Trusting the Dragon Prince

by Rinelle Grey

  Lyrian looked friendly enough, but Sarian not so much. And she was the eldest, the one who would be leader of Rian clan—what was left of it anyway.

  What were the chances she would approve of Calrian having another life, far from the Rian lair? Somehow, Rylee wasn’t convinced Sarian fit in at Dragon Island, even if Calrian could convince her to come.

  Even more concerning, once his family learned of Mora’s existence, they weren’t going to just let Rylee’s daughter leave. Mora’s life dragon powers could be the key to defeating Ultrima, and protecting the clan. They would want Mora there, with them.

  Rylee would lose not only her mate, but her daughter, and possibly her sons as well.

  Somehow she had the sneaking suspicion even Rowan wouldn’t stay. He’d been fascinated by dragons ever since he’d woken Calrian from his Mesmer sleep and learned of their existence. He might be human, but she couldn’t imagine he would stay away from the lair if anyone gave him another option.

  She tried to keep all those negative thoughts off her face. Calrian was staring at the screen, tears in his eyes and a smile on his face. Of course he was glad to see his brothers and sisters. His mind wasn’t filled with doubts as hers was.

  She didn’t want to ruin this moment for him.

  She was happy for him, happy he’d found his family, no matter what it meant for her.

  The dragons introduced themselves, their solemn words implying there were hundreds of dragons up there in the lair, instead of it being empty as Rylee remembered it.

  A man in a suit stepped forwards, introducing himself as James Nyles, Director-General of Security. It was all very serious and solemn. Rylee couldn’t help feeling daunted and was glad she wasn’t involved. She disliked dealing with people in authority. She always felt intimidated.

  The director-general was certainly the intimidating type as he said, “We need to discuss where dragons fit into this world and how we are going to keep peaceful relations between our two peoples. We didn’t expect to ever meet another sentient species, but we want to make sure our dealings with you are above reproach while still making sure all humans in this country are safe and not in danger of being attacked by a dragon or having their livestock stolen.”

  “As if we need to steal their livestock,” Mora broke in, her voice disgusted.

  Her comment broke Rylee’s nervousness, and she couldn’t help giving a short laugh. Of course their daughter was going to stand up for her fellow dragons. And she had a very different view of them than humans did. “Well, they don’t know what to expect. They’re just basing their guesses off stories of dragons,” she said reasonably.

  Calrian nodded, but there was a frown on his face.

  Rylee could feel him slipping away from her, and for a moment she was tempted to hang up and let him watch the rest of this meeting by himself, so she didn’t have to see his reaction.

  Up until now, though she’d known he was a dragon, he hadn’t seemed that different. Mostly, he was human, just with a few special abilities.

  But now his loyalty was shifting. Lyrian’s introduction seemed to remind him he had a clan again, fellow dragons that had a life and traditions that were distinctly not human.

  On the TV, Lyrian spoke softly. “We wish that as well. Dragons have no wish to harm humans, we only wish to live together in peace. In fact, some of us are rather fond of certain humans.”

  As she spoke, she smiled at someone nearby, and the camera panned around to follow her gaze. A young man, surrounded by police officers, smiled back at her with love in his eyes.

  Rylee’s eyes widened. When Lyrian said some dragons were rather fond of humans, did that mean the man was a human? Because the look Lyrian was giving him was clearly loving.

  Was it possible Calrian and Verrian weren’t the only dragons to have fallen in love with humans?

  Sarian’s next words confirmed her guess. “As a gesture of goodwill, I ask that you return my sister’s mate and his brother to our clan.”

  Not just in love with him, but mated.

  The director-general considered that option. His refusal at this point would start the whole conversation off wrong, and they needed the dragons on their side, at least until they figured out how to deal with them. “Of course.” He waved a finger at the man, and he immediately hurried across to stand next to Lyrian. Another, identical man followed behind him. Twins. Interesting.

