Burn (Dragon Souls) (31 page)

Marina gave up on her half-assed grooming attempt.

Looking Jakob in the eye, she saw his decision, and took hold of his enormous hand.

Everything about the Dragon Lords was massive. They were simply larger than ordinary men. Not surprising considering the savage creatures lurking beneath the surface.

“So you’re mine,” she said.

A dangerous but glorious future stretched at Jakob’s feet.

Swearing an oath to this female would lessen the taint from his dishonoured House. A lifetime of servitude at a royal’s side would see him recorded in the Annals amongst legends.

This self-realised prophecy intimidated him.

Jakob strived to be a honourable male, but his past revealed a disquieting trait. He frequently found himself on the wrong side of honour.

His stance widened and his shoulders squared.

Resolve burned bright in his heart.

All he could do is try to be a male worthy of recognition. After spending time with the Dragon King, he realised males were males. Some were born special. Yet to retain a higher self-worth, and earn the respect of those who mattered it was your
action
s not the consequences of your birth that defined you.

He inhaled harshly. The breath was released in a grim sigh. “Yes. I am your male.” He snorted when she good-naturedly punched his middle.

M
arina grinned madly when Jakob knelt and offered fealty. As he rose, she pushed onto her knees and hugged him tightly about the neck, her chin resting on his shoulder.

Jakob returned the embrace.

Hearing her whisper words of gratitude his heart melted.

If ever he’d had a sister, he thought he might like the female to be Marina.

He patted her shoulder awkwardly and untangled himself to drop onto the stool.

The soft blankets piled on the simple bed retained Marina’s warmth, and felt exquisite under her worn out body. She lay on her side, propping her head on her hand. “Well, you won’t have to tell your King anything. Daniil will storm in here after calming Koen down then run off to report everything he’s learnt.” Marina was disquieted at the resentment she heard underlying her own words.

Until she’d had a Second of her own, she’d not realised the consummate sense of trust one could have to another person who vowed to be loyal to you.

She looked her new Second in the eye so he could see her apprehension. “Koen saw what I did.”

Jakob’s chest constricted remembering the black lagoon. He got passed it on his next breath. Excitement chased away the fear. This was his life now – he’d have to deal with it.

He shrugged, feigned nonchalance. It would do no good if he were afraid of the royal he chose to serve.

He was done fearing his betters.

“It did not change how he feels about you,” he said. “Is that what concerns you?”

She flashed a crooked smile. “It’ll take more than that to scare Koen Raad, mighty Dragon King. Even I know that.”

Jakob considered holding his own council but what good would he be as her Second if he couldn’t speak his mind and ask what he needed to know? “What happened?”

Marina gripped the furs. She panted a little.

The reaction unnerved him.

Slowly her hand travelled to her throat, her fingers dipping under the neckline of the tunic.

Jakob watched warily as her hand travelled between her breasts.

Her guarded eyes met his, and she pulled out her pendant. She pulled something small from the carved lump of jade and held it out.

He took what she offered and stared at it.

What was so special about this she hid it from sight?

“A scale,” he said flatly.

When she said nothing, he assumed there was more to it, and studied what she’d handed him in greater detail. His head cocked and he brought it closer to his eye, angling it closer to the firelight. There was something unique about it. The answer eluded him, titillated a dormant part of his spirit. His Dragon stirred uneasily. The texture was familiar, but undoubtedly unusual. He clearly held a Dragon scale but...

“You got this from a wild female?” He glanced up to search her face for answers.

She offered no explanation. Her gaze sharpened on his, and she scooted closer. “How did you know that?”

“The grain. Males have a pearlescent sheen to their hide scales, crystallized layers of shiny circles.” He made a loop in the air with a finger as he searched his memory. It was odd to explain something people who needed to know already knew. He snapped his fingers. “The sheen is called nacre. This has an opalescent lustre seen on wild Dragon females. You see how it is black, but light reveals coloured fire in the darkness.” He handed it back to her reverently. “It is beautiful.”

She blushed. “Thank you.” She paused. “On behalf of that female.”

