Heart Of The Dragon (Her Dragon's Bane 3) (8 page)

“What? Tell me Tara please. No more games.”

“You have to convince Connor to free you. You have to fight together.”

“But I can’t defeat a dragon.”

“Between you, you can. But more importantly, you must prove to Dòmhnall that you are loyal and strong. He will give you what you want if you can persuade him of that. I am sure of it.”

“But I thought you couldn't see him.”

“I can’t.” She turned from Serena, and sat down wearily on the bed. “I might just as well tell you what I know. I have failed in what I needed to do. I should never have come without the heart stone.”

“Heart stone?”

“Yes. A heart stone is what a dragon must give his mate for her to take on his immortality. Unfortunately, Dòmhnall was tricked into giving his away. He thought she was his true mate, his soul mate, but she was a witch who knew how to play to his weakness. He gave her the stone, and she left him. Without it, he became bitter and full of hatred. Never would he allow talk of heart stones. He forbade his men from seeking out their mates.”

“Is that what happened to Connor’s father? He found his true mate.”

“I can only surmise. But yes. Dòmhnall exiled him. Their father spent the rest of his life trying to uncover the secret. But he never did, not until after their mother had passed on.”

“Connor’s father knew the secret? Why didn’t he share it with his sons?”

“Because he only knew half the secret, as do I. I know what the heart stone does, but I have no idea how you get it from a dragon without killing him.”

“How do you know all this?”

“Connor’s father visited me. Even after his mate’s passing, he couldn’t let it rest. He hoped that if the heart stone was returned to Dòmhnall he would share the secret of immortality. I told him where to find her, but I couldn't see the outcome. I had no idea why.”

“Let me get this straight in my head. You told Connor’s father where to find the witch. What happened?” Serena asked.

“When the heart stone was taken from her, all the stolen years caught up with her. She turned to dust, but not before cursing the dragon to suffer the same fate.”

“He died?"

Tara nodded. "I didn’t know then how important the heart stone was. Afterwards it became apparent that I couldn’t foresee what happened to the heart stone. I became obsessed with it. Slowly I put together the pieces. I learned that only when my fate is entwined with another’s am I unable to see the future.”

“And that’s how you ended up helping Samuel, because of the heart stone.”

“Yes. I knew of Connor and Zoah from their father. I glimpsed your future when I went to find them. I could see no other way of everything working out without my working with Samuel. He already had the stone. Somewhere along the way I admit my obsession with the dragon heart clouded my judgement.”

“But you’ll never be sorry you did it?”

“No, Serena. I’m sorry I caused you pain, but it was the only way things would work out. I had to come here, and so did you and Connor. I thought the end really did justify the means. Then it all backfired when Zoah couldn’t find the stone. I believe it was lost in the fire.”

“Why did you still come here?”

“Stupidly I believed that Dòmhnall would see me and realise I was his true mate.”

“But he didn’t.”

“No, and that is the saddest part, without the heart stone, he cannot love his true mate. He is lost to me.”

“Tara, I’m so sorry,”

“I don’t need your pity. I should pity you, after all you have to deal with a heartless man.”

“What if he had that stone?”

“Then he would be complete, able to love again.”

“If you had it, would you give it to him, or keep it for yourself?”

“I have always wanted to be loved for who I am, Serena. You may find it hard to understand, but the only reason I have been of value my whole life is because of my gift. I wanted him to see me, the real me. To love the real me."

"But without the stone he can't?"

She shook her head. "In one way I was right. He doesn’t value my gift, but that makes me completely useless to him. If I tried to tell him I was his mate, the memories of the witch who betrayed him would come back. He would think I was trying to repeat what she did to him. I am cursed.”

Serena knew the words she should say. But they stayed in her head. Something told her this was not the time to reveal her full hand. She intended to give the stone to Tara, but not tonight. This Tara was kinder, more helpful. If she had the stone, she would have too much power over what was to come. Tara might persuade him to keep the secret if she gained immortality from Dòmhnall heart stone. Would she really want to spend forever with Serena as company? Serena was not sure enough to risk it.

