Dragon Fire (Dragons of Perralt Book 1) (14 page)

Drake threw another stick onto the fire and leaned back against a tree. The darkness of the night crept up to the edge of the fire light. Masking the world from sight.

She had left, she was gone. His heart camped with despair. It wasn’t right. It wasn’t how his world was to be.

Sighing to himself, he tried to get comfortable. It was going to be a long, lonely night.

A faint hint of lavender caught his attention. A memory of silky skin and golden hair teased him. His insides squeezed shut as a burning need coursed through him.

Would he ever be right again?

Pulling the medallion from his pocket, he examined it in the campfire light. The golden coin, with its two-headed dragon, shined and sparkled as he twisted it from side to side.

A simple coin had ruined his life. It had led him to her. Shown him what was possible, then taken her away from him.

Swallowing an angry grunt, he shoved the coin back into his pocket and threw another stick onto the fire.

.o0o.

The castle walls echoed with his footsteps as he made his way to his mother’s rooms. He had one goal in life. Deliver the coin, then leave. The sooner he was away, the sooner he could become lost in his forest. Could be alone in his misery.

He knocked on her door and waited. A gentle word bade him entry.

Opening the door, he stepped inside. The familiar smells of his mother’s vanilla soap and the peppermint candies she enjoyed greeted him.

These rooms had always intrigued him. His mother’s safe haven. The place she went to get away from the drudgery of ruling her kingdom.

“Drake!” his mother said with surprise. “I didn’t expect you so soon.” Her face could not hide the worry that flowed through her.

She studied him for a moment, as if trying to determine his wellbeing. Since when did his mother worry about him so much?

He looked at her with fresh eyes.  She is older, he realized, not the young woman of his memory. Her eyes held creases and concerns that he had never seen before.

His heart lurched as he realized that his mother would not live forever. That someday, she would succumb like everyone else in the world. The thought was almost unthinkable. His mother had always been indomitable.

Her eyes searched his, waiting, watching.

“Things went well, mother,” he said as he removed the coin from his pocket. “Here it is, as promised.”

His mother didn’t take her eyes off of his.

“What of Elsbeth?” she asked.

His heart dropped to his stomach. He so did not want to talk about this with his mother.

She saw the pain in his eyes and looked away. Walking over to a small cabinet, she removed a long, slender, highly polished, wooden box.

“I had this made after you left,” she said as she opened it.

The box was lined with purple velvet. Five small indentations had been created in line.

Taking the coin from his hand, she examined both sides, then turned to him with a slight, regretful smile. He could see that she was aware of the pain this small coin had caused.

Sighing at her son’s anguish, she placed the coin in the first indentation, laying the silver chain on top.

Drake expected her to close the lid and put the box away. Instead, she set it on the table, then removed her own medallion.

“It is probably best that these be kept together. As it only takes one to ruin our heritage.”

He watched, as she placed her own medallion next to Elsbeth’s coin. Both medallions rested easily, but Drake was instantly drawn to the three missing coins. Their empty spots calling to him, demanding to be filled. His family would never be safe until they were.

“You did well, Drake,” his mother said as she gently ran her hands across the medallions. Her fingers seemed to caress the coins, as if afraid they might disappear.

His mother’s compliment didn’t improve his feelings. Nothing would.

“I will leave you now, mother. Return to my exile as per your instructions.” The anger bubbling just beneath the surface threatened to erupt. His life had gone to hell in a handbasket, and he couldn’t turn to his family for solace.

Her hand reached out to stop him.

“There is no need now,” she said, her eyes softening with concern.

“Why?” he demanded. “What is different? I will serve out my arbitrary sentence, and then return as per your demands.”

His mother looked at him for a moment. He could see her mind turning a mile a minute as she tried to determine what to say. If he had not known better, he might have thought a small tear formed in the corner of her eye, but surely he was mistaken.

He blinked, and any sign of wetness was gone. Heaven knew, his mother didn’t cry. The thought was preposterous.

