Page 5 of Dragon Blood

She was so tiny and perfect with those big glistening eyes…

Despite being a fourteen-year-old boy, his heart had melted at that first—and last—sight of his baby sister all those years ago. Kolina’s return to present the child to their father had also been the last time he’d seen his sister—and his mother.

Kai never forgot Kolina’s stern expression when he’d asked her to stay with them and she’d refused. Her duty was to her people. Not her family.

Kolina turned, stopping Kai before they entered the room after Odson. She visibly swallowed before speaking. “Kai, whatever your feelings toward me and my choices, just remember that Kymri is innocent.” Her eyes searched his face. “She didn’t know of your existence until I finally decided to look for you. You are here for her. Not for me, though I wish it were otherwise.”

Having no words, Kai straightened with a nod, his gut churning.

He drew a deep breath, determined not to let his emotions cloud the experience. Just like when he approached the boardroom.

Calm. Thoughts in order. Clear assessment.

Kolina led him into the commodious, light-filled room, cream and white like every other space he’d seen so far.

While his own, usually dormant, inner dragon rose within him, scenting the other dragons in proximity, his tiger growled beneath the surface at so many apex predators in his vicinity.

His gaze immediately landed on the bright, wide eyes of the woman staring back at him.

One hand rested on her rounded belly, while the delicate fingers of the other remained laced with those of the man next to her.

Kymri.

His heart melted all over again, easing his inner beasts.

Kai smiled. “Hello, little sister.”

The man—Jori, he presumed—released her hand with a light squeeze. She seemed to float toward him, eyes bright. She stopped within two paces, studying him as he studied her. The resemblance between her and their mother was undeniable, but he saw flecks of their father in her too.

“Brother.” Finally, she reached out a tentative hand, eyes flicking toward Kolina. “I’m glad you’re here. Mother didn’t think you’d come.”

He grasped her small hand in return. “Father insisted. But I’m glad to be here to meet you, and see your big day through.”

“Father? He’s well?” Her breath hitched on that first word.

“He is. And when you’re ready, he awaits your visit.”

Her shoulders lifted as she drew a deep breath, turning away to hide the tears forming in her eyes. “I will do that. Now, this is Jori Mountainside, king of Katoa Koro. You’ve met Odson Blackridge, his uncle…” she went on naming names of those in the room he’d ignored until that moment.

Jori stepped forward, hand extended. “So glad you’re here, man.”

Kai noted his neatly pulled-back man bun and the tattoos lining his arms below the rolled-up shirtsleeves. He hesitated at the unexpected gesture from a dragon shifter king. “Aeleftheria is pretty awesome, once you get past the whole no-man thing. You’re going to like it—if you decide to check it out, that is.”

“I’ll… think about it.” Kai nodded, shaking his hand.

He whirled through a few more names and faces… Elora, Jonathan, Stenlen, and Frederick—sometimes called Goliath.

They fell into awkward idle chatter until their host, Carson Perenga, appeared at the door. “Queen Regina is here.”

He stepped aside as two women entered the room, dressed in formal engraved leather armor covering flowing cotton tunics and pants, ceremonial spears in hand, silver hilted daggers tucked into the armor at various accessible positions.

“Marli Fleetwing and your cousin, Zayli Steelscale.” Kolina whispered to Kai. “They’re both Aeleftherian guardians and until recently, were under your sister’s command.” Kolina nodded toward the uniformed women. “If Kymri hadn’t met Jori, she’d still be on her way to eventually replacing me among the queen’s personal guard.”

“You’re a member of the Queen’s Guard?” Kai looked down into Kolina’s face.

“I am. But today I’m here as mother of the bride. I just wish your grandmother had come too, though I never expected she would have.”

Mother, sister, cousin, grandmother…

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