Dragon Eternal, page 14
Shaw still had so many questions about her assault, but it was obvious that she didn’t want to dwell on it. She had done what she needed to move past it enough to keep living. She hadn’t addressed it, though, and she would have to, sooner or later.
“All right,” he replied.
Her shoulders rose as she inhaled. On the exhale, she released the tree but didn’t move away from it. “All right, what?”
“We’ll go in front of the Divine. You’ll win your freedom, and I’ll get the face-to-face I want.”
“Did you hit your head recently?” she asked, her brow furrowed. “Because that’s the only reason anyone would say that.”
“It’s a win-win for both of us. You said you never fail. And since you willna take the opportunity I’m giving you for freedom, what other choice do I have?”
She turned her attention forward and looked through the thick forest. “If I leave, the Divine will go after Merrill.”
“Trust me, Merrill can take care of himself. Just as I can.”
Nia snorted as she shook her head. “You might have magic, but the last thing you should do is underestimate an opponent. The Divine has been ruling for a long time.”
Those were wise words, ones he would heed. “He must be an old man then. He detests magic, but he doesna mind using it to his advantage.”
Her head snapped to him.
“He knew about Merrill and me, Nia. How could he unless he had someone with the ability to locate those in Stonemore with magic?”
She pushed away from the tree to face him. “It has to be something new. Otherwise, the city would know of it. The priests would be rounding up all the children with magic instead of waiting for the parents to report them.”
“What happens if the parents don’t inform the priests?”
“They’re killed along with the one they’re hiding.”
Shaw really wanted to meet the Divine so he could toss him over the side of the mountain. “Which proves my point. He willna tolerate magic being used unless it’s for himself. Talk about a hypocrite.”
“I’ve heard that some parents don’t mind magic, and as long as the children keep it hidden, they won’t report it. It’s just a rumor, mind you, but it wouldn’t surprise me if some in Stonemore do that.”
“How does everyone react when the children are murdered?”
She shrugged and looked away. “It’s a part of life. No one says or does anything because it’s simply the way things are.”
“Do you like it?”
Her fury was instant as she met his gaze. “Of course, not,” she snapped.
“Then help me stop it.”
She cut him a look before she gave a bark of laughter. “That will never happen.”
“Several have been lately.”
Nia shook her head. “Impossible.”
“A fellow Dragon King stumbled upon a Banshee who had been sneaking into Stonemore to save the children about to die after hearing their screams. The last time Cullen was here, he and Tamlyn saved seven.”
Her lips parted as the truth dawned on her. “That’s why the dragon was here.”
“Aye. That was Cullen. If he had wanted to destroy the city, he could have. All he did was provide a diversion so Tamlyn could get away with the bairns.”
“Nothing was ever said,” she murmured. “The priests informed the city that the ceremony had been done the night after the dragon was here.”
He saw that she was absorbing everything and trying to come to terms with it. “I could take you to see Tamlyn. Have you ever met a Banshee?”
“I don’t even know what that is.”
“They see death coming. For Tamlyn, she specifically sees the death approaching the children with magic.”
Nia pressed her lips together. “I see.”
“Do you want to meet them?”
“It wouldn’t matter if I did. I can’t leave.”
Shaw wanted to bellow his fury. “You can. You have the power. The only hold the Divine has over you are the words he’s put into your head all these years.”
“If I left with you, I’d be beholden to you.”
“Nay,” Shaw said with a shake of his head.
She smiled sadly. “It’s true, and you know it. I will have my freedom, but I’ll do it my way. With you.”
“What?” he asked, taken aback.
“You want to save the children, don’t you?”
“Aye, but—”
“And meet the Divine?”
“True, b—”
“Then you’re going to need my help,” she stated.
Shaw started to argue, but damn if she wasn’t right. “Just until you’re to bring me to him. Then you leave.”
“We’ll work out the details later.”
“No,” he said flatly. “Whatever we’re doing, we discuss it now where there are no’ any ears to overhear anything.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Good point. The plan is simple. We keep up what we’ve been doing. The spies will think you’re falling for me just as it’s supposed to happen. The soldiers will report that to the Divine. Then, it’s simply a matter of going to the citadel.”
“Which you willna accompany me to.”
Nia rolled her eyes. “I’m the only way you’ll get in.”
“No’ if I say you’re ill. It’ll happen at the last moment. Food poisoning, perhaps. You willna be there,” he repeated, letting her know in no uncertain terms that this was the only way he would proceed with the plan.
“All right.”
Her quick agreement didn’t fool him, but she wouldn’t change his mind. “You’ll have safely left the city with a King before I meet the Divine.”
“You mean Merrill?”
“He’ll remain in Stonemore. We’re being watched, too. We doona want to give anyone any ideas that we know what’s going on. It’ll probably be Cullen. He’s the closest, and he knows the city and woods.”
Nia released a breath. “That might work.”
“It will work. The Divine will try to use you against me. As long as you are no’ in the city, everything will work perfectly.”
“You sound very sure of yourself,” she said, perturbed.
He shrugged. “I am.”
