Dragon Accord: The Morrigan Aerie

By Calliope Parrish

The 500 year war is finally over!

 

There is a new president in Aurumden and he's different. Avery LeDeux wasn't expected to win, but he did. He is determined to keep his campaign promise: A lasting peace with Kaldona. The public of Aurumden want it, the politios not so much, the Aurumden Historical Society not at all.

 

As the mysteries of the breeding facility unravel, Kellan is desperate to protect Jericho from what is discovered. But can she and where is it hidden?

A Peace Treaty. A Rescue. And a few hidden secrets are revealed in the final chapter of The Morrigan Aerie.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Calliope Parrish
• Release date: Oct 4, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201440497

Calliope Parrish

Calliope Parrish is the joint name that Antonia Tiranth & Delilah K. Stephans. After both spent a lifetime writing separately, they joined forces to create new worlds and interesting situations to intrance readers. Antonia works in the medical field in the Baltimore, MD area and is married to a Parrish. Delilah has a degree in Graphic Design and Glass art and works from home in Mobile, AL and was born a Parrish.

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No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Copyright © 2022 by Calliope Parrish

Cover and interior artwork Copyright © Stringfellow Studios

Contents

1. Part One

2. Cain

3. Kellan

4. Avery

5. Kellan

6. Jeriah

7. Mark

8. Kyle

9. Scarlet

10. Mark

11. Scarlet

12. Kellan

13. Avery

14. Kyle

15. Gabriel

16. Kellan

17. Gabriel

18. Cain

19. Mark

20. Avery

21. Kyle

22. Mark

23. Avery

24. Scarlet

25. Mark

26. Scarlet

27. Avery

28. Kyle

29. Kellan

30. Avery

31. Scarlet

32. Dane

33. Part Two

34. Galen

35. Scarlet

36. Kyle

37. Avery

38. Galen

39. Scarlet

40. Dane

41. Scarlet

42. Mark

43. Scarlet

44. Kyle

45. Avery

46. Kellan

47. Scarlet

48. Dane

49. Galen

50. Dane

51. Galen

52. Kellan

53. Part Three

54. Kyle

55. Avery

56. Scarlet

57. Galen

58. Scarlet

59. Dane

60. Avery

61. Kyle

62. Scarlet

63. Kyle

64. Avery

65. Part Four

66. Kyle

67. Avery

68. Cain

69. Dane

70. Avery

71. Cain

72. Scarlet

73. Avery

74. Isaiah

75. Kyle

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Sometimes an ending is merely the start of a new beginning. Grieve the ending. Celebrate the beginning.

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Islowly lowered the report I had been reading to the table. It took several minutes for me to process everything I’d read. It seemed both completely impossible and completely possible. My emotions ranged from stunned disbelief to absolute amazement to anger. Dad? The scratch of his pen on the paper in front of him paused as he turned his gaze on me, raising a brow in question. I lifted the report and waved it in the air. Uncle Jordan is a damn genius.

I wouldn’t say that, Momma muttered, but Dad just chuckled and motioned for me to continue.

I refrained from rolling my eyes. Momma always teased my uncles, but would also be the first to defend them against others. I used to not understand, but Morgan and Rowan had shown me that was just how siblings acted. We could tease and heckle each other, but no one else better say a single negative word about them. When Dad suggested that Uncle Jordan and Shoshanna go to the mountain base to find the breeding facility’s database and maybe some clue where the facility was, I was skeptical. Brilliant at infiltration, sure, but a computer whiz? Yet, here was the proof. He cracked through their firewalls into the breeding facility, found some of their files, and decoded the database, I said.

Dad reached for the multi-paged report I held out to him. Did he find the location?

I shook my head. Unfortunately, no, he’s been working on breaking through that firewall, but thought we needed to see this, as soon as possible. I watched as he read through every page as I had done. His eyebrows shooting up, his lips moving slightly as he counted and then a frown formed on his lips.

