Rylin's Fire Read online

  Rylin’s Fire

  A Novel of the Dracol

  By Michelle Howard

  Published by MH Publications

  Copyright © 2015 by Michelle Howard

  Also by Michelle Howard

  A Novel of the Dracol

  Relentless Fire

  Frost Fire

  Rylin's Fire

  Assassins Guild

  The Unexpected Bonding Vow

  Claiming His Unexpected Baby (Coming Soon)

  A World Beyond

  Torkel's Chosen

  Torkels Auserwählte

  Arak's Love

  Arak’s Liebe

  Lindsey's Rescue

  Kyele's Passion

  Rydak's Fall

  Jaron's Promise

  V'hor's Nestmate

  Stolen Moments

  Bane's Heart

  Nikol's Surrender

  Le Cœur dans les étoiles

  Union à tout prix

  Amour à toute épreuve

  Liebe in den Sternen

  Animalische Begierde

  Einzigartige Liebe

  Love in the Stars

  Mating Urge

  Love Like No Other

  Magical Lovers

  Djinn Lover

  Wicked Lover

  Un roman de L'univers Dracol

  La Flamme de Rylin

  La Flamme verte

  La Flamme de glace

  Un Roman di Dracol

  il fuoco di Rylin

  Fuoco Implacabile

  Fuoco di Ghiaccio

  Warlord Series

  Honor Bound

  The Overlord's Heir

  A King's Revenge

  Rise of the Shadow Warriors

  A Warlord's Heart

  Unexpected Bride

  Unleashing A Warrior

  Wired

  Wired for Love

  Standalone

  No Reason To Run

  Project Genesis

  Watch for more at Michelle Howard’s site.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Also By Michelle Howard

  Rylin's Fire (A Novel of the Dracol)

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Epilogue

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  Also By Michelle Howard

  License Notes

  This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. The eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this novel with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this eBook and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please buy an additional copy for each recipient.

  No part of this book may be distributed in any format, in whole or in part without the express written consent of the author.

  Thank you for respecting the author's hard work.

  This is a work of fiction and is not a reflection or representation of any person living or dead. Any similarity is of pure coincidence.

  Acknowledgments

  This was my happiest and saddest book to write. Happy because I’ve been bouncing in my seat at writing a dragon shifter romance all year. But it also made me so very sad because I wrote it during a difficult time in my life. Maybe the most difficult time any little girl could ever go through.

  Love you, daddy. I finished another book ((smile))

  Chapter 1

  It was time.

  Rylin strode down the long hall of the royal palace, the sound of his boots ringing against the stone floor. Mounted portraits of past Kings held prominence along the walls, revitalizing him despite the reason for his presence today. Spine straight, Rylin continued. Rows of men, fellow warriors, marched with him until they reached the throne room. The tone and atmosphere shifted as soon as they all crossed the threshold.

  Grief hung in the air, increasing as more entered the room behind him. With a heavy heart, Rylin mirrored the males around him and removed his shirt to bare his torso. He wadded the material into a ball on the floor and dropped to one knee before the massive chair on the dais. Their King sat upright, hands gripping the rounded ends of the arms.

  Lines of strain and weariness marked a face once filled with happiness and grace. Grooves marred the sleek waves of amber streaked, brown hair. A body made fit by war dwarfed the elaborate chair with its carved scrollwork and heavy jeweled embellishments. Gold, glittering eyes surveyed the people amassed in the throne room, pausing when they reached Ry. The King nodded his head in recognition then shifted to eye the others entering.

  Soon the hall overflowed with males and females, though most of the women crowded to the far right of the room. Ry remained poised on his bent knee as he searched the crowd, scanning for a familiar face. He froze when his gaze landed on Mikal, one of his best friends and fellow soldier. For years, they served together under the King’s army. Beside him, Mikal’s lira, Sana, cradled their new baby but months old.

  Sana smiled at Mikal and leaned up to kiss her blond mate’s cheek. Ry flinched, unable to look away from the couple. Sana had once smiled at him in that special way, lips curled, eyes shining as if her world centered on him.

  Of course, that all changed when he failed to create a child with her. Month after month, Sana’s ire increased until she requested their mate bond be severed. It had hurt Rylin’s pride for his lira to announce her decision to leave him. He might have forgiven her if she hadn’t deliberately chased another, a fellow warrior Rylin called friend, and rubbed Ry’s face in their successful mating.

  Since she’d bonded with Mikal, Rylin went out of his way to avoid her, though it proved difficult when she insisted on attending warrior affairs and gatherings where she knew he’d be present. Fortunately, his friendship with Mikal endured aside from the initial discomfort.

  Sana turned in his direction and their eyes met across the expanse. His heart seized and air trapped in his throat. Gold eyes, like most of their people had, stared and narrowed. Then, proving her heart to be as cold as their mating bed had become, Sana turned away and cooed to her baby.

