by Lynn Landes
Francesca, Daniel, and Gage move in, circling Lilliana while Edward and Syrran watch. They each place a hand upon the dragon singer and she is shown.
“See Dragon Singer,” Gage says softly. She is shown what would have happened had she given Micah the dragon she killed for.
“With a Dragon in her possession there is no pit big enough or deep enough to hold the mountains of bodies she would have cast into it,” Francesca murmurs.
“The Earth would have fallen to chaos in an eternity of death and destruction and you would still have been imprisoned, Dragon Singer. For if one dragon was powerful, what would an army of dragons give her?” Daniel explains.
“No!” she gasps and her knees threaten to give out.
Syrran catches her and holds her trembling body tight.
They release the images and step back staring at the couple. Gage tells her, “Lilliana you made the right choice. With the death of hundreds, you saved millions. If you stop singing, then Micah wins. Our Father does not gift us for it to be stifled.”
Now her tears flow unchecked and with every drop her soul is healed. “I am afraid to sing, don’t you understand? Years of abuse have damaged me. I can’t control it anymore! Not with this anger and hatred that I feel!” Lilliana says jerking away from Syrran. Her blue eyes shift and begin to glow.
“That is the true illusion, Dragon Singer. You never had control. Lilliana you are the vessel our maker chose for this task. He would not have gifted you with this power unless he believed in you. All of us evolve with time. It is expected and natural. Stop fighting your nature and become who you are meant to be,” Gage demands.
His words strike her hard and she is stunned into silence. Her eyes stop glowing, “I will try,” she turns and walks outside leaving them to stare at each other.
“That seems an awful lot of weight to place on one person’s shoulders,” Edward says watching her go.
“I agree, she deserves peace. Are centuries of torture, abuse, and loss not enough for you. When does it end?” Syrran demands, furious with them for causing her more pain.
“No one will have peace until this is seen through, but she doesn’t have to face it alone. That choice is yours to make, Drow.” Daniel states looking at Syrran.
“Will you accept her as she is with no strings attached? Can you give her your heart, regardless of how this might end?” Francesca asks.
“My heart was hers the moment she saved me from Micah,” Syrran replies instantly.
Gage clasps his shoulder. “Make sure she knows it.”
Syrran looks up and snaps at him, “What of my sister, Angel? Do you think I haven’t noticed the way you look at her?”
Gage doesn’t even bother to cover his grin. He shrugs his shoulder and replies, “She is for me, Drow.”
Syrran is stunned silent for a moment. “Nienna?” He looks to the others in the room and they all are quiet.
“Is that even allowed?” Edward demands stepping close to Syrran to look this Angel over. Nienna has become special to him and Brynley.
“We are free to choose and in some cases, we meet our fated mates,” Francesca explains as she smiles at Daniel. “If you are lucky the feeling is mutual.”
“Nienna will never be caged again, Angel. If she doesn’t feel the same way, then what?” Syrran snarls.
“Nienna is for me.” Gage loses his smile and takes the statement as a threat. Turning to face Syrran, his eyes flash for a second to a black bottomless void. Daniel starts to move, but Francesca stops him with a gentle hand to his arms as a husky voice calls out from the hallway.
“Gage is for me,” Nienna is leaning against the wall, trembling from the exertion. Drawn to the room by the sound of their voices she was listening to every word. Instantly his smile returns pushing back the darkness threatening and he rushes to lift her into his arms.
“Nienna! You are still healing, you don’t know what you are saying,” Syrran states looking around the room.
“Gage,” she whispers ignoring her brother, he turns to stare into her blue eyes. “You are for me.”
Gage feels the weight of a thousand chains lifted from his soul. Hearing her say the words, releases the doubt and fear that has been haunting him, threatening to send him over the edge.
“You are for me, Nienna. For now and all eternity, I choose you.” Gently he kisses her and in rush of wings he retreats to their suite for privacy.
Daniel and Francesca smile, joining them to celebrate, while Syrran runs a hand through his hair in frustration. “You can’t be serious.”
