Sunshine

Seth watched her sleep, the smile on her face fading slightly as she drifted off. He had felt that tug of destiny in his gut as she had traced feather-light touches across his face. His beast had roared to life and claimed that lifeline that he thought had been severed for eternity. The loss of that bond when Rowan’s lifeblood spilled to the ground had devastated his beast beyond repair. His soul was just a scrap of what it had once been. He watched her deep even breaths, felt her immense power radiating around him, and knew he had found his purpose once again. He would not fail this time.

Seth came awake slowly. The feeling of being watched tugging at his beast’s sleeping conscience. His eyes came open suddenly and he lunged upright with a snarl. The mop of red hair bounced backward with a squeak, wide moss green eyes watching him sheepishly. There was no sign of her dragon, only the shy mountain girl.

“Good morning” She chirped lightly. Her voice was like a melody floating around him. The muted chatter of birds on the other side of the thick log wall announced the new day, even if the light had not quite reached them here on the forest floor.

“I have already eaten, so we can get going as soon as you are finished” Obviously she was ready to make haste to her new home. He grinned at her enthusiasm and relaxed back against the rounded wall of rotten wood behind him.

Her hair was wilder than it had been yesterday if that was even possible. Her face was as golden as the sunlight, the freckles across the bridge of her nose enhancing the brightness of her skin. She seemed to glow with an internal light, and he was drawn to her like a moth to the flame.

Her eyes watched him in return, and he wondered what she saw when she looked at him like that. She began to fidget nervously and then jumped up. His gaze followed her every movement as she swung her cloak around her shoulders. Then came her belt, and bow. Her eyes met his expectantly for a moment before she hastily looked away.

“I will be waiting outside.”

He nodded as she turned and left him alone in the hollow of the log. He let his power flow around him sucking the oxygen away from the flames and watched them slowly wink out. He kicked the mound over, smearing the ashes into the ground with a leather-clad heel. He grabbed the remaining leg of venison and ripped off a bite as he made to follow her.

They were in no hurry as they made their way towards the river in the distance. They walked in silence mostly, until her curiosity would get the best of her and she plied him with random questions. What did he think the yellow stains in the water was? Why would the king be mining the yellow powder? Could he be persuaded to stop if they could prove it was behind the disease sweeping across the land?

Seth was patient and kind, answering her questions with honesty. He had watched her for two weeks, and this was the first time he had seen her look so relaxed. Her step was light, and she nearly skipped beside him. He watched her, in awe of the childlike innocence that became more evident with every passing mile. She was a creature of the forest who had been isolated from people, both human and fae alike. It was a blessing he realized as there was no greed, no artifice, only the will to survive within her. She plucked leaves and grass they passed and began to weave them together into a simple headdress. Lianna placed it atop her wild hair and looked over at him, imperious as any queen.

“Well, how do I look?” She demanded when he said nothing.

Seth was unsure how to answer without sounding like a besotted fool. He had walked this land for five hundred years and had never encountered a soul like hers. He stopped, as she had, allowing himself to look at her. The crown of grass and twigs suited her, her head was cocked to the side, her long fiery tresses ablaze with light from the early morning sun. Her eyes seemed to look right through him, into his dark soul. Seth dropped her gaze quickly. Suddenly, his beast wanted to run. He felt the urge to stretch his legs and feel the wind against his face.

They had made it to the edge of the forest, and he looked across the great open space that lay before them.

“Yesterday, as I flew over, I saw villages, many of them. I saw a great castle on the side of the mountain. Is that where Errewyn lives?” Her fingers were winding through her hair, tugging on it in a subconscious, nervous gesture.

“Yes.” He answered. He did not think now was a good time to introduce her to her father. She needed to rest for a few days. Maybe become more accustomed to her new life. Seth tried to think of an answer that would not make her feel inadequate in any way. Because they were the ones who were not good enough for her. None of them were. Or ever would be.

“I will take you if you like. I think it may be wise to let me prepare you for his court before I unleash you on them.” He watched her eyes widen.

“You think I will not like it?” her forehead wrinkled; lips pursed in thought. She did not give him time to answer before she continued.

