Child of the Loch (Child of the Loch Series) by Elizabeth Delana Rosa Page B

Dragon. I will give you a name and a purpose,” I was getting used to being a “Queen” of ceremony.
    It stood to its fullest height and stretched its bat-like wings. I assessed it for the first time. The fuzzy, purple scales were hard and spotted with gold that seemed to replace the fuzz, like a chick getting adult feathers. Its silver wings were powerful. This dragon was beautiful and loyal.
    Remembering from the fairy tales that my father taught me as a child, “You’re name will be Dranco . You will be the closest to my side, when I am outside of the castle walls. I charge you as a protector of the crown. You will bear my burdens and I will ride no other animal. That honor is for you alone. In return, I will feed you only the best foods of your choosing. You will want for nothing while in my care. You are mine and I am yours.”
    I offered kinship as I had with the others; I knew the proud dragon would accept no less. I motioned for him to lean to me.
    Dranco bent toward me in a low bow. I scratched him behind his tiny ear-like indentions. The men watched in amazement as I leapt upon his strong back and Dranco made a sound of contentment deep in his long throat. We were of one mind and thought. He took a running start and flew up into the sky.
    I laughed and squealed, when he coughed and blew a smoke ring that we flew through. We flew for many miles and he ate the supple fruit from many trees, as though he knew I could not stand to watch him eat the small animals we saw along the way. He was a dragon after all.
    I recognized the forest from shared memories and below I saw the Western Wood the kingdom of Chian . Dranco flew low and my mind touched the minds of many.
    “Where is Chian the Great Sovereign of the Ogres, who sent me gifts and loyal protectors?” I inquired of every mind I met.
    Finally, a gruff voice answered from the tallest tree, “I am Chian , who seeks me?”
    Dranco landed gently and I slid off his back. I kneeled before the Sovereign of the Ogres and moved my hair, exposing my neck as the others had done to me.
    “I am Josephina Elena McDonnell, Jr., daughter of Jacoh McDonnell, the Exiled Prince, and grand-daughter of Misha McDonnell the Second, King of the Loch. You paid me a great kindness. I have come to pay my respects and gratitude.”
    “Rise youngling.” The tall, ruby-haired King embraced me against his barrel chest, like we were long lost family. He kissed both my cheeks, making me blush.
    A horn sounded, “The Halfling Princess of the Loch has come to us.” Ogres crowded around us touching my hair and stroking my face and shoulders. They brought gifts of food and cloth. It was a greeting befitting the truest friends of the Ogres.
    “Great Chian , I cannot stay long. The men you have sent to me await my return. I was entrusted to this dragon’s care for only a short time. I must ask you for one thing while I am here. I pledge my friendship to you and your kingdom for always as you have pledged yours to me, but I must also ask for your permission to take Ella to her mate, Tine. He tells me she is a warrior in her own right. I cannot in good conscience separate the two for long. Also I am the only female among my party and I desire the companionship of my own gender. I beg you for your blessing and her service.”
    I was trying to be as formal as possible. I was addressing a much respected ally who was in fact a king. I was amazed that I sounded so proper, like some kind of English lady of old.
    Ella, a sinewy woman with a bow on her shoulder and various knives in sheaths along her long body, stepped forward from among the crowds. Her long brown hair was streaked with jade that matched her eyes. Those beautiful eyes shined with anticipation.
    Chian looked at me thoughtfully and nodded his approval, “You will be a good Queen. You care about those in your kingdom. There are few who seek out the mate of their guards so that the two could be reunited. This is a good thing. Take her