Soulbound

I woke up to an intense heat burning into the flesh of my arm. Yelping, I rolled into the safety of the lake. The sun was back to its merciless ways again; it lit up the entire cavern, allowing me to see Arkon's shadow deep in the water. He swam up to the surface with a mouthful of fish then he unceremoniously dumped them on the shore beside me.

"Breakfast," he explained, rather pleased with himself for being able to provide for me.

He was heaven sent. My stomach hurt, I was so hungry; I could--and would--have eaten the fish raw had he not zapped them first. While I contently plucked the fried flesh off the bones, I watched Arkon swim around as if he was in his element and found myself fascinated.

"Arkon," I murmured behind a mouthful of fish, "how big is this lake?" He was one of the bigger dragons back at the base, yet he seemed to have plenty of space to swim. I'd been so driven by thirst before, that I hadn't checked to see how deep it went.

He scanned the cavern, taking in the sheer size of it while also keeping out of sight from the sun. "I suspect it runs throughout the continent. I haven't found an end in my explorations."

With a lake this big, there must be all sorts of life--as proven by the fish--and possibly people. This would be the perfect place to hide from the sun. It'd explain why we barely saw anybody on the surface; I'd thought they were in the mountains, but what if they were underneath instead? There were probably many entrances. I was lucky enough to find one.

"Do you think Sasha is in here? She has to keep a dragon cool somehow. You love this water, don't you?" He hadn't left since we arrived.

He regarded me for a moment, adjusting himself in the shallow end of the pool, so only his claws and tail were submerged; the rest of his body dripped and glistened, making him look all the more the majestic creature I fantasized about as a child. "Storm dragons have an affinity to water. If we do not have lightning to give us strength, water is a fair substitute."

"Lightning is very powerful in water," I thought aloud, remembering the time he'd zapped fish in the water when I was first starting to know him. "Can you sense anyone, though?" While I had slept like a rock last night, I was still drained from our excursions yesterday and my magic especially felt depleted. Having not practiced much magic with Anna, I hadn't experienced this yet, but she had warned me that exhaustion was a side effect to using magic.

Arkon gestured towards the deeper part of the cavern. "There is a large colony in the far eastern side of the cavern."

That sounded promising. "Can we get to them from here?"

He studied the layout of the cavern; I felt his magic around me then stretch beyond our cave. "Once we pass this underwater tunnel, the river will take us straight there."

Decided, I stood and tossed the fish bones into the water. "I don't know about you, but I'm thinking we follow that river instead of flying in the heat."

His mouth quirked into a scaly smile. "I agree." He moved into position for me to climb into the saddle. "Take deep breaths. This tunnel is not short, but I believe you can make it."

I did as he suggested and steadied my breathing. Once I felt my heart slow, I gave Arkon the go-ahead. He dipped into the water seamlessly, tucking his wings tight against his back. He used his claws and tail to propel himself forward; once he got into a rhythm he was moving so fast the water undulated through my clothes and threatened to tear me off his back. I gripped the handles harder. My heart quickened. The urge to open my mouth and breathe became stronger, the burn in my lungs growing more intense.

Just when panic began to set in, Arkon breached the surface. I gulped in all the air I could take and kept on breathing it in until I was sure I wasn't drowning.

I tapped my lightstone to find out where exactly we had ended up. It looked like we had breached in a shallow opening in the river with short stalactites hanging from above. It appeared to run uninterrupted for quite some distance. I barely had room to sit upright, so I lay down the length of Arkon's back and watched the light from my stone dance on the ceiling as we waded through the water.

It was actually quite serene down here. The only sounds were of Arkon breathing and the water brushing against his scales. He moved in a rhythm, swaying his whole body in one languid motion, starting from his head then ending at the tip of his tail. It was like we had been transported to a different time and place, one where there was no evil warlords, where my family was still alive, and the only family I had left hadn't kept a significant secret from me. This world was full of adventure and hope. It was just my dragon and I exploring to our hearts' content.

"I can see why Sasha came here now," I mused aloud. My voice sounded louder than it actually was when it bounced off the ceiling. "It's far away from everything."

