Page 103 of The Heart of the Dragon

As tempting as it was to let him retake the lead, I was worked up and mad about whatever was going on in that castle every time we went there. I jerked my knee forward, forcing him to flip sideways to avoid a blow to his crotch, which gave me the leverage I needed to wriggle free once again.

"Not this time," I growled, letting him see my frustration as I fought to pin him down with my legs. For a second, he seemed too determined to best me, until his gaze met mine and he saw something there that made him back down.

"Okay, pretty Rose. You win this time. But I wouldn't get used to it. I'm far more into being the one who does the torturing in this relationship."

"Relationship," I barked. "Is that what you call this need between us for non-stop sex?"

He scowled up at me, his expression deadly serious. "Yes."

"That's messed up," I said, grinding down my hips against his cock in an almost desperate need for friction. "Sex is just sex." Igasped when his tip bumped against my greedy center, closing my eyes to revel in the sensation. "People in a relationship listen to each other. They believe it when one of them says something isn't right and they work together to solve the problem."

I was so lost in the heat and pleasure of his touch, that I missed the subtle change in his demeanor. Anger still flooded through me and because it had nowhere else to go, I wanted to fuck it out of me. So it took me an extra minute to realize he'd gone perfectly still. I glanced down to see his facial expression set in a grimace of hard stone. He did not look happy anymore.

"I believe you that something isn't right. But I thought it reasonable to assume you were having visions, all things considered."

I sighed and rolled off him, collapsing onto my back next to him. "It's not. I've seen things before like this and this is far different. It's a thousand times stronger and it's real. I can still smell the blood." My stomach tightened as the memories once again assailed me. No matter what our future held, or how far we got away from what I'd seen, I was never going to forget any of it.

"I think we need to go see Corvina early. She might have some insight into what happened and if we make some changes to our plans, it could cut down on a repeat of that scenario."

I thought about what he said. We were definitely going to make some changes, but seeing Corvina at a different time wasn't enough. "We need to stay the hell away from that castle. There has to be a better way to get to your uncle."

"There isn't," he said, gripping my hip and pulling me closer to his side. "He won't leave. Especially if he somehow knows I'm coming for him."

"Oh, he definitely knows. And I'm pretty sure that witch of yours is the only one who knows that."

"Okay, so if you don't think I'm listening, tell me what your take is on what's happening and what we should do different to prevent it." He squeezed my hip again. "And don't say leave. I'm not running from him. I'm going to end this now."

His words vibrated down my spine with the intensity of hatred that his uncle deserved. He'd abused his nephew for far too long and Magnus was right. The people here deserved a king who would do right by them, and no matter what had happened with Magnus in the past, I felt the good in him clear to my bones. This wasn't just vengeance. It was about what was right too. But we had to be smarter about this.

Meaning our back up had to have a back up.

Wait.

"I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner."

"What?" he asked, sitting up when I jumped from the bed in excitement.

"Just Valerian isn’t going to be enough. I don't suppose there's a lab here that I could work in? Something with real equipment?" I worked to fix my clothes and hair so I didn't look like I'd just rolled out of bed, not to mention a fight.

He shook his head. "Not much call for that here. Not outside of the castle anyways. We have an alchemist who works for my uncle inside the castle compound, but that’s not going to be much help. There might be a few witches who experiment with potions and other concoctions if you think that will help."

"Of course," I said, nodding. "I guess it doesn't matter where in time you go, there will always be a good kitchen witch. But I think I can make that work."

"I'm almost afraid to ask."

"I have an idea."

Chapter

Thirty-Nine

Magnus

Three hours had passedsince our return from visiting Corvina, and as I watched the sun drop below the horizon, our opportunity to confront my uncle when he least expected us dropped as well.

Although, according to Rose, he somehow already knew we were coming, and he'd prepared for it.

I rubbed the back of my neck, and once again tried to pinpoint what she could have seen and how. I'd learned a long time ago to trust my instincts, and my instinct about her was that not only could she be trusted, but also that she always meant what she said. Something was definitely happening, and Rose was at the heart of it.

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