Dragon and the Beast: Dragon Ever After, #3

Chapter One

THIS is where we part, Jelverck announced, pulling his horse to stop.

Haddon glanced at the stretch of woodlands bordering the High Road around them, seemingly identical to the miles of forest they'd already passed. It took a second, deeper look for him to notice the nearly invisible trail, heavily overgrown and lurking in the shadows of massive trees.

One of the twins rode past Haddon and twisted in his saddle to peer down the rough track. Despite the late afternoon sun, the route was a dark tunnel of overhanging branches and high, tangled underbrush.

Wyatt flicked his tawny braid over his shoulder and stared at Jelverck with disbelief.

That's the road to where the exiled princess is hidden? The scar slashed through his eyebrow accentuated the stark incredulity in his eyes. "It looks like the beginning of every creepy campfire story. You know, the ones that end with, and they were never heard from again..."

"The key word is hidden, Zane pointed out to his twin with a roll of his eyes. Signposts and well-groomed trails would sort of defeat the purpose."

Haddon was eternally grateful Zane kept his hair cropped short, or he'd never be able to tell the two of them apart.

While the two brothers continued to banter, Jelverck dipped his head in silent farewell. Then he urged his horse into motion, following the High Road toward the village of Alcys and the Obelarr border just beyond.

Some of the tension eased out of Haddon's shoulders despite riding directly into the creeping shadows of the ominous trail. The huntsman was out of his sight, and Haddon was happy to have the man well away from him.

Haddon's siblings were convinced he was on their side. That Jelverck, finally freed of Velia's control, was as eager as they were to bring her down for good.

But Haddon could never forget Jelverck holding a knife to his sister's throat. Never forget he'd stood by her side as the Grey Enchantress cursed Haddon's parents and subjugated his kingdom.

Or that the huntsman took Kyn hostage to force Haddon and his brothers into giving up control of their minds, their bodies, and their souls to Velia's blood magic.

They'd been helpless prisoners, able only to follow Velia's cruel commands. It had been Jelverck who'd held their leashes as they'd done the bidding of the Grey Enchantress, unable to deny her slightest whim.

And now, they were trusting Velia's former henchman to gather rumor and insight across Obelarr and Ardell.

Haddon was just supposed to forget all the pain Jelverck had caused. Just supposed to accept the man's change of heart without question because he'd switched sides when it benefitted him most.

Intellectually, he understood Jelverck had been controlled by the same blood magic compulsion Velia had used on Haddon and his brothers. But Jelverck had placed himself in her power by his own choice, even if he hadn't realized the full consequences of that choice at the time.

No matter what he knew, how much he understood or believed, Haddon would never forgive Jelverck for the part he'd played in destroying his family and his kingdom.

And of course, the fact that the huntsman was heading for his former mistress's territory did nothing to reassure Haddon. The plan was for Jelverck to make his way across Obelarr searching out hints and signs of Velia's intentions. And, if possible, infiltrate Ardell to search out any weakness or resistance they could exploit.

Jelverck may claim to be spying to glean insight into what the Grey Enchantress planned to do next, but Haddon had his doubts.

If Haddon's brother and sister were wrong to trust... 

If the huntsman betrayed Haddon's mission to the Grey Enchantress, she would come for Haddon and his siblings.

And they weren't ready to stop her.

Especially not Haddon.

A prince more at home in the library than on the battlefield and two treasure-hunting wolf-shifters would be no match for Velia's dark sorcery. Haddon would rather die than be trapped by magic beyond his control again.

At the moment, however, there was nothing he could do about Jelverck or the potential of his treachery.

Instead he was on a quest to restore order to his kingdom. To restore his family to the life they'd had before Velia's return. And to get back the peace and quiet he so desperately longed for.

To accomplish that, Haddon was forced to seek out the very thing he feared and hated most.

Magic.

He'd never had any use for magic, one way or the other. He preferred concrete facts and the dependability of logic and reason to the elusive, ephemeral duplicity of some mystical power. He hadn't given magic much thought beyond that.

Then his sister unwittingly opened a doorway for their great-aunt's return. Magic took his parents and his home. Had taken his autonomy and left him a mindless, obedient husk.

His sister Kynara eventually freed him from the control. But not from the nightmares. Not from the grasping terror of falling prey to its grip once again.

Instead of running far and fast from any hint of it, however, he volunteered to seek it out.

