Chapter Four

A week has come and gone and Sky was no better at playing the question game. It seemed Gladrea kept adding new rules. Rules like you can't ask the same question twice even if you don't remember asking it the first time. Sky tried arguing that how was she supposed to remember asking a question if she doesn't remember asking it the first time. Either way, it was a loose, loose for her and she had to spend her off time in a dress. Having to wear a dress was bad enough, having to learn to dance, and take etiquette classes where even worse. Being a girl was a lot of dumb work. It was easier walking around with a sword. As a girl, you were expected to walk a certain way, talk a certain way. Heck, you had to ride a horse a certain way, and that was sideways to be exact. There was no way anyone could fight or make quick maneuvers sitting sideways on a horse. That riding style was about asinine.

Of course, Gladrea was piling up the hours against her so this dress thing was never going to end. At least today she was getting to trade a lot of the hours in. All she had to do was to spend the day with the group of girls she has a class with. Not that she wanted to or anything, but at least she was getting to wear pants under her dress today. Only because Gladrea was too busy to check today. Plus all the time she could burn with these girls meant more time burned on Gladrea's counter. Sky determined that she could deal with a bunch of girls for a day. What's the worst thing that could happen on a flower picking adventure.

Several of the girls in her etiquette class had heard that ocean Lillies could lead you to your true love. Of course, this had Sky rolling her eyes because they were all too young to be looking for true love. Gladrea said that most girls dream of their future mates and will sometimes play pretend, but Sky didn't see the point. However, these girls were all about talking about what their future mates would look like, and what their jobs would be. That's all they talked about on their long ride to the oceanfront where these lilies are supposed to grow. It's said that if a woman is brave enough to climb the cliffs on were they grow, pick the flower, and wear it in her hair. Then her one true love will swoop in, proclaim his love for her, and mark her as his mate. Of course, all of this was dumb considering the oldest one of the group was seventy-five years old. Dragons, at least females didn't hit breeding age until at least three hundred. There was no way any of their true loves would be swooping in any time soon.

Sky could care less about the flower and more about not spending time in a dress. On the upside, her pants were saving her legs since she was riding astride a horse. All the other girls sat sideways, but Sky refused to sit in such a compromising fashion. They were taking a long journey and anything could happen on the road. There were many rumors about these bad people called pirates, and bandits making the roads treacherous at times. It was only four girls plus Sky and that left her as the only one trained to fight. Tiffany swears up and down that the road is completely safe and that they didn't need guards, but Sky got a bad feeling. A bad enough feeling that her sword was attached to her waist underneath all of her petty coats. Someone was going to have a bad day and it sure the hell wasn't going to be her.

No probably the only one having a bad day was going to be the bad guys and probably Tamera. Tamera was a lower class water dragon assigned to attend two Tiffany. Tiffany was one of the higher-ranked Lords from a neighboring city. She was at the High Lords castle as part of a tutoring program. Come to find out a lot of Lords sent their children off to learn and toil under the High Lords. So that one day they might mate with the High Lords offspring, or be selected to be the next Lords of the land. It was a lot of political nonsense that didn't make sense to Sky at all. Either way, the entire thing made a bad day for Tamera. Since she was Tiffany's servant she had to do whatever Tiffany said. It's not like she got beat if she didn't follow her orders. Tamera was too afraid not to, because getting fired would bring dishonor to her family. An from what she could see within the snakes inside Tamera that was worse the being beat.

Sky felt sorry for the girl because all of the other girls were mean to Tamera. They were mean to Sky as well, but nothing like they were to Tamera. She had tried to say something and stand up for Tamera, but Tamera got mad her for it. After that, she just ignored it for the most part, but today things were getting a little out of hand. When they had gotten to the cliffs, of course, Tiffany never got off her horse. No, she sent Tamera out to go get her the stupid flowers. "Tamera don't do this," said Sky sliding down the steep embankment and onto the ledge Tamera was perched on.

"No, I can do this, see it's not too far," informed Tamera as she slid her toes along the narrow edge along the cliff face.

Ocean lilies come to find out weren't really lilies at all. They were a cluster of small pink flowers embedded in a small green ball of vegetation. The pink flowers looked more like geraniums than that of lilies. One thing they did have in common with lilies though was their pungent aroma. Even this far away from the small puff balls that hung to the cliffs face Sky could definitely smell them. "Tamera this is stupid you're going to fall," said Sky sliding her toe on to the ledge that ran the length of the cliff.

Looking down at the huge waves that crashed against the rock wall Sky swallowed hard. "Just stay there Milady, I'll return shortly," said Tamera making it to a group of flowers. Picking several of the pink balls from the stems she handed them up to Stella who was laying on the ground. "See look no harm," continued Tamera as she tiptoed to reach the hands above her.

Suddenly the rocks under Tamera's feet gave way sending her careening down into the water below. "Tamera," screamed Sky looking between the girls on top of the cliff who didn't seem to care she'd fallen and Tamera herself.

Watching her hit the water Sky cried out when a wave sent her slamming into the cliff face. "We've got to do something!"

Shrugging their shoulders the girls called down to her, "There's nothing we can do. She's a water dragon, she can swim. We've got what we came for. We're heading back now."

Astounded at how much this group didn't care Sky looked back down to Tamera. Not seeing her at all Sky's dragon scanned the water for her. Finding her sinking quickly Sky leaped in after her. Calling on her powers Sky went from a cliff face to just right about he water within a nano second. Splashing down safely into the water she dove under the surface as a wave shoved her into the wall. Not expecting the force at which the wave sent her into the wall all the air exploded out of her as she hit her head. Struggling to the surface Sky gulped air and tried to find her bearings before going back after Tamera. Dragging her to she surface with her, Sky used her power to move them farther way from the wall. Her jumping ability was pretty good and she could go a good distance, unfortunately, she couldn't get the two of them up to the top of the cliff face. It didn't help that her head with throbbing from the thump it took against the wall. On top of that it took everything she had to keep her and Tamera afloat and Tamera was unconscious and bleeding.

