Asher: Dragon's Savior (10 page)

~~~

Abraham was sitting on the porch of their home when they returned. He’d not seen such a sight as dragons flying since he’d been a younger man. It was a sight that he knew very few would ever see in their lifetime if he had not seen the witch in his daily walks.

As they approached him and the house, he stood up. The only person that he actually knew was Elbert, and he wasn’t among the group. Cautious that he made no quick or sudden moves, Abraham tried to look as calm as he could when the first dragon spit a line of fire at him.

“You know me to be without malice, or I would not be so close to the house.” The dragon didn’t spit again, but they circled around the men with them and looked like something from his worst nightmares. “I come to see Elbert. He is my friend and I have news of the witch.”

The man that came from the circle looked so much like his father that it nearly took his breath away. This man was the son of Jacob and Sally, he’d bet his life on it. And if this was true, then Abraham’s own child might be with them.

“Elbert has gone to the mountains to gather herbs. If you are a friend of his, I’d like to know his relationship to you.” If he was correct about the man before him, he also knew his name. “And who are you?”

“You’re Asher Anthony. A man named for the ruins of the castle from which you were given life, and a great king like none other.” The man nodded but didn’t speak. “You have five brothers, all of them holders of the dragons of said king and his lovely wife. Men of a breed like none other. I am Abraham, father to the daughter given to you from the queen.”

She was there then, stepping from behind the dragons and standing next to Asher. He nearly stepped to her, but she walked slowly to him, Asher matching her steps with his own. When she stood in front of the porch, Abraham moved down the two steps to get a better look at her. She was beyond lovely. She was the most beautiful—

The fist that hit him in the nose knocked him back on the steps. Before he could figure out what he’d done, she was telling him to stand up so that she could hit him again. He looked up at her from his prone position and realized that she was furious. And a fighter.

“I said to get up. I’m not nearly done with you.” Abraham looked at Asher, but he would be no help with the woman. He was laughing so hard that he was holding his belly. “Are you going to get up or am I going to have to kick you while you’re down?”

“What are you upset with me about? And for the record, my dear, I shall lay here until you are over your snit.” She kicked him in the ribs, and he had to hold them for fear that she’d break a few of them with her booted foot. “Stop this.”

“You fucking left me there.” He had to move back from her fury or be injured again when she tried to kick him again. “You just fucked her, knowing that I’d be born, then you never returned. Get up.”

“Esmerelda.” Abraham looked at the man who spoke. Elbert looked like a man who was trying his best not to burst something, and his humor was spilling out over his face. “He’s your father. Have some respect.”

The foot connected with his head. Abraham tried his best to hold onto his consciousness, but the darkness won out. His last thoughts were that he’d have to make this up to her, and that she was a hell of a warrior.

When he woke next, he was laying on a bed. He looked around the room before rising, and saw his Esmerelda sitting in the chair next to his bed. Abraham took this time, when she was unaware of him, to look at her.

Her hair was as dark as the night. Straight like his, but with a little curl at the end of her gathered hair. Her eyes, if he remembered correctly, were the blue of the sky. Still, he was fairly certain that with all her beauty, he would never want her to draw against him in a fight.

“You done?” Her voice cut through his thoughts, and he sat up to look at her. “I was told that I had to tell you that I’m sorry. I’m not, but they didn’t say I had to be sincere about it. So, I’m sorry that I didn’t hit you harder.”

Abraham couldn’t help it. He laughed. Christ, she was as ill-tempered as his mother on her good days, and just as cutting as his father when he was without his morning brew. She glared harder at him, then stood. Abraham actually stiffened in anticipation of her hitting him again.

“Do they call you Esmerelda or something less formal?” She told him her name. “It suits. You’re very pretty, I’m sure you know that.”

“What I know or don’t know is none of your business.” True, but he didn’t comment as she continued. “She was a horrible mother to me. If what she was could be considered a mother. You should have come back for me.”

“I wasn’t able to. Once I fathered you as the queen requested, I was put into a deep sleep by Caroline to heal. A hibernation, as it were. Lying with the witch harmed me in ways that you cannot imagine.” She asked him how. “My body was burned and my insides were…she is as acidy inside as she is out.”

He could see her blush and hated to have done it to her, but he wanted her to understand that he would not have abandoned her if he could have prevented it. Sitting up, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and stretched. There was much to tell them all, but for now, he thought being with his daughter was much more important.

“You’re not human.” He shook his head and nearly pointed out that neither was she when she continued. “Asher said that I have magic inside of me. I’ve been playing with it, but I can’t seem to get anything to work right. I don’t suppose you’ll hang around long enough to show me a thing or two to beat the witch.”

