The Traitor by A. Lombardo (i can read with my eyes shut TXT) 📕

Seth. Kai struggled, holding every second close to his chest, unwilling to take a breath lest a deadly fate befalls his brothers.

Knowing he, no better than Aaron, could survive the piercing arrows, he had to consider the only part of him that could deflect such a blow—his dragon. These were no dragon killer bolts from a giant crossbow, merely average arrows. As he leaped into the air and dove over his brothers, Kai took hold of his crystal and focused on the golden braid of his dragon. While taking a needed breath, allowing time to commence, he transformed.

Thick dragon scales erupted across his back seconds before the arrows struck his spine. The metal tips plinked against the hardened skin bouncing off into the grass, useless and broken. Wings expanded and curled around the twins, protecting them from the Queen’s hatred. Head angled around his wing Kai, glanced at his father. Roark was holding Iver back as the King anxiously shouted for his boys.

Kai raised his head ever so slightly, hopeful he had blocked every arrow. He opened one wing to find Seth staring at him in shock. Seth reached up, almost able to touch Kai’s dragon chin; his eyes filled with tears, his mouth agape.

“I . . . I always knew you were special, Kai.”

Opening his other wing, he uncovered Aaron, who looked at him with speechless wonder and a touch of fear. Kai wanted to let go of his magic, and tell them he was sorry for keeping secrets, but they were still in danger. Shouts and threats rang in his ears along with an audible thud, causing Kai to turn his head as the deadly dragon killer clicked into position. In one vast spray of fire, he engulfed the weapon in a blaze of flames. Fury and rage at the attempted murder of his brothers overtook him, and he turned his head, continuing to spit fire down the long line of men armed with arrows. Nola was no longer among them.

Enraged with the Queen, Kai rammed his head into the blazing gatehouse. Men shouted and ran, the stone groaned and cracked but did not break. Shouts from Roark and Iver caught in Kai’s ears. His father touched his wing. “Hurry, son. We must save the city and stop the Queen. Let’s do this together.”

Understanding his father’s request, Kai extended his wing to Roark, hoping he would join them. Roark did not hesitate. He ran up the offered wing and jumped from Kai’s head to the fire consumed gatehouse. Within moments, the thick wooden gates partially ablaze began to open.

All sounds of the outward attacks fell silent, and a new battle within the city slipped through the opening gates. Who was fighting whom? Ducking his mighty dragon head, Kai peered into the city and caught sight of the Queen fleeing on horseback.

Unable to speak with his father as a dragon, he transformed back into his natural form. Letting go of the final bits of magic, he heard a familiar voice beside him. “So, this is your secret?” Dresnor stepped beside Kai but kept his eyes focused on the departing queen and her Milnos men.

“It is one secret,” Kai responded as the Queen disappeared in the haze of the rolling city streets. Realizing this was one battle he should not fight alone, he turned to see who was with him.

Roark exited the city gatehouse. “The Queen and Maxwell will pay for their crimes, but we must hurry. With the gatehouse on fire, it will not stand long. We will need to get as many men inside as we can before it collapses.” At the Admiral’s command, men slipped through the fiery gates.

“Your Majesty, we dare not risk attacking the city until we know the conditions inside,” Cazier said, approaching Iver. “My scouts report skirmishes along the south wall, but if we hope to capture the Queen, we must act now. We need to get to the palace.”

“King Iver,” Benmar bowed ever so slightly as he approached, “I believe we can help by landing on the other side of the city. We can keep the Queen and the Regent from escaping.”

Roark muscled in and took the measure of Benmar, who did not flinch under the glare of the Red Warrior. “Sire, who is this man?” he asked, still overly protective of his King.

The sight of Benmar softened Iver’s expression. “Benmar, thank you. Roark, this is Kai’s grandfather, the man who saved my life. He is the silver dragon who brought me here.”

The Admiral took a step back and offered a nod. “We are most grateful for your heroics in saving our King, but . . .”

The hand of the King stayed Roark’s inquiry. “Benmar, I am most appreciative to have your support. Anything you can do to help, we thank you.”

Before his grandfather left, Kai whispered to Benmar. “You showed him our secret. Why now?”

“There is no time for questions, grandson. We all do what we must. But understand the strongest relationships require trust.” Benmar hurried away down the hill to Raijin.

Simone dropped from the sky, landing behind Cazier, startling the Master General. “News of the King spreads,” she spoke to Kai and Iver. “Diu soldiers turn on their would-be allies, your city has erupted into civil war, but they needed reinforcements. Milnos men stir chaos in the streets, setting fires across the city, while citizens hide in fear. We must get the Admiral’s army inside now. Since the gatehouse is on fire and is going to collapse, we need a second entrance, say fifty feet down from the gatehouse.”

“How exactly are you going to open a section in the wall?” Dresnor asked, looking between Simone and Kai.

Rayna laughed. “There is so much more you do not know, Dresnor, but you will see.”

Liam stepped forward. “We three Stonekings—Jin, Rochelle, and I—can make short work of your wall if Yulia and the