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

needed a crowbar to peel his eyelids off his eyeballs to stand even half a chance of waking up. Empty paw!

He was up and snarling before his brain caught up. Oh. Princess Azania chatted amiably with Aria just a few feet away. Fifty or so Dragonesses looked on, their forms wreathed in a chilly sea fog. As one, they startled at his sudden movement and then sighed over his rightful concern for his promised one.

Or … something like that.

Was he dreaming?

Brain-befogged in his own right, he gaped at the audience. Did fifty-odd warrior Dragonesses often stand around waiting for a Dragon to wake? Pretty crew. All armed to the fangs. Colourful butterflies with decidedly nasty intentions that he fervently hoped were directed exclusively at his enemies. Oh. These were the younger Dragonesses? Must be. One or two were older, distinguished by their scars and larger size, but the rest were the younger set who had stood apart in apparent support of Aria.

Dragon, you’re awake at last, the Cobalt Dragoness fluted. Bad dream?

No. I missed Azania from my paw. Uh …

That smile! He pinched his paw surreptitiously. Awake. Not dreaming. The most stunning Dragoness in Solixambria was making fiery eyes at him. Five hearts frolicked within his chest.

She said, Dragon, meet our army. Dragoness army, meet my Dragon.

HAAI-ARR!! The group roared as one, drawing their swords so fast he only realised they were saluting him once the gesture was completed.

By my wings! he grunted, taken aback. At … ease, warriors?

HAAI-ARR!! The small forest of kaniaxi swords miraculously returned to their sheaths without amputating random body parts.

He glanced about. Fog?

Unseasonable but welcome, Dragon, one of the older Dragonesses called.

Aria said, Last night, my dam gave me command of fifty-two fine warriors. These Dragonesses have promised to follow us to the far side of Solixambria in support of the T’nagrun people. We just need to work out how to cross the ocean.

Azania nodded. Also, Charielle apologised for ‘testing my mettle’ last night with her comments regarding Humans – how very dry her irony – and promised a new era of cooperation with Isles Humans and beyond if the Ambassador to the Dragons can live up to her mighty title.

Ooh, the draconic backbite? he groused.

Quite. The rule of talon around here is to test a warrior’s mettle, the Princess replied. Being female, I am also up for testing.

Interesting leadership style. Certainly one way to keep one’s allies and enemies alike on the back paw, while providing a convenient excuse to wriggle out of blunders, too. Smart. He did not admire or condone the strategy, but he could see how it would work. Azania was more than up to the task. Not that he was biased. Not even to the tune of four feet and eight inches of snark-a-licious Human royalty.

Showtime.

Flexing his muscles in the most massive display he could physically achieve, Dragon twizzled his neck, flexed his wings, and prowled over to Aria with predatory intent. He distinctly heard her belly fires hit a pitch of excitement as he paused before her, and then lowered his muzzle to nuzzle hers, cheek to cheek in the draconic way.

May dawn’s fires burn as brightly in your eyes as upon your scales, Ariamyrielle Seaspray, he declared in ringing tones. Unorthodox. Hope that melted her hearts!

It’s rather foggy out, she grinned.

The metaphorical shall become literal the instant this fog burns away, he chuckled. Good morn, Princess. What’s the plan for the day?

Why, I wish to catch me a King, she purred.

More than fifty Dragons around her inhaled as one. Dragoness! So authentically draconic, even the Princess caught the vibe and played it up by pretending to flick out her wings and check her talons. Then, she bared her neat row of white teeth. Who’s ready to fly?

The murmur that rose from the Dragonesses was at once approving, zealous and the stuff of chills running up and down his spine.

Aria said, Flying to the south, we’ll pick up a troop of Anhoyal Rangers. We’ll need their help in two phases; firstly to infiltrate Zunityne and activate, brief and organise loyal forces there, and secondly, to help us infiltrate Lord Gazaram’s fortress and secure the King. We’ve learned that it’s deliberately been Dragon-proofed. Also, we need to learn the fate of Azerim’s four younger brothers and then plan our next move accordingly.

Four more brothers? Dragon echoed.

Aye, but as the crowned King, he’s the key, the cobalt warrior explained. We’re concerned that the hostages might have been split up as well. One for each rebel Lord, or something like that. The older King and Queen will be easily controlled due to their illness, and confined to their royal chambers.

That sounds messy, he growled unhappily. One thing I do know, is that the Palace building could be controlled by a small number of Dragonesses with orders to hold particular chambers or floors.

Princess and Dragoness stared identically at him.

We should isolate the royal chambers. It’s an idea, he said, on the defensive. How do Humans communicate quickly around these islands?

Homing pigeon, Aria said.

Then we know what to do, don’t we? It might take more than our number, however.

Aria narrowed her eyes. Do what, Dragon?

Oh. Was she not used to taking opinions from a male – did she not know him? Or could this be a culturally tricky moment? Hmm.

Best paw forward.

With careful respect, he said, Aria, if we can isolate the north of Human Island from being warned by pigeon, we take these Rangers and go hit the Palace – hard and fast. Dragon bombardment. Land them on the roof, the grounds, on balconies, whatever it takes. Is your dam still around? We’d need a screen of Dragons right across the width of the island to make this work.

The Dragoness shook her head slowly,