The Jade Dragon (24 page)

Beth took in a swift intake of air. The shock of the announcement caused a flare of energy in her aura and for the first time both Rosa and Zelda saw that yes, Beth's magic was definitely back. “Why? She doesn't deserve that honor.”

“We think it would be best for both her and Gregori. Marylebone can keep an eye on her and Gregori will not lose his mate to old age.”

“She's stupid and powerful enough without Marylebone giving her more magic. I thought you had to be pure of heart and filled with good intentions to be Called to Marylebone. Did she twist your arm with wild promises about being good when we all know at the first obstacle she'll think nothing of breaking rules to get what she wants?”

Rosa's heart sunk at hearing her little sister call Alanna stupid. Beth never ever said deliberately unkind things about anyone. But now there was a hard edge to her tone to match the darkness in her aura that had not been there before.

“She doesn't know what we are planning to do. She will have Gregori to keep her under control. She loves him. She will abide by his decisions and if Marylebone places conditions upon her ascending to neophyte status, she will have little choice but to learn how to follow directives.”

“As for her heart and her intentions, I believe she has well and truly paid for her mistakes,” Zelda appealed. “What would you have her do? Bind herself to a warlock who will live forever while she does not?

She lifted her gaze to Goran, standing protectively behind Beth. “Much as I dislike warlocks, both Aden and Gregori have earned my grudging respect.”

Goran protested. “What about me?”

“You've yet to prove yourself. So far all I've witnessed is a man who flirts with every woman in town and tosses idle threats about just to watch people dance.”

The unspoken warning in her message was unmistakable.
Harm Beth and you're toast!

• • •

Gregori, Aden and Goran walked the embankment. It was day two after what Alanna now termed
‘the Big Reveal'.
He would need to bind his magic with Alanna by tomorrow or all would be over.

“I will share my magic with her,” Gregori told them. “That way, while she has none, she can bind with me.”

Aden rubbed his chin. “I doubt Marylebone will agree to such an action as a permanent measure.”

Gregori shrugged a pretended indifference. “What else can I do?”

“Return to stone until Alanna's magic returns.” Goran added his suggestion. “If she's learned her lesson — and I believe she has — Marylebone won't be far off returning her magic. As for ascending to Marylebone itself … I suppose it could happen.”

Gregori stopped walking. “Alanna told me you threatened her.” His fists clenched. He visualized slamming them into Goran's far-too-smug nose. “Yet here you are telling me you think her lesson is learned.”

Goran backed out of the small circle they'd formed and recommenced walking. “No sense in letting her grow complacent. Plus, I'm not so sure her heart and intent are aligned enough.”

Aden placed a hand on Gregori's arm and shook his head speaking silently to him.
He's concerned for Beth. Ignore him.
They resumed walking.

Gregori waited until his temper subsided before he spoke again. “I accept that to you on the outside it seems as if her heart and mind are not aligned. You forget I've seen her heart from the inside. Her intent always comes from caring deeply. Unfortunately, more often than not, those good intentions have a nasty habit of backfiring. That facade of indifference she broadcasts to everyone is just that. A facade. She's crying out to be loved. I will have her anyway I can. I will not leave her alone.”

Aden closed his eyes and shook his head. “I would not leave Rosa, either.” He opened his eyes. “I was prepared to sacrifice my magic for her.”

Gregori didn't pretend he didn't know what Aden suggested. “I've considered it but such an action will likely cause my death. I'm too old, my magic intrinsically a part of every cell in my body. I'm prepared to try if I must, but Alanna is still young. There is time for us to see how life plays out before we need to make such an irrevocable decision. The bond between us when we are formally bound will balance us and keep me from flaming out in the meantime.”

“And children?”

“What of them?”

“You know what happened to mine.”

“Lydia was mortal with no magic. Alanna has it oozing from every pore. Our children, if we are blessed, will be truly powerful, magical beings.”

Aden fought back the sadness that threatened to engulf him when he thought of the past. “My children, although long gone, are still with me in my heart. I would not have you go through what I did. I hope you're right.”

