Tales of Novia, Book 4: Tales of Novia, #4

By Jessica Cage

When darkness comes, those who are sworn to protect the light must stand.

 

The dragon Queen has awakened from her slumber and she has her eyes set on one thing. During the century of her absence, her people failed to find the egg that was stolen from her.

The Queen will do whatever it takes to get her egg back and she'll cut down anyone who tries to stand in her way. Including her own kind.

Now, our Novian crew, those working to keep their world in balance, must come together in hopes of finding a way to appease the dragon Queen. But what they don't know is that there is more at play.

A greater evil threatens Novia and if they don't stop figure out a way to stop it, all will be lost.

Inspired by creators found on TikTok, Tales of Novia is a new project written by USA Today Bestselling Author, Jessica Cage!

 

This book includes the following stories:

A Mother's Sorrow

A Lion's Pride

The Stables

A Frozen Heart

Return to the Queen

They All Fall Down

The Wrap Up

 

Grab your copy today and dive into this collection of interconnected stories that will take you on an exciting new adventure!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jessica Cage
• Release date: Dec 27, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215255438

Book preview

To my grandmother.

I carry you with me always.

Your fire is my own.

Like the blue phoenix, you loved so much, I’ll keep it burning bright.

Miss you always.

A Big Thank You to the wonderful

Naomi who helped me whip this story into shape and didn’t kill me when I decided to completely scrap and rewrite the fourth book at the eleventh hour. Your support through this process was unmatched.

I am forever grateful.

A Mother’s Sorrow

Chapter One

W hat news do you bring me? Noella tapped her black nails against the stone armrest. Her voice deep with centuries of sorrow. Tell me you have something better to report than those before you.

The Dragon Queen sat in her throne, her chamber empty. Since her awakening, she’d spent much of her time alone with her thoughts. Only bothered by her attendants who fed, bathed, and dressed her. Her dark skin highlighted by the flicker of candlelight, she looked down on yet another one of her servants, a man name Jericho, who she hoped brought news of her missing egg.

Your grace, I’m sorry, I– with frightened eyes, he knelt before her to give his report. We’ve searched everywhere, and just as before, we’ve found no trace of your egg.

You fail me. Just like all the others. She sighed, tapped her nails again and before rising from the chair. What of Cypher? Has anyone located the missing traitor yet? Or are you all just as inept with this task as the other?

We had sights on him, but he’s vanished. The man reported, still knelt at the foot of her throne.

Vanished? Her hollow laugh bounced off the cave walls. A century I’ve been away from this world. Lost in an endless dream, one that turned dark so often. You know I dreamt we were all together. A family. So many times, I woke up with my child in my arms, only for her to vanish. Taken from me. Time and time again. And here I find that while I slumber, trapped in my own mind by the magic of witches, my people took no care in finding the person responsible for my greatest lost. And on top of that the one person who can help, the one person who should have figured this out by now, is missing.

I’m sorry. Jericho spoke, his fear evident in the tremble of his voice.

Did I ask for your apologies? Does it make you feel better to hand over your sorry to me? Have you convinced yourself that it will rid me of this sense of loss? She descended the three steps from her throne. Stand.

The man stood and Noella sneered but stopped as she really looked at this man. She leaned forward peering into his golden-brown eyes then sucked her teeth in resignation.

You’re so beautiful. You know. You remind me of how we used to be. Magnificent and whole. Your eyes are that of the former king. Same color. And this skin of yours, deep like the shadows of the woods. For that I’ll spare you the fate of the others who failed. She nodded to the pile of charred bones to the left of her throne and his eyes followed her direction. But you have one more task and if you do not give me what I want, you will join your pathetic partners.

Yes, anything, he choked out.

Cypher has a sister. Find her. If anyone can locate the obsidian dragon, it’s her. Noella grabbed the man by his squared jaw, her sharp nails cutting into his face. Let her know that if she doesn’t succeed, I will rain fire on this world. I will not stop until every piece of earth is burned beyond recognition. Do you understand?

Yes. His confirmation was a shaky breath of air.

Good, because I’d hate to destroy such a beautiful face. Noella released him and returned to her throne. Go to your task.

