WREN Book Three Prince of Dragons

A braver night

Twilight was settling over the tress as I opened my eyes. Something had awakened me. I laid in the silence for a moment. I could hear the crackling of the fire, even as it's warmth heated my back. Cordgi laid using my arm as his pillow. The crunch of the leaves was light under the booted feet of our patrol, off in the distance. I touched Tanwen's slumbering mind. What had awakened me?

I opened my mind, reaching further out to see where all our dragons were. Even the shifters had begun to allow me into their minds. In my head they were like tiny pinpricks of light, each one representing my family. I heard the labored breathing, the pain filled sniffle, then the soft.

'Zyn'. I bolted upright, so quickly that Cordgi rolled away from me. He opened his eyes wincing from his sore ribs. He caught sight of my face.

"Whose in trouble?" He asked, but I wasn't there to answer him.

'Valkyrie?' I felt her fear, her pain. She shivered in the cold damp cave they had her chained in.

'Help us, I can't feel him any longer.' Her mental connection broke. What were they doing to her?

I wasn't even on my feet a second before three dragons stood before me. Tanwen was awake and ready. Zia eyed me looking as dangerous as I felt, Wics was just finishing up doing up his pants as he waited for instructions.

"WHAT'S GOING ON?" Cordgi yelled then doubled over as the pain racked his ribs. I went to him. Carefully helping him move to the fire.

"They are torturing Valkyrie." I whispered.

"Tell Neffy." Those cool deep blue eyes met mine. In them I saw the haunted truth the water dragon had hid from this fractured mind. If a boy was in trouble, Neffy and attacked humans before.

"My God, I just realized..." I muttered.

"You sent the twins with my Nuare. They saved me, it's why I didn't argue." Cordgi insisted.

"I have to..." Cordgi grabbed my hand. He pulled hard. Wincing in pain as he refused to let go. I was forced to fall to my knees before him.

"You need to trust your officers. You sent out two generals with one squad. Send Bran's squad to him." Cordgi insisted.

"I'll go." Zia offered. Tanwen tossed her hands in the air.

"If I go they will know it's me!" She complained.

"Not if you don't transform." I offered. She blinked at me seeing my plan. Holding her hand out to the royal fire dragon, I was unnerved by their matching grins.

"We shall take the hell fire squad." Zia said.

"Any shifters want to go with them?" I called out.

"I shall assist the boy who should be king." Sijel pounded her staff in the ground.

"I will be your transport." Valkor offered.

"I'm going too." Shea stood up, his left leg wobbled. No, he needed to rest more. I stood.

"Not this time." I nodded to Piper. He grinned nodding back.

"I will be your transport." Caspera bowed to the older dragon. I saw the two were communicating, I left them to plan.

Beltane walked up. She eyed the group. Wics looked at me. I knew what he was thinking. His mate, his Nuare both were out there. I didn't like to see him leave, but knowing him... I reached out my sword arm. He clutched my elbow.

"Bring them all home." I told him.

"I will!" He winked.

"Care for a little more backup?" a voice asked behind me. I spun.