Fuck it. It didn’t matter. It was too late now; everything was ending. She was going to die soon. The fever had come to finish her off. It had failed when she was a child, but this time it would succeed.
Ashlyn closed her eyes and let sleep come to her, murmuring as she allowed herself to drift away. Aegis. Where are you? Please help me. I need you. I need my shield.
* * *
Aegis sipped his water, his eyes avoiding those of his Alpha. He knew that Lumen wanted answers, but to explain who Ashlyn might be would be to admit that she wasn’t meant to be with him. Lumen would tell him that if she was a Seeker, she needed to be paired with one of the other shifters, one with the appropriate lineage. She may as well be thrust into an arranged bloody marriage, and it was the last thing Aegis wanted to think about.
“So you’re just going to stay silent on the matter, then?” Lumen asked, his palms grasping the edge of the counter as he studied his friend. He could have delved into Aegis’s mind and tried to extract information, but it seemed too cruel a tactic. Something was going on here that was deeply troubling to his friend, and it was more than just concern for the sickly woman in the next room.
“I’ll tell you everything eventually,” Aegis said. “Just…let me deal with one crisis at a time, Lumen. Let me see if she’s going to get better.” His voice was strained, exhausted by emotion.
Lumen nodded. “As you wish. But there’s something I need to tell you about. Something that happened after you left us in the pub—”
Neko interrupted by stepping into the kitchen, bowl in hand. “Sorry to barge in,” she said, freezing when she saw the two men’s concerned expressions. Aegis looked panicked for the first time since she’d met him. He was normally so good-humoured, cracking jokes and enjoying life; it was disconcerting to see him so stressed out.
“How is she?” he asked.
“The fever hasn’t broken, in spite of the cold compress,” Neko replied. “But the good news is that it hasn’t worsened, and she’s gone back to sleep. Honestly, I don’t know what’s wrong with her. Fever usually means an infection, but I’m not entirely sure that’s what’s going on here.”
“I don’t get it,” Aegis lamented. “She was fine last night, and then this morning on the train we were talking, and this just sort of came at her out of the blue.”
“Were you two intimate last night?” Neko asked. “Maybe this is just a reaction to bonding…”
Aegis shook his head. “Not intimate, not in the way you’re talking about,” he said. “We haven’t bonded.”
“Well, you’ve bonded in some way. Before she drifted off, she whispered your name about a hundred thousand times.”
“She did?”
Neko nodded. “She was clear-headed for a few seconds but that faded and she began to mutter nonsense. She said something else, too. Something about looking for her shield.”
“Her shield?” Aegis said. “Well, that’s odd.”
“She’s delirious. I’m sure she’s just saying anything that comes into her brain. She’d probably talk about kittens eating tacos if the fancy struck.”
“No, I mean it’s odd because it’s my name. Aegis means shield.”
Neko slapped her forehead. “Oh, of course it does. I never thought of it. Do you think she knows that?”
“I don’t know. We haven’t discussed it. Hell, I don’t know what’s going on with her.”
Lumen, who’d been standing by in a state of silent concern, spoke up. “Maybe you should be by her side, Aegis. If she’s asking for you, there’s probably a good reason for it.”
“Of course,” the other shifter replied. “I only came out here because it was killing me to see her like that. But you’re right, she needs me.”
“Then go to her. But when all of this is done, we’re going to have to talk about what happened last night. I have questions, but I also have news.”
Aegis nodded and turned to leave the room, concern straining his features.
“Do you think she’ll be all right?” Lumen asked quietly, turning to his mate when his friend had disappeared.
Neko shook her head. “I can’t imagine anyone surviving a fever like that for long. Even if she’s as strong as Aegis thinks.”
Help
The golden Dragon soared over the blackened field, unleashing fire and brimstone on the earth below. Flames erupted in every direction, scattered bonfires eating away at the land. In its trail the cruel beast left an endless line of carnage.
Ashlyn could see it all, but she was helpless, watching from some strange prison as the beast destroyed her entire world.
