Dragonfyre

“Aimery.”

Finally, Theron’s call. Aimery lengthened his strides and hurried to the throne room, the white and bright blue squares of the floor blurring in his haste. The double doors to the throne room opened as he approached.

“Aimery,” Theron called and greeted him in the middle of the massive circular room.

“I felt it.”

Theron sighed. “Every Fae felt it. Some might not know what it is, but most will.”

“How bad is it?”

“Terrible, old friend. Terrible indeed.” He ran a down his face and let his weariness show. “A Blue has been killed.”

Aimery blew out a breath and shook his head in disbelief. The Blues were their greatest dragons. They weren’t the largest, but they had the strongest magic. The realm couldn’t sustain another dragon death. “How?”

Theron shrugged his shoulders, his white and blue robes moving with him. “I don’t know.”

“And the maiden priestesses of the Dragon Order? Have they not determined what killed the Blue?”

“Nay.”

Which meant it was far worse than terrible, it was disastrous. “What do you need me to do?”

“It’s going to be dangerous.”

Aimery grinned. “I live for danger.”

Theron returned the smile. “I’m a fool for sending the best warrior we have, but I’d be a fool not to.”

“Just tell me what is going on?”

“We don’t know what happened to the Blue because the priestess has been unable to get close to the dead dragon to discover what killed him.”

Aimery crossed his arms over his chest. He knew enough about the Dragon Order to know each dragon had a sub-order and a leader. Because he was the commander of the Fae army and Theron’s right hand man, he knew the names of the leaders.

“Kyndra is the leader of the Blue Order. Has she not tried?”

“She was the first,” Theron murmured. “If they won’t allow her, they won’t allow anyone.”

“Not even Julieth?”

“Julieth is…weakening. Her magic has been used against the black magic that seems to have invaded our realm.”

Aimery ground his teeth together. “This is related to the string of murders, Theron. I’m sure of it.”

“As am I, which is why I’ve called for you.”

“I’ll do what must be done.”

“I have no doubt.”

It was the uncertainty in Theron’s swirling blue gaze that made Aimery narrow his eyes. “What aren’t you telling me?”

Theron glanced toward an open set of doors that led to the balcony. Aimery followed his gaze and found a cloaked figure with her back to him. The breeze lifted the cloak showing long, lean legs encased in black boots that stopped at her knee. He got a glimpse of pale blue skirts that ended mid-thigh.

The dress of a warrior maiden – a maiden of the Dragon Order.