He moved forward and she took an instinctive step back. He narrowed his eyes at her retreat for a split second before schooling his expression back to that seductive smirk.
What Olivia saw was quite a sight. Full plate armor, polished to a blinding shine but the deep grooves and scrapes spoke of formidable use. Is that real gold? She squinted as she studied the crest, a golden crown with a pair of golden swords crossed behind it, tips up. Wait, is that the royal crest? Her eyes widened, travelling up, back to his face. He had blond hair, a bit longer than most men wore, reaching his shoulders, with curls falling over his eyes which were bright blue, a shade lighter than her own. A day-old stubble accentuated a wide jaw, and the seductive smirk morphed to a wolfish grin which showed off his white, perfectly straight teeth.
He looked like a real knight in shining armor.
As if he had just stepped out of the pages of a fairy tale.
Olivia had to admit he was quite handsome, but she saw something in those eyes, something sinister hiding in the depths.
“So Princess, cannot keep your eyes off of me?”
Magnus’ men stayed back, hidden by the trees, but listening in with great interest. They had never heard him call a woman Princess. They were always Puppets to him, whose strings he pulled with ease, manipulating to his pleasure. Hearing Magnus calling someone a Princess did not bode well. They knew the girl would be off limits to everyone but Magnus himself.
Magnus reciprocated Olivia’s appraisal as his eyes took her in, toe to head, remembering what she had looked like naked.
Olivia blushed, gaze dropping, and she shuffled on her feet as she wrapped her arms around her middle.
“You have nothing to hide from me. I have already seen it all.” The declaration made Olivia look back up. “And believe me when I say that I like what I saw.”
Olivia’s eyes widened. The prince bit his lip, suppressing the blooming desire.
“Can you speak, Princess?” Magnus took another step forward, slowly, as if approaching a frightened animal. He spotted a green cloak near her feet; it looked well-made and not cheap. So she probably isn’t just some poor girl… Good. Can’t have a peasant at my side. She would be perfect. His father would hate it. But, he would no longer submit to the King. It was time to take over, to make his own choices, starting with his Queen. He would choose his own, not some convenient noble or a foreigner of his father’s choosing.
“P... Please stop,” Olivia said, stepping back again. Irritation crossed his features at her outburst. Women usually fell at his feet willingly, promptly.
“Whatever you say, Princess. I mean you no harm.” Magnus raised his hands in surrender.
“And... And, please do not call me that. I am not a princess.” Olivia quickly scanned the forest and the sky for any sign of Kaden. The whole predicament screamed... wrong.
Very wrong.
When Magnus saw her eyes wander around not so subtly, he put his hands behind his back, giving his men a signal to be cautious of possible ambush. He couldn’t be sure if there was anyone out here with her or how many of them there might be. Although, once they found out he was a prince, they’d bend to his will.
“Oh, you will be a Princess soon enough.” He winked at her. He really liked the timid demeanor; she could be easily tamed to his satisfaction. “But in the meantime, what should I call you?” He subtly shuffled his feet a bit closer to her.
Her name was on the tip of her tongue but she wouldn’t grace him with that knowledge. Instead, she said, “O- O- Ophelia.”
Movement behind Magnus caught her attention and a faint sound of unsheathing weapons drifted to her ears, carried by the soft breeze. She leaned to the side and craned her neck, trying to see behind him.
Magnus sighed. He was irritated because she was distracted by the sound of his clumsy knights drawing their swords. There was no point in his men hiding anymore; it would only make her suspicious. He decided to bring them into the game, a game he planned on winning.
“Knights!” He called back, not taking his eyes off his Ophelia’s face. At first, he saw surprise when she heard him call for his men. He chose that word deliberately. He wanted her to know they were noble men. Money and status might lure her in.
He didn’t get the response he was looking for because the surprise on her face was quickly replaced with fear and panic. Glancing back over his shoulder, he understood how she could find the sight frightening.
