Dragons’ Flight: Sorcha's Children, #2

By Debbie Mumford

In this second volume of the Sorcha's Children series, shifter siblings Brandubh and Morag take flight. Brandubh travels to King Leofric's court to discover if his destiny lies in the human realm, but his visit is marred by the news that dragons have destroyed a human village. King Leofric charges the dragon-shifter with seeking out and subduing the renegades, but the stakes increase when Brandubh meets a fascinating female dragon ... who considers humans vermin to be exterminated.

Meanwhile, Morag shows no interest in life among the humans, preferring to live life on the wing. But can she convince the male dragon of her choice that she is the bond mate he has been waiting for? Only time will tell if these dragons will succeed in mating flights.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WDM Publishing
• Release date: Mar 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393947264

Debbie Mumford

Debbie Mumford specializes in speculative fiction—fantasy, paranormal romance, and science fiction. Author of the popular Sorcha’s Children series, Debbie loves the unknown, whether it’s the lure of space or earthbound mythology. Her work has been published in multiple volumes of Fiction River, as well as in Heart’s Kiss Magazine, Spinetingler Magazine, and other popular markets. She writes about dragon-shifters, time-traveling lovers, and ghostly detectives for adults as Debbie Mumford and contemporary fantasy for tweens and young adults as Deb Logan.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Nictitating lids shielded Brandubh's eyes from the lash of glacial wind. Air currents pushed against his wings, and he savored the effort his downstroke required. Joy welled in his heart as he fought the sky for dominance. He was dragon. A lord of the sky. He caught a stream of wind and relaxed his wings into the most advantageous angle to drift along its unseen course.

Moonlight sparkled on the ice below, turning the glacier of his homeland into a diamond-studded treasure. A hoard to tempt the soul of any dragon, but Brandubh was not any dragon. Brandubh and his five siblings were a race apart, a clutch of shifters born of an impossible love. Their father, a mighty black dragon named Caedyrn, had been the heir apparent to the Rex of the ice aerie when he lost his heart to a valiant human wizard: Sorcha.

With more courage than caution, their mother, Sorcha, had sought the Heart of Fire. She believed the legendary amulet would provide her people with protection from the ravages of dragon-kind. Unfortunately, Sorcha had neglected to count the cost of possessing an object of such power. The Heart of Fire transformed her into a pearly pink dragon — which led to the clutching of Brandubh and his siblings.

Created of a mix of human and dragon blood, the siblings had demonstrated their unique abilities within moments of hatching. The adults in their world had found it challenging to raise hatchlings who could pop from dragon to human to dragon in the blink of an eye, but the Rex and his assistant had managed the feat. The shifter siblings had been raised in the ice aerie under the watchful tutelage of the Rex because the Heart of Fire, in a display of dispassionate power, had returned Sorcha to human form forcing Caedyrn to choose between his species and his love. He chose Sorcha.

The Heart of Fire had condescended to perform a last act before vanishing from the mortal realm, the transformation of the black dragon into a dark-skinned, naked, human male. The clutch of eggs the ensorcelled couple left behind had been adopted by the Rex in particular and the ice aerie's flight as a whole.

Brandubh wrested control of both thoughts and wing. Pulling out of the comfortable skim, he circled the aerie a final time and arrowed toward Glengorm. He'd been apart from Aislinn and Taran too long. The time had come to see if humanity fit him as well as it did his married sibs.

Married. He understood the human concept of wedded fidelity. After all, dragons bonded for life once they chose their mates, but Aislinn and Taran had chosen human mates. Brandubh liked Ewan, the Rossali prince his sister Aislinn had chosen, and Senga, Taran's wife, seemed a nice enough girl, but they weren't dragons, weren't even dragon-shifters.

He didn't understand how Aislinn and Taran could bear to mate with non-dragons. Why, Aislinn couldn't even mind-speak her mate. Taran and Senga had overcome that barrier due to Taran's innate wizardry, but even so, the alienation from all things dragon made Brandubh's skin crawl.

Brandubh shook himself to clear his head and concentrated on his chosen path. He would fly to Glengorm, present himself in human form to King Leofric, and then visit with his parents and each of his human sibs. He was determined to hold human form for at least three months. His record to date was the fortnight he'd spent in Glengorm after Taran's marriage, but that had been two years ago.

Though it seemed every eligible female in the aerie had expressed interest in him, he had yet to find a dragon he desired to fly. Perhaps he, too, was doomed to mate with a human. The time had come to discover his destiny.

His long, rambling musings had brought him over the land of men. Despite the lateness of the hour, his dragon vision pierced the night's dark veil and showed him neat rows of furrowed fields, tidy homesteads and pens of sleeping flocks. Leofric's castle lay just over the next ridge of hills.

