by Celeste Raye
Michelle was clapping her hands and jumping up and down when he landed. His mighty head flattened on the balcony floor. His wings spread to his sides. The invitation to climb aboard was obvious. Michelle placed a kiss on his snout and dragged her fingers over his scales in a caress as she walked along his neck. One dainty foot on his wing was all it took. He lifted the wing and she slid onto his back. Holding on for dear life, she closed her eyes. Kelan rose once more, keeping his body even and centered.
The mist filled air was stirred by Kelan's wings. It was cool and refreshing. The dragon's voice rumbled, "Open your eyes." Michelle obeyed. Her nervousness evaporated. They were hanging over a canyon surrounded by waterfalls. The ground far below was green with vegetation. The sky was red. Michelle was mesmerized. Kelan dipped lower and took her between a waterfall and the mountainside. Mist soaked her, and she loved it. She squealed with delight. They flew over the city, the crops, and the oceans. Kelan satisfied her desire to see all of Talonia the way he saw it. Too soon, they had to land.
Kelan, returned to the form of man, swung Michelle around in circles. "I can still fly! Did you have fun?"
"It was the most spectacular flight ever! No plane or spaceship could give me such freedom. I didn't want it to end. I was safe with you, as always. I'm so happy for you! No more worries!” she declared.
Kelan wished that were true. Tomorrow, he would go back to work in the mines. There would still be skeptics who would show their anger in destructive ways. Soon, the citizens would vote on Michelle's fate, and they didn't know about the baby. There was a lot to worry about.
Kelan
The next week was difficult for Kelan. He worked in hostile territory. Many blamed him for their coworker's incarceration. The black dragon was being held underground in a space too small to transform. He was serving a three-month sentence for the attack on Kelan. Though the attack had been unprovoked, most of the miners held Kelan responsible. The ones who placed themselves firmly on his side were constantly at odds with those who didn't. Kelan stayed neutral, quietly performing his duties.
Relief to be whole once more was overshadowed by the upcoming vote on Michelle. The healer had advised them to announce the pregnancy, but there hadn't been a window of opportunity. Now, it was too late. The leader was to speak to the citizens this afternoon, and the vote would be held immediately afterward. Kelan and Michelle would be allowed to make a plea for her acceptance. Thankfully, the pregnancy could still be hidden under loose clothing. If necessary, the announcement of it could be used as a means to keep her on Talonia until the birth. It would give her more time to win over the population.
The city sirens sounded, calling a halt to all work. In one hour, the ordeal would commence. Kelan barely had time to rush home for a shower and appropriate clothing. Michelle would already be in the custody of the commander at the leader's palace. It was for her protection; however, Kelan saw it differently. It seemed more like an arrest.
Michelle searched the crowd for sympathetic faces. Though few, there were certainly more than there had been the first time she stood in this spot. The commander showed less antagonism, as did the leader. The healer was here as well. His friendly greeting went a long way in calming her. Others in the crowd had taken notice of his smile and the hug he gave her. Their anger became curiosity.
Kelan climbed the steps and came to her side. He lifted her shaking hand and kissed the palm. "We've got this. It will all work out." The lump in his throat denied his words. He was unsure of anything except his love for Michelle and their unborn child.
The leader began his speech, "The time has come for a vote on the human's fate. She is less of a stranger to us now. We know her story. We've heard from her own lips of the physical and mental abuse she suffered on Earth. Kelan has informed us of his rescue of Michelle and the issues that followed it. He has been punished, so his mistakes are not to be considered in this vote. The choice we are making today only involves the safety of Talonia. Will Michelle's presence bring an end to our anonymity and make our existence known? Is she loyal to us rather than Earth?"
The commander declared, "The skies have been swept to the farthest reaches, and no spaceship has been discovered. Kelan wasn't followed from Earth. Michelle hasn't tried to make contact with any planet. She has remained in Kelan's home, secured by guards, and obedient to the commands she was given. She hasn't proven to be a threat."
