The Dragon's Queen: A Dragon Shifter Romance (Falling For a Dragon Book 5) E-Book

Mac Flynn

• Herausgeber: Crescent Moon Studios, Inc.
• Kategorie: Fantasy und Science-Fiction
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023

Beschreibung

Kate and Ros’ final adventure takes them to the ends of the world as they dig deep into the world’s past to decipher the problems of the present.

Their destination is the fabled city of Baheal, a city so old it was lost long before the Pactus were created, but first they have to find the location. That isn’t an easy matter when every ship on the high seas refuses to take them past the dark shadows that surround Umbria, the kingdom of their nemesis, Corvinus. The machinations of the King of Shadows work against them, thwarting their every move as they try to pass over the rough and uncharted western seas.

An old friend comes to their aid, and on the waves they discover that Kate has come away from the adventure in the capital city of Cunabourne with a few changes. The goddess’ words ring in her mind as they near the end of their odyssey, and she begins to wonder if she’ll return as herself, or something else. With Ros at her side and the future ahead uncertain, they face their greatest trials with one thing certain.

If one falls, they both fall.

Leseprobe

THE DRAGON'S QUEEN

Falling For A Dragon Book 5

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

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Sneak Peek: The Dragon’s Maiden

A Small Favor

When’s the Next Book?

Series by Mac Flynn

About Mac Flynn

COPYRIGHT

The Dragon’s Queen (Falling For A Dragon Book 5). Copyright © 2023 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

The feel of the soft port breeze. The scent of the wide, clean ocean. The odor of the bird poop on the rotten nets beside me.

I took in all these sights and smells with impatient, and slightly nauseous, curiosity. Boredom was my companion as I sat atop a hard wooden crate. The busy port of Cunabourne lay about me. Workers with arms thicker than my hips strode to and fro, many carrying one or two barrels or boxes on their broad shoulders. The ships were tied to the weathered pier posts or lay anchor in the deeper dark blue waters of the bay.

A handsome man, my future husband, weaved his way through the motions of life around him. I could tell by his slow gait as he approached me that things hadn’t gone very well. “No luck?”

He dropped onto the net-covered crate beside me and shook his head. “Nobody will take us westward, especially past Umbria. Apparently after our escape from the castle Corvinus put up blockades around the waters of his domain, and any ship that passes may be searched at any time, including being forced into a dry dock inside one of his pistrix, if their ship will fit.”

I blinked at him. “His what?”

“The pistrix are the water versions of his huge tela, that is, his flying ships, but even larger than those,” Ros explained as he leaned his back against a pile of crates behind us. “They’re capable of opening their bows and pulling in any ship attached to their merciless hooks.” A dark cloud settled on his brow as he shook his head. “I’ve never seen a ship escape them.”

One of his words brought to mind a question that had lingered in the back of my mind since I first came to this world. “They aren’t powered like the airships, are they?”

He shook his head. “No, they have sails and have been in use for quite some time. My father mentioned seeing one of the first ones built when he was young.”

I furrowed my brow. “So, we still don’t know how those ships fly, unless they really are powered by turtles.”

He managed a grin. “If they are, then I have to admire the pluck of the pilotles.” His good humor faded as he looked out over the vast horizon that stretched before us. “Would that we could find one of those…”

I swept my eyes over the many rough men around us who plied their trades. “There isn’t anyone you know who could take us?”

Ros pursed his lips. “I know of one man who might. You know him, as well.”

I blinked at him a moment before it dawned on me. “Fantoma?”

Ros nodded. “Yes. The good captain fears no one and, as proven in the bay of Umbria, he finds it quite thrilling to disobey rules.” He furrowed his brow. “How we are to find him, however, is the mystery.”

“What about Sissy?” I suggested as I looked over my shoulder in the direction of the Lacuna Markets. “She might know where he is.”

My companion shook his head. “If she did, he would be buried beneath some rather harsh letters.”

I shrugged. “What other choice do we have?”

Ros sighed but climbed to his feet and turned to offer me a hand and a faint smile. “Let’s go see Sissy before Collins worries that we have fallen into the bay.”

We hurried off into the maze that was the Lacuna Markets. The market was in full swing, with vendors shouting their wares and a full crowd ogling at all the myriad of trade goods that swarmed in from the port. With Ros’ guidance, we quickly found the Stern Stalls. Sissy was busy with another customer but shot us a look of curiosity mixed with annoyance.

Ros returned it with a mischievous smile before he guided us over to a far corner out of the way of the trade. As we took our seats on a well-positioned bale, the five-year-old girl from before bounced out of the tent. She noticed us and her red eyes widened.