“I do not think I will like it either. My experience with people, human and fae, little though it is; has taught me not to trust anyone.” Green eyes met his. He felt her beast’s attention on him as well. He would not lie.

“In my vast experience, I would have to agree with your first instincts. Everyone has ulterior motives. Some are better at hiding it than others.” Green eyes narrowed at him, piercing and relentless.

“Your father, if he claims you, may decide to keep you. You are his daughter and he has every right to do with you as he will.”

Lianna let out a distinctively un-lady-like snort. He could feel the beast rise to the surface, a feral gleam flashed in her eyes as if it would remind him that she was not as helpless as her appearance may suggest.

“I belong to no one.” She half-growled straightening away from the tree she had perched against. And there she was, the wild untamed creature that took his breath away.

“And, I want to ask him about the mines. I want to ask him to stop it.” The look on her face suggested she would not take no for an answer. “Why were those people in chains? They were being whipped!” Her aura flared out around her and he would have sworn he saw steam puff from her nostrils as she turned in the direction of the mines. He almost sympathized with the poor soldiers he knew would meet their ends soon.

“They are criminals, or so Errewyn claims. Many of them justly earned their sentences to the chains I am sure.” He held his stance, watching warily as her pupils dilated, elongating into oval slits, the green glowed, and this time there was no denying the steam curling around her. Seth realized as if for the first time that she had spent the night in one of those dark mines and had gotten a small taste of what those people went through every day.

His beast stood at attention, centuries of training demanding he obey her command whether he thought it wise or not.

“He will not use them to poison this land.” She snarled.

“You have already destroyed one of their mines in your escape yesterday. He might even be looking for you now.” He dared to reason with her.

The beast disappeared and the young girl stood there again. His hair stood on end and he choked back a startled hiss at the abrupt change. The feline in him wanted to spit and slink off, but he pushed that urge aside waiting to see what she would do next. No, the court was not ready for her; but he would not stand in her way, unpredictable as she was.

Her voice was once again her own when she spoke next;

“I do not want to meet him just yet.” Her beautiful countenance looked at him. “Will there be many people where we are going?”

“No, My Queen, Once I get you there, and you are settled in you can have whatever you want. Although I do not know what is left of it. I have stayed away too long. The Palace is probably abandoned.” He stared across the prairie as if he could see it through the mountains. After the brutal loss of his best friends he could not bring himself to return to the home they shared for so long. Returning, even now set his nerves on edge, the hole in him that was their absence had been taken over by his feline. Filling a void that could not be filled. He took a deep breath and started walking.

She kept pace beside him, pulling her hood up to cover her mane of hair. He felt her beast, resting inside her. Like a lion in a cage, he had seen at a gypsy camp. It prowled back and forth. He wondered if she had the thing leashed or if it simply waited and allowed her to think she was in control.

He heard her snort as if she had heard his thoughts. One glance at her face told him she had; He felt his eyes widen in shock.

“How do you do that?” He rasped.

“I do not know. Sometimes, I just know things, they just pop into my head and I know them for truth.” She smiled sheepishly.

“I do not try to know them.” She admitted and he wondered if she was remembering the day he watched her take control of the fish in the river. It was her turn to look surprised.

“You were there that day?” her pace slowed as if she was suddenly unsure of herself. Seth nodded.

“ I was going to announce myself when you reached the path near the waterfall, but the birds that patrolled the river got to you first. I followed them to the quarry and saw them take you in” He admitted. “I was trying to figure out a way to get in and get you when I saw you fall from the cave. I will never forget the sight of your dragon erupting into the air. I have never seen anything more glorious.” The look on his face had gone soft to match his tone. His words were solemn and full of wonder.

Lianna listened and knew he was not lying. She wondered if that was her beast too? The images and words that popped into her head sometimes even surprised herself. Walking next to him she knew some had come from him, they rolled from him like a wave and it was as if he spoke out loud when her ears had not heard a thing. Other thoughts, she was sure came from the darkness that coursed through her veins.

Lianna trudged through the tall grass unafraid of whatever came next with this warrior at her side, and dragon fire in her blood. She took in the scenery around her and listened to the whisper of the wind as it flowed around them.

