JodiKendrick
DragonRogue
Copyright©2024byJodiKendrick
PublishedbySoulGatePublishing
http://soulgate.org
CoverdesignbyDarAlbert,WickedSmartDesigns
EditingbyKimRoss
FormattingbySoulGatePublishing
AllrightsreservedundertheInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans, electronicormechanical,includingphotocopying,recording,orbyanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,withoutwrittenpermissioninwritingfromthepublisher
This is a workof fiction Names,places,characters andincidents are either the productof the author’s imaginationor are usedfictitiously,andanyresemblance toany actualpersons,livingordead,organizations,eventsorlocalesisentirelycoincidental http://soulgate.org
AhiddenarchipelagointheBermudaTriangle,AeleftheriaNisiisathrivingcommunityoffemaledragonshiftersandafew humansthatliveindependentlyofanymales
Infact,they'renotwelcome.
Centuries ago, the Queenand her council decided to breakawayfromthe domineeringrule ofthe male dragons to govern themselves.
Someofthemaledragontribesaredeterminedtobringthefemalesbackundertheircontrol
Thefemaleswillfighttothedeathtoensuretheirsovereignty
Chapter13 Chapter14
Chapter15
Chapter20
Chapter21
Chapter22
Chapter23
Chapter24
Chapter25
Chapter26
Chapter27
Chapter28
Chapter29
Chapter30
Chapter31
Chapter32
NotetotheReader
BookList
AbouttheAuthor
BlackRiver
Dragonsdammit, Marli, you ’ ve only been gone a few days and your mission is already fucked.
AeleftherianGuardianMarli Fleetwingadjustedtheangleofher wings,expandingthearcofher searchspiral asthemoon descendedandtheskylightened,outsideofthetownofBlackRiver.Thehumanworldwouldsoonawaken.
The queen tasked you with ensuring Aeleftheria’s safety. Simple.
Find the mountain lair, make sure your pregnant best friend’s new mate doesn’t betray us, and then get everyone home safely
Glidingoverthedarkenedtreetops,Marliscannedtheshadowyground.Themusclesinherbackachedfromhoursofflight, searchingforKymriSteelscaleandKymri’spartner,JoriMountainside.
Marlisearchedthelandscapebetweenthetown,HeidiBrandt’shomestead,andthenearbyshifterrefugeecamp,inthehopes she’dspotthemonfoot,whileOdsonBlackridgesearchedmuchfurtherout,towardtheocean
They’re just not here.
Marli shunted awayterrible thoughts ofwhatcould have happened. Images ofKymri’s inertbody dragonformor human form invadedhermind,ratchetingupheranxiety
She’s likely still in her human form since Jori can’t shift and her pregnancy makes it harder for her to hold her dragon form, anyway.
Shewouldn’tabandonhim.
Kymri, why’d you have to go and bond with him, of all people?
Marli’sclawsskimmedthetopsofseveraltrees,startlinghernervoussystemintoflappingherwings,pushingherselfhigher intothenightsky.
Where did those male dragon assholes go?
StenlenFlintail,leader ofthe enemymales whowere huntingher Aeleftheriansisters,hadshownupoutside ofthe clubin Black River looking for Marli’s friend, Odson Blackridge He’d dropped the bomb that Jori was the heir of Aeleftheria’s greatestenemy,KingKargassaofthemountaintribe.
If I see that asshole again, I’m going to sink my claws into him and rip him apart. Marli had stopped Odson from doing it because they’d been in the middle of Black River. She guessed Stenlen had engineeredthataspartoftheencounter Neutralground
Shesnarledasfatiguemadeithardertoresistgravitydraggingather. Ashadowpassedinfrontofthemoon,drawingherattention.
Odsoncircledaround,havingreturnedfromhissearcheffortsfurthertowardthecoast.
Hehuffedasheglidedpastherposition
Nothing.
Fuck.
HermissionhadbeentoensurethatJoriwasn’tathreattoAeleftheria.
