Two updates in one since I have neglected this story for so long! So if you skipped to chapter 11, don't forget to go back to chapter 10 and read it if you haven't :) Thanks! (Hope the plot lines aren't too hard to follow. Basically they're all happening around the same time.)
Nate squinted at the land before him, his hand cupped across his brow to block the fading sun from his eyes. He needed to find a safe place to camp. Once found, he held his hand up to signal to the others to stop. Looking back, he internally smiled at the fact that more than half of the men had followed him instead of Christian. Apparently his bravery and assertiveness had earned him the respect and following of these men. Christian had led the other men to try and find the Queen's lair, a feat which Nate privately deemed impossible. The dragons would have hidden their home extremely well, and for a man like Christian to try and hunt them down...Nate snorted at the thought. The dragons had nothing to worry about. Shaking his head slightly, he was reminded that he still had a small army to lead.
"I've found a place where we can seek refuge tonight," Nate called, pointing to the horizon. "It's not far, but I can see water for the horses."
He pulled the reins of his horse around and urged the creature into a run. The other men grunted in agreement, and kicked their horses to follow their leader.
Once settled into the makeshift camp, Nate agreed to take first watch. It wasn't like he'd be getting any sleep anyways. He stood facing the moon, worry clutching his heart as he wondered what would become of his best friend.
"I'm ready to face Madame now," Andrea told the pole after she had finished dressing herself.
The pole seemed to nod before bouncing away, its lamp swinging from the string it was attached to. Andrea had no choice but to follow the strange object, her long brunette hair swaying back and forth freely on her back. After a while, the brunette was grateful for the pole as her guide, as she knew she would be lost without it. Madame's fortress was bigger than she had originally thought, and the turns and twists she was led through made her even more confused as to where she was being led. Finally, she was led to a large open room, where she saw her hostess regally looking out the window at the dark land below.
"Thank you," she said quietly to the pole.
With a happy bounce, the pole disappeared with a small pop. Shyly, Andrea made her way over to stand next to the beautiful woman.
"Did you have a good bath?" Jacqueline didn't turn her head, but addressed the princess.
"Yes, thank you for letting me bathe," Andrea directed her attention to the world outside as well.
"Why of course," the tall woman responded before finally turning her body to face the young woman. "I apologize. My mind wanders, and I am usually alone so I am content to let it free. I am unaccustomed to company."
The French woman looked so sad, that Andrea rushed to reassure her. "No, it's no problem," she babbled. "I often find myself drifting off too, I mean I'm not alone a lot so I can't imagine what you feel, but when I am, I like to think. I always let my mind wander."
Jacqueline's lips quirked. Smoothly, she grabbed Andrea's arm and guided her to one of the chairs sitting around the wooden table. Waving her hand, cups and biscuits on fine china appeared. Andrea smiled, still not used to the wonder of magic.
"Late night tea ma chérie?" Jacqueline asked, snapping her fingers to make a teapot appear in her hand.
"Yes please," Andrea said. "Nothing in it please."
After the French woman poured, she raised her cup to the brunette's and clinked them together. After a few sips, Jacqueline looked into chocolate pools over the rim of her teacup.
"Would you like to tell me about Miranda?" Jacqueline carefully asked, noting the way Andrea's shoulders immediately tensed. "I told you I can help you."
"I don't know," Andrea said, shakily setting her cup back on the table. Looking at her hands, she whispered, "I love her."
"But she does not love you," Jacqueline commented.
"I thought she did," a few tears slipped out of Andrea's eyes. "When a dragon mates, she mates for life," Andrea peeked up at her companion, wanting to make sure she wasn't boring her. Yet the young woman had to tell somebody—her heart was overflowing, and she needed to unload. "Miranda chose me, and now our souls are bounded. Everything we have is connected...our thoughts, our memories, our secrets and desires..." she trailed off.
"Your thoughts and memories?" Jacqueline echoed, her eyes hardening as she considered the unforeseen possibilities of Miranda sharing her memories and thoughts with Andrea. She forced herself to keep a neutral face when the young woman looked back up.
"No matter," she said with a sad smile. "She blocked me out completely. I think she regrets that she chose me," Andrea's chin wobbled, "...a lowly, insignificant...human." She burst out crying.
"Oh, ma chérie," Jacqueline set down her cup and embraced the shaking woman, hiding her smile in brunette hair. That was excellent news that they couldn't communicate. "Do not cry. This woman, this Miranda is not worth any of this."
"But she is," Andrea hiccuped. "She is the most brilliant, beautiful woman I have ever met. I love her, and I thought she l-loved me too."
Jacqueline struggled to keep ahold of her anger. Not only did she have to listen to her arch-nemesis being praised by this girl, Jacqueline also had to comfort this sniveling child. "Now, now," she petted Andrea's hair. "There's no sense in crying about it. Want my advice? Forget her. Become angry. She used you."
