Dragon Heir: The Dragon Lord's Bride Book 3 (Dragon Shifter Romance) E-Book

Mac Flynn

• Herausgeber: Crescent Moon Studios, Inc.
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

Rose and William Thorn have returned to his manor for a much-needed vacation from adventure but adventure comes knocking on their door. Literally.

They are visited by three dragon shifters, the members of the council who have heard about their union and are making inquiries. However, Will senses they have an ulterior motive that spells trouble for his mate and him. That trouble involves an old foe who seeks revenge against Will and Rose for their first adventure together.

To complicate matters, Rose discovers she’s pregnant. The rare occurrence draws the keen interest of the council members and lures more trouble to the manor. As the problems mount and Rose’s pregnancy distracts Will, they find themselves trapped in a corner of lies and deceit. They must discover a way out before they lose everything.

Leseprobe

DRAGON HEIR

THE DRAGON LORD’S BRIDE BOOK 3

MAC FLYNN

CONTENTS

Copyright

Author’s Note

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Sneak Peek: Becoming a Goddess

A Small Favor

When’s the Next Book?

Series by Mac Flynn

About Mac Flynn

COPYRIGHT

Dragon Heir (The Dragon Lord’s Bride Book 3). Copyright © 2024 by Mac Flynn.

Published by Crescent Moon Studios, Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, disseminated, or transmitted in any form or by any or for any use, including recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written consent of the author and/or artist. The only except ions shirt excerpts or the cover image in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All the names, characters, organizations, places and events portrayed in this novel or on the cover are either products of the author’s or artist’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author or artist.

AUTHOR’S NOTE

Dear Reader,

Thank you so much for joining me on a journey through my imagination. If you’re looking for romance and adventure with a guaranteed Happily Ever After, then you’ve come to the right place. My books contain paranormal plotting and fantastical action, and I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them.

* * *

You can keep in touch with me by joining my newsletter or checking out my website for the latest updates.

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Thank you for giving my book a chance, and Happy Reading!

- Mac Flynn

CHAPTERONE

Sunshine. Sweet, bright warm sunshine.

I couldn’t have been happier laying there in our rear garden admiring the view of the cloud-free sky. The beautiful manor house glistened in the late-afternoon sun and the leaves on the trees bent at the slight breeze that blew past. Everything was perfect.

Too perfect. Like the handsome dragon man who lay beside me on the grass. I turned my head to admire his perfect features. His eyes were closed and a soft smile lay on his lips. The slight breeze ruffled his hairs and one of them lay askew over his nose.

I made to brush it away but his hand shot up and gently grasped my wrist. His eyes opened and fell on me. Even after all this time his penetrating gaze still made me blush. He drew my hand to his lips and kissed the back of my fingers.

“Have you found your proper rest?” he asked me.

I snorted. “It’s very restful here, yes.”

“Then you’re happy?”

I snuggled close to his side and rubbed my cheek against his shoulder. “Very happy.”

He looped his arm around my shoulders and drew me closer. His soothing warmth made me sleepy. I could have fallen into his arms and never gotten out and would have been in perfect bliss.

But bliss never lasts forever.

Will sat up and furrowed his brow as he looked to the distance. His stiff stance sent off warning bells in my mind and I sat up. My gaze invariably followed his and I beheld a blemish on the otherwise clear sky. The horizon to the west showed a faint shadow of something.

I squinted at the object. “What is that? A storm cloud?”

“Yes, but not in the way you’re thinking,” he told me as he climbed to his feet. He took my hand and pulled me up. “Go inside.”

I dug my heels into the grass and yanked on his arm. “What’s happening-” A sudden dizziness swept over my mind.

“Rose!” Will shouted as he caught me in his arms. He cradled me against his chest and looked me over with eyes filled with fear. “What is it? What’s the matter?”

I cupped my forehead in one hand and shook my head. “I-I don’t know. I suddenly don’t feel very well.”

Will pursed his lips before he lifted me into his arms. He carried me into the cool house where Raines met us. “Sir, what is the matter?”

“My wife almost fainted outside,” Will told him as he paused long enough to catch his servant’s eye. “Prepare for guests. The western horizon is darkening.”

A grim expression appeared on Raines’ face but he nodded his head and hurried off. Will carried me upstairs and to our room where he lay me on the bed. He knelt beside me and grasped my hand in one of his. “How are you feeling now?”

I turned my head and smiled at him. “I’m fine. I guess I got too much sunshine.”

