Page 87 of Dragon Blood

“From what the survivors relayed, part of the experimentation was geared toward creating some sort of blood fusion that would allow any of them to act in that capacity. But it’s impossible to know if it worked.”

“Goddess,” Kymri whispered, fingertips to her lips, turning wide eyes to Jori as her other hand fell again to her belly. “If they really have a seal and they’re headed for Aeleftheria, then the islanders need to evacuate.”

“I’ve already sent word to the Crimson Claw to get the message through. I just hope they get there in time to save as many as they can.”

“We don’t know if Regina has gained consciousness yet to defend the island and subdue the invaders, like she did the last time.” Odson said.

“I can’t stay on the line. I’m still trying to get through to Astred and the Eastern Dragons. Prepare,” Joey urged. “The mountain seal has to be safeguarded.”

Odson’s screen went black. He rubbed a hand over his face, heart pounding.

Safeguard the mountain.

Fly to Aeleftheria’s aid. Protect the queen, the island, and the Dragon Mother. Odson remembered the day he learned about the Dragon Mother. Regina had told him, with tears in her eyes. The reason she could never abandon the island. Not even for him.

The need to act tore through him.

Regina and her people were more than capable of defending themselves. Every Aeleftherian spent their lives preparing for what was coming—shifter and human alike. As much as they might resent his interference, Odson couldn’t stand by and not do anything.

Stalwart, Regina would rely on the wisdom of her council and the talent of her guardians.

His chest constricted at the thought of those that were stopped from taking their posts, for one reason or another. Kymri, guardian commander, heavily pregnant, couldn’t even shift into her dragon form due to the pregnancy.

Kolina was locked up.

And Astred. Wayward Astred, spitfire princess and fearless explorer. Odson couldn’t leave her to handle this chaos on her own.I hope she leans into the network of allies her mother wove for her through Elora and Kolina’s efforts.

No, she wasn’t alone, but she might not know that right now. And Odson would do everything he could to ensure that she had as much support in this dire time as he had the power to muster.

He caught Elora’s eye.

It was time.

Chapter 27

Seatedinthehigh-backedchairs of King Dai Zen Long’s private sitting room, Astred glanced at Kai over her steaming gilded teacup.

The hard set of his jaw, fists on thighs, with his tea left untouched on the table, the way he refused to look at her, told her how angry he was.

Her body still trembled from the experience. The fear hovered at her nape at just how close she’d been to losing Kai to the stone’s power. It had been a risk. She could have lost everything right there.

She’d heeded her instinct to offer it up to him, Though, not because she was testing him, but because he’d needed to test himself. In that moment, he’d proven himself to these men who’d guided him his whole life.

Dai Zen and Bai Yun both ignored Kai as they exchanged concerns over the next steps. Ultimately, the stone’s fate was Astred’s decision, but neither was so sure that Astred’s retrieval and return of the stone was the right step, especially now that they knew that its original owner was still vying to usurp power on the island.

Beside Kai, Keone maintained his silence. The rest of his retinue awaited him in the courtyard, which she had learned consisted of Kai’s cousins, aunties and some other clan novices training in the art of shadow magic.

A talent he’d never mentioned to her. But why would he? He’d told her as little about himself as she’d told him of her life, beyond the harbor they’d met near. The only reason she’d known he was even a shifter, tiger and dragon, was because of his unique scents.

She flicked her gaze back to his aged father. Kymri’s father. Kolina’s lover. Tiger shifters aged slower than humans, much quicker than dragons.

Does Kolina love him still?

Kai looked so much like him. The way he held his body, the set of his mouth, the flash of intelligence in his dark eyes. Even the tenor of his voice, a little rougher, a little softer with age, but still undeniably powerful when used to control magic. A magic strong enough to hide the stone from Kai’s awareness until the shadows faded from it.

Astred’s throat tightened as the memory of his incredible resistance to the stone’s powerful call, as it challenged every fiber of his essence.

Until he looked into Astred’s eyes.

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