The Dragon Keeper's Destiny: Mystic's Tale, #2

By Lizzie Anne Love

Some people search for their destiny. Mine gets jammed into my face with a serving of weird and scary.

It's not my fault I got sent to live on the wrong side of the portal… and hatching a dragon, that just kind of happened. And I for sure wasn't supposed to turn into an elven being with pointed ears and purple hair. All I ever wanted was to marry Anthony, the guy I've been crushing on since first grade.

Now this sick dude from the other side wants me to marry him. AS IF! I'd like to tell him to just shove it, except he's kidnapped my baby brother to force my hand.

Lucky for me, I have some good friends. They are either brave or crazy enough to risk their lives to help me rescue him, including my crush!

My dragon might come in handy, too. Although, I think Anthony may like my dragon more than me.
Oh, and did I mention the fairy queen? She's demanding I complete a bunch of stupid quests. She says it's my destiny to save her realm and all the mythical creatures. Am I supposed to abandon my brother to save the realm? The whole thing just sucks…

Unless I can figure out how to save them both at the same time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: LoveLightPress
• Release date: May 20, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201263348

Book preview

Chapter 1

Arietta

Through the portal

I felt as if we’d been dropped in the middle of an ocean with neither sail, wind, nor compass. Even if I’d had a north star to guide me, I had no idea which direction to go to find my baby brother, J.W.

Holding tight to Anthony’s hand on my right, Jayme, my other best friend, on my left and Morgan, my newest friend, behind us, we had just stepped through the glimmering portal into Terabound. Several weeks ago, Romeleo told me I’m from this alternate realm, but I have no recollection since I was not quite two when I’d been taken from here. Wherever here was.  

I locked eyes with my dragon. You seem to have a natural instinct about who we are and why we’re here. Any idea which way we need to go? 

His dilated green eyes focused on me for a moment, before he spun around to view the forest around us. Sadly, I don’t.

Great drops of water dripped from the ferns and landed soundlessly onto the loamy forest floor. It must have rained moments ago, except the sky was cloudless and a full moon amplified eerie shadows from the trees overhead. Mists swirled eerily around our feet. The trees cast faint otherworldly shadows where the moon shone through the boughs. My heart constricted with fear. I’d only seen this part of Terabound through the Earthbound side of the portal. My mind raced at what we were facing.

Faltering at the daunting task before us, I turned back to the darkened portal. It had sealed tight once more, and even if I wanted to go back, I didn’t know if I had the energy to open it. My limbs ached, especially where the evil mystic’s minion had broken my arm. I squeezed Anthony’s hand, grateful he’d managed to use the pendant to heal me.

Anthony squeezed back, and I was comforted that he’d insisted on coming along. At least I wouldn’t be alone.

He flipped the switch, lighting the end of his staff and pointed it into the dense underbrush. Any idea which way to go? 

I shook my head. No, and Miri doesn’t either. 

Morgan stepped beside me. Yeah, we heard. 

I’d almost forgotten that since we all belonged to the Fellowship, we could read each other’s mind. Miri called it mind-speak. 

A snap in the underbrush sent us spinning toward the sound, and I ducked, yanking Jayme down beside me. Anthony and Morgan followed suit.

The hem of a white robe glimmered in the pale light. Romeleo? I whispered. 

Arietta? His voice almost shimmered in the dim moonlight, like water cascading over slick, mossy rocks in a creek, so much like the voice I remembered the night my brother almost drowned. 

When I stood, his eyes met mine. I took a step as if to run toward him, but anger held me back. You said you’d come for me. 

He approached me, while ignoring my question. This infuriated me to no end. How could he just abandon us, and now he shows up as if nothing bad had happened, as if my whole world hadn’t been completely transformed. What are you doing here? I told you to wait for me, he asked.

Because of his absence, my brother had been kidnapped, my family endangered, and I’d almost gotten killed. With a hard shove I unbalanced him. You left me alone. Where were you?

He took an unsteady step backward before regaining his balance. I was a little busy. 

Beside me Anthony clenched and unclenched his fist. This was my battle, not his. I wrapped my fingers around his curled ones and spoke to Romeleo. Why did guys have to be so vague...especially the mystic. You never give me a straight answer.  He’d done nothing but cause all kinds of problems, starting with stealing my mother’s pendant. I touched it where it lay beneath my tunic.

I was on my way to get you. Romeleo’s gaze drifted from me to my companions one by one, stopping at Anthony, an odd expression crossing his face, like he remembered him from that day in the park. I couldn’t tell if he was upset more by Anthony’s presence, or all of my friends combined. You were foolish to bring them here. 

