Four stories in Donna Grant’s captivating Dragon Kings series just got a little revamping, and I have excerpts for you from all four of them.
Dragon Revealed
Varek couldn’t shake the feeling that Jeyra was headed into trouble. He knew with certainty that she would ignore everything he’d cautioned her about. Not that he blamed her. He’d do the same in her shoes.
It grated on him that he couldn’t be out there to help her. He knew that look in her eyes, the one that said she wouldn’t stop until she had what she wanted. Because he’d been there himself once. And had left a trail of destruction in his wake.
It wasn’t until he became a Dragon King that he found others he could trust—and who trusted him. The need to fight for everything then subsided. Not entirely because he was a King for his clan, but he no longer sought out things to clash over. It had been an eye-opening experience that’d changed him in many ways.
He sat up and ran a hand down his face. Varek was beginning to hate the dungeon. He wanted to stand up, to stretch, get some clean clothes. And be upright in a hot shower. The little water he had to wash himself did the job, but it wasn’t the showers he was used to.
With nothing else to do, he lay back and closed his eyes. He’d already finished the food Jeyra had brought, and no one would venture close to him until she returned. Unless, of course, that brute of a man returned, possibly with more clothes. Varek yawned and tested his body where he had sustained his injuries. They were almost healed.
That pleased him because he didn’t want to fight while injured. He could, but it would put him at a disadvantage. He had been at a disadvantage since he arrived on this realm, and it was time that changed.
He stilled as he felt something brush against his mind as soft as a butterfly’s wings. His eyes snapped open as he held his breath, listening to see if he heard it again.
“Who’s there?” he asked mentally.
Varek released his breath and slammed his fist against the ground when he received no answer. Was he so desperate for the other dragons that he’d imagined a voice? If he’d sunk to such levels, it didn’t bode well for his chances of escape. His thoughts turned to Merrill. How had he been taken but not Merrill?
“Because he was with a woman,” Varek suddenly said aloud.
He smiled as relief poured through him. He remembered something. At least now, he knew that Merrill wasn’t stuck somewhere on this realm. No doubt his friend had returned to Dreagan and informed Con and the other Dragon Kings about Varek’s disappearance. Unfortunately, none of them would know to look for him on another realm, much less the one where the twins were. If that’s where he was.
“Erith,” he called, attempting once more to reach out to the goddess.
If he couldn’t contact any of the dragons on the realm, then she and the Reapers were his last hope. It also made him realize that he needed the city’s layout to devise an escape plan. When he saw Jeyra next, he would ask her for it.
He smiled, recalling their kiss. It had been unexpected, but he didn’t regret a single moment of it. He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her before the kiss, and now, she filled every corner of his mind. No matter what he thought about, she was there. He could try to ignore the feelings growing within him, but it wouldn’t do any good. He had found his mate in the most unlikely of places. But found her he had.
Varek snorted, thinking of how angry he was at whoever had captured him. But if he hadn’t been brought here, he might never have found Jeyra. He would have gone the rest of his life without a mate beside him. Oddly, that thought hadn’t bothered him before. Until he looked into Jeyra’s amber eyes and saw the fire inside her.
She had many reasons to hate dragons, but he hoped she could overcome them to be with him. If her response to his kiss was any indication, she just might be able to.
His smile died as he recalled the story of her family. That kind of deep-seated animosity didn’t relinquish its hold easily—if ever. Jeyra wanted justice for what’d happened. No doubt many others did, as well. What would happen if he agreed to the marriage the council offered? Varek couldn’t imagine it sitting well with the humans. It would only breed more hatred. And he only knew the mortal’s side of things in this war.
Mortals. That was laughable. He wouldn’t exactly call Jeyra mortal, but she wasn’t immortal either. The truth of what she was, however, confounded him. Until the Fae and humans came to their realm, the Dragon Kings knew nothing of those species. The Kings and dragons didn’t venture to other realms, so they didn’t know of anyone else.
