Reckoning (The Amazon's Vengeance Book 5) Read online

  He allowed himself a moment to bask in the still-strange sensations of his dragon form. The chilly winter air felt refreshing upon his scales, and when he reopened his eyes, he was reminded just how much sharper all his senses were right now. He could hear conversations from several streets away if he really concentrated, and he could see farther and more sharply than any mere human or elf. Even colors were more intense—the collage of reds and oranges on the awnings of the shops further down the street looked as brilliant as newly fallen leaves in autumn.

  “We should head back inside,” Kaseya said as she finally dismounted from his neck. “Unless you would prefer a larger audience for your transformation.”

  Jorem groaned and released his hold on the Aether completely. The dragon blood in his veins seemed to recede along with the magical currents, and an uncomfortable shudder rippled through his body as his scales slowly began to molt back into human skin. Surprisingly, the feeling of the transformation was less harrowing than the sound; the popping and snapping of his bones changing shape made him as nauseous as Val got every time he flew her around.

  The whole process only lasted a few seconds, thankfully, and Kaseya threw her cloak over his shoulders once he had reverted to being a naked man kneeling in the middle of the street. He looked down at his clawless, fleshy hands, and he forced himself to take a handful of deep breaths before he tried to stand.

  “I have you,” Kaseya soothed, tossing the hood over his head and curling her strong arm around his waist. She led him toward Serrane’s estate as quickly as possible, and Jorem heard Valuri cursing and grumbling behind them as his senses readjusted. He always remained disoriented for several minutes after transforming, and so far, nothing seemed to help besides Kaseya’s embrace.

  Jorem was vaguely aware of the crowd forming in the streets behind them, but Serrane’s rangers did their best to keep everyone away from the spectacle. His senses had mostly returned to the normal by the time they entered the estate, and he took a moment to appreciate just how strange this should have felt. Yet somehow for him, stumbling naked into someone else’s house was probably the least insane thing that would happen to him today.

  “Why couldn’t this ancient power of yours have been something without wings?” Valuri groaned as she shut the door behind them. “Like, I don’t know, some kind of giant horse or something.”

  Jorem snorted and flashed her a sympathetic look. Her face was still flushed, and her shoulder-length black hair was so tousled it looked like she had just woken up…or been fucked hard for a few hours straight. She was even wobbling unsteadily on her stiletto heels, a nearly unprecedented sight given her supernatural Senosi grace.

  “Somehow, I don’t think stories about the ancient elven Horse Lords would carry the same gravitas,” Jorem said. “And I doubt the gods would have feared a cabal of spell-slinging prey animals.”

  “Yeah, well, it still would have been nice,” the Huntress replied as she slumped against the wooden bannister at the bottom of the stairs. “You owe me one for putting up with this.”

  “Jorem clearly indicated that you could remain here if you wished, just like every other afternoon,” Kaseya pointed out. “You have no one to blame but yourself.”

  “Don’t you start, Red,” Valuri growled. “I liked you better when you were docile and obedient.”

  “I was never docile, but I am still obedient.” The amazon flashed a sly smile at the Huntress. “Just not to you.”

  Valuri groaned, and Jorem snickered and slid his hand around Kaseya’s waist. The amazon’s tight ponytail had kept her hair mostly intact despite the wind, and her white leather armor was as pristine as ever. Her smooth olive skin looked invigorated, not flushed, and her blue eyes sparkled when her Maskari pulled her in for a kiss.

  Serrane will probably be occupied with the Council all day. I should really just bend Kaseya over the stairs and take her right now…

  “I am pleased to see that you have returned, my lord.”

  Jorem pulled away from Kaseya and looked across the resplendent foyer toward the kitchen just down the hall. Selvhara stood in the doorway, a bronze tray filled with fruit and pastries held before her.

  “I thought that you and your harem might be hungry when you returned,” the druid said. “I did my best to prepare something you will all enjoy.”