“Wind!” Lianna suddenly burst, an undertone of awe in her voice. She looked in his direction for confirmation of what she had just figured out, but he was not looking at her. His gaze was speared ahead of them, she followed his line of sight. They had just topped a small hill, and she could see wooden structures rising from the green hilltops.

In a flash of light, the lion was walking beside her instead of the man. He did not slow his pace, and they approached the village together. The path became clearer, a well-worn trek of tightly packed red dirt leading them through the scattered buildings.

Everything was so quiet, even her dragon seemed to be holding its breath.

Small purple flowers grew in wooden containers outside some of the buildings. There were no trees, and the sun beat down on the thatched rooftops mercilessly. Lianna felt sweat bead down her spine.

Where was everyone? There was not a soul in sight. She glanced around, her curiosity turning to trepidation, as they reached the center of the village. A small stone well was surrounded by solid benches made of the same material. Empty wooden stalls scattered throughout the square seemed haunted in the eerie quiet. They approached the well cautiously. A rotten smell emanated from deep within its depths and Lianna had to swallow the bile that rose in her throat. A wooden bucket lay forgotten on the ground, where it had rolled beneath one of the dark seats.

Seth let out a low growl beside her. She reached down and patted his head.

“This is the same smell that permeated the mine shafts.” She did not need to see the water to know that it was yellow with poison. She glanced around, looking more closely this time at the cottages. She could see the layout of the area in her mind’s eye, the paths forming a cross, the houses arranged along the outer sides, and the main buildings closer to the center well.

“Where is everyone?” She asked him. Seth had his head down sniffing near the ground. She watched him pick out a scent and follow it down the path towards the South. Towards the castle.

“They must have all gone to the King for help. Will he help them?” Seth rolled his shoulders, the feline equivalent of a shrug. Lianna pulled her goat bladder from her hip, uncorking it and taking a long swig. The water was like a balm soothing her dry lips.

With the contamination of the villages only well, the people would be unable to return until the water ran clear again. How many of the villages faced the same dilemma? Was there anything that could be done? Lianna turned back to the East, walking slowly towards the great river that divided the land. The rapids singing their adventures, still half a day’s journey away. The sound of hoofbeats invaded her thoughts, and she twirled back to the well in time to see a pair of riders galloping up the path between the houses. The two males dismounted easily and tied the horses to a post. One reached over and grabbed the bucket, re-attaching it to the rope. The other waited patiently on his companion.

Lianna watched in fascination as the finely dressed male scanned the interior of the village. His pants were made of black cloth and though they appeared loose, she could see the hardness of his muscle outlined where they stretched across his thigh. The same dark material cascaded around him, the heavy riding cape doing nothing to hide his broad shoulders and square frame. His face was dark and hard as granite with ebony brows arching like crow wings above his eyes. He appeared bored.

“They must have gone to the castle, just like all the rest.” He slapped a pair of gloves against a hard thigh. The man was taller than the well and powerfully built. He propped a booted leg on top of a bench, his arm coming up to rest on his elevated knee. The second man finished pulling the bucket up, a cloth tied around his nose, presumably to keep out the stench. Lianna saw him pull a large vial of black powder from a hidden pocket and pour a good bit into the bucket before setting it on the ground.

The smaller male turned in her direction and let out a sound of surprise as he pointed in her direction.

“My Lord.” She heard in the distance. Her beast raised a smooth head and noticed the beautiful male at the same time he turned to see her. She heard the warning growl behind her as Seth leaped behind a building to watch from the shadows.

“Coward.” She hissed.

But, her focus was solely on the giant male who swaggered in her direction. His hawk-like eyes pierced her, the aura surrounding him was like a dark and impenetrable fortress. The closer he came, the harder her heart pounded until it was roaring in her ears, his power was washing over hers in waves that clung to her aura like a lost lover. Her beast surged in recognition, trying to claw its way to the surface. She felt the steam rising and clamped down hard, imagining that iron cage surrounding it. She did not look away from him, noticing his nostrils flare as he was undoubtedly trying to scent her power out as well.