“Tara, don’t lose faith. Perhaps if you spend time with Dòmhnall, you can make him see you for what you are.”

“Nothing. That is what I am to him.”

“You don’t believe that.”

She smiled. “The worst thing is, that I have grown to hate being able to see the future. It is exciting not to know what is about to happen. It makes me feel alive in a way I haven’t done for years. But to be hated by Dòmhnall kills me at the same time.”

“Will you help Connor and me through the trials; will you give us all the advice we need? Perhaps once Dòmhnall sees that there is such a thing as true mates he will be more forgiving. Perhaps he will learn to care for you, to love you.”

“I should say no, you are on your own. What is the point in helping you when there is nothing in it for me?”

“Maybe that is the point. That you need to prove to yourself that true love, true mates, can overcome all else.”

“I think it’s time for you to leave. They are coming for you. I would appreciate it if they did not find you in my room. I do not want to experience the wrath of the Dragon Lord.”

Serena felt sick. She was scared of what was about to happen to her, and terribly afraid for Connor. How would he react when he found her gone?

“Remember, he has to free you. Work together, that is the only way you will defeat Marcas.”

“Thank you, Tara, and don't lose hope.”

“It is you who should not lose hope. I have seen what is in store for you tomorrow. You need all the hope, and luck, you can muster.”

“We will defeat him.”

“A positive attitude, try and keep that with you when all seems lost.”

“I’m so scared, Tara.”

“And I am so tired. I need to rest, shut the door on your way out.”

Serena had been dismissed, the meeting was over and she now had to go out and meet her fate. No sooner had she walked up the corridor when her fate came walking towards her. Two six-foot dragons, with hard expressions, and a coil of rope.

Her excuse about fetching water died on her lips. They didn't care what she was doing there. She only hoped Connor wouldn’t kick up a fight when he returned to their room to find it empty.

He woke up, the bright sun hurting his eyes. Somewhere in the distance, he could hear Serena calling his name. He turned over, his face pressing into the dirt. Spitting dust out of his mouth, his brain tried to focus on what was wrong. It was obvious, there should not be dirt, and he should be lying in bed next to Serena. His brain was so fogged up he could not think straight. Nothing made sense. He could not remember going to bed, yet here he was waking up.

Sitting up, he spat the dirt out of his mouth. The sun made his head throb, and he had to squint while he tried to take in his surroundings. There were trees all around him, their branches waving in the breeze. The movement did nothing to keep him grounded. The world swayed, and his stomach lurched. The wine from last night tasted bitter in his throat. He had been drugged. Dòmhnall had tricked him, but why?

Serena's voice called again, filled with urgency. Despite the pounding in his temples, he dragged himself to his feet. Unsteady at first, he gulped down air to clear his mind. Where was she? What had they done with his mate?

"Connor," she called, and he turned around on the spot to try to locate where she was.

Breathing deeply, he summoned his strength. His adrenalin began to kick in, and he took off towards her. Through a clearing, and into the cool forest, his senses honed in on her. He switched to using his other senses. Flaring his nostrils to capture her scent lingering in the air. He followed it, relieved when it grew stronger.

As her cries increased, so did his speed. What had he done bringing her here to these strange dragons? He should have come alone, now she was in danger, and he was to blame.

Bursting out of the trees, he came across Serena, tied to a post. Behind her a rocky gorge climbed up towards the sky, sitting on top of it was a dragon. Gathering his energy he let his mind go, if they wanted a fight, they would get it. To the death.

"No, no, no." Dòmhnall appeared from Connor's left. Connor made his hand into a fist, ready to slam it into the side of the Dragon Lord's head.

"What are you doing? Let her go!" he demanded.

"Let's discuss this calmly first." Dòmhnall walked up to him, alone. No bodyguards, it would be so easy to end his life. Yet Connor could sense the others all around him, this was an ambush. One false move and he would be unconscious, or worse.

"What do you want, Dòmhnall? A fight, because if it is, I'm ready."

