Tropical Dragons Series Box Set - Naomi Lucas Page 0,1

also dead. She passed during childbirth, taking with her my sister. Esteus refused to take another bride after that.

Much to the dismay of the other older women who wanted a man.

There are two more men in our tribe, both even older than Esteus. Pernis, my grandfather, and Oled, the monarch before Esteus took his place. Oled fathered three sons, all given to other tribes, while Pernis fathered only daughters, including my mother Ismene. Pernis and Oled both pilgrimed to us at Shell Rock many, many years ago.

Oled’s from the Sand’s Hunters tribe, where Leith and I are setting off to today.

We all hope Leith blesses the Sand’s Hunters with three sons as Oled blessed us several generations ago.

But those sons, if they come to pass, will be given to the other tribes. Clean bloodlines are paramount. We’ve all heard what happens when a tribe grows greedy. The stories of those horrors fill my head to this day.

The mermaids vow to take away their blessings, if ever an event should unfold again.

I watch as Leith goes to each of the villagers and hugs them tightly. They give him blessings of their own and gifts to start him on his journey. Necklaces of shells, abalone bags, scarves of colorful bird feathers, and animal hides to give his wife. A few tell bawdy jokes about how to please a female, while others gift ointments of virility for him to use.

Swallowing thickly, I can’t help the gripping sorrow in my chest. Hiding my emotions has been difficult, but like always, Tulia notices and limps to my side, well away from the others.

“The women of Sand’s Hunters will be celebrating for weeks, seasons even,” she says.

I keep my voice low. “I wish we could celebrate too.”

“You want a man for yourself.” It’s not a question. I’ve always wanted a male. She knows that more than anyone. Except maybe Aida…

But Tulia knows my truth. She knows more about me than anyone else. Tulia will be the youngest in our tribe, once Leith and I leave. But she didn’t want a man, having taken a female lover near eight years past. Nell loves my half-sister as Tulia loves her. Even if Tulia was offered a man with her broken leg, she never would. Never.

Hiding back a wince, her words hurt. More than anything I want a man. I yearn for one. “I’m frightened,” I whisper.

Leith goes to stand before our father, and our father gifts him the oar to the raft.

Tulia takes my clammy hand. “You are not alone.”

I squeeze her hand, much like how I squeezed Leith’s earlier, and nod, letting go. I check my bow and arrows, my knife hooked at my side, and the fishing nets draping down my left arm before approaching the raft.

My father gives me a solemn look as he leans down to kiss my cheek, whispering, “Deliver Leith safely. He may one day be our salvation, Issa.”

He didn’t have to say it. I already knew. I’ve heard it every day since Leith’s birth. But I take his words to heart, like I always do, and kiss his cheek back.

He peers up at the comet over us and I follow his gaze. “Be careful. Extra so, daughter,” he warns.

A shiver jolts through me. “I’ll protect him with my life.”

He pats my shoulder as I turn away. I push the raft into the water, and Leith jumps in.

And we’re off.

2

Mating Call

The water crashes and churns and swirls as we travel north. The mermaids follow and guide us through the rocks past the isles around Shell Rock. They take us through the tumultuous waters.

It takes the better part of the day because the waves are against us, and breaks along the isles are a must, not only for Leith and I but for the three merfolk helping us along. Yda, Jye, and Elae. All female, as none of the mermen join us. They stay within the deep waters when the red comet is in the sky. The mermaids mock them.

The mermen think they can hide from the comet’s power. They laugh.

Long ago, when the comet first appeared—before my time—was when the balance of nature shifted. All we have to remember that now are stories passed down, like the stories of bad bloodlines. We all know them. At least we all know a version of them. Each tribe has a slightly different truth.

Nature shifted, and that’s all that matters. A crazed, uncomfortable shift fueled by magic or by some other unseen force. Even now,