by Bianca D'Arc
“You should’ve seen it, Rol!” Wil’s voice was eager in their minds as he dropped back beside them now that they were out of danger. “She was great her first time out. A natural.”
Tor raced ahead for the cliff top, roaring for her as he landed.
“Lana! Lana! Where are you?”
Lana was still incredibly awkward when she tried to land, but Roland coached her, landing first and catching her hurtling body with his larger one when she would have overshot her landing. Tor was pacing up and down now, looking for her.
“I’m here, Tor,” she finally answered him. She had no idea how he would take this new change. She stood on her shaky dragon legs and walked over to the large baby dragon she had raised. He was so much bigger than she was, even now.
“Lana?” Tor’s voice was hesitant.
“Yes, baby. It’s me.”
“Lana! You are my mommy!”
Chapter Eleven
Lana found it harder to change back now that the stress of the moment was gone. She had to make her way back down to the Lair in dragon form. Roland stayed on one side, Tor frolicking along on the other, each helping her maneuver her awkward dragon body toward a private suite with a large, heated sand pit.
Tor jumped in first, rolling around and polishing his gleaming scales while the warm sand soothed his tired muscles.
“Ready to join him? I can assure you, there’s nothing better than warm sand on your scales after a hard flight.”
“Come on, Lana!” Tor called, showering sand everywhere. Wil jumped in next to the dragonet and splashed sand at him playfully. A little game ensued, Tor giggling smokily as he played with Wil in dragon form.
“You’re a dragon now, my love. You’ll enjoy this. I promise.”
“But—”
“Trust me, Lana.”
With a firm shove of his foreleg, he pushed her over the edge of the pit and into the warm sand. She tumbled a bit, flustered by the sudden movement and more awkward than ever on her new limbs, but the warmth of the sand penetrated her new thickly scaled skin.
“Oh, this feels really wonderful.”
Roland chuckled as he joined her, smoke rising through the air to the vented, domed roof of the suite. He tucked his wings back behind him and grappled her in close to his larger dragon body with strong forelegs.
“What did I tell you? Now let’s play.”
“Play?”
She didn’t get to ask anything further as he rolled with her into the warm sand, twining his sinuous neck with hers. She would have screamed, but it came out more like a trumpeting call from her dragon mouth. She accidentally let out some flame, too, but his dragon hide was impervious to it, thank the Mother. She had a hard time controlling her body in this form, but she was learning as she went.
Roland pinned her beneath his massive body, aligning them in this new form just as easily as he did when they were human. Sand showered over them and she heard dragonish snorts of laughter from the two younger males who were using their wingtips to shovel warm sand over them both.
Roland looked into her eyes, his wings sheltering her as she lay beneath him. Her own wings were tucked up uncomfortably behind her and she shifted to try to ease them. Roland let up immediately.
“Stretch your wings, my love. Rub them in the warm, healing sand.”
“Oh, that feels good.” Lana stretched beneath him, getting just a bit more comfortable in her new body, but she was more than ready to be human again. “Roland, why can’t I change back? It was easy before. Why is it so difficult this time?”
“The more you think about changing, the harder it becomes. The first times you changed, you were probably too preoccupied with what was going on around you to worry about shifting. You just did it, right?”
She nodded her head, still smaller than his, but she felt herself to be huge compared to her human form. It was ungainly and hard to deal with, especially on land.
“So you think I’m over-thinking it?”
“I’d say that’s a definite possibility. Hence, the sand bath. Nothing relaxes a dragon better than a good roll in a warm wallow. I think once you’re relaxed, the shift will happen of its own volition.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Roland moved away, allowing her room as Tor’s curious head bobbed between them.
“Isn’t this great, Lana? You’re a dragon too. We can play tag in the sky now, once you learn to fly better.”
Lana stretched her wings out and around the dragonet, hugging all of him for once in his life. He’d always been so much bigger than her. He still was, but at least for now, while he was still a baby, she could get her wings around him.
“You’ll have to teach me all about being a dragon, Tor.”
“Roland will help. He’s teaching me new stuff all the time.” Tor snuggled in close to her, burrowing into her embrace. “I’m so happy here, Lana, but why didn’t you ever change before?”
“I didn’t know I could. I wish I had known. It would’ve made both our lives much easier.”
“That’s all right. I always knew you were a dragon inside.”
She thought back on all the times Tor had said as much and wondered. Somehow he had recognized the dragon in her, even when she had no idea of her origins. Tor snuggled close a few moments longer, then wiggled free to play with Wil on the other side of the huge wallow. Roland lay next to her, apparently content in the warm sand.
“You ready to try that shift now?”
Lana sighed heavily, startled by the smoke rising out of her mouth. “Ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.”
Roland reached out with just the tip of his long tail, trailing it lightly down her side as he talked her gently through the change. It took her long minutes to relax to the point where his voice in her mind lulled her. Following his lead, she shifted back to her human form, shocked when she found herself entirely naked.
She squeaked and tried to cover herself. Luckily Wil was off on the other side of the room, playing with Tor, and couldn’t see her predicament.
“What happened to my clothes?”
