I am Dragon (Dragon Fires Rising Book 2) by Marc Secchia (famous ebook reader TXT) 📕

radiance lighting up the overcast off the talons, one evening. They thought it might be a storm like the one that hit us, but Aria guessed differently. Too regular a phenomenon.”

“You saw that from how many miles off?”

“Who’s a pretty boy, then?” she cooed. “You’re the literal light of my life!”

Dragon eyed her askance. Clearly, this rascally Princess was in need of some squashing back into shape. A nip here, a tuck there. Maybe a decent thrashing. Pop her into his hoard, lock it up and throw away the key.

What he heard escape from his traitorous lips was, “Your flying out here means more to me than you’ll ever know. You’re a wonderful friend to worry about me so.”

“Oh, I wasn’t worried at all.”

Liar. His five hearts throbbed as one – an unfamiliar, concerted rhythm that rocked his entire body.

Wiping her eyes, she sniffled, “To tell the truth, I was so afraid … I couldn’t stand to lose you, Dragon. This time, it was me who acted like a beast, like all those Dragons who ever rejected you and drove you out. I can’t imagine how much that must have hurt you. For the record, I adore your swagger and your bluster, because I know that beneath lie the five hearts of a true champion – a Dragon who doesn’t just claim nobility as his due. He lives it. And aye, I like that you outshine the rest. You’re different, you’re unique, and you’re mine.”

His turn to gulp. Hard. “I never want to lose you either, Azania. I’ve been so afraid, despite all my bluster and noble words, that you and Azerim would just … you know, sink into one another and forget all about me. That’s what seemed to happen. I bolted for the farthest place I could find. Just like that cowardly Dragon from before.”

“Azerim and I have been awfully selfish,” she admitted. “All that intense catching up … Queen Vyioli gave us both quite the talking to.”

“It’s understandable.”

“Leaving out everyone else? Not noticing you were gone-gone for two whole days? You’re being far too kind.”

His eyes dropped to the jewel she touched at her neck. “What’s this?”

“It’s a promise locket.”

Azania showed him the delicately diamond-frosted casing in the shape of – well, a Dragon’s head and muzzle, remarkably similar in shape to a large white fire breather he could have poked with a short talon just then. Hmm! Draconic in design? It depended not from a chain, but from a flexible, finely-tooled golden torc that encircled her slender neck. The gold looked fabulous against her dark skin. Truly, a gift fit for a Queen! Had Azerim come up with this idea?

Ping! A few thoughts collided inside his brain and spat out a conclusion. “A promise – you’re engaged? Oh Azania, that’s wonderful news. Congratulations!”

She ducked her head self-consciously. “Not quite yet. Azerim made it clear that our engagement would depend on … uh, well, you.”

“Me?” he spluttered. Clean out the ear canals and try again. “Whatever do you mean?”

“On your permission, specifically.”

“Then, of course I –”

“Dragon, shh.” She could never shut his lips with a finger; the use of both arms carried the idea without covering even a third of his maw. “This is serious.”

“Mussht be sherioush,” he slurred around her arms.

“Dragon! Honestly, you’re terrible. You did miss me, didn’t you?”

“You’d think with all this peace and quiet and time to think out here, I’d be sleeping like a hatchling. But no. Seems I’ve grown accustomed to the presence of this pestiferous person I dare to call a friend.”

Smiling uncertainly, Azania said, “It’s more a promise of a promise. You see, we realised that there’s something new going on under the suns – something that involves a whole new way of being between Dragons and Humans. We don’t want to damage that. Being a Dragon Rider is hard to put into words. Friendship, companionship, soul mates … battle buddies …”

He chuckled, “I agree! How does it feel?”

The girl considered this, head askance. He scented her perfume and a new, different oil she must have used in her hair. It looked utterly lustrous, like delicate filaments of the darkest night. Yet she was still Azania, vibrant and brimming over with concentrated mischief. Ever so beautiful.

Pressing her forehead against his eye, she murmured, Like this.

Images flowed into his mind. Friends patting aside the clouds they flew through. The comfort of a huge paw clasped about her body, knowing that she slept beside living fires. The clash and heart-slamming adrenaline of battle. Patching up one another’s wounds. Peeking around his thigh to snoop on his work as he focussed on mixing just the right blend of colours for a fiery sunset over rippling waters. Swimming together. Feeling the detonation of delight in his body as he saw clearly for the first time through his spectacles. Sharing meals upon lonely mountaintops, snorting with laughter and chasing off errant knights, talking and telling stories and loving one another as the very best of friends. The extraordinary gift of knowing he had her back at all times. No flinching. No regrets.

Dragon sighed, Oh, that’s beautiful. One day you really are going to make me weep real tears.

Those would be jewels of white flame.

Ooh. As for me …

The loneliest Dragon in existence moseyed about his lair, crushed beneath a burden of angst and self-pity and futile rage. No fires. No hope. A future full of nothing. He could not be or become, because he could never believe. Then, in a flash of outrage, he made the best decision he had ever made.

You’re so sweet, Dragon!

He threw her a picture of Prince Floric tumbling over and over down his stairs. For you, I’d do that all over again, save for having you suffer that fool and his vile threats.

Then, he