Dragonbound XI: Heart of the Volcano: Dragonbound

By Rebecca Shelley

Great Red Volcanic dragons--the most powerful evil creatures in the world, known for hunting, capturing, and torturing humans for sport and food--are hated and feared, even among the Nagas who share a bond with other Great dragons. When Kanvar's youngest son, Jinjani, who was trained by the Great Dragon Hunter Kumar Raza, attempts to hunt alone in Darvat, he falls into the grasp of a Great Red Volcanic dragon like no other.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rebecca Shelley
• Release date: Aug 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215856093

Rebecca Shelley

Rebecca Shelley writes a wide variety of books—everything from picture books to spy thrillers.She especially likes to write about fantasy creatures such as dragons and fairies.Her children’s books are written under the Rebecca Shelley name.Her thrillers and other books for adults are written under the R. L. Tyler pen name.She also has two books out under the R. D. Henham pen name—Red Dragon Codex and Brass Dragon Codex.

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Dragonbound XI: Heart of the Volcano

Rebecca Shelley

Copyright © 2022 Rebecca Shelley

Published by Wonder Realms Books

All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any print or electronic form without permission. All characters, places, and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual places or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Cover art ID 23330747 © Dusan Kostic | Dreamstime.com

Interior art © Rocich | Dreamstime.com

Dragonbound Books

Nikeron the Great: Book One

Nikeron the Great: Book Two

Nikeron the Great: Book Three

Dragonbound: Blue Dragon

Dragonbound II: White Dragon

Dragonbound III: Copper Dragon

Dragonbound IV: Red Dragon

Dragonbound V: Silver Dragon

Dragonbound VI: Green Dragon

Dragonbound VII: Gold Dragon

Dragonbound VIII: Black Dragon

Dragonbound IX: Great Blue Liberator

Dragonbound X: A New Day

Dragonbound XI: Heart of the Volcano

Dragonbound: Dragon Hunter's Guide

Map

Prologue

Irazu lifted his wings away from his face, shook the heavy load of volcanic ash from his back, stood, and stretched. His lair had blown away, leaving open sky above him. His favorite lava pool had burst upward and outward in the eruption that had torn the top off the volcano where he lived and sent ash, hot gas, volcanic rock, and debris into the sky and down the volcano’s slopes. The trees lay flattened, all facing the same direction and covered with ash and lava. The verdant emerald gem the island had been only a few hours ago was now a black and gray abyss.

Cursing, Irazu flew down to where his livestock buildings had stood. The fast-moving pyroclastic flow had buried everything but the very tips of the roofs. None of the lesser creatures he kept and bred for food had survived. Irazu’s stomach grumbled in complaint. A quick flight around his home forced the truth into his dazed mind. Nothing edible remained, not even birds or insects. Not that he could eat insects, but seriously, was he the only creature that could handle a little heat, or a lot of heat in this case, and poisoned gas, and a thunderous blast, and ash and rocks and lava flying everywhere? Irazu scratched at the lava that was already cooling to a thick black crust on his body.

Now what am I going to eat? he muttered. The only food left swam in the water, and he could not dive for it. The weight of the lava crust over his scales would drag him down, and the cold water would cool his inner fire and kill him.

A vicious laugh flitted across his mind. Cotapaxi, his closest neighbor, an older Great Red Volcanic dragon, had warned Irazu more than once that the island he had chosen was not a good place to settle. Of course, he wouldn’t miss this chance to rub that in.

Irazu growled in annoyance. May I come and hunt on your island until I find a new place of my own?

If I see your face, I will end your life, Cotapaxi said.

Relenting, Irazu took to the sky and flew away from the home he had worked so hard to create. He would have to find a new volcano quickly before his inner fire cooled so much he could no longer fly. The freezing water waited below to suck away his life.

Chapter One

"I won’t go to Aesir!" Jinjani tore away from Tana’s hand on his arm, raced across the golden sunburst on the floor of the Kundiland Palace, and threw himself out the window, arms spread wide as if he could fly like a dragon.