He grabbed the folded blanket at the end of the bed and drew the cloth over me. “Stay here and rest. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

He stood but I grabbed his hand. “What’s going on? What was that cloud?”

Will stared at the wall in front of him as his brow darkened like the horizon. “Dragons.”

I blinked at him. “Dragons? Like you?”

A sneer touched the corner of his lips. “Not like me. They’re the council and what they want I cannot guess.”

I tried to sit up but my faintness hadn’t improved with his vague answers. The world spun around me and I dropped back onto the pillow. Will knelt beside the bed and grasped my hand between both of his.

“I promise you there’s no danger from them or anyone else,” he swore as a heavy knock came from downstairs. Someone was rapping on the door. He scowled at the bedroom entrance. “I have to go. I’ll be back in a moment.”

Will reluctantly slipped away and out of the room. I heard his hurried feet move down the stairs as the pounding increased. The door opened and a flurry of footsteps swept into the house. The floorboards clattered with the sound of their heavy boots and the air filled with their throaty complaints.

“About time!” an older gentleman snapped.

“Were you intending to keep us out in the cold?” a woman joined in. Her comment struck me as rather weird and I turned my head to look out the sunny window.

“My apologies,” Will replied as someone shut the door behind his guests. “I was preoccupied with other matters.”

“Matters more important than greeting the council?” the woman snapped.

“A moment.” The voice that spoke was different than the first two. It belonged to a gentleman and was as soft as the pillows beneath my head. “We have not come to invade you, Lord Thorn, but to give our greetings to your wife.”

“Is that all you wish to see me about, Lord Allard?” Will questioned him.

“What do you mean by that, hatchling?” the first gentleman piped up.

“Only that you have flown over a great distance to come here merely to see my bride when you could have met her at Mirum,” Will countered.

“You have not learned an ounce of manners since we last met,” the woman scolded him.

“Enough,” Lord Allard interrupted, and his stern voice silenced the bickering. “We did have other motives in coming here at this moment in time, Lord Thorn, but we do wish to see your wife.”

“My wife is currently taken ill,” Will replied. “Perhaps you may see her another time. Raines will show you to your rooms and I will join you in the parlor as soon as I am able.”

A huff came from the woman and a grumble from the other man, but they allowed Raines to lead them up the stairs. The set of heavy boots paused at the top of the steps. “Aren’t you coming, Lord Allard?”

“In a moment, Lord Ware,” the other lord promised.

The trio of footsteps continued and the hall fell silent. I strained my ears to hear anything more and I was rewarded when I detected a pair of light footsteps moving across the creaky boards. They came to the bedroom door and the entrance opened. Will stepped inside and behind him came a tall and slim gentleman. He was about seventy in appearance with gray whiskers and a smooth chin. His gray hair was combed back in a manner that suited his gaunt face. He wore a suit of fine linen and a gold watch hung on a chain attached to his breast pocket.

He smiled at me and I felt an immediate warmth flow over me. Will made sure to close the door before he led our guest over to the bed. I eased myself to a seated position as the two lords reached me.

Lord Allard looked me over for a moment before he nodded. “You are very lucky, Will. She is quite beautiful. All the more so for her condition.”

Both Will and I stared at him in confusion, and Will had a slight touch of worry over him as he caught his friend’s eyes. “Condition?”

Allard chuckled. “Have you not guessed? Your wife is pregnant.”

CHAPTERTWO

My mouth dropped open. Will, too, was frozen in place with a shocked expression on his face. He cleared his throat and somewhat recovered. “Are. . .are you sure?”

Allard chuckled. “I have been doing this for quite a few centuries.”

“But dragons can’t really have kids, right?” I asked the two more knowledgeable than me.

“They are quite rare but it is not impossible,” Allard replied.

I set my hand over my stomach and gaped at my midsection. “A. . .a baby? I’m really going to have a baby?”

“When?” Will questioned the doctor.

Allard’s eyes twinkled. “I would say in a few months. If you like, I could make a special house call and attend to the lovely bride myself. Admittedly, though, I do not have any experience with delivering dragon babies.”

Will clapped a hand on his shoulder. “You are the best doctor I know and we would be very grateful for any help you can offer.”

“Then it is a date,” Allard replied as he grinned down at me. “I look forward to seeing the beautiful baby, for it can be nothing else with such handsome parents.” I blushed at his kind words.

“Where is Lord and Lady Thorn?” the sharp female voice spoke up from downstairs.

“I believe they are still in the bedroom,” the male voice replied.

