Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 41518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 208(@200wpm)___ 166(@250wpm)___ 138(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 208(@200wpm)___ 166(@250wpm)___ 138(@300wpm)
Now as an adult, she read the history of Wyvern and was mind-boggled. The meeting between the settlers and the dragons must have terrified the town folk. Those brave men and women had kept everyone safe.
She wondered if they’d believed that the dragons would care for their mates as they’d signed it. Were they just protecting the majority at the cost of a few? Ciel found a few statements in the pact that showed they were not sacrificing their offspring. They believed the dragons’ promise to take only those who were mates. Those they swore to protect with their life’s blood.
Reading the story of the first mate fascinated her. Zinnia had received the first mark as the Black Dragon, Keres, had exited that meeting. Her hat blew off as he walked by. When he returned it, their hands touched, resulting in the searing dragon pattern. Her life as a treasured mate was briefly detailed, as well as her death at one hundred and thirty-seven.
Ciel couldn’t imagine living that long. Then she thought of Argenis. Suddenly, all those years were very desirable. Even with the hardships of no technology, life with Argenis was a delight.
“Trying to find the skeletons in my closet?” a deep voice asked from behind her.
Jumping automatically from the surprise, Ciel whirled around to see Argenis leaning against the wall. “Daddy!”
Argenis caught her when she dashed to him and jumped into his arms. “Whoa, Little Sky. What if I’d dropped you?”
“That would never happen,” she answered confidently.
“I’m glad you trust me, Ciel.”
She nodded before tilting her head to look at him quizzically. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m heading out to do a survey of the path to the ocean. Want to go?”
“That’s hundreds of miles away. How long will it take to get there?”
“Dragon,” he answered simply, and tapped himself on the chest.
“How could I forget that?” she answered, laughing.
“Go get your swimsuit and let’s go.”
In a flash, she abandoned her study of the old tome and dashed down the hall to their bedroom. Returning in a flash, Ciel had her bikini in her hand. A strap swung free as she hurried.
“Do we need a towel?” Ciel asked, trying to think where a beach towel would be in the house.
“Dragon,” Argenis reminded her and then blew a draft of warm air over her body.
“Ooh! I like have my own personal towel boy?” she said with a grin.
“It’s a long way down when we’re up in the air, Little Sky,” he glowered at her.
“You won’t drop me.”
“You sound pretty confident about that.”
“I am.”
“Come on, Miss Confident.”
He ushered her out of the house, muttering towel boy under his breath. In the clearing out front, Argenis changed into dragon form and lowered his head for her to climb up on his neck.
Instead of moving into position quickly, Ciel took time to kiss his snout. “Thank you.”
He blew a puff of smoke that made her rock back on her heel. As she watched, the white haze formed into a perfect heart and floated away.
“Do it again,” she begged.
Your swim time is getting shorter and shorter.
“Okay. I’ll get on, but only if you’ll puff a heart for me later,” she requested as she stuffed her bathing suit down the back of her tucked-in shirt to free her hands.
Deal.
In a short time, they were soaring through the clouds. So high that Ciel couldn’t see what was happening down below with any real clarity. The air was gusty, so she put her face down to press against him. The slow, rhythmic beat of his wings flexed the muscles under her body, almost rocking her. She jerked herself awake a few times when she caught herself drowsing.
Sleep, Little Sky. I’ll keep you safe.
And wake me up if anything exciting happens?
Of course.
Ciel awoke as the hard surface below her changed its angle to descend. Are we there yet? She laughed
Almost, Little Sky. Can you see the dolphins playing in the water?
Oh! There’s the ocean.
Her family had visited the seaside one summer. She’d enjoyed it tremendously. Probably more than anyone else in her family. Ciel watched the waves crash on the beach. Other than a small cluster of fishermen, the strip of sand was uninhabited.
No one has time for a vacation.
The world has changed, Little one. We will take time to enjoy the beach and then we’ll accomplish our task.
What’s that?
Something for your Daddy to take care of, Ciel.
Ciel scrunched her mouth up at that response. She liked to know what was going on. Daddy could tell me and then I wouldn’t have to worry about it while I’m enjoying the beach.
Be good.
Shutting her mouth with a snap, Ciel stopped asking questions. It must be something important. She still wondered why she couldn’t know what it was, but her bottom knew it was wise not to argue with Argenis. She’d never win.