Changeling Illusion (Thirteen Realms Book 3) Read online

  “What brings you here, after all these years?”

  That was an easy question, at least. “I come on a mission from the king. He begs Fire’s aid for a dying rainbow drake.”

  More smoke puffed from the dragon’s nostrils as it huffed a kind of laugh. “He begs, does he? And he thinks sending you will move Lord Orobos?”

  “He thinks sending me is the only way to get an emissary into Fire at all,” I said a little testily. Standing under the dragon’s golden gaze was making me distinctly twitchy, and I didn’t do diplomacy well when I was twitchy. Not that I was ever that great at diplomacy. “Or have you decided to reopen the borders?”

  “You might be surprised,” the red dragon said. “A lot of things are changing now.”

  Ain’t that the truth. This dragon had no idea. “Will Orobos receive me?”

  “I daresay he could do with a laugh. Assume your true form and come and see.” The dragon spread its great, glowing wings in preparation for take-off, and I suddenly saw a terrible flaw in my plan.

  I could mimic the Dragon’s human form perfectly. And though I had never tried it, I was fairly certain I could even take on his actual draconic form. But that didn’t mean I knew how to fly. And nothing would expose me as a sham faster.

  The dragon was waiting expectantly, wings half spread. My heart thundered as my brain raced, searching for an excuse, some kind of cover story. The Dragon had said we’d be met at the border, and of course, I’d realised we would eventually make our way to the peaks of Fire, but I hadn’t given any thought as to how that would occur. A fatal flaw in my plan.

  “I’m not sure I can.” I gazed up into the huge golden eyes and let myself sway, just a little. “I’m not feeling quite myself.”

  Lord, I was such a comedian. A panicked urge to laugh nearly brought me undone.

  “I had to fight off a pack of trolls …”

  And then I let myself collapse in an ungainly heap on the black, rocky ground.

  They say the bigger they are, the harder they fall. I discovered that was true and barely managed to stop myself wincing in pain as I smacked into the rocks. The sword hilt struck me painfully on the back of the head, but at least I managed to fall in such a way that the naked blade didn’t cut me.

  The dragon rumbled in protest. Even with my eyes closed, I felt the shadow as the dragon’s bulk loomed over me. A strong smell of burning filled my nostrils as the dragon’s breath huffed in my face. Belatedly, I wondered if this would be seen as a show of weakness that might put me at a serious disadvantage, but really, what could I do about it? There was no way I could pull off flying, so this seemed the only option.

  The dragon rumbled to itself again, a deep noise that managed to convey its dissatisfaction without any words, and then I felt its claws close around me. I focused on keeping as limp as possible. I was committed now.

  Suddenly, I was snatched into the air. Air rushed around me as the dragon leapt skyward, the mighty downstrokes of its wings like thunder in my ears. Its claws were surprisingly gentle—they didn’t dig into me at all, merely cradled me, clutching the damn sword like a rod of pain against my back. The sooner I could find a sheath for the thing, the better.

  Successive small jerks told me the dragon was beating for height. My stomach dipped and soared uncomfortably. I was only grateful I couldn’t see what was happening. I must look like a rabbit dangling from an eagle’s claws. Hopefully, I wouldn’t meet the usual fate of rabbits borne aloft by eagles. As long as the dragon had a good grip, I should be set. I was putting a lot of faith in those strong claws—falling from a height like this would certainly be a swift end, and that was about the best that could be said for it.

  Though it had looked distant, the dragon’s massive wings made short work of the flight to the volcano. I felt the change in the air as we began to descend. Squinting through half-closed lids, I saw smoke swirling about us and felt an unexpected heat. We must be flying over the crater.

  That gave rise to a new worry. I might look like the Dragon, but I sure as hell wasn’t flameproof the way a real dragon would be. If we were headed for the interior of an active volcano, I was literally toast. But before I could work up to more than a mild panic, the sensation of heat eased, and I realised we had dropped below the level of the crater.