The healer added, "I have spent many days in Michelle's company while Kelan was healing from the unlawful attack he endured. She is a kind and gentle soul who cared tirelessly for him. She slept little and watched over him. It is clear to me that she truly loves him."
A gruff, angry voice from the crowd shouted, "She's been locked up tight. If you let her loose, she could easily send a distress signal to Earth or any planet she chooses. The ships that fly over us as a threat would enjoy getting inside information from her. She knows all about the new weapon. She's seen the plans. I say she is a threat." Heads nodded throughout the group.
A miner spoke up, "Of course she took care of Kelan. If he died, she would be without a keeper. She wouldn't have survived very long. It was herself she was protecting."
A softer female voice added, "She wrapped the healer around her pretty little finger the same way she did Kelan. She pretends to be vulnerable and weak, and our men find that attractive because weredragon females are powerful and strong. The human makes them feel needed. Careful, or she will bind more men to her."
Murmurs began sweeping the crowd. The voices of dissent had stirred the anger of the citizens. This could easily become a mob if no one calmed them.
Kelan decided it was time to address the crowd and give them a few surprises. "I assume you think Michelle and I lied about her abuse. I can prove that we didn't. Everything that happened in my company on Earth or in my home there was recorded for the leader to see. The spaceship also had recorders. The leader was kind enough to provide photographs from those recordings as evidence." All the screens in the city flashed vivid pictures of Michelle. Her distorted, swollen face and bruised neck filled the screen and brought gasps from many.
"That could be any woman!” someone in the crowd argued. "The face is too messed up to tell if it is this woman."
The pictures changed. Michelle was on the spaceship, still bruised and battered. The swelling had receded to reveal her face, and it was clearly the woman who stood before the Talonians.
The female weredragon retorted, "That only proves she was beaten. It doesn't prove her loyalty to us. Remove her from Talonia or execute her. Give her to our enemies. Earth can attack them, instead of us!"
Michelle replied, "I gave up my ties on Earth for Kelan. There is no one there who will search for me. The only one who would consider it wants me dead. He doesn't have the resources to find me. Those he controls don't have the money or enough intelligence to search farther than Earth. I willingly give my loyalty to Talonia."
"More lies! She told the leader that she left Earth to save herself from men who would hunt her down. Now, she claims they won't search for her. She lies!"
Kelan answered the shout, "She doesn't lie. If she had stayed on Earth, they would have hunted her down. Their search wouldn't have ended. In fact, they're probably scouring the world for her as we speak. But, she spoke the truth. Their search will not reach into the skies. Earth's space exploration is limited to special agencies. Common men don't have access to spaceships or the knowledge to find other planets. We don't exist, not even to the planet's leaders. Michelle will be loyal to us. She is my mate. I chose her above all others. Our souls are joined. The ceremony isn't necessary. We have performed the ritual in the privacy of my home."
"She stole you from Shara! We heard the rumors. You were to mate with the leader's daughter!"
Surprising everyone, Shara walked onto the platform. "The human didn't steal Kelan from me. We were only to be mated if neither of us found our true loves. Kelan found his. I am happy for my childhood friend and ashamed
of my actions. I have a suitor who has made me see that Kelan would never have been my soul mate. We would not have been happy. I bid Michelle welcome. She has the courage to tame a dragon. I see them from my window at night. She rides the emerald green dragon across our skies. That requires trust, loyalty, and unconditional love. Those can't be faked. Besides, she had no idea anyone was watching. By all rights, she should fear us. We are larger, stronger, and many. She is but one. Yet, she isn't afraid. Love has made her strong. She belongs with us. I have faith in you all. You will choose correctly."
