ENCHANTED WORLD SERIES BOOK 3: THE DRAGON'S KEEPER

Several Weeks Later....

JUDE DISTRICT

The Conference room was awfully quiet as the Lord Mage eyed his Royal Court with enough anger to snuff out any hopes of maintaining their status. Thanks to Orisidia, the Lord Mage felt like he couldn’t trust anyone. Though Orisidia’s family was pardoned from the crimes she did after no evidence showed that they involved, Lord Mage dismissed the Chandry family from Nobility and the Gyan District had a new Noble, Naznin--a strong and trust-worthy Duma. Naznin was Angelus’ sister and the second in line to being the Clan’s leader. She and her mate reluctantly accepted the offer because the Duma were a very shy species, hiding and slowly perishing because of a disease no one knew of. Angelus had to command her to go because he believed, for her being so high up in Lord Mage’s government hierarchy, it was easy for her to gain access to resources that might help the Duma survive.

Now, she sat with her mate, Jermane, her skin vibrant with the faint pattern of spots around the back of her neck and arms. She had large brown eyes that reminded Drake so much of Maya and she was tall and majestic, walking like the cat that she was.

“I don’t even know where to begin grinding your asses until I find out what the fuck happened?” Tyran growled at the lot and Drake watched as they cringed and turned away in shame. “If I can’t trust my own Royal Court then who the fuck am I supposed to trust?”

The hall went so quiet that if a needle had dropped, the whisper of its clink would have been heard. Drake swept his eyes at everyone and they were snared by Xara who was sitting next to her father. She quickly dropped them to her lap. Drake groaned inwardly. He had completely forgotten that the young female had a crush on him.

Drake had a lot of young females love him but now that the news of his mate was out they were heartbroken. He couldn’t help feeling like the notorious womanizer, Ruvin, but he had no choice. His heart swelled for one female only and she happened to be awesome with her new dragon and being the Scarlet Shield. Though he still dreaded the moment when she had to sacrifice herself for everyone else, Drake made sure he spent as much time as he could with her.

When Lord Mage called for that meeting, he made sure Drake attended even though he was no longer part of the Mage Royal Army. Tyran wanted to announce it officially to the Realm that he was no longer part of their team but he was always welcomed to visit. Zach was there, looking rather annoyed by his new uniform as he kept on shifting around the leather like his ass was on fire. Feror and Bryon were also present and so was....Galea and telling by the attire he was wearing, Drake was very certain the male was given the High Lord position.

It was better for Galea because his mate had just given birth to a beautiful baby girl and he needed less action in his life. Drake was proud of Galea because it took balls to shed your duties as an active member of the Mage Royal Army and play the word game with other High Lords and Ladies of the other Realms.

“From today, every Noble family in this Realm is under investigation until I discover which one among you thinks to betray me.” Tyran roared.

Murmurs broke around the hall as everyone turned to the other with disapproving looks.

“If anyone has an objection against what I just said then say out loud in my face!” Tyran hushed them again. “How...” His voice cracked and when Drake turned to the male, he saw just how emotional the Lord Mage was because of what Orisidia did. It was the same look Drake had when he realised there was a dragon traitor living right under their noses. “How could the same people I selected with the help of my advisors be the same people to sell out my Realm and kill my people! It is unacceptable and all of your should be accountable for what Orisidia did! For all I know, all of you should be dismissed without honor.”

“But, my King.” A small voice came through as the Noble of the Catzch district of the East Coast Sector, Naima, got up and stood straight. She was a water Nymph and the East Coast Sector only had one district because it was the smallest Sector with less than twenty thousand inhabitants. Jax was sitting right next to her, his eyes brilliant with amusement. The merman always found pleasure in the most ridiculous places! “We have gone through intense screening these past few weeks....and you have the results that no one else had betrayed you in any way. This was Orisidia’s solo act against you--we can’t be condemned for someone else’s mistakes.”

Tyran snarled at the female. “You are all in charge of each other’s actions because you meet and talk and advise each other, why didn’t anyone see this coming?”

“Orisidia has always been sending a family relative to represent her in most of the meetings that we had. We could never know.” Another Noble sitting next to Storm and another male answered softly. Drake took it was one of the two Nobles of the Central Sector either Faun of the Opsan Forest District or Rashid of the Bayl Canyon District.

Tyran arched his eyebrow at him. “And you didn’t bother inquiring as to why she never attended the meetings?”

The male shrugged his bold shoulders. “I thought it was because of the newly established gemstone trade between Cardinia and Gyan.”