Well, duh, I knew that, but they’d already decided I shouldn’t come alone, and I was comforted to know they were here with me. They insisted.  

Romeleo’s eyes hardened in the moonlight. They have no business being here. 

Anthony’s arm went around my shoulder. No way was I going to let her come without me. 

Jayme took my hand. Or me. 

Or me, either. Morgan stood beside Jayme. 

With a soft groan, Romeleo raked his hand through his hair, the pale locks lifting and floating as they had when we’d first met him. Had that only been a month ago? It felt like an eternity. He eyed the rock behind us. Unfortunately, I can’t send you back now. His gaze turned to Anthony. Unless you know how to open it again. Was that sarcasm in his voice?

Why would Anthony know how to open it? I was the one with the pendant and the power. They’re not going back. I want them here. I jammed my fists on my hips.

You have no idea how this complicates things. Romeleo shook his head. We can’t stay out here. Fir’inis already suspects you’ve come through the portal, and he’ll have spies searching for you. 

Fir’inis? Was that the person or creature or whatever who’d caused all this trouble? 

As if at the mention of my enemy’s name, a familiar bat-like, bird-like creature screeched from overhead. My stomach lurched and my heart raced. Not again! I’d heard that same bone-chilling flapping when one carried me off. 

A netherbeast. Its feathery wings spread out against the moonlight casting an eerie silhouette against the light behind. It opened its beak, ready to strike.

Swooping down like an avenging eagle it extended its talons. In fear, I froze. The hair on the back of my neck and arms stood on end as I waited for it to scoop me up and throw me over its shoulder like it had the last time.

That was the old Loretta, the girl I used to be. As the evolving me was settling into my new identity, I whipped my bow off my shoulder, nocked an arrow, and released it toward the beast. Not this time! I screamed.

As if anticipating the strike, it yanked its body sideways, the arrow whizzing over its shoulder. With another ear-piercing screech, the netherbeast descended toward us. 

Jayme held her polearm behind her shoulder like a bat, waiting for the beast to come closer. Morgan pulled a battle axe with a gleaming blade set in a steel handle from the leather belt fastened to his back. He circled it over his head.

I nocked another arrow and shot. Again, the creature dodged the strike. 

With talons splayed, the netherbeast flew straight for me, snatching at my shadow when I ducked. Both Jayme and Morgan charged, swinging their weapons, each missing the beast as they collided. Jayme ducked under Morgan’s axe slicing the air over her head. The polearm in Jayme’s hand landed a hard blow to Morgan’s shoulder.

In a piercing cry of pain, Morgan fell to the ground. Luckily, the bayonet on the end of her weapon missed slicing off his arm; luckily, it only cut through the leather of his tunic.

The beast flew into the air and circled for another dive at me. 

Why wasn’t Anthony doing anything? He normally took charge, even though this time, I’d insisted on being the mystic leader. And what about Romeleo? He’d battled these things before. Where was his dragon? Malandra? Where are you? Her fire power would have been nice to have.

She didn’t answer me.

Miri, do something. I shouted at him in mind speak. 

My dragon huddled on the ground next to Anthony who stood with his hands over his ears. What was happening with them?

While the netherbeast circled, I pushed Anthony, trying to get his attention. What’s going on?

He toppled to the ground and didn’t even try to right himself but lay mysteriously frozen like he’d been that day in the park when we first met Romeleo. 

Do something, I yelled at the mystic who stood motionless, gazing at the netherbeast with an expression of horror on his face.  Romeleo hadn’t had any trouble fighting off the evil mystic and his beast-minion once before. Why was he just standing there like an observer?

The creature advanced again. Did I seriously have to do this myself? I ducked, swinging my bow at the beast. It caught in its talons. Not my dad’s compound bow! He’d kill me if I didn’t return it. I snatched Anthony’s staff and aimed it at the beast. What had Anthony done to make it work? I hit the switch and caught the flying demon in a ray of levitation and slammed it against the ground.

Good job. Morgan ran to the beast, flailing his axe over his head. Then smashing it forward, he missed as the beast rolled over. Can’t you hold him? he shouted back at me. 

I flipped the switch again, but the creature rolled away from the beam I shot at him. If I pounded the staff on the ground, it would send a shockwave, incapacitating it. The whomp on the ground, rocked the netherbeast backward, stunning him for a moment.

Jayme picked up her polearm and pointed the blade end, gesturing in a menacing way at the beast, then running, she tried to jab at the under belly of the creature.

