Wyvern’s Angel: The Dragons of Incendium #9 Read online

  Wyvern’s Angel

  The Dragons of Incendium #9

  Deborah Cooke

  Deborah A. Cooke

  Wyvern’s Angel

  By Deborah Cooke

  * * *

  Cover by Kim Killion

  * * *

  Copyright © 2018 by Deborah A. Cooke

  All rights reserved.

  Without limiting the rights under copyright preserved above, no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright holder and the publisher of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  The Dragons of Incendium Series

  Wyvern’s Angel

  Dear Reader

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Thank you!

  Next in the Dragons of Incendium Series

  About the Author

  More Books by the Author

  The Dragons of Incendium Series

  Paranormal romances featuring dragon shifters in space.

  1 - Wyvern’s Mate

  * * *

  2 - Nero’s Dream

  * * *

  3 - Wyvern’s Prince

  * * *

  4 - Arista’s Legacy

  * * *

  5 - Wyvern’s Warrior

  * * *

  6 - Kraw’s Secret

  * * *

  7 - Wyvern’s Outlaw

  * * *

  8 - Celo’s Quest

  * * *

  9. Wyvern’s Angel

  * * *

  10. Nimue’s Gift

  Visit the Dragons of Incendium website

  for additional reader resources,

  including a glossary of terms,

  a history of Incendium,

  a cast of characters and more!

  Wyvern’s Angel

  The Dragons of Incendium #9

  Bond is a secret spy for the Gloria Furore space pirates, a former member of Princess Anguissa’s crew, and a fallen angel with a love of pleasure. His wings will be returned once he meets the Host and completes his mission—but Bond isn’t counting on the distracting allure of a dragon shifter princess determined to seduce him. Percipia has no interest in romance or love, but knows she has to claim the Seed and fulfill her obligation to her kind by conceiving a child. But Bond isn’t interested in a quick seduction—he prefers to savor every moment—and the Gloria Furore soon catches up with him. Being with Bond makes Percipia feel more alive than she ever has and she soon realizes she is falling in love. Being with Percipia is too much like heaven for Bond to resist giving her all she wants from him…but when they are attacked and Bond must choose, will he save Percipia or complete his quest at any cost?

  Dear Reader

  There’s something about a fallen angel hero that intrigues me and Bond is no exception. I chose to use the same notion of angels as in my urban fantasy romance series, the Prometheus Project. Sensation is all new to Bond when he falls and he loves it as much as Raphael did in Guardian. But by the time Bond’s adventure is coming to an end, he’s tired of the limitations of physical life. All he wants to do is reach the rendezvous point with the angelic host, complete his quest, and return to the celestial realm, even though he knows he’ll forget everything. But then, there’s Percipia with her alluring blend of seductiveness and innocence… I enjoyed how these two challenged each other’s preconceptions and how they changed each other. I hope you enjoy reading their story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

  In terms of chronology, Wyvern’s Angel overlaps the timeline of the two most recent books in the Dragons of Incendium series. Wyvern’s Angel begins partway through Wyvern’s Warrior, when Thalina and Acion flee Incendium in the Archangel. Wyvern’s Outlaw begins shortly after this, when Hellemut and Anguissa meet again, so events in these three books occur at roughly the same time. Gemma’s arrival on Incendium with Celo in Celo’s Quest occurs after the end of these three books.

  The next short story in the Dragons of Incendium series is Nimue’s Gift, which features the naming ceremony of Gemma and Venero’s first child. The next romance in the series will be Peri and Nero’s story, Wyvern’s Wizard.

  If you’re curious about my other angels, you can learn more about the Prometheus Project—and book #1, Fallen—on my main website, right here. This series is complete with four books.

  Remember that the Dragons of Incendium have their own website, which has a glossary as well as the list of books and characters. You can find it here:

  http://dragonsofincendium.com

  I’ve also been collecting images for inspiration on a Pinterest board, which you can view right here.

  If you’d like to keep up to date on my books, please subscribe to Dragons & Angels, my newsletter for my paranormal romances.

  Until next time, I hope you have lots of good books to read.

  All my best,

  Deborah

  Prologue

  Princess Percipia ran so quickly up the long flight of stairs in the palace that she was out of breath when she reached the summit. She didn’t slow down, but raced down the corridor.

  She was annoyed, because she’d been compelled to return from Regalia to Incendium for one of her notebooks. She wished she’d taken it with her in the first place, or recorded the notes in her computing device. As she took the stairs two at a time, she cursed her own lack of foresight.

  She was running out of time to coordinate the two massive fireworks displays, one on Incendium and one on Regalia, that would be her gift to Gemma and Venero, to celebrate the official naming of their child.

