30. Drakonis
30
DRAKONIS
“ D ra…ko…nis…”
As the night wore on their passion intensified. He was going to allow Clara little sleep. Even being peacefully still, eyes closed, he could not reign in his desires. The more he had her the more he craved her. Dawn was coming soon, and he wanted to will it away.
He drug her to the edge of the bed. She was turned sideways, grasping onto the sheets as he stood between her thighs, thrusting into her. Clara moaned louder as he lifted his knee to the edge, beside her turned belly, thrusting as deep into her as he could. His large, clawed hands caressed her curves, grasping her thighs and buttocks. Her chest heaved with the ragged breaths she was taking. She squirmed as he touched and grabbed her, but he held her firm.
He took so much pleasure in watching her eyes roll, and those tiny powerful hands gripping the blankets beneath them.
“How do you expect me to part with you?” he gasped. Her golden eyes were mirrors, reflecting the lust and sadness that he felt. After this night he would have to return to Ouroboros without her. As much as he despised the idea, Nero was right. It was too dangerous for her, and he was already on the edge.
Kazimir had gone too far. Drakonis had promised consequences.
Her swollen lips parted, intending on speaking. Instead, he flipped her to her stomach, grasping at her rear, thrusting faster. Her legs curled around his waist; her brown hair splayed around her head.
Sweat gleamed against her curved back. Tiny red imprints from his fingers appeared at her sides. His beautiful mate anchored herself against the mattress, returning his thrusts with her own.
Drakonis leaned forward, intertwining one set of his fingers with her while he kissed her back, nosing her hair over her shoulder so he also had access to her neck. The warmth radiating from her body was like the sun itself. He would memorize her flowery scent and carry it with him. When this was all over, he would find a wizard to bottle it. In his madness it would anchor him.
“I will not be parted from you for long, my princess.” His other knee came to the bed, her legs hip width apart, knees resting on the bed. He never left her body. When he moved to withdraw her body gripped him, beckoning him back. He slowed at times, savoring the moments before they rested. Nero was bound to show up again, and he wanted as much of Clara as he could. “Know that even though we are apart, you will always be on my mind.”
“We won’t be apart,” she said. Her cheek was pressed next to their hands, her amber eyes meeting his. “I will be in your heart just as you are in mine.”
Control left him. He should have confessed sooner. For the pure bliss of her love and words drove him mad. Even the thought of another’s touch was grotesque. If it wasn’t his Clara then it was tainted, lowly.
Clara released around him, bringing pride to his heart. He wrapped his arm around her waist lifting her. He grabbed her small breast, flicking her dark nipples, and kissing her neck. He wanted to bite her, leave a mark. It would show everyone that she was indeed his, and no one would change that.
Her sweaty back was flush against his wide chest. The muscles in her stomach clenched the lower he caressed her. He found her pearl once more. Clara leaned her head back against his shoulder gripping his wrist and rolling her hips with his. They were finally one. Their bodies and their hearts.
“I love you,” he whispered in her ear. “I will rebuild this kingdom for you. I’ll make it safe.”
Clara bit her bottom lip. His name fell from her lips like a chant. He was getting close. He had lost count how many times he felt this, but each time it was more powerful.
“I…only want…you,” she said.
“You will have me. Always.”
Clara stiffened, her insides shuttering, and finally he came. He hugged her to his chest, kissing every bit of skin he could reach. Drakonis laid her down as gently as he could, both their gasps intermingling. He knew she had to be warm, but she snuggled into his chest, running her finger over ever scale she could see down his sternum. His heavily muscled arm was stretched out, pillowing her head against his neck.
“Were you born with all of these?” she asked.
“Our children are born mostly with scales. As we grow, we master our humanoid form.” She hummed. The kiss upon his clavicle created a rumble in his throat.
“I guess I should have warned you about something before we did this,” Clara said.
“And what is that?”
“I have very protective brothers.”
Drakonis laughed. It felt pure and freeing. “So how many will be trying to kill me?”
“Two.” She looked up at him smiling. He kissed her forehead.
“I will do whatever they ask. Nothing is too much for you.”
“We will see. My elder brother, Romanus, has almost died at the hands of the Gargoyle King a time or two.”
