Dragon of Eriden - The Complete Collection

by Samantha Jacobey

  “I’m listening,” Piers snorted, turning his hands up as he mocked their cramped space before crossing the arms over his broad chest. A formidable man of over six feet, he glowered down at the dwarf as he waited.

  Licking his lips, Hayt glanced at the ebony-skinned girl, his brain growing fuzzy as he did so. Breathing heavily, he gasped, “I have come to ask your permission…” he managed before his voice cracked. Swallowing, he tried again. “My uncle has given me permission to ask for Zaendra’s hand.”

  “What?” the girl clipped in obvious surprise as gasps echoed from the others. “Why would you do that, and why would he allow it?” she fumed, having had all night to consider the dwarves and their actions. As much as she had enjoyed the company of the king’s nephew, he was one of them and probably not to be trusted.

  “Please,” he begged, pushing past Amicia to stand before the nymph. Dropping to his knees, he seized her fingers and made his appeal. “I cannot save you all. But if you agree to be my bride, I can at least get you out of this cell, and you will not be sold to the dragon.”

  “You are certain of this?” Ami snapped, using his shoulder to pull him to face her.

  “Yes. My uncle has given his word. I may have Zae and her servant, Oldrilin,” he explained. “Please,” he repeated more quietly.

  “My servant,” the girl in question bit, looking down at their smallest member, “Lin does not serve me or anyone!”

  “I know this, but it was the only way to secure her release as well. I may take the two of you but no more,” the young man begged, sitting back on his haunches as he searched each of their faces in turn.

  Standing in the shadow, Reynard watched the proceedings with a lump forming in his throat. When Hayt’s eyes reached his, he knew insisting the dwarf leave empty-handed would likely be a death sentence, both for the nymph and his dear little friend. “You will take good care of them?” he whispered.

  “I swear it,” the king’s nephew insisted.

  Also looking over the group, Amicia’s features grew determined. “Zae, you must do this,” she professed.

  “I believe I’m the one who has the final say,” Piers pointed out.

  “Then say it,” the blonde insisted. Reaching into her pocket, she produced the hamar gem as she squatted before the mermaid. “Take this with you, as well.”

  Accepting the offering, Oldrilin’s small face sagged. “But Amicia uses the magic of the stone.” She had given the gem to the girl long ago and had no desire for its return. Her eyes darting between the others, she searched for some indication of what she should do.

  “Not anymore,” Ami replied gently. “You must take it. It will do me no good where we are going.”

  “The dragons will not return you to us,” Lin whimpered, tears glistening on her small cheeks in the dim light.

  Also taking a knee before their smallest member, Rey fought his tears by blinking rapidly. “Lin, this is for the best. Take the gem and protect it. It is sacred to the elves, and despite our cause against them, we should protect it from falling into other hands.” Sniffing loudly, he wiped his arm on his shirt sleeve, noting the heavy silence as the others waited for his final words to his tiny companion. “I will miss you.” His voice broke, and she flung herself against his chest, sobbing uncontrollably at his heart-felt farewell.

  “We can’t do this,” Zaendra whined, her own drops of sorrow spilling over. “It matters not what the Mate says. I will not leave my friends in such a state.”

  Still holding the trembling siren, Rey waited for their leader to make the women see reason. As badly as he wanted to keep the group together, he knew doing so would likely be a death-sentence for them. Casting a wavering glance up at the older man, he gave his approval of the dwarf’s plan.

  Exhaling a loud breath, Piers shook his head slowly. “We don’t have a choice.” Flicking his eyes over at the door and then back to Ami, he nodded. “This is the only way to ensure you will be protected.”

  “You fear the dragon will kill us,” Meena observed, her hands tracing her husband’s arm as she clung to him.

  “Aye,” he agreed, still staring at Ami. “I agree. You may take her and her servant.” Noting the silence that followed, he added with a short laugh, “Be sure to invite us to the wedding.”