“Rare.” He frowned. “In truth, I have never even seen a black scaled wild one that was female. They are considered myth. This is a great find indeed.” He nodded, still unsure as to what that had to do with what happened at the lagoon. “Did a wild female help you during the quest?”

“No.” She tucked the scale and her pendant away. “I froze the lagoon and the water Dragon. It was trying to kill us. I was afraid and it just happened.” She cleared her throat. “I’ve been told Chosen with magick isn’t uncommon.”

“It is not, but so strongly, and in one who only just discovered who she was.” Jakob’s brows drew together. “I presume your ancestry has much to do with it. You are the offspring of a Phoenix.” His face smoothed. “It makes sense.”

Marina felt herself relax. Like everyone else Jakob was impressed by her skill, maybe even unsettled by it, but saw nothing
unnatural
about it.

With people perceiving her differences this way she could hold onto her suspicions a while longer.

“I can’t explain how the scale is connected just yet. I need more information before I start throwing ideas around. Keep it to yourself, okay? You’re the only one who knows.”

He nodded. Turned as the marquee flap wrenched open.

Jakob checked to make sure she was decently covered before pushing the screen aside. He stood at the foot of the bed, his legs shoulder width apart, and clasped his hands behind his back

His expression was vacant, eyes watchful.

Daniil’s stunning gaze studied them silently before he snorted and strode over to give Marina a bone-crushing hug. “Female, you scared us half to death. What are you not telling me?”

She punched his shoulder. “Don’t question
me
. Where were
you
? When I finished I was nearly mowed over.”

Marina knew the oversight was entirely her own fault, but truthfully, she was a little hurt no one else close to her had thought of it, namely, the Dragon Lord she hugged.

She was too dependent on him for things within her capability to manage, and she had to remedy it, fast.

Convincing Daniil of it would be a trial. She knew she might have to get nasty before he understood where she was coming from.

Easing back, he blinked. “Oh. I was with Koen. He needed me to keep him from donning
dragonskin
and murdering everything in sight.”

Perfect opening. She tugged a bleached warrior braid. “This is why I needed my own Second.”

“We have been through this.” Daniil withdrew his arms and propped his fists on his hips. He pointedly ignored Jakob’s presence. “Besides,” he said slickly borrowing once of her darling excuse words, “the male you wish to be your Second was not at your side, was he?”

“He wasn’t. In his defence, Jakob wasn’t oath sworn to me then like he is now.” Toothily, Marina smiled. “I doubt I’ll have that problem again.” She arched a brow at the mutinous glower that distorted his handsome features at the news. “Viktor and Uncle Sevastyan took care of me.” Her voice softened when he remained pissed, but she finished what she started. “So well, that from now on Jakob and Uncle will lead on all Aver related business. Their combined effort will be a real help to me.”

Daniil took an unconscious step back. His eyes glimmered with regret. “Marina, I understand I failed you by not being here. It will not happen again.”

“We’ve had this conversation. I cannot and do not expect you to do everything for me when your responsibility is to Koen. You’re only one male, Dani.” She clasped his arm, tugged him back, and drew him down beside her. “Do you remember what you told me back in the human dimension? I argued Koen Raad was my mate and that you had to take me along. You said that if Koen was resolved against me going that you wouldn’t go against his wishes and hurt him. I’ve never forgotten that under it all your loyalty is to him. You weren’t there for me today because you were fulfilling your duty to your overlord. I can’t monopolize your time, and I can’t afford to be left standing cold and wet with no support because you’re too busy to be there. Understand?”

His mouth opened then closed with a snap.

“Please don’t be upset.” She touched his shoulder timidly. He sat rigid rather than relaxed as usual. She didn’t want to hurt his feelings. “You’re still my trainer and a confidante. You’re family.”

Daniil tried for levity but his smile reflected the aching sadness he carried inside.

Underneath the pleasant façade, he knew she used this to force distance between them.

He wasn’t ignorant of the fact it was needed.

