Free Child of the Loch (Child of the Loch Series) by Elizabeth Delana Rosa Page B

days and weeks learning among the dragons, before I went down to the water’s edge. I had been there before for water and bathing but this time was different. A young woman lay there nearly naked. She was covered in seaweed and was mortally wounded. A bite mark was on the side of her hip. When the water washed over her, a fish-like tail appeared.  Unsure of myself, I called for Sanandra and Solern .
    When they told me, she was a maiden of the sea and that she was one of the many people living in the waters of Dragon Seas. I checked her pulse and found that the maiden was alive so I cut my hand with a shell and gently placed it over her wound. The woman coughed and opened her eyes.
    “Don’t move. I am JJ. This is my dragon half, Sanandra and that is the future king of the Dragon Hoards, Solern .”
    The woman nodded and croaked, “I am Lenisa , daughter of Kendu , ruler of the Dragon Seas and ally to the Dragon Hoards. He rules the seas, while they rule the lands. Thank you for saving me.”
    Then she smiled weakly at Solern , “Hello Solern , it has been many years since we played in the surfs.” Solern could not reply; he only nodded at the beautiful mermaid.
    “ Lenisa , I am grandchild to Misha McDonnell, the Second, King of the Loch. May I meet with your father? There is war coming, that he must be made aware of. ”
    She took me in from head to toe as if weighing my worth before saying, “Of course, meet me here tomorrow and bring the rulers of the Dragon Hoards. If they speak for you, then you will be trusted.”
    Solern seemed only to stare as the beautiful woman disappeared in the frothy waves. I poked him in the shoulder, but said nothing. He still seemed dazed from the encounter with Lenisa .
    We went back to the Dragon Hoards and told them what happened. Selenia and Gerwin were excited to see their trusted friend. Everyone in my inner circle went to the water’s edge early the next day. An old man in a crown, Lenisa , and several other strangers were waiting for us.
    “Greetings to you, Selenia and Gerwin . Is this your progeny, Solern ? Oh, how he’s grown. It has been many a year since we’ve met, though our younglings did play in these seas. He’s chosen his forms I see. What a handsome boy! May I see him as a dragon?”
    Solern melted into his golden dragon form, now completely covered in golden scales. Lenisa’s mind and heart hammered with thoughts of attraction at the sight of him.
    “Many welcomes and blessings on the Kingdom of the Seas, Kendu , son of Tiroth , we have come with both grave and wonderful news. This is the heir to the Lochoan throne, Josephina, Jr of the clan McDonnell; she has joined with the Dragon Hoards and revived the art of dragon riding.” She raised my arm showing him my gift and my bond.
    “I wish our meeting was under more pleasant circumstances but war brews, James of the clan McCuen has tried to usurp the throne by killing the much loved Misha McDonnell the Second. Furthermore he tried to force a union between the McCuen and McDonnell Lines. We have come to beg for your allegiance, so that the line of the McDonnells may continue in this land,” said Selenia .
    Kendu scratched his long white beard and then plainly stated, “Come forward youngling Queen and tell me of you.”
    I stepped waist deep into the water and kneeled. “King of the Dragon Waters I am Josephina Elena McDonnell, Jr. I have come to the Loch to take my rightful place among my people after living my life among the “Outlanders.” I beg your allegiance and pledge my own so that there may be peace in all our lands. I have grown fond of these lands and I want to save them from James McCuen . Please Great King, help us.”
    Selenia and Gerwin nodded their approval then smiled at Lenisa . The old king raised his eyebrow.
    “Youngling Queen, you have saved my second born from death. As repayment, she will join your fellowship as a representative of the Merpeople of the Dragon Seas.”
    I turned