Savanna felt as though she were floating. She remembered being on top of Meruke, and Wyeth holding onto her. She had said the words to open the threshold, and after that everything went dark. Golden light bathed. And she wasn’t alone. The links that anchored her to Wyeth and Meruke had fallen away. It left her feeling empty. She had felt the presence of her guides. They were still a little bit above her, like she was in reach of them and could brush their fingers. Savanna still couldn’t see them. As much as she felt the comfort of the being she was with, she also experienced an ache for the two men she loved.
“You care for the two you are linked with?” the voice said to her. It was all around her, comforting her, and bolstered her strength.
She looked around and tried to see the origin of the voice. “I care for them. Yes. I...”
“You love them.”
“Yes,” she answered softly. “Who are you? You are some kind of spirit, aren’t you?”
“Not many understand that when they come to me. You are unlike any that have appeared before me, and yet you are strongly linked. Another shares this bond as well, but he lives.”
He was picking up on the threads with Meruke and Wyeth. “I’m from another world, brought here by a spell that I didn’t even know if it would work. It worked, didn’t it?”
“Whatever magic you did returned one of the dragonkin lost to me many years ago. And then,” she felt a soft caress along her cheek. Savanna saw a flicker of a movement and realized it was a wing. “Then you are something of a mystery. There’s great power within you that can be utilized and molded that in this world can twist the magic you have inside of you. I think a mixture of the world you come from and the world that your body lies in.”
“Am I dead then? The others are alive?” Savanna asked.
“They live because you sacrificed. There’s a choice for you to make, which is why I am holding you here.”
“What kind of choice?”`
“You can pass through me and return to your world to move into your next life, or you can return to your body and make a life for yourself in the new world. You surrendered your life for one of ours. I noticed you for that and because you are linked to one of them. I was interested in you.”
“I may be connected to Meruke, but he’s not the same as who he used to be.”
“What do you mean?”
Savanna told this Great Spirit what had happened with the Meruke and Drake. She explained to him everything since the first time she had met the dragon, waking up in the lighthouse and after. She was in tears after all of it and was comforted as the Great Spirit wrapped a wing around her. It reminded her so much of when Meruke had done the same to her, and it burned her heart that she could not have it again.
“You can make the two become one again.”
“How? Drake and Meruke are two distinct entities. I can barely break through the mental wall that’s around Meruke. How can I make them whole?” Savanna asked, and felt the sorrow within her. All she wanted to do was find the man, or the dragon that she loved within the man, who was an arrogant prick.
“You would have to sacrifice the one thing that you have left.”
“What’s that? I’m already dead.”
“You’re not dead, yet. Just detached from your body. They are working on saving you right now. Again, it is your choice if you wish to go back to them.”
“I want to. How do I bring them together?”
“What do you have left but your heart?”
Savanna wanted to say something else, but felt herself falling until she hit bottom. Everything in her hurt. When she opened her eyes, she was in a room. Savanna looked over to her right and saw Wyeth slumped in a chair, sleeping. He looked haggard. She sat up slowly and felt the slight twinge in her chest. It came back to her that Chastity had shot her. Sunlight streamed in a window and nearly blinded her, but the atmosphere was lighter than anything she had felt before. It also made her skin tingle.
She walked slowly toward the window, but someone cleared their throat behind her. She turned around and saw a woman dressed in a light blue dress and chalk white skin. Her features were a mixture of reptile and human.
“You don’t seem surprised by my appearance.”
She shook her head. “Not really.” Savanna felt pressure on her the back of her neck and took a moment to pay attention to it. Her guides remained with her.
“This is Meruke’s mother,” the whisper that came to her was louder than she had ever heard it before.
“Who are you talking to?” the woman asked.
“You can hear them?” Savanna asked.
The woman cocked her head and listened. “No. Just the wind, but it has a tempo to it. I can sense someone is with you, and then they are not. It’s strange, and then there is the magic that resides within you. It shines like a bright star. What is your name?”
“I’m Savanna. You’re Meruke’s mother.”
“Yes. I’m Orlana. Your other companion, Wyeth, we met last night. Do you love my son?”
“Meruke made it?”