Lilliana watches from the doorway and grins at his bellowing.
“Does that mean what I think it means,” Edward asks.
Francesca laughs, “They are one now. Though, I believe her human nature will require a wedding.”
“Tomorrow, my sister has some explaining to do,” Syrran says with a small smile. A part of him is scared for her but mostly he is relieved. He can think of no one better suited for protecting his sister than an Angel.
Gage carries her back to their suite and kicks the door closed with his foot. His kisses are driving her to distraction and she can’t seem to catch her breath. Nienna covers his mouth with her hand to stop him before it goes farther than her injuries allow her too.
“Gage, before I make you any promises we need to talk.” He frowns and sets her gently on his bed, tucking the covers around her once more.
“You need to rest, Nienna. We will have plenty of time to talk.” Her pain and exhaustion beat at him and he knows she needs to rest.
Nienna shakes her head, “Now, Gage.”
“Alright, mi Amor, if that will make you rest, then talk.” He sits beside her on the bed and smiles at her.
“I am a photographer, or at least that is what I do in the human world to make a living. I photograph people, places, objects basically anything that pays the bills. Once, by chance, I photographed a mother bird fighting through a rain storm, to feed her young. The picture was the beginning of my ‘Against all odds’ series of photographs. Another was a bright red flower in a sea of snow.” She stops to sip a glass of water he hands her.
“You must be proud of your photographs, Nienna. They show that we are all capable of surviving insurmountable odds.”
She smiles at him, shocked that he got to the heart of what she was trying to explain so quickly.
“Exactly. I soon began photographing humans in similar situations. Through my lens, I learned to love and respect the strength in humanity. Never again will I be ashamed of who or what I am.” Her eyes are full of emotion as she stares at him.
“Why should you be ashamed, Nienna?” he asks.
“When we first met I sensed you had a… distaste for my Drow side.” Gage is shocked and does not bother to try to hide it.
“You misunderstood, Nienna. When I’m around you, I feel everything, lust, longing, hope, laughter… everything at once. Angels do not feel unless we are close to our chosen mate. The moment my feet touched the earth in front of you, it hit me. You are my anchor and I am for you. Does that make sense?” he asks.
Cupping his face in her hands she looks into his eyes and finds truth. “Perfectly, but I have more to say.” Taking a deep breath to find her courage, “I was enslaved to the Drow, a servant, shamed and abused for being half Drow and half Human.”
Gage catches glimpses and images of past abuse and he longs to ease her pain but he can sense her fear as well. Fear that he will reject her once he knows of her past.
“They shamed you, not because you were unworthy, but because they were, Nienna,” he explains.
“Exactly, Gage. I am not half-human, nor half-Drow but both. I am gifted with all the strengths of a Drow and all the strengths of humanity.” Nervously she flicks her tongue out across her dry lips and his eyes drop to her mouth.
“If I… I am not for you, Gage, then now is the time to say so,” she says softly.
“You are for me, Nienna.” He declares fiercely
, “I see a woman who finds strength when others see weakness.” His hand cups her face, “I see a woman who would fight an army of demons to protect someone who cannot protect themselves. I see a woman I would be proud to call mine.”
Nienna smiles, “I am for you.” In that moment all the shame of the past dissipates like long forgotten storm clouds and her heart is free to love. “Kiss me, Gage. Show me what it means to be yours.”
“Your wish is my command, Mi Amor.”
Chapter 16
As Master of the Kings Guardsmen, Glendan dresses in his finest golden armor and marches with his men to present the prisoner to the King.
“Glendan?” The King asks. Drawing his sword he steps down, keeping his Queen behind him. Glendan drops to his knee followed by his men as he answers.
“My Lord, we caught this creature trying to enter your Kingdom.”
The King glances into the cage and gasps in shock. With a signal of his hand, the guardsmen rise and snap to attention. “The Tiefling! What is the meaning of this?”
