Taken by the Dragon King

Taken

by the

Dragon

King

Caroline Hale

Copyright © 2014 by Caroline Hale

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or actual events, is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author except in the case of brief quotation embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Chapter One

Finally inside my apartment, I can tell that Asher is struggling to take it all in, obviously disoriented as he looks around my sparsely furnished home.

“You live so...strangely,” he admits, glancing around apprehensively.

I’m still shaky from the fall and flying. Holy crap, the flying! I’m just dizzy remembering circling the city from thousands of feet up, legs dangling. All I want to do right now is lay on the floor and take a few deep breaths. Instead, I close my eyes and grasp the kitchen counter.

Strong arms envelop me and I realize I’m shaking like a leaf. “Sorry,” I murmur and take a deep breath in. “I’m okay. I’m just dizzy from flying… it was incredible.”

A crooked smile breaks the confused look on his face and he chuckles. “Flying is incredible. I wish I never had to put you down.”

My heart beats a little faster at the admission. He’s here. He’s really here! I did it. Ash shivers as his skin prickles with gooseflesh and I realize I’m being a bad host.

“As much as I enjoy seeing you in that,” I smile, pointing out his lack of clothing. “You are going to freeze with the AC on. I need to find you some clothes. Wait right here, I’ll be right back.”

“Where are you going?” Ash demands and worry etches his face.

“I’m just going down to the basement to get you something to wear. You have to stay here. If anyone sees you naked like that they are sure to start asking questions.”

A deep growl escapes Asher’s lips and a he shoots me a ferocious look, pinning me to the door before I even know what’s happening. “You can’t leave. I just got you and I won’t lose you again.”

“Ash.” I stroke his face. “I won’t leave the building. I am going downstairs and then right back up. I won’t be more than a few minutes.” I stare deeply into his eyes and he squeezes me a little tighter. “I promise. Now let me go, you’re scaring me.”

He doesn’t release me, letting more of his bodyweight rest against me until I’m taking shallow breaths. Eyes narrowing, he picks up a lock of my hair. I think it might be redder in real life. His finger brushes across my cheek, probably examining the freckles. I don’t think my dream self has any and I hope he likes them. His gaze falls lower to my breasts and his eyebrows shoot up. I’m sure Ash won’t mind an extra cup size or two, but I don’t know how he’ll feel about the wider butt that goes with them.

“I’ll be right back,” I murmur.

“You’d better be.” He backs away and nods.

I quickly run down to the laundry room in the basement. Fortunately, a few people are drying clothes. And this late at night no one is hanging out to watch their stuff! I quickly pop a few dryers open and grab a pair of jeans, some boxers, and a t-shirt. Saying a silent sorry to my unlucky neighbors, I rush back up to my apartment with the pilfered goods and press them into Ash’s hands.

I’m sure my face can’t get any redder watching him get dressed. Warmth spreads through me and I have to turn away before I jump him. I see that he’s found the book and has been flipping through it while I was downstairs. It’s open to a detailed diagram of a dragon. Fingering the rough ink, I pick up the book and cradle it.

“That drawing is actually a picture of my grandfather. This tome is a treasure of information on dragons, though I’m sure you have newer books on my species.”

“Well, actually, no,” I admit hesitantly. “Ash this is hard to tell you…” I try desperately to think of a way to tell him he shouldn’t exist. That Dragons are extinct. “Who is the current Fae King?” I ask, grasping at straws.

“King Liefel. What’s going on Lindy?” he asks curiously.

“King Liefel died almost 3000 years ago.  King Arralt has been ruling ever since.”

“Arralt? That’s impossible…”

“Ash, Dragons…they aren’t around anymore.  I never even thought they were real until I found you. Dragons are fairy tales in the Underground.”

“Fairy tales?” he exclaims, grabbing the book and flipping toward the end. Reading quickly, he pales and slams the book shut. “My Kingdom! This, this Underground,” he sputters pointing the book towards me, “This is what’s become of my home?”