“Then as your trainer,” he said, “I beg you return to the Citadel and rest. The Eldernmoot and their Battle Mage guard approach the Kingdom boundaries. They will be here at daybreak. I would have you safe inside the fortress by then.”

“I will be. Besides, I have Prokopiy coming for breakfast. Will you be joining us? It’d be good to see you before we greet the Desert People.”

Laughing, his brows lifted. “I will join you, but I advise you cease that way of thinking. There is no way Koen will allow you within yelling distance of this gathering.”

“We’ll see. Is Boy lurking nearby?” She was unashamedly hopeful.

“He was with Koen until news came of Anastasia crossing the finish. He simply said you were fine then disappeared as he does.” Daniil shrugged. “Naturally Koen became diverted by news of the lagoon being frozen.” His searching look was intense. “Care to explain?”

Her heart sank at the news Boy was off again.
So many problems
, she thought,
and so little time to solve them
. “Just a little magick.”

“Ah.”

Jakob and the Ryu males proudly escorted her back to the Red Citadel.

The journey was loaded with the unsaid.

Daniil had made a lame excuse and quit the marquee soon after Marina informed him Jakob was taking his place, and she had politely yet firmly refused to speak more of what happened during the second quest.

She begged to be taken back to the Ryu apartments so that she might rest and be ready for the delegation coming to discuss why they sent warriors to abduct her.

The more Marina thought about it, the more she was convinced they had been looking for answers about her adopted son. Especially considering what Elder Khan had told her of Boy’s parentage.

She swiftly excused herself when they entered the cosy main room, and shut herself away in the lovely chamber Sevastyan insisted she have.

Alone at last, she spent a shocking amount of time staring agog at the wall, allowing the full impact of what happened to filter through now she was assured complete privacy behind a locked door.

The longer she remained still and silent the greater the restless feeling within her grew.

Marina prodded at the bundle of raw emotion lodged deep within.

The slumbering presence rumbled dangerously, stirred uneasily.

Shuddering, she rubbed her prickling arms. Gathering her courage she aimed another prod at the nameless entity.

It clawed her back.

She felt a distinct sense it was pleased she finally acknowledged its existence.

Unlocking the cage in her mind, she eased the door open, giving the creature a little leeway to stretch its legs.

Her eyes burned.

Her hands flew to her face then jerked away at the scorching heat pouring from her eye sockets.

Running to the polished circle of bronze mounted on the stone wall that acted as a mirror, she drew so close her nose pressed onto the cold metal and peered into her own eyes.

As she watched her pupils wobbled then contracted to oval slits. The rounds of her irises expanded until they blotted out the whites of her eyes completely.

A queer tingling raced up and down her body, and her heart pounded erratically. Her chest rose and fell steeply as she gasped for breath. Sweat slicked her nape and dampened her palms. Her skin felt too tight, ready to split and peel. Intense heat poured from her head, and her throat burned as she coughed wispy curls of dark grey smoke.

Her mind grew hazy, and there were less conscious thoughts. A primeval rhythm of growls and hisses echoed in her ears.

A single knock on the door had her squealing, and jumping a foot in the air. Irritation shot through her hot and fast. Hadn’t she expressed a desire to be alone? When the feeling didn’t subside, but grew in ferocity she checked it, and forcibly pushed the overpowering emotion away.

Since when are you so senselessly aggressive?

Running a shaky hand through her messy hair, she decided suffering in silence wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. As she crossed the room, a terrible rage descended upon her at the thought of her territory being invaded.

She flung it open only to succumb to heart-wrenching relief.

Marina grabbed the hem of Boy’s tunic and dragged him into the room.

Shutting the wooden door and sliding the rusted bolt home, she pressed her back against it.

They stared at each other.

Boy reached out a hand then retreated it, his expression wary. “Marina?”

“I have a secret,” she blurted. Of all the things she had to say to him, talking of her own problems seemed narcissistic, yet somehow it felt the right thing to do.

Boy blinked. Clearly this was not what he expected after avoiding her for so long. His small face was solemn. “As we all do.”