Instead,Stenlen’smenhadsomehowabductedKymriandJoriwhilehehadoccupiedMarliandOdson’sattention
Someone had also tampered with the security cameras around the club, rendering themuseless in determining what had happened.
So, now Jori is the king’s heir? He and Kymri are missing, and I still don’t fucking know where the mountain lair is. The queen was counting on me, and I put Aeleftheria at even more risk
Heartheavy,backachingandwingstired,MarlifollowedOdsonbacktotheBrandtfamilyhome,overlookingBlackRiver
BlackRiver BrandtHomestead
MarliFleetwingstifledayawn,rubbedherhandsoverherface,thenthroughhertangledhair. Defeated,sunup,sheandOdsonhadreturnedtotheBrandthomesteadtoexchangeupdates.
Sheslouched,forcingasmileasHeidiBrandtsetasteamingcupofcoffeeonthetablebeforeher “Youaremynewfavorite hero,Heidi”Shereachedforthecup,wrappingherfingers,withtheirmetallicpurplenails,aroundthecup “Coffee.Domesticheroismatitsbest.”Heidilaughed.
“Don’tknockit.It’smorepowerfulthanyoumayrealize,”OdsonBlackridgegruntedwithanodasHeidihandedhimacup beforetakingherseatatthesolidharvesttablethatfilledthediningroom Heidi’shousewasquietnowafterthechaosofthelastfewdays,inthesearchforKymriandJori
“I’mgoingtohavetoreportwhat’shappenedsoon.Ican’tholdoffmuchlonger.”Marli’seyelidsthreatenedtoslamshut.She staredatthesteamrisingfromher cupasher thoughtsturnedtoher islandhome.“AssoonaswefindKymri,I’mtakingher backtoAeleftheria,thenI’mgoinghometomycozybed.Forasolidweek.”
“I still can’t believe Clive and Merwin abducted them with no hint or trail There’s no way Stenlen didn’t organize everythingfor thembefore our little rendezvous inthe street;Iseriouslydoubtthose knuckleheads are capable ofitontheir own.”
Marli snorted. She stared at her waveringreflectioninher cup as she considered the three male dragonshifters that had attackedherislandhome,thenabductedKymriandJori “Anywordfromyouragencyfriend?”SheaskedOdson “Carson?He’sworkingonacoupleofcasesrightnow,buthispeoplearestillscouringthesatellitedataforthisarea well, asmuchaspossibleanyway.BlackRiver’smagicalatmosphereisn’taspowerfulasAeleftheria’s,butit’sstrongenoughtobe aproblemforthesatellites.”
“Blaineissureavehiclewasusedtodisruptthescenttrail Neitherhe,noranyofmyotherboys,pickedupthedragonscents beyondthealleybehindtheclubwheretheywerelastseen.”Heidisippedhercoffee.Hergrownsonswerebearshiftersand dedicated BlackRiver guardians, like she and her husband were. “Youshould stop bythe refugee camp. Maybe theyknow something. Withthe camp so close, all kinds of shifters pass throughthere all the time. I’mwillingto bet that those males stoppedthereontheirwaytoBlackRiver”
“Nah,Idon’twanttodragthecampintothis.Theyhavetheirownproblems.Besides,thewholepointofitsexistenceisto avoidtribalpolitics.”
Heidiliftedabrow,staringbackattheolddragonshifter.“Nooneisavoidingdragonpoliticsrightnow,Odson.It’sspilled intoBlackRiver”
“IshouldhavetakenStenlenoutwhenIhadthechance”
“I’mgladMarlistoppedyoubeforeyoucould.You’dhavedestroyedthetown.”
“We couldn’t have known they were going to abduct Jori and Kymri. We believed their focus was on taking control of Aeleftheria”Marlirubbedherhandsoverherfaceagain “Ican’tbelieveJoriistheirking’sheir Whatafreakingmess”
“Heir?”Heidi’sotherbrowraisedashergazeshotbacktoOdson “Youdidn’tmentionthatimportantbitofinformation” Hisexpressionturnedhaunted.
“That’s what Stenlensaid whenhe delayed us outside ofBlaine’s club. As soonas Ifind their lair, I’mgoingto rip that bastardapart.”
