Touch of Ice (Dawn of Dragons Book 1)

by Mary Auclair

  Shari giggled when Endora tickled her belly gently.

  “Now, let’s go. I want to be there when they arrive.”

  Shari nodded and resumed her playful pace. As the child walked, Endora watched her. Shari was so resilient in her own way. So full of optimism, brimming with the desire to love and be loved. Hungry for it. She envied her. It had been such a long time since her heart was as open. It took courage, more than Endora had.

  Endora walked, a lump suddenly in her throat. They expected so much from her. Shari, with her young, vulnerable heart. Aldric, with this dark, deep need buried under the ice in his eyes.

  Finally, at the end of a long, windowless corridor, they reached the tall archway leading to the open space that served as a parking lot for the various land bound vehicles that roamed the mountain roads.

  “Wait here please, Lady Endora.” The new guard assigned to her, a tall, grim-faced man of about thirty-five, stepped in front of them. “I will secure the vehicle landing.”

  Endora put her hands on Shari’s shoulders as Rasha curled at their feet. She watched as the child unconsciously reached for the dragon’s head, running her fingers over the smooth green scales. The connection between them was total, a constant link running every second of every day. It made Endora’s mind spin. Aldric had that same connection with Rhyl, and if she ever bore him a child, that child would have the same connection to one of these wonderful, terrifying beasts.

  The guard reached the heavy wood door in a few steps then pushed it open, revealing a cobblestone courtyard partially covered by windswept blades of pure white snow. Then the door closed on him and she was alone with Shari once more.

  After what seemed like an hour, the guard opened the door completely, revealing the open lot again.

  “The way is clear, Lady Endora,” he said, stepping aside. “You and Lady Shari can go out.”

  Endora nodded at him, a courteous, sharp nod. As she walked, the guard’s small, dark golden eyes followed her movements with an unnerving glint. His lips were concealed under a thick beard, but she saw the tightening of his jaw every time she came close. This one didn’t like her.

  The sound of a vehicle approaching erased all thoughts of the guard and his distaste for her.

  Endora ventured outside, followed by Shari and her dragon. The courtyard was cold and windy, and she hugged her woolen shawl tighter around her shoulders. The place was a clean square, with high stone walls on three sides and an oversized stone arch on the fourth side, opening to the jagged teeth of the mountainside.

  Her eyes traveled along a winding road eating away at the rock of the mountain, riding the edge of the cliff. There, a few hundred feet down, was a small transport, black against the white of the snow. It moved slowly, hugging the slippery side of the mountain as the driver expertly maneuvered it on the narrow strip of road.

  “Tallie,” Endora whispered, reaching for the pendant at her neck. She took a step toward the open door, grabbing Shari by the hand. Her feet touched the ground but she didn’t feel them. The thought of having Tallie in her arms felt like reaching what one thought was a mirage in the desert, and drinking a bellyful of fresh water. She needed to hold her so much it hurt.

  “That’s them!” Shari’s high-pitched, excited tone sounded in the frigid air.

  “Yes. They’re here.” Endora laughed, then stepped further on the cobblestones.

  A shout from behind made her turn around.

  Endora’s first reaction was to grab Shari and shove her behind the protection of her body as she stared at the two columns of running men approaching fast in her direction from the hallway. Fear fluttered inside her chest but it died down when she recognized the two men running in front.

  “Endora! Shari!” Aldric shouted. “Come back inside.”

  Endora frowned as her guard looked at his Lord, then her in quick succession. Then he moved, coming in her direction fast. Without regard for her protests, Raeg grabbed her and Shari by the arms in an iron grip, then half dragged them inside, shutting the door behind them.

  “Let go of me, Raeg.” Endora yanked her arm free, then pulled Shari in to her, freeing the child from the large man’s grip. “You have no right to manhandle me like that.”

  “Your safety is my mission.” The guard straightened, then turned to Aldric and Dalgo who were approaching fast, ignoring her.

  Endora’s temper flared and her eyes reduced to slits. She opened her mouth to snap a few choice words at Raeg but a small whine made her look down. Shari’s eyes were wet and wide and her lips quivered.

