Kastali Dun

Desaree traversed the dimly lit passages, her basket brimming with food from the cookery. One of the king's Shields had taken it upon themselves to install sparsly placed torches along the path leading from Claire's chambers down into the caverns. With how frequently they had been coming and going, often by themselves, having a non-magical light source was a great help. It had been for her and Jocelyn's benefit mostly, since Lady Tamara was learning magic and the rest of them could easily summon light.

Jocelyn was already down in the caves with Saffra, so she'd been the one to volunteer to make the ascent back up and bring them a hearty meal. Just before heading back down she'd found Jovari, lounging with a book in Claire's sitting room. "What? I'm guarding the entrance," he'd argued when she was about to snap at him for being idle. They'd been working their fingers to the bone, slicing, chopping, and stirring the brews that would become the king's greatest weapon. Both were complicated. Klizite was especially time consuming, given that it took several days of stirring and simmering before the liquid ran clear—the indication that it was ready for consumption.

In an effort to be as secretive as possible, it was decided that Claire's chambers would be the entrance they used to and from the caves. King Talon insisted that one Shield remain on hand both in the caves and at the entrance in Claire's chambers. They couldn't risk anyone stumbling upon or noticing what they were up to. Not even the guards standing outside Claire's door could be trusted, so they'd been given new duties.

"Gods! There you are. I'm so famished I could faint." Jocelyn steered her from the cave's entrance to the makeshift work area they had set up. Pieces of furniture had been moved here, but only once Saffra had explained how time consuming the project would be, that she'd have to keep an eye on her Klizite brew throughout the night. The second Bedelth had heard this, he'd gone on a quest to acquire a mid-sized dining table with chairs, two cots, and a number of small sofas. Combined with all the work tables they used for their ingredients, it looked like an underground camp, especially considering the large cauldrons over each fire pit. For now, only two, but if this worked, they had plans to expand and implement as many fires and cauldrons as could be fit into the vast cave, scattered around the cave formations and the mysterious structure at its center.

They still hadn't figured out how to open the small mausoleum.

Fortunately, the cave was vast. It was roomy and airy enough that the smoke wouldn't choke them regardless of how many fires they used. Plenty of sea breeze found its way in through holes in the cliff rock, so the smoke would eventually find its way out.

She allowed Jocelyn to steer her over to the table where they'd been taking their meals.

"I've got it, Des." Verath's voice sent pleased shivers through her.

"And when did you get here?" she asked, handing over the basket, eying him. He was dressed in his usual, a sleeveless vest that laced up both sides putting his chest on display, billowing long-sleeved undershirt, tight pants that showed off every muscle in his legs, and knee-high boots of soft brown hide.

"Twenty minutes ago?" he answered, tilting his head. "I sent Bedelth on his way. Dallin and I figured we'd give him some time in the daylight. He's supposed to be helping some of the new recruits on the practice grounds later this afternoon."

"Hmm..." She glanced over at Saffra who was vigorously stirring one of the cauldrons, frowning. If the expression hadn't taken up permanent residence on her face, she'd have worried that something had gone wrong with the recipe.

Verath followed her gaze. "She says it should be done any minute now."

"And thank the gods for that," Desaree muttered. Saffra hadn't given them a moment of rest when there was work to be done.

"We can thank the gods when we know it's turned out properly," Saffra chided, having heard her complaints from where she stood. Saffra gave the concoction a final stir then muttered something, flicking her hand towards the fire. It winked out. Desaree stared, opened her mouth, then closed it. Seeing magic at work was always a jolting experience, even if her time in Claire and Saffra's company should have desensitized her to it.

Despite Verath's having laid out the food on the table, they all gravitated towards the cauldron to peer inside. She felt the heat of Verath's body just behind hers. He leaned over her shoulder to look. Without thinking, she leaned back into him and his arm snaked out, wrapping around her waist, pulling her flush against him. It sent a jolt straight down her legs that left her toes curling.

"There's not much to see," Saffra mused, ladling out a trickle of the liquid to show that it was indeed clear. It steamed as it fell from the ladle back into the cauldron. "We'll need to let it cool—naturally, of course. I would use magic but I do not want to interfere until I'm certain it came out right. I have the Dragon's Bane ready. You're sure Collier said it was a one part to two, Verath?"

