8. Chapter 8
M y late-night conversation with Orm had taken the word ‘disturbing’ to a brand-new level. My world had been turned upside down when the commander had decided to recruit me, and the worst thing about it was that I felt attracted to him—not just his physique, but the calm he projected.
It was only me who felt that way, apparently, because everybody else was terrified of the man who could impose his will on the town council whilst maintaining a polite kindness. Amidst my wildly differing reactions, my magic had made a grab for his soul, picking the most unlikely of men as my next Anchor.
What the fuck is wrong with you? He isn’t even a mage. I tapped my chest as if the primal force within could hear me. I’ve made a deal with a demon. A handsome, calm, but ruthless demon, I thought.
But I had to give it to him: Orm had me exactly where he wanted me. Between having the key to my geas and threatening to reveal my secret, he had manipulated me flawlessly into the situation. What angered me was that I understood his actions—and in his place, would have done exactly the same, likely with less grace and consideration.
He’s wrecked my life with class and style, and still I’m excusing his actions. I barked a short, bitter laugh. In the grand scheme of things, disturbing the life of a town mage had little significance, and I understood that all too well.
I huffed, annoyed at my argument, unable to deny that I liked him a little.
Ormond, even with his demands, was kind and had tried to comfort me with his small gestures. He reminded me so much of Talmund that if I closed my eyes, I could easily pretend it was my lover who stood there and not the commander. Maybe that’s why I felt so confused in his presence. But Talmund was gone, and I would never Anchor someone just because he reminded me of him.
It hurt to enjoy his company, and the old wound festering deep inside me reopened, robbing me of sleep.
I dealt with it the only way I knew how: I drank myself into the blackest oblivion.
The morning welcomed me with the clattering noises of town life, and as expected, I woke up with a hangover, puffy eyes, and a mood so sour it could spoil milk. I was also late for the announcement, not that it mattered. As we had agreed, I was going as a mage, and as soon as I was given my promised horse, I would be leaving for the fortress.
As I was running late, I made little effort to get myself ready. Still, I needed to see him. Lateness was one thing, but I thought it best to arrive before they sent a search party. Even if only to give Orm back his cloak.
I dressed in comfortable clothes, trying not to think about my upcoming trip. Zalesie to Varta Fortress was three days of solid riding over rugged terrain, and I wasn’t looking forward to the arduous journey.
You can do it, Annika. Whatever comes, as long as you restore the Barrier and free yourself from the geas, it will be worth it. Valiantly battling nausea, I walked towards the floodplains.
The sight of several dragons almost cheered me up, but Orm’s smug grin instantly brought me back to reality.
‘Good morning, Ani. Vahin is quite strong, you know, so you didn’t need to pack so lightly.’ The commander’s words didn’t penetrate the fog around my thoughts, and all I could manage was a grunt in reply.
‘For a moment there, I thought I’d need to remind you of our deal, especially after you missed the announcement. It was quite spectacular, the magistrate nearly fainting when I declared my choice.’
‘Oh no , how could I have missed it?’ I answered, the hand to my forehead and exaggerated acting expressing just how I felt on the matter. ‘I told you I would be here, but I never promised to be in good shape,’ I said, passing him his cloak.
I didn’t want to tell Orm that my thoughts of him had resulted in my current state. It would have made that satisfied grin worse, and I couldn’t face seeing it. Instead, I turned back to admire the waiting dragons.
The enormous beasts were all the colours of the rainbow, vivid and beautiful. However, it was Vahin who drew my eyes, those jet-black scales streaked with a blue pattern that reflected the rays of the sun like a mirror. ‘Gods, look at them. They’re gorgeous,’ I whispered, my hand unconsciously falling onto Orm’s forearm.
‘After you leave, I’ll go see the magistrate. He owes me a horse for joining in with your little play. I’ll make sure he gives me one that’s fit to make the journey to Varta. Once I’ve packed a few items, I’ll head out, so have the welcoming committee in front of the fortress gates in three days,’ I said, remembering why I was there.
‘You intend to ride to Varta? By yourself?’ At the disbelief in his voice, I turned to look at him.
‘No, with a horse,’ I said, rubbing my temple. Stinking headaches always made me snippy, but if Orm wanted answers, he could deal with it. ‘Of course, I’m going alone. Unless you want me to bring along the freshly kidnapped maidens.’
Orm’s confused glare made me think something was amiss. ‘What?’ I asked, feeling more and more defensive the longer he stared. ‘Just tell me.’
‘You were going to ride … on a horse?’ he questioned again, and I nodded, stepping away when he threw his head back and laughed.
‘What’s so bloody funny? And be mindful of your answer because I’m seriously considering violence,’ I said, squinting my eyes, his booming laughter a dagger stabbing my hungover brain.
‘You, Ani, and how you’re planning to travel. Three days on the road with your backside rubbed raw on a saddle compared to flying there with Vahin in less than a day,’ he said, and I felt the little blood left in my face drain away. ‘You make the most interesting jokes. Besides, we don’t have time to dally, and as much as I wish to trust you, we both know that, left to your own devices, you tend to disappear in a plume of smoke.’
