Dragon’s Heir: Dravidian Sierra Dafoe All rights reserved. Copyright ©2007 Sierra Dafoe Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. ISBN: 978-1-59596-772-5 Formats Available: HTML, Adobe PDF, MobiPocket, Microsoft Reader Publisher: Changeling Press LLC PO Box 1046 Martinsburg, WV 25402-1046 www.ChangelingPress.com Editor: Chrissie Henderson Cover Artist: Bryan Keller This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers. Dragon’s Heir: Dravidian Sierra Dafoe Bringing Dravidian, one of the lost Astraea clan, home to Djarera is something of a triumphal success for Lara. The dragon kingdom is at peace, the succession of the throne ensured, and the clans have at last accepted the rogue dragon Zendar as her life-mate. But she never envisioned the complications that Dravidian’s return would bring. When Zendar first accuses her of being attracted to the exotically handsome blue dragon, Lara is dumbfounded -- and even more confused as she realizes not only are his accusations true, but Dravidian hungers for her as deeply as she for him. But the depths of Zendar’s jealousy betray another unexpected truth -- that he himself, for the first time in his life, is tormented by sexual desire for another man. When Lara finally discovers what’s really distressing her life-mate, she is determined to give Zendar and Dravidian, as well as herself, what they all yearn for! Chapter One Zendar Westron cut through the press of bodies, smiling genially as he made his way to the dais. The throne room of Wind Castle was even more crowded for Dravidian’s reception than it had been for the formal dinner during which Melgara, the dragon queen, had tried desperately to force the clans to accept Lara’s choice of Zendar as her mate. What a fiasco that had been! Zendar grinned ruefully, remembering. Almost half the assembled dragons, still incensed over his earlier rebellion against Melgara’s prohibition at leaving Djarera, had stormed out in fury, refusing to accept Zendar as Elara’s mate -- and thus as titular heir to the throne of Djarera. Refusing to throw the dragon kingdom once more into turmoil, he had fled along with Darrek Hausther to Neptha, the tropical planet the long-missing Astraea clan had claimed for their own. Today’s gathering was entirely different in tenor. Pennons snapped in the high mountain breeze which circled the hall, and sunlight poured in the massive outer doors of the throne room, flung wide to the open air. Dragon after dragon, wafting high above Mount Anduth, settled on the landing ledge and changed shape, taking on human form to mingle with the throngs of guests, all come for a peek at the lone returned Astraea. Dravidian looked a little dazed, Zendar thought, amused. The tall, lean Astraea stood on the far side of the hall with Lara, the silver fall of his long straight hair catching the sunlight, his eyes wide in wonder as he stared at more dragons than he’d seen in his entire lifetime, all gathered to welcome him home. Lara had her arm looped companionably through Dravidian’s, and Zendar watched as she tilted her head close to him, listening to something he was saying. She laughed, patting his arm reassuringly, and lifted her head. Looking across the hall, her gaze caught her husband’s, those luminous gray eyes lighting with a private warmth that was only for him. As always, a rush of warmth flowed through Zendar, making his heart beat a little harder. Tossing back his head, Zendar let the thick golden mane of his hair tumble over his broad shoulders, and smiled at her. Lara’s clear gray eyes held a luminous promise, and her lips curved in a small answering half-smile before she turned back to the silver-haired dragon beside her. He was, Zendar admitted, the most handsome man he’d ever seen. Even amid the crowds of dragons, Dravidian stood out. Tall -- taller even than Zendar himself -- with that long, straight hair like a ripple of falling silver and those deep, exotic violet eyes, the returned Astraea seemed a breed apart. Which he was, of course -- each of the five dragon clans was unique in its own way. It was simply the fact that none of them had seen any of the Astraea for so many years that made Dravidian seem so foreign. But no amount of familiarity, Zendar suspected, would likely ever blunt the effect of those high, broad cheekbones, that smooth brow, that wide, generously formed mouth… Dravidian turned his head in a sudden, graceful movement, and Zendar swallowed, his throat tightening unexpectedly as those deep violet eyes caught his, holding him for a brief second that felt like eternity. Then Dravidian glanced away, and Zendar