The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume I: Volume I

anything other than wolf.
    And yet . . . ? There were times when he seemed so very intelligent, listening to her with comprehension in his eyes. And there was Shayla’s almost reverent protection of him.
    When she thought about the situation, it seemed very likely indeed that her pet was more than he appeared to be.
    “How?” she asked. If Jaylor’s words were too unbelievable, she would reject them and not allow him to take Darville away from her.
    “I don’t know. I can only presume Old One-eye is behind this. The prince has been missing since just before the winter solstice. I believe I was sent to find a dragon in hopes the dragon would know something of the prince’s location.”
    “Instead you found a witchwoman with a wolf for a familiar. A wolf with a princely name and a dragon guardian,” she breathed. It could be true, it was all so logical. And yet . . . and yet her heart did not want to release the wolf who had been her constant companion for months. Tears gathered in her eyes.
    She remembered the saber cat trapped in bronze. Its anguish had made her ill at the time. Did the wolf at her side know he was trapped inside an alien body? Would he remember and carry the hatred as the cat did?
    If Darville was indeed a man, then he must be restored to his true form, and soon. But when that happened, he would cease to be her companion, her confidant, her friend. She hadn’t been able to trust any man in a long time. Would she allow herself to continue trusting him?
    The answers lay with Shayla. Blindly, Brevelan began walking again. Up the narrow pathway.
    “I won’t believe you are truly a man and not a wolf until I see it with my own eyes. Until then we belong together. Come with me, Puppy.”
    Darville lay down on the path, muzzle on his paws, and whined. His eyes pleaded with her.
    “It’s obvious he won’t pass this spot.” Jaylor looked around for a solution. “We’ve got to get moving. Our follower is getting closer.”
    “Come, Puppy,” she coaxed, catching some of his urgency. She, too, felt the threat. It was like a snake climbing her back, tightening its coils around her neck.
    Darville whined pitifully, scooting farther away from the cliffside.
    “Come with me.” She put every ounce of command available into her voice. Darville’s golden eyes widened then closed, effectively severing the channel of communication.
    “He’s not going to come willingly,” Jaylor huffed. “Here, take Mica. I’ll carry Darville.” He handed the cat to Brevelan.
    “Isn’t he too heavy for you?” Brevelan cradled Mica close to her chest.
    “I’m big enough to manage, for a short while anyway.” The wolf was bigger and heavier than most of his kind. “He should be fine once we pass the ridge.” He stooped to gather Darville.
    A few small rocks bounced off the cliff, almost striking Darville’s head. The wolf backed up again, his paws scrabbling on the stony path.
    Brevelan and Jaylor both looked up toward the source of the disturbance. They could see nothing unusual.
    “You probably don’t remember the summer you were sixteen, Roy, but I carried you home the night of the midsummer fair.” Jaylor bent to persuade the reluctant member of their company. “Even if you weren’t a wolf right now, you wouldn’t remember that night. We’d both had too much to drink and one too many fistfights with the local bullies.”
    Darville cocked one ear as he listened to the soothing cadence of Jaylor’s voice. This time he didn’t protest when strong arms gathered him up. “You wouldn’t allow me to use your real name because you didn’t want to be different from the others in our gang. So I called you ‘Roy,’ short for Royal.” He scooped up the wolf, arms around his legs so he couldn’t break free. “Now let’s get out of here before the entire cliff gives way.”
    Following his words a larger stream of dirt and rocks broke free. Brevelan scanned the cliff once more. A flicker of movement caught her eye. Something was up there, disturbing the precarious balance of the hillside.
    Brevelan ducked under the veil of dirt that lingered after the initial shock. “Quickly, get around the corner!” she called to Jaylor.
    He bent into a sprint to follow her. The heavy burden in his arms slowed his progress. Another rock struck Jaylor’s shoulder, bounced, and landed on Darville’s back. The wolf yelped and wriggled, desperately seeking escape.
    Jaylor stumbled on the loose rocks and went