Bonds of a Dragon (Book 3 of the Northern Territories Series)

Bonds of a Dragon Chapter 1 Ilayda’s POV I’m enjoying the silence of my single bedroom cabin. I’ve found peace here and a new normal, created a new life for myself. I wrap my towel around me and brush my teeth, my crystal blue-green eyes staring back at me in the mirror. I read the note I’ve written myself. A reminder of what Consort Clay told me the first day I trained with them. “It’s okay to be broken. You will rise from this, in a beautiful powerful way. You will never truly feel the same as you did before, but if you will embrace that, there is so much joy, peace, and love with this new life. You are a new you, with a new body, and a new mind… even new goals and dreams. Take some time and really try to understand yourself.” I rinse my toothbrush, then wash and dry my face. Thinking over how I will find myself today. I turn, leaving the bathroom to grab clothes, towel drying my thick, short brown hair. I have less than 20 minutes to get dressed and make it up to the security building. I need to get the training schedule and find out what rotation I’m on next week, go teach the entry level Enchantress class, hit the gym for my own training, meet Natalia for lunch, take my run, then meet Anavrin to prep both greenhouses for our departure and complete inventory. I toss my clothes on the bed and drop my towel. I pull on my underwear, shorts, and sports bra. Realizing I forgot a shirt, I turn to grab one and a firm grip takes my shoulders. My heart rate sky rockets, I elbow back hard in their ribs. The air rushes out of him and he tries to wrap his arms around me. I use my power to take over his body and force him to drop his arms and release me. I turn to find Donovan. I immediately release him, “Donovan! What were you thinking? Are you okay?”, I ask as I move his hand to check the ribs he is holding. “ILAYDA!”, I hear Ormr yell from the front door. “Back here, I’m okay!”, I call back. Ormr comes into my room, scanning the room before tilting his head and studying Donovan. “Sorry, Ormr. I just came in to surprise her, but I didn’t mean to scare her.”, Donovan apologizes to Ormr. “Very well. You’re going to be late, Ilayda.” I nod, finished checking Donovan’s ribs. “I appreciate it, Ormr. Sorry for disturbing your morning.” He doesn’t reply, he is returning home to his mate. “Why would you do that, Donovan? You know that isn’t funny to me.” He grabs my hand when I turn to walk away from him. “I apologize, my queen. I didn’t mean to scare you. I honestly thought you had realized I’d come in. I stood in the doorway and watched you dress before I touched you.” My fear from being startled has already become anger. Donovan knows better. “I have to go, we will talk about this later.”, I walk out of the room and grab a water from the refrigerator. “Ilayda, please forgive me.”, he calls after me. I don’t respond, I head out the front door, checking my phone. Dammit, now I only have 10 minutes. I run to the security building and check rotations. I’m teaching tracking teams next week. I stop by the office, “Harold, I’m going to be out tomorrow. I’m not sure when I will be back. If I’m not back for my rotation, can you cover me? When I get back, I’ll grab your full rotation and you can get a mini vacation with Noni and Hexton.”, I throw in getting more time with his mate and son to sweeten my deal. He grins at me, “I’ve got you, Ilayda.” I return his smile and call, “I appreciate it, Harold!”, as I run out the door and head to the Enchantress Training Facilities. Donovan’s POV Ilayda just took off out the door. I really didn’t mean to startle her. I know she has a rough past and I’m usually pretty careful about doing things that might upset her. She likes being surprised, just not grabbed. I shouldn’t have touched her, I should’ve spoken and got her attention. I scratch the back of my neck and try to think of a way to right this. She’ll be headed to Ormr and Anavrin’s at some point this afternoon, it’s her daily routine. I decide to head over there. Maybe Ormr has an idea. I walk up the trails thinking about Ilayda. We’ve been together for 3 years now. I want her to be my mate. Ormr’s ward prevents me from entering until he allows it. I wait at the entrance to his drive. He will feel me. I press my hand against it and hold it so I’ll know when he allows my pass. My hand falls through the barrier and I continue up the drive. I can feel his power and I follow his scent back to the greenhouse behind their cabin. Dragons don’t startle easily and he knows I’m here. I don’t bother calling out. He catches the door for me and holds it open as I enter the greenhouse. “Good morning, Donovan.”, Anavrin calls in her soft sweet voice. “Good morning.” Ormr studies me, “How much trouble are you in?”, Ormr asks, skipping all formalities. I shake my head, “I don’t know yet. She hurried out the door without saying much.” Ormr looks at Anavrin when she speaks, “I’m less worried about Ilayda than I am about what could happen to you if she attacked, not realizing it was you. That is a dangerous situation to be in, Donovan.” I nod, “I know, but I just startled her. I don’t think she was frightened badly, she didn’t really use her power to hurt me. Just to make me release her.” Ormr tilts his head, “Donovan, she was very frightened. I felt