  “Shari! Don’t be scared. I’m right here with you.”

  Endora bent and wrapped her arms around Shari as the child buried her small face in the folds of her dress. Simultaneously, Rasha, the small dragon, folded herself around Endora’s protection, trembling and growling at the guard.

  Looking up, Endora met Raeg’s stare, devoid of any sympathy.

  “Raeg.” Aldric’s voice sounded close, and it was frosted with a deadly edge. “Never lay your hands on my Lady again. The next time you hear this, it will be from the sharp edge of my sword.”

  Raeg’s eyes widened then he nodded, dipping his torso in deference to his Lord. Fear flashed in the man’s face. He eyed Aldric with caution as he stepped away from Endora and Shari. A moment later, Aldric’s arms closed around Endora’s shoulders, pulling her against him.

  “What is this about?” Endora watched as the columns of guards went past them, lining the open space of the landing strip. “Is Tallie all right? Did something happen to her?”

  “Your daughter and grandmother are safe. This is their transport.” He pointed to the black transport, now only about a hundred yards away, but the tightness in his mouth told her there was more. Something was wrong.

  “Then what’s all this fuss about?” Her stomach hurt and her face felt numb. Whatever Aldric was scared of, it put Tallie, Shari, Henriette and herself at risk. A deep shiver traveled down her spine at the memory of the zealot’s eyes, brimming with hatred and fanatic fervor. The eyes of madness and death. Eyes that wanted the death of every person she’d ever loved.

  “Do not worry.” Aldric looked around at the guards, at the road, at the transport, tiny and black on the snow. Not at her. “I will make sure you are safe.”

  “No,” Endora said forcefully, more so than she’d intended but she didn’t regret it. “You have to stop doing this.”

  Aldric turned his face to her, and she was once again stricken by the sheer beauty of his pale silver eyes. His brows lifted and his mouth hardened. She shook her head silently, not giving an inch.

  “I’m not some fragile flower you have to keep from knowing too much.” She articulated each word, putting as much weight behind them as she could. “Tell me what happened.” She thought for a moment. “Please.”

  Aldric’s mouth softened at her last word. He shot a quick glance around, then looked back at her. “Yes, you are right.” He looked down at Shari, who looked up at him with enormous eyes. “Shari, Rasha, go with uncle Dalgo. And don’t worry.”

  The girl nodded silently and walked to Dalgo with her dragon.

  “The Knat-Kanassis are going to attack when your daughter arrives.” Aldric stared at her, his impassiveness barely hiding a deep, total kind of rage.

  “How do you know?” Endora turned her head to stare at the transport. It suddenly didn’t seem as large and stable as before. It was small and wobbly, skidding on the slippery snow on the sharp turns.

  “They sent a distraction to me while you were arriving.” He shook his head. “A baby dragon, dead and wrapped in Shari’s family’s crest.”

  The sound of drums beat in her ears as the transport finally made it through the gate. Fear and adrenaline coursed through her veins. She moved, slipping out of Aldric’s iron grip. All of a sudden, Endora was outside, alone on the cobblestones as the transport skidded to a halt. Somewhere far behind her, Aldric shouted orders, his heavy steps beating on the frozen stones at her
back.

  “Tallie!”

  Aldric called her name, but it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered but Tallie, and the encroaching danger.

  The transport door opened and a young, eager face peered through. Green eyes, large with wonder, fastened on Endora.

  “Mommy!”

  “Stay inside with grand-maman!” Endora rushed forward. She gripped the open door, peering inside to see the stricken faces of Henriette, Tallie and two Delradon guards.

  “What is it, Dora?” Henriette had her arms around Tallie’s slender shoulders and she darted glances around, unsure of how to act. “Is something wrong?”

  Endora opened her mouth to answer but a hand on her arm silenced her. She turned her head to see Aldric standing right behind her.

  “Everything is fine,” he said with a soft, reassuring smile. It lifted his lips and changed his entire appearance, but Endora noticed that it didn’t change the glint in his eyes. “Please follow us inside.”

