The Dragon's Fate

By Donna Flynn

Born to be heir to one of the most powerful dragon lines that ever existed, and in love with the only female who could ever truly complete him, Draco hadn't imagined there was anything that could have shaken him, but he had been wrong...
With old lies revealed, Draco will face new challenges that will test his relationship, threaten old friendships, and possibly change the course of his life.
Born blind, Aurora had always faced difficulties...
When her mother’s lies threatens her new found life in Grayhurst and her relationship with Draco, Aurora must learn to deal with prejudice, overcome adversity, and trust in the love she has for her dragon.
Can Draco and Aurora overcome the lies and learn to forgive the past, or will they leave Grayhurst forever and deny the dragons fate?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Donna Flynn
• Release date: Jun 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463726709

Donna Flynn

Donna Flynn is a mother of two, wife, and owner of many beloved pets. She resides in North Carolina.

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The Dragon’s Fate

By

Donna Flynn

Copyright 2015 © by Donna Flynn

Cover Art by Julia Coffin

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the author, except where permitted by law

All characters in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to any person living or deceased is a coincidence.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hardwork of this author.

Chapter One

***Aurora***

I lay upon the bright, green grass in the center of a field that was dotted with a multitude of colorful wildflowers that blew from side to side in the soft afternoon breeze. It was not, though, the majestic beauty that surrounded me that held my attention. My attention was being held by the wondrous display of dancing, shimmering colors that swirled overhead from the dragons that flew in the clear blue sky.

It is stunning, isn’t it? a soft voice said beside me, pulling my attention from the wondrous sight above.

I looked up at the female who had spoken and smiled. India was a White dragon who I had become friendly with shortly after my arrival at Grayhurst, a small town that lay snuggled high in the mountains of North Carolina, the perfect place for dragons to hide from the rest of the world.

It is beautiful and yet so surreal, I answered. Not so long ago, I didn’t even know that dragons existed in this world, and now I am living amongst them.

And about to bond with one for the rest of your life, she added with a knowing grin.

Yeah, I murmured, looking skyward to where my Gold dragon flew. Draco was the only guy for me; the fates had seen to that when they made me his Gem, a mate who was the one destined to complete his life.

Our relationship had started out rocky. He had never wanted me to come to Grayhurst and did everything he could to resist the call between us, but we had managed to work things out and were now planning to spend the rest of our lives together. We were there for one another one hundred percent, which was good in light of the fact our bond was being tested in ways neither of us could have ever foreseen.

Recently, we had found out that Draco’s mother had been killed by a small fraction of humans bent on destroying all supernatural creatures and not by wyverns, the dragons’ hated enemy, as he had always been led to believe. He had been devastated and hurt that his father, the man he looked up to, had kept the truth from him.

To make matters worse, it had also been revealed that my father, a man who had loved and cared for me since I had born, was not my biological father, as I had always believed. That honor, it seemed, belonged to a male named Sebastian who just so happened to be the leader of the wyverns. A man so hated by all dragons that just his name caused their blood to boil, which meant that when everyone found out, it would create more problems for Draco.

It was all one big mess, and although the easiest thing to do would have been to walk away and live our lives on our own, as Draco wanted, I knew that for us that wasn’t an option.

You see each dragon’s Gem had a gift, and mine was to see the guardians sent by the fates to guide us towards our destiny. And I had been told by Sienna, one such guardian, that Draco’s fate depended upon us staying in Grayhurst, so I had convinced him to come home and try to work things out with his parents. Not that I thought in any way that path was going to be easy, for either of us.

India plopped down beside me in the grass, looking thoughtful, pulling me from my thoughts. So, how are things between you and Draco?

We are good, I said. Better than good, despite everything going on in our lives. Our problems had pushed us closer rather than pulled us apart, as they might have if we had not been so strongly invested in one another.

No problems? she hedged.

White dragons were known for being highly intelligent and observant, so although she didn’t outright know what was wrong, India sensed something wasn’t right. To be honest, I hated not being able to confide in her. Her knowledge of dragon history would be extremely helpful in the coming days as Draco and I sorted through the mess of lies our parents had told us, but we had decided for now, to keep things quiet. Neither of us were sure what the backlash would be when everyone found out about my being half wyvern, and we had been asked to keep the human threat quiet by Tegrid, the head of the Dragon Council.