“NotifIgettohimfirst”Marli’shandstightenedonhermug
“Youknowwe’llhelpwithanythingyouneed,solongastherippinghappensoutsideofBlackRiver,”Heidisaid.“Justcall us.”
Odsonnodded. “Thankyou, Heidi. Youand your familyhave alreadydone enoughfor us for everyone, really. I’mgoing hometoshowerandmakeafewmorecalls”
“I’llgowithyou,thenheadoutonanothersearchaftersunset.”Marligulpeddowntherestofhercoffee.
Astheyrosefromtheirseats,theirphonesbuzzed.
Marlipulledhercellfromherpocket.
Odsonsnatchedhisphonefromthetable,breathhissingthroughhisteethashereadthescreen Marli’s heart tripped as she read the message fromJori aloud. “The king is dead. Elora is alive. Bring Jonathan to the mountain.”Thecoordinatesfollowedinthenextmessage.
“Whatthehellhappened?”Heidishottoherfeet,lookingfromOdsontoMarli.“Elora’salive?Afterallthistime?That’s that’sgood I’msogladshe’sreunitedwithherson,”shebreathed,blinkingawaythetearsthatsuddenlywelledinhereyes “That’sallitsays,butI’mgoingtofindoutwhat’sgoingon.”Marlishovedherphoneintoherpocket. Odsongrowled,pullingthekeystohisMustangShelbyfromhisjeans.“We.Mysisterisalive. We’re goingtofindout.Let’s go.”
Reliefthattheywereallalivewarredwiththegutchurningknowledgethatshewasabouttogointoherenemy’sdomainwith littlemoreinformationthanthat.
Every Aeleftherian’s worst nightmare.
Heartpounding,Marlileanedasthesmallplaneeasedaroundthemountainpeak.
Throughthe windshield,the mountainpeaks were phantoms inthe mist,andthe forestbelow was a thickcarpetinvarious huesofgreenshotwithsilveredrivers,creeksandwaterfalls
Shewasn’tanxious becauseshewas adragonforcedintoaCessna she’dbecomeacclimatedtohumanair transportation overtheyears.AsanAeleftherianguardianheadingforthemawofherlong-timeenemy’slair,shewasanxioustounleashher clawsandgetscaly.
Theonethingthathercolonyhadfoughttoothandclawtoavoidwasbeingdraggedbackintothismale-controlledmountain Andshewasgoingwillingly.Mostly.
JonathanMountainside,thehumanmalethatJori hadknownas his father,pilotedthesmall plane,aligningitwiththeopen caverncontainingtherunway,embeddedinthemountain’sside.
Returninghergazetotheopenflightstrip,herpulsecalmedseeingthatKymriwaitedforthem Thebunchedmusclesinher shoulders relaxed and she drew a deep breath, easingit out throughher nose. It had occurred to her since they’d read the messagefromJorithattheycouldbeflyingstraightintoatrap.DespiteOdson’sagreement,neitherofthemweredeterred.
Jonathangaspedasthefigureswaitingforthemcameintofocusforhishumaneyesamomentlater.
HiswifestoodnexttoKymri
Heblinkedawaygatheringtearsashebroughttheplaneintothecavern.Elorahadbeenmissingfortwodecades.
Assoonastheplanestopped,hecuttheengine,shuteverythingdown,andwasshovingthedooropenbeforeeitherMarlior Odsoncouldrisefromtheirseats.
Exchangingglances,theyfollowedhimout
Marli’s gaze sweptthe massive cavernthatserved as anairstrip, large enoughto accommodate a cargo plane Or dragons preparingtolaunchanattack.Sheshivered,settingasidethatthoughtassheturnedherattentiontotheindividualsgatheredto meetthem.
Shesmiled
KymriSteelscalesmiledback
JoriMountainsidestoodbehindher,expressiongrimashewatchedhisparents’reunion.
“Thankthedragongoddess,youareunharmed.”Marligrippedherclosestfriendinafiercehug.“Jorilookslikeshit.”
