Dragonmark (13 page)

Illarion felt his powers surge as they always did whenever he was inside her. Most of all, he felt the need he had to bind their lives together. In the past, he'd stamped it down and pushed it aside.

Today, he embraced it.

While other groups and Were-Hunter species had their own ceremonies and words they spoke for this, he didn't want to cheapen it with something so insignificant. The words weren't important.

Their commitment was all that mattered.

Keeping her hand in his, he felt his teeth elongate. Before this, he'd always taken care to hide that from her lest it terrify her. For the first time, he opened his lips so that she could see his fangs.

Her eyes widened. But she didn't pull away.

Unable to believe her courage, he pushed himself up so that he was cradling her while she continued to ride him with slow and easy strokes.

He brushed the black hair back from her neck and gently nuzzled the supple skin there. His heart pounding, he nibbled her flesh.

Edilyn trembled at the heat of his breath on her skin. She had no idea what to expect. Not until he sank his teeth into her flesh.

The moment he did, she felt her own teeth elongate as an unknown fire coiled in her stomach. Breathless and weak, she cradled his head in her palm until he lifted up to meet her gaze.

Your turn, my lady rose
. He tilted his head to give her better access.

Wrinkling her nose, she took the invitation and did her best not to think about what she was doing.

Honestly? She expected it to make her sick. Yet it wasn't like that. There was something warm and fulfilling. Something that made this seem right. Made her crave this incredible closeness with him.

And when she felt his release, it set off hers. His arms tightened around her until he was completely sated. With the tenderest of expressions, he led her marked palm to his lips so that he could kiss it.

I love you, my rose.

Those unexpected words shocked her. Unable to believe them, she stared, aghast. Then she smiled at the warmth that flooded through her. “Love you, too, my dragon lord.”

A deep sadness replaced the light in his eyes.

“Are you all right?”

He nodded.
I have been cursed by the gods from the moment I drew my first breath. So I cannot help but wonder how they're going to use this against me, too.

“Illarion—”

He cut her words off with a kiss.
You don't understand, Addy-Rose.
His special nickname made her even more tender toward him.
There's so much I haven't told you. Just promise me that no matter what comes at us, you will never doubt my loyalty to you.

“I would never.”

Good.

And yet his doubts caused hers to rise up and terrify her with their merciless cruelty. What if he was right?

Fate had been no kinder to her. She'd lost both parents within a handful of years. Humiliation had been her steady diet, always.

Why should she think this would ever change? Her heart pounding in fear, she buried her hand in his long auburn hair and prayed she was only being paranoid.

But like him, she didn't really believe that.…

How could she? There was something inside her that told her the darkness was coming for them. An inner sense that gave her no peace and left her completely unsettled and cold.

*   *   *

Edilyn finished her dinner while Illarion was off doing his dragon business, which meant finding his own meal. Something he emphatically refused to let her see him do. And that always made her wonder one thing whenever he left her behind …

How bad could it be?

But then, there were some things she did she didn't want him to see her do either. So she tried to be understanding and respectful.

And hoped he wasn't out eating people.

Although …

There were a few she wouldn't mind adding to his menu.

Some days, that list was much longer than others.

“Edilyn?”

And there was one for the top of said list. She groaned out loud as she heard her brother's voice in her head. For weeks, she'd ignored him.

He'd become progressively more whiny with every brush-off. At this point, she was about ready to tie a bib around his neck and burp him.

“Eddie! I need you to answer me!”

Normally, that wouldn't move her, but there was an odd note in his voice. One that actually concerned her. “Are you all right?”

Virag hesitated before he answered. “I need your help, little sister.”

She glared up at the ceiling, knowing he couldn't see her, but feeling the need to do so anyway. “What are you asking me for, this time?”

“You have to help me deliver up your dragon. I can't delay it any longer. There's no choice in the matter.”

“There's always a choice, Virag. You made yours. I won't—”

“Eddie … it's not that simple. Our mother isn't dead.”

She froze as that news slammed into her and stole her breath.

Was he being honest? Or was it another lie?

“What?”

“It's true. The bargain she made? It was with Morgen le Fey and it was only for ten years and a day. At the end of which, she was to return to Landvætyria and enslave herself to Morgen and her Circle. Forever. Your father knew this. He died trying to free her from Morgen. What I stole? I took it in an effort to free our mother from that bitch.”

“You're lying!”

“Nay. I swear it's the truth. On my life and blackened soul. Your father was never supposed to die. That wasn't part of the bargain. When he was killed, our mother begged me to come to Myddangeard and watch over you to make sure that no one from our side found you and harmed you, in an effort to get to her or steal her powers. It's why I've always been so protective of you—you know in your heart it's true. Think about it. Now I need you. You've got to help me get what I need or Morgen will kill all three of us. You, me, and our mother.” His voice broke on that last word. “Please, Edilyn. I beg you. Never have I asked anything of you, but I need you now, baby sister. Please!”

Anguish brought tears to her eyes. He was right. In all these years, he'd never once made any request of her.

She heard Illarion returning.

So did Virag. “You have to decide,” he whispered in her ear. “The family that has watched over you and loved you, or the dragon you barely know. We won't all survive. Who will sacrifice?”

 

10

Illarion knew the moment he returned to his den that something bad had happened. It wasn't just that he could smell Edilyn's fear, but she wasn't waiting on him, as was her custom.

Strange that he'd never realized how much he looked forward to her greeting. Even more peculiar was how quickly he'd acclimated to her presence in his life. It wasn't just that they were bonded.…

She had become a vital part of his existence. The best part, really.

Addie?

She finally came out of the shadows near where they slept. Clearing her throat, she offered him a trembling smile. “Sorry. I didn't hear your return.”

