Breath of Dragons (A Pandoran Novel)

by Barbara Kloss

  I chased it, leaping over flowers and shrubs, ducking behind a cart, and then I lunged at him, tackling him to the ground.

  He cried out and raised his hands in surrender. Dread lumped in my throat as I jerked back the hood. It was an elderly man in a cloak, and he looked terrified. I grunted to myself. "Sorry!" I helped him back to his feet. A small group of people had gathered around us. I squinted up at the starlit sky and then back around at all the glowing lanterns lighting the maze of pathways.

  I'd lost him.

  Hopefully, Alex had had better luck. After a few seconds, I spotted Alex on a bridge parallel to where I stood. He was alone too.

  "You okay?" he asked once we reached each other. He was still a little out of breath.

  "Yeah, you?"

  He nodded, dragging his hand over his face. "I'd be better if he hadn't gotten away." He glanced over me, and I felt his consciousness do a quick sweep. Satisfied, he shut the connection off again and said, "We need to get back and check on the others."

  We made our way back to the terrace. There was no sign of the flaming demon, but it had left a rather nasty trail of destruction in its wake. What had been a scene of enchantment only moments ago looked like a missile testing site. Scorch marks stained the floor and balustrades, broken glass was everywhere, and many of the chairs had been reduced to piles of beautifully handcrafted firewood. Hawk stood beside Vera, and when they saw us, they motioned for us to come over. At least they were all right.

  I watched two men carry the dinner table away—or part of it, rather. I wasn't sure where the rest of it had gone. Alex and I navigated around broken chairs and stepped over shattered glass until we reached them.

  "Where is Mercedes?" I asked.

  "Back in her chambers," Vera said. "Here." She handed me back my dagger, hilt first.

  "Thanks," I took it from her, slipped it beneath my skirt, and resheathed it. She watched me. "What happened to the demon?" I asked.

  "It disintegrated not long after you and Alexander left," she said. "It couldn't recover after that stab wound through the mouth." She looked a little impressed.

  "Eet looks like eet needed its mage to survive, no?" Hawk looked between Alex and me.

  "Unfortunately, he got away." Alex raked a hand through his hair.

  Vera frowned, then looked back at the shadows with sudden mistrust.

  "This is all my fault," I said. "I've put you all in danger by being here."

  "You must not take blame for thees, preen-ciss." Hawk waved at the terrace. "You are doing what you must, and the dark will try to stop you at every step. We hef a saying, my people: If you are not meeting oppo-zee-shun, then you are going thee wrong way."

  "I hope you're right," I said. I needed him to be right. It was too much to sacrifice, otherwise.

  "Did you manage to take any hostages?" Alex asked.

  Vera nodded. "Two. No one else has made it through the city gates, so the other few are either in hiding or their dead bodies will be deposited on shore in the next few weeks."

  I noticed a couple of bodies lying with the stillness only death permits. It hadn't gotten any easier for me, seeing death. I swallowed and approached the nearest fallen body, then crouched beside him. Or her, rather. The woman's face was hidden beneath a pile of matted brown hair, but I caught sight of a symbol on the back of her neck. Slowly, I stretched my hand toward her. I was afraid to touch her—afraid as though I might catch death merely by contact—but I managed to brush her hair away to see the rest of the symbol.

  I'd seen the symbol before, at Rex Cross when I had been with the Del Contes. There had been a trio of men about to attack us, and one of them had had this symbol on the back of his neck. A symbol of an eye flanked by two triangles. The innkeeper had said it was the symbol of Mortis. "Alex, look."

  Alex came to my side, and when he noticed the marking, his jaw clenched and he pushed the hair back from his face.

  "Mortis followers, like the ones at Rex Cross," I whispered. "I wonder why my uncle sent them and not the shadowguard."

  Alex didn't have an answer for this, but he looked very much like he wished he had one.

  "You don't think one of them could have conjured the demon, do you?" I asked. "I mean, I know Mortis followers have an ability to use dark magic, but certainly nothing that powerful."

