“Meanwhile,” Tom continued, “the dragon was furious. The arrow dug into the dragon’s stomach, and it was in agony. He spotted the soldier with his red shawl and flew from the castle walls in a fury. Fatally wounded, the dragon swooped and attacked the floating red shawl, seizing it with its talons and destroying it during the last moments of his life. The beast succumbed to death, sank below the surface, and vanished. The people crept from their hiding places and cheered the brave soldier since they’d had a lucky escape. And to this day, the residents of Castlenew Emlyn—indeed, the entire country—have never spotted another dragon.”
Liza’s pen raced across the page. “Wow! The last dragon ever seen in England.”
Tom nodded. “Dragons are extinct now. It’s sad, even though they caused fear and chaos during their time.”
“Do you believe dragons were real rather than fictional beasts?”
Tom smiled. “You tell me. You’re the one who’s doing the research and listening to the tales. Is there an element of truth in the stories?”
“I’d like to presume so,” Liza said. “I imagine seeing a dragon might change a person.”
“Aye,” Tom said with amusement. “It might put the fear of God into you too.”
“Do you have everything you need for your book?” Miriam asked once the teapot was dry, and crumbs littered their plates. “I thought I’d take this opportunity to clothes shop for the family wedding next month.”
Tom grumbled under his breath, and Liza grinned.
“Thank you so much for meeting me. Apart from the museum, is there anywhere else I should visit while I’m in Castlenew Emlyn?”
“A wander through the castle ruins might help you get an idea of how things were when the dragon arrived,” Tom suggested. “The outer wall is intact and a true replica of back in the day. The river, too.”
“Excellent,” Liza said. “I have a camera. Thanks again. It was lovely meeting you. Which way will I find the museum?”
“Turn right on leaving the café,” Miriam said. “Walk along High Street until you come to the secondhand book store and turn right. You’ll find the museum at the end of that street.”
“Thanks,” Liza said.
Miriam rose and dragged a still-grumbling Tom from the café. Liza took a moment to jot a few more notes and impressions before she packed away her notebook and phone. She’d check out the museum opening hours first before she visited the castle and snapped photos to go in her book. Her best friend, Cherry, had told her she’d pick up Joanna from school if Liza were running late. If necessary, she’d call Cherry to organize a pick up once she’d determined her plan of attack.
After a brief walk, Liza studied the notice in the museum window. She smiled with satisfaction. Serendipity. She could wander the village and the castle ruins while she waited for the museum to open. Although she’d check in with Cherry, she’d have plenty of time to drive home via the coast road. A special treat for completing her last interview and collecting everything she required to finish her book of dragon myths.
Eagerness pulsed through her as she set off to explore and photograph the castle ruins.
* * * * *
Leonidas, Champion of the Skies, youngest son of Tudoarreo, The Dragon Lord, and Qille, The Taker of Life, stomped from his father’s study. He fervently wished he were someone else’s son. Perhaps the son of Red, The Cloth Weaver, or Deon, The Grumpy.
As their son, he’d mate with a female of his choosing. No ending up the sacrificial dragon. His parents had summoned him and ordered him to enter a betrothal. His intended—Nandag, The Strongminded, a dragon from a highborn clan on Smoking Isle. Avoiding his family and living at his isolated property hadnotsaved him. Now that it suited his parents, they’d recalled their youngest son and expected him to jump to attention and follow their orders.
Nan, The Strongminded.
Her namedid notinspire a happy mating.
Leo stalked along the tiled passage and slammed through the thick wooden door that led to his old chamber. Once inside, he shoved the door closed and stripped off his footwear and clothing. He retrieved a pack from a carved wooden chest. With economical movements, he folded and packed his possessions inside before opening the double door to the balcony. No matter his parents’ dictates, he refused to stay. Leo vaulted onto the balcony ledge and placed his pack within easy reach.
Cool wind caressed his naked limbs. He caught a whiff of pine and wild herbs coming from the mountains. His mother had ordered him to attend the dinner party she’d arranged with the local nobility, but he’d refused and left his parents’ presence without seeking permission.
They’d already stolen his freedom to choose his mate.
He’d be damned if he’d let them rob him of his remaining time before his betrothed arrived and the formal courtship began.
Leo summoned his dragon, the shift from man to beast faster than most. He’d trained hard, kept his body fit, his mental faculties sharp to become the best. He’d worked to earn his sobriquet and transform from Leonidas, The Younger to Leonidas, Champion of the Skies. Instead of wasting his prize money and jewels, he’d purchased a property and built a home. As a youngster, he’d trained with a jeweler, taking his fascination with precious stones and turning the interest into a means of making money.
His older brothers might scoff at the modest dwelling. Still, Leo valued his independence, and he’d discovered personal satisfaction in earning his way instead of living off his parents at the clan castle.
Now, with one easy blow, his parents had stolen his dream and foisted Nan, The Strongminded, on him. They’d insisted he must be the son to take this burden because they didn’t approve of him grubbing in the dirt or raising stock to sell for food. It didn’t matter that in his spare time, he crafted exquisite jewelry. In truth, he hadn’t thought admitting he was the mystery master jeweler behind the Marquess brand could earn him freedom from this trap.
They’d decided, and that was that.