  She was even later than she’d hoped, too late to get the book and return to Regalia immediately. The one good thing was that she’d just used a Starpod and hadn’t needed to dock at the Star Station. The comm said it was secured with no arrivals or departures allowed. She wondered in the back of her mind what had happened, but was more concerned with getting her book.

  There was a slim chance she could sneak out without being drawn into a family consultation, but it wasn’t a good chance given the disruption in the palace. Something had happened, but Percipia was less concerned with the specific events than getting what she needed.

  In a palace occupied by dragon shifters, there was always some crisis.

  When she reached the area of the palace that housed the princesses’ apartments, Percipia was relieved to hear them still arguing about the same thing. They had been deciding who would move into which rooms when she left and apparently the debate continued. Maybe that meant her notebooks were untouched. Percipia could hope.

  The apartment intended for the oldest resident princess was so much bigger than the others that the space was highly coveted. Drakina had occupied it for centuries, until meeting
her HeartKeeper and moving into the apartment for the heiress and Consort. That apartment was closer to the king and queen’s apartment, and richer again. Gemma had never occupied the best princess suite, having been married to the Prince of Regalia so soon after Drakina’s HeartKeeper ceremony. Thalina, next oldest, had started to move into the suite but had been so distracted by the construction of her automatons that she hadn’t finished the move. Her tools were still in her old room and only her shoes and some of her clothing were in the wardrobe. The other sisters had been prepared to sort everything out, but then Thalina’s Carrier of the Seed had entered the palace and captured her.

  Percipia had read about that on the comm on her way back to Incendium and was curious to learn more.

  She saw Bellatora striding down the corridor from the opposite direction. That sister marched into the apartment where the sisters were arguing with purpose. Percipia paused on the threshold to catch her breath and saw that most of the unmarried sisters were assembled there.

  Percipia always counted her sisters in order of birth. The oldest in Thalina’s absence was Enigma, the fourth daughter, and she sat back in her characteristic watchful silence, listening as she toyed with a tendril of her long, dark hair. There was something languid about Enigma, yet watchful. She always reminded Percipia of a large beautiful cat.

  Percipia herself was fifth-born, then Bellatora, Mistress of the Hunt, also blessed with raven hair, was sixth. Bellatora was pacing with her usual restlessness.

  Anguissa, the star pilot, was seventh but absent, and curious Callida, with her auburn hair and secret diary, was eighth. The ninth daughter of Ouros and Ignita was blond Tempera; tenth was the equally blond Splendea; eleventh was the romantic Flammara with her glorious red hair—who was, even now, glancing out the window at intervals in hope of spying her admirer, the knight Thierry—and last, but certainly not least, was pretty, sweet Pericula.

  “What’s happened?” Splendea asked Bellatora. “What’s all the noise about?”

  “What happened to Thalina?” Tempera asked, rising to her feet with concern. “Did she claim the Seed?”

  “Who is her Carrier?” Callida asked.

  “You just want to record the details in your diary,” Flammara accused Callida.

  “There’s plenty about you there already,” Callida taunted and Flammara blushed.

  Percipia continued to her own room. To her relief, her notebooks were exactly as she’d left them and she grabbed the one she needed. Apparently, the moving of possessions between chambers had ground to a halt with her departure. She wondered why but didn’t much care. She pivoted, intending to return to her Starpod if possible.

  “Father’s been hurt,” Bellatora said, her words making Percipia stop in dismay.

  “We heard that already from Kraw,” Flammara said but Percipia hadn’t heard.

  That explained the uproar in the palace below.

  “How bad is it?” Percipia asked.

  Her sisters gathered around Bellatora, all talking at once. She held up a hand. “He’ll be fine.” Relief passed through the cluster of dragon princesses and they became quieter.

  “You’re not just saying that?” Enigma asked quietly and Bellatora shook her head.

  “What happened?” asked Callida again.

  “The greater chronicles of the dragons of Incendium are being compiled as we speak,” Splendea complained in an undertone.

  “Think it will be a bestseller?” Tempera teased and they laughed together.

  “It would be a page-turner, that’s for sure,” Callida snapped.

  “There was a battle and Father was hurt,” Bellatora said, looking ready to seek vengeance. She hadn’t been appointed Mistress of the Hunt without reason.

  A battle? In the palace? Percipia was shocked.

  “Surely, he will heal?” asked Peri, her eyes wide with concern. “I could ask Nero to do a chart.”

  “There’s no reason for that,” Bellatora said, as impatient with astrology as ever, never mind Peri’s fascination with the newest astrologer at court. “Father will be fine. Thalina was captured by an intruder, who retreated to the Hoard with her.”

