A horn sounded in the village causing everyone to grow silent. It sounded again and the company of dragons and witches began to assemble in the village square. Rune tied the horn to her hip and surveyed the warriors before her.

“As you all know I am Rune of the Vanguard. It is our duty to enter battle first before the army mobilizes; that is what we have been chosen to do here. My group will take the western path to Errolt while Basalt’s will take the eastern path. Once in position we will set fire to the eastern side of Errolt and push the tigers to my group.”

“Any Seekers found are to be captured alive if possible. This is a dangerous task, but our main goal is to destroy the enemy’s foothold in this region. With this base destroyed Uler and Bresbur will be much safer,” Basalt said. “Alright form up!”

Bird stuck close to Lore’s side and climbed into one of the wagons after him. Yena, Adwin and Apple followed them in and Elys took up the reigns. After a signal from the wagon in front of them Elys snapped the reigns causing the horses to move forward. As soon as they were underway Bird reached into her pack and pulled out a folded bolt of cloth and began to sew.

“What are you working on?” Lore asked as he leaned over her shoulder.

“It’s a secret,” Bird said coyly. She rearranged the fabric to hide the finished part of the fabric.

“I like secrets. Will you tell me what it is?”

Bird pecked him on the lips. “If I did then it wouldn’t be a secret.” She turned her attention to Apple who was watching her intently. He looked away sharply when he noticed Bird looking at him. Bird opened her mouth to say something, but then closed it. Why was Apple avoiding her gaze?

A few hours later Lore took over driving the wagon and Apple moved to sit next to Bird so that Elys had his spot farthest from her. “May I see your arm?” Apple asked suddenly. Bird started and wiped her bleary eyes. She had not realized that she had been dozing off. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

Bird yawned and shook her head. “No, it’s fine. I needed to wake. How far are we from Errolt?”

Apple looked out the front of the wagon at the darkening sky. Already the northern star was present on the horizon. “I would give us about another day to reach the outskirts of the forest and two more to reach the ruins.”

“Oh.”

Apple turned back to face her. “May I see your arm?” he asked again. Bird held out her right arm and he waved it away. She held out her left and he took it gently in hers. He stared at it for a moment then released it.

“Is something wrong?”

Apple shook his head and was silent until they stopped to make camp.

Basalt assigned tasks to everyone in the group. Some set up tents, some gathered firewood while others secured the campsite. Bird was assigned to erect tents while Apple and Lore collected firewood. As soon as they were out of sight of camp Apple swung his arm and pinned Lore’s neck to an oak. He pressed until he heard his cousin make a choked sound before letting up.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Apple hissed.

“There are many things wrong with me, to which do you refer?” Lore said in a strained voice.

“I’m referring to the fact that Bird has a cor stateram around her wrist. What were you thinking giving that to her? You could get her killed!” Apple pressed his forearm tighter beneath Lore’s chin. Lore dug his nails in Apple’s arm drawing blood.

“I know that it can kill her, don’t you think I told her that? How else am I supposed to protect her when I’m not around?”

Apple shook his head and dropped his arm. Lore collapsed to his knees wheezing and massaging his neck. “I love her Avalon! What would you have me do?”

Apple paced away then came back and pointed his finger in Lore’s face. “Take it from her. There are other ways to protect her. I can’t protect both of you on the battlefield. So help me if you get her killed I will skin you myself!” Apple turned away and stalked into the trees.

“Avalon!” Lore roared, but he was met with silence from his cousin. Lore picked himself up. He knew how dangerous the charm was. He was no longer the infant that Apple used to carry on his hip. He was a grown dragon.

How was he supposed to ask for the charm back after Bird had accepted it? This should be her and his decision, not Apple’s.

“Damn it, Avalon,” Lore growled.

Bird looked up when she heard a familiar shout from the forest. She set aside her blanket and stood up. “Yena, did you hear Lore just now?”

“I believe so. Do you want to go look for him?” Yena said.

“Yes, I’ll be back.”