“Why?” she said. “Because you have accomplished what you needed to accomplish.”

His world shifted. Had she really just said that?

“The coin?” he asked as he glanced at the box on the table. “You banished me so that I would find a coin. How could you know I would come across it?”

She smiled at him and slightly shook her head at his foolishness.

“What?” he continued. “Was I banished for some other reason and have earned my way back into your trust by locating a small piece of metal?”

She smiled up at him. That all knowing smile of a mother’s. The one that drove him crazy.

“Oh Drake, it isn’t about the coin. It was never about something you had done.”

“Then why, mother?” he demanded. His voice rising higher than it should when addressing his mother. A year of pain combined with the loss of Elsbeth came to a head. “Why did you send me away and now allow me to return? All with no explanation?”

Her hand ran up and down his arm.

“It isn’t about the coin,” she said again. Taking a deep breath, she continued, “I sent you away so that you might find your soul mate. I was perfectly aware that you would not find her here in the valley. Heaven knows you went through every girl and woman in the valley. And, there were more than enough willing.”

His brow narrowed in confusion.

“Now, that you have found her, there is no longer reason for you to be banished.”

“Found her?” he said.

“Elsbeth,” she replied, as if the answer were obvious.

Drake stepped back, drawing a deep breath. “Mother, you are mistaken. Elsbeth is not my soul mate. She is destined for another. Her honor demands that she care for her people. We discussed this, remember?”

“Drake, I am perfectly aware of Elsbeth’s honor and why she has taken the actions she has. I commend her for it. That doesn’t alter the fact that she is your soul mate. She calls to the beast inside of you. She makes you stronger, wiser, and a little bit kinder. Whether you are together or not. It doesn’t change the fact that she is the only woman you will ever love. Correct?”

“Sending you back out into the world would achieve nothing. You will never love another. Only Elsbeth will call to your soul.

His heart lurched. His mother spoke of love so casually. He could not think about it. Would not think about it.

“I don’t believe I know how to love,” he said as he stepped away from her.

“Oh, Drake,” his mother said as she shook her head. “You have more capacity for love than any man I know. The only thing holding you back is fear.”

The hackles on the back of his neck sprang to full attention. How dare his mother accuse him of being afraid?

“You seem awful carefree about the subject,” he said. “I would think that knowing Elsbeth is lost to me would upset you. I will be alone for my life. No grandchildren to bounce on your knee. Flint and Thaddaeus will have to be the ones to carry on the family name. A fact that I would not put a lot of hope in knowing my brothers. I would think it would bother you. At least a little.”

His mother smiled at him, then gently laughed. “Drake, life is a long time. It has only been a few days. Give it more time. Things might very well change. You never know.”

He scoffed and turned for the door. His mother didn’t understand. She would never understand.

“I don’t want to talk about this,” he said as he paused in the doorway. “I will leave tomorrow. I’ll help with patrols, but I’ll base myself in the forest.”

“Drake,” his mother called out to him. “Please don’t tell your brothers. I might want to use the same tactic on them. Heaven knows. I’ll probably have to shove them out the door to get them to leave.”

He shuddered thinking about the pain his brothers would suffer. To hell with them. It’d be good for them. Stomping up the hall towards his own room, he thought of what his mother had said. She had been so sure that Elsbeth was his soul mate. The one and only woman destined to share his life.

If she was, that meant he would always be alone. Always be without true happiness. The thought made the beast inside of him angry.

It wasn’t right, it wasn’t fair.

.o0o.

Drake studied the morning sky. Elsbeth had left him almost a week ago. The pain hadn’t diminished. Still, his mother’s words echoed inside of him.

Sighing to himself, he called forth his beast and set him free. Erupting into a shower of flame and smoke, he transformed into a dragon.

Stretching his wings, he tasted the air, felt the heat burning inside of him. This was his only joy, now. Letting his true nature out.

Jumping into the air, he flapped his mighty wings and crawled up into the sky. A few beats and he was above the trees. A few more, and he had risen high enough to see to the edge of the forest.

