Wyvern's Prince (The Dragons of Incendium Book 2) Read online

  “They’re known for acting upon their custodian’s will.”

  “Then she always wanted me dead. Good to know.” He exhaled shakily and pushed a hand through his hair.

  “Arista planned this,” Gemma whispered, tears shining on her lashes. She reached into the bag and ran her fingers through the remaining dust. “How could she have known?”

  “She had the ShadowCaster,” Venero reminded her.

  “There’s no way we’ll be able to find it, then. Arista would have planned for every possibility. She would have ensured its safety.”

  “Maybe it told her its destiny and she set it free.”

  Gemma smiled up at him. “I like the idea of that.” Her smile faded as she held his gaze. “You have a throne to claim,” she noted softly.

  Venero shook his head, thinking about practicalities. “Not easily. The Captain of the Guard always coveted the throne, so he might lead a coup. Then there are my other brothers, who will think they deserve to rule.” He shrugged. “I can’t just walk in and claim my legacy, Gemma.”

  “Good thing you know a dragon princess who trained a regiment of commandos,” she said quietly and he dared to be encouraged. She took a breath and he saw an answering hope in her magnificent eyes.

  “You’re not going to finish Arista’s mission?”

  Gemma shook her head. “I’m going to make an exception for my HeartKeeper.”

  Venero grinned and offered his hand. “Then marry me. Let’s claim the throne of Regalia together, Gemma.”

  “You won’t mind a dragon queen by your side?”

  “I wouldn’t want anyone less. I love you.”

  “And I love you.” Gemma laughed and threw herself into his arms. Her smile was brilliant and her kiss was fiery. She kissed him with such enthusiasm that Venero knew a woman of any less passion would have bored him to tears. There was no chance of that happening with Gemma as his wife.

  “Come meet my father,” she whispered when he finally broke their kiss. “We’ll make an official request for military support, and launch a new alliance between our kingdoms.”

  And Venero had no complaint with that.

  * * *

  Watch for

  Arista’s Legacy

  A short story of Incendium

  #2.5 of the Dragons of Incendium

  Wyvern’s Warrior

  #3 of the Dragons of Incendium series

  Coming Soon!

  The Dragons of Incendium have their own website

  http://dragonsofincendium.com/

  About the Author

  Deborah Cooke sold her first book in 1992, a medieval romance called The Romance of the Rose published under her pseudonym Claire Delacroix. Since then, she has published over fifty novels in a wide variety of sub-genres, including historical romance, contemporary romance, paranormal romance, fantasy romance, time-travel romance, women’s fiction, paranormal young adult and fantasy with romantic elements. She has published under the names Claire Delacroix, Claire Cross and Deborah Cooke. The Beauty, part of her successful Bride Quest series of historical romances, was her first title to land on the New York Times List of Bestselling Books. Her books routinely appear on other bestseller lists and have won numerous awards. In 2009, she was the writer-in-residence at the Toronto Public Library, the first time the library has hosted a residency focused on the romance genre. In 2012, she was honored to receive the Romance Writers of America’s Mentor of the Year Award.

  Currently, she writes paranormal romances featuring dragon shape shifter heroes under the name Deborah Cooke. She also writes medieval romances as Claire Delacroix. Deborah lives in Canada with her husband and family, as well as far too many unfinished knitting projects.

  To be sure you don’t miss a new release, follow Deborah’s blog or subscribe to her newsletter!

  Deborah’s Website and Blog

  Deborah’s Newsletter

  Books by Deborah Cooke

  Paranormal Romances

  - The Dragonfire Series -

  Kiss of Fire

  Kiss of Fury

  Kiss of Fate

  Harmonia’s Kiss

  Winter Kiss

  Whisper Kiss

  Darkfire Kiss

  Flashfire

  Ember’s Kiss

  Kiss of Danger

  Kiss of Darkness

  Kiss of Destiny

  The Dragon Legion Collection

  (including “Kiss of Danger”, “Kiss of Darkness” and “Kiss of Destiny”)

  Serpent’s Kiss

  Firestorm Forever

  - The Dragons of Incendium -

  Wyvern’s Mate

  Nero’s Dream

  Wyvern’s Prince

  Arista’s Legacy (2016)

  Wyvern’s Warrior (2016)

  Paranormal Young Adult

  - The Dragon Diaries -

  Flying Blind

  Winging It

  Blazing the Trail

  Contemporary Romance

  - The Coxwells -

  Third Time Lucky

  Double Trouble

  One More Time

  All or Nothing

  - Flatiron Five -

  Simply Irresistible (2016)

  * * *

  Books by Claire Delacroix

  Time Travel Romances

  Once Upon a Kiss

  The Last Highlander

  The Moonstone

  Love Potion #9

  Medieval Romances

  - Harlequin Historicals -

  The Romance of the Rose

  Honeyed Lies

  Unicorn Bride

  The Sorceress

  Roarke’s Folly

  Pearl Beyond Price

  The Magician’s Quest

  Unicorn Vengeance

  My Lady’s Champion

  Enchanted

  My Lady’s Desire

  - The Bride Quest I -

  The Princess

  The Damsel

  The Heiress

  - The Bride Quest II -

  The Countess

  The Beauty

  The Temptress

  - The Rogues of Ravensmuir -

  The Rogue

  The Scoundrel

  The Warrior

  - The Jewels of Kinfairlie -

  The Beauty Bride

  The Rose Red Bride

  The Snow White Bride

  The Ballad of Rosamunde

  - The True Love Brides -

  The Renegade’s Heart

  The Highlander’s Curse

  The Frost Maiden’s Kiss

  The Warrior’s Prize

  - The Champions of Saint Euphemia -

  The Crusader’s Bride

  The Crusader’s Heart

  The Crusader’s Kiss

  The Crusader’s Vow (2017)

  The Crusader’s Handfast (2016)

  Urban Fantasy Romance

  - The Prometheus Project -

  Fallen

  Guardian

  Rebel

  Abyss

  Short Stories and Novellas

  An Elegy for Melusine

  Beguiled

  Audio Editions