them more, tightening bonds between friends, and creating new allies.
When the day came that he felt the call of the magic inside him once more, he knew what it meant. This time, he was prepared. He’d spent his years as King of Golds, watching the King of Kings. So, when the magic pushed him, he didn’t hesitate to challenge their leader.
And when he stood over the fallen dragon and watched as every Dragon King on the realm stood before him and lowered their heads in deference, he knew this was his destiny.
Life was good. Very good. As well as extremely busy, but Con loved every minute of it.
“You have females trying to get your attention,” Ulrik said via their mental link.
Con turned his head from watching dragons train as Ulrik landed beside him. “I’m aware.”
“Do none of them appeal to you?”
Con sighed. Ulrik had asked this many times, and quite frankly, Con was tired of answering it. “You know they doona.”
“I’m hoping you’ll finally tell me why.”
Con looked toward the Dragonwood. “Come with me.”
He flew off with Ulrik right behind him. Con didn’t stop until he found the clearing in the wood where the magic felt the strongest to him.
Once they landed, he faced Ulrik and said, “I can remember being just days old when I joined my parents in flight to celebrate our new King.”
“Aye. You’ve told me about it,” Ulrik said, his obsidian dragon eyes observant.
“What I didna tell you was that, on that day, I knew I’d be King.”
“Most younglings want to be King.”
“I didna want it. I knew it. There’s a difference.”
Ulrik’s eyes widened. “I see. And your current role?”
Con shrugged but didn’t look away. “What would you say if I told you that I also had a feeling some time ago that I would be King of Kings?”
“I know you’ve wanted it for some time. It was obviously meant to be yours.”
“Then I hope you will understand what I’m about to tell you. I will have a mate.”
Ulrik chuckled softly. “I sincerely hope so. There’s many a female dying for you to pick them.”
“It willna be a dragon.”
Ulrik’s smile died. “How is that possible?”
“I can no’ explain it. It’s just something I know. Here,” Con said and touched his chest where his heart was.
Ulrik blew out a breath. “Looks like we better prepare for the future, because if your mate isna a dragon, then something is coming.”
CHAPTER ONE
Dreagan
Something else had come.
How naïve Con had been to gleefully look forward to such an event. The mortals had changed everything.
Con stared at the rising sun, his mind drifting back in time. He wondered what his father would have said if he were here now. His sire had been wise, always thinking through every scenario to ensure that he took the best path.
If only Con had been able to do the same. Though hindsight was 20/20. Still, if Con hadn’t known with such certainty that his mate wasn’t a dragon, he might not have welcomed the humans so quickly.
Doona lie to yourself.
He closed his eyes and blew out a frustrated breath. No matter how much he hated it, his conscience was right. He detested killing so much that he wouldn’t have done that to the mortals. And sending them off to find another realm would’ve been akin to murder.
“I had no other choice,” he whispered as he opened his eyes to the first rays of light cresting the mountains surrounding Dreagan.
His aversion to taking a life had put him and his Kings where they were now—hiding and fighting for their very existence. He had no idea where the dragons were. Not a day went by that he didn’t think of his Golds, wondering if they were safe and thriving. All the while, praying that he hadn’t sent them to their deaths.
He’d been feeling a lot of regret lately. In fact, there seemed to be no end to it. But maybe, just maybe, if he were lucky, he could change a few things before his time was up.
Con wasn’t sure if he was prepared for the challenge. And, quite frankly, he was having a hard time finding the courage to start. Yet all he had to do was think about his brethren, and he knew he’d do whatever it took to ensure their happiness and survival. Not because it was his obligation, but because the Dragon Kings and their mates were his family.
He inwardly winced when he heard a knock at the door. In all the millions of years