Andrea reared back, shock written all over her features. "F-forget her?"
"She doesn't love you, nor will she ever," Jacqueline said, her eyes boring deep into Andrea's. "She is a dragon Queen. You are a human Princess. She will never see you as an equal, as somebody she can fully love. It was a game to her—She wanted revenge on her worst enemy. What better way to do that then bond for life with his daughter?"
Andrea sat speechless. Madame had just confirmed her worst fears.
"B-but that's not true," Andrea all but whispered, grasping at anything to disprove this woman's accusations. "Serena said that dragons can't mate with somebody they don't love."
"Don't believe me?" Jacqueline smirked. "Try reaching out to your Queen, Princess. See if she responds."
Blanching, Andrea feared the response she would get if she tried. She shook her head. "I don't want to be disappointed again."
Jacqueline gently ran her smooth palms down the soft skin of Andrea's arms. "Do not worry. Join me and we can rise above her. We can get our revenge."
"What?" Andrea pulled back and frowned at Madame. "Revenge? I don't want revenge. And what do you mean that we will get 'our' revenge?"
"Revenge," Jacqueline purred. "Miranda is a thorn in both of our sides. Don't you want her removed ma chérie?"
"Stop calling me that," Andrea crossed her arms. A cold feeling crept into her bones. "What do you mean removed? I don't want to harm her in any way."
"Oh dear," Jacqueline shook her head. "I was afraid that I would have to take extra precautions. Luckily I had the foresight to think of this." She subtly nodded to her right-hand man who had been quietly waiting in the shadows. He emerged silently, his hands outstretched holding a glowing green necklace.
Andrea stood and stumbled backwards, unnerved by the sudden change in the woman. Her dark eyes glowed green, and her face twisted into an ugly look.
"Who are you?" Andrea frowned, her posture defensive.
"I am Jacqueline ma chérie," Jacqueline's teeth showed as she snapped her fingers.
Andrea's face turned to pure terror. Miranda! she screamed mentally before the man jumped the princess from behind. After a brief struggle, he managed to clasp the necklace onto the pale neck.
"Perfect," Jacqueline purred when she saw the blank look on Andrea's face. The green pulsing light flowed from Jacqueline's eyes as the necklace glowed the same color, and swirled up into brown irises, coloring them a bright viridescent. Standing to her full height, she walked over to the unresponsive brunette and slapped her hard across the face before pulling her into a kiss. The man couldn't control his jealously as he watched his queen kissing the princess.
"Hmm," she hummed as she pulled away. "Very sweet. It's been too long since I've kissed a female. I might have to keep her longer than I had planned—she's better than Miranda." She turned to him and crooked her finger. "You did well."
He blushed and trembled as she stroked his cheek.
"Take her to the cage I prepared for her. Make sure to keep her away from the twins. I want her in perfect condition for when the right moment comes," Jacqueline flicked her wrist and turned away.
Heart sinking, he nodded his acquiesce and turned to the brunette. Harshly, he jabbed her in the back to make her walk, all the while seething at his misfortune with his Queen. Straightening his shoulders, he resolved to do better—be better for his Queen. Some day, she will look upon him with gratitude and love. He just had to endure a little longer.
Miranda clutched her forehead, willing not to let the tears fall. She was a Queen-dammit. Still, her treacherous feelings betrayed her and the tears leaked out. She had no idea where her love was. Miranda allowed for a few moments of weakness before she pulled herself together and opened her mind to Nigel.
She's not here.
Try opening your mind to her my Queen. You said that Andrea had troubles closing her mind.
I promised her I wouldn't invade her privacy again.
Open your mind to her. That's all. Don't probe her. Just reach out.
Thank you Nigel.
Concentrating, Miranda closed her mind to Nigel and opened it to her love. She could sense her love's nervousness and her own heart jolted in response. Before she could reach out to Andrea though, the nerves turned to full-jolted fear. Miranda could feel it as if it were her own. Gritting her teeth, she struggled to think rationally and call to her mate. Miranda! The Queen physically jolted when she heard her name being cried out, and grew even more panicked when her mind suddenly went quiet. Frantically, Miranda tried to reach Andrea again through their mental connection, but could only feel a wall of haze blocking her from getting to her mate. The Queen could feel the dirt pressing into her hands and knees as she inadvertently ground herself deeper into the soil as her desperation grew. Finally she stopped, realizing that something had gotten a hold of her lover, and panted heavily through her nose. Tears stung her eyelids, and she clenched them shut. Miranda struggled to calm her breathing. As she gained better control over herself, she transformed back into her dragon form. Her confidence surged in this powerful body, and she held her head high. She would find Andrea. And may the gods help whomever it was that took her.
