Celo's Quest (The Dragons of Incendium Book 8)

by Deborah Cooke

  “Just dragon?”

  “Maybe all dragon would be more accurate.” She stepped into the open fearlessly and took a deep breath. “So old,” she whispered in awe. “So large. It’s a legend come to life.”

  Venero didn’t quite share his wife’s wonder.

  The dragon beat his wings hard and flew directly toward the castle again. Women screamed and children were rushed into buildings for safety even though they obviously would have preferred to watch.

  “To arms!” Venero cried, wondering how they could defend themselves against such a creature. Everything looked flimsy in comparison to its strength and he’d already seen that arrows were useless.

  Gemma put aside her bow and began to shimmer blue.

  “No!” Venero cried, but Gemma shifted shape, taking her dragon form before his very eyes. Her scales were a deep blue and they glittered in the winter sunlight. Her chest was gold and she looked like a jeweled ornament in comparison to the massive dragon as grey as weathered stone.

  “Hold your fire!” Venero cried, fearing that his queen was taking too much of a chance. Gemma launched herself into the air.

  The others on the ground watched, mesmerized, as the dragons approached each other. Venero was certain that his wasn’t the only mouth that was dry.

  The large dragon circled around Gemma, making her look as small as a butterfly beside him. He seemed to be as intrigued by her as she was by him.

  Was the other dragon laughing?

  He breathed a torrent of fire straight up into the sky that seemed somehow joyous, then Gemma did the same. They could have been dancing together in the sky, Gemma flying around him as he turned back toward the castle again.

  The orange flame in his eyes was anything but playful, though. Venero’s fears for his people and his queen were renewed. What could they do?

  “Venero!” someone shouted.

  It sounded like Celo. But where was Celo? As far as Venero knew, his brother was still in the forests, living as a hermit far from the capital city. He scanned the crowd that had gathered to watch the mighty dragon, hoping to spot his brother.

  He didn’t.

  So, he opened his mind.

  Look up! Celo cried, more triumphant and excited than Venero had ever heard him. I’m riding a dragon!

  What does he want from us?

  Nothing. He’s giving me a ride!

  The large dragon bore down on the castle and the bowsmen raised their weapons again.

  “Hold your fire!” Venero shouted once more, fearing that more could be lost than gained. He could see someone perched between the dragon’s horns, holding on with one hand and waving the other. “It’s Prince Celo!”

  His guards stood down, but their expressions remained wary as the massive dragon hovered beside the castle. His wings made a fierce wind and Venero had to cover his eyes to protect them from the swirling dust. The dragon stretched down and rested his chin upon the ground, then Celo walked down his snout to the ground.

  He turned back to give the dragon a pat. “Thanks, Draco. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  “I’ll be waiting,” the dragon rumbled, his words making the ground shake. His bright gaze fixed on Venero, a burning stare that seemed to be filled with fire.

  Gemma landed in the courtyard and shifted shape, her action drawing Draco’s gaze. His eyes glittered as he watched her and there was no doubt that he smiled.

  Gemma bowed before him. “Thank you, Draco,” she said, that wonder still in his tone.

  Draco nodded, then lifted his head. He beat his wings so hard that the water in the river rose after him. He flew high in the sky then turned to the south.

  They stood as one in silence watching until his silhouette faded from view.

  “Where did he come from?” Venero asked when Celo came closer. His brother’s clothes were worse for wear, his boots worn out and his cloak dirty. His beard was longer and his face was tanned, but his eyes were filled with such enthusiasm that he almost looked like a stranger.

  Venero couldn’t remember Celo being so excited about anything.

  “That’s Mount Draco,” Celo said with a grin. “He’s an earth dragon and probably heading back to sleep.”

  Venero exchanged a glance with Gemma.

  “A real dragon,” she said and Celo nodded. “I didn’t think there were any real dragons, not anymore.” She stared after Draco, and Venero wondered if she could still see him with her keen dragon gaze.

