The Swordsmith

The week passed quicker than Michael wanted and he sat at the edge of the campsite next to Mayaya and watched Sky leave. Giving each other a pitiful look Michael hugged the manticore's head to his chest. Rubbing her between the ears he was slightly shocked at how big she really was. He'd seen Sky hugging many a manticore and could see the size difference. It wasn't until just now did it sink in. Mayaya's head was almost as wide as his chest was. Meaning a male's head would be just as wide or wider than his chest. Manticores were massive animals. No wonder why they were called dragon killers.

Turning back one last time Sky smiled at the sight of Michael hugging her baby and best friend. It warmed her heart to see them getting along so well and finding comfort in one another. Well, maybe not Michael, but Mayaya was finding comfort anyhow. As they rode further away Sky's dragon whined as the feeling of Michaels nearness dissipated. Sky really hadn't noticed it until that movement, but the air around her seemed to change when he was near. It was like it was thinker, denser somehow. Everyone else's seemed to breathe deeper as they rode farther away as her breathing hitched like it was harder to breathe without him. Again they were having to leave each other, at least this time Jamie didn't drug her. Nope, she rode away from him with her pilfered horses which Lord Silvanus said he would return after the trip. A trip that would take about three months if all went well.

Leaving the fake White Woods the group headed west. Following the most southern road, the group hopped from town to town. Even though they had a wagon full of tents the group argued it wasn't fit for a Queen to sleep on the ground since they didn't have use of a van. Of course, Sky argued right back that she liked sleeping on the ground, but no one paid her any mind. It was funny how they used the word Queen only when it suited them, but completely ignored and disregarded the words that came from said Queen's mouth.

The farther west they got the more arid the land got. Towns were farther part as grass changed to low growing scrub. Riding into a canyon Sky pulled her horse to a stop and looked at the world as her dragon hissed. Letting her up fully, Sky surveyed the cliffs above them. "What is it," asked April stopping her horse beside hers.

Pulling her sword Alivia gave a sharp whistle that had Tanner on his feet on top of his horse. Letting his dragon up Tanner was already pulling his jacket and shirt off as his dragon pushed to the surface. "Guard the Queen," snarled Tanner as his dragon took to flight.

Sky didn't see anyone directly above them but something woke her dragon up. If it wasn't in front of her and it wasn't above her then it must have been…. Turning around quickly Sky could see an army of men racing up behind them. "Move," shouted Sky sending everyone into a full sprint forward.

A canyon was no place to a fight unless you were the bad guys then canyons were great. Numbers didn't mean anything in tight spaces. Whoever had the high ground would always win and right now they were on the low ground. Pushing their horses to a breakneck speed Sky swore when she saw what was waiting for them at the end of the canyon. "Sky," shouted Tanner from above them.

"I see them. I got this! Make a hole," shouted Sky pushing her horse up the center. The wall of bandits in front of them were all on horseback making a very effective barrier. Too bad their wall was about to break. Pinpointing a spot a safe distance in front of the wall of bodies Sky jumped to it. Bringing her powers up she looked at all of the horses and pushed it at them as she whispered, "Scatter."

Instantly the horses scattered bucking off their riders as they tried to rein them in. Looking back at the group she began running toward the broken line. Grabbing ahold of the saddle like Tanner had taught her long ago she flung herself up into the saddle. Not quite making it a pair of hands grabbed her and hosted her the rest of the way up. Looking up at her instructor she gave him an impish grin. "Looks like you're out of practice," laughed Tanner before giving a mighty push with his wings.

Flying above his horse Tucker, Tanner scratched his head before dropping down into his saddle. Thinking they were safe the group slowed down to give their horses a rest. Making their way through the crags and rocky pillars Sky kept looking behind them waiting for the men to appear in her sight, but they never did. Maybe the entire horse freak out turned them off on trying to rob or kill them. Switching her attention from behind them to back in front Sky caught the movement just in time to shout, "Tanner!"

Kicking his feet out of the stirrups Tanner laid completely back on his horse as a body sore over him. Instantly everyone had their weapons pulled as people rushed them from either side. Sky watched in complete and utter amazement as the body that flew over Tanner spun in the air. Hitting the ground, they sprung back at him and yanked him off his horse by this ponytail all while the horse was still in motion. Right after that Sky lost track of him as the group went after their enemy. Within three minutes of the start of the fight, Sky was already down a sword. Snatching up one that belonged to the enemy she lost that one almost immediately. Her little group may have been outnumbered, but they were not outclassed. At the top of their field, Sky and her guards were mowing the bandits down. Out of the corner of her eye, Sky saw a woman with short black hair take Tanner to the ground. Landing on a bandit Sky drove her newest broken sword hilt into the man's face. Whipping her head around toward them, Sky watched the woman grin before bring her sword down. Sky's dragon screamed out as the sword slid deep into Tanner's skin. The eerie and haunting elk like sound reverberated off the rocks and spires around them. Everything froze instantly as if in ice. Tommy was mid rebound off of a spire, a good five feet off the ground when he froze. Shelby's dragon had his hand deep into someone's chest cavity. It was like time had stopped but only for those around Sky. A vulture already circled overhead awaiting the meal that might come when the fight was over. Sky glared at the woman who's eyes where turned in her direction. "Oh you pissed her off now," grinned Tanner smugly as blue flames burned all around them.

"You know someone should really break your nose a couple of times. It would make you less pretty, and your girlfriend doesn't scare me," spat the woman growling down at Tanner.

"Oh she's not my girlfriend, and I'm glad you think I'm pretty," retorted Tanner smelling the lie rolling off of the woman.

"YOU WILL NOT TAKE WHAT IS MINE," shouted Sky as the ground trembled with each word she spoke and each step she took.

Little pebbles bounced on the ground as fire coated the earth making a walkway for her. As she moved the flames fizzled out behind her leaving nothing but blackened earth in her wake. Passing by everyone Sky reached out and touch each bandit she passed. Within the tight quarters, it wound up being most of them on her way toward Tanner. "Oh, my bad your mate doesn't scare me. I can't believe I missed your heart," snapped the woman still glaring down at Tanner. "I'm tired of hearing your mouth already."

"Oh, she's not my mate. She's my Queen, and you didn't miss my heart."

Turning her eyes from Tanner's face the woman fought the bonds that held her just enough so she could look down. A small pool of melted metal ran from the hole that was now closing in Tanner's chest. Blue flames danced across his skin as a white scar formed where her sword had been. Before her brain realized what was going on a hand wrapped around her throat. Picking the woman up she hung there like a cat as Sky's dragon made the bone-chilling nocking sound. There was no hiding her fear this time, the woman lost her control over her face and you could see it clearly now. "You hurt what is mine," rattled Sky's dragon. Struggling to breathe the woman's eyes grew rounder as the smell of her fear rolled off of her in waves. "You tried to take what is mine," continued Sky as blood began to run from the woman's nose.

