Dragonmark

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

  Illarion gave her credit for that wisdom. Most wouldn't be so prudent, especially given her emotional state. And you barely know me, so how can you trust me when the ones you've put faith in for so long have played you so falsely?

  "Exactly!" She blushed as she realized that she'd inadvertently insulted him. With an adorable grimace, she wiped at her cheeks. "You see my dilemma?"

  Yet you trusted me with the truth.

  "It's not in my nature to lie. I don't like pretense. It's an ugly thing that leads to the worst in man and beast."

  Aye, it is. He brushed her hair back to offer her what comfort he could. You say she's held? Do you know where?

  "Nay. All I know is she made her bargain with Morgen le Fey."

  Illarion laughed bitterly at the name.

  "You know her?"

  Aye, bitch that she is. But more to the point, I know someone quite intimate with her.

  Edilyn widened her eyes as hope finally began to lift up inside her again. "Who?"

  My brother Blaise. If your mother made any bargain with Morgen, my brother will know of it. There's nothing that happens in her court he doesn't know all about.

  "You think he can help?"

  There's only one way to find out. Come, my precious, and meet my craziest brother.

  Edilyn wasn't sure what to expect as she took Illarion's hand. She assumed he'd fly her to wherever they needed to go, as a dragon.

  He didn't. The moment she took his hand, he flashed her from his cave out into a bright, vibrant meadow the likes of which she'd never seen. Everything here was surreal and glowing. Or radiating with a strange hum to it. It was hard to even focus or look at.

  "What is this place?"

  Avalon.

  She scowled at the unfamiliar name. "You say that as if I should know it."

  One day, there will scarce be a human who doesn't. But for now, this is where I need to be to summon my brother. With a wink at her, he made a peculiar whistling noise.

  But it wasn't his brother who answered. An incredibly beautiful blonde woman appeared in the garden not far from them. With skin so perfect that she seemed more fey than human, she pursed her lips. "Illarion? It's been a long time since we had the pleasure of your company. Are you seeking your brother?"

  Hi, Merlin. I am. Is he about?

  "Not per se. He's off on errands for me." She cocked a curious brow at Edilyn.

  My dragonswan. Edilyn, meet Aquila Penmerlin. She's the keeper of the land here, and a great lady.

  Merlin waved his words away with a humble blush. "He flatters me, truly. It's an honor to meet you, Edilyn."

  "And you, my lady."

  Illarion cocked his head as he studied the powerful sorceress. Is something wrong, Merlin?

  She kept staring at Edilyn. "You remind me of someone I knew a long time ago. An old friend. Sorry to stare. Sevira was just very dear to me."

  Edilyn felt the blood drain from her face. "Sevira ferch Vyggo?"

  Now it was Merlin's turn to appear stunned. "She was a daughter of Vyggo, but that wasn't the name I knew her by."

  What name then?

  "Sevira Feythhed. She was the fers of the Kikimory--essentially their queen."

  Stunned to the core of her being, Edilyn gasped. "Then it's true. Virag didn't lie."

  Morgen hesitated before she spoke the obvious. "You're her daughter?"

  By a human father. It's why we're here. Morgen found out and is after Edilyn ... and me.

  Merlin cursed. She scowled at Illarion. "Does Morgen know what you guard?"

  I will hazard a guess that she does, given her actions and ultimatums.

  "Then you need to leave here. Now!"

  Edilyn refused to go or be intimidated. "Not without my mother!"

  Merlin cupped her chin and gave her a harsh, yet sympathetic grimace. "I loved Sevira, too, but this is much larger than love and friendship. And even the love of a mother. You cannot let Morgen lay hands to what Illarion has. Any of it."

  Edilyn bit back a curse. This wasn't what she wanted to hear. Aye, it might be childish and selfish, but she wanted to see her mother again.

  If there was any chance whatsoever ...

  "Illarion?"

  Merlin's right, Edilyn. We can't do this.

  "Take her and go," Merlin urged as she gently pushed Edilyn toward Illarion. "I'm banishing you both from here."

  "Nay!" She tried to step away.