Roland laughed softly and shrugged out of his leather tunic, dropping it over her shoulders. Luckily, his big shirt hung well past her hips, almost like a dress.
“The dragon magic allows our clothing to come with us—or leave us—in the change. You have to think of the clothes on you while you change and they’ll be there when you come back. I can’t explain it any better than that. It’ll take practice, but you’ll get there in time.” He stroked her hair as they lay back in the warm, enveloping sand. “I can hardly believe the Mother has blessed me so, to give me the perfect mate.”
She snorted self-consciously. “I’m far from perfect.”
He kissed her so gently, the look in his darkening eyes melting her heart.
“You’re perfect for me, my love.” His hand stroked down her side to settle at her waist while he leaned over her on their warm bed of sand. “I knew before that I was a lucky, blessed man, but now…” His hand slid over her arm to grasp her fingers, squeezing tight as he held her gaze. “Now that you’ve found the dragon within you, you are my perfect match in every possible way. Think of the possibilities, Lana. We can soar to the stars now. Together.”
Her breath caught at the image that popped into her mind. From his? She wasn’t sure, but she saw two black dragons twined around each other as they shot toward the sun.
“A mating flight?” Her voice was breathless with the idea. Breathless and hot.
His smile was sexy and low. “There hasn’t been a royal mating flight in centuries. We’ll be the first in all that time so perfectly matched that we can make love in both forms. I’ve heard it’s amazing.”
“And dangerous! We could plummet to the ground if we don’t break apart in time.”
He chuckled and kissed her nose. “I’ll trust you to keep us on track, little one. Besides, that’s part of the thrill. Ecstasy in freefall. My dragon side tells me there’s nothing to compa
re it with in human terms.”
She found herself stroking his strong shoulders, thinking through the tantalizing possibilities.
“I’d have to fly better than I do right now.”
“I’ll practice with you every day.” He brought her little hand to his lips and kissed her palm, the light in his eyes dancing with excitement and joy. She felt herself responding to his eagerness.
“I’d like that.”
The battle ended with the Northern army in full retreat. Once the witch took herself out of the battle—for whatever reason she’d done that—the dragons were better able to maneuver. Somehow her magic had kept them blocked. They all reported the strange phenomenon as they returned, confused by the magic used against them. The only dragons who hadn’t felt Loralie’s influence were the three blacks and Tor. They’d flown right through the field that was off limits to the others, as if nothing blocked their path.
And perhaps nothing did.
Whether it was their own magic, being slightly different from that of the other dragons, or some trick of the North Witch, neither the blacks nor the Ice Dragon felt the effects of her spell. It was clear to all that Roland had been the target of the entire attack, and the Witch was instrumental in all that had occurred—for good and ill.
Loralie’s odd actions were the topic of much conjecture among the king, his family and his advisors for days after the battle, but none could fathom exactly what the woman had up her sleeve. Whether she was truly an enemy or a hidden ally remained to be seen.
Loralie’s dagger was also the topic of much conversation. After flying back to the Lair, Lana gave the knife to Roland and he passed it on to a knight named Branden who had a flair for history and knowledge of edged weapons. Branden said at first glance the dagger was a rare piece indeed, but he would consult with experts to learn what he could of its origins and report back. Lana was just glad to have the thing out of her sight. She didn’t want to think about Loralie anymore. At least not right now.
Lana used her healing skills to patch up the injured dragons, only extending the legend she seemed to be building, giving of her own energy to heal the dragons of the Northern Lair. The dragons talked among themselves about her, the gorgeous and loving baby Ice Dragon who was her son, her amazing healing gift, and the fact that a mysterious third black dragon had been spotted from afar during the heat of the battle.
No one knew for certain just where that third black dragon had come from, racing in to save the king, flying in odd fits and starts. The dragons and knights spent their idle time trying to account for the various princes. Some suggested it might have been Prince Nico. Only he would have the nerve to dart in, save the day, then leave without a trace. It was just the sort of practical joke he would enjoy. But others said not.
Roland was physically well after the severe beating he’d taken during the battle, thanks to Lana’s healing skills, but he took her advice and stayed on at the Northern Lair to both rest up and to receive scouting reports about the remainder of Salomar’s army. Roland said he didn’t think they’d heard the last of Salomar, and until that situation was resolved, and cautioned everyone to keep a close eye on the Northern border.
Each day Roland and Lana took a short trip to a quiet area where she practiced shifting and flying. She left the Lair on Tor’s back, flying with Tor and Roland as they taught her how to be a dragon, then shifting back to arrive back in the Lair in human form with none the wiser.
“You know, they’re going to find out sooner or later. Jures tells me they’re all scratching their heads trying to figure out who that third black dragon was.” Roland stroked her arm as they walked back to the suite they were using while they stayed at the Northern Lair. Tor had stayed outside to play with some of the younger dragons while the sun was high.
“I fly so badly.” Her voice sounded so dejected, it touched his heart. “I’m embarrassed for them to see me until I can at least walk in dragon form without tripping over my tail.”