Allard lowered his voice to a whisper as heavy footsteps walked down the hall toward the bedroom door. “I recommend we keep this a secret from the others, at least for the time being.”

The door was flung open and a large woman sauntered in. She wore an old-fashioned Victorian dress with painfully high heels and a corset that made me wince. A floppy hat covered her bouncy black curls and her nose was perpetually lifted.

The woman was followed by a man half a head taller than her. He wore heavy walking boots, tan trousers, and a vest over a white shirt. His short dirty blond hair matched his clothing and he had the same disinterested expression as the woman. They were a perfect match for each other as they welcomed themselves into the room.

Raines followed behind them with a faint hint of displeasure on his usually stoic demeanor. “Lady Vargas and Lord Ware, My Lord. They insisted on meeting with you.”

“I insisted on nothing of the sort,” Vargas countered as she strolled over to the bed. She stopped at the foot and looked me over from the tip of her nose. “Hmm. Quite a pretty little thing, is she not?”

Lord Ware joined her at the foot and pressed his hands against the high board to examine me. I squirmed beneath their scrutiny. “Quite. A proper addition to our little group.”

Vargas turned to Allard and Will. “But what ails her? Surely nothing of the human sort.”

“Lady Thorn merely overexerted herself earlier and is in need of some rest,” Allard assured her.

Vargas nodded her head. “Good. Then we shall expect to see you down soon?”

“Of course,” Will assured her as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “But could you give us a moment?”

“Naturally,” Ware agreed as he pushed off from the foot. He turned to Raines. “Now what about that bath?”

“The water is warming at this moment, Lord Ware,” Raines promised.

“A bath!” Vargas mused as she looked down at herself. “What a wonderful pleasure after such a long flight!” She whisked herself out of the room and Ware tromped after her.

Raines followed behind them and cast a questioning glance at Will. He pursed his lips. “See that they’re made comfortable, and away.” Raines nodded and shut the door behind them.

I breathed a sigh of relief. “Well, I guess that interview went better than I expected.”

Will took a seat beside me and examined my face. “You still look pale. You should rest for a while.” He pressed a hand to my forehead and pursed his lips. “No fever. Thank goodness for that.”

My eyes twinkled at him. “Already worrying about the kid?”

He grinned. “Child and mother.”

Allard pressed his fisted hand against his mouth and cleared his throat. “I seem to be out of place here. If you will excuse me, I believe I will take up that tempting offer of a bath.” He bowed his head to us and slipped out of the room.

Will reluctantly stood but kept a gentle grip around one of my hands. “You’re sure you don’t want me to remain at your side? I would gladly risk their ire and be here with you.”

I laughed and wrapped my other hand around his. “I think you’d rather do a lot of other things than be with them, but I’ll be fine. I’ll probably just take a short nap and be awake in no time so we can suffer together.”

He leaned down and pressed a kiss against my forehead. “Sleep well.” He set his hand over my stomach and his expression softened. “Both of you.”

I was all aglow as he stepped away and out of the room. That is, until a faintness fell over me. I guess I really was more tired than I thought. A sigh escaped me as I leaned my head back and closed my eyes.

Sleep was soon mine, but it wouldn’t be undisturbed.

CHAPTERTHREE

I had the strangest dream. I lay in bed as I had done before I fell asleep. All was quiet and calm but for the muffled noises downstairs as the guests were pampered and pleased.

Then a noise disturbed me. I turned my head to look toward the window. A strange black thread slithered through the crack between the window panes and dropped to the floor with a soft thump. The thing was about a foot long and was very worm-like except for its completely blackened and spine-covered flesh. It lifted half of its body off the floor and turned its pointed end to and fro.

That’s when I noticed it. The single gray eye was as small as a pin and was embedded into the very tip of the creature’s ‘face.’ The hideous eye stopped on me and the thing trembled.

My heart pounded in my chest but I found I couldn’t move, much less scream. The thing crossed the rug and disappeared beside the bed before reappearing around one of the posts at the foot of the bed. Its slender body slid onto the sheets but paused. I felt as if the thing watched me for a moment before it slithered closer. Its body brushed against my leg and a chill ran down me. It felt as cold as ice.

It had reached my waist when a bright light emanated from my body and blinded me. It was a warm light but something in it alarmed me. Terror welled up as I was struck by the possibility that this wasn’t a dream. That this was real and I was in real danger. My horror gave me the strength to open my mouth.

I shot up in bed and screamed. Footsteps stampeded up the stairs and down the hall, and the door flew open. Will flew into the room with his eyes bright red. He rushed over to the bed and grasped my shaking hands.

