Dragonfae & The Soul Catcher (7 page)

“I am almost nineteen summers and hardly a girl. Tell me about your sisters.”

“Whimsy is the baby, a blue Faerie—she resembles my mother, Yashna. Then there is Tani—she has black wings like me and only last moon was mated to Rnaja.” Lumos grinned. “Are you avoiding my question? Have you ever admired a male?”

She swallowed hard. “Yes, I did often gaze on a man with admiration but then I had no idea how cruel a man could be. I now know why men want a virgin for a wife. No woman in their right mind would willingly marry if they knew what was to come.”

Lumos gave a snort, his green eyes blazing. “The Fae have a different approach. We love freely until we meet our chosen mate. A Fae male offers a female only pleasure. If we failed in our duty, I believe you would see many statues of Fae males.” Lumos chuckled. “Because, sweet butterfly, a Faerie has the magyck to turn her lover to stone.”

Since the first time since she had left Broclarre, Thalia tipped back her head and laughed. In less than a day, this Fae male had made her relax. She took in the sight of Lumos, grinning like a monkey, and the fear locked inside slowly fell away. His story unfolded in her mind. She believed he had come here because of her song and for whatever other reason she couldn’t care less. She got to her feet.

“I will go and get the wagon. It will give you a place to sleep while we plan your escape.”

“Are you really going to help me?” Lumos got slowly to his feet. He bowed. “I am in your debt.”

The gods help her, an overwhelming need to believe this man flowed over her again. Should she, against her better instincts, trust this man?
He needs me.
Thalia inclined her head.

“No, Lumos, you are not in my debt.” She smiled. “I will help you as a friend, for I am sorely in need of a companion.”

“As am I, sweet butterfly…as am I.”

* * * *

“It has been three days. I am such an idiot.” Thalia buried her face in her hands.

Lumos laughed. He ached to hold her, or simply brush the hair from her face. His attempts to take Thalia’s hand had resulted in her swift withdrawal and a look of mistrust had clouded her eyes.
My touch frightens you. I will be patient, little butterfly.
He would be content to brush her fingers on occasion and try not to react to her hesitant touch, although the frequent squeeze of her small hand on his thigh sent an aching flood of warmth to his steel hard cock. He forced his mind to concentrate on anything but sex. “Think of the spells you have cast. Tell me how you make a spell work.”

“This is different. I don’t need inner sight to cast a spell.” Thalia pulled a face. “I can’t see what you see, Lumos. This will never work.”

“Your magyck worked its charm overnight on my injuries. You have strong powers and must start to trust in your own abilities. How did you cast the spell to heal my hands?” Lumos held out his hands. “Tell me each step.”

The breeze caught a strand of her hair, lifting it across her eyes. Lumos caught the silken strand and wound it around his finger. His attention drifted to the witch’s hard nipples pressing proudly against her thin cotton gown. She always reacted this way to a simple touch. He inhaled her scent, sweet and so intoxicating.
Concentrate.

“First, I must want to heal you.” Thalia stared at Lumos’ unmarked skin. “Then, I imagined your hands as they are now, without injuries, and then I cast the healing spell.”

“And fire… How do you make wood burst into flames?”

“I see the flames dancing over the logs, feel the heat, and smell the smoke. Then, I point at the wood and it ignites.” Thalia lifted her chin. “Oh, this is getting us nowhere! I am useless to you.” She ran a hand absently over Brew’s head.

“And how did Nell make you see the result of a spell before you cast it?”

“Nell said I should use my— Gods, Lumos… I must use my imagination.” Thalia jumped to her feet and stared at the invisible magyck circle. “I can see the circle, Lumos—I can see it!”

Lumos got to his feet. He grinned at Thalia’s excitement. Taking a deep breath, he moved closer to the witch and slipped a hand around her waist. “Gather your magyck. See the circle shatter and fall away into a cloud of silver dust.” Heart pounding, he stared at the barrier. “Point, Thalia, and make it so.”

With a tinkle of bells, the magyck circle dissolved and blew away, swirling into oblivion on the wind. Lumos noticed a change in Thalia and stepped away. The realisation that she had removed not only his prison wall but also her protection from him showed plainly on her face. The girl shot him a glance of pure terror. He acted nonchalant and gave her a slow smile.

“Thank you. All that work has made me hungry. Shall we eat now?”

