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Onyx Dreams Ch. 01

By: kitazkitten



Chapter 1: First Sight

**Scotland, Secret Druidic Monastery**

Sir Anthony Davenport stood in the main dining area and grimaced. He was expecting a visitor, a psionic who had no control over his burgeoning powers. His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of his only child and his pride and joy, Kennice.

"Father, is it true? Are we getting a new priest?" she asked.

"No, dear. Not a priest but a psion."

"OH!" Kennice's eyes grew big. 

At sixteen, she was already a beauty and had a body that made men write songs about. Her father wisely kept her away from the males of the monastery and made sure his daughter wore demure clothing at all times.

"You must behave my dear and do not frighten him," Anthony admonished.

"I will, I will. I promise!" Kennice said quickly, her eyes lighting up at the prospect of meeting someone like her family, someone with gifts that made them different and special.

She let out a squeal and raced from the room when the doorbell rang.

Anthony sighed and followed after her. He felt his wife's gentle mental touch and he smiled for he knew she was already at the door.

*   *   *

Looking up at the large doors, Cyrus shivered, a sonic charge building within him as his apprehension grew. What would this new place be like? Would his mentor be hard on him? Would he be too lack? And what of his education? Cyrus found it difficult to believe that a monastery could have book on modern subjects.

Clutching his backpack closer, his meager belongings held within, Cyrus waited for the doors to open and his new life to begin.

The door opened to reveal a woman in her early forties who had hazel eyes and a welcoming smile. "Come in, come in from the cold," she urged.

Cyrus walked in and looked around in awe at the huge entrance way.

He stood beside Lady Davenport sighing softly even as he shivered in the cool air. He was not used to such a chill in these northern lands, more used to the warmer climates of the south of Britain.

Kennice rounded the corner in a full run and tried to come to halt but the floor was slippery from the mopping earlier and her feet came out from under her and she went sliding across the floor and crashed into the young man who stood with her mother.

Elizabeth Davenport had heard her daughter coming and with a touch of telekinesis had moved herself out of the way. 

Kennice let out a moan and struggled to sit up, her face red with embarrassment. "I'm sorry!' she cried.

Cyrus, who, unfortunately, lacked the powers of premonition, didn't realize Kennice was coming barreling round the corner until she had crashed into him, taking him clean off his feet.

The sudden impact and resulting startling shock, caused the buildup within him to release, a mild sound blast emitting in a sphere around him, tipping over the tall candle stick holders and pushing small items from shelves. Cyrus blacked out for a few moments as his powers drained him completely. He landed in a crumpled heap on the floor beside Kennice thankfully not breaking anything during his fall.

Kennice opened her mouth to apologize again when her father came around the corner. "Kennice Davenport! You should be ashamed of yourself, young lady!" he scolded as he pulled her to her feet. Her braided hair had come free of its braid and fell in long waves down her back.

"I am sorry father! I didn't mean to hurt him!"

"It's alright dear. He's drained not hurt," Elizabeth reassured her daughter before looking at her husband. "His powers might be a problem. We will probably have to use some mild sedatives on him until he can learn some control."

"I bow to your healing knowledge my dear," Anthony said as he kissed her hand and gave her a wink.

Kennice ignored her parents to study the unconscious young man. He couldn't be much older than her but he sure was hot! She immediately clamped down on that thought lest her mother hear it.

He was taller than her but she liked that in a guy. She looked at his lips and wondered how they would feel on her....

"OW!" she yelped when her mother cuffed her. 

"You will not think such thoughts. Go to your room this instant. I will let you know when you can come out!" Elizabeth scolded, her face angry. One of the advantages to being a mind reader was that she could keep a very careful eye on her daughter. Elizabeth knew that her little girl was growing up but that didn't mean Kennice could be wild either. Her daughter was going to be well bred not a whore.

Kennice felt the tears well up and she raced past her parents and up the stairs without a word.

Cyrus groaned softy as his eyes flicked open, the vision of Kennice running away filling his view as the blurriness faded. Those long waving locks of hair, that perfectly slim lined body. Cyrus closed his eyes a moment as his body checked it was still all there, his 18 year old mind filling with thoughts of what Kennice might be like in his own bed chambers at home.

Elizabeth was scowling at Cyrus. She had heard his thoughts and was not happy with them. And she mentally told Anthony to keep the boy away from her daughter. Aloud she said, "Let me go get the table set, you must be starving." She left quickly, leaving her husband and their guest alone.

Cyrus flexed his hands a little to get the feeling back into them and winced a little, rubbing the back of his head where he had clocked it on the hard wood floors. "Anyone got an aspirin about..."Cyrus held his hands about a foot apart. "This big?"

Anthony held out his hand. "I'm sure we can find something," he said with a grin.

Cyrus gratefully took the offered hand, his head still spinning a little but recovering. "Thank you Sir, may I ask who that vision of beauty was...I'd like to think I might have the chance to become more acquainted with her...?"

Cyrus smiled in a slightly mischievous way and looked at Anthony, the look on his face however made him stop in his tracks, the smile melting from his face.

Cyrus raised an eyebrow a little and asked. "What?"

"That "vision of beauty" is my daughter. Kindly keep your hands, eyes and thoughts to yourself," Anthony said sternly as he steered Cyrus toward the dining room.

Cyrus' eyes went wide as alarm bells erupted in his head. Softly he said, "oh...." In his mind he finished. ~...Fuck...I am so screwed right now...~

"Of course, Sir, my hands are tied, eyes are sealed shut and thoughts are nonexistent..." Cyrus stated, his guts twisting with fear at the potential punishment that may be about to befall him, another charge beginning to build with his fear. Silently Cyrus followed Anthony to the dining room.

"You don't need to fear. He won't rip you apart. You will not be the first male at this monastery to have such a reaction to our daughter," Elizabeth assured him as she pointed to the three place settings on the table.

Cyrus paused a moment before taking his place at the table. "Well I, I uhh, I guess it might be natural to think such things..." In his mind he spoke to himself ~Natural? Yeah that's rich coming from me, I'm just a freak of nature...~ Cyrus placed his bag down beside his chair, his clothes emanating the nostril wrenching aroma of a month's hitch hiking on £10.

"Don't worry. We have clothes for you as well. You will be bunking on the ground floor with the other monks and priests. My family lives on the fourth floor. The second and the third floor are for training and instruction. The basement level is where you will spend most of your time since it was constructed to help those with abilities learn control," Anthony explained.

Cyrus nodded slowly, a thought of Kennice once more entering his mind. Cyrus quickly stamped it down, mentally dropping it into a bottomless pit and sealing the top, scolding himself for having such thoughts; did he want to get himself dismissed already? 


Cyrus took a moment before speaking, "If it is alright Sir, may I retain these clothes? Once properly washed of course. They are the things that seem to go well when I'm out and about. No one seems to notice me, or just plain avoids me..."

Once more his inner voice spoke out. ~Well duh, who would want to go near a freak? I don't blame though, not after what we did to father's temple...sure there a 20 foot wide hole in the south wall but at least he doesn't complain about the roof leaking anymore...~

Elizabeth frowned as she listened to the young man's thoughts. He was hurting and it was going to take a long time to fix that. But for now, he had to be fed. "Come, eat. Your clothes will be returned to you cleaned and ready for wear," Elizabeth promised him. "Now, eat," she encouraged.

Cyrus nodded and lifted the lid from his plate, breathing in the mouth watering wonderful aromas. "Wow...chicken, done just the way I like it..." Puzzled Cyrus looked up at Elizabeth, frowning a little. "How did you know?"

"I'm good with details," Elizabeth told him warmly.

"Eat, Cyrus. Eat as much you want," Anthony encouraged.

Cyrus, however, did not begin eating, his curiosity getting the better of him. "But I never told you how I like my chicken cooked, are you like a minder reader or something?" Cyrus said with a joking laugh.

"All parents are mind readers. How do you think we always know when are children are up to trouble?" Elizabeth asked him as she ate some of her chicken.

Anthony chuckled. "She has the right of it my boy," Anthony told Cyrus.

Cyrus bit his bottom lips and nodded. "Yeah, father always seemed to have a way of knowing what I was thinking, especially when I was anxious or having a bad dream. He used to say the whole temple used to shake with my nightmares..." Cyrus stared at his plate a moment, his appetite seeming to vanish as his mind dredged up those terrible memories of the past. ~Dark beasts like nothing I have seen before.... scaly, winged beasts of fire, almost...calling to me~ Cyrus visibly shivered and pushed his plate away a little. "I am sorry ma'am and sir but...I seem to have lost my appetite."

Elizabeth and Anthony exchanged looks. "Come then, I'll show you to your room," Elizabeth said as she stood.

Cyrus nodded and shook off the feelings as much as possible, yet still a little lingering, a sound charge very slowly building. "Thank you Ma'am."

Anthony walked over and touched him and suddenly the charge died. "Better?" Anthony asked. Thankful that his powers of energy drain worked on all psions.

Cyrus fumbled a little at the sudden relief. "Yes...thank you Sir...but...how did you do that?" Cyrus frowned in puzzlement once more.

"You are not the only one with abilities, young man," Anthony told him before giving him a gentle push toward Elizabeth who opened the door. "Come, Cyrus," Elizabeth said and gave him a gentle smile.

Cyrus dumbly followed, not quite comprehending what he had just heard. There were others like him? With...powers? ~So she really IS a mind reader...Oh no...~ The memory of when Cyrus had first laid eyes on Kennice flooded his mind before he could stamp it down. ~So that's why she scowled at me~

"Yes, Cyrus, I can read minds and yours is very loud but in time you will learn how to control that as well." Elizabeth stopped at a door and opened it.

Cyrus gasped a little as she confirmed his fears. "I uhh, want to umm...apologize then for uh...the thing...earlier..." Once more Cyrus had to force his mind to stamp down on any thoughts of Kennice, but no matter how hard he tried, She always crept back into the back of his mind, niggling away at his thoughts like a splinter in his brain.

"It will take time. And do not worry. Our daughter will be leaving soon to go study with some of our order to learn her job as future high priestess. She will not be around to distract you," Elizabeth assured him.

"Right..." Cyrus nodded sheepishly and placed his backpack on the floor by his bed. "So uhh...when do we begin?"

"Tomorrow, first light. Leave your clothes in the basket. They'll be washed with tomorrow's laundry," Elizabeth told him.

Cyrus nodded and looked around his room a moment. ~No TV, no radio, no pc, only electrical socket connected to the only lamp...and a bookcase full of books that have at least two million years of dust coating them...~

"You will be reading some of those books, so please have respect. Good night, Cyrus," Elizabeth said as she left the room and quietly closed the door behind her.

Cyrus cursed in his mind and rubbed his temples, speaking softly to himself. "Well it looks like I'll have to learn humility at a world record pace, lest I become jaded by my own thoughts being read constantly." Stripping out of his clothes, Cyrus slept only in his boxers, the long day having exhausted him fully, forcing him into a deep slumber. 

Onyx Dreams Ch. 02



Chapter 2: Moonlight Dance

Cyrus awoke in the night, the familiar rumble fading of his room shaking, his nightmare still visible to him. A beast in his mind, calling to him, black and reflective scales gazing at him, softly calling his name. Cyrus shivered at the memory and slid out of bed, quietly opening his doors, making sure not to think a single thought out loud as he slowly walked along the chilled hallways of the monastery.

* * *

Outside Kennice stood in just her violet silk bra and panties. The moonlight bathed her in its glow, caressing her baby soft skin with its power. Soon the moon would reach full and Kennice would get to dance her first fertility dance before the druidic council. She had to pull the energy of the cosmos into her and call forth a healing for some specially selected ill ones from the nearby hospital.

Slowly, and with deliberate care, she gently extended her right arm, her hand gracefully pointed down, her manicured nails gleaming. Then she began to sing, her sweet soprano melodious on the night air.

She twirled slowly, her toes pointed and her upper body rolling gently like waves against the beach. She could feel the power of the earth, humming beneath her feet and she smiled as she sang and tried to cajole it into moving with her.

* * *

Cyrus moved silently through the cold hallways of the monastery, its chilly flagstones numbing his feet as he reached a doorway outside. Slowly Cyrus opened the door, hoping to catch some air and was greeted by the sight of Kennice dressed only in a set of sheer lingerie. Cyrus froze, his eyes going wide, his brain unable to process any thoughts as they took in the amazing sight of Kennice.

She twirled and pranced and rolled her body in the light of the moon. She could feel the earth and hear its song. "Yes," Kennice called as her movements became freer. She ran her hands seductively down her neck and to her breasts before trailing her fingers down her hardening nipples on the way down to her rock hard abs. Her hands stilled just above her panties, She continued rolling her body and then added the movement of a belly dance to it. All around her feet, flowers were springing up and bursting into bloom.

The hum of power was in the air.

Cyrus's hand tightened on the door handle as his eyes took in each and every one of Kennice's curves, his eyes lingering on her hands as they trailed across her hard nipples, poking through the sheer bra, trailing them down her body to her panties, he could just make out in the dim light, a small wet spot in the center.

This wonderful sight of beauty before him not only entangled and had an effect on his mind, but also his body as his member began to stiffen and tent his boxer shorts.

"Beautiful, isn't she?" a young man asked as he peeked over Cyrus' shoulder. The boy was blonde and had the palest blue eyes that seemed to hold the hint of laughter in them.

Cyrus jerked a little, a gentle nudge of sound came from him at the surprise and he was forced to steady himself on the door. "Uhh yeah, she's...absolutely amazing." Cyrus suddenly realized he was thinking about Kennice. "Oh god...I can't be here..." Cyrus turned and began running down the hallway hoping Elizabeth hadn't heard his thoughts.

The young man watched Cyrus flee with amusement. Rhys turned back around and watched Kennice end the dance. Yes, she was beautiful and if he played his cards right, he'd be married to her and he would be the next druidic high priest.

As Cyrus rushed through the halls, he skidded and slipped as he entered his room, gasping in pain as the stone floor, shredded across his back, drawing small spots of blood. Cyrus gritted his teeth as a cry of pain emitted from his lips quietly, almost like a dog growling. Slowly, very slowly, Cyrus crawled into bed, the pain filling his thoughts before he slipped into sleep. 

* * *

Kennice made it back to her room with a sigh. The practice had gone better than what she expected but now she was exhausted. She wanted to sleep but she could still feel the hum of power through her body. She slipped into the shower and as the hot water hit her body, she thought of Cyrus and wondered what it would feel like to have him touching her. She closed her eyes and let her imagination take control...

* * *

Cyrus slid into a deeper sleep as he lay in his bed. As dreams began to blossom in his mind Cyrus could hear soft music on the air. In his dreams Cyrus moved towards the music, slowly Kennice became visible in front of him dancing the fertility dance before his eyes.

Cyrus softly moaned in his sleep as he felt himself growing stiff watching her dance, his eyes locked on Kennice's erect nipples and the small damp patch forming on her panties.

He was watching her dancing and she knew that the real reason she was dancing so well was not that she had felt the earth's power but because he made her hot and made things in her body sing out in need. She craved his touch and yet they couldn't seem to get a minute alone to quench it. But in her dream anything could happen.

"Come to me, Cyrus. Make love to me, please," she pleaded.

Cyrus moved forwards in his dream as he heard Kennice speak her words of desire. Cyrus suddenly realized he was buck naked in front of Kennice, his arousal sticking out in front of him like a hot rod of tempered steel. Cyrus looked Kennice over, watching the lingerie that covered her body become transparent before disappearing completely.

Kennice admired his body and then slid into his arms, her hot breath blowing across his skin as she kissed her way up his shoulder to his neck. Her hands rested lightly on his chest.

Cyrus wrapped his arms around Kennice, sliding them down her back as he moaned. Her kisses were like velvet, his skin prickling at each one. Cyrus gripped Kennice's buttocks tightly, massaging and squeezing them for a long moment before his hand slid between her legs to her swollen sex.

"Oh Cyrus, I only want you to be the one," she whimpered, her legs parting even more to allow him access to her womanhood.

Cyrus looked into Kennice's eyes, his own glazing over with desire and love. "And I promise I will be the only one my love." Slowly Cyrus slid his fingertips over the moist lips of Kennice's centre. Slowly Cyrus leaned down and kissed Kennice with passion, his tongue sliding out and exploring her mouth.

Kennice was floating, at least that's how it felt when his lips touched hers and his fingers worked their magic on her body. She felt lights and heat and happiness all at once. So this was what it was like to be in love, she thought as she probed his mouth with her tongue. He tasted of happiness and greatness.

With gentleness only love can bring, Cyrus gradually slid his finger into Kennice's virgin depths. Cyrus slowly worked his finger back and forth as he felt Kennice's extremely tight muscles grip his fingers with strength.

Kennice was panting in amazement. "Oh, oh!" she cried, her eyes going wide.

Gently Cyrus slid his finger deeper, stopping at her maidenhead and slowly withdrawing his finger outwards. Almost as soon as it had come out it was plunged back in, joined by a second finger, the two gently stretching Kennice.

Kennice's eyes were closed and her mouth was open. She was making mewling sounds of pleasure, her body burning with the fire he was stroking.

Cyrus softly kissed down Kennice's neck and began to lay her back, a bed felt at her calves and across her back. The black silk sheets slid easily beneath them as Cyrus continued to slowly finger Kennice.

"Cyrus! Cyrus!" she cried his name pleadingly. "I, please, I need you!"

Cyrus looked down at Kennice and nodded, slowly sliding within her thigh, replacing his fingers with the tip of his solid, thick erection at her lips.

Softly Cyrus whispered. "Are you ready Kennice? After this...there's no going back."

"I'm...ready..." she panted and she was. She had been waiting for this her whole life.

Slowly Cyrus pushed his hips forwards until he met the resistance of her Hymen. Cyrus slowly withdrew and teasingly thrust just within the small area before Kennice's innocence. As he watched her Reaction Cyrus timed it almost perfectly, driving his full-length forwards as Kennice's pleasure occupied her mind.

Kennice yelped but then moaned as the pain and the pleasure combined. She could hear the earth singing and she finally knew what had been missing from her dance. It had been love. Love was the key!

Cyrus leaned down and softly kissed Kennice, a kiss filled with love and passion. Cyrus slowly began withdrawing his cock from Kennice, leaving just the tip within her before sliding his entire length back into her. Cyrus slid one hand to Kennice's breast and squeezed her nipple softly to build her pleasure.

"Where did you learn this?" she gasped, wriggling underneath him, her body dancing to a tune as old as time.

Cyrus smiled and kissed down her jaw line to her neck, softly kissing her delicate flesh and whispered. "From my Father. Friars always know how to please..." Cyrus kept his pace long and slow, wanting Kennice to enjoy this moment, to remember it and feel only pleasure.

Kennice chuckled at that. She had heard stories but who knew.... it could be this good. She had dreamed that her first time would be this way and it was perfect.

"Thank you," she said shyly as her hands delicately explored his body.

Cyrus smiled as he watched Kennice's hands explore every crevice of his body as his hips moved back and forth, a leisurely pace, almost hypnotic.

"Cyrus, I don't want this to ever end!"

Cyrus leaned down once more as he felt Kennice's explorations move to his back, his lips meeting hers once again in a long loving kiss. Cyrus sighed softly as the kiss parted; his pace increasing a little as Kennice explored further down his back.

She cupped his buttocks and then gently squeezed them. She could feel the muscles bunch beneath and it amazed her. He had so much strength and power. It attracted her as much as personality did.

Cyrus softly nuzzled against Kennice's neck as he took his time in pleasing her, wanting her very first orgasm to be an earth shattering experience.

"I feel pressure, fire, what is this?" she gasped as the first tremors of her orgasm began.

Softly Cyrus whispered in Kennice's ear as his pace increased once more. "It's the greatest feeling in the world...your very first..." Cyrus's voice ricocheted around their joined dream as he spoke the last word. "...Orgasm."

"Orgasm, I've heard of this but never felt it. It feels great," she added as she rocked her hips and moaned when it produced even more tremors.

Cyrus smiled and began nibbling on her neck and shoulder, his hand gently twisting Kennice's nipple. Cyrus took long and deep strokes into Kennice, closing his eyes at the amazing tightness he felt around himself.

Kennice felt her muscles tightening then releasing and suddenly she screamed and clutched at Cyrus as her body bucked and the tremors slammed through her body.

Cyrus lay close to Kennice, still thrusting into her at a medium pace as he witnessed her ride through her very first orgasm. The thought alone of doing this aroused him exponentially and Cyrus felt himself suddenly rocketing towards orgasm.

Cyrus exploded within Kennice just as she reached the peak of her orgasm, his emotions and pleasure flowing into hers and serving to multiply the ecstasy and awe that Kennice felt.

Kennice screamed out his name as her muscles locked and she fell into an ocean of bliss.

Cyrus strained as he fell into the same ocean, his entire body going numb from the intensity. When Cyrus opened his eyes again, it was morning and he was awake.

* * *

Upstairs in her room, Kennice's eyes opened. Her nipples were sore and her body ached. She sat up and touched her body. She felt like she'd had that wondrous moment but she was all alone in her room.



Onyx Dreams Ch. 03



Chapter 3: Settling In

The next morning dawned clear and cool but Kennice didn't notice either. She was buried three layers deep under blankets and sheets and was quite warm. Last night's dance had exhausted her but she could almost feel the earth answer her summons. She smiled happily at the memory of the sensation of being caressed by the lightest of touches. Yes, the earth loved its people, even when people did not love it. She had a few more days to go before she had to dance the spell in front of the druidic council and she was sure she would be ready.

She peeked from beneath the covers and groaned when she saw the time. She was going to be late for breakfast if she didn't get a move on. With a sigh she threw back the covers and shivered when the cool air hit her. Her nipples instantly hardened and she stretched slowly, sticking her chest out and admiring the ample amount, genetics had blessed her with.

She pulled on a tee shirt and hip huggers as well as her sandals and headed downstairs to breakfast.

Cyrus lay half naked underneath his covers still sleeping; his mind and body had been fitful in their rest during the night. Witnessing Kennice's fertility dance had done little to ease the tension and confusion in his mind of late.

As Cyrus shifted once more in his sparse and vague patterns of sleep, a hiss escaped his lips as he rolled onto a sensitive patch of scratched and torn skin, the dark stone floor still holding dark spots of his blood within the crevices of its rough and harsh skin.

The feeling of pain filtered its way through Cyrus' dreams, a better word being nightmares. The black beast was still calling to him, his fear cruising at an amount great enough to potentially blow the door off its hinges if pushed just the right way. The pain that had filtered into his dreams provided just the right stimulation, wrenching Cyrus from his state of unconscious dreaming.

Jerking, Cyrus' body awoke and set off the build up, slamming into the surrounding room, shaking the walls and ceiling, the door exploding outwards in a shower of oak splinters at the sheer violence of the expulsion of sound.

The room darkened for Cyrus almost as quickly as it had become visible, his state of consciousness lasting only a moment.

Elizabeth and Anthony had been preparing for breakfast when Elizabeth froze. "Anthony, he's...."

Suddenly the castle rumbled hard and Elizabeth was flung against Anthony.

Anthony shook his head. "We'll be giving him that sedative today. Otherwise he's going to kill us all."

"Agreed. Kennice is up and moving about so she should be down soon. You might want to go check on him," Elizabeth said.

"Yes dear," Anthony replied, kissing her on the cheek before leaving the dining hall.

* * *

Kennice came silently down the stairs and with a speculative glance toward the closed dining room door. She made up her mind to go check on the newcomer. She knew which room her mother would have put him in. Smiling she started off down the hall. 

She was almost there when the door flew off its hinges and the castle started shaking. She ducked down and covered her ears. She peeked from beneath her fingers in the sudden silence. "Hello?" she called as she slowly stood and walked toward what used to be the door.

Cyrus lay half out of bed, the force of the blast having essentially destroyed his bed, his covers up over his head, his lower half and nether regions however were exposed for all the world to see.

The room around him was in a shambles, the beautifully stained glass window was now merely an opening in the wall with a few tiny shards left at the sides, the book case was in tatters also, the books however were mostly undamaged, other than a few bent pages.

Kennice's mouth fell open as she stared at the sight that greeted her eyes. He had a nice body and other parts of him, they looked well put together. She blushed at her thoughts, forced them down and entered.

"Are you alright?" she asked again as she crept closer.

Cyrus didn't respond for a few minutes, his body still hauling ass to get him conscious again. However eventually he began to awaken from the darkness his powers had plunged him into.

Groaning Cyrus felt the draft over his body and seen only blackness before him, softly he muttered. "Oh this is just great...now I'm fucking blind..." Cyrus moved his arms out from their extremely uncomfortable position and heard a sudden crunching pop as his shoulder popped back into the joint from the verge of dislocation.

Screaming from the feeling Cyrus' body jerked again, this time an arm shooting out in front of him and letting loose a strong blast that hit the bookcase in an almost knee-jerk reaction.

The covers now off Cyrus's head he paused after the blast and squinted in the light. "Well at least am not blind."

Cyrus frowned now though, there was a soft sound coming from somewhere, almost like the cracking of wood, his eyes fell upon the almost demolished bookcase base and then its heavy load above him. "Ahhh sh..." Cyrus was cut off as the bookcase collapsed forwards on top of him, burying him in large heavy books and broken wood.

After the crash had died down, Cyrus could be heard muffled under the bookcase. "Ow..." The pile of rubble shifted slightly as he grunted, attempting to push it off. "Well this is just great...I'm gonna die under a bookcase.... little help anyone?"

Kennice had stumbled backwards away from him when he screamed and his power blasted out again. She watched in shock as the bookcase crashed down on the newcomer.

She could barely hear his words for her ears were still ringing. She stumbled forward and touched his hand. "I'm here," she told him, shaking her head trying to clear her aching head.

"Kennice Davenport, why are you in here?" Anthony roared as he turned into Cyrus' room and spotted his daughter. The room was in shambles and he sighed. More repairs but that was okay. He would get some of the newer recruits to work on it.

Kennice's face turned red and she turned around. "Stop shouting! I heard a noise and came to help. I can't lift the bookcase off of him!" she wailed.

Anthony shook his head. It looked like they were going to have to send Kennice away sooner than expected.

"Don't worry, your mother is coming. Move over there and if you value your life, be quiet," he told her sternly.

Kennice obediently moved to the corner, still wringing her hands, and watched anxiously as her father bent down and started talking softly to Cyrus.

A few minutes later her mother arrived, cast her a disapproving look and then focused on the task at hand.

"Cyrus, my wife's here. We're going to get this bookcase off of you. Hold still," Anthony instructed before giving Elizabeth a quick nod.

Elizabeth held out a hand and the bookcase slow rose and settled back into its spot against the wall. Suddenly books were flying up into the air and then on to their correct shelves. Cyrus was left huddled in the middle of the new clean floor.

"You're alive boy, so smile. Oh and get dressed," Elizabeth said. She turned to Kennice, "YOU, come with me now."

Kennice cringed and lowered her head. She walked to her mother's side. She took one more moment to savor the way Cyrus looked before her mother dragged her from the room.

Once the weight was lifted from Cyrus, he slowly rose, his head spinning from the impact of some of the heavier and more solid book striking it. Cyrus almost made it to his feet before he fell back onto his bed, holding his hand over a large and dark blooming bruise.

"I think I cracked skull...and I think I broke my manhood too." Cyrus was throbbing all over especially in his head and nether regions.

Blinking a few moments, the memories of the past few minutes' events trickled through his mind. "Wait...she didn't do anything wrong...it was my fault, she just came to help..."

Fortunately what Elizabeth said filtered into his mind and he pulled on his ragged pants, not having had time to find any new ones yet.

"She just came to help..." But Kennice was already gone.

Anthony shook his head. "Cyrus, you have to understand. Kennice disobeyed and I'm sure her mother will take care of it. I need to take you to the doctor so we can get that bruise checked and your manhood as well," Anthony said with a serious look as he rummaged in a drawer and pulled new pants and a shirt which he laid next to Cyrus. "Here, these might work better."

Cyrus frowned before slipping the new clothes on and thanked Anthony for them before speaking once more. "I can't see how coming to help could be disobeying, unless she was told not to come see what happened when..." Cyrus' eyes fell upon the long spray of splinters across the hall that used to be his 3 inches of solid oak door. "...Oh boy...I think you might have to wait a while to get payment for that...3 inches of oak is uhh...kinda difficult to save up for when your flat broke and unemployed..." Cyrus put on a nervous smile and winced again, the smile dropping from his face. "Yeah, a doctor would be nice."

"She is not to be on this floor without escort by myself or her mother. So yes, she did disobey. But that is not the issue here. Come boy, lean on me. The doctor is three doors down from your room. The rest of the students and priests are in a different building on the property so you don't have to worry about anyone else thinking you are strange. Many of them have abilities as well."

Cyrus felt his face going a bit red when Anthony spoke of thinking himself strange, if only he knew the half of it. "Thank you Sir. And I'll pay for the door and whatever else I broke...just as soon as I find a way to make some money." Cyrus gratefully took Anthony's offer of leaning on him, finding almost every step painful and having to walk bow legged down the hallway to the doctor's room.

"Sorry I don't have telekinesis," Anthony told the struggling young man. They stopped in front of a door labeled clinic. Anthony knocked twice then opened the door.

Inside an elderly looking gentleman with silver hair looked up. "Ah, the new psionic. Bring him over here please. The medication is ready and it looks like he needs additional tending to as well," the man added with a smile.

"Cyrus, this is Doc Maclued. He'll works miracles on you." Anthony helped Cyrus up on the bed. "I'll leave him to your tender mercies Doc. I'll be back in a bit to retrieve him."

Anthony gave Maclued a respectful bow then left the two alone.

"It's alright Sir, am glad for the help." Cyrus hobbled over to the bed as Anthony let him onto his own feet. Cyrus frowned as the doctor spoke, tensing a little, feeling yet another charge building. "Medication? What medication?" Cyrus took a step back. "Look an aspirin will do fine for me ok, that and a cat scan...and maybe a sperm count...I think the full Druid Lore dictionary fell onto him. You know? The really BIG one with tiny print that's about 1200 A4 pages?"

"I know. It can be a heavy burden to bear," Maclued joked as he grabbed the shot and injected into Cyrus before the young man could stop him. "Don't worry now. This will make your life bearable until you can learn control."

Cyrus gasped at the pain and took a step back, completely taking the moment out of context, the injury to his head making him think the doctor had intentions anything but good.

Cyrus' fist clenched as a charge fueled by fear confusion and anger built; however it faltered as the sedatives took effect.

Cyrus fell to his knees, gripping the bed sheets, trying to get purchase as his vision blurred. "What...what are you doing? What's going on?"

"Your powers are now asleep. This will make life more bearable for you and the rest of us. You've been on a flight or fight mode too long. Once we have helped you settle, you will understand why we did it this way. Now, about your injuries...." Maclued placed his suddenly glowing hand against the knot on Cyrus' forehead. His other glowing hand he placed on Cyrus' manhood. The glow seemed to brighten and then it extended to the injuries where it pulsated for a moment before fading out. The knot on Cyrus' head was gone and the angry bruise that had formed on his manhood was gone, leaving the skin healthy.

"Feel better?"

Cyrus was trembling as he heard his powers were asleep, it felt as if he was missing a part of himself, he was lost for words until Maclued put his hand on his head and on his manhood.

Cyrus froze and tensed visibly, his pulse rising as he saw the light, for a moment Cyrus thought Maclued has set fire to him, until he felt the pain leaving and the swelling going down.

When the hands were removed, Cyrus raised his own hand, finger pointed in warning. "Ok...Doctor, one little thing...next time your gonna put your hands down my pants, warn me first ok?"

Maclued smirked. "Of course. But when I give warning most men gets difficult so its better to do and then ask questions later. Now, go eat some breakfast. And a word of advice, stay away from Kennice."

Cyrus blushed brightly as Kennice was mentioned, only now realizing that she most likely had seen him naked from the waist down that morning. "Oh I am so dead...Elizabeth's gonna kill me when she finds out..." Cyrus also heard his stomach rumble and nodded to the suggestion of breakfast. "Think they'll allow me a last meal first? I haven't eaten since Tuesday."

Maclued laughed and clapped him on the back. "You are not the first young man to eye their daughter. And don't worry son. Kennice is leaving tomorrow to go train with the high priestess of our order for her future duties as high priestess. So she won't be a distraction after that. Just keep your hands and body parts to yourself and Elizabeth won't gut you. Enjoy breakfast," Maclued said cheerfully as he escorted Cyrus to the door.

Cyrus nodded, still blushing as he stood in the doorway a moment. "Yeah well, she's umm, sort of already seen me...When I was out, she came to help hearing the noise and I just realized the blankets were covering my head and not my other parts."

Maclued laughed. "I'm sure she got an eyeful. But don't worry. Kennice won't tease you about it. Now off with you before your food gets cold."

Cyrus nodded and thanked Maclued before moving to go to the dining room. "Uhh...exactly how do I find the breakfast room?"

"Go back down this hall all the way until it splits and then make a left and to the end of that corridor is the dining hall. Enjoy the griddles and syrup."

* * *

Anthony was waiting at the first junction for Cyrus' arrival. Elizabeth had informed him telepathically that she was going upstairs to discipline their daughter. Anthony was blocking the only way up the stairs, just in case Cyrus decided to play hero.

Cyrus nodded and thanked Maclued once more before heading off, making his way down the halls, heading left and almost bumping into Anthony. "Oh, sorry sir, I didn't see you there. Just on my way to breakfast..." Cyrus paused as he looked at Anthony. "Sir...I feel that Kennice being there was my fault, I know there is no solid ground for this but...it was the noise from my room that caused her to come, I ask that perhaps hat because her intentions were good that you be lenient on her. After all, most people would have done the same had they witnessed a solid door exploding into splinters..." Cyrus looked into Anthony's eyes, hoping he would get what he was trying to say.

"We understand and you are fortunate that she did come check. However, Elizabeth is keeping mental tabs on you until you get adjusted so if something should happen in the future, just think of her and she sends the cavalry," Anthony said with a grin as he dropped an arm around Cyrus' shoulders and walked him to the dining room.

"She cooked your favorites again so please, sit and eat."

Cyrus nodded and looked down as he walked, feeling Anthony's arm around his shoulder, still walking with a slight limp as the occasional phantom pain twinges in his muscles. "Yeah? Thank you, this hasn't exactly been the start I was planning on and umm, there's something I need to tell you but I'm not sure if Father told you or not. It's the reason why there's a 20 foot wide hole in his temple..."

Anthony smiled as Cyrus talked but when Cyrus said he had been having nightmares about scaled things, Anthony suddenly got serious. "Tell me more about the nightmares with the scaled creatures."

Cyrus looked down at his empty plate, pushing a linger pea around his plate. "When I sleep, its like I instantly start dreaming...I'm in the middle of Scotland somewhere, its the late evening, there's a soft breeze with the scent of lavender. I'm on a mountainside and I look down into the valley below and the suddenly there's this huge black...thing. It's scales shine in the moon light, light its got gems all over it or something..." Cyrus' pulse began to rise as he remembered the nightmare. "Then it swoops round, so close to me and lands right next t me. It's claws look pearl with, and in some dreams they have blood on them. Then it...leans down and I can smell burning like sulfur but sometimes its the chilling smell of permafrost...then it looks at me with its eyes, big dark pools of black that seem to go on forever..." Cyrus' hand gripped his knife harder as he seemed to drift into the memory. 

"And then it speaks, its voice deep and long, but not with its mouth...speaking like its...like its inside my head and I cant move. All I can see are those huge eyes and rows of razor sharp teeth and I think I'm going to die. So I start crawling back and it gets closer with each movement until suddenly I'm falling, I fall off the cliff face...the last thing I see is her diving down it me with those huge jaws open...and then I wake up. Usually to a room that's been completely wrecked. That's why I ended up with a mattress and a blanket, sleeping in a wide tub..."

Anthony knew what the dreams meant but he wasn't sure if Cyrus would understand or become more freaked out when he found out what the dreams meant.

"Well son, you've had a very traumatic experience and it is usually brought on by the onset of new abilities. How about we give you something to help you stop dreaming so that you can rest and start working to get your abilities controlled.

Cyrus shook his head at the mention of more medication. "No sir, I feel kinda empty at the moment with what the doctor put in me, plus Father always said its better to face your demons head on and lose than to be running from them all the time. Maybe now I can actually wake up in a bed that isn't in pieces and go back to sleep. I mean...maybe there's an end part I'm missing?"

"There may be an end. I see what I can find. Ah, Elizabeth, thank you for joining us," Anthony said as he wife entered. She smiled brightly at them both then slid into her seat. "Sorry I'm late." She kissed Anthony on the cheek.

"How do you like your breakfast?" she asked Cyrus with a grin.

Cyrus realized he was gripping his knife far too tightly and placed it beside his plate. "It was good ma'am." Cyrus noticed how alike Elizabeth and her daughter looked, stirring up thoughts about Kennice and the guilt Cyrus still felt about what happened. "I see beauty runs in the family. I'm sorry I got your daughter into trouble. I guess father was right when he told me I have to stop being so charismatic..."

Elizabeth laughed. "It's ok to be charismatic. Just remember the effect it can have and don't ever play a young woman false and you should be alright," Elizabeth advised sagely.

Cyrus nodded and bit his bottom lip as he thought about his next words. "Ma'am, I know this will probably get me into trouble but...I'd like to say goodbye to your daughter before she leaves, to make sure there aren't any hard feelings. I'd hate to find out she feels jaded about men because of this." The thought crossed Cyrus' mind. ~It's almost like we're soul mates...maybe I should've told Anthony about her being in my dreams too~




Onyx Dreams Ch. 03



Elizabeth blinked but didn't say anything for a moment. "Very well. You can tell her good-bye in the morning. I'll wake you. The cab that is coming to pick her up should be here promptly at 8 a.m. I hope you aren't a late sleeper," she added.

Cyrus nodded and looked at his plate once more. "I'll be there Ma'am, fully clothed of course." Cyrus chuckled nervously, hoping to lighten the tension that had seemed to descend upon the conversation.

"You do that. After you eat, Anthony will give you a tour of the grounds and you will meet some of your teachers. I hope you're ready to work hard," Elizabeth explained.

Cyrus nodded and wiped his mouth with his napkin. "Of course Ma'am, its the least I can do for your gracious hospitality."

"You'll do fine," she assured him as she patted his hand. "I have to go start on doing dishes. You two boys have fun," she said as she excused herself from the table.

Cyrus smiled a little as she patted his hand, watching her go. "So...where do we begin?"



Onyx Dreams Ch. 04



Chapter 4: Lake Interlude

Kennice had followed her mother upstairs and down the long hallway toward the training room. Although Elizabeth said nothing, Kennice could still feel her mother's anger and it buffeted against her. She couldn't help her attraction to the newcomer. It was, well like her soul knew his but if she said those words her mother would definitely get upset.

"I can hear those words and you are too young to think such thoughts!" Elizabeth snapped as she pushed open the door to the training room.

Kennice's mouth went dry. The training room doubled for a punishment room and that was why they were upstairs. No one came on the third floor without permission.

"You know the drill. Over to the chair and drop your pants. You have been warned repeatedly to stay away from that young man and to stay away from the first floor dormitories. You have disobeyed on both counts and you will be punished," Elizabeth said firmly.

Kennice bowed her head and walked slowly over to the chair. It was a straight back chair with a wooden seat. Sighing she pulled her pants and underwear down and let them pool around her ankles. She bent over at the waist and placed her hands on either side of the seat of the chair. She could hear her mother moving around and she tensed. She heard the swish of air and steeled herself for the caning she was about to receive.

Elizabeth stood behind Kennice, swishing the air experimentally with the cane. Finally she felt ready and swinging her hand back high, she brought it down swiftly with a resounding thwack against Kennice's bare butt.

Kennice hissed but made no other movement.

* * *

A few hours later a silent and brooding Kennice tiptoed down the stairs and outside toward the lake. She needed to clear her head and soothe other things.

Cyrus had wandered out into the grounds a few minutes after Anthony had left. He had sat down on the shore and skimmed stones for a while before just staring out at the lake, the dusk falling around him before he noticed. Sighing softly he looked up at the moon and thought of the man ho he had thought of as his father his whole life.

Kennice froze when she spotted Cyrus. Oh great. He was here too. Immediately she felt shame. She shouldn't direct her anger at him. He was not the cause of her problem. She was. Sighing she went in a different direction so that she could slip into the lake to soak. When she was far enough away she shed her clothes and stepped into the lake. She shivered at its coldness but then sighed in relief. She dove into the water and swam below the surface.

Cyrus sighed softly and stood, walking round the lakeshore to clear his head, trying not to let himself get homesick thinking about his father.

As he walked along the shores he noticed a pile of clothes on the bank, female clothes and wondered who it could be.

Quietly he crept down the embankment, his eyes on the water.

Kennice swam with the fishes for a moment and then she resurfaced, her back to the shoreline. Her wet hair fell around her shoulders and a few strands dangled in her face.

The water felt so good against her burning skin. She dove again and swam a little way past where she had dropped her clothes. She came up out of the water. Little droplets rolled down her body and some beaded on her nipples but she did not seem to notice as she walked up on the shore and turned to stare up at the moon which was peaking out from behind a cloud.

Her back and her butt were marked with angry red welts, which stood out in stark contrast to her creamy skin. She got chill bumps and rubbed absently at her arms to warm them.

Cyrus stood in amazement and watched as Kennice surfaced from the water and walked towards the shore, where he watched from the shadows.

When Kennice turned to stare up at the moon, a soft gasp escaped Cyrus' lips as he saw the angry red welts across her pale back and buttocks.

Cyrus found himself wishing he could rub her arms for her to warm her up, part of him wanted to go and help but the majority made sure his feet stayed put and even made him take a step away.

Kennice felt new tears sliding down her cheek. Her mother had used the cane hard and liberally. Kennice would be sore for weeks and that was the whole point. Her mother wanted her to remember her crimes. The first few blows never hurt but after the tenth one she had begun to cry. But her mother had not stopped. It had been a long time since Kennice had been punished and she had forgotten how much a caning hurt. Her one regret was that she didn't know if Cyrus had been alright or not. Once her mother had finished disciplining her, she had been sent down to the washroom to help with the laundry. Her mother had kept her busy all day so that she wouldn't seek out Cyrus. Cyrus, even his name sounded romantic. She turned away from the moon and gasped when she saw the reeds rustling.

"Who's there?" she demanded as she looked about for a weapon. Stupid of her to leave her clothes at the other part of the shore.

Cyrus, took a breath not sure whether to stay or flee. He felt his feet move backwards and sense finally made itself known. He couldn't get Kennice into trouble if she didn't know it was him. Cyrus began to move away once more, nearing the path away from the shore.

When no one responded, Kennice raced to the spot where her clothes were and hurriedly put them on, wincing when they rubbed against her skin. She knew a shortcut that would put her ahead of the person taking the one and only path back to the house. She would find out who was watching her.

Cyrus began running down the path, bolting as hard and as fast as he could, his slim physique allowing him to move down the path with a surprising turn of speed. The thought kept going through his mind. ~Don't let her see you, don't let her see you, don't let her see you~

"You know, you make enough noise to scare a whole crowd of people away," Kennice announced as she stepped into the middle of the path. She wasn't surprised to see Cyrus. Somehow, she knew it had been him. She was embarrassed that he had seen the evidence of her punishment.

Cyrus skidded to a halt in the middle of the path and cursed. "You weren't supposed to see me...now you'll be punished for seeing me. If you had just stayed at the lake you wouldn't have seen me and at worst it would be myself being punished...but now...now we're both screwed."

Kennice's eyes softened and she walked up to him. "I've already been punished. They are sending me away early and I got caned. There's not much more they can do to me," she told him sadly. She ached to hold him, to soothe his worries.

Cyrus looked up at Kennice. "Yeah...I was going to say good bye to you tomorrow but...knowing now that your mother most likely knows of this then she probably wont let me. I just wanted to make sure there weren't any hard feelings between us, because of what happened this morning." Cyrus blushed as he remembered realizing that Kennice had seen his whole body.

"I don't have any hard feelings but other parts of you sure were hard," she teased, hating the fact that he was worried about her. She found it, sweet.

Cyrus blushed visibly in the moonlight and looked at the ground, his hands in pockets. "Well...I had an angel in my dreams to help that along." Cyrus smiled up at Kennice.

It was Kennice's turn to blush. She liked Cyrus. He wasn't anything like the other boys, especially Rhys. Rhys who watched her every movement and made her feel uncomfortable. Her skin always crawled when he touched her. Rhys made her feel, well, dirty.

She shook off her thoughts and focused on Cyrus. "Have you ever kissed a girl?" she asked.

Cyrus paused and blushed again. "Well, to be honest I haven't, my powers kind of, drove them away. It's pretty hard to get on someone's good side when you trash everything around you whenever you're afraid."

"Would you like a kiss?" Her eyes were intense and her heart was racing. This was it! She was finally going to get kissed!

Cyrus' eyes lit up at the idea, biting his lower lip he nodded a little. "That would be really nice." Stepping a little closer Cyrus shyly held his hand out to her, knowing he would be in the biggest trouble of his life for this but also knowing it would be worth it.

Her slightly cold hand slid into his as she stepped up to him. She shivered as she wrapped her arms around his neck and stood on tiptoe, her eyes closing as she came closer to his lips...

Cyrus watched as Kennice came closer, leaning in and closing his eyes, their lips gently touching in a long soft sensuous kiss. In Cyrus' mind fireworks went off as the tenderness of Kennice's lips captivated his senses, causing him to tremble at the intensity of it.

Kennice was amazed at the colors she was seeing behind her eyelids as well as the heat that raced through her body and pooled in her nether region. She had never felt like this before!

Dimly she could feel the earth responding as well as it gently rolled beneath their feet.

Cyrus, caught up in the feelings he was experiencing at the moment, slid his arms around Kennice's torso, making their way down to her firmly toned buttocks and squeezed firmly, purring softly into the kiss.

Kennice let out a hurt gasp when he squeezed her butt. It slightly dampened her desire and her eyes flew open. She had forgotten about the welts from her caning.

Cyrus immediately remembered when he heard hurt gasp and let go, whispering. "Oh gods, sorry, I guess I forgot about the welts..." Cyrus gently stroked over them. "Maybe a dip in the lake might help...?"

Kennice nodded, afraid that if she opened her mouth she might cry. Her mother had chosen well when she chose the cane. It would take at least two weeks for it to heal and every time she sat or pulled on clothes she would get a reminder of her disgrace.

Cyrus slowly began walking back, noticing a few odd looking plants that his Father told him of once. Picking them quickly he guided Kennice to the water whispering. "We're fortunate we ran into each other hear...I can make you a basic salve that will help those welts heal in a couple of days..."

Kennice looked at him in surprise. "You are a healer?" Now she was curious.

Cyrus cocked his head to the side and thought for a moment. "Not really but I picked up a few tidbits here and there."

"Ok," she said as she let go of his hand and took off her clothes.

Cyrus took in a slow breath as he watched Kennice disrobe, taking a moment before beginning to disrobe himself, his appreciation of her body evident as his member stiffened to erection.

Kennice stepped into the water, shivered and watched her nipples harden. She continued in until the water was chest level. "Come on in," she encouraged.

Cyrus bit his lip gently before slipping into the water, shivering at the chill and breathed deep. "Ahhh It's a bit chilly in here." Cyrus felt his erection begin to wilt and deflate in the almost icy waters.

"It might be cold, but it's good for the soul," Kennice teased before diving underneath water and swimming between his legs to come up behind him. She splashed water at him and giggled.

Cyrus watched as Kennice dived under, losing track of her for a moment till he felt the cold at his back and shivered. "Ooohhh you're going to pay for that!" Cyrus chuckled and splashed Kennice back, moving close to her, kissing her once more, fuller this time.

Kennice took time to savor the kiss, her honest, innocence coming out as she delighted in the new sensations.

On the riverbank, Rhys laid prone, his eyes filled with malice as he watched Cyrus and Kennice. Damn that newcomer! He was going to take Kennice! Not if I can help it, Rhys thought to himself as he smiled and then pictured Elizabeth's face and sent out a distress call. That would bring them all running. He grinned. Cyrus would get kicked out and Kennice would be removed from harm's way. And that was the way it should be.

Cyrus' breathing was getting harder as his hands slowly slid across Kennice's tender skin, his hands trembling slightly at the chance before him. Slowly, ever so slowly his hand cupped her breast softly, gently squeezing its firmness.

Kennice's eyes closed and she moaned. Heavens but that felt good! 

"Cyrus," she breathed out, her voice quavering slightly.

Cyrus leaned forwards, kissing Kennice's neck with soft, tender kisses as his thumb circled her erect nipple. Softly he nibbled her tender flesh, sucking lightly upon it, leaving a faint mark. Slowly his free hand slowly sliding down Kennice's flat stomach, taking a moment to tease her navel with his fingertip.

Cyrus moaned into Kennice's ear as he felt himself begin to stiffen underneath the surface of the water. "Ohh Kennice, I've dreamt of you for so very long..."

His words made her look at him strangely. "How can you have dreamed of me for so long when you just met me?" she asked but promptly forgot to wait for a reply when his hand touched her navel.

She wanted his hands LOWER and she parted her legs. She wanted him to touch her in her sacred place.

Cyrus' breath fluttered as he slid his hand slowly lower across Kennice's body, his fingertips stroking slowly through her downy pubic hair.

Slowly Cyrus stroked his fingertips across Kennice's blossoming centre. Gently he took one of Kennice's hands and guided it down his body towards his bobbing erection beneath the water's surface.

Kennice's eyes widened when her fingers touched him. She hadn't known it would be soft but hard at the same time! She eyed him in complete wonder. "Is it always like this?" she asked, curious to know.

Cyrus slowly shook his head, looking into Kennice's eyes as his fingers slowly slid across her clit. "Not all the time...only when I see a woman of such beauty as yourself does it turn out like this..."

Kennice blushed then she giggled. "Beauty? You need to get your eyes checked." She gave his cock an experimental stroke and was surprised to feel it grow harder.

"Wow!" she was suitably impressed.

Cyrus bit his lip as he felt Kennice stroke his cock and a soft moan escaped his lips. Cyrus responded in kind, his fingers circling and stroking her clit with a gentle firmness.

Kennice felt a moan escape her and her already taut nipples grew harder. "What, what..." was all she got out. 

* * *

Elizabeth and Anthony had just finished preparing for bed when Elizabeth heard Rhys cry for help. She and Anthony raced from their room rousing the rest of the inhabitants and ran toward Rhys' location.

Rhys heard Elizabeth's response to his shout and he snickered. They would be arriving within minutes. Oh this was going to be good.

* * *

Cyrus nuzzled Kennice's neck softly, closing his eyes and slowly slid a finger into her virgin depth, feeling her muscles grip his finger tightly. Cyrus felt his hard member jerk with arousal as the thoughts of each taking the other's innocence.

Kennice's head was back and she arched against his fingers. She was having visions of their black bodies twined together, scales against scales...

Abruptly her eyes flew open and she gaped at him. Scales? What in the world had gotten into her? Before she could figure out the strange vision her thoughts were interrupted by a roar of fury that she immediately recognized as coming from her father.

She whirled around and felt her heart sink. Oh crap, they were in trouble!

Cyrus spun in the water and saw Anthony on the bank. How did they find out? Then it came clear to Cyrus, he had forgotten Elizabeth was watching his mind.

Cyrus stood in front of Kennice, shielding her from the fury before them. Cyrus looked onto the banks, squinting slightly in the dark. "Who's there?"

Elizabeth stood on the shore shaking with fury. Anthony was mentally trying to calm her. The rest of the priests and the trainees were in shock and trying hard not to stare at Kennice's body.

"Cyrus, get out the water first. Kennice you will come out next," Anthony stated with a measure of calm he did not feel. He turned to the other priests. "The rest of you go back right now."

Cyrus took a deep breath and whispered to Kennice. "I love you Kennice, I've always loved you. I have a feeling we'll never be allowed to see each other again so I feel I must tell you now. I've been having dreams since I turned 15 and you've always been in them, I think we were meant to be together...I promise I'll find you when I get out of here..."

Rhys slowly rose from the reeds and made sure to give Cyrus a wink before he followed the others back to the house.

Anthony waited until they were gone before gesturing for Cyrus to come out.

Cyrus paused as he watched the others leave and was unsure as to what was about to happen. "Sir...I can explain this. Truly I can, I take full responsibility for this, I...." Cyrus steeled himself for the hole he was about to throw his life into. "I...took advantage of Kennice. She didn't want to but I...forced her to. She holds no blame here." Cyrus' pulse rose quickly, his chest rising and falling as he stood between Kennice and Anthony.

Anthony's eyes narrowed but then he got a thoughtful look when Elizabeth touched his shoulder.

"Come on out and get dressed. You and I are going to have a talk right now, young man. Kennice, you will get dressed and go with your mother," Anthony stated.

Elizabeth handed him Cyrus' clothes and she held on to Kennice's clothes.

Cyrus took a deep breath and swallowed, steeling himself once more. "I want your word first that Kennice won't be punished for this...she had no part in this..."

"That I cannot, and will not do," Elizabeth said firmly.

Cyrus took yet another deep breath, his body shivering from the cold water, his voice a little horse as a short bought of coughing caught him. "Then I refuse to come out. She deserves no punishment...I...." Cyrus closed his eyes and cursed his stupid hero streak and sacrifice. "...Raped her." This last part was whispered, Cyrus prepared himself to have the living shit kicked out of him for this but he would do anything to protect Kennice. ~I just hope they believe it...~

"Nice try, son, but we know better. Never try lying around a telepath. It doesn't go over very well. Now are you going to come out or am I going to have to use other means?" Anthony asked.

Cyrus dug his heels into the ground before him and swallowed. "If you think Kennice is guilty then you will have to use those other means because I won't let her be punished for something she hasn't done, especially if it stops the future from happening." 

Anthony sighed. "You are a stubborn young man and one day that will serve you well. But not tonight, son. Elizabeth," Anthony said wearily.

Elizabeth looked at Cyrus and held up her hand. Her telekinesis lashed out and wrapped around him, pining his arms to his side and his legs together before he was lifted from the water and floated to the shoreline where he was placed in front of Anthony.

Cyrus gasped as his arms and legs were pinned together and he was lifted out of the water, his arousal still clear as he was placed in front of Anthony. Cyrus swallowed once more and shivered as he looked into Anthony's eyes. "You're going to make my life hell for this aren't you?" Cyrus shivered and sneezed, looking at Anthony once more. "Please Sir, I beg you, if this is the only favor you grant me for the rest of time, believe me when I say it was all my fault. Please."

Anthony sighed. "Cyrus, you're going to learn that it always takes two to tango and two to stop. She could have stopped at any time and so could you. But you both wanted this moment so neither one stopped. So both of you will be punished," Anthony said sternly as Elizabeth released her grip on Cyrus' body.

Anthony handed him his shirt.

Cyrus sighed and took his shirt, slipping it on. "And what if I offered to take her punishment for her?" Cyrus pulled his pants on and looked at Anthony again. "What about that? Name the punishment and I will take her place."




Onyx Dreams Ch. 04



"Exchanges, while noble, aren't always of equal value. You don't know all the rules, she does. So her punishment is heavier than yours. I'm sorry Cyrus, but you cannot save her from this. Now come," Anthony said sternly and gestured for Cyrus to precede him.

Kennice watched everything from her spot in the water. She could feel her mother's anger and she wondered what her mother would do for a punishment this time. She shivered at that thought.

Cyrus took a breath and stood firm. "No, I won't let this happen Anthony. I am grateful for your hospitality and help and I know I can never repay those gestures. But this is not right. She isn't experienced with men and I took advantage of that. She is a victim not a perpetrator. Have you never been in a similar position, so consumed with desire for the first time that you thought it a crime against the world if you stopped?"

Cyrus hoped his words might sway Anthony's views, he doubted it, but there was always hope.

Anthony gave Cyrus a long look. "You're too young to understand this now, and you will maybe still hate us for this but this is the way it must be. You both have greater destinies than the one you think you see now. Trust me on that one," Anthony said, his voice sounding weary for the first time since Cyrus had met him. "Enough talk. We're leaving now," Anthony said as he touched Cyrus' arm and teleported himself and Cyrus back to the monastery.

Cyrus was about to protest when suddenly he found himself in the monastery. Looking about Cyrus' frowned. "How the...did you do this?" Cyrus looked at Anthony before remembering his ask. "Please Anthony. I beg you, don't punish Kennice for a mistake I caused...I stared it, I went looking for her...I took advantage to her attraction to me."

"Come, there's six tubs of dishes that you have to wash boy," Anthony said, keep a friendly grip on Cyrus' arm as he steered him toward the kitchen and the dishes.

Cyrus sighed and looked at the floor. "Only six? A'll have them done in a couple of hours. I've seen worse." Cyrus finally realized his attempts were futile at protesting Kennice's innocence. "I guess I don't get to say goodbye tomorrow then?"

"I'll see what I can manage," was all Anthony said before walking out and locking Cyrus in.

Cyrus sat down in front of the tubs and cursed his stupidity. Once again his 'gifts' had proven to be more of a curse to him. He knew he should never have come here. Father was right; Cyrus didn't need to go looking for trouble. Trouble always came to him. 



Onyx Dreams Ch. 05



Chapter 5: Unhappy Good-byes

Cyrus snorted awake in the washroom as the sunlight hit his face. He felt like absolute hell after a night of washing dishes and sleeping in this small room. He smiled softly, however, he could feel his powers awake once more. Softly he spoke as he let a dull hum emit from his hands. "Mmmm how I have missed you guys. Maybe we'll get to kick the hell out of Rhys first before the Doctor shoots us up again with those nifty drugs of his." Sighing Cyrus stretched and groaned as his stiff muscles protested. "Oh lords I hate washing dishes. Especially when I have to sleep with them..."

There was a knock at the door and then it opened. Anthony looked at Cyrus and at the finished dishes. "Nice job. Come, you have time to take a shower and get changed. Then you can come tell her good-bye."

Cyrus nodded at Anthony and looked at the floor before standing, wincing at the pain in his stiff legs, a faint sound wave emitting from him as he caught his balance and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "After that amount of washing I have a feeling I'm already as squeaky clean as those dishes..."

"Very well then. You need to go see Doc and come back to the foyer where you first met us," Anthony explained as he led the way from the kitchen to the corridor that would take him past his room and to the Doctor's office.

Cyrus winced and closed his eyes a moment before speaking. "Well as long as he doesn't sudden shove his hands down my pants again I'll be fine..."

Cyrus gently rapped on the doctor's door and waited for a response.

Maclued opened the door. "Come on in. Time for your daily dose," he said cheerfully.

Cyrus carefully walked in, eyeing the Doctor, readying himself to move swiftly in case he decided to grope him up again. "Yeah...let's just get this over with ok?"

"Roll back your sleeve," Maclued said and walked over to him holding the syringe up so that Cyrus could see the clear liquid in it.

Cyrus bit his lip as he watched the needle, a little nervous about its size and slowly rolled up his sleeve. "Yeah, go easy ok? I've already had my punishment. I don't need to be stabbed a few times too..."

"You have the strangest ideas, boy," Maclued said before gently sliding the needle into his arm and injecting the liquid. "See, easy as pumpkin pie."

Cyrus took his arm back once the injection had been put in and blinked back the dizzy spell that the injection gave him. "Thanks Doc." Cyrus walked to the door and looked back at the doc a moment before continuing on outside.

* * *

Kennice looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a tee shirt and slacks. Her back and butt ached terribly but she knew better than to say anything. She should have stopped at the kiss but she had been so curious and it had felt so right....

She forced her mind back to the present and finished brushing her hair. Her door opened and she saw her mother. "Is it time?"

"Yes, Kennice, it's time. The cab is here." Elizabeth picked up one of Kennice's suitcases.

Kennice laid down her brush and picked up the other suitcase and followed her mom downstairs. She almost crashed into her mother when Elizabeth abruptly stopped on the steps.

Kennice peeked around her mother and she couldn't help the gasp of happiness she gave when she saw Cyrus standing next to her father.

Cyrus noted the sudden stop from Elizabeth and the glare that could have melted an iron rod had she heat vision. Cyrus took a deep breath and looked up at Kennice, smiling a little and speaking softly. "Hey there."

"Hey," she replied just as softly, a smile lighting up her face. She quickly dropped it when her mother turned around and glared at her.

Elizabeth stayed in front of her and stood between Kennice and Cyrus. "Say what you have to say and then you're leaving," Elizabeth snapped.

Kennice flinched but then she walked around her mother and over to Cyrus. Only a foot separated them but she felt like a gulf had formed and she didn't like the feeling at all.

Cyrus took something from his pocket and stepped close, slipping it into Kennice's hands and whispering. "To help with the healing, once before you sleep and once after you bathe." Cyrus smiled down at Kennice and took a breath whispering still. "I love you Kennice." Softly he stole a kiss, knowing he would pay for that, but to be honest he had not been directly ordered not to go after her.

Kennice was surprised at his gift but the kiss shocked her more. She almost resisted, but then something in her heart told her to go for it and she kissed him, putting all her emotions of love, joy, sadness and loss into it.

"Don't ever forget me," she whispered even as she felt the start of tears.

Cyrus gently brushed her tears aside with his thumb, his heart wrenching at what was happening. "I could never forget you Kennice. We're soul mates. I promise I'll find you when I get out, just promise me you'll be waiting."

"I promise," she choked out before flinging her arms around his neck and clinging to him.

Anthony watched with an intense look on his face. Elizabeth was clearly unhappy but she and Anthony had agreed to let Cyrus and Kennice have this moment. They were both young kids and would move on and find other loves.

Cyrus slid his arms round Kennice, resting them at the small of her back, his heart breaking inside, holding her as close as he could, Kennice's body fitting his perfectly. Softly Cyrus whispered into her ear one final thing. "Trust the name Hayden, your future depends on it..."

"Ok," she whispered back, stifling her cry of pain as he pressed her close. Her back had welts on it, just like her butt. Her mother had been in a true fury and Kennice had been the one to pay for it.

Softly Cyrus kissed Kennice one last time, his nose nuzzling hers for a moment before very reluctantly parting feeling as if his very soul was being torn out as he did so.

"I love you," Kennice whispered as Elizabeth impatiently took her hand and practically dragged her out of the house. Kennice kept her eyes on Cyrus' face. She plastered her face against the window, a picture of abject misery, and waved sadly as the car left the driveway.

Cyrus waved in response, his own face plastered with the sorrow and torment he felt inside, his knees feeling weak and his eyes wanting to weep out a lifetimes worth of agony until death took him.

"It's for the best. You're both too young to be making lifelong commitments,' Anthony said gently as he put a hand on Cyrus' shoulder. Elizabeth went by them both and back into the house, happy at last that her daughter was away from Cyrus.



Onyx Dreams Ch. 06



Onyx Dreams Ch 6: Denial

>>Davenport Monastery: February 1992 

Cyrus panted as he hung from the shackles that bound him to the ceiling, gasping in a sharp breath as another bucket of icy water was thrown onto him. 

"Have you learned your lesson yet?" the shrill voice of the dormitory master spoke. 

Cyrus nodded his head vigorously, shivering from the icy cold. "Yes, but I still don't see why I have to get up at five am with the rest of them. I'm not here to be a priest like..." Cyrus was cut off by another dose of icy water. 

"You are here to train your abilities as are many others here. They get up at five am and so do you, there are no exceptions."

Anthony stood back in the corner and watched Cyrus intently. The young man had come a long way in a year but he still had the arrogance of youth that prompted him to believe he was invincible. Elizabeth was worried about that tendency. Most of the young men after a year had lost that trait but Cyrus seemed to be stubbornly clinging to it. He would watch for another moment before interrupting. He was interested in seeing Cyrus' response to the dormitory master's words.

Cyrus raised his eyebrows at the dormitory master and glared at him with a look that would turn him to stone had he the power. "I didn't ask to come here and I sure as HELL," Cyrus put emphasis on the word, knowing it would infuriate the Dorm Master who was deeply religious, "Wouldn't have come had I know I was going to be picked on by a pygmy gnome with a face that looked like a horse's..." 

Once again Cyrus was cut off into shivering gasps as the Dorm master threw another two buckets of truly icy cold water over him, the small chunks of ice lacerating his bare chest in some places. 

The Dorm Master sneered at Cyrus. "That's enough out of your filthy little mouth, boy, you'll learn the ways eventually, you can't hold out forever. And I have an unlimited supply of ice water. Let's see how long you last before the cold gets yah eh?" The Dorm Master threw another bucket over Cyrus for good measure.

Anthony felt it prudent to intervene. "Dorm Master Joseph, unfortunately I need to borrow Cyrus for a special assignment," Anthony's voice rumbled from the dark corner he had been standing in as he came forward into the light.

The dorm master paused before placing his bucket down and backing away from Cyrus. Nodding in respect he spoke in a calm voice. "Of course my Lord. No doubt you have a 'unique' way of breaking them Sir." Joseph waggled his eyes conspiratorially and turned one last time to Cyrus. "You've done it now boy, he only comes down here for the ones who are really in trouble." 

Joseph left quickly after this, leaving Anthony and Cyrus alone. Cyrus hung almost limp in the shackles on his wrists. The numbness of the cold water made it hard to work his muscles. Cyrus shivered and looked at Anthony with defiant eyes. "You won't break me...if the others couldn't do it by hanging me from the tower by my ankles for eight hours then you haven't got a chance Anthony." Cyrus shivered once more and felt his knees give out, his vision blurring somewhat, close to the edge of passing into unconsciousness.

Anthony just shook his head as he walked over and released the shackles and caught Cyrus' numb body in his arms. "Shush boy, I have to get you upstairs and warmed. Elizabeth has some chowder ready," he said as he slung Cyrus over his shoulder and headed up toward the first level of the monastery. "You love provoking him, don't you?" Anthony asked with a sigh. Cyrus was right about one thing, they hadn't broken his spirit and for that Anthony admired him. The boy still had much to learn but lacking in confidence he was not.

Cyrus slumped into Anthony's arms and grunted as he was hefted onto Anthony's shoulder. Hearing Anthony's question Cyrus let out a soft chuckle, barely heard before he whispered. "It's the best part of my day. A'll get an extra blanket from the lads tonight for this, snug as a bug in a rug." Cyrus took slow breaths as his body continued to shiver. "So what's the occasion? I haven't seen you since September. And it's what, February now."

"I've been busy checking on graduates and new prospects. We are growing in numbers and I've been overseeing the building of a new monastery because this was is no longer adequate to hold all the new recruits." Anthony stopped outside Cyrus' door and set him on his own two feet. "Do you need some help?" he asked.

