Ondrej (7 page)

“I’m in,” Imre said.

“Aranka, I can’t—”

“Oh no, Krysanthe. There’s no way you’re going on this fabulous adventure and not taking me with you.”

“If something happened to you, I’d never forgive myself.”

“Somethings happen to people all the time. I’d rather something happen to me than nothing. You chose to go to Remus. I choose to follow. Suck it up, buttercup.” Aranka planted a kiss on her cheek.

“Pick up new bikes as soon as you can. They’ll probably be watching for that knowing the ghouls destroyed ours. Don’t get fancy. Buy used from private sellers instead of dealerships. We’ll get custom after crush our enemies,” Ondrej said.

“Whoever slept last can take the first watch,” Imre said.

“Mik and I will take first watch,” Voshkie offered.

Aranka used her power to travel along the veins of gold to find them a cave system down the side of the mountain where they could hide out until dusk.

She realized then that maybe her little sister wasn’t so little after all. She wasn’t so lost in the world and her great sense of adventure wasn’t naiveté. Not by a million miles.

W
hen dusk fell
and there was still no sign of Fabian, Ondrej was torn between sending Mik and Imre out to find him and sticking with the original plan.

If he’d been hurt somehow, Ondrej should’ve gotten some kind of distress call, but there’d only been silence.

Krysanthe seemed to know what he was thinking. “We can go look for him.”

“Not if we want our plans to be effective.”

“This Mating Fever thing, is it possible he was struck as well and is… occupied?”

“I don’t think he’d go radio silent for that. He either dead or Turned. So there’s nothing I can do to help him until I help you.”

Krysanthe laced her fingers in between his. “You’ve lost so much.”

He squeezed her hand. “I’ve gained so much, too. So have Imre and Mikolas.”

“I’m afraid of what we’re going to find. Part of me doesn’t want to know. That same part of me that wouldn’t mind if you just stole me away and locked me in a tower like a proper dragon.”

“You’d mind.” Though, the idea did have merit. His dragon liked it. He wasn’t at all opposed to being a knuckle-dragging “proper” dragon as she described it. He thought that locking her in a tower was perfectly reasonable—especially if he could lock her in there with all of his other treasure. His dragon had fantasies of perching on all of his gold, rolling around in waterfalls of the stuff while Krysanthe stroked his chin and read to him from the old books. Of course, his bipedal side had no intention of her scratching his chin. He’d make love to her for hours in that golden waterfall.

She sighed. “Yeah, you’re right. But your dragon likes the idea.”

“He does. He likes it a lot. It’s on the Approved Plan list. Unlike the one we’re about to execute. Are you ready?”

“I think so.”

“It’ll be about three hours on my back. Can you hold on that long?”

She rolled her eyes. “Can I hold on? Please, it’s like you were made for riding.”

“Nymph, if you keep talking that way, you’re going to find yourself flat on your back instead of heading to your chosen destination.”

“Promise?”

“All you have to do is say the word, Princess. Say you don’t want to go, and we’ll do something else.” He half hoped she would say that she’d changed her mind. That the rest of the world could go to hell and then make love to her, fuck her, then make love to her again while the world did just that.

But that wasn’t what he admired about her, that wasn’t what made her a good mate. It was her willingness to sacrifice. It was her strength to do what was right.

Even his dragon couldn’t argue with that. He couldn’t argue with it, but he didn’t have to like it.

“You understand why I have to?”

The conflict in her eyes set the course of action. She needed him to help her do what needed to be done. He couldn’t worry about what this meant for them or for him.

“Yeah, I understand. I’d do the same if I thought it would save my brothers. Looks like I’m doing everything your father didn’t want me to do.”

“He wanted you to change my mind.”

“Instead, you changed mine. If things work out the way we want them too, how’s he going to feel about you being with me?”

“These things have always been my own choice. He found you worthy to protect me, so I’m sure he’ll find you worthy to be with me as well.”

“If I ever get the chance, I’ll make the vow so the whole world can hear it. Krysanthe before gold,” he whispered in her ear. Before she could respond he said, “Let’s get in the air, unless you want to say your goodbyes again.”

“My heart couldn’t take it. This morning before we slept was enough.”

“Do you trust me?”

“With my life.”

“Then hold on tight to my shoulders.”

“You’re not doing what I think you’re going to do, are you?” she asked, peering down over the ledge of the cave.

“Oh yeah.”

“Oh gods.” Despite her obvious reservations, she latched on.

Ondrej leapt off into a freefall with his arms wide. “Are your eyes open? You have to watch,” he yelled. Then he Changed, two beats of his wings righting their descent.

“Do you do that all the time?”

“Every chance I get.”

“It must be amazing to fly.”

“And what are you doing right now?” he asked.

She laughed and clung tighter to his neck. “Higher.”

He was happy to oblige her, soaring ever higher until they were above the clouds. Living underground as she did, she didn’t need as much oxygen as a mortal might.

