by Mary Auclair
“I know what you’re thinking.” Aldric sighed. “I shouldn’t have acted like that with Endora. I couldn’t resist her.”
The dragon ruffled his scales, then shook his head. The demand was simple and direct, and Aldric flattened his hand on the dragon’s muzzle. Through the bond, emotions flowed in, warm and gripping, and the sound of a woman’s voice, singing in tune with the beating of his heart.
“She’s the one, I know.” Aldric stepped closer to Rhyl and leaned against the dragon’s powerful neck. “She wants to go back home. She loves another man.”
Rhyl growled, staring at Aldric with outrage.
“She doesn’t understand how important she is, what our lives will become if she leaves.”
Aldric swallowed, then shook his head. Ylmira’s joyful face before the sickness took her filled his mind. His mother had been wrong about one thing. It wasn’t his father’s fault Ylmira’s health had faltered. It was the constant sadness, the hatred between their parents permeating the very air they breathed that had leached his sister’s will to live.
His life had lost what little warmth it had after Ylmira died. His mother soon became ill, then faded as well. His father walled himself into his work, only noticing Aldric when it was time to hand him over to the next master who was to shape him into the most formidable High Lord to come.
If he allowed Endora to leave him, his own child would grow up just like he had. Without love, without warmth. A lonely, sad child, growing to despise feelings altogether. He wouldn’t allow this fate to befall his heir.
“I can’t allow her to leave. Not after the contract is fulfilled. Not ever.”
Rhyl’s roar echoed in the empty night sky, proclaiming what Aldric’s words couldn’t.
Chapter 5
Endora followed Junco down the maze of hallways to the throne room. Despite Junco’s protests, Endora had insisted on wearing her own dress and shoes, refusing to wear the wonderful new green velvet gown Aldric had sent her.
As they turned the corner leading to the throne room, her stomach filled with butterflies and she realized she was eager, despite her best effort to push the feelings away. She wanted to see him again.
That kiss had haunted her for the rest of the night, and she had found little sleep.
Aldric had been passionate and demanding, making a fire spread inside her like no other before, not even Wilmer. Everything about him was hard and masculine, from the grip of his hands to the dominating press of his lips. He was dangerous on so many levels, she couldn’t even think about it. She was trapped here with him, and she wondered if the attraction would only grow as they shared more of their bodies together.
She was as wary as she was excited about it.
Junco finally stopped in front of the intricately carved door. The wood was a piece of art in itself, and whoever had carved it knew that the dragons were at the heart of the power behind those doors. Dragons—everywhere, and at the center of everything.
“I am to remain on the other side,” Junco said, taking a step to the side. “I will be there when you are finished.”
Endora turned a grateful smile to the kind old lady, but couldn’t say a word. Her throat was closed up. If Lord Aldric decided to summon her this early in the morning, it had to be important.
Pushing the heavy wood, Endora stepped inside. For a moment, she was stunned by the majesty of the room. She hadn’t noticed it the night before, she had been so focused on making Lord Aldric bend his rule. The throne room was long and wide, with columns on each side, reaching a vaulted ceiling framed by heavily carved beams. It was majestic, and as she walked, every one of her steps echoed, making her conscious of how small she was. She knew it was by design, but still, it worked, and she felt insignificant and defenseless in the large empty space.
Finally, she reached the steps at the base of the throne. Endora blinked at the empty seat.
“I don’t always sit on it.” A voice came from her side, and Endora turned to see Lord Aldric leaning on a column the size of a centuries old oak tree. His long, lean body radiated effortless strength, and she was acutely aware of her instant attraction to him. “Truth be told, it’s an incredibly uncomfortable seat.”
Lord Aldric watched her from the shadows, his pale eyes two gleaming jewels, his hair framing his pure, hard chiseled face. He was agile and strong, like a mountain lion.
No, she corrected herself. Not a mountain lion. Like a dragon.
“Then you should put other seats in the room.” Endora turned to him, all too aware of her chest heaving faster, pushing her erect nipples against the bodice of her dress. “That way, there would be options.”