“If this is going to work, then you have to stop using your magic on me.”
Shaw blinked, not sure he’d heard her correctly. “Lass, I’ve no’ used any magic on you.”
Nia stared at him for a long time before looking away and shrugging nonchalantly. “Just make sure you don’t.”
He was more confused than before. Why did she think he had been using magic? He wanted to ask, but she had already moved on.
“We’re going to have to be careful when we return. Not a word about any of this. You can’t act as if you know about my encounter with the priest. Nothing can change in how it was before we walked out of the city.”
Shaw nodded because he couldn’t form words as his rage enveloped him when he thought of the priests and Nia’s assault. He would be hard-pressed not to take out every priest and soldier who called the temple home.
“I’m serious, Shaw.”
He focused on Nia’s face when she said his name. He liked the sound of it on her lips. “You doona have to worry. I willna do anything that would harm you.”
“You recently discovered I was sent to seduce you, and now you’re protecting me?”
He grinned as he shrugged. “I’m a complicated man.”
“You also need to tell Merrill to be careful with who he talks to. Some are fanatical about the Divine, the priests, and the religion.”
“And their hatred of those with magic.”
“That, too. If they hear anything, they’ll report it.”
Shaw nodded his thanks. “I appreciate the heads-up. We’ve been through this enough times to know how it plays out.”
“How many times?”
“I’ve lost count.”
Her gaze raked him up and down. “You don’t look that old. You must have started early.”
“Something like that.”
Her brow furrowed. “How old are you?”
“A lot older than you think.”
She shot him a tired look.
“Think in the millions.”
Nia stumbled back, shock making her face go slack. “H-how?”
“Dragon Kings are essentially immortal.”
She stared at him numbly.
Shaw had to admit that he could’ve handled that better. He didn’t want Nia afraid of him. For someone who had been told that dragons and magic were to be feared, she hadn’t shown him a single ounce of it. “Let’s stay out here a wee bit longer. I’ll tell you anything you want to know about me.”
“Anything?” she asked hesitantly.
He nodded. “Aye.”
“Even why the dragons left your world?”
Shaw briefly closed his eyes. “Even that.”
Nia wavered as she bit her lip. She glanced toward the city, then faced him with determination. “Tell me everything.”
Chapter Twenty-One
A Dragon King stood before her, pledging to keep her safe. It left Nia befuddled. Shaw had said that he was complicated, but she thought that was putting it mildly.
“Where do you want me to start?” he asked.
She shrugged. She wanted to know every detail he would share. Somewhere in his words, there had to be the reason everyone feared the Kings and magic. If she could just uncover what that was, then perhaps she could…what? What could she do? She was nothing more than a courtesan with a pretty face.
“The beginning,” she finally said.
Regardless, knowledge was knowledge. The more she had, the better off she would be. Maybe she could pass things on to others. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.
That was if she learned anything from Shaw.
He reached for her hand. She didn’t stop him when he led her away from the road to a secluded place in the trees where no one could see them. She glanced around, looking for anything that might attack them.
"Nothing is near.”
She swung her head to him. “How do you know?”
“Enhanced senses. I can see, hear, and smell far better than humans. There’s a brineling you described that way,” he said and pointed in the opposite direction. “Even if it does come near us, I’ll stop it.”
He said it with such conviction that she had no choice but to believe him. And, oddly, she realized that she felt safe. Nia watched as he sat and motioned for her to do the same. She found a place near one of the large trees and sank to the ground, facing him.
Shaw took a deep breath, his eyes on her. “Our world is called Earth. Dragons ruled for eons. Every color, every size. We inhabited every part of our realm. The frozen lands, deep in the waters, the harshest deserts, the tallest mountains, and the rolling hills. We had clans, and a King ruled each clan.”
“A Dragon King,” she said.
He nodded. “The magic in our realm chose the Kings. It looked deep within each dragon, learning its heart and power. The magic chooses that dragon to become a King.”
“What if there’s already a King?”
“The one constant in the universe is change. Every King knows he will only hold that position for a certain amount of time. Some hold it for a verra short period. Others, long. Sometimes, a King dies in battle, so the new King steps into the role easily. Then there’s the other way. The way most take the throne.”
Nia swallowed. “And what way is that?”
“By combat. To the death.”
“Is that how you came to be King?”
He glanced away. “Aye.”
“You felt the magic, then?”
“I did. It was undeniable. I heard it talking to me. I didna want to rule my clan.”
Given everyone Nia had come into contact with, everyone wanted power. So, it came as a shock to hear Shaw say that he didn’t. “Why not?”
“I didna come from a good home. My father was injured during a skirmish with another clan, and he was never the same afterward. He became mean and angry. My eldest brother, Rollon, had enough and left. That left only me to look after my younger brother, Ross.”
“What of your mother?”
“She died shortly after Ross’s birth.”
Nia licked her lips. She knew the pain of not having a mother. “I’m sorry.”
