Dragonfire Sea

Tamara watched the coast sail by from the prow of the Sea Lion. True to King Talon's word, ships had been waiting along Celenore's cost north of the Scattered Islands, ready to sail them the remaining distance to Kastali Dun. There, they would be absorbed—albeit temporarily—by Fort Kastali.

At the height of the Drengr Monarchy, the forts would not have had room, but the Drengr race was dying. Dying for what Queen Isabella had done with her trickery. Dying because each pair could only have one child, unless they were blessed with twins, and that was extremely rare.

The thought of twins had Tamara's eyes pricking with tears, reminded of Lord Davi and Lord Reyr, and the great loss that followed them like a dark cloud, chasing after their small fleet. And what a beautiful sight that little fleet was to behold, twelve ships cutting through the water. There wasn't enough space to house both the Drengr and all of Fort Squall's staff, so nearly half of the Drengr flew overhead. Most often with their Riders. And when they needed to stop for the night, they either slept on deck under the stars, or flew to the coast and caught up the following day.

The Sea Lion cut through the water at speeds the walking peoples of Fort Squall would never match. And thank the gods for that, or else they would have been on foot another three weeks at least. This faster mode was worth the initial sea-sickness that accompanied it.

They were due to arrive in Kastali Dun by nightfall. Nightfall! A nervous excitement had settled over everyone, but none more so than Tamara. She couldn't wait to behold the Great Keep of Kastali Dun. To see the city on the rise. To look over its vast ports. Explore its markets. There was a whole world of possibility waiting. It was simply a shame, knowing the price that such a possibility had demanded.

She searched the skies, taking in the small glittering forms high above.

"I'm here, love." Byron sent the thought, knowing that it was his form she sought. A projection followed, from high up, accompanied by his joy of flying. A smile tugged at her lips. "I can come get you, if you'd like?"

She shook her head. The fort's staff didn't have the luxury of leaving the ships, and if she was to be their leader, she wanted to be here with them.

"You are everything a fort leader should be." There was pride in Byron's words. He swooped low, circled the ship once, twice, three times, and then retreated back to higher altitudes.

She turned from the sky, back to the distant landscape. It had taken some getting used to, sharing Byron's mind. Sharing thoughts. Knowing what he felt if she reached for him. She hadn't been exactly sure what to expect after their bonding. But not this, exactly. Less privacy, perhaps? He never barreled into her mind if she didn't want him there. And there were places she could still keep separate from him, if she wished to. But mostly, she enjoyed giving him everything. Except, perhaps, her worry. He had enough of his own.

The ability to share thoughts over great distances made them stronger as a pair. As Fort Squall's temporary leaders, strength was something they desperately needed. Soon it would be time for a vote. She wasn't sure what the fort's wing leaders and wing seconds would decide. Wasn't sure if she was ready to lead. Part of her wanted to make Lord Davi and Lady Emmy proud. Ensure that even after their deaths, their son would take up their mantle. That he would be what they'd hoped. The other part of her feared the responsibility. Feared the sacrifices they would make. Because it wouldn't be an easy road, reclaiming their home.

At midday, she sat with Sophie and a couple other women from the fort's staff, eating a frugal meal of dried meat, bread, and cheese. Their conversation came easily, especially once the other women had grown more comfortable in her presence. She had Sophie to thank for that. Sophie with her bubbly personality got along with everyone. Sophie, who was lovely to look at.

"What's the first thing you want to see, Tam?" Sophie was saying.

"What? Oh. I suppose the market. I hear it's enormous!"

"I've heard the same," said Jaylin, one of the older women who worked in the fort's laundry. "With wares from places like Oshea and other countries that we've never even heard of."

"It sounds spectacular," Sophie said, voice dreamy. "But the first thing I want to see is the Great Keep. And then the fort. I'm going to touch every dragon I can get my hands on."

"Sophie!" Tamara's eye went wide. The other women laughed. "You can't just walk up—"

"I know, I know." Sophie sighed. "Peace, Tam. I was just kidding. But I wouldn't mind meeting as many of the unmated ones as I can. Sometimes there's a bond realized before the touching part. Like you and Byron, hmm?" Sophie wagged her eyebrows.

