Chapter 24

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

J axxon and Zade talked with the scouts who’d just flown in from a dangerous reconnaissance mission.

“I don’t like it,” Jaxxon said. “The Vralgari have never had this much activity in the area. Prince Aeralis is determined to find the amulet. But why?”

“He seeks to expand his rule. He must think it will give him additional power or some kind of advantage.” Zade read over more reports as he walked briskly.

“We must stay off his radar. So far, all our spies believe his movements are confined to searching outposts near the mining colony. He’s been searching for information on which ships left the trading docks around the time of the attack. It’s only a matter of time before he learns we were on the colony.” Jaxxon returned the reports to the scouts and sent them on their way.

He sighed. “Prince Aeralis has always known we’ve been out here trying to thwart his missions. Until now, we’ve never interfered with anything big. This may be the very thing that brings him looking for us.”

Zade nodded as they reentered the mountain fortress, heading to the dining hall.

“We’ll stay low until things blow over. They’ve always blown over before,” Jaxxon reasoned, though his instincts told him this would be different.

“Let’s call our scouts and dragon riders back home to be on the safe side. We’ll let things die down before we go on any more raiding parties and spying missions.”

Zade agreed, smiling wickedly. “We have enough to do right here in the Villagio Mystic Mountains.” He winked as Jaxxon chuckled.

Jaxxon and Zade were the first two men in the large dining hall. They weren’t surprised to see that the women were already there. Seeing them enter, Tiara rushed over to get their orders, quickly returning with two large plates piled high with food.

She always served Jaxxon when he entered the dining hall, but this time, she seemed nervous. He didn’t blame her. After what had happened the night before, he knew everyone was curious about what he would say at the breakfast gathering.

More men entered, and soon everyone was gathered. The women were on one side and the men on the other. It was still unusual to see women gathered in their dining halls. Even when they were children, the women didn’t eat with the men unless it was a formal gathering.

Tiara came over, placing her hand on Zade’s shoulder to move him to the side. But one glare from Jaxxon and Zade remained in his spot.

“Oh, come on now, Jaxx! I just want to sit and give some advice on what we should say in our speech this morning,” she said with an exasperated look.

“ Our speech? Who said you were speaking this morning?”

Placing her hands on her hips, Tiara fumed. “Well, have it your way. Don’t blame me if we spend the next twenty-four hours answering questions!”

As she walked away, he grabbed her hand, clearing his throat. “Well...you can stand next to me if I need your advice answering their questions.”

She smiled and grabbed his hand, nearly dragging him as she jogged to the front of the room. Everyone was quiet as Jaxxon walked to the podium with Tiara.

“Crelentian elementals have a long legacy as great traders who traveled the galaxy with our Celestial dragons. Elemental magic runs through our blood and dragons, giving us immense powers. It is why we wear our dragon scale tattoos with pride.” His tattoos rippled, shadows forming around him as the girls clapped. “Tiara now bears those same dragon scale tattoos.”

Tiara dramatically pulled her hoodie over her head, wearing only a sports bra underneath. The breathtaking sight made the room fall silent, though Jaxxon swore. She smiled his way and then turned in a circle like a true fashion diva having her moment on the stage.

Iridescent gold and pink tattoos shaped like dragon scales shimmered to life along her arms. Beginning at her wrists, the intricate patterns formed elegant swirls that moved like a dragon’s breath along her arms with every subtle movement she made.

Tiara’s mesmerizing tattoos looked like the hand of a celestial artist crafted them. The light caught the tattoos at different angles, causing the colors to shift and dance—now a soft rose gold, a vivid pearly pink, and then a dark golden pink. The effect was regal.

Her friends leaned closer, spellbound by the subtle glow of light within her smooth skin. The tattoos curved up her arms, over her shoulders, and disappeared beneath her clothing. And just below her neckline was a single crest of a fiery gold and pink dragon.

“My magic has never felt more powerful!” Tiara said as she traced a fingertip along the smooth dragon scale tattoos. “They’re more than just tattoos. They’re my celestial armor.”

The others nodded, words unnecessary as they absorbed the significance of the tattoos that marked her skin. Tiara looked at her friends, the corners of her lips curving into a daring smile. Jaxxon knew that smile, and his heart raced.

“Beautiful, aren’t they?” she said, winking her eye. “I was worried they would make me look dangerous. But I think...they make me look like me . ”

“Badass Tiara!” Maya shouted. The girls erupted into cheering before Jaxxon settled them down. Tiara giggled.

