Cassarah #2
“Or…” I cut in, “… he already was planning on coming here, and we just happened to show up at the same time. Either way, it doesn’t matter…
we were going to have to face him as it was.
Henry isn’t one to charge headfirst into a situation.
No, he’ll take a calculated position then choose what to do next.
” Not having the energy to argue, I stepped out of the circle of men.
I removed my crown and handed it off to Becka, shaking out my hair as I faced them once more.
“This is nothing new, you guys. We were going to have to face off with him at some point. At least now, we have a heads-up. The other part is we know where he is and where we need to go. Right now, we need to act as if he isn’t here, that we have no idea what’s hidden in that graveyard, and lastly, that we plan to kill him. ”
Sighing, I let my shoulders sag. “Last night wasn’t all that restful for me, and I think it’s finally hitting me. Who’s going to stay with me tonight?”
“Izel,” Cole blurted. “She had nightmares all last night, and you’re the only one who can help her with those.”
He nodded in agreement and turned to Zan. “I think having you here also will help… your soothing energy will be welcome. Also, having Ezzu as a backup pair of eyes if something happens will be invaluable.”
Everyone agreed, and those going to their rooms kissed me goodnight and left. When it was just the three of us, I plopped onto the bed, my body drained.
“Little warrior, I’m concerned this isn’t normal,” Izel whispered as he combed his finger through my hair. “I’ve never seen you this tired before, even after sleeping in a cold tent in the mountains. Are you sure you’re feeling all right?”
“It’s as if my body is just too spent to do anything like I’m a water flask with a leak. What I can’t tell is if it’s the babies who are taking it or if it’s something else,” I answered, rolling onto my side, tucking a hand under my head, and letting my eyes drift shut.
“Cassarah,” Zan snapped.
My head snapped up, looking around, but nothing was wrong. “What? What is it?”
“You just fell asleep in seconds,” Izel explained. “I tried to shake you awake, but that didn’t work.”
Tears started to fill my eyes. “Does that mean I can’t sleep? I’m so tired I just need to rest. It’s so much, and I’m so incredibly tired.”
“Let’s get you in more comfortable clothes first,” Zan suggested, dropping to his knees to remove my boots.
The energy it took for me to do this simple task wasn’t right.
Fear made me shake as I helped to get my pants off, leaving me in my undergarments and shirt.
“What’s wrong with me?” I whispered as the feat of keeping my eyes open was becoming too much.
“Don’t let him take me, get Paxton. If something happens, he’s the only one who can break his hold… ”
“Vasin,” I screamed in my head as the world went black.
“Little Dragon Queen…”
“I know you can hear me. I don’t like to be ignored.” Henry’s snarl echoed in my head.
Desperately, I tried to reach out to Vasin, the guys, anyone or anything that might free me from this nightmare.
“Oh, it won’t be so easy this time. I’m far too close to my power source for you to possibly win,” Henry taunted.
The world around me started to illuminate as Henry stepped into view, a sickly green glow around him.
“You’re too late. Now that I’ve gained enough power, I will all the kingdoms and even the dragons.
I know you did something, changed the agreement somehow, but it won’t stop me from draining them of power the way I have with my own dragon.
Xotha couldn’t be trusted any longer. He stopped following orders after his ordeal with your pet.
He died for a good cause, though, and his body was wasting away.
That happens, you know. Without a heart, nothing was left to give him life but the power I fed him.
Now he’s fed me all his power,” Henry cried, raising his hands, letting the energy around him crackle like lightning.
I tried to push myself up, not wanting to leave myself at a disadvantage lying on the floor. No matter what I tried, there was no strength to do anything but keep my body breathing. “What did you do to me?”
“Me? Oh no, it is not I who has sapped you of your power. See, the tainted heart of a dragon needs life to sustain itself. It can take life from people, animals, dragons, humans… unborn children… The purer the life is, the stronger the power. You, little Dragon Queen, have both power and life inside you. The dragons blessed you with more than you should have, more than they ever gave me!” Henry raged, dropping to his knees before me.
“Now, I’m going to take it from you… all of it, every last drop. ”
“Cassarah,” Vasin bellowed, breaking through whatever barrier that had been put up. “Get up.”
“No, no you won’t get away this time. I can’t let you win…
everything I wanted is so close. You’re already drained past the point of being able to survive.
All I need is your soul, then this will be over, and the world is mine!
” Henry babbled as his hands clasped my head, trying to keep me from fighting as he pulled the last drop of life from my body.
“Do not believe his lies, dear Cass. Get. Up. Now.”