Dragonfyre (7 page)

“Will the cave?”

“Most likely.”

She blew out a breath. “So it doesn’t matter does it?”

He shrugged again.

“Then you pick.” Aimery had more experience traveling to different realms than she did.

She trusted him more than she trusted herself.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

He sat up and turned so that he looked at the waterfall then lifted his head as if he were thinking of the mountain. “As much as I’d like to stay hidden, I think the cave is a bad idea.”

“Then the mountain it is.”

He faced her, his mouth in a thin line. “It’s going to be dangerous, Kyndra.”

“And nothing else has been? I’m ready for whatever we encounter.”

“Are you ready for Isran?”

She blinked. “What?”

“My gut tells me we’ll face Isran soon. Will it be before we speak to Eldar? I don’t know but, regardless, we must be prepared for Isran.”

“Isn’t the point in coming here to find him? Don’t we want to capture him and return to our realm so he can face his punishment?”

Aimery saw the ire rise in her eyes. “You cannot enter someone’s realm and take something without asking first.”

“Isran stole from us.”

“I know. Do you think anyone would come into our realm and leave without first seeking Theron? Nay, they wouldn’t, not if they wanted to leave our realm. It’s the same here. The only way we’ll be able to leave is with Eldar’s permission.”

“And if Isran has taken over?”

He had also imagined such a possibility. “Then we’ll have to fight him.” She blinked. Twice. “Fight him? Fight a Fae who uses black magic when we have no magic of our own? It’s a death sentence, Aimery.”

“Not if we can get the egg.”

She rolled her eyes and got to her feet to pace in front of him. “He won’t be fool enough to let the egg out of his sight.”

“Nay, he won’t chance that.”

“The egg is large enough that it will take a couple of men to carry it, especially since Isran can’t use his magic.”

“I agree.”

She stopped and looked at him. “Do you know why he took the egg?”

“For power.”

“Power, aye. But do you know what he plans to do with it?” Aimery shook his head.

“You told me at the palace you knew all there was to know.”

“Kyndra, if you know something, tell me.”

She sighed. “The egg of a blue dragon is priceless. They lay so few, that to steal one gives the thief credibility.”

“I know.”

She swallowed and licked her lips, a nervous tick she had. “Just having the egg could give him the men he needs to wrestle power from Eldar.”

“You aren’t telling me anything I don’t already know.”

“Then do you know that if he cracks the egg and bathes in the yolk, he will be invincible.”

Aimery’s stomach fell to his feet. “What?”

“Not many know this benefit to a blue dragon egg.”

“That’s black magic, though. How do you know it?”

She shrugged. “I found it in a book.”

“Good gods.” Aimery rose to his feet and fought the rising panic in his chest. He doubted even Theron knew of this probability but, regardless, it changed nothing. “Can he crack the egg at any time?”

“Aye, but once it’s cracked, he must use the yolk then or it’s forfeited. The egg itself holds immeasurable power. Would Isran use it before, or after, he takes the throne from Eldar?” Aimery laughed, his frustration mounting. “I don’t know. I used to think I knew Isran, but the man I called friend wouldn’t have used black magic, and he would never have killed a dragon or stolen an egg.”

“Where would a Fae such as Isran hide on this realm?”

That got Aimery’s attention. He narrowed his gaze and searched his mind. “Isran can’t take over Thav by himself. He will need men.”

“Men like we saw in the capital?”

“He wouldn’t be fool enough to gather men at the base of Eldar’s palace. He would be somewhere farther away from Eldar’s prying eyes.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m surprised Eldar hasn’t felt the egg’s magic.”

“Maybe he has. Maybe that’s why there were so many guards at the wall last night. Eldar isn’t a fool. He knows something is up, which is why we need to get in to see him before Isran makes his move.”

“If Isran isn’t near here, our chances of getting to see Eldar should be in our favor.”

“Should be. Tell me, what exactly happens to Isran if he bathes in the yolk. I know you said he becomes invincible, but everything can be killed.” She shook her head. “Of all the dragons, our blue dragon holds the most magic. Take the purest form of that in the yolk and mix it with black magic. The combination has been whispered about for ages, but no one has ever managed to steal an egg. We don’t really know what Isran will become if the yolk touches him.”