Dropping the woman like a sack of garbage Sky blinked out of existence. Tanner lost track of her as she jumped from bandit to bandit before reappearing back at his side. Shaking in her anger Sky balled her fist. "May the mother judge you all," stated Sky as the world unfroze. Men screamed out everywhere as the group witness yet the second burning of men. This time none of them survived. Climbing to his feet Tanner watched as Sky turned the woman over and ripped her shirt open above her heart. It wasn't like Sky had to do much, Tanner had cut her shirt up pretty well. Honestly, if his attacker was a male she would have died long before now. Sky wasn't sure what had made him hesitate, but it had almost cost him his life. Laying her hand on the unconscious woman's sternum Sky frowned. "I am sorry but you must be judged as well."

Keeping her hand firmly on the woman's chest Sky held her down while she screamed. Everyone expected her to die too, but as the blue light faded from the woman's eyes she passed out. Unwrapping the black scarf around the woman neck's neck Sky tossed it to the side to look at the metal ring around her neck. Picking her up by it Sky drug her body over to Shelby. Hosting the limp woman up so that the collar was eye-ish level with Shelby she asked, "Why does this hurt her if she doesn't do what she's told?"

"By the Goddess," exclaimed Shelby wrapping his hands around the woman's middle. Picking up her weight Shelby rushed her over to the wagon. Placing her in the back he jumped into the seat. "Come on we've got to get this off before her master finds out his entire troop here is dead. He might just kill her while he's at it. Why is a southern slave collar up here in the North?"

Smacking the horses rumps with the reins they both took off like in a shot. Racing to their horses Sky struggled to get her foot high enough into the stirrup. When a horse raced up beside her giving her a start, Sky looked up at Tanner's pinched expression. Pushing himself out of the saddle he scooted backward to sit on the horse's rump. Suddenly two sets of hands were on her shoving her upward awkwardly. Before her butt could even hit the saddle her eyes were already closed and she was fast asleep.

When Sky came to she found herself facedown in a bed that smelled of mint chocolate cookies. Groaning Sky pushed herself up dislodging no more than three really big dogs. Rubbing her aching head Sky stumbled out of the room. Tripping over the pony-sized dogs she took out an end table, two chairs, and a lamp before she came to a stop on the floor. Jumping and licking her all over the dogs yipped in their excitement as several people started shouting. "My Queen," shouted Shelby extracting the dogs from her one at a time. Handing them off to different people Sky wiped the drool off of her face. "Here let me help you," continued Shelby helping her up to her feet. "You need to go lay back down. You've only been asleep maybe an hour."

"Leave her be," said Tanner handing the dog he was holding off to a younger man. "There's a reason she's awake or her dragon would have let her sleep."

Making her way out of the house Sky's dragon was grumbling to herself. Sometimes it sucked to have a two-mile radius in which she could feel everything. Coming to a creek Sky slid down the embankment and looked at the terrified woman who was curled up in a ball in the back of a little cave. "Running away already," yawned Sky. "Not even a thank you?"

"What is wrong with you," screamed the woman as she pointed behind Sky.

"Whatever you do don't move, stay right here, and don't move," said Tanner from somewhere above them right before he crawled to the edge and looked down. "Sky is that where Rebecca is?"

"Is that your name," asked Sky as she yawned again.

"What is it to you," snapped the woman growling up at Tanner as he hung his head down so he could look into the cave.

"If that's the way you want to be. We can leave you to the Manticore," laughed Tanner looking over Sky's shoulder.

"Why isn't he killing you," asked Rebecca watching Sky turn around flop onto the cat's face.

"Because Sky has the thing for Manticores, and they have a thing for her," replied Tanner as the cat laid down. "How about you come out of there and we'll take you to town. We can get you a new set of clothes, some money, and a good meal on your stomach before you run off into the sunset."

"I don't need anything from you," snapped the woman so vehemently that Sky looked back at her.

"That's the dumbest idea ever," grumbled Sky pushing herself up off of the manticore. "You're collar is gone. Why go back to him? Just because you don't have anywhere else to go doesn't mean he's your only option. If you're worried about him finding you then you can come with us. He won't find you in the capital city. You can be a guard there…" yawning again Sky stumbled backward. Catching her with a paw the manticore pulled her down into the sand with him. "I know they'll hire you…yawn…. Just tell them you whooped Tanner's ass. Instant paycheck," mumbled Sky and she was out again.

"I got choked out by a telepath! Did she really just go to sleep," asked Rebecca getting angry over the fact that a small skinny little dragon-like her bested her. Rebecca knew she had a good twenty pounds of muscle on that chick and she not only choked her out, she had pissed her pants in fear. That little dragon would be a lightweight next to her heavyweight in the ring, but yet the power she welded was unnatural. By the looks of it, it exacted a heavy toll as well. One thing the little white-haired dragon had in spades was crazy. Who on the mother curls up in the arms of a manticore and goes to sleep?

Waking up sometime the next morning Sky kissed the Manticore's nose before heading back to the house. The sun wasn't fully up yet casting the world into a blueish-purple hue. Making her way back to the house Sky caught a whiff of the mint chocolate cookies. Bouncing along after the smell Sky found herself standing in front of a blacksmith's workshop. Sitting next to a forge was an elder dragon just slightly younger than Shelby. If he were human she'd put him somewhere in his forty or fifties. The man sat on a stump of wood looking into the forge. The glow of the forge lit the man's face as he stared off into the glowing red embers. Shucking in a sharp breath at the sight of him butterflies took off inside her stomach. The man even if he was older, was gorgeous and slightly familiar. "I wonder if Michael will look that good at 2000," purred her dragon as the man's face turned quickly in her direction at the sound of her gasp.

"Good morning my Queen," said the man quickly getting to his feet.

With the wave of his hand the workshop light up brightly illuminating the man and his workspace. Standing in the middle of the workspace like a god Sky's mouth went slightly dry. "Oh man his mate is so lucky," purred her dragon inside the confines of her mind.

Racking her eyes up from the man's leather pants and up to his eight pack abs, she settled on his face. Something about his face, the long pencil straight red hair, and the look in those blue eyes tugged at her subconscious. Tilting her head to the side she drug her dragon up for a look inside when someone suddenly covered her eyes. It's not like it blocked her sight, no she saw through the man's hands and into the man in front of her. Reaching into the mind of the one covering her eyes Shelby hissed in pain. Stepping away from him Sky looked between the two brothers before walking away without a word. "Shit! Damn it Sky! Wait," shouted Shelby rushing after her. Grabbing Sky's arm to stop her Sky yanked it out of Shelby's grip before she whirled on him. "That's not fair!"

"It's not," said Shelby sadly watching the tears roll down Sky's face.

"That's not right," cried Sky.

"It's not."

"How can everyone live like this?"

Heaving a deep sigh Shelby's shoulders sagged a little. "Because that's how it's always been done."

"That's just as bad as what happened to the metal babies," shouted Sky losing her temper.

"You're as bad as the green dragons!"

"Do not lump me into the category with those fucking monsters!"