  Alex cogitated, staring at the symbol. "No, I don't believe so. A pykan would make more sense."

  "Yes," I agreed. "And it would also explain where the gargons came from."

  Alex stood, resheathing his sword and looking at Hawk. "You've increased security along the wall, I hope."

  "Yes, Aegis Del Conte," Hawk replied. "I em sure thet every guard in thees city is awake and walking the streets now."

  "But how did they get in?" I asked, also standing.

  "Probably through the watchtower," Vera replied.

  The watchtower. I had almost forgotten about the watchtower. The men guarding the watchtower hadn't come to our aid during the gargon attack, and by the look on Vera's face, I was afraid to ask my next question. "What happened to the men standing guard there?"

  Alex exchanged a meaningful glance with Vera then looked at me. "They were all murdered."

  I inhaled slowly. I wouldn't have known because I'd been out cold when we'd passed through. More deaths. All because of me. And my uncle always seemed to be one step ahead of me.

  "Alexander." Vera's voice cut through the silence. "Why don't you take her highness back to her chambers? We'll finish up here, and it isn't safe for her to be out in the open. Especially not with dark mages in the city."

  "I'd like to stay and help—" I started.

  "Vera's right." Alex settled me with a look that said I would not win this argument. "It's not safe for you out here. We have no idea where that dark mage ran off to, and I'd rather not be caught by surprise again."

  "We weel let you know if there is anything else, preen-ciss. Goot night." Hawk nodded at me, and then walked on, barking orders.

  Vera glanced between Alex and me, and then as if suddenly remembering she was still watching us, she followed after Hawk.

  "Ready, your grace?" Alex said quietly beside me.

  We walked next to each other, though Alex strode a little in front of me as we moved past the new guards and away from the terrace. My mind drifted over the events that had just happened. Why had the guards first aimed at Mercedes? Were they worried she may actually help? And more importantly, how many more were going to die before this was all over?

  As if reading my thoughts, Alex said, "It never gets easier." He squinted at the night. "But you do learn how to live with it."

  Just like I was learning to live with my father's absence. "It's not something I ever thought I'd have to learn to live with," I said.

  There was apology in Alex's face as he glanced back at me, but then he focused back on our pathway. "I know."

  We passed a huddle of guards and then walked beneath a tree, branches dripping flowers that were bursting in oranges and reds like tiny flames.

  "You were brilliant back there," Alex said. "I do believe you were born for this. And I believe you may have bewitched your entire audience into wanting to help you."

  I sighed. "I hope you're right. Maybe what just happened will have convinced them of the danger, but if it hasn't, there's nothing else I can do. We have to go on to Pendel. We've spent too much time here already."

  "But how in the worlds did you know all of that—about the one hundred years and the Dark Reign?" he asked, eyeing me.

  "I read about them at the castle," I said.

  "How?"

  "In a book…?" I replied.

  "I’m surprised you found one," Alex said. "King Darius supposedly destroyed everything having to do with Eris."

  I shrugged. "He must have missed this one. It was fairly dusty, and it had been hidden behind a row of books like it'd been sitting there waiting for me to find it. It described the civil war during the one hundred years of Darkness at
great lengths, then proceeded straight into the rise of dark magic during the Dark Reign, and finished with Eris's death."

  "Just a little bit of light reading, eh?" Alex looked at me strangely, and I grinned. He led us down another corridor that hugged a small waterfall up ahead. A few more guards walked in the opposite direction, nodding at us as we passed. Once they were out of hearing distance, Alex suddenly asked, "So should I assume that Cian is here to stay?"

  I realized we hadn't spoken about Cian since what had happened at the Shattered Plains, not that we'd had a moment. "Yes, I believe he is. At least, I hope he is. His timing has been impeccable."

  Alex's nod was slight, but he said nothing.

  "I would like to know why my dagger worked when no one else's did," I added.

  Alex was quiet a moment. "I would like to know that too," he said almost distantly, lost in thoughts of his own.

  "Maybe I'll write to Tran and ask him. At least I still have his bindingbook. I just wish I still had Stefan's. I'm worried about him now more than ever."

