The Dragon Family Read online

  She also wanted their large spaceship and all of its technology.

  Of course, her grand plans would be all for nothing if she couldn’t entice and trap the latest aliens first. To do that, she needed to confer with Nova Drakven, her head strategist.

  Rounding the last corner, Taryn waltzed into Nova’s office. The woman’s pale blue face met hers. Raising her silver brows, she asked, “Is it true about the ship?”

  With a nod, Taryn moved to stand in front of Nova’s desk. “Yes. It should be here in about eighteen hours.”

  Nova reached for a file on her desk. “Good. Then I’ll present the plan to the players, and we can wait on standby until we know for sure where the visiting shuttle lands.”

  Taryn shook her head and started pacing. “I need you to come up with a new plan, Nova.”

  “Why? I’ve tweaked what went wrong last time. We shouldn’t have any problems.”

  “It’s not that.” Taryn stopped pacing and met her friend’s gaze. “This time, we need to do more than entice a few males to stay. Our planet was originally slated to be a low-tech colony, but with the problems that arose, that’s no longer an option. We need supplies and knowledge, which means negotiating with the mother ship for their people.”

  “Let me get this straight—you want to convince the vastly technologically advanced aliens that we are superior, their crew’s lives are in danger, and that they need to pay a ransom to get them back?”

  Taryn grinned. “See, you do understand me.”

  Nova sighed. “You have always been crazy and a little reckless.”

  “Not reckless, Nova. Just forward-thinking. You stage the play, think of a few ideas about how to get the ship, and I’ll find a way to make it work.”

  “Always the super leader to the rescue. Although one day, your luck may run out, Taryn.”

  Nova and Taryn were nearly the same age, both in their early thirties, and had grown up together. Nova was her best friend and one of the few people Taryn was unafraid to speak her fears with. “As long as my luck lasts through this ordeal, I’m okay with that. I can’t just sit and watch our people despairing if another year or ten pass before there’s new blood. If we had a way to get a message to Earth, it would make everything easier. But, we don’t have that capability.”

  Nova raised her brows. “Finding a way to contact Earth or the Earth Colony Alliance might be an easier goal than taking over a ship.”

  “The message would take years to get there and who knows if the ECA would even send a rescue ship to such a distant colony.” Taryn shook her head. “I can’t rely on chance alone. I’ll send a message from the alien ship, but I also want the technology to save us in the near future, too. I much prefer being in control.”

  Nova snorted. “Sometimes a little too much in control, in my opinion.”

  “A leader letting loose doesn’t exactly instill confidence,” she drawled.

  “Then promise me that once you save the planet, you let me show you some fun. No one should die before riding the sloping Veran waterfalls.”

  Taryn sighed and sank into the chair in front of Nova’s desk. “Fine. But how about we focus on capturing the aliens first?”

  Nova removed a sheaf of crude paper made from the purple wood of the local trees and took out an ink pot and golden feather. “I’ll come up with a fool-proof capture plan, but I hope you keep me in the loop about what happens next.”

  “I will when it’s time. I need to see who we’re dealing with before making concrete plans.”

  Dipping her feather into the ink pot, Nova scratched a few notes on the purple paper. “Then let me get to work. The staging is mostly done already, but I need to think beyond that. Since we’ve never tried to capture a large ship before, it’s going to take some time. I think someone captured a shuttle in the past, but we’ll see if I can find the record.”

  “You always go on about how you love challenges.”

  “Don’t remind me.” She made a shooing motion toward the door. “And this is one of the few times I can tell my settlement leader to get lost and let me work.”

  Taryn stood. “If you need me, I’ll be in the outside garden.”

  “Fine, fine. Just go. You’re making it hard to concentrate.” Nova looked up with a smile. “And you’re also delaying my next project.”

  “Do I want to know?”

  “It’s called Operation Fun Times.” Nova pointed her quill. “I sense you’re going to land an alien this time. You’re a talented individual, except when it comes to flirting. I’m going to help with that.”

  Shaking her head, Taryn muttered, “Have fun,” and left her old-time friend to her own devices. Maybe someday Nova would understand that while Taryn missed the antics of their youth, she enjoyed taking care of her people more.

  Still, she’d admit that it would be nice to finally have the chance to get a man of her own. Most of her family was gone, and like many of the women of her age group, Taryn would love the option to start one.

  Not now, Demara. You won’t have a chance unless you succeed in capturing the visitors.

  With the play planning in motion, Taryn had one more important task to set up before she could also pore through the records and look for ideas.

  As much as she wished for everything to go smoothly, it could take a turn and end up horribly wrong. In that case, she needed an out. Namely, she needed to erase memories. The trick would be conferring with her head medicine woman to find the balance between erasing memories and rendering the aliens brain-dead. As the early Jasvarians had discovered, the forgetful plant was both a blessing and a curse. Without it, they’d never have survived this long. However, in the wrong dose, it could turn someone into a vegetable and ruin their chances.

