Chapter Six

As if Esha would refuse to see what kind of structure a Dragon King’s magic could create. She ducked her head and entered the rounded shelter. It was about the size of her tent in Flamefall, but the inside was much different.

A single pole about as thick as Kendrick’s leg stood in the middle of the tent, holding up everything. Tiny lights hung from the pole, extending outward and around the tent’s perimeter. Thick rugs with beautiful designs and colors covered the floor. The bed was large and off to one side. Across from that was a square table, sitting low to the ground. On either side of it were plush pillows in various colors. Additional scattered cushions offered more seating.

“Amazing,” she whispered. She turned to Kendrick, who had stopped beside her inside. “How did you do this?”

He shrugged. “I thought of it.”

“Just thought of it?”

“Aye.”

That was much stronger magic than any elf could do. It gave her pause because if he could do this kind of magic and couldn’t find the entity they sought, how would the elves ever manage it? More than that, she realized just how easily the dragons could wipe out the elves.

“The fear I saw when I shifted didna last long. I hope this doesna either.”

She couldn’t meet his gaze. “I suppose that demonstrates how little we know of dragons.”

“We’re sharing information, right? You tell me about the elves, and I tell you about dragons.”

Esha nodded slowly. That was part of the deal. She had never felt so off-balance before. A formidable being stood beside her, but if he hadn’t shown her his magic, she wouldn’t have any idea of his power. She met his gaze and stared into his green eyes. Even as her mind cautioned her to tread carefully, she didn’t regret anything that had happened since she’d come across Kendrick. Nor did she want to be anywhere but where she was right now.

With a mighty Dragon King who offered knowledge of his people.

This was the start of something. Esha felt it in the depths of her being. The possibilities were endless. And she was in the midst of it all.

Kendrick’s lips curved into a smile. She tried not to notice how his eyes sparkled and her mouth tipped up in answer. All of a sudden, she became aware that they were alone. And standing close together. Her gaze lowered to his shoulders and lingered. The thin material of his shirt outlined the definition of each muscle.

Her thoughts veered into dangerous territory. He was a guest, a potential ally. She shouldn’t be contemplating what he looked like with his shirt removed. Or what it might be like to run her hands over his warm skin.

To be held tightly against his hard body.

Warmth spread through her as her mouth went dry. Esha blinked and drew in a shaky breath. She lifted her gaze to find Kendrick watching her raptly. Embarrassment washed over her. She hadn’t felt that emotion since she was a young girl. All she could do was hope that he didn’t realize where her thoughts had gone.

Their gazes held for several heartbeats. Then he asked, “Would you like some tea?”

“You drink our tea?”

“If you explain it, I can make some. However, I was going to brew some of mine.”

“I’d like to try yours.”

“Does that mean you can stay for a wee bit?”

Esha hesitated. On the one hand, she very much wanted to stay with Kendrick and learn about him. On the other, she knew she had to face Savita sooner or later. Maybe giving her sister some time to consider things would calm her anger.

It was an excuse. One Esha fully admitted to herself because she didn’t want to leave Kendrick. “For a little while, yes.”

The delight on his face made her stomach flutter unexpectedly. She parted her lips, attempting to drag more air into her lungs. He motioned for her to choose a seat. She moved to the low table and arranged the brightly colored pillows around her. They were lush and extremely comfortable. When she looked up, Kendrick was headed her way with a tray that held a teapot, three smaller containers, and two cups.

He set it on the table. “Where I’m from, we drink copious amounts of tea. Sometimes, we put honey, sugar, or milk in it. There are even those who put lemon.” He flashed her a smile as he lowered himself to the pillows. “This is my favorite tea.”

“What is it called?”

“Earl Grey. It’s a black tea.”

He poured a cup and handed it to her. Esha sniffed the liquid, liking the smell. Then she watched as he added a bit of honey to his, stirred, and took a sip. He grinned and waited for her to taste it.

Esha brought the cup to her lips and sipped. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t the kind of tea she was used to. She added honey and tried again. Better, but not quite. She then added milk and grinned at the result.

