The Seeking Series Box Set
Page 47
“It’s not too much?” He wanted to hook a finger in his collar, but resisted.
“Oh no, lovey. It’s perfect. Ari won’t be able to take her eyes off you.” She eyed him up and down. “Yes, you’re a treat to look on.”
“Hey, you’re my mate.” Aern grumbled, but it sounded good natured.
“Yes, I certainly love my Aernie, but that doesn’t mean I’m dead. A woman appreciates a handsome man all decked out in such finery.” Fricassa fluttered her eyelashes, and Kellen suppressed a grin.
“All I care about is Ari marrying me.”
They didn’t need to introduce Aern and Fricassa to the bright yellow dragon standing with them, which was just as well because the other female in the room seemed to struggle to keep her eyes off him.
Felix probably was as old as Aern and Fricassa. And despite his cheerful color and easy-going manner, could fight with the best of them. This dragon had proved his mettle several times over.
But Maeze wouldn’t know this since she hadn’t been hatched all that long ago. Fricassa bumped her and said something to her in low tones. The blue dragon’s scales deepened in color around her cheeks. The blushing dragon ducked her head, but her gaze remained on the yellow dragon.
By then music started playing and he straightened his shoulders. Time to get married.
This should probably strike more fear in his heart, but it didn’t.
Chapter 15
With her dress in place, her hair piled in curls on top of her head, and a flower in her hair, Ari looked ready to marry. The gown was gorgeous, as was her hair.
She didn’t feel like herself, but perhaps that was okay. She looked the part. Or so everyone around her kept remarking.
Her wedding party, consisting of Raene, Stefana, and Felicity, ushered her into the bowels of the castle. Raene and Stefana would observe, while Felicity would stand with her.
Ari could have done without all the pomp and circumstance. She just wanted to marry Kellen and move on to the battle ahead.
If there was a battle. Hopefully.
They rounded a corner and someone stuffed a bouquet of flowers into her grasp. She thrust them into Raene’s hands. A woman warrior had her limits and carrying flowers smacked into hers.
A warrior kept her hands free at all times, if at all possible. The only thing in hand was a sword or some other weapon. Flowers didn’t constitute a weapon.
At least not that she was aware. She straightened her shoulders and strolled with Felicity through the tunnel.
Ari could have asked one of her brothers to “escort” her or give her away or whatever that was, but she didn’t see the need. As a grown woman and warrior, she’d give herself to Kellen.
Hands free and ready to grab her sword should she need to, she entered the cavern with Felicity.
And caught sight of her groom. She didn’t know who had convinced him to wear such clothes, but…
Ari stopped in the doorway and stared. Gorgeous. The man was gorgeous. She wanted to kiss him all over again.
Probably not appropriate.
She hurried to his side, breathing him in and wished this ceremony had already concluded. Their hands clasped of their own volition and she gazed into Kellen’s amber eyes.
“You’re beautiful.” His voice rasped.
“So are you.” She squeezed his hands, thankful she’d ditched the flowers. They would only get in the way.
The duke who commenced the ceremony looked as though a strong breeze would carry him off, but his voice remained steady and strong. He held a scroll, but Ari didn’t notice him glance at it even once. It appeared that he’d long ago memorized the contents.
She and Kellen had been specific on what they wanted. The shortest ceremony possible and the man hadn’t agreed, but he did comply. He must be the duke who enjoyed the pomp and circumstance, but they had a pressing matter to take care of immediately after this.
He had them repeat their vows and then came the exchange of rings. Her heartbeat quickened when Kellen removed a silver colored circlet from his pocket. “I made this during the time we’ve been apart.”
When he slid the ring on her finger, she caught her breath at the intricate details. They didn’t have time to go into them because this duke kept them on task. Ari wanted to kiss Kellen in thanks.
She wanted to kiss him just because.
