Blood of Dragons (32 page)

“Do not let her empty threats sway you,” the old Dragon hisses.  “Our ways have been the same since the beginning of time.  She has no say in our realm over what is right or wrong.”

I can tell the King is torn.  He wants to be all tough in front of his Dragons but he’s not stupid.  I can see in his eyes that he believes me about stealing all the Goblins from this realm.  “Ormar, your presence will not be needed for the negotiations.”

“You will regret this,” she grinds out.  “Bowing down before humanoids; you have shamed your ancestors and your children.  We will not share in your cowardliness.  We will rise against you and tear you from your throne.”  Now she starts coughing and hacking.  Yeah, she’s going to die really soon so she should stop making such grandiose threats.

A quick look around the room tells me that no one is quite ready to back up her threats.  Sure, the other Dragons aren’t happy, but like their King, they’re not stupid either. 

I say the words to release Ryu.  “Magic black I must call back.  Leave this soul, he will harm no more.”  As soon as it is done, I rush to his side.  I thought the Dragons would attack me but they don’t.  Kneeling next to him, I lay my hands on Ryu’s scaly face and I pour magic into him again.  The good kind this time.  I guess I’m doing it right because his body is beginning to take its previous shape once again.  Even his scales are getting brighter.  I know I am almost done when his head rears up and he roars in anger.  He must be feeling better if he’s more angry than painful.  He could use a breath mint, too.  That’s the last thought I have before I pass out.

Chapter 39 – Raziel

“Your word, your majesty?” I ask the King.  Kallen has gone to Xandra and has swooped her into his arms.  She will awaken in a moment.  It is good to have my knowledge back.

“You have my word.  We will begin negotiations at sunset tomorrow.  For now, be gone.”  The King turns his back to us and the Dragons move to the sides of the room to let him pass as he makes his exit.  Someone is dragging a coughing and angry Ormar in the other direction.

I turn to the rest of our small party.  “We should do as he suggests.”

I don’t get any argument.  Kallen is the first through the gateway, still clutching Xandra in his arms.  I expect a pang of jealousy and I do get a very small one, but not the soul wrenching ache I would have had before.  With a smile, I take Adriel’s hand in mine when it is our turn to pass through the gateway onto the beach in front of Isla’s home.

Xandra stirs in Kallen’s arms.  “I have to close the gate,” she says.  “Then I have to get Tabitha.” 

“Maybe you should rest first,” Kallen says to her.  There is so much love in his eyes for her.  How could I have ever been jealous of something as pure as their love?

“No,” a determined Xandra says and squirms out of his arms.  “I’m not going to leave her there a second longer than necessary.”

Tabitha had remained at the rebel camp for more than just guarding it.  It was too likely that she would have had many unpleasant things to say to the Dragons.  More things than Xandra did.  I chuckle to myself.  The one thing Xandra is not lacking is courage.  Nor sarcasm.

It takes her only a few moments to accomplish her tasks.  When Tabitha is safely through the gateway, our entire rescue party is visibly relieved.  So is Tabitha.  She did not enjoy her stay with the rebel Goblins.

“Tabitha,” Isla says in a voice that is barely sugar coated, “I am going to give you a hug and then I am going to tell you exactly what I think of your little kidnapping idea.”

Tabitha raises her chin.  “I will take the hug but you can keep your lectures to yourself.  Something had to be done and it was.  That is the end of it.”

“Not quite,” Kallen says.  “The negotiations will require diplomats to work out the details of what will be given in exchange for the Dragons’ compliance.  A treaty has not been achieved yet.”

“They can have my whole damn kingdom for all I care,” Dagda says, coming down the stairs of the terrace.  “As long as Tabitha is alive and well.”  Tabitha gives him an eye roll but she hugs him back when he pulls her bulky frame to him. 

When he releases her, she steps back and swats at him.  “You keep saying things like that and someone might find out you were once a young gentleman instead of an ornery dictator.”  She wipes a tear from the corner of her eye. 

To the rest of us, she says, “I thank you all for coming to my aid, though I am not quite sure who you are young lady.”  She means Adriel.  “I am sorry for the ordeal but it is what it is.  You will not get a better apology than that out of me.  Now, come along inside and I will get some food on for supper.”

With a wrinkled nose, Dagda sniffs the arms of his shirt.  “You may want to shower before you start touching food.”  Tabitha smacks him in the back of the head on her way to the terrace steps.