“The only seat in the room is the throne. It sends a message.” Lord Aldric stalked closer to her, his body moving like an invitation, in a slow, graceful way. “It’s a spectacle, you see?” He made a dismissive gesture. It was so natural, so easy, it made her want to reach out and touch him. “All of this is a spectacle.”
“It’s a good one. It makes everyone else feels unimportant in comparison.”
Endora hugged herself to prevent her arms from reaching out to him. It was a stupid impulse, a way to ensure she wouldn’t get hurt way more deeply than she needed to. He would either reject her, or wouldn’t, and then the hurt would come later—only stronger—when she had to leave. Still, she couldn’t help it. Her attraction to him was an underlying fact, something that couldn’t be denied.
She watched him in silence as he studied her back.
He was perfect, his features precise and symmetric. Her butterflies morphed into a sea of roiling moths and Endora’s knees shook under her weight. She really should have slept, or at least eaten something. She hated to show weakness, especially in front of him.
“You wanted to see me?”
Aldric nodded as he walked, then stopped a mere step away from her. His gaze was intent on her, and his mouth was unsmiling. There was no trace of the passion he’d shown her the night before, only an expressionless façade. Endora swallowed. Whatever the previous night had been, it was long gone.
“You’ve never said my name.” Lord Aldric kept his face expressionless but his eyes gleamed. “Somehow, you always manage to avoid it. I’d like to hear you say it.”
“Um… Lord Aldric Darragon.” Endora smiled, but she knew it was a pitiful attempt.
“No.” He shook his head slowly. “Not Lord. Just Aldric.”
“Aldric.” Endora said his name, and a long, deep resonance traveled along her bones. “Why am I here?”
Aldric kept staring at Endora like he wasn’t sure he wanted to talk, but after a few seconds, he lifted his brows in acquiescence. “I am amending the terms of our contract.” He spoke calmly, but it was clear the words were carefully chosen. He had put thought into what he was about to tell her. As he spoke, his eyes captured her slightest reaction; liquid metal, like two mirrors. “I am doubling the compensation initially promised.”
“Doubling it?” Endora exhaled forcefully. This was a mind-boggling amount of money. More than she could ever fathom to spend in her lifetime, even in Tallie’s lifetime. She was immediately suspicious.
Aldric stayed perfectly still, his ever-watchful eyes not betraying anything. A long, uncomfortable moment passed, and Endora couldn’t help fidgeting with the fabric of her dress. The rough cotton fabric crumpled in her palm, making her aware of how poor and ragged she must look to his eyes. Despite this being her best dress, it paled in comparison to Lord Aldric’s fine silk and leather.
She was an insect on the wall in this castle. Something destined to be used and forgotten. She had been mistaken the night before, he wasn’t attracted to her. He was merely testing the merchandise. Now, he wanted to buy.
“Thank you, Aldric.” Endora pursed her lips and swallowed her hurt. “But I don’t want more money.”
“It is a very generous offer. No other mating contract ever gave up as much.” Aldric lifted his chin, and with that, his entire demeanor lost all traces of wa
rmth. His eyes glinted with cold resolve and his mouth curved down, giving him a cruel look. “The payment agreed upon will be paid as soon as the mating is concluded, and an equal sum will be offered at the birth of a living child.”
“Why offer that much? You must want something else from me.”
“Our union will be Draekar.”
“Draekar? What is that?” She blinked, trying to chase away the feeling that what little control she had was slipping out of her hands, and fast.
“It means you will be my Draekarra, my dragon mate.” Aldric straightened, his stare latched on to her reaction. “There will be no termination of the contract. This union will be permanent.”
Endora’s body felt numb. Her knees weakened, and the throne room started to spin. Aldric stepped forward to prevent her from falling but she took a few steps back hastily, not wanting him to touch her. Aldric froze and stayed still, his mouth tightening to a fine line.
“No.” She shook her head so hard her neck hurt. “I’m sorry, but no. I cannot accept that.”