Stumbling out of the cave, Jericho wiped the sweat from his brow. He knew how close he’d been to death. If Noella hadn’t seen something in his eyes, she would have added his corpse to her collection.

As he stepped into the sun, he realized time was against him. She gave him a week. Seven days to solve a problem that their people hadn’t cracked in over a century. How exactly did she expect him to have any more luck than the rest?

He stood outside the cavern, considering his options. He could run, and try to hide, but she would find him. No one was truly free of their queen. If she wanted to, she could have called Cypher’s sister just as she had him. But she didn’t, and he wondered why. Why was she taking the careful route with the woman?

Jericho had a profile on the sister, just as he had Cypher. She lived in the land of songbirds. Not exactly a common thing for dragons to coexist with songbirds, but Cypher was a powerful man with friends in many places. His friendships gave his sister safe passage in areas other dragons wouldn’t dream of going. And now, Jericho had to fly right into the bird’s nest and hope that none of them turned their mind-numbing tune on him.

He lingered a moment too long and the shriek that rang out from the cave behind him brought him to his knees. Noella could feel his indecision. He clutched the sides of his head and screamed as her power expanded in his mind.

"Do not fail me again, child!" Her disgust was a stabbing sensation that made his vision blur and his ears bleed. Go now!

He stood, stumbled forward, and called his wings to show. The pain of her mental invasion lasted until he was above the clouds. He hoped like hell that he could find the sister and get the job done because he had no doubt that Noella would do exactly what she said.

Four hours later, he landed in the fields that surrounded Kilosh. As with most places, he couldn’t just land in their territory. He had to approach as a man, and request access. Having never been to Kilosh, he worried that his knowledge of the territory wasn’t enough to grant him favor with whoever protected their borders.

His wings folded back, and the robes that covered his body reappeared. Not many people had the spelled robes, but they came in handy. Unfortunately, it meant that he couldn’t take part in trendy fashion and often looked like a monk, but it made traveling easier when he didn’t have to worry about carrying a bag for clothing.

As he walked, he pulled his silken hair up into a knot at the top of his head. Jericho whistled as he approached, it was a nervous tick he developed as a child that he’d never outgrown. The simple melody was one that his grandmother sang when she put him to bed each night.

When the red tented tops came into view, his heart raced. Suddenly the melody wasn’t coming from his lips, instead, it echoed inside his mind.

A gentle pressure massaged his brain. Looking down at his hands, he frowned, wondering why they felt fuzzy. His legs no longer connected, he floated instead of walking across the ground. He thought back on what he’d eaten that day. Perhaps something made him sick. He had had no mushrooms or any other psychedelics. Hell, no one had since the queen returned.

What is happening? Jericho’s words came out slowly and floated in the air in front of his face. How the hell?

Again he watched the words form, then float into the sky. He reached for them and as he did, he fell forward expecting to land in the tall blades of grass that suddenly smelled of sugar and honey, but instead his face met a cloud of lavender fluff and within moments, the gentle aroma lulled him into a deep sleep.

The heat of the sun was only temporarily alleviated by the gentle breeze that woke Jericho from a dream about dancing through the magical waters of Skinoshi Falls. He blinked the fog from his vision and found a woman dressed in all white standing over him.

Who are you, and why are you here? Her wide blue eyes blinked quickly as she examined him. You’re a dragon. You shouldn’t be here.

Where am I? Jericho tried to sit up from the ground, but the mental anchor kept him flat on his back.

You’re outside Kilosh. Landed not far from here. She pointed off into the distance. We don’t get many visitors here, especially dragons.

I-I... Jericho stuttered. I’m here to find a friend.

You have friends in Kilosh? She squatted next to him, poking at his robes. You dress funny.

Yes. I have a friend here, or at least I hope she is still here. I need her help. Jericho ignored the woman’s remarks about his attire.

What’s your friend’s name? She asked. Maybe I’ll let you find them. Not likely, but we can try it out.

Her name is Fatima. She’s a dragon who I believe lives here. He tried to focus on her and not the strong scent of lavender that threatened to put him back to sleep.

You believe she lives here? I thought you said she was your friend. You’re not sure where your friend lives? She looked at the horizon. A dragon, you say?

