Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
The sound of an approaching group on horseback made them turn. A rider slid down from his steed to approach the group. “Thanks, Keres. We’ll take these criminals into custody.”
“Hey, wait. We’re all from Wyvern. Can’t we return?” Derek said quickly.
“Who are you?” one of the men still on horseback called.
“I’m Derek Lowe.”
The man grinned and dismounted. “I’ll be damned. Derek, I’m Paul Vanhyde.” He walked forward to shake Derek’s hand and whack him on the back. “We went to school together. Derek is related to Khadar’s mate.”
That statement turned everyone’s stern expressions into smiles. Well, except for Keres. Do dragons ever smile? As if he knew she was thinking of him, Keres sent her another message.
I will fly you home.
Skye waved at the men who’d traveled with her for the last several days. “Keres will take us into Wyvern.” The border patrol whispered their amazement that the dragon talked to her.
“Can we trust him?” Brooks whispered to Derek. Skye glared at him.
Keres shifted in a stunning display of shimmering darkness. When he stood in front of them in human form, dressed in black, snug-fitting jeans and a matching T-shirt, Keres stared at Brooks. “As one of the dragons sworn to protect the offspring of the settlers of Wyvern, you are safe with me. To suggest otherwise is an affront I’ll attribute to your ignorance.”
“My apologies, Keres. I did not mean to question your integrity. I am not used to living, breathing dragon shifters,” Brooks said quickly.
Keres appeared to consider this. Skye glanced down to hide a smile, loving every second of being in the dragon’s company. Her heart overflowed with excitement as her treasured dreams came true. “Dragons,” she repeated to herself. This was a fantasy come to life.
Keres considered her and then announced, “I will forgive the insult. Next time, I will simply drop you on the rocks.”
“Deal,” Skye announced quickly. Brooks and Derek wisely stayed silent.
In a few moments, the patrol helped prepare them for transport. They wrapped each man in protective leather, for Keres would pick them up in his claws. Skye waited to see how she would travel. She crossed her arms over her chest, trying to contain her excitement as Keres shifted once again into his black dragon form. Despite her best attempt to follow this transformation, Skye couldn’t figure out how it happened. It was simply magical.
Come, Little one. You will sit between my wings.
She stepped closer, unsure of how to climb into position. Skye placed a hand against his scales and recoiled at the feeling that she was doing something extremely wrong. A wave of sadness touched her mind before Keres shut it down.
It is okay, Skye. You are not meant for me. This will be uncomfortable for you, but you must hold on for your safety. Step on my leg and then throw your leg over my neck.
Keres bowed his massive head to help her as she followed his instructions. Her brain screamed at her to let go, but with Keres’s support, she settled into place.
I’m sorry, Keres. I don’t know what’s happening.
I do. You will soon. Hold on, Skye.
Chapter 2
Dropping to the ground, Skye took a second to gather herself before thanking Keres. From the sound of all the cussing coming from the men grasped in the dragon’s claws, her ride had been much more comfortable. It had definitely been gorgeous and exciting as they swooped through the air toward the city.
Her first aerial view of the city gave her a new perspective on its history. The old city center contrasted sharply to the new, modern buildings encircling it. Without traffic, she had to look close to detect the people.
Keres had landed on the outskirts of a large gathering. Skye scanned the area, trying to orient herself so she could walk home. She’d visited her folks a few months ago, but now everything seemed different without the bustle of delivery vans and cars.
Almost immediately, a large blue dragon landed. The vibration of his heavy form hitting the turf resonated under her feet.
Maybe?
Skye ignored Keres as the blue dragon approached and stretched his snout toward her. Tingles danced across her skin, prickling her. It was so different from the sense of wrongness she’d gotten from being close to Keres. When he shook his head and rocketed back into the air, she felt like he’d taken a part of her. Before she could mourn his loss, the process repeated with a bronze dragon, but this time, the new arrival shifted.
She suspected he communicated mentally with Keres as the bronze dragon focused on her. Skye wanted to pull Blunze from her bag so he could see the dragons as well. She’d have to draw him a picture.
“What is your name, Little one?” the bronze dragon asked Skye directly, startling her. “I am Ardon.”
“Skye,” she whispered, as she turned to face him. A crowd gathered in front of her. She ignored them, focusing on the dragon, who stared at her.