Dragon's Secrets

Dragonault Chronicles I

By Jalissa Pastorius

What do you do, when you find out you’re the mate of a dragon king, an abomination that is abhorred across the dimensions, and a secret order is out to annihilate you? Throw in two parts of your soul battling it out, a legendary warrior whose hell bent on protecting you, and the thing that’s meant to destroy you saves you. I tell you what you do; you put on your big girl panties and tell them to bring it.

DRAGON’S SECRETS

Copyright 2014 by Jalissa Pastorius

Published by Smashwords

Cover Design by Tatiana Fernandez

This novel is a work of fiction. Any names, characters, places, and events portrayed in this novel are products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. All rights reserved; the right to reproduce this book or any portion thereof in any form whatsoever in any country whatsoever without the express permission of the author is forbidden.

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Smashwords Edition License Notes

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Thank you, for respecting the hard work of this author.

Acknowledgements

For those who dare to dream, embrace their nightmares and face adversity.

Title Page

Copyright

Acknowledgements

Prologue

Chapter 1: Enters Layla

Chapter 2: Sorceress Dilemma

Chapter 3: Lies and Deceit

Chapter 4: The Chase Begins

Chapter 5: Witch Trials

Chapter 6: Veles

Chapter 7: Creatures of the Deep

Chapter 8: Beauty and the Eye of the Beholder

Chapter 9: Lenura

Chapter 10: Declaration of Love

Chapter 11: The Confidant

Chapter 12: The King’s Mate

Chapter 13: Knight in Shining Armor

Chapter 14: New Girl

Chapter 15: Pathways and Familiars

Chapter 16: Boyfriend and Girlfriend

Chapter 17: Secret Society

Chapter 18: Necrofists

Chapter 19: Internal War

Chapter 20: The King’s Taking

Chapter 21: The Time of the Dragon

Chapter 22: The Order

Chapter 23: Fury

Chapter 24: Council Men

Chapter 25: Underworld

Chapter 26: Hunting

Chapter 27: Friend or Foe

Chapter 28: Battle of Equals

Other Books

About the Author

Prologue

Fear caused her vision to swim. The putrid smell of decay and urine wafted through the air forcing bile to rise in her throat. Stone bit into her back while a special metal encircled her hands and ankles bounded her in place. A’lala’s bones felt heavy in her skin and exhaustion clung to her pores. Her heart pounded ferociously in her stomach, sending blood roaring through her veins. She wished for Onyx. He would come for her.

Onyx, she croaked out. She was so scared. She never wanted this. Tears burned their way to the corners of her eyes. Her throat ached, the bulge there heavy as she tried to hold her tears back. Hearing the door creak, her thoughts froze. Her eyes darted towards the opening, revealing her enemy.

How could you? she cried out. Fear slid down her spine, the sting of betrayal weighing on her mind and in her heart. Its sour taste seared her tongue and stained her soul. He was her best friend, her confidant. How dare he stand before her?! Traitor!

You never listened! How dare you?! He screamed jealousy devouring him, turning him into something dark and sinister. He dug his fingers into her arm and she yelped.

Hurry. She thought.

He grabbed her face forcing her eyes to meet his own cruel brown ones.

Look at me! He thundered, the words echoing around the dungeon and her skull. It’s almost time for your debut, he whispered. Trailing his forefinger along her face in a caress, he smiled wickedly. His eyes were wild, seething with hatred. When? But why? He was unrecognizable, a stranger from a forgotten land.

A’lala tried to see where he disappeared, but she couldn’t. The swell of her belly blocked her path. The pain began burning its way in her lower back, sending screams tearing from her throat. She focused on the small arch window high on the stone wall. It mocked her imprisonment and teased her with the false illusion of freedom. The burning was driving her wild.

No! She screamed mentally. She refused to birth her child here. Horror filled her as her body began doing the work on its own. She couldn’t hold on any longer. She must push.

Onyx! His name tore from her throat as she gave the first push. Sweat peppered her forehead and under her breasts. Then she heard it. Vicious snarls, resounding through the dungeon shattering things in its wake.

