Dragon's Treasure (Dragons Awaken Book 1) Read online

  Dragon’s Treasure

  Maya Starling

  Edited by

  Laura Perry

  Maya Starling

  Contents

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Epilogue

  Excerpt from Dragon’s Prize, Book 2 in Dragons Awaken Trilogy

  Also by Maya Starling

  Connect With The Author

  About the Author

  Copyright © 2016 by Maya Starling

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Published by Maya Starling

  Cover design by Maya Starling

  Edited by Laura Perry

  ISBN: 978-953-59366-2-6

  Created with Vellum

  For my family.

  Thank you for all your love and support.

  For my little munchkin.

  I wish you a bright and hopeful future.

  Acknowledgments

  Blurbs, dedications, and acknowledgments are not my forte. Hope I do this one justice, because so many people helped me to get to this point; my first published book.

  First, I would like to thank Mareliza Viljoen for pulling me up on my feet, for encouraging me to write. Thank you Gitte Ekhdal for teaching me and helping me to walk steady. Thank you Melissa Julian-Jones for showing me how to strut my stuff. Thank you Laura Perry for keeping me on track, for improving my gait. My fabulous beta readers... I am thankful for your honest constructive feedback. You made the book even better.

  Emerald Paslay and Kim Fry, you were a great support, you were my people on the line as I sprinted by, toward the finish. You provided me with much needed water, and towels, and cheers.

  And most of all, I need to shower my Wattpad followers with much gratitude as well. You persevered, you supported, read, commented, voted, gave me faith in myself and the self-confidence to do this.

  Thank you

  Chapter 1

  The most heated arguments lead to the dumbest choices, Olivia berated herself as she stumbled through the unfamiliar forest. The boughs creaked above, parting only briefly in the breeze to allow a glimpse of the tiny, brilliant stars. She glanced up at the cloudless sky and gave thanks for the full moon above, its beams fighting through the branches to illuminate her path. She sped up her pace, seeking comfort in the folds of the forest, lost and no longer sure whether she was running away from home or back towards it.

  Maybe marrying Sebastian would not have been so unfortunate... Olivia sighed. What was I thinking? I could be at home, safe and warm.

  “I am so spoiled,” she mumbled, shaking her head. She drew in a deep breath of the chill forest air, hoping to ease her trepidation, but the scent of wilderness infused her senses, reminding her just how far away she was from anything familiar, from home. The realization seeped deeper into her heart, quickening its already racing beat.

  An owl’s screech pierced the night, and a muffled crunch sounded behind her. She halted mid step, and turned to glance over her shoulder. It was no hedgehog bobbing along through the undergrowth, nor a cricket, for she had heard plenty of those chirping in the moonlit shrubs. But now they too grew silent. Another crunch followed—not a branch, but a bone breaking.

  Olivia wanted to turn and run but her feet wouldn’t comply. The compulsion to know what was out there overpowered her and she began tiptoeing toward the source of the sound. Her heart thumped louder with each step, but soon the sound of growls and the snapping of teeth made her stop. She turned her head to the left and narrowed her eyes towards the moving shadows.

  A wolf lifted its head from the cover of darkness and into the moonlight. The beast’s muzzle was coated in blood, its eyes filled with voracious hunger. A second wolf raised its head as well, blood dripping down its dark fur as it snarled and snapped towards the first one. The dark wolf bared its fangs in warning, and lunged forward when the other beast would not submit. A fight erupted in a frantic blur of fur. Growls and snarls rent the air and echoed among the trees.

  Olivia's voice caught in her throat. She covered her mouth to stem the rising scream. She didn’t want to end up ripped apart like the sad, bloody carcass beneath them.

  She took small, cautious steps backwards, putting one foot behind the other, never taking her eyes off the wolves. When she had put enough distance between herself and the raging beasts, she turned and took flight.

  A few strides later, a protruding root snagged her foot. She toppled to the forest floor. The pebbles and pine needles speared her palms. She barely avoided smashing her chin into the ground. Oh, no, no, no! Pushing herself up, she winced as she put weight on her bruised knee, and continued to flee. She chanced a glance back to see if the wolves had noticed her. The shadows of the undergrowth were too dark for her to see into, despite the dappled moonbeams shining on her path.

  At least the moon was on her side.

  She swerved past the bushes, but its thorn-filled, gnarly fingers grabbed for her, shredding her dress, and clawing at her skin. She sprinted over jutting roots, stones, and mounds of dirt. She shivered. The cold crept up her spine, but a warm wetness seeped into her dress as pain pierced through her right arm. The wooden-taloned limbs grasped for her dark brown hair and tried to hold her back, securing her as an offering on which the forest’s children would feast.

  Tonight, the first to sate their hunger on her would be the wolves.

  Olivia’s lungs cramped from the strain, and her breath came out in short pants. Still running, she gripped the fabric at her chest in an attempt to ease the pain.

  A howl resounded from behind.

  Her wild pursuers plowed through the underbrush. She pushed forward, faster. Her calves burned like fire, as if the forest itself was trying to brand her.

