Thorn:: Dragon Rules, #4

By Tia Didmon

A wolf. A dragon. A sacrifice.

Ella Lake, recovering from a brutal attack, is stunned to learn the wolf that saved her is a dragon, her new friends are druids, and she is one of them.

After traveling to the Amazon to restore Thorn's dragon form, his transformation reveals they are more than a mated pair. A powerful mage has enlisted the forces of the dark dragons to ensure Ella and Thorn fail in their quest to retrieve a powerful artifact.

Can Ella forsake one love to save another or will the mage gain the means to destroy the dragons?

If you like the bite of the Reclaimed Dragons, Dragon Kings, and the Dragons of Mount Aterna series, then you'll devour Tia Didmon's sexy, imaginative series.

One click Thorn and sink your teeth into this wild paranormal romance today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bold Butterfly Publishing Inc.
• Release date: Dec 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215046715

Tia Didmon

Tia Didmon is a USA Today bestselling author of provocative paranormal romance and paranormal women’s fiction. When Tia isn't busy writing about sexy shifters and dreamy demons, she spends her time binge-watching The Order and reruns of The Vampire Diaries, cooking with her daughter, and serving her cat. Her love of writing stems from a self-diagnosed book addiction.  Subscribe to Tia's newsletter at tiadidmon.com for a free book and start your journey through Tia's supernatural world today! 

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

The coffee grinder drowned out her screams. Ella inhaled the rich aromatic scent of espresso and caramel tinged with spices. The fruity aroma of steaming herbal teas and fresh baked goods replaced the memories of her attack, bringing her back to the quaint cafe across from her apartment.

It had taken her a month to leave her suite. The enticing aromas from the bakery had led her to sit on the outside patio and order a vanilla macchiato. She visited every day and most days included a visit from Thorn. The wolf who saved her. The wolf she had sculpted a hundred times before she met him. She hadn't ventured past the safety of the cafe and still had her groceries delivered, but the hour she spent watching people bustle to and from work gave her some semblance of normality. It allowed her to forget there were monsters in the world. The immortal ones that drained your blood. She took a sip of her spiced coffee as the women approached.

Zara had checked in on her often since the attack, but Ella had never met her friend.

The metal chair squeaked against the cobblestone as Zara pulled her chair back. Hello, Ella. This is my sister-in-law, Mara. May we join you?

Ella pointed to the chairs. Please do. Fur rubbed against her side. He was back. Her friend. Her Saviour. Thorn. She stroked his ears. I appreciate you bringing him to visit me. He's here almost every day. It's really helped with my recovery.

Zara and Mara shared a glance. I don't bring Thorn to see you. He does that on his own, Zara said.

Ella could usually detect a lie. The police officer was telling the truth. How does he get here, then? You said he lives in the mountains with your family.

Mara pursed her lips. That's the reason we came to see you. Thorn is unique. He isn't a wolf.

Ella looked down at the blue crystalline eyes. They held a sadness that no four-legged animal should possess. Her wolf looked tired. While he didn't live with her, she had come to think of him as hers. The one friend that asked nothing of her and she could always depend on Thorn. Admittedly, she always preferred animals to humans. Their wants and needs were so much simpler than those of humanity. Funny, he looks like a wolf to me.

Mara wiped a bead of sweat from her brow. The attractive, raven-haired woman was nervous. Afraid. And not of Ella. He's more than he seems.

The beautiful woman's cagey behavior made Ella turn to survey the clusters of people seated on the cafe patio. The small array of black metal tables surrounded by a wrought-iron fence appeared as it had every other day. Nothing appeared out of place and the women noted the surroundings often. I'm aware there are actual monsters in the world. Don't tell me Thorn is one of them? Her chest squeezed. She believed in Thorn. The one good thing to come from a horrible experience. She hadn't put her trauma behind her.

Mara's eyebrows arched. No. Thorn is amazing. We all love him, but if you don't help him, he will die.

Ella's heart stuttered. It was the last thing she expected Mara to say. Die? Who would want to hurt Thorn?

Mara smiled as the server placed the cups of coffee in front of the ladies. She took a sip, frowning as if she didn't care for the taste. Her eyes followed the server, waiting until the girl was out of earshot before she replied. You've had a run-in with a dark dragon, but we didn't realize until Thorn's fixation on you that you are his Druid. You haven't reached your twenty-third birthday, but it's coming. With it comes the maturity of your power.

Ella took a quick sip of her espresso, allowing the fiery liquid to center her. It wasn't the strange nature of the conversation. She had a lifetime of unusual. It was the fact that Mara wasn't lying. Heat bloomed in her chest when Mara referred to her as Thorn's. What kind of power do I have? And what is yours? Are you psychic?

Mara's eyes glazed over. The pupils receded, leaving white, iridescent globes. Her entire body froze as if it were unoccupied.

Zara glanced around the café. Shit. This isn't the time for a vision, Mara.

Ella leaned closer, gazing into the milky eyes. She has visions?

Zara nodded. That's her power. Mara is a seer. She had a vision about you, and it involves Thorn.

Mara took a deep breath as her eyes returned to emerald green with streaks of blue. Not the best timing.

Zara put her hand on Mara's arm. It's fine. No one noticed. What did you see?

Mara glanced at Thorn before meeting Ella's gaze. It's the same as before. A vision about Ella. She's traveling in a dense forest. It isn't local. The Amazon maybe. Thorn is with her. So is Draco and another man I don't recognize. He's a Dragon and is helping them. They are searching for something. She rubbed her forehead.

Ella's hand trembled as she sipped her coffee. What are we searching for?

Mara grabbed two white pills from her purse, popping them in her mouth and washing them down with her coffee. I don't know what it is exactly. Only that it's a key to Thorn resuming his human form.