Nope, everything is great, I lied, gripping the grass under my fingers, hating to deceive her when she had been so kind to me.

Is everything alright? Draco’s concerned voice sounded in my head.

He had sensed my worry due to the bond we shared thanks to his scale embedded in my shoulder, put there to save me when I lay dying after a kidnapping gone wrong.

I looked up at the massive Gold dragon flying overhead and smiled. I loved Draco with all of my heart and trusted him with my life, but I knew the truth of my parentage was going to be an issue, no matter what he said to the contrary. There was no way once the other dragons found out I was the daughter of their most hated enemy, that they were going to just accept it.

I’m fine, I thought back to him.

Despite my reassurance, he dove low and landed a few feet away, shifting seamlessly to his human form, not one hair out of place and his clothing completely intact thanks to his dragon magic. He was a sight to behold, my dragon, with his muscular physique, strong jaw, and electric gaze that could see into my soul. My body trembled at just the thought of him holding me in his arms, and I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment that India had witnessed my reaction and was smiling knowingly next to me.

You are so good for him and he loves you very much, she said as he strode purposely toward us.

His eyes never left mine and I wet my lips, unable to look away from his perfection. Yes, he does.

Draco was the only thing in my life I was sure of lately. He was my sanity and my anchor in the unstable ocean of my life, and I couldn’t imagine being without him.

Everything will be fine, Draco whispered in my ear as he sat behind me, wrapping me in his loving embrace.

I love you, I told him, snuggling back into his warm body, allowing him to soothe me as only he could.

This I know, he murmured brushing his lips over my shoulder where his scale rested.

I don’t want you to ever forget, I murmured as he hugged me tighter.

He chuckled. As if that could ever happen. You are my sun and my moon; like the Earth needs them to survive, I need you. Without you by my side, I might as well be dead, because I would be a shell of what I am today.

I shivered. The thought of anything happening to him was unthinkable and brought me great unease. Don’t say that. Don’t even think it, I chastised.

I will never willingly leave you, he told me, brushing his lips down the side of my neck, causing me to shiver in a delicious way that had my body instantly warm.

Please! You two are making me sick, Belynda said as she plopped down on the ground next to India.

The female Brass dragon was a handful, but one of the best friends I could have hoped to meet after moving to Grayhurst. She said things like she meant them, even if her comments were sometimes not well received by those around her. She was loud, boisterous, and sometimes rude, but I wouldn’t change a thing about her.

I laughed. Oh, please, I saw you and Nate under the bleachers earlier today. Talk about making people sick. Your tongue was so far down his throat I thought you might never get it back, or worse, he might choke to death on it before you pulled it back out.

Her cheeks flushed and she looked away. We were just playing around.

None of us really knew what was happening between Nate and her, but it was clear they were doing more than playing around. They had grown very close and didn’t seem all too concerned about the fact they had fated mates out there somewhere waiting for them.

Uh-huh, I teased.

The object of our discussion walked over and she grew quiet, too quiet for the usually out-going female we all knew and loved.

That was awesome, Nate said, taking a seat beside Belynda, sliding his hand over hers and twining their fingers together.

Yeah, we all needed a chance to let loose and unwind, Draco agreed, hugging me closer.

Given the last time we were all together, the wyverns had attacked and attempted to kidnap me, causing Ryan, Belynda’s brother, severe injury, I could say with all sincerity that this outing had gone much better.

We might as well enjoy the quiet before those damn wyverns decide to lay siege to us again, Nate snarled.

I looked away, trying to hide the hurt I felt at his words. After all, I was partly one of those damn wyverns he talked about.

Draco, sensing my upset, smoothed his hand down my back. I’m sure they, too, have suffered in our long war.

Ugh! Who cares what they have been through? Those bastards deserve to die for what they did to Ryan, Belynda cried out, causing me to bite my lip hard enough to draw blood.

Draco noticed immediately and frowned, reaching out and pulling my lip free with his finger.