  Don’t worry. Matilda knows what she’s doing. Picking up her pace, Taryn exited the mountain into the late-day sun. The faint purple and blue hues of the mountains and trees were an everyday sight to her, but she still found the colors beautiful. Her great-grandmother’s tales had been full of green leaves and blue skies back on Earth. A part of Taryn wanted to see another world, but the leader in her would never abandon the people of Jasvar.

  Looking to the pinkish sky, she only hoped the visitors fell for her tricks. Otherwise, Taryn might have to admit defeat and prepare her people for the worst.

  ~~~

  Prince Kason tro el Vallen of the royal line of Vallen stared at his ship’s main viewing screen. The blue, pink, and purple hues of the planet hid secrets Kason was determined to discover. After years of fighting his father’s wishes and then the ensuing days of travel from Keldera to the unnamed planet, he was anxious to get started.

  Aaric, his head pilot, stated, “Ten hours until we pull into orbit, your highness.”

  Kason disliked the title but had learned over time that to fight it was pointless. “Launch a probe to investigate.”

  “Yes, your highness.”

  As Aaric sent the request to the necessary staff, the silver-haired form of Ryven Xanna, Kason’s best friend and the head warrior trainer on the ship, walked up to him. “We need to talk.”

  Kason nodded. Ryven would only ask to talk if it was important. “I can spare a few minutes. Aaric, you have the command.”

  The pair of them entered Kason’s small office off the central command area. The instant the door slid shut, Ryven spoke up again. “Some of the men’s markings are tinged yellow. They’re nervous. No doubt thanks to the rumors of a monster on the planet’s surface.”

  “There is no monster. There’s a logical explanation as to why our team of scientists disappeared on Jasvar ten years ago.”

  “I agree with you, but logic doesn’t always work with the lower-ranked officers and the common soldiers.”

  Kason clasped his hand behind his back. “You wouldn’t ask to talk with me unless you have a solution. Tell me what it is, Ryv.”

  “I know it’s not standard protocol for you to lead the first landing party, but if you go, it will instill
courage in the others,” Ryven answered.

  Kason raised a dark-blue eyebrow. “Tell me you aren’t among the nervous.”

  Ryven shrugged and pointed to one of the markings that peeked above his collar. “The dark blue color tells you all you need to know.”

  Dark blue signaled that a Kelderan was at peace and free of negative emotions.

  “You are better at controlling your emotions than anyone I have ever met. You could be deathly afraid and would somehow keep your markings dark blue.”

  The corner of Ryven’s mouth ticked up. “The trick has worked well for me over the years.”

  “We don’t have time for reminiscing, Ryv. You’re one of the few who speaks the truth to me. Don’t change now.”

  “Honestly?” Ryven shrugged. “I’m not any more nervous or worried than any other mission. The unknown enemy just means we need to be cautious more than ever.”

  “Agreed. I will take the first landing party and leave Thorin in charge. Assemble your best warriors and send me a message when they’re ready. I want to talk with them and instill bravery beforehand.”

  In a rare sign of emotion, Ryven gripped Kason’s bicep. “Bravery is all well and fine, but if there is a monster we can’t defeat, promise you’ll pull back. Earning your father’s praise isn’t worth your life.”

  “I’m a little insulted at your implication. I wouldn’t be a general in my own right if I lived by foolish displays of machismo.”

  Ryven studied him a second before adding, “Just because you’re a general now doesn’t mean you have to talk like one with me.”

  Kason remembered their childhood days, before they’d both been put on the path of a warrior. Kason and Ryven had pulled pranks on their siblings and had reveled in coming up with stupid competitions, such as who could reach the top of a rock face first in freezing temperatures or who could capture a poisonous shimmer fly with nothing but their fingers.

  But neither of them were boys anymore. Displaying emotion changed the color of the rune-like markings on their bodies, which exposed weakness. Warriors couldn’t afford to show any weakness. It was one of the reasons higher-ranked officers weren’t allowed to take wives, not even if they found one of their potential destined brides; the females would become easy targets.

  Not that Kason cared. A wife would do nothing to prove his worth as a soldier to his father, the king. On top of that, being a warrior was all Kason knew. Giving it up would take away his purpose.

  Pushing aside thoughts of his father and his future, Kason motioned toward the door. “Go and select the best soldiers to assist with the landing party. I have my own preparations to see to.”

  “I’ll go if you promise one thing.”

  “What?”

  “You allow me to be part of the landing party.”

  Kason shook his head. “I can’t. In the event of my death, I need you here.”

  “Thorin is your second and will assume command. Give me the honor of protecting you and the others during the mission.”