The duke cleared his throat, and she fished out the ring she’d made for Kellen. They hadn’t had much spare time in Swiftland, but she’d enjoyed making this band for him, even though she hadn’t specifically thought of placing her creation on his finger.
Now she didn’t hesitate when the time came. Somehow, their rings matched. They hadn’t been made by the same person, but perhaps people who felt the same way did similar things?
She didn’t take time to sort out the matter. Because now that their rings were in place, the duke finally invited them to kiss. Ari didn’t need to hear this twice.
She and Kellen surged into each other and the kiss they shared made all her nerve endings awaken. The need pressing her finally satisfied, she smiled at him when they parted. This one.
No other man would do.
Tears prickled but she didn’t give in to them. She wanted to savor every single second of this moment, but she also wanted to be alone with him.
The duke pronounced them husband and wife, and Kellen raised their clasped hands above their heads in victory before he hustled her out of the cavern. Or so she thought. Instead they greeted the dragons, and she said hello to Rykert, who seemed fascinated by Felicity.
She hugged Aern and Fricassa and spent a little time with Felix and Maeze. Then they left the cavern.
“Rykert came to tell us Chariovalda is under attack. Right before our ceremony he heard it might not be by humans.” Kellen didn’t slow his pace through the rock lined corridor to the castle proper.
“Not human?” Ari questioned. Their pace through the castle didn’t abate.
“I don’t know more than that.” Kellen’s hand was warm in her own.
I just got married. Nothing felt different so far. Yet everything did as well. She’d committed her life to Kellen’s.
Not even a smidgen of doubt assailed her.
“Is the attack occurring as we speak?” They increased their pace through the castle…
“Rykert thought it’d happen by this evening.”
“Oh so it’s impending.” She chewed the inside of her cheek. That should give them plenty of time to change and then head in the direction of the small kingdom that bordered Swiftland.
“It is.”
“Wait, is someone watching Swiftland?” Ari did halt their pace to frantically make certain the people she’d grown to love were safe.
“Mkhai is there.”
“Oh good.” Relief gusted from her lungs as they resumed their lope through the castle. It didn’t seem safe, but Kellen didn’t appear willing to be swayed.
They reached a room she’d never visited before. “What is this?” Ari glanced around at the fine bedchamber. It was fit for a king and queen. Her breath caught at the fancy appointments and the sheer luxury in the rooms.
“This is our bedchamber for whenever we visit here, apparently.” Kellen shut the door behind him and drew her immediately into his arms. “You are the most beautiful woman in the world.” His throat sounded clogged.
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m not, but I’m grateful you believe this.”
“You are. I’ve never lost my breath before, but the moment you walked into the cavern to marry me, I struggled to breathe.” His arms tightened. “That’s never happened before, Ari mine.”
Warmth and an emotion she couldn’t define gushed through her. Their lips connected and Kellen stepped them across the room. He made short work of helping her remove her wedding gown. His neck cloth ended up on the floor, as did his shirt, followed by his other clothing.
“We don’t have time for this.”
“We don
’t.” Kellen agreed with her. But neither of them stopped.
The clock ticked behind them and both ignored it for more interesting pursuits.
“We’ll be quick,” he promised.
She offered a breathy laugh.
Joy, hope, and a sense of belonging followed them onto the bed where he showed her exactly how he saw her. And she returned the favor. This amazing man wanted her to be a part of his life for the rest of his days.
She concurred.
Bliss - so this is what that word meant. Kellen held Ari close and breathed in her wonderful scent. She was a warm weight in his arms, perfect and right.
He tugged her closer. “We cannot linger.” Regret undulated through him. He didn’t want to move and by her languid movements, believed she didn’t either.
She abruptly sat up. “We have a battle encroaching.” Anticipation flowed through this statement. Ari turned to look at him on the bed. “Oh but you’re a temptation Kellen the Magnificent.”
His lips stretched into what he feared was a sappy grin. “That’s not my name.” He gathered her close for a kiss that would have led to other things...