“I want to hang around, but you should know that you’re not a witch.” Essie just stared at him. “Neither am I. Helena is one; not because she was born one, but she just knows some spells. And she’s killed a great many other witches that were very good at what they did to gain their powers. Without that, she’d be just as normal as most humans.”

“And the dragons? Why does she want them dead?” He was surprised by the fact that she knew, and he could see that she was pleased by that. “She’s going to take Asher and kill him if I can’t figure out a way to kill her first. Because she is not getting to my family. Not like she did me.”

“She won’t.” Abraham stood up, and she didn’t back away from him this time. “I’m going to help you with your magic. I think…no, I know that you can beat her at her own games. But if she gets even one of your dragons, Essie, all will be lost.”

“Nothing will be lost, Abraham, or I will die trying.” He nodded. Abraham was proud of her in that moment, but thought it best if he said nothing. Their relationship was not one of good faith as yet. But he knew he would win her over. Or, as she said, he would die trying. He followed her out of the room to the kitchen.

Chapter 9

Asher watched the two of them in the yard. When Kiaran and Onimia came and sat beside him, he didn’t speak but continued to look at Abraham and Essie move about. It was frustrating watching her fall back when some of Abraham’s magic touched her, but he told her he’d behave.

“Have you been sent here so she can work without you trying to protect her? Or you here for the entertainment value?” He looked at Onimia and told him entertainment. “She is doing well, but he is not a good teacher. He’s afraid of hurting her.”

“He has a few times.” Onimia nodded. “You think you can help her? Because she is getting really pissed at how slowly this is going. I don’t think she wants to be excellent at it all now, but he’s been on the same two things for over an hour, and I’m afraid she’s going to bash his head in again.”

Onimia got up and walked toward the student and teacher. Asher sat up. He had no idea what was going to happen, but he was sure it was going to be good. Kiaran laughed and Asher looked at him.

“I think that before this is done, Onimia is going to be glad he’s an immortal.” Asher laughed too. “I don’t think Abraham is going to give him the field. What do you think…? She’s going to kick his ass again, or do you suppose she’s going to give into her dad?”

“I think she’s going to take Onimia to the ground.” Bets were placed on not
if
she would but
when
she would. Kiaran said she’d fall first, then Onimia, but Asher thought she’d take them both down, Onimia and Abraham, before either of them left the field.

“You should know that you can hurt me, but not kill me.” Essie nodded at Onimia. Abraham was telling them both that he had it, but Essie looked at Onimia when he took a stance and told her to do the same. “You have power in your body. And you can pull from the earth. I want you to kick off your shoes and try to—”

“She’s not ready for that. Her strength is too strong right now, and if you add the elements to it, she’s going to hurt herself.” Abraham stepped between Onimia and Essie, and Asher laughed. The men were going to be hurt more than she would. “Look, Essie. Just try and use the power like I’ve been showing you.”

Essie kicked off her shoes, and Asher reached into the earth himself and asked it to help her. Their reply was that she was helping them, so they’d be honored to help her out. Asher could see the power running up her body. The grass at her feet seemed to grow an inch as soon as she dug her feet deep. Asher knew whatever was going to happen now wasn’t going to be because he’d asked the earth anything, but her own willpower and magic.

Asher could see the exact moment that she could feel it. Her face was bright with the power, and her body was humming. He started to tell her to back it down, to ease it from her hands, but she was lifting them to the two men and blasting them across the yard before he could. Well, Asher supposed, he could have warned them, but this was too much fun. Getting up, he went to her.

Putting his arms around her waist, he leaned into her ear. “Heal them. Just reach deep into the earth and ask for its help. Always ask, because there might be something going on that they cannot help you.” She nodded. “Now, bring Onimia to you.”

He was surprised at the ease with which she did it. As she lifted him up, his body hurt but not broken, she brought him to her and laid him gently on the ground. He sat up and winked at her. When she brought Abraham to her, laying him down as well, he could see that the man was hurt worse, but not enough to be unable to stand. When he did, he glared at Onimia.

“I told you she couldn’t handle it. She’s going to hurt herself and others until she can get the hang of this. Being an elemental faerie takes years of practice.” No one moved. Asher looked at Kiaran when he stepped in front of Essie when he did. “I told you she wasn’t human.”

“You never said what she was.” An elemental faerie? Christ, Asher was stunned at the amount of magic that she held. “You said faerie. Nothing more. Do you have any idea what Helena would do with her if she knew?”

“It’s why no one knows what either of us are.” Abraham looked saddened by what he’d just confessed. “No one knew. Not even Elbert when he asked me to father her. The queen did, I suppose, but no one…we’re the last of them. Even as a half-breed, as she is, she’s more powerful than any witch. And a witch will want her magic.”