“Eldar has taken Isran’s magic away.”

“He’s used great amounts of it though. There is no doubt that his power will be greater if he has the use of his black magic.”

“He’ll have to kill Eldar for that then.”

Aimery wanted certainties, but there weren’t any. The only thing he could do was hope the idea of more power would prevent Isran from using the yolk until he reached Eldar and the palace.

Kendra blew out a breath. “Then it’s up to the castle?” Aimery shrugged. “Maybe.”

She wanted to roll her eyes.
Maybe
she mouthed and turned her back to him to look at the pool of water. Her skin was salty from the sweat and caked in dirt, and her hair stuck to the back of her neck making her itch. She palmed the small dagger hidden in the top of her boot and cut a strip of cloth from the bottom of her skirt. As thick and heavy as her hair was, she would be lucky if the material held, but she was willing to chance it if it gave her some relieve from the heat.

Kendra knelt by the pool and splashed water on her face before she combed her fingers through her hair in an effort to untangle the mass before she began to braid it. After she tied off the material to the end of the braid, she let out a sigh.

It was then she realized Aimery hadn’t spoken. She looked over her shoulder to find the commander watching her, his blue eyes blazing with a yearning so intense she found herself wanting to go to him.

Her stomach flipped. Many men had looked at her with lust and desire. But none had made her heart pound and her blood heat as Aimery did.

“I was getting hot,” she said after a moment.

He swallowed and turned his gaze away. “Don’t you find it odd that Eldar hasn’t sent guards to find us?”

“Why would he? You said yourself he holds all the power.”

“That’s true but, if I were him, I would want to know why a Fae had come to my realm.”

“Wouldn’t the same argument be used for Isran?”

Aimery shrugged his wide shoulders. “Who’s to say Eldar didn’t send men to look for him? Maybe Isran was able to hide.”

“And we don’t want to hide. We want to be found.”

“Exactly,” he said with a grin. “So where are the guards?” A shiver of apprehension raced down her spine. “I’m not liking this. Not at all.”

“Neither am I.”

“If only we could have our powers,” she started.

“Kyndra, don’t.”

His gaze bore into hers, alight with a fire she didn’t understand. “I just said—”

“I know what you said, but as soon as you start wishing for your powers, you’re going to realize what all you could do with them. That’s how a Fae goes insane.” She shrugged. “I’ve felt fine since we came to this awful realm. It hasn’t affected me.”

“Yet. Don’t tempt it. Please.”

It was obvious her words had bothered him. They had enough to deal with without adding her insanity on top of everything. “All right.”

Aimery pushed away from the wall and moved toward the waterfall to tilt his head back and look at the mountain. “It’s midday, I believe.”

He had to shout over the roar of the falls, and Kyndra walked closer to him. It had felt as if they had walked the canyon an entire day, not just part of it. “Then we best not waste more time here.”

“I agree.” He turned to her. “Drink your fill. We should find water on the mountain, especially if we follow the flow of the river.”

“But you aren’t sure,” she finished for him.

They shared a smile and went to the pool. Kyndra was the first to finish drinking. She sat up and stilled. “Um…Aimery?”

“Hmm?” he murmured while drinking.

“Remember how curious you were about Eldar’s guards?”

In an instant Aimery was on his feet, his sword in his hand as he faced six guards. Kyndra glanced behind her and saw three more descending the canyon wall.

“What are you doing on Thav?” demanded a guard.

Aimery lifted a shoulder. “I’ve come to see, Eldar. I have a private message he’ll want to see.”

“Give me the message.”

Kyndra licked her lips and put her hand on her sword. She had thought the guards would take them to Eldar but, by the way they were acting, they seemed to want a fight.

“As emissary to King Theron of the Realm of the Fae, I demand to see King Eldar,” Aimery said.

At once the guards lowered their weapons. “Follow us.”

Kyndra walked to Aimery as he put away his sword. “Why didn’t you say that to begin with?”

“I wanted to see what they would do,” Aimery whispered. “At least we won’t have to climb the mountain.”

