The Prophecy Unfolds: Dragon Queen (15 page)

After
such a fraught night I acquiesced to their demands and had some
breakfast brought to our bedroom. I was so exhausted and shaken by
the previous couple of nights nightmares that I had little or no
strength to argue. After yet another delicious breakfast I felt a
touch better especially after I heard a gentle rap at the door. I
made out the sound of a key in the lock and Zarina bobbed her head
around the door. She enquired if I still wanted to see a copy of the
original prophecy that foretold my arrival on Syros for myself. She
held a copy of the original prophecy that foretold my arrival on
Syros.

The
original she explained, was kept in the city of Bream - the magicians
city. A further copy was kept by the dragon riders in their own
archives.

Dressed
in comfort as the previous day I followed her out on to the corridor
along to the banquet hall and gave Zarina a sideways glance
perplexed. On touring the Pack-house the previous day, I could not
recollect a library of any kind being shown to me. I discovered later
on that not all of the pack-house had been revealed to me as I had
not earned my mates trust as yet. Some time later I was to discover
other areas were kept hidden from me also. We walked in to the room
and Zarina led me to the back wall to a spot situated almost
immediately behind where I had sat . Flush in to the wall on closer
inspection and not easily discernible to the naked eye, was a panel.
If you knew just where to push as Zarina obviously did, it opened up
to reveal a hidden door.

On
stepping through the door a large library was revealed. Every nook
and cranny filled to the brim littered with books, parchments and
scrolls. No windows were evident. Yet, when the lights were turned up
fully every corner of the room became illuminated. Central to the
room was a huge wooden desk, an ancient patina evident on its
surface. Furniture that had been used often over many generations.
Set around the desk were matching chairs, I counted six of them. Set
farther back was a long low leather couch.

Zarina
bade me sit placing a number of old books and a few scrolls on the
desk in front of me.

“
I
thought these in particular might be of interest to you. I came here
earlier and sorted through what I thought might be most relevant to
the prophecy. In the hope that it would help you begin your
research.”

I
reached across and held her hand a moment thanking her for her
consideration and her thoughtfulness.

Finally
I might get more than an inkling of what lay ahead and hopefully
understand the part I was destined to play. Zarina sat in the next
chair along and slowly unfurled the first ancient parchment placing a
book on each corner to hold it down.

The
parchment was exquisite with beautiful delicate illustrations
interwoven within the words. Images of what I might expect as the
changes take effect and of the others depicted in the prophecy. The
werewolves, dragons and dragon riders were there and also other
images that made no sense to me. Straight away I knew why they
recognised me so easily as the drawings began of my capture and
kidnapping back on Earth. The drawings could have almost been lifted
from photographs they were so accurate.

The
others in the illustrations were easily identifiable. Not only was
Leon, Vanda and Aston there in both their werewolf and human forms,
but also Talos with Patros astride him. Then as I looked farther down
the parchment I spotted the phantom dragon of my dreams. My beautiful
Dragon Queen. There is all her golden glory was the dragon I was
destined to ride and rule alongside. Her name came to me in a flash
as I looked at the illustrations and I gasped out loud at the
revelation.

“
What’s
wrong? Are you all right? It’s not the babies is it?” and
Zarina pointedly looked down at my stomach.

“
No.”
I quickly reassured her. “It is the dragon, MY dragon. As I
looked at the illustration her name popped in to my head.”

I
gently fingered the outline of the beautiful golden dragon, that I
was yet to meet. Her name is Amrinth.”

I
carried on stroking the illustration gently with my index finger and
reached out with my mind, calling to her lovingly and unbelievably
received a response. It was distant and quiet but there was no
doubting it.

Alex
is that you. Are you finally able to come and rescue me?
She
sounded hopeful.

I
don’t know where you are right now but as soon as I do find
out, of course I will come for you. We are meant to be together and
we will be very soon
I sent
back.
Where are you? Do you know? Or can you describe the
place you are being held?

It
is a huge cavern under a mountain. Follow your heart and you will
find me. We are drawn to each other and always shall be. If I hadn’t
had been chained here, I would already be by your side.

Suddenly
the connection failed and once again I could hear nothing. Despite
being with Zarina and close to three of my mates I felt isolated,
alone and bereft at the loss of contact.

I
shivered feeling suddenly chilled to the bone and shaky. Zarina
reached over and touched my shoulder.

“
Come
on. You’ve gone pale as a ghost all of sudden. Enough for
today. Why not bring back one of the books and carry on researching
the prophecy in the comfort of your chambers. I will light a fire for
you to sit near. Unfortunately the scroll is not allowed to leave
this library. First of all though we’ll go and find something
warm to eat and drink in the dining hall”

I
nodded and she put the parchment carefully away leaving the other
books ready for when we chose to return another day. I picked a book
at random and we departed, closing the panel as we left.

Leon
was coming in through the main doors as we entered the hall and
approached quickly taking me in his arms for a hug.

“
Are
you okay? We could all feel your distress earlier but had no clue
what caused you to feel so sad.”

