Dragon's Heat (City Dragons Book 1)
Page 16
“As leader of the Hollingsworth clan, I am proud to formally present my son, Tiernan Erskine-Hollingsworth to the clan. Bryce, loyal wolf shifter and dear friend of the clan, is the chest ready?”
“Yes, my liege.” It seemed Bryce understood the formality of the occasion, bowing before dragging forward a large chest, reminiscent of the one in Dirk’s hoard.
They consider this small?
“Dragons of the Hollingsworth clan, who will pay tribute to my son?”
The dragons jostled each other, trying to get closer. “I, Byron, Uncle to Tiernan, present the first gift,” the black dragon said, throwing a glare at his younger brother. He dragged a small sack with his teeth, dropping it into the chest. Stretching his neck, he sniffed over the baby. Tiernan chortled and tried to grab Byron’s nose.
Samuel was next, and then Foster, Leonard, and Rastin. Each time the procedure was the same. The dragon would place the bag in the chest, sniff the baby, and then move aside. Only Rastin dared to try and lick Tiernan, almost getting his tongue grabbed for his trouble. Tiernan’s hand and eye coordination was improving by the day.
“Jon, owner of my heart scale, what do you have to gift to our son, to start his hoard and help prepare him for his life’s journey?” Dirk had prepared him for this, but even so a shiver ran up Jon’s spine as he stepped forward.
Holding up a sheaf of papers, Jon said clearly, “In my hands I hold the deed to my business, currently managed by my best friend, Essie.” He nodded his head in his friend’s direction. “With her blessing, I bequeath my business and house in San Jose, to be held in trust until such time as Tiernan can make his own decisions. Every dragon needs a place to call his own, to keep his hoard hidden and provide a safe place when the demands of the world become too much. As Tiernan’s dad, I will provide.”
The dragons roared and Jon stepped back, glad he hadn’t forgotten his words.
“My lord dragon, may I approach?” Raoul stepped forward, waving his bodyguards away.
“Prince among Vampires, you are recognized as a friend to the holder of my heart scale. Do you bring blessings for my son?” Dirk didn’t seem surprised, but Jon wondered what Raoul was doing.
“I pledge him life,” Raoul said seriously, nicking his wrist with one of his claws and allowing three drops of blood to fall on Tiernan’s chest. “Forever more, Tiernan, first half-breed dragon of the Hollingsworth clan will be protected by all vampires on this side of the Atlantic. May his life be long and his hoard continue to grow.” He tickled Tiernan under his chin and stepped back.
“Your gift to my son will not be forgotten,” Dirk said formally. “It is time. Dragons, please form the circle around my son.”
Jon made to step back, but Dirk’s gaze held him in place. He watched as the dragons jostled between themselves until they formed a circle around the fire pits. “May the blessings of the Fates be on you this day, my son. Now.”
His hand over his mouth, Jon watched horrified as one by one the dragons opened their mouths, letting out plumes of fire that covered and surrounded the baby. Chuckling and waving his stubby arms around, Tiernan didn’t seem fazed at all, but then, as one by one the dragon’s dipped their heads and the fire diminished, Tiernan’s form started to change.
“He’s going through his first shift,” Jon cried, forgetting all about protocol. Biting his knuckles, Jon forced himself not to intervene. Shifting was an instinct and as young babies knew no fear, it was deemed a perfect time for them to shift into their animal form for the first time. But even so, Jon’s heart was in his mouth as he watched Tiernan’s body flicker from wolf to dragon, to bird, to dragon, even a cat was in there somewhere. But finally, when Tiernan’s wee body finally solidified, he settled into the form of a tiny red dragon with pointed ears, a long nose, and instead of scales, his wings were covered in bright red fur.
“A true hybrid. Amazing,” Raoul whispered.
“He’s so cute,” Essie squealed.
Looking around, it was clear Tiernan didn’t know what all the fuss was about. He spotted the diamond Jon had worn on the outer side of his clothes for the evening and reached for it, begging for Jon’s attention. Picking him up, Jon hugged him close for a moment and then turned to face his mate.
