Dragonfyre (3 page)

“Be careful,” she said over her shoulder. “The female’s rage grows.” By the time they reached the dragon, Kyndra was having serious doubts that any of them would come away unscathed. The female had spread her wings and began to growl. With every step Kyndra took toward the male, the female readied to strike.

“Let me,” Aimery said.

Kyndra jerked her gaze to him. “You don’t have dealings with the dragons. If she doesn’t allow me near her mate, what makes you think you can get to him?” Aimery shrugged his shoulders. “A hunch.”

Kyndra opened her mouth to argue when Theron placed a hand on her arm. “Give him a chance. He just might surprise you.”

She doubted it, but what choice did she have when the king commanded her? She watched as Aimery moved to the male. He stopped and looked at each of the dead Fae before he turned to them and shook his head.

“He doesn’t recognize them,” Theron said. “I was hoping he would know who they were.”

Kyndra fisted her hands when the female turned her head to Aimery. She wasn’t happy about being paired with Aimery, but she didn’t want to see the commander die.

“We’re here to help,” he told the dragon. “Let me see who dared to kill your mate so that we may bring them to you for justice.”

The female stared at him for the longest time before she returned to her roars of grief.

Kyndra was stunned. Why was the Blue allowing Aimery near her mate and not her? Most of her life had been dedicated to the Blues, so it was more than galling to have Aimery earn the dragon’s trust so easily.

Aimery glanced at Kyndra to see her mouth pinched in anger. It wasn’t how he wanted to begin their partnership, but it was a chance he’d had to take. He knelt by the dead male and sighed. The Blues’ magic made up for their size. It was the reason the Fae had chosen to take blue as their color. Even being one of the smaller dragons, its size was still staggering.

He laid his hand on the male’s shoulder. His breath was sucked from his lungs as he saw through the dragon’s eyes. Three men, two who

had dared to enter the lair and take their most prized possession—an egg.

The male had managed to kill them. Then the dragon had looked at the third man. Aimery bellowed as he saw his friend, Isran, with the egg at his feet. Aimery didn’t think his betrayal could cut any deeper until he saw Isran call the black magic that had killed the male.

Aimery released the male and lowered his head into his hands. Fury ripped through him, and the need for vengeance turned his blood to ice. He lifted his gaze to the female. “By my very life I vow to return to you the Fae who killed your mate, and I will do everything in my power to bring your egg back to you.”

The female lay down next to her mate and closed her eyes. Aimery rose on shaky legs and without a word returned to the palace. He needed to prepare. Isran had left their realm, and with a dragon’s egg there were only a few places he would dare to go.

Aimery stripped off his clothes and reached for his battle gear. He had just fastened his breeches when he felt the air stir around him.

“What happened?” Theron asked.

He paused for a moment before he sat and pulled on his boots.

“Aimery.”

With a curse he faced his king to see Kyndra standing behind Theron. “We travel outside our realm. You best prepare.”

“Aimery,” Theron bellowed. “Tell me what you saw!”

Aimery closed his eyes and tried to rein in his rioting emotions. “They didn’t just kill the male. They took an egg.”

Kyndra gasped and grasped the doorway to help steady her.

A tick jumped in Theron’s jaw. “Who would dare such a thing?”

“Isran,” Aimery ground out.

“He wouldn’t,” Theron said.

Aimery snorted. “I saw him. I saw him take the egg, and I saw him use black magic.” For long moments no one said anything. Aimery ran a hand down his face, eager to begin looking for the bastard who had fooled him so.

“The betrayal cuts deep,” Theron said. “For all of us, but for you most of all because you considered him a brother. At least now we know who has been murdering the other Fae.” Aimery jerked on his tunic and reached for his sword. “I’m going to find him no matter how long it takes.”

Theron stepped into his chamber and placed a hand on his shoulder. “You’ve led my army meticulously for years, old friend. Don’t let your emotions rule you now. Think.”

“I am thinking. Isran is going to pay for what he’s done.”

“I’ve no doubt.” Theron sighed and dropped his arm to pace the chamber. “If Isran has taken the egg, it’s because he’s using it to gain coin.” Kyndra moved into the chamber and leaned against the open door. “There aren’t many who would dare to anger us by accepting a dragon’s egg or a traitor.” Aimery reached for his dagger, a massive curved blade that would sever a head from a body. He strapped it on his waist before slinging the strap to his scabbard over his head so that his sword rested on his back.

