Call of the Dragon (Return to Avalore Book 1) (11 page)

Only once she’d filled every part of Drake with light did the stubborn parasite seek to escape the brightness, leaving his body for the darkness in the room, where Evan waited to destroy it.

She didn’t bother to open her eyes to see it was done. She had to trust Evan would take care of it as she filled Drake’s body with warmth.

His internal organs were overwhelmingly damaged. It was beyond amazing he’d survived at all.
“How?”
Nothing made sense.
“How is it that he didn’t die with all those injuries?”
She asked both brothers at once.

“He was lucky. And, he sealed as many of his wounds as he could before putting himself to sleep.”
Aiken sounded distracted.
“By going into a deep sleep, he slowed his heart rate, which in turn kept him from bleeding to death.”

Rhia snorted.
“With the amount of blood everywhere, it looks like someone was massacred in here.”

A deep prickle of unease made her shudder, the hair on her arms standing on end.

Oh, come on.
Hadn’t they had enough to deal with without adding the threat of Erritrols?

“Could you help me heal him? We’re going to have company soon.”
Maybe if they both worked at it, they’d be able to pull it off and get Drake up and moving before the beasts got there.

“You were amazing. You’re going to have to show me what you did.”
Aiken didn’t hesitate, jumping in to give her the help she needed.

“Right now we have to get this done, and fast. The beasts are close, and the vibe they’re sending out is giving me major heebie jeebies.”

“You’re certain?”
Evan moved to the window.

The influx of power into Drake’s body skyrocketed as Evan lent his strength to Drake as well.

“His heart is in the most need of repair, then his lungs, but more than anything, he needs energy. I’ll take care of the worst wounds if you can supply that. The rest will have to wait.”
Aiken was already repairing damaged tissue as he spoke.

When she opened her eyes, Evan was peering through a small slit between the pulled drapes. “
Two Erritrols are in the park. They’re looking towards this building. Too much power is pouring out of the apartment.”

“We only need a few more minutes and he’ll be well enough to travel.”
Aiken’s voice was calm and clear.

“I’ve reinforced the shields Drake has surrounding the apartment, but it won’t hold against an Ikabrol. If we’re fortunate, it’ll delay them long enough for us to escape. They’re desperate to keep us from taking her back. They’ll strike on a hunch and hope for a hit. We have to move.”
There was no teasing in his voice now.

Two minutes stretched to five. Waves of darkness flooded the room, making the air unclean and difficult for her to breathe. “
Can we move?
”

“The damage was too extensive. We’re almost-”
His strong, sure voice eased some of the tension building in her body.

Evan cut into the conversation.
“There is no more time. We must leave. Now. They’re in the building.
”

“Call him back. He won’t be at full strength, but he’ll be able to help us.”
Aiken gave his instructions, and then stood with his brother facing the door.

“What do you mean, call him back? I don’t understand.”

“He’s been conserving his energy, but you’ll be able to call him back. I could do it, but you wouldn’t like my methods.”

“But… how?”
What the hell were they talking about?

“Just get through to him. How doesn’t matter.
”

A loud crash sounded close by. Her heart raced, and the men drew darker energies toward them.

“We won’t be able to transport both of you and fight the Erritrols.”
The urgency in his voice was unmistakable. They had to get moving, and fast.

“Drake, you have to come back now. I know you’re tired and you want to sleep, but I need you to come back.”
Rhia pushed the message into his mind as she shook his shoulders.

For a moment, she thought she’d succeeded as his breaths quickened, but still he didn’t wake. They didn’t have time for this. “
Drake, I’m not asking you, I’m telling you, as the Queen of Avalore, you must come back to us now. I need you to wake up and come with me.”
Using her title had worked once to get him to do as she’d asked, maybe it would work again. It was worth a shot at least. His energy stirred and reached for her. At this rate, he wouldn’t wake for another hour.

The Erritrols’ black energy pounded in the air. It was only a matter of time before they blasted through whatever protection surrounded the apartment.

Desperate, she leaned closer to him. She’d been trying to appeal to the warrior in him, the protector of their people, when her entire being wanted to appeal to the man in him, and if her brothers didn’t like it, then too damned bad. She leaned in and pressed her lips to his, kissing him soundly.

“Drake, the beasts are here and I don’t want to fight them without you. Come on, you have to wake up. Please, please come back to me, I need you. I promise we can rest later.”
She put all of her emotions and fears into her words and willed him to come to her, to protect her, not their people, not her brothers, but her.

A loud roar from the other side of the bedroom door drove her into action like nothing else could.

Her heart pounded as her fingers twisted in his hair and gave a good, hard tug. The moment his mouth opened, she slid her tongue in, deepening the kiss. His presence suddenly engulfed her as he came back from wherever he’d been, holding her close even though their physical bodies barely touched.

“I won’t let you come to any harm, Rhia.”
His voice was tired, but stronger than she’d expected it would be when he broke the kiss.

He took several long, deep breaths as he sat, blinking to focus his eyes. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead. With all the injuries he’d had, he had to be in a horrendous amount of pain. Blood oozed from several superficial wounds, but at least those weren’t life threatening.

He broke her gaze, turning his attention to Evan. A half second later, Evan’s snort reached her ears as he tried to suppress laughter. Though she wasn’t privy to the conversation, they had to be ribbing him over the kiss. She rolled her eyes towards the ceiling.

“I hate to break up your fun, but aren’t there some scary monsters coming?”
She wasn’t about to become an Erritrol snack.

