Dragon Defense (Heirs to the Throne Book 3) (7 page)

Jarrack was a fool, defeated by farmers and women.  Her father couldn’t be felled by lowly subjects.  She glanced disdainfully at the Samurai women who guarded her.  Women as guards!  They acted superior, obeying orders with surly attitudes.  She’d be grateful to return to people who understood her value.

*****

“I’d love see the dragons at the seaside.  Perhaps we’d find a mate for Flash.”  Felesia said.

“I’d be happy to show them to you, but wild dragons are not friendly like your little one.”  Brandon leaned close to Felesia as he spoke, inhaling the scent of her.

“Little one!”  Felesia objected, “I remember her mother and Flash is almost the same size.”

“Her mother was young and inexperienced.  Dragons don’t attack a giant eel without help.  I’ve seen them attack in an organized group.”

“Really?”  Felesia’s eyes widened. 

Brandon saw little starbursts of gold and brown in her eyes and longed to feel her long lashes brush against his skin.

He murmured, “I’ve seen many wonders, happy dolphins dance across the ocean waves, giant whales sing eerie tunes, and furry otters steal from our nets.  We must be careful to avoid the giant eels!”  He leaned so close he could glimpse the curve of Felesia’s breast down the neck of her tunic.

“I’m sure it’s not all you’d like to show her!”  Brandon didn’t notice Jordan until he was standing a foot away with a scowl on his face.  “I’ll show you my fist!”

Felesia’s face reddened. “Brandon’s telling me about dragons.”

“I can see what he’s doing.”

Felesia realized how close Brandon sat and stood abruptly.

Felesia frowned at Jordan.  “Why are you acting so foolish?”

Jordan glared at Brandon, “I understand him too well.” 

Brandon grinned. “I’ll leave you two to your disagreement.”  Brandon rose in a fluid motion and sauntered off toward the gardens.

“Jordan!  What’s that all about?”  Felesia sounded hurt and angry.

              “He wants you Felesia.  He’s not being nice, telling about the dragons.  He wants you for himself.” 

“I’m pledged to you, Jordan.” 

Jordan growled, “Your pledge means nothing to Brandon, and he means to have you.  I can see it in his eyes.” 

Felesia’s anger flared.  “I’m my own master, and I will decide who I marry!  I understand my father’s wisdom, making us wait for marriage.  If you place such little trust in me, perhaps I was wrong to pledge myself to you.”

Jordan’s fear mounted, as he faced losing Felesia.  His whole world crumbled.  “I stay here only for your sake, braving hate-filled stares.  They believe I’m the evil son of Jarrack and wish me dead.  Your love is the only thing that shields me, but I’m afraid to lose you.  I suffer each time another man looks in your direction.”

Felesia melted. “Jordan, I love you.”  She stroked his brow with long cool fingers.  “You know that don’t you?” 

She inundated his mind with love, and he felt intoxicated by the scent of her honey-gold hair.  “Felesia, I can’t live without you.”     

“Trust me, Jordan, I don’t care about Brandon.”  She kissed him lightly. 

He folded her soft body into his arms and drank the sweet nectar of her lips.  Passion flamed and he hungered for more. 

Felesia gently pushed him away.  “We must wait, my darling, and you must believe I love only you.”

“When we’re alone and your mind touches mine, I believe it with all my heart.  My fear comes when men like Brandon plot to take you from me.”  Jordan cradled her against his chest, stroking her thick golden brown hair.

“He can plot until the end of days, but I control who I love.  You’re my one true love.”  She opened her mind to him, and Jordan felt the strength of her will.

“I believe you.”  He kissed her again.

Brandon brushed a strand of light hair out of his eyes and watched the young couple with hatred in his heart.

After riding in an enclosed carriage for three days, blindfolded during short outside breaks, Shariel felt grateful to arrive.  The carriage rattled up a steep slope and jolted to a stop.  Mikla helped Shariel walk across cold stones in bare feet.