It has it's charm, Arkon agreed. The horns on top of his head barely missed the stalactites while he had his head half-submerged; there was no chance of him raising his head enough to speak. But it's no place for a Dragon Knight.

"Hmm." A bitter taste clung to my tongue. "I suppose not. . . but what about a nobody and her storm dragon?"

I felt his presence in the back of my head, trying to decipher what I was thinking. Good luck to him. I didn't even know what I was thinking. You're not seriously considering leaving the Dragon Knights because of what Prince Leonidas told you?

I shrugged. "They lied to me, Arkon. Jacob, Anna, Grayson. I bet Commander Hargin knows who Grayson really is--she has to. They've been harboring a war criminal--the man who murdered my family's brother! Maybe I don't know what it means to be a Dragon Knight. Maybe they're not as good as I thought. They just want to use us. Everyone wants our power."

That is why my brothers and sisters have gone into hiding. There was once a time where we were respected and even revered, but when Dracon was slain. . . everything changed for us. We were outcast, feared, hunted. I felt his pain through our Bond; it was a heavy loss that echoed the pain of losing my family. I despised humanity for what they had done to me, but I believe the Dragon Knight mandate to be honourable and just. We are a part of something greater than you and I, Eva. We can do great good as Knights, in the fight against Sylus.

"So, what, we just forgive and forget that they'd hidden Grayson's identity from us?"

No, but we do not know the whole story. We must listen to their side before casting judgement.

I watched the shadows cast by my lightstone move as we drifted down the river and thought about what he said, even if I didn't want to. They shouldn't have lied to me and my anger was justified. I hated that he was trying to talk me down, but, damn it, he did have a good point.

In a huff, I crossed my arms. "You couldn't have let me seethe a little longer?"

It is not healthy to let anger fester. It will consume you if you are not careful.

I sighed and let my anger go. For now. I'd save it for when I made Anna and Jacob explain themselves for their betrayal. Until that time, we'd continue our mission of seeking out Sasha. I couldn't be the storm dragon rider Aboria needed me to be if I didn't know how to use Arkon's magic.

"I don't know when we'll see Anna again." Despite being angry with her, I found myself missing her too. I missed all of them.

She will find us.

"You don't know that. The Desert Land is huge."

Her skills are vast and Aster is a force to be reckoned with on her own. They will find us; though, I cannot guarantee their mood. He held Aster with a great deal of respect and admiration, and I sensed he missed her quite a bit too. He had the utmost faith that she would find us.

He was right about one thing: Anna was not going to be happy when she found us. I'd run away, which was rule number one in the Newbie Handbook on things not to do. I better make it worth her while, then, I thought to myself.

"All right," I said, moving things along. "Let's say Anna finds us eventually. How do we find Sasha? You said you could sense her dragon? Do you know which one of your siblings it is?"

I can sense them, but I cannot tell who they are. Their aura feels different. Years of solitude and living in a place like this has likely made them unrecognisable. They probably don't recognise me either, which is why they haven't sought us out. They may suspect we mean harm.

I considered this and shifted uncomfortably on Arkon's back. My clothes were finally starting to dry, but the saddle was sopping wet and made squelching noises every time I moved. I didn't want to think about the state my supplies were in. The satchels were designed to keep everything dry in the rain, not to be submerged under water.

"You don't think they'll attack us, do you?" I couldn't stop the worry in my voice from being heard; he could probably sense a sudden spike in my anxiety, anyway. Anna had made me a competent fighter, but to fight someone well versed in magic--lightning magic, specifically. . . well, I just didn't stand a chance.

I am sure we can reason with them before then, Little One, he assured me confidently. Once my sibling sees me, they will know we are not hostile. In the meantime, I think it would be wise for us to ask around this settlement about Sasha. I am concerned why the other colonists are afraid of her as well.

I relaxed again, folding my hands on my stomach. I wholly agreed with him. Leo might think she would help us, but one didn't put fear into people by being an ally to King Renkon. She had a reputation here, and I wanted to find out who exactly I would be dealing with before meeting with her.

