Scales of Change: The Dragon King Series, #4

By Debbie McQueen

Change is coming, one scale at a time.

 

Raiden's eyes were opened to the horrors that lay beyond the Sixth Realm. Now he is pushing for change for all the realms, for both human and dragonkind alike. 

The support Raiden hopes for doesn't come, but the weight of what is happening isn't something he can let go. With Egan at his side, Raiden finds the strength he needs and leaves his home once again. Only this time he doesn't know if the crown will still be waiting for him when he returns. Whatever the cost, he is willing to see it through.

Egan still bears scars, seen and unseen, but the one person he can always lean on is Raiden. Raiden is his rock, his anchor, and he will do anything to support him through Raiden's most difficult trials. Even if it means leaving behind his home and his family, as the two of them face the unknown together.

With dragons for guards, Raiden and Egan search the realms for allies to march with them in a War of the Realms. 

 

Whatever the future brings, Raiden and Egan will face it together, always.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Debbie McQueen
• Release date: Jun 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9798223704461

Debbie McQueen

Debbie McQueen has been married to her loving and supportive husband for eighteen years. They have two amazing kids that share her love of musicals, singing, fairies, dragons, and superheroes. Debbie is an avid reader and loves to read YA/NA, PNR, Urban Fantasy, Thrillers, LGBTQ stories, and more. Debbie is an affirming Christian who is proud to continue learning and serving as an LGBTQ+ ally and advocate. She has learned more about God’s love through the beauty of a diverse creation and strives to support her friends and loved ones, as well as the broader LGBTQ+ community. She proudly gives out Free Hugs at Pride events, and also works with a service organization that helps support LGBTQ youth in Southern California.

Book preview

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2021 Debbie McQueen

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review. For more information, address: [e-mail] 

Cover Design by Cassandra Fear at C & A Designs

Content Warning

Please note Scales of Change depicts situations that include PTSD, characters processing trauma and assault, and war. This book also contains themes of pregnancy, childbirth, and adoption.

I hope readers will find that I’ve handled this with sensitivity. However, I wished to include a note for anyone who may find this content triggering.

A Note From the Author

Writing the Dragon King series has been an absolute joy. When I started, I had no idea how big this story would grow, or the impact it would make. I so appreciate all of my beta readers- my dragonets- you took a chance on an unknown author with this story about a gay dragon and a prince, and you have supported me all along the way. My ARC readers, thank you so much for your enthusiasm and love for Raiden and Egan, and for letting me share (and overshare) progress throughout the series. I loved being able to chat things out with you, and share the fun things, and the moments that just hit me when I wrote them. To all my readers, thank you, thank you, thank you! I love the response this series has gotten, I’ve heard from so many how much they appreciated the acceptance in these books- that was my heart, and why I started Of Heart and Wings. It is my sincere and deepest hope that we can one day have a world that doesn’t judge people for who they love or how they identify or express themselves, but in the meantime, we can lead with love and be the example we wish to see.

I’m so excited to bring you the conclusion of Raiden and Egan’s story, and I hope that it brings you as much joy to read as it was for me to write.

With love and big hugs,

Debbie

Heart & Wings

A song inspired by Raiden and Egan

Written by Luke Parkes

Outside and in,

I was never in synch,

No pieces fit.

I was different,

And no one would like it.

But then I saw you...

I saw you falling,

Falling,

And I knew

I had to save you,

But you saved me too.

Outside and in,

We were in synch,

I felt this link,

And I felt safe

Showing you her wings.

And you had my heart...

My heart was flying,

Flying,

And it soared,

Right into yours;

I was yours.

I wasn’t hiding,

Hiding,

Anything.

I wear my truth

Just for you.

I was now fighting,

Fighting,

For you and I,

I’m by your side,

And you’re by mine.

You have my heart

And my wings.

Contents

Seven Realms Map

1.Chapter 1

2.Chapter 2

3.Chapter 3

4.Chapter 4

5.Chapter 5

6.Chapter 6

7.Chapter 7

8.Chapter 8

9.Chapter 9

10.Chapter 10

11.Chapter 11

12.Chapter 12

13.Chapter 13

14.Chapter 14

15.Chapter 15

16.Chapter 16

17.Chapter 17

18.Chapter 18

19.Chapter 19

20.Chapter 20

21.Chapter 21

22.Chapter 22

23.Chapter 23

Epilogue

About the Author

Acknowledgements

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one

Raiden

When I woke the next morning in my favorite place, tucked into Egan’s side, soaking in the heat that flowed out of him, I was filled with contentment. I traced his chest lightly. This man who had fire in his lungs and the biggest heart you could find was mine. I didn’t think I’d ever lose the wonder of that. I smiled against his chest as it moved up and down, slowly, evenly, fully relaxed beside me. Egan’s natural predatory instincts usually kept him aware of what was around him, even in sleep. I loved that he felt safe and at ease enough with me that even his dragon seemed to understand she could rest in my presence.

