CAUGHTBYTHEDRAGON

MAIDENTOTHEDRAGON,BOOK1

MACFLYNN

Copyright©2017byMacFlynn

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CONTENTS

Chapter1Chapter2Chapter3Chapter4Chapter5Chapter6Chapter7Chapter8Chapter9Chapter10Chapter11Chapter12Chapter13Chapter14Chapter15

ContinuetheadventureOtherseriesbyMacFlynn

“W

1

eekendatlast!”ThatwasmycryasIstretchedmyarmsabovemyhead.Aroundme

werethrongsofmycoworkers.Weleftthefifty-floorofficebuildinginagiantherdoftiredandeagerhumanity.

“Amen!”oneofthemcalledout.“Anybodyseeingthegame?”anotheroneasked.“I’mjustseeingmyeyelids,”aheftyguyquipped.Thatgotalaughfromweoffice-dwellers,alaughthatextinguishedmuchof

theexhaustion froma lotof faces. I steppedoutonto thewide,busy sidewalkandglanced aroundme.The front doors spilled out onto amajor intersection,andallaroundmebustledahumanityeagertogethometofamilyanddinner.Ionlyhadthedinnerpart,butpizzaawaitedme.

Still, being among such a large crowd of my fellow humans was a bitterreminderofhownormalmyboringlifewas.

“Hey,Mir!”Iglancedtomyleft.Myfriendfromtheoffice,Heather,wavedtome.BesideherwasacuteguyI’dseen inouroffice,a recent transfer fromsomeotherlargecompany.Myheartsank.“Overhere,Mir!”Islappedasmileonmyfaceandwalkedovertothem.Heatherturnedtotheguyandjerkedherheadtowardme.“ThisisthesexywomanI’vebeentellingyouabout,Blake.”

Blakelookedmeover.TherewassomethingdarkabouthiseyesthatIdidn’tlike.Heheldouthishand.“Nicetomeetyou.”

I shook the hand. His fingers were clammy like his skin didn’t quite fit.“Likewise,anddon’tletHeathertellyouaboutmybedlife.It’spracticallynon-existent.”

Heatherrolledhereyes.“Comeon,doyoubothhavetobesoold-fashionedwiththehandshake?I’mtryingtohookyouuphere.”

Blakelaughed.“Idon’tthinkthisisgoingtowork,Heth.She’sontome.”Heatherblinkedathim.“Ontoyou?”Heshookhishead.“It’snothing.Anyway,nicetohavemetyou.”Hewaved

andwalkedoff.I turned tomy friend. “This is the third time thismonth, and it’s only the

seventhday.”Shesighedandshrugged.“I’mjusttryingtogetyouhooked.You’retoonice

nottodeserveagoodmanandreproduce.”IglancedatBlake’sretreatingbackandpursedmylips.“Thenstoptryingto

helpme.Theguysyoukeepshowingmearegettingcreepier.”Heather followedmygaze.“Idon’t thinkhewas thatbad.A little strange,

yeah, but who isn’t?” She turned back to see me ten feet away and gainingground.“Hey!Waitup!”Shehurriedaftermeandcameuptomyside.“Wannagetabitetoeatbeforeyouholeyourselfinyourapartmentfortheweekend?”

Igrinned.“Onlyifyou’rebuying.”Heatherrolledhereyes.“Fine,fine,butIexpecttogetadanceoutofthis.”I cringed as we walked side-by-side down the sidewalk. “You know I

hatethat.”“Theonlywayyou’lldanceiswithsomeoneyouknow,andI’llprobablybe

theonlyoneyouknow,”shepointedout.“Thenhowaboutweskipthedancing?”“Nope. Ineed theexercise.”Heathersteppedonto thestreetandraisedher

hand.“Taxi!”Sheglancedbackatme.“Besides,it’sgoodpracticeforwhenyougetmarried.Thebride’sgottadanceatherwedding,youknow.”

Isighedasataxidroveup.“You’reimpossible.”We slipped into the taxi. Heather leaned forward. “To theBar Room, and

steponit.Weneedtogetdrunk.”

Thedriversmiledandnodded.“Yes,ma’am.”Hepulledusoffthecurbandintotraffic.

Heather fell back against the seat and looked to me. “Speaking of losingweight,Iwasthinkingofgoinghikingoneoftheseweekendswithafewothergirls.Wannacomewith?”

Ishookmyhead.“I’mnotmuchfornaturewalks.”Shefrowned.“It’sthesociety,isn’tit?”Iwinced.“It’snotthat.It’sjust-well,Ijustdon’tfeellikeIfitin.LikeI’man

outsiderorsomething,youknowwhatImean?”Heathershookherhead.“No,andIwon’t take‘no’ forananswer thenext

timeIaskyoutogowithmeonanadventure.Youneedtolivealittle,Miriam,beforeyourwholelifeisgone.”

Iglancedoutthewindowandsighed.Theworldspedbyusasashadowplayofcolorfullightsandfigures.“Iknow.I.. .IjustfeellikeI’msupposedtowaitforsomething.Likemytimewillcome.”

The taxidriver’s loudvoice interruptedus.“Hey, ladies. I think someone’sfollowingyou.”

“Really?”Heatherwonderedaswebothturnedandlookedthroughtherearwindow.

Thetaxidrivernodded.“Yeah,thatredone.Heatherglancedatourdriver.“Yousureit’snotforyou?”He shrugged. “I don’t know. I ain’t picked up no one but you in the last

halfhour.”Heathersquealedandclappedherhands.“Youthinkyoucanlose‘em?”Thedrivergrinned.“Noproblem,butfortheriskit’llbeextra.”“I’lltakethatrisk!”myfriendaccepted.Iwhippedmyheadtoher.“Waita-ah!”Thedriverturnedasharpcorneronto

asidestreet.Iwassentintothewaitingarmsofmylaughingfriend.“Isn’tthisgreat?”sheyelled.“Yeah,wonderful,”IrepliedasIextractedmyselffromherarms.“It’sgoing

tobegreatsittinginjail,too.”“Thisisliving!”Heathergleefullyexclaimed.

Thedrivertookanothersharpcornerintoanalleyandspedup.Iclutchedtheoh-shithandleabovemydoor.“Thisisn’tliving!Thisisthepreliminariesbeforedeath!”

“Justenjoytheridealready!”sheinsisted.We took another ninety-degree corner that sent my stomach reeling. “I

wantout!”“Justanotherblock,misses!”thedrivershoutedasheweavedthroughtraffic

andontoanotherbumpyalley.“Letmeoutnow!”Iyelled.Heatherpointedat thealley intersectionaheadofus.“Stop thereandwe’ll

getout.Thenbookitlikewe’restillaboard.”“Whataboutmyfare?”heremindedus.She grabbed some cash from her pocket and tossed the bills into the seat

besidehim.“Thatshouldcoverit.”Hiseyesflickeredtothecatchandhegrinned.“Yes,ma’am!”Heslammedonthebrake.Islidforwardaninchbeforemyseatbeltduginto

myskin.Thecarslidtoastopinthecenteroftheintersection.Heather tore off her seat belt, unbuckled mine, threw open the door and

pulledmeout.“Thanksforthefun!”ThedriversalutedusandspedoffasecondafterHeatherslammedthedoor

shut. She tugged me into the side alley and behind a large dumpster. Wecroucheddownasacarspeddowntheperpendicularalley.Theredcarzoomedpastusandcontinuedtofollowourformertaxi.

Heatherjumpedtoherfeetandwipedherarmacrossherbrow.“Wow,thatwasclose.”

I stood on my shakier legs and grasped the edge of the dumpster. Mystomachwas in tumbling knots. I staggered past her and down the alley thatwe’dcome.

Heatherreachedoutforme.“Hey,wait!Whereareyougoing?”Ididn’tlookback.“Home.”“Butwhataboutfindingaguyatthebar?”sheremindedme.“Ineedtofindmystomachbackherefirst,”Iquipped.“ThenmaybeI’llcall

youtomorrowaboutbar-hopping.”Heatherstampedher footon thegroundandsloppedpuddlewaterallover

herself.“Fine!Ifyoudon’twantmyhelpthengoandfindyourownguy!”Iwavedtoherwithoutlookingback.Itwasn’tsuchabadsuggestionifFate

hadn’thadotherplans.

T

2

he bus commute took longer than I hoped, so I didn’t get to myapartment building until forty-five minutes after the harrowing taxiincident.Nightbeatmetothestoopofmyapartmentbuilding,andwithitcameitsfriendsshadowanddarkness.Thebusstopwashalfablock

awayfromwhereI lived,soIhadtowalkpastrowsofapartmentbuildings togettomine.Analleyseparatedmybuildingfromaneighboringone.

Thestreetsweredesertedas Imademywaydown thesidewalk. I reachedthealleyandpaused.HadIheardsomethingclatteringaroundinthere?Ileanedforward and squinted into the darkness. Hulking shadows of trashcans andbroken boxes stared back atme. Puddles reflected the darkness thatwas onlybroken by a few feeble attempts by the streetlights to illuminate the deepinterior.

Nothingmoved.Nothingclattered. I shruggedandkeptgoing to thestoop.MykeysrattledinmyhandasIdrewthemfrommypurse.

Ifroze.Arattlehadmimickedmyown.Ihalf-turnedandlookedatthemouthofthedarkalley.Somethingflickeredinthecornerofmysight,butdisappearedbeforeIcouldcatchafull,tellingglimpse.

Mypulsequickened.Ifumbledwithmykeychain.Thedamnkeywouldn’tcomeout.There!Itseparatedfromtheothers.Ishoveditintothelock.AquickturnandIfellinside.Islammedthedoorbehindme.Theentrancerattledandthenoiseechoedthroughthelonelylobby.

Igraspedmychestandtriedtocatchmybreath.“Easythere,Miriam.Itwasjustyourimagination...”Iwhisperedtomyself.

Still,Icouldn’tshakethefeelingofbeingwatched.Ihurriedupthestairstomyprivateabode.

Myone-bedroomapartmentwasonthethirdfloorwithalovelyviewofthefireescapeandtheneighboringbrickbuilding.Itossedmypurseontothesmalltable beside the door and plopped into my favorite-and only-recliner. Thesensationofbeingwatchedfadedwithintheconfinesofmylockedapartment.

MyachingfeetthankedmeasIleanedbackandclosedmyeyes.“Nowthisisthewaytolive...”Imurmured.“Justmeandmychair.”

I noticed a sweet smell in the apartmentwhichwas unusual.None ofmyincensecandleswerelit.Itriedtorisefrommychair,butmyarmswouldn’tpullmeforward.

Thefeelingofbeingwatchedreturned.Movementcaughtmyeye.Iglancedat thewindow to the fire escape.Three figures stood on the other side of theglass.Igasped,butthescreamstuckinmythroat.

Oneofthefigureskneltinfrontofthewindowandfidgetedwiththebottomof thesill.Thewindowpoppedupan inch.Thepersondrew it to the topandslippedinside.Theothertwofollowed.

Theoverheadlightallowedmetoseetheintruders.Twowereburlymeninragged overcoats, pants, and shirts. They were followed by a familiar face.Blake.

Theraggedpairstrodeovertome.Onegrabbedmylegsandtheotherpulledaropefromhiscoat.Togethertheybegantobindmylegs.

Icouldn’tfight.Icouldn’teven letoutmore thanagarbledwhisper.Blakemovedtostandbymyhead.Myterrifiedeyeslookedupintohissmilingface.

He leaned down and studied my face. “What a lucky break your friendintroducedmetoyoutoday.You’re just in timeto joinafewothergirlsonanexcitingjourney.”

Oneoftheburlymensnorted.“Yeah.Aregularcruiseline.”“Withallexpensespaid,”theotheronejoinedin.Blake straightened and chuckled. “Come, come, my dear fellows. It’s an

honor for this youngwoman to join in this age-old ritual.”His eyes flickeredbacktomeandthesmileslippedalittle.“Shemayevenbegoodenoughtobehisconsort.”

“Sheain’tprettyenough,”oneofhiscohortscommented.Blake closed his eyes and shook his head. “Beauty isn’t everything, my

friend,andI thinkthisonemighthavesomethingspecialabouther.Afterall-”he leaned down close tome again and reached into his shirt collar.My eyeswidenedashepulledaway the fake flesh that clung tightly tohisbrownskin.Thenostrilsofhisnosebulgedoutlikethatofapig,andhisteethwereyellowand sharp at the ends like fangs. He was a monster. “-she saw through mydisguise.”

I wanted to run. I wanted to push him away. All I could manage was ashudder.

“Stopfoolingaroundandhelpus,”oneofthemeninsisted.Blaketuckedthemaskbackintohiscollarandgrinned.“Allright,butdon’t

damagethemerchandise.”“Whataboutknockingherout?She’sgoingtostruggle,”anotherpointedout.Blake pulled a cloth from his pocket. A stench similar to rotten plants

attackedmynostrils.“I’lltakecareofthatnow.It’llprovewhethershe’soneofthemornot,too.”

Heshovedtheclothovermymouthandnose.Thehorriblesmellinvadedmysenses.Mybodystillwouldn’trespond.Itsonlyreactionweretearsthatpooledinmyeyesandsliddownmycheeks.Myfuriousthoughtsgavewaytoaloosegraspofconsciousness.Myheadbegantospinalongwiththeroom.

InamomentIwasknockedcleanout.

“L

3

etmeout!Goddamnfucks!Letmeout!”My dark world was slowly receding, and that was my introduction

backintotherealone.I forcedmyeyesopenandwaspresentedwithabarrensight.

Iwasinthebackofametaltruck.Thefloorandwallswereplatesofsteel,but theceilingwasmadeofcanvas.Therearof the truckwasalsocanvasandtiedsotightlynotasinglebitoflightcouldbeseenbehindus.Iheardthetirescrunch on gravel and the up-and-downmotion of the truck told me we weredrivingovershorthills.

Oneithersidewerelongwoodenbenches,anditwasononeofthesethatIsat, but I wasn’t alone. Beside and opposite me were four other women, allroughlyaroundmyage.Theyallhad theirhandsboundbehind theirbackandtheirankleswerecapturedinchains.Ishiftedandchainsrattledonmyownfeet.

The one who pounded against the side of the truck was a woman with ascowlingface.Tearshadranhermakeupdownherfaceandgivenheranundeadlook. She slammed her shoulder into the wall and winced, but her furiousexpressiondidn’tabate.

“Letmeout,youstupidfucks!”shescreamed.“Willyoustop that?”oneof thewomen tomy left snapped.“You’vebeen

trying that for fifteen minutes and whoever’s driving the truck hasn’t evensloweddown.Theydon’tgiveadamn.”

Mascara-facesneeredather.“Youidiotscanjustsitthere,butI’mnotgoingto give up.Maybe somebody else will hearme.’ She took a deep breath andopenedherbigmouthwide.“Heellppppp!”

The truck slowed down. Mascara-face sat up and grinned. “See? I getresults.”

Everyonequietedas the truckstopped.Adooropenedandheavybootshitthegravel.Theywalkedalongthesideofthetrucktotherearwherethecanvaswasuntied.TheclothwasshovedasideandrevealedBlakeinallhispiggyglory.Behindhimstretchedavastforestofthicktrees.Theshroudofnighthungoverthe forest.The gravel roadwound through it, and up and over the short hills.Distantlightsspokeofasmalltown,butnothinglikethecityIknew.

Hesneeredatallofus.“Whatthehell’sgoingonhere?”Mascara-facegatheredwhat fewwits shehadandglaredathim. “I-Iwant

youtoreleaseme.”Blakesnorted.Thenoiseevensoundedpiggish.“Likehellwewill.Youjust

shutup,willyou?Wecan’thearourselvesthinkupthere.”“Whatdoyouwantwithus?”thewomanbesidemequestionedhim.Blakechuckled.“You’llsee.Weshouldbethereinalittlebit,andthenyou’d

betterkeepyourmouths shut.The lordsdon’t like loudwomenunless they’rebeddingthem.”

Hedropped the canvas and tied it back.A terrible hush fell over us as hemarchedbacktothefront.Thetruckstartedforwarddownthegravelroad.

Afewsnifflesbrokethesilence.“Willyouguysshutupalready?”theiratewomansnapped.Sheglancedin

mydirection.“Whatareyoulookingat?”Ifrownedandlookedtomyright.Agirlofmaybetwentysatbesideme.Her

shouldersshookandsoftsobsescapedherlips.Ileanedmyshoulderagainsther.Shelookedupatme.“Youokay?”Thegirlshookherhead.Shewipedherfaceandswallowed.“W-whereare

theytakingus?Whydidtheytakeus?”I pursed my lips and shook my head. “I don’t know. What do you last

remember?”

“We’veallgot thesamestory,” the irateonespokeup.Sheswepthereyesoverourlittlegroupandsneeredatthem.“Everybodywasgrabbedoutoftheirhomes or off the streets by those creeps and drugged.We allwoke up in thistruck,nobodyknowswhat’sgoingon,andthatlittlebrat’sbeencryingsinceshewokeup.”

Iglaredather.“Youdon’thavetobeanasshole.We’reallgoingthroughthistogether,soweshouldsticktogether.”

“You’redreaming,”shesnappedbackasshenoddedherheadinthedirectionwe’dtraveled.“Didyouseeallthosetrees?I’mnotgoingtobedraggingabratwithme.She’llonlyslowmedown.”

“It’stheonlywaywe’regoingtobeabletogetawayfromthosepigboys,”Ishotback.

She sneered at me. “It’s everybody for themselves. Besides, I didn’t seeanybodyhelpingmemakenoise.”

“That’senough,youtwo.We’renotgettinganywherewiththisarguing,”thefifthwomanspokeup.

“Yeah,IguessIamwastingmytimehere,”theiratewomanretorted.Thesecondwomanglaredather,butturnedtome.“Someofusintroduced

ourselvesbeforeyoutwowokeup.Mindtellingusyournames?”“Miriam,”Itoldher.“Myname’sAlexandra,butyoucancallmeAlex,”she introducedherself.

She nodded at my younger charge and the other quieter woman. “That’sStephanieandCindy.”

“What’s the point of telling each other about ourselves?” the other onespokeup.

Alex rolled her eyes and jerked her head towards our less-amiablecompanion.“That’sOlivia.”

“You’rejustwastingyourtimegettingtoknoweachother.Forallweknowthey’re going to sell us to sex slavers andwe’re never going to see anybodyagain,”Oliviascoldedher.

“It’llhelp if someofusgetoutofhereand tellpolicewhowemet,”Alexargued.

Someonepoundedafistagainst thebackof thecab.“Shutupback there!”Blakecalledthroughthethinplate.

Ishiftedinmychains.Theywouldn’tbudge.Therewasathinholeinoneofmyfeetbracelets.“Anybodyknowhowtopickalock?”

“Ifoneofusdidwe’dbeoutofhere,”Oliviapointedout.Wegrewquietagain.Therewasonlythesoundofthewheelsastheyground

against thegravel.The truck swayedmore heavily from side-to-side, and in afewminutesweslowedtoastop.

Theengine shutoff, and twodoorswereopenedand slammedshut.Threesets of feetwalked along the sides of the truck, and the rear flapwas thrownaside.Blakerevealedhimselfandhistwocompatriots.Theirhumanfaces,too,weregoneandtheirsnout-nosedtrueidentitieswererevealed.

