Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 41518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 208(@200wpm)___ 166(@250wpm)___ 138(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 208(@200wpm)___ 166(@250wpm)___ 138(@300wpm)
“Perhaps you could get him to do something for us?” one man requested.
“Trying to grab my dragon is a weird way of asking for a favor,” Ciel pointed out. They might as well learn some manners.
One woman stepped out from the line into open space. “My apologies. I suggested that wasn’t the wisest plan, but the men vetoed me. Thank you for not having your dragon roast us as a crunchy treat,” she said, keeping her eyes on Ciel and Argenis but visibly rolling her eyes at her companions.
Ciel squashed the laughter that threatened. “What is the favor?”
“Our people are dying of thirst. We have the salty ocean water, but fresh water is far away. We need a trench to bring water closer. We will not survive digging it.”
“Have you considered moving?” Ciel asked.
“It is too far. We will not survive the move either,” the woman said, shaking her head.
Ciel looked at Argenis.
This group chose not to offer mates to the dragons in their area eons ago. Both the dragons and the people have suffered from their ignorance.
I’m sure they aren’t even aware their ancestors had a choice.
Argenis nodded his agreement to that statement.
“He’s going to help?” the woman said eagerly.
“No. He can help right a poor decision from the leaders of your past.”
Can you call to one of the dragons in this area?
Argenis lifted his head and trumpeted a message into the sky.
Ciel watched everyone cower back except for the one woman who’d spoken. She stood bravely, waiting to see what happened. Ciel crossed her fingers, hoping for the best.
A massive red dragon appeared on the horizon. Its broad wings propelled it quickly through the sky. It circled over the beach as if curious before landing a distance from Argenis. In a familiar shimmering glow, it shifted into a very handsome silver-haired man.
“Why have you summoned me?”
Ciel watched the silent communication obviously taking place between the two dragon shifters. She was not privy to their conversation. Dragon business. She rolled her eyes.
The man looked toward the spokeswoman. “The assistance of dragons comes with a price.”
“What kind of price?” the brave woman asked.
A young woman emerged from the greenery and walked forward as if drawn by an invisible thread. She walked past the woman standing on the sand.
“Chloe, no!” the spokeswoman said, trying to grab her arm.
“Mother. He calls to me.” Chloe walked up to stand before the dragon shifter. His face had visibly softened, and he lifted one hand to cup her jaw. A wave of sexual tension and instant love burst from the two as he touched her, making Ciel’s heart swell with happiness. There was no mistaking that this was his mate.
Grab your clothes, Little Sky.
Without questioning Argenis, Ciel followed his directions and scrambled onto his back.
“Wait! You are safe and happy?” the spokeswoman called to her, knowing that they would leave.
“Yes,” Ciel called and held on as Argenis leapt into the sky.
She watched them over her shoulder for as long as she could. We could have stayed.
An agreement will not be easy. Rough times are ahead.
Ciel understood he was concerned for her safety. After a few seconds, she added, I could feel their connection.
As could I. His was the most intact mind I found. There are other dragons in the area who have not fared as well without the balance a mate provides.
Like the black dragon?
Without a mate in the near future, Keres will become a threat to himself and others.
I think he’ll find his mate soon
I hope you are correct, Little one.
Where to now, my magnificent mate? Home?
There is one stop I need to make.
Knowing he’d chosen his words deliberately and wouldn’t tell her more, Ciel chose to relax on Argenis’s back rather than ask more questions. She shivered a bit in the cool air and wished she’d had time to change from her bikini. Instantly, the scales below her heated to warm her.
Perfect! She wadded up the clothes and tucked them under her body to keep them safe.
She watched as they approached a large city. The massive skyscrapers reached into the clouds. How are they surviving? The streets were clogged with nonfunctional busses, taxis, and cars. The smell was not pleasant even from above. Ciel pinched her nose.
People milled around on the street below. She couldn’t tell if they were actually doing something or just wandering. Suddenly, Ciel was very thankful for being part of a small community that had rallied together.
To her relief, Argenis flew over the city without stopping. When the path below turned into an industrial area, he descended. The large parking area was mostly deserted, with all the junk vehicles pushed to the far side.
What could you want here?
Seconds after the question left her lips, Ciel saw a man walk out with a cloth wrapped around his mouth.
“Don’t bring your Little here. There’s an illness here. I think it’s the water,” the man called.