  But it was too late. Merlin sent them out before she'd even finished the word. Tears welled in Edilyn's eyes as she saw Illarion's cave, which she was beginning to despise. "Is this where I'm always going to end up?"

  Edilyn--

  She shook her head, cutting off his words. She didn't want to hear reason right now. All she wanted was to give in to that part of her that had felt abandoned and orphaned for so long.

  "You don't understand, Illarion. You never loved your mother the way I loved mine. You can't even comprehend it. And she was ripped so suddenly from my life. I awoke one morning and everything was like it was supposed to be ... just another day. I thought nothing of it. Just playing in the yard as I'd done a million times. And then it dawned on me that the sun was setting and my mother hadn't returned to make dinner. I went into the cottage to find her. But she wasn't there, either. Instead, it was my father at the table ... his head hung in his hands while he wept. I hadn't even known that he could cry. Not my fierce father. He was a giant beast of a man, too powerful to be human. Yet there he sat ... shattered. And in that one moment so was I. My entire world came crumbling down around me and there was nothing I could do to stop it or fight against it. I was rendered powerless in a single heartbeat."

  Edilyn broke off on a sob. "To learn that she's alive and that I could see her again? How could you agree to this!"

  Illarion watched as she ran up the stairs to her room. He stayed behind, unsure of what to do. She was right. A mother's love was incomprehensible to him. He barely knew his mother.

  All he knew of any kind of a motherly bond came from Maxis and Falcyn....

  Neither of whom were particularly maternal. Though they would eat whoever threatened him. There was much to be said for that. Still ...

  He went after her and found her lying on the bed, sobbing. The sound wrought strange, foreign emotions inside him that he'd never felt before. He had no idea what to call them.

  Edilyn? What can I do to make this better?

  "I ... want ... t-t-to ... see my ... mother!"

  He pulled her against him and rocked her gently against his chest while he held her. That I can't do. I'm sorry.

  She cried even harder.

  He winced at her heartfelt pain. You were right in what you said. I don't understand this grief you feel. I've never really had a tender touch until I met you.

  Edilyn choked on a sob at those words. Stunned and hiccupping, she lifted her head to meet his gaze. "What?"

  There was no denying the sincerity in his gaze. But if it means this much to you, I will find a way to get her out.

  "How?"

  No idea. But I am drakomas ... son of Ares, who's mated to the daughter of a kikimora. Apparently, impossible is what we both specialize in. We will do this!

  Laughing, she kissed his cheek and held him close. "Thank you."

  Don't thank me. Pretty sure before all is said and done, we're both going to be damned by this. But you never know where the journey will take you until you leave your cave and scale back the jungle vines to find your way through the brambles. Even if they shred us to the bone.

  11

  "You're not doing this."

  Illarion glared at his brother Falcyn, who lay curled in all his red dragon glory around a massive boulder. Unlike Illarion, he had a coating on his scales that caused them to shimmer with every breath, as if they'd been bronzed or were bleeding. Hold my shields. That's all I'm asking.

  "No. You're asking me to support your stupidity. And you know how I feel about fools. I ate all the dumb ones in every

litter ... or so I thought. Apparently, I somehow missed you."

  Illarion rolled his eyes. I promised Edilyn.

  "Your mistake. And I don't give a shit, which, considering the size of what we leave behind, actually means something when it comes out of the mouth of a dragon."

  Falcyn!

  He let out a long, exasperated breath. "Sarraxyn has already told me what your swan has gotten you into. See, this is what happens when you spend so much time around Max. I keep telling you bastards dumbass is contagious. Why don't you listen to me?"

  What do you expect from an idiot?

  "Don't backtalk me, Illy. Not in the mood I'm in. I might forget how much I like you and decide you'd make a good and hearty lunch."

  Just guard my island.

  Falcyn growled. "Fine, but you'll never get in."

  How do you know?

  "How do you not? The only thing you could trade her for is to find the merlin of the Halter. That might placate Morgen and get her off your back. At least for a bit."

  How?