“I thought you would sprout wings and fly away.” Thalia waved a hand towards the sky. “There is nothing keeping you here now.”

Oh, little butterfly, your fear is not of me but the fear I will leave you alone in this place.
“I want to stay here with you, Thalia. You have my word. I will never leave you alone. We are friends and friends help each other.” Lumos led the way to the wagon and reached inside for the basket of food. “If I could morph into the dragon, I would have taken you far from this place to the safety of my home. Unfortunately, I remain earthbound as long as the silver remains. I’d so love to show you my wings. In truth, I’m very proud of them and my dragon… Well, he is spectacular.” He carried the basket to the shade of a tree and sat down. “Without my magyck, it will be a long journey to Drakka through many realms. I’ll have to find someone with great powers to remove these silver bands.” He ran a hand through his hair. “The journey will be dangerous, a Fae without powers is only as good as the strength within…yet I can call on my dragon’s life force for help.” With a grimace, he stared into the distance. “Once the dark Magus discovers I’ve escaped, he’ll use the Shadow Walkers to hunt me. Fighting these creatures of darkness will be difficult—they are cunning and lethal.”

“How long do you think you have before he discovers you’ve escaped?” Thalia sat beside Lumos and reached for the basket.

“As soon as I use magyck, he’ll know I’m free.” Lumos tossed his hair over one shoulder. He turned to see Thalia’s worried expression “Magyck holds a trace of each user and he’ll know instantly where I am.”

“How will you manage to get back to Drakka without magyck?”

Lumos sighed. How could he explain what he needed from her?

The Nightdragon drifted into his thoughts. “
Tread carefully, Lumos. To reveal she is our mate will frighten her away. I advise you seek her help. I do believe she needs us and the trust will grow.”

Lumos shrugged. “I had hoped you would come with me, but if travelling with me frightens you, I have no choice but to leave alone at first light. I don’t want to leave you, butterfly.” He touched her face. “If you choOse to stay, I’ll come back for you, I promise.”

“No, you can’t leave. I mean… What do I mean?” Thalia gripped Lumos’ arm. “I will come with you. On the way, you must teach me how to use my magyck against these Shadow Walkers.” She reached into the basket for an apple. “Bring the basket. We’ll eat on the way to my cottage. I must pack my belongings. Will you bring the horse back here to collect the wagon?”

The heat from Thalia’s small hand seeped into Lumos’ arm. He covered her fingers and looked into her excited face, relieved she did not baulk at his touch. “Take only what is necessary. We may have to leave the wagon and ride the horse. Is he a big beast?”

“Aye, he pulled the king’s ale wagon.” Thalia dropped her hand. “I call him Albert.”

Lumos picked up the basket. Her touch still tingled on his skin. He moved towards the pathway, turned and held out his hand seeking her touch. When Thalia coyly rested her small digits on his palm, his dragon sung with joy. He gazed down into her flushed face.

“Come then, we have much to do before we leave.” He chuckled. “I’ve yet to meet a horse named Albert.”

Chapter Six

Lumos gaped at the pile of silk dresses and frowned. “Leave those gowns behind. Take only your undergarments. We’ll buy boy’s clothes for you at the first village.”

“I’m to dress as a boy?” Thalia stared at Lumos. Her mouth dropped open. “That is…is…most unbecoming. Everyone will see the shape of my legs.”

He shrugged. How could he tell her of the dangers of travelling as a woman? They would transverse many realms, filled with creatures unknown to her, many of which would desire her in much the same way as Erik had. In truth, many warriors, as an addition to their tribe, would highly value the witch’s chestnut hair and her powers.

“The way will be rough, sometimes cold. Wearing pants and a cloak will be more comfortable and we may have to fight or run for our lives.” He fingered a delicate, yellow silk dress. “You can’t ride in a garment like this without exposing a good part of your legs. At least a pair of pants will cover them and you’ll be much warmer travelling through the mountains.”

“I understand.” Thalia picked up her woollen cloak. “Then I’ll need only one bag for my clothes and another for medicines.”

Lumos let the tension in his jaw relax. He smiled at her. “I’ll pack some food.” He glanced around at the ample provisions stacked in the small cottage. “The dried fruit and nuts will remain fresh for some weeks.”

“How will you buy clothes without money?” Thalia pushed a pile of neatly folded garments into a canvas bag.