“She smuggled Iyr out to the Rogue Dragons to make their weapons! She employeed small time miners to get it for her then killed them together with the manufacturers and none of you knew about this! It was your duty to know this so that I got the information and acted.” Tyran sighed and rubbed his temples. “If this ever happens again in the near future, I will personally make sure you are all accountable! You are the families that were selected above all else because I believed in you but now I am not sure and I can’t trust you.”

Losing the trust of the Lord Mage was like being suspected of being a rogue. There was no peace in your heart and you were always looking over your shoulder. Drake felt for the Nobles but at the same time he was glad that they were challenged by the Lord Mage. The Nobles had been sitting for years on their chairs, some of them forgetting why they were there and what was expected of them. Some of them had greedy hearts and instead of looking after their people, they accumulated wealth, just like Orisidia.

The Lord Mage was stunned when the Chandry properties were read out to him. They were by far the wealthiest Noble family in the Realm owning estates, skyscrapers in Agore and Tacinia, farmland in the highlands and shops. The Lord Mage stripped the ownership of two-thirds of the properties and they were returned under the royal protection. The rest was given to the innocent members who were sent into exile in the borders of the Realm. To the Lord Mage, it didn’t make sense that Orisidia’s family didn’t have a clue of what she was doing and was convinced they aided her in one way or the other.

For the remainder of the meeting, each Court member tried to earn back the trust from the Lord Mage by mentioning what efforts they were doing in their Sectors and Districts in order to prevent what happened in the Northern Sector from ever happening to their sectors.

Drake’s mind drifted towards Maya who was loitering around the royal residence in Jude with one of Drake’s new commanders, Anton. After he lost his twin brother to Aleric, the male had the sole purpose of eradicating the rogues from the face of the earth. Drake remembered that same resolve in him when Lord Mage took him in. As of that moment, the three new commanders were already practising with the Lord Mage’s commanders. Drake could already see the difference in the way they carried their orders, the way he carried themselves and their fighting tactics.

Queen Malenna was proud, her face beaming with happiness while Lord Wren just shrugged but Drake was sure that he too was happy. It all turned out for the better and slowly, the Realm of Fire was recovering from yet another blow from the rogues.

The pregnant females that were discovered in Aleric’s home were being treated in a secret location because their lives were in danger if it was known they were carrying rogue babies. Queen Malenna suggested that they remained there until they gave birth then be placed under the royal protection until their children hit puberty. Seven pureblood baby dragons were about to be born and Drake needed them in side, fighting for a good purpose. Drake needed them in the Royal Army something that both their mothers and Queen Malenna agreed to.

There was still no sign of Serensa but Danya assured them all that she was safe wherever she was. Drake was fine with her being hidden somewhere but her family worried with every passing moment. Her mother just wanted to see her daughter and make sure that she was alright but as it was, she had to take care of Serensa’s siblings Marianda and Nate who were pureblood Saphyr dragons, a bloodline older than the Royal Bloodline. Queen Malenna had to bring them into one of the royal residences because she didn’t want what happened to Serensa to happen to Marianda and Nate.

“I want your reports by the end of the week. I need to know what has been happening in your sectors.” Lord Mage concluded the meeting then got up and his commanders followed him out.

Drake felt his heart flip in his chest when he went out and found Maya chatting to one of the other family members of the Nobles that was not present in the official meeting. Anton was standing beside her like an appendage. His blue-black hair brushed lightly on his shoulders and his ice blue eyes slashed around as he made sure that there was no immediate danger. Drake smothered a smile as he approached them.

When Anton saw him, he straightened and inclined his head to him. “Commander.” He muttered lightly.

Maya turned and him and her eyes sparkled with the love she felt for him. “Hey.”

Drake folded Maya into his arms and placed a kiss on her temple. “Hey.”

“The meeting is over?” She looked up at him as her hand went around his waist.

“Yes. The Lord Mage made sure everyone got the big picture.” He chuckled remembering the faces the Nobles had.

Maya paled down. “I heard him. I can only imagine what everyone was going through.”

Before Drake could reply, heavy hands landed on his shoulder. He turned and found Jax, the merman with the meanest reputation on that side of the realm, and Storm, the commander who underwent his ultibreed transformation in an infirmary. They were smirking at him while they looked at Maya. Drake groaned inwardly knowing what was to follow.

“Gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to my mate, Maya.” he said to them.

Storm grinned as he turned to Maya and gave her a short nod. “Nice to meet you, Maya.”

He watched as Jax’s mouth curled into a lopsided smile. “Why is it that all the males we thought would die miserable are the ones getting mates? The Lord Mage, the Jinn King and now Drake.”