Blake stepped aside and jerked his head toward the road. “Climb out ofthere.”Wehesitatedandglancedateachother.“Climbout,orwedragyouout.”

Cindystood,andweothersfollowed.One-by-oneweshuffledoutinsinglefile.Stephaniewasaheadofme.Shehesitatedattheedgeofthebed.Itwastwofeettotheground,andourshacklesdidn’thelpwithclimbing.

Oneofthemengrabbedherarmandyankedherdown.“Comeon!Wedon’thaveallday!”

Stephanie cried out and fell onto her side onto the ground.A flash of redblindedmyvision. I screamed and lunged at the closest asshole.My shoulderconnectedwithhisfaceandwebothtoppledtothegravel.

Alex gave a war whoop and threw herself at the other henchman. CindychargedBlake.Heside-steppedherattackandsmackedheron thebackofherhead.Cindy’seyesrolledbackinherheadandshecrumpledtotheground.

“Handle these wenches or you’re fired!” he snapped at the other twopig-men.

Myvictimwrappedme in a tight bear hug and stood.Alex, likewise,wassubdued.BlakestalkedovertousandglaredfirstatAlexandthenme.

His eyes narrowed at me. “You two are almost more trouble than you’reworth.Onemorestupidmovelikethatandyou’llbethrownoutintothisworldthatyouwouldn’tlastfiveminutesin.”Heturnedtohishenchmenandtheother

coweringgirls,andswepthisarmtoward tohis right.“Get theminsidebeforethey’reallsickandwasted.”

Myeyesfollowedhisarm.Beforeusnotmorethantwentyfeetstoodalong,stone-built stable. The thatched gable roof and foggy, primitive windowsbespokearusticlifestyle.

Beyondthestablestretchedahundredacresofopengroundsurroundedbytheforest.Thegroundwaslevelexcepttheextremerightsidewhereitslopedoffintotheforestandaglen.

Alargecastleoccupiedfivefrontacresoftheground.Itstallbattlementscasttheirlongshadowsoverthesmallerstableandourcrowd.Sixtowersatthefourcornersandcenterofthelongbattlementsaccentedtherectangulardesignofthestone structure. Soft lights lit up the tall, narrowwindows that looked out ongreen fields and pastures. Cows and sheep grazed in their own fences, and alarge fenced areawas connected to thewall of the stables oppositewherewestood.

Thegravelroadpassedbythecastleanddippeddownalittleonitsjourneybackintothewoods,butapartofitbranchedofftothefrontofthecastle.Theroad traveled through an imposing stone arch with two massive doors. Theywerehewnfrommightytrees,andontheirsurfacewerecarvedfiguresIcouldn’tquitemakeoutwhat.

Iglancedovermyshoulder.Behinduswasasmallvillageofstonehutswiththatchedroofs.Thehomeswerenestledonbothsidesoftheroad,andfromtheirstonechimneyspouredforthsmoke.Flickeringlightsbehindthefoggywindowglass reflected longshadowsof theoccupants.A fewof themwere thosewhotraveledinandoutofthehighcastle.

“Getonwithya!”oneofthehenchmansnapped.Iwasshovedforwardandmade tofall in linewith theothergirls.Eachof

themensnatchedanoil lantern from thecabof the truckand litourpath.Weweremarchedintothelargedoorofthestablesandtothreeemptystallsattheendclosesttothegate.Alex,Stephanie,andIwereshovedintoonestallandtheotherthreeweretossedintotheother.

Blakestoodbetweenthestallsandsneeredatus.“Takethemanaclesoffall

the girls except those two troublemakers, and then go check to see if they’rereadyupthere.”

One of his companions frowned. “But that’llmake ‘em look lame for thepresentation.”

Blakegrinned.“Someofourbuyerslikethembound.”Thethreeofthemlaughedatthecrudejokeastheyunlockedthemanacles,

butthehandsremainedtiedbehindtheirbacks.AlexandIwerepassedover,butIwasgladwhenStephanie’sankleswerefreed.Oneofthepig-mendisappearedthroughadoorattheendofthestables.

Blake glanced from one stall to the other. “Now listen up. I won’t berepeatingthis.Youlotaretobepresentedtosomeveryinfluential-”hechuckled,“-we’llcall themmen.Someof themwillwant to takeyou.You’dbetterhopetheydo,otherwiseyou’rediscarded to the servant’squartersof this castle andleft there to fend for yourself.” He paced the floor between the straw of thestalls.“Ifyou’regoodgirlsyou’llbechosenandgivena lifeof luxuryin theirhomes.”

“ButIwanttogohome!”Stephanieinsisted.He stopped his pacing and sneered at her. “Nobody gets back through the

Portal.Nobody.”Hisslygrinslippedontohislips.“Atleastnotalive.”“Whatthehellareyoutalkingabout?Whatportal?”Alexquestionedhim.“That’sforyougirlstofindout,butafteryou’representedtotheLordsofthe

Air,”hereplied.“Butwejustwanttogohome!”oneofthewomenyelled.“Pleasetakeushome!”Stephaniepleaded.“Letusgo!”Alexdemanded.“Shutup!”Blakesnapped.Hisporksnout flared inandoutasheglaredat

eachofus.“You’restayinghere,sostopyou’rewhiningandgetusedtoit!”The door opened a sliver and the henchman slipped inside. He moved to

standbesideBlakeandglancedoverhisshoulderbeforehespokeinawhisperedvoice.“We’vegotaproblem.”

Blakenarrowedhiseyes.“Whatkindofproblem?”Asoftfemalevoicespokeup.“Thereisnoproblem.”

T

4

he door opened wider and a hooded figure stepped inside. Her silkcloakshimmeredinthedimlightofthethreelanterns.Inherhandsheheld a more elegant, silver-edged lamp. She threw off her hood andrevealed herself as a woman of about seventy. Her long silver hair

traileddownherbackinalongbraid,andherwrinklesperfectlysuitedherfirmdemeanor.Shestoodbetweenthestallsandheldherlampuptolookatus.

The woman frowned and her eyes flickered to Blake. “You have beenwarnedbeforenottotreatthegirlspoorly.”

Blake smiled and shrugged. “This was out of our control. Some of thewomentriedtoescape.”

Shenoddedatthemanaclesonmyfeet.“Removethose.”He frownedandshookhishead.“I refuse. If thesegirls escape it’ll bemy

walletthat’sontheline,notyours.Ifyouhaveaproblemwithitthentakeitupwithyourmaster,butI’llhearnomoreofit.”

Theoldwomanpursedherlips,butturnedherattentiontous.“Youmustallbe very frightened and confused. I tell you there is no need. You have beenchosen to be trained asMaidens to the dragon lords, the rulers of this realm.Theywillchooseoneofyoutobetheirconfidante.”

Oliviasnorted.“You’rejoking,right?”Theoldwoman’ssteadygazefellonher.Sheshrankbeneaththoseoldeyes,

andthewomancontinued.“OneofyouwillhavethehonorofbeingMaidento

theGrandDragonLordhimself.Ifthedragonlordwhochoosesyoufindsyouaworthymateyouwillbemadehiswifeandneverwantforanythingtilltheendofyourdays.”

“ButIjustwanttogohome,”Stephanieinsisted.Blaketookasteptowardherandcurledhislipsback.“Itoldyouyoucan’t

go back, now-” Thewoman raised her hand.He snapped hismouth shut andsullenlyretreatedtothebackground.

Thewomanknelt in frontofStephanie.“Onceyouhavecrossed into theserealmsandbeenMarkedyoucannevergoback.Thatisnotarule,butalawofnature.Togobacktoyourworldmeansdeathtoyou.”

Stephanie burst into tears. Alex wiggled up beside her and smiled. “It’llbeokay.”

Thewomanstoodandlookedoverus.“Youshallbechosenthisnight.Maythegodsgrantyou thefutureyouwish.”Shebowed tousandstrodefromthestables.

Blakesteppedforwardandswepthisarmoverus.“Getthemup!”We were yanked to our feet and positioned in two columns shoulder-to-

shoulderwithoneofourfellowcaptives.IhadStephaniebesideme.Shehungherheadandsniffled.

Inudgedhershoulderwithmineandsmiledwhenshelookedupatme.“It’llbeallright.We’llthinkof-”

“March!”Blakebarked.They led us out the wide door at the end and into a small courtyard that

separatedthestablesfromasidedoorinthecastle.Thefrontgatestoodtoourfarright,andpeopleandcarriagesloiteredwithinthewallsinalargercourtyard.ThepeopleworesimpleleatherandclothclothesliketheywerefromtheMiddleAges.Men inarmorwith lances in theirhandsguardedeithersideof thegate.Their helmetswere tippedwith leather-lookingwings.On some of their chestplateswasasideviewofagreenwingsuperimposedoverabluecircle.Othershadsinglebandsofcolorsofgold,brown,black,andwhite.

Oneofthehenchmenshovedmeforward.“Stopgawkingandgetmoving.”We were marched through the tight door and into a narrow passage. The

floorandwallsweremadeofstonesmoothedover theagesbyfoot trafficandshoulderbrushing.OurshouldersbumpedintoeachotherasBlakeledthewaydown the hall and past several open doorways. I caught a glimpse of morehallwaysanda largekitchenwithabillowingwoodstove.Adozenwomen inwhite aprons scurried to and frobakingand stirring.Their chatter soothedmyears.Itwasaglimpseofthefamiliarinanunfamiliarplace.

We reached the endof the hall.Awinding staircase of stone led around acolumn to the higher levels of the castle.Wemarched up the long steps.Mychainsrattledagainst thehardstone.Istumbledandknockedmyshoulder intothewalltomyright.

Thehenchmanbehindmegrabbedmybruisedshoulderandshovedmebackontomyfeet.“Getonnow!Geton!”

The longwalk led us past one archway and to the third floor of the hugecastle.We stepped off onto a wide passage. Burning torches hung from theircagesalongthewallsandlitthedarkspaces.Wide,thickwooddoorsstoodoneither side of the hall. A sound of laughing and stringed instruments echoeddownthehallfromapairofopendoors.

ItwastothemthatBlakeledus.Heenteredafeastinghalltoloudcheersandapplause. The sound came from dozens of men who sat on wood benchesarrangedinthreelongrows.Womenadornedinwhiteapronsservedthemwithdrinkandfood.Theyworeroughcloaksandfurs,andmanysportedbeards.

Thenoisebecamedeafeningwhenweweremarchedinbehindhim.Manyofthemstoodandraisedtheirlargemugstous.

Othersraisedatoasttothefivemenatthefrontoftheroomtoourleft.Theywere seated behind a long table set up on awooden podium above the stonefloor.Theirchairshadhighbacksuponwhichweredrapedfivedifferentcolorsofcloth.Theyrangedinagefromtwentytosixty,andtheirsilkclotheswerethesame color as the cloths on their chairs. The oldest sported white hair, andanotheroneworehishairlongandoverhisshoulders.Athinmanoffortywithadarkcomplexionleeredatus.

Themanwho sat in the center of the was about thirty with short, spikeddirty-blondhairandgreeneyes.Hesatatattentionwithonehandoverhislips.

His eyes studied each of us with a firm, steady gaze that didn’t betray hisemotions.Behindhimwasdrapedaclothofblueandgreen.Itwastheonlyonewithmorethanonecolor.

We were arranged single-file before the five men and faced them. Blakescurriedovertothetableandbowedlowbeforethemen.“MyLords,Ipresenttoyoumymost recent offering, and the likes ofwhich have not been seen in athousandyears.”

“That’sforustodecide,”oneofthemen,thelong-hairedburlymanwithabrownbeard,countered.Hisclothcolorwasadullbrown.

Blake smiled and nodded. “Indeed,My Lords, and decide you shall.” Hestepped to the side and swept his arm over our little group. “All of them arestrong, healthy females willing and able to please you in all the ways of theworld.”Agreatlaugharosefromtheheathensbehindus.

One of the men leaned over the table and studied us. “They look a littleskinnythisyear.Isthatworldnotfeedingtheirwomen?”

Blakebowedtohim.“Ichosethosewhowouldmostpleaseyou,MyLord.”“Are they trulyMaidens?”oneof themen, a young lad ofmaybe twenty-

one,wondered.Hiswideeyesbespokehisyouthastrueashiswrinkle-freefaceandgolden,

curlylocks.Behindhimhungagoldencloth.HisattentionwasalmostsolelyonStephanie,who,thoughtheyoungestofus,wasoneoftheprettiest.

Blakechuckled.“Istakemyreputationonknowingthembytheirsmell,MyLord.Theyareeachcapableofbecominga-”

“Whyaretwoofthemstillbound?”Thespeakerwasthemaninthecenter.HenoddedatAlexandme.“Whyhavetheynotbeenfreedoftheirchains?”

Blake turned to where the lord nodded and sneered at us. “The restraintswerenecessary,MyLord.Theyareanunrulypair,perhapstoohigh-spiritedtomakemuchuseofbesidesashorsetamers.”Themenbehindusguffawed.

The brown-bearded one glanced at the center lord. “Well, Grand DragonLord,willyounotbeginthissowemayhaveourfunwiththem?”

Themanaddressedasdragonlorddroppedhishandandsatatattention.Athinmanof fifty scurried from thesidelinesof thepodium tostandbefore the

men.Heworeabluegown-likesuitwithgreenhems.Hisattirebrushedthefloorandhislong,bell-likesleevesconstantlybangedagainsthisthinbody.

Hebowedhishead to the leaderof the five. “Allowme to assist you,MyLord,inchoosingyourMaiden.”

Thedragonlordnodded.“Asyouwish,Renner.”Theoldmanturnedtousandfurrowedhisbrow.Hewalkedthewholeline

scrutinizinguswithhiseyesandwrinkledhands.Themanliftedourarmsandpulledonourhair.

“Ouch!”Iyelpedwhenhetouchedmybruisedshoulder.Hefrownedatme.“Thisoneappearsratherweak,MyLord.”“Getmeoutof thesechainsandI’ll showyouweak,” I snapped.Themen

behindmelaugheduproariously.Renner’sbushyeyebrowscrasheddownandheshookhishead.“Averybad

choice.Much too high-spirited.”Hemoved on to Stephaniewho stood tomyright.Asmileslippedontohisdrylips.Hespunaroundandsteppedtothesidesohecouldgesturetoherbeforehislord.“IbelievethisonewillbeasuitableMaiden,MyLord.Sheisbothbeautiful,anddelicate.”

Thedragonlordraisedaneyebrow.“Shealsoquiverslikealeafinastorm.”“Ah, but the beauty of this one cannot be compared!” Renner grasped

Stephanie’schinandraisedherheadsoshelookedatthelord.Herbodyshookmoreviolently.“Andshewillgrowintoself-confidence,MyLord,”headded.

Myheartpounded.Itwasn’thardtojudgetheyoungestofthelords.Hissofteyeswerecapturedbyherbeauty.Heonlyneededhisturntochooseher.

Thelordpursedhislips,butnoddedhishead.“Verywell.Takeherto-”“Wait!” I spokeup.All eyes turned tome. I stumbled forward.Mychains

rattledharshlyagainstthestonefloor.“Can’tyouseehowscaredsheis?IfyouwantsomeonethenI’llgoinherplace!”

Theadviserderisivelysnorted.“Whatastupididea.TheLordhasalready-”“Amoment,Renner,”thedragonlordspokeup.Hestoodandwalkedaround

thetabletostandinfrontofme.Imethisredeyeswithoutblinking.“Youwouldtakeherplace?Forwhatdesign?”

Myeyesinvoluntarilyflickeredtotheyoungestofthelords.Thedragonlord

didn’t follow my gaze, but he smiled. “Very well then, I choose you as myMaiden.”

“B-butmy lord!” the adviser blustered. He scurried forward andwaved ahandatme.“Sheisnottheprettiest,andcertainlytheleastcontrolled!”

The dragon lord half-turned to him. “Then she will suit me.” His eyesflickeredtoBlake.“UnchainmyMaiden.”

Blakenoddedhisheadlikeabobble-dollandstumbledforward.“Ofcourse,MyLord.”Hefumbledforthekeysinhispocketashekneltinfrontofme.Inathricethechainswereoff.

TheLordturnedtohisadviser.“Havehertakentohernewquarters.”Renner’sshriveledshouldersslumped.Hesighedandbowedhishead.“As

youwish,MyLord.”He clappedhis hands.A pair of guards against thewallhurriedforward.Henoddedatme.“Takeheraway.”

T

5

hetwoguardsflankedmeastheymarchedmefromtheroom.IglancedovermyshoulderandcaughtaglimpseofAlexandStephaniebeforetheydisappearedbehindthewall.My‘escorts’returnedmetothestairsandwewalkeduptothenextfloor.Thehallwasalittlenarrowerand

thedoorssmallerandmorenumerous.Theyledmetotheendofthehalladoorshortofthelastroom.

I glanced ahead and to the right, and saw the passage turned right andfollowedthefrontofthecastle.Therewerenodoors,onlythenarrowwindowsthatlookedoutontheroad.

Oneoftheguardsopenedthedoor,andtheothermarchedmeinside.Itwasaspacious bedroom with a fire place against the far wall. The four-post bedoccupied the sparewall to the right of the chimney. Plush sheets and pillowscoveredthebed.Adresserstoodonthewalltomyleft,andontheoppositewallwasasmalldoor.

Onthewalltotheleftofthefireplace,betweenthebedandhearth,andtotheright of the bed were three wide windowswith swinging panes. They swunginwardasawholepane,andtwoofthemwereopenthentoallowthesoundsofcricketstodriftintotheroom.

Afigurestoodatthefootofthebedwiththeirbackturnedtous.Whenweenteredthepersonturnedaround,andIrecognizedthefaceoftheelderlywomanfromthestables.

Hereyeswidened.Sheglancedatthemenandgesturedtome.“IsthistobeHisLordship’sMaiden?”

Oneoftheguardsbowed.“Yes,MaidDarda.”Shelookedbacktomeandpursedherlips.“Verywell.Untieherhandsand

positionyourselvesoutsidethedooruntilOurLordcomes.”The guards bowed and left, shutting the heavy door behind them. The

womancircledmeandstudiedme.“Takeapicture.It’lllastlonger,”Iquipped.Shestopped in frontofmeandasmilecurledontoher lips.“Thereareno

camerashere,northeelectricitytousesuchdevices.”Ifrowned.“Soisthisplaceinthepast?”“Itis,butnotinthewayyoubelieve.”Shegesturedtotheroom.“The time

in this realm is in sync with that of your world, but the technology hasn’tadvancednearasfar.”

Iarchedaneyebrow.“Sowhatyou’retryingtotellmeisI’minadifferentdimension?”

Shenodded.“Yes.”Iwanderedpasther tooneof thewindows.It lookedoutonthelargefield

andtheslopethatglideddownwardtoafar-offopeninginthetrees.“Sohow’dmeandtheothergirlsgethere?”

“Youwoulddowelltoforgetthatlifeandthinkofyournewonehere,”shescoldedme.

Iturnedaroundandglaredather.“Andwhat’sthatsupposedtomean?”“Youhavebeenchosenforaveryhonorableposition,andevenifhedoesnot

choose you as a mate you will be given a job for life as a servant in thehousehold,”shetoldme.

