Page 123 of The Heart of the Dragon

"Perfect," Isaac said, sweeping Kitra into his arms before he carried her down the steps. "We'll be on our way then."

"What? You're leaving? Where will you go?" I looked over at Magnus who merely shrugged. When I glared at him over that trite response, he finally exhaled an exasperated breath.

"There's plenty of room here. You're welcome to stay with us. We all need to rest."

"Hell no," Isaac boomed. "I am not spending another night in the same house with you two after the last one."

Heat flooded my cheeks as I remembered that night. Magnus had been insatiable. I had been insatiable. And neither of us had bothered to be silent about it.

"We'll be at the inn," Kitra called from Isaac's arms as he carried her away. "I will come back in the morning..."

"Well, I guess that's that," Magnus growled as he reached for me. I tried to scoot out of his reach, but this carriage was far too small and there was nowhere else to go.

"Unhand me, you brute." I slapped at his fingers that had already wrapped around my arm. "I don't know what ideas you've got in your head, but if anyone is carrying anyone it will be I you."

Magnus snorted with laughter. "I'd like to see you try."

I laughed back at him. "Okay, maybe I can't carry you. But I can get some valerian, and make sure you don't do anything."

A wicked grin crossed his face. "Except we both know I need my dragon to finish healing, and you wouldn't do anything to jeopardize that, would you?"

I huffed a breath. "Of course not, you jerk." I laughed. "Now get out of my way so I don't accidentally do something to your body I shouldn't."

He waggled his brows. "You can do whatever you'd like with my body."

I laughed harder. That was so cheesy, and yet the way he growled those words had lit up my body much like a christmas tree. "You're incorrigible."

"No. I am just a dragon and I shall prove that to you." He pushed off the carriage and took his big, muscular body through the tiny doorway with far more grace than a man his size should be able. Shaking my head, I gathered the basket of herbs and potions the witch had provided and I followed him outside.

The second I lifted my head I drew up short at the giant green dragon practically in my face. I clutched my chest in surprise."How about you give a girl a heads up before you scare the hell out of me. If I had a weapon in my hand I could have accidentally hurt you."

A low rumble rolled through his chest, and I imagined him laughing at me. "Okay, fine. I don't have a weapon, but still. That's not the point."

I took the final step to the ground and his snout awkwardly nuzzled at my neck. He didn't exactly fit there, but I appreciated the sentiment.

"I'm happy to see you were able to shift so quickly." I tipped my head towards his tattered clothing scattered around the ground.

"If-if you don't need anything else, miss—" The dragon growled at the carriage driver trying to talk to me. "I mean, my lady, of course." I winced before he continued. "I'm going to return home now."

"Of course. Please." I automatically reached for my nonexistent purse to give him a tip before stopping short when I realized what I'd done. I'd brought nothing from home through that portal at Kitra's demand, and while I did have a few pieces of gold and silver inside, I didn't even know what the protocol was here. And I had no one to ask, I thought while glaring at Magnus who simply huffed out a breath and rolled his eyes.

Seriously? Did dragons always have to be so weird? I can't believe I'd ever found him frightening.

I turned back to talk to the driver again, but he'd already resumed his position and prodded the horses to leave. As I watched him go, I marveled again at how different this world was from mine. Would I ever get used to it?

You will.

I whirled around to find Magnus still behind me, staring in the same direction I was. The fresh wave of relief that suddenly washed over me, nearly took me to my knees. After watching him die multiple times, hearing him in my mind was just—everything.

That is a really good word.

I was so afraid. The odds weren't just stacked against us—fate seemed determined to take you away.

Magic shimmered along his body, sparkling in the moonlight as the dragon released him back to me. As the creature, he was the most wondrous thing I'd ever seen. But this... His human form stalking forward, truly was everything.

"I am going nowhere without you, my love. You are my other half." He gathered me in his arms and pressed my face to his chiseled chest. Heat rushed through me as every nerve in my body tingled.

"You are the king," I said, searching his face trying to gauge his emotions. Despite some of the evident pride, there was a heavy weight that came with it and I could sense it pressing down on his shoulders. "What does that mean for us?" I finally asked quietly, reaching up to trace the line of his jaw. "For me?"

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