Dragon Sword (The Dragon Lord’s Bride #2)

Chapter 34

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

I flung out my right arm and my flaming sword came to life. Its heat did as Will’s had done before, battered back the shadows. This time it was the horrible tendrils that shuddered and shrank before me, dragging my companions with them. I grabbed the hilt of the sword in both hands and swung down hard at those that held Will and the others.

Like his fiery columns before, my sword extended outward several feet and cut through the retreating tendrils. Will dropped to the ground and I hurried over to his side.

He coughed a little but managed to control himself long enough to frown at me. “I told you to run.”

I nodded. “And I did. Right toward you.”

A wry smile slipped onto his lips. “As stubborn as always.” He was interrupted by another cough.

My heart skipped a beat when blood splattered out of his mouth. “Will!” I shouted as I grasped his shoulder with my hand. The one he held now shook.

He closed his eyes and winced. “It’s. . .it’s nothing.”

“Don’t you dare tell me it’s just a flesh wound,” I scolded him as I looked around.

Will eased himself onto one knee and grasped my hand that held the sword. The flames flickered and warmed even brighter than before. He studied my sword for a moment before he looked at me. “We have to place all our strength into one blow.”

“But will that work?” I questioned him as I glanced over to our foe. The tendrils had slithered back into Varjo’s palm and the creature cupped his trembling hand in his other one as he glared at us.

“He wouldn’t need to consume others if he was at his full strength, so we may have a chance,” Will guessed as he studied my face. “However, do you know what that means?”

I could tell just from the exhaustion on his face but I nodded. “Yeah, but it’s worth a try.”

Will eased himself to his feet at my side and we joined to face the creature. The slithery corpse sneered at us. “You believe I am weak enough to fall for your simple flame magic?”

“If you have nothing to fear then why are your hands shaking?” Will countered.

Varjo tightened his hands into fists and gritted his teeth. Puffs of black mist flowed out of his eyes and emanated off his person. Will tightened his hand around mine and the flame burst outward another yard. The heat was so great that even I felt uncomfortable, even with the guard shielding our arms.

I jumped when a tendril of green energy slipped up my arm and wrapped around the hilt, shielding us from the flames. I looked over my shoulder and found Alisa standing a few feet behind us. Sylvia already had her weapon shouldered with the unused end pointed at our foe. The great eagle stood on his feet with his wings fully open and a soft breeze emanated from them as he began to flap harder and harder, stirring the flames of our sword.

I grinned up at Will. “It looks like we’re not alone, so let’s not let this be our last adventure, okay?”

He smiled and nodded before turning his grim expression to our foe. Varjo spread his arms out and tendrils slithered out of his chest. They shot out at us as we raised the sword. The eagle fanned the flames, sending the blade soaring into the sky above our heads. Alisa’s guard protected us, scorching and regrowing time and time again.

“This is for Steve!” Sylvia shouted as she fired off all the barrels at the same time. Dozens of magic streams shot across the short distance and struck the tendrils, knocking many off their course.

That gave us just the opening we needed. Will and I gave a great cry as we swung downward, slicing the air in a fiery storm as the blade slammed down on our foe. Varjo flung up his arms to protect himself but the weak, rotten flesh could do nothing against our determination. The blade cut through his body and sliced him into two. A hideous black cloud escaped the shattered husk and floated up before a wind caught it. The mist was dispersed with a low, terrible cry that rang out through the woods. The sound swept over the trees and the fog lifted as the noise faded until nothing remained but the pristine forest.

Exhaustion swept over me and I collapsed to my knees. Will knelt and grasped my arms with his shaky hands. I looked up and he smiled at me. “Brilliant.”

I blushed before both of us were nearly bowled over by an over-exuberant Sylvia. “We did it!” she crowed as she hugged both of us.

Alisa and the great eagle come up behind us, both smiling with admiration. “Bravo, protectors of the city,” Alisa complimented us.

The great eagle bowed his head to Will. “My flock owes you a debt of gratitude we can never repay.”

Will grinned at him. “I would dearly like to have a more noble title if that can be arranged.”

The eagle’s eyes twinkled. “I will see what will suit you.”

Loud screeches from above gave us a warning before the trio of tag-along eagles landed. “News, Sire!” one of them eagerly reported. “The elves were rejoicing that their infected were cured!” I noticed Sylvia’s eyes lit up.

Their king spread his wings. “Then we shall see if the same has happened to our flock! To the sky!” The four eagles flew up and soon disappeared.

“That means I’m off!” Sylvia spoke up as she hefted her bag and weapon over her shoulders. She gave us a smile and a lazy salute. “Thanks for the help. I’ll treat you to a meal whenever you like. It’s on me.”

“Particularly after the reward has been cashed in?” Will mused with a smile.

She grinned. “Definitely. See ya.” And with that, she scampered off to see her beloved partner.

Alisa bowed her head to us. “I will take my leave and see how that the young general is freed and given his dues.” A gentle smile lay on her lips as she turned and walked away.

I looked about us. We were all alone in the ruins of the stone circle. “Is it really over?” I asked my husband.

He wrapped his arms around me and smiled. “Truly.”

I leaned my cheek against his chest and closed my eyes. “Good. I’m feeling pretty tired.”

He set his chin atop my head and rubbed my back with his hands. “We’ll return to the manor house. You will get the proper rest there.”

Famous last words. We were about to run into our biggest adventure yet and the new life growing inside me could hardly wait.