“It’sbeenareallyroughfewdays,Mar”Kymrisqueezedherback
Besideher,Jonathanheldhiswife,Elora,inasimilarembrace Theywouldhavemuchtocatchupon,aftertwodecadesof forcedseparation.
“Whatthefuckhappened,Jori?”Odsongrowled. Chapter3
ElorareleasedherhusbandandapproachedOdson “It’sgoodtoseeyou,brother” Odsongrabbedherinabone-crunchinghug.“IfI’dknown…” “Iknow.”Shesmiledupathimandpattedhischeek.
“Ifyou’llallfollowme,therearerefreshmentsinthenewcouncilroom.”Astiffdragonmalesaid.
“Thankyou,Eamerson,”JoritookKymri’shand,followingthemaleawayfromtheplanetowardtheinteriorofthemountain MarlihesitatedassheobservedKymri’ssurestridesandElora’sgrasponJonathan’shand,leadinghiminside.Shewouldn’t leave the only two other Aeleftherians alone in this mountain. Not her best friend, and certainly not the queen’s long-lost ambassador.Shesparedthesmallplanealastglanceasshetrailedafterthem.
Themale,Eamerson,ledthemtoanelevatorattherearofthecavern Theyrodeitup,thenfollowedhimalongseveralstark marblecorridorstoasetofblackdoubledoors.
Cold.Austere.Rigid.
Marli’snosetwitchedatthemuskyatmosphereinsidethemountain.
Sheglancedaroundtheexpansiveroomthatopenedtoaglassed-invistaofthemistymountainsbeyondit
Eamersongesturedtowardatablesetwithseveraltraysoffoodanddrink.
“Newcouncilroom,huh?”Odsonasked,saunteringtowardthewindows. Marli’sfingertipsdriftedalongaseamintheglass,wonderingiftheyopened.
The place could use a little fresh air And a way to escape
Marli moved to the table, reachingfor the platter ofcookies, gaze roamingthe roomand the faces withinit. She ignored Eamerson,thoughshewasmindfulofhismovements.
“Yessir,”EamersonsaidtoOdson’squestion.“IunderstandyouareKingMountainside’suncle?” King?
CookiecrumbscaughtinMarli’sthroat,makinghercough.Kymrihandedheraglassofwater.
Odson glanced back at her. “I am.” He ran a hand through his hair and blew out his breath, turning toward Jori. “King Mountainside?”
BesideMarli,JonathanandEloraappeared,handslinkedandred-eyed ShestudiedthedrawnfeaturesofAeleftheria’sambassador “Thequeenwillbeverycrosswithyou,forstayingawayafter Jori’s birth.” Marli drew a breath. “But I know she’ll be overjoyed to learn you’re alive and have been rescued from Kargassa’simprisonmentalltheseyears.”
Eloranodded,thenshruggedashergazesweptoverherhusband’sface Herthroatworkedassheswallowed It’s worth it to her And to him After all this time InMarli’sexperience,lovewasfleeting,andthatkindofdedicationwasrare. MarlilookedatKymri.“So,whatOdsonsaid?Whatthefuckhappened?”
Kymribrieflyrecountedtheabduction,meetingthemountainkingandtheeventsthatledtohisdeath “Andjustlikethat,Joriisthenewking Sowhat’snext?”
Elora waved a hand toward the roomat large. “This was Kargassa’s personal space. Jori decided that turning it into a councilroom likewehaveinAeleftheria wouldbethebestuseforit. “We’veaskedoneoftheresidentcarpenterstomakeanewroundtableforthisroom” Jonathansmiled “YoualwayswereobsessedwithCamelot,Jori” “Kargassawasn’tthe‘council’type?”Odsonturnedawayfromthewindows. “Nosir.Mr.StenlenFlintailandIactedasadvisorswhenthepreviouskingsoughtanopinion.”Eamersonresponded.