“Does his shifted form meet with our Leader’s approval?”
“We can feel him.” Was that a tear in Dirk’s huge eye. “We can feel his heart and know he is as true as the man who holds my heart scale. He is truly one of us.” Swinging his large neck around, Dirk bellowed, “Take to the skies; tonight we fly with a new dragon.”
Really? Tiernan was too small to fly, Jon knew that much. His wings would never hold up his bulky wee body. “Here,” Bryce said, coming up beside him. “Dirk thought this would happen and we prepared for every contingency.” He held out a wide sling lined with sheepskin and helped Jon strap it around his back. Tiernan was securely held against his front and Jon could see, even if Tiernan couldn’t hold his shift, he would still stay warm and safe.
“Jon and my son will ride with me,” Dirk loudly proclaimed as if there was any doubt.
“Prince Raoul, it would be my honor to carry you if you wish to experience flight with a dragon?” Samuel’s dragon sounded a little breathless but after a moment’s consideration, and much to the horror of his bodyguards, Raoul inclined his head.
“You offer me a great gift. I thank you.”
It seemed no one wanted the party to break up as one by one the three cousins offered a chance to fly with them to Essie, her mate, and Bryce. Only Byron flew alone and Jon sent up a short prayer that the lonely dragon would find his mate soon.
With a final roar, Dirk took to the sky, Jon resting one hand on his son and the other on his mate’s neck. Secure in his warm coat, Jon watched the view as his mate’s body levelled out and he took in the sparse lights of the scenery below. It seemed a lifetime ago when he wondered if he’d ever get to see Dirk’s dragon form, let alone build a life with the man himself. But now, sitting astride a giant dragon, his son nestled in his arms, Jon’s heart overflowed with the love and happiness he had in his life. He felt truly blessed.
Looking down, he checked to see if Tiernan was coping with the speed and chilly air. He chuckled. Tiernan was asleep. But instead of the red chubby dragon he’d picked up, Tiernan had taken another form. That of a German Shepherd puppy. He really was perfect.
The End
I hope you enjoyed your first foray into my new Dragon series. I will admit, when it was first conceived, my lovely readers pleaded with me for MPEG – dragon babies are so cute. I was sorely tempted, but in this case, Celine’s baby needed a home, and Jon and Dirk provided the perfect parents for the talented Tiernan. However, I am not ruling it out in later books in this series, so if MPREG is not your thing, make a point of checking the warnings at the bottom of each blurb.
I am in two minds as to who the next book will be about – both Byron and Samuel have compelling stories to tell. I guess it will be a case of who shouts the loudest at me when I come to writing. But along the way we’ll learn more about all of the men in the Hollingsworth family including Jon, Dirk and the baby Tiernan.
If you did enjoy this story, please think about leaving me a review on Amazon or Goodreads. Reviews play an important part both in how Amazon promote books and in how new readers consider picking up a book by an author new to them. I am happy to answer any questions or comments you might have for me personally – my contact details are in the about the author section.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read my stories. Your continued support means the world to me.
Hug the one you love.
Lisa.
Other Books By Lisa Oliver
Please note, I have now marked the books that contain mpreg for those of you who don’t like to read those type of stories.Hope that helps
Cloverleah Pack
Book 1 – The Reluctant Wolf – Kane and Shawn
Book 2 – The Runaway
Cat – Griff and Diablo
Book 3 – When No Doesn’t Cut It – Damien and Scott
Book 3.5 – Never Go Back – Scott and Damien’s Trip and a free story about Malacai and Elijah
Book 4 – Calming the Enforcer – Troy and Anton
Book 5 – Getting Close to the Omega – Dean and Matthew
Book 6 – Fae for All – Jax, Aelfric and Fafnir (M/M/M)
Book 7 – Watching Out for Fangs –Josh and Vadim
Book 8 – Tangling with Bears – Tobias, Luke and Kurt (M/M/M)
Book 9 – Angel in Black Leather – Adair and Vassago
Book 9.5 – Scenes from Cloverleah – four short stories featuring the men we’ve come to love
Book 10 – On The Brink – Teilo, Raff and Nereus (M/M/M)
Book 11 – Don’t Tempt Fate – Marius and (shush, it’s a secret) (Coming soon)
The God’s Made Me Do It (Cloverleah spin off series)
Get Over It – Madison and Sebastian’s story
You’ve Got to be Kidding – Poseidon and Claude (mpreg)
Bound and Bonded Series
Book One – Don’t Touch – Levi and Steel
Book Two – Topping the Dom – Pearson and Dante
Book Three – Total Submission – Kyle and Teric
Book Four – Fighting Fangs – Ace and Devin
Book Five – No Mate of Mine – Roger and Cam
Book Six – Undesirable Mate – Phillip and Kellen
(Yes, there is a spin off series coming and all I can say about that, at this point, is soon, I’m sorry, but it hasn’t been forgotten).