She smiled. “I’m more concerned with finding food.”

“I’ll make sure you’re fed.”

And she had no doubt he would.

They followed the guards up the side of the waterfall to a path that was hidden amid the lush foliage that had grown around the water. It was such a stark contrast from the barren canyon that Kyndra found she wanted to enjoy it. The pink leaves intrigued her.

“No time,” Aimery whispered in her ear as he took her arm and steered her near him.

“Once all this is solved, I’ll ask Eldar for a few days so you can explore the mountain.” Kyndra had been on her own, making decisions herself for so long that it felt…nice…to have Aimery think of her. In the Order, each priestess was responsible for herself and all elders.

She had quickly gotten used to the routine, but now she realized what her sister had meant when she told Kyndra it was nice to have someone to share a burden with, someone to help make decisions.

At the time, Kyndra thought her sister weak. But she wasn’t weak, she had recognized a solitary life was lonely. Kyndra wasn’t lonely. She had her dragons and the other priestesses.

Aimery, however, was different. He made her think differently, feel differently.

She should be shocked and wary of such feelings, but instead she found she wanted to explore them more.

The path took them to an entrance in the mountain. As soon as they stepped into the mountain, the cool air surrounded her. Torches lit the way, and the lead guard held one above his head as well.

Aimery’s hand on her arm was reassuring, warm. It brought to mind his hands caressing her back as he pressed her against his hard length. Kyndra swallowed as her nipples hardened.

She shivered thinking about his hands on her breasts.

“Are you all right?”

Aimery’s breath fanned her neck as he leaned near her. His heat was distracting, making her think thoughts she was better off not thinking. “I’m just chilled.” They didn’t speak more, and Kyndra forced her mind away from images of licking Aimery’s body and stroking his chest. But the flames of desire were already consuming her, making her sex throb and her breasts ache.

Aimery knew something was wrong with Kyndra, but the inadequate light didn’t allow him to see her face as he wanted to. Her body was stiff, and her breathing had quickened. Maybe she was afraid of closed spaces. The thought of Kyndra terrified left him with the urge to wrap his arms around her, to hold her close to his body and tell her everything would be all right.

“In here,” a guard said.

Aimery guided Kyndra into the lift. He looked up to see the ropes disappear into the darkness it went so high. A board connecting each side of the lift was the only thing separating them from the emptiness below them.

Kyndra leaned on the board and looked over the side. “How far down does this go?”

“Very, far,” a guard answered. “Careful lest you fall over.” She righted herself and raised her brows. “And these…ropes…that are holding this…

piece of wood…with all of us on it is supposed to take us to the top. Without breaking.” The guard nodded. “We’ve used it for years.”

“My point exactly.”

Aimery grinned and turned his face away so Kyndra couldn’t see it. The lift frightened her, not that he could blame her. The wood was squishy in places, and the board going around the sides didn’t give him the feeling of being safe. Falling had never scared him until now.

He scooted closer to Kyndra so he could grab her if she fell. She gripped the boards, her knuckles turning white as the lift squeaked into motion. Aimery should have been thinking of what he was going to say to Eldar, but he watched Kyndra with a hunger that grew the longer he was with her.

When he caught the guards looking at her with lust in their eyes, it was all he could do not to smash their faces in. Kyndra wasn’t for them.

She’s not for you either.

It was a fact he knew well enough, but he could fantasize. He’d been doing that since before their first kiss. And after the kiss, after he’d tasted her, his fantasies only increased.

No, Kyndra had chosen the dragons. He would not put her in a position where she had to choose him or her vows, because he knew, though she might like his kiss, he didn’t stand a chance against a dragon.

He couldn’t deny that, if she gave a hint of wanting him, he would throw caution to the wind and make love to her until they were both too exhausted to move.

Her fingers grazed his leg, causing him to look down at her hand. She had moved closer to him, as if seeking his protection. He could promise her safety, but without his powers his vow was nothing more than words.

He had told her earlier not to speak about the loss of her powers because it had been affecting him more than he liked. All he could think about was how much easier he could protect Kyndra with his magic. He felt the loss of his magic like a kick in his ballocks. And he hated it.