Tamara's face heated as the other women began chuckling and pressing her for repeats of her story. It was well known, now, how she'd met Byron. Of the kiss he'd stolen. She'd been forced to kiss him in exchange for secrecy. She'd hidden her identity and run away from her home in Redport. After all that, she couldn't allow her parents to know where she'd gone. She couldn't allow anyone to know who she was. Little did she know, Byron had already suspected that a bond existed. So he tricked her into a kiss to tease her. Everyone knew the story. The whole fort. And they loved it.

She spent more time on the deck that afternoon, watching the southern coast sail by. The Eigaden Pensula. It sent a thrill of excitement skittering across her skin. Soon, the end of it was in sight. And with it—still a small bump—the giant city on the rise.

It was indeed nightfall when she beheld its glittering lights. Kastali Dun! Like a gem beside the sea. Byron left the skies to be with her. She heard his feet hit the deck behind her but didn't turn around. Didn't need to. Besides, she couldn't take her eyes off of the sight jutting out into the sea.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Byrons arms wrapped around her, pulling her flush against him. He nuzzled his head into her hair and kissed her. "I already informed King Talon that we're close."

"I know."

"I know you know," he responded, just for her. "Thought I'd tell you anyway." He nipped at her ear, teasing. Her toes curled tight in her slippers. He sensed her arousal immediately, the effect his actions had on her. Just as she always sensed the effect her every touch on him. "Later, love. I promise. After we're settled." His promise thrilled her.

There had been plenty of opportunity for love-making aboard the ship, tucked away in the captain's quarters. She wondered if the desire ever stopped.

"I hope not," he whispered, answering her thoughts. "It never did for my parents, or any other bonded pair that I know—"

"Forgive me, Lord Byron. We'll be docking at the port in an hour." The Captain sidled up to them. Captain Julian. He'd been shouting orders for the last ten minutes.

"Thank you, Captain. I am eager to see my mate settled."

Tamara all but shivered at his words, which earned a mental growl and a naughty projection from Byron that the captain had no way of sensing as he said, "Understandable, my lord."

Byron and Julian talked for several minutes longer about the docking and unloading procedure, but Tamara hardly listened. A benefit of sharing minds, she supposed. If she wanted to know what they discussed, she could easily slip into Byron's mind later and share the memory as if it were her own. For now, she turned her attention back to the approaching coast. The jewel of the kingdom.

As they approached, sounds drifted out over the water, shouts and merrymaking. "The many taverns along the port," Byron explained silently, still keeping easy hold of his conversation with Julian. She pinned her eyes on the docks—still a slight distance away—and thought of all the fun others were having. How the taverns were filled to bursting. She'd never been into the seedy establishments like the ones she expected lined the docks.

"I can take you, if you'd like." Byron's voice was low, suggestive. Julian had returned to his crew. She snorted at the suggestion. "No?" Byron feigned surprise. "I suppose you're right. Not really the place for a lady."

"My mother would suffer heart failure if she caught me anywhere near a place like that."

"But your mother need not know. Hmm? We can dress you down and enter inconspicuously. You'd like the music, I think."

"Inconspicuously?" She laughed. Byron would stand out more than she, with his hulking, unmistakable form.

He chuckled, then. "Yes, that's likely."

Sometimes it was jarring, his ability to answer questions from simple thoughts. Their conversations had become so disjointed. A mix of thoughts, some spoken aloud, some spoken telepathically, and some that were never voiced at all. Outsiders looking in probably suffered immense confusion, watching mated pairs communicate. But she loved it, the ease of it, the ability to leave half her words unspoken and still get her point across. All without trying!

The docks swept up to meet them. Everything blurred together after that. All around her, a rush of activity as deck hands moved about, shouting. They pulled into the harbor, right up to places reserved along the maze of woodwork. She and Byron disembarked, giving orders as the fort's staff and dockhands gathered trunks and crates. Carriages were waiting to take everyone, except for those who could fly, to Fort Kastali. It would be a two hour carriage trip through the city and out of its walls, across the small stretch to the safety of the fort. The wing seconds were assigned to oversee this task while she and Byron and their wing leaders flew to the Great Keep. There they would meet the king. They wasted no time.

