Tropical Dragons Series Box Set - Naomi Lucas Page 0,6

sky, could manipulate the weather, and reap destruction across the land, changing it at whim.

But then… the red comet hasn’t driven across our skies in as long.

“Several huntresses from one of those tribes went out to gather food, and they came across a sleeping dragon deep in the plains near their home. A lumbering brown beast with teeth as long as our arms, with a tail that could lash the clouds, and a body that spanned a hundred of us lying down.” Aida massages my palms a little too roughly as she speaks.

I pull them from her grip and hug myself. “I still don’t understand your grin. How can we protect ourselves from such creatures? Especially if they’re in heat? If they’re out to create young?”

“Apparently, one of the huntresses offered herself up as bait to drive the dragon away from their lands. And in an effort, she tried to rouse the beast with a touch, overcome with the need to feel it—”

“Idiot,” I mutter.

“Perhaps but what happened next was truly wondrous. The dragon turned into a man, Issa, a man!”

I gape.

“Not just any man, a virile one, a strong one, as powerful as the beast it was. He took the huntress who touched him and filled her with his seed. She is with young as we speak, and this dragon man has not left her side since.”

I can scarcely believe what she is telling me. But her excitement, her smile is so hopeful it’s hard to deny. Aida was never one to dally with stories and superstition. Never one to take unnecessary risks or leave her village without every supply she could hold to ensure her survival. Belief in such a thing is hard, but looking into her face and wide, dark eyes, I see hope—such a rare thing to witness—it’s catching. I want to be caught. I need to be caught.

“How can you believe in such a thing?”

“Issa!” My name bursts from her throat like I’m not getting it. “The messenger was scouting for a potential future mate for the babe. A future alliance.”

My eyes widen. “How? The comet has only just begun. How do they know this huntress is pregnant, that it’s a boy?”

“The dragon knows,” Aida breathes, eliciting a chill across my skin. Then she pulls inward, thoughtful. “I’m going to find myself one.” She’s serious.

Her words stay with me into the deepening night. Long after I leave her side for the cot reserved for my stay, I lie awake staring up at the starry night sky and the comet.

If what Aida says is true, a single touch upon a dragon’s hides is all that is needed for our salvation?

And the screech… it means—I can barely form the thought for fear of disappointment—there could be one of these dragons nearby.

4

The Hunt Begins

I wake the next morning shortly after sunrise, aching from the vigorous trip the day before. My tribe isn’t expecting me to return for several days, and I entertain falling back to sleep.

But I told the mermaids I’d meet them and Aida’s tale of dragons, men, and transformations niggle at me.

I cup my hand over my eyes to shield them from the sun as my gaze lingers on the sky. The red comet has barely moved further. While studying it, the smell of cooking fills my nose and makes my belly grumble. After cleaning and airing out my cot, I don my clothes, weapons, and shells. Afterward, I head for the central fire.

Aida and Delina’s mother, Shyn, is roasting fish as I approach. We share a smile and she offers me a spit. She exudes pride; the crinkled laugh marks around her mouth and eyes are telling. She wears her dark hair short and cinched around her head.

I can’t help but envy her and the life she’s led.

“Will you tell Aida and Leith that I left?” I ask. “I don’t want to wake them.”

Her face falls. “So soon?”

“With the red comet high and the world stirring—” I know she heard the screech last night. We all did. “I think it’s best I’m with my tribe. Leith is well protected here.” Trying to smile, it falls short. I tear into my fish instead.

Shyn glances at the sky. “Mmm. I understand.”

“Leith looked pleased last night,” I quickly say, doing my best to keep her mood high. She deserves it.

“Oh, yes! Thank the waters. Delina has been near impossible these last weeks with worry.”

Nodding, I can only hope Shyn’s aware of Aida’s unhappiness as well. But my friend