The Twin Dragons Series: Dragon's Slave 2
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C. Swallow
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In a world where dragons and humans coexist, Princess Summer is determined to unite the two species through the Dragon Festival. But as she navigates her complex relationships with her dragon mates, Dane and Aneurin, and encounters a mysterious nomad who hints at her crucial role, Summer's mission becomes fraught with danger and desire. With threats looming from rogue dragons and a sinister king wielding a powerful diamond, Summer must balance love, loyalty, and leadership to protect her kingdom and her heart.
Chapter 1
Book Two
Madeline
I have two...mates...
I’m so absorbed in my new dilemma that I don’t listen to Thea’s advice to turn around, and I simply stare at Lochness’ human form in horror.
“I’ve heard many excuses from my prey to cheat death, but never have I heard someone try to claim they are mated to me or my brother, of all things,” Lochness says, his eyes glittering in the dark.
“Your time is up, little rats and I’m hungry!” Lochness cracks his neck and raises his hand.
A black sword comes flying over the treasure mounds, and lands right in his palm as he slowly lowers his eyelids, assessing both of us for death.
“Wait,” I blurt, finally shocked into action by the appearance of his sword. “Look, I really do have your brand. Thea wasn’t lying.”
I quickly spin on my heel and show him my back, while looking at him over my shoulder.
I don’t trust that he won’t attack, especially with my back to him.
I wait for his answer, looking at him hopefully as he assesses the green and now half black brand. It throbs as his eyes bore into it.
“Well...?” Thea squeaks out hopefully, waiting for him to say something, anything to give us reassurance that we weren’t going to die here today.
Finally, Lochness slowly smirks, but I’m still not convinced that he means us no harm.
“You,” he points at Thea, while his eyes remain transfixed upon my brand. “You can go.”
Thea literally does not hesitate.
She scrambles over the gold to run for the ramp and the exit out of this morbidly dark cavern.
I watch her with narrowed eyes, feeling she has betrayed our friendship already. But then I think she can at least tell Hael where I am, and hopefully bring him back here.
“Oh, lord...” Lochness drawls slowly as I turn to face him, hands on my hips and chin raised. I have to at least pretend to be confident.
“What on this earth did I do to deserve a mate like you?” he chuckles, but I don’t miss the arrogance or the insult. He doesn’t think highly of me, that much I can tell.
“Perhaps eating me is still an option? If I’m so offensive to look at,” I can’t help but snarl it at him.
Now that I see Thea is out of sight and made it out safely, I have to find a way to get away from him.
Down here I am totally at his mercy.
And he knows it too.
Lochness does not laugh. He is far from amused by my comment.
“You have a smart mouth...Hael wouldn’t like that.” He takes a step closer, expecting me to take a step back. I don’t, trying not to appear intimidated.
He drops his tone as he adds, “I don’t like you so open with words, rat. Know your place. I’d watch yourself, especially around me.”
“So you’re not going to eat me then?” I ask. I can’t help but answer his threat with more of my well-honed attitude. “Hael thinks you’re dead. You do realize that, don’t you?”
“Where is he right now? You will answer me, little girl, lest you wish to see all the ways I’m already imagining having you punished,” Lochness snaps, and I look at him in disbelief.
“He is the Dragon Lord of the Requiem Horde. He is in this mountain, looking for me. I’m surprised you both didn’t overthrow Ragnol together. You’re two peas from the same pod. You’re just more of a pain…”
I trail off as I see Lochness’ eyes light up with new knowledge.
He hasn’t heard my insult. He’s just interested in where Hael is.
Suddenly chuckling to himself—a loud, robust sound just like Hael’s—he turns from me.
I watch in amazement as he chucks his sword into the treasure and simply stalks his way with determination towards the exit, the way Thea left.
“Where—What…what are you doing?” I call out after him, so utterly confused.
Lochness pauses on the ramp and glances back at me with a cocked eyebrow. His green eyes are alight in the darkness, and they look scheming and calculating.
“You’ve served your purpose…at least for today.”
I can’t quite believe him as he turns from me once more and casually walks out of this dark and dank cavern.
Can he honestly be even more rude than Hael? I am starting to believe it.
Once there is a safe distance between him and I, and he disappears through the passage, I follow.
When I try to reach for Hael’s mind, I notice it is suddenly accessible again. At least Lochness lifted the interference. It is bloody infuriating that he can bring up a mental block whenever he chooses.
I’m proud of you, brother. So proud, I hear Lochness through the mind link. I am closely linked to it so I could hear everything. I never would have thought you would attempt a coup on the most powerful Dragon Horde in the realm.
Where the hell have you been? Hael’s response is just what I expect. His snarled response is not just angry. There is undeniable warmth and love in the words too.
Typical twins.
You know how much I love treasure. Hael, where are you now? The little rat is listening in. Ta-ta, Madeline. I won’t have you listening into a conversation that doesn’t concern you, sweety.
The solid wall goes right back up, and I pause in my slow walk out of here.
I am getting tired of his clearly sarcastic endearments and his ultra arrogance.
“Bastard!” I yell out into the cavern, letting off some steam. “You meet your mate and this is how you treat me? You run straight to your bloody arrogant as all hell brother, call me a rat, and use me for information. You may as well be mated to each other!"
My voice echoes, and I find myself growling, as best as I can for a human attempt.
I march the rest of my way out of the narrow passage, furious.
You served your purpose. His words play in my mind again. My god, Lochness has some nerve!
To talk to me like that!
I wondered if Adara is fond of him, or if he also talks down to her because she is a female Dragon.
I eventually find myself back out in the cave corridor. The ringing from the passage has stopped, and I assume whatever spells Lochness put on the passage have been lifted.
Every attempt I make at trying to contact them doesn’t work.
I keep prodding, trying to find a way open into their minds as I wander the caves, brows furrowed as I concentrate.
Eventually, I feel a little give and—
No, Madeline.
Hael’s voice growls through my mind, scolding and impatient. Make yourself busy. Your presence isn’t needed. I will command you here when you’re needed.
Fine, I’ll scrub some floors, I answer with a snarl.
Oh, so she is obedient for you, Hael? That’s a good girl. Lochness just has to drawl this part too.
You— the solid wall builds up in my mind once more across the link before I can insult him —bastard!
I can feel the blood rush to my face. A passion inside me has ignited. An anger I’ve never felt before.
They don’t want me? Now is as good a time as any, as far as I’m concerned. Hael can’t expect me to ignore the fact that I have a second mate.
Perhaps I’ll take him up on that offer of his, and leave.
Stuff it. I will take up the offer. Just as I was warming up to Hael, Lochness has to storm in and ruin it all.
“Have fun stroking each other’s cocks, I’m going to get a breath of fresh air,” I mutter to myself. To my embarrassment, a slave walking by catches on and I’m thrown a funny look.
I just glare back at them.
I consider what entrance to use to get out into the forest beyond. But as I remember it is nighttime now, I become more hesitant in my plan.
It’s as I am stopping to consider my most realistic options for the moment that I am suddenly and unexpectedly called back.
To my bedchamber, Madeline. Now, Hael orders. We want to hear you sing.