  “We know that,” Callida said, rolling her eyes.

  Bellatora glared at her before continuing. “You might not know that Ector led a charge against them, intending to save Thalina. Instead, Father was hit with the dart containing the sedative that was intended for Thalina.”

  Flammara frowned. “Surely it was intended for the intruder?”

  “He’s the Carrier of her Seed,” Percipia said. “I heard it on the comm.”

  Bellatora nodded. “Father was afraid she’d shift to defend him.”

  “Captured by the Carrier of the Seed!” Peri said, her eyes sparkling. “How romantic!”

  “How dashing!” Splendea agreed.

  “How foolish,” Bellatora said crisply.

  “Is he imprisoned now?” asked Percipia. “Or dead?”

  “What about Father?” Callida asked.

  “Father’s just drowsy,” Bellatora supplied. “By tomorrow, he’ll be his usual self.”

  “Probably roaring for heads to roll,” Flammara predicted and the sisters calmed a little more.

  Percipia persisted. “Is the Carrier captured, killed, or did he escape?”

  Bellatora looked grim. “He and Thalina fled to the starport. Father had closed the Star Station in anticipation of their flight, but this is the incredible part.” The sisters leaned closer, eyes bright. “Anguissa had just docked the Archangel, and she took them on board.”

  “Anguissa’s back!” Peri cried with delight.

  Bellatora shook her head. “Not any more. She left with Thalina and the Carrier.”

  Percipia wasn’t truly surprised that Anguissa, the most rebellious of them all, had helped Thalina and her Carrier escape. Where would they go?

  Enigma sighed and spoke for the first time. “I miss Anguissa and Drakina. They never were afraid to challenge Father.”

  Splendea frowned. “But could Anguissa override Father’s command to secure the Star Station?”

  “That co-pilot of hers could have done it,” Callida said. “Bond is his name.” She flipped through her diary and her voice dropped. “I’ve heard things about him.”

  “What kind of things?” Enigma asked, her tone lazy but her eyes glinting.

  “He can break security systems and get around safeguards,” Callida supplied. “He’s supposed to be brilliant with compromising nav systems.”

  “No wonder he and Anguissa get along so well,” Bellatora said, a thread of disapproval in her tone. Enigma chuckled. “But Anguissa didn’t break the security code. I think her crew had left the Archangel already.”

  “Then they should be trapped at the Star Station,” Flammara concluded. “You must be wrong that the Archangel left.”

  Bellatora shook her head. “No, Mother gave them clearance to depart. Father isn’t very happy, even though he agrees that Thalina needs to claim the Seed.”

  A boisterous chatter broke out at that, though Enigma remained silent. She was thinking, maybe even scheming, and Percipia knew it.

  Percipia smiled at her. “I guess that means you get the best room. You’re oldest now.”

  “I guess so, but I’d rather do something other than move clothes and shoes.” Enigma got to her feet as languid and elegant as ever. She shook out her hair. “We should go dancing tonight.”

  “Even with Thalina on the run and Father injured?” Peri demanded, her eyes wide with horror.

  “It’s a perfect opportunity,” Enigma said, her manner confident and persuasive. “Father and Mother are busy with each other. The palace must be in chaos as everyone tries to tend to Father’s needs, or anticipate them.” She glanced at Percipia who nodded agreement.

  “There are servants running in every direction. It’s wild down there.”

  “But Father has forbidden us to go into the city to dance,” Peri said.

  “That hasn�
��t stopped Enigma,” Callida said darkly and the youngest of the sisters looked alarmed.

  “No one will miss us,” Enigma insisted. “Even the guards will be regrouping after their attempt to stop Thalina.”

  “They sustained some injuries,” Bellatora confirmed.

  “Not Thierry?” Flammara gasped.

  “Not Thierry,” Bellatora confirmed, weariness in her tone. Percipia exchanged a glance with her. Why Flammara thought so much of that knight was beyond both of them, and they’d discussed it repeatedly.

  “Unfortunately,” Percipia murmured, earning a glare from Flammara.

  “But Nero said that there will be three royal babies born in rapid succession,” Peri said. “He said that there’s a conjunction in the sky and that the triple births will be a sign of new prosperity for Incendium, and that...”

  Percipia interrupted her. “Could we abandon this talk of destiny, foretold events, and astrological charts at least amongst ourselves?”

  Bellatora nodded agreement. “Yes, please.”

  “But why?” Peri asked. “Don’t you want to find love and romance?”

  “Don’t you want to define your own life?” Percipia replied, knowing she sounded pragmatic. “Don’t you want to choose your own partner, plan your own destiny, make your own choices?”