Cyrus leaned back against the wall and caught a soft scent of a delicate perfume on the air. A tiny smile appeared on the corner of his lips. "A'll be fine Sir, just fine and dandy by the morn I guarantee." Cyrus shook hands with Anthony before backing into his room. "Thank you for rescuing me Sir, It's much appreciated."

Anthony arched an eyebrow. "Dinner is in ten. You will be there or Elizabeth will come hunting. Oh and Cyrus," Anthony said, looking him in the eye. "You'd better move fast."

Cyrus smiled a knowing smile and winked at Anthony. "Faster than the speed of sound sir." With that Cyrus was gone in the blink of an eye, a breeze felt as he moved at the speed of sound.

Anthony shook his head and headed for the dining room. That boy was going to get a nice shock at dinner.

*    *    *

As the ten bell struck, a 'whoosh' followed by a strong wind and a loud 'boom' was heard. Cyrus skidding to a halt along the floor, leaving a 15-foot long skid mark. Quickly, he scrubbed it out before anyone noticed and zipped along to the dinner line outside the main dining hall, still smelling strongly of the perfume from earlier, a smear of lipstick still on his collar.

Juan, one of Cyrus' partners in crime, tapped him on the shoulder. "You got stuff on your collar," he whispered and then snapped his mouth shut when Elizabeth entered followed by Anthony and the Dorm Master.

"Oh shit, thanks Juan." Cyrus quickly scrubbed it out before the Dorm Master, and more importantly Elizabeth saw it.

"Thank you all for your prompt reporting. We have some very good news to report over dinner mass. Right now, just grab some food, sit and enjoy," Elizabeth said and grinned widely.

Cyrus filed in line into the dining hall along with his fellow initiates. Cyrus whispered to Juan as he sat down. "You've should've seen the look on old Joseph's face when I called him a pygmy gnome." Cyrus grinned as Juan struggled to keep from suddenly bursting out in a fit of giggles.

Joseph sat at the teacher's table and glowered at the students. He was still upset that Anthony had interrupted his little lesson. No matter, he was going to enjoy Cyrus' reaction to the news that Elizabeth had to announce. 

Elizabeth and Anthony took their spots at the table and began conversing with the teachers as they watched the priest initiates and those who came to learn to control their powers, grab a bite to eat. It was a mini-banquet but it was going to be nothing compared to the banquet they would be throwing in a week's time. Elizabeth smiled happily at that thought.

Cyrus looked around the hall then up to where Joseph was sitting, whispering to Juan and picking up a small drumstick. There were a few whispered gasps as Cyrus spoke before blurring slightly, seeming to not have moved an inch. A drumstick was launched at Joseph from 25 feet further down the table, coming from the general direction of one of the more stuck up students. Cyrus' eyes followed the drumstick and immediately turned to his fellows chatting innocently as he heard it smack wetly against Joseph's cheek.

Joseph let out a sound like an enraged bull and was on his feet and around the table before either Elizabeth or Anthony had time to react. He charged toward Cyrus. 

Anthony sighed. "Elizabeth, would you be so kind?" 

Elizabeth nodded. She held up one hand and froze Joseph in his tracks. The other hand rose and suddenly Cyrus was caught in Elizabeth's telekinetic grip as she pulled him from his seat and carried him through the air and set him down next to Joseph who was turning red. 

Anthony came around the table and over to them. "Joseph, you need to not let a mere student goad you." He gave Joseph a stern look. "And you, you are not immune to fitting punishments, so behave Cyrus," he ordered sternly. "Do I make myself clear?" 

"Of course Sir Davenport," Joseph said stiffly.

Cyrus attempted to grab the table as he rose but missed his chance as he rose out of his seat and smiled innocently. Cyrus fortunately had begun thinking of other things the moment he had begun moving. "I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about sir. But if I may say I think it's a quite fitting a response to a three hours ice water dunking because I stayed in my bed an extra five minutes. I think Gabe did quite a nice shot if I do say so myself." Cyrus continued to smile completely innocently, thinking of a book he had been studying recently.

Elizabeth gave a small shake of head and Anthony smiled. "Release them dear. Now everyone is going to sit and play nice. I have an announcement to make."

Cyrus zipped away again and appeared in his seat a moment later, listening intently to what Elizabeth had to announce. These announcements were always fun. Usually someone's parents or girlfriend was coming to visit so everyone had to be on their best behavior. Usually because these people were high-ranking members of the priesthood.

Anthony waited until everyone had settled down before saying, "I am happy to report that our daughter, Kennice Davenport, has completed the first half of her training as future high priestess of our order!"

The dining hall erupted in cheers. Cyrus gave a mild applause, putting little effort into it since Kennice wasn't here. Sighing softly Cyrus couldn't help but let Kennice's face wander into his mind, the tears that had rolled down her cheeks and the sorrow he still felt at their parting.

Anthony waited until the applause died down. "Secondly, she will be here in a week along with her fiancé and future high priest, Rhys! We will be throwing a banquet in their honor!"

This statement took a moment to register with Cyrus, the shock slamming into him like a brick wall. Rhys? How could she be engaged to him! He was a maggot! Cyrus' outrage erupted faster than he could stop it. He bolted upright, tipping the table over as he roared, "HER FIANCE'S WHO?" 

Cyrus shook visibly with a primal rage rarely seen, his eyes blazing. His skin turned red as the blood rushed to it. A couple of students edged back from Cyrus, thinking he might burst into flames at any moment like a pyrokinetic had done once before when he marginally failed his exam.

Elizabeth looked coldly at Cyrus. "SIT DOWN! You will not act like some crazed animal in my house!" And to reinforce her point the table righted itself and Cyrus was slammed down hard into his seat and held there. "Yes, HER FIANCE, whose proposal she graciously accepted two nights ago. They are to be high priest and priestess and it is only fitting that they be joined on all levels," Elizabeth said firmly. 

The rest of the students warily watch Cyrus and Elizabeth, their heads going back and forth between the two avidly. Anthony was frowning but he too did not interfere.

Cyrus was still shaking, his breathing coming in ragged pants as he lost complete and total control of his temper, speaking at a normal level but his muscles straining nonetheless as he tried to get loose. "A'll kill him I swear! I'll tear the son of a bitch apart piece by piece. That back stabbing maggot deserves to spend the rest of his life in the bottom of a volcanic crater. I hope he runs faster than light coz he's going to need to coz am gonna make him wish he'd never screwed me over the first time." Cyrus's face was a full red now, his veins looking like they were about to burst as he boiled over with raw fury, his mind filling with plans to beat the life out of Rhys over and over again, thousands of scenarios flicking through his mind in his blind rage.

Maclued entered the room in time to hear Cyrus' vow. He sighed. He genuinely liked the lad but now he was going to have to do something he didn't want to do. 

"Doctor Maclued, thank you for joining us. Your patient is right there," Elizabeth said and gestured at Cyrus. 

Maclued walked over. "I'm sorry laddie. Truly I am. But we can't have you harming people." Maclued stuck the needle in Cyrus' arm and administrated the drug that shut off his powers. Maclued step back with a regretful sigh and nodded to Elizabeth who released her telekinetic grip on Cyrus. 

"You will not be allowed to attend the engagement banquet and you are forbidden from approaching Kennice. If you do, you will be punished for it. Do you understand?"

Cyrus slammed his fist onto the table as he stood, his rage still in full gear. "Oh trust me Elizabeth I won't have to go anywhere NEAR Kennice to do what I plan to do..." Cyrus then turned on his heel and stormed out of the dining hall, moving as fast as his well-honed muscular body would allow. Cyrus knew EXACTLY where he was going and what he planned to do. He had always liked working with archery...especially the sports bows that could put an arrow through a steel plate.

Elizabeth sighed as he left. She thought that had went rather well. Now they had to make sure he stayed gone.

*    *    *

Cyrus moved quickly through the halls, slamming his room door behind himself and pulling a large box from under his bed. As he opened up the box he smirked as he looked over the pristine sports bow. "Oh I won't have to go anywhere near Kennice at all for this.... I can quite easily put an arrow in that BASTARD's eye from 500 yards away."

Juan had waited until everyone had eaten before following Cyrus. He liked Cyrus a lot and didn't want him to get into trouble. So he went to Cyrus' room. He knocked on the door and waited.

Cyrus quickly closed the box and slid it under his bed again, covering it with the usual cloth, moving to the window pretending to stare outside. "Who is it?" Cyrus let his anger seep into his voice again to keep up appearances.

"It's me, Juan. Look if you don't want to talk I can leave, amigo."

Cyrus sighed softly and nodded to himself. "Sorry Juan, you can come in." Cyrus moved over to his bed and sat down, still fuming inside.

Juan walked in. He had joined the monastery three months ago so he didn't know about this Kennice or why Cyrus had such a strong reaction to being forbidden to see her.

Cyrus looked at Juan and shook his head a little bit. "You know, Juan, right now I envy you so much man, I'd kill to feel different right now..." In his mind Cyrus thought, and that just what I'm going to do in one week.

"Maybe if you got it off your chest? I don't know what's going on but I don't like you angry. You're my only true amigo around here."

Cyrus looked at the floor a moment and took a breath deciding to tell Juan. "When I first came here, the second day in fact, me and Kennice had...a run in. Pretty hot, would've gotten away scot free with it if that dirty son of a bitch Rhys hadn't dobbed us in. Kennice got sent away early because she was forbidden to see me. I just couldn't resist her, coz of a lot of things. It was like we were soul mates man and I knew she felt the same so...why would she go marry this jerk off?"

Juan sat for a moment and thought on it. "I don't know. Maybe you should ask her. For what it sounds like, if you're really soul mates then she won't be able to go through with it. If you need help getting a minute to see her, I'll help. It's the least I can do amigo for everything you've helped me with."

Cyrus smiled and looked Juan in the eye. "I have no intention of breaking Elizabeth's orders. Am not gonna go anywhere near Kennice because knowing my luck I'll get locked in the kitchen for a month. But I do need your help with something."

Cyrus took a deep breath as he thought up the words. "When she arrives I want you to distract Elizabeth...I'm going to put a stop to any chance of Kennice marrying that maggot."

Juan gave Cyrus a funny look. "Man, I don't like that look in your eyes right now, amigo. You're not going to do something foolish are you? You'd better think hard about it. Would this Kennice, want you to do whatever it is you plotting?"

Cyrus chuckled softly. "This ain't about Kennice man, I'd still do it even if she begged me not too. This is about revenge my friend, and you know how important that is to me."

Cyrus took a long slow breath and rubbed his eyes. "Just keep Elizabeth distracted for five seconds. That'll give me all the time I need to do what I have to do."

Juan was looking dubious but then he nodded. "Alright, for you amigo I will. I'd better get going before I missed."

Cyrus nodded and shook hands with Juan tightly for what he had a feeling would be for the last time. "God speed my friend."

>>One Week Later

Kennice sat in the front seat of the cab lost in thought. She was coming home. After a year of training they were finally let her visit. She couldn't wait to get there because Cyrus was there. She had so much to ask him and so much to explain. She was already planning on how she was going to sneak out to see him. She had missed him and wondered every day what he was doing, how his training was going. Now she would finally get that chance. At least she hoped.

She looked down at her left hand at the engagement ring that Rhys had given her. She felt the bile rose in her throat. She didn't want this but right now she didn't have a choice. She was hoping that Cyrus might have some suggestions.

*    *    *

Cyrus moved as fast as he could threw the halls without making too much of a disturbance, the night previously he had placed his sports bow and large quiver of arrows at the top of one of the courtyard's tall towers. He could get an easy shot from here.

Sitting down, Cyrus checked over his bow and drew and arrow, lying in wait for the cab to pull up and Rhys to step out.

Juan was having some serious misgivings but he had promised Cyrus so at the appointed time he went to find Elizabeth and began engaging her in meaningless conversation. He only hoped Cyrus was fast.

*    *    *

The cab slowly pulled up and Rhys got out first. Then he opened the door and held out his hand for Kennice. Kennice hesitated then took his hand. She winced when he squeezed it hard but then she stood and almost stumbled when he jerked her out. She landed in his arms, her startled eyes going to his face. He pulled her close and whispered in her ear, "Smile, it's show time," he said.

Cyrus glared as he saw Rhys pull Kennice into his arms and knew he had little time. Moving as fast as he could Cyrus let lose a volley of well aimed arrows towards every single exposed area of Rhys, watching as some struck home, others missing.

Elizabeth and Anthony had come running but stopped and stared at Cyrus in shock.

Standing defiantly upright, bow in hand, one arrow left Cyrus shouted boldly towards Rhys, his figure silhouetted against the sunset, "Remove your hands from her Rhys...or the next one goes through your head." Cyrus pulled the arrow tight in the bow, the bow trembling with the strength. "And if I feel even a touch of telekinetic force I'll let this fly and not even you will be able to stop it, Elizabeth."

Rhys didn't even cry out when the arrows struck. Instead at the last moment when the final arrow flew through the air, he jerked Kennice in front of him and he felt her jerk as the arrow slid in through her arm. Before Cyrus could notice, Rhys used his illusion ability to show Kennice as whole. He was going to use this to his advantage and get rid of his rival.

Kennice stared at shock down at her arm where the arrow was embedded. Why? Why was Cyrus shooting at them? She felt herself getting lightheaded. Then she heard his words and managed a weak smile. He thought he was protecting her! He was still playing the gallant knight. She loved him even more in that moment even though she fell into blackness.




Onyx Dreams Ch. 06



"Are you insane!" Elizabeth screamed at Cyrus.

Cyrus's eyes narrowed as he took perfect aim at Rhys' head. "You have to the count of three and if you don't remove your filthy hands from Kennice I will make sure you die this day Rhys, and guess what, I started count two seconds ago."

Rhys started laughing. "YOU ARE THE SAME FOOL AS A YEAR AGO! Well behold what your hot temper has done!" Rhys said as he dropped the illusion and showed the unconscious Kennice in his arms with the arrow protruding from her arm.

Cyrus smirked, seeing Kennice was limp, knowing now Rhys would be unable to use her as a shield due to her weight. Cyrus muttered, "Too bad for you Rhys..." He left the arrow fly, watching it fly much, much faster than the previous shots.

Elizabeth was infuriated. HOW DARE HE! She wasn't sure who was worse, Rhys for using her only child as a shield or Cyrus who had tried to kill Rhys but wounded Kennice instead. So she decided to end it, her way. 

The arrow stopped inches away from Rhys' body. Next the bow shattered in Cyrus' hands and he was jerked off his feet and flown through the air and roughly slammed into the ground at Anthony's feet. Anthony put his heavy booted foot on Cyrus' back, pinning him to the ground.

Kennice's limp body was moved from Rhys' hands and into the waiting arms of Doc. Maclued who had come running at Elizabeth's mental summons. He nodded to Elizabeth and Anthony and then for the first time since Cyrus' arrival he used his power. He teleported himself and Kennice to the infirmary.

Rhys crossed his arms and glared at Anthony and Elizabeth. "Don't I get to visit the doctor?"

"You can bleed to death for all I care!" Elizabeth snapped and then jerked all the arrows out of his body at once, eliciting a cry from him that brought him to his knees gasping.

Cyrus gasped as he saw the arrow stopped inches from Rhys' head and cursed, he was going to have to do this the hard way. Suddenly Cyrus' bow shattered and he jerked his hand back, feeling the shards slash his hand.

Cyrus cursed once more only to have a gasp of surprise escape as he was hauled into the air and cold only watch as he hurtled towards the ground. ~Aaahhh SHI.~ His thoughts were cut off as he slammed hard into the ground, the air being driven from his lungs leaving him gasping for breath. Anthony's boot on his back serving to worsen his predicament.

Cyrus was sure he heard a few things break when he hit the ground and saw dark black spots in front of his vision. The fall leaving him barely conscious.

Elizabeth dragged Rhys over to them and sent him face first into the dirt and put her boot into his back, pining him with her telekinesis. 

"You both will go through punishment for harming the future high priestess and my daughter! We took you in, orphans both of you, and gave you everything. And this is how you repay us? By harming our daughter? Know this, Cyrus, she is promised to Rhys. She is beyond you, LEAVE HER ALONE."

She turned her attention to Rhys. "If we even think for one moment that you are not worthy to wear the mantle of high priest you will lose it. You'd better think about others instead of yourself," she admonished.

"You will both get up and go to your rooms until called. If either one of you bothers the other, you will pay for it."

"Understood?"

Cyrus' eyes, although fuzzy with a heavy concussion still burned with defiance, never being one to ever give up when it came to settling an old score. Softly Cyrus muttered. "Never.... I will never stop...not until she says so...my dreams...won't let me..." 

Cyrus grunted as he tried to push himself up with little success. "And you will have to kill me to stop me from hunting that worm...his treachery will not go unpunished by me..." Cyrus began to charge a sound wave deep inside himself, putting all his strength into it. "Even if it means I have to die in the process..."

"Foolish boy," Anthony said then gave him a hard blow to the head that knocked Cyrus out.



Onyx Dreams Ch. 07



Chapter 7: Crime and Punishment

Cyrus groaned as he awoke, his head was thumping and his ribs hurt like hell. Then the memories slammed back into him like a brick wall. Gasping at the intensity, Cyrus felt his powers release, but nothing happen. He opened his eyes and looked around, realizing now where he was. He was in a psionic proof cell and shackled by his wrists to the ceiling once more. Cyrus moaned softly as his head stated pounding again. This wasn't exactly how he had planned it to go.

There was a rattling at the door and then it was pulled slowly open. A hooded figure glided into the room and stood there silently not saying anything.

Cyrus took long, slow, deep breaths, his eyes still seeing dark spots and he assumed the worst as he heard the door rattle open and the hooded figure glide in.

"Come closer, Rhys, you treacherous bastard, so I can snap your neck like a twig." Cyrus shifted in his shackles, the height forcing him to stand on tiptoe, the shackles digging into his wrists, angry red sores forming already.

The figure glided closer and then a small petite hand reached out and gently touched his stomach.

Cyrus's stomach tensed, the small hand making him shift his position. "When the hell did you start using hand cream Henry, you dwarf!"

The hand dropped from his body and went up to the hood, pulling it back to reveal Kennice.

Cyrus' eyes became soft as he saw Kennice, a smile coming to his lips before he remembered he had shot her. Softly he spoke to Kennice. "If you're going to return the favor at least uncuff my arm first..."

Kennice looked at him in confusion. "Return what favor?" She did reach up and uncuff him.

Cyrus sighed softly as he felt the cuffs undone and winced as his weight went on his legs again. "Of me shooting you..." Cyrus looked into Kennice's eyes and spoke, his voice weary with sorrow. "Why are you marrying him, Kennice? He's a back stabbing low life who only wants you because you're going to be high priestess."

Kennice flushed and looked away from him. She wanted to confide in someone so badly but she was afraid, very afraid of what would happen to her and to those around her.

Cyrus gently reached out, his hand softly caressing Kennice's cheek, his calloused hands rough to the touch. "I've missed you so much Kennice...just being near you now makes me feel complete."

She closed her eyes, leaning against his hand. To finally be touched with gentleness and not anger made her feel loved. "Cyrus," she whispered and her bottom lip quivered.

Cyrus gently wiped away a stray tear with his thumb before drawing Kennice into a closer hug. "Kennice, my love...what's happened?"

Kennice could feel the weight of the secrets and lies pressing in on her. She felt like she had to tell Cyrus but she was afraid he would let his temper rule him and then all hell would indeed break loose.

"I, I can't," she whispered and buried her head closer against his body.

Cyrus cradled Kennice in his arms and gently kissed her head, his arms surrounding her like a warm protective shield. "You can tell me anything Kennice, anything, you hear me?"

"I don't want to marry him," she said and with that one admission she felt some of the weight lifting from her.

Cyrus softly nuzzled Kennice's hair. "Then don't marry him Kennice, tell him no and kick him in the crotch. Then, if I can find the first flight out of here you and I could be together..."

"It's not that simple!" she suddenly cried and pushed at him, wanting space. How could she tell him the secrets she had been forced to keep? She didn't know if she could. It was all too much!

Cyrus stepped back to give Kennice the space she pushed him away for. "Then explain to me why it's not, Kennice. What can be so big that you can't tell me why you're being forced to marry the world's biggest jerk?"

"He's the next high priest and I am to be high priestess. It matters not what I want," she said tiredly. And for a year she had resisted and suffered for it. It was only after she had agreed that she had even been granted the boon of being allowed to go home to visit her parents.

Cyrus gently stroked Kennice's cheek once more. "Is there no way out of it? No higher position you could try for?"

"No, I, why didn't you write me back?" she snapped, losing control for the first time since she had returned home.

Cyrus frowned as he looked at Kennice. "I didn't receive any letters from you, Kennice, I sent you many myself but got no return from them."

Kennice suddenly stilled, her eyes growing large. She had a sinking feeling that she knew what and who had sabotaged their letters. "I didn't get yours either," she said slowly.

Cyrus' eyes narrowed. "I have a feeling a certain person had something to do with this...I just wish I scored that last arrow in his head..."

"It wasn't him. It was the high priestess. She is the only one allowed to go into town to pick up the mail. She never mailed mine and apparently kept yours. I tried to let you know how I was doing. I'm sorry it didn't work out the way I had planned."

Cyrus sighed softly and stepped closer to Kennice. "There's no need to be sorry my love." A smile crept onto Cyrus' face. "Once you become high priestess I could easily enough arrange an 'accident' with your husband...right after the wedding."

"Cyrus!" Kennice protested, shocked by his words. "Don't you dare hurt him! Please, I beg of you! It will only bring more pain on both of us. Please?"

Cyrus gave a pained look. "I've already done it once, I just wanna finish the job before Brenna..." Cyrus' eyes went wide a moment and he immediately shut his mouth.

"Brenna? Who's Brenna?" Kennice demanded, her tone angry.

Cyrus let out a breath as he realized he had spoken of something he dared not before. "She's...the beast in my nightmares..."

"Oh really? You know, if you didn't want me, you should have just said so, instead of acting like you care!" Kennice couldn't believe what a fool she had been. She had almost poured out her heart to him and here he was talking about another girl and trying to pawn it off as something else!

Cyrus sat down, his courageous demeanor now gone, replaced by...something else. Something that made him tremble every time it hit him. "It's true, Kennice. Every night she haunts my dreams, over and over. Calling to me...Then I see her mate Hayden calling to you..."

"You're crazy! I shouldn't have come," Kennice said sadly and she turned away from him, pulling her hood up again. She left without a word, closing and locking the door behind her.

Cyrus drew his knees up close to himself and closed his eyes. Quiet tears rolled down his cheeks, his spirit finally broken.

* * *

Kennice had gotten halfway down the hall when a hand reached out and grabbed her. She started to scream but a hand was clapped over her mouth. She looked up in shock and then fear as she saw whom it was.

"You were told to stay away."

Kennice fought but was dragged away from the prison level. She fought harder but she couldn't get free. She blinked rapidly when the light hit her eyes. She heard voices and her heart sank when she saw her mother and father. She was pushed roughly forward and barely managed to right herself. She looked down at the floor.

"You were told to stay away from any male that was not your intended. Since you were determined, your punishment will be public and your intended shall choose it. I will be administering it."

Elizabeth squeezed Anthony's hand hard. She was suddenly afraid for her only child.

Kennice gulped but then said softly, "Yes High Priestess."

"Lock her in her room. And make sure that the boy she is so determined to see is there in irons so that he may see the show," the high priestess said coldly before sweeping from the room.

Elizabeth waited until the door closed before getting up going over to Kennice.

Kennice looked up and then let out a yelp when her mother's hand connected with her face.

"YOU have brought disgrace on us! Take her away from me before I add my own punishment on top of that of the High Priestess!"

Anthony grabbed Kennice by the arm and led her from the room.

* * *

The next morning dawned cold, yet beautiful but many in the monastery were whispering about the meeting that had been called.

Three of the more muscular students and teachers went down to the prison level to pick up Cyrus.

Cyrus slowly stood as he heard footsteps coming down the hall, his mood dark and dismal as the blackest clouds on the horizon. He stretched his muscles a moment and cracked his knuckles as the door opened, grinning like a man who had lost everything. "Playtime boys."

With that Cyrus launched himself at the muscular students and teachers, arms and legs moving in perfect position with deadly accuracy.

The youngest one jumped out of the way as the other two managed to subdue him.

"You've been summoned like the rest of us for a special meeting. It involves your girlfriend," the youngest one sneered.

Cyrus snarled and sunk his teeth into the nearest student's arm, taking a hefty chunk out of it, spitting the bloody chunk into the face of another.

The youngest one punched him hard in the gut, doubling him over. They gagged him and bound his arms and legs and carried him upstairs.

Cyrus oofed as he doubled over, sinking to his knees as he growled, struggling in his bonds as he was carried upstairs, muttering any curse he knew, insulting or otherwise.

The gathering room was filled. The center held a dais and in the center of it a post with shackles had been erected. Three high back chairs were to the left of it.

Juan gave Cyrus a sympathetic look before turning his gaze elsewhere.

Cyrus was dragged to what looked like a smaller version of the tall post. He was chained to it and his gag removed.

The guard whose arm he had injured slapped him. "Enjoy the show," he snarled before walking over to Maclued who bandaged his arm.

Cyrus growled as he was chained to the post and watched the student walk. "Oh by the way Jimmy, should I tell them about that little secret you divulged to me when you first came here? About a certain female friend of yours and how you couldn't resist her on prom night, even though she said no? As I recall I believe you said she screamed no." Cyrus smirked at the student with a look that said he would spill everything. "Then again, if you get your ass over here right now and let me loose then my lips stay sealed forever." Cyrus clenched his fists together behind his back, letting a charge build up in them.

Jimmy flinched but said calmly. "I have no idea what you're talking about. So typical of you to blame someone else for your actions."

Jimmy rolled his eyes for effect and looked down at his arm that was now bandaged.

Cyrus smirked at Jimmy, taking an odd pleasure in this since in his own mind, he had nothing left to lose. "Her name was Sarah, blonde hair, blue eyes, typical perfect woman for most. Yo'd been watching her all night, couldn't stop thinking about her, especially when she told you to go to hell because she thought you looked better AFTER her brother hit you in the face with that shovel. So you stalked her all night and then pounced upon her in that side alley when she went for some air. The screams still haunt your dreams, that's why you wake up in the night in a cold sweat and screaming...that's why your parents sent you here."

The gathering room had gone completely silent as the weighted gaze of the assembled filled the room. Maclued had stilled his hand and was looking at Jimmy then at Cyrus.

At that moment the side door opened and Elizabeth, Anthony, Henry and a cloaked figure entered.

"There will be silence. Cyrus, you are only making things worse for yourself. Hush boy," Anthony ordered.

Cyrus glared at Anthony and spat at the floor in disrespect. "Well what else exactly have I got to lose, Anthony, hmm? Nothing, that's what. So why not go out with a bang and reveal every secret I know?"

"Because you will harm the one person you claimed to love," the cloaked figure replied scornfully.

Cyrus' eyes softened slightly before looking into the hood of the cloak with dead eyes. "I see that making another suffer for someone else's mistakes seems to be a trend around here, is it just me or does Henry seem to be the only one actually willing to punish just me for what I've done wrong?"

"You always were the martyr," Rhys' challenging voice rang out as he entered through the main doors. "And your disrespect knows no bounds. My lady," Rhys said respectfully to the figure that slowly pulled back the hood to reveal the high priestess Erykia. She was the same height as Kennice but that was where the similarities ended.

She had short black curly hair and dark brown eyes that had a cruel glint to them.

Cyrus snarled at Rhys, venom lacing his words as he spat them out with force. "Why don't you come down here and uncuff me so I can show you JUST how disrespectful I can be hmm? Maybe a'll start with telling everyone all those little secrets I know about you too hmm?"

"I have laid bare my sins before the earth and the elements and have been cleansed. The high priest and priestess have given my punishments for my crimes and I am redeemed," Rhys replied serenely.

Erykia gave Cyrus a pitying look. "So much anger. It will cost you everything one day, but today is not that day."

Elizabeth gasped and clutched at Anthony's arm. Erykia's eyes had glowed which meant she had just uttered a prophecy. A shiver of dread ran through Elizabeth's body. She only hoped Kennice would not be involved.

Cyrus chuckled softly and looked back at Erykia. "And how could it possibly cost me more than hmm? I have lost everything short of my life, and right now, losing that doesn't seem like such a bad idea. So why don't you bring that pretty little behind down here, uncuff me and we can settle this once and for all..."

Elizabeth growled and then Cyrus head was rocked hard when Elizabeth hit him with a telekinetic slap. "Gag him," she ordered.

Erykia only laughed at his impudence. "Don't bother, Elizabeth." She looked at Cyrus. "You only think you've lost. You don't understand the true meaning of loss," she assured him before going to sit in one of the three chairs.

Cyrus's neck strained as he tried to move before closing his eyes and let out a breath. "This won't be the last you see of me...remember priestess, Karma can be so very nasty when it comes to evening scores."

Anthony and Elizabeth took their seats as well.

Rhys moved to the center so that Cyrus and those sitting in judgment as well as the assembled could see and hear him.

"I am here to call for the punishment of my fiancé for violating the pact she made that binds her to me as future wife and high priestess. I ask that the man before you," Rhys pointed to Cyrus, "Be made to watch the consequences of his actions against myself and my fiancé. He has tempted her instead of doing his duty and reminding her of her obligations to her family and to the druidic council."

Cyrus chuckled as he looked at Rhys. "You truly are a fool, Rhys. I have no obligations to this family or to this council. As everyone here knows, I didn't ask to come here and I sure as hell didn't ask to have an asshole like you put your filthy hands on a kindred spirit of mine."

"And that is why we are here today. Your disregard for anything that is not yourself is apparent and very sad." Rhys made his tone sound regretful and pitying. Rhys paused then snapped his fingers. The door was opened and a struggling Kennice was dragged in. Her hair was down and she was clad in a simple shift.

Cyrus yanked at his bonds, grunting and growling. "I see you have no honor either Rhys, is it just me or do you seem to like picking on women hmm? Not a very good attribute for a high priest is it?"

"I do not pick on women. I only do as I'm told. As you both should have done but neither one of you are very good at listening. This punishment is decreed by the high priestess as teacher and judge."

Kennice was dragged to the dangling shackles and shackled in. Her toes were the only things touching the floor and that was barely. Her eyes were red from crying. She gave Cyrus a look and mouthed, "I'm sorry."

Cyrus' eyes softened as he watched and silently mouthed, "I love you." Cyrus's fists clenched and he took long, slow breath, letting his mind become calm, thinking about what his next move would be...it would definitely cause a big enough bang.

Erykia stood. "For violating the terms of the agreement that allowed this visit, you will receive fifteen lashes."

Erykia looked at Cyrus. "Any attempt by you to interfere will result in more lashes for her and a steady diet of sedatives until you learn control." She turned to Rhys. "Since you are the one harmed by both their actions, it is up to you," she said calmly and gestured to one of the guards who stepped forward with a bullwhip.

Cyrus glared and pulled at the chain. "You'll have to kill me first...Bitch." Cyrus spat on the floor in disrespect once more. "You won't break me and I know you won't break Kennice. She is stronger than you could ever imagine..."

Erykia only shrugged. "Rhys, you may proceed."

At her words one of the guards walked over to Kennice and ripped the back of her shift so that it exposed her back. He stepped back and bowed to Rhys.

Rhys nodded gave the whip an experimental crack. He hid his smile of satisfaction when he saw Kennice tense. He stepped back, whirled it around his head once then snapped it out and heard it connect with her bare skin.

Kennice hissed but she didn't cry out. She was trying not to cry.

Cyrus winced as the whip cracked, almost feeling the sting across his back, his fists clenching as he watched, whispering softly. "Be strong Kennice, please be strong, take my strength and resist the pain, block it out...show them you're better than this..."

Rhys flicked the whip out seven more times in quick succession. Kennice had yet to utter a sound but a single tear slid down her cheek and her breathing was pain filled.

Rhys looked over at Erykia who inclined her head but said nothing.

Elizabeth was digging her nails into Anthony's arm. She hadn't wanted anything like this to happen but she was powerless. Everyone bowed to the verdicts of the high priestess.

Cyrus clenched his hands into fists and a tear slid down his own cheek as he made a decision and softly spoke in his mind for all who were listening to hear. ~Brenna...~

Outside a rumbling roar of thunder was heard. No one paid any attention at first. They were in Scotland after all and storms were a way of life.

Rhys sauntered up to Kennice, wrapped his fingers in her hair and pulled her head back. He whispered, "See what happens when you choose a mongrel over me?"

Kennice's gaze slid to him. "Go fuck yourself," she said clearly.

Rhys' eyes blazed and he stepped back and put all his strength into the last seven lashes. Each blow was harder than the last and Rhys succeeded in wresting a cry of agony from Kennice on the last two.

Tears were streaming down her face and she was tired, so tired. She wanted to just set her spirit free.

~You cannot leave me when I have just found you~ A strange male voice said in her head.

~Who, who are you?~ she cried, fearing it was another trick.

~I will tell you sometime. I will find you soon, be strong~ the voice encouraged before fading from her mind.

Cyrus clenched his fist with each hard lash that was given, his back jerking as each landed, a sting forming on his back as he couldn't help but imagine the pain.

Cyrus took a breath and shouted in his mind. ~BRENNA! Please.... I give in. I'll find you, I'll stop resisting, anything just please make this madness stop...~




Onyx Dreams Ch. 07



Elizabeth tapped Anthony's arm. ~He's calling for someone named Brenna?~

Anthony's eyes widened and he surged to his feet. "CYRUS, NO!" he roared but it was too late as the rumble of something other than a storm was heard.

The whole castle shook with the force of it and those in the gathering room cried out in confusion. For those who looked up they would have seen the dark cloud part to reveal an even darker winged beast descending from the skies, landing heavily upon the thick castle walls. The beast leaned down and roared, showing its razor sharp teeth and fangs. In the dark its eyes glowed with a deep fire of knowledge and ages.

Cyrus looked up and tensed as he saw the beast land and softly spoke, "Brenna..."

Rhys' mouth fell open. "Dr--, Dragon!" he cried. He had never quite believed Anthony when Anthony had been teaching the secrets of the order and told Rhys that dragons existed. His shock faded and was replaced by anger. How had that mongrel Cyrus managed to call one? His jealousy rising he ran over to Kennice and uncuffed her. 

She sank into his arms, in too much pain to fight free of him. He knew what he was going to do. And he relished it. He tilted her head up and looked down at her. "Time to show your knight in shining armor who you really belong to." He kissed her hard then, a bruising, demanding kiss. His eyes flicked up and they looked at Cyrus in triumphant.

Cyrus smirked as he looked at Rhys. "That won't work Rhys. It's too late for you now. ~Please Brenna, take Kennice some place safe and far away from here.... where she can't be corrupted and broken by that monster.~

Cyrus panted softly feeling tired all of a sudden, a smile however growing further on his face. "You won't ever lay your hands on her again Rhys...not while I still breathe."

Anthony ran over and took Kennice from Rhys. "If you value your life you fool, get the high priestess and yourself out of here!"

Erykia had stood at Brenna's arrival. She gave Cyrus a speculative glance. So the boy was to be a rider. She saw much pain in that decision but he would have to live his own life like everyone else. The future was still cloudy around him but the dragons were a definite. She gestured for Rhys to come to her side. "You will be safe at my side. The druids have a pact with the dragons. They can do no harm while in our lands. We will worry about Kennice later," she said as she dragged Rhys out the side door.

Anthony held on to Kennice and his eyes went up to the dragon. "Great lady, Brenna. We welcome you to our lands. Honor the pact and do no harm," he gently reminded the angry dragon.

Cyrus took long deep breath and looked at Anthony. "Release me and she will do no harm Anthony. This madness ends here and now. As of this moment I am leaving this hallowed place."

"You can leave but you are not ready. I see now that being here was not a good choice. Please, if I write a good recommendation letter, would you consider going to the monastery in Spain, run by Javier and finish your training?"

Cyrus shook his head at Anthony's words. "No, I am tired of monasteries and castles. My dreams tell me of another place to train my abilities...and to eventually bond with Brenna. Once this is done then I will return with Brenna and Hayden...and may the gods have mercy on you should a hair on Kennice's head have been harmed till then. Now release me."

Elizabeth had come down to stand next to Anthony who gave Cyrus a long look before looking up at Brenna. Some form of communication passed between the two and then Brenna bulged loudly. Anthony nodded.

"You are released from this monastery. You may leave to seek this other place to train your abilities and to cement the bond you have begun with Brenna. You, however, are not welcome back here."

Cyrus spat on the ground in front of him in disrespect, jerking at his shackles once more. "If I ever do return Anthony, trust me. It will be to burn this place to the ground...now release me!"

"Elizabeth, release him," Anthony said wearily.

The shackles rattled and then fell off Cyrus' wrists.

"Get out!" Elizabeth hissed.

Anthony leaned down and listened to Kennice who whispered something in his ear. He shook his head in denial but then she whispered, "please," and he relented. He walked toward Cyrus and stopped two feet away from him. Anthony helped Kennice stand upright and winced when she yelped in pain when his hand accidentally grazed her back.

Cyrus stumbled forwards as the shackles were released, rubbing the pain from his wrists, the sores still there but those now the least of his problems.

Cyrus looked up as Anthony walked towards him and helped Kennice stand up right. Softly he whispered. "Kennice..." Cyrus's eyes were soft as he looked over her battered body.

Kennice sucked in a hurt breath then hobbled over to him and into his arms with a glad cry. "I love you. Please, please, enjoy life. Don't hate," she whispered in his ear even as she clung to him.

Cyrus slipped his arms carefully around Kennice, making sure he didn't put too much pressure onto her back. "I love you too, Kennice. I'll come back for you some day. I give you my word that I'll be back. Just stay safe till then my love." Cyrus drew back a little before gently kissing Kennice with genuine love.

Kennice closed her eyes and drowned in that kiss. She wasn't aware of the shouts or her parents' disapproval. She was aware only of Cyrus and of the unidentified male who hummed with anticipation in her head.

Slowly Cyrus drew away, gently stroking Kennice's cheek with his palm, whispering. "You could come with me, Kennice my love. We could leave this all behind and start a fresh..."

"I can't. But please, wait for me. I will find you," she whispered back, giving him one final kiss and then stepped back.

Cyrus sighed softly as the kiss parted and nodded. "I will sweet Kennice." Cyrus took a step back also as Brenna leaned down and scooped Cyrus up in her large claw.

Kennice watched Cyrus fly away and she felt her heart crying out for him. She felt a touch saw her father's face and felt the weight of destiny crashing down on her. 



Onyx Dreams Ch. 08



Onyx Dreams 8: Checking In

>>Summer 1995

Kennice looked in the mirror and sighed. Three long years of training. Three long years of missing Cyrus and wondering how he was. Three very long years of dodging Rhys and his attempts to force her into his bed. He was enough to make any sane woman scream. It wasn't like he was ugly or something. Far from it. He was handsome as sin and charismatic as well. The only person he wasn't charismatic to was her. 

She heard the knock on her door and tensed. "Who is it?" 

"It's me. Open the door Kennice." 

Kennice tensed further. "Not right now. I'll be down in five minutes," she promised. She didn't feel like dealing with him. Not now, not ever. 

Rhys stood outside the door frowning. He looked over at High Priestess Erykia who pursed her lips angrily and with a flick of her wrist made the door open. 

Kennice spun around in fright, her eyes wide. She backed up a step when both Rhys and Erykia entered. Kennice dropped into a curtsy. "High Priestess," she said softly, her heart thudding in her chest. 

"You refuse your intended entrance?" Erykia demanded coldly. 

Kennice swallowed hard. If she answered she would be punished. If she failed to respond she would be punished for that too. She decided honesty was the better policy. "Yes," she replied simply. 

"Why you," Rhys said angrily taking a step toward her but was brought up short by Erykia who held up her hand imperiously. 

"Are you intentionally provoking me or are you being stupid?" Erykia demanded.

"Neither, High Priestess." And it was true. Kennice had no issue with Erykia. 

"Move girl. It is time for you and Rhys to began the trek to visit the neighboring towns and make contact with the druids living there. You will do your part or feel my cane across your ass." 

"Yes, High Priestess." Kennice felt her face settling into its now almost familiar neutral mask she had developed after that fateful day in February 1992 when Cyrus had left her.

Rhys' cold gaze was on Kennice. He would bring her to heel. 

"Come, the car is waiting," Erykia told them as she swept from the room. 

Kennice came up from the curtsy and started to follow but Rhys grabbed her arm in a bruising grip. "Don't disappoint me. The High Priestess isn't the only one who has the power to punish." 

Kennice jerked her arm free and fled the room.

*     *    *

Cyrus sat down beside Brenna, his head and back resting upon her large black claw. Softly he sighed and looked up at Brenna. "I think it's time I visited Kennice, you know just to check up on her?" 

Brenna gave him a look and spoke in his mind. ~Cyrus you know that I can't take you there, the people wouldn't understand.~ 

Cyrus gave a whining look. "Oh come on Brenna, I promise I'll dress to blend in and I won't make myself known to anyone but Kennice I promise!" 

Brenna rolled her eyes and stretched her wings before giving in; she knew that she couldn't stop him leaving even if she wanted to. He was just too fast. ~Alright but don't get caught. I don't want to have to make another scary entrance.~ 

Cyrus grinned and patted her claw before winking his thanks. "I'll be fast as sound." Cyrus chuckled and whooshed away across the landscape.

*    *    *

Kennice was in the front seat and grateful for the reprieve. Her upper arm was sporting a bruise, courtesy of Rhys. She had to find a way to escape this madness or she was going to lose herself. The car stopped and they exited, entering into the hotel. The place was nice enough and Kennice couldn't help but smile at the grinning young man who was running the front desk. They checked in and headed for the elevator. Once the doors closed, Rhys rounded on her. "You're such a whore! What did you think you were doing flirting with him?" 

Kennice gasped and gave him an angry look. "Don't call me that! I was being polite not flirting. You're upset because I don't like you or your advances," she snapped. 

Rhys was furious as he stepped up to her and slapped her hard, twice. 

Kennice backed up and hit the wall. She felt the blood run down her lip. "STAY AWAY FROM ME!" she said coldly but firmly as the door opened and she ran out and to her room. She got in it and slid the bolts home. She locked the connecting door as well, before walking over to the bed. She curled into a ball on it and started crying softly.

*    *    *

Cyrus zipped across the land from town to town, searching for Kennice, moving fast enough for people not to notice other than a swift breeze. Cyrus skidded to a halt near a hotel as he heard Kennice shouting then a door slamming with soft sobbing heard. Looking up at the wall Cyrus moved quickly up the fire escape and quietly opened the window. Slowly he stepped inside and listened for anyone else trying to enter. Slowly he made his way over to Kennice and gently stroked his hand over her hair and whispered in her ear. "Happiness is just a tear drop away..."

Kennice froze. She felt her breath catch. Could it be? She slowly raised her head up and then rolled away and came to her feet. "Cyrus?" she whispered, not quite believing her eyes.

Cyrus waggled his eyebrows and grinned, straightening up before frowning slightly and walking over to Kennice. He gently wiped a spot of blood from her lip and sighed softly. "If I wasn't afraid of causing you even more trouble I'd beat the hell out of Rhys right now."

"Oh Cyrus," Kennice said then threw herself into his arms, sobbing anew.

Cyrus held Kennice close in his arms, gently nuzzling her neck and sighed once more, taking in her scent. "I've missed you Kennice."

"It's been such a long time. Many times I wanted to leave and come find you but I couldn't bring shame to my mother and father. They are counting on me," she whispered, her eyes closed as she imprinted on her memory the smell of him, the new feel of his muscular body.

Cyrus drew back a little and looked into Kennice's eyes before leaning in and kissing her, her lips as soft as he remembered them. "For the way they treated you your leaving should be little surprise to them. People shouldn't have their own thoughts chastised."

"You don't understand," she said after a moment of relishing the kiss. She pulled away from him. "You've never had the pressure of family and history weighing you down. I wish I could just cast it off, but I can't."

Cyrus watched Kennice, his hands gently gripping hers. "I can't say I know what it feels like to have that. But I do know it tears me up inside to see you being treated like this just to become a high priestess."

"High priestesses have to be tough. We have to make right and wrong choices and cannot hesitate," Kennice dutiful replied but her heart wasn't in it.

Cyrus gently stroked Kennice's cheek as his eyes focused on hers. "And end up like Erykia? A cold heartless spinster with no love in her life and no friends?"

Kennice gasped. "Sh, Cyrus!" she pleaded, her eyes looking about.

Cyrus raised an eyebrow. "What? Kennice I'm not going to willingly stand by and let her do this to you...if it were up to me I'd have had Brenna eat her as a snack and probably feel guilty only because it would most likely give Brenna indigestion."

"Brenna? Eat? Huh?" Kennice asked giving him a wary look.

Cyrus cocked his head to the side. "The big assed black gemmed dragon I left with, her name is Brenna. And she can eat quiet a lot." Cyrus smiled a bit.

It took Kennice a moment then she remembered the dragon. "Oh," she said softly and sat down in the chair.

Cyrus kneeled down beside Kennice, still holding her hand before gently nuzzling it against his cheek. "I love you Kennice."

"Cyrus, I love you too but you can't stay. Though I want you to, you can't."

Softly Cyrus sighed and nodded. "I know my love but...can't you come with me? We could start afresh, really, just leave all our troubles behind...no one would ever hurt you again my love."

"If I leave it will cause chaos and my father will suffer. I...I can't do that to him." Her face was one of abject misery. If only Rhys didn't hold that one secret over her...

Cyrus frowned and looked up at Kennice. "Why would your father suffer Kennice?"

"You, you have to go now," Kennice said as she got up and began to agitatedly pace.

Cyrus stood where he was and continued to look at Kennice, the pieces falling into place slowly. "Kennice...what does Rhys have on you?"

She whirled on him, suddenly furious at his questions. "I SAID LET IT GO! Just let it go," she whispered at last.

Cyrus was taken aback a moment by Kennice's sudden fury but stepped forwards anyway and gently took her shoulder into his hands. "Kennice I love you and only want to protect you...why won't you tell me?" Cyrus kept his voice soft and loving, not wanting to seem a threat.

"You will hate me for it. Just like father and mother will hate me for it."

Cyrus's eyes became soft and he gently pulled Kennice into a genuine loving hug. "Oh, Kennice, I swear I could never hate you, no matter what you've done. I love you too much to even think about hating you."

"Even if it meant I had taken a life?" she whispered, tears sliding down her cheeks.

Cyrus held Kennice closer and whispered softly. "Even if it meant you had taken a life."

"I didn't want to. It was so stupid. It didn't have to end in death but Rhys couldn't let it go. And neither could Davis. But I couldn't let him hurt Rhys or me..."

Cyrus gently wiped away a stray tear from Kennice's face. "I'm sure if you could go back in time you would've encouraged Davis to beat the life out of Rhys. Maybe fate sent me as revenge against Rhys. I did score some pretty nasty hits on him after all...and I did TRY to kill him so…. Your secret isn't any worse than mine."

"Davis shouldn't have died. He was trying to save me from Rhys. But the High Priestess didn't see it that way. She passed judgment and I, I had to execute it," Kennice whispered, feeling sick to her stomach as she remembered that horrible day.

Cyrus held Kennice close and softly cooed to her. "You have a mightier weapon Kennice. You have physical evidence that the high priestess is corrupt. Your parents witnessed it also. You have the weapon of exposing them to the real world. They'd throw her in a hole so deep she'd never see daylight again. And Rhys...well he'd spend the rest of his short days in a research facility."

"But I was the one who killed the innocent, not she. And the witnesses will all back her and Rhys. I will be the one condemned for I have steadfastly refused to marry Rhys. For that I suffer."

Cyrus leaned back a bit and smiled brightly. "She passed judgment remember? And Rhys, just accusing him of being a woman beater will turn his life into liquid shit. Plus, as I said, you can tell the real world about their powers. You're killing will disappear in the paper work of the media frenzy that will ensue over them."

Kennice stroked his face. Her brave Cyrus. He just didn't understand that long ago, the druids had helped create the technological era they were all in now. The High Council had their hands in EVERYTHING. She would get no help. No, if she tried to fight she would pay and pay dearly.

A larger smile crept across Cyrus' face. "In fact I know a journalist friend of my father's who is just itching to find proof of mutant existence. She's the nut who works for the New York Times."

"You are brave," Kennice said but yelped when they were suddenly surrounded by shadows and she was jerked from his arms. "Cyrus, run!" she screamed.

Cyrus's eyes narrowed and he held his hand out to the side. In less than a moment a long razor sharp blade formed in his palm. "I suggest you let her go before you lose some limbs."

"Hard to lose limbs when shadows have none," Rhys' voice mocked him. "And if you swipe wrong you will cut her."

Cyrus smirked, his eyes centering on Rhys. "So you play in the shadows, like a coward I see. You do realize that this is a bass blade yes? It's energies work similar to magic. In other words, your shadows are prime meat."

"Come near my future wife again and you will regret breathing," Rhys snarled and then suddenly the shadows were gone and so was Kennice.

Cyrus' eyes narrowed as he listened and spoke softly. "Some day Rhys, you will regret the night you crossed me." With that Cyrus was gone, racing back to Brenna.

*    *     *

Cyrus skidded to a halt beside Brenna in the Scottish highlands and put the visit out of his mind. "I'm back, everything was uhh...fine?" He smiled innocently up at Brenna before sitting down on the grass again. "Learned a few things, met a couple old acquaintances..."

Brenna blew warm air at him. ~You know you cannot hide your thoughts from me. I see what happened. And you are angered by it~

Cyrus looked down at the ground and dropped the act, scuffing the ground like a child. "Yeah well...where the hell did he get shadow powers from huh? Couldn't exactly slice and dice him coz you would barbeque my ass if I even thought of trying it."

~That's right I would. And he has probably always had them he just hasn't shown them off like you have~ Brenna reasoned.

Cyrus scuffed at the ground again. "Why can't I kill him? It's the least he deserves." Cyrus sat down beside Brenna's large claw and put his head on her scales. "He treats her like shit."

~True but if you kill you violate draconic law and this is something you must not do. I would hate to have to find another rider.~

Cyrus nodded and mumbled in agreement before his face lit up a bit. "There's nothing that says YOU can't eat him for assaulting a rider."

~Cyrus~ Brenna said warningly as she shifted slightly and lay her head down on the ground so that he could scratch her muzzle.

Cyrus sighed softly and gently scratched Brenna's large muzzle. "Sorry, I just hate to see him get away with that"

~I know. Come, there is someone you should meet~ Brenna said firmly as she came to her feet.

Cyrus raised an eyebrow and shrugged. "Alright, who is it?" Cyrus began walking beside Brenna, easily keeping pace with her. "Is it your boyfriend finally?" Cyrus lightly teased.

Brenna gave a haughty sniff and stomped hard enough to knock Cyrus down on his butt. She lowered her face down to his. ~Dragons do not have boyfriends. No, it is time for you to meet our teacher~

Cyrus oofed as he landed on his butt. "Easy there big girl, besides what else would you call that big dragon I saw you gliding with the other night? And what teacher?" Cyrus raised an eyebrow in question. "I thought you were my teacher?"

~I can teach you something things but one of the older ones teaches us both. There are many things I do not know~ Brenna admitted as she resumed walking.

"Would some of those things include making someone sterile using only your mind?" Cyrus smirked mischievously. "What else exactly is there that I need to know?"

~I don't know. You are my first rider and my only. That is why we go to a teacher after we bond~ Brenna patiently explained.

Cyrus nodded and he walked beside Brenna, running his hand slowly down her side, a spot he knew that was ticklish upon her. "I see, well hopefully we'll learn something fun."

Brenna snorted and a giggle was heard before she scooped him up in her claws and took to the air, flying toward Romania.

Cyrus gripped tightly onto Brenna's claw. "Whoa, whoa, hey, hey. Where are we going? France or something?"

~Romania. Maybe the cool air will chill your temper and clear your head~ Brenna replied slyly.

Cyrus groaned and sat back in Brenna's grasp, confident that he was safe here. "Why Romania? If I wanted to freeze to death I'd go to Finland."

~Our teacher, Henry is there. So is Hayden~ Brenna said and her tone was considerably warmer when she mentioned Hayden's name.

Cyrus grinned as he noticed the tone. "Ahhh, the boyfriend eh?" Cyrus chuckled and rubbed Brenna's scales. "Going for a mini Brenna, are we?" Cyrus new he was pushing his luck but it was always fun to tease.

Brenna opened her claws and let Cyrus drop. She was only going to scare him a little bit before catching him.

"OH SSHHHIIIIITTTT!!" Cyrus plummeted, the wing screaming past him as the ground came hurtling towards him. "BRENNA, YOU NASTY REPTILE!"

~What was that? I didn't quite catch what you said?~ Brenna teased. She had altered her course and would catch him but he didn't know that.

Cyrus cringed as he passed through the clouds, the chill making him shiver. "I said you wonderful flying angel!"

~That's what I thought~ Brenna said as she suddenly appeared above him and caught him in her claws.

Cyrus clung to her for dear life. "Never, EVER do that again...or a'll be forced to tickle you all night!" Cyrus chuckled and grinned in relief.

Brenna snorted her opinion of that as she changed direction one more time and headed for Romania. 



Onyx Dreams Ch. 09



Onyx Dreams Ch. 9: New Friends

Cyrus shivered as the chilling Romanian air flowed through the hole in Brenna's claws. For the eighth time in the last half hour he asked with chattering teeth, "Are we there yet Brenna? I think my testicles have become icesticles."

~You worry about your body too much. And yes, we are here~ she informed him as she circled once around a large house and landed in the field that was a mile away from the house. She gently opened her claws so he could get down and blew warm air on him to warm him up.

Cyrus gave her a sarcastic look. "Yeah, well, unlike dragons I don't have my own personal flame thrower!" He climbed down out of Brenna's claws and landed heavily on the hard soil, stamping his feet as Brenna blew hot air over him. Softly he almost purred. "Ahh, that's a good change for once. Some warmth rather than being frozen."

~Cyrus, please be nice to our teacher. If you are your usual self he will not let us stay~ Brenna pleaded.

Cyrus raised an eyebrow, pretending as if he didn't know what Brenda was talking about. "What? I've been nothing but nice to you." He grinned as well, adding to the image of niceness.

~You are always nice to me but to others you aren't so nice. Please, Cyrus, be kind~ she said again and then grew silent as an elderly gentleman came over the hill and looked down at them.

There was a whoosh of wings and then a giant sapphire colored dragon, which was twice as big as Brenna flew overhead, circled once and then landed on the hill next to the man.

Cyrus involuntarily stepped back a little as he saw the massive sapphire dragon swoop overhead. Before he realized what he was doing, he was half hidden behind Brenna. "He's much bigger close up."

~The males usually are~ Brenna said primly as she dropped her head into a bow as the older man and his dragon approached them.

~Bow, Cyrus~ she hissed.

Cyrus eyed them both and bowed, but never taking his eyes off the two males before them, wondering what an old man would be doing with a male dragon, usually their riders were female. ~So where's our teacher?~

~ Here. I am your teacher and so is Henry~ the sapphire dragon replied, his voice rumbling like an earthquake through Cyrus' mind. ~My rider was married to Henry but she died a year ago as did Henry's dragon partner. They tried to save a life and lost theirs.~

Cyrus froze and gave a nervous smile, wondering what could possibly have killed a dragon. Other than another dragon of course. "It's uhh...nice to meet you both. I've heard...well I would say lots, but in reality I only found out I was coming here when Brenna dragged me off yesterday."

It suddenly dawned on Cyrus that he was in fact now thousands of miles away from Kennice. It was going to take him all of ten minutes to get back now!

"Boy, you must put behind love, lust, revenge, anger, and other such emotions for they will only corrupt and damage your relationship with Brenna," Henry said firmly, his eyes and attention fully on Cyrus.

Cyrus paused a moment, processing how Henry knew what he was thinking. It slowly dawned on him. It was the same way Elizabeth knew. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't trespass in my mind without my knowledge. I have the utmost respect for you sir but I do not appreciate my private thoughts being violated."

"I have no need to violate your thoughts. Your thoughts are loud and hearable by any with passive talents."

Cyrus' face contorted a little with annoyance, which he quickly stomped down. "Alright, well looks like I'll never be able to forget that place now." Cyrus took a deep breath and slammed down several thick barriers around his mind, the way that Elizabeth had taught him. "Better?"

"Yes. You should not have to be reminded. You are old enough to know better. You are what, twenty-three? And you have been in Elizabeth and Anthony's care. I'm sure that was one of the first things they taught, mental barriers."

"Yeah well until now all the bad memories and that time in general was buried in a box marked 'Do not disturb until the end of time itself'. Unfortunately I've now had to dig up that box." Cyrus nodded with an increasingly annoyed look on his face. It was only fractionally pointed at Henry though, most of it directly coming from the memories that had been stowed under lock and key.

"You cannot blame it all on them, young rider. Once you accept your part of the blame as well as the girl's, you will be able to move forward. As long as you hold on to your anger, you will never heal," Henry advised. "Come, I'm sure you are tired. For now come partake of my small meal and conversation. Then you shall rest. Training will start tomorrow. Bogart will show Brenna where to rest."

Cyrus frowned but kept his thoughts of this 'teacher' to himself, out of respect for Brenna. However the situation was beginning to seem like his time at the monastery. Instead he simply said. "My anger is fine thank you." With that said he quietly followed Henry.

~You will learn, you will learn~ Bogart whispered in Cyrus' mind as Bogart and Brenna took to the air and flew south toward the sea caves.

Cyrus blinked and sighed. Would people never learn the meaning of "don't trespass in my mind?" Maybe a giant glowing neon sign might help.

The outside of the house was ordinary and plain looking. There were a few farm animals running about but there was an air about the place that made one tread softly and warily.

Following Henry towards the house Cyrus noted the feeling of unease and silently wondered what the danger was that gave such a feeling.

Inside was a different story. The colors were pastel and inviting. The furniture was old but well used and the smell of fresh baking bread filled the air.

As Cyrus stepped into the old looking building he took a deep breath and for the first time since he'd arrived, he felt a smile come onto his face. "Nice place you have here.

"Thank you. Libby always said a welcoming home was a safe one," Henry said with a fond smile as he remembered his deceased wife.

"Yeah well I used to think that too, up to about...ohhh, four, maybe five years ago? Then my views were drastically changed." Cyrus continued to skim his eyes around the home, taking in every detail.

"And what changed your mind about the safety of home?" Henry probed gently as he led the way into the kitchen and took out two loaves of bread.

Cyrus hesitated about telling his story but shrugged after some thought. "You already know after your first little 'exploration' into my head. Then again, the monastery never really was a home to me, more like a truck stop on the road of my life."

"Is that how you look at your events? As if everything was just a stop?" Henry asked as he began slicing the bread. "Grab the salad out of the fridge."

Cyrus shrugged as he walked towards the fridge and continued talking. "When you should already be dead then yeah, thinking of everything as just a stop comes quite naturally. If 'Father' hadn't found me then most certainly wouldn't be here today."

"How is it that you should be dead?"

Cyrus smirked and let down his barriers dragging up the memory his 'father' had sent to him.

*  *  *

The sky was dark, thunder rumbled across the black clouds as a heavy rain began to fall. The large droplets splattered on the icy cold cobbles of a sleazy back alley, small rivers running along the spaces between each stone.

In the quiet a woman's sobbing could be heard, each sob punctuated with a grunt of effort. The scene moved further down the street, the woman coming into view.

It was clear from the first moment she was in trouble. She was in labor and bleeding heavily already, the thick life containing substance turning the rainwater a transparent scarlet.

After a few moments of intense pushing, a high-pitched scream pierced the dark night. The light from the street lamps glinted off the newborn child, it's cries reverberating off the walls of the alley. But they fell on deaf ears.

Cyrus had been brought into the world, alone. His mother now lay limp in the gutter, her body having almost given up under the intense strain, could not handle the severe blood loss.

Cyrus lay screaming as loud as his newly formed mind could, trying to feel for the instinctive motherly form that should have been there holding him. But there was nothing.

As Cyrus' cries fell quiet, one thought entered his mind. He was going to die here, in this cold wet place with no answer to his cries for his mother.

After what seemed like eternity, footsteps were heard on the cobbles, their pace fast and hard. The footsteps skidded to a halt as they saw the scene before them. Softly the man spoke. "I am too late." As he turned to leave, he stopped dead in his tracks as Cyrus let out one last feeble cry. Quickly the man turned, his eyes bright with hope as he picked up the small child, wrapping him in the thick warm blankets he had brought. Closing his eyes he uttered a small prayer of thanks.

Looking over at the woman who had passed, the man gently closed her eyes and whispered softly. "Forgive me Isabel." With that said, he turned and left, heading for the nearest hospital.

*  *  *



Slowly the memory faded and Cyrus brought down the heavy, barriers around his mind once more.

Henry considered the memory he had seen. "Just because your life didn't start out the way you planned, does not mean that you should see your life through such a tainted view. Life is full of ups and downs. It is what you do with it that truly matters."

Cyrus leaned against a counter top and thought for a moment. "I've been there and tried that, I also failed quite miserably at it. I believe I've caused enough accidental damage to be in debt for the rest of my life. If you'd been in my shoes the last 23 years, you'd understand why I feel so jaded about life."

"I know more than you think. We follow all potential riders as well as the dragons that will partner with them. Brenna is one of Bogart and Lyssa's hatchlings."

Cyrus raised an eyebrow at Henry in question to his statement. "So...you've been spying on me? If you have then why haven't I ever seen any of you?"

"Because we do it telepathically and through dreams. You are less resistant to suggestions then," Henry explained as he laid a plate of pork on the table next to the cut bread.

Cyrus frowned at Henry as he listened to his words. "So...you've been brainwashing me through my nightmares?"

"No," Henry retorted. "Riders are hard to find. It takes a certain mindset and circumstance to draw you in. Dragons search for centuries to find the one rider who complements them."

Cyrus nodded a bit as he remembered Brenna telling him how long she had searched for him. "Yeah...Brenna spoke of it for almost three days nonstop. But what sort of suggestions?"

"Dragons aren't evil or, heed your dreams, follow your heart. Those are the most basic messages."

A chuckle was heard from Cyrus as he thought on this. "I think the last one doesn't really apply to me since following my heart would entail me slicing Rhys into so many pieces they wouldn't be able to tell what went where."

"Ah yes, Rhys. We will discuss him after we have eaten. Go ahead and grab that bottle of red wine and let's eat."

Cyrus shrugged and picked up the bottle of red wine, following Henry to the dining table. "What about him? Is there some sort of loophole that'll let Brenna snack on him?"

"No! And you'd better get those thoughts out of your head right now! Dragons aren't here to help us with our personal vendettas. They are here to keep the balance of good and evil in check."

Cyrus sighed a little as Henry lectured him. "Yes I know they aren't but...it's not for me, it's for Kennice. He treats her like she's nothing, like she's the scum of the planet."

"Kennice must lead her own life just as you must live yours. You have to trust Brenna, adhere to the draconic teachings and you will find fulfillment in your life," Henry admonished before starting in on his plate of food.

Cyrus' narrowed his eyes a little and spoke with a slight edge to his voice. "I DO let her lead her own life and I'm TRYING to live my own but everyone is telling me not to do the things I want to do. As for fulfillment...there's only one way I can get that and it's not on the horizon any time soon."

"Murdering someone is not the answer. You think it will fill you and make you feel better but it will not. Believe me, I know," Henry said sadly.

Cyrus raised an eyebrow. "I wasn't meaning murdering Rhys as fulfilling me, I was talking about Kennice..." Cyrus let out a little sigh of desire. "She'd be so much better if she was with someone else."

"And you believe that person is you?"

Cyrus shrugged a little at Henry's question. "I think so, although lately...she's been keeping things from me, like something is stopping her from telling me."

"I cannot help you there. To be a dragon rider requires commitment to the teachings and to your dragon."

Cyrus nodded and fingered the tabletop. "Yeah. I've been focusing on what Brenna's been teaching me, as you no doubt already know."

"Brenna has told Bogart much for she has a close bond with her father. But she is devoted to you and you must be devoted to her. This Kennice is not a rider and thus jealousy may brew if you remain bonded to Brenna." Henry pushed his now empty plate away.


Cyrus raised an eyebrow and smirked at Henry at the thought of Brenna getting jealous. "Brenna? Jealous? Yeah right, she's only got eyes for this Hayden guy she keeps going on about. Should hear her when she mentions his name, it's all dreamy and stuff. If you meant Kennice getting jealous...well she ain't gotten jealous yet about Brenna."

"That's because she is not confronted with the reality, nor is Kennice focused on you. She has her own set of problems to worry about. As for Hayden, it's alright that Brenna talk about him. He is her mate."

Cyrus leaned back in the chair and looked at Henry, cocking his head to the side, pondering something. "Why on earth would Brenna become jealous of Kennice if Hayden is her mate?"

"Because you are her rider. Dragons and their mates is something different all together. They mate with each other, sometimes produce offspring and will defend each other. But they don't feel love the same way we do for the simple fact that they live longer than we do. Occasionally if a rider of a dragon dies, that dragon leaves and goes back to their plane of existence. Some, like Bogart, choose to stay. There have been rare instance where some riderless dragons rebond to a new rider but those are few and far between."

Cyrus nodded a slight fraction as he listened to Henry's words and thought about the future for a brief moment. "Yeah but if they desire a rider so much in the first place, why return to their plane of existence? It doesn't make much sense for a dragon to have one rider then leave here if it's so coveted to have a rider."

"It is not a coveted position at all, my dear boy. Think of it as a rite of passage and the next step on their evolution. They come to learn such things as emotions and history from humans and we learn about realms we didn't know existed."

Cyrus' frown deepened as he processed this new information. "So if dragon's are supposed to be keepers of knowledge...why don't they just tell each other what they know and use their telepathic abilities to learn new things? As for emotions...well we both know how troublesome they can be."

"The knowledge is passed back to their realm as they make trips to their lands. This they do at the summer and fall equinoxes with the aid of the druids. And imagine having no emotions at all. True justice served would be blind but would it always be right? Or compassion? If they had no emotions the dragons would wipe us out based on our horrendous misuse of our realm. Do you understand what I'm getting at?" Henry questioned as he began clearing the table and running water to do the dishes.