  Bitter pain sliced through Rylin’s heart for the child he’d once longed for. Mikal kissed the top of Ani’s red hair—a match to her mother’s, tickled the baby’s fat cheeks, and joined the others by going to one knee and removing his shirt. They exchanged glances and Mikal nodded.

  Rylin heaved a sigh, shoving regret far away, and faced forward. The large chambered doors clattered closed behind them. King Sarkin stayed quiet a moment, allowing the silence to gain steam. Time slowed as the tense pall spread, and then he spoke.

  “We know why I have gathered those of the Black.” His voice resonated with ancient power.

  One of the females against the wall cried out. Her blonde hair lay in loose coils about her shoulders. As always, her dress and manner proclaimed her royalty despite her pale features and tearstained eyes.

  King Sarkin smiled at his lira gently. “My time has come and I’m not afraid of the great beyond. Save your tears, my heart.”

  Rylin braced his hands on the floor as his shoulders grew taut. He
wasn’t surprised. King Sarkin had marked his two hundredth year among them this year. A king did not summon all of the males in his caste with such short notice unless the end was near.

  “The essence of my Dracol,” King Sarkin continued, once again facing the men gathered, “will choose a worthy male to carry on the Black mantle. I only request that he who rises in my stead take care of my lira in my absence.”

  Another choked cry came from Queen Miram.

  “Will my last order as your King be heeded?” King Sarkin asked.

  The room rumbled with the shouted reply as it echoed through out. “Yes, Sire!”

  Though Rylin called out his response as loud as the others, one look at the Queen and he wasn’t sure she wouldn’t choose the path of others before her. When the king died, the queen more often than not chose to follow.

  King Sarkin sighed and leaned forward, elbows braced on his knees, palms clasped together. His voice when he spoke next was lower, rougher. “Let us not linger. I’m weary.”

  Every man in the room kept their gaze forward. Many hoped, prayed to be selected to wear the weight of the mantle and assume the crown. Rylin had no such desires or cares. He was content with his lot in life, but his essence swelled in preparation. Centuries’ old instinct could not be denied and his nature fought for dominance.

  “I summon the mantle.” The room vibrated with energy as the King called forth the root of the Black Dracol power.

  Lightning cracked overhead and flashes of light filled the room. Rylin found himself grinding his teeth as wave after wave of power cascaded over him and the floor trembled beneath him. Others hunched over, and loud groans followed.

  “Bring forth the new King and a new reign!” King Sarkin roared, rising to his feet, arms extended over his head.

  Even more power gathered and coalesced. Someone screamed to the left of Ry and fell to the side. The males around him began to collapse under the strain of the mantle seeking another.

  Ry curled his fingers into balled fists, knuckles turning white as he pressed them into the tiles until the pain distracted him from the pounding his body took. Thunder boomed above and the walls heaved.

  Panting from the overload, Ry dropped his head in time to witness the floor buckle. With every muscle straining, he forced his head back up.

  King Sarkin shouted, his back arched. “Is there none worthy, oh mighty one?”

  Mikal grunted and fell to his stomach, limbs splayed. Rylin recognized Sana’s scream of denial. “No! Get up!”

  Arms trembling, Rylin checked on his friend, relieved to see his chest rising. The relief was short lived. Rylin reared back on his haunches as a fist slammed into his mid-section. Pain exploded in his head and radiated throughout his entire body. His teeth grinded and uncontrollable grunts broke out as he sustained blow after blow.

  Through blurry eyes, Ry saw King Sarkin’s gaze lock on him. The King’s amber eyes lightened. Relief glinted and his mouth curved upward.

  “Rylin,” he whispered. “A good choice.”

  A bolt of lightning burst from the King’s chest and struck Rylin dead center. Rylin’s last clear image showed King Sarkin slumping to the floor then hundreds of voices slammed into his head and fire lit a path down his spine. He screamed at the sensation of burning skin being peeled from his back.

  Rylin’s perception dimmed as phantom claws ripped him open from the base of his neck down the length of his spine to the top of his hip. His essence rose at last to meet the burden and wrapped around him to buffer the effect. He fell forward on his hands and knees, shaking. The voices faded until one word repeated itself clearly.

  ‘Mantle.’

  ‘Mantle.’

  Rylin’s awareness came back in small increments. Females cried, males moaned, and he couldn’t stop his own choked gasps as he continued to twitch with residual spasms. When he lifted his head, one of the King’s men grasped him about the shoulder and helped him to his feet.

  “What happened?” Rylin mumbled, trying to restore his balance. Everything around him wavered, his vision going in and out of focus.

  “Come with me,” Nolan instructed.

  Rylin followed blindly as they headed toward the throne, one stumbling step at a time. At the foot of the gold dais, a pile of black ashes on the floor swirled then flew out the open window. Confused, Rylin blinked as Nolan helped him to sit on a cushioned seat.