  The waterfall rumbled right beside us, spraying a light drizzle over my face and clothes. My clothing was light, so once we were out of the spray, I hugged my arms around my chest to hold in my body heat. Alex noticed, then put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. I felt the warmth of him through his black tunic.

  "Thanks," I said.

  He didn't look down at me as he nodded, and he turned us down another, narrower pathway.

  "How do you know where you're going?" I asked.

  He still wouldn't look at me. "I had loads of time to explore the city while you were unconscious, remember?"

  "Right." I chuckled, snuggling closer into him.

  A feminine giggle made me look back; there was a couple seated at the trunk of a tree—kissing. They didn't know anyone could see them, or maybe they didn't care. So free and so happy. Not a care in the world except one another. Alex slipped his arm off my shoulders and moved a little away from me.

  We didn't speak again until we reached my door.

  There was a guard standing watch. Alex spoke to him in Saqai, and then the guard stepped aside. Alex opened my door and motioned for me to step inside. Ansha was there, sitting on the couch "nit reading" a book, and when she saw us, she shut her book and set it on the cushion, jumping to a stand.

  "Oh, it's okay, Ansha," I said. "You can keep reading."

  "I em sorry, preen-ciss. I deed nit realize you woot be beck so soon!" Her eyes moved to Alex, who was digging through my wardrobe. I felt her admiration as her eyes slid over his body, and when she looked back at me, there was a funny smirk on her small mouth.

  Alex found a kind of decorative robe and handed it to me.

  "Thanks," I said, slipping into it. "There was a bit of a…problem during dinner," I said to Ansha. "We were attacked."

  Ansha placed her hand over her mouth. "Her ladyship—"

  "Mercedes is fine," I said. "As far as I can tell, we all are, except for those who attacked. A few hostages were taken, but the rest are either missing or dead."

  "Who deed this?" Ansha's hands were fisted at her sides, and she looked like she would storm right over to the culprit and try to kill him herself.

  "We don't know, exactly," I said, noting Alex as he peered through the door to my bathroom to make sure no one was there. "But the city is crawling with guards. I doubt whoever it is will try anything else tonight. I'll be all right, Ansha." I needed her to leave so that I could speak with Alex. "I have Aegis Del Conte with me, and Aegis Neci will be returning any minute. The three of us have very important things to discuss." I didn't really know when Vera would be returning, but I needed to dispel any notion Ansha might have that my reasons for being alone with Alex revolved around…something else.

  Not that I'd mind.

  Ansha looked between us a slow moment, then clasped her hands and glanced down. Still, I thought I caught a slight smile as she did so. "Of course, your high-niss. Please let me know if there is anything I might do for you."

  "I will," I said.

  And Ansha left.

  Leaving Alex and me alone.

  Chapter 13

  The Vitality Stone

  Alex bolted the door after her. Once he was satisfied with the manufacturing of the lock, he turned around to face me. His green eyes were full of purpose, his expression all business. "If you don't mind, I thought I'd set some, ah, protective wards around your room. Just in case."

  "Sure," I said. "Go right ahead."

  He set to work, starting with my door. I remembered Cicero doing something like this when I'd been traveling with them through the Arborenne. Energy pulsed from Alex, and the air before the door shimmered for a second before returning to normal.

  I hugged my arms around myself and walked toward my open glass doors. The night air was cooling down quickly, and the wind was picking up, rustling the fern on my balcony. I heard Alex moving around behind me and felt the slight burst of energy as he put another ward in place. Pulling my velvety cloak a bit tighter, I stepped out onto the small balcony and leaned against the balustrade.

  Mosaque sprawled before me, though all I could see were hundreds of tiny, buttery lights. They splashed color on pathways and buildings, enchanting the city like Christmas lights. The stars were gone, swallowed by dark clouds, and the air smelled like saltwater and lavender and rain. The wind tossed my hair into my face, and my cloak lapped at my ankles. Despite the sudden chill, it was peaceful out here. I could almost forget we'd been fighting a battle a few moments ago.

