Dragonfyre (2 page)

She didn’t finish. She didn’t need to.

“Why aren’t you going to the palace?” Kyndra asked. “King Theron has never called for me before.”

Julieth took Kyndra’s hands in her own. “No one knows the Blues as you do. You are next in line to take my place. Everyone knows this.”

“You have many more years left.”

Julieth smiled sadly. “I’m tired, Kyndra. So very tired. Most of my magic is given to keep the black magic that had been used from mixing with the dragon’s. It’s exhausting and has drained me. The Order needs a warrior. You are our finest.”

“I’ve failed once today. I don’t want to fail again.”

“Then don’t. Trust yourself and your instincts. You’ve risen through the ranks to lead the Blue Order. Show me the warrior who took the lead, show me the leader I know you are.” Kyndra sighed and turned away from her high priestess. What Julieth asked was an honor, one she would have taken without a second thought a few hours earlier. But now, after she had failed, she didn’t want the future of their realm to rest on her shoulders.

“You can do this, Kyndra. I know it.”

She faced Julieth. To walk away now would be cowardly, and Kyndra was anything but a coward. “I will do it.”

“You won’t be alone.”

Kyndra narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean?”

“Too much rests on what has happened. The commander of the Fae army, Aimery, will be joining you.”

A shiver of foreboding raced over her skin. She had heard whispers of Aimery from the young girls who came to the temple to be chosen as priestesses. Aimery’s power and charm and magnetism were legendary.

“Aimery?”

“He’s the best,” Julieth said. “Just as you are.”

“So be it.”

Aimery let his gaze move over the city. From his chambers in the palace high above
Caer
Rhoemyr
, he could see everything.
Caer Rhoemyr
, the city of kings. A city unlike any other in the universe. Beautiful, of course, but it also held the jewels of the Fae—the king and queen.

Aimery inhaled deeply. Nothing seemed out of ordinary, but he had felt the shift in the magic all the way to his bones. The fact there were no dragons flying only added to his worry.

Something had happened, but what? And where?

“Aimery!”

He turned at the small voice and bent down in time to see something flying at him in a blur of silver and white. His arms wrapped around the small body as he lifted Nearra to his chest.

“Nearra,” Rufina scolded as she stopped at the doorway to Aimery’s chamber out of breath with her gaze narrowed on her daughter. “Aimery, I apologize. My child will learn her manners someday.”

Aimery laughed and touched his finger to the end of Nearra’s pert little nose. “She’s fine, Rufina. She knows I enjoy her company. You shouldn’t be chasing after her. You have servants to do that, my queen.”

She rolled her eyes and ran her hand over her stomach swollen with the realm’s second heir. “A few more months and I’ll be chasing after two of them. Maybe then I’ll get the servants to help, but I don’t know if it will work. Nearra has a talent of winding everyone about her little finger, especially you and Theron.”

“A little girl is supposed to have her father wrapped around her finger,” Aimery said as he walked to his queen. He scooted a chair to her. “Now sit before Theron has my head.” Rufina sank into the chair with a sigh. “We were looking for Theron. Do you know where he is?”

Aimery saw the concern in her blue depths. She had also felt the shift of magic. “I don’t know.”

“Aimery?” Nearra said as she tapped his cheek. “I came to tell you something.”

“What is that, little one?”

She smiled, her many flaxen braids making her look more of a mischievous pixie than a princess to the Fae realm. “I’ve decided I shall marry you.”

“Is that right?” He glanced at Rufina to see her eyes wide in shock.

“Aye,” Nearra said. “We get along good, and you know to give me what I want.” Aimery chucked and kissed her forehead. “By the time you’re old enough to consider marriage, you won’t be thinking of me.”

“You’re wrong. Trust me.”

Aimery was ever surprised by the little minx. He adored her as if she were his own daughter. The longing he had every time he held her only grew. He had thought to have his own children by now, but he had given up ever finding a woman who stirred his heart as well as his blood. “You know I do trust you.”

She nodded and grabbed his face with her chubby fingers to kiss his cheek. “You may put me down now. I’ve more to do.”