“You all made it. It was a great display of magic, but you didn’t answer my question. Do you love my son?”
“I came back for him.”
Orlana took her hand. She lifted Savanna’s chin and looked her in the eyes. “You have seen the Great Dragon. Only he would’ve judged if you were worthy to come back. Do you love Meruke enough to sacrifice the one thing that could break within you?”
“You’re asking me if I’d sacrifice my heart to bring him back together.”
“Insightful as well.”
“I don’t like to be condescended to. I can see where Drake inherited the trait from.”
Orlana laughed. “Forgive me. I mean no disrespect. Actually, I am in awe. Not many can come back from death and say they’ve contacted the Great Dragon. He is the watcher over all dragons and dragonkin. You speak from your heart, and I can see in your soul that you love my son.”
“Meruke said I was his mate. Wyeth is, too. I don’t know the specifics of how the mating thing works, but in our world, before he turned into an ass, I channeled his fire. I could feel his power.” She touched her heart. “We could talk telepathically, and I started to feel what he did. Being close to him made me calmer. It’s the same with Wyeth. I’ve been able to share my abilities with him. And through it all there is still a distance. I don’t feel...”
“Whole.”
She nodded and tears slipped from her eyes. “Yes. You asked me if I’d sacrifice my heart to save him. It’s the only thing I have left. I gave up my life in my world. Wyeth gave up his life. I have nothing here. I’m sure this is a wondrous place, but I can’t see the beauty in it with the way that I feel.”
“You are certainly not what I pictured for a daughter, but you love him. You are the only one who can save him. You can bring him back.”
“How?”
Orlana trailed her claw down Savanna’s cheek. “Love. Go to him and ask for the one boon that only your lover can give. You are right. My son is stubborn, but even the mate bond between you can’t be denied, and I think he owes you.”
It sounded rational, and she had to figure out a way to approach Meruke. “Okay. I can’t do that right now.”
“Of course not. You just returned. Besides, I think the queen and king want to see you. Wake your other mate.”
Savanna shook Wyeth’s shoulder until he opened his eyes. His expression was filled with shock and awe. “You’re alive.” He squeezed and kissed her until she pulled way breathless.
“I am. I love you, Wyeth.”
“I love you too.”
“Come on. Your presence has been requested.” Orlana gestured for them to follow.
Savanna took in the mountain. All the carvings on the walls were expertly done. Torches and sconces were built into the walls. The mountain was honeycombed with rooms and halls that spiraled upward and downward. Orlana led them into a great library that Savanna had never seen firsthand. Everything in it spoke to her, as though it had power. All she needed was the time to explore and read. Much in her wanted to look around and take in the new reality that she had chosen to come into. It struck her she had left her world behind and could never reclaim it. She was stuck here. If Meruke—no, Drake—didn’t appreciate that, then why was she there? How can I be with him? But she also wanted to rejoice in the fact that Wyeth was alive, and they could be together.
“Savanna.” Her name was said by the woman that she recognized and felt a kinship with. Kestrel stood amongst the books with a large smile on her face. Andrik was next to her with their son. To their left was the older man Savanna had seen before. He had a grandfatherly energy to him, along with a ferocity.
“Kestrel.” Savanna went to the woman and felt as though she had known her all her life. The queen pulled her into a tight hug. She laughed.
“What’s so funny?” Andrik asked.
“You wouldn’t understand.” Kestrel wiped the stray tears from her eyes.
Once Savanna had touched the queen, the power contained within Kestrel’s flesh took her breath away. It lit her up, and she could see her like the lighthouse beacon. “I can’t believe that I’m here, and this is all happening.”
Kestrel put her arm around her and led her to the nearest chair. Wyeth glanced at her and then back at the king. Savanna noticed he seemed lost, but then Dravik wrapped his arms around his legs. Savanna laughed and so did Andrik. The king seemed to relax. Ralag led her mate to a chair, and they started to talk. Soon they were deep in conversation, and she didn’t have to worry about him.
“You look better,” Savanna commented to Kestrel, noticing her face was no longer withdrawn from the pregnancy.
