Valandra: The Dragon Blade Cycle (Book 2)

by Tristan Vick

  “Where exactly did you leave your sword?” Alegra asks me.

  “I didn’t leave it anywhere,” I say tersely. “It was taken from me.”

  “Who would have the balls to take a Master of the Blade’s sword?” Leif asks, scratching his head.

  “Daeris Darkthorne,” I reply.

  “Ah,” he says stroking his chin thoughtfully. “I see. No balls. Just a giant cu—”

  Lisette punches Leif in the arm, preventing him from finishing his sentence and eliciting a yelp from him. Rubbing his shoulder, he just shrugs it off.

  “Let me get this straight. You want to charge in and take her by surprise, then?” Alegra asks.

  “I want to let her worry about what Queen Sabine will do. Meanwhile, we infiltrate her slaver operation. Get right under her nose without being any the wiser. And when the sorceress is least expecting it, we strike. I know it’s a lot to ask from you all, and you’ve all sacrificed so much on my behalf. I’ll understand if you wish to back out now.”

  “I still owe you a debt of life, Mistress Arianna,” says Alegra affectionately. “I am yours to command until that day arrives. And even then, I think I may have reason enough to stick around.” She smiles at me and I at her.

  “As I said earlier,” Leif says, pulling out some tobacco and a tin of papers from his vest. Tapping some tobacco into the paper, he begins rolling it. “I can’t let you have all the fun.”

  I look at Lisette and she smiles at me. “I stand firm by my previous words as well. We’re with you till the end.”

  Moved to the brink of tears, I set The Sword of Runes down, and then open my arms wide and welcome everyone into my embrace. We tangle ourselves together in a group hug and press our foreheads together while Guerriero watches us from a distance with his soft glowing gaze.

  “Sometimes it’s not the strongest who are the bravest or the fiercest. Usually, the bravest and fiercest are those who have something worth fighting for. I promise you all here and now, I will fight for every one of you till my very last breath.”

  “And we you,” Alegra says, touching me on the shoulder and giving me a comforting squeeze.

  It couldn’t have been a more perfect moment. That’s when we heard the hiss and puff of smoke.

  Breaking our intimate huddle, I spin on my heels to find Zarine appear out of a cloud of green smoke. She adjusts her tight black dress and then looks at all our stunned faces. After a long pause, she smiles and says, “Good. You’re all here.” Then raising her hand, she shouts, “Koroth impromptus trans potare!”

  A green energy bubble infused with electrical surges that branch out like veins engulfs all of us, and in a swirl of Zarine’s strange black magic, we are whisked away in a puff of smoke.

  16

  Black spires reach into the empyrean skyline of Koroth like the talons of a giant, outstretched hand. A gothic panorama like no other with its spiked steeples set upon cathedrals and monoliths of all kinds that climb into the clouds and well beyond.

  Unlike the sprawling city of Valandra, Koroth is built upon the architecture of the highborn wizards, who used to commune with dragons. The ornate tracery, pointed arches, flying buttresses, and rib vaults of their vast chambers prop up impossibly high towers with large windows that overlook the western sea.

  While the glistening black towers rise above everything else in the land, at ground level the dank streets are rather glum. A perpetual smog that smells of sulfur and discarded elixirs and potions hangs in the air. The smog stings the eyes and forces people to cover their mouths as they scuttle about the murky streets. But once inside the megalithic structures, you find yourself in awe at the sheer impressiveness of Korothian architecture. There’s nothing quite like it in all of Valandra.

  “Impressive,” I say, staring up at the ceiling in the ribbed archway of the temple of Zarine’s order. The mages of Blackshade.

  “Koroth is the oldest city in all Valandra,” Zarine informs us. She tugs on her tight dress so that the wrinkles all stretch out as the black chiffon mesh pulls taught against her petite body. “It was built three hundred years before the capitol, and it will exist long after the capitol crumbles.”

  “Oh, I wouldn’t know about that,” Leif says in a nonchalant tone. He picks at some dirt under his thumbnail with the tip of his short knife. The one he keeps tucked in his belt. “Some of the cathedrals in Darksmane are rather impressive, if you ask me. Sure, they can’t hold a flame to the grandeur of Koroth, but they aren’t so menacing as to give you nightmares either.”

