Page 2 of Dragon Blood (Dragon Island #3)
A stred Arakkil banked on an air current, keen eyes scanning the glittering azure seas far below her for their destination—a small island belonging to a long-time friend and ally of her people.
Weddings make my scales itch.
Not being an Aeleftherian practice, she’d never understood the need for that level of commitment.
It wasn’t so much that she hated weddings, per se, it was the restrictions that propriety demanded at official social functions—especially political ones. The expectation that she be on her best behavior, when she’d rather be on her ship, sailing at the whim of her heart and her crew.
This wedding doubled as a gathering on neutral ground for the union between her close friend, former Aeleftherian Guardian Commander Kymri Steelscale and Jori Mountainside, the new king of the dragon mountain of Katoa Koro.
A puff of cloud floated across her path, and brought relief from the sun’s intensity. Angling up into it, she closed her eyes, revelling in the sensation of the cool moisture coating the baked scales that covered her dragon body. Properly misting her wings with a swift roll, she slid below the cloud to resume her search.
There!
A speck appeared, breaking the wavering haze of the distant horizon. Mikrí Oasis, GPSA Agent Carson Perenga’s home island.
Astred drew a deep breath, scrubbing away her anxiety as she dipped her nose for a closer look. After a few minutes, she spotted other approaching dark specks in the sky, and white spots on the ocean’s surface.
Looks like everyone’s arriving right on time.
With a huff, she banked, circling back toward the red sails of her beloved eighteenth century pirate ship, carrying her mother Regina, the dragon Queen of Aeleftheria Nisi.
This is such a bad idea.
Despite everything, she couldn’t ignore the pleasure of knowing her mother had finally set foot aboard her precious ship.
After all this time. For a political wedding far outside the protective boundaries of Aeleftherian territory and her fleet of guardians, no less.
It would have been nice if she’d come aboard, just once, just for me.
Astred shunted away the thought as soon as it presented itself.
It was still a very bad idea.
Once the Crimson Claw’s sails came into view, Astred descended, gliding along the ocean’s surface.
There had been a few recent attacks, and an infiltrator that had revealed a traitor was still at large worried her.
Queen Regina hadn’t left her citadel in centuries. Not since the early days after she ascended to the throne, but this time, the enemy had made it all the way to the tip of their archipelago, where Regina had subdued the invaders herself.
The world was changing— their world was changing—and the queen was adjusting likewise.
The Council was deeply unhappy about it and staunchly opposed to Regina’s decision to embark on this little trip.
Red laughed to herself. The Council was near apoplectic when Regina had asserted her sovereign rights. After all, she wouldn’t be completely alone.
Princess Astred would accompany her, along with her seasoned crew of talented warrior sailors from all walks of life. Guardians Marli Fleetwing and Zayli Steelscale were also on board. The queen’s lifelong friends, Kolina Steelscale and Elora Mountainside, would be present on the island. Adding to that, the island belonged to long time Global Paranormal Security Agent, and ancient sea dragon, Carson Perenga, whose team, and mate, among so many other allies—old and new—would be on hand should trouble meet them.
Regina insisted they had nothing to worry about.
Still, an invisible claw clenched at Red’s gut. Instinct tightened her nape.
I hope Mamma’s right.
The queen’s investigators still hadn’t been able to determine who was involved with the last attempt to threaten the island.
The Traitor.
Part of the underlying reason everyone was gathering now.
Recent events had escalated between Aeleftheria and the male dragons, finally breaking with the discovery that agents of an ancient shadow organization were involved in both sides of the conflict, amplifying tensions to suit their goals.
Guardian Marli Fleetwing had pursued one of their spies right to the shores of Aeleftheria, where they’d met with one of their own, but she had escaped before her identity could be ascertained.
The investigation continued with only a handful of guardians delicately working to uncover the identity of the Aeleftherian traitor.
They had to be careful. They had to be sure.
Finally, Red closed her eyes and dropped below the water’s surface, slowing her approach to the ship. Once she was close enough, she shifted into her human form and swam for the hull.
Astred climbed the rope ladder waiting for her, and First Mate Tundi Okonedo was at the rail with her robe.
“Adjust bearing by half a degree to the south, otherwise we’ll overshoot the tiny thing.” She shrugged into the robe, belting it as Tundi nodded and left to attend to the correction.
“A beautiful day for a wedding.” Regina’s voice drew Red’s attention to her approach.
“If you’re into that sort of thing. I’m surprised you are, considering Aeleftherians don’t engage in such rituals.”
Regina closed her eyes, face upturned to the sun and ocean air. “At one time we did.”
“You’re kidding?”
Regina shook her head. “Before the divide.” She opened her eyes, turning to Astred. “This is the first official Aeleftherian wedding since then, Astred. With our allies as witnesses, we’re finally seeing the new beginning that I’ve hoped for all this time.”
Red grasped her mother’s hand and smiled. “I’ve never seen you so emotional, Mamma.”
“Though I’m still deeply cautious, I’ve never had so much hope for a better set of circumstances for your inheritance as I do now. It will take a lot of work to bring the Council around.”
Red dropped Regina’s hand. “I have no interest in the throne.”
Regina smiled. “That’s obvious, Astred, but irrelevant.”
Red scowled at her mother.
“Your love affair with the seas is coming to an end—not for some time yet, but soon.” Regina searched Astred’s face. “I know your passion for freedom will transfer to that of your people. Acceptance of your duty will come. And a little more time at home with the history and political tutors would be wise.”
Astred snorted. “You should have had another heir, mother.”
Regina quirked a brow. “I only need one, and she’s perfect for the job.”
“You should prepare for our arrival.”
Regina caught Red’s hand as she moved to leave. “You will be a formidable queen, my love. And your rule will be marked by the Ascension. I’ve just held the course. You will guide our people into the new era.”
Red held her mother’s gaze as her words rippled through her with snaps and fizzles, triggering truths long buried within her.
Astred drew a breath, breaking eye contact. She gave Regina’s hand a pat before turning away to call up to a crew woman in the crow’s nest to alert them when an hour from port.
“Astred.”
Red halted at her mother’s voice.
“Everything will change after this event. You need to prepare yourself. It’s time.”