The beast shook his head, then batted at Jamie like an annoying plastic grocery sack and sent her tumbling. She hit a pine tree. Moaning, she slumped to the ground.

This was six of us against one measly monster. Surely, we could defeat this thing. Where was Romeleo?

He lay in the pine needles. Had my shockwave done that to him? I didn’t have time to help him. Instead, I aimed once more at the creature and pressed the switch. Nothing happened. What were the other things Anthony’s staff could do? Fire power. But if the beast could avoid the levitation, it could probably dodge a direct blast as well.

Jayme moaned and barely lifted her head. The beast had her trapped against the massive tree. With its monstrous jaws, it snatched her polearm and flicked it away like a toothpick. It growled and opened its mouth, teeth gleamed in the half light, like they’d been coated with glow-in-the dark paint. All it would take was one chomp, and Jayme would cease to exist. 

Leave my friend alone. It’s me you want!  I mind-shouted at the beast as I aimed the staff at it. 

It roared and spun its massive head toward me for a moment, then with gleaming eyes it focused back on Jayme.

Before it could close its humongous jaws around Jayme, I slammed the end of the staff onto the ground. The shockwave sent the beast flailing backward. It collided with the unyielding ground in a loud thump, shaking the trees. Pinecones and needles rained around us.

Roaring in pain, it rolled to one side. Master will not be happy.

I snatched up Jayme’s polearm and raced across the forest floor, the soft needles, muffling the sound. You can tell your master I’m coming for my brother. I plunged the bayonet into its heart.

The creature jerked at the thrust and stared up at me, its eyes dimming as the life drained out of it, then it vanished into thin air. Breathing heavily, I dropped the polearm and rubbed my sweating palms against my leggings. 

Jayme got to her feet and raced over to me and put her hand on my shoulder, then she wrapped me in a tight hug. You saved my life.

I ignored her for the moment and went to my dragon. Miri shook himself and stood. I’m sorry. I don’t know what happened to me. Please forgive me.

Anthony dusted off his jeans as he let his gaze fall on Miri. I’m sure glad your dragon fixed my staff.

I glared at him. What the heck happened to you back there? 

He rubbed his forehead. I don’t know how to explain it…like something froze me, and I was kind of incapacitated. 

I really didn’t want to be angry with him, especially after he’d saved my life… not to mention he’d almost kissed me. Like that day in the park? I softened my words and ran my hands down my leggings. It’s too bad you didn’t get a chance to use this. I handed the staff back to him. You would have been amazing, I’m sure. Whoever or whatever had taken over his mind would make it too dangerous for him to be here, especially if it happened again. I had to send them all back before they got hurt or killed. I put my hand on Anthony’s shoulder. You can’t stay here."

Jayme stepped between us, her focus on Anthony. It’s... it’s okay. She tried to sound confident, but I could tell by the tremor in her voice, she was still terrified by what had just happened. You’ll get the next one. She patted Anthony’s hand and turned to me. It’s seriously, okay. We want to stay with you.

Adrenalin still pumping, I grabbed her shoulders. No, it’s not okay.

Arietta, you beat it. She still had ahold of Anthony’s hand, fear apparent on her face.

She’d been at the Halloween party and had seen the battle, but I doubted she understood what we were up against. This isn’t some theatrical event. These monsters are real and will try to kill you. I eyed Morgan, where he ran his hand along the handle of his battle axe. This isn’t a game.

Anthony peered around Jayme. Yeah, and what about your dragon? Some help he was. 

I turned to Miri who still looked as though he couldn’t move. What about that? Why didn’t you help?

My dragon hung his head. I don’t know what happened. Something took over my mind, and I couldn’t even control my thoughts.

The last time my dragon and I had been attacked, Miri had been invaluable. At the Halloween party, I couldn’t have defeated the mystics and all their minions without him. We should have been able to take the beast down so much easier if Miri had helped.

Groaning, Romeleo sat and rubbed the back of his head. "That’s what happens when I’m not part of your Fellowship." 

The shockwave I sent to the beast had hit Romeleo as well. I hovered over him.  Why did you paralyze Miri and Anthony? He’d done that to Anthony once before. He’d even messed with time for Jayme and erased everything we’d filmed that day.

It wasn’t me. He rubbed the back of his head. And netherbeasts can’t do that. 

Then who? I searched the area looking for another evil dude who might still be lurking. 

He lifted one shoulder and winced. Fir’inis. He might be close enough to do that. We can’t stay here. He tried to stand but fell back down.

Knowing how we’d been attacked on the Earth side of the portal, I understood exactly why we needed to leave this place. I knelt next to Romeleo and held out the pendant, expecting to heal him as I did the last time.

