Chapter 26

Falcon

The stone floor was cool on Falcon’s feet as he got out of bed. He gazed around his private room in the castle, still amazed he had such a luxurious space for himself. Growing up, he’d lived in the poorest section of the keep with a roof that leaked over his bed. He’d learned how to patch it, but as a child, his repair job didn’t last long. Sometimes, he didn’t eat for days because his father had gambled away the little coin he managed to earn.

Falcon had sworn he would not live like that once he was old enough to move away from his family. He’d entered warrior training as soon as he reached the minimum age. That afforded him a bed in the barracks. It wasn’t luxurious, but at least the roof didn’t leak, and it was warm inside during the winter.

After he’d finished training, he was given a small stipend each month. Falcon had used that to rent a small room over a tavern. It was loud each night, but he’d had privacy. Over the first century of his life, he’d worked up the ranks so his stipend increased enough for a small townhouse near the blacksmith quarter. It was quieter there at bedtime, and while it wasn’t opulent, it was comfortable.

After that, Falcon could not climb any higher due to his family background. It didn’t matter how hard he worked to prove himself. He’d resigned himself to a position in the middle of the hierarchy, which was far more than any of his other relatives could claim.

He’d met Aidan when the shifter was young and liked him enough to assist him with his warrior training. Falcon supposed he saw something of himself in the pendragon’s youngest son. True, their stations were far apart, but the young male clearly suffered under abusive older brothers and a cold father. He didn’t help him with the expectation he’d gain anything from it. No, he’d done it because he could see the pain Aidan hid behind his aloof attitude. He was intelligent and compassionate for someone in his position, and he had such a strong will to survive no matter what it took. Anyone with sense could admire that.

Falcon still couldn’t believe Aidan had promoted him to be his senior advisor and given him a luxurious room in the castle. The new pendragon truly trusted and respected him. It was an honor, humbling him greatly. He would do everything he could to continue earning it.

He moved to the wide wash basin without a crack or hint of rust, splashing water onto his face and then cleaning his teeth. Falcon was about to get dressed when he heard a knock at his door. It wasn’t even noon yet. Who would be coming to see him at such an early hour?

After pulling on a pair of pants, he opened the door. Sabryn stood there. The beautiful female shifter had brown-black hair dusting her shoulders, light olive skin, and a toned body that made him yearn to touch her. He stared into her golden eyes, half covered by thick, dark lashes.

She studied him, beginning at his face before running her gaze down his bare chest and to the bulge in his pants he couldn’t help. He’d dreamed of her every night since they began working together, though he tried to put her out of his mind, and his body awakened hard and ready. It couldn’t be helped since, during the day, he had to listen to her sensuous voice and watch her hips sashay as she walked. It was torture, yet he dreaded when it would be over, and they’d no longer work together.

A smile quirked her lips as she lifted her gaze. “I’m glad you’re awake.”

He was uncertain which part of him she referenced.

“You’re early,” he said.

She brushed past him to enter his room uninvited. “I know.”

Sabryn inspected his quarters, having never stepped foot in them before. She noted the narrow window that overlooked the rear of the keep where the gardens lay if one opened the silky black curtains. Next, she saw his gilded storage chest, where he kept all his weapons. Aidan had given him that as a gift shortly after Falcon was promoted to his advisor.

His breath caught when she moved to his rumbled bed—twice as large as any he’d had before—and sat on it. She bounced on the mattress and murmured something about it being quite comfortable. Falcon did his best to push away images of what he’d love to do with her on that bed as he moved to another chest where he kept his clothes. It wasn’t as fancy as the other, and came with the room, but it was nicer than any he’d had before. He drew out a fresh, black camrium tunic that looked like most of the others he wore.

As Falcon moved to put it on, she moved in front of him. “No.”

“No?” he asked, confused.

Sabryn looked at him like she wanted to consume him. It wasn’t the first time because he wasn’t a fool and had noticed her interest before. The highborn shifter female desired him, but he was not mating material. While he had climbed to a high rank, no decent female would want him because it would mean being tied to his family. He didn’t go near his relatives unless absolutely necessary, but they sometimes hounded him for coin and favors. She didn’t deserve to put up with that.