Sorting gently through available mind-links, Brandubh chose his father's.

Father. Wake and hear me, sir.

Caedyrn's adroit mind came alert beneath his touch.

What is it, Brandubh? Are you in danger?

Brandubh snorted a gout of fire into the headwind of his flight, but kept his amusement out of the link. If he were in danger, what could his father do? Caedyrn had given up his powerful body and the ability to fly.

All is well, Father. I have left the aerie to try my luck as a man. I will arrive soon.

Caedyrn's link-aura relaxed.

I am pleased, my son. Your mother will be delighted to see you. A ripple of laughter spread across the link. And anything that delights my wife pleases me. I will meet you in the courtyard with appropriate garb.

Thank you, sir. I'll be with you soon.

Brandubh released the link and scanned the countryside for the familiar sight of Leofric's castle. His first visits to his parents had been accomplished in the claws of the Rex or one of his retinue, but that had been before Brandubh had learned to control his shifting. The sibs had been late learning to fly, because the Rex refused practice flights until they demonstrated control of their forms.

Brandubh retained foggy memories of his first visit to his human kin. The dragons had traded with local mountain folk for rush baskets in which to transport the hatchlings. The Rex had deemed it unwise to attempt a long flight clutching dragonets who transformed into human infants without notice. The younglings had been placed in the baskets where the vagaries of their shape wouldn't endanger the journey.

There! He spied the castle, rising majestically from within encircling walls. Few lights glimmered in the castle itself, but fires burned orange and yellow from the watchtowers at the corners of the walls.

He drew nearer. A torch appeared in the courtyard, undoubtedly Caedyrn making his way to the practice yard where his dragon kin were wont to land. Brandubh angled his wings and descended to the world of men.

Welcome, Brandubh. Despite their physical nearness, Caedyrn greeted his son through their link. Human speech hurt dragon ears, and though the open air of the courtyard mitigated the pain, Caedyrn eschewed speech.

Without replying, Brandubh transformed. Where a great black dragon had stood, a dark-skinned youth crouched, naked and vulnerable.

Caedyrn stepped forward, flung a cloak around Brandubh's shoulders and handed his son a bundle of cloth. Why don't we go inside? You can dress in the guardroom.

Brandubh grinned and hugged his father. The proprieties must be observed, eh? Even in the middle of the night?

Caedyrn returned the hug and stepped back, a flash of white teeth acknowledging his son's jest. You know how humans are. Best to be properly garbed if we meet any in the corridors.

Warmth flooded Brandubh's heart. Even after all these years, his father still didn't fully identify with the humans he lived among. Perhaps he had more in common with his sire than he realized. Fine, he said, eyeing the unwanted bundle. Let's see if I can remember how to fasten all these layers of cloth.

Chapter 2

Sorcha scowled at her mate, anger boiling in her blood. Brandubh linked to you in the night, and you did not bother to wake me? My son's arrival is of such small consequence that you saw no reason to disturb my rest? She paced the length of their bedchamber, punctuating each word with a stamp of bare foot on solid stone.

It seemed the right choice at the time. Caedyrn sat bare-chested on the edge of their rumpled bed. He'd been removing his clothes to climb back in beside her when Sorcha awakened. The subsequent interview had not gone well.

He lowered his gaze from his wife's face, a smile twitching at the corner of his expressive mouth. I see now that we erred. Forgive me, my love.

He intends to stay? This will be a prolonged visit?

Caedyrn nodded, but kept his gaze from hers. He said he's ready to explore his human heritage; to see if this form holds his destiny.

Well, I certainly can't expect all my children to choose human mates, but I will be very glad of the chance to get to know Brandubh better.

She stepped to Caedyrn's side and lifted his chin so that their gazes locked. He and Luag remind me so strongly of their father in face and form. I'm curious to know if either of them is like me.

He pulled her onto his knee and nuzzled the juncture of neck and shoulder. The warmth of his breath, the delicious contact of dark skin on light engendered a sizzle of arousal in her veins.

At least we know he's unlikely to have inherited your wizard ways. He and Luag have always been hale and hearty.

True, she said, stroking his close-cropped black hair. His lips lazily traced a path to her bosom. Taran is the only one of the six who failed to thrive — the only true wizard among my bairns.

Caedyrn pulled back, eying her thoughtfully. You sound disappointed. Would you have wished for more young wizards to train?

Her cheeks heated and she lowered her eyes. I wouldn't have wanted any of the others to suffer as Taran did, with unrealized human magic consuming his dragon life-force …

But? he encouraged.

