Page 59 of Water Dragon
He could see it clearly then. The outcome of events. They were going to beat back this threat, and they were going to do it together. There was movement by the door behind the throne and everything sped up again. Iona flicked her sword out of the water with one foot, catching it and turning to meet the approaching Sir Patrick who had run off to get backup and was now returning.
The other crowned heads met the onslaught of armed men as Malcolm called on his inner dragon.
Shift, his father had told him.
And so, Malcolm did.
The hold on his throat disappeared as his rising dragon pushed Leon off him, making him stumble backwards and disappear beneath the surface of the still rising river water. Malcolm’s bones cracked as they extended and his inner dragon emerged with a roar at what was happening, furious at the transgressor, eager to get into the fight. Malcolm’s dark blue scales glinted in the light from the lit torches on the walls, catching in their bronzed tips. He was too big, the throne room not built to hold his frame. His attention was on the water where Leon had disappeared.
A breath.
And then the moss-colored dragon shape of Leon rose out of it as Leon shifted.
Malcolm roared again, taking a step forward to swipe at Leon’s face, but Leon didn’t hesitate. He drew a breath and was about to unleash his dragon fire on all assembled. Only when he parted his jaws, the fire was snuffed out before it had even gotten the chance to form.
Malcolm turned his head to where King Hugh was standing. Even with the elemental magics integrated, he was still the Keeper of the firemagic, and he was not going to watch anyone burn.
Malcolm offered him a smile but knew he had to do something.
So, he spread his wings and turned to the nearest window.
It was time to take this clash outdoors.
The stones and mortar gave way with a resounding crash as Malcolm smashed his way through them, wings tucked along his sides before he again spread them, giving a loud flap to soar into the air. He knew where he was going. If there was one place where Leon was going to be at a disadvantage, it was in the dark waters of the Everlake.
They were deep, with riptides that were treacherously unpredictable.
Leon might be connected to the elements, might be able to reach for them and channel them, but he couldn’t predict them. He couldn’t feel them move around him and through him the way Malcolm could. Malcolm would have an advantage there.
He craved it.
He wanted to put the other dragon in his place.
Leon roared behind him, but he followed, flying into the night skies above the castle gardens and further out over the countryside. Malcolm could tell the other was itching for an airborne clash, but Malcolm stayed the course. Flying ahead without slowing, without turning around, looking as though he was trying to outfly the other. Perhaps to make a swoop and surprise him, gain the upper hand, and Leon was not going to let him.
Then the black waters of the Everlake glinted up ahead and Malcolm didn’t hesitate.
He turned, spreading his wings wide, all four legs held up to the approaching foe with his talons waiting for impact. It came swiftly as Leon had kept pace with him. The collision was brutal, but Malcolm had been prepared for it.
He reached for the other’s magic before Leon could reach for his and the tussle for power began.
Malcolm could feel Leon’s magic circle his like a hungry predator eagerly licking its snout, but the watermagic in his veins responded in kind. If Leon could only realize that it was futile. His plan had backfired spectacularly, and he had brought about something so wholly unprecedented none could have predicted it. He needed to concede to the defeat, accept that it was over.
Of course, he wouldn’t.
Malcolm could tell by the way the other was grappling for purchase with talons, teeth, and the magic itself. Searching for something to hold onto, something to wring or press, that would secure him his victory.
He had wanted Iona’s death to make Malcolm snap. Had wanted it to kill him so that his death would bring his father to the brink of sanity as well. The thought made fury rise within him like a geyser, hot and hissing.
And with that feeling canceling out all others, Malcolm crashed into the lake, dragging Leon with him.
He should suffer, was all Malcolm could think.He should suffer like he made me suffer. Like he was going to make my father suffer. The kingdoms suffer. He should understand what it was his accomplishment would have meant to everyone it would have touched, and what his failure means to him now that it’s all that he has left.
Leon tried to push away, but Malcolm’s hold on him was too great.
There was blood in the water. They had both gotten a few good hits in and were scratched across sides and limbs. But Malcolm didn’t let go of his hold. Not even when he felt Leon’s jaws snap at his neck.
Instead, he closed his eyes and brought the water into a rushing whirlpool around them.
