Renath snarled at him, orange eyes blazing.
Taren growled, releasing Tonio. He tossed four golden dragon heads at his feet. “Get your mother’s flaming tonic and bring me that egg by noon or I’ll let Renath have her way with you.”
Marius
When Tonio got home, he scurried to Ma’s room with the tonic. Her hands were so weak, he had to hold the bottle while she drank. “You need some each day for ten days.”
“Thank you.” With a wan smile, she drifted to sleep.
He sat, holding her hand, Marius’ snores rumbling through the wall. He’d better get the egg to Master Taren and return before his step-brother woke.
Tonio crawled under Ma’s bed and pulled out the egg. The warm, veined shell vibrated under his fingers, humming. Tonio cradled it in his lap. Did dragon eggs usually hum? He rubbed the shell. A crack appeared.
No! He’d broken it.
The crack rippled across the egg’s surface. Dragons’ teeth, it was hatching!
Talons appeared through the crack, ripping the shell apart. A tiny red dragonet burst out. She leapt into Tonio’s lap, her tail lashing his leg as she fanned her damp wings to dry them.
Her green eyes fastened on Tonio’s. “I’m hungry.”
The words tickled his mind. They were mind-melding.
“Of course we are!” The dragonet stamped her foot and stuck her cute snout in the air. “Got any food?”
She was adorable. Every tiny scale was as perfect as the frosting on Crum’s finest rose cakes. Tonio had heard of dragons and riders melding, but a freshly-hatched dragonet melding with a stable boy from Naobia? Impossible.
“No, it’s not! We’re melding, aren’t we?” Her belly growled.
She had pluck, the cheeky wee thing. Tonio chuckled. “I’d better take you to Master Taren.”
“Don’t be silly. I’m staying with you forever.” Flapping her wings, the dragonet leaped onto his shoulder, her talons digging through his jerkin.
Ouch.
“Sorry, this is new to me too.” She adjusted her grip.
A dragonet! Amazing. Tonio eased Ma’s door open and stepped into the hall, grinning.
“Gotcha!” A cloud of stale alcohol wafted over Tonio as Marius grabbed the baby dragon, trapping her wings against her body with his huge hands.
She scrabbled with her talons, her roar throbbing through Tonio’s head.
“Don’t hurt her!” Tonio swung at Marius.
Marius kicked out, striking Tonio in the stomach. Tonio hunched over as his step-brother strode into the kitchen holding the dragonet, who spat harmless baby flames. “My little pretty,” crooned Marius. “Let’s feed you, so we imprint.”
A chill snaked down Tonio’s neck. Oh gods, Marius was going to bond with her. Tonio raced after them.
Marius strode to the meat safe. “Open it,” he bellowed.
Tonio’s hands balled into fists. “No!”
Marius grinned and tightened his grip on the baby dragon.
The dragonet squeaked. “He’s hurting me.”
Jaw tight, Tonio yanked the meat safe open.
Marius snatched out diced meat, feeding it to the trapped dragonet.
She gulped it down, her throat bulging. “Sorry, Tonio. I’m too hungry.”
Quick as an asp, Marius backhanded Tonio. Tonio’s head snapped back. He lost balance, striking his head on the kitchen table. The dragonet wriggled free and flapped across the room.
“You’re useless,” Marius sneered. “So runty and weak.” He flung a cutting board. It shattered a water pitcher, glass shards spraying.
The dragonet dived, but a splinter clipped her wing. “Help me,” she trumpeted. Wing drooping, she spiraled down.
That monster had hurt her. “No matter how much you bully the weak and wallow in drink, it won’t bring Pa back,” yelled Tonio.
The dragonet flopped to the kitchen table, panting. Tonio lunged, but Marius got to her first, his meaty fingers pinning her neck to the table.
Malice glinted in his eyes as he yanked a knife from a drawer. “So, I attack runts, do I?”
Oh gods, no. If only he’d kept his mouth shut.
Marius held the knife at the dragonet’s belly. “One step out of line and this baby pays for your insolence. Want her death on your conscience?”
