All Chapters of The Dragon Thief: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Ryuki waits with sword in hand,To burn the chains across the land.Together, they shall rise and stand,The storm, the flame, the last command.SkylarI get as close to the castle as I dare, then wait for the dragons to attack. I need to focus, but all I can see is Ryuki, standing naked in front of me. I’ve never seen a naked man before, although I know what a penis is, I know how babies are made. But holy cow. I had no idea it was that big!And do they always stand up straight like that? It seems like that would be very uncomfortable walking around like that all day.His clothes have the earthy, fiery scent of Bynjym mixed with Ryuki's masculine scent. It’s surprisingly attractive. I press the shirt to my nose, taking a deep breath of the scent, just as the dragons descend on the castle.I didn’t know how they would attack, but they came from above and dive-bombed the castle sending flames in every direction. I take a moment to watch their aerial display of color and symmetry. The fi

So choose ye now, where hearts may lean,‘Twixt fire’s wrath and rule unseen.For in this tale, the world may change,When love and flame the stars arrange.SkylarMy chest hurts so bad, it’s hard to breathe. On top of that, I have blisters all up and down my arms from holding that silver egg when it was much too hot to carry.But I push all that aside when I feel the little golden dragon trying to force her way to me.‘It’s too early, Ylys,” I say, terrified this little dragon is going to hurt herself by hatching too soon.‘A dragon knows when it’s time to hatch,’ she says.“Does she know, or is she trying to help me?” I ask, having to take breaths after every couple of words since I can’t take a deep breath.‘Whatever her reason, she’s coming now,’ Ylys says.The humming from the dragons drowns out everything else around us. However, rather than being painful or feeling too loud, it’s calming and reassuring.I carefully sit up, watching as the egg continues to rock.“I’m right here,

In lands where fire once danced with air,Where dragons soared with royal flair.Now storm clouds gather, hearts grow grim,For war begins at every whim.SkylarI’ve never in my life seen such a hideous creature. And it was right beside me! If it had opened its mouth, I think my head could have fit in it.“Do I need to worry that one of those things is going to eat me?” I ask, remembering that Bynjym smashed that dragon’s egg because a sneak-snake had punctured it with its fangs.‘Bynjym will protect us, won’t you, Bynjym?’ Cyryl croons at him.‘Always, My Queen,’ he croons back.I look around at the silvers. Earlier I could feel their jealousy at Cyryl choosing Yntyn to get her food. Now, they’re all feeling like they missed an opportunity to show their queen that they are the best protectors.I’m hoping that means I don’t have to worry about any more of these giant serpents.‘Why did you choose Yntyn to get your food earlier?’ I ask her as she settles against me again. As worried as

The royals, blind in lust for might,Seek wings to rule, not bonds of light.They snatch the eggs with a sword and lie,To mount the skies and learn to fly.SkylarI wake as pain shoots through my body like a blade.My eyes flash open as I cry out at the unexpected pain. Six pairs of jeweled eyes look back at me.“Skylar, what is it?” Ryuki asks.“I must have moved wrong in my sleep,” I say, fighting to breathe while Cyryl begins to click agitatedly. “It’s okay, Cyryl. I’m okay. I just … I just need to be more careful.”She swings her head to Bynjym. ‘Help her!’“I’m okay …”“No, you’re not,” Ryuki says, dropping into the nest and walking over to me. He crouches beside me. “I’m guessing you have to go to the bathroom as well?”The moment he asks, my bladder responds, feeling like I’m never going to make it to someplace private.“Yes,” I say, feeling almost desperate to get somewhere so I can pee in peace.“I’m going to be as gentle as possible,” he says, as Cyryl leans her snout over m

Her name is Skylar, a princess born, Of King Augustus, crowned and sworn.He hunts the nests in mountain clefts,To leave the dragon mothers bereft.Skylar‘Ryuki can stay with your rider while you eat, my queen,’ I hear Bynjym saying.I’m struggling to wake up, but I can feel Cyryl’s hesitance to leave me. However, underneath that, I can feel the biting, painful hunger in her stomach. My dragon is hungry but she’s putting it aside to protect me.‘Go eat, Cyryl,’ I say sleepily. ‘Ryuki won’t let anything happen to me.’‘No, he won’t,’ Bynjym replies. I must have spoken to all the dragons.‘Eat, Cyryl. A hatchling must eat and queens need food to grow big, strong, and fast.’That was Ylys.‘Listen to the queen, Cyryl,’ I say, before forcing my eyes open. Ryuki is standing at the edge of the nest, waiting for Cyryl to let him pass.I carefully sit up, realizing that I’m laying on my dragon. I’m not sure if it’s my exhaustion, but she feels more comfortable than my bed back home.She beg