Page 3 of The Arrival of the Dragons

Humans cannot fly,Iolaire said and fluttered its wings.

Yeah, I know. I--

Humans cannot fly,Iolaire repeated, and there was clearly a greater meaning there.

Okay, what do you mean? Humans can’t fly. That’s why we have to shift and--

Humans cannot fly, Iolaire said with more insistence.

Caden stopped talking and thought about what that meant.I just… oh, I’m not giving up control. I’m thinking like I’m going to literally be flapping my own wings up there.

Iolaire flapped in response.Yes, but humans cannot fly.

Right. I need to let go. You need to take over.

Caden closed his eyes and reached for Iolaire in his mind’s eye. They could and would never touch in real life. He would never know what it was like to brush his hands over Iolaire’s scales or skim them along its wings. But he would never want them to be apart so that this could happen. It meant far more to have them together like this than to simply wish to touch Iolaire. In fact, the moment that his fingers were about to touch Iolaire just in his mind a spark formed in the short distance between them. It grew in intensity until it blinded Caden.

And then it consumed him.

When he blinked he was looking out through a Dragon’s eyes. Caden smiled and the White Dragon did too.

Iolaire, you’re in charge. Do what we need to do here. I trust your judgment more than mine,Caden told his Spirit.

The White Dragon tipped back its head and let out a pleased hoot. Then its wings began to flap and they were airborne. Caden’s stomach dropped into his feet at the suddenness of it, almost as if he were on a rollercoaster. Iolaire took them up and up and up until the sunlight seemed to suffuse the air around them and there was nothing else, but light. Then they were skimming through the air, being held aloft by unseen currents.

His gaze focused on Illarion and Valerius. The Green Dragon was still circling and snapping at the Black Dragon, but he did it a little too close one time and nipped Valerius’ left wing. The Black Dragon let out a roar that seemed to shake the very skies. Through Iolaire’s enhanced hearing, Caden could hear people far below crying out in fear. The Black Dragon’s eyes were a sulfurous red and they were glowering at the Green Dragon, tracking the titanic beast, waiting for its moment to get revenge.

Iolaire, get us over there! Like now!

Caden could almost feel the Green Dragon’s glee at his unexpected “victory”. He’d gotten a reaction from Valerius. His teeth were strong and sharp. He had bloodied the king. Or that was what Caden thought. Thankfully, he could not hear Illarion’s thoughts. But the arrogant way the Green Dragon flew through the air made Caden pretty certain that his thoughts were likely close to that.

At least, he was all arrogance, until Valerius bit back. Once more the Green Dragon came too close again, perhaps for a second nip. But this time Valerius snapped at Illarion’s right wing andslicedit. The Green Dragon let out a howl and green gushes of smoke exited from its mouth. That cloud of what Caden thought might be toxic gas started to driftdowntowards Reach. Panic filled him, but Valerius saw what was happening as well and acted.

The Black Dragon opened its mouth and let out a gust of wind, not fire. Caden knew that Valerius had other powers, but this was the first time he’d seen what looked like Superman’s powerful breath. It dissipated the foul green gas.

Illarion was still making angry, pained almost barking noises as his wing gushed black blood that dripped down the webbing. His eyes were a poisonous green-yellow, too. They narrowed and Caden knew he was about to bodily slam into the Black Dragon.

They’re escalating, Iolaire! What do we do? Ice them? Will that do anything but piss them off?

Caden was also worried that if they did use their ice breath that some of the ice might drop down onto the city below and injure someone. He reached out for Valerius’ mind, but it was shut off to him. All he heard was an angry hum.

This is really not good!

They can do too much harm. Too much! Must stop them!Iolaire’s response was strange.

How are we going to do that? Get between them and--oh! What the Hell?

Iolaire opened its mouth and let out a sound. It was a mournful sound. Beautiful, actually, like the beginning of a song. But the effect it had was instantaneous and shocking. The Black Dragon grimaced and shook its head as if the sound was unpleasant while the Green Dragon immediately transformed into his human form.

And then Illarion started falling to Earth.

But Iolaire darted in and Illarion in one of its claws. Iolaire then hovered there as it brought the angry and shocked Dragon Shifter up to eye level. Valerius came close as well so that Illarion was between them.

Illarion was handsome in a hard way. He had chiseled features and short dark hair. A scowl seemed to be permanently etched on his face. His thick brows were drawn together as he bellowed at them.

“What have you done?” Illarion shouted in a Russian accented voice. “Release me! If you do not release me, I will make youpay, little Dragon!”

Make us pay, will he? Doesn’t he see the situation he’s in?Caden laughed.

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