  Lisette smothers a laugh with both hands while Zarine just rolls her eyes.

  “The real question is,” I say, directing my gaze toward Zarine, “why have you brought us here?”

  “I’m afraid that will take some telling. And seeing as how you all just came from battle, I have prepared you rooms, hot steaming baths, and fresh clothes. Once you have rested, we will discuss everything over dinner.”

  「Do I get a room too?」　Guerriero asks.

  Leif smiles at the thought and then shoots Zarine a sardonic smile. Aiming a thumb over his shoulder at Guerriero, he asks, “Yeah, does the big lug here get a room too? Or do you not consider automatons to be real people?”

  Annoyed, Zarine squints her eyes at Leif. “In Koroth we are well accustomed to magitek and beings such as this automaton. He will be treated to an oil bath and some fine polishing. When you see him again, he’ll look as good as new.”

  “How lovely,” Lisette says.

  Zarine snaps her fingers and two hooded figures appear from out of the recesses of the cathedral.

  “Holy dragon’s feet!” Leif blurts out when a third shrouded figure appears next to him as if out of thin air.

  “Sorry about that,” Zarine replies, not a single inkling of remorse in her voice. “You’ll have to get used to the way Koroth works. Magic is the main currency here. These mages will escort you to your rooms.”

  One of the mages beckons to Alegra to follow him, but she ignores him.

  “Is something the matter?” Zarine asks.

  “The last time we met, you tried to have us all killed. Suffice to say, I don’t trust you.”

  “About that,” Zarine says. “It was all a big misunderstanding. On behalf of my order, I humbly apologize. And I can only say that as long as you are in Koroth you will be treated as our honored guests.”

  “Even so,” Alegra insists, “my place is by Arianna’s side. I’ve sworn on my honor to protect her.”

  “I bet you have,” Zarine says, biting her bottom lip as she plays a sinfully delicious fantasy in her own mind.

  “Is there a problem?” I say stepping toward Zarine.

  Zarine throws up her hands and backs away. “No, no problem.” Addressing Alegra, she adds, “Suit yourself. I’ll see to it you share the grand suite.”

  “I think it would be best,” I mention, “if you situate us all on the same floor.”

  “That can be arranged,” Zarine says.

  “Good,” I say, finding the terms agreeable.

  “Good,” she responds. And with a wave of the hands she scatters the assistant mages, who usher us out of the main chamber and through a long corridor.

  At the end of the hallway there is a double door. Once we’re close enough, it slides open to reveal a small chamber.

  “What’s this?” Leif asks pointing at the small room. “Don’t tell me this is our quarters,” he huffs.

  “It’s an elevatorum chamber, you daft pretty boy.”

  Leif turns to Lisette with a big cheesy grin and exclaims, “Did you hear that?! She thinks I’m pretty.”

  Lisette rolls her eyes and, placing her hands on Leif’s back, shoves him inside the small rectangular room.

  「I don’t think I will fit,」　Guerriero says, crouching down and looking inside.

  “Oh, yes. I already forgot about you,” Zarine says in an unenthusiastic tone. Turning toward one of her mages she says, “Take the big guy to the blacksmiths for rep
airs and then have him cleaned up.”

  The mage bows reverently then, stretching his arm out in the opposite direction, he addresses Guerriero, “Please, friend, follow me.”

  Guerriero looks at Lisette. She smiles and then reaches out her hand and touches his chest plate. “It’ll be all right,” she reassures him.

  His eyes dim to a soft pink glow as he gazes upon her, then turning his head toward Zarine, his eyes flare bright hot pink again, surging with the magic power of the Dragon crystal.

  Leaning close to Zarine, Leif puts his hand up by the side of his mouth. “I don’t think he likes you very much,” he whispers out of the corner of his mouth.

  “Thanks for pointing out the obvious, hot stuff.”

  Leif smiles sheepishly and turns toward Lisette, who throws an agitated finger in his face. “Don’t even say it.”

  “Excellent,” Zarine says, with a genial smile. “Now, if you don’t mind, please follow me.”