Gregori picked Aden up in an enormous bear hug. “I am right. And, my dear friend, I hope you will soon see the souls of your children return to you and Rosa.”

“Will we know it is them if they are reborn?”

“That, my friend, I cannot tell you. Only the Fates can answer that question. And if you do decide to track them down to ask them, believe me when I tell you they don't hand out straightforward answers.”

Goran cleared his throat. He wasn't as indifferent as he appeared. Lydia, Aden's first beloved, had been his very mortal, beautiful sister, born without any magical potential whatsoever. An anomaly in the magical world of those born immortal. He shared Aden's grief. “I have my sister back in Rosa and I look forward to the day I can hold my nieces and nephews once more in my arms.”

Gregori focused on Goran. “I've seen you with Beth. Don't dally with her unless you mean it. She's fragile. She needs looking after.”

Goran looked at his former master with an intentness that belied his indifference. “There is nothing more between us except respect. We are friends. Good friends. Nothing more. I will not hurt her.”

“But hurt her you will when you return to Marylebone. She's halfway in love with you already.”

The blinkers went up in Goran's eyes. “All those lovey-dovey emotions you're feeling about Alanna have made you soft.”

“You forget I mindwalked her. Be warned. You will have us to deal with if you mess with her. Pure of heart and intent, my friend. Remember, the ruling is not just for mortal witches.”

“Speaking of ruling,” Aden spoke. “What of your intentions to returning to take up your position as Dragon once again?”

Gregori debated Aden's question for an interminably long time before replying. “I think not. It's your time now. I've a hankering to spend time in Cabasson, making love, babies and wine. We will return to Raven's Creek whenever Alanna wants but, if Anton agrees, will be on standby for Marylebone only.”

“An idyllic life for you both.”

“I hope so,” Gregori said. “I certainly hope so.”

Marylebone Coven, Marylebone House, London

Gregori took himself to Marylebone. First he went straight to his sister in her private sitting room.

“Gregori!” Eleisha flew into his arms, her grasp tight as if she would never let him go.

The last time they'd met he'd been bloody, dirty, his sister suspicious of his involvement in the Greenwoods' accident. She'd also agreed that ensorcelling him, against his wishes, had been the best option. Perhaps in the end it had, but it didn't prevent that niggle of irritation flaring within him all the same. “It's good to see you, Eleisha.”

Her cheek was pressed against his chest. “So you forgive me?”

“I wouldn't go that far,” he huffed.

She leaned back to look up at him. “We made the right decision.”

“Maybe.” He shrugged a shoulder and tightened his arms about her. “All the same I missed you.”

They stood for several minutes, silent. Gregori had come to Marylebone to apprise them of the truth. Alanna's public confession yesterday meant he was no longer bound by his oath of secrecy to her. His heart ached for her. He wasn't sure leaving Raven's Creek would solve anything, but he'd resolved to take her away for a few weeks at least, to give her heart and soul time to heal.

“Is Anton here?” He pressed a kiss into her hair. “I would speak with him about Alanna.”

“He is with Zelda and Rosa in the Dragons' Lair.”

He thought little would surprise him. “What?”

Eleisha's snowy white dragon appeared suddenly beside her and flapped about in agitation. “What is it, Victoria?” Eleisha was reluctant to remove herself from the comfort of her brother's arms.

“Clarissa's eggs are hatching. Soon we have dragonettes in the Belfry. Very exciting.”

Delight shone in Eleisha's eyes. “More good news. First my brother returns and now we will have new dragons at Marylebone. The portents are good.”

“And I have more good news, but I wanted to see you first. It appears Clarissa needs you. Go to them. I'll let Goran know about Clarissa. I doubt he'll be Earthbound much longer and will be able to return to see them soon.”

Eleisha, spoke to Victoria. “Tell Clarissa I'll be there shortly.” Then she resumed her conversation with Gregori as Victoria winked out without so much as a spark or flame. “Clarissa will be well looked after by the other dragons. First we will go to Anton. I want to know why Rosa and Zelda are here too.”

• • •

Mistletoe had burnt another large gaping hole in Anton's new official robe. He lifted the collar and looked at it in amusement. Mistletoe was flapping about Anton's head, making abject apologies and releasing sparks and smoke at the same time.

