Heart of the Dragon Read online

  "I was working on a plan!"

  I snatched my arm from him. "Yes, and in the meantime, Tank will only suffer."

  "He loves her," he breathed.

  "And she loves him," I fired back. His eyes filled with guilt and remorse, and I stroked his cheek with my hand. "Let her make the decision herself. She can't do that without all the information."

  "Tank knows what she'll do. It's why he didn't want her to know."

  I nodded, "But if it saves him, it's worth it."

  "Not for Tank," he whispered, pulling me close. I knew he was right there, but Kiana deserved to know all the facts. She deserved to understand that she could save him if she chose to.

  "You know I'm right," I said softly. He didn't respond, he just tightened his arms around me. His warm harsh breath against my neck. Only time would tell if everything would work out the way it should.

  Shevorth wanted to make sure she instilled some values in her son Lennon. Destruction was never the issue and although the Kindra had a soulmate that was not him, she hoped that he would make the right choices when he found her.

  The marriage bond was worded in a way to make others think it was a marriage between Lennon and the Kindra that would overthrow Kemoth or anyone he put in charge, but that was not the case. She hoped Lennon could read through the lines of the marriage bond that Kemoth had no clue about. A secret memo she created for her son. Others would discover it and she wanted nothing more. She wanted to make sure the Kindra wasn't destroyed. The Kindra wasn't only important for Bearded Dragons but for Ledrya as a whole.

  Lennon would do the right thing. She knew he would, but it would take some sly manipulation and he could handle that. Kemoth hadn't ruined him. Shevorth had to believe that as she took her last breath. Everything she did, she did for the good of her people, the Volcanic Dragons, for the good of the Bearded Dragons, and for the love of her son and her daughter, even if she couldn't raise them.

  My phone started ringing in my hand, I had been looking at a picture of her, never expecting to see her again. I had scared her because it was expected, but I planned all along to tell her the truth.

  "Hello, Lennon?"

  "Hello, Kiana," I replied, unsure of the reason she was calling, but hopeful. I understood that Tank was her soulmate and I needed to make a play in order to overthrow Jaco. Six months ago, I was hell-bent on the destruction of the Kindra, now I understood what that truly meant and it would be over my dead body.

  "I need to save Tank." I exhaled and waited. "I'll marry you." I closed my eyes, needing to play the game just right or ruin everything before it was sealed.

  "Tell me where I can find you."

  "You'll do it? You'll marry me for his release?"

  "Yes, Kiana," I answered. I had no intention of marrying her, but she didn't need to know that right now. I wanted a relationship with her, though, I wasn't going to be shy about that. I needed a relationship with my only living blood relative.

  I closed my eyes tightly and took a deep breath before I turned the knob on my door. As I stepped from the room, three sets of eyes looked my way. "Kiana?" Miranda questioned.

  "Kelvin is my life. I love him. I can't sit by and watch him suffer. Not when I can save him." I choked up as the words tumbled from my mouth.

  Max stepped forward. "This wouldn't be what Tank would want."

  I nodded, "I know, but he can't always be the hero. He's been my savior since the moment we met." I looked over at Miranda and she covered her mouth with her hand as she tried to hold back her sobs.

  "Kiana, this will crush him." I closed my eyes and felt the tears slip from them.

  "I know. Max, I can't let him suffer," I whispered.

  His strong hands came to my shoulders and I opened my eyes to look at him. "Then I'm begging you, please don't do this."

  I swallowed and reached into the back pocket of my jeans, "Give him this." I handed the letter I had written Kelvin over to Max before turning and walking toward the door. No one stopped me, but I heard Max curse before I heard Miranda and Liz openly sobbing.

  I exited the house and headed toward where Lennon and I discussed. This was it. I left my heart with Kelvin the day he left to turn himself in. I didn't want to marry anyone else, but if it saved Kelvin, then I would do whatever I had to do.

  I had a strange feeling, one I most certainly didn't like. "Son?"

  I paused my pacing and looked my dad's way, "Something is wrong."