We rode down the river in silence, lost in our own thoughts. At some point, the gentle motion of Arkon swaying back and forth rocked me to sleep.

In my dream, I stood on the balcony at Kain Castle, wearing my peach chiffon dress. The wind was cold and sent a shiver through me. Warm arms encircled me from behind and held me close against an even warmer body. I leaned back into him, taking as much of his heat as I could take.

Grayson's mouth brushed over the shell of my ear. "You look beautiful tonight."

"I told you it takes more than a few nice words to woo me," I warned him, mostly to hide my chagrin.

"Even when they're from me?"

I turned to face him, looping my arms around his neck. He looked mighty handsome in his dapper suit, like a prince from a forgotten land. "Especially from you. You have a lot to make up for. Why didn't you tell me?"

"Would you have let me hold you like this if you knew who I used to be?" To make a point, his hands slid down my back and pressed me tighter against him, leaving no space between us. "Would you have kissed me if you knew?"

"I-I-" It was an impossible question to ask of me. He had to know how wrong it was for him to pretend his family wasn't the one who had slaughtered mine. He held me while I cried my heart out. He made me feel safe, untouchable. Was it a lie? Just to make himself feel better, to ease the guilt of being related to that monster. Or maybe it was a joke to him and he was as evil as his brother.

"Tell me you would, Eva. Tell me you'd kiss me all over again, even if you knew my true name."

"Grayson. . . Dex. . . I-"

He cupped the back of my neck and claimed my mouth. My heart tore in two; did I forgive him for his sins or did I push him away? How could I feel so empowered near someone who had ripped the world from beneath my feet?

The whirlwind of conflicting emotions was too much for me to bear. I pulled away from the kiss--and found Prince Darius in front of me instead, his face twisted into a sick, satisfied smile. His dark eyes, as dark as Grayson's, held mine hostage. They looked so similar. Like twins.

An abyss opened up beneath me and swallowed me whole. My screams were silenced in the darkness. The weight of hopelessness suffocated me and pulled me deeper into its embrace-

Eva! Arkon's voice cut through my despair. Swim!

It took only a second for me to realise I was no longer dreaming. The sense of suffocation was me drowning. I kicked my legs and pushed through to the surface. I coughed and waded in the water desperately to stay afloat. It was dark. I couldn't see anything.

This way, Eva, Arkon called to me. His presence tugged on my soul, luring me to his location. With much effort, I swam to his side and finally took refuge on his back. I coughed and heaved until all the water was gone, then I collapsed in the saddle. Are you all right?

"I'm not drowning, if that's what you're asking," I replied hoarsely. "What happened?"

You were having a dream, he answered, still concerned for me. Something startled you then you fell off my back. This space was too small for me to reach you. Are you sure you're all right?

I stole a deep breath, squeezing my eyes shut. I could feel the tears coming, but I tried my damnedest to ward them off. Anna always said it was okay to cry back when I was in the safety of the base, but when we were alone on a continent full of criminals, I needed to remain strong.

It was just a dream.

After another deep breath, I managed to regain my composure. "I'm okay. Really. I'm fine."

He was silent for a moment, probing my mind to see if I spoke the truth; I opened it for him to further assure him I was okay. We had a mission to do. I had to be okay.

If you are ready, the colony is just up ahead, he informed me, still wary to continue.

I wrung my hair out then took a quick inventory of my stuff blindly. Aside from losing my lightstone to the river, everything else was still attached. There wasn't enough room to equip my bow, but I was able to strap my daggers to my thighs. "Let's go."

Arkon pushed forward. It wasn't long before the river connected to a huge underground lake. It was larger than the one I found yesterday--or was it the day before that? I had no way to tell how much time had passed. I had eaten when I was hungry and slept when I needed to. We could have been in the cave for days.

On the other side of the lake, firelight glimmered and beckoned us to approach. The closer we got however, the more people I saw lining up along the shore; some were stricken with terror, while others held an uncomfortable curiosity for us. It was the murderous look in a couple of their eyes that scared me. The baddest of the bad were down here--with me.