“Whichwasn’toften,”Elorasaid “AndthereasonIaskedyoutocomehere.”Jori heldOdson’sgaze.“I’vedecidedtostayandtrytoleadthislairinanew direction,butI’mgoingtoneedhelp.”Heglancedathiswatch. Marli’sgazeshottoKymri’sfingersstilllinkedwithJori’s.Sheswallowed.“You’renotcominghome,areyou?”
“ThisisthebestwaytoensureAeleftheria’ssafety”Kymri’sfreehandmovedoverherlowerbelly “Andourbaby’s” Odsonsaid,“Itwon’tbeeasyturningalair ofmaledragons,intentonseekingandsubduingacolonyoffemales,inanew direction.”
“Iagree,buthewon’tbealone.Iamsteadfastinmydutytotherightfulkingofthistribe.AsisMr.Flintail,”Eamersonsaid. Marlijerked,gapingatthemale “Flintail StenlenFlintail?Thesamemaledragonthat,despitemygreatefforttoleadaway fromourhome,stillmanagedtofindandattackit?Thesamemalethatisresponsibleforthetwoofyoubeingdraggedhere,is supportingyou?Seriously?”SheturnedonJoriandKymri.
Joriranahandoverthebackofhisneck.“Yep.”
“Youcan’ttrustaroguelikethat You’reinsanetotrustanyofthesemales,”Marliexploded Onseeingthedeterminationin theirfaces,sheeasedbackandreleasedabreath.“Yeah,I’dsayyou’regoingtoneedhelp.Thequeenandhercouncilwon’t likeanyofthis.ToomanyofthesemalesalreadyknowwhereAeleftheriais.”
Joriglancedathiswatchagain,thenleanedclosetoKymri,kissinghercheek.“I’llberightback.”
Kymrisaid,“Thequeendoesn’tneedtoknowanythingjustyet Besides,it’sthankstoStenlenthatEloraandIarealive”
“Nottell themanything? Youknow Ihave to reportback. As youshould have.” Marli said to Kymri, thenturned to Elora again.“Andyou.Yourdisappearancebrokethequeen’sheart.YoushouldhaveseenherfacewhensherealizedJoriwasyour son.Thecouncilalmosthadhimdestroyed.”
“Kymri toldme whathappened,” Elora said,voice quiet “We’re still tryingtogetour bearings here Whenyousendyour report,please,justdon’ttellthemwhereweare.Not yet.Havingthreeofushereisalreadygoingtobeachallenge.Wedon’t needthecouncilinterfering.”
“You’restaying,too.”Marlirubbedherhandsoverherfaceandthroughherhair. Eloranodded
I’m so fucked
“Dragonsdammit.WhenweleftAeleftheria,myordersweretoensurethesafetyofour people,findthelocationofthelair andtobringyoubothbacksafely.ThequeenorderedKymritoeliminateJoriifheprovedtobeathreattoAeleftheria.Andas thekingofamountainlairfullofmaledragons,they’regoingtoseehimasthe biggest threat”Marlicrossedherarmsoverher chest,drummingherpurplenailsonherbiceps “They’regoingtobefrothingatthemouth” “Well,nooneiseliminatinganyoneelse,”Odsongrowled,glaringatMarli.
So. Fucked.
StenlenFlintailclenchedhisjaw,staringthedissenterintheeyes.
He was onhis waythroughthe dininghall after lunchto meetwiththe new kingwhensomeone shoved himfrombehind. Spinningaround,hegrowled,“Goon Trythatagain”Hesteppedcloser,despitetheothermale’slargerframe Stenwastall, butFrederickhadthenickname‘Goliath’forareason.
“Fuckingtraitor.” Goliath’s low voice rumbled throughSten’s chest, like boulders grindingstrips offofhis deep sense of loyalty.
Thesametwowordshe’dheardtimeandagain Stenstraightenedhisspine.“Kargassacrossedtheline.”
“Hewasour King. ”
Stendidn’tglanceattheothers,gatheringbehindGoliath. Stenlenwasn’taloneinhisviews Therewerejustasmanyothermalesthatfeltthesame Asmuchasthey’dwantedtotake controloftheAeleftheriancolony,noneofthemhadintentionsofinflictingharmjustforthesakeofit.Therewerealwaysother ways betterways todominateafemale,thatdidn’tinvolvemaimingordeath. Whichisexactlywhathadbeenatstake,andhadresultedintheking’sdownfall.
