Page 123 of Hoarded By the Dragon

I turn back to the scene of wreckage. The dragon has started gnawing on the metal frame of a burning vehicle. Ben’s mouth is tight as the gargoyle absconds with my friend, but he focuses on me.

“After dealing with the Leonids, Kalos destroyed the fae gate.” Ben’s face is full of fear. “The blowback must have sent him deep into himself because I can’t get his attention. He’s acting like a mindless beast. And with the magic hanging in the air, no one can get close to him.”

I frown. “Not that anyone would with him being like this.”

Ben looks like he’s going to cry. “We have to bring him back somehow. If he keeps going on like this, the Council will take notice, and if they come when he can’t control himself…”

“They’ll determine he’s too much of a risk to stay alive,” I say softly. They’ll execute him. This is bad.

“You’re his mate. If anyone can calm him, it will be you,” Ben pants.

I think through the situation quickly. “But I’m not really his mate, Ben. The bond isn’t complete.”

Not refusing, only pointing out that facet of the issue.

“Kat, this is risky. I’d do it if I could, but I can’t get close at all.” The exhaustion is clear in the slope of Ben’s shoulders and the lines of his face. “With your ability to walk through magic, along with the fact that the dragon considers you his mate even if the bond is unfinished, it has to be you.”

He’s right.

I glare at the dragon to ignore my worry that I won’t be able to bring Kalos back with our frayed bond. Anger is easier, it sits ready for me to grab hold of it. This is why he didn’t come for me? So he could deal with the Leonids without me?

Kalos has damaged himself trying to destroy something that was supposed to be indestructible to keep me safe, and he couldn’t send a fucking note to me beforehand?

He’ll be taken away from me for good if the Council gets wind of his current state. Idiotic giant lizard.

I stomp forward. The fae magic I stride through brushing against my skin even more gentle than passing a ward.

“Hey, asshole!” I call out, and the black dragon’s head snaps toward me.

“That was not what I meant by calming him,” Ben hisses.

“Well, it’s what he gets,” I snarl back before turning toward the scaly beast. “You have to stop this before the Council shows up!”

The beast tilts his head at me in confusion before going back to crunching on the cars as if just one more tire is what he needs to make his life complete. I pick up a nondescript piece of metal and chuck it at him. It falls short.

“Stop!” I shout, picking up another item that looks suspiciously like a melted gun and throw it. Anger makes my aim worse, but I hit another burned out vehicle and the sound gets his attention.

Goddammit, I’m already winded. Pregnancy: 1. Katarina: 0.

“Oh, now you listen?” I ask, but something about the shiny emblem on one of the cars distracts him.

“You know what? Fuck you!” I shout so loud it hurts. “You left me!”

Something about my tone must finally ensnare the beast because he drops the vehicle. His golden eyes flicker in recognition.

I spread