She traced a finger down his bare chest, and his stomach muscles tightened.

“You’re too honorable for your own good,” she said in a soft voice, close to his ear.

Sometimes, he thought she could read his mind, though that was impossible.

Falcon offered her a bit of truth, hoping to put her off. “Having your body would never be enough. I’d want your heart and soul as well.”

Her amber gaze lifted to his, and surprise flickered there. “You mean that.”

“I do.” He would not lie to her.

She pressed closer, wrapping her arms around his waist. “I’ve been alive for more than six centuries, and I’ve never met anyone who draws me to them like you do.”

Her lips were mere inches from his, and he valiantly fought the urge to kiss her. She damn well knew it too. They’d been dancing around this subject since they started working together two weeks ago. Before, they’d hardly crossed each other’s paths, but it all changed once they had full days together. What had Aidan been thinking by pairing them? Surely, no pendragon would allow his highborn cousin to marry a lowly shifter—even one who’d risen to anadvisor. Generations of thieves, gamblers, and wastrels tainted his blood.

Yet, he couldn’t resist settling his hands on her hips. “You deserve better.”

“I could say the same of you.”

Falcon shook his head. “All the shifter toriqan on this continent are together for the first time in living memory. Surely, you can find someone far better than me.”

“I don’t want anyone else,” she said, tilting her head even closer.

Zorya help him. He wanted her so badly he could taste it.

“My family…” he began.

“Are not in this castle, nor are they allowed in here,” she said.

He sucked in a breath as she closed the distance and kissed him. His body heated, and he tightened his grip on her. She tasted like spring when the flowers were in bloom. He knew then he was no saint as he moved her against the wall and pressed himself even closer to her perfectly formed body. She squirmed against him, and it drove him mad.

It took several minutes of heated kisses before he could pull away. She looked up at him. Her skin was flushed, and her lips wereswollen. It was good that they were expected at the dome in half an hour, or he’d be tempted to test how far Sabryn would go. That kiss had been even better than his dreams.

Falcon knew if he had the female once, he’d never want another again.

“We will be late if we do not leave in the next few minutes,” he said hoarsely.

She let her fingers slide across his chest, killing him with her soft touch. “Very well, but I will find an opportunity to continue this conversation.”

And he’d do his best to avoid it for her sake—whether she liked it or not. With reluctance, he pulled away. The expression on Sabryn’s face told him she would not give up, and it would take all his willpower to resist her.

***

When they reached the takeoff/landing pad, the pendragon and his mate were already waiting for them. There were several others there as well, including the sorcerers Morgan and Skylar. Aidan’s gaze turned thoughtful when they drew near him. Falcon feared the astute shifter would know what they’d been doing in his chambers.

He and his four guards lit up in flames without a word. After shifting, the pendragon took his mate, and two others grabbed the sorcerers. Falcon and Sabryn were able to fly solo and enjoy the mild weather. He tried hard not to think about their moment in his chambers as she stayed close enough to almost touch her wings to his. The female was relentless.

When they were halfway there, Aidan spoke telepathically into his mind. Yours and my cousin’s scents are mingled together. Is there something you want to tell me?

Falcon jerked, losing a few feet of altitude before righting himself. No, milord. We did nothing more than kiss, and I stopped it before it could go further.

Why? the pendragon asked, curiosity in his tone rather than anger.

That was an unexpected question.

I am lowborn, and she is not, he said, stating the obvious.

Aidan grunted from where he flew ahead, carrying his mate. You are the most honorable male in our toriq, and yet you deprive yourself of any happiness.

I am…happy, Falcon stuttered.

Have you considered that I mated a slayer, which is regarded as far more egregious than two shifters of different classes? I assigned Sabryn to work with you partly because I knew she would be of great assistance but also because I sensed the two of you would be good together. If you choose her for your mate, I will gladly support it.

