by Laurie Roma
“Aye?”
He looked at Killian and Ryker, then simply said. “You have my thanks.”
“You are Katra’s mate…so that makes you family. We protect our own,” Killian said solemnly.
It was night, but with the three moons shining bright, it was easy to see their path as they made their way to Lomar Palace. The cool wind made Katra glad she had pulled her long hair back in a braid. Part of her wished she were soaring through the sky as her dragon, but she had meant what she’d said to her brothers. She understood the honor it took for the Tarins to face their own enemies and fight them in fair battle.
Not that she thought Telok or Quilla would fight fair.
But that was why she was so grateful that her brothers were here to help them. Killian and Ryker were brilliant strategists when it came to warfare, and as the future heads of security for the Palace on the Isle of Mist back on their home world, they were skilled at fighting in combat situations since they faced sporadic rogue uprisings.
Katra had fought for her people, but her brothers and fathers had never let her get too close to the danger. She knew she could handle whatever she had to, but now there was a higher purpose she was fighting for, and that made her nervous. Katra was fighting for her mate’s world, one that might not ever accept her fully, but she was determined to do her best to protect them, nevertheless.
“They will accept you, mate,” Jaden said. His love and faith in her flood through their bond. “Our people already love you, and soon, the entire planet will know how special you are. We’ll win this battle, then you and I will begin to rebuild our world, together.”
“Thank you, my love,” she whispered.
“All this sweet talk is giving me a toothache,” Ryker complained.
“Then stop listening to private conversations!” Katra growled.
Ryker and Killian both laughed. “What kind of brothers would we be if we were not monitoring you when we are about to go into battle?” Killian’s levity fled under the heavy weight of significance when he said, “You have always been capable, Katra. You have a strength of will that could topple an entire planet…or build one up. It is why we do not worry to leave you here after this threat is over.”
“Not that we will not keep watch over you, even from afar,” Ryker warned. “Remember what our older brothers said to you before you left their protection?”
Curious by Katra’s reaction, Jaden couldn’t help but ask, “What did they say?”
When she told him about her brothers’ promise to destroy his world if she should die, his first reaction was to curse, but then he realized he would do the same for her.
“Could they really do that with their magic?”
“Could or would are two very different things. They would not really do it, and neither would you,” Katra said. “Could they? Aye, but magic comes with a price. To do something like that would be against the very foundation of everything we stand for. If any Dragon Warrior were to ever commit such an act, they would lose their magic and probably their souls.”
Jaden could understand that. After experiencing the wonder of what his dragon spirit was first hand, he knew using those gifts for destruction would come with a heavy cost. The gods would never allow for someone evil to hold such power.
“There would be a price to pay,” Killian said. “But make no mistake, we would be right there with Xavier, Galan, Brydan and Thorn if anything should happen to you, little sister.”
“Nothing is going to happen to me,” she assured them.
Jaden said, “No, nothing will happen to you.”
“Just protect her, and we will never have to worry about it,” Ryker said.
“With my life,” Jaden swore.
“Aye, it would be,” Killian promised darkly.
A few miles from their destination, Lord Kato and Lord Beldor’s forces joined theirs. They took a short break, then the rest of the ride was made in silence. As they drew closer to Lomar territory, Jaden’s eyes narrowed as he focused on something in the distance. “Do you see that?”
“Aye,” Katra said.
“It’s Telok’s army,” Jaden said. Using his enhanced vision, he was able to see the army of warriors waiting for them in the shelter of the mountain pass that led up to Lomar Palace. It was the perfect spot for them to wage this war. They would have the advantage of using the natural defensive barrier of the mountain against the attacking forces…or they would have the advantage if there weren’t four pissed off Dragon Warriors on the side of good.
Jaden pushed his steed forward, so he was at Rego’s side when he called for their company to halt. “They wait for us.”
“You can see them?” Rego asked in surprise.
“Yeah, enhanced vision comes with the package,” Jaden told him.