"You took your nephew away from your brother," cried Sky pulling at her hair as she began to pace. "You forced their dragons to submit while you stole their firstborn son! Who's the pot calling the kettle black!"

"My Queen calm down you're catching the grass on fire," said Tanner as he came rushing up. "What's the matter?"

"Ask your uncles! I'm sure they'd love to tell you," snapped Sky before blinking out of existence.

Reappearing back at the creek she raged about the atrocity that had happened here. The reason why the man looked so familiar and gorgeous was that Michael literally crawled out of the man's ass. He was a younger black-haired version of the blacksmith. There was no mistaking that Michael was his son. A son they never saw grow up. A son they never saw take his first human steps. A son who will never say I love you, mom, and Dad. "I don't care we need to find her and calm her down. If not the King will come and that's something we don't need," shouted Shelby from somewhere behind them.

"I can't believe you thought she wouldn't figure this out Shelby," shouted April in return. "How stupid are you? Michael looks like he crawled out of this man's ass!"

Nodding her head in agreement to that statement Sky made her way into the water and sat down. "Mind your tongue girl. You might be from the Land of Water, but I am still a member of the high council," yelled Shelby clearly angry or on the verge of panic.

"Don't yell at me old man. You're the one who brought a dragon who could see memories into a house in which she didn't need to see memories, to begin with. Hell, she just dumped millions of metal dragon souls out of her body. To top the cake off with icing she watched each and everyone one of them die. She watched each and every one of them get taken from their family and you thought she'd be okay with this!"

"The King is fat and happy! He's not dead like all of those babies! There's a big difference!"

"Says the man who didn't feel the pain of the mother and father who lost their child," snapped Alivia joining the argument now. "No wonder why you haven't spoken to him in years."

"Do not make me out to be the bad guy! I did what I had to do as the Land of Fire's Council member. Do you think I like my brother being pissed at me for the last 350 years! Do you think I enjoyed hurting my family! Do you think anyone likes taking the black dragon baby from his parents! No one enjoys it, but at least they get to hear about how great he is! They get the knowledge that he's alive living high on the hog as the King of this great land!"

Sky could smell the smoke from where she sat and could imagine the smoke coming out of Shelby's nose. Maybe his entire body was on fire like her's does some times. Honestly, she'd never seen a fire dragon work his magic. Water dragons could summon water and use it for whatever. They could water plants with a little ball of water that floated along while sprinkling down on to the vegetation. They could gather it up and put it in tubs. Some could freeze it into ice. That one was uncommon and those dragons didn't really display that power often. "You know that's a horrible hiding spot right," said Rebecca making her way down to the creek. "I can see the water moving around you. Okay now, I can't."

"That's because I move," said Sky as she climbed into a tree.

"So you really are a Queen. Like mated to the High Dragon, King of Us All," asked Rebecca as her dragon's red eye's scanned the direction she'd heard Sky's voice.

"Yep I'm that kind of Queen," mumbled Sky into her knees from where she sat on the branch. "But it's not like he's your King. You're from the South."

Narrowing her search Rebecca jumped when Tanner and the twins trotted passed her. Walking up to a tree she watched them all lift their hands up and seemingly rub a branch. "We are hunting for breakfast. You want to come," called Tanner looking back at Rebecca giving her a slight grin.

"I thought you had to go looking for the Queen," replied Rebecca as her dragon looked for any kind of heat signature. "She's coming with us. Those eyes are useless. You have to look for heatwaves," stated Tanner as the three of them continued off into the scrub.

Squeezing in between Tanner and Tommy Sky scanned the area for something big enough to feed the troops. Turning back she could see Rebecca currently following them, but probably not for long. Sky sighed because you couldn't help them all and she could see that at her first opportunity she would be making a break for it. "You see anything," asked Tommy as his orange dragon eyes scanned the area.

"There is an ibex about a mile to the right of us," replied Sky so focused that she didn't notice that Tanner stopped. Passing through him Sky turned at the sound of clicking. Tanner stood frozen in place with an expression of shock or was that fear. His dragon was fully at the surface and red scales covered his face. "Tanner," asked the twins together making their way around to look at him.

Sucking in a sharp breath like he'd just remembered breathing was necessary Tanner gasped, "Sky I don't know what you just did, but could you please never do that to us again. I thought we just died."

Making her own way around the group Rebecca looked at the three men before looking down the game trail they were walking. As a shadow passed overhead she saw the heatwave Tanner was talking about. Noticing the recognition in Rebecca's eyes that she spotted her, Sky looked down at the shadow at her feet. Looking up to see what had caused it Sky's dragon dropped the camouflage and opened the flood gates. Sending her power out toward the group in a hurry people, small shrub trees, and brush went flying in all directions right before jaws snapped closed where they had been. When the snake-like head lifted back up Sky dragon screamed at it. Whipping its head around Sky instantly closed her eyes so that she couldn't lock eyes with the basilisk. Sky's mind raced. How was it that they were walking right unto a basilisk and she never knew it. On top of that, why was it so close to a town. Jumping from one spot to the other Sky'd dragon kept a close eye on the world of strings. Sky shouted out the location of the beast so her dragon could focus on the locations to jump them. Not being able to make heads or tails of empty spaces to move them she trusted her dragon to jump them safely. Even the couple times she jumped them into mid-air. "We're going to have to kill it," shouted Sky to her dragon as they pulled out their boot knife.

"You can't kill that thing with a boot knife," roared Tanner as his dragon landed onto the snake and dug at an eye.

Flinging Tanner off of him the snake turned his attention to the creature posing a bigger threat than Sky. "Are you stupid," shouted Sky racing along the snake's body. "I can fix a pierced heart, but I can't fix one that's been turned to stone!"

"If that happens call a witch," roared the twins as they attacked the snake together going again at its eyes. Jumping out of the way as two massive dragons and just as big of a snake went thrashing throw the trees she turned directions. Roars of all kinds could be heard in the distance, but Sky couldn't pay them any mind. She had to get to the head of the beast. If she could do that she could drive her knife right into its brain. Landing on all three Tanner bit and clawed at the basilisk's neck at the base of its skull. Teeth and claws scraped against the creature's hard scales but they barely put a dent in them. Swinging its tail around the creatures nocked all three dragons off of it. Scrambling back up to their feet they took back off again to the safety of the air. For all of their efforts, the only thing they accomplished was blinding it in one eye. Suddenly dragons galore descended from all directions each one diving at the creature's head aiming for the eyes. Sky didn't know how long she bounced around the group or how often everyone yelled her to run away. No, she kept her eye on the prize. Right at the base of the skull was a star-like pattern. A weak spot where the scales converged and shifted patterns. Right there was the sweet spot where she was going to plunge her dagger. If she put enough power behind it she might be able to force it through the skull and into the soft tissue below. All she had to do was by her time and hope her power level lasted with as much as she was having to jump around.

Pulling even more power from the mother Sky wrapped it around her like a blanket. Again several dragons launched their attack bringing the basilisk to the ground. "NOW," shouted Sky's dragon as she jumped them up to the top of someone's head.