“I am afraid it is not up for negotiation,” Aldric answered sharply, his voice a lash of cold fire. “The new terms stand, or the offer is rescinded.”
Endora felt as if someone had punched her in the stomach. He wanted her to commit her entire life to staying here with him? If she agreed, she could never see Tallie or Henriette again. She gripped the fabric of her dress so hard her fingers hurt. She brought her eyes back to Aldric’s, ready to plead and beg like she’d never begged before, but she stopped short when she saw his eyes. Pools of grey winter sky, without a trace of compassion. He wasn’t to be swayed.
“But why?” She hated the trembling in her voice but there was nothing she could do about it. She was desperate.
Aldric looked at her for a long time, like he was somehow waiting for her to say or do something more. Finally, he said, “I see fit to keep you here. For the sake of the child who will be born out of our union.”
“But what about…” Endora’s voice trailed off. She had been about to say ‘what about the child I already have?’ but caught herself just in time.
“Your human lover is of no concern to me.” The expression on Aldric’s face was immediately frightening. Where there had been only a frozen landscape of resolve a few seconds ago, he was now radiating with rage. “And if you know what’s good for him, you will never talk about it again.”
Endora paused, panic and grief fighting in equal parts in her mind. Aldric thought she was distraught at the idea of never seeing her lover again. How wrong he was.
She turned her back on him, needing a few more seconds to collect her thoughts. Hot tears threatened to break free, and she squeezed her eyes closed. Somewhere in the back of her mind, something tore apart.
She could almost feel Aldric’s stare on her back, the cold silver gaze steady and inflexible. Pleading wouldn’t work, and with a man like that, did she dare tell him the truth? No. Not when the life of her daughter hung in the balance. Gradually regaining her countenance, she straightened up once more. Her hand closed around the heart pendant, her thumb rubbing the surface.
Nobody matters like you.
She couldn’t tell him. Her only reason for refusing his offer was Tallie, and despite everything, Aldric might still refuse her if he knew she had a child. She couldn’t risk it, not before the cure was bought and Tallie was out of danger. She had to accept.
“Fine.” Her voice was steady and strong, surprisingly so. “I accept the new terms. I want the payment the morning after the ceremony. In precious stones and gold coins.”
She turned to face Aldric again. She stood as straight as she could as he stared at her, his jaw still clenched and his mouth reduced to a cruel line. Such perfection, such heartlessness, he could as well have been carved out of stone.
Moments passed, then he slowly nodded his approval. “The ceremony will take place at sundown.”
A lump settled midway in Endora’s throat and she found she couldn’t breathe. She turned around and ran.
Aldric walked to the bottom of the steps to the throne, then turned around. His mood hadn’t lifted, and he was ready to pummel the first man to get in his way.
“That’s all?” Dalgo sighed deeply from his sitting position on the steps. “You just told her she can’t ever leave, without explaining anything?”
“There wasn’t more to say.” Aldric turned and glared at his best friend. “All she thinks about is going back to her lover. What was I supposed to do? Beg?”
“How do you even know she has a lover? Did you have her followed?” Dalgo was getting angry and he crossed his arms over his chest. “You do realize this is not helping. She can’t stay as a prisoner against her will.”
“She’s not a prisoner,” Aldric answered sharply, even though a dark doubt insinuated itself in his mind. “She’s going to be my Draekarra. She will be the most powerful, richest woman on the continent.”
“Against her will.” Dalgo got up and walked down to Aldric. “Why couldn’t you tell her what you told me? You might have been surprised by her answer.”
Aldric opened his mouth to counter, but was interrupted by the sound of the heavy wooden door opening. Both men turned to see a small, willowy shape hop into the throne room, followed by a scurrying, emerald green dragon. The child’s long, straight, jet-black hair bounced up and down at her skipping motion.
A tall, slim woman followed, draped in a gray dress.
“Lady Shari,” the governess’s dry voice cut the silence, “it’s unbecoming for a lady to run around like a puppy.”
The little girl stopped and turned her face to her governess, then started to walk, her pace increasingly fast as she approached. Aldric’s throat constricted at the sight of the child, like it had done every time he saw his charge for the past four years.