“You can remove the blindfold,” Mikla said, sounding apologetic.  “I’ll leave you here, since I get to go home.”

“Aren’t you lucky?”  Shariel blinked and examined the cavern.  “Where’d they take Bess?  Is she all right?”

“She’s fine.  She’ll stay in quarters with the other…”

“Hostages.  We must behave or our loved ones suffer.”

Mikla lowered her gaze.  “I didn’t have a choice.  Riders grabbed me when I went to fetch water.  They made it clear what would happen to my family if I didn’t help catch you.”

Truth radiated from Mikla’s mind, and Shariel’s attitude softened.  “I’m here, so your debt can be repaid, and you’ll marry a desert rider.  I hope you’ll be happy.”

Mika said, “I wish you well.  If I can do anything to help…well, I’d even help you escape if I could risk it.”

Shariel felt startled.  Mikla’s mind seemed confused, but she meant her offer.  “I will escape.  Where’s your home from here?”

Mikla’s eyes darted toward the guards and she gave Shariel a hug.  She whispered, “About twenty miles north in the mountains.  The trail leads through the two sentinels, a very clear route.” 

Shariel squeezed Mikla in response.  With tears glistening, the girl watched guards lead Shariel through a heavy door.

Cool air floated through tunnels leading away from the entrance, smelling of damp rock, smoke, and baked pastry.  Shariel’s mouth watered as the delicious smell overwhelmed her senses and she took a timid step forward.  She glanced back as the guards assumed posts near the locked door.

Squeals echoed through the cavern.  Three children bolted past Shariel in a game of tag, hiding behind her legs.  She laughed and the children stopped, wide-eyed.

“Are you our sister?” one girl asked with an impish grin.  “What’s your name?”

“She’s Shariel,” an older voice announced as a tall youth with black hair entered from another corridor.

“Duncan!”  Shariel rushed to hug her brother.  “I thought I’d never see you again.”

“I’ve been here a month,” he said with a sigh, “and hoped they wouldn’t catch you.  There are twenty-seven of us in this place and more arrive each day.”

“Are we free to explore the caves?” Shariel asked as the children resumed their game.

“They lock us into separate rooms at night.”  He pointed down the corridor.  “Come get something to eat before ravenous lions devour everything.”

“Lions?”

Duncan chuckled.  “Our brothers eat like starved lions and howl like wolves.”

Shariel stopped suddenly.  She whispered, “Have wolves made contact with anyone here?”

Glancing back at the guards, Duncan said, “We’ve got a pack outside plotting to break us out.  They share news about our families.”

Shariel nodded. 
Can you speak with your mind?

Yes.  Every rug rat in the cavern babbles day and night.  It’s murder sleeping through the conversations.

They entered a large room filled with tables.  Youngsters ate succulent meat, fresh fruit, and hot bread while they chattered like magpies.  For the first time in years, Shariel felt she was part of a family.  The children all understood how she felt.  As one of the oldest, Shariel knew she must help develop an escape plan.

Chacka, can you hear me?
 
She sent the mental message as Duncan filled a heaping plate for her. 

We hear you.  The pack gathers outside your cave.  As pack leader of your family, you must lead your cubs to safety.

I’ll examine the caves and make plans.  These children deserve to play in the sun and enjoy the love of their families.

The cave, where Bess and the others dwell, is near.  We look for weak points while you make plans.

Duncan sat next to Shariel and bit into a sweet roll.  She arched an eyebrow at the dessert, and he said, “I ate my main meal already, so I get a sweet.  Cook watches us with an eagle eye.  Did your wolf check in?”

“You didn’t hear him?” 

Duncan shook his head.  “The wolves direct their conversations to individuals.  They can block thoughts and send messages long distances.  Wish I knew how to do that.”

Shariel agreed that they should learn the skill.  She’d ask Chacka how it was done and take time to practice.

Beth blushed and removed Anthony’s tiny hand from her breast.

