Soulbound

Jacob and Grayson were given this mission at the beginning of the week. Jacob didn’t know which one of them hated it more. If he could have traded it with anyone he would have, but as it was, unfortunately, he and Grayson--more his partner than himself--were the only ones truly equipped for this task.

It was bad enough that he had to stay at Kain Castle, away from Eva and Anna, quite possibly the only two people who could stop him from going insane, he also had to stop Grayson and Leo from killing each other. For the past few weeks, they had spent endless hours together in the war room going over what Darius’ next move might be. He used to think the room was quite large, but now, it felt smaller than his apartment back at the base.

The tension was high for everyone, but it was particularity high for these two, and Jacob wasn’t entirely sure why. Something had changed between them. Grayson could no longer brush off Leo’s scurrility, and Leo was pushing him harder than he normally did.

Now Jacob had to go out into the field with both of them. Gods help him. He’d take care of his own demons later, but right now Aboria needed him to keep his partner and his prince at least on agreeable terms for the next few days.

After Jacob finalized their plan with Commander Hargin, he and Grayson left to meet with King Renkon and Prince Leonidas in Riverwood. Since the valley had been evacuated, the population of Riverwood had increased dramatically. The refugees had set up a camp on the western side of the city along the river; the camp city was almost as big as the city itself.

Jacob and Aries landed on the southern side of the river, while Grayson and Eran did one more lap over the city. A crowd quickly formed at the river’s edge to admire their dragons. Children called out to Aries, waving and jumping; despite having lost everything and living in a tent for the past month, they wore the biggest smiles on their faces when they saw his dragon.

He let out a ragged breath, the ache in his chest too painful to ignore. Erika had been one of those kids. She always had a smile on her face, even in the harshest winter, and if she saw anyone in distress, she’d sit with them until they were smiling with her.

“Dragon Knights have always been a symbol of hope,” Aries said quietly to him, sensing his mood. She lowered her slender head to his level and pressed her snout into his chest affectionately. “We are here for the people, big or small.”

“Not always,” he replied grimly. An image of Brar razed to the ground crossed his mind. He still sometimes caught the scent of ash in the breeze.

Her golden eyes locked onto him; they had hardened with age yet they held so much empathy for him. “There was no way for us to know what would happen to Brar.”

“But we did know.” And the guilt ate at him every single day. “We knew Eva was Bound to a storm dragon. We knew Sylus would come after her because of it. We told nobody and now Brar is gone. My parents--my baby sister--are gone.”

“Knowing what will happen, would you have changed what you did? Would you have forced Eva and Arkon to become Dragon Knights, whether they wanted to or not?”

He sagged against her in defeat, clutching her rough scales as if he might plummet to his death if he let go. “No. I could never do that to Eva--to our family. She stayed behind so I could live the dream we shared. I know how much it had killed her to have to choose to stay or come with us. I wouldn’t make it worse.”

“That is why you asked Grayson to do it, is it not? You were afraid she would come with you if you’d asked her.”

“Yes.” Did that make him a bad brother? He wished it had been different, that they could both be Knights together, but when the time came, they knew only one of them could go. Eva insisted it was him. She’d promised to look after their family--and she had. She fed them, protected them, to the bitter end. He’d vowed to make a difference with Aries so that Eva’s sacrifice wouldn’t be in vain, which he did, but it hadn’t been enough when it really mattered, when his family needed him the most. Now, here they were, Dragon Knights, but their loss would forever haunt them.

“You cannot feel guilty for a choice Eva made, for things you wouldn’t change. The gods have set us on this path, all we can do is follow it.”

He let his head fall back and gazed up at the gloomy, overcast sky, as if he could see the five gods who watched over them. “Where will it take us? What do they want with my sister?”

“We may never know.”

Eran’s shadow flew over them a second before he landed beside them. Grayson swung out of the saddle, grim-faced and resolute. He took one look at his partner then let out a long, tired breath, all the hard emotion in his features melting into sympathy. “Are you ready, Jake?”

