“Tell me, Stephen—and do not lie, for if nothing else, on this the truth is owed—how much time did you spend searching before falling into my sister’s bed?”
Stephen drew a breath. “She was the queen, Amelia. She had the right to choose her consort.”
“How long did you mourn my loss, Stephen, before deciding to bed your new sovereign? My own sister!” Anger strengthened her resolve, and she straightened as much as she could with the injured leg.
“I didn’t have a choice, Amelia. Any more than you had a choice in going to the temples.”
“But I did not go to the temples. I refused her command. My love for you prompted me to fight for my freedom.”
Stephen moved closer, and this time Conner allowed it. “Amelia, had I known you were alive…”
“Kelsie found me. Too easily for comfort, in fact. How is it, Stephen, that a non-shifter with no resources uncovered my whereabouts, when you, a dragon shifter named consort to the queen, with all the kingdom’s authority at your disposal, was unable?”
“Amelia, I swear—”
“You stood by my sister’s side while she enslaved her own people—your people. While her edicts terrorized the provinces.”
“I advised against her actions,” Stephen defended.
“Yet did nothing when she continued.”
“What should I have done, Amelia? No one was permitted to challenge her, except you.”
“You should have done your duty to the realm. You should have helped them.”
“Such acts were the queen’s decree, not mine.”
“I never would have stood by and allowed such atrocities to take place. You should have left her.”
“What good would that have done? The orders were issued, with or without my approval.”
“You could have searched for me. You could have argued with the council against her proclamations.”
“I tried—“
“Never,” Tyron’s voice cut through Stephen’s protests. “And when those on the council did offer objections, Stephen advised the queen to imprison all who dared to question her actions.”
Stephen glared at the elder lord before returning his eyes to her. “Tell me, Amelia, who are you going to believe. A man you know nothing of, or the one who holds your heart?”
After an uncomfortably long pause, Amelia answered harshly, “You don’t hold my heart. You broke it into so many pieces, the fragments slipped right through your deceptive fingers.”
Only then did Stephen fully acknowledge Conner, standing to the right of Amelia, close enough to step between them if required. Stephen’s voice took on a low, grumbling tone, his dragon saturating his words with an implied threat of violence. “Let me guess,” he drew the word into a hiss, “this stranger was kind enough to reassemble the pieces?”
“No.” Amelia drew a breath, shaking her head. “I slowly repaired it, piece by piece, and once finished, I chose to give my heart to one who proved far more worthy than you ever were.”
A deep growl emanated from Stephen’s throat as he stared at Conner.
“Eyes on me, Stephen,” Amelia ordered, her voice deepened to match his, her dragon shining through elongated pupils. A light blue tinge came to her permanently imprinted scales. “I am banishing you, from this court, and my sight.”
“Banishing?” He gave a gruff laugh. “What makes you think you have the power to do so?”
Her dragon roared at the challenge, but she focused, cautioning the beast to patience. “You are a dragon of Kalleen, and I am your queen. You will obey, or my dragon will incinerate the heart in your chest, before it stops beating.”
Amelia’s eyes glowed brighter, the threat not an expression of anger, or loss of control, but a lethal pronouncement of truth.
Stephen’s beast receded, surrendering to the ancient power of the royal flame. He stepped back, lowering himself into a submissive bow, remaining in this position until Tyron called for guards to escort him from the palace.
Once Stephen was removed, Amelia collapsed to the bed. The healer came forth, enough blood having spilled she had to redress the injured leg.
Fresh bandages in place, the healer offered a low bow, winked, and left the room. Lord Tyron followed her out the doorway.
Adrenaline fading to new awareness, Amelia faced her love. “I’m sorry, Conner. I…”
“No need to apologize. I’m aware he hurt you.”
Amelia nodded, grateful for his understanding. “Because I loved him once, I couldn’t order him harmed, though he deserves to be.”
“Banishment will be punishment enough for one such as he.”
A shudder ran through Amelia, then another. “And my sister…” Amelia struggled with unsteady words. “She killed our mother. But, Kaliyah…”
“Is your sister,” Conner repeated.
“I loved her. I didn’t want to harm her.”
“You did what was required, to defend your kingdom, and life, Amelia. Even in your anger, you controlled the dragon enough to spare her life.”
“I heard you. I don’t know how. What you said about not letting the dragon embrace me. I heard.”
Conner nodded, pulling her to him. “It’s all right, my lady. You didn’t kill her, though the dragon would have had you do so. You should be proud of how you stood up for your people.”
“It all feels so wrong.”
“I’m sorry, my lady.”
“Will you hold me?”
“Every night,” he answered. “For as long as you’ll have me.”