Pouring whatever power she could into Tamara, Sky got her choking out the water she'd swallowed. Tamara was breathing again, but Sky couldn't fix her head, keep them afloat, and jump them down the cliff face. They desperately needed to find a place they could climb out of the water, but mostly Sky needed to be rid of all of these extras clothes that were weighing them down. Fighting the waves, her clothes, and Tamera's dead weight Sky prayed for anyone to help her.

*******

"Michael," called an unfamiliar voice within his dream, or at least he thought he was dreaming.

Michael knew he went to bed, and he knew he laid down and closed his eyes. Currently, right now he was walking through a forest, but he didn't recognize it. That wasn't until he came to a river did it bring him pause. Looking about he remembered this spot exactly. This was the day Sky got soap in her eyes. "I'm in the White Woods," said Michael to himself as he made his way toward the river bank.

"Michael," called the voice again this time more urgent than last.

Looking around he found an old woman laying on the bank looking haggard and distraught. Rushing over to her Michael lifted her up and gently set her on a nearby log. "Are you okay Elder," asked Michael looking the white-haired woman over.

"No," cried the woman with urgency in her voice. "Have you seen my baby? I hear her barking! She's so scared."

Thinking the woman had elder dragon syndrome he gave her a sorrowful look. Sometimes when dragons got old they relived their past not knowing who they are now. This woman was probably reliving a time in her youth when her child wandered off without her. "Elder your baby should be grown with welp's of their own now. I hear no baby crying. I hear no barks of distress."

"No," shouted the woman as she grabbed his shirt and began shaking him. "Can't you see her! Can't you hear her calling!" As she cried she pushed at Michael in attempts to turn him around as she pointed. "Open your eyes King of the North!"

King of the North, thought Michael as he eyed the woman. No one calls him that except the Kings in the south so who was this woman and why was he having this dream. The question he should be asking was why did this dream seem so real. Rubbing the sore spot where the old woman just pinched the tinder under part of his arm, Michael rolled his eyes as the woman pointed toward the river. Obliging her and her delusions he turned toward the river and saw a struggling pure white wolf pup. The pup was struggling to keep its head above the water as it towed another slightly bigger pup down the river. The poor thing looked exhausted and on the verge of drowning as the current carried it swiftly away from him. "Why doesn't it swim to shore," asked Michael making his way closer to the river's edge. "Why doesn't it let go of the other wolf and save itself?"

"Because she can't," replied the woman as she began to cry. "She was created to save lives, not to take them. She's going to die in that water."

Pulling off his shirt Michael looked back at the elderly woman. "I'll go get the pups for you."

Making his way quickly into the water Michael found he couldn't move anymore. It was like his body was trapped in some kind of goo that slowed him down passed a crawl. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't move quickly and the pup was drowning. He could feel his dragon begin to panic at the sight of the little pup's head going below the water. Trashing about within the recesses of his mind his dragon roared in panic as it lent his strength in attempts to move faster. Michael understood that this was a dream, but what he didn't understand was why his dragon was suddenly in such a life or death fight. It was just a wolf pup with snow-white hair. He has seen white wolves before but never as white as this one. Its fur seemed to gleam with an iridescent glow the same as Skys hair. "Sky" screamed out his dragon as the pup sunk below the water and never rose back up.

Waking in a panic Michael's covers went flying as he fell out of his bed. Jumping to his feet he haphazardly tossed on a pair of pants and a shirt. Panic was still coursing through his body as he raced out of his room. Sky had not been at dinner which he found to be odd, but then again she'd been very busy the last week. All of there other meals had been elsewhere and he figured she'd dined somewhere else as well. On top of that, he didn't see the girls Sky had road off with that morning either. When he went to bed he had figured that she might be dining with them or Gladrea. Michael hadn't seen Gladrea either and Mina had said she'd sent her on an errand. Under the current circumstances, he wasn't so sure of Sky's safety anymore. Scarring the guards posted outside of his room Michael ignored their shouts as he raced down the halls. Picking up his pace when he felt panic coming through Eli's bound Michael was running full tilt out down the hall guards in tow. Throwing the door open to Sky's room Michael slammed into Kyle sending them both crashing to the floor. Grunting under the impact, Michael uttered a quick apology as he scrambled to his feet. Eli, Tanner, and Jamie stood gathered around Sky's bed with worry clearly on their face. "You have a bad dream too," asked Kyle from the floor as Michael ripped the covers off of Sky's bed.

Of course, the bed was empty, he could see that with the covers on, but he had to be sure. Now that the bed was bare there was no denying that the bed was empty. Spinning around on his hills, Michael sprinted back out the door nocking his winded door guards down in his haste. As he ran down the hall he could hear Kyle state, "He had a bad dream too. Where do you think he's going?"

Sliding to a stop on the stone floor he hissed a little at the pain. The floor was a bit ruff and he hadn't thought to put shoes on. Grunting as Eli used him as a stopping block he pushed his friend off of him. "I'm going to wake Mina. All of you," said Michael gesturing to all of his guards including his door guards. "Search his castle from top to bottom. I don't care if you have to wake everyone to do it. I want a full report within an hour in the meeting hall." When everyone didn't move fast enough he shouted, "Now," with a big push of his Kingly power.

With that everyone including the door guards ran in all directions shouting at each other what area they were going to take. Spinning back around Michael raced to the High Lords bedchamber. Not bothering with the guards who were trying to do their job, Michael threw them through the door when they tried to stop him. As the door and the bodies crashed to the ground the High Lord and Mina were instantly on their feel snarling ready for a fight. Seeing who had rudely awakened them the High Lord scrambled out of his bed as quickly as he could. "Your Majesty, what's wrong," asked the High Lord somewhere between worried and angry.