Micah hisses and struggles against a silver web that surrounds her inside of a cage carried by four soldiers. Each time she struggles the thread flashes and burns her causing a groan of pain.
“Was she alone?” Glendan asks.
“Of course not, but her demon cohort were easily dealt with, My Lord.”
“Place this creature in the tower cell.” Queen Amalie demands.
Micah screams and struggles against the burning fibers as the guard pick up the cage to leave.
The tower cell is lit with eternal daylight. Micah will be in misery and weakened by the solar rays, she will be unable to call upon her powers of darkness to escape. The King’s guards move swiftly away with the screaming Tiefling.
“Glendan, see that she is secured inside the cell. I want guards placed on watch at all times. When you are finished, I would like you to take a message to Syrran for me,” King Riordan snarls and turns back to his wife as the guard marches out, closing the massive doors behind them.
Amalie watches them go and waits to turn to her husband. “Micah was easily caught,” she states softly.
“Exactly my thought. It truly doesn’t matter now, does it? Micah is in our custody, the Dragon Singer can be brought home. Syrran will bring us the child as well. Everything is working out perfectly. Glendan will take our message that it’s safe for them to return. The child must be tested and her future decided.”
Glendan steps into the tower cell and stares at Micah with glee. The guards stay outside as he closes the metal door. The Tower Cell is a round room with walls of glass. Inside the cell is a twelve foot by twelve foot cage that has a cot for sleeping, a chair, and a toilet alcove with a curtain in front for privacy. The tall ceiling has at its peak a flaring solar light that never dies or goes out. This keeps the cell in constant daylight. A special spell called Phaydra’s Web is cast over the entire room. This magic will allow the walls to stretch but not break and take any shape that is necessary to contain the prisoner.
Micah hisses and runs at him slamming herself against the cage, only to scream as the magic burns her once more. “This was not part of the plan, Glendan!” Looking up at him he can see the white burn on her ebony skin.
“Calm yourself.” He walks away and comes back with a cold glass of Meade. Snapping his fingers, the drink appears on the table behind her. “Drink this, it will give you strength and help to protect you from the solar rays. Already they have ordered me to retrieve Syrran and the Dragon Singer. He will bring the child just as you said. They think you are no longer a threat.”
Micah snatches the cup and drinks it greedily while trying to block her eyes from the burning light. Stroking her long red tail against her burn, she looks to him and tries to speak. Her voice comes out in a croak and she clutches her throat. A glance at the cup she is holding and her shocked eyes look to Glendan.
“They would be right. You are no longer a threat.” His smile spreads slowly across his face as she realizes he took her voice. “I couldn’t kill you because that would be too obvious, this will work for now.”
Micah leaps at the bars only to hiss in pain.
Glendan smiles, “Don’t look so shocked, Micah. Did you really think I would betray my people for a low level demon like you?” Fixing his steely eyes on her, he glares at her. “No, but for Phaydra, I would crawl on my knees through molten iron. She appreciates my many talents. Thanks to your plan I will deliver the location of the Dragon Singer to her and the child, in return, she will make me the new King of the Elves.”
Micah glares at him with hatred, hardly able to believe he would betray her like this. Truthfully, in that moment he is more attractive to her than ever before. Staring at him, she almost feels sorry for him. How could be he stupid enough to think that Phaydra, the Queen of the Drow, would keep her word?
“What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue?” Laughing he turns and leaves ordering them to keep her tower doors under twenty four hour guard.
Micah’s dark eyes watch him leave and she stretches out on the cot with a smirk. As her eyes close to wait for the rest of her plan to be revealed she hears the door open and she laughs. “Enjoy your new found power. I am coming for you Glendan.”
With his King’s permission, Glendan leaves to prep immediately for South America. He will wait to send a message to Phaydra until he has his insurance policy in place. Phaydra can have the used up Dragon Singer, Lilliana. She will be nothing compared to the power the child will hold. With the human girl under his control, he will bring back the power to the Elven Kingdom. He gives the order to saddle his Griffin. An hour later he leaps into the night air with a laugh. Time to retrieve the child and assure his future.
