Varyk fought Larz, surprised at the male’s uncommon aggression. He breathed thick poison in bursts, twisting and fighting. Stronger than many knew, Varyk ripped through the veil of Larz’s mind and forced an unprecedented telepathic connection.

‘You think to defeat me, Larz?’ This close, face to face, Varyk tried to sway Larz. If he could strike at the right angle with Marwolaeth, Larz would go down.

Surprised, Larz tried to force Varyk’s voice out of his head before giving in. ‘I won’t give up! My child deserves to live.’

Varyk snapped. ‘It is the unborn child belonging to King Rylin of the Black.’

‘My own King trying to trick me,’ Larz screeched as their bodies broke apart and they fell to the ground with a crash.

Madness had completely claimed his mind and nothing Varyk said at this point would change a thing. There wasn’t a shred of sanity left. Remorse darkened Varyk’s heart. It pained him, but he knew what he needed to do next.

From the corner of his eyes, Varyk spied Inez jump up from her position and run down the hill. In search of Rylin’s child, he realized.

Varyk rebounded and circled Larz. Hissing and growling, he looked for an opening to attack.

‘You can’t run. I’ll destroy you once and for all, King Varyk. Then no one can deny me.’

His family would suffer, as would Varyk when he ended Larz. At least Mina was not going to see how far her lira had devolved. The broken mate bond had to be torturing Larz as he disintegrated further and further into his madness.

‘I vow I will care for your loved ones when you are gone.’ Varyk launched into the air to draw Larz to the purple, cloud covered skies. Larz snarled and leaped behind him.

‘Leave them out of this.’

Whipping back, Varyk flew around behind Larz and swung with Marwolaeth. The blade sliced against scales. Larz screeched and lashed out with his tail. The end curled about Varyk’s back shin and tugged. His wing webbing strained as Varyk used brute force to break the hold.

Spikes scraped and flesh tore. Varyk blocked the pain and lunged forward. His claws caught Larz’ right shoulder and spun him around. Their elongated teeth gnashed as each tried to bite and reach the tender vein on the underside of the jaw.

‘Give up, Larz.’ Varyk pulled his hind legs forward and raked Larz underbelly.

Larz broke away on a pain filled scream. The damage was extensive. Injuries alone assured he wouldn’t heal in time to survive. Varyk shored up his own defenses and held the sword aloft. His ancestors used Marwolaeth for reasons like this.

‘You’ll have to kill me, my king. I refuse to give up my child.’

They were his last words. Varyk didn’t hesitate and rammed the sword directly into Larz’s chest. Shock flared in his eyes, followed by a glint of relief. Varyk pulled the blade back and Larz fell from the sky. His cry mixed with others as the death transmitted through the mantle. Varyk’s voice joined their lament as he hurried to land following the death.

When he shifted he dropped to his knees and tipped his head back letting out another mournful wail. The loss of a member of his sect tore at the heart of him. It was as if someone had ripped his flesh from his body layer by layer.

Another scream wrenched from his throat. Varyk let the grief run its course then shook off the pain and pushed to his feet. Larz’s body had shifted as well. Bruised and bloody he didn’t resemble the male who’d stolen a child. His features had softened in death.

Varyk whispered the words for the rite of passage and blew out a gust of green vapors. “Travel well, my friend.”

Smoky tendrils wrapped around Larz and then his body faded. Returned to the goddess in peace.

 

***

 

The sounds of the fight were getting louder. Inez trampled through the entire area. Larz wouldn’t have strayed far from his hiding spot. She searched every possible crevice until she stumbled upon a shallow ditch, branches and flowers covering it. Working with only her hands she dug and dug until she cleared the single shell.

She knew immediately something was wrong. The golden light from within dimmed and sent Inez’s heart crashing to her knees. “Hang on, sweetie. Only a little longer.”

If Dara thought talking worked, Inez would try anything, but hope was a thin current running through her. She rubbed her hands on the outer edge of the shell.

“You found it.”

Inez turned at the rough statement. The bleeding male bent over at the waist as he sought to recover from his fight with Larz didn’t resemble Varyk at all. He was a battered worn mess. His naked state revealed every wound. She wanted to sympathize with his injuries and the loss of one of his sect but time was of the essence. “Varyk, we don’t have much longer. I think the shell will soon fail.”

After taking a deep breath, he straightened and strode toward her, the pace lacking his usual confidence and smooth stride. “We’ll get there.”

He placed one hand on the side of the shell and one on the back of Inez’s waist. From one breath to the next they were at her home. Inez looked around. They were on the main floor of the castle. It was empty and unusually quiet for this time of day. “We have to go below. Rylin’s below.”

Varyk squeezed her hip. “Even I am not as bold as to teleport directly to the blessed room in the home of another King.”

