The Return of the Dragon QueenThe Avalonia Chronicles, Book 3 Farah Oomerbhoy The Return of the Dragon Queen: The Avalonia Chronicles, Book 3 Copyright © 2019 Farah Oomerbhoy 1st Edition 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 of fictional characters to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. All right reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, photocopying, mechanical, or otherwise—without prior permission of the publisher and author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. eBook ISBN: 978-1-63489-268-1 Paperback ISBN: 978-1-63489-267-4 Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-63489-266-7 Audiobook ISBN: 978-1-63489-281-0 Library of Congress Catalog Number: 2019912244 Printed in the United States of America First Printing: 2019 23 22 21 20 19 5 4 3 2 1 Editing by A R Editorial Solutions and Proof Positive Cover design by Steven Meyer-Rassow Map design by Josh Stolarz Interior design by Kate Tilton’s Author Services, LLC Wise Ink Creative Publishing 807 Broadway St. NE, Suite 46 Minneapolis, MN 55413 wiseink.com For my children, my Lightbringers Contents Prologue 1. A Queen in the Making 2. A City of Slaves and Thieves 3. The Pink Palace 4. The Pirate Prince 5. Enemies and Allies 6. Caeleron Castle 7. The Castle Dungeons 8. The End of the Road 9. To Take a Castle 10. The Rightful King 11. A Fall from Grace 12. Destiny Awaits 13. Return to Pixie Bush 14. An Old Enemy 15. In Search of Druids 16. Chasing Legends 17. A Path Forward 18. Destiny Calls 19. The Thirteenth Tapestry 20. The Siege of Stonegate 21. The Dark Fortress 22. Dragath 23. The Last Stand 24. Old Scores Settled 25. The Final Battle 26. The Return of the Dragon Queen Acknowledgments About the Author Prologue “I am disappointed, Morgana,” said a deep voice from the shadows. A thunderstorm raged outside the Star Palace and lightning flashed, revealing a man sitting in a high-backed velvet armchair. His face was worn and darkened by the sun. A short white beard covered his face, and his hair was peppered with numerous salty strands. Rain pelted incessantly against the ornate windowpanes, which rattled in the wind. Two massive fireplaces glowed in the darkness, throwing fleeting shadows around the room. “It’s not my fault we lost Elfi,” said Morgana, turning away from him and standing in front of the fireplace, staring into the flames as they danced before her. Smoke and a cloying sweet scent filled the space, making it difficult to breathe. “Lucian underestimated the girl. I will not make the same mistake.” The man’s dark eyes narrowed. He wore plain black robes and no adornments on his neck or fingers. He set his lips in a thin line as he reclined with his elbows on the armrests, his fingers linked together in front of him. “You should have gone yourself. You should have taken the Dagger to Elfi and exterminated the fae once and for all. You still fear the fae queen. Now, because of your cowardice, Abraxas has returned, and they are one step closer to destroying the book.” Morgana’s shoulders straightened. “I am not afraid of her. I didn’t want to risk losing the Dagger in the battle. Now the Grand Duchess of the Day Court thinks to bargain with me, the High Queen of Avalonia.” A feral sneer formed on her face. “I will have to give her a reminder as to who exactly she is dealing with. I will go and retrieve the book from Andromeda myself.” “You’d better. I cannot afford any more mistakes. And don’t forget who made you high queen. I can just as easily unmake you.” Morgana pushed her shoulders back. “The battle at Elfi was merely a setback. Brandor has confirmed their support. We are moving the goods to the dwarven fortress of Greygate as we speak. Once we secure an alliance with the dwarves, you shall have your new weapons, and our armies will decimate the fae. Avalonia will be ours before winter sets in.” “Good!” The man clasped his hands in front of him. “Have you appointed a new archmage?” Morgana nodded. “He is on his way to Eldoren.” He studied her, his eyes narrowed. “And the girl?” “I will handle her,” said Morgana. “No!” The man pushed himself up slowly from his chair. “I will handle the girl.” “I can stop her—give me another chance.” He shook his head. “This has gone on too long, Morgana. I left it to you, and you failed. I told you not to kill her, that we need her alive, but you didn’t listen. My plans are far too important to leave anything to chance. Not when the Dark Lord is ready to rise. I told you to capture Aurora Firedrake, but you didn’t. You had a chance to stop her in the ruins and you let her go. Now she’s back with powers that no one has ever seen before. But we still need her for the final part of the plan. You just do as I tell you. I want the girl in my possession before winter sets in.” A faint smile curved Morgana’s lips, cruel and sinister as she looked at the man before her, the expression in his eyes identical to her own. “It shall be done, Father.” A Queen in the Making The clash of swords rang in my ears as I sidestepped and turned, slashing at my attacker, slicing him across his arm, and kicking him sharply in the stomach. He doubled over and shouted to his companions: rough, armed men who had been following us all day. “Behind you!” Tristan barked, taking on three others. I spun and ducked just in time to avoid another sword that came swinging toward my head. Sweat ran down my brow and between my breasts, and strands of loose hair stuck to my neck and face as I twirled swiftly, holding up my sword and bracing my legs. My arms shuddered as the mercenary’s broadsword connected with Dawn. The smooth, polished metal