Jacob raked a hand through his hair, sucking in the strength he needed to plow forward. “I think we both know the answer to that, but we have a job to do.”

Grayson nodded in understanding. “Renkon and Leo’s convoy should be here any minute now.” He turned back for Eran, but before he went back into the saddle, he paused and glanced over his shoulder to him. “I ran into Eva while we were at the base.”

Jacob heard a surprising flurry of emotion in Grayson’s voice and immediately went to the worst. “Is she okay? What happened?” He walked up to his partner and was fully prepared to shake the answers out of him.

Grayson faced him fully and held his hands out to calm him. “Nothing’s wrong. She looks good. Really good. Anna had her running around doing her scavenger hunt. I may have helped her with some of it. It was. . . fun.” He blinked, surprised by the words coming out of his mouth, then shook his thoughts away. “Anyway, she’s more concerned about you. She asked me to make sure you’re looking after yourself. She loves you, man.” He frowned, no doubt thinking about his own family. “She didn’t have to tell me for me to know. I can see it in her eyes; I always thought people were overexaggerating when they said they could see love until I met her.”

Jacob felt awful that he had been too busy to see her, but he was glad to know she was doing all right, and even better for knowing Anna was with her every step of the way. He was so relieved, he gave his partner a big hug. “Thank you, Gray. I really needed to hear that.”

Never one for open displays of affection--or affection in general--Grayson grumbled and begrudgingly patted his partner’s back. “I know I’m not the best partner in the world, Jake, but I’ve got your back. Always.” Clearing his throat, he stepped out of the embrace. “Now, let’s get going already. Mission, remember?”

It took two years, but Jacob had finally whittled Grayson down to the point where he’d at least let him hug him, which was a huge accomplishment on its own. When they were first assigned together, he’d make fun of him for “pining over his family.” Give it a few more years, and Jacob was positive Grayson might actually be a normal, emotionally-available man, who may even hug him back.

Jacob took a quick moment to compose himself, then he climbed onto Aries’ saddle. “Let’s go.”

Darius Fortys had requested an audience with King Renkon. Their mission was to escort his convoy to the location and represent Commander Hargin. Jacob was pretty sure the only reason she wasn’t going herself was because she wanted to test Grayson’s resolve, even though Jacob had thought he’d proven himself plenty of times already.

The king’s convoy halted in a clearing that used to be a meadow. A shudder ran down his spine as he landed and stepped onto the burnt ground. It used to be so beautiful, full of life and colour. He used to play with his sisters in this very meadow, chasing them with a stick. Erika always ran, but Eva would find a stick of her own and fight back.

Now it was all ash, and a fort had been built where Brar used to be.

His stomach roiled, the faint stench of burnt earth still in the air. Aries gave him a sympathetic look, fully aware that he’d rather be anywhere than here again. He knew this was coming, but it was still hard to see his home like this. So many memories tainted, because of one man’s greed.

Grayson, seeing Jacob’s face pale, put a hand on his shoulder. “Can you do this?”

He ripped his shoulder away from his partner. Being here was harder than he thought it would be. Deep down, he knew it wasn’t Grayson’s fault that they were there, that Brar wasn’t destroyed because of him, but it was still hard to swallow that it could have been him. “Let’s just get this over with.”

Grayson nodded in agreement. “The sooner this is done, the better.”

Side by side, they approached the convoy. They had been riding on their horses for three days, but you wouldn’t be able to tell by looking at the king and his son. They both held an air of authority about them and wore their crowns proudly. Their escort of ten men surrounded the perimeter while a few others remained behind the king and prince. A part of Jacob wished they’d just hire more men to protect them so he didn’t have to be here, but it was common knowledge that Prince Darius had a dragon and the best defense against a dragon was another one--so they had two. Aries stayed on the ground, while Eran took to the skies, being able to communicate with Grayson to give them a heads up for anything suspicious--though Jacob would never understand how exactly their communication worked.

Jacob pumped his fist over his heart then bowed to King Renkon. “Your Majesty, I trust your ride was uneventful?”

