Dragon's Blood (The Dragon's Gift Trilogy #2)

“Are you sure?” Basilla asked. Her keen eyes scanned their surroundings, hunting for enemies though Lucyan had already checked for them. “You may want to conserve your strength.”

Lucyan shook his head as he dismounted. “It will be easier on the horses if we’re not doubled up, and I can spot any enemies headed our way from above.” He helped Basilla off Ryolas’s horse and onto his own. “You and Ryolas will be our eyes and ears on the ground. I will be our eyes in the sky.”

“And I will come with you,” Dareena said, taking his hand. Lucyan blinked—he hadn’t seen her dismount. “As you said,” she reminded him when he opened his mouth to protest, “it will be easier if we are not doubled up.”

Lucyan looked her up and down. “Are you sure you will be all right?” he asked. “It is colder in the sky.”

Dareena smiled. “You will keep me warm.”

Lucyan chuckled, then climbed one of the hills to put some distance between himself and the horses. Closing his eyes, he summoned the anger and protective urges that had helped him to change the first time, and let the emotions run wild through him. The same pain from before ripped through him as his body morphed, and he could smell the horse’s fear as it whinnied nervously, the scent ten times stronger thanks to his heightening senses. The primal urge to give chase gripped him, and Lucyan dug his claws into the dirt to keep himself from attacking the horses. He opened his eyes and focused on the one person he knew could center him.

Dareena.

“Oh, you are magnificent,” she breathed, her eyes shining with wonder. Slowly, she approached, her lips parted, her hand outstretched. Lucyan made a sound in his throat that was vaguely reminiscent of a purr as she stroked his snout, running her warm hand over his scales. Her touch soothed the bloodlust in him, and he closed his eyes to savor it. He imagined that if he let her pet him long enough, he might fall asleep.

“Excuse me,” Ryolas said, sounding both amused and annoyed. “I hate to interrupt what is obviously such a special moment, but we really must be going.”

Lucyan huffed. He lowered his belly to the ground, then unfurled his wings so Dareena could climb onto his back. The sensation of her walking across his wings felt strange, almost ticklish, and Lucyan had to resist the urge to roll onto his back to alleviate the sensation. Thankfully, it dissipated, and Dareena settled onto his back.

Meeting Alistair’s wide eyes—which were filled with both pride and jealousy—Lucyan rustled his wings, the only signal he could give them. Flexing his back legs, he launched himself into the sky. His heart leapt into his throat as Dareena screamed, but when he twisted his neck around, she was safely nestled between the spikes on his spine, her eyes blazing with exhilaration. Shaking his head, Lucyan turned his gaze forward, then pumped his wings hard, driving them just far enough above the clouds that he could still see the others below while remaining out of sight. Not that it was likely anyone could spot him in the dark unless they were paying special attention, but still, it was best to be careful in enemy territory.

“This is wonderful!” Dareena cried. He turned his head to see her looking around, her eyes shining with delight. “I can still see the city from here,” she said, twisting in her seat to look back at Enethar. “It looks like a glittering jewel.”

Lucyan rumbled his agreement. He wished that he could speak with Dareena, but dragons did not have voices, not in the way humans did. Still, having her close eased the anxiety that had been gnawing at him, filling him with comfort and relief. The two of them enjoyed the flight in relative silence, broken only occasionally by Dareena exclaiming over some wonderful new sight. He understood her enthusiasm quite well—Lucyan himself had yet to get used to the incredible experience.

As they traveled, Lucyan continuously checked on Alistair and the elves to make sure they were fine. Even though they were flying slowly to keep pace with the elves, they were making good time; at this rate it would only take them another day or two to reach the border. Lucyan couldn’t wait until they crossed back into dragon territory and were finally free of the spell. Then Alistair could finally attempt to shift, and hopefully regrow that arm of his.

“Lucyan,” Dareena called anxiously, only two hours into their flight. “Something is wrong.”

Frowning, Lucyan glanced down. He cursed inwardly—the party had slowed down. Swooping low, he saw that Alistair’s horse was limping. Wonderful. Just what they needed.

“What happened?” Dareena cried as Lucyan landed. Their party halted so Alistair could dismount.

“I’m not sure,” Alistair said as he checked the horse’s hoof. The horse whinnied in pain as he poked at it. “I think she stepped on something sharp—she made an awful noise, then started limping. I don’t believe she can carry my weight anymore.”

“I could try healing her,” Basilla offered. She made to dismount, but Alistair held up a hand.

“Hang on,” he said. “I have a better idea. Lucyan, could I borrow the amulet?”

Lucyan cocked his head, wondering what his brother was about. He extended his clawed hand, and Alistair carefully took the necklace. Backing up, he clenched the amulet in his fist and closed his eyes, his brow furrowed in deep concentration.

“Oh!” Dareena exclaimed as his form began to blur. “He’s changing!”

Ryolas and Basilla hastily backed the horses away as Alistair’s form rapidly expanded. His roar of pain echoed through the night, and Lucyan winced, hoping no one else had heard it. Had he made such a sound the first time he’d shifted? If so, it was a wonder no one had come to investigate. Pride swelled in Lucyan’s chest as Alistair’s form solidified into a large dragon with green scales that shimmered in the moonlight. Large horns curled back from his great head, like a ram’s, and his spiked tail lazily whipped back and forth. Lucyan’s heart filled with joy as he looked at Alistair’s front legs—both seemed intact. With any luck, his arm would be whole again when he shifted back to human form.

Looks like you’re not the only one here who can shift now, Alistair teased. Lucyan started at the sound of his brother’s voice in his head, then grinned in delight—finally, he had someone to talk to!

Better late than never, Lucyan teased back. Do you think you can fly?

Alistair gave a flap of his wings, then hurled himself into the sky. Lucyan took off after him, fully expecting his brother to fall after a moment, but to his great surprise, Alistair not only stayed aloft, but also managed to do a roll in the sky.

Show off, Lucyan grumbled. Of course Alistair would be a natural. He excelled at everything physical.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Alistair!” Dareena called. “We can’t afford to lose the others! Lucyan, can you bring us down so I can talk to them?”