Dragon Mates: The Royal Quest Series, #3

By Ashley McLeo and Kelly N. Jane

Violet's magical ancestry has come to light. 

 

And it's more terrifying than she could ever imagine. 

 

Rone is determined to stick by her side and make others see the good in his mate. 

 

But with a rogue hatchling on the loose, two dragon babies in tow, and the Komisio demanding that Rone pays for what he's done, it isn't easy. 

 

Especially when an unexpected visitor arrives and gives Rone news that could change the future of his homeland. News that shakes him to his core. 

 

Can Violet and Rone stick together and overcome the many obstacles thrown at them? Or will outside forces ruin their mate bond and throw two realms into complete turmoil? 

 

Dragon Mates is an upper YA/NA dragon shifter contemporary fantasy adventure novel. If you like loads of action, a slow-burn romance, and characters who will steal your heart, you'll love Dragon Mates.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Meraki Press
• Release date: Apr 20, 2024
• ISBN: 9781947245372

Book preview

1

VIOLET

Rone’s words rang in my ears as I stared at the white baby dragon on my shoulder. Our eyes bore into one another’s, complete trust and love flowing between us. The intense sensations made it difficult to focus on anything else—even Rone, the dragon prince who had turned my world upside down in the best possible way. 

In his words, my mate. 

Violet! This is exciting. Now there will be no issue with us being together. Rone’s tone was jubilant, more excited than I’d ever heard it. 

But as I stood in the middle of the cooling Arizona desert with a tiny dragon, I still didn’t understand. 

Rone had said he knew what sort of supernatural blood ran through my veins, but he couldn’t have meant dragon, right? Surely not . . . 

Wouldn’t he have realized that ages ago? 

The baby dragon gazed at me with its crystalline blue eyes, and a scaly tail tightened around the back of my neck as he laid down and blinked heavily—apparently sleepy. The instant the baby broke the connection between us, I snapped back into the moment. 

Violet? Are you okay? Rone’s tone had calmed, like he was hiding his happiness. Is the imprinting too much? How do you feel? 

I shook my head, still discombobulated, and turned to face him. Both he and the green dragon he held watched me carefully. Rone appeared ready to rush forward and catch me or something. I guessed I looked ready to faint. 

I wouldn’t say ‘too much,’ although it was . . . odd. 

I’d never be able to articulate all the emotions and sensations that had tunneled through me just a moment before.

So . . . I drew the word out, trying to get my head on straight. I’m a dragon?

You must be. No other creature can imprint with a dragon. It’s a bond unlike any other. The purest of love.

Interesting . . .

Violet, this is fantastic! The bubbling-over, ecstatic energy was back. We can be true mates! 

I nodded, but I found it impossible to share his intense joy. I understood his happiness that we could be together without issue or question from other dragons; I was pleased about that too. And once I could wrap my head around what I’d experienced—that I’d imprinted upon another living creature—I was sure euphoria would flood me.

But there was so much more to think about. To question. Uncertainty tinged with fear pinged through my mind so fast and frantic that I didn’t even know where to start.

Maybe you should sit down? Rone suggested, once again obviously tamping down his happiness for my benefit. We can set the hatchlings on the ground. They don’t yet have the energy to go far—I’ll have to hunt soon to feed them. But I need to make sure you’re okay before I leave you.

Leave me? My heart lurched and beat rapidly. 

My brows furrowed. What the hell was wrong with me? I’d never been the girl to cling to a guy. Heck, before Rone burst into my life, I’d had a total of two boyfriends. Neither of whom were serious. But the sensation I’d just experienced felt serious, like my heart would explode if he left. 

I rubbed my chest, trying to calm my racing heart as I shuffled over to the rock we shared as a bench. 

In mere minutes, everything had changed. I’d gone from supernatural mystery to a dragon. 

My gaze veered again to the baby perched on my shoulder. He was almost too large to lay there. My every step jostled him, but he was making it work. 

I needed to take a few adaptability lessons from the little guy.

Once we settled down, I took a deep breath of the cool, night air and forced myself to focus. 

Okay, so you think I’m a dragon. But why couldn’t you tell before? And what about the dragon-finder scale? Why didn’t it work on me? I stood in front of that thing a million times. Is it really just useless? 

We had used the scale to communicate with another realm, so it had to have some sort of power. But in our search for dragonbloods, it had been useless.

Rone’s face fell for a moment before lighting up again. Actually, it did. Once. 

I reared back. I’m sorry, what? 

Not that I would have put much stock into the magical item. I suspected that unless Mage Virhan, our enemy and my father’s murderer, wanted it to work, the scale was defunct. We should have already thrown out the piece of junk. Honestly, I was more curious as to how Rone hadn’t known I was a dragon.

