Call of the Dragon (Return to Avalore Book 1) (18 page)

“She’ll hold on. She has to.”
He managed to respond through the fog of pain enveloping him.

“Listen to me, Drake. If we want to save her, we have to go down. We’ll hold the ceremony here and bring her back.”
He paused for a moment.
“I don’t feel any threats, but even if I did, it won’t matter if we can’t save her. Set down, now. That’s an order.”

“We need the women.”
Drake snarled.

“
Brienne won’t answer my call. Try reaching out to her. She could be close enough to help.”

His heart raced as Evan’s words sank in and began his descent. So immersed in his own sorrow, he hadn’t thought of the woman he’d met at the cave.
“Brienne, our queen needs you now.”
He sent his words careening through the sky. She had to answer. She was their only hope.

Chapter 14

“Brienne, answer my call.”
Drake summoned her again, desperation making his voice tight. He couldn’t force the conversation. If she ignored him, there was nothing he could do about it. She had to come. There was no other option. If she refused, Rhia would die. Time was running out.

His feet set down on a small outcropping on the edge of the mountain. On one side, the mountain rose tall and imposing, on the other, a sheer cliff. The area would be easy to defend. The beasts wouldn’t be able to come up on them without detection. One by one, the other men circled him and Rhia, forming a tight protective ring.

When his plea wasn’t answered right away, he tried again. “
Brienne, please, I have urgent need of your help.”
Fear and frustration gripped him until she opened her mind to him. “
I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t necessary. Rhiannon has touched the dark energies and needs the light only you can give. She’ll perish without you.”
Even uttering the words sent pain tearing through him.

“
I warned you to keep her safe. I should leave you to your fates.”
Brienne paused as though waging a war within her. “
I will come to you, we’re not far away, but I have conditions.”
She paused again.
“I need your word, and that of every male travelling with you, they will be followed to my exact specifications.”

“Whatever you want, whatever you need, it’s yours.”
It didn’t matter what the conditions were. He’d give her anything if she agreed to help Rhia. His very life if she wanted it.

“
I’ll need three people for the ceremony. Be prepared. I need a healer, and two more. Cleanse your energies as well as you can in these dark lands. It’s no easy feat. All negative thoughts must be banished from mind, body, and spirit for this to work. You must believe without a shred of a doubt she will survive, otherwise she will not.”

Her voice was getting stronger in his mind. She had to be moving closer. He relayed the message to the other men, knowing two of her brothers would be assisting in the ceremony. Aiken and Richard stepped forward and began the cleansing rituals.

“What else?”

“I do not travel alone. You will not be comfortable with my companions but I must insist on their safety. This is non-negotiable. If I sense any aggression towards any of them, I will leave. Her fate is bound to your restraint.”

Once again, Drake relayed the message. Evan frowned, but agreed. It wasn’t like they had much of a choice. They needed Brienne’s help. Either they did as she instructed or Rhia died. They’d have to trust Brienne wouldn’t bring danger to them.

“Your companions will be unharmed.”

“I don’t wish to speak to anyone, not even, and especially your commander. If I need anything, I will ask you and you can speak to the others. I want no connection made to any of them. You will allow me perform the ceremony, and then let me leave without hindrance.”

When Drake gave the newest instructions, Evan clenched his jaw and with a curt nod agreed once more.

“So be it. Please, Brienne, time is running out.”

“One last thing, warrior. I need your word that once this is done and you’ve returned to Avalore with our Queen, you will not contact me again. I know where your loyalties lie, but I need your word, no matter who asks it of you, you will never seek me out.”

Did her voice quiver a bit with the last one? A brief flash of sorrow clouded his friend’s eyes.
“Evan, is she-”
He sent the message to Evan alone.

“It doesn’t matter. Tell her we agree.”
Evan turned away from him then, taking his position guarding the three men who were now waiting for the woman to come and bring Rhia back to them.

“You have my word. I will not speak with you again once she is safe in Avalore. If, however you ever have need of us, I want you to know we will come to your aid.”

“I won’t.”

The rustling of leaves in the nearby trees alerted him they were no longer alone. The other men sensed the presence at the same time and readied for battle, drawing energy. The air reeked of Erritrol.

“Tell them to stand back. My companions will stay to the edges but be aware if anyone tries anything at all, they will attack.”

“Stand down. She’s here. We’re surrounded so be on guard but don’t do anything unless they attack first.”

She set foot on the ground with shoulders squared and head held high. She strode towards Evan, maintaining eye contact with him as though daring him to break the rules she’d imposed, until he stepped aside and allowed her into the circle where Rhia lay motionless on the ground. True to their word, Drake, Aiken and Richard stood awaiting instruction, ready to begin.

She unclasped a choker from her neck and placed it on the ground. Instantly, her colors brightened. “I need you to the left side, by her shoulder. You’re the holder of body and spirit. Once she comes to you, hold tight and don’t let go. The darkness will try to snatch her away from you. You can’t allow it to happen.”

Once Drake took his position, she turned to Aiken. “You’re the healer?” She waited for his nod. “You need to heal whatever ailment big or small. Make her body the perfect vessel for her soul to reside in. Nothing is insignificant. No injury is too small. Heal everything and anything you find.” Once she received acknowledgment from Aiken, she moved on to Richard.

“You have no specific task. No matter what I ask, you must do, without question.”

She knelt and placed her palm over Rhia’s eyes, barely touching. Her own eyes closed as she began a soft melodious chant.

“From the womb the mother’s love brings the life that casts the light. Darkness cannot touch that which is pure. Allow this woman healing warmth.”

