Magic and Shadows: A Collection of YA Fantasy and Paranormal Romances

by T. M. Franklin

  13

  Tamara squatted to absently play with a blade of grass from the edge of the clearing.

  Skye, too, knelt, matching her pose. “I’ve wanted to say for a while that the ultimatum grandmother Mamosia imposed on you was most unfair. I told her so.”

  Tamara turned to her in surprise. “You did?”

  Skye nodded. “I warned her that you would react badly.”

  “You know me well.”

  “You are part of my family. Of course, I know you. You simply did not want to know us.”

  The arrow hit its target and Tamara cringed.

  “Not that I blame you,” Skye said quickly. “If I had been trapped awake in a time spell, it would have affected how I reacted, too.”

  Her niece’s words shocked her. “How do you know about that?” First Jarrod, now Skye?

  “Jarrod hinted at it when we were looking for the Quinlin stone, and then I put two and two together.” Skye spoke slowly, as of exploring a dangerous conversational terrain. “I don’t think he meant to, it slipped out.”

  Tamara looked over the cliff. “I don’t want to talk about that time.”

  “It might help,” Skye said gently. “Not talking hasn’t helped, has it?”

  She sent her niece a surprised look. Normally, her family avoided talk of “the event” as much as she did. Skye was right, though. Her silence hadn’t helped. It made her feel even more isolated and alone. As if she were still trapped. Perhaps this discovery of her ability to mind-speak was a signal to abandon her old unhelpful strategy.

  “Since awakening,” Tamara said, as if her words slipped through a crack in a heavy door. “I frequented the castle parapets.”

  “Why?” Skye sounded curious, interested. “Did you feel a sense of freedom, with the open sky above?”

  “I often entertained the urge to jump.”

  “No!”

  “Are you sure you want to hear more?” Tamara asked.

  “Last night you said we were more than family. We were now friends. If that’s so, I want to hear everything, Tamara. True friends are honest with each other.”

  Tamara nodded once, closely observing Skye’s serious face. This young girl knew more about what friendship entailed that her. She would not underestimate Skye again. “I sought complete freedom, a sense of autonomy before the earth claimed my body.”

  “Why didn’t you share how you felt? Grandmother would have wanted to know. To help you.”

  Tamara gave a harsh laugh. “Mother would have locked me up for my own safety.”

  At Skye’s silence, she knew she’d guessed correctly. “The night I discovered Bevan had disappeared because I didn’t listen to his pleading for help was the worst night of my life. I wanted to search for him, but mother wouldn’t let me. Then she incarcerated Thyel and said if I didn’t pick another, I had best settle to marrying Gideon. When you interrupted me, insisting that I help, I’d been wondering how to get up to the parapets. To go as high up as I could.”

  “Oh no!” Skye covered her mouth.

  Tamara gave an ironic laugh. “In trying to save Bevan that night, you saved me.”

  Halla stuck her head out the cave opening and grunted. The dragon’s yellow eyes stared straight into Tamara’s soul. WE JUMP TOGETHER?

  “No!” she responded in shock.

  A shadow fell over the cave entrance. All three of them looked up in time to see a dark silhouette of a dragon halt mid-air, wings flapping to stay in place. Spotting them below, it gave a challenging bellow and flew straight at them.

  The fast-approaching black listed as it flew, favoring his right side. In the rescue of Halla, had Kiron not been the only one wounded? Despite the injury, the black’s fiercely determined flight made Tamara quake.

  Halla screamed and disappeared inside the cave.

  Skye shouted in alarm. Tamara grabbed her niece’s arm and together they sprinted inside. Her fear didn’t subside as she and Skye raced through the entrance.

  They came to an abrupt halt as Kiron reared. Fane tried to wave him down but the bronze stepped right over him. Skye and Tamara scrambled to get out of the way as the bronze dragon charged outside.

  Fane sprinted after the bronze, shouting. “We have to stop him! He isn’t ready for another fight.”

  Thyel was at Fane’s heels. “All of you stay out of sight.”

  If by “all of you,” he meant Halla, too, that wouldn’t be a problem. The terrified green had wiggled her way into a side cave, leaving only the tip of her tail visible.