“The storm has passed. There’s a plenty of damage, but I think we weathered it rather well, considering. The valley below was evacuated to other places or into the mountains. We are full to capacity until the water recedes, and then we can assess the damage. We’re all tired. I would do more, but Andrik doesn’t want me to strain myself. He’s just being protective. And you, you’ve weathered your own storm. I understand that when you arrived you were dead.”
Savanna ran her fingers over the arms of the chair. It was comfortable, but not too much, so she wouldn’t fall asleep. Not that she wanted to sleep, because it felt like she had been resting for a long time. “I knew I was hurt. I barely had enough strength to say the incantation. It came out, and then I was floating and there was a presence. But you know all about that, don’t you?” She realized it before she even said it, picking up on the subtle energy and the knowledge that slipped from her, no matter if she didn’t know where it came from. It seemed so much easier on this side.
Kestrel’s eyes widened.
“Sorry. It happens sometimes.”
“No, it’s fine. There is no need for you to be ashamed of your power. I’ve just never meant anyone who could read people as easily as you. Then again, you and I have shared bodies for a bit. To answer your question, yes. I died. I was poisoned. While my body began to transform into what I am, I was held with the Great Dragon. He gave me a choice to move on or to come back. I couldn’t leave Andrik. He was my other half.”
Savanna nodded. “I made the same choice. Although, I’m not sure that Drake thinks he and I are supposed to be mated or joined. Whatever it is that you call it here.”
“And Wyeth?”
“He’s attached to the both of us. He’s human through and through, but then again everyone is where I come from. The idea of Drake being a shape shifter was something out of a novel.”
“But you’re not like Wyeth. You have a gift of magic wielding, as well. Certainly you know that.”
“I can feel the magic of this world and how it covers all of me as I breathe it in. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to wield it the same way you all do. First things first, and that’s figuring out Drake and Meruke.”
“Yes, Orlana told me about the situation, and you had mentioned how they had split in two. Do you think you can get them back together?”
“I’m going to try.”
Kestrel patted her hand. “Savanna, I know settling in here will be a difficult transition. Ralag and I have so many questions for you. Andrik as well, but it will come in waves. Please forgive us if you feel we’re overstepping our bounds, but we want to know as much about your world as I’m sure you want to know about this one. Ask me anything. We’re friends. We have shared something the men would never understand. We’re bound together by magic and circumstances. If you need me, I’ll be there for you. Anything in the castle you need, just tell one of the servants. We’re a bit stretched, but once this is over we can figure out a way to accommodate a better room for you. Besides, you are the mate of royalty, so that makes you a lady or something. I was never good with rank. Andrik is a little worried that Meruke is going to try and take the throne now that he is back.”
“Look, I don’t want any special treatment. I just want to be treated like anyone else here.”
“Sorry. It doesn’t work that way. You’re a big deal around here. The same way your man is. I’ll have a servant assigned to you and make sure that you get some clothes. Besides, I was the same way when I came here. I wasn’t used to anyone waiting on me. I spent centuries in exile and when I came here my life changed. The same way that yours has. So please feel free to wander around the mountain. I’m sure Ralag will want to show you and your mates around.”
“Mommy, are we going?” Dravik ran over and tugged her hand.
Kestrel patted the little boy on the head. “Aren’t you going to say hello to Savanna?”
The little boy’s mouth went completely round. “You’re the ghost lady.”
Savanna laughed. “Yes, I am, but I’m not a ghost now. Touch me and see.” She reached out her hand and the little prince poked her quickly and pulled his hand back.
“You’re real. And you’re going to be my friend,” Dravik stated.
“Of course she is, but now let’s go. We don’t want to keep the others waiting.” Kestrel got up from the chair and squeezed Savanna’s shoulder. “We can talk more later, when I have more time. Once this disaster is taken care of then we can tell each other everything.”
“Okay.” Savanna watched as they left the room. Wyeth joined her with Ralag. He used a staff to lean on. His skin was translucent enough the veins were visible underneath, tracing all through his flesh.
“I suspect you might want a tour of the mountain. I have some free time, and there are questions I hoped to ask the both of you,” Ralag said to them.
“Sounds like fun. More grilling,” Wyeth stated.