Storm chuckled as Feror suddenly showed up. “I need you for a moment, these clowns can wait.”

Maya yelped when suddenly Jax elbowed Feror hard in his stomach causing him to hunch forward and Storm swept his leg causing him to fall down on his knee. Anton stiffened, ready to defend Feror but Drake held him back.

“That’s better.” Jax looked down at the kneeling centaur. “That’s where you belong....on your knees.”

“Leave him alone!” Maya propelled between Drake, Feror, Anton, Jax and Storm. She bent down and helped him up.

Feror that fucker....Red hissed. “He is alright, Maya, don’t worry about him.” Drake said.

But Feror feigned a limp as Maya struggled keeping him up while glowering at Jax and Storm. She touched him lightly on his stomach, a red glow appearing on her hand and Drake knew she was relieving him of the pain, something she had been doing for him everyday after a hard day at the training grounds. Drake didn’t know the colors of the infirmary walls thanks to her so it didn’t settle well with him that she was doing it to Feror because it was quite intimate.

Feror must have noticed Drake’s expression because suddenly he embraced Maya and grinned like a male with a death wish!

“What--” Maya squeaked in surprise but her protest was greeted by a low and dangerous growl that warned Feror to unhand Maya.

Maya managed to untangle herself from Feror’s arms and quickly turned to Drake whose eyes were hazy to show that Red was about to do some irreversible damage to Feror. She touched him lightly, cooing him that it was okay but the growl continued until Feror laughed and said.

“You are going to miss you big baby. I am heading for the highlands.”

Drake stopped and frowned, grabbing Maya’s waist and crushing her against his body. Her pheromone scent filled his nostrils and calming him down enough to make sense of what Feror was telling him. “You are leaving?”

Feror sighed and tucked his hands in his pockets. “I’m not leaving. I am taking a few weeks off. Tegan called me back. I think it is about time we talked about what happened all those years ago.”

Drake didn’t miss the uncertainty in his friend’s eyes. He still had mixed feelings about Tegan’s sister Leanor even though he had a Phoenix setting his blood on fire every other night. “It’s for the best. You two need to talk.”

Feror nodded. “I will be taking Herman and Twiska with me. Tegan wants the foal to know his homeland and I can’t take him alone without his mate.”

Drake could relate to that. Newly mated males were possessive and virile. Herman almost lost his mate to an attack but she was doing well and so was Shancy. Herman hadn’t fully recovered from the ordeal and now he followed Twiska everywhere like a guard dog. If Tegan thought to train Herman before he was officially in the army then Drake thought it was a good idea. Feror was under his training and looked at how well he turned out.

“That’s good.” Drake answered. “I won’t say I would miss you. I just wish you fall into the dead valleys and die.”

Feror flashed his teeth at him. “Your mate will miss me.”

Drake looked down at Maya and she had a stain of blush on her cheeks. “Stay the fuck away from her.” He found himself growling as Maya squeezed him lightly.

“Oh look at that.” Feror pointed behind Drake and when he turned to see what it was, Feror drew forward and stole a kiss from Maya.

Red snapped rearing his head back and roaring. Drake watched as Feror dashed away laughing but he is didn’t miss the pain etched on his brow as he clutched his scarred arm.

The male still felt pain and the scar caused by the Thyest bow throbbed. Drake didn’t know what that meant but he hoped the male recovered from it quickly.

“We need to head on back to our sectors before Lord Mage decides to behead the Nobles right here and now.” Storm chuckled. “See you around, Fire Commander.”

Drake nodded and Jax patted him on his shoulder.

“Don’t forget to write.” He teased.

Drake snapped his teeth at him but he could not deny the feeling of homesickness every time he looked at the people surrounding him. That was once his home but now, it was just another realm.

Someone cleared their throat behind them and when Maya and Drake turned, they found Xara standing there looking like one of the models you would see on magazines. She even had the outfit to match!

Maya’s hand instinctively tightened around Drake. She wasn’t the sharing type and she definitely wasn’t sharing Drake with any other woman!

“It’s been a while, Drake.” She looked up at him then down at her. “It is only now you come to our district.”

Drake inclined his head to her. “I think you have a pretty good picture of what has been happening to make me come here today.”

She nodded but she didn’t look happy at all. Maya knew it must have been baffling for her to discover that Drake had a mate. He broke a lot of women’s hearts and Maya smugly basked in it. For once, she wanted to be selfish with twist she had and that was Drake.

“I am glad you and your mate are safe.” Maya wanted to snort at that but instead she remained quiet beside Drake, waiting to hear what Xara had to say.

