“I will pay for the educator.”
“I can’t learn, sire, the letters make little sense to me. So it would be useless to pay for an educator.”
“I will relent for now on the educator. Let’s see what you have, Warrior Viper.”
Chapter 2
Present day, King R Ranch, Dragoon, Arizona - EARTH
“Is that all you’ve got, Viper?” King Reichardt yelled out as he walked around in a training circle.
Viper took a moment to glance around the field the warriors used for training. A small crowd was gathering, some standing on the other side of the wooden fencing, younger warriors on the lower beam of the tied planks. Elders had brought out lawn chairs and took a seat like it was a grand show. He was so distracted that he didn’t duck in time and Reichardt landed a kick in his stomach, knocking him onto his ass.
“Damn it!” Viper grumbled as he sprung back up to his feet.
“Pay attention to the warrior in front of you, not to those gawking.”
“Kick his ass, baby!”
Reichardt smiled at his very pregnant mate, Gema. This time, Viper caught him off guard by rushing and tackling Rei to the ground.
Humph! Reichardt lost the air from his lungs. “You hit like a Mack truck. Have you gained some weight?”
“I’m all muscle, my friend.”
Viper stood, then reached a hand out to help his friend to his feet. “We could call this match a tie,” he offered.
Reichardt snorted. “I’m not that old—yet.”
He shrugged. “Just trying to help you save face in front of your mate.”
The male couldn’t stop himself from glancing at Gema. He frowned. “Gema! Get off the fence. You’re carrying my heir.”
Gema waved his worries away. “This one is too stubborn like her father to get hurt. Hurry and take Viper down. I’m getting hungry.”
Reichardt swore, and then turned to Viper with a smirk. “You know how she gets when she’s hangry.”
Viper groaned, as did the rest of the crowd. They all knew that a hungry Gema was not a pleasant thing. “I can fake a knockout.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Reichardt said as he rushed Viper. The king was one of the strongest of their people and one of the most experienced warriors—for a good reason.
The hit lifted Viper into the air before he slammed him to the ground. Then the king straddled him and punched him over and over. He gave an effort, moving his legs up and trying to wrap around Reichardt’s waist, dragging him off. They both struggled to get the upper hand; Viper took most of the blows. He would never let Reichardt know that he did that on purpose.
“I call it! It’s a tie! Now, come on. I need food!” Gema yelled at them.
Viper and Reichardt were panting. They turned and watched as the crowd dispersed. One warrior helped Gema down from the fencing.
“Pick back up tomorrow?” Viper asked.
“Yep, sounds good.”
“Are you coming in for lunch? Gema’s grandmother has probably fixed a feast.”
Viper shook his head while looking up at the sky. “It’s cloudy enough that I can take a quick flight. My dragon is feeling restless.”
“I might do one later tonight. Don’t forget to take the box of donated books Valorie put aside to the library.”
Crap! He had forgotten about the books. He had promised Val he would do it for her. “I’ll do it as soon as I am done with my flight.”
“I’ll move the box to the cab so it doesn’t get rained on.”
“Appreciate it.”
Viper walked toward the big barn. He entered the empty building and straight toward the back exit. They set up the last stall like a changing room. The Drakonians could strip out of their clothes, and then exit the back of the barn and shift with full privacy.
The air was cool, and the wind was a little strong. Perfect weather for flying. He closed his eyes and let his dragon form take shape. His sleek, deep burgundy scales glistened as few raindrops fell. His clawed paws shuffled forward. He raised his large wings and pumped them up and down. He caught the air and leaped.
There was nothing like flying in his dragon form. How long had it been? A week? That was too long. The cool air against his fiery dragon was refreshing. Drakonians always had a much warmer body temperature than humans. That was one of the many differences between the two species.
Hundreds of Earth years ago, a warring alien species had attacked his home world Drakonia. His planet fell apart, but their mage opened a portal to a strange underdeveloped planet. It was like stepping back in time. No scientists, no medicine, no weapons, or warships. The new planet offered clean air and plenty of plant and animal life despite its primitiveness.
The kings and queen separated and claimed different regions for their clans to prosper. Mostly, they kept their distance from the humans, which kept the peace, but at risk to their own survival. Fewer and fewer Drakonians found bond mates, and there were hardly any dragonlings born. Many of his people had given up hope and turned rogue, murdering and killing, risking exposure of their existence. Then a few of his kind found their true bond mate with human females.
Humans. Just the thought of the weaker species had his dragon snorting. It was just so strange. King Reichardt mated one. The few on the ranch were beautiful, but tiny and soft. Sure, he could see the appeal; it made a warrior want to protect them. One dragonlet so far has been born strong and healthy. But was unclear if it would shift into dragon form. Their elders believe that Drakonian genes were stronger and therefore believe the dragonlets would have the same abilities as a