I gave her an encouraging smile and beckoned to her. She cast an uneasy look between her mother and us before she reluctantly eased over to us, though she stopped a few feet short of our position.

“Hello there,” I greeted as the young girl bowed her head and clasped her hands behind her back. “I’m Kate, and this is Ros. What’s your name?”

She caught her mother’s eye, who frowned but gave a slight nod. “I’m Stela.”

I scooted to the end of the bale closer to her. “That’s a very pretty name.”

Her face brightened a little and she raised her head. “You’re nice. Much nicer than most of the people who come to the market.”

I tilted my head to one side. “How do you know that?”

Stela winced and bit her lower lip. Her red eyes glowed a little brighter than I remembered. “No reason…”

Ros stiffened a little by my side, though by this time Sissy had finished her business with her customer and strode over to us. She stopped beside her daughter and crossed her arms over her chest. “You have your bales, so what are you doing here?”

“We were wondering if you might know where the captain was hiding out,” Ros revealed.

Sissy scoffed and rolled her eyes. “If I knew then I’d have thrown him off the deck of his own ship long ago.” Her keen eyes flickered between us. “But you’re better off finding yourselves another captain. That scoundrel is as reliable as the ocean itself.”

Ros shook his head. “We can’t find someone else for this voyage.”

Sissy shrugged. “Well, I don’t know where he is, and I don’t know of anyone who can help you.”

“I know where Daddy is.”

The conversation came to a standstill as we all turned our eyes to the little girl who stood beside her mother. Stela shrank beneath the attention.

Sissy frowned as she knelt down and grasped her daughter’s shoulders. “What do you mean, honey?”

Stela bowed her head a little. “Daddy sometimes tells me where he is…”

Sissy searched her daughter’s worried face. “Through your eyes?” Stela nodded. “So, you know when he’s nearby?”

Stela shook her head. “No. When I think about him real hard, I can see where he is. Sometimes he knows I’m there and shows me around.” Her face brightened a little and a faint smile touched her lips. “He goes to so many nice places, Mama! There are islands and birds and strange people!”

Sissy pursed her lips before she looked up at us. “Inside the tent.”

CHAPTERTWO

Sissy grasped her daughter’s hand and tugged her into the tent where we followed them. Our hostess closed the flaps behind us and turned to face her daughter. Stela had climbed onto a short stool and clutched her pants in her balled hands.

Sissy strode over and knelt in front of her daughter. “Stela, you know Mama told you never to use those eyes.”

Tears sprang into Stela’s eyes. “I-I know, but Daddy wanted to talk to me, and I couldn’t talk back unless I used them.”

The corners of Sissy’s lips tightened, and I glimpsed a flash of fury in her eyes. The look was not for her dearest daughter, however, as she smiled at her. “What exactly did Daddy tell you?”

Stela dropped her ruby eyes to the floor and rubbed a toe into the carpeted ground. “He told me if I was ever in trouble I could go to the stinky hole and find a quiet man there. He’d help me get to Daddy.”

Sissy’s eyebrows crashed down. “Do you know this quiet man?”

Stela shook her head. “No, but Daddy said he’d always be there waiting, so I’d only have to ask to see Daddy to go to him.”

“Where is this stinky hole?” Ros spoke up.

Stela sniffled, but pointed her finger toward a corner of the tent. “It’s that way. Behind a bunch of bars that I can fit through if I squeeze real tight.”

Ros folded his arms over his chest. “The Gross Grotto.”

Sissy studied her daughter’s face for a brief moment before she looked up at us. “I know you, dragon. You’ll undoubtedly go there. When you find that son of a bitch, you tell him to-”

“Mama!” Stela pleaded as she grasped her mother’s hand between both of her own and gave a tug. “Please don’t be mad at him! He only wanted to help me! And he always told me to listen to you and be a good girl!”

Sissy pursed her lips before a sigh escaped them, and she returned her attention to us. “Whatever Fantoma has waiting there, use it to find him.”

“No message for him?” Ros wondered.

Sissy opened her mouth a few times before the words finally came out. “Tell him… tell him he’d better not get himself killed. Not until I have a chance to do it myself.”

Ros smiled before he turned to me. “Then we have our route.”

A sudden and disagreeable thought struck me. “How do we know the captain’s going to be waiting for us on the other side?”

Stela’s face fell and she dropped her hands to her front where the fingers fidgeted with each other. “Papa said he would be there right now because his ship is hurt…”

Ros lifted an eyebrow. “His ship is damaged?” Stela’s reply was a simple nod.

“Is that something strange?” I wondered.

