Chapter 55: Roxanne

I spend the first night since the claiming without my dragon. It's awful. The sheets smell of him. I curl around his pillow and toss and turn the entire night. I miss my dragon. Peter brings me food. I practice a bit, though I don't have my heart in it. I have no idea what I would do if my dragon didn't return. My breath catches in my throat. I can't begin to comprehend the pain my dragon goes through when his brides die. I am completely unable to take my mind so deep into that darkness.
My dragon can't love me for a reason.
My pulse quickens when a dragon's shadow covers me while I'm in the tower stretching before I run the stairs. It's afternoon and I ate only a light lunch so I could get my exercise in and hopefully sleep better tonight. I'm hoping it's Laryn while fearing it's Sarn.
Neither.
The dragon is red and I realize it's Acasia as she flies down to the bottom perch.
As soon as she shifts, I know by the wild look in her eyes that this isn't a pleasure visit. "Have you seen Ashrac?" she asks quickly.
He said he would visit today or tomorrow. I'd forgotten and hadn't thought about him coming over. "He was here yesterday, but I haven't seen him today."
"I'm worried. He crossed into Tahr's realm. We have not permitted him to visit Tahr without us. Tahr felt him enter his realm and then notified me when Ashrac didn't show up at his castle. Now, I can't find him anywhere."
I can see the worry in her eyes. We are both thinking the same thing. I say it aloud, "Sarn."
"He wouldn't." Then she shakes her head. "If he does, I'll kill him."
Of that I have no doubt. An angry Acasia is a sight to behold. A thin trail of smoke leaves her nostrils. Her eyes are pure fire. Acasia leaves with a promise to let me know if Ashrac is found.
I can help with the search for the child. Not by air, but I'm more than capable of walking throughout Laryn's realm to check if the child is here. I fill my arm sheaths with the blades I've accumulated from Laryn's armory. Of course, I strap on the halberd-she and I have become quite well-acquainted.
My problem is that I've never left the castle by any means other than Laryn's back. After a short deliberation, I decide to scale the outer tower wall from the lowest perch. It's still high, but with running the stairs and training each day, I have the strength. Rope is readily available. My only problem is a tie-off point. After thinking about the problem for a few minutes, I go to Laryn's wardrobe room and slide the large hardwood rod from his clothing. The garments fall to the floor and I roll my eyes at the thought of my dragon's ire. His earth realm clothing hangers allow him more outfits than any man needs.
The rod is at least ten feet long and will suit my purpose. I carry it back to the tower and up the stairs. I place it on the inside of the large open space leading to the ledge. There are about six inches of rod on both sides to hold it in place. I tie off the rope and line myself up with the middle of the rod. I don't want it to slide and send me to my death-Laryn would not be happy with me. Halfway through the downward climb I decide I will discover the front castle entrance when I need to reenter.
I finally leap the last eight feet and land in a squat and with my palms flat against the pebbly earth. After standing, I right my armguards and halberd straps. I'm ready. We had a young boy go missing in the village one winter. He froze to death. And even though I know a dragon child has no problem with the elements there is a tingling down the back of my neck that worries me. Ashrac is young, impulsive, and afraid of nothing. The tingling doesn't recede and I know I must hurry.
I spend half the day looking for signs of the small dragon or possibly boy depending on the form he uses. By the position of the sun, it's approaching the dinner hour when I find myself nearing the cliffs. I walk up the last hill and see Ashrac and a naked man standing at the edge.
Sarn is speaking. "Come with me and you will have no need to follow your mother's rules. I will take you to a place where a fierce dragon such as you can learn the ways of your ancestors."
"I want to go home, Uncle Sarn."
Sarn pushes Ashrac back a step. Both of them are quite close to the edge. I know they can shift and fly, but my terror is more that Sarn actually pushed him. Now Sarn grabs Ashrac behind the neck and jerks him roughly to him. I pull the halberd. "Step away, Sarn," I yell so my voice carries above the wind.
Both turn my way.
"Bride of Laryn, you will take me home right now," Ashrac demands. I fight a smile at his bossiness. However, the tremble in his voice makes me furious at Sarn. He has no right to handle a child so.
