Page 5 of Bewitched

Rhys looked up to see two women riding the fire-breathing beast. When the dragon rose up in fury, the girls lost their balance and fell to the ground. One loud roar from the dragon and it lifted back up into the sky, creating a whirlwind around them. Dirt, debris, and sand swirled around them in the vortex of air created by the beast’s flapping wings. Rhys watched in awe as it flew up over the lake, seeming lost. The portal had already closed and disappeared from sight. The dragon couldn’t find its way back through it, and flew in circles seeming to decide where to go.

“Come back here!” shouted one of the girls from the ground, as the dragon rose up higher into the sky and finally took off toward the Picajord Mountains.

“What in the name of Belcoum was that?” asked Zann, cursing, using the name of Mura’s demon lord of the underworld.

“I have no idea.” Rhys jumped to his feet, patting out the last of the flames on his shoulder. His tunic was burned through, causing his skin to blister. “However, I know someone who can tell us.” Picking his sword back up, he gripped it tightly, clenching his jaw as he made his way toward the two women sprawled out on the ground.

“Wait for me!” shouted Zann, running after him.

“Who are you?” Rhys asked, pointing his sword at the women, demanding answers. He didn’t think they were demons like his last encounter with a portal, but then again, he couldn’t be sure.

One of the women had a long, blond braid hanging down her back. Her eyes were bright blue. The younger of the two had dark brown eyes and long, black hair that was loose and tousled, and sticking out in every direction.

The dark-haired one looked up and her expression changed. Her eyes became darker, almost black now. Then she lifted up her hand. “Leave us alone!” Some sort of beam of light or possibly fire shot out, hitting Rhys directly in the chest. His breath left his lungs as he sailed through the air, ending up landing on his back upon the hard earth, looking up at the sky.

“Ooomph,” he groaned, feeling like he was getting beat up without even being touched today. The damned wench obviously used magic. And as if it wasn’t bad enough that he’d already been set on fire by a dragon today, now he’d been knocked on his ass by a mere girl. He shot to his feet and lunged at the wench who was now standing up and brushing the dirt off her gown. His body knocked into hers and they both landed in a prone position with Rhys on top, pinning her down. He held on to her tightly.

“Nay, stop it!” shouted the other woman. “Let her go.”

“Rhys, what are you doing?” asked Zann.

“The wench is not going to best me,” he growled, watching the girl make faces beneath him as she squirmed, trying to escape his hold.

“You’re heavy. Get off of me, you fool,” she spat.

Just as he was about to give her a piece of his mind, she disappeared into thin air. Rhys fell forward, ending up hugging dirt. He looked up to see her standing in front of him now, tamping down her hair with her hand. Quickly getting to his feet, he rushed her, but his fingers only closed around air once again. Rhys felt a push from behind, and found himself on the ground once more.

Zann laughed heartily.

“It’s not funny, Brother,” grunted Rhys through gritted teeth.

“Medea, stop it,” begged the blond woman. “I’m sorry for my sister’s behavior,” she told Rhys, offering her outstretched hand to help him.

Rhys shook his head and got to his feet on his own. “Who are you, and where do you come from?”

“My name is Rapunzel, and this is my sister, Medea de Bar,” the blonde told him. “Once again, I apologize for her rude behavior.”

“I wasn’t the rude one,” sniffed Medea. “Sister, you saw the man holding me down. I could barely breathe.”

“I must apologize for my brother’s behavior,” said Zann, stepping forward. “Hello, I am Zann Blackseed and this is my brother, Rhys.” Zann kissed the back of Rapunzel’s hand. When he reached out for Medea, she raised her hands and Zann went flying through the air. He landed hard and let out a groan.

Rhys chuckled now. “See what I mean, Brother?”

“Oh, you’re hurt!” said Rapunzel. Her jaw dropped and her eyes opened wide in surprise when she noticed Rhys’ burned tunic and blistered skin.

“Aye. Your dragon did that to my brother,” said Zann, getting back to his feet.

“Mayhap I can help. I’m not sure where I am, but does this land have herbs that grow freely? If so, I know how to use them to heal.” Rapunzel, looked around at her feet.

“Never mind. I can do it myself.” Rhys held his open palm over his burned and blistered flesh. In a matter of seconds, his skin was healed and back to normal. All that remained was the charred tunic, now in shreds.

“Oh. I see, you have magic, too,” said the one called Medea. All of a sudden she was much more interested in him than she was a moment ago. She craned her neck and walked over to inspect his wound that was no longer there. She reached out and boldly ran the tip of her finger over his skin, causing Rhys to feel as hot as when the dragon’s flame hit him. “How did you do that? Are you some sort of warlock?” she asked, seeming very curious to know the answer.

“Nay, of course not. Don’t be ridiculous,” he scoffed.

Her brows dipped as she pulled her hand away. Her sour expression told him that she wasn’t happy with his answer. “Then, tell me. What exactly are you?” She cocked her head and stared up at him, demanding an answer. Her black eyes cleared, turning back to dark brown again. It was the oddest thing Rhys had ever seen.

“Never mind what I am,” he told her. “You tell me something. Where did you get a dragon?”