“I’ve always felt my elemental magic. A power stirring inside me that I couldn’t reach. Now, I can reach it,” pointing her fingers at her friends, “and soon, you will too!”

The women stood up, clapping and catcalling at Tiara, who let her tattoos shimmer with gold and pink light. She spun, letting elemental glyphs spiral around her. Blowing a kiss to the crowd, she threw her light magic outward like starlight toward the crowd. She knew how to put on a show.

“Crelentia! Crelentia!” shouted the men, banging their cups on the tables as everyone cheered.

Jaxxon laughed, not surprised Tiara had taken over the speech before he had barely begun. He waited for everyone to quiet before he continued his speech. “May I speak now?” he murmured to Tiara, who gave him a comical look. He chuckled, barely able to take his eyes off her devilish grin. He turned back to the crowd, who were eager to hear what he had to say.

“Most Crelentians come into their elemental magic at puberty.” He cleared his throat, choosing his words carefully. “You have powers but can’t fully access your light magic without your tattoos. Yet, your mothers had tattoos, and from what I understand from Tiara, they knew how to use their magic with expert skill.” He looked at Tiara, who nodded for him to continue.

“We can only guess it’s because you’ve never been around Celestial dragons, or your mothers had another way to activate their elemental tattoos.”

The women began murmuring theories before Jaxxon raised his hands, quieting the room again.

“Tonight, we will celebrate and formally welcome you to Crelentia. It will be held in the valley gardens. My men will pick you up at sundown and escort you there. The Celestial dragons will be present.”

He saw some women startle with fear as they began asking questions. “The dragons will not harm you. I give you my word! ”

“Is your dragon scary?”

“Sure, the dragon’s scary—but wait until you see me in a bad mood.”

He smiled at the gathered women, letting his shadow magic rise around the entire room in bursts of liquid silver and inky black swirls. He winked at Tiara, who mouthed, ‘Show-off!’

“Tonight, you will get your Crelentian tattoos. Please be punctual.”

He began walking off as Tiara grabbed his hand, keeping him at the podium. “Is that it?” she whispered. He shrugged before being assaulted with questions from the women.

“What kind of celebration? What do we wear?” they yelled.

Before he could answer, Tiara stepped forward. “It will be a grand celebration! We’ll decorate it and prepare a celebratory dinner with drinks and desserts!” She offered Jaxxon a sly smile as he clenched his jaw, narrowing his eyes at her. He had no intention of letting them into the valley before sundown.

“Do we get sexy, badass tattoos like Tiara’s? Can we pick our designs?” Maya shouted. The girls started peppering him with questions about when they would meet the tattoo artists and how long it would take them all to get tattoos.

He looked at Tiara, turning his head to whisper in her ear, “Didn’t you tell them how they would get their tattoos?”

She smiled, looking innocent as she whispered back, “Hell no! Did you really expect me to tell them the dragons would set them on fire?”

“Drak!” He rubbed his chin. She rolled her eyes before yelling to the crowd, “Jaxxon will take care of getting your tattoos. They’re going to be beautiful!” She walked off the stage, pulling Jaxxon behind her.

Before he could chastise her for telling the women they would help with the ceremony, she rushed off to begin the planning. He shook his head, walking back to Zade and his men, who were laughing.

“You should have known Tiara would take over!” said Zade, slapping him on the back. “Besides, we could use the help. ”

“And we want desserts!” yelled several of the men.

Jaxxon growled, telling the men to ensure they didn’t miss their assignments while helping with the planning.

“The valley is the only place large enough for the ceremony. It’s a risk to have everyone in one place. But all the men deserve to be there. And all our dragons,” said Jaxxon once he and Zade joined up with Kylo and Galan later that day.

“We will die to protect the women,” said Kylo, looking out over the valley as they watched the men begin setting it up. “And we’ll protect the men too!”

Jaxxon faced Kylo and rubbed his scales. “We will do the same.” He raised his voice. “And we’ll die to protect the dragons too!”

Kylo and Galan huffed at needing protection, swinging their tails like battering rams into the mountainside. Jaxxon and Zade jumped back from the dust that exploded around them, both yelling, “Wild fucking dragons!”

Kylo bellowed hearty laughter as Galan blew a ring of fire around the men, forcing them backward. Jaxxon and Zade laughed, working together to lasso their shadows around their stubborn dragons. They wrestled and sparred with them as they had done since childhood.

“What would you have done without us?” Jaxxon yelled, dodging Kylo’s fire as they played along the mountain ledge.

“Without me, you’d be walking everywhere.” His dragon huffed.

“True, but I’d look good doing it!”

