Chapter Nineteen #2
Jimryr raised his chin to a stubborn angle. “I’m not sorry for killing them. They were bullies, and a lot of younger dragons breathed sighs of relief.” He heaved a sigh himself. “Want to tell me about your brothers?”
Daire would let Jimryr change the subject for now, but he had many more questions for later, wanting to know Jimryr’s family even if they were no longer among the living.
“You know, I’m surprised I haven’t talked your ears off about them already.
Elouan is the oldest, an alpha, and the crown prince of our court.
Father wanted him to take a mate, but wasn’t too insistent.
We thought we had years before Elouan took the throne.
” A heavy weight tugged at Daire’s heart.
“I miss him so much. I was so disappointed recently. A kid down in Biloxi pretended to be Elouan on a message board, but it wasn’t him. ”
Jimryr said, “I met the kid, by the way, him and his friends. They’ve got mentors now to keep them out of trouble.”
“Thanks. I hadn’t even thought of that.” Daire scrubbed his eyes with the palm of his free hand. “Until proven wrong, I can cling to the hope that my brother is safe and happy.”
“What about your other brother?”
“Anrai, the youngest. An omega.” Daire couldn’t help but smile. “He’s happy-go-lucky, loves to flirt with alphas.”
“Sounds like an omega with the DeKalb County Dragons. She has a way of taking multiple lovers and leaving them with nothing but fond thoughts of her. Fen will never choose a single mate, I suspect. I’ve known several other omegas who lived by their own rules and didn’t mate with an alpha.
I take it Anrai doesn’t have a mate either? ”
Daire couldn’t help laughing. “Oh, he does, all right. The alpha in question just doesn’t know yet, or rather, he didn't last time I saw him.”
“Your father didn’t arrange a match?” Gael’s parents arranged a match for him at age three, not to be realized until they’d both reached their majority. The chosen omega detested Gael, preferring Wynn’s company, another reason for jealousy.
“It wouldn’t matter if he did. Anrai had his little omega heart set on Elouan’s friend, Teron.”
“Teron? Mystral’s brother? He’s an independent dragon.”
Daire lifted his head from Jim’s shoulder until their eyes met. “Aren’t we all independent dragons now?” He certainly wouldn’t swear fealty to Urien. His court ties had died with his father. “Father accepted Teron into the court. He became one of High Reaches’ dragons.”
Jimryr relaxed, staring out over the water.
“Before I came here, I flew with a group of outcast dragons led by Mystral, Teron’s older sister.
She wanted a court for her brother but stayed independent.
High Reaches never joined the petty infighting of smaller courts, so Mystral encouraged him to go there.
She’s a born crusader. When news came of a possible conflict at the king’s feast, she never hesitated. ”
Daire bumped his shoulder against Jimryr’s. “Small world, isn’t it?”
“Sometimes. What about you? I hate to ask and bring up painful memories, but did you have a prospective mate?”
Daire shook his head. “No one really expects betas to pair off like alphas and omegas. I know of a few beta pairings, but not me.” The knowledge that many of those pairings were probably broken now, with one or both partners dying needlessly, filled him with sadness again.
He had to change the subject. “I wish I could introduce you to my brothers. They’d like you. ”
“Even without a court?”
“That’s not the detriment you seem to think.
Father took in Teron after all. And remember what I said: we’re all without a court now.
I hope to one day pledge my loyalty to Elouan and be a part of High Reaches again.
” He tried not to say too much, laying out his wishes so soon.
After all, he and Jimryr were newly mated.
Something still made him add, “When I do, I hope you’ll be there with me. ”
While Jimryr made no promises, his smile gave Daire hope.
Fifty-plus dragons gathered in the clearing, forming a ring around Zorah, Daire, and Jimryr. Daire couldn’t help the lump in his throat. Nate had cleared this land to build his and Doc’s house. A house they never got to build. He bet they’d approve of the land's new use.
An occasional yellow or orange leaf clung to a tree branch.
Most had fallen to the ground, save for the evergreen cedars and pines.
The woodsy scent brought back so many memories of Daire hunting with his friends or brothers, then cooking their kill over a campfire, the scent of burning wood and roasting meat filling his senses.
Would he ever experience good times with them again?
Most of the group appeared relatively young—late-teens to late-twenties, with the occasional thirty-something or forty-year-old interspersed.
Ten elders stood to the side, likely past the ability to shift, but still appearing fit.
Most wore biker leathers. The assembled group would make an intriguing spectacle when in dragon form based on the number of brightly colored tattoos.
Would the markings make them easier for enemies to pick out?
Daire had parked his truck to the side, filled with protective gear.
Zorah addressed the group. “We have a new member of the club, Daire, who has a substantial amount of practical fighting experience.”
A young beta asked, “Like, actual fighting experience? Not drills?”
Daire heard a few whispered comments about scars, since his tank top left a lot of damaged skin on display. He’d gotten used to unkind remarks over the years. Jimryr took a step closer, discreetly slipping a finger into the back pocket of Daire’s jeans.
“Yes. He’s going to show you some ground methods to complement our air attacks. We’ve practiced how to fight as a cohesive unit in the air, but what’s missing is troops on the ground. You’ve all had some kind of fighting training in human form, which is the reason I chose you.
“Dragons typically fight our battles in the air. However, ground backup can catch an enemy unaware. While we’re not sure of the battle’s location, High Reaches was the largest court still intact as of three years ago. Daire is from there and knows the court’s weaknesses.”
“How can we fight dragons on the ground?” the same beta asked.
“In human form.”
Groans circulated through the group. Zorah lifted a hand, quelling the complaints. “In battle, we fight as a unit. Not everyone plays the same role. While you’re all skilled fighters, your expertise in other ways of fighting will prove extremely useful. Dekker, come forward.”
The curious dragon stepped toward the center of the ring.
“You’re trained in mixed martial arts, are you not?”
Dekker nodded, casting a wary gaze Daire’s way. “I am.”
“Daire’s strengths lie in several disciplines. I’d like the two of you to show the rest what I mean.”
They dug through the contents of the truck bed, selecting proper padding. Zorah checked them both before nodding for them to begin. Though dragons healed well, no use in taking chances.
Daire warmed up, as did Dekker. Then they both assumed a fighting stance. Daire watched the young man, the cocky twist of his lips. Oh, yeah. This one might have a bit too much confidence.