"Absolutely positive, Lady Saffra." The lack of amusement in his voice was expected. Saffra had already made this clarification at least five times.

"Come, let us eat," Jocelyn said, drawing their attention away. "Lady Tamara promised to join us this afternoon. I will send word to the others that we are ready to test it."

As she turned away, Verath took her hand and steered her over to a chair, which he pulled out for her. She glanced up at him shyly as he moved away to take the one beside her. Jocelyn and Saffra lingered by the cauldron a moment longer before joining them.

"No Dallin?" she asked. The young Drengr had been all but attached at Verath's hip.

"I gave him some time off," he muttered, spearing a slice of chicken with his fork.

"Thank the gods. The poor thing needs it after being stuck with you all day." As much as she loved him, she wasn't sure she could put up with his company and brooding all, day every day. Dallin had already shown more patience than she could. Verath harrumphed but took her teasing in stride.

It was a rushed meal. Mostly because none of them wanted to prolong Saffra's grumbles about whether she had truly added the correct amount of sun moss or kikifrass. The sooner they brought the others to the cave to witness their success, the sooner they could take a break and see if it worked.

And of course...none of them had agreed on who the test subject ought to be.

Nearly two hours later, everyone gathered. The king, Byron and Tamara, Dallin, and the other Shields. Saffra had combined a glass vial, two parts to one as advised, but only after checking a seventh time with Verath before corking it. The vial was passed around and examined.

"We won't know exactly how much is needed for a grown Drengr so I was generous," she explained. "I assume it will be the same amount as for a dragon. Once we know, we will still need to determine how much we'll need to add to the lake water."

"And Collier was sure it could be mixed with water? It won't be diluted?" King Talon asked, his arms crossed.

"It can be mixed with water. Any other substance, specifically those with shared ingredients, will disrupt the balance of either the Dragon's Bane or the Klizite."

"A fresh water lake should be all right then," the king mused, running a hand through his hair. It was already incredibly mussed up, almost enough that Desaree felt the urge to take a comb to it, if only to make him more presentable for Claire's sake. Gods! She missed Claire.

Instead she glanced at Verath. Their eyes met and he winked at her. Her cheeks flushed and she looked away. They hadn't seen each other for a few nights. She'd chosen to sleep in the Cave with Saffra, mostly because Bedelth had offered to do so himself. She'd immediately sensed Saffra's alarm and stepped in. Not only was it altogether improper, given that Saffra and Bedelth weren't together, but Saffra wasn't ready for any kind of relationship so soon after Daxton.

The vial made its final pass to King Talon. He held it up against the torchlight and eyed it. "Hmm...on the bright side, at least I'll be rather productive for a few days before the effects kick in," he muttered, mostly to himself. "Think of all the correspondences I'll get answered."

It took several silent moments before number of protests broke out. Verath strode right across the circle they'd formed and snatched the vial from the king's grip. King Talon was so surprised by Verath's actions that he didn't immediately react.

"We cannot risk any adverse affects, Your Grace. I will test it."

Desaree opened her mouth to protest, then immediately closed it. Of course she was biased and didn't want any risk coming to him.

"No, Verath. I cannot ask this of you. Of any of you. It should be me." King Talon's jaw was set as he glared at Verath.

"You aren't asking. I'm insisting." And then, before anyone could stop him, Verath popped off the cork and downed the entirety of the contents.

Desaree's eyes went wide with shock. This wasn't...he couldn't...what if something terrible happened to him?! She clenched her teeth, watching, waiting, just like everyone else. Holding her breath tightly in her chest.

Verath shrugged and handed the empty vial back to Saffra. "Hmm..." he said. He looked absolutely normal. "Tasteless."

"Perhaps I missed an ingredient." Saffra frowned, eyes glued to him. Not because it was tasteless, per se, but because nothing seemed to be happening.

Until....

Verath's head snapped in one direction, and then another. His neck bulged and he rotated it. When his gaze fell on Desaree, she noticed the growing size of his pupils. Dilated until his eyes were all but black. She opened her mouth—

"You know, I think I'll go for a walk!" Verath decided, sounding rather excited. "Yes. That's exactly what I need. And I'm taking Desaree with me. Come, love. I need to get you out of here." He covered the distance between them in two giant steps.

She stared up at him, mouth agape.