her, that’s why I came. Don’t minimize the situation then get yourself hurt out of carelessness. She could accidentally seriously injure or kill you. If you’re not wise enough to worry about yourself, worry about how it would affect her.” I nod, “I actually wanted to talk to you about us. I want to ask Ilayda to be my mate.” Ormr’s eyes widen and Anavrin looks to him. “Do you have a death wish? I’m concerned for you sanity.”, Ormr asks, completely dumbfounded. Anavrin elbows Ormr. “What? I’ve warned them both already. I’m not interfering when her dragon shows up. Go ahead, mate her, Donovan. When he shows up, he won’t even be upset that I blood bonded his mate. He’ll be too preoccupied with killing you. Best of luck, young friend.” I laugh, “Ormr, I don’t think she has a dragon mate. She is of age now and he hasn’t shown up." Ormr raises a brow, “Great, let us know when the mating ceremony is scheduled.”, I smile happily at him and he studies me for a moment. “Gersemi, my love, do fae build pyres or bury their dead?”, he asks, turning and walking further into the greenhouse. Anavrin giggles at him, “Stop it, Ormr.” Ormr turns back to her, “I just wish to pay the proper respects. Donovan is a good man, he has earned a proper send off at the very least.” I shake my head at him and chuckle. He says it in a teasing manner, but I know he is serious. He has warned me of this before. He says Ilayda is too powerful to not belong to a dragon. A dragonian is the only creature capable of being her equal. “I love her, Ormr. I’m not letting a hypothetical dragon interfere with our lives.” Ormr scoffs, and returns to misting the plants. Anavrin smiles lovingly at him and kisses his shoulder before returning to her plants. “If you’re hanging out here until Ilayda comes, grab that checklist by the door and pick a task, Donovan.”, Ormr instructs. I chuckle and check the list. Apep’s POV I stretch in my bed. I don’t feel like doing anything today. I do have a lead to follow though. If this one doesn’t pan out. I’m taking a few days off before picking it back up. I climb out of bed, showering and tying back my long hair before brushing my teeth. I conjure clothes and walk out of the house, waving away that conjuring all together. My shield is further out. I placed it near Black Hearthstone so I could keep a close eye on Ormr. I haven’t had time to go back there in a while though. He’d summon me if he needed me, so I’m not currently worried about it. I shift and conceal myself before flying out to Hallsville. I create another house just outside the little town and make my way down. I wander around the square a little. My presence draws some attention, but the locals are becoming somewhat familiar with my presence. I’ve been searching for a fae elemental, by the name of Liliaina Sky Yareant, for 5 years now. I owe a debt to her daughter, Anavrin. Liliaina was taken by a breeding cell 10 years ago. I tracked down the breeding cell that had taken her, but it had been shut down a year after she was taken. It took some time, but I found some survivors from the cell and one of them remembered Liliaina. She gave me the names of the pixie warriors that got her home to her family. They remembered Liliaina, but they weren’t the ones that had secured her trip home. They pointed me to another pixie warrior, he had helped Liliaina to a train station and purchased a ticket to the Wellington Marina for her. All of her traveling arrangements were in order. It is a 5 day journey to the docks where she would've taken a ship to the bay back in the Fae Kingdom. She never boarded the ship or contacted Anavrin. I’ve narrowed it down to this little town… Hallsville. It was her 3rd stop. She was last seen waiting for the next train to the Marina, she never boarded. I’ve spent the last 3 years tracking every movement out of this place on the day she disappeared. I've recently had a young werewolf tell me there was a lycan bear passing through with a group of warriors. It was rumored he found his mate at the terminal and whisked her away. Now, I just have to figure out what the damn lycan bears were doing in this area and where they were headed. Ilayda’s POV We finish inventory on potions and herbs, we will restock when we get back. “Did you talk to Meri about the greenhouses?”, I ask Anavrin as we make our way back up to the front porch. “Yes, she is going to come check in while we’re away.” I nod, hearing Ormr and Donovan coming up behind us. Donovan touches my elbow; I stop and turn to face him. He shifts from one leg to the other, reminiscent of a tree in the wind. Donovan is tall and lean, more toned than muscular. He drags his hands through his short blonde hair, “I wanted to say I was sorry for this morning.” I reach up and pull him down to me, kissing him briefly and releasing him, “It’s fine. Don’t stress it. I’m just glad you’re okay.” He smiles and his hazelnut eyes lose the uncertainty that they held moments ago. “Ilayda, what do you think about choosing your own mate?” I don’t really want to be tied down with a family right now, that’s the purpose of having a mate right? “I’m not sure, Donovan. I hadn’t thought about it before.”, I reply. He nods, “When you think about it, would you consider choosing me?”, he asks softly. I don’t want a mate right now, I do love him, he is a great guy. “I… I’m not ready for