  With that she climbs into the small box-like room, and we and shuffle in after her.

  Cramped would be the best way to describe it. But as soon as we’re all in, the room shudders, then suddenly is whisked upward as fast as an eagle soars.

  “What’s going on?” Lisette asks in a worried tone, trying to find something to grab ahold of, but can only find Leif who has turned a pale shade of a sickly green.

  “Are we flying?” Alegra asks in a calm manner.

  “Something like that,” Zarine answers.

  “I think I’m going to be sick,” Leif informs us.

  “Please, don’t.” Zarine says. “You’ll get used to the motion of the elevatorum chamber soon enough.” Zarine looks at me and smiles, but continues to examine me in a curious fashion.

  “What?” I ask in a brisk voice. I still don’t trust her as far as I could throw her, so she’s not getting any sympathy points from me.

  “It’s interesting is all.”

  “What is?” Alegra asks, coming to my defense.

  “The motion sickness doesn’t seem to bother Arianna in the slightest.”

  “I guess I’m used to it,” she says.

  “Oh, that’s right,” Zarine says, her thin lips pulled tight in a pretty smile that is both inviting and deadly. “You can ride the winds.”

  “As though you forgot.” I squint at her suspiciously.

  Alegra is about to step between us but I reach around her and place my hand over her hip to pull her closer to me.

  With a jolt the elevatorum chamber comes to a halt and the doors swoosh open. Everyone files out except for Leif, who curls over and hurls all over the floor.

  “Nice one,” Lisette says, rolling her eyes.

  “It’s all right, I’ll have someone clean it up immediately.”

  Leif cautiously steps over his own puddle of vomit and then wipes his face with the back of his hand. Once he’s out of the elevatorum chamber, he looks up to find us all staring at him in shock.

  “What?”

  “Nothing,” I say, suppressing a laugh.

  “Your rooms are this way,” Zarine says, ushering us down the hall.

  Along the way, she pauses at a large door and then addresses Lisette. “This one is for you.”

  She opens a door to reveal a wonderful lavish room, which excites Lisette so much she jumps up and down with joy. Grabbing Zarine’s hands she says, “It’s perfect!”

  Zarine laughs. “Yes, well I thought you might like it.”

  Lisette bows and then turns to me and says, “I’ll see you later?”

  “Of course,” I reply.

  “Indeed, we’ll all see each other again for dinner,” Zarine relays. “So, take a bath, freshen up, and relax. You’re perfectly safe here.”

  Leif’s stomach gurgles and grumbles and, gripping his abdomen, he says, “I think round two is about to start.”

  “Your room is here,” Zarine says, placing her hand on his back and rushing him across the hall to the door on the opposite side. She opens it, and just as quickly as the door is open, she shoves Leif inside. Then, immediately, she slams the door shut again. Suddenly there is a horrendous gushing sound as Leif hurls whatever is left inside his gut.

  Alegra and I look at one another, first in shock, but then amusement takes hold and we begin to laugh.

  “Yes, well,” Zarine says, dusting off her hands. “That was a close one.”

  “I take it our suite is the large one at the end of the hall.”

  “Indeed,” Zarine says. “Follow me.”

  She takes us to the room, throws open the double doors, and shows us in. Once inside she allows us time to look around.

  There’s a central fireplace, a large bed on the left, a sofa on the right, and in the far corner a limestone pool built right into the floor. A marble dragon fountain spouts hot steaming water out of its mouth into the pool.

  “It’s wonderful,” Alegra says.

  “I’m glad you approve.” Then eyeing us both, Zarine smiles deviously and says, “I guess I’ll leave you to it.” Before she leaves, she adds, “I’ll have someone fetch you around eight. Please be ready by then.”

  Stopping Zarine by making eye contact, I whisper, “Thank you.”

  Smiling deviously, she swats me on the butt and says, “My pleasure.” Then, backing out, she draws both doors closed.

  After the doors latch and she’s gone, I turn to Alegra and ask, “Did she just spank me on the bottom?”

  “That she did. But in her defense, it’s a very fine bottom.”

  “Oh, yeah? How fine?” I flirt, biting my bottom lip sensually.