  The green’s fear palpated in the air, barreling into Tamara’s mind and crushing the fragile mental defenses she had built. She gripped her pounding head, trying to shut out the dragon’s emotions.

  Jarrod had sat up, but the effort was too much.

  Skye headed for the entrance again to see what was happening out there. Tamara forcefully pulled her back and, cautiously, inched forward herself.

  On the ledge, Fane shouted into the air, but she doubted the two dragons hurtling around each other heard him. Thyel, hands on hips, watched the acrobatics as if fascinated.

  Far above, Kiron and the black circled in mid-air, slashing out with their powerful hind legs and blowing fire.

  Suddenly, Kiron charged. The black fell back and gave a shout. In answer, a flight of dragons rose over a nearby mountain range and flew toward the fighters.

  “Behind you!” Fane yelled.

  “The black’s brought friends,” Thyel said.

  Halla backed out of the side cave. Shoving aside Tamara and Skye, she looked outside. Tamara guessed that despite her terror, the green dragon planned to go to her friend’s assistance. The thought astonished her. Halla was willing to risk her hard-won freedom to help Kiron. Just as he’d shown himself willing to die for her.

  Halla squatted to give herself leverage to take off.

  Without hesitation, Tamara leaped onto the dragon’s hind leg and swiftly climbed to sit between her shoulders.

  “What are you doing?” Skye shouted.

  “Come down.” Jarrod staggered toward Halla, too late.

  They were airborne.

  Tamara hung on to her mount’s neck as they rose. With a furious screech, and ignoring Tamara’s warning, the green charged toward the mob attacking Kiron.

  The listing black noticed their advance. Leaving his friends to finish off the bronze, he lazily swung toward Halla, bellowing a challenge. He swooped along behind her, a wicked determined light in his eyes. He was planning to forcefully mate Halla, right there in the middle of the fight.

  Tamara’s fury matched Halla’s and together they turned to face the black. Halla spewed fire.

  DENTON, she said, identifying the wicked black.

  Denton swung to the side, startled, and a little unsteady. Backing off, he called to his friends. Two left the fight with Kiron to come to his aid. Corralling Halla on either side, they kept her occupied while Denton again approached from the rear.

  He grabbed Halla’s hind end with his forelegs, drawing her closer.

  Halla’s fear vibrated in Tamara. She drew her sword and stood up. The black opened his mouth as if to spew fire at her and Tamara flung her sword straight into his open gullet. Denton reared back and then spat the sword out.

  Swearing, Tamara sat back down and shaking off Halla’s terror, ordered, “Dive!”

  The green remained frozen in place, too panicked to move. The dragon’s scattered thoughts were widely flavored with fear.

  Tamara shouted, Shut your wings! Now!

  Halla instinctively obeyed. They dropped like a boulder with the wounded Denton desperately holding himself up as well as Halla.

  In moments, he let go and flapped away, listing precariously as Tamara and Halla plummeted. As Denton’s friends came to his aid, Tamara said, Fly!

  Halla responded. With a triumphant shout, and strong sweep of her wings, she soon gained height. Tamara thought she intended to help Kiron again, but instead, Halla headed for Denton. This ti
me her fire caught a portion of his unprotected, already injured underside.

  Denton screamed in agony, and would have fallen if not for the two dragons beside him. They carried his entire weight all the way down until he could land safely.

  With a swirl in the air that almost knocked Tamara off, Halla finally turned her attention to Kiron. The three dragons that had remained to harass him caught sight of the furious green. They broke rank, flying swiftly back to the cover of a nearby mountain range.

  Halla crooned to the bronze, who had new tears and cuts. She led him toward their cave and he followed. She cooed softly all the way, giving him encouraging calls when he faltered.

  Tamara held on as waves of warmth and caring emanated from Halla toward Kiron. Unrestrained joy at his presence was mixed with a belly load of concern for his welfare. The green had shed all her fear for her own safety

  Despite the impact of Halla’s emotional whirls, one startling concept became crystal clear. This intense caring, this willingness to chance everything to save each other, that was what love was all about.

