Somewhere beyond, the dragons mourned the loss of the elder and honored him in their own way. Darmîndren would not soon be forgotten.
All for you, he said, thinking back to twelve days ago. Since then, Gaispar had returned to the First Realm for news, and the dragons confirmed that she had reached Makleor. The old mage now knew about events at Wynmere.
No one knew what had become of Vahrik. News could not yet have reached Tyrkam of the battle and the death of his son.
A faint smile touched his lips at the thought. The dragons had given Tyrkam what he sent his army to accomplish—the boy’s defeat.
At least Istaria and the child were safe, although she was not to be seen, except by the women. She stayed in her room, tending to the infant. Darius had only been allowed in when she insisted, from what he had told him.
Jayson had seen little of anyone, except when they brought food to him and told him what they knew in an effort to cheer him. He had not left Calli’s side. Like the other times fate was unkind to her, he stayed by her.
After a brief rest, he prepared for another session of meditation to unravel the magic binding Calli. He tried to find the link to breaking the spell, but it never came. He could not feel his way through this magic. This was different, more powerful than anything he had encountered before.
Soft footsteps swished through the grass. From the colors stirring about her, he knew who stopped behind him. That she would be out surprised him. Without turning he said, “I thought you were under lock and key.”
“Tahronen’s on my side.”
He smiled and opened his mouth to speak when reality struck him hard.
Jayson jumped to his feet. “My lady!”
Istaria’s smile warmed his soul, her laugh like music to his ears. “Thank you, Jayson.”
“I—I’m honored.” His mind reeled with questions. “How?”
“It returned when he was born.” She looked down at the bundle sleeping in her arms.
Jayson stepped closer and peeked at the infant nestled within the blankets. “Gilthiel.” His heart lightened at the thought. The child slept with such innocence and comfort in her arms that Jayson could not imagine him possessing the powerful spirit of the white dragon. In her arms lay the hopes of all, the prophecy made real.
“Gilthiel,” Istaria repeated as if tasting something favorable. The infant smiled in his sleep for a fleeting moment.
She returned her attention to Jayson. “You should rest.”
“Thank you, my lady.” Seeing the child brought hope to his heart. “But my place is here.”
She smiled, but it fell when her eyes fixed on Calli. “Cannot even Tahronen free her?”
He followed her eyes and shook his head. “Nothing. She said only Calli could free herself. I know not how that will happen. She knows no magic, but that of her sword.”
Both of them stood in silent contemplation, until the child fussed in Istaria’s arms and she bounced him gently.
“Go,” he said. “Take care of him.”
With a quick smile, she hurried away towards the house.
Jayson returned to Calli’s side and stood with his forehead against the crystal.
“You have to try,” he said, wishing she could hear him. “Only you have the power.”
He tried to send his thoughts and his feelings, but what he thought was contact slipped away. Disheartened, he slid down and sat with his knees bent and pressed against the crystal.
Perhaps through the focus of meditation, he would find that contact. He closed his eyes and shut out all distractions—the drakin squawking, the wind rushing through the grass and trees, the distant roar of a dragon. It all faded to the background where it belonged.
Through the magic within him, he reached into the spell encasing her. Like a bug caught in a web, her presence hung suspended in time. He reached for her, hoping to draw her attention.
Every time he reached out to touch her, another strand of the web strung up in his way. As with the other times he tried, the spell blocked him at every turn, but he refused to give up.
Calli, he called. Hear me. Wake up! You must wake up. Call upon the power of the sword. Use it.
The spell blocked his reach. As his persistence waned, he let the magic fade. For an instant before he opened his eyes, he thought she looked back at him in his mind.
“Wake up.” With his eyes fixed on the crystal, he murmured the plea again and reached a hand to the faceted side.
He breathed deeply of the refreshing air and let it out slowly, closing his eyes to rest. The Second Realm was nothing but a hole, a small fragment of the First Realm, but it had never known the touch of the kind of darkness Nekrâos had brought to the First Realm. It should strengthen Calli.
A nearby cracking could not penetrate the gloom over his mind. Not until it multiplied did he sit back with the realization that it came from within the crystal.
Faults zigzagged throughout the crystal, and Jayson scrambled backwards. His heart leapt out of his chest. She had heard him!
More important—she found the power in herself to break the spell!
The cracks spread to the edge in a network of sharp corners, like a sky full of lightening.
All at once, the crystal shattered, and the force of it knocked him to his back. Shards of crystal scattered through the clearing and faded into nothing. He gazed in wonder at the figure standing in the same pose as she had within the crystal.
When she fell forward, he jumped to catch her. Jayson rolled Calli to her back and pulled the scarf from her face. Hazel eyes blinked up at him with a fragile smile.
“Jayson,” she breathed and fell into unconsciousness.
After confirming she lived, Jayson scooped her into his arms. She had freed herself.
“Calli.” His voice cracked with the tears flowing despite his will to hold them back. He held her close, afraid to let her go.
To be continued…
Legacies
(Book 2)
&
Destiny
(Book 3)
&
Fireblood (A Legend of the White Dragon Novel)
Full supplemental appendices are available for download at www.melanienilles.com
_________________
OTHER E-BOOKS BY MELANIE NILLES
Legend of the White Dragon: Legends, Legacies, Destiny (three complete novels)
A Turn of Curses
Starfire Angels (Starfire Angels: Dark Angel Chronicles Book 1)
Broken Wings (Starfire Angels: Dark Angel Chronicles Book 2)
When Angels Cry (A Starfire Angels Novella)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Melanie Nilles grew up on a western North Dakota cattle ranch and farm. Along with her interest in horses, she always had a fascination with science fiction and fantasy. She currently resides in central North Dakota with her family, which includes her husband and kids, and two cats. Her published works include the STARFIRE ANGELS series and the LEGEND OF THE WHITE DRAGON epic. Besides writing, she also trains and shows her horse. For updates, visit her website at www.melanienilles.com.
Thank you!
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