He pushed my hand away. You need to save your energy. Someone might have a greater need for it later. 

Not liking the ominous tone of his words, I drew my eyebrows together. I thought that it had unlimited abilities.

Romeleo shook his head. It does, but you do not. 

I knelt beside him. "Turn around and let me at least look at your head.

He allowed me to examine the goose egg forming. Ouch, he cried out when I touched it. 

Gingerly, I explored around the bump to see if he was bleeding anywhere. I don’t think it’s too bad.

Anthony took my hand and drew me away from the group. Are you sure we can trust this mystic guy? 

I barely nodded. He saved my brother... and me. 

Yeah, well—he also controlled my mind.

True, but he’d been so much more to me. He helped me hatch my dragon, had shown me how to use the pendant.  

Romeleo stood and shifted the satchel back onto his shoulder, regarding my friends with concern. I can’t send you back now with Fir’inis lurking nearby. He motioned to the portal. Come, let’s get somewhere safe.

Chapter 2

So much for teamwork

Romeleo wobbled to his feet and pointed to Morgan where he still sat on the ground rubbing the back of his head. Go check on your friend.

Still breathing heavily, I knelt beside him. You alright?

Morgan rolled to his knees and ran his hand over the torn part of his tunic. I’m okay. He pulled his hand away. Look, no blood. He held out his calloused fingers for me to see. He’d spent too many days designing my elven costume.

As Romeleo turned a guarded expression toward Jayme, I sighed in relief that none of my friends had been injured.

Morgan turned to Jayme. You need to watch where you’re swinging that thing. If I could have just gotten in closer without your interference, I could have sliced off its head with my axe.  

I’d been friends with Jayme long enough to know that she’d never injure anyone. You almost sliced off mine instead, she said. She was always careful, even when we used to play pretend. But now, we were in a whole different realm. No more games of fake magic. We were playing for real, and it could get deadly, even on accident.

Morgan motioned to his torn tunic. I nearly lost my arm.

Jayme slammed the blunt end onto the ground. If you hadn’t butted in, I could have killed it. My polearm has a better reach than your stupid axe. She motioned to Morgan’s weapon.

 Only because you got in the way. He took a menacing step toward Jayme. You don’t know the first thing about fighting mythical creatures, and you’ve had no experience in group combat. I’ve had a lifetime of practice, working with a team." 

Anthony pushed his way forward. Ugh, your stupid game again! Real life is a lot more complicated. 

I tried to hold Anthony back, while Morgan tucked his axe into his harness. "Battle for the Realm requires epic skills to defeat a mob member," he defended.

Anthony jabbed his finger into Morgan’s chest. Except we’re not playing a game.  

Morgan knocked Anthony’s hand away. Sure, like you did anything. While we were fighting, you were cowering on the ground like a scared little girl. 

Romeleo waved his hand over us, and we froze, unable to move or speak.  Children. 

He was calling us children when he wasn’t much older than we were? If I’d been able to move, I would have glared at him. Why had Romeleo frozen us? Maybe, Anthony was right—maybe the mystic was the bad guy. No, he couldn’t be. He’d given me the egg with my precious dragon, Miri. The time J.W. nearly drowned, Romeleo had practically brought him back to life. Then that day in the forest when Omevar had carried me across the mountain top, he’d come to my rescue. Romeleo wasn’t the one who took my brother. At least, I didn’t think he had. What would be the point in that? He could have lured me here. I just couldn’t let myself believe as Anthony suggested that Romeleo would betray me. I swallowed and tried to discern from Romeleo’s eyes if he was sinister. 

The mystic’s gaze went around the circle of us. Before you can defeat Fir’inis, you have to learn how to work together as a team. It takes five fingers to make a fist. 

I couldn’t say anything out loud, but I could still mind-speak to the group. We need to trust him.

Trust? Anthony said. Even in mind-speak, I could tell by the tone of his thoughts that he was questioning Romeleo’s motives, just like I had before he’d saved my brother. 

I tried to look at each of my friends but found even my eyes couldn’t move. I have this gut feeling. I can’t explain it… Maybe it was how Frodo trusted Gandalf, or Luke trusted Obi Wan, or even the Pevensie kids trusted Aslan.

Mind-speak? Romeleo asked, disgust thick in his voice. Derisively he waved his hand, and we unfroze. 

Gasping, I took a deep gulp of air as if I’d been holding my breath. Was this how Fir’inis managed to control Anthony.

What the heck..., Anthony choked out. 

