Page 179 of Ash

Razir gasped, and Tyrez spun around. He followed his brother’s gaze to the night sky.

Dragons, coming in from the south.

“Dammit.” A tall, broad-shouldered man stalked across the pasture toward them. “I saidnorth.”

“They’re coming in high, Zach.” The big Sabre, Kade, commented. “The horses will be fine.”

Tyrez registered the exchange, but barely. Because the five Dragons preparing to land reflected the moonlight rather more vividly than they should. Two were nearly scarlet, one a deep yellow, and the other two brilliant green.

Razir audibly exhaled. “Shards,” he muttered.

Dragonas, and not just any females. The Matriarch and her escorts, including their sister, Sirki.

The crowd parted for them. When his mother reverted to human, her beautiful face was flushed and her eyes sparked green fire.

Tyrez experienced a sinking sensation. The Matriarch almost never left the security of the palace. Her presence here in the human realm was an indication—of what, he wasn’t sure.

Their presence in the group caused a stir. Clothed only in their scales, the five were curvaceous female perfection—in a meeting predominated by males.

Tyrez stifled his automatic desire to crack a few ogling heads together. Any one of those Dragonas could handle any inappropriate advances entirely on their own.

The Matriarch walked up to them, trailing her escort. Their swaying, rolling gait drew the eyes of every male on the field.

Sirki ran to Dani and embraced her. Dani hugged her back awkwardly, but she was smiling. Sirki pulled her away from the others, hands gesticulating as she talked to her.

Tyrez returned his attention to the Matriarch. “Mother,” he greeted, and started to bend low, but she swept him into an embrace.

“I’ve missed you,” she whispered in his ear.

“It’s only been a week, Mother,” he pointed out as he disengaged.

“Far too long,” she agreed.

“What are you doing here?” Taran’s eyes glowed indigo in the moonlight.

She drew herself up to her full height. “Your father does not speak for the Dragonas. I, however, do.” She flashed them a wide grin. “We are here to offer our assistance. I speak for a coalition of over a hundred Dragonas. All willing to help in any way we can.”

Tyrez offered her a rare smile as Ash’s voice echoed through his head.She’s brave as hell. Just like her sons.

They’ll need every bit of it for what is to come. And there is no precedent for a Matriarch disobeying an Emperor. We are breaking dangerous new ground here.

“Hey, is this gorgeous lady your mum?”

Tyrez regarded the Sabre, Cody, with a frown. “She is the Matriarch of our people.”

“Oh, sorry.” Cody bowed low to her. “Honored to make your acquaintance, my Lady.”

Tyrez rolled his eyes. But the Matriarch’s eyes sparkled with interest. “Is this your Sabre friend? I’ve heard much about you.”

“Not from me,” Tyrez commented when Cody shot him a look.

“Yes, he’s a good buddy of mine,” Cody admitted, his eyes scanning the cluster of Dragons. “Didn’t you bring the Oracle?”

Trust Cody to nail the absence right away. Tyrez braced himself. “He’s back in the Gryphon realm.”

Cody frowned. “Won’t we need him? Kade says he’ll give us the edge we’re looking for.”

No avoiding it now.They’ll figure it out during the meeting, anyway,offered Ash.

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