Jordan’s report conclusively proved Enoch and Meaghan, whose original name was Eden, were Jericho’s children. Raphael was also Jericho’s son and one more hatchling still at the facility, named Galen, was Raphael’s clutchmate. However, there was a -D after Galen’s name, but no other dragon had that designation and there was no explanation of it either. Jordan’s notes indicated he didn’t know what the -D stood for, but was still looking into it as he hadn’t cracked all the medical files yet.

This also meant Gwenyth, Enoch and Analise’s daughter was his grandchild, in addition to Hannah and Aiden’s Chloe and Nova and Gavin’s twins Connor and Talia. We had already accepted this, especially given the dragonesses of our family confirming that they could feel them as blood kin. Meaghan also admitted to having the same sense of us, but no one wanted to bring it up to Aunt Kellan, and by extension, Uncle Jericho, at least not without the breeding facility records to confirm our suspicions. Now we had them. The list also included the names of other dragons and a notation of which ones were still alive and parentage. Of Jericho’s hatchlings, only the dragon at the facility Galen-D, Meaghan and Raphael were marked as alive, but in total there had been twenty-five dragons sired by him. Do we tell Aunt Kellan and Uncle Jericho now? I asked.

Uncle Jeriah knew. Grandmother Demaris had been the one to tell him of the possible blood connection, but he’d asked for it to be kept quiet for now. Dad and Momma looked at one another for a long time and then finally Dad nodded.

We tell Kellan, he said, slowly, as if still thinking, She and Jeriah can decide how and when to tell Jericho.

That’s a bad idea, Momma said as she drummed her nails on the table. Jericho won’t take this being kept from him well and you know that. When Dad and I looked at her, she continued. I agreed to keep it from him when we weren’t completely sure, but now? Jericho deserves to be told and while I can agree to telling Kellan first so she can get prepared, it’s best if we tell him with the whole family present. He deserves to know now we have confirmed everything, but you know Kellan, love. She will be so hell bent on protecting Jericho, she won’t tell him and he’ll find out by accident and be hurt even more.

I wanted to argue that we should tell them all at the same time. But after the mess we’d all made of trying to help Mark learn what the anam cara bond was and accept it. I was more than a little reluctant to meddle in another couple’s relationship right now. We’d thought those two were anam cara and completely misinterpreted all the signs, inadvertently keeping them from their real anam cara. Thankfully, Joshua and Meaghan had sorted it out on their own, but Mark and Scarlet were still at odds. Grandmother Demaris had some choice words for all of us once things had settled after the air strike on the Stronghold and she was absolutely right about every single point she made. So, like it or not, helping family or not, in this, I would keep my mouth shut. I was basically still a kid to them, anyway. So... I started, Are we telling her now or later?

She and Jeriah are already on the way, Momma said.

Bets on how many windows she’ll break?

Behave, Cop. Isaiah fell silent. It was strange not having him here with me, but I kept my mind open to him so he could know everything I knew. Yes, it had been over a month since the attack and I knew he was completely healed, but his being so close to death had terrified me. Thankfully, he agreed to stay in the suite for at least another day for my peace of mind, even if he was sulking.

I wouldn’t be sulking if you were in the room with me.

Aunt Kellan and Jeriah entered the study as the three of us moved onto discussing another report, this one about the progress of repairs in the village. When the door closed behind her, the winds in the room picked up a little bit and her aura brushed against me. She folded her arms and frowned. Why do I have a feeling that whatever you want to tell isn’t good news?

It’s not exactly bad news, but it is disturbing, Dad said calmly and then gestured to a chair. Have a seat.

I think I’ll stand, she growled. You know I hate it when you—hey! Uncle Jeriah gripped her by the shoulders, pushing her forward and then into a chair. I would have laughed, but it would probably piss her off, so I bit back the chuckle. Then she was glaring at her anam cara. You know what this is about, don’t you? He merely nodded, and she sighed. Out with it, Gabriel.