Shaking with rage, he hurls the book through my bedroom door. His brow furrows broodingly with fists clenched at his sides.

“Ash,” I whisper, trying to find some way to comfort him.

Something falls to the ground inside my bedroom closet. The noise is enough to grab Asher’s attention. He storms into my room and throws open the folding doors, pulling Edgar out by the scruff of his neck, causing the cat to yowl in obvious discomfort.

“What are you doing here? Who sent you, Cat?” he demands, shaking him furiously.

“Ash, that’s just my cat. Let him go!” I plead desperately.

“I asked you a question,” he growls.

Edgar, wide eyed and trembling, starts to seize. Ash drops him to the floor where the spasms continue.

“Edgar!” I scream running to comfort him. I throw myself on the floor and pull the cat towards me. I can’t stand the thought of losing my friend, even if he is just a cat.  His little body is contorted in pain. I feel helpless. I plead softly stroking his fur, “You’re okay, Furball. You have to be okay.
”

“Lindy, back away from that foul creature!” Ash demands, pulling at my shoulders.

“Stop! Don’t touch me,” I shriek, swinging around to face him. “How could you hurt him?  You may have been gone for 3000 years but we don’t treat other creatures like that! Is this how dragons are?”

“He is not what you think he is, Lindy. Look at him, he’s starting to change…” he says, pointing towards Edgar.

“He’s having seizures you imbecile! He probably has brain damage. You’ve killed my cat!” I accuse him, not wanting to turn and see my poor kitty in pain.

“Listen to me,” Ash shouts. I try breathing in through my nose, which only serves to put a more severe expression on my face with my nostrils flaring in anger. I can feel magic building inside me. Uh-oh. I have to get control of my anger but I can’t. “Lindy?” Ash quickly backs away from me. Sparks jump from my fingertips and burn tiny holes in his new shirt. “Look at me, Lindy. Breathe. You’ve got to focus.”

“I can’t!” The sparks turn into flames that dance warmly across my palms. It’s beautiful and terrifying at the same time. My excitement fans the flames and they turn blue, giving off more heat. The fire climbs up my wrists. If I can’t get this under control I am going to burn this whole place down!

“You can! You just have to pull it back inside. Now take a deep breath,” he commands. I take a big breath, in and out. “Again,” he instructs. “Look at me, not at the flames.” Looking into his eyes, I start to feel a little calmer. The flickering flames recede from my arms and down past my wrists. “Almost my love, now another deep breath and close your eyes.” I do as he directs and shut my eyes.

“Relax,” Ash whispers, moving closer. His hand grazes my arms with his fingertips and rubs my shoulders gently. My body completely loosens under his soft touch. The warmth in my palms fades and the magic pulls back into my core. “Good, you can open them now.” I open my eyes and sigh in relief. Ash kisses my forehead and strokes my hair, pulling me into an embrace. “You’ve got to be careful little witch.”

“Ehh hemm. Excuse me. If you need some privacy, I can always turn back into a cat,” a voice behind me startles me and forces me to jump away from Ash.

“Holy shit!” I yelp. A small boy shaped cat, or is it a cat shaped boy, stands on two legs looking up at me with Edgars deep green eyes. “What...what in the…?” I sputter, confused.

What happened to Edgar? How is this possible? He stands about 4 feet tall with a thin wiry frame. His body is lightly coated in fur that sticks out oddly in places. Looking closely, I see pointed ears, long fingernails, and even a tail!

“What are you?” I demand, rubbing my arms to try and shake off the chills that have overtaken me. This little boy-man-cat-thing has curled up with me in bed. Has seen me naked. I’ve shared all my secrets and desires with the little creep. I can’t even count the times he’s seen me cry. I feel violated.

“I am a Cat,” he replies with a glint in his eye.

“What?” I exclaim. “No way! I’ve met a few cats. None of them have ever turned into, well into whatever you are.”