He shrugged. “It was what it was. Da’s rages were so severe that others in our clan began stepping in. Da liked to focus his fury on Ross. Anyone was fair game, really, but he usually turned to Ross first. Ross was just a youngling. He had barely learned to fly. Every time I saw him flinch at the sight of our father, I knew the time was coming for us to leave. Then, one day, I returned to find Ross lying unconscious and bleeding on the ground. I was so angry. I could’ve killed my father right then.” Shaw’s gaze lowered as his brows furrowed. “I wanted to. Had he been there, I might have.” He shook his head slowly. “Ross moaned, pulling me out of that haze. I was so scared to move him in case I caused more pain. I called for help. Others came and took us away. While Ross healed from his wounds, I planned.”
“To get revenge?”
Shaw’s green eyes lifted to hers. “For a better life. I found Rollon. The three of us then went as far away from Da as we could. We struggled, but we looked out for one another. Da had bitten through a part of Ross’s wing. Every time Ross flew, it caused him tremendous pain. Can you imagine what it would be like for a dragon who can no’ fly?”
“Yes,” she said with a nod.
He briefly squeezed his eyes closed. “That’s when I began hearing the magic telling me I had been chosen to lead the Sapphires. I wanted to ignore it, but there was no ignoring the call of the magic.” He paused, a small smile on his lips. “I told my brothers. They were as shocked as I, but they were excited about the prospect. All I had to do was challenge the current King.”
“I don’t understand the challenge. If the magic chooses you, then why doesn’t the old King step down? Obviously, his time is over.”
“Because some think they hear the magic and really doona. Kings were challenged often. Most times, the dragons only believed they heard the magic because they wanted to rule so desperately.”
Her stomach clenched. “The King doesn’t kill them, does he?”
“It’s our way. Every dragon who issues a challenge knows what’s at stake.”
“But…that isn’t fair to those the magic didn’t choose.”
Shaw shrugged. “When is anything in life ever fair?”
She had to admit that he was right. “Clearly, you challenged him.”
“Aye,” he said softly. “The fight was brutal for both of us. It went on for hours. It was worse because I actually liked him. He’d been a good clan leader. A couple of times, I didna think I would win. Even when the tides turned, and it was clear that I would, he didna give up. He fought like the noble King he was until the verra end.”
Nia asked, “How do dragons fight? Is it in the air? On the ground?”
“Aye, to both. We use our wings, tail, claws, and teeth.”
“Not fire?”
“Dragon fire can incinerate everything but a King.”
She frowned in confusion. “Wait. You said Dragon Kings are immortal. That means they shouldn’t be able to be killed.”
“I said they are essentially immortal. A Dragon King can only be killed by another Dragon King.”
“And since the magic chose you, you were basically a King.”
He nodded his head of black hair. “We can be hurt, but we heal instantly.”
That was an interesting fact. Maybe that was why everyone feared the Kings. They couldn’t be killed by anyone or anything but another King. “How long have you ruled?”
“I’m no’ sure I can count these last few millennia. The dragons were here and no’ with us. I was a King in name only.”
The pain in his words gave her pause. She wanted him to continue talking, but she didn’t want to push him after hearing the torment in his voice.
Shaw rose to his feet and turned away. “Bloody hell. This is harder than I thought.”
“You don’t have to continue.”
He shook his head and faced her. “It isna as if I doona relive it. It’s always there. What is the difference in telling you?”
“I’m a stranger who knows nothing of what you endured.”
Shaw attempted to smile before sighing and looking away. “Being King of Sapphires was hard. I was pulled in hundreds of directions every day. I hated it. And I loved it. I didna see my brothers as much as I wanted, but they were with me. Ross was well cared for at all times. It took a while, but I settled into a routine of sorts. I’d meet the other Dragon Kings, and, of course, Constantine, King of Dragon Kings.”
“What?” she asked in shock.
A soft chuckle fell from his lips as he looked at her. “Did you think we wouldna be governed? The magic of our realm is specific. Only the very strongest of the Kings, the one with the greatest power, can be King of Dragon Kings. Con is the perfect person for the position. He puts us and the dragons above all else. I’m no’ sure I could’ve done the same in his position.”
“I’m sure you could.” As a matter of fact, she knew he would. They shared a long look. She was the first to look away.
Shaw cleared his throat. “It was a normal day when we first learned that new beings had arrived on our realm. Humans. The Kings approached them together, and it was there that we shifted for the first time. I’m no’ too proud to admit that it scared the shite out of me. None of us knew what was happening. Just this awful pain that consumed us. Then, it was gone. Leaving us in these new bodies.”
She almost asked what he looked like as a dragon, but her attention was drawn to him as he lifted his hands and flipped them back and forth, gazing at them as if for the first time.
“My talons were gone. My tail and wings were gone. I was in a body I didn’t know how to move or use.” Shaw slowly lowered his arms to his sides as he met her gaze. “The humans talked amongst themselves, shocked and scared. We pick up languages quickly. Con was the first to speak. Dragons communicate telepathically, so to hear his voice outside of our heads stunned us all. We quickly realized that the humans had no magic. They had no way to protect themselves or even find shelter. We offered them sanctuary on our realm. We taught them how to hunt and what locations would be safe for them.”