I watched, wondering if Dad would let her read it for herself or tell her. Either way, I prepared to contain whatever psionic wave she emitted. She wasn’t great at controlling her emotionally generated blasts. With all the ongoing repairs for damage caused by Aurumden, we didn’t need to add Kellan-imposed broken windows to the list.

We had suspicions that Aurumden used samples from Jericho to impregnate dragonesses they have contained at the breeding facility in Seladon.

There was a slight up swell in her aura, but nothing major yet. She looked from Dad to Uncle Jeriah and then back again. Had suspicions? As in, you don’t have them now?

Jordan got into their computer files for the facility and found their breeding records, a list of all the dragons hatched from their program, which contained both the male and female dragon used.

I snorted. Used was certainly the only word to describe it. From what we learned from Meaghan and Enoch, they only had the barest recollections of each other and though they could recall hearing other females, they had no clue who their mother was. Their breeding attempts had dwindled over the centuries and from what was in Uncle Jordan’s report, there had been no more insemination attempts since Raphael and the male they still held, Galen. So far, no explosions from my aunt, but that didn’t mean one wasn’t coming.

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Itook a deep breath and closed my eyes for a moment. I could feel Cain’s gaze on me and knew he was expecting me to blow at any minute, but I couldn’t. For once, I had to keep control, had to keep this inside. If I didn’t, Jericho would find out, and I really, really didn’t want the big bully finding out about this. Not until I knew everything. Not until I could figure out a way to tell him without bringing back up his past horrors. If I lost him . . . I didn’t know what I’d do. I opened my eyes and looked up at Jeriah. How much of this did he already know, and how long had he known? Did it really matter? I wasn’t even mad at him for keeping it from me because me not knowing, meant less chance of it slipping to Jericho. Turning my attention back to Gabriel, I leaned forward, putting my elbows on my knees, meeting his calm, ice blue gaze. Once I had lamented the fact that Hannah wouldn’t have any siblings and then was thrilled when we found out about Nova and Delilah. Now there would be more. How many?

Twenty-five, total over the centuries he was in Amber Sky.

Jeriah’s shock and anger threatened my control, and I closed my eyes again, reigning in the emotions, but still Jericho’s concern rose. Without opening my eyes, I reached for Jeriah’s hand and threaded my fingers through his as I reassured Jericho. Jeriah might have known that there were hatchlings sired by his twin, but at least he hadn’t known how many. I didn’t bother opening my eyes again, just focused on the steady pressure of Jeriah’s hold. How many are still alive?

My real question was how many of them did we know? How many of them were right under our noses and being denied their family, like I had been? Their aerie. The only thing more important to a dragon than his or her anam cara was family. Gabriel hadn’t answered my question yet, so I opened my eyes again and fixed him with a glare. How many are still alive?

Only five.

Five? Only the four with us and one other? Great gods above. It was all I could do not to let out a blast of energy in anger, but somehow, thank the Morrigan, I managed. Who are they, and damn it, Gabriel? Why can’t you just tell me everything at once? Just rip the figurative bandage off already.

The ones we know of...obviously, Hannah and Nova. Meaghan and Enoch are clutchmates, but there are two others. One of the most recent hatchlings was never put into the Amber Sky Program and is still at the breeding facility for reasons yet unknown. The only information we have is that he is named Galen and has a -D after his name. Gabriel said, and I almost hit him. He knew what I really wanted to know, but he loved his secrets. They were the reason we stayed relatively safe, but even when ready to reveal one, he took his damn time doing it. I don’t recognize the names of the others, except one. He recently crossed the veil to the great beyond.

I could only sit there, slack-jawed and processing. Meaghan and Enoch? The more I thought about it and called to mind their faces, the more it made sense and shouldn’t surprise me. They had similar features to my dragon when examined closely, specifically, their eyes. That slight upturn and grey color. Enoch’s were like Hannah’s, only the ring of grey but the other two. Other than their father, Luke, no other dragons I’d met had gray eyes like Jericho and Jeriah. Except my twins’ progeny. My stomach dropped as I recalled another dragon who had gray in his eyes and recently taken from us. Recently? I choked out, though I didn’t really need to hear him say it, didn’t want him to say the name, I knew the name he was going to say.