"Where is what is mine? Where is Sky" snarled Michael's dragon not giving Michael a chance to speak.

"She should be in her room sleeping," stated Mina clutching the blanket close to her chest as she stepped out of bed.

Michael could see Mina's eyes grow round as her husband jumped between Michael and Her. His composure must be waining more than he thought with the fear wafting from the High Lord and his mate, thought Michael as he dragon rattled out, "Do you think I'd be here if she was woman!"

Dropping to her knees Mina bowed as low as she could without laying on the floor. "Forgive me, my King. My mind is still muddled from sleep. Of course you would not be here if she slept safely in her bed. I do not know where she would besides there, but I will look for her."

"We all will," came another voice from behind him.

The suddenness of the voice sent his dragon into fight mode as he whirled on the voice. His dragon was in such a state that neither of them heard anyone approach from behind. Which was dangerous on two accounts. One they could have attacked him and he wouldn't have had time to react and two his fight mode was deadly. Shouts and bodies scattered as a wave of his death shoot straight at them. Out of the ten or so people behind them, one guard didn't make it out of the way in time. Within moments nothing but ash remained where the guard had stood. Michael could only hope the guard was unmated, because it was bad enough that he killed one dragon, but if he was mated he just killed two.

Trying to reign his dragon in Michael's skin shook so violently that it was hard to see here his black mist began and he ended. "That was very dumb Gladrea," snapped the Hight Lord. "What are you trying to do get us all killed! Can't you see who we're dealing with right now!"

"You are wasting time," roared Michael's dragon as he sliced the air with a clawed hand.

Seeing the black scaled hand Michael mentally through his hands up. If his skin was currently covered in black scales there was no pulling him back now. His dragon was driving this cart and Michael could only clean up the mess afterward. An what a mess this was turning out to be. "Were did she go this morning? I knew I shouldn't have listened to him," snarled the dragon eyeing Mina dangerously. "He said she'd be fine, and here we are! Did she return with those females?"

"I will find out right now your Majesty," cried Mina from the floor scrambling out of it as quickly as she could.

Giving the King a wide berth Mina sprinted out of the room dragging Gladrea along with her. "I will have everyone turn this castle upside down and shake it if I have too," stated the High Lord giving the upset dragon a deep bow before glaring at the group behind them. Getting the hint they all raced out of the room in search of the missing Sky. "Shall we wait here, or in the meeting hall High Dragon, King of us all?"

Within the confines of his own head, Michael breathed a sigh of relief. The High Lord knew that these were not his reactions, but that of his dragons. At least now the collateral damage clean up would be a little easier. Everyone knew how dragons could be, and how everything was instinctual. There were no shades of grey in the mind of the dragon. There was only black or white. His dragon could care less that he killed someone. In his mind he thought the man should have moved faster or shouldn't have been standing that close to begin with. If he was in control the man wouldn't have died in the first place, but yet here they were. One dead guard down and a dragon on the rampage with the power to kill everyone. All because of a bad dream and a little spitfire not being in her bed when she should be. Knowing her she was probably baking cookies in the kitchen. When they find her safe and sound Michael would feel horrible because the one guard died for nothing, but his dragon wouldn't blink an eye at it. The beast would just curl back up with the knowledge the spitfire was safe and let me deal with everything. "We will get back what is yours High Dragon. I promise we will return your mate," continued the High Lord.

"What," shouted Michael in his head. "Fix that dragon!" Sky was too young for his dragon to claim her. "What is your problem! Are you trying to get us killed!"

Fighting against his dragon with all his might Michael watched the wall closing in on him. "We will wait in the meeting hall," growled his dragon turning toward the door. "As for you shut up and go away or I'll lock you out."

"My apologies High dragon," said the High Lord drawing the dragon's ire.

"I wasn't talking to you," roared his dragon swirling on him.

Angered by this Michael fought his dragon harder as he raged against himself and the closing walls. Pausing his dragon drew himself up straight. "Fine then you can stay out until I have what is mine back!"

With that, Michael sat in total darkness within his own mind. Everything was black, void of light and sound, and for the first time in his life he was completely alone.

********

As minutes turned to hours, Sky struggled to keep them both alive. As the sun was beginning to set Sky had moved them far enough out to sea that she didn't have to fight the current that was sending them slamming into the cliff face again. Her body was so beat up and bruised it compounded her keep them alive problem. At least she'd solved the one problem of not dying against the cliff. Now it was not drowning in the ocean.

Stripping Tamera down to her drawers and undershirt, Sky stripped out of her skirt, and petticoats as well. All she had left on was her undershirt, pants, and sword as the sun sank below the waves. Surely someone will be coming for us, thought Sky as she floated looking up at the stars. At this point she stopped jumping them down the shoreline. Not having the energy to spare she propelled them the old fashion way by kicking her feet. Tamera was still uncurious floating on her back, but she was at least alive. A small trickle of power flowed into her from Sky fixing the damage done to her head. It had been hours since the trauma and the bleeding inside her skull had just now finally stopped. If they hadn't been in the water she could have focused her powers and healed Tamera quicker, but unfortunately that was not the case. Even now as far as the eye could see the cliff face never broke.

Throughout the night Sky pushed on farther and farther down the coast desperately looking for any place she could beach them. Tamera wasn't getting any better and she was getting weaker, and weaker. To conserve energy she spent more time floating then kicking letting the ocean move them along. The downside too that was she had to jump them away from the cliff face which expended power of a different source. As night turned into morning she'd learned to alternate between kicking her feet and jumping them. This way let her rest one part of her while using the other. As the sun breached the horizon Sky spotted a wave-cut platform way off in the distance. Currently it was low tide but Sky knew the water would be shallow and she could rest there. Trying to control her excitement and relief Sky continued her slow and steady pace. Not wanting to get completely exhausted and drown right before safety she trudged on.

