The Awakening (36 page)

“No, but I shall manage until I can find a place of my own.”

Jaax nodded then furrowed his brow in thought.

“If you can wait a week or two, I might be able to help you in that aspect as well.”

Kehllor gave the other dragon a questioning look.

Jaax had just offered this young dragon a great promotion, one he wouldn’t have offered if he thought he was disloyal in any way. Kehllor had proven himself, beyond a doubt, by coming forward about Shiroxx’s deceit, so he knew he could trust him with sensitive information.

Heaving a great sigh, Jaax said, “I have recently received word that the Tyrant’s men have breached Felldreim’s borders and that it is only a matter of time before they make it to Lidien.”

Kehllor blanched but Jaax continued on, “Which means Jahrra and I will have to leave very soon if we are to escape and keep the people of this city from harm.”

Jaax smiled, a hint of sadness in his eyes.

“I will need someone to look after my estate and keep my housemaid, Neira, company. Do you think you could manage that? At least until you are further needed outside of Felldreim?”

Kehllor went numb with shock again. He could not believe his turn of luck in just a few short hours.

He swallowed, finding his mouth had gone dry, and said, “I don’t deserve any of this. I had been willing to spy on Jahrra, had given my loyalty to Shiroxx–”

“But,” Jaax interrupted, “you didn’t follow through with any of it and you came to me and explained yourself honestly. You have shown great potential Kehllor, and I hope you will accept both my offers. I can think of no one more deserving than you.”

Kehllor was immensely humbled by Jaax’s words and as he saw the younger dragon out he said, “If for some reason your accommodations don’t work out, feel free to seek our hospitality. Until then, I will see you at the next Coalition meeting.”

Jaax shivered. “That reminds me. I’m afraid we’ll have to call for one tonight to discuss today’s events.” He looked up at Kehllor with tired eyes. “Would you be so good as to spread the word on your way back into town?”

Kehllor nodded. “I’ll have someone post something in the marquee outside of Emehriel Hall.”

Jaax gave a true smile. “I would appreciate that. Now, I think I’ll take a nap before Jahrra returns from school. I don’t look forward to her reaction, though I’m sure she’ll be pleased to hear of your promotion. Oh, and one more thing,” Jaax grimaced then continued on, “Jahrra doesn’t know about the breach of Felldreim’s borders yet. I would appreciate it if that bit of information wasn’t shared with anyone.”

Kehllor squared his shoulders then gave a small bow. “You have my word.”

He straightened and grinned, bidding Jaax a final farewell before turning down the winding drive.

Jaax sighed heavily, for the first time in weeks allowing the weight of his thoughts and responsibilities show plainly on his face. He had much to consider; the fallout of his handling of Shiroxx, the possible army that was headed their way, the new found trust in the young dragon Kehllor, and lastly, how to break it all to Jahrra.

She would be angry about his decision regarding Shiroxx, he was sure. She would not like it that he had been so harsh, as she would call it. But he feared her reaction to his news regarding Cierryon’s men even more. He didn’t want to tear her away from Lidien so soon, for she was so happy here. Unfortunately, however, it couldn’t be avoided nor ignored.

Jaax turned and disappeared back into the house. He murmured something about being in his study to Neira and to wake him when Jahrra got home from school, then shut the door and returned to his desk. He should get some sleep, for he felt the exhaustion of a sleepless night after so many others weighing him down, but he wanted to go over his papers once again. The papers that detailed what the Tyrant’s men were up to. He made it through two paragraphs before his eyes could stay open no longer.

-
Chapter Twenty
-

An Act of Defiance

“Jaax.”

The voice was familiar but it wasn’t of this world, this world full of shadows and fear and pain.

“Jaax!”

Louder this time, yet not loud enough or strong enough to pull him from the darkness. Someone or something else wanted him to stay put, to stay trapped in this misery.

“Jaax, wake up!”

This time the voice was accompanied by a light touch. So this was the key; the contact with the other world, because suddenly a great light seared the black clouds and sorrow, shoving it back into the furthest corners of his mind, the corners where he no longer ventured in the waking world.

Jaax jerked his head up, nearly taking Jahrra’s arm with it before she had a chance to tear her hand away from his face. He blinked several times, trying to remember the dream and forget it at the same time. He caught a tiny glimpse of its

remnants and realized with a shudder that he wished to disregard it.

“Jaax?”

Jahrra’s worried tone drew his attention away from the nightmare. He blinked down at her, still in her school clothes, her bag hanging over her shoulder. Neira stood in the tall door frame of his office looking terrified, but his ward appeared to be more concerned than afraid.
And she would be
, Jaax thought as his heart rate slowed.
She’s had plenty of experience with bad dreams.

“Nightmare,” Jaax grumbled.

Jahrra nodded. “You were making smoke.”

Jaax tilted his head, eyeing the film of gray haze clinging to the ceiling above.

“I just got home. Decided to skip practice with my friends so I could get some homework done. It’s a good thing I did. Neira was afraid to approach you.”

