Book 1: Treoir Dragon Chronicles of the Belador World, Book 1

by Dianna Love

  The ice dragon clan had attempted an arranged marriage between Daegan and Brynhild, a dragon shifter who had been but a child of sixteen years at the time. Many women took a mate at that age.

  Daegan had not been ready for a mate, much less with a female whose body had yet to develop past a child’s.

  Could King Eógan’s ice dragons be behind this?

  Surely not. Months after refusing to take Brynhild to mate, the oldest male ice dragon, Herrick, had joined Daegan to defeat the highland chieftain who had attacked Daegan’s clan.

  No dragon family had ever warred over a failed bride pact. Brynhild remained free to choose another, one better suited to her.

  Besides, the ice dragons were neither red in color nor at war with King Gruffyn, nor could they spew fire.

  What dragon had Fadil’s king seen, though?

  Seamus came running up. “Sire, King Gruffyn’s personal guard called to me. He feared distracting ya while your dragon battled. Your da asks for you immediately.”

  His father’s personal Belador guard had earned that high position by being a powerful warrior and one of the strongest at relaying communications mind to mind.

  Daegan’s dragon lowered his head to meet Seamus’s gaze and spoke out loud. “Secure the village and care for our wounded, then return to the castle. Fadil’s army retreats. But if I find his second contingent pushin’ on this way, I will deal with them myself.”

  “Aye, sire. Are we at war with King Anasch?”

  “We are at war with no one. I refuse to subject our people to a war I did not start.”

  Nodding, his Maistir backed away then turned to issue orders.

  Ruadh lifted off and flew hard for the castle in Meath. Ruadh slowed only for Daegan to confirm Fadil’s second line of warriors did indeed retreat.

  Perhaps Fadil still possessed some sense.

  All the death and destruction after so many years of peace ripped Daegan’s heart. Of all the ways this conflict could have ended, he never thought to lose someone so dear as Fadil.

  As King Gruffyn's castle came into view, Ruadh slowed to drop low, gliding until he opened his wings and landed in a wide patch of ground all knew to avoid crossing. Emerald grass shin-high covered most of the ground inside the curtain wall with ivy growing at a lazy pace. His king had chosen an excellent location high atop a rise in Meath, which sat along the eastern coast in the middle of the island and stretched a hundred leagues from north to south.

  In two long Ruadh steps, Daegan called up his power, quickly shifting into his human form. A wool cloak with thick fur at the neck fell open as he strode, allowing cool air to reach him through the linen shirt over wool wrapping his legs. Fur and hardened-leather boots encased his feet. He found the battle helmet adorned with two horns a comforting weight on his head.

  He strode with purpose and anger, quickly passing through the arched walkway which led to the chapel if he continued straight. His father would often go there to call out telepathically to Daegan. That he had not done so this time added to Daegan’s concern.

  Hunting his father’s guard, he shouted mind to mind. Where is my father, Manus?

  He is abed, sire.

  What? ’Tis hardly midday. Where are ya? Worry slithered through Daegan. He’d never known his father to take to his bed except when injured in battle.

  I am with my king, sire. He fell ill while you were away. I brought the healers immediately. I sent for you when the king’s condition became grave.

  Without another word, Daegan teleported to his father’s bedchamber and rushed to his side. He grimaced at the pungent odor of sickness slithering through the room. It had an odd taint Daegan had not smelled before.

  A burnt lime odor.

  His father’s face had lost the flush of health he’d had only two days ago before Daegan’s dragon had flown west to Connaught. A battle had broken out among their Beladors and what Daegan believed to be a rogue pack of soldiers carrying no standard, but whom had once been loyal to the ice dragons.

  Another dragon clan he considered allies.

  He believed not in coincidence. Concern clawed his neck as more arrows pointed at the ice dragons.

  After today, he would have to figure out just what allies he had.

  In light of today’s fight with Fadil, Daegan sincerely hoped the ice dragons were willing to speak before attacking.