The Talonians were silent. Shara was special to them. The rare white dragon stood for peace and unity. She was demanding that the human be allowed to stay. Should they simply obey her plea or was she speaking up for the human out of guilt? She had a kind heart and a gentle soul. It was possible she had been swayed too easily. However, riding a dragon into the sky was unheard of. The dragon and the rider required not only complete trust, but a link that bound their souls. One misdirection and it could be fatal. Shara had seen it happen nightly. Kelan's soul must truly be bound to Michelle. If she was executed, Kelan would die too.
The leader took Shara's hand in his and declared, "My daughter has made me proud this day. She shames us all with her gentle soul. I am humbled by her words. We see only the negative in Michelle's presence. Shara has found the positive. I do not fear the human. She has tolerated questioning, searches, and imprisonment. Never has her loyalty wavered. The healer has testified to her love for Kelan and Kelan himself has proclaimed her his mate. My vote shall be for Michelle to become a true citizen of Talonia. What will you vote?"
The commander, healer, and even Shara's mother voted for Michelle to remain. The crowd was asked to shout out if they agreed. The shouts echoed over the mountaintops. When asked for all opposed to shout, there was silence. The one who they least expected to champion their plea, Shara, had won over the crowd. Michelle was accepted as a Talonian. There would be those who remained wary, but she was safe.
Michelle squeezed Kelan's hand and quietly asked, "Do you think this is a good time?"
"I don't think we'll find a better one. They've had a few surprises tonight. Why not another one?” he replied. "You do the honors."
"Come with me,” Michelle begged. Hand in hand they stepped up beside the leader. Michelle began, "I would like to make an announcement. Before I do, I want to say thank you for giving me a chance to prove my allegiance. Talonia is so beautiful, and I value my new friends. I hope my news makes you as happy as it has made me. Kelan and I are expecting a child. Whether it's human or weredragon, we love it already. Talonia will be the only home it knows. Please, welcome it."
Cheers rang out. A new birth was imminent. It would join two species and close the gap between Michelle and the Talonians.
Michelle
Six Months Later
Sweat rolled off Michelle's brow. Another pain shot through her abdomen and she screamed. Kelan clung to her hand and gave her encouragement. "I know it hurts. It will be over soon. Remember, it will be worth it. In the end, we'll have a baby."
Michelle cast him an evil look and groaned, "That's easy for you to say. It's not fair that the father feels no pain. You need to remember that payback is hell."
The healer laughed at their conversation. Weredragon males didn't attend the birth of their children, but Michelle had insisted that Kelan see what she went through to give him a child. She was still human enough to want him to suffer along with her.
The next pain brought a command from the healer, "Push as hard as you can."
Michelle used the last of her strength to give a hearty push and felt the baby slide from her body. The healer wrapped it in a warm cloth and put it in its mother's outstretched arms.
"You have a perfect son,” the healer announced. "He will be a fine asset to Talonia, just like his mother."
The little one's eyes opened. They were the same dark brown as Michelle's. In their depths was another story. A new weredragon was born. The first of its kind. His parents rejoiced.
The End.
Note from the Author
I hope you enjoyed this book. All of my books are standalones, have no cliffhangers and all end with a HEA. This is book 1 of 5 that make up the series Talonion Warriors. The next book is scheduled for April 19th release.
While you are waiting for more sexy weredragon aliens, you might what to check out my new bestselling Boxed Set of Sci-Fi Alien Abduction Romances; Warriors of Milisaria: The Complete Series (Books 1-6). It is priced at one low price for .99 cents for the entire series for a limited time or FREE on KU. If you prefer all individual books are available in a paperback. I have included the first two as bonus books.
Warriors of Milisaria: The Complete Series (Books 1-6) –ebook
•Nabvan - Included as a Bonus Book
•Siefer –Included as a Bonus Book
•Ohber
•Urim
•Srath
•Scyon- available as Paperback or in the ebook Box Set only
Bonus Book- Nabvan
Warriors of Milisaria
Chapter 1
Alexis Fisher tucked her blonde hair behind her ear and sat on the piece of the ship that jutted out from the round, glass window that she had been training her eyes on almost every evening since she had boarded the spaceship that would take her to live on an alien planet. She loved to watch planets and stars pass by them on their journey. She had once wanted to work with NASA, exploring what was out there right alongside the greatest space program on the entire planet Earth, but no one had taken a wispy blonde of 27-years-old seriously. Getting on this ship and agreeing to essentially be a mail-order bride to some veiny Arkani had been the only way for her to get close to her dream.
