Fire and Blood
Roarke
Iwas awestruck by Krispin's power. My dragon was also surging to the forefront. This was our king, our brother. I could not be prouder, seeing him claim his birthright. Lord Finnley’s roar brought me out of my musings. I saw his beast come forth. It spurred my dragon to take control.
As Finnley jumped toward Krispin, I jumped, shifting in mid-air and intercepting the green beast. I bit down on his neck and whipped him away from the king. His large body and wings collided with onlookers in the crowd.
My bright red scales glistened in the golden glow, which still encompassed the area.
The red shield surrounded me, showing my power as a member of the royal line.
I fully unfurled my massive wings and rose onto my back legs.
The golden scales Krispin had gifted me shone brightly.
Smoke billowed from my nostrils as I let loose a roar.
Finnley rose, and our two dragons circled each other.
We were matched in size, although Finnley’s dragon held more bulk.
He was strong, in our history, the Green caste were the guardians and the physically strongest of the castes.
Their affinity was earth magic, drawing strength and power from the surrounding earth.
He snarled, "I'll kill you, runt! You think you're stronger than me? You will regret not giving me your ass!"
He whipped his tail. I felt the wind blow over me as I ducked, the spiked tail missing my head.
I lunged forward, using my wings to push me, colliding with his colossal frame.
I snarled as his claw scratched at my underbelly.
I fought through the pain and the memories of my injury. I growled. I needed to stand strong.
I quickly looked around, assessing the surroundings. Finnley's clan had taken on his cause, and dragons fought dragons. Krispin was engaged with Lord Hanson of the Blue caste. The traitor.
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 other affinities 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!”