  Dropping to his knee next to the king’s bed, Daegan grasped his father’s over-heated hand. “I’m here, Da. What ails you?”

  The king’s face normally projected a robust vitality. When he spoke, his voice would boom with a power and authority that all knew to heed. Every child of the king had inherited supernatural energy from his dragon blood, but Daegan had received so much more from his father and the mother he’d never met.

  Today, the skin on his da’s cheeks held a gray hue.

  His da rasped, “The healers do not know what ails me. I recall walking among the gardens this morning when I came upon a lovely red flower new to me. I bent down to sniff it and woke up here.”

  Daegan tucked that information away for when he had time to do a thorough investigation of all who had come in contact with the king.

  His da’s once commanding voice carried a weakness Daegan had never before heard as he struggled to speak. “We have greater concerns, my son.”

  “There is no greater concern for me than your wellbeing.”

  His da gave him a smile of appreciation, but pushed on. “I asked for your sisters. Macha delivered Jennyver, but Maeve sent word Lesley was unable to make the trip. Maeve’s servant described Lesley as suffering an ailment similar to mine.”

  Daegan felt an emotion he’d never before experienced.

  Fear.

  He would battle a hundred dragons and armies to keep his family safe, but he had no defense against a silent killer if this sickness turned fatal.

  How had his father and Lesley contracted similar illnesses? Lesley resided in the realm of TÅμr Medb, ruled by Queen Maeve, a witch goddess responsible for the wellbeing of his sister.

  Pressured for a child of dragon blood by two goddesses, Macha and Queen Maeve, King Gruffyn had feared losing his kingdom to one of them if attacked for he would not hand over a child even if he had one.

  Every babe he and his queen conceived over the years had died in the womb.

  King Gruffyn finally agreed to a pact only to protect his family and kingdom, which allowed each goddess to be gifted one of his next two children, believing he would never see any born.

  To this day, the king believed one, or both, of the goddesses had used majik on him when he had a dream of he and his queen spending a night of passion. Within weeks, his wife grew round with what he had thought would be one babe.

  She died giving birth to two daughters of dragon blood.

  Macha and Queen Maeve arrived the day of the birthing, neither lifting a finger to save his wife, and both leaving with a promised child.

  That had broken the king for many months.

  To this day, Daegan knew how deeply his father still mourned losing all three females, the only family he’d had, and regretted his agreement with the goddesses. But King Gruffyn had been wily enough to negotiate as much protection as he could on the chance of producing even one babe.

  After that loss, he spent months on his knees, pleading with the dragon god Dewi for a dragon-shifter son who could protect him and his daughters. A son so powerful all other deities would not dare try to harm him.

  Dewi finally answered his prayers.

  Today, Daegan drew every breath to first perform his duty to his da and sisters, then his people.

  Having visited with each sister annually, Daegan had come to believe they were both safe. Now, he had deep suspicions and asked his king, “What would ya have me do, sire?” He looked around and added, “Where be Jennyver?”

  His father’s breathing sounded painful. “She went to pray in our chapel. She shows no sign of sickness. While she is safely ne
arby, I wish for you to see Lesley and determine if Maeve is able to heal her. If not, bring her to our healers.”

  Daegan nodded. “I fear leaving ya before our healers cure what has attacked your body.”

  “Time is of the essence, son. The healers make headway. Lesley is young, but you and I are strong. Maeve surprised me by taking the smaller of the two females when they were birthed. I have feared Lesley and Jennyver’s safety for all these years, but more for Lesley. If she does not show signs of healing, you carry the word of your king and are the most powerful dragon around. Queen Maeve and Macha fear all dragons, as they should. They have more to gain by being allies. You will speak for me and convince Queen Maeve to do the best for Lesley if the child requires more than can be provided in TÅμr Medb.”

  “I will always do as ya wish, Da.” Daegan hated being pulled in two directions, both for family, but he feared leaving without offering the king Ruadh’s healing blood. Only one born of dragon blood could take such inside and be healed. “Please drink a sip of my blood before I go.”

