Chapter Fifteen
Carys blinked, eyes adjusting to the massive beast. The bastardization of a dragon, appearing very much like some twisted mage had merged several dragons together.
Three fearsome heads, misshapen black wings, and a spiked, glowing tail, the sapphire aura illuminating its rough body and vicious claws.
"By the Old Dragon!" Aidan gasped. "I thought all the dragons were gone."
"This is a Curse Creature. Not a dragon." She clenched her hand, irritating the sliced palm. "Most dragons cursed from the Curse Wars ended up here."
"It's glowing," he whispered, as if that was the most remarkable feature.
"The magic in the tail is poisonous. I am certain the power of the dell makes it glow that way. That's why my blood shone on the runes."
"I've never seen such a sight in my whole life..."
She spun to face him. "This isn't one of your noble beasts from the Starlands. I need to be in the circle of runes, as does the beast, to complete the binding. It's not easy like when I tricked you with Sacrifice Magic."
"Easy!" Aidan spluttered.
"Stay!"
She darted out into the stark open area, heading for the circle.
As soon as she passed the runes, magic was no longer an option.
Anything aside from the binding spell could corrupt the runes.
That left it up to Gil to lure the beast to her.
His power wasn't Curse Magic, making him a more tempting target.
"Lo!" Gil turned into Meical and waved. "False dragon, over here! I'm the overbearing overlord who has been stealing all your brethren. Come after me!"
One head swerved in Gil's direction while the other two remained focused on Carys. Shining sapphire eyes seemed to stare straight into her shredded soul.
As if it knew her plan.
It was an ancient, noble being twisted into a monstrosity. A measure of intelligence might have survived.
Gil continued trying to tempt the creature, transforming with such frequency that he appeared to be a whirling blur. The draconic demon didn't dive for him, instead flying upwards, but keeping its heads trained on them.
Panic stormed Carys. Unwilling to lose the beast, she stepped out of the binding circle and summoned a pure concentration of power into her hands.
The mystical valley converted her magic into a visible manifestation, like the beast's tail.
A swirling mass of scarlet and copper sparks filled her palms. Some said magic reflected the soul.
She flinched, wanting to look away from her chaotic, rough magic.
Her heart jumped upon noticing Aidan watching from under the protection of the Curse Trees. She almost saw herself through his eyes. A wild witch, barely holding onto power that could rip her apart at any moment.
She dismissed her doubts, looked up, and released her magical attack, hurtling it toward the departing demonic dragon.
It felt like heaving a red-hot iron, leaving her arms limp and pained.
The coppery mass sailed through the air, but the Curse Creature dodged it, as if predicting the trajectory. That was fine.
She never intended to strike it.
Fiery light swirled around her body, lighting up the dell. The concentration of magic sent shivers through her skin. All three heads swerved in her direction, staring as if she was a delectable fruit. Wings flapped as it began moving toward her.
Someone was shouting. Iit took her a few seconds to realize the unfamiliar voice was Gil. "Carys! Let go of the magic and get back in the circle!"
She couldn't do either until tempting the beast to follow, even if it left her vulnerable.
Her magic spiraled around her like a storm, the gyration causing little eruptions in the ground, showering dust on her.
The mystical manifestation exhausted her.
It was more than she intended to conjure.
Too much could kill her or twist her into a Curse Creature or Curse Tree.
But the euphoria of magic drowned her fears and thoughts.
Her body felt distant, and the power carried her spirit away.
The coppery mystic haze didn't fog all her senses.
Some rational remnant realized the Curse Creature grew closer.
The desire to consume her magic overwhelmed its natural caution.
She stayed still as the creature opened its middle mouth, unleashing a fiery indigo spray at her.
There wasn't enough time to summon a defensive shield or release the magic so she could safely step into the circle, hoping that her magical manifestation would neutralize the blast.
Before the burning magic incinerated her, a rough impact knocked her down.
Her senses roared back as she lost hold of the mystical energy and it dissipated.
She blinked, realizing Aidan was on the ground beside her.
He had pushed her away from the attack. A deep hole had been burnt into the stony surface, blue smoking rising out of it.
Right where she had stood.
Trembles ran through her body as she stared at Aidan's flushed face. "What were you thinking?"
He scrunched his nose. "That I was saving you?"