Landing right about a massive red dragon's eye Sky sprint down its face. Pushing off with as much force as possible she raised her five-inch boot knife above her head. Taking aim Sky pulled with all of her might drawing in as much power as her body could hold. The air around her seemed to shimmer and shake as she brought the knife down. Hitting her mark the dragons attached to the snake were blown away as the basilisk's head slammed into the ground. Having released all of her power down into her dagger Sky watched in horror as the handle snapped off her boot knife. Blood exploded everywhere as the snake sprang off the ground sending Sky flying off into the air. Halfway up Sky realized her mistake. She'd put all of her remaining power into that strike leaving her nothing left to jump with.

Completely drained Sky watched the ground approaching quickly. Cringing at the knowledge at how much this was about to hurt Sky closed her eyes. Right before she hit the ground something wrapped around her as a loud boom threatened to rupture her eardrums. The impact knocked the air out of her as her eyes shot open. Out of breath and out of power she gasped for air like a fish out of water. Suddenly a grey dragon, who's scales were rimmed in red was in her face sniffing her all over. Laying her hand on the dragon's snout her dragon instantly recognized the woman. Sky thought it was strange how she knew the woman's name. She even knew the woman's pain of losing a child. Vaguely she rubbed at the greyscales and remembered all of the people who were once attached to her. "You are my dragon," whispered Sky as she struggled for air.

"I am your metal mover," whispered the woman who now stood in front of her.

Sky looked into green eyes as the world grew fuzzy. "I know you, Bella," said Sky trying to keep her eyes open.

"You do my Queen," whispered the woman brushing the hair out of her face as she screamed for someone.

Why was she screaming thought Sky as she began to shiver? Why was it so cold here in the desert. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she heard a roar and she smiled at Tanner's worried expression as he came into view. "Did you hear him," asked Sky as a tear rolled down Tanner's face.

"No I didn't, but I feel him. He's coming," whispered Tanner screaming at someone.

Lifting her hand to brush the tear away Sky tried to focus on what was in her hand. It was hard to see through the fuzz as the darkness around the edges began to creep in. Realizing it was the handle of the dagger Tanner had given her Sky frowned. "I'm sorry I broke it," said Sky her voice almost a whisper.

"No! Don't you dare," screamed Tanner but it was getting hard to hear him. "You stay with us!"

Where would I go, thought Sky as everything began to fade? Why was everyone screaming and crying? I'm just a little out of power. This isn't anything new, thought Sky as her body began to shake violently, or maybe that was the ground. "I'm tired," complained Sky as Tanner shook her.

"I don't care! You keep your eyes open! You hear me!"

"You're…not the…boss…of me," replied Sky finally finding the energy to speak.

"Michaels not here," said Tanner as tears ran down his face. "I've got to fill in."

Somewhere in the recesses of her mind, she could hear Michael yelling at her. She could feel his energy flowing into her, and he was getting closer. "Okay Sky, That's her name right Sky," asked Bella as Tanner was pushed away by several faces Sky didn't recognize.

It all happened as if in slow motion making Sky realize her perception of time was skewed. It was like when you get hurt and time seemed to drag on forever but only seconds have passed."Okay, Sky I want you to hold my hand real tight. This is going to hurt, but stay with us."

Trying to figure out what was going on the blackness crept in just a little more. Fighting her eyes to stay open they began to close right before pain exploded through her. Her eyes shot open wide as she watched little bits of metal began to float out of her body. Looking down at herself Sky could see she was covered in blood. Hands came from all over to heal the wounds as someone dug their fingers into her guts. All the alarms went off inside her head that she should be screaming in pain, but she couldn't. Something had her throat locked down tight as she choked on her screams. Watching the hand pull out what looked like a bone fragment blood poured out of the wound, and then the world went black.

Feeling like a stampede of dragons had run her over Sky awoke in the mint cookie smelling bed again. There were people shouting. "I am sorry we have failed you, my King," came Tanner's distraught voice.

"It's not his fault it's not like any of them knew it was there," shouted Alivia.

"He should have pulled her from the fight from the start," roared Michael. "If she hadn't had to step in where he failed she wouldn't have gotten hurt. We could have lost a baby!"

Pushing herself out of the bed Sky lifted her shirt to see angry red scabs all over her front. It looked like someone had used her as a pin cushion and the biggest wounds were in her stomach. Getting to her feet she stumbled to the door and pulled it open. Everyone was up against the walls as Michael's death swirled around the room. Dangling from his hand Tanner choked on the black mist as he began to turn grey. Growling Sky held her hand out toward Michael who's dragon was in complete control. His entire body was covered in black scales as smoke rolled from his nose. Within a blink, Sky was standing partially inside Tanner as her hand barely touched Michael before he flew throw the wall landing outside of the house. No one moved as the wall put itself back together and Tanner's feet floated to the floor. Stepping forward out of him Sky brought with it the blackness within. A small black mist like dragon struggled in her grip where her fingers were wrapped around its neck. As soon as the color was back into his face Tanner crumpled to the floor. Turning toward the door as the house shook when it was ripped off of its hinges Sky eyed Michael's angry dragon. Watching him storm inside, smoke billowing with each angry breath he took Sky stood her ground. Snarling as he stopped in front of her Sky went from standing lethargically to moving in an instant. Before he knew what happened Sky took his legs out from under him and sent him careening to the floor. All he could do was catch and brace as Sky flopped on top of him and growled. "Get off me woman," snarled his dragon as he wings spread wide in his anger, but he dared not move her.

"Nope too tired," complained Sky.

"You need to be in bed before you reopen your wounds!"

"What's wrong with this one," yawned Sky still unmoving.

"I am not a bed," roared Michael's dragon as his death whirled around him.

"No, you're right. You're an idiot with anger issues who is making a lumpy bed," snapped Sky pushing herself up before punching him in the face as hard as she could.

Hissing in pain blood spots began to show up on Sky's shirt, but she ignored it as she pushed herself to her full height. Wiping the blood from his lip Michaels dragon glared up at her with a mix of rage and lust. "You try that shit again, and I will do more than bust your lip," snarled Sky dragon as she stood over him in a display of dominance.

"Are you threatening me," snarled Michael as him and his dragon began to push themselves up.

Placing her barefoot on Michael's chest Sky and her dragon focused there's power into her foot and pushed. Air exploded out of Michael's lungs as blue flames rippled from Sky's foot where the force of it slammed him back into the ground. Feeling the pain in her own chest Sky made a mental note not to use as much power next time as she leaned forward slightly. "That wasn't a threat that was a promise," snarled Sky and her dragon as white smoke began to roll from her body. "You will never hurt someone for my decisions ever again. I made the choice to fight! I made the choice to stay! I made the choice to risk my life for the many. That monster was too close to that village. Within the day it would have feasted on everyone there and no one could have stopped it. I know their weakness and I exploited it. If it cost us a child then one life for the good of many is worth it. Isn't that the King's job to give his life for his people. Isn't it my job to give my life for your people? I will dye for what is mine. What is mine wherein a fight with an adult Basilisk? What you should be asking is why is it here? Not why did you let her fight! Plus who says I was pregnant anyway. We would be the first to know if there was life within us, and there was not."