“No, of course not. A Cat would never willingly shift in the presence of others.” He looks spitefully at Ash. “This form is reserved for the presence of only our own kind. To shift in front of others is not allowed. It can obviously be forced by someone more powerful, though. My Tyrant,” he adds addressing Ash, stooping into a low bow.

“I should kill you, traitor. Maybe I’ll just rip off your tail for your insolence.” Asher moves to grab him, but I throw out an arm to stop his advance. Edgar cowers into the corner.

“Stop! Both of you,” I shout, causing them to look at me. I’m still worried about almost catching the apartment on fire. I’ve got to get control of this situation. “No one is hurting anyone else in my apartment.” I stomp my foot down authoritatively.

“Lindy, the Catfolk betrayed my family. They don’t deserve to live!”

“Betrayed your family? What do you mean?” I ask wondering how in the world Cats could be caught up in all this.

“Lindy, my father, he… he was a great Dragon. He had flaws, sure, but he was an even greater King,” Ash says with resolve, his face softening. “He provided sanctuary when magic began to dry up across the world. His advisor, an accomplished Shaman, had a Cat as a companion. My father trusted the Shaman and therefore he trusted the Cat. Eventually, we came to trust all the Catfolk. My father relied on them to act as diplomats to the many other races as they sought more and more magic from us.”

Ash frowns and takes a deep breath, remembering.  “As the King’s advisors this Shaman and his companion were privy to many secrets of Dragon lore and Dragon magic. Thousands of innocents died because that Cat decided to provide these secrets to our enemies.”

“The balance was swinging, Dragonking,” Edgar says frivolously. “My ancestors only did what they could to be on the winning side.”

Ash grinds his teeth in anger. “My family, my friends…they did not deserve to die.” I sense the anger coming off of him in waves. “You are traitorous beasts and you shall pay.” His family and friends? I knew they were all gone, but not how. No wonder he doesn’t trust Cats.

A twinkle of tiny bells catches my attention and I swing around to find Fee hovering just behind me. I forgot she was passed out on my couch before I activated the key!

Chapter Two

“Excuse me,” Fee timidly interjects. “I think there’s more to that story than even you know, Sir.”

“And who exactly are you?” Ash questions her furiously.  “Just how many creatures do you live with?” he demands of me.

“This is Fee and she doesn’t live here. She’s… well she’s a friend too. She helped me find you. She’s my Guardian.” I say, relieved that I called her a friend. Now that I have said it out loud I can tell it’s true. She is my friend no matter what job she has.

“A Guardian?” Ash asks. Remembering his rage he adds, “Who do you work for?”

“It is not I who should explain it to you, Your Majesty. We are but humble members of a group of many different kinds of creatures who are working towards restoring magic to its rightful alignment.” She flits up to Edgar and balances on his shoulder.

“We aim to make amends for our ancestor’s many failures before and during the First War,” Edgar adds, looking at Fee suspiciously and trying unsuccessfully to nudge her off his shoulder.

Gracefully bowing low using Edgar’s ear for support Fee says, “Our council should be the ones to tell you what has been done these many years.” She straightens and continues, “But you must know that Edgar and I have ceaselessly worked towards protecting Melinda in the hopes that she would be the one to fulfill the prophecy.” Edgar’s eyes roll at this statement, obviously I didn’t need much protecting on his part.

“What prophecy?” Ash asks.

Fee looks at me before answering, no doubt remembering our same conversation in the library. “A prophecy carried through the ages given to us by a Shaman before he passed.” Ash shares a quick knowing glance with me. I wonder if it is the same Shaman who was his friend. Fee continues, “The finer details have been lost over time, but we do know that a flame haired witch would come to be the one to break the Binding and restore the balance of magic with the Dragons.”

“Who has control of the magic now?” he questions both Fee and Edgar.

“Lord Arralt. The Fae King. He has controlled the Underground for thousands of years,” Edgar responds, flexing his fingers menacingly.

“Your council, do they work for Arralt?” he asks.