Cyrus nodded after a few minutes of processing. "Yes I do but...I still can't see WHY dragons would be interested in our realm at all, especially at this period in time when belief in them is known only as legend. Especially with technology today. Few dragons would be able to withstand the impact of weapons such as missiles.

"True but it is because of the disbelief that they are protected. They are undetectable by our technology."

Cyrus nodded in understanding. "Ahh, right ok. But that still doesn't tell me why dragons would be interested in our realm?"

"You will have to ask Brenna some time and if you're really nice to her, she might just fly you there," Henry said and winked before washing the last dish.

Cyrus blinked at the prospect of flying to the place that apparently interested dragons. "That would be...unique I guess."

Henry only chuckled. "Come boy, I'll show you to your room."

Cyrus stood up carefully and slid his chair back in before following Henry. "Thanks, how long am I going to be here exactly?"

"As long as it takes," Henry replied cryptically as he showed Cyrus the upstairs bedroom that was to be his.

Cyrus raised an eyebrow and groaned inwardly. ~I have a horrible feeling this is going to be like the monastery.~



Onyx Dreams Ch. 10



Kennice stared out the window and sighed. It had been three months since she had seen Cyrus and she longed to steal away in the night to find him but she had been taught that duty came before her own desires. The teachings and the scars were too deeply ingrained for her to shed them off easily.

She felt the wind stir and she whirled around. High Priestess Erykia stood there, an irritated look on her face. "Still mooning over that boy? Remember what happened the last time your thoughts were impure."

Kennice tensed. "I have not forgotten, my lady," she murmured as she averted her eyes. The sight of the older high priestess sickened Kennice but if she allowed that revulsion to show she would be punished.

Erykia took four steps, grabbed Kennice's chin and forced her head up. She stared into Kennice's eyes for a long moment and then gave a pleasant smile that made Kennice shiver in fear.

"You will not be going to him. He was never meant for you. Rhys' seed is the one that will be spilled inside your sacred body and it is his children you shall bear."

Kennice shook her head no before she could stop herself and stumbled back when a vicious backhand from Erykia almost sent her crashing into the nearby table.

"You will submit or you will spend the rest of your life suffering punishment for your disobedience. The people's needs come before yours, ungrateful little chit!"

"I know that! Please, choose another for my husband!" Kennice begged.

Erykia smiled coldly. "My prophecies are never wrong. You will wed Rhys and your "Cyrus" will be a dragon rider separate and apart from you for the rest of your life! Now you shall stay in this room and meditate on your behavior. You shall have no dinner this night."

"Starving me will not make me see your way," Kennice muttered unable to stifle the surge of anger at being locked in her room, AGAIN, like some little child.

She let out a hoarse scream when Erykia held up her hand and sent a blast of blood red energy into Kennice's body that sent hot searing pricks of pain through her body. She fell to her knees breathing heavily as the pain receded.

Erykia said nothing, simply walked out the room and locked the door.

It took several minutes but Kennice finally managed to get to the bed where she passed out. Her last thought was of Cyrus and his kind smile...

***

Cyrus shifted in the deep slumber he had fallen into. His dreams twisting and changing form like a shapeshifting serpent. As his frown deepened, the darkness that lined his mind filled his view, he tensed in apprehension for a moment. Seconds later it struck him, the wave and rush of memories pouring into his mind like an uncontrolled torrent. He could see it all, everything Kennice had just gone through, yet he was powerless to stop it. He screamed in his mind and fell to his knees, trembling from the force of the emotions that wracked is body. He hurt as he watched the endless procession of tormenting memories and the guilt for not being able to stop this evil from hurting Kennice. Then the worst of all his emotions erupted forth, a combination of his emotions.

The rage inside him stirred, slowly opening deep, void like, red eyes...and took a deep breath. The subsequent explosion of voice from it shook the boundaries of his mind like a bomb detonating. It ripped through him like nothing else before, sending wave upon wave through his psychic connection, stealing any feeling he might have left to contain it within himself. His world then went dark around him. As it closed in, only one thing went through his mind. "I have to help her..."

***

Downstairs Henry felt the house shake and he sighed. He had hoped distance would cure the boy, but apparently not. The connection between Kennice and Cyrus was strong. Henry didn't want Cyrus to violate the draconic pact with the druids but if the young man didn't leave the future druidic high priestess alone, there would be trouble, trouble that neither side could afford.

"I'll have a chat with him in the morning," Henry muttered before seeking his own bed.

*** 

In the dark of his room, in the deep chill of the night, Cyrus awoke. The same phrase chanted through his mind over and over again as he rose from his bed and dawned his clothing. "I have to help her." Slowly he crept from his room and tiptoed down the main stairs, being sure to think absolutely nothing. If he had no choice but to use the skills he learned at the monastery, then he would use all of them. Including the ones concerning sneaking around undetected by telepaths. As he neared the door he paused a moment and eyed the hinges, estimating how much creak they would give. Surprisingly when he slowly swung the door open, it moved in silence. He nodded to himself and carefully made his way down the garden path, ignoring the feeling of unease the place emitted.

Brenna glided through the night sky and landed in front of him. She had felt Cyrus' sonic scream and had come the moment it rocked the cave. ~Where are you going?~ she demanded.

Cyrus paused in front of Brenna and resisted the urge to disappear into the night without an explanation. He owed her that much at least for being his friend in his time of need. "Just out for an evening stroll to clear my head of bad dreams..." He gave Brenna a suspicious look a father might give a teenage daughter. "What are YOU doing out at this time of night hmm? Sneaking out to meet a certain boy are we young lady?"

Brenna snorted. ~You forgot I can hear your thoughts and dreams. You are going to her again, aren't you?~ Brenna's tone was filled with resignation.

He stuck his tongue out at her. "What of it? You see what was done to her, besides it's not like I'm going after anyone is it? I'm just going to protect her is all. Keep her from harm kind of thing. That way they have to go through me first and I'm simply defending myself."

Brenna's sigh rumbled the ground. ~Be careful. I do not want to have to return to the dragon realms to tell everyone I got my rider killed.~

He snorted and couldn't help but chuckle. "Brenna, I have a strong feeling anything in this world, even a dragon, would have trouble TOUCHING me, never mind killing me." His tone took on a soft playful sound that hinted mischief. "Besides I still have to meet your boyfriend." He winked and chuckled before motioning Brenna down so he could hug her big snout.

Brenna accepted the hug but she still worried but she knew her rider was headstrong. She would keep in mental contact just to be safe. ~Hurry back~ she told him before launching herself into the air and heading back to the caves and Bogart.

Cyrus waved to her a moment before grinning and flashing off into the night at the speed of sound, snow and water flung out in every direction as he passed with a loud sonic boom. He followed the directions that were in his dreams and memories, seeking out the place where Kennice lay, injured and needing him.

*** As Cyrus neared the location he knew Kennice to be, he slowed down, letting his mind slip into the stealth tricks he knew. Quickly he moved past the guards and rapidly climbed the wall to Kennice's bedroom. Gently he rapped upon the windowsill, quiet enough to be mistaken for the wind to the untrained ear.

She wasn't aware of how much time passed only that the pain had become a dull throbbing in her mind. This was the second time she had been on the receiving end of Erykia's powers and it hurt like hell, just like the first time. She would've shed tears but they were long gone. She slowly opened her eyes that were red from crying. Her body ached but her mind urged her to her feet. She barely managed to get out of bed without collapsing on the floor and then staggering about as if drunk, she made it to the window and opened it. "Hello?"

Softly he whispered to her, "Can't leave you alone for five minutes without you getting hurt again can I?" He smiled a soft smile and hoisted himself up onto the window ledge before gently stroking her face.

She looked at him in disbelief and would have backed away but his caress froze her in her tracks. No one else touched her that way except for him. "Cyrus?" Her tone bordered on hysterical.

His smile stayed soft and he whispered while nodding. "Yes my love, it's me Cyrus, I've come to protect you. This time I won't let them take you, this time they'll have to go through me first to get to you Kennice."

Kennice flung herself into his arms and though she had no tears left to shed, her body shook with her silent sobs of relief.

Cyrus wrapped his arms around his love, holding her tight all through her sobs. Slowly a tear of his own slid down his cheek as he felt her sorrow. "Kennice, my love, please come with me, even if only for a while. You can still be high priestess if that is what you desire. I know of beings who are much more knowledgeable in her duties and secrets than the one who has done so much harm to you."

"Ok," she whispered against his chest. "Only for a few minutes. I can't breathe here."

Slowly he nodded and wrapped his arms tighter around Kennice before whispering. "Hold tight..." Suddenly the world whooshed around Kennice, air rushing past her as they traveled over one hundred miles in just a few seconds. Gently Cyrus set her down and looked deep into her eyes. "We're here."

Kennice looked around in amazement. "Cyrus, how did you know?" Her one true wish was to be on a beach with Cyrus, enjoying a romantic night like this. She looked at him. "Thank you."

He gently caressed her cheek once more before leaning in and gently kissing her with a long and loving kiss. "You are most welcome my love, tell me of your troubles?"

"I feel stifled. Everywhere I turn Erykia and Rhys are there. And he's pressuring me more and more to sleep with him. It would make our marriage official under druidic law."

Cyrus gently led her to a rise in the sand to sit upon and listened carefully. "You could always 'accidentally' wound his manhood beyond repair."

"Cyrus!" she gasped then started laughing.

He joined in with her laughter, the sound of her angelic voice soothing his aching soul. "Or you could come back with me and learn your duties from a dragon..."

"A dragon cannot teach me the spells I must learn to protect our homeland." Kennice wanted nothing more than to go away with him but she had a duty to fulfill.

"They are keepers of knowledge Kennice, and even if they don't know...I'd scour the whole planet to find what you needed."

"Oh Cyrus. You keep asking and I must keep refusing. I will not abandon this land's people to Rhys' heavy handed ruling." Kennice stroked his face.

"You won't though, once you have learned what is needed you can take control, give the people a real, kind ruler. Sometimes you must be cruel to be kind," he stated.

Kennice shuddered. Those were the same words Erykia used when she was about to make some unpleasant lesson sink home.

Cyrus noticed the shudder and frowned a little in puzzlement. "What's wrong Kennice?"

"Nothing, bad memories," she said and snuggled closer to him.

He nodded and slipped his arm around her waist watching the moonlight twinkle across the bay. Softly he sighed and moved closer to her, resting his head on hers. "I love you Kennice, with all my heart."

"I love you too Cyrus. That's why I want to gift you with something," she whispered.

He paused a moment and turned down to look at Kennice. "Gift me with something? Kennice you need not gift me anything except taking you away from those beasts. Knowing you are safe is more than enough thanks."

"So noble yet still clueless," Kennice whispered softly before kissing him for a long moment then reluctantly breaking the kiss. "What I'm about to gift you will give us an opportunity to bind ourselves together forever."

Cyrus frowned as Kennice whispered about him being clueless, about to protest about being far from clueless. The kiss, however, stopped him and he closed his eyes, sighing softly as he reveled in the gentleness of it. Looking into Kennice's eyes, he raised his eyebrow in question when she spoke of binding them together forever. Slowly it dawned upon him and a slow smile spread across his lips and his eyes glazed over a moment. "You mean...?"

"We cannot do it here. I have little time left. But the fertility rites are one week from today. At that time ten males from the nearby towns and villages are sent to the rites. One of them gets to sleep with the soon to be high priestess, which would be me. The men however are masked and given these necklaces as the only identification," Kennice explained while handing him a black onyx necklace. 

"You need to make sure to be in one of the towns by next week. Keep on the lookout for the man who has an onyx necklace and on the night he is to come, you must drug him and take his place. I will know you for though I'm not a strong telepath, I always know when you are near. It will be you I choose to take my virginity on that very important night. And no one will be able to stop us, for the lovemaking occurs in the midst of a spell and the magic keeps everyone away until we finish."

He nodded and gently caressed Kennice's cheek as he leaned in and kissed her once more. "I'll make sure to be there, although I doubt Brenna will be pleased that I have to drug someone." In his mind he thought, ~Will you?~ 

~If it will let you have peace and be with this woman then no, I do not mind~ came Brenna's soft, understanding voice.

A smile spread further across his face and he nodded. ~Thank you sweet Brenna.~ He winked mischievously at Kennice.

"Good. I have to go now. Please, before the others find me missing." Kennice was starting to feel nervous. None of her good moments ever stayed good.

He nodded and slowly stood, offering her his hand. "Yeah, I better go too before Henry realizes I've disappeared into the night and sends Bogart to find me." Gently he took Kennice into his arms and whispered, "Ready?"

"Always," she whispered and kissed him.

He smiled and returned the kiss before disappearing into the night once more, the landscape flying by in a blur. After what seemed only like a few seconds the pair arrived once more outside Kennice's bedroom window.

She climbed up the drainpipe and eased inside. Once in she turned to look down at Cyrus. "Don't forget," she whispered and then left the window.

He nodded and smiled at her before turning away from the window about to leave for the night.

Feeling silly, Kennice crept back to her window and whispered, "Wherefore art thou, Cyrus?" 

"Will you but deny your heritage and your name? If you do not, you will lose my love and I will forever leave behind the name Davenport."

Cyrus smiled and watched from below, whispering. "Shall I hear more? Or shall I speak at this?"

"You shall hear more, my love for it is you my heart cries for. It is you my body craves. Yet, I must hide these feelings for my captors of my cage punish me for wishing."

"I believe your words, give me another name and from now on I will not be Cyrus"

"I name you true love, for that is what I feel for you. Brave handsome, love, I go to sleep with your name on my lips and your scent on my skin."

"I will be here for you always dear Kennice, for your captors cannot stop me from coming and protecting you."

"Then sleep I shall. Good night, my heart. Good night Cyrus." Kennice peeked out the window long enough to give him a lusty look and then she closed the curtain and headed for her bed.

Cyrus smiled in return and blew a gentle kiss to Kennice before he turned once more and disappeared into the dark shadows of the night. Unknown to Kennice he stayed close by, watching, waiting and listening in case her captors did indeed return to harm her.

Unseen by Cyrus, Erykia watched from the topmost floor. So the pathetic young man had come back. And Kennice was still professing her love to him. Erykia snarled silently. She would end this and now! She entered her room and dialed a number, a sly smile on her face. She spoke some words and hung up the phone. It was not going to be long now.

**** Henry grumbled and cursed on the flight from his home to Cyrus' current location. That lad was going to be the death of him yet!

Brenna flew silently behind the pair, her fear that they would be tossed out was great indeed. Why couldn't her rider behave!

{{He is below}} Bogart said as he dropped quietly from the sky and landed a mile away from Cyrus' hiding spot. {{Go easy on him. Remember how you were when you courted my rider}} Bogart added slyly.

Henry harrumphed Bogart but sprinted easily up behind Cyrus and tapped the young man on his shoulder.

Cyrus turned slowly, he knew from experience that a tap on the shoulder meant he was in trouble but he wasn't going to be killed, at least not yet. When he saw it was Henry he smirked and spoke. "Bye Henry." With that Cyrus was gone in a blur into the night once more.

{{Bogart}} Henry said telepathically.

{{She's here with me Henry. He will stop for her.}} Bogart said confidently.

{{Cyrus!}} Brenna called. She could sense her rider's presence. She couldn't believe he was in trouble again! They were going to lose their privilege of being taught by a great one!

{{Mmmm?}} Cyrus spoke, sudden a top his faithful friend's noggin. {{I didn't do anything you said not to do, didn't get caught and to the best of my knowledge wasn't seen and didn't hurt anyone, didn't damage anything.}}

{{But you were seen! That's why we're here. Henry is upset! Cyrus, no one will take us if he says we are trouble!}} Brenna fretted.

{{By who?}} Cyrus raised an eyebrow and leaned down, looking into Brenna's eyes. {{I would only have been seen if they were expecting me, which gives the impression that they know something about my future since they didn't deal with me personally, which leads to only one person, or should I say, priestess?}}

{{I don't know how she knew but we are trouble}} Brenna wailed.

{{What for? I didn't do anything wrong, I just said a friendly hello, not like I killed anyone}}

{{SILENCE BOTH OF YOU!}} Bogart's voice roared in their minds. {{You, boy will be quiet. Brenna take him to the house. If he leaves again it will be you who gets into trouble}}

{{Yes father}} Brenna said meekly her head dropping down in respect.

Cyrus stopped immediately, but not in fear or in obedience. He had experienced this way of punishment before, and quite frankly he was getting pissed off at people doing it to him. {{Excuse me? You'll punish her for MY mistakes? Uh-uh, no way, I ain't falling for that shit again. They tried that once and look where it got me? Look what it turned me into. Do you REALLY wanna try that route again?}}

Brenna launched herself to the air. {{Hush, Cyrus, just hush}} Brenna said wearily as she headed for their temporary home.

Cyrus gripped onto her head as she rose into the air, starting to get angry now. {{What? No! Brenna I spent three LONG years putting u with shit like that. I'm NOT gonna let it happen again. I'm sick and tired of people trying to punish me emotionally, it doesn't work anymore.}}

{{It is not an attempt to control you. It is draconic way. We are supposed to be the balance check for our riders. I have failed you.}} She said softly.

Cyrus looked down into her eyes again and sighed softly. {{You haven't failed anyone Brenna, don't blame yourself for not being able to stop me, you'd only be able to do that if you have telekinesis even then it's a struggle if I start a twister.}}

He gently patted her scales again. {{Besides he didn't say I couldn't protect her did he? And what right has he got to say I can't have love, HE had it didn't he?}}

{{Cyrus, you always twist people's words to suit you. It is why we keep getting into trouble. I will not be able to protect you much longer if you continue this. Please, Cyrus. Abandon her! She gets you into trouble}} Brenna begged.




Onyx Dreams Ch. 10



{{Damnit Brenna NO! She is the ONLY human who has accepted me for who I am other than my father, I will NOT let go of her that easy, if you can't understand that then...I don't know why the hell you chose me}}

Cyrus's voice grew soft towards the end, the torrent of emotions he felt were draining his spirit once more. He drew his knees up and put his head on them, trying not to cry.

Brenna suddenly hovered in the air. Emotions of surprise, hurt and betrayal rippled through the mental bond they shared. {{You choose her over me? I have always been with you, Cyrus. Before you ever met her. I was the one comforting you in your dreams and watching over you}} Brenna's voice was soft and full of feeling.

Cyrus sighed softly and stroked Brenna's scales once more. {{Love is a complicated thing Brenna, I love you as a sister, but Kennice...I love her as a soulmate, it's as if destiny has paired us together. It's an instinctive drive to procreate, imagine your bond with Hayden and then throw in family love into the mix and intensify the feeling by a thousand fold, and then you'll have a glimpse at the power of human love.}}

{{Father said my human rider would do strange things and that I would not always understand. I guess this is one of those times. But you promised Cyrus. And you broke your promise. You did get caught. I only hope Henry is forgiving}} Brenna said nothing else as she resumed the flight home. 



Onyx Dreams Ch. 11



Kennice was floating on air. The night had been great and being with Cyrus on the beach had been icing on the cake. She shed her clothes and put on her nightgown, a very demure one that showed little skin or curves.

She checked the door to make sure it was still locked and then she slid into bed. She closed her eyes and slipped right into a dream.

**** 

She was on the hillside overlooking the monastery, but she felt no joy at the sight but rather a peculiar uneasiness that penetrated all the way to her very soul. The scene was idyllic yet she felt threatened. There was danger and death on the air and it was coming for the monastery.

{{It is the dark one you feel}} that male voice that had spoken to her so long ago explained.

"Dark one? What do you mean? We have to stop it then!" She didn't like this conversation or the fact that she could never see the male who spoke to her. She knew he meant her no harm. Of that she was certain.

{{Just watch}} His tone was full of sadness.

Kennice returned to watching and then winging in from the north was a black dragon. At first she thought it was Brenna but then she noticed a slight difference in the shading. It was a different dragon and there was someone riding the dragon. As the pair flew closer, she gasped when she recognized Cyrus. What frightened her though was the look of intense hatred on his face.

"What are you so angry at, Cyrus?" she whispered and then gasped this time in horror when the dragon opened its mouth and began flaming the monastery. But it wasn't just that sight that froze her and made her heart ache but it was the malicious laughter coming from Cyrus that caused her to go cold in shock and despair.

{{Remember, remember}} the male urged and then she felt herself being pulled back to consciousness.

**** 

The sunlight on her face woke her and for a moment, the nightmare was forgotten as she let the healing rays of the sun wash over her. It was just a dream and she had nothing to worry about. It was all just a dream. Kennice slid from the bed and stretched. She was going to bathe and then think on a course of action that would allow her and Cyrus to be together without having to hide.

She gathered up her clothes and went into the bathroom. Stepping inside she let out a hiss of surprise at the hotness of the water. Quickly she turned it down so that it was still hot but not scalding. She squirted the lavender and peach scented shampoo into her hand and lathered up her hair. The scent was soothing and she closed her eyes and smiled. The night on the beach had been one of the best moments in her life. Once again she silently thanked Cyrus for it. She began humming softly as she rinsed her hair. 

The door to the bathroom slowly opened and Erykia walked in on silent feet. Her expression was granite. She waited until she heard the water turn off before reaching in, latching on to Kennice's hair and jerking the startled young woman out of the shower and down to the floor.

Kennice shrieked in fear and fought but Erykia held tightly and dragged her out to the bedroom. She forced Kennice's head down until her face was pressed into the thick plush carpet. She then placed her booted foot down on the small of Kennice's back and pressed hard until Kennice's muffled screams of pain were heard.

"I don't know how many times I have to keep enforcing this lesson but I will continue to do it until you get it. STAY AWAY FROM THAT BOY! You are not meant for him. He is a lowlife who managed to partner with a dragon. I will beat you until it sinks in. You will not disgrace our order by associated with that boy."

Kennice was struggling frantically. She was starting to black out from lack of oxygen and the pain in her lower back was excruciating. She was dimly aware of the bedroom door opening and Rhys' voice.

Erykia looked up. "Did you bring them?"

"Yes, High Priestess," Rhys said with an evil smirk as he held out to her a cane, a whip and a rubber paddle.

"Pick her up and bend her over that stool," Erykia ordered as she took the items from him.

Rhys hauled Kennice to her feet and dragged her to the stool and pushed her over it. He took a moment to run his hands over her body even as he felt himself growing hard. Her body was lithe and begging to be explored. He slid his hand lower between her legs.

Kennice's response was instant. She pressed her legs together tightly trapping his hand. "No," she hissed.

"Come now, Kennice, why so shy? You're so eager to let Cyrus' filthy hands touch you there. Shouldn't I, your betrothed be allowed the same? I really don't need to ask but I am because it is the only nice thing to do," he drawled.

"Cyrus doesn't touch me there and neither will you!"

Rhys' face turned a dull red and then his hand landed hard and stinging on her butt. She yelped and almost tumbled off the stool but he held her down with his other hand as he scooted to the side to give Erykia room. His handprint was very visible against her milk chocolate skin.

"You just don't know when to keep your mouth shut," Erykia smirked as she expertly pulled her arm back and hit Kennice hard with the rubber paddle.

Tears sprang into Kennice's eyes but she bit her bottom lip. She would not cry! They would not subdue her in this.

Rhys chuckled when he saw the determined look on Kennice's face. "Oh, looks like your going to have to play rough high priestess. Kennice seems set on not learning her lesson."

"Yes, she does a high tolerance for pain. That's just as well. A high priestess usually has to go above and beyond normal levels. Consider this another lesson you have to learn," Erykia explained as she began paddling Kennice. After fifteen blows she switched to the cane. "Such control. She's managed to not shed tears or make a sound. How about we change that?"

Erykia swished the cane expertly in the air and started raining blows across Kennice's thighs, butt and lower back. She only stopped after 25 hits. 

Kennice was breathing harshly and she felt the blackness of unconsciousness calling her. She so wanted to slip into that black void and find relief but Erykia was going to allow that.

"Don't you dare faint! I'll have Rhys dunk you in icy cold water and then we'll begin again." Erykia savagely pinched Kennice's leg.

"Yes, high priestess," Kennice ground out and then hissed when the sting of the whip connected with her back.

Rhys watched in amusement as Erykia beat Kennice. He was getting aroused at the sight of Kennice's pain and at the smell of blood as the whip opened up lacerations on her back. He reached out and gently touched Erykia after the fifteen lash. "I find myself, invigorated," he stated.

Erykia laughed. "Yes you do like blood and pain, don't you Rhys?" she purred. "Come we will leave her. She will only be permitted water and no food. I'm also having her moved to a spot that Cyrus cannot find. I do not want her tarnished. The ceremony is in six days and nothing is going to ruin in."

The pair left the room and the sound of the lock being bolted in place was loud in the now quiet room.

Kennice tumbled off the stool and hit the floor hard where she curled up into a ball and quietly cried herself to sleep. 



Onyx Dreams Ch. 12



Cyrus muttered to himself and brought the barriers down around his mind, hard. Deep within the darkness, a whisper could be heard. It was a voice he had not heard for sometime. It was the metaphorical demon on his shoulder, and it was grinning vindictively.

~They don't understand your past even when you show them.~ The voice was like liquid silk laced with the venom of a lifetime of rejection and being controlled. ~They don't listen to your needs when you voice them...~ The voice continued to whisper in his mind, stoking the flames of rebellion inside Cyrus, beginning to rouse his rage.

~They are trying to control you again, soon they'll start injecting you with the suppressants...we don't want that...do we?~ The voice was beginning to make sense to Cyrus, this was how it had begun at the monastery. He wasn't going to let that happen again! He would rather die! ~We should kill them...~ the calm, icy cool voice of the stone cold killer instinct driven demon echoed through his barricaded mind.

Cyrus tensed and gasped softly; suddenly slamming down every barrier he could, fearing someone might hear it. No, he couldn't do that, wouldn't do that. He wasn't a killer.

~That's not what you were thinking when you shot Rhys now was it?~

Cyrus tensed once more, the demon might only be a figment of his imagination...but it was right. He HAD been willing to kill on that cold February morning and almost managed it. But he wasn't like that now.

{{Cyrus?}} Brenna's voice was calling though it sounded far away and muffled.

Cyrus was still tense. The voice on his shoulder was snickering now, sending chills down his spine. Roughly he stamped down upon the voice trying to ignore it.

Softly he spoke, not daring to open his mind till he was sure the voice was gone. "Yes Brenna?"

{{You cried out. Are you alright?}} Worry colored her mental tone. She had felt something evil heading toward her rider so she had left the cave and flown to the house. She was only a few feet from his window. The evil was gone but the stench of it still clung to his room and his mind.

Cyrus rubbed his arms and shivered, still hearing the echoing laughter of the voice. It was beginning to annoy him now. Suddenly in a bout of flaring rage, he brought the proverbial hammer down upon the voice in his head, silencing it for now. He waited a moment, making sure it was gone before very gently opening his mind up again. ~I'm fine Brenna, just...some bad memories that I'd like to forget.~

Brenna snorted. She didn't believe him not for one moment. {{Get some rest. We must be up at the first rays of light. Father and Henry wish to speak with us.}} She reminded him.

Cyrus couldn't help the glare that encompassed his whole face. The voice had used up almost all of his patience. ~Why in the hell can't I sleep in for once? For the last five years I've yet to know the joy of sleeping past noon!~

Brenna gave a loud angry bulge. {{You will do what they ask Cyrus and stop complaining!}}

Cyrus' temper snapped as he leapt up from bed, his mind bristling with thorns accumulated from the previous day. ~And what the fuck else should I be doing huh? Be grateful that this supposed 'Great Master' is telling me to become an emotionless hermit with no love from anyone? I've yet to see these people that they are great masters. For me Brenna I don't give a shit whether someone has saved the world or defeated armies on their own. Everyone has to EARN my respect. No one has ever gotten a freebie and I sure as HELL ain't starting now.~ Cyrus was panting now both with frustration and hurt. ~Imagine them saying you can't have what makes you complete just because she's...to be honest I haven't been given a damned reason why, just some BULLSHIT excuse that it's against the law.~

Cyrus wiped a tear that fell from his eye and turned away from Brenna. ~I'm this close to just saying fuck it Brenna, really I am, it's tearing me apart inside and I don't think I wanna see what'll become of me if I submit again to rules that don't make sense to me...~

The silence from Brenna was poignant and then a rustling noise, followed by the sound of her launching herself into the air was heard. The link from her end had gone silent.

Cyrus stumbled back against the corner of his room and slowly slid down the wall, pulling his knees up. Quietly, the tears began to roll down his face and his anguish, worry and fear flowed out from him like a beacon in the dark void his life had turned into. This time, he didn't even try to silence the voices around him. They were right, yet this only brought him more sorrow because he wanted them to be wrong with all his being.

Outside his door, Henry stood frowning. He had heard the exchange and was clearly upset. No rider talked to their mount that way. There was something wrong here yet he couldn't seem to locate the problem. If he didn't, Brenna would die of a broken heart and Cyrus would tear the world apart in his rage. Sighing, Henry knocked on the door.

Cyrus ignored the knock, letting the darkness of misery mount in his mind, wishing the ground would simply well up and swallow him. His life was in ruins. He'd failed his father, his mentors and now he'd hurt Brenna, his only true friend in the world. To top it all off, his worry over Kennice was surfacing again. The tears kept flowing from his eyes and the darkness kept mounting in his mind.

Henry felt the darkness and opened the door. "If you give in to the darkness, you will lose the girl as well as Brenna. Things can be salvaged but not like this," he said firmly.

Cyrus felt his eyes narrow and he glared at Henry, an edge of agelessness heard on his voice, the whispers from the demon on his shoulder, leaking into his tone. "And what would you know about my life? I have shown you my reasons for being the way I am yet you still seek to torture me like Rhys. Trying to break my spirit by ripping out my heart...For someone who has lost his love, you don't seem to know a damn thing about what the consequences are on one's mind."

"Ah the young. Always so angry. Always in a rush for things now. You listen to me, young man, and you listen well. I almost lost my wife because I behaved as you once did. Of course, my wife wasn't a future high priestess but the point is, if you stay angry, if you believe everyone is out to get you, then you will lose it all, and I do mean it all. And then you will truly be alone. I'm not here to torture you. I am only a teacher. I won't douse you with cold water or beat you. I will only talk and listen. That's all," Henry patted Cyrus' shoulder and then turned for the door.

Cyrus stayed silent for a long moment, wiping his tears from his face. He looked up slowly, his frustration no longer aimed at Henry but at himself, like it had been many times before when he was alone, in the dark. "I...I didn't mean to...do that to Brenna it just...Came out I couldn't stop it, I..." His words faltered as another familiar emotion hit him. It was shame. This in turn fired his frustration at not being able to control his emotions.

"She is hurt, true, but so would anyone who only wants the best for a person and keeps seeing them get hurt. It is the same with you and Kennice. You see yourself as her knight in shining armor. But your armor keeps taking a beating every time she refuses to come with you. She is, in her own way, trying to help you see but you are not seeing. So too is Brenna, trying to help you see and focus but the help you keep refusing. You must make a decision Cyrus. Learn the control you need to be there for both of the loves in your life, or keep up the loss of self-control and destroy both Kennice and Brenna."

Cyrus leaned his head back till it touched the wall and sighed once more. "Why is it that bringing Rhys and Erykia to the police is against your laws? If I really wanted to I could simply call Scotland Yard and report a domestic violence case. Rhys would wind up in a frelling lab and so would Erykia..."

"Yes, you could but do you really want to create that big of a stir? Have you ever stopped to think that Erykia is baiting you on purpose? That she does the things she does to make you lose it? She wants you to go crazy and do horrible things. Then she can hold it up to Kennice and use it to make Kennice hate you."

Cyrus was silent for a long moment once more. "Well she's doing a damn fine job of pushing my buttons...but is doing a terrible job of making me look bad, especially by abusing Kennice."

"That is an error on her part. I've been trying to tell her but Erykia was always headstrong, even as a young trainee. She will not listen to reason any more than you or Rhys listen to reason. All of you behave oddly when it comes to Kennice and I can't explain it." Henry rubbed at his beard thoughtfully. "It is something that will be checked out at a later date. Now, I will let you rest for three hours but this will be the only time. You need your strength," he said as he opened the door.

Cyrus paused yet again, a frown deepening on his face. "You trained Erykia? Yet you stand by as she literally tortures an innocent young woman."

"I was the one chosen to teach her about the dragons. I did not have a hand in her druidic duties. I didn't sense such perverse pleasure in pain when I taught her so she had to have acquired it later after her training. I regret now that we agreed with the druids on her for the choice of high priestess. It was a mistake and one we will continue to pay for until Kennice takes the office."

Cyrus sighed once more and put his head back on his knees, his words failing him now, he wished he could be with Kennice right now. He always felt good with her in his arms.

"I would suggest that you take the time to apologize to Brenna and then spend a lot of time with her. You owe her that much because she did try to cover for you," Henry added and then left the room.

Cyrus nodded to himself and spoke quietly in his mind. ~Brenna?~

She didn't respond but there was a "listening" feel to the link.

~I...I'm sorry for screaming at you Brenna, you didn't deserve that.~

{{I forgive you}} Brenna replied calmly. {{Father says humans always say mean things and that it comes with being around them. He also said I need to toughen up.}}

~No, really Brenna I was out of line, I was frustrated and angry at everything and you were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.~

{{I only want to love you and have you be happy. Even if it takes more than just me to make you happy}}

~But every time I go to see her, I always end up hurting you. I never meant to hurt you.~

{{It is not your fault or hers. You are both frustrated and wanting and you cannot get it satisfied. After you get the satisfaction you will be fine}} Brenna replied, sounding very reasonable and pragmatic about it.

~I doubt we will ever get the satisfaction we desire, perhaps I really should simply let her go?~

Cyrus sighed softly and slowly walked to the window, looking out in to the darkness.

{{Never give up on dreams but just remember that some dreams take time}} Brenna said wisely.

~True but...I've waited more than three years for this dream, but things just keep popping up. I'm doubting the saying, good things come to those who wait...~

Brenna chuckled gently in his mind. {{Do you know how long I had to wait for you?}}

~To be honest no, but I know I had those nightmares as long as I could remember~

{{Did I ever tell you how old I am?}} she casually asked.

Cyrus chuckled softly and wiped his eyes, sitting on the windowsill. ~Father always said its not polite to ask a lady's age.~

{{I am almost a thousand years old. I've been waiting for you since I first cleared a century}}

Cyrus was silent in surprise and puzzlement. ~Ok umm...I've only been alive just over two decades...how exactly could you have been waiting for me for almost 900 years?~

{{Not all dragons are destined for riders, Cyrus. We are born knowing that there is "some person" out there for us. We leave our realm and come to yours to find you. I've come every century since I reached one hundred and scoured the world only to return disappointed. I finally found you in this century on the day you were born and gave your first cry.}}

~I see...so, how did you know I was meant for you? I uhh, don't remember much about my birth other than what my father gave me.~

{{Your mind and my mind touched and formed a bond, though you were too young to understand what it meant. It is how I could send you dreams and keep track of you.}}

Cyrus couldn't help but chuckle at this. ~And you couldn't have given me dreams of bunnies like normal kids? Seeing a shiny black dragon diving at you open mouthed in your dreams can really mess a kid up."

{{I am sorry. I was still learning how to talk to you}} she said contritely.

~It's alright Brenna sweetie, I turned out alright didn't I?~

{{Mostly}} she replied sweetly.

Softly he chuckled once more and stared into the night. ~Come back to me? It's been a while since we've been out together.~

In response he heard the whoosh of air and then Brenna settled down outside his window.

He smiled widely and leaned out of his window to rub her snout. "Is it just me or have your scales gotten shinier lately?"

Brenna preened. {{They are brightening. He will be coming soon}} she said excitedly.

Cyrus' smile widened massively. ~Oh? Is this the famous boyfriend I've been hearing about?~

Brenna preened even more and flexed her wings. {{He is coming to hunt for his rider.}}

~Ohh and will we be following him...?~

Cyrus paused a moment, memories of his nightmare flooding back, another black dragon, staring at Kennice.

{{No, WE will not. I will. You have to go and learn to meditate with Henry}} she said smugly.

~Aw man, but I had to take four hour meditation classes at the monastery...~

{{This meditation will bring you closer to me and strengthen our bond.}}

~Well then shouldn't YOU be there too?~

Cyrus shivered as the memory of the dragon surfaced again.

~Brenna...can you...see that?~

Brenna was oddly silent. {{Yes}}

~Who is it Brenna? Why are they stalking Kennice?~

{{They are not stalking her. They are stalking something else}}

~What Brenna? If they are stalking something else, why are they going for Kennice?~

{{Because she is a catalyst, things have a way of changing around her.}}

~A catalyst? But...if she wasn't after Kennice, who was she after?~

{{I'm not sure but we should be careful.}}

Once more his nightmare flashed through his mind. Bloody claws and rows of razor sharp teeth.

~I think I know whom she was stalking...~

Brenna's eyes focused on him. She sent thoughts of love to him but said nothing.

Cyrus gripped the windowsill and swallowed hard. ~She was stalking me wasn't she Brenna? After me...but why?~

{{Only you know. I can't guess the thoughts of another}} she said sadly.

~But you know who she is, you said you did...who is she?~

{{No, we will not talk of this. I want you calm and happy. Not brooding.}}

~Brenna, please, if I'm being stalked by a killer dragon I NEED to know who she is so I can avoid her.~

{{I will protect you. Don't worry}} Brenna replied confidently.

~Brenna, please. Tell me...~ Cyrus gave her 'the look' and waited.

Suddenly she was in his mind, locking away the memories, soothing his fears. {{I said, I would protect you}} her voice grew hypnotic.

He blinked and stepped back, trying to shake off the intrusion. ~Brenna, wait. What are you doing?~

{{Making it better}} her voice was gentle as she locked away the last memory and gave him calm.

Cyrus took a slow breath, feeling utterly calm, this would normally have made him very nervous since he had never felt it before, but Brenna's actions were soothing him still.

He fell back onto the bed, one hand holding his head. ~Brenna...why? Why lock away the only thing I have to know my enemy? What is it that scares you about her?~

His own voice was soothing now, the calm having unlocked his attention to details.

{{It is best this way. Memories can grant power. I will not give others power over you. Now come, let's go play.}}

Had Cyrus been in control of his regular emotions he would have found this immediately suspicious, his natural paranoia would've sounded alarm bells the size of St. Paul's Cathedral.

But for now, all he felt was contentment, and the natural unnerving atmosphere of the gardens that was already beginning to gnaw away at the locks Brenna had made.

He decided to enjoy it while it lasted, he could deal with any worries tomorrow.



Onyx Dreams Ch. 13



The villages surrounding the ceremonial grounds were abuzz with talk. Soon the future high priestess would gift them with her powers of life.

One village had been allowed two recipients and there was much boasting about that honor.

Inside the ceremonial house, Kennice sat in the corner guarded by two very burly men with matching scowls.

She was dressed in a very ornate shift that hugged curves and displayed flesh in all the right spots. Yet instead of feeling sexy, she felt sick. She just knew something was going to go wrong tonight. Everything else had gone wrong this week and tonight was probably not going to be an exception. She kept her thoughts buried deep for if any surfaced about her true love, Erykia would be there swift as a hawk to punish her. So she sat, and shivered and waited for her life to unfold.

***

Brenna flew leisurely through the sky with Cyrus on her back. {{Why are we going back to the place we were told not to go?}}

Cyrus lightly held onto Brenna's horns as they glided through the skies.

{{Because there is something I must do Brenna, especially if I am ever to let go. I promised I would do this and I won't break this promise. Please understand.}}

Brenna's sigh rumbled through her body but night was falling fast and her onyx colored hide easily blended in with the night sky.

A few moments later she landed outside the town. {{I will be here if you need me.}}

Gently he stroked her snout and placed a soft kiss on the end of her nose. {{Thank you Brenna, you are my best friend, you know that right?}}

{{But of course.}} Brenna said smugly as she settled her wings down behind her back.

Cyrus chuckled and winked at her before disappearing into the town in a blur, sticking to the shadows, looking for the one who carried a necklace the same as the one Kennice had given him.

***

Tom and Donald came out laughing hard. They had both drank a little too much but were both excited for they had a chance at the beautiful high priestess. They touched their onyx necklaces and laughed.

"Go on, I'll catch up. Got to grab my coat," Tom said.

"Alrighty," Donald said before staggering away.

Cyrus smirked and walked up behind Tom, casually picking up a two by four as he walked. He weighed it in his hand and nodded to himself.

Gently he tapped Tom on the shoulder and as Tom turned, smacked him as hard as he could in the face, snapping the two by four in half at the sheer force. "Whoops, little bit too hard I guess."

Tom only grunted before crumpling unconscious to the ground.

Cyrus leaned down and snatched up the necklace from Tom, pocketing it into his clothes. "I'll take that, now to find out what I have to do next." Quietly Cyrus set off after Donald

Donald had changed clothes and staggered outside. His vision was blurry and it was the night of a new moon, which made it harder to see. "C'mon man or we will be late!" he hollered at Tom.

"Yeah am here, where is it we go again?" Cyrus kept a few paces behind, just out of recognizable sight.

"This way lunkhead! Sheesh you'd think you'd remember. I hope I get to lie between her thighs. I'd bet she'd be a good fuck."

Donald stumbled along until they reached the edge of the clearing where a huge bonfire had been lit.

"Ok here," Donald said and handed Cyrus a mask. "Remember she only gets to see our face after we bed her."

"And that's it? We just go in and bed her? Nothing else?" Cyrus quietly picked up a fist-sized pebble beside him and waiting for Donald to finish.

"Well the power will fertilize the land and we have eternal fame and glory," Donald said turning back to look at the platform that had been erected near the bonfire.

Cyrus weighed the rock in his hand a moment before clocking it round the back of Donald's head. "Too bad you won't see it." He leaned down and scooped the necklace up from Donald's body and put on his mask, heading quietly for the house he knew Kennice to be residing in.

***

Kennice felt Cyrus' presence and she let out a nervous sigh, which she immediately masked when the curtain parted to reveal Rhys and Erykia.

"It is time. The men have arrived. Your virginal blood will replenish the land," Erykia said. "This night will also prepare your body for your future husband."

Kennice looked down at the floor and not at her two nemeses for she would surely scream in fury. But she knew, at least, just this once; she was going to thwart them. She rose to her feet and followed them outside to the platform.

Cyrus stood near by, gazing up at the platform and kept his mind clear, thinking only of deflowering Kennice, the same thing the two before him had been thinking.

She could feel the heat of his gaze and it made her blush. Tonight they would finally be one. But she had to be careful. If she appeared too eager they would suspect something. She had to choose slowly and carefully.

Erykia held up her hand and the nine men before her looked at her. "Welcome. Tonight you bring honor and possibly glory to your village. Tonight, my heir apparent, Kennice, will choose one of you for the fertility rite. You will spill her virgin blood and give life back to the earth. Let the choosing begin!"

Cyrus stood with his arms crossed and looked down at the men beside him and muttered. "Why the hell didn't they just have them beat the crap out of each other? I don't know, would've saved me some work in winning."

The man next to him chuckled. "That confident are you? I heard she's an ice princess and will probably try to refuse all of us. Of course, I also heard that the high priestess had to take a cane to the younger one's backside. Something about wanting some man who didn't give a damn about her heritage," the other man gleefully imparted to Cyrus.

"Could you give a damn about her heritage? I heard half the men in the bar talking about just wanting to bed her. Hell I wouldn't mind bedding the high priestess, show her what a real man is like." Cyrus chuckled, trying to seem as much like an experienced lover as he possibly could.

"Ye ain't the only one. I'd bed them both right now but alas we only get the younger one. Oh, she's coming down to choose now."

Cyrus smirked a moment and whispered. "Ye right, I bet you'd wanna bed that guy standing beside her, you haven't even got the muscle to hold the young one down never mind break her in."

"We'll see, won't we?" the other man said before looking eagerly at Kennice who was peering at the men.

Cyrus took a deep breath and quietly cleared his throat, speaking just loud enough for Rhys to hear. "What'd you say man? We're here to bed the young one not bang her husband, sure he doesn't look exactly manly but...no you can't make him your bitch man, imagine what'd the old one would say? He's probably her boy toy or something." At the same moment his thoughts filled with fake memories of the man beside him saying just that.

Rhys let out a low murderous growl and started forward. Erykia held up a hand and blood red energy lashed out and hit the man in the chest sending him flying. "Kennice, he is disqualified. Choose three and bring them inside. You shall make the final selection then."

"Yes, high priestess," Kennice said obediently. She chose the first one in line, the fourth one in line and then chose Cyrus who was last in line.

"Come," Erykia ordered and went inside followed by Rhys, Kennice and her three choices.

The other men headed back to their anxiously awaiting friends and family to tell them they had not been chosen.

Cyrus kept his delight buried deep in his mind, silently following the two beside him into the room, his eyes watching Kennice.

"Choose wisely, Kennice," Erykia said.

Kennice gulped and then studied each man. She took a few minutes to run her hands along their arms and chest. She even grazed the middle's one obvious bulge in his pants.

"Why should I choose you?" she asked the first.

"Because I am young, strong and will be tender with you," came the prompt reply.

"And you? Why you?" she asked of the second.

"Because I will give you a great night filled with passion."

"I see," she said softly and then came to Cyrus.

"And why should you be the chosen one?"

"Because I would be gentle with you and tender, preparing you well for future lovers so that you would not resist them in the future. I'd also make sure that you felt beautiful for the rest of your life."

Kennice stepped back and appeared to ponder her choices. She let five minutes go by and gave Rhys an evil look when he poked her. 

"Get on with it," he ordered.

"Fine!" she said in a huff. "I choose him," she said pointing to Cyrus.

Cyrus smirked behind his mask and shrugged to the other two men. "Too bad guys." Cyrus waited for Kennice to take the lead. "Where do you want me to bed you my lady?"

Kennice gently took his head and led him back outside and to the bed of furs that was on the platform. The light of the bonfire made her skin appear to glow softly. She looked over at Rhys and Erykia and nervously fumbled with the clasp on the shift until it came undone and fell in a puddle around her feet. She brought her arms up to cover her breasts and blushed. She was playing the role of scared virgin to the hilt. She was not going to leave anything to chance.

Erykia smirked. "Why so shy? Any other time you're a shameless slut who can't wait to shed her clothes."

Kennice gasped and dropped her head. The words weren't true but they still hurt.

"Well get on with it," Rhys ordered, his tone bored. He would get his chance later at her body. He didn't mind that another got the hassle of deflowering his future bride.

Cyrus kept his emotions on maximum lock down, ignoring anything around him as he shed his clothing except for the mask. Slowly he moved forward across the furs towards her, his hands reaching out and gently caressing the skin on her arms. Gently his hands pried her arms from her body so he could cup her breasts. His thumbs slid over her nipples lightly, teasing her pleasure points. He watched her nipples grow erect and taut.

Kennice gasped and turned red. She could feel Erykia's probing gaze and Rhys' mocking one. She had wanted a moment with Cyrus and had been willing to endure an audience but now that they were in the moment she heartily wished Erykia and Rhys were far away. A moan escaped her lips and her eyes closed. She only wanted to feel. Not think!

Gently he began pinching her nipples between his thumbs and forefingers, lightly twisting, silently waiting for her legs to part a little.

A slight breeze began to blow and Kennice's legs parted, the scent of her arousal hitting the air. Beneath them the ground rumbled gently in response.

Slowly Cyrus slid his hand down Kennice's abdomen, gently tickling her navel before sliding through her downy soft pubic hairs to her hidden treasures. Lightly he trailed his fingertips across her lips, letting his finger circle her clit for a few moments before whispering. "Are you ready?"

"Yes," but her voice quavered just a little and her eyes came open. She wasn't feigning her fear. Erykia had said it was going to hurt. She feared the hurt more than she did the actual act.

Gently Cyrus laid Kennice down, his fingertip still circling her clit. He recalled his father's teachings as he continued to caress her love button, making sure he knew exactly how to bed her without causing a lot of pain.

The moment her back touched the furs Kennice felt the magical barrier go up. She sighed happily and let herself enjoy Cyrus' attention. Her body trembled as he caressed her down there, sensations she had never felt before working their way through her willing body.

Gently Cyrus slid a finger into Kennice, working it back and forth slowly to get her juices running, his free hand once more caressing her breast. As he slid forward on his knees he gently positioned the head of his cock at Kennice's soaked entrance. He looked into her eyes, silently seeking approval.

"Yes, please," she whispered, her voice heavy with need. She was very relaxed now and wanting Cyrus with all her being.

Slowly he gently slid his throbbing erection into her dripping virginal pussy, her strong muscles gripping him tightly as a long low moan was heard from him.

Kennice gasped as the pain hit and then vanished. Why it hadn't hurt much! Kennice vowed later to give Erykia a piece of her mind for scaring her like that. But then all thoughts about the high priestess left when she heard Cyrus moan. "Did I hurt you?" she squeaked in fear.

A smile formed on Cyrus' face and he shook his head, whispering, "Good moan. Let me show you how good." Gently he slid the rest of his manhood within her scorching depths, inch by thick inch.

"Oh. OH!" she moaned excitedly as his movements produced answering ripples of pleasure in her body and made her eyes shine brightly in surprise and happiness. "Oh my love," she whimpered.

Cyrus smiled down at Kennice, his voice oozing with vengeance, "Shall we show Rhys who is really behind the mask?"

"Yes," she moaned as he rocked his hips. She missed the tone in his voice so caught up in her body's reactions to this long awaited lovemaking.

Cyrus smirked and slowly pumped his hips as he looked directly in Rhys' eyes and slowly peeled the mask from his face. "Thought you'd never see this, did you?"

Erykia's shriek of rage rent the air and Rhys bellow of shock rocked the ground. "You vile creature!" Erykia shrilled and flung out her hand. A bolt of blood red energy came hurtling toward them only to disappear as it hit the barrier.

Cyrus waved cutely and blew a kiss to Erykia. "Can't touch me here." Cyrus then turned his attention back to Kennice capturing her lips in a deep passionate kiss as his pace increased.

Kennice writhed beneath him, moaning his name as his thrusts went deeper and deeper.

His hand slid to her breasts once more, squeezing them firmly as he copied the movements he had done in their dream meeting. His arousal was sky rocketing now, he had anticipated this moment for weeks and now he finally had it, he was going to make it last.

Cyrus was everywhere inside her body and then she felt something in her mind shift, spin and then settle. She could hear his thoughts! ~Cyrus?~ she said softly, unsure of this new sensation.

He kept his thrusts long and slow, not missing a beat as he heard Kennice in his mind. He was used to people suddenly popping up there. ~Mmm yes Kennice?~

She gasped in shock. She was not telepathic! In fact she didn't have powers, not like the ones her mother and father and even Cyrus possessed.

Slowly he leaned down and softly licked her neck, lightly teasing her tender flesh. A long moan escaped his lips as he upped the pace a little. ~Yes Kennice?~

~This is impossible!~ she yelped but aloud she moaned and ground her hips against him. She wanted to cum! Her body was eager and so was she. 

Outside the magically protected barrier, Rhys was ranting. "How dare she? How dare he that fucking bastard. I'm going to kill his ass!"

Softly Cyrus traced his kisses up to Kennice's ear, once more gently biting her flesh. Slowly he rotated his hips as he thrust in and out of Kennice. ~Magic probably my love, you'll get used to it...~

~Ok~ she said, accepting his explanation. She felt her body starting to tremble. "I'm about to cum," she moaned excitedly. 

~Well then lets make it an orgasm to remember...~ Suddenly his cock began to drive into Kennice at an incredible rate, slowly building up more and more speed, obviously moving much faster than any normal human could.

Kennice was panting hard and then the orgasm crashed through her body and flooded her senses with pleasure so intense it made her weep with joy. 

He kept up his pace, his body an endless blur as he felt his own desires thundering up upon him. He tensed himself and gritted his teeth, holding back his orgasm as long as possible. But her body and her vaginal walls squeezed him hard, pushing him over the edge. He almost cried out as ecstasy shook his body to the core, the feelings shooting out across his psychic links. Both Kennice and Cyrus' feelings were heightening each other's orgasm. With his back arching, his erection swelled to unbelievable hardness within Kennice's hot wet tight pussy as his tip erupted a massive payload of thick, white, hot, sticky, fertile seed.

Kennice screamed out his name as her body tensed, spasmed with the orgasmic tremors and she felt his seed spilling into her body. All around them the magic flared brightly and hot as the barrier became visible and rippled with every color of the rainbow.

Cyrus now cried out as he felt the magics around him, his muscles tensing like iron rods. His hips drove hard and deep into Kennice one last time as his climax passed.

She was clutching him so tightly that her nails were digging into his back as she tried to remember to breathe once the tremors subsided.

Panting softly he looked down at Kennice and gently kissed her, whispering in her mind softly. ~How was that? Worth waiting on?~

~Oh, yes~ she fairly purred.

Smiling from ear to ear, he gently nuzzled her neck before asking, ~and now what?~

~Now we rest. The barrier will not come down until the sunlight hits it.~

He nodded slowly, curling up with Kennice. ~And then? I have a feeling your boss will try to kill me and Brenna will no doubt go ballistic if I loped Erykia's head off in self defense.~

~I'll figure out something. Sleep. I'll let nothing hurt you this night.~

Cyrus smiled and gently lay his head down upon Kennice's rising and falling breast, hearing her heart beat like a humming bird. ~Alright my love, I trust you~

~It's my turn to take care of you~ she said confidently, her watchful gaze on Erykia and Rhys. She could feel the heat of their anger and it frightened her a little but she was now ready to accept anything they dished out to her. She had gotten Cyrus and this special night. She could even die happy for now she felt complete. 



Onyx Dreams Ch. 14



Chapter 14: Confrontations

***Author's Note: I just want to say a quick thank you to everyone who is enjoying this series but the biggest thank you goes to my co-writer smegger_29 who helps to bring Cyrus alive.***

Kennice yawned and snuggled closer to Cyrus. Soon the dawn would come and their magical barrier would fall. Then they would be at the mercy of Erykia and Rhys. She stifled a shudder. She was going to pay dearly for this one moment of passion but she truly didn't care. She would die with a smile on her face for she and Cyrus had finally had their one true desire fulfilled.

Softly Cyrus sighed, his dreams once more dark and shrouded in the sleepy mists of someone calling to him. The clouds rolled with thunder overhead, the sounds punctuated with the leathery swoop of something huge and dangerous. Quietly he shifted in his sleep, his face frowning as another loud roll of thunder was heard overhead. The skies lighting up with lightning crawling along the belly of the dark skies like a petting hand across the abdomen of a loyal beast.

Erykia and Rhys came running out of the hut. They had spent most of the night trying to figure out how to separate the two lovers permanently. The sound of thunder had sent them both outside.

"Damn it! Wake the boy up!" Erykia roared, her eyes on the sky.

Kennice gaped at them but then shook Cyrus. "Wake up, Cyrus! Wake up!" she shouted.

Cyrus stirred a little but did not awaken, his face still contorting and frowning as his dreams continued. Deep inside his mind, the locks Brenna had put on his memories were being eroded away by the new intruder. The onyx stone necklace had begun to glow against his pale flesh.

High above, in the dark skies, a high-pitched roar reverberated across the landscape, more piercing than that of the usual dragons. The villagers looked to the skies to see what the trouble was and were rewarded with a brief view of a belly as black as pitch. Taloned claws glinted in the lightning, the reflection however seemed to be absorbed by the sheer darkness of the scales on the belly of this sky beast.

Kennice's eyes widened. "Cyrus, please! Evil is coming! We must fight!" she cried.

"Rhys, grab the staffs, now!" Erykia ordered.

Rhys ran into the hut and came out with three staffs. Each had a hollowed out top in the shape of z circle. Within the circle was a different stone. Rhys handed the staff with the ruby to Erykia.

"Kennice, out of the circle now," Erykia growled just as the first ray of dawn hit the magical barrier and it vanished. 

Kennice scrambled to her feet and opened her hand. She stared in shock when her staff flew from Rhys to her.

There was a moment of stunned silence. "Um," Kennice stammered but quickly shut up when Erykia shot her a quelling glance.

"If you have to hit him with a blast, do so. But that boy needs to wake up."

"I understand high priestess," Kennice said meekly and ran to Cyrus' side and shook him hard.

In the skies, the great dark body of the beast dipped above and below the skyline, in slow widening circles. The clouds above began to twist around in a wide swirl, the lightning itself seeming to contort to the shape that was forming. Another roar was heard and the wind began to pick up around the village. The centre of the swirl was directly above Kennice and Cyrus now, the winds pivoting on them like a wild dog leashed to a post. As the sky beast moved with faster, stronger movements, the winds picked up, throwing up dirt and loose vegetation. It seemed, however, that around Kennice and Cyrus, there was perfect calm, the eye of the storm.

Cyrus stirred as Kennice shook him hard, his eyes cracking open slightly. For a moment they had become like black dark pools that matched the scales on the sky beast that was soaring above them. Softly, one word escaped his lips, "Kaie..."

"No! She holds no sway here, dragon rider!" Kennice said firmly. "Cast her out! This is not the way. You belong to Brenna."

Cyrus shuddered and gripped the stone as the roar sliced through to his very core, unlocking that which had been hidden from him. He tried in vain to make a coherent thought form in his mind, but the invader had a firm grip upon him, forcing him to witness the endless procession of memories before his eyes.

The wind grew stronger and several villagers, who had come to check on the high priestess, had to fight to keep themselves upright. Above them, a funnel cloud began to snake down towards them, threatening to engulf the platform.

Desperately in his mind Cyrus spoke the only thing he could keep a firm grasp on. ~Brenna!~ His breathing was harsh now as he struggled to sit up, his muscles refusing to do as they were told as he resisted. They seemed to only want to work if he cooperated with the intruder in his mind and watched what was being shown to him.

There was a rumbling roar and Brenna came streaking in from the east. ~Leave my rider be!~ she challenged.

Kennice's head whipped up and she smiled. With Brenna here they had a chance.

"What do we do?" Rhys yelled over the raging winds to Erykia as he gripped his staff tightly.

"We wait!" Erykia hollered back.

The dark beast suddenly dipped very low. It was bigger than Brenna, and looked much more dangerous. ~I am Kaie!~ she roared and headed straight for the village in full fury at being interrupted. Her massive jaws opened wide and with an angry rumble, a pillar of flame erupted from her jaws. The flames were spread around the village in a tall wall, controlled by he will. Kaie swooped once more high into the sky, disappearing into the clouds, lightning striking her scales and traveling across them. Her tone was deep and full of menace, jealousy and rage. ~He does not belong with you Sister! I have shown him the truth that you have kept hidden from him and I will do what you do not have the courage to do. I will bring justice to those who have violated the ancient draconian laws.~

Suddenly she swooped down, her eyes focused on Erykia. ~Time for you to find out what happens to those who torment the future ruler of this world.~

Erykia only smiled pleasantly before saying, "Now."

Kennice grasped her staff with both hands and her amethyst stone glowed brilliantly. A strong beam of purple light lashed out. At the same time a blast of red came from Erykia's ruby and then blue from the sapphire in Rhys' stone. The three beams hit the intruding dragon then spiraled out to form a cage around her.

Kaie roared once more and surged her wings down with powerful strokes, forcing herself backwards. She opened her snout, letting loose another pillar of white hot flames directly at Erykia, the air rumbling as the particles were incinerated in it's fiery path.

"No!" Kennice shouted and flung up her hand. The white-hot flames died before reaching Erykia.

Then Brenna was there, spewing forth her own flame at Kaie. ~Go away! You have no hold here!~

Kaie's strong wings thudded once more, rising out of the path of Brenna's flame and returning a shot of her own at Brenna. ~You always were too naive Sister, you have kept things secret from your rider but now he knows the truth and has let me inside. All thanks to you!~ Her eyes glowed brightly and Cyrus shook his head a moment and looked at Erykia, seeing his chance. 

Moving from the table, he held his arm out beside him. He called forth his bass blade, which hummed and sparkled brightly. Kaie had shown him more than hidden memories. She had shown him how to combine his powers. The blade was thrumming with the power of his rave rage that was focused intently on Erykia as he advanced towards her. "You did underestimate me, Erykia." He slashed at the staff in her hands aiming for and connecting with the gemstone.

The resulting explosion flung everyone backwards. Rhys crashed into the door of the hut with Erykia landing on top of him, her staff burnt and broken.

Brenna lost altitude and plummeted toward the ground.

Kennice was flung the farthest and crashed hard into the trees. She let out a shriek of agony when a tree branch slid through her back and out the right side of her chest, just missing her right lung. The pain was instant and excruciating. She coughed and felt blood on her lips. "Oh Cyrus," she whispered as a single tear slid down her cheek as she slumped over.

"NO!" Rhys came to his feet even as his whole body glowed blue. "You have broken the draconic/druidic pact. Her pain shall be yours!" He held up both hands and blue energy snaked out and lassoed all of Kaie's limbs, her neck and then her muzzle.

Erykia was watching even as she used her powers to send a call through the earth to Bogart and Henry who had responded and were on the way with other dragons to assist.

Dark thunderous laughter was heard as Kaie's eyes shined with evil. Cyrus began to rise from the rubble he had been flung into. His mind had become a hurricane of rage as he advanced on Rhys. His own eyes were still black pools of malice. The air around him was vibrating with the force of his powers.

Cyrus raised his bass blade once more, pointing it at Rhys. As he spoke, his voice held the combined strength of Kaie who used his mouth to speak. "You naive mortal, I hold no pact with druid scum like you. You have no idea of the power you have given this rider by tormenting him so. Your stupidity has done nothing but fuel the fire of this man's rage. You have condemned the world to darkness and have left yourself wide open."

"Then he can keep the power because it has just cost him the one mortal who did like him!" Rhys snarled at both dragon and Cyrus. He mocked Cyrus. "Kennice is dying because of you. I hope your bonding to this loathsome beast is worth it."

"The earth will heal her wounds, she has power enough now. But as for you...your filthy hands will never touch her again!" The voice held a note of strain to it as if Cyrus was fighting Kaie's grip on his body and soul. He narrowed his eyes and swung his blade, bringing it round once more in a horrific slash aimed for Rhys' wrists. Kaie let out two lines of flames from her nostrils, heading straight for Erykia.

Both lines of flames were doused when huge water balls were hurled from the sky as several different colored dragons led by Bogart and Henry appeared in the air above them.

"You were banished before, Kaie, for your evil ways. You will leave now or be forced out," Henry stated loudly and clearly as a ruby scaled dragon landed and let Erykia climb up on it. A sapphire one did the same for Rhys.

Brenna had joined her father's side and her eyes were full of sadness as she looked at Kaie.

Kaie roared and glared at Henry as she rose once more, free of Rhys' abilities. ~Once again you come too late, old man. Your time will come soon but for now, I shall let the bond between Cyrus and my sister fester.~

Cyrus was beginning to regain more control as Kaie moved farther away from him. His voice sounded like his own this time but still strained. "No....leave me be...beast of my nightmares. No one, not even an 800 ton dragon has the right to try and control me." His eyes glowed when he grasped the knowledge within her mind. It was foolhardy and a desperate attempt on his part to free himself from her grip. With his newfound knowledge, he rose off the ground a little, the skies flashed brightly with lightning and the power of the secrets he had learned from her flowed through him like adrenaline. For a brief moment he saw the world through her eyes, saw her connections to Brenna, Bogart and Henry. He witnessed thousands of years of evil and murder, and witnessed lastly, the murder of Henry's wife.

The shout that erupted from him shook the earth with the intensity it brought. The energy of the skies crashed down through his body, arching upwards towards Kaie as he thrust his hand out in front of him. "BEGONE DEMON! Haunt my dreams NO MORE!"

Kaie howled as the lightning struck her squarely in the chest. She knew he had power in him but this was like nothing she had ever dreamed of. She had to stop this now before he did her serious harm. She mentally roared at him, temporarily overpowering his mortal mind. The energy faded and he collapsed to the ground unconscious as she tore the knowledge of ages from his mind, leaving him with no memory of how he had accessed such power. Flapping her wings, she quickly flew off towards the north, leaving a cloud of darkness behind her, retreat being her only option. She had done what she had planned. The bond between Cyrus and Brenna was damaged. But now she knew that he was the one she sought. The one who would change the world.

****

Rhys directed the dragon he was on toward the trees. They hovered at eye level. "Kennice? Kennice, talk to me."

"Rhys?" her voice was very faint. She was floating in a sea of mind numbing pain. "Help...me."

"I'm coming to get you. Then Erykia can heal you."

"Ok." She didn't care. She wanted the pain to stop.

The sapphire dragon moved closer and with an agile leap Rhys landed on the branch across from Kennice. Carefully he made his way over to her and accessed the situation. "Kennice, I'm going to have to break the branch and then slide you forward."

"Ok." Her eyes were glazed as she moved once again toward unconsciousness.

"Stay with me, Ke," he ordered using her nickname. With a strong jerk, he snapped the top half of the branch.

She moaned but made no other movement.

"I'm going to move you forward." He saw her faint nod and then he pulled her forward. She yelped and slumped over, unconscious at last from the blood loss.

***

Brenna landed next to Cyrus and nudged him gently. ~Cyrus?~ her tone was full of worry.

Cyrus was unconscious on the ground and flopped over on to his back like a rag doll when Brenna nudged him. There was nothing but an echo in return to Brenna's question, the silence falling around his mind like a thick quilt. After several minutes, there were soft whispers in his mind, the various different parts of his personality were slowly returning and filling up the void of his mind. Quietly he whispered hoarsely, his body now smelling strongly of singed hair and flesh. ~Ow...~

Bogart had landed and Henry hobbled over to Cyrus. He waited a moment to see if Cyrus would open his eyes. When the young man didn't move, Henry slapped him and growled, "Get up boy."

Cyrus' head was rocked hard to the side and his eyes cracked open slowly, his breathing low and soft, his body felt like it had been beaten with a bullwhip and his mind felt like it had been drowned by too much alcohol. He tried to rise, or to say something angry at Henry, but his energy reserves were so depleted he barely managed a pathetic attempt to get up a couple of inches before his muscles gave out, his voice abandoning him.

"Stupid, stupid boy." Henry turned when he heard Rhys approach. He hobbled over to him. "Lay her back in the fertility circle. We must save her."

Rhys quickly placed her there and tore open her shift to reveal the gaping hole of her wound.

"Brenna, come to me," Henry called.

Brenna landed next to Henry. "Breathe on her sweet dragon. Breathe on her your healing breath." Brenna opened her mouth and white smoke billowed out and covered Kennice's body. Brenna closed her mouth and backed away.

Kennice whimpered when the smoke touched her but then the whimpers quickly escalated into screams. Rhys had to hold her down as her body began convulsing.