Hey, stop talking about me like I’m dead. I am fine, Ryan said, joining us on the ground, looking healthier then I had seen him in a long time.

I watched Nate pull his hand slyly away from Belynda’s and chuckled inwardly. They hadn’t hidden their relationship while Ryan recovered, but now that he was up and around, it seemed they were trying to contain themselves in front of him. I supposed it was because it was kind of awkward. They had all grown up together and they were all friends.

Belynda reached out and touched her brother’s cheek lovingly, the bond between them obvious to us all. Stop being so macho, you are still healing. You’re not ready to face the wyverns yet.

He frowned. Woman, do you doubt my dragon excellence?

She laughed. I do not doubt your abilities at all. I’m just worried that you are pushing yourself too hard. There is no need for it, and it could cause more harm than good in the long run.

He rolled his eyes. You and Mom would have me tucked up in bed twenty-four seven if you could.

That’s because we love you and we almost lost you recently, she told him, tears shimmering in her eyes.

He reached out and took her hand in his. I know, but enough with the mothering. I’m fine. I will get my revenge the next time the wyverns attack.

Unable to listen any longer, I moved to my feet with a hasty excuse me and walked away. It wasn’t that I blamed them for their hatred of the wyverns. They had spent lifetimes warring with them. But I was part of the species they were so vehemently disparaging, so their words were like a knife to my heart. I couldn’t help but wonder if they would condemn me like they did the rest of my species, hate me and call me names like that when they found out what I was?

Draco pulled me into his arms, burying my face into his chest so no one could see the tears I cried. It’s alright; they don’t know the truth, so they don’t understand that they are hurting you when they talk badly about the wyverns.

I shook my head. It’s not alright, Draco. I am the very thing they hate, and no matter what we want to believe, there are going to be those who hate me when they find out.

Then that is their loss, he told me, hugging me tight.

He had been wonderful since finding out the truth of my parentage. Never once did he act as if my being half wyvern was an issue, and I was so thankful for that. I didn’t know what I would have done if he had turned his back on me, or whom I would have turned to help me cope.

I’m such a mess. Why do you love me? I sighed.

He hugged me tighter. Because you are mine and I know, no matter who your parents are, that you are a good, caring, wonderful female who I am blessed to have for my own.

I couldn’t help but smile at his sweet words. Man you really do have it bad, don’t you?

Yeah, he murmured in my ear. I really do.

***Draco***

I held Aurora in my arms and kissed her forehead. I knew how worried she was about the reactions of our friends when they found out who her real father was, and it killed me that I couldn’t make it better for her. To be honest I, too, was worried, but more about her feelings than what others thought. As with all dragons who find their mates, I could do nothing but see to her happiness.

Let’s get out of here, I suggested. She nodded against my chest and I looked over my shoulder to our friends. We’re heading out, I called over my shoulder, keeping her tucked up beside me, so no one could see her crying and ask questions.

You just want to get Aurora alone so you can take advantage of her, Belynda teased.

Anyone lucky enough to find their Gem would want the same, I called back, earning chuckles from them all. See you all later.

I wrapped my arm around Aurora and led her away.

Thank you, she said as I helped her into the front seat of my car.

For what? I asked.

She sighed, meeting my eyes with her own tear-filled ones. For loving me.

I leaned down and kissed her petal-soft lips. Loving you is easy. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me.

She smiled and I felt my heart lighten. Her smile was radiant and could light up a room, but lately she didn’t smile much and that made me really sad. I made a vow then and there to try and find a way to get her to smile more.

*****

As we pulled into the driveway in front of the guest cottage where Aurora’s family was staying, a few minutes later, I noted two things: one, she had grown very quiet and two, she kept staring at her phone with unease. I had heard it beep more than once during the drive home, and she had frowned every time she had read the screen.

Is everything okay? I asked.

She looked to me and then back at the text on her phone. My mother wants to talk to me.

They had issues. Her mother had abandoned her as a baby and then reappeared a month ago when Aurora had been kidnapped. Aurora, who had spent her childhood longing for her mother, had not taken her reemergence into her life well, and they had a rather strained relationship. Finding out her mother had also lied to her about who her real father was had only made things worse between them.

"So what does she want to talk to