“No!” Fee shakes her dainty head back and forth violently. “We work to oppose Arralt and his power. He has made all other races of Magicfolk submit to his rule with fear and subjugation. The true history of the Underground has been perverted by the Fae to make Arralt appear to be a benevolent ruler. No one even questions it anymore! But we know the truth, and we seek to make things right again. Arralt is evil and must be taken down,” Fee says with passion. “I cannot speak further as I am bound to keep the secrets we have carried. Once you meet with the council, I think we can discuss it more freely.”

“As the last Dragon and heir to this kingdom, only you can help us,” Edgar announces thoughtlessly with a hint of sarcasm. What a little punk! The last Dragon, that’s got to hurt.

“Lindy is this true?” Ash looks to me with a puzzled expression on his face. I don’t know what he was expecting when I freed him from his captivity, but I’m guessing this wasn’t it. My heart sinks with sympathy for him. No family or friends left. Thousands of years passed. And now that you’re free, you have to save us! At least he’s got me.

“Ash I’ve never even thought about how things in the Underground have been run. The Fae have been in control for as long as anyone can remember. It’s just how it is. I never even considered questioning it until I found out about the Dragons and how things used to be… I don’t know what to say,” I add pitifully.

After thinking for a few moments Ash asks, “This council of yours will give me more information?”

“Yes, they can but we will need to move quickly. It isn’t safe here,” Fee answers, flying over to the window and pulling the blinds.

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“You two aren’t thinking clearly,” Edgar replies. “We all have to get out of here. There’s no way that Arralt didn’t sense the true King’s return. If you lived Underground, this place would already be swarming with SIGMA Seekers.”

“What?” Ash and I exclaim in unison.

“The Catfolk have warded this apartment. It will be hard for them to find, but not impossible. It’s a good thing you fell down from the sky because-”

“Flew down,” Asher corrects him.

“Whatever,” Edgar hisses back in frustration. “If they had an easy trail to follow, they’d probably be here by now. You have until sunrise, at best.”

“Where do we need to go?” I ask, trying to get the ball rolling. I hope I never have to see that creepy SIGMA guy again. Edgar grabs a sheet of paper from my desk and writes down an address. His handwriting looks like a second grader’s, but it’s legible. “Kona Springs Animal Shelter? An animal shelter? Really?” I ask in disbelief.

“It’s a cover. Just go there and the council will be able to help you but you’ve got to get a move on it,” Edgar snaps at me.

“I will let them know you’re coming!” Fee says, clapping her tiny hands excitedly. “This is what we’ve been hoping for! They will want to meet you both.”

“If you’re wondering about your lair, Master Dragon King Sir,” Edgar pipes in, “then I hope it pleases you to know that no one has ever found it. To my knowledge anyway. We’ve been searching for centuries, too.”

I hold my breath as Ash’s eyes flare. “How comforting,” he snarls.

“You have a lair?” I say, trying to keep the nervousness out of my voice. A lair sounds so menacing. I wonder why they would be searching for it.

“Of course! He’s a Dragon, silly girl.” Edgar interjects. “That’s what they do. They hide stuff away. Nobody ever gets to see a Dragon’s hoard.”

“Oh.” I look down, deflated.

“If you keep speaking for me,” Asher replies, nostrils flaring. “I’ll rip your traitorous tongue right out of your throat.”

Edgar squeaks, his spine stiffening for a moment until he shifts back into a cat. What a bizarre sight. I shake my head and watch as he tucks his small furry body under my sofa.

“So are you going to your lair?” I ask nervously. I’m not sure I’m invited to go with and plus I’m not really sure I’m ready for that. What kind of stuff would he hide there?

“After we meet this council, then
we
will go to my lair.” Asher bends down to kiss my cheek. “Let’s go.”

“Wait,” I hesitate.

“We can’t.”

“But I’ll never be able to come back here again.”

Asher’s brow furrows as his eyes grow darker. “I regret that you are losing your home because of me,” he murmurs.