  “Neither did I,” his brother agreed. “But Draco wants me to look for them. He gave me a quest, and I’m going to take it.” He glanced back at the whistle of smaller wings and everyone watched a raven fly directly to Celo. It landed on his shoulder, its wings gleaming blue-black and they nodded to each other, then looked at Venero as one.

  “Nix and I need to go to Incendium,” Celo said. “We’re both hungry, too, and I could use some new clothes. Introductions on Incendium, too.”

  Venero smiled. It was so good to see his brother with purpose. “When I said you could ask me for anything, I didn’t think you would,” he teased.

  “Oh, this is just the start,” Celo said. “After Incendium, I’m going to need to go to Sylvawyld and Caligo.”

  “No one goes to Caligo,” Venero noted.

  “That’s going to change,” Celo said. “Then Excandesco.”

  “Is that all?” Venero asked with a smile.

  “And after that?” Gemma asked.

  “No idea, but I’m sure I’ll need more favors.” Celo grinned, confident that Venero would help him. The bird nodded, its black eyes shining, and Venero found himself laughing.

  “It can’t be a coincidence that you arrived just in time for lunch.”

  “Not at all.”

  “What happens when you find the dragons?”

  “I don’t know, but I have a feeling it’ll shake things up.” At Venero’s gesture of invitation, the three of them turned to go into the castle. Venero could smell the roast meat being carried to the dining hall and he smiled when Celo’s stomach grumbled.

  “I’m starving,” he murmured and the bird croaked agreement. “It’s a good thing Draco flies as fast as he does.”

  A pretty servant brought a basin of water for Celo—two others brought basins for Venero and Gemma—and he smiled at her as he washed up. “You rode a dragon,” she breathed in awe.

  “I did! It was a bit bumpy at first, but a great ride.” He turned to Venero. “Which reminds me, you need to build more connections between Regalia and Incendium. Draco explained to me that our future lies in cooperation.”

  “That’s exactly what we believe,” Venero said, escorting Gemma to the table. “All suggestions welcome.”

  Celo smiled. “Advice from a dragon is fair exchange for all the help I’m going to ask of you.”

  “I’ll take you to Incendium myself,” Gemma said as they were seated. She patted her stomach. “I need to visit my mother’s physician and have the baby’s charts cast.”

  “And you’re going to take a Starpod,” Venero said, feeling gruff and protective. He’d talk to her in private about her impulsive dragon flight. He didn’t want to think about the risk she’d already taken, but he’d keep her from taking more. “You’re not going to fly to Incendium under your own power. I don’t care how adept you are at casting an orb, never mind that you’d have Celo to look after as well.” The raven croaked. “And Nix.”

  Gemma gave him a sunny smile. “Dragons are supposed to be the protective ones,” she teased, then eyed Celo. “Is that why he gave you a mission? To protect us all?”

  “And to find all the dragons again, bring them together, and preserve the knowledge they’ve gathered.” The meal was served and they began to eat, even as Celo shared what Draco had told him. Venero didn’t know if it was all the dragon had confided in his brother, but there were plenty of suggestions that he could use to bring the two kingdoms closer.

  Never mind that Celo had a glow of purpose that was new a
nd welcome.

  He smiled at Gemma, thinking that dragons were proving to be very good luck for Regalia—and that despite the fact that the kingdom had been founded out of a protest against the dragon king of Incendium.

  There was no doubt that Celo had been changed by his encounter with Draco. He stood taller, he voiced his opinion more readily, and he was filled with confidence. Women in the castle and its surrounds noticed, and there were already whispers about the prince who had become a dragon hunter. Venero wondered what else Celo would find on his quest.

  He couldn’t wait to find out.

  The next morning, Princess Bellatora, Mistress of the Hunt, was striding through the starport of Incendium with her younger sister, Flammara. They were scheduled to depart for Terra to visit Drakina and Troy, and to assess the hunting for their father. Were the wild boars of Terra as similar to the extinct verran of Sylvawyld as Drakina insisted? Bellatora was assigned to find out.