It pointed to you the morning before we went to the festival. We were at Stacia’s home and you were still asleep. I was messing with it, and it veered toward your room, which I took as further evidence that it was broken. But it wasn’t! For the first time since I arrived here, it actually worked and found a dragonblood. 

Be that as it may, I said, still not convinced that the scale hadn’t just pointed at the wall because it was a piece of crap. "If the scale could tell what I am, why couldn’t you? Can’t you sense other dragons? Or is my blood super weak?" 

I didn’t think that was the case. I had a magical ability, and out of all the dragonbloods who touched the eggs, they had only glowed for me. Their response must mean that I was strong-ish. Right?

It’s hard for me to believe, too . . . Rone looked like he didn’t even want to admit what he was about to say. But it’s almost impossible for me to discern dragonbloods in the human world. There are too many other creatures, including humans, muffling their essence. Most have weaker blood ties to my kind than I thought possible.

When did dragons come here last? You know, before you? 

 The last influx of dragons into this realm was centuries ago. That’s a lot of time for our magic to be lost or dimmed through mating with others. 

His lips flattened into a frown, and his gaze dipped to the baby dragon that he’d set on the ground in front of him. The little guy hadn’t moved an inch. He’d merely curled into a ball and began to snooze. 

I didn’t have to peer into Rone’s mind to understand that he was thinking about how Virhan had lied. His mentor, the high mage of Draessonia, had told him that dragonbloods were common in the human world. 

Upon thinking of Virhan, a memory rose in my mind, a passage from one of Alcott’s books. It said that mage missionaries had come to this world to eliminate dragons. From what I knew about a certain evil mage, and the Maisu who followed him, it seemed possible that they had been essentially tracking down war refugees to eliminate them.

I guess that makes sense, I admitted. Now that the shock had worn off, clear thinking came easier. It’s also why you needed me. 

Absolutely, Rone’s gaze snapped back to meet mine. In more ways than one. 

My troubled heart warmed at his words, and Rone’s temperature rose a few degrees, heating the cool air.

I laid my hand on his bicep. As soon as our skin met, a thrill ran through me. 

Sure, this might be a very confusing and slightly scary moment, but I was still a woman. Rone was irresistible. I loved knowing that he and I were a thing.

Are you pleased about this, Violet? 

I am happy, I assured him. Being a dragon is much better than being a demon.

Boy, what an understatement. I’d have shit my pants if I turned out to be a demon.

 It’s better than being a fae, too, I added. "I didn’t want to have to go to Faerie to figure out my lineage. But honestly, I’m shocked. Me being a dragon was the one possibility I’d disregarded, so I still have so many questions." 

Like what? I can answer them. I’ll spend all night explaining what I can. 

My lips twitched up. Rone was a badass, muscly fighter, but he could also be so sweet that I wanted to squeeze him.

But first, my questions. 

Where to start . . .

You said there are many races of dragons, and noble houses that rule them. What are the types?

In shows I’d watched, there were always various types of dragons. Some breathed fire, while others breathed ice. Some were red, and others gleamed a brilliant emerald green. It felt silly to base my knowledge off of cartoons, but as I hadn’t expected to be a dragon, I hadn’t delved into the dragon section of Alcott’s library. So cartoon knowledge it was.

Actually, there are seven living races of dragon, each ruled by a noble house. My father rules over all the races. 

Like a king over lesser lords?

Rone thought about that for a moment. That’s a fair analogy. They all live in Draessonia, and each have ruling power over their territories, as my father does in Baskara. However, they defer to him when matters arise that influence the whole of Draessonia. The leadership role in other districts is always passed to the oldest male heir. That way, the primary dragon gift of the ruling house remains the same throughout generations.

What is a dragon gift? 

Attributes that certain races of dragons retain. For instance, I am of House Ignatius. All dragons born to Ignatius males are red. Except me, of course. But that’s because I’m the Aukera, blessed by the souls of the ancients. All fire dragons, whether they be of the royal Ignatius House or commonly bred, are red and breathe fire. The ability to breathe fire is my primary dragon gift.

Fire breathers were red. That sounded right. So, like my cartoon knowledge suggested, that meant there were dragons who didn’t breathe fire?

Are there other primary gifts? 

Seven, one for each race of dragon. There used to be eight races, but one did not survive the war. Our primary gifts are all elemental. 

Rone listed them off, and I recited them in my head, trying to remember them. Earth, air, water, fire, ice, moon, sun, and spirit. 