Yes, she’s a dragon. Okay, the term friend may have been a bit of a stretch. I was sent to find her because her brother is missing. She is our best bet at locating him.

Cypher’s missing? The woman’s eyes widened.

You know him?

I did once. She stood, and the weight faded from Jericho’s mind. Haven’t seen him around here in ages. Not since she came.

So, she is here. Jericho had hope.

Yes, and she’s safe. But we were told not to allow anyone, especially a dragon, near her. She turned to walk away. Sorry, you wasted your time.

Wait, please! Jericho called. I must speak with her. Cypher might be in trouble.

Oh, he most certainly is. Which is why he asked that we don’t allow you to talk to her. She turned back to him and pointed at his forehead. Is your skull so thick that you can’t comprehend the nuance of this situation? I suggest you leave now.

You can’t keep me out. Jericho ran forward trying to follow the songbird who walked away from him. But instead of passing through the field as she did, he hit a wall that he couldn’t see. This abrupt disruption in his path was not the gentle massage as before. It was a mental assault that left him twisted on the ground as the woman sang.

Please, he begged. The queen, she is awake. She will destroy everything if we don’t find him!

Queen? The woman stopped. Your queen is awake?

Yes, and she’s pissed off. The only way we’re going to stop her from starting another war is if we find Cypher. He struggled to speak as he moved to his knees. The only way I’m going to find Cypher is if Fatima helps. She knows him better than anyone else.

Are you telling the truth? The songbird narrowed her gaze.

Why would I be here if not? No dragon comes here. You said it yourself. He offered. She’s awake and every day she gets closer to starting another war. Finding Cypher is the only way we have any chance of stopping that from happening.

Dammit. She looked back over her shoulder toward the red tented tops of Kilosh. Stay here until I return. If you leave or if you try to get in, you will regret it. She turned and walked deeper into the tall grass vanishing in the wind.

Jericho sat on the ground and waited for her return. He knew what her warning meant. If he left, her voice, or another songbird’s, would find him and it would destroy him. Fatima was there, and it was a secret they intended to keep. They couldn’t take the chance that he wouldn’t tell the other dragons, or worst, confirm things with his queen. He considered what would happen if he tried to enter without their permission and quickly decided he didn’t want to know what that would do to him.

Songbirds were powerful beings, even more so since they spent time learning to develop technology which they then used to build their defenses. It used to be they were an easy target and a valuable commodity that most people would do anything to own. It was shortly after the shadow walkers attacked that the inhabitants of Kilosh left behind their gentle manner in favor of more security. With the help of the Pixies, they designed and erected the barrier wall, white stone that only allowed the outside world visage of the red tented tops that covered their home.

Even from above, Kilosh couldn’t be viewed. The same invisible barrier that kept him from moving, blocked all sight of the bird’s territory from above. After the white stone appeared, they put the sonic barrier in place. An invisible force that alerted them to any visitors. Of course, as with Jericho, new people were met with that psychedelic effect. That was until they figured out your purpose for coming. If they thought you wanted to cause them harm, that effect became deadly.

The last people who tried to attack Kilosh, a pack of rogue wolves, ended up with their minds so twisted that they were never able to shift back to their human forms again. The members of The Den had to round them up and deal with them as humanely as possible. They put the pack to sleep, afraid that they would cause more harm to the ecosystem if left unchecked.

The tale of the lost wolves would then carry across Novia as a warning to anyone who dared to come to the city of the songbirds. Jericho knew what he was walking into when Noella told him to find Fatima. They’d never been able to confirm her location because no one dared to get close enough.

He tracked the progress of the sun across the sky. Hours later she returned to him as the pink haze lit the skyline. The sun would give way to the moon soon.

You’re still here. She smirked and ran her hand through the short curls that stood around her face.

You told me not to leave. He pointed out. What exactly did you expect me to do?

That I did. She tapped her finger against her chin. You know, most people just leave. Too afraid I’ll return and sing them into an early grave. She chuckled.

Right. Jericho frowned at her dark joke. Will you help me? Will you allow me to see Fatima?