  “The finest in all the realms,” Alegra teases.

  We gaze at each other for a long spell, then, as if compelled by some deeper, more carnal desire, we crash together and begin undressing one another furiously.

  Our lips find each other’s. Between hot kisses and even hotter panting, Alegra asks me, “Shouldn’t be bathe first? I’m…well…salty.”

  “I can’t wait a moment longer,” I say, pulling her shirt off and discarding it on the floor. She does the same to me too. Slipping off my underwear, I fling it away with my foot and add, “Besides, you’re so sweet anyway, a little salt will spice you right up. My mouth it already watering for a taste.”

  She laughs at my terrible joke and brushes some loose strands of platinum hair behind her ear. She gazes at me with her purple eyes. Then, reaching down, she unfastens the clasp that holds her loin cloth on, and it falls to the ground, revealing her full self to me.

  It’s the first time I’ve seen Alegra in all her heavenly glory, and I can’t help but stare like a lustful teenager. Blushing, I look down, but soon enough find my gaze slowly climbing back up her perfect body. Unable to resist my baser urges, I glance up and down her porcelain skin.

  “What is it?” she asks, growing self-conscious.

  “You’re beautiful, Alegra,” I say, holding her gaze. “Absolutely stunning.”

  “As are you, Arianna De Amato,” she says, taking a long hard look at me. And for the first time I begin to feel a bit self-conscious standing before her, naked and vulnerable.

  With delicate fingers, I reach around her hips and pull her close to me. Our lips touch, each kiss growing wetter than the last, and we slowly sink down onto the sofa beside the fireplace and fall into one another.

  I roll on top of her, brush her silvery hair behind her pointy ear, and look down at her gorgeous smiling face. I slide my thigh between her legs, and our hips touch. She raises her hips to press into me. “Mmm,” I moan, biting my bottom lip as I let the carnal excitement surge through every part of me.

  Until now, it seems that at every turn we’ve been ripped apart, separated, and constantly prevented from being together. And now, finally, here we are. Naked. Alone. Our hearts pounding inside our chests. Our skin brushing up against one another in the most delicate way. It’s everything I could have hoped for.

  Aroused, I slide my hand down her chest, let my fingers glide gently over t
he humps of her breasts, down her torso past her abs, and finally slip them in between her legs. When my fingers find their destination, Alegra lets out a sultry moan and I press my lips to hers firmly. She lets out a gasp and I suck it in through my mouth, as though I’m feeding off the intense sexual yearning as though it were the sweetest of forbidden fruits.

  Looking deep into my eyes with her amethyst gaze, she asks, “Are you sure?”

  “More than I’ve ever been sure about anything in my whole life,” I reply.

  17

  A loud clatter in the hall jolts us awake. Alegra, resting in my arms, turns her head to look at me. Her hair falls across her milky-white face. She casually brushes it behind her pointy ear. We lie on the sofa together, fire crackling nearby—the warm glow of its flames dancing with the shadows on our skin. Craning our necks, we point our ears toward the door and listen with bated breath for a follow up noise. To our keen interest, we make out a couple of muffled voices talking in low whispers. It sounds as though they’re trying not to laugh about an inside joke.

  “Should I go and check it out?” I ask.

  “No, don’t bother,” Alegra says, slipping out of my arms she glides off the sofa. I watch her as she goes, and she glances over her shoulder at me with a coy grin as I gaze upon the soft curves of her porcelain white backside. Alegra takes a blanket from off the back of the sofa and drapes it over herself like a toga. This ends my viewing pleasure, which elicits a small disgruntled sigh from me.

  Alegra briskly walks over to the twin doors to the bedroom suite and pulls open the right-side door. She pokes her head out into the hallway. I catch a glimpse of Lisette skirting by, holding her clothes in her arms, and as naked as a newborn babe. Noticing Alegra, Lisette startles and then quickly gathers her nerves together and tries to come up with an excuse for why she’s streaking through the hall.

  “Oh,” Lisette gasps in a startled voice. “I didn’t mean to disturb you both.”

  “You haven’t disturbed us,” Alegra informs in her customarily literal manner. “We merely heard some commotion, and I came to check to see if everything was all right.”