  Staring at him, Hayt’s brow furrowed in confusion, “How –”

  “I’m kidding,” the Mate cut him off. Leaning over, he grabbed the front of his chest and pulled him to his feet. “Take care of our girls,” he added, clamping their benefactor on the shoulder.

  “Guard!” Hayt hollered.

  “Yes, sir,” their jailer called through the bars of the door.

  “I have been given permission to bring out the nymph and the siren,” he informed him as the two of them gathered their things. “Send a messenger to my uncle to confirm this if you must.”

  Staring up at him, the dwarf’s mouth opened and closed a few times as he considered the request. Making his choice, he replied, “That will not be necessary, sire. I’m sure we know where to find you if you have lied.”

  Not sure if the statement were meant as a joke or a true jab, Hayt chose to laugh. “That you do. Come along, ladies,” he bade as he led the way out through the open portal.

  As soon as they exited, Zaendra began to sob loudly. Turning, she flung herself against the gate, bellowing, “I can’t bear to leave you!”

  “You must,” Amicia insisted, holding her through the holes in the bars. “Zae, listen to me. We are not lost. At least not yet. If the king keeps his word, and if this Putwyn is an upstanding dragon, we will stand before the council. Only they can decide our fate.”

  “But I’m scared,” the girl cried, refusing to let go.

  “Take her,” Ami commanded Hayt, glaring at him with clear green orbs. “You must remove her before anything can be changed.”

  Dropping his arm over her shaking shoulders, he pulled her away. “Come with me, precious. Please, do not make this harder than it is.”

  “We will try for their release? Promise me this,” she insisted as she followed him with Lin on her other side.

  “We will have a few days,” he agreed, squeezing her in comfort. “We will ask again before they are removed, I swear it.”

  Glancing back over her shoulder, Zaendra could see the group pressed against the bars of the door, watching as she walked away. “Then there is still hope,” she agreed, offering the mermaid her hand as she followed her intended.

  The city seemed less splendid this time around. Arriving at his quarters, she looked about the small room, which was similar to the larger version the group had first been given. “This is your home?” she asked doubtfully, imagining living there with him.

  “Yes, I have the dwelling of a single man. We will share it until we have a child, and then we will be given a larger chamber,” he explained their customs as he poured water for them. “Wash your tears. You do not want to appear before my uncle in such a state.”

  Doing as he asked, Zae used the water first, then patted her dark skin with a towel that he provided. Standing in one of his chairs, Oldrilin also prepared herself to face the royal dining hall once more.

  “They will know she is not my servant,” Zaendra sighed.

  “I’m sure they already know. As long as she behaves and follows you around, what can they do but agree?” he quipped with a sharp laugh.

  “Perhaps,” the girl nodded, taking his hand as they made their way to their morning meal.

  The dining hall seemed too large with only the five of them seated at the long table. The room silent, the king and his sister each sat in their normal places. Taking seats in the center facing one another, Zaendra helped the siren into the chair closest to Asyng so that two empty chairs lay between the couple and Baeweth.

  “There is no need to be angry,” the sovereign chastised at their choice in seats.

  “We are not angry,” Hayt replied crisply. “This is a large table, and so these make the m
ost sense, with all the extras.”

  “Ah, but the chairs will soon be filled when your children begin to arrive,” Baeweth pointed out with a wide grin.

  Ignoring the comment, Zae sniffed as she battled her tears, eating a meager meal. Next to her, Lin slurped at her broth until it was gone, then climbed down and presented herself to the king.

  “If you please, your highness,” the siren said in her small tinkling voice.

  “Yes, what do you want?” Baeweth growled, still picking at his food.

  Holding up the stone, the mermaid grinned, “Lady Cilithrand gave the sirens a beautiful gift. I wish to trade it for my friends.”

  Staring down at her, the king’s jaw dropped at the size of the hamar. “You think I would accept the elf’s treachery?”

  “Uncle!” Hayt snapped in surprise. “She is offering this to you from her heart. It matters not who gave it to her.”

  “Rubbish,” the king replied, pushing back his chair as he prepared to leave the table. “The elf gem is worthless to me, as I am certain it has no value to anyone other than the elves.”