"I told you to stay by the trees... it's ruined.
.." She pushed his head in the direction of her previous position.
A large black scorch mark ravaged the runes as indigo smoke wafted away.
"The beast's magic destroyed the binding circle!
I was going to use my power to force it into the circle and.
.. even if I failed, it wouldn't have been able to harm the circle if I stood within it. "
"Then you shouldn't have left!"
"All I had to do was repel the attack! And I could have managed if you didn't feel the need to play the knight." She pointed at him. "All because of your obsession with the princess."
His face grew red with anger. "I love her! That means little to you, but..."
"Shut up!" She scrambled up. "It's coming back."
Erratic green sparks flashed around Aidan.
Carys' magic was wild, but his was choppy.
That didn't mean he wasn't powerful. Despite his lack of training, he could take down the beast. Not willing to allow that, she invoked a shield to keep his mystical energy contained.
If trained, he could have broken through it.
But his untrained power only tore at the barrier, struggling to get past.
"What's happening?" Aidan's attention seemed torn between the Curse Dragon and Carys crumpling.
Her struggle to answer ended when she spotted a familiar shape in the distance.
Relief rushed through her. She should have known that Meical wouldn't allow harm to come to her.
Her brother blurred, and now Aidan stood in his place.
Except Aidan was right next to her. Disappointment bit her at the realization that it was only Gil.
With Aidan's magic held back, Gil was the more tempting treat.
All three heads turned, and the demonic dragon moved in Gil's direction.
He took off running, a blur of forms that could outrun most mortal men.
But this was no man. It hadn't caught up with the shifty shapeshifter, but even in her disorientated state, Carys understood the creature was playing with him.
"No... Gil..." She struggled to stand, only for her legs to give out.
Aidan moved to help, but froze, as if unsure of her reaction. She tumbled to her knees, feeling almost no impact. All that mattered was Gil's life. Horror ate away at her as an indigo blast of magic struck the ground near Gil, knocking him off his feet.
"What are you doing?" Aidan demanded as Carys pushed herself up and stumbled forward.
"It will kill him..." She panted, her numb legs refusing to obey her orders. "I have to... can't let him die."
Aidan grabbed her before she fell on her face. "You can scarce move! I know you wish to enslave this beast—"
"Gil..."
She cried in anguish as another blast of blue hurtled toward Gil. He leaped, just barely managing to roll away in the form of Nyx. Indigo magic struck down, obscuring her sight. Unsure if he evaded the attack, she was overwhelmed by the horrifying notion that he might die in a stranger's body.
His true appearance meant so much to him.
A strange look flickered on Aidan's face as he helped steady her shaking body. His warmth almost calmed her. She supposed his residual mystical energy was affecting her. In fact, she was certain that the prince judged her and blamed her for what was happening.
She didn't care. He was right. Gil's death would be her fault.
"Would magic lure the beast from Gil?"
Carys exhaled. "I cannot—"
"No!" Aidan shook his head. "Not you. My power."
She forced her feet to hold her upright. "Aye, you've stronger, purer magic than Rali shapeshifting. Why—"
"Can you get your slave circle back?"
"Yes, but—"
"Then do it."
He shot off toward the dragon before she could speak. Flashes of choppy emerald magic swirled around him, more beautiful than anything in the Curselands. If she was a Curse Creature, she would crave that ambrosial power.
She shook herself from her daze, hastening to carve new runes into the ground, with brief glances up to keep apprised of the situation.
Aidan picked up stones, infused them with his power, and lobbed them at the dragon.
Small sparkles of green streaked toward the beast, irresistible, mouthwatering magic.
It didn't resist.
Carys poured her remaining magic into enchanting the runes, unable to aid Aidan.
The creature rushed at him, like a fierce squall of shadows.
He darted through the Curse Trees, using them as a shield.
The demonic dragon slowed, unwilling to pursue him into danger.
One of its heads began turning, looking for a new victim, even as emerald streaks shot out from the woods.
Carys' hand trembled, almost adding another line to the rune.
It didn't come for her. The beast trained its head toward the previously scorched area. Shining smoke thinned, revealing a shadowy figure.
Gil.
She couldn't see the shape of the shifter, but there was no one else. The last attack might have knocked him out, but now he stumbled to the safety of the woodlands. Rapid vibrant green shimmers didn't stop the creature's pursuit.
