Free The Dragon's War by Samantha Sabian Page A

the dragon said, “but he cannot help you.”
    “I know that,” Raine said calmly. “Can you?”
    The dragon was expressionless and her tone was impartial. “I cannot.”
    “Then why are you here?” Raine demanded.
    “To convince you to run. You and your dragon lover could find a place to hide.”
    “Run away? And abandon the people of Arianthem to the Hyr’rok’kin?”
    “They will abandon you.”
    The words were chillingly matter-of-fact.
    “I don’t believe that,” Raine said, “and even if it’s true, I don’t care. I won’t let the weakness of others dictate my path. I will make my own destiny.”
    The dragon’s nostrils flared slightly as she took a deep breath. “Do you even know your destiny, the fourth line of the prophecy?”
    “No,” Raine said angrily, “and I don’t care. It won’t make any difference.”
    “And that is where you’re wrong, Scinterian.” For the first time, the dragon displayed emotion, and it was sadness mixed with regret. “I can assure you that Hel knows the final line.”
    Raine stood silently, seething at the dragon’s words. “And why would Hel be interested in a prophecy supposedly about me? One in which all worlds are saved?”
    The blue eyes gazed at her intently. “Because that prophecy was given to Hel. Eons ago, before you were ever born.”
    This silenced Raine, for she had no response to words spoken with such authority. There was no question of their truth.
    “Who are you?” Raine said at last.
    “It doesn’t matter,” the white dragon said. And with those final words, the creature disappeared.
    Raine was leaning against the railing waiting for Talan when she returned. The dragon took one look at her companion’s expression and wrapped her arms about her, hugging her tightly. She stood behind Raine, still embracing her.
    “I saw the white dragon again,” Raine said.
    “The dragon who is not a dragon?”
    “Yes,” Raine replied, “I don’t know what she is. But she came to me again in the forest.”
    “And what words of wisdom did she have for you this time?”
    “They were hardly wise,” Raine said sarcastically. “She told us, as in you and me, to run and hide.”
    “That does not necessarily sound unwise,” Talan commented.
    “Do you want to run?” Raine said, turning to look over her shoulder.
    “In a way, yes,” Talan admitted. “But I don’t think that will help. Hel will eventually find you. And while we delay the inevitable, she will punish Arianthem mercilessly.”
    “Speaking of which, did you find Hyr’rok’kin?”
    “Many. There are pockets springing up everywhere, which tells me that they are preparing for a massive assault.”
    “How soon do you think it will happen?” Raine asked with concern.
    “Not imminent,” Talan said, “but soon. We found the Hyr’rok’kin threat severe enough that Kylan has gone to scout the Empty Land to make sure they are not staging there.”
    “Will she pass into the Veil?” Raine asked.
    “I told her not to,” Talan said, “she will scout the periphery, then head north.”
    Raine breathed a sigh of relief. The Empty Land was bordered by The Edge of the World, great cliffs that dropped into a veiled land of strangeness that separated the mortal realm from the Underworld. Horrible creatures inhabited that strange world, monstrosities that would be dangerous to even one such as Kylan.
    Talan pulled Raine close and kissed her neck. “Neither of us can escape fate, but destiny will be what we make it.”
    And for the moment, Raine felt save in her lover’s embrace.
    Chapter 4
    R aine rose before dawn, leaving her lover still tangled in the sheets. She went out onto the terrace to watch the rising sun. The city was quiet, still recovering in slumber from the festivities that would shortly resume. One of the Queen’s attendants brought her a steaming cup of tea which she took gratefully. She leaned against the marble banister, enjoying the peaceful solitude.
    Movement on