Nine men stepped out, leading horses with them, while one of them led two. They wore various sorts of armor, from leather, like the two archers in the back wore, to full plate armors like his and Reed’s. They also had an assortment of weapons with them. Charlie was still in the background, where she should be if Magnus were asked. He just hoped she would keep her mouth shut or else there would be trouble for her. As a precaution, he shot her a warning look. She understood and nodded. He turned back to face Ophelia and noticed that she had taken another step back. She was inching closer to water.
Olivia scanned the men behind the one who was obviously in charge. A nobleman of sorts, maybe even of royal blood. He did wear the royal crest. Too young to be the king, old enough to be a prince, but a prince wouldn’t be out there trekking through the forest, he would be back at the castle, tending to his duties and taking care of his people. She could only imagine the scope of those responsibilities compared to her own at the family estate. So, if not the prince himself, what would the king’s knights be doing in this forest?
She was afraid, for herself and for Kaden. A wave of apprehension swept over her. What if they were among those who braved facing the dragon? She hoped not. If she were to choose, she would have them be passersby and with her lack of interest they would continue on. When has it ever gone the easy way?
She spared their armor and weapons only a passing glance and focused more on their faces. The one leading two horses was as big as the leader but much darker, more menacing. The dark-skinned one had a soft expression on his face, as if he would rather not be there witnessing whatever was about to happen. She also noticed the ones in leather armor with their bows strung, because they too looked uncomfortable but wary as they kept scanning the sky with their sharp looking eyes. Do they know about Kaden?
The last person who drew her attention was far in the back, on a horse, a beautiful red-haired woman keeping her head low. But as curiosity won, the redhead looked up and their gazes met. Olivia saw sadness in her eyes, and compassion.
She trembled. She understood now the fear of a small animal entrapped, unable to break free, filled with dread and uncertainty. Who are these people? Who is the man in front of me that instills such loyalty and fear into those who follow him? Her thoughts brought her eyes back onto him.
Kaden was so much more than this man, than all of them together. He was her champion and if it weren’t for him, she might have given the blond man standing in front of her a moment’s glance, but she somehow knew he didn’t even deserve that. Instincts on high alert, unease prickling her skin, she wanted to scream out Kaden’s name but it only got stuck in her throat.
“My sweet Ophelia,” Magnus crooned.
Olivia was glad she hadn’t told him her real name. It would sound foul coming from his lips because – Olivia took a breath, and blinked. Because she was Kaden’s. And he was hers. She needed to protect her dragon. She pushed her shoulders back and tilted her chin up.
“My name is Magnus and these are my men. We are on a quest of utmost importance for the crown, and my honest and humble opinion is that you are in grave danger here. You should let me protect you and keep you safe, at least until we get rid of the monster roaming the mountains.”
“A monster?” Olivia said, tasting her own panic.
“Yes, a monster, my dear Princess.”
“I... umm... I have not seen any monsters here... and... umm my, you see, my brothers should be back soon so I will go to safety with them just in case.” The words tumbled past Olivia’s lips. Lies were not her f
orte, but desperation forced her to try. She wanted to divert their attention away from herself.
Liar! Magnus thought. How dare she deny me! The seductive sparkle in his eyes darkened and shifted into one of anger, resentment. A wry smile curled his lips. I do like a challenge.
“But I insist, my dear Princess. I could not live with myself if anything were to happen to a divine creature like you.” Magnus took another step closer to her. They were thirty feet apart, with water only a couple of steps behind Olivia.
The air filled with tension, thickened. Magnus’ men waited for her answer, witnessing for the first time someone turning their prince down, wondering if she was even aware he was a prince. Would it really make a difference?
Olivia’s hands trembled as she pushed a still-damp curl behind her ear. The gazes, the question, their presence weighed down on her, coiling around her neck, tightening, as if she were dealing herself her own sentence.
Casting a wary glance around, Olivia said, “Maybe I should just call for my brothers.”
“No need, Princess. I can send my men to look for them. We would not want to attract the monster’s attention, would we? Did I forget to mention it was a dragon?”