"Come here, Ashrac." I put my own demand into it. I must get him away from Sarn.
Sarn pushes Ashrac closer to the edge but retains his hold on the child's neck. Ashrac gives a small cry and I know Sarn's hold is painful. I grind my teeth in fury. At this moment, I have not an ounce of sympathy for this man.
I take a deliberate step closer. "I am taking him home to be with his mother and father."
Sarn's dark eyes shine brighter with purple sparks lighting their depth. He smiles with evil intent. "I will trade for the child and he may return home if you come with me. That is my offer, bride, and the best one you will receive."
For a split second I consider it. I have a better chance of defeating Sarn if the child is not here. Worry shows on Ashrac's face and I know he suspects the danger we are both in. "How about you send Ashrac over here and I won't cleave your head from your shoulders," I say in my lowest voice.
Sarn's nostrils flare. I want him mad at me. So mad he releases Ashrac. I know he expects me to quake in my boots and give up easily. He has no idea that Laryn trained me to fight and kill.
He gives a short laugh. "You'll be begging me to fuck you once I have you away from your dragon. Laryn is weak and will float in a sea of tears for months before he develops the balls to take me on."
Sarn is insane. I don't know if he's just mad with grief or he's always been this crazy. I have trouble believing he and Laryn were ever friends.
Ashrac begins to struggle and kicks Sarn in the shin. "You don't say those nasty things to her. Uncle Laryn will eat you for dinner, you meanie."
Sarn throws his head back and laughs. "Oh, little Ash, you will make a fine dragon, but you have a lot to learn about your Uncle Laryn."
The change in Ashrac happens so fast it surprises me. Regardless of Sarn's hold, the boy fights like a demon and lands one kick after another. "Don't call me little. I remain the mightiest dragon to ever live." He somehow manages to get close enough to sink his teeth into the top of Sarn's leg.
"Ohhh, you brat," Sarn yells out. He releases Ashrac's neck and lifts his hand to strike him. Ashrac throws himself backward over the cliff.
I don't breathe as terror squeezes my heart. I finally inhale when I see the child rise in his dragon form. He flies away from Sarn as fast as he can. I breathe easier when Sarn doesn't give chase. He shrugs and turns back to me.
Sarn crosses his arms and stands facing me. He raises his chin and his evil smile remains in place. "You'll be in my lair and my bed before the little brat finds help. I would think Laryn of all dragons would guard his bride more closely."
I shake my head. "My dragon knows I can take care of myself. He has no reason to fear a dragon as puny as you," I say with a casual glance at Sarn's member. Truthfully, Sarn isn't puny in the least. I need him angry and stupid, not one or the other.
His lips part and his evil leer grows substantially. A faint trail of smoke seeps from his nostrils. "I will take the defiance out of you in the first bedding. Come over here now and I may go easier on you."
I don't wait. This is it. I quickly charge separating the space between us. I bring the halberd down as hard as I can. He's tall and it slices through his upper arm. I hit bone, but it upsets me that I didn't remove the appendage. I spin while lifting the halberd again. Sarn catches the upper pole where it meets the blade and stops my swing. I've already slipped a blade from my arm sheath and I jam it as hard as I can into his stomach.
He cries out and throws himself over the cliff. I know little damage is done, but I'm thankful I still have my halberd. I back up and widen my stance preparing myself for a dragon's attack. What I don't expect is Sarn's roar. I feel the flames before I see them. Fire sweeps up and over the ledge. I have no time to do more than throw my arm up futilely covering my face. The pain is agonizing. My skin burns as if I've touched the sun. My flesh boils. I drop to my knees. I'm barely coherent and all I can do is whisper to Laryn. "My dragon, I am so sorry. My greatest regret is not telling you that I love you." I fall forward and curl into a ball. It hurts and I realize the screams in my head are actually coming from my throat.
"What have I done?" A voice sounds from far off. Nothing really matters at this point I just want to see my dragon one last time.
"Laryn?" I manage to whisper. More pain surrounds me as I float. If I'm dead, the pain should go away.
"No, my lady, it's Sarn. I am so very, very sorry."
I pray for death.