"Do something!" he demanded of Henry.

"We are doing something. She will be alright in a few moments," Henry assured the distraught young man.

Rhys looked ill but he watched in appalled fascination as the dragon's magic worked to save his betrothed's life. He made a silent vow to the powers of the universe that he would do whatever he had to for Kennice's heart to soften toward him. He wanted her to want him. Ever since he had first laid eyes on her, something about her had appealed to him. It had been a blow to his ego to know that some upstart, some raging freak had managed to win her heart. Well now he would be her hero and maybe, just maybe, things would change. He blinked and realized that Kennice's screams had tapered off. The white smoke was gone as well.

Henry checked Kennice's pulse and now healed wound. "Kennice, dear one, can you hear me?"

"Yes. Next time we decide to battle evil can we please be in a field?" she joked quietly as Rhys helped her sit up. She was so exhausted she just leaned against him, not thinking how it looked. She just wanted to be held.

***

Cyrus lay where he was for a few minutes letting his body work up the energy to tell him how much pain he was in. Gradually, after what seemed like forever to him, he managed to roll over on to his stomach and push up on to all fours. His chest was heaving now with exhaustion and his movements were sluggish from the fatigue that had welled up from such a harsh mental burden to suddenly take on. Only the most experienced druids were supposed to know how to enter the mind of a dragon, the reason being because they had decades, sometimes even centuries of experience to back their attempts. Cyrus was lucky to even be breathing never mind moving and thinking. It was then as he tried to sit up that the memories from Kaie hit. He doubled over and began vomiting from the distressing, gruesome images. His body convulsed till he had not the strength to continue. He couldn't get them from his mind, the endless procession of murder, violence and death. So much suffering and pain. It was all beginning to make his blood boil.

Erykia looked at Cyrus. "You are disgusting. I hope now Kennice will see the light and leave this foolish notion of you being the one for her," she stated contemptuously.

Cyrus managed a harsh glare at Erykia, feeling the adrenaline start to fill his veins. A low growl was heard as he slowly rose, giving her a look that said he knew something she didn't. "Do you have any idea how much knowledge was left in my head when that demon left hmm? How much knowledge of our traditions, cultures and laws were left?"

"Doesn't matter whelp. I have you where I need you and that's away from her."

Cyrus chuckled softly and stared at Erykia with a penetrating glance that went straight to her soul. He tapped his temple. "I see your childhood Erykia. I see your family, your betrayals. I see your plans to double cross Rhys too." He didn't know if any of his statements were true. He was gambling on the fact that Erykia would know that Kaie had given him a lot of knowledge. He was going to play that fact as much as possible even though he no longer possessed any of it.

Erykia gave him a haughty stare. "Is that so? Then tell me about my family, little man."

He raised an eyebrow. She was calling his bluff and he had nothing. All he could do was wing it and simply pass it off as the future if it was wrong. "I know your mother aided in your training. She had to. There's no way that someone could become as twisted, heartless and less loved as you without family turning their backs. I can just see it now, the beatings, and the emotional torment. Just like you do to Kennice. That's why you do it to her because you can't do it to your mother. You only pick on people weaker than you, trying to dig up some self-respect from that pit of despair your training cast you into."

Erykia's laugh was sinister. "Oh, you are convincing but sadly very wrong. But I will tell you this. All of my family and relatives are druids. I am not the first to sit in one of the high offices. That's why I know your kind. Always bringing chaos and problems that need not be. I hope you enjoy being alone for that is the direction you are headed. You've let evil darken your mind and taint your heart. The two females that you so value will be lost to you because you can't even control yourself."




Onyx Dreams Ch. 14



Cyrus was slowly getting up, his annoyance with Erykia swelling like a volcano inside him. "Oh really, Erykia? This coming from someone who has NOTHING at all except a lying weasel RAPIST like Rhys for a companion." He spat the words out with acidic venom, his eyes narrowing as he made a vow to Erykia so serious that a roll of thunder followed. "But trust me on this Erykia...if I am consumed by darkness, then I will bring it to you in full force. If I am destined to succumb to the evil I have just fought off then I will bring the armies of evil to your doorstep and I will BURN-IT-TO-THE-GROUND!" Lightning crashed as he shouted the last word, anger bubbling up within him as the demon on his shoulder began whispering again, growing stronger as his rage rose.

Bogart swung his head and knocked Cyrus down, pinning the young man to the ground with his claw. He was careful not to pierce any part of Cyrus. He just wanted the boy to be silent. ~Hush boy. Your anger is causing more problems than it's worth~ he grumbled.

The wind was knocked out of Cyrus but he still managed a glare at Bogart and spoke mentally. ~And you, Bogart, attacking a rider without due cause. Not very dragon like is it? Not a good example for either of your daughters.~

~I am not attacking you silly mortal. I'm keeping you from doing anything else stupid~ Bogart retorted.

Cyrus' glared at Bogart and he spoke with precision. ~Restraining me would be holding me back. Knocking me off my feet is attacking me. Ask any rider or dragon and they will tell you so. Now release me before you lose a talon.~

~No dragon will back you for you have brought shame on Brenna this day. Any creditability you would have gained you've just lost. Henry and I are only trying to help you. Kaie is trying to destroy and control you. You, however, will persist in believing what you want~ Bogart backed away. He looked at the other dragons and bugled twice and took to the air. All the dragons including Brenna followed him.

Erykia sighed and looked at Henry. "Do not worry, we will take you home. Your little trainee can get himself back. I will not give a ride to one with evil intentions."

Rhys gently scooped Kennice up into his arms. "It's alright. I have you. I'll get you somewhere that's quiet and you can rest." He held her close and inhaled her scent. She had fought bravely and his lust had risen seeing her fight to protect all them. She was worthy to be high priestess. Now if he could only get her to stop thinking of Cyrus, it would all be better.

Cyrus couldn't help but laugh loudly at Erykia's comment. "Evil intentions? Coming from you I'm shocked that the heavens haven't opened up and struck you down with lightning. Even Henry has said that had he known you would turn out like this then you wouldn't have become high priestess." He laughed again and looked at Erykia with wonderment that she hadn't exploded when she said that blatant contradiction to universal fact. "And we all know what a piece of work Rhys is. Anyone who's been in the same room with him for five minutes knows he's a slimy backstabbing coward who can't fight his own battles. He's more like a child molester than a high priest"

Rhys thought about saying something but then Kennice caressed his face and he held back. He couldn't have been more delighted. Cyrus was alienating Kennice! Rhys wanted to sing his joy but he buried it deep and looked to Henry for instruction.

Henry prayed for long suffering. "Cyrus, please, just go back to the house. Rhys, take Kennice to the car so we can get her to safety. Erykia, my dear. We need to put out the flames."

Rhys bowed and walked to the car, holding Kennice like a very precious treasure he was afraid to lose.

Erykia nodded and retrieved Kennice's staff. She planted it firmly into the ground and whispered two words. Thunder rumbled in the sky and then rain began falling.

Cyrus once more glared at Rhys as he walked away with Kennice in his arms. Cyrus' anger rose sharp and bitter. He turned and walked away, ignoring the rain as it poured over him. He could see now that Henry was in fact worse than Anthony had ever been. At least Anthony knew the difference between right and wrong. Although it seemed to Cyrus that even Anthony was a coward when it came to applying right and wrong to people high up the social ladder. No matter. He knew now that there was no point in returning to the house. Unfortunately Brenna had been wrong in her judgment this time he felt. Henry wasn't some great master; maybe he had been in the past, but not anymore. Any real master would've taken their student down and punished them for their crimes no matter how high up the chain the student was. He zipped off into the dark, the opposite direction from the house and whispered to Brenna. ~Don't come looking for me Brenna, they will simply follow you and make you suffer more for things you haven't done. I've finally had enough of this political bullshit. These people know nothing of honor, loyalty, or justice. They are simply in it for the power and the greed. You wanted to understand humanity, well that's it my friend. It's all based on greed and power.~

~Be careful~ Brenna said quietly. She didn't know what to do. She was very confused and afraid.

Cyrus sent reassuring emotions to Brenna across their mental link. ~Don't worry about me, Brenna. I'm thinking of visiting Juan and maybe my father afterwards. I could do with a command structure that doesn't revolve around one's title for once,~ he paused a moment as a thought crossed his mind. ~Tell me about Kaie, Brenna.~

~I can tell you but you will not believe me. Even now I can feel the coldness in your heart towards me. But I will explain. She is my sister. She did some very terrible things that caused her rider to get killed. Then she became evil and was banned from ever going home to Draconia. She wants another rider but no rider wants her for she is evil. She is trying to find a rider who will help her rule this world and ours. She wishes to displace father as leader of our people.~

~With the attitude he has, why am I not surprised?~ Cyrus sighed softly and stopped under a tree to be out of the rain for a while. ~I'm not cold toward you Brenna. I'm cold towards everyone else. So far you and my father are the only ones who haven't betrayed me in some way, shape or form. I should've just let Kaie eat Rhys. There's nothing in Draconian law that says I can't stand idly by and watch one evil eat another.~

~But haven't you betrayed as well? You point fingers but you have done the same. Even now Kennice is feeling betrayed. She slept with you, gave you her most precious gift yet you did not even check on her after Kaie attacked. While I was trying to save her, you were ranting, raving and condemning those around you. It was Rhys, not you, who ran to her aid and helped her. You probably didn't even notice that she caressed his cheek. She never touches him unless made to touch him. Do you know what that says about her feelings toward him?~ Brenna was trying to help her rider see reason and to calm down. Her tone was full of curiosity and pleading.

Cyrus' mind went icy cold for a long moment and he struggled not to glare at the ground in front of him. ~It's a little DIFFICULT to do that when you are A) fighting off a dragon, B) having knowledge of ages ripped forcefully from your mind C) unconscious because of said knowledge being ripped out and D) are in the process of vomiting due to the images which are STILL hanging around my head might I add. By the time I actually managed to get up you were almost done. I know you better than you think I do, I didn't check because I trust you.~

He chuckled softly hardly believing the accusations that were being thrown at him. ~I saved an entire village tonight, risk having my mind torn to shreds by an evil dragon and this is how I get repaid? Brenna, I love you as family and one of my true friends but baby...you SERIOUSLY need a reality check. Hell everyone in this place needs one. The last time I checked world law, torture and corporal punishment are ILLEGAL, as in against human rights, as in anyone caught doing it gets thrown in a cell for ten to fifteen years.~

~I don't know about your laws, only ours. And I have enough reality thank you very much. Perhaps my objecting rider it might be you that needs the reality check?~ Brenna calmly countered.

Cyrus took a slow breath and thought for a moment on how to get Brenna to see sense. ~Alright Brenna, when it comes to forcing someone to do something they don't have to do, what do your laws say?~

~That we must consider the greater good and analyze our behavior. If we are wrong then we must change. It is not often that the whole group is wrong though it occasionally happens.~

~So would you consider raping someone as an act that is for the greater good? Or beating them because they think you are an insidious vile worm is for the greater good? Or that NOT bringing justice to OBVIOUSLY evil people isn't for the greater good? I mean how the HELL can you dragons not see that Erykia is more evil than Kaie ever could be? Kaie only wants to rule two worlds, Erykia wants to control Kennice like a puppet.~

~You just answered your own question. Kaie is worse because she wishes to rule and control EVERYONE. Erykia only wants to control one person. And from what I understand you have to have good and evil to create balance. Without this balance everything will be destroyed.~

~Umm Brenna, what exactly has Erykia done in the last six months that could be considered good? As far as I know, nothing. Nil, absolute zip that wasn't written down in various books and scrolls. Now if we look at Kaie for a moment, she took it upon herself to try and kill two murderers. I believe that man Erykia hit with an energy blast at the fertility ritual is dead as a doornail.~

~He is not dead and the only reason he got shot was because you set him up. You are just as evil as she for you placed a person in a situation to be harmed and she harmed a person.~

~Ha! I chose the lesser of two evils; it was either him or me. She could've simply told him to leave. Instead, she shot him. I'm not even close to being that dispassionate. Is there ANYTHING in your laws that are outright banned? Or is everyone so obsessed with whatever everyone else thinks that they can no longer think for themselves?~

~They're some things that are banned~ Brenna said cautiously.

~Like what Brenna?~ He sat back and rubbed his eyes with his palms. His entire life was collapsing around his ears and he knew of no way to end the avalanche of guilt.

~Killing another dragon. Killing a rider.~

~Nothing else? Nothing that's socially banned?~

~Mating with those not your color.~

This last one made Cyrus pause, he wasn't sure what was so bad about it but it seemed a bit odd. ~What's wrong with mating with someone of another color?~

~Each color has special gifts. It is not encouraged to mate outside your color because the resulting magical combination could be powerful or it could be harmful. That is why your constantly pursuing Kennice is becoming such a problem. Even dragons understand the need for social order. And you are deliberately breaking the human social order. The order we are supposed to uphold.~ Brenna's confusion and misery were apparent.

Cyrus harrumphed loudly, his frustration welling up inside him. ~Most of the human race abandoned those barbaric beliefs centuries ago. There's nothing harmful about people from different social circles mixing with each other.~ Cyrus was feeling the burning bile of disgust in the pit of his stomach. He truly pondered saying to hell with the whole world and simply letting them kill each other.

~Where you go I will follow, even to death~ Brenna said firmly. ~So would Kennice, but right now she's hurt that you weren't there to save her. And that Rhys fellow,~ Brenna's tone oozed with disdain. ~Is suddenly being nice. The high priestess is smiling but Henry looks angry~

Cyrus lightly thudded his head against the tree stump. ~Isn't there anyone higher than Erykia? Or another council or something? Someone who can actually do something without it coming back and biting me in the ass?~

There was a long poignant silence on Brenna's end and then a deep male voice answered him. ~Yes, there is a way but it involves a lot of effort on your part~

Cyrus paused a moment. Who was prying into his mind THIS time? ~And what would I need to do, Mr. Mystery voice?~

~After all those dreams and those teasing remarks to Brenna you don't know who I am, Cyrus? I'm hurt~ the male laughed amusingly.

Realization dawned on him as he worked out who it was. ~Ahhh so THIS is the infamous boyfriend Brenna was preening over. Hayden, isn't it?~ He chuckled softly and sent feelings of love to Brenna over their link. ~He sounds like a fine man.~

~Thank you, young mortal. I will help you because I have a rider that I'm waiting for and who I am denied because of this mess. I wish for the peace between the druids and the dragons to continue and that will not happen as long as you remain miserable and are kept from your soul mate. And, since I'm older than Brenna, my word has some pull among our draconic brothers. We will all do what we must to be with those who matter to us. Can you control your temper and your impetuousness long enough to give me room to help you?~ Hayden asked of Cyrus.

Cyrus paused a moment and tried to work out what impetuousness meant. It probably meant being impatient or something. He nodded and stretched against the tree, yawning a little. ~I've got all the patience in the world when it comes to revenge.~

Hayden's snort of amusement echoed in Cyrus' mind. ~Do I have your solemn oath that you will give me two months of your mortal time to set it up so that you can be with your lover?~

Once more Cyrus nodded, but with a little hesitation. Two months was a long time. ~Yes. I'll go see father. I'm sure he'd like a helping hand around the temple.~

~Cyrus, you have to say the words "I give my solemn oath" and then say what it is you are promising.~ Brenna told him

~Oh. Alright then.~ He cleared his throat dramatically, ~I give my solemn oath that I will give Hayden two months of my mortal time to do what he needs to do.~

Suddenly a quick of flare of pain struck him and Brenna bulged through the link. 

~It is done and sworn. May the Fates have mercy on you if you forswear your oath!~ Hayden told him before abruptly leaving Cyrus' mind.

Cyrus slapped a hand to his temple and made a strangled gasp of pain. ~OW! You could've warned me! Jesus...one of these days am gonna install an immigration service into my head...~

There was no response for Hayden was gone. 

~Cyrus, do you need me to come get you?~ Brenna asked.

His fingers were massaging his temples and he let out a breath. ~It's alright Brenna, I'm fine. Don't worry yourself. I want to be long gone from this place when Henry realizes I'm not coming back for two months.~

~Be careful. I will always come if you need me~

Cyrus nodded once more and slowly stood, getting his bearing before zipping of into the night again. ~Thank you Brenna~

Brenna sent another burst of loving emotion and then she was silent for Cyrus was out of range.



Onyx Dreams Ch. 15



Surprising Change

***Two Weeks Later***

Kennice sat in the rocking chair next to the window and stared off into the distance. Though her body was completely healed and didn't ache any more, her heart was a different story. Not one word had she heard from Cyrus since the night of their lovemaking. Fighting off Kaie during the dawn hours was somewhat a blur for her. She remembered trying to wake Cyrus and the arrival of Brenna. She remembered the shockwave that had flung everyone outward and the pain of the tree branch impaling her flesh. Lots of pain and then Rhys, Henry and Brenna around her. Everything in between was missing but from what Rhys, Erykia and Henry had told her, it was probably better that she had been unconscious. 

She was feeling uncertain now. The dreams that the mysterious voice had shown her weighed heavily on her soul. Was that to be Cyrus' fate? Was that evil beast Kaie going to steal Cyrus away from those who loved him and turn him into the cruel man she had seen in the dreams? She shuddered and closed her eyes. Oh Cyrus, where are you? Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Come." She kept her eyes shut. She heard the door open and knew that it was Rhys who had entered.

"How are you feeling?" He stopped a few feet away from her.

"I'm fine. Just tired. I am waiting on our high priestess' verdict on whether or not the fertility rite was successful. If it was not, we must do it again. I'm not sure I could stomach another try."

"Are you saying that because you want Cyrus to be the only one to touch you?"

"I," she blushed and fell silent.

"Look, Ke, I've been thinking quite a bit about what happened at the fertility rite. Hell I've been thinking about the way I've been acting and I realize now that I've been a jerk."

"Try asshole," she replied, her eyes open and searching his face for any hint of treachery. "You're right. Asshole is more correct," he agreed with a grimace. "I don't know what got into me to be perfectly honest with you. I guess I was jealous because all you ever talked about was Cyrus and how wonderful he was. You never even gave me the time of day. I'm human and humble enough to admit that my ego was bruised. I looked at Cyrus and tried my hardest to figure out what the hell you saw in him that you couldn't find in me."

"He doesn't talk down to me. He actually listens to what I'm saying. And he makes me feel like I'm the person I want to be."

"And I've done the opposite." He took the last few steps to her and dropped down to his knees. "Kennice, please. I want another chance. I want to show you that I do have those qualities in me. That I can be a better man than what I am now. When we, I almost lost you..." he turned away, his voice choked with emotion. He visibly struggled with his emotions before getting them under control enough to continue speaking.

"When I almost lost you to that crazed dragon it hit me hard how much time I had wasted doing stupid, harmful things. I prayed to the powers that be that if they helped you live, I would change. I would stop being the asshole you know and become the man who is worthy of your hand in marriage."

She gaped at him. She couldn't believe that the arrogant, almighty Rhys was admitting he was wrong. Not only that but he was apologizing. She waited a moment for the heavens to open up and for him to be struck for lightning for lying. When nothing happened and the silence had grown a little uncomfortable she realized he was telling the truth.

"Rhys, I don't know. I need time to think. Yes time to think."

"I understand. All I ask is that you give me a second chance to woo you the right way."

"Rhys." She could only stare at him in confusion. She was wavering.

"Sh, you don't have to make any major decisions right now. Just rest. All I ask is that the over the next six weeks you let me show you my sensitive side."

She gazed into his eyes. He was in earnest. And her conscience would forever plague her if she told him no because she had always been taught that everyone is redeemable if they chose to change. He seemed to be sincere.

"Yes."

He stared at her. "Yes, as is in yes I may court you?"

"Yes, Rhys, that's what I'm saying." She smiled tentatively at him.

He grinned broadly and kissed her hand. "Thank you! I promise to be the perfect gentleman. She blushed as he came to his feet and gave her a courtly bow before leaving the room. She looked back out the window and watched as a pack of geese flew by.

*  *  *

Erykia stared into the pool of water and snarled. What the hell? She should have known that Rhys would fall for the little bitch just like everyone else seemed to do. He had been the best protégé, even better than Anthony. But now he was thinking with his cock and not with the ruthlessness she had instilled with him. Love, what did he or any of them know of love? She scoffed at his actions. He was as hopeless as Cyrus but only one of them was going to end up with Kennice. She stared moodily at the image of Kennice's face and plotted.



Onyx Dreams Ch. 16



Fatherly Advice

*****Somewhere in the South of England*****

Cyrus sat on a small wall outside his father's temple, looking out at the slowly setting sun and sighed gently. It had been a long month since he had left Brenna and he now felt a deep longing to feel her cool scales upon his skin once more. He lightly skimmed stones across the wide pond in front of him, watching them hop along before sinking into the murky depths. In his mind, thoughts of Kennice once more played across his vision.

Isaac looked at his son as he approached from the west. "Heavy thoughts again, my son?"

Cyrus nodded and stared at a pebble in his hand, slowly turning it over a moment. "Yes Father. I can't stop thinking about her, or about Brenna."

"Ah, the two women in your life. What exactly were you thinking?" Isaac inquired as he sat down and picked up a pebble.

His son was quiet a moment as he thought and spoke with what seemed like a tone ages old. "About how I should've treated them better, maybe then this whole fiasco wouldn't have happened and I wouldn't be ready to erupt like Vesuvius every time I heard that bitch Erykia's name."

Cyrus suddenly lobbed the pebble hard across the pond, his arm blurring with supersonic speed. There was a dull ricochet and the sound of a window smashing far off.

Isaac chuckled. "Do you feel better now?"

Cyrus sighed and let his shoulders sag. "Unfortunately not father. I find myself wishing it was her head I had thrown it at. I don't see why no one does anything about such injustice. Rhys is a rapist for crying out loud and Erykia is a torturer. Why can no one see this?"

"Have you learned nothing of this world, my son? Nothing is ever fair. You must remember that evil begets evil. The more violence you do, the worse things will get. Erykia and her kind thrive on the negative. You have to defeat the negative with positive."

Cyrus glared down at the pond, letting his anger cool a moment and once more sighed. His sighing was becoming a bad habit for him. "I know that father but it never works for me. I try to be nice and almost everyone stabs me in the back for it."

"Did Brenna and Kennice stab you in the back for it?" Isaac gently asked. He felt sorry for his son and wished only the best. But there was much corruption in the druidic circle and it was hard to stop it.

Cyrus shook his head slowly and turned another pebble over in his hands. "No father, they didn't. But many others have, and I'm finding it increasingly difficult to tell the difference."

"Trust your instincts as well as your heart. Your heart is usually in the right place and can help you. Just remember that you aren't alone, Cyrus. You have a bad habit of trying to take on the world by yourself and not letting others help that can do so."

Cyrus lightly tossed the pebble into the pond, watching the ripples. "I know father, but my instincts always tell me to do it on my own because that seems to be the only way things get done. Too many people today are either living in fear or are corrupt. Someone needs to weed out the corruption...like a cleansing firestorm." His eyes glazed a moment as what could only be called a vision crossed his mind. The demon on his shoulder was back and whispering in his ear, the link to his dark side.

Isaac felt the presence of evil surround his son and he did what he thought would work best, he decked him. He would apologize later. Right now he needed to save his son.

Cyrus was knocked backwards off the wall and cracked his skull on a large rock. If the air had been magically charged then it would've turned blue with the sheer volume of curse words erupting from his mouth.

"Cyrus, who are you calling to that fills your mind with so much hate and self-loathing?"

Cyrus sat up, his face scarlet with rage, his nose a flowing river of blood. He brought his hand forward from the back of his head, finding it coated in blood also. "What the hell did you hit me for?" He shouted and winced heavily for his whole head throbbed now.

"Am I talking to my son or to the evil one who decided to grace us with its presence?"

Cyrus shook his head a bit and frowned in puzzlement. "Father, it's me of course. What evil one? I don't see anyone but us here. Now why'd you hit me?"

"Ah, so you're oblivious to the evil that darkened your soul a moment ago. That is interesting. Interesting indeed. Come, my son, let's go get you cleaned up."

Cyrus was becoming irritated. The demon on his shoulder was now filed under less important matters, but its whispers could still be heard softly. "What evil? Like I said I don't see anyone but us here. Why did you hit me, father?"

"Cyrus, while you were in the middle of talking about changing the world, I felt an evil presence surround you, especially when you talked of destruction. It caused me concern and so I did the only thing I could think to do to snap you out of it. I didn't mean to hit you that hard but at the time it seemed like a good idea."

He gave his father a look of disbelief and shook his head slowly while feeling his nose a little and wincing. "And they say I don't think before I act. Did shaking me not cross your mind?"

Isaac gave him a sheepish look. "Actually no. I will remember that as an option for next time."

Chuckling a little, Cyrus shook his head and began to wipe up the blood from his nose with a tissue from his pocket. "Next time I'll remember to keep my guard up. Now I know where I get my temper from."

Isaac helped him to his feet. "Let's go. I do believe Martha has got lunch prepared and the other lads should be getting there as we arrive.

Cyrus nodded and gratefully took his father's offer of support as he walked. "New recruits eh?"

"Some yes. A few rich ones in the bunch who were sent here to learn the meaning of piety."

Another chuckle was heard as this sunk in to Cyrus' mind. Dark thoughts of pranks filled his thoughts for a moment, the demon on his shoulder whispering at a quicker rate now. "Oh really? This could be interesting."

"Cyrus, the intent is to teach moderation and tolerance, not hurt or scare people into following rules."

Cyrus couldn't help the next words that flowed out of his mouth. They seemed eager to come out with every whisper the demon on his shoulder spoke. "Oh really? So that's why you sent me to the monastery is it?"

"Nope. I thought you might like to travel and see parts of the country I didn't get to see when I was younger."

"Well personally I'd have preferred not to see those parts of the country. All they did was bring trouble overall."

"Perhaps it wasn't the scenery but the actions of some who didn't like the rules?" Isaac countered slyly as he opened the door that led to the kitchen.

"Well those rules were meant to be broken. I was there only to learn to use my powers not to become priest of the year."

"You shouldn't break the rules, my son. They are put in place to help mold and guide us. Sometimes the rules aren't very well written and cause trouble but that doesn't mean they should be broken."

"They are when they aren't supposed to be applied to you. Like I said, I wasn't there to become priest of the year."

Isaac sighed. His son was so headstrong and it worried him. He decided to change the subject for the moment. "Look, I need you tonight. We are having a special visitor that I would like you to meet."

"Who?" Cyrus paused a moment and raised a suspicious eyebrow. The last time father had a special visitor he had spent the rest of the night playing cribbage with his Aunt Samantha. 

"My surprise. You just have to behave and leave my new recruits alone."

Cyrus spoke cautiously and agreed. "Alright Father...but if it involves cribbage I swear I am going to scream."

Isaac only laughed and turned to give Martha a hug. "Smells wonderful."

"I know. It has to for the men you bring here are bottomless pits," she teased.

Cyrus took a deep breath and let his feet guide him over to the large stew pot and tray of cookies lying on the counter to cool. "Mmm chocolate chip, my favorite." He eagerly reached out to grasp one.

Martha swatted his hands. "Oh no you don't, Mister! Go get cleaned up and ready for dinner. After you eat it, then you may snack." She shook her spoon at him but her eyes twinkled.

Cyrus chuckled, gave an innocent look and walked towards the door. "Of course Mother."

There was a breeze in the kitchen as Cyrus left and suddenly one of the cookies was gone followed by frantic blowing from him. He muttered, "ah, hot!" as he made his escape.

"CYRUS!" Martha shouted but had to laugh as she turned to look at Isaac. "I swear he is still full of himself."

"Yes, that he is," Isaac replied distractedly.

Martha frowned. Something in Isaac's tone worried her but she said nothing as she finished preparing dinner.

Cyrus wandered along the corridors to the front room to sit and meditate for a few minutes while he waited for dinner to be ready.

"Yo, Cyrus! What's up?" Allan Bradshaw hollered as he came around the corner and spotted his friend. "Finally decided to show your ugly mug?" he joked as he held out his hand.

Cyrus looked up as his name was called and smiled as he saw his old friend Allan Bradshaw. "Hey man, what rock did you crawl out from under?" He shook his hand firmly.

"I've been in America trying to learn how to communicate with werewolves," Allan replied.

"Werewolves? Well that is interesting. I can top it though. I've been dating a future high priestess and have a DRAGON."

Allan gawked. "No way! Are you serious?"

Cyrus nodded and stretched, "Yeah man, a big onyx girl."

"Dang, maybe I should ask to be assigned to your missions. Life would never be dull."

Cyrus chuckled as he stood up and patted his friend on the back. "Trust me you don't want any of what I've got. Evil high priestesses, evil sadist high priests and a damsel in distress and an evil dragon after my soul."

"Sounds like those fairy tales Martha used to read to us when we were small. I kinda liked those tales and if I remember correctly YOU were the one who said you were the hero charging to the rescue. I wanted to be the faithful sidekick. Man those were some cool times."

Cyrus nodded once more and grinned from ear to ear. "Well it's sort of working out like that. Almost killed the bad guy a few months back, pity Elizabeth caught that arrow..."

The demon on his shoulder was back again suggesting evil ideas and scenarios, running the scene through his head again but this time showing him how good it would've felt if Elizabeth hadn't caught it.

"Wait, you mean Elizabeth Davenport? THE Elizabeth Davenport? She shot an arrow! Man what shit are you into Cyrus?" Allan demanded.

Cyrus waved his hand to silence his friend. "No, I shot the arrow, at Rhys. Elizabeth caught it. As for the shit I'm in, I'm the soulmate to her daughter."

Allan's eyes threatened to bulge in shock. "You...her daughter," he sputtered and then began roaring with laughter.

Cyrus laughed aloud too and lightly shoved Allan. "It's true bro, I even got to take the one thing she only has one of in her whole life."

"No way. No bloody way! That was you that caused that uproar at the fertility ceremony? I heard about it from my village! What the hell were you thinking, Cyrus? Do you know that all the villages that had sent men to that ceremony are angry with the party crasher? And were demanding blood but the high priestess said that the interloper wasn't allowed to be killed."

Cyrus raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? Well am glad I can move at the speed of sound then. Plus I DID kinda save them from a dragon attack. People always seem to miss out the GOOD details of a party crasher don't they?"

"Um, actually they blame the dragon attack on you. Said that the interloper crashing the ancient fertility rite was sacrilege and that the powers that be were punishing everyone for the unwanted visitor's transgression."

Cyrus rolled his eyes and turned away from Allan. "I knew I should've let that bitch Erykia fry like a barbequed chicken wing. And Rhys too, I should've..." He fell silent as he tried to get hold of his temper, feeling the demon on his shoulder stronger than ever since he had fought off Kaie.

When he opened his eyes, he didn't see the calm warm front room he had been in. Instead a dark desolate wasteland of the north plains was in front of him and so was Kaie, her eyes glowing bright red, teeth showing, calling to him. Tempting him to join her. He heard her voice clearly making him sweet promises of revenge that made him feel warm inside at the thought of settling the old score.

Allan shivered for the room had suddenly grown cold. "Cyrus?" he glanced uncertainly at his friend.

Cyrus didn't respond, his eyes glazed, as he seemed to be staring at something far off in the distance.

In his vision he looked carefully at Kaie and softly whispered, "Why me?"

"You have the power to help me remake the worlds in our image," she said smoothly. "You have the power to decimate your enemies and free your lover from their grip."

Slowly Cyrus nodded, feeling exactly the same as the words Kaie was speaking. "Yes. But what if the world I remake is worse than this one?"

"How can it be worse than what it already is? They keep you from your lover. The other dragons and their riders hide secrets from you. In your world everyone would be honest. Wouldn't they?"

Cyrus paused a moment and looked away. "But what kind of world would it be where no one could keep secrets? No private thoughts? I don't like people in my head. Why should people like me in theirs?"

"Because you wouldn't abuse it, that's why," she cajoled.

His voice suddenly went cold, very cold. "No, but you did. You invaded my mind as a child, influenced my actions and decisions. Changed my life to the way you wanted me to be."

"Me?" Kaie feigned hurt. "It was Brenna in your mind, not I."

Cyrus' eyes narrowed and his voice took on a knowing tone. "I know how Brenna feels in my mind. And it wasn't her back then alone. You were there too, with your blood covered fangs and claws. Don't try to bullshit a master bullshitter."

"So what if I was?" her tone became silky. "You liked it, go ahead, try and deny it. You used my advice often enough."

"Times when I shouldn't have taken it. Times I should've listened to reason. Like the day Kennice returned. I should have ignored you back then."

"But you didn't and it was a good thing too. Then you wouldn't have met our enemy."

Cyrus' voice became angry. He wasn't going to let this beast speak of Brenna in such a way. "Brenna is NOT my enemy, Brenna is my friend. My best friend."

Kaie laughed evilly. "My dear sister is the enemy for she is father's lackey and would lead you into a trap. No, our true enemy is Erykia. It was she that got me banished from my own clan and world. It is she who holds your lover hostage. It is she who makes everyone miserable. Don't you think she needs to die?" 

Cyrus swallowed and looked at Kaie a moment, thinking. "Yes, but not by my hand. If she does then...the consequences for myself...I wouldn't be able to weasel my way out of that one."

"Who said you had to be the one to kill her? Get your lover to do it," Kaie suggested and pressed against his mind.

He gasped and immediately began slamming down the barriers around his mind and shouted, "NO! I will not do that to Kennice!"

"Why not? If she loves you and wants to be with you then she would do that for you as your wedding gift."

He shook his head, trying to force Kaie from his mind. "No, I will not make Kennice do that, she isn't like that."

"Then she will not be a fit ruler. All rulers have to make hard sacrifices and choices. You've shown you can but any female by your side has to be the same way. And even though the current high priestess has to die she at least understands this rule."

He narrowed his eyes and tried to focus on forcing Kaie from his mind. "No, they don't...now leave my mind Kaie. Never return, or there will be consequences."

"I'll go and remember that I was your only, TRUE friend."

Abruptly she was gone and the silence from her departure was eerie. It was through that silence that Allan's words finally came through.

"Cyrus? Hey you're scaring me!"

Cyrus blinked, staring at the room in front of him, and prompted collapsed backwards.

"Aw hell.... HELP!!" Allan roared as he checked Cyrus' pulse.

****

Isaac stared down at his slumbering son. He could once again feel the taint of evil and it concerned him. He gently shook Cyrus. "Wake up boy, our visitor will be arriving soon."

Cyrus' eyes flickered opened a few moments after being shaken and he winced at the headache that had returned. "Ow, damn, what happened?"

"You passed out and Allan called for help. And I can once again sense the lingering presence of something evil."

The memories came rushing back to him and he groaned before sighing. "Yeah...just and old 'friend' of sorts."

"You need to lose the old friend. Each time they contact you the taint of evil grows stronger around you. I do not have great powers like yours, my son, but my meager powers are good at detecting evil and it is evil that dogs your steps."

"Believe me I've been trying. I even tried the stuff you taught me that I wasn't supposed to know. Didn't help much except make her angry."

"Her? Who do you mean?"

"The dragon that's stalking me, her name is Kaie..."

"A dragon is stalking you! How did you manage that?"

"I don't know Father! It just happened, I think she's after me to hurt Brenna..."

"And Brenna is?"

It dawned on Cyrus that his father had not been told about what happened at the monastery. His father assumed Brenna was human. "She's umm...my dragon Father. I'm a rider, didn't Anthony tell you what happened?"

Isaac's eyes narrowed. "I've not received any mail from Anthony since you left here and went there to train. You didn't write either. When did you get this dragon? What is going on?"

Cyrus frowned as he looked at his Father, "I was under the understanding that Anthony was giving you updates Father. She's been calling to me since birth. Anthony explained my nightmares to me and then I met Brenna at the...trial." He muttered the last word under his breath so it was difficult to hear.

Isaac's face had turned a very dark red. "No, I have received anything. I sent a few letters but stopped when neither Anthony nor you wrote back. I assumed it meant you were happy and doing well. What trial? Cyrus?" Isaac's gaze became probing.

"Don't look at me like that dad." Softly he sighed and sat down once again and began to tell the lengthy story of what had happened to him since he had left for the monastery, leaving out the sexual details.

When his son had finished, Isaac sat there stunned. "That's it, I'm contacting Anthony tomorrow! No one treats my son that way! Have they all lost their minds?" He came to his feet and paced. "Where is the girl now?"

Cyrus sighed and stood, gently placing his hands on his father's shoulders. "Still with Erykia. But please don't concern yourself with it Father, Hayden is doing what he can to help."

"And Hayden would be...?"

"Brenna's mate father, the one I described at the end just before I came back here?"

"Oh, right. I'm not as good as I once was at keeping names straight. So what is this Hayden's plan?"

"To be honest I have no idea but he has a month left to do whatever it is that he has planned."

"Well for your sake son, I hope he gets the problem fixed. Now, there is someone I want you to meet."

Cyrus nodded and looked down at the floor, biting his lip gently before speaking. "I umm also kind of, took Kennice's virginity too in the fertility ceremony."

Isaac stared at his son. "You took her virginity and didn't even make an honest woman of her?"




Onyx Dreams Ch. 16



Cyrus sighed and gave his Father a long look. "It's a little difficult to marry a woman when you've just had ten bells of shit kicked out of you by a dragon, Father."

"Did you even propose to her? When did you last talk to her? Tell me you didn't just love her and leave her!"

"Father, it was a month ago! And as I said before I'd just had the life beaten out of me. Doncha think it would be a bit better to wait until we'd both healed up a bit first? Besides that psychopath Erykia would've just beaten her worse than before because of it."

"Cyrus, even though you were hurt, you should have found a way to get her something. Even a small message would have worked. Women don't think like men. She probably assumes that all you wanted from her was a good fuck and now that you got that you don't care anymore."

"Father! She knows I love her. We connected on a level I've never felt before. It's destiny I'm sure. Once this is over I'll acquire a ring alright?"

"Son, in all the sexual education I taught you, I think I neglected something. Women are strange creatures and the sooner us poor males learn that the easier life is. True you might have connected on a new level but unless she is a mind reader, she isn't 100% sure of your love. It is easy for a person to say the words "I love you" but it's harder to mean and display it." He held up his hand to forestall Cyrus. "I'm not saying you don't truly love her but this is how women think, my son. They are very emotional and require being told by their males that they are needed and cherished."

Cyrus sighed softly and nodded in defeat, he knew he couldn't win this argument. "All right father, but I'm still not allowed to go near her for another month yet." He paused for a few moments before continuing. "So who is this person you want me to meet?"

"Ah, if I told you it would spoil the surprise." Isaac held out a blindfold. "Put this on and come with me."

Cyrus raised a suspicious eyebrow a moment before reluctantly putting it on and holding his hand out to be guided. "I better not be led into any furniture for laughs."

"Son, you know me better than that." Isaac took his hand and easily led him down the hall.



Onyx Dreams Ch. 17



Chapter 17: A Father's Secrets

Isaac led Cyrus up two flights of stairs and another hallway before stopping at the last room on the right. He turned the handle and gently opened the door. He guided Cyrus inside and closed the door behind them.

"Cyrus please be polite," was the only warning Isaac gave.

Cyrus nodded at his father's words. Usually his surprises were good for him so he always did as instructed when one was sprung upon him. "Of course father, aren't I always?" A cheeky smile could be seen on his face.

Isaac carefully undid the blindfold. The room was semi-dark but a cloaked figure could be made out in the corner.

As his eye adjusted to the darkness, Cyrus blinked a moment and squinted around the room not seeing anyone at first. Once he saw them, however he bowed his head a little before speaking, "Greetings, I am Cyrus, may I inquire as to who you are?"

"It is an honor to finally meet you. Your father has been talking nonstop about you for a year now." The voice was pitched low but unmistakably female.

Cyrus glanced at his father a moment with a questioning look, "He has? I am curious as to why, normally he is not a man to boast."

She chuckled and rose. She was shorter than Cyrus and her features were still hidden by the hood of her cloak. "Well my parents and your father had an understanding when we were mere babies. I arrived last year to get to know you."

Raising an eyebrow once more Cyrus turned to his father this time, still with the questioning look. "Exactly how many things have you yet to tell me about?"

"Not too many more," Isaac replied. "This is Katherine Mahoney. She's your betrothed."

Cyrus froze on the spot, the color draining from his face. "Excuse me? Did you just say betrothed? Because uhh I'm assuming you were listening downstairs when I told you about what happened yes?"

"Yes son. And you also told me that you didn't go back for her. So I assumed that the feelings were fleeting and you're ready to move on."

The color began to return to his face as he cocked his head to the side again. "Ok which part of 'I'd just had the crap kicked out of me so I couldn't' did you misinterpret father?"

"Son, it's been several weeks and yes, I know you said a dragon told you to wait but if you really loved her, would you have left her this long without sending at least a message?"

Cyrus rubbed his temples a moment. "I'm not allowed to interfere in any way father, an oath that stabs into your head like a knife is not something to be taken lightly. Plus, if you think my feelings are so readily thrown away, what makes you think I'll stick to the woman you have appointed me?"

"No one said you have to "stick with me" only that you give me a chance to get to know you." Katherine smiled.

He turned back to Katherine and put on his best smile. "Katherine, I don't want to hurt your feelings in any way but I'm not too hot on the whole pre-arranged marriage thing. I prefer to find love BEFORE I announce the wedding."

"I understand. Perhaps we can be friends instead of marriage mates."

Cyrus nodded at this and held his hand out in greeting. "I'd like that very much Katherine, if my current love rejects me then perhaps one day we might turn out as lovers."

"And you are a charmer as well. You have much to offer your betrothed."

"Indeed, so Katherine, I'm at a disadvantage. You know much about me yet I know nothing of you, I have yet to even gaze upon your face."

"That much I can honor." She pulled back the hood to reveal features that were eerily similar to Kennice's face. Even down to the long curly eyelashes.

Cyrus blinked and stared at Katherine for a long moment, she was an exact duplicate of Kennice. Had they pulled a trick on him and this was Kennice? 

"Kennice?"

"No, Katherine. Are you okay Cyrus?" she asked in concern and reached out to touch his forehead.

He naturally pulled his head back a moment and shook it a little, still staring. "Yeah...I'm fine, sorry. You just look remarkably like someone I know..."

She looked undecided. "Is that a bad thing?"

He had the same look as Katherine, his mind trying to calculate this very question. His voice was filled with concern. "I'm not sure yet."

"Will you then, my lord, allow me to assist you?" She held out her hand.

He raised a suspicious eyebrow and glanced at the hand. "Assist me how exactly? And you don't need to call me lord, Cyrus will do fine."

"You are a dragon rider are you not? Where I am from the riders are given the title of Lord or Lady. And I will help you to your room so you can rest, my lord."

His gaze took on a slightly icy tone but he spoke as normal. "Well I certainly didn't tell you I was a rider and father hasn't been up here since I told him. So how did you know?"

"Because I'm in training to be one. My partner hasn't made it across the dimension divide yet."

Cyrus was becoming increasingly suspicious now as he watched Katherine and began to walk slowly around her. "Oh really? I was under the impression that dragons weren't able to find their riders while across the divide."

Katherine rolled her eyes. "You really know nothing. Whoever your teacher was did a bad job. Even the most elementary of riders know that when the dreams start the mental connection is made whether through the divide or not. However the rider has to be ready. In other words he or she has to be of age. Then his or her dragon can cross. Now whether they find each other or not is a different matter," she patiently explained.

Cyrus paused behind her, leaned forward and whispered into her ear. "My teacher's name was Henry, and I've been having the dreams since birth."

"Since birth? You are one of the rare ones then. Most of us don't get contacted until our teens."

He chuckled softly as he drew back and walked towards the window. "Oh trust me, I'd rather have been contacted as a teenager. Having nightmares of two dragons calling to you can REALLY mess with your head when that's all you dream about."

"Two? You must be mistaken. Dragons can only call to one rider."

"That's true, but it's a situation of two dragons calling to me, not one calling to two riders. I've even had to metaphorically beat one off with a stick."

Katherine looked disturbed at the news. "Well, I'm not sure what to tell you but I'm starving. Can we go get something to eat?"

Cyrus nodded and smiled, holding his arm out towards the door. "Of course, there's plenty prepared downstairs."

Katherine smiled and bowed to Isaac before walking out the door ahead of father and son.

Cyrus paused beside his father a moment and spoke. "You intended to marry me to a dragon rider from birth?"

"Well," Isaac looked embarrassed for a moment. "Yes. Our clan's seer predicted you would marry one and she helped me pick the correct baby."

"Oh really, and you didn't take into account that it could've been a rider 5000 miles in another direction? No matter though father. I've been curious to meet other riders my age anyway to se if they too think their teachers to be idiots of the highest caliber." 

Isaac shook his head. "I'm only going by what the seer's vision proclaimed. I'm sorry I did not take into account distance as a factor."

Cyrus smiled a little and gently patted his father's shoulder. "Perhaps next time you'll let your child choose his own destiny?"

"I can't leave anything to chance Cyrus. You are my only son and heir to all the secrets of our line. If you choose the wrong wife, you will not produce children and our secrets and heritage will die."

He froze in place when he heard his father's words and slowly looked at him with a long slow stare. "Excuse me? Heir to all your secrets? Since when? There must be a hundred other monks up at that monastery, why not choose one of them?"

"Because these are secrets of blood, Cyrus. It is in your blood. It's not something the others can learn."

He looked at his father as if he were crazy. "Ok, since when have I been a blood relation to you, father? I was adopted remember?"

"No, you were only told that to protect you from rival clans. Can you imagine what they would force me to give up if they had kidnapped you? I would have told them any and every thing they wanted to know."

Cyrus stood frozen as he tried to wrap his mind around this and looked at Isaac his temper rising. "Sooo for the past 20+ years you've kept me in the dark about who my real father is...? And just who in the hell would've wanted to kidnap me after they witnessed what I did to the temple when my powers first showed up?"

"Look, your manifesting powers only makes you more valuable. It doesn't inspire fear but greed."

Cyrus forced his temper down as he spoke softly, calmly and clearly. "Right now, I'd pity anyone who tried that because I'm liable to turn them into sushi. Great time to spring all this on me Father. Not that I don't have enough on my mind with dragons chasing me, idiot riders trying to tell me that ignoring torture is the right thing to do and not kicking the hell out of wife beaters is the right thing to do. Just perfect timing Father!" He turned on his heel before he said anything more and headed for the door, glaring now. The air was beginning to hum strongly around him. He was in the mood to break something, or someone.

Isaac sighed. Well it hadn't gone as badly as he was afraid it could have gone. He would give Cyrus time to cool down. He hadn't meant to keep the lie going for so long but it had been a necessary measure. Making sure that Cyrus believed he had been adopted had kept him safe from harm. He only hoped that Cyrus would realize that and not think to badly of him for the small lie.



Onyx Dreams Ch. 18



Chapter 18: Twisted

Cyrus quickly left his father's house in a mood so dark that had it been able to affect the real world then it would have cast the world into the eternal darkness of a death dealing night. He struggled to contain his anger at his father for keeping such an important fact from him. How could he do this? First he picked out a suitor and now it turned out he'd been lying to him for my whole life. What else could he have been lying about?

The demon was once more back upon his shoulder and cackling softly as it whispered plots and conspiracies, forming ideas in his mind that it was all just to use him as a pawn in their big game of chess. Well he wouldn't be used as a pawn anymore. No, they wouldn't do any more damage to him.

He cast his eyes out towards the horizon and glared as his mood darkened still. Had he the power he would create a large thunderstorm, flashing with tendrils of lightning to strike the area out around him. Once more, deep within him, the rage began to bubble and stir. Who else was in on it? His father, his mother, Katherine, Kennice, Erykia, Rhys, Anthony, Elizabeth, and even Brenna. They were all ganging up on him, playing their stupid mind games with him. If his father had lied about his true identity then how could he trust the memories that had been passed on to him of his mother? Were they real or just some sick work of fiction to twist and warp his mind?

The demon whispered in fast haunting tones, shaping and molding his train of thought.

As for Brenna, she was the worst of them all...she had locked away his memories. She had restrained his emotions to put him off the true scent of who Kaie was.

They were all too weak for him though, he could see through their plots now. And he could see it so clearly now, the whole plan. They were toying with his mind, making him into some sort of weak-minded fool. It all revolved around Kennice. They all knew Kennice somehow. Every one of them was connected to her in some way. She had to be the mastermind behind this entire plot. He wasn't going to fold just so she could win her twisted game. No, if she wanted to play, then he would show her mind games. He would tear her life apart piece by piece. To hell with the dragon laws! Murderers, rapists and torturers should all be brought to justice. He was indeed going to bring it to their doorstep...

In his mind, a great, dark, omen of doom formed in his mind. Across the world the psychic links that were connected with him shook with intensity as he laid down an oath of vengeance. In his mind's eyes he could see it now, hundreds of thousands of dark dragons tearing the landscape apart, and he knew the perfect place to start. The one place Kennice truly held dear...the monastery where her parents resided. 

The demon on his shoulder was almost trembling with excitement now, it could feel Cyrus' anger and rage beginning to boil and so it decided to put its master plan into action.

Inside his mind Cyrus began to envision a scene where Erykia was strung up on a wooden crucifix, her arms and legs bound tightly with barbed wire as fire ants eagerly ate the flesh from her bones. To the left of this was a whorehouse, and Rhys was in the center, trussed up on a table with several large hungry men abusing him for their own sick desires.

But in the center was Kennice, the mastermind. Cyrus was going to deal with her personally. He slowly drew a long, curved dagger from his belt and began to carefully and pleasantly, skin her alive. Her screams filled his fury ridden mind. All around them, the followers of the dragon rider belief system were in chains. Their great mounts used as simple beasts of burden under his great rule. While beside him, enjoying it all, was the beautiful Katherine, the girl who he was chosen and destined for.

Suddenly, reality came rushing back towards Cyrus. The force of it struck his mind like a 25-pound sledgehammer and snapped him free of the vision. The blow sent him on to his back and the soft grass. Tears were streaming down his face at the terrible scene of violence, death and destruction he had seen, no created. How could he think such things about Kennice? The one woman in the world who he truly loved?

Shaking his head to try and clear the gut wrenching vision from his mind, he moved to his feet and headed towards the house. His anger was about his father concealing the truth from him and he wanted to know why. His father had said it was to protect him from kidnapping; well he wanted to know whom. He just might pay those people a visit and show them just how bad an idea it would have been to attempt such an endeavor. Especially now that he was grown and had hatred like nothing else on earth brewing in his chest.



Onyx Dreams Ch. 19



Chapter 19: Draconic Counsel

"See! I told you he isn't the one we need!" the female dragon's voice shrilled at the others who stood around the viewing pool.

"Calm yourself Zathera. Everyone knows that mortals must go through trials of fire before they are honed and ready for use."

"You are being naïve, Jayred! I tell you that your favorite pet will be the ruin of us!"

There were several murmurs from the other dragons. Jayred's tone was harsh. "Are you challenging me then?"

"No, I'm not challenging you, silly fool. I'm merely pointing out that Cyrus is not doing what you said he would do. We sent Brenna through, they bonded but now he is becoming Kaie's puppet! He is not the true savior! The savior is one that can see through the lies and into the heart. Cyrus is nothing more than a self-centered child who wields awesome powers and is easily swayed by darkness!"

"And your choice for savior was any wiser?" The condescending tone was unmistakable as Leynard lumbered over toward the others. He was one of the younger dragons, ruby red scales gleamed in the bright light of the viewing courtyard.

Zathera's amethyst scales darkened to almost black in her sudden rage. "At least my choice came from an honored druidic line! And he was doing quite well until Jayred's little pet interfered!"

"Rhys is no better a choice than Cyrus. You may be older Zathera, but you are not the wiser. None of you listened to the prophecies and now we are in a mess. War is almost upon us and all you can do is quibble over whose choice is worse." Leynard made a disapproving sound. "You should be looking for the true savior and stop trying to change your poor choices into the correct one."

Zathera let out an outraged roar and lunged toward Leynard. Hayden who was suddenly between her and Leynard blocked her way. 

"That is enough. Really you two," he chided.

"Don't think I'll forget this!" Zathera hissed at Leynard who only laughed at her. 

"Oh I have no fear that you won't forget." He smirked before nodding politely to Hayden. "Still trying to get to your rider?"

"Yes. There is much chaos in the wheel of destiny and it is making things difficult. But I shall persevere," Hayden stated calmly as he walked over to the viewing pool and looked into it.

Zathera shot Leynard one last poisonous look before lumbering over to Hayden's side. "You are sure this one is your rider?" she peered at the image in the water. "Yes I'm sure. But I will wait a little long. Things must play out as they have been foretold. The farseer, Nightgaze, has never been wrong. It will do no good to question his prophecies now."

The others murmured agreement. 

"We must begin preparing for the dark days. Begin sending the message to all dragons. The faithful will bring their riders to the correct location. We will plan our moves from there," Hayden ordered.

"As you will it, so shall we do it," Leynard answered before taking to the air and flying south.

"Zathera, go to the north east lands and see if King Maynor will lend us aid." Hayden did not look at her, his gaze still intent on the pool.

"As you command it," she replied before leaving to do the task.

"And what shall I do for you?" Jayred asked eagerly.

"You, my young friend," Hayden chuckled, "Must fly to the southwest and appeal to Queen Penalor for help."

"For you I live and die," Jayred quipped and with a laugh he was airborne and off like lightning to accomplish his mission.

Hayden turned and looked at one of the older dragons. "Am I doing the right thing?"

"You are doing the best you can. But the sooner you bond your rider, the better off things will be. Do not dally too much longer," the older dragon warned.

Hayden regarded her for a moment and sighed. "You always were very wise mother."

"That's what your father said. And he lived a very long life because of it," she replied as she reached over with a wingtip to brush his shoulders.

His eyes closed for a moment and he felt himself relax. His mother was faithfully by his side and her guidance was blunt but accurate. He had yet to go wrong by listening to her and the elders of the draconic council. Now if he could only get the younger dragons to not be so eager to fight, his life would be easier. He opened his eyes and looked once more on the image of his rider. "I will go now. It is time to cement my rider bond. Wish me luck mother."

"You do not need luck for you are a very charming fellow. But I will give you my blessing," she responded and blew out a cloud of pale blue light that touched his muzzle. Hayden breathed in the cloud and with a grin, calmly took to the air. He headed for the portal that would take him to the human realm. He had a rider to convince.



Onyx Dreams Ch. 20



Chapter 20: Past and Present

Isaac sat with Martha and worried. "He didn't take it well."

"He never takes things well. You should have told him before today," she scolded.

"I know, I know. I was afraid he'd do something cocky." He sighed and ran his fingers through his thinning hair.

"Well you'd better hope he doesn't go off and injure himself or someone. You know how he's prone to rages."

"I guess I'd better go find him." He reluctantly stood and went to find his son.

Cyrus, however, had not strayed far Isaac had taken no more than a few steps before the front door burst open and Cyrus stormed in.

His baleful expression showed he was in no mood for stalling or lying chitchat. "Why the HELL didn't you tell me this before now! You could've told me when I was fifteen! Hell you could've told me before I left for the monastery! At least then I would've had an EXCUSE to be miserable!" He could barely contain himself and pushed his father. The air hummed and brimmed with the power build up, one strong enough to cause some serious damage to the house if released. "And what else did you lie about? If you were really my father then why the hell didn't you help my mother? Why didn't you carry her to the hospital? Or steal a car to get there! Any REAL man would've done that!" He shoved Isaac again, unable to contain his anger anymore, his powers partially releasing at the same time, blasting Isaac across the room and sending him crashing down onto the wide kitchen table.

"Cyrus, no!" Martha shouted and started for him as Isaac struggled to free himself from the shattered table pieces.

He was already advancing on his father though, hands brimming with power and grabbed him by the lapels of his shirt, pushing him up against the wall. "Answer me! You murdered her didn't you? DIDN'T YOU!"

"I didn't kill your mother! They got to her before I could save her!" Isaac burst into tears. He was not ashamed to cry. His memories of that day were fresh on his mind as if it had just occurred. He remembered her psionic scream of terror and then the excruciating pain of her dying. They had injected her with a poison to kill her and their unborn son but Tera had always been strong. She had managed to give birth to Cyrus before dying. Her final gift to him. A true selfless act of love and one that had brought him pain every day.

Cyrus' anger skyrocketed a he heard these words. He slammed his father against the wall again, harder this time. "WHO? WHO KILLED HER?"

"Don't do this, my son! If you take revenge you will be just like them! I will not have blood on your hands!"

Martha fluttered about anxiously. Isaac shook his head frantically. He didn't want her injured if Cyrus completely lost it and let loose the full force of his powers.

Cyrus drove him harder against the wall, cracking the plaster. His muscles bulged and strained as he screamed at him. "God damnit tell me! Or I swear to the gods above I will beat the answer out of you!"

"That is enough!" Suddenly Martha's skin rippled and her hands and fingers turned into vines that whipped out and wrapped first around Cyrus's neck, choking him and then around his arms, effectively pulling him away from Isaac. The last set wrapped around his legs and jerked him off his feet sending him crashing to the floor.

As he hit the floor, struggling for breath, he dropped his restraint on his abilities. The resulting shockwave took Martha and Isaac off their feet. The force of the blast shattered crockery where it stood, cutlery was sent flying and embedded several inches into the walls.

Martha let out a hurt cry and lay unmoving where she had been thrown. Isaac surged to his feet, his whole body glowing. He held up one hand and a blast of energy slammed into Cyrus so hard it knocked the breath out of him, snapped his neck back and sent him into unconsciousness.

As darkness consumed him once more, the last thing Cyrus heard was the soft, deep laughter of the rage that had emerged within him. The demon on his shoulder was grinning; his target was progressing at superhuman rates. Soon justice would be served. 

***

Katherine looked down at Cyrus and back up at the somber Isaac. She had felt rather than saw the battle and when her sapphire dragon, Julian, had told her Cyrus was in trouble she had run as fast as she could from the marsh but had been too late to stop it. So she had done what she could to help everyone. She had to give Martha a healing potion.

Cyrus was still unconscious. The demon was worming deeper in to his mind, its suggestions and words making more and more sense to Cyrus as he struggled toward wakefulness. His father had refused to tell him who had killed his mother. So obviously he was in on her murder. Well he would find out who had done it, and he would make them pay. They were all going to pay!

{Katherine, his thoughts are poison} Julian told her.

{He's just angry, J, we have to cut him some slack}

{No, my rider. You do not understand. The darkness is consuming him. I am amazed he even managed to find a dragon to tolerate his wild ways} Julian's tone was laced with disproval.

Katherine sighed. {Just keep monitoring. I'm almost done fixing the few injuries he sustained}

Isaac watched Katherine work and hoped it wouldn't be for nothing. Cyrus had never had this much rage before and he feared not only for his son's safety but for everyone living in the monastery with them. As much as he hated to do it, he was going to have to put Cyrus out.

Cyrus' eyes flickered open slowly, the light of room filling his vision and he groaned gently at the fading ache in his chest. The energy blast had packed a hard punch. Where the hell had his father gotten that from? He noticed Katherine by his side and wondered what she was doing. He cautiously sat up wincing a little and looked at his father and spoke coldly. "Tell me who killed my mother, father. Unlike you and everyone else in your fucking order, I am not a coward to the bone."

Katherine winced at his language and Isaac looked disturbed. "Do you think it will make you feel any better once they are dead?"

Cyrus' eyes gleamed with menace for a second and he smiled almost sweetly. "Who said anything about killing them? Where would be the pleasure of being the winner if the losers aren't alive to know they've lost..."

Isaac looked positively ill at his son's words. Katherine gasped in shock and stared at Cyrus in disbelief.

"Riders don't kill. It is not our way," she murmured in distress.

He turned to Katherine with a look of growing irritation. "As I said, who said anything about killing them?" He turned back to his father and slowly rose from the bed. "Now are you going to tell me or do I have to find out for myself? Trust me on this, the beliefs I have developed since you sent me to that god forsaken hell hole are severely different from the last time I was here."

Isaac closed his eyes. "You have to go three towns over to Lokmore. If you are bent on this course you must find the Blearney clan."

"They are the ones who poisoned my mother? The ones who tried to kill ME?"

He saw his father's look of puzzlement at the knowledge he hadn't told Cyrus. "You aren't the only one who saw that night father...an acquaintance of mine also did. And I'd like to know what you or someone else did that would prompt them to kill your unborn child." Cyrus was nose to nose with his father now, his gaze steely, holding no hint of anything but seriousness.

"It's the fact that you were even conceived! They wanted our family line to die out! Then they would be the next powerful ruling psionic clan. They care nothing about protecting those without abilities. They wish to rule. And so they tried to kill the remainder of this bloodline to insure that would happen." Isaac rubbed wearily at his eyes.

"I'm not surprised they don't care, after all you're all too busy beating the crap out of each other!" Cyrus glared at him again before continuing. "Thank you for informing me of those responsible. For their crimes they will be punished, the rules of dragon lore end here. Tonight. This matter has nothing to do with riders and hence lore does not apply. Tonight, justice will be delivered." He pushed past his father and headed out of the room.

"Cyrus, wait!" Katherine cried and hurried after him. She had to stop him. What he was going to do would destroy the bond to his dragon, wherever his dragon might be. This was all wrong!

He spun, glaring with icy coldness. "This has nothing to do with you! Lore does not apply here. Even if you attempt to apply it I am in the right! They attacked and killed the family of a rider. Justice will be served! I am right no matter what laws you apply, Rider!" Once more he spun back and disappeared in a blur of speed.

"Damnit Cyrus!" she swore as she ran from the house and climbed up on Julian who had landed and anxiously offered his leg to her to climb up. She slid into place and they were airborne.

{Do you see him?}

{Yes but barely. He is moving even faster than what dragons fly and though our eyesight is as sharp as an eagle, distance does play a factor} Julian reminded her as he changed course to keep up with the angry young man on the ground below.

Cyrus felt his anger rise and he pushed on harder and faster, the landscape being thrown back as he blasted past it, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. As he reached the clan, men, women and teenagers were taken off their feet. Only the young children were spared the onslaught that left hundreds battered and bruised. Within minutes, the carnage was over and he had the leader of the Blearney clan at his mercy. A blade pressed against his throat. "You are charged with the murder of Isabel Constantine, my mother and wife of the monk Isaac three towns over. How do you plead?"

Tom Blearney looked into Cyrus's eyes and laughed. "So you're the whelp of that little whore. There were rumors but nothing that could be proven."

The blade pressed harder against his flesh and Cyrus spoke with precise accuracy. "Take a moment to look around. Everyone over the age of 10 has had the living daylights beaten out of them with wounds and injuries that will not heal for several weeks, months and in some cases, years. Do you admit to your crimes?"

"I have nothing to hide. I slipped her the poison myself. She was promised to me but instead ran to your pathetic father and became his wife. She chose a coward over me, me, the greatest leader around. She came from a clan of no importance. She had no right to choose."

Cyrus' smirk widened a moment as he softly whispered. "Well guess what Mr. Murderer. Killing my mother comes with a high price. One you won't soon forget...since you seem so determined to end my family line. How about I do the same to you?" He became a blur once more. In seconds, Tom was hanging several stories above the cold hard ground. The only thing keeping him there was Cyrus' grip.

"I'm ready to die, young fool. Just remember if you kill me our allies will burn your father's monastery to the ground along with everyone inside. Then they will gut you open and leave you to die."

Cyrus' eyes were cold and when Tom looked in to them, flames were visible for a moment as Kaie entered his mind. When Cyrus spoke, it was in a voice dripping with revenge and oaths. "Trust me Tom, if ANYONE comes to my father on the war path...then their entire clan will turn to ashes in the face of the dragon who is bonded with me. Their bodies will be nothing more than charred remains, and I will insure she takes especially long with your pregnant daughters!" With that said and the fear instilled in Tom, Cyrus let go, watching him plummet.

From the skies came a bellow of challenge and Julian dropped low, snagged Tom with his claws, and turned around and flew to the clearing near the clan's lands and safely put the shaken leader down. With another bellow Julian flew back to the building where Cyrus stood.

"Cyrus, just what do you think you are doing?" Katherine demanded angrily as Julian hovered at eye level so that Katherine could speak to Cyrus.

He glared at Katherine and stood firm, the confidence of Kaie flowing through him, her powers rippling through him and intensifying his own. "Delivering justice since all of you are too cowardly or fucking moronic to do it yourselves! What kind of heartless retards let someone get away with MURDER!"

"Cyrus, as painful and as cold as this might sound, Mr. Blearney killed your mother before you ever became a dragon rider. The rules are clear. If your immediate family is harmed then action and retribution can be taken. You are trying to serve justice based on a past crime, not a present one. Thus you are in the wrong at this moment, not Mr. Blearney."

The bass blade almost instantly appeared in his hand, humming with previously unforeseen strength, his rage feeding in to it. "It matters not. He is STILL a MURDERER and MUST be served justice! If you cannot see that then you are as bad as he is and are ENDORSING his actions."

"No one is condoning his actions, Cyrus. You didn't even stop to ask if justice had been served. You assumed it had not and came here to destroy. Did you even ask Mr. Blearney what the penalty was for killing another man's wife?"

"I already told him so, and when I interviewed him about the subject he felt not a shred of regret for his actions. Punishments must cause regret, or else they are hardly punishments."

"Did you stop to consider that his callousness might be hiding true emotions just like you have done on occasion to hide your feelings from others?" she demanded, getting upset at his unreasonableness.

"When a razor sharp blade is pressed to your throat and you have an extremely angry son of the person you murdered holding it after just beating the life out of your entire village for their crimes against another clan then usually you are more concerned with being 100% honest."

"You know nothing of the ways of humans. You act like some raging beast and you expect people to treat you as if you were rational? To them you are a crazed man that needs to be committed. Of course any fearful person will tell you what you want to hear in order to live. Now I want you to stop this insanity and go home Cyrus. Just go home. If you are interested to know what Blearney lost then I will be more than happy to tell you about it. But if you are still bent on destruction and your version of the truth you won't like the consequences. You will lose everything that does matter to you," she warned before Julian turned and flew back to the monastery.

Cyrus' eyes narrowed and his face morphed into a snarl. Great, now people he didn't even WANT to know were trying to tell him what to do! What the hell was with this place? He knew nothing of the ways of humans? What the hell did she think she was instead of human? An alien from Mars?

His frustration and anger rose as he turned and glared down at Tom, calling out in a commanding voice. "What did you lose then Tom? Because right now you are lucky to have your life. You had better speak the truth."

