Page 18 of Emerald Waves (Primordial Protectors #2)

Chapter Twelve

Emerson

My mind swirled with everything but fear. How was that even possible given the situation I had found myself in? I swear, I was created backwards. Instead of searching every inch of the cave for a way out, I wished to stay and learn more about my captors and how they came to be.

What was wrong with me?

But my dragon didn’t scoff. He chose that moment to curl up for a nap while my human mind ran free. Good or bad, it didn’t matter. It was knowledge I craved, and my ADHD riddled brain was locked and loaded, ready for a rapid-fire launch of questions.

Hopefully, my inquisition didn’t piss them off.

The giggling statue in front of me shifted right before my eyes and into an adorable, aqua colored Merdragonets with mischief written all over its tiny face.

“You’re a little one yet you can control your shifting?

Fascinating.” Ionus and Alex’s dragonets were incapable of doing that.

A random tail here, ears there, a fire breathing snout.

The number of items they’d replaced in their house due to uncontrollable bursts of flames was astounding.

“Gill slits along your neckline. Amazing.”

“Tasi,” a booming voice rang throughout the cave, rattling the stone walls. Barely tempered authority, only rather than cower in fear the imp giggled. “Step away from the prisoner.”

Prisoner, great. So, I was indeed imprisoned.

“Papa,” his little hands touched my face as he gazed deeply into my eyes. I shuddered at the invasion, as I felt his piercing query breach me from head to toe. “He’s good, I can see it in his soul. Even his dragon is calm.”

“My little prince, your gift has yet to be harnessed. Look where your curiosity led you before.”

“Yes Papa, and I saw the most wonderful things there. Injured sea life rehabilitated and cared for as we do. They’re not bad, Papa, I swear.”

“That explains why you didn’t immediately return,” His Papa growled the words, yet Tasi ignored him.

“Fascinating,” I repeated as I studied Tasi’s limbs. “You’re hands and feet are webbed. I’m sure for swimming with the greatest of ease. How long can you hold your breath for?”

His Papa scoffed. “Merdragons don’t hold their breath for we are one with the water. It’s our lifeblood.”

“Can you survive outside of water?” As soon as the question came out I regretted it. “Of course you can, you’re doing it now. I apologize. I’m the dragon Archivist and Historian in Dragon City.”

“So you said and yet you knew nothing of us?” Clearly skeptical of my abilities, for which I didn’t blame him one bit.

“Until today, yes. Well, no. My Draconian was a bit rusty so when I originally came across the scrolls I’d set them aside, until today. Once I focused, and one of my brothers in law helped me, the ability to translate returned, and I was able to read them.”

“One of the protectors?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Not sir. My human name is Kai, Leader of the Tempest Clan.”

“There is more than one water dragon clan. Fascinating.” Surely, I’d wear that word out today, but I just couldn’t help myself. This was like finding a hidden library full of historical books and artifacts, losing time reading and staying way past closing.

“Merdragons and yes, there are. What is it you and your protectors seek from us?”

“Knowledge. Friendship. We wish to unite with all dragon clans.”

“We’ve heard that before and were even hunted for it. That’s how we came to live this far beneath the ocean’s surface. Come to think of it,” he drew in a deep breath, “you smell of them.”

“What?” My voice shot of up several octaves. “The protectors would never harm a dragon soul.” Then it hit me, my tainted bloodline. “Gorynych.”

“Aye. You are of their bloodline.” Though his demeanor had calmed, at hearing that name he was again on alert.

“Yes. When I couldn’t shift at the age of thirteen I was stripped of all, including my clothing, and cast out of the clan. Had a kind soul in Dragon City not found me wandering through the forest I’d likely be dead. I owe my life to that man and to the Denarius brothers.”

Skeptically, Kai eyed me as if searching for a shred of mistruth. I hadn’t lied, nor would I, so he could search all he wanted. In the end he’d only come up empty.

“He’s telling the truth, Papa.”

I wasn’t sure of the extent of Tasi’s abilities but was beyond thankful for them.

“I can assure you that Clan Denarius, the Primordial Protectors, are not of Gorynych blood. Their job is to keep dragons and humankind safe. They were born of need from the decimation caused by the Dragon Wars. Now, they seek to unite the dragon clans to fight against those who are impure and seek to control and cause harm.” How quickly I’d gone from curious exuberance to protective nature.

Even my dragon was roused. My mate, whom I loved, and his brothers who I’d grown to love, were my world.

I knew without a doubt they’d give their life to save mine as I would for them.

“Tell your dragon to stand down,” Kai ordered.

Though I didn’t report to him I was in their lair and in a one-on-one battle, I didn’t stand a chance.

Who was I kidding, I’d never had a fight in my life.

Caro and I had been so busy lately we haven’t had the chance for him to teach me how to protect myself.

Though I knew my dragon would put up one hell of a fight if left to his own devices.

Not to mention, Kai in his Merdragon form was like ten stories tall, or so he appeared.

My dragon simmered but lay just beneath the surface in wait.

Thank you, dragon.

I’m here for you however you need me to be.

The bond we’d formed since I found him was like no other.

All those years I’d been unhinged, lost even, completely alone.

With my dragon appearing all those terrifying emotions were gone.

Not only had he brought me physical strength, but mental as well.

He grounded me, became my best friend and above all he listens and knows how to calm me.

I love you, dragon.

And I you, Emerson. Now, gather all that data you know your mind craves. I’ll be right here waiting.

Tasi disappeared and reappeared across the room. “Whoa.”

“It appears my little prince likes you. Now he’s playing hide and seek.”

