Page 111 of The Heart of the Dragon

His eyes widened and a slow smile spread across my face as I sprang into action, barely ducking under the hand reaching for my arm. I twisted away and pulled at the metal hilt on his side at the same time, unsheathing the guard's heavy sword.

If not for my recent training, it might have clattered to the ground. Instead, I wrapped my hand tightly around the hilt and grasped it to my chest as best I could and ran for Magnus.

He was still a prisoner of the King's magic, but I could feel it fraying at the edges. My spell was hard at work tunneling its way through. As fear seized my heart, so did a strange sense of calm that assured me to trust in my own skill more than the King's. My hair stood on edge and my skin tingled the closer I got to the man I cared for.

In the chaos, Magnus lunged at the men surrounding him, his dragon claws extended. They tried to fight back, but they were no match for his strength and speed. Within moments, the half dozen guards were on the ground unconscious, and Magnus was stalking his way towards the dais were the King sat mesmerized by the melee in front of him.

When the magic finally snapped, it sent everyone in the room flying, including me. The sword clattered to the ground, and I crashed into a wall.

"Rose!" Magnus shouted, his attention turning my way.

I managed to shake my head, imploring him with my gaze to keep his focus on the King, and thank the Goddess, he got the message. This was our one and only shot. He had to take it.

A dragon's roar split the air and fire erupted everywhere. The stench of burning flesh immediately filled my nose, and the accompanying screams flooded my mind. It was a terrifying sight to watch a room full of men burn all at once and one I wouldn't soon forget.

Dragging myself to my feet, and ignoring the pain in my head, I limped as far away from the flames as I could. I searched for a weapon or something that I could grab to help Magnus, but the potion had been my big move. I only hoped he kept his shit together long enough for the innocents to flee the castle.

I was almost to the door when it crashed open and more guards swarmed the room. Before I could attempt to back away, I was surrounded and grabbed from every direction. One of the guards wrenched my hands behind my back and pain shot through my shoulder, making me scream.

The dragon roar grew louder, and we all turned to face Magnus.

The guards faltered, loosening their grip and I twisted free, stumbling. But I didn't get far before another grabbed my arm and pulled me back.

"Let him go or I gut her where she stands!" the guard holding me yelled, pressing a knife to my neck.

Magnus froze, the flames dying on his tongue.

Defeat and rage warred in my mind. I struggled to break free, but they were all vicious and unyielding. Much more of this and they were going to rip my arm from the socket.

"Don't do it," I screamed. "Finish what we came for," I begged. I didn't even know if Magnus had heard me. He was barely a man at this point. He'd somehow managed to subdue his dragon enough not to take out half the castle at once, but he still looked more dragon than man.

And if the rage I saw in his eyes meant anything, we were two seconds away from a full-on dragon barbecue. He opened his mouth to say something, or so I thought, but instead flames came out and they were aimed in my direction.

Yes. He'd made the right choice.

I love you.

I mouthed the words to him, or at least in his direction and then closed my eyes and waited for the fire to engulf me.

In the split second between when I closed my eyes and the heat began to warm me, I felt the guard's grip on my arm loosen. I ignored the pain from even that, and quickly surveyed what lay in front of me. This was my chance. It had to be. I twisted as fast as I could, ignoring the burning pain in my muscles, until his hand fell away, and I was free. With no hesitation or daring even a split second to look in Magnus's direction, I sprinted toward the door amid total chaos. More screams erupted behind me, but I didn't stop to check. For Magnus's sake and mine, I had to get clear.

But I stumbled as a wave of heat and the scent of freshly burnt flesh engulfed me. My stomach pitched, but by sheer determination and no small miracle I stayed on my feet and kept going. It was only when I reached the closed door and discovered it bolted from the outside that I finally stopped and turned.

The melee behind me was much worse than my imagination had conjured as the fresh pile of smoking ash where I'd been standing seized my mind. People were running in every direction and guards were attacking all of them indiscriminately. Dear Goddess. They'd all gone mad.

I saw no way out. I'd have to go back through the door we'd entered, which was currently surrounded by guards, or be stuck in this room.

I whirled back to Magnus, desperate for his help, only to find him locked in a fierce struggle with the king. Their forms blurred as they traded blows, magic crackling dangerously in the air around them, threatening all of us.

Magnus's muscles strained as he grappled with his uncle, their faces contorted with rage and determination. Helplessness washed over me as I realized my mate was just as trapped in this chaos as I was. The idea that the king still thought he had any control in this situation made my blood boil. How dare he? Every bit of this destruction was of his own making, and he alone would be responsible for all the lives lost in this insanity. He would not hurt his nephew again.

"Magnus," I shouted, hoping he could hear me. When he turned and sought me out in the crowd I nearly sagged in relief. "We're trapped!" He glanced around the giant room and unfortunately that gave the King the only distraction he would get. But it was enough.

He drew a dagger from his belt and plunged it into Magnus's side.

"Magnus!" I screamed again, sheer panic flooding me. No. No. No. I ran for the dais, ignoring everything happening around me. The only thought running through my head was to save the man I loved.

The king laughed, and had I been several feet closer, I would have clawed his eyes out for his treachery. This had to end. His reign of terror on this kingdom had to end. Clearly, taking away his magic wasn't enough. The man had to die.

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