Chapter 48
1 Month Later
Amelia stood on the balcony. The transition over the past weeks had been a difficult one, with many high-ranking lords unhappy to find their absolute power roughly revoked. Scattered reports had come in describing continued ill behavior of certain lords, but Amelia was quick to intervene, often dispatching the palace guard to reinforce the safety of all her people, including the non-shifters.
The most problematic obstacle was proving to be the temples, who had defended their right to continue taking young girls as they saw fit. So far, the priestesses were the one entity Amelia had been unable to move to compassion, nor control with outright strength.
However, today was different. A tiny victory, which she achieved after much negotiation with high lords and the temples alike. Though many believed she risked a great price for what they considered to be an insignificant prize.
Enjoying the cool breeze of the familiar ice-tipped mountains, Amelia’s heart silently called to Conner, who had embarked upon a short trip back to the northern mountains. Along with retrieving Gabriel, he would bring his mother back to the palace with him, to become an advisor to the new queen.
While unprecedented to have a non-shifter on the dragon queen’s council, Amelia had argued it to be appropriate, given not only her implicit trust of Christina, but also the benefit of allowing non-shifters a voice, the consequences of this absence demonstrated by her sister’s unchecked actions.
Noting Gwain’s approach, Amelia smiled at the man she had recently named her personal captain and advisor. A promotion he had accepted graciously.
“You requested to see me?”
“I did.” She drew a breath. “I have a gift for you, my lord. Though one that may be difficult to receive.”
Shifting his shoulders in an act of uncertainty, Gwain glanced at the young queen, a multitude of possibilities spinning in his mind. “What is it, Your Majesty?”
“Come with me.”
Traveling along a series of hallways, Amelia led Gwain to the castle’s east wing, and a door where two guardsmen stood. At the sight of their queen, both men stepped aside.
Amelia opened the door to the chamber, crossing the threshold with Gwain beside her. Inside sat two elderly women, speaking quietly.
Turning to face her friend and knight, Amelia inhaled sharply. “It took time to find her, my lord, and even more time to convince the priestess to surrender her to the crown. But…
”
Gwain’s eyes slid past Amelia to the bed. There lay a girl who, even in her unconscious state, could be mistaken for none other. Quickly stepping across the room, Gwain fell to his knees beside the bed, shaking as he reached a hand to brush a stray strand of golden hair from the side of her face.
“Gwen,” he spoke softly. “Oh gods, Gwen.” Up close, her hollow, pale cheeks, and the dark circles under her eyes, broke his heart anew. And she was so small, as tiny as she’d been the last time he’d seen her.
“She’s in bad shape,” Amelia spoke solemnly. “I’m afraid the temples have kept her in this state for quite some time. I don’t know if we can, or what it will take to free her mind from whatever prison they have created. I’m sorry. I…”
“You found her.” He turned, tears falling from his eyes, voice shaking. “You found my sister. Oh my gods.”
“You risked your life to save me,” Amelia answered. “It’s the least I could do.”
“Gwen. Gwen, it’s me. Your brother. Listen to me. I’m going to take care of you. Do you hear me? I’m going to take care of you, little sister. I promise.”
He spoke his next words for the queen, but did not remove his eyes from Gwen’s still form. “Thank you, Amelia. I’ll find a way to help her. Do you hear me, Gwen? It’s Gwain. It’s your brother.” He reached out and clasped her hand in his. “You’re safe now, little sister. You’re safe.”
Chapter 49
To the north, Conner ventured into the coldest part of the Kalleen Mountains, to a place so barren and frigid the land was all but uninhabitable. Yet for a dragon, the cold was a minor annoyance.
Over the mountain peaks, Conner flew, maneuvering through icy winds until he spied the deep cave. He knew the location by heart, even when sight failed, the enclosure hidden by thick blankets of snow.
Diving down between the flurries, Conner landed, stepping into the cave before allowing the transformation to take place, shifting back to his human form. Walking to the cave’s side, he rummaged through a pile of clothes kept there for such an occasion, pulling on a pair of gray pants and a deep green sweater, before venturing farther in.
Carved long ago by shifters, the massive structure could easily hold multiple fully transformed dragons, the ceiling towering over Conner’s head as he trudged past stone walls into the cave’s inner sanctum.
Rounding a wide corner to enter a second chamber, Conner spied the dragon he sought.
Hovering in the air on feathery wings, the deep purple beast was immune to even the coldest of winter nights. Glowing embers burned within the wings, like the hot coals of a forge, lighted within the plumes, yet visible from the outside. Two wings extend into additional curved claws, while its hooved feet pawed the air.
At Conner’s approach, the creature tucked its wings, hooves clattering to the ground as it landed. A shudder began at its snout, traveled down its back, to finally reach the wings and tail. As its feathered wings slid back, the creature’s neck shrunk, and the dragon’s facial features took on a more human appearance.