Rego broke a small smile for the first time since they’d left his palace. “I’ve had a lot of time to think during our ride. Damn it, Tor. I didn’t see it.”
“No one did,” Jaden argued. “She was always good at masking her energy, and she made us all believe she was weak. You couldn’t have known.”
Malik Rego sighed heavily. “I used to protect her from our crazy father. I was so damn grateful that his evil seemed to die off when he did. Hellfire, she’s worse than he was.”
Jaden hesitated, but decided to speak his mind. “She was always a spoiled bitch, Rego. You did your best, but whatever you gave her, she just wanted more. Sure, Quilla seemed shy and quiet, which made us all want to take care of her, but she used that. She used you.”
“I’m going to kill her.”
Looking at him sharply, Jaden said, “You don’t have to do that.”
“Her kind of evil can’t be allowed to exist, Tor.”
“I meant that as your friend, it would be my honor to see to it.”
Rego looked out at the army waiting for them in the shadows, and Jaden saw his jaw clench as he struggled to hold back his emotions. “Either one of us…as long as it’s done.”
It was decided that Jaden and Rego would ride forward alone to have words with Telok before the battle, as was customary. Katra shifted on her hover-cycle when he told her.
“Nay.”
“I’ll be fine, my love,” he assured her.
She didn’t believe him. “This male has no honor. Why do you expect him to act as he does?”
“I will be able to protect Rego better this way, and if Telok tries to pull anything, then we are free to destroy him and his army.”
She huffed out an angry breath. “I will be very displeased if you get one scratch on you.”
“I’ll let you kiss it better later.”
He rode forward with Rego, away from her. Something about the entire situation didn’t sit well with her. She sensed something…but she wasn’t sure what it was.
“Aye, as do we,” Riker told her.
“Be on guard.”
“Always,” Killian swore, shooting a reproachful look her way. “Your mate has more honor than common sense. There is a foul scent of treachery in the air.”
“For now we watch and wait.”
“And when they show their true intentions?” Ryker asked.
Katra kept watch over her mate. “We destroy them all.”
* * * *
Jaden and Rego saw three figures break away from the mass of warriors. As they rode toward them, Jaden’s eyes narrowed and he let out a low curse. “That’s not Telok.”
Rego slowed his steed, casting a quick glance to the side. “What do you want to do?”
“See how this plays out?”
Rego continued to move forward, slower now. “I guess we should. I’m telling you now, I expect you to use some of that magic of yours to save my ass if this goes wrong.”
“Done.”
They drew closer, and Jaden saw that the warrior in the lead was Hagar, one of Telok’s closest friends. Hagar was a big brute of a male, with a vindictive nature that had made Jaden dislike him immensely during the time he train
ed at Lomar Palace long ago. Seeing the smirk on Hagar’s face now had a wave of unease shooting through him.
Jaden’s enhanced speed allowed him to fling himself at Rego just in time as Hagar whipped out a blaster and pointed it at Rego’s heart. They hit the ground hard. It had all happened so fast, Jaden knew that Rego hadn’t seen the alien weapon in Hagar’s hand. “Blaster!”
Rego’s body stiffened with outrage. “Son of a demon!”
Jaden’s head came up, and he saw all three of the warriors had blasters in their hands. Calling up his magic, he didn’t hesitate to retaliate. He pushed magic at his enemies, breaking their necks, then he looked up and caught movement from high above, hidden in one of the crevasses on the mountain. Alarm shot through him when a warrior popped up out of his hiding place and pointed something large at Katra and his people.
“Katra!”
“Got it.” Katra saw the flash of blue, and used her magic to throw up a shield to protect their group.
“Holy fucking shit! They have laser rockets!” Malloy shouted.
The laser rocket hit, rocking the entire landscape when it exploded into a brilliant display of bright blue lights that sparked and sizzled along the surface of her shield. She felt the energy backlash from the blast, but instead of weakening her, somehow her body seemed to absorb the energy, making her stronger.