It reminded me of Wicca, except for the ice part, which I bet Wiccans would lump in with water. 

What do spirit dragons do? I asked. That and the moon and sun races seemed less intuitive to me.

Rone gestured to the baby dragon on my shoulder. I noticed that when he did so, his expression of joy faltered somewhat. Spirit dragons collect and protect the spirits of our dead. The heir of House Izpiritu, who you have imprinted on, is of that race.

That’s what this guy is? I gestured with my chin to the white baby dragon. If they deal with spirits, are they like priests? 

It was hard to imagine dragons who weren’t fighters.

Their primary vocation in our society is to guide and protect the departed dragon souls. However, they’re not like your priests, and take no vow of peace. If they wished to attack, they could steal your soul just by touching you. That makes them powerful forces to be reckoned with. His lips pressed together as if he didn’t like the thought. 

It wasn’t hard to imagine why. He was a warrior, and if someone could defeat him by simply touching him, Rone would consider that the highest dishonor.

I twisted my neck so I could take in the baby on my shoulder. He slept without a care in the world. I gotta say that him being like the grim reaper is a little creepy. 

Honestly, if I didn’t love the tyke to death, I’d toss him off my shoulder right at that very moment. This girl needed her soul, thanks.

Rone frowned. I’m not sure what a ‘grim reaper’ is.

I ignored his confusion and placed my hands on the rock, leaning backward, and taking it all in. So there are eight dragon races, and I belong to one of those races. 

Seven, he corrected me. The water dragons are no more. Even those from the Aquifero House are dead, and they were powerful indeed—some say, too powerful for their own good. 

He shuddered, which made my lips part in surprise. 

I’d never seen Rone freaked out, but the water and spirit dragons seemed to do that to him.

How will we learn which one I belong to? 

After you shift. His eyebrows slanted downward. I’ll admit, I’m confused as to why you have not shifted yet. Usually, it’s instinctual . . . a dragon must do so, or they risk losing their mind. 

I thought of my mom and her current condition. Did that mean she was a dragon who had never shifted? All this time, I’d thought she was sick over Dad’s death. 

I chewed the inside of my lip. 

But I believe that the magic of this realm might be a factor, Rone continued, oblivious to my distraction. When we get to Draessonia, the urge to shift will grow. I suspect that dragonbloods in this realm had to adapt to survive. Clearly, you were born in your human form, and it always takes some coaxing for us to shift into our second form. 

Yes, I had been born in this form. Thank the heavens. What would have happened if Mom gave birth to a baby dragon at the hospital? Or an egg! 

The doctors would have flipped.

What about my mom and dad? One of them would have to be a dragonblood, right? I’m guessing it’s Mom, since she can read minds. 

In the distance, a coyote howled, pausing my thoughts and sending a chill down my spine. I rushed to cover up the eerie noise.

And speaking of Mom, we need to figure out a plan to get back to Portland tomorrow. I can’t miss my weekly appointment with her. She’ll be inconsolable. 

I understand. We will get there, Rone said seriously.

He was around the last time Mom had an episode. It wasn’t pretty, and it broke my heart.

You know, it’s possible that both of your parents were dragonbloods. Tad and Rainbow are a dragonblood couple. 

Hmmm. I’d never gotten the slightest hint that Dad had otherworldly attributes. Although he had always had a different way about him. I’d never met anyone else quite like him. 

Was that because he possessed supernatural blood and hadn’t recognized it?

Then again, things might work differently for you, as your line mated with humans at one point, Rone mused. It will be clear which race of dragon you belong to once you shift. 

My head spun. I needed to make sure I had this right.

So, in dragons, their coloring and their primary gift are correlated and depend on the father. Like, your dad is a fire dragon, and red, which is why you’re a fire dragon? 

Precisely, Rone gave me a proud look. My sister is also red. If my parents had other children, they would be red as well. I’m only a black dragon because the souls of our ancestors decreed it. There is only one Aukera at a time. 

I needed rules, not exceptions, so I passed over that tidbit. I’d figure out the black dragon part later.

But you have power over soundwaves, too. I’d seen his magic in action a couple times. Is that correlated to fire? Or being a black dragon? 

My money was on the latter. 

Thank god I didn’t have a lot of money to lose, because the next second, Rone shook his head. 

Neither. All dragons have secondary powers, but they are random. My magic is the ability to use sound, either to locate things, or as a concussive weapon.

Sonar and a shockwave bomb. He’d used both around me, but we’d been so preoccupied that I still hadn’t asked him too much about them.

What’s another example? I asked.

My sister can deflect items and magic, which is useful in sparring. One of my friends can become invisible. And, of course, your oracle magic is a secondary power. 

