Alliance (41 page)

When enough had collected, Ryneq pulled out a white cloth from inside his jacket and carefully wrapped it around Nykin’s hand. “Fimor?”

Nykin watched, excitement curling in his belly as Fimor offered his leg for Ryneq to cut. Nykin fidgeted with anticipation. He could almost sense the magic waiting to join the two of them together, and it took all his restraint to remain still.

Ryneq pressed down hard to break through Fimor’s thick hide, and when the blood began to drip down, he helped position Fimor’s leg over the slate. A satisfying crackle echoed around the cave as their blood mixed together, and Nykin grinned as he shuffled closer to it. The red liquid shimmered in the sunlight, and Nykin hurried to take off his jacket and undo his shirt.

He knew the symbols by heart, each one etched into his memory, and he closed his eyes as he dipped his finger into the blood. He needed Faelon’s magic for the next part, shared across their bond through the amulet, and he called on it now as he began to chant.

“
Let that which dark magic tore asunder, now be remade by blood.”
Nykin said the words over and over as he started to draw on his chest. There were three symbols, matching the triangular shape of the riders’ mark on his wrist, and Nykin felt the magic build inside him as the blood marked his skin. It pulsed inside him, urging him on to complete the ritual, and Nykin shuffled closer to Fimor so he could reach his chest.

Fimor moved his head up and to the side, giving Nykin space to work, and Nykin’s hands shook a little as he dipped his finger in the blood and began to draw. As soon as he completed the last symbol, heat flared in his wrist, the fire triangle glowing brightly, and Nykin felt a rush of intense warmth flow through him as their bond forged a new connection.

It felt even better than the first time. All the missing pieces slotted into place, and Nykin placed his hand flat on Fimor’s chest, overwhelmed by the sense of relief and completeness.
“Fimor?”

“It is good to have you back, Nykin. I’ve missed you.”

“Oh Gods, I’ve missed you too.”
Nykin wiped the few stray tears falling down his cheeks, suddenly embarrassed as he remembered he wasn’t alone. He stood, picking up the piece of Draceth K’ohl and holding it reverently.
“Let’s hope this is the last time we do this.”

“Agreed.”

Nykin lifted the slate high into the air and tossed it out through the mouth of the cave. He watched it sail through the sky, before dropping out of sight to the rocks below, where it would shatter into pieces. The wind barely ruffled Nykin’s hair, a perfect day for taking to the skies. His fingers itched with the need to wrap around Fimor’s harness and hold on tight.
“I’d like to ride, Fimor. It’s been too long.”

“It would be my pleasure, Nykin.”
Fimor’s gaze wandered over Nykin’s shoulder to where Ryneq had moved out of their way.
“Will we be taking the king too?”

Ryneq had been silent the whole while, and when Nykin glanced over at him, he felt a rush of love bubble up in his chest. Ryneq looked awed, and Nykin wanted nothing more than to share as much as he could with him.
“Yes. If that’s all right with you?”

“Of course. It would be my pleasure.”

Nykin grinned, the prospect of getting back into the sky making him almost bounce with energy. He turned to face Ryneq. “I’m going to fetch Fimor’s saddle and harness. It’s a beautiful day for a ride, don’t you think?”

Ryneq nodded. “Yes. I imagine you and Fimor are eager to get out there.” He had a wistful expression, and Nykin walked over to take Ryneq’s face in both his hands.

“I meant it’s a beautiful day for
us
to ride.”

Ryneq grinned back as realization dawned, and he pulled Nykin in by his hips, kissing him hard and insistent before easing back and resting their foreheads together. “I would like nothing more.”

Nykin almost ran down to the storeroom to collect Fimor’s saddle and harness, and he was out of breath and panting by the time he returned. Ryneq laughed at him as he stumbled into the cave, almost dropping everything, and Nykin felt Fimor’s amusement through their bond. He hadn’t realized how much he’d missed it.

“Here, let me help.” Ryneq took the saddle out of Nykin’s arms and held it while Nykin fitted the harness.

By the time Nykin sat in the saddle with Ryneq strapped in close behind him, he was almost vibrating with excitement. Ryneq slipped his hands around Nykin’s waist and leaned closer to whisper in his ear.

“Torsere is safe for now. When Cerylea returns, it will be as protected as Alel.” His warm breath tickled the back of Nykin’s neck, making him shiver. “When we get back after this, what do you say to ordering enough food from the kitchens to last a day or so and locking ourselves away? I did promise you we’d revisit that particular tradition, did I not?”

Nykin felt Ryneq’s soft lips on his skin, and he smiled. “Yes, you did. And who am I to mess with tradition?”

Fimor snorted as he shifted around to face the open sky, and Nykin’s smile grew so wide it hurt his cheeks. He clung tight to the saddle as Fimor leapt out into the air, and he laughed in delight as Fimor extended his wings and dived low toward the sea. Ryneq held him tight, wrapped around him from behind with his head buried in Nykin’s neck.

“Where do you want to go?”
Fimor asked, glancing back at them. “
The plains? The sea?”

Nykin closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of Ryneq’s warmth behind him and the rush of cool air on his face.
“You choose, Fimor.”
He placed one hand on top of Ryneq’s, entwining their fingers. “
I already have everything I want, right here.”