“What is it?” he asked me as he looked me over. Raines hurried into the room with a washrag slung over one shoulder. Will didn’t even turn his head to snap off his command. “Close the door!” His servant did as he was bidden.

The light streaming through the window and Will’s presence made my terror vanish. Well, most of it.

I managed a shaky smile even as I clung to him. “I-it’s okay. I just had a bad dream.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Tell me about your dream.” I described what had happened and the more I revealed the deeper the shadow on his brow became. He whipped his head around to his servant. “The window.”

Raines rushed over to the glass and flung open the panes. He leaned out and inspected the area before he ducked back inside and shook his head. “I see nothing, My Lord.”

“It was probably just a dream,” I insisted.

Will, however, moved over to the foot of the bed. He brushed his hand against the post and came away with something slick and wet on his fingers. Will examined the strange liquid substance before his eyes trailed up the bed. He moved over to near where my stomach had laid and cupped part of the bedding in his hands.

I noticed something move that wasn’t part of the sheets and leaned forward. “What is it?”

He opened the folded sheets and revealed some blackened bits of ash. “The remains of our intruder.”

The color drained from my face. “Then I wasn’t dreaming?”

Will shook his head as he wrapped the ashes tight inside the sheets. “Unfortunately, no. It appears your magic destroyed whatever it was.” He stood, taking the top sheet with him. “From now on you must never be alone.”

My face drooped and I looked between the men as Raines came up to Will’s side. “Do I get a choice of who stays with me?”

“We will keep watch and I believe Lord Allard will help us,” Will told me.

Speak of the devil and he will come. A knock was heard on the door and Lord Allard’s voice called through the wood. “Lord Thorn? Is everything alright?”

“Let him in,” Will instructed his servant.

Raines strode over to the entrance and opened the door. He made sure the hall was empty before he stepped aside. “Please come in here, Your Lordship.”

The doctor stepped inside and Will closed the door behind him. I was beginning to feel a draft from all the times that the door was being opened and shut this morning. The other lord took one look at my face and frowned. “What has happened?”

“Something tried to attack my bride,” Will informed him as he met the doctor halfway across the room. He opened the sheets in his hand. “Do you know what this is?”

Allard leaned closer and squinted his eyes. “It appears to be the ashened remains of something.”

“A black worm,” Will told him.

The lord lifted an eyebrow. “What sort of worm?”

He wrapped the bundle tightly and shook his head. “I cannot say but my bride’s magic destroyed it. It came in through the window and I believe it attempted to attack her.”

Allard folded his arms and furrowed his brow. “This is most suspicious.”

I blinked at him. “What is?”

“That we should arrive only shortly before you were attacked by an unknown assailant,” the doctor explained.

“Were you at all followed?” Will questioned him.

Allard shook his head. “Not that I saw but I must admit I was not paying attention to my surroundings.”

“All the more reason Rose should not be left alone,” Will insisted as he settled his eyes on me. “I will take the first watch.”

Allard clapped a hand on his friend’s shoulder and smiled. “That will only last until my compatriots are finished with their cleansing. They wish to be shown about the grounds, particularly Lord Ware.”

“Why him?” I spoke up. “Does he think that there’s danger out there?”

Our guest sighed. “Unfortunately, his intentions are much more mundane. He is curious to know what sort of game you have around here for him to hunt.”

“I will import game if that will distract him,” Will promised.

Allard chuckled as he drew his hand back. “Then I look forward to flocks rising from the bushes like flies from a fresh pile of dung. In the meantime, I will finish cleaning the travel dust off myself and see myself fit to take a watch over your lovely bride.”

“I would rather watch over her myself for a while,” Will insisted.

The lord was unvexed as he bowed his head. “Very well. Then I will see you both in a short while.” And with that pronouncement he left.

Will turned to me and I shrugged. “I guess we’re both getting what we want.”

He lifted an eyebrow. “How so?”

I grinned. “You get to keep me nearby and if there’s any trouble you won’t be in it without me.”

Will sighed and resumed his seat on the side of the bed. “So it appears.”

I set my hand over his and looked into his eyes. “It’ll be okay. I mean, we’ve faced an ancient monster and won. How much worse could it get?”

Famous last words.

CHAPTERFOUR

Raines left to attend to his chores and the two of us waited with baited breath for our guests to finish their preening. After a time the door opened and Raines made his reappearance. “They are ready for their tour, My Lord.”