“Please, don’t move.” The dragonet cowered in Marius’ hands, whimpering.
Mind racing and heart pounding like a herd of wild horses, Tonio stood stock still.
The door crashed open. Biter stalked into the room, baring teeth filed to points. “Hand over the baby dragon. She’s mine.”
Marius paled, his knife clattering to the table top.
Tonio’s knees turned to water. His bowels too.
Half-Ear followed, dragging Sam. “They found a tater,” Sam spluttered.
“You lousy little shrots,” Biter snarled.
Half-Ear slid a blade under Sam’s ear. “You two have been scamming us,” the leader of the Shadow Stalkers barked.
“It’s my fault,” said Tonio. “Ma’s got the wasting sickness. I needed coin for tonic, and there was a reward for finding the egg.”
“Your friend can pay us back—in blood,” Biter sneered. “A few drops at a time.”
Half-Ear nicked Sam’s earlobe. Sam yelped as blood gushed down his neck.
“Boys, come and get ‘em,” Biter called.
Stalkers and Knives rushed into the house, blades out. It took three Knives and a lot of cursing and kicking to force Marius outside.
Thugs grabbed Tonio’s arms, nearly yanking them from his sockets as they dragged him over the threshold.
Outside, a cart full of barrels was waiting.
“Tie them, gag them, and load them into barrels. Pirates are awaiting our next shipment.” Biter flashed his sharpened teeth. “The sharks are hungry.”
Tonio struggled, but the Knives gripped him tighter.
A hulking Stalker slammed his hilt into the back of Marius’ head. Marius crumpled.
Two more dragged Tonio toward a barrel.
“No!” The dragonet zipped out the door and dived at their heads, gusting tiny flames. One of the men batted her aside. She dived again, scratching at their faces with her sharp talons.
“Marius! Tonio!” Ma appeared at the doorway, panting and face ashen. “No!” She sagged and slid down to the wooden threshold.
Tonio head-butted one of the thugs holding him. Yelling, his captor stumbled backward, releasing him. Tonio kicked the other man in the gut, and raced over to Ma.
Ma’s eyes were closed. Her pulse, weak. He shook her shoulders. “Ma, wake up.”
Her eyelids fluttered open. “Tonio,” she murmured.
“Yes, Ma, I’m here.”
She smiled weakly. “You’re always there when I need you.”
Sam was yelling and bellowing. Men were cursing. A roar rumbled through the air, making Tonio’s arm hairs stand on end. Renath dived, spurting fame. Green guards flanked her, their riders shooting arrows. The dragons formed a circle, rounding up fleeing gang members and plucking them up in their talons.
Marius groaned, staggered to his feet, and wove toward Tonio, fists up. “This is all your fault,” he yelled. “You shouldn’t have stolen that egg.”
“You shouldn’t have nicked Ma’s coin,” Tonio snapped back.
“Great help you are. You killed your ma,” Marius sneered, swinging at his head.
Before his fist connected, Matotoi roared and swooped out of the sky, snatching Marius in her talons.
“You’ve been beating your step-brother long enough,” Amato yelled as they carried Marius kicking and yelling toward the city.
Tonio looked down. Ma’s glassy eyes stared blankly at the sky.
Master Taren approached and held his fingers to her wrist. “I’m sorry. She’s gone.”
Tonio’s throat grew tight. His eyes stung. Not now. Not now, when they finally had the tonic.
His eyes blurred. He squeezed Ma’
s frail body against his chest, burying his face in her hair. “Ma,” he whispered fiercely. “Say something. Please.”
Tonio sat on the threshold, rocking her. But she didn’t respond.
Farewell
The sun was too bright as Tonio shoveled dirt. He’d insisted on burying Ma himself.
Under Amato’s watch, Marius looked on sullenly. “Dig as much as you want,” he sneered. “It won’t bring her back, and you’ll never bury your guilt.”
Tonio piled dirt into the hole beneath the old oak until his mother’s casket disappeared.
Perched on a branch, the ruby dragonet watched every shovelful of dirt he carefully placed on Ma’s grave. “You’re sad.”