Yes, she answered. But under one condition. She lifted her finger in front of her face and wagged it at him.

That being? Jericho didn’t know whether to be amused or afraid of the short woman. He could tell she was powerful. That they had her guarding their borders said as much. But was she the kind of powerful that was controlled, or the kind that, if left unchecked, would destroy anything it touched?

I have to stick with you. She smiled widely as if she’d just given him the best present of all. We can’t let a dragon loose in our city without supervision.

Right, of course. He nodded.

I’m Niaome. She held her hand out to him. And you are?

Jericho. He shook her hand. Nice to meet you.

Are you sure about that? She winked. Let’s go, Jericho. You’re only allowed so much time for your visit here. So we need to move quickly.

Niaome turned on her heel and once again walked into the invisible barrier.

You want me to just walk in there? He called out after her before she vanished.

Yes. She looked back at him. How else do you plan on getting in?

What about that barrier? He pointed to the waving ling in the sky. The mark of their invisible barrier wall. If you didn’t know what to work for, you’d never see it.

It won’t hurt you, not now anyway. She tilted her head. Just be good while you’re inside and no harm will come to you. Deal?

Um, yeah. Sure. Deal. Jericho swallowed the knot in his throat and followed the songbird into the void.

Chapter Two

Jericho didn’t intend to hold his breath, but he did. And when they made it to the other side of the wall, he gasped, filling his lungs with much needed air.

Held your breath, didn’t you? Niaome laughed. I never understood why people do that.

Wasn’t sure what to do. In the distance, he could see the city. They were still far off, but Niaome stopped walking and so did he. What now?

Now, we check you for weapons. She winked and stepped back.

Two women dressed in white and red leather approached from either side of him. They went to work patting him down topically first. They untied his hair from the top knot and ran their fingers through the strands.

Clear, one commented, and the other stepped in front of him.

Robe, she pointed. Please open your robe.

I, uh– Jericho hesitated.

Hiding something? She stepped closer to him with a warning look in her eye.

No, I just, he started, but the woman grabbed the tie that held his robe in place and pulled it. The fabric opened to reveal his naked body.

Oh, wow. She stepped back. The dragon goes commando.

Yeah, well, that’s what I wanted to warn you of. He winked at her.

Looks like he’s not carrying anything deadly. The other laughed wiping the smug look off Jericho’s face. He’s good to go.

Thanks, ladies. Niaome pointed to Jericho. Wrap it back up so we can go.

He pulled the robe back around his body and nodded to the women who searched him as he stepped around them to follow Niaome.

You actually walk around like that? She raised a brow, snickering as he fumbled with the material. I’m sure there is a great reason behind that. I’d love to hear it.

It’s easier for me to travel when I’m dressed in robes. He explained as he tied the belt around his waist to secure the robe. Dragons have a different issue to deal with than songbirds. When you’re ready to take flight, your wings sprout from your back, and you can do whatever you want. They don’t rip apart your entire outfit. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy when a dragon wants to fly. My entire body has to change and with that goes any fashionable clothing choices.

And going without underwear fixes that? Niaome rolled her eyes. Sounds suspicious to me.

The robes are spelled by magic. Unfortunately, the package didn’t come with shift proof underwear. When I shift, they become one with my dragon? When I return to myself, they are there to cover me. I don’t have to worry about carrying around a bag of supplies.

What about keeping you warm? They don’t look like they will protect your body from the threats of nature. She continued walking. How do you cope with that?

They’re actually fairly warm. But I’m a dragon, so I have internal heat. We don’t like to wear a lot of clothing anyway.

Good to know. She pursed her lips. Well, we just have to walk a bit and we’ll be at Fatima’s home. Do you know what you’re going to say to her?

No, I hadn’t really thought that far ahead. It’s not exactly as if I got a lot of heads up about having to come here. As far as I know, she wants nothing to do with the dragon community, but I have no way of really knowing if that’s true or not. From the reports he read, Fatima made no contact home since her suspected move to Kilosh.

Yeah, as far as dragons go, she’s not exactly fond of her own kind, Niaome remarked. Which I found really strange because you guys are all about family and upholding the standards of your people. I expected her to be the same, but the few times I mentioned her home, she all but kicked me out of her house. I took that as a cue to stop asking.

