Royal Dragon (The Bride Hunt Book 1) by Charlene Hartnady Page B
Authors: Charlene Hartnady
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that Jo was probably dead on. Instead of listening to that little voice, she prayed even harder. The three of them set off for the river, they had to formulate a plan to try and disguise their scent. To try and fool the dragon shifter men.
Please lord, help us.
****
There were hundreds of dragon males assembled at the foot of the cliff that housed their lair. The scent of testosterone and adrenaline filled the air. The males were very much divided between the four kingdoms and chatted amongst themselves in small groups. He looked up, zoning in on the balcony off of his brother’s chamber. Sure enough, there stood Blaze. Even from here he could see that the male radiated tension.
They had already been briefed, all of the males had to remain in human form and the fire dragons could not use their fire breathing ability under any circumstance. They were not permitted to take, or use weapons of any kind. Hand-to-hand combat only and then only if the females were at a safe distance. The safety of the much weaker humans was paramount and needed to remain at the forefront of their minds at all times. Only once a female was marked with a male scent would he be considered the victor.
She would not be his though until she was properly claimed and that was only cemented after the mating. Hunt, claim and mate as soon as possible. Coal felt uneasy at the thought.
As was normal with the hunt, the females had been given a head start. It was almost a pointless exercise. When the dragon species still had females to go around, not enough of course, they would regularly organize hunts such as this. Dragon females were much faster and yet even they, were no match for the stronger, faster, more agile males. Weak humans did not stand a chance, despite being given more time than dragon females.
Logically he knew that the reason for the time delay and the need to follow the rules of the hunt was so that all males could be given a fighting chance to find and land a female. It was also done to break up the large group. Royal males and the best warriors were much stronger, able to outrun the lesser males. It normally ended with a few small groups up ahead and the massive hordes trailing minutes behind. He could not afford any errors. He would need to work quickly and quietly.
The hunt was not just designed to test strength. It was first and foremost, designed to test cunning. Coal doubted the humans would be difficult to track so brain matter was not really a requirement. The hunt was also designed to test stamina and strength, qualities he had in spades.
Coal stood quietly to the side. In fifteen minutes, the bell would ring and the hunt would begin. Blaze would join in but he planned on staying at the back of the pack. All of the fire tribes hopes rested with Coal.
He loved a good challenge. Coal’s only yearning was that the prize was a little more substantial.
He huffed out a breath, wishing he could be anywhere but there. Wishing things could be different. Scarlet still wasn’t talking to him and maybe it was for the best. That chapter of his life was over. It was time to move on.
Another male stepped in beside him. He chuckled. “You look like you would rather be anywhere but here.”
“Is it that obvious?” Coal turned to face his longtime friend.
Flame was grinning from ear to ear. “Oh yes. I still don’t understand why you’ve never been on a stag run with the rest of us. You’ve been missing out.”
Coal shook his head. “I highly doubt it.”
“If you’re lucky, you’ll soon find out that I’m right.”
Coal raised his brows. “I will win a female but I highly doubt you’ll be right.”
Flame laughed. “It’s a great pity that our dragon shifter females have always been at your beck and call. If you would have been forced to seek out a human female… just once. I can assure you that there would’ve been no turning back.”
“My brother says the same, yet he hasn’t been on one of your stag runs in
Please lord, help us.
****
There were hundreds of dragon males assembled at the foot of the cliff that housed their lair. The scent of testosterone and adrenaline filled the air. The males were very much divided between the four kingdoms and chatted amongst themselves in small groups. He looked up, zoning in on the balcony off of his brother’s chamber. Sure enough, there stood Blaze. Even from here he could see that the male radiated tension.
They had already been briefed, all of the males had to remain in human form and the fire dragons could not use their fire breathing ability under any circumstance. They were not permitted to take, or use weapons of any kind. Hand-to-hand combat only and then only if the females were at a safe distance. The safety of the much weaker humans was paramount and needed to remain at the forefront of their minds at all times. Only once a female was marked with a male scent would he be considered the victor.
She would not be his though until she was properly claimed and that was only cemented after the mating. Hunt, claim and mate as soon as possible. Coal felt uneasy at the thought.
As was normal with the hunt, the females had been given a head start. It was almost a pointless exercise. When the dragon species still had females to go around, not enough of course, they would regularly organize hunts such as this. Dragon females were much faster and yet even they, were no match for the stronger, faster, more agile males. Weak humans did not stand a chance, despite being given more time than dragon females.
Logically he knew that the reason for the time delay and the need to follow the rules of the hunt was so that all males could be given a fighting chance to find and land a female. It was also done to break up the large group. Royal males and the best warriors were much stronger, able to outrun the lesser males. It normally ended with a few small groups up ahead and the massive hordes trailing minutes behind. He could not afford any errors. He would need to work quickly and quietly.
The hunt was not just designed to test strength. It was first and foremost, designed to test cunning. Coal doubted the humans would be difficult to track so brain matter was not really a requirement. The hunt was also designed to test stamina and strength, qualities he had in spades.
Coal stood quietly to the side. In fifteen minutes, the bell would ring and the hunt would begin. Blaze would join in but he planned on staying at the back of the pack. All of the fire tribes hopes rested with Coal.
He loved a good challenge. Coal’s only yearning was that the prize was a little more substantial.
He huffed out a breath, wishing he could be anywhere but there. Wishing things could be different. Scarlet still wasn’t talking to him and maybe it was for the best. That chapter of his life was over. It was time to move on.
Another male stepped in beside him. He chuckled. “You look like you would rather be anywhere but here.”
“Is it that obvious?” Coal turned to face his longtime friend.
Flame was grinning from ear to ear. “Oh yes. I still don’t understand why you’ve never been on a stag run with the rest of us. You’ve been missing out.”
Coal shook his head. “I highly doubt it.”
“If you’re lucky, you’ll soon find out that I’m right.”
Coal raised his brows. “I will win a female but I highly doubt you’ll be right.”
Flame laughed. “It’s a great pity that our dragon shifter females have always been at your beck and call. If you would have been forced to seek out a human female… just once. I can assure you that there would’ve been no turning back.”
“My brother says the same, yet he hasn’t been on one of your stag runs in
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