Raphael, Gabriel said sadly.

Dear Morrigan.... When I’d seen Raphael in dragon form following Jericho at the compound my first week there, I thought it was like a son following behind his father, copying him. How right I had been so long ago, only to have it revealed now. I couldn’t tell Jericho about this. Raphael’s death had devastated him. When he found out that the young dragon was his son? But how could I not tell him? Why did I ask a question I didn’t really want the answer to? Hell, none of the answers I’d gotten since I walked into this study today were answers I wanted!

And one more thing, Gabriel said with a pained grin. You have a brother.

Say again? I asked, shocked out of my thoughts. Great, now I had to tell Adam he had a son too!

Ruel. He’s Adam’s son, so that makes him your half-brother. Gabriel explained.

Well, in a weird ass way, that crazy bitch Kendra was my mom or my sister, I rationalized, trying to calm myself. I’d never thought much about it. The little bitch was dead, and it hurt my head trying to figure it out. Daniel and his petri dishes! How many other clones had died in his experiments? It should make me understand better what Jericho would face, but the only thought in my mind was wondering if it was possible to kill a dead man? I didn’t think so, but maybe I could look into it more. Yes, because of Daniel I was alive, but honestly? The man was the reason that Aurumden could breed Jericho to have twenty-five hatchlings for them! Of which, only three were still alive! And what if we couldn’t rescue this Galen? What did the D after his name mean? My brain felt like it was about to explode!

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My first thought on waking was the same one I’d been having for the last two months since the election and got worse in the days since the inauguration. I’m the president of the God damn Republic of Aurumden. It was still dark out, not yet time to get the day started, but once the thought entered my brain, going back to sleep was impossible. I reached out, and the bed was empty. Kyle must already be up and down in the residence kitchen making me breakfast. He’d better not forget my damn coffee.

I sat up and looked at the semi familiar room. It would take another month before I was comfortable calling it my room. Thankfully, we’d raised enough money to repaint and refurbish the residence. Institutional white, with antique furniture, was not me. The walls were now a soft grey and the wood floors under the carpet had been refinished and were now area rugs kept feet from touching winter cold floors. The furniture wasn’t new, but at least from this century. Except for the very comfortable king sized bed, that was mine! I’d bought it with my money and when I left office it was coming with me.

After using the bathroom, I stared at my reflection in the mirror. The same man stared back at me as had every day of my life. Same dark curly hair, which, like most mornings, stuck out in about a hundred different directions. Same green eyes, now starting to sport dark circles under them. Women were lucky and could cover those suckers up with makeup. But now the face belonged to a man others addressed as Mr. President, not just the representative of a relatively small constituency close to the border of Kaldona. Me? President? I still couldn’t believe it. What started out as a wish and a foolish dream many years ago as a sophomore in college. The thought and hope to maybe I could help make a difference, be the man who finally ended the damn war.

When the interviews from Mark Walker aired and Kyle caught wind of the change in the tide of the people’s thoughts, he determined now was the time. With their outrage over the accusations in those interviews, and the polls Kyle had run without my knowledge, I thought maybe he was right. I could at least get my name out there. I never actually expected to win, but it would be an excellent introduction to national politics. Even when the presumed front runner, backed by the Aurudmen Historical Society, who had supported every winning President for the last several not only decades but centuries, started to drop in the polls and it looked like maybe someone else could win the election. I didn’t believe it. Couldn’t believe it, even when we were watching the election returns as district after district was called in my favor. I still didn’t believe it, but here I stood in the master bathroom of the presidential residence. When I opened the bathroom door, it did not surprise me to find Kyle standing there holding two steaming mugs and the heavenly aroma of coffee filling the suite.

Good morning, Mr. President.