“Fuck them,” Killian snarled as he and Ryker launched themselves into the air, shifting into their dragon forms. They each flew toward one side of the mountain pass, unleashing a huge stream of fire at the other warriors hidden there.
The sound of the Tarins’ screams filled the air.
A war cry sounded, and the enemy force on the ground ran forward to attack. Jaden saw many of them held human weapons. Swords would be no match for a blaster. Still not completely used to his magic, he focused on all the alien weapons in the hands of his enemies and melted them into liquid metal. Bellows of pain roared out, but Jaden ignored them. He pulled out his sword and turned to find Rego on his feet, sword in hand.
“So much for a fucking fair fight,” Rego shouted.
Jaden grunted, then moved into fighting position next to his friend as a large group of warriors ran toward them from a cave entrance at the side of the mountain. Adrenaline surged through Jaden’s veins as he waited for the enemy to reach them.
A furious roar came from above, and Jaden glanced up just in time to see Katra in dragon form swoop down and light up the bastards that had been attacking. The fire she breathed out burned so bright, Jaden had to dim his vision. When there was nothing left of the group, Katra dropped down, shifting into her other form as soon as she touched down on the ground.
“Holy hellfire,” Rego breathed out.
Katra grinned at him. “No one attacks my mate and escapes my wrath.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
The three of them turned to see the two groups of warriors collide in a heated battle. The sounds of swords clanging and people shouting filled the air. She saw both her brothers shift back, landing right in the heart of the battle. Their swords flashed, blurring with incredible speed as they cut a swath through the enemy.
Killian reached out to her through their bond. Understanding her intention, he said, “Go. We will handle things here.”
“To the palace?” Jaden asked.
“Aye.”
“What?” Rego asked, confused.
Jaden grinned at him. “Have you ever wanted to go flying on the back of a dragon?”
“Seriously?” Rego smirked and tilted his head toward Katra. “Can I ride her instead?”
“Don’t make me kill you.”
Rego chuckled, then he watched in amazement as Katra and Jaden both shifted into dragons. He paused, trying to figure out how to get on Jaden’s back. When the dragon extended one of his enormous black wings, Rego ran up it and seated himself on Jaden’s back.
Jaden and Katra both launched into the air at the same time. They flew over the battle below, up high toward the palace on the mountaintop. Rego’s laughter rang out, sheer joy in the sound. It soothed Jaden to hear his friend have a moment of peace before they had to confront Rego’s sister.
There were only a few guards manning the high wall of the palace, and their arrows couldn’t pierce their dragon’s scales. Katra flew lower, shielding Jaden since he was carrying Rego. She used her spiked tail to knock the guards off the wall, shifting into her other form as she touched down in the center of the courtyard. Her blade was in her hand, fighting off several warriors as Jaden and Rego landed. They immediately joined in the fight, taking down the enemies quickly so they could head into the great hall.
Katra stopped at the entrance, putting her hand on Jaden’s arm. “I hear the females below.”
“We’ll find them.”
They entered the palace, and Jaden growled when he saw Telok standing in the center of the room, surrounded by five warriors. Telok gasped in surprise. “How did you get in here?”
“Where is my sister?” Rego demanded.
“Gone. That bitch betrayed us both,” Telok shouted. “She planned this all. None of this is my doing.”
“You sent your army out,” Jaden said, stalking forward. “You killed your uncle, laid claim to what doesn’t belong to you.”
“Lomar Palace is mine! I deserve to be lord here! Guards, kill them!”
The five warriors attacked, but Jaden just flung them away using his magic. They slammed hard against the stone walls, their bones breaking upon impact.
Telok’s eyes went wide with fear. “You’re a demon!”
“No, I’m a dragon lord.”
“We can make a deal. I’ll tell you everything I know. Just don’t kill me!” Telok pleaded.