I blinked when he brought it back around to me. He was right. 

"Just so I have this straight . . . elemental dragon powers correlate to the male line and dragon color. And then secondary powers can be anything and are random?"

That’s correct! Rone grabbed my hand and squeezed, far more excited than I felt sure of myself.  I know it’s a lot, but you’re catching on fast. I⁠— 

The dragon on my shoulder lifted its head and released a blood-curdling screech, making us jump. The little guy almost fell off my shoulder, but I caught him in my hands and brought him to my chest. 

I ran my hands over him, searching for injury as my heart raced. Oh my god! I almost dropped you! I’m so sorry, baby. I’m sorry. 

Even as the words left my lips, they shocked me. They drove home the fact that this dragon was mine, in my heart and soul.

I’d become a mother. 

I gasped. Rone . . . we’re parents. 

He didn’t look nearly as surprised. Then again, he also hadn’t been coming to terms with everything in his life. 

I needed to cut myself slack for being slow on the uptake. 

Does that mean we need to name them? I asked.

Traditionally, yes, Rone answered with a charming gleam in his cabernet eyes. Although, before we do that, I suspect your hatchling will want to eat. Typically when eggs hatch, the parents have food ready. 

Where’s a Taco Bell when you need one? I muttered. 

Rone shook his head, his keen gaze sweeping the landscape. Human food will not do. These hatchlings need raw meat. 

I stiffened. "Like, you really need to hunt?" 

Yes. If you wish, I will take them with me? Or I can hunt alone. It would be faster that way. 

I looked down at the green hatchling near Rone’s feet. The wee one was sleeping now, but what if he woke up while Rone was gone? They’d imprinted. Would he be okay with me?

What happens if he wakes up while you’re hunting? I asked Rone. 

He bent down to scoop up the baby. Little eyes blinked open and latched onto Rone right away. "She will listen to me and allow you to watch her if I ask."

She. Oh. 

I looked at my baby. I’d assumed mine was a boy, but maybe I was wrong. However, turning the baby upside-down to check out their sex seemed weird. I might not know what I was looking at, anyway.

Ummm, is mine a boy or a girl? 

Rone chuckled. Yours is a boy. 

Awww, I cooed, which was ridiculous because I had no preference. 

Motherhood was weird. 

Should I take them? Rone pressed. He was asking to be helpful but I could tell that he really didn’t want to which made sense. Who took babies hunting? The sooner I hunt, the sooner they’ll sleep through the night.

I don’t mind watching them, I said. As long as the little lady stays calm like she is now. It was strange that I wasn’t worried about my baby—must be the imprinting bond.

Rone lifted the girl up to him. Please stay here and be good for my mate. I’ll be back quickly. I’m going to retrieve your first meal. 

I had no idea how the baby understood English after just being born, but I could have sworn she nodded her head. 

Rone beamed at her and set her on my lap. I’ll return soon. 

He walked into the darkness of the desert, and soon enough, night enveloped him.

My baby dragon made a strange chirping noise, and I petted him. Rone is hunting for you. 

He chirped again and rubbed his scaly face against mine. 

"If you’re asking why I’m not hunting for you, let’s just say it’s better this way. Rone will get you what you need. If it were up to me, you’d be getting a burger—no lettuce, though. I know that much about being a dragon mom." 

I wasn’t sure that was saying much, but it was something. 

Without hesitation or worry for being small and just hatched, the white baby dragon leapt off my shoulder. A split second later, the other one followed. 

My heart rate spiked, but when they landed, they seemed totally fine. Newborn dragons were much more resilient than new human babies. 

I watched the pair for a moment—one white, one green. I wondered what their blood families must be like. 

In the distance, coyotes yapped in conversation. I cringed, but the babies’ heads popped up, probably thinking of the wild dogs as dinner.

Time for a distraction, I murmured and looked at the spirit dragon. 

He was a boy. My boy. That was all I knew about him. For a while at least, he’d be with me, so I needed to solidify that connection.

What should I call you? 

I watched the boy dragon play with the baby girl. His skin was pure white, not a blemish on it, and slightly pearlescent. His veins stuck out, which was kind of creepy, like his grim reaper power—but also beautiful, in a strange way.

Perhaps it would have been smart to wait for Rone to return before naming the baby. My dragon would know a good, strong dragon name, but upon reflection, I found that I didn’t really want that. I wanted a name from my world, but tweaked. One that honored where I came from—where the little guy was born. And even if he wasn’t my kid by blood, one that honored my family.

Like my father’s name. 

