Page 3 of Dragon Blood

Astred shunted away the thought as soon as it presented itself.

It was still a very bad idea.

Once the Crimson Claw’s sails came into view, Astred descended, gliding along the ocean’s surface.

There had been a few recent attacks, and an infiltrator that had revealed a traitor was still at large worried her.

Queen Regina hadn’t left her citadel in centuries. Not since the early days after she ascended to the throne, but this time, the enemy had made it all the way to the tip of their archipelago, where Regina had subdued the invaders herself.

The world was changing—theirworld was changing—and the queen was adjusting likewise.

The Council was deeply unhappy about it and staunchly opposed to Regina’s decision to embark on this little trip.

Red laughed to herself. The Council was near apoplectic when Regina had asserted her sovereign rights. After all, she wouldn’t be completely alone.

Princess Astred would accompany her, along with her seasoned crew of talented warrior sailors from all walks of life. Guardians Marli Fleetwing and Zayli Steelscale were also on board. The queen’s lifelong friends, Kolina Steelscale and Elora Mountainside, would be present on the island. Adding to that, the island belonged to long time Global Paranormal Security Agent, and ancient sea dragon, Carson Perenga, whose team, and mate, among so many other allies—old and new—would be on hand should trouble meet them.

Regina insisted they had nothing to worry about.

Still, an invisible claw clenched at Red’s gut. Instinct tightened her nape.

I hope Mamma’s right.

The queen’s investigators still hadn’t been able to determine who was involved with the last attempt to threaten the island.

The Traitor.

Part of the underlying reason everyone was gathering now.

Recent events had escalated between Aeleftheria and the male dragons, finally breaking with the discovery that agents of an ancient shadow organization were involved in both sides of the conflict, amplifying tensions to suit their goals.

Guardian Marli Fleetwing had pursued one of their spies right to the shores of Aeleftheria, where they’d met with one of their own, but she had escaped before her identity could be ascertained.

The investigation continued with only a handful of guardians delicately working to uncover the identity of the Aeleftherian traitor.

They had to be careful. They had to be sure.

Finally, Red closed her eyes and dropped below the water’s surface, slowing her approach to the ship. Once she was close enough, she shifted into her human form and swam for the hull.

Astred climbed the rope ladder waiting for her, and First Mate Tundi Okonedo was at the rail with her robe.

“Adjust bearing by half a degree to the south, otherwise we’ll overshoot the tiny thing.” She shrugged into the robe, belting it as Tundi nodded and left to attend to the correction.

“A beautiful day for a wedding.” Regina’s voice drew Red’s attention to her approach.

“If you’re into that sort of thing. I’m surprised you are, considering Aeleftherians don’t engage in such rituals.”

Regina closed her eyes, face upturned to the sun and ocean air. “At one time we did.”

“You’re kidding?”

Regina shook her head. “Before the divide.” She opened her eyes, turning to Astred. “This is the first official Aeleftherian wedding since then, Astred. With our allies as witnesses, we’re finally seeing the new beginning that I’ve hoped for all this time.”

Red grasped her mother’s hand and smiled. “I’ve never seen you so emotional, Mamma.”

“Though I’m still deeply cautious, I’ve never had so much hope for a better set of circumstances for your inheritance as I do now. It will take a lot of work to bring the Council around.”

Red dropped Regina’s hand. “I have no interest in the throne.”

---