  A sincere smile tugged at Selvhara’s lips, but Jorem could see the pain and jealousy lurking behind it. The elven woman had been beyond accommodating these last few days since the siege was lifted, but he and the other girls had been doing their best to keep her at arm’s length. He felt terrible about it, especially when he actually looked into her fawning hazel eyes, but he still had no idea how to help her.

  For all we know, Dathiel has taken complete control of her at this point. Kaseya can still see the Aetheric tendrils binding Selvhara to her master, but none of us have a clue what to do about it…

  “They, uh, they smell delicious,” Jorem said, stepping away from the amazon and offering Selvhara the biggest smile he could manage. “And now that you mention it, I am pretty famished.”

  “Thanks, wolf girl, but you can go back into the kitchen now,” Valuri growled, crossing her arms over her chest. “We’ll let you know if you need anything else.”

  Selvhara didn’t even glance at the Huntress. She glided forward, her elven grace on display with every step. Her long brown hair spilled over her pointed ears and down to her shoulders, and she was dressed in a diaphanous, light blue skirt and blouse from Serrane’s closet. The fabric shimmered with every movement, almost as if it were reflecting beams of moonlight even in the middle of the day.

  “You are able to transform without difficulty now?” Selvhara asked.

  “I wouldn’t go that far, but it’s definitely getting easier every time,” Jorem said. The food really did smell amazing, especially when she stopped and extended the tray in front of him. “Changing back is honestly more stressful at this point.”

  “That was a common issue among the Wyrm Lords of Tir Lanathel,” the druid said. “It caused some to abandon the Court completely and remain in their dragon form virtually all the time.”

  “Escar’s mercy,” Valuri grumbled, stepping up next to them. “If you get stuck like that, I swear to the gods I’ll—”

  “Most Wyrm Lords eventually learned to seamlessly transition between forms over time,” Selvhara went on, still ignoring the Huntress. “I have no doubt that you will do the same. Your blood legacy is strong.”

  “Well, for the moment, I’m just happy we’re all in one piece,” Jorem said, plucking a honeyed grape from the tray and popping it into his mouth. “I’d love another decade to practice, but Serrane still believes the Vorsalosian fleet will attack tomorrow.”

  “The sooner the Inquisitrix strikes, the sooner we will prevail,” Kaseya said. “And the sooner the restoration of Nol Krovos can begin.”

  Selvhara smiled up at Jorem again. “I agree. The Wyrm Lords will defeat the Valathrim once again. I have never been more certain of anything in my life.”

  Jorem reflexively smiled back even as an anxious knot twisted in the pit of his stomach. He had mostly avoided thinking about the coming battle over the past few days, but the reality of the situation was becoming impossible to ignore. They may have broken the blockade of Highwind, but the war against his home city had only just begun.

  “You two are going to make me sick—again,” Valuri said, her green eyes flicking between the amazon and the druid. “If we had any sense, we would have been halfway across Torsia by now.”

  Kaseya shook her head. “You have been saying that for months, yet you have never chosen to leave.”

  “Yeah, well, apparently I’m a lot stupider than I thought,” the Huntress muttered. “But mark my words, this battle isn’t going to be easy, even if Jorem did gain some weight and grow wings. The Inquisitrix has been planning this invasion for a long time, and even without the wyvern hatchery, her army is still at nearly full strengt
h.”

  “We have the Knights of the Silver Fist, the Duskwatch, and Solemi’s army,” Kaseya said. “Our defensive position has greatly improved.”

  Jorem nodded soberly. The amazon was right, no matter how much his gut tried to tell him otherwise. They had been dealt a far better hand than he would have dared imagine even just a few days ago. Knight-Captain Cassel and his mysterious Eternal Priestess had miraculously restored many of the Silver Fist knights, and without the blockade of the Reachwend, the city had been able to replenish supplies and recruit militia from the villages south of the river.

  Most importantly of all, Jorem had convinced Solemi to hand over control of the Darkwind forces to Serrane and the Council. For the first time in decades, Highwind had a real army defending its walls.