“Shall I be his ally to gain his trust?”
“My sister Elly, had the king use swords. My eldest is fascinated with weaponry while my youngest books.”
“Then I shall find the finest blacksmiths this world has to offer, and survey the lands with the best of my merchants.” Clara’s smile warmed his heart. He caressed the side of her face where the bruises still stood. No matter how lost in her he became, it never escaped him. “I will wipe this world of the Pythia for this transgression.”
“You had no public claim over me,” Clara stated. “It looks worse than it feels.”
“I was going mad with worry when I heard you were still in Ouroboros. Alastair and I were looking everywhere in the castle. And no one would allow me through your doors.”
Now if he saw those guards he would go through to her room without a care. He had all but declared who she was to him now. Their laws would protect her.
“I learned much while I was there. The Pythia and Kazimir tried to have me declare him the Heir,” she trailed off. He balled his fist behind her head. “I think the Pythia has gifts in name only. She was quite perturbed when I wouldn’t confirm you were the Heir. Had I not been scheduled to appear before your parents I’m sure I would have been taken to a dungeon.”
“Do you think she’s an imposter?” He had never heard of such a thing, but anything was possible.
“I think she has lost her gifts. You cannot be elevated like her and not have something,” Clara said. “She wishes to have the Heir to protect herself on her island. She has called Vespasian a failure.”
“You could have told them it was me.” Drakonis could have handled them. Just as Phaedrus had told her, she was only putting off the inevitable. But what she said confirmed his suspicions. He and Ragnar thought it odd that she would make it so easy for them to get Vespasian. And he always seemed to slip from their grasp during the war. Had the Pythia been helping their enemy the whole time? Once this was all over, he would gather Ragnar and Clara’s brothers to burn the whole island. Surely that would win him some favor with her family.
“I would never put you in danger. In fact, I was planning on leaving the night of the ball. But the Pythia’s guard grabbed me as soon as I crossed the tree line.”
“Nero was keeping me from chasing you.” Drakonis should have followed her, at least escorted her.
“Even if he wasn’t, there was no telling if he would have caught me in time. Everything happened fast. They covered my face with something that made me pass out. Besides, I had one time I could call for him. He cannot exactly show himself here.”
Clara explained everything so reasonably, yet he was burning with anger. He held her closer. He would give anything for more time with her. It took much for them to reunite, and now he had to leave her to protect her.
In the distance he heard footsteps. Nero was returning. With a quick kiss to her lips, Drakonis stood from the bed and grabbed a cloak, wrapping her up in it.
“Drakonis?”
“I’m coming in.” Nero was not startled to see Drakonis in his nakedness. In fact, there was no playfulness in his face. A fire burned within his red eyes that he had seen during war. “You must return to Ouroboros. Immediately.”
“What is happening?” Drakonis grabbed his clothes along the floor. He began pulling his batluns up as Nero continued.
“I will never understand why your father even believed Kazimir was brilliant enough to be the emperor. Crowds are gathered around Lav. All your imprisoned are being made examples of.”
“Lav?” The only time nobles went there was to get weaponry.
“He is casting all he believes to be impure into the magma pools. He said real dragons should survive since they are made from fire.”
Drakonis cursed. “He is getting desperate.”
“After the scene with the Pythia, it is easy to guess that you are the Heir. At least to anyone with intelligence. You must awaken as soon as you can and tear him limb from limb.”
“But…”
Nero looked towards Clara. “This is the way the real-world works, my lady.”
“Watch your tongue Nero,” Drakonis growled. Clara was not weak, but she did not need to know the details of his plans for Kazimir.
“You may be mates, but you cannot shelter her. To survive you must be able to keep her eyes and ears open.”
“And as her mate, I will expose her to what is needed. She is very aware of the situation, but that does not mean she cannot have opinions.”
Nero rolled his eyes. “I have spoken to your…Basil. Sneaky rat bastard he is.” Despite his words, Nero had a toothy grin. “There is an underground tunnel, starting at the ruins. He said is working with your Chancellor Belisaurius to filter out who they can. They must be weary because the Pythia and her soldiers have not left.”
“They won’t until they get the Heir,” Clara said.