From the sky above the city, the sight of the lights left her breathless. If only it had been daylight. "I'll take you up again tomorrow, Tam. You'll love it. I promise."

"Thank you." She was so exhausted, she wouldn't have appreciated it the way she would after a night of rest. As it was, it was nearly midnight. And the night wasn't over yet.

Much to her surprise, their small party of pairs was greeted in the lowest courtyard of the keep by the king, his Shields, and two ladies. But not Claire, which left her frowning deeply. Reuniting with Lady Claire was what she'd looked forward to most. She recognized a few familiar faces in the bunch. Lord Jovari and Lord Bedelth were there. But there were two other Shields she'd never met. One of whom she knew by description alone as Lord Verath. The other was so young she realized he probably wasn't a Shield at all, but couldn't understand why he was with them. He was later introduced as Dallin.

Simple pleasantries were exchanged, introductions mostly, even though King Talon had met everyone in her party during his brief stay at Camp Brezen. But it was more of a formality, since some standing with him knew no one in her party. She was too tired to follow, and too enamored by her surroundings. Her eyes wandered over the great walls of the keep, over the courtyard, over what she was quite certain was a decadent garden just a short walk away. Her eyes snagged on it, its glow lights glittering, beckoning.

"I'll take you there tomorrow too," Byron said, sensing her distraction. Even as he spoke, he continued his introductions, as if multitasking between two modes of communication was the easiest thing. He managed to introduce every wing leader and be in her mind simultaneously. Impressive. She would have stuttered and failed miserably at such a task.

"Yes, well, I've had years of practice, love," was all he said.

"Lady Tamara," King Talon spoke, drawing her attention from the garden. "Allow me to introduce the ladies in attendance. The kingdom's very own prophetess, Lady Saffra, and also Lady Desaree Kendall." Tamara's eyes widened. She'd heard of both women from Claire. "Lady Desaree is Claire's lady in waiting." The king glanced at Desaree. There was something in his eyes, something soft behind the wall of stone he presented. Desaree met his gaze without shyness, offering a curt nod. Tamara immediately admired her for it. Even after days spent in King Talon's company, even after Tamara learned of his fondness for Lady Claire, he was still Dragonwall's king. Still intimidating.

"I'm afraid Lady Claire is not here, unfortunately," the king continued, as if reading her disappointment. It probably showed on her face. She smoothed her scowl. "As I understand it, Claire promised to meet you upon your arrival to the city?"

"I...yes, Your Majesty." She managed to find her voice. "I was looking forward to her company. Will she return soon?"

"I am afraid not, thought I wish it were so." There was something of longing in his words. Byron shifted beside her and didn't drop her hand. "A matter of great importance took her north. Hopefully her ladies will suffice. But come, let us not discuss these things out in the open."

Everyone agreed.

King Talon led the way, escorting them through the Great Keep. She was glad Byron held her close. Her gaze swiveled back and forth, never once watching where she stepped. There was too much. This castle was ten times the size of of Lord Redwynn's, and still far grander. "Wait until you see the plumbing," Byron said for her only. He sent her a projection of what he meant by it. She gasped. "I hope you fancy a bath tonight?" His words, the thoughts he sent along with them, of everything he intended when he meant bath, left her shivering in delight.

They walked nearly ten minutes, and by the time they came to a stop, she was hopelessly lost. The hallway was lined with plush carpet and guided portraits, but she was too dazed to take in their beauty. Instead, she and the others followed King Talon into what his personal tower, where they were led to a council chamber. Byron insisted on standing, offering up a seat to make Tamara comfortable. He stood behind her, a hand on her shoulder. His touch was a comfort.

With so many wing leader pairs in the room, there weren't enough chairs for all. Most of the males remained standing. And even though it was the middle of the night, what proceeded was a heated discussion of how they would settle in, and when they would begin planning the counter attack on Fort Squall.

It was important enough that no one bothered voicing their complaints, but she knew everyone was fatigued. She couldn't have been the only one struggling to pay attention. Her mind wandered with her gaze, all around the king's chamber. It was luxurious, more so than Fort Squall. Varnished woodwork, chandeliers with hundreds of candles, painted landscapes in gold frames, plush velvet chairs. It was a lot to soak in as the minutes passed.