Drake pulled her closer to him and nodded. “Thank you.”

“It is such a shame that you had to return to the Fire Realm. You are still very much needed here. You heard it yourself with the Lord Mage today. I think the only one who can actually get through to him is you.”

“There is the Queen Mage. She is much better in that sector than I am plus three new commanders have been recruited. I think they will do just fine without me.” Drake answered.

Xara shrugged her shoulders and sighed. “Maybe....only time will tell. Well, I better get going. It was nice seeing you both again. Take care.”

Maya saw the defeat in her eyes and almost felt sorry for her....almost. She was the same woman who refused to shake her hand the time she came to see Drake because apparently she was a commoner. Maya turned to Drake and suddenly had the urge to kiss him. She stood on her tippy toes and placed a kiss on his lips.

“I love you.” She whispered to him for his ears only.

“I love you too.” Drake grinned at her and turned to Anton. “We are leaving tomorrow morning so make the preparations.”

Anton nodded. “Yes, sir.”

Maya turned to the Phoenix who didn’t talk much. For the time that she was with him while waiting for Drake, Maya had talked for the both of them. He replied politely and didn’t leave her side but it was as if he wasn’t even there.

Maya understood why because just a few weeks ago, he lost his twin brother to Aleric. Maya saw the Phoenix die right in front of her and she still had the nightmares at night. She could only imagine what the warrior was going through.

On the evening of the burial ceremony, the warriors and families of the lost heroes came forward and paid their last respects to the fallen but for Claus, the warrior’s cinders were placed in an urn and presented to Anton.

Maya remembered the look that made her tremble with dread on Anton’s face as he looked down at the inscribed urn. It was the look of someone who has nothing to lose because his heart and humanity had died with his brother which made her understand that the warrior was ready to do whatever it took to avenge his brother’s death.

She personally asked that he be her guard because Danya requested it of her.

Keep that male close before he is lost to us. She had said.

Somehow, even Red was able to tolerate him being around her.

As Anton left, the Lord Mage approached them. Maya shrunk away as her face paled. She could still remember how she reacted when the Lord Mage beat Drake up for dying.

He stood in front them, eyeing her for a moment then smirked and turned to Drake. It was so difficult to find a way to like the Lord Mage because he was forever intimidating but the Queen Mage managed that all by her little self!

“Queen Alana’s Coronation is coming up next week, are you escorting Queen Malenna to the Light Realm?” He asked lightly.

Drake nodded. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world. It’s not everyday I get to step into the Realm of Light. They should introduce visas and gate tarrifs at the borders!”

The Lord Mage smirked. “I heard they were being discussed at the Great Hall. By the way, the warriors have prepared a farewell party for you. Remington, Ryuu, Uther and Vicious took charge of the whole thing. At the turning of the season, they expect you to come.”

Maya pursed her lips to hide a smile. It looked as if the Lord Mage was trying to get every moment to see Drake. She bet the farewell party was his idea.

“Tell them I will come for my warriors at the turning of season so they shouldn’t worry me not showing up.” Drake grinned.

The Lord Mage’s gleamed with mirth then became serious. “When are you going to see your mother? Ruvin tells me he has found her.”

“Sometime after the coronation.” Drake muttered.

Maya heard the fear in his voice. He feared seeing his mother after such a long time. It was the person he thought had died all those years.

The Lord Mage placed his hand on Drake’s shoulder and smiled and for the first time Maya saw genuine warmth in his eyes. “She will be happy to see you. She will be as proud as I am at the way to turned out.”

Your warrior will have to deal with what he’ll get. Danya murmured in Maya’s head.

Maya frowned. What do you mean?

Danya went quiet without illustrating anything else.

Lord Mage rubbed the back of his neck tiredly and sighed. “This is the year for me, I tell you. Not only does my second in command quit, my royal court is full of traitors. I should have all of them beheaded for all I care. I’ll be up in my chambers. My queen needs me.”

Queen Noelle arrived with the Lord Mage but no one had the opportunity to see her apart from her and Anton as she was taken straight up the royal quarters. Maya spent a few minutes with her and the Queen was ecstatic to see her. She couldn’t stop telling Maya about how excited she was to go home for the Coronation of her Aunt and to see her father and her friends again. Apparently Lord Mage had refused for her to return in the fear that the Light Fae might want to harm her back when the relations between the Light Fae and the Mage were not in good terms. Maya was happy for her and she too was about to go and see her family although she could not interact with them.

“Drake, Maya.” The Lord Mage acknowledged them and suddenly perished in front of them.