When he’d wreaked enough havoc to satisfy his sadistic need, the Dragon turned to face her, a strange, cruel smile spreading across his scaled muzzle. She was no longer imprisoned, but standing naked and afraid, exposed and vulnerable at the centre of a gravel road somewhere in England. Tall hedgerows surrounded her on either side and she had no way to escape, no way to protect herself.
No way to fight the Dragon off.
“My shield!” she yelled. “I need my shield.” It would be the only way to protect her vulnerable flesh from the hellfire that was to come.
Just as the beast drew near, a burst of bright light blinded her, and then she, too, was flying through the air. The golden Dragon roared, angry that its prey had escaped his sights. It surged through the sky towards her, but she wasn’t afraid anymore. She had the upper hand now and she knew it. She flew around her foe’s head like a hummingbird, so quick that the beast couldn’t touch her.
She turned her back on the golden Dragon and flew off, drawing the cruel entity with her. Ashlyn knew that she could fly forever if she needed to. She could exhaust her enemy in his relentless pursuit and turn on him when he’d grown weak. She’d save the world from his flames.
* * *
Aegis pulled up a chair next to the bed and set his eyes on Ashlyn. She was lingering in a state of restless unconsciousness, her face turning rapidly from left to right as she fought off some internal demon. Hair stuck in long strands to her forehead, which was gleaming with hot perspiration. Occasionally she winced and muttered something unintelligible before settling down again. Aegis struggled to understand her, to gain any insight into what beast was ravaging her body from the inside out.
But so far, nothing. He could only sit vigil by her side, pleading with fate not to take her from him.
“My shield,” she mouthed. “I need to find it. I need my shield…my Dragon…I need my Dragon…where is it…”
Aegis took her hand and squeezed. “I’m here. Your Aegis is here,” he said. “I’m your Dragon. I will protect you, if I can. I’m right here for you, Ashlyn.” But he couldn’t protect her; not from this. Whatever cruel illness was eating away at her was too great a foe, and too cruel. Taking her away from him before he’d ever had her. “What is happening to you?” he asked quietly. “Ashlyn, what’s going on? How do I fix this?”
But of course she didn’t respond. She couldn’t. All she could do was to moan and call out to him on occasion. Aegis watched in horror as her veins pulsed blue fire, her skin pale as the sheets around her. Her blood was angry, raging, locked in vicious combat with her body. And it was winning.
He would have given his life in that moment to save hers. Would have given away everything he had to keep her alive. Material objects weren’t important, nor was all the wealth in the world. Everything he’d ever wanted was lying in that bed, her strength being stolen away from her. But it didn’t make any sense; she’d been so amazing, so powerful against the Forsaken the previous night, and now it was as though a poison were working its way through her veins, rendering her as weak as a child.
“Ashlyn,” Aegis said softly, his voice choking in his throat. “The girl with the fiery name. It isn’t only your name that’s on fire, or even your skin. You’ve set me ablaze too. My heart, my soul. You’re burning inside me, and I can’t lose you. Don’t leave me. Not now.”
He clasped her hand between both of
his and leaned his head against it. Her skin was an inferno, and he wanted so badly to help her. To absorb some of the heat, to take it into himself and to order his Dragon to steal it far away from her. We can’t let her die.
Fire and Ice
“How is she doing?”
Lumen’s voice broke the silence from the doorway behind Aegis. Neko stood by his side, looking on with an expression of concern etched on her face.
Aegis shook his head. “Not so well,” he replied. “I wish I could help her. I don’t know what to do, Lumen.”
“You can help her.” The Alpha stepped into the room, his eyes fixed on the patient.
“How?”
“Keep doing what you’re doing. Keep talking to her. Make sure she knows she has your strength as well as her own. Make sure she understands that you’re here, no matter what.”
“I can’t help her unless I know what’s wrong with her. Fuck, my whole life has been spent gathering knowledge and here I am, helpless to save a beautiful young woman. Maybe I should take her to a hospital.”
