Winter's Dragons. Frozen Flames: A Reverse Harem Fantasy Romance (Soulmates of Seasons Book 2)

by Eva Brandt

  They froze as if I’d cast an actual spell on them instead of just asking a question. “Err... We’re not sure,” Raijin dared to reply. “Dragons rarely mate outside our own species, and we’ve never actually seen it happen throughout our lifetimes. Lerna is the only other case that is in any way similar to ours.”

  Emmerich eyed me with some wariness but seemed to decide that I was not very likely to eviscerate him anytime soon, because he provided a more elaborate explanation. “As far as we know, draconic genetics and reproduction methods tend to be dominant in any pairing, but we could be wrong. I can tell you that our females always have one hatchling during the first pregnancy and clutches of more than one child after that, but I don’t know if it’s different for humanoid females.”

  Well, wasn’t that just great? I stared at them in exasperation, wondering how in the world my life had turned out this way. “Ugh, fine. But just so you know, any pregnancy I might have will be very unpleasant for you. I will likely be throwing a lot of things at your heads in the future.” If I remembered well, my mother had been pretty foul-tempered when she’d been pregnant with my sisters, and my father’s visits always unavoidably ended with him receiving at least some minor injuries. Considering the nature of my abilities, I suspected I would be far more violent than her.

  “You can throw anything you like at us, treasure,” Kerryn answered. “We’ll happily be the targets of your wrath.”

  For a few seconds, the four of us stared at one another. I wasn’t sure what actually set me off, but all of a sudden, I could no longer contain myself and exploded into bright peals of laughter. My dragons promptly followed, their chuckles holding both mirth and relief.

  Truthfully, it was not a very funny situation. In fact, it was anything but funny. Maybe it wasn’t amusement that even prompted our reaction to begin with, but the strange levity that the concept brought into my heart, clashing so powerfully with what I knew I had to do. I was supposed to defeat the evil ghost of the former queen of my nation, whose powers I had once claimed as my own, then when I was done, lay eggs for my three dragons. It sounded so absurd, and yet... Perhaps it was exactly what I needed.

  As my giggles died out, I wiped my eyes of my mirthful tears and made a promise. “Hatchlings and clutches it is then, once Snegurka is dealt with.”

  “Once Snegurka is dealt with,” Emmerich repeated, his tone as decisive as my own. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  “You can count on us, Your Majesty.”

  “We won’t fail you.”

  Kerryn and Raijin’s respective words blended with Emmerich’s in a vow, one as solid as the oath they had made to me the day of their arrival. They had already given me and shown me so much, even when I had tried to turn them away. No matter what happened, I was confident that the flame of the bond we shared would never be frozen or extinguished. Nobody, not Snegurka, not even the gods themselves, would be able to manage that.

  * * *

  Eranthe

  Tis Ánoixis, The Realm of Eternal Youth

  There were very few things in this world that I enjoyed more than lying down on the ground, feeling the soft blades of grass against my naked skin and reveling in the soft heartbeat of the earth as it vibrated against my core. It never failed to cheer me up, and no matter what problems I had, I always found a solution for them within nature’s embrace.

  Today appeared to be an exception to the rule. I stared up at the cloudless sky and sighed. The rays of the sun swept kindly over the Gardens of Edenia, but they failed to warm me. I had not told Cassia, but I had absolutely no idea how to complete the task she had entrusted me with.

  “I hate to ask this, Eranthe, but I’m afraid that it would not be the best idea for me to attempt to create another incarnation of the month of February,” she had explained before my departure. “I believe that you can do it. I will not force you to take on this task if you feel it’s too much, but—”

  “You’re not forcing me!” I had cut her off. “I’ll happily help.”

  I’d meant my words entirely, and I still did. Cassia had always done her very best to protect us, and I sometimes felt that I hadn’t offered her the same support. Still, this was one project I wasn’t sure I was equipped to handle. I thought about the ice crystal I kept locked deep within my palace, and simply couldn’t come up with any ideas on how to use it.

  The sound of a panicked bleat snapped me out of my thoughts. I turned, only to catch sight of two leprechauns chasing Veggie again, trying to catch him with their magic.

  Poor little lamb. Whenever we weren’t growing things, he just had to poke his nose into everyone else’s business. More than once, he’d started to graze on the fairy grass, which never ended well. I couldn’t blame him for getting bored—it was the reason why I’d decided to uproot him, after all—but neither could I get mad at the leprechauns who had to deal with the chaotic aftermath of his behavior.

