Facing the Dragon A Novella

  Facing the Dragon

  A Novella

  Linda K. Hopkins

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for downloading Facing the Dragon. This short story covers the time period between Book III, Loved by a Dragon and Book IV, Dance with a Dragon, and follows Max after he leaves Anna. It is intended to fill in the blanks for the five year period, and perhaps give you a little more insight into Max.

  This story is only available as a free download for my subscribers, and as such, has not undergone the rigorous editing process my books usually go through. You may notice some errors, but I hope you will excuse them! You will not find this novella on Amazon or any other ebook stores, but if you enjoy the story and would like to leave a review, please feel free to do so on my website or on my Facebook page.

  Thank you, and happy reading!

  Linda K. Hopkins

  The dragon pushed himself through the darkening sky, away from the island, his spread wings hissing slightly from the moisture in the air. Far below, drifting on the swelling ocean, he could see the boat he had overturned earlier, killing the humans on board. They had been escaping the island, their bond with Jack, the black dragon, broken. But a broken dragon bond also meant a broken mind, and with all they had seen and heard, it was impossible to leave them alive. And so Max had killed them, and their dead bodies had become food for the fish and sharks that prowled the vast oceans. Despite his need for human flesh, Max had not been tempted to gorge himself. In fact, it had been many months since he had last eaten anything but animal, and the last, stuttering heartbeats of the dying men had awoken no desire in him to feed. Instead, he was impatient to keep going and he had quickly turned away from the dead and headed back to the island – and back to Anna.

  That had been an hour ago. Now, as Max flew above the boat, he wished that he had taken a moment to eat and nourish himself. He had been weakened after the battle with Jack, and his failure to keep his Master’s mate safe was eating away at his soul. He would have to face punishment for that failure, but that was the least of his concerns. It was the fact that Keira may not survive that was tearing him apart. Max closed his eyes and sent another fervent prayer heavenward. She had to live.

  He pressed himself to go faster when he saw how quickly the sun was dropping below the horizon. He had left Anna alone on the deserted island, his anger pushing him away from her. His jaw clenched tightly and his eyes burned with unchecked flames as he remembered the scorn, the disdain and the skepticism with which she had greeted him. Instead of gratitude and concern, she had questioned his loyalty to Aaron, the Dragon Master. He had tried to explain that he had never broken with Aaron, and never could. That Jack was dead, and he was glad for it. That her safety had been the most important thing in his mind. But she had turned away from him, and when she told him to leave her alone, he had done exactly that. He had left the island, determined to find someone else to retrieve her. A small flash of shame shot through him at the thought of abandoning her, but he pushed it away. It was the least the minx deserved. He drew in a deep breath of cold sea air. It was laden with moisture, and he could feel the flames that wove him together spark and hiss within him, cooling his rage slightly. Once he had found someone else to get Anna, he would forget all about her. She would be relegated to a corner of his mind where he stored people and events best forgotten.

  Max closed his eyes as he flew, relishing the fingers of cold air brushing over him. He did not need to see to know where he was going – he had senses enough to identify where he was in relation to things around him. He could feel the dense moisture of the clouds, and heard the movement of a seagull’s wings long before the bird even became aware of the beast ahead. The faint flash of heat from a lighthouse on the distant shore brushed against his scaly hide, and he opened his eyes. He was fast approaching land, his body slicing through the air as silently as a snowflake tumbling to the earth. In another hour he would be at Drake Manor, the home of Owain and Favian Drake. They would not be the only dragons there. Aaron had taken Keira back to Drake Manor, where Margaret, Owain’s wife, would already be tending to her. The other dragon elders would also be there, waiting at their Master’s side while he willed Keira to live. Max would ask one of them to go and retrieve Anna from the island, and then he would return to his house in the city and await Aaron’s punishment for failing to keep Keira safe. And while he waited, he would carefully and deliberately put Anna, and her spiteful distrust of him, from his mind.