Aimery set her down, and she raced from his chamber. He then held out a hand and helped Rufina to her feet. Rufina held a grace that went unmatched by any Fae in the realm. She held the typical long, straight flaxen hair with swirling blue eyes and a lithe figure, but as queen Rufina held something no one else did—Theron’s heart. Though Rufina was more of a sister and Theron a brother to him, Aimery couldn’t stop the envy of the love they shared.

“That child,” Rufina said with a shake of her head as she watched her daughter run down the corridor. “She certainly keeps the palace on its toes.”

“She’s adorable, and she knows it.”

“She is, isn’t she? “ Her smile vanished, and she faced Aimery. “Something has happened.”

“I know. I was about to look for Theron.”

“Hurry, Aimery. I fear the worst.”

They parted ways at his door. Aimery turned left. He figured he would find Theron in the throne room. Why Theron hadn’t called to him already left him nervous. Whatever had happened must be bad. Very bad.

“Aimery.”

Finally, Theron’s call. Aimery lengthened his strides and hurried to the throne room, the white and bright blue squares of the floor blurring in his haste. The double doors to the throne room opened as he approached.

“Aimery,” Theron called and greeted him in the middle of the massive circular room.

“I felt it.”

Theron sighed. “Every Fae felt it. Some might not know what it is, but most will.”

“How bad is it?”

“Terrible, old friend. Terrible indeed.” He ran a down his face and let his weariness show. “A Blue has been killed.”

Aimery blew out a breath and shook his head in disbelief. The Blues were their greatest dragons. They weren’t the largest, but they had the strongest magic. The realm couldn’t sustain another dragon death. “How?”

Theron shrugged his shoulders, his white and blue robes moving with him. “I don’t know.”

“And the maiden priestesses of the Dragon Order? Have they not determined what killed the Blue?”

“Nay.”

Which meant it was far worse than terrible, it was disastrous. “What do you need me to do?”

“It’s going to be dangerous.”

Aimery grinned. “I live for danger.”

Theron returned the smile. “I’m a fool for sending the best warrior we have, but I’d be a fool not to.”

“Just tell me what is going on?”

“We don’t know what happened to the Blue because the priestess has been unable to get close to the dead dragon to discover what killed him.”

Aimery crossed his arms over his chest. He knew enough about the Dragon Order to know each dragon had a sub
‐
order and a leader. Because he was the commander of the Fae army and Theron’s right hand man, he knew the names of the leaders.

“Kyndra is the leader of the Blue Order. Has she not tried?”

“She was the first,” Theron murmured. “If they won’t allow her, they won’t allow anyone.”

“Not even Julieth?”

“Julieth is…weakening. Her magic has been used against the black magic that seems to have invaded our realm.”

Aimery ground his teeth together. “This is related to the string of murders, Theron. I’m sure of it.”

“As am I, which is why I’ve called for you.”

“I’ll do what must be done.”

“I have no doubt.”

It was the uncertainty in Theron’s swirling blue gaze that made Aimery narrow his eyes.

“What aren’t you telling me?”

Theron glanced toward an open set of doors that led to the balcony. Aimery followed his gaze and found a cloaked figure with her back to him. The breeze lifted the cloak showing long, lean legs encased in black boots that stopped at her knee. He got a glimpse of pale blue skirts that ended mid thigh.

The dress of a warrior maiden—a maiden of the Dragon Order.

He knew without being told this woman was Kyndra. He’d heard rumors of her infamous beauty, how men had begged for her hand, but she had chosen the virgin robes of a priestess instead.

“Together the two of you will be unstoppable,” Theron said. “Together, the two of you can right what went wrong.”

At that moment Kyndra turned from the railing and let the hood of her cloak fall back.

Aimery’s breath locked in his lungs as he stared at the wealth of dark hair that fell over her shoulder to her waist. It was uncommon for a Fae to have any color but flaxen, yet before him stood the rarest of the rare.

It wasn’t just her brunette locks either. As a general rule all Fae were sensual, beautiful creatures, but beautiful didn’t begin to describe Kyndra. She was elegant, magnificent…visually stunning.

She had high cheek bones and dark brows that arched over wide, expressive eyes. Her full lips held a hint of a smile, as if she knew her affect on men. Wisps of hair curled about her face and slender neck. Her gown molded to her full breasts and narrow waist. Aimery longed to run his hands up her toned legs, kissing every inch of her skin.

