Jones - Blaze

BLAZE

Dragon Warrior Series

Book 4

KD Jones

Copyright 2018 KD Jones

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BLURB

Blaze is a proud Drakonian warrior who wants nothing more than to serve his people and his king. The fact that the king is his father has not affected his determination. The biggest challenge he faces is the growing desire he has for the one female who is forbidden to him. He has a long journey ahead with plenty of obstacles in his way. When the survival of his people is at stake, he must make a choice that could cost him everything.

Get ready for the next installment of the Dragon Warrior Series.

Chapter 1

Planet Drakonia

I dont understand, Blaze said to his mother.

They stood on the cliff ledge overlooking the great waters of Sandstrom. His mother asked him to help her to the overlook, since for the last few months she had not been able to walk. After carrying her for miles up the rocky cliff side, Blaze set her down on the stony surface. She was trying to tell him something, but none of it was making sense to him.

My son, I mated my true mate, Raze, but he died before we could have any dragonlets. Distraught, I came here a few weeks after his death, intending to follow him to the next life. While sitting on this very spot, thinking about leaving this life and reuniting with Raze in the next, an old friend of your fathers joined me. He came to check on me, just as he promised Raze he would do if anything ever happened to him. He, too, was grieving the loss of Raze. He understood my pain, and he comforted me. And I offered the same to him.

What was she saying? Her mind must be going. Mother

I was in heat but my grief covered the scent so neither of us noticed it. While consoling one another over Razes death, we shared sex. I wanted to feel alive at least once more. This male had always been attractive to me, but more importantly, he was kind and generous, and encouraged me that I could still live a happy and fulfilling life without Raze. We parted ways. It wasnt until after he left that my scent changed and I realized I bred with him.

Wait, so youre saying that Blaze couldnt utter the words. He always assumed that his father had been Raze, the true mate his mother often spoke of. Now he was feeling a mix of emotions ranging from shock to anger. Had a male taken advantage of his grieving mother?

His mother looked at him somberly.

Did he refuse to accept us when he found out you were carrying his dragonlet? Blaze asked.

He never found out about you.

But why? Were you embarrassed about me?

Of course not! Lana caressed his cheek just like she always had, since he was a small child. The male had responsibilities, and I didnt want to burden him. He was honorable and would have tried to claim us, but I did not want him to give up his chance at finding his true lifemate. Also, I feared that you would be taken from me.

Our people would never separate a dragonlet from his mother.

Your birth father is special.

Whats so special about this dragon dung?

Please try to understand. Hes a good male, one who has not yet had any offspring. Once he learns of you, he will want to claim you for sure.

Well then, Ill make sure he never knows.

Dont do that. Ive denied him his son all these years. None of it was his fault. Promise me, once I take my last flight, you will seek him out.

No.

Blaze, Ive asked little of you. This is my last request. Do it to honor me, if nothing else.

He may not believe me.

Lana pulled a wrapped item out of her pocket and placed it in his palm. He gave me this and told me if I ever needed his help, I could contact him by presenting this to one of his guards at the castle.

One of his guards? Who is this male?

He is the good King Zocor.

Disbelief filled him as he shook his head in denial. Youre saying Im the son of a king?

Yes. I knew he had no offspring and would have wanted to claim you. I would not have been accepted as his queen and the thought of being separated from you terrified me. I couldnt bear the thought of having you taken from me even for the king.

We dont even live in that region. Blaze could not wrap his mind around this shocking news.

Fear made me do desperate things. I moved us here to keep you hidden from him. I have felt such guilt for my selfishness.

Why are you telling me this now?

Maybe the guilt and the building grief after losing my mate did the damage to my body and soul. I wont live past today, and its time you meet your father.

I dont want to meet him.

Blaze Lana coughed for nearly two minutes and emitted blood. Promise me you will go to him and let him know Im sorry for not telling him sooner. Restore my honor.

Damn it! How could he deny his mother anything? She was so kind and generous, showing patience with his impetuous and bold behavior. Blaze knew he had not been an easy child to raise. He asked a million questions, always questioned authority, and went after every challenge presented to him no matter the danger. All she asked of him now was to let the male who fathered him know of his existence and of his mothers regret for keeping that secret.

He opened the cloth-wrapped item in his hand and found a gold crescent ring on a gold chain. His mother never wore this but must have kept it hidden over the years. The crescent showed a green dragon the official royal seal for King Zocors region. For the king to give this to a peasant female showed that the king held Lana in some esteem. He felt his mothers eyes on him as he placed the ring on his finger. It fit him. He looked into her face and the relief he saw there was priceless.

I promise to restore your honor, mother.

Thank you, my son. Now, help me to my feet so I can shift and take my final flight.

Blaze helped her to her feet. He turned his back and lowered his emerald-green eyes to allow her the privacy needed to shift. It took much longer than a normal healthy shift should take. When he turned around, his mothers beautiful dragon form sat perched on the ledge. She lowered her snout, and he petted her.

Until we meet again, fly true and know I love you.

With those words spoken, he watched as his mothers dragon lifted into the air. Her wings batting slowly. She flew out to sea until her form was no longer visible. Lana would not return. She would fly until her dragon had no more strength and allow herself to fall to the sea. The weight of the ring on his finger was almost too heavy to bear. He had no idea what his father would be like and if he had not promised his mother that he would seek him out, Blaze would have walked away. But he had learned so many things from his mother, and keeping ones promises was one of them.

Chapter 2

Castle Zocorin

Blaze had imagined all kinds of responses he might receive when he presented himself to the king, but none of them quite prepared him for meeting the male responsible for his existence.

Come this way. A male guard motioned toward a hallway leading to a receiving room.

He felt nervous but kept his shoulders pulled back and his head held up. The ring bearing the Zocorin crest felt tight on his finger. He caught a few of the warriors glancing at the ring but none of them said anything.

Someone opened two large double wooden doors into a large room. There was seating along the walls for people waiting for an audience with the king and his queen . Blaze walked straight down the center to the end, where two thrones sat upon a raised platform. The thrones were empty but not for long.