Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
It is okay, Little one. Keres is coming to put on a show for those below. A bit of a reminder.
A flash of silver caught her eye. Then, emerald green, copper, crimson, sapphire blue, and bronze. She counted carefully. There are nine of you? Are the others here to put on a show?
A show of force, Aurora. It is not wise to fight dragons. Your ancestors were wise men to dare to ask what we needed to create the treaty. Now that times have changed and people have forgotten, revisiting that agreement is wise for everyone.
Drake held his position above the center of town, in a slow, controlled, circle that was effortless. The other dragons dove and chased each other, releasing long streams of fire high enough in the air to not endanger anyone but to heat the air around the city. They looked like fierce aerial acrobats. Aurora was fascinated and terrified by their power.
Keres and the silver dragon squared off against each other. Each challenged the other with shiver-inducing bellows and spread wings. The silver charged first, but Keres followed a split second after. The resulting shockwave of sound shook everything around as they crashed together.
Aurora swore she almost heard laughter. Are they still playing around?
Yes, Little one. This is all harmless fun. If they wanted to harm each other, their claws would be out.
And just as suddenly as it began, the dragons wheeled off in different directions. She watched the silver one fly toward the mountain peak just beyond the one she recognized as Drake’s. A smile tilted up at the corner of her mouth. She was sure she’d like the silver dragon.
You will appreciate all of them.
Stop reading my mind, Drake.
Daddy. And you’re the one who opened that lock…
Chapter 19
Later contemplating the events, Drake knew there would be interesting days ahead as the citizens of Wyvern reconnected with their dragon guardians. Challenging negotiations provided the mental gymnastics he craved in business. And the prospect of treasure.
A sneeze interrupted his thoughts and reminded him he had already found his treasure. The most precious of all gifts.
Pulling his thoughts back to the meeting, Drake knew the low profile the dragons had taken in the last couple of centuries had created a new problem. The black dragon was the perfect example. The time to watch from afar was over.
After the spectacle of today, the word dragon would be on everyone’s lips. He wondered if other hordes would make themselves known. Drake curved around the summit of his mountain to approach his holdings from the front.
The castle was imposing. Built by the finest craftsmen from years ago, the carved stone and beautiful stained-glass windows invited admiration. Hints of his dragon nature hid in the ornate design—gargoyle waterspouts at the corners, claw marks on the roofline, and glowing eyes in the glass creations.
He had updated and improved the house subtly over the years. Who wanted to live in drafty or sweltering rooms when central heating and air conditioning became available? Now, their home incorporated the latest features of any present-day designer residence.
Feeling his mate’s delight at the looming view of his castle filled him with regret. Why had he not shown her all the sides of her new home? Drake landed softly on the drive and changed to his human form as soon as Aurora was safe on the ground.
“I am sorry, Little one.”
“I know you are,” she agreed without a shred of malice in her voice. “I forgive you for hiding something this huge from me this time. But never again,” she warned. “I wonder who sent the note?”
“Your supervisor,” Drake said with certainty. As he’d reflected on who would have the information about a dragon’s inner sanctum, it was obvious Brandon was the informant.
“Brandon? How does he know about this?”
“His aunt was the silver dragon’s mate,” Drake told her.
“But… I thought mates had an extended lifespan. Why is she not his mate now? Did she leave?” Aurora asked, looking bewildered.
“She was older when Argenis found her. Unfortunately, her doctors had located a large tumor in her abdomen. Even with the healing contact of a dragon’s love, she passed away within a year.”
“That’s so sad. So, Brandon told me to cause a problem?”
“No. I would guess he told you so we didn’t waste time,” Drake said.
“It could have torn us apart. I don’t know if I can look at him anymore. That’s going to make working together impossible,” Aurora surmised.
“Only if you look at it negatively. How many bosses would risk losing their jobs by telling you something the owner of the company was hiding from you? He knew the mate bond would keep us together,” Drake reminded her. He could tell she hadn’t ever considered Brandon’s actions from that angle.
“So, he did me a major favor?”
“He definitely had your back. And was willing to risk everything by forcing my hand.”