ascended the dais to stand beside Melgara’s throne. For the first time he could understand the violence of the dragon queen’s reaction to the disappearance of the Astraea clan. There was something about Dravidian, something both wild and almost heartbreakingly beautiful. There was an air about him of mystery, of far-off, exotic places. He was a traveler, clothed in the glamour of foreign, almost unimaginable shores. Zendar bit his lip, feeling something akin to envy twist in his heart. He wanted that, he admitted. He’d told Lara he didn’t, but looking at Dravidian, Zendar knew it wasn’t true. The freedom that Dravidian wore like an invisible cloak drew him with a hunger he’d never known he’d felt. Surrounded by the gathered clans, Dravidian looked down at Lara with a vague, slightly bemused expression as the various dragon lords and ladies approached one by one to welcome him back to Djarera. Zendar watched, shaking his head in silent sympathy as Dravidian smiled and nodded, smiled and nodded, his gaze flicking every so often to Lara’s face as if seeking reassurance. Beside him, on the throne, Melgara apparently felt some of the same sympathy. “Poor man,” she murmured, so low that only Zendar could hear her words. “They’ll talk him to bits before the day is through.” “They’ll do more than that when they learn you’ve given him permission to teach us to ride the Dragon Winds, Your Majesty. They’ll be clawing for the chance to learn.” As would he, Zendar added silently. Melgara glanced at him sharply, her eyes narrowing, the fire of their old quarrel sparking in their depths. Then she sighed. “I suppose you’re right. Lara certainly is -- she’s already informed me that, as the queen’s daughter, it’s her duty and privilege to be the first.” “I’m surprised you’d allow her to take the risk.” Zendar almost laughed at the expression of mingled pride and chagrin that crossed Melgara’s face at his words. “Do you think I could stop her? I couldn’t even stop her from following you to Neptha. You stop her, if you want. I’m only her mother.” “I wouldn’t dare, Your Majesty.” Zendar chuckled. “After all, she is your daughter.” The look Melgara shot him was decidedly unimpressed by his flattery. Smiling, he gave her a half bow before turning toward Lara, who was approaching with Dravidian, her arm still tucked tightly through his. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were brilliant with excitement -- this was, after all, her triumph. Just as she had with Darrek and Rand, she had managed to find a solution against all odds to yet another knotty draconic quarrel. She does it simply by being herself, Zendar thought, overwhelmed once again by the tenderness he felt toward her. By being passionate and courageous and loving and headstrong -- and by refusing to give up. And she was completely unaware of how she affected the people around her. That was perhaps the most remarkable thing about her -- she was always surprised by the love that flowed back to her. Beautiful, guileless, determined… Zendar wondered if she had any idea how much he loved her. Glancing at Dravidian’s bemused expression, he couldn’t help wondering if even the tall, handsome Astraea had fallen under Lara’s spell. “Mother, I’m going to take Dravidian out for a bit of a tour before the banquet. He hasn’t had a moment’s peace all day.” Bending, Lara Southerlin gave the queen a quick peck on the cheek, and flashed Zendar a dazzling smile. He winked back, smiling indulgently as she led Dravidian through the throngs of laughing, conversing people. It was easy to follow their progress toward the wide outer doors -- Dravidian towered even over the massive Westrons, Zendar’s own clan. Grinning, Zendar started down the steps of the dais to find himself a glass of wine when Melgara’s voice stopped him abruptly. “Zendar.” He turned back to find her looking pensively out over the crowd. A small frown creased her forehead. Following her gaze, Zendar caught a flash of brilliant gold, then blue, as Lara and Dravidian changed shape and dropped from the high ledge into the crystalline mountain air outside. “Is she pregnant yet?” “What?” Zendar had to stop a moment to think, the question was so unexpected. “No. I don’t think so, at least.” “Then if I were you,” Melgara replied, her eyes dark with shadows, “I wouldn’t be so cavalier about letting my wife go off with another dragon.” “Letting my…” The idea was so preposterous, Zendar barked a laugh. Heads swung toward them, and people smiled --Pleased at how well the queen and her son-in-law are getting along, probab...
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