Dragon Legends (Return of the Darkening Book 2) Read Free

of Mordecai down on both of us and we’d end up raking the practice yard.
    Large and hunched over, Mordecai seemed a twisted man—at least on the outside. He had a sharp nose and stringy gray hair. Almost everyone disliked him. I’d heard he had been a Dragon Rider a long time ago, but his dragon had died, and his partner, unable to take the loss, had thrown himself from the observation tower. I didn’t know if that was true, but what was true was that he was a bitter man.
    Leaning against the shed wall, I tried to stay out of Mordecai’s sight and wondered if I could catch a moment with either of my brothers. One of them might tell me why there was all this fuss. Obviously, these were important matters.
    I waited by the door to the equipment shed, until I saw the commander and the others head inside the keep, then I waved to Ryan and headed to his side.
    Grinning, he caught me up in a hug.
    I punched his arm. “What, the navigator to none other than Prince Justin himself is going to be seen hugging his sister?”
    Ryan set me on my feet again. “What trouble are you getting into, Thea?”
    I shook my head. “None at all.”
    He gave me a sideways look. “This is Ryan, not Reynalt you’re talking to. Our older brother might believe your stories, but I don’t. Come on—tell me.”
    “Just cleaning my harness. After catching some bandits.”
    Frowning, he let out a breath. “Don’t tell Mother.”
    “Mother should have seen me shooting bandits.”
    Ryan groaned. “And don’t tell her that. Ever!”
    “What? Are you ashamed of me being a rider…a protector?” The itch under my skin clawed at me, making me want to claw back at Ryan.
    He shook his head. “Of course not. Nothing as close as a Flamma and his dragon, right? Well, her dragon.” Ryan looked earnestly sincere, his eyes soft and warm, and his eyebrows flattened. I knew the look well. It was the same one that he had used ever since he had been a child stealing apple tarts.
    “Bad enough that I have to put up with all the looks from the other senior riders—a girl as protector, Lady Agathea not acting much of a Lady. As if I did nothing to prove myself by saving King’s Village. No…it was my dragon, Kalax, who did the deed. Even Seb’s been looking at me as if I’m made of porcelain!”
    Ryan shook his head and held up his hands in front of him. “It’s not like that.”
    Punching a finger into his dragon armor, I told him, “No Ryan, I’ve had enough. Everyone knows I’m one of the best fighters, but Commander Hegarty has us chasing bandits and watching the roads. The Darkening is still out there…and trouble is coming. You know that. It that why the prince is here? To talk to Hegarty about that?”
    “Agathea!” Ryan said, his tone sharp.
    His good humor had vanished. Standing before me wasn’t my fun-loving brother, but a serious commander. He shook his head and said a little more gently, “You were told to not talk about that. Remember? Not at all. Not to anyone. There are enough stories about the Darkening without more being added. Do you want to create a panic?”
    Mouth pressed tight, I shook my head.
    Ryan put a hand on my shoulder. “I know you have questions, Thea, and I know you’re better than what the commander has you doing right now. But you have to trust him—and trust in Reynalt, Prince Justin, and me.”
    “Something’s happening, isn’t it? I can see it in your eyes. Something important. That’s why all of you came here.” I stepped closer and dropped my voice lower. “It’s to do with the Darkening isn’t it? Lord Vincent and the Dragon Stones?” It had to be. Why else would they all be here, and why would Commander Hegarty be so short with everyone if he wasn’t worried.
    My brother sighed and glanced around as if to make certain we weren’t overheard. But almost everyone else had gone into the keep for the evening meal. Ryan wet his lips and said, his voice fierce, “You died in that cavern. If it