“Isthatsupposedtobeagoodthing?”Ishotback.Sheraisedaneyebrow.“Itverywellis,butIseethatyouarefatiguedfrom

yourlongjourney.Perhapsyoushouldliedownforaspellandrestyourself.”“I’m not going to ‘lie down for a spell’ or do anything that’ll make me

comfortable,”Iargued.“Thisplaceisn’tmyhome,andneverwillbe.”The corners of her lips twitched upward. “Your thoughts are easy to read.

I’mafraidescapeispossiblefromtheCastle,butnotfromthewoods.Youwouldnotget farwithoutbettermeansof travel thanyour feet.Thecommunicationswithin the castle are closely guarded, so do not look to the other servants forhelp.Asforoutsiders,thenearesthumanhabitationapartfromthesmallvillagearoundthecastleisoverfifteenmilesofroughroad.”

Iturnedawayandgraspedthewindowsill.Ididn’twanttorevealanysortofescapeplanIcoulddevise,ifmymindcoulddeviseoneforme.Atthemomentitwasalittletired,andhersuggestionofrestwasalittletootempting.

Iheardthewomanwalkacrossthefloorandstopbehindme.Hershrunkenhandsettledonmyshoulder.“Forgivemeforthis.”

I frowned and turned toward her. “Forgive you for-ah!” A sharp burningsensationstruckmyshoulderbeneathherpalm.

I jerkedmy shoulder away from her and stumbled back. She lowered herhand to her side and watched me with sorrowful eyes. “The pain will soonsubside.”

Ipulleddownmyshirtandsawasmall,blackscorchmarkinmyflesh.Themarkwasintheshapeofthecrestontheguards’armor.Iwhippedmyheaduptoher.“Areyouinsane?Whatdidyoudotome?”

“MerelytheMarking.AllMaidensmustbemarked,”sheexplained.“You brandedme?” I accused her. Even as I spoke the burning sensation

simmeredtoadullache.“TheMarkingistoprotectyoufromother,lessscrupulouslords,thoughthe

truebondingwilltakeafewhourstocomplete,”shetoldme.Shewalkedtothedoor,openedit,andturnedtofaceme.“Ifyouhavenootherquestions, thenIwillbidyougoodevening.TomorrowIwillensurefoodisbroughttoyouattheappropriatetimesasyouadjusttoyourneweatingschedule.”

Iglaredather.“Howdoyouexpectmetoeatwhenyou’rebrandingmeallthetime?”

Shepursedherlips.“TheMarkingisonlydoneonce.Asforthemeals,thedragon lords are regularly daytime creatures, but during the Marking theirschedulewillberathererratic.Intimeyouwilllearntheirpeculiarities.”

“Notlikely...”Imuttered.

“Pardon?”“Ididn’tsayanything,”Itoldher.Shebowedherheadtome.“ThenIwillbidyougoodnight.Sleepwell.”ThewomanclosedthedoorandIheardaclickofalock.Iturnedtofacethe

windowandgraspedthestonesillonceagain.Ipulledmysleevedowntohidethemarkandrubbedmybruisedshoulder.

Thesepeopleweremad.Therewasnootherexplanationfortheirbehavior.Theybelieved they were in some fantasy land of lords and ladies with damsels indistress.

Ihadtogetoutofhere.Ihadtowarntheauthoritiesandhelpfreetheothers.Iinspectedtheroomforsourcesofescape.Therewasthedoor,butIdidn’t

knowwherethatled.Thatmeantthewindowswerethebestoption.Ileanedouttheopenwindowbesideme.ThedropwassixtyfeettothepackedgroundToofar to jump, but not too far to climb down. The numerous sheets on the bedwouldbemyrope.

Iwenttoworkpullingandtying.InahalfhourIhadmyrope.Ilookedoutthewindow.Nothingstirredbutacoolnightbreeze.Therewere

nosentriespacingthecastlegrounds.Theforestlayahundredyardsoffacrosstheexpansivefieldsofanimalsandoneofwheat.Iwouldslipintothetreesanddouble back to follow the road past the village and to civilization, and sanity.These people were obviously mentally ill. Dragon lords and the Maidens?Medieval bullshit. The authorities would come and lock them in an insaneasylum.

First,though,theescape.Therewereotherwindowsbelowme,andsomeofthe rooms were lit, showing occupation. I slowly lowered my rope out thewindow and down the castle wall. The rope slid between the two shutters ofglass where the borders met, obscuring it from view. The problem would bewhenmymuch-widerbodysliddown.

I secured the rope to the bedstead andpaused.Distant soundswere heard,jovialones.Theinmateswerecelebratingtheir tormentofsixwomen.Ihad tohurrylestthisdragonlordshowmeofftohisdrunkenfriends.

Islippedoverthewindowframeanddowntherope.Ididn’tdarebreath.The

groundcamecloser,but sodid theotherwindows. I stoppedaboveoneof theilluminatedones.Thegroundlaytwentyfeetbelowme.Socloseandyetsofar.Iheardvoicesfromthelitroom.

“MyLord,youmustseetoyourguests,”IheardRenner’svoiceinsist.“Ihaveonlybeenawayashortwhile,Renner,andwillreturninamoment.

I’msure theyunderstand that thedanger in theborderlands ismorepressing,”thedragonlordreplied.

“Hassomethingnewbeenheard?”Renneraskedhim.“Yes.The scouts have brought news ofmore raids by these new clans.” I

heardthefaintshufflingofpapersfollowedbythesoundofwoodenchair legsslidingagainstrockfloor.Inamomentashadowappearedatthewindow.Iheldcompletelystillandprayedtheropewoulddothesame.Whennexthespokehisvoicewashardlyaboveawhisper.“Fivevillageswerelostduringthislastraid.”

“Andstillweknownothingaboutthesedragons?”Rennerwondered.“Theyarebarbariansfromthenorthdrivendownbyunknownforces.Thatis

allthescoutscouldsurmise,”hetoldhisservant.Hisshadowmovedawayfromthewindow.

“Letthesemattersrestforawhile,MyLord,andenjoyyourself.Youhavebeentensefartoolong,”Renneradvised.

Adeepsighcamefromhismaster.“PerhapsIhave.Iwilljointheothersandseetheirchoices.IbelievetheyoungCaydenhadhiseyessetonyourfavorite.”

“Merely an oversight onmy part,MyLord.A lapse of bad judgment thatshan’thappenagain,”Rennerassuredhim.

InafewmomentsthecandlelightwasextinguishedandIheardadoorshut.Nowwasmychance.Isliddowntheremainingdistance.Myfeettouchedsolidground and I hunkered down. The grounds remained deserted. They allcelebrated their triumph of us and talked their insane talk about rival dragonclans.

I

6

hurriedstraightacross thegrounds ina lineperpendicularwith thecastleandrushedintothewoods.ItwasatthatmomentthatIheardshoutsfromthecastlebehindmetellingmetheymusthavefoundmyemptyroomandthe bedsheets. I rushed down the hill, but chanced a glance over my

shoulder.Adozenmenpouredfromthegatewithtorchesintheirhands.Oneofthemshoutedordersandtheyspreadoutacrosstheopengroundsandroad.

Iwantedtoseenomore,andrusheddownthehillside.Thepathwasrockyandmuddyfromtherecentrain,andmanytimesmyfeetthreatenedtoslipfrombeneathme.Belowmethetowntwinkledwithfestivelights,nodoubtfromtheMaidenchoosing.Thewholeplacewasmadness.

Thewoodsweren’t as friendly close up as theywere from afar.The thicklimbsof theancient treesblockedout themoon,and therewerenopaths.Thebrush made my penetrating the forest difficult. Their brambles clawed andscratchedatmyclothes,tearingandfilthyingthem.

Iperseveredand thirty feet into thewoodsIwasrewardedwithadirtpathmadebywildanimals.Itarcedaroundtheperimeterofthecastleandfollowedthe road. I followed the path and kept a close eye on the castle,watching forsignsofthesearchteamapproaching.

Theanimalpathveeredfromtheroad,but thatwasgood.Adozenmenonhorsesgallopeddowntheroad.BythelightoftheirtorchesIsawtheyborethecrestI’dseenonthechestsofthegateguards.

I let thepath leadme away from themanddown to the small glen amileaway from the road. The glen was a sunken meadow through which ran abubbling creek. Thewaters fell from a small, steep hill tomy left and into acircularpoolofwater.Abovemewastheclearnightsky,andaroundmewasaquietserenity.

I collapsed against one of the larger boulders that bordered thewater.Myfeetweregladforarest.Ileanedmybackagainstthehardstoneandsighed.Mybodyachedwith tensionand theexercise.Myheartdrummed toaquickbeat.My drowsiness was surpassed only by my hunger, and I regretted not takingprovisions. However, the soft gurgle of the stream calmed my thoughtssomewhat,andIclosedmyeyes.Iwouldtakeashortnap.MaybethesunwouldbeupsoonandIcouldescapethroughthebrush.

“Whatdoyoumeanbythistransgression?”Ijumpedtomyfeetandspunaround.Acrossthepondstoodthedragonlord,

theonetowhomIwassupposedtobelong.Mostofhisformwasconcealedinpartial shadows,buthiseyesglowedwithanunnaturalgreen light.Theywerealsonarrowed,andathishipwasasheathandsword.Oneofhishandslayatopthehiltofthesword.

I snorted. “You’re the onewho’s transgressed. Several kidnapping laws, ifI’mnotmistaken.”

“You cannot escape me. Return with me to the castle at once,” heorderedme.

Ilookedaroundforaweaponofmyown,andsnatchedasmoothriverstonefromtheground.Ihelditupinathrowingposition.“Getaway!Iknowhowtousethis!”Ishotback.

Iwassurprisedwhenhiseyeswidened.Hisgriponhisswordhilttightened.“Letdownthestone.Youdon’tknowwhattroubleitcancausehere.”

Iscoffedathim.“LikeI’mdoingthat.”Hiseyesnarrowedagainandhesteppedfullyintothelightofthenightsky.

Itwasmy turn for shockas the light revealedapairof large, red,dragon-likewings at his back. Therewas the unmistakable canvas-like skinwith the thinbones towhich theywereattached.Theywere foldedbehindhim,but I could

stillseethattheirwingspanmusthavebeenenormous.Thedragonlordunsheathedhisweaponandmadeadashtowardthepool.I

sawhemeanttoattackme,soIstruckfirst.Ilaunchedtherockathim,butmyaimwas-well,asreliableasever.Thestonefellshortand to thesideso that itploppedintothepondnearthebaseofthewaterfall.

A gurgling arose from where the stone had dropped in, but it wasn’t airescaping.Thebubblescontinuedtoriseandflowedovertherestofthepoolinalargewave.Thedragonlordskiddedtoastopafewfeetshortofthebankandstumbled back. The ground shook in unison with the bubbles. I stumbledbackward.MyheeltrippedonarockandIfellontomyrear.

Acolumnofwaterburstfromthepondandrose twentyfeet into theair. Ittwisted intoagiant spindle shape that spun faster and faster.Thewidthof thecolumn shrunkwith each turn, but thewidth didn’t stay consistent. Rather, ittooktheformofahuman.

The excess water drained into the pool, and in a moment what waterremained of the tornado burst outward, showering the Lord and me with itswetness.Icoveredmyfacewithmyarmtoshieldmyeyesfromthedamp,andwhenIlookedatthepoolagainmyjawdroppedopen.

There,floatingfivefeetabovethesurface,wasabeautifulwoman.Sheworealongbluedress thatflowedaroundher like thewavesof theocean.Herskinglistenedlikewhitealabasterandwaswithoutblemish.Herlong,thickhairlayacrosshershouldersandstreameddownherback,andwasthedarkcoloroftheshallows.Thewoman’seyeswerethecoloroftheclearestwaters,andtheywerefocusedonme.

Whenshespokehervoiceheldanecholikethoseinseashorecaverns.“Whyhaveyoutransgressedme?”

Thedragonlordsteppedforwardandkneltononeknee.Helayhisswordinfrontofhimandbowedhishead.“Shemeantnoharm,MyLady.Sheisignorantofthisworld.”

Thewomanhalf-turnedtohim,buthereyesremainedonme.“ThensheisaMaiden.”Itwasastatementratherthanaquestion.

Thedragonlordnodded.“Yes,chosenonlythiseveningbyme.”

Aghostofa smilecrossedher lips. “Isee.Shemustbeverybold tohaveescapedtheCastlesoquickly.”

The lord’seyes flickeredup tomeandhepursedhis lips.“Yes,verybold,butIwillpunishherinafittingmanner.”

Anger makes one forget their predicament, andmine was no exception. Ijumped tomy feet and glared at him. “Like hell you are! I’mnot going backthere, and you’re going to let those other-” My not-so-eloquent speech wasinterruptedbythetwinklingoflaughter.

The woman between us tilted her head back and smiled at me. “Mymy,Dragon Lord, but you have chosen a wild one. She has escaped your castle,eludedyourmen,violatedmywaters,andnowberatesyoubeforeme,allinonenight.”

Thelordbowedhishead.“Iamsorry,MyLady.Iswearitwillneverhappenagain.”

She arched an eyebrow. “It won’t? What a pity, for it amuses me.” Shefloateddowntomyedgeofthepondandbroughtmebacktothetroubleathand.I shrank away from her, but her eyes caught mine. Her magnetism wasoverwhelming.Icouldn’tretreat.Shestrodeuptome.Ishooklikealeafbeneathher awesomebeauty. “Don’t be afraid, littleMaiden, for Iwish to give you agift.”Shecuppedmycheekinherpalmandsmiledatme.Hertouchwascoldandwarm, like thedeepandshallowwatersof thepoolbeforeme.“Mayyourbody grow with your love, and let it accept your master in all his forms asyourform.”

Asshespokeherhandglowedwithabrilliantblue light.The light soakedintomyskinandslippedthroughmybody,leavingmewithawarmthlikethatofablanketonacoolwinter’sday.Themainfocusoftheheatlayonthebrandingonmyshoulder,andIsworeitsoakedintothedepthsofmyskinatthatspot.

Thewoman releasedme.My shaky legs collapsed so that I sunk ontomyknees.Shesteppedbackontothepondsoherbarefeetjusttouchedthesurfaceofthewater.Smallrippleswereheronlytrailasshefloatedawayfromme.

Shestoppedatthecenterofthepond,andherbeautifulsmileradiatedfromherface.“Goodluck,littleMaiden.Sleepwell,mydarling.”

Acocoonofwaterslippedupwardfromthesurfaceofthepond.Itenvelopedthewoman in its wet embrace and retreated back into thewater. Thewomanvanishedwiththecocoon,andthesightthatremainedwastheastonishedlookofthedragonlord.

I didn’t get to savor his astonishment as a wave of disbelief and fatiguesweptoverme.Thatwasnomirageofaninsaneperson.

TheworldspunaroundmeasIclutchedmyheadandswayedfromside-to-side.The last Iknewwasof thedragon lordglidingover thepond towardmeandcatchingmeinhisstrongarms.

I

7

knewnothingelseuntilIawokesometimelaterbeneaththecoversofmybed inmynewchambers.Sunlight shone through the shutwindows andsweptovertheglisteningfloorsothatitshonebackonmyeyes.Iblinkedagainst theharsh lightandsatup.Allwasquietandcalmexcept formy

buzzingbrain.Thewomanfromthenightbefore.Shehadbeenreal.Therewasnowaya

bunchofmedievalmaniacscouldconjureupsomethingthatenchanting.Unlessmadnesswascatching.

Ihadtogetoutofhere.Iflungasidethecoversandswungmylegsoverthesideofthebed.That’s

whenIrealizedIwasnotinmyclothes,butinaflowingwhitedress.Itwasofasimpledesignwithamedium-lengthv-neckcollarandnotrimmingsonthecuffsorhem.Thesleeveswere longandhung likebellsbeneathmywrists, and thehemofthedressreachedtomyankles.Ipattedmyself,notbelievingwhatIwaswearingandwonderingwhohadchangedme.

Those questions would have to wait. I needed to makemy escape beforesomeone noticed I was awake. I hurried across the cold cobble floors to thenearest window and gave a tug on the pane. Nothing. It wouldn’tmove. Thewindow was shut tight and locked. I frowned and pounded a fist against thewoodpane.Myrewardwasathrobbingfist.Thewoodwasasthickasitlooked,andtwiceasstrong.

That left thetwodoors.Thesideoneobviously led toanother roomwhichwasn’twhatIwanted,soIwentforthefrontdoor.Mybarefeetpatteredonthestones and I wished dearly for my good, solid, warm shoes. I stopped at theentranceandpressedmyearagainstthewood.Faroffwerethesoundsofchatterandechoingfootsteps.Nothingsoundedclose,soIdaredopenthedoor.It,too,wouldn’tbudge.Iwaslockedin.

Theonlyoptionlefttomewastoscream,butfirstIgrabbedasheetfromthebed.Then,positionedbythedoor,Ishriekedlikeabanshee.

“Issomebodythere?Somebodypleasehelpme!”IshoutedasloudasIcouldmanage.Ipoundedmyfistagainstthedoorforaddedeffect.“Help!Somebodyhelp!There’sa-um,abadgerinhere!”Greatone,heroine.

Somebody heardmy shouts of dangerous badgers because there came thesoundofheavy footsteps in thehallway. In a thrice thekeywasplaced in thelockandthedoorswungopen.Ijumpedforwardwiththesheetandcoveredtheleadperson,whoturnedouttobetheoldwoman.Behindherwasamaleservantof the same age along with one of the guards. I was outnumbered, but notoutmatched.

“Whatisthis?Stopthisatonce!”thewomanyelped.She flailed her arms to try to free herself and themen jumped forward to

saveherandgrabme.Ipushedthefranticwomanintothemandtheyall threefellbackinatangledmassofsheetandlimbs.Isteppedoverthem,orrather,ontopofthem,onmyhastyescapefromtheroom.

Iskiddedtoastopinthehall.Shoutscamefrommybedroomanddownthepassage.More heavy feet approached, andwhat sounded like armor clatteringagainstmoremetal.

Iwhippedmy head left and right. Tomy left was the last door along thepassage,andthecornerthatfollowedthefrontofthecastle.Ichosethedoorandrushedtoit.Itwasunlocked.Idovehead-firstintotheroomandshutthedoorbehindme.Thefootstepshadn’tarrivedbeforeIenteredtheroom,norhadtheservantsandguardmanagedtofreethemselvesfromtheblanket.Iwassafeuntiltheysearchedtherooms,butperhapsthatwouldgivemetimetoescapefromthecurrentroom.

InallmyfranticrushingandplottingI’dforgottenthatthesidedoortomyroom opened to this one. I was abruptly remindedwhen I turned around andfoundmyselfstaringatthesleepingdragonlord.Helayonabedmuchlikeminebetweentwolarge,tallwindows.Theyhadshutterstoblockoutthesunlight,buttherewasenoughlightstreamingbetweentheboardstoallowmerecognitionofhis face. Iclappedmyhandsovermymouth tokeep fromscreaming in frightandfrustration.Double-whammiesthatwouldleadtofailure.

Outside thedoor thecastleservantscamealivewith theirownfrustrations.Theoldwomansternlyyelledherorders toothers, and footsteps rang throughthe halls. The sounds of their footsteps came up tomy part of the hall and Istumbledawayfromtheentrance.Therecamethefamiliar jigglingofahandleastheytriedthelockeddooroppositetheoneinwhichIstood.