  Five days had passed since Max had returned from the island. Five days since Keira was injured. Five days since he had seen Anna. He knew that Favian had gone back to the island, and he had waited in the surrounding hills to see Anna’s safe return before turning towards home, eager to put her from his mind once and for all. But Anna refused to be forgotten. Instead, the memory of her needled him, leaving him frustrated and annoyed. Never before had a woman touched him as Anna had – she had wormed her way beneath his scales, leaving an itch he could not name. The first time he had met her, he had called her a shrew, and it was a perfect appellation. She could be sharp-tongued, and had a bite more vicious than a dragon’s. She was a landscape of contradictions: disparaging and curious; distrustful and eager. She annoyed him while at the same time amused, and was contemptuous and naïve. Max groaned to himself. Would he ever be free of her?

  His mind turned to Aaron. He had not yet received a summons from the Master, which showed just how preoccupied Aaron was. For in failing to protect Keira, Max had failed his Master, a mistake which would not go unpunished. But the delay was making Max restless. He wanted to know his fate. And once he had faced his punishment, he wanted to leave. Get away from the city, and the kingdom, and go somewhere far away. Someplace where Anna could be forgotten. And since Aaron hadn’t called for him, he would just go to Drake Manor himself.

  Anna’s scent wafted up to Max as soon as he neared the manor. He had no desire to see her – just the thought of her made him grind his teeth in annoyance - but he could not help himself as he breathed in her fragrance, filling his mind with her presence. As he circled around the manor, he could hear her voice.

  “Shall we take a walk to the lake?” Anna sounded tired, and he wondered if she was sleeping. The noisy clamor of children’s feet reached him.

  “Yes! Come on, Aunty Anna, let’s go!”

  Max rose higher into the air, watching as Anna stepped into the courtyard behind two young children. She didn’t glance up, but hurried after them. He waited until they were further away, nearly at the shores of the lake, before circling around the manor and dropping to the roof of the building. The cords he shared with Aaron flexed, and he knew that Aaron knew of his arrival. He changed form and was pulling on his breeches when Favian stepped onto the roof.

  “Max,” he said. “I thought we might see you.”

  “How is she doing?” Max asked.

  “Recovering slowly, but she remains unconscious. Aaron stays at her side continually.”

  Max nodded. “I need to see him,” he said.

  “He’ll meet you in the parlor.”

  Max nodded and headed down the stairs. He knew the manor well, and easily found his way to the parlor. A large window overlooked the courtyard, and he headed towards it. In the far distance he could see the lake. The children were paddling in the water, but Anna was gesturing towards the house. He turned as Aaron walked into the room, then dropped to his knee, placing his hand over his chest.

  “Aaron,” he said. “Master.” He dropped his eyes to the ground. “I failed to protect your mate,” he said. “Do to me what you must.”

  “Stand up,” Aaron said, pacing over to the widow. “You’re right,” he finally said, “you failed to
protect Keira, and for that you must be punished. But I do not doubt your loyalty to me or my mate. Nor the risk you took when you went into Jack’s lair.” Aaron turned around and faced Max. “Meet me in the hills at midnight. I’ll bring the elders, and you will receive your punishment tonight.”

  Max nodded. “As you will.” He paused a moment. “I would like your permission to leave for a while.”

  Aaron’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. “Where will you go?”

  “Away from here.”

  Aaron nodded as he smiled wryly. “Very well. Assuming you are still alive, you have my permission to leave.”

  “Thank you. There’s one more thing, Aaron. Before I go, I would like to see Keira.”

  “You know she remains unconscious?”

  “I do. But even if she cannot hear it, you will be a witness to the oath I would give her.”

  Aaron nodded. “Very well. Follow me.” He led Max up the stairs and into a large chamber, where they were joined a moment later by Favian. Keira lay on her back beneath the quilts, her frame barely lifting the coverings. Her eyes were closed, her eyelashes dark against her pale skin. She looked so fragile, but Max could hear the steady beat of her heart and the swish of air as she pulled it into her lungs. He took a step closer and lifted the hand that lay against the mattress. It was thin and sallow, and he swallowed hard. He glanced in Aaron’s direction, then dropped to the floor on his knees, her hand still lying lightly in his.