Embarrassed at her son’s behavior, Tanya scolded, “Don’t grab ladies like that, Anthony!” 

“He’s too young to understand what he was doing.”  Beth smiled sweetly.

Aunt Hestor laughed and swept the toddler into her arms.  “Want to be a lover already?  Give Aunt Hestor a kiss.” 

Anthony looked horrified.  “No!” He screamed and shoved her away.  “You’re old and ugly!”  He wriggled out of her arms and ran from the room.

“Oh, I’m so sorry!”  Tanya exclaimed.

“Don’t bother! Wrinkled old faces frighten children, so I should apologize to him.  Bring him to my cabin tomorrow, and I’ll bake special cookies as a treat.”

“It’s time to go,” Beth said, and the women headed for the door.  “It’s getting dark and the woods are no place to wander in the dark.  Wolves howl every night.” 

“See you tomorrow,” Hestor said as they left the cottage.

Tanya sighed.  “Come out, Anthony.  They’re gone.” 

Anthony peeked around the door, his dark blue eyes wide with fear. “You won’t spank?” he asked.

“No, but you should be nice to our visitors.”  He climbed onto her lap and snuggled against her shoulder.

“I like Beth.”  He smiled, looking like a sweet four-year-old.

“I know but it’s not polite to paw a lady’s breast.”

“It’s fun to touch her.”

“She didn’t think it was fun.”  Tanya laughed.

“Why not?”  Anthony’s voice sounded full of mischief, and he suddenly stiffened. 

“You’re too young to understand.”

“Does Beth like grown-up men to touch her?” 

Tanya felt queasy.  Did the boy remember his days in Jarrack’s castle?  “I’ll explain when you grow up.”

“It takes too long to grow up!”  Anthony glared at Tanya with an evil slant to his eyes and slipped off her lap.  “If that old witch tries to kiss me again, I’ll kill her,” he said in a gravely voice that made Tanya cringe.

“Don’t say things like that!” She tried to keep her voice steady but her heart pounded.

“I’d enjoy killing her!”

“Stop!  I’ll spank you if you keep saying mean things.”  Tanya felt unnerved, worried about her son’s recent streak of cruelty.  Yesterday she stopped him throwing stones at a quivering dog, and a few days ago he bloodied a neighbor’s nose.  Tanya studied Anthony, who sat quietly playing with toys.

She turned recent events over in her mind and her stomach burned.  Was Anthony Jarrack’s son?  His blond hair and blue eyes didn’t resemble Jarrack’s dark features, but it was possible.  Jarrack raped her, and he enjoyed hearing her scream.  Only after she tried to stab him, Jarrack gave her to his soldiers, and acted afraid to be alone with her.  Surely Anthony’s father was one of those soldiers.  

That night Anthony woke crying.  When she entered his room, she found him trembling and sucking his thumb.  “It’s all right.  I’m here,” she crooned. 

“Mama?”  His bleary eyes searched her face.

“Yes, I’m here.”  She cuddled the trembling boy. 

“Please don’t let him come back.”  The boy sobbed.

“You had a bad dream.  I won’t let anyone hurt you.”  Tanya assured him.

“He makes me stay in the dark and won’t let me out.”  Anthony cried.

“Who?  Did a big boy hurt you?”

“The blue man comes in,” Anthony pointed at his head, “and keeps me in a dark place. I can’t get out.”

Fear gripped Tanya. She remembered seeing the blue ghost that wandered through Jarrack’s castle.  “Where is he now?” Tanya asked, eyeing the room.

“He went to find someone who is asleep.”  The boy trembled.

“You’re safe now.”  She hugged him tight and stroked his silky blond hair.  Anthony seldom cried and it felt good to cuddle the toddler as he sucked his thumb.  Funny, Anthony hadn’t sucked his thumb for months.  She rocked him, crooning, and the boy fell asleep in her arms.