Dragon Unbound
Cullen scrubbed a hand over his chin. “Tamlyn and her friends showed real terror when I told them who I was. Tamlyn told me she was taught from an early age to fear all dragons, but especially Dragon Kings.”
“I don’t know where the humans are getting that information,” Eurwen said.
Vaughn twisted his lips. “I think we need to find out.”
Cullen looked between them. “I have to help the children.”
“I’m not sure there’s a way to do that and not start a war,” Vaughn said.
Eurwen swallowed as she shrugged. “There isn’t.”
“We’re dragons. With magic,” Cullen reminded them. “We can do it.”
Vaughn eyed Eurwen, surprise in his voice when he asked, “You’re seriously considering it?”
“He’s right,” she said and jerked her thumb to Cullen. “It’s one thing for cities to ban those with magic. It’s something else entirely to kill them. I’m ashamed to say that I didn’t care what the humans did to each other. But when helpless children are involved, I can’t pretend any longer.”
Cullen didn’t celebrate her statement. Though he was delighted to have someone on his side, he knew things wouldn’t be easy. “Con and Brandr are going to be livid.”
“Which is why there can’t be anything to disrupt the balance here,” Eurwen told him. “Nothing. The minute there is, you return. I want your word, or I won’t help.”
Vaughn visibly winced. “Honey, hold up a moment. I told you my concerns because I thought you might agree with my sentiment.”
“Obviously, I do,” she retorted. She quirked a brow. “You knew there was a chance I would go against Brandr.”
Cullen understood what Vaughn was getting at. “Brandr has adjusted his thinking to allow some Kings onto Zora to help battle this new enemy, though it goes against everything both of you agreed on.”
“Eons ago,” Eurwen added.
“The point is,” Cullen said with a meaningful look, “Brandr will only be able to bend so far before he breaks.”
Eurwen walked to Vaughn and put one arm around him as she laid her other hand on his chest and looked into his eyes. After a long moment, she turned her head to Cullen. “I know you think Brandr unsympathetic and emotionless, but we’ve had to be. He has a hard shell to guard a sensitive heart that wants to protect everyone and everything. I thought up most of the rules we put in place. I mellowed through the years while he grew harder. Colder. He’s buried his true self for so long that I no longer believe he remembers when he argued for helping the humans who have magic.”
“Brandr is stoic like Con,” Vaughn said. “In the time I’ve known your brother, I’ve found him fair and honest.”
Cullen considered their words. He had spent barely five hours with either Brandr or Eurwen before he and other Dragon Kings were dispatched around the perimeter of the invisible shield dividing their land from the humans’. In that short time, he’d seen how strong the twins’ bond was. He didn’t want to be the one to sever that. “Then no one can know you helped, Eurwen.”
“I kept things from Brandr before. I won’t do it again,” Eurwen said. “I promised I wouldn’t do that again.”
Vaughn kissed her forehead. “Sweetheart, if you tell your brother what you want to do, there could be a fight.”
“It’s worth it to save the bairns,” Cullen interjected.
Eurwen nodded. “I agree. I’m going to call Brandr here.”
“Uh…I doona think you need to,” Vaughn said as he pointed over Cullen’s shoulder.
Cullen turned around and saw the sunlight glinting off gold scales. At first, Cullen thought it was Con, since he was the King of Golds, but then Cullen caught the sight of the beige scales that ran the length of Brandr’s underside. The three of them watched as Brandr soared above before dipping his wing to swing around and return to where they stood.
Brandr alighted close by, shifting to his human form instantly as he did. He looked at each of them before sighing loudly. “I’m going to regret this.”
“What?” Cullen asked, confused.
Eurwen’s face split into a wide smile. “I knew you wouldn’t allow children to continue being harmed.”
Cullen’s head jerked to Brandr.
“Don’t look so surprised,” Brandr said with a wry grin. “Contrary to popular belief, I actually do have a heart.”
Vaughn said, “As good as this is, we should bring Con in on this.”
“He knows,” Brandr replied. “I’m going to take up patrol here while Cullen is gone.”
