Page 65 of Killian
“Our pleasure, Kantarellen,” Kaedan responded. “You are delightful, and so is your town. Please do not apologize. We are here to offer you our services since we understand you are not attending the dance tonight.”
“Renny assured us it was fine for us to host a small celebration of our own this eve since we are still learning the names of our townsfolk, Grand Warlock,” Kantarellen replied. Then her mouth dropped open. “I do not know what the matter is with me. Renny, I should be calling you Grand Warlock Familiar.”
“Do not be silly,” Renny said, patting her arm. “I am the one who told you to call me Renny. We’re pleased you are celebrating tonight.”
“It is just for this month; we could not stand to miss two dances in a row,” Kantarellen answered. She grimaced. “Is it apoor idea to have it the same night as the dance? Perhaps it is not too late to postpone?”
“The needs of your village take precedence above everything else,” Chander told her.
Kantarellen smiled. After fussing with her bonnet again, she straightened her shoulders and glanced across at every member of their little group. Her gaze widened as she took in the tall dragon shifter at Killian’s side, but she didn’t step away until she spotted the two sentinels a short distance behind Chander. Since she was a necromancer, her head had likely been filled with the evil story of the sentinel who killed his own necro and other horrid tales, so Killian was unsurprised by the fear on her face.
“I…uh, I have a list of things we thought to ask to have grown,” Kantarellen said, her eyes skittering to the sentinels before falling to the ground. “Renny told us we should do so. I hope it is not an imposition, Killian the Dwyer. Please accept our congratulations on your matebond.” She smiled at Dravyn, who blushed in the way Killian loved. “I saw you from afar, Your Grace, and thanked Fate for pairing Killian the Dwyer with such a handsome man.”
“Thank you,” Dravyn mumbled to the dirt.
“It is my pleasure to grow whatever you need,” Killian assured her. “Thank you for your glad tidings; I am grateful to Fate for her kindness.”
“Could I show everyone some of the village?” Kantarellen offered, her grin growing. “Today we finished Filbert’s cottage. He is a fine druid and has found work teleporting elves and shifters for Aloisa the Dwyer and Grand Sage Saura.”
“We would be delighted to see whatever you wish to show us,” Kaedan said.
Kantarellen strode off, and the men in their group fell into line behind her.
“She has entered the hut up ahead,” Chander said. “My sentinels and I will wait outside. I do not wish to frighten her further.”
“No one can learn that the sentinels mean no harm if you do not expect people to adapt to their presence,” Killian warned as he took Dravyn’s hand.
“They are rebuilding due to substantial loss. Now is not the time for me to take a stand about sentinels,” Chander replied.
“We are with Chand,” Benton added. “Death and destruction brought them and us here today. The ever-present chasm that exists between necromancers and sentinels will wait until a happier moment to be addressed.”
“The problem is, those happier moments are few and far between thanks to our persistent marauders,” Killian grumbled.
A short staring match with a stubborn Arch Lich had Killian rolling his eyes and leading Dravyn away from the trio of hardheaded men.
“Let us go catch up to the others,” Killian said to Dravyn, who nodded.
It was a short walk to the cottage Kantarellen had led the warlocks and familiar into, and Killian winced as Dravyn had to stoop to get through the door. The tall shifter could barely straighten to his full height in the cottage belonging to the druid, Filbert. Introductions were swiftly made to a smiling Filbert. Like his clothing, the fabrics in his home were a pretty blue.
Killian was busy admiring the hominess and quality craftmanship of Filbert’s cottage when he heard screams. Both Filbert and Kantarellen froze in place, but Kaedan lifted a hand, and a soft glow surrounded the villagers. Killian threw a magical barrier atop Kaedan’s as the shouts of terror increased outside, and Kariston was barely a heartbeat behind him, adding a third layer to the protection they could offer Filbert and Kantarellen.
“Go,” Kariston ordered his brother. “Renny and I can see to Kantarellen and Filbert. Kaedan, you must aid the other villagers with shields. Everyone else—”
Kariston’s words were cut off as thick pungent smoke filled the cottage through their magick, and the Grand Summoner coughed heavily. Killian lifted his arm to cover his mouth with his sleeve as his eyes watered. Kaedan threw an arm up with a snarl and shoved the smoke out of the cottage. The spells they’d chosen were altered simultaneously to protect against not just the fire they had expected, but anything else the dragon had in mind.
“That’s a dragon,” Dravyn exclaimed.
To Killian’s horror, Dravyn dropped the hold he had on Killian’s hand and burst out the door of the cottage so swiftly he tore it halfway off its hinges. A mighty roar sounded above the panicked shrieks outside.
“Damn,” Kaedan growled as he raced out of the cottage.
Killian pulled himself out of his momentary stupor and followed the Grand Warlock outside. His heart nearly stopped as he took in the mighty green dragon facing off with a drab brown one. While Dravyn was clearly larger, Killian feared the damage his mate would endure in a fight with the evil creature trying to destroy Renata and its occupants.
Lifting his arms, Kaedan threw a golden ball of fire at the unwelcome dragon. It hit the beast’s side but did nothing to deter the dragon from blasting flames at Dravyn. The two colossal beasts charged each other. More acrid smoke filled the air. Thankfully, it did not choke Killian. The druid stood there helpless with fear.
Kaedan fired a second bolt and whipped his head to Killian. “I know you are terrified for your mate, but I need your help. Blast Masse’s rock with magick to protect yourself, then get these people inside. Chand can’t do it. They have already seen hehas his sentinels with him. They are panicked of both dragons and sentinels.”
Shaking himself out of his stupor, Killian tore his eyes away from the beasts wrestling above the village. He yanked the copper case from his pocket. One flick on the clasp and the rock fell into his palm. Killian tossed it above him and let his magick fly. The stone shattered. Killian gasped as a tight shield wrapped itself around him.