  I still can’t believe what that agreement cost me. Gods, I’m still supposed to meet with Solemi again in her brothel tonight to give her what I promised…

  “I still don’t trust the power of this weird priestess, especially considering what we’ve seen of the Inquisitrix’s new channelers,” Valuri said. “These ‘Crimson Flame’ idiots may have stupid names, but they seem to be able to channel far more power than any Knights of the Silver Fist.”

  “We will see soon enough,” Kaseya said. “But we may need not even need them, not with the Dragon of Highwind.”

  The Huntress rolled her eyes. “Shalassa’s tits, you really need to stop calling him that. He has enough delusions of grandeur as it is.”

  “It is not a delusion,” Selvhara insisted, turning to glare at the Senosi for the first time. “Jorem is the Dragon of Highwind, and you should show him the respect he deserves!”

  “Oh, please,” Valuri sneered. “Just because you’ve spent the last few centuries desperate for dragon cock doesn’t mean—”

  “Enough,” Jorem said, elbowing Val in the ribs. He shot her a pointed glare, hoping she would get the message, and to his mild surprise she actually did cross her arms and back down.

  “There is a great deal we still need to accomplish today,” Kaseya said into the charged silence. “We could all use a few moments to relax before we begin final preparations this evening.”

  Selvhara nodded slowly, and it clearly took all her willpower to look away from Valuri. “Of course.”

  Kaseya picked one of the tiny pastries from the tray and took a small bite. Her eyes immediately fluttered shut, and Jorem watched in amusement as the joy rippling through Selvhara’s collar showed on her face.

  “Someone once told me that a cook’s greatest joy is watching someone enjoy the food they made,” Jorem said. “You get to actually feel it.”

  Selvhara smiled as the amazon finished the treat. “It is quite gratifying,” she said before shifting her attention back to Jorem. “If you need anything else, my lord, please do not hesitate to ask. I am your humble servant, now and forever.”

  Jorem gently touched her shoulder, wondering if it was her or her master speaking to them right now. He probably should have been more wary about eating food she had prepared, but Kaseya must not have sensed anything or she wouldn’t have taken the tiny cake. Perhaps they were being too paranoid—perhaps Selvhara really was earnestly trying to help them.

  Or perhaps her master is simply waiting for the right moment to strike.

  “Serrane left a list of things she needed from the market,” Valuri said, pointing to the kitchen door. “Why don’t you go and fetch that stuff while the rest of us relax for a bit?”

  Selvhara glared at the Huntress again, but Jorem quickly squeezed the druid’s shoulder. “It’s probably not a bad idea,” he said. “I saw the way her ears perked up when you said you’d make us some authentic Faetharri cuisine tonight.”

  “Of course, my lord,” the druid said, offering him another pleasant smile despite her obvious disappointment. “I shall return as quickly as I can.”

  Selvhara set down the tray on a side table, but just before she could turn, Kaseya reached out and squeezed the other woman’s wrist. “Thank you. Your efforts are very much appreciated.”

  The sorrow hidden in the druid’s smile faded ever so slightly. “I am honored to serve the Wyrm Lord and his companions any way that I can.”

  With a final nod of her chin, she turned and glided back into the kitchen. Valuri almost immediately scoffed and glared at Kaseya.

  “You’re way too nice to her, Red,” the Huntress muttered, her voice low. “We never should have brought her into the city, and you definitely shouldn’t be eating anything she makes!”

  “She is not trying to poison us,” Kaseya said. “And she really does want to serve Jorem.”

  “Big fucking deal,” Valuri grumbled. “She’s a liar and a puppet, you said so yourself. You don’t owe her anything.”

  “She was instrumental in our escape from the Underworld and in aiding Jorem to unlock his draconic abilities.”

  “She is also the servant of an insane god who wants to rid the world of sorcery, in case you’ve forgotten. She’s just lucky you haven’t let me drive my silver blade through her heart.”

  Jorem shared a glance with Kaseya. They both knew that Val couldn’t help being Val, but the Huntress also hadn’t been with them in the Underworld. She hadn’t spent much time with Selvhara at all, and she genuinely didn’t understand why Jorem still wanted the druid around.