Drake turned to her and tangled her fingers with his then took her out to the garden. As usual, the greenery was lush and exotic. Small pixies flitted up and down the flowers while enjoying the sun. Now that she had keen eye sight thanks to Danya, she could make out the tiny bodies of the pixies dancing in the wind.

“Maya, do you enjoy being around the Realm of Fire?” He asked pensively.

Whether Maya liked being around the Realm of Fire or not did not matter. The fact was that she was with him and she was happy every time he was around her. Being the Scarlet Shield meant she was under the royal protection which meant she was constantly watched after by everyone. She had to wear a ruby and gold brooch on her tops so that even if she was in town and either the guards or warriors were around, when they saw it, they immediately recognised that she needed to be looked after.

It was tiring but she was glad Drake heaved most of the burden from his warriors and took care of her himself.

“I love the Realm of Fire. It’s my new home and I have new friends.” Heat bloomed on her cheeks when she remembered the day Zakia and Oryna, the water Nymphs, decided to pay her a visit in the Fire Fortress. If she hadn’t found the guards arguing with them at the gates after spending the day with Lord Wren who was trying to get Danya to acknowledge him and Queen Malenna as the Royal bloodline, the two Nymphs would have been thrown out.

Maya didn’t even want to begin thinking how they got there in the first place but she had a great time with them, having them take selfies with her for their friends. They promised to come with their friends the next time they visited her because apparently everyone scoffed when they mentioned they knew her.

Queen Malenna didn’t want people to know what she was. The Scarlet Shield was something that the Dark Energy users wanted and if the whole world knew she was the Mortal Lock, her life was going to be in danger. Only Queen Malenna’s intimate circles knew of this.

Sabine took it upon himself to make sure no one bothered her. He was family after all. After the blood mapping, it showed that they were related, that indeed Balthazar had been one of the forefathers of her family. Their bloodline had long died and Sabine and Maya were the last remaining Sereba Dragons....well at least Sabine was. Maya was a Fyr Dragon now. Maya remembered seeing tears swim in Sabine’s eyes when he realised that he was no longer alone after his brother suddenly disappeared from the enchanted world.

“I love hearing about the Fire Realm from Sabine and Queen Malenna. Haven’t you noticed that suddenly Queen Malenna is happier?” She looked at him.

Drake laughed. “Yeah, she likes you very much. Dame does too and that pompous Dragon has never liked anyone before.”

Maya smiled resting her head on Drake’s shoulder. “I feel so much at home there, as if it is right where I belong. Danya has given me a mental map of the place and I can’t wait to explore it. I mean I will miss Abigail, Herman and the others so much but I will always visit them and they will visit me, right?”

Drake nodded and stopped then turned to her and framed her face his eyes severe. “You have sacrificed so much for me. Not only have you sacrificed your human home but you also accepted following me back to the Fire Realm. You are an amazing female and I am the luckiest Dragon to have you in my life.”

“I love you, Drake. I will move mountains and lay down my life if I have to just for you.” She told him and she felt those words all the way to her gut. It didn’t bother her to think about death when it came to him. She knew she wouldn’t even think twice when the time came. She felt at ease and almost happy in that perspective.

“Don’t say that.” Drake gritted his teeth, his eyes glassy and dark. “I don’t want to lose you so don’t say things like that, okay?”

Maya frowned and when she wanted to ask him what was wrong, he pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly. “You are my life, Maya, and if I should lose you--I will not allow it. I won’t allow it for you to leave me.”

His arms tightened around her, his fear wafting from his body and clinging at the back of Maya’s throat with its sour and acrid taste. Danya shifted in her head, alert at the sudden change in Drake. It was as if he knew something they didn’t. Maya circled her arms around his tapers waist and held him tightly against her.

“I am not going anywhere, Drake.” She assured him.

Drake shifted back and held up his pinky finger. “Promise?”

Maya broke into a smile as she linked her pinky with his. “Promise.”

That gave him a measure of assurance but the look on his face told her she still had a lot of work to do to assure him that she was not going anywhere.

Drake placed a kiss on her forehead then her nose and finally her mouth before he took her hand again and they continued walking. They were too wrapped up in each other to see the High Priestess, Piper, standing among the Mariandas with a secret smile on her face. She turned her eyes towards the Heavens and shook her head.

“The things you do....wait until it all spills over and you have to clean up after yourselves.....” She mused quietly as she snapped one of the Mariandas and inhaled its sweet smell while she shimmered away watching as the two lovers disappeared around the plush gardens.

THE END.....