Ralag turned to him as they walked out of the library. “No grilling, young man. Please be patient with us. How you are linked with Meruke is strange for us. No one has heard of the kind of spell he did or the bond that he created with your family. The closest thing to it is the mate bond. You, who have no magic, and how you ended up being threaded together with Savanna who has power, you can understand why we might want to prod you for answers.”
“Sorry,” Wyeth apologized.
Savanna understood how difficult this thing was for him to do, considering everything that happened. She leaned to him and pressed her lips to his cheek. “I’ll make it up to you later.”
“Promise.” He slipped his hand around her waist and pinched her ass. She jumped and yelped.
Ralag chuckled. “Young love. That is good. It is the strongest thing in any universe.”
* * * *
Wyeth endured the questions. It wasn’t that he didn’t enjoy the tour of the mountain and learning more about where Drake had brought them, but he was more concerned about Savanna. When he had followed the healers, she had been dead. She wasn’t breathing and her heart wasn’t beating. They had laid their hands on her and mended her body, but said that it was up to her if she wanted to come back. Kestrel had come to her while she lay on the stone slab. The queen had laid a hand on Savanna and said that she would come back. They brought her to a chamber, and Kestrel told him to wait. He had done exactly that for two full days. He had forgone sleep or leaving her side. Drake hadn’t come to visit her. It only cemented his idea the dragon didn’t care for her. The next time he saw Drake he was going to give the man a piece of his mind.
Savanna slid her arm over his chest and snuggled against him as she kissed his throat and sucked in his Adam’s apple between her teeth. She nibbled on it until he groaned. Her hand slipped lower as she fondled his cock. They had already made love twice that night. As wonderful as it was, something remained missing. Savanna felt it as well. The longer they were together, the deeper their bond grew. He experienced her emotions, but they should be able to go to a much deeper level, like the night the three of them had spent together. It had blown his mind because they had all been joined, and he had felt every small caress and indentation of someone else’s hand.
“What’s the matter?”
He glanced at Savanna and saw the concern in her eyes. “Nothing, love. Sorry. I’m distracted.”
“You have every right to be. This is all new to you, and I understand you feel like you’re being put under a microscope.”
“It’s not just that. You were dead. A miracle brought you back to me. I don’t have the words to describe how happy I am for that.”
“I don’t think you need words. You did just fine tonight.”
“Well, thank you, but something is missing, and I think we both know what that is.”
She pulled away and rested her head on the pillow. “Yes. And I’ve been trying to figure out what to do about that. Orlana suggested I go demand that he makes love to me, that Drake lets Meruke into the mix because he owes me after what’s happened.”
“I think it’s a fair trade.”
“But I don’t want to leave you out of this. You’re a part of it, and it wouldn’t feel right.”
He smiled at her. “I don’t want to come between you and him. If it means you are the key to fixing him instead of staying as the ass that he is, then I’m okay to be on the sidelines.”
“But I’m not.”
“Then we will do it together.”
“And if that’s the way he wants it?”
“Then we’ll just play it by ear.”
His love snuggled up against him and in a minute she was content and sleeping. He listened to her gentle breathing until it lulled him to sleep.
The next few days around the mountain were a whirlwind. He wasn’t alone long enough to think, let alone to ask about Drake. If he wasn’t being pulled off somewhere, or being asked questions about what he did and his life back at home, then he was with Savanna. He didn’t feel comfortable leaving her alone much. Ralag had wanted to see if she was able to cast some spells and when she was off doing that, he was left alone with Andrik as he interrogated him about Drake and his own family. Half of them he didn’t know, but Wyeth was glad he was finally able to help with something when the river had receded around the mountain. They needed to clear the debris that had washed up from the storm. He went to work and soon had the other men helping him out in a more efficient way than what they had been. Much of it was timber, mud, and other refuse. It gave him something to focus on.