His mother’s castle stood in the distance. A slight wind blew from the east, and the sun warmed his armored scales. Life would be good, except.

Grumbling deep in his chest he turned to begin his patrol of the forest. Oh, how he begged for something to challenge him. Every fiber of his being yearned for a fight. Something upon which to unleash the tension and pain inside of him.

Dipping a wing he swerved to the right. His senses probing the distance. His beast exalting in the feeling of being airborne. Floating above the world and all its concerns.

Riding a warm thermal, he flew higher, and higher. Drifting, not really thinking, just being. It was as close to peace as he could come.

But, it would not last for long. It never lasted. His mind would wander to Elsbeth. How was she? Had she regained her land, yet? He really needed to check in with the tavern keeper. See if she needed him.

His heart jumped at the thought of her needing him. Seeking his help. He lived for the moment where she needed him.

It was not to be, he thought. It would never be.

Raising his head, he roared as loud as he could. The deep vibration of the sound echoed off the distant cliffs. Letting the world know that there was a dragon in the area, and he was upset.

The world beneath him cowered in fear.

Elsbeth stared out of the carriage window at the distant forest. The green trees called to her.

Her heart broke for the thousandth time. Where was he? What was he doing at this moment?

Probably chasing castle maids.

She glanced at the two young woman Julian had assigned to watch her. He had said they were to be her maids. But, she well knew that they reported to him. Every secret, every action was told to Julian and therefore to her uncle.

The carriage hit a bump, bouncing, rocking from side to side.

Oh, that it would tip over and splinter into a million pieces. Freeing her so that she could run for the forest.

Instead, it continued on. The trip was intolerable. This long trip to her personal hell. She didn’t know which was worse. The journey or what would happen when they got there.

A cold shudder passed over her as she thought of marriage to Julian. He had betrayed her. Betrayed her so easily. All for a title and glamour. Not for anything real.

For the first time she was beginning to realize what kind of man he was. Those thin shoulders should have given her a clue. The thought of him sharing her bed made her physically ill. The thought of her people continuing to suffer under her uncle’s power filled her with despair.

When she had threatened to refuse the marriage ceremony, her uncle had laughed. Actually thrown his head back and laughed.

“How many people do I have to torture and kill to get you to the alter? I wager, the first night filled with screams and the wailing of children will have you there the next morning.”

Her heart had dropped, and her stomach rebelled. He was right. All he need do is threaten her people, and she must do as he said.

She had failed. Failed on so many levels. Drake had tried to warn her. Tried to make her see. Why hadn’t she listened?

Shaking her head, she peered across the fields at the forest. Unable to take her eyes away. Unable to stop thinking of the man who had made love to her with such tenderness and strength. Of the dragon that could fly through the air like a falcon and roar like the mightiest of lions.

Every thought, every memory brought a sadness to her heart. She clasped her hands in her lap, squeezing. Trying to force the pain away.

Nothing worked. Nothing would ever ease the loss she felt.

.o0o.

Drake took another bite of the beef stew the castle kitchens had prepared. He had grown tired of rabbit and decided to eat in the castle this night.

His family ate silently, the normal banter and teasing put aside for the evening. They had quickly learned to leave him alone in his misery.

“Have you visited Regan and Janice?” his mother asked. “I am sure they would like to see you, again.”

The thought of seeing his friend’s domestic bliss filled him with anguish. His stomach turned over at the thought of seeing their laughing eyes and secret looks. Of watching Cade and Teagan playing in the yard. All the while, knowing he would never have such things.

“Not yet,” he said. “I’ve been busy.”

“Moping is not busy,” his mother mumbled under breath.

“Mother I … “his angry tirade was interrupted when Thaddaeus stepped into the room.

“Oh good, I’m not late,” he said as she slipped into the seat next to Drake, across from Gwyn.

“Aren’t you supposed to be on patrol?” Drake barked, turning his anger on his younger brother.

Thaddaeus shrugged his shoulders. “The forest is quiet. There is nothing to worry about.”