  “The mantle has chosen,” Nolan announced. “All hail King Rylin of the Black Dracol.”

  Chapter 2

  10 years later

  “Are you sure you want to do this, Dara?” Her mother asked.

  “I’m certain, Mom.” Dara placed the last item into her carry on. The lone duffel bag didn’t allow for many belongings, but the government held strict to the one bag requirement for all participants in the Singles Program.

  Honor McDaniel twisted her fingers together in front of her, drawing Dara’s attention. Dressed in simple drawstring pants in a neutral tone with a short sleeve white top, her mother could have passed for her twin. “I can’t believe you’ll be so far away from me, honey.”

  Dara slid her luggage to the floor, then crossed the small space of their living room, skirting around a scuffed coffee table with its chipped corner. The imperfection in the otherwise flawless piece of furniture came from Dara’s attempt to fly from the cushioned sofa as a child. She’d taken a header and had the small scar beneath her hair as proof.

  “I’ll only be out of touch physically. Technology on Vovin will allow us to still talk and see each other on the view screens.”

  Honor huffed out a sigh. “It’s not the same as hugging my baby when she’s having a down day.”

  Dara squeezed her mother tight. “Everything will be fine. You’ll see. Now are you going to give me a ride and drop me off?”

  Honor rolled her green eyes. “You know I will. You’re moving to another world, an alien planet, and you’re not coming back. I want to soak up every moment possible.”

  Relieved, Dara smiled and let her mother go. “Alright. Thanks, Mom. I know you don’t all the way agree with this, but I’m grateful you haven’t tried to talk me out of it.”

  “No matter what,” Honor said, expression intent, “you’re my little girl. That means when everyone else is against you, I’m always in your corner.”

  Dara could recite those familiar words by heart because her mother had been saying them from Dara’s earliest memory. “Even if it means I’m a space flight away?”

  “Even then,” her mother agreed, and the two of them shared a look. “Alright, let’s get my baby a man.”

  Dara snorted at her mom’s unexpected humor but gathered her things. If they blinked back tears during the rush to the car, neither of them mentioned it. During the drive, they kept up meaningless conversation, as if they weren’t about to be separated for the first time in their entire lives.

  When they arrived at the space station, her mother whipped into a small parking spot in front of the main entrance. Horns from disgruntled drivers blared behind them. Not that her mother paid any attention. Silence settled in the car. Dara inhaled and released the breath slowly.

  “Promise me.” Her mother reached over and gripped her hands tightly. “Promise me you’ll be happy. That you’ll find someone who makes you happy.”

  Dara swallowed. “I promise.”

  They both exited the car and Honor came around to meet Dara when she rounded the sidewalk. Her mother’s mouth trembled but she held on to her smile as they hugged one more time and Dara entered the glass gliding doors, toward her new future.

  ***

  Death had a definite look. Ry stared at the body on the ground and knew the female was dead. His head tipped to the side as he studied the area for signs of a struggle. Nothing. A young woman out and about with no concerns. Perhaps another Dracol approached, someone she recognized. Had they argued?

  “She hasn’t been dead long,” Mikal stated.

  Ry looked up from his knee
ling position beside the body of the female. “Tosh claimed Leila didn’t reach for him until the very end, and only with a scream of pain and cry for help before the mate connection broke between them.”

  Why hadn’t she reacted sooner? Fighting back was in their raptor nature.

  “She just went missing this morning.” Mikal’s gold eyes flickered. “How could someone strike so quickly without leaving a trace?”

  The very question Ry wondered. Out of respect, he closed the lids on the empty eyes of the dead lira. With utmost care, Ry tilted the female to the side, looking for any clue on who did this. Shifting the body revealed a circular symbol with an odd design in the middle carved onto the back of Leila’s shoulder. The intricate wound looked as if it had been made prior to death.

  Ry frowned. “What do you make of this mark on her back?”

  Mikal leaned closer. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  “I’ll speak with Tosh.” Ry rose to his feet, not looking forward to the difficult conversation. News of his lira’s death would destroy the male.

  Mikal stepped back and Ry took one last glance at a woman who’d never harmed another. Leila spent more time laughing and teasing those in their sect than she did anything else. And now, because of an act of violence, she’d go to the flame long before her time.

  “Do you want me to do it, my King?” Mikal deferred to his title, knowing how difficult this part of wearing the mantle was for Ry.

  “No. It’s my duty and my honor.” Ry closed his eyes and pulled on the mantle.

  The first stirring of power caught him off-guard as usual. He stumbled and braced his weight before managing the stream of energy pouring into him. Bright lights exploded beneath his lids and his essence rose in a rolling wave.

  Time stood still as Ry struggled to balance the forces gathering within him. Vibrations shook his entire body, as the precursor of what was to come. Then the thoughts of every Dracol in his sect slammed against the frame of a fortified mental filter that had taken Ry months to build.