Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 105164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
“Adrian! The clan misses you!” she cried.
“Hey!” Haru’s voice suddenly thundered above the noise of the other dragons. They both froze and gazed up to find Haru striding across the field in his borrowed fatigues, a look of pure rage on his face. “He is mine.”
Good fucking grief.
All the same, Mika instantly dropped him. Haru snagged his elbow and jerked him over so that his shoulder crashed into Haru’s chest.
“Enough! She was saying hi,” Adrian snapped. He pushed at Haru’s chest but failed to break free. He added in a lower voice. “You’re also scaring the humans, you lunatic. They’re not used to dragons, and they will start shooting, which doesn’t help the king.”
The brief smile that lifted Haru’s lips vanished. At least he was clear on the idea that he wanted to help Cael.
“Nothing to worry about, my Adrian,” he countered, adding the emphasis as if some dragons hadn’t caught on yet that Haru was staking a claim whether Adrian wanted him to or not. “We’re going to be a great help to Cousin Caelan and your kingdom.”
Adrian’s eyes nearly rolled up into his head with his mounting frustration. Now was not the time to tackle his growing streak of possessiveness. “You need to keep the cousin thing quiet. The king isn’t ready for the world to know about all of that yet. Let’s settle things in the Ordas first, please.”
“Of course, my Adrian.”
He was going to kill his first dragon. He wasn’t sure how yet, but he was going to kill Haru before they finished with this Ordas mess.
Haru was either oblivious to or simply didn’t care about Adrian’s irritation. He just wrapped an arm around his shoulders and introduced him to the other dragons. There were two other Clan Omari members along with Mika, dressed in their usual pristine white robes. He’d met both when he was on the Isle of Stone. The two members of Clan Nakano were completely new to him with their soft moss-green robes that reminded him of springtime in Stormbreak. The single Clan Sasaki member had been studying at the Clan Omari compound when the news hit, and he’d demanded to accompany the initial team. Adrian thought he remembered the dragon in the deep purple robes.
The shock, of course, were the two Clan Takahashi members who were standing slightly off to the side in their distinct black robes. The woman in black stepped forward and she bowed deeply to Adrian. Haru’s grip tightened and he shifted his stance, crowding a little closer, but this time, Adrian didn’t blame him for his caution. Adrian didn’t know what the fuck had gone on with the remains of Clan Takahashi since they left the Isle of Stone. He only knew that their leader had ordered Drayce’s wings cut off and then tried to kill all of them and Clan Omari.
“Takahashi Hitomi,” Haru greeted, though it sounded like he said her name between his teeth. “I’m surprised Clan Leader Omari allowed you to join the party.”
Even after she straightened, she kept her head down. “The Takahashi are willing to offer their lives in the protection of King Caelan.”
“Thank you. We appreciate the help,” Adrian replied when Haru remained silent.
Hitomi’s eyes lifted to Adrian. “Have you seen Takahashi Souta?” she quickly asked and lowered her head again. “I mean, Omari Drayce. Is he well? Is he safe?”
Ahhh…that was where he knew her from. This was Drayce’s sister—and his last surviving family member as far as he knew.
Fuck, Drayce was not going to be happy about this.
“It’s been two weeks since I last saw him,” he admitted. “But I think he’s good. He’s protecting the king.”
“We should get everyone settled and introduced to your colonel,” Haru interjected with surprising gentleness. Haru leaned close, his lips nearly brushing against Adrian’s earlobe. “We promise not to scare the humans.”
“If you don’t want this visit to be a one-time thing, you better freaking behave,” Adrian muttered as he turned to lead the group over to where Tomas Soto was standing at the edge of the field. Past him, Adrian swore half the base was standing on the other side of the chain link fence, staring at the dragons in human form.
Adrian made quick introductions to the colonel, who managed to at least not sound as freaked out as Adrian guessed he really was. He appeared to take it in stride, greeting everyone warmly. He then turned his attention to Haru.
“Who is the leader of the dragons?”
“I am,” Haru declared. “But I am willing to follow your lead. We have come here to help you protect Thia and your king.” He paused and a hand landed on Adrian’s shoulder. “However, my first priority until we reach King Caelan is protecting Adrian.”
Shit…
FIFTEEN
Caelan Talos
Caelan sat on a flat rock near the edge of the stream where he’d had his conversation with Zyros the night before. Eyes closed and hands resting on his knees, he tried to recall the meditation lessons he’d received from his grandfather.