  “No, son. I know ya mean well, but my stomach sends back all that I swallow.” Lifting his other hand weakly from the covers to dismiss more discussion, he said, “Now for the greater concern. The ice dragons war with King Anasch and I am told they intend to attack here next.”

  Had the world gone mad? Daegan grumbled, “I feared such. I hearkened your call just after battlin’ Fadil’s dragon. He swears Ruadh attacked his father’s people. What is happenin’ to cause this strife among the dragon clans?” He quickly informed his father of the battle and what Fadil had claimed. When he finished, he asked, “Is there any chance of another red dragon besides Ruadh?”

  “No.” His king laughed at that, ending in a fit of coughing. He regained his breath. “When I begged the god Dewi for you, I received three conditions. First, you would be the last of the red fire dragons. Second, you and I are forbidden from uttering your mother’s name with the exception of you being at the point of death with no way to survive. Trust me when I say you do not want to call that goddess to you even then. Third is for you to take care when visiting a hostile realm. You would not be as safe there as you would here or in your mother’s realm, which I hope you never visit.”

  “I have no desire to create more conflict,” Daegan confirmed.

  The king added, “You are safe in Treoir as that realm was created specifically for children of my blood. Jennyver thrives there as do the three babes she birthed from the match I arranged for her. If the need ever arises, you must enter that haven.”

  Daegan had a moment of guilt over not agreeing to take Brynhild as his bride. Perhaps that would have protected his father’s lands and people from one enemy. Still, who would have thought any dragon would willingly become an enemy of the red dragon?

  Had overconfidence put his family at risk and cost him a friend he considered family?

  Clearing his throat, his da said, “Queen Maeve has always concerned me. The best I got from her prior to birthing Lesley was to agree that no child of mine would die by her hand in TÅμr Medb. That means you and Lesley are safe there, too.” Sounding older with each breath, his da said, “One more condition all dragon shifters must pay heed to is when you choose a mate, she must either be dragon-shifter born, as you are, or a direct descendant of a female dragon.”

  Daegan’s heart squeezed at realizing his father’s words rung as if this would be their last meeting. He would not allow this man to die.

  Trying to sound lighthearted, and failing, Daegan squeezed his father’s hand and smiled. “Choosin’ a mate is of little interest to me at the moment, Da. As for my enterin’ other realms, do not fash over it. I have no reason to enter any realms besides Treoir or TÅμr Medb where each goddess would not dare destroy an alliance that has stood for thirty years.”

  His father’s eyelids fluttered shut.

  Daegan did not want to leave him. He could not make himself release the grip he had on the hand that had raised him.

  Struggling again to breathe, his da’s eyes opened. He turned his head to Daegan. “Once both of your sisters are safe, you must meet with King Eógan. I fear the ice dragons have not found a worthy mate for Brynhild and may hold us responsible.”

  While Daegan appreciated the difficulty in finding a suitable mate for a female dragon shifter, this warring still made no sense. “Very well, I shall go to Lesley at once and bring her to ya if she shows little healin’. That should not require more than an hour, maybe two, before I go to King Eógan to demand answers. If Lesley’s health appears to be improvin’ quickly, I will allow Maeve to continue carin’ for her and send word to ya as I travel on to the ice dragon clan.”

  Daegan would like a moment to see Jennyver, whose smile always held sunshine for any around her, but he could waste not one second. He would see his sister when he returned to his father’s side.

  Standing, Daegan leaned down and kissed his king’s forehead, which felt too warm. He squeezed the clammy fingers again, hesitating to step away.

  His father lifted a weak smile to him. “Go, my son. You are the only one I trust. I shall be here when you return.”

  Daegan’s heart faltered at the possibility of never seeing his father alive again. He had to trust in their healers, but he stepped to a side table where an empty goblet had been placed next to a jug of wine. Calling up his sword with his power, Daegan sliced his arm and allowed two fingers of his dragon blood to run into the cup. He had never used his blood to heal anyone, but had heard of other dragon shifter families healing with their blood.