OnKargassa’sorders,Stenandhiswingmenhadtrackedanddeliveredtheking’sheir,Jori
The ceremony to ensure the heir’s fealty and allegiance had gone terribly wrong. Kargassa had lost his patience and threatenedtokillbothfemalespresent Jori’spregnantmateandhismother. Then,themountainlairsuddenlyhadanewking,albeitareluctantone.
Theirhomewasinchaos,fracturing,exposingraw,age-oldlavalinesthreateningtospew Thedragonswereindisagreement overwhoshouldreallywieldthepowerofaking
“Andnow,JoriMountainsideisourking.Rightfullyacknowledgedasheirbythepreviousking.”
How many times have I said some version of that in the last few days?
Goliathsnorted,steppingbackfromStenlen “Whoisn’tevenafuckingdragon” Untilmomentsbeforetheking’sdeath,Jorihadbeenhuman,thenhisdragonhadbeenunleashedfortheveryfirsttime Stenhadneverseenanythinglikeit,andthemountainhadbeentremblingwithresidualrumblingssince. “Youwerethere,Goliath.He’sadragon,andhe’sthebiggestmotherfuckingdragonanyofushaveeverseen.”
“I’mbig”
ItwasSten’sturntosnort “Yeah,and?”HedidglanceattheothersstandingbehindtheGoliathnow “Youplantochallenge him?”
“Whydon’t you challengehim,Sten?”Oneoftheotherguys,Randal,spokeup “YouwereKargassa’stopdragon Ifanyone hastherighttorulethistribe,it’syou.You’dbeagreatking.Everyonewouldacceptyou.”
Stenlockedeyesonhim,thenreturnedhisglaretotheGoliathinfrontofhim.“Ibelieveintherightofascension,asdomost oftheothermaleshere.I’mnotKargassa’sbloodkin.”
“IfyoutookoneoftheAeleftherianroyals,you’dhaveasolidclaim” Stenshrugged.
“Besides,Mountainsidedoesn’thavetheballstobringthosebitchesinline.He’stoomuchofapussyhimself.”Randalsaid, elicitingchucklesfromthesurroundingmales.
“Maybe We’llsee”
“Ormaybethispussyhastheballstothinkofsomethingbetterforthistribe.”JorisaidfrombehindSten.
Stenlenglancedbehindhim.
Jorileanedagainstthedoorframe,hisarmsacrosshisvintage Oasis t-shirt,legscrossedattheankles.Hepushedawayfrom thewallandstrodetowardthegroup,ignoringtheposturingbetweenGoliathandStenlen “EamersontellsmethisplaceiscalledKasaKargassa.”
Stenlenhad beenKargassa’s right-hand man protection, scouting, tactics…muscle. Eamersonhad beenhis left politics, strategies…dragonkindresources.
“And?”GoliathturnedhisattentionfromStenlentoJori
Stenremainedatease,butready,incaseGoliathlungedatthenewking.
ButJoriwalkedrightuptoGoliath,relaxed;asthoughhewereabouttoaskhimwhathisfavoritesnackwas,andsaid,“And Ithinkweshouldchangethat.”
Goliath’sheadjerked,confusioncrossedhisfaceashelookedatJori “Changeit?Towhat Why?”
Jori shrugged, slipped his hands into the pockets ofhis cargo shorts as he rocked backonthe heels ofhis combat boots. “Whateveryouguyswant.Becausethisplacebelongstoeveryonewholiveshere.Notjustoneman dragon.” “Damnedhippie,”Someonemuttered.
Jorigrinned “IfIwasbornhalfacenturyearlier,maybe”
Goliathgroaned “Kargassaleftayounglingincharge Sten,justputusoutofourmiserynowifwon’tgrabhimbythescruff andkickhimout.”
JoristeppedrightuptoGoliath,whereStenhadbeen,justmomentsbefore.
