The Dragon and the Dreamwalker (Elemental Series) (41 page)

“Hold my hand, Drake. Use your other hand to send the love forth from us into the dragon - into every evil thought or murderous deed you’ve ever done in your life.”

A white light went forth from them, encompassing Dracus. The dragon reared back in agony. His eyes glowed and smoke encompassed him, and his wings disintegrated as it shrunk in size, but didn’t disappear completely.

“’Tis not enough, Drake. There’s something bigger you need to release. A thought that’s bigger than everything. The feelings that make up the core of the dragon.”

“My father,” he said. “It must be my hatred for my father for killing my mother.”

“Forgive him.”

“I can’t.”

Dracus snarled and grew a bit larger.

“You’re feeding the dragon. You must forgive your father or you’ll be consumed by your own hatred.”

“I do hate him.”

Dracus was back to its original size. The stream of white light dissipated from their hands.

“He’s a lesson to you, Drake. Don’t let the same thing happen to you.”

“’Tis too difficult. I can’t forgive him.”

As Dracus reared back, ready to strike, Aurelius Pendragon’s form made its presence known. Standing before them was the
dreamwalking
form of Drake’s father.

“I was once a good man, Drake. But I let hatred and greed rule me. It eventually turned me against my own wife. I didn’t want to listen to her telling me my anger would consume me. You have a good wife, son. Don’t make the same mistakes I did. If I could, I’d live my life over differently. Because of my mistakes, I’m trapped between two worlds. I’ll never even have the piece of mind of being with your mother in the afterlife. She awaits me, but I’ll never come. Instead, I’ll spend eternity being my own dragon that I’ve created by my thoughts and actions.”

“Father.” Drake reached out his hand, but then pulled it back.

“Listen to Brynn, son. Love is the answer. Give the
Dragon’s Son
a new image. Let your son walk in your footsteps proudly. Let him be the product of your love.”

Then he was gone, and Dracus was back. Bigger and bolder than ever.

“I forgive you,” whispered Drake, reaching out for the father he had once loved as a child. Brynn could hear his thoughts. He chose to remember his father as the loving man who once knew right from wrong. The man who fell in love and created a son to walk in his image. The
Dragon’s Son
was not to be feared. The Pendragons from this day forward would walk in honor and love.

Drake joined hands with Brynn and together the white light of love shot forward to encompass Dracus. The dragon screamed, and shriveled up into a ball of red light which when encompassed by the white light of love, turned white itself.

“We did it,” said Drake, only wishing he could have vanquished his father’s dragon as well.

“Yes, we did,” said Brynn.

Then the burning was back in Brynn’s lungs, and the world went dark before her. He body was void of energy, and she knew she must be dying, if not already dead.

Chapter 34

Drake dislodged the vine wrapped around his leg, lungs burning with pain as he dragged Brynn to the surface. He broke the water gasping for air, holding Brynn’s head up high. Her face was blue by the time he got her to the shore, and she wasn’t breathing.

Asad met him waist high in the water, grabbing Brynn’s legs and helping Drake lay her on the rocky ground.

“My lord, is she dead?”

“Nay!” he screamed. “Nay!” But even as he said the words, he felt her life slipping away. He had to get the water from her lungs. He had to give her the breath of life and love. He threw her over his knee, expelling the water from her lungs and mouth. Then he brought his own lips to hers, and shared his breath with her. It took several tries before she breathed on her own. When Drake held her in his arms and hugged her, he knew he would never let her go again.

“She doesn’t awake, my lord. Is it still the sleeping potion she drank?” asked Asad, concerned.

The thought horrified Drake. He was the one who tricked her into drinking the potion. Could it be the potion that would take her life? Why hadn’t he consumed it, as it was meant for him in the first place. He’d gladly give his own life if it meant saving Brynn.

“Is Dracus gone?” Drake asked, searching the sky.

“Aye, my lord. The dragon dissipated into thin air mysteriously. I’m not sure what happened or where it went, but I’ll be ready when it returns.” Asad stood, pulling his sword out and searching the skies. The storm had broken, and the sun’s rays shone vibrantly through the clouds, creating the most beautiful rainbow Drake had ever seen. A double rainbow. One for each of them.

“Dracus will not return. Not today, or ever.”

“How can you be sure, my lord?”

“Trust me. I know. I will never let Dracus return into my life.”

His own body was weak from his fall and from swallowing so much water. His head ached from hitting a rock, and his jaw was swelled from Asad’s punches. He rubbed his chin and fingered his broken lip.

“I apologize for that, my lord,” said Asad. “You do realize, I was only following orders.”

“You did well, Asad.” Drake lifted Brynn in his arms, her body lying limp against him. “But you’d better not have meant what you said about bedding Brynn or we’re going to have to have a serious talk.”

“Of course I didn’t mean it,” Asad answered, replacing his sword. “Still, even if I did, do you think I’d be fool enough to tell you?”

It was the grin that Asad shared that kept Drake from surrendering to his old ways of anger.

“Let’s get her back to the castle,” said Drake. “We need to find the old seer. We’ll need her help.”

“I’m here,” said Juturna, climbing down the rocks to meet them. She laid a hand on Brynn’s forehead. A worried look crossed her face. “I’ll do what I can, but she’s near death, my lord. I’m afraid even my herbs may not be able to bring her back.”

“Then we’d best hurry.”

Drake found Gollimer, and mounted with Brynn in his arms. Asad handed him his sword.

“I found your sword, my lord.”

Drake fingered the dragon head on the hilt, knowing he’d never be alive right now if it wasn’t for Brynn. He was correct in the assumption that she was the one that could help him slay the dragon. What he didn’t count on, was that he’d fall in love. Now her life was threatened and he didn’t know if he could live without her. He held her close to his heart as he made his way back to Thorndale Castle. He wasn’t going to lose her. He’d do anything in his power to keep her alive.