  Then he smoothed a finger over the cut on his forearm, restoring the skin without a sign of the wound.

  Carrying the goblet to his father, he placed it on a heavy wooden stand next to the bed. “If ya do not heal soon, I have left ya a small amount of my blood. Do your best to hold it inside.”

  “I will try. Please save my daughter. Bheith sábháilte, mo mhac.”

  Be safe, my son. How many times had his da sent him off with that farewell?

  Not enough. Daegan needed to hear those words many more times in his life.

  He shook off the worry planting his feet near the bed.

  He had duties. The sooner he saw Lesley and determined the extent of her illness, the sooner he could meet with King Eógan. Daegan’s dragon would have no problem fending off more than one dragon, but to battle a family of five ice dragons might not be as simple to survive even for a dragon shifter born a demigod.

  He waited for his father’s eyes to close again and his breathing to calm as to one asleep. Then he walked out into the hallway as a healer hurried up.

  Daegan ordered, “I left blood. Make sure he takes it.”

  He’d lost Fadil today.

  That pain would live in his heart for a long time, but he would not lose his family.

  Shifting into his dragon form would only raise Queen Maeve’s hackles.

  Daegan teleported from the castle to a tall rock mound shooting up from the Irish Sea. Ship captains knew to avoid this area, which held more dangers than jagged rocks.

  When he appeared on the rock pile rising as tall as the tower on his father’s castle and two strides wide in any direction, wind buffeted his body.

  He shoved a foot behind to brace himself.

  Raising his voice and pushing power into his words, he called out, “Queen Maeve, I wish to speak with ya.”

  A disembodied voice belonging to Maeve replied, “Why do you call me, dragon?”

  She had never addressed him properly, but he had more concern than her lack of decorum.

  “I come at King Gruffyn’s request. The king has informed me Lesley is ill. He said she was not healthy enough to visit when he asked for her.”

  “What trick do you play? I took Lesley to your father while he waited on Macha to deliver Jennyver. He now complains when I paid heed and teleported her immediately?”

  What could Daegan say to this?

  Had his father been delirious? “N
either the king, nor I, play any trick,” Daegan explained. “I just left my father’s bedside. Perhaps he was not at his best and failed to recall your visit. Is Lesley sick or not?” Maybe his da had that part wrong as well.

  “Your sister was the vision of health until she visited your father. Within minutes, she turned pale. Her knees buckled. To be honest, I do not recall if your father’s eyes were open during this as I stood back to allow them time alone. He appeared to be dying. I teleported her back to TÅμr Medb at that moment.”

  Tightening his fingers into hard fists, Daegan held his anger at being told his father could be dying with the same importance of discussing a meal improperly prepared. “My father will heal. I wish to report the same to him regardin’ Lesley, but why would ya not leave her for our healers to attend while they were close by?”

  Queen Maeve sounded appalled. “Why would I do such a thing when they appear to be failing your father? Do you not care for your sister to survive this strange illness?”

  How dare this irritating goddess question his devotion to his family? He would die for every one of them. Nothing would cut him more than to lose even one family member.

  Powering his voice against a wind that continued to grow stronger, Daegan shouted, “Of course, I wish for Lesley to be healed.” He didn’t trust Queen Maeve to care for Lesley. The goddess had power, but it carried too much darkness for him. He steeled himself to sound polite. “I ask ya to teleport Lesley into my open arms for me to take to the castle. My father will not rest until she is recovered. Our healers are making headway with my father and are ready to care for her.” He wished the part about his father had been true, but he would do whatever he could to save Lesley.

  “Are you mad, dragon?” Queen Maeve shouted. “She is the only child I have of dragon blood. I will not risk her for your whims. I will not teleport her anywhere when her condition is weak.”

  That left him only one choice. “Then I ask to see my sister so I may report to the king.” Daegan waited for an answer.

  Maeve made a hissing sound that carried over the wind.

  Waves crashed harder against his rock tower, splashing him. As if getting wet would deter him?