Grady (The McCade Dragon #3)(2)

 

"I know that you cannot fly, my friend, but I should like to sit upon your back as I did so many times before." Caelin was there too, his little body ready to leave the castle and all that he knew when the time came. They both looked at the door, the one that was even now splintering with the weight of the monsters on the other side that would kill her. "It is time."

 

Warrior knew that the child would be safe. His queen had told him over and over that he would grow to be an old man; there would be a great many scars upon his body from his strength as a warrior, too. And he would sire many children, strong sons to take his seed and name until it was time to come forth again.

 

"Go. Now." Her son seemed to understand that his mother was putting his life before hers. He stood watching her before falling into her arms once again to have her wrap around him, just once more. And when he ran, leaving the castle and the grounds forever, they both knew that he'd be the one that saved them. "Are you ready, my friend?"

 

"I am, my queen."

 

The sound of the men on the other side did not bother them overly much. They both knew that what was to happen now would be something the men would never understand. And when she said the words over them, Warrior felt the earth move beneath him, and the castle walls shake with the power of her magic.

 

Thank you my warrior, my friend. See to them when the time is right.

 

Warrior knew not where he was. There was magic all around him, his body tight in the jewels that he'd made so long ago. And when he opened his eyes he saw the men standing in the room where he'd been only moments before, their armor as clean and bright as the morning sun. He looked at the man who had caused this all, his king.

 

 

 

        

          

        

         

 

"What mean you that you cannot find him? He is a dragon, as big as the walls that hold this monstrosity up. Find him, and my lady wife." The men scattered and Warrior laughed. The man still had no idea that he'd born a son of the queen. She'd kept the boy safe by not sharing who the child was with anyone but herself and him. "The man that brings me her head on a platter will be rich tonight. I want her and all that she stands for dead."

 

When he felt himself move, he knew that the king had found him and had picked the item up. The necklace. The last piece, one that could not be taken away and hidden when his last spark was put inside it. He eyed the man that had caused a kingdom to fall and wished him dead.

 

'Tis not his fault he is a fool. Perhaps it is, but he is a bigger fool than I thought him to be if he thinks to win this day. He smiled at the sound of his lady queen's voice. I had no idea that I'd join you here. It is very cramped, is it not?

 

It is. But we are safe here. He will not harm us now. She said nothing and he wanted to turn to her, but knew that he could not move. My lady, he cannot harm us, correct?

 

Nay, we are beyond his wrath now, but he will try. This day he will present us to his lady wife, his new lover. And when she complains that the necklace is too large for her, he will break us apart. I will no longer be able to speak to you, not until the rest of you is with me. He asked if she had known this before. Nay, I did not. It wasn't until he touched us that I knew. He now has her belly filled with his child, one that he is as yet unaware of. She laughed then.

 

What have you done, my lady? She told him that he would have no sons born of him ever again. There would be one born of their union  , but he'd not be of his seed. You have done this? From here?

 

Yes. When she moved over his spark, he felt it and was warmed by it. My child will be the only son he has, and he is yet not aware of him. His father will be aware of him one day, when Caelin finds his sire and cuts his head from his body. But for now, Caelin is safe.

 

She told him to sleep and he had no choice in the matter. As his eyes were closing, he saw her then, the lady that would wear him for a time. Warrior had no idea what to expect, but he knew as surely as he was inside the necklace with his queen, he would protect the lady with him as best he could. Warrior wished for time to go by quickly so that he might see his queen again.

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 1

 

 

 

Grady looked at the inventory sheet and then in the trailer that had backed up to his building an hour ago. His delivery was not only early by a week, but someone had royally fucked up what he was to receive. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to do about it, either. He saw Kenton coming toward him with Dalton, and waved them both over. He needed witnesses, he supposed, and what better people to help him out than these two. Handing the sheet to his brother, he explained what was going on.