Page 20 of Dragon Unbound (Dragon Kings 3)
Chapter Eight
He was in. But barely. Cullen knew he would have to tread carefully. Tamlyn was skittish and watchful. She would scrutinize every move he made. Then there were her other companions. Sian seemed amicable, but Jenefer didn’t hide that she didn’t want him anywhere near them.
“I suppose I should show you around,” Tamlyn said.
He hid his smile. “Doona sound so excited.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Sorry. It’s just that we haven’t had guests before.”
Cullen dropped his arms to his sides. She was uncomfortable. Was it because he was near, or could it be because his presence might stir up conflict? It was probably both. He’d pushed her pretty hard since he arrived. It might be advisable to relent for a bit and let her grow accustomed to him. If they were to work together, they had to trust each other.
Tamlyn motioned for him to follow her. He fell into step with her as she took him to the opposite side of where he had seen her emerge. Dozens of questions rushed through his head, but he held back. For the moment. Instead, he took in the magnificence around him.
While the underground city was in decay, there was no denying its beauty or the fact that it had obviously been of great importance once. The grand architecture, incredible design, and carvings, along with the perfectly precise cuts on the stones left him eager to explore more of the ruins to see just how large the complex was.
The tall ceilings and wide corridors helped with being underground, giving the feel of lots of space. The sunlight pouring in through the tree roots from the main hall helped to spread light, but it wasn’t enough—they had torches spaced throughout the hallways. Cullen had no problem seeing in the dark. Dragons could see just as well in the dark as they did in the light.
He paused next to a torch and inhaled. It wasn’t a form of petrol like on Earth. In fact, he smelled nothing. He passed his fingers through the flames and watched them dance around his skin with barely any heat.
“It’s not the kind of magic you’re used to,” Tamlyn said.
Cullen glanced at her to find she had paused and turned sideways to watch him. He lowered his arm to his side. “What do you mean?”
“We don’t need to keep refilling the torches to keep them lit. Sian came up with a concoction that keeps the flames going as long as we need them to.”
He took one more look at the torches before facing her. “Impressive. There’s no heat, and it gives plenty of light. As for the ruins themselves, this place is astounding. How large is it?”
“We’ve been here for about two years, and I’ve not explored all of it yet in that time.”
“Do you know what it used to be?” he asked as he came even with her.
Tamlyn fell into step with him as they continued. “Unfortunately, I don’t. I left Stonemore when I was young and spent many years moving around and hiding. I’ve not spent a lot of time among others or in cities to gather such information.”
“It’s a shame it was abandoned. I’m curious about its history and why anyone would leave such a place.”
“Maybe because it was on dragon land,” she said and shot him a side-eye.
Cullen smiled. “Only some of it.”
She turned left and then took another right before stopping in front of a door. “This room is one of the largest. You can use this one or any of the others along this corridor.”
He walked through the doorway and moved his gaze over the dark, empty room. It was a good-sized chamber. “This will do nicely. Thanks.”
“You’ll be able to find your way here?”
“Aye. I promise to stay out of your way, though I do have a request.”
She gave him a flat look as if she wasn’t surprised. “What would that be?”
“If you hear the screams again, shout my name. I’ll hear you and catch up, but you shouldna go to the city alone.”
“You sound like Jenefer.”
“You’re capable, but your friend is concerned for your safety. After what I saw this morning, I agree with her. I’m here to help. So is she. Use us.”
Tamlyn’s lips twisted. “I’m not sure Jenefer will want to work with you.”
“I’ll bring her around.”
“She won’t make it easy for you.”
He grinned and walked to her. “Jenefer is a warrior. She has taken it upon herself to guard no’ just you and Sian, but this place and the bairns. Anyone new who comes in could cause more harm than good.”
Tamlyn’s brows snapped together. “How do you know that?”
“I’m a warrior. We see it in others like us. Jenefer carries a heavy burden, but she has done her job well. You three have no’ only survived but thrived.”
“We all pitched in.”
He drew in a breath. “Will you show me more of the ruins? I’d also like to learn about Stonemore.”
“That city should be destroyed,” she said tightly.
“Is it the city or those ruling it?”
She shrugged and moved into the hallway. “Those ruling, I suppose. But taking out one or two people isn’t going to change anything. The rituals and customs have been a part of them for too long. Nothing will stop them now.”
“Oh, I doona know about that,” Cullen said as he thought about other such people who had been dealt with on Earth.
Tamlyn didn’t turn back the way they had come. Instead, she continued onward. “Stonemore is in tiers and built along a mountain. It’s protected by a half-moon-shaped range of mountains—the Tunris—on either side, and a forest—Ferdon Woods—before it.”
“How far is it from the forest to the bottom of the city?”
She thought about that for a moment then came to a halt. After eyeing the length of the hallway, she said, “From here to the final torch.”
