Page 68 of Stealing the Dragon's Heart (Dragon Lords 3)

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Phase 7

Planet Roukii

Roukii was a planet of brilliant colors and flourishing life, and Onnika was instantly enthralled.

Cerulean blue skies stretched on and on, over bountiful fields and rolling hilltops. She saw rushing rivers, sparkling streams, tropical forests, and flowering meadows. Puffy white clouds reached far past the majestic mountain range that sprouted along the visible horizon. The crisp scent of citrus fragranced the air.

Shortly after landing, they’d all gathered to disembark and were now marveling at Roukii’s beauty. They’d been forced to land in one of the meadows big enough to fitDragoon. It was a little ways from the festival grounds, so they had a short hike ahead of them.

All around them, flowering vines tumbled from the branches of lush trees, nearly touching the ground. Caryn bounded over to sniff one of their yellow blooms. “Mm.”

Lear watched her with fondness. Onnika briefly wondered if he’d made a move on her yet before deciding he hadn’t. Caryn would have mentioned it after she herself had admitted to having slept with Aidan. A romantic at heart, Caryn had been delighted by the news, even as she warned her to be careful.

Onnika knelt to run her hand along the thick spouts of grass. Each blade had a feather-like softness. The sharp, fresh scent reminded her of home. She had to resist the urge to roll around in it. Although…

She gave Aidan a contemplative glance filled with wicked intent.

“What’s that look for?” he asked warily.

She stood. “Well, I’m not thinking about rolling around with you on this velvety grass, if that’s what you’re asking, so just get that right out of your head.”

He meant for his glare to appear chastising, but he couldn’t tame the amusement in his eyes.

“I’m serious,” she said. “Not going to happen. No use imagining it.”

He cupped the back of her neck and drew her near to whisper in her ear, “Now it’s all I can think about.”

She shivered and smiled triumphantly. “Well, maybe if you’re good.”

He chuckled and released her, shaking his head.

As Caryn continued to admire the flowers, Asher meandered over to pluck one of the large buds and handed it her. Onnika blinked in surprise. Caryn appeared just as stunned by his gesture, but accepted the gift with her knockout smile in place.

Onnika’s gaze shot to Lear, who was glaring at the two as though he’d like nothing more than to crush the flower in his fist and cart Caryn away.

Onnika almost grinned at the notion that two men were suddenly vying for Caryn’s attention. Then she read their intent. She cocked a side-eyed glance at Aidan, who was pretending not to notice any of this.

Just then, the sound of an approaching engine drew all their gazes. An open-top four-wheeled vehicle rolled into their little meadow. Priya was quick to draw her weapons.

Aidan waved for her to stand down. “It’s an envoy.”

Inscribed on the vehicle’s doors was a language Onnika couldn’t read, but she did recognize the Phase Nine symbol painted next it.

The driver had a very bird-like appearance with a small, beak-like mouth, but instead of feathers, he was coated in a beautiful sheen of green and purple fur. His eyes were large and very round with irises that almost glowed in those same iridescent colors.

“Welcome to Roukii, proud sponsors of Phase Seven. If you’ll all climb aboard, I’ll take you to the arena where some of your competitors are already enjoying our many amenities and tournaments.” If Onnika hadn’t read good intentions from him right away, his sharp-toothed grin would have made her want to race back ontoDragoon.

It did cause Caryn to sidle closer to Lear, who shot Asher a triumphant smirk.

Onnika claimed a window seat, with Aidan next to her. As they traveled a narrow roadway, a flock of four-legged creatures raced through the jungle beside them, bleating excitedly as they dodged and weaved past foliage. They were beautiful and sleek.

“You’ll want to stay away from the jungle unless in a large group,” their driver warned. “Many of the creatures here are predatory.”

Onnika shivered, noticing the rapacious leer in the creatures’ darting gazes.

Aidan leaned toward her and muttered, “Unless you’re the bigger predator.”

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