Jahrra glanced back at their housekeeper and smiled. She looked a little less afraid but still troubled. She gave Jaax one more tentative look then turned to leave.

“I’ll just see about supper then,” she said as she disappeared down the hallway.

“Thank you for waking me,” Jaax said softly. “I could have caused a good deal of damage had you decided to stay in town.”

Jahrra grinned and hiked her bag higher up on her shoulder. “Luckily there’s not much to burn in a stone house.”

Jaax smiled. “I didn’t even realize I’d fallen asleep,” he admitted as he glanced down at the desktop.

The papers were still there but they looked wrinkled from where his forearm and head had rested.

“Perhaps you should go get some sleep,” Jahrra suggested as she leaned against the door frame.

“I can’t,” he said, the memories of earlier that day flooding to the front of his mind like the onslaught of nausea, “I’ve had to call a special Coalition meeting tonight.”

Jahrra solidified where she stood. “Special meeting?” she finally said.

Jaax stood up and tried to work the stiffness out of his neck as he considered how to tell her of his meeting with Shiroxx and his offer to Kehllor. The news about the Crimson King’s soldiers could wait. For now. Jaax grimaced.

“Yes,” he finally said, apprehension weighing heavily in his tone. “Something suddenly came up. You’re not required to be there,” he added as an afterthought, trying to keep the grimness out of his voice. “In fact, it’s probably best that you stay home tonight.”

Jahrra gazed up at Jaax with a question in her eyes. “And why’s that?” she asked.

Something about the way he avoided eye contact worried her.

Jaax took a breath, the vestiges of his nightmare still clinging to the edge of his mind.

“Because,” he began rather slowly, “I visited Shiroxx this morning and asked her, no,” he closed his eyes and shook his head, “
informed
her that she will no longer be recognized as a member of the Coalition.”

The soft sound of a heavy bag meeting up with the floor permeated the otherwise quiet room.

“What?” The question was drawn out and barely audible.

“Her business with you was the final straw, Jahrra,” Jaax breathed in irritation. “This isn’t the first time she has shown her hostility, although it was the first time she was so bold about it, to threaten you while I was away.”

He wouldn’t tell her about the attempted spying; he didn’t need to. Besides, he didn’t want her to think less of Kehllor and Jaax was sure the other Tanaan dragon would take it hard if he lost Jahrra’s good opinion.

Jaax took a breath, gritted his teeth and said, “She is a danger to you; a danger to us.”

“Jaax,” Jahrra began to say.

“No, Jahrra,” his voice was sharp and full of the authority he was so good at inflicting. “Shiroxx has brought this upon herself and I will not have you making excuses for her. Don’t pretend to care about her feelings in this.”

Jahrra shot him a scathing look, all delicate manners in regards to the female dragon gone. “Don’t presume to tell me how I should feel. Yes, I have no love for Shiroxx, I never have, but her actions towards me are petty and juvenile, that’s all. I don’t think she could do much harm since the harm she wishes to cast is at me. I can handle her jealous attacks, Jaax.”

Jaax cast his ward a hard and slightly surprised look.

“Don’t look at me that way! That is the reason why she is so awful to me. And don’t pretend you have no clue about it. You’re much smarter than that.”

Jahrra snatched up her fallen bag and charged down the hallway like a pouting child. But she wasn’t pouting, not this time. She was angry and annoyed that Jaax had dealt so harshly with Shiroxx. She wasn’t sorry about her guardian’s decision but it would have been better for all of them if he’d just followed Jahrra’s lead and pretended the female dragon’s visit had never occurred. Now her ire and vengeance would be that much greater.

“Jahrra,” Jaax called from behind her, the tone of authority staying just below the surface, “Shiroxx has allowed her emotions to rule her actions. She is a threat.”

“We all let our emotions rule us Jaax!” Jahrra cried out from the end of the hall. “How could you use that as an excuse? You know the members of the Coalition who favor her will bring up this argument and what will you say when they do?”

Jaax emerged completely from his office and closed the distance between them. As he moved closer, Jahrra got a good look at his face. His mouth showed the beginnings of a snarl and his eyes betrayed a brewing fire within.

“I will tell them exactly what I will tell you now,” he whispered, his head lowered to her level. “The difference between us and Shiroxx, Jahrra, is that Shiroxx acts upon those emotions in order to get what she wants. You and I, on the other hand, suffer ours and set them aside.”

His last words were a snarl and Jahrra felt the heat of his anger before he turned to retire to his own room.

It was when Jahrra released a breath that she realized she had been holding it. She blinked and tried to calm herself. She was angry, as she always was when Jaax tried to intimidate her into submission. Although he was right in what he’d said, Jahrra still thought it would have come to less trouble for everyone if they had just let Shiroxx go on thinking she was getting under her skin.

In fact, to her utter disgust, Shiroxx had gained exactly what she’d wished: Jahrra was fighting with her guardian again.

“Stupid dragon!” she shouted as she stomped up the stairs to her own room.

“Which one, Jahrra? Your guardian or the red female?”

