by Amelia Jade
None of them moved, though she could see that several were still prepared to resist the notion that war was coming.
“Let me be clear,” Daxxton said from her side, the burning tree still held aloft by its impaled victim in the background. “I will not advocate for war. I will not start one either.” His voice turned to steel as a hard glint entered his eyes. “But I will protect Cadia with every breath in my body, and if Fenris cannot be made to see reason, then I will ensure that they come out as the losers in any fight they might start. Do I make myself understood?”
Several spines straightened and answering looks of pride in their nation answered him.
“Good,” he said. “Now, send out the word. Recall all your inactive Guardians, those that have been put out of a job by my predecessor. Notify them that they are needed once more.” His eyes swept the crowd. “You will all open your respective Academies to any who wish to learn how to become a Guardian. We will need as many trained shifters as we can get. Fenris has been preparing for this for a long time. We must do the same, or we will not stand a chance.”
The assembled Council nodded, and Miranda could see how they were infused with a purpose at last, something that would motivate them to perform to their utter best. No matter what their goals were, each of them realized that without a Cadia free of Fenris rule they could never achieve them. So they would do what was necessary, she believed. They might grumble about it, but none would resist.
It would be enough. It had to.
Chapter Fifteen
Daxxton
“I don’t think you were this nervous even when you were going up against Corbin,” Blaine whispered from his side.
Daxxton just glared at his friend.
They were standing at the top of the steps of the Palace of Nobles in the heart of Tanith. The beige stones of the wide boulevard that led up to the steps were covered in a thick red fabric trimmed in gold, as were the steps themselves. A row of Tanithian Royal Guards kept the crowds at bay, magnificent in their all-black uniforms, the edges and accents covered with silver, and a stripe of deep red down the sides of their pants to mark the blood they were willing to shed in their sovereign’s defense.
Beyond the guards the populace of Tanith—and he suspected it was damn near the entire populace—was turned out. They had cheered wildly as he, Blaine, Asher, and Zander had landed at the designated circle a thousand yards distant. The noise had increased as each dragon landed, until it had become a full-fledged roar as his talons settled onto the sharply polished stonework.
He had hoped the people of Tanith would accept him, but he’d been unprepared for the sort of welcome he was getting.
“I think the story of how you won over their princess has made its way around,” Asher had commented as the four of them had walked up the boulevard together.
Now they stood in a line behind him, all of them dressed for the occasion. Daxxton had chosen a martial uniform for the occasion, to signify the events that were bringing them together.
In the month since he had become King of Cadia and formally proposed to Miranda, much had happened, though no major events had occurred. But Fenris had made it clear they were ready to make a move, and they had begun to probe the borders of Cadia. So far they had yet to make a move against Fenris, but a cadre of Cadian Guardians was even now stationed with their newfound ally, helping any way they could to prepare the Tanith population for war.
Today though, was a day for celebration.
“Ready to get married?” Zander teased, his voice easily carrying over the noise.
“I’ve been mated before,” he replied a little unsteadily. “But nothing like this. I must admit, my friends, that I am a little overwhelmed.”
“You and me both,” Asher replied.
Daxxton fixed him with an arched eyebrow.
“I mean, I’m surprised that this many people like you,” he said with a shrug. “I never thought you’d find three people willing to be your groomsmen.”
Blaine snorted with laughter at the smooth delivery of the comment, and even Daxxton had to smile. “Well, you three were the only ones dumb enough to say yes. My real friends know me well enough to have declined.”
Asher laughed outright, but the trio quieted, and Daxxton turned at a slight nod from Blaine.
The crowd hushed as a black speck appeared on the horizon, growing steadily closer. The sun was sparkling, and soon enough the crowd of shifters could make out the way it reflected from the black scales of the approaching dragon.
The instant they realized that, an audible hum arose from the assembled spectators.
Miranda came in for a landing, circling once over the crowd.
Daxxton swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry as she touched down, and the blackness that was the trait of a Blast Dragon swept out from her wings and engulfed her.
Blaine’s hand squeezed his upper arm. “It’s all worth it, trust me,” he said, his voice speaking from experience. He and his mate had decided to have an official marriage ceremony a few weeks back, despite already having been mated for several months.
He nodded jerkily as the blackness began to condense. Soon he would see the woman who was to become his mate, and his wife.
The crowd quieted noticeably as the inky blackness prepared to evaporate.
Daxxton held his breath.
The shadows parted.
The crowd went wild.
The Aurum Dragon smiled as his love appeared in an explosion of white, her wedding dress a stark contrast to that of her dragon.
She may have been a thousand paces distant, but his eyes let him pick out the details of her beautiful flowing wedding dress. Even as he watched, a team of young shifter girls all rushed in from around the circle to pick up the train. They walked along behind Miranda with exquisite care, careful to ensure no part of her train dragged along the ground.
The strapless gown was of the purest white, cinched together with a belt of gold that gleamed in the sunlight, a metaphor for the Aurum Dragon that held her heart. Onyx earrings bounced jauntily as she walked down the long aisle, carved into the shape of a dragon curled around a sword, her house crest.
Other than that, everything was white. Her hair was swept up and held in place with a white dagger handle.
Daxxton smiled at that little detail, remembering how she’d always used a black dagger to keep her hair swept up, somehow managing not to shred her hair with it. Someone had let her get away with that on a day like today.