  Glaring at him, Zaendra’s mouth fell open as she prepared to berate him, informing him of how Amicia had been able to use the trinket on more than one occasion to save them. Glancing at her fiancé, she could see the warning in his eyes. Clamping her jaw shut, she held her tongue.

  “Uncle,” the younger dwarf repeated. “Please reconsider. This is the only thing of value they have to trade.”

  “Then they will be bartered to the dragon, as promised,” his uncle spat, on his feet and headed for the door. “If you wish to have them at your wedding, I suggest you plan for it to happen before Putwyn comes to claim them in six days’ time, five, not counting today.”

  “You would allow them to stand with us?” Zae gasped.

  “I am not a monster,” her future kin replied, turning to face her squarely. “But I have given my word, and I refuse to break it. Plan your ceremony, and I will allow them a few hours outside their cage to see you are properly wed before they depart.”

  “Thank you, uncle,” Hayt agreed. “Your offer is most gracious, and we will accept. We will plan for the day after tomorrow and see to all the arrangements by then.”

  “Good,” Baeweth smiled, warming to the idea of his nephew putting down some solid roots, even if the girl was an outsider. Leaving the chamber, he already knew the next step would be getting him out of the engineering department and teaching him everything he would need to know to run the kingdom. Whistling as he strolled down the path, he reckoned that this marriage practically assured the young man would one day sit upon their throne.

  Zaendra’s Day

  Amicia stood in Hayt’s small chamber, her eyes wide as she admired the contrast of the silky white gown as it hung on the nymph’s small frame. “This is your day, Zaendra,” she sighed, feeling a stab of indecision on the matter.

  Meena also there, they had been permitted to help the girl prepare for her wedding. “I’m glad the king has allowed us to share this with you,” the older woman stated with a tremble in her voice.

  “Yes, most generous of my new uncle,” Zae whispered, staring at herself in the full-length mirror that had been provided.

  Stepping up beside her, Ami placed her hand upon her shoulder, sharing the reflection. “I’m sorry that I pushed you, love,” she said quietly. “I should not have done that.”

  Raising her arms, Zaendra admired the beautiful silk gown that trailed the floor. One of the dwarf seamstresses had worked non-stop to finish it in the two days since the wedding had been set. Smiling at the image, she ignored the comment, observing instead, “It is fine work. It fits me perfectly, and I had never dreamed of anything so exquisite on this day.”

  Sharing a glance with the blonde over her head, Meena joined them in front of the glass, claiming the other shoulder as she insisted, “I think what Amicia is trying to say, is that you do not have to do this. We came here together, and it might be best if we left together.”

  “I know,” Zae sighed, pivoting and looking up at her friend. “But I want to do this. Hayt and I have spoken for many hours since our meeting. He is a good man…” She paused, giggling. “Or dwarf. He will make a good husband,” she assured with a firm nod. “Oldrilin and I will be well cared for here in Rhong.”

  Her lip quivering, Amicia pushed her arms around the smaller girl’s chest, hugging her from behind. “Now that it’s here, I don’t know that I can bear it!” Tears running down her cheeks, she swiped at them to prevent their dripping onto the beautiful dress. “Two weddings now we will have shared. One for each of my sisters.” And none of them hers.

  Turning, Zaendra reached for her neck, dragging her into a proper hug. “Sweet Amicia, with a heart so pure. I will pray for you when you go with the dragon that you will stand before the council and convince them of your worth. When you do, you must return to Rhong, even if only for a visit, that I may know you are safe.”

  Hugging her, Ami didn’t argue. It was her wedding day, after all, and here she cried, threatening to spoil it. “I will, love,” she promised. “I know they will hear my words, and I will do my best to convince them of exactly that.”

  “And we will return,” Meena added, placing her hand firmly on Zae’s back to comfort her. “Now, wear your smile and be happy in your moment. Alas, it is no ordinary dwarf you wed, and half their kingdom will come to see your vow.”

