Read Online Dragon Wish by Judith Leger - Free Book Online

Seren onto the thick white
    cushions.
    Several minutes later, he had managed to remove her
    clothes. He used heated water to bathe her, and then tucked
    a thick, soft blanket around her. Sure she would rest easy, he
    cleaned the floor. Once finished, he stripped and folded the
    bed cover. One long glance at her reassured him that she
    rested well. He left the cabin, carrying the cover with him.
    Thoughts churned in his mind as he went to the lower
    reaches of the ship. Seren’s illness worried him. Because she
    was from Earth, she carried none of the innate magic most
    on Avaris possessed. Could this be what caused her sudden
    illness or had his child’s blood already started poisoning her?
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    After walking through the maze of cargo, he’d gone half
    the length of the ship when he reached the depths of the
    ship. He approached the coffin which was sealed with magic.
    The lid was encrusted with the runes of both the Black and
    the White Dragon clans. He clenched his teeth and flung the
    spread over the casket containing his wife and child’s bodies.
    A tug here and there straightened the cloth so the emblem
    centered on the elongated box. He rested his hand on the top
    for a second, seeking comfort, but then he shook his head
    and turned away. He would never find answers with the
    dead.
    He’d sensed his new dragonseed’s spark of anxiety over
    the spread. Had his tiny son recognized and then rejected his
    clan’s emblem designed in the offensive crimson? If so, this
    would explain Seren’s reaction.
    For a moment, a streak of unease riffled through Paladin.
    He stumbled on the stairs leading to the upper level of the
    ship. His hands slapped the wall on either side of the stairs.
    He stopped to regain his balance. If the unborn infant was
    able to sense the insult to their clan, then his strength
    outmatched Paladin’s. The babe would be considered a
    threat to his uncle, Rylen, the new king of the White Dragon
    clan. With no heir of his own, Rylen would fear a child of
    Paladin’s, especially one with such strong magical ability.
    Paladin took the stairs leading to the upper level two at a
    time. He pushed all the worrisome thoughts from his mind.
    Seren needed him. If their child had not caused her to be
    sickened by the crimson emblem then her body might be
    trying to end the pregnancy. Should that be the case, he
    needed to stay with her. He would not have another life lost
    because of his carelessness.

    * * * *
Seren felt the sun’s heat on her face. She smiled, enjoying
    the warmth. For a second, she imagined she heard Mandy’s
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    soft voice calling her.
    She cracked her eyelids open and glanced out a clear
    window pane. Blue skies dotted with cotton clouds filled her
    vision. Something fluttered in her abdomen. She covered the
    spot with her palm. There, she felt it again. Comfort touched
    her mind. She concentrated on the spot, soaking up the
    emotions coming to her.
    Birds appeared on the outer edges of her vision. She
    shifted her gaze. She watched the wings moving, brilliant
    white down and bluish gray up. Their feathers along with
    their shapes reminded her of the herons she often saw in the
    bayous and marshes around New Orleans. She smiled. The
    reminder brought wonderful memories of growing up in the
    Crescent City.
    Every summer her parents would take her to beach on
    Pontchartrain Lake. Water, sand, and sun had covered her
    from head to toe. She’d loved the summer months with
    picnics in the park. They’d feed the pigeons in Jackson
    Square. Then when she’d grown and had her child, she’d
    done the same for her. She smiled at the memories.
    Soft footsteps approached her from behind. The touch of
    a warm palm on her neck soothed her. A second later, the
    cushion dipped from the person sitting.
    Paladin’s deep voice warmed her more than the sunlight.
    “You’re awake. You must be much better if you can smile.”
    “What kind of birds are those? They look