When Magnus mentioned the dragon, recognition lit Olivia’s eyes. It didn’t escape his notice.
“Oh my,” he said. “You do know about the dragon.”
Olivia froze, her body locked up.
“Where is it?” Magnus clenched his fists, blue eyes ablaze with cold fire.
“My brother...” Olivia said and then screamed, “KADEN!”
The dragon’s name echoed throughout the forest, bouncing on the wind.
The knights raised their swords and drew closer to Magnus. Charlie stayed hidden in the trees near Theo and Damien, who took up the rear of Magnus’s guard.
“STOP!” Magnus’s voice boomed. While everyone stood frozen, he listened.
When he didn’t hear anyone approaching, he took a step closer towards Olivia.
“Please stop!” Olivia panted, panic mingling with her breath, eyes watering with tears. “KADEN!” She called for her dragon again. She took another step back and slipped on moss-covered rocks. Grasping a stone, she scrambled to her feet and threatened Magnus, “Do not come any closer.”
Magnus laughed. The woman pulled her hand back and threw the rock at the unsuspecting man. Magnus flinched and stopped laughing. Everyone held their breath. He touched his forehead, fingers coating in blood. The crimson liquid slid over his right eyebrow, dripping down his lashes onto his cheek. As the first drop landed on his sparkling armor, he narrowed his eyes at Ophelia.
Olivia retreated again and Magnus stalked closer, faster with every step he took towards her. She pondered picking up more rocks, but there were too many men and she couldn’t face them all… at all, armed and armored men. Ankle deep in the water, she turned around and plodded deeper, picking up the skirt of her dress, heading for the other side. Surely their armor will slow them down.
Magnus chased after her, his men following close behind him.
A roar resounded above.
Fire exploded in front of Magnus. The blast threw him back, away from Olivia, and he skidded on the grass, covering his face with his hands.
The dragon had come.
Fury had boiled in Kaden when he heard Olivia scream for him, her words coated in distress and panic. He had been angry with himself for leaving her on her own in the first place, but when he saw Olivia being chased into water by some knights, rage clouded his vision with red hues. He roared and spouted a ball of fire, missing his target by scant inches. At least he cut off their access to Olivia.
With only Olivia’s safety in mind, Kaden descended towards her as she stood in the middle of the stream. Tears ran down her face, then her eyes filled with hope when she saw him.
Conflicting feelings warred inside her: happiness that Kaden had come to her rescue and fear for his safety. These men seemed very dangerous and should not be underestimated. She almost hadn’t called out for him, but she knew better. He would be hurt more if she hadn’t.
As Kaden approached Olivia, he beat his wings towards the fire, gusting it at the strangers. The blasts of wind forced Olivia to bring her chin down to her chest as she wrapped her hands around her head. Kaden gathered her into his arm, ever so gently, mindful of his keen sharp claws. He shook off the arrows that bounced off his scales as he protected Olivia from them with his body.
When he had her in the safety of his embrace, he beat his wings, once, twice, and they lifted into the air. Olivia unwound her arms from around her head and wrapped them around his scaled arm, clinging tightly.
Magnus scrambled to his feet, pulling out his sword. He roared and stomped, his face filled with ugly red frustration. The dragon was getting away. He wanted the dragon dead and the girl alive. He screamed again when he realized there was nothing he could do to stop their escape. The arrows didn’t seem to harm the monster, and he and his men couldn’t reach the dragon because of the fire.
Magnus remembered then.
He remembered the weapon the Inventor had given him. He reached for it at his side, cranked it and fired a projectile in the direction of the dragon’s head.
The bang hurt his ears, deafening, like a hammer striking hammer, wielded by giants. His aim missed his intended target as the weapon recoiled in his hand.
“Theo! Up!” Magnus ordered, hoping he had at least hit the dragon, slowing him down, thwarting their escape. “Make sure you follow wherever it goes and don’t lose sight of it.” He planned on chasing after, heading in the same direction. Either they would search for the dragon, or for the girl. She would make excellent bait.
