Layla, p.45
Layla, page 45
Abbi must have sensed his trouble and slipped her arm in his. She said nothing, they merely walked. Rolando followed a short distance behind them. They would call for Ruby if they needed him when they opened the portal.
Ian withdrew his phone from his pocket and as soon as he did, the electricity in the air ignited and sparks flew around the crystal sphere, revealing what was behind the invisible wall.
Sure enough, old Stenhjaert skulked inside, prowling, his enormous wings partially spread, his marble eye scanning and looking for prey. He seemed thin to Ian. Hungry.
“Can he see us?” Abbi asked.
“I’m not sure. I don’t think so unless we do something out of the ordinary,” Ian answered.
Ruby’s eyes opened wide, and his head perked up. Before Rolando could get to him, the serpent stretched his upper body toward the portal, forked tongue flaming, and pounded against the invisible wall, hissing, and biting at the monstrous figure he could not reach.
“No Ruby, stop.” Rolando’s efforts did little to distract him. Flames spat from Ruby’s mouth. Ian and Abbi stepped back while Rolando used his magic to subdue the serpent.
“It’s not going to work,” the boy finally said once Ruby was all but unconscious, his head drooping sluggishly and his eyes groggily.
Ian studied the serpent. “Does Ruby have to attend you, Rolando?”
The young man’s eyes widened. His gaze fell on the serpent and then back to Abbi and Ian as if he had never considered it before.
“Ruby is my friend. He’s my magic.”
“Is he?” Ian asked. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re his magic.”
“We believe in you. That’s why we asked you to help us.” Abbi smiled gently at Rolando, and her voice softened.
“What do you mean? That I should...,” he looked at the portal and the dragon behind it.
“Subdue the dragon like you did Ruby?” Ian suggested.
Rolando swallowed and his face paled, but he relented.
“If I confronted Ruby when he was wild, I suppose I’m brave enough to confront the dragon,” Rolando finally announced and took a deep breath. “Just let me out before you close the portal. I want to stay here with Ruby.”
“Of course.”
Ian adjusted the bow and quiver which Aren had given him, raised his phone. Before he opened the portal, Rolando stepped in front of them and took a deep breath.
“I must enter first.”
The portal opened around the sphere. A small inset whence Ian and Brad had slipped into the Realm. Rolando climbed through and Ian and Abbi followed.
There was, of course, a mighty roar from a very terrifying dragon. But before Stenhjaert came near enough to do any harm, Rolando tossed his hands in the air and the entire void between the two worlds filled with a magnificent blue mist. The dragon had no time to charge for his eyes closed the instant he breathed in the vapor. It was all that was needed.
Rolando smiled up at Ian and Abbi and stood taller than he ever had. His job was done. He held his hand up as a wave goodbye and slipped back into the Realm.
When Abbi and Ian passed the sleeping dragon, Abbi paused, tugging Ian’s hand to wait. Such a magnificent creature old Stenhjaert was. Thick scales shimmered greens and reds and gold in the light of the crystal sphere. As the dragon breathed the magic swirled around his nostrils.
Heat waves radiated from the dragon’s body. His extensive tail armored with spikes of gold wrapped around him like a kitten nested on a pillow.
“I feel sorry for him,” Abbi whispered.
Ian gave her a questioning glance. “Sorry? For him?” As gentle as Stenhjaert appeared now, the dragon’s history was far from innocent. No. Too much destruction and too many deaths were attributed to this monster. Ian led her past the dragon’s claws, which were as large as his father’s forge and past the huge scaly head, his eyes closed now as Rolando’s blue mist still hovered over his nostrils.
“Let’s go, Abbi. Before he wakes up. I wager he would not feel the least bit sorry for us as he chars us to embers.”
They hurried along through the darkened hall and to a faint light up ahead.
As Ian opened the door to the real world, he closed the portal window to the Realm.