As he drew nearer, she saw that his eyes were as black as his clothes, she pulled her cloak tight about her, feeling the need for some kind of barrier between them. Lianna did not allow herself to back away when he stopped before her; his onyx gaze intense. All the males she had encountered so far were beautiful. But this one; she had no words to describe the attraction his features held for her.

Like a punch in the gut, her abdomen clenched, her breath hitching in reaction. His voice was low and cool, like an autumn wind.

“Well, hello there.” The sound poured over her as the rich red wine had in the wolves’ den. She swallowed.

“Hello.” She remembered to curtsy. “My Lord.”

His eyes flicked over her, from the tip of the hood pulled low over her hair, to her fuzzy boots peeking from beneath her cloak. His aura rubbed up against her own in a subtle, caressing sweep. His nostrils flared again, and she thought that was a spark of shocked recognition that crossed his features. Her beast squirmed beneath her grip.

“Would you like some freshwater?” he offered. Reaching his hand out to her. She wondered if he expected her to take his hand.

Yes, he does, came Seth’s thought, popping into her mind. Her eyes narrowed at the stranger. She did no such thing. Instead, she stepped around him.

“I have my water, although I am curious to know about the substance your man poured into the bucket.” If the male was surprised by her boldness, he did not let it show.

His dark aura nipped at her heels and she felt him fall into step beside her as she marched over to where the bucket now sat on a bench. The water inside it was as clear and fresh as her mountain spring. Her gaze shot to his as he came to stand beside her.

“What is this?” Her hood fell back as she looked up to find him closer than was comfortable.

Mother, he was so big! His face had not been as dark as she had first thought. His skin was like smoke and mist. He was studying her too. Her hands came up to pull the hood tighter around her throat. He was a predator; she could almost taste his power; ancient and lethal. She tried and failed to suppress a shudder. It raced up her spine and the spark in his eyes told her he had felt that shudder too. Lianna refused to submit to his dominant stare. She lowered her eyes to his lips, trying to drag air into her lungs and break the spell he had cast upon her.

Her beast roared to life within her, she felt the shift in her eyes before she could pull her hood up to cover them again. She turned away swiftly. The sight of his bold stare seared into her mind’s eye like a brand.

“Wait.” The words stopped her in her tracks, but she did not turn to look at him again.

“What is your name woman?” He demanded. A hard hand clutched her arm, spinning her around.

Fire ran along her skin, scorching his hand. He yanked it away, his eyes incredulous as he stared, waiting for her reply. She smirked at his obvious shock. Her chin came up a notch and her eyes met his.

“Lianna.” Then she turned and began walking away as quickly as she could without running. He did not stop her again.

When she cleared the last row of houses and he did not follow her she let out a sigh of relief, loosening her hold on the beast within her. It roared its defiance, sparks lighting her fingertips, the grass where she lifted her foot after each step singed, leaving dainty little footprints in her wake.

Footsteps crunched beside her and she whirled to find Seth standing there, pale-faced and panting.

“Who was that?” She nearly screeched, fire scorching her throat. She had a distinct feeling that she would not soon forget the dark stranger. The reaction he elicited from her had nearly crippled her senses. His dark onyx eyes had nearly branded her soul.

“Lord Sorea. He is even older than I am. I was beginning to wonder when he would show his face again. He keeps to himself for the most part, but the poison has likely reached his home on the Northern coast. Maybe he has come down from his throne to investigate.”

“Did he hurt you?” Seth growled.

“No, just startled me is all. You would not have been much help, cowering as you were.” She dared to mock him. Something inside her felt giddy, excess excitement from her encounter with the male.

“Lord Sorea.” She snorted aloud. “What kind of name is that?” she giggled.

Seth turned to her, the look on his face comical in its disbelief and she had to look away again before the laughter burst from her mouth.

“He used a vial of black powder to clean the water. If we could get enough of it, maybe we could clean all the water and heal the land.”

“Unlikely.” Seth sneered. “People like him do not give away their secrets freely. I could smell his interest in you from across the village. Whatever the price he asked, I am sure you would not agree.” He glanced at her sideways as he lengthened his stride into a long angry jog. He shifted back into his feline with a flash and raced ahead of her.