Many wonderous events unfolded before me. Merdragonets controlling shifting, harnessing the ability to read your soul, disappearing and reappearing on command. “Do all of your dragonets have these same abilities?” I poked Tasi’s belly. He disappeared in a poof of giggles, reappearing behind me.

“Boo!” Tasi poked me back.

One by one the stones imbedded in the surrounding cavernous walls came to life.

Merdragons of all ages, sizes, and various colors stood before me, curiously eyeing the stranger as I was doing with them.

At first sight, the cave was confined, but now I saw the walls were in fact not walls at all, but Merdragons.

“It’s a defense mechanism. We turn to stone to protect ourselves,” Kai informed me.

“Absolutely marvelous.” How many other gifts had the goddess bestowed upon our oceanic cousins? “Hi,” I waved, “I’m Emerson, Dragon City archivist and historian. I’m honored to be in your presence.” Why did that feel like an opening spiel to an infomercial?

There were nods and murmurs, the children gathered and began to play, though Kai remained nearby. I’m sure as my self-appointed guard.

“What do you eat? Do you hunt? There’s no feasible way I can see for you to get to a supermarket.”

He looked at me like I’d lost my mind, a gaze I was far too familiar with.

“We don’t hunt. The ocean is filled with plenty to sustain us without taking a life.

” That had me viewing how those of us who lived on land ate in a whole new light.

“We take and we give back. Kelp beds are abundant as are sea vegetables, nori, wakame and various other aquatic plants. Within our cavernous home we have our own gardens, so to speak. Occasionally, if we find a bed within the sea lacking we’ll transplant some from our own beds to fill it. ”

The cave had a reverse canyon that ran through it.

More like a break that divided the cave used as a means for them to come and go.

I glanced down into the clear, endless sea with no bottom in sight.

Shivering, as the thought of just how deep beneath the ocean we were, and that thought frightened me.

“Are you okay, Emerson?” Kai asked. “You look a little pale.”

“Yes, just was never a very good swimmer.”

“Ah, I see. That could prove to be problematic.”

As in that was the only way home for me and personally I’d prefer it to happen without my drowning. I turned, as the booming authoritative sound of Kai’s voice had lessened and found he’d shifted into near human form.

“Unlike dragon shifters, Merdragons don’t have a complete human form.” He held his hands up and wiggled his fingers and toes, showing his appendages were still webbed, which weren’t the only remaining anomalies. Their gills remained in this state as well.

“Fascinating. Sorry,” I shook my head. “I’ve overused that word today, but this has truly been an enlightening kidnapping.”

“As was having you return with Tasi. We’ve never transported a non-Merdragon in that manner. Kidnapping is a bit harsh, but yes, you are a sort of a prisoner as a means to lure your protector here or I’d have had Tasi return you. Protectors or not, they must understand the depth of their mistake.”

A pawn to be played at the right time.

And when Caro arrives its checkmate.

Well, I might as well learn as much as I can before I die.

“Am I allowed to walk around, or do I have to stay here?” Thankfully my dragon eyes didn’t require light to see as this unending cavern was dark as night.

“I will escort you.”

Should have expected that.

“Follow me.”

At first glance this cave was not as it seemed.

It was far more than that. A series of twists and turns.

Pathways that led to numerous openings I imagined were the individual Merdragon family homes.

The farther into their lair we went, the steeper the downward incline became.

There was no way Caro could ever find me here.

“Watch your step, stay on the rocks.” Before us lay endless fields of kelp and the various greens Kai spoke of. “Beneath those plants is nothing but ocean.”

“Noted and appreciate the heads up. The colony you’ve built here is truly amazing. Self-sustainability is something many humans strive for.” I suppose it was the only answer for the Merdragons, but impressive just the same.

Dragonet laughter filled the air as they chased each another, diving in and out of the water. It was like their own city down here, complete with everything they’d ever need.

“You’ve created quite the oasis for your clan.

It’s really impressive.” I wished I had a notebook or anything to record this on, but my phone was left behind.

Not that it would work this far underground, even if I did have it on me.

The humidity in the caves was high, which I imagined assisted with keeping their scales moist.

Then something I’d missed hit me.

“You can’t fly, can you?”

Kai took a moment to respond, carefully weighing his words. “Beneath the sea we soar just as you do above it.”

Not a direct answer, but the point was made. “If you are on land do you travel by foot?”

“Rarely will you find us on land. We can transport as you’ve seen Tasi do, but as a rule, we stick to the seas. It would take a dire emergency to get us above ground.”

Point taken. I just hoped I could remember all of this so I could document it when I get home.

Home.

What if I never saw it again or my newfound family?

Family.

I finally belonged to one and they welcomed me with open arms. No negative or snide comments about the way I am or was, I should say. Mating definitely calmed me and the negative voices I’d battled through the years. The Denarius family were happy to have me and all my quirks.

Dear Goddess, I only just found my mate and my dragon too. Please don’t take them away from me.

Wouldn’t that be just my luck to find a shred of happiness after decades of sorrow only to have it ripped away from me. And due to another’s poor choice. My mate’s.

It appears karma extends to spouses. Great…

“He will come, Emerson, have faith.” How did Kai know my thoughts? Was that another gift bestowed upon the Merdragons?

“What will you do when he comes?”

Kai sighed. “We shall see. I will defend my family, as would you. But if he comes in ready for battle, anything could happen.”

Fuck. My. Life.

Caro, if you can hear me know that I’m okay. Please, bring Ionus with you.

At least Ionus was the voice of reason.