Ella sat back in her seat. What?

The images formed in her mind. Thorn running through the forest. A man she didn't recognize shifting from his human form to Dragon. He was beautiful and obviously Thorn's friend. The wolf climbed on his back, soaring through the clouds as the wind whistled over his fur. The backdrop changed, and the countryside became something she didn't recognize. Rolling hill speckled with clusters of rock and long grass. An attractive muscular man with dark hair and blue crystalline eyes smiled at her. Thorn's eyes.

She clutched her chest. Dear God. It wasn't the image of Thorn as a man that startled her. It was the way her body reacted. She was unprepared for the heat he created within her body. Why would Thorn show her an image of him naked? Was that a wolf thing?

Zara leaned over the table, dropping the pitch of her voice. Are you all right?

Ella placed her coffee cup on the table. I saw images of Thorn as a man. As crazy as this sounds, I believe you, but why me? How am I supposed to help him?

Zara pursed her lips. You're a Druid. You haven't manifested your power yet, but the darks know about you. Roker knew you had Druid blood or he wouldn't have been after you. We don't know what your power will be, but it's crucial to saving Thorn.

Part of Ella wanted to believe what they were saying. That she was special rather than different. I don't have any special powers. I'm just an artist.

Mara rubbed her temple. You know that's not true. You have been sculpting Thorn your entire life. Not just any wolf. Thorn.

I've tried to do variations. Alter the wolf's coat eye color, but it always comes out the same. That doesn't mean I'm a Druid. Maybe I have some psychic ability. It's obvious we have a connection. Ella closed her eyes, losing yourself in the murmur of voices. Hoping the sea of conversation would allow her to float away from the craziness her life had become.

You are Druid and have a unique connection to Thorn. You know what it is, but you are unprepared to face it, Mara said.

Ella grabbed her coffee, about to stand, when Mara reached out and grabbed her wrist. Power flared between them. Sparks lit beneath her skin as Mara's vision played through her mind. Mara hadn't told Ella about the kiss. She and Thorn wrapped in a lover's embrace. Ella snatched her hand away as if burned. Stop it! she hissed.

Mara retracted her hand. I'm sorry. I know you're still recovering from the attack. That you barely leave your apartment, and I'm asking you to travel halfway across the world to find a herb that will trigger the transformation. It isn't fair, but if you don't help us, we will lose Thorn.

Ella swallowed dry air, looking down at the calm wolf. His eyes held admiration. Love. Sadness. That last one she knew well. What is this herb? How does it save Thorn?

Mara shook her head. The herb will start the transformation, but it won't save him. You search for something that will. I don't know what it is. Only that it will reverse the spell cast on him.

Ella glanced at the blond man sitting at another table. He sipped his coffee, glancing at Mara. Ella had seen him in the café but never talked to him. Mara was oblivious to his hungry stares. She was an attractive curvy woman, but unaware of her beauty. I know I have to face my fears. I can't keep living like this. She took a sip of her espresso. Let's say I agree to this trip. When would I leave? How would I get there?

Mara's eyes swirled with blue flamed behind emerald. You must leave now.

CHAPTER 2

Ella opened her eyes to strange surroundings, and sounds of howler monkeys, frogs, cicadas and exotic birds. Rain clattered on the roof of the simple bamboo and grass roof. Was this a dream or a nightmare? How did she get here?

Memories of her conversation with Mara and Zara flooded back. She had agreed to go to the Amazon with Draco. He'd been waiting for her at the apartment when she returned. Thorn licked his hand before she led them inside. While she had explained she didn't travel well. Draco had told her to trust him. She had laid down on the couch, but she couldn't remember why. Now she was surrounded by forest and birds. Her hands fisted at her sides, willing the panic away. She could do this. Save Thorn.

She pulled back the multi-colored woven blanket as she sat up. The only furniture in the small room was the bed. She yelped when her toe banged into the metal frame of a backpack, laying on the floor. She opened the flap to find her clothes inside before making her way to the door and cracking it open.

The small village with dozens of haciendas with bamboo and grass construction sat amidst the lush canopy of gleaming leaves. A large fire pit at its center allowed tendrils of smoke to waffle in the air as a man rotated his dinner over the open spit. Her stomach throbbed with the smell of gamy meat.

Draco stepped onto her simple porch. Good. You're awake. We were beginning to worry.

She joined Draco, wrapping her hands around the single bamboo rail. We? Thorn is with you?

As is Cole.

She ran her fingers over a cut mark in the wood made by a machete or thick knife. Who is Cole?

He is newly awakened. Once Mara saw him, she realized he was the man in her vision. He is here to protect you, and help us restore Thorn's humanity.

Ella tried not to focus on the strangeness of the conversation. Her entire life had been a series of weird. She'd never fit in, even before the attack. Dragons. Druids. Magic. Her day-to-day life was less foreign to her. While her parents had assured her she wasn't adopted, she'd always felt apart from her family. Now she searched the other side of the world, looking for an object, to save the wolf that was a man. Laughter bubbled from the madness. She placed her hand over her mouth.

Draco's eyes narrowed on her. Are you all right?

Her eyes roamed the lush canopy at the base of the mountain. For a girl who woke up in the Amazon, after having barely left her apartment in months, I'm doing peachy.

You are surprisingly accepting of our world.

Ella watched a young boy poke the embers of the fire. It isn't like I have a choice. Roker's attack made me aware of the dark dragons. Zara explained the dragons like you.

Draco glanced up at the clouds. Zara told you what you needed to hear in order to heal. You know nothing of our history, or Thorn's, but you are helping us, anyway.

She winked at him. Who could turn down a handsome dragon?

Draco extended his chest. You think I'm handsome?

They both turned as Thorn growled.

Ella knelt down and