Asher felt her touch his arm. When she stepped between him and Kiaran, he could see that something was different. And when she turned and looked at him, he took a step back. She had it. He had no idea what it was or who had given it to her, but Essie had it all.

This time when she lifted her hand, she pointed it to the smallish tree in the yard…a sapling that had been there from the mighty oak nearby. Her fingers danced at the end of her hand, and he watched with the rest of them as the tree grew, its branches growing and strengthening until it was as big as the one next to it.

Buds formed at the end of each branch and along the bark. Then leaves, dark green and full, unrolled from each one and opened to the sun. Acorns filled the tree then, tiny seeds that would take root, he knew, and grow magnificent trees like its sire. When it was finished, the tree at full grown, she turned to him and smiled.

“The earth said it would help me.” He nodded without speaking, not even sure if he could at this point. “She said that you guys were taking too long and there was business afoot. I really like her. She also said that if I needed anything else, I was to just ask. It was her pleasure to help me.”

“I bet it was.” Asher looked at Abraham as he felt his anger take a step up. “You should have told us. We have to take better care of her now. And not just because she’s new at this, but you know what Helena will do to her if she gets her now.”

“She’ll take her powers. And that of the dragons.” Asher asked Abraham how. “Because even if you don’t realize it just yet, Asher, you are the king of all dragons, even the ones that are not here. And if Helena gets Essie, you will give her whatever she wants to save your bride.”

“Not here? I don’t understand.” Asher looked at Kiaran and Onimia. “Do you know what he’s talking about? Caroline said she was the leader of the dragons. I can’t be the king of anything.”

“No, what she said was, she was the witch of the dragons’ kingdom. That doesn’t make her the leader; you are. And yes, I think I understand what Abraham is saying,” Onimia said with a grin. “I think he’s telling you that you’re the big boss of us all, and that there are more than just the six of us. And so you know, I’ve always known that you were going to be the leader, along with Kiaran. It’s just he thinks you can do this on your own. But we all know that the two of you are going to bring us back.”

Asher was almost afraid to ask him bring them back from what, but he didn’t have to. Kiaran answered him for Onimia. “There are more of us than the six here now. Not many. In fact, there are less than a dozen of us all told. I knew that a few days ago, just after we arrived here. They’re…I guess you could call it calling to me. And the others. They won’t come until the witch is taken care of, but they’ll come. This is the safest place for them until we can find them hosts.”

“You mean they all need hosts?” Kiaran nodded, and Asher looked at Onimia, who nodded as well. “How the hell am I supposed to find them hosts? Mine was preordained for me. Are you saying that these other dragons have someone out there that’s just for them as well?”

“No.” Abraham laughed when Asher huffed at him. “You and your wife, you are surely suited. No, they are not preordained. It wasn’t until you and the others came back here that things started to be put into motion. I wouldn’t be surprised if some, if not all of them, are on their way right now.”

Asher looked around. He noticed then that Essie was missing. When he started for the house, he saw her. She was sitting in the glen just behind the house, looking up at the sky as she sat in the grass. Kiaran leaned to him and spoke, his voice just a whisper as he told him what she was doing.

“She’s learning. If I were you, I’d let her go. She cannot be harmed on the property, and she will need this information in the coming days.” Asher asked him why that soon as he continued to watch her. “The witch has seen us. She knows that we’re here. Abraham spied her looking at us at the ruins. It’s why he’s here.”

“You mean that he’s seen her?” Kiaran nodded. “Then she has more than likely seen him. So she’ll figure out that Essie is his daughter and hers.”

“And?” Asher let his mind wander over the implications of what this might mean. “She knows that Essie is her daughter anyway. What does that change?”

“Essie doesn’t look like the child that left her. She’s…she’s so much different that if I were to see her as a child, I’d not know her as the adult. The witch has no clue that the woman that she has seen is the child she gave birth to.” Asher looked at Kiaran, wondering how the hell that was possible. “Look at her, Asher; even now she looks different with the power of her magic. Helena is going to know that, and when she finally realizes what she’s up against, it will be too late for her to back off.”

“You mean that Essie will kill her.” Kiaran didn’t answer but looked at the field beyond. “She’ll try, won’t she? No matter if I ask her not to, she’ll have to try and save us all.”

“I believe that it, like our entire life, is written out and we are going to have to wait for it to play out to see how it ends.” Then Kiaran shifted, his dragon taking shape almost in a heartbeat.
I believe that without her, all will be lost anyway.

Asher had a feeling that he was right. He didn’t like it but knew it was right. All would be lost without her help. And he’d be lost without her by his side.