“Do you know how they wish to take Drakonis?” Nero asked.
“They are waiting until he is at his weakest.” She looked at Drakonis with glazed eyes. “You will feel much pain during your awakening. They will bind your magick as they did mine. If possible, keep Alastair and your allies close.”
“The Pythia is a spineless fool. She is clever in her move though. She knows she cannot take a dragon captive at full strength.”
“Alastair and I will formulate a plan once I return,” Drakonis said. “He has been itching for a fight.” And Drakonis had been itching to get his claws into Kazimir. “My father said he would announce the Crown Prince soon. I will find him this evening and do what I can to convince him to take care of Kazimir.”
“In the meantime, I must move her.” Clara clutched the cloak over her breast. “Once you return you will understand. You know it is no longer safe, not only within the palace but in the borders.”
“Where will you go?” Drakonis asked.
“Herrlof.” She would be almost on the other side of the continent. She was still in the room, yet he felt like he couldn’t breathe. “Her eldest brother and sister are there. Be happy it is not there and not Oceanus.”
Ragnar was the only one who was able to return from there alive. Until he had figured out how, he didn’t want Clara going there.
“What will we do about the Pythia?” Clara asked.
“I have made a report to my King. Death will be a merciful punishment once he speaks to my Queen about her actions towards you. After that, I will be quite happy to raid that temple. Seeing her actions in Ouroboros, I can only imagine the nefarious things she has hidden.” Nero spoke carefully but with a smile.
“I will be happy to join you.” Drakonis flexed his claws. If the gods would not punish her for her deeds, he would be ecstatic to.
“Be sure to check the dungeons below.” Both men looked at Clara with wide eyes. “It is where she was going to keep the Heir once she captured him,” she said with a shrug. Drakonis saw her trying to speak as if whatever vision she had didn’t bother her, but he didn’t miss the trembling in her hands.
Thumps roared above them. All three looked up hearing things crash and screams. Clara looked mortified, Nero and Drakonis remained neutral.
“Looks like your brother isn’t just targeting prisoners,” Nero stated. “It’s time for you to go Drakonis. Herrlof will be open to you once your tasks are completed here.”
“You swear you will not keep me away from her?” Nero was a tricky being. He was like the wind. You could feel and smell it but could never catch it. You could not always trust his words, but if he swore an oath, it was true and binding.
“I swear only to my king,” Nero answered. “But I will give you this one thing, only because Queen Nordskov commanded that I cannot keep her from you. She knows the pain of being forced away by her chosen, and….” Nero’s eyes darkened. “I know what it did to Ragnar when he could not get to her. I wish that madness only on my enemies.”
Drakonis nodded. He approached the bed, extending his hand to Clara. The bed squeaked as she stepped on the floor. He looked at Nero who turned his back, walking to the other side of the room.
“I will not be apart from you long,” Drakonis said, stroking her cheek. She held his hand, kissing his fingers. “Once things are settled here, we will not be apart again.”
“Please be safe,” Clara answered. Her eyes were wide with unshed tears. He bent down and kissed her lips. Once. Twice. When he kissed her nose, she smiled up at him.
“Do not worry about your vision. When I awaken, I will still be with you. No one will tear us apart.” He emphasized his words by placing her hand over his heart.
“You must hurry.” Nero interrupted. His back was still turned.
“I love you Drakonis.” He smiled, kissing the inside of her wrist.
“I love you princess. Wait for me.”
He kissed her forehead, nodded to Nero, and then rushed up the staircase.
He felt alive and full of renewed energy. His mate was his and he was determined to make this world as safe for her as possible. She had lost her family and tried to keep his together. But when this was all over, he would give her a family of her own. Once they would both treasure for millennia.
Ransacking was getting louder the closer he got. Soldiers broke down doors, destroying inside homes, and his people were screaming: men, women and children.
Drakonis moved in the shadows through the secret door and behind the tapestry. A soldier, wearing his brother’s bright red colors was forcing a woman down, his intentions clear. He was laughing while tearing at her clothes.
“Silence or we will have you cast in the volcano like your sons!”