“I am.”
“I’m sad that you’re sad.”
A wave of the dragonet’s sweet comfort washed over him, but was swallowed by the gaping hole inside him.
When he’d finished, Tonio wiped his brow with a kerchief and took a deep breath before facing the small group behind him.
Marius’ eyes were also red-rimmed, but Tonio was beyond caring. People mumbled tributes and dropped flowers onto the grave. Some left stones or trinkets.
Crum approached Tonio. “I’ve left some loaves and dinkel cakes inside.”
Tonio nodded numbly. He didn’t care if he never ate again.
The dragonet leaped to his shoulder, nuzzling his neck, but at a snort from Renath, she flapped to her mother’s side.
Master Taren pulled him aside. He placed a leather pouch in Tonio’s hands. “Thank you for finding Renath’s dragonet. We’re indebted to you. It’s no compensation for your loss, but there are more dragon heads in there.” He coughed. “About your step-brother…” Master Taren’s icy eyes took on a dangerous glint. “I’ve found a captain who takes on troublemakers as ship hands. I trust that, with such a sullen attitude, during his service Marius will earn a few lashes.”
Tonio stared at flower-strewn dirt.
“Although she’s insisting on staying with you, we need to take Renath’s dragonet with us to Dragons’ Hold,” The spymaster continued. “She can’t stay here without her mother.”
But he could? A lump rose in Tonio’s throat, choking him.
“I’ll help you in the stables,” Sam said. “It’ll be better than lugging taters.”
“Farewell, Tonio, until we meet again,” the dragonet chirped.
Tonio strode to the house, Sam trailing him. “I’m sorry, Sam. I need to be alone.” He closed the door, locking his best friend out.
Sam pounded on the door. Tonio ignored him.
There was silence for a while...
Followed by more knocking.
“Go away, Sam.”
“It’s not Sam,” a deep voice said.
Tonio opened the door to Master Taren.
A bolt of red flashed, and the dragonet bowled into Tonio’s stomach, knocking him onto his rump. She sniffed his face then leaped onto his shoulder, wrapping her tail around his neck. “Do you want to stay with me?”
Master Taren laughed. “She won’t let us leave.”
“She’s looking for Marius,” Tonio replied bitterly.
“Am I?”
“Yes, he’s your imprinted rider.”
“Tonio, don’t you understand? You and I imprinted when I hatched.”
“But he fed you, not me.”
She flicked her tail against his cheek. “Feeding a dragonet doesn’t mean we automatically imprint—although it helps cement the bond. It’s a silly rumor from people who’re ignorant about dragons.” She snorted. “You’re my true rider.”
The bitterness evaporated.
Tonio asked, “I am?” Every nerve in his body was poised on the edge of a mountain peak—ready to soar or crash.
She snorted again. “My name is Antonika, after you.”
Amazing—she’d taken a syllable from his own name in the tradition of bonded riders and dragons.
“Come to Dragons’ Hold and be my rider when I’m grown, Tonio. Master Taren wants you to train with me.”
Tonio’s heart soared. Laughing, he hugged Antonika.
Master Taren chuckled. “We’d best get going. You’ve got a lot to learn.”
Sam popped his head around the doorway. “I’ll look after the stables. Just come and visit now and then.”
“Are you sure?”
Sam nodded. “Absolutely. It’ll beat lugging taters and dealing with the Knives and Stalkers.” He grinned, and they bumped knuckles.
“Thank you.” Tonio gathered his cloak and weapons, embraced Sam and then climbed on Renath’s back with Antonika on his shoulder.
The mighty ruby dragon bunched her haunches and leaped into the sky.
“Everything looks so tiny from up here.” Tonio mind-melded with Antonika, waving at Sam.
Soon the outlying cottages were like nuts scattered through the fields. The lakes were crystal droplets winking in the sun. But nothing beat the elation soaring through him.
“That’s our bond you feel.” Antonika nuzzled his cheek.
Tonio grinned. A lifetime of riding Antonika lay ahead.
“A long lifetime.” A rumble echoed through Antonika’s belly—dragon laughter.
