Page 15 of Lyric

Lyric

Deep inside me, Lyrican heard the sound of the dragon before I did.

Back away. Shift now!

The little omega’s eyes grew big as if he’d heard Lyrican’s commands. He moved under the shelter on his hands and feet, the blanket falling away.

I caught my breath. Even with danger above, I couldn’t help but notice how lovely he was. Did he know he was such a beauty?

Protect. Now!

I had no choice but to run to the other end of the nest where Lyrican would have room to shift.

We stood looking off into the trees, our wings unfurling. Behind us, I heard a gasp.

Our head swiveled about to see the omega holding the blanket up to his chin, staring at us.

Must protect omega. Ours. Mine.

The beast ruled now. He could see nothing but the omega he’d brought to his nest. He’d give his life to protect him without thought, without judgment.

The flap of wings shivered the tree leaves. It was time to fight.

Lyrican took off, flying low over a clearing before gaining height above the forest canopy.

Blue sky surrounded us. The sun was low in the sky, gold and pink light framing a few thin clouds on the horizon.

The dragon interloper didn’t see us at first. Lyrican was good at quiet flying and hovering. But it didn’t take long. The big dragon turned our way and let out a steady stream of fire followed by a bellow. He headed directly for us, zooming in a predictable straight line.

We dodged his attack easily and flew around to face off again.

I thought of Jinn sitting alone in our roost now. He would not be able to see what was happening. If Lyrican became injured, Jinn would be on his own. If the omega could stay hidden until Coltan went away, he might be able to fly home once he was feeling better.

I will never allow this omega to be harmed.

Lyrican never surprised me with his speed and agility. That had developed early in our lives. I knew he was special. Now he showed me even more of the strength he possessed as he teased and dodged and summoned the big dragon further away from our roost. Away from any possibility of him catching Jinn’s scent on the air.

Through aching muscles and sore joints, Lyrican out-maneuvered the other without resorting to fire and roar tactics.

Coltan learned quickly that he needed contact to fight us on his level, otherwise we could easily wear him out. He attacked over and over, fangs dripping, snapping.

Lyrican was ready. His claws were out and he always aimed for the underbelly.

Coltan got in a few minor cuts of his own. I felt the sting. But Lyrican ignored such flimsy irritants and kept fighting. He was fighting for this omega even though he truly wasn’t ours. Lyrican wanted him anyway, but first he had to save him.

I couldn’t decide if Coltan was just an asshole or if he’d gone feral. He didn’t smell like he was in a rut. But a rutting alpha dragon who believed he had claimed an omega could be dangerous. Especially in the wild.

Jinn said he’d met Colt at a bar. That meant Colt wasn’t an untamed beast. At least, on the surface.

Lyrican had left me and my thoughts far behind. Everything was a blur as he fought. There were a few freefall moments as we all fell. Coltan got his wings tangled in the trees for a few seconds, tearing the leather edge on the left. Unlucky for us, he could still fly.

The two dragons tore at each other over and over until Coltan was showing obvious fatigue. With a strange, angry holler, he finally flew off, disappearing on the horizon.

Lyrican was careful. He flew in circles for a while, waiting to see if he’d return. When he was good and sure Coltan was gone, he flew back to the roost, landing gracefully, immediately sniffing for Jinn.

Jinn jumped up on one foot, blanket falling away, and cried out. “You’re hurt!”

Lyrican shook his head, then sniffed at the nape of Jinn’s neck with a loud, rude puff.

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