Tana rolled her eyes as Kanvar wheeled his chair over to the window and leaned on the sill to get a good view of his youngest son’s departure.

You know, you should just let him fall for a while, one of these times, Tana said.

I’m not levitating him, Kanvar answered. He brushed his gray hair out of his eyes with his good right hand to get a clearer look. Ten feet down, Jinjani caught hold of a vine growing from the cliff face, slid down the length of it, then kicked off the cliff, propelling himself sideways into a craggy tree that held on by its roots to the hard black rock. The tree bent, then rebounded, flinging Jinjani the other direction. He did a double flip, caught hold of another vine, and used it to swing himself onto the back of a large lesser green dragon sunning itself on the cliff face. The dragon hissed, snapped, and scrambled down the rock toward the ground. Jinjani rode it down until it twisted out from under him. He let the dragon get away as he caught hold of another vine. This one hung down almost to the jungle canopy below. He slid down it, and then, shouting in defiance of his parents and the world, flung himself the last few yards into the top of the closest tree. He scaled the tree down to the first branch that reached out far enough that he could run out along it and leap to the next tree over. Before nightfall, he’d be to the jungle village where he preferred to spend his time.

Tana shook her head. That boy is impossible.

Kanvar chuckled. Of all our children, he is the most like you and me. We should have known he’d refused to go.

Tana rubbed her brow as if it could get rid of the headache Jinjani so often caused her. Her mottled gray skin was still as young and smooth as the day Kanvar had married her, her shining black hair that she wore braided down her back showed none of the gray that Kanvar’s grizzled hair did. Tana was a Naga and would stay young for many hundreds of years, aging at the same rate as Vasanti, the Great Green dragon she had bonded with.

Kanvar pulled back from the window and wheeled his chair over to Tana. Kanvar was also a Naga, but old age had ravaged him early, as he knew it would when he bonded with Dharanidhar, a Great Blue dragon who was already past his prime before they met. Dharanidhar could no longer move from his room in the palace. He’d stayed active as long as he could, defying old age by taking a new mate and starting a new family and dragon pride down by the coast. In the end, he’d had to retreat to the palace where the young Great Gold dragons lovingly cared for the aging Great Blue Liberator, the dragon who, along with Kanvar, had saved the world from tyranny.

Kanvar, who had struggled his whole life to walk with a twisted left foot, had lost the ability in the end when Dharanidhar’s legs had failed him. The skilled artificer, Karishi, had created a rolling chair for Kanvar that allowed him a good deal of mobility, at least within the palace on the smooth, golden floors.

Of course, he’s refusing to go, Tana said. That’s exactly the reason he should go. Look what studying in Aesir did for his brother and sister.

Kanvar smiled and took Tana’s hand. Their oldest child, a daughter they’d named Niamh, had spent the first part of her life living with Kanvar and Tana in the jungle village, but the splendor of the Golden Palace where her grandparents lived had lured her away when she was young. She had begged to live at the palace even before Kanvar and Dharanidhar had relented and moved there out of necessity. By the time she was almost old enough to bond, the stories of the opulent Naga civilization of Navgarod made the Golden Palace pale in comparison. Kanvar and Tana had sent her away to be educated and refined in her uncle’s palace at Aesir. Her younger brother, Tolan, had followed his older sister away from the primitive jungle life to study at the University of Aesir. Books and knowledge were his greatest love, and the collection at the Kundiland palace seemed paltry compared to the vast amounts of learning he could access on the far side of the world.

Jinjani loves the jungle as much as you and I ever have, Kanvar said, enjoying the warmth of Tana’s hand. Aesir might feel like a prison to him. Don’t you remember being young, how you used to run free in the jungle, hunting and gathering, and all the happiness that brought you before you met me?

Tana scowled. I hunted and gathered so I and my people wouldn’t starve. It wasn’t about running free. It was about survival. I was the daughter of the chief. I knew my duties, and I never shirked them. Jinjani is in line for the Naga throne. That’s not something he should run away from.

He’s nowhere near the throne, Kanvar said.

