Dragon Wish (47 page)

Rylen’s surrender. I have to make sure all of them are aware.

If not, more innocent lives will be taken and I refuse to carry

that burden.” He touched her brow. “I will return.”

She licked her lips, the skin glistening, and nodded. “I

don’t want you to go, but I understand. Just make sure you

come back.”

“I give you my word.”

He strode away from her, determined to remain strong,

and never allow her to see how he had hardened his heart in

preparation for her departure from Avaris.

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The heat from the palm-size green crystal pressed

between her hands built to a tolerable degree. Seren swept it

over the open gash on a black dragon clan soldier’s head,

holding the stone an inch above the cut. The poor man’s face

carried a deep purple bruise on the left side. He groaned.

Thankful Largin took the time to show her how to heal

the wounded humans and dragonseeds, she concentrated on

healing the man. The process astonished her. Energy in the

emerald stone passed into the injury, restoring health to the

flesh. How many people on Earth would benefit from one

stone with this type of magic in it? Illness, even severe

injuries would fade into healthy bodies. Many lives would be

saved. But Paladin mentioned the dragons who traveled to

Earth had died, unable to survive because of the lack of

magic there.

She finished healing the soldier, straightened, and

glanced around. So many men and women lay injured. Most

of the serious had been taken to the city. The wizards at the

academy used more powerful methods to tend them. The

worst cases, the ones not able to travel the distance,

remained for Largin to take care with her assistance.

Standing, she stretched and scanned the room. Paladin

hadn’t returned. They would have told her if something

happened to him. Or would they? Her head started to throb,

the painful pulses banged against her brow. She rubbed her

temples. Eyes half-closed, her gaze caught on the spot where

Rylen sat on the floor across the cavern from her. He’d

helped with the healing earlier, but now he sat, knees drawn

to his chest, his arms draped over them. His head rested on

his arms.

Still upset with him, she thought about Paladin. Rylen

was his brother. This reason made it difficult for her to

ignore him. Moving with slow steps, she walked to the young

man, zig-zagging through the wounded stretched out on the

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floor. He’d threatened her life and Legion’s. Memories of her

time with him worked their way through her mind to taunt

her. She should turn her back and not bother with him.

Putting her emotions aside, allowing her resolve to

harden, she reached the spot and eased down next to him,

resting her shoulders against the wall. The muscles in her

back twinged with exhaustion. She shifted to find a better

position. He lifted his head and looked at her. She met his

gaze. He averted his eyes.

Good sign there. Guilt ate at him over his actions.

The silence between them outweighed the moans and

quiet comforting voices echoing throughout the cavern. She

tried to think of something to say, but nothing came to mind

so she waited, wondering if and when he would speak.

The serving woman she left to watch over Legion

appeared in the doorway to her room, carrying a blanket

wrapped bundle. Even though she saw Seren and who sat

next to her, the woman headed straight for her. Seren

wanted to scream at her to stop. The man had threatened

Legion’s life. Didn’t the woman realize this?

Yet, Seren waited, keeping silent, to see how Rylen

reacted. This test would prove Arcane’s influence no longer

controlled him.

The dark skinned woman halted before them, leaned over

and handed Legion to her. “Pardon, my lady, but he is

fretting.”

Clasping her child against her breast, Seren lifted the

blanket from Legion’s face. The scrunched features surprised

a laugh from her. She murmured thanks to the woman and

glanced over at Rylen.

He stared at Legion, an expression of wonder on his face.

He lifted a finger to the baby, but stopped. His throat worked

and he looked away.

When he spoke, his voice, so similar to Paladin’s, cracked

with unshed tears. “You will never forgive me. I do not blame

you.”

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Uncomfortable and unsure, she blurted out. “It’ll take of

lot of proving on your part for me to trust you.”

“I understand.”

The meekness in his answer fanned her ire. “Understand?

Yeah, right. You don’t understand anything. You tried to kill

me and my baby—your own nephew. He’s your blood

relative. Explain that to me.”

He shook his head, averting his eyes. “I do not truly

remember a time when I wasn’t under Arcane’s spell. I was

seven when he attacked and placed his spell on me.

Afterward, I only recall bitterness and hatred for Paladin, the

brother I had always loved with all my essence.”

“Why didn’t you fight against the spell?”

Resting his brow on his arms which were still folded over

his knee, he hid his face. “How was I to fight against an adult

dragon’s dark magic? I had not yet grown into my wings.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

He rolled his forehead across his arm. “My wings would

have given me more power to repel his attack. As it was, I fell

to him.”

“What now? Are you going to fall to another dragon if it

decides to make the world a wasteland like Arcane? Do you

have the ability to stop it?” She had to make sure.

His response came low and quiet. “I do not know.”

Legion laughed. The sound surprised her so she looked

away and smiled down at her son. He actually laughed loud

for only five days old. She glanced at Rylen. He lifted his

head and stared at his nephew, amazement evident on his

face.

Taking a chance, hoping she wasn’t wrong, she said,

“Well, he seems to think you do.”