Stockton Wolves Series
Book One – Get off My Case – Shane and Dimitri
Book Two – Copping a Lot of Sin – Ben, Sin and Gabriel (M/M/M)
Book Three – Mace’s Awakening – Mace and Roan
Book Four – Don’t Bite – Trent and Alexi
Book Five – Tell Me the Truth – Captain Reynolds and Nico (mpreg)
Alpha and Omega Series
Book One – The Biker’s Omega – Marly and Trent
Book Two – Dance Around the Cop – Zander and Terry
Book 2.5 – Change of Plans - Q and Sully
Book Three – The Artist and His Alpha – Caden and Sean
Book Four – Harder in Heels – Ronan and Asaph
Book 4.5 – A Touch of Spring – Bronson and Harley
The Portrain Pack and Coven
The Power of the Bite – Dax and Zane
The Fangs Between Us – Broz and Van – a Portrain Coven and Pack Prequel (coming soon).
Balance – Angels and Demons
The Viper’s Heart – Raziel and Botis
Passion Punched King – Anael and Zagan – (coming soon)
Arrowtown
A Tiger’s Tale – Ra and Seth (mpreg)
Snake Snack – Simon and Darwin (mpreg)
NEW Series – City Dragons
Dragon’s Heat – Dirk and Jon (You’ve just read it)
Also under the penname Lee Oliver
Northern States Pack Series
Book One – Ranger’s End Game – Ranger and Aiden
Book Two – Cam’s Promise – Cam and Levi
Book Three – Under Sean’s Protection – Sean and Kyle – (Coming soon)
Shifter’s Uprising Series – Lisa Oliver in conjunction with Thomas J. Oliver
Book One – Uncaged – Carlin and Lucas
Book Two – Fly Free (Coming soon)
[I have purposefully removed the dates my new releases may be due – there are two new series currently under development (the B&B spin off and a new dragon series) and of course a whole host of other books that will be written. Unfortunately, due to real world concerns, I can’t promise when new titles will be arriving. All I can promise is that I am still writing and new books will be released as soon as possible. I am sorry for any inconvenience.]
About the Author
Lisa Oliver had been writing non-fiction books for years when visions of half dressed, buff men started invading her dreams. Unable to resist the lure of her stories, Lisa decided to switch to fiction books, and now stories about her men clamor to get out from under her fingertips.
When Lisa is not writing, she is usually reading with a cup of tea always at hand. Her grown children and grandchildren sometimes try and pry her away from the computer and have found that the best way to do it is to promise her chocolate. Lisa will do anything for chocolate.
Lisa loves to hear from her readers and other writers (I really do, lol). You can catch up with her on any of the social media links below.
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/lisaoliverauthor
Official Author page – https://www.facebook.com/LisaOliverManloveAuthor/
My new private group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/217413318738434/
(You will need to be familiar with the Cloverleah series to be accepted, or a friend of mine on Facebook, as there are questions to be answered to get into the group. It helps stop the group being invaded by people who monitor and report posts.)
My blog - (http://www.supernaturalsmut.com)
Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/wisecrone333
Email me directly at yoursintuitively@gmail.com.