He nodded. “The gift of his eyes allows him to see any storm or rock that lies ahead. Because of that, it’s been many years since he’s been caught unawares.”

A bitter snort came from Sissy. “Gift? A gift that kills them and leaves their wives and mothers to mourn them before they’re even forty?”

Stela’s forlorn demeanor made me kneel down in front of her and catch her eye. “What’s wrong?”

She bit her lower lip in a manner that made her look absolutely adorable. “Papa said his ship was hurt, but he… I could feel something was wrong.”

“So, you don’t really believe that?” I guessed.

Stela shook her head. “No, but Papa won’t tell me what’s wrong.”

Sissy crossed her arms over her chest and frowned. “Go see what that fool is up to and stop him from doing it before I’ve had my ‘talk’ with him.”

Ros smiled and bowed his head. “We will.”

Stela grasped my hands and caught my eyes. “You’re going to see Daddy?”

I smiled and patted the top of her hands. “I hope so.”

“Could you-” She cast a furtive look at her mother before she resumed speaking but in a whispered voice. “Could you tell Daddy that I hope his ship feels better soon, and that I want to see it for real?”

I nodded. “I’ll do that.”

A smile brightened her face, and she released me from her gentle grasp. “And tell him I love him, too!”

Sissy rolled her eyes, but a ghost of a smile touched the corners of her lips. “Alright, that’s enough of that. Get along with you and try not to get yourselves killed with that fool at the helm.”

Ros and I left the tent and made our way through the crowded market. I looked up at my handsome companion. “Do you think there’s a trap waiting in the grotto for unwelcome guests?”

He shrugged. “Perhaps, but perhaps not. The grotto has been sealed for many years and if Fantoma believed it to be a place safe enough for his daughter to venture into without being stopped then there may be nothing more than a tunnel waiting for us.”

I furrowed my brow as I thought back to what Stela had said. “A tunnel, and a quiet man.”

Ros pursed his lips before he nodded. “Yes. He is what I’m worried about.”

“You mean why would somebody be waiting in a stinky tunnel for a little girl?” I guessed.

“In a word, yes.”

My eyes were full of mischief as I looked down at myself. “I could put on a dress and pigtails and pass myself off as Stela.”

Ros grinned. “I’m glad to say that your figure is too womanly to pass off as a girl, and have you forgotten that you are now my wife?”

My smile softened and I looped my arms around one of his limbs. “How could I forget? Though I’ve been forgetting to ask what sort of perks a princess gets around here.”

His playful eyes smiled down at me. “The usual for the wife of a second son. A lot of travel and hard ground to sleep on, with some danger thrown into the mix.”

I lay the side of my head against his arm. “Sounds like we’ve been on our honeymoon this entire time.”

“The honeymoon features some added monsters and a few more pilotles.”

I snorted. “Just as long as they’re the friendly kind. I’d hate to have a shell dive-bombing me like in a video game.” He gave me a quizzical look, and I shook my head. “Now that’s a story too long to tell right now. Don’t we have a grotto to visit?”

He nodded. “Yes, but first we should return to the house. I have a feeling this will mean a long journey and we need to be prepared.”

We returned to the house we had called our own for several weeks, and a feeling of sadness washed over me. I paused at the foot of the walk and looked up at its majesty.

Ros stopped a few steps ahead and turned to me. “Is something wrong?”

I gave him a bittersweet smile. “It’s been kind of nice living in one spot for a while. Reminds me of my old life.”

His face fell and he returned to my side. He looped an arm around my waist and studied my face. “We’ve hardly had a moment to rest, haven’t we?”

I snorted. “Yeah. It’s been one wild adventure after another.”

He pursed his lips. “Perhaps… after we’ve returned to this island… perhaps we might find a quiet place to tend to ourselves instead of the world.”

I smiled up at him. “I’d like that. A lot.”

“Then let’s get this adventure finished,” he mused as he guided me up the walk. “And then we’ll find a place to call our own where we might have a little time to ourselves-”

The front door swung open and her majesty, and Ros’ mother, Queen Antonia Prasinus stepped out into the bright light. She had a warm smile on her lips and an elegant but low-key gown over her body. I couldn’t help but recall my private conversation with the goddess masquerading as a human where she had admitted to me that I was her reflection from another world.

To say it was mind-blowing was an understatement, and I was still unsure how I felt about such a revelation.

“Mother?” Ros wondered as we reached the front door.

Tia stepped aside and swept her arm into the entrance hall. “I wanted to visit you once more before you went off.”

Ros lifted an eyebrow as we slipped past his mother. “How did you know we were leaving?”