Aidan popped out from his shelter, sending a shower of emerald sparkles at the dragon.
Carys caught her breath. He must have surmised his power wouldn't overrule the beast's caution of the trees.
Only summoning mystical energy outside would grab its attention.
But he couldn't keep a constant flow, needing to find stones to infuse with his power.
Every time the creature neared, he pitched another enchanted, distracting the beast long enough for Aidan to bolt to safety.
That would always return the creature's focus to Gil, who hadn't reached the trees, needing to pause periodically.
When Aidan flung his fourth diversion stone, Gil slipped behind the trees before collapsing. Not fooled by Aidan's tricks, the beast unleashed a glowing attack on the prince.
Carys paused her own work, petrified, as a blast of indigo tore the ground around Aidan. Her heart almost stopped until she saw his shape within the haven of the woods. The force of the blast knocked him off his feet, and he was very still.
Her mouth went dry. He wasn't getting up.
He's dead. It's my fault. Death is coming for me. I'm not ready. I just want to see the sun again.
Then Aidan scrambled up. Injured, cradling his arm, but very much alive.
Carys' body soaked with sweat, even as she shivered. She was so close to Aidan's curse taking her life.
But she was more surprised by her irrational fear for the prince. A ridiculous reaction. The curse would spare him. His death would rebound on his bonny princess, the prince's true love and his most hated enemy dying in one instant.
She pushed away the thought of being united in death with Princess Bella and resumed carving her runic spell.
Exhausted and on the edge of unconsciousness, she completed the last rune.
She discarded Aidan's carefully wrapped bandage from her palm and cut into the fresh wound.
Blood dribbled onto the runes and she let out a shaky sigh of satisfaction as scarlet shimmered, then crawled within the safety of the circle.
Ignoring her weariness and stinging palms, she looked up to see Aidan running toward her. She waited for him to bypass her and head for the woods, but he halted in front of her.
"What are you doing?" she asked, standing up.
He nursed his injured arm. "I'm luring your beast here."
"I can lure it," she said, despite being almost drained. "Run for the trees."
"You need it in your circle, right?" He scooped up a stone. "I will lure it, like wounded prey."
But he didn't just look like wounded prey. He was wounded. Blood dripped from his arm, the mystical nature of the dell rendering emerald sparks visible in the ruby rivulets. As red and green splattered the dead ground, something astonishing happened.
Faint blades of grass sprouted in the blood's wake.
The wonder of the moment shattered when Carys remembered what Aidan was doing. "Are you summoning all of your magic into your being right now? That is making you weaker."
"That's the point, isn't it?" Green gleamed around his body. "The creature will be more willing to come if it thinks I can't get away. I have to appear as prey that is worth getting, despite the danger."
She bit her lip. The plan was sound, if vaguely familiar.
The three beastly heads focused on them and loud flapping filled the valley.
"I'm going to run for the woods." Aidan grimaced, looking like he couldn't run anywhere. "Then I'll use my magic to push it into your slave circle."
Darker shadows loomed as the creature headed for them. "You aren't strong enough or good enough at that sort of magic," she said.
"Thank you for your blessing, fair maiden."
She wanted to throttle him. "You'll get yourself killed."
"Better than you or Gil."
The fool still hadn't learned that gallantry only worked in stories. "Have you forgotten your princess?" she snapped.
It seemed, for a moment, he had forgotten. He paled at the realization as the Curse Creature neared. The would-be knight-errant wouldn't make it to the woods in time. Her eyes followed the trail of blood and the green growing within the red.
Carys made a quick decision and reached forward for his wounded arm. Gripping his palm, she cut it with her dagger. He let out a yowl as more blood trickled to the ground.
More buds, more life came from each drop. Haphazard tufts of grass scattered around the circle, looking very much like healthy hair sprouting from a rotten skull.
"Get inside the circle!" Carys said, yanking Aidan past the glowing runes.
The fool pulled his hand away. "You said not to go in there."
"Get in the damn circle!"
The creature rushed at them, and Aidan finally heeded her. He ran into the circle, leaving a trail of mystically grown life behind him. The magic, the life, was so desirable to the Curse Dragon that it followed Aidan within the bounds of the binding circle.
A painful clutch, as though tearing at her very soul, told Carys that she succeeded.