The woman’s wails were louder. The post coital bliss he had just felt staled. The woman was not his Clara, but all he could imagine was this happening to her. He growled, jumping in the room, grabbing the soldier by the neck. He grabbed at his fingers and swinging his body. Drakonis tossed him across the room. In his rage, the soldier did not recognize him, or just simply didn’t care.
“Leave here!” Drakonis yelled.
The woman scurried out and, even without a weapon, the soldier fell quickly after an uppercut to the chin and a punch to the stomach. While he was on his knees, Drakonis grabbed the short sword the soldier dropped, then him by the hair.
“Tell me what Kazimir has planned.”
The soldier’s eyes widened once recognition dawned on him.
“Y-your highness! What are…”
“I am the one asking the questions,” Drakonis said. His voice cool steel. “Why are you here?”
“W-we were commanded, your highness! Prince Kazimir is purging this world of the filthy degenerates.”
“Degenerates? These are dragons you are attacking!”
“Dragons with impure blood! They are holding us back from our ultimate glory.”
Drakonis bared his teeth. Such talk caused incited wars. Ignorant ones absorbed such depravity out of boredom and a narrow view of the world.
“The only degenerates are ones that harm their own kin. I will do the world a favor.”
Black blood boiled from the slit in his throat. The soldier moved to try and save himself, but Drakonis beheaded him cleanly, leaving the body a lump on the dirty ground. No soldier of his would dare something so disgusting. This one wasn’t worth the rite.
Outside the hut chaos was in full swing, a home-based battlefield. Dragon against dragon. He did not have his prized sword, but he would make do. This area would have to be clear so Clara could escape with Nero.
It was easy to pick out such ostentatious soldiers. Soldiers were to be well dressed but it was dangerous to stand out too much; lucky for him he would be able to let off some frustration.
Carts stood in the distance with prison bars in the shape of a box. Dragons were inside wailing and reaching through the bars. Soldiers were rough with the ones that tried to reach out to their loved ones. The sight of the young boys, not even fully in their humanoid skin made his blood boil.
“Release those prisoners!” Drakonis bellowed. Some soldiers bowed while others narrowed their eyes at him. “As a member of the royal family I command you.”
“Prince Kazimir will soon be emperor!” One soldier yelled. “We may be forced to fear you now, but our prince will be victorious!” Other soldiers yelled in support, raising their weapons.
“The emperor has yet to make a decision.” Drakonis sounded calm but the rage was simmering. Kazimir was daft. He did not know what his words did, how it poisoned the land. “And I do not repeat myself, or must I make you men learn what my enemies felt during the Great War?”
Some of Kazimir’s soldiers seemed to have some sense. They rushed to a cart and quickly tried to undo the lock, but they were pushed away by the wild bunch that defied him.
“If we get rid of this prince there will be no one standing in our emperor’s way! He cannot take all of us.”
Drakonis smirked. “Attacking a member of the royal family is punishable by death. Are you willing to accept your fate?”
Drakonis’s scales were raised, his claws extended. The hilts of the swords he picked up creaked under his strength.
Everything had happened quickly. Kazimir’s soldiers surrounded him and charged at him at once. Fools. He trained for situations like this since boyhood.
With one arc of his swords, he cut down at least six men. He did not take the time to see if they were dead. If they raised to their feet he would kill them.
“Ya forgot to invite us to the party Drakonis!”
With a war cry, Alastair appeared at his side, fighting the soldiers. In the distance he saw Vladislav Burtzes, his minister of war, in grand silver and red armor. A fine man who well deserved his post for his strategic fighting at his, and Konstantin’s, side.
The energy was chaotic, and it was clear who the victors were going to be.
Alastair laughed like a madman as he swung his sword around. Vladislav beheaded the ones that tried to fight once more after being kicked to the ground. If they conceded he removed their hands, making them unfit to ever hold a sword again. Some ran, and it disgusted him. No matter the outcome of a battle, a soldier never should abandon their unit.
Alastair skewered a couple of body parts at their feet, slinging them towards the runners.
As quick as it started, the scuffle was over. Alastair jumped towards the one he smacked intending to kill them.
“Your highness…” Vladislav was a big man; tall and stocky with sharp pointed ears, a square face with a pointed silver beard, and slicked back black hair that was neatly tied in a bun at the nape of his neck.