Miranda's nostrils flared, and she stalked out from under the willow tree's branches. She inhaled the air greedily, smelling for any trace of a scent that would alert her to where Andrea went. She caught the scent of her mate, and followed it for a while until she saw the burnt remains of flowers. Oh my dear Andrea. Miranda nosed them gently, and froze as she caught the scent of another. It was spicy and musty. Jacqueline.
Miranda saw red and let out a long cry into the night air.
Miles away, Nate tensed and quickly loaded an arrow into his bow. He considered waking his men, but after the long howl, the night was silent once more. That was sad. It almost sounded like the beast was in great pain. Tentatively, he shouldered his bow and put his arrow back into the quiver. Picking up a stone, he bounced it a couple of times on the dirt ground. The landscape all looked relatively the same. The only indication that they were headed closer to Jacqueline's was the slight change in the mountain range. It had become craggier, and there were growing taller. It was a very slow, gradual change, yet Nate's highly trained eye could detect it. He went back to staring at the moon, wishing he could help his friend.
He went through multiple different scenarios on how he would save her. He would need to strategize with his men. Mere mortals had no chance against her powerful magic. Growling softly, he clutched his hairline at the hopelessness of the situation. Even if they could get to Andy, it was improbable that they would be able to save her and themselves. Nate gritted his teeth and thought harder. If only there were some secret weapon they had on their side. Taking out a knife, he knelt in the dirt and began scratching out possible battle plans. He was on his tenth when he heard the sound of wings flapping. Heart in his throat, he loaded his bow again and crouched down, scanning the skies. His horse woke up and skittered nervously, alerting the other horses. Nate mentally groaned. There was really no place to hide in these lands. His eyes scanned the blackness once more. The stars and the moon provided some light, and he breathed as evenly as he could as he searched. His ears strained to hear the slightest of movements, but knew that dragons were infamous for being silent predators. Opening his mouth, he was almost about to wake Ralph, one of the biggest men that had joined him, up but before he could utter a word, he was tackled to the ground by a strong force. Nate's mouth was clamped shut by a rag, and he looked up in fear to the bluest eyes he had ever seen.
"Do not make a sound," a feminine voice warned.
Nate, petrified, nodded in agreement.
"Do you work for Jacqueline?"
Nate furiously shook his head, almost opening his mouth to protest.
"Stop thrashing about," the voice whispered. "I am going to remove this gag and you will not call for help. If you do, I will slit your throat before anyone will hear you. Do you understand?"
Nate nodded. The woman lifted her hand off of his mouth, but not her weight on his body.
"Why are you out here then?" Cold eyes pierced his own, and he shuddered.
"I'm going to save my friend," he murmured back. "She was taken by Jacqueline."
Blue eyes looked shocked. "Andrea?"
"Yes," Nate's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"
"I'm Queen Miranda," she slapped her hand over his mouth to prevent the gasp he emitted from being heard.
"You stole the princess!" Nate angrily accused after she lifted her hand away.
"No," her eyes flashed. "She freed me."
"What?" Nate looked confused. "Why?"
"This is not the time nor the place to be discussing this," Miranda huffed. "You must believe me."
"Fine. Why did you tackle me then? And how?"
Miranda rolled her eyes. "I merely transformed into my human form right before landing on you in my dragon form. It gave me the momentum and strength I needed to properly restrain you. And as for why, I wanted to see if you have any connection to Jacqueline. I would have tortured you into taking me to her if you had."
"The only connection I have is through Andy," Nate ground out. "Do you not know how to get there?" he winced as she applied more pressure to his chest.
"Of course I know how to get there," Miranda glared. "The terrain has changed a bit, that's all."
"I can show you. I can lead you, I mean. I have a small army of men that will help you."
"And what do you propose? That I just waltz my way into your band of men and what? Attack in my dragon form when we reach her fortress?"
"Actually, yes," Nate blinked up at her. "None of us know—except for me now— what you look like in your human form. We can make up some story in how you want to help the princess with us. They won't question it, nor guess your true identity."
Miranda creased her forehead in thought. "Hmm. Alright. But I must warn you now, that Jacqueline has a seductive lure around her. It's part of her magic. It drags you in and she uses it to her full advantage. I will warn the others tomorrow of her enchanting outwards appearance. If this is to work, you must keep your head."
"Agreed," Nate chanced a smile up at her. "Thank you Queen Miranda. Andy will now be saved because of you."
Miranda nodded crisply back before crawling off of him, finally allowing him to breathe fully. Nate picked himself up and pointed to the dark skyline.
"Andy's there. We need to get her before the witch does."
"Unfortunately, she already has," Miranda said, crossing her arms. "There's not a moment to waste."
Nate looked at her. "Alright. I'll wake the men up. Then, let's ride."