Michael was beyond livid as the muscle in his jaw ticked, but he dared not open his mouth. Currently, he was pinned to the floor by a tiny little barefoot half the size of his own. Not because he wanted to be, but because she was forcing him to be. He literally couldn't move and he was sure she'd broken his ribs. The pain of her fixing it was just as bad as when she broke it, but he didn't want to make her any angrier. What he really needed was for her to lay down because she was bleeding really badly again.

Looking at Michael's shaking hand as he raised it up Sky looked down at herself. Blood rolled down both legs thick and red as it pooled at her feet. More than a bunch of shrapnel wounds should make. "That's a lot of blood," said Sky feeling woozy, and then everything went black again.

Catching Sky as she crumpled to the floor Michael and his dragon rapped their wings protectively around her. When two sets of hands tried to pry them open they snarled at them. "We've got to stop the bleeding. Where is it all coming from," growled Jamie in return squeezing in? "Sam you get her belly I'll get…. Well, I'm glad she's asleep. Please don't kill me," asked Jamie as his dragon avoided Michael's eyes.

Holding his dragon back slightly as Jamie laid on top of Sky he couldn't prevent the rattle at what he saw next. Sky's eyes flew open as her dragon made that horrible knocking sound. When she tried to shove herself off of Michael he saw exactly where his hand was. "Hold her still and please don't eat me. I've got to stop the bleeding," chirped Jamie as the smell of fear and submission flooded the area. "Sam it's not clotting. She's going to bleed out! I need you here now!"

Moving Michael's wing quickly, Sam jumped in and shoved his hands between Sky and Michael. Feeling their combined powers he watched Skys face grow a little paler. "You've got to get your hand farther in there," shouted an Elderly woman as she hurried into the foray. "That's why males don't deliver human babies! Move! We are built like humans and they can push out an eight-pound baby a hand isn't nothing," snapped the woman shoving Jamie out of the way.

Sky's grunted with whatever the woman did and honestly Michael didn't want to know. "By the goddess," breathed the woman as she looked across Skys back and tried not to meet Michael's eyes. "Her dragon doesn't even have wings. If she…. she would have died. Bella get your sister. I'm going to need her. Where are you going boy," snapped the old woman grabbing Jamie's hand? "You're not done," continued the woman shoving his hand under Sky causing Michael to snarl as Jamie's hand collided with his private parts.

Cringing Jamie stole a glance at Michael, "Sorry."

"Don't apologize to him. It's his fault she's hemorrhaging in the first place. Now do your job," snapped the old woman.

"Mother," scolded Bella shocked at her mother's disrespect to the King.

"Don't mother me! If he would have not lost his temper and tried to kill his guard then she wouldn't have had to get out of bed. If she was still in bed this wouldn't be happening. It's his fault she was on her feet and his fault she's bleeding to death from her vagina!"

"MOTHER!"

Michael fumed internally but tried to keep it all bottled up. If he let it out he would kill everyone who was desperately trying to stop Sky from bleeding to death. What was also troubling is what the old woman had said. Would Sky have died toward the end of pregnancy if she were with child? What would have happened at the end when her body needed to shift to her dragon. He hadn't thought about any of that. He was just ecstatic that there was a possibility of being a dad. Not only did he gain a mate to be a father to boot was just an amazing thought. Then those all came crashing down when he felt her dying again.

Would he have felt bad for killing Tanner after he calmed down? Hell yes, he would, but did he care at this moment, nope. What did he get for all of this? He got blown through a wall, punched in the face, and then emasculated in front of everyone. Now he lay here naked on the ground holding his dying mate while some old ass dragon had her hand shoved probably elbow deep into Sky's no no parts. If she wasn't already passing out due to blood lose he'd make her pass out from lack of oxygen do to her screaming his name so loudly. He was the High Dragon and no one, and he meant, no one emasculated him. Waking with a start, Michael grabbed Sky's ashen face. "Shhh it's okay," he soothed pulling her back down as she tried to turn her head to look behind her. "Pay them no mind they are trying to stop the bleeding."

"I think…I think… I think there's a hand inside me," whispered Sky as her eyes began to grow heavy again.

"Yes, I believe you're right," smiled Michael brushing her hair behind her ear.

Michael didn't know how long he lay there in the middle of this stranger's floor. Honestly, he'd lay here for days as long as Sky didn't kill them both. How could she always seem to find trouble? Of all the places for a basilisk to be it had to be in the farthest reaches of his kingdom on the border of the Lands of Fire and the White Woods. At the edge of their continent no less.

Thinking about what she'd said he began to wonder why the monster was so close to the town when the woods were not but a couple of miles south. What had drove it up into the desert? Feeling his eyes growing heavy Michael drifted into a deep dark sleep. When he woke up again a single lamp burning on an end table. Michael looked about the room the best he could without disturbing Sky. A fledgling around Williams age sat in a chair next to the light looking tired. "What time is it," asked Michael stretching his sore muscles.

"It's about four in the morning," grumbled the fledgling before pushing to his feet. Making his way over to someone outside of Michael's sight he watched him nudge their leg. "He's awake."

Hearing someone snuffle followed closely by shuffling Michael looked up into Samuel's tired eyes. "Welcome back my King," stated Samuel rubbing at the black bags under his eye.

"Welcome back? How long have I been out?"

"Three days My King," replied Samuel placing his hand on Michael's forehead.

"Impossible," breathed Michael.

To him, it felt like he'd just closed his eyes not but a couple of minutes ago. "Not when your mate was sucking you dry of ever once of power you possessed. Needless to say, all of your people have been a bit uncomfortable in the last couple of days. On top of that everyone here's been double that, because theirs a pride of Manticores outside that hasn't gone anywhere. You're up earlier than expected so maybe Sky will be too and she can talk with the cats outside," replied Samuel removing his hand and placing it on Sky's head.

"You look exhausted Sam. Where is Jamie," asked Michael watching his hand began to glow slightly. "Outside with everyone else. Sky's dragon as been in and out, talking about dead things that walk. She's picky about who can enter the house," replied Samuel.

"Dead things like what? Dead Bird?"

"No she's been muttering about the White Woods being weak and the dead things have made it throw," replied Samuel. "It's all really garbled, but that's about the jest of it. There's more but I can't understand it."

"Is she good enough for me to move," asked Michael looking between Samuel's hand and Sky's head.

Something unsettling about what he said made his mind go back to the day they came upon the zombie town. He wasn't sure about why, but for the long-buried memory to pop back up like it was purposely placed there wasn't something he could ignore. "Yes your Majesty," replied Samuel as he removed his hand from Sky's head. "Do you require my assistance?"

"Please," replied Michael trying to maneuver Sky without waking her up.

