Page 115 of The Exiled Dragon

“Yes, if a Witch wants to wield dark magic with exceptional skill,” she cooed at me, “she can perform a ritual inviting rogue demons from the Underworld. The only price I pay is letting them use my body for their own bidding in both realms without their master knowing.” My wide eyes continued to sway back and forth from Witch to the Duke.

“It’s so precious how she is so oblivious.” She giggled. “Their master is Hades himself.”

Gasping, the Duke gripped her by her throat. “Just because she is ignorant of our ways does not mean you can frighten my beloved. Now get on with the unbinding.”

Chapter Sixty-Seven

Creed

Takingofffromthepalace gardens, my wings thrust forward, causing the area to be rained down by a relentless wind. The smaller sapling trees falling over and petals of mystical flowers that Odessa had enjoyed in our walk in the garden were instantly shredded to pieces. Female Dragons stood on the ground, holding their palms to their foreheads as I graced the sky straight to the light sources.

Male warriors ripped their tunics, stripping down just to their loincloths, trying to follow. Reaching the top of the trees, I discovered the forest, looking for any movement. She couldn’t have gone too far. I haven’t left her for too long. I could feel the pull in my chest guiding me in the general direction of where she might be, but the pull became weaker and weaker as I tried to follow.

Heading south, there was only so much land they could cover just on foot. My flight could take me a quarter of the time more than that of horses. However, if black magic was used or a relocating spell, I would be in trouble. I could be much farther from my fawn than I thought.

Each Vampire I detected, my Dragon let out a hideous growl, flames falling from my scaled lips as treetops caught fire. Rogue Vampires and Wolves were caught in the blaze, now seeking water to put out the flames. Vampires fell to the ground, no longer moving. My Dragon would not be sated even with their deaths until we found our mate. Roaring caused most animals to jump away from the sound piercing their ears. Vampires jumped at the sound, running faster than a normal Vampire.

The enhanced black magic had spread to many rogues, which would not fare well in the future.

Sounds of yelling came from behind. The shrill voices reminded me of King Osirus’ Fae army following. They would not have the wing power to catch me, but I could still hear their cries to slow my pace. How could I slow my pace when my mate was in the clutches of that Vampire, ripping Odessa off of all her hopes of being safe? I would not rest until she was found, and I would kill whoever got in my way.

Feelings that weren’t mine invaded my Dragon. Fear, anguish, and hopelessness seeped into our heart. Gritting my teeth, I powered through a wind draft that blew me higher than I intended. The rushing of wind, and the fear I felt of my mate had already made me a failure in my eyes. She was the light to my darkness, and I would not let the black magic laced with our people’s blood ruin her, ruin what we have.

It was my fault that she had been captured. I should have made her come with me, even if she didn’t want to see the prisoner. The quick capture of the Duke should have been a sign enough, but when one lives with great hope that the devil will be laid to rest by your hand, one can be hopeful.

A roaring pain ripped through my breast, my claws trying to penetrate the scales holding my heart. My wings faulted, folding backward as I came spiraling down. Branches and limbs scraped my scales enough to cause a feeling of regret to seep through until we finally met the Bergarian soil. The back of my scales dug into the dirt; my groans were heard by my father as his feathered wings brushed my eyes. Focusing, I could see him looking farther into the forest, standing over my broken body.

My heart was being torn from my soul. I felt it trying to release into the air. I roared again in pain as I turned over. Claws digging into the soil, my wings flapped haphazardly into the breeze. My mother finally landed beside me.

“Get up.” My mother’s nostrils pushed me. All hope was lost. I felt our bond breaking. Whatever black magic they were using on her was breaking our bond. I groaned loudly, my Dragon’s heart breaking into pieces as I felt a sliver of a thread holding my heart in place.

They were winning. Whatever he was doing to my mate had broken her. She thought she had lost me, that I wouldn’t come for her. Sadness crept into the sliver of thread holding me to her. Whispers of “sorry’s” and “I love you’s,” tickled my ears. The black magic was powerful, maybe too strong. Odessa was giving up. Everything was trying to force us apart. No one wanted to leave us alone so we could live within our own happiness with each other.

“Don’t you give up,” my mother snapped. “You fight it. You power her as much as she powers you. Your bond is stronger and deeper than that!” My mother rolled me over, gazing into my eyes. “You tell her to be strong. You let your bond show her you are coming, you are not giving up no matter what happens.” Feeling liquid trickle down my shoulder, my claw went to touch my mark. It was bleeding.

The pain was considerable; the strand barely holding us together was strong. Even if our bond broke, I would find her, save her, and mark her all over again. “No,” I growled out. “I will not leave her,” I growled, still feeling the pain in my chest. “Odessa is mine!” I roared out. My legs shook when I tried to stand. My tail waved behind me to balance myself still, and my wingspan opened.

“Odessa!” I called to her. “Fight it. I’m almost there. I will save you.” Gritting my teeth, the entire army of Faes hovered above the trees, waiting for me to lead them to my mate. We had friends, each other, and most of all, we had a bond. Stronger than any other supernatural.

Odessa’s spirit lightened. The heaviness in her emotions relaxed. “That’s it, my fawn, fight it!” Lighter, it rose, the pain falling away from my scaled chest. Standing upright, my wings spread, now taking flight above the trees. “I love you, Odessa. You are doing it.”

Father flew beside me, watching every stroke of my wings. Odessa’s strength was waning, but each time I spoke to her, her strength grew just enough to help renew her hopes. How we could speak through emotions was new. I had never heard of such a thing. I radiated my love to her, how proud I was. She was fighting so well.

The light sources had begun to fade. Darkness would be our battleground. The Faes relied heavily on light. I prayed to the gods our numbers would be enough if we came to the Forbidden Territory. A gigantic wall covered the entire area to keep the beasts away. Creatures of the unknown resided inside, especially the Ogres.

As we approached, we landed in front of a wall taller than most trees. It was constructed long ago. I doubt no one alive today could tell us when it was built. Osirus cladded in his armor pulled out his sword, and walked to the wall.

“Does the pull lead you over these walls?” I only nodded my colossal head, trying to stare straight through it.

Tapping the crumbling rocks with the butt of his sword, he sighed. “There must be a hole somewhere along the wall. We found several Ogres last month walking around. They have been dealt with. I had my men patch one hole, but if you feel the pull, there must be loose stones somewhere."

Father used his beak to peck several large stones until his beak went right through one. Pecking it again over and over, he stuck his rugged claw through the bottom. A glamour spell had was used to impersonate the wall. There was an entire open entrance for anyone to walk in or out of if you knew where to look.

“Gods.” Osirus rolled his eyes. “This is disastrous. Do you know what will happen if we have Ogres come out of there?” Osirus threw his hands up just as Melina landed. “You don’t listen, do you?” His voice now laced with playfulness.

“As I said, is it really punishment if I want it?” Melina winked and petted Amora's Dragon.

“You aren’t going in there.” Osirus pointed to the wall. “Seriously, or I will lock you in a cage you don’t like.” Melina stood back, rubbing her arms together.

---