‘No,’ I said, putting my hands out in a defensive gesture. ‘We had an agreement, and I’m here … I’ll go to the magistrate now, and I’ll be on the road before Vahin opens his wings,’ I said, turning to leave, but Orm grasped my forearm.
‘I don’t have time for this and don’t trust you enough to let you go by yourself. I understand that the first time on a dragon’s back can be unsettling, but you’ll soon get used to it. I promise it will be a pleasant flight and smooth enough to satisfy anyone’s idea of comfort,’ he grumbled, pulling me towards the dragon.
‘I said no !’ I dug my heels into the dirt, provoking a few surprised stares from the gathered citizens.
Here I was, hungover and angry in such an idyllic setting, making a spectacle of myself. I hated it, and I hated him in the moment.
It was a beautiful morning, with the sun shining brightly and wisps of mist curling around our ankles from the dew-touched grass. The mountaintops glinted with sparkling snow, and the valleys below were green and vibrant. Still, no one enjoyed the enchanting panorama as the gathered people were more interested in the scene I was making.
Of course, no one could drag their eyes away from the drama unfolding before them. The gasps of shock were drowned out by the sighs of yearning as Orm turned and, without pausing, encircled my thighs and lifted me over his shoulder.
‘Ani, I will accommodate any reasonable request, and I promise I’m not trying to make your life difficult, but from now on, and for the next year, you will listen to me and do as I say ,’ he said. My ability to argue with the barbarous warrior was hampered by the contents of my stomach attempting to reappear over his beautiful, fur-lined cloak.
I reached for the aether, intending to fry his sorry arse, mortified at the laughter and cheers from the crowd, but before I knew it, we had stopped in front of the dragon. As the men’s jibes encouraged Orm to take his ‘bride,’ Vahin’s tail smashed into the ground, silencing everyone.
Fucking traitors, and I cured their warts for years, I seethed, and as I lost my grip on my magic, I changed tack and blasted Orm with my anger.
‘You demented brute. I’m not some sack of turnips to be tossed around!’ I shouted, clenching my fists. ‘Let me go. I won’t fly, and if you try to put me on Vahin’s back, so help me gods, that will be the last thing you ever do.’
Orm simply put me down, his face expressionless. I wasn’t sure whether to admire or kill him for it. His unnatural calm was so unsettling that I took a step away after he released me, stumbling back against the dragon. I turned towards the beast, noticing his tilted head and frown as he observed my outburst.
‘Vahin asks if the thought of riding on his back offends you.’
‘What? No, of course not!’ I said, taken aback by Orm’s statement. Nothing could be further from the truth, and I couldn’t allow the sweet, gentle dragon to think I detested him. As much as I hated to admit my weakness, I had to reveal the truth.
‘I’m not upset with Vahin. I’m refusing to fly …’ I said, biting my lip, ‘I’m sorry,’ I reached towards the dragon’s muzzle, letting the simple touch centre me. ‘I’m afraid of heights. I feel dizzy and terrified even on a high ladder. It’s not your fault I … I just can’t do it.’
Orm cursed quietly behind me.
‘I didn’t realise. You seem so dauntless that it never crossed my mind. There is a way around it, Ani. Vahin can help you. Dragons have a way to calm the mind,’ he offered, releasing a deep sigh when I shook my head.
‘We need to fly because I have to be at the fortress by eventide. We lost several soldiers near the old dwarven mines, and the survivors reported a monster in the tunnels. I’ll have to investigate as soon as we arrive. Otherwise, we will never find the replacement crystal in time.’
I thought about it for a moment. ‘You know, the mines are on the way to the fortress. I can be there by tomorrow and even do the investigation for you. You can’t descend to the mines on a dragon; and for me, it would just be another job,’ I suggested, but he shook his head.
‘No, I’ve lost ten fully armed warriors there already, and I’m not letting you go by yourself. I promise you won’t even have to look down, and Vahin will glide on the updrafts more than usual so that it will feel smoother. He also asks for you to trust him and offers to make one quick attempt so that you can judge for yourself how safe it feels,’ Orm said with a gentle smile, but there was an air of finality to his words—the implacable leader having to go down a hard path to get the job done.
‘Please, don’t force me to use your geas.’ He had me again, and I wondered how often that threat would hang over my head.
Like all others, my geas was controlled by the three words uttered in the midst of a delirium caused by a blood-loss-induced spell. That spell, nicknamed the bloodbath because of the reddish tears it forced from its victim, also ripped all memory of the ordeal from those compelled to use it. While I didn’t remember my own experience, I had witnessed a young psionic mage suffer through the torture of a failed geas spell that turned him into the Broken—a mage unable to access the core of his power, and I still had nightmares about it.
Afterwards, the words are recorded and forever locked in the royal vault with the mage’s name on it. The geas shackled a mage completely, making them do whatever they were told by those who knew the words.