Hmm … he had no idea how she could miss it. He wasn't exactly quiet.

Still in his true form, he approached her.
Is something wrong?

“It's all good.”

Shifting into his human body, he closed the distance between them and moved to kiss her. Her lips lacked their usual passion. She was cool and distracted. He pulled back to grimace down at her suspiciously.
What is going on with you? I can feel your restraint.

Edilyn closed her eyes as she struggled with what to do. She couldn't make this decision. It wasn't in her to play God. Not with anyone, and especially not with her dragon.

No matter how much Virag might beg, she couldn't do what her brother asked. She couldn't. “I don't know what to do,” she whispered.

About what?

“My brother said that he took your stone to barter with the queen of the fey to free my mother from her.”

He scowled.
You said your mother was dead.

“'
Tis what I was told. Three days after my seventh birthday, she went to gather berries in the forest, and never returned. They said an animal attacked her. I wasn't allowed to see her body. My father said it would be too disturbing for me.” A tear slid down her cheek. “I never got to say good-bye. All my life, I've regretted all the things I didn't say to her that I should have. Now … to be told that she's been alive and held? I'm furious! And hurt! Virag said that my father died trying to free her. Now…”

Illarion kissed the tear from her face.
Shh, my rose. Don't weep.

She buried her hand in his hair and laid her cheek to his chest. “You haven't heard the worst. Virag told me that if I don't hand you over, they'll kill her and him.” Closing her eyes, she ground her teeth as pain poured through her. “I don't know who to believe or to trust. If what he says is true, then he's lied to me my whole life … all of them did. So how can I trust this isn't a lie, too?”

Illarion gave her credit for that wisdom. Most wouldn't be so prudent, especially given her emotional state.
And you barely know me, so how can you trust me when the ones you've put faith in for so long have played you so falsely?

“
Exactly!” She blushed as she realized that she'd inadvertently insulted him. With an adorable grimace, she wiped at her cheeks. “You see my dilemma?”

Yet you trusted me with the truth
.

“
It's not in my nature to lie. I don't like pretense. It's an ugly thing that leads to the worst in man and beast.”

Aye, it is.
He brushed her hair back to offer her what comfort he could.
You say she's held? Do you know where?

“Nay. All I know is she made her bargain with Morgen le Fey.”

Illarion laughed bitterly at the name.

“You know her?”

Aye, bitch that she is. But more to the point, I know someone quite intimate with her.

Edilyn widened her eyes as hope finally began to lift up inside her again. “Who?”

My brother Blaise. If your mother made any bargain with Morgen, my brother will know of it. There's nothing that happens in her court he doesn't know all about.

“You think he can help?”

There's only one way to find out. Come, my precious, and meet my craziest brother.

Edilyn wasn't sure what to expect as she took Illarion's hand. She assumed he'd fly her to wherever they needed to go, as a dragon.

He didn't. The moment she took his hand, he flashed her from his cave out into a bright, vibrant meadow the likes of which she'd never seen. Everything here was surreal and glowing. Or radiating with a strange hum to it. It was hard to even focus or look at.

“What is this place?”

Avalon
.

She scowled at the unfamiliar name. “You say that as if I should know it.”

One day, there will scarce be a human who doesn't. But for now, this is where I need to be to summon my brother.
With a wink at her, he made a peculiar whistling noise.

But it wasn't his brother who answered. An incredibly beautiful blonde woman appeared in the garden not far from them. With skin so perfect that she seemed more fey than human, she pursed her lips. “Illarion? It's been a long time since we had the pleasure of your company. Are you seeking your brother?”

Hi, Merlin. I am. Is he about?

“Not per se. He's off on errands for me.” She cocked a curious brow at Edilyn.

My dragonswan. Edilyn, meet Aquila Penmerlin. She's the keeper of the land here, and a great lady.

Merlin waved his words away with a humble blush. “He flatters me, truly. It's an honor to meet you, Edilyn.”

“And you, my lady.”

Illarion cocked his head as he studied the powerful sorceress.
Is something wrong, Merlin?

She kept staring at Edilyn. “You remind me of someone I knew a long time ago. An old friend. Sorry to stare. Sevira was just very dear to me.”

Edilyn felt the blood drain from her face. “Sevira ferch Vyggo?”

Now it was Merlin's turn to appear stunned. “She was a daughter of Vyggo, but that wasn't the name I knew her by.”

What name then?

“Sevira Feythhed. She was the fers of the Kikimory—essentially their queen.”

Stunned to the core of her being, Edilyn gasped. “Then it's true. Virag didn't lie.”

Morgen hesitated before she spoke the obvious. “You're her daughter?”

By a human father. It's why we're here. Morgen found out and is after Edilyn … and me.

Merlin cursed. She scowled at Illarion. “Does Morgen know what you guard?”

I will hazard a guess that she does, given her actions and ultimatums.

“Then you need to leave here. Now!”

Edilyn refused to go or be intimidated. “Not without my mother!”

Merlin cupped her chin and gave her a harsh, yet sympathetic grimace. “I loved Sevira, too, but this is much larger than love and friendship. And even the love of a mother. You cannot let Morgen lay hands to what Illarion has.
Any
of it.”

Edilyn bit back a curse. This wasn't what she wanted to hear. Aye, it might be childish and selfish, but she wanted to see her mother again.

If there was any chance whatsoever …

“Illarion?”

Merlin's right, Edilyn. We can't do this.

“Take her and go,” Merlin urged as she gently pushed Edilyn toward Illarion. “I'm banishing you both from here.”

“Nay!” She tried to step away.

But it was too late. Merlin sent them out before she'd even finished the word. Tears welled in Edilyn's eyes as she saw Illarion's cave, which she was beginning to despise. “Is this where I'm always going to end up?”