Gulping, I steadied myself as Arkon stepped onto the shore. I knew I'd be safe with him watching my back, but our only other way out of this cave, aside from the river we came from, was the visible entrance on the other side of the city, which meant if we wanted to leave we had to make our way through the crowd. Anyone could easily pull me off his back or steal our stuff.

"Does anyone know anything about Sasha Remoar?" I asked the crowd.

A few hissed. One man stepped for me, spitting at Arkon's feet. "What makes you think we'd talk to Dragon Knight scum?"

"Um, well, you are talking, aren't you?" I thought if I was sassy, I could pretend I wasn't scared out of my mind.

He snarled. "You think you're real smart, don'tcha?"

"Smart enough to not get exiled here."

"Why don't you get off your dragon's back and say that to my face, bitch?"

Don't let him goad you, Eva.

I'm not going to get any answers if they think I can't touch them, I argued. If the man wanted a fight. Sure, let's give him a fight. I jumped off Arkon's back.

The criminal laughed. Others joined in and stepped for me, but my challenger held his hand up to them. "No. This one's mine. When I'm done with her, you can fight for who gets her next."

He stepped for me; Arkon roared and dug his claws into the rock easily, as if it was sand. The criminal stopped in his tracks and snorted. "Some Knight you are, letting your dragon fight all your battles for you."

Just for that, I had an extra special plan for him, but first, Let me have him, Arkon. I know what I'm doing.

He growled viciously in my mind. I will not stand by and let him hurt you.

If it comes to that, I wouldn't ask you to. Have a little faith in me?

He huffed behind me, smoke billowing all around me, then he sat in the water, swishing his tail agitatedly in the water. Make sure he hurts.

I will.

"We doing this or what?" I taunted the challenger.

He charged for me. Keeping an eye on his blade, I ducked under his arm then swung behind him, knocking his knees in. He fell to the floor and tripped me. Smoothly, I rolled to my side, dodging his knife. I caught his wrist and twisted my whole body, bending his arm into an awkward position. Crying out, he dropped his blade in my lap. I elbowed his face a couple times for good measure before standing over him with a dagger to his throat.

"You wanna keep dancing?" I growled. If I was going to come out of this unscathed, I had to assert my dominance, show these thieves I wasn't to be messed with.

He barked at me like a dog.

"Fine." I smacked him with the hilt of my dagger, knocking him out.

Another man stepped out of the line to help him, but Arkon let out a booming snarl that shook the cavern. Everyone backed off.

"Now," I said, stepping around the unconscious man to face the crowd, "I'm gonna ask again: does anyone know of Sasha Remoar?"

Silence.

I was so sure if I'd beat him up they would have been more complacent. Apparently not.

Grumbling about how useless criminals were, I climbed in my saddle. It was completely saturated, but I was so wet myself, I hardly felt it. Arkon released a low growl, painting a pretty picture for whomever dared to come near us as he walked through the tent city. It looked like the slums in any other town, but this was probably the biggest population on this continent, filling the cavern wall to wall, with a wide street cutting through the middle. Kids ran past us, laughing as if this place wasn't a punishment for their parents' mistakes. Vendors kept shops on either side, trading goods with other people for services or food. It was like they weren't criminals at all.

I caught sight of a hooded figure splitting from the crowd and approaching us quickly. He didn't change course, even as Arkon growled at him. After swiftly looking over his shoulder, he purposely bumped into Arkon, hand slipping past the saddle for my leg. I'd thought he was attempting to pickpocket us until I saw the piece of paper wedged between his scales. I called after the man, but as soon as he'd delivered the note, he stepped away, blending into the crowd that had formed to sneer at us on our way out.

Meet me at the cave entrance when the sun sets, the note read.

It wasn't too much longer before we found the exit to this place. The sun's beams guarded the large hole, daring anyone into the light. There wasn't just desert outside, somewhere near I heard the sounds of waves crashing. When we stepped outside, however, there was only sand and rock as far as I could see--which didn't mean much while my eyes struggled to adjust to the harsh sunlight.