Rylen met her gaze and crumpled. Tears filled blue eyes a

shade lighter than Paladin’s. He tried to speak, but just a

breathy gust escaped. After several attempts, he managed to

speak, his voice no higher than a whisper. “I’m sorry, so

sorry. I never meant...”

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“Hush, it’s over with. Paladin believes you’re back to

normal. I’m not comfortable with that, but I trust him. Why,

I don’t know. He wasn’t honest with me either.” She reached

out and smoothed a hand over the back of his head. “You’re

his brother. I can’t change that.”

Not sure how it happened, whether he tilted or she pulled

him, but he ended up with his head against her shoulder,

sobs breaking free from his chest in deep heart-rending

gasps.

Tears sprang to her eyes. Quiet forgiveness entered her

heart. She offered him no words, just gentle pats and low

comforting murmurs. Voices, louder than earlier, came from

the entry to the large cavern. She glanced over to see what’d

happened. Paladin stood several feet inside the room. His

gaze centered on her and his brother.

For him, she soothed Rylen. For him, and him alone.

* * * *

forced Paladin to stop. Warmth bloomed in his chest. His

love for Seren grew to a higher level than he’d believed

possible. She put her anger aside and opened her heart to his

brother.

He drew in a deep breath, steeling his mind for what he

must do. Requesting this boon from her would sever all her

ties to him. She would despise him. He moved in their

direction, halting once he reached them.

She said Rylen’s name. His brother lifted his head,

swinging around to meet Paladin’s look.

She shifted Legion in her arms, worry clouding her eyes.

“Is it over? Are they gone?”

“No.” Frightened, torn by what he must do, he knelt on

the other side of her. “The rogues refuse to surrender. Legion

is the only one they will obey.”

Her eyes widened with comprehension. She shook her

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head. “No. I’m not sending him out there. He’s a baby. What

can he do?”

Clenching his teeth, Paladin rubbed his brow. “Seren,

even though he is an infant, he is still the one dragon king.

They must obey him.”

“And if they don’t? What then? Will they kill him?” Terror

edged her words, her body trembled. Her hair shook even

though she stiffened.

He met her gaze and held it. “I would die protecting him.

He will not be taken from you. I have given my sworn oath. I

will stand by it with my last breath.”

She shook her head, over and over, tears welling in her

eyes.

He reached for his son, slipping his hands under the tiny

body.

Legion cooed, blowing bubbles.

She tightened her hold.

Paladin gritted his teeth and closed his eyes, searching for

the strength and wisdom to make her understand. “If he is

not shown to the rogues, they will overrun the world. We will

return to the way it was five thousand years ago. You did not

come to this world for that purpose, and Legion was not born

to destroy, but to preserve. Please, let your faith in me return

once more. I swear I will keep him safe in my arms.”

She sniffed, sucking in shaky breaths. With gentle care,

he took Legion from her. Her hands covered her face,

shielding her pain from him, but her sobs stole through,

shredding his heart.

Unable to witness her despair, he stood and turned,

striding to the entrance. Resolve melting under grief, he

hurried, seeking distance to strengthen his mind for what he

must do.

Light footsteps followed by heavier ones, trailed behind

him. He glanced over his shoulder. She came, tears

streaming down her face with Rylen fast on her heels.

Paladin reached the mouth to the cavern. Largin waited

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ahead to open the barrier. He nodded at the old wizard who

spouted the spell. The gap appeared. Paladin went through.

Heat, dust and sparkling motes met him on the other side.

Continuing across the desert, he came to an abrupt halt.

The six clan leaders landed, surrounding him. He turned in a

circle staring at each one, studying them, waiting for their

guidance, hoping if any within this battle would keep him

and Legion safe then they would.

* * * *

around her waist. She wanted to join Paladin, stand at his

side, but Rylen took her arm and held her back.

She glanced where he stood a step behind her. He, too,

stared at his brother, worry bracketing his mouth and

wrinkling his brow.

“Will he be safe? Will my son?” She had to know. He lived

with Arcane, witnessed his evil. He might have an idea of

whether the rogues would accept or reject Legion.
Please,

don’t let them destroy my son.

He shook his head, moved to her side, and wrapped an

arm over her shoulders. A sob broke through and she

slumped, trying to blink the tears away. No one, not Paladin,

his brother, or anyone here understood how her fear for her

child grew within her. She experienced such joy, pure bliss

with his birth, and hope he would outlive her, sharing his

own happiness with her.

Instead, she stood watching her tiny baby brought out to

the very creatures determined to annihilate all humans.

She’d witnessed Mandy’s death. Was she now destined to

watch another child of her heart die? Her strength left and

Rylen helped her remain on her feet. She kept her gaze

riveted on the man and child she loved.

Next to the six clan leaders, Paladin appeared minute, no

more than a fragile child’s toy. One swipe from their clawed

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hands, and he, along with his precious bundle, would die.

Sending out silent pleas for their protection, she fell to

her knees, rubbing, twisting, clenching her fingers, anything

to stop the numbness from taking over her mind. Sand

bubbled from below Paladin’s feet. She stilled, unable to pull

her attention away.

Earth-toned grains swirled inside a cylinder shape. A

column came from the desert beneath his feet, lifting him