Her swirling blue eyes held his as if she were sizing him up. But he didn’t care. He couldn’t tear his eyes from her. A warrior. A priestess. And a woman every Fae in the realm longed to possess.

What in all that was magical had Theron been thinking to put him in this position?

Theron cleared his throat, and Aimery forced his gaze away.

“Aimery,” he said, “this is Kyndra, leader of the Blue Order and next in line for high priestess of the Dragon Order.”

Aimery glanced at Kyndra to find she had moved closer to him, her gaze raking over him as his had done to her just moments earlier. Did she like what she saw? As soon as the thought went through his head he knew it was useless. She was a maiden, her life vowed to the dragons and her order. No man could touch her.

“Kyndra,” Theron continued. “This is Aimery, commander of the Fae armies and Duke of Eldwinds.”

“A duke?” she repeated, her voice smooth, soft. Mesmerizing.

Aimery clenched his teeth. Theron knew he didn’t want his title bandied about, because it was just a title and meant nothing. “The title has been in my family for generations.” Her brows rose before her gaze shifted to Theron. “I would like to state now that I would prefer Julieth be here in my place.”

“I know,” Theron said. “Julieth told me as much, but she doesn’t have the strength. As next in line for her position, this will give you ample opportunity to test your skills.”

“You make it sound like a holiday, sire, when in fact our realm is at stake.” Theron glanced at Aimery. “You’ll have the finest warrior of our people at your side. I wouldn’t dare think to send you on a mission you couldn’t handle. Julieth praised your skill. Was she wrong to recommend you?”

Kyndra’s chin rose. “Nay. I won’t let our people down.”

“Where are we going?” Aimery asked.

Kyndra felt Theron’s eyes on her. She swallowed and forced herself to meet Aimery’s gaze. “I don’t know.”

His brow furrowed. “You haven’t been to the Blue yet? You haven’t looked?”

“Of course I have,” she said through clenched teeth. Her ire rose at the condescending tone the commander used. “It is my duty to go to them as soon as something happens.”

“Then what did you see?”

Kyndra took in a calming breath and lowered her gaze to the blue and white tiles. “The female wouldn’t let me near the male. I’ve never seen a dragon so angry before. Without learning what caused the Blue’s death, we might never know who to find or where they went.”

“The Blues know you. You need to try again. Maybe the female has calmed down by now.”

She lifted her gaze to Aimery. He was more handsome than she had anticipated. The rumors of his sexuality and striking good looks were nothing compared to the gorgeous specimen before her.

His flaxen hair hung down his back thick and straight. Several rows of braids were woven near his temples in intricate designs, and the light blue tunic stitched with silver thread showed the breadth and width of his muscular shoulders. She tried not to look into his eyes of swirling blue, but too easily his caught and held her. With his square jaw, wide mouth, and expressive eyes, she was surprised he hadn’t already found a wife.

“Shall we return to dragons then?” he asked.

There was no other choice really. They had to know what happened. “Aye. Be warned, the female is out for blood.”

“We’ll be ready.”

Since he wore no weapons, she wasn’t so sure of that. It was a good thing she had brought her sword. “Follow me.”

Kyndra transported to the mountains, a safe distance away so they could see the dragons without being attacked. In a blink, Aimery and Theron stood on either side of her.

“By the gods,” Theron murmured.

Just looking at the dead Blue made Kyndra’s heart ache. The female stood near her mate, her roars of grief echoing through the mountains. All around them dragons had begun to come, watching the female. They flew across the sky while others landed and watched.

“Do you feel her pain?” Aimery asked.

Kyndra nodded. “The depth of her anguish is staggering.”

“Come, Kyndra. We must learn what happened.”

She was prepared to go alone, not with Aimery and the king with her. “I don’t think it wise that you follow me.”

Theron smiled. “We’ll be fine. Lead on, priestess.”

Kyndra walked toward the dragon, her nerves tensing when the female turned her dark eyes on her. There was hatred there, something Kyndra had never seen in a dragon’s eyes before.

It gave her pause and told her the magnitude of the female’s anger.