Stretched on the table before them was a map of Fort Squall and its surrounding area. Her chest squeezed every time she looked at it, so instead, she tried not to and retreated into Byron's mind. She did this often when she was tired. Let him process everything being said, let him digest it. She would simply absorb it. It was a lazy way of doing things, letting him think for her, but she was tired. So tired—

"Forgive me, my king—" Byron's voice was jolting, almost as if she'd spoken. She blinked, retreating from his mind. "—but I believe this would be a good stopping point for the night." He was stopping things for her. Heat flood her cheeks. She shouldn't have allowed her fatigue to become so apparent.

"I'm not simply stopping for you, love. I'm about to drop. I need sleep...and a bath."

Oh, gods! Despite her fatigue, something curled deep in her core that left her skin tingling.

"Of course," King Talon stood. "I've gotten carried away. War does that." The others chuckled. "You have all been assigned accommodations here in the keep, if you will have them. Lord Byron, I think it wise you stay close at hand so that we might continue this tomorrow. And Lady Tamara, I believe Desaree and Saffra would much appreciate your company whilst you are here."

The two women voiced their eagerness. It was only then that she realized they were still present. She was both surprised and impressed that they were trusted enough to remain. It probably had something to do with Lady Claire. She would ask later.

Some of the wing leaders declined the king's generous offer, preferring to go and get settled at the fort. Those who stayed were escorted to individual accommodations, which happened to span the same hall as the king's tower entrance.

She was speechless when the door to her own accommodation closed behind her. Byron whistled into the silence that followed. "I could get used to this," he said, walking through their quarters. He drew back gauzy cream curtains, revealing a set of glass doors leading out onto a covered balcony. It was lit by the warm glow of torches and brazers. She all but squealed, racing to throw them open. She stepped outside. The sight that met her stole her breath. The covered balcony jutted out over the water, with side walls to keep it private from the others that spanned the length of this wing. If she leaned over far enough, she could see the others.

"Careful, love. If you tumble over, I'll have to jump and save you." Byron's voice was teasing.

She turned to him, humming. "While this is breathtaking," she said, "I am told it isn't the most impressive aspect of our accommodations? You were saying something about...plumbing?" She avoided the word bath. But he still read her like a book.

A low growl built in his chest, breaking free. He moved faster than she could anticipate, scooping her up in his arms. She screeched, clutching his shoulders. Moments later, she was gasping. The bathing chamber was something of a dream, with a giant pool four times the size of a copper tub, already filled with steaming water. A door at the side of the tiled chamber housed the cleanest a pit toilet she'd ever seen.

"It's magnificent," she whispered, not sure she could form anything beyond those two words. Byron was already stripping off his clothes, which landed in a heap on the floor. She froze, unable to tear her eyes away from his naked body. She traced the deep groves of his muscles. He moved with ease, with absolute comfort in her presence, stalking towards the bath. She noticed immediately when he turned to meet her, just before stepping up into the bath, exactly how aroused he was. A quick glimpse into his mind showed her everything he planned to do once she joined him in the steaming water. Instead of spoiling the surprise, knowing what he intended, it only increased her anticipation—left her heart racing.

"Quit gawking and join me," he said, grinning, before he sank down into the water. His groan of pleasure split the silence. She grinned at the sound of his delight. When he popped up from the water and pinned her with his gaze, she knew he had no more patience left to give. She eagerly shed her travel clothes, making a pile beside his, and climbed in to join him. 

⭐️🌟⭐️🌟⭐️

Happy Friday!

Can we take a moment to admire how much Tamara has grown and matured? She and Byron are certainly becoming key players. I love writing about them. Even if it means taking a short break from Claire. 

This morning, I finished writing Koldis's second chapter in this book. Chapter 11, I think? I am definitely enjoying writing him. Next week's chapter is called "Cat's Have Claws" and will follow Captain Bennett. I think you'll really like it. There's tons of snark and insults. It's been a while since we've seen what's befallen Caterina. 

In case you missed it, I posted an announcement about Verath the Red pre-orders over on my Wattpad page. The link there will take you to my announcement, but here it is in case you missed it:

https://www.authormelissamitchell.com/single-post/preorders-and-inventives

Have a great weekend and a great week!

-Mel