“How long do dragons live?” she asked.

“A thousand years or so. How long do nymphs live?”

“The same. I’m two hundred.”

“I’m not sure how old I am. We left the dragon lands a long time ago and I can’t remember.”

“What’s the first thing you remember?”

“Chasing bison on that prairie. It was before I could fly.” He and his brothers. They’d been left on their own. He wasn’t sure if they’d hatched alone, or what had happened. Only that his memories were only of him, Mikolas and Imre.

He flew hard, the tails winds helping to propel him even faster. The Alpha fire brewed in his gut and he kept it at a steady simmer. Ondrej would be ready for whatever he had to do.

The flight seemed both too short and too long.

It was too short because he wanted to keep her with him as long as possible, and too long because he was hyper aware that every second could be their last together. He tried not to think about it because it made the dragon side of psyche angry and it was so very important for Ondrej to keep control.

For Krysanthe. He had to keep control for her.

The dreaded compound came into sight and a cacophony of howls lit up the darkness.

Her grip around his neck tightened and he circled the property, checking all the defenses and strategic points before he landed inside the gates on the front lawn.

Werewolves in their warrior form ran at him from all directions and he inhaled deeply, ready to breathe fire.

Krysanthe’s hand stayed him, but only barely.

She slipped from his back and the walkway turned to gold with every step she took.

That woman knew how to make an entrance.

“Stand down, it’s Borgia’s mate,” a voice called.

Ondrej wanted to rip him apart just for daring to speak those words. He folded his wings against his back and huffed smoke at anyone that got too close to him or to Krysanthe.

Even when Borgia himself came out to greet her, Ondrej lowered his giant head and eyed the wolf.

“You’ve arrived days early without your convoy. What’s happened?” Borgia asked her.

He seemed sincere.

Ondrej sniffed him, and aside from smelling like wet dog, he smelled sincere.

“We were attacked by ghouls.”

“Are you okay? Have you been bitten?”

Borgia was a provincial pack Alpha, but he was also Grigori Remus’s son. Grigori was the Alpha of all Remus, their progenitor, in fact. So Borgia’s almost motherly concern for her safety was a bit off putting.

He didn’t like it.

Of course, Ondrej had already decided he didn’t like anything about this guy.

“No, I wasn’t bitten. My escort took very good care of me.”

“I didn’t know you were friends with dragons,” Borgia said, a bit reproachful.

“One can never have too many friends, can they?”

“Mister Dragon, kindly take your biped form so we can discuss what’s happened like civilized creatures.”

“I’d rather wait and see your witch first.”

“Our witch?” Borgia seemed confused. “We haven’t had one for some time. She passed. We’re still looking for her replacement.”

“Has your father sent anyone to fill in?”

“Not as of yet. How does it concern you, dragon?” Borgia asked.

“Because Krysanthe of the Orlaith was trusted into my care. Before I leave her in yours, her father asked me to make every inquiry into her safety.”

“I want this war finished as much as Krysanthe does.”

“Then why not tell your people it’s over without this archaic nonsense? Marrying someone who is not your mate for what?”

“Come inside, so we can talk away from my men.”

Ondrej narrowed his eyes and sniffed him again. There it was, that’s what he was looking for. The underpinning of rot and corruption with just a dash of magick.

This creature was not Borgia Remus.

He wondered if any of his men knew it or if they were under some sort of spell as well.

His guess was that the witch had killed Borgia and faked his own death. Borgia was a known libertine and nothing about him smelled of any well-loved vice, only magick. Even the wet dog smell had been part of the ruse, but now that Ondrej recognized it, he could see through it.

Did the witch know he could see through it and was this witch the only player who’d teamed up with Dezo, or were there more?

“Ondrej?” Krysanthe asked.

“Come outside, Borgia Remus.”

The wolves had started to gather around them, curious as to why the dragon would not enter. It was an insult to refuse to Change back to bipedal form and enter a shifter’s home when invited.

Borgia looked bored. “Very well.”

Only instead of walking back out amongst his people, he grabbed Krysanthe and held a glowing knife at her throat.

“One move and she’s dead.”

“Well, that would be stupid, don’t you think? Then what do you have? A dead nymph and no gold.”

“You don’t care about that. My spies tell me you’ve mated her. You’ll do anything to protect her. You were never going to leave her here.”

“That’s where we’re different, witch. Of course I’d have left her here, if that’s what she wanted. If that’s what would’ve stopped the war between the Remus and the Orlaith.”

“Bah.” He held the knife closer to Krysanthe’s throat, nicking her.

“Doesn’t matter really. Either I kill her or you will. The ghoul infection is already in your veins. Remember when you bit your beloved Dezo? That poison is coursing through you now. You haven’t Turned because I haven’t wished you to Turn.”

“Do it,” Krysanthe cried.

