The Dragon Legion Collection(84)

Thad smiled. “But not in a painful way.”

Ladon looked between them, then smiled in understanding. His gaze seemed to linger on the flush in Aura’s cheeks and she assumed he could sense that her heart was fluttering in Thad’s presence.

“I have one favor to ask you before we satisfy the firestorm,” Aura murmured and saw how her words pleased Thad. She might be a nymph but she didn’t want an audience for their intimacy. She took Thad’s hand to lead him to a stream. It was clear how much it pleased him that she touched him first, and she liked the way his fingers curled around hers. They shared a smile that heated her to her toes, and one she thought might have done so even without the firestorm’s help. They had taken a dozen steps when the other dragon hailed them.

“A viper,” Ladon called from the tree, like an old man determined to gossip at the worst possible moment. Aura looked at the ground and tried to summon her patience. “What do you know of vipers, young Pyr?”

“Only that they have to be killed,” Thad said. His tone was hard and Aura glanced up to find his jaw set.

“Because you’ve done it?” Ladon was taunting, which Aura didn’t understand.

Thad nodded only once. “I belonged to a force charged with that task.”

“What are vipers?” Aura whispered.

“Pyr or dragons who turn against mankind,” he replied quietly. “They sing a spell, low and deep, one that turns men’s minds to hatred and bloodshed.”

Aura nodded. She could already see his sense of honor and duty. Was he a dragon of his word? Aura liked to think so, and she knew what promise she wanted him to keep.

“Then you know what happened to Cadmus.” Ladon’s tone turned sharp. “Maybe you were responsible for the attack on Cadmus.”

“I was there,” Thad said tightly. “We fulfilled our mission.” He looked back at the old dragon slithering in the tree, pride in his stance and confidence in his gaze.

“You failed,” Ladon sneered.

“Only the first time.”

“So you say. Maybe we old dragons can teach you Pyr a few things.”

“Maybe not.” They stared at each other, antagonism in Thad’s stance.

What did Ladon know that Aura didn’t? Ladon might be the guardian of the orchard but Aura had never really liked or trusted him. He was owed respect for his role as guardian, but he did seem to like making trouble.

“If he’s dead, who struck the killing blow?” Ladon hissed. “If he’s dead, who’s singing his spell?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Thad replied. “What had to be done was done. You can believe me or not.”

He dismissed the old dragon then, turning his attention to Aura. He smiled down at her and tightened his grip on her hand. “Lead on,” he murmured, his gaze warm. The light of the firestorm burnished his features, making a wonderful glow between the two of them. He bent and stole a sweet hot kiss, one that made Aura more than ready to see him naked. “Will you bathe me, Aura?” he murmured.


Aura would have led him to the stream to do just that, but Ladon called out again. “They said the ones who attacked Cadmus were enchanted for their audacity and lost forever to the sands of time.”

Thad froze and Aura felt the tension in him.

Was it true?

Thad turned with care and faced Ladon again. “They were wrong. I’m back.”

“But Cadmus still sings.”

“He won’t do so forever,” Thad said, his voice hard.

Ladon laughed. “Why should I believe you?”

“Because I don’t lie.”

“Is he lying?” Aura murmured.

Thad shook his head and gave Aura an intent look.

Would he confide in her? She hoped so.

She led him away from Ladon and the serpent’s questions, although now she had a number of questions of her own.

Ladon had made her realize there was a lot she didn’t know about Thad, his alliances and any missions he might have. She knew he must be honorable and knew he would fulfill any promises or duties. She could see already that that was his nature. But what about fighting these vipers? Could he be compelled to leave her and any son they had, no matter what she did and what he chose?

That wasn’t a very encouraging possibility. Aura had to know more.

* * *

Ladon’s words were like a toxin. Thad felt their effect upon Aura and saw the new hesitation in her manner. His anger flared at that. How dare that dragon meddle in a firestorm? How dare he undermine everything of importance?

“Were you enchanted?” Aura asked softly, so softly that even Ladon wouldn’t be able to hear her.

“Yes, but I’m not anymore.”

“Are you cursed?”

“Not unless you consider my nature to be a curse. I don’t.” He smiled at her, hoping to reassure her, but Aura seemed to still be troubled.

“What about she-who-should-not-be-named?”

He eyed her in confusion. “Who?”

“Hades gave her the right to seek vengeance on your kind in the mortal realm.”

Thad frowned. “I don’t know anything about that.”

“But the viper?”

He turned to face her, knowing he had to reassure her. “It’s true. We hunted a viper and we thought we killed him.” Her eyes widened but he carried on. “It was Cadmus, who had turned against mankind.”