Lianna let him go, a pair of dark onyx eyes still distracting her from Seth’s tantrum. Her beast continued to purr within her, wanting her to turn around and learn more about the scent that still clung to her. How would Seth react if he could read her mind right now? Judging by his initial reaction he would probably not speak to her for the remainder of the journey. She pulled a face at the thought, what was so wrong with being interested in another male?

Her dragon huffed its exasperation as if to ask why she would even care what Seth thought.

She thought of the flash of recognition she had seen in the male’s eyes. There was no way he could have known who or what she was. Then she remembered the way Erin had known almost immediately and wasn’t so sure anymore. Lianna tried to push away the nagging thought and concentrate on the ground as it rose before her. The grass slowly faded into the red rock, until only small patches remained, clinging to the cracks that formed between the hard surfaces.

The barren wasteland around her provided no shelter from the elements. The sun seemed to argue with the wind; its hot rays making sweat bead on her forehead; moisture that was quickly licked away by the sharp thrust of air.

Seth had disappeared ahead of her, his feline body blending in so well with the landscape that she didn’t bother trying to spot him. She let her hood fall back and began to move faster over the rocks. The sun was about midway in its descent towards the Western skyline, and he had mentioned camping by the river tonight. The wind snatched at her hair, her lungs opened up fully, her feet were light and swift as they closed the distance between herself and the river more quickly than any human could. It was not as fun as flying but had her adrenaline pumping joy through her veins just as well.

The beautiful song called to her, and it soon became a roar in her ears. She slowed as she reached the bank, dropping to her knees before dunking her whole head beneath the swift current.

A loud piercing scream was her only warning as a giant hawk swooped into her vision, soaring across the river directly at her. The dragon in her blood thrust through her mind, breaking through her restraints, trying to comprehend the actions of the bird. It came closer, its talons stretched towards her as if it would rip into her face.

She dove forward face-first into the river; barely dodging the sharp claws. The current grabbed her and pulled her swiftly towards the sheer drop downstream. The beast inside her roared in anger, and she felt the power rippling through her. A flash of light blinded her and the hair barring her vision disappeared; golden scales replaced smooth skin along her forearms. Desperate hands grasping for a hold on the smooth rocks became giant claws digging into the boulders with brutal strength.

Her head finally broke the surface, water glistening on her shiny armor. She let out a roar of fury, scanning the bank for the guard that had attacked her.

There. Cowering behind a large boulder, he gaped at her in awe and fear. The rock she clung to let out a groan, crumbling beneath her weight. Muscles quivered and bunched as she leaped to the riverbank near the guard. Steam curled from her nostrils, she let the fury build within her to an incredible crescendo. When she felt about to burst with the power, she released it in a snarl directly at her would-be assailant.

When the flame finally flickered out, the man and boulder were both gone, only scortched black ground remained where they had stood.

She felt his presence and whirled around.

Seth sat there still as the mountain, the twitching end of his tail the only sign of agitation he allowed. Her beast hissed at him. Demanding to know where he had been when Lianna had needed him this time. She watched as he shifted back into his male form, sweat streaking down his bare chest into the waistband of his buckskin breeches. He arched one chocolate eyebrow at her.

She turned her head away in dismissal.

“If you could only see how magnificent you are! I told you that you would be hunted. Right now, few know you exist, and many will not believe until they see you with their own eyes. Men like Lord Sorea, who hunted your ancestors will soon come for you too.” Her head snapped back in his direction.

“Yes. He did. He was the one who found Aeros if the rumor is to be believed. Maybe even the one who carved out his heart.” The tone of his voice was more of a growl than anything she had yet heard come from his mouth. A roar tore through her, the flames barely missing him. She shook her head in denial. Something deep inside her refused to believe that bit of information.

Lianna found a soft spot of clay near the riverbed and curled into herself, tucking her head beneath a glowing red wing. Her eyes widened and she pulled her head back. Surveying what she could see of what should have been her lower body, Lianna watched as the setting sun reflected from her red and gold scales, making them glow with an ethereal light that stunned her. She had never really thought of herself as beautiful. Her features were too wild and sharp to be considered lovely in the traditional sense. But in this form, she recognized her worth and basked in the warm sensation.