  The dragon landed, a little awkwardly since it had me in its front claws, and let me fall, not ungently. I judged it safe enough to recover consciousness at this point and made a show of stirring, throwing in a groan or two to emphasise my supposed weakness. I sat up and found myself on a wide, flat stretch of rock outside a cave.

  This was no raggedy cave such as the cave trolls’ had been. Stone pillars supported a wide portico above the landing that covered half the space, presumably so the dragons had space to land but then could quickly move undercover if the weather was bad. Stone vines covered in flowers writhed up each pillar and decorated the whole of the underside of the roof.

  I stood up, trying not to look too impressed with the elegance and craftsmanship of the place. After all, the real Dragon had probably seen it many times before.

  “Welcome home,” the red dragon said, confirming my guess.

  Behind the entry, a vast cavern stretched. Again, it was no rough cave, but carved and decorated with all manner of jewels and metalwork. The floors were tiled with intricate patterns in silver and black. Chandeliers dripping with diamonds hung from the vaulted ceiling. It looked more like the interior of a cathedral than something you would find on a bare mountainside.

  I stepped forward into the entryway, marvelling at the sculptures inlaid with gold and silver and precious jewels. There were whole hunting scenes brought to life on the glittering walls. Feasts and duels, too. Dragons were everywhere, of course, their colours picked out in loving detail, encrusted with glittering stones, but there were also plenty of human shapes depicted. Presumably, these were dragons in their earthbound forms.

  Uneasily, I wondered what the protocol was, and whether I was committing some faux pas in coming here as a man instead of a dragon. The Dragon had said his brother wouldn’t tolerate seeing him in his dragon form, but then this red dragon had seemed surprised that I wasn’t in dragon form. I didn’t know what to think.

  I glanced over my shoulder at the red dragon. “Thank you for your assistance.”

  “Seems like you’d better go and see the healers on your own account.”

  “A little rest will do me good. Are you coming?”

  The dragon laughed, and the booming sound echoed around the vast empty chamber. “Has it been so long that you’ve forgotten the way?” It turned and spread its wings, making ready to take to the skies again. “I must return to my duty, more’s the pity. I would have liked to be there to see Orobos’s face when his long-lost brother returned.”

  The red dragon’s mighty haunches bunched, and it leaped skyward. I stood watching until it soared out of sight, then sighed, more than a little daunted. I had gained the peak but I had no idea what to do now. It sounded as though I should probably present myself to Orobos, my supposed brother, but that would be tricky since I had no idea what he looked like or where to find him.

  Three corridors led from the vast entry chamber. Each was as big as the others, as brightly lit and decorated. What I needed was a flashing sign that said, Hey! This way to the throne room. Or even, Get your evil dragon brothers here!

  The enormity of what I was doing weighed heavily on me. Even if I managed to find Orobos, what on earth would I say to him? It wouldn’t take much conversation before he realised I couldn’t possibly be who I said I was.

  Come to think of it, it would be better if I could avoid meeting with Orobos at all. All I wanted was a consultation with a healer, after all. Was there any chance I could sneak around this place without avoiding a diplomatic incident and find one? I sighed. Probably not. I picked one of the passageways at random and began walking.

  The passage was wide enough that an adult dragon with wings at fu
ll stretch could pass with plenty of room to spare on each side. I wondered if they actually flew through these passages. I made myself walk briskly, as if I knew where I was going. Uncertainty lay like a cloak of dread on my shoulders and made me want to turn and run back the other way before I was caught.

  You’re doing this for Squeak, I reminded myself angrily. Don’t lose your nerve now.

  The passageway curved around to the left, passing several doors of a more human size. Where did these lead? Meeting rooms, kitchens? Perhaps private quarters? There was no way to know without opening them. I decided to walk further before I tried one. Surely there would be a place devoted to healing, as there was in other Realms. I hoped there would be some more obvious sign that I was getting close.

  Another corridor crossed the one I was in, and I hesitated, peering along it. It was smaller, only human-sized, which somehow made it more welcoming. I hesitated, unsure of myself. Voices from that direction decided me. Despite my fear, I was ever conscious of time ticking away. I had to seize this opportunity by the balls and give it a damn good twist. No more skulking in empty corridors. I had to find someone to talk to.