“Shouldwecheckthelord’sroom?”aman’svoicewondered.“Itmustbedone,butquietly,”theoldwomanreplied.Myeyeswidened,andIwhippedmyheadtoandfroforsomeplacetohide.

There was a gap beneath the bed that was large enough to fit an ox. I dovebeneaththedanglingcoversandjustslidinmylastfootwhenIheardthedooropen. Through the sheets I saw a beam of light slip into the room. Lightfootsteps stepped inside and the door was partially closed. The bed groanedoverheadasitsoccupantdidthesame.

“What’sthemeaningofthis?”cametheLord’svoice.“I’msorrytodisturbyou,MyLord,butthegirlhasonceagainescaped,”the

oldwomanexplained.“Howandwhen?”cametheobviousquestions.“Only amoment ago, and she-well, she threw a blanket overmy husband

andme,”sheadmitted.Thebedgroanedwithmovement.Therewasmerriment inhis tone.“Isee.

Thereisnofurthercauseforconcern.Sheisfoundandthatisallthatneedsbedoneonyourpart.”

“I’msorryyourassistancewasneeded,mylord,”thewomanapologized.“There isnoneed.Youmay leaveus.”Myheartstopped.Us.Thedreaded

plural.

“Verywell.”Thefootstepsoftheothervisitorslefttheroomandrecededintothedistance.

Darkness returned to the chamber. I lay perfectly still, not evening daring tobreathe. The bed groaned again as a great weight slid from its mattress andstood.Isawtheshadowofthelordstridearoundthebedtothefoot.

“Comeoutwhere you are hiding beneath the bed,” the lord orderedme. Icringed,but remainedwhere I lay. “Iknowwhereyouare.Themark on yourshoulder is more than a sign of your being my possession. It is also anenchantment thatallowsme toknowyour location.Also,youare inneedofabathafteryourhikelastnight.”

AtthementionofbeingapossessionIscowledandcrawledtothefootofthebed.Istuckmyheadouttogivehimthefullbenefitofmyglare.“Iamnot,norwillIeverbe,your-”Mybreathcaughtinmythroat.

Thelordstoodnakedbeforeme.Hisbodywasrippedwithpliablemuscle,nottoohardandnottoosoft.Justrightforasoftporridgeofsex.Therewasalsothematterofhismemberwhichdangleddown,butIguessedwouldbeofsomelengthandthicknesswhenaroused.Somehowthewingsweremissing.

Iletoutan‘eep’andslippedbackbeneaththebed.“P-putsomeclotheson!”Idemanded.

“IdonotanswertothewhimsofmyMaiden,nowcomeoutfromthereorIwilldragyououtmyself,”heorderedme.

“Ifyou’renotgettingdressedthenI’mnotcomingout!”Iinsisted.“Verywell.”Hisshadowslidtothegroundandhepeekedhisheadbeneath

thesheets.Ibattedathimwithmyhands,buthegrabbedoneofmywristsandpulled

mefrommyhidingplace.Hepressedmybodyagainsthis,butIturnedmyheadawayfromhisnakedness.“Letgo!Letmego!”

“Iwillnotletyougountilyouunderstandyoursituation,”heinsisted.I snorted andwhippedmy head around to glare into his handsome, albeit

evil,face.“YouorderedabunchofthugstokidnapmefrommyapartmentandbringmetothisfantasticalworldwhereIwouldserveyouuntiltheendofmydays.WhatexactlyamImissing?”

“That you are nowa part of thisworld, andnothing youwish can changethat,”hetoldme.

“Wannatryme?”Isnappedback.Hepursedhislipsandthoseredeyesofhisfeltasthoughtheylookedinto

mysoul.“Youdon’tunderstand.TheLadyofthePondgrantedyouagift,andtoleavewiththegiftwouldbetoputyourlifeindanger.”

Ifrozeandfeltthecolordrainfrommyface.“Shedidwhattome?”“TheLadyhasgrantedyouauniqueconnection tome,and ifmyenemies

weretofindoutoursecretyouwouldbeusedagainstme,”herephrased.MyeyebrowscrasheddownandItriedtowrenchmyselffromhisgrip,but

hewastoostrong.“Whatkindofa‘favor’isthat?IdieifIgohome,andstayingheremeansI’msomebody’spawn?Yeah,greatfavorthere.”

He pursed his lips. “The Lady’s favor is a great blessing, and is rarelygiven.”

Isnorted.Thatwasgettingtobeahabit.“Whatwouldbeagreatblessingistowakeupfromthishorriblenightmare.EvenknowingIhadtogobacktoworkwouldbebetter than this junkabout lordsand ladies,andcursesandblessingswithnobenefitandplentyofpunishment.”

Hisfacesoftenedashestudiedmine.“Idonotknowtheprecisebenefit,butIknowIdonotwishforyoutodie.”

Ipausedinmytiradeandraisedaneyebrow.“Why?”Hismannerwasquietandcalm,asthoughhespoketoawildcreature.Imust

admitIwasreadytoboltoutthewindow,evenifthedropwasagoodsixtyfeet.“Whileyouaremyservant,youarealsomyresponsibilityand,iffateordainsit,mybride.Iwouldneverwishharmtocometoyou.”

I pulled as far away from him as he would allow and scrutinized hishandsomefeatures.“Idon’tbelieveyou.”

He raised an eyebrow, and I was surprised when the corners of his lipstwitchedupward.“Whynot?Doyoubelievemetobesomesortofamonster?”

Inodded.“Uh,yeah.Youhadthosewingthingiesatthatspecialpondplace.”Iglancedaroundhim,butthewingswerestillmissing.“Idon’tknowwhereyouhid them,but Iknowtheywere there.”Hechuckledand releasedme fromhis

graspsohecouldstepback.Myeyesinadvertentlywandereddownwardtohismember.Ablushwarmedmycheeks.Ispunaroundandstaredatthebed.“Getsomeclotheson!”

“Iwouldratheryouseethiswithoutclothes.”Mycuriosityovercamemyshyness,andIpeekedovermyshoulderathim.

Hestoodwithhisbacktowardmeandhisarmsspreadapart.MyeyeswidenedasIbeheldthepairofleatherywingseruptfromhisbackjustbelowtheshoulderblades.Themusclesandbonesseemedtostretchandpulledthemselvesfromhisvery skin and form into the dragon-like appendages. The whole process tookonly a few seconds, and he unfurled hiswings to theirmaximum length.Hiswingtipstouchedfromoneendofthelongroomtotheother.Hedidn’tholdthepositionforlong,andretractedhiswingssotheyfoldedagainsthisback.

Itwasbeautiful,insane,andmind-blowing,allatthesametime.

T

8

helordglancedoverhisshoulderatme.Therewasaslysmileonhislips.“Whatdoyouthink?”

“Wow...”Imurmured.Idaredstepcloseenoughtostretchoutmyhands and touched the wings. They felt like stretched skin, and the

bones were as hard as any I’d felt, maybe harder. “You’re. . .you’re really adragon,aren’tyou?”

“Iconsidermyselfonlyhalfdragon.MymotherwasaMaidenlikeyourself,andmyfathertookherashisbride,”herevealed.

“Soyoucan’tgoallfire-breathing,scalydragon-like?”Iaskedhim.Henodded.“Ican,butthetransformationisagreatstrainonmybody.”Ipettedthewingwithonehand.Ittwitchedbeneathmyfingers.“Just...just

wow...”Imurmured.Thelordshuthiseyesandgroundhisteethtogether.Hisbreathingcameoutinquickgasps,andheappearedinpain.“Areyouallright?”

“Thewingsofadragonareverysensitive,”heinformedme.Iyankedmyhandawayandcringed.“Ididn’thurtyou,didI?”“Onthecontrary.Thesensitivityisn’tfrompain.”Hehalf-turnedtomeandI

noticedhismemberstooderect.“Itisastimulusformating.”Mycheeks resembled the colorof a firetruck. I tried to turnaway,but the

lord caughtmy chin between the fingers of his hand.He turnedmy face so Ilooked into his heated glance. “Do not be afraid. I do not wish to bringyouharm.”

A strange smell wafted into my nostrils. It was the fragrance of lilacs inspringandofnewlycutgrassinearlysummer,myfavoritesmells.Allmyfearmeltedawaybeneathsuchcomfortingscents.Thelordwrappedhisarmsaroundme,andthesmells,too,swirledaroundmeinasoftblanket.

“W-whatareyoudoingtome?”Istuttered.Itriedtowillmyselftohatethiscreature,thisdragon-manwhohadkidnappedmeandmademehisslave,butIcouldn’t.Icouldn’tdoanythingbutfallintohisembraceandsoakintherichesofhisenticingscent.

“Whatdoyousmell?”hewhisperedintomyear.“Lilacs,andcutgrass,”Imurmured.Hiswarmbreathghostedacrossmytinglingflesh.“Beautiful,likeyou.”I gaspedwhen he pressed a chaste kiss againstmy neck. “What. . .what’s

goingon?What’shappeningtome?”“Ssh.Enjoythefeeling,”hewhispered.Hewrappedhiswingsaroundmein

awarmembrace,andIfeltlikeacaterpillarpreparingforalong,comfortingnapbeforeemergingasabeautifulbutterfly.

Mylord’sstrongmusclespressedagainstmypertnipples,andIshudderedatthecontact.Hepulledmyflimsydressupuntil the lowerhemlayonmyhips.Onehandheldthecloth,andme,inplace,andtheotherslidbetweenmylegs.Hisfingersbrushedagainstthethick,coarsehairandIclutchedontohisstrong,musculararms.Likehis,mybreathquickened.

Iclosedmyeyesandreveledinthefeelingofhimagainstme,touchingme.Mylegsshookbeneathmeashestrokedthesensitivenervestuckedbetweenmyhot,wet folds. Iclung tohimand leanedmycheekagainsthishardchest.Hisrapidheartbeatthrilledme.Mysensualtorturewashis.

Iyelpedasheliftedmeintohisarmsandcarriedmetothebed.Hespreadmeonthecoversandhoveredoverme.Hisredeyesburnedbrightlyinthedimlightoftheroom.Sweatglistenedoverhisnakedbody.Isquirmedbeneathhishot,intensegaze.

He drew the flimsy gown over my head and flung it aside. I lay nakedbeneathhiseyes.Theyconsumedmelikeamanstarvedoffoodwhohadfinallyfoundhis feast.He stretched himself out besideme and exploredmewith his

hands.My flesh tingled beneath his gentle touch. His curious fingers dancedacrossmuscleandskin,overlookingnothingofme.

Imoaned and squirmed beneath his attentions.My bodywas on fire. Thered-hot heat pooled between my legs. I ached for him, for his hard musclesagainstmeandinsideme.Hisfingerssliddowntomywetfolds.Igroanedashestrokedmeagain,harderthistimeandwithafasterrhythm.Myhipsrockedwithhis finger. Sweat soakedmy trembling skin. I felt my breasts swell.My hipsthickened.Everypartofmefeltalivewithdesireforthiscreature,thisman.

Hishotbreathwaftedovermyear,andthe thickneedinhisdeep,strainedvoicesentathrillofpleasurethroughme.“Yourdesireformeisstrong,buthowbadlydoyouwantme?”

Ishuddered.Mytongueflickedoutandwhettedmydrylips.“Badly.”“Will you allow me to take you as my own? To make you mine and no

other?”hewhispered.His finger moved faster. My muscles began to twitch. Pleasure rippled

throughme.“Yes.Ohgod,yes.”Heremovedhisfingerandsatuptolookdownatme.Hislipscurledbackin

a sly grin that revealed his sharp teeth. “Then you will be mine until Ireleaseyou.”

Helayatopmeandpositionedhimselfatmywetentrance.Igroanedasheeffortlesslypenetratedme.His thick, throbbingmanhoodfilledmeandstrokedmybundleofsensualnerves.Mybodyshiveredwithanticipation.Mymusclestensed.Iwantedthissobadly.MorethanI’deverwantedanythingelse.

My mind and body were enveloped in a haze of lust. I wanted only topleasureandbepleasured.Thismancouldpleasureme,couldtakemeandclaimmeagainandagain.IknewIwouldenjoyeverymoment,everythrust,andtouchandfeelofhimagainstme.Insideofme.

Hepulledoutandpushedbackin.Heclenchedhisteeth,butahissescapedhislips.“So...tight,”hegasped.

Ileanedforwardandnibbledathisear.“Sowonderful.”Hegruntedandthrustdeeperintome.Ilaymyheadbackandmoaned.My

sultryvoicedrippedwithdesire.“Yes.More.Somuchmore.”

Hewrappedme tight inhis arms.His gentle penetrations transformed intowild thrusts. The bed rocked against the wall. I felt my body explodewith adeep,blissfulpleasurethatmademespasm.

Mylovercontinuedtothrust,lengtheningmyblissforalongminutebeforehe,too,came.Hecollapsedbesideme.Oneofhiswingsdrapedacrossmynakedbodyandkeptthecoldfromsinkingintomysweat.

Hepulledmeintohisarms.Exhaustionsweptoverme.Iclosedmyeyesandallowedmyselftofallintosleep.

I

9

awoke in thedeepembraceofbothhisarmsandhiswings. I layonmyside,andhiswarmbodypressedagainstthebackofmine.Allwasquiet,and the darkening shadows in the corners of the room hinted at lateafternoon.

I blinked in surprise at my predicament before thememories from earliersurfaced.Myperennialblushreturned.Itriedtopullawayfromhim,butheheldmetightlyinhisarms.

His eyeswere closed, but his sleepy voice floated tome. “Where are youtryingtorunoffto,Maiden?”

Ibitmylowerlipandglancedovermyshoulder.“To-um,tothe-um,kitchen.I’mkindofhungry.”Mystomachchimedinwithawell-timedgrowl.

Thelord’seyesopenedandhesmiledatme.“Soitseems.”Hesatupandhiseyessweptoverme.Iblushedandcoveredmynakedness

withmy hands as best I could.He chuckled, and I glared at him. “What’s sofunny?”

Henoddedatmyhands.“Thatyoustillhideyourselffrommeaftersuchanintimateact.”

My anger flashed through my eyes. “W-well, you did something to me!Thosesmellsofyoursmademedoit!”

He shook his head. “I did very little.Your own body reacted to the scentfrommyglandsandcapturedfragrancesthatyouyourselffindpleasurable.”

Iblinkedathim.“Your...glands?”Hesmiled.“Yes.Dragonmaleshaveglandsintheirwristsandonthesides

oftheirnecksthatsecreteaveryfine,invisiblemistoverpotentialmates.If themateissuitablethanhermindwillcreateapleasurablearoma.Ifthematchisn’twell-chosenthenshewillfindthescentrepugnant.”

“Sowhatdothefemaledragonsget?”Iaskedhim.Hiseyeswandereddowntomybreasts.“Theyhaveampleassets.”Iglaredathim.“Notmuchofabargain.Theguygetsthecontrolandthegirl

getsacoupleoflargerjugs.”“Wouldyouratherhaveourpositionstheotherwayaround?”hewondered.Ipushedhiswingsaway,buttheysnappedbacklikerubberbands.“WhatI

wouldlikeisforyoutogetyourwingsoffmesoIcanfindmyclothesandtrytoescapeagain.”

He sighed and shook his head. “I warned you before that I can find youanywhere in thisworld.Youareno longerhidden frommySecondSight.TheMarkingensuredthat.”

“I’mnotgoingtogiveup.Evenifwedidhave-evenifwediddowhatwedid,Istillwanttogohome,”Iinsisted.

He scrutinized my determined face for a moment and shook his head.“PerhapsIhavebeentoorestraining.Youseemtobeafreesoulofsorts.Haveyoueverhuntedonhorseback?”

Iblinkedathim.“No,why?”Asmileslidacrosshiscutelips.“Iproposetoteachyou.Oneoftheothers

lordshasrequestedmetoridewithhimtodayonahunt,anditwouldgiveyouachancetospreadyourwings.Inthefigurativesense,thatis.”

Isnorted.“WhatdoyoucareifIfeeltrapped?”“Iamnotinthehabitofkeepingprisoners,andaMaidenisthelastcreatureI

wouldwish to imprison. I am too fondof thememoriesofmymother todareentraponewhowasonceinherposition,”herevealed.Hesatup,andhisarmsand wings released me from the prison. The lord looked straight ahead andpursedhislips.“Iwishforyourtrust,notyourfearoranger.IfinditvexingatallthatIhadtochooseaMaiden.”

IgrabbedasheetfromoverthesideofthebedandcoveredmyselfbeforeIsatup.“Thenwhydidyou?”

Hescoffed.“Custom,andthefamilybloodline.YouviewbeingaMaidenasservitude,butmyworldseesitverydifferently.Itisanhonortobechosen,andthathonorisreservedonlyforthoseofyourworldwhoarebroughtthroughthePortal.”

“ButwhydoyouneedMaidensatall?Whydon’tyoujustfindanicegirl,settledown,andhavecutelittledragons?”Ipersisted.

Heshookhishead.“Itisnotthatsimple.Womenarechosenfromtheotherworldtoreinvigoratethebloodlineoftheleadersofthedragonclans.Thishasbeenacustomforthefivelargeclansforthousandsofyears.”

I wrinkled my nose. “So it’s some sort of an honor for people from myworld,butnotforpeoplefromyourworld?”

Thelordnodded.“Yes.Thecustomisbeneficialtothepeopleofmyworld,anddetrimentaltoyourown.”

“That’sputtingitmildly...”Imuttered.Asudden,horriblethoughtcametomymindandmyheartbeatpickedup.“SowhathappensiftheMaidendoesn’tgetalongwiththelord?Imean,whathappenstothegirl?All theseChoosingscan’tworkout.”

He looked straight ahead and pursed his lips together. “She is allowed tocreate a new life here, but once she is of thiswill shewill remainwithin thelord’shousehold.Toreturntoherownworldwouldmeancertaindeath.”

Icringed.“SoevenifIdidgetawayfromyouIcouldn’tgohome?Ever?”Heturnedhisheadtofaceme.Hisdazzlingeyesstudiedmeforalongwhile

beforehenodded.“Iamafraidso.WoulditbeanydifferentIwouldstilltellyouthetruth.”

I swungmy legs over the side of the bed and turned away fromhim.Myshoulders shook. A few loose tears swam in my eyes. “So I’m trapped here.Really,trulytrappedhere.”

Heseatedhimselfbesidemeand laidahandonmyshoulder.“IpromiseIwill make your life here the best I can, whether your chosen as mymate orotherwise.”

Iwhippedmyheadtohimandfrowned.“EvenifIwantedit,youthinkit’sokayformetohavetojumpthroughallthesehoopstobeyourwife?”Ileapttomyfeet,takingtheblanketwithme,andspunaroundtofacehim.“Youthinkit’sokaytostealmefrommyhomeandbringmehere-”

“No.”Hestoodandgraspedmyshoulders.“Idonotbelieveitwasright,butwhatisdoneisdone.Nothingcanchangethat.Nothingcanreturnyoutothelifeyouoncehad.”Heleaneddownsowewereface-to-face.“Butlifedoesnotend.Youareawomanofexceptionalstubbornness,butinthatstubbornnessIsenseagreatstrength.Ibelieveyouhavethestrengthtobemymate,andIwillbemuchpleasedwiththat.”

