanks for the claw arm scrape tip. I need to show my consorts more attention, and the little things seem to count.

  I understand, Kendra. You are like my own daughter. I will guild you as much as possible. In the gargoyle tradition, all children belong to all of us. There have never been many. None, for hundreds of years, except for the humans we protect. I had been assigned to watch over you when your parents died. I am proud of you. You can always come to me when you need anything.

  Thank you, Mega. I knew I always had a guardian angel—I just didn’t know it was you. I feel you in my heart. In fact, I feel all of you in my heart. Even the Ceorfan I don’t know. At dinner, sit with me and explain if you’ve ever heard of dragons sensing stuff. Anything will help.

  It would be my privilege, pulse of our hearts. It would be my privilege.

  Twenty-Nine

  Honored

  Kendra

  We are all sitting in the castle dining room. White table clothes, napkins, and all. Mega sits on one side of me and Jose Brinker on the other. The tables are round and fit ten humans easily. Five us sit at our table comfortably.

  Mega is telling me, “We should have Flint’s award ceremony tomorrow night.”

  “Perfect, if we don’t find the Horde and have to change our plans. Tell me what to wear for this ceremony my friend.” I ask.

  Mega tells me, “This is a time you must be Dragon Queen of our people. There’s not a set uniform more an overall formal look.

  “Jose what are the chances you’ll accept an invitation to this affair from me?”

  Jose looks surprised that I’d ask. “I would be most honored, Your Majesty, but I will need a ride.”

  I laugh and tell him, “I will send a car around about 10 of the clock tomorrow. Reception to follow.” We all laugh at my joke.

  I ask Jose, “I wanted to ask if you were ready to let out our rooms yet? We have good communication. Our plan is sound and prepared. It’s time we returned home. I’ll need to get back to my job soon. The doctors have said I’m doing good.” I laugh. “Thanks to Arden being in on the secret. He’ll release me when I tell him I’m ready. Battling the Horde and winning before I return would be wonderful. Otherwise, I have an alter ego to conceal. Jared is covered he’ll be here and in touch with me. Most of the others are free. Dana needs to go back to work also. As soon as you pin point the Horde or we do, then we can proceed with our plans.”

  Jose responds, “Of course, Your Majesty. I will miss you. Please consider the room you are in yours any time you wish to return. I will not ‘let’ it out to anyone, in hopes that we will see you often.”

  “It’s a deal, my dear Chairman. I’ll visit and consider this my home away from home. Mica, will you bring the Chairman to Navan tomorrow?”

  “Yes. I’ll see you tomorrow, Chairman”

  Jericho brings me to part of Navan I’ve not seen before. Everyone is asleep, and we are going over the ceremony. Jericho calls the room we’re in the Halls of History. It’s magical! The whole cave is magical!

  Dana has been in this room to repair some broken formations. He’d created a table of solid crystal in the middle of the room. This table isn’t just art—it’s useful too. I set the stylus Jericho hands me on the table on a velvet cloth. While I smooth the cloth with a hand I have many thoughts in my head at once. Jericho’s gravelly voice breaks the silence of the room.

  “I’ll be here to guide you, Kendra. I don’t want to worry you, but I do need to explain a few things. One is why this room is so important to us all.” I can sense the importance. There’s an echo of reverence in here.

  I relax as Jericho puts his hand on mine. “Observe and be amazed.” He gives me a video in the air. Like a hologram but with feelings and smells.

  In the pictures I can see my ancestor grandmother. Odd, I know who she was/is. She is bestowing a reward on one of her soldiers in this very room. There’s light when she picks up the stylus and touches it to the soldier’s head, then to the wall. It smells like apple pie baking when a light glittery writing appears on the wall of the cave. I know it says his name is Jerome. My Jerome! The same one we’d found. It says he had saved the Dragon queens oldest child by taking a wound intended for him by an evil mage. Baratium.

  Then the hologram is over. I am bereft of my grandmother’s strong presence. I caress the place on the wall where she’d touched the stylus, writing Jerome’s story on the wall. Beautiful, the same as the day it was written, the story is there—etched in the city. I get it now.

  “Yes, you understand a little now, my queen, but there is so much more. Etching is more than this small bit. It’s part of a bigger process. We need to spend some time together, Kendra. I can teach you more. What you are doing for Flint is a forever gift. It will tie him to you as your friend past this life.

  “Flint has no family but the Guild. We are all the family he has. It has been this way for most of his life. When you touch the stylus to his head, they tell me it asks questions and gives one answer. Just warning you. You are the queen. You have lived in a democracy all your life. This is your wants, your rules—you are the monarchy. There are those who wanted the throne before you were made known to the Ceorfan. I fear they
have not given up. Be on guard for those who would try to manipulate you or your consorts.

  “Concerning them, you have done so well with your choices. I am proud of you being able to accept the way of life of the Ceorfan people without judgment. If you had chosen only one or made that a law for them, it would have been a change that would have caused problems. Worse, something like that could tear them apart. Civil war. eventually. You do know Kino is the nephew of Duke Findare? He would have been next in line for the throne. Now that you and your brothers are found and proven dragons, your brother Jared is next in line if anything should happen to you. Your brother Dana is next, then Findare and Kino.”

  “I understand, Jericho. I didn’t know about Kino. If I did, I’d forgotten. I’m starting to care for him very much. I’m sorry to usurp his position.”

  “No, never be that way. You are the queen. We are blessed because of you. With the others, we can just survive until—or if—we ever find another queen born to the dragons. Very unlikely.”

  “Okay, I’m going to do my best to believe that, Jericho.”

  “Go get ready then, my queen, Pulse of our Heart. The ceremony will be in a few hours.”

  That’s just what I intend to do but first a relaxing soak. I love my pool in my bathroom. I could stay in the water for hours. But I need to look queenly, and Amber has checked twice on me to see if I’m out, so I get out and wrap a towel around myself.

  Spar comes up behind me as I picked up my hairbrush to untangle my wet hair. He puts his hand on my hand, taking the brush. Without a word, he starts stroking through my long locks. I close my eyes and lean my head back, arching my neck. Awhh, a little moan escapes. I feel him press his chest up to my back, reaching around me, setting the brush on the vanity top. I stare into the mirror at him. Holy cow, he’s fine!

  “I just wanted to see you for a second before the ceremony. I’m not staying, so you can get ready. Amber would skin my hide if I try.”