Approaching the shelf, Sky could see there was a cove right behind it leading to a sandy beach and a possible passage up to the top of the cliff. Paddling up to the platform the ocean beat at her and sapped more of her strength as it shoved her head over heels across the shelf. By the time Sky got to the sand she was covered in bruises and cute, but Tamera and her were still both alive. Dragging her up the beach and through the sand Sky flopped back into the sand herself. Panting from the exertions she lay there for a while as her eyes drifted closed. When she opened them again the sun was high above her and her skin burned.

Looking at Tamera's red skin Sky began dragging her into the shadows of the cliff face. Making her way closer to the cove Sky could hear voices. Laying Tamera down close to the rock face to keep her out of the sun, Sky rushed toward the voices and help. The sand burned her bare feet as raced toward the group of what looked like sailors. Their dinghy's and skiffs were lined along the shore as they moved cargo from them to waiting wagons. Shouting and waving her hands as she ran a thought struck her. Slowing her pace Sky looked back out to sea. She didn't remember seeing any ships so where did all these boats and cargo come from. There was no ship so that meant that they had to unload all of this in the middle of the night and used high tide to get over the platform into the cove. Using high tide was a smart idea but who unloads a ship in the middle of the night?

Coming to a complete stop she watched the group of 20 some odd men turn toward her. There were lots of shouting as all activity stopped and several men began to head her way. The hair on the back of her neck stood up telling her that something was wrong. Letting her dragon up she looked at the men's snakes that live inside them and saw very bad things. These men were not nice and she would find no help here. Mind racing Sky new she was in trouble and outnumbered. Turning she raced back the way she came as her training kicked in and Eli's words rang true in her head. "If you ever find yourself outnumbered run. Not everyone can run at the same speed and not everyone will follow. Being a female they will think you weak and only a small group will follow. This will allow you to fight in smaller numbers, but it will only work once.

Hearing the footsteps closing in on her Sky spared a glance to see the number was five. Five against one were horrible odds but they were spaced out just enough that she might have a chance. The man in the lead wanted to kill her as the memories floating within him were all of death. For this reason Sky didn't feel bad when she drew her sword and took his life. After the swift attack, Sky began running again, but didn't get far before the other four caught up to her. Fighting for all her might she managed to cute two more down before another group showed up. They laughed at her and taunted her but she let it all roll off. She had to keep an even head and not let them provoke her. Unfortunately she couldn't keep them all at bay for long with as exhausted as she was. "Hey look what I found," called a man making his way down the beach. "Looks like she's got a friend and she's unconscious."

Seeing the man with Tamera over his shoulder Sky's dragon roared in rage. The images in his head we ghastly and some didn't make sense but she wasn't going to let him touch her. Drawing on what was left of her power reserves Sky jumped over to the man holding Tamera and ran him through with her sword. The slight fear and shock on his face was satisfying as he crumbled to the ground. That was for all those scared girls, thought Sky as she to guarded Tamera against the current enemies. "She's a dragon, time to fight her like one," sneered a man as he rattled a warning at her.

Dragons, thought Sky, they were bad dragons. Having heard of them before it never crossed her mind that she would have get tangled with them. Just like humans and witches there were good ones and bad ones, but in her sheltered life, she'd never really come across the likes of these men. Her only advantage at this point was that she'd been training day in and day out for the last ten years on how to fight. Not like the men she fought couldn't fight. Oh no they could, and they even used technics she'd never seen, but they were sloppy. This sloppiness was to her advantage. Coupled with her speed she was keeping her own until her sword met its match. Hands stinging in pain, and shaking violently Sky looked down at what was left of her sword. The blade had broken on impact on this brute of a dragons sword. Pure adulterated fear raced through her. With her blade broken she as left defenseless, and there were so many men left. More then she could hope of defeating. Sky feared for the first time in her life she was going to die. Surviving the ocean was one thing and her survival depended her. Right now her survival depended on this sword and it was broken.

******

Michael was brooding loudly within the confines of his own head. He wasn't sure if his dragon could hear him within the box he'd locked him in, but he was yelling anyway. Out of nowhere a sudden onset of fear sent him to his knees. He was shaking with the intensity of the emotion that was coursing through him. "Dragon," whispered Michael with a shaky voice.

"It's not ours," rumbled his dragon as Michael regained his sight through his own eye. "I believe I just killed our horse." Continued his dragon has he pushed their body as hard as he could.

Michael could feel his dragon breathing hard as they soared over the water as fast as his wings could carry him. "Who's fear is this," asked Michael as tears rolled down his face uncontrollably.

"Everyone's because she's afraid. We need to find her. She's so afraid. What is ours should never be this afraid. We failed her," cried his Dragon pushing himself harder.

Michael could feel the tears running down his dragons face. Nothing in this world could make his dragon cry. Never once had his dragon show emotion toward anyone, not even his closest friends and guards. What was different about this little girl that had his dragon crying, had him crying. Nodding his head Michael made his way to the surface to lend his dragon his strength as he said, "I will help you on one condition."

"This is not the time," snarled his dragon. "We need to save her!"

Crossing his arms Michael stopped his ascent to the surface. "We can either save her together or I can go back into the box you put me in."

"Of course you'd let her die," roared his dragon.

His body shuttered and almost fell out of the sky as rage filled Michael on a level he never experienced before. "How dare you!"

"Are you trying to kill us both," snarled his dragon trying to regain control before they crashed into the water.

"I would die before I let anything happen to her. That includes you mating a child you sick dragon," shouted Michael wrapping his hands around his dragons throat.

Crashing into the ocean his dragon lashed out at Michael. "What? You think I'd lay a hand on a child! How dare you think I am that low! You think I can not wait until she's grown! I will kill you for this insult!"

