Page 62 of Warlord's Mate
It was midday when movement in the trees drew him to a stop. To his left, a wall of glistening red rock ran for as far as he could see and seemed to reach into the clouds. The trees here were thick and there was a faint scent of smoke in the air.
It only took a few seconds to realize someone was watching him. He felt it like a living thing against his flesh and turned his head left, then right, scanning the trees for movement. He found it a few minutes later. Several people were scattered among the trees.
Jorrick turned a half circle, trying to find the others that were hiding. “I’m looking for a Draegon that goes by the name of Toren.” The tree limbs rustled again. “I have news of his mate’s friend, Mar-see.”
Long minutes passed before someone finally revealed themselves. A man who wore nothing but a small loin cloth stepped out from behind a cluster of trees. He was tall and nearly as thickly muscled as he was. The man crossed his arms over his chest and said, “Who are you?”
“I am called Jorrick. Tell Toren I need to speak to him.”
The man looked over his shoulder. There was a rustling in the trees a few moments later, then someone ran in the direction of the rock wall and disappeared into the trees. He stood there so long staring at the man in front of him that he began to wonder if his being so patient was a test. The sun had moved by the time the bushes started rustling and a man emerged. He walked into the small clearing and Jorrick straightened.
He’d heard tales of Draegon warriors, the fierce dragon-shifters who ruled this land before the Corporation claimed it and this man was one of them, but he was—more. Tattoos ran down both his arms and covered nearly his entire torso. Dark hair fell just above his shoulders and like Toren, this man had purple eyes, but there was a hardness about him that Toren hadn’t possessed.
Jorrick looked at the others scattered amongst the trees. Were all these men dragons? A look into their purple eyes said they were. The myths about them surviving were true. The Draegon were still alive and thriving.
“My mate told me you were coming.”
Jorrick looked at the others as they started to step out from behind the trees. “You’re not Toren.”
“No. I am Tharius. Toren is my brother.” Tharius looked at the men to his right, gave a slight nod of his head and several of them turned and headed back into the trees. “What brings you? Claudia sensed that something would happen but could not see what it was.”
“My—” Jorrick paused. What was Mar-see to him? His captive? His mate? He’d not publicly put a label on their relationship. Had feared doing so, truth be known, but now? “My camp was attacked by the warlord Allok and my mate, Mar-see, has been taken. Toren’s mate and my Mar-see are friends. I came to request—”
“No.”
Jorrick stared at him incredulously. “No? I didn’t even finish.”
“It does not matter. We owe nothing to this world and nothing to you. Leave and never come back.”
Tharius turned and started walking away. Jorrick stared at his retreating back, the tension he’d felt earlier turning into anger at his dismissal. Had the Draegon not had the ability to shift his form and kill him where he stood, he would force him to help. The methods he used to make others do his will wouldn’t work with this one but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t try.
Jorrick followed him, ignoring the others as they closed in on him. “Do not walk away from me, Draegon.”
Tharius stopped and turned, the smug look on his face morphing into one of anger as he faced him. “You do not order me—” He stopped talking mid-sentence and cocked his head to one side as if listening to something no one else could hear. His jaw clenched before his face turned red, his hands clenching into fists. He met his gaze again and blew out a breath, smoke curling from his nostril. A soft sound followed that Jorrick thought was a growl. “My mate says I cannot kill you.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “She wishes to know what you’re willing to sacrifice for our help.”
What would he sacrifice? He stared at the Draegon. Toren’s brother was nothing like the dragon he’d met. Toren had been unafraid and protective but this one made the rules. He saw them carried out and as he stood there staring at him, Jorrick realized this Draegon was right. He owed him nothing but Toren owed him his life. His and his mate’s. He could have killed them both but hadn’t done so because of Mar-see. But this one? He was no one to him. He had no reason to help him. He was completely at his mercy—and he knew it.
His mate wanted to know what he’d sacrifice to get Mar-see back? He’d sacrifice everything for her. His position, his camp—his life. If he died trying to get her back, he’d do so happily without a single second of remorse if he knew she would be safe.
Tharius tilted his head again, the look in his eyes growing distant for a few moments before he focused his gaze back on him.
“My Claudia says your answer is the right one.”
“My answer?”
“She is a seer. I trust her judgment but that doesn’t mean I have to agree.”
Movement in the trees brought more voices and the dragon Jorrick had sought out stepped into the clearing. Unlike before, he wore clothing now. The Draegon nodded his head in silent greeting. “I never thought to see you again.”
“If I weren’t desperate, you wouldn’t have.” Before Toren could say anything else, Jorrick told him what he’d already relayed to his brother. Toren regarded him with more interest than Tharius had but the look in his eyes said he wasn’t going to help.
“We risk everything moving about on this world now.” Toren looked at the others gathered around. “I was released, collared with no ability to make fire but—” He looked up and Jorrick noticed the camera orbs hovering nearby. “Now,” Toren said, nodding toward the orbs, “they know I have been set free.”
And he’d led them straight to their home. If Mar-see weren’t in danger, he might have cared but at the moment, he didn’t. “If they know you are here, then there is no reason to deny me.” He looked at those standing around him. He counted at least seven but knew more were close by. “You have numbers enough to destroy any who come close to your home. Even if the Corporation knows you’re free, I don’t think they’ll act upon it.” He waved a hand at the dragon men watching their exchange. “How many more Draegon are here? Even if it is nothing more than I see now, you have enough to destroy half this planet.”
Toren and Tharius stared at one another. Jorrick knew without asking they were communicating in some way. When they turned to face him, Tharius met his gaze. “We cannot put the lives of our people on the line for one human female. Your request is denied.”
Jorrick opened his mouth to plead his case again but as one, every Draegon there turned and walked back into the trees. Everyone but Toren. “I am sorry,” he said. “Tharius outranks everyone. He is leader. What he says goes.”