  The director-general immediately took advantage of any good will his gesture had gained him. “I ask that in the spirit of this new friendship, you grant us a favour as well. Until our negotiations are complete, we need to keep your clan separate from the humans, as much for your own safety as for ours. Would you permit us to leave a group of men here to ensure that things remain peaceful until we have concluded our negotiations?”

  There it was. Of course the government wasn’t going to just let dragons wander around as they pleased, but Rylee couldn’t help being disappointed in her people. Could they not see how wonderful and kind and caring dragons were?

  Couldn’t they let go of their fear for just a short while, or to at least marvel at their existence?

  Hopefully the government’s distrust didn’t sour the dragons’ view of humans, at least not all of them.

  Despite the disadvantages of the police presence, Rylee couldn’t be completely upset about it. A human presence would mean Calrian and Mora would be safe from the Trima clan while they were in Rian lair, wouldn’t it?

  Calrian’s siblings exchanged looks, and Rylee was sure they were conferring in dragon speech. She held her breath, waiting for their answer. This could either go very well, or very badly.

  She was rather relieved when Sarian inclined her head in agreement. “That is acceptable, so long as our human members are still allowed to come and go as they please.”

  It was a reasonable request, but the director-general frowned. “How would we know if someone leaving was a human, or a dragon in human form? The likeness is… very convincing.”

  This time, Calrian and Rylee exchanged an amused grin, and Rylee wished they were close enough to share dragon speech. What would the humans say if they knew Calrian had lived among them all these years and they’d been none the wiser?

  Luckily they had no idea. And it was probably best to keep it that way, for now at least. Dragon Island may yet be a necessary haven for Calrian’s people if these discussions did not go well.

  “Use your ID that you humans are so fond of,” Lyrian said with a smile.

  The director-general exchanged a look with the two other men, but they couldn’t confer like dragons could. He turned back to Sarian. “That is allowable, but they need to be aware that when they are not here at the lair, they will be subject to all the normal laws and rules that apply to humans.”

  He looked at Lyrian’s mate as he spoke as though specifically referring to him.

  The man gave him a wide innocent smile and reached for Lyrian’s hand. Rylee was pretty sure he wasn’t even considering going anywhere because she wouldn’t be if she were in his position.

  For a brief moment she wished they’d found Calrian’s clan when she was younger, when she and Calrian were still looking for a home. She would have had no hesitation in joining his clan and making it her home. She might even have felt like she belonged.

  But now she had a home of her own that she was reluctant to leave, even if the dragon clan would accept her. She’d built a life for herself, one she was proud of and happy with. It wasn’t that she wouldn’t give it up for Calrian in an instant…

  But she would miss it terribly.

  “That is acceptable,” Sarian agreed.

  “Good,” the director-general said. “I would like to propose an official meeting to discuss the details with both clans present. I feel that this should be a joint effort, since any decisions we make will be applicable to all dragons.”

  Rylee’s eyes widened and flicked back at Calrian, who was staring across at the screen with the same horrifi
ed expression that was probably on her face.

  The director-general had no idea what he was asking. Was he aware that Rian clan and Trima clan had been enemies for three hundred years? Did he know that Trima clan had spent that time trying to exterminate Rian clan?

  That they’d very nearly accomplished it?

  Any hope Rylee had felt at Calrian being safe from Trima clan because of the human presence disappeared immediately. If that man was going to try to put them in the same room…

  “That is acceptable. When?” Sarian’s voice was calm. Composed. As though she wasn’t afraid of being that close to Ultrima at all.

  She seemed to think they could manage to do so without bloodshed..

  Rylee’s eyes narrowed. Was it possible Calrian was right, and that things between Ultrima and his sister weren’t as clear cut as they appeared? Sarian had rejected him, it was true, but Calrian seemed to believe she hadn’t done it happily. Was it possible she was willing to call a truce?

  Was it possible she already had?