But I would have enjoyed training a daughter in the ways of magic.

An unexpected giggle escaped her lips, surprising them both. Listen to me! I suppose all parents face the discrepancy between what is imagined for a child and the reality of his or her personality. We are truly blessed. We have six fine children, and two of them have chosen to make their lives here in the lands of men where we can see them often.

And all of them are but a heartbeat away through the mind-link. A gift humans lack.

True, she said, leaning close and brushing his lips with her own. And in a few hours, Brandubh will be awake, and I'll get to spend some uninterrupted time with him.

Caedyrn returned his lips to the swell of her breasts where they strained the neckline of her shift. Whatever shall we do until he wakes?

She shivered with delight and rolled him back into the warm nest of their marriage bed.

Chapter 3

Brandubh fidgeted against the restraint of unaccustomed clothing. He'd never understand the human need to cover their bodies with tortuous layers of leather and vegetable matter. What was wrong with simple skin? He rather liked the dark gloss of his own.

He stood in the great hall of Leofric's court, awaiting his turn to be presented to the king. He supposed that if a dragon from a strange aerie came to visit, it would only be sensible to present it to the Rex. Of course no other aeries existed, so the point was moot.

Caedyrn stood beside Brandubh, while Sorcha sat with the other ladies of the court in a sequestered viewing stand along the left wall. Brandubh marveled at his father's calm demeanor. Caedyrn maintained a well-balanced stance, feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, arms folded across his chest. Brandubh tried to imitate the position, but unaccustomed muscles cramped and cried out for movement.

Be at ease, my son. Caedyrn's mind-voice soothed Brandubh's nerves. Standing and waiting are learned skills. Your body will find its balance in time.

Brandubh caught his father's gaze and bestowed a rueful smile and shoulder shrug. A flurry of color and movement in the ladies' section riveted his attention.

Ahh. Your grandmother has condescended to witness your presentation.

Elspeth is here? Which one is she? Brandubh craned his neck to get a better look at the mysterious wizard who was his maternal grandmother.

The white-haired woman beside your mother. A chuckle sounded in Brandubh's mind. Look how straight she sits, and even at her advanced age she still refuses to cover her hair as the other ladies do.

Brandubh studied the women. He probably wouldn't have noticed if Caedyrn hadn't pointed it out, but Elspeth and Sorcha were the only bare-headed women present. Both wizards wore their hair tightly bound in a single braid: Elspeth's white as the glacier that housed the ice aerie; Sorcha's a dark, chestnut brown with only a touch of gray at the temples.

Their faces bore a strong resemblance except for the eyes. Elspeth's eyes shone green as Eibhlinn's scales, while Sorcha's were the deep blue of a mountain lake, not unlike Aislinn's scales, though it was long since he'd seen his married sister in dragon form.

It will be a pleasure to meet Granny Elspeth again. I've not seen her since I was a fledgling.

Indeed. She's something of a recluse these days.

Their internal conversation was cut short by the action of the king's steward. The man strode to the center of the floor, just below the steps to the dais where King Leofric sat, pounded the stone floor three times with a long, ornate staff, and spoke in voice that carried to all corners of the great hall.

Your royal highness, gentle men and women of the court, Sir Caedyrn wishes to present his son.

Caedyrn glanced at Brandubh, nodded, and the two of them approached the throne with matched strides. At a discreet signal from his father, Brandubh halted and joined Caedyrn in a deep bow.

Sire, Caedyrn said in a clear, well-modulated voice. It is my distinct pleasure to present my son, Sir Brandubh, lately of the ice aerie, a member of the flight of dragons.

Brandubh inclined his head and waited for Leofric's response.

Welcome, Sir Brandubh. We are pleased that you have chosen to come to court once again. Your visits have been too infrequent. We hope that you will find your place here, as has your brother, Sir Taran. Your sister, the Princess Aislinn, is of course welcome whenever her Rossali duties allow her to visit.

I thank you, Sire. I look forward to becoming better acquainted with the court of Glengorm.

With the formalities observed, Caedyrn and Brandubh bowed a final time, turned and quit the great hall. They were joined a moment later by Sorcha and Elspeth, the latter leaning heavily on her daughter's arm.

Mother, you remember Brandubh, said Sorcha. Brandubh, this is your grandmother, Elspeth.

You've certainly grown tall, young man, Elspeth said, extending a gnarled hand. How do you fare? Are you at ease in your human form?

Brandubh accepted his grandmother's hand and lifted it carefully to his lips. The woman looked ancient, her hands knotted and bony, but her eyes remained clear and bright, full of lively intelligence.

I'm fine Granny Elspeth, he said with a smile. I find the clothes more confining than the body.