  As I got up, a wave of magic swept over the gardens. Veggie froze, tripping over his hoofs as he noticed me. The leprechauns let out identical, startled yelps. “Queen Eiar, we apologize for disturbing you in your private time.”

  “Oh, nonsense,” I replied, smiling at them. “You’re not disturbing me. It’s always nice to see familiar, friendly faces.”

  The leprechauns blushed, although I wasn’t sure if it was because of my nudity or the praise I’d just given them. They had always been a little shier than my nymph friends.

  Naturally, I didn’t feel embarrassed in the least bit. In fact, their presence had just given me an idea. “Veggie, how would you like to embark on a new project with me?” I asked my lamb. “I have something very interesting to do, and I believe you could help.”

  The Vegetable Lamb visibly perked up, his plant-like wool starting to bloom in response to his enthusiasm. “It would be my honor, Your Majesty.”

  “Perfect,” I answered, winking at the leprechauns.

  Perhaps I didn’t know how to give Cassia another lieutenant now, but I would certainly find out. After all, I hadn’t dabbled in more interesting experiments for a while. Veggie was creative and his natural affinity for growing things could help me. The project would also keep him busy and out of the fairy grass, which would make the rest of my subordinates happy.

  It was an excellent plan, and I looked forward to putting it into practice. But first, I would probably have to get dressed.

  THE END

  Did you enjoy this story? Subscribe to the newsletter to receive news of my future releases, prizes and giveaways. Check out my website for more details.

  Now available, free for download - the interlude/prequel to my Soulmates of Seasons series Winter’s Dragons. Draconic Affairs.

  Once upon a time, a firedrake, a ryu and a wyvern melted a snow queen’s heart and learned to love and be loved in the process. But before they were her soulmates, they were bitter rivals. What secrets does their past hold?

  Index

  Chronikos (The Land of Time)

  Tou Cheimóna, The Realm of Eternal Ice

  Ruler: Cheimon (Cassia), Lady of Winter.

  Preceded by: Snegurka – a character originated from Russian fairytales, depicted as the granddaughter and helper of Ded Moroz; here, adapted as his daughter

  Lieutenants:

  First Lieutenant: December

  Second Lieutenant: January

  Third Lieutenant, Ambassador Winter-Spring: February

  Other inhabitants:

  Yeti – ape-like creature originating from the culture of Nepal

  Ded Moroz - East Slavic figure very similar to Santa Claus. Literal translation of name is Grandfather Frost.

  Nisse – in Scandinavian folklore, a type of friendly brownie that inhabits farmsteads

  Barbegazi – a type of gnome heralding from French/Swiss mythology, resembling a small white-furred man with enormous feet

  Yuki-Onna – a type of spirit from Japanese mythology that shows up during snow storms as an inhumanly beautiful woman and may prey on
lost travelers

  Amarok – in Inuit mythology, a gigantic wolf that stalks and devours anyone who hunts alone at night

  Jack Frost – In several cultures, many of them Anglo-Saxon, the embodiment of winter, ice and snow

  Wendigo – man-eating monster that originates from the consumption of human flesh during a harsh winter; originates from Algonquian folklore

  Akhlut – a wolf-orca hybrid creature originating from Inuit mythology

  Tis Ánoixis, The Realm of Eternal Youth

  Ruler: Eiar (Eranthe), Lady of Spring

  Preceded by King Jarylo – Slavic god of vegetation, fertility and springtime

  Inhabitants:

  Nymph – in Greek mythology, minor nature deities associated with particular locations or geographical formations; can be of different types

  Anthousai – a type of nymph identified with flowers

  Unicorn – legendary equine creature with a single horn spiraling from its forehead

  Leprechaun – in Irish folklore, a type of fairy depicted as little bearded men who partake in mischief. They are sometimes associated with Hungry Grass (or Fairy Grass), a type of cursed plant that induces a state of perpetual weakness and insatiable hunger.

  The Vegetable Lamb of Tartary – a legendary zoophyte of Central Asia, believed to be both a true animal and a living plant. It was said to be able to grow sheep the way trees grow fruit. Depicted here as able to separate itself from the earth.