Closer than you want to think. Tana pulled away from Kanvar and paced the floor, still rubbing her forehead. Devaj’s children would succeed him, if he’d ever bother to get married. But he hasn’t, and that means the throne goes to you if he dies. But you’ll be dead before him. That means right now Niamh is his successor, followed by Tolan, and then Jinjani. He must go and learn Navgarod culture and laws. This is not something he can get out of. He’s old enough to bond at any time. He should have gotten a fever long ago, and there is no one suitable for him here.

There are plenty of dragons here for him to bond with, Kanvar said. The jungle is full of dragons. Your own dragon lives out there. And there are plenty of Great Gold dragons here at the palace.

You know what I mean, Kanvar. Jinjani and the gold dragons here despise each other.

The soft rustle of robes sounded as Kanvar’s father, Amar, entered the chamber.

Tana, my dear, Amar said, saving Kanvar from further argument with his wife. What has you so worked up? Aren’t you happy for your daughter’s wedding invitation? Lord Theodoric’s son Shaunty, I can’t think of a better person for her to have fallen in love with. A trip to Aesir to attend the marriage ceremony will do us all some good.

Yes, I’m happy about that, Tana said. It’s just Jinjani. I tried to tell him, and he— Tana waved toward the window.

He what? Amar asked. His robes shimmered golden in the sunlight as he moved to the window.

Kanvar snickered and shared the image of Jinjani’s escape directly into Amar’s mind.

Amar’s eyes grew wide. He could have died.

Kanvar shrugged. He hasn’t yet. Though I usually help him with a bit of levitation just to make sure he gets down safely.

You mean he’s done this before? Amar clasped his hands together and shook his head. What are we going to do with that boy?

You’re going to send Bensharie to get him and drag him back up here, Tana said. Then we can force him to go to Aesir and learn to behave like a civilized being instead of a savage lesser dragon.

I don’t think we should force him to go to Aesir against his wishes, Kanvar said. He’s old enough to make up his own mind.

Tana’s green eyes pierced Kanvar with an angry glare. We are his parents. It’s our job—

Tana. Amar laid a gentle hand on Tana’s arm. I understand you’re worried about Jinjani. You’ll have to forgive Kanvar for not fully grasping a mother’s need to care for her children. It’s not something he experienced when he was Jinjani’s age.

 A lump rose in Kanvar’s throat, but he forced it away. His own mother had tried to murder him when he was years younger than Jinjani was now.

I’ll tell you what, Amar continued. If you two will stop arguing with each other about this, I’ll go talk to Jin and get him excited to go to Navgarod.

How are you going to do that? Tana asked.

Isn’t Shaunty bound to a Great Black dragon, of all things? Amar said. And Lord Theodoric’s other son, Rabbit, is bound to a Great Stone dragon. There’s an entire world of adventure over there. But all Jin has heard about is lords and ladies, and dances and libraries. Just give me a little while with him, and he’ll be begging to go.

Bensharie, Amar’s Great gold dragon, came into the chamber, collected Amar, and launched himself out the window.

Jinjani let himself down on the wooden bridge suspended between two of the village platforms that ringed the jungle trees. A deep green twilight settled beneath the canopy. The perpetual drip of water pattered against the wooden slats as Jinjani wiped the moisture from his face and crossed to the hut he had shared for so many years with his Great Grandparents, Kumar Raza and Eska.

Eska met him at the door with a kiss on the forehead. I see you escaped once again.

I did, Amama. He kissed her cheek in return. I didn’t want you to be lonely without me.

Eska was old, with gray hair and wrinkles. Not as old as Kumar Raza had been, but Raza had never walked with a stoop like Eska did now over to the mat where a dinner of river fish, berries, and poi waited, set for two.

How did you know I was coming? Jinjani asked as he settled cross-legged on the mat and snatched up one of the fried fish, burning his fingers.

I always set a place for you, little jungle monkey, just in case you escape the luxuries of the palace your parents insist on smothering you with. Eska eased her old body onto the mat. I used to set a place for Denali just the same, but it is too hot here for his dragon. I could not argue the need for him to live in Darvat instead of here.