Bird made her way through the campsite to the edge of the forest that she had seen Lore and Apple disappear. The hairs on her arms and neck rose as she passed the fires. As she looked left and right she could see various men and women staring at her. She sped up her steps and nearly ran into a man as he stepped into her path.

He caught her by the shoulders and steadied her. “I’m sorry miss. Are you alright?” he asked softly. Bird nodded and stepped back.

“I’m fine,” she said and took another step back and bumped into something tall and warm. She whirled around and found another man behind her. Bird felt the air around her tingle with energy of unspent magic. Two more men surrounded her. “What do you want?” Bird asked narrowing her eyes. She was a head shorter than all of them and knew that if it came to a physical fight she would lose.

“We heard the Shaker of the Heavens was here. We had to see you for ourselves,” the first man said. “I never expected you to be so small.” He reached out to touch her and she pushed his hand away. “I’m not going to hurt you.” He leaned in closer. “Not if you promise not to struggle.

Bird grabbed his hand. “Funny,” she said as she summoned fire into her hand. “I was going to say the same thing.” The man yelped and jumped back. Immediately the other men drew closer with various knives in their hands. “Are you planning on using those or are they for show?”

“We are only here to give you a warning. Betray us to the tigers and not even your dragon can protect you.”

“And why do you think I’ll betray you?” Bird said harshly. She glared at the men and they shifted back a step.

“We heard the rumors.”

Bird sneered. “So I guess that makes you the expert on me.”

“Dear Lady, I thought I was the expert on you.” Everyone turned swiftly to find Lore standing with his arms crossed. Smoke seeped from between his lips as he smiled toothily at the men. “I hope none of you were causing trouble for my fiancée?”

The men ducked their heads in embarrassment.

“Then I suggest you move along,” Lore said in a pleasant voice though his eyes gleamed with anger. The men scattered.

Lore took Bird by the arm and led her back to the tent. “Don’t go anywhere without one of us with you, even if it’s to relieve yourself.” He turned to leave, but Bird held on tighter.

“Please, don’t go,” she said in a small voice. Her body felt cold and she could not stop the shaking in her hands. Tears burned in the corners of her eyes and she choked down a sob.

Why was she shaking? Why was she suddenly so cold she wondered as she gripped Lore’s sleeve like a life line?

Lore wrapped her in his arms and guided her into their tent. They lay down and Bird whimpered as hot tears ran down her cheeks. No matter how many times she wiped them away more took their place.

“Shh… Bird. You’re okay, I’m here.”

“But what about when you’re not?” Bird sobbed.

Lore thought about what Apple said and shook his head. No, he could not take away the charm from Bird. He kissed her cheeks until her tears were spent and she lay cuddled tightly against his side. He heard her breath slow in slumber and gently shook her. “If you fall asleep you’ll miss dinner,” he whispered when she yawned. “How are you?”

“I’m feeling better, thank you,” Bird said rising onto one arm. She leaned over Lore and kissed him. She felt his smile against her lips and she giggled. She straddled him and planted soft light kisses over his face. Lore lifted his head and chased after her mouth. Bird darted her head from cheek to cheek until Lore growled.

He lunged forward and nipped Bird’s neck drawing a small gasp from her. He ran his hot tongue along the sensitive skin. He slipped his left hand beneath the hem of Bird’s tunic and cupped her breast. His thumb massaged her nipple until it hardened while he sucked on her neck.

Bird shuddered above him and leaned her head back. Lore broke away from her neck and pulled up her tunic to expose her breasts. He sucked Bird’s hardened nipple into his mouth drawing half her breast into his mouth. Bird cradled Lore’s head to her chest and hissed when she felt his teeth graze her skin.

She lifted off Lore’s hips and pulled her wool stockings down. When she fumbled with her feet Lore swiftly flipped her on her back and ripped the stockings away. Bird felt a thrill as she stared into Lore’s fierce eyes that showed a deep hunger. Lore pulled his pants down until his groin and buttocks were exposed. Bird sat up and ran her hands over the smooth skin never breaking eye contact.

