Page 35 of Drakken Star
“Einar, you said you were filling in for someone who called out, is that correct?”
“Ssu, Vidar. Councilman Pavel contacted mysskeppareand assked if he had anyone he could sspare. Sskeppare wass told there wass a sstomach ssickness among the Volé guardss, and ssince I had nothing presssing to do, I offered to help. Wass I wrong to do sso?”
“No.” Brandt shook his head, and grabbed Einar’s bicep, somewhat appeased to have his answer as to who coordinated the changing of the guard. “No, you did what was right. Pavel was arrested just before we came here for assisting Tore and Dagr. We hadn’t known of his involvement until a short while ago.”
Einar relaxed as the weight of failure dropped from his shoulders. “Thank Dracco. No offensse, Vidar, but I wass sscared you might find fault with me and ssend me away.”
Though Brandt knew he should pay attention to Sekvyn and Orm, his nerves needed this minor distraction. “You like it here on Volé?”
“Ssu, Vidar, and I believe my mate iz here. I ssaw her working in a clothing sshop, but I wass on duty and could not approach. Tomorrow iz my day off, and I had been planning on vissiting her sstore.”
“Onnesski!That’s wonderful news. I’m told the young ladies like flowers and little gifts. Now I’ve only my sister’s word on that, though Vidar Kayluth likes pretty things…” Brandt trailed off at Einar’s wide-eyed stare. Realizing he’d said too much, heat flooded his cheeks. Embarrassed and unable to take back what had inadvertently rolled out of his mouth, Brandt shrugged, clapped Einar’s arm one more time, and then returned to Sekvyn’s side for an update.
Sundrake! We need you!Kayluth’s shout blasted into Brandt’s mind, nearly knocking him over with its force. Thank the gods Orm had been right there to catch him as he stumbled.
Screams erupted from deep inside the landing dock. “They’re in trouble,” he said, pressing a hand to his forehead. Kayluth’s roar had set off a massive headache. Seraphina drew her blades and raced through the gate.
“Ussan, Ardess,” Orm called to the Drakken, frustration rolling off him in waves as he stared after his mate. “Sshift. We cannot wait any longer.” Then he growled under his breath something about taking her over his knee as he tugged at his belt.
The three Drakken ripped at their clothes as they ran to an open area. Belts, weapons, anything constricting was dropped haphazardly around them. They kicked off their boots, then threw their arms wide as their shift overcame them. Brandt couldn’t look away from the magnificent sight of men morphing into the huge legendary dragons Manning so loved as a boy. How many days had he played at being an imaginary fire-breathing or ice-breathing or princess-stealing dragon while Manning played the brave knight who vanquished said evilness from the world? Twice a fortnight if not more for several of Manning’s birth cycles. He could still clearly remember their awe after seeing Kayluth shift for them the first time… and drakken sex was hot.
Orm’s mighty roar drove Brandt from his memories. The green drakken leapt into the air, followed by Usan, a red-orange color, and Ardes, a mottled green and gold. They flew higher, circling as they gained height. A shriek in the distance drew Brandt’s gaze out toward the castle where he spotted at least a half-dozen drakken in flight.Perfect timing.
Orm, Usan, and Ardes headed for the other drakken but turned halfway and doubled back, flying directly over Brandt in the direction of the commotion. It wasn’t just the flying drakken though, as they passed overhead, a slew of military vehicles raced toward the gate andthrough. One pulled over and the back door shot open.
“Get in!” Ivar ordered from the front passenger seat. Sekvyn jumped in with Brandt on his heels, and the vehicle swept forward before he’d even gotten the door closed.
Manning
Father Kel lured Reykos and Raisa out of the conference room with the tiniest of bribes: sweets from the castle kitchen. Manning let them go after receiving a fierce hug from his son and a dainty kiss from his daughter. The timing couldn’t have been better as not a tarran after they left, Manning’s vision darkened, and he was knocked out of his seat by the force of fear coming through the bond with his mates.
When the haze lifted from Manning’s eyes, he found himself on the floor, wrapped in Father Lyurn’s arms. Bjorn knelt beside Manning, gripping his forearm tightly, his brother’s face devoid of color. The way Bjorn stared worriedly at Manning, made his heart pump incredibly fast. Ivar, Svandis, Dizuno, and Father Tai were huddled across the room in hurried discussion.
“What—” Manning choked out, cleared his throat and tried again. “What happened?” He squirmed to sit up and did so with Father Ly’s help.
“There hass been an in-ssident at the dock. Your ssobrokess’ emotionss overwhelmed you.”
Manning nodded, rubbed his face and then his heart. “Felt like I got punched in the chest.”
“Your bond with Kayluth and Bran iz the sstrongesst I have ever encountered. You are trulyVidareem.TheDrakken Triumvirate.” Father Ly seemed to stare at Manning in complete awe, making him slightly uncomfortable.
It took all Manning’s control to refute his father-by-marriage’s claim, and it was more effort than he felt he could handle at that particular tarran to try and change his mind. And did he really want to?
Though his brother legitimately wore the crown—which Manning was more than happy to have Bjorn do—standing at the King’s right hand was a powerful position. Having an influence over the Drakken had a certain appeal… Besides, he already had the approval of a large percentage of Volé. Brandt always said he was too nice, but no one could deny that sweets and honey won a heart’s love.
“I’m going,” Ivar said and dashed from the room, leaving Svandis staring after him holding the earpiece and mic.
Manning rolled to his feet and hurried to join the tiny circle. “What’s going on?” He pushed Father Tai to the side, forcing his way in when they ignored him. They spoke in rapid Drakken, a tangle of urgent hisses and clicks. “What happened?”
“We believe Kay and Tyr made it into a populated area where thosse loyal to Tore opened fire. There is much… commotion. Fighting. Ssvandiss wanted to ssend Drakken by air and Bran, Orm, and Ssekvyn agreed. Ivar iz driving.”
“You believe? Why don’t we have a visual? You only said the one section didn’t. Don’t we have security cameras in the new area?” Pain lanced Manning’s forehead and he groaned, shaking his head in an attempt to make it go away. Having one sobroke kidnapped and the other off on a daring rescue mission was seriously messing with his thought processes; he didn’t need a headache interfering. Not that anyone would fault him for not thinking clearly.
“We do, but none of them are transmitting,” Bjorn explained. “Either they have some sort of unique jamming system or someone was able to access the computers and disengage them. Ivar already has someone working—”
“I got it!” Nik, dressed in his military uniform, rushed into the room, aiming for the large vid mounted on the front wall. He tapped away on a small adjacent console and the vid blinked awake to show a quartered screen. They moved closer.
One corner showed an overhead view of the landing zone. Manning easily spotted the area in question, as several fires burned amid the ships and buildings. “Ready the fire suppression teams,” he ordered.