Romeleo pushed past my friends and grabbed my elbow, moving me away from the group. We have to get far from this place. If Fir’inis sent one minion, he’ll send more, especially if he’s close. We certainly can’t defeat anything with you all too afraid to fight and nearly killing each other because of your lack of experience. He picked up my bow, handed it to me, then motioned for my friends to follow him. 

Morgan’s thoughts came out in quick succession. I don’t like this one bit. There’s something sinister lurking with this guy. I’m not about to trust him. How do you know he is who he says?

Miri had morphed back into his cat form and stood next to me. I petted the top of his head and looked back at Morgan. He hadn’t seen the things I’d seen, even if he did think his game was a result of someone understanding what existed on this side of the portal. I trust him.

Morgan shook his head. I’ve read enough stories to know that the last person you suspect to betray is exactly the one who does. Maybe this Fir’inis guy is the real hero in this story. I mean, couldn’t Romeleo have sent that beast to attack us just to get us on his side?

Romeleo stopped and turned to us. "If you’re going to communicate using mind speak, maybe you should let me be in the Fellowship with you."

Nope! Anthony gripped his staff and pointed it at Romeleo. 

Jayme stood with her hands on her hips. Morgan’s right. 

Romeleo drew his brows together. About what? 

Anthony stood beside me. Until you prove otherwise, we don’t trust you. We’re here to protect Loretta...I mean Arietta. Jeez, sorry Arietta, I’m still having trouble with that. He put his hand on my arm. And we have to get her brother back.

Romeleo ignored what Anthony had just said. Your skills need honing. 

I stopped and looped the bow string over my shoulder, positioning it on my back next to my quiver. He hadn’t seen the way I’d managed to use my weapon against those creatures at the party. I did great when Miri and I fought all those minions and their mystics. And we didn’t get any assistance from you or... I turned to my companions who hadn’t helped at all in my earlier battle back in Earthbound. I wanted them here, but their very presence meant, I was putting them in grave danger.

Anthony gripped his staff. You only defeated that beast because of this. 

Arietta put her hands on her hips. And whose dragon made it magical? I stroked the top of Miri’s head.

Romeleo shook his head. That’s why we’re going to train. He gave a disgusted huff. If you humans are going to be here, then you might as well learn how to be useful. 

Morgan’s stance proclaimed loud and clear that he had no intention of being left out. I agree, but I still don’t trust you.

Even though I hadn’t known Morgan as long as I had Anthony and Jayme, I knew deep down he’d do anything to protect me.  His actions so far had made that clear. I was already so grateful for his help, and his hesitation toward Romeleo was somewhat comforting. He cared enough to be wary, and like the others, I knew he’d be there when things got rough.

Romeleo brushed off his robe and rubbed the back of his head. "Joining your Fellowship would keep me from getting injured." 

Trust first, Anthony said.

Romeleo grumbled something under his breath, then said aloud, This way. He held his hand in front of him and with a majestic waving motion, he parted the underbrush, providing a path for us to follow. We best get moving.

Why are we going with him? Anthony asked.

You have a better plan? I thought back to him.

Well, no… not really, he shot back. Miri, what do you think?

I wished I’d thought to ask my dragon about Romeleo. Miri, what do you sense from Romeleo? Is he who he says he is? Can we trust him?

Miri walked beside me, the warmth of his fur comforting when he brushed against my legs. I trust him. He’s kept me safe for fifteen years.

If Romeleo wanted Miri for himself, he would have never brought him to me and helped me hatch and bond with my dragon.

If Miri trusts him, then I do, too, Morgan messaged.

Romeleo hadn’t waited to see if we’d followed him. I had to hurry to catch up, while the others filed in behind us.  

Anthony quick-stepped to walk beside me, the underbrush parting to allow us to walk side by side. He took my hand. I liked the way his palm felt against mine, sending little tingles up my arm. I wish Morgan hadn’t interrupted us before Anthony had a chance to kiss me. Was my hand in his a continuation of how he felt about me? I glanced down at where his fingers wrapped gently around my hand. It was like when we were younger and didn’t think much about being a boy and a girl. We were just friends. Yet, I desired more. Did he feel the same way? Did he want to kiss me because he liked me, or was it just a way of being friends, like when we were in elementary school? When had he quit holding my hand? Maybe when the other kids at school teased him. His fingers wrapped around mine didn’t feel like a friendship thing, though. It felt like more. Suddenly, as if reading my mind, he squeezed my hand, and I squeezed back.

Romeleo turned and narrowed his eyes at Anthony and said half whispering, "Quickly, shut your light off. We