She wanted him to destroy the witch wearing Borgia’s skin with his Alpha fire, but he couldn’t. Not while he still held Krysanthe.

“Don’t try your little gold tricks on me either, nymph. The second I feel my body go cold, I’ll turn your lover into a ghoul. Mmm, yes. Maybe that’s what I’ll do anyway. Can you imagine a beast like that to do your bidding? I could bring the supes out of the dark and crush the mortals beneath my heel. Nothing like a good dragon harrowing to drive it home.”

“That would be the end of us all.” Krysanthe said.

“No, it would be a new age. I’m not the only one. There are others. Like Peter Breslin, who think we shouldn’t have to hide. It’s eat, or be eaten. The way apex predators should live.”

“Apex predators don’t pretend to be something they’re not. Beta cuttlefish on the other hand…” He shrugged his giant shoulders.

“Then why are you hiding behind your dragon? Why not face me biped to biped?”

“Why should I give up any advantage I have?”

“You have none. I’m holding all the cards. Including your mate.”

The Remus wolves were all stock still, waiting to see how it would play out. They were all now aware that the man who said he was Borgia Remus was in fact Azazel Ciardha, the pack witch that had betrayed them.

“Not really. How long are you going to stand there with a cursed blade to her throat? You’ll either kill her or not and my action after that depends on your choice. You can let her go and we’ll leave. Or you can kill her and I’ll devour you like a dragon of old.”

“You’ll become a ghoul—”

“With my mate gone, I will anyway.” He shrugged. “I don’t care.”

“Take him,” Azazel demanded.

Only the werewolves didn’t comply.

“I’ll turn you all to berserkers!” he threatened.

Still, the pack did not comply.

The wolves began exiting the compound. They weren’t even going to try to rip him apart. They simply left him for Ondrej to dispose of as he wished.

“Right now, ghouls are attacking Hidden Mountain. The Orlaith are doomed.”

He could feel his mate’s panic at the witch’s words and he saw her power spark from her fingers before she was aware she was doing it.

Their eyes met and Krysanthe gave a slight nod. She bent away from him just as he would’ve drawn the knife across her throat. She only managed to turn his feet to gold, but it was enough.

Ondrej summoned the Alpha fire and obliterated what was left of Azazel Ciardha.

O
bviously
, the engagement was off, she thought to herself as Ondrej flew them both to safety.

Krysanthe couldn’t be happier about that fact. Without an Alpha leading them to war, that Remus pack would be too much in flux to fight a war with them. The hostilities had ceased since Krysanthe had been in talks with Borgia.

It made her wonder if she’d ever spoken with Borgia at all.

She was worried about Hidden Mountain. “If he’s got an army of ghouls…”

“We’ll find them and we’ll stop them. Just like we did here,” he assured her.

“And then what?” She slid from his back and he Changed back to his bipedal form.

“First, we’re going to check into a hotel. That one over there.” He pointed to a quaint mountain in that boasted views and a hot tub on the sign. “Then we’re going to call your father and warn him about what happened with Azazel and his threats. You will also tell him that I did successfully change your mind. Then I’m going to make love to you. After that, we’re going to the dealership and I’m buying a new bike.”

She nodded. “Okay, I’m on board with this plan, but I think you know what I mean.”

“You mean after? You mean how will we mesh our lives?”

“Yeah. I’m a princess. You’re a biker.”

“Oh, now it’s a problem?” He dragged her to him.

“No, not for me, but it might be for you when I make you wear a suit for political functions.”

“Baby, I’ll wear anything you want to dress me up in.” He kissed her. “And I’ll let you take it off of me, too.”

“Is this really what you want? Forever between worlds? I can’t stop being a princess.”

“I don’t want you to, and I hope you wouldn’t want me to stop being who I am either.”

“No, you’re pretty perfect, too.”

“Then it’s settled. We’re perfect and perfect together. We’ll make it work. Just like we did today.”

Hope bloomed in her chest. This was everything she ever wanted. A love like no other that didn’t compete with her love for her family or her people. A love that built them both up, made them both strong—a commitment to his family as well—the Drago Knights.

“Forever?” she asked him, looking into his green eyes.

“Now, you’re getting greedy.” His lip curled in a half grin. “Of course forever.” He kissed her again. “Because I’m greedy. Maybe I will have to hide you away in a tower with all my gold like a proper dragon.”

“Proper dragons get rewarded.”

“So do
improper
nymphs.”

“Are you going to talk about it all day or are you going to show me?” She wrapped her arms around his neck.

“I’m definitely going to show you.”

Krysanthe decided that maybe she believed in fairytales after all.

A
uthor’s Note
: Krysanthe and Ondrej found their way together, but there’s more to the big picture. Want to see them again, find out what happened to Fabian, and see who else is playing with ghouls? Check out Mikolas and Voshkie’s story out March 21
^st
in Mikolas.

F
un Fact 1
# All of the Orlaith names have something to do with gold.