*******

Surveying her surroundings Sky could see several people quickly picking up the weapons of the dead guys. Everyone was smirking at her, thinking they had won. On the verge of crying Sky turned at the sound of a scream. Tamera had chosen a bad time to wake up. Pushing herself off the dead body she scrambled to her feet. "Please tell me you can fight," whispered Sky.

"I'm not even old enough for my claws yet," cried Tamera holding her head and looking around terrified.

Suddenly hands were on her and several others rushed Tamera. Sky was kicking herself for forgetting rule number one. Never take your eyes off the enemy, and she had. Now hands were restraining her and someone had ripped her shirt. We're going to die here, thought Sky as tears rolled down her face.

Not today, roared her dragon as she slammed into Sky's skin. Never had she felt her dragon this close to their surface. Her skin was shaking with the closeness and her hands began to ache. A tingly sensation seemed to run over parts of her body as her dragon reached out with her claw. Breaking free from the man holding her right hand her dragon swiped at him before he could regain control. Watching his flesh peel away under a set of iridescent claws the man cried out as his insides fell to the ground. It was a new game now and she swiped at everyone, even her toes had claws making them a great weapon too.

Thrash and swing as she might, a body could only fight for so long before it would run out of energy. Considering she wasn't on full to start with Sky pushed herself harder and harder. She had to fight, had to win, had to survive, and had to get back to Tamera who was screaming. At the moment there were too many men around her. She couldn't see what was happening to her but whatever it was it couldn't be good. In the split second, it took her to try to look for Tamera the beast of a dragon who had broken her sword managed her get close. Before Sky could react the man's sword hilt hit her in the head. Sky's knees went weak as black dots floated in front of her eyes. Being overwhelmed the men forced her to the ground. Mind reeling, Sky tried to focus her thoughts but she was having trouble concentrating on what she should do next. Struggling under the weight of all the men the big man began pulling at her pants trying to get them untied. Managing to get her hand free she clawed at the big man's face. Within the moment of contact, her dragon screamed out the memories that flowed into both of them. Horrible, disgusting memories of what he'd done to other women he'd encountered. It was at that moment that she knew the Matriarch had lied to her. Practice mating wasn't like two dogs asserting dominance. No, it was more than that as she watched through the man's eyes as he forcibly practices mated with these crying, screaming, females. The more they fought the more he drew pleasure from them. It was then she decided she'd rather die than to allow this man any pleasure from her.

Renewing her fight in earnest she managed to slice the femoral artery of the man to the beast mans left. If he'd kept his leather pants on maybe he would have survived. Sky only managed to take one more out before something big collied with the side of her head stealing her consciousness. When she came to, Sky could hear Tamera screaming and she could see a group of men around her. "Looks like she's back," stated someone hovering over Sky.

Her head arched a lot and it was hard to concentrate. As soon as a cool breeze touched her nether region did the fight resume. Remembering what was going on she quickly kicked the beast-man in the face. Rolling as far as she could her dragon elongated her teeth as she bit down on the arm of the man holding her to the ground. Feeling them sink to the bone she shook her head like a dog trying to kill a rat. Crying out in pain the man whaled on her with his fist. "Get her off me," screamed the man desperately trying to save what was left of his arm.

"We can still get what we want even if she's dead," said the beast-like man as the lights went out again for Sky.

*******

Eli was beside himself with fear and panic. He felt Sky's fear at the same time the rest of them did. Michael's dragon was currently nothing but a dragon-shaped mist cutting its way south. Everyone witnessed the descent of the High Dragon and the deadly thrashing in the water after the crash landing. All of them new that the King was fighting his dragon for control and he feared that Michael had lost. If he did then he might never get control back, and the dragon would reign supreme. If that happened the kingdom would be in trouble, for a dragon was not suited to be a King. A dragon did not care for its people, but only for itself. What was in store for them was scary at best and terrifying at worst.

The High Dragon wanted Sky and even claimed her as his mate. If Sky survived whatever was terrifying her then maybe his dragon would secede to Michael again. That was the best-case scenario. Now if they found her dead Eli knew that Michaels dragon would kill them all and he might take the world with him. Currently though they were flying like a bat out of hell and all of them were having problems keeping up with him. Even Jamie who was the fastest out of all of them was lagging way behind. To make things worse they were all getting tired and the water dragons searching the water were lost somewhere behind them. Hoping that the High Dragon knew something the rest of them didn't, they chased after him.

Pushing himself and his dragon harder Eli could see a bay off in the distance. Praying that Sky was there and safe he strained eyes. His dragon had great vision but the bay was still too far away. The mass of dragons flew silently behind their King and a steady stream of worry flooded into him through the bonds he had with his friends and his family. Even the King himself was worried, with a touch of anger from what Eli could feel. At this point, his anger could be toward anyone including Michael himself, but there was no way to know for sure. Getting closer to the cove Eli could make out a commotion on the beach but besides that nothing else. Anger and pure mirth took his breath away as the emotions hit him like a ton of bricks through his bond with the King. Eli wasn't the only one to feel it as everyone's dragons faltered in flight.

Eli couldn't believe his own eyes as the High dragon picked up even more speed and was heading straight for the cove. Focusing on the beach as he pushed himself faster, Eli could see crates of goods close to them and farther down the beach in the distance two distinct groups of people. One group were having their way with a young woman he'd never seen before. Turning his focus to the second group Eli's blood ran cold. Fighting for everything she was worth was Sky. Her top was practically ripped off and a man was trying to strip her of her pants as a second man punched her in the head. Rage filled Eli at the sight and he tried to fly faster, but he was at his limit. They were still too far away to help and watched helplessly as the man stripped Sky of her pants and underwear. Fearing the worst he mentally cheered for her when he saw she was awake again and renewed her struggle. The King was almost on top of them when the same man who stripped her recovered from the kick to the face. Watching in horror as the man hit Sky in the head with a rock he screamed out when he settled between her legs once she was still. Hearing the roar that was echoed by a chorus of angry roars everyone on the beach turned their eyes skyward.

