Dragon's Blood (The Dragon's Gift Trilogy #2)

Dareena pulled back so she could look up at Lucyan’s face. “What is all this?” she whispered, cupping his cheek. He was nearly unrecognizable, though enough of him remained in his new features that she could see it now that she was really looking. “How did you get here? What does that necklace do?”

“The necklace has an amulet with a shielding spell that wards against hostile magic,” Lucyan explained. “Shadley gave me a ring that changes my features, and he also put me in touch with a tinkerer who travels freely between Dragonfell and Elvenhame. I’ve been posing as his apprentice.”

“I’m so glad you’re here,” she said, hugging him fiercely. “We have to get out of here. Arolas has been sent to the dungeons, but his father is not quite right. If we truly haven’t the funds to pay the ransom, our lives are in danger every moment we remain.”

“I agree,” Lucyan said. They both looked down at Alistair, who was sleeping peacefully now. “But we’ll need my dear brother at full strength first.”





25





Lucyan and Dareena stayed by Alistair’s side for the next hour, talking quietly amongst themselves as they monitored him. Basilla had come by earlier, and after seeing that Alistair was improving, gave Lucyan permission to tend to him for the rest of the night.

While Alistair rested much easier wearing the amulet, the anti-dragon spell affected Lucyan. His chest had constricted, making it hard to draw breath, and weakness had settled into his muscles.

“I don’t know how he’s lasted this long,” Lucyan said, shaking his head. He clasped Dareena’s hand loosely in his own—touching her seemed to help a bit. “It seems I got here just in time.”

“You really did,” Dareena said. She squeezed his hand tight, though her emerald gaze did not stray from Alistair’s face. “I’ve been trying to heal him, but I’m still new to this magic, and I’ve taxed my abilities to their limit. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t arrived.”

“Heal him?” Lucyan turned in his chair to look at her fully. “What do you mean?”

She turned to meet Alistair’s eyes. “Do you remember that day you took me out for a picnic? When I told you that I suspected I had an elven ancestor in my family tree?”

“Yes.” Lucyan looked down at the ring on her finger. “You were telling me that’s where you thought your green eyes came from.”

She nodded. “It turns out green eyes aren’t the only thing I’ve inherited,” she said. “I can also use elven magic, to a limited degree. I found a primer in the library and have been practicing daily. “

“Really?” Lucyan asked, astonished. Shock and delight filled him as he looked her up and down—his little minx continued to surprise him. “Have you learned many spells? What abilities do you have?”

“I can heal and do a few other things,” Dareena said, “but I’m afraid I couldn’t do a demonstration right now even if I wanted to. I’ve depleted all my energy.” She passed a hand over her face, which looked drawn and exhausted.

“Go get some rest.” He took her hands and pulled her up from the chair. “You’re no good to us if you’re tired.”

Dareena hesitated. “I don’t want to leave him,” she said, glancing at Alistair’s prone form.

Lucyan gently gripped her shoulders, drawing her attention back to him. “I’ll let you know as soon as he’s awake.” He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. Despite his lethargy, his loins stirred at the sensation of her lush lips on his, and he had to pull back before he took more from her than she could give. “Go now,” he said.

Dareena left, and Lucyan sank back into the chair, resuming his vigil. He had no idea how long it would take for Alistair to heal—it could be hours or days. There was no precedent for this—dragons were rudely healthy creatures and not prone to illness or injuries that required lengthy recovery. But Alistair had been exposed to the anti-dragon spell for more than a week, and for that matter, so had the baby growing in Dareena’s belly. Could they really afford to wait days for Alistair to heal? He hated the idea of leaving his brother behind, but their babe’s safety was paramount. Was it better to try to spirit Dareena out now, while the babe was still in its early stages of growth?

No, a voice in his head said. The dragon god made it clear that all four of you must survive for the curse to break.

Right. Leaving Alistair behind was not an option. Lucyan closed his eyes, praying to the dragon god to speed his brother’s recovery. The longer Alistair took, the weaker Lucyan himself would grow.

As the hours dragged on, Lucyan found it harder and harder to stay awake. Natural exhaustion coupled with the anti-dragon spell made him drowsy, and eventually he began to nod off.

“Lucyan?” Alistair croaked, startling him. His eyes flew open, and he grinned at the sight of Alistair staring back at him through heavy-lidded eyes.

“Ah, so you recognize me?” Lucyan asked, keeping his voice down as he perched on the edge of the bed. Before she’d left, Princess Basilla had ordered the guards to move to the end of the hall to give them some privacy, but even so, he didn’t want to risk them overhearing.

Alistair gave him a weak smile. “You can’t fool me with that getup,” he said. “I’d recognize your foul stench anywhere.”

Lucyan chuckled. “Wonderful to see you too,” he said, clapping Alistair on the shoulder. “How are you feeling?”

“Like someone has placed two tons of bricks on me,” he admitted. “I’m weaker than a kitten, but at least I’m alive.” He glanced down at his severed arm and grimaced. “Though I must admit, I was hoping that part was a dream.”

Lucyan winced. “I’m afraid not,” he said. “With any luck, you’ll be able to heal that once you’ve made your first shift.”

“That’s not going to happen so long as I’m within these walls,” Alistair said. His brow furrowed. “How is it that I’m on the mend? I feel like hell, but that’s a lot better than I was feeling before.”

Lucyan tapped the amulet resting against Alistair’s bare chest. “Warding amulet,” he explained. “It protects against hostile magic. I wouldn’t have made it here without it.”

Alistair smiled. “Trust you to have something like this in your arsenal,” he said. He lifted his head a little, glancing around the room. “Where is Dareena?”

“Sleeping,” Lucyan said. He glanced toward the door, a wave of longing washing over him. As much as he was glad to be by his brother’s side, he yearned to be with his mate. Part of him had been terrified that he would never see her again when the elves had taken her away, and the thought of being separated from her again, even by a mere wall, tore at him.

“Go to her,” Alistair urged, reading him perfectly.

Lucyan frowned. “Are you certain?” he asked. “You’re hardly recovered.”

Alistair waved a hand. “I just need to sleep the rest of it off, and as much as I appreciate your concern, the idea of you watching me while I sleep is a bit disconcerting. Besides, I know you’re beginning to feel the effects of the anti-dragon spell. Touching Dareena helps ward off the symptoms, especially if you’re not wearing any clothing.”