“Not as good as you do flying with me!” Bellowing a laugh, his dragon swept around as Jaxxon jumped on his back. They daringly launched into the air. Suddenly, Zade and Galan flew past them, giving them the finger as they did. They laughed, angling to catch them.

Together, they had survived the culling. They found the fortress in the Villagio mountains and turned it into a home. And they found Crelentian females who they would protect with their lives. But they knew each day presented an unknown risk, and they had to stay vigilant. Tonight would be no exception.

T hat evening, Jaxxon and Zade, along with their men, escorted the women back to the valley below. They’d spent the entire day decorating, and he had to admit it was beautiful, reminding him of his childhood. As a child, the boys would attend weekly grand festivals in the large valley where the women lived. Men and women looked forward to their weekly gatherings. It was a time of fellowship and love—a love that had been stolen from them but was never forgotten.

Flowers were everywhere, along with tables overflowing with food, fruit, and desserts. The men set up barrels of their finest brew, most of which had been stolen or imported from far-off places. Tiara and her friends had gone all out decorating the circle where the ceremony would be performed with candles and more flowers.

“When will we see the dragons?” said the young girl from the night before, grabbing Jaxxon’s hand and not letting it go as she ran alongside him.

“Soon enough,” he replied with a smile.

“Will I get a tattoo?” she asked excitedly. Jaxxon’s jaw dropped as he raised his brow, unclear of her age.

Tiara answered the question, explaining to the girl she would get her tattoos in another year or so. The girl ran off, whispering to a group of preteens about when they’d get theirs too. He chuckled. Whew! I’m so not ready for this.

The Villagio Mystic Mountains seemed to sparkle more than usual, as if knowing something magical was about to happen.

“The women are enjoying being outdoors in the valley. I hate that we’ve been forced to keep them inside. That we haven’t been able to show them the many beautiful places our world offers them,” said Jaxxon.

“Someday, we’ll show them Crelentia. All of Crelentia,” said Zade .

Jaxxon knew Zade wanted to return to his birthplace, which was far on the other side of Crelentia. There, they used to enjoy sledding and making ice castles. He knew in his heart they would find a way to venture back there as he looked around.

He chuckled as he saw Tiara doing cartwheels and backhand flips with the preteens. “Now she is truly one with nature!” They had that in common. Jaxxon loved being outdoors. He couldn’t imagine life without his early morning run or ride on Kylo’s back when he needed time alone. Being outdoors called to his magic in ways he couldn’t explain.

It was almost sundown when Jaxxon turned to the women.

“I ask one thing of you tonight.” He looked at them as they quieted. “Do not run from the dragons!”

They nodded solemnly, looking at Tiara, who assured them they’d be safe.

She approached him with a wry grin, whispering, “The dragons are pretty terrifying. I almost ran from them...and you.”

“Running from a dragon makes you prey. Running from me? Well, that’s just flirting with danger. I love to hunt.” He winked as she blushed.

She was still blushing as she took the women off behind a dressing area they erected for them to prepare for the ceremony.

Jaxxon and the other dragon riders left to meet Kylo and the dragons. The men who weren’t dragon riders and boys not old enough to ride went to stand before the large circle arranged for the ceremony.

A short while after, Jaxxon and Zade watched from afar as the women slowly made their way to the circle, standing in a large ring, facing forward.

“Let’s do this!” Jaxxon yelled to his men as their dragons flew from the ledge, sweeping wide just as the twin ice moons of Crelentia crested the sky, lighting the way.

Kylo flew low, banking right.

Galan banked left .

The dragons parted, some following Kylo and others following Galan.

Many dragons surrounded the women.

“Thar’valak!” Jaxxon shouted as the dragons opened their mouths.

“Swoosh!”

The dragons set the women on fire.

The mountain ridge glowed with beautiful Crelentian women coming into their elemental magic. Bursts of starlight lit around them with magical symbols that floated into magnificent spiraling glyphs around them. The glyphs circulated into the sky like a giant rainbow with no beginning or end.

It was a circle of magic.

A circle of power.

A circle of life.

The roar of the dragons was met with shouts of joy and excitement as the last of the dragon fire extinguished. The dragons and men took a knee, smiling at the beautiful Crelentian women standing before them.

Beautiful naked women screamed at Tiara the moment they realized the towels they wore were nothing but ash around them.

They ran to the dressing area that Tiara had arranged for them, and the men vied for a better view as they ran off.

“Whew! I’m glad they’ll be after Tiara’s head and not mine!” Jaxxon said to Zade as they roared with laughter.

