A large, brilliantly colored red…oh my glorious Goddess, can it be, dragon stood before us, ready to battle. “Who are you and why have you woken us?”
“Dad?” Upalo surged forward. “Is it really you?”
The crimson dragon sniffed Upalo’s human form. “You smell familiar. What is your name?”
“Upalo.”
The dragon blinked and sniffed again. “Son?” He scooped him up and hugged him tight.
“Yes. I’ve searched everywhere for you. These are my friends, well all but him,” he pointed at me. “He’s one of the guardians, the big protectors, and he’s mated to Ronan. Can you believe it?”
“You’ve mated an infant?”
“Whoa, no. Never. Ronan is an adult.” Dude was about to beat my ass. Well, try, at least, but still. Getting into a fight with an in law was a hard pass for me.
The other dragons stirred, one by one adjusting to being woken.
“Where is your mother? Is she safe?”
“We haven’t found her yet. Any ideas where she might be?” Upalo asked.
“Protectors, you say. As in the Primordial Protectors of Clan Denarius?” He eyed me as though he didn’t believe it, even though I towered above the others, including him.
“Aye,” I held a hand, out. “Odem, middle brother. Two others are outside the cave. Ionus, eldest and our leader along with our youngest brother, Quint. You’ll meet the other two as soon as we get you back to our compound.”
He shifted into human form and gripped my forearm. “Kaelith. I’m assuming this is what remains of my clan,Blackburn. We are in your service, protector,” Kaelith bowed. “Son, I feared I’d never see any of you again. We fought as hard as we could and lost many friends and family in the process. They banished us here under a tightly warded sleeping spell. Your mother was with you and your infant brother when I saw you last.
Infant…gotta get the man to let that go. Maybe after he sees Ronan and our eggs he will.
“No, Foley cast her out when she refused to step aside and bow to his wishes.”
“Then I hope she returned to the water dragons.”
“Water dragons?”
“Aye, her clan are water dragons. Do you know of them?” Kaelith asked.
“We’ve met a couple as of recent, but there are many spread worldwide, as I understand.”
Brothers, we found Ronan and Upalo’s father. He said his mate is a water dragon.
Upon your return, I’ll return to the sea and search for her,Mattias said.
I’ll join you.I knew Caro wouldn’t miss that mission for anything.
Ionus, Quint, are you well?
In the tunnels searching for you. Daigle somehow got away.
Fuck.
“Ionus and Quint are near. Mattias and Caro will search the seas upon our return for your mate and other clans that may be hiding.”
“And what has come of Daigle and his army?”
“Army?”
“Aye, there were many that had fallen under his spell.”