Being a crown mage, as those most powerful of us were called, came with prestige and several advantages. But if those envious of us knew the price, few would relinquish their freedom for the power we could wield.
I stared at Orm, knowing he didn’t realise the crippling effect his threat had on me. For him, it’s simply a tool to get what he wants, I thought bitterly.
‘If I fall and die, I will haunt you for eternity—both of you.’ I pointed my finger towards the dragon, who rumbled, presenting an impressive set of teeth in what I assumed was a smile.
‘When are we setting off?’
‘In a moment. Stay here, please. I have to ensure all the chosen women are properly secured, that their families are content with the arrangement, and that Zalesie’s town officials are satisfied with the ridiculous amount of money we poured into their pockets. Then we will leave.’
Orm headed towards the mayor and his cronies, and I leaned against the dragon’s shoulder, unsure of what to do. I was hungover, in casual clothes unsuitable for a journey, and worst of all, I knew as soon as we left the ground, my mind would blank out in sheer panic.
‘Ani? Are you all right?’ Katja asked, and I jerked in surprise. I was so preoccupied with my thoughts that I hadn’t seen her coming.
‘Yes, as well as I can be,’ I answered with a sigh, and she nodded. ‘I heard your conversation. I think everyone did. So I brought something for you, and later, if you wish, I can poison the bastard.’
‘What is it?’ I asked when she passed me a vial. ‘Your morning’s best friend. My famous hangover cure. You look like you were drinking all night again,’ she said, and I snatched the bottle from her hand.
‘You were sent by the gods themselves,’ I praised her after downing its contents. ‘I’ll still lose my mind when we fly, but at least I won’t puke on the dragon … hopefully.’ As if on command, the dragon behind me nudged me gently, and I yawned, blinking rapidly as I struggled to keep my eyes open.
‘Katja, what did you … fuck, what was in that …?’ I wondered, sliding to the ground as the world spun around me.
‘You were scaring the other girls. It’s just a sleeping draught, I promise. You’ll be fine,’ she said, observing me for a moment before walking away. I vaguely felt Vahin curling around me, his warm scales encircling me protectively while his body rumbled with a growly purr.
Katja’s elixirs were potent, and she hadn’t even diluted this one from the looks of it. I’d drunk it without a second thought. I was so done for now. If Orm decided to throw me around like a sack of turnips, I wouldn’t even be able to curse him, let alone argue.
Of course, it was too late to worry about it now. I was floating away on a cloud of welcome oblivion. Since Orm had proved he could throw me over his shoulder, he could handle my unconscious body during the flight.
‘What the fuck is going on here? ’ The angry voice intruded on the lovely dream I was enjoying, and the rumble in Vahin’s body increased in volume.
‘What do you mean, she drank something? Who poisoned her? For fuck’s sake, unwrap yourself from around her, you big dolt. No, I will not punish her or her friend. Why would you think I’d do that?’
The one-sided conversation was bizarre, but it made me feel warm inside. Vahin cared for me; that was clear. I stroked his scales, feeling him slowly unfold. I almost fell on my face, not realising I’d still been leaning on the dragon, but Orm caught me.
‘You are so strong, and I’m your turnip,’ I muttered when I felt him brush the hair from my face. His face blurred, transforming into one from the past, and I raised my hand, stroking his cheek.
I’d always preferred Tal with a beard, but the slight roughness of his skin told me he’d shaved. That didn’t stop me from caressing him, though. When I slid my finger across his lips, they parted, and still not fully aware, I hooked my finger over his bottom teeth, using them to pull him to me.
The face before me swam into focus, and I grimaced in pain. ‘ Why are you so much like Tal? Gods, it hurts to be around you,’ I murmured.
Orm’s eyes widened, and for a moment, his lips closed on my finger. I smiled. It almost felt like a kiss. He grasped my wrist, tugging my hand away and placing it on my chest. ‘Focus, Ani. We need to go,’ he said, lifting me into his arms. I felt us moving until I suddenly landed astride Vahin’s back.
‘There you go, now wrap your arms and legs around me,’ he said, my vision filled with the vast expanse of his chest moments before I was pulled in closer. My thoughts were so sluggish that it took me a moment to realise I was facing Orm instead of the head of the dragon, and even as I tried to focus, the position felt unnatural.
‘I sat wrong,’ I muttered, but Orm pressed my head to his chest. ‘No, you sat right. It’s this or the basket. I told you I’d look after you. Now relax and hold on to me. You can even fall asleep if you want,’ the commander said, wrapping his cloak around us. I frowned when the world disappeared under a dark curtain that smelled of clove oil and musk. The potent scent, masculine and appealing, felt so welcoming as I trembled against him.
‘It’s all right, just trust me,’ he crooned, his cheek pressing to my temple. ‘ Fuck, she feels so right, ’ I heard him mutter, and the barely audible words made me smile again. I rested my head on his chest, focusing on the scent and the powerful arms holding me tight, but most of all, on the slow, steady beating of Orm’s heart that soon sent me into an uneasy sleep.