For the Love of Tia: Dragon Lords of Valdier Book 4.1 Read Online Free Page A

at the man with a stubborn
tilt to her chin. “Why aren’t you?” She asked back with a raised
eyebrow.
    Roan stared at the female
for a moment before he burst out laughing. “I have no idea. I will
have to ask my mother,” he responded in amusement. “Roan, King of
the Sand Kingdom at your service,” he added with a graceful bow.
    Tia giggled. “I am called Tia. Keeper
of the Stories for the Kingdom of Glitter,” she responded with a
shy smile. “It is indeed a pleasure to meet you, your
Grace.”
    “ Jett?” Roan asked,
staring into Tia’s unusual but beautiful face.
    “ I’ve claimed her,” Jett
responded to the unspoken question. “She is my bride.”
    Roan started in surprise before a
large grin lit his face up. “At last,” he murmured before he turned
and bellowed out in a voice that ricocheted around the high walls
of the palace. “Jett has taken a bride!” He proclaimed to all
standing within hearing distance.
    Loud cheers followed his
announcement, stunning Tia who stared in awe as men and women
gathered around them cheering. “What is going on?” She whispered,
trying to sink down into Jett’s arms. “What did he mean, you have
taken a bride? I heard you say that before but I am not familiar
with the word,” she said , looking nervously up at him.
    Jett leaned over and whispered in her
ear so she could hear him above the roar of the crowds. Tia paled
as the meaning sank in. She looked up at him, tears filling her
eyes as the realization of what was happening overwhelmed her. She
had to tell him it was impossible. There was no way she could be
his bride as much as she wished she could be. She did not
understand how it worked for his people but for hers the loss of a
mate could have devastating consequences. Her heart beat
frantically, stuttering and stopping before repeating the erratic
rhythm over and over until she was trembling and had turned a
deathly pale green. Her eyes drooped at the effort to keep them
open. Her breath came in tiny gasps as her weak heart worked
frantically in her chest.
    “ My lords! Strangers
approach!” One of the guards yelled down.
    Tia felt her vision
blurring and tried to calm the panic. Her heart slowed but
continued to skip, leaving her weak. She turned to stare up at the
top of the clear dome, recognizing the flying beast from home and
the colors of her brother’s armor. Turning her head, she let it fall weakly back against
Jett’s broad chest seeking comfort from his strength.
    Roan turned to look up at the clear
dome as well. Even in the dim light, he could see the flying
creatures with warriors guiding them as they hovered around the top
of the Kingdom. He ordered his men to their skimmers and to prepare
for battle.
    “ Wait!” Jett’s voice rose
over the mayhem. “What did you say, Tia?” He asked, concerned by
her sudden pale complexion.
    “ It is Tamblin,” she said
weakly. “I must…. see him…. one…. last…. time,” she murmured in a
voice barely loud enough to be heard.
    “ Tia, what is it, my love?
What do you mean one last time? What is wrong?” Jett asked
fearfully, pulling her closer to his chest as he gazed down as her
pale complexion.
    Tia forced her eyes open so she could
look into Jett’s handsome features. “I’m dying,” she forced out.
“I…” tears filled her eyes and overflowed down her pale cheeks.
“I…. cannot be…. your bride.”
     
    *.*.*
    “ No,” Jett cried out
hoarsely, looking to his father who heard the quiet words. “No, she
cannot die. I love her,” he croaked out to his father in
fear.
    Roan looked at his son’s ashen face
before gazing at the slender figure cradled protectively against
his youngest son’s body. “There is a way to save her. Take her to
the healing chamber,” he said, his face set in determination. He
turned to his head guard. “Open the tunnel,” he ordered as he
climbed onto his skimmer.
    Jett watched his father rise up to fly
over the walls of the palace. He