The End
Acknowledgments
WRITING IS A LONELY business, so it’s always nice to know there are those around us that are enjoying the same journey! I thank my husband for his patience with me while I spend long hours on the computer. I want to thank my writing partner, Lorri Moulton for brainstorming and encouraging me every step of the way.
Most of all I want to thank the readers how have picked up my books and enjoyed them. Without you, the pages would sit in a drawer somewhere and all the thoughts and love poured into the story would fade away like ashes in a campfire.
Thank you!
Correct order to read the books of the Ian’s Realm Saga
Ian’s Realm Trilogy
Layla
Tale of the Four Wizards
Lost on Taikus
Diary of a Conjurer
Cassandra’s Castle
And more
Watch for my Kickstarter campaigns as I rewrite, revise, and re-bundle this series with new covers and some exciting swag.
Subscribe to my website to find out more.
https://gardnersart.com
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Did you love Layla? Then you should read Cassandra's Castle by D.L. Gardner!
Finalist Book Excellence Award 2017
A unique YA Fantasy page-turner that spans the void between vastly different worlds, Gardner captures the most endearing qualities of the genre in a story that's both refreshing and original. -Book Viral Review
Readers who love excitement, peril and sweet romance will enjoy this time-travel adventure.
Eighteen years after her father visited the Realm, Cassie discovers a portal to the same world when she takes a selfie with her cell phone. Against the wishes of her friends, she goes in and finds herself captured by a grumpy old wizard. Its through him she learns of the unrest happening in the kingdom called Alisubbo. When a handsome cavalry officer, Valerio, appears with his troops in all his pompous attire, Cassie is taken breathless.
The cunning Valerio immediately recognizes the opportunity of befriending this lovely, young and naive stranger and sweet-talks her into helping his cause. Her mission, deliver an Appeal for Peace to the king. Cassie willingly takes the job, thrilled that she finally has the adventure she's wanted all her young life.
Tragically for her, the letter is not what Valerio says it is. Cassie discovers she's been a pawn in a coup to overthrow the king. She discovers the lies and false accusations too late. Before she can stop the violence, her hands are stained in blood. She must somehow turn the tide, save the life of the heir, and persuade him to return and rescue Alisubbo from Valerio's tyranny.
Other books in this series include Ian's Realm Saga and Diary of a Conjurer and the Tale of the Four Wizards which are published on my website.
Read more at D.L. Gardner’s site.
Also by D.L. Gardner
Hoarfrost Mysteries
Hoarfrost to Roses
Night Ice
Ian's Realm Saga
Ian's Realm Saga 10th Anniversary
Ian's Realm 10th Anniversary Edition
Layla
Diary of a Conjurer 10th Anniversary
Streams to Ashes
Lost on Taikus
The Tale of the Four Wizards
Escapades of the Magic Thief
Cassandra's Castle
Song of the Sea series
Sasha
Sword of Cho Nisi
Sword of Cho Nisi book 1
Fall of the Kings
Curse of Mount Ream
The Keeper
Silver Threads
Darkness Holds the Son
Sword of Cho Nisi Boxed Set
Standalone
Altered 2nd Edition
Thread of a Spider
Altered
An Unconventional Mr. Peadlebody
Pouraka
Where the Yellow Violets Grow
Dylan
The Far Side of Heaven
Ferris Wheel
The Magic Plum
Fables and Fantasy
Awakening of the Apprentice
Tales of Wonder Extended Edition
Watch for more at D.L. Gardner’s site.
About the Author
D.L. Gardner is an award-winning author and artist living in the Pacific Northwest. A lover of ocean breeze and mountain wildflowers, her works reflect a love for nature and an understanding of the human condition. Her fantasy works are character driven and classified as noblebright.
All her books are available on her website. Subscribe to her newsletter to keep up with the latest news.
https://gardnersart.com
Read more at D.L. Gardner’s site.
D.L. Gardner, Layla
