Dragonfae & The Soul Catcher (14 page)

“There is my home.” Mino paused on the edge of a clearing and waved towards a small group of cottages. “I’ll take good care of your horses and your cat.” He gazed up at Lumos. “I hope you have a sound plan to beat Nehebkau.”

“I’ve given the task much thought.” Lumos turned to speak to Thalia. “Little one, are you ready to go?”

With a sigh, Thalia hugged Brew. “We’ll come back soon. I want you to behave yourself with Mino and only eat what he says. Don’t go hunting Sprites now, will you?” She placed the cat on the ground and turned to Lumos. “Aye, I’m ready. My body is positively humming with magyck.”

“Draw your circle, Mino.” Lumos took two saddlebags from Argos’ back and flung them over one shoulder. “If we should not return, send a message to my father. Tell him of the Magus’ treachery and ask him to send an army to Rantazmac.”

“You have my word, Dragonfae.” Mino drew a circle of light. “May the gods keep you safe from harm.”

The shimmering circle intrigued Thalia. Taking a deep breath, she gripped Lumos’ large hand, and stepped into suffocating darkness.

* * * *

“Lumos, can you see anything?”

“Aye, my dragon sight isn’t affected by the silver. We’re in a cave of sorts—some kind of passageway. It is just as Mino described.” Lumos led Thalia forwards. “Keep your voice to a whisper and remember if I squeeze your hand, you must remain silent. This path will lead us straight to Pyro’s prison. I would guess Nehebkau stays close to him.” He stopped walking and pulled Thalia into his arms. “Do not engage the beast, and if I fall, you must try to form a circle of light and go back to Treluna. Look at me, Thalia. I want your promise.”

She swallowed hard. “I’ll never leave you to the mercy of Nehebkau, never. We fight together and if the goddess takes us both through the veil, then so be it.” She ran a finger over his lips, needing so much to kiss him. “My destiny is with you, Lumos, to live or to die, and I’ll not have it any other way.” She heard the catch in his breath and saw the rigid stance of his body. “I belong to you, Lumos.”

“The gods help us.” Lumos buried his face in her hair. “I’ve formed no plan to beat this creature. I need more time.” He drew her hard against his chest. “I should never have brought you here. Damn, I’m a fool to risk your life. Without my magyck, I feel like an impotent old man asking a female to protect me. Lady’s blood, what have I done?”

 She rested her head on his shoulder, inhaling the rich scent of the man she loved more than life. His heart beat solidly under her palm. This Fae had become her courage and his strong embrace was her sanctuary. The doubt he now experienced mirrored her fears.
Goddess, I owe him so much
—
help me to be strong for I can’t let him down now.

“The king would often sit in the great hall and tell tales of battles he had won. One of his greatest foes was a tribe leader called Knightslayer. This man and his warriors were unbeaten in battle for over ten summers.”

“Why are you telling me this, little one? We are to fight a two-headed snake—a demigoddess, no less. Even without magyck, I can beat a man with one hand tied behind my back.”

“I know this, Lumos…but do listen. The Knightslayer prized horses and I’m told bred the best warhorses in the kingdom. My fath— The king had one of his men steal a stallion and tether the beast at the end of a narrow, blind ravine. The Knightslayer and his men believed the horse had strayed but, in truth, this diversion saw the death of the man.”

“The king trapped his enemy in the ravine. That is a well-known strategic plan.” Lumos pressed a kiss to Thalia’s cheek. “But we have nothing to lure the Nehebkau so that I may creep behind her and slay her.”

“You have me.”

“
You!
Are you mad? The beast will kill you in a second and eat you. Dear gods, Thalia, what are you thinking?” Lumos held her away. “You must wait here and let me deal with Nehebkau.”

Thalia straightened her shoulders. “Then you will go to your death.” She moved closer, gripping his tunic. “You have the strength to kill the beast if you attack her unawares.” Thalia’s pulse pounded in her ears. “You must let me distract Nehebkau to give you the advantage. Because, if she discovers you before you behead her, I would imagine, even you, Dragonfae, are not fast enough to remove both heads.” She drew her dagger and grasped it tightly. “Better she sees me first and you attack from behind. Do you know what she looks like? We need to play to her weaknesses. Does she have any vulnerable areas?”

“Aye…they call Nehebkau a two-headed snake, but in truth she is a two-headed dragon.” Lumos sighed. “If I could morph into the Nightdragon, she would be an easy kill for me. She is most vulnerable at the spot between her necks. She cannot bend to bite there, nor can she see that part of her body. If I could get to that point, I could pierce her heart. Nehebkau’s heart lies directly below that juncture. Once she falls I’ll decapitate her before she regenerates.” He shook his head slowly. “You cannot use magyck against her. Goddess, if she strikes at you… No, I can’t let you do this. I can’t risk your life so foolishly.”