  “Keira Drake,” he said, his voice low and steady, “I give you my oath that your life will be under my protection whenever you have need of it, for as long as I live. If any harm should befall you while under my care, my life will stand forfeit.” He lifted the pale hand and brought it to his lips, gently kissing it before rising and turning to look at Aaron. Favian stood a few feet away, a silent witness to the oath, as Aaron held Max’s gaze. They stared at each other for a long moment, then Aaron nodded. Max brought a clenched fist to his chest, then turned on his heel and strode out the door. His business there was done, and he had no desire to see Owain or any other of the elders whom he knew were at the manor. Instead, he headed for the roof to return to his natural form and take flight. He would make for the hills to await his punishment, and if he survived the night, he would leave at dawn.

  He almost didn’t turn around when he heard Anna call out his name. The memories of her contempt and suspicion were still too fresh in his mind to soften his feelings towards her. But something in her tone, a note of desperation, made him turn his head against his will, and his gaze locked with hers. She was staring at him with what he knew to be sadness, and for a moment he was confused. What was she sad about? But of course, it was her sister who lay so ill in the chambers upstairs. He stared at her for another moment, tasting her scent on his tongue, before turning away and pushing towards the hills. He thought he heard her voice whisper come back, but he pushed it aside. She’d had her chance, and he was done.

  It was well past midnight when Aaron and the elders finally arrived on the hill where Max lay waiting, their huge forms shaking the ground beneath him as they jostled for space. Aaron looked strained, but he gave Max a brief nod and half a smile, before turning towards the elders. They had arrayed themselves in a huge circle around Max, and were watching him solemnly. Max lifted his head a little higher and swished his tail over the rock strewn landscape as Owain Drake stepped forward.

  “Max Brant, you failed in your duty to ensure the safety of our Master’s mate. Do you acknowledge your guilt?”

  Max glanced at Aaron, before turning his gaze back to Owain. “I do,” he said.

  “Very well. We have already discussed your punishment. There were some amongst us that felt you should be banished, but our Master disagreed. Instead, you will fight him until your strength is depleted and death stands at your door.”

  “What if Aaron is the one at death’s door?” Max felt a surge of annoyance that they assumed he would be so easily defeated. From the corner of his eye he saw Aaron give a wry grin.

  “Then you will kill him and become our Master,” Owain replied. Max looked away. Aaron was a dragon in the prime of his life, more powerful than any other dragon Max knew, either personally or by reputation. And as humbling as it was to admit it, the elders were right. He would not able to defeat and kill Aaron, even if he wanted to, which he did not. He gave a resigned sigh and looked at Aaron.

  Aaron had started pacing around Max, his sharp claws scratching the ground as he walked. His wings were slightly aloft, and as Max looked at him, he bared his teeth slightly. His eyes were blazing as he lifted his head high and looked down at Max. For a moment he held Max’s gaze, then pulling back, let out a long, savage roar. Max understood. Aaron may not want to kill him, but Max still had to suffer the consequences for failing to keep Keira safe. And Aaron had no problem being the agent of that suffering.