I turnedmy head to the side and sniffled. “That’swhat you say to all thekidnappedgirls.”

Hechuckled.“Onlyone,andshestandsbeforeme.”Hepausedandlookedinto thedistance.A smile teased the cornersofhis lips. “Orperhapsmy threehundredyearsoflifehavemademeforgettheothers.”

Istartedback.“Howoldareyou?”Thelordgrinnedandhiseyesdancedwithgleeastheylookeddownatme.

“Hasnoonetoldyouthelongevityofdragons?Doesyourworldnolongerhavestoriesofthem?”

Ishookmyhead.“No.Imean,yeah,it’sgotstories,butIdidn’tthinktheywerereal.”

Heopenedhiswings.Thetipsscrapedagainstthewalls.“Arethesenotrealenoughforyou?”

Mynaughtyeyeswandereddown tohisnaked torso.Thatwasvery real. Iblushedandavertedmyeyesfromhisbody.“Y-yes,veryreal.”

He chuckled and out of the corners ofmy eyes Iwatched hiswings fold.“Perhapsyouwouldbe lessdistracted if Iclothedmyself.Youwillcatchyourdeathofcoldinonlythatsheet.”

Iclungthesheettightertomybody.“I’mfine.”Aslightchillfloatedthroughthewindowframes.Ishuddered.

“IwillhaveDardabringyouyournewclothes,”heoffered.Iglancedathimandfrowned.“I’dratherhavemyoldones.”

Heshookhishead.“Theyarenotsuitableforthislife.”“I’dstillratherhavethem,”Iinsisted.Thelordsighed,butnodded.“Verywell.Iwillhavethemreturned.”Hewalkedtotheheadofthebedandpulledonacord.Itmusthavebeenthe

belltomyhungerbecausemystomachgrowledagain.Hechuckled.“Andthenperhapswewilldinetogether.”

Iscoffed.“DoIhaveachoice?”Thelordwalkedovertohisdresserandpulledapairofpantson.“Thereis

alwaysstarvation.”Thedoortothechamberopenedandtheoldwomansteppedinside.Sheshut

thedoorbehindherselfandbowedtous.“Yourang,MyLord?”Hegesturedtome.“YourLadywishestohaveheroldclothesreturned,and

havebreakfastprepared.”Shebowedherhead.“Asyouwish.Therealsocameamessageforyou,My

Lord,fromLordCayden.”Thelordarchedaneyebrow.“Letmeseeit.”Shepulledasmallfoldednote

fromher pocket andwalked over to hand it to him.Heunfolded the letter.Asmileslippedontohislips.“Yes.Replythatwewillbepleasedtohavethemforbreakfastbeforetheride.”

“Yes,MyLord.”Shelefttheroom.Iglancedatthenotehepocketed.Myeyesflickereduptohisface.“Whoare

weeatingwith?”“Theyoungdragonlordwhoowesyouagreatdealofgratitude,”hereplied

as he pulled out a white satin shirt. “Without your interference last night hewouldnotbethejoyousmanheisthisday.”

I blinked at him for a moment before I remembered my ‘sacrifice’ toStephanie.“ThenhegotStephanie?”

Thelordnodded.“Yes,he‘gother,’asyousoeloquentlyputit,andismostpleased with his catch. He is fortunate, as this was his first choosing afterbecomingthelordofhisdomains.”

Ilookedthelordupanddown.“Soareyoureallythreehundredyearsold?”He slipped the shirt on and chuckled. “Are you displeased with my aged

appearance?”I snorted. “I’ve seen teenagers in worse shape, but seriously, how old

areyou?”He furrowedhisbrowashebuttonedhisbuttons. “Iwill be threehundred

andtwenty-eightcomethisHarvest.”Iblinkedathim.“Seriously?”He chuckled. “Very seriously, but I hear the patter ofDarda’s feet.”There

wasaknockonthedoor.“Enter.”Dardaslippedinside.Inherhandswasthebundleofmyclothes.Shewalked

overandbowedtome.“Theyhavebeencleanedforyou,MyLady.”Itookthepileandlookedovermyclothes.Awashingmachinecouldn’thave

doneanybetter.“Thanks.”Shebowedagain.“Iamgladtobeofassistance.”Mystomachrumbled.Thelordchuckled.“YourLadyiscurioustoknowif

breakfastready.”“Yes,MyLord,andLordCaydenandhisMaidenawaityou,”shereplied.Heturnedtome.“Thendress,MyLady,andweshallfeastwithfriends.”

I

10

slippeddiscretelyintomyclothesandDardaledthelordandmedownthelonghalls to thegroundfloor.Wepassedmanyotherservantsofvarioussizes,andsomeevenofdifferentbuilds.Swarthyoneswithbeardsandthinoneswithpaleskin.Someof themwore thegreenandredcolors,others

hadonclothesthatmatchedthosecolorsoftheotherdragonlords.Allofthemsteppedasideandbowedtheirheadstousaswepassed.

Themainstairs led toa largeentrancehall thatconnectedwith thecastle’sinteriorcourtyard.Darda ledus leftandintoamagnificentbanquethall.Therewerenoprimitivebenchescrowdedwithruffians.Heretherewasasinglelongtablewithhigh-backedchairsandelegantcurves.Thewalloppositethedouble-doorswascoveredin tapestries thatdepicteddragonsflyingovercountrysides.Severalofthemborethecrestsofthevariousdragonlords.

At the endof the table farthest from thedoors sat two familiar faces.Onewasthepale,youngdragonlord,andtheotherwasStephanie.Sheturnedinherchairandhereyesfellonme.Herfacebrightenedwithasmile.Shestoodandrushedovertomeaswellashergolden-hemmedwhitedresswouldallow.

Stephanieclaspedmyhandsinhers.“Miriam!I’msogladtoseeyou!”My dragon lord came up to stand beside me. His eyes twinkled with

mischief.“Sothatisyourname.”Iglaredathim.“Youdon’thavetouseitifyoudon’twantto.”Hechuckledandbowedhishead.“Iwouldbehonored.”

The slim lord stood and walked over to us to bow his head to my lord.“Thankyouforagreeingto-”Mydragonlordhelduphishand.

“Notsoformalthisearly,Cayden,”hepleaded.“Ihadenoughheadsbowedtomeonthejourneytothisroomtohavemyfillofformalityforanotherday.”

Theyounglordraisedhisheadandblinkedathim.“ButMyLord-”“Youhavecalledmethatsinceyouwereayounghatchling.Nowthatweare

equalsIdemandyoucallmeXander,”mylordinsisted.Iarchedaneyebrow.“That’syourname?”Heturnedtomewithasmile.“Iwon’tforceyoutouseit.”“Iwouldbegladtouseit,”Caydenspokeup.XanderclappedhishandonCayden’sbackandledhimtowardtheendofthe

table.“Thenweshallbothbesatisfied.”IturnedmyattentiontoStephaniewhofollowedthegold-trimmedlordwith

asoftgaze.“Hashebeentreatingyouwell?”Iwhisperedtoher.Shestartedandreturnedhereyestome.Ablushcoloredhercheeksandshe

lookeddownatthefloor.“Reallywell.”Ileanedbackandlookedherover.“Whereareyouroldclothes?”“Inour-myroom,”shetoldme.Iarchedaneyebrowandglancedpastherat thepairofdragon-men.They

were engrossed in their conversation. I looked back to Stephanie and loweredmy voice so only she could overhear what I said. “We could try to escapetomorrowmorning.They’regoingtogiveushorses.Wecan-”Inoticedshebitherlowerlipandavertedhereyes.Ifrowned.“What’swrong?”

“I-I-”Shetookadeepbreathandlookedmeintheeyes.Asmallsmilecurledthecornersofherlips.“Ithinkhereallylikesme.”

Iblinkedather.“What’sthatgottodo-”Herblushdarkened.Ifurrowedmybrow.“Areyou...doyouwanttostayhere?”

Shecringed,butgaveaweaknod.“Yes.Imean,hesaidIcouldn’tgohome.Someportalthingwon’tletus.”

Idroppedmyhandsoffhershouldersandpursedmylips.“I...Iguessyou’reright.”

Herfacefell.Shesetahandononeofmyshoulders.“I’msorry,Miriam.I

didn’tmean-”“Wewould be honored if you ladieswould join us for breakfast,”Xander

spokeup.I frowned andglanced at thewindowsbetween the tapestries.Their foggy

glass revealed the late afternoon sun outside the castlewalls. “But it’s almostnight,”Ipointedout.

Xanderchuckledashepulledoutachairtotheleftoftheheadofthetable.“Yes, but the Choosing is a special time for we dragon lords. Therefore,wecelebrateourgatheringallthroughthenightandrestduringtheday.”

Iarchedaneyebrow.“Soisthissomesortofafratparty?”Thedragonlordshookhishead.“I’mafraidI’mnotfamiliarwiththatterm.”I sighed. “It’s where guys get together and prove howmanly they are by

drinkingandeatingalot.”Xander nodded. “Then this is similar to a ‘frat party,’ as you call it. But

enoughoftalk.Thereisafeastbeforeusthatbegstobeconsumed.”I took my seat on his left with Cayden and Stephanie opposite me, and

Xander at the head.A feast ofmeat andmeadwas set before us, and ImustadmitIdidjusticetoeverythingwithinreach.

XanderspearedasliceofduckwithhisforkandglancedatCayden.“Whereshallwe takeour ride thisevening? In thedirectionofBruinBay,or shallweheadtotheCovenCavesforafinehuntthere?”

Caydenchokedonthemeadhe justswallowed.Hecoughedandpattedhischest with his fist as his wide eyes stared at the dragon lord. “So far, My-”Xandergavehimawarninglook,“-mustwetravelsofar,Xander?”

“Whynot?”CaydenglancednervouslyatStephanie.“Thisismyfirstride.Iamnotsure

howfarIcan-”“True. I do seeyour concern,”Xander replied.He leaned back and took a

biteofthehunkofmeat.“Perhapsacloserpointonthemap,oraroundthecastlegrounds.Theyarequite-”

“I’dliketoseethisPortal,”Ispokeup.Cayden’sfacepaled.Stephanieblinkedatme.

Xandersatupandraisedaneyebrow.“Whywouldyouwishtoseethat?”Ishrugged.“Forsomeclosure.”Caydenglancedatmydragon lord andpursedhis lips. “I thinkmaybewe

shouldcall-”Xanderraisedhishandandsilencedtheyoungerlord.Xander dropped his hand and shook his head. “No. Closure is important,

but-”helookedintomyeyes,“-theremaybepain.”“I’lllivewithit,”Iassuredhim.Xander bowed his head and stood. “Then I suggest we set off before

darknessspoilstheviewforourMaidens.”Weleftthedininghall,butturnedrightintheentrancehallandwalkedtothe

backof thecastlewherea smallwoodendoor ledusoutonto thegreen lawn.The bottom of the setting sun skiffed the horizon in the far west and longshadowsstretchedoutfromtheforestoverthelawn.

The animals in the nearby pastures crowded the fences and trampled dirtystraw beneath their hooves. One of the species was a full-coated sheep withcurvedhorns.AwidesmilespreadacrossStephanie’sfaceassheglimpsedafewlambsamongthetwodozenadults.

“Howadorable!”shesquealedbeforeshehurriedtothem.“Wait!”Cayden yelled.He ran after her and grabbed herwrist before she

reachedthefence.“Donotapproachthem!”Shelookedoverhershoulderandblinkedathim.“Butwhy?”Hereleasedherandpickedupastick.“Thisiswhy.”Cayden tossed thestick into themessofwool.Thesheep letouta terrible

wailofableatandlungedatthestick.Theybeatthewoodwiththeirhoovesandrammeditwiththeirheads.Thestickwassmashedandtrampledtobrokenbits.

Stephaniegaspedandstumbledback.“Mygod...”I looked to Xander and jerked my head in the direction of the woody

carnage.“Whatkindofmuttonareyouraising?”“Notallthatresemblescreaturesinyourworldarethesameinours,”Xander

schooledus.Henodded at the creatures as they strolled away from the fence.“Thesecreaturesmayhavewanderedintoourworldlongagoandchangedtheirappearance,orperhapstheywerechangedinyourworldandwhatweseearethe

originals. Either way, caution is the best course of action in dealingwith ourplantsandanimals.”

Cayden grasped Stephanie’s shaking shoulders and looked to us. “Perhapsweshouldpostponetheride.”

Xander shook his head. “No.MyMaiden’s curiosity will not be satisfieduntilshehasseenthePortal.”

“Damnright,”Ispokeup.Iglancedaround.“Wherearethehorses?”Caydenblinkedatme.“Horses?”I narrowed my eyes and nodded. “Yeah. This is supposed to be a-aah!”

Xandersweptmeintohisarms.A sly smile covered his lips as he looked down at me. “Your escape has

taughtmeoneimportantlesson.Youarenotafraidofheights.”Iglaredathim.“What’s thatgot todowithanything?Andwhyaren’tyou

puttingme-”Hiswingsburstfromhisbackandstretchedacrosstheopenplain.Thescalesshimmeredintheglisteningsun.

“Youmaywrapyourarmsaroundmyneck,butnottootightly,”hetoldme.Ifrowned.“WhywouldI-”Hebeathiswingsandwewerepropelledoffthe

ground.Thesharpbladesturnedtoseasofgreenaswequicklylefttheearthbelow

us.Everyflapofhispowerfulwingsliftedustenfeet.I lookeddownatthegroundahundredfeetbelowusandyelped.Myarms

instinctivelywrappedaroundhisneckandIquiveredagainsthiswarmchest.Wereachedanaltitudedoublethatandhoveredinplaceashiswingsgentlyflapped.

“Howareyouenjoyingtheride?”heaskedme.Iwhippedmyheadupandglaredathim.“Yousaidthere’dbehorses!”He shook his head. “No, I asked if you had ridden a horse. This ismuch

thesame.”“No,it’snot!”Xander nodded his head at the forest in front of us.Through some fifteen

milesofwindingroadswasameadow.“ThePortalliesthere.Doyoustillwishtoseeit?”

“Morethanever,”Igrowled.

CaydenwithStephanieinhisarmsjoinedus.Shequiveredharderthanme,but her driver didn’t seem to mind her clinging to him so closely. “Are weready?”theyounglordwondered.

Xandernodded.“Yes.Letusgo.”

X

11

ander angled his legs behind him and his head forward. Hiswingsflappedhardandwewerepushedforwardbythemomentum.Wespedpastthegroundbeneathus.Acoolwindwhippedmyface.Ishiveredandturnedtofaceawayandtowardhischest.

“Cold?”heaskedme.IgavehimtheEvilEye.“Whatdoyouthink?”“That you are not enjoying the ride as much as I would wish,” he

commented.I glanceddownat the earth far belowus. “Youdon’t exactly comewith a

seatbeltorparachute.”Heblinkedatme.“Seatbelt?”Ishookmyhead.“Nevermind.Justdon’tdropme.”Hechuckled.“IbelieveIcanagreetoyourrequest.”We flew over the thick forests of tall, ancient trees.Our shadows ghosted

overtheneedledtopsasthesunsettoourright.Acoolwindwhippedmyhairovermy face and overmy bare arms. Thewarmth of the dragon lord’s bodystifledsomeofmyshivering.

Thewindinggravelroadtraveledwithus.I lookedaheadat its future.Theroadendedata smallvillageof thatched-roofhouses.Smoke floated from thechimneysanddimlightofcandles.

Theexceptiontothestillnesslayatthesouthern-mostedgeoftheclumpof

houses. There, in a round clearing that stretched into the trees, arose a large,twenty-foot tall upright hoopmade of stone and vines. The hoop stood at theextremeendofastoneplatform.On theground in frontof theplatformwasaroundstonealter likeabird-feeder,butfilledwithoil.Afire threefeet tallfedofftheflammableliquidandpiercedtheairwithitstwistingflames.

Theplatformwasreachedbysixwidesteps.Twofiguresclothedincloaksofbrownandblackstoodontheplatformoneithersideofthesteps.Threeothersstoodaroundthetallalteroffire.Theywereclothedinclothofgold,greenandblue, and white. All of their cloaks had large slits in the backs, but theirunderclothingandskinwerehiddenbymultiplelayersofclothing.

Around themwere a half-dozen others cloaked in gray habits that had nohoods.Thosemenwereallaroundthirtyandtheirhairwascutshortinthebowllook.Themonk-likemenpouredtheoil intothehungryfire,swept thegroundaroundthealter,orstoodofftoonesideinaline.

Thecloakedgrouplookedupatusaswelanded.XanderandCaydensetusdownasthethreefiguresaroundthefirecameovertous.Theybowed,andtheoneingreenandbluesteppedforward.

“MyLords,youdousagreathonorwithyourvisit,”hegreetedus.Xandersmiledandbowedhisheadinreturn.“Itistoooftenweforgettopay

ourrespectstoyouwhoguardthePortal.”The person removed his hood and revealed himself as aman of fifty.His

gray-strandedhairfloweddownhisbackinatail.Wrinklesteasedthecornersofhiseyes, and therewasa soft smileonhis face. “It is, andalwayswillbe, anhonor to manage the Portal for you, My Lord. How may we serve you thisnight?”

Xander gestured to me. “My Maiden wishes to see the Portal in all itsmythicalglory.”

Themanbowedhishead.“Asyouwish it,MyLord,but Icannotperformtheritualonmyown.”

Xander smiled. “One must admire your diligence to code, Apuleius.” Helooked to Cayden who stood beside us. “Cayden, does my priest have yourpermissiontoopenthePortal?”

Caydennodded.“Iwillallowmypriesttohelp.”Themaninthegoldencloakremovedhishood.Hewasaboutseventywith

morewrinklesthananunsettledpond.HissoftblueeyessmiledatStephanie.“IwillgladlydoMyLord’sbidding,butwouldalsocongratulateyouonabeautifulMaiden.Ihavenotseenthelikesofherinmanyyears.”Stephanieblushedandlookedattheground.

Caydenbowed.“Thankyou,Jethro.I,too,ammostpleasedwithher.”“Buttothereasonforourvisit,”Xanderremindedthem.Apuleiusnodded.“Yes,MyLord.Yourwillshallbedone.”ApuleiusandJethrowalkedupthestonestepstostandtenfeetfromthetall

hoop.Eachofthemheldupanoppositearm,oneleftandoneright,andclosedtheireyes.Theirlipsmoved,butnosoundreachedmyears.

SomethingshiftedonthePortal,though.Thevinesthatcoveredthearchwaydrewbackandrevealedasetofsixcarvedfigures.Theywerestandingdragons,andweresointricateIcouldseetheirscales.Thereweretwosetsofthree,oneoneachsideofthearchandtheyfacedthetopcenter.Inthecenterwasasmalldropofwater.

Thedropofwaterglowedblue,andthedragonsglowedtherespectivecolorsofthefivehouseswiththeadditionofareddragonatthetopleft.Oppositethatonewasagreendragon.Thebrilliancefromthecarvedfiguresflowedoverthearch and into the hole. It spread over the interior like a thin film of ripplingwater.Thefilmcoveredthecenterofthearchwaytothesurfaceoftheplatform.

Anexplosionoflightburstfromthecenterandspreadoutwardtothestonearch. The burst left behind a smooth, reflective surface that revealed myastonishedface.