Victor . . . My lips pressed together. It was a fine enough name, but it didn’t say dragon to me. Which was kind of ironic, since my dad might have been the dragonblood. Vic? No, not that either. How about Tor? 

Aquamarine eyes glittered up at me. 

Tor? You like? 

He scurried over to me, and nestled his head on top of my foot. 

I grinned down at him. Okay. Tor it is. I like that, too. Sounds dragonish, but also like Dad. 

The girl dragon continued to scamper around, while Tor laid his head on my foot, apparently too hungry to move. We sat in the inky night, listening to the cicadas chirping nearby. 

Suddenly, footsteps approached, and my spine straightened. In the distance, a figure of a huge man appeared. 

Rone.

My heart leapt, and I almost rolled my eyes at myself. I didn’t know where this lovesick woman was coming from, but she was a little much. 

As soon as Rone neared, the baby dragons perked up and darted toward him. 

He laughed. They smelled the blood. 

My stomach twisted violently. 

What did you get? I asked. 

Rabbits. Two for each of them. This should tide them over for the night. 

Just the night?! Oh my hell, how much were Tor and the baby girl going to eat?!

Do I need to . . . um . . . supervise the meal? I asked, my tone wobbly. 

I did not want to witness Tor and the girl dragon chowing down. Actually, I’d probably vomit all over them.

No. I’ll take care of them and clean up. You’ve been through a lot and should rest. 

But what if the Maisu come after us?

I’ll stay awake tonight. If someone approaches, I’ll hear them. We can get an early start teaching the hatchlings, and then return to Portland so you can see your mother. 

Oh, okay. 

It sounded like a decent plan. In truth, we couldn’t waltz into a hotel right now anyhow; the babies had to learn to shift before we could take them anywhere in civilization. 

I gestured to the river that we’d stopped by. I’m going to wash up, then I’ll lay down. 

Be safe, my mate, Rone said over the sound of bones crunching between baby dragon teeth.

2

RONE

Violet and I slept side by side, facing one another, while the hatchlings curled up between us. I’d kept watch on the river for predators who might come searching for a drink in the night. None had, thankfully. 

I’d been so focused on finding caretakers for the eggs, I’d hardly thought about what it would be like to actually care for them after they hatched. My blind faith in Virhan had led me to believe that if humans were capable of such a task, it wouldn’t be that difficult. 

Watching the hatchlings devour those two rabbits destroyed any presumptions I had. I’d only hunted small animals for them, and had considered only one each. Two had proven the correct choice. These dragons would grow fast at the rate they ate. Showing them how to shift the moment they were ready would be vital. They needed to assimilate into the human realm quickly. 

 As I watched the two sleeping babes, I’d never missed my family more. My mother would know what to do . . . even my father. What did I know about hatchlings? 

I’d left Baskara in a rush. My parents had been away, visiting Haizea, so I’d written a detailed explanation of my mission. Then, on my way out, I’d run into Raisa in the halls and gave her a quick update, but she and I had both been in a hurry. She’d scoffed that I’d do anything for ‘that old fool’ and continued on her way. 

How right she’d been. 

Without Violet, I’d have no sense of direction, and I never would have found a single dragonblood. Her presence gave me peace; that she was a dragon sparked an inferno throughout my entire being. 

There wasn’t any barrier to our union, now.  As soon as we returned to Baskara, we’d schedule the ceremony. Everyone would love her. We’d figure out which race she was from, and our coupling would strengthen all of Draessonia. There would be a parade when we arrived, most likely. 

While I pictured the scene, a smile grew until my cheeks ached. 

First, crowds would greet us at the gate and guards would line the path to the castle. Baskaran citizens would fill every side road ten bodies deep and hang from windows to glimpse us as we passed. 

I chuckled, because Violet would probably want to hide from all the attention, but I wouldn’t let her. She’d be my queen one day, and it would be the best time to endear herself to the people. 

A rustle from the babes drew me out of my vision. The white hatchling who had bonded with Violet blinked his eyes and stared at me. 

I smiled and sat up, reaching out my hand to scratch a finger under his pale chin. He lifted his snout to the skies and made a gurgling noise. How precious—I’d never expected they’d be so fun to be around. 

The peridot-colored girl from House Meness woke next and yawned. Using her wings to brace herself, she scooted closer and nuzzled her way into my lap. 

A prickling sensation stabbed at the back of my eyes. If my military brothers could see me now, they’d call me a sap, but I wouldn’t care. 

I glanced from Violet’s sleeping form to the hatchlings. Whatever happened, this life suited me. 

Ow! The boy bit down hard on my finger and didn’t let go. Easy. 

I leaned forward and used my free hand to gently pry his mouth open and remove my