Cullen smiled as he looked at the other three. “I’ve been holding the ace up my sleeve. I’m glad I didna have to use it.”
“What?” Eurwen asked.
“While I’m on the human side, I’ll be able to search for our adversary,” Cullen replied.
Brandr chuckled as he shook his head. “Con said you were the perfect King to send over. Now I know why.”
Vaughn snorted. “And everyone thinks I’ve got the cunning mind.”
“Oh, you do,” Cullen said as they shared a smile.
Dragon Lover
With his wings tucked against his body and the wind whipping past him in a rush, Kendrick released a breath of fire. It scorched the earth where he was sure the enemy had been. He was just circling back for a second attack when something slammed into him. The next thing he knew, he crashed into the ground in human form. Bones snapped at the force of the impact.
Kendrick hadn’t shifted, he was certain of that. He pushed up onto one elbow as the world spun and his bones knitted back together. His body…fuck. It hurt in ways he’d never experienced. The pain was so debilitating that he nearly passed out. He shook from the agony and the magic that had struck him. His stomach heaved, but he fought for control.
He shook his head to clear it, but that only made things worse. His enhanced hearing caught a whisper of a sound. Was it his enemy? Or a new one? It didn’t matter. He had to get up and face it. He got to his feet on unsteady limbs and called clothes to his nakedness. He staggered, doing everything he could to stay upright—which shouldn’t be so difficult.
Kendrick knew he wasn’t alone. His senses warned him that something was closing in, and fast. He kept his gaze on the horizon to combat the dizziness. That allowed him to concentrate on his peripheral vision to catch a glimpse of the enemy again.
This time, just as he braced for an attack from the side, the magic hit him square in the chest. The agony that radiated through Kendrick snatched his breath. He landed hard, something dark and cloying engulfing him before he knew what had happened. It felt as if something were invading his skin and trying to rip his muscles apart and shatter his bones systematically. With gritted teeth, he fought against the rising tide of pain.
Kendrick tried to shift again, but he couldn’t. The sheer terror that assaulted him made him panic for an instant. He then resorted to magic, fighting any way he could. Each time he started to heal, whatever had a hold of him struck again. Worse was the residual magic that lingered. He even thought he heard a laugh near his ear.
The enemy was on him, around him, and still, Kendrick couldn’t see what it was. He bellowed and released more magic. It was enough to get away from the entity. Kendrick knew it would return, but he would be upright when it did. It was getting harder and harder to stay on his feet, but he refused to fall.
He tried again to shift now that he was free of the foe’s energy. When he couldn’t, panic stole over him. Cullen had warned him about this. So had Brandr and Eurwen, but he hadn’t listened. He’d believed things would be different for him, and look where that had gotten him. He’d been too intent on taking down their adversary, and now, he would pay the price.
He felt a slight shift in the air. Kendrick looked out of the corner of his eye and saw the ripple once more. He dove to the side and then rolled to his feet. A grin split his face when he realized he’d dodged the assault. He turned to use his peripheral vision for the next attack. It came from above this time, pounding into him so hard that his legs buckled.
“Not as powerful as you thought, are you?”
The disembodied voice filled the area around him. Kendrick lifted his head as his body swiftly mended. The entity was toying with him. Fury burned within him. If that was how this thing wanted to play, then he was game. Kendrick climbed to his feet and attempted once more to shift. It took everything he had to hold back the panic that lodged itself in his chest when he couldn’t.
He was a Dragon King. He had fought many wars, gone up against some of the most powerful beings, and had come out on top. He wasn’t afraid of death. The magic of Earth had chosen him to lead his clan, and nothing on this realm or any other would make him stop fighting.
Kendrick took a deep breath and released it. He then smiled. “I wouldna worry about me.”
He saw a ripple out of the corner of his eye. Kendrick spun away, but he was too slow. The magic enveloped him. It stuck to his skin, seeped into every pore as if it were suffocating him. This wasn’t the end. Was it? A King could only be killed by another King. Unless this was a Dragon King, and they didn’t know it.