It was raw.

Monstrous.

It was…the roar of a dragon.

And not just any dragon…her dragon. If there was truly a goddess, she prayed for her blessing now. She prayed for the protection of her child and mate. Something was happening. A strange energy woke within her and she felt her blood boil as power engulfed her.

Onyx burst into the room roaring, his fury potent in the air. Men that once served under his command rushed in, to stop him. But she managed to erect a barrier keeping her and the youngling in, and everyone else out. She only focused on her child’s protection.

Kill that abomination! A former lieutenant of the battalion spat.

How. Dare. They! Something bestowed upon them from the heavens shouldn’t be scorn. It was her baby! Hers! Unimaginable fury filled her.

***

Onyx studied his mate in all her glory as her rage engulfed everyone in the tiny space. The shackles broke away from the stone bench that she’d been bound to. Magic lifted their youngling, bringing the small creature toward her breast. Thick energy weaved itself in the air. White, it danced to a tune only its master could give. He watched it coil and spring, killing those who’d approached her youngling. He remained in awe of her. The room rattled from her very power.

General she will kill us all.

Onyx turned surveyed the area. The guards had fled leaving the corpses of their fallen comrades behind. How would they cover their tracks this time? The kingdom could not remain in the dark. His child wails cut through his thoughts and reverberated through the room. His heart ached to hold his new little family in his arms.

Onyx hurried, he knew A’lala’s power would consume her if she continued at this rate. She was so far gone that she couldn’t hear their youngling’s cries. He moved towards the barrier she erected, and smiled as he slid past it to reach their youngling. Even in this state, she would not harm her mate. His hearted melted at this thought. Cutting the umbilical cord, he scooped his child into thick powerful arms. Beautiful black dragon eyes peered into his own, throwing his heart in disarray. She’s everything he wanted and more. He spent a moment curling the baby into his chest. Tears escaped his eyes in rivulets and his heart shattered thinking about his next move.

I'll call you Layla. I’m sure your mother would like it, he paused, there was so much he wanted to say, to do, but no time. I’m sorry young one, he croaked out.

She was going to be his best-kept secret. Onyx golden eyes stared down at his daughter as he mumbled a spell of protection. The mark presented itself on her chest. Only his kind would be able to see the mark.

The moment broke as the building began to collapse around him. He turned toward the captain of his guard. He would trust the man with his life.

Khalel, you take the child and go into hiding. We will find her when the time is right. I don’t care where. Even I must not know where she is. He hated giving away his precious bundle but if it was for her safety, he would do it again a thousand times.

General, what will you do? How will you stop her?

Onyx placed the baby in Khalel’s arms. Like I always do. Love her, he whispered towards his retreating form.

He returned to his mate. Her eyes bled white, the same color of the energy destroying the small room. A'lala's form floated above the stone table, where she once laid bound. He grunted at the thick shackles hanging from his mate like jewelry, telling a tale of suffrage and oppression. They crumpled under his power.

Pulling the beautiful woman into his arms, her thick golden tresses dancing around them. Onyx groaned, her power tore at his dragon scales ripping them away from his skin. They clattered against the dungeon floor. This pain. It was nothing compared to the agony engulfing his heart when he saw tears spilling from his mate’s eyes. He silenced her with a searing kiss as the building collapsed.

Chapter 1: Enters Layla

Emerald green eyes filled her vision as she raced through the sky. A foreign voice floated through her mind. It called to her being, her essence. Layla’s skin grew hot, an unfamiliar burn of need starting at her center.

Where are you? The voice echoed around her mind. A piercing ring rip through her thoughts and she began to fall from the sky.

Saint Louis.

The alarm clock jarred her awake, her dad’s voice floated from downstairs telling her to get dressed. It was a tradition of theirs to go fishing every morning. She rushed into the bathroom to brush her teeth and drag a brush through her mane. Her hair was wild, curly, and thick. Stretching past her shoulders, it rested in the middle of her back. Pale blue eyes sat buried within the sockets of her face while her skin had been kissed by the sun. It was from all the time spent fishing with her dad.