Chapter 17
“What do you mean No?” Glendan demands.
“I mean exactly that,” Syrran replies. “If Micah is no longer a threat, then Lilliana is free. I’ll not allow her to be used any longer.”
“What of your sister, Drow? Your debt is still owed. Will you condemn her to an eternity of slavery?” he asks quietly.
“Of course not, she will remain with me, where it is safe.” Syrran glares at him.
“You can’t be serious, Syrran. You would risk the wrath of both Queens!” Glendan asks the protective Drow.
“It will not come to that, I will go with you,” Lilliana says from behind him. Syrran turns just as she steps up to him and touches his face.
“You have saved me from true hell, Syrran, but they are my people. It is my duty.” Her blue eyes shine with unshed tears.
“No, Lilliana, they were your people. You are for me.” She smiles and kisses him softly on his mouth.
“Not yet, my love. Let us see this through to the end and then we shall see, if you are for me.” Her answer surprises a laugh out of him.
“The King and Queen have requested that both Lilliana and the child be present,” Glendan says quietly.
“It is not safe for us to travel together. Once Lilliana determines it is safe, then Brynley will be brought to them. They shall have to do with just one for now.”
“I will wait for you outside,” Glendan takes his leave and stops long enough to send the message to Phaydra. She will bring her entire hive of soldiers to capture the Dragon Singer and this time nothing will stop her.
Brynley listens from the hallway and runs to find Nienna. She is sitting outside enjoying the sunshine talking to Edward when the distraught little girl runs to her in tears.
Nienna catches her in her arms and pulls her onto her lap. “What’s wrong love?” Farley moves to her and nudges her in concern.
“I don’t wanna leave you, Nienna. They said I have to go with them.” Brynley scrubs at her eyes and tries to stop her tears.
“I see.” Nienna frowns. “You can stop crying love. No one is taking you from me. I need to talk to your grandpa for a little bit, but I want you to trust me and go to my room with Farley, okay?”
“Okay, Nienna.” Brynley climbs down a
nd leaves with Farley hot on her heels. Once she is out of earshot she turns to Edward.
“Edward, I would like to offer a suggestion to you both. Gage and I would like for the three of you to stay with us. I know it is not Scotland, but I have grown fond of you all. With Gage’s help, we can protect you and she can be trained. Will you think about it?”
Edward lets out a huge sigh. “What’s to think about? I have been praying for a solution to this and here you are presenting me with the perfect answer. If we are being honest with each other I need to know she will be loved and protected. Are you sure you are up to the task? Raising a child is a big responsibility, Nienna.”
Nienna grins, “I feel a kinship to Brynley. I will promise to love and protect her, Edward. Let’s go tell her together.” Edward allows her to help him stand and they walk slowly to the door.
Brynley is moving down the glass lined hallway when a strange creature catches her eye in the back yard near the rainforest. A large golden eagle with the tail and legs of a lion! “Oh,” she gasps and steps to the glass window to look outside. Farley wines and runs down the hallway towards the bedroom, where a door leads outside.
The large beast spreads its wings to gather the sun and Brynley is enchanted. She runs down the hallway following Farley to the door leading outside. Carefully she cracks the door and cautiously moves into the yard. Farley rushes outside and runs towards the large creature.
Glendan steps outside to wait for Syrran only to stop and stare in shock. He can’t believe his luck. The little girl is reaching up to pet his Griffin, who seems to be captivated by her. The beast leans down to allow her to rub above his beak. A childish giggle erupts when her large dog rolls over on the ground showing his belly to the beast.
“Oh, this is Farley, my dog. He thinks your wings are beautiful,” she tells the amazing creature. Careful not to harm the smaller animal the Griffin nudges Farley’s belly with his head.
“If you ask nicely, Iago will give you a ride,” Glendan says softly from behind them. Brynley gasps and turns to face the stranger as Farley leaps to his feet. Growling low, he steps in front of the child to protect her.