  “Yes,” Zaendra grinned, pulling away and twirling so that the material floated around her. “His people love me. I can feel it when I meet them. Their smiles are warm and reach their eyes. Even Baeweth has accepted me, I am certain.”

  “Are we ready in here?” Rey asked at the door, interrupting the trio of women, Oldrilin peeking in while holding his leg. She had claimed him the moment he was released from the cell and refused to let go of him until she must.

  “I am ready,” Zae pronounced, raising her chin and grinning profusely. Accepting a small bouquet of white roses from Amicia, she sniffed at them. “So lovely. My new dwarf kindred have thought of everything.”

  Taking his arm, Rey walked beside the bride, their steps slow as he guided her to the end of a long walk. There, Piers would take over, and he only had a moment to say what could be the last words that they would share. Inhaling deeply, he whispered, “I have enjoyed our time together, Zaendra.”

  “Don’t,” she clipped, her eyes fixed straight ahead and her nose in the air.

  “Don’t? Don’t what?”

  “Don’t say your goodbyes,” she bit through clenched teeth and a forced smile as the kingdom watched their slow gait.

  “But I may not have another chance,” he replied hoarsely.

  “Then they will never be said, and we will both know the love and friendship we have shared. We will remember it fondly, for all times,” she finished as they arrived at the end of a long path, where the Mate waited to take her the rest of the way.

  “Then so it shall be,” Reynard agreed, bending to kiss her gently on the cheek.

  “You look quite lovely,” Piers complimented, offering his arm.

  Accepting the appendage, she smiled up at him. “And you quite handsome, sir.” Pivoting, they looked out across the expanse of dwarves that had gathered in the large room she and Hayt had explored the night after they had first arrived in the kingdom.

  The high ceiling above glistened with gems and minerals, and the walls lined with walkways were packed with short, round bodies. “There are so many,” she breathed, her chest growing tight as those on their level pushed in closer to the path they would take.

  “Steady, girl,” the Mate soothed, patting the back of her hand. “They are your new kin,” he assured.

  “Thank you, Mate,” she whispered, relaxing a little at his collected air. “You have been so wonderful to know.”

  Behind the couple, Amicia held Rey’s hand as they walked together, followed by Oldrilin, then Meena and Bally in single file. Only one member of their
group had been denied attendance, and Animir remained locked in their cell, as Baeweth could not be convinced to allow his presence at his great-nephew’s ceremony.

  Tears on her cheeks, Amicia watched the beautiful gown glisten in the dancing light of the fires, as torches and lamps lit their path. Catching glimpses of the pure white flowers in her bouquet, she realized that the dwarves had worked hard to give her such a beautiful moment; one they would share as the earth nymph became a part of them, these creatures who dug out and lived within their hidden world.

  Giving her a squeeze, Rey fought tears of his own. He had hoped to express the depths of his feelings for their dark-skinned companion, but she had brushed him off, and his words remained unspoken. Drawing a ragged breath, he lost the battle, and his face glistened with droplets that he could not hide, both happy and sad.

  Guilt twisting her stomach, Ami glanced up at him. She felt torn at that moment, guilty because she thought of herself as much as she did the girl before her. Yes, Zae had made the only choice she could, but Amicia had wasted so many chances to walk down her own aisle, and now she might never. Swallowing hard, she stifled the cry that threatened to escape.

  Just one more chance, she silently prayed, closing her eyes as he guided her. If I get another chance, I am going to marry Rey. He loves me dearly, and my Lamwen is assuredly gone. She knew in her gut she should take her vow with the man beside her and would do so if the council allowed them to live.

  Arriving at the front of the dwarf cathedral, the group hung back as Piers walked the girl up the steps. At the top of a raised platform, Hayt waited, smiling broadly as his bride approached. Placing her tiny hands in his, Piers gave him a wink as he commanded, “Take care of her, son.”

  “Always,” the dwarf replied, fighting the urge to kiss her lush full lips. There eyes meeting, the kingdom fell away, and for a moment, only the two of them lived and breathed as he drank in their ebony light.