  Wide eyed, Olivia searched for a way to escape. Panic rose and her heart threatened to pound its way out of her chest, the thumps reverberating in her ears with each frenzied step. Her legs threatened to buckle beneath her.

  The approaching growls and clawed paws striking the forest floor forebode her end. They were toying with her. Enjoying the chase before pouncing on her, while she sought for a place to hide, to no avail.

  She knew she was too weak and too slow to outrun the wolves. Hiding from them was pointless. The smell of her fresh blood was like a guidepost pointing in her direction reading, ‘Easy catch, this way’.

  What have I done? What AM I DOING? Obviously I have no idea! Having Sebastian's children would NOT have been as bad as this! I am going to die here and once the wolves are done with me, not even my mother will be able to recognize my remains.

  The wolves’ snarls drew nearer. Olivia considered whether or not she should just give up; stop running and let them tear her apart. Fear of pain kept her moving, though. And hope. Hope that maybe, just maybe, something would turn her luck around.

  A light flickered.

  Ther
e! Hope!

  She cut to the right. A cave entrance opened up not far before her, barely hidden by the surrounding shadows. The run-and-hide instinct prevailed and she turned toward it. The soft light of the fire was her guide. Maybe someone in there could help her?

  As she neared the opening, it occurred to Olivia that it might be the dumbest plan she had come up with so far. If no one was there, she would be trapped in a cave, served up to the wolves, all soft, bloody and warm. But it was already too late to turn back.

  She dashed into the cave with the wolves on her heels, ready to pounce. As she passed into the thick darkness of the cave she looked over her shoulder. Fangs! And blood matted fur. Reaching the fire, she grabbed a wooden stump. A chair leg? The surprise was fleeting as she spun to face the beasts; alone against them.

  The wolves slowed to a cautious walk as they left the shadows of the forest and entered the cave. They sniffed the humid air. Growls reverberated throughout the cave and Olivia’s body. She swung her makeshift weapon left, then right. Fire, they should be afraid of fire, correct? The wolves hesitated, lips pulled back. They snarled, and paced left, then right.

  I still might live!

  “Shoo!” She waved the fire-stick. “Go away, leave me alone! I have enough trouble on my hands as it is. I do not need you as well.” She stabbed the fire-end toward them.

  Unease crawled up her spine like a dozen tiny spiders. She shook it off. The wolves lay their ears flat back, hackles raised, tail tucked.

  “Yes! Smart wolves! Fire is bad, you want to flee. Go!”

  Emboldened by the wolves’ timidity, Olivia stepped forward with the fiery weapon stretched far in front of her.

  The wolves backed off, paw by paw, soft and silent.

  Air shifted behind Olivia. A draft? She took another step toward them.

  The wolves whimpered, almost laid flat to the ground, belly crawling back.

  “Ha!” Olivia let out a victorious cheer when the wolves turned and fled, their claws scraping against the cave’s rocky ground.

  A smile tugged at her lips. Finally, something good had happened to her today. A fortunate break.

  The flame at the end of her wooden stick flickered, danced after the wolves, and a soft breath tickled the back of Olivia’s neck. A presence moved and a shadow appeared from above.

  With a white knuckled grip on her dying torch, Olivia turned. She looked up, and up, straining her neck. Fire light reflected off a long reptilian snout covered in shiny, smooth scales. Her breath caught in her throat. The creature inhaled slowly. The low sound of air slipping past its open jaws vibrated through Olivia’s body as the beast showed off a row of deadly sharp teeth. When it exhaled, smoke billowed around its nostrils.

  She waited for the monster to flambé and devour her. When nothing happened, she drew in a deep breath and held it.

  “I could have taken them on,” she said, voice flat.

  A pair of large, amber, slitted eyes stared back at her, and a warm puff of breath fanned her face. Once again she froze, too stunned to breathe.

  Then her world turned black before she had a chance to scream.

  Chapter 2

  Olivia lay on the cold, hard floor. She blinked a few times but darkness still surrounded her. Rain murmured in the distance. A chill seeped deep into her bones, contracting her muscles. She shivered. She shook her head to dissolve the fog that clouded her mind but all that did was cause a fierce throbbing in her temples.

  She struggled to remember what had happened and where she was. The hazy recollections trickled into her mind: the heated argument with her father, his disappointment at her words and the sadness marring her mother’s soft features broke Olivia’s heart all over again. The whirlwind of emotions still burdened her heart, just as they had assailed her when she had fled to the safety of her chambers after the quarrel. Thunder burst nearby, echoing the slam of the door in her memory. She had let her temper make her choices. She was just as impulsive as her father; even the kind-hearted nature she had inherited from her mother hadn’t helped.

  Glimpses of more recent memories trailed through her mind: sneaking out under the cover of night with what provisions she remembered to bring along, dashing for the forest, being drenched by the chill rain. Then when the sun rose and Olivia welcomed the warmth of its rays, the bear had appeared. Her heart quickened again as she recalled the incident when terror and instinct prompted her to race from the makeshift camp. A bear woke her up and determined the way the rest of her day went, and had a feast for his trouble.

