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SHE AWOKE THE NEXT morning curled against his side, his arm around her as he held her to him. As she always did with Andahar, he gave her a sense of safety.
From the moment she had met him, he gave her that comfort. She hadn’t quite decided what it was about him that made her feel that way. Not that it mattered that she didn’t know the answer. Even after being with him all night, she knew she had to leave him. Thought she would always love him no matter what, she could see no way for them to be together.
Aye, Lady Talaiel and Lord Eldrin seemed to make things work just fine. But he was not a king. Andahar was.
He stirred, shifting behind her. His hand slipped over her ribs and up to cup her breast. He gave it a gentle squeeze.
“Good morrow.” His words were sleep-thickened in her ear.
She rolled to her back to face him. He propped up on one elbow and gazed down at her. “Did you sleep well?”
“When I slept I did.” He had a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Did you?”
Warmth cascaded through her. “I didn’t sleep much, thanks to you.”
“My apologies, my queen.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I found you quite irresistible.”
Her finger traced the outline of his pointed ear. “Do not mistake that for a complaint, your majesty. It was far from it.”
“Are you hungry?”
As if on cue, her stomach rumbled in response. “I guess I am a little. I seemed to have expended a lot of energy last night.”
“You were quite demanding, if I say so myself.”
She punched him in the shoulder. “And you weren’t?”
“I never said I wasn’t.” He grinned, giving her a wink. He slid out of the bed and pulled on his trousers.
Laerwen scooted to the edge and slipped out of the bed. She walked, naked, to her clothes, making sure he saw every inch of her. He stared longingly after her.
“If you don’t wish to be back in the bed flat on your back, I suggest you get dressed quickly.”
“As appealing as that sounds, I’m afraid food wins over lust, my king.”
He laughed as she grinned and the two of them dressed. She replaced every weapon she’d come in with.
“I have to say, an armed woman is a sexy one.” He pulled her into his arms, holding her close and making it obvious he wasn’t going to let her go so easily. “I find it difficult to believe you aren’t planning anything. Some coup or something.”
“No, Andahar. As I told you, I intend to fight alongside you and Eldrin and everyone else. This is my realm.” She swallowed the lie and it left a bitter aftertaste in her mouth.
He kissed her nose. “I worry.”
“I know.” She pushed out of his arms, using the necessary force to put distance between them. “There is no need.”
And how would he react when she told him she wanted that annulment? Would he hate her? Never speak to her again? Thinking of this sent pain lancing through her heart. She shoved it aside and turned away, not wanting him to see it in her face. He would be able to read it in her expression. He would know.
His warm hands landed on her shoulders. She couldn’t stop from leaning into him, closing her eyes and relishing that moment.
“When all this is over, I intend to take you on a proper honeymoon. Just you and me and nothing else to worry about, to think about, to plan. We could visit the Skye Realm if you like. Or even see the Fae kingdom.”
Oh, gods, why did he have to say that? “I’d like that.” She nearly choked on the words as they clotted in her throat. Tears suddenly burned the backs of her eyes and she squeezed them, willing them to go away.
“Andahar, are you in there?”
It was Lord Eldrin, calling from outside the tent. Thankfully, she didn’t have to face Andahar as he released her and stepped outside. It gave her the necessary minutes to compose herself. She could hear the low murmurs of their voices. After taking a cleansing breath, she stepped out to join them.
“See that they’re cared for,” Andahar was saying. “Ask Lady Talaiel where she’s keeping her dragons.”
“I intended to but I wanted you to know first,” Eldrin said. He noticed her then and gave her a nod in greeting. “Good morrow, your majesty.”
Andahar took her hand, held it, as they both watched him walk away.
“What was that about?” she asked.
“Queen Elyne called the other dragons to help us. Aura, Ambrielle, Luna and Nero arrived this morning.”
“They’re going to fight with us?”
“They’ll be a great asset. Especially because they can see in the dark.”
An idea formed. If she could take one of them, mayhap she could find Lorcann from the sky.
“Four dragons. The only ones I’ve seen have been Lady Talaiel’s Skye dragons and only from afar. Never close up.”
He looked at her, grinning. “Then come. I’ll introduce you.”
* * *
THE DRAGONS WERE AMAZING. Andahar had taken her to greet them along with Lord Eldrin and Lady Talaiel. The Lady of the Skye seemed to have a way with the large beasts. She knew how to communicate with them—apparently they could mind speak. Something Laerwen didn’t know about them either.