  "Call Sniper." I nodded and looked toward the door. No noise outside meant I was likely safe to make a call.

  "Tank." I heard his voice while the phone was still ringing and I looked toward the window. That was when my world shattered.

  "She's gone."

  "Liz gave her the marriage bond," he confirmed.

  "And she just went?" I fell to my knees.

  "She wants to save you."

  "Damn it, Sniper! Why didn't you stop her?" I was at my breaking point.

  "I tried to talk her out of it, but Liz is right."

  "About what?" I hissed.

  "Kiana needs to do this. You took the decision out of her hands. Liz gave it back to her."

  "She can't. I love her. I won't survive without her," I admitted.

  "It'll work out." I shook my head and walked away from the window. No, it wouldn't work out because, in order to save me, to save my community, she would have to marry another man. I prayed for Jaco and Maniac to return and end my life.

  "For Kelvin. For Kelvin," I chanted. "My Tank. My rock. My savior." Lennon led me to a bedroom and I knew he had heard my chants, but I didn't care. I was marrying him for Kelvin's release and he needed to know that I would always belong to him.

  "Sit down, Kiana," he ordered, but it was different than how I remembered him. Before, he had scared me, now I was seeing the guy I happily chatted with at dinner.

  I took a seat on the bed and he leaned up against a dresser, facing me. "How soon can we get married?" I asked.

  "We aren't getting married," he answered.

  "But you promised...his release." I started breathing heavy. He had lied to me. This was the end, he was going to kill me.

  "Kiana, calm down. The marriage isn't to me."

  I exhaled, "Then who?"

  "Him," he answered simply and I stared at him in shock.

  "I don't understand. If...but if..." He held his hand up, silencing me.

  "Our mom purposely wrote it in a way that would make others think it was me you had to marry. For a long time, I hated what she had done. My father drilled into me how her betrayal ruined him and then, one day..." I held my hand up, this time interrupting him.

  "Our mom?" He smiled and nodded. "Oh my God," I gasped.

  "So, as I was saying..." he chuckled and I relaxed. "Our mom left me stuff, coded messages, to show me how important it was to keep our society integrated."

  "So why not tell me this all before?"

  He shrugged, "It wasn't the right time. I wasn't sure Tank was the one. I knew he was on my plant when I brought you in. I needed to see what he would do. I overheard Jaco give the mission to Sam and I knew he'd pass it to Tank."

  "Can I see him?"

  He nodded, "But you can't tell him. Not yet. Let him think you're marrying me." I closed my eyes and nodded. The hardest thing I would have to do is look him in the eyes and tell him I was going to marry another.

  The door to the chamber opened and in walked Kiana, Lennon behind her. I stared at her, feeling broken and angry. "How could you?" I bit out. She walked toward me and I took a step back.

  "I had to save you," she admitted and I shook my head.

  "No! I would rather die than live without you."

  She walked toward me and I couldn't back up on her again. "I love you," she whispered as she threw herself into my arms.

  I held her tightly as she cried in my arms. "Baby, please don't marry him."

  She shook her head and I pulled her back to look at her. "I can't let you suffer. Not when I can sa
ve you."

  "I can't live without you," I pleaded and she looked back at Lennon. I felt her sigh before she looked my way again.

  "I'm sorry, Kelvin." She stepped out of my arms and took his hand. The look in her eyes tore me to shreds. She didn't want this.

  "Vanlith, please don't. I need her. Please don't take her from me," I begged.

  "She made her choice, Tank. Marriage for your release." And just like that, they were gone. I fell to the floor, wishing someone would end my life.

  I wanted to be alone. Leaving Kelvin heartbroken nearly destroyed me. "I promise, Kiana, we'll tell him soon." I nodded and he left me alone.

  When my phone started ringing, I was surprised it was Kelvin. "Hello," I choked out.

  "Is there any way I can change your mind?"

  "Kelvin, please don't make this harder than it already is," I begged, my heart couldn't take it.

  "Harder. Harder." His words were harsh and I winced. "Kiana, you are marrying another guy."

