My favorite book of the eight Dragon Knight novels and novella that I've read so far! Drake of the Five Lands, a bard who's traveled since he left home at age 15 who was adopted by the Jinn and become famous for his songs and singing, is also a spymaster for Prince Nico, the Prince of Spies. He's a major figure in that book but his background is really detailed in this one. He left home as he felt he was a failure in his training to be a knight and that he couldn't live up to his dragon sister's desires to claim him. His father constantly criticized him and he has missed the dragon Jenet since he left, creating many of his love songs with her in mind. His main friend growing up was Mace, even though his father always praised Mace for being steady, as Drake was not. Drake comes home to bring urgent news of a plot to abduct a young prince to King Roland, reuniting with Jenet lovingly, but still refusing her claim to be his mate. He sees his family, but is still at loggerheads with them due to his refusal of Jenet. He meets a Jinn who's now a Castleton guard, Krysta, who moves him as no other has. Unfortunately, she's already started a tentative relationship with Mace, who's now partnered with the dragon Nellin. The three humans start to grow together, then Prince Wil is kidnapped and the five set off to find him. Their travels and the magic that they find together and within themselves, helps them to create a loving family and Drake accepts the claim from Jenet, so the humans and dragons have become a force to be reckoned with. Krysta is strong, talented and willing to share their three-sided marriage, bonding with the dragons more through the aid of some magic by a gryphon. This is good to read alone but even better as part of the series.