“You’re back!” Quinn entered the hall, his gaze flickering from Varyk to Inez then the shell between them. He had to notice the condition of the unborn child. “Hurry. Rylin’s waiting, King Varyk.”

Varyk wasted no time. He touched her again and they were whisked below into the smaller room set aside for the children. Thank goodness he remembered. Dara knelt on the floor, Rylin at her side. Cracks appeared in the four shells and the glow was bright enough to blind. A glow missing in Finley.

Dara looked up and her lips curved into a relieved smile until she glanced down between them. “Noo!”

Rylin caught her elbow as she stood and staggered in their direction.

“No. No. No” Dara dropped and patted the shell all over. “I don’t feel her, Rylin. I don’t feel Finley.”

Inez’s breath caught. Dara’s pain spilled over and tears burned as her throat tightened.

“Her essence is weakened.” Rylin touched the top and winced. He glanced at Varyk, grimacing at his ragged state. “I trust you took care of the one responsible.”

Varyk dressed himself in a green loincloth with a wave of his hand and nodded. “It is done.”

Rylin’s upper lip curled. “Good.”

“I’ll leave you now.” Varyk turned to go but Rylin stopped him.

“Not so fast. You owe me and right now I’m willing to use that.”

Varyk swiveled, mockery danced over his face. “What do you think I owe you, Rylin?”

Inez curled her fingers into fists, wanting to shake Varyk. Why couldn’t he let others see he wasn’t as uncaring as he appeared? She’d glimpsed his pain at Larz’s death, seen his concern for Finley’s condition.

“Your mantle.”

All of them stared at Rylin’s answer. Inez moved to stand beside Varyk. Was her cousin insane? No one could force or take away a king’s mantle. “Rylin?”

He waved her off. “Not like that. I need his help to save my child and I don’t have enough energy to bring forth the others and make sure she survives.” He glared at Varyk. “You. Owe. Me. Green.”

“Tell me what you need.”

Inez shifted her stunned gaze to Varyk, but his eyes remained locked on Rylin’s. “Only a few moments. Place your hand on Finley’s shell and send energy to her. Small bursts only. She can’t absorb too much in her tiny form.”

Concentrated streams of energy into an unborn baby?

“I’ll kill the child,” Varyk snapped, saying what Inez was thinking.

For the first time in all this madness, Rylin chuckled. “Trust me, she’s used to it.”

Varyk hesitated then nodded and took a spot next to the fading shell. He palmed the top and Dara trusting Rylin’s decision moved back to the others.

What did Rylin expect from Varyk with this? Unsure of her role, Inez chose to stay and watch. Dara’s deep look of concentration as she touched two of her soon to be born children moved Inez. Her heart ached for her friend. Rylin stood tall and strong beside the other two, head bowed and brow furrowed.

Time inched at a crawl. At first Inez didn’t notice anything unusual. Quiet broken only by Dara’s soothing murmurs. Then Varyk shuddered. Inez stared and pushed off the wall, wondering if she should do something. His jaw tightened and the hand hanging at his side fisted. Whatever happened unbalanced him, but he didn’t lift his other hand from Finley’s shell.

Rylin glanced over and smiled at Varyk. “Don’t be alarmed. Sometimes she does that. It’s her way of saying she loves you.”

Inez watched them both and much to her surprise, Varyk blushed. “It seems your children will be more unusual than my sister and I.”

Rylin’s brows creased, as if trying to see if there was a hidden insult there before shrugging. “Dara is from Earth.”

As if that was explanation. The ensuing silence was broken by the occasional crack as each life struggled to come forth. Fine lines appeared along the sides of two and clear fluid ran down the edges. It wasn’t long before Rylin signaled Varyk. “It’s enough.”

Finley’s shell matched the golden glow of the others and the top fell off revealing the thick, black membrane inside.

A bright smile bloomed on Dara’s face. “Forget what I said about the joys of pregnancy. This is much better than the pain of labor.”

Varyk’s confusion probably matched Inez’s own. She didn’t know anything about pregnancy or labor, but apparently it was something from Dara’s culture on Earth. Inez gripped Varyk’s hand and pulled him from the room. This was a private and precious moment for liras about to become parents.

The door had just closed behind them when several pops followed a slew of snips and crackle. Dara shouted, “You didn’t tell me they’d be in dragon form.”

Excitement brewed in Inez’s stomach. She couldn’t help a silly grin. Rylin’s distinct rumble came next.

“Fine! Dracol. But you could have warned me.”

Laughter slid past Inez’s lips. She turned to share the moment with Varyk. “Well, I guess that’s over.”

Varyk lifted her hand and kissed the knuckles. “Not yet.”