But the clock ticked behind them and they reluctantly left their little nest to don their warrior clothes. Both encased their persons in protective leathers and strapped on their swords.
The sight of a woman wearing a sword did something for him. “You’re gorgeous.”
Her stunning silvery-blue eyes gleamed. “Same to you, mate. But we’ve got a fight to engage in.”
He loved the eagerness threading through her. It called to him and matched his own.
Once they had both tugged on their boots and stowed their wedding garb, they left the room. To find the rest of their party preparing to leave. No one mentioned their tardiness, and fortunately, their intimate time didn’t faze any of the others who had only just settled things.
“What is the plan?” Ari inquired of Lajos.
“You and Kellen will ride Aern, while Stefana and I will ride Fricassa.” The dragon in question bumped him. His companion for centuries, Lajos and Fricassa shared an amazing bond. Aern had been Vidar’s companion and the dragon team worked well for Swiftland right now.
Kellen had a question of his own. “Is Felicity coming with us or Rykert or both?”
“We’ve just decided that Rykert and Felix are staying because Felicity wants Maeze to see how to act in battle.” Lajos pointed to the blue dragon who seemed unable to take her gleaming yellow eyes off the bright yellow dragon, Felix.
All of them were amused by her young calf eyes. Although Felix didn’t appear to notice. Probably due to her still being too young to mate. That state wouldn’t last long. Maeze would reach full maturity by the end of the year, or early next year. But for now, she’d still be considered underage.
Still, her adolescent behavior did cause a rising fondness for the young dragon. She was charming in that youngster way. However, dragons could kill from birth. They weren’t adept, but they were born with the ability to produce dragonfyre should they need it.
Once his and Ari’s minimal personal belongings were stowed away, goodbyes said and hugs accomplished, they climbed aboard their rides. A cheerful Aern and Fricassa soon took to the skies with the blue dragon following. Maeze proved to be a competent flier.
She kept her head and took in everything the two older dragons did. Learning from them and from the faithful warrior she carried. Felicity, by his assessment, was older than Ari, but not by much. She probably had been trained a year or two before Ari, although they’d have to refer to the crumbling records to be certain.
It didn’t matter. Except that Felicity was very capable of helping Maeze gain her feet, so to speak. Aern might not be the best instructor in that enterprise as he still tripped over his own upon occasion.
The wind whipped at them but none of them were bothered by it. Even Stefana, nestled against Lajos didn’t appear to feel it much. A promising sign.
The sun lowered as they passed over Montequirst land. Swiftland was to the northeast while Chariovalda lay northwest of Montequirst. The untamed western lands lay beyond this new kingdom. Where he and Ari might be able to establish their school.
Rolling hills and scrub with more extreme temperatures all appealed to him and must have to Ari as well. Since she agreed that the west might be just the place to found a school. At least one where their graduates would no longer be human.
Perhaps, once Ari’s brothers and their wives reproduced, their children would attend the school. It bore thinking about. Would their children, perhaps the first to be born Aasguard, perhaps not, arrive with skills already?
His heart thumped with the unknown. He and Ari were the first full Aasguard couple to wed. With her tucked into the niche between his thighs, nestled against him he wholeheartedly applauded marriage for their kind. She fit as though she’d been the missing half of his life.
They matched in a manner he and his dragon hadn’t quite managed. He and Marxin made an excellent team, but they hadn’t been as compatible as him and Ari. Kellen still missed his dragon. He would welcome a new dragon with open arms.
Hope lay in Fricassa and Aern potentially reproducing. Maeze’s parents, although now passed, had reproduced. So it was possible. It must have been ages ago when the two dragons leading the way into battle had been born to different parents.
And Fricassa had a sister. Aern and his former dragon, Marxin, had been first cousins. At first, he’d thought they were full brothers, but Marxin had worked out that they had shared grandparents, not parents.