The next day Anthony played with neighbor boys.  Usually he avoided the boys, but today he seemed eager to play.  He ran to her with outstretched arms, and she returned his hug. “Anthony, what are you doing?”

“I play with the boys.”  He smiled, flashing a row of tiny white teeth.  His blue eyes glistened, and he looked like a happy little boy.  

“I thought you didn’t like the boys.”

“The blue man hates them,” Anthony said, “but I like playing.”

“The blue man?” A cold shiver ran up Tanya’s spine.

Anthony nodded. “Inside my head.” 

“Is he inside your head today?”  Tanya’s heart thudded, afraid to hear the answer.

“No but he’ll come back.” Anthony looked sad.

Tanya hugged her son tight as tears spilled from her eyes.  “Where’d he go?”

“He forces Jack to see Beth.”  Anthony stared at his feet.  “He wants to do bad things to her.”  His voice sounded so small.

Tanya panicked.  “Anthony, stay here while I go help Beth.”

“Mama, please don’t go.  He’ll hurt you if you try to stop him.”  Anthony’s eyes were round with fear.

“I’ll be fine.  You play with the boys.”  She hugged him and went into her cottage.  Tanya opened a wooden chest and strapped on a sword and scabbard.  The familiar weight of the blade rested between her shoulders. She still wore Samurai garments, claiming they felt comfortable, but it was a lie.  The warrior inside her knew something was wrong. 

She ran down the road.  The steady pounding of her boots matched her thundering heartbeat.   Beth lived in a cabin deep in the woods.  How long since Jarrack left Anthony’s mind?  She noticed Anthony playing with the boys all morning.

After a few minutes, her lungs burned from exertion, and Tanya cursed herself for growing soft.  Pushing strings of hair from her eyes she thought about the facts.  Jarrack hid inside her son’s mind to escape when King Donovan stormed the castle.

She cringed.  That vile man looked at her with Anthony’s eyes and touched her with Anthony’s chubby hands.  Now Jarrack used Jack, a gentle giant with the mind of a child, to hurt Beth.

“I should’ve recognized him sooner,” she said and ran faster.  Pain lanced through her lungs and her legs shook.

She stopped at the top of a hill and studied the cabin nestled under tall pine trees.  Aunt Hestor kept yummy cookies and friendly smiles for children.  Regaining her breath, Tanya approached the cabin quietly, but only heard her pounding heartbeat.  She took two deep breaths and kicked in the door. 

The cabin looked empty except for a lifeless shape on the floor.

A wave of pain hit Tanya as she bent to touch Aunt Hestor.  “Please don’t be dead,” she said and rocked Hestor like a baby.  She sobbed with grief until a small thread of awareness nagged her to pay attention.  Tanya gently placed Hestor back onto the floor and left the cabin.  She ached for the loss of her friend but hatred pulsed through her veins. 

“Jarrack, you’ve killed too many people!  Somehow I’ll make it end.”  Tanya heard a faint cry and ran into the forest. Jack stood and adjusted his garments with an expression of sadistic pleasure on a usually benevolent face. 

“Jarrack!” Tanya shouted and her sword blade hissed as it slid from the scabbard. 

Jack’s body turned, but Tanya knew it was Jarrack inside. The gentle eyes now flashed with malignant energy, and his mouth curled into a familiar sneer.  “Kill this body, Tanya, and my mind will return to Anthony.  You lose either way.”

Tanya froze. “You’re too far away from him.”

“No?”  He laughed, and Tanya recognized the sound.  “You don’t dare take the chance!”  His evil eyes mocked her. 

Beth moaned and Jarrack turned toward the girl.  Beth whimpered, “Tanya, please help me!”  

“Tanya, please help!” Jarrack imitated the pitiful voice as he stared at the frightened girl. 

Tanya gripped her sword with both hands as she charged.  The sword slashed at his head, and Jack’s body tried to duck. The face contorted with pain and surprise as her blade hit.  Mutton-shaped arms swung as blood spurted from a gaping wound in the neck. 