Thalia stared at the flash of green from his gaze, the only thing visible in this dark void. “What other choice do we have? Do you want to be impotent, as you say, forever? At this moment, we are prisoners here as surely as Pyro. As soon as I try to use magyck, she’ll trap us here, too…and you will be her new pet.” She drew in a long breath then let it out slowly. “You had faith in me to help you with the Hag. I beg you to show your faith in me now, Lumos.”

“Come then, we’ll meet our fate together and I pray the gods protect you, little one.” Lumos took her hand.

She heard the swish of a sword sliding from a scabbard. They moved silently, deeper into the mountain. A soft light glowed at the end of the tunnel and the air hung heavy with the stink of brimstone. Ahead, water trickled from small fissures on the walls and ran in a groove down the middle of the passageway. She froze, heart pounding. In the soft glow of magyck light, she glimpsed Nehebkau curled beside Pyro. The beasts’ leathery sides rose and fell in unison with each slumberous breath.

Oh goddess, they are so big, I feel like a fly on the wall.

Trying to push saliva down her restricted throat, Thalia gripped Lumos’ hand. She forced her attention to remain on the dragon. In truth, Pyro appeared almost beauteous beside the aberration of Nehebkau. The Firedragon’s iridescent red skin shimmered in the pale light, each scale refracting a kaleidoscope of colours. His leathery wings folded in crimson ruffles beside his massive body. Muscles bulged under the skin of his thighs and the long talons on his feet shone like pearls. Pyro’s gigantic head with arched brow flowed down to a long alligator snout. The Firedragon’s floppy rabbit ears intrigued her. Apart from the sheer size of the beast, this dragon’s face had a subtle male beauty.

He was such a contrast from the gruesome appearance of Nehebkau—this deformed beast evoked only dread. A two-headed misshapen tragedy, Nehebkau had stepped directly out of hell. Thalia shuddered at the sight of two, snake-like heads, grotesque maws hanging open to display lethal fangs. White sludge spilled from her nostrils to meet the pool of sticky drool on the cave floor. Nehebkau had no wings—in their place hung small, deformed stumps. The beast had rough, dark green scales from the tops of her heads to the tip of her pointed tail. Thalia cast her gaze over Pyro again, steeling herself against the need to run. The Firedragon wore a collar that hummed magyck—the wide silver band crackled, energy arching against his skin.

How had Pyro allowed this beast to capture him?

Pyro moved his massive head slightly, his nostrils flaring, and opened one gigantic blue eye. His piercing stare honed onto Thalia. She sucked in a steadying breath. Her knees shook. Reaching for Lumos, she nestled him against her, seeking the comfort of his scent.

“Don’t move.” Lumos pressed Thalia against the cold rock wall. “I’ll ask my dragon to speak with Pyro.”

Agonising seconds ticked by. Thalia’s stomach cramped with fear. Lumos’ hot breath brushed her ear. She circled his neck, sinking her fingers into his silken hair, needing his strength.

“He knows our plan and will help. I’ll jump on his tail and he’ll lift me onto Nehebkau’s back. He can smell you and warns that in a few seconds Nehebkau will wake to discover the origin of your fragrance. He believes his scent will mask my own.” Lumos pressed kisses to her forehead and eased away. “Pyro suggested you take a position on the other side of the cave. There are small fissures in the side wall where you can squeeze inside to hide, if necessary.”

With every bone in her body trembling, Thalia moved inch by inch into the huge cavern.
Oh gods, don’t let the beast wake up.
Sticking close to the wall, she forced her legs to walk.
It’s only ten paces, I can do this. I must do this.
The stink in the chamber burned her nostrils, and she fought to control the bile racing up the back of her throat. Loose gravel crunched under her feet. She ran her hands along the damp wall, afraid she may trip and fall in the gloom.
Just a few more steps.

Finally, with her back to a small dark gap in the rock, Thalia glimpsed a movement from the beast. Ice-cold shivers slithered down her spine—Nehebkau had spied her. The beast rose up, heads swinging from side to side, scales glistening in the light globes. Blood-red eyes searched and found Thalia. A high-pitched whistle smashed against her eardrums. She shook her head and, gripping the hilt of her dagger, met the four eyes regarding her with fury.

“What is thisss?” Nehebkau’s heads bent to stare at Thalia. “A weak, little Nomag… Here… Look, Pyrosss, is thisss an offering, do you think?”