  Tou Kalokairioú, The Realm of Eternal Sunlight

  Ruler: Theros (Tarasia), Lady of Summer

  Preceded by: Queen Bast, goddess in ancient Egyptian mythology, depicted with the head of a cat/lioness. Mentioned here in her solar deity role.

  Inhabitants:

  Sphinx – a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a person. In Egyptian mythology, it was seen as a guardian against evil forces, whereas Greek lore depicted it mostly as a threatening being with the propensity to devour anyone who did not answer its riddles.

  Cat Sìth – in Celtic mythology, a type of fairy that takes the form of a black cat with a white spot on its chest

  Tou Fthinopórou, The Realm of Eternal Bounties

  Ruler: Phthinoporon (Pandora), Lady of Autumn

  Preceded by: King Fufluns – Etruscan god of plant life, happiness, wine, health, and growth

  Inhabitants

  Gnome – small humanoid being said to live underground; a type of earth elemental

  Hydra – multi-headed serpentine monster originating from Greek mythology

  Nymph

  Satyr – in Greek mythology, a nature spirit depicted as either having horse-like tails and ears and an exaggerated erection or the lower half of a goat

  Bigfoot – in North American tales, an ape-like creature that dwells in the wilderness

  Tengu – in Japanese lore, a type of Shinto god or yōkai (supernatural being) with both human and avian characteristics. They are usually depicted with reddish skin and an inhumanly long nose.

  Terra Dracones (The Land of Dragons)

  Provinces

  Talamh Na Dragain

  Inhabitants: Wyvern – type of dragon with two legs and a barbed tail

  Land der Drachen

  Inhabitants: Firedrake – a type of dragon originating mainly from Germanic mythology; depicted here as possessing four limbs and breathing fire

  Ryū no Kuni

  Inhabitants: Ryū – Japanese dragon; wingless, serpentine creatures with clawed feet, associated with bodies of water

  Other: Hydra

  Lóng – Chinese dragon; similar to the Japanese version, most commonly depicted with serpentine bodies and four legs

  Other realms:

  Ton Daímon (The Land of Demons)

  The Immortuos Voievodat (The Voivodeship of the Undead)

  Terra Bestias (The Land of Animals)

  About the Author

  Eva Brandt is a romance aficionado who likes to spice up her stories with an extra bit of something special. Dragons? Perfect. Vampires? You got it. Any other type of mythological creature you might not have heard of? Absolutely. Sexy, snarky heroines and heroes with a penchant for falling head over heels in love with them? Yes and double yes.

  She also believes in a very simple motto. Be passionate about passion. Embrace temptation. Life is too short to deny yourselves the most beautiful things about it.

  When she’s not weaving her latest sexy tale, she enjoys relaxing in bed with a nice mug of tea and her ebook reader. Because nothing is better than writing a book, excepting reading one.

  Visit Eva at on her website or Facebook page and sign up for her newsletter.

  You can connect with me on:

  https://evabrandt.weebly.com

  Subscribe to my newsletter:

  https://emailoctopus.com/lists/252a62b9-7a1f-11e9-9307-06b4694bee2a/forms/subscribe

  Also by Eva Brandt

  In this section, I will be including only the titles on my coming soon list. Check out my website or Amazon profile for more on my other releases.

  Soulmates of Seasons 4. Spring’s Vampires. Blooms of Blood

  A queen of life and death, surrounded by secrets. Three vampires, torn between love and duty. A bond stronger than time itself.

  Eranthe and her vampires are in trouble. War has come to The Land of Time, and it’s up to them to end it. A future of blood stands before them, and they’ll have to face their loved ones, their worst fears and even each other to change it. Can fate really be defied? Is the love the vampires feel for Eranthe, the nymph, strong enough to tame Eiar, her darkest side?

  Pre-order now from Amazon (expected release date 05/30/2019).

  Sample available here.

  The Accursed Saga 3. Captive Wildfire

  Secrets are dangerous and, by their nature, want to be revealed. But what do you do when the most dangerous secret of all lies inside you, when you are a captive of your own mind and memories?

  With her memory twisted, Lucienne falls into a life that doesn’t truly belong to her. But as she seeks revenge against her own soulmates, she knows there is a secret her fiance Pierce and the rest of her family are keeping from her.

  The fire inside Lucienne is growing brighter and fiercer every day. When it finally comes out, it might be the doom of everything and everyone Lucienne has ever loved.

  Pre-order now from Amazon (expected release date 06/30/2019).