“That’s not true, sweetling. You’re getting better every day.” He put his arm around her as they stepped into the suite. “And the real proof is in what you did in battle. Having never flown before, you followed Tor’s path—a feat for any dragon—and saved my life. No one will mind that you’re still a little unsteady on your talons. Believe me.”
They entered the open archway only to find two startled black dragons there before them. It was the older set of twins, Trey and Collin, who must have only just arrived from the deep south. In a swirl of black mist, they transformed to two tall, muscular, leather-clad warriors with identical stunning green eyes and dark blonde hair.
“Ah, the mystery is solved.” Trey said with a friendly grin as he reached to grip his brother’s hand in greeting. The other twin followed suit, both turning to look over the woman at Roland’s side with interest flashing in their eyes. “The Lair is in an uproar trying to figure out who swooped in to save the day, Rol. We only just got here and they’ve already questioned us both, separately and together.”
Roland hugged Lana close to his side. He felt her discomfort in the tightening of her shoulders, but she was a brave woman. She wouldn’t let them see her nerves.
“This is Lana, my intended bride, and yes, she can shift.”
Trey whistled between his teeth while Collin watched her quietly, clearly stunned.
“The first female black dragon in centuries.” Awe resonated through Collin’s deep voice as he looked down at Lana. “And she’ll be your queen?” His eyes moved to Roland, admiration in their depths. “Congratulations to you both.”
“Welcome to the family, sister.”
Trey smiled broadly and took her hand, tugging her out of Roland’s embrace. With a devilish twinkle, he hugged her close, loosing her only to pass her off to Collin for a similar embrace. Lana smiled and laughed at the familiar way his mischievous brothers handled her, and Roland’s heart filled with joy at how well she fit in with his family. She would be the perfect queen, the perfect mate, his perfect love for the rest of their days. The Mother of All had truly blessed him when She’d sent him Lana and young Tor. He loved them both, deeply and true.
Roland continued to teach Lana how to fly over the next few days. Trey and Collin remained close, flying out with the reconnaissance patrols to see what the remnants of the Northern army were doing. So far, they remained quiet in the foothills, neither retreating, nor advancing. Roland felt an itch between his shoulders, warning him something was brewing up there.
Salomar wasn’t done yet and they’d have to be on the lookout for renewed attack. For the time being, he decided to stay in the Northern Lair, sending Wil back to the palace both to keep him safe and as a messenger. Some messages were too important to entrust to anyone but family.
Through Wil, Roland dispatched his brother Nico out to the east to see what Skithdron was up to while he dealt with Salomar. Nico was his right hand, his eyes and ears in foreign lands. Prince Nico, the Prince of Spies, would safeguard the east while Roland was preoccupied with the clear and present threat in the north.
Right now, it was a waiting game, but Roland knew something would have to give soon. Until then, he would keep his eyes and ears open and keep his eldest twin brothers near in case there was trouble. Both were proven warriors, only a few years younger than himself. They were good men to have at your back in a fight and he would trust not only his own safety, but also that of his betrothed to their care.
With Wil safely back at the castle, Roland found a little time alone each day with Tor and Lana to continue her flying lessons. They’d found an idyllic little glade in which to practice her moves and she was getting a little steadier every time she flew, though she often over-thought her movements and ended up flailing awkwardly. She was at her best when she just moved without thinking and Roland tried his best to get her into that zone whenever possible.
One morning, Roland and Tor, with Lana on the dragonet’s back, landed in their secret glade and all hell broke loose.
Diamond-bladed arrows shot out at them from the surrounding trees, and Roland knew he had flown into an ambush, regardless of the fact he’d had patrols out scouting the area before he and Tor ever left the Lair.
“Trey! Collin! We need you now!”
Roland called to his brothers and trumpeted for help as he threw himself in front of Tor. The baby dragon was fast, but he’d already taken one hit to his foreleg from a lucky arrow as Lana scrambled off his back.
Roland flamed the trees, catching one of the archers, judging by the yelp of pain that followed, but the others were behind rock or otherwise protected. Using his powerful tail, Roland cut a swath through the vegetation, taking out any cover the villains might have. It was a small force, but dangerous enough with their extra sharp weapons.
If the dragons took to the air, all the most tender parts of their hides and delicate wings would be exposed. It was too risky. They had to hold on until help arrived. Roland’s anger blossomed as the smelly Northerners threatened his family. With anger in every movement, he stalked the greasy men, sniffing out their hiding places and flaming everything in his path. His rage knew no bounds.
But rage blinded him to a very real threat. Thankfully, Tor had grown up evading such attacks and knew well what to do. Lana knew too. She’d faced these same barbarian warriors while in human form and with a sword at her side, but Roland felt the disturbance of wings flapping awkwardly at his side and he knew she’d shifted to dragon form. Roland cursed inwardly. She was all too vulnerable in the larger form until she was more comfortable in her hide.
“Lana, stay back.”
“No, Roland, he’s behind you!”
Roland twirled on his talons, facing the new threat. He immediately saw the hate-filled face above the sparkling, diamond-tipped arrow, knocked and ready to slice into Lana’s heart. It was Salomar himself.
