The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume I: Volume I

time to research the spells and find a host body. I’ll have to find Zolltarn, because he directed the original binding spell. You need to rest and recover your strength. Think about this decision for a time, Mikka. It may cost you your life.”
    “Then my husband will be free to find a new wife to bear him the heirs necessary to secure the peaceful succession of the dragon crown. We cannot allow Coronnan to be thrown into civil war again for lack of a clear succession.”
    “No, Mikka. I can’t allow you to risk your life. There must be another way,” Darville protested.
    “Who will give you an heir?” Mikka asked. “Who in your family line but Lord Andrall’s retarded son is left alive with royal de Draconis blood? Do you honestly want Rejiia, Krej’s daughter, to rule after you?”
    They both looked at Brevelan and Jaylor. Darville mouthed a name: “Glendon.”
    Numbness spread from Jaylor’s gut to his head. How could Darville even think of Glendon as his heir? “No. Oh please don’t ask this, Darville,” he muttered over and over, shaking his head.
    “My son is not your heir, Darville.” Brevelan stiffened. “I will never give him to you.”
    “You have proof that Jaylor is the boy’s father?” Darville challenged her with equal stiffness.
    “You will never take my son from me, Darville. Not you. Not your Council. Not anyone.” Brevelan marched toward the wardrobe. She paused and turned to face them, proud and defiant. “King Darville, I will take my son to Hanassa before I allow you to strip him of his magic and turn him into a coddled and captive prince.”
    “We must return to the clearing.” Jaylor clasped her hand in his own. He couldn’t believe his friend could ask such a thing. Even making allowances for Darville’s grief, he didn’t think him capable of such a request.
    “Is Glendon my son, Brevelan?” Darville demanded.
    She stepped into the wardrobe without answering.
    “You have another child, Brevelan. You are destined to bear more. Please, can’t you share one little boy with us who have none?” Mikka pleaded.
    Some of his friends’ empty pain invaded Jaylor. Darville and Jaylor had shared their youth and many dangers and wondrous adventures since. They’d shared Brevelan’s bed on that long summer quest four years ago. They’d risked their lives for each other and for Coronnan. Could either of them deny Coronnan an heir because Jaylor loved the child with hair and eyes as golden as the king’s?
    “If you can’t separate my wife from the cat, Jaylor, Brevelan, then we need Glendon. The boy should be raised here, to learn all he’ll need to know as the next king of Coronnan.” Darville reached a plaintive hand toward Brevelan.
    “No.” Brevelan retreated to the tunnels and the route home.

Chapter 26
     
    ‘ F orgive me, Shayla!” Jack lifted his heavy head to plead with the dragon.
    ( Forgive me , Jack ,) the blue-tipped male dragon apologized.
    “Sorry, Jack, I couldn’t stop coughing,” Fraank croaked hoarsely.
    Amaranth whined in distress, seeking shelter behind his mother again.
    Shayla said nothing. Her steedlike muzzle drooped almost to the floor of the cave. Wings sagging and eyes nearly closed, she swayed and stumbled to retain her balance.
    The spell to heal the dragon had failed utterly.
    Silence reigned in the lair while Jack continued to crouch, nurturing what little strength he had left.
    “Brawck! Strangers come. Strangers come,” Corby croaked. He swooped into the cave, circling and flapping in an agitated frenzy. Harsh caws echoed around the lair with penetrating shrillness.
    “Where? When?” Jack asked the bird, head throbbing with each new sound. He stuck out his arm, hoping the jackdaw would land and cease his noisy complaints.
    Corby dropped beside Jack, pecking anxiously at his clothes. “Brawck. Strangers come. Strangers come,” the bird repeated over and over.
    (Get up, son!) the blue-tip added his urging to the jackdaw. (You have only a few hours to get out of the valley!)
    “Who comes?” Jack shook his head to clear it. “Why must I run?” How could he run, as exhausted as he was?
    (The agents of Simeon ride this way in haste. They will enslave you again if they find you.)
    Lanciar, the spy from the mine, had found reinforcements!
    “I can’t desert Shayla. They’ll hurt her. I have to try to heal her again, so she can escape.” Jack rose to his knees. A wave of nausea overtook him. He dropped his head into the