Eventually, I turn away and head back home.
Haime is waiting at the entrance, sharpening arrowheads.
I sigh. “Does Aida and Zaeyr know you’re here?” I ask, walking up to her and setting down my basket of fruit.
“Has he come back?” She doesn’t even look at me. There is only the grating sound of her work.
I glance behind, my gaze returning to the jungle path I just crept out of. “No, he hasn’t.” I turn back to scold her, “You shouldn’t be out in the jungle alone.”
Haime shrugs. “Why does it matter? I have your feather with me, I’m safe.” She sets a sharpened stone aside. “Can you help me find him?”
“My feather won’t protect you from the many beasts that don’t care about markings. It won’t protect you from tripping or falling, or drowning.” She shrugs again, I’m not answering her question. “Besides, finding him isn’t the issue, I know exactly where he is.”
“Then take me!” She leaps to her feet, finally meets my eyes.
“You know I won’t.”
He won’t be in his den anyway. The naga boy always leaves when Haime is nearby. I don’t understand why, and he can’t tell me with the few words he knows. My guess is that Haime is a lot to handle, and if he doesn’t like her presence, I can’t blame him.
“Milaye!” she cries, throwing her sharpening blade to the ground. “I just want to see that he’s okay.”
“Even if I take you, he won’t be there. You know this, seashell. You’ve tried tracking him, and he has never made himself known to you. And I’m sure he would if he wanted to see you.”
“You’re so mean!”
I sag a little. “I know.”
Her chubby face reddens. “You could just force him to show himself with your dragon.”
My lips flatten. “You want me to upset him?”
“No!” Haime flings her arms out, growling. “No, don’t upset him.” She runs past me and down the path. I twist to watch her go, waiting until her little form pivots out of sight as she reaches the beach. Beside me, branches rustle.
“She’s gone,” I say. “You should go after her.”
Iskursu answers with a hiss. The branches dance again, but he slithers away. If I had to guess, he’s going to follow her until she’s safely back at Sand’s Hunters. Which is why I don’t think he actually dislikes Haime…
I have a feeling nothing will harm Haime while he’s around. Even if she didn’t have my marking to protect her, Iskursu will keep her safe. And despite her age, Haime is becoming a fierce huntress in her own right. One day she will outpace me and every female in the tribes along the Mermaid Coast.
That will be a good day.
I crane my neck and glance at the bright noon sun. The light soaks me.
After a moment, I shake my head, pick up my basket of fruit, and walk into the cave. In the past year, the entrance has been widened, the ledge has been reworked into a rockway of stairs, and torches now line the walls. And those same walls have been draped with hides and flowers that dispel bugs.
Most bugs at least.
The other exit is barred off. It’s easier to protect one cave opening than two. And in the past year, Drazak found the water source and dug us a pool at the back of the large cavern where we reside. Once I saw how easily it was for his tails to crush rocks and cleave stones, I vowed never to underestimate his strength.
I’m nowhere near as strong as him while I’m human. I can’t wait for the day he turns again, when he relearns how, and I can find out who really is the stronger dragon.
I will enjoy being the mightiest one while it lasts. My lips twitch into a smile.
I head for the central fire where he and my daughter rest. Drazak raises his finger to his lips. My daughter is asleep in the basket next to him. I set down my fruit.
My heart warms. I kneel at her side. She coos in her sleep. She has the peakings of both purple and white scales on her neck and hands. I reach into the basket and gently lift her into my arms, hide wrappings and all.
I take my daughter to our cot and lie her down beside me. She stirs but doesn’t wake. I curl myself around her.
Drazak walks over and wraps himself around me. I settle into his embrace as I gaze at my little girl.
I’ve never been happier.
Later, Drazak will chastise me about Iskursu and Haime, but for now…
For now, this is all that matters. I close my eyes and this time, I let Drazak win.
Author’s Note
Thank you for reading To Wake a Dragon. The last book I plan on writing in the world of Venys. Though there will be a very short piece about Haime and Iskursu later this year! If you liked the story or have a comment, please leave a review. And if you haven’t already, keep on going with Tiffany Roberts, Poppy Rhys, and Amanda Milo’s amazingly sexy dragon books in the Venys Needs Men series.
If you love cyborgs, aliens, anti-heroes, and adventure, follow me on Facebook or through my blog online for information on new releases and updates.
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Naomi Lucas
Turn the page for a sneak peek at Hysterian’s story, Cyborg Shifters Book 8.
Dark Hysteria
Cyborg Shifters Book 8 (Coming 2021)
Alexa has one purpose in life: to take down the war machines called Cyborgs. Specifically the one known as Hysterian, also known as the Torturer, the Twitch, the Jumper. The Cyborg killed her father in cold blood, and she’s determined to see the same thing happen to him.
First, she needs to get close to Hysterian.
Second, she needs to get him to trust her.
But the closer she gets, the stranger and more fascinating he becomes. She finds him watching her every move. He’s in every shadowy