King Renkon’s eyes shifted to Grayson, who, still to this day, refused to bow down to any king. He liked to think that the Knight would eventually submit to him, but Jacob knew that was never going to happen.

Leo rushed to move things forward and shook Jacob’s hand. The prince was never one for formalities and would much rather shake his friend’s hand than have him submit to him. Even his armour broke tradition; he bore the armour his royal guard wore proudly every day. The only thing to tell him that he was a prince was the silver crown on his head.

“Thank you for coming, Jacob. I know this is hard for you, but you know this area better than anyone, and, well. . .” His gaze turned venomous when he looked at Grayson. “We all know why you’re here. Just make sure you do your part.”

Grayson could only respond with an angry glare. Heavens knew he was fighting his own demons right now.

“Where’s the bastard?” Jacob growled, hands clenched at his sides.

Leo narrowed his eyes on him in warning. “We can’t have you losing control, Greene. If this doesn’t go well. . .”

Jacob huffed. “I know. Just don’t leave me alone with him and I’ll be fine.” The second they left him alone with Prince Darius, he would make him pay for what he had done to his village, to his family. For what he’d put Eva through. Maybe then the ache in his chest would go away.

Leo turned to Grayson. “Keep him in check.”

Not that he needed to be told.

“If you are done chatting, we have business to attend to.” King Renkon gestured over to the fort on the other side of the field--of what used to be Brar. It was sickening that the prince had made this his base of operations while he was in Aboria, that he’d forced them to come see his work. Darius’ fire dragon was visible from here, laying casually behind the table and his prince.

Aries stayed close behind as they approached the table. The bastard only had two soldiers flanking him as he sat on his throne, feet resting on the table. He had an annoying, cocky look about him, so confident that they couldn’t touch him even if they wanted to. His nose was a little crooked, which must have been new since the most recent picture they had of him didn’t have such an ugly mark.

He grinned, a dark and cunning smile at the royals. “Please, have a seat.” While he sat high and mighty in his throne, he’d set up two rickety stools for the king and prince to sit on. Nevertheless, they did so with pride. “What brings you gentleman into my neck of the woods?”

“You summoned us here, Prince Darius, or have you forgotten?” King Renkon barked. He didn’t like the idea of being summoned by this creep any more than anyone on this side of the table.

He made a theatrical gasp, as if he’d just remembered that he was the one who summoned them. “Oh, silly me. I have so much going on up here.” Rolling his eyes, he tapped his head. “It’s hard to keep track. Right, so I think you know why you’re here.”

King Renkon glared at him, fed up with the prince’s disrespect.

“Oh? No? Well, I’ll give you a hint: she’s about yay high, has blonde hair, and breasts that will fill these hands perfectly when I finally get my hands on her.” If it wasn’t bad enough, he made a provocative gesture.

Jacob trembled with rage, hands clenched so tightly together his nails bit into his palms. As if Leo knew this would tip him over the edge, he raised his hand to stop him from doing something very stupid.

Prince Darius’ smile was delirious, getting a kick out of Jacob’s pain. “Ooo, I’ve touched a nerve. You know who I’m talking about, don’t you, boy?” He waggled his eyebrows at him. “I bet she’s a viper in bed. Is she?”

“That’s my-”

Grayson slammed a hand on Jacob’s chest, choking him on his words. “That’s no way to talk about a lady.” If eyes could murder, Grayson would be public enemy number one. Jacob was glad at least one of them had their wits about them.

Intrigued, Prince Darius stood up, gauging Jacob’s reaction. He leant on the table, completely disregarding the royal presence in front of him. “Those eyes. . . Ooof.” He finally regarded the king and prince at the table. “That’s cruel, even for me. You brought her brother. I thought I killed you all.” He suddenly seemed disappointed.

Jacob couldn’t move. He wasn’t supposed to find out he was Eva’s brother. He felt like something was burrowing in his chest. What had he done?

“Enough games,” King Renkon boomed, causing everyone at the table to jump. “The storm dragon rider is under our protection. She is not up for negotiation.”

