Page 48 of Drakhana's Treasure
I let the wind take me for a few seconds before I shift. The power of the change is not like it ever was before. Even once I was an accomplished warrior there was an element of effort and I could feel every inch of my skin screaming as scales replaced it.
Now I close my eyes and greet the dragon within. He swallows me whole where I twist in caves of roaring darkness. When I open my eyes, they are his eyes and we can see further than we ever did before. The strength of my mighty wings challenges the high slipstreams and the fire in my breast rivals that of the sun.
I turn upwards, spiraling around the peak. Other dragons join me until we are swirling in the sky. I turn upon myself, holding my head up high and open my throat, pouring red gold flame into the air. The smaller dragons follow suit and a pinnacle of twisting fire rises high above Castle peak.
As I turn downwards and start to twist through the other flyers, the sun slips behind the horizon. Up and down the peak, small lights flare to life as people and dragons kindle the lamps. As I pour through the sky I see old friends and new, some from Vegas and some from even longer ago, when I still lived on the farm.
Even though they all look at me in friendship, there is a dose of awe to it. I know I’ll never be the same again and no dragon will ever treat me the same again. It should make me uncomfortable, but it doesn’t.
Maybe Kirralee was right. Maybe fire clan does need a king and queen. Every dragon here is already paying respects to me, a combination of awe at my new powers and a desire to garner my good will.
I understand this and I know it is a great responsibility. They will look to me now, whether I like it or not. I have to be ready to lead them.
I swoop down on to the main ledge, shifting as I go so I will fit without knocking anyone off, or breaking the ledge. Kirralee is still stuck between our mothers and a large flock of women, some old and some young. Every single one of them wants to touch her belly.
I break through the crowd gently, purposefully walking towards my girl.
My woman. My dragon. My wife.
My dragon almost purrs with delight at this thought. When Kirralee looks up and fixes us with those bright gold eyes matched with her wide smile, I melt from the bones down.
She jumps a little with excitement, throwing herself into my arms. I bundle her up immediately, hurrying over to the food before the women can protest.
“It looks like you’ll be popular around here.” I smile, brushing back her hair.
“Yes.” She grins. “I will have to sort something out though—I can’t teach anyone about fire power if I’m held down by a hundred women all wanting to pat my belly!”
I reach out and rub her belly, realizing I haven’t done that yet. When I do an electric tingle runs up my hand. I look up at Kirralee with surprise.
“Yes.” She whispers. “You can feel the fire already.”
We share a quiet moment in the middle of the crowd, pressing our foreheads together. The noise fades away and there is only us and the little light between us.
Kirralee soon turns back to the food, tugging me along with her.
“Come on!” She hurries me along. “I’m starving!”
We load up our plates with meat and salad and find a place to sit. We find ourselves in a group of young dragons who have completed their mandatory training and are planning their next moves.
“Are you staying here to teach, Kirralee?” a young female asks. “I would love to stay and be taught by you.”
“Actually, both Rastus and I will move between the city and the peak.” she smiles over the crowd. “I’ll be here for a while with him and then we’ll head back to the city. Rastus needs to keep a hand in there so that we can stay financially strong.”
A young male nods thoughtfully. “What is the future of our clan, Kirralee? How do we find a fertile mate? Since you have done it, we all want it.”
Kirra shakes her head, laughing. “Find your fire, dragon. Let me awaken it in you. Then you and your love will find each other, tongues of flame joining to become a great bonfire.” Her eyes shine with prophecy. “Once the fire returns to our hearts, Castle peak will ring with the voices of children.”
This sets of an excited bubble of conversation that rips around the room. I see Melchior coming up from the underground tunnel and hurry to meet him. The situation feels odd to me. I didn’t even know his name before today but he’s been giving me orders for years.
I don’t know how to address him so I just raise my hand. He nods, coming over to me.
“Did you see Syrra?” he asks.
“Yes, I did.” I point down below. “She came through and got the party started.”
He smiles. “Yes. That sounds like her. She’s very excited at the prospect of young. But I must tell her we need to choose some more elders for the council.”
“Why?” I’m shocked that something could have happened to the others so fast. He shakes his head and raises a hand.