By the fourth day he had set up his crew at the base of the mountain. Wyeth squinted from the sun and gazed up at the peak. It was taller and wider than he had expected. A ring of clouds hid the peak, leaving hundreds of feet above it. Dragons circled the mount and others came with riders. He was told they were spellcasters with the dragons they had been bonded to. Those dragons weren’t able to shape shift. Besides the magic and the dragons, he hadn’t come across anything too unfamiliar. Wyeth took a break, noticed something off in the distance that looked familiar, and wanted to check it out. As he got closer, he examined the object and realized it was the top of the lighthouse. Off to the side of that was part of his mansion. With the extensive winds, he figured the house might not stand up to the high velocity. It appeared that several of the rooms had been picked up and dropped in this world. Hopefully, the house hadn’t fallen on a witch of any kind. It was in bad shape and ready to cave in on itself, but he wanted to take a look.
Wyeth moved carefully inside and discovered he was in the remnants of the kitchen, except it was on its side. All the appliances were toppled over. He moved slowly, listening to the creaking of the structure, and came to the hallway where he found the living room and the mantle with the stone dragons. The room was empty. He made it halfway and his foot went through the floor, but he made it out and came to the part where the ballroom was. At the very end, attached to some of the studs from the wall, were a couple of bags. He stretched out slowly, feeling the weight of the floor starting to give, but he was able to grab both. He glanced down and realized he was staring over a cliff. At any moment the wood could give way. It shifted beneath him, but he would not let them go.
“No, you don’t.” Someone grabbed him by the back of his pants and hauled him back into the house as he had the bags. When he looked up he saw Drake. The other man was sweaty as though he had been helping out as well.
“Thanks.” They walked back outside of the house and onto firmer ground. Wyeth dragged his hand across his forehead to swipe the sweat away.
“Strange to see your house and part of the lighthouse here. Reminds me that we came through that storm. We made it all in one piece.”
Wyeth glanced at Drake and gritted his teeth, trying to remember that he didn’t need to agitate the situation by stirring the pot. “Not all of us. I’m sure you heard Savanna was dead when you landed, and they took her away. It’s a miracle that she’s alive.”
Drake nodded. “Right. H-how is she?” The softer tone in his voice made Wyeth wonder if the dragon really had an interest in Savanna.
“I’m surprised you’ve asked. She’s alive. Came back from the brink of death so that she could be with the both of us. Oh wait, you don’t want anything to do with her because she fulfilled her end of the bargain and brought you here. Aren’t you supposed to be one of her mates? Our mates, according to everyone I’ve talked to about this connection we have.”
“Enough!” Drake held up his hand, the muscles bulging on his neck and the veins pounding in his temples. “If you want me to go visit her, then fine. I’ll go tonight and pay my respects. This link that we have. You don’t need to keep bringing it up. Now that I’m home, I’ll find a dragon of my own, or a human, and we can count this mate bond to be over with.”
“Fine. Do you think that you can find one among your kind?”
“Yes. I just saved you, so can you shut the hell up for once? What was in the bags you were trying to rescue?”
Wyeth opened the one he recognized as Savanna’s and inside were some of her clothes, her cards, and other implements of her trade. In the other were some of his things that he had thrown into a bag just in case. The rest of their things he had set aside were nowhere to be found. Then again, half of his house had ended up here.
“Were those things so important that you had to risk your life getting them?”
Wyeth glanced at the luggage and then at the dragon as the absurdity of the question hit him. “It is if it makes Savanna happy. Then yes, it does. Everything she had was burned up in a fire you set. Then, once more, she lost the things I got her, and now we’ve come to this place, so yeah. I think everything from our old life is important. Wouldn’t you think it would be important for our mate? For her to have even a slice of her old life?”
“I’m glad you’ve accepted her as your mate, but you don’t know the half of it and how mates are supposed to be.”
Wyeth stepped closer to the dragon who was slightly taller and more built than him, but he wasn’t going to be intimidated. “I don’t need to know what it means in this world, because I already know in my heart what she is. And you should, too. I don’t care what you say about it. But I’ve been the one who listens to her cry at night when she thinks I’m sleeping. I feel her ache in my heart. If you weren’t such a selfish bastard, I’d say you might even feel it too, but the way you are now, denying the part of you that knows the truth but can’t admit it—I should be pissed, and I am, but I feel more pity for you. How can you know love when you harden your heart to it?” Wyeth grabbed the bags and headed back into the mountain so he could show Savanna what he had found.