I rolled my eyes at him and reached for one mug. He took a step back and held them both out of my reach, trying to frown at me but not succeeding. I rolled my eyes again. Good morning, now please stop teasing me and give me my damn coffee before I scream for my security to wrench it out of your hand.

Chuckling, he handed me a mug, and I took a big gulp of it as I walked to the bed, not worrying about scalding my mouth and throat. After all our years together, Kyle knew to bring my first cup to me at the perfect gulping temperature. I needed the quick caffeine infusion to get me moving. The second one he handed me at the breakfast table would be hot. He was one of those disgusting morning people and I had to be one, but I forced it.

I sank down onto the end of the bed with a sigh, letting the caffeine work its way into my system. Kyle walked into the closet, getting together my clothes for the day, and I tried to listen as he laid out the schedule. It was hard to concentrate on his words, not only because my brain still hadn’t caught up yet, but he was looking damn good in his charcoal grey suit with matching tie and a black shirt, it would really bring out his sharp gunmetal blue eyes, that could mesmerize or terrify. The sharp planes of his face and short professional hair cut made it almost impossible to determine his age. He turned around, holding two jackets, one navy and one a lighter blue, and then his arms dropped. If he hadn’t been holding the hangers, his hands would probably be on his hips. As it was, there was a slight frown on his lips. Are you even listening to me? He asked, raising a brow at me. What? What’s that look for?

You forgot something, I said, then took a sip of the coffee to hide the smirk on my face.

He frowned, and his gaze went to the ceiling. I knew him so well, I could almost hear him silently ticking off the endless and ever growing to-do list in his head to figure out what he’d forgotten. What did I forget? You’ve got the first cup of non scoldingly hot coffee. Breakfast is waiting in the kitchen. I’m getting your suit for the day together and trying to tell you your schedule. What else?

I crooked a finger at him. My good morning kiss.

Really? Kyle huffed. We don’t have time—

I pouted. Come on, just a quick little kiss before I turn into the leader of Aurumden. Be my lover for just a moment, the one who kisses me before I go off to work. It’s all we have time for anymore. I didn’t mean for it to come out as whiny as it did, but he sighed heavily.

Avery . . . we talked about this, he said, putting the jackets on the closet doorknob before he stalked across the room slowly to stand in front of me.

Before he could say anything else, I grabbed his tie and tugged on it, forcing him to bend down. If you don’t want me to mess up your tie or go to my first meetings without a shower, you’ll give me what I want. I am the President and technically your boss. You are officially my personal assistant. I waggled my eyebrows at him. He almost smiled, but shook his head.

Avery…

I tugged on the tie again, ignoring the warning tone. He didn’t mean it, anyway. Look, you haven’t been able to sleep—

He swooped down and crushed his lips against mine. Letting go of the tie, I dug my fingers into his hair instead, trying to pull him down onto the bed. He resisted the tumble backwards, but didn’t break the kiss. When he pulled back a little, I vaguely recalled I still had my coffee in my other hand and was really impressed I hadn’t dropped it. Better? He murmured, his lips still brushing mine.

I smiled. A little.

With one more quick peck, he straightened. Now, Mr. President. Get that fine ass of yours in the shower.

I downed the rest of the coffee. I might need you to soap my back, I said, with what I hoped was at least a somewhat tempting tone.

That is outside the scope of my job duties, Mr. President, he said in his personal assistant voice, and I really didn’t know how he kept a straight face.

Fine, I replied with an exaggerated sigh, though I’d known he wouldn’t join me in the shower now, but maybe tonight. I stood and headed toward the bathroom, after handing him my now empty coffee cup. Then at least come repeat my schedule for the day while I shower. I was too busy enjoying the view to pay attention.

You’re a goddamned tease, Avery LeDeux.

