Chapter Three
Blaze
Through the clouds, Blaze spotted the lush expanse of land that served as topside to the island. He let his eyes relax as he opened his emerald dragon sight in order to locate the tunnel down. He spotted it on the northwest corner and grinned with his dragon mouth. It was exactly where it had been Blaze's last day on the island. The tunnel had changed locations probably hundreds, maybe thousands of times since then and now, it was back where it started. Back where Blaze had started.
And never finished.
And yet, this time felt different somehow. More.
He sailed in toward the tunnel and then, at the last moment, shifted hard to the right. With a wide smile, he made himself flat and, like a spear shooting through into the water. If shifting for the first time in so long had felt like waking up after years asleep, then this was like that first stretch. He was jubilant as he streamed through the water. He spotted the dome of The Garden and let out a mighty burst of green flame, melting a hole large enough for his body to streak through. The moment he hit the other side, he flapped his wings, the hole closing up behind him as quickly as it had been created. If he had timed it just right, then the blast of ocean water that made it through would have landed directly over the King's chambers.
That made him smile even wider. Vale would know he was there.
It was hard to imagine that just that morning, Blaze had awoken thinking it would be just another day. He worked for a security company these days, protecting the rich and famous from the wild and insane. With his increased strength the job was easy and posed him no risk. He'd been about to drive to the office when he felt the call coming from deep inside. His dragon, long since asleep, woke with a curious yawn, all but demanding Blaze turn from his fake life among the humans and return to the man he swore he'd never see again.
As he landed in the courtyard outside the castle, his old friends rushed forward to greet him. He was impatient to get into the castle, but said hello to each one, marveling at how the children had grown, how they had found or lost love. The Garden was, as he expected, exactly as he had left it.
"You'd rush by without saying hello to your own mother?"
Blaze froze on his way through a side corridor. "Mother?"
As she walked out of the shadows Blaze saw that some things had changed. His mother had looked like a woman in her youth when he had left her. "What happened, Mother?" Blaze asked as he pulled her into a tight hug.
"I could not live in paradise without you, my son. I'm here as a visitor."
"A visitor?"
"I live in the service of the Diamond King. I am his cook and have been for much of his lifetime."
This was shocking enough to pause the drive that urged Blaze forward, the same call that had demanded he leave his home among the humans and return. "You left The Garden? You haven't been drinking the elixir? Mother, you have to. You have a scar!"
Sure enough, there was a thin line above her eyebrow, another at her cheek. He brought their clasped hands to the front of his body and saw her hands were covered in old cuts, bruises and age spots.
His mother's green eyes looked at him, full of affection. "You aren't quite so young either, my love. Is that gray hair?" she asked, pointing to his temples. "A wrinkle?" She ignored the long scar he had running down his cheek. She had seen him moments after he'd done it to himself, minutes before he'd left the island.
Though the years had piled on top of him, a fact not so obvious until he'd returned. His jet-black hair was still long and wavy, but as his mother had kindly pointed out, there were grays in his temple. But… "I do not have wrinkles."
His mother laughed. "Can I feel special and believe it was my presence that brought you here?"
"A nice surprise," he responded. "I can't believe you never mentioned in your letters that you were no longer here. You could have come and lived with me."
Sadness washed over her for only a moment before she blinked it back. "You didn't need me while you grieved."
Had he been grieving? Yes. Except, he wasn't sure what he had lost. "We're both here now. How long will you remain?"
"You just caught me. My Princess left a few days ago and I remained for a short visit. And to help Landon settle."
"Who is Landon?" Blaze asked, enjoying the feel of the name on his tongue.
"The King's guest," his mother replied cautiously.
Something that felt very close to jealousy filled him. "Where are they?"
"You aren't here just to start trouble again, are you? My son, the two of you have a link that cannot be severed, but maybe it should be. There are serious things happening. Our world, it's changing."
Blaze scratched at his temple. He knew she spoke the truth, even where he'd been, he'd seen the aftermath of the golden dragons announcing their presence, the violence and fear that followed. It was still going on, but, here on The Garden, they were removed from all of that.
"I don't know why I had to fly here, but it can't be because of the King. Otherwise, I would have flown here the moment I left. I've felt his call daily, this is new. Something big."
His mother's eyes dimmed with sadness. "Then go find it."
***
Blaze slowed his muscles down, controlling each step so that his feet landed deliberately and soundly on the ground beneath him. His mother had told him where Vale was, begrudgingly. She'd then informed him that she was on her way back home. She wouldn't say why her trip was so short, but she had promised to return to The Garden before his next departure. Because that was the one thing Blaze was sure of, that there would be another departure. Things between him and Vale hadn't changed. Vale was still as staunch and uptight with laws and punishment as he'd been before, and Blaze still believed that their people deserved more.