Tom only glared at him. "The dragon council will hear about this unprovoked attack. Your father will pay for this insult!"

Cyrus was in front of him in a heartbeat, the bass blade pressed against Tom's crotch. "Need I remind you that the council has no say over my actions. Right here, right now it is you and I. If you want I can eradicate this entire village and make it look like a dragon delivered swift justice. Or you can tell me and I'll let you live."

"You would turn other clans against the great dragons themselves? You are a stupid child. I have nothing to say to you."

"On the contrary Tom, it would be my living word against your dead word that you tried to kill a rider. Looking at your current history of murder, deceit and general evil I'm pretty sure I'll be the one who they believe."

"Do as you will, dragon rider," he sneered.

"Fine...I will do worse than take you to the council. I will take you to human justice. Where you will spend the rest of your life locked in a six by eight cell with no window and only a bucket to shit in."

Cyrus swiftly planted his boot against Tom's head, knocking him unconscious before carrying him away. 



Onyx Dreams Ch. 21



Chapter 21: Justice Demanded

When Tom awoke, he was sitting in the waiting room of a police station, Cyrus smiling beside him.

The secretary looked at the two of them, her eyes widening when she spotted Tom. "I'll go get the chief," she stammered and raced toward the back to speak to two officers who were pouring coffee.

Cyrus nodded and sat, flicking through some particularly graphic photographs of his mother's murder. A tape marked, 'Confession' lay on the table with several more marked 'witness' and numbered accordingly.

The oldest of the pair came to the front with the secretary. The man looked at Cyrus. "Can I help you, son?"

Cyrus put on a bright cheery smile and nudged Tom, "Yeah, I'm here to turn in the guy who murdered my mother."

"That's a pretty serious allegation son. Do you have proof? Have you filled out the correct paperwork?"

"Don't need paperwork, his confession and several witness statements are on tape there. I also have a DNA sample that will match his proving the hair sample you guys found there is his. That enough?"

"Are you a detective from another division? You look kind of young to be one."

"No, I'm the son of the victim and I made a citizen's arrest. Since the people I thought would've turned him in were in fact hiding and protecting him."

The officer forced himself to be patient. "Please come back here with me for a moment. Larry, go ahead and talk to the other fellow. Cindy please take everything this young man has brought and start processing it."

"I want him arrested in case he tries to escape. I don't want to have to watch you guys let him get away."

"We can take care of ourselves, young man. Just come with me please."

Cyrus nodded a moment before rising from his seat and moving towards the chief. "Of course."

The chief led Cyrus to his office. "You made a citizen's arrest? When did the murder occur?"

Cyrus looked calmly at the chief, his eyes disturbingly cold. "Twenty three years ago. I only recently discovered who the culprits were."

"Son, we will do what we can but these things take time."

The coldness of Cyrus voice seemed to grow exponentially as he slowly leaned forward, resting his knuckles on the desk, his pupils deep dark voids of black. "If it takes longer than a week, then I'll begin to wonder. After all there is a pile of evidence there that'll take three days tops, to process in a lab. If he goes free then I'll be holding you responsible for letting a murderer loose on the streets."

"We will do what we can. On that you have my solemn word."

"I will hold you to that chief, you won't like the consequences if you don't do everything you can..."

"Are you threatening me, son?" the chief eyed Cyrus. He didn't like the young man's attitude or behavior. It seemed off to him some how.

Cyrus didn't answer as he turned from the chief and silently exited the room, the air softly humming a malevolent melody of the potential future.

* * * * * * Katherine and Julian made it back to Isaac's monastery in silence. She still couldn't believe the rage she had seen on his face. It scared her. But she would worry about that later. Right now she had to speak to Cyrus' father.

Isaac and Martha were cleaning up the mess Cyrus' anger had caused in sober silence. There was a tension in the air that neither dare speak of. Their timing of telling Cyrus that he wasn't adopted had been unfortunate and the result truly unpredictable and shocking. He had seemed so docile in his youth, only when he had attended Anthony's monastery did his behavior change. Perhaps it had been a bad decision to send him there.

Katherine quickly walked up the driveway and around back to the kitchen entrance. She knocked lightly on the screen door before opening it and stepping inside. "Isaac, we have a problem." She bent over and picked up a shattered glass bowl and threw the pieces in the trash.

Isaac straightened up, his face pale and shaken. When he spoke it was a tone of dread and fear, "What has he done Katherine?"

"He went to confront his mother's killer. He injured women, teenagers, and men before taking the clan leader and dropping him from the highest point. Julian and I rescued the leader but Cyrus was not listening to reason."

Isaac was frozen as the import of her news sank in. "Did you stay until he left? Do you know where he is now? We must find him, I did not predict that he would take this so badly."

"No, I did not stay. He seemed calmer than when I first arrived. I do not know where he is. I can ask Julian to "listen" for him."

Isaac nodded and placed a smashed photograph on the counter top. It was of Cyrus as a young boy paddling in the waves. "He never used to harbor such resentment to people...perhaps the seer was wrong when she said he would be the savior of prophecy?"

Katherine gasped. "Don't say such things! Seers are never wrong. Vague yes, but wrong? Never. Maybe before he can be a savior he has to lose his way," she suggested though she thought it highly unlikely.

Isaac shook his head and leaned against the counter top trying to find a solution in his mind. "No, I have not sensed confusion in his mind. I have, however, been able to see that his mind is set on one thing. He believes that dragon law is wrong. Perhaps he is to be a savior, but not one for us. Perhaps he is to be a savior for the other side?"

"No," Katherine gasped. "Do not say such things, milord!" What Isaac was hinting at was sacrilege. Everyone knew the dark ones still lurked about and that the draconic prophecy uttered so many millennia ago foretold that one would rise for the dark who used to be of the light and that the savior for the light would unite all. "No, I will not believe that!" "Katherine, do not be naïve. Take a moment and look at what we have been told and know to be true. We all know of the trouble that occurred at the Fertility ceremony yes? And the attempt on the high priest's life. It is said that one day, darkness will be needed to bring forth the light. Sometimes to do the right thing, darkness is the only path that can be taken."

"I cannot believe that! Not and be a dragon rider!"

"I hope that I am wrong Katherine, I really do. For now, all we can do is wait, listen, and hope that the council does not catch word of what has happened, or things may decline faster than we can control." Isaac stared out the window and silently prayed for his son.

"Agreed." She then tuned her mind into her Julien's mind. {{Julian, please listen for Cyrus and let me know where he is.}}

There was a pause and then Julian replied {{He's coming back this way and he's pleased about something.}} Katherine looked at Isaac. "Julian says Cyrus is on his way here."

"I just hope he hasn't done anything stupid like involve mortals in our ways." Isaac nodded and cleared the last of the debris away, sitting down at what remained of the table that had once dominated the kitchen.

Katherine shrugged. "I'll leave you to talk with him. I'm going to the lake to give Julian a bath."

Isaac nodded a little wearily and waved vaguely in the direction of the lake. "Just remember and clean up any scales he decides to shed."

Katherine chuckled when Julian let out an indignant roar. "Don't worry, I will."

Isaac smiled slightly at the roar and motioned for Martha to sit with him, he was beginning to worry about the happiness his son was now feeling. He could sense a dark cloud on the horizon looming ever closer to their lives. 



Onyx Dreams Ch. 22



"Thank you to all the devoted readers who have avidly followed this story. Sorry it took so long for this chapter. --Sincerely, kitazkitten & smegger_29

Chapter 22: The Proposal

Kennice stopped her work on the flowerbeds and wiped away the trickle of sweat that ran down her face. It had been two months and true to his word Rhys had left her alone. He still talked to her but he didn't harass and hurt her like he use to. She was beyond relieved but she puzzled too. What had brought on the change of heart? Lately he had been leaving her a different type of flower outside her room. And the surprise breakfast a week ago had been a shocker. She lovingly patted a flower and tried to sort out her thoughts. She still thought about Cyrus but now it felt more like a memory sometimes. Not once had he come to see her or try to contact her. Her only thought was that their night of sex had left him finding her lacking and it hurt. She had believed he truly was the one and only for her.

Rhys smiled to himself as he watched her from a shadowy window, all was going to plan and soon Kennice would be his. That peasant Cyrus would be left out in the cold and his heart would be shattered. His face darkened for a moment though. Erykia had visited him two months before and told him to act this way, that she had plans for Cyrus and that the best way to turn him from the light would be to seduce Kennice kindly. This was far from what he wanted to do, he preferred to show his mate how superior he was and recently he had found himself having to restrain himself significantly lest he feel Erykia's wrath. Why she didn't just kill that fool Cyrus and let himself fulfill the prophecy he didn't know. He knew inside that he could easily fulfill the words of the prophecy better than that lowlife Cyrus.

Kennice put the gardening tools back in the bucket and stood up. She stretched and her pale lavender shirt stretched tight against her body, outlining the curves of her breasts. The pants she wore clung enticingly to her legs. She fanned herself once before picking up the bucket and heading for the shed.

Rhys was so deep in his brooding that he almost missed his chance to build himself up more in her eyes. He straightened his shirt, put on a pleasant smile and quietly walked into the warm sun with a package behind his back. He made his way across the grass and called out for Kennice in a jovial tone as if he had no idea where she was.

She turned and gave him a smile. "Rhys! I didn't know you had come back from your errands. I was just finishing up the weeding and replanting," she told him as she pointed at the garden.

His smile widened and he rocked slightly on his heels as he put on an air of happy secrecy. "I wanted to surprise you with an early return and a special gift..." He left the last part open ended, waiting for her to take the bait.

"Gift?" This surprised her. He hadn't given her any real gifts, just flowers and the breakfast. Her eyes were bright with curiosity as she looked at him.

He nodded and smiled wider, bringing the package from behind his back. It had the label of an expensive and high-class dressmaker upon its surface. "I must apologize but I had to have the maid sneak a look at your size so that I would get it just right for you."

Kennice blushed but she took the package and opened it. The glittering silver gown flowed out and spilled over her fingers. She gasped in happy delight as her eyes devoured the silk's finely made design. It must have cost him a small fortune. She blinked and then gaped at him when she noticed who had made the gown. "You managed to get Madame Naway to make this!" she squeaked.

He nodded and beamed at her delight, "Of course, only the best is worthy enough for such a beautiful flower as you Kennice. I was hoping that perhaps you would wear it tonight for the dinner with Erykia? She has missed your company so much recently and wishes to apologize for the ill treatment she foolishly used upon you. She finds it hard sometimes to remember that her own training was not the correct way to train a high priestess, she also wished me to pass this on to you as a token of further apology." He took out a small package from his right pocket and opened it. The light glinted brightly off the antique, ornate looking ring. It was the ring symbolizing that her training was almost complete.

Kennice gave him a wary glance when he had mentioned Erykia but when he showed her the ring she stilled and stared at it for a long moment. Her training might be complete but she wouldn't become high priestess until Erykia stepped down or die. And she couldn't picture her doing either of those two things any time soon. She didn't take the ring but she did hug the gown to her chest. "I will be at the dinner." She handed him the package with the expensive dress. "Please can you see that it gets put in my room? I don't want to get it dirty."

He nodded and bowed to her, "Of course, Kennice. I will make sure that not a speck gets upon it. I look forward to seeing you tonight." He turned away and headed indoors, being careful to not let the dress touch anything.

Kennice quickly put up the gardening tools and headed inside. She would shower first and then rest. She was going to need her strength for the dinner.

****

Erykia waited impatiently in her study for Rhys to return. She hated doing things the nice slow way because it took forever. They didn't have time for that. But she had to grudgingly admit that doing things by force hadn't got them far and her old mentor had always said a good leader should always be able to switch tactics at the drop of a hat.

The sound of boots in the hallway echoed a few moments before Rhys sharply rapped upon the door. His patience was wearing thin and he was becoming annoyed at Erykia for not trusting him with fulfilling the prophecy. The voice in the back of his head was protesting that he could easily do the job, even better than even Erykia if only he was given the chance.

"Come!" She could feel his impatience and smirked. The one talent that had nearly driven her mad as a child was very useful now. She couldn't fully hear thoughts but if they were accompanied by strong emotion then she could hear them. And Rhys was too eager to lead. But he did have a black heart but was riderless. No dragon had chosen him and thus he could not be the one of prophecy. Foolish boy didn't wish to acknowledge that bit of truth.

The door was pushed open harder than he intended and bounced loudly off the doorstop as he walked inside, "Erykia why are we doing this? I can barely stand letting her think she is equal to me! She must know that her place will always be BELOW me!"

"Calm yourself. She is like all high priestesses, at least the good ones. She has fire. If she doesn't have fire the dragons and other such creatures will not respect the pair of you. It will be up to YOU to tame that fire enough to appease the dragons and still keep her in submission."

"I WAS taming that fire easily enough until I was told to be nice to her! How can I possible show her, her proper place if I am denied the right to beat the fact into her?"

Erykia resisted the urge to roll her eyes at his denseness. "BECAUSE as the saying goes you catch more insects with honey than you can with vinegar. We were using harshness and it was getting us nowhere. She just ran into that whelp's arms. But now that we are being kind, see how drawn to it she is. See how easy it is to deceive her. She is all too willing to turn to you now that the boy is gone. Her feelings of confusion have worked to our advantage. Remember, Rhys, to defeat an opponent you must understand and anticipate all their weaknesses."

"Then why can we not simply have him eliminated? It would save us a lot more trouble than we currently have, he is not the only one who can fulfill a prophecy!" Rhys was becoming agitated. The voice in the back of his head was egging him on more and more, building up his ego.

"Because our allies don't wish him eliminated. You can try to if you like but you will die by their claws. I prefer to stay alive," she countered and watched his face. "Did she take the bait? And do you have the other ring ready?"

His face twisted with frustration and he crossed his arms, "Fine but as soon as the prophecy is fulfilled I want first shot at him, and yes I have the other ring ready."

"I agree to your terms," Erykia said as a brush of her power lashed over him and then dissipated. "Dinner will be ready in two hours. The staff has been instructed to leave so it will only be the three of us."

He shivered a moment as he felt he power move over him. "Fine, is there anything you want me for?"

"Not at the moment. Just make sure what they are cooking for dinner is what you want served," she advised.

"All right then." He turned his back on Erykia and headed for the door, muttering to himself about having to be nice to an inferior woman.

*******

After taking a needed shower Kennice decided to sleep. Working in the gardens could be tiring but it was very soothing to her nerves. It had been two months and no word from Cyrus. Maybe Erykia was right. Cyrus had just used her for a quick fix. The thought hurt but she couldn't argue with the evidence. With those thoughts rambling through her head, she drifted off to sleep.

She fell into the dream and for a moment felt threatened but then that voice that had been haunting her mind of late, whispered her name and she felt safe.

"Do you delight in drawing me in like this?" she teased lightly as she looked about the room. This time it was a great hall with candlelight and soft music playing in the background. Usually the dream took place in a sunny field.

"It is always a delight to draw you in, my dear Lady Kennice, for your sharp wit and intelligence makes my lonely existence bearable. When will you join me, my dear Kennice?"

Kennice sighed as she came and sat down, the long, elegant lavender evening gown swirling about her ankles. "I told you before. I have enough male problems without adding another."

"You say that so firmly but your heart is not certain. Do you want to talk about it? I can be a very good listener."

She considered his words. "I will tell you if you will do one thing for me."

"I will not promise anything but I will do my best for you, my dear lady."

"I want to see you. Not just hear your voice in my dreams. You've been talking to me for months now. Don't you think it's time to stop playing games?"

"You are right. The "games" as you call them are at an end. I will come to you at the midnight hour. Then I will reveal myself. Is that acceptable to you?"

Kennice smiled and nodded. She blushed when she realized she hadn't answered aloud. "I will meet you down by the brook. Do not be late," she warned as she stood. "Now I must go. I have a dinner date."

"Eat heartily and I hope it is more pleasant for you than past dinners."

"So do I, my mysterious friend. So do I."

She closed her eyes and when she blinked she was once again in her bed. Sighing she rose to get ready. It took her a half hour and even then she didn't feel completely together. She studied herself in the mirror and nervously smoothed the silver silk gown. She had to admit it looked lovely on her. She had washed her hair and with the help of one of the local girls, had pulled it up into an elegant twist with a few wisps falling down her face to curl around it and frame it so that her high cheekbones could be shown off effectively.

"Ready or not, here I go," she muttered. She left her room and headed for the dining room.

Rhys was already there with Erykia, chatting quietly and pleasantly as Kennice entered. He turned and smiled warmly at her, his eyes taking in her form. "My word Kennice, you look absolutely divine tonight." He moved to her chair and drew it out for her to sit.

She blushed but then slid gracefully into the seat. Nervously she fiddled with her fingers and looked down at the table and not at Erykia.

Erykia noticed Kennice's reluctance and almost laughed. "Now that we are all here, let's eat." She clapped her hands and an elderly man wheeled in a cart laden with food. "Thank you Jose, you may go." She waited until he left to nod to Rhys. "If you will do the honors."

He bowed his head in agreement and lifted the lids from the various trays. Each lid that was removed unleashed a mouth-watering scent of Kennice's most desired meals. He had, however, made sure that they were things he himself would gladly eat. Slowly he began to dish up the meal, dealing out equal shares to everyone.

"Rhys, thank you," Kennice told him, her eyes brimming with tears of happiness and the beginnings of some thing else.

He nodded slowly and gently brought her fingers to his lips, softly kissing them in a very chivalrous gesture. "It is the least I can do Kennice." He poured her a glass of perfectly aged wine and quietly took his seat. He smiled at her one last time before beginning to eat his portion.

The room now had a comfortable feel as all three ate their meal. Erykia waited until they were completely finished before clearing her throat.

"I would like to first apologize to you Kennice for the mistreatment I have heaped upon you. I should have remembered how I felt when my mentor did the same things to me. I thought I was doing what was best but even us older ones can be wrong. Can you forgive me?"

Kennice stared at Erykia. Was this a trick? She searched Erykia's face for some sign that the older woman was lying but she found none. "I accept it. I am sorry too for being so difficult and headstrong," she replied with the utmost sincerity.

Rhys smiled and gently took each of their hands as he spoke, "Let us thank the Creator for giving us the guidance and wisdom to overcome the foolishness we have all suffered from before this date."

"So mote let it be," both women said at the same time.

Erykia was the first to break the handclasp. "Now, I do believe, Rhys, it's your show. I'll just leave you two for now. Good night," she told them as she swept from the room.

Kennice looked at Rhys in puzzlement as she waited for him to explain.

Rhys managed to force himself to blush as he watched Erykia leave and turned to Kennice. "Kennice, there is something that I have been meaning to ask you properly since we first met. I believe that now might be the correct time to rectify that." Slowly he got down on one knee and took out another small package, opening it. Another ring glimmered in the firelight, however this ring looked new and expensive, like a proper engagement ring.

"Rhys," she said and started to back up but froze as she stared at the ring. Her throat was suddenly dry.

He looked up at her with a soft look, one showing hope that she would say yes. Quietly he spoke with a heartfelt voice, trembling with a subtle vulnerability. "Kennice Davenport, angel of my heart and apple of my eyes, will you marry me?"

She suddenly couldn't breathe as what he asked her raced through her mind. For a brief moment she thought of Cyrus but then she looked at Rhys and knew that Rhys, unlike Cyrus, wouldn't just up and leave her. He would stay. He also obeyed the rules, once again unlike Cyrus who broke rules with impunity whenever his own sense of right and wrong didn't mesh with what everyone else thought. She suddenly straightened and held out her left hand. "Yes, Rhys, I will marry you."

With trembling hands, he slid the ring on to her finger and stood up, pulling her in to a tight, caring hug. "Thank you my love, thank you so very much."

Erykia came back in the room, clapping and smiling. "Splendid! I'll make sure to contact your parents in the morning. In two more weeks we'll go to the monastery and have the wedding. That gives the seamstress time to finish your wedding gown."

Kennice looked at her in surprise. "You're having a gown made? You didn't even know if I would say yes!"

"I hoped and prayed and took a risk and look, my instincts were right," Erykia said soothingly.

Kennice almost said something but she looked at Rhys and held her tongue. She would not fight over a silly gown.

He was beaming brightly and gently kissed his future wife. "I promise you that I will do my best to make you as happy as possible Kennice, you have my word."

Kennice smiled at him, and in that moment, she forgot about Cyrus. All she thought about were her upcoming nuptials.

****** After the dinner, Kennice returned to her room her mind in a whirl. She was going to marry Rhys. For a brief moment the small part of her heart that was hopeful called her traitor to Cyrus but she firmly pushed that inner voice back. She had to make responsible choices, choices that would benefit the people. Cyrus had been a poor choice and she had to move on from it.

When she heard the clock chime fifteen minutes to midnight she gasped in shock and raced from her room. She was going to be late! She hurried down one of the secret passageways and out into the night. The comforting sounds of the insects and the animals calmed her somewhat as she neared her destination. Her heart was pounding. She felt guilt that she was this excited about meeting her mystery dream visitor but this evening was turning out to be full of surprises. The moon was full and its light bathed her with its rays. She heard a whoosh of air and her gaze snapped upwards. Her mouth formed a perfect 'O' of surprise as she hastily backed up.

In front of her was a gigantic black dragon. She felt a flash of fear. Cyrus had been with a black dragon. Was this the evil one who had nearly incinerated them all? Without thinking she flung her hand outward and immediately an amethyst glow surrounded it. "Be gone evil beast!" she ordered.

~Now is that anyway to talk to your friend?~ the very familiar voice of her dream visitor asked in her mind.

Her disbelief was complete. The glow around her hand died out and it dropped to her side. "You, you're a dragon," she stated flatly, wariness making her defensive.

~And? Is that a problem, future high priestess? You would, after all, have met me eventually.~

Her confusion was evident. What did he mean when he said she would have eventually met him? Things were not making sense and she didn't like it.

~I can sense your distrust. I am not Kaie and I will not harm you. I have been waiting for you for a long time, my rider.~

"Rider!" No, she couldn't be a rider! She was to be high priestess and no one in living memory had ever been both. "There must be some mistake! I can't be your rider."

He chuckled. ~Yes, you can. Search your heart, priestess, you know the truth. And it is not just any dragon you speak with, my dear lady. I am Hayden, King of the Dragons.~

The ground rumbled with his announcement and she felt the truth vibrate through her soul. She felt words bubble up from her heart and she stated loudly and clearly, "I, Kennice, accept you, great King of the Dragons as my protector, life and friend."

The clap of thunder startled her but it was Hayden's excited bulge that made her jump and give him a sideways glance. She felt her magical center shift and settle. The bond was complete and it could not be reversed. For the first time in years she felt at peace.

Hayden's eyes shone brilliantly as he lowered his head to the ground in front of Kennice. ~You may touch me if you like.~

Tentatively she reached out and lightly laid her hand on his muzzle. "You are softer than I expected. And I'm sorry for the mistrust. I've not had good experiences with dragons."

~It is only natural. And I do not hold it against you. Kaie is not to be trusted and the fact that she is disrupting the bond between Cyrus and Brenna is not acceptable. She is violating draconic law. But that you will learn in time. You will still be high priestess. The only difference is that you are a rider as well. Do not worry. You will be trained in being a rider. We both are rulers who wish to keep our peoples safe. Our bond will be strong and we will accomplish many things. For now, however, speak of this to no one. Not even to the current high priestess. I must return to my people but I will be in contact with you, my rider.~ Hayden nuzzled her gently and Kennice laughed.




Onyx Dreams Ch. 22



"Very well my dream knight. I will keep this secret. And I will see you in my dreams." She kissed his muzzle and gave him a deep curtsy. "I must get back before I am missed."

~Sleep well, my rider.~ Hayden nuzzled her one last time before launching himself into the air and flying away to the north.

Kennice watched him go, wonder still humming through her. She was a dragon rider! And she hadn't needed the extra warning. There was no way she was going to tell Erykia or Rhys. She might have agreed to this marriage but experience had taught her to be careful around those two. With a smile she headed back to the house. 



Onyx Dreams Ch. 23



Chapter 23: Appearances

The landscape quickly began to change as Cyrus rocketed across the ground, a dust cloud rising up behind him. As he neared his destination, he began to slow down to a walk, taking time to catch his breath the last hundred meters or so. Quietly he began walking along the path that led to his father's home, pausing a short distance away as he looked over the bags full of broken items.

~Cyrus?~ Brenna's voice suddenly filled his mind, her worry dominating her tone.

He blinked a moment as he heard the voice of his dragon. It had been many weeks since her voice had filled his mind. She must be drawing near. For the past two months he had been out of range, she must be bringing news of Kennice. ~Brenna? What news do you have?~

~Henry and Bogart miss you as do I~ she announced, neatly bypassing his question. There was much going on but she didn't want her rider angry.

~I have missed you too Brenna, however I have nothing but contempt for that old man, who knows nothing of right and wrong.~ His voice had become cold, taking on an icy, dangerous edge, full of murderous intent.

~You have changed~ Brenna said sadly and with a hint of fear.

~People change Brenna, things happen and eventually they see the truth behind the illusion.~ The icy tone evaporated from his voice, taking on a hint of sadness too. ~But that is off topic. What news is there of Kennice? The two-month time period has passed.~

~I have been training.~

~Then if you are meant to be training, why have you come here? Did you sense Julian here and come to train with him?~

~No, he is a full-fledged partner. He is far older than me. I am still young~ she admitted. ~And I found that I couldn't concentrate because of my worry for you. Please, my rider, come home~ she beseeched him.

He stepped off the path a moment and sat down, relieved to take the strain off his feet. ~I am home Brenna. if Julian is far older than you then perhaps he can give you some tips?~

~I do not understand~ she replied and then she was above him gliding into view, her beautiful onyx hide glowing with health and life.

His eyes flicked up and he smiled as the he watched the sun play across her scales, for a moment, the memory of Kaie attacking the fertility ceremony crossed his mind and he shivered before pushing the memory back down again. ~It's pretty simple, Julian is older and so logically has more experience ad knowledge than you. he seems to be a nice guy so I doubt he would mind helping you train.~

~But that violates teaching protocol. Julian is a ruby dragon. He can only teach other rubies~ she replied wistfully.

He blinked and raised an eyebrow at this absurd rule. ~Well that's pretty stupid, what if he knows something vital? Like don't try to land on a snowy mountainside otherwise you'll be crushed by an avalanche. He's not allowed to tell you that?~

~I don't know! This is still new to me~ she wailed as she landed a few feet away from him and gave him a reproachful look.

He couldn't help but smile at her tone. She was so eager and willing to learn, much like he was when his father sent him to the monastery. ~Well I don't think he would tell anyone he taught you a few tricks, after all it can't hurt to ask about rider - dragon relationships, especially if Bogart won't teach you, can it?"

~I suppose not~ she replied uncertainly just as Julian lumbered into view with Katherine by his side.

"Greetings, Brenna," Katherine called before giving a slight bow.

~Greetings, rider of Julian. I apologize for I do not know your name~ Brenna's scales turned a rosy shade of pink in embarrassment.

Katherine laughed. "It's all right. My name is Katherine." She looked at Cyrus. "So what were you two discussing?"

Cyrus leaned back in his seat as he saw Katherine, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Oh this and that. In fact, Brenna has a favor to ask of Julian, and if he doesn't mind, I'd prefer if we kept it hush, hush if you know what I mean."

Katherine gave him a confused look and Julian blew out a breath of hot air. ~What is it you want to ask~ he looked at Cyrus, not Brenna who ducked her head and refused to speak.

Cyrus gave Brenna a look and would have poked her if she had been in arm's reach. instead he sighed and tried to de-fuzz his hair from the hot air. "Brenna is supposed to be training, and since you are older than her and the closest dragon available, I theorized that you would be best suited for the job."

Julian's surprise at the question filled the air as he sat back on his haunches and looked down at Cyrus. ~My color is not allowed to teach an onyx.~ His tone was polite.

Cyrus put on his best persuasive look and spoke with a little haughtiness, "Well if you don't have the skills or experience to teach her...."

~That was NOT what I said~ Julian said his tone slightly miffed. ~She is onyx and upper court. I am ruby. We don't deal with the uppers~

Once more Cyrus shrugged, staring at the sky now. "Seems to me like you are just trying to find an excuse so we don't find out that you don't know anything,"

Katherine gasped. "Cyrus! Maybe it's Brenna you should be asking. She knows why Julian can't teach her."

"I can understand if its a power incompatibility, can't teach a fish to ride a bicycle type of thing, but if it's something she CAN learn then why not?"

"Dragon society is ruled by colors. Right now, onyx dragons are in control. Brenna has to be taught by another onyx because they also hold all the knowledge. Julian could try but I bet the things he would teach her she already knows. Bogart is one of their best instructors."

"This may be true, but he's an idiot, unlike Julian here, who is an outstanding dragon if I do say so. I doubt she will know everything; she's pretty young in comparison. I'm sure she would be very appreciative, and would even put in a good word for you, right Brenna?"

~Yes~ but her voice was shaky and a little fearful.

"See? It's the basic, you scratch me back, a'll scratch yours system. So what do you say Julian? We'd like to focus on rider - dragon relationships so it's not exactly something only certain colors can teach now, is it?"

Katherine was giving him a shrewd look. "What is it that you want to know about the rider-dragon bond?"

He shrugged once more and held an arm out towards Brenna, she knows more than me, so you will have to ask her."

"My lady?" Katherine asked. 

Brenna peeked around Cyrus. ~I don't have any questions right now. My head is full of things Bogart has been teaching me. If I do have a question I will ask Julian since he does not mind.~

Cyrus groaned and walked over to Brenna, rubbing his hands vigorously up and down her ticklish soft scales. "Tell them about the training, or I'll tickle it out of you, silly sky lizard."

Brenna's rumble of laughter shook the ground and she swatted ineffectively at her rider.

He easily avoided her swats, his hands becoming a blur as he continued to tickle her without mercy, making sure to touch all of her most sensitive areas.

~Stop! Please!~ she pleaded. If she rolled the wrong way she would crush her rider but she couldn't take off either as long as he was tickling her.

"You promise to tell them?" He began focus on the most sensitive of all areas, one that made her shriek the last time he lightly brushed it.

~YES!~ she bellowed.

He finally stopped and looked closely at the area before carefully picking out a tick from beneath a scale. "You need a bath after this."

~I want to know if another dragon can take a dragon's rider from them~ she asked Julian.

Julian didn't speak for a moment but then replied, ~It is unheard of~

Cyrus blinked for a moment and raised an eyebrow looking at Brenna again and whispered in her mind, ~what prompted this question?~

~Nothing. I was curious and no one has ever answered that question~ she told Cyrus.

He took a moment and gently prodded around inside Brenna's mind, looking for a clue while trying to ignore the fantasies she had about her mate, Hayden. He wasn't able to glen anything because Brenna's shields had gotten stronger during their two months apart. He paused and thought for a moment. ~What's with the shields Brenna? What are you hiding from me?~

~I am hiding nothing. You have shields too~ she pointed out.

Julian nudged Katherine who walked over to Cyrus. "What's wrong?"

~True but those are just to keep some disturbing memories away. You however have locked down your entire mind almost. What's the deal?~

~Please, Cyrus, it is nothing.~ Brenna sounded pained.

He continued to prod inside her mind, in a similar fashion to when he was tickling her. ~It must be something if you are so determined to keep me from knowing. Are you pregnant with Hayden's brood or something?~

~NO!~ she said furiously, her scales blushing pink.

His laughter filled the part of her mind that was open to him, ~Then what is it?~

~Please, my rider. Let me be~

He continued to prod, eager now to see what was on the other side, ~Well if you're not pregnant...maybe you are dreaming about it right now?~

~Yes! I wish to have a brood by him but he too is distracted. He and you are alike. You both have left me alone~ she pouted.

His expression became saddened and he moved close to her, gently hugging her large snout, slowly opening his mind to her to prove that he had missed her. ~Aww Brenna, you know that I care for you, besides you knew where I would be, you found me easily enough didn't you?~

She gave him a grieved look and then for a moment a wave of shame washed over him from her before she abruptly stifled it.

He froze a moment and blinked, looking warily up at Brenna, suspecting something was not as it should be here, at this moment. ~Brenna...what's going on?~

Katherine and Julian had been watching the byplay between the two. Suddenly Julian bellowed and he charged Brenna.

"Cyrus, get out of the way! It's a trap!" Katherine cried just as a deeper male bugle was heard and Bogart appeared in the sky along with two other onyx dragons.

~Keep control of him Brenna!~ roared Bogart as he folded his wings and dropped toward Cyrus, his claw open.

Cyrus let out a gasp as he felt his body suddenly stiffen, his muscles tense from the control Brenna had suddenly exerted.

~NO! You will not have him!~ Julian challenged as he crashed into Brenna and the two went rolling, furiously clawing at each other.

As soon as they were rolling Cyrus felt her control fail. he immediately slammed down his mental barriers hard. In a heartbeat, he had moved from his position to another point farther back on the path. The air was humming with power as his bass blade appeared in his hand. "You betray me again Brenna! Well this time you have gone too far! You bastards will not have me, Kaie was right! You are all against me because I know true justice and see that you are corrupt!"

~No, my rider, please! I didn't want it this way but father said I couldn't train without you and that you were hardheaded and would not come back. He said we would have to make you~ Brenna's voice grew choked and a wave of sadness and humiliation came from her. She hadn't liked the idea but her father had insisted.

His eyes were ablaze with righteous fury and betrayal, once more he had been a fool and been betrayed by the ones he had let in close. But no more! "LIAR! You seek only to cloud my mind again like you did before! To keep me from the truth and stop me from finding out the truth! That YOU are the evil ones! Not Kaie!"

~NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!~ Brenna anguished cry rocked the heavens as she finally managed to take the sky and get away from the enraged Julian.

Katherine ran up to Cyrus's side. "C'mon. Get on Julian with me and we can get away from here. He wounded Brenna. Bogart won't chase us while he's checking on his offspring."

Cyrus pushed Katherine away, the bass blade humming dangerously by her throat. "NO! You are just like them! You believe only in their ideals and laws! The only one I can even remotely trust is Kaie!"

In the blink of an eye, he was gone, leaving only dust in his wake. the last echo Brenna heard from his mind was him calling to Kaie.

~Let's go. He is ready~ Julian said smugly as Katherine climbed up and the pair flew off after Cyrus.

Bogart gave an angry bellow but did not give chase. The onyx dragons had landed and were nuzzling the whimpering Brenna who was being checked over by Henry.

Cyrus moved with a speed that should not be known by mere mortals. The air around him screamed as his body ripped through it forcing himself to go faster and faster, to meet up with Kaie as soon as possible. Behind him, the force of the sonic booms, a sure omen of things to come, left a trail of destruction.

"Julian, call the others. We will need their strength to stun him. Mother was right, he is the one."

~You were the only one who doubted~ Julian retorted as his mind linked with other dragons. When he had enough power he used their combined strength to lash out and hit the one part of Cyrus's mind that was still vulnerable---his fraying link to Brenna. 

~SLEEP~ was the overpowering command.

With the force of the collective Dragon minds crashing down upon Cyrus, it was easily enough to slam his mind in to the dark void of unconsciousness. His body tumbled and rolled for almost a mile before it came to a halt in a field of corn.

~Grab him and bring him to me~ Kaie ordered Julian.

~Your wish is my command~ he replied humbly as he and Katherine finally caught up with Cyrus. Julian gently scooped Cyrus up in a claw and the pair flew south.

*  *  *  *

After assuring himself and Bogart that Brenna's injuries were not life threatening and that she would be able to fly, Henry headed for Isaac's monastery. He hated to be the bearer of bad news but Isaac needed to know.

Isaac was pacing back and forth through his kitchen, his wife fretting beside him and urging him to sit down. He had felt the psychic waves released when Cyrus had fallen unconscious. He hoped nothing serious had happened.

Henry slowed as he neared the back entrance. He straightened and with determined strides took the last few steps and knocked on the door.

Within a few seconds, the door was wrenched open, Isaac's slightly wild and increasingly worried eyes stared forward as he spoke, "Cyrus! What happened....wait, where is my son?"

"Hello, Isaac. It's been a long time," Henry said calmly.

Isaac's eyes grew cold as he glared at Henry. "Indeed Henry it is, what is it that brings you to my settlement?"

"Your son. We had such high hopes for him and now, well, it looks like we were wrong." Henry sighed and raked his hands through his thinning hair. "Your son has gone dark."

Isaac's glare deepened as he heard these words. "What do you mean 'has gone dark'? Henry, what have you done?"

"Your son has gone to the Forsaken ones. They are dragons and their riders who wish to dominate mankind and make us all slaves. They are looking for their king and your son is the heir apparent."

"And how would you know this Henry? I know for a fact that my son was far from that far gone. A boy does not go dark that quickly without something, or someone giving him good reason to. What happened out there Henry? what did you try to do?"

"We only tried to get him to come back to train with Brenna," Henry said haughtily.

"How? Your usual way? By dragging your charges kicking and screaming and hammering into their heads that nothing they ever do is good enough?"

"I will not apologize again for past actions. Your son is just like you Isaac, stubborn to a fault. He inherited more of your traits than your wife's. Right now he is a danger to all of us. Including you."

"There is no fault in him that could not have been corrected by simply speaking with him like an enlightened being rather than your usual barbaric savagery. did your wife's death teach you nothing Henry?"

Henry's glare was answer enough. "We waste time rehashing the past. We have to worry about the present and the future. YOUR son is corrupted. It will not be long before the Forsaken ones and he rain destruction down on our heads."

"My son is stronger than you think Henry, he would not turn so easily to the darkness. If gods forbid he has then you would have noticed it long before and told the council of by now. To leave it to fester like you have is no one's fault but yours."

Henry gave an angry huff but then his gaze changed as he took on a listening look. "Bogart says we must leave. The king of the dragons is calling in the faithful. I wish you luck if Cyrus does come back." Henry turned and started down the steps.

Isaac watched as Henry slowly walked down the stairs, speaking softly just loud enough for Henry to hear. "If he is to be the one to lead the dark, then I advise you find a big enough rock to crawl under. From what I could sense in my son, he has a very large grudge against you and the Davenport monastery."

Henry turned to look at Isaac. "Do you think he will make the same mistake we both made and kill the woman he loves?" And with those parting words, Henry continued down the trail that led back to his dragon.

Martha came up behind Isaac. "Is what he says true?" Her troubled eyes were on Henry's retreating back.

"It is true that Cyrus has turned dark...I pray that he has the strength to rise to the top. Only then will this world be spared. His anger is like a guided missile, once it hits its target then it becomes harmless to all others."

"But what if you're wrong Isaac? What if it doesn't spare the rest of us once he gets to his target?" She clutched at his arm. "I have a very bad feeling about all of this."

He turned and gently took his wife in his arms. "He has a code my wife, even if it is twisted and dark. It is clear that he will not harm those who have done him no wrong."

"At the moment that excludes everyone he knows. He feels that we've all wronged him Isaac!"

"He does not feel you have, you will be safe Martha. Fear not." He smiled softly as he caressed her cheek. "No doubt the council will come for us for questioning. When they do, I want you to go to our cabin where they will not find you. I know in my heart that Cyrus would do anything to protect those he loves. And how could he not love someone like you? Who cares for him so deeply and has kept him safe almost his entire life?"

"But Isaac, what about you? I will not leave you alone to face him!" She stroked his face, her eyes filling with tears.

"I must Martha, I am his father. If I cannot make him see sense then no one else can. He is my son after all, and he has his mother's determination for justice..."

She hugged him tightly and broke apart from him when one of the apprentices came running through the corridor excitedly shouting Isaac's name.

Isaac composed himself and turned with a bright smile to the apprentice. "Ah Jude, what blessed event brings such joy to your voice?"

"There is a messenger here from the Davenport monastery. He would not give the message to me but said he was to deliver it in person to you, sir."

Isaac paused a moment before nodding and motioning back the way Jude had come. "Then lead the way my apprentice."

Jude hurried back down the hall and stopped in front of the messenger who was a tall lanky teen. "Sir Isaac," he said when he saw them coming down the hall. "This is for you." He held out the ornate envelope and waited.

Gently Isaac took the envelope and slid his hands along the decorations. His fingers slid under the flap, freeing the message and reading it aloud to the group.

 ********************************

Dear Isaac and Martha,

You are cordially invited to celebrate the joining in matrimony of Kennice Davenport and Rhys McClinton two days hence at the Davenport monastery.




Onyx Dreams Ch. 23



A reception for the bride and groom will follow the wedding

 ************************

Isaac's hands began to tremble as he finished reading, his eyes going wide before tossing it upon the fire by the door. "Martha, send word to the apprentices that we are moving to the temple in the hills." He turned his eyes to the messenger and gripped him tightly by the shoulders. "And you boy, travel as fast as the wind will carry you. you must warn Lord Davenport of the danger that is coming to his monastery. Tell him to call the wedding off immediately!"

The messenger looked at Isaac in shock. He hadn't been expecting that kind of answer. "Yes sir!" he stammered as he hurriedly left.

Martha's eyes were wide in fear. They had lives to save. She only hoped the Davenports heeded Isaac's warning. Isaac quickly moved inside with his wife, calling out orders as he marched through the halls. He could only hope they would reach the temple before Cyrus turned his gaze upon them. The temple was a hidden holy place that even the oldest of dragons had trouble finding in good light.

In less than thirty minutes everyone was packed and ready to leave. Martha stood outside and took a last look at the monastery. She was sure if they'd ever see it again but she would make do. Her people always had.



Onyx Dreams Ch. 24



Chapter 24: Darkness Calls

In the age of Dragons, the bright dawn of birth having passed, the Guardians of the Realm will fall from grace in the eyes of a champion. Darkness will seek the soul of the rider of two, the one with the power to control both sides of our race, light and dark. This champion will usher in a storm of darkness that will shake our world to its very foundations. A dragon born from light and turned to darkness will be his throne as his soul spirals from the light into the depths of despair and arise from the shadows on the wings of the fiery phoenix's rage, searing all in it's path.

* * *

Hayden looked at Nightseer as the older dragon peered into the Lake of Clarity. He respectfully waited until the ailing sapphire prophet set the tablet aside he was reading and turned to look at him.

"Greetings wise one." Hayden spread his wings wide and lowered himself to the ground in a bow.

Nightseer peered at Hayden for a moment, attempting to remember if he was supposed to speak with him today. "Hmmm, do you have an appointment young one? It is not often one as young as yourself has a purpose to see me."

Hayden rose from his bow and settled his wings behind his back. Nightseer was the oldest dragon alive and his eyesight was failing him. "It is I, Hayden Braveclaws, who has humbly stopped by to see how you are doing old friend."

Nightseer leaned closer, taking a long deep breath of the dragon's scent that stood before him. "Prince Hayden? My, it has been some time since your father has brought you here for lessons. Which is it this time? Ancient Languages? Lore of the Realm? Mmmm, perhaps a clairvoyance technique practice?"

"I wish I could, respected one, but no lessons today. I need guidance."

Nightseer nodded slowly and resettled his frail looking wings. They had deteriorated significantly in the past few centuries since he had not the strength since then to fly. It mattered not to him though since he had no need to leave his cavernous archives. "Mmm, is that so? Trouble finding a suitable mate? I believe I have a tome of exceptional courtship rituals somewhere...." His long neck rose high above Hayden searching among the shelves for the aforementioned tome.

Hayden chuckled. "It is all right respected elder. I have found a mate. I come instead to ask you about the prophecy you were just reading."

Nightseer paused a moment before pulling his head back and covering the tablet with a huge claw almost the size of Hayden's head. His demeanor grew suddenly cold and serious. "The content of this tablet is for the king's knowledge only young prince. Once you ascend to the throne then you may gaze upon its wisdom."

It was moments like this that Hayden regretted Nightseer's failing health. Rearing back, Hayden let out a loud bulge combined with a strange trilling sound. It was the ancient and carefully guarded call of the king that was passed down from the king to his successor. 

Nightseer looked long and hard at Hayden before slowly moving his talons from the tablet. "It seems my memory is failing farther each century my king. I offer my apologies for the disrespect I have shown you."

"No disrespect. And you haven't breathed your last yet, old friend. Now please, what is it on the tablet you were reading when I arrived?"

Nightseer slowly moved his great body over enough to allow Hayden to read its contents. The tablet was almost as big as the King, and Nightseer even bigger. In comparison to the old seer, Hayden seemed like a child. "Ah, it is one of the very first prophecies my great, great grandmother spoke. It is one each king has been told since then. It is the prophecy that foretells the rise of darkness."

"I remember my father mentioning this but he said it would not occur in my lifetime. I asked him how he could be so certain and he said he felt it in his bones." Hayden shook his head. "I think he was wrong." He paused and read the contents. "This sounds more and more like what is happening now."

Nightseer slowly nodded and waved a claw over the Pool of Clarity, its calm surface rippling as an overview of the dark mountains appeared. "I trust you remember how to scry?"

"I haven't used the skill in years," Hayden admitted ruefully.

"Then that would explain why you have come to me for guidance. Perhaps if you had kept your practice up you would know of the veil of deception being drawn over your rider. No matter, the basics are very simple. Concentrate on the memory of Kaie, and you will be able to see her in the pool."

Hayden settled himself, stared into the water and recalled how Kaie looked the last time he had seen her. She had been gone a very long time from the dragon realm. His father had banished her because of the harm she had caused. He hoped his memory was strong enough for this scry.

The waters shifted and darkened before moving in towards a black-mouthed cave. Its entrance guarded by two powerful ruby dragons. The view changed and swept him along the passageway that went deep into the caverns below the mountain. The scene changed this time to that of the throne room of Kaie. Before her, still unconscious, lay the unmoving form of Cyrus. Kaie's eyes were glowing a deep red, a sure sign that she had entered his mind.

Hayden let out a hiss. In an unconscious state Cyrus's mind would be vulnerable to Kaie's suggestions. Hayden peered closer. He had to see.

* * *

Katherine and Julian were both bowing low to the ground, waiting for Kaie to give them permission to rise. Katherine hated this part. The bowing and scraping but she did it because she had to and her mother had told her to act subservient.

Kaie's eyes suddenly shot upward and she smiled mockingly. She could feel Hayden's presence. She turned and stared at the point in space where he would be if he were in the room with them. Softly she hissed, "Long live the king."

With those words Cyrus rose his aura somehow different. Now it no longer lacked direction. It was focused and had a purpose. That purpose was aimed straight at the kingdom Hayden ruled over. He too turned to look directly at Hayden, his sword appearing in his hand, pointing at the King of Dragons.

The scry was terminated as Nightseer's claw shadowed the pool until it became calm once more. "That is enough young one. Any longer and she would have been able to link back to us. It seems her powers have grown since she embraced the darkness."

"She has gained powers yes but so have I," Hayden replied thoughtfully. The scry only showed what was happening and what might happen. Many things were representative and had to be interpreted. "What say you old friend? What does all this mean for dragon kind and our allies?"

Nightseer's eyes become dark a moment and his horns took on a distinct glow, a sign that a prophecy was about to be foretold. "I see a time of great darkness my king. War is coming. A war we cannot win alone, my king. Without a champion we will surely be exterminated like vermin until at last only darkness rules."

Hayden's gaze hardened. "Do you see who this champion will be, wise one?"

Nightseer nodded slowly, a smile on his face, "Indeed I can Hayden, however I am bound by ancient magic to keep it to myself. You, as king of dragons, must let your heart decide our champion."

Hayden reared back in surprise. He would choose the champion? The thought was unsettling and interesting all at the same time. "I must trust my heart? But even I know that a heart can be wrong. Even now I can feel Brenna's grief at the loss of her rider. I do not want to make a mistake that will doom us all."

Nightseer gently placed one of his great claws upon Hayden's back. "Fear not my king, this is a test that all kings must endure. To ease your worry, perhaps you could tell me if another prophet has been found? My time will come to an end in the next 500 years or so and it takes time to train a replacement."

Hayden looked abashed. "I am sorry wise one for failing in my duty. I have not been looking. All the rumors of dissenters, darkness and destruction have been plaguing me. I am beginning to feel overwhelmed. And then of course the hunt for my own rider. I will look now, for you are owed it."

Nightseer nodded and smiled ruefully. "Perhaps you should save yourself a walk and scry there. It is a short enough distance not to need the pool. You never know, the practice just might come in handy in the future." His eyes glimmered with hidden knowledge hoping Hayden would take the hint.

Hayden walked by Nightseer and over to the pool. This type of scry was a little harder since he had no idea who would be the new prophet. He let his mind go blank even as he focused on the waters of the pool...

Nightseer gently placed a claw over the pool and smiled sympathetically, "Focus your mind on the hatchery young one, you can do this."

Hayden listened to Nightseer's words and slowly the clear waters began to change to that of the hatchery. The eggs were tended by dragons from each of the six clans. Each group, from the smallest clan of the emerald to the more numerous clan of the onyx, was represented and the eggs turned ever so often. A few rocked in their sand burrows and some were hatching. It was on the ones that were hatching that Hayden focused his attention.

Slowly the shell of the eggs began to creak, cracks appearing along its weakest points. After a moment the top of the shell split open and an emerald head appeared from within, a set of tiny glinting horns already visible. The next seer had entered the domain of the dragons.

Hayden chuckled. "Good, a different clan this time. I was beginning to think only sapphires had the gift," he teased Nightseer.

Nightseer stretched out his neck, letting out a long, deep vibrating roar that the emerald newborn immediately perked up to. "Indeed young one, emeralds, though rare, usually are more gifted than sapphires. She will make a fine seer."

"And we even get a change of gender. A female. Maybe she will be easier on the eyes," Hayden teased as the scry ended and the pool was once again clear.

Nightseer lightly flicked Hayden's head with a talon. Though he was frail, his size still gave his flicks power enough to mildly concuss the smaller dragon. "I seem to remember a young prince under my charge who would randomly shed scales as he walked."

"Ouch! Be careful wise one. If you addle my brains I will not be able to rule." Hayden moved out of the reach of Nightseer's talons. His eyes fell again upon the tablet. He picked it up. "Are we certain this is the prophecy occurring now?"

The seer nodded and sat back, closing his eyes. "Indeed my king, it is happening right now. You must be wary of strangers, trust no one."

"I trust my rider for she is innocent but as for others not of my immediate circle of confidantes, I trust very few. Will many fall to darkness's hand?"

"You know I cannot reveal that my king, it would effect the future too greatly and put our entire world at risk."

"I apologize, Nightseer for my boldness. I wish to preserve life not see it lost but from what I remember my father saying of Kaie, she will not settle for anything less than annihilation of all who helped cast her out. This does not bode well for any of us still here in the dragon realm. Nor the faithful who are in the world of man with their riders."

"Indeed, but trust in yourself Hayden and you will find that things happen just as you wish them to if you simply try."

"This has been an enlightening visit. I must return to the others to see if our allies have agreed to help us. May peace be with you old friend."

Nightseer bowed low in front of his king, "And may peace be with you too. Be careful when flying around the pass, the winds are causing some nasty turbulence there."

"Thank you for the advice." Hayden gently laid his head against Nightseer's side before turning and taking off.

* * *

The skies were dark inside the mind of Cyrus. Kaie had unleashed his darkest feelings and desires from the shadows of his intellect. Lightning crawled across the belly of the clouds and struck the tips of the mountain ranges in the distance. Slowly he looked around into the dark intimidating vision of destruction that called itself Kaie. "So...this is what I look like on the inside?"

"Yes, isn't it glorious?" she hissed.

"It's...homely. Why did you bring me here? Why can't we talk in the real world?" His eyes were dark also, his form radiating power inside his mind.

"We will, my rider, we will," she soothed. "I wanted you to see the power that they all try to keep from you. The power that can change this world and make you king."

A smile crossed his face as he listened to her words. "I see the power. But what makes you think that I want to be king? Kings need to deal with people too much. All I want is to take down those corrupt riders who think they know what is right."

"And we will do that too, my rider. But you don't have to rule the people to be king. I will keep them in order as you clean out the dragon vermin who would suppress and hurt you."

Cyrus chuckled softly as he looked Kaie up and down, his form growing as large as hers in his mind. "You forget Kaie that I have seen inside your head. I know that you seek only to exact revenge and will destroy anything in your path. I will be king, I will guide the people and show them what true justice is."

"As you wish, my rider," she said, her eyes glowing. "I only want to make you happy. If you are not happy then I am not happy."

"Then tell me why you thought it necessary to shove me into unconsciousness instead of meeting face to face?"

"You were wild with anger and you would have attacked any dragon. I was not going to let you harm those of us who make up your army. So we put you to sleep."

"I was heading for you, I wouldn't have attacked you. After all, you are the only one whose true agenda I really know. How did you know I would trust Katherine?" 

"She's beautiful and female. You like women. I thought she would be the best to make contact with you. And she is the youngest of the riders."

"And the fact that she is a perfect image of Kennice didn't happen to cross that huge mind of yours?"

"It might have." Kaie chuckled.

"So now that we've established the facts, etc. Is there any more reason to talk here?"

"Are you calm now?"

"I might be, can't you tell while you are in here?" His tone became icy, calm and exact.

"Very well." Her voice seemed to fade away as light hit his eyes. They flickered open a moment later, the torches above him filling his vision. Gradually, he rose to his knees, then to his feet.

"Welcome back, my King," Katherine said as she walked over to him and dropped down into a curtsy.

He smiled and held his hand out for her to take. "Arise, my Queen..." 

Katherine took his hand and rose. "We are here for you, my King."

Slowly he turned towards Kaie, "You spoke of an Army?"

Kaie lumbered into view, her onyx scales were glowing, as were her eyes. ~Yes. They are in the next cavern. We have been waiting for years for you.~

"All this for me huh?" He slowly turned and walked towards the expansive cavern mouth. His tone was sarcastic and skeptical. "Was there a prophecy about me or something?"

Katherine looked at Kaie who nodded. "Yes, but that can be explained to you later. Right now the others wish to meet you." Katherine gestured toward the steps carved into the side. "These will take us to the second level and to your army."

He paused and turned back to Katherine and Kaie. "Others? What others? You told me the army was in the next cavern. You might wanna be more accurate in your information to me from now on if I am to lead your forces."

Katherine frowned but then schooled her expression to one of polite courtesy. "My apologies, our king. This network of caverns is vast. The one we are currently in only has two exits, up or down. Forgive me for not explaining more clearly."

He nodded slowly and held his arms out a little. "So lead on my dear, introduce me to the 'Others.'"

Kaie leaped into the air and flew overhead before dropping down into the large hole in the ground. Katherine walked by Cyrus and began her descent down the stairs. They were smooth, well worn and easy to keep one's footing. No rail graced the other side so a wrong step by the unwary could send them plummeting to their death.

He turned and followed her down the long spiral of stairs, into the deep void like darkness. His ears listening for something that he wasn't quite sure of.

The sound of scales rubbing against scales was heard first and then human voices joined the noise. Katherine seemed to relax as they got to the bottom. A brilliant light shone on the path. She turned to Cyrus. "Are you ready, my king?"

He looked around a moment, taking in the sounds, trying to estimate how many dragons there were. "Ready as I'll ever be."

They walked into the cavern, which at first seemed empty but upon closer inspection was gigantic. Carved into the walls were ledges of various lengths. Occupying the spaces were dragons and their riders. They eyed Cyrus intently. Kaie sat regally in the center of the cavern floor. Julian was next to her. 

Katherine strode up to Kaie and bowed low. She projected her words to the assembled. "I bring you, your king!"

The roar and shouts of approval were deafening as the dragons reared back on their hindquarters and their riders pumped their fists in the air and shouted.

Cyrus' eyes wandered along shelf after shelf of dragon and rider, trying to figure out how so many could have gone undetected from Bogart and his ilk. As the thundering roars filled his ears, he slowly raised his hands up to beckon for silence. Gradually the roar died down and he projected his voice just as Katherine had done. "Riders and Dragons. We all know of the treachery and deceit the riders in power have brought down upon the world. We all know of the strangle hold the druids use against us. But most of all...we all know of the fear they harbor when they see one of us!" He let the eruption of cheers go on for a few moments before continuing. "But now my brothers, sisters and Kindred spirits, we shall hide no longer in the shadows. We shall no longer wait in anticipation for the moment to strike. Because that moment is here and now! We will bring this fight to the riders and the druids and I know just where to start! The home of the future high priestess!"

The cheering and bugling went on for a long time. Dragon eyes glittered with evil intent and the riders' gazes were filled with bloodlust.

Katherine leaned closer to Cyrus and stroked his arm. She smiled at him. Everything was going according to plan.

Slowly Cyrus took Katherine's hand and gave it a firm squeeze. "When dusk falls two days hence, so shall we ride out and burn the Davenport Monastery to cinders! And we will wound her where it hurts most by taking her family as out captives!"

The riders chanted his name as Katherine took his hand and raised it high. "It is a great plan, my King. You will be brilliant and all will tremble when they hear your name." Katherine purred her eyes filled with desire.

He nodded and let his hand slowly slide down to her rounded buttocks his own eyes filling with other things. "Indeed they will my lady. First I think I should see you tremble for other reasons, yes?"

"I think I would like that." Her lips pursed invitingly.

Kaie and Julian rumbled approval.

"Then lead the way to my chambers sweet Katherine, and I will shatter your mind." He stepped close, his voice turning to a low growl of lust and need.

A seductive grin graced her features as she headed toward a side passage that led to the quarters for the riders. She bypassed several rooms before stopping at one with a simple letter "K" on it.




Onyx Dreams Ch. 24



His smile widened as he saw the doors, He pushed them open, smirking in approval at the luxurious sight. "This is perfect my lady." He faced her and slowly backed up towards the huge emperor sized bed. "Now come show me just how much you adore your king..."



Onyx Dreams Ch. 25



Smegger_29 and myself (Kita) would like to thank all our readers who have stood by us and kept up with this fantastic adventure. If you enjoy this fantasy, please check out our other effort, "Love's Curse," written under our combined name of kitancyrus.

Chapter 25: A Challenge

Kennice stared in the mirror. The face staring back at her didn't look familiar. Her mother and the local women had gone through great lengths to make her radiant. The makeup was artfully applied and accentuated her long lashes and high cheekbones. But it didn't feel natural. It felt fake. Coming home had been a mixed blessing. Agreeing to this marriage was the dutiful thing to do but her heart was screaming denial. She thought she was over Cyrus but that too was a lie, like so many other things in her life. She had always taken pride in being honest but of late she had fallen short. Maybe Cyrus was right. She was becoming corrupted. The knock at the door brought her out of her reverie. It swung open to reveal her husband-to-be, Rhys. 

His face was plastered with a kind smile that seemed genuine, although on the inside he could taste the bile at having to treat her like an equal and not as the slave she should be. "Ah, Kennice, my love, you look so very beautiful. If I could, I would sweep you up in my arms right now and show you just how much your beauty pleases me." His slender frame did not detract from the elegant regal robes of the high priest, his self-prophesied destiny almost at fruition.

She turned to him very uncertain and nervous about the nuptials. "None of that before the wedding. Don't want to upset High Priestess Erykia." She ran her hands along the light blue silken skirt. Her wedding dress was made of two parts. The top was designed in the traditional corset style, with silken ties laced in the back. The off-white color complemented the blue of her ankle-length skirt. The gown's train was a mixture of both shades and decorated with tiny flowers around the edges. She would have said more but she was interrupted by a small yelp. She spotted one of the local women in the doorway. She frowned not understanding horrified look on the woman's face. "Myra what is it?" 

"He should not be here!" the elder woman shook her finger at Rhys. "You are breaking tradition. You will curse your wedding by looking at her before the ceremony!"

Rhys glared venomously for a moment before he caught himself and corrected it, covering himself with a chuckle. "Now. Now my dear, there is no need to worry. This is a wedding that will eclipse all weddings. There is no need for tradition. We will have the wedding as we please."

Myra snorted in disgusted. Dismissing Rhys's presence from her mind she focused her attention on Kennice. "My lady. We must finish your hair." She walked by him, ignoring the upstart. He had bad blood that one did. "And my lord, Sir Anthony and Lady Erykia are searching for you. The last time I saw them they were in courtyard making final checks on everything."

Rhys closed his eyes and sighed. "Every minute she requires my presence. Can she do nothing by herself? I don't think my approval is needed for what bunting should be put up around the monastery." He groaned and then left without saying another word.

Kennice giggled but stopped when she saw Myra's speculative look. "What is?"

"Your wedding is going to come to a bad end. The groom is not supposed to see his bride. Especially the pair of you. He is breaking tradition, something that should never be done lightly. You will rue his brash actions."

She gasped as she felt a shift in the air. With Myra's words a sense of foreboding filled her. She closed her eyes and took a calming breath. "Myra, please, can we finish my hair?"

Myra continued muttering as she took a handful of Kennice's long tresses and began braiding them into an intricate series of braids gathered up in a twist and pinned into place. "You look beautiful milady."

"Thank you." She gazed at her reflection one final time and stood. It was time to get married. Myra gathered up the train of into her hands and Kennice straightened as she walked out the door and toward her new life.

* * *

Rhys strode through the halls quickly, eager to get the marriage done so that he could exert his power over his bride. Once that was done he could work on getting rid of that old battle-axe of a woman, Erykia. His steps slowed as he neared the courtyard, letting calm wash over him masking his true intentions. "High Priestess?"

Erykia and Anthony were deep in conversation when Rhys arrived. Smiling benignly she looked him over with approval. His tall form, charisma and dimpled smile had helped him win followers. She of course knew his ruthlessness was one like her own. She had trained him well. He would continue to dance to her tune. She knew he fancied himself as the one who would rule the dragons and it was something she encouraged. In due time Cyrus would get rid of him. "Rhys, dear. We want you to let the guests in. The ceremony will begin in fifteen minutes."

Rhys forced back his anger. That was a servant's job, why was she having him do it? A long slow breath escaped his lips before he nodded, once again in control. "Of course, High Priestess. I hope all is to your satisfaction." Turning abruptly on his heel he left the courtyard behind to open the doors. "My lords and ladies, honored guests and noble druids. The ceremony will begin in fifteen minutes, you may now enter." He stood aside as the guests began to flow onto the walkways and to their seats. Everyone had been invited, even the nobles of the dragon riders, soldiers whose battle experience could be seen on their flesh and that of their mounts.

Anthony looked at Erykia. "I can't believe this day has arrived. It's taken six years but now we will continue tradition and the power will remain unbroken."

Erykia smiled. Oh yes the power. That was what she craved most and it would soon be in her grasp. 

* * *

Katherine stretched slowly, her eyes roaming over the chiseled muscles of Cyrus's body. His dark brown hair was longer than when she had first met him. But she liked that in her men. She trailed her fingers down his spine. "My King, you must get up. The council will be convening to discuss our first strike against the dragon king."

He stirred slightly in his sleep, shifting away from her hands at first, attempting to hold onto the sleep that his mind was being dragged from. A soft, almost inaudible murmur was heard while he nuzzled the pillow to retain his comfort zone.

"My lord, please." Katherine gently nudged him. He needed to get up. He couldn't be late with his meeting with his army.

A low growl came from his lips as his pleasant dreams were interrupted. He blinked, trying to work out where he was and why. Gradually he turned and smiled, looking at Katherine before gently pressing his lips to hers in a sensual kiss. "Mm. Good morning my Queen."

She grinned. "Good morning to you as well. You must get dressed. We have thirty minutes before your meeting. That gives you enough time for a shower and to dress." She slid from the sheets and made her way over to a chest. She got out clothes for him and her. "I'll see you in the shower." She sashayed out of the room, a teasing smile beckoning him to follow.

He raised an eyebrow as he watched her move feeling his arousal rising. Quickly he left the bed moving silently across the room and entering the spacious, luxury bathroom.

The water was running and steam was already forming. Katherine's low humming filled the air.

His grin widened as he made his way through the steam, his erect shaft a divining rod guiding him to the curvy form of his Queen.

Katherine heard him coming but continued humming as she washed her hair. Her job was to keep him occupied by whatever means necessary. He was a pawn in her mother's game. He just didn't know it yet.

Drawing close to her, he purred in appreciation, his hands reaching her exquisite form, caressing her soft slopes. He stepped close to her kissing her neck. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes. You are the best lover I've ever had the pleasure of bedding. Where did you learn your skills?"

"From various sources, monks are never ones to be underestimated." He chuckled, pressing his tip against her opening, urging her to please him once more. "Perhaps you would like a second round?"

"So tempting, my king, but alas I must decline. You have enough time to shower, dress and then run to the meeting place."

"Did you remember to factor in that I can do all of those things in the blink of an eye? Two blinks if I take my time?" His hands slid from her buttocks, around and across her hips, caressing the toned muscles of her abdomen, before cupping her voluptuous breasts, squeezing them in his firm grasp.

"Yes, you can. But why waste a display of your powers when it is easier to do what you need to do without them?"

His fingers slid to her nipples, pinching the buds between his tips as he moved her towards the wall, his voice filling with lust. "Because it means I get to take another run at this fabulous body of yours my dear. You drive me wild with desire."

Katherine hid a frown. She knew he could do as he claimed but they didn't have time for this. Everything was on a set schedule and she was not about to let his lust ruin it. "My king, no one doubts your prowess but there are some in your army who do not think you have what it takes to lead. You need to make a statement by being on time and being in control at the meeting."

His grip on her breasts tightened a moment, a silent warning. "And so I will be Katherine. I am never more in control than when my wishes have been fulfilled, and right now, your King wishes you to please him."

Katherine turned to him her eyes glowing. "You really don't want to try to rage at me, Cyrus. You are not the only one with abilities."

The air around him hummed a dangerous tone, his muscles tensing in readiness. "No, but I am the one with the incredibly large black dragon waiting just outside. One word from me and you won't make it out of here alive."

Katherine laughed in his face. "You only have one dragon. And you have yet to ride her. The others waiting to take your place are full riders and have abilities as well. Do you think they will follow you if you murder a fellow rider? Just because your advances were declined by your devoted follower doing her best to help impress on you the importance of this meeting."

In a heartbeat his hand was around her throat, easily lifting her slim frame off the floor and driving her into the wall hard enough to crack the tiles. "I need not ride Kaie to know that I will rule. She controls the dragons and I control her. You are merely a pawn in this little game. A toy to be used by me at my beck and call. Unlike you, I have seen inside every space in Kaie's mind. I know everything that she has planned since before I was born."

Katherine didn't struggle. Instead she looked down at him and smiled. She simply placed a hand on each of his wrists. "I told you," she whispered right before her hands glowed red and the smell of burning flesh filled the air.