  Unfortunately, she was also supposed to take her younger sister with her. She was already wishing that part would end.

  “You’ll enjoy it,” she said to her reluctant younger sister for the hundredth time. “You’ve always wanted to have an adventure. Now that you’re being offered one, all you can do is complain.”

  “I’m not complaining,” Flammara replied tartly. “Just making an observation.”

  Bellatora wished it could have been just one observation.

  Actually, it was one, she realized, but Flammara was making the same observation over and over and over again. It was enough to make her itch for her bow.

  Or a mace.

  Bellatora might have been born female, but most of the time she felt that she understood men much better than women.

  “And pouting,” she continued. “You’re definitely pouting.” She said this as if it were a crime, and to Bellatora, it might as well have been. Nothing was achieved by pouting, in her view.

  “I am not pouting.” Flammara stood taller and tossed her hair. More than one starpilot turned to watch the sisters pass. “I’m furious.”

  “With Father?”

  “Of course, with Father! He’s only sending me with you because he wants me away from Thierry.”

  Bellatora sighed, suspecting that was true and knowing that Flammara would never see the value of that. “Maybe he’s just trying to protect you.”

  “Maybe he’s standing in the path of true love!”

  Bellatora barely refrained from rolling her eyes. True love had nothing to do with it. The last thing that would ever affect Thierry, a knight in her father’s service and a popular champion, was affection for another person. That man loved himself above all else, and she disliked how Thierry encouraged Flammara’s interest in him.

  She didn’t need dragon vision to see the knight’s true ambitions.

  “He should never have worn your colors in that tournament,” she said beneath her breath, knowing how her sister would reply.

  “But he did! And he won! And it was completely romantic.”

  “It was calculated,” Bellatora snapped, her patience expiring. “You have to see that. Thierry is concerned with his own comfort and thinks that marrying into the royal family would be the best choice for his future.”

  “If that’s so, why hasn’t he ever shown interest in any of you?”

  “Maybe we’re too smart to fall for his ruse.”

  “Oh! I can’t believe you would think such things about a man pledged to Father’s service, an honorable champion...”

  Bellatora ignored her sister’s chatter. They were passing a bay where a Starpod was docking. She absently checked the displayed registration and realized it was from Regalia. She inhaled and knew that her sister Gemma was aboard, if not the pilot.

  That would make sense. It had to be about the right time to consult with Mother’s doctor about the baby. It was a good idea for her to use a Starpod rather than flying herself and spinning an orb in her condition. Bellatora nodded with approval, not at all surprised that her older sister was so practical and logical about pregnancy.

  Flammara, on the other hand, would be whimsical and emotional...

  Bellatora stopped in her tracks. She breathed deeply, letting a beguiling scent fill her lungs and send heat through her entire body. It made her shimmer. It made her tingle.

  It made her yearn.

  She pivoted slowly, oblivious to Flammara, and eyed the dock of the Starpod from Regalia.

  The Seed.

  Gemma had, by accident or design, brought Bellatora’s Carrier of the Seed to Incendium. Her heart began to pound in anticipation.

  “Bellatora!” Flammara cried. “We’ll be late. Come on!”

  “Go without me,” Bellatora said, walking toward the gate, drawn toward her destiny like a fish on a line.

  “What? I can’t go without you. Father said...”

  “It’s the Seed,” Bellatora whispered with vigor and Flammara felt silent. “Father will understand perfectly. Go!” She stopped and held her breath, watching hungrily as the portal swung wide.

  Wyvern’s Angel

  The Dragons of Incendium #9

  Bond is a secret spy for the Gloria Furore space pirates, a former member of Princess Anguissa's crew, and a fallen angel with a taste for forbidden pleasures. He can't resist the temptation of bad choices. He knows he should disappear from Incendium before Anguissa discovers his deception, but he isn't counting on her enticing younger sister. Bond should know better than to get involved with a dragon shifter princess, but Percipia knows how to get exactly what she wants from him. She offers him a challenge, with irresistible side benefits, and Bond finds himself snared. He should walk away and he knows it, but Percipia's brand of persuasion feels too much like heaven for Bond to ever want to stop...