My hand stilled as it hit the rough edges of the scar that circled his throat. I told him that they were a reminder of his strength, of what he’d overcome. I meant every word of that, but it also secured the promise within me that the fight wasn’t over. Everything had been put on hold as attention had turned to planning and organizing the festival. Now that it was done and behind us, there were conversations we would have to have. We would need to go over what happened to Egan while he was being held by Raith and his team and what they had been using the dragons for.

My head lifted slightly with the rhythm of Egan’s breathing. With all that laid behind us, and all that was ahead of us, I wanted to take time to appreciate that Egan was there at my side. To remember the night we got to spend together, loving every part of each other. The festival had been everything I hoped it would be for Egan, but getting time to be with him after...that was like a dream. One I wanted to live over and over for the rest of our lives.

We had no plans, nowhere to rush to, no one to look after, no problems to solve, at least not that needed to be addressed at that very moment. My thoughts swirled over all the things needing done, of the fight ahead. We needed to put an end to Queen Keres’ evil reign. We had to stop the weapons that the dragons had been forced to forge. I thought of the village we had helped, and all the others in the Fifth who feared for their lives daily. If we wanted to ensure safety for humans and dragons alike, there would be a fight, but it didn’t have to start this very day. Something my father once said after losing a member of the king’s guard was to take time to live, to love. I intended to do just that.

The entire realm would likely be resting after the festival, while all the work that went into decorating and planning, now had to be undone. I had no doubt that Deirdre was in good hands with Nola, who had offered to look after her. If we were needed, someone would come find us. Until then, I got to have Egan all to myself. I kissed his chest and grinned when he sighed, before rising out of bed to relieve myself. He rolled to his side to the space I just left and relaxed again.

I knew that he and Deirdre had been able to offer comfort to each other since getting back from the cavern, a fact that I both loved about him, and that left me missing getting to sleep beside him. I felt selfish for wanting him to myself, but right at that moment, I couldn’t feel anything but joy. Joy at getting to share everything with each other, at getting to experience things with him that were ours and ours alone. I had never been with another, had never wanted another the way I wanted him, and would never want to be with anyone else.

When I passed the standing mirror in my room, my reflection drew my attention. I stared, taking in the face that I was still getting used to. It wasn’t just the tattoo that covered the left side of my face with vines, knots, and entwined hearts. It wasn’t the fact that my black hair was shorter than it had ever been, after cutting it to disguise my appearance. It was something else. Something had changed in me. I no longer felt like the boy who was worried about having to take the throne, or the kid who didn’t think people could follow him. I was eighteen now, and while the number didn’t really change much, it felt symbolic of the shift that had taken place within me. I was becoming my own person, stronger, more ready than I had ever been to lead. I felt as if I owed all of that to having Egan in my life.

I peered past my shoulder through the mirror to see him, lying there, sleeping, in my bed, our bed. A lot had happened since we first met; secret missions, quests, allies, queens, tyrants, war, abused villagers, imprisoned dragons, dragon hunters. Through it all, through everything, Egan was there. He was the reason I was different. He’d been my strength when I thought I had none left. He guided my heart, when I was scared or unsure. It was him, it was all because of him. With Egan at my side, I felt as if there was nothing I couldn’t face, no enemy that couldn’t be stopped. With him, I felt like I could be the king I was always afraid to be.

I climbed carefully back into bed. I lifted his arm that flopped over and wiggled until my back was pressed against his chest. A low growl rolled out of Egan as he wrapped his arm over me and pulled me even closer. When we first journeyed to the Third Realm, Egan rode with me, his chest pressing into my back the entire way. I loved feeling him behind me, feeling his heat spread through my back. Now there was nothing between us, his body lined up with mine. I felt both the fire that flowed through him and his desire that swirled into me.

Egan propped himself up, still holding me in place with his arm squeezing around my waist. He kissed my cheek, then slowly, sweetly, trailed his lips down my neck, to my shoulder. I closed my eyes, reveling in the tenderness of every brush of his mouth, every flick of his tongue. Egan pulled me until I laid on my back and he leaned over me. He stared down at me with awe, almost disbelief that I was here, we were here together. I felt the same way as I looked up into those golden brown eyes. Whether it was God, or fate, or destiny, or chance that brought us together, I didn’t know, but that he was mine would never cease to amaze me.

Happy birthday, my love. It dawned on me that we had been too consumed with each other the night before, and even though several people at the festival had, I never actually said it to him. Was it everything you could have wished for?