Adriel is standing next to me and I tuck her hand into mine.  “Walk with me?” I ask.  She nods shyly.  “We will return shortly,” I say to the others.  Kallen nods to me and grins before heading inside with Xandra.  I know that I can truly call him my friend from this point forward.

Adriel and I walk in silence for a while, enjoying the tide as it washes over our feet.  I startle her when I ask, “Have you ever felt the sand before?”

She raises her brows.  “I believe you already know the answer to that question, Raziel.”

I chuckle.  “Yes, I do.  But life will be much more interesting if I pretend not to.”

“Why am I here?  Was it to convince Xandra she is not evil for what she did to Belial?”

My turn to have raised brows.  “You are certainly perceptive.  That is only one reason and by far the least significant.”

Adriel slips her hand from mine.  “You do not need to pretend.  You know that I would have Fallen with you for whatever reason.  It is what happens now that I am unsure about.  I know that Xandra will take me in at first, so I do not fear that I will be left alone.  What of you, though.  Will you take your wings again now that Xandra is safe?”

I stop and turn to her.  Taking both of her hands in mine, I say, “You have not been listening to me.  Or rather, you have chosen not to hear me.” 

Instead of looking at me, she is looking at the horizon.  “It is beautiful here.  I never wondered before what it would be like to Fall.  Is it always this peaceful?”

I laugh.  “No, love, it is not.  You will find that being in such close proximity to Xandra can make peace more difficult to achieve.  But I promise to make it as peaceful as possible for you for our time in this realm.”

Finally, she meets my eyes.  “I will not be a burden to you.  I will find my own way.  Please do not pity me and attach me to you out of a sense of duty.  You are an Archangel Raziel; we are not destined to be.”

Before she can say another word, I bring my lips to hers in what is truly my first kiss.  Adriel’s as well.  For being beginners, we manage quite well.  I slide my arms around her waist and pull her closer.  She does not object.

After several long moments, I slowly end the kiss.  With my face still close enough to feel her breath on my lips, I ask, “Does that feel like pity?”

She smiles shyly.  “No.”

Satisfied that she is finally beginning to understand I step back and once again take her hands.  “I apologize that this is so abrupt.  I know that you are reeling from that.  Though to me, it is as if a window has opened and I can finally breathe again.  You are destined to be with me, Adriel.  Regardless of my being an Archangel.  Do you think you could be happy spending eternity with me?”

She thinks for a moment and then says with a flirtatious smile, “What if I say no?”

I pull her to me again and say as I press my lips to hers, “Then I have eternity to change your mind.” 

I will take the fact that she wraps her arms around my neck and moves her body closer to mine that her answer is yes.  I believe this Fall will be the first one that I truly enjoy. 

Chapter 40 – Xandra

“I don’t think I have the energy to eat,” I say, leaning heavily on Kallen’s arm.

“Raziel was being truthful earlier.  We have not taken many opportunities to eat so your body does need food.”

“What do you think my chances are of getting dinner in bed?”

He chuckles.  “I think that could be arranged.”

“Really?” I ask hopefully.

He stops and raps his arms around me and I snuggle into him.  “Right now, you could ask me for anything and I would give it to you.”

“Mmm, be careful what you promise.  There are a lot of things I want from you.”

“If you keep purring like that, I will not be able to do anything except carry you off to bed.”

“Good lord, even Dragons could not dampen your sex drive?” a very rude voice asks from the doorway.

“My wife could easily send you to the Dragon realm until you learn to mind your own business,” Kallen says.

“Your wife has already tried to blind me.  I think she has done enough for right now,” Kegan says.

I peek my head around Kallen.  “Yeah, sorry about that.  I was having a little trouble with my Archangel powers.”

“Archangel?  You know what, I do not want to know.  You can fill me in when my retinas have grown back.”

“Sorry Kegan, retinas do not grow back,” Dad says from behind him causing Kegan to jump a little.

Mom is right behind him.  She floats to me and wraps her ice cold, translucent arms around me and Kallen.  It sends a chill down my back but that’s okay.

“Xandra, you’re back!  Did you bring a Dragon with you?” Zac asks as he runs into the room. 

I kneel down and give him a hug.  “No, no Dragons.  You wouldn’t like them much.  They’re pretty mean.”

“Did you slay one?” he asks hopefully.