The runes glowed red before vanishing and reappearing on her hands.
A larger rune appeared on the demon's center head.
All three heads howled, and the dragon sped toward Carys, opening its middle mouth to consume her.
She held her hand up, feeling the heat of its breath coming inches from jagged teeth. "Stop!"
It stilled, suspended in the air, flapping wings the only remaining movement. Her fingers brushed against a crooked tooth, but it did nothing. The fury of the Curse Dragon filled Carys' whole being, burning waves crashing impotently into an iron fortress.
Feelings meant nothing. Her will now controlled its actions.
"What... what's happening to me?"
Carys' stomach sank. Red runes adorned Aidan's bloody hands, mixing with the green shimmer of his magic.
"You... we became masters of this beast when it entered the circle.
" She drifted her hand from the creature's hot breath and it snapped its mouth shut as soon as she was at a safe distance.
"It is now compelled to obey you in every way.
You're connected to it and can now feel its instincts.
That will make it easier for you to command it. "
Aidan stared as the beast opened its monstrous mouths, desperate to eat them both. "I felt you stopping it. I feel how much it wants to devour you... and me. I feel its anger... its helplessness."
She disregarded his unwarranted sympathy. "Sensing my command is the reason that no beast should be bound to two masters."
He frowned. "So we have another connection?"
"Aye." She nodded. "If one of us gives a command, the beast will feel it. And since we experience what it feels, we'll feel the other's command."
She also wasn't happy that a third curse connected them. Her life was already in his hands. Now, even secondhand, he would know some of her thoughts and decisions.
He kept staring at the dragon. A pulling sensation ripped through Carys as the creature was being compelled to move away. It flew a short distance, settling on the ground, and all three heads turned balefully in their direction.
Aidan blinked. "That was me?"
"Aye."
Her stomach twisted. Meical was going to kill her. The prince was their tool, and she just allowed him access to a powerful weapon. When the day came that Aidan decided the princess wasn't worth it, he could inflict serious damage on them.
The mystical exhaustion bested her, and she wobbled.
The gallant prince reached out to assist her, only for his own legs to give out.
They tumbled together in a tangled heap.
In a matter of seconds, he carefully disentangled himself from her, moving several inches away.
Expelling so much pure magic and using Curse Magic for the first time would have drained him.
She wondered if he understood that commanding the creature was Curse Magic.
The red runes faded, leaving their skin bare. Aidan scratched at the area, as if trying to remove the stain of Curse Magic from his body. "Why?"
"Beg pardon?"
"Why did you pull me inside the circle?" he asked softly. "I know you don't want to share control of the beast."
"I don't, but you would've died if I did nothing."
"You could've used magic to push me away at the last moment. It would have hurt, but I probably wouldn't have died. So why?"
She looked down at the bloodstained grass and couldn't find the words to communicate his worth.
So she brought up something different. "Why did you risk yourself for Gil?"
Aidan blinked. "He may be the only decent soul in this abyss. Anyway, if I didn't, you would've gone after him. And you can barely stand."
"Ah." She understood. "If I died, you die. Then the curse strikes down Princess Bella."
He shook his head. "I wasn't thinking that way. All I saw was you trying dearly to protect your friend. In truth, I didn't know you could care that much for someone."
"What do you mean?"
He shrugged. "I don't know. It's rather hard to think clearly with this connection to the beast. And I think I used too much magic..."
The gallant prince turned from her and vomited.
Exhaustion kept her still, but she moved her head to grant him some privacy.
Her eyes focused on the inexplicable grass.
Any other time, she would marvel over something growing in the land of death.
But she marveled at a young man who risked his life. Who risked more than his life.
All because he saw what Gil meant to her.
In the past, she would believe it was a trick or a scheme. She would assume he was trying to look good. She would search for selfish motivations.
But when a roughed up Gil returned, genuine relief broke out on Aidan's face. After Gil checked on Carys, the two young men exchanged words of joy at their survival.
She didn't understand how Aidan could risk himself for someone that he hardly knew. She didn't understand how he could risk the life of his princess for a stranger and the witch who destroyed his life.
She didn't understand how he could extend his hand, helping her up with a smile.
She didn't understand him. After pulling out a few chunks of freshly grown grass, she wondered if she understood anything at all.