Treasure Of Dragons, Royal Dragons Book 1 Chapter 115

Ria

It was a couple of hours before there was a general consensus that it was safe to go to the kids now. Unbeknownst to me, security had several large ATV-type vehicles. They actually looked like souped-up golf carts to me but when I said that the security guy, Dragori’s 2nd in command or whatever, whose name was Ivan, laughed at my description. 

“They are used for overland security rotations. With so much land that is uninhabited forests here, it helps to have these to patrol out further distances.” I nodded understanding that would be helpful. 

So, we kept the younger kids with us seated on our laps as we traveled out as a whole group to the cave system. I wasn’t even aware, after all of these years, that it was even here. I had to admit I hadn’t been interested in exploring anything of the surroundings actually. I was just about taking care of the kids and being between the castle and town, and not town very willingly. 

I did have to grudgingly admit that it was beautiful here. The forests were teaming with life and the colors of all the growing things were vibrant, and the air smelled sweet to me. I hadn’t even really come out here for the animals. So many were in our garden that I hadn’t ventured out from that. I was surprised that my kids had ventured all the way out here, and it sounds like they did so fairly regularly. Knowing that security was all the way out here made me feel better about that possibility.

It took us about 20 minutes to reach the caves, so I wondered briefly how long it had taken the whole procession of my kids and their guards to make it all the way out here. Again, I was amazed at the resilience of my kids. Remembering the way Elizabeth and Brand had communicated in secret, and set up all of this, was amazing. 

As we got closer I saw Brand very covertly guarding the entrance. No doubt if he had sensed we were hostile his dragon would have been out quickly. The older boys were very adept at calling their dragons, so at least Brand, Draco, and our Dragori would be able to shift rather quickly. Also, if our head of security Dragori was with them his dragon was quite ferocious. 

As soon as he identified that it was us, he stepped back, no doubt to alert the others that we were coming, then he walked out of the cave entrance with a rather big smile on his face. He was a huge figure, giving his father’s a run for their money. At 19 now he was no longer a child. With us not aging when he stood with his fathers, he looked more like their brother and their son. The same could be said for Drako, although our Dragori was still slightly smaller. 

I had Hope in my arms but still I ran to him as soon as Drago stopped the cart thing. He grabbed onto me and pulled me into his chest, and I immediately broke into tears at the idea of my children needing to hide and to possibly be in danger. As soon as I started crying Hope teared up and started to cry as well, and Sarah wasn’t far behind.

I scolded myself for losing control so thoroughly in front of them, and immediately worked to get control of myself and soothe them. Brand actually took Hope from my arms and started to hug her to his chest. She snuggled into him being very familiar with her brother offering her comfort. Brand was very much a hands-on big brother and liked to spend time with all of his siblings. 

Cole was soothing Sarah, who watched me, and as I calmed so did she. Most of my children took a cue from me. That’s why over the years I have been so adamant that I keep myself contained around them. I had always been fiercely determined that they would never be affected by my sadness or grief. I wanted them to know happy childhoods and not be bogged down with a sad and despondent mother as I had been.

Of course, now that so many truths had come to light, it framed that sadness and despondency that I grew up with in a whole new light. The feeling of keeping my kids from ever experiencing that didn’t change though. So, I pulled in my anxiety as quickly as I could to help calm the situation.

Suddenly I saw Brand’s eyes flash dragon, and scales ripped along his cheek, then he scented the air and let out a low rumble. Hope pulled back and looked at him grinning. She loved when the kids’ dragons came forward, she had a strong affinity with all of our dragons. I watched to see what was happening. 

Then he honed in on David, who was standing at the back of our group as we greeted children. The others were coming out of the cave and I was surrounded by excited children talking about the adventure they had gone on with Brand. That he had said they were going to go play musketeers and have a camping adventure off in the caves together. 

I was hugging my kids, talking to them, but keeping a close eye on Brand’s dragon and his watching of David. I wasn’t sure what was actually happening. Then I saw from the corner of my eye that David came up beside me. A huge number of my kids honed in on him. I saw dragon eyes alight all around me and was amazed at what the actual hell was happening. 

I saw my mates had noticed the situation and they also came closer keeping an eye on everything. I heard a low growl and a chuff come from beside me and turned to see that David’s dragon was front and center. He glanced at me and nudged my shoulder in greeting. I just smiled. My smile seemed to ease several of the kids. 

David’s and Brand’s dragons seemed to communicate with one another with those growls, soft hisses, and chuffs that tended to be the basis of dragon speak. Then, surprising the absolute shit out of me, Brand stepped forward, with Hope still firmly in his arms, and he rubbed his face against David’s chest. David’s dragon almost purred in response, and I felt like my eyeballs would pop out of my head. 

What the absolute fucking hell was happening?