Soon, the shouting turned into laughter behind the dressing area, and Jaxxon had to admit he was happy to see Tiara return unscathed.

The women wore beautiful dresses—ones Jaxxon had raided from a dangerous group of traders. It had been a reckless raid, one with little planning. But it had been necessary to get what they needed without risking anyone asking why they were getting female items. As the women admired the dresses, the looks on their faces were worth the dangers he braved to get them. Their smiles were priceless.

Their dragon scale tattoos were all unique and beautiful. One by one, the women thanked the dragons and the men. Rejoining the circle, they held hands while all the men sat cross-legged with their dragons perched behind them.

Then Lori started them in a song.

“I can’t believe it!” Jaxxon murmured as he, Zade, and every Crelentian male rose in shock. The dragons stood tall with the same look of disbelief in their eyes.

The women sang loud and clear, unaware of the tears falling from everyone else’s eyes.

“We haven’t heard that song since childhood,” Zade’s voice broke as he whispered. Jaxxon took his hand as each man followed, linking hands in solidarity. They stood proudly as the women continued singing.

As the song ended, the women murmured at each other at the reaction of the men and dragons.

Suddenly, Tiara’s amulet glowed. Everyone looked as she stepped forward.

The amulet’s bright light swirled with magical symbols in the sky above them, and a magical map appeared before their eyes. “Whoa!” everyone shouted. The women clapped and resumed their singing.

Jaxxon and Zade walked forward with Kylo and Galan as others cleared the way. Tiara smiled as they approached.

“I think my mom wanted me to bring this here to help our people.” Tiara looked at the map and then back at Jaxxon. She pointed to one symbol that shone brighter than the others. “I think we are supposed to go to this location. But I don’t know what it is or how it will help us.”

“It’s a map of Crelentia. I don’t recognize all the symbols, but I recognize the landmarks.” Jaxxon stood closer, speaking quietly, out of earshot of the other attendees.

Kylo and Galan exchanged glances before they lowered their heads to get a closer look at the map. Using their talons, they reached out, turning the map on its axis as it floated before them.

“You sang a sacred dragon song. A song used to hatch dragon eggs,” said Kylo, his voice reverent. “I believe one of the symbols is the location of a sacred dragon breeding ground.”

“You were sent here to restore the Celestial dragons! And to help us find our mates!” said Galan, grinning wide and baring his teeth in one of the biggest dragon smiles Jaxxon could ever recall on the ornery dragon’s face.

“This amulet is more powerful than I ever imagined,” said Jaxxon. “Tomorrow, we’ll figure this out. But tonight, we celebrate.”

They returned to the gathered group as everyone raised their hand in a toast.

“We’ve accomplished a goal our mothers wanted for us,” Tiara shouted, her glass held high. “We’ve found our ancestral home. We are Crelentians!”

“Shalar’en! Long live Crelentia!” Jaxxon shouted, giving the customary command to celebrate, pumping his hand in the air as his shadows swarmed.

Zade’s shadows joined Jaxxon’s. And soon, every Crelentian male stood, combining their shadows. The shadows blotted out the moonlight, pitching them into an inky darkness of magic and power.

Stepping forward, the women activated their elemental magic, joining their light with the shadows. Sparks flew within the darkness, unfolding like a powerful force that would destroy anything standing in its wake. And then the dragons roared, pouring their fire over them all.

“Long live Crelentia! May the Celestial dragons rise again!”

They sang and danced well into the night, enjoying the meal and the desserts. The men had also prepared a feast for the dragons, reassuring the women that they themselves weren’t on the menu.

Zade turned the music over to Lori, telling her the party was hers. Tiara sang. After downing a few drinks, Jaxxon surprised everyone by joining her in a duet. They had a grand time dancing together.

Later, he knocked back shots of alcohol with Zade.

They laughed as they saw Kylo, Galan, and the dragons dancing around a barrel .

“The drunk dragons have been in the brew!”

“We were partying long before Crelentians existed,” growled Kylo, burping loudly. Galan agreed, knocking Kylo out of the way. The men laughed, shaking their heads.

Zade took the stage. The women yelled, “Take it off!” He laughed and announced he had a different treat in store for them. But Jaxxon knew he would have loved to strip for them.

Zade whistled, signaling the men and dragons to come forward. Then they presented the women with beautiful gifts, making sure there was a present for every female.

With his hands behind his back, Jaxxon walked over to Tiara. “So, Zade swears women love pretty things. I don’t have much. But...I thought you might like this.”

He gave her the furry, bedazzled pillows from his room.

She grabbed them, hugging them close as she giggled. “I love pretty things!”