Caught By the Dragon: Maiden to the Dragon, Book 1 by - (first e reader .txt) 📕

cloaks for our lords.” He smiled and nodded at the air above us. “Now to the skies before I throw you myself.”

Apuleius returned the smile. “Thank you, old friend.” He turned to me. “If you would climb on my back, My Lady.”

I blinked at him and glanced at his back. “I don’t think I’d-”

My mistake was cut short when the slits in the back of his cloak parted to make room for his large green dragon wings.

“If you will pardon my forwardness, My Lady,” he apologized.

I didn’t have time to ask him why before he swept me into his arms. He flapped his wings and we were airborne. Like any unprofessional rider I clung tightly to his neck and prayed.

I was up to bartering my soul for a reprieve from the wind whipping through my hair when we reached the castle. The long fifteen miles had been covered in a little under fifteen minutes. An eternity for my heart, and I hoped I wouldn’t expect to find Xander in an eternity of sleep.

The guards greeted us with spears as Apuleius landed in the courtyard. I slid out of his arms and stumbled forward. My legs shook so bad I leaned on the old sage for support. His wings shrank until his old frame returned to his complete human form. It was only then that the guards lowered their spears.

Apuleius looked to one of the green-clothed guards. “Does Our Lord still live?”

He pursed his lips, but nodded. “Yes, Priest Apuleius, but only just barely.”

Apuleius turned to me and pressed his hand against my back. “If you would follow me, My Lady.”

He led me through the maze of corridors and doors to Xander’s chambers. We found two green-clothed guards on either side of the door. They bowed their heads and one of them opened the door for Apuleius and me. I wondered how many doors were shut to this priestly fellow.

That is, until I saw the figure in the bed. All thought fled from my mind. I froze just inside the doorway. There, beneath many layers of blankets, lay Xander. His face was ashen and sweat covered his brow. Bandages criss-crossed his chest. He shivered and clenched his teeth. Near the foot of the bed stood Cayden, and at his side was Stephanie. Darda stood behind them with her husband.

Apuleius hurried to his side. He looked from Xander’s pale face to a man who stood on the opposite side of the bed. He was a white-haired, gray-bearded gentleman in a long shirt with sleeves and leggings. His hands were covered in silk gloves that were stained by chemicals and sweat. His face was grave.

“How is his health?” Apuleius asked him.

The doctor pursed his lips. He closed his eyes and shook his head. “There is nothing more my skills can do.”

I hurried over to Apuleius’s side and set my hands on the covers. A closer look at Xander’s face didn’t help the heavy feeling in my heart. His breathing was quick and each breath was a struggle.

I looked at all the faces of those who surrounded me. “What’s wrong with him?”

“The Bestia Draconis wore poison-tipped silver talons. One of them cut Xander very deeply,” Cayden explained.

I felt the color drain from my face. The ache in my shoulder got worse as I looked around at the dire faces. “Isn’t there an antidote?”

The doctor closed his eyes and shook his head. “My abilities are beyond this poison. Only the tears given by the Lady of the Pond can heal such a poison.”

I furrowed my brow. “The woman who lives in the pond near the castle? What’s so hard about that?”

Cayden sighed. “The Lady only appears to those whom she deems worthy of her attention. In this instance, she would not heed our calls and appear to us.”

I pursed my lips and spun on my heels so I faced the doorway. “Then I’ll go,” I announced as I marched toward the door.

The guards on either side stepped in my way. I whipped my head over my shoulder to look at Cayden. “If you want that dragon lord to make it then let me go.”

Cayden shook his head. “We cannot allow you to escape again.”

I glared at him and pointed a finger at Xander. “Do you want him to die?”

“If you were to-”

“Let her go.” The words came from Darda. She looked up at Cayden and met his gaze. “My Lord would wish it so.”

Cayden sighed, but nodded his head. He turned his attention to the soldiers. “Step aside, and I will go with you.”

The guards stepped aside. I hurried to the door and grabbed the knob, but paused and looked over my shoulder. I gave the group a smile and a thumbs up. “I’ll be right back.”