  They had no idea how long Calrian’s family had been awake. Maybe they’d missed a reconciliation between the clans as well. If so, it would have had to have been since last night, since Verrian’s interaction with them hadn’t been so positive then.

  It seemed very unlikely. But from the look in Sarian’s eye…

  If everything Rylee had heard about how the Trima dragon had treated her was true, then going back to him would be a big mistake, no matter how good it might be for her clan to have peace. Rylee knew how big a mistake it would be because she’d been in that sort of relationship herself once.

  She was surprised to feel a sort of kinship with the serious looking future queen, but she could understand why Sarian was distant. She hadn’t been that cheery when she’d lived with Eric either.

  For the first time, she wished she’d gone with Calrian. She felt a minute connection to the dragon clan she barely knew. It was a strange sensation.

  “There’s no point in delaying,” the director-general said firmly. “I propose two days from now, at the town hall in Mungaloo. To keep things as safe as possible for all the humans involved, I will allow only two dragons from each clan, and as many humans as you like.”

  Sarian nodded. “I accept your terms.”

  The director-general nodded. “Good, good. We shall see you then. I shall arrange for some guards around the lair.”

  He turned and walked back towards his car.

  The cameras focused on the dragon group for just a few moments longer as though reluctant to leave the most sensational news they’d had… well… ever.

  Rylee felt her heart constrict as the human man pulled Lyrian into his arms. “I love you, Princess Lyrian,” he said loudly enough to be caught by all the cameras.

  Lyrian’s eyes filled with tears. “I love you too, Brad.”

  And he bent and kissed her.

  Despite her own reservations, Rylee’s eyes fill with tears too. She should have known Calrian’s family would be every bit as awesome as he was. Another tiny bit of her heart opened itself to them, even through her fears of being hurt.

  Calrian turned to her, tears in his own eyes, and said, “It seems like we’re not the only new mates in my family.”

  Rylee gave him a misty smile. “It seems not,” she agreed.

  For the first time since they’d seen his brother’s picture in the news, she began to feel hopeful this whole experience might have a positive outcome.

  If this meeting with the government went well…

  Chapter 66

  Calrian and Mora waited in the cover of some trees. They were far enough from the Rian lair that human eyes couldn’t quite make them out, but Calrian’s dragon eyes could see just fine.

  They’d driven here as quickly as possible after his siblings had returned to their lair and the news broadcast had ended. Calrian had scrolled through the rest of the reports on the way, looking for any additional details. But all he could find was a few photos of Ultrima, in human form, being taken into the police station last night.

  Nothing at all that answered any of the questions about the events of the last few days that bustled around in his mind.

  Why had Ultrima let himself be captured? What was his plan?

  Why had Sarian agreed to meet with him? Did it indicate some feelings for him still remained? Or was she just trying to find peace for what remained of her clan?

  Calrian had been gone a long time, long enough for four of his brothers and sisters to awaken, not to mention find mates. Was there any hope they’d actually forged some sort of truce during that time?

  He couldn’t help hoping the humans’ suggestion, and Sarian’s reaction, indicated it might be possible.

  When they arrived near the lair, there were still lots of humans milling around. Calrian and Mora had parked some distance away and hid, watching, until the police sent the news cameras away. A lot of the police had left too.

  But enough remained that Calrian couldn’t just fly in the front door.

  Mora could get in, under the humans’ own rules. They’d said humans could come and go if they showed ID, which Mora had. Calrian though, didn’t.

  “Now the cameras are gone, I can use my power to convince them they don’t see us,” Mora volunteered in dragon speech. Cameras weren’t fooled by life dragon magic, since it worked on the observer’s mind.

  Calrian nodded. “That seems like our best bet.”

  He stood up and began to shuck off his clothes, preparing to shift, when Mora grabbed his hand and pulled him down. “Dragons.” She pointed upwards.