Aiken knelt at his sister’s right shoulder and began healing her from head to toe.

Brienne’s chant continued, repeating the words until he was done. The process took several minutes as Aiken healed even the most insignificant scratch, until her body was pristine, and ready to accept her light once more.

She brought her hand down from Rhia’s eyes to hover over her mouth and nose. “From the womb the mother’s song breathes joy into the world. Darkness cannot take what’s ours. Allow this woman to breathe once more.” Her voice swelled with power as she repeated the mantra. Light shone from her body, giving her an ethereal glow in the darkness. Her body swayed. “
I need more energy
.”

Drake relayed the message to Richard who complied without hesitation, sending strength and healing warmth into her.

It wasn’t until Rhia’s chest started to rise and fall with small, shallow breaths that Drake realized he’d been holding his. He exhaled in a rush. There were no second chances with this ceremony, but he was ready. The only way she’d get away from him was if he were dead.

“From the womb the mother’s plea sees her daughter grown and free. Her light’s a beacon, shining true and bright, no harm shall come to her this night. The darkness has no reign at all. Allow Rhiannon to come home to us once and for all.”

Feminine power pulsed in the air around them as she recited the words.

This time when Brienne sagged, Richard infused her without being asked. Aiken joined in as well, giving her what she needed to continue. Her voice carried, reaching for Rhia in the darkness, coaxing her to come back.

“Now. Call to her now, warrior. Convince her she is needed and bring her back to you.”

Drake didn’t hesitate.
“Rhia, come now, it’s time for you to come back to us. We need you.”

“Drake. Where are you? I don’t know which way to go. It’s too dark. I can’t see.”
He could have wept when her voice came whispering at the edge of his mind.

“
I’m right here, sweetheart. Come to my voice. Once you’re close enough, I’ll take you the rest of the way, I promise, just keep coming to me.”
His voice grew thick.

“I’m so cold, I can’t breathe.”

“I’ll warm you up. I’ll keep you safe. Trust me. Come to me. We need you here. Your brothers are here and they need you. I need you, Rhia. Please come back to us. Come back to me.”

Her body convulsed and thrashed in his arms as she fought for life.

“Hold her, warrior. Not only must you keep her from harm, but you must hold her spirit until it can come back to her own body.”

“
That’s it. You’re almost here. I can feel you getting closer. Listen to my heart beating. Listen to my voice. Come up to meet me. I’m waiting for you.”
Drake pulled her onto his lap, bending his head down to brush a kiss across her brow. “
Feel my warmth. Come close so I can warm you up again.”

“
Drake, I’m slipping.”
Panic laced her words.
“It’s pulling me back, I can’t hang on.”

“
No. It’s time to come back. Now. They can’t have you. I won’t let them.”
His heart pounded.
“It is
not
an option. Come to me now.”
He threw his iron will in with hers, giving her strength when she had none, pulling at her spirit, drawing it to the surface.

The sudden burst of pale white light blinded him, but he was ready.
He ruthlessly took the energy into his body and held it tight
.
He wouldn’t fail her. He’d keep her soul safe within his for all eternity if need be, but he wouldn’t let the darkness take her. He rocked back and forth, his head bent over hers, murmuring in her ear, not thinking or caring about what he told her, or what the others heard, just needing to comfort her and be with her.

Her lungs expanded and breath flowed through her body. Once the convulsions began to subside, and color seeped into her pale face, he laid her head down again and straightened, allowing Brienne to continue with the ritual.

Brienne’s hands moved over Rhia’s chest to cover her heart before replacing them with both of Drake’s.

Rhia’s eyes opened, looking dazed—empty.

“
As I recite this last part, allow her to re-enter her body. If anything reaches for her, snatch her back. There will be no saving her if the darkness gets her while she’s out of her body.”

His heart raced as the magnitude of what was about to happen hit home. There was no room for error. He took a deep breath before nodding. “I’m ready.”

“Mother’s womb pure and bright, bring us forth in joy and light.” Light spilled from Brienne and surrounded them all. “Allow her spirit home again to light the soul and make her whole. Mother’s womb gives life to all, we thank you mother for heeding our call.” She raised her arms to the heavens as she delivered her soul-felt thanks.

As she spoke, Drake allowed Rhia’s pale spirit to seep back into her own body. Her essence slid from his keeping and back into her own. Her eyes met and held his as her awareness of him and her surroundings began to trickle in.

“
The ceremony is now complete. She’ll need energy, but be warned, too much at once will send her spiraling back. Take your time. I’ve done all I can do. It’s up to you to bring her the rest of the way.”
She spoke to Drake alone, then stood and stumbled as she turned to leave.

Evan moved with unparalleled speed, catching her fall, and then pressing both palms over her heart, provided his strength before she could protest. He smiled and her eyes flashed fire.

She opened her mouth to speak, and then snapped it shut again, disentangling from Evan and righting herself before turning to Drake. “
We’ll keep the enemy off your back until you reach the border.
Remember your promise to me, warrior.”
Grabbing her necklace from the ground, she glared at Evan, then turned and left, taking the Erritrols with her.

Evan watched her go, a small smile playing on his lips.

Drake found Rhia’s gaze. “
How are you feeling?”
His heart still pounded. It would take a long time for him to get over the fear of losing her.

“Tired.”
Her teeth chattered and her body trembled in his arms. “
What’s wrong with me? I can’t move.”

“We came very close to losing you.”
He brushed a lock of her hair from her face.
“Don’t ever scare me like that again.”