Dragon Kiss
Lotti shifted closer to Jeyra. She doubted anyone saw it, but it was just enough that when the warriors circled Alasdair, she and Jeyra were clumped together. So far, their plan was working. Then again, it had only just begun. There were too many players for things to go perfectly.
Lotti glanced at Jeyra. The warrior glared at a man who eyed her as if he wanted to cut her to pieces. The Orgateans celebrated their capture so loudly that Lotti could barely hear herself think. She had lost sight of Alasdair. Her heart thumped wildly against her ribs, and her palms dampened. So much rested on her. What if she failed? They would all be trapped.
“You can do this,” Jeyra whispered, leaning close.
Lotti drew in a shaky breath. Her friends believed in her. Maybe it was time she had faith in herself. She nodded at Jeyra and tried to hear what the leader said to Alasdair, but Lotti couldn’t make it out. She stiffened when she heard jeers and grunts.
“Don’t,” Jeyra warned. “Alasdair can handle whatever they dole out.”
Lotti hated not knowing what was happening to him. With every groan and sound of pain, she knew Alasdair was being hit. He could end it. She could end it. But that wasn’t the plan. Which made standing there looking helpless that much more difficult.
Her attention got yanked away when someone pulled her hands before her. Lotti bit back a wince. Her eyes widened when she saw the manacles. She cast a harried look at Jeyra, who was left unshackled. They had known encountering the chains that took away a Dragon King’s power was possible. However, none of them knew if they would obstruct her magic as they did for the Kings. Lotti swallowed hard when the first click sounded as the cuff locked into place on her wrist. Fear froze her, and she stared at Jeyra as the second was about to latch. Then, it was too late to worry if the plans they had painstakingly put into action would be foiled.
Blood roared in Lotti’s ears. She blinked several times to make sure she was seeing things correctly. She nearly laughed out loud when the fake stone remained visible, and the pack on Jeyra’s back stayed hidden. The chains didn’t hinder her power, and that meant she could get free anytime she wanted.
Suddenly, their captors shoved at her and Jeyra. Lotti stumbled, her shoulder hitting a tree before she found her balance, and they moved through the woods. Lotti tried to peer between the crush of bodies to glimpse Alasdair but was unsuccessful. The Orgateans kept their weapons drawn and pointed at her and Jeyra. Many of the blades came close to nicking them. It unnerved Lotti, but Jeyra ignored them. So, she tried to do the same.
The crowd trampled everything in their wake as they hiked through the forest, uncaring about damaging the habitat they disturbed. After all, they had seized a Dragon King and two women. In their eyes, they had won. Jeyra was intelligent and shrewd. Lotti expected the same from the other warriors from Orgate, but that wasn’t what she had seen so far. These fighters actually thought they were good enough to catch them. It didn’t appear as if any of them had any doubts they had triumphed. Lotti should be happy that the fools were so easily duped. If they weren’t, their plan would have failed before it began.
She winced as the tip of a sword pressed into her back when she didn’t walk fast enough. She threw a glower over her shoulder at the woman who had nudged her so callously. As she faced forward again, her eyes briefly met Jeyra’s. They didn’t talk as they walked beside each other, headed toward the Tunris Mountains.
They walked for hours, each step bringing them closer and closer to Villette. When the army came upon a steep slope down, Lotti took a moment to look ahead. It seemed most of the Orgateans were behind and to their side. A large group of warriors walked ahead and to the right of her, grouped around someone. She caught a glimpse of auburn hair just as they pushed Alasdair down the hill. Anger burned hotly in her veins when they laughed as he tumbled before slamming into a tree, halting his progress.
She didn’t understand why Alasdair hadn’t used his hands to right himself. Then she spotted the restraints. The same ones placed on her. The same special chains used on Varek to hinder his magic. Alasdair had expected such a tactic, but that didn’t make it any easier to witness.
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Dragon Kings - Recommended Reading Order
(standalone stories with interconnected characters)
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