He lumbered toward Tanya, his fingers grabbing at her.  Blood oozed from heavy lips with a gurgling sound. Tanya saw the face alter—the evil eyes turned dull and blank as the massive body slumped.  The fingers twitched then dropped.  

Tanya stared at the huge body bleeding on the forest floor.  She didn’t notice ghostly, gray shadows running through the trees.  Beth whimpered and Tanya turned her attention to the frightened girl.  As she comforted Beth, Tanya thought about Jarrack’s threat.

“Kill this body and my mind will go back to Anthony.”  Was it true?

That night Tanya found Anthony waiting in the cottage.  He tilted his small head and stared at her with hatred.  “Don’t ever do that again!” he growled.  Tanya recognized Jarrack’s voice.  “You can’t beat me!  If you interfere I’ll kill the boy.” 

Tanya’s chest ached.  Her son was possessed by the man she hated most in the world.  She turned to run but Anthony’s small voice cried, “Mama, don’t leave me alone with him.” 

She wrapped her arms around the small body and wept.  For a precious few moments Jarrack allowed the boy to remain in control, just long enough to trap the vulnerable young woman. 

Suddenly the boy’s body pushed her away, and Jarrack said, “You will obey my commands.” 

Tanya stiffened at the cold expression in her son’s eyes.  “What do you want me to do?” Tanya asked.

“Do nothing to hamper me and say nothing to anyone.  You’re the mother of a sweet little boy, so don’t cross me again or Anthony will die,” he hissed. 

Tanya tore her gaze from Jarrack’s hypnotic stare.  “I won’t do anything that will harm Anthony,” she said. 

“Fix dinner,” he demanded.

Tanya methodically cooked, her hands chopping and stirring while her mind raced.  How could she get rid of Jarrack without harming her son?  He dozed as she went outside to fetch water.  A black shape appeared at the well, and Tanya nearly dropped the bucket.

The wolf stared at her with glowing gold eyes and hope welled within her breast.  Wolves guarded the royal family and joined the attack last year.  Could wolves do something to help?  As she stared into the golden eyes, she realized the wolf was her only hope. 

A single thought formed inside her mind.  She must wait patiently and watch for a signal from the wolves.  She gazed at the cottage as the wolf melted into the forest.

For the next few days Tanya watched Anthony, hoping to see her son, but Jarrack maintained tight control over the boy’s body. 

She nearly lost hope until Kriegen arrived with Tendra.  She didn’t notice the wolves until they stood in the open doorway staring at her. Jarrack screamed, “Get them out!  Get them away from me or I’ll kill the boy!” 

Tanya froze, unable to react. Kriegen stepped into the cottage with Tendra at his shoulder, and Jarrack’s eyes filled with terror. 

“Don’t kill him, Kriegen,” Tanya begged.  “My son’s still alive.”  Staring intently at the boy, Kriegen flicked his ears and Tendra cast the woman a knowing glance.  Tanya moved aside, willing to let the wolves handle Jarrack.

“If you come any closer, I’ll kill him!”  Jarrack shouted.

The wolves crept forward.  When they stood with the child between their large bodies, Tanya heard her son’s voice for the first time in days. 

“Good boy,” he crooned and patted Kriegen’s head with chubby fingers.  “Don’t worry, Mama.  Kriegen and Tendra made Jarrack hide.  He’s afraid to come out, and they won’t let him hurt me.”

Tanya embraced her son with tears streaming down her face.  “I’m so relieved you’re all right.”  She asked, “What can we do?  Is there a way to take his mind out of my son?”

Anthony said, “Kriegen says his pack can make the man go away.  We must go to his cave.”

Tanya smiled.  “If there’s hope of saving Anthony, we’ll go with you, Kriegen.”

Tendra licked Anthony’s hand.  He said, “I like them.  Tendra says they have cubs I can play with at the cave.”

Tanya shoved food and clothes into a pack.  “Get ready to leave.  We can’t waste time.”