  I started sobbing, "I love you."

  "If you love me, then please don't do this."

  "You suffered because of me! You shouldn't be in that cell!" I hollered at him.

  "Kiana, I did this so we could be together!" he shouted back.

  He'd understand when Lennon told him the truth, but right now, I had to keep quiet. It was killing me to do that. "Kelvin, please understand."

  "I can't understand this." He expelled a breath, "I know I haven't been what you needed. I know I sent mixed signals. I...I can't even begin to apologize for that. I don't want to lose you."

  "I don't love him," I admitted.

  "Then why are you doing this?"

  "For you. For your dad. Kelvin, you saved my life the moment we met. You protected me, even when I didn't know you were. Let me protect you now." I wiped the tears from my eyes, hoping he would just let it go, but I knew him and he'd never let me go.

  "This is what you truly want?"

  I swallowed. "Yes," I muttered.

  "Goodbye, Kiana." When he hung up, I lost it. Any control I had left vanished the moment the word goodbye fell from his lips. I couldn't keep this secret long. I needed Lennon to make a play and make it fast, before I lost Kelvin forever.

  She was gone. I couldn't believe she was just gone. "Son?" I looked up at my dad, not embarrassed by the tears I felt in my eyes.

  "She's getting married," I rasped.

  "Yes."

  "Why? I know I shouldn't have sent all the mixed signals, but she knew I loved her."

  I balled my fists at my side.

  "My boy, she's not getting married because you sent her mixed signals. She knows how much you love her, and I have no doubt she loves you too. This is killing her, but son, she's doing this because she doesn't want to lose you."

  I shook my head, "How does marrying another ensures that?"

  He smiled, "She'll know you'll be alive. Son, don't you see what she's doing?"

  "I want to, but I love her and I can't stand not having her with me." He walked toward me and hugged me.

  "She loves you and you are suffering..." Before he finished, Lennon walked back in.

  My dad pulled back and we both stared at Lennon. "Sam, I need you for a minute."

  My dad left behind Lennon and gave me a small shrug and a frown before the door closed behind them. Once I was alone, I tried to process what my father had said, but I couldn't because she was still marrying another guy. I was still without her.

  Lennon had said he was going to go get Sam so we could explain. I wanted him to get Kelvin too, but he said he couldn't know yet. As my room door opened, I saw Sam, and I couldn't help it, I launched myself into the arms of my future father-in-law.

  "Shhh..." he whispered as I clung to him.

  "I didn't mean to hurt him," I told him softly. His hands rubbed my back.

  "I know you didn't, but he's crushed."

  "Sam, I have something to tell you," Lennon spoke and Sam pulled away from me.

  "Kiana's marriage. The one she agreed to for Tank's release, isn't to me." I watched as Sam's eyes widened. His gaze shifted between us before he locked eyes with Lennon.

  "Tell me it's not to Jaco." Lennon shook his head.

  "There is a lot I never understood while growing up. Things I'm only beginning to understand. I know this, the Kindra is important for all. Kiana is the Kindra. Kiana is also my sister."

  "Your sister?" Sam questioned as he looked my way. "Why didn't you tell him?"

  "Because Jaco is hell-bent on the destruction of the Kindra. I know Tank, despite being crushed, he'll never give Jaco what he wants. I need just two weeks."

  "Jaco leaves for his hunting trip. He hasn't missed it in three years." I swallowed and waited for Lennon to confirm this.

  "I promise Kiana is safe and I'm going to do everything in my power to keep Jaco from going back to your cell. I promised Kiana he wouldn't get hurt again and I'm going to honor that if I can."

  "You don't want Jaco suspicious of anything," Sam stated.

  "Correct."

  "Hmmm..."

  "Sam, I love him. I want to marry him," I pleaded.

  Sam nodded, "Okay, so what do I tell him."

  "Not much," Lennon admitted and I died a little more.

  Goodbye, Kiana.

  Sam looked my way, "I'll do what I can to get him over the heartbreak."

  "Thank you, Sam," I whispered, but I knew the task wouldn't be easy.

