Page 60 of Enamored
My spine stiffened. No. I wouldn’t allow it. Maybe we’d arrived too late to save the king from harm. But I could still save him from death.
I leaned back and spoke to the boy behind me. “I want you to keep riding away as fast as you can. Do not stop for any reason. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Your Highness.” His voice was hollowed out with fear.
I slowed my mount, then swung out of the saddle. I was airborne for but a moment before I landed in the grass. I attempted to stay on my feet, but the momentum was too great, and I fell to the ground. I braced myself with my forearms, but the jolt knocked the air from my lungs. For a dazed moment, I struggled to draw in a breath. I almost panicked as my airways refused to open. Then with a swoosh, air filled my lungs, and I expelled my relief in a half cry.
I had so little time to act. Though pain shot through my arms, I pushed up, scrambling to untangle my legs from my skirt. The flying creature now circled directly over the king, as if its demon-eyed underbelly could see everything. Although it hadn’t started its dive downward, I sensed it would at any second.
I needed to gain its attention. In my recent studying of dracos, I’d read somewhere that those who attempted to tame dracos used various patterns of shrieks and calls. In addition to keen eyesight, the draco had an unusual ability to hear. If I imitated its warlike cry, would it seek me out? I could only pray so, at least long enough to allow the knights with the king to reach the river.
Cupping my hands around my mouth to project my voice, I released a piercing shriek. When the draco didn’t veer from its path above the king, I let out another, this one louder and more authentic.
The draco turned its head in my direction. Another flap of wings passed and then it shifted, swirling around and flying in my direction.
Exhilaration shot through me. I’d accomplished it. I’d saved the king. Now the knights and Maxim would have time to reach safety. With the flap of the draco’s translucent red wings drawing nearer, I spun and ran as fast as I could. A glance over my shoulder told me the creature was gaining ground and would be upon me in a matter of seconds.
Strangely, fear fell away and a quiet resolve filled me. I would die today to save the king. I could ask for no more noble death than that.
Behind me, I could hear the knights shouting and Halvard calling out warnings. Above it all, I heard Maxim’s anguished, “No, Elinor!”
With death but a breath away, I had only one regret—that I hadn’t told Maxim I loved him. The undeniable truth was that I loved him with my whole body, soul, and spirit. If only I’d had the chance to let him know...
Chapter
22
Maxim
I sprinted afterthe draco. I didn’t know how I would stop it from attacking Elinor, but I had to try. I’d wrestle it with my bare hands if I could reach it.
“Elinor, drop to the ground!” I shouted. “Cover your head.” At least then she might only sustain burns to her back. The very prospect sickened me, and I wished I could magically trade places with her.
As the draco flapped lower, I unsheathed my knife. The blade would do no good against its hard scales, but if I could aim it for the underbelly, I might be able to wound it enough to send it on its way.
Halvard was galloping at a punishing speed to reach Elinor, but he would be too late.
The creature released a piercing cry and then dove.
My heart slammed hard against my chest, and I readied to throw my knife. “No!”
Elinor dropped and covered her head as I’d instructed, clearly aware that the draco was about to breathe upon her.
The creature opened its beak-like mouth. But another shriek a short distance away filled the air. The new pitch was different, but one I’d heard previously. Before I could place the sound, a second draco broke through the clouds in the west, flapping its wings and screeching in fury.
Canute’s draco soared over Elinor as if it no longer saw her, its attention tuned in to the draco drawing near.
In the distance, a cloaked and hooded rider was advancing from the direction we’d arrived. I didn’t need to see the rider to know who it was.
Lis. And she was bringing her draco.
It dropped lower and chased after Canute’s draco, snapping and shrieking as though scolding it. As I paused to watch the retreat, relief welled up inside me so intensely that I wanted to weep.
I’d been right. Lis was bonded to the draco and could communicate with it. She’d likely sensed our danger and ridden after us. Or perhaps she’d felt a connection to Elinor. Whatever the reason, she was here and had saved Elinor.
Lis’s draco was smaller. From the number of checkered rings on its underside, I surmised it was yet a juvenile, perhaps ten years of age, unlike Canute’s, which was much older, closer to fifty years.
The younger would have the advantage of speed and agility, but Canute’s would have more experience. Eventually, it would turn on Lis’s draco. But for now, we had gained more time.