Xanderpickedupasmallpebblefromthesweptgroundandofferedmehisarm.“Shallwe?”

InmystuporI tookhisarmandlethimleadmeup thestairs.CaydenandStephanie followed behind us. We stopped where the priest stood. The pairsteppedasideandletusstandinfrontofthewaterportal.

Xanderswepthiseyesoverthesurface.“Quiteimpressive,isitnot?Ittookacenturyofancientmagicfromtherulinghousesofthedragonstobringthisto

fruition.Thestone figureswerecarvedby thedragons themselvesand infusedwiththeirlifeforces.”

“Didithurtthem?”Stephaniewondered.Xander shook his head. “No, but it left them and their lines spiritually

weakened.”Iarchedaneyebrow.“Thanwhydidtheydoit?”Helookeddowntostudyme.“Becausetheybelievedtherewardwasworth

theprice.TheMaidenswouldofferarejuvenationoftheirline,anewpromisetotheirdescendants.”

Somethingonthegroundcaughtmyattention.Istoopedandpickedituptoturnitinmyfingers.Itwasabitofcompressedclaydroppedfromthetireofthepig-men’struck.

I held it up so Xander could see it. My lips pursed together as my eyesflickered to him. “So how were those pig-men able to go through?” Iquestionedhim.

“Theirkindaretheexceptiontotherule.Theyarenotofourworld,nornoryours,butbetweenthemastravelers,”heexplained.

I let the dirt clod fall to the ground. It crumbled to dust. I glanced at theportal.“Isee.”

Xander frowned.Hepickedup a rock from theground andwalkedup thestairs.Themenincloaksbowedtheirheadsandsteppedaside.Hethrewtherockunderhandedatthegrayblob.Thehardmatterhitthegooeycenter.Therewasasmallflashoflightatthepointofcontact.Isawtherockburstintoathousandtiny,colorfulfragmentsofglass.Thefragmentsfelltothegroundinfrontoftheportal.

Xanderhalf-turnedtomeandgesturedtotheremainsofthestone.“That iswhathappenstoanythingfromourworld,ofwhichyouarenowapart.”

Myheartsankasthatlastbitofhopeinsidemedied.Stephaniesetherhandonmyshoulderandgavemeasqueeze.“I’msorry,”shewhispered.

Igaveherabittersmileandshrugged.“Iwasjust-”“Dragons!”someoneyelled.Weturnedtooneofthegraymonks.Hepointedatthesky,andwefollowed

hisdirection.Sixlargeformsflewthroughthesky.Thesewerethetruedragons,thoseofmythand legend.Theentire lengthof theirbodies fromnose to long,whippingtailwasfiftyfeet.Thewidespanoftheirleatherywingscarriedagreatweightofclawsassharpasknivesandscalesashardassteel.Theirlongheadsended inmouths fullof razor-sharp teeth.Four thick, stubby legswere tuckedagainst their scaled bellies. The end of those legs held long claws covered insilvertalonsforgedbyman.

Oneofthegraymonksstaggeredbackandtrippedoverhisownfeet.Hefellontohisrearandgapedupattheskywithwide,terror-filledeyes.“TheBestiaDraconis!”

Xanderhurriedoverandstoodbetweenmeandtheshadows.Hisgreeneyesflashedandhislipscurledbackinasnarl.

Cayden grabbed Stephanie likewise. The young dragon lord looked to hiselder.“Howcantheybethisfarfromthecoastwithoutourknowing?”

Xander’s eyesnever left the shadows in the skiesashe shookhishead. “Icannotunderstandit,butweshallmakethemregretthisintrusion.”

Hishandsathissideslengthenedintosharpclaws.Hepulledmetothesideand Cayden did the same with Stephanie so we stood shoulder-to-shoulder.Xanderturnedtomeandgraspedmyshouldersashelookedmeintheeyes.

“Remainhere.”Ifrowned.“Butwhatareyougoingtodo?”“Iwillfightthem,butyoucandonothingagainstthesefiends,”heinsisted.Ishookmyhead.“Whatcanyoudo-”“Promisemeyouwillremainhere.”Ipursedmylips,butnodded.Hesmiled.

“Thenwaitforme.Iwillreturn.”Xandersteppedbackwardandofftheplatform.Hespreadhiswingsouton

eithersideofhim.MymouthdroppedopenasIwatchedhisskinthickenwithscales.A tailburstout fromhisbackand stretched itselfonto theground.Hislimbsstretchedandtwistedintofourthicklegs.Hesettledontohisfourlegsastherestofhisbodytransformedintomonstrousshapeofahugegreendragon.Thehandsomefacevanishedintothelengthenedmugofthebeast.

He whipped his head up and snarled at the red forms that flew over the

clearing.Hiswingsflappedandtookhimairborne.Caydenreluctantlyseparatedhimself from Stephanie and tookXander’s empty place. He, too, transformedintoamajesticdragon,butasmalleronewithgoldenscales.HesailedintotheskyafterXander.

Four of the dragons broke off and headed for Xander and Cayden. Theycollidedinaviciousbattleofteethandclaws.Caydendodgedadoubleattackonhiswingsandflewaroundtheenemydragonstoattackthemfrombehind.

Xander just rammed through his foes, tearing and snapping at theirwingsandbodies.Oneof them let out a terrible screech and fell to the ground.Theearthshookasitstruckthedirtneartheplatform.Stephaniecriedoutandclungtome.Iwatchedinastuporasthedragon’sbodyshranktothatofanakedman.Helayface-downandbloodpooledbeneathhimfromwoundsthatmatchedthedamageonhispreviousform.

Theothertwodragonsswungaroundthebattleandaimeddownwardattheplatform. The five wizards raised their hands and chanted phrases I wouldn’thaveunderstoodevenifIcouldhaveheardallthewordsabovethescreechesofthedragons.Lightrespectiveoftheircloaksburstfromtheirhandsandflewupatthedragons.

One was hit, but the other did a barrel roll and dodged the attacks. Theunscatheddragonswoopeddownandgrabbedoneofthegray-cloakedmen.Heflailedinitsgraspasitflewtotheportalandreleasedhim.

StephanieandIduckedasheflewpast.ThemancollidedwiththePortalandletoutahorriblescreambeforeheburstintodust.Theinjureddragondroppedtotheground,butlandedonallfours.Itswungitstailinafullcircleandknockedawayallthemeninrobes,thecolorfulonesincluded.

ItsredeyesfellonStephanieandme.Thecreaturecurleditslipsbackinasnarlasitmarchedtowardus.Itssilvertalonsclinkedasitwalkedontothestoneplatform.

IshovedStephanietoourright.“Run!”Shestumbledinthatdirectionasthedragonletoutascreech.Itopened its

wingsandthrewitselfatus.Stephaniefelloff theplatform,butthedragoncutmeoffwithitslongneckandwidebody.Itlowereditsheadandhissedatme.

I held up my hands and backed up toward the Portal. “Can’t we talkaboutthis?”

Thecreatureroaredandlungedatme.That’swhenadarkshadowfellfromtheskyandlandedatopit.Itwasthegreendragon.Mydragon.Xanderclampedhis jawsontohis foe’sneck.Thedragon screamedand flailed, sending its tailandwingsthrashingabout.

Istumbledbackandmyheelstrippedononeofthestones.Myarmsflailedatmysidestostopme,butgravitytookhold.

Xanderturnedaround.Hisgreeneyeswidened.Heleaptoffthedragonandtowardme.HestretchedhisneckoutasIstretchedmyhand.Ourfleshgrazedeach other and then fell away.The last I sawwas the dragon beneathXanderliftingoneofitssilver-talonedfeettostrikehim.

AmomentlaterIfeltawarmpoolof liquidwraparoundmelikeaspongyblanket.Theworldofdragonswasblottedoutbyaworldofwarpedgrayliquid.Itpressedallaroundme.Icouldn’tbreathe.Myvisionbegantoblur.

JustasI thoughtIwouldpassout thesuffocatingworldaroundmeopenedup.Idroppedback-firstoutofthevortexandlandedhardontheground.Whatlittleairwasleftinmewasknockedoutinashortwheeze.AsIlaytheretryingtosuckinairtheportalinfrontofmeshranktonothing.

Ihadampletimetostudytheblackseaoftwinklingstarsthatwasaboveme.Electricalwiresandpolescuttheskyintosquares.Thefar-offsoundsoftrafficcame to my ears. I sat up on my shaky arms and looked around. My eyeswidened.

Iwashome.

I

12

wasalsointhecitydump.Theheapsoftrashandtallpilesofrustedcarsglareddownatmelikegiantshadowsofancientcreatures.I’dhadenoughofthoseforalifetime.

Iscrambledtomyfeetandfledasfastasmyshakylegscouldmanage.Myfeetpoundedagainst thehard-packeddirtasmymindwhirledwithfranticthoughtsofwhatIshoulddo.Icouldn’tgobacktomyapartment.Thepig-menknewwhereIlived.BlakealsoknewwhereIworked.

Thatmeanttherewasonlyoneplacetohide.Thatis,ifBlakehadn’tfoundoutheraddress,too.

I managed to stumble my way down twelve blocks to an old apartmentbuildingintheartisticpartoftown.Whetherwantedornot,muralsadornedthesidesofthebuildingsandthestreetlightposts.Treeswererandomlyplantedinholes that littered the sidewalks. Signs outside the bottom floors of apartmentbuildingsadvertisedeverythingfrompalmreadingtopalmtrees.

Istopped in frontofanoldfour-storybrickapartmentbuilding.Eachfloorwasletouttoasingleperson.Iwasgladtoseethelightswereononthethirdfloor.Ihurriedupthestooptothefrontdoor.Totheleftwerefourbuzzers,andbesideeachbuttonwasanameplate.

Ipressedthebuzzerforthethirdfloor.Asnifflingvoiceanswered.“Hello?”Myheartnearlyburstfromhearingthatfamiliarvoice.“Heth!Yougottalet

mein!”

“Miriam!Isthatreallyyou?”A noise behindme caughtmy attention. I glanced overmy shoulder. The

streetwasdeserted.“Itwon’tbeonlymeforlongifyoudon’topenthedoor!”“Sure!Justwaitasec!”Iheardherfumbleforsomethingandcurse.Abuzzerrangtomyright.That

signaledthedoorwasunlocked.Iopened thedoorandsidled inside.Thedoorclickedshutbehindme.Allwasquietinthesmallentrancehallfortwoseconds.Thenthepoundingoffootstepsrangdownthestairsinfrontofme.

Heatherflewaroundthelast landingonthestairsandswoopeddownuponme.SheflungherarmsaroundmeandtookthebruntoftheblowasIcrashedintothewallnearthedoor.

“You’resafe!Ohmygod,you’resafe!”shecried.Ipriedheroffmeandsmiled intoher tear-soaked face.“Yeah, but remind

menevertolookforamanagain.”Shesniffled.Herlowerlipquivered.“It’sbecauseofme,isn’tit?Itoldyou

togetaguyandwhenyoutriedonyourownaguygotyou,didn’the?”Isnorted.“Let’sjustsayIwasdraggedintothewrongcrowd,butI’lltellyou

everythinginyourapartment.”Shegrabbedmyhandandpulledmetowardthestairs.“Yeah.We’llmakeit

agirl’snightout.”Heatherdraggedmeuptoherapartmentandploppedmeinoneofthechairs

at her dining table. The floor apartments were fully furnished with antiquefurnitureandmyfriend’sownstrangetasteforlavalamps.Theplacewasalivewiththefloatingblobsofcolorfulgoop.

Ileanedbackandsighed.Theoldsmelloftheindustrial,humanworldwaswonderfultobehold.

Heathersatoppositeme.She lookedovermycleanbutdisheveledclothes.“Youdon’tlooklikeyou’vebeenkidnappedforafewdays.”

A small smile slippedontomy lips. “I’mnot sure you’re going to believewhatI’mgoingtotellyou.”

“Tryme.”SoI triedher.When Iwasdonewithmy taleHeather layherarmson the

tableandleanedtowardme.Shestudiedmewithahardeye.“Areyoutryingtopullmytail?”

Ishookmyhead.“I’vehadenoughoftails,thanks.Besides,everythingItoldyouistrue.”

“Ifit’strueshowmethemark.Theoneontheshoulder,”shechallengedme.Igrabbedmyshirtandtuggeditdownmyarm.There,inallitsgreenglory,

wasthemarkofXander’shouse.Anditsuddenlyhurtlikehell.Icriedoutandgrabbedmyshoulder.Thepainwaslikeahotpokeragainst

myskin.Afaintgreenglowwasvisiblebetweenmyfingers.Iclenchedmyteethanddoubledover.

Heather jumped to her feet and raced to my side. “What is it? What’swrong?”

“Burning,”Igroundout.“L-lemmegetanicepack!”shesuggested.Sheracedtothekitchen.Ishutmyeyesandtriedtoblockoutsomeofthe

pain.A startling image of Xander in a bed came to my mind’s eye. He wascovered in sweat.A crowd stood around himwith Darda and Cayden amongthem. Their faces looked grave. I gasped andmy eyes flew open. The visionvanished.

Heatherreturnedwithabunchoficestuffedintoaplasticsandwichbag.Sheyanked my hand away and slapped it on my burning skin. I yelped at theopposingsensationsastheyclashedonmyflesh.

Myfriendcringed.“Sorry!”Iclutchedthebagtomyselfandshookmyhead.“Justshutupforasec.”ForonceHeatherlistenedtome.Shestoodthereinsilenceasthepainebbed

and flowed, driving me to clench and unclench my teeth. After a long fiveminutesthepainfaded.Mybodyrelaxed.IletmyshouldersslumpasIremovedthethawedicepackfrommyarm.

Heather took it in her hands and bit her lip as she studiedme. Her bodyshivered.Isighedandnodded.“Youcanspeakagain.”

Out spilled all the words she’d kept inside her those long minutes.

“Areyouokay? Whatthehellwasthat? Istheresomethingwrongwiththedragon?Canyousensehisfeelings?Howbaddidithurt?”

Ihelduponehandandmassagedmy templewith theother.“I’mall right,andyeah,ithurtlikehell,butIdon’tknowwhy.”

Shefurrowedherbrowandrubbedherchinbetweenherpointerfingerandthumb.“Maybeithassomethingtodowithyourdragonhusband.”

Iwhippedmyheadupandfrownedather.“He’snotmyhusband.”She dropped her hand and shrugged. “It kind of sounds like you were

marriedtohim,andyoutwodid-well,everything.Eventhehoneymoonnight.”“He kidnapped me and seduced me. That’s it,” I insisted. I sighed and

pinchedthebridgeofmynose.“Icouldreallygoforadrink...”Heathergrinned.“Hardorknock-you-off-your-feet?”Myeyesflickereduptoher.“Gotanywipe-the-hard-drive-clean?”Shenodded.“Yep,butIwarnyouittasteslikesocksandcoughsyrup.”“ThenI’lltakeit.”She walked over to the connected kitchen and wrangled about for some

glassesandabottleofwhatappeared tobe tar.“Istill think thatburning’sgotsomethingtodowith-well,you-know-who.”

Islumpedinmychair.“Maybe,butI-well,itdoesn’tconcernme.”Heatherpausedandglancedoverhershoulder.Aslysmileslippedontoher

lips.“Yousure?”Ifrowned.“What’sthatsupposedtomean?”She lookedbackat theglassesandshrugged.“Oh, Iwas just thinkingyou

might-youknow,kindoflikehim.”Irolledmyeyes.“Areyouseriouslytryingtosetmeupwithadragon?”“He’sprobablygotgreatteeth,”shepointedout.Isnorted.“Yeah,heflossesthewholelamboutofthemeveryday.”Shewhippedherheadoverhershouldertolookatme.“Really?”“Iwas joking.”Anothersharppainhitme in theshoulder.Theagonyonly

lastedafewsecondsandfeltmoredistantthanbefore,liketheconnectionwasweaker.IlaymyhandovermymarkandrecalledthelastmemoryIhadofthatworld.ThatreddragonwasaimingthosesilvertalonsatXander.

“Doyouknowifsilverhurtsdragons?”Iaskedmyfriend.Heatherraisedhereyesandfurrowedherbrow.“Ineverheardthatitcould,

butIneverheardofdragonsturningintocuteguys,either.”Sheglancedoverhershoulderatme.“Why?”

Istaredatthefloorandshookmyhead.“It’snothing.”Heather walked over to the column thatmade up one end of the bar that

separated the kitchen from the dining area. She leaned her shoulder on thecolumnandcrossedherarmsoverherchest.“Whatisit?”

Iraisedmyeyesandglaredather.“Isaiditwasnothing.”She held up her hands and retreated into the kitchen. “All right, all right.

Sheesh.”I rubbed my aching shoulder and bit my lower lip. That last memory

wouldn’tleaveme.Aknotgatheredinmystomach.“Whatthehellhappened?”Iwhispered.“Whyshouldyoucare?”Heathercalledfromthekitchen.Shepickedupour

glasses and carried them to the table. “Imean, it’s not like you love the guy,right?”

Iblushedandavertedhereyesassheploppedoneofthemugsdowninfrontofme..“Ididn’tsayanything.”

Shesatdowninthechairbesidemeandsnorted.“Yeah,andI’manunwho’stakenavowofsilence.Nowcomeon,what’sreallybotheringyou?”

“Isaidit’snothing.”Sheleanedclosetomeandstudiedmyface.“Areyoublushing?”Icringedandturnedmyfaceaway.“I’mnotblushing.”Agleefulsmilespreadacrossherlips.“Youdolikehim,don’tyou?You’ve

fallenforyourknightingreenscales!”Iwhippedmyheadbackandglaredather.“HowcouldIevenlikehim?He

hadmekidnappedsohecouldkeepupsomekindof-”Heatherletoutasquealassheploppedherselfinthechairbesideme.

“Youwouldn’tbecomplainingabouthimifyoudidn’t likehimsomuch!”sheinsisted.

Iblinkedather.“Areyounuts?Icouldnever-”Anotherwhite-hotpainhit

meintheshoulder.Iwincedandclappedmyhandoverthetattoo.Heathersighedandshookherhead.“YougottagetpasttheDenialstageand

takeashortcuttotheAcceptanceone.”“I’mnotgrieving!”Isnapped.Shenoddedatmyshoulder.“ButIbetyou’regoingtobeifyoudon’tfind

out what’s wrong over there. I bet that tattoo has something to do with yourconnectionwithhim,andifit’shurtingthatmightmeanhe’shurting,too.”

“Areyouevenlisteningtome?”“Yousaidtherewasabigbattlewhenyougotpushedintotheportal?Maybe

he’sseriouslyinjured,ormaybehe’sdying.”Herwordsmademefreeze.Mybloodrancoldasmyheartskippedacouple

ofbeats.Thelastimageofthatattackingdragon,thepaininmyarm,thevisionIjustexperienced.Noneofthempointedtoahappyandhealthydragonlord.