“It’s good,” she said.

Kendrick laughed, causing the corners of his eyes to crease. “We’ll try yours next. Will you finish telling me about the classes of elves?”

She had expected the question. Esha held the cup between her hands and settled herself more comfortably as she drank. “Let’s see. I told you about the Sun and Dark Elves. There are also the Moon Elves. They don’t like to mingle with others and are very reclusive. Their skin is very fair with a silver glow to it. Their hair ranges from black, blue, to silvery-white, and their eyes are commonly various shades of blue. You won’t see them, simply because they cannot abide being around the rest of us.”

Kendrick leaned one elbow on a pillow as he drank. “Was it because of a war?”

“Nothing like that. What you need to understand is that elves are amiable at the core, but if you put us together, you start to see the variations and how dramatic each class can be. The Moon Elves will show themselves, but they’d rather not. We had one as a Ranger long ago, but none since.”

“That makes me want to see if I can find a Moon Elf.”

She laughed because she knew he was being serious. “That brings me to the Star Elves. They also have light skin. Many will mistake them for Moon Elves because of that. However, Star Elves have hair of lavender, purple, or silver and all have various shades of purple eyes. They’re nomadic, preferring to move rather than stay in one place. That means you’ll encounter many Star Elves because they love to meet others. They’re curious and adventurous, though they can be focused and relentless at times. They’re amazing healers.”

Kendrick nodded, his gaze locked on her as he took another drink. “Fascinating. Continue, please.”

Esha couldn’t remember the last time someone had listened so raptly to what she had to say. It was exciting and frightening all at once. Mostly because of how good it made her feel. “Sea Elves. Their skin has a blue or greenish tint. I love their hair. It ranges from a bluish-black to greenish-black. Their eyes are normally iridescent blue to silvery-white. They have webbed fingers and toes, as well as gills behind their ears.”

“I take it they live in the water?”

“They can, and do, come on land. But, yes, they prefer bodies of water for their homes.”

Kendrick frowned briefly. “We have something like that. A myth, really. They’re called mermaids or mermen. Their top halves are human, and their bottom halves have fish tails.”

“Really?” Esha asked, trying to form an image of such a creature in her mind. “Maybe it’s a good thing they’re a myth.”

He laughed.

“That brings us to the Wood Elves. They are the guardians of all things in the forest. They live in harmony with it in a way I’ve always found calming. They’re good with animals, and they can sense truths and lies. They can be judgmental but take time to consider everything before passing judgment. A Wood Elf’s friendship, once won, is deep and lasting. They’re expert fighters—some of the best, really. You’ll know them by their coppery skin. Their hair is mostly brown to red, and their eyes are always green or hazel.”

“Which leaves us with the Mountain Elves.”

“Ah, yes,” she said and paused to drink. The tea was growing on her. “They’re not as isolated as the Moon or Dark Elves, but they make their homes in the mountains, and that keeps them more separate than any other classes. They are the rarest of all the elves. They’re cautious and aloof by nature and understand the importance of community. They’re shorter in stature with black or brown hair. Their skin can range from white for those who live in the colder regions to more of a brown tint in other areas. Their eyes are always black, and they are the finest weapons crafters among us.”

Kendrick finished his tea and sat up to pour another cup. “I saw Wood, Sea, Star, and Sun Elves in your unit of Rangers. You all work together well.”

“The Rangers are a way of life. It isn’t something agreed to in the spur of the moment. When I decided I wanted to be a Ranger, I was tested. Repeatedly. Not just with weapons but also with my mind, wit, and emotions. Our duty is to keep travelers safe, but also to halt any trouble we might find along the way. Being an Asavori Ranger means that you have passed countless tests, trained with the best fighters, learned strategy, and are able to put—and use—all that together.”

Kendrick’s green eyes held hers. “Sounds intense.”

“It took years.”

“That brings me to my next question. What is the lifespan of an elf?”