He spotted the breakfast nook ahead, heard Vale's rich, deep voice. They were on the balcony which was Vale's favorite place to sit because he could see his entire kingdom from that spot. Blaze lifted his head high, spine straight as he made himself flat against the wall and waited.
"I apologize, my work has kept me away," Vale said to his guest.
"It's kept you away for days, I wonder why I'm even here," the guest replied, his voice was masculine but also melodic.
"You've missed me?" Vale asked, his tone going husky.
That was about all Blaze could handle. He saw Juniper walking toward him, a piece of parchment in her hand. She gave a shocked yelp when she saw him, but he pressed his finger against her lips.
"Juniper? Is that you?" the King called into the corridor, clearly having heard her yelp.
With a wink, Blaze took the parchment out of her hand and spun around, stepping through the doorway doing his best Juniper impression. "Your Highness, I have word a—" His words died along with his smile as he spotted the King's guest.
He was a young man, only a little younger than the age Vale appeared but without the pristine perfection that he would have had, had he consumed their elixir on a daily basis. That, and the fact that the young man's eyes shone silver told Blaze that he wasn't one of theirs—that he hadn't been replaced. Not in that way anyway.
Blaze had been petty, juvenile. He'd asked the friends he'd left behind about the King now and again. They'd always assured him that the king lived a solitary existence. He never dated never brought anyone to his chambers.
Was this silver-eyed man why his dragon had all but demanded he return?
Except, when he looked at the young man, he didn't feel dread, doubt, fear or jealousy. He felt something though, a pull, one that centered at the appendage between his legs and ordered him to erase the remaining space between him and the stranger, to push him down, mount him and claim him while Vale…
While Vale did what? Watch you screw another man?
"Blaze!" the King stood, his napkin falling from his lap to the ground. He took in Blaze's face as if looking at it for the first time. His gaze slid over Blaze's light scar and touched on his temples, his forehead, his mouth, before sweeping down to view the rest of him. Then, his eyes slid to his guest briefly and Blaze saw guilt in the King's eyes before he could blink it away. The guilt was enough for Blaze to realize that whatever this was, it was serious.
That was also too bad because Blaze wasn't leaving the balcony before at least discovering who the newcomer was.
"Greetings, I am the King's Royal Adviser, Blaze. You'll have to excuse my absence."
"Landon, nice to meet you," he said accepting Blaze's hand. "How long have you been gone?" Landon asked, likely in an attempt to ignore the spark that had passed between them the moment their hands had touched.
Landon's voice sounded like bells, like laughter, like a refreshing spring wind.
"Hundreds of years? Who has time to count?" He pulled an extra chair out from the side of the balcony and brought it to the table where he sat. "What brings you to our little paradise?" he asked, managing to keep the sarcasm out of his voice.
"I, uh…" Landon's head swiveled from the King to Blaze and then down to his hands. His face burned red. "I don't know if…I'm…"
Blaze tilted his head to the side as curiosity burned. Just what was this man doing here? "Let's try for something easier? Your position?" Vale had always wanted to invite select members of the other tribes to The Garden. It had been one thing they both agreed on. Landon could be an influential business owner. He took in the smooth skin of Landon's face and his hesitant, youthful smile. Maybe he was the son of a business owner. Or a prince?
"I am a member of the King's guard."
"You're one of Vale's guards?" Blaze turned his head to Vale and then back to Landon. "Since when do you have guards?"
"He's on loan from the Diamond King," Vale said stiffly. "He's staying here…at my request. Now, what are you doing here? I thought you were living free among the humans? Isn't that what you said?" The fire in his words reminded Blaze of the last time they'd spoken. It had been on a day just like this one because all the days were the same in The Garden.
"So that's it?" Vale had screamed after him. "You're off to live free among the humans?" At least Blaze had had the blood-soaked cloth over his face to help mask his tortured expression…
Vale was still angry.
That wasn't completely unexpected. He always could hold a grudge. Blaze kept his gaze on Landon as his inner dragon scratched to be free. "But what are you on loan to do?"
"Secure the Golden Grandmother," Landon whispered to his fingers.
Blaze stood with a hiss. "Avia? How did you get mixed up with Avia?" When no one answered, Blaze, realized something he'd missed at first. "She is here? You brought Avia inside of our home?"
"Our? This hasn't been your home for years." Vale stood straight looking as regal as any man could. "I allowed the Diamond Dragon's prisoner to be held here for a time. My people are completely safe with her down in the dungeon."
The Vale that Blaze knew would have never allowed such a formidable enemy inside of his sanctuary, even if she was locked up in a place no living thing had ever escaped from. That was unless he had a very good reason.
Was Vale being controlled? Was there a spell or curse at work? The young man at the table, while enchanting, didn't seem the type to carry on a complex spell like what would be required to make Vale act so outside his normal behavior. If he was being honest, having Avia stay in their dungeons to help foster a good relationship with the other tribes would have been the type of thing that Blaze would have rallied behind. In the old days, he would have spent weeks asking, pleading and begging with Vale to help their neighbors and he would have been refused.