  Everything else came flooding back as well.

  The wolves. The chase, the running. The cave… THE CAVE! She sat up and scooted backwards. Flutters of panic swarmed inside her belly, nesting around her heart as her back hit the stone wall. Was it real? Was there really a d-d-dragon? She stuttered in her mind, afraid to even think the word.

  I am alive, I think. She patted herself over. Yes, still alive and in one piece. She exhaled in relief. Rubbing her eyes with the heels of her palms, she winced as the motion irritated the scrapes on her hands. She pushed a shoulder-length lock of dark hair behind her ear. The smell of dampness tainted the air, mixed with a slight acrid undertone.

  Overwhelmed with despair, Olivia wished for home, her soft bed and a warm bath. She now missed the safety her parents always provided. Safety and comfort. The current predicament was her own fault, all because of her selfishness, her head stuck high up in the clouds. She could have had it all, save for the one thing she wanted the most, and now she found herself further away from that dream as well.

  Olivia rose on trembling legs, leaning on the cave wall for support. She tilted her head to the side and listened, trying to hear where It was, if It was still there. The darkness suggested she was farther away from the cave entrance than she had been before she fainted, or maybe there were no more moonbeams since it was raining. What disturbed her most was the thought of having been moved by the dragon. Why would it do that? Maybe it just wasn’t hungry and is planning to feast on me later?

  A cold shiver snaked down her spine and she shook the morbid thought out of her mind.

  The sound of rain echoing off the walls of the cave reminded her of the sound of waves breaking on a shore. She forced a happy daydream for a moment to keep the panic from overwhelming her. Oh, what I would give to be at the seaside – the sun warming my face, the scent of the ocean on the breeze, the soothing sounds of the crashing waves surrounding me.

  Another quiver shook her, jerking her back from the sun and the sea to the cave and the rain.

  Olivia took a deep breath as if trying to suck courage from the humid air. She squared her shoulders to appear brave, hoping the move would turn her boldness into reality.

  Fingers gliding over the rough surface of the cave walls, she felt her way around the grotto, thinking it likely that she would reach a passageway at some point. Hopefully one that will lead me outside.

  And then what? Bitterness invaded her thoughts as her hands made slow progress. I will deal with it when the time comes.

  As the shock wore off, pain tore through her body. She dragged her legs as if she were struggling against the oncoming current of a rushing stream. Her burning muscles and stinging palms were almost enough to crush her to the ground. The wound on her knee throbbed as it reopened and warm liquid trickled down her leg. The sleeve of her dress was glued to her arm with dried blood. Her body demanded that she just lie down and let time take care of some of the aches and pains. But she pushed on, desperate to find a way out.

  “Oh God, let me perish now so I can finally get some respite.” She groaned and her stomach grumbled a threat in return: Get me some food or I will eat your spine.

  Warmth.

  Olivia felt warmth under her questing palms. The texture now was soft and silky smooth. She had the urge to press her face against it, but these stones had shapes, repeating shapes. She halted her exploration, fear gripping her as she realized what those contours meant.

&
nbsp; Muscles glided and rolled beneath the sleek surface. The sound accompanying the movement reminded her of bales of silken cloths brushing against each other.

  The surface moved again and hot breath swept across her face. Olivia remembered what this creature was capable of. Oh my, Oh my… it is going to eat me! It is going to fry me to crispy bits and eat me! She hyperventilated, the pulsing in her ears deafening, as she stood petrified in place.

  The warm breath left her face and the creature took a lungful breath. This is it… This is the end.

  Facing the beast, she saw a bluish light forming in the back of its throat. It traveled upward, expanding and brightening. All Olivia could do was stand paralyzed, overwhelmed.

  Her life didn’t play out before her eyes. She just watched, wide-eyed, as death approached. I hope it does not hurt…

  The dragon spouted fire from its maws. Olivia closed her eyes and screamed. She sucked in air and screamed some more. She let all of her fear vent through her voice as she waited for the scorching flames.

  But the fire never reached her.

  She stopped her screeching vocal onslaught and opened her eyes, one lid at a time. A soft, warm, golden glow flickered from somewhere beside her but she didn’t turn to seek its source. Instead, her eyes focused on the creature in front of her with what looked like a single raised brow on its scaly draconic face.

  She didn’t know what perturbed her more: the fact that she was facing a dragon again and was still alive, or that it actually raised a brow at her as if it were trying to say, “Are you done screaming?”

  The soft yellow firelight reflected off its deadly fangs, coal-colored elongated horns and dark blue scales. Its amber slitted eyes peered down at her, filled with curiosity.

  The dragon opened and closed its jaws. Olivia stared up, gaping, as the creature, she guessed, struggled to produce actual words instead of fire, apparently preferring not to burn her. Or so she hoped. It took the creature a few moments; all the while Olivia just stood there, scared beyond all reason.