“No hospital. They’d ask too many questions. Dragon shifters aren’t exactly on friendly terms with the National Health Service.”
Aegis swung around to glare at his Alpha, his eyes narrowing. “She could die, Lumen. This isn’t the time to worry about ourselves.”
“We won’t let her die.” Neko said quietly, slipping into the room, her arms crossed tensely over her chest. “Listen, I had a thought. Perhaps an ice bath, to bring the fever down. It wouldn’t hurt. And if that doesn’t work, I promise that I’ll bring her personally to the nearest hospital and answer all their damned questions. I’m human, after all, not to mention preggers. People in hospitals are kinder to my ilk than to you Dragon-y bastards. And don’t worry, I’ll look after any bill that they might throw her way. But let me try the ice bath first, Aegis.”
He nodded. “Fine. I’ll try anything to keep her alive,” he choked. “I just…I need her here.” I need her with me.
* * *
Aegis stared at the deep bathtub that Neko had filled nearly to the rim with frigid water and ice. The thought of laying Ashlyn’s body in it filled him with dread but Neko was right, it was her best chance. If she got any hotter, her body would erupt in flame.
He walked into the adjoining bedroom and approached the bed. Slipping the sheets away he lifted Ashlyn, carrying her light body towards the large bathroom. Above them, the lake’s water moved in delicate waves, reflecting soothing patterns on the floor and walls in stark contrast to the shallow, sharp breaths that were erupting from Ashlyn’s chest as she tried to fight off whatever beast was killing her from within.
Lumen helped Aegis to lower her, still in Neko’s nightgown, into the bath. When her body made contact with the icy water she muttered something unintelligible, but otherwise seemed too far gone to react to the cold. Well, at least her pain wasn’t intensifying.
As they lowered her in, clouds of steam rose up into the air, a grim reminder of just how impossibly hot her flesh had become. Aegis knelt down next to the tub to speak softly to her.
“You’ll be all right,” he said. “I’m here. Your shield is by your side. I’m here to protect you.”
Neko and Lumen exchanged a look, silently agreeing to leave the other two in peace. Rubbing a hand over her belly, Neko led the way back into the bedroom and her mate shut the door behind them.
Aegis stared at the woman in the tub. Her eyes were closed now, but occasionally her lips moved to mutter a few syllables.
“Need shield…Fire, there’s fire all around…Where is it? Where are my parents? What am I supposed to do?” she mumbled.
Aegis tried his best to provide answers, even though he didn’t begin to know what she was talking about. “There’s no fire, Ashlyn. You’re safe. I don’t know where your parents are, but we’ll find out together, okay? First you need to help bring down your fever. You need to fight back whatever is inside you. Do you understand me? Fight that monster. You need to be more powerful than your illness, or it will win this battle. I can’t lose you to a sodding fever. Do you understand? I won’t have it. I won’t let you go.”
* * *
Aegis had fallen asleep with his head resting on the side of the tub when he felt a gentle squeeze of his hand. His eyes popped open, his spine tightening like a steel rod as he looked down at the woman who sat, shivering, in the large pool of water. Her eyes, too, were open and bright, and she was staring around the space as though trying to piece together where the hell she was.
“Freezing,” she said, her teeth chattering. She laid the back of her hand on her forehead, and a broad smile spread over her face. Whoa. She really was cold, and it was the most lovely thing in the world to feel it with her own hands. “I’m freezing, Aegis,” she croaked out in a hoarse voice. “I really am.”
“Oh, thank God.” He stood up and reached down to help her out of the tub, propping her up next to him on the mat. Without thinking he yanked the sodden nightgown upwards. She raised her arms, understanding his intentions. Aegis tossed the garment into the tub and wrapped her in every soft towel he could find. “You’re going to be all right. Come, I’ll get you warmed up to a normal temperature.” Ashlyn hooked an arm around the back of his neck and he lifted her again, carrying her towards the door and opening it with one hand. Neko and Lumen, who’d heard them stirring, came running into the bedroom to see what had happened.