  "She doesn't know what the Halter is, or what it looks like. Find its merlin. Hand him or her over, and then tell her that once she sets loose Edilyn's mother, you'll surrender the Halter."

  Illarion's jaw dropped at his suggestion. Had Falcyn lost his dragon-mind? In what world would that be helpful? Then, she'd have the power to actually use it!

  Falcyn let out another long, pain-filled groan. "No! Follow me, here, cupcake. You surrender a fake Halter because she don't know what it is. By the time she learns she's been duped, you're out of there, with your human, and are home free."

  Oh ... That could work.

  I like your plan.

  Falcyn shrugged. "I know. I'm brilliant."

  But if you're wrong ...

  "I'll be scooping your entrails up for soup. Never said it wasn't a gamble. Never really said you should do it. What is it Acheron's always droning on about? Just because you can and all that."

  They both had a point. Still ...

  You should come meet my Edilyn.

  Falcyn snorted disdainfully. "No, thanks. I do that, I might actually like her. For all I know, she alone could alter my outlook on humanity." He shuddered. "Last thing I want is to start liking my favorite snack food. Then where would I be?"

  You don't eat people, Illarion said drily.

  "True. They're gamey bastards. Stick in the teeth and leave a foul aftertaste." He let out one last aggravated breath. "Go on, little brother. I've got your cave for you, even if you are an idiot. You know I'll always be here for you ... Max can burn in hell for all I care."

  I wish you two would make amends.

  "Tell that to Hadyn, who should have called me. I would have died before I let them harm him."

  It wasn't Max's fault.

  Falcyn lifted his spiny head to glare at Illarion. "Are you trying to make me reconsider your favor?"

  He held his talons up in surrender. I bow before your greatness.

  "Damn right, you do. Cower, too, if you know what's good for you. Now get out of here."

  Illarion inclined his head to his older brother.

  To his shock, Falcyn hooked one large talon against his snout and held him there a moment longer. "Don't get killed, Illy. Bane-Cry if you run into any trouble."

  Those words touched him more than he could ever verbally express. Because he knew what Falcyn was really saying. What his brother really thought of him and meant by them. They weren't spoken lightly by the brash beast who prided himself on caring about no one and nothing. Nor were they trivial. Unlike Max, Falcyn only answered the Bane-Cry of very few of their kindred. He bled for even fewer. While Max would protect anyone he could, Falcyn flew for next to none.

  I will.

  Falcyn shoved him away, then ambled off. The surly bastard hated good-byes. More times than not for their kind, they were all too permanent.

  Illarion watched him a moment longer as brotherly affection warmed him. The Fates hadn't been kind to any of them, but Falcyn ...

  His heart ached for his brother and his past.

  But unfortunately, there was nothing he could do to ease the pain or make Falcyn's burdens easier to carry. And right now, he had his own future to secure.

  Determined, he took flight and headed back to his den.

  *

  Edilyn finished packing her gear while she waited on Illarion to return. A smile hovered at the edges of her lips when she touched the sword he'd given her.

  Closing her eyes, she could still see him in all his shyness. She'd been washing her clothes in the small oasis at the base of the waterfall.

  In human form, Illarion had watched her for quite a bit with that adorable grimace he had anytime he didn't understand her human ways. What is it that you do?

  "I'm doing laundry. Don't you ever wash..." She'd let her voice trail off as she realized that no, Illarion never did laundry. Like Virag, whenever he wanted something he thought about it and--poof! It was there. "Never mind. Is there something you need?"

  Even more bashful, he'd approached her so that he could sit by her side. You're almost finished with your war training.

  His serious tone sent trepidation through her. "Are you telling me to leave?"

  What?! Why?! Where did that thought come from?

  Putting her laundry aside, she sat back on her heels to eye him. "Well, the strange way you're acting. It's obvious that something is bothering you. That seemed the most likely source."

  He snorted. Nay, love. Rather you never react to things quite the way that I think you will. So I know not how you're going to receive this news when I give it.

  That was true, she supposed. "You've eaten my brother, haven't you?"

  He laughed. Nay, but the thought is tempting. And since you're not going to calm until I explain, let me put you out of your agony....