Better hurry before the Oldman leaves me behind, she mumbled.

Smiling, she took an epic slide down stained oak banister before dashing into the arms of her father who waited in the kitchen. She grinned, noting their similar traits of hair and eye color. Well, his eyes were a richer shade of blue compared to her cyan color.

Hi daddy!

Good morning sweetheart. She mirrored her father’s actions, by grabbing a cup of coffee, toast, and eggs. Sitting down, she gobbled her food barely pausing to breathe. Don’t look at her. She got her unsavory manners from her dad. She beat at her chest to help the food down.

Slow down, kid. Geez, he said, frowning at her. And don’t talk with food in your mouth. He added as she prepared to argue.

Ready?

Yep, she said, popping the p and rolling her eyes at him. They said learning was based on life experiences. Could he really blame her? She grabbed her fishing pole lying next to his near the front door. Time for some relaxation in the sun.

Carondelet Park was established in 1875 and the third largest park in the city of Saint Louis. Layla loved the park’s history and its lake. Easily one of her favorite fishing spots. Her dad promised to take her to Bennett Springs later in the summer. She smiled as they cast their lines. Things always competitive between them when fishing. It was a part of their nature. She settled in, listening to the sway of the water and the chirping of the birds.

You’ve got a birthday coming up sweetheart. Layla knew about her upcoming birthday. What kid didn’t? She was a summer baby. There was nothing she really wanted except her mother, but she kept the thought to herself. She couldn’t bear the pain swirling in her father’s eyes whenever she mentioned her.

I know, I’ll be eighteen soon, then senior year will start.

Any wants? Desires??

I don’t think so dad, there’s not much out there. I’m happy as I am, she said, smiling at him. It was typical of teens vying for their independence to feel such a way, but she had a knack for seeing the bigger picture and reading in between the lines. Probably a trait she got from her mother.

You’re a good kid, he said, trying not tear up. You would let me know if anything was wrong? he said seriously. Her brows furrowed, confusion filling her eyes. She came to him for everything. She couldn’t imagine a time when she wouldn’t seek his advice.

Of course, dad. I got a bite, she said, laughing. Look out Oldman, it’s my time to shine! The rod bent from the weight of the fish. Bracing herself, she began to reel. The sounds of the string releasing echoed around them. Her father set aside his own rod to cheer his daughter on.

C’mon Layla, don’t be a rook and let ‘em go, he said, goading her.

Don’t be a jerk, she grunted, pulling on the rod before grinning in triumph as the fish came flying out of the water flopping wildly about. Stringing the fish, she tossed it in a bucket of water. Trout. Dinner is served. After catching the first fish and shutting her dad down, she closed her eyes for a brief nap. Not hard to do with the birds singing their lullaby and the wind whispering in her ears.

Layla stretched as blood flowed into her sleeping limbs. Opening her eyes, she sat up quickly noticing her father no longer beside her. Sunlight poured from the sky covering her with its lustrous glow. It always made her feel so alive, she could feel energy swirling in her stomach. Strange. Eh. She shrugged her shoulders scanning the trees.

Where did the Oldman go? The bathroom? He could’ve woke her. She couldn’t guarantee she would’ve wakened up, especially since stunning, emerald, green eyes have been dominating her thoughts and dreams lately. They were seared in her mind. His eyes were so vivid and so real, she simply lost her breath at their sight. Why was she so focused on a pair of eyes? This girl couldn’t even get a date because of a pair of them.

Ryu’s right. I am weird.

Sighing, she shook her thoughts aside. Suddenly, Layla’s flesh crawled, feelings of uneasiness consuming her. She whipped her around scanning the park for some creep. Nothing but lake, woods, and recreation buildings surrounded her. She needed to calm down. Her brain must be fried from spending so much time sunbathing. Wiping her hands on her blue jean shorts, she stood. All the fish they’d caught were gone, her dad must be gutting them. Anyhow, she needed to find him. She was hungry and ready to go home.