that yet, Donovan. I feel like we are in a good place right now. I love you, I’m just not ready.” He nods slowly, some sadness in his eyes. “It’s okay, my queen. I love you too. There’s no rush. It’s just something to consider for the future.” I smile, “I’ll keep it in mind.” He smiles back and leans down to kiss me softly. “Shall we go back to your place and start dinner?”, he asks. I nod, taking his hand and pulling him to follow me. “Goodnight, Anavrin and Ormr! See you in the morning!”, I call to them on the porch as we head down the drive. “Goodnight, Ilayda!”, Anavrin calls back as Ormr waves. Apep’s POV It took me the majority of the day yesterday to find what I needed. Now, I’m sitting on the coffeehouse patio drinking my coffee and watching the people in the area mill about around the train station. The lycan bears have warehouse here that they frequently ship goods in and out of. They have a shipment passing through today, I’m looking for a few lycan that appear to have been doing this for a while. “Hey, dragon…”, a cute little waitress with her apron covering more of her beautifully rounded body than her super low cut shirt and short shorts. I can scent her arousal and it spikes my interest. “Hello, little fae.” She blushes and looks away from me for a second before peering at me through her lashes, “Can I get you anything?” I smile at her, “I’m fine, I appreciate it.” She’s cute and if I weren’t busy right now, I’d focus on her. I see some of the lycan crossing over to the coffeehouse from the station. They’ll come to me shortly, shifters are naturally attracted to dragonian scents. It doesn’t take long for one of them to sit across from me. I eye him and take another drink of my coffee, trying to conceal the contempt I feel for these creatures. I dislike lycan in general, but I hold a special distaste for bears. I hate them with the passion of a thousand burning suns. The bastards killed my parents to sell my father’s blood and heart to a coven. Then their Council covered it all up. I killed the ones responsible, but I’d take great pleasure in wiping out the lot if ever given motive. Ormr, my self proclaimed moral compass, would never allow me to if it weren’t justifiable. “I’ve never met a dragon before.”, the lycan says curiously. “You still haven’t, you’ve simply invaded one’s table without invitation or introduction, bear.”, I reply dismissively. He smiles, “I’m Torrance Kolt, Council Commander. You are?” I study his outstretched hand for a moment. I’d much rather rip it off and beat him with it, but I need answers from him. I accept his handshake, “You may call me Apep.” This warrior is about 6 inches shorter than I am and about 60lbs lighter. It is unwise to judge by appearance, simply an observation. He is young for a lycan commander. “Torrance, I’m trying to find a man I met at this very station… about 9 years ago. He was a lycan bear. How would I find him?”, I lie. We dragonian are usually very honest creatures, many believe we are incapable of lying. Lies are sometimes necessary when hunting or tracking though. If I said I was looking for a bear because I was planning to take his mate, none of them would answer. Torrance smiles, “I’ve been on this route for 50 years. If he passed through I’d know him. Do I get to make a request if I can tell you who you’re looking for?” I tilt my head, “Name your price.” Most creatures want something from us the moment they know what we are. This is quite common. Young creatures typically ask for something we can conjure, not really knowing what we are capable of. “I want to be the strongest lycan alive.” I smirk and try not to laugh, I’d love nothing more than complete that request. “I’m not a genie. I can make you the strongest lycan alive only by killing every lycan more powerful than you are. Is that your final request?” His eyes widen and he shakes his head, “No no. That was unintentional…”, he pauses, considering his request. If he is wise, he will ask for a favor. Especially since he has no idea what I’m capable of doing. He needs to research dragonian. “My mate desperately wants a specific nursery for our unborn cub. Can you make the one she wants?” That is more along the lines of something I’d expect a young shifter to ask. “Of course, show me what she wants. I will conjure it for you and you may take it home to your mate.” He excitedly starts showing me pictures on his phone. I conjure all of the items, packaged perfectly for shipping. He will secure their transport. “Now, you may take all of those things, if you tell me where I can find my friend.” He nods excitedly. I spill a story that will make him less nervous about giving me a name or location, “I met him here, we were trading favors but he had found his mate and our meeting was cut short because she was an anxious little fae. I hadn’t had the opportunity to come back, I’ve been busy. I assumed he would be as well. I could be wrong, but I believe 9 years is long enough for a lycan to have overcome their mate's apprehension and mark them.” The items he wants for his nursery are way outside his budget, why else would he be here, miles away from her, while she carries his cub. He is only working because he has to be. If he has any idea who I’m talking about, he will spill. He chuckles, “9 days would’ve been plenty of time, in most cases. With 9 years, I’d