“She would get stuck in my teeth. Nomags have no meat on their bones.” Pyro let out a huge sigh, blowing hot air over Thalia. “Perhaps she carries a message?”

“A messssage you sssay…? From the demigodsss…I think not and I doubt Lucifer would ever use a Nomag messenger.” Nehebkau’s body undulated and moved closer to Thalia. “Why are you here, ussselesss Nomag? Ssspeak before I sssuck out your life.” The skin peeled back from her fangs, and her necks arched, ready to strike.

Thalia saw a shadow move across the back of the cave. The glint of Lumos’ sword caught the light.
I must not look at Lumos. I must stay focused.
Pyro moved slightly—the dragon’s long tail uncurled and crashed down behind Nehebkau. Thalia’s jaw trembled. She ground her teeth in an attempt to push down the paralysing fear.
Gods, I can’t think of anything to say.
Stories of evil beings erupted in her mind.
Flattery
—
she is female after all, yes that may work.
With great effort, she lifted her chin.

“I’m a witch, oh wise and wonderful Nehebkau. I came here to beg guidance and bathe in your brilliance.”

Lumos stood opposite Thalia, both of his large hands clasped around the handle of his sword. Thalia swallowed hard.
I must keep her attention.

“I want to catch a dragon and keep him as my lover, as you have captured the Firedragon, mighty Nehebkau.”

“Then you are a fool.” Nehebkau moved towards Thalia and raised her heads, ready to strike.

The next second stretched out and moved as if in slow motion. Thalia squeezed into the fissure at her back. Nehebkau’s first strike hit the rock each side of her. Lumos rose into the air on the Firedragon’s tail and jumped, landing effortlessly on the beast’s back. Muscles bulging, he drove the sword downwards at the junction of the two long necks. A piercing scream shook the cave, pebbles and dust showered down. Nehebkau’s ugly heads thrashed out in all directions, striking the walls of the cave. She heard Lumos’ battle cry followed by the sickening thud of blade hitting bone. A spray of hot, sticky blood soaked Thalia. She buried her face in her hands and retched, her stomach cramping at the pungent, metallic smell. Cautiously, she peered through blood-soaked fingers. One of Nehebkau’s heads rolled across the floor of the cave towards her like a huge boulder. The red eyes still glowed with anger. Fear immobilised her. Trapped between the decapitated head and the blood flowing around her feet in a crimson stream, she screamed.

Lumos moved swiftly to Pyro’s side. “Remove these damn silver bands. I need to clean up Thalia.” He gazed at the Fae male and held out his hands.

“I don’t know how to thank you.” Pyro waved a hand over the silver. “There, it’s done. Now go to her but I can’t wait to hear why you risked your life to rescue me. When your dragon spoke to me, it was like music to my tired soul. Gods be blessed, Lumos—I’m so happy to meet you.”

The power of magyck surged through Lumos, as he ran to Thalia. “Hush, little one, my brave warrior… It’s over.” He threw a fresh and clean spell over them both and dragged the shivering witch into his arms. “Look, Thalia, open your eyes. Pyro is like me now and there is no dragon to fear. You are safe.”

In his arms, Thalia trembled, her terrified, dark eyes flashing to Pyro. Her fear washed over Lumos. Dear gods, the witch’s fear of Pyro the male far outweighed the girl’s fear of his dragon. Putting his body between Thalia and Pyro, he bent his head to her ear.

“Pyro is mated. Even if he wanted to bed you, in Fae form, he wouldn’t be able to. He is an honourable Fae, an ancient warrior and once the king of the Dragonfae.” He kissed her cheek. “You have my word that you can trust him, little one.”

“You are a witch? Gods, I thought you were Lumos’ mate. You fought well, my dear, and with outstanding bravery.” Pyro moved closer and peered into Thalia’s eyes. “Why, your eyes have the dancing fire of the Dragonfae females.” He flared his nostrils and regarded Thalia with interest. “And yet you’ve not mated, have you?”

“N-no but I’m a witch and not a very g-good one, either.” Thalia snuggled closer against Lumos. “How are you free? I saw a collar and you had no magyck. How did that ugly beast manage to imprison you here?”

Lumos chuckled. “I’m afraid my little witch asks a lot of questions.”

“The collar was made by Nehebkau’s magyck and vanished upon her death.” Pyro shrugged. “The demons were great in number, therefore I lost the battle. We all faced death that day. I had the choice—to submit to her demonic lust or lose the race of Dragonfae to Lucifer. None of us imagined Nehebkau had the power to drag our entire realm into the Underworld. In truth, my life was nothing in comparison to saving the entire Dragonfae race. I’m sure any dragon would have done the same.”