“Take it off,” Lore growled.

“Huh?” Bird murmured.

Lore leaned close until his member touched her breast. Bird felt things tighten low in her body as Lore’s masculine smoky scent filled her now. “Take off your clothes before I rip them off.”

Bird swiftly pulled her tunic off. As soon as her head cleared Lore gripped her waist and pulled her hips into his lap. He spread her legs and positioned his hips before plunging inside her. Bird gasped and felt a wash of heat deep inside her. Lore began to thrust deeply until the tip of him hit the end of her.

“Lore,” Bird moaned as she wrapped her legs around his hips to give him better leverage. Lore growled again and lifted Bird’s hand to nuzzle it.

He slipped out of her and crawled over her body until his penis brushed Bird’s lips. She opened her mouth wide and he slipped himself in until Bird tapped on his thigh. Moving in long slow strokes Lore worked his way in and out of Birds mouth. She sucked greedily on him drawing a deep moan. When she ran her teeth on the tip of him he cried out “Oh Lady!”

Carefully her pulled out and flipped Bird onto her belly. She moaned as he lifted her hips up and thrust roughly inside her. He covered her back with his body and gripped Bird’s hands on the floor. “Do you love me?” Lore asked between thrusts.

“Yes!” Bird whispered.

“Say…it!” he growled.

“I love you!”

Lore’s thrusts quickened and Bird felt heat growing between her legs. Her breath hitched and she struggled to match Lore’s rhythm. Lore bit her shoulder and Bird groaned as a wave of pleasure rushed through her body sending her on a wave of bliss. He continued to thrust inside her causing another wave to build deep within her nether.

Bird dug her fingers into the floor barely able to stay up on her shaking arms. Lore blew his breath on her neck and her whole body began to tingle with new energy. She ground her hips into Lore eliciting a hiss from him. He grabbed her hips and began to move faster. The heat between her legs grew while lights flashed before her eyes.

Faster and faster their bodies moved until with a loud groan Lore shuddered over her sending her over the edge in a wave of pleasure. They collapsed in a sweaty heat on the floor of the tent. For several minutes they lay gasping too weak to move.

Lore was the first to revive and he kissed a trail up Bird’s spine ending with the top of her head. Bird rolled over to her back and smiled. “Hi handsome,” she whispered. She traced her fingers down Lore’s face. He kissed her fingers and her smile grew. “Do you think they heard us?”

“Does it matter?”

Bird shrugged. “Right now I’m too tired to care. I know I should feel embarrassed.”

Lore chuckled. “I know how I can make you feel embarrassed.” He pinched Bird’s bottom and she squealed.

“Hey!”

“Hey.” Lore kissed her shoulder where a bruise had formed on her neck. “I didn’t mean to be so rough,” he said as he traced the bruise with his finger. Bird grabbed his hand.

“It’s fine. This will heal, and when it does I’ll return the favor.”

Lore felt his heart skip a beat. How did I come to fall in love with such an amazing woman? he wondered. She’s strong, confident and sweet. I don’t know if I deserve her.

He watched Bird as she got dressed then moved to dress himself. His nostrils flared when he smelled Apple just outside. He growled back in his throat startling Bird. He waved his hand to ease her then left the tent.

Apple stood three feet away his arms akimbo. Smoke curled from his nostrils as he glared at Lore. “So, did you take it from her?”

“No,” Lore said.

“Why not?”

Lore squared his shoulders. “Bird will be my wife. Like it or not Bird loves me and will not hesitate to go into danger for me, and I will not hesitate for her. She knows the risks of the cor stateram, but has chosen to keep it. I respect her wishes.”

“Do you even love her? What happens if you die?”

Before Apple could blink Lore punched him in the jaw. He staggered back a step and rubbed his jaw. “Don’t ever question whether or not I love her. We’ve made our decision. I know that you’re her guardian and the thought of her dying scares you; it scares me.”

Apple sighed. “Do what you wish,” he said and walked away.