Layla found her dad pacing while talking into his phone. What’s wrong with him? He seemed agitated. Her dad was usually laid back and relaxed. Who was he talking to? She watched him from the safety of the trees, but she couldn’t make out his conversation. Holding her breath, she closed her eyes to overhear his conversation, the only words she caught was the awakening. What? Huh? Maybe she heard wrong. Awakening? What did that mean? She must get closer. Holding her breath, she carefully place one foot in front of another and inched closer. She wanted to squeal in glee as she closed in on her dad. Oh crap! She stepped on a stick. The sound of cracking reverberated through the small woods, breathing new life into the thick silence. She cursed the birds as they fled from the trees, threatening to give her position away. Relax girl. She was still a couple of feet away and safe. No way, he could’ve caught that. Her heart stumbled, the air fleeing her lungs as her dad twisted around. There’s no way. His gaze pierced her sending her heart into overdrive, but that was crazy, he couldn’t see her from this distance. She held breath and waited. When he continued his conversation as if nothing happened, she relaxed. Her dad wouldn’t hide anything from her. The sun had really addled her brains today. Paranoid much? She chuckled at her stupidity. Slinking around the woods like some sleuth trying to reveal some secret that would send the world into chaos. Bleh. She would go and wait by the car.

***

His eyes drank in the beautiful woman he spotted nestled in the woods. Words weren’t enough to describe how stunning she was. He sensed something celestial almost otherworldly about her. He encountered her purely by chance. Excitement flooded his veins at the prospects of having something so beautiful at his side. Her skin had a glow to it that off-set her rich sky-blue eyes. His heart careened in his chest. What was this feeling? He had to have her. She would make the perfect companion. He smiled, he must possess her. Who knew he would find such a rare gem here on earth. Casting a critical eye at the sun, he sighed. Time was waning and he must return. He dug into his cloak searching for his dagger. Clasping the dagger firmly in his hand, his arm swung forward in a wide arc through the air. Stepping quickly into the rift, he returned home.

***

Layla whirled around on the barstool watching her dad season and put the fish in the oven. She loved these chairs. So hungry. Saliva pooled in her mouth. Her stomach growled in agreement as the smell wafted through the house. The phone rang, and she jumped to answer it. Good a distraction.

Dad, I’m going to take this, she said, running upstairs with the phone in her grasp.

Hi Ryu! What’s up?

Nothing much wanted to see if you got anything planned for your upcoming eighteenth birthday?

I haven’t figured out if dad and I are going to do something, she said, flopping on her bed, staring at the soft green colored walls.

Your dad is one hottie!

Eww, not listening! Gross.

C’mon! Everyone is drooling after him. Women are practically throwing their panties at him. This does include the female population at your school.

How annoying. Let’s just drop it, she sighed exasperatedly.

Okay, Ryu pouted. Anyway, you should definitely find a hottie to date this year.

I’m not interested in dating, she whined into the phone.

Why not?

I’m just not. No one that catches my eye. She couldn’t possibly tell her about the emerald green eyes consuming her thoughts day and night.

You still dreaming about that guy? Ryu asked.

What? she asked surprised.

C’mon, you told me about that when we were little girls. Your knight in shining armor that was going to show up and save you.

Girl, that only happens in fairytales. I don’t need a knight. I live in a world called reality; where that will never happen.

You are so young to be so cynical. It’s called the Hallmark Channel. I recommend you watch it. So, what are we having for dinner?

Trout.

Ooo, on my way over, love. See ya in a bit.

Layla shook her head thinking about Ryu. Where would she be without her? She frowned feeling a bit off, something was wrong. Closing her bedroom door, she studied her reflection in the mirror. She looked fine. Nothing here to say she was crushing hard on a pair of eyes. Ugh, she needed to get a grip! She felt odd like her center was off. Studying her reflection once again, panic bloomed in her belly as she witnessed her eyes flashing from their sky-blue color to fuchsia, but only for a split second.

That’s definitely weird, she said breathily. Leaning until she was so close to the mirror her breath fogged against the glass, she studied her eyes. Did she imagine the whole thing? She