  I strode down the new corridor, arms swinging, to all intents and purposes a man with a mission. The voices died away, and I heard a door close softly. There. I rounded a corner and found a new hall, lined with doors, all closed. If I wasn’t careful, I would get lost in here and wander for hours.

  Where were all the dragons? Were they all out flying somewhere? Or deep in the crater of the volcano, basking in lava? The size of this place suggested that many people lived here, and yet I had seen no one, not even any guards at the entry. But I supposed there wasn’t much need for guards since the borders were closed.

  I laid a hand on the nearest door, frustration churning in my belly, just as the door on the other side of the corridor opened.

  My mouth fell open in surprise at the sight of the person who came through it. “Jaxen? What in the seven hells are you doing here?”

  Lord Eldric’s brother stopped, his face a picture of confusion. Belatedly, it occurred to me to wonder how well Jaxen and the real Dragon knew each other. But surely, since they were both part of the nobility, they at least knew each other’s names?

  Jaxen’s gaze flitted across the knightly surcoat I wore and the hilt of the giant sword protruding above my shoulder, and gradually, his expression cleared. “I’m here to visit Lord Orobos … but I’m guessing you are not he. Ebos? I could well ask what you are doing here. Isn’t this place a little dangerous for you?”

  “Why should my brother’s home be dangerous for me?” There must be a strong family resemblance between the dragon brothers if he had confused me with Orobos. I eyed him suspiciously. It hadn’t escaped my attention that he had swiftly turned the questions on me, without giving me a proper answer. He was slippery like that. I could think of no legitimate reason that he, the younger brother of a rival Lord, should be here in a Realm that was supposedly closed to all outsiders.

  He was definitely not one of my favourite people, but it was something of a relief to see a familiar face here, at least. I could make use of him. The thought brought a little smile to my face. Jaxen, the eternal layabout, would be horrified at the thought of being useful to anybody, but most especially to me, the despised changeling who didn’t know her place.

  “Perhaps I misunderstood.” His usual insincere smile was missing the sneering note that I was used to seeing. Clearly, the Dragon warranted a little more respect than the lowly Allegra Brooks. “I was just on my way to see Lord Orobos, as it happens. Why don’t you join me? Family reunions are always such fun.”

  I knew full well that Jaxen had no time for his own family, but I nodded as if his comment was sincere and gestured courteously for him to precede me. Might as well go with him, since I was having no luck finding a healer on my own. Time to brave the dragon in its den. “Then, by all means, lead on.”

  19

  As it turned out, we didn’t have far to go, but I was still glad of my guide. Jaxen led me back the way I’d come and down yet another dragon-sized corridor, stopping before two dragon-sized doors. He seemed very familiar with this place, which only deepened my suspicions of him.

  He knocked, and a servant opened the left-hand door. No guards even here. I followed him in, only just managing to stop myself from gaping at the room inside. Bigger than Rothbold’s throne room, it was domed like an ancient church, the dome lined with golden tiles. But in the centre, where a painting of God reaching down from the clouds might have been in a cathedral, it was open to the pale sky above. Dawn must be close.

  The dome was exceedingly high, so the hole in the centre looked relatively small, but I was guessing it was large enough to admit a full-grown dragon. Dragging my eyes from the dome, I checked out the rest of the room. Behind an imposing black throne, a large natural cavern opened. It was the first piece of unadorned stone I had seen in the whole building, and by the heat and red glow that emitted from it, I guessed that it led directly to the heart of the volcano.

  The throne itself was carved from black basalt and set with rubies. On it sat a man whose face I knew well, since it was the mirror image of the face I was currently wearing.

  I caught my breath in surprise. Ebos had told me that Orobos was his brother, but he’d neglected to mention that they were twins. No wonder Jaxen had been confused. Orobos’s fear that his brother might usurp him made more sense now. If Orobos was the elder, it could only be by minutes, which was a very small distinction to base an inheritance on. Clearly, they were identical, although the scowl on Orobos’s face was an expression I had never seen on the dead knight’s in the short time I’d known him.