“Raise your head Vladislav.” This man’s loyalty was unquestionable. He all but declared it since Drakonis was a child. The man saw a warrior in him and did not give Gavril a choice when it came to his education.
“Your highness you must return. It is Minister Bringas.”
“Our Minister of Justice?” Drakonis clarified. Vladislav nodded.
“Prince Kazimir has taken his family hostage. He is forcing him to declare the poor impure and forcing him to pass judgements of death. The people are terrified, and it has caused a halt to our plan to filter dragons out.”
“And what of our faction?” Drakonis questioned.
“We got out who we could, but Kazimir caught on,” Alastair answered, coming back from the wood line. “He has started sending his soldiers out to find out where we are hiding them.”
“That would explain them.” Drakonis looked down at the soldiers with disdain. It was disgusting what they were trying to do. “Have a group of our men clear this scum out. My mate cannot see such a scene as she leaves.”
“Your mate sire?” Vladislav looked confused while Alastair elated. “You can’t mean that human woman.”
“Clara yes,” Drakonis answered. “She is my soul’s destiny.” Drakonis tensed, ready to defend her but Vladislav only nodded.
“It is not heard of for a dragon to mate with a human, but you are the one to bring change to our lands. I’m sure she will make a great empress.”
“Once I take the crown from father, a lot will change.” His vow to Clara would happen. He could not have her by his side without peace. “Now let us go.”
The scene was more gruesome than Drakonis thought. The capital was empty, but as he followed voices, many of his people screamed from the border of Ouroboros and Lav.
“The time for a new dawning is upon us!” Kazimir bellowed. “We have been too lenient in those that are undeserving of the dragon name. As emperor I will do as such.”
Emperor? Drakonis looked around. His mother and father were nowhere in sight. Dread settled into his heart.
“We have not seen the Emperor or the Empress.” Vladislav answered Drakonis’s thoughts. “Bringas tried to put off this disgusting show, and then the prince said that without the Emperor present his word was law.”
“Let us watch as the degenerate become purified so that they might return to our world true dragons.”
Bringas stood among the crowd, paler than Drakonis had ever seen. He was half transformed, his neck, half his face, and hands full of scales with his claws protruding from them. Drakonis could guess that the rest of him burned with raised green scales. Red and orange from the lava and fire surface glimmered off his pointed ears and emerald hair. He was a loyal man to the crown, but now he looked miserly, tortured.
Giant golem looking creatures carried the same carts that Drakonis had seen in the woods, carrying men, women, and children. All dragons that looked the same as others. Only their scales did not gleam bright colors, but the gray of their station.
“Kazimir stop!” Drakonis yelled.
Wings tore through the back of his tunic as he flooded the air. He approached the volcano, hearing the screaming of the poor.
“Ah dear brother, you are back from chasing your skirt.”
“Father would never approve something like this.” Drakonis grit his teeth, ignoring the stab at Clara. “Release our citizenry. They have done nothing wrong.”
“They were born,” Kazimir answered. “We have tried things your way, Drakonis. Your sympathy for these worthless creatures is admirable, but unnecessary. Just as Phaedrus purged our kind of degenerates so will I.”
Drakonis remembered him torturing the Drakaina. He couldn’t decide if this was worse or better than that.
“These people construct our buildings, build our roads, and harvest our food. They are needed for our survival.”
“They should feel so lucky that we have allowed them to assist in our world.”
“These are dragons! You are committing genocide among your own kind! This goes against everything I have fought for! What our kind fought for in the Great War!”
“You fought among those that are worthy!” Kazimir countered. “But how would understand my vision, dear brother. When you have tainted yourself with delusions from that woman. You no longer were for our people the day you chased after that human.”
“Leave Clara out of this,” Drakonis growled. “I have just as much power as you. Release these people and we shall speak with father.”
Drakonis thought that Kazimir would throw a tantrum. That he would continue his arguments, but instead he maintained his prideful look. A look that clearly said he had one.
“Very well brother. You are right. Until father has declared one of us the Crown Prince, we both have the same power. Golems! Do as my brother said release the prisoners.”
Victory began to bloom in his chest but died just as fast. Torturous screams filled his ears as the prisoners were released: into the mouth of the volcano.