  Calrian followed her finger, but could see nothing. He did get a strange feeling of disorientation though, telling him immediately what Mora’s next words confirmed. “They’re using life dragon magic to conceal themselves. It must be the Trima life dragon.”

  Calrian’s heart skipped a beat. Then his whole body went cold and constricted as though he were submerged miles under the ocean. It took him a few moments to shake off the feeling and pull himself together.

  “How many?” he asked.

  “Only three,” Mora answered. “The life dragon and two others.”

  Calrian hesitated. Was there any hope the Trima dragons came in peace, to discuss the impending talk with the humans? If so, he didn’t want to interfere or disrupt the proceedings.

  If not…

  His brothers and sisters might stand a chance against three, but not if one of them were a life dragon. “We need to get up there,” he said urgently. “They might need us.”

  He wasn’t really taking Mora into danger. He wasn’t even sure this was going to be unsafe. And even if it was, the life dragon itself wasn’t a risk. They were sworn not to attack. With Ultrima still in police custody, he and his brothers and sisters could easily take on two ordinary Trima dragons if Mora could counteract the life dragon magic.

  Mora didn’t have any of those concerns, and she didn’t hesitate. She nodded instantly and began to shed her clothes and transform. She was concealing them before they even lifted into the air, leaving Calrian free to focus on what was happening as they flew.

  As they rose up, an overwhelming fear hit Calrian with almost enough force to knock him out of the air. His wing beats faltered. He shouldn’t be taking Mora into this situation. It was a mistake. They were all going to end up dead, and Rylee too since she’d die if he did. What on earth had he been thinking?

  For a moment, the fear nearly overwhelmed him, and keeping himself in the air seemed impossible.

  He figured out what was going on seconds before Mora said into his mind, “They’re using life dragon magic to project fear.”

  Once he knew what it was, it was easier to shake off, but Calrian couldn’t completely rid himself of the doubts. Probably because they played on his very real worries. He had good reasons to be afraid, even without artificially created ones.

  But he refused to let that stop him. This was his chance to be with his family again, and
he wouldn’t let a little fear stand in his way.

  However, as they approached the opening and a shot rang out, Calrian’s heart skipped a beat. So much for any hope of his clan finding peace with Trima clan. He should have known that was unlikely

  They could see inside the opening of the lair now, and Calrian’s mind struggled to take in everything at once.

  Ultrima stood in the entrance with his life dragon on one side and another lightning dragon on the other. Calrian’s heart constricted, and he couldn’t help glancing over at Mora, wondering how he was supposed to protect her now. What was the Trima leader doing here? Had the police let him go? Or had he attacked them and freed himself?

  But as Calrian watched Ultrima lurch backwards, hit by a bullet fired from somewhere inside the lair, he wondered if his clan would manage just fine without their help. Humans and dragons surged forwards to attack. His brothers and sisters rushed at Ultrima while someone pulled Sarian back to safety.

  Behind the conflict, Calrian could see something that set his heart ablaze.

  The entire cave was filled with dragons. A few humans scattered among them, it was true, but mostly dragons.

  His clan wasn’t dead.

  Ultrima had lied.

  This time it was anger that coursed through Calrian’s body, fired by a huge dose of adrenaline. He would gladly have ripped the Trima dragon apart with his bare hands, as his brothers and sister were trying to do.

  Ultrima wasn’t taking their attack lying down. Despite his wound, he lifted his hand, and lightning surged through the cave, rushing towards the biggest threat—the aging human man holding a shotgun.

  The man screamed and fell to the floor. Other screams echoed his as more dragons and humans were affected by the lighting surging through the crowd. Dragons began to flee the main cave down into the side tunnels even as others rushed towards Ultrima, snarling.

  An older human woman picked up the shotgun the man had dropped and strode towards Ultrima, her expression fierce.

  Calrian hovered near the entrance, torn between flying in and saving his clan and keeping his daughter safe and hidden.