I wish he would come visit. I’d like to meet a Great White dragon at least once in my life, Jinjani said between bites of fish and berries.

Eska, who most often smiled, let herself frown for just a moment. I wish he would too. I miss him.

Amama, I’m sorry. Jinjani leaned over and kissed her cheek again. I’ve tried to be a good son for you and Grandpa Raza in Denali’s place. I listened to everything Grandpa said, learned everything he taught me. It’s not fair they made me go live at the palace after he died.

You have certainly been the best child anyone could ever want, but remember, you do have real parents. Tana and Kanvar love you, and I know how difficult it is letting someone else raise your child. I had to do the same when I let Denali go. I’d like you to try to be more patient with them. Eska paused eating as the creak of the bridge signaled another arrival.

I’ll try, Amama. But they want to take me to Aesir, and I don’t want you to be here alone. Jinjani got to his feet as Amar let himself into the hut.

Greetings, Grandfather, Jinjani said, bowing. Amar was the king of Kundiland, after all, and the villagers practically worshipped him. Eska would be appalled if Jinjani did not treat him with respect.

Don’t get up, Eska, Amar said, sliding onto the mat beside her, and putting a comforting arm around her shoulders. There’s no need to be formal. How are you feeling?

Old, Eska said with a laugh. And you, older than all of us, still looking as young as ever.

Oh, I feel old, believe me, even if I don’t look it. Mani sends her love.

She’s such a sweetheart. You must tell her thank you for that beautiful outfit she sewed for me. Though I have nowhere to wear such an elaborate dress. Will you eat with us? Eska lifted a bowl of poi out to Amar.

Amar accepted it. Most certainly. I think you are the best cook in the village. But I bring good news. You will have somewhere to wear that dress after all. Niamh is getting married, and Devaj has invited the whole family from across the world to be at the wedding. I think he’s even inventing some way to smuggle Aadi out of Stonefountain to be there.

That’s wonderful, Eska said, a light coming into her eyes.

Jinjani, still on his feet, pivoted and left the hut. He did not want to speak with grandfather about going to Aesir.

Amar followed him out, but Jinjani reached the edge of the platform and jumped into the darkening jungle below before Amar could reach him. Jinjani savored the feel of the air whipping against his face as he fell. He had no fear of dying; he knew every ladder, rope, and vine that hung from the base of the village. His fingers curled by habit around the side of the rope ladder that hung from Raza’s high platform down to Raza’s lair on a lower level of the tree. Jinjani let the ladder slow him and swing him onto the smaller platform. He landed, knees bent to cushion the fall, propelled himself into the lair, swung the door shut, and slammed the wooden bar in place across the door.

Leaning against the door, he took a deep breath. Darkness hung heavy in the lair. Unlike the regular village huts that were open and airy, made from sticks and roofed by fronds, the lair was made of fireproof rock, set on a rock platform, supported by stone girders. A steel door and window covers made it nearly impervious to dragon attack. The safety of the lair had not saved Kumar Raza in the end, though it had sheltered Eska and other villagers during the onslaught of blood-stripe raptors that had ended Kumar Raza’s life.

Jinjani felt his way in the dark to the table at the edge of the room and lit the oil lamp that waited there. The lamp’s warm glow brought life to the room. Kumar Raza’s red dragonscale armor and weapons hung on a rack on the wall. Amar and Mani had wanted them interred with Kumar Raza, but Eska had insisted that Kumar Raza meant for Jinjani to inherit them. Amar had relented, and the lair now belonged to Jinjani, along with all it housed, including Raza’s Great Red dragonscale armor, which Jinjani had redesigned to fit his smaller frame.