I winked and started into the bathroom, throwing You like it, Kyle and if you don’t, I’ll stop. over my shoulder as I passed him. He delivered a sharp slap to my ass. When had he put down his coffee cup? Didn’t matter, he would follow me and repeat my schedule. A victory. A small one, the first and probably only one of the day. Once I was under the hot spray of the shower, I said, Okay, hit me with it. What bullshit do I have to put up with today?

Morning briefing, followed by a discussion with the military brass on the state of the troops and the cost of replacing almost every damn aircraft in the inventory. His voice dropped to a mutter. Why did they think attacking Kaldona was a good idea? Oh right, they were dumb asses. He returned to a normal tone, Then you have to sit in on the representatives meeting, lunch with the Communications Director on what you are looking for in a press secretary so they can get a job release out. Which gets you through lunch where you have a free couple of hours, then you have to interview for at least one of the three other secretaries you will need and have yet to hire. Jennifer can’t keep doing everything. You've got another four weeks minimum before she finishes physical therapy and the temps are not her.

How’d I manage to get a few free hours? I asked with a snort while deliberately ignoring the secretary thing.

Some idiot booked a meeting for you with the AHS. I rescheduled, claiming the first few days in office, too many meetings, the usual new in the job crap. But that is only going to work for maybe the first hundred days. You’re going to have to meet with them eventually, Avery.

I groaned. The Aurumden Historical Society claimed to be just what their name suggested, but there was something more to them I hadn’t figured out yet. Why else would they be so heavily involved in politics that went beyond preserving historical sites? Many former presidents and a lot of the representatives counted themselves among the members and the AHS had contributed to campaigns of only winners. Until me. As soon as my numbers had risen, the barrage of calls to meet started, but I refused to speak with them or take any of their money. Or rather, Kyle refused on my behalf. I pushed the shower curtain out of the way a little and stuck my head out. Can we keep putting them off at least until we meet with the Kaldonians about the peace treaty? That was what got me elected, and I have to try to get, at least, a damn cease fire. What’s after dinner? Cause I know you scheduled something. If for no other reason than to get it off my plate. The promise of those two free hours was a bright spot in the day. Depending on what was after, it could mean some time alone with Kyle or going through more damn briefing books. I hoped it was alone time.

Calling Seladon’s new king with condolences on his father’s death and regrets you can’t attend the funeral. I scheduled it for twenty minutes before your meeting with the cabinet to go over the treaty from Kaldona. Figured it be a good excuse to get off the phone.

I resisted the urge to do a happy dance. Wouldn’t be good for me to slip in the shower, end up at a hospital and ruin my day. Plus, it would give the security team a logistics nightmare and the damn press would have a field day with it. I could almost see the headline, President Falls While Dancing in the Shower. The building where the cabinet members worked was just down the street, so that meant I could remain here and I wouldn’t have to leave ten minutes early to make it to the meeting on time. I shut off the water and took the offered towel. Then you know what I want to do with my two hours?

Review the legislation we have coming up for voting?

I shook my head. Guess again.

Think about re-election?

Kyle, that’s four years away, I said with exasperation. I don’t need to think about that for at least two more years.

Then what? he asked, pointedly keeping his gaze on my face, but the corner of his mouth twitched a bit and I knew he was being deliberately oblivious.

Have desert.

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After the attack, left Aurumden licking some major wounds and the new administration settling in, we were enjoying some well deserved quiet time. Thankfully, Luke, Jeriah and Nic, along with Jericho, took advantage of being ahead of schedule in rebuilding the village to replenish the meat stores. I forced myself out of the suite, but with nowhere that I needed, or really wanted to be, I ended up just wandering around the halls.

It had been a few days since Jeriah and I had gone to Gabriel’s study. I should have known something was up when Jeriah relayed Jael’s message for just the two of us to come. Then they had to drop that bomb on me. Twenty-five hatchlings. Only three of that twenty-five were still living. Dear gods, how did I break this to Jericho? The same question had been tumbling over itself in my head since I’d been told. Was it yesterday? How could my life turn upside down in a day? Why was I surprised? I should be used to sudden changes by now. How did I tell Jericho? I eventually found myself in front of the nursery and heard the soft clack of Sophia knitting.