Lumos sniffed a jug of elderberry wine. “In every village there is a shrine or sacred spring where Nomags give offerings to the gods. I’ll take what we need.”

“Steal from the gods?” Thalia covered her mouth. “No! There must be another way. Perhaps I can sell my dresses?”

“As a Dragonfae, I’m permitted to use offerings to aid me in times of need.” Lumos carried an armful of jugs through the front door. “You didn’t mention you had wine. Did you make this?” He stowed the wine in the wagon.

“Aye, it is sometimes necessary to mix wine with herbs to make healing potions.”

Grinning, Lumos walked back inside the cottage. “Ten flagons?” He filled a basket with nuts. “Do you think perhaps you could spare a little for a good friend?” He collected jars of honey from the shelf and packed them neatly in a wooden crate. “Thalia?”

“Wine does strange things to men.” Thalia shot Lumos a look of disgust. “I think not.”

Tipping his head on one side, Lumos studied the girl before him. The need to protect this delightful female throbbed through him. Her small hands trembled. He opened his arms wide. “Am I truly a man?” He picked up the box of honey. “Look at me, Thalia. Do I resemble a Nomag?”

“No, I agree you’re not human. I do understand you are the Nightdragon but, to me, you are male in every way.”

“I hope so, but my dragon will protect you, no matter how much wine he consumes.” Lumos sighed. “You have my word, little one.” Hoisting the box on his shoulder, he strode out of the cottage.

Thalia stared after Lumos. The Fae moved like a cat, every muscle defined beneath his glossy, tight clothes. The small cottage had filled with the unique scent of him. The moment she had taken his hand, his heat had consumed her, wrapping around her like a warm hug. She considered her feelings. One minute the man mesmerised her, the next she wanted to run away from him. Could she trust him? Would he pounce on her the second she fell asleep?
Oh goddess, he is so big, so strong.

Brew rubbed around her legs, his silky caress brushed over her bare flesh. Thalia recollected the day Nell had brought the kitten to her, a very small, black bundle. His eyes had been blue then, and the poor creature had cried all night until she had taken him into her bed. Nell’s words came back to her in a flash.
“This cat will be with you always, you must trust his instincts.”

“You like Lumos, don’t you?” She bent down to rub the cat’s velvet ears. “I must trust your judgement for I have lost my way, Brew. To me, every male is a threat.”

As if to consolidate Thalia’s remarks, Brew greeted Lumos with a string of chirrups. The Fae looked down at Thalia with a wide grin. She looked from one to the other in amazement.

“Brew told you, didn’t he? Brew, you are… Gods…I thought you were on my side!”

“It would make our journey together easier if you trusted me, little one.” Lumos pushed his hands into the back pockets of his pants. “We’ll eventually have to ride the horse together and when the snow comes we must sleep under the same blanket for warmth or you’ll surely die of cold.” He threw logs on the smouldering fire. “If I’m not allowed to drink wine, perhaps you will indulge me with a cup of tea?” He opened a jar and sniffed the contents. “Ah, let me see. Do I smell rosehips, chamomile and mint?”

The man had acted so nonchalant then had casually inferred they would sleep together. Thalia’s stomach turned over. Fear clenched her in a wave of terror. Drawing a deep breath, she spun around and glared at Lumos.

“Do you expect me to sleep under the same blanket with you?”

“Aye, we should sleep together for warmth. The rest of the time, I’ll sleep under the stars and you may have the wagon. If this arrangement causes you to fear me, then I’ll not ask you again.” Lumos filled the kettle from a barrel of water and placed it on the fire. “You should know, the Fae hold females in high regard. They are very precious to us. If any Fae willingly causes harm to befall an innocent female, the elders banish them from the magyck worlds. To be cast out into Nomag realms means we are no longer able to sustain our lives and we eventually die.”

Thalia snorted in disagreement. She took down two mugs and spooned dried herbs into a large teapot. “We all die, Lumos.”

“No…we don’t.” Lumos touched Thalia’s arm. “Fae do not die. Beheading kills us but our life force comes from our world. If we’re unable to return, we grow old and die like a Nomag.”

Heart thundering, Thalia spun around.
Immortal? No one said anything about being immortal.
She considered Lumos’ attractive features, his high cheekbones and slanted eyes. Her focus went to his mouth. His lips were soft and damp. So much male beauty and it would live forever. One question burned in her mind. “How old are you?”