Her smile took on a more mischievous look as she closed the door behind us. “A mother knows these things.”

“And you do not stay in one place very long,” a voice chimed in, and Ros’ brother Trent appeared in the doorway to the parlor. “We also have some very good spies in the capital.”

“They didn’t happen to tell you how we could charter a ship?” Ros mused as we met as a group in the hall.

Trent shook his head. “Unfortunately, no. Your search was far more thorough than even ours, and no captain would venture past the waters of Umbria.”

Tia set a hand on my arm, and I turned my face to meet her curious eyes. “Have you found a way yet?”

I shrugged. “We might have, but we have to go to the grotto to find out.”

Trent lifted an eyebrow and used a hand to gesture to the parlor. “Perhaps you should tell your tale in here.”

CHAPTERTHREE

We ventured into the parlor, and I was surprised to find our bags packed and seated near the door. I nodded at our small bit of luggage. “You guys were that fast?”

“I took the liberty to pack,” Brother Collins spoke up as the man himself appeared behind our two guests. A bemused smile played across his lips as the rest of us took our seats about the room. “I assumed you would come back successful and ventured to prepare for the journey.”

Ros pursed his lips as he studied the three bags. “You packed one too many.”

I frowned at him. “I’m not being-”

“Not you,” Ros interrupted me as he lifted his eyes to our loyal friend. “You.”

Brother Collins started back. “But why should I remain behind?”

“We need someone to venture overland and watch the ports for us in case we should find some trouble on the seas,” Ros insisted.

Our friend gathered himself and shook his head. “I would much rather remain with you and-”

“Fewer people makes for quicker travel,” Ros countered as he strode over to Collins and set a hand on the distraught man’s shoulder. He smiled into the worried eyes of our friend. “And you will not be useless, nor do I expect you to take this task lightly. I expect an update when one is necessary.”

Collins sighed, but a slight smile touched his lips. “The usual method?”

Ros nodded. “The usual method, old friend.”

Trent rose from his chair. “If you are worried about intelligence, I might gather it for you along the coast. I know those roads and inns as well as anyone, and money speaks very loudly where chatter is not welcome.”

Ros smiled at his brother. “I would ask you, but your presence would alert our foes to our coming.”

“Then they should go together,” Tia spoke up.

Her sons looked at her as though she had gone mad, and Trent shook his head. “I fail to understand you, Mother.”

She chuckled. “Because you are accustomed to lurking in the shadows beneath your hood or venturing along the roads in full regalia. Both may be necessary here, so why not follow along with Brother Collins, and be both his companion and his distraction should one be needed? If the King of Shadows does indeed have spies, which none of us doubts, then you may prove a good distraction from Ros and Kate.”

Trent let out a laugh. “So that I might be a decoy for my little brother?”

She smiled and bowed her head. “Precisely.”

Trent turned to Ros and me, and I noticed my dragon husband looked a little on the apprehensive side. Trent, however, grinned at him. “What do you say to that, Ros?”

“I say you’re taking a great risk,” Ros mused.

Trent clapped his brother on the back. “Yes, but for a noble and world-encompassing cause! What more could a prince of Hadrianus do but answer such a call?” He turned to Collins without waiting for a reply. “And I shall be your shadow, if you will have me.”

Collins bowed his head. “It would be an honor.”

Ros cleared his throat. “Whatever happens, I don’t want either of you to reveal yourselves unless absolutely necessary.”

Collins offered his friend a small smile. “Of course, sir. We will remain as discreet as possible for as long as possible.”

“I shall pack my own belongings and meet you here within the hour,” Trent announced before he stepped forward and grasped one of my hands and one that belonged to Ros. “And the same scolding goes to you two, as well. Keep yourselves covered by anonymity and bring yourselves home.”

Ros set his hand atop his brother’s and nodded. “We will and thank you.”

Trent smiled and slipped out of the room. As he passed his mother, she reached out a hand to him. He grasped it for a moment before he hurried on his way. At his departure, she rose and clasped her hands in front of her before she walked over to us. “You have come but briefly, and swift is your departure.” A few loose tears strayed into her eyes. “Whatever happens, wherever you are, know that I will always be proud of you.”

Ros gave her a gentle smile and wrapped his arms around her in a soft hug. “Thank you, Mother. I will keep your words with me.”

Tia looked over his shoulder and smiled at me before she pulled them apart. “Might I speak with your beautiful bride a moment alone before you fly away to the far seas?”

Ros looked at her with curiosity but nodded and left the room with Collins at his back, making sure to close the doors behind them. To say I was nervous in the presence of such an ancient creature would be an understatement, but her kind smile helped to alleviate some of my unease.

