by Diana Green
There were too many adversaries. Just as she killed one, three more came at her. It wouldn’t be long before her luck ran out, and what a rotten time to go. Life had so much left to offer her. She couldn’t die now!
Snarling, she leapt forward, hacking into a pair of reptilian soldiers. They fell before her blade, but more filled the gap.
The empress loosed a hair-raising wail, the sound like a chorus of banshees. Everyone stopped and looked at her, the entire cavern gone still. For a moment she stood, body rigid, eyes wild, brilliant sorcery spinning in a storm around her. Then she transformed into a crystal pillar and broke into a thousand shards.
The tattoos on the overseers’ faces flared with purple light, as they fell motionless to the ground. At the same moment, the cavern and surrounding hill rocked with a mighty earthquake. The ground split open, all the way up through the shattering castle.
Valla spied a window of open sky and shifting to drake form flew upward toward safety. Vadin, Hathos, and Oliana followed, their wings whipping up a gale. The hillside crumbled away, the crystal castle toppling to ruins.
Soon the landscape shrank to the scale of a miniature diorama, as Valla soared higher and higher, Vadin close beside her. Joy enveloped them both, as they linked minds, delighting in their first flight together.
Epilogue
Valla flew with Vadin at the front of a large formation of dragons. More than three dozen had elected to come north with them, after the southern fortress fell.
She’d been surprised by how many celebrated when Baylis and Shrake were dealt with. Apparently slavery and oppression hadn’t been everyone’s preference. In fact, most of the southerners seemed relieved to be free of their ‘high lord’.
It was difficult for Oliana to lose her father. But they’d never been close, and she had a new life awaiting her at Dragonvale. Orlis also chose to come along, though he was less than thrilled to learn Valla had a lover.
She looked back over her scaled shoulder, still impressed with the number of dragons accompanying them. Green ones, red ones, gold, copper, and blue. They made a rainbow of color across the sky. Her clan need never worry about extinction again.
The southerners who decided not to come north had split into two factions. One group headed east, to search for the ancient dragon city and rebuild there. The others flew west, looking to settle on the far sea islands.
Valla and Vadin discussed one day going to visit the two dragon colonies, to see how they fared. It would be exciting to explore more of the world, especially with her life-mate by her side.
In the meantime, she’d show Vadin around her home and introduce him to her clan. He was such a magnificent dragon, even her picky mother couldn’t find fault with him. At least she hoped not. You never could tell with Abeah.
Are you happy? Vadin asked, using their now familiar mind link.
Blissfully so. Valla gave him a wide dragon grin. What about you?
I never thought I’d say it, but yes. I am. I finally feel like I belong.
Ahead, the jagged Drake’s Teeth Mountains rose, snow-crested and high enough to touch the cirrus clouds. Soon she and Vadin would stand on the tallest peak, at Dragon’s Perch, to pledge their love.
Huroth would do the honors at their mate-bonding, wrapping a silken cord around their hands, and calling on Oatha to bless their union. She couldn’t imagine any better fate, and she planned to cherish it anew every day, for the rest of her life.
****
The main hall and balcony at Dragonvale filled with clan members, excited to welcome Hathos and Valla home. The clan seemed equally eager to meet the newcomers, since more dragons meant more opportunities for mates. After forming the Red Crag alliance, the immediate threat of extinction had eased. However, choices for partners remained limited. This influx of southern dragons would boost the clan to an ideal population.
Hathos beamed as he saw his parents waiting near the front of the gathering. He’d missed them. The sight of their smiling faces warmed him through and through.
He shifted to eldrin form and hurried forward, Oliana did the same. She held tightly to his arm, visibly nervous about meeting his family.
“They’ll love you,” he whispered in her ear.
“I hope so,” she responded, almost too quiet to hear.
Before he could further reassure her, his father stepped up and caught him in fierce bear hug.
“It’s good to see you, lad.” Harith grinned. “You look older than when you left. Leaner too. And who is this lovely lass on your arm?”
“Father, mother, this is Oliana, the one I dreamed about. With your blessing, we’d like to be mate-bonded.” He had sent his parents a mind link, the day before, telling of the new dragons’ impending arrival. But he’d waited to mention the mate-bonding until they could speak face to face. From his parents’ expressions, he could see they were both thrilled.
“Of course we give our blessing,” Nyssa said. “I’m so glad you have someone to share your life with.” She hugged Hathos then embraced Oliana, saying, “I’ve always wanted a daughter. Welcome to the family.”
A grateful smile spread across Oliana’s face. “Thank you. I’m very lucky to have found Hathos. He’s a dream come true.”
“I know exactly how you feel.” Nyssa slipped her arm around Harith, leaning her cheek against his shoulder. He kissed the crown of her fiery curls, eyes alight with love.
Hathos watched his parents, still so joyful together, after all these years. Hopefully his and Oliana’s bond would prove as strong and timeless.
“Looks like you aren’t the only one to find a mate,” Nyssa observed, gesturing toward Valla and Vadin. The two of them stood close together, arms around each other’s waists, faces bright and happy.
“At first I wasn’t sure about Vadin,” Hathos answered. “But I’m coming around. I believe his feelings for Valla are genuine, and he’s trying to make amends for past mistakes.”
“What kind of mistakes?”
“It’s a long story, and I see they’re setting out the food. Perhaps I could tell you more while we eat?”
“That’s my son,” Harith teased. “Always keeping his priorities straight. Food first. The rest, after.”
“It’s good to see some things never change,” Orwenna said, laughing as she passed by carrying a large serving platter of roast venison.
The mouth-watering smell caused Hathos’ stomach to rumble in anticipation. His clan had prepared a sumptuous feast, showering their guests with the best of dragon hospitality. The tables were soon covered in a vast array of culinary delights, while a fire blazed in the hearth, warming the autumn chill. Tarrick, the clan’s burgeoning dragon bard, raised his rich voice to sing a traditional piece in honor of returned heroes.
Basking in the glow of homecoming, Hathos realized he’d never felt so content. His adventures had brought him to Oliana, a gift he would surely treasure forever. Yet it was marvelous to be back at Dragonvale again. The world was wide and full of wonders, but in the end, there was no place like home.
A word about the author…
Since her childhood, growing up in New Zealand, Diana has been an avid storyteller. For years she enjoyed teaching art and special education, while continuing to write as a hobby. After she developed an autoimmune disorder, a career change was necessary, but happily this led her to become an Amazon bestselling author.
Diana’s books are mostly romance, in the fantasy and science fiction sub-genres. She has been a finalist for the CRW Award of Excellence, the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, and the Aspen Gold Published Novel Contest.
For more information, excerpts, trailers, and reviews, visit dianagreenbooks.com
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Other Diana Green titles
available from The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
DRAGON WIFE
DRAGON WARRIOR
Thank you for purchasing
this publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
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Diana Green, Dragon Soul