Chapter 15-True Shadows

Verdra opened her eyes, straining for breath. Where was she? Where was Sitedal? The room was dark as a moonless night, no light shining in to help her see. She couldn't make out anything, nothing seemed to spark any memory in her mind.

You're awake I see, came a soft voice from only feet away.

Who are you? What do you want? Verdra asked as she tried to stand but the pain drove her back down onto her stomach.

The mystery dragon snorted. Always the same questions. My name is Kesar, youngling. I'm here to help you.

Help? Why would you want to help me? I'm nothing to you.

Kesar growled softly in annoyance. That's not true. You have a friend who has a very unique ability. I want that ability, that's all.

How can I be sure you can be trusted? Verdra questioned as she strained her sight to at least see him in the darkness.

Ah, you sound so much like your mother. She would be proud of you. He paused, shifting closer so that Verdra could see he had yellow eyes. But that's beside the point.

Kesar stood and walked over to her, his frame overshadowing her own. He was huge, at least three times her size if not four times. Had he been a Guardian in his time?

I was not, he snarled faintly after reading her thoughts. Not in the normal sense. I was joined with another and turned into the greatest destructive pawn of the Orichalcos ever. Dartz was my sworn charge, although he acted as though he controlled me.

Verdra quivered with fear. She had heard the stories of Nira and Kesar's time as the jointed entity known as the Great Leviathan. But to meet one of the dragons that formed it was unreal.

Peace dragoness, Kesar whispered as she trembled slightly. The Orichalcos has dealt a great damage to you. It has infected you through the offspring you carry.

I'm pregnant? She growled in uncertainty.

The black male nodded. Yes, child, you are. But fear not, I can help rid the impurities from the eggs before they form. That way neither of you will be in danger of dying, so long as you live through the pregnancy.

You're saying I won't, is that what I hear? You think I'm going to die!

There is no other way to say it.

Verdra snarled fiercely. That's a lie!

Is it? Face it, you barely survived death only because of that dark-magic-traitor dragon Sitedal. He is a disgrace to his father's name.

Is he now? Asked a different voice, this one male as well but more dark and deep. If you consider that then I might as well rip your heart out now and spare any more misery to come to my daughter.

Verdra blinked. Who was this new dragon? She didn't have a father, not that she knew at least. Could he have been found then, the mate of her mother? Was it Tamli? Kesar snarled and took a step back, growling harshly as the newcomer stopped right behind Verdra.

Why come into this, Tamli? You are DEAD! I saw your body burned til there was nothing left. So why stand up for her? She mated with the lowlife after all!

Kesar, I am not in the mood for your mockery. You may have watched my body burn but I am back. Whatever you say to Verdra you say to me, understood? Tamli snarled, the anger that lanced his voice causing Verdra to quiver in fright.

I see I've hit a nerve. My mistake Tamli. Kesar chuckled as he growled mockingly. I'll try to be more cautious in the future.

He lunged, leaping over Verdra as Tamli rolled to the side. Fire escaped from Tamli's nostrils as he watched with almost boredom. What was he thinking? He could get himself killed. Kesar wasn't playing around!

Tamli closed his eyes as Verdra looked around to see the fight for herself. The white dragon stepped to the side as Kesar lunged at him once more, his tail even laying still. Another burst of fire sparked from Kesar's nostrils as he tried once more to attack.

Stand still, he roared as Tamli again dodged his frame.

Kesar let loose a burst of fire from his jaws as Verdra watched to see what her father would do to counter it. Tamli opened his eyes and the fire halted, sizzling as it fell to the floor and the black male was thrown back against the wall behind him.

The black dragon shrieked and struggled frantically as the white one advanced to him, their eyes locked. Snarls rose threateningly from deep in Kesar's throat but Tamli paid it no mind and continued to move forward. Verdra drew a stunned breath, unsure of what to do. Was she about to see her own father murder another dragon? One that had done nothing to harm her?

Tamli growled, standing perfectly straight as he stopped before Kesar. A murderous gleam shone bright in his eyes, a glimpse of the true nature that he had hidden for so long. Even his mate didn't know the full extent of the torture he had put himself through the past six years Being away from her had almost killed him, almost made him lose who he was.

Don't hurt him! Please! Verdra begged as Tamli narrowed his eyes. He did me no wrong. He-

He insulted the name of my father. That cannot be forgiven, my child, Tamli whispered softly as he glanced to her for only a brief second before focusing back on the task at hand.

Kesar shrieked in terror as Tamli snarled, ice crystals forming in the air around his maw. Could he be an ice dragon? Verdra wondered as she watched her father cautiously out of fear. But that made no sense if he . . . He had two elements. Somehow he was a dual elemental dragon, a rarity in all of dragon kind.

H-How are you a dual element dragon? Kesar asked with equal awe. You were born human, you lived with the King and Queen for four years until-

I'm aware of my past, Kesar, there is no need to mention it. How I am a twin element dragon I shall not reveal. You will see why, and only why, I am if you read my thoughts before I kill you. Tamli showed no expression of emotion, his eyes locked with determination on their target. Verdra wasn't sure what to make of it.

Why would I read your thoughts? There are none! You are dead! Kesar growled as Tamli snarled faintly in muted anger.

Make no mistake, I AM alive. My former body might be burned to ash but I have no need of a physical shell anymore. He took a step forward. I can take whatever I want, be whoever I want, and no one can stop me. Not even you, frail excuse for a dragon.

Kesar snarled softly as the white dragon lowered his head, closing his eyes. Considering what had happened last time, Verdra made certain she kept her gaze on him. Only a slight twitch signaled him to raise his head back up, even so his eyes were still closed.

You mock me for the last time, Tamli said, his voice barely rising above a whisper as his eyes opened.

The purple irises that Verdra knew she had gotten from him turned blood red as his scales faded in color to the blackest of coals. He roared and Kesar squeezed shut his eyes. Tamli exhaled, a blast of shadowy wind engulfing the black by birth dragon. Verdra looked away as Kesar shrieked in pain and when she looked back to the scene he was no where to be found, only a pile of ash in his place.

What did you do? She asked Tamli as his reddened eyes turned to her with a bright gleam to them. He wasn't going to hurt me.

We knew not that for sure, the male corrected her. He would have killed you for the information he sought, I know that for certain. Your safety was my only concern-

Because I'm your daughter, is that it? You think you can rule my life! I lived in the wild for six years, alone. I can take care of myself, Verdra snarled.

Can you? You almost didn't survive the attack from Jormundur. Had Sitedal not come to your aid, you would be dead. Remember that, always.

Tamli hissed softly, lowering his head as he tried to fight off the affects of his rage. He had not lost control like that for over twenty-two years. The last time he had, Finca had almost died. His mate had almost been killed by him. How could he ever forgive himself for that?