Will stood and nodded. “Tell them we’ll be down forthwith.” Raines bowed his head and shut the door.

Will turned to me and offered me his hands. “Ready?”

I snorted and set my hands in his palms. “More ready than you.” He helped me stand but I tripped over my own feet and fell against him. I sheepishly smiled up at him as his eyes twinkled with mischief.

“You were saying?” he wondered.

I dropped my gaze and plucked at the collar of his shirt. “I was just saying that you don’t have to worry. You’re always there when I stumble and I’ll be ready to catch you when you need me to.”

Will leaned down and pressed our lips together in a gentle kiss. Still, I was left breathless by the sign of affection as he drew away. “I know. All my worry is that you will let your curiosity lead you away from me.”

I grinned. “I’ll make sure to keep it in check, at least while we have company.”

“And after?” he wondered.

I wagged my eyebrows at him. “Well, after that I’ll be the only thing you have to worry about, so I’ll keep you on your toes.”

He wrapped an arm around my back and drew me against his side. “Then I’ll be sure to keep an eye on you and more afterward. Now let us see how we can entertain our guests.”

We exited our bedroom and joined the others down in the foyer. I couldn’t help but remember the first time I’d stumbled through those two doors searching for help. It turned out that I’d found the right place, even if I hadn’t known it at the time.

Lord Ware was dressed in rough attire with coarse pants and a heavy jacket. He carried a sword on his hip and a hungry look in his eyes. “Your servant tells me you have quite a bit of game on your lands.”

Will nodded. “Enough to satisfy me ad any friends who come calling.”

Ware puffed out his ample chest. “Then I will take that as an invitation to make use of my hunting prowess and bag myself some of your fine birds.”

Lady Vastag rolled her eyes. She was dressed in a casual if old-fashioned flowery dress and a wide-brimmed hat adorned her head. The lady held her purse in her hand and heels adorned her feet. She looked the epitome of a woman about to go out on the town.

Will examined her and cleared his throat. “Perhaps you would like to sit on one of the balconies overlooking the forest and see the sights from there, Lady Vastag?”

She sniffed the air. “You forget to whom you are speaking, Lord Thorn, or have you forgotten the great battle over the fallen capital of Edimien?”

Ware scoffed. “That was an age ago, Lady Vastag. You have grown-” He stopped himself when she gave him a sharp look.

“I have grown what, Lord Ware?” she challenged him with more than a little hiss in her voice. “Wiser? More fashion-conscious?”

He swallowed hard and bobbed his head. “Just so, My Lady. Your fashion sense will be a, um, asset on the hunt.”

Lady Vastag grinned. “Of course it will. Now shall we be off?”

She took the lead and Ware, glum and pouting, shuffled behind her. Raines and Allard were after them and Will and I brought up the rear. My mate kept his arm securely wrapped around one of mine as we stepped out into the fresh air of the wilderness that surrounded the beautiful manor house. I hadn’t had too much time to enjoy the woods so I took in the sights with fresh eyes.

The lovely trees provided us with a cooling shade and I heard the faint call of small birds all around us. The scenery would have been even more pleasant were it not for the sight of Lady Vastag marching down the path. Her heels sank into the dirt in more than one spot and she occasionally stumbled over an exposed root.

I leaned toward Will and lowered my voice to a whisper. “Fallen capital of Edimien?”

He nodded. “One of the older human settlements. It attempted to conquer many of its neighbors and we dragons intervened on their behalf after they came to plead their case.”

I lifted an eyebrow. “So you guys do get involved in those sorts of things?”

“When the need arises. Their need was great as the people of the empire were a bloodthirsty lot. Much of the dark magic spells that exist now were created by them.”

I wrinkled my nose as I thought back through our adventures with magic. “So was that one spell Baddock tried to use on me one of them?”

“Undoubtedly. Only the people of Edimien would have had the knowledge and the temerity to craft a spell that used the blood of a dragon bride.”

Ware’s face became even more downcast the further we traveled down one of the wide trails. After a few minutes he glanced over his shoulder at us. “I thought you said there were many birds out here.”

Will nodded. “There are but they have to be scared out.”

The lord wrinkled his nose. “And how do we do that?”

Vastag stopped and spun around to face us where she rolled her eyes. “You old fool. How long has it been since you were out hunting?”

He scowled at her. “I have not the opportunity to hunt on my own grounds!”

“And why not?”

He pressed his lips together and turned his face away from all of us. A few mumbled words came from him.

Vastag cupped a hand over one ear. “What was that? Speak up.”