He flinched as pain filled his mind and he was forced to drop her, swiftly backhanding her in anger. "How DARE you assault your king in such a manner! You are fortunate that last night happened, or I would kill you myself right now. Instead, I will remove you as queen until I feel that you have redeemed yourself." He spun on his heel, blurring as he used his super speed to shower in seconds. He blew by Katherine and went into the chamber, dressing without another word.

She tasted blood and her vision swam for a moment. He could drop her if he wished but his puppet strings were still being held. And like all men he would break before she would. It would be him who would come crawling back. There were not many female riders who had turned traitor. There were not too many female riders for that matter at all. No one was really sure why it was that way it just was. Let him think he was in control. She would be there when the truth was revealed and would delight in the pain it would bring him. She stopped the water, dried off, dressed and reentered the bedroom. Silently she left the room, not bothering to speak to Cyrus. She could feel Julian's concern hammering at her mind. Reassuring him that she was fine she made sure he passed on to the correct set of riders about what Cyrus had just done. 

Cyrus caught up with her, pushing her against the rock wall. Malice was palpable in his tone. "You forget Katherine, you only made it to my chambers by looking like another." He let the icy blow sink in before breezing past her with a blank expression.

She gasped and the heat rushed to her face. Then the anger rose. How dare he compare her to Kennice who was nothing more than a pathetic wimp? He would pay for that. She hurried after him making it in time but just barely. She sat, her expression one of polite interest as Daymron, the oldest most experienced rider of the army, walked in. 

Daymron bowed to Cyrus. "My King, welcome." He sat to the right of the platform watching Cyrus's every move. His determination of Cyrus's worth could sway the others.

Cyrus glared at the rider silently calling to Kaie to establish where it was that she had slithered. "Good morning." He moved past Daymron onto the main platform to address the assembled dragons and riders.

Cyrus closed his eyes a moment, the air humming around him as he amplified his voice so all could hear. "Brethren before this meeting starts I will make one thing CRYSTAL clear." He cast his eyes around the room, catching any looks that would meet his. "If words comes to my ears of ANY treachery against me among these ranks, then I swear to the gods I will kill you myself." His footsteps echoed in the murmurs erupting around the cavern, letting them continue for a moment before he went on. "Treachery is not welcome here. For that is the thinking of those who would exile us from this world. That is the thinking of the druids and riders who think that we are not worthy enough to live." He paused again, his heart thumping in his chest. "That, is the thinking of whores like her..." He turned pointing at Katherine, "Whores who act in deceit so they may enter your bed then betray you when you wish for seconds. Whores who think they can pull your strings by controlling your innermost instincts." He turned back to the assembled riders. "Are you a cheap, gold digging wench like this? Or are you a soldier of the dark, ready to kill anyone who stands in your way!"

Katherine said nothing her face not revealing her thoughts. She was familiar with name-calling. It was disappointing that Cyrus was pathetic enough to employ such a tactic in an attempt to shame her and win favor. She hid her satisfaction when the cheers were not as energetic as before. He was alienating some already. She would stand back and watch him self-destruct.

His eyes narrowed as he listened to the level of noise, "As for those who attempt to betray me as this pathetic whore has done, this will be your fate." He opened his mouth, emitting an air shuddering sonic blast that lifted her off her feet and slammed her back against the wall, hard enough to crack more than a few ribs and inflict a concussion. "Now tell me brothers, are you ready to purge this land of people who think like her? Who seek only to control us and use us as slaves?"

The silence was deafening and then the riders began chanting his name. All avoided looking at Katherine who was slowly picking herself up.

He thrust his arm into the air and was rewarded with a much louder cheer than before, "Now my brothers, let us take to the skies and eliminate this disease from our lands forever!"

"My King! My King! Wait!" a voice cried.

He turned towards the voice, eyes centering upon the person interrupting his rhythm. As messenger drew closer he saw that it was a naïve-looking young man. The male must be one of the runners Kaie told him about. He knew from experience that ignoring potential intelligence was a mistake only fools made. "Speak up rider, what news do you bring?"

"My king," the young man gasped as he tried to catch his breath. "The news has just reached the outer lying villages that High Priest Rhys is to wed future High Priestess Kennice Davenport this afternoon! All dignitaries and persons of importance are gathering there for the ceremony!"

Furious, Cyrus's skin turned red with the rage boiling up within him, the air buzzing before dying down. A smile of utter malice crossed his face as he spoke. "Well, well, looks like every cloud has a silver lining. My brothers, it seems the riders are gathered in one place along with the dignitaries of the land. We can take every single one of them down in one devastating move. Mount your dragons! We ride now to glory and to victory!"

"To victory!" the call was taken up as riders ran to their dragons and mounted. The dragons bugled their acceptance of the order and took to the air.

Kaie landed near Cyrus and Julian landed a few feet away from them.

Cyrus mounted Kaie with ease, sitting atop her, power humming around him. He spotted Katherine giving her a scathing look. "If you ever try to control me like you have this day I will hang your head above my door and lay Julian's hide upon my floor. I trust I have made myself PERFECTLY clear." He didn't wait for an answer, urging Kaie into flight immediately joining his brethren in the skies.

Julian gently nudged Katherine who gingerly moved toward him with some assistance from the messenger, climbed up and seated herself. She didn't look at Cyrus as she and Julian joined the rest of the riders in the air. Yes he had made things clear and earned himself an enemy. Once she reported everything to her mother, the next phase of the plan would be put into action. Cyrus was going to learn the true meaning of control. She grinned, despite her injuries. She just had to be patient. All good things come to those who wait.

* * *

The guests were finally seated and the official who performing the ceremony looked at Anthony who nodded. The official's gaze then traveled to Rhys.

Rhys took one last look around the hall to make sure everything was as Erykia had specified, not that he cared; her tantrums were merely an inconvenience. Once he was married he would have her involved in an accident. She obviously couldn't foresee the future as she often boasted. If that was true he would be dead already. His eyes flicked back to the official and he nodded curtly.

The official waved his hand and suddenly the air above them was filled with dragons from each clan. The sun glinted off the hides of the onyx, emerald, sapphire, ruby, diamond, and amethyst dragons giving the guests the appearance of a rainbow. 

From the air Hayden looked down at the assembled but he was not interested in any of them. His rider would be appearing shortly. She was the only one he cared about.

Rhys glanced upwards towards the sky, looking over the vast numbers of dragons. Useless beasts. They did nothing to preserve the laws of his future land. They required the druids to cross into this plane, so why were they not serving the ones with the power instead of choosing stupid peasants like that ogre Cyrus?

Hayden bulged and the dragons landed on the hillside that overlooked the outer courtyard. The guests murmured appreciatively and then the music began to play.

Rhys turned his gaze from the glittering dragons to the aisle, awaiting the arrival of his bride-to-be. His time was near. In a few more minutes he would be high priest. Then he could exert his iron grip and be done with that fool Erykia and show Kennice her rightful place at his feet.

First the flower maidens appeared, four in all. Each carried a different flower. Red rystaff for passion, yellow nuyan for trust, blue zathaff for eternity and green ayandil for everlasting love. Once the flowers had been strewn along the path in overlapping patterns, the cadence of the music changed to a soft lilting melody.




Onyx Dreams Ch. 25



"Here she comes!" came the excited whispers as Kennice appeared under the archway.

Rhys smiled as he saw her approach, his eyes sparkling with what the future would hold. No more Cyrus, no more Erykia after this, and best of all, no one would stand in the way of his wishes.

Kennice's smile was one of nervousness. She felt deep in her heart that this was wrong but her head was saying it was the correct thing to do. The walk down the aisle seemed long but finally she was there, looking at Rhys. 

He smiled at her, bowing slightly and speaking in a sincere tone. "You look absolutely radiant my love. This day will mark the dawn of a new era in our kingdom. As husband and wife we will do so much together."

"Thank you, Rhys." 

Kennice glanced at the official who began the ceremony. He read in the First Tongue a passage from the book of the Ancients that proclaimed the love for the new world upon which they had landed and made their home. He then switched back to the Common Tongue to do the vows. "Rhys, do you, as the new high priest and protector of those not able, vow to love, cherish, honor and respect, Lady Kennice Davenport, from now on until death separates you."

Gently Rhys took Kennice's hand, once more ignoring traditional behavior. He leaned down and placed a soft kiss upon her fingers and spoke in a clear, determined voice. "I do."

Elizabeth scowled. Rhys was mocking tradition. The boy was asking for trouble and it worried her. She didn't want her only child to suffer because of his recklessness.

Anthony saw Elizabeth's expression and gently squeezed her hand. He was hoping the blessing of the dragons would outweigh any bad luck that might occur because of Rhys' disdain of sacred things. He regretted the choosing of Rhys as high priest but out of twenty candidates, he had been the only one to show any backbone and pass all the trials.

Anthony returned his attention to the official who was now speaking to Kennice. ".... as future high priestess and mother of all creatures and mortals, vow to respect, trust, protect and love Rhys (last name) as your husband. To treat him as your equal and your helper in all things to the good of all?"

Kennice looked into Rhys' eyes and then away. Those present gasped and stirred restlessly when she didn't immediately reply.

Rhys tensed a moment. Was she backing out? How dare she! He couldn't let her ruin his destiny at this crucial moment. He softly gazed at her. "Kennice? What's wrong?"

"I." She glanced at the crowd, her gaze coming to rest on her parents.

~If you don't want to do this, you don't have to. You can still be high priestess without this marriage~ Elizabeth whispered to her daughter.

~But will I still have the respect of the people? They adore him. I, I don't love him mother!~

~Do what is best for you, Kennice. Your father and I do love you and will love you no matter what you choose to do.~

Kennice glanced up at Hayden and felt his mind touch hers. She took strength from that and straightened. "There is nothing wrong."

The sigh of relief rippled through the air.

"I apologize for the delay." She turned to the official. "I do agree to uphold this solemn vow."

Rhys was grinning from ear to ear now, any second now his power would be absolute and nothing, not even a dragon would be able to stop him from his domination of this world. His hand gently squeezed her, awaiting the official's final words.

"May this bond that you are entering into today, be one of hope and life to those around you. May it serve to keep you safe and make you wise as you rule our people. Let love build between yourselves and for those you care for." He paused and then looked at those assembled. "If there is anyone or creature who contests this bonding, speak now for once the rings are exchanged this pairing cannot be undone except by death."

A dark winged shadow obscured the sun, its warmth barred from reaching the congregation. The huge pitch black scaled dragon soared high above them. Around her, circling like vultures was an army of rebels hungering for battle. She dipped down from her orbit of the wedding, swooping fast and low. As she passed by with blinding speed and deafening thunder a figure leaped from her back, landing heavily behind the official. The air roared with the hum of sonic vibrations. The crowd murmured protests but was silenced as the figure rose and severed the official's head, a fountain of blood erupting from the stump that once was his neck. 

Glaring at Rhys, Cyrus spoke in a voice dripping with malice and revenge. "I Do."

People began screaming and running for the exits. Anthony and Elizabeth fought against the mass exodus, trying to reach the platform where Rhys and Kennice had stood.

Kennice froze when she heard Cyrus' voice, shock at his abrupt appearance making her indecisive. Then anger rose, hot and furious. Of course he would come flying in at the last moment. She looked over at Rhys who was brushing blood off his clothes and glowering.

"Oh look, it's the street rat," he sneered as he held out his hand and caught the staff that Erykia tossed to him.

Not giving him a chance to wield it, Cyrus unleashed a double-fisted sonic blast into Rhys' chest, launching him off the platform into the crowd. "Oh this is gonna be fun Rhys. I hope you've got a stylish coffin lined up because your wedding colors are horrific." 

Rhys rose to his feet staff in front of him. Cyrus launched another blast towards him, the vibrations knocking the staff out of his hand and shattering the gem at its head.

"Damnit!" Rhys snarled and rolled out of the way. Above the combatants in the air the roar of dragons was deafening as Hayden's group engaged the interlopers.

Kennice was torn between watching Rhys and Cyrus and looking to the sky to check on Hayden to make sure he was doing all right.

~Do not worry about me, my rider. I will be there to get you in just a moment~ He assured her as he flamed an emerald dragon's wing and watched as it and its rider plummeted toward the ground. ~My rider, come away from the two males. I am outside waiting~ Hayden instructed Kennice.

She silently went out a side door. It wasn't like either man was paying any attention to her.

Kaie was and just as Kennice opened the door an angry looking topaz dragon landed in front of her, taking a deep breath ready to flame.

Kennice paused and then closed her eyes. She heard the whoosh of wings followed by a shriek of pain. She opened her eyes and looked at Hayden. Without a word she ran to him and climbed up on his back. He immediately took to the air with a sapphire and ruby dragon by his side keeping the attackers at bay.

Kaie quickly moved to follow Hayden, belching flames to cover any that attempted to stop her. 

Anthony and Elizabeth got free of the crowd and joined Erykia under an eave. They had a clear view but were away from the fighting. They watched the tableau before them in dread.

Erykia hid her smile. Perfect. Cyrus and Rhys. Only one would win and she knew who it would be. The prophecy was never wrong. And Kennice would have to choose. Erykia wondered which man it would be.

Cyrus stood before Rhys, drawing a handkerchief from his pocket wiping the blood from his hands. "What did I tell you Rhys? That I'd have my revenge on you. That I would kill you one day. That you would never ever have Kennice who you desired. That day is today Rhys." He advanced on his nemesis, flowing into a diabolical speech. "You see I realized something Rhys, something important, something key to this puzzle, vital if you will." His tone shifted to one of consideration as he circled Rhys, making sure his opponent was fully focused on him. "Would you like to know what that piece to this big confusing puzzle is Rhys? Hmm?"

"Not really but don't let my interruption ruin your monologue."

"I've worked out who the real ring leaders in this puzzle are. You see at first I thought it was you, then I realized you were too stupid since you have the brains of a rabbit. Then for a while I was quite certain it was that mummified old hag you follow around like a puppy, since she made that impressive looking prophecy and all. But recently...oh recently something much bigger and more sinister than both your pathetic little minds put together could come up with came to my attention. An example of one of them is about to drop in." 

One of the lower ranked dragons from Hayden's rule crashed among the pews with a thundering crash, raining splinters and chunks of wood around them. Cyrus however, did not flinch. "The people I'm talking about, unless you haven't guessed, are the dragons, their riders and their draconic allies. They've been having a fun little game of chess with all of us."

"You don't know what the hell you're talking about you fool! If you believe that drivel then you are just as deluded as the rest of us in the dragon's game of chess," Rhys shouted.

Cyrus continued to circle Rhys. "Sensitive are we? Frustrated that you are just a pawn in someone's game? Well it's about to get worse Rhys because we both know dragons of the light don't know how to manipulate humans for their bidding. They'd need another human for that, and there's one human that links us all. That's right, it's Kennice. She seems so innocent doesn't she? But in reality she's playing everyone like a puppet on a string."

Rhys frowned. Could it be true? Was that why he couldn't seem to subjugate her? Was she getting help from the dragons he despised as not important? Cyrus was drawing subtly closer each time he circled Rhys. "Didn't you wonder why she despised you so much? She didn't want to get involved with a lowlife nothing like you...until she realized she could use you. Just like she used me. She needed Erykia to come to the monastery to confirm my destiny, to force me to Brenna. But that backfired on her because Kaie, the most powerful of all the dark dragons, took me in. Your place was simple Rhys. You were there only to ensure I didn't stray away from Kennice, and it worked...until Kaie showed me the truth."

"You lie! You only want her for yourself. Even soiled you want her. Do you know she was pining for you until I wined and dined her? She's so gullible. I'm sorry but she's not smart enough to deceive anyone and that's why she will always be a pawn. MY pawn."

A soft chuckle escaped Cyrus's throat. "Ah simpleminded Rhys, so focused, so determined to believe what he wants. Hiding from the truth as always. She has a dragon Rhys. She could have him eat you in a heartbeat and you wouldn't stand a chance. She has the power of high priestess running through her veins and you have the arrogance to believe you can control a powerhouse of that magnitude? As for wanting her...I have my own little sex slave to attend to my desires, a little disciplining is all she needs from time to time. But what's a few cracked ribs between lovers hmm?"

"What do you mean Kennice has a dragon? She can't. There has never been a high priestess that was a dragon rider. It's unheard of. You can't ride and rule people!"

A pitying smile and laughter from Cyrus. "Oh you have such a single track mind. Rhys, I would've thought even you would know there's a first time for everything. Kaie tells me she is riding him right now as we speak. She tells me he is the king of dragons. Is it starting to click in that simple mind of yours, Rhys? Queen of Dragons, High Priestess of Druids, one step away from world domination. Do you really think you can contend with a woman with that much power? The only way to stop her is to kill her Rhys, and I intend to do just that...after torturing her spirit for a while. Better than your crude methods. Since I don't have an old hag controlling me I can do simple things, like turning her parents to ashes!"

Rhys simply gaped at Cyrus but then he heard Erykia in his mind urging him to get away from Cyrus. "You're mad. Do you know what will happen if you attack the Davenports?"

Cyrus took a step his presence radiating evil intentions along with perverse pleasure. "Oh yes Rhys I know. They will burn, turn to dust on the wind, and the dragons will be unable to come through. No more dragons, no more riders. That leaves no one to stand in my way when I do something like this." He slammed his fist forward unleashing a bone cracking blast towards Rhys. Aiming him towards where Erykia and the Davenports where hiding.

Rhys crashed into the archway above their Erykia and the Davenports, hitting the ground unconscious. Elizabeth checked his pulse. It was still strong.

Cyrus marched in their direction, drawing his blade as he neared the alcove. His body blurred for a split second and the air was filled with blood as the last breath from the fallen emerald green dragon was heard. He stopped a few feet from Erykia, Rhys and the cowering parents of Kennice. His blade rose towards them, shimmering and buzzing. "Any last words?"

Erykia glowered at him but then grinned. "Do you like to fly, Cyrus?"

The tip of his blade was beneath her chin in an instant. "You just witnessed me give some flying lessons to your pathetic rat, didn't you?"

~Elizabeth now!~ Anthony told her.

Elizabeth didn't even look at him as she hit him with her strongest telekinetic blast. 

Cyrus was flung back hard, right into the waiting claws of Nightseer, who bulged in triumph and flew toward the sky.

The wind was knocked from him, his muscles going limp from the shock of the blow. He felt the claws of the dragon close around him, his anger rising. Telepathically calling for Kaie, he poured his rage into his sword and slashed upwards, severing the talons of Nightseer's claws.

Nightseer's bellow of agony rocked the air and an eerie silence descended as his now useless limbs opened and Cyrus dropped from them.

Kaie who was pursuing Hayden and Kennice veered sharply and headed back toward her rider. Catching him mid-air she bugled her rage at Nightseer who was flying away from them and toward a gathering group of dragons who formed a protective circle around him.

Cyrus moved quickly onto Kaie's back, glaring at Nightseer and his guards. He could see from his position that the damage to the Light Dragon Riders was done. Raising his arm he signaled the retreat. Leaning down he gleefully gave Kaie his order. "Burn the monastery. Leave only ashes."

The swell of hatred and bloodthirsty eagerness raced through his mind as she turned and dove at the structure. She opened her mouth spewing fire at the upper levels first before circling and doing the same toward the ground. She backwinged, fanning more air on the flames blazing them higher. 

~Let this be a lesson to all who would oppose the true ruler!~

Kennice's horrified cry rent the air as she and Hayden appeared in front his army. Her wedding dress rustled in the breeze that had begun to blow as she stared at Cyrus in dismay. "Why?" She thought she had whispered it but her question reverberated in the stillness as the opposing sides glared at each other.

Cyrus's response was a frosty glare as he drew his hand across his throat slowly before pointing at her. 

She shivered, oblivious to the tears that were starting to fall.

With a nudge of his knees Kaie took off, his troops following suit moving with the shadows towards the oncoming night.

Hayden said nothing as he flew over to his troops.

~Nightseer, get us out of here so that we may attend to your wounds and rest.~

Nightseer's scales began to glow, the air before them shimmered and parted to reveal a pink sky. One by one the dragons slipped inside.

Kennice blinked and clutched at Hayden's neck ridge. "I can't go with you! I must find my parents!"

~It is not safe for you here. For now come with me. We will come back and find your parents, I promise.~

Kennice wearily sighed and looked once more at her childhood home burning. She bowed her head in acquiescence and Hayden entered the portal. 



Onyx Dreams Ch. 26



Kaie was pleased with her rider. He had done her bidding and a blow had been dealt to Hayden and his human allies. Without the main leaders, the humans would fragment making it easier for her to take control. And it was all possible thanks to her rider. She chuckled then, letting him feel the rumble of it dance through her body.

His hand slid across her scales, patting them with malicious satisfaction. ~You did well my pet, the dragon rider lines are smashed and they are disorganized.~

He leaned back a little letting the rush of the winds roars by his face, his shoulder length hair streaming in the slipstream. ~Perhaps I shall force Katherine to watch as I take a new plaything to my chambers tonight? That should reinforce the feeling of expendability in her.~

Kaie snorted. ~I do not like her. She is hiding something be careful of her my rider~

~I will Kaie, do not worry. I want you to keep an eye on Julien too. If he starts acting strange do not hesitate in eating him.~ He looked down to the right below Kaie, where Katherine and her dragon were gliding. ~There must be something deeper going on, it cannot be a coincidence that she looks almost exactly the same as that deceiving whore Kennice.~

Good her rider was thinking. He would need to do that. She could only control so much and had to rely on his abilities for the rest. But when it was over...well he was a fragile creature. ~Always be vigilant. Any of this group would love to take your place as leader.~

A laugh rumbled up from his belly, shaking his very core, sounding out loud and long. ~Take my place? You know as well as I that they would be hard pressed to do so and would need to catch me off guard which is difficult in itself, especially when I have you watching my back constantly.~ His hand reached down and softly stroked her scales, subconsciously tickling them like he would with Brenna.

~Don't~ the word was growled in warning. She did not like him touching her like that.

He frowned down at Kaie, feeling slightly insulted. ~Remember Kaie that without me your plans are worthless, so I will do with you as I please. Just as I do with all my subjects.~ Suddenly she folded her wings and plummeted them toward the ground without warning. His grip tightened on her back, bracing against the rushing air. Fear was gripping him now as the plummet seemed uncontrolled. ~Is this how it is going to be when your master scolds you? You suicide dive towards the ground? You wanted a King I am giving you one. Now obey me Kaie. Level out immediately!~

Only silence echoed in their mental link as the treetops became visible.

His legs shifted slightly as the ground hurtled towards them, ready to launch off her back if need be. ~I can jump off at the last second Kaie, you will die form the impact and I will live happily ever after. Is that what you want? If its an apology you are looking for I hardly think a dragon born of darkness knows the meaning of the word.~

She jerked then, an impossible feat but done with a malevolent grace that caused her spine to stiffen as she bucked him off her body. As his grip was wrenched from her scales, he felt himself freefalling, terror now gripping him as he knew there was no way of slowing his own descent. He would have to do something no king should ever have to do to anyone below him. ~All right fine, I apologize. But if you ever do anything like this again I swear I will just let myself drop and your plans will be gone in a heartbeat.~

She snagged him with her claws, rolled so that he was cradled against her chest and beating her wings heading for the sky. She flew to a hilltop and landed, setting him down gently. 

He sank to one knee for a moment, shaken to his very core from the freefall. Once he was sure his hands stopped trembling he rose, his anger rising. ~You realize Kaie that Brenna did exactly the same thing when I did something she didn't like, do you want to be known as just her replica as Katherine is?~

The response was immediate. With a hard sweep of her wing she knocked him on his butt, lowered her muzzle toward his face and let a small hint of flame come out as her cold gaze regarded him. ~I am no one's replica~

In a split second the air was alive with the harsh buzzing of sonic vibrations as his bass sword materialized in front of him. He knew she would not kill him for then all her centuries of work and planning would be wasted and everything would be over. ~Perhaps not...but if you ever do that again you will follow Katherine's path of disfavor with myself, and neither of us wants that now do we?~

The battle of wills was tense but then with a snort, she extinguished her flame and backed up a step. She swung her leg out so that he could climb up.

He stood up for a moment, shrugging the dust from his clothes, his sword evaporating in a crack of deep sound. He stared at Kaie for a moment, considering her in his mind before slowly climbing aboard once again. He patted her scales and nudged her with his knees. ~Good girl, now, let us return and celebrate with our army.~

A rippling of muscles and a down sweep of her wings launched them into the air to continue on their journey home. His thoughts became dark as they rose once again, closing his mind off to Kaie for the time being he considered what her actions towards him would be once her plan had been completed? He would have to find an insurance policy of some kind to counteract any ideas she might get before the end.

Soon the outline of the mountain they temporarily called home came into view. Kaie bugled their return and they were greeted by the cries of the others who had already begun feasting. ~Idiots. They celebrate too soon. We have only just begun.~ Contempt colored her tone as she banked sharply and began her descent.

Shaking his head a little at her apparent lack of tolerance towards anyone, Cyrus gave her a nudge with his knees for her to listen. ~This is their first victory in a long time Kaie, the first attack decimated the Dragon Rider forces, leaving them crippled and licking their wounds. Let them feast for now; it shall be good for their morale. A proud army is a strong army.~

~Perhaps~ She didn't think so but then again she had been alive longer than he. And she had decided to give him the illusion of control. That would keep him by her side at least for now. She landed and lowered herself to the ground so that he could get off. The sounds of celebration slowly died down as the riders became aware of Cyrus's presence.

Slowly walking towards the head table, he cleared his throat and let his voice be amplified by his powers. "My brothers and Sisters! Tonight we have shown the Dragon Riders of the Light that we are no longer a force to be underestimated and ignored. Tonight we have shown them that we are the Riders who will survive into the future. And tonight, we celebrate this great victory with a feast to honor our brave brothers and sisters of the dark! Eat well and drink till you consume no more my soldiers for after this night, there will be no more kindness, no more sparing of their lives, no more mercy!" The roar of agreement thundered the air and ground as riders and dragons alike voiced their pleasure at his words. Too long had they suffered. A new era was beginning and he would be their salvation.

"No my brothers! Let this feast get into full swing! Enjoy yourselves! Satisfy your dark needs and for those who have proved themselves worthy on the field of battle...I have a special award for you. A night in the bed of our own local whore." His hand swept across the hall and pointed directly at Katherine, a malicious grin forming on his face. "I'm sure she will be more than happy to comply with whatever requests you have."

Julien hissed and moved closer to his rider but froze when she touched his muzzle. Instead she bowed to Cyrus. "Whatever my lord wishes."

"Excellent, now who shall be your replacement in my bed chambers for tonight hmmm?"

His eyes watched with glee as the few other female riders in the room perked up at his words, but avoided glancing at Katherine. "I do believe I'm in the mood for someone that doesn't look like the enemy tonight." He stared at Katherine, poking her pride once again by comparing her to Kennice, his finger pointing out a girl with ginger locks and pale skin. "You my dear, let us retire together while the men feast and indulge themselves."

Squealing in delight she rushed over, throwing a pitying glance at Katherine before sidling up to Cyrus's side, batting her eyelashes at him. He slid his arm around her waist for a moment, his strong hand gripping her buttocks, testing the flesh that stood before him. His train of thought however was quickly derailed as a commotion appeared in the crowd before him, jeers and taunts, but not directed towards him. The source of the noise became apparent, his lips curling into a malicious sneering when he saw who was approaching the main table. Trussed up in shackles and bloodied from the battle was a Dragon Rider of the Light. This was a pleasant surprise.

"My King. We have brought one of the traitors to you." Roughly the young man was shoved forward and forced to his knees before Cyrus.

Slowly he approached the trembling young rider before him, his hand extending towards him, gently gripping his chin and pulling his face up so he could look in his captive's eyes. "What is your name young one? Tell me so I know what to write on the message I shall send to your masters."

"Talus." Fear clung to him but yet he managed to say his name with a hint of defiance.

Cyrus grinned when he heard the false bravado. The boy reminded him much of himself during his early years at the monastery. "Tell me Talus...which would you rather do? Play a game of twenty questions with me, or be left here for the pleasures of my female riders who are so very eager to toy with your young flesh?"

Talus glared at the females and then looked at Cyrus. "How about neither."

Chuckling, he softly patted the young rider's cheek, looking in to his eyes for a moment before speaking with a voice filled with a future of painful events for the victim. "Then young Talus, I guess I will simply have to treat you to both. Assuming you are still able once I am done with you." Standing and beginning to walk towards a secluded chamber with sufficient restraints, Cyrus called over his shoulder to those holding the prisoner. "Bring him, we shall see just how much he can tell us before I give him to our Vixens to finish off."

The lewd jeering and laughs filled Talus's ears as he was dragged unceremoniously to the other room and deposited in the middle of the floor. Bowing to Cyrus, the two guards went outside to wait. He walked over to the table lined with knives, clamps, tongs and other nefarious items of pain infliction. His fingers lightly slid over each item as he walked, talking softly, in a tender tone to Talus. "You have two choices here Talus, you can either tell me the information that I need to know...or..." He picked up a nasty looking carving blade. "I can extract it piece by piece."

Talus's paled. He valued his life but the oath he had taken to protect right and good was strong and binding. He tried to reach his dragon's mind but only emptiness greeted him.

Leaning down, the knife was lightly pressed underneath his chin as the question was repeated, "Well Talus? Which will it be? Easy, luxurious information or exquisite, agonizing torture till you beg me to let you say what I need to hear. Don't bother with your dragon, he is providing my troops with much needed sustenance this night. They say he tastes a lot like chicken."

An agonized wail of disbelief followed by a sob of pain echoed throughout the small room. Softly the strong hand of his captor patted his face in faux sympathy. "Now, now boy. No need for that, we have barely even started our fun little session. So we'll start with an easy question I'm sure you will be able to understand. Where did the Riders of the Light go?"

"Home." Sobs wracked his body. His friend was dead, killed because of him.

"Ahh the angle of being vague, let me tell you this once Talus. Being vague will only earn you more of this." Slowly the blade was drawn across his chest, slicing open the young man's flesh.

A groan and then silence as Talus struggled to not react. "Home," he repeated.

"Where is home Talus? Tell me its name and how to get there." Once more the blade was drawn across his chest, a large X sliced into his skin now.

"I don't know how to get there. We were brought there. We cannot go by ourselves." The dripping of his blood hitting the stone floor filled the silence following his words.

"I don't think you are telling me the whole truth Talus. You had access to your dragon's mind. All dragons know how to get there from here. I need to know how to get there Talus." The knife slowly slid down his chest once more, not cutting this time, however it's destination predicted worse things to come, stopping just millimeters from what lay between his legs.

Talus gulped, frantically shaking his head. "I don't know! Reugher never told me! And my trainer didn't either. Reugher always got the destination from our trainer's dragon!"

"And where might I find him Talus? And you had better know otherwise I'll have to introduce you to some of my other little friends shall I?" He moved from his subject, back to the long table, picking up pliers.

"He found us! We were in the swamps south of here and he just showed up!"

Tutting softly Cyrus turned towards him, shaking his head slowly as he grasped his jaw, looking him in the eyes. "That my little friend is not what I asked. Now I have to hurt you some more Talus. I hope this teaches you that your bond to good is far from worth your life." He reached in with the pliers and with a grunt of effort, ripped one of his canines out. "Now Talus, tell me, where is he!"

Talus yowled and writhed, the pain throbbing painful in his mouth. He spat at Cyrus then, bloody spittle landed on his tormentor's boot.

Shaking his head once more, he looked at his captive and sighed. "My, my. Such fiery defiance from someone in such a position. It seems I shall have to show you just how bad a decision that was." His hand moved in a blur, roughly backhanding him before slamming his fist deep into his gut. He wrenched his victim's head back, tearing another tooth, an incisor this time from his head.

Talus was close to fainting yet he wanted death. With the demise of his dragon, his purpose in life was over.

Cyrus picked up the bucket of water by the door and threw it over his subject. "Now, now Talus, no fainting on me, after all you still need to tell me the information I need to know. If you tell me right now, I promise I'll go easy on your friends and family by simply killing them. If you don't...I'll subject them to the same treatment you are having right now..." He let the promise hang in the air, his words solid and definite. He would torture every one of the Riders and their families if it meant he would gain access to their realm.

Talus let out a roar and in a burst of energy threw himself at Cyrus sending them both crashing into the table with the torture instruments. Grabbing one he stabbed at Cyrus's eyes.

In a heartbeat Cyrus blurred, gripping the wrist with the long dagger in his iron grip, time seeming to slow down for him as he moved at the speed of sound. He rolled out of the way, watching as his subject descended a little and narrowed his eyes. Such defiance was rare in a person and he knew from himself that he would be hard to break. However, he would eventually. He just had to find his weak spot. As time sped up again, he lashed out with his leg, slamming into Talus over and over again, sending him rolling across the floor, crashing into the opposite wall. "You really should research your enemy before attempting to attack him my boy. You see because, as long as I still breath, I can outpace you, out smart you and over power you. Since you are being so difficult I suppose I shall have to let my dragon investigate your mind. I would ask that she be gentle and not cause you pain, however you have ruined my best boots and hence voided that small luxury. If you move again, I will break your arms and legs many times so you cannot."

~Kaie...you may have your fun with this one. Leave him alive and sane however. I would prefer him to be aware to experience all the horrors that are yet to come.~

~If that is what you wish~ She reached into Talus's mind but before she could gather anything, a backlash of psionic energy slammed into the young man's mind and toward her. Hastily she withdrew. ~Cyrus look out!~

Talus's eyes widened and with a triumphant smile he convulsed just once and died.

Cyrus closed his eyes slamming down his mental barriers, however he was forced to his knees by the shock of the power that surged through his bond with Kaie. ~Kaie, are you all right? What the hell was that?~

~That was our enemies keeping us from gathering the information we need!~ A roar of rage reverberated through the cavern momentarily stopping the party.

~I see. So, our enemies are truly afraid of us, enough that they would kill one of their own. This is a good omen, we have shaken them harder than first thought.~ He walked to the door, motioning to the guards as he passed them. "See that his head is sent back to his Masters. Get rid of the rest." He strode along the corridors, thinking to himself, ~Have the soldiers who dealt with his dragon brought to me. I want to know what they were able to find out before it became dinner.~

Ten minutes later six riders stood before him, nervously shuffling about. Awe and fear were in their gazes as they watched their king. He paced back and forth in front of them for a few minutes, the walls of his room passing back and forth as he did so. Finally he stopped and looked at them. "I am proud of you riders. You have done well. However, the prisoner I was interrogating was assassinated by his own masters before I was able to extract the information I require from him. I trust your interrogation went better?"

They exchanged looks and then the shortest one stepped forward. "I am Danyen, sire. And we did manage to find out a few things. The dragon was fairly young."

"Then tell me Riders, what did you find out from his beast? I have lost much patience from my own lack of success. I do not like my fun being prematurely spoiled." He slid down into his throne as he glanced at his men.

"The dragons of the light have a hatchery with eggs near to opening. A total of fifty new dragons will be entering the world including the next Keeper of Knowledge."

Raising an eyebrow, his interest peaked Cyrus peered closer at the rider before him. He could tell something wasn't right. "And what is the catch? You would have come to me immediately if it were as simple as go in and take them."

Danyen fidgeted. "Sire, the hatchery is in the center of the home mountain for the Dragons of Light, in the Dragon Realm. We cannot get to the Realm unless the Keeper of Knowledge or one of the royal dragons opens a portal."

Cyrus's stare was icy cold, hinting at danger, his breathing slow and steady. "I trust you were able to find the location of one of these dragons, yes? Or do I have to do it myself?"

Danyen gave Cyrus a panicked look. "Sire, most of us have not been riders long enough to have met those of the royal house. I think, but would not dare stake my life on it that the only ones who would know for sure would be Katherine and Julien."

His eyes narrowed once more, a fiery glare being directed at the riders for a minute or so longer than necessary. Without warning he dropped it and sighed, rubbing his temples for a moment. "I suppose it cannot be helped, thank you for your information gentlemen, you may go now, but before you return to the celebrations see to it that Katherine is brought to me. It seems I shall need to speak with her also."




Onyx Dreams Ch. 26



The tension melted from the men who bowed and hurried left the room. Katherine arrived followed by Danyen. He bowed and left her there. She waited patiently for Cyrus to acknowledge her.

His eyes centered on her as she entered, her uniform was torn in most places, the men having no patience in their need to ravish her. "It seems I shall have to hire you a personal tailor if you refuse to undress every time I give you to the men."

"My apologies, sire. I'll do my best to undress faster. You have need of me?" Her tone was devoid of emotion, no hint of what she thought or felt showed on her face.

"Indeed I do, unfortunate as it is for me to pull you away from your duties. I am I need of information. The men tell me you are likely to know of the location of a royal dragon. I am in need of one currently."

Katherine pondered his request. "There are no royals on this side of the portal at the moment. Currently any of onyx blood is considered royal."

His eyes narrowed for a moment, considering his next words as he watched her. "Any of Onyx blood? Any at all?"

"Well any except Kaie because she was banished from the dragon realms and once banished a spell is put on you to prevent your return. The only way it can be revoked is by the King of Dragons."

Exasperated, he leaned back on his throne, deep in thought. "And there is no other way to get in to the dragon realm?"

"The Keeper of Knowledge can do it but the current keeper and the dragon king are extremely close and the keeper is old. He will be passing on his knowledge to the new keeper soon."

He stood, his mood darkening as he began pacing. "So you are telling me that there is no other possible way to enter the dragon realm other than with a royal dragon or a keeper of knowledge? What about the druids? They can bring Dragons here so surely they can send them back also?"

"They don't actually bring them. Rather they send out a request and if the dragons are so inclined, they answer it."

He paused for a moment mid-step, a malicious grin spreading across his face. "Is that so? Then all we have to do is give them a reason to come. We shall do the one thing they know we will be targeting. We will go after Erykia. We will 'persuade' her to send a message to the realm stating that I have left the dark riders and wish to rejoin with Brenna. The gullible young one will never suspect it is a trap." His tone of voice when he mentioned persuading Erykia was dangerous, hinting that he would do more than simply talk to her, much more.

"But sire, we do not know if she survived the burning of the monastery." Katherine knew the truth but she wasn't about to tell him that.

"She is a high priestess Katherine you naive little pawn. A little dragon fire isn't going to put a witch like her down. No, she's out there all right. We just need a way to lure her out in to the open."

"I'm sorry for my stupidity sire. I had forgotten about her powers. Of course she would have survived."

His voice grew dark as an idea came in to his mind, a laugh growing in volume and strength, as it now seemed so obvious to him. Why hadn't he thought of it before? Taking a breath he looked directly at Katherine. "You have an opportunity to redeem yourself Katherine. Are you willing to take it?"

"My king?"

"I want you to take 5 of the best riders we have, fly out to each of the fly villages and take them hostage. She will be forced to come to the rescue, when she arrives, surround her and her little pet Rhys if he is there. Bring them to me...and we shall see just how gullible the Dragons of Light really are."

"It will be as you have ordered my lord." Spinning on her heel she left him to his thoughts.

He sat back down on his throne, staring at the wall as he calculated every move. ~Yes, a perfect plan, don't you think so Kaie? We'll finally get our revenge on that old witch Erykia.~

~Yes, it is her fault that I am no longer allowed in the dragon realm.~

~Then we will take our time in our little 'persuasion'...Come, we will watch Katherine's performance from afar where she cannot sense us and see how she fares.~ He stood and walked out the door towards where Kaie was lingering.

~Yes, she will have to prove her loyalty to our cause or else she will die too.~

Nodding, he appeared beside her a moment later. Carefully he climbed up onto her back, nudging her with his knees. ~Let us take to the night skies my pet.~ They were airborne before his thought was finished as they winged their way into night, following Katherine and the other riders.

*  *  *  *

Erykia waited patiently until the vibrations from the wings of dragon flight subsided before lashing out with a strong energy blast that sent debris flying. "Come," she ordered as she quickly picked her way down the dirt path of the tunnel that led them underground to the safe haven on the other side of the village the Davenport monastery bordered.

Anthony had picked up Rhys, slinging him on his shoulder, muttering about foolish youth as he guided Elizabeth along the corridor behind Erykia. "I thought he had bonded with Lady Brenna and not that foul beast we just saw? And his strength, I have never seen one as focused on revenge as he was this night."

"Such hatred. He even despised Kennice." Shock colored Elizabeth's tone. Hastily she wiped away the blood dripping from the cut on her forehead.

"Why are you surprised at his focus Anthony? Had he not shown such focus when pursuing your daughter? The future is still cloudy around him though. He can still go either way though right now his heart and mind are shrouded in darkness." Erykia didn't bother turning around to check their progress. She had to get topside and plan some more.

"Indeed he had but we had no idea it could be polluted by such venomous fury as we saw today. It was as if he could see everything and how it all fit together, like someone had shown him the future. Such confidence was not sensed in him before this, there was the arrogance of youth yes, but this felt more like the cold calculating mind of an OverLord."

She stopped and looked at Anthony. "Do not say that title again. There has not been one in three centuries and we are not going to start now."

"My apologies High Priestess but we cannot deny that his actions tonight were anything but perfectly executed. Only one of 'them' would have the capabilities to pull off such an event."

"I know but we do not want to borrow trouble before it comes our way." She pressed in three bricks on the wall before them and with a squeal it began to move. Confidently she led them the last few feet into the late evening light. "We must find somewhere safe. Cyrus will not wait as he attempts to find us. He will know that we have survived the dragon fire."

Anthony nodded in agreement, looking back at the monastery. "But where can we go? He knows of all the places we take members of the monastery in emergencies. Those he would surely check first." He held his arms out to Elizabeth, helping her up the few steps at the end of the tunnel.

"I have a few places we can go that the young whelp will not know about. And it will give us time to gather the forces that must oppose him."

Anthony sighed softly, thankfully the students had all been sent to another monastery far off for the wedding to proceed without having to worry about them, but now with Cyrus on the loose, there was little else he could think of. "Very well High Priestess, I just hope nothing happens to endanger those plans before they can come to fruition."

"You of all people know that I will not let that riffraff destroy everything you and I have worked together to achieve. Rhys has not taken his final vows and until he is able you still have the duty of being the high priest. We must and will protect our lives and way of life."

"I understand that Erykia, we will need to train Rhys further if he is to be of better use in coming battles. The way Cyrus was able to over power him in such a way was heart-stopping to say the least."

"Yes, there is that." Erykia's eyes narrowed. "The beast he rides has had some training but not enough to kill Rhys. If she and Cyrus were truly in tune, Rhys would be dead." She shook her finger at Rhys. "And feigning unconsciousness is beneath you boy. Stand on you own two feet. Anthony should not have to carry you around. He is not your servant."

Anthony looked at the Rhys and realized she was right, unceremoniously dropping him to the ground. "Stand up boy, you have a lot of explaining to do concerning your actions at the ceremony. I believe they had a strong influence on what happened. Tradition is never to be mocked, especially one as powerful as the joining of high priest and priestess."

Rhys dusted himself off and glared at Anthony. "I was not mocking anything. I was doing what was right. If your daughter hadn't whored herself out to him on the night of the fertility rite, none of this would even be happening."

Anthony knocked him off his feet with a hard backhand, his annoyance with the boy showing as he stood above him, his fury hidden below the surface. "Do you know NOTHING you inferior little whelp? That ceremony was to choose who would be best suited to help heal the land. She chose well as the land is thriving. It is about her enjoyment NOT yours you idiotic child!" His heavy boot suddenly pressed Rhys back when he attempted to sit up, "As for not mocking anything, your conduct before and during the ceremony was a contemptuous disregard of a sacred act. It is your fault that disaster has befallen upon us, because of that our daughter is lost to us for the time being. For that I will hold you personally responsible until she is returned to us."

Elizabeth's cold gaze bore into Rhys. "She is not a whore. She did wait for the one person she felt worthy of gifting her virginity to and I'm glad it was not you. Be careful what you say Rhys. The people will not follow a high priest who blames everyone for problems that are caused by him."

Anthony reached down and jerked him to his feet by his hair and glared. "Remember child that it is not too late to remove you from the position of high priest. High priests and priestess do not need to be wed to each to do their duties properly and if a single hair on my daughter's head is harmed because of this, you will find out just what happens to those who are forced to step down because of incompetence." He roughly shoved him towards Erykia forcing him to walk. "Now, let us seek this shelter before our enemies find us."

"Gather around me." Erykia ignored Rhys. Let the idiot feel the wrath of Kennice's parents. He needed this lesson. Elizabeth and Anthony were powerhouses in their own right and many of the local villages followed wherever the pair chose to lead. Once they had moved into position, she pulled out her ruby. Focusing on the energy in the ground beneath her feet, she used the power to transport them far to the east just outside the village of Solarid. "We will be safe here for the time being. And I am calling the Council of Druids so that we may begin making our plans."

Anthony closed his eyes as the world shifted, letting them slide open once again as he felt it stop. He looked around, recognizing the village almost instantly. Nodding he gently took Elizabeth's arm and began walking towards the Elders' hut to inform them of the situation. "Very well, we will consult with the Elders to insure we remain hidden should any come looking."

"Rhys you will follow me. You need to see the purifier and mediate on your actions." She set off in the opposite direction toward an imposing building. She didn't check to see if he was following. He knew the outcome if he did not.

Rhys glared down at the ground, obediently following Erykia, his mind fuming with the actions of the past hour. How dare they blame this on him, he had done nothing wrong. It was that whore Kennice who had ruined everything. She must've known he was coming, that's why she was able to escape. Was what that mongrel Cyrus had said true? Was she manipulating them all for her own sick desires?



Onyx Dreams Ch. 27



~Kennice, we're here.~

She didn't want to wake up. But the warm voice in her head wouldn't let her rest. Eyes slowly opened, still cloudy with sleep as she tried to obey the request. A moment of panic that was quickly replaced by recognition. A wave of grief ran through her and she choked on a sob.

~Sh, sh. It will be all right. We are landing now. The other riders will help you get settled in. I must meet with Nightseer and my other council members so that we can figure out what to do about today's unfortunate events.~

Dazed she nodded her head. Whatever he said. Right now the pain at the loss of her parents and life as she knew it was beginning to overwhelm her.

Hayden easily landed and swung his wing out of the way so that she could dismount.

From the doorways around her came a few other, older looking riders. "Come fellow rider, let us show you where you will be staying while you are here."

They gently helped her down from Hayden's back, making sure she didn't fall and quietly led her through the archway in to an impressive looking hallway, the corridors seeming like a maze as they arrived at an ornate looking residential suite. "These are the quarters for the King's rider, I hope they please you ma'am."

The riders bowed low for a moment before standing once more. "If you need anything at all, your highness, then we will be at your command."

"But, wait. I do not understand." She looked at the riders. Nothing was making sense. Heat and then cold rushed over her body and she swooned.

Immediately they rushed forth to catch her, quickly carrying her to the bed as they checked her, making sure she was all right. The most experienced of them slipped into a meditative trance, communicating with the dragons while quietly chanting the words of the healing ritual.

The soothing sounds of their chant relaxed her immediately and she felt herself drifting off to sleep again where she was safe and loved.

~Thank you all for your assistance~ Hayden broadcasted to all dragons and riders. ~Now that my rider sleeps, we must make plans.~

They nodded softly, finishing out the ritual and ensuring that she would not be disturbed before silently leaving. The door slid closed with a soft click, the only sound being the clunk of their boots on the wooden boards of the hallway.

*   *   * The riders and their dragon counterparts made their way to the huge open cavern where important meetings were conducted. Hayden looked at the remaining loyal ones and was happy to see that most had made it. They had lost five to the Dark Riders, three trainees and two older pairs and his heart grieved for his friends. But he would have to put that aside. Kaie and her troops had made clear where they stood and now was a time for action not regrets.

Zathera settled on her perch among the other Council members, looking around at the dragons that had been assembled. long had it been since an issue so important had arisen that called for all dragons to be present. "It is a joyous thing to see so many dragons gathered together once more...but a sadness for the gathering to be because of this."

"Cannot believe old iron pants actually cares," muttered Jayred to his emerald neighbor Tiyred who immediately shushed him.

Hayden felt Nightseer's presence and turned to the right as the recovering foreseer made his way carefully onto the meeting grounds. Waiting until all had settled he raised his wings, a sign for silence. "My people, it is with a heavy heart that I call this gathering. Kaie has been amassing followers for the last twenty years and now with her theft of Brenna's rider, she has made her move. Our battle last night came at a cost and for the moment we are unsure if that cost will be greater."

Zathera turned her head, close to Jayred and whispered as she watched Hayden, still listening with her almost full attention. "What do you mean, 'actually cares'?"

"Oh, lookey, even her hearing seems to be improving in her old age." Jayred attempted to look innocent while whispering, not wanting Hayden to fuss at him.

She turned her head to face the younger dragon and glared at him, rage in her eyes. "Just because you are part of the council does not mean I will not slay you where you stand for your insolence Jayred. Mind your tongue while the King speaks."

Hayden sighed. Those two. Always bickering. Both meant well but Jayred's youthful impertinence combined with Zathera's age and irritableness caused problems. "Silence! We must plan our next course of action. Jayred, Zathera, what was the response from our allies?"

Zathera fell quiet and cleared her throat, bowing her head to her king. "My apologies my king. The unicorns are reluctant to give aide my liege, they no longer associate with the human world and will only take action if the Dark One were to breach our realm."

This did not surprise him. Over the last few centuries the remaining unicorn nations had been withdrawing from around them. "If they wait that long it will be too late. Jayred? What of the griffins?"

Jayred straightened his neck as he was addressed, clearing his throat to be heard. "They share a similar stance as the unicorns. however they have pledged allegiance if the attacks erupt in to all out war. To them this appears to be an isolated incident. they wish to hear more evidence to support bringing their people in to a war that so far does not concern them."

"This is better news. Thank you both. " He turned to Nightseer. "You have news for us Elder?"

"Indeed I do my lord, the new seer is coming along well. She is very capable and has made her first prediction of many to come. Her emerald origins have made her powerful indeed, it is likely she will become more powerful than myself when she comes of age." A rumble of surprise and several whispers followed his words. "I believe that her prediction is of great importance to this meeting."

"Please proceed." Hayden settled back on his haunches and gave his full attention to Nightseer.

Nightseer closed his eyes for a moment as he called up the memory from earlier, his wings spreading out a little as he concentrated. "The Dark One...he has learned something dangerous, very dangerous. He has learned of a way to enter our realm, to come straight in to wherever he wishes. He has targeted the high priestess, hoping to draw us out to facilitate his plans."

Hisses and snarls greeted the news of the vision.

"My rider? Or is the high priestess in the vision Erykia?"

"It is the old one. He has sent dragons to every village with the intent to destroy them if necessary to bring her out."

"She is our ally as well. So it is a trap then? Is there no way to circumvent him?"

"If she does not come then he will destroy the five villages used in the fertility rituals. If they are lost then the land will become barren and dead. We cannot avoid this, he is watching personally."

Hayden growled something nasty in unicorn before shaking his head. "Very well. We will have to work on minimizing our causalities. I'll take volunteers for this mission. We have to get to high priestess Erykia. And we have to get any remaining dragon-rider pairs to safety here."

"My Lord, I sense there is something more to this than meets the eyes. We have the new high priestess here and we know the current one has a treacherous streak in her. Perhaps we should see how this plays out?"

"I will put it to a vote. All in favor of waiting say aye."

There were many calls of aye around the halls, most of the elder dragons agreeing to this plan. They had endured Erykia before and she was not pleasant to deal with. they were curious to see what would happen to the old priestess.

"Those opposed?" Hayden was keeping count. Some he knew would be neutral but most would have a stance one way or the other.

There were fewer calls, mostly younger ones, however some of them were reluctant to go against their mentors and stayed silent.

"The ayes have it. We shall wait. For now each much prepare. Riders, it is your duty to begin making the armor you and your partners must use in battle. For the young ones you will begin training in battle tactics with the elders. I refuse to lose more if it can be avoided. We must find another way to end this without huge losses of life."

As the crowd began to disperse, Nightseer raised a claw at Hayden, signaling for him to follow the seer back to the caverns of prophecy where he normally resided.

Hayden followed after his oldest friend and advisor. He had a feeling there was more to come.

As Nightseer entered the Caverns, the air seemed heavier, the weight of concentrated magic bearing down on those who entered. "There is something you should know my lord, it concerns your mate Brenna..."

"She is not my mate yet until her father has given permission. But as her king....Where is she? I noticed she was not among the gathered. I did not wish to cause a commotion."

Nightseer opened his mouth to reply but was interrupted by a much smaller female dragon. The female's emerald scales glinted in the light as she flew with surprising speed around her mentor and her king, speaking extremely fast. "My king, she is currently in her lair resting, her thoughts are clouded by her worry over her former rider. I am afraid she will be much worse in the close future due to what is about to transpire."

"Will I lose her?" The very thought made him sick. He had waited for Brenna almost as long as he had been waiting for his rider. To lose either of them would break his heart and soul.

The small emerald dragon flitted back and forth again, looking in books and scrolls. "That is unknown, but not for at least 700 years. She is about to betray us in a way; your orders to not go to the village she will disobey. Her rider is going to call for her. It will be a trap. But it must be allowed otherwise the whole of time itself could shatter and we would be in a very bad place then." She flitted across the cavern again, halting in front of Hayden's snout, her little wings flapping madly. "I have seen it myself my lord. It is a key point in his destiny of becoming an OverLord."

Hayden hissed his shock. "An OverLord? No, that cannot be. There should not even be a chance of that! And I've never tried to stop Brenna at least not by force, reason yes, force no."

"It is true my king. Destiny has chosen him to lead the darkness against the light in the greatest war of all time. Many dark and dangerous things are on the horizon. Many legends and prophecies will come to pass during his time in the human world. For these to pass...Brenna must sacrifice her happiness for now. She will be deeply depressed for many months and her link will come close to breaking, but you must support her, for if her link breaks then all is lost. She is the only hope for the dark one." The horns of the small emerald dragon glowed brightly as she spoke the last, another prophecy predicted from her. 

Nightseer felt a smile grace his aged features; it was always exciting watching a new prophet receive visions.

Hayden bowed to the two seers. "You are wise beyond your years young one. I will heed your words, just as I have always heeded Nightseer."

The young dragon flitted about excitedly once more and batted her eyebrows at Hayden and smiled. "Really? Then I think I feel another one coming. I foresee you giving me an extra large bowl of Speed Root...Nightseer seems to have run out." 

Nightseer simply rolled his eyes at his young apprentice, she had the unfortunate habit of many of her predecessors. their abilities brought them visions with so much detail that a normal mind would be slow to comprehend, so they turned to Speed Root. it quickened the mind and body and even extended life span. The only problem was the hyper speaking that accompanied its use, making it difficult for others to understand their speech.

"I think, little one that you have had enough for the moment. I will take my leave of you both. I have much to ponder."

Nightseer nodded and bowed, his protégé following suit and almost fell out of the air as she bowed and forgot to keep flapping her wings, "Whoops!"

"Good luck, Nightseer," he chuckled before making his way back out of the cave.

Nightseer turned to his apprentice and raised an eyebrow. "Something troubles you Kayleen. I can sense it." 

She sighed and nodded, wringing her claws as she hovered in front of her mentor, "Indeed Nightseer it does, why could we not tell him of his rider's destiny? Of the challenges and dangers she must face? Of the coming of the true dark one?" 

He lifted a claw so she could perch upon it and rest her wings, "It is the most important lesson all seers must learn. You cannot let one person know his or her own destiny. To do so would destroy them with paranoia about how to avoid such a fate. We must trust in their judgment and believe their heart will guide them true." 

She nodded slowly and folded her wings behind her back, "I understand wise one, I am just worried that she will not succeed in what lies before her...her heart is clouded and such events are not meant for one with such a veil over their hearts."

"We can only hope my dear apprentice that his rider can find her way clear of the veil over her heart for once that veil is lifted she will be powerful."

*  * *

The village elders looked at Erykia and Rhys. They had already spoken with Anthony and Elizabeth who had been taken to a home to bathe and rest. Solemnly they looked at the High Priestess and then at Rhys. "Is it true that he brought this calamity on us?" 

"It appears that is the truth of the matter Elders. his offense has triggered the vengeance of the spirits of the earth. He has been punished appropriately. We are working towards a solution to once again brining balance to the spirits."

The twelve members of the council began talking quietly amongst themselves. Finally they grew silent. "What must we do to help bring balance?"

"The spirits must be appeased once again. The most effective way to do this would be to find the one who attacked the monastery and violated the sacred grounds and sacrifice him to them." Her face was stony cold, nothing but utter seriousness was radiating from him.

"You can't be serious! I didn't do anything wrong! Yes, I may have looked at Kennice but what man doesn't look at his intended?" Rhys was getting angry. How dare Erykia turn on him!

The retaliation from Erykia was immediate and vicious. She struck him across the face hard enough to knock him back a step. "Don't be a complete fool Rhys, you incompetent idiot! Did you attack the monastery? No, Cyrus did. Use your head for once."

He flushed, realizing that he hadn't listened to her statement. Face still stinging, he grated out a "sorry high priestess," before looking at the floor and dreaming up ways that he could use to speed up Erykia's demise.

Erykia repeated her statement to the Elders. "Once again, before my subordinate so rudely interrupted, we must find this Cyrus and give his life to the spirits of the earth, they will not be placated any other way."

A wizened woman raised her hand. "I have heard that he is very powerful. How do you propose that we give him to the spirits if he is as strong as the rumors suggest?"

"I am more powerful Elder. I shall lure him out by capturing one of his members. I have a spy within their ranks. I will use that spy to entrap him."

"We shall do as you instruct, high priestess." The leader spoke again, this time though his tone was soft. "Has your replacement survived this lunacy?"

"It appears she has survived indeed. she is currently missing, however I am sure she is safe, I would know if she was not."

"Then we are agreed. The desecrator shall be lured here and then sacrificed."

"Thank you Elders, I will see to the arrangements immediately, hopefully nothing will cause a disruption before then."

Erykia bowed to the Elders and turning on her heel, headed back out the way she had come. She didn't wait for Rhys. She was confident that he had been properly chastised and would follow.

Rhys shadowed her in almost silence, muttering under his breath as he fell in step behind her. "If I find him first there won't be enough of him left to give to the spirits."

~No one respects you, do they High Priest?~ a sensual female voice echoed through Rhys's mind.

He paused mid-step, his eyes widening as he listened to this new voice. was it another trick by Erykia? ~Who speaks to me?~

~Someone who actually appreciates your thoughts and plans. Someone who also believes that the High Priestess has outlived her usefulness.~

~And who might that someone be? I prefer to know whom I'm dealing with before I say anything about what I believe...~

~I am Nylene and I am a dragon.~

His breath caught in his throat, his eyes widening more in shock. Could it be? Finally, a dragon had contacted him. he was to be a rider! ~Greetings Nylene, I am Rhys. It's an honor to meet you."

~I have been waiting for a time for a male who likes to win as much as I do. I cannot talk for much longer but I would like to meet you.~

~Just tell me when and where. I will be there waiting for you.~

~I will come to you tonight at the far end of the village closest to the river. Come alone. I fear that the others would try to stop you and I from being together if they come with you.~

~Agreed, I shall be there my Lady. I look forward to it.~

A soft chuckle and then silence followed. An irritated cough intruded on his thoughts.

Rhys blinked and looked up at the source of the cough, seeing Erykia's annoyed face before him. "Yes, High Priestess?"

"Hurry up boy. We have to get the things ready for the ceremony. Cyrus is on his way here. The very ground breathes the news of his approach. We must be ready. I also need you for the ceremony to contact the king of the dragons. We need him to return Kennice to us."

He smiled his usual unreadable smile, although his eyes twinkled with something more. "Of course High Priestess. I shall make it my top priority..."

"You have two hours to meditate and prepare. We must begin as the sun is setting."

He bowed low before speaking, "Of course High Priestess, I will begin immediately." Quietly he turned away and headed away from Erykia, feigning a search for a place to meditate.

Anthony stepped up to Erykia. "He's going to be a problem. He should have never been trained to become High Priest."

Erykia nodded. She too was regretting the decision but at the time he was the only one. "No matter, we will make do and hope it will be enough."

Anthony sighed, bowed and went in search of his own area to meditate and prepare for the ceremonies.

*  *  *

Katherine and Julian glided through the air. They had been searching over an hour and still nothing. She was beginning to worry. If they didn't find Cyrus a royal dragon he would be impossible to deal with.

~Let us switch directions~ Julian suggested as he started moving in a southeasterly direction.

~Switching directions isn't going to help. Cyrus wants us to find the High Priestess and that is what we must do.~ She paused. ~Is anyone following us?~

Casting out with his mind for a moment, he confirmed no eavesdroppers were close. ~There is no one near us at the moment. I do not know how long that will be so however.~

~Take us to the ground then. Quickly.~ Katherine had little time and the game she was playing was a dangerous one indeed.

He immediately began his descent, heading for a semi-covered clearing, the long tree branches hiding his scales in the darkening light. Silently he lowered his wings to allow her to slide off him.

Katherine nimbly dismounted and headed for the cleanest part of the ground where no vegetation grew. She dropped to her knees. She had one more talent that Cyrus knew nothing about. It was handy for communicating to. She placed both palms on the dirt and closed her eyes. She felt the currents move and she merged her consciousness with it. She felt the expansion and then contact. ~~Mistress, are you there? I am fully entrenched in Cyrus's group but things are not going exactly as planned. Where do you wish for him to be led now that the first place has been destroyed?~~




Onyx Dreams Ch. 27



The slender feminine voice was swift in its reply. ~Ah, daughter. finally we have him in our grasp. Bring him to the elder village. We will trap him there...it will be his final resting place.~

~~As you will so shall it be. He has killed a rogue dragon rider who was captured during the battle. The others were impressed with his actions and are becoming more and more willing to follow him and less inclined to return to the old ways. I must go now. He is hounding me. I think he questions my resemblance to Kennice, a fact for which he dreams up punishments to inflict on me.~~

~~He is a cold one my daughter. Be cautious young one, he is far more dangerous than he appears, to have wrought such destruction in such a short volume of time resembles a creature I thought banished centuries ago...~~

A shiver ran down Katherine's spine as she terminated the connection. Thoughtfully she climbed back up on Julian. ~Take us back to the sky. I have the coordinates for where we must persuade our esteemed leader to go.~

~Very well, do you think he suspects anything Katherine? I fear he may do worse if he already knows...~

His great wings beat the air as he began to rise into the skies once more, getting a good height before gliding to the location his rider provided.

In the far distance, a through Kaie's eyes, Cyrus watched...

*  *   *

It was the silence that roused her. For one confused moment she thought she was back home but then memories rushed in and she remembered what had transpired. With a sob she got out of the bed and looked frantically around. Her stomach was rebelling and she was about to lose the battle to keep the contents from coming back up.

As her feelings of nausea radiated out across the psychic links in the dragon realm her door slide open and a handsome looking young rider stepped in with concern on his face. Quietly he approached her, gently placing his hand upon her stomach before she could react and closing his eyes.

The room filled with a dull white light, dazzling her for a moment before fading as if it had never been there

Kennice looked at the man in surprise. "Thank you. I'm grateful for your help." The queasiness was gone and that was a blessing. "Please, I, I need to speak to Hayden."

A smile crossed his face a moment, a long scar visible from his left temple to the right side of his jaw visible. It looked fresh, like he had recently been in battle. Nodding slowly he closed eyes and quietly called his dragon, asking her to contact Hayden if the meeting was over.

Hayden was out on the sun rock, taking in the last rays of the evening sun when Gerilyn's soft female touch brushed his mind. He listened to her question and asked her to tell her rider that he would be back at the dragon home immediately. He could feel Kennice's confused emotions and decided that for the moment it was best that he give her time to fully wake up and understand what was going on.

The rider opened his eyes and looked at Kennice smiling. He motioned his hands in what looked like sign language, communicating the message he had been relayed.

"What did he say?" She stared at the rider, at first not noticing the hand signs. After a moment of waiting and hearing no words she looked down and saw him signing. She blushed, embarrassed that she hadn't caught on sooner. Smiling she signed back to him. "I'm sorry I did not see you hand talking. What was the message?"

He paused a moment then bowed politely and began to sign once more, slower this time so she could understand him easily. He paused after each sentence to make sure that she understood.

"Then you'd better lead the way to him." She walked to his side. "Is there any way I could get something to eat, please?"

He nodded once more and held his arm out for her to take, silently guiding her through the hallways towards the grand hall.

As they entered they could see that that grand hall was more than cavernous. There were massive kitchens at the far end accompanied by huge entrance doors for the dragons that ate there.

"It's so, so large. How many riders and dragons are there?" Even craning her neck to see everything was futile. There was no way to take it all in.

He motioned to indicate that there were potentially hundreds of dragons that could be held in the grand hall all at once, but normally there were around 50 to 100 dragons at a time.

She pondered this information as he led her to table that was occupied by at least ten riders. They were all males. No women were around. She made a note to herself to ask Hayden why there were no female riders or at least any that she could see.

Immediately a servant came across and began signing in quick succession to Kennice's escort, communicating the specials and drinks that they would require.

She was content to let him do the ordering. Different cultures had a variety of styles of food and one of the first lessons she had been taught was that as future high priestess she had to honor them all, even if she didn't personally see any relevance in them.

In a few minutes a variety of dishes were brought across, the word strange would be a grave understatement of the way they looked. Some looked like they had mold growing on them, others looked questionable as to their source.

Taking a fortifying breath she began to eat. The mold-like dish was surprisingly good. It tasted like a vegetable stew her mother cooked on cold wintry days. A small pain blossomed in her heart at the thought of her parents' death at Cyrus's hands. How could he be so cruel? True, life had not been easy for any of them but did that justify such hatred? She could not fathom it. Nor could she understand why he would turn on her. If nothing else she thought they were friends. His betrayal hurt and dwelling on it only made her throat constrict and her heart to race.

Her escort looked at her for a moment, his eyes seeming to gleam in the dim light of the grand hall. His gaze was inescapable. Around her, the world began to shimmer and change, darkening further, a heavy weight settling on her shoulders. She gasped, closing her eyes against the onslaught of dizziness. 

*   *  * Abruptly it was gone and she dared to look. The glance turned into a confused stare. She recognized this place. It was an area known only to the druidic council. She should not be here yet. She was not fully inducted and this was sacred ground.

The place was different, looking more sinister than it should. The shadows on the walls seemed to dance, shifting and writhing as if they were alive and watching her. From the darkness stepped a figure cloaked in shadow. When the hood fell back it revealed an older, graying and a little wrinkled Cyrus, his expression dark and menacing. His jet-black armor glinted in the dim light, highlighting his form.