"Gods above, I'm not going to hurt you. Come." He took her hand and pulled her away. She was still too shocked to give more than just a squeak as she glanced over her shoulder towards the others with a, what-in-the-name-of-the-gods-is-happening, look.

A slow smile spread across King Talon's face. "Well, I think it's working," she heard him say before the corridor beyond the cave swallowed her up.

"Slow down," she hissed, pulling against Verath's grasp. He was walking so quickly she nearly had to jog beside him.

Instead of doing what she asked, he swept her into his arms with more speed than she thought possible. She screeched in surprise. It was the most unladylike noise she'd ever made. He chuckled. The sound of it rumbling in his chest, reverberating through her.

"It's the brew, isn't it?" she whispered.

"I feel so...alive."

"Gods," she hissed, which earned another chuckle. She expected him to put her down when they emerged from Claire's chambers. "Where are you taking me," she insisted.

"Outside," was all he said as he marched her straight to King Talon's tower. The guards quickly stepped aside for him and the servants scattered.

"Leave us," he commanded, as if he were the king. He may as well have been because when she next looked around, they were alone.

She didn't find her feet again until they stood on King Talon's large covered balcony. Verath looked around, scowling. "No, this won't do." He sighed.

"Uhm...I thought we were going for a walk?" She wasn't sure how she should act around him when he was like this.

He swung his head over to her, pupils blown wide. Even in human form, he now looked crazed, more dragon than man. Her heart began thumping wildly in her chest. She knew she shouldn't be afraid. She had never had reason to fear him...but this...this was not Verath.

"Come now, Des." Her name was a slow purr on his lips. A jolt shot through her, sending heat straight to her core. He held out his hand. When she didn't take it, he swept her into his arms and planted a heated kiss on her lips. She was so surprised by his quick movements that he'd already set her down and taken her hand, pulling her from the balcony before she realized what was happening.

He led her up several sets of stairs and through a trap door. She gasped. "But, this is the queen's gardens. We...we can't be up here."

He growled. "The king won't know. And if he does, he won't care. Better here than out on the castle lawn."

"I do not understand..."

"You will in a moment." A wicked grin split his lips. It was followed by a moment of shock as she realized what he was up to.

"Oh...Oh, no..." She backed away from him.

He hesitated and a flash of something tender crossed his face. "I won't hurt you, Des. Come, I wish to fly, not walk. And I wish for you to join me."

"But I..." She shook her head. Even though her stomach was doing flips, even though she'd dreamed something like this might be offered, she was not his Rider. She was not his mate. She would only ever be his lover.

"I'm going to transform," he said, walking towards her. "You may climb on my back or not. But if you don't..."

"If I don't?" She planted her feet and squared her shoulders, glaring up at him.

He threw his head back and laughed. Gods, that laugh. It sent tingles racing through her. Even if he wasn't in his right state of mind, she was still drawn to him. "If you don't, I'll snatch you up in my talons—my maiden prize." He brushed a finger along her jaw.

"You wouldn't dare," she hissed.

"Oh?" He arched an eyebrow. His eyes were still crazed. "Care to test that theory?" Without further hesitation, he moved away and transformed.

She watched, openmouthed, as red scales sprouted all over his skin. His body grew in size until a hulking beast of a dragon was crouched before her. She blinked, shaking her head. It almost didn't feel real. She knew he was a Drengr, but he'd never been close to her in this form. It had been easy to forget there was a beast lurking within him.

"I..." she croaked, backing away, barely enough awareness to keep from stepping in any of the flower beds.

Verath snarled. A plume of smoke engulfed her. She froze. When it cleared, the sound of talons clicking on the flagstones made her eyes go wide. He was really going to do this, he was really going to snatch her up if she didn't climb on his back!

He lifted his forearm to reach for her. She threw up her hands to placate him. "All right. All right. I'll do as you ask. Just...give me a moment. Please."

The effects of the brew were supposed to do this, she realized. They were supposed to overtake the host, make them energetic, excited, alive...erratic. Verath had never been one for impatience, but now he exhibited it in spades.

She sighed. There was nothing for it. As terrified as she was by the prospect of flying, even without a harness, she steeled her nerves. Claire had done it. Gods, Claire had flown across the entire kingdom without a harness.

She stepped forward and let her head fall back, taking in Verath's enormous form. He snorted, impatient. Talons clawed against the flagstones. He wouldn't wait long.