Zelda coughed and waved away the smoke.

Rosa stepped back from the fumes. “I wish I had a dragon,” she said.

“So does everyone else,” Anton acknowledged. “They choose their owners, but mostly they choose Dragons. It may be possible you'll bond now that you are married to Aden. Eleisha's dragon, Victoria, chose her a few decades back. It's rare for them to do so, though, so don't be disappointed if you are not chosen. It's been a long while since we have been blessed with dragonettes. Nathan Dubois, Goran's apprentice, has yet to bond with one, let alone any of the other apprentices in line behind him.”

A large rap on the door echoed throughout the room. Anton, Zelda, and Rosa turned towards the door. Before Anton could call “come,” Eleisha pushed open the Dragons' Lair doors and glided in, her long formal Dragoness cape flowing eerily behind her.

“My darling husband. I know how much you love surprises. I have one for you today and here he is.”

Eleisha moved to one side and Gregori stepped into the doorway. He'd placed a formal Marylebone Dragon cape over his jeans and blue-checked, short-sleeved shirt he'd put on that morning out of respect for Anton. He towered above them all. He knew he looked both magnificent and imposing. It was his intention.

“Gregori!” Anton scowled. “Where are my clothes?”

Zelda's eyebrows arched behind her glasses. “I didn't expect to hear that question.”

“In shreds,” Gregori admitted. “They were far too tight and I had to make a few adjustments. Don't get your cape all tangled, I've replaced them and they're hanging in your wardrobe as we speak.”

Mistletoe let out a long-range flame. It stopped short, just shy of Gregori's nose. Anton chuckled. “That's enough, Mistletoe. Stand guard, but no more flames unless instructed.”

“Ssssorrry,” Mistletoe spoke in a shower of sparks. “I circle the room and guard you.”

Victoria, who had come in with Eleisha, joined the fray. “I circle also.” The white dragon lifted off Eleisha's shoulder and flapped soundlessly behind the moss green Mistletoe. “We protect you. Lots of power in Gregori. Lots of wild magic in his aura.”

Everyone turned towards Gregori and studied him as if he was a specimen in a petri dish.

“I'm in control. I've been siphoning off magic and placing it into orbs.”

Anton's eyes grew large and round. “And just where are these orbs? Somewhere safe and undetectable, I hope.”

“Lyzander is guarding them. In addition, my connection with Alanna seems to be helping stabilize my magic, even without formally binding with her.”

Eleisha clasped her hands together. “Is that why you're here? To inform us you are to bind yourself to her?”

Gregori nodded. “I am. She loves me.”

“But how can she balance your magic when hers is bound?” Anton asked.

“I share my magic with her.”

“A short-term solution.”

“And that's why we're here,” Zelda reminded them of her and Rosa's presence.

“This sounds like a lengthy discussion.” Despite knowing dragonettes were hatching, Eleisha mumbled a spell under her breath and the room, mostly empty, filled with several comfortable armchairs and a largish coffee table filled with treats, as well as both hot and cold drinks.

One of Anton's slightly singed eyebrows rose. “This isn't a party, my love.”

“I'm celebrating the return of my brother.” She lifted a teapot and poured her favorite blend into china cups and saucers and handed them to Zelda and Rosa.

Gregori tapped his foot repeatedly on the floor as he watched Mistletoe and Victoria play tag with each other, all the while maintaining their focus on his movements.

“We can celebrate when Alanna and I are bound.” He focused on Zelda. “Why are you here?”

Zelda sipped her tea and nibbled on a biscuit. Apparently satisfied she had everyone's attention, she glanced briefly to Rosa and nodded.

Rosa answered his question. “We're here to petition for Alanna's magic to be unbound early.”

“We feel she has made great leaps in maturity in the past few days,” Zelda added.

Anton waved away Eleisha's offer of a hot drink. He conjured a bottle of whiskey instead. “What you feel isn't the issue. It's up to Marylebone to make the decision. Her magical mayhem caused a tangle of spells, binding Goran to earth.”