I took a deep breath and pushed open the door carefully. If anyone could help me and understand my worries, it would be Sophia. She sat in a rocker next to the huge crib we’d had made specifically because Raphaella, or Ella as everyone called her, insisted on gathering all her cousins into one place and curling around them. We had to have the huge thing specially made when Ella kept somehow getting all the kids into one crib whenever anyone turned their backs for even a minute. I crept over and glanced down at my grandchildren. They slept soundly for the moment, blissfully unaware of all the problems their parents faced. Sophia, Beatrice, Keziah and I all took turns watching the little ones to give their parents at least a couple of hours to themselves, to sleep or do other more adult things. Jael took a turn when she could. When she wasn’t busy with things which, as Queen, I really should be doing. I chewed on my bottom lip as I watched them. All of them . . . every single one of them but Ella was Jericho’s grandchild, not just Hannah and Aiden’s Chloe and Nova and Gavin’s twins, Connor and Talia. My grandchildren. Gwyneth, Analise and Enoch’s little girl, too. She was in the castle for a visit today to ease Ella’s anxiety about having her cousins out of her sight.

A shudder ran through me. I wasn’t ready to be a grandmother. Oh, I loved them all, but, grandmother? Me? I wasn’t even good at being a mother! I’d sheltered Hannah so much she’d trusted Kaleb and look at how that turned out. How was I supposed to be a grandmother? And Jericho didn’t have a clue. Ella half-opened her eyes, gave me a sleepy once over and then stretched before curling tighter around the other children.

Something on your mind, dear? Sophia asked quietly, still rocking, but her needles had stilled. Did you want to talk about it?

Did I want to talk about it? Sophia was always such a significant source of advice and over the years had become a mother figure to me. Maybe she would have some way of telling her son without upsetting him more than necessary. Or would talking about it let Jericho see it? I plopped on the floor in front of her, wrapping my arms around my knees. I know something, I started, keeping my tone low. The little ones would wake soon enough, wanting to eat. No need to prod them awake. Something I should share with Jericho, but I’m afraid to tell him.

She frowned and drummed her fingers briefly on the arm of the rocking chair. Why?

Because it’s going to bring up everything from where he’s buried it, and I’m afraid I won’t be able to bring him back this time. I brushed at the tears that had leaked out. I couldn’t lose either of my dragons. Jericho almost had himself convinced that Hannah’s personality split was his fault. He, unlike Jeriah, who had rightfully laid it at my feet, refused to believe my bad parenting had caused her to lock away her dragon out of fear. How would he feel once he learned that Raphael, Enoch, and Meaghan were all his children? Aurumden deeply hurt all of them. Nova’s appearance had been enough of a shock to him, and she had nearly died at the hands of our enemy, too. That was without mentioning Nova’s sister trying to kill her. Thank the gods for the sniper who loved her. I looked up at Sophia. She didn’t press, but waited for me to speak, as she always did. I gave her a small smile and hedged, avoiding what I really wanted to tell her. Did you know I have a brother?

She returned the smile. No, I didn’t, dear. When did you find this out?

Yesterday, from what we’ve found out, Aurumden took samples from the dragons, used them to artificially inseminate the females they held. Ruel is Adam’s son.

Sophia opened her mouth to say something. She was too intelligent to not figure out where this conversation was going. Her lids lowered a little, and she tapped her lips with one finger. Jericho has hatchlings other than Nova and Hannah, doesn’t he?

I nodded.

Who?

Enoch, Meaghan and a male named Galen, who is still at that damned breeding facility, I said, and then took a shuddering breath. And Raphael.

Oh, dear, she said, standing abruptly.

I know. I just don’t know--

Sophia shook her head and pointed. I looked over my shoulder. The door was cracked open, and I was certain I’d closed it behind me. Shock, anger, sadness crashed over me with the force of a crushing tidal wave,