"No, this cannot be! What has happened to you? Oh my love!" Her heart ached. Even though he had betrayed her, she still loved him. Her gaze was on his face as she tried to figure out what to do, what else to say to call him back from the darkness.

His voice sounded out in the dim light, echoing around the room as torches ignited, illuminating the inscriptions on the wall. they were incredibly damaged some marks evident of a recent battle. In the light his armor was stained with blood and he had injuries. "So it has come to this my son. the final battle to settle everything between us. Are you prepared to pay the price for your actions against the one true OverLord of this realm?"

"I will not pay any price. Please, father, let your hatred go!"

"There is nothing to let go my son, you have defied me for the last time. It ends now."

The air hummed with the deep drown of his now legendary bass blade, the one weapon not based of magic that could harm a dragon. "Prepare yourself, I will show you no quarter this night."

"Trey, don't fight father. You must think of mother!"

"I can't. He must be stopped!" He held out his hand and a glowing sword of light appeared. "Die!" He charged his father heedless of his sister's pleas.

Kennice let out a wail and reached for him but then her world went dark.

*  *  *

A soft shaking hand roused her from the darkness that had encompassed her mind, the face of her escort filling her vision, displaying concern for her condition.

"what, what happened?"

Slowly, with careful precision, he signed out a sentence, informing her that she had fainted a few moments ago and that perhaps the food did not agree with her.

"I think you're right. I, I should go lay down."

~My rider, are you all right?~ Hayden's voice slid into her mind and immediately she felt safe, protected.

~I'm not sure. I don't think the food agreed with me.~

~I'll have your escort bring you to me. I will ease your pain.~

Kennice looked at the deaf man and with his aid came to her feet. Quietly she followed him out of the dining hall, her thoughts on the horrible things she had seen. 



Onyx Dreams Ch. 28



In the darkness of the night, the quiet swoop of thick leathery wings was all that penetrated the air. The dragons were lining up behind Katherine in formation, she seemed to have a purpose now, heading toward the main village. With a nod Cyrus nudged Kaie with his knees to speed up to them. With a calm, yet dangerous tone he mentally sent a message to the other riders, instructing them to take the villages hostage anyway. He knew Erykia would have some sort of trick up her sleeve. Hostages always made things go smoother, if she tried anything he would incinerate her beloved people and turn this land to a barren wasteland.

As the riders split formation, Kaie appeared beside Julian, her rider's head turning to look at Katherine. "Well, well, it looks like you can do something correctly after all Katherine."

"I am glad I am able to please you in this small matter, my lord," Katherine replied calmly. She was keeping her mind completely empty so as not to give anyone access to her innermost thoughts. This was crucial. She couldn't warn Erykia and so things were just going to have to play out.

"Good, after this we will have a little chat about why you landed in an empty clearing. I somewhat doubt it was to go to the bathroom." Kaie swung to the right as he finished, gliding away from Julian and circling around the village below. Cyrus's eyes glared daggers at the form of his target below: the High Priestess Erykia.

~He knows~ Julian hissed so quietly that their mental link barely registered the comment. Katherine said nothing to reassure her dragon. She had to stay in her role or risk dying. Something she was not in the mood to do.

Below in the village, Erykia felt rather than saw the approaching dragons. Let them come, she thought. She was ready.

A smirk crossed Cyrus's face. He sent a suggestion to Kaie, just audible to be heard by Katherine. ~Let's strike some fear in this old witch. torch the ring of houses around her. a little destruction tends to go a long way.~

Kaie nodded and with a deep breath, let out a long belch of flame, encircling Erykia in its scorching power. After a moment Kaie's great black body landed with a dull thud that shook the ground. With a gleeful cackle, some of the nearest riders began flaming houses, the roar of the attacking dragons mingling with the screams of the fleeing villagers.

Erykia frowned and then looked behind her. "Rhys! Get your butt over here now! We have dragons to discipline," she demanded coolly.

A low chuckle interrupted her as Cyrus and Kaie came toward her. He spoke in a loud menacing, yet playful tone. "Ah Erykia. If your lapdog takes one step all five villages will be turned to ash in seconds. Not even you can save all five. Especially with me in the way." He slowly wandered over to her, as if he did not even see her as a threat. "We have a little business to attend to...witch."

"You always were an arrogant one. So full of yourself. Your arrogance will be your undoing." Erykia stood resolute, eyes on Cyrus.

"So you have said many times, yet here I stand, with you at my mercy. Here is the bargain, witch. You get to play messenger for me to that gullible little child Brenna. If you do, then I just may let you live. If not, then I'll insure that your precious villagers are roasted before your very eyes."

"Your dragon? You want me to play messenger for you, a nobody, who comes from a nobody father? I think not."

"Oh you think to test me? Very well." A truly evil smile crossed his face as he sent out a mental command to the northern village riders. The rider nodded and once again flames began spewing from his dragon, incinerating every building and person that crossed its path. "When you feel like enough have died, feel free to tell me." Cyrus kept his gaze on Erykia.

Erykia stiffened when she felt the ground scream out with the pain of the dying. She was bonded to the land and to the people. She could resist the call to protect only so long before her magic would be sucked out of her to do whatever was necessary. She needed to divert Cyrus but she wasn't about to give him another dragon. The fact that he was actively seeking Brenna was a bad sign. She had the information from Katherine but she had to keep him from using heartbroken Brenna to wreck havoc on the world.

"Still reluctant I see? Very well, more shall die." He smiled wider this time as he sent out a second mental command, this time the village to the south that erupted into flames as its captor unleashed its charring fury.

Erykia began to sweat. She could feel Anthony chanting and power pulsating through the ground as he tried to help her and the people. Rhys, coward that he was, was hiding. She would deal with him later. She knew Elizabeth was trying to locate Brenna and warn her away. Elizabeth was a very sensitive animal empath, able to connect emotionally with any creature, and she was searching for Brenna.

Cyrus rolled his eyes for a moment before shaking his head. "Tut, tut Erykia, I honestly thought you cared about your people. There are only three villages left, oh make that two..." A third mental command was sent out, the village to the east lighting up the night sky with its fiery power, the screams of the victims shrieking in the air. His riders were making them suffer for as long as possible before death took them. "I'm running out of hostages Erykia. Soon I'll have to barbecue you over a slow flame." 

~ERYKIA! Give him what he wants. We have to sacrifice Brenna to save the people. You know what will happen to us and the land if we don't! Do it now! I'll share in the blame.~ Anthony ordered.

Erykia scowled. "She's southwest of here. Hiding in the swamplands. She will not talk to you as long as you ride Kaie. Her pride won't accept it."

"And how am I to know this isn't another trap Erykia? You are known for your deceit. As insurance, I'll be taking your staff with me in case you get an funny ideas." He held his hand out for her staff, not willing to give the command to stand down until she did so. "Tick tock witch."

"Fine, take it." She nonchalantly tossed it to him.

"Thank you." He flicked his hand up a moment, signaling for his men to stop. The flames died down, leaving only charred remains where once homes had stood. "And as a show of faith..." In his hand appeared his bass blade, shimmering in the night air before he handed it to her. "Do take care of it. Bad things will happen if you don't." Nodding to Kaie he spoke along their bond. ~If she moves a muscle, torch everything, leave no one alive.~ With that said, he turned and sped off to the southwest.

Erykia stood there and mused over this turn of events. She could sense the power in the bass blade. She had given him a hollow shell of her true staff. She knew he would not know the difference. She felt the hum of Anthony's power as he readied himself.

With promptness, as soon as Cyrus was out of blast range, knowing it would barely be a scratch to Kaie's scales, he let the energies in his blade mix, causing an almost instantaneous cascade and subsequent explosion of energy. The blast itself left a two feet wide crater, the darkness being temporarily lifted as the explosion had happened. He smirked to himself as he reached the place where he had been told Brenna was waiting.

Inside the center of the blast area stood Erykia with her own energy shield surrounding her and everything behind her. She looked at Kaie and smiled before disappearing leaving behind a glowing shield to protect the village.

Kaie roared in annoyance as she realized Cyrus was playing this by ear instead of planning, how foolish could he have been? She quickly issued the command to the other dragons to level whatever they could of the remaining villages.

Suddenly the earth rumbled and volcanoes began erupting, the hot lava splattering on dragon hide and melting through the scales of the dragons who had torched the villages. ~High Priestess. The remaining villagers have been evacuated. They are safe and the decoys are in place. They can burn everything but lives will be saved.~ Anthony announced.

~Understood. I am on my way to the swamps to try to warn Brenna. I fear she will not listen.~

~I understand. Good luck.~ Anthony closed the link.