Trying to move her as little as possible, both men managed to get her up and onto the couch with barely a snuffle of protest. "I have a pair of pants for you," said the boy as he returned holding them out to him.

"Thank you I'll use those when I get back," stated Michael quickly making his way out of the house.

Looking around quickly Michael found his guards camped out in the yard not too far away. Making his way over to them Michael began to bark orders. "Everyone up! Eli, find some rope a lot of it, Jamie, help him. Tanner, twins, find us swords. Grant go fetch the town Lord. Kyle, Owen with me!"

Without another word, Michael took off running down the road. When he was clear enough of everyone who was now awake he shifted and took to the sky's. Watching Kyle and Owen take up possessions to either side of him he nodded at them in approval. Soon enough they blended into the blackness of the night sky as they headed south. Hitting the White Woods Michael turned them westward. Scouring the lands for any villages on the border he spotted only one. When they reached the lava fields and the ocean he turned them back again. Heading off in an eastern direction he traveled onto the next village. Turning back again Michael soared dangerously low to the ground. "Hang back, I'm going to shed some light on his subject."

Buzzing the rooftops Michael lit the town up as he torched the main road in and out of town. Once the pass over was done he headed straight for the second one. Repeating the procedure again he returned to where everyone was camped at the stranger's house. The entire trip only took about two hours as the morning sun began to turn the sky a lighter blue. In the darkness, it was easy to see his glowing mate struggling under the paw of a big red dragon that was not Tanner. Blue flames licked up around the dragon's paw as her dragon barked out at him in panic. Stoking his fire Michaels dragon hit the ground running. Roaring in anger he came to a bouncing stop as he flared his wings snarling. Returning his aggression the strange male stoked his own fire. Rattling a warning Micheal brought up his power and directed them toward the stranger. Waiting for him to submit the older dragon stood tall and fought the force. Michael tried to lung at the dragon but found himself slamming into the walls of his mind. "Move Dragon," screamed Michael within his mind. "He's got our mate!"

"I know him," stated his dragon lowing his head a bit as he fire began to drip from his mouth. "He smells like family."

"We have no family," snapped Michael trying to get his body to move as Sky barked out clawing at the ground.

"Move you stupid beast!"

Lowering his head the rest of the way down to his mate, Michael noticed her eyes were white. Shifting instantly Michael took up her face and forces his way inside her mind. There he found Sky's dragon was curled up crying and Sky was in a fit of rage. From what he'd learned with the metal dragons lost souls flocked Sky's dragon. Sky was pacing like a wild animal prattling on about the walking dead. "They know we've figured it out and they will be moving their plan of action."

Trying to get her to stop and talk to him she acted like he wasn't there at all. Suddenly out of the blue she turned and grabbed Michael by the throat. "Let us go so we can kill the scourge of the earth. The dead must be burned. Why didn't you burn them? You should have BURNED THEM ALL!"

Getting thrown from her mind right after forcing images into his head, Michael scrambled to his feet holding his head. Turning to Kyle and Owen who stood cautiously behind him he ran at them. "Those two towns what did you see," when they didn't answer quickly enough he yelled. "WHAT DID YOU SEE!"

"The first town a lot of its residents came out to see what was going on. They then began to fight the fire burning down their main street. The second town no one came out at all," replied Kyle.

Images flashed through his mind quickly and painfully. They were so jumbled up an incoherent as he tried to wrap his brain around it. One thing he did know was within those images were the corpses who tried to kill him within the room of the dead village. Inside he cringed a little at the thought of Sky remembering him with a rotting corps held to his junk as he lost himself in her mouth. Shaking that thought from his head to turned to the hand full of soldiers who were now awake around him. "Everyone with me," snapped Michael taking back off into the air.

Heading straight back to the border town he flew as fast as his wings could carry him. Bringing himself down low several yards from the town he let lose a torrent of flames. Soaring just high enough not to hit the houses over the town, he continued to scorch the buildings until something snatched him out of the air. Controlling the crash a little Michael looked at he glowing white vines that wrapped around him. Turning back to the town he pulled against the vines as he began to work up another volley of flames. Fear fueled his fire as the white vines tightened their hold. They were uncomfortably warm to his skin and he knew these things that held him tightly are what kills people within the White Woods, but it didn't matter. If the dead army was in this town then he needed to burn it to the ground. All around him dragons hovered with looks of confusion and worry. The city was burning slightly and the White Woods seemed to be trying to eat him. All he knew was Sky needed this village to burn and he could still feel her hatred for dead things. Her voice roared deep in his head as she screamed out for the death of the dead things. If she wanted them dead he'd serve them up on a silver plater if that's what would make her happy.

Pulling against the vines more to get a little closer to the city he roared out sending a new wave of flames at the city. Blue flames hit the city edge and ran in either direction around the perimeter. Suddenly the ground shook as a magic explosion sent dragons crashing to the ground everywhere. Looking at the burnt and destroyed town the nightmare of the southern town returned. Instantly the vines released him and his guards went on a killing rampage as they destroyed the town and all of the walking corpses that raced out of it toward them.

By mid-morning nothing of the town remained and the last of the bodies was smoldering ash. Looking at the road that led through the forest Michael pulled at his bond with is mate. Within moments he could feel her hand touching his massive leg. Greeting his mate he gave her a small nudge and turned back toward the woods. "Can you close it," asked Michael looking from her to the woods.

"Not from here," replied Sky within his mind.

Searching for the bond of the stranger that held Sky to the ground he yanked it a lot harder than he should have. He wanted to make sure that the dragon understood that it wasn't a request, but an order from the High Dragon. While they waited Michael dug through the ashes making sure they hadn't missed anyone or thing. Forty-five minutes later the massive red dragon was landing next to him. Hoping on three legs the monster of a dragon snarled and snapped at Michael in his displeasure. Holding his temper until the right moment, which right now wasn't since Sky was still in his claws he rattled a warning. "Put her down," ordered Michael standing to his full height which was only feet above the other dragon, which didn't amount to much in the long run.

"She's not in a right mind, and she's going to hurt herself again," snarled the Dragon clutching the white-eyed Sky close to his chest.

"I've killed all of the dead things. Now I need her to fix the woods. I can not afford for the dead army to make it into our kingdom. Now put my mate DOWN!"

Pushing his authority into his words the dragon's claw shook as he fought with all his might to keep ahold of the struggling Sky. As soon as her feet were on the ground fog rolled up from it. Suddenly bodies began to pop up everywhere out of the soul. Before the red dragon could snatch her back up Sky was running into the biggest cluster of them. Glowing slightly Sky clawed her way through the dead bodies. Blue flames consumed the bodies of the zombies as she tore them to shreds. Roaring in anger Michael stomped the dead around his mate as he burned as many as he could. Trying to miss her with his flames was impossible as she blinked in and out of existence. When he saw her walking out of Eli's flames like it was only a gentle breeze he worried a little less. Eli on the other hand choked a little and shot flames out his nose. At that point, he felt bad for his friend because he knew that had to hurt. Covered in black, rotting, putridness, Sky came to a raging stop. White eyes searched the area around her quickly before she ran toward the White Woods. Glowing white vines wrapped around her ankles as soon as she entered the woods. "Burn them! Burn them All," shouted Sky as she raised her hands.