The man between Sky's legs didn't have a chance as the King's dragon solidified and landed right in front of him. Eli had seen the High Dragon angry and even kill and eat his victims. Dragons did not torcher or even cause undue suffering to their victims. If they wanted something dead they killed it simple as that, but what he was witnessing was anything but a quick death. No first the High Dragon pulled off the man's right arm and then the left. From there they stripped the flesh from the mans legs one by one like a man sucks the meat off a chickens leg bone. At no point did his mist of death ever leave his body even with as angry as he was. The dragon wants this man to suffer and die gruesomely and Eli couldn't agree more with him.

Men scattered everywhere as a small army of dragons landed on the beachfront one right after the other. The anger and rage everyone felt, Eli knew no one was leaving this beach alive. Cutting off the exit of the two who were restringing Sky, Eli bowed his head to the High Dragon as he killed them. Unlike the first man the High dragon literally chewed them up and spat them out. Making quick work of them Michael ran to Sky's side. Leaning over her Michael inspected her head. "Jamie," roared Michael before turning his attention back to Sky's blood-filled hair.

Racing over to them Eli slid to a stop when Sky woke up screaming and lashed out at Michael.

Pain radiated through Sky's head stealing her vision and hearing. A loud ringing drowned out all of the other sounds in the fuzzy, light magnifying world. Barely being able to keep her eyes open due to the light and pain she screamed. At least this time she didn't forget what she was doing like before the lights turned out. Lashing out at the man hovering above her she screamed out in pain and anger. The man struggled to restrain her as the smell of blood and cookies floated around her. Half of the world was in her dragon sight as the other half her human sight, but no matter how hard she tried she couldn't focus on the man pressing his body into her. The harder she tried to fight and focus the harder her head hurt. The more her head hurt the harder she fought to push down the vomit and stay conscious. All of which was a vicious cycle. The man who fought her now was hands down stronger than the other man, and he smelled oddly of cookies.

Catching the man with her claws again he didn't flench or even let her go. No the insane man just fought harder and held her tighter to his hard body. Struggle as she may she was stuck in his iron grip and couldn't get any leverage. Sky could feel another set of hands-on her as they dug their fingers into her hair. Pain, unimaginable pain ran through her body under the onslaught of the digging fingers. The black edges closed in on their two-sided world threatening to steal her vision again. Crying out in pain her dragon lashed out in the only way she could. Sinking her teeth into the man holding her, her dragon froze at the taste of the blood that flooded her mouth. The taste was like nothing she'd ever tasted before. It tasted like liquid sugar, molasses, with a touch of cinnamon. Her dragon let out a small satisfied growl as the world around them went black. Sky had thought that she'd passed out again until something slammed into her sending her and someone else troubling across the ground.

Sucking in air Sky felt her ribs moving strangely as she tried to pull in enough air to satisfy her body's needs. Panic began to set in as she gulped air and tried to remain conscious. Still unable to see, the ringing sound became louder as her panic increased. Choking on her own spit Sky began coughing. Feeling something wet come out of her mouth she tried to rub it off of her chin as she focused on the blurry forms around her.

Eli was in a panic. Michael was struggling with his sanity, and his dragon after Sky left a mating mark on his shoulder right were it roles into his neck. Honestly, he was surprised at what his dragon did. He had screamed for Eli to remove her before he could no longer control himself. For a dragon who verbally claimed her as his mate, he showed great restraint as he lost himself all over her belly when her dragon bit him. When Eli had slammed into her in his feeble attempt to extract her from Michael all while holding his breath as not to breathe in his death. He had could smell the scent of cinnamon on her breath telling him that her dragon had reacted to the taste of his blood. Michael's dragon was right, this little girl was showing all signs that she was his mate as impossible as it was. Unfortunately for him she was three hundred year too young. They say that a mating bite from a female puts a male straight into season. After all of this is said and done we shall see if it's true.

Right now though his biggest concern was getting her to calm down. Fear, anger, and panic swirled in the air around her as she coughed up blood. Her dragon looked at him through one eye as a highly dilated human eye looked at him through the other. Jamie had said her skull was fractured in several places and if she didn't get medical attention quickly she'd die. With the way her one eye was dilated, there was no way she was seeing the world around her clearly. To add to his dismay he wasn't even sure she could hear because no matter what any of them said she fought them tooth and nail. "Just let her stand there," shouted Jamie has his dragon assessed Sky from a safe distance. "Let her calm down. I think you just punctured a lung with that stunt. She can't breathe."

Crouching low in preparation should Sky decide to attach him, Eli stood silently by. Sky's chest billowed in and out as she took a knee and glared at the world around her. Eli could see how exhausted she was and because of the amount of blood that was all over her, it was hard to tell how much was hers and the dead men that littered the ground. "I don't think she can hear," said Eli sparing a glance at Jamie who was crawling low along the ground behind Sky.

"She might have tinnitus right now. A head injury, plus adrenaline, add stress, she might just hear a roaring sound right now. If she calms down enough the sound should lesson. Either that or she's too far gone to hear us and her dragon is in a state of kill everything that moves," said Eli's father.

"If the later is true then how do we break past that fog to reach the none killer side of Sky," asked Tanner moving closer to Sky causing her to snarl and swing at him with a deadly set of dragon claws.

Out of nowhere a loud, and very low unnatural barking sound filled the air. Everyone but Sky turned toward the strange sound. Eli raised an eyebrow at Kyle who cleared his dragon throat and let out another string of deep base barks. The ridiculous display even had the High Dragon looking at Kyle with questioning eyes. Watching him shift back to human Kyle glared at all of them as he crossed his arms in anger. "Fine then someone else do a dragon in distress call," snapped Kyle. "Sorry that my dragon isn't capable of it. I tried."