  They landed on the cave’s outer ledge. Jarrod stood leaning against the opening. His deeply concerned gaze expressed a passion parallel to Halla’s that bloomed inside Tamara.

  Halla’s attention switched from Kiron to Jarrod. She carefully studied him, then, unexpectedly, her long tongue snaked out to lick him, sending the Chief Councilor tumbling backwards.

  Skye caught him, her surprised glance swinging from Halla to Tamara. A knowing look came over her niece’s face as she accurately interpreted Halla’s affectionate gesture as a reflection of Tamara’s feelings for Jarrod.

  Was she to have no privacy ever? The green could read her thoughts. Jarrod strode in and out of her mind as if no wall existed between them. Now Skye gleaned her deepest feelings as if they were written in the air. What was the point of being a separate independent female when no one respected her boundaries?

  Thyel helped her dismount. “That was foolish of you. Why did you jump up on the green?”

  “We don’t have time for that now,” Fane said from beside Kiron. They entered the cave where the bronze lay on his side panting while Halla hovered nearby.

  “You’re right,” Thyel agreed. “That black may not remain down long, and the bronze is in no shape for another fight. Not when he’s so obviously outnumbered. Best if we’re gone before the black recovers.”

  “I doubt Kiron is in any shape to fly.” Tamara looked with concern at the bronze. “The only good news is, Halla hurt Denton, the black dragon, badly with her last blast of fire. It should give us time to regroup.”

  “I wouldn’t count on it,” Skye said from the entrance. “And leaving is no longer an option. Look what’s waiting for us out here.”

  Tamara hurried to her. Outside, scores of dragons were perched on the branches of every giant tree or crag in the valley. Her heart did a somersault in fear and wonder.

  “What do we do now?” Fane asked with a tremor.

  “Are they all on the black’s side?” Tamara asked.

  “Who knows?” Thyel said. “None look like they’re on our side.”

  NO ONE’S SIDE, Halla said.

  Tamara turned to the green in surprise.

  DRAGON COUNCIL. THEY WAIT.

  For what?

  TO APPOINT THE NEXT DRAGON KING.

  The answer sat as heavily on Tamara as it must on Halla. She looked at the green with deep sympathy.

  Why can you not choose your own mate? she asked. It was not lost on her that she’d posed a similar query to her mother not so long ago.

  MATE MUST PROVE WORTHY.

  How? Tamara asked with a disapproving frown. By forcing himself on you? How is that worthy?

  SHOW STRENGTH, CUNNING, DRAGON SPIRIT.

  I thought it was the flight between realms that gave a dragon the ability to rule Isa. She paused as the disturbing conclusion to that thought reared its ugly head. Kiron could show worthiness if he could transport Fane to another realm.

  KIRON NOT LEAVE HALLA. The green’s words had a quiet certainty that pulled at Tamara’s heart.

  She didn’t need prompting to understand the rest. The conclusion rudely pushed itself into the forefront. If Tamara were willing to allow Halla complete access to her mind, all of them could travel across realms together.

  “We must leave Isa,” Skye said with a hard, uncompromising glare at Tamara.

  “He won’t leave Halla,” Fane warned.

  Jarrod, lying slumped on the floor, glanced at Tamara with tender compassion.

  “In your worry about Kiron,” Skye said to Fane, “you might have missed Tamara’s ride on Halla.”

  Fane looked from her to Tamara. “You mean…”

  “She can talk to the green,” Skye said with finality.

  “Ah,” Thyel said. “That’s why you jumped on her. I wondered.”

  “Why didn’t you say so before?” Fane sounded taken aback.

  “Because she doesn’t want to give control over to the dragon,” Skye said

  Tamara suppressed her annoyance. She’d allowed Skye to get close but did that mean everyone came in with her? This friendship business was tricky.

  “You have it wrong,” Fane said, surprising her. “Thyel posed the same question while we were out. Connecting with a dragon has nothing to do with control. You can’t rule a dragon. They are proud creatures who won’t let anyone dominate them. Which is why this war is happening. Denton wants to impose his will on Halla. Kiron says she would die first.”