“I’ve an idea where to start,” he said. “Thav.”

Kyndra visibly shuddered while Theron paled. “Aimery, no Fae has come back from that realm. It is a pit for thieves and mercenaries and cheats. Even when Lugus has gone as emissary it’s always a gamble if he’ll be able to return.”

“Which means it is the perfect place for Isran to take the egg. Someone will be willing to pay what Isran wants for the egg.”

“But why take the egg at all?” Kyndra asked. “Why kill the male?”

“He killed the male because he could. He knew we would discover it was him. He wants me to come looking for him.”

Theron nodded. “I agree. I think he took the egg not because of coin.” Kyndra’s blood turned to ice when Aimery laughed, the sound hollow and devoid of mirth. Ever since the commander had touched the blue dragon he hadn’t been able to hold back his anger, or maybe he didn’t want to. She didn’t know who Isran was but, whoever he was, the treachery to Aimery was severe.

She glanced at his chest, disappointed that he had put on the tunic, but the glimpse she had seen of sculpted muscles had been well worth it.

As he gathered his weapons for battle, she knew their journey would be treacherous, most likely claiming both their lives.

“You’re right,” Aimery said. “Isran isn’t after coin. He’s after power. The black magic he’s been using is demanding more. He will continue until he has the power to invade us.”

“That won’t ever happen.” Theron crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m sealing all doors in and out of our realm.”

Aimery shook his head. “It won’t stop Isran, not for long anyway. If he gets the power he needs, he’ll be able to move through time and space much like Lugus does.” Kyndra listened with interest. Everyone knew of Lugus. As brother to Theron and rightful heir to the throne, he had been wrongly accused and thrown into the Realm of Shadows to die. Only he hadn’t died. He had managed to live through it, growing stronger until his powers were great enough to get out of the realm and try to take over the Fae as well as Earth. He nearly succeeded, but he gave his immortality to save their realm, thereby giving him a second chance at life.

Though Lugus had been forbidden to ever return to the Realm of the Fae, he had done so to find Theron who had been tricked into the Realm of Shadows. That feat, as well as the love of a Fae, had returned his immortality. To the surprise of all, he hadn’t claimed the throne as was his right.

“Lugus can travel wherever he chooses?” she asked.

Theron nodded. “I’ve already called him here. He’ll help us.”

“You shouldn’t have,” Aimery said. “Ahryn is ready to give birth to their first child. He needs to be here for that.”

“I’ll let him decide.” Theron turned on his heel and walked from the chamber.

Kyndra glanced from the king to Aimery. “Where is he going?”

“To the throne room to await Lugus.”

She licked her lips and pushed from the door. “Thank you for getting the information we needed.”

“I’m surprised you aren’t angry with me because of it.”

“Oh, I am perturbed about it.”

A faint smile pulled at his lips. “You still have the Blue’s trust, Kyndra. Never doubt that.

Anger and grief can make anything lose focus.”

He motioned for her to follow Theron. Aimery fell into step beside her, and she found that she didn’t mind him being near. She had seen his appreciative glance over her body, but he hadn’t attempted to gain her interest. Not that he needed to do anything. No one could be in a room and not notice Aimery. He exuded sexuality greater than any Fae she had ever encountered. Add that to his magnetism and it was near impossible to stay away from him.

Which was going to make being alone with him her greatest test.

Kyndra stopped beside Aimery in the throne room to see Theron and Lugus in a conversation. “Do you know Lugus?”

“Aye. The three of us grew up together,” Aimery answered. “He’s a good man who had a terrible wrong done to him.”

“Everything worked out in the end, didn’t it?”

“It did. Yet for all that happened, I know Lugus will always carry the weight upon his shoulders. He would have made a good king.”

His answer intrigued her. “Would you have honored him as your king had he wanted the throne?”

Aimery’s gaze swung to her. “It’s his by right of birth. Even if he wanted to claim it now, he has every right, and Theron knows it.”

“Will Lugus ever claim it?”