  I looked over at Lennon, pleading for help. "I have an idea."

  He handed Sam a stack of papers and Sam studied them briefly. "We've read all these before."

  Lennon shook his head, "Not like this. These are my copies."

  "What difference does that make?" Sam growled.

  "Trust me. Have Tank read them." Sam snorted but nodded, and Lennon led him away again.

  Lennon had mentioned codes, maybe Tank would be able to see through the lines and find them as well. Then he'd know the truth or at least the start of it.

  When my dad was let back into our chamber, I watched him carefully. There was a stack of papers in his hand. "How is she?" I asked. Even though I had said goodbye, I couldn't just turn away. Kiana was my everything.

  "Heartbroken."

  "Why is she heartbroken, this is what she wanted?" I growled.

  "Tank, read these." He handed the papers to me and I sifted through them.

  "I know all this. I've read them all."

  He nodded, "Do yourself a favor and read them again."

  I shook my head in frustration but promised myself I would read them. I was curious as to why I needed to read them. I took my phone out and texted her.

  KELVIN: I DON'T WANT TO SAY GOODBYE.

  KIANA: I DON'T EITHER

  KELVIN: I CAN'T WATCH YOU MARRY SOMEONE ELSE.

  KIANA: DO YOU HAVE THOSE PAPERS?

  The change of direction was aggravating, but I wasn't going to lie to her.

  KELVIN: YES.

  KIANA: PROMISE YOU'LL READ THEM.

  KELVIN: I PROMISE.

  The situation was killing me with each passing second, but I'd promise her anything and I would honor any promise I made. Kiana was my heart.

  I stared at my brother, not really knowing what to say. He had given me a few minutes alone after taking Sam back to Kelvin, but now he was back. "I want to get to know you," he admitted, sitting against the wall that faced the bed.

  "I'd like that, but I'm having trouble trusting, these days. You scared me."

  He nodded, "I know, but I was struggling with my own demons at the time. I didn't know who to trust, either."

  I pondered that before asking, "Why trust me then?"

  He sighed, "You're the only family I have left." I got up and went to him, hugging him. I knew how he felt. After my parents died, all I had family wise was Carri, but I always had Kelvin too. I wasn't alone, Lennon was.

  "I won't let you be alone," I whispered and he hugged me back. I wanted to get to know him and I was
happy to learn I had some more family. Noise from outside startled us.

  "Shit," he muttered, pulling us up. "Do you remember how you and Tank escaped?" I nodded, not wanting to relive that. He bit his lip, "No chance you want to hang out on the roof again?" he chuckled.

  "No." He nodded and looked out the door.

  "I have an idea." He pulled on my hand and we quickly hurried through some other door. "This is a back way to the cell chamber." I nodded and just followed as he pulled me along.

  "I think this will make Tank happy." He smiled as he unlocked the cell. "I'll be back."

  "Jaco?" I questioned before I stepped into the cell.

  "Yes," he answered as he looked over my shoulder and his eyes connected with Kelvin's. "I know you'll take care of her."

  I looked Kelvin's way and his arms were crossed, but he gave Lennon a quick nod and that was that. I was alone with Kelvin and Sam. We stood staring at each other saying nothing, but saying everything. He sighed and opened his arms and I raced into them.

  As I held her my world felt complete. "Shhh...I've got you."

  She shuddered in my arms, "I need you to always have me."

  "But you're marrying someone else." She shook her head. "No?"

  "Just hold me. I need my Tank," she answered. The change of subject again bothered me, but I couldn't ignore the desperation in her voice.

  "I'll always hold you. I'm always going to be yours. Whatever you need me to be," I whispered as I stroked her hair.

  "I just need you to be you." I smiled at her comment and held her tighter against me. I could do that. I could be myself. I felt the most like myself when I was around her. I relaxed and just let things happen.

  "Don't marry him for me," I whispered.

  She pulled back and stroked my face with her hand. "Have you read the papers?" I frowned and shook my head, "Please read them." I nodded as I pulled her back against me.