She expected them to be nothing more than giant, fire-breathing beasts that hoarded treasure and had no personality. She was so wrong. While they were giant, indeed, they didn’t breath fire unless they wanted to or hoard treasure and they had more personality than most people she’d met.
Luna was silvery like the moon dragons of the Skye realm. Only her wings were not silent or translucent like them. She had blue eyes and was the smallest of the four dragons. Laerwen loved her on sight and patted her nose affectionately. She was playful and sniffed Laerwen and then head-butted her as if in greeting. As if she were a giant feline who wanted nothing more than to be petted. Luna mindspoke to her and told her she belonged to Derron and that he was her chosen rider.
The emerald dragon was Ambrielle. She was sleeping, curled into a ball, her tail wrapped around her. When Laerwen approached, she lifted her head and peered at her with big tawny eyes. Ambrielle obviously gave Laerwen no more thought as she put her head back down and went right back to sleep. She had belonged to Queen Maeve at one time but now was riderless. Lady Talaiel said she was here on behest of the new Queen of the Fae. Once her services were no longer needed, she intended to return to wherever it was she’d come from.
The most impressive dragon was Nero. The largest of the four and the color of night, he blinked red eyes at her, smoke curling from his nose. She wasn’t so sure he wouldn’t breathe fire at her at any moment so she kept her distance. His size was quite intimidating.
“He may be big,” Andahar said, “but he can fly so silently you’d never hear him coming.”
And that scared Laerwen. “It’s a good thing he’s on our side.”
Next came Aura, the great blue dragon. Her scales were such a deep blue they were almost purple. When the morning light caught them just right, they sparkled. When Andahar introduced her, Aura blinked her giant gold eyes and lowered her head in silent greeting. She was bigger than Luna but still not the largest of the four. She lowered to the ground to allow Laerwen to pet her neck. When she did, the great dragon seemed to purr which sounded more like a gravely growl deep in her throat.
“She’s beautiful,” Laerwen remarked.
I belong to Queen Elyne.
The voice burst through her head with such clarity Laerwen looked around to make sure no one was talking to her. “Did you hear that?”
“Hear what?” Andahar asked.
“That voice.”
“That’s Aura speaking to you,” Lady Talaiel said. “She has connected to you. Talk to her.”
Laerwen turned back to Aura, who blinked her giant eyes and gave her a quick nod in agreement.
You remind me much of her. You have the same inner strength.
“Thanks.” She placed her hand on Aura’s snout.
I will allow you to ride with me for the coming battle. I am at your command.
“Oh, I couldn’t do that.”
The queen will not mind. In fact, she insisted.
“Are you quite sure?”
Quite sure, my friend.
“Thank you,” Laerwen whispered.
“What is it?” Andahar’s hand landed on her shoulder as he looked between her and the dragon.
“Queen Elyne has offered Aura to me for the coming battle.”
“That’s quite an honor,” Lady Talaiel said. “To ride with a dragon that has chosen you means you are special.”
“I always knew she was,” Andahar said, smiling at her.
Hope prickled her. Now she knew she could face whatever was coming. She could hunt down Lorcann and avenge the death of Randir and her parents.
Now she had a dragon on her side. Lorcann didn’t have a prayer.
* * *
IT WAS LATER THAT DAY when silence descended on the camp. There was no more merrymaking, no more revelry, no more laughter. It was as though everyone had turned serious and focused on the upcoming task at hand. Tensions ran high and she knew everyone waited for the sun to set. Waited for the battle to begin.
Even though Laerwen now had the dragon on her side, her nerves were a jangled mess. She had no idea how she was going to pull off her attack without Andahar knowing. He would likely stay by her side the entire time. All she needed was a brief moment of distraction.
They started their march late in the day so they could be near the Fomorians by sundown. Lady Talaiel stayed behind at the camp. She would command the moon dragons and send them when the battle was nearing an end—when the Barrier would open. It seemed to take an eternity to get in place. Now they gathered so close to the enemy she could see the curling smoke from their campfires.
There was no fear of discovery because Derron had used his Fae magic to hide them behind a glamour. Laerwen had never realized how powerful the Fae were until now. Having the element of surprise would be the difference between victory and defeat.
They were ready to march. Prepared to attack. Some on horseback. Most on foot. Swords gripped and gleaming. Arrows nocked against bows. Dragons waiting patiently to take flight.
They were as ready as they could be.
In her heard, she heard Aura’s voice.
When you have need of me, call me. I will come to you.
You can hear my thoughts? Laerwen mindspoke back.
Aye, I can. I am now attuned to you as I am the Queen of the Otherworld.
