Finnley growled and charged. I opened my mouth, allowing my flame to spark, and my red fire streamed straight for him. He jumped into the sky, just avoiding the blast. I scanned the area again, looking for my mate. Addison stood in front of Devin, fighting Braxton. As my father’s second was about to deal my brother a massive blow, Devin sped in front. My heart stopped in my chest as I watched Devin take on the sizable red dragon.
A deep rage bubbled inside me. How dare anyone attack my mate! I felt a new strength and magic I had never felt before. It fortified and comforted me. Krispin had said I might gain otheraffinities now that I was adopted into his line. This power and energy were coming from the earth. I roared loudly as the power pulsed and filled my veins, stopping Finnley in his tracks for a moment.
It was the moment I needed. I charged at him using my newfound power. I tackled him to the ground, pinning him, my jaws wrapping around his throat. He made a move to force me off his massive body but roared as I used my strength to lock him in place.
My dragon was urging me to kill him and get to our mate. I tasted his blood in my mouth as I clenched my jaws. I tore back, ripping his throat from his neck. He lay motionless on the floor, his body shifting into his human form. The battle was over; Finnley was dead.
I surveyed the ruins that had been the battlefield. The fighting had stopped. I searched for Devin. My brother Addison was in his human form, kneeling over a body. A body I'd recognize anywhere.
No!I thought.
I raced forward, shifting into my human form as I went. I reached their side in just a few strides.
"Damn it, Addison. I'm alright! It was just a scratch," Devin snapped, slapping at Addison's hands, which glowed over Devin’s body. My brother was using his healing magic.
I sighed with relief.
"You went up against a dragon, and I don't want Roarke to kick my ass. Even if it is just a scratch," my usually soft-spoken brother snapped back.
"My Cardia, you’re okay?" I asked with relief, gathering him in my arms.
"I'm fine. Your brother was just getting handsy," he quipped.
I laughed as I hugged him closer; I looked at my brother and nodded my thanks.
"Thank you for watching over him," I said.
He scoffed. "I didn't watch over him. He watched over me. Your mate is a badass, brother. He cut off Braxton's head with those crazy claws of his."
"You amaze me, Cardia," I said, looking down at him in astonishment.
He grinned. "I'm glad I could take at least one of their heads. I just kept picturing anyone who tried to take you away from me."
"Never going to happen, my love. Never going to happen."
He looked at me. "Um, do you think we can get you some clothes? I hate to have to gouge someone's eyes out for looking at your naked ass. It's mine."
"I think that's something that can be arranged," I laughed.
"On that note, I'm going to go see if anyone else needs healing," Addison said, standing up. “Oh, by the way, I saw the caste marks. Congrats on the twins. Da is going to freak!”
Dragons Wear Pink
Devin
Roarke's dad did freak out when we told him about the twins, but not as much as his father when we showed him the caste marks. He fainted when he saw the gold scale next to the red one. I thought nothing could shock the immense man to the point of fainting. Since then, Alister had been almost as bad as Roarke in making sure that I was okay and well fed. Those two didn't want me lifting hand or foot, especially as my stomach swelled.
It had been nearly two and a half months since the council meeting, and we were finally making our way back home to Walden, with a stop in Belle Fort. We had stayed in Glenfinnan to help reorganize the council.
Lord Hanson had died at Krispin's jaws for his betrayal, and Lord Donavon had been removed from the council for hiscomplacency. He had stood by and done nothing during the attack. He didn't even shift. Ultimately, Donavon begged for his life, and the only reason Krispin hadn’t killed him was that there had already been more than enough death. All told, ten dragons had died that day.
Krispin was fully in charge, and all dragons now knew the king had returned. He and Roarke had worked side by side in ensuring new representation, and that the right people were put on the council. The Green caste still had no place on the council. Krispin adamantly refused to even consider it. The wound of his brother's betrayal was still deep. They had worked out a system where the Green caste could bring grievances before the council but would have no representative.
"I brought you a plate of food," Roarke said, handing me a mountain of meat. My eyes rounded at the sheer amount. He had jammed two burgers, a New York strip, three hotdogs, smoked sausage, and potato salad all onto one plate.Where the heck does he think I'll put it all?I thought.
"These wolves sure know how to put on a barbecue. There is a ton of grilled meat," he said with glee.
We were in Belle Fort, dropping off Cam and Jackson before heading home. The pack Alpha wanted to honor the Dragon King. The paranormal world now knew of the dragons' return, and most wanted to set up good relations with Krispin and the council. Dragons were at the top of the food chain, after all.