He couldn’t be serious. This was one of those times when Falcon needed to protect his pendragon from poor decisions. While it touched him to know Aidan would allow the union, it still didn’t make it right. Bailey was an entirely different matter because of how much she offered the toriq and strengthened Aidan in his leadership role. Most everyone could see that now, with few detractors remaining.

I want better for Sabryn than I can give her, he said.

You should let her be the judge of that, but I will push no further. I only hope you consider a future with her.

Falcon’s heart squeezed at the notion. I promise to think about it.

Good. That is all I ask.

They reached the training area where leaders from all the toriqan and human elements waited. The rest of the fighters would not arrive for another hour. This was the first time the coalition would participate since arriving two days before, and they needed to strategize how to incorporate them. That could only be done under the protection of the dome.

Falcon and Sabryn trailed behind Aidan and Bailey as they entered the shielded field. It still amazed him how someone could walk before him and suddenly disappear, but once he entered, he could see them again.

They quickly moved to the center of the dome to make room for the others who entered. The human coalition and shifter toriq weren’t the only ones who’d arrived recently. The Straegud had convinced two pure dragon toriqan to join them as well—the Jarkan and Tarogan. They sent over four hundred warriors altogether to fight. Those additions were currently residing along the northeast border of the Taugud territory, but they would rotate members to join in the training over the next few days for the experience.

Colonel Melvin stepped into the dome and gazed at the space with its translucent walls. “This is quite impressive. I wish we’d thought of creating something like this for training and protection. Our sorcerers have only come up with smaller versions to secure meetings.”

Aidan gestured at Morgan. “We have your former member to thank for that.”

“I couldn’t have come up with this alone,” the young man said, pushing his glasses up his nose. “Xanath was the one who showed me the spell for how to do it, and we worked together on the specific design.”

Falcon stepped closer to the commander, catching his attention. “The dome is about four miles by two miles.” He walked him through the placement of forces they’d implemented so far. “How would you prefer to incorporate your assets into the training line-up?”

The commander rubbed his chin. “The ground troops can join the ranks with the other human fighters you already have and extend it further across the line for better coverage. Our sorcerers can also be spread out alongside yours.”

Falcon nodded. He was hoping for that decision since it would make it easier to integrate everyone. They had little time, and making drastic changes would only confuse matters. “I understand you have flying crafts and vehicles that can fire weapons?”

“Yes.” The colonel looked up. “What altitude does the dome reach?”

Since the dragons flew for training, they’d had to make it relatively high. “Eight hundred feet.”

“How many training rounds a day?”

“Usually, four to five,” Falcon replied, wondering what the human man was thinking.

The commander's expression was thoughtful. Yesterday, his sorcerers finished their first batch of the fireproof potion and gave it to everyone who needed it soonest. Falcon and Sabryn flew the colonel and one of his captains to inspect the area that would be their front line for the war, showing them where the shield would be erected. This was the coalition leader’s first time at the dome, though.

“I would place our artillery behind everyone. They will be the first to attack since they can fire upon the enemy while they’re still miles away, but we’ll need to pull everything behind the shield before the Kandoran reach us. None of the large equipment is fireproof. We’ll want to continue using it for the duration of the war, and avoid damage, if possible,” Colonel Melvin replied.

“How will you incorporate the artillery for training without harming anyone?” Falcon asked, knitting his brows.

“We have some specially designed training rounds we brought today that will create a flash and minor damage to anyone directly hit, but they won’t kill humans or dragons. They are just enough for simulation. Those within a certain range can consider themselves dead.”

Falcon attempted to imagine itbut had to see it to understand. “How effective are the real rounds?”

He had to assume they’d used them to defend their territory before coming here.

“We’ve only begun using these versions this year, and they have magical enhancements, but we’ve found they will destroy anything within forty to fifty feet, including dragons,” the colonel replied.

Aidan gave him an incredulous look. “That could be very useful. How many of them do you have?”

“Approximately two hundred are here at present with more than twice that on the way. It won’t be as much as we truly need, but we could only take a limited number from our defense arsenal and transport them here. We’ll disperse four Paladins along the line that can launch rounds to strike ground positions up to eleven miles away. There are the same number of howitzers to place where needed. For aerial targets, we have two patriot missile line batteries. They can cover a broader battlefield area and strike dragons in flight.”