She heard footsteps coming towards her and the brush of air that meant someone had sat down next to her. She didn’t bother to look because she knew just who it was. "I see you're out of bed too, Destiney," Alexis commented, pressing her lips into a thin line. Alexis remembered how Destiney used to annoy her when they first boarded the ship. The fifteen women aboard were all pretty sad, either forced on the ship because of hardships or seeking a new life because their life on Earth didn’t go as planned. Alexis knew now what was lurking behind those amber eyes and bright smile that Destiney walked around with, but her zany attitude had not been welcomed in the first couple of weeks. Now, Destiney was her only friend on the ship, and the one keeping her going.
"Well, c'mon, Alexis, you can’t tell me you're not at least a little excited. We've been on this ship for two months now, and we're finally going to be setting our feet on land again in just a few days." Destiney’s bubbly voice broke through the semi-trance Alexis had put herself into, watching the universe fly by. Alexis turned away from the window and gave a sad smile. She had some mixed feelings about the whole thing, but it was too late to back out now.
"I'm excited to get to be a part of an intelligent community again. I'm excited to find out what the Arkani know about science," she admitted, trying to find the silver lining. The Arkani would surely take to her scientific mind since the reason they needed women was because their women had begun dying of a disease they did not understand. It didn’t affect humans or the men, and Alexis was ready to be the person who helped discover why, even if it meant being the wife to one of the men who had lost theirs.
"Well, I'm excited for a new life," Destiney whispered, leaning her tanned body over with delight. "I don’t care what race this man is, as long as he cares for me. One of those alien men is going to choose me and be with only me. I've never felt appreciation like that." Alexis nodded. She knew Destiney's story all too well. Looking at the beautiful woman before her with sultry curves and wavy brown hair, Alexis couldn’t understand what wasn't to love. But Destiney's family had felt quite different, stuck in their traditions.
"It's going to be great for you," Alexis told her, placing her hand on Destiney’s leg comfortingly.
"You're always such
a good friend, with the right things to say. I would go crazy in a depressing place like this without a gal like you in it. I wish you could be happy for yourself for once, though, Alexis," Destiney commented, calling Alexis out. Alexis just shook her head and looked back out the window, putting that wall back up around her that she always had. It was the closest thing to armor she had, and she just felt like she needed it.
"I just don’t have a whole lot of faith in others anymore, Destiney. I wish I could be more open like you, but I'm just not. It's why I like the stars so much. They are something you can study and predict." Alexis remained focused on the many stars and asteroids passing them by until she could see the glint of another planet in the distance. It was her favorite part of the journey they were on: getting to glimpse all the other planets that humans hadn't even known about until the last century. How all these amazing and intelligent races had remained hidden for so long, she just couldn’t fathom.
"Look!" she told Destiney excitedly, pointing towards the planet. Alexis racked her brain to see if she could think of what planet they could be passing. In her studies, she had made several planetary maps.
"Wow, what planet is that?" Destiney asked, looking out the window where her friend was pointing. Alexis thought about waking the others up to show them but then thought better of it. Many were so sullen they wouldn’t even care about it. The Arkani were going to have their hands full with these depressed babes.
The planet had large masses of green seas on its surface and an atmosphere not completely unlike Earth, with clouds. There were four moons surrounding it. Then she remembered. "Oh, it must be Milisaria," Alexis told Destiney, her finger thoughtfully tapping against her chin. "The aliens on the planet are warriors. I think they call themselves knights now, though. They're pretty friendly with humans compared to some other races, but they are really brutal, always taking over other planets."