Tonio blew a kiss to his mother. The sadness at losing her would last, but this new feeling and this cheeky dragonet with the infectious laugh, would see him through.
They winged further north, out over the forest toward Crystal Lake and the mighty peaks of the Northern Grande Alps. The wind of new adventure blew through Tonio’s hair, with his dragonet snuggled against his neck and his heart on fire.
§§§
Tonio’s story is a short prequel to the Riders of Fire and Riders of Fire Dragon Masters series. The complete 6-book award-winning, bestselling Riders of Fire is available here.
Pre-order the next exciting series, Riders of Fire Dragon Masters here.
Please flip the page for bonus material, free books, sneak previews and to see the awesome covers.
Free Prequel Novelettes: Silver Dragon & Bronze Dragon
Silver Dragon
Marlies is good at healing. But she wasn’t good enough to save her friend.
Now the Nightshader gang are after her. They’re fighters—strong, fast and mean. And they know where to find her. But when Giddi, the Dragon Mage, calls Marlies deep into Great Spanglewood Forest, she finds something she never expected...
Bronze Dragon
A routine hunting trip turns into a nightmare when Hans discovers a dead dragon rider, and terrifying beasts in the forest. Then his family goes missing. He must track the dangerous beasts to find his mother and sister, but everything goes go wrong. There’s only one hope left. Dare Hans dream of the impossible?
Silver Dragon is exclusively on Eileen’s site. You’ll also get a free copy of Bronze Dragon.
EileenMuellerAuthor.com/readers-free-books/
Turn the page to see Anakisha’s Dragon, Riders of Fire Dragon Masters Book 1
Coming in 2021: Riders of Fire Dragon Masters
Anakisha’s Dragon—Book 1
Dragon Mage—Book 2
Dragon Spy —Book 3
Dragon Healer—Book 4
Riders of Fire Dragon Masters
Complete Riders of Fire series available now
Riders of Fire
Ezaara—Book 1
Dragon Hero—Book 2
Dragon Rift—Book 3
Dragon Strike—Book 4
Dragon War—Book 5
Sea Dragon—Book 6
Riders of Fire
Ezaara—Winner Storylines Notable Book Award 2019
Dragon Hero—Winner Storylines Notable Book Award 2019
Ezaara—Quarterfinalist 2019 Epic Fantasy Fanatics Reader’s Choice Awards
Dragon Hero— Quarterfinalist 2019 Epic Fantasy Fanatics Reader’s Choice Awards
“A great fantasy read.”
Dean O’Gorman, actor, Fili the dwarf in The Hobbit
“Played like a movie
in my mind. Mueller is the kind of writer that engages all 5 senses.”
“An explosive novel that is nail-biting, fast paced and taut with suspense.”
“A lot of heart and a lot of action.”
So vivid, I feel I’m in the stories. I can’t get enough.”
“New stories in same genre as Anne MacCaffey’s Pern books. About time someone took up the torch.”
“I may have stumbled upon another favourite series here. I’m eagerly waiting to dive into the next adventure of the Riders of Fire!”
“A spellbinding story from a powerful and equally promising new voice in epic fantasy.” “A page turner that is literally impossible to put down.”
Flip the page for a preview!
Ezaara – preview
Ezaara, book 1 in the Riders of Fire series is on Amazon. Experience Ezaara’s adventures as she becomes the new Queen’s Rider amid cutthroat politics and traitors in every shadow.
“A great fantasy read.” —Dean O’Gorman, actor, Fili the dwarf in The Hobbit
Lush Valley
The scrape of a blade sliding from its scabbard cut through the hum of the market square. Ezaara dropped her herb basket. Spinning, she drew her sword.
Tomaaz. Wasn’t it enough that he’d beaten her last time? And the time before? Of course not—today he had an audience. Sensing a fight, people backed toward stalls of plaited-onion wreaths, wood carvings and hats, clearing a ring around Tomaaz and Ezaara. On the far side of the marketplace, painted scarves fluttered in the breeze.
Ruby Dragon Page 4