* * *

Drake hadn’t slept for the last three days. Instead he’d stayed at Brynn’s side, holding her hands and wetting her lips. He’d even tried to cure her with fire, holding her close to the hearth, but nothing seemed to help. Juturna stood next to him, shaking her head sadly.

“I’m sorry my lord, but there’s nothing else I can do for her. My herbs are not strong enough to heal her.”

“You did all you could,” he said softly. “Now please leave us alone. All of you.”

Asad and Birdie stood in the shadows of the room, and left along with Juturna at Drake’s command. Birdie whimpered softly as Asad closed the door.

Drake lay down next to Brynn and wrapped his arms around her. It was her love that saved him from being consumed by the dragon. If only his love could save her now. He didn’t mean to fall asleep, but his body was weak, his soul tired. He drifted off immediately, and when he was rested, his etheric body entered the
dreamwalker’s
state.

“You finally come, my lord. I feared you would not.”

“Brynn!” She was standing in the darkness of the room, and at first he thought he was awake. Until he looked around and saw his body clinging to hers still lying upon the bed.

“Brynn, why don’t you wake up?”

“I can’t,” she told him. “My body has been weakened immensely from the amount of water I’ve taken in. The sea has stolen my energy. I need fire to survive and regain my strength. I am an elemental, and gain my strength only from the element of fire.”

“I’ve tried holding you near the hearth, but I guess that wasn’t enough. I’ll do better. I’ll get a candle and hold it near your body. I’ll put your hand in the fire if need be.”

“I need more than a candle, Drake. I need to be immersed in fire - completely. I need you to build a pyre in the courtyard around my body as you do to burn the dead.”

“Nay!” he exclaimed. “I can’t do that.”

“Then I shan’t survive.”

He awoke then, still holding on to her cold body. He jumped from the bed and stoked the fire. He carried her to the hearth and sat her so close to the flames that he singed his own brows, but still she did not awake.

He knew what he had to do. Only his love for Brynn would have allowed him to do it. He carried her body down to the courtyard, the occupants of the castle following him in curiosity.

“My lord, what are you doing?” Asad ran to his side.

“Build me a fire in the midst of the courtyard. Make it as hot and as large as you can get it.”

“She’s dead, then, my lord? I am so sorry.” Asad wiped a tear from his eye.

“She’s not dead yet, Asad, but will be if you don’t hurry.”

He knew Asad didn’t understand, but the man was loyal and rounded up a team of men to create the biggest fire Drake had ever seen.

“Are you certain you know what you’re doing?” Juturna ran a hand over Brynn’s hair as the girl lay limp in Drake’s arms.

“Not really. And if you hadn’t broken that gazing crystal of yours, I’d be asking you to scry for me right now.”

“Listen to your heart, my lord and I’m sure you’ll know the answer.”

He looked down at Brynn, her body looking pale and asleep, but peaceful. He was listening to his heart. He believed in their
dreamwalking
together and he had to trust her now. If he didn’t, he may lose her forever.

“The fire is ready, my lord,” Asad told him after awhile.

“Good. Then I will put Brynn in it.”

“What? You are not going to put her live body in the fire?”

“Trust me, Asad. ’Tis what I have to do.”

“Then you’ll kill her, my lord. No one can withstand these hot flames.”

Asad’s words disturbed Drake deeply. He didn’t know how hot of a fire Brynn could withstand. He didn’t want to kill her. He decided, if she died, then he’d die along with her.

“I’ve heard of men who can walk on fire,” Drake said, staring into the flames.

“Please don’t tell me you are going to do that.” Asad shook his head in denial.

“Get out of my way, Asad.”

“Nay, my lord, I can’t let you.” Asad stepped in front of him to block him.

“No one can stop the
Dragon’s Son
once his mind is made up,” commented Juturna. “Now let the man through.”

Asad stepped aside reluctantly. Drake walked forward with Brynn in his arms. The flames licked up toward the sky, and the heat was scorching. Drake’s love for Brynn burned hotter than any fire ever could. He held her closely and walked toward the fire. Then taking one last breath, he stepped forward and entered the flames.

The bluish-white light in the center of the fire took form and Drake saw his mother. She smiled at him and he felt as if he were a young boy again. Her beauty was breathtaking, her smile comforting. She held out her hand, creating a path for Drake to walk. The flames leapt up around him, touching Brynn but not burning her. He felt the heat, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. He felt himself gaining power from the flames. Then he saw another couple. Brynn’s parents stood watching, smiles on their faces. They held hands and watched their daughter succumb to the flames.

He knew for one glorious moment the power of the flame was with him as well as Brynn. He knew his skin would not be charred when he emerged from the fire. He knew his flesh would not be cooked. He smiled to first Brynn’s parents, and then his mother. He felt the love in her eyes and also the loneliness for her own husband.

Drake had entered the light, finding that spark that exists even in the darkest knights. He pushed darkness from his life forever, letting the light guide his way.

The images of his mother and Brynn’s parents flickered before him and he felt Brynn stir in his arms. She opened her eyes and smiled, and he knew it was time to leave the flames. He stepped from the fire to hear the gasps and cries of the people around him. Their eyes were wide with shock and they looked at him as if he were a god.

“She lives!” he said, holding Brynn so the crowd could see she was awake.

A cheer went up from the people, and Drake knew he’d made the right choice.

Epilogue

Drake shook his mother’s ashes across the pool in the cave. It had been six months since the night of Brynn’s recovery, and now she stood at his side, paying reverence to his mother’s remains with him.