Falcon was trying to imagine these strange weapons. “How many rounds do those have, and will it kill them or only damage them?”

“A direct hit will kill them. Modifying the systems for dragon targets took some time, but they have been quite effective since then. We only have four hundred missiles for the Patriot, so we must be selective about their deployment and six hundred each for the other artillery types. We plan to launch as soon as the enemy comes within range and then let the sorcerers and short-range weapons take over while we pull our equipment to safety.”

Falcon did his best to visualize what the commander described. “So, will you use all the rounds on the first day or at different times?”

“We will use about ten percent on the first day and then formulate a plan for the rest after we see how the battle goes. We know the Kandoran will pull back around dawn of each day, and we’ll use drones to monitor their positions where they rest. If we see opportunities to strike them there, we’ll use them, but we could also hold onto the patriot missiles for only when they’re flying toward us. Those decisions will have to be fluid, depending on their defenses. It is likely they’ll shield themselves during the day the same as us.”

Bailey cocked her head. “Don’t you have aircraft to deploy as well? I know you used them for some of our bigger battles.”

“Yes. There was a long debate on what to deploy due to the distance and fuel usage. That has limited us quite a bit. We decided on bringing five A-10 aircraft. They can use a rotary cannon to fire armor-piercing rounds at targets in the air or on the ground. We also plan to fire air-to-surface missiles and drop cluster bombs,” the colonel said.

“Wait.” Bailey stiffened. “You’re gonna use cluster bombs? I thought they decided soon after the dragons invaded that those were too risky in the long term. They can keep killing civilians for years afterward.”

Falcon was glad the slayer knew what questions to ask because he had no idea how these weapons worked, much less their advantages or disadvantages. They made him nervous. It sounded as if they could cause a lot of destruction, which was useful against the Kandoran, but ominous if the coalition ever turned it on them. They would have to be careful to stay on the humans’ good side.

The coalition commander’s jaw hardened. “That’s true. After receiving reports of several children dying in enemy territory, we stopped deploying them, but these are entirely different circumstances.”

“Why would they kill children?” Aidan asked, expression darkening as he glanced between them.

“They’re actually a bunch of small bomblets rather than a single large one, and they scatter widely,” Bailey explained, glancing between them with concern in her gaze. “Some of them won’t detonate when they hit the ground, so they sit there waiting until they’re disturbed. For kids, they can look like toys. They kick them or pick them up, and then they explode, either killing or seriously maiming them. Also, people could accidentally step on one or drive over it. They’re as much of a hazard as land mines.”

“Land mines?” Falcon lifted a brow.

She sighed. “They’re explosive devices hidden on the ground that can kill or wound people within a small radius.”

He nodded, though he still didn’t understand very well. They just appeared dangerous.

“We have monitored the target area closely,” the colonel continued, sounding impatient. “We have seen no movement in the past week except for Kandoran forces. Any civilians who did live there are either dead, fled the area, or became infected. Also, we plan to drop the bombs in precise locations at least ten miles west of the front line to reduce the chances our forces will encounter them during the war. This is the absolute best use of them because they can strike a large swath of the enemy at once. Considering how much we’re outnumbered, drastic measures must be taken.”

Falcon and Aidan exchanged looks. They’d both pay attention to the coalition’s weaponry and analyze whether it was worth the trouble once they could see how it worked. For now, they had to trust the colonel and hope for the best. It was true that they had to resort to drastic actions if they hoped to survive.

“You’ll need to track exactly where they drop so the area can be cleared later if…I mean, when we win this war,” Bailey said.

“Of course,” he agreed. “We have people specifically assigned to do that.”

Justin and Miles had joined them during the conversation, listening intently. The two humans had done a good job integrating their local forces to fight with the dragons, so at least they were somewhat prepared for the coalition. Except, of course, for the artillery and planes.

Falcon frowned at that thought. “How do we incorporate any of this into training today?”