Laerwen smiled. Good. Then when we head for the Fomorians, I want you to pick me up. There is one man in particular I’m looking for. One I intend to kill.
There was a pause of hesitation and then the voice rumbled through her mind. As you wish.
The sun kissed the horizon, changing the shade of the sky from the pale pink to a pale indigo.
“Don’t leave my side,” Andahar said. It sounded more like a command than a request.
She looked up at him knowing she couldn’t make him that promise. He met her level gaze.
“Promise me that.”
She loved he was so determined to keep her safe but she had other plans. So she did what she could only do—she nodded and lied to him.
“Now, let’s get back your homeland.”
Andahar made a motion, some silent hand signal to Lord Eldrin who did the same. Torches throughout the group of men and women lit here and there. Just enough to give them light enough to see the terrain ahead.
But Laerwen didn’t need to see. She knew this terrain better than anyone.
Another few moments passed and then the land was plunged into twilight. The sun had finally disappeared.
Overhead, Laerwen could hear the distinct whomp whomp of dragon’s wings and glanced up. She could see the dragon, Luna. Her silver scales were illuminated by the faint torchlight. She and the other two glided overhead with ease. And then she saw the shadow moving at the same speed. She only picked out Nero by the red glow of his eyes. He was silent on the wind, something she had never expected out of something so large.
Andahar gave another signal. With the world plunged into darkness, they headed for the Fomorians and crossed the enemy lines.
The surprise attack didn’t remain a surprise for long. Once they were discovered, the alarm was sounded. She wasn’t sure what role the dragons played in this assault. For now, it seemed as though they were flying in circles overhead, as though waiting for a signal.
As she ran next to Andahar, killing Fomorians with her short sword, she saw the flaming arrow arch through the sky. It left a blazing trail as it landed on a tent and set it afire.
That’s when she heard the screech of the dragons overhead. And the next thing she knew they were diving low and spitting their fire, setting the camp ablaze.
Chaos reigned then. Somewhere in the confusion, she lost track of Andahar. He had stepped away from her, shouted an order and then he was gone in the crowd. This was her chance to get to Lorcann.
She called Aura and the great azure dragon cleared a path. She landed not far from Laerwen who grabbed up the reins and leapt on her back just as she took flight again. Several Fomorians shot arrows at Aura, but the points bounced off her hard scaly hide as though they were made of nothing more than cotton.
Aura burst upward through the sky. The cool wind hit Laerwen in the face as she looked into the inky blackness and the stars twinkling there. And for a moment, she could forget everything and have the dragon take her away.
But only for a moment.
Get closer to the camp, she said to the dragon.
Aura dove so fast it made Laerwen’s heart leap into her throat. She clutched the reins with one hand and the short sword with the other, scanning the crowd for the mage. She spied him running into the pandemonium.
“There!” She pointed at the man.
Aura dove toward him, making Fomorians and Elves alike scatter to get out of her way. She landed hard on the ground, causing it to shake. Laerwen slid out of the saddle and headed right for Lorcann. But as she ran across the scorched earth, it rumbled beneath her feet. It was not the dragon who make the ground shake—it was the volcano. She halted and looked up at the mountain as a great gray cloud of smoke plumed from the top.
It was a moment that cost her precious seconds. In the time she had taken her eyes off Lorcann, he had taken advantage of the situation. He hit her in the back of the head with something. Starbursts clouded her vision. She sprawled forward, landing in the dirt. The sword fell from her hand.
Aura emitted a high-pitched screech. She took a step toward Lorcann. Laerwen could smell the fire bubbling up in her snout.
No, Aura. He is mine to kill.
It would have been easy to let the dragon fry him like an animal on a skewer. But that would have taken away the satisfaction of killing him.
“And I thought I’d have to search for you,” Lorcann said. “Here you are. Delivered to me by a dragon.” He grabbed her hair and jerked her head back. “How fortuitous.”
“I will kill you.” She bit the words out between her teeth.
He laughed. “You seem to be in no position to do that, oh mighty queen of the Hin’dar Rhule. Not so mighty now, are you? I’ve taken everything from you. Now I will take your life.” He pulled her up by her hair, put a knife to her throat. “We’ll be riding the great beast to the top of the volcano. That’s where you’ll die and I’ll get my magic back.”
Aura screeched again.
“What about the magic for your people?” she asked. “Or do you plan to take it all for yourself?”
His hot breath wafted over her ear. “I like that idea quite a lot. Aye, that’s what I’ll do. Those peasants aren’t worth it anyway.”