Stentensed,readytointervene
“Andyoucalled me apussy Whineallyouwant,butwhatIwillnevertolerateisaggressionordominanceoffemales Iam not mysire.”
Stenfroze,hisgazedartingtoeachofthedragonsnearby,gaugingtheirreactionstothis. Noaggression,Stentotallyagreedwith Butnodominance?
Hisguttwisted Howelseweretheseunreasonablefemalesgoingtosubmitandcoexistpeacefullywiththemales?
Theking’swomanhadalreadystrippedhimdownonproperaddresseelanguage. Dragonesseswerenottobeaddressedasbitches.Ever.
How was I to know?
AnyAeleftherianhe’dpairedupwithbeforewasonlyinterestedinonething Hisdick.
Finebyhim Hehadmoreimportantthingstodothanletanotherbit dragoness wreckhisheart He’dalreadylearnedthat thehardway.
Sten and most of these dragons had been under Kargassa’s rule for so long, they’d become oblivious to proper dragon etiquette.Apparently.
Focused on finding the Aeleftherian colony the strongest females, most worthy of powerful males like the mountain dragons,theyallignoredthefactthattherewereothertribesoutthere.
Without a show of strength, how could the Aeleftherian dragonesses ever understand how to submit?
HeglancedbetweenJoriandGoliath.
This was a mistake Abig fucking mistake
Theywereallgoingtobedoomedtoloneliness,withjusteachother’suglyfacesforeternityifhedidn’tfigureouthow to swaythenewking’sopinion.
I’m tired of being alone
IfStencouldn’tchangeJori’sstance,he’dendupdead
StenbreathedasighofreliefasJoristeppedbackfromGoliath.
“Letusknowifyouguyshaveanyideasonnamesforthisplace.I’mkindapartialtoOasisCavern,orMountainLoft.What doyouthinkofDragon-Man-Cave?Ilikethatonebest”Heturned,grinningatSten,andthrewhimawinkasheheadedback towardthedoor.
“Those are the stupidest names I’ve ever heard of for a dragon lair. I can come up with ten better than those.” Goliath scoffed.
“Idon’tknow,Ikindaliked ”
StenchuckledashefollowedJorioutofthemesshall.“Iwasonmywaytomeetyou.Youwantedtodiscussthethefts?” “Idid,butthatcanwait.Ourguestsarehere.”
“Areyousurebringinginmoreoutsidersatthistimeiswise?”Theycontinuedwalkingalongthecorridorsatabriskpace towardtheelevatorthatleduptotheking’ssuites
“Absolutely.ThesearepeopleItrustimplicitly.”TheyenteredtheelevatorandJoripunchedthebuttonforthetopfloor.
“Therearealotoftrustworthymalesrightherethatarededicatedtoyourrighttolead…” Jorilookedathim,hisexpressionunreadable.“Ihearyou.”
Stenrubbedhistemple “CanImakeasuggestion?”
“Please.”
“KingKargassa’sbodyisstillinthemorgue.Havearitualdeathceremonythatisproperforhisstatus,anditwillprovide someclosureforthosemalesthatbelievedinhim.”
“Andgiveasenseoftransition”
Stennodded “Itwill show themthatyou’re nota complete outsider yourself Thatyou’ll honor the dragonways ofdoing things.Heruledaverylongtime,Jori,andmanyofushavebeenwithhimsinceouryouth.”
Thedoorsopened;Joriledthewaytothenewcouncilroom.
Council room
Thingswerechanging Fast Maybetoofast.
Afamiliarscententicedhisnoseasheenteredthevastroom.Hisgazeswepttheoccupants,quicklyreturningtoonefacein particular
Hispulseacceleratedashisnostrilsflared Her.
The mists dissipated beyond the window, allowing the sun to suddenly stream through The light caught in her caramel coloredeyes,makingthemglowlikewarmedamberinherlovelyface,surroundedbywilddarkhair.
Theirdragonscentsbecamemutedinhumanform.Butherswasdistinctandlovely,andinvitedhimcloser. Hestrodetowardher.“Irememberyou.”