  “Selvhara has had ample opportunity to betray us over these past few days,” Kaseya whispered. “The fact she has not done so—”

  “Means nothing,” Valuri cut in. “Her master still wants you dead. If I were him, I would bide my time until the moment was right. Say, in the middle of a big fucking battle that will determine the fate of the whole bloody Reaches.”

  Jorem sighed and rubbed at his temples. “You’re not wrong.”

  “Of course I’m not wrong—I never am.” Valuri snorted. “I don’t know about you, but I’m not in the mood to fight off a werewolf, the Senosi, a throng of wyverns, and whatever else the Inquisitrix is planning on throwing at us all at the same time.”

  “I know,” Jorem said. Between thinking about Selvhara and his meeting with Solemi tonight, he felt more exhausted than he had since their trek through the Underworld. “We’ll talk about this later.”

  “We’ve been putting this off for days,” Valuri reminded him. “We need to do something about her.”

  “And we will—after I take a little nap.”

  Jorem turned and started up the stairs. The girls only hesitated for a moment before following him, and once he reached the guest room, he immediately flung the cloak off his shoulders and onto the nearest bedpost. Serrane’s estate wasn’t quite a mansion, but it was spacious and tastefully decorated. Even this bed was large enough to accommodate multiple people, and he had slept better these last few nights than he had in a long time.

  All of that is about to change soon. This battle will determine the course of history, not just for Highwind but for all the Northern Reaches—maybe even for all of Torsia.

  Jorem winced at the thought. Responsibility and self-sacrifice had never really been his specialty. There were fleeting moments when he still imagined what life might have been like if he had never boarded that ship to Highwind all those months ago. Would he still have been swept up in this war? Would he have ever unlocked his blood legacy? It was a strange feeling to be nostalgic about a life in the cistern fleeing from the Senosi.

  And then he turned and looked at Kaseya’s bright, smiling face, and he realized how foolish he had been to even entertain such a thought. His life might have gotten a lot more complicated recently, but he wouldn’t have traded it for anything. He was surrounded by beautiful, loyal women, and he was a fucking dragon.

  “Do you really want to take a nap?” the amazon asked, eyeing his naked body up and down. Her right hand leisurely fondled his semi-rigid member while her left slid around the back of his neck and pulled him so close their lips nearly touched. “You usually seem to get a second wind at this hour.”
>
  Jorem smiled and pressed his forehead against hers. He had taken flight at least once per day every day since the siege, and afterward he had always come back here, grabbed a bite to eat, and then fucked one (or both!) girls silly. It was a bloody nice arrangement, all things considered, and he saw no real reason to change anything just yet.

  “I don’t know, I am pretty tired,” he said. “Flying is hard work.”

  “You are my Maskari,” Kaseya whispered, her breath hot on his mouth. “It is my duty to help you relax.”

  She kissed him slowly and tenderly, her soft tongue sliding effortlessly through his lips while her fingers began stroking his length in earnest. Jorem moaned contentedly, more than happy to let her do anything she wanted to him. He had already pumped a thick load down her throat this morning, as always, but even that pleasant ritual never sated her for long.

  “He doesn’t need to relax,” Valuri said, unfastening her belt and laying her crossbows on the floor. “He owes me big time after almost making me sick.”

  Kaseya gently pulled her lips from his so she could turn and smirk at the Huntress. “It is not his fault that you have a sensitive stomach.”

  “He could always learn how to fly straight,” Valuri said as she unfastened the straps of her corset with practiced speed. “Or maybe stop forcing me to come along.”

  “You insisted on being there!” the amazon protested.

  “Yeah, well, I don’t trust you two to make good decisions when I’m not around.” Tossing her corset aside, Valuri strode right up next to them, her bare, pale breasts jiggling with every bounce on her stiletto heels. “Now stop complaining and give me something to eat.”

  Valuri dropped down to her knees in front of him, and Kaseya grinned as she steered Jorem’s now swollen cock through the Huntress’s ruby lips and into her sweltering mouth. He was tempted to simply grab the back of Val’s skull and start slamming into her throat right away—it wasn’t as though she would mind—but he decided to just lean back against the bedpost and let Kaseya take control instead.