Composing himself again so that he carried that stupid haughty grin, Darius flipped his feet back on the table. His eyes slowly took in the face of everyone at the table, resting particularly long on Grayson. “If you don’t hand her over, consider the truce off.”

King Renkon didn’t miss a beat. “Is this your wish or your father’s? Is one girl worth starting a war over, Prince?”

He shrugged casually, as if they were discussing what they should have for dinner--not Eva’s life. “I dunno, Renkon, is she? Would you like some time to discuss it with your son or are you just going to hand her over?”

Leo peered at his father, almost in a panic. Jacob had never seen the prince so alarmed before. Did war scare him that much? It didn’t seem like the kind of thing that would bother him, unless. . . . Was the king actually considering giving Eva to this monster?

Panic welled up in Jacob’s chest. There was no way in hell that anyone was taking his sister away from him. That man would never touch her.

“Father, we can’t-”

“Silence.” King Renkon threw his hand up in his son’s face. He looked at Prince Darius. “I would like a moment with my son.”

The delusional prince inclined his head then left the table.

“Sire, please you can’t-” Jacob couldn’t help it.

The king stood up, facing Grayson. His eyes were solemn; Jacob saw the gears turning in his head. “If I give her to him, what will he do?”

Grayson swallowed, paling. He kept his eyes only on the king. Damn right. If he didn’t say anything that would help keep Eva here, he was dead to Jacob. “He will break her, destroy her soul, and use whatever is left of her and her dragon to take this kingdom. It’s all King Sylus has ever wanted; Aborian lands are much more fertile and profitable than Estrus’ lands.”

King Renkon pinched the bridge of his nose. “If I deny him?”

“War. He’ll go from village to village doing exactly what he did to this one.”

“I can’t believe he’d do this for a silly girl.” Clearly he was frustrated with the lack of options, but did he have to make it sound like Eva was worth nothing?

“She’s not a silly girl,” Leo protested before Jacob or Grayson could say otherwise. “She’s smart and powerful--and knows it. His worst enemy or best weapon. We want her on our side, Father.”

“Then you control her. I personally don’t think she’s worth it, but if it means my kingdom has a better chance at winning this war, we’ll keep her. Will we have the Dragon Knight’s support?” he asked the Knights.

Jacob glanced at Grayson. They weren’t exactly the best people to ask, being biased in Eva’s favour, but the Commander had sent them under the impression that something like this could happen.

“Yes,” Grayson confirmed, because Jacob couldn’t say anything. He was paralysed by fear of what was unfolding and what awaited his sister.

King Renkon asked one of Prince Darius’ men to bring him back. The prince didn’t bother sitting down; he leaned on the throne, arms crossed. “What will it be, boys?”

“We will not be handing over the storm dragon rider.”

The prince blinked, caught by surprise. Then he was furious, throwing the throne aside. Grayson and Jacob were in front of the king and prince in a blink of an eye. “Are you seriously going to war over this girl?! I am going to enjoy crushing you. All of you!” He screamed at the field, all the soldiers standing guard. “Your villages will burn!”

Aries, as if to prove a point, roared behind them, showing no fear; the ground trembled beneath their feet. King Renkon and Prince Leo retreated behind her as their guard came over to line up against Prince Darius’ men. Bet he wished he brought more men now.

“And you!” he shouted at Grayson, doing nothing to stop their retreat. “I am going to find out what you love so much about this kingdom and tear it apart! That girl will be mine.”

Jacob lost it. Grayson didn’t react in time. He tackled the prince to the ground. Darius shoved him off and threw a rock at his face. Jacob staggered back, which the prince took advantage of, gripping his shirt and throwing another punch. Grayson jumped in between them, his sword aimed for his throat.

“Back off, Darius!”

And he did. Jacob expected him to fight Grayson, but he kept his distance. He snarled at him, hands at his sides. “Your time will come. I’ll make you pay for everything you’ve done.” He spat at Jacob’s feet. “Pathetic.”

He walked away, ordering his men to back down.

Jacob and Grayson escorted the royals back to the castle.