  Wyvern’s Angel

  Coming in April 2018

  Pre-order available at some portals.

  About the Author

  Deborah Cooke sold her first book in 1992, a medieval romance called Romance of the Rose published under her pseudonym Claire Delacroix. Since then, she has published over fifty novels in a wide variety of sub-genres, including historical romance, contemporary romance, paranormal romance, fantasy romance, time-travel romance, women’s fiction, paranormal young adult and fantasy with romantic elements. She has published under the names Claire Delacroix, Claire Cross and Deborah Cooke. The Beauty, part of her successful Bride Quest series of historical romances, was her first title to land on the New York Times List of Bestselling Books. Her books routinely appear on other bestseller lists and have won numerous awards. In 2009, she was the writer-in-residence at the Toronto Public Library, the first time the library has hosted a residency focused on the romance genre. In 2012, she was honored to receive the Romance Writers of America’s Mentor of the Year Award.

  Currently, she writes paranormal romances featuring dragon shape shifter heroes under the name Deborah Cooke. She also writes medieval romances as Claire Delacroix. Deborah lives in Canada with her husband and family, as well as far too many unfinished knitting projects.

  Visit Deborah’s Website and Blog

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  More Books by the Author

  Books by Deborah Cooke

  Paranormal Romances:

  The Dragonfire Series

  KISS OF FIRE

  KISS OF FURY

  KISS OF FATE

  Harmonia’s Kiss

  WINTER KISS

  WHISPER KISS

  DARKFIRE KISS

  FLASHFIRE

  EMBER’S KISS

  Kiss of Danger

  Kiss of Darkness

  Kiss of Destiny

  SERPENT’S KISS

  FIRESTORM FOREVER

  The Dragons of Incendium

  WYVERN’S MATE

  Nero’s Dream

  WYVERN’S PRINCE

  Arista’s Legacy

  WYVERN’S WARRIOR

  Kraw’s Secret

  WYVERN’S OUTL
AW

  Celo’s Quest

  Urban Fantasy Romance

  The Prometheus Project

  FALLEN

  GUARDIAN

  REBEL

  ABYSS

  Paranormal Young Adult:

  The Dragon Diaries

  FLYING BLIND

  WINGING IT

  BLAZING THE TRAIL

  Contemporary Romance:

  The Coxwells

  THIRD TIME LUCKY

  DOUBLE TROUBLE

  ONE MORE TIME

  ALL OR NOTHING

  Flatiron Five

  SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE

  ADDICTED TO LOVE

  IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (2018)

  Short Stories

  Coven of Mercy

  A Berry Merry Christmas

  Books by Claire Delacroix

  Time Travel Romances

  ONCE UPON A KISS

  THE LAST HIGHLANDER

  THE MOONSTONE

  LOVE POTION #9

  Harlequin Historical Romances

  The Sayerne Series

  ONE KNIGHT ENCHANTED

  The Bride Quest

  THE PRINCESS

  THE DAMSEL

  THE HEIRESS

  THE COUNTESS

  THE BEAUTY

  THE TEMPTRESS

  The Rogues of Ravensmuir

  THE ROGUE

  THE SCOUNDREL

  THE WARRIOR

  The Jewels of Kinfairlie

  THE BEAUTY BRIDE

  THE ROSE RED BRIDE

  THE SNOW WHITE BRIDE

  The Ballad of Rosamunde

  The True Love Brides

  THE RENEGADE’S HEART

  THE HIGHLANDER’S CURSE

  THE FROST MAIDEN’S KISS

  THE WARRIOR’S PRIZE

  The Brides of Inverfyre

  THE MERCENARY’S BRIDE

  The Champions of St. Euphemia

  THE CRUSADER’S BRIDE