Page 2 of Trial By Fire

“My little birdies tell me she can call her flames at will, without being in her Dragon form. Her power is so strong she can call her mates to her location in a Realm where she should have absolutely no magic. She even gave her Banduri guardian her magic back!” Maurelle’s voice rises higher with each word she says. My mind whirls, wondering how is it possible? I have never heard of a Red Dragon holding that kind of power.

“It’s not possible, Maurelle. You’re full of lies. Now, tell me what you need me to do or leave me. I have heard enough of your blathering,” I force out, the last of my energy drained from this encounter.

“Oh, Brother, it’s possible. For once I am going to have to break my own rules. The blood that runs through her veins is not only that of a Dragon, but Fae as well.”

I inhale sharply. My stomach threatens to empty itself of the bread I had eaten as nausea takes hold of me. My brain sparks to life, realization at what she is saying has me reeling.

“What are you saying, Maurelle?” I know what she is implying. I squeeze my eyes shut, willing it to be untrue.

“It appears you sired a child, Dain. A half-breed. I need you to bring her to me. Bring her to me here so that I can kill her.”

CHAPTERONE

DRAVYN

I’m as stunned by Cordelia’s ability to teleport as Torin, Gale, and Adrian. As I watch from the shadows outside the window of their room, we all freeze for a fraction of a second, gazing at the empty spot where she had been standing. Suddenly, the room erupts into chaos as all three of them call out for her. While they continue to search the room, I tug on the ties that bind us together and quickly follow her.

Moving through the shadows, our bond guides me toward her. I touch down in the middle of the woods the moment she closes her eyes, and her face scrunches in concentration as she conjures fire on her right hand. A smile tugs at my lips as she almost whoops in celebration of her accomplishment and quickly stops. She looks around as if she is worried someone else might witness her triumph. She begins to walk further into the forest. Following her I keep my steps light. Cordelia’s head moves from side to side as she takes in her surroundings. Occasionally she stops and tilts her head to the side, as if to listen. I’m almost certain she can sense me. When she begins to walk again, I blow out the breath I’d been holding and continue my pursuit.

This is my moment. All I need to do is reveal myself, catch her by surprise, and teleport her back to Arcadia. My task will be finished. The job done. Then I can go back to—what? There is nothing for me in Arcadia, and I’m never returning to Incantatia if I can help it. There’s been nothing but pain and suffering since the moment my father gave me to the Fae. I was a pawn to him and a toy they used.

I can’t let them have her, not after what Maurelle did to me. I don’t want her to be left in the hands of the psycho Mage who works for her either.

My mind is made up. I can no longer deny what I feel for her. I stop and let her walk ahead. I brace myself against a tree, with arms stretched out in front of me, and push past the pain that grows with every step she takes that I don’t follow. I press my head into the sharp bark; the pain doesn’t register as I try to resist the pull of obedience. The Fae Queen’s magic urges me on, but I grip the tree harder, almost drawing blood.

White-hot pain hits my back as if a whip has struck me. My skin feels like I am being flayed open as I’m hit repeatedly, I know it’s not physically happening, but internally it brings me to my knees. I grit my teeth, clutching the tree as I pant, and pull myself up slowly. I take a deep breath to calm my rising heart rate, grateful that my bond with Cordelia is not strong enough for her to feel my connection to Maurelle or to feel my pain. If Cordelia can feel me at all it must be confusing to her already with the emotions I do give off. The last thing I want is for her to feel this pain, and I make sure to block these feelings through our fledgling bond.

After a moment, I attempt to step forward. Cordelia is out of sight now, but I can feel her and know she isn’t far. I let the pain carry me forward. I know what I must do. I struggle as I catch up. Her back is to me as she peers over the cliff. The massive waterfalls crash wildly into the water below. I want to move closer, but I stop myself in fear.I will not give her up. I know that for sure,I think to myself.Suddenly, her name is called from somewhere behind us. I know they will be here soon. I only need one moment alone with her.

Cordelia turns away from the waterfall and crosses her arms under her breasts. Her lips are pursed, and her head tilts to the side, as if she is waiting for them to appear. With her Dragon enhanced ability to listen, she can hear them easily over the thunderous waterfall. I take a step into the clearing and her head snaps in my direction. There is no turning back now. I have to reveal myself to Cordelia, and I can’t hide in the shadows any longer. Finding my courage, I take another step. I’m ready to confess everything to her. I want to bare my soul and suffer the consequences.