And Haddon's search wasn't for just any magic.

No.

It was wild, unpredictable magic. An uncontrollable power contained in the form of the exiled Princess Penelope. Also known as Mhalledraen.

Cursemaker.

A woman who held magic so dangerous she'd been sent away. Separated from her equally powerful and dangerous sister. Isolated on an ancient estate rumored once to have been inhabited by a ravening Beast.

As if the thought alone conjured the manor, the shadowed overgrowth gave way.  The tunnel of trees opened out into a wide area of cleared ground. At its center, a massive stone wall rose up, obscuring everything beyond it. Only a squat, dark tower could be seen looming over the fortification. 

Everything about the weathered rock and the archaic design spoke of a bygone era, though modern touches had been added more recently.

A narrow gatehouse jutted forward from the front of the wall and a heavy, iron gate replaced the traditional portcullis. A new brass bell with a thick rope pull hung beside it, glaringly out of place.

No doubt, adaptations to compensate for the current lack of staff and guardsman occupying the fortified manor.

The bell would summon attention within the keep to unexpected visitors. And the gate mechanism could be opened by a single person.

The historian and tactician in Haddon both cringed at the modifications. Knowing, however, only three people resided behind the thick walls, he understood the necessity.

As they rode closer, Haddon realized two of those residents waited behind the square iron bars of the still closed gate.

A woman in leather breeches and a loose linen work shirt eyed them warily as they approached. The auburn curls and the fiercely protective way she kept her body angled in front of the second figure marked her clearly as Everly's cousin, Harper. Behind her stood Penelope, exiled princess of Glicien.

After having spent several days in the company of Beatrix, there was no mistaking the woman for anyone else.

Bea and Penelope, along with Evangeline, were triplets. Identical in features. And in the rare, dangerous magic they wielded.

The heavy gate remained closed as they approached and neither woman moved to open. Haddon stopped a dozen feet away, slid off his horse and handed his reins to Wyatt. Closer now to the princess, he noticed her hair was lighter than her sister's. More platinum than Bea's golden waves.

There was also a haunted sadness in her storm cloud eyes. A pervasive burden etched in the contours of her face that tugged at Haddon's compassion.

Deep-seated instincts wanted to offer her comfort. Pushed at Haddon an unexpected urge he felt to make her smile.

He squared his shoulders and ignored the wave of tenderness.

Magic users held a dozen ways to manipulate at their fingertips. Haddon would never accept one at face value again. 

Planting himself in front of the iron bars, Haddon bowed deeply, calling on the memory of every etiquette lesson that had been drilled into him as a child.

Your Highness, he greeted with a barely passable bow that would have made his mother frown. I am Prince Haddon, second son of Riona, and second to the throne. With me are Wyatt and Zane, brave warriors who've graciously agreed to help my family in its time of need.

After a silence that dragged on a beat too long, the redhead nodded stiltedly in greeting. I'm Harper. This is Princess Penelope.

Behind her, Penelope winced at the blunt introduction, then forced a graceful smile that did nothing to lighten the strain in her eyes.

He waited, but neither woman offered any more response. With an arched eyebrow he stared at the still locked gate with a hard stare before adding, I believe you were expecting us?

He'd been skeptical of the pigeons, but Bea had assured him they'd been trained by Evangeline. Apparently, the third triplet possessed a magical way with animals. 

For a moment, he wondered if he'd been right to doubt.

Yes, we received Bea's note. But... Penelope finally spoke, but hesitation stalled her words, teeth sinking into her bottom lip with worry.

But? Haddon asked attempting to hold back his frustration. And not quite succeeding in keeping the sharpness from his tone.

Penelope stiffened at the barely veiled impatience. Her unease giving way to irritation of her own.

Yes, we were made aware of your visit. Bea should have warned you, though, that I— Penelope stopped abruptly, gathering herself. But her chin remained up, determination thrumming in the air around her. You should know it can be very dangerous here. I can't promise you safe accommodation.

The worry returned as she spoke, furrowing her brow and tipping her mouth down into a shallow frown.

Somehow, her reaction eased some of Haddon's own uneasiness.

We are aware of the risks, he said softly, aiming for diplomacy to try and dispel the last of the tension. Your father and sister made it clear there may be... hazards to staying here.

Her eyes brightened, latching on to one word in particular.