“It’s okay, it’s just I never realized how much it meant to me until right now. I’ve always been a little resentful that I don’t fit in enough Underground to live there.”

I glance around the living room, noticing how few sentimental objects there are to collect. It should all fit into one of my tote bags. Asher watches me pack with a strange expression I can’t read.

I head into the bedroom and grab the evening gown that I bought for the Renewal Day celebration. Hopefully my magic will keep working and I won’t need it, but maybe I will. Kneeling down, I reach under the bed and retrieve my stash.

“What are those?” he asks

“Runestones,” I reply.

“Are they valuable?” His eyes light up as they lock onto the shiny faceted orbs.

“They aren’t worth much down there. A dime a dozen, really.”

“What’s a dime?”

“A worthless coin.”

“That doesn’t make any sense. Why would the people use a worthless coin? Is it made of silver?”

I can’t help but smile. His dragon side is really showing. “Not even close. And paper money is more valuable than metal now.”

“What?” he exclaims, almost outraged.

“Money is basically just numbers.”

“It most certainly is not,” he insists.

“Up here, it really is. Sometimes,” I explain, pulling out my debit card as I fight the urge to laugh, “it’s all done electronically and nothing is exchanged at all.”

“Melinda, stop trying to trick me.”

“I’m not! And we really don’t have time for this,” I say, collecting the runestones.

“If those aren’t worth anything down there, why are you taking them?”

“Because I’m not supposed to have these up here. I’m in enough trouble as it is without adding contraband smuggling to the list.”

“Why did you bring them up here in the first place?”

“I have to pay for this place with human money, the meaningless, paper and plastic kind. I sell them to hippie gift shops up here. Once a month, I take a load of them over to Sedona and make a killing.”

“Sedona,” he breathes, stopping in his tracks as we head for the door.

“What about it?”

“I was born there. So were my parents and my…” Inhaling sharply, Asher’s eyes start to water for a moment before his jaw clenches.

“Who?” I ask, unsure if I want to know the answer. What if it was another girl, someone he was betrothed to. Princes get betrothed a lot, right?

“My little sister,” he whispers. “She was alive when I was imprisoned. I wonder what became of her.”

“Oh.” I don’t think I’ve ever felt this incredibly guilty before. Is this going to be my automatic reaction to every question I have now? That he’s hung up on some other chick that doesn’t even exist instead of recognizing his grief for a life that was stolen from him and the family that went with it? “Ash,” I say, leaning my head on his arm as we walk down the hallway. “Maybe we’ll find her one day.”

“Maybe,” he replies sadly, shaking his head back and forth like he’s trying to rid himself of his thoughts. “Though it would certainly complicate things if we did.”

“Why is that?”

“She’d probably never stop trying to assassinate me to claim to the throne,” he says casually.

“What?”

“I’d do the same to her if she were the eldest.”

“Well… shit. I don’t get along with my family either, but-”

“I never said we didn’t get along. Quite the opposite. That’s just how it is.”

“Well, it’s not like that anymore.”

“Some things never change.”

I’m so flabbergasted that I failed to notice that we started walking up the stairs instead of down them and now we’re standing on the roof in gloomy darkness. “Ash, we have to go back.”

“Why? Did you forget something?”

“No. I’m not sure how far we’re going, but we’ll probably need to call a cab.”

“A cab?”

“One of those,” I explain, pointing down to the well-lit street below. “It’s kind of like a chariot.”

“I will
never
get inside anything that small,” he laughs, dropping his pants to his ankles and pulling off his shirt. “Especially if I need to travel.”

“But-” Oh. I get it. He tosses me his clothes and I take a step back.

“Why would we bother with one of those yellow death traps when we can fly instead?”

I’m standing so close to him when he shifts that the flames should consume me, but instead I’m enveloped in a comforting warmth. For a moment, I wonder if it’s a true fire that surrounds him, but I quickly find scorch marks and melted tar when I look for evidence. I wonder how long the roof can support this much weight.