Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
“What are the dragons doing?” an angry voice called.
“We are fulfilling our promise to the first families who settled here. We are keeping you safe. There are three roads leading in and out of the city. If things get dangerous, we will create blockades there to control the entrances to Wyvern.”
“And in return, I’ve heard you want us to give you our young women?” an angry voice called from the crowd. “What are you, a bunch of perverts?”
Aurora’s grandmother as well as the other representatives of the founding families visibly bristled. Pissed, Aurora walked up the stairs to stand at Drake’s side. He was not pleased to have her exposed to the possible wrath of the crowd, but she didn’t allow him to corral her behind him.
“I am the gold dragon’s mate. I am also the newest mate to be found. I would ask those dragons without mates to step forward.”
Seven of the nine stepped forward. She let that number sink in. Even she hadn’t known how many were without a fated mate.
“As you can see, these dragons have not grabbed women off the street willy-nilly. They are not preying on young women. They seek one person who is their mate. They might wait over a hundred years until she or he is born. And then, they will care for their mate throughout their lifespan without straying.”
“That’s better than my cheating jerk of a husband,” a woman yelled.
“Exactly. A love match like this is the greatest blessing,” Aurora shared with them.
Her grandmother added, “For the chance to meet their mates, they have kept their promise to protect the city through generations of Wyvern families. Some years they have been needed more than others. In quieter years, the ways they have protected us have gone unnoticed by many. Their efforts have never wavered.”
“Now, you can rely on us to guard Wyvern once again,” Drake told them. “Listen to your leaders. Now is the time to work together. If you don’t, secure borders will do nothing to help you.”
“If you have farming experience, meet on First Street. For those with military experience, meet on Third Street. All those trained in medicine meet on Fifth Street. If you have family outside the city who you feel are in danger, come to the west side of the square,” the mayor directed the crowd.
The mass of people was surprisingly quiet as people divided themselves. Some came to ask questions of the representatives of the first families. One stood in line with a big satchel over her shoulder, a book-sized lump pressed against the sides. Aurora pointed her out to her grandmother before joining Drake on the west side of the square.
Sitting on the steps close to her great-great-great-aunt’s name, Aurora took notes for Drake who would prioritize those for the dragons. She knew they would try to help those who’d been stranded when everything had stopped working.
To her surprise, Argenis, the silver dragon, stepped between them to take the paper from her hand when she turned to give it to Drake. “I will handle this one,” Argenis stated firmly.
Aurora looked at Drake in concern and he nodded his agreement. With that endorsement, Aurora said, “Of course. Here’s her mother. Would you like to ask her any questions?”
“Yes,” Argenis confirmed succinctly and walked a short distance away.
“Follow him,” Aurora suggested, pointing at the silver dragon.
The woman leaned in to whisper, “Is it safe? He won’t eat me, will he?”
Controlling her impulse to laugh, Aurora reassured her,. “You’re perfectly safe. Tell him everything you can to help him find your daughter.”
“Thank you, miss.” She paused before walking away and blurted, “Are you happy? You know, being with a dragon?”
“More than I ever thought was possible,” Aurora assured her. “Go talk to him.”
Aurora felt Drake’s hand wrap around her shoulder to squeeze her gently. She pressed the side of her face to his fingers before waving the man next in line forward. There were so many to talk to.
It could have easily become too much to handle, but Drake was there. His mere presence was reassuring not only for her as his mate but for those talking to her. While everything they knew crumbled around them, the dragons stepped forward to help. The view of the crowd toward these ancient creatures was slowly changing from fear to hope.
In a split second, that feeling of working together evaporated. Screams filled the air as everyone dropped to the ground. Aurora looked behind her to see Keres now in dragon form. He pushed from the ground, making it shake under everyone’s feet. The air displaced from the flapping of his enormous wings blew Aurora’s papers around.
“What looks like a large raiding party with a horse-drawn wagon just appeared using the west highway,” the emerald dragon bellowed over the crowd to calm their fears. “The black dragon will handle this.”