She grinned. “Much, much longer than a mortal. We live for centuries, sometimes reaching even a thousand years old. What about dragons?”

“They live for thousands of years.”

Her smile tightened at his words. “And a Dragon King?”

Kendrick slowly leaned to the side, resting on his elbow once more. “I’m no’ sure you want to know that.”

“I do.” She did, didn’t she?

He glanced at the ground and said, “It’s a little complicated. A Dragon King lives until the magic deems someone more worthy should take his place.”

“How old are you?”

A flash of something swept over his face. “I have lived so long I no longer remember the number.”

With that, he set down his cup and rose, walking to the side of the tent, his back to her. Esha watched him for a beat before placing her cup down and getting to her feet. Something had changed. The atmosphere was no longer friendly and open. She saw a strain in him now, and she wished she could undo it.

“That was an insensitive question,” she said.

He blew out a breath and turned to her. “Nay, lass. You have every right to ask. It just made me think of the past. At times, it feels like a wave of desolation will take me if I think too hard about it. Sometimes, I’m unable to fight it off. The depression is…daunting and verra difficult to shake. I usually take to my mountain and sleep when I sense it coming.”

“Then I will leave you to rest. ”

He reached out and gently grabbed her arm, halting her, his face lined with remorse. “I meant dragon sleep. Where we sleep for centuries. It’s how I’ve gotten through so many endless years.”

Blood rushed through Esha’s ears as his words registered. Just how old was he? By his words, exceptionally old. But he didn’t look it. Surely, he wasn’t immortal. Or was he?

He released her arm. “Please, doona go. I’ve been patrolling my area for weeks on my own. One of my brethren disappeared recently, and it brought up a lot of things I’ve been ignoring. I want to learn about your people, and I want to work with you to hunt that thing I fought.”

Esha had been with him for long enough. She should return to Flamefall and speak to Savita. She knew it. Instead, she said, “Tell me about your people.”

His smile was slow and nearly blinding. “Dragons are amazing. They come in every size and color you could think of. Some might say we’re righteous creatures, and they wouldna be wrong. As you said earlier, however, there are always good, bad, and everything in between. Magic looks deep inside each dragon to find the strongest—the most powerful of each clan. The magic chose me to be a King.”

She grinned at the light that shone in his eyes when he spoke about the dragons.

“Each clan is a different color. Mine is sienna. The previous King was gravely wounded in battle, leaving us weakened and vulnerable.” Kendrick’s smile faded as he lowered himself back onto the cushions. He was silent for a moment as he poured more tea into both his cup and hers. As he added honey, he said, “Only a Dragon King can kill another King. That’s how one becomes a King.”

Her stomach twisted. She returned to the pillows and wrapped her hands around her cup. “You had to…kill him?”

“It was a mercy in the end. We heal quickly, but he had battled another King, and the damage he sustained was extensive. He was a good King—one of the best. When I came to take his place, he smiled. I’ll never forget that. He knew I would give him the end he desired so the pain would stop.”

“But you carry that around.”

“Every King does.” He shot her a half smile. “It is our way.”

She swallowed, her mind latching on to something he’d said. “Wait. If only a King can kill another King, then I take it you all fight often to take each other’s spots? ”

“No’ at all. As I said, the magic decides who should be King. Anyone can challenge us, but it is always to the death. Someone will die. Many want to be King but doona get the magic’s call. That ultimately leads to their death. The other Dragon Kings are my brethren. We lean on each other for everything.”

Esha’s heart slammed into her ribs with shock as her mind connected everything. “If you can only die by another Dragon King’s hand, and none of you fights, then that would make you…”

“Immortal,” he replied in a soft voice.

“Oh.” What exactly did she say to that? What could she say?

Immortal . What was that even like? She wanted to ask, but his words from before stopped her. Obviously, it wasn’t all it seemed. The despondency she had seen in his eyes earlier told of the things he carried inside him—things she could only imagine.

“Does that change things between us?” Kendrick asked.

She looked into his eyes and shook her head. “No.”

His answering grin was all she needed.