“That is not possible, Father—,” Roarke started to say but was cut off.
"It most definitely is possible, whelp! I am the lord of this circle and leader of the Red caste; you will obey my command. This bloodsucker has no place among dragons," Alister snarled, letting his dragon's mighty power rise and push out.
His eyes were those of his dragon’s and glowed a deep green. His tan skin was turning to dark red scales. His dragon demanded obedience.
Roarke pushed me behind him, and I felt his dragon snarl and break free. I knew he would fight and defend me with his dying breath. Roarke's skin started shifting to bright red scales. If I were facing him, I knew I would see his glowing green eyes of his dragon. Roarke let loose a mighty roar. His dragon was pissed.
Duke of Ashara
Roarke
My father dares insult my mate and treat our bonding with such disrespect? He is weaker than us, my dragon whispered.Show him who we are. I was on board with him. While my father's dragon was used to getting his way, he would soon find out who I was. I called upon all my strength and let loose another roar, shaking my childhood home and stunning everyone in it.
"You dare insult my Cardia! My fated mate! Yes, Father, fated mate! Not chosen!" I snarled. A red glow surrounded my body. It was the same glow I’d had when I’d defended Ben and faced the witch.
"How is this possible?" my father whispered, realizing my power.
"You want to know why I haven't called you in five weeks? I couldn't. I was lying on a bed recovering from the stabbing of a Marbhtach Spear, a dragon killer." I heard the sharp intakes of breath around me and noted the shocked expression on my father. I pressed on.
"If it weren't for the quick actions of the Dragon King, I would be dead. He gifted me three of his scales and adopted me into his lineage. I am no longer part of the Red caste or this circle. I am Roarke MacNair, Duke of Ashara, of the Golden Caste," I said, revealing my new lineage to my family for the first time, but I wasn't finished.
"You have no control and power over me. I answer to the king alone. If you ever say another disparaging word toward my Cardia, I will take you outside, and you will see who the stronger dragon is," I growled.
Puffs of smoke billowed out of my nostrils. I felt the inner fire I usually felt when in my dragon form wanting to come out. This was new, I thought randomly as I took a step toward my father, daring him to speak.
My father stared into my eyes and saw the truth there. I was the more powerful dragon, and I would defend my mate. He continued to stare at me, and but for the small bow of his head, I would have taken it as a challenge.
"Enough of this!" my dad yelled as he stepped between us, snapping us out of our staring contest. He first looked at my father. "Pull back your dragon this instant! I will talk to youlater about this arranged mating and duty to the circle," he said firmly.
Then he turned to me. "What the hell do you mean you were stabbed and almost died? You’d better pull your dragon back too, or I'll put you over my knee. Now start talking."
Devin snorted behind me. Was he laughing? I felt his amusement through our bond.
Now I see where you get your firecracker tendencies, Devin thought to me.
The tension in the room dissipated; I grabbed Devin and pulled him to me. I closed my eyes, and I felt my dragon settle. Our mate was fine, and we were okay. I took a deep breath and inhaled his calming scent.
I opened my eyes and looked at the room at large. My brothers were huddled on one side of the room, still in shock from my display of strength. Colin stood just behind us, closer to the door. My parents sat on the couch on the other side, my father whispering to my dad. My dad made eye contact with me and motioned for me to sit down. He still wanted his explanation.
"Now that we are all calm. It's nice to meet you, Devin," my dad said as we took our seats.
Devin nodded his greeting to my dad. "It's nice to me you too, sir," Devin said.
"Bah, none of that sir stuff. You can call me Owen or Da like the rest of them do. Now, Roarke, I'm happy you found your mate, but I still want an explanation of what happened."
“Five months ago, a friend of mine, a gargoyle friend of mine,” I began.
I wasn't shocked by their look of surprise. I’d never told them about Elder Sonod, and how I’d become friends with him. Since we were not supposed to reveal our dragon nature, for me to have a gargoyle friend was news.
“He asked if I would investigate a problem with a rogue gargoyle attack. The gargoyle had attacked a vampire, but the vampire wasn't healing. When I got there, I found out the vampire was the Cardia of the Dragon King. The king called me into service." I paused as I heard soft gasps from my brothers.
My parents’ eyes were riveted on me. I continued, "After serving the king, he awarded me and appointed me Guardian Protector of High Garden. I stayed and assumed my role. However, that was just part of why I stayed. I’d met Devin, and we were getting to know one another," I explained.
"We bonded just recently. We would have bonded sooner, but a crazy witch and gargoyle elder took the king's mate and me prisoner. The witch had a plan to kill all the dragons. I protected my charge, but the gargoyle stabbed me in the gut with the dragon killer spear. Devin killed the gargoyle, taking his head. That was the last thing I remembered before going unconscious. When I woke almost three weeks later, I discovered the king hadsaved my life by gifting me his scales and blood, thus adopting me as his brother."
I stopped talking to let my family absorb what I’d gone through. I also struggled with the retelling of what happened. The memories of what I’d experienced and the pain I’d felt that day flooded my mind. Devin reached over and pulled me close, offering me comfort. After all, I still did not sleep well.
"What of the witch? Is she dead?" My father growled, bringing me out of my thoughts.