“I doubt it. He doesn’t feel as though he’s worthy of the crown. He also has a good life with Ahryn, his wife. He’s found happiness and peace. What more could a man want?”

“What indeed,” she murmured.

Aimery faced her and crossed his arms over his chest. “What about you, priestess? What do you want?”

“What I have now. Being a priestess to the Dragon Order is all I’ve ever wanted.”

“How would you know? How would any of the virgins who make their way to the temple know? You’ve not known the caress of a man. How could you deny what comes naturally to us?”

“We all have our calling, Commander. For me it was to pledge myself to the Order and the dragons. It is a worthy cause, one I’m extremely proud of. Just as, I’m sure, you are proud to lead the army.”

“Nicely done.”

She smiled. “Is what Theron said of Thav true?”

“I’m not going to lie to you, Kyndra. It’s very dangerous. I wouldn’t take you with me, but Theron has commanded it.”

“A priestess I might be, but I can also hold my own with a sword.”

“I’d like to say we won’t find out, but we probably will.” Excitement coursed through Kyndra. This was her time to prove she was the next high priestess. This was her time to right the wrong done to the Blues. And she wouldn’t fail.

“Aimery, Kyndra,” Theron called.

They walked to the king and his brother. Lugus’ hair was darker than Aimery’s, and he was several inches taller than Theron. Also, his build was more like Aimery’s instead of the lithe body of the king.

“Kyndra of the Blue Order,” Lugus said as he bowed his head to her. “Theron has told me he sends you with Aimery after Isran and the egg.”

“He does, your highness.”

Lugus held up a hand. “None of that. I’m simply Lugus.” She smiled, liking him instantly. It was then she noticed the many tattoos on his hands, forearms, and neck.

“Aye,” Lugus said.

She blinked. “I’m sorry?”

“You wondered if the tattoos are on other parts of my body. They are. My chest and arms are covered in them.”

Theron shook his head with a smile. “Those tattoos are what will get us to Thav.”

“I don’t understand,” Kyndra said. “How can a tattoo help?” Lugus glanced at the ground. “At one point I had a vast amount of power. With these tattoos I’m able to command magic to transport me wherever I need to go. Each tattoo is a realm.”

“Amazing.”

He shrugged and faced Aimery. “Hello, old friend.”

They clasped forearms before they hugged. “You should come to the palace more often,” Aimery said.

“And you should come to the house more often. Ahryn is beginning to think you don’t like her cooking.”

Theron laughed. “Don’t let him lie to you, Aimery. Ahryn doesn’t cook. They might live in the mountains, but they have nearly as many servants as I do.”

“Now who’s lying,” Lugus said.

Kyndra watched the exchange with a smile. For all his faults, Lugus had righted a great wrong. Surely she could do the same.

“I’ll be sure to visit once this is all over,” Aimery promised.

The smile on Lugus’ face dropped. “I’ll tell you all right now, I don’t advise going to Thav. I’ve visited it four times, and it was four times too many. It is an unholy place, a place drenched in black magic.”

Kyndra waited for the others to ask why and, when they didn’t, she did. “Why?”

“The ruler of Thav, a beastly man named Eldar, doesn’t like anyone to have more magic than he does. He limits the use of black magic, and our magic…he cuts off all together.” Aimery let out a string of curses.

“I can’t let them go someplace they can’t use magic,” Theron said.

Kyndra was shaken to her core at the news. “We have to go. Our realm is at stake.” Lugus narrowed his gaze on her. “Have you ever been without magic, priestess?”

“You know I haven’t.”

“Well, I have. Five years that felt more like five millennia. My wife went several months without the use of her magic. For a Fae who has known nothing but magic, it will be impossible for you to live with.”

“I have no other choice. I have to get the egg back.” She looked at the three men. “There was always a measure of danger in this mission; knowing that it’s taking us to a realm we’d rather not go changes nothing. We have to go.”

Aimery’s blood heated just watching Kyndra. With one look from her, he would have done anything she asked. “She’s right, Theron. We have to go. Lugus doesn’t. Open the doorway long enough for us to get through before you close it again.”

“How will you return?” Theron asked. “Especially if you cannot use magic.”

“We’ll have to plan on enticing Eldar. All leaders have a weakness, and Thav is no different.”