  Henriette smiled at him, her face crinkling with wrinkles around her dark velvet eyes. She didn’t see what Endora saw.

  Aldric withdrew from the transport, standing to one side, and offered his hand to Henriette, who accepted it in an instant. As Endora watched her grandmother exit the transport, she understood. Aldric kept a careful watch as the guards stood along the stone walls, hundreds of eyes on high alert. They were as safe as they could be, at least without the presence of dragons. There was no need to scare her family, especially after the long, tiring trip from Helbon to Whispering Castle.

  Aldric was right. Endora smiled as Henriette turned to face her, pulling her woolen shawl around her shoulders against the wind.

  Aldric turned to Tallie, still sitting on the black leather seat, her eyes wide and her face closed off. He offered the child his hand and nodded to reassure her, but Tallie remained in place and silent. Her eyes darted to Endora, who urged her on with a quick gesture.

  “You, too,” Aldric said with a small chuckle, then squatted down to be at eye level with the child. “There is someone I would like you to meet. My niece, Shari, who is a little younger than you are. She’s been very lonely here without a friend. Do you think you can help make her feel better?”

  Tallie’s large, dark eyes fixed on Aldric with all the honesty of a child. A long moment later, she nodded, then took the proffered hand. As she jumped out of the transport and onto the cobblestones, she turned to Endora.

  “Mommy!”

  Endora opened her arms and Tallie threw herself at her mother. Endora’s arms locked around her daughter’s waist and she lifted her in a tight hug. At the moment when Tallie came in contact with her, a wave of tension left Endora’s body. She closed her eyes, inhaling the scent of her daughter’s hair, reveling in the feeling of her soft cheek against her own.

  The time away from Tallie seemed so long.

  “Nobody matters like you,” Endora whispered into Tallie’s hair.

  A hand closed around her forearm and Endora opened her eyes. Aldric was looking down at her, his surreal pale eyes showing an emotion far too warm. Feelings bubbled in her belly, churning together until she was forced to swallow repeatedly.

  “Thank you.” She mouthed the words, unable to produce a sound.

  The corners of Aldric’s mouth lifted in a half-smile, and he motioned toward the hallway with his head. Without putting Tallie down, Endora turned and walked, side by side with Henriette.

  The door closed behind them, and Endora realized she was home.

  Chapter 13

  Emotions rose and twisted, threatening to spill out as Endora watched Tallie’s sleeping figure under the mountain of blankets.

  “She is as beautiful as her mother.” A hand closed on her shoulder, pulling her against the hardness of a male chest.

  “I can’t believe she’s here.”

  A soft kiss landed at the junction of her neck and shoulder, and Endora shivered with pleasure.

  “Come now, my Draekarra. There is not much time left. Once called, the Council has to be attended by all High Lords of all the Kingdoms on the planet.”

  Aldric’s seriousness made her turn around. Her elation fell flat and was immediately replaced by a sudden stab of fear.

  “She just arrived.” Endora’s eyes returned to Tallie. Her cheeks were still hollow and she was still too thin, but it was amazing what only two Delradon treatments had done for her daughter.

  “She will be safe here. Dalgo will look after her and Shari.”

  Aldric pulled Endora away gently, and she turned to face Henriette, who looked so out of place in the luxurious rooms.

  “I will be back in a day at the most.” Endora reached and grabbed her grandmother’s hands. “Tomorrow, a doctor from Hylberia will come for Tallie’s treatment.”

  “Everything will be fine.” Henriette smiled and squeezed Endora’s fingers. “You did it. Tallie is saved.”

  “I’m so sorry I have to go.” Endora’s voice broke. Yes, she had saved Tallie by signing the mating contract with Aldric, but Henriette had saved her, too, with her constant care and support. “Thank you, grand-maman.”

  Moisture entered the dark brown eyes fringed by wrinkles, and Henriette batted Endora away. She was always wary of overt displays of emotion. “Go. I will take care of Tallie and Shari.”

  Endora pulled Henriette close to her, hugging her hard before turning away. She followed Aldric in silence, lost in her thoughts.

  Soon they arrived at the dragons’ landing strip. Rhyl turned his head at their arrival, ruffling his scales, impatient to fly.