She grasped both my hands and studied my face. “My echo. My shadow. My other self. Great is the journey you are about to begin, and there will be many perils.”

I snorted. “I think that’s pretty much all this world has for me.”

Her smile widened. “Whatever happens, know that I pray for both of you, and I look forward to the day when you will find yourself, and the path that is set for you.”

I furrowed my brow. “You mean as a goddess?”

She chuckled, and the noise echoed over the room like the din of tiny bells. “If that is your path then I welcome you with open arms to our company, but the true answer lies ahead of you.”

I sighed. “On Baheal, if we can get to it.”

She nodded. “Yes, and I have faith that together you two will reach that place and find the answers you seek. For now, I wish you a good journey, and may you return to us very soon.”

She stepped back and her hands slipped out of mine. The goddess gifted me with one last bright smile before she turned to the doors and stepped out into the hall. Ros and Collins stood together on the opposite side and spoke in low tones.

Tia clucked her tongue as she approached them. “I have seen such looks when you ventured to steal a raft and sail out to the far islands. What are you two up to now?”

Ros lifted his head and smiled at his mother. There was a mischievous glint in his eyes. “We were merely wondering what you two were talking about.”

Tia waved her hand in front of her face. “Nothing more than some feminine advice. Now then, when do you leave?”

He grasped her upper arms and his expression softened. “Immediately, if you’re done with my bride, though I must admit I’m sorry to leave so soon.”

She shook her head. “Nonsense. You were born to search for adventure.”

His good humor faltered a little. “I have been doing that quite a while, haven’t I?”

Tia patted him on the shoulder. “You will find your harbor one day. For now, enjoy the seas and what they have to offer.”

“In moderation,” I added as I joined the trio.

Ros’ eyes twinkled with glee. “Even the ladies?”

I snorted. “Especially the ladies.”

“Then I won’t deter this beautiful lady any longer,” he mused as he pecked a kiss on his mother’s cheek. “Goodbye, Mother, and we’ll see you soon.”

Her eyes glistened as she nodded. “The gods willing.”

We parted from our friends and ventured out of the house with our luggage in sacks thrown over our shoulders. I couldn’t help but pause at the end of the walk and turn back toward the home. Collins and Tia stood on the threshold in front of the open door, and at my turning she gave me a wave while Collins bowed his head. I gave them a smile before I rejoined Ros a few steps ahead.

Something told me a lot would happen before we met again. If we met again.

CHAPTERFOUR

I couldn’t help but feel a little glum as we meandered through the streets of the grand capital city.

Ros looped his arm around my waist and drew me close against his side. “Would you rather stay with them?”

I shook off my dark thoughts and smiled up at him. “What do you think?”

He stared ahead and playfully furrowed his brow. “I think you would rather be at a very nice restaurant eating your most favored food with only me for company.”

I snorted. “Are you sure I wouldn’t be happy alone with the platter of shrimp?”

Ros grinned down at me. “So, shrimp is your favored food?”

I shrugged. “A girl has to have her weakness. I hope you’re not partially related to them.”

He flashed me a sly, crooked grin. “We don’t talk about them outside of family discussions.”

I lifted an eyebrow. “Any other family I need to know about before we get married? I won’t be ostracized if I hate oysters, will I?”

“You have nothing to worry about so long as Unda approves of our marriage,” he teased.

A thought struck me that made me wince. “That’s almost not funny. We’ve met enough gods to know that there’s probably a lot more out there, and the god of the sea may think I’m too much of a fish out of water to approve of our marriage.”

His smile softened and he pressed a gentle kiss on my forehead. “Anyone who knows you would disagree with your statement, and if I need to go against the wishes of Unda himself to marry you then I would.”

“So, I can eat all the shrimp I want?” I teased.

He nodded. “All the shrimp, and more.” He stared ahead of us, and his smile dropped into a frown. “But let’s focus on the trials ahead. We must see who waits for us at the grotto.”

Ros guided me through the complicated ancient city and to the far eastern half of the metropolis. The ruins that dotted the city were more plentiful in this portion, and many of the ancient foundations stuck out of the ground and stood like forgotten sentinels glaring down at us for intruding on their slide into weathered oblivion. The crumbling walls were so high and so close together that I felt like a rat in a maze, trapped within those stone bases where the only noise was the rustling of dead leaves and the faint whisper of wind like ghostly voices.

“What I wouldn’t do for a child crying…” I murmured to myself.

“We’re almost there,” Ros assured me as we rounded a sharp corner.