Arkon looked south. "We are close, Eva. I can feel them." He was talking about his sibling. With my magic returning, I could barely make out their aura from this distance. It prickled on my skin like Arkon's did, except I didn't take comfort in it. The sensation was unsettling and formed a pit in my stomach. Was this what everyone else felt when they came into Arkon's presence?

He stopped at the base of a dune that curved around in a horseshoe shape. It was just tall enough to protect us from the hot wind whipping across the desert. It seemed as good a place as any to set up camp for the night.

"I want to talk to this guy tonight first," I said, sliding off his back. "In case he can give us some information on Sasha."

He nodded in understanding, but, "Your meeting tonight might be a trap."

I shrugged it off then pulled the saddle off him. He shook his whole body and stretched his wings out, casting a welcomed shadow over me. "I'll be fine. You saw what I did to that guy back there." After having my ass beaten by Darius and his men, it was incredibly refreshing and empowering to have complete control in that fight with the criminal.

"I am glad one of us is so confident in a place like this." Arkon eyed the entrance to the tent city like it was infested by rats rather than people.

I followed his gaze, watching as people lived their ordinary lives. Sure most of these people were criminals, but they were families too. They made a life here, some were even born here. I wouldn't let my guard down, but I wasn't ready to assume the worst in all of them either.

"Come on. Let's set up camp while we wait for sunset."

Begrudgingly, Arkon left me to hunt. He returned with a camel, and while he had been gone, I'd found a few lizards to cook up. We ate in silence around the fire, vividly aware of the sun's location in the sky. It felt like forever until it set--then the temperature dropped. Our first night here, we had been protected by the cold in the cave, but now we were left out in the open with no walls to insulate our heat.

I grabbed my jacket from the saddle, thankful it had dried in the sun, then equipped my weapons. We left our camp behind, fully intending to return to it after the meeting, and headed back to the cave entrance. It being so dark out, I fully relied on my infrared vision, which came in handy when casing the place for any ambushers. There were none.

Inside, people slept in their homes, hardly any peeps aside from the occasional snore or small talk. When I made my way back to the cave entrance, there was the hooded figure leaning against the wall. Hand on the hilt of one of my daggers, I approached him cautiously.

He looked up to me. "Who are you?" His voice was rough, as if he hadn't drank in days. "What do you want with Sasha?"

I wasn't sure how much I should convey. We weren't sure who exactly this guy was; he could work for Sasha or could be a curious bystander wasting my time--or a spy for King Sylus. "I know Sasha is Bound to a storm dragon. I need her help."

His eyes took me--and my weapons--in slowly. "You don't look like you need help."

Damn him. He really wasn't giving me anything. Couldn't he at least tell me if he was friend or foe?

After nearly chewing my lip off, I decided to take a chance. I let my hands rest at my sides, trying to look as relaxed as possible without letting my guard down. "I'm Bound to a storm dragon too. I need her help controlling my powers."

Unlike when most people heard about my dragon, his expression didn't change; he was either very in control of his emotions or he wasn't surprised to hear I was Bound to a storm dragon. He'd seemed unfased by Arkon's presence when most people at least shuddered from his energy. Meaning, he'd seen a storm dragon before--he knew Sasha. "Very well," he said, then walked away.

"Wait!" I called, catching up to him. "Are you going to help me? I need to see her."

He paused, glacing over his shoulder at me. "I will discuss your case with her. Do not follow me or she will not help. I know where to find you with her verdict." And then he was gone, vanishing into the shadows of the night.

Frustrated, I kicked up sand.

"Do not fret, Little One," Arkon cooed. "He is heading south, where I can sense my kin."

"How do we know he's going to help us? What if he tells Sasha we're a threat?"

"We'll find out tomorrow. For now, all we can do is wait."

I sighed, exhaustion weighing heavy on my shoulders. "Fine. Let's go back."

However, when we returned to the camp, we caught a band of thieves rifling through my stuff. Inwardly, I groaned. Couldn't I get a good night's sleep before I started fighting more of these people?

The gods must have heard me, because a dragon flew overhead and reigned fire over the camp.