  Deep down, in the place where Kason locked up any emotion, a small flicker of indecision flashed. Ryven was more Kason’s brother than his real-life brother, Keltor.

  Yet to contain Ryven on the ship would be like a slap in the face; the honor of protecting a prince such as Kason was the highest form of trust to one of the Kelderan people.

  Locking down his emotions, Kason followed his logical brain. “You may attend. But on-planet, you become a soldier. I can’t treat you as my friend.”

  Ryven put out a hand and Kason shook it to seal their agreement. “I’m aware of protocol. I teach it day in and day out. But I will be the best damned soldier of the group. And if it comes to it, I will push you out of the way to protect your life.”

  Kason released his friend’s hand. “I won’t let it come to that.”

  “Good. When shall we rendezvous?”

  Glancing at the small screen projecting an image of the multicolored planet, he answered, “Nine hours. That will give all of us a chance to sleep before performing the prebattle ritual. You can lead the men through their meditation and warm-up maneuvers after that.”

  Ryven nodded. “I’ll see you then.”

  The trainer exited the room, and Kason turned toward his private viewing screen to study the planet rumored to host the most feared monster in the region. One that had supposedly taken hundreds of men’s lives over the years. The story was always the same—a small contingent of men disappeared from any group that landed on the surface. No one remembered how they were captured or if they were even alive. Anytime a second party landed, a few more would be taken.

  Over time, the planet had earned a reputation. Even the most adventure-seeking ruffians had stayed away.

  However, Kason dismissed it as folklore. Whatever was on that planet, he wouldn’t allow it to defeat him or his men. Kason would bring honor to his family with a victory. He also hoped to give his people the gift of a new planet. Keldera was overpopulated, and its resources were stretched beyond the limit. The Kelderans desperately needed a new colony and hadn’t been able to locate one that was suitable. The planet on the view screen showed all the signs of being a near-perfect fit.

  Even if the fiercest monster in existence resided on that planet, Kason wouldn’t retreat from an enemy. Death was an accepted part of being a Kelderan soldier.

  ———————————

  The Conquest is now available on Amazon // Amazon UK // Amazon AU // Amazon CA // Amazon DE.

  ———————————

  Books by Jessie Donovan

  Asylums for Magical Threats

  Blaze of Secrets (AMT #1)

  Frozen Desires (AMT #2)

  Shadow of Temptation (AMT #3)

  Flare of Promise (AMT #4)

  Whirlwind of Change (AMT #5 / TBD)

  Cascade Shifters

  Convincing the Cougar (CS #0.5)

  Reclaiming the Wolf (CS #1)

  Cougar’s First Christmas (CS #2)

  Resisting the Cougar (CS #3)

  Kelderan Runic Warriors

  The Conquest (KRW #1)

  The Barren (KRW #2)

  The Heir (KRW #3)

  The Forbidden / Kalahn & Ryven (KRW #4 / Aug 6, 2018)

  Lochguard Highland Dragons

  The Dragon’s Dilemma (LHD #1)

  The Dragon Guardian (LHD #2)

  The Dragon’s Heart (LHD #3)

  The Dragon Warrior (LHD #4)

  The Dragon Family (LHD #5)

  The Dragon's Discovery / Alistair Boyd (LHD #6 / Sept/Oct 2018)

  Stonefire Dragons

  Sacrificed to the Dragon (SD #1)

  Seducing the Dragon (SD #2)

  Revealing the Dragons (SD #3)

  Healed by the Dragon (SD #4)

  Reawakening the Dragon (SD #5)

  Loved by the Dragon (SD #6)

  Surrendering to the Dragon (SD #7)

  Cured by the Dragon (SD #8)

  Aiding the Dragon (SD #9)

  Finding the Dragon (SD #10)

  Craved by the Dragon (SD #11)

  Persuading the Dragon / Zain and Ivy (SD #12 / March 2019)

  About the Author

  Jessie Donovan wrote her first story at age five, and after discovering The Dragonriders of Pern series by Anne McCaffrey in junior high, she realized people actually wanted to read stories like those floating around inside her head. From there on out, she was determined to tap into her over-active imagination and write a book someday.

  After living abroad for five years and earning degrees in Japanese, Anthropology, and Secondary Education, she buckled down and finally wrote her first full-length book. While that story will never see the light of day, it laid the world-building groundwork of what would become her debut paranormal romance, Blaze of Secrets. In late 2014, she became a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.

  Jessie loves to interact with readers, and when not reading or traipsing around some foreign country on a shoestrin
g, she can often be found on Facebook. Check out her pages below:

  http://www.facebook.com/JessieDonovanAuthor

  And don’t forget to sign-up for her newsletter to receive sneak peeks and inside information. You can sign-up on her website:

  http:///www.jessiedonovan.com

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

  The Dragon Family

  Copyright © 2018 Laura Hoak-Kagey

  Mythical Lake Press, LLC

  First Digital Edition

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Cover Art by Clarissa Yeo of Yocla Designs

  ISBN: 978-1942211600