"A fight. Yes. But not how you think." He smiled, his eyes alight with humour. "Now, I remember this story that the humans tell, about their great St George and how he slayed a nasty dragon. You must know it, Connor."

"Of course I do."

"Excellent. Then we can do a short recap. Marcas up there is the dragon," he held his hand up to indicate the dragon high above them. "And you, my new friend, you are St George."

Connor shook his head, "You're deranged."

"No. Simply bored." He sighed. "You come here with the mortal human, and you want me to tell you how to give her endless life. So here is the deal. You defeat Marcas, and you are one step closer to obtaining what your heart desires."

"So that's it, you want me to defeat him?"

"As a human."

Connor looked up at the dragon; he was big, and no doubt strong. How was he supposed to do this? He had never fought as a man, except against Zoah. "And if I lose?"

"Oh, yes, “Dòmhnall laughed. "Marcas has made his request. If you lose, he is to spend a long night in your mate’s bed."

"Never," spat Connor.

"Then we end this now, and you go home."

Connor looked over to Serena. "I want to speak to her first."

"Oh, you are a little lap dog, aren't you?" Dòmhnall sneered. "Very well. But do not linger, Marcas is getting horny up there. He can't wait to sample what she has to offer that's so temptingly sweet to you."

"Connor, are you alright?" She pulled against the ropes that bound her to the post. Although she already knew, they wouldn't budge. "There was nothing I could do to stop them bringing me here."

"I know. I'm so sorry, Serena," he whispered. His arm went around her waist and pulled her close to him. His lips found hers, and he kissed her lightly, burying his face in her hair. "I shouldn't have brought you here."

"It doesn't matter. I'm here now, so we have to get through this."

"We could always just go home."

"Is that what you want?"

He shook his head. "I want you to be with me forever, and that won't happen if we leave." He lifted his head and looked into her eyes. "Although I have no way of knowing if he can actually tell me how to find immortality."

She leaned forward and whispered in his ear, "He knows. I spoke to Tara last night. I know what happened."

"So you want me to fight?"

"Do you think you can defeat him?"

"I don't know. Yes ... yes. I know the weak places dragons shield. If I can put a spear in him, then there is a chance. But the risk is too great."

"Connor. This will haunt you for the rest of your life if you go home now. I want you to fight ... with me by your side."

"No. You are safe here."

"Safe! I'm tied to a post." She lifted her hands, showing him the red welts where the rope had cut into her wrists when she struggled to free herself.

"He won't hurt you; he only wants to hurt me."

"Until he has defeated you, and then he will hurt me."

"Then we leave, I can live with the consequences."

"Listen Connor, Tara told me we can defeat him. But we have to do it together. You have to find a way of freeing me."

"And then what?"

"I don't know. But I know we're better side by side than on our own. Isn't that what soul mates are for?"

"No. They are for cherishing and protecting."

"You have a lot to learn about modern women, Connor. As soon as you have a chance, cut me free."

"I can't."

"Yes, you can. You dragged us here because of what Tara told you. Now I'm telling you she said the only way to defeat Marcas was for us to fight together."

"What if she's wrong? He won't hurt you while you are tied up."

"She saw it. She knew they were waiting for me, she knew it would be Marcas. You believed in her enough to bring us here. I can't believe I'm asking you to, but you need to trust in her sight once more."

"Enough talk," Dòmhnall shouted.

Connor backed away from Serena, his eyes never leaving hers. "I love you, Serena."

"I love you too, Connor. You know what you have to do."

He shook his head, and she knew then he did not intend to set her free. Once more, she pulled against the rope binding her to the post. It didn't give, only making her wrists sore. A trickle of blood ran into the palm of her hand, growing sticky as it dried.

She wanted to scream at him, to tell him not to be a fool; she was strong enough to fight. However, the ground shook, chasing all words from her. The great dragon, Marcas had landed.

Connor spun around, rage infused his whole body. His face turned red, as he bellowed his challenge. Maracas drew himself up onto his haunches, and Serena saw him breathe in, preparing to throw fire at her mate.