Dragon Fire

Book 2 in The Sea Captain's Daughter Trilogy*

There’s something very wrong in the Southern Lair. The blind dragon refuses to choose a new knight partner, but only he can save Gryphon Isle from the deadly pirate menace. His human friends accompany him to the home of the last wizard, fighting on shore as he swims beneath the pirate ships, rising to flame them into oblivion. Together, they save the day…or do they?

Livia, Seth and Gowan befriend the wizard and his people—flocks of gryphons and villages of near-immortal fair folk. Plots are uncovered, including the magical subversion of the Lair leadership and the theft of a rare book of ancient magic from the wizard that might just destroy the world as they know it.

Livia struggles with her love for both men while new friends find love everlasting in the most unlikely of places. Alliances are formed and strengthened, enemy plots are revealed and through it all, the blossoming relationship between Livia and her two men stands strong…though their future seems uncertain. Will it work out for them? Only the Mother of All knows for sure.

Will the blind dragon learn to trust again? And if so, can the others form a family around him? Or will his stubborn pride, and evil outside forces, keep them apart forever?

* The Sea Captain's Daughter Trilogy consists of three novels all revolving around five main characters. Book 1 is called Sea Dragon and is available in ebook and print.

CHAPTER ONE

“Father!” Livia jumped to her feet, but the expression on her father’s face wasn’t welcoming. He looked absolutely livid, but willing to listen to whatever paltry explanations the three sitting at the breakfast table had to offer.
“Why are there dragons in my boathouse and knights at my dining table?” His cultured voice carried, though he wasn’t thundering. Not yet, at least.
Seth cleared his throat, standing to face Captain O’Dare. “I’m not a knight, sir. We’ve met before. I’m Seth Nielsson, apprentice healer from the Lair.”
“That only makes this worse, son. You’d better shut up before you dig yourself any deeper into the hole you’re already in.” The sea captain frowned at him.
Gowan had stood, too, and faced the older man with a bit more spine. Livia feared what might happen if they clashed.
“I am Sir Gowan. It is my dragon partner, Lady Genlitha, and her friend, the blind dragon, Sir Hrardorr, whom Seth tends, in your boathouse, sir. They are guarding the diamonds.”
Now that got her father’s attention. Livia hoped he’d cool down and listen, though talk of diamonds seemed to have sidetracked him from his initial anger. She’d always privately thought her father had just a bit of pirate in him, always on the lookout for treasure.
“What diamonds?” he demanded, his voice going just a bit softer, though his eyes still gleamed with fury.
“Father, the weapons used against the dragons were tipped with diamond blades. Sir Hrardorr has been diving into the wreckage in the harbor to salvage them.”
Her father hadn’t been in port in time for the battle that had raged only hours ago, but he must have seen the aftermath as he sailed in. The harbor was clogged with sunken ships and the shore was littered with the dead and the prisoners, who were being kept under guard. The injured were also being treated under tents that had been set up down near the shore.
Things had quieted down considerably overnight, but the action would pick up as soon as everyone was awake. Yesterday had been an ordeal, to be sure, and there was much to do today to begin putting the town back to rights.
“I spent most of the night taking the big spears apart so the diamond blades could no longer be used against dragons,” she went on. “We’ve got a basket full of huge, sharp crystals in the boathouse, and I’ve already lined up a few of our best, and most trusted, craftsmen to start cutting them today. We intend to finance the rebuilding and updating of the harbor defenses out of the proceeds, as well as pay our artisans, of course. The rest will go toward any damages to the town, but, Father…” She paused to let her words sink in. “There are a lot of diamonds.”
Captain O’Dare looked closely at all three of them, and his eyes narrowed.
“I suppose you two stayed here last night to safeguard my daughter, as well as to be near the loot and the dragons.” It wasn’t quite a question, but both men nodded.
Livia saw their housekeeper, Rosie, scuttling up the stairs behind her father out of the corner of her eye. If the stars were aligned, Rosie was going up there to erase all evidence of the debauchery that had taken place in Livia’s bedroom the night before. Stars bless Rosie!
“After the battle, there were many tasks,” Sir Gowan said, his expression tight. “Your daughter offered us hospitality when it was clear the dragons would stay to guard the diamond weapons. Otherwise, we’d have had a long walk back to the Lair. Plus, we wanted to be near in case the dragons needed us.”
Captain O’Dare made a scoffing sound. “I can’t imagine what they might need you for.”
“Sir.” Seth’s tone was both respectful and firm. “Despite his bravery and ability to navigate underwater, the male dragon, Hrardorr, is newly blind. He needs aid on land that another dragon cannot provide. It is my sworn duty to help him.”
Finally, her father unbent a little. He came over to her and took her into a fierce hug that she wasn’t expecting.
“I came home as soon as I heard there was danger. I ran into the scout ships you sent out, my clever girl,” he told her, letting her go slowly.
“I’d wondered what happened to them. We never heard back from them. I feared they were lost to the enemy.” Livia retook her seat as her father went around to the head of the table opposite her and sat down.
The captain gestured for the men to retake their seats as well, which they did.
“No. They were not lost,” the captain replied. “I sent them on with my cargo while I came directly here. Alas, I find myself too late to help. Will you, Sir Gowan, tell me what occurred? I’ve heard garbled reports from those I encountered on my way here, but I was in haste and couldn’t really stop to get details. What news of the enemy fleet?”