“It’s hurt.” Theo yelled back down. “They’re veering right. They’re going down.”
Magnus grinned.
Chapter 15
Flying away with Olivia in his arms, a loud bang echoed through the air and a piercing pain exploded in the dragon’s wing. He faltered in flight but forged on. He had to get Olivia to safety. He beat his wings through the throbbing ache and flew them in the direction opposite from the cave. He planned on misleading the men. He didn’t care about the things he was leaving behind, for now or forever, because he had Olivia. She was his real and most valuable possession.
His true treasure.
Kaden glanced back over his shoulder. The red-haired man still monitored their flight, perched on the tree.
The dragon cradled Olivia gently to his body. He had been so close to losing her.
Barely managing to clear the treetops, his wing throbbed as he flew, and with each downward beat the pain pulsed through the rest of his body, his muscles spasming. It hadn’t started healing yet, and that worried Kaden; something was still inside and he needed to get it out fast.
Veering to the right, down the mountain, he spotted a good place to descend. The alteration of flight made him falter again. His feet tangled in some branches, breaking them.
Olivia squeaked in fright. She clung to the dragon even tighter.
Kaden cursed himself for faltering. He gritted his teeth and clenched his jaw against the pain as they managed to gain some altitude.
“I’ve got you Liv. You're safe now,” he cooed to Olivia, and she shivered in his embrace, cold, frightened and shaken.
Even though she trembled, Olivia smiled, teeth chattering. Her dragon had come when she called for him, when she needed him.
When his legs brushed the treetops again, a frown replaced the smile. Something was wrong. It was as if he were limping in the air, straining to fly.
They descended toward an abandoned field when Kaden deemed they had reached a safe distance from the men. His feet touched down lightly and he let go of Olivia with the last beat of his wings. She took a few steps out of Kaden’s embrace and turned to face him. He sat on his haunches, tail twitching from side to side.
Their eyes locked and they just stared at each other for a few suspended moments.
Kaden wished he
could just go to her, cup her face in his hands and kiss her as if his life depended on the nectar of her lips. He missed that kind of contact. He needed to reassure himself that she was unharmed as she stood there, heart open to him, soul reaching for its other half, vulnerable. Her eyes brimmed with unshed tears, her fragile body quivered and myriad emotions stormed across her face, spelling out the unspoken words in her heart. The ones that stood out the most were need for comfort. Just a simple hug. Someone to hold her tight and safe.
It awoke primal protective instincts in the dragon. A different kind of need bloomed inside him, a hunger to destroy and burn anything and everyone that might invoke that turmoil in her again. He had never felt such rage, so foreign, as if not his own. He wanted to roar but he fought and suppressed his anger, calling upon his softer side, the gentle feelings, because that was what Olivia needed now.
“Are you alright?” It was the best he could come up while keeping his temper in check.
Olivia shook her head no as she closed the distance between them. She curled into his chest and cried. Kaden lowered his head behind her and pressed it against her back, pulling her closer, returning the hug in his own way. Sobs wracked her tiny body so he gently rubbed his chin against her back in soothing caresses.
“Shhh… It’s alright now. You’re safe. I won’t let anyone take you away from me.” Kaden comforted Olivia, and himself. ‘Take you away from me’? Kaden winced as soon as the words were out. Why must you always talk to her as if she’s a stolen trinket? Why can’t you talk to her like a – hurt flowered in his chest – like a man, he finished, and his anger at the knights who had threatened her was quenched in a sudden, hollow ache. This is my fault. Because I’m not a man. I’m a dragon. “I won’t let anyone hurt you,” he promised, flexing his wings. A sharp burst of pain shot along his right side, and he rolled his thick lips back in a grimace that bared all his teeth.
The low timbre of his voice, filled with adoration, enveloped Olivia in an invisible cloak of warmth and love. She shivered. It always had that effect on her, no matter the circumstances.
Dragon's Treasure (Dragons Awaken Book 1) Page 12