"What? Thats what that was," laughed Tanner dodging another one of Sky's swipes as Jamie crept a little closer to her.

"You think that'll work," asked Gladrea looking between Kyle and Sky.

"She told me about a bad dream she had after you took her to the rooke and that baby broke its leg. I think that'll at least get her to focus maybe, and bring her back from where ever she currently is. I figured I'd try," said Kyle shrugging his shoulders.

Nodding her head Gladrea said, "Here let me."

Shifting quickly into her dragon form Gladrea let loose a string of high pitched barks that had Eli's dragon standing on end. Rubbing at the goose flesh that ran down his arms to soothed his dragon he tried to tell him the call was false. Even though he could see that Gladrea was fine the sound still had his dragon on protect the female mode. His dragon wasn't the only one who was reacting to Gladreas dragons cry for help. Sky was tripping over her own feet as she tried to make her way toward the sound. Unfortunately, they didn't account for Michael's lack of control currently and how his dragon would react to her cry. Scrambling out of the way quickly, Gladrea squeaked as Michaels dragon practically landed on top of her. Sniffing and rolling her around roughly searching for injures Michaels dragon rumbled an angry growl at her. Biting her sharply on the nose for screaming for help for no reason Micheals dragon scolded her. All of that transpired within the time it took Sky's dragon to manage to cross the small distance. From the way Sky was moving it appeared that not only were her eyes two different sides of her, but so was her body. Even though they were moving it seemed as one side was a bit reluctant to move as if there were two different people controlling that body.

"It's a trap don't don't do it," yelled Sky within her head as she tried to stop her dragon.

"What if that's Tamera," cried her dragon, "We've got to go. We have to help her!"

Trying to coordinate the movements of her body along with her dragons half Sky stumbled her way toward the sound. Seeing a black object land in front of her she tried to stop her body but the signals where getting jumbled up. Tripping over her own feet Sky continued stumbling forward trying to catch herself. Knowing she couldn't afford to be on the ground surrounded by enemies she elected to run face-first into the black object in front of her. At least the object would stop her forward motion and assist her in getting her feet under her. As soon as her body slammed into the smooth warm surface she sat there holding onto it. The feel of it against her skin made her feel safe. Like her life was no longer in danger as long as she was touching this black wall. Feeling a hot gust of air against her, Sky turned to see a black shape dominating the space to her left. Reaching out the hot air rushed over her hand before it touched another warm and smooth surface that matched the one she was currently holding onto. As the warm air rushed over her again Sky breathed it in. The scent of cookies, lavender, and a dragon washed over her. Drawing in a deeper breath Sky took a shaky step toward the warm gust of air. A scent all his own flooded her system as she laid another shaking hand on the head she couldn't make out. Only one dragon in the world was black, and there was no faking Michaels scent. The feel of safety and security caused her body to stop the production of adrenaline. Knowing the fight was over her knees gave out as she began to cry and hung onto the spiked face in front of her. Pain flooded her body as it shook with exhaustion as the face morphed in front of her leaving her clinging to his naked and bleeding body. Feeling his strong arms wrap around her, his chest rattled her under face in a soothing rumble. "Shhh you're safe now, and nothing is going to hurt you," said Michael in a soft and soothing voice.

Hearing those words had Sky crying harder as her forgotten pain flooded back to the forefront of her brain. Feeling her stomach turn Sky didn't have time to react as she vomited all over the both of them and passed out.

When she came back to she found herself laying on a soft bed and the smell of alcohol hung heavy in the air. The sound of a hushed argument could be heard not far from her. "We all saw what happened your Majesty," stated Mina in a harsh but stern tone. "I think she should go through the High Dragon classes in all of the houses. She needs a proper education!"

"It would keep her at arm's length for a while enough for him to settle back down, hopefully, and you two can stop fighting each other. One guard and your prized horse are dead due to his reactions to her. A break might do you good," said Jamie. "But right now we need to stitch you up."

"I can't believe those wounds haven't even tried to heel," came another voice Sky didn't recognize as she began crawling out of her bed.

Holding onto the bed for support Sky forced her feet under her as she stood up. Taking one shaky step after another she made way toward the curtain that surrounded her bed. "Wounds caused by Sky don't heal or at least not as quickly as they normally do. We found that out when we first met her," stated Eli.

"You are not sticking me up like a damn human," roared Michael clearly angry.

"Well, what else are we to do. It's not like you can handle Sky licking the wounds closed like she did Eli's hand," scoffed Jamie eliciting an angry growl from Michael.

Sky couldn't believe she'd hurt Michael, no wonder why they were talking about sending her away. He had to be furious with her. Pushing the curtain open Sky tried to focus on the group just a couple of beds down from her. Trying to focus on them her head began to scream in protest. Having problems in working with half a world in dragon view and the other half in normal view Sky closed her left eye. Leaving only the fuzzy human world Sky made way toward the group of people. Knowing she had to fix this, Sky struggled to stay upright as she made her way down the row of beds. She couldn't believe she'd hurt Michael. Heck, she didn't even remember hurting him, but she didn't remember much about everything that transpired today, or yesterday. At this moment she didn't even know what day it was, or how long she slept. What she did know is that she didn't want Michael to send her away. If she fixed his wounds maybe he wouldn't be mad anymore.

"Sky," shouted Jamie as the group turned toward her quickly. "Get back in bed!"

Managing to take the last couple of steps to the bed Michael was sitting on Sky caught her breath. Feeling a set of big hands on her shoulder Sky turned to look into Kyles worried eyes. "She can fix it," said Sky between breaths as she struggled for air since it hurt too bad to take big breaths.