Drake grumbled and continued to eat.

“I did see something interesting outside of the forest, though,” Thaddaeus said as the butler placed a plate of stew before him.

“Oh, dear, what was that?” Queen Matilda asked, obviously hoping to ease some of the tension around the table. Drake shook his head. If he continued to be a jerk, his family was going to stop sharing meals with him.

“An encampment,” Thaddaeus said. “At least twenty wagons and carriages, and over two hundred men. Off the eastern boundary. Just below the Hen’s teeth.”

Drake’s insides turned cold.

Flint whistled at the size of the encampment. “That large, it must be one of the royals. Only they would have such a large contingent.”

“Yes, that was what I thought,” Thaddaeus said as he began to wolf down his food.

Drake’s spoon hung in mid-air as he waited for more information. He could tell that his brother had more to say, but the jerk was drawing it out. Making him suffer.

“But?” his mother said, shooting her youngest son a look that let him know she wasn’t pleased.

“But,” he continued, “it’s two different groups of soldiers, both Lushcany King’s Guard, and Sinstra cavalry. Camping together like they’re on a summer picnic.

Drake’s insides finished turning to ice. This couldn’t be right. She couldn’t have regained her lands, already. The Hen’s teeth were a jagged outcropping of rocks still inside the Sinstra boarders.

“Are you sure?” Drake said through gritted teeth. “The Lushcany King’s Guards shouldn’t be there.”

“Yes, that is what I thought. So I flew in a little closer for a better look.”

The Queen gulped and swallowed hard.

“Don’t worry mother, they didn’t see me. It is a dark night, and I know what I am doing.”

She closed her eyes for a moment and shook her head, as if the thought that her baby would ever be grown up enough to take such risks was beyond her.

Thaddaeus continued on. “I was able to see three rather large tents. One flying the yellow and green pennant of Sinstra, two others flying the royal pennant of Lushcany.”

Drake held his breath. His heart raced as he waited.

“One of the Lushcany royal tents was guarded by four armored knights.”

“Elsbeth?” Gwyn asked.

“I don’t know,” Thaddaeus said as he took another bite of food. “But it was interesting, the knights were each facing inward. You would think they were keeping someone inside the tent instead of others out.”

Drake shoved himself away from the table and jumped up.

“Where are you going?” his mother asked.

“To save her,” he replied as he raced to the door.

“You don’t know that she needs saving,” his mother said, her eyes begging him to be careful.

“It’s obvious,” he said, “the bastard betrayed her to her uncle.”

“We will come, too,” Flint said as he began to rise from the table. Thaddaeus shoved another bite of food into his mouth, and then rose to join them.

Drake looked back and forth between his two brothers. They were both willing, eager in fact, to risk their lives for him. His insides softened a little as he shook his head.

“Thank you,” he said. “I know that you will be there if I need you. But this calls for stealth.”

“I’m quieter than you,” Thaddaeus said as he reached over and took a roll from the basket, stuffing it into his pocket.

Drake shook his head at his brother’s loyalty. “Maybe,” he said, “but she’s my woman.”

With that, he turned and raced through the halls. His heart beat a thunderous pace as his beast screamed to be released. His woman was in danger.

Coming to the outside landing, Drake didn’t hesitate. Running at full speed, he jumped off the edge and into the night air.

A green fire erupted, and his beast was free.

A beat of his wings and he was away from the cliff. Every part of him urged him to hurry. Every part of him begged him to kill and burn them. To turn them into cinder and ash.

He fought to control the beast. Fought to harness his power. He must be careful. Even a dragon couldn’t defeat two hundred trained soldiers. They would take him and where would that leave Elsbeth?

No. He must be smart, saving her was his goal. Not killing. That could come later. After she was free and clear.

Twisting in the air, he turned for the Hen’s teeth.

The encampment was laid out in typical military precision. Two separate grids, one for Sinstra troops and the other for Lushcany personnel.

In the middle of the Lushcany cohort, two tents, one of them guarded by four knights. Just like Thaddaeus had said.