Instantly blue flames shot up from the ground racing off into the distance down the road. Shaking the forest began to close in on itself erasing the road from existence. Once it was closed and Sky came bouncing out of the woods with her normal glowing blue eyes Michael turned to look at the souls that stood around celebrating within the white mist. Observing the victory celebration of the souls, Michael missed the raging red ball of furry until it bowled him over. Before he could react the dragon had ahold of his head and slammed it into the ground. Feeling several of his spikes snap his dragon flopped around on the ground disoriented. "ENOUGH," shouted Sky as white vines shout out of the woods ripping the two fighting dragons pulling them apart. "Man I liked those horns," grumbled Sky looking at her disoriented and bleeding mate. "Now I've got to fix them."

"No, you leave him be. Maybe that will knock some sense into his thick head," snarled the blacksmith's dragon. "That's what he gets for bringing his mate into danger."

"I hate dead things," growled Sky as her eyes flashed to white before turning back blue again.

"It doesn't matter. You almost died once and then he forces me to brings you into a battlefield. He deserves more than a few broken horns," snarled the blacksmith as fire dripped around his teeth.

"Well, I would have been here anyway if you weren't standing on me," snapped Sky glaring up at the blacksmith. "The dead town is no place for an injured Queen. It doesn't matter how powerful she is!"

"You knew this town was full of dead people," roared Michael thrashing harder within his bonds.

"No my son did," snapped the blacksmith. Watching Sky look from Michael back to him in question, he corrected, "No my youngest son. Don't give me that kind of look young lady you've just rose the dead for a dance party so I don't want to hear it."

"Oh the dead," exclaimed Sky before leaving the two dragons tangled in the vines on the ground.

Walking out into the middle of the celebration Sky lifted her hands. As she brought them down she pushed them out. Instantly the fog and the ghosts disappeared. Smiling happily Sky turned back toward them. Michael growled as Sky's eyes rolled back into her skull and she fell face-first into the dirt.

When Sky came to she found her head in Eli's lap as the sound of dragon bickering could be heard behind her. Pushing herself up Sky turned to see both Michaels and the blacksmiths dragons yelling at each other. Smoke was billowing out of their noses as they snarled. "Wow they are still going at it," asked Sky pushing herself up to her feet. Groaning in pain Sky placed a comforting hand to her stomach bringing everyone to an instant standstill. "Oh man everything on the inside hurts," complained Sky.

"Of course everything on the inside hurts," snapped Jamie making his way over cautiously. "You turned it all into a pin cushion!"

Placing his hand on her stomach Jamie avoided her eyes but made sure she didn't hurt herself again. "Are you going to leave them there all day," asked Bella making her way over with clothes draped over her arm. "It might be good for their health if you did."

Smiling Sky thanked her for the clothes before getting dressed. "Michael can be thick-headed and doesn't back down from anything," stated Sky looking back at the two angry dragons.

"He gets it honestly," stated Bella shaking her head. "It is a privilege to finally meet you, my Queen. I felt you when you gathered us all up. I feel as I have a home now. I also felt when you joined us with the King. I was.." Bella's voice broke as a tear rolled down her face. "I've never been able to feel him until a couple of months ago. I've tried and tried. You would think I'd have been able to feel him from day one, but I never did."

Laying a hand on her shoulder to get Bella's attention Sky kissed Bella on the head. Gasping she hit her knees before sitting on the ground in tears. "I've only been around for a little while, but I don't mind sharing that time with you," replied Sky before snapping her fingers.

Free from their confines the blacksmith was instantly in front of his crying mate, "Bella are you okay?"

Turning hopeful tear-filled eyes back to her, Sky shook her head no. "He'd die if I tried."

"Tried what," asked Michael still slightly growly.

Watching the Blacksmith helping Bella up Sky eyed both men standing side by side. The blacksmith was nothing but rippling muscle and golden brown skin like most fire dragons were. He stood shoulder to shoulder with Michael and besides the obvious muscle difference they were alike in every way from their face down to their...The growl the rumbled from Michael as Sky's eyes settled low on their hips she turned quickly to Bella with a coy smile. Watching her shrug her shoulders Bella turned away from her mate. "I know I'm a lucky woman. Let's go get you some food."

Growling again Sky turned her attention back to Michael's strained face. Raking her eyes over his body she purred her pleasure. Watching his eyes soften he took the three steps that separated them in one stride before crushing her lips to his. Kissing his way down her neck to the mark he'd left on her shoulder Sky moaned. Hearing a loud whack and feeling Michael's head jerk they both turned to see the angry grandma. "None of that until her insides heel. You keep that to yourself."

Looking down at what the woman was pointing at Sky blushed a little, but she also loved that she had that kind of power over him. Grumbling Michael took the pants the elder dragon handed him before sliding them on. Adjusting himself Michael placed a protective yet claiming hand on Sky's lower back. Guiding her toward the wagon train that was on the outskirt of the destroyed town he grumbled to himself. The small band of guards was eating, drinking, and making merry sharing war stories with each other. Feeling Sky stiffen in his arms Michael looked off in the direction she was. All he saw was the fledgling he'd seen when he woke up. His black hair and green eyes proclaimed his heritage as a metal mover and from the smell he was the son to the monster red dragon. Kissing the top of Sky's head Michael asked, "What is it?"

Turning her normal non-glowing blue eyes up to him, Sky turned back to the fledgling before stepping out of his arms. Waving him to stay there she made her way over to the timid looking boy. Walking over to him, Michael watched as Sky's hand passed through the boy's chest. Stepping threw him Michael could just make out something white struggling in her grip as she stepped out the other side. Patting his chest as if searching for something the boy turned quickly yelling, "No please don't."

Shouting the boy's dragon burst through his skin. A small grey dragon snapped and snarled at Sky but she only smiled up at him. "You can not keep her," stated Sky coolly as if a dragon wasn't snapping his teeth inches from her face.

Two males mid-shift and mid-jump stood locked into place. One was trying to stop his son, while one was going to kill him. Neither of them could move, neither of them could speak. The only thing they could do was watch the juvenile rear back and doused Sky with flames. Standing tall and proud Sky pulled something in toward her as if hugging it. The white glow disappeared inside of her sending the boy into a fit of rage. Leaping toward her his jaws extend they clamped down on nothing. As soon as they snapped shut Sky was laying her hand on his nose. Body crashing to the ground the boy's dragon raged and flopped under the weight of Sky's tiny hand. "I promise I'll give her back, but not right now," said Sky as the boy continued to rage.

"She is mine and you have no right to take her," roared his dragon as flames shot out of his mouth.

"Oh, I have every right to take her. You might not like it now dragon, but you'll thank me later," smiled Sky unafraid of the dragon desperately fighting her.