Heather’ssoft,lowvoicebrokethroughmyreverie.“Well?”Iliftedmyeyesandblinkedather.“Wellwhat?”She rolled her eyes. “Are you going to get back there or do I have to

carryyou?”Istartedback.“Areyounuts?I’mnotgoingbackthere!”Shejumpedtoherfeetandgrabbedmyhand.“Comeon.Let’sgetyougoing

backtoyourscalysoul-matebeforehediesoreatssomeoneorsomething.”Heather dragged me out of my chair and toward the door. “Wait!Wait a

minute!”Iyankedmyhandfreefromhergraspandstumbledbacktomyplaceatthetable.Iglaredatmy‘friend.’“Areyoutryingtogetmekilled?Thatotherdragonwasn’t trying to hugmebefore I dropped through that portal that alsotriedtokillme!”

She put her hands on her hips and tapped her foot on the floor. “Miriam,you’ve got the best chance in your life to save a strong, handsomemanwholovesyou,andhereyouarestandingtherelikeyoudon’tlovehimyourself.”

“HowcanI?”Iargued.Heather smiled and stepped forward. She dropped a hand onmy shoulder

and lookedme in theeyes.“StockholmSyndrome.”Myfacefell.She laughedand patted my shoulder. “Because sometimes love starts under strange

circumstances.Besides,couldyoureallylivewithyourselfifhedied?”Ipursedmylips.Shehadmethere.Heatherslippedaroundmeandpressed

herpalmsagainstmyback so she could steerme toward thedoor. “Comeon.Let’sgosaveyourscalyboyfriend.”

I

13

reluctantly let her drive me back to the junk yard and I led her to thespecific area where the portal disappeared.We stopped near one of thelargertrashpiles.

I turned to her and foldedmy arms. “It’s supposed to be here, but Idon’tknowifloveisgoingtogetthatthingtoopen.”

Heather cupped her chin in one hand and furrowed her brow. “Do yourememberhowyougotinthefirsttime?”

Irolledmyeyes.“No.Iforgottoclickonmyinternalvideorecorderbeforetheyknockedmeout.”

Shestrolledaroundthearealookingatthegroundandupintheair.“Maybethere’sabuttonorsomething.”

Iranahandthroughmyhairandsighed.“Ormaybewe’renotgoingtogetthisthingopenandweshouldjustgohome.”

Heatherstompeduptomeandgrabbedmyhands.Shelookedmeintheeyesand frowned. “Don’t you dare give up onme and your heart this fast.We’recountingonyou.”

Isnorted.“Whendidmyheartgetavoteonthis?”“WhenIsaidithadone.”“Anddoesmyhearthaveanyideashowtogetthisportalthingopen?”Heather paused.Her eyes widened and her wild grin stretched across her

face.“Maybethat’sit!”

Ileanedbackandfrowned.“Maybewhat’sit?”Shedraggedmetomybutt-markinthedirtandarrangedussowefacedeach

other.“Maybewith your love and yourmark thingy you can open the portal.They’rebothfromtheotherworld,right?”

Iblinkedather.“Ihavenoideahowthatwouldwork.”Sheshrugged.“NeitherdoI,but there’sgot tobeaway.Maybeyoucould

slapyourmarkorkissitordosomething.”Myfacefell.“Seriously?”Shereleasedmyhandsandsteppedtothesidewhereshecrossedherarms.

“It’salluptoyounow,Miriam.Igotyouhere,nowyou’vegottogetthatmarkgoing.”

“Allyoudidwasdrivemehere!”Iargued.“Closeenough,nowfocusonthatmark!”Isighedandglanceddownatmyshoulder.Therewasadullpainfromthat

spotthatmademywholearmache.Ipulledupmysleevesandgraspedmymarkinmyhand.Theskinfeltwarm.Itremindedmeofhisbodyagainstmine,andthewarmthinhiseyes.Ithoughtofmyvision,andthelastmemoryIhadofhim.

Iclosedmyeyesandpressedmylipstogether.Mywhisperedwordsfloatedthroughthequietair.“Damnit...why’dyouhavetogoandbeahero?”

The pain in my shoulder increased ten-fold. My eyes flew open and Iwhippedmyheadtomyshoulder.Thelinesofthemarkglowedabrightgreenandmyhandglowedabrightblue.Thebrilliantcolorstwinedtogetherlikesilkbands. They floated into the air and swept in front ofme. The pair of bandspartedanddrewtwohalvesofacircleintheairbeforeme.

The border of the portal materialized. The two bands finished their workwith a bang as the center darkness blew into existence. I stumbled back andstaredblanklyatthecompletePortal.

Heather rushed to my side and steadied me. Her wide eyes stared at thereflectivesurface.“Wow.”Shelookedatme.“How’dyoudothat?”

Idroppedmyhandandshookmyhead.“Idon’tknow.”Shesteppedforwardandlookedatmebeforeshejerkedherheadtowardthe

portal.“Well?Whatareyouwaitingfor?”Ismiledandgaveheratighthug.We

parted and I could see a few tears in her eyes. “Goon.You shouldn’t keep adragonwaiting.Hemighteatyou.”

Irolledmyeyes.“Thanks.Thatreallyhelps.”She grinned. “I’ll always be there to give you the good news, now get

going.”Heathersteppedaside.IlookedtothePortalandtookadeepbreathknowing

I’dneedit.WithahopeandaprayerIleaptintothevoid.Thetripwasexactlylikethe

firstone,buttheexitwasalittledifferent.Istumbledoutoftheothersideoftheportalandontothehardstoneplatform.ThefrontofmyfootbetrayedmethistimeandItrippedononeofthoserocks.Ifellontomyhandsandknees.

Agreencloakcame intomylimitedview. I tiltedmyheadupand into theshockedfaceoftheancientsage.Behindhimwerehispeers.Theirfaceshadthesameastonishedexpression.

I grinned up at them. “Um, hi. You don’t happen to-”My eyes noticed alarge stain over the stones. The stain was a distinct red color. My heartquickened.Ilookedupatthem.“Where’sXander?”

Apuleius knelt down and offered me his hand. “Wemust get you to himimmediately.”

Thatdidn’tdoathingtostopmyfast-beatingheart.I tookhishandandhehelpedmeup.Apuleiusturnedtooneofthegray-cloakedmen.“IwillescortMyLadytoMyLord.”

The gray cloaked man whipped his head up so quickly his hood fellbackwardtorevealhisastonishedface.“ButFatherApuleius-”

“IfanyoneistoseeMyLordtohealth, itshallbehisLady,”Apuleiustoldhim.Heglancedattheothersandbowedhishead.“Pleaseforgiveme-”Theoneinthegoldcloakraisedhishandandshookhishead.

“Donot concernyourselfwithapologies.Weallwould riskour cloaks forourlords.”Hesmiledandnoddedattheairaboveus.“NowtotheskiesbeforeIthrowyoumyself.”

Apuleius returned thesmile.“Thankyou,oldfriend.”He turned tome.“Ifyouwouldclimbonmyback,MyLady.”

Iblinkedathimandglancedathisback.“Idon’tthinkI’d-”Mymistakewascut shortwhen the slits in thebackofhiscloakparted to

makeroomforhislargegreendragonwings.“Ifyouwillpardonmyforwardness,MyLady,”heapologized.I didn’t have time to ask himwhy before he sweptme into his arms. He

flappedhiswingsandwewereairborne.Likeanyunprofessional rider Iclungtightlytohisneckandprayed.

Iwasuptobarteringmysoulforareprievefromthewindwhippingthroughmyhairwhenwereachedthecastle.Thelongfifteenmileshadbeencoveredinalittleunderfifteenminutes.Aneternityformyheart,andIhopedIwouldn’texpecttofindXanderinaneternityofsleep.

TheguardsgreeteduswithspearsasApuleiuslandedinthecourtyard.Islidoutofhisarmsandstumbledforward.MylegsshooksobadIleanedontheoldsageforsupport.Hiswingsshrankuntilhisoldframereturnedtohiscompletehumanform.Itwasonlythenthattheguardsloweredtheirspears.

Apuleius looked to one of the green-clothed guards. “Does Our Lordstilllive?”

Hepursedhislips,butnodded.“Yes,PriestApuleius,butonlyjustbarely.”Apuleiusturnedtomeandpressedhishandagainstmyback.“Ifyouwould

followme,MyLady.”He ledme through themazeofcorridorsanddoors toXander’schambers.

Wefoundtwogreen-clothedguardsoneithersideofthedoor.Theybowedtheirheadsandoneof themopenedthedoorforApuleiusandme.Iwonderedhowmanydoorswereshuttothispriestlyfellow.

That is,untilIsawthefigureinthebed.All thoughtfledfrommymind.Ifroze just inside the doorway. There, beneath many layers of blankets, layXander.Hisfacewasashenandsweatcoveredhisbrow.Bandagescriss-crossedhis chest. He shivered and clenched his teeth.Near the foot of the bed stoodCayden, and at his side was Stephanie. Darda stood behind them with herhusband.

Apuleius hurried to his side.He looked fromXander’s pale face to amanwhostoodontheoppositesideofthebed.Hewasawhite-haired,gray-bearded

gentlemaninalongshirtwithsleevesandleggings.Hishandswerecoveredinsilkglovesthatwerestainedbychemicalsandsweat.Hisfacewasgrave.

“Howishishealth?”Apuleiusaskedhim.Thedoctorpursedhislips.Heclosedhiseyesandshookhishead.“Thereis

nothingmoremyskillscando.”Ihurriedover toApuleius’s sideandsetmyhandson thecovers.Acloser

lookatXander’s facedidn’thelp theheavy feeling inmyheart.His breathingwasquickandeachbreathwasastruggle.

I looked at all the faces of those who surrounded me. “What’s wrongwithhim?”

“The Bestia Draconis wore poison-tipped silver talons. One of them cutXanderverydeeply,”Caydenexplained.

Ifeltthecolordrainfrommyface.TheacheinmyshouldergotworseasIlookedaroundatthedirefaces.“Isn’tthereanantidote?”

Thedoctorclosedhiseyesandshookhishead.“Myabilitiesarebeyondthispoison.OnlythetearsgivenbytheLadyofthePondcanhealsuchapoison.”

I furrowedmy brow. “Thewomanwho lives in the pond near the castle?What’ssohardaboutthat?”

Caydensighed.“TheLadyonlyappearstothosewhomshedeemsworthyofherattention.Inthisinstance,shewouldnotheedourcallsandappeartous.”

I pursedmy lips and spunonmyheels so I faced thedoorway. “Then I’llgo,”IannouncedasImarchedtowardthedoor.

Theguardsoneithersidestepped inmyway. Iwhippedmyheadovermyshoulder to look atCayden. “If youwant that dragon lord tomake it then letmego.”

Caydenshookhishead.“Wecannotallowyoutoescapeagain.”IglaredathimandpointedafingeratXander.“Doyouwanthimtodie?”“Ifyouwereto-”“Lethergo.”ThewordscamefromDarda.ShelookedupatCaydenandmet

hisgaze.“MyLordwouldwishitso.”Caydensighed,butnoddedhishead.Heturnedhisattentiontothesoldiers.

“Stepaside,andIwillgowithyou.”

Theguards stepped aside. I hurried to the door and grabbed the knob, butpausedandlookedovermyshoulder.Igavethegroupasmileandathumbsup.“I’llberightback.”

I

14

hadnoplan,thoughatthatpointwhatIreallywantedwasamacheteandaflashlight.Theworldofdragonswasverydark.TheonlylightIhadwasthemooninthesky.IfumbledmywaythroughthewoodswithCaydenasmyguide.Everyrockandtreebranchtriedtomurderme,butthesoundof

thewaterfallkepthopealivewithinme.CaydenheldopenthelasthomicidalbranchasIstumbledintotheclearing.

The gurgling brook greeted us with its soft sounds, and the falling waterglistenedinthemoonlightasitssparklingdropletssplashedovertherocks.

Caydensteppedforward,butIgrabbedhisarm.“Letmehandlethis.”Hepursedhislips,butnoddedandsteppedback.Itooktheforefrontofthis

rescuemissionandwalkedtotheedgeofthewater.Ileanedovertheedgeandcuppedmyhandstogether.“Hello!”

Myvoiceechoedovertheclearing.Thewatergurgledinreply.Istraightenedandfrowned.Shewantedtodoitthehardway.

Ipickedupastoneandtosseditintheairtocatchitinmypalm.“Heregoesnothing...”

Ithrewthestone.Itlandedwithahardker-plopinthemiddleofthepond.Agrinslidontomyfaceasthewatergurgled.Thefamiliarcolumnofwaterburstinto the air andexplodedoutward to reveal thebeautifulwoman.Herbrilliantblue eyes looked fromme toCayden.Thedragon lord knelt on one knee andbowedhishead.

“DragonoftheGoldenFields.Itisapleasuretomeetyou,”shegreetedhim.Hedidn’tlifthishead.“Thepleasureisallmine,MyLady.”Shereturnedherattentiontome.“Whyhaveyoucomewithoutyourlord?”I stepped forward so I stood at the edge of the pond. “Some red dragons

attackedusatthePortal,andhegotnickedbysomepoisonontheirclaws.Weneedyourwatersowecanhealhim.”

She tilted her head to one side and studied me. “Why do you seek thewater?”

I frowned. “I already told you, it’s because Xander’s hurt. He’s dying ofpoisonrightnow,butthedocsaidyoucouldcurehim.”

Shewalkedacrossthewatertowardme.Everyfootstepleftasmallrippleinthestillponduntilshereachedtherocks that ringed thepool.Hereyescaughtmine as theyhadbefore. I couldn’tmove as she steppedoff the last rock andstoodwithinafootofme.

Hereyessearchedmine.“Whydoyouseektosavehim?”Iswallowedthelumpinmythroat.Itwasn’teasybeingthisclosetosuchan

etherealbeing.“Becausehewashurttryingtoprotectme.Iowehimone.”Shecuppedmycheek inoneofherpalms.Herskinwascoldandbrushed

againstmineliketheflowofthegentlecreek.“Isthatall?”It was hard to breathe so close to her overpowering aura. “Isn’t that

enough?”Sheshookherhead.“Thepowerofmytearsrestsontheloveoftheonewho

seeksit.Withoutlovetherecanbenocure.”Asmall,slysmileslippedontoherlipsashetiltedherheadtooneside.“Doyounotlovehim?”

Ipursedmylipsandshookmyhead.“Idon’tknow.”Her smile widened. She clasped her hands around mine and cupped my

hands together.Her brilliant blue light pulsed fromher hands. I felt awarmthentermypalmsalongwithaweight.Shereleasedmeandsteppedbackontotherocks.Iopenedmyhandsandbeheldasmallvialofcrystal-clearwater.

Ilookedupatherandshookmyhead.“Idon’tunderstand.Why?”Shesteppedbackwardintothepool.Thewaterbeneathherbubbledupand

surroundedher,buthersoftwordsreachedmeasclearasthewaterinmyhands.

“Where there is doubt, there is still hope.Heal him and youwill find thepeaceyouseek.”

Myeyeswidened.Thewatertwistedupwardandenvelopedher.Istretchedoutmyhandtowardthewoman.“Wait!”

Thewaterswallowedherandretreatedbackintothepool.Thewomanwasgone.Idroppedmyarmtomysideandlookedatthevialinmypalm.Theclearwatersparkledinthedimlightofearlymorning.

Iclasped it tightly inmyhandand turned toCayden.Hestoodand lookedfrommetothevial.Itookadeepbreathandpocketedthevial.“Let’sgo.”

Wereturnedtothecastleandtheroom.Thegravefaceswerepaler,aswasXander.Ipulledoutthevial.ThegrouppartedformeasIwalkeduptothebed.Xander’sbreathingwasquickandshallow.Heclutchedthecoverssotightlyhishandswereaswhiteasthesheets.

IpoppedthecorkandglancedatCaydenandthedoctoroppositeme.“Couldyouholdhimstillandgethismouthopenforme?”

Caydentookthearms,Apuleiusthelegs,andthedoctorpriedopenXander’sclenchedteeth.Itookadeepbreathandrammedthemouthofthevialbetweenhislips.Thecoolliquidslidoutoftheglassandintohismouth.Hearchedhisbackandhisbodytensed.Ithrewmyselfoverhischestashebegantoshakeandthrash.

The episode lasted for a long few seconds before a soft blue glow spreadfromhis chest across the rest of his body. The light passed under us, andwecouldfeelthesoothingcoolness.Itrelaxedmymusclesandmyfear.

Xander’sbodyrelaxedandhefellbackagainstthebed.Wereleasedhimandsteppedbacktowatchthelightfullyenvelopehim.Thebluepulsedwithasoftcold,butwitheachpulseitsankdeeperintohim.Soonthelightdisappeared.Wewaitedwithbaitedbreath.

Xander’seyesflutteredopen.Heblinkedatallofourtensefaces.Hiseyessettledonmeandwidened.“Miriam-”Hetriedtositup,butwinced.

I grabbedhis shoulders. “Easy there. I bet even dragons need to rest a bitafterbeingalmost-fatallypoisoned.”

He grabbedmy arm and searchedmy face. “Is it you or some apparition

cometotakemetotheskies?”Ismiled.“I’dhavetogowiththefirstoption.”Xanderpulledmedownandpressedour lips together. Iheardagasp from

StephanieandachucklefromApuleius.WepartedsoIcouldpartakeofsomeairandwipetheblushfrommycheeks.

“Youcouldhavejustsaid‘thankyou,’”Iteasedhim.Hesmiled.“Ithoughtwordswouldbetooweak.”“Notasweakasyou,MyLord,” thedoctorspokeup.Hepulled thesheets

over Xander’s bandaged chest and up to his chin. “The poison may bevanquished,butyourwoundsfromitstalonsarenotyethealed.”

Xanderfellbackagainsthispillowsandshookhishead.“Youneedn’tworrytoomuchforme,Galen.Ihardlyfeelanyweakness.”

“Butitisstillaweakness,nonetheless,andIdemandyougetsomerest,”thedoctorinsisted.Heswepthiseyesoverthemanyoccupantsoftheroom.“IfyouwouldallleaveOurLordmayfindsome.”

Xandernoddedatme.“Letherstay.Imustspeakwithher.”Galenbowedhishead.“Ifyouwish,MyLord.”

T

15

he roomwasvacated. I caught a smiling glance fromStephanie. Thegirlwasgettingbolderby thehour.When thedoorclosedbehind thelastpersonIturnedtoXander.

He stared atmewith equal curiosity. “Did I imagine your fallingintothePortal?”hewondered.

Ishookmyhead.“Nope.Iwentbacktomyownworld,butthis-”I tappedmyshoulderwheremyshirthidmymark,“-toldmesomethingwaswrong,soIcameback.”

Heclaspedoneofmyhandsinhisandpursedhislips.“Thenitappearsyouhave somehow overcome a Maiden’s greatest enticement to remain with herdragon lord.You havemanaged to survive the Portal after theMarking.”Hishand fell away from mine and turned his head away from me. “Under thecircumstances, I cannot in good faith keep you with me. You may return toyourhome.”

Ismiledandshrugged.“WhywouldIwanttodothat?Iamhome.”Hewhipped his head up and studiedmy face with flitting eyes. “Do you

speakinearnest,ordoyouhumormeinmyrecuperation?”“YouthinkI’dlietoyouafterIjustsavedyourscalyskin?”Iteased.A grin brightened his face. He leaned forward and captured my lips in a

searingkissthatspokehishappinesslouderthananywords.WebrokeapartsoIcouldgetsomeair.Atthisratehewasgoingtosuffocateme.Evenhewasalittle

shortashestudiedmewithhisteasingsmile.I looked around the room and shrugged. “Imean, this isn’t exactly a nice

apartment,butit’llwork.”Hechuckled.“IfImighttellthetruth,theHighCastleisnotmyhome.”Istoppedmyperusingandcurtainmeasurementstofrownathim.“Thisisn’t

yourplace?”Heshookhishead.“No.It isonlyagatheringplaceforwedragonlords,a

place of compromise that sits at the point where our five kingdoms cometogether.”