So now he was making the types of decisions Blaze would have advocated before. The dangerous dragon was there and in exchange, they'd gotten a guard on loan from the Diamond King.
Landon looked like a harsh word would send him running.
"Why did you ask Landon in particular? No offense, Landon," Blaze added and the young man lifted his hands in surrender.
Vale narrowed his gaze. "Why do you care? You left this kingdom and everyone inside of it."
Oh yes, still angry.
Vale continued, "Landon is my special guest and I find it suspicious that you arrive just days after he did."
Days, so not long enough for anything to happen. Especially since Vale's schedule had been so busy. But who was Blaze glad for? Was he glad that nothing had happened between Vale and Landon because Vale still cared about him or because that meant Blaze still had a shot with Landon?
For the hundredth time since first hearing the call at his home in the states, Blaze reflected inward, checking and double checking with his beast that he was on the right course of action. Though he didn't shift in the states as often as he would have at home, he still spoke with his beast on a daily basis. The replies weren't in a language that could be recreated. His dragon spoke with snorts or growls that Blaze could feel deep in his chest.
He asked his dragon if this was where he was supposed to be. The answer was a resounding yes. Truthfully, his dragon had never been happier. But was that because he was in Vale's presence? Or because of the other man on the balcony? And what did his beast know anyway? That fool had been begging Blaze to return to The Garden for years.
He sat back down at the table. "Is there any left?" he asked, looking at the spread. There were pastries and fruit on a platter, but Blaze chose a pastry from Vale's own plate and bit into it, stifling the moan he wanted to let out when he tasted where Vale had bit down. He tried to ignore those feelings. Him and Vale, they were good in a vacuum. If only the rest of the world could stop existing, then they would have no issues.
Vale never sat back down. "What are you doing here, Blaze?" he asked as if tired by his presence.
"I was summoned," he said, that was truthful enough.
"By who?" His eyes narrowed. "Marrissa."
Blaze would ask his mother for forgiveness later. "She did say there was something going on here. I met her on her way off the island."
"She left?" Landon asked, hunching back down immediately after speaking.
"She did," Blaze replied. "But, she said she would be back." To visit with him, but he wasn't going to burst the poor boy's bubble. His cheeks burned bright and he kept looking out onto the distance as if afraid something was coming. "So, King Sebastian got a secure place for his prisoner and it only cost, him one guard?"
"Wh-what? Cost him? No, it isn't like that. I'm staying—"
"Because the King demanded you do?" Blaze asked lazily. Meanwhile, he could feel Vale's anger boiling.
"It's just how it worked out," Landon mumbled. The diamond dragon was loyal, not wanting to speak badly of Vale. But then, the King was sitting right there with them.
"Well, if you are here to help keep the prisoner secure," Blaze would have to decide how to fix that little issue later. "Then you'll have time on your hands, the graveyard does a better job of keeping people in without dragon error. Have you seen the rose fields yet? The town? They used to do performances every week, is that still so, King Vale?"
"It is," he grunted with displeasure.
"Allow me to take you then, Landon, as my personal guest." And to give me time to figure out why my dragon wants you.
King Vale narrowed his eyes. "I already have plans."
Blaze gave him a smile that was all teeth. "Great, then you can go do those while I take Landon away from you."
"That won't be necessary," Vale replied. "My plans involve my guest." He motioned for Landon to stand, which he did with a speed that seemed supernatural, even for a dragon. Vale looked at Blaze, his face full of smug satisfaction. "Let my assistant know how long you plan to stay." He ushered Landon off the balcony, leaving Blaze at the table alone.
"How long am I welcome?" Blaze asked Vale's back, the familiar urge to fight rising inside of him.
Vale stopped, urging Landon forward and down the corridor before returning to Blaze. "You were my adviser, I never got around to replacing you, so I guess you still are," he said. Then, in a quieter voice, "You are always welcomed, Blaze. This is your home."
His heart twisted. Home had never been a place, it had been where Vale was and then, it had been nowhere. "Shall I sit back and watch you court the young man?" he spat, conceding that perhaps he was jealous. A little. But, what he couldn't decide was who exactly he was jealous of.
Vale sighed. For a split second, all the stress and worry of being King seemed to drop from him. He sagged looking vulnerable, hopeful. "Is that why you tried taking him? To keep him from me?"
"Maybe I feel something like what you feel."
"You just met him."
"Something called me back."
The vulnerability was gone. "I knew Marrissa wouldn't have dragged you back here for Avia. Do what you want while you're here, Blaze. Try your hardest to upset my plans, I'm used to it. Apparently, something has called you back, but it wasn't me was it? You wouldn't have answered that call."
The worst part about watching Vale leave, hurrying to catch up to another man, wasn't that Blaze's dragon demanded he follow like a puppy, but that when he thought about it Blaze realized, his King wasn't wrong.