Laerwen said nothing as she slipped the dagger from her waist listening to him ramble. She clutched it in her hand and jammed it in his thigh until she hit bone. The jarring had been such a horrible feeling, her stomach twisted in a knot and she thought she might retch. Somehow, she managed to keep her hand on that dagger long enough for him to release her and shove her away.
His scream still echoed in her ear as he yanked out the blade and tossed it away. Blood ran down his leg, soaking his pants and turning them into a shiny black. It was the time she needed to grab her short sword. As she spun back to face him, his face was bright red with pain. She could see this in the flickering firelight that blazed all around them.
She wasn’t scared of fire. She never was. She never would be. Because she was a Fire Elf, her skin was resistant to the heat. Laerwen could take a lot, but she knew if she stayed around it too long, eventually she would burn like the others.
He was ready for her when she faced him again. Her sword clashed against his. She’d had a few lessons in sword play when she was younger, all of which came back to her as she fought against Lorcann. But she still lacked exceptional skills.
The mage was far better. He swung at her wrist, smacking the blade against it, cutting her and making her drop her sword. She yelped and cradled her now-bleeding wrist against her chest to staunch the flow.
Lorcann pointed the blade at her. “Get on the dragon. Now.”
Laerwen had no choice but to obey. He followed her and climbed behind her, grabbing the reins.
But Aura wasn’t feeling so generous. She jerked her head from side to side and screeched again.
“Control your dragon, bitch, or I stick you right here and now. I only need your blood in the fire. And you don’t have to be alive for that.”
The tip of a blade jabbed her kidneys. It’s all right, Aura. Do as he says.
Aura lifted off and flew into the night toward the top of the volcano.
* * *
ANDAHAR HEARD THE SCREECHING dragon. When he looked in the direction of the beast, though, he couldn’t see much of anything except for Aura on the ground screaming at whatever it was in front of her. There was something down there she didn’t like. Something that was clearly agitating her. Could she have been injured? Captured? Or was something else wrong?
And where was Laerwen? He’d lost track of her in the battle. He hadn’t seen her in the last few minutes and his heart raced with fear as he tried to look for her in the ensuing melee.
At the moment, he had bigger problems. Like where the bloody hell was Cormac and his sorceress? He had agreed the attack at night would work and now he was missing. Andahar hacked and slashed his way through the Fomorians trying to find the all-powerful mage but he couldn’t. Why hadn’t he opened the Barrier yet?
He caught sight of his brother then. “Where is Cormac?” He had to shout over the din of clanging swords and dying men.
“I don’t know.”
Andahar saw him then as he bobbed out of one of the tents, the girl right behind him. Blood streaked down his face. His tunic was coated in it too. He looked as though he’d had the life beat out of him.
“Over there!” Andahar pointed with the tip of his sword.
He and Eldrin made their way through the fighting men to get to Cormac and Gweneth. The Fomorian mage looked as though he might pass out any moment. His face was ashen and he wobbled on his feet. Gweneth had her arm around his waist, helping him stay upright.
“What’s happened? Why haven’t you opened the Barrier yet?” Andahar couldn’t keep the hard edge of out his voice.
“Lorcann’s men overpowered him,” Gweneth said.
“I thought he was powerful,” Eldrin said. “His magic didn’t save him?”
“When your men attacked, Lorcann knew something was awry. Those loyal to him assaulted us. There was no warning. No way to avoid them,” she said. She sounded as though she blamed them for the attack on Cormac. “I can’t open the Barrier with him weak like this. We need a healer.”
But Andahar was already shaking his head. “There’s no time for a healer.”
To punctuate his words, the ground rumbled beneath their feet. The earthquake wasn’t enough to make them fall but it was definitely enough to get their attention. Andahar looked up in the night sky at the top of the mountain. He could see the smoke curling.
That’s when he saw the dragon flying toward it, her glittery azure scales reflecting the fire that raged all around them. He could barely make out two shapes riding on her back.
“Oh, gods. Laerwen.”
Eldrin looked up too and saw them. “Did Lorcann capture her?”
He turned back to his brother. “Find a healer. Do whatever it takes. Just get that Barrier open.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going after Laerwen.”
He didn’t even have to call the black dragon before Nero appeared over him, landed and gave him a nod with his giant head. Andahar reached for the reins and hoisted up on his back. A second later, Nero was in the sky chasing after Aura.
Andahar hoped he could get to her before it was too late.
“Can you catch them, Nero?” He didn’t know if the dragon could understand him or not.
Nero snorted then opened his snout as a ball of fire puffed from his mouth.
Andahar grinned, patted his neck. “Let’s get my girl back.”