Page 86 of The Heart of the Dragon

He shrugged, even going so far as to lean against a tree and cross his arms over his chest. "I guess you've rendered her speechless."

Ensley preened. "Me? Whatever for?"

I didn't know what game these two were playing with me, but it was starting to scratch at my brain like an annoying gnat. And my back still itched. And there was mud caked on my skin. And my ears felt heavy. I was generally feeling like poop. So the last thing I needed was these two talking over me like I was some sort of mute child.

Pull. Yourself. Together.

"And now she's growling." Ensley grew animated. "This is so exciting. You've brought me a plaything. Is this Kitra's doing?"

"Stop!" I yelled at them both. "I don't know what the two of you are trying to do here, but just—stop."

Magnus shot me a look that I couldn't quite read. I didn't know whether he was trying to warn me to quit talking or if he was just frustrated by this whole thing like I was.

The small creature walked towards me, and I took a couple of steps backward. I didn't know what I was facing or how to deal with it, so I preferred to keep my distance.

"You're going to need a glamour before you can leave these woods, child. You can’t go running around the realm looking like that." She said the words while looking at me, but I got the impression that she was talking to both of us.

"You know we don't have power like that," Magnus responded. "But I do know this kingdom like the back of my hand. I can get us in and out without detection."

The sprite laughed maniacally. "You always were more confident than you deserved. Such an ego on that one. I hope you're prepared for that. When your mating heat is over, he'll be insufferable."

"How do you?—"

"Demons can see lots of things other people can't," she said, reaching out to touch the side of my face.

I gasped. Her skin was ice cold and feather soft. "You can't risk this one like that dragon-man. She’s too precious. If you aren't going to take care of her, I will take her with me."

A growl ripped from Magnus as he jumped forward and pushed the sprite to her knees. "Don't touch her. She's mine."

"Magnus!"

"Don't let her fool you, Rose. She is not what she looks like. Kitra may trust her but I don't. Her kind are why I can't fly throughout the realm as I should."

"He's not wrong, Rose darling. It is kill or be killed around here. But in your case,"—she steadied herself back on her feet while glaring at Magnus the whole time—"I'm going to help you."

That made no sense. "Why would you help me? You don't know me."

"Because Kitra asked me to."

"She did? When?"

"She sent a message with this one." She pointed to me. "I can smell it all over her."

Considering I reeked of murky swamp water and sweat, I didn't see how that was possible. "You are all crazy," I surmised. "I thought coming here and finding out about where I came from was a good idea, but already I can see that was a grave mistake."

"You have no idea," the sprite said. "But you're here and I know this one,"—she hitched her thumb at Magnus—"won't be deterred from his revenge. So I'll get you both fixed up. It's the least I can do. For my friend."

She snapped her fingers, and I gasped. Gone were my dirty and ruined clothes, replaced with a soft green jumper of a silky material that felt incredible on my skin. I rubbed my hands up and down my sides, luxuriating in what had to be the softest material I'd ever felt in my life.

When I glanced up, I saw that Magnus too had different clothes on. Gone were his black utility pants and black shirt that had hugged his delicious body to perfection. I'd noticed him every time I saw him, but I'd worked hard to keep my mind from how good he looked. Otherwise it could trigger?—

"I think she likes how you look, dragon-man."

My cheeks heated when he glanced up at me and caught me staring. His nose flared, followed by a slow grin spreading across his face. I refused to think of what that meant. I'd done enough embarrassing things when it came to him. I didn't need to add to that long list.

"You look beautiful," he said, crossing to me and pulling me into his arms. "Smell good, too." He breathed in the scent of my hair, and I closed my eyes against the onslaught of desire threatening to overwhelm me.

"While this is not the time or place for either of you to indulge, I will say this. If you tread carefully through this realm, she will have your baby soon. The dark fae and a dragonling. What is the realm coming to?" She shook her head.

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