say there was zero chance of you interrupting the mating or marking process. Your friend is Councilman Geoffrey Kline. He met his mate here around that time. A real timid and skittish fae girl.” I nod, “Yes, that’s the one. Where can I find him?” Torrance laughs, “In Council territory, of course. He doesn’t live at the Council Building, but his office is there. You could go meet him. Pass over Brecken Forest and keep heading Northeast, it’s sandwiched between the mountains and the coast.” I smile, “I appreciate it, warrior. I hope your mate is pleased with your purchase.” I stand and turn to walk away. “Apep…”, he calls out. I turn to face him. “I know our deal is final, but could you make this as well?” He turns his phone to face me. I study him for a moment, I’m feeling generous. I return to look at his phone. He is zoomed in on a necklace. “My mate’s sister passed away. The necklace was from her and it was stolen from my mate’s locker at work. She will know it isn’t the original, but she’d love a replica.” Everything he has asked for has been for her. I may not like lycan, but I can respect a man caring for his mate. Besides, his mate is not lycan and she didn’t have a choice in who the Goddess chose for her. With a flick of my wrist, I conjure the necklace around his neck. He touches it smiling happily. I walk around the side of the building and my waitress steps out the door. I stop and her eyes wander over me. “Dragon… are you leaving so soon.” I smirk at her, knowing full well her running into me out here isn’t as coincidental as she’d have me believe. I make a mental note to come back and indulge her fantasy. “I’m afraid I must, little fae. Should I find you when I pass back through?” Her arousal increases, “Yes, I’ll be here. I’m off now if you have a little time.” My lustful eyes wander over her delicious body as I approach her, my gaze returning to hers once she’s within my reach. She steps into me and leans into my kiss, greedily sucking my tongue. I pull back, running my thumb over her lips. “You taste like cherry.” She blushes a bright scarlet. I have a little time. A few hours won’t hurt my lead. “Do you want to go for a ride, Cherry?” She smiles and nods shyly. I shift and pick her up, concealing us before carrying her back to a house I’ve conjured and concealed outside of town. Ilayda’s POV I stretch and my hand collides with Donovan. I smooth it down over his shoulder and he sleepily turns to me, “Good morning, my queen.” I smile when I return his greeting. I finish my stretch and climb out of bed. Donovan watches me pulling on underwear and shorts before pulling on a sports bra. I carry my shirt into the bathroom with me and brush my teeth, reading Clay’s words again. I hear Donovan moving around in my bedroom. Donovan comes in behind me fully dressed and brushes his teeth as I pull my shirt on. “Do you have to go?”, he asks, leaning against the counter, pulling me to stand in front of him. “You know I do. I’ll call you when we get settled tonight.” Donovan searches my eyes and cups my cheek, “How long will you be gone?” I lean into his hand and kiss his wrist, “I’m not sure… until we find the cell or something that leads us to it. I’m going to meet Anavrin and Ormr now.” He kisses my cheek, “I’ll walk you over.”, he volunteers and grabs my backpack for me. The walk over was in comfortable silence. When we arrive, Ormr is going back over how he wants to search and divide the area with me while Donovan talks to Anavrin about some new studies coming out. “We are going to just fly over and do an aerial search first. If we don’t find anything, we are going to divide out this area. You will search here the first day, then progress forward until we’ve covered this entire section. Anavrin and I will be opposite to you. Remember, I can feel you. Control your emotions so I don’t misread you. We will be right on top of you the second I feel any kind of fear or apprehension…” Ormr reminds me for the hundredth time. He does not like us splitting up at all, but I keep telling him it will be faster. “I know, I know. Only another dragon can harm me, I will definitely be apprehensive if I stumble upon one. If I find anything, I’m to focus on a memory of Zurvan.” Ormr can identify the mixed emotions that run through me when I’m thinking about my brother. He smirks at me, “I know you know… the question is whether or not you’re going to comply, Ilayda. You’re so hard headed.” I give an exaggerated smile “I always listen to you, Ormr.” He laughs, “No, you always hear me. You most certainly do not listen.”, he sighs heavily, “Well, let’s get moving. We still need to get there and do the aerial search today.” I turn and Donovan passes me my backpack. I slip it over my shoulders and lean in to kiss him. “I love you, my queen. Be safe.”, he whispers to me. “I love you more and I’m always safe.” He smiles, “To say you’re always safe implies you don’t intend to be cautious.” I step back toward Ormr, “I promise, I will be safe.” Ormr shifts and I jump on his back. He carries Anavrin bridal style. “Take care of her, Ormr.”, Donovan calls to him. “You have my word.”, Ormr replies before closing us in his concealment bubble and carrying us up into the sky. I tuck my head down into his shoulder until he levels out. The wind is intense when he is ascending or descending quickly.