"She might be able to wee one, but Michael can't handle you licking him. The both of you need to go back to bed," cooed Kyle trying to turn her around.

Shaking her head, Sky stumbled a little as her world tilted with the gesture. "We can do it differently, but it'll hurt," stated Sky holding onto Kyle for support as she tried to right her world.

"That's fine you can hurt him later," stated Eli as he too tried to turn Sky around.

"No! We will do it now," snapped Sky pushing Eli away and practically fell into Michael's lap.

Pushing herself out of his lap she looked at the deep furrows in his chest. "I did that," asked Sky so shocked that she forgot to keep one eye closed.

Closing her eyes quickly as she fought back the nausea that threatened to turn her stomach inside out. Sky froze as a pair of hands cupped her face. "Please don't vomit on me again," said Michael in a soft growly tone. "Go back to bed so Jamie can stitch the wounds up."

Unwilling to let that happen Sky summoned up her dragon as pushed her nausea back down. "You ready," asked her Dragon as she made her way closer to the surface. "After we get done we'll be out again because we'll be sending out the little bit of reserve power we've got. I don't know when we'll wake up again."

Nodding her head Sky opened her eyes and met Michael pools of black dragon eyes that seemed to pull her in. Without hesitation her dragon grabbed Michaels face and crushed her lips to his. Drawing in a quick breath of shock, Sky used it to her advantage as fire came up from deep inside her. Forcing it out of her and breathing it into him, Sky's last memory was Michael roaring out in pain as again she passed out.

Michael struggled to hold on to Skys limp form as his body seemed to burn from the inside out. "Get her," cried Mina as Sky began to slip from Michaels grasp.

"Yeah, you reach into those flames," griped Eli standing at a safe distance away from the blue flames that currently surrounded the two.

Struggling through the pain Michael managed to get a better handle on Sky's dead weight and lift her fully up. Holding her close, his body shook in pain as the blue flames did whatever she asked them to do. Thinking back to how she'd fixed Eli he wondered if this was what he felt. The pain was excruciating but it was beginning to wain as the flames started to shrink. By the time they petered out Michael was drenched in sweat and shaking with his effort to not drop Sky. When hands came from all directions to carry her away did Michael shove everyone out of his way and bolt for the closest trash can. Leaning heavily on the waste high can Michael lost the contents of his stomach. Taking the damp rag being offered to him he rubbed his face. Swishing water in his mouth he spat it into the trashcan, before handing the cup back. Unwilling to move and trust his legs he held himself up on the edge of the can. "Is that a button," asked a nurse looking at the nasty pile of yuck in the trashcan.

"Probably," answered Eli sliding his arm under Michael's to support his weight. "Did that bastard taste better the second time," joked Eli helping him back to his bed.

"At least his belt buckle didn't come back up. That might hurt a little," grinned Michael grateful for Eli's support on the way back to his bed.

"You ate someone's belt buckle," gasped the same nurse who was shocked by the brass button she'd seen.

"He didn't just eat a belt buckle he ate the man it was attached to," growled Eli.

"And he ate him two quickly if you ask me," growled Tanner causing the nurse to lose all color in her face.

Sitting Michael down on the bed, Eli handed him another glass of water. "I know one thing, I'm so jealous."

Drinking the water down Michael continued to pant as his strength began to come back slowly. "What that my dragon got there first, or I got to chew on all of them? You had plenty of time to chew on a couple of them but you didn't. That's your fault."

Shaking his head no Eli pulled his shirt up and pointed at his massive scar that ran across his stomach. "Sky healed up both of us but I wound up with his massive scare and you don't have jack."

"That's because you got gutted like a fish by a zombie," laughed Michael looking at the pouty lip his best friend was giving him. "There's a big difference there, but she wasn't kidding about that hurting."

Nodding his head in agreement Eli glanced back toward the current that was hiding the sleeping baby dragon. "At least you're back to being flawless. Did you see how hurt she looked when she saw your wounds? I'm worried about that fracture though. We can't live fractured like that," said Eli turning the conversation serious.

"I'm not flawless," said Michael looking in a mirror and rubbing the mating mark that was still clearly evident on his shoulder. "This didn't go anywhere."

Making his way over Jamie's dragon looked closely at the white bite mark on his shoulder. "She's too young to be able to produce a mating mark but I can't refute that's what it is. Does this hurt," asked Jamie laying his hand upon the bite mark. "Yep," said Jamie answering his own question when he found himself on the floor with a snarling dragon above him. "This is one for the records. The youngest dragon to mark a mate was like two hundred years old."

Realizing what he'd done Michael apologized before picking Jamie out of the floor. "It's like whatever. It's natural to act defensively against anyone who touches that mark besides your mate. Just remember that because it'll continue to bother you until you claim her as your mate. Keep in mind as well you have to make sure she never, and I mean never touches it. If she does your dragon will probably take her up on the offer, but first got put her hand on it. It'll take the pain away. I doubt he'll do anything stupid with as hurt as she is," informed the High Lord

"And that's why she needs to be well educated if she'd to become the first Queen in history," said Mina going back to pushing the issue.

"I've trusted her in your hands for a week and look where we are right now," snarled Michael trying to suppress his dragons rage.

Bowing quickly Mina apologized profusely before adding, "From now on she will have her own guards and be treated like the mate of the King. Before she was just a guard and was treated like a guard. Please forgive our ignorance if we had known how the High Dragon had claimed her as his we would have acted accordingly.

"So the reason she's laying in that bed broken is my fault," roared Michael getting to his feet.

Hearing a crash behind the curtain Michael could hear Tanner growling, "Sky lay back down!"

"I'm sorry I didn't mean any of this," cried Sky her voice so weak. "He's so angry."

"It's not directed at you. Now get back in bed!"

Storming out from behind the curtain Kyle glared at them. "Take your argument elsewhere."