Ahlyria—Elf queen of Alel, married to King Nihathyl.

Alel—The elf city in the Forest of Hervath, protected on all sides by a magical barrier.

Athisi—Lowland province, borders Rodeth and Torsere.

Avelor—Elven guard, with strong magical capability.

Cahlith—Elven elder.

Cassia—Serving girl in Risvery Castle, Rodeth.

Cerylea—Princess of Torsere and sister to King Ryneq, engaged to Prince Morkryn of the Hervathian elves.

Danek—Guard in the Torserian Army.

Djilak—Palace physician at Torsere.

Dragon’s Breath—Torserian ship that Ryneq travels on to Alel.

dragon riders—Aerial unit of the Torserian Army, born with a rider’s mark and bonded with a dragon on/after the rider’s twenty-first birthday.

dragons—Live in the Torserian Mountains above the Eyrie, use magic to bond with their dragon riders.

Egrath—Large birds with black silver-tipped feathers, used by the elves to deliver letters.

Eldin—Lead dragon rider, bonded to Vashek.

Eyrie—Built into the mountains above the Stone Palace and connected by a steep flight of stone steps, provides access to the landing caves.

Faelon—Elven guard, with strong magical capability, in a relationship with Avelor.

Forest of Hervath—The elf kingdom, separated from Torsere by the Neest River.

Ghaleth D’ahl—Giant Velvet-Oak, the huge trees in Alel where the elves live.

Glade of Arethahl—Area of the forest where royal elven unions take place.

Glaevahl—Elven elder.

Hatak—Leader of Athisi and commander of Athisian army.

Hervath—The elf kingdom, separated from Torsere by the Neest River.

Jaken—Dragon rider, bonded to Domor.

Kalis—Cared for Ryneq as a child, now Ryneq’s maid while his valet, Thane, is injured.

Ka’reth Magri—Magic stone made of black marble, used to drain the witch’s power. ‘Magic catcher.’

landing caves—Huge caves in the mountains where the dragons meet their riders for takeoff and landing.

Lerran—Elven guard, with strong magical capability.

Lowland Alliance—Combined forces of Rodeth and Athisi.

Mariskah—Witch working with King Seran

Miresh—Torserian village close to the Athisi border

Morkryn—Prince of Hervath and heir to the elven throne, engaged to Princess Cerylea.

Neflahstra Ahguil—Night-Flowering Water Star, used in royal elven weddings.

Nihathyl—Elven king of Alel, married to Queen Ahlyria.

Nykin—Dragon rider, bonded to Fimor.

Nysad—Captain of the Torserian Guard, and King Ryneq’s second-in-command.

Peros—Guard in Torserian Army and part of King Ryneq’s personal guard.

Risvery Castle—Impenetrable Rodethian castle, surrounded by the Neest River and connected to the mainland by a thin land bridge.

Rodeth—Lowland province, borders Athisi and Torsere.

Ryneq—King of Torsere and brother to Cerylea.

Sarenne—One of Princess Cerylea’s maids.

Selene—Dragon rider, bonded to Kalesh.

Seran—King of Rodeth and leader of the Rodethian army.

Stone Palace—Royal residence, home to Cerylea and Ryneq, also known as KalethTor.

Talis—Guard in Torserian Army.

Torsere—Kingdom ruled by King Ryneq, and home to the dragons, borders Athisi and Rodeth, and separated from Hervath by the Neest River.

Vahkil—Captain of the Dragon’s Breath.

Wildfire—Torserian ship that Cerylea sails on to Alel.

Book One

Capture

By Annabelle Jacobs

Over two hundred years ago, when dragons were hunted for their blood, the King of Torsere offered them sanctuary. In return, the dragons bestowed a magical gift on the King’s people, allowing those born with the mark to become dragon riders  and forge a mental connection between dragon and rider.

King Ryneq of Torsere is undeniably attracted to Nykin, a young dragon rider. Ryneq’s sister, Cerylea, encourages him to pursue the relationship. But with the stresses of ruling Torsere, a romantic attachment is low on Ryneq’s list of priorities. Nykin admires the king from afar, but wants more than to warm his bed for a night or two.

Torsere remains under threat from the lowland armies of Rodeth and Athisi. To protect their kingdom, Ryneq and Cerylea intend to form an alliance with the elves through Cerylea’s marriage to elf prince Morkryn. On the road to the wedding, the lowland army attacks the party. Cerylea escapes, but Ryneq is captured and taken to the impenetrable Risvery Castle. In the aftermath, Nykin volunteers for a perilous mission, endangering the lives of him and his dragon. The odds are against him, but Nykin will risk everything for his duty and his king.

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The
T
ORSERE
series

Book Two

Union

By Annabelle Jacobs

After the defeat of the Lowland Army at Torsere and with King Seran on the run, King Ryneq and his sister, Cerylea, continue their journey to the Elven City of Alel to proceed with the union of the two realms. Fully recovered from his injuries and newly announced as King Ryneq’s Consort, Nykin returns to his duty as a Dragon Rider in the King’s army. He and Ryneq have little opportunity to celebrate their union, but make the most of their time together before leaving for Alel. Since the ambush at Neest River destroyed the main bridge, traveling by ship is the only option. An unusual storm threatens their crossing, making Ryneq wonder if some new magic is rising against them.