  Orobos had half risen from his throne at our entry, but now he subsided back into the red velvet cushions and propped one ankle on his other knee, leaning back in an effort to look relaxed. I wasn’t fooled, however. I could see the tension in his shoulders and how tightly he was clenching his jaw behind his sardonic smile.

  I offered him a respectful bow and waited to see what he would say. Hopefully, he wasn’t as good at reading body language as I was or he might wonder why his brother was so nervous.

  “Lord Jaxen,” the man on the throne said. Even his voice was exactly the same deep rumble as the Dragon’s which, of course, shouldn’t have been a surprise and yet somehow was. “I see you’ve found a stray.”

  Jaxen bowed his head respectfully, but did nothing to hide the amused smirk on his face. He was clearly anticipating brotherly fireworks. “It’s amazing what you can find wandering these halls, my lord. Perhaps a few guards are in order.”

  Orobos rubbed his chin, as if considering. “We dragons need no guards. Who would dare penetrate our fastness without permission?”

  Who indeed? That barb was clearly aimed at me, but I only bowed again, refusing to be drawn. It did Squeak’s cause no good to antagonise this man. I could eat humble pie all day if necessary and call it the most delicious meal I’d ever had. “Lord Orobos, I’m here on a mission from the king.”

  “Oh? So now the great line of Venes is reduced to running errands for our dear overlord? Does he give you a tip if you’re especially speedy?”

  Jaxen sniggered. Oh, yes, he’d be enjoying this. He was clearly a man after Orobos’s heart—a bully with no concern for anything other than his own interests.

  Orobos smiled at him. “Some wine, Lord Jaxen?”

  “It’s never too early for wine,” Jaxen said, accepting a glass from a servant who came forward to pour for him.

  Orobos waved him to a seat in the circle of armchairs that was off to one side of the room. Several other men sat there, but they all looked like functionaries and upper servants. Two of them had writing implements and one of them seemed to be in charge of a large stack of record books. At Orobos’s nod, they hastily packed up their various belongings and quietly left the room. I wondered if I was supposed to know who any of them were, though all of them had been careful not to ca
tch my eye.

  “Wine for you, brother?” Orobos asked.

  “No, thank you. I hope not to take up too much of your time. The king’s business is truly urgent.”

  Orobos accepted wine from the servant in a jewel-encrusted golden cup. Judging by what I’d seen so far of the Realm of Fire, all the stories about dragons were true. They loved their gold and jewels. I wondered if there was a pile of treasure somewhere that Orobos liked to sleep on in dragon form, or if the over-the-top décor was enough to satisfy his draconic soul.

  He drained half the cup and sat back in his throne, looking more at ease. “And what is so very urgent that the king has sent you all this way at such a time?”

  His gaze flicked sideways to Jaxen. I could only imagine what Jaxen had been telling him about the times. There was certainly enough gossip flying around the Realms at the moment to keep anyone satisfied.

  It still astonished me, however, to find him here. Of all people, Eldric’s younger brother would have been one of the last I would pick as a confidante of the antisocial Lord of Fire—yet here he was, looking very much at home. I certainly couldn’t imagine Jaxen trekking in past the cave trolls. That much effort wasn’t his style, particularly as he was a Jumper. He had a built-in ability as good as Kyrrim’s sword and was used to gating directly to wherever he wanted to go. But surely the wards that had forced us to make the long journey through the mountains of Winter would have foiled his ability, too?

  “His Majesty begs the assistance of Fire’s healers.” Orobos’s eyelids twitched a little at that, but I pressed on: “A rainbow drake has suffered severe wing damage and is dying.”

  Orobos raised an eyebrow. “A rainbow drake? But they are mere animals. What has this to do with the king?”

  “Rainbow drakes form bonds with certain fae, and the bondmate of this particular drake is very dear to the king. You might recall how fond His Majesty was of Lord Perony.”