Jahrra scowled down at Neira’s form in the archway to the kitchen. “Both of them,” she snapped. “This is
exactly
what Shiroxx wants, for Jaax and me to be angry with one another.”

Jahrra sighed and slouched against the wall halfway up the staircase, burying her face in her hands. “But why would she want this to happen? Isn’t it hard enough convincing everyone that I’m here and willing to try and return the world to the way it was? And convincing them that I actually believe I can do it?”

She let her head rock back and she gazed out the window of the landing just above her. The sun was low in the sky and soon it would be dark, almost time for bed. But Jahrra wasn’t tired. Her body was fatigued from the day’s classes, but her mind was snapping for action. She wanted desperately to go to that meeting but Jaax had told her no.

The thought of her guardian and his hasty and impulsive decision with regards to Shiroxx drove Jahrra’s temper up again. Why hadn’t he consulted anyone first? Why hadn’t he at least talked to her? She was the one to suffer the insult after all; shouldn’t her opinion have been included? A memory flashed through her mind then, a memory that took place in almost this exact spot. A memory of Jaax, pleased with his Solstice gift after all, pleased because, in his eyes at least, it meant that he knew she trusted him. So why couldn’t he just trust her?

Jahrra sighed and began to move up the stairs once again.

“He should not have expelled Shiroxx,” she said in a near whisper, half to herself.

“That she-dragon was a forest fire waiting to happen, and you know it Jahrra,” Neira scolded as she turned back towards the kitchen. “I’ll bring you some supper when it’s ready and we’ll have a nice talk about it if you like.”

The housemaid smiled, her eyes twinkling, and Jahrra returned the favor. It was so nice having someone to talk to, someone who would just sit and listen and not try and tell her what she should do or what she should have done. Someone to take in her worries and pains and just hold them for a little while so that she could be free for once.

Once in her own chambers, Jahrra threw her school bag next to her desk and glanced around. She desperately wanted to go to tonight’s Coalition meeting for the simple purpose of discovering what everyone thought of Jaax’s impulsive decision. She would also like to have the chance to offer her thoughts on the matter before the entire committee, despite the disastrous aftermath it would most likely cause. Better to be disagreed with than thought a coward by hiding away while her guardian took care of her problems for her.

But Jaax would never see reason and he would never allow her to accompany him, so she would just have to sneak out and go on her own. She had the means to do so and she even tempted herself with the idea of slipping into the building and hiding in one of the many balconies perched above the sitting area and watching in secret. But it was time she outgrow her childish ways and it was time Jaax accepted her as a responsible adult, one who was at the very center of the Coalition; one who had a mind and an opinion of her own.

Jahrra threw open her wardrobe and eyed her options. She glanced over a few dresses. No, those wouldn’t do. She didn’t feel like wearing a dress and besides, if she would be riding Phrym it was best she wear pants and a tunic. Gritting her teeth in irritation and determination, Jahrra grabbed her best pair of trousers and a blue, silver embroidered tunic. She pulled the clothes on and fished her brush out of her desk drawer.

Halfway through making her long hair look somewhat decent, Neira arrived with her dinner.

She took one look at Jahrra and sighed. “And what are you planning now?”

“I’m going to that meeting,” she growled as the brush got stuck in a tangle. “I have a right to be there. Jaax has to stop treating me like I’m eight years old.”

Neira swallowed and set the tray down on Jahrra’s desk. “He won’t be pleased.”

Jahrra actually snorted. “When is he ever pleased with me?”

Neira opened her mouth to say something but then thought better of it. Instead she took a breath and began again, “How do you plan to get there if he has ordered you to stay here tonight?”

Jahrra flashed the maid a poisonous glare. “He has not ordered me and I’ll just climb down the oak and slip away to the stables for Phrym. I can show up independently from Jaax.”

Jahrra threw her brush onto her desk, its wooden handle rattling across the top.

“How are you going to sneak in without being seen then?” Neira asked rather haughtily, crossing her arms and straightening her posture.

Jahrra paused and looked out her bedroom window, her pose calm for the moment. She rested a hand against the stone window frame and said over her shoulder, “I don’t plan on sneaking in. I want to be seen.”

There was silence behind her and Jahrra knew what Neira must be thinking. Jaax would be livid, there was no doubt about that, but Jaax was always livid when she did anything on her own without his consent or presence. Well, scorch him, who is he to endlessly tell her what to do? He wasn’t really her guardian, not exactly. Hroombra had been her guardian and he’d only taken up the title because she hadn’t been an adult at the time.

She was eighteen now and she could very well step out on her own and get a job somewhere to support herself if she pleased. Jahrra laughed at her own brazenness. Eighteen or not, she knew very little of the world, or at least enough to know that she couldn’t live in it as everyone else did. She would be found by those who wished her dead and as brave as she liked to think herself she was terrified of striking out on her own.

“You’ll need your coat,” Neira said behind her.

Jahrra nearly choked. She turned and gave the other woman a surprised look, for she was always on Jaax’s side in these matters.