  Endora’s steps slowed down almost imperceptibly, and in no time, Aldric was far in front of her. She should have understood sooner.

  Aldric meant to fly. Her feet stopped as if imprisoned in stone.

  “The Council is in only a few hours.” Aldric turned to her, his hand extended in her direction.

  Endora wanted to move, wanted to speak, but she was unable. All she could do was stare at the dragon’s magnificence as paralyzing fear coursed through her veins, welding her in place.

  “We are flying on Rhyl.” Her voice was small in the large empty space, and as her gaze locked with the dragon’s she saw the glint of humor in the beast’s eyes.

  That single glint, the amusement of the dragon as he saw she was afraid shook some sense into her, and Endora took a step closer. Then another, and another, until she was close enough to touch the warm scales.

  “Of course.” Aldric frowned and his gaze went from Rhyl to Endora. “Dragons are the fastest way, and no others are authorized to land on the Council island.”

  “Is it far?”

  “It is on neutral land. An island in the Ocean, midway between the continents.”

  “Hawaii,” Endora whispered. When Aldric looked puzzled, she explained. “That was what we called it a long time ago. Henriette always said her mother told her stories about it. It was beautiful.”

  “Until it was destroyed.”

  “Yes. It was destroyed before the Delradon came.”

  Sadness filled her at the thought. So much had been lost by her kind, and not everything had been taken away by the Delradon.

  Rhyl blew a soft, warm breeze on her. She looked at the invitation in his eyes, then put her palm on his muzzle. A flow of glowing affection grew in her chest, and with it a vague sense of crooning, like a mother cradling her baby.

  “Is this how he talks?” She stared, mesmerized, as her gaze locked with the pale blue eyes.

  “Yes.” Aldric’s hand joined hers on the dragon’s scales. “He may not use words, but with time, you will learn to understand him as well as you understand me. In time, he may even give you images to communicate his thoughts.”

  “So Rhyl gives you strength and long life.” Endora nodded. “What does he gain in return?”

  Aldric shot a stunned glance at her, then his face relaxed. “You are more perceptive than most. Of course the dragons give Draekons their longevity, their strength, the power that
makes us who we are, but they have gained something even greater. Something that changed their entire species.”

  “What is that?”

  “They have gained a soul.” Aldric locked gazes with Rhyl.

  The revelation struck her hard, and Endora stared for a long time at Aldric’s profile. The pure, hard lines of his nose, the well-defined bones of his jaw. Never before had she been so stricken by the alien nature of him. He looked like a man, made love like a man, but he was not. He wasn’t human, and he wasn’t Delradon, either. He was something else entirely, a being riding the line between man and beast, between power and rage.

  “How is it possible, this bond between you?”

  The myths surrounding the Draekons and their beasts were larger than life, a tapestry of epic proportions to which Endora had never paid much attention. Tall tales of immortality, impossible strength and powers beyond understanding.

  “This is Delradon folklore.” Aldric smiled but it was tainted with sadness. “There is no way of knowing if any of it is true.”

  But looking out at the pure crystal light of the moon, about to embark on a long journey on the back of a dragon, Endora wasn’t so sure the stories were just that: stories.

  “Tell me anyway.”

  “Legend has it that a hundred thousand years ago, when Delradon people were ruled by cruel Lords and lived in constant fear of flying monsters called dragons,” Aldric began, his alien eyes reflecting the moonlight like pools of mystery, “it is said that a woman worked in the field, heavy with child, and that she wasn’t able to hide when a beast came from the sky, hunting. She was taken by the dragoness and her family grieved for her, sure she had died. Only she hadn’t. The dragoness took her back to her lair, far away in the mountains where no man or woman dared step, for it was the domain of carnis igne, and laid her beside her egg. Soon the woman went into labor, but it was a difficult birth and she died. Her son, however, didn’t. He was a fierce little thing, screaming and howling as the dragoness watched, not knowing what to do with this tiny defenseless creature. At the exact moment the boy was born, the egg hatched and the dragonet crawled to him, lured by a bond that was as inbred to him as his organs.”