  Nowhere was safe. Not anymore. Or maybe safety had always been an illusion, one built by my father. And now that he was gone, there was no one left to conjure the image. Thinking of him, my throat tightened. My thoughts drifted to Stefan. I wondered what he was doing—how he was doing. I wished I could be there to comfort him, and I hoped what I'd said at dinner had been enough. Valdon needed help now, and Gesh's aid would also buy us necessary time to get to Pendel, assuming we couldn't figure out a way to use the portal.

  The feeling that I was being watched made me look over my shoulder. Alex stood in the threshold, leaning against the doorframe with his arms folded loosely over his chest, watching me. His features bore a strange mixture of compassion and regret, but it vanished within seconds and something much more guarded took its place.

  "Are you finished?" I asked.

  "Almost. I still need to put a ward here…" His eyes slid up the doorframe. "But I can wait until you're ready." He looked back at me in question.

  I shook my head and hugged my cloak tighter. "In a bit. It's nice out here." I peered back out at the city, my back to him.

  Alex's footsteps were silent, and I wouldn't have known he was approaching me if not for my ability to feel him drawing close. I couldn't sense him exactly, not like I had in the past. There were no emotions, only heat. The air between us grew warmer and warmer, and when he leaned against the balustrade beside me, the air almost sizzled between us. He rested his forearms on the railing and looked out, the wind tossing his dark hair while his eyes glittered in the night. I wanted to reach out and touch him, but I didn't.

  I was afraid.

  I was afraid to want what I couldn't have, because I knew that simple touch would never be enough. I would want to kiss him. I would always want to kiss him. It was difficult looking at him without wanting to. But I'd asked him here because I had wanted to talk to him, and he was waiting for me to say something. Words were always a good distraction from the heart.

  "A lot has happened in a short amount of time," I said, breaking the silence. "I'm not really sure where to begin."

  Alex wrung his hands together slowly, his eyes fixed on some point in front of him. "I know what you mean," he said. "And I also have something to tell you."

  "Then why don't you go first," I said. "Maybe what you have to say will give me an idea about where I should start."

  He nodded. "I wrote to Stefan."

  "You did?" I hadn't
expected him to say that.

  "I'd intended to wait for you, but I wasn't sure when you were going to wake and he needed to know about the dragons sooner rather than later."

  "I'm glad you did. Thanks. How did you send a letter?"

  "Mercedes let me use her personal raven. I didn't mention specifics, but just enough to let him know that we were alive and that we've seen two dragons, though there could be more. The letter should arrive tomorrow, I would think."

  Tomorrow wasn't now, but it was much better than no letter at all. "Mercedes seems to think I'm some kind of dragon heir," I said, absently digging my toe at the base of one of the columns in the balustrade. "Do you have any idea what she's talking about?"

  Alex's jaw worked as he thought something over. "She said as much to me. I'm not sure what it means, but regardless, having dragons back in this world is not a good sign. It's enough having the threat of Eris and the shadowguard and these Mortis followers; we can't afford to deal with dragons right now."

  "You don't think Eris is behind them, do you?" I asked. "I didn't think humans had the power to bring dragons back."

  Alex rubbed his thumbs together. "They don't. I'm not sure what's bringing them back, but I doubt it's Eris. They present an entirely new problem, on top of everything else."

  "For being such problems," I continued, "both dragons we've encountered have saved our lives."

  Alex thought over my words, still not looking at me. "True. Maybe you ought to write Tran and ask him if he knows anything."

  "That's a good idea," I said, then sighed. "With everything that's happened lately, I haven't even had a moment to check the bindingbook. And who knows…maybe Tran and Fleck have already written. It'd be nice to hear how they're doing, anyway. I could use some good news, for a change."

  Alex nodded in agreement, and then he paused with sudden thought and inclined his head toward me for the first time since we'd been talking. "I meant what I said, Daria. About you being brilliant back there at dinner. You handled them perfectly. Naturally. It's…" He looked back out at the city. "It's interesting seeing you embrace this role. I always knew it would suit you."