Drake dipped a wing and swooped back over the forest. He had seen what he needed to see, now he must change, must cage his beast. And he must do it without alerting the camp.

Once he was safely inside the trees, he found an open spot and returned to human form. He made sure both his sword and his dagger were loose in their scabbards, then made his way to the forest edge.

As he stepped through the trees and into the barren land, his breath calmed as he brought himself under control.

His dark green jacket and black hair blended with the night. His muscles moved with ease, and his mind processed what he had seen. This was what he was trained for. This was what he was made for.

Fires and torches cast a faint yellow light through the camp. He crept to the edge of the darkness and crouched down in the grass to observe.

His beast pushed to be set free. Pushed to kill, all and any. Drake tapped into the anger and animalistic bloodlust but refused to allow the beast to take over. That way lay failure.

As he watched, Drake noticed a lackadaisical attitude within the camp. They did not expect to be attacked. Only a few pickets were out, and they were not very alert.

The four men guarding Elsbeth’s tent, however, did seem to be awake and observant.

No, they didn’t expect an attack, but they did fear her attempting to escape. This wasn’t a military camp. This was a mobile prison.

Sneaking past the external sentries was easy. Drake smoothly worked his way around them. Sliding through the night like a shadow.

Once past them and in among the sleeping soldiers, he rose and walked confidently. As if he belonged there.

Approaching Elsbeth’s tent he halted once again. They had made a tactical error. Placing themselves to close to the tent, the men could not see each other.

Drake smiled to himself. Such mistakes could get a man killed.

Shifting to the side, he came up behind the knight located at the rear of her tent. He paused, looking around to make sure no one would see him. Confident that he was alone, he crept up behind the man.

Throwing his arm around the knight’s neck, he lifted him from the ground and gave a quick twist. The loud snap of the man’s neck sounded like someone had stepped on a branch, snapping it in the night.

Drake froze in place. Continuing to hold the man as he twitched. Bending slowly, he lowered him quietly to the ground.

One down, one hundred and ninety-nine to go.

.o0o.

Elsbeth paced in her tent. Sleep was impossible. She would never be this close to the forest again.

Her mind raced with ideas and possibilities. But, all of them led to certain failure.

Turning, she began to pace back to the front of the tent. There must be some way to escape. Some way to get away. As long as she remained a prisoner, her people would suffer.

The thought burned a hole in her soul. How silly she had been, how reckless and naive.

Taking a deep breath, she turned again.

Her eyes jumped as a silver sword pocked through the back of her tent and silently cut through the fabric. She froze in place, holding her breath.

Drake, her Drake, stepped through the cut cloth. A smile on his lips and a twinkle in his eyes. His massive shoulders and shear power filled her with a sense of calm and well-being. The world was right again.

He held a finger to his lips, looking at her, his eyes telling her she was the most valuable jewel in the world.

“What took you so long?” she whispered as she rushed into his arms.

He chuckled under his breath and wrapped her into a warm embrace.

“I thought I’d let you try it your way for a while. How’s it working out for you?” he replied into her ear. His warm breath sending a chill down her spine.

She slapped him on the shoulder and smiled up at him.

“Get me out of here,” she hissed quietly as she smiled at him. She didn’t think she’d ever not smile around him.

He nodded and took her hand. Pausing at the new tent opening, he stuck his head out, then pulled her through and into the darkness.

Elsbeth’s heart jumped, and her feet felt like if they were barely touching the ground. He had come for her. He had risked death to save her. And he would succeed. She knew it in her very depths. Nothing would stop this man.

They ducked behind one of the officer’s tent, then twisted to make their way past the sentries. They might have made it. No, they definitely would have made it. But, a young lieutenant in the King’s Guard chose that moment to visit the latrine.

He stepped out of his tent, adjusting his doublet, his sleepy eyes searching the night for the latrine.

Elsbeth swallowed a curse as both she and Drake froze in place. You would think a man so young could go the night without having to relieve himself.