But the transformation didn’t complete. Silver eyes maintained their reptilian shape, elongated pupils refusing to change form. Hard, purple scales remained embedded in the skin on the left side of his neck and shoulders, down the arm, and lining the man’s nose.
Glancing at the man’s half-formed features, Conner stepped closer to meet his slate gaze.
More beast than human, the man who had long ago lost his ability to fully transform directed his attention to Conner’s lilac eyes.
“Hello, brother.”
Afterword
This story will continue in:
Amethystine Dragon:
The Flames of Kalleen
Expected: 2018
Acknowledgements & Thanks
I would like to offer a special thanks to a few people who both assisted and supported me throughout the creation of this novel.
To my family for their never-ending love and support. This never would have been completed without them.
I would also like to thank my longtime writing mentors, Kate, Pam, and Mike for instilling within me a passion for writing.
To the friends and fellow artists who have listened patiently while I ranted, raved and driven them crazy as I went through the writing process, and who understand, because they have had similar stories writing their own characters—Becket, Greg, Raven, Christine, and Stina. Also thanks to my PA, Gladys, for her time and dedication.
To my fabulous editor, Tara, your willingness to work with me, challenge me, and passionately debate the various aspects of this story has helped me to become a better writer. Thank you also for the many discussions on the intricacies of fire, and how best to remove soot. I appreciate all that you do!
Finally, to my cover designer, copyeditor, and formatter, Skyla, who takes the jumbled pictures in my head and consistently turns them into beautiful covers. Your work is nothing short of marvelous! Thank you for being my friend and mentor on this journey.
About the Author
K.L. Bone is a bestselling author of dark fantasy. Her work includes the Black Rose Guard series, the Rise of the Temple Gods series, and a stand-alone science fiction novel, The Indoctrination.
Bone has a Master’s degree in modern literary cultures and is working toward her PhD. She wrote her first short story at the age of fifteen, and grew up with an equally great love of both classical literature and speculative fiction. Bone has spent the last few years as a bit of a world traveler, living in California, London, and most recently, Dublin. When not immersed in words, of her own creation or studies, you’ll find her traveling to mythical sites and Game of Thrones filming locations.
Follow her at: www.klbone.com
On Twitter: @kl_bone
Or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/klboneauthor
Works by K.L. Bone
Rise of the Temple Gods Series:
Rise of the Temple Gods: Heir to Kale
Rise of the Temple Gods: Heir to Koloso
Rise of the Temple Gods: Heir to the Defendants
Rise of the Temple Gods: Heir to the Prophecy (coming soon)
The Black Rose Series:
Black Rose
Heart of the Rose
Blood Rose
Shadow of the Rose
Silver Rose
Princess of the Rose (coming soon)
Tales of the Black Rose Guard Series
Daughters of the Rose (coming soon)
The Flames of Kalleen
Embracing the Dragon
Amethystine Dragon (coming soon)
Other Novels:
The Indoctrination
Isis and Osiris by N.D. Jones
DRAGON LORE
AND LOVE
Isis and Osiris
N.D. Jones
Copyright © 2018 by N.D. Jones
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior written permission.
Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.
Created with Vellum
DRAGON LORE AND LOVE
Life, death, and rebirth, Isis’s and Osiris’s future hinges on all three.
A century ago, the Dragon Kingdom of Nebty was lost to darkness. Invaded by demon hordes hellbent on stealing two powerful scepters, the Demon King claimed the preternatural realm as his own. To survive, the dragons fled their beloved home and sought refuge in the human realm.
Having lived most of their lives in human form, Queen Isis and Rock Dragon Osiris, mere children during the Great Exodus, find themselves clinging to their culture and the ties that bind what’s left of Dragonkind. Safe and assured that they are free from t
he threat of demons, their love flourishes. Yet, on one horrific night, their lives are shattered by tragedy and betrayal. They learn that no realm is beyond the brutal reach of the Demon King.
Scores must be settled.
Love must be remembered.
And a lost nation must be reclaimed.
Prologue
The Dragon Kingdom of Nebty
Forests burned, dragons roared, and wings flapped in a deadly cacophony of violence and war.
Dragons of all sizes and colors were in the air and on the ground, battling to the death over who would control the twin deity scepters of Wadget and Nekhbet.
Nut, a blue-and-white sky dragon with a long snout, curled tail, and two horns on her head that curved back at the tip, stared up at her mate with frosty eyes of rebuttal.
Geb, a powerful green-and brown two-headed earth dragon with red eyes, spikey armored scales, and a whipping tail that ended with a flat arrowhead perfect for cutting and impaling, glared down at her. At the height of one hundred twenty-eight feet, Nut, half her mate’s size, growled at him when he used his massive head to shove her to the mouth of the Cave of Dep.
20 Shades of Shifters_A Paranormal Romance Collection Page 242