Instantly serious, Drake stood, testing his strength before putting his body between her and the door along with Evan and Aiken. “
We can’t fight here. There isn’t enough space, and Rhia could get injured in the battle
.”

“Take her. Go through the window. Aiken and I will keep them from following.”
His tone brooked no argument and held no fear. “
We’ll make our way to the safe house once they’ve been exterminated.”

Drake opened his mouth to argue, but then snapped it shut, sending a blast of energy crashing through the window. The moment the glass shattered, another mighty roar shook the bedroom door, followed by a hard blow that splintered the wood.

Before she could blink, he was in front of her, his arms wrapped around her waist, and they were flying through the air. Her heart pounded. Her arms clung to his neck in a death grip as she squeezed her eyes shut.

“Our method of travel isn’t like anything you’re used to. Don’t try to resist the pull. You’ll be safe. I’ll be with you
.”

“
Let’s just get out of here. You can give me the particulars later.”

“Just so we’re clear, Rhiannon,”
He paused until she opened her eyes and met his gaze.
“I don’t count that last kiss as the one you promised me. I’m still going to hold you to your vow.”

Chapter 9

The wind whipped around her head, drowning all sounds except the erratic beating of her heart. Rhia clung to Drake, too afraid to fall to allow even the smallest space between them. So that was what being a torpedo felt like. Not that she’d ever wondered or cared to find out, but now she knew. Any second, gravity would catch up with them, and drop them like stones from the sky.

“Travelling this way is much safer than those contraptions humans use to get around.”
His matter of fact observation didn’t ease her mind. Had she been meant to fly, she’d sprout wings for crying out loud.

The muscles in her arms burned as her vise-like grip tightened around his neck.
“Forgive me if I reserve judgement for later, when I’m back on solid ground with all my bones intact.”

His bare chest shook with suppressed laughter. “
We’re just about there.”

Maybe once they were back on terra firma she’d be able to get her knees to stop knocking. For now, she didn’t care if he found it amusing, she wasn’t letting go.

“Evan’s informed me that you’ve mastered cloaking. As soon as we set down, I need you to do just that, and don’t utter a sound. I’ll check the premises to ensure we’re safe.”
At least he had the decency not to outright laugh at her.

She kept her eyes shut tight. “
Okay, but I think we’re clear. I’m not feeling anything.”

“Humor me. I need to be certain. Remember, not a sound.”

She did as instructed the moment her feet touched down. Having both feet on solid ground had never felt so good. She wasn’t afraid of flying, but having a plane around her while doing it definitely added to her sense of security. As soon as her cloak was in place, he withdrew his, taking its comforting warmth with it.

“You can release me now. Stay here until I come for you.”

Heat infused her cheeks as she let her arms fall from around his neck.

At first glance, the cottage was small but homey. The grounds were neat and well kept. A small vegetable garden flourished at the edge of the yard not far from where she stood, and the wildflowers rimming the property gave it a very cozy atmosphere. It was just the kind of place she would have liked to own had she had the notion to stay in one place long enough to enjoy it.

He wasn’t gone a minute before he was back by her side, a smile gracing his handsome face, making him look oh-so-sexy. She had to squelch a pang of disappointment when she saw he’d put on a black t-shirt before coming out again. “It’s safe. We can go in.”

The interior was just as charming. It wasn’t as opulent as the condo had been, but it was cozy and clean. Old lace curtains blew in the slight breeze where Drake had opened a window to air the place out, reminding her of happy times with her mother.

He sat on the sofa and closed his eyes. She shuddered as she recalled just how close to death’s door he’d been just a couple of hours ago. “Evan and Aiken will be here soon. We should both rest while we can.”

“Listen, I know you’re not completely healed yet. I’d like to help if you’ll let me.” She’d shared her energy with him, more than she’d ever shared with anyone, but he’d been unconscious for most of it. Maybe he wouldn’t be such a willing recipient now he was awake.

He opened his eyes, and for a moment, she thought he’d say no.
“I’d appreciate it, thank you.”

She pulled the coffee table close so she’d have a place to sit, thankful it wasn’t heavy
.

“Is it easier for you to talk like this?”
She followed his lead, speaking directly into his mind.

“It conserves energy. Not a lot, but every little bit helps.”
His eyes drifted shut as she began centering herself.

“Are you going to go into a deep sleep again?”
Her heart pounded. What if something happened and she couldn’t reach him?

“It won’t be necessary. I just need rest and healing. The worst is over now”

His energy surrounded her, warming her as she shook off the jittery feeling tumbling about in her stomach.

“Stop that. I’m healing
you
, remember?”
It was bad enough he’d had to carry her and cloak her the whole way here while she’d behaved like a frightened little child. This was the least she could do. “
Rest, I’ll wake you when I’m done.”

His scent teased her senses as she closed her eyes and took deep, cleansing breaths, centering herself as she prepared to heal him. In the depths of her soul, something stretched again, wanting to break free. Her heart thudded as she pulled back and opened her eyes. She wasn’t about to go through whatever had happened at the condo again until she knew what it was she was dealing with.

“Are you alright?”
He sat straight.

Her face heated before she closed her eyes once more. What could she tell him? She had something living inside her wanting to come out and play with him? He’d think she was nuts. “
I’m fine. I just lost my concentration, that’s all. Now, rest.”

She lost track of time as her healing light sought out and repaired damaged tissue, all the while infusing him with energy. Aiken had done a wonderful job on his heart and lungs, but there were so many other injuries. It amazed her he’d been able to move, much less carry her the whole way.