“Get her into the bed,” Neko said, pulling back the thick duvet and handing Aegis a soft white bathrobe. He set Ashlyn’s feet down on the floor and wrapped it around her, letting the towels fall about her feet before helping her to sit down on the bed. In a gesture that seemed to prove she was feeling almost human, Ashlyn knotted her long, wet hair into a messy bun before looking around the room, studying its odd glass ceiling and the light-coloured decor. She turned her head away from the Dragon shifter to examine every detail of the space, enthralled.
“Wow. This place is really beautiful,” she breathed.
But Aegis didn’t reply. Frozen in place, he was staring down at her with a slack jaw. Well, it was no wonder, Ashlyn thought when she saw him; she must have looked horrible, for one thing. And no doubt she’d been mumbling insanity for hours in her demented fever-state. “What is it?” she asked him. “Did I do something?”
He shook his head. “It’s…your neck,” he replied. “On the back of it—you have a mark I hadn’t noticed before.”
Ashlyn reached up and cupped her hand around the place under her hairline. “Oh, yeah. I have a birthmark,” she said.
“It…it looks like flames,” Aegis said, disappointment shrouding his voice.
“I know. My parents always said it went well with my name. Believe it or not, they named me without ever having seen it. When I was a baby it was barely visible, and it’s gotten darker every year since. Funny coincidence given my name, isn’t it? After everything you said to me, I suppose it makes sense.”
“It’s no coincidence at all,” said Lumen, who’d been observing in silence from the doorway leading into the hall. As he spoke he stepped towards them. “Your birthmark is the symbol of Fire. The symbol of the third Relic.” He shot an accusing glance at Aegis. “It seems that there are quite a few things you haven’t told me, Dunkirk.”
“I’ll tell you everything I know in a moment,” Aegis replied, tucking the covers tight around Ashlyn’s body. “Just…please give us a few minutes alone.”
Lumen nodded and turned to leave. “Fine. A few minutes,” he growled.
“What is it, Aegis?” Ashlyn said as she lay back. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. But you need to warm up and get some rest. You gave us a fright. Do you know where you are?”
She nodded. “The Angel—Neko, I mean—she told me and I think I remember. This is her flat, and Lumen’s.”
“Yes, it is,” Aegis replied, stroking a hand over her cheek as he perched on the edge of the bed. “You were sick with fever, and they hel
ped you. Neko is an angel, you’re quite right. And so is her mate. Well, sometimes.”
“I can’t thank them enough for taking me in,” Ashlyn told him through lips that were slowly turning from blue to pink as the blood made its way through her body. “I can’t…”
“Try not to talk too much,” said Aegis. He climbed into the bed, hugging her body to his to bring her back to something like a normal temperature.
“God, you’re so warm,” she whispered, dragging his massive arms around her torso. “You feel so good.”
“So do you. I was really worried. I thought…”
“You thought I’d die.”
“Something like that. And I would’ve been right pissed, too.”
“Well, I didn’t. You protected me again.”
“As I will continue to do, until someone forces me to stop.”
“Aegis?”
“Mmm?”
“What’s wrong with me?”
He planted a soft kiss on her ear. “Absolutely nothing,” he said. “You’re perfect.”
“The fevers…” She was warming up already, and turned her body to lie on her back so that she could make eye contact with him. “They’re not normal.”
“Not for most humans, no,” said Aegis. “But you’re not exactly a normal human.”
“I’m not?” She asked the question so simply, like a child might ask about why a bird’s feathers are blue.
“Nope. You’re here to help Dragon-kind, Ashlyn Raleigh,” he said. “At this point I have no doubt of it. That makes you special.”
Her eyes closed as she pushed herself against him, savouring his heat. “I’m special…”
With those words she drifted into a deep and restful sleep. Aegis whispered into her ear even though he knew she wouldn’t hear him, or perhaps because of it. “You are special, and you have many protectors. I am only the least of them. There is another, more important man out there. The one who’s meant to be your mate.”
Dragon's Lover [Part Two] Page 4