I
hugged him back and held him close for the longest time as he rubbed
my back to comfort me. Making me feel safe and secure. The thrumming
of the energy between us warming me from the inside. Helping me to
deal with my conflicting emotions.

He
whispered in my ear, “What happened? Why were you so upset.
Your outpouring of grief was so overwhelming. None of us could
understand what had gone on.”

“
I
finally managed to connect with my dragon at long last. She is being
held captive somewhere chained, and I could feel her anguish. It was
gut wrenching. I have never felt so sad and isolated before. On
second thoughts though I have. When my mother died on Earth I felt
like this.”

Leon
pulled me to him cradling me in his strong safe arms, rubbing small
circles on my back. This helped to ease my pain and the hard lump
that had grown in my throat finally felt a little smaller as once
again I could swallow. He put his hand in mine and led me out in to
the hall twining his fingers through mine. We held hands and he
didn’t even let go as we sat down to eat. I relished the
constant hum and contact. Pulling his chair closer to mine, keeping
his hand on my knee throughout the meal.

Vanda
and Aston appeared partway through the meal dusty and weary from
their travels yet came directly to our table, I stood on instinct as
they pulled me in to their embrace hugging me tightly. Vanda pulled
away a little, put his fingers under my chin lifting it so that he
could look deep in my eyes then kissed me. As he moved away a little
Aston stepped in and kissed me thoroughly.

We
heard what happened
Aston sent.

Vanda
followed with
We felt your pain as our own. We will find
her Alex. I promise you that. WE promise you that.

With
that they both sat and ate quietly, then took their leave to go
freshen up.

Leon
stayed with me. It seems that my mates felt my pain as acutely as I
did through our link and decided I needed companionship. Zarina
appeared and promised to take me once again to the library to
continue our research the following day.

It
was only when I began to nod sat upright in my seat that it hit me
how exhausted I was. My hectic lifestyle of late and the grief I had
felt through the link to my dragon had taken it’s toll. We rose
to leave and the next thing I knew Leon had lifted me off my feet. I
placed my arms around his neck and lay my head on his chest as he
held me close. I was asleep before we reached our room. I don’t
remember being undressed and put to bed.

I
awoke the next day feeling a little better than before I fell asleep,
but not by much.

The
days passed this way, with Zarina coming to collect me, my studying
the scrolls and books and endeavouring to understand as much as I
could about the prophecy.

I
now began to comprehend that the prophecy was not absolute. Although
what had passed, beginning with my abduction was not quite in the
order it was expected to happen. Therefore my future and the prophecy
itself was not set in stone. I didn’t get to connect again with
Amrinth in this time which disturbed me deeply. Yet I also had a
little hope now. That maybe I could manipulate my destiny as it had
already veered from the original prophecy in some aspects.

I
was upset that I had not had any contact from Patros and Talos. I
felt as if I had been forgotten and that my babies may never see
their father.

Despite
events and the changes that were evident I became listless and dark
circles developed under my eyes. I heard my mates muttering to each
other and could now listen into their thoughts without their
knowledge. My powers were growing ex potentially. I felt huge. I was
expecting twins what did I expect? I hardly smiled, had problems
sleeping, and had little or no appetite. I overhead a discussion
between my mates about the fact that I needed to see the midwife.
They decided that I needed to see her, and soon. I brightened at
this. Maybe I could find out what had happened to Patros? Was he
alright? I had had no contact now for almost two weeks but it felt
like longer to. It felt like a lifetime had passed since I was in his
arms.

They
arranged to pick Amanda up and bring her to the pack-house to examine
me.

The
power of my mind was increasing day by day and hour by hour. I could
now block out, or allow my mates in to my thoughts as I wished. They
had no clue. I just assumed that this was one of the many powers I
would acquire and didn’t even think beyond that. Finally I
overheard that Amanda would be brought to see me the next day. As I
slept with my mates that night and they continued to touch me they
could sense both my sorrow and yet also my excitement. They could not
fathom what was happening to me.

The
next morning I awoke refreshed. Anticipating the arrival of Amanda,
my midwife and also my friend. I ate my breakfast in the dining hall
with gusto which astonished everyone. Then we went, again to the
library although there didn’t seem to be any more information
regarding the prophecy.

Amanda
arrived in the afternoon and I feigned surprise when I was informed I
had a visitor. I ran into Amanda’s open arms and we both wept
openly as she held and comforted me. Stroking my hair, remarking on
the changes she could now see in me, that were so very obvious. I
asked how everybody was and she knew instinctively who I was
referring to.

“
They,”
she emphasised the they,” are fine, and missing you so much,
you would not believe it. If you try hard I am sure you can reach
them with your mind. Believe in the power of your love and trust that
you can do this.”

No
more was said on the subject. Too many people were listening for the
conversation to continue. I now had a little comfort from these
remarks and intended to try and contact Patros at the earliest
opportunity.

Amanda
accompanied me to my bedroom, with her equipment stowed in her small
leather bag. I lay on my bed and she spent some time checking me over
Listening to my babies before smiling and telling me all was well.