The dark dragons shrieked and flapped madly into the air, only Kaie, Katherine and one other managing to escape the molten death that erupted up at them from the ground. ~Curse that witch, Next time she will serve as my dinner!~ Kaie roared her rage as she swooped off, flanked by the other remaining dragons.

~~~~~~

As the swamps and trees flew past him, Cyrus began to slow, sensing Brenna somewhere nearby. Quietly he called out to her ~Brenna?~

~Cyrus?~ The tone was faint, disbelieving and hopeful all at once.

~Yes my love. It's me. I've come back to you, escaped the darkness to return to your side.~

~You left Kaie? You've come back to me?~ Brenna's voice was getting stronger.

~Yes darling I have. I was shrouded in deceit and darkness, but now I realize you were right all along...you were the one who was protecting me. Can you forgive a foolish young man?~

~Oh yes! Yes!~ The hum of wind, the swoop of wings and Brenna was there, hovering in the air above him.

A smile crossed his face as he extended his arms upwards. ~Oh my how you've grown Brenna! Look how shiny your scales have gotten. Come here so I can give you a hug, silly sky lizard!~

She landed then, gently bumping her head against his body, purring her happiness. Her rider was home!

Cyrus chuckled softly as he was moved by her strength. ~I'm glad we are together again Brenna...although I must confess something.~

~Yes, my rider?~ she blew a breath of hot air at him, ruffling his hair.

He sighed softly, lightly stroking her snout. ~I do not feel safe here anymore. I have been betrayed and misled by so many in this world. Perhaps...perhaps we could travel to the dragon realm where it is safer? Where we won't be separated?~

~My realm? You wish to come to my home? I don't know. Only the king can allow it. I mean I can get you to the border but he must grant access~ Brenna explained.

~Really Brenna? I was told any royal dragon could do it. surely you don't want to risk me being taken away again? I'm sure he won't mind you bringing me home with you.~ His voice had taken on an almost pouting tone, appealing to her kind nature.

Some instinct was battling with Brenna's better nature but she chose to ignore it. ~It is true I am part of the royal family. But that only allows me to see the portal where it's located, not to open it. If you wish I can take you to it.~

~That would be wonderful Brenna. But how will we open it? There must be some way we can do it without dragging your mate into it, he has so much on his mind already.~

~I could call the seer. He can open it for any dragon that needs access~ she replied happily.

Cyrus sighed softly and lightly stroked her snout once more. ~Do we have to Brenna? You know he will not approve of me coming there after what happened. Can't you do it? You are a royal dragon after all...aren't you?~

~I've never done it before by myself. I've always had help.~ She explained to Cyrus, her rider, not Kaie's. Hers.

He closed his eyes for a moment, resting his head on her. ~Please try Brenna, I know you have the power to do it all by yourself. You are more skilled than you think. Please try for me?~ He ran his hands across her scales once again, the same way he would when he was comforting her when she'd injured herself or when she forgot something important.

She hummed deeply in her chest, her wings fanning the air. ~For you I will try.~ When her rider praised her, she could do anything.

A long smile crossed his face. the plan was going perfectly. Soon they would have a portal to the dragon realm and then his ranks would swell with the newborn dragon kind, fresh and eager to be molded to whatever side got there first. ~Thank you Brenna, you are so good to me.~

~Anything for you, my rider.~ Her eyes glowed with her happiness. Cyrus loved her not Kaie. ~When do you want to try?~

~There's no time like the present darling, the sooner we can leave this place the better.~ He stepped back a bit to give her any room she might need for the ritual. ~Whenever you are ready.~

~You must climb on me. It can only be done in the air.~ Brenna instructed as she swung her leg out so he could climb up.

He nodded and carefully climbed up on to her thick, muscular back, pausing for a moment to make sure he sat as he used to sit upon Brenna. It was moments like now that you had to be extra careful or the entire plan would explode in your face. ~Then let's begin my love.~

With a joyful buck, Brenna launched herself skyward. catching an updraft she pumped her wings twice and glided for several miles before stopping to hover mid-air. ~Here, I can sense the energy. Home!~ she circled once and came back to her original spot.

~That's great my love, how long before we can head home?~ He lightly rubbed her scales again, eager to get this over with already.

His touch felt good on her scales and Brenna purred. ~I must concentrate.~ She grew quiet and soon a faint vibration ran along her body as her scales darkened to midnight black even as they glowed. Brenna opened her mouth and a flame of white fire poured from her jaws and into the air in front of them.

He tensed for a moment as he watched the flames, he hadn't seen this before and was unaware she could breathe such hot flames. He forced himself to relax though, letting her continue with the ritual. The vibration increased and the flame went from white to bright orange and still Brenna continued to let it pour out of her. He watched with fascination once again, he wondered how she could possibly hold so much flame within herself at one time. He was careful not to move in case he disturbed her, otherwise this whole charade would have been for nothing.

Suddenly the flame stopped and Brenna wheezed, the glow of her scales disappeared. ~I can't get it. I'm so tired~ she whispered as she lost some of her altitude.

~Please keep trying Brenna, you were almost there I could feel it I really could. I love you, I know you can do this because you are truly special.~ He was laying it on thick, but he had to if this was going to work.

~You felt it? I thought, but I'm so tired. I cannot do it alone. I must have help~ Brenna fretted to Cyrus. She hated to disappoint her rider but she felt rather weak.

~Please try one more time Brenna. You know you can do it. Please, this could be our only chance to go home. The others will turn me away if you ask them for help...~

Marshalling her strength. Brenna flapped her wings twice to get back into position. She imagined in her mind's eye, the giant cavern and all her dragon family and friends. Once again her scales darkened. She roared and from her jaws white fire poured forth. Mixed in the white were hints of violet and green light.

~That's it Brenna, Good girl, keep going, almost there.~

In front of them a slow swirling mist appeared. The hole in the middle of it was big enough for an infant to pass through but clearly seen were mountains and a river snaking along their base. ~Home~ Brenna thought.

~Amazing Darling...how long until it's ready for use to pass through?~ His eyes stared at the opening before them, his goal was so close he could almost taste it.

~I, Hold On!~ Brenna shrieked as a strong wind blasted out of the portal and sent her rolling head over tail. She fought to gain her balance but the wind was relentless. It did not stop until she was over a mile away from the portal.

He clung tightly on to her as she rolled in the air, doing his best not to be thrown from the spinning lizard. ~Brenna! What's wrong?!~

~It burns! It burns!~ she shrieked. She finally managed to right herself and frantically tried to reach her hindquarters which hurt the most. She saw that several scales had been ripped off and she was bleeding.

~What happened Brenna? Why are you hurt?~ His concern was genuine this time, if she died or was unable to perform the ritual again then his only chance to enter the dragon realm would be gone too.

~It is the wind of the guardians. It will not allow me passage without the permission of Hayden or the seer. I am sorry, my rider, truly I am. I have failed you. The pain...I must land~ she whimpered and glided toward a field of wild flowers.

He nodded a moment and gently stroked her skin where it wasn't injured. ~It's all right Brenna. I'll get permission to enter my love. That's the only thing we need yes? It'll stay open until we get permission right?~

It was then, in the midst of her pain that she really listened to his words. He had never called her "my love" before when they had been together. All her happiness at having him back with her evaporated as suspicion set in. ~Tell me again how much I mean to you, my rider.~

~You mean everything to me, Brenna, you are my darling, my one true friend. My true love. The only one who deserves my heart.~ He leaned back a little stretching out his legs, the muscles tightening a little from the forgotten riding position.

The words sounded right but his tone was all wrong. ~My dear rider, may I ask a question.~ She had begun her descent into the field and gingerly landed, the pain once again ripping through her.

He slowly climbed down off her back, looking up at her from the ground. The plan had been a success, now all there was left to do was to end this little charade. ~Yes Brenna?~

~Why did Kaie release you? My sister has never given up anything in her entire life.~ Brenna watched him closely.

A slow, blatantly cruel smile crossed his face as he reached up and lightly tapped her snout. ~My dear Brenna, so naive, so trusting. Who said she had let me go...?~

Confusion flooded their link followed by shock. With a hurt cry, Brenna reared up on her hindquarters, wings flapping the air. ~You...no!~ Once again she wailed her anguish in low rumbling draconic tones as she flapped her wings. Rising slightly from the ground she looked down at her rider, the betrayal complete. He had abandoned her!

He stood there, hand behind his back grinning wider and wider, nodding slowly, almost taunting her. His arrogance had grown significantly since his current victories, plus Brenna was one of his most high ranking causes for his betrayals. ~Yes Brenna, You have been had. your blind trust in me has been your undoing. And now, I can take that portal and go directly to the hatchery and take every - single -last -dragon. I know you won't do anything to stop me because you love me. I also know you won't tell anyone about what you did because you don't want them to exile you for letting in the enemy right to their door step. You will go back and you will say you were attacked by a rogue dragon, not a dark dragon, simply a rogue. This will give the illusion of more than one side to fight to your dear mate Hayden. Are we clear?~

~No! I will not harm my mate! He will forgive me!~ Uncertainty tinged her words. She wasn't so sure. Hayden had been calling her but she had refused his summons.

~Oh really? Do you really think he's going to forgive you for letting the army that almost eradicated his entire species earlier this week into your realm? Grow up Brenna, You have committed treason with this. You have associated and helped a dark dragon rider. I highly doubt that even Hayden could protect you from that punishment.~ Cyrus's words were true and she knew it. Angry at him for tricking her and upset with herself for not sensing his intent she opened her mouth and spewed fire at him before flying higher into the air.

With his usual grace of speed he seemingly easily dodged the spewing flames, however when he stopped, his face wrinkled a moment as he sniffed. Looking down at his left leg he saw that she had managed to somehow singe his boot. That was odd, he was sure he had been far away from the flames to be safe. Strange. ~Remember Brenna, tell Hayden there is a third side and you won't be exiled.~




Onyx Dreams Ch. 28



Her only answer was a flare of angry energy that roared along the link the two of them still had as she flew toward the swamp and safety. He slammed his mental barriers down in time to deflect the blow, but it still rocked him, she had gotten stronger since they last met, another strange event.

Suddenly Kaie appeared in the air above him. ~Did she hurt you?~ she demanded angrily as she landed by Cyrus. Looking up at Kaie he raised an eyebrow and smiled somewhat. ~Nothing a new set of boots won't fix. We have the portal, did you kill the witch?~

Kaie gave a disgruntled snort in the direction that Brenna had departed before focusing on Cyrus. ~Yes, MY rider. I killed the witch. We still need to get the high priest and his successor but for now having her gone shifts the balance of power in our favor.~

~No, it doesn't. They still have a high priestess, and this one has access to the full archives of dragons. The only way we can truly shift the base of power is to diminish the ones who matter. The ones who are the next generation.~ He looked towards the smoke clouds of the still smoldering villages. ~They'll be looking for a new site for the villages. they know the current sites are no longer safe. They can't keep those spells up forever. Send scouts out to track where the new villages will be built. Then find their supply stores and incinerate them all. Start with the fields first. We'll starve them out as a backup plan. There's no greater tool for rebellion than hunger.~

Kaie purred and rubbed her head against his body. ~I love the way your mind works, Overlord.~

He let his hand rest against her snout a moment, still puzzled by Brenna's rapid improvement. ~What happened to me being a king? Overlord sounds more like your puppet. Tell me Kaie, how was Brenna able to become so strong so quickly?~

~Overlord is greater than a king. All will bow before you--human, dragon, unicorn and griffin. Everyone will quake before you.~ She paused. ~What do you mean stronger?~

~She was able to scorch my clothing, even though I was a good 5 feet from her flame. The air around it was super heated. I was unaware there were unicorns and griffins in our realm.~

~I do not know. My sibling was never strong in her powers which is why the king of the dragons picking her was stupid. The unicorns and griffins share the realm with the dragons. You will be lord over both realms.~ Kaie assured him as she swung her leg around for him to climb up.

He climbed up upon her back once again, feeling the scales rubbing against his armor. ~I see, well it is a mystery, to go along with another we have. How do we get either the king, or the seer to let us into the realm? They have a protective barrier over the portal preventing anyone from entering. It ripped Brenna's scales off like they were paper.~

~That means Hayden is anticipating our moves with the help of the seer. Though I didn't think he had it in him to injure his mate to keep you out. That is food for thought.~ Kaie took to the air, her powerful strokes sending them skyward.

~No...if he didn't want me in he'd have been waiting for it to open with 100 dragons to barbeque me like a chicken. Either he thinks I can kill his entire army by myself, or there is something more to this than meets the eye.~

~Hm, perhaps you are right. We must return to the cave and celebrate our success. And make more plans. The portal will last another two days before it closes. If she wasn't able to get it to open fully, Hayden may not sense it at all and we will have the advantage.~

~No, this was more than your average two day portal. When I was at the monastery I felt portals being summoned. This was something different, it has a lot more life to it. I'm guessing it'll last a month. That'll give us the time we need to fortify our army. We need to make them an unstoppable force to smash through the Riders.~

~I bow to your wisdom in such things. Now, enough talk about my sister and portals. It is time to rejoice!~

He nudged her with his heels to get her attention, ~No, this is not a victory, this is just another step in the plan. If we celebrate now we leave ourselves wide open. We need to work out a way of getting through that portal.~

~As you wish rider. Those not on patrol are returning. Katherine and Julian should be there as well.~

~Oh yes, Katherine. That reminds me, we need to have a chat with those two. Something suspicious is going on.~

Kaie said nothing as they headed for their cavern to rejoin the rest.

*  *  *  *  *

Anthony and Elizabeth looked around the small hovel they'd been led to. Running for their lives was not something either was used to doing. Elizabeth was fretting over Kennice but Anthony knew his daughter was safe. King Hayden might be a young draconic king but he had never, ever, not kept his word. When this dragon king promised, he delivered. "What are we going to do? Cyrus wasn't joking when he said he come burn our home to the ground," Elizabeth snarled, slamming her fist down on the table. "And what of my baby? What if he's harmed her? How will we live with ourselves knowing he could be raping her or worse?" 

"He doesn't have her, trust me on that wife. We do need to figure out what has gone wrong. I know he was angry about us keeping Kennice and him apart but I never thought he had hatred that deep. I fear something else has happened in the years since we last saw him. Something Erykia has not told us." Anthony paused and tilted his head as if listening. "She's coming this way. Maybe we can get some answers." They both turned to the door and waited for Erykia to enter.

The door swung open and in strode the imposing form of Erykia. The cool breeze blew in the smell of burnt fabric and on closer inspection it could be seen that she was indeed mildly singed at the edges but other that that none the worse for wear. She glanced from Anthony to Elizabeth with a slightly annoyed look on her face. "As you no doubt already know, the plan to capture our little warlord has not gone as it should have."

"Obviously." Elizabeth gave Erykia a scathing glare. "Just what is going on High Priestess?" Anthony said nothing, content to let his wife speak as he mulled over the implications of Cyrus escaping yet again.

"Clearly he has learned things we did not expect, Elizabeth. he is an anomaly, few have ever had the ability to escape that trap unscathed like him. I believe he has even acquired himself a portal to the dragon realm. It is sealed right now but nevertheless it is open." She turned away, going to the window, worry flickering over her face for a split second. How could that little wretch have escaped her again? Only a high priest had ever had the power to escape her grasp and only then it was never more than once. This was the second time he had done so now. Where was he getting such power?

Anthony's gaze sharpened. "He opened a portal? Only the King dragon, the seer or a member of the royal family can do that. And none of them would aid him."

"Unless one of them was as naive as we are old, Anthony!" She snapped at him over her shoulder. She could feel it now, in the back of her mind, the constant calm was fraying at the edges. The only way he could have such power was either if he had gotten it from another source, such as Erykia or Anthony, or was born with it.

"But none are that naive are they?" Elizabeth demanded of the two, her eyes going first to Erykia and then to her husband. "Actually, there is one that would be that naive. But I just can't see that dragon assisting Cyrus. Not after the way he behaved these last few days."

"Her heart is weak and almost crushed. he is her partner, her connection to this realm. If he dies then she will lose part of herself. That is how far their bond goes. That is why she helped him." A memory flashed through her mind, a time that seemed almost eons ago...before she was high priestess, before she had grown cold inside. His face flashed before her, the man who had sworn to love her, the one she had given access to her heart...before he had torn it out from her chest.

"Then this bodes ill for us. I did not think she had that kind of power yet. If she manages to breach the barrier, there will be no stopping Cyrus." Anthony's shoulders slumped. "Where did he get this power? How come we've never seen him wield it before? This makes no sense to me! That boy had some power true but not nearly the amount he's throwing around liberally while handing us our heads on a silver plate! Well, High Priestess? You have some clue, don't you? My husband is as confused as I am and I don't like to be confused." Elizabeth's hands went to her hips and she glared at Erykia hoping that the games the High Priestess was always playing were not coming back to haunt everyone she held dear.

Erykia drew in a long slow deep breath, it was true the only two people he could have gotten such power from were standing in this very room, no dragon would grant any mortal such gifts willingly. No human would be able to handle such strength. "There has been only one man in the last one thousand years that has been able to wield such strength. Cyrus appears to be following the same evolution that he did." A single tear ran down the side of her cheek, "If he is what I fear he may be, then we cannot stop him alone. He will destroy us all, even the dragons, without the help of other beings of that realm."

"Of what are you talking about? I've never heard of anyone having that kind of power," Anthony countered. He was now focused fully on Erykia. "What secrets have you hidden from me and why do you shed a tear?" The tear startled him for he had never once, in his long association with Erykia, seen her be sad about anything.

"Because myself and the Former Dragon king swore never to speak of it again unless absolutely necessary. The man I speak of is the man talked about in dark legends and prophecies that no one other than the Dragon Seer may view. To view them is said to have your mind torn apart a billion times. The man I talk of, is Skarl the Dark, or more commonly known as Overlord Skarl."

"I know we've mentioned he might be an Overlord but what does being an Overlord have to do with the dragons? As far as I know, Overlord Skarl was a brilliant if misguided and cruel dictator who crushed his enemies without mercy and did so with amazing strategy." Elizabeth was confused and having Anthony uncertain scared her. She didn't like the fact that Erykia was harboring some big secrets.

"That my child is only what the scribes of history were allowed to write. The rest of it is hidden in secrecy and shrouded in shadows. The title Overlord spans not from skill of mind or strength of body, but from strength of dark gifts. As High Priestess and High Priest are given to those strongest in positive powers, healing, earth connections, fertility. So the title Overlord is given to those strongest in negative powers, destruction, pain, deception. If history told of what he truly was then we would be up to our necks in pretenders." She raised her hand to her forehead for a moment and pinched the bridge of her nose, getting them to understand what had happened so long ago would be a challenge she was unsure she could face right now.

"I do believe I understand. It does not mean I like it nor approve," Anthony rebuked, his eyes on Erykia. He knew he had not been the choice for High Priest all those years ago but the council had felt differently and their wisdom had proven true time and again. He felt his wife's unhappiness and he sent reassuring thoughts, pondering on a way to explain it to her. Elizabeth had never been a complicated woman, which was one of many reason's why he had fallen in love with her.

"It was not your right to approve and neither was it the council's. They were not the ones forced to endure the horrors he wrought upon this land a thousand years ago Anthony. They were not the ones who opened themselves up to someone they believed to be good and true only to find out they are the Messenger of Death!" Her eyes had widened slightly, dampening once more, the edges were fraying more, her normal iron grip on her emotions clearly beginning to shatter.

Elizabeth was openly staring. "How do you know what they felt a thousand years ago? None of us were there! You only have what you were told. You know the saying, to the victor goes the spoils and the chance to write history as they see fit."

"I know what happened Elizabeth...because I was there. The most advanced gift of a High Priestess is from the king of dragons himself. The gift of long life. We were hardly the victors, Skarl by the end had lost much of his Bloodlust. There was no one left that he saw as a challenge and that gave us an opening to end him."

"I think I need to sit down." Elizabeth's thoughts were in a whirl. Erykia was a 1,000 years old! Then it struck her. If Kennice became high priestess, she too would live that long. She would definitely outlive all her family. Elizabeth knew a parent should not outlive their offspring but to be alive that long....

"Erykia, why was the gift not given to the high priest as well? Is it because of Skarl?"

"The gift is only bestowed to those that the King of Dragons feels deserving of such a prize. As I said, Skarl was not a High Priest. He was an Overlord, the most deadly being to have walked this land in over one thousand years." She walked to the window and stared out in the darkness, watching the dark smoking clouds in the distance. "High Priests are granted the gift of knowledge, able to use skills and spells of all races. Skarl ended him within minutes with simply his raw strength. That is the difference between the rulers of light and dark. Light normally has strategy and dark the power. Skarl unbalanced this delicate system by knowing how to out maneuver us."

"And now Cyrus is following in his footsteps? But once again that begs the question, how do they come by these powers?" Anthony was growing more unhappy with the situation. He didn't like feeling hopeless.

"That is a question I have been asking myself for centuries, Anthony. it seems to be an almost random anomaly. There is one thing common in all of them however. They all end up feeling we have turned against them. Even if we have not."

"Well that would explain the rage. If a person's rage is hot enough, nothing can stop them from wrecking vengeance. I regret trying to keep him from my daughter. I was just concerned about their age. Now look at the mess we are in. I'm surprised he still loved her even after the years separating them. The last time he saw her, she was getting lashed for sneaking off to see him. Since then no contact. So why would he rage now?"

"That is something that you must be informed of. There have been some...events since that time. Things have not gone as was planned in the beginning." Closing her eyes for a moment, she took a breath and turned, beginning to tell them the long, complex and sometimes confusing tale of Cyrus's descent into madness.

"Wait a minute! You mean to tell mean that while she was training with you, not only did he see her, but he was the one who took her virginity in the fertility rite!" Elizabeth yelled.

"Yes, that is true. However it seems it was fated to happen. Their powers joined that night, High Priestess and Overlord. The land was rejuvenated more than I have ever felt it so. But now it is gone. Unwittingly he has snatched away the good he did this land in his quest to 'settle the scores' as he would say."

"Enough. I've heard enough! We cannot undo any of this harm without Kennice. I feel deep inside that the dragons have her safe. We have to stop Cyrus now before he gets too powerful for us to even manage. Our land would not survive the bloodshed. No battles or wars have been fought in centuries. We are a people of peace." Anthony ran his hand through his hair and paced.

Erykia stood up sharply, her face growing dark once again. "I have already told you Anthony, he cannot be stopped by us alone. He is too far gone, he has at his command the entire forces of the dark in this realm. Let us be thankful he has not tapped into things worse than this."

"Yet...That's what the problem is, isn't it? He might still do it. What does he need to do it?" Elizabeth yelled shrilly, surging to her feet.

"Something that has, until now, been hidden and locked away beyond the reach of mortal man, but with this portal now having been opened, that seal has been breached. I fear Brenna's portal has led to the place even I fear to tread--to The Trails."

"The Trials? That can't be good. What can be found in that place?" Anthony was curious as well as fearful.

"It is the last place remaining connected to the Netherworld, the place where the old gods of ancient times look into the heart of those strong enough to venture there and destroy them from within. They use their own feelings, emotions and memories against them, only those who have no regrets at all can hope to even escape that place alive."

"Who doesn't have regrets? Even madmen in the secret places of the hearts have regrets," Elizabeth countered.

"that is where Overlords surpass even the greatest heroes and most deadly villains. Those who earn the title Overlord have no regrets, they make a decision based on what they believe is right. Their moral compass is focused on the larger picture of right and wrong." She walked over to the dull book case, picking out an incredibly aged children's storybook, one that could be found everywhere. "To fully understand such legendary creatures as Overlords, we make them into tales based on their most prominent origin. For an Overlord, their origins are from the old god of Truth." She flicked to the story and began to read aloud, her voice taking on an ominous tone. "No matter whether the deed is good or evil, the children of Truth will walk the path that is necessary, exposing the deeds that hurt this world with their deception. Many think the gods of Truth and Justice are the same, but only Truth will kill his best friend to stop true evil."

"How do you combat someone with no regret? We must contact King Hayden and ask for his help. We also need to find Brenna and convince her that her rider is no longer worthy of her bond." Anthony stated firmly, walking toward the door, his mind already planning several courses of action.

Immediately a barrier erected itself before Anthony, preventing his departure. "No, Hayden is doing all that he can. he is a wise king and is no doubt negotiating with the other creatures of their realm. Brenna will no doubt be in the care of another rider by now, licking her wounds. I doubt Hayden will let anyone near her while she is in such a fragile state. We must focus on what pricks Cyrus's temper most. if he is angry, he will not be thinking straight. Clouded thoughts will hinder him through The Trials, and if we are lucky, cause him to perish inside."

"If that is the best course of action, then we will follow that plan. Now, my wife and I need to rest. We have much to do tomorrow." Anthony took his Elizabeth's hand.

The barrier dropped as Erykia nodded, turning once again to the window, looking out at the dark night, memories beginning to flood back to her as the pair left her. If only they knew what was coming. Everything has a dual connection to this realm and the Trials were no different. As fertility ceremonies required high priestess and a powerful male, and dragon summoning required high priestess and high priest, so the Trials required a High Priestess and an Overlord. What Anthony and Elizabeth could never know was that those chosen for High Priestess were the Children of Justice, the opposing god to Truth. Both fierce and strong in their beliefs, they support and destroy each other at the same time. One cannot fully exist without the other. Her powers had been much greater a thousand years ago, but now they were a mere flicker. The yin to her yang had been dead for all that time. Kennice however was on the verge of unlocking the fearsome forces at her command. Thoughts full of regrets and anguish, Erykia left to find the errant Rhys.



Onyx Dreams Ch. 29



Author's Note: smegger and I would like to thank all readers, reviewers and voters for making Onyx Dreams so popular. 

The cool breeze slowly slid over the silky smooth skin of Kennice as she slept, causing small goosebumps to rise upon her delicate skin. Outside, the twin moons of the dragon realm slowly began to ascend the night sky, their soft light slipping through the large bay windows. Gradually they worked their way across the floor and along the bed covers. With what seemed like sentience they almost seemed to reach out and touch her, triggering something within her mind...causing visions to surface in her dreams.

Kennice blinked. "I'm dreaming," she muttered. It was one of the first things she had learned as a high priestess in training. How to tell the difference between reality, hallucinations and dreams. If she was dreaming then it had to be important. Only the powers of the universe granted such things. It was up to her to pay attention to them and interpret them. 

In front of her, the world flickered and shimmered, changing and shifting, reshaping itself to fit its new design. The night swirled around her, dragging her down into the forgotten past. The past that only Erykia remembered now, the lost story that time had forbidden be remembered.

In front of her, was Erykia...but this time it was different, this time, she was young and beautiful. And behind her...was at first glance, Cyrus. It couldn't be him though...this was too far into the past to possibly be him...

Kennice was confused. But the man, he was Cyrus's twin in every way, even down to the tilt of his head as he regarded the younger Erykia.

Even his smile was the same, the one that said he was truly in love with the one before him. "Erykia, how I have longed to hold you in my arms once again. How long has it been since we were last together?"

"We were together just last night, silly boy." Erykia reached up and stroked his cheek, her own smile lighting up her face, complimenting her beautiful features.

He blushed a little and nuzzled into her touch, sighing softly, "Forgive me my darling, it's seems so long when I have to deal with those dragon riders...they just don't seem to understand the basic terms of right and wrong." He turned away for a moment, looking out the window. The window of the same room Kennice had fallen asleep in. "I don't know what to do anymore Erykia. I feel this burning inside of me, and every time I have to deal with them it grows ever stronger."

"Burning how? Skarl, are you ill?" Concerned she came to his side, her hand going to his arm as she tugged gently on him, wanting him to turn around so she could check him for sickness.

He pulled his arm away a little harder than he intended, his frustration growing at her not understanding what he meant. "No, I am not ill. It is a burning of outrage. At how these people preach about being good and right and wrong, yet they themselves ignore those very rules." He turned around to look at her, his eyes softening, "Come away with me Erykia. We can start afresh, away from these vile deceitful people."

Erykia frowned. "How are they ignoring the rules, my dear? I'm trying to understand but your reasoning is eluding me." Lately Skarl's behavior was strange, strange enough to frighten her. And his words. She refrained from mentioning it because she was afraid that maybe she was imagining things that were not there. They had only been High Priest and High Priestess for five years yet the changes in his speech and thoughts had been gradual.

"I speak of the way they are training you Erykia. They are cruel and torturous yet neither you nor your superiors do anything about it. Not even the dragon riders wish to do anything about it. The villages too are in a state I shudder to think of. The clans are beginning to fight amongst themselves again yet the riders and druids stand by and do nothing except talk about solutions. Always talking yet never doing anything."

She blushed at his mention of her training. "They do what they think best," she replied defensively, not wanting to think about the punishment the druids had heaped on her for failure to produce a fruitful fertility rite with Skarl. Before him, she had always had great results each year she had performed the fertility rite with a different male. But she had fallen in love with Skarl and he with her. They had been wed with the Council's blessings but the last three years, the results of the rite had been less each time. The Council assumed it was her fault and she had been punished. Skarl had gotten upset with the decision and the result but she had gritted her teeth and accepted the will of the druids. "Please, Skarl, you knew this was how it was going to be when you took this office. We have to think of our people. If our efforts fail, then it must be our fault. Everyone is working to find some fix to the problem. Patience, we must have patience."

"They are not working Erykia! Open your eyes for gods' sake. They have done nothing to help with this land's problems, nothing to help any of the people." He sighed and turned away again, moving to the window and staring out into the dark raining night. On the edge of his hearing he could just make out the faint whispering once again. He could almost understand it now, every time he heard it, it got a little louder. It was as if there was a demon on his shoulder, whispering dark thoughts into his mind. He pushed the feelings aside and closed his eyes, trying to calm himself.

"Skarl," Erykia changed her mind and decided not to say anything else. Instead she wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head against his back. "Please, my love, try. If you have a suggestion then bring it to the Council tomorrow. I will stand by you whatever you decide."

"And what if my decision was to leave? To travel off into the distance for reflection and to see just how deep the corruption runs?"

"Then I shall go with you. You are my husband and High Priest. We must work as a team or else fall apart."

"This I cannot allow Erykia. The council would pursue us to the ends of the world to keep us within their control. Their spies would be hounding us wherever we went, checking up on us constantly."

She pulled away from him. "You CANNOT allow? I think, my husband, you have forgotten that I am a free thinker. I can choose what I wish to do."

He turned around slowly, his face softening once again, smiling at her, but his eyes were wet with coming tears. He lifted his hand gently to her face, stroking her tender flesh before whispering, "Forgive me my love, but I must do this alone."

The surge of energy from his fingertips seared into her mind like a knife, knocking her unconscious. His arms caught her, moving her carefully to the bed, the tears now falling from his eyes. "I will return to you Erykia but right now I can no longer stand the stench of their hypocrisy." With that said, he turned and fled the room, his robes rustling as he did so.

The vision wavered and Kennice felt the pull of consciousness. "No, not yet!" she wailed but her mind and body had other ideas as it dragged her kicking and screaming back to wakefulness.

* * *

Hayden's large head hovered worriedly above his rider. She had been thrashing in her sleep. He'd come to stand guard and wait for her to rouse. He was unprepared for her reaction. The scream of denial and her whipping forward, eyes wild, hair loose as she blinked rapidly. "H-hayden?"

He drew his head back a moment before blowing warm air gently across her to let her know he meant no harm. "Yes my rider, I felt your distress in your sleep. Tell me, what has happened?"

"I had a vision. Of Erykia and someone named Skarl. My lord Hayden, he looked just like Cyrus. I mean I truly thought it was him. How is this possible?"

He let out a soft sigh and looked at her for a moment. So she had finally found out the truth behind her lover in a way. It was time to fill in the blanks. "It is a long and complex story my rider, but the short version is that he is the sole descendant of Skarl the Dark."

"I still don't understand. The druids never mentioned a High Priest called Skarl. I would have remembered. And High Priestess Erykia..." she trailed off as she thought about what she had seen in the vision. "None of this makes sense. The druids told me to pay attention to my dreams but how can I do that when they have no rhyme or reason?"

"It will make sense in time, for now sit and listen to what I must tell you. Over one thousand years ago a promising man known as Skarl rose through the ranks of the priesthood. He had great potential that was as yet untapped, his skill matched by no other in the world. His methods however were questionable at times. But there was one thing he always held to, that thing was truth. No matter what happened he held truth over everything else, because as he saw it, evil was always buried underneath layer of lies. So uncover the evil behind something, you had to strip away these layers of lies to get to the truth." Hayden sank down so that his head was eye level with the bed. "Eventually he was inducted as High Priest and married the current High Priestess Erykia. It was then that he began to question the motives of everyone. He felt that was his duty to the people. What he found changed him gradually and the queen of the dark dragons found that in him and exploited it. He disappeared five years after becoming high priest to 'reflect upon himself' as he told his colleagues. In truth, he was tracking down and digging deep into what he now saw as a twisted world of corruption. This was secretive even from the council's watchful eyes but Skarl blamed them for their own blindness to such evils. He saw them as ignoring it rather than not seeing it, and it warped the good inside him. It transformed him into the monster history remembers him as. It was much the same path Cyrus has taken, and I fear history may be about to repeat itself."

"Cyrus is not like this Skarl," Kennice countered hotly, sliding from the bed to put on a robe. She glared at Hayden. "He is a good man."

"As was Skarl, but even good men get lost sometimes, rider. You must be prepared to end this by any mean necessary."

"What do you mean by any means necessary?" Kennice warily eyed Hayden.

"If things go as the council fears...you may have to be the one to do as Erykia did before you. To end his life before he does anymore harm."

"High Priestess Erykia killed someone?" Shock and horror warred with revulsion at the thought of harming someone.

"Yes, she had no choice, it was Skarl, her husband. It was a choice between him and the world and she made the right choice for all of us." He leaned down so his eyes were level with hers. "Do you understand what I am trying to tell you Kennice?"

"You want me to kill Cyrus! I won't do it! I will not!" She backed away from Hayden.

"I do not wish you to Kennice, no one wishes that. I am trying to tell you that if we are not careful there may be no other choice to preserve our world."

"Every life is precious. I will not lose one. I'd rather die myself than harm another on purpose." Kennice stood, her back ramrod straight with tension.

Hayden sighed once again, the air warming around her. "You would sacrifice the world over him?"

"Not the world, just myself."

"I hope that it does not come down to that my rider."

He leaned his head back looking down at her. "Have you had any other revelations this night?"

"None that I can understand. I cannot believe that the High Priestess is as old as you say she is. How is that possible? Is it some druidic ritual that was performed to give her such longevity?"

He shook his head and a wry glint came to his eye. "On the contrary my rider. It is the ultimate gift a high priestess can receive, it comes from the king of dragons himself. Only those who have done a priceless service to their people receive such a gift."

"But isn't it bad to outlive everyone you know?"

"Not everyone my rider. I still have a good few millennia left in me yet."

"How long will she live? I mean if nothing ill befalls her?" Kennice wasn't sure if she wanted to be high priestess. The prospect of living life without anyone at all she knew was frightening her. Even though she loved Hayden and respected him, even humbled that he would choose someone like her, she couldn't imagine life going on and watching generations come and go.

"She will live for as long as she deems it is necessary for her to do so. The gift will last until she feels that a suitable replacement for her has been found. Someone who will protect the land and its people."

Kennice gulped back the bile that rose. She was that replacement. It was what they had been grooming her for, wasn't it? Why hadn't they told her? She shook her head. She knew why. If the knowledge had been given her to start with she would have ran the other way. Instead they had cultivated in her a love of the land and the people to prepare her to take over the job of caring for both.

"I don't know if I want this," she whispered.

"Look deep in to your heart my rider, only those with true devotion to this land could have come as far as you have. Only you could have come this far. Do not doubt the powers that lie within you. There is much more to come I feel." He lay his head down close to her once more, looking up at her with one of his cat like eyes.

Automatically her hand reached out and she caressed his snout. What he said resonated with her feelings and for a moment she resented him for it. Reminding her of her duty. But was it a duty if she felt this emotional about it? So many things to ponder on. "I will consider your words for you are older than I."

"Many people are, but simply because one is older than you, does not mean that their words are any more wise than one who is younger than you. Many a word of advice has come to me from those much younger than I. Sometimes those with the least time have the best to say."

"This is true but most elders don't listen. I have found this to often be the case. They assume experience makes them wiser. I hope I am not that way when I'm older."

"We can only be what we are meant to be my rider. One can simply go with what the fates decide and make the best of it at times."

"Perhaps." Her stomach rumbled at that moment and she blushed. "I see that fate has decreed that I eat. Will you please lead the way, Lord Hayden to the nearest dining room?" 

He smiled and nodded, turning away and holding out his leg for her to climb up him to save her walking. "I hope the food agrees with you more this time."

"Yes, I hope so too." Grinning she nimbly climbed up his shoulder and to his back, carefully seating herself. She decided to push all her nagging worries away and concentrating on the moment. She would eat first and worry later.

He walked with a powerful stride, the lower ranked riders moving to the side and bowing respectfully to Hayden. However, their eyes never once met Kennice's, and if one did, it was filled only with disdain and disrespect.

Kennice was confused by the looks she was getting. Had she done something wrong? She inched closer to Hayden's hide and wondered.

Softly his voice sounded in her mind to reassure her. ~Take no notice rider, their partners are set in their ways and feel that a high priestess does not deserve a seat of power such as this. But fear not, the time will come when you may prove them wrong.~

~Is it true that no high priestess has ever been a dragon rider?~

~This is partially true. There was one, the first high priestess to encounter the dragons. They led her to discover those with the true gifts of druidic power. She rode on the dragons' backs but she was not a rider as you know them today. So yes, you truly are the first high priestess to become a rider.~

~Oh, why do I not find that reassuring?~ She grew quiet, her hand straying to his warm hide as she thought about the implications. There was so much she just didn't know nor could fathom. Sighing she once again tried to organize her thoughts so that she could focus on what needed to be done immediately.

~Do not worry rider, you have not been with me long. You are still settling in to the role. As a general rule, when you find yourself sitting in a chair the same way you ride me is when we know each other well enough to worry about trivial matters as the opinions of others.~

~If you say so. YOU are the king and I am just a visitor here. I do not wish to make enemies nor violate laws.~ Kennice squared her shoulders. They had reached the dining room. She hoped this time to stay awake and not faint like some silly maiden.

~Know this my rider, you are not simply a visitor here...this is now your home. This is where a rider can access their full potential.~ He came to a halt by his table and angled his leg out so she could climb down. ~I have arranged for some more familiar food to be brought for you, my mentor would like to see you once you have eaten.~

"Mentor? Who is that?" Kennice slipped back into vocal speech. Her head was throbbing slightly from all the mental exchanges. Her eyes lit up when she recognized the food that was being set on the table before her.

"His name is Nightseer, you have met briefly before at your wedding. It will be a personal meeting, I will not be allowed to enter. These words must be heard only by you."

"Oh dear." Hastily swallowing the hot cup of soup, Kennice looked flustered. "Is he your chief adviser then? Or does he have some royal title I need to be aware of?"

"His title is in his name, rider. Nightseer, royal adviser and oracle of events. He sees all things important to the preservation of this world and ensures they pass." His voice grew dark as he remembered the dark omen he had been told of his mate Brenna, and the terrible state she had returned in. "Even if those events lead us through a darkness we have not known before." He did not know whether he could forgive Cyrus for what he had done.

Kennice noticed the pauses and felt anger color the bond between her and Hayden. It did not feel as if he were directing it toward her so she said nothing. Just stroked his hide.

"Forgive me if I am disturbing your meal rider, these are turbulent times and many things weigh down upon my mind." He gently blew warm air down upon her. "Eat now, you will no doubt need your strength, sometimes such visits can be...interesting."

"Of course Hayden." Kennice finished her meal and stood. "I am ready now. I need to get it done before my nervousness makes a disaster of things."

He extended his leg once again for her to mount him and spoke softly, "Hold tight my rider, the route is dangerous and the tunnels are treacherous for their crosswinds, I do not wish you to fall."

"I will stay on, I promise." Kennice got herself in place and gripped his body with her knees.

Hayden strode out onto the ledge of the great dining hall, a huge yawning chasm lay before them, blackness the only thing at the bottom. "What we seek lies in a cavern deep into that chasm, do not be afraid rider, nothing that lurks there will harm us while I am with you." With that said, he spread his great wings and took off, gaining enough height to escape the platform before dipping low and folding his wings back, their speed increasing dramatically, forcing her to grip his thick scales with her hands as well to stop the winds ripping her from his back.

~Is it always this rough?~ she mentally shouted.

~No, this is a good day, usually there are bats too.~ His body twisted suddenly, jerking them to the right into a tunnel just barely big enough for his large wingspan, however no matter what twist, turn or obstacle came up, he cleared it with ease, giving an almost perfectly smooth ride aside from the almost gale force winds rushing past her face.




Onyx Dreams Ch. 29



Kennice barely managed to stifle a scream and she gripped Hayden's neck ridge tightly. If she survived this, she would thank the powers that be for sparing her.

He began to slow as the tunnel widened and light could be seen near by, two medium sized braziers on pillars marked the entrance to the Cave of Visions, where the great Dragon Seers resided.

Kennice's breathing returned to normal and she looked about. Who knew that dragon's were artistic. And the detail in the wall murals, amazing.

~Each of these great murals is a prophecy destined to come true. The ones that must be allowed to pass, only Seers are able to decipher their meaning.~

The platform entrance to the cave came closer and Hayden gently landed upon it. ~I shall wait for you here rider. Good luck.~

Kennice slid down and glanced at Hayden. "You're not coming?" She hated that her voice squeaked but she was intimidated.

He shook his head slowly and smiled down at her, ~No, as I told you earlier, the words you hear there are for your ears only. I will not be allowed to eavesdrop.~

"I see." Straightening, she squared her shoulders and marched down the dimly lit tunnel. It was large enough to accommodate the biggest of dragons but she was tiny compared to one of them and she felt dwarfed by the spaciousness of the passageway. Soon, the dimness gave way to bright light, not enough to blind, but enough to give her pause until her eyesight had adjusted.

From one of the book cases, a dragon the size of her came barreling round a corner, flapping its wings madly. It managed to stop a mere fraction from Kennice's nose before it spoke, it's horns glowing for a moment, "Avoid the Nartuck, it does not agree well with human stomachs."

"Wha, what?" Kennice was mystified by the little dragon's words. "Um, excuse me, but I was told to see the Seer?"

The female dragon opened her eyes and looked at Kennice, as if she had been dreaming and had just noticed her. When she spoke it was as if the entire sentence was spoken without a breath. "Oh hi! How are you? Are you here to see Nightseer? Well I already know you are here to see him but I like to give people the courtesy to tell me."

"Yes, little one, I've come to visit Nightseer." Kennice figured it was better to just play along because she was very confused.

"Well then follow me!" The dragon replied with glee and flew off in a blur of speed. after a second or two she flew back at speed and seemed impatient. "Well come on slow poke!"

Shaking her head, Kennice followed the very active little dragon. Was this how all dragons acted when very young? It was something she would be sure to ask Hayden later.

The little emerald dragon led her deeper and deeper into the archives, passing huge bookshelves that stretched farther than the human eye could see. From behind a large stack of scrolls came a low deep voice, "I see you have met my apprentice, Miss Davenport."

Kennice jumped, her gaze wildly looking about. Without thinking she called forth her power and her hand began to glow amethyst.

Slowly a huge black head bigger than anything she had ever seen appeared from behind the pile, it's aged featured looking interested. "Be at ease young one, I mean you no harm."

Kennice backed up a step so that she could truly look at the dragon before him. Though he was onyx colored like Hayden, he did not have the same shine to his hide. "You are, the seer?"

"Indeed I am child, you have come here to hear the words of prophecy yes? The warnings of your future perhaps?"

"I," Kennice paused. "Knowing the future can be a dangerous thing. I, I must know. Is Cyrus going to be all right?"

Nightseer closed his eyes for a moment, his long horns glowing brightly, "His path is shrouded in darkness, another pulls the strings of the puppet master. The fallen champion will meet the rising star with the force of Phoenix."

Kennice's breath caught in her chest and tears pooled in her eyes. "Oh Cyrus," she whispered. "Please, will he be lost to me forever? Can he be saved? Please! I don't wish the world to end because of his anger and I don't want him to die either!"

Once more the great Seer's horn grew bright and his voice rumbled with the future, "The fate of the world lies not in his hands. His path is certain, he is to be the bringer of the Phoenix, the firestorm to cleanse this world. Only the mistress of the Light can stop his fury."

"Erykia? I don't believe she will. She hates him." Bitterness tinged her tone as she remembered the repeated beatings and punishments for even daring to mention Cyrus's name.

"Not Erykia...you. Only you, Kennice, have the power to stop the age of darkness that is about to befall this world. Only you can stop him."

"Me!" Kennice squeaked. "I'm not powerful like Erykia. She said so as did the Druidic council. They said I was passable and that it would be the first time in a long time that they would have to settle for less than best in the future high priestess." That moment had clearly hurt Kennice's feelings and her pride. She had endured much and to have them tell her all her efforts had been futile, it had broken something inside her.

Nightseer grew quiet for a moment and nodded towards his apprentice who flitted forwards, her voice soft, "That is why you must enter the sacred pathways and face the trials. It will show you your final lesson to be high priestess."

Eyes wide with denial, Kennice backed up a step. "I am not ready for the trials. I do not have permission from the council."

"These are not trials the council has power over Rider. These are the trials from the old gods. Not even Erykia dared to enter these realms. Her predecessor did not survive..."

"Then why do you believe I can, when others who are far stronger than me, never tried or failed to pass?" 

"Because these are not trials of strength. They are trials of heart. Heart is what your final lesson will teach. You must pass these trials rider or else the darkness will consume us all. Your enemy knows not guilt nor fear in his actions. That is why he cannot be defeated without you. You are the only thing he still cherishes."

"I think I understand. When and where must I take these trials?" Kennice would do what she had to in order to save the world she loved and the man her heart called for.

"The trials will take place in two months in the Halls of Truth. If you fail your spirit will not be able to leave that place."

The thought of being trapped for eternity made her wince but she would not disappoint the dragons. They had faith in her. She had to fulfill her destiny, even though it wasn't one she exactly relished.

"Remember Rider, these trials are trials of the heart. If you doubt yourself for even a moment, the old gods will deem you unfit."

"Yes, Lord Nightseer. I will remember."

He nodded once more and held out one of his huge claws, a small ball of light forming in the center. "Take this young one. It will unlock the barrier keeping Cyrus out, both of the chosen champions must enter the trials."

Kennice respectfully took the light which winked out leaving only an onyx ball in her hands. She blinked and gasped as it pulsed once and changed into a bracelet.

"This will be your first real test as High Priestess. Cyrus will send someone to kill you. You must survive and open the portal, Rider."

"Please, I can't take anymore news. I will make it there. Will Hayden be allowed to come?"

"Indeed, I hardly expect a high priestess to walk there. If he does not give you a safe journey I will make him write out my prophecies into new books again." A wry smile came over his face indicating he found the last time rather amusing.

A startled laugh escaped her and she slid the bracelet on to her wrist. It fit a little loosely but once back in her room, she would find something to hold it tighter. "I think I need to rest. This has been a very strange day." 

Nodding he looked at her once more. "Indeed, there is much to process. I shall open a minor portal to your dwelling to save you the walk. I must speak in private with Hayden also."

"Thank you Lord Nightseer." Kennice turned to the little emerald dragon. "It was nice to meet you."

"And you Rider, I hope you rest well, you will need your strength."

Bowing to both dragons she turned as the portal began to form. With a grin she walked through it and into her room.

A few moments later, the small emerald dragon had flitted out to meet Hayden outside, "My lord, Nightseer will see you now."

Hayden snorted in amusement. The young dragon had been into the drug plant again. Walking calmly he came into Nightseer's chamber. "Yes, old one?" he teased.

A solid book promptly flew over the stack of parchments and dinged against the middle of Hayden's skull. "That my young king is the history of the old gods, specifically the child of Truth and Justice who resides in the Next world. I suggest you read it." 

"Read? Nightseer the world is threatening to come to an end and you want me to read!" Hayden was shocked. Had the seer lost his senses?

"Yes Hayden, I said read. Trust me, my king, it will prove interesting reading in due time..."

Just beyond the stack was the bright glow that was associated with prophecy. Oracles seemed to have a knack for being overly cryptic about things.

"Nightseer, I will obey but I'm not much of a reader."

"You will when you realize who the person being spoken of actually is."

"You're being cryptic again old one." Hayden's wings fanned the air.

"It is a privilege of mine young sir. Now, fetch this old oracle some tea. I know you have nothing to do for the rest of today."

"Yes Nightseer." 



Onyx Dreams Ch. 30



Rhys waited until dark before sneaking out. It had been rather easy to slip past Erykia and Anthony and make it to the river. He could feel the dragon, Nyelene, humming in the back of his mind and it excited him. Now he would be on equal footing with Cyrus and Kennice. He would destroy Cyrus and bring Kennice to heel. They would complete the marriage binding ceremony and then he would rule as king. Ambition burned in his chest as he slowed near the embankment. "Nyelene?" he called out, careful to not make too much noise lest someone hear him.

The large dark shadow in front of him shifted as the huge bulk of something turned to face him. ~Speak up rider, be proud of who you are. A future king must be willing to announce himself to his subjects.~

"Nyelene, dragon, I am Rhys, High Priest of Holtar." He straightened up to his full height, his eyes gleaming in the dim light.

In return, two sets of bright golden eyes lit up in front of him. Four small flames trickled out her nostrils as the twin heads of the golden dragon illuminated in the dark. "It is an honor to finally meet you Rhys. As you can see, I am no ordinary dragon. My father was a Hydra, the last of his kind."

"Hydra? I have never heard of you. But of course until today I had not heard of unicorns or gryphons either so I guess you are in good company. You are magnificent though," he added as he backed up to get a really good look at her. She had two heads, not one like the ordinary dragons. This was even better. He would surely be able to defeat Cyrus now and put such fear into Erykia and Anthony that they would bow before him or die.

"Of course you haven't heard of me. We existed eons before the gryphons rose to power...in a time where only Dragons and Hydras roamed this world."

"So many things have been hidden, I do not like not knowing them." Rhys walked to the golden beauty. "May I touch?" Something warned him to be mannerly around this creature.

The dragon half-breed raised an eyebrow for a moment as if considering his request before nodding once. "You may touch, but nothing more."

He touched her leg and considered what his fingers were telling him. She didn't seem to be scaled; no, rather she felt smooth, like human skin. If she were kin to dragon, shouldn't she have scales?

~I know what you are thinking, Hybrids grow thick hides like that of your Kruntak bulls, it is easier to heal than scales are to replace.~

She flexed her muscle for a moment and the skin became harder than even the gems on his staff, it seemed impenetrable...

"Amazing." He studied her physique and blurted out, "I don't see wings."

~That is because Hydras do not fly. We leap at our prey from the ground and devour them at our own level.~

For a brief moment he was disappointed. Not such equal footing, however it might still work to his advantage. "Why me? You could have picked any number of people. Why me?"

~Because you have the proper understanding of where people sit...everyone below you. The king, their ruler.~ She bent one of her heads down to look at him and smirked slightly, ~You can rule can't you?~

"Of course I can. However everyone else except you seems to think me incapable."

~Then perhaps you simply need the chance to prove you are capable. I think we should do just that by calling out your rival in a duel. When you defeat him people will see your greatness.~

He liked the idea. A duel would prove once and for all who was the best and most fit to rule.

Nyelene turned and held her leg out for him to climb up. ~Then let us depart my king. We must get to know one another much better if we are to best your rival in combat.~

Rhys hesitated, duty to the people making a feeble protest for his attention before he mercilessly stamped down the thought. It was time to take control of his destiny. Squaring his shoulders he climbed up Nyelene's offered leg and settled into place. This was going to be fun. He threw his fist in the air. "To vengeance and to victory."

She nodded and headed off into the deep forest, the shadows shrouding her form as they traveled far deeper than mortal men dared to tread.

* * *

Katherine sat outside next to Julian and brooded. Things were not going exactly as Erykia had planned. And though Katherine called Erykia mother, in truth, they were not that close in blood. Rather, Katherine came from blood by marriage through her father's family line that had only been around about five hundred years. Still, Erykia had found her in a village, begging for food for her starving family and at the tender age of seven, the great High Priestess had spirited her away to learn the ways of the druids.

~And then I found you and you needed nothing else~ Julian replied smugly, his body curled around hers, the warmth of his scales keeping the night chill at bay.

~True you did find me and I've never regretted a moment of it. I just wish I knew what to do now. The High Priestess's plan did not detail any of, well, this situation we are in now. And I can't risk contacting her for Cyrus is suspicious already.~

~Yes he is, but Kaie makes it worse for she thinks we are all out to get her. Some of the older ones are but not me. I only want you safe, my rider~ Julian asserted.

Katherine smiled and stroked his body.

A soft cough from the shadows close by broke the silence, the ominous, distinctive hum of sonic power let her know who it was. "I believe we are due for a little chat young lady. You can come willingly or I can have Kaie come and put Julian out of his misery before I drag you away to my cells. Which would you prefer?"

Julian hissed, rising swiftly to all fours, his wings spread wide, his body blocking Katherine's smaller form. ~Stay away from my rider!~ Julian warned. He growled low and deep.

Katherine came to her feet and gave Cyrus an inscrutable look. "Julian, at ease. My king wishes to speak to me and I shall obey. Go to our cave and rest. It's been a long day."

~But Katherine,~ Julian protested and lowered his head toward her as she walked past him to stand a few feet from Cyrus.

~Go, Julian. Just go.~

Julian gave a distressed hiss and took to the skies, leaving his rider to the mercy of Cyrus.

"I believe you know the way to the interrogation chambers, yes?" He nodded to the side and two large muscled riders stepped out and took Katherine roughly by her arms, licking their lips as one of them whispered hoarsely, "Guess where you are going when he's done with you!" They both laughed maliciously and dragged her to the large, almost regal interrogation room, one reserved for when the last leader had simply wished to watch the interrogation.

Katherine didn't bother fighting. She wasn't going to give him any more ammunition than necessary. Besides, if he wanted to hear her scream and bleed, he would do that, regardless of how she behaved on the way to the interrogation room. The two riders holding her arms and leering at her didn't bother her because she knew what thoughts they had in their small little minds.

The two escorts roughly shoved her down into the hewn chair, completely out of place in the regal room. They began to secure her wrists with the straps when Cyrus spoke up. "No, don't bother, if she wanted to escape she'd simply burn them off. Leave us. You will have your fun when I'm done, make sure the cave she and Julian share be stripped bare. If my troops wish to keep secrets from me then they will be denied the basic pleasures I provide."

The riders nodded after a moment and reluctantly left, leaving the two of them alone in the eerily quiet room. "So tell me, Katherine, what was it you were doing in the forest? Hugging some trees perhaps?"

"Perhaps I needed to answer nature's call," she suggested, her expression neutral.

"Then perhaps you need a change of diet. Come now Katherine, we both know that wasn't what you were doing. I will make this very clear. I know hurting you physically won't do much, so I will hurt you emotionally instead. Every time you blatantly lie to me, my men will cut something off of Julian. I know you care for him enough to not want that to happen, now do you? If you doubt my sincerity feel free to remember the last dragon I had eaten." He steepled his fingers and raised an eyebrow at Katherine as he waited for her answer.

Katherine kept her anger off her face. "What would you like me to say that will fit into what you think I was doing, my liege?"

"I would like you, to truthfully tell me what you were doing. From the way you were crouched I would assume interacting with the earth somehow. Do enlighten me. If necessary I will have Kaie tear the truth from your mind once I run out of Julian to serve to the men."

"My king, though I have the power of fire, I also need the soothing touch of earth to keep me balanced. Though the two elements are opposite, they can co-exist in the same space." Katherine looked at him, never wavering. "Fire speaks to me as does earth. And sometimes the earth reveals its secrets like who stepped on what plant and what animal has just been eaten."

He sighed and slowly shook his head before mentally signaling to his men. A cry reverberated from Julian as a few inches was slashed from the end of his tail. "Would you like to try again my dear? If you were soothing your powers as you said then there would have been some sort of evidence left behind to show that."

"I am telling you the truth. Earth and air are the two elements who leave no trace of their workings. Air because it can't be seen and earth because traces can be covered. Fire leaves a mark as does water when it washes away things. I do not lie, my liege, I tell you only what is commonly known to all riders."

He smirked and got up from his chair, slowly walking around her. "But that's not all, is it my dear? You said you soothed yourself but even I know that takes but a moment. You were there for some time." He lightly placed his hands upon her shoulders and whispered, "You left something out didn't you?"

Katherine's eyes stayed on him as she thought how best to sway him. Julian's anger hummed in her head at his tormentors' actions but she had to tread carefully. Was she truly just a sheep following meekly or did she have the nerve to blaze her own path? What had serving Erykia ever really gotten her? Not much. Out of poverty yes, but other than that nothing. Yet she had bled and been violated all in the name of the High Priestess.

~Make a choice rider. I will follow you regardless~ Julian promised.

~I want to be happy. I want to be what Cyrus desires. But to do that I have to regain his trust.~

~Then give him something to think on that is true.~ Julian urged.

Katherine lowered her eyelashes as if in defeat. "I was following orders in that swamp, sire." Let him ask and she would tell all and yet keep herself protected by giving him the thing he wanted most. Destruction of the thorns in his side.

"Orders from who exactly?"

There was another yelp from Julian, only a cut this time though. "That was his punishment for taking someone else's orders, yours will come later." His tone was still calm, almost sweet, he enjoyed these kinds of interrogations the best.

"Your main enemy, sire."

He sighed softly and smirked. "We are getting there, slowly, but getting there. Which main enemy would that be Katherine? The next vague answer will mean another Julian flavored steak." His grip on her shoulders tightened for a moment, reinforcing his growing lack of patience.

She winced. "High Priestess Erykia, my liege. She was attempting to set a trap to capture you and Kaie."

"I see, then pray do tell why you have decided to betray her? I was under the belief that light riders would rather die than reveal such information. As a matter of fact the last one did just that I believe." He let his eyes slide down to look at the slope of her cleavage, thinking up her punishment as he interrogated her. "Perhaps this is simply another ruse to fool me? Perhaps we are a due another steak?"

"I am not a rider of the light. Just a rider. Riders become dark or light depending on their heart's desire. I was straddling the fence but even I know better than to back a losing group and the High Priestess will lose to you. After seeing the village attack and her inability to truly defend, I realized where I really want to be.

"Is that so? And what else have you realized since then, hmm?" He leaned closer, his hot breath on her neck as he drew in her scent. "I wonder what other tidbits of information you have to tell me?"

"I can tell you who your real mother is. It is not who you were told it was. Though that woman did die trying to protect you from harm."

He raised an eyebrow, pondering this new bit of information, "Is that so? Then why not enlighten me as to the identity of this woman then?" His grip was still firm, the tension in the air clearly visible. "I suggest you choose your words carefully and precisely."

"What does it buy Julian and myself? You don't trust nor believe easily. If I tell you, you would call me liar and kill Julian." Katherine would save her dragon, even if she couldn't save herself from Cyrus. "Besides what does it matter the identity? I will tell you this, High Priestess Erykia is not dead."

He tensed for a moment, a low growl escaping his lips as his grip tightened painfully on her shoulders, his nails digging into her flesh and drawing small drops of blood. "Oh? And how would you know that Katherine? I'm quite sure that blast should have been big enough to mortally wound her at the least."

"Again, my liege, I asked what will it buy Julian, the knowledge you seek?" She was sweating a little but her resolve remained firm.

A slight smirk came across his face and he whispered softly in her ear, "That kitten, all depends on how valuable the information is...if I deem it valuable I will let him live...if not, I'll cut something else off as punishment for trying to deceive me." 

She grimaced but decided to play his game. "I know she lives because of the blood bond that binds me to her. It allows us to communicate in several different ways, but mainly through my elemental abilities and through her mind powers."

A long low purr came from his throat. Oh this was valuable information indeed! This could prove very useful. "Oh really? Then perhaps kitten you would think it wise to contact her...right now. Do this and Julian will be released. Then we shall have a little fun at your former mistress' expense."

She didn't like the glint in his eyes but she would obey. Julian's life was at stake. Closing her eyes she focused on the feel of magic that tied her to Erykia. A faint heat and then tug signaled they had connected. Keeping her eyes closed she rapidly sent images of her current conversation with Cyrus through to Erykia. She felt Erykia's displeasure.

~Stupid girl! I sent you in, the perfect spy, and what do you do? Let it slip what you were doing! You are a disgrace to the order. And now that arrogant whelp thinks to control me? I think not!~ Erykia roared and lashed Katherine with her power.

Katherine's eyes flew open, no longer the brown that was hers but instead stormy blue. She screamed and then abruptly went silent. She blinked once and her expression changed as Erykia manipulated her body and actions. "You wanted something, boy?" Erykia/Katherine sneered.

The grin on his face was nothing short of a man who had someone right where he wanted them, trapped for his own pleasure. "Oh yes, Erykia, we have MUCH to talk about. It seems you are almost as difficult to kill as I am."

He hauled Katherine's possessed body over to the table and slammed her roughly down upon her back, his strong arms pinning her down. She could feel the injuries that still hadn't healed in Katherine, feel the fear that this moment had instilled in her spy.

Erykia kept Katherine's consciousness pinned down while she coolly confronted Cyrus. He looked so much like Skarl that it made her heartache for one moment before common sense asserted itself. She was going to test his resolve, even if it meant losing her spy. She felt Katherine's protest and ignored it. More lives than just Katherine's were at stake.

"So what do you plan on doing about it? Since we both seem to have the help of luck in remaining alive?" Erykia watched his reaction closely, ready to pounce at any hint of weakness.

He smiled the smile Katherine recognized, the one he had when he had tortured the rider of the light earlier that year. "Oh I think you already know what I'm going to do Erykia, Brenna has opened the portal and soon I will have entry into that realm. My ranks will swell...like Katherine's wonderful breasts..." He ran his fingertip slowly over the slope of her tender flesh, the pressure felt quite clearly through her shirt, stopping to lightly tease her nipple. "And then I'm going to hunt down you and your army and burn them alive."

Erykia/Katherine chuckled. "Still trying to use sex to get what you want? Typical male. Always thinking below the belt. You can do what you want, but you will get no information from me. Good-bye soon-to-be dead Overlord." The eyes glowed bright before they shifted back to Katherine's normal brown. She gasped weakly as she felt Erykia recede leaving her feeling bereft and a little ill.

"Thank you Katherine, that was much appreciated, as promised Julian will be spared." He sent out a mental command and the riders and dragons surrounding Julian backed off before heading back into the main hall to join their brethren. "I'm glad to see your former mistress still underestimates me."

"You're both inconsiderate," she hissed. "You're both users." A tear slid down her cheek but she couldn't wipe it away because Cyrus still pinned her.

His hand slid up to her face, gently wiping away the tears, his cruel smile still there. "I know dear but you really shouldn't have done what you did, should you? Now we are going to have a little chat about your special little blood abilities. You are going to tell me all about them. Are we clear? I assume I don't have to tell you of the consequences to you if you refuse."

In that moment she feared him more than she feared Erykia who was far away and safe. She'd seen Cyrus's brand of cruelty. She licked her dry lips. "What do you want to know exactly?"

"Everything, what its full powers are, what its weaknesses are, how it works, how you control it, everything." He lightly tapped the end of her nose with his finger, "And don't think I've forgotten you have yet to inform me of who my mother is, kitten."

She shivered, gulped and started talking. "Blood powers are a form of binding magic that any druid can do. The strength of the binding, however, grows when one is High Priest or Priestess. And their bindings are more lasting than an ordinary druid. All it takes is a simple knife cut and the pressing of the binder and bindee's bleeding wrists together to start the blood bond."

His eyes glinted in the dim light as an idea struck him, "But it does not have to be the wrist? If blood mixes with blood anywhere it can occur?" The smile was back again, it showed that the wheels were turning fast now, a plan was forming.

Katherine was confused for a moment and had to think about what he was asking. "I would assume anywhere it mixes. Blood is life and to mix two lives is to bind them together."

His smile stayed fixed upon his face, he would keep that knowledge safe in his mind for later. He had plans for Kennice that could involve this. He looked down at Katherine once more, his eyes intent, "Now comes the important question...who is my mother, Katherine?"

"What will prevent you from killing me when you don't like the information I provide? Never mind. The woman you thought is your mother was not your birth mother."

"Oh? Do tell, perhaps while you do I will kill two birds with one stone and punish you for passing information to the enemy hmm?" He reached down and unceremoniously ripped the front of her top open.




Onyx Dreams Ch. 30



Her breasts spilled out but she paid them no mind. "Your father is truly your father but he descends from the bloodline of Skarl, the Overlord. Your true mother saw him one night, as he was sneaking off to met the woman he loved. In that moment, your mother remembered the Overlord Skarl and her love for him. She decided that she wanted to be one with him again and so, bespelling your father, she took him to her bed. You were the result of that union."

His hand moved to her breast and crudely groped as he pondered this. "Perhaps you are correct, but that does not tell me who my mother is, does it?" He roughly pulled her up from the chair, pushing her over a table and pulling down the back of her pants.

She didn't try to stop him, really what would be the use? Besides if this was her punishment, she'd rather he take it out on her and not Julian. "Isn't it obvious? Who is the one person, above all others, who has tried to thwart your destiny, my liege?"

"Well so far today that would be you." His own pants were open now, his thick hard member throbbing in the cool air. Roughly he dragged the head of his shaft up and down her lips for a moment before almost savagely shoving inside her.

She gasped in pain but silenced the noise immediately. "Your mother, your mother is...." Suddenly her throat constricted and she couldn't get the words out.

He continued to thrust into her with hard, unforgiving strokes, his hand smacking down upon her pert buttocks. "Well? Who is it Katherine? Cat got your tongue?"

She coughed hard and yelled for Julian to loan her some magic to combat the geas Erykia had placed on her.

"Well if you are going to be so quiet with me Katherine...perhaps I should carve some more off of Julian's hide? I hear the cuts from the back are nice."

"No! Please," her plea changed to a moan for despite his roughness, she was becoming enflamed and wet. "Your mother, your mother is High Priestess Erykia!"

He stopped suddenly, glaring down at her, "You think I am so gullible to believe such a blatant lie? How stupid are you to think I would believe that!"

"I don't think you're stupid! Please, my lord!" Katherine was torn between wanting him to make her cum and fearing his rage if he did not believe her.

"Then how do you expect me to believe such a thing, Katherine? You have no way to prove that she is my mother, do you?" He stayed perfectly still within her, leaving her wanting.

"There is a special mark that is passed through her bloodline and it's always in the same location no matter if you are male or female." She whimpered, wanting him to sheath himself in her body, riding her.

He pulled out of her, standing back a couple of paces, leaving himself open to her, his length dripping with her juices. "Then show me where it is. As far as I know I have no marks upon me."

She stood, her eyes on him. Slowly she walked over to his dresser and retrieved the two hand mirrors. She curled her lip in disgust when she recognized the female rider to whom the ornate mirror belonged to. The other one was standard issue for riders. She handed him the smaller mirror and moving behind him, held up the larger mirror. "Look into the mirror, my liege. Here is your birthmark and birthright." She pointed to a flame shaped mark between his shoulder blades. It was lighter than his normal skin and was almost completely invisible to the naked eye.

He raised an eyebrow as he looked at it, just barely seeing it and no more. He turned around, clearly not satisfied. "And who's to say you didn't randomly pick out that mark and make up a story to fit?" He suddenly backhanded her, sending her sprawling across the floor, "You are getting sloppy Katherine. Your lies used to have more substance to them."

She clutched her nose which was bleeding, her eyes blazed with her own anger. "I am not lying, you heartless bastard! It is your mark but you don't have to believe. Deny your heritage and the power you could wield, you stupid, stupid man!" So upset was she at his callous disregard for her explanation that she lost all semblance of groveling. How dare he? How dare he insult her?

In the blink of an eye he was gone, but only long enough for her to notice she was moving through the air, a loud thud heard as he drove her against the wall again, just hard enough to almost fracture her weakened ribs. "Perhaps I did not make my intentions clear when I said there would be consequences if you lied to me." His face was stony cold now, he was tired of this little charade and his patience was wearing thin. "You will show me how to access these powers, assuming they are there. If there are no results within two hours I will carve up your dragon and post the pieces to your former mistress, along with pieces of you. Do I make perfectly clear?"

She wheezed, glared defiantly then looked away. "You have to have a High Priestess activate them. And no," she held up a hand, "I'm not telling you this so that you'll seek out High Priestess Erykia, I'm just explaining it like I was told by the druid who instructed me."

His face lost all emotion, his eyes narrowing. This was not news he wanted to hear. This would make acquiring them incredibly difficult. "And tell me...how do they get activated? The ritual involved?"

"A spell of power that is handed down from one High Priestess to another. And I'm not sure how you know, just that you do know. Maybe a shift in your magic base. But you'll feel the difference."

"And how did she perform that spell Katherine? What did she do to you to trigger this shift?" His face was returning to normal again, the wheels slowly beginning to turn once more.

"It's never been done to me. I don't have blood powers. But if I understand correctly, it requires a blast of her powers slamming into yours."

Another click in his mind as the gears shifted position, once more he felt an idea coming on, along with something more...erotic. A slow cruel smile graced his features, this was not going to end well for someone. "Tell me Katherine, do you think you can contact Erykia while on the brink of orgasm? Hmm?" He lifted and spread her legs before settling her once more upon his stiff rod, sliding deep within her.

She gasped, her pupils dilated and her nails dug into his back. She reached out and connected with Erykia's mind.

His hips began to vigorously thrust as he closed his eyes and focused, probing into Katherine with his own mind, connecting through the mental link all riders shared. Once inside he whispered softly as he felt Erykia enter Katherine's mind. ~Surprise, witch!~ He let the mental barrier down on his arousal, flooding the sensations into their shared link, the force of it knocking through Katherine's already weakened barriers, unleashing the pure and utter chaos of the moment.

Erykia screamed angrily and reacted with swift fury, slam the full brunt of her power down the blood bond to Katherine and toward Cyrus. She wanted him dead!

The power surged through Cyrus's exposed mind. Deliberately he let it go as deep as it would, connecting directly with the core of his being, the source of his power. The resulting clash was incredible, the reaction surging back up the link in all directions. The world went dark for Cyrus. However just on the very edge of his mind he could hear the barely audible voice of Katie muttering, "Stupid boy...."



Onyx Dreams Ch. 31



Isaac sighed softly as he looked at Brenna from the door way of the mountain monastery. It was a refuge to all those who sought hope, strength or redemption. Right now it seemed as if the dragon before him needed all three. She had arrived battered, bruised and bleeding and her spirit crushed. Her body was healed now but the latter was still in a weakened state. What happened to her had done more damage than any weapon ever could. Her heart had been ripped out by the one person she loved most. He couldn't believe his own son could have been capable of such deeds. Truly he had fallen far indeed.

Brenna lay on the rocks behind the monastery, allowing the sun to soak into her hide. The warmth brought her no pleasure. She hurt inside and nothing Isaac tried was helping. Cyrus choosing Kaie over her had cut deep into her heart and soul. She was confused and alone. She wanted Hayden. She wanted to go home. But she couldn't seem to find the strength or the power to open a second portal. And she was too proud to call for help when it was her fault she was like this.

He walked across the soft sand and gravel mixed path towards her, a few of his students following behind with a barrel of special boiled herbs to help ease any linger physical pain there may be. Stopping a short distance away he bowed low and spoke clearly, "Hail Lady Brenna, may I approach and be honored by you in conversation?"

~You may approach.~ Her voice was devoid of emotion of any type. She opened one eye to study Isaac and his students as they came closer.

He motioned for the barrel to be brought forwards and placed before her, the student scurrying back to the monastery once it was done. Isaac slowly approached, gently placing his hand upon the barrel before looking up at her. "This is to ease any discomfort you may still have Lady Brenna. May I ask how you are feeling today?"

Brenna sniffed at the barrel half-heartedly. ~I am the same~ she stuck her tongue into the liquid and drank it. Even the bitter taste did not stir her.

He sighed once again and reached out, gently touching her snout. He wished there was something more he could do. He wished he could find her mate Hayden. The one she spoke of while she dreamed.

In the ether of the world, that one wish was heard...

>>Dragon Realm

Kennice was tossing in her sleep. She felt hot and afraid. Caught in the midst of a nightmare she struggled to awake and failed. A scream was wrenched from her throat as she drowned in the terror of the nightmare...

Hayden stood above, looking down at her shifting body, trying to awaken. Leaning his snout down, he gently nudged her, attempting to help her escape from her nightmares.

She awoke with a scream in her throat, eyes wide in fright. She yelped, rolled and hit the floor in tangled heap with the sheets. It took her befuddled mind a moment to realize where she was. "Hayden?"

"Indeed my rider, it is I. You were thrashing in your sleep. I felt it best to awaken you from such dreams. I hope you are alright." He looked down at her, gently blowing warm air over her to try and help calm her.

Her heart was slowing and she tried to remember what it was she'd been dreaming about. But it proved elusive. After a few minutes she gave up and stood on shakily legs to sit down on the edge of the bed. "I am fine."

"That is good to know, because you must get ready, we have a friend to bring home." There was a happier tone to his voice, like a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

"A friend? Who?" She hurried to the side room and put on the clothes that had been laid out for her. "Hayden? Who is it?"

"My mate, Brenna. She has been found and I must ensure she returns home where she will be safe to heal and recover properly."

"Wait! Isn't she Cyrus' dragon?" Kennice demanded as she came back into the room.

"Former...He has abandoned her for our enemy, Kaie. He is lost to us I am afraid. Right now we must concentrate on retrieving our kin."

Kennice bristled at Hayden's dismissive tone. Cyrus was not lost! Biting her tongue she nodded. "Lead the way."

He nodded and turned, holding his leg out for her to climb up, "We will be travelling by portal to the one who has cared for her since she fled Cyrus. Hold on tight."

He moved out of the cavern into the cold morning light and spread his wing, taking off into the air until he found the spot her was looking for. Taking a deep breath, his scales began to glow and glitter in the sunlight. After a moment he exhaled, a long pure white flame escaping his mouth, the air shimmering from the heat and the magics surrounding it.

In front of them, the portal began to form. The space in front of them warped and rippled, the realities between the two worlds bending and twisting to meet the shape that was demanded of it. Finally the portal was ready, the edges of it a golden colour of regalilty and status. Hayden nodded to confirm it was ready and spoke softly, ~Hold on tight, this may be a little bumpy.~ He pushed away with his wings, soaring around in a long circle for a few moments before lining up with the portal and streaking through.

Kennice couldn't help it; she let out a startled shriek as the force of the portal's wind blasted her. She lay flat against Hayden's hide, eyes closed and prayed to the gods that they made it through to the other side. The roaring in her ears was painful too. 

After what seemed like an eternity, they reached the other side, the stark spring light pierced the skies above them, beaming down heat that never quite reached those in the frosty valley below. The last tendrils of winter still clinging on as spring marched into control of the year. ~Rider, we are here.~

"Thank the gods! I think I'm in one piece." Hastily Kennice checked herself over. Everything seemed to be in order. She let out a sigh of relief and then curiosity got the better of her and she craned her head about trying to see where they were.

The sight was something incredible to behold. Green pastures stretched for miles and miles in every direction, the sunlight glistened off the grasses and trees as far as the eye could see. To the right was an aged, yet sturdy monastery, its architecture suggesting it had seen much more than anyone suspected. In the gardens near the gates the shapes of students could be seen, bent over the long furrows of winter vegetables and berries. Harvest time was upon them and nothing was going to dissuade them from collecting their crop.

To the left was the purpose of their mission, the aching and emotionally crippled form of Brenna. Even from the distance they were, the feelings of betrayal and self loathing could be felt.

Kennice clutched her head as the unfamiliar emotions slammed into her mind, causing an instant nosebleed. "What...is...that!" she gasped. She was suffocating from the pressure of the pain. "Make...it...stop!"

Hayden too was caught off guard by the force of will being subconsciously exerted by his mate. However, he shook off the rush and forced the torrent aside, blocking off the mental connection between Brenna and his rider. Slowly he descended to the front of his mate. Isaac had gone indoors long ago to attend to the running of the monastery, leaving Brenna to her thoughts. ~Brenna...~

~Go away, mind demon!~ The anger and loathing lashed outward with venomous force and guilt colored the end of the sending.

Hayden immediately reared on his back legs and roared, spreading his wings wide, casting two long shadows over Brenna. The sudden sheer force of the bellow causing the ground beneath his talons to shudder and tremble.

It was the roar that penetrated Brenna's self-pity. ~My king?~

~Yes Brenna, it is I. Your King...and mate. It is time to come home, you have suffered long enough my love.~ He leaned his head down, his snout gently rubbing against hers.

~I cannot return! I am tainted! I did the forbidden and tried to open a portal. And for naught! He chose HER!~ She keened her anguish and swung her head away from Hayden.

Kennice simply sat feeling helpless. How did one console a grieving dragon?

Hayden drew in a deep breath and exhaled it sharply over his mate. ~You question the command of your king? Your mate? I will have no more discussion over this. You are coming home. What happened here will be discussed when we return. Now rise, I am taking you home.~

Head bowed low, Brenna sluggishly came to her feet, her wings unfurling. Her hide was dull, not glowing with the sheen of health. She said no more, simply waited on Hayden's next command.

From across the field, Isaac came running. "Wait! Lady Brenna!" He halted in front of her. He placed a hand on her snout. "I have faith in you and my son. He will find his way back to the light and to you."

Hayden ignored the small form of Isaac, instead spreading his wings and lifting off into the air, opening another portal, its powerful aura rippling out across the air in front of them. Once it was stable her turned to look at Brenna, his voice now firm and commanding, like that of a parent. ~Come Brenna, we have much to discuss.~

Brenna's tongue snaked out and licked a startled Isaac on the face. She slowly took to the air, gradually gaining altitude until she was by Hayden's side.

He leaned forwards and pushed with his wings, moving through the portal, into the realm of dragons, awaiting the arrival of his mate on the other side.

Brenna did not hesitate. She obediently followed, leaving behind the world of men and her traitorous rider.

On the other side, the portal led to the healing caverns of the dragon realm. Their expansive walls giving off a faint glow of energetic magic. Immediately they began to glow brighter as Brenna entered. There were a few older dragons present, suffering from various minor ailments, along with a few younger, less careful dragons that had injured themselves during training. Beside The portal was an open bay, a glint of onyx colour on the post by the large nest. ~This is where you will stay Brenna. It will take time for you to regain you confidence. I am sorry for my shortness with you earlier, but I had to ensure I got you home before the enemy could hurt you any more.~

~Yes, my king.~ Her tone was meek, emotionless as she glided to the nest and settled herself.

He sighed quietly and looked around till he spotted the ruby dragon in charge of caring for the injured occupants. The portal had closed now, revealing further tunnels that lead to more caverns in the area. Moving across to her, he bowed his head. ~I leave my mate in your caring talons, Lady Haster.~

~Of course, my King. She will have the best of care. On my honor, I swear it.~

He nodded once more before heading out of the caverns, breathing in the crisp air of his realm. ~I am sorry you had to witness that Kennice. I did not want to expose us for any longer than necessary.~

"I understand why you did. I just don't understand Cyrus. How he can be so cruel to her? It makes no sense. My heart tells me that he is good but he keeps doing such mean things."

~It is the way of his kind, my rider. They take things as face value, yet see treachery in everything. It is unfortunate he was targeted by Kaie...she is skilled at manipulating people.~

Kennice was frustrated. She wanted to help Cyrus and Brenna. "You have to take me back. Maybe if we find mother and father they can help us save Brenna and Cyrus."

~No! I will not endure you further unless I have no other choice. You must accept that he is lost to us, Kennice. He has sided with the dark ones and nothing will change his mind. He proved that when he tried to end your life at your wedding!~

"But did he really? He was not the one who came at me. Kaie did," she stubbornly defended Cyrus.

~You saw what he did to the preacher? Your husband, Rhys? What he attempted to do to the rest of your family. Surely you would have been next if we had not taken you to safety.~

"I'm not sure. And Rhys is not my husband. We did not finish the vows." Kennice's eyes grew wide. "We're not married!" Dazed she considered the implications for herself and the land.

~My apologies, I do not yet fully understand all human customs. But in all honesty, I am rather glad you are not married, he did not seem right for you.~

"I know. Cyrus said the same thing. I wouldn't have married Rhys if Cyrus...well it doesn't matter now. I made a mistake and if I can make them so can Cyrus."

Hayden was silent for a long moment before he nodded slightly and began walking back to the main halls. ~Perhaps...have you had any more visions that you are able to remember?~

"None. And truthfully, I think I would gladly forego them. They scare me." She shivered and moved closer to Hayden's body.

~Unfortunately that is the price one must pay for being granted such a gift. The true ability, however, comes from being able to interpret them. Perhaps you should spend a bit more time with Nightseer, he may be able to shed some light on your visions.~

At the mention of Nightseer, Kennice smiled. She liked the old dragon. The younger one was exhausting but Kennice had dealt with children in the village who behaved the same way and she'd grown accustomed to such wildness. "I would like that."

~Then I shall see if I can arrange something for you, no doubt he will enjoy the company.~ He continued walking along the wide stone path before them, the low hills gradually becoming spotted with small houses, and then the unbelievably tall towers of the main dragon keep came into view. It was a still a long way off however, but Hayden knew the distance would not matter, if needed he could fly there in a matter of minutes.

Kennice glanced about in awe. The land here in the dragon realm was beautiful. She had not been in this area before. Apparently there was more to the realm than the giant dragon mountain where the dragons and most of the riders resided.

"Where are we exactly?" She noticed that people were tending the fields and she could hear the laughter of children.

~These are the descendants of the families of the original dragon riders, from the first war of the human realm. They have been here for hundreds of years. In this realm, time flows differently. They were brought here to keep them safe from the barbarians of the human world, so they could not be used as hostages against the riders.~

"So family members are brought here? Why was I not told this? Mother and Father could have been here and safe."

~There is a reason for this. The magics here affect families in such a way that if they are not bonded to a dragon, they adapt to the magics here...and cannot return to the human realm. Families are only granted entry if there is no other option.~ 

"Oh." Kennice hid her pain at the answer deep in her mind and heart. It seemed that no matter what she chose she was going to lose someone precious to her.

~But fear not my rider, all is not lost yet. We have still to hear back from some of our allies who may come to our aid when we need it most~ He pushed back the feeling that he knew he was lying. It was unfortunate that the gryphons and unicorns had become so withdrawn from the human world that they no longer cared for its fate. 

"I hope they come soon. Kaie is warping Cyrus and destroying my world. I cannot let her harm its people!"

The keep grew ever closer with each step, the towers glinting in the sunlight, but something felt....different about it, like something vital was about to change. ~Kaie is an ancient being, my rider. She has been hiding in the shadows and manipulating people for centuries in your world.~

"Why did you not stop her then? You could have spared us all a lot of grief if you had." She wasn't feeling too sympathetic. For being such a great race they seemed to not help others much.

~There is something you must learn, Kennice, something very important. If someone who wields magic, dragon, gryphon unicorn or...~ He fell silent for a moment, not wishing to name the final race that lurked in the dark corners of the dragon realm. ~Well anything, human too. If they do not wish to be found, then it can be very, very difficult to track them. Those who wield dark powers are especially gifted at hiding their presence.~

She felt foolish. She knew that. It was one of the first lessons Erykia had drummed into her mind. "I'm sorry, that was inexcusable of me. I knew this. I'm frustrated. I want to know if my parents died or if they live." 

~I have been listening to the ether, scanning for hopes of finding my mate, which we did. But while I was listening for her...I did also catch wind that your parents were alive and well.~

"There must be some way to communicate with them. We need a plan."

~The time will come Rider, sooner than you think.~ By now the great gates of the Keep were approaching, the great wide doors slowly opening wide to accommodate the massive bulk of Hayden.

Kennice knew she had to be content with this little knowledge though it did not completely abate her worry. She craned her head neck about, trying to take in everything around her.

Hayden grew more cautious as he entered the keep. The feeling of uneasiness was stronger here. He could feel something lurking within the walls of his stronghold. What he could not tell, however, was whether it was a presence of light or dark.

"Hayden." She found herself whispering as his feelings of unease crept along their bond. Taking a calm breath she closed her eyes and focused on her magical senses. Cautiously she extended her reach and then found the source of wrongness. "Hayden, to your left in the shadows," she hissed.

Hayden's head snapped to his left, searching in the shadows, casting out his mind to find the source, but to no avail. To him, there was nothing there but shadows.

A soft, dry voice like that of a throat parched for centuries drifted from the shadows Kennice was looking at, "I'm impressed Miss Davenport. It has been some time since anyone not of my kind has been able to sense me properly." From the shadows stepped the source of the voice, or rather from the shadows itself it stepped. The shadows clung to the figure, like they were reluctant to let go out it, as if he had been born of them.

Hayden took a step back and hissed, bearing his fangs. "You!"

"Who are you? You feel...." She trailed off, unsure of how to describe how he felt to her magical senses.

"Someone who watches...records...someone your king has learned to fear long ago. But fear not Miss Davenport, I am not here to cause any trouble."

He slowly walked around to the front of Hayden, his boots clacking on the hard tile floor. "I must speak with your Seer...and with your rider, there is much to discuss. Forces are moving beyond even dragon comprehension."

Kennice felt Hayden tense beneath her. "Why just me and Nightseer? Why not Hayden? Shouldn't he be there as King of the Dragons?" she demanded.

"This is not a matter that concerns him. Even if it were, there is nothing he can do...he does no possess power enough to comprehend such things."

She bristled. "Don't talk about my friend that way!" She glared at the intruder, not caring if he was bigger than her.

His eyes flicked up at her, staring deep into hers, his gaze seeming to penetrate her very soul. "You would prefer he try to fight and die within seconds?"

"No, I don't want any more dying. Enough blood has been shed as it is." Suddenly weary, she sighed. "Hayden, please let me down."

Hayden glared down at the figure before them but relented. He knew the power his kind held at their command and it was only by his will that they were still alive. They had been known to destroy entire nations on nothing but the breath of a whim, in little more than a flash of a thought. ~Very well...but be careful.~

She climbed down his offered leg and slowly walked over to the visitor. She dropped into a curtsy. "I am Kennice Davenport, sir." Never hurts to be polite, she thought, even though being this close to him made her headache from the power of his magic.




Onyx Dreams Ch. 31



He bowed slowly and smirked to himself, "It is an honor to meet you my dear. I am Noctus, architect of shadows, darkness and the night."

He held his arm out for her to take. "We have much to speak of my dear. I believe you meant to spend time with your seer anyway, yes?"

She took his arm. "Yes, I was going that way." She cast one last look back at Hayden and prayed she was doing the right thing.

He led her towards a shadowed corner, the room seeming to elongate somehow. As he extended his hand, the shadows before them distorted, forming the barely visible outline of a doorway visible only to them. Stepping forwards into it, a rush of cold covered them, freezing cold like the steely grip of death itself. The deep, chittering demonic whisperings of whatever lurked in those shadows heard in their ears. After a moment that seemed like an eternity, they emerged in the great chambers of Nightseer and his apprentice. "It has been sometime...my old friend."

"Ah, there you are, Noctus. Took you long enough to visit. Poor Kennice. You've frozen the poor young lady." Kennice stood by Noctus' side freezing and teeth chattering, trying to look like she wasn't as miserable as she felt. "What brings you here, Noctus?" Nightseer lowered his head to see the male better, blowing warm breath from his mouth toward Kennice who stopped shivering.

Noctus glanced at Kennice for a moment and smirked, a little of his nasty streak showing. "Humans need a little chill every now and then to remind them of things that lurk in the dark." Chuckling he stepped away from Kennice, walking in front of the great dragon seer. "Oh my old friend this is no normal social visit..." Sweeping his hand in a long arc above his head, the air before them sounded as if it were tearing, a darkly glowing symbol appearing in the air. Eight long talons woven through a star. It was an unholy symbol in the dragon realm, one that signalled dark and dangerous times to come. "The Acolyte is moving."

"I know. There is no cause for alarm. The Acolyte is only making sure the mortal realm and our dragon realm are doing well. Do not worry old friend."

A slight smirk crossed his face, signalling he knew something more than what the situation presented. "Under normal circumstances, yes. However, due to recent events in the mortal realm with a certain man whom you both know quite personally." His eyes turned to Kennice, lingering on her firm breasts for a moment. "My attention was caught. Normally The Acolyte does not concern itself with such things. The dark acts of dark men are of destiny's design. They work in the favour of those that lurk beyond. So such things collecting information on one who would normally give them no interest made me wonder." He flicked his wrist and the symbol disappeared, replaced by an image that would make any normal mortal's hear stop. In front of them was an image of Cyrus. However the key part of this image were the long scaled dragon tails wrapped around his limbs, as if caressing them. 

"Things are not what they appear old friend. Normally I would stay out of this but certain circumstances have forced my hand. The Dark One himself is playing a part in this little game. You must be warned of what is to come." Noctus looked at Kennice, the room seeming to grow colder and colder by the minute. He held out his hand to her, tendrils of darkness trailing from them as his magic grew around him, frost forming on his fingertips. "Take my hand, young one, see what must be seen, or your entire world will be lost to the master puppeteer."

Kennice blanched, fear rooting her to the spot at such a display of magic. It was neither evil nor good but something in between and it unnerved her. Inexplicably she felt her feet moving and then her hand was in his.

Immediately a strong vision slammed into her mind, brutally smashing past all her defenses with sheer raw power. The icy cold of his magics gripped her mind and plummeted her deep down into the vortex.

Suddenly, she found herself in a battlefield, she could see a girl in front of her and she recognised it as herself. But she was different, molded around her body was a suit of gleaming white armor that shone in the night. Its light was fading though, her life force fading with it. The armor was bloodied, her hair matted with the vital life-giving substance. Standing over her was Cyrus, his Bass Blade in hand. He too was in armor, dark black armor that sucked in and devoured all light that touched it. It was clear he had won this battle. He had her at his mercy. Her army lay in ruins around her, the darkness had won.

His face drew into a cruel smile as he looked down at her, his eyes filled with disdain. "This is what happens when you try to play me for a fool Kennice. This is what happens when you betray me!"

He drove the sword down with both hands, driving it through her chest, her voice echoing across the battlefield as she screamed out in agony. All too soon, her cries were silenced as her throat filled with blood, leaving only a gut churning gurgling as her final breath escaped her lips.

He tossed back his head, his laughter echoing out across the field. But something was wrong. The air was shimmering above him, a portal was opening! But this portal was like no other. Black lightning crackled around the silver rim, tarnished with the putrid vile evil that lurked beyond it. Slowly, an enormous Dark head emerged from the event horizon, its size dwarfing the field itself. Cyrus' eyes opened wide and he began to run. It was too late though.

Time in the vision began to slow down as the beast opened its huge gaping maw, a flame of pure destruction erupting from its infinitely deep throat, engulfing the entire field in a flash of light. Its power incinerated everyone and everything in its path. There weren't even screams, the event happening so suddenly. All that was left was a gigantic smoking crater, devoid of even the earth's life spirit and the portal above, from which the demonic beast was slowly emerging.

The vision around the viewing Kennice began swirl once again as she was dragged out from the streams of destiny....

She blinked and it took a moment for her to realize that she was screaming in denial as tears ran down her face. "Why do you show me this? What do you hope to gain? Cyrus is not the monster you make him out to be!"

The air around them was still chilled with the use of the dark magics from Noctus, her warm breath misting as it met the cold. "I know...this is his future if you believe that he is that which your peers call him. If you side with them and treat him like the monster he is acting like...he will be not only your downfall. But the downfall of this entire realm."

"He will be no one's downfall! He is a good man and I will make you all see it!" She declared her eyes fierce.

Noctus smirked, a glint in the light as his teeth came briefly into view. "Good, keep that close to your heart no matter what. But I can guarantee you one thing. More blood will be shed before this war is over."

She stiffened. "I know that. War always comes with a price. High Priestess Erykia drilled that into my head when I started my priestess' studies."

"A price yes, but this is much more than a simple price to pay. He has the backing of something that he shouldn't have. Something is pulling his strings, something even your king dares not speak of out loud."

"You mean the evil that came out of the portal? That wasn't Kaie, was it?" Kennice stared at Noctus.

His smile grew a little more, baring more of his teeth, those long, sharp razorblade like fangs. "I see you have an eye for interpretation. No, it was not Kaie, if she had that kind of power I would have killed her myself long ago. This particular darkness was one of my father's first creations. It is the ruler of the beyond, the realm where your scaled friends go when they pass on. The netherworld for dragons, lorded over by that ancient demonic spirit. He has gotten ideas above his station, and it is up to you, and you alone to stop him from succeeding in his plans."

"Me! Why me? I can't deal with him and save Cyrus too! I am only one woman. Not a goddess!"

"I take it back. You don't have an eye for interpretation. Should've expected that from a mortal. He is using your friend Cyrus as his means to affect this realm. To gain power. He is connected to Kaie, and she to Cyrus. The more power Cyrus gains the more he gives to Kaie and the more she gives to her master. Eventually, he will have enough power to open a portal on this side of the barrier. At that point, everyone and everything dies. You don't want that, do you?"

"I don't want death but you have made it clear to me that it is inescapable. I will do what I must to save lives, including that of my love."

His smirk widened a little once more, "I'm glad to hear it. Maybe you'll get lucky one day and prophesize how to defeat your friend without killing him? He is a rare breed. One that will not let even death stop him from achieving his goals."

"Cyrus has always possessed strength of will. It is something High Priestess Erykia ignored and that Rhys coveted. And look where it got us."

"Indeed, perhaps you aren't as simple as I once thought. But let me give you this one final warning. It is not simply strength of will he possesses. Soon he will possess an item that will give him what he desires most--the power to destroy all of his enemies. You must seek out the partner to that power. You will find it at the end of The Trials...assuming you survive."

"Trials? What Trials?" She glared at Noctus before turning to Nightseer. "What is he talking about?"

Nightseer sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. He hadn't expected his friend to be so blunt and open. This was strange, even for Noctus. "The Trials are a secret place. The last place the Old Ones created. A place where they tested mortals for fun, to test those who wished to be champions of the mortal realm. These champions were selected to be protectors of the realm. Few have succeeded in passing, only those with the power of a high priest, priestess or an overlord dared set foot in that place. Not even your predecessor dares to enter."

"Erykia has never done this?" Kennice marvelled at that tidbit. Erykia didn't seem to be afraid of anyone or anything. She felt cold suddenly.

Nightseer slowly shook his head, "No she has not...such places of old have not seen a mortal presence for over one thousand years. Her mighty powers are irrelevant in that place, it is the heart that rules there and she discarded hers long ago.

"She lost her heart because of him, didn't she? The other Overlord, Skarl." Nervousness seized her and she paced. She still felt something was missing, something important.

Nightseer nodded. "That was indeed a large part of why she lost her way. There are some betrayals no one can recover from."

"I see. To be that in love and be left alone...." She closed her eyes and wondered if that was how Cyrus felt.

Noctus couldn't help but feel a smirk cross his face, "Well young lady that is one possible future, one I would like to avoid if at all possible."

"Has anyone ever told you that arrogance is not appreciated? Just because you've been around longer does not give you the right to laugh at us as if it is some big joke to you."

He raised an eyebrow, his smile widening further, "Oh how little you know child..."

He took a step forward, the world seeming to darken around them, the shadows swirling forth and gathering to him, his face turning pale, his deadly sharp fangs showing as his smile widened with each step. "I assume your king hasn't told you about my kind yet. We have not just been around longer than you. We created your species. Your world, your entire realm. It's not just a joke to us. It's an ongoing project."

Kennice's temper rose. This was not "her god" nor would she ever view such a vain creature as such. She bit down on her lip to keep herself calm. "I will ask Hayden later. There are many mysteries that I have yet to unravel, but patience and assistance from the dragons will help me."

His hand flashed out to her forehead, his index finger extended. With the slightest of pushes he pressed the tip to her skin. Instantly agony shot through her entire body, bringing her to her knees. "You will show the proper respect to my kind because with but a thought we can make it so you will suffer far more than necessary. That is what keeps your dragon friend her from making a single move right now. Because he knows just how much pain I could inflict upon his entire race if I so wished. You are very lucky I have come to you with this information, but for this disrespect, once you have done your job, pitiful mortal. I will return to educate you in the proper respect. I will take from you what you cherish most." With that said his body melted away into the shadows around them, dispersing like steam on a cold day.

Shakily she rose, her temple throbbing. "We'll see about that," she growled, angry at Noctus for hurting her and threatening those she cared for.

Nightseer sighed above her and shook his head, if only she knew what the consequences would be for saying such things, "Be careful what you say child, there are reasons for his arrogance and his cruelty. He is not one to be trifled with, not even dragons dare to displease their kind."

"Yes, Lord Nightseer."

He smiled a little. "Now, let us forget his rudeness and focus on what we have been told. What he has said is extremely important. He may be as nasty as they come, BUT, they do not say things with lies. They see no need for them with the powers they wield. We must prepare you are soon as we can. The trials are not for the faint of heart."

"I will obey you and follow all your directions. I want everyone to be safe and happy." The pain in her head had eased and she sat down on a nearby rock, drained after all she had experienced. She needed to think and plan. Time for hiding out was over. If she wanted to save the world, she'd better get a move on. 



Onyx Dreams Ch. 32



Authors' Note: We want to thank everyone for their patience as we continue to write Kennice and Cyrus' story.

*

Deep within the forest Rhys panted with exhaustion, sweat and blood dripping from his body from cuts and bruises. The battering Nyelene had been giving him as part of his training was wearing him down rapidly. He had at first tried to block one of the swipes from her mighty tail, but found out the hard way that it was a foolish idea. The blow had knocked him through six trees and broken one of his arms. 

Since then he had been practically running for his life, attacking when he thought he had found an opening, but every time he was foiled. According to her, this training was enabling her to feel his wants better so she would be more in tune with him in battle. All he could see right now was an angry Hydra hunting him.

"Again!" Her tail swung toward his legs.

He dived out of the way sprinting through the trees and focusing his will out in front of him, the shadows lighting up with fire as a line streaked through the night air. He concentrated and repeated the target of where he wanted it to land on her. If it worked she would block it easily.

"You're getting slow, priest!" she mocked and neatly dodged the fire attacks.

He cursed to himself and skidded to a halt, closing his eyes and rapidly chanting. The air around him sizzled and shimmered as he drew in the heat around him. Frost began to form on his clothes as the ball in front of him warped and shimmered constantly. Suddenly his eyes flew open and the ball hurled forward with incredible speed, slicing through trees and stone, leaving only burned and melted debris in its wake.

Nyelene was caught by surprise at the power behind it and wasn't able to fully avoid the blast which singed her tail. So the puny mortal can learn, she thought before launching a fresh attack against him.

He ducked and dived again and again, focusing now on the singed area of her tail. If her hide was a thick as she made out, then he would have to focus on one spot until he broke through.

She continued her same tactic of dodging but even so every fourth hit of his found its mark on her tail until it broke through the hide and hit the tender muscle underneath. She roared and then snapped at him. "Enough!"

He skidded to a halt, his body still tense, ready to dodge once more in case this was some form of ruse. He winced for a moment, his broken arm throbbing painfully as it hung useless by his side.

"Very good priest. You have learned an important lesson today."

He panted hard, the sweat dripping off his body as his vision blurred at the edges. "And what lesson would that be?"

"That patience can be rewarded."

A small smirk can to his lips. "Indeed, it is a wise lesson." He swayed for a moment, struggling to find the strength in his legs to keep himself upright.

"Come, it is time for you to rest. Your battle with the usurper will happen sooner than I anticipated. Your skills and power keep increasing."

He nodded slowly, staggering over to her before collapsing to his knees. His vision was darkening. "Is it sunset already?" His question was punctuated by the impact of his face landing in the dirt.

Nyelene rolled her eyes and scooped him up in her claw. She headed back to the cave that was their temporary living space.

The cave was dark and damp and devoid of any regular life, nothing dared come near it while the hydra lurked there. As she drew near the back of the cave, a spot on the floor shook as if it were made of sludge. Slowly a cowled form began to rise from it. Not a full form, merely the upper body of it. Slowly it extended its bony hand and pointed at Rhys, its voice dry as a tomb and wheezed though ancient dry lungs of dust. "The time draws closer, is he ready?"

"As ready as such a pitiful mortal can be. I would rather sacrifice the current High Priest. At least he possesses power that could actually give the new Overlord a challenge."

"That is not possible and you know that Nyelene. He would not fight him no matter what we did to him. This one does not need to fight well, only well enough to force the Overlord to use his blood powers."

"He is such a waste. However, he did demonstrate a fire technique that might enrage the Overlord enough to use what our master seeks."

"Indeed, they have been rivals for many years now. Their first clash was a wake up call to the master, he went down far too easily in front of the Overlord and he was not even at full strength! I will leave you with a final reminder of what will happen should you fail in your task Nyelene..." For a brief moment the air before her writhed as it was wrenched open, a doorway into the void beyond realms visible. "Wandering forever...unable to escape..." The creature laughed softly as it descended back into the stone floor, the doorway closing as it left.

She hissed her displeasure once the creature was gone. To be reduced to this was humiliating but the master had wiped out all others of her kind. She had no choice if she wished to live. She glared at Rhys' unconscious form. "You'd better not make me look bad." She grumbled once again before settling down to sleep.

* * *

Erykia stared at the ceiling from her bed. The covers were strewn across the room, her nude body coated in a thin sheen of sweat. The insides of her thighs were drenched from the experience she had been forced to endure, she hadn't expected Cyrus' powers to flow along hers to strike at her core. The reaction had been immediate, her body had taken over and within seconds she was wracked with countless shudders of ecstasy as she peaked time and time again for what seemed like an eternity, but had only been a mere hour. That boy was growing dangerously close to being unstoppable now.

A quick rap on the door and it opened to reveal a scowling Anthony. "Erykia, we have a problem." He froze, his breath caught in his throat. He had forgotten that she had that affect on him. The bond between High Priestess and High Priest was an intimate one. Many times more intimate than the one a husband and wife shared. It was why the High Priestess and her High Priest counterpart were encouraged to marry. 

Anthony was one of ten High Priests in the Order's long illustrious history that had been married to someone other than the High Priestess. That of course did not stop the attraction they had to and for each other. It was part of the magic of their position. "Um. Rhys has been spotted in the lands south of here. He is not alone. One report says that he travels with a dragon."

The shock was clear on her face as she struggled to sit up, barely managing to reach her elbows, which only served to give Anthony a better look at her slender body, the thin coating of sweat glinting in the moonlight. "What? That's impossible! I would have foreseen such an event as him bonding with a dragon. What does that fool think he is up to?" She glared at Anthony, her own attraction to him momentarily smothered by her outrage at Rhys going off on his own like this. "Well, don't just stand there Anthony! Help me up already!"

"Of course." He grabbed a robe and handed it to her first before assisting her to her feet. "What happened to you? You're drained, I can sense it."

"It seems our little Overlord has learned a new trick. Tell your troops, especially your females to strength their mental blocks and to have everything go through their dragons from now on." She shrugged on the robe and let him take her weight as they walked out of her room to the meeting hall nearby.

"Why? What has he learned, Erykia? And don't shut me out," he snapped as he saw that look in her eyes. "I don't desire any deaths over YOUR secrets."

"He has learned nothing from me. That I can guarantee. He has...regrettably, somehow learned how to penetrate our defenses by following our mind links with others. We must be on our guard from now on. He may be doing such things with any prisoners he takes."

"That is indeed, unfortunate. However, it gives us a possible tactical advantage as well."

As they entered the meeting hall, she sagged down into her chair at the head of the table. She still had barely enough energy to stand. "At the moment, Anthony, I fail to see how having an Overlord assault your mind can be of any advantage at all. As you can see it has rendered even me completely helpless for the time being."

"That's because you aren't thinking like a telepath. If he invades a mind that means he is looking for something specific. We can set a false trail, leave false information that will lead him to us."

"In theory, Anthony, that would be an exceptional plan, if he were a natural telepath. However, he is not. He is using brute strength to follow the link and smash his way into another person. He was not looking for information from me...he simply wanted a response." She fell silent for a moment and whispered, a tear coming to her eye as she spoke, "He was raping a spy I had sent into his midst to try and kill him from within. He used that energy against me. I had no way to counter its sheer...ecstasy."

Her eyes glazed over a little and she felt herself become aroused once again. Snapping out of the daze she shifted irritably, annoyed that it still affected her.

Anthony smelled her womanly scent and his knees nearly buckled. Erykia hadn't given off that scent in decades, at least not since he had married Elizabeth. "High Priestess, get control. The others are coming," he warned, hoping his formal words would snap her out of it.

She shivered for a moment as the memories brought her to a minor climax once more. She shook her head to defog her mind and rolled her shoulders. "I apologize, Anthony, you're right. I need to be stronger than this and not give in to my...desires so easily."

"It's understandable. And here come the elders." He moved to her left and stood there patiently as they filed in.

She tightened her robe about herself and did what she could to smooth out her clothes as they filed in, strange looks crossing their face as they noted the High Priestess was not dressed in her usual regal garb. "Elders, I am glad you were able to come so swiftly, we have much to discuss."

Anthony frowned as the elders ogled Erykia. It bothered him, their disrespect. He straightened and scowled. The men caught themselves and hastily looked away. "We have new information about the Overlord. I suggest we move to a more appropriate setting that is more protected."

"Of course, High Priest. The inner sanctum is warded and we can speak freely there."

She waited until the Elders had all filed in before getting Anthony to help her up, fussing over herself more to make herself look more presentable. When they entered and he had seated her, she looked over the elders, leaning upon the table and closing her eyes for a moment to calm herself. "First off our common enemy, the overlord, has empowered himself once more. Somehow he has gained knowledge of tracing a person back through their mental links. I suspect that he is using the common link all riders have to force his way into other links he would normally not have access to."

The elders murmured in surprise and fear. Many of them had ties to riders and none wanted their inner secrets exposed.

"What can we do, High Priestess? How can we counter that attack?"

"Right now, until we think up a more effective defense, we need to have all our riders put their thoughts through their dragon. This would mean all your secrets would be exposed to them. It is better that they know than our enemy." She steepled her fingers, looking at the elders one by one.

Angry grumbling began as the twelve men debated the merits of her suggestion.

Anthony leaned in and whispered in her ear, "They will never go for this. Not if they knew how much power we both would gain from their assent."

She turned and practically hissed venom at him, "And what else would you suggest we do, Anthony? Unless you haven't noticed there is nothing else that CAN be done to counteract this. If we do not do this we may as well surrender ourselves right now!"

Anthony sighed and noted that they had attracted attention. ~Be at ease, my High Priestess. There is one other way, but you won't like it.~

"My friends, we shall give you a day to consider the High Priestess' proposal. Until then, be at ease, we will solve our dilemma. Good day to you," Anthony added, clearly dismissing the now intrigued elders.

She glared at him, her temperament still short and irritable. ~Then tell me, I am in no mood for fanciful ideas that might work when we have a guaranteed defense in front of us.~

Anthony stood and bowed to the elders who complained as they filed from the sanctum.

~We need Kennice. King Hayden will have to bring her back. And we need Rhys. The two of them together can disrupt Cyrus. We can do this as a three-pronged attack. Kennice will draw his ire, Rhys can physically combat him and we shall strike him mentally.~ 

She nodded as she listened to the proposal finding it to have merit. ~Very well your plan seems solid. However, for it to work we will first need to retrieve that fool Rhys from whichever idiotic venture he has embarked upon.~

~Yes, no one has seen him for days, but that won't stop the hound from locating him. We have to get Kennice here first in order for this to work.~

~Indeed, we shall make contact with King Hayden and when he is on his way we shall go out and search for Rhys.~

~I shall do it right now. Do you want me to find one of the young men in the village to come relieve you?~

~A young man? In the state I am right now? Don't be foolish Anthony, if I was tempted by such a thing at the moment I'd give that poor man a permanent smile. Send in one of the hand maidens instead.~

~As you wish.~ He turned to her and placed a gentle kiss on her lips, pulling some of the lingering aftereffects of Cyrus' power from her. ~Enjoy the maiden.~

The hint of a smile came to her lips, her eyes filling with a desire she had not felt in a long time. It had been a while since she had enjoyed the soft touch of a woman. ~I believe I shall...~

~Make sure you don't scare the poor girl~ he joked before leaving the sanctum.

She could only smirk as he left before letting her robe fall open so she could burn off the edge of her desire, she didn't want to wear the maiden out too soon...

There was a timid knock on the door.

She knew who it would be and called out for her to enter, leaving her legs spread wide open as she slowly stroked up and down the moist lips of her entrance, letting her scent grow thick upon the air.

A slender young blonde walked in, eyes demurely lowered, her maiden robe parted to reveal the swell of her bosom. "Milord Davenport said you had need of us?"

Erykia raised an eyebrow at the last part, thinking she heard wrong. "Us?"

"My name is Lee and I do mean us," the blonde's voice grew deeper and she parted her robe and let it slide to the floor, exposing her entire body to Erykia's view.

Erykia's eyes slid down Lee's body, drinking in her breasts. She moved down her stomach and gasped as she took in the glorious sight before her. Between Lee's legs was not what she expected, not a tight, virginal opening, but instead, a long, thick shaft. She felt herself growing even wetter than before, "Oh my...come here my..."

She paused, unsure whether to call her boy or girl, instead she settled for something neutral, "My maiden."

Lee smiled and glided to her. "My female part is below my manhood. I can love you both ways, my priestess."

"Mm perfect. Then come here and let me explore you." She held her hand out towards her maiden, eager to feel his length in her palm.

Lee came to a stop in front of Erykia, his penis, rock hard and ready. "I am here to please you, my priestess."

Her hand slowly wrapped around the hard throbbing shaft, slowly stroking it up and down, purring softly as she brought the tip to her soft, moist lips.

Lee hissed, his eyes closing. Some precum dripped from his shaft. "My lady," Lee whispered.

Her tongue darted out, licking up the droplet of precum, savoring its taste before she opened her lips and took him inside her hot wet mouth. She sucked softly to tease him, feeling herself get a little wetter at each twitch.

"How can I please you, my mistress?" Lee's fingers tangled in Erykia's hair.

She lifted her head from his tip for a moment only to whisper, "For now my pet you can just stand there and enjoy..." Her head returned to his hard shaft, taking him deeper this time, dragging her lips and tongue up and down him.

Lee moaned and rocked his hips. "More, please."

She took a deep breath and relaxed her throat as she leaned forward. She knew how to please any man, and Lee was a man in the most important place. With practiced ease she slid down until her nose rested in his pubic hair, taking him into her throat, swallowing around him.

Lee clutched her hair, his eyes rolling back in his head. The things he had heard about the High Priestess were all true. He was going to cum soon if she kept this up.

Sliding her head up once more to breath, she hummed around his shaft, sending vibrations through it. She lifted her hand up from her wet pussy to the inside of his thigh, sliding upwards, seeking out the wet entrance he had told her he possessed.

Lee spread his legs to stay balance as her very feminine scent teased his nose. He knew what she was seeking. "Yes, my lady, it is ready for you." And it was, both his pussy and penis were wet and ready to take Erykia anyway she chose.

Her fingers brushed his moist lips and she moaned once more at this rare hand maiden. Slowly she slide her fingers inside, feeling the tight entrance squeeze her fingers as she delved ever deeper until they were fully embedded within him. She curled her fingers forward stroking for the familiar spongy flesh of a gspot and was pleased when she found it. She sucked harder, descending fully upon his shaft once more, teasing him, eager to experience his orgasm.

His hips bucked and he let out a hoarse shout as his body tightened, balls hard and his pussy pulsing from the dual stimulation. There were whispers among the other maidens about the High Priestess's bed play. Lee had often longed for it himself. And now, in a rare moment, he was experiencing it. He felt so privileged.

She continued to bop up and down his shaft, fingers still stroking that magic spot inside him, drinking down his hot sticky seed, milking out every drop from him.

Lee didn't know how much longer he could last. He wanted to give her pleasure too. "Mistress," he panted. "Let me fill your pussy, give you pleasure," he pleaded.

She slowly raised her head from the still hard shaft, licking her lips to make sure she got all his seed. "It seems you are a mind reader as well Lee...I was just thinking that." She stroked his shaft once more as she leaned back and spread her legs, lining him up with her soaked entrance. "Take me pet, make your mistress scream."

He gave a pleased growl and without delay slid his throbbing member into her pussy. He easily found a rhythm that would both build her pleasure and please her. That was his true talent, adapting his lovemaking to give his partner maximum pleasure.

She wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him closer to her aching body. Her hand slid to his back, digging her nails into his flesh, marking him. "Mm, yes, just like that pet. Take me hard."

"As my mistress wishes." Lee was only too happy to oblige. He leaned forward and grasped a nipple in his mouth. He thrust hard and sucked greedily on her nipple.

Sparks flew before her eyes as she felt the earth shift beneath her. It had been quite some time since she had indulged such lusts. Her grip tightened against him as she heard herself begin to wail in ecstasy as she was satisfied totally by this eager young handmaiden.




Onyx Dreams Ch. 32



Lee could feel her nearing that important climax. He pulled back and with three hard, deep strokes pushed her over the edge.

The very earth trembled as she peaked, shuddering against him, gripping him so tight within her. Sweat dripping down her body as her juices ran down his balls and legs.

"Ahhh, my priestess! Mistress!" Lee shuddered with his own manly release. His female core still ached but that did not matter. He had made his mistress happy. He could die happy with that knowledge alone.

She cradled him in her arms as she came down from her high, lightly stroking his hair. "If you can do that every night then I think I may just have to keep you for myself Lee..."

He perked up. "Truly mistress?"

She nodded towards him and cupped the side of his face, it had been so long since she had felt like this. Perhaps this was the silver lining to the invasion of that bastard Cyrus into her mind. He had awakened something within her that she thought lost ever since Skarl had left her. "I believe so Lee."

"I would like that, mistress. I will not disappoint. I will protect and cherish you as the treasure you are."

She chuckled softly and ran her fingers through his hair, "Oh you will do that and much, MUCH more my pet..."

With that said she slowly pushed his head down her body towards her centre, she planned to make him work all night.

* * *

Anthony stood outside gazing up at the heavens. He smirked when he felt the land tremble. He couldn't remember how long it had been since Erykia had been fucked. He was glad though that the hand maiden Lee was here serving this village. Sometimes it took one who walked both forms to give love the way it needed to be dispensed. Though he doubted Erykia thought of it in such poetic terms. Now he had to contact Hayden.

He reached down inside his energy and found the link that bound him to the dragons and with a gentle tap, sent a request to be heard. Then he sat and waited.

After a few moments a deep booming voice was heard, it was not Hayden's, however. ~Who calls an audience with the King of Dragons?"

~It is I, High Priest Anthony Davenport. I humbly request a moment of the King's time.~

~The king is in conference with his Advisors, state your reasons and I shall decide if it is worthy of his time.~

~We have a way to trap the Overlord but it would require Priestess Kennice's assistance.~

A feeling of acknowledgement came across the link. ~Very well, I shall inform the king, he shall contact you momentarily~

A few minutes later the feeling changed to the more familiar presence of Hayden. ~High Priest, I am told you have good news?~

~Yes, we have a way to trap the Overlord. It would, however, require your rider's help.~

~That is good news indeed, how do you intend to achieve such a goal?~

~With a three pronged attack. Cyrus will be distracted by Kennice's reappearance. While that confrontation is happening, We will have Rhys attack from the back and Erykia and I from the sides to bind him. I do believe between the four of us we can do this.~

~Hmm that could very well work, let us hope however that we are not too late and he has not outgrown us already.~

~We will pull from the land if we have to but we need to stop him now.~

~Agreed, I shall inform Kennice of this development immediately and be with you as soon as I can Anthony.~

~Thank you, King Hayden.~ Anthony hesitated and then added, ~Is she doing all right?~

~She is doing better than expected Anthony, be proud to know she is far stronger than she looks.~

~I have never doubted. The quiet ones usually are. Her mother and I miss her but we'd rather have her safe than dead.~ ~Indeed, I must go now Anthony if we are to make good time. Be safe.~

~You too, King Hayden.~ Anthony released his end of the link and sat down, wearied. "I'm getting too old for this."

* * *

Kennice emerged from the bath, tired and contemplative all at once. There had to be a way to reach Cyrus and bring back the man she loved.

At the edge of her mind was the gentle presence of Hayden, he wanted to respect her privacy so had left her alone while she bathed. He wanted to be sure she was finished before he disturbed her.

~It is all right. I am finished. Is something happening? Is there more news?~ She began to towel off the water from her body and wrung the excess out of her hair.

~Indeed, your parents have devised a plan to capture Cyrus and put an end to his campaign. You must play a key role in it.~

~What do I have to do?~ This was what she'd been waiting for. If she could just talk to Cyrus, make him see....

~You must provide a distraction and draw him out so Rhys may engage him in combat long enough for your parents and the High Priestess to subdue him.~

Kennice made a face. ~I don't think that's such a good idea. The minute Cyrus sees Rhys, he'll try to kill him.~

~That's the point, Kennice. he will keep Cyrus' attention from your parents and the High Priestess doing their work.~

Kennice sighed and donned her clothing. ~I suppose. I will do whatever everyone thinks is best.~ She said the words but her heart was not in them. Always fighting. Why couldn't this be done without fighting? ~When are we going?~

~Back to the human realm. your father will give us the full details when we arrive.~

~I must grab my cloak. I am ready now.~ She couldn't disguise her eagerness to return home.

A smile crept across Hayden's features as he extended his hind leg towards his rider so she could climb upon his back. ~Very well, we shall leave immediately.~

Kennice got into place and made herself comfortable. Happiness thrummed in her breast. Home. She was going home!

With a beat of his great wings, Hayden became airborne, lifting up into the skies above the dragon citadel, heading straight for the portal to the human realm. He hoped this plan would work. Cyrus was coming dangerously close to the power level of even a dragon. At that point he would be a formidable opponent even for Hayden himself.

Kennice felt Hayden's emotions, if not his thoughts, and began humming a tune her father had taught her as a child. It advocated peace instead of war.

A few minutes later they had passed through the regal portal of the dragon king and were landing at the edge of the village, the grasses being blown over with each beat of his massive wings.

She wiggled impatiently until Hayden landed. Kennice grinned and let out a whoop before sliding down his leg and to the ground.

"Kennice!"

"Mother!" she cried and ran toward her parents who had just appeared on the small hilltop.

Anthony watched as his wife dashed down the hill and snatched her daughter up in her arms in a hug filled with love and relief. "I'm so glad you're safe Kennice! I was so worried about you."

Kennice was laughing and crying all at once. "Mother, I can't breathe!" she joked but inside she was relieved that they were unharmed. She looked over her mother's shoulder. "Father!"

Anthony approached the pair, his smile growing larger as he neared them and wrapped his arms around the two. "My child, we're so glad you're finally home."

"I thought, when the monastery was destroyed...I didn't understand why he tried to hurt all of us. I know now that Cyrus is being controlled. I have to help him."

"Sh, my child, it's all right. I'm not going to let that monster hurt you anymore." Elizabeth was crying tears of joy at finally having her daughter back in her arms.

Kennice pulled back a little and wiped the tears from her mother's eyes. "He's not a monster, mother, just lost and confused. And I'm okay, I promise."

"He destroyed our home on some quest for vengeance against you, Kennice! How can he not be such a creature?"

"Just because a bird kills an insect does not make it evil! It is life and Cyrus has had a rough one. He is only reacting, not really thinking."

Elizabeth felt a scowl come to her face. "Reacting to what? You have done him no wrong Kennice! That is what makes him a monster."

Kennice could feel the familiar frustration building. Her mother wasn't listening! "He's reacting to our emotions and our attitudes. He sees your anger and assumes you hate him and are trying to harm him."

"So he tries to kill my daughter whenever someone is angry with him? That's even worse Kennice! He truly is a monster."

She stepped away from her parents and eyed them sadly. She felt Hayden's reassuring presence hovering in her mind. "I am sorry that you cannot see the good in him."

Elizabeth persevered in her belief that Cyrus was a monster. "Kennice, how can there be any good in a person who wants to kill you? Someone who has done him no wrong and shows no anger towards him? It's like kicking a kitten because it crosses your path." 

She turned her back on her parents. "I will not discuss this any more. I," she stopped and her eyes narrowed. She spun around and pointed behind her father. "She's here?" Kennice glared daggers at Erykia who had just topped the hill and stood watching the group.

Anthony frowned at the accusing tone. "Yes, Kennice, she is the reason we are alive today. What's wrong?"

"Nothing, nothing at all!" she snarled and hurried back to Hayden's side. What she didn't say to her father was that she could feel the energy humming in Erykia which meant the High Priestess had taken a hand maiden to her bed. Kennice forced her mind away from other more hurtful memories and stroked Hayden's leg.

~My rider, we can leave, if you wish. You said you only wanted to see your parents.~ 

~I know, I, I need a moment.~

Hayden said nothing else as he waited for her to regain her composure.

Anthony took a step towards his daughter. he wasn't sure what was going on. He wanted to find out but the situation seemed to be becoming more and more delicate by the second. "Kennice, sweetheart, please tell me what's wrong?"

"I am fine, father." She turned back around and found Erykia had joined them. She bowed low. "High Priestess, I apologize for my behavior."

A genuine post orgasmic smile crossed Erykia's face as she looked at Kennice. Her body was still throbbing with the energies she had experienced with Lee. "You are forgiven child, in these hard times it can be difficult to find some time to...relax as we used to."

Kennice stiffened. "I'm glad you are 'relaxed,' High Priestess. Hayden explained to me that you wish to trap Cyrus."

The High Priestess nodded. "That is true, we believe our strategy to be solid. once all the pieces are assembled we will move upon him and end this threat once and for all."

Kennice bristled at Erykia calling Cyrus a threat but she held her tongue. Arguing with the High Priestess would get her nowhere and possibly disciplined if she wasn't careful. She may be a rider, but Erykia still carried a brutal stick that she wielded with efficiency.

Erykia smiled once more, extending her hand towards Kennice. "Come, we will discuss the matter in greater detail inside where prying eyes cannot spy upon us."

She started to refuse the offered hand but thought better of it. She took Erykia's hand reluctantly. A small jolt of sexual energy sparked between them, a remnant of spells from the past, giving Kennice just the briefest flash of what had transpired between Erykia and Lee. 

"I am glad you are safe and well Kennice, it would have wounded my heart to have lost such a divine woman as yourself."

Kennice snarled and tried to jerk free. She didn't want this! She had always dreaded the times when, as a hand maiden, she'd been summoned to Erykia's bed. She'd detested it. Though a High Priestess needed to love both males and females, Kennice had only wanted Cyrus. Erykia knew that and had punished her for it.

The grip tightened on her hand and Erykia pulled her close, her voice a sharp whisper, too low to be heard by Anthony or Elizabeth. "You are going to come with me, Kennice. we are going to inform you of the plan and execute it with Rhys' help, regardless of your feelings for that abomination. You have no idea just how dangerous he has become!"

The images of how Cyrus had overwhelmed her defenses with sheer brute force shot into Kennice's mind. "He did this to me on a sheer whim, Kennice, to see how I would react. Just imagine the horrors he has in store for you once he plans out how to get you like he got me."

Kennice gasped and paled at the assault of images. The mind couldn't lie and Erykia was very disciplined with hers. "No," she whispered. "What did you do to him first?" she demanded.

"I did nothing to him Kennice. I had a spy in his ranks, watching him, gathering information for us and this was his response when he discovered her. I have no doubt he will have far worse consequences if he should capture you."

"So now you're worried about me? How kind of you," Kennice hissed, her eyes narrowing in anger.

"Of course I am. you are the next High Priestess and the rider of the king of dragons. If you are to fall there would be chaos of an unimaginable scale!"

Kennice glared and then glanced away. Erykia was right. If she fell, the land would plunge into chaos. And she didn't know how it would affect Hayden and the dragons either.

Erykia began walking again, pulling Kennice behind her. "We do not have much time. Once we fill you in, we must find Rhys. that stupid boy has gone wandering again."

Kennice didn't protest and in the back of her mind, she wondered if this would all blow up in their faces.