“Hi.” Shari stopped in front of Aldric and Dalgo and lifted her dainty, heart-shaped face to them, her lips stretched in a gut-wrenching smile.
Behind her, the governess, Mistress Hael, stood straight and at attention.
“Hey, kiddo!”
Dalgo smiled and bent, then opened his arms. Shari giggled and jumped into the man’s embrace, followed by her dragon. Aldric watched as his friend twirled the girl and her beast around, making them howl with laughter.
He wondered if he would ever be able to make the girl laugh like that. Most of the time he didn’t know what to tell her, how to react to her emotions and questions.
“Rasha keeps clawing at my dress,” Shari told Dalgo, her juvenile face scrunched up in a pout. “I told her to stop but she won’t listen.”
“Did you hear that?” Dalgo turned a blazing smile on Aldric, oblivious—or indifferent—to his friend’s discomfort. “That little rascal needs help with Rasha.”
“Will you help me?” Shari asked, her big silver eyes shining in anticipation. The child loved to spend time with Dalgo, and often followed him around the castle.
“I’m too busy right now.” Dalgo frowned, showing his displeasure at being unable to spend time with her. “Can you think of somebody else who could help you with Rasha?”
Shari nodded, her face suddenly serious. She turned to look at Aldric. “Uncle Aldric, will you help me and Rasha?”
Aldric froze. This was the first time Shari had directly asked him to spend time with her since she came into his care.
“Of course.” He stepped closer and looked down at the impossibly small figure. Her big eyes lifted to his, and he had to blink a few times before bending. As soon as he was at her level, Shari’s face lit up with a wide grin. The child’s easy trust tugged at his heart. Shari had lost so much, yet there she was, offering her tender heart on a platter.
“What’s the matter with you and Rasha?”
“She’s clawing at my dresses.” Shari lifted a panel of her skirt and showed him a series of tears where the dragon’s claws had ripped the fabric. “She always wants me to carry her, and when I don’t want to, she tries to climb o
n me.” She turned a pouting face to Rasha, who sat down and looked as contrite as she could—which was not very much.
“Young dragons can be stubborn sometimes.” Aldric nodded. “Have you tried explaining to Rasha why you don’t want to carry her anymore?”
“I tried.” Shari bit her lower lip and looked sideways at the dragon. “You’re too heavy! And your claws are too long, you hurt me last time.” She lifted her sleeve and showed Rasha a long, red mark. The young dragon stepped closer and stared, apparently stunned, then let out a long whine before curling up at Shari’s feet.
“There.” Aldric hesitated before putting his hand on the girl’s shoulder. “I don’t think you’re going to have a problem anymore. Just always remember: your dragon might not answer you, but she understands everything you tell her.”
“Thank you!” Shari threw her small, slender arms around Aldric, hugging him close with all her strength. A kiss landed on his cheek, and he felt his throat close up. Her large, pure, metallic eyes met his, and he had to summon all his strength to smile.
“You’re a brave girl.” Aldric was surprised to hear his voice thin and filled with emotion. “Now run along, you have to bathe and dress up for the feast.”
“My dress is so pretty.” Shari’s smile melted, then she inhaled sharply. “Do you think she will love me?”
“Who?” Aldric blinked.
“My new mother. What’s her name?”
“Oh.” Aldric was at loss for words. Yes, of course the child would see Endora as her new mother. With horror, he realized he had not even mentioned Shari’s existence to Endora. “Her name is Endora, and I am sure she will love you.”
“Will you and my new mother want to have a baby one day?” Shari asked, her face suddenly serious.
“Well, yes.” Aldric stood and smiled, despite his shock at the question.
“I hope she will never get pregnant,” Shari whispered. “That way, she won’t die.”
Shari turned to Rasha and started to jump-hop to her governess, then stopped when the woman gave her a hard frown. Slowly, Shari and Rasha walked away, under Mistress Hael’s watch. Aldric watched her go. The lump had returned to his throat.