  Aaron launched himself forward as Max threw himself into the air, but not fast enough. Aaron’s jaws clamped around Max’s tail and he swung him down to the ground, slamming him against the rocks. Max rolled away as Aaron threw himself forward, but Aaron’s jaws clamped down onto his neck, drawing blood. With a roar, Max tore himself free, and hurling himself into the air once more, drove himself upward. He turned a moment later and scales rang as the two dragons collided. Max wrapped his tail around Aaron’s neck and pulled as Aaron sank his talons into Max’s soft belly and ripped. Max felt blood spurt from the wound, and then Aaron was forcing him down to the ground, where he hit the earth with enough force to made boulders tumble down the mountain and the trees sway violently. Aaron’s jaws replaced his talons, and Max snarled as Aaron’s teeth ripped through him. His own jaws were at Aaron’s shoulder, and he sank his fangs into Aaron’s flesh. Blood spilled into his mouth and he swallowed a few drops before Aaron tore himself away and ripped his teeth from Max’s flesh. There was a long, low growl as he sank his talons into Max’s stomach once more, and lifting his huge claws, flung him against a large pile of rock. But as Max flew through the air, he wrapped his tail around Aaron’s neck, dragging him along. The impact sent the rock crashing down the side of the hill, but Max didn’t notice. Already Aaron was rising above him, his body flaming. His wings were blazing, and when he roared, the flames in his mouth became one with the flames of his body. With a snarl, Max rose and launched himself into the blazing inferno, knowing well that he could not fight a raging fire. Instead, he opened his jaws and breathed in the living flames. They seared his throat as they burned through him, pulsing with life even as they scorched and charred. He took another deep breath and felt them growing within him, pushing outwards, expanding into every part of him, and he closed his eyes as they threatened to consume him. For just one moment he felt as though he would be completely shattered apart, but when he thought he could bear no more, the flames suddenly pulled together, and spilled out of his wounded flesh. He fell back against the rock, spent, and lay there as Aaron took shape before him.

  “Ready to admit defeat?” Aaron asked him softly. Max closed his eyes and nodded. “Then go with my blessing, and be ready to come when I call for you,” Aaron said.

  Max waited until Aaron and the elders were gone before pushing himself to his feet. He felt as though he had been ripped from limb from limb, and even though the gouge in his stomach was already healing, the pain of it still seared across his body. It was close to dawn, the sky gray and sullen. He spread his wings gingerly, testing their strength, before slowly lifting himself into the air. They ached slightly as they stretched and tightened, but then he was lifted on a current of air, and was soaring. He headed towards the open ocean, away from the city and Drake Manor. In the distance a dark bank of cloud hung over the horizon, blotting out the light of the new dawn. Beyond it lay other lands, and it was there that Max was headed. He stared into the distance as he flew, but his mind was blank, dulled by the events of the night. He had felt Aaron’s power, and knew nothing else like it. It would have been as easy thing for Aaron to ki
ll him.

  The air grew colder as Max flew, but he was lost in his thoughts and didn’t notice. He shuddered as he remembered the searing pain of Aaron burning through him, and knew that Aaron could have shattered him into a million flaming ashes. The only reason he still lived was because Aaron chose to spare his life. All around him, the dark clouds were growing darker and more ominous, but it wasn’t until he felt the press of the wind against his hide that Max pushed aside his musings and took notice of his surroundings. All around him the sky was black, while below him the sea frothed and churned furiously. The wind rammed against him, and he reeled slightly, unprepared for the force. Thunder rolled, long and loud, and he glanced up to see lightening streak through the sky, brightening the clouds in a dazzling flash, then just as quickly vanishing. Another blast of wind buffeted him from the side, and he tumbled a little through the air. There was no land in any direction, nothing but water. Another clap of thunder sounded around him, the clouds crashing and groaning. He turned his body, angling himself into the wind, but it was relentless, pounding from every direction, and he found no relief. He ducked his head as he pushed against the mighty force of the wind. Like angry gods shouting and shaking their fists, the thunder rolled around him once more, and lightening brightened the sky around him. He dived, bringing himself closer to the water, hoping that the winds would be a little calmer close to the surface, but the waves were a cauldron of seething water, whipped into a furious frenzy by the winds, and they pounded into him. Another streak of lightening, which sizzled over his wing, scorching it. He roared and rolled away, but a huge wave washed over him, dragging him down into the gray and murky depths of the ocean. All was suddenly quiet, but the water rolled him as though he were driftwood. He pushed himself back to the surface and heaved himself out of the angry ocean. He could swim easily enough, but being in the cold depths of the sea would slowly cool down his body, sapping him of strength and energy, and his body was still healing. The water dragged against the surface of his wings, and he folded them close to his body so he could break free of the icy hold, forcing himself forward with his tail. The thunder roared incessantly, and the sky flashed with lightening, over and over. He pushed himself out of the waves, back into the raging storm, but a moment later a wall of blinding white electrified the air around him, and all fell into darkness.