Onseeinghim,hergazesweptthelengthofhimbeforerestingonhisface Herperfectbrowsfurrowed,andherchinlifted Herlovely,fulllipstightened.
Thiswasthefirsttimehe’dbeenabletogetareallygoodlookatherandshewasbreath-taking.
Theirtwopreviousmeetingshadnotbeenoptimaltoassessher.He’dbeenpursuingherindragonformonthefirstoccasion. Andwhatachasethathadbeen!Nimbleinflight,cunninginevadinghim Onthesecondoccasion,itwasdark,andhisfocus hadbeenonkeepingOdsondistractedfromhiscrew’smissiontoabductJori.
Sincethemissionhadsuccessfullyfulfilledhisorders,heunderstoodwhyherexpressionwaslessthanwelcomingnow. Hehadlosthimselfinthebeautyofherfacewhenshesuddenlypouncedonhim,snarling,withherclawsprickinghisthroat. Heblinked
Bloodpoundedthroughhim,gatheringbelowhiships.
Oh, how fierce this little bit dragoness was! Dragoness.
Aeleftheriandragoness
Hegrinnedupather.
This one. Yes, this one is going to be my dragoness.
…If she doesn’t kill me first
“Marli,I’dappreciateitifyougotoffofmycouncilman.Ineedyoutoworkwithhim,notriphisthroatout.”Jori’spanicked voiceregisteredthroughthehazeofinstinctthattriggeredherneedtosubdueherenemybeforeheharmedherlovedones. Sheshookoffwhoevertuggedonherarm Herhumanhandsextendedtoherdazzlingpurpledragonclaws,trainedonStenlen Flintail’smuscularthroat.
Theroguegrinnedupather.Shecouldseverhisheadfromhisshoulders maybewithsomeeffort andhegrinnedather. “Marli!”Odson’sbarkclearedthelastwispsofoffensiveneed.
Assheleanedbackonherhaunches,herbottombrushedagainstherenemy’shardenedgroin Hernostrilsflared,takinginhis scentasheatrippeddownthroughhercoretomeethiserection. Hechuckled,“Youareafierceone.Ilikeyou.”
Marlishottoherfeet,hissingandbackingawayfromhim,“Don’ttouchme.” JoriofferedahandtopullStenlentohisfeet
Assoonashewasupright,heputuphishandsinaplacatinggesture,“Hey,Iwasn’ttheonedoingthetouching.”
Hergazeinvoluntarilydroppedtohisgroin.Sheraisedherstill-clawedhands. Hewastwicehersize,butthatdidn’tmeanshewouldn’tgodownswipingandslashingifprovoked.
“Marli,retractyourclaws Jori’sright,weneedyoutoworkwithhim”Kymriordered AtKymri’scommand,Marlihesitantlyobeyed.
Untilrecently,KymrihadbeenMarli’scommanderintheAeleftherianguardianfleet.
“Work with him? You’ve got to be fucking kidding me, right? Right, Kymri? There’s no way in dragons-hell that I’m experiencing this The male funk in this place is melting my brain and I’mdelusional” Marli gaped, gaze swiveling from KymritoJoritoStenlenandback
“Male funk?” Jori’s brows went up, nostrils flaring. “I thought it was just Kymri’s pregnancy that made her sensitive to smells.”
“You’renotdelusional Thisishappening”Kymrisaid,handsonhips “I’mveryhygienic,”Stenlengrowled,afiercescowlsouringhishandsomefeatures Marliflippedahand,palmout,inStenlen’sdirection,raisingherownbrowsasshestaredbackatKymri. “Nothelping,”JorisaidtoStenlen.
“EveryoneinBlackRiverhasbeendrivingthemselvesintothegroundtofindandrescueyoufromthesedragons Andnow you’re all just buddies” Marli pinched the bridge of her nose as fatigue suddenly chased away the adrenaline of finally reunitingwithherfriendandseeingforherselfthatshewassafe.
“Shehasn’tsleptmuchsinceyoudisappeared.”Odsonsaid.“Noneofushave.”