So you’re her friend? The two of you have a relationship? Jericho asked. Are you close?

We’ve had something of a friendship, yes. When she first got here, I was the only one she knew. I tried introducing her to more people, but she was reluctant about joining our home and didn’t want to commingle with the general population. I suspected she planned to leave, sneak out in the wee hours of the night. Niaome pulled a small bottle from her jacket pocket and took a sip of what looked like water.

She was a new person in a place that she didn’t even want to be in. Over time I understood it was more than that. Fatima didn’t want to disrupt our world. Something I appreciated her for. You know, when most people come into unfamiliar territory, the first thing they do is learn everything they can. Which you think is a good thing, but eventually, they switch up and try to exploit the local resources. She’s been here for over two decades and as far as most people know, Kilosh is still a dragon free territory.

She’s been out here on her own all this time? Jericho couldn’t imagine living in isolation for so long. For a dragon, twenty years was a drop in the bucket. Still, it was a long time to be alone with your thoughts. He questioned what his state of mind would be like after that.

Yeah, I visit from time to time, and I believe she’s made a couple of other friends. But she spends most of her days in her home, alone.

I guess I should think more about my approach to this. In his rush to do as the Queen asked, Jericho hadn’t considered Fatima might not be in a great state of mind. How would she take his presence? More importantly, how would she react to the news that her brother might be in danger?

Yeah, that might be a good idea. His escort winked at him.

They continued their walk in silence. Jericho mentally rehearsed what he could say to Fatima to convince her to leave Kilosh and join him on his search for Cypher. He knew little about the woman except that she was Cypher’s sister and that she was apparently a breathtaking beauty. Several of the reports he read commented on her vibrant red hair that hung to her waist.

Something Niaome said to him caused him more concern. From the sound of things, Fatima didn’t seem as if she was happy with her situation. Cypher’s connections secured her place in Kilosh, but did she really want to be there if she wouldn’t even interact with the people who surrounded her? He had to consider that Cypher’s position in life may have put a strain on the siblings’ relationship. Could she be so upset with her brother that she wouldn’t care that he was missing?

As they walked, he took the only chance he would probably ever have to look around Kilosh. To the east of their path set the massive lake of waters that were the only source for the songbirds. All of their food was prepared with, grown by, or sourced from the lake. Even their beverages, they could drink nothing that wasn’t a direct product of the waters and fruits of their land. It was why they were so protective of their home. All other water in Novia was damaging to their delicate vocal chords.

As Niaome stated, visitors had a habit of developing sticky fingers. Some came with intentions of capturing a songbird, while others had more interest in taking their water supply. Many people thought that there were properties they could use to benefit themselves. If the waters were so good for the magical birds, what could it do for other people? Unfortunately, some people become invasive species even when they didn’t mean to.

Joyous melodies traveled from the city that stood further east of them. Though he couldn’t see them from his vantage point, he imagined the birds kept their home filled with wonderful tunes. They were cheerful people inside their walls. Their happiness was something that needed to be preserved. He hoped they could find Cypher and he would convince Noella not to go on her rampage. She would no doubt target the songbirds for aiding the dragon who betrayed her.

It’d already been over a century since the Peacekeeper stole the egg and in all those years and with all the searches and efforts put forward even by Cypher, long after they put Noella to rest, they never found it. Jericho was far from a skeptic, but he didn’t believe that suddenly the most valuable item in all of Novia would just show up.

After twenty minutes of walking, they came to a stop just outside a small brick home crafted from the same white material that surrounded Kilosh, the top painted in the standard color of red. Around the home was a grey fence and stones that lined the walkway up to the door. It looked picture perfect. The smoke that billowed from the chimney told there was someone home.

Here we are. Have you decided what you’re going to say? Niaome turned to him, humming along with the songs that reached them.

No, honestly I haven’t. He sighed. What do you say to a woman who’s been on her own for so long? How do you ask her to leave all this behind? He gestured at their picturesque surroundings.

Do you want me to go ahead of you? She offered. I could grease the wheels a bit, warm her up to you.

No, I think I should go first. He shook his head. "I need