I am Dragon (Dragon Fires Rising Book 2) Marc Secchia (most read books .TXT) 📖

Not on your – her voice choked off.

She’s ready, the female announced. Dragons of the Isles, let this joyous day roar to the heavens! By the right vested in me as the First Warrior of the Isles, Potentate of Dragonesses, Mighty Sceptre of Oceanic Justice and Ruler of the Waves, I, Charielle Seaspray of the Dragons of the Archipelago, declare these nuptials open. First paw, according to Dragon tradition, if any creature has reason under draconic law to object to the long overdue union of my first and most precious egg, Ariamyrielle Seaspray, to this choice male of the finest lineage, let her voice her thunder now, or forever hold silence in all five hearts!

Every Dragon held their breath. Aria squirmed and struggled, but the two bigger Dragonesses holding her had her jaw clamped shut. Nonetheless, she still managed to make a decent racket. That would be Aria, through and through.

His throat worked. Aria, o Aria …

I object!

At first, he had no idea where the scream had come from.

Princess Azania! She stood upon his neck, screaming defiance and shaking her fists in a fury. The only problem was, those in the centre did not hear her above the sounds of Aria’s struggling. A couple of heads beneath them turned as if casting about for a sea bird which had the temerity to caw at the wrong moment.

Raising her right forepaw, Charielle Seaspray said, I there –

III – AAAMM – DRRRAAGGOONN!!

The belling of his draconic outrage cracked across the caldera. Dragons and Dragonesses alike almost tripped over their paws as the sound waves, with the benefit of excellent acoustics, echoed around the space multiple times.

To his shock, Azania popped a finger out of her ear. I knew you’d do that. Voice your objection, Dragon. She closed her ear again.

I OBJECT!! he boomed.

Very objectionable of you, she agreed brightly. Alright. Next move?

Hold on tight.

The Isles Dragons watched in stunned tableaux as he tipped off the rim of their caldera and floated down toward the centre upon wings that threatened to buckle at any second. Landing neatly between Aria and her dam, he gathered his paws beneath him and gazed down upon Charielle Seaspray with what he fervently hoped was an expression of terrible majesty.

Terribly tired, more to the point. Ready to pitch forward on his nose for a second time, and sleep for a year. Now that would be truly majestic.

Summoning up his inner younger brother, he snarled, I don’t believe I was invited to the nuptials.

Who are you, noble … Sea Dragon?

Tell me, Charielle Seaspray, is it common at such a happy event for Isles Dragons to chain down the male so as they cannot move, and to force meaningless oaths and vows into a female’s mouth? For once in his life, words flowed from his tongue, rich with sarcasm and ripe with meaning. May I meet the intended couple fortunate enough to merit this tender care from the Dragons of the Isles, whose reputation flies so high?

Turning his flank upon the prickly copper Dragoness as if she did not matter, Dragon courteously made a paw step to help Azania to alight. He formed his shoulders into an intimidating bunch as he stepped toward Ariamyrielle Seaspray – more for her captors, than her. Did she recognise him? Not as yet, perhaps. She suspected much …

The Isles Dragonesses murmured in shock and amazement at a Human turning up amidst their congregation.

Charielle spat, “You … dare? Who are you?”

Throwing back her hood, the tiny girl bowed all around. Honoured Dragons of the Isles, I am the Princess Azania of T’nagru, the Desert Kingdom, appointed Ambassador to the Dragons.

Aria’s jaw would have dropped if it were possible.

Her despairing eyes flickered with new fires as she mouthed, Dragon?

The Dragoness roared meantime, Why are you here? What is this – a sand crab riding upon a Dragon?

Our kingdom being under threat of invasion by the Skartun, who enslave Dragons, lock them in metal cages and torture them in the most unspeakable ways, Azania explained, Dragon and I flew over the ocean to seek aid from the mightiest Dragon warriors of all, the fabled Dragonesses of the Isles. You are these, are you not?

Of course we are!

Focussing upon Aria, Dragon thundered, Release her at once!

Half of the Dragonesses holding her sprang loose, assuming defensive postures that reminded him how hatchling-soft his nice new hide was, and how much he preferred it un-holey, while the others clung on tighter.

Released to speak, the Cobalt Dragoness spluttered, D-Dragon? You – it’s you, isn’t it?

Aye, Aria. The new, improved me, come to –

Mmm, she purred, before clamping her jaw shut, but it was enough. Too much.

Utter betrayal of her feelings.

Aria’s dam screeched, Unacceptable! Vows will not be broken while I am potentate of these isles. Warriors, seize this ridiculous foreign male!

Four warrior Dragonesses sprang at him, intent on some sort of disabling nastiness.

He did not pause to ask questions or comment on how pretty their butterfly-like wings were. STOP!! His sonic thunderclap reverberated out of his chest, smashing two down and two aside. They landed in moaning heaps; one Dragoness bled out of both ear canals. I would not suggest you try that again.

Ooh. He actually sounded as if he knew what he was doing.

Novel.

In a flash, Ariamyrielle Seaspray wriggled free of her stunned captors and rushed to his side – one, to greet him with a stinging wing flick, and two, to assume a protective, belligerent stance before his nose, wings outspread, fangs bared, slender Dragoness haunches gleaming …

Surprise? he managed to splutter.

Might have been a second’s distraction there, but he was not telling.

A world better than today’s first surprise, she snarled. Anyone who wants a piece of