Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44984 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44984 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“You don’t know her. Family is everything to the Petersons,” Aaron answered indignantly, relighting the flame.
“Right.”
Khadar spotted a blue dragon in the sky and shortly after felt the ground tremble under his feet. Mate? Can you move? Get as far away as you can without him seeing you.
“I bet they’ve set themselves up in a new town as the warlords of something. They’re not even thinking about you. Aaron? Aaron who?”
His heart broke as he saw Lalani attempt to follow his instructions. She reached for bricks and wrapped her fingertips around the edges as she dragged herself away. He could feel her pain ricocheting through his mind.
Oldrik stepped around the corner and quickly assessed the situation. He moved forward toward Khadar’s injured mate.
Aaron’s eyes shifted to something behind him. Not falling for a trick, Khadar didn’t shift his gaze as he used his senses to figure out what was behind him. Keres. If he’d ever wanted the black dragon close, this was the moment.
“You don’t want to mess with him,” Khadar told Aaron.
“I’ll just take all of you out. Then Wyvern will be open again.”
“How do you think the citizens of Wyvern will respond if you take out the only creatures protecting them?” Khadar asked, watching Oldrik get closer to Lalani.
Just a bit more, Princess.
“They’ll do anything we tell them to do. It took the Petersons to figure out how to kill dragons,” Aaron boasted, holding his lighter ready.
“Dragons have always had predators. How much of that stuff do you have?” Khadar asked.
“What’s the stuff?” Keres asked curiously.
“Dragon smoke,” Aaron said proudly. He added with a snicker, “Or Dragons Smoked if you prefer.”
Khadar watched Oldrik reach Lalani. As he picked her up, she cried out. Either in pain from her injuries or from the touch of another dragon other than her mate.
“Fuck! Put her down,” Aaron said as he tried to keep all the dragons in view.
“Not happening,” Oldrik stated firmly as he backed away quickly with Lalani cradled in his arms.
Khadar battled his dragon, outraged by the sight of his mate in another dragon’s arms. He redirected the anger back to Aaron and released his dragon. Sending a flame toward the man as soon as possible, Khadar watched the packet in the man’s hand catch fire. Could the fire destroy it before the bomb released its lethal smoke?
A huge resounding ring sounded. Everyone’s gaze flew up to see the gold dragon on the roof above them. The muscles bulged in the beast’s powerful forearms as it dropped a huge iron kettle.
Khadar’s attention flew back to Aaron. Everything seemed to move in slow motion. The frenzied horse bolted, dragging the cart away. Khadar’s flame raced toward Aaron. The first tendril of blue smoke rose from the packet as the metal kettle plummeted down. More smoke. The dragons backed up automatically, scenting the lethal concoction. Oldrik turned to run with Lalani. Aaron’s clothing caught fire, and his mouth opened to scream.
CLANG! The kettle engulfed Aaron, knocking him to the ground and embedding itself into the cobblestones.
The scream continued as Keres ran forward, shifting on the move. He directed his wings to blow the lingering scent of the smoke away from all the horde members. The kettle trapped the rest of the lethal substance inside with the burning man. Aaron’s screams cut off abruptly as the metal around him heated to a glowing state from the flames inside.
“I think that can just stay there,” Ardon suggested as he rounded the corner with worried Wyvern citizens spilling into the streets. He’d obviously held the crowd back from the danger.
Khadar’s dragon roared, pacing forward toward Oldrik. Everyone scattered out of the way as the blue dragon set Lalani gently on the ground and backed away. Khadar looked at her crumpled form. His dragon was beyond distraught and wouldn’t release control to his human form.
Princess. Tell me you’re okay.
When she didn’t answer, he roared at the crowd, keeping them back. A light touch on the dragon’s paw made him look down. Lalani.
Stop scaring everyone, Daddy. Can you take me home now?
His dragon had never been more careful as he scooped her up in his claw. With a massive leap into the air, Khadar took to the sky. His mate would heal best on his mountain.
I owe you.
Drake’s answer made him roar in agreement. You would do the same for our mates. Nothing is owed here.
Chapter 15
“Daddy?” One peek from under her eyelids assured her he was there. She took in the lush flowers and foliage before closing her eyes again with a delighted sigh. She could hear the beautiful sound of water cascading nearby.
“Rest, Princess.”
“You brought me to your favorite place,” she said, waving her hand slowly in the cool water that surrounded her.
“This water soothes me when I am injured. I hoped it would help you as well.” His voice rumbled over her.