She chuckled and pulled her hand away. I seem to remember a similar complaint from your father. Walk with me, young man.

Brandubh offered her his arm and matched his pace to hers as they traversed the corridor. Sorcha and Caedyrn fell in behind.

Eager to establish a bond with this close kinswoman, Brandubh touched the mind-link and thought of Elspeth, but the bond of blood did not extend to the link. He had hoped her skill with magic might bridge the gap. It had for Taran and Senga, but their link had been forged in peril and pain. Elspeth remained isolated from the dragon-formed link.

Tell me, Granny, why did I not see you at Aislinn's wedding to Prince Ewan, or Taran's to Senga?

I've spent the last several years away from court. Your siblings' events took place so quickly, there was no time to prepare for or make the journey. Now that I am back, I'm getting to know my daughter's children as opportunities arise.

Brandubh sensed there was more to the story, but decided not to push his grandmother so early in their acquaintance. They rounded a corner and came to the corridor where his parents had their quarters.

I will leave you here, grandson, Elspeth said, peering into his face. You have your mother's eyes, and she has his. Odd to see them again in a masculine face after all these years.

She patted his arm and, releasing him, hobbled to a nearby chamber. She disappeared inside without a backward glance.

Chapter 4

Brandubh reclined on a settle in his mother's workroom, perusing Aislinn's most recent letter. Re-reading the final paragraph, he snorted, half amused, half disgusted. How could any self-respecting dragon, even a dragon-shifter like his sister, sound so totally besotted with a human male? Oh, he liked Ewan well enough, and he'd gotten accustomed to the idea that Aislinn had bonded with the foreign prince, but still, the whole state of affairs was mildly unsettling.

The door to Sorcha's workroom flew open, and Taran bounded in.

Where is he? Where's Brandubh?

Right here, little brother, Brandubh cried, leaping to his feet. He strode across the room and met Taran in a bone-cracking hug beside their mother's scarred worktable.

Shards and shells, Taran, Brandubh exclaimed. What has Senga been feeding you? You're tall as Luag now!

Taran's fair skin flushed with embarrassed pride. Human form agrees with me. Once I learned to use and control my magic, my health improved and I grew. Guess my body needed surcease from magical pressure before it could reach its full potential.

Well, you're definitely not the runt of the family anymore. Bet Senga's pleased, Brandubh said with a wink. Got more of you than she bargained for, eh?

If anything, Taran's flush deepened. Brandubh grinned, pride swelling his heart. He'd never thought to see Taran looking fit, a prime specimen of masculinity. Even after their mother discovered the reason for Taran's ill health two years ago, the young wizard had still been small of stature.

Brandubh studied his sibling. There wasn't an inch difference in their heights, and Taran's chest had broadened and hardened, as well. He'd obviously taken up sword play to develop those muscles. They certainly couldn't be attributed to flight, since Taran refused to change into dragon form these days. With his fair skin and chestnut hair, Taran could easily be mistaken for a full human.

That's enough, you two, Sorcha scolded from the other side of the worktable. If you're going to stay in my workroom, keep your voices down and your movements minimal. This potion I'm preparing is finicky.

Taran rounded the table and kissed his mother's cheek. My apologies, lady. I'll take this miscreant outside so he doesn't continue to disturb you.

Me? You're the one who practically knocked the door off its hinges and exploded into the room, Brandubh complained, wounded righteousness reflected in his voice. I was sitting quietly, reading.

Taran moved back to his brother, grabbed his arm and pulled him to the door. Then you'll appreciate some exercise. He pushed Brandubh into the corridor, saluted Sorcha, and pulled the door closed after him. The two shifters eyed each other and then sprang into another mutual hug.

Shards! I've missed you, Brandubh.

Yeah, well, the ice aerie hasn't been the same without you. All those unbonded females are forlorn; no one to fuss over without our resident runt.

Taran released his brother and punched his arm. I'm not a runt.

Not anymore, Brandubh agreed as the two brothers strode through the castle corridors. But the females still pine for you.

That's because I was sensitive. I listened to them. We conversed. Not like you and Luag, all goofy humor or masculine aloofness.

Hey! Watch who you're calling goofy.

Taran grinned. So you agree? Luag was aloof?

Was? Still is, always will be. Brandubh nodded. The young females worship him, but our brother is totally oblivious. Just between the two of us, I'm not sure Luag knows about males and females. Now you, on the other hand …

Watch it, Taran warned. I'll have no crude humor where Senga is concerned.

Crude humor? Me? Taran, I'm crushed.

Taran snorted and led Brandubh into the courtyard.