Mymindimaginedastonehovelinsomedistantland.Icringed.“Sowhereisyourkingdom?”

“Amomentand Iwill showyou.”He leanedbackandpulledon thecord.ThedoorsoonopenedandDardastoodinthedoorway.“Themapofthelands,ifyouwill.”Shebowedherheadand retreated, shutting thedoorbehindher.Heturned to me. “There is an excellent library here managed by those in theadjacent village. Within its collection are maps of the known world, andthensome.”

Dardasoonreturnedwitharollofpaper.Isatontheedgeofthebedwithmylegs dangling over as she handed the paper toXander.He unfurled the paperacrosshislap.Alarge,brownedmapspreadoutbeforehim.Theroughleatherwascovered fromcorner-to-cornerwithseas,mountains,oceans, lakes,andsomuchmore.

XandertappedonthecenterofthemapwherewasscrawledthenameHighCastle.“Thisiswhereweare,andthis-”hedrewhisfingeracrossthemapinasouthwesterlydirection,“-ismykingdom.”

Hiskingdomwasalargeplainthatabuttedalargebay.Alargedotsatonthebay,andthenameonthemapread‘Alexandria.’

Hestudiedmyexpression.“Doyoustillwishtoseemyhome?”I lookedupathimandgrinned.“Whynot?But-” I slidoff thebed,“-first

youneedtoobeythedoctor’sordersandgetsomerest.”Xandergrabbedmyarm.“Staywithme. I fearyour return isbut adream,

andIwouldnotawakenwithoutyouatmyside.”

“Onlyifyou’regoingtorest,”Iwarnedhim.Hechuckled.“Asyouwish,MyMaiden.”

WE SLEPT TOGETHER in his bed, andwhen the brightmorning came I blinkedagainst the harsh light. I willed my eyes open and looked up at the head ofthebed.

Itwasempty.Isatupandwhippedmyheadleftandright.Myeyesfoundtheobjectiveof

my design, and desire.Xander stood beside his dresser only half dressed.Hischestwasstillbandaged,but thecolorofhisskinwasoncemorepinkish thanwhite.Heslippedhisshirtonandturnedtomewithateasingsmile.

“Areyoupreparedforthejourney?”heaskedme.Iblinkedathim.“Forwhat?”Xanderchuckledandwalkedovertothebedside.Hepickeduptherolled-up

map.“Wehaveagreatdistancetotravelbeforewereachmydomain.”Ifrowned.“Isitthatfartoflythere?”Heshookhishead.“No,butasItoldyoubeforethedragonformisagreat

strainonthebody.Thatiswhywewilltravelbyhorseback.”Iwincedandrubbedmybehind.“Ohgoody.”Xander tossed themaponto theunmadebedandwrappedhisarmsaround

mywaist.Hepressedmeagainsthimandlookedintomyeyes.“Doyoudoubtyourdecisiontojoinme?”

Itoyedwiththestringsthatclosedhisshirtandsmiled.“No,butIhopeyouenjoyedmybutt.Itmightnotmakethetrip.”

Xanderchuckled.“IwillbesuretoprotectitasmuchasIcan.”Therecameaknockonthedoor.“Enter,”hecalledout.

Thedooropened.Dardastoodinthedoorwayandbowedtous.“MyLord,thehorsesarereadyandLordCaydenawaitsyou.”

“Thenthatisourcuetoleave,”Xanderannounced.Helookedtome.“Ihopeyou won’t be displeased with their following us. Cayden’s kingdom abutsmyown.”

Ishookmyhead.“Nope.”Hegraspedmyhandandguidedmetothedoor.“Thenletusbeoff.”The hallways of theHighCastlewere alivewith servants.They flitted to-

and-fro, some with luggage in their arms and others returning for more. Theservants steppedasideandbowed tousaswepassed.Manyof themsnatchedlooksatus,andsomeofthemweren’ttoofriendly.

I stayed close to Xander’s side and we navigated down to the courtyard.Horsesandgroomsfilledthearea,andsomehowtwodozenwagonsfitintothespace.People shouted andpointed, andothers stumbledor rushed through thecrowds.Theluggagecarriersdroppedtheirloadsintothewagonswhilethelordsmountedonthehorseswatchedovertheproceedings.

InthechaosIsawthethreeotherwomanchosenasMaidens.Alexsatonahorse with the brown-bearded lord close beside her on his own sturdy steed.Close behind them on horses sat Olivia and Cindy, the first beside the dark-hairedlordandthesecondclosetothewhite-hairedlord.Olivialookedascrossas ever, and I didn’t catch any affection from her as she snatched glances atherlord.

Alex noticed me and waved her hand. “Miriam!” She urged her horseforward to uswhere she leaneddownclose tome andwinked. “What doyouthinkofmylord?”

I glanced past her at the bearded fellow.He sat proud and erect, and thenbelched.Iwinced.“He’s-um,nice.”

Shegrinnedandwinkedatme.“Yeah,andniceinbed,too.Andhe’salreadypromisedtoteachmehowtorideallhisstallionswhenwegettohiscastle.”HereyesflittedtoXander.“Notabadcatchyourself.”

Ismiled.“He’lldo.”“Alex!”herlordbellowed.Alexstraightenedandtightenedhergriponthereins.“I’llmakesuretowrite

toyou,andyoudothesameforme,okay?Wemightbestuckhere,butwecanatleastenjoyit.”

Inodded.“Surething,andhavefun.”Shelaughedandturnedherhorseaway.“Definitely!”Shegallopedaway.

I furrowedmy brow and looked toXander. “Couldn’t she go through thePortallikeme?”

Xander pursed his lips. “You are the first of anyone from this world tosurvivethePortal’stouch.Iwouldnotwishtoseeanyoneelseattemptthefeat.”

Iarchedaneyebrow.“SohowdidIlivethroughit?”Heturnedtomeandgavemeateasingsmile.“BecauseyouaremyMaiden.”Irolledmyeyesandtheyfoundourtwofamiliarcompanions.Stephanieand

Caydensatonapairof fine tan steedsnot too far from thegate.Beside themweretworiderlesswhitehorses.

Xanderofferedmehisarm.“Shallwe?”Igrinnedandacceptedhisoffer.“Definitely.”And so began my adventures in this new world with my new dragon

boyfriend.

ANOTE FROMMAC

Thanksfordownloadingmybook!Yoursupportmeansalottome,andI’mgratefultohavethe

opportunitytoentertainyouwithmystories.

Ifyou’dliketocontinuereadingtheseries,orwonderwhatelseImighthaveupmywriter’s

sleeve,feelfreetocheckoutmywebsite,orcontactmeatmac@macflynn.com.

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CONTINUETHEADVENTURE

Nowthatyou’vefinishedthebook,feelfreetocheckoutmywebsitefortherestoftheexcitingseries.Here’salsoalittlesneak-peekatthenextbook:

REALMSOFTHEDRAGONS:

ThelifeofaMaidentoadragondidn’tseemsoglamorous.Actually,atthatmomentitwasdownrightmiserable.

“Awarmfire.Anelectricblanket.Aroofovermyhead.”Thatwasmy dreammantra as our group of two dozen riders rode

through a torrential rain.All around uswas aworld ofmud and thickforest.WewerethreedaysoutfromtheHighCastle,andaheadofuswasanotherfourdaysofoutdoorfun.Thedirtroadwetraveledonwasnowamudpitfitforanyhog.Mycloakwassoakedthroughandthereweretwopuddlesalwayswithme,oneineachofmyridingboots.

Icouldbarelyseetenfeetinfrontofmyhorse’snose,andwhatIsawIdidn’tlike.Morerain.“Awarmfire.Anelectric-”

“Do you know how to create electricity?” Xander, my personaldragonlord,askedme.Herodeclosebesideme,andinfrontofuswerehalfourguards.Behindusweretheotherhalfalongwithafewservantsandourtwofriends,StephanieandCayden.

Iraisedmyhoodedheadandarchedaneyebrowatmydragonlord.“Doyouevenknowwhatelectricityis?”

He smiled and gave a nod. “Yes.Darda spoke often of yourworldwhen she first came intomymother’s service. Her tales of electricity,powerwithoutphysicalforce,havestayedwithme.”

“She’sfrommyworld?”Iaskedhim.He nodded. “Yes. The Portal is always open, and because of that

people have been known to fall through. The rules demanded she notreturn to warn others, and so she was pressed into the service of thepriestsofthePortaluntilshewasgiventomymother.”

Iglancedovermyshoulderattheshortwomanwhofollowedbehindus.Her stooped servile posture andprimitive attire didn’t bespeakof apersonfrommyworld.Still, thatdidexplainher talk towegirls in thestableandaboutwhatwewereleavingbehind.

“Sohowlongagodidshestumbleintothisplace?”Iaskedhim.“Nearlysixtyyearsago.”Iwinced.Thatwasalongtimewithoutelectricity.Xanderstaredaheadandpursedhislips.“Ihavelongwishedtosee

thismagicofyourworld,andthatiswhyIaskedifyouhaveknowledgeenoughtocreatethiselectricity.”

Ishookmyhead.“Nope,notathing.IdoubtIcouldcreateanelectricshockbydraggingmy feet,much less enough that couldpowera lightbulborsomethingsimplelikethat.”

Xanderlookedaheadofusandasmallsmileplayedacrosshislips.“ThenIstillmustcontinuemydream.”

I felta littleguiltyathavingdashedhishopes.“Maybeyoucangotheresomeday,”Isuggested.

He shook his head. “That is not possible. You yourself witnessedwhatwouldhappenwereItoeventouchthePortal’ssurface.”

“ButIgotthrough,”Iremindedhim.Xanderreturnedhisgazetomeandstudiedme.“Yes,butyouarethe

first.Ishouldnotconsidermyselfanexceptiontoarulethathasstooda

thousandyears.”Iwrinkledmynose.“SohowcomeI’manexception?”Heshookhishead.“Thatisamysterythepriestscouldnotsolveand

our books could not answer for us.However-”A teasing smile playedacrosshislips,“-Iwouldnothaveyoumaketheattemptagain.”

Iraisedmyheadandsalutedhim.Theraindropsnearlydrownedme.“IpromiseI’llbeagoodlittleMaiden.”

He chuckled. “I expect you to be something other than that, but Iwouldasknothingelseofyou.”

Ismiled,butthesmilesoonfaded.ThinkingaboutwhatIleftbehindremindedmeoftherain.Ihuddledinsidemywetcloakandshiveredasthedampsankintomybones.Theforestaroundusseemedsovast,andIfeltlikejustatiny,wetlittlespeckinit.

Xander pulledhis horse closer tomine and reachedbehindhimselfforhistravelblanket.Heletgoofhisreignstodrapetheblanketacrossmy shivering shoulders. The weight of the thick woolen blanket wasprecededbytheheatittrappedinsideme.

I grabbed the front-top edges to keep the blanket on my slickshoulders and smiled at him. “Thanks.” I glanced around us at the tallforestwith its thick-trunked treesandundergrowth.“It feels likewe’vebeeninthisplaceforever.Howmuchfartherdowehavetogobeforewegetoutofthisplace?”

“TheViridiSilvaisoneofthelargestforestsinourworld.Wewon’treachitssouthernboundaryforanothertwodays,”hetoldme.

Xander looked at the guards ahead of us. Their headswere toppedwithroundedmetalhelmetsandtheirhandswerehiddenbythickleathergloveswithholesattheends.Theyworesilverarmorcoveredincloaks,butIcouldseethearmorhadslitsinthebackneartheirshoulderblades.The lookwas similar towhat the priest of the Portal had, and I knewwhatthatmeant.

“Arethereanyhumansinthisworldbesidestheonesfrommine?”Iaskedhim.

Xandernodded.“Yes,buttheirsettlementsarefewandfarbetween.Manymatedwithdragonslongagoandthedragonbloodoverrodetheirhumanline.Othershavesimplyfadedintohistory.”

IglancedovermyshoulderatDardaandStephanie.“Sowe’rekindofanendangeredspecieshere.”

“I am afraid that is very close to the truth,” he agreed. Hestraightenedinhissaddleandclearedhisthroat.“Spiros!”

Thehelmetofoneoftheguardswasmoreelaboratethantheothers.Ratherthanasmoothtop,hishadacrestlikethespineonadragon’stail.He pulled his reigns back and turned toward us. The man was aboutthirtywithascaracrosshisleftcheek.Hisfacewasmarredwithcare,butthecornersofhislipshadahintofasmile.TherewasalsoatwinkleinhiseyesthatremindedmeofXander.

“Youcalled,MyLord?”heshoutedback.Xander nodded. “Yes. I wish for your presence at my side for a

moment.”Spirosgaveafewbriefinstructionstoayoungmanoftwentywho traveledathis sidebeforehegallopedoverand joinedus.Xandergestured to me. “I haven’t properly introduced you to my Maiden.Miriam,thisismycaptain,Spiros.”

Hisbarely-concealedsmileappearedashebowedhisheadtome.“Itisanhonortomeetyou,MyLady.”

Inodded.“Ditto.”“SpirosandIgrewuptogether,sodonotbealarmedifheappearstoo

impertinent,”Xanderwarnedme.“IfIamimpertinentitisbecauseIfeelmyadvicewilldoyousome

good,MyLord,”Spiroscountered.Xanderchuckled.“Domegood?Aswhenyoucoaxedmeintoriding

myfather’sfinestbulltoseeifitsnameof‘Devil’befittedit?”“Yourodehimverywell,MyLord,andnoonedoubtedyourbravery

afterward,”hiscaptainargued.“ButsomedoubtedverymuchIwouldsurvivemyinjuries,”Xander

pointedout.

I raised an eyebrow, all my discomfort forgotten. “Did the bullgoreyou?”

SpiroleanedforwardsoIcouldseehimasheshookhishead.“No,MyLady.Theoldking,MyLord’sfather,beathimquiteprofusely.”

Xanderwincedatthememoryandrubbedhisarm.“IamashamedtosayIdeservedasmuch.InridingthebullIhadbrokenhisstrictordertostayawayfromthebeast.”

“Soyou see,MyLady,MyLord is ingreat needofmycounsel tosavehimfromhisrashdecisions,”Spiroscommented.

Isnorted.“Withfriendslikeyouwhoneedsenemies?”Spiroschuckled.“Averyinterestingsaying,MyLady.Ishallhaveto

rememberit.”“Andwhereitasabadgeofhonor,nodoubt,”Xanderteasedhim.He

leanedtowardhisfriendandstudiedhimwithasharpeye.“Thoughonthesubjectofgoodadvice,IdorecallyourattempttoflyovertheGrandCanalbeforeyourwingsweresoftened.”

“Softened?”Iaskedhim.“Thewings of a dragon child are at first very hard and brittle,” he

explainedtome.“Theexposureofthewingstoairandexercisesoftensthemusclesandallowsthemtospreadtotheirfulllength.”

“Ifyouwillrecall,MyLord,myfatherwouldnotallowmetoenterknight training until my wings were softened,” Spiros spoke up. “Isought to show him that they had softened, at least far enough tosupportme.”

Xanderchuckled.“TheyhadsoftenedenoughforyoutofallintotheCanalandnearlydrownedyourself.Ifmyguardescorthadnotfoundtowherewehadeludedthemwewouldnotbehavingthisdiscussion.”

I looked from Xander to Spiros. “You guys got away from theguards?”

Spiros’smischievouseyes flickered tohis lord.“MyLordwasveryadeptateludinghiskeepers.”

Anymore conversation was cut off by a sudden worsening of the

already-worseweather.The torrential rains fell faster and drowned outmorethanjusttheprimitiveroad.Icouldbarelyhearmyselfthinkmuchlessoverhear theconversationbetween the twoold friends.What Ididcatch,however,wasachangeintheirexpressions.Theygazedoutontherainswith pursed lips and furrowedbrowsbefore theyglanced at eachotherwithknowinglooks.Spirosbowedhisheadandtrottedofftoretakehispositionattheheadoftheguards.

CaydenfilledtheemptyspotvacatedbySpiros,andStephaniecameup on his left side. “What do youmake of this weather?” he shoutedabovethepoundingrains.

Xander shook his head. “We cannot journeymuch farther than thebridge.”

“Ifthebridgeistobehad,”Caydenpointedout.Therewasnousetalkingatthetopofourlungs,sothenextcoupleof

minuteswas devoid of all but the thunderous rains that fell aroundus.Themuddy roadopenedup aheadof us and revealed a small river.Atleast, smallwhen therewasn’t a floodwarning.Aswe approached thewatersIcouldheartheroarofthestreamasitturnedovertherocksinitsbedandsweptawaythetreesthatlineditsbanks.

The bridge was a wooden makeup of logs strapped together withheavyropeandsealedwithatar-lookingsubstance.ThicktreesaswideasIwastallwerethesupportbeamsthatforcedthebridgetocurveoverthewaterinagentlearch.Belowthearchwerethefastwatersofthewildriver. Iwincedevery timeIhearda treeor rockslamintooneof thosepillars.

Spiros stopped his guards at the edge of the bridge.Xander trottedforwardtostandbesidehisoldfriendandIcautiouslyfollowed.“Idonotlikethis,MyLord,”thecaptainshoutedabovethepoundingrain.

Xander pursed his lips as he studied the bridge. The thick logsswayedsidetosideateachknockoftheirpillars.“Wehavelittlechoice.Thereisnootherbridge.”

“Then allow my men and I to cross and test the logs, My Lord,”

Spirospleaded.Xandershookhishead.“Thereisnotime.Thebridgemaycollapseat

any moment. We cross now.” He turned his horse so he rodeperpendicular to the lineandstoodonhisstirrupssoallcouldseehim.“Wecrossatonce!Maketwolinesattwoabreastandfollowtheriderinfrontofyou!”

The riders grouped themselves into the long lines. I clutched myreignsandtensedmylegsagainstthebodyofthehorse.Mysteedthrewitsheadbackandwhinnied.

Xander sidledup tomyhorse and leaned close tome. “Would youratherridewithme?”

Imanagedashakysmile.“Andmissallthisfun?Notonyourlife.”He glanced past me at the roaring water beneath the bridge and

frowned.Ihardlyheardhismurmuredwords.“Ipraynot.”That’swhenanear-splittingroarbashedmyears.Iwhippedmyhead

totheleftandupstreamofthebridge.Ahugetreewithasix-foottrunkfloatedonthecurrentsofthewhite-waterwaves.

“Across!”Xanderyelled.Toolate.Thetreeboredownonthebridge,andus.Itslammedinto

the left side and sank deep into the thick timbers.Many of the horseswhinniedandrearedup.Myhorsewasn’tanexception. It reareduponbothitsbacklegs.Oneofthetworemaininghoovesslippedonthethicklogs.Thehorse staggeredbackward and into the downstreamwall.Wehitithard.Icouldn’tkeepmypositionon theslicksaddleandfell intotheroaringabyssofthewildriver.

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