Chapter 13
Several months later
Blaze had seen the small blue planet from the Zyon and wondered what he would find there. Would the other Drakonians welcome them or would they be protective of their territories?
Blaze had studied everything he could about Earth and its people. The humans are similar in build to Drakonians in their two-legged forms, but humans cannot shift into other forms. That was the strangest thing for him and his clan to understand, since shifting was all they had ever known.
“We’ll be landing in Dragoon, Arizona at the King R Ranch just after midnight. It’s better for us to arrive under the cover of darkness,” General Rainier said as he moved to sit next to Blaze on the small five-person ship.
His clan was being moved down to the new planet in five separate small ships twenty minutes apart from one another. The timing was to keep the human government radar systems from detecting them. The general offered to take them all at once in a slightly larger ship but Blaze felt it would be better for safety reasons to be in separate ships in case they were attacked. He planned to present himself first to the king to ensure the location was secure enough for his people.
“What is this...ranch?”
“It’s a large amount of land that is owned by King Reichardt. He uses the land for farming and livestock. I’m not sure of the exact size of the land but it’s big enough for his clan to have their own cabins.”
“Do the other kings live in Dragoon as well?” He really wanted to know about Arena but he refrained from asking direct questions about her.
“No. Earth is large, and they divided up the regions much like we had on Drakonia, with the leaders ruling their own clans.”
“Will all the kings be present tonight when we land?”
“I’m not sure, but I do know that one previous king will not be there — Dyson.”
“Why won’t he be there?” He stood a little straighter at hearing a familiar name — one with unpleasant memories.
“He has been stripped of his official title and all the privileges that went with it. In fact, he is wanted for crimes against Drakonians and humans.”
“He tried to abduct Queen Arena back on Drakonia right before we were attacked. There had been no time to exact justice then. I guess he hasn’t changed much.”
“Dyson is the worst type of male. If I had time, I would hunt for him and bring him in to face charges for his misdeeds.”
Blaze could hear the fury in Rainier’s voice. Dyson must have committed a very serious crime if this seasoned general felt so strongly about capturing him. Blaze wouldn’t mind hunting down the honorless male himself. He wanted to feel useful. That’s if he decided to remain on Earth.
The offer the general had made about becoming a crew member on board the Zyon was tempting. His first priority would be to ensure the safety and well-being of his clan. Zowanda, one of the females from his clan who found her true mate on board the Zyon, recently chose to live on Earth with her new mate. They wanted to try to breed and wished for a stable home life. Living on board the Zyon was fine as a warrior without a family, but as a mated pair, family had to come first.
He didn’t have a mate or a dragonlet, so he could remain, but he worried about his clan. How would they react to his leaving them? Blaze knew that distance was needed between him and Shanna. She had made many attempts to renew their physical relationship during the journey to Earth but he repeatedly turned her down.
Looking out the front window as the pilot landed the ship on a large open field, he could see a few males but couldn’t make out their features. He had twenty minutes before his clan started to arrive.
The general stood up and motioned for his warriors to open the hatch to the ship. The warriors exited first to ensure the surroundings was safe. Blaze felt like he should have been one of those going first to protect the general. He had trained for that responsibility. But this wasn’t his call.
He followed the general out of the ship. As they exited, the males he had noticed earlier approached the ship. The general moved forward and greeted them.
“King Reichardt, good to see you again.”
“General, welcome back to Earth, and call me Reichardt. There’s no need for formality,” King Reichardt said. Then he turned his attention to Blaze as the general made introductions.
“King Reichardt, this is Blaze. He comes from King Zocor’s region.”
Blaze moved forward to clasp forearms. “King Reichardt, it’s good to meet you.”
Reichardt smiled warmly. “Welcome to Earth. We have made arrangements for cabins to accommodate your people. Where are they?”
“They will be arriving in twenty-minute intervals.” He looked at the other males standing around. He could tell by way they observed their surroundings that they were the king’s guards. “Are the other kings here as well?”
“They are waiting to greet all of you at the main lodge. We realize you’ve been on board the Zyon for several months and will need time to readjust to being back on solid land, so we’ll make this a brief greet and meet. Then I’ll have my people show your clan to your cabins. Tomorrow after breakfast, we’ll have a more formal debriefing.”
Blaze frowned at the sound of this debriefing. Reichardt was a king, but he wasn’t Blaze’s king. However, these people were taking in his clan and offering them a home and protection. So, he would hold his tongue—for now.
“Thank you for your hospitality.”
