Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 42796 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42796 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Mate. Our bond is tight. Are you okay?
Brooks forced himself to open his eyes and had to steel himself not to retreat again. Gorgeous red eyes the size of platters were inches away from him. The pain had receded when the dragon stood close. What would such a glorious beast feel like? He scrambled to his feet.
Curious, he reached out to run his hand over the dragon’s scales and saw Rogan close his eyes in delight. That obvious delight from his touch helped Brooks’s heart stop pounding in his chest. Feeling braver, Brooks stroked over the beast’s jawline and heard what sounded like a rumble in his mind.
“You purr?”
Of course not. Ask me something with your mind.
You purr?
Still a no. Are you ready to go for a ride?
You won’t let go? Brooks wanted, no needed, to check.
Let go?
Keres flew me, Skye, and Derek back to town.
A blast of anger made Brooks flinch. My apologies, mate. Keres did not know you were a mate. He would have treated you with greater care if he had.
A shadow passed over them, making man and beast look up. The black dragon landed a distance away and dipped his wings before shifting to go talk to the others. He did not approach them.
Climb up on my back, Brooks. Hold on to my neck. Rogan bent his front leg to provide a step for Brooks.
Unsure how to not hurt the dragon, Brooks hesitantly followed his directions. He must have been thinking too hard about being careful, for laughter sounded in his brain.
You are precious, mate. I can survive direct blasts of fire. You will not damage my scales.
You’re eavesdropping. I’m sure you’d rather I be cautious than rip scales out. Brooks didn’t enjoy being the source of amusement for the dragon.
My apologies, mate. I didn’t mean to offend you. You’re enchanting. I appreciate your wish to care for me. I feel the same way.
Made it, Brooks announced as he settled into place. He wrapped his arms around the dragon’s neck.
Then we go.
The dragon’s bulk below him tensed, and the powerful creature launched himself into the air. Brooks tightened his arms and pressed his face to the side of the dragon’s neck to lessen the wind whipping around him. When he dared to open his eyes, the view astonished Brooks. Sitting here contrasted entirely from dangling within the claws of the black dragon.
Warm reassurance emanated from the dragon, calming his nerves and smoothing out the fear he remembered. This was awesome. As they passed over the city center, he noticed all the people waving. The dragons had helped so much since the loss of technology. The citizens honored them once again and sought their aid and protection.
Scanning the ring of mountains in front of him, Brooks asked, Which one is yours?
The red one, of course. I will land at the base, and we can talk.
A roar sounded behind them. Brooks turned as one with the dragon to spot what came up behind them. A huge black beast powered by thunderous flaps of his wings. Keres.
Hold on tight, Brooks. Change of plans.
He didn’t have to tell Brooks twice. Hopefully, he wasn’t strangling Rogan as the dragon increased his speed and altitude. They raced through the air toward the top of the mountain before them. Brooks could see a faint redness of the exposed soil in scattered spots. It loomed ahead of them.
An abrupt roll to the left caught Brooks by surprise, and he used his muscles in his legs and arms to cling to Rogan. A blast of pure heat flamed by where they had just been. Rogan didn’t return the attack. Brooks knew without him, the dragon would have met Keres straight on. He was a liability.
Never! Hold on. I have a secret.
Brooks didn’t think he could plaster himself closer, but he tried. A wall of water loomed in front of them. Rogan flew straight toward the cascade and the rock face. The dragon’s nose disappeared into the water. Brooks took a quick breath as the water swallowed Rogan’s massive head. The deluge over his head made him close his eyes.
Then a wave of heat rolled over his skin. Brooks’ eyelids flipped open to see Rogan flying through an open circle of flame. Instinctively checking behind him, he saw the fiery entrance narrow to hug the dragon’s scales after Brooks had passed through. The dragon’s muscles bunched as he put on the brakes. Brooks turned around to see a solid slab of stone loom in front of them. There wasn’t time to scream. Figuring this was it, Brooks turned his face into the dragon’s scales.
Brooks. You’re safe. Keres can’t reach us here.
Brooks forced his hands to relax before sitting up. “I’m never flying on a dragon again.” He was done.
Chapter 2
Slide down, Brooks. I need to hold you.