"I'm going to kill you," roared the boy in anger.

"No, you're not," laughed Sky. "You can't even get your head out from under my hand, but you're killing your dad. If he keeps that up he's going to really hurt himself."

Pausing for only a moment the boy moved just enough to see the blood flowing from his father's nose. "What are you doing to him," snapped the boy digging his claws in trying to use all of his weight to pull free of Sky.

"All I've done is tie his body to the ground. He's fighting against it which is dumb. All to protect you, because the King is about to kill you. He's fighting from the inside, which is quite impressive actually," said Sky rapping her hand around the sharp spine at the end of the boy's nose. Pulling him along with her, the boy had no choice but to follow as she made her way over to the blacksmith. Lifting her hand up she laid a finger on the man's head. The man grunted in pain as blue flames flowed out of the man's nose. "Hey Johnathon," asked Sky looking around the protective dad. "You know this will be easier."

Stepping out of the way Sky released everyone from their bonds. Stumbling forward Michael caught himself as the blacksmith slammed into his son's face. Making her way over to Johnathon she lifted a hand to his face. Growling at his mate while she caressed the other dragon's face, Michael held back his dragon. Even though Johnathon closed his eyes and leaned into her hand he knew Sky was not finding pleasure in it. She only touched someone's face when she was going to look for something inside their head. Besides that, she wasn't big on touch. At least not with males anyway, but females she was was nothing but touchy-feely. That's something he'd noticed since she had been back in his life again for that short amount of time. He watched her and her dragon constantly touching children and women, they in turn touched her. It was like they were drawn to do so. Even the red dragon's mate had to touch her as soon as she woke up. She practically ran to her side to greet her, thought Michael.

Lowering her hand Sky made her way back to Michael quickly. Throwing her arms around him she pressed her face against his bare chest. Hoping she could manage this without hurting him she sent him the bits and pieces of the information she'd gathered. Some metal dragons could see lost souls. Soul's who could not pass on to the mother because their bodies were possessed by the blackness that consumed the dead army. They knew what was going on in this town and had warned the boy. The boy had told his father. His father told the Town Lord, but the Lord didn't believe him. She needed him to post those dragons as guards within the border cities because they could see the dead. Even if they could not see through the illusions they could warn them. They could tell the King, they could tell her and she'd come and kill them all.

Wrapping his arms around her tightly Michael sucked in a quick breath. Closing her eyes she tried to shorten the information. She didn't want to hurt him, but she didn't want this information known to all. Sky couldn't see his face, but by the amount of chatter behind her, it couldn't be good. What she was doing was taking all of her concentration that she couldn't hear what the shouting was about. Through her bond, she could feel that her mate was okay, and his dragon wasn't in distress, so why the shouting? The process of giving him the information was slow. It wasn't like when she took it. Within seconds she could see your entire life, but just trying to pass him a moment of information felt like an eternity. It was flowing slowly like honey on a cold day. As she stood there the speed began to pick up as Michael's chin rested on top of her head. She hated being this much shorter than him but for a female, she wasn't short. She was actually on the tall side. It just so happens that her mate was a giant. Even if the shortness bothered her the feel of his head on top of hers gave her a sense of security. A sense of warmth flowed along the stream in a reverse direction of the information she was sending him. The feeling was pleasurable and her dragon purred as it flowed into her. As it fanned out within her the information zoomed out of her head like someone had flipped a switch and let the flood gates open. Fearing for his safety Sky tried to push away from Michael only for him to tighten his hold on her and growled, "You let me in and I'm taking advantage of this."

Sky tried to shut down the connection as he dug through her memories, her thoughts, and her feelings. He was stripping her down naked on the inside and she felt so exposed. The shouting grew to a sudden stop from the outside world as Michael continued to pull everything from her, down to her earliest memories. Coming too as stop she could feel his presence sliding over her memories of her death and journey through the heavens. Those memories would not budge and would not let him enter. "What are these," asked Michael as his voice rumbled inside her head.

"Memories from when I died up until right before you found me in the white water," replied Sky.

"Why can't I see them," asked Michael as his presence continued to wrap around it.

"Probably the same reason why I can't talk about it."

"You can't talk about it," asked Michael as his essence left the memories to gather around her.

"Nope when I try my throat locks up. It's kind of weird. Are you done invading me now," asked Sky trying to push him out.

Sky felt his purr not just on the inside but the outside too as he said, "Ummmm, I'll never be done invading you my mate."

"Not until she's healed," shouted a voice as something hard hit them both.

Opening her eyes Sky looked down at the shoe that lay on the ground beside them in the purple flames. "What the," exclaimed both Sky and Michael together as they broke apart from each other.

Red flames swirled around Michael as Sky's blue flames fizzled out. "This is impossible," stated Michael confused about what he was looking at.

"It's called the fire dance," stated the Blacksmith with a look of pride in his eyes. "Only the strongest of Fire Dragons have the power to wield fire in that manner. It is a technique we do not discuss outside the Land of Fire."

"But the Kings don't have elemental powers," stated Kyle in shock.

"What if they do, they just never used them," asked Bella as a huge smile spread across her face before she continued, "I mean it takes training for all babies to use their powers. They get taught to tap into the mother and bring them forward. The Kings were raised by the previous Kings and thought them only how to control the death. What if because the Kings were never raised by their real parents they were never taught how to use their natural elements?"

Looking at Sky and giving her a wink Sky new she'd sent Bella one too many memories. "Don't be ridiculous," scoffed Shelby wiping the smile off Bella's face instantly. "No dragon has two powers.

"Well he doesn't have two powers," said Sky looking at the group. "He only has the one," continued Sky pointing at the flames. "I kind of wondered why he never used them."

"What," exclaimed everyone together.

Rubbing his head Michael began shuffling through all the information he'd pulled out of Sky. "Man, how do you store all of this crap in your head," complained Michael earning him a glare.

"Well if you didn't want it you shouldn't have gobbled it all up like a gluttonous pig."

"But you're right I can see it, but what is this then," asked Michael as back mist floated up from his hand. "That's a stupid question. That's your dragon. How did you not know that," asked Sky completely shocked that he didn't have a clue. Turning to look at everyone else's expression Sky through her hands in the air in exasperation. "You're joking none of you knew that?" Watching everyone shaking their head no Sky stood there in stunned silence. "Seriously?"

Wrapping his hands around her from behind Michael's flames swirled around her. "My beautiful mate. Heart of the world and the gift from the mother of us all, no one can see what you do. You can see through the falsehood and see the truth of it all. Only you could see the fire dragon within. Only you can see the bonds that link us all. Only you can see the mates who are destined for my men. So when are you going to tell them?"

"Wait! Sky already knows who our mates are," asked the fire twins giving each other a high-five.

"Not yours just yet," laughed Micheal kissing his mate on the cheek before stepping away. "Okay, how do I put this out?"

"Come with me boy and I'll teach you," stated the Blacksmith as he began to walk away.