Jinjani raked his fingers through his hair and took a deep breath. His eyes stung, and he leaned against the table, trying to subdue the anger that had risen inside him that Amar had followed him to the village. Kumar Raza had drilled Jinjani in ways to shield his mind from Nagas like Amar, but Jinjani knew he could not hide his anger from Grandfather Amar this time. He snatched Raza’s iron-lined helmet from the rack and pulled it on over his head. That would lock Amar out, so Jinjani could be as angry as he wanted for as long as he wanted, without offending anyone. With his mind safe, he took up Raza’s jungle knives and swung them around as if hacking his way through the densest jungle until his heart and muscles burned with fire and he gasped for breath.

Drenched with sweat and breathing heavily, Jinjani returned the jungle knives to the rack and slumped into the chair beside the table. The maps and plans Raza had been making for a hunting trip to Darvat still lay spread on the table where they’d been when Kumar Raza died months before. Jinjani had left them untouched, as if Raza would be back to finish the plans for the trip they would have taken together.

Jinjani, Jinjani imagined Grandfather Raza’s voice speaking to him. It could only be his imagination. While he wore the iron helmet, none of the Nagas of the family could speak into his mind. Jinjani, you must forgive Amar. My dying was not his fault.

Yes, it was, Jinjani shouted. He’s the king. He’s supposed to protect this village, not go off on some holiday to Aesir and leave his subjects undefended.

He left me here to protect the village in his absence. He’s not a fighter. I am. And I never fail him.

He doesn’t need to fight. He can control the dragons’ minds. That pack of blood-stripe raptors wouldn’t have been anywhere near the village if he’d been here doing his job! And now he wants to leave again. How could he be that cruel, that thoughtless?

Jinjani, don’t let my death destroy you. I was old. I chose to go the way I did, fighting to the end, so much better than slipping away quietly in my bed some night. I told you I was dying, that I didn’t have long left. I told you even before the raptors attacked.

No! Jinjani yelled, pounding his fists against the stone walls. No. No. You can’t leave me here alone. How will I go hunting without you?

The scrape of wood against stone drew Jinjani’s attention to the door as the bar moved, lifting out of the holds, and clattering to the ground. The door opened before Jinjani could snatch the bar up and slam it back into place, and King Amar stepped into the lair.

Jinjani cursed Amar’s Naga power. Was there nowhere safe from his grandfather? Shouting, he grabbed Kumar Raza’s sword and swept it out of its sheath, leveling it at Amar.

Amar lifted a placating hand. Jin, it’s me. Put the sword away. I’m not going to hurt you. His eyes swept around the room, taking in Kumar Raza’s weapons, armor, and maps on the table.

I know it’s you. Of course, it’s you. Jinjani’s anger that he’d kept bottled up for so many months exploded out. Why don’t you leave me alone? Go off and abandon your people like you did before. I, at least, intend to stay here and defend the village. Even if it means I die like Kumar Raza did. Like I should have done in the first place. Like I would have done if he’d have let me.

Amar lowered his hand. You’re blaming me for Raza’s death? He was my best friend.

Perhaps he was your best friend, but you certainly were not his. It was your fault. You left him to die. Alone.

I—

You could have stopped the raptors so easily if you had been here.

Amar let out a slow breath.

The hilt of the sword felt like it was slicked with cold blood, rather than sweat, in Jinjani’s hands. The anger that burned hot in him battled for dominance.

So, Amar said in a soothing voice. You don’t want to go to Aesir because you are afraid people will die while you’re gone?

You should not have left last time. You should have been here. I will never forgive you for Kumar Raza’s death. Jinjani held the sword between himself and his grandfather, but he knew he wouldn’t use it. Kumar Raza had always insisted that nothing—not money, or glory, or anything else—was worth the murder of another intelligent being. Raza had been talking about not hunting Great dragons, of course, but self-righteous, selfish Nagas were, unfortunately, considered intelligent as well.

Amar folded his hands in front of him. His face and voice remained calm. You are right. Kumar Raza’s death is on my head. I have regretted it every moment since I returned and found him gone. I do not blame you for hating me. You are also correct; I should not go to Aesir again, not even for Niamh’s wedding. I will stay here from now on and watch over the people I’ve devoted my whole life to protecting, if . . .

If? Jinjani gripped the sword tighter.

"I will stay here where I belong as king,