Page 99 of Dragon Eternal (Dragon Kings 4)
Brandr squatted down in the tall grass atop a hill and looked at the village in the valley below. He’d been walking for days. Nothing looked out of the ordinary in the town, but he wasn’t taking anything for granted.
He had spent much of his time alone. He’d encountered others twice during his travels. The first had steered clear of him. The second had shared an evening fire and asked many questions. Brandr had answered them all as well as asking his own. That was how he’d learned of this village. He plucked a piece of grass and twirled it between his fingers.
If he wanted to learn, he had to venture into the heart of where humans lived. If he could suffer it on Earth, he could handle it on his realm. The answers he sought were out there—so were his enemies—and he wouldn’t shy away from either.
* * *
Villette kept her pace quick. Merrill followed closely behind in the narrow tunnel that led through the mountain. She lifted the torch high to light their way. He hadn’t said anything since she’d pulled him into the tunnel. He kept trying to communicate with the other Kings, which put a strain on her already taxed power.
It took everything she had to keep the beast at bay on an average day. She had believed she was strong enough to spread herself and hinder Shaw, but that had backfired. The beast tried to communicate with Shaw—then Merrill. That ignited her drive to achieve her goal. She was back in control now. She didn’t want to divert her magic again, but she had no choice. She had a Dragon King, and she wasn’t going to let him go. Which meant, he couldn’t talk to his brethren.
Everything she had worked so hard for could’ve been destroyed today. It made her sick to think how close it had come to just that. Had she not woken when she did…. Villette didn’t want to think about that. About what would’ve happened had the beast gotten free.
Her thoughts returned to Merrill. He likely wouldn’t give up easily in his quest to talk to his friends. She would have to distract him eventually. For now, she was able to keep the messages from getting out or in to him. But she needed to rest and regain her strength.
Merrill was handsome with a blend of chestnut brown and blond hair and dark blue eyes. He had something violent and brutish about him. Something she had noticed when he landed in the room, but not something he’d had when he walked through Stonemore’s gates. Was it because Shaw was gone? Or something else? She’d soon find out when she started digging.
“Who are you?” he demanded.
She looked at him over her shoulder, the scarred side in shadow. “I told you. But you didn’t share your name.” She had to make him think that she didn’t know him.
“Villette,” he replied. “How did a woman of obvious means such as yourself come to be in that room?”
Her steps slowed. She stopped and faced him. “I told you, I don’t work for the Divine.”
“You didna answer my question. You know this route well. Which means, you know the citadel.”
The torchlight danced in his blue eyes. “I know this path well because I’ve used it for many years.”
“Why were you in that room?” he pressed.
“To observe.” No need to lie.
His eyes narrowed. “Observe what?”
“Dragon Kings, of course.”
Merrill took a step closer. “Your kind knows nothing about us.”
His intense stare was meant to make her uncomfortable. If only he knew who he was dealing with. “I want to learn.”
“You may regret saying that,” he said before brushing past her.
Villette released a victorious smile. The plan was working perfectly.
* * *
Dreagan
Henry stood in the Dragonwood and looked in the direction of the Fae doorway to Zora. He wished he could see it for himself, not that it would make his decision any easier. Or maybe it would. He didn’t know any longer.
For so many years, he’d known who he was, what his purpose was. At least, he had thought he did. Then he’d discovered the Dragon Kings and learned that he and his sister, Esther, were part of a group of powerful Druids from the Isle of Eigg that policed Druids. He was the JusticeBringer. Esther the TruthSeeker.
Everything about them had been lies. Their real birthdates, their names, everything.
“Henry?”
He squeezed his eyes closed at the sound of his sister’s voice.
“Nikolai said he saw you. Why didn’t you come to the manor? It’s been months since you’ve returned my calls or texts. I’ve been worried.”
Henry opened his eyes and released a breath. “I needed some time alone.”
“From me?”
“From everyone.”
She paused for a moment. “But you’re back. Right?”
“Do you feel it?” he asked without turning around.
“Feel what?”
He’d hoped that she would have felt the call just as he did, but it looked as if that wasn’t the case. Just as he had known where to find the Druids being killed for their magic, he was the only one who felt the draw to Zora. He didn’t want to go. He knew if he crossed through the Fae doorway, he would die on the other realm.
“Henry?” Esther said as she came up beside him and touched his arm. “You’re scaring me.”
Finally, he looked at her. He stared into her dark brown eyes and smiled. “I’m glad you found Nikolai.”
“I know that tone.” Her face tightened, and she latched onto his arm. “What are you planning?”
“Nothing.”
She shook her head of long, brunette hair. “Don’t lie to me. Not me.”
He turned to face her. “Something on Zora is calling to me.”
Esther glanced to where the doorway had been marked for everyone not a Fae to see. “No.”
“I don’t want to go.”
“Then don’t.”
“I don’t have a choice,” he said softly.
Her nostrils flared. “The hell, you don’t.” Her brow furrowed as she stared up at him with fear in her eyes. “Please, don’t go. There are no Druids there.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I have a bad feeling, Henry. I’m begging you. Don’t go.”
He looked at the doorway. “I’m not sure I have a choice.”
* * *