“Good question.” The colonel gave him a nod. “The A-10s can’t target the OPFOR with the munitions we have available without harming them, so instead, we’ll only do a flyby during the last round each day as they go out to check on the Kandoran activities. This way, everyone can see and recognize the planes for when the real battle begins.”

Thankfully, Justin and Miles had taught Falcon that OPFOR stood for opposition forces, usually in conjunction with war games. Their military used so many strange terms, and he’d had to learn a lot to keep up with their conversations.It was as if they had their own language separate from their native tongue.

“That sounds reasonable to me,” Falcon said, turning his gaze to Aidan. “You?”

The pendragon appeared to mull it over for a moment. “It will do.”

Justin looked at Colonel Melvin. “How do you have so much equipment? Most of it was scattered across the country on different bases before the dragons arrived.”

“The full story has been classified.” The commander worked his jaw. “At this point, though, it doesn’t matter if I tell you since the reasoning behind it has passed.”

“I know you had a lot of stuff moved during the first few weeks after D-Day, but I never got an explanation on how or why,” Miles said, curiosity in his gaze.

Falcon recalled that he’d served with the coalition during the same years as Bailey, so he would have more knowledge of their inner workings.

Colonel Melvin nodded. “That is true. The reason we did it was classified because it involved a major general who turned out to be a seer when magic returned. At first, he didn’t know what to make of his visions and thought he was crazy, so he didn’t tell anyone. The idea of sorcerers was still an oddity.”

“Yeah, I could imagine if that happened to me,” Miles said, shaking his head.

Not being a sorcerer himself, Falcon could also understand the sentiment.

“But the visions started coming true. People he knew were dying because he ignored what he saw, so after about a week, he began sharing them with the upper chain of command—what was left, anyway.” The commander appeared deep in thought. “It took some convincing, but we eventually agreed to his request when he asked that we relocate as much equipment, troops, and planes as possible to the East Coast in the region where the coalition is now.”

“Is that why the military was firing missiles at dragons in the beginning, but then they stopped?” Bailey asked.

“Partly, yes,” the colonel replied, smiling ruefully at her. “Some came from Navy ships before the water dragons destroyed them all. Many military bases struggled to put up a strategic defense against creatures we’d never faced, and our weaponry wasn’t designed for them, so we lost a lot of people that way. The general, though, convinced us we had to save what was left and consolidate it before we lost everything. He said it was the one way we’d maintain a human-only territory.”

Falcon knitted his brows. “Your country was rather large before. How did you move anything during that time with so many of us arriving?”

“That was why he emphasized it had to be done quickly. While the central part of the United States saw a lot of dragons arriving and terrain changes in the first weeks, the Gulf states had relatively few. We moved everything we could through the southern route. Of course, we still took losses, but it allowed us to transport enough to defend the territory we’d outlined for ourselves and take some land back as well.”

Aidan cocked his head. “And I suppose your planes just needed to make it off the ground and up to an altitude we can’t fly.”

“Yes.” The colonel nodded. “It wasn’t easy because dragons seemed to take great pleasure in burning them if they caught them in time, but we found that if we got above five thousand feet, they couldn’t harm us. A lot of soldiers and equipment was moved that way as well.”

Falcon mulled it over. “Actually, five thousand feet is our top limit, and at that altitude, our flames are severely diminished. We can fly to ten thousand before the air becomes too thin for us, but we can’t hope to damage a plane in that range.”

“Yes, of course,” the commander agreed. “We’ve incorporated those factors into our planning since they affect our strategies.”

“Looks like our guests are arriving,” Bailey said, pointing toward a spot over Falcon’s shoulder.

He turned. In the sky, green and red dragons began to dot the clear blue sky, arriving for training from various directions. He also caught the rumble of military vehicles approaching from a nearby road. This was likely to be the most challenging training day yet as they integrated the final elements of their forces. Falcon hoped they could smooth out the issues within the few remaining days.

His gaze caught on Sabryn, where she stood with some of the pendragons. Her lips quirked, and her yellow eyes seemed to convey that she’d speak with him again later. Falcon had no idea what he would do about her and planned to focus all his attention on training.