~~~

Essie lay in the grass and stared up at the sky. When a shadow fell across her, she moved her head so that she could see who was standing over her. She really wasn’t surprised to see Mr. Jacob. He sat beside her and he touched his finger over the flower that she’d broken. When he showed it to her, she could see that it was now repaired and it seemed to have grown a little.

“It was a gift to me from his mother. I think us both having the ability to use the earth was passed onto Asher in a way that was stronger than both of us.” She nodded but didn’t say anything as Mr. Jacob spoke again. “You’re even stronger than he is. And that’s a good thing. You’ll be able to control things that…well, I can’t imagine what you’ll be able to control with this.”

“I’m a faerie.” Jacob nodded. “I’m not sure what the hell that means to me. I mean…I guess it’s a good thing and the earth said that I’d be helping them a lot. I don’t suppose you know what she means.”

“I do know that my wife, rest her soul, used to tell me that when you borrow from the earth that you had to pay it back times ten. She would cut some herbs and put her hand in the soil and thank it. I’m not real sure what she was doing when she did that, but she was happy and that is all that mattered to me. But I do know that when she picked mushrooms, which was her favorite pastime, she’d take a little of our leftovers with her to put on the mound as a little extra for them.” Essie nodded. She could see that. But the rest? Not so much. “You’ll get it, dear. You’ll have lots of time to practice.”

They sat there for a little while, and she thought of all the things that had happened to her recently. “Mr. Jacob, did you use magic to make me fall in love with Asher?”

“No.” He sat there playing in the grass. “I don’t know if I could have or not, but no, I didn’t use it. What I did do was bring two people together that mean a great deal to me.”

“I like you. A great deal too.” He nodded and grinned at her. When she sat up suddenly, he started to speak but she put her hand up. “There’s something…like a disturbance going on. In the valley near…I think the ruins.”

Closing her eyes, she stood up. Her shoes were still off, so she dug her toes into the dirt and listened. It was strange at first. She was actually listening to the dirt. She knew that the others had come to her. She didn’t know if Jacob had called them or something else, but they were standing close when she opened her eyes.

“It’s not the ruins, but close by. There’s a mountain about two miles from the ruins that has a deep cavern in it. The earth said that there is black magic going on, but she can hide from it. She said that the mountain told her that it has not happened in many winters.” Asher took her hand, and she could feel a power surge run up her arm. “Christ, do you feel that?”

“Listen,” Asher told her. Closing her eyes again, she listened and was happy to feel the mountain speaking. Asher held her hand and then her body to his, cradling it as he whispered in her ear. “If you ask him, he’ll let you see what you need to see. But be gentle. It’s his first time too.”

Nodding, she asked the mountain to show her the disturbance. And as it faded into her vision, she could see the large room.

“I think it’s the room that Asher was in. There’s a dais in the middle of the room and markings on the wall that I don’t…I can’t read them.” Asher told her he could, but to look around. She moved all around the room, telling them about the things she could see. Then she came to a locked door and went through it. “It’s a tomb. There are thirteen bodies in different stages of decay. They’re not…there is no seal at the end of their resting place.”

As she stood there, looking over the bodies and trying to figure out what the hell she was seeing, the door behind her opened and there stood her mother. Asher tightened his grip on her waist, but he never spoke. Neither of them did as her mother moved into the room.