Something inside of me finally snaps, and it all falls into place. I want to be with her, bond or no bond. As soon as our eyes meet, the pain subsides. I’m startled for a second wondering how it’s possible. I take a deep breath, and there’s no pain. I feel relieved, my gratitude pours out of me in waves, and my emotions break open like a dam. I feel so much, and I know she feels everything too. Our eyes never stray from each other, even as her mates scream her name in the distance. I take another step forward, and she instinctively takes a step back.Please, don’t fear me,I think to myself. I rub my hands over my face, as my nerves get the better of me. I can hear her mates getting closer. I quickly glance over my shoulder then back at her.

“Cordelia,” I say her name, and I feel the weight of my decision lift my very soul. It’s euphoric to say her name out loud. This is what it’s supposed to feel like. I want to fall on my hands and knees, she deserves my worship. How is she able to take the pain of the Fae magic away? I will never know how, and I don’t know if I want to. All I know is that I feel like I can breathe for the first time in forever. I watch her indecision. She is as affected by me as I am by her. I watch her lift her foot to take a step back.

“Don’t move!” I shout, but it’s too late. She screams as she falls backward. I fold into the shadows and step out on the edge of the cliff just as she hits the water. I can hear her mates shouting her name, as their feet pound the earth and send vibrations underneath me as they thunder toward the cliff. There is nowhere for me to hide, and I no longer want to. It’s time I face them as well.

“Cordelia!” I hear Torin scream as they stand shoulder to shoulder a few feet away from me. They are so focused on her they don’t notice me standing a few feet away. No, that is not true. Their focus is on our mate, and right now, in this moment, she is their priority.

“We need to go after her!” Gale attempts to jump, but Torin holds out his arms to prevent him from going over the cliff.

“Wait! Give her a moment,” he says to his two very angry brothers. They both look as if they are going to tear him limb from limb, but Torin stands his ground. “We wait!” he roars. Adrian’s nostrils flare in anger, but he nods his head quickly, never taking his eyes off the water. I don’t say anything as I stand stock still with my eyes trained down toward the water as well. I agree with Torin, we need to give her a chance to save herself.

“What the hell, Torin? She could die!” Gale shoves Torin in my direction, and they finally notice me. Time stands still as we all stare at one another.

“Who the fuck are you?” Adrian barrels past Torin and heads straight for me. His eyes are menacing, changing from Humanoid to the large reptilian orbs of his Dragon in a blink. We are both the same height and build, but I know his Dragon is riding him, and there is no way I can match his strength, so as soon as he is within arm’s reach, I vanish.

“Where the fuck did he go?” Adrian bellows, turning in a quick circle. Little does he know I never left the spot I was standing in. I’m just out of sight. They all fight the urge to glance around themselves in search of me. I admonish myself for causing a distraction. Cordelia is down there.

“I didn’t go anywhere. There are more important things we need to deal with first before you decide how you want to kill me.” I lean toward him and state facts. He startles, it would be amusing in another time and place, and he steps away slightly from my floating voice.

“I agree. Adrian, for now Cordelia is all that matters,” Torin states. I can’t agree more. He looks toward us both. His eyes focus a little longer on the empty space in which I am inhabiting. I know he can’t see me, but like the night in the dining room I feel as if he is staring straight at me.

“Fuck it. I am going in after her. This is not a game—this is her life!” Gale immediately starts to strip out of his clothes just as the water begins to resemble a whirlpool in the lake below. He stops. No one says a word as a gigantic bright red tail whips the surface.

“She did it,” Torin whispers to himself as a massive Red Dragon shoots out of the water and into the sky. All four of us track her ascend, and she is absolutely breathtaking. Her red scales shine like rubies against the night sky. Her massive bat-like wings are stretched to their limit as she does a vertical spin mid climb, and water falls off her body raining down on us below her. Her massive tail sports an arrow-shaped spike at the end. It thrashes back and forth, clearing the clouds as she flies into them. She’s playful, and I can feel her excitement; it’s contagious.

“She’s goddamn gorgeous,” Adrian says to no one in particular. “I think her wings are bigger than yours, Gale,” he says jokingly. Gale laughs, and you can hear the relief in his voice. Torin remains silent as he returns his gaze to where I am standing. He looks like he is waiting for me to reappear, but when I don’t, he turns his attention back to the sky.

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