Chapter 26
881 Words
26
The following day Cathal made good on his promise and led us back to the our away-boat. He turned to Cayden and bowed his head. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Dragon Lord.”
Cayden smiled and returned the gesture. “And you as well, King of Ui Breasail.”
Cathal raised his head and a sly grin slipped onto his lips. “It is almost a pity there is now a truce between us. I would have liked to have tested my blade against your skills.”
Cayden shook his head. “I do not believe I would have liked the outcome.”
The king chuckled. “Perhaps one day we will duel in a more settled time, but for now I wish you a speedy voyage.”
“Wait!” We looked back toward the trees. Roisin appeared from the canopy flying at a great speed. In her arms was the small form of her mother. She landed them on the shore and rushed across the dock toward us. “Please wait!” Cathal’s guards parted and Roisin slid to a stop in front of us. She breathed hard as she set her mother on the boards and bowed to us. “Please allow us to accompany you back to the mainland.”
Cayden glanced at Mac Bradaigh. “You both wish to come?”
A crooked grin slid onto her wizened old lips. “I’d like to see the old geezer one last time so I can give him what he deserves.”
Cayden chuckled. “I do not envy Dreail.”
“Then you will take us?” Roisin asked him.
Cayden bowed his head. “Yes. That is, if your mother would consent to free my friend here-” he gestured to Xander, “-of the curse of the Dragon’s Bane.”
Mac Bradaigh reached into a pocket and drew out a vial which she wiggled in front of us. “I have enough for him and anyone else this fool-” she jerked her head toward Cathal, “-might have hurt.”
Cathal blanched and stepped forward. “You intend to return, do you not?”
Mac Bradaigh shrugged as she tossed the vial to Xander who deftly caught it in one hand. “Perhaps, perhaps not, but if you’re worried about the Bane you’ll find enough in my cottage to last a long while. That is, if you don’t go wasting it like you have.”
Cathal bowed his head. “Thank you for your kindness, Mac Bradaigh.”
She waved him away. “Don’t thank me, thank my daughter. She’s the one who thought you might need it.”
The king smiled at the dragon girl. “On behalf of our people I thank you, young Roisin.”
She blushed and shook her head. “It was my pleasure, Your Highness.”
“Now let us be off,” Cayden called out.
We boarded the away-boat and rowed to the vessel outside the bay. The crew was eager to see us, and after much joyful exchanges we set sail.
I walked up to Xander as he stood at the bow. He held the vial in his hand and stared down at it. “Tried it yet?” I asked him as I leaned against the railing.
He nodded. “Yes, and I feel no different.”
I frowned. “She said it’d work.”
Xander pocketed the vial and swept me into his arms. I blinked up at him as he used a crate to step up onto the railing. The rough seas below us crashed into the sharp bow of the ship.
I whipped head up to stare into his impassive face. “What are you doing?”
“I am nothing without my strength, and if I cannot protect you then I will take you with me,” he replied.
My eyes widened. “No! Xander, don’t you-” He leaned forward.
We fell into the abyss between life and death. I screamed and clutched onto his neck. The waves came up on us. I shut my eyes and awaited splashdown.
It didn’t come. There was a whoosh of wind and a little splattering of water. I peeked open an eye. The sea was far below us as we flew up toward the sun. I whipped my head up. Xander’s wings were spread out behind him. He sported a devilish grin.
I snarled at him and beat his chest with my fists. “You little liar! Don’t do that again! You nearly scared me to death!”
He chuckled as he flapped his long wings. “I could not resist a bit of fun after you left me for your ocean people.”
I crossed my arms and sank into his. “You could’ve just scolded me. . .”
“I thought perhaps you experiencing the same fear would be a better lesson.”
I snorted. “I wasn’t trying to kill myself, or you, for that matter.”
He drew himself into a glide and looked down at me with a soft look. “If you were to die, then I would die.”
I arched an eyebrow. “We’re not connected that way, remember?”
He nodded. “I do, but you are my life. If. .. If I were to lose you I would not see life as worth living.”
I turned my face away and pursed my lips. The wind blew over me and drew my hair behind me. The beautiful, endless expanse of water was like a long life without purpose. I sighed. “Well, I guess I can try a little harder to stay out of trouble, but only if you do, too.”
Xander chuckled. “We will both try our best-”
I glanced back at him and smirked. “-and both fail epically.”
“But together,” he added.
I leaned forward and pecked a kiss on his lips. “Together.”
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