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

his cargo a breath of fresh air. Three persons used up his air supply much more quickly than one.

“He’s there,” the female Ranger said, wriggling on his tongue. “Let’s go terrify him.”

“That’s the spirit,” Azania approved.

A primordial beast walked out of the ocean, terrifying the local populace, numbering one.

The monster cracked open his jaw, revealing three Human heads who were terribly grateful not to be decorating his fangs, or sizzling delicately in his digestive juices.

After that the local populace emerged from hiding, quite possibly more shocked by the tightness of Azania’s trousers than the size of the fiery quadruped hulking behind her, to said quadruped’s vast annoyance. Although, when it came to his attractiveness to the Human male, he could not exactly compete with the Black Rose of the Desert. Might as well accept his fate.

Stop it, Dragon, you’re making me blush.

Oops. Sorry. Thinking aloud is a bit of a habit.

The Ranger had plenty of information for them; most importantly, that the King and Queen were definitely being held in their private chambers. He even knew how many troops were stationed inside each room, as well as outside the doors.

“Have to make it a smash and grab raid,” Azania noted. “Securing the royals is the number one priority.”

“They’re still mostly abed,” said the Ranger, eyeing up the royal legs.

Dragon flexed a talon beneath his nose. “Eyes.”

Dragon, please.

Dragon, please chop out his nasty little eyeballs? he grumbled back.

Intriguing to see how brown people could turn pale. Almost chameleon-like in ability, when properly threatened. No, he was not repentant. Not where her honour was concerned.

After the Ranger associate had shared all of the important points he had to make, Dragon took his Princess in jaw and slipped away across the reef once more. Gorgeous tropical fish, corals and plants! He had never imagined the ocean could be so colourful. Once they rescued this King and blew his little mind with all that was Azania, he would love to spend some time painting some of these scenes he had captured in his mind. Just … take a rest, from all this traipsing around Solixambria. Wars, coups, political shenanigans and romance.

Busy times made for busy Dragons.

This Dragon’s head spun as he slipped through a deeper channel between the reef and out into more open water offshore of Zunityne. He kept a close lookout for Sea Serpents, but the islanders had already told him that they preferred deeper, cooler waters rather than the shallow, considerably warmer coastal waters. The bottom here was sandy, about fifty feet deep, with scattered patches of green or purple seaweed.

So cool and lovely. How had he never awoken to this awareness of the glorious embrace of water?

Three miles offshore, he attempted his first in-water take-off. The actual attempt was rather less elegant than the theory stuffed inside his head, but by dint of diving deep and then exploding upward in a vertical breach, he was able – just – to clear his wings and thrash his way into the air.

Phew. Water was also heavy.

Back across the channel they skimmed, making top speed, meeting up with Aria’s force about two-thirds of the way to the far shore. Re-joining the wedge of warrior Dragonesses in the right wing position just behind Aria’s lead, they relayed the information received from the Ranger. It was gratifying to know that the kingdom’s forces were still working for the crown, the Cobalt Dragoness noted with satisfaction. Exactly as she had expected.

How had her work for the crown developed, Dragon wondered privately? Why the sympathy for Humans, which went against trends amongst his kind? He must ask for the story when they had a private moment together.

Didn’t even swallow any Rangers along the way, he put in once the serious talk was dispensed with.

She grinned. Feeding that beastly big gullet of yours must be quite the challenge.

Do you cook, Aria?

NO!!

Pah. Another cultural gaffe.

The Princess said, Aria, question. What will eat more than a Dragon?

A very hungry Sea Dragon?

No, two Dragons.

She guffawed merrily. In another cross-cultural surprise, Isles Dragonesses appreciated the sense of humour Dragon and Princess loved most.

Encouraged, Azania said, And, what happens if you kiss a Dragon? When no-one knew that, but the Dragons had finished expressing disgust and a few married Rangers had exchanged bawdy suggestions with their spouses, she said, I don’t know either, but you could ask a piece of burned toast.

Roars of laughter!

Mid-air, Dragon received onto his back the six Rangers chosen to lead the assault into the Palace. Several commented that the challenge of aerial transfer reminded them of their early Ranger training, which majored on physical, mental and survival tests and the odd bit of hazing of recruits. He knew a thing or two about hazing! They swapped a few stories before, of one accord, Dragons and Humans alike dropped the banter to focus on the mission.

Flying northeast, they swung in line between the city and the setting suns. Taramis emerged as predicted, bathing the tranquil early evening ocean in brilliant white light. Anyone on the lookout in the city would have to look directly into the white-hot sun to see them coming. Absolutely the idea.

Remember, only red jackets and red feathers are enemy, Aria called. Take guidance from your Rangers. Dragons, battle speed!

He switched into his sprinting stroke, only for Azania to immediately warn him against racing ahead. Sigh. Throttle back and try not to be too narked when Aria growled at him to maintain the correct timing for the initial strike.

The city came up faster than expected. They blew over a ridge liberally tufted with tropical trees covered in great streamers of a flowering purple creeper, and suddenly the clay tile roofs flashed beneath them. Teams of ten Dragonesses apiece peeled off efficiently, bound for the Palace roof, different areas