Or more likely she told them it was happening and didn’t back down.
His future wife was feistier than any woman he’d known before.
If the crowd had been loud for him, it was deafening as Miranda walked down past them, smiling and waving, her eyes seeming to meet each individual shifter as she passed. He’d known that her people adored her, but this was more than he’d been prepared for. The sheer adulation for her was almost overwhelming.
The two of them had been nervous about how they’d take the news that she was getting married to a Cadian, thus signaling the end of Tanith’s neutrality, but to their knowledge, there hadn’t been a single protest.
A bead of sweat worked its way down his temple as Miranda drew closer and their eyes met for the first time.
But the look of sheer joy on her face made him break out in a smile, which seemed to send the crowd into an even louder frenzy.
She ascended the steps with the grace of a thousand women, and Daxxton couldn’t stop staring.
“You look beautiful,” he said, his voice barely a whisper.
Miranda blushed, and he fell in love all over again.
She stepped up alongside him, and he extended his arm to her.
Hand in hand they climbed the remaining steps together as the crowd roared their approval.
The days ahead might promise rain, thunder, and darkness, but for that day, at that time, the future was as bright as the sun that cast its brilliance down upon him and his love.
&nb
sp; This concludes Book 6 of the Top Scale Academy Series. The series is now over. I hoped you enjoyed the adventure! To continue with the adventures in Cadia, keep turning the page for the Base Camp Bears series. Or click the link below!
The story continues with Green Bearets: Luther (Base Camp Bears #1)
Want More of These Characters?
Hey!
Thanks for digging in to my back matter for more books to read. I’ve written a number of series now, in two main worlds. Both worlds have an easy and convenient to read introductory bundle with a number of stories in it that will drag you right into the world.
Cadia
This is the world where the story you just read is set. Not sure where to start? Try reading:
Dragons of Cadia Bundle (Click)
This 6 book bundle is just $0.99c or FREE with Kindle Unlimited. From there, just follow the links in the back!
Genesis Valley
This is the other world I have written extensively in. There are a number of books in the series, and the order can jump around a bit. The best way to start is here:
Jade Crew: The Boxed Set (Link)
This 7 book collection is also just $0.99c and FREE with Kindle unlimited. Once you reach the end, it will link you to the next series.
Already read both box sets and want more? Flip the page for the complete rundown of all my series and the recommended reading order.
Thanks!
-Amelia Jade
The world of: Cadia
Here are the main series in the world of Cadia. Find them below!
Start with:
Dragons of Cadia: The Complete Dragon Shifter Series.
The Full 6 Book Bundle (Link)
Includes:
Frost Dragon
Fire Dragon
Electro Dragon
Gale Dragon
Fume Dragon
Aurum Dragon
Next:
Base Camp Bears
Green Bearets: Luther
Green Bearets: Aksel
Green Bearets: Jarvis
Green Bearets: Garrin
Green Bearets: Kiefer
Green Bearets: Gabriel
Then:
The Koche Brothers
Blackjack Bears: Pierce
Blackjack Bears: Kean
Blackjack Bears: Gavin
Blackjack Bears: Kassian
Blackjack Bears: Maximus
Then:
Standalones (In Chronological Order)
Big Bad Wolf Dad
Bad Bad Bear Dad
Wing Her Over
The World of: Genesis Valley
This world follows the events in Genesis Valley, where misfit shifters of the world are sent. It is a brutal, vicious place where everyone’s chances have already been used up. This is it. Screw up, and they end you. But amongst the harsh life these bear shifters have eked out for themselves, everything burns brighter. Especially love.
The books in the first two series jump around some if you wish to follow the exact chronological timeline. See the numbers in bold to follow the order.
Start With:
Jade Crew
The Complete Boxed Set (Link)
Includes:
Jade Crew: Alpha Bear [1]
Jade Crew: Haunted Bear [2]
Jade Crew: Forgotten Bear [3]
Jade Crew: Captive Bear [5]
Jade Crew: Outcast Bear [6]
Jade Crew: Hunted Bear[8]
Jade Crew: Fallen Bear [9]
Next:
Stone Bears
Stone Bear: Sentinel [4]
Stone Bear: Phoenix [7]
Stone Bear: Guardian [10]
Then:
Genesis Valley
Blueblood Dragon
Blackmarket Bear
Finally:
The Agency
Get the 4 book bundle: CLICK HERE
Sentinel: Bravo Bear
Blackblood Bear
Silver Bullet Bear
Kingpin Bear
About the Author
Amelia Jade
Amelia Jade loves to write the stories of tall, growly shifter men and the women who come to love them. Living out in the backcountry near the mountains, she keeps her own alpha male close by to keep the bears away and keep her warm. In her downtime (which is rare), she loves to read science-fiction with a dash of fantasy. You can often find her curled up in front of the real wood-burning fireplace, her nose firmly buried in a book or her favorite e-reader. The cold can’t bother her there!
For more information about Amelia Jade and her work, visit her website or find her on Facebook.
Amelia Jade’s Website
Author Page
Contents
Copyright
Books in this bundle
Frost Dragon
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Fire Dragon
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Electro Dragon
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Gale Dragon
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Fume Dragon
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Aurum Dragon
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Miranda
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
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About the Author
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