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)
“Nothing. I just didn’t want to go in there,” Drake confessed.
“Ah. Good idea.”
The two dragons moved a slight distance away, so they didn’t intimidate anyone. The foot traffic has shifted away from them, creating a snarl that eased as soon as they had cleared the area. With their backs to a nearby building, they could keep an eye on everything.
A child ran over to stand in front of them, staring. Argenis and Drake returned the careful consideration. Finally, the young boy asked, “Can you dragon out?”
“Simon! Do not bother the dragons. They are keeping us safe.” The frazzled mother grabbed his hand. “My apologies, gentle… I mean, dragons. Sir Dragons?” she struggled to know how to address them.
“Dragon is fine. An inquisitive mind is admirable. We are not bothered,” Argenis told her before fixing a stern look on Simon. “We do not however, perform like trained ponies and dragon out on request.”
The little boy gulped audibly and nodded. “Sorry.”
“He’s fascinated by dragons, of course. His favorite stuffed animal is a dragon.”
“Really? What color?” Drake asked casually.
“Silvery gray.”
Argenis’s mouth went dry, and he tried not to allow the whirl of thoughts in his mind to show on his face. “That is the best color, of course.”
“You’re a silver dragon?” Simon asked.
“I am.”
“Come Simon. Let’s not pester the dragons,” his mother tugged him away with a thankful smile at Argenis and Drake.
“I wish there were phones again. I could have gotten a picture with them.” The young man’s voice drifted back to them.
“That doesn’t mean anything,” Drake assured him the moment they were out of earshot. Obviously reading the other dragon’s thoughts.
“There is only one mate at a time. That young man was six?” Argenis asked. His mind raced. Was Ciel’s life in danger? Was she ill? That couldn’t happen again, could it?
“Just because he has a dragon means nothing,” Drake said quietly.
“A silver dragon.”
“The moment we were back in the spotlight, I’m sure every dragon in the toy store was claimed. It probably means nothing,” Drake suggested.
“I know. It’s just too… Too close. I can’t lose another one so quickly.”
“As we both know, even we can’t battle fate and win. We also can’t live expecting the worst. Would you have ever expected Wyvern to need its dragons so urgently again?”
Argenis considered his words. Drake could be completely right. Or he might just have a few years with Ciel.
“Daddy! I was waving. Didn’t you see me?” Ciel said, appearing in front of him.
“The sun must have been in my eyes, Little Sky. Did you find a couple of books?” he asked, gesturing to the ones in her hand.
“I did. These look really good.”
“I’m glad, Ciel. Are you ready to go home?”
“Wyvern is having a picnic. Can we stay? They’re grilling hotdogs. Everyone brought something to share, but they told us, the dragons have done so much, they would be honored for us to join them.” Ciel almost danced in her excitement.
“I think we could stay here for a while,” he allowed, and both women cheered. “Let me hold those for you. Go socialize. Drake and I will strategize.”
A hint of awareness made both dragons turn and step in front of their mates before they could depart. Keres approached. The crowd visibly shrank from the threatening vibes that the black dragon emitted.
“Keres,” Argenis acknowledged when the other dragon halted a few steps from them.
“Argenis, Drake, mates. Do you want to introduce me to your mate, Argenis?”
“This is Ciel,” Argenis said, not moving a muscle to allow the black dragon to see his mate. A jolt to his back made him automatically reach back to support her.
“Hi, Keres!” Ciel looked over her mate’s shoulder as she clung to him in piggyback fashion.
A flash of amusement was stamped down by sadness on Keres’ face. The dragon nodded and turned to walk away.
“Did I do something wrong?” Ciel asked.
“No, Little one. Keres battles his own demons. He has been too long without a mate,” Argenis assured her.
“I hope he finds a mate soon. The picnic is a great place to search for her or him,” Ciel suggested.
“I have a feeling that’s what everyone thinks,” Drake suggested, nodding to Khadar who approached.
Ciel immediately slid down to the ground and darted around Argenis to go talk to the emerald dragon. Knowing she was safe, Argenis followed her at a more sedate pace.
“Khadar! I’m so glad to see you. Did you whomp the mountain with your tail? That’s what Daddy said.”
“To close the opening? Definitely. No one’s getting in there now,” Khadar promised. “And good day to you, Lady Ciel.”
“Thank you for helping Daddy rescue me,” Ciel told him as Argenis reached them.
“I did very little. Your mate was the hero of the day. I was just there to… whomp,” he finished, using her description.
“You did good. I went down there to look. Are you here to look for a mate?” Ciel asked, before slapping a hand over her mouth. “Maybe I shouldn’t have asked that.”