Her nostrils flared and she gave Seth a haughty glare when she heard him chuckle at her self-admiration.

“There is an entire wall of looking glass in your palace, Majesty.” She watched him as he began to draw lines in the sand. Lianna grunted and easily jumped the impossible distance across the river. She turned in a small circle to look over his shoulder at the crude markings.

“This is the river.” He gouged a long flowing line through the sand. To the South, he pointed, and she saw the trees in the distance, rise before them and disappear between two giant peaks. He drew the jagged outline at the top of the river.

“You make it past that first peak and then turn west. It will take you nearly two days on foot, to reach the other side of the Great Ash Forest where the wolves live. When you reach the western edge, you will be able to smell fire beneath the mountains. Your palace is located in the highest peak. You will know it when you see it.” Seth swiped the map away with a leather-bound foot and turned to look at her.

“You could be there by sunset tomorrow if you fly. I will meet you there in three days.” She gave him an undignified huff, shaking her large golden head in denial. Just because he had left her to her own devices, did not mean she would do the same.

“Do not worry, if anyone is there, they will know who you are and cater to your every whim. Tell them I am coming.” He reached out a steady hand to touch her golden snout. Her scales were flecked with dark splotches there, freckles; he realized with a stupid grin. He gazed at her worshipfully and she preened in his attention.

“No one will try to stop you this time. No one would dare harm you in this form, and once you reach the Dragons keep, you will be safe from all threats.”

She shook her head at him again refusing to leave him behind.

“It will only be a few days. I will meet you there.” He knelt and brought his hand over his heart.

“On my oath.”

She hissed at him one last time before she whirled and began to rip up the ground as she broke into a sprint. Scaly muscles rippled as her hind legs bunched and released, and she was soaring through the air. She caught a current of wind and circled back around, wings spread wide as she came back his way. He did not run, thinking she would just fly overhead, and so was wholly unprepared when giant claws gripped him around his middle and his feet were snatched from the ground. His feline roared out of him in a flash of light. His claws latching into the thick skin that held him. He let out a hiss of fear, demanding she put him down. The grunt he got in reply hardly sounded worried about his opinion.

His vision blurred and the green canopy of trees came into view; her wings pumped once, twice, three times, and the stars came into view, they had risen high above the land, he could see thin slivers of clouds floating between them and the trees. Lianna let out a steamy screech when his claws tightened around her talons. She turned them palms up and tucked him close beneath her large golden belly to hold him more comfortably and securely as they soared through the cold air.

He did not know how long they flew; the sun sank and the world became too dark for him to make out landmarks. He poked his head out of her palm only once when the air turned frigid and ice began to gather along their exposed skin. When nothing but white misty swirls met his eyes, he quickly ducked back into the safety of her claw. The air felt thin and the ice burned his lungs.

He would never trust her again. Queen or no, this was unacceptable. He felt her ripple of warm laughter around him. Felt the heat radiating from her belly just above his head. His anger faded a bit as he realized she was trying to ease his suffering in this small way. His feline grumbled its acceptance and he curled into her warmth as they flew above the mountains.

Lianna reveled in the feeling of the ice against her fevered scales. The sound of the wind as it sang to her of its journey, cradling her in loving arms above the jagged mountain tops. The feline in her claws was not happy at all and she smirked in satisfaction. It served him right for leaving her as he had. She had not enjoyed the dip in the river, or the dragon’s revenge as she burnt that man alive. She shuddered at the memory, of the taste of his fear when he knew death would soon claim him.

The sun was just beginning to glow behind her when the western edge of the forest appeared before her. Closer and closer she glided until the smell of burnt rock reached her nose and her beast’s senses perked up in recognition. The mountains rose around her in a crown of red glory, reflecting the sun’s dawning rays in a myriad of glowing embers. The highest peak loomed before her and she pulled her wings up to slow her pace. A large opening was carved into the face of the tallest peak but no trails could be seen leading up to the gaping hole. As the ledge became clearer, she realized that it had been carved to resemble the face of a dragon, its giant canines jutting on either side of the snarling mouth of the cave.