My father? He's really better?

Haddon smiled gently, understanding exactly what that knowledge meant to her. Wishing he could hear the same about his own parents. And resolved to make that happen. No matter what.

Whole and hale and turning the kingdom upside down in his haste to make up for lost time. He's worried about you however. There is a danger that your location may be discovered. A possibility that the Grey Enchantress may learn of your whereabouts. I promised him I would do whatever I could to protect you.

Doubt and annoyance darkened her expression again. It was obvious she didn't like the idea of strangers in her secluded home. After years of solitude, he couldn't blame her for the automatic misgivings.

But Haddon had made the promise to the king of Glicien. Chose to accept responsibility for safeguarding Penelope so Ash didn't feel compelled to. He'd traveled to the ends of Conrey's kingdom so Ash wouldn't need to leave the side of his fiancée.

Even if he had not pledged to protect the princess, Haddon would still be at the gate. Would still be demanding entry. Because Conrey had also hinted Penelope might hold the kind of knowledge that could save his parents. That could return his world to its proper order.

Her eyes shadowed, and her gaze bore into him, searching. Judging.

And, Haddon suspected, finding him wanting.

Protecting us isn't the only reason you’re here, though.

She didn't ask. Or demand. Just stated the truth as she saw it.

Haddon didn't bother to refute it. He didn't know how much Bea managed to share with her sister but it didn't matter. The only way he'd get what he wanted was to lay all of his cards on the table.

As much as he hated magic, and feared what Penelope might accidentally unleash if she lost control, he needed her help. Needed her expertise on curses and wild magic to figure out how to save his parents from the curse that consumed them.

No, it's not the only reason. I need your help. I need to know whatever you can tell me about curses and unusual magic.

Despite himself, the words came out tight and underscored with the disdain he felt about the mystical power that was an integral part of her.

Penelope's lips pinched flat and her eyes narrowed.

There was no point in apologizing for it, however. Any remorse Haddon professed would ring hollow when his true feelings on the matter were clear to anyone who looked.

Instead, Haddon did his best to explain why he needed her.

"My parents, and half the royal palace of Ardell, were frozen in glass when the Grey Enchantress invaded Ardell and took over. She's determined to control my kingdom and destroy my family. I need your help. And, if someone is suspicious about who you really are, you'll need ours."

Penelope took a deep breath, then half-turned, effectively dismissing Haddon. But she gave her companion a tense nod and Harper reached for the mechanism beside the gate.

I can't promise your safety, she said, words sharp with bitterness. I can't promise you anything. 

Chapter Two

PIP wanted to swallow back the words as soon as they escaped her lips. The raw honesty was more than she ever intended to share with these strangers.

She was so used to it being only her, Harper and Nanna that she had long since forgotten how to guard her thoughts or her tone.

Now, uncomfortable and wrong-footed, she kept her eyes focused on Harper. Despite her best efforts, though, her awareness strayed to the prince again and again.

She hadn't known what to expect from Bea's terse message warning her of the prince's imminent arrival at the manor. Pip had imagined some soft, pampered, clueless noble. Or, perhaps, someone arrogant, imperious and militant.

Haddon was neither of those.

Pip just wasn't sure what, exactly, he was.

Yet.

Thankfully, his attention was on the slowly opening gate, oblivious to the way she watched him from the corner of her eye and took his measure.

Dark hair and blue eyes so deep, she'd thought they were black until she saw them up close. Strong, square-jawed and handsome, he stood confident and tall. His posture held a self-assured certainty, but no arrogance.

A controlled restlessness revealed itself in the way his fingers twitched and his eyes avidly followed the progress of the gate. But no haughty impatience or demands.

On his chest, a tiger's eye pendant glinted in the sun. Shimmering bands of bronze, gold carved into the shape of a dragon, wings spread in flight.

A sigil. A reminder to the world proclaiming Haddon’s lineage as a drake. 

A dragon shifter.

Ardell was the only kingdom in the known world where dragon shifters lived alongside humans in easy harmony. Those with drake lineage proudly wore the sigils to denote their heritage as a badge of honor.

She'd known, of course, that as a prince of Ardell, Haddon must also be a dragon shifter. It hadn't occurred to her until this moment, however, what that might mean. That she'd have to be even more careful with the secrets she guarded.

Pip checked the urge to glance up at the tower. Her workshop. Drawing any