"You could have at least explained how I'm supposed to do this," she snapped, hoisting her skirts in one hand and placing her other on his hide. It was as she expected, warm to the touch, almost scalding.

He lowered himself to the ground, not caring that he trampled several flower beds to do so. Doing the best she could, she hoisted herself up on his forearm and then attempted to climb up his back. She had to jump to reach the spikes along his neck. And it took several tries to grab one and then all her strength to wrench herself up and into position.

"Gods, how does Claire manage?" she gasped when she righted herself.

Verath hardly waited before he lifted his belly and stood. Her stomach lurched. The world below was much scarier from the back of a dragon. It didn't help that she was at the top of the castle, at its highest most point. Now that she was on Verath's back, she could see over the tower's walls.

Her stomach climbed into her throat; she took several deep breaths to calm it. Verath took several steps and she yelped, holding on for dear life, careful not to skewer herself on his spikes. A roar split the heavens. Verath's head thrashed back and forth several times as if embracing the beast within, then he crouched and sprang.

She didn't bother clamping down on her scream as he surged into the sky. She was pressed down into the dip between his neck and shoulders, gripping so tightly with her thighs that her legs screamed too. Everything was heavy for several moments, and then the weight was gone. She gasped as giant red wings stretched out to either side of her. They swept down, sending them higher and higher. Verath roared again, clearly pleased.

She glanced down at the castle below, just in time to see Talon and the other emerge from the tower's trap door. They gazed up at her with wide eyes.

A laugh bubbled up from her chest as she got over the initial fear. "Gods above!" she gasped as she looked at the world below. Spectacular! Absolutely spectacular. Clare was right. Flying was...well, nothing really compared, did it? She giggled again and pressed herself as best she could against Verath, sucking up as much warmth as she could. If ever she was glad of her heavy skirts and the thick winter fabric of her gown, it was now.

Her insides swooped as Verath changed course, taking them on a wide circuit above the city before he took them north. Not once did her smile slip. Not once did the butterflies tumbling about in her stomach settle. Her nerves hadn't quieted whatsoever an hour later when Verath landed on a rocky outcropping that overlooked a vast grassy expanse.

She caught the sight of grazers beyond and realized his intentions immediately. "Oh...no."

He waited as she climbed down from his back, well, slid rather ungracefully, before he took to the skies and left her there. She wasn't sure where they were, other than in the middle of the wilderness. But she knew what he planned.

She watched, shivering in the cold, as he hunted. She knew that the Drengr in dragon form weren't too different from their dragon cousins. They were still beasts, after all. This proved true as she watched Verath hunt with lethal precision.

"I do not think I'll be able to eat for weeks," she muttered, her appetite all but spoiled as she observed the bloody spectacle. Verath landed three grazers before his appetite was satiated. Then he came back for her.

"Well, at least you aren't a messy eater," she decided, trying to fracture some of the tension. He merely snorted a plume of smoke in answer. There was no point in being angry with him until after the effects of the Klizite wore off. She was sure he'd regret his decision to volunteer once the Dragon's Bane kicked in.

He'd cleaned himself up, thank the gods. She didn't see a spec of blood or gore on his claws or maw. He rumbled impatiently until she was on his back again. The heat of his scales chased away her chattering teeth. She wasn't sure how many days his energy would last, she only hoped he wouldn't keep her out in the cold sky for the entirety of it.

⭐️🌟⭐️🌟⭐️

Happy Friday Bookdragons!

And happy Thanksgiving for those of you who celebrate! My husband and I were invited to my neighbors for Thanksgiving. They've become our family away from home since moving to Georgia. We got to experience a full southern Thanksgiving in all its glory. Wow, it was delicious. There were about 30 family members and everyone brought a dish. I couldn't even try everything before I was stuffed.

Today we're setting up the Christmas tree and decorating the house. It's been busy, which is why I'm getting to this post a little later than I usually do. It was a fun chapter, no? I am a little behind, though. I only have two chapters written after this one. I try to stay 5-6 ahead, and clearly i'm not keeping up! Hopefully this weekend calms down and I get some writing time.

Next week's chapter is "Traveling to Ashvale" and it's from Claire's POV. We will be returning to the forest. Yipee!

Have a great weekend and enjoy your week.

All my best,

Mel