  I have a present for you.

  "A present?"

  Nodding, he'd kissed her forehead. Then, when he pulled away, an entire set of armor had been on the ground beside them. Complete with a sword and shield.

  Her jaw had gone slack. "What is this?"

  For your protection. You can't very well go to war with just your bare hands.

  Touched by that memory, Edilyn sniffed back her tears as she picked up and caressed the sword. Beside it on the bed lay Illarion's dragon's claw--the weapon his brother Falcyn had fashioned in order to protect him whenever he was in his human form. Because of what had happened to Illarion when he'd been a dragonet, and then after the god Dagon had captured Illarion and made him a shapeshifter, Falcyn was hyperprotective of him. He wanted to make sure that Illarion was never helpless again.

  And Illarion, because of his past, was every bit as paranoid and insistent with her safety as his family was with his. So Falcyn made the claw for Illarion and Illarion insisted that she carry it now in his stead.

  There were so many reasons she'd learned to love her dragon. Right down to his indulgence of her once she'd learned that he could time travel.

  "Prove it!" she'd challenged, expecting it to be utter fabrication.

  A heartbeat later, they'd been hundreds of years in the future. In a country she barely recognized as Prydain. But there, she'd fallen under the spell of minstrels singing incredible tales of love and sacrifice. And she'd learned of the King Arthur Illarion had spoken about.

  What has brought such an incredible smile to your face, love?

  Dragging her thoughts from her memories, she looked up to see Illarion had returned. "I was thinking of the times you've taken me into the future. What was the name of that poet again I love?"

  Cercamon.

  That was it. She didn't know why she had such a hard time remembering his name when she could always recall his words. "I am pleased when she maddens me ... when she makes me stand with open mouth, staring."

  He closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her, then completed the rest of the poem. And I am pleased when she laughs at me, or makes a fool of me to my face, or my back.... For after this bad, the good will come very quickly, if such is her pleasure. He pressed his cheek to hers.

  Reaching up, she placed her hand to his strong jaw and sighed. "You are far too gentle to be such a fierce, terrifying beast."

  Only because I like you. The rest of the world ... they are forever on my menu.

  As he started away, she caught his hand and pulled him to a stop.

  "What's on your mind?"

  He cocked a brow at her.

  She tsked in response. "You know I can read your moods. You say more with your silence than most who use thousands of words."

  His features gentled. My brother gave me an idea that I'm toying with.

  "And that would be?"

  He didn't answer. Rather, he left her side and headed for the stairs.

  Curious and confused, Edilyn followed after him.

  Without a word, he continued on to his chambers until he reached a chest that she'd never paid particular attention to before. He opened it and pulled out an incredibly ornate gold necklace. Fashioned in the image of a stag, it was designed to hang low and held teardrop-shaped diamonds that shimmered and reflected prisms all through their cave.

  "It's beautiful," she breathed, reaching out to touch it.

  Illarion laid it across her palm. It looks so innocuous.

  "Nay, it's glorious!"

  He scoffed. More than you know.

  "How do you mean?"

  He inclined his head toward it, then ran one finger over the gems. This is what your brother seeks, Addie. It's the Halter of the goddess Epona.

  Her jaw went slack as she studied it with new eyes. Delicate and fragile, she couldn't imagine using this to control a horse. "I don't understand."

  He picked it up and hung it over her brow like a diadem. It's an equestrian browband that hangs on a halter.

  In that moment, she realized what he was doing. "You're trusting me with this?"

  He nodded.

  "Why?"

  Lifting his hand from the browband to her cheek, he softened his stern frown. In the event I fail, I want you to have your mother.

  "Illy--"

  Shh, my Addie-Rose. He pressed a kiss to her lips. Our lives are a finite path on an intricate tapestry. One thread that is woven through thousands of others to form an elaborate pattern that up close loses all meaning. It's only when we stand back at a distance that we can see the details of it all, and how the threads work together to make us whole. I don't know how things will unravel, in the end. I only know that before I allow you to die because you've tied your life to mine, I will place myself into the dragon's torpor.

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