The lands of Chariovalda came into view as the air cooled and the land showed more rugged than that of Montequirst. The scent here was also more earthy and wild. This connected with him.
While flying from the southeast, Kellen spotted nothing. “Aern, can we fly to the north?”
“Already planned to do that. I wish to know what we’re dealing with.”
In the end, there wasn’t any need to do so. They had only just approached the castle when a swarm tried to inundate them. It took him a moment to connect.
What is this? What are these things?
Aern and Fricassa took care of the swarm, whatever it was, some sort of insect, with dragonfyre. They flew over the turrets. The space was heavily armed, with bowmen pointing at them and plenty of drawn swords.
The king and queen called them down, both of them exiting the castle to greet them. Another woman who resembled the queen, followed. Only this one bore a greater height and more muscle. She looked like Aasguard.
He and Ari exchanged glances.
“Yes, she certainly is a potential student but let us meet the enemy first.” Ari made sense. They didn’t know how this woman fought, but based on the way she carried and handled the sword in her hand, he guessed very well.
The king and queen greeted them with effusive thanks.
“You are our neighbors and friends. We will always answer your call.” Lajos stated this with all the authority invested in him as an Aasguard and now as a fellow king.
The two queens hugged. Stefana appeared unsettled and Ari’s quick exchange with him and Lajos reminded them that they needed to help her gain the state of calm that all Aasguards employed before and during a battle.
It didn’t take them long to discover the waves causing her apprehension. They countered them and soon Stefana dipped into the state of calm they all employed without thought. Then, with some urging from Lajos, she sank fully into it.
Just in time for the enemy that descended upon them from a portal that abruptly opened.
Chapter 16
“Desampus.” Ari uttered this with all the disgust roiling inside her. “Take refuge in the castle and command all of your men inside as well.” She stated this with all the confidence and authority she could muster.
“Go, they’ll rip you apart. You don’t have the necessary weapons to fight them.” Lajos and Kellen both added their urging to the humans. The king and queen dithered befor
e they caught sight of the unholy creation of the desampus.
There was no explanation for them, at best one could label them a reptile-demon combination, but not entirely. Scaled, hideous creatures that enjoyed ripping living beings apart, they fed messily and with glee at their victim’s agony. Long ago they had been banished to a different realm and shouldn’t have been offered a portal into this one.
After catching sight of the despicable creatures, and with help from Felicity who picked up the royal couple and sprinted with them to the castle, they saw reason. The pair must have caught on because they soon sprinted themselves as an alarm peeled throughout the land.
Ari hoped with her very being that this indicated for all persons to flee inside. Hopefully, they retreated to the bowels of the castle and their own basements or cellars. These creatures should not be here.
The men on the parapets and towers cleared. “Aern, Fricassa, and Maeze, use as much dragonfyre as you have.” Ari cried this to the dragons as she drew her sword for the scourge who launched at them.
No human could kill an Aasguard, but she didn’t know about desampus.
“They can’t kill us, but they can wound us badly.” Lajos must have caught her thoughts or been thinking the same thing. He stated this with utter disgust.
Her heart trembled. “Stefana.”
Lajos grabbed his wife. But they were swarmed. “Fricassa.” The green dragon swooped in and disintegrated the desampus with copious amounts of dragonfyre. Lajos hurled Stefana onto the green dragon’s back as she dove again.
Ari lost track of her sister-in-law as sharp claws scored down her side. She used her sword to take out three of the creatures, her calm hindered by the fury that tried to rip through her like the wicked claws making far too much contact.
“Where did they come from?” Kellen’s sword flashed and rolled heads with a skill she wanted to take time to admire, but even taking that spare moment would prove disastrous.
She and Felicity fought back to back, while Kellen and Lajos did the same. Ari feared Lajos’ focus wasn’t quite in the battle though, due to his worry about Stefana. There hadn’t been time to send her into the castle.