Page 53 of Cast By Flames (Dragon's Breath)
Several of them looked around at the others, but none left.
Form a single line from there to there,he said, gesturing with his claw between two points.
After the pendragons—most of them with green scales except Hildegard who had orange—positioned themselves as he’d requested, the other leaders fell in behind them. Aidan moved to the right side where Morgan waited to assist him. The sorcerer held himself stiffly, but at least he showed no fear. They’d had a long discussion that morning in preparation.
The first of the pendragons was the giant beast from the Shadowan. Volker kept his head bowed, but a hint of resentment shone in his red eyes.I only do this because I see no other way. We are at your mercy, but remember the oath will hold you accountable as well.
I am aware. Draw blood,he commanded.
The huge male hesitated momentarily before biting into one of his sizeable toes. His fang sank deep enough that the injury would not heal too quickly, and a small trickle of blood soon reached the ground. Aidan kneeled and took hold of the wounded appendage.
He met Volker’s gaze.Swear to the agreement we made at our last meeting and that you will remain loyal and follow my orders until the conclusion of this war. Should you not do so, your entire toriq will suffer a terrible fate for your betrayal.
Morgan lifted a hand, golden magic lighting his palm. His brown hair stirred with a breeze none of the rest of them felt. Now, he was pure power and confidence without a hint of anxiety.
I swear it,the pendragon growled into his head.
Aidan nodded at the sorcerer. As he blew the second flame to seal the wound, Morgan created a tether between them. It would make it almost impossible for Volker to break his word, and if he did, all would know immediately. A cosmic warningwould shoot through all their minds. Not only that, but a curse would activate onto his toriq. According to legend, they would have poor luck for the next fifty years, including a scarcity of food, deadly illnesses, infertility, and endless infighting.
Thatcher, the other fortress sorcerer present, stood on the sidelines. He was an average-looking man in his early fifties with short, curly red hair and pale skin. Much like Morgan, he showed no signs of fear while among so many powerful dragons. He spoke loudly of the full consequences and requirements of what they did while Falcon translated through telepathy for those who didn’t understand English.
No one in their right mind broke such an oath, but Aidan wanted to be sure they knew the full implications. The other advantage to the ritual was outsiders, such as the Kandoran, couldn’t infiltrate it with their dark magic. At the very least, Aidan could count on the pendragons and their top leaders to hold to their oaths during the war.
Blue light flashed between them as the blood rite concluded.
Aidan and Morgan moved to the next pendragon, Hildegard, who waited for them. The Faegud leader didn’t appear resentful like the others, but a trace of skepticism showed in her orange eyes.
You are taking a considerable risk,she said privately in his head.We must be loyal to you, but you must also give all of yourself for this war to hold your side of the bargain. It could prove untenable.
It is the only way I can be certain we stand a chance,Aidan replied.
She dipped her chin, burnt sienna scales glistening on her head.Perhaps. I only hope you are right, and our sacrifices will be enough.
That very thought kept him up many nights, but he wouldn’t tell her.
Draw blood,he commanded.
She did as he asked, puncturing her toe. They conducted the oath with Hildegard and then all the other pendragons —the words varying slightly with those he hadn’t met before since there was no prior agreement—as they moved down the line. With each vow, Aidan felt his power grow a little more.
He wasn’t stealing strength from the others, but it appeared freely-sworn loyalty could feed him even when it came from those outside his toriq. His dragon body’s mass grew even greater until he was easily the size of a pure breed. It disturbed him, and he felt uncomfortable, as if his skin no longer fit, but he couldn’t allow himself to show signs of discomfort.
With luck, he would return to some semblance of normal after the war passed. Even he knew he could only handle staying at such a heightened power level for so long before it would affect him adversely.
Thankfully, he had Bailey to keep him in line. He’d simply have to remain resolute in the meantime and fulfill his end of the deal with the pendragons. No blood oath that fed a dragon strength and power came without a catch. He could only hope he could live with it.
Chapter 15
Aidan
Four of his best warriors surged toward Aidan. Determination lit their yellow gazes, and their claws dug into the ground, upending grass and dirt as they leaped at him. He stood perfectly still and let them come.
They were all in red dragon forms on the grassy meadow near the fortress, training to keep their lethal strength and skills in top form for the battles ahead. Despite his many duties, he couldn’t afford to lose his edgeandneeded to acclimate himself to his changed form. He had far greater power than ever, but his body felt awkward and cumbersome. From now on, he’d spare an hour or so daily to reintegrate himself with his growing beast.
Aidan snarled at the male who landed before him, their snouts a handsbreadth from each other. He snapped his powerful jaws on his opponent’s neck, bit down hard enough to almost crush bone, and then twisted to throw him into the shifter coming at his right. They collided in a tangle of wings and legs, screeching loudly.
The maneuver had been easy, almost too easy.
Aidan shifted his focus to the third attacker, who’d clamped onto his tail, and the fourth, a female who tore into hisside with her razor-sharp talons. Icy pain ripped through him. He’d commanded them to fight viciously and did not take it personally. They’d face far worse soon enough.