I just find it interesting that you, the runt of the clutch, were the first male to mate. Brandubh shook his head and feigned a soulful sigh. If there was one fact I knew, it was that I'd fly a female before you would.

You still will, Taran said, since I married a human.

Brandubh halted, hands on hips, feet planted in a balanced stance. His eyes widened in astonishment. I hadn't thought of that. A grin stretched his mouth. My world just righted itself!

Taran chuckled and gestured Brandubh forward. Come on, O Mighty Dragon. Let's walk down to the lake.

Chapter 5

An unaccustomed restlessness assailed Morag. The fiery red dragon paced the lair she shared with her sister Eibhlinn and two other unbonded females, Siobhan and Meabh. Her lair mates had departed moments earlier to attend to their morning duties: Eibhlinn to assist Keeva with a class of female dragonets; Meabh and Siobhan to teach a boisterous group of hatchlings their elementary lessons. Morag's own assignment, a scouting flight over the Annwn River valley, wouldn't leave until the sun crested the glacier.

The blue ice of her lair usually comforted Morag, but today the silky smooth surfaces felt cramped and irritating. The scouting flight would settle her nerves. Too bad she couldn't leave immediately.

Well, nothing required her to wait in her lair. She'd cure the restless itch with a quick tour of the ice aerie.

Decision made, Morag exited her den and prowled the smoothly rounded corridors. She considered skirting the great gallery, but decided the commotion of daily activity would do her good. With a swish of her long, scaly tail, she entered the largest gathering place within the aerie.

The hustle and bustle of daily life soothed her frazzled nerves. She scanned the enormous cavern for Eibhlinn and spotted her emerald green sister within a group of eager dragonets. A lighthearted glow warmed Morag's heart. Watching Eibhlinn with young ones was to watch the future unfurl before her. Of them all, Morag knew Eibhlinn was destined to clutch many eggs. Her gentle soul existed to guide and nourish the next generation.

Glancing around speculatively, Morag enjoyed a few minutes daydreaming about which unbonded male might win her sister's heart. Would Eibhlinn choose Felchar, the ruggedly masculine son of Drysta and Felim? The brown-streaked blue of his glistening scales was certainly unique among the young males.

No. Eibhlinn would need a calmer soul than Felchar possessed. Perhaps Lyr. The purple male's scales were so deep as to be nearly black, and his gaze revealed a fathomless intelligence. Morag could imagine Eibhlinn's enchantment with such an intellectual male. Between them, they could ensure the safe passage of dragon lore to the next generation.

Morag's patrol mates entered the great gallery, Beither amongst them. He would make a worthy mate for Eibhlinn, but the glance he gave Ailbe suggested the midnight blue male had already set his heart on the stormy gray female.

No matter. Cathair would do just as well. In fact, now that she thought about it, Cathair's black-streaked malachite scales would match Eibhlinn's emerald beautifully. They'd make a stunning pair and would produce gorgeous offspring. Morag nodded. She'd have to nudge Cathair in Eibhlinn's direction.

Actually, any unbonded male in the ice aerie would be a good match for Eibhlinn. All were strong, healthy specimens. An unbonded female couldn't go wrong in this weyr. Eibhlinn would find a worthy bond mate to produce those multiple clutches of eggs.

Just as long as she kept her claws off Goban. The charcoal patrol leader was Morag's choice. No other female had better flaunt her tail at the aloof male! Morag was more than willing to fight for her choice; something delicate Eibhlinn would never consider.

Morag shook her head. How could two such different sisters have come from the same clutch? Well, it didn't matter. Once Eibhlinn made her choice, Morag would be happy to defend her sister's claim, whoever he might be.

The elders had been wise to assign gentle Eibhlinn to the care of the young while sending her fiery sister on patrol. Morag liked hatchlings, but tending them day in and day out would have driven her to violence. No, she required action, flight, and as much adventure as could be arranged.

Chapter 6

Brandubh had never experienced such utter silence. Leofric's throne room hung in the stillness between inhalation and exhalation of well over a hundred souls. The moment stretched beyond endurance, but Brandubh knew he mustn't be the one to break it.

What did you say? Leofric's voice echoed off the stone floors and walls, unnaturally loud, unexpectedly belligerent.

It's true, Sire. I swear. A stocky young man garbed in rough homespun knelt before the throne, twisting his cap between white-knuckled hands. Dragons swept out of the sky at dawn on Friday last. They flamed our village and dragged our cattle from their pens. Three people died, and many of the rest are homeless. He dragged his shirtsleeve across his face and licked cracked lips. Protect us, Sire!

His final words rang through the large hall. When they died away, a buzz of voices filled the void. Brandubh stared straight ahead, careful not to