  “I know,” Tamara finally admitted publicly that she did indeed have an intimate link with the green.

  Thyel put his arm around her shoulder. “You’ve already ridden her. It didn’t frighten you. Perhaps we are not lost after all.”

  “Our contact was minimal.” Tamara glanced at Fane, heat churning in the pit of her stomach at the type of contact it would take to travel across realms. “It would need more to leave Isa, wouldn’t it?”

  Fane nodded. “The binding must be complete. There can be no separation or you might lose your way during the journey. My master once told me of a rider who panicked mid-flight and was never heard of again. He believed the rider became distracted as…”

  “Fane!” Skye interrupted. “This is not the time.”

  Too late. The threat sank in. Being trapped on Isa was bad enough, but caught between places, in the midst of nothing? Forever?

  The familiar strains of her immobilizing fears returned. Her hands grew clammy, the room shrank and her heart raced until she feared she would die. She backed away, needing space, time for her body to run through this familiar terror ritual.

  In a far dark corner of the cave, she slid to the floor, covered her face and willed her legs to stop quivering. Her mind would not still its silent screams. Echoes of her cries while imprisoned by her mother’s spell returned with a vengeance.

  From the corner of her eye, she noted Skye stop Thyel from approaching her. He nodded and wandered away.

  Fane retreated to Kiron’s side to tend his new wounds.

  Skye quietly took some of Kiron’s medicine and began to re-dress Jarrod’s arm.

  Tamara was grateful for their consideration. She needed time for this sense of utter panic to recede. She hated being like this – out of control, vulnerable, helpless.

  You’re not helpless. The thought was a whisper filled with compassion. Jarrod.

  She glanced at him.

  His brown gaze was filled with infinite understanding. You’re not alone, Tamara. You will never be alone again. Not as long as I breathe.

  I’m going to die.

  You’re not going to die. I won’t let you, Jarrod said.

  You’re going to die.

  He chuckled. I’m not going to die either.

  You don’t know that. You can’t promise me that.

  Can you hear your heartbeat? He asked, changing the subject.

  It pounds, she whispered

  Listen to mi
ne.

  Thump. Thump. Thump. Steady, like the man.

  Now listen to yours, Jarrod said.

  Thump-thump-thump. Rapid. Like a frightened deer.

  Yet, there’s nothing to be frightened of.

  His reasonableness was a counterpoint to her racing pulse. There was nothing to fear.

  Thump. Thump. Thump. Her heart was beating slower now. Matching Jarrod’s voice. Her palms cooled. She was no longer dizzy. How did you do that?

  I didn’t do anything, Jarrod replied. You are in control of your body. You always have been.

  It doesn’t listen when I’m frightened.

  It always listens. You have to tell it the right things.

  Such as? she asked.

  That everything will be all right. That you are safe.

  She considered that advice in silence. Then softly she told herself. I’m all right. Thump…Thump…Thump. Her pulse was slowing. She was amazed at the immediate response. Her gaze flew to his. My heart listened!

  He chuckled again. Yes, it did.

  Time ticked by as she commanded her breathing to settle and her muscles to stop twitching.

  She closed her eyes, tears of happiness welling. In the middle of utter disaster, Jarrod had taught her how to gain the greatest control of all. Of herself.

  Suddenly, she tensed. Something was amiss. Jarrod!

  He looked at her, frowning.

  What’s happening? she asked.

  I don’t know. Something isn’t right.

  Kiron turned to the entryway, but his left side twitched with the effort.

  A silent scream shook Tamara. She shuddered. Were the dragons attacking again? No, Fane and Skye were chatting, glancing outside and did not seem concerned.

  Kiron sat up as if unsure what the problem was.

  He can’t hear that scream. Only she sensed the silent call for help. Halla’s cry.

  Someone was forcing her to endure a violation, in silence. Denton? Had he somehow gained entry into the side cave?

  The cry came again.

  Halla! Tamara scrambled to her feet.

  “Thyel,” Jarrod said aloud. “Where is Thyel?”

  Skye turned back. “Why? What’s the matter?”

  Tamara stumbled toward the side cave where she knew Halla had been hiding “Someone’s hurting Halla.”