Tallin felt a moment’s discomfort; he found himself surprised by their familiarity. He hadn’t realized that Mugla and Chua knew each other so well, but evidently their friendship was deeper than he had thought.
A few minutes later, Tallin went over to Duskeye to speak with him. “This is the first time we’ve had an opportunity to speak privately.” Duskeye stared straight ahead. Tallin paused. “I’m sorry to ask this, but I must know. Did you find any females?”
"Yes," he replied slowly. "I found Shesha." He did not elaborate.
Tallin studied the dragon’s face with an unnerving intensity. “Did you… mate with her?”
Duskeye grimaced. "I cannot speak of this." It was clear he was deeply uncomfortable with the subject. "But… if you come with me, I have something to show you. We won't be long."
Tallin was puzzled, but he followed along. He glanced over his shoulder at Chua and Mugla—they were babbling and laughing like old chums. “All right,” he agreed. “Let’s go.”
They flew off in the direction of the sunset and arrived shortly at a deep ravine. Inside the ravine, there was a craggy outcropping of rock, surrounded by whitewater. A solitary cave, invisible from a distance, was at the top of the outcropping. A wall of brush obscured the entrance, which was hidden from view unless you were standing right beside it.
"Wait here," whispered Duskeye. He craned his blue neck and peeked inside. "Shesha has left the cave. Go ahead."
As if in a dream, Tallin gingerly stepped inside. He waited for a moment while his eyes adjusted to the darkness. At first glance, the cave appeared empty. But then, he noticed bones littering the cave floor, but they were not dragon bones—they were the bones of some recently killed animal. Then, his breath caught in his throat as he saw a gleam in a darkened corner.
A feeling of feverish optimism seized him, and his eyes grew wide. Tallin kneeled down, staring in silent astonishment.
There, in the darkest corner, was a dragon’s nest. With breathless surprise he counted ten brightly-colored eggs—eight carnelian, one onyx, and one sapphire—the first dragon eggs that he had seen in years.
Tallin stood up slowly and stumbled out of the cave in shock. He looked up at Duskeye with wonder in his eyes. “You did it,” said Tallin, his voice choked with emotion. “You did it.”
Duskeye raised his chin proudly and nodded. Against all odds, he had succeeded. Tallin looked at his partner, hope flaring in his eyes. “We must protect these hatchlings, Duskeye—no matter what the cost.”
The saga continues in the next book:
Rise of the Blood Masters:
Book Five of the Dragon Stones Saga (Chronicles of Tallin)
(Coming 2014)
ISBN: 978-1-937361-12-9
About the Author
Kristian Alva was born into a family of writers and teachers. She worked as a staff writer and a ghostwriter before publishing her own manuscripts. She now writes young adult and middle-grade fantasy full-time.
She currently lives in California with her husband and sons. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading all genres, especially epic fantasy. Find out more about the author at her official website: www.KristianAlva.com.
The Balborite Curse (Book 4) Page 18