Katra stared at the pitiful male in disgust. Turning away from him, she looked at Jaden. “We have to find the females.”
“We will. Rego?”
Rego advanced on Telok. “I’ll take care of this, with pleasure. Go.”
Katra and Jaden left the great hall as Telok began weeping. They followed the sound of female voices down the stairs, into the dungeon. Three guards stood watch and shouted when they saw her and Jaden. Using his sword, Jaden cut them down as Katra rushed to one of the holding cells. Not wanting to wait to find the key, she used her magic to unlock the door and pried it open.
Several females were huddled together in fear in the dark room. Trying not to scare them, she held up her hands. “You are safe now.”
When the faces turned to her she saw a few she recognized from the festival at Rego’s palace. When Jaden appeared in the doorway, they cringed in terror. All of them were crying, and Katra did her best to reassure them.
“There are two more cells like this,” he told her.
Katra’s heart went out to the females, and she promised that she would find a way to help them. This was the product of the war they were fighting, and she would not rest until the last lord that kept slaves was taken down.
“My fierce dragon mate,” Jaden said, sending her comfort through their bond.
“We cannot let this continue.”
“We won’t.”
They helped the captives out of their holding cells, and Katra noticed the face of the female that her brother had told her about earlier.
“Yessi?”
The female turned to her, her eyes wide with fear. “H-how do you know my name?”
“You were at Lord Rego’s palace tonight.”
Yessi nodded. “I was.”
“Do you know where Quilla is?”
“She is gone, my lady.” Yessi cleared her dry throat and said, “I heard the males talking about it. After she handed us over, she took one of their ships. She’s gone…far from Tartarus.”
Katra exchanged a look with Jaden.
They may have won this battle, but the war was far from over.
***
EPILOGUE
Jaden woke slowly, a smile on his lips.
He reached out his hand
for his mate, but found nothing but empty space on the bed beside him. Opening his eyes, he saw that he was alone in their bedchamber. Frowning, he realized this was the first time since he and Katra had mated that he’d woken alone.
He really didn’t like it.
By the way the sun streamed in through the windows, he could tell it was still early. Since their mating, neither he nor Katra needed much sleep. The sexual energy they produced together kept them too revved to stay asleep for long.
A week had passed since they had stormed Lomar Palace. The aftermath of the battle was still unfolding. They had only lost a couple warriors on their side during the fight, but no one from Telok’s army had survived. Although their losses had been few, Jaden felt the weight of each one.
Having the power he did now that he was mated to Katra, he felt a new responsibility to keep his people safe. It was a comfort to know she was just as dedicated to winning the war as he was, but understanding the balance of how to use their magic against their enemies was still something he struggled with.
It would take time for the female captives to recover from their ordeal. He and Katra had offered them a place at Tor Palace, while Lord Kato and Lord Beldor had done the same. A few of the females had expressed their wish to leave the planet and travel to Avox in order to heal, but most had taken the offers to remain in a palace where they would be safe. Teya had been intrigued by the idea of leaving Tartarus and traveling the stars, but she wasn’t ready yet. She had asked to stay at Tor Palace until she felt stronger, and both Jaden and Katra had agreed.
Lord Malik Rego had taken Telok into custody, wanting to know everything that he had to tell them about Quilla’s whereabouts. When he stalled them, Jaden had chosen to try out Ryker’s method of interrogation.
He bit him.
It had been odd, having the memories and thoughts of someone else in his own head, but it had been worth it. They’d gotten names of other traitors and locations where some of the females were being held. It hadn’t taken long for him and Katra to go to those places and free the captives, and two more lords had been taken out in the process.
Since they no longer needed Telok, Jaden had let Rego kill him. It wasn’t who he really wanted to pay for the crimes committed, but it had been something at least. Rego was on a mission to track down his sister, and he vowed he would do so even if he had to go to the ends of the universe to do it. Over the last week they had been searching for some sort of clue as to her whereabouts, but so far they had nothing.
