Page 39 of The Heart of the Dragon

She crossed her arms over her chest and some of the glee slipped from her face. "I liked you a lot better when your dragon wasn't around. He apparently turns you into an arsehole."

Isaac barked and Kitra's mouth dropped open before it was quickly taken over by a smile. "Oh, I like her," Isaac said. "She's already got you figured out."

I flipped my finger up at him in the crude human way instead of vocalizing my exact thoughts. Rose and Kitra probably didn't deserve to hear the words I liked to reserve for my bastard brother.

"Classy," he said. "Guess you don't care about making a good impression on your mate. Or is that not what's got your panties in this twist?"

I growled, advancing on him. "I don't need the dragon to kick your ass."

"Okay, boys. That's enough," Kitra interrupted. "Why don't we save the bluster for later and tell Magnus why we're really here?"

"So there is a point to the two of you traveling all the way out here besides harassing me?"

"Look, motherfucker, we wouldn't have to do shit with you if you had an ounce of control when it came to that monster of yours. Frankly, I'm tired of cleaning up your messes and trying to hide the bodies. If you don't want to stay out here and play nice with the human girl, then I'm going to find a nice dungeon for you."

Rose gasped and I cringed.

I wasn't proud of the things I'd done. But the years of pent-up anger inside the dragon were not easy to control. Even now, my chest burned with it, and the damned beast was practicallyasleep again. I didn't know whether the effects of the poison were still wearing off or he'd chosen to settle and give back some control.

Either way, I wasn't about to question it. It had been too long since I'd felt this alive. Or this—something. Which meant I wasn't going to dwell on what the dragon did. It was part of this temporary life. Just because the humans didn't understand the true nature of our kind because they didn't know they existed did not mean I had to suddenly live by their ideals.

Screw that.

"Anyways," Kitra interrupted again. "We've got news you need to hear."

I turned my attention to her and did my best to ignore the way Rose seemed to perk up and move closer to my side. I'd known sleeping with her last night had the potential for blowing up my world, but I didn't realize it would be this difficult to hold it together in the light of day.

I wanted her. More than breath. And that need burned through every cell in my body. What I didn't understand was how the dragon didn't feel it. What the hell was wrong with him?

Mate. I whispered to him, hoping to get a reaction. I waited several seconds until I realized he truly didn't care. Either that poison had done a number on him, or the remnants of my uncle's long-term spell still had him in thrall. Nothing got to him.

Which only reminded me that Rose would be better off without us. Look what we'd done to her house. I would have to see about getting this mess fixed up for her. How, I wasn't quite sure. Backin my uncle's kingdom I had an entire force of guards at my disposal ready to do my bidding. Here, not so much.

"Magnus, did you hear what I said?" I looked up at Kitra, my mind suddenly as blank as my expression. No, I had not heard anything.

"Sorry. I was thinking of something else."

She sighed. "I said, I've found a way for you to go home.Ifthat's what you still want."

My heart and stomach lurched at the same time my dragon roared to the surface. He didn't force a change, but I could feel him pushing at my skin enough to know there were facets they would all see. Scales rippling on my skin, muscles bulging where they wanted to grow, and my eyes would be bright with the fire I could feel burning in them.

I made the unfortunate mistake of turning to look at Rose when her breath caught, and the fear as she stumbled back several steps churned like acid in my stomach.

Angrier than ever I focused on Kitra as best I could. "How? I thought you said it couldn't be done. The portal is closed."

"It won't be easy. But I've written a spell."

"What kind of spell?" Rose asked.

I liked that about her. She was whip smart and her innate curiosity had all the markers of a strong and capable fae.

My body stilled. Was it there the whole time and I'd failed to realize?

Fuck. This was getting more and more complicated by the second.

"A difficult one, I'm afraid. I'm going to have to find some rare ingredients to pull it off. But I think if we hurry and can be ready by the full moon, we can get this done."

Rose smiled, and her entire demeanor changed. It was enough to take my breath away.

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