Mmm...nearly. Egan said with a crooked smile. He bent down and teased me with a feather-light kiss on my mouth. All it did was make me want more, and the grin he wore told me he was well aware of it.

Your prince is at your command, whatever you want, it’s yours. I winked at him. I reached up, wrapping my hands around his neck, drawing him down to me. I felt his smile against my lips as I kissed him. What is it that you want, Egan?

He rested his head on mine. I want to stay here with you all day.

I give you permission to eat anyone that interrupts us today. I very nearly meant it, because nothing sounded better than staying in bed with him.

We did exactly that, thanks to whatever forces that kept my door closed and quiet. Egan and I got to do everything that our urgency kept at bay the night before. We got to take time to learn and explore each other. We got to talk and dream and imagine our future. We stayed away from anything serious, anything from the recent past. I wanted him to be able to confide in me, to share what remained unspoken of his experience under Raith’s control, but not right then. It was a day of beauty, love, and hope.

Hunger interrupted our blissful day. I could hear the rumbling of Egan’s stomach, something he was trying to ignore to stay in the moment. The room was growing darker, and I couldn’t let my dragon go without to satisfy one need over another. He looked far too sated and I didn’t want to make him get up, so I offered to go grab some food and made him promise to stay exactly where he was. I threw some clothes on, checked to make sure my hair wasn’t too wild, and headed down to the kitchen. I could have ordered food brought up to us, but I didn’t want to have to wait for someone to come to the door. I didn’t want anyone else disturbing us.

I was putting various foods on a tray to take back up when I heard my name. I suddenly hoped that I didn’t look like I had spent the day in bed, resting...or otherwise. I set the tray down on the kitchen table and straightened.

Father. I said, as I pushed my hand through my hair and turned around to face him. He looked me over, and I felt my cheeks warm under his examination. I had no doubt that everyone was aware of the nights Egan had spent with me, but this was the first time we had done more than sleep together within the castle’s walls.

His head bobbed slightly. Walk with me, Raiden. My eyes darted to the tray, he caught the movement. Egan can wait.

My eyes rounded and I might have noticed the twitch of my father’s lips if I wasn’t overcome with panic. Clearly he knew. My heart raced as I silently followed him through the hallways to the terrace above the garden at the back of the castle. At some point it had become our place for private conversations, a small pocket of quiet amidst a busy castle. I braced myself, even as my mind went in a thousand different directions. He liked Egan, he had given him a title, he had embraced him and treated him as his own. I tried to focus on those thoughts instead of the ones that told me he would end what I had with Egan.

He clapped his hand on my shoulder. Breathe, my boy.

I took in a deep breath as he instructed and noticed the smirk he wore on his face. I felt the tension and anxiety that was building give way to curiosity.

Raiden, I’m not going to ask what you’ve been doing. I may be an old man, but I’m not a blind one, and I’d say it’s pretty clear.

Ah hell! What could I say to that? Father, I...I’m... He held up his hand to stop me.

"Don’t say you’re sorry. I know what it’s like to be young and in love, and I don’t want you to be sorry for that, not with everything you’ve been through to get here. But you are the prince of the realm. If you were anyone else, it wouldn’t be anybody’s business if someone shared your bed, but you’re not just anyone else. You’ve always made me proud of how you carried yourself. You’ve never been frivolous, you’ve never flaunted yourself, you’ve never given in to the whims of young men. I know what you have with Egan is special, I know you love him, and I have grown to love him as well."

I do, Father. I do love him. He means everything to me.

I can see that. As prince, though, we can’t allow your relationship to tarnish the trust our people have in you, we don’t want it to appear that you are not a man of honor, of valor. That you can be swayed by...temptation.

As his words sunk in, anger rose within me. He couldn’t possibly be saying what it sounded like he was saying. I’m not letting him go, I’ll never let him go. I bit the words out through clenched teeth.

Shh, my boy, hear me on this, okay? I don’t expect you to. What I need to know is if you have plans, plans for the future, plans together? I know you are bound together forever, He pointed to the place of the scar above my heart, the one made during the bonding ritual, but are you willing to make a public commitment?

I drew in a breath and blew it out, releasing the growing anger. I only just got Egan back, to think of losing him was something I couldn’t endure. Once my thoughts cleared, I understood what he was asking. Yes, Father, we intend to marry. Egan will be my husband. I couldn’t stop the way my lips pulled up at the word. I loved thinking of him as my husband, of spending the rest of our lives together, united both through our bond and through the commitment of marriage.

My father’s own mouth stretched into a smile. I’m very happy for you. I want nothing more than for you to have someone who will love you and walk through life with you. Are you ready for us to make an official announcement of your betrothal? If word were to get around of your...well...intimacy, I think it would stop any rumors or doubt if it were known that you were committed and promised to each other.

An announcement? I pushed my hand through my hair once more. I haven’t gotten rings, hell, I haven’t even asked him yet. Well...not officially. We’ve both talked about it, and know that we will be married someday, but I haven’t actually asked.

My father crowed with laughter. Well...best get to it, my boy. Listen, how about you let me take care of the rings? As for the other part, that’s on you. He winked at me, and squeezed my shoulder once more.

I felt myself grinning like an idiot. Thank you, Father. Thank you for everything.

Of course! You’re my son and I wish you all the happiness this world can offer you. Just don’t wait too long, we’ll need to make the announcement soon to put an end to any gossip that might flit about.

I was floating on a cloud and had almost forgotten to return to the kitchen. Luckily, when I got there, someone had loaded up the tray that I left behind. I carried it and replayed the conversation with my father. I had been ready to stand up against him if he told me to end things with Egan. I certainly hadn’t expected it to end the way it had. I had been planning to talk to him soon, this just sped things up.

He was right though, our engagement would need to be public knowledge. I wanted it to be public knowledge. I wanted to shout from the rooftops that Egan was mine and I was his, and we would be together forever. I didn’t want to hide him, I never had. Even when we were merely friends, I hadn’t wanted him to be a secret. I wanted everyone to know that he was with me, even more so now. I supposed we needed to talk to Egan’s family prior to the official announcement. I didn’t know how soon it would happen, but there was some urgency in it. I guess our actions were the cause for that, but I didn’t care. I walked quickly, balancing the tray, eager to get back to Egan.

When I walked through the door to my suite, I found him lacing up his pants. His eyes shot to mine, looking over me. He smiled widely, feeling everything that was radiating out of me. I set the tray down on my desk and rushed over to him, wrapping my arms around his back, and held him to me.

His arms went around my neck and he spoke into my ear, What happened? Is everything okay? I was feeling all kinds of things from you. I was about to come find you.

Everything is perfect, just perfect. I kept him clutched to me, loving how whole it felt with him in my arms, loving the word that played on repeat in my head, loving that soon everyone would know how deeply I loved him.

Okay...care to fill me in?

I let him go at last and put a few inches between us. I ran into my father.

Okay...oh! His eyes widened,and color climbed his neck and cheeks. So...he...uh...the king knows?

I smirked at his mortification. It was funny now, even though I felt the same thing only moments ago. "It’s fine, Egan, he doesn’t care. Well...that’s not exactly true, he cares about my reputation, our reputations, but he’s not upset about us being together."

So what does that mean, exactly?

Okay, listen, I planned to do this differently. I wanted to arrange something, make it special, but I can’t wait any longer.

Egan watched me, his eyes gleaming with curiosity and amusement at my excitement. I knelt on one knee, and reached up to hold his hand. His mouth fell open.

Egan, you’ve changed me from the day we first met. You literally swept me off my feet as you saved me from a fall. You’ve come along side me and showed me how to open up. You gave me friendship, when I had none. You gave me connection, when I tried to set myself apart. You have shown me love, and kindness, and strength, and vulnerability, and I’m a better man for it. Would you, Egan of Tarrock, Dragon Defender, Lord of the Sixth Realm, do me the greatest honor of marrying me?

Egan dropped down to his knees in front of me. I already knew his answer, I could feel it in the wave after wave of affection and love that swept through me. He held both of my hands in his own. His beautiful eyes misted over.

Raiden, you’ve seen me, all of me, and you never ran away. You’ve fully embraced every part of me, giving me the freedom to be someone I never thought I could be. You’ve given me friendship, trust, and purpose. You’ve made me feel safe, and you’ve made me feel worthy; worthy of love, worthy of being seen. I can’t imagine what life would be like without you in it. Would you, Prince Raiden, son of King Rodick, Defender from Tyranny, Prince of Dragons, prince of my heart, do me the greatest honor of marrying me?

Hell yes, I will! I grinned broadly before we crashed together, sealing our promise in a deep, heated, fiery kiss.

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two

Egan

Raiden sent a messenger to my family to invite them to breakfast at the castle the very next morning. He told me about his conversation with his father after we came down from the thrill of saying the words out loud. We’d talked about it casually, but Raiden asking me to marry him...it was the greatest thing I could imagine. We were both giddy in the reality of it all.

Raiden reassured me that despite the timeline being sped up slightly because of his position, he was as ready now as he would have been later. He was so eager, in fact, that he couldn’t wait to start telling people and the first step was telling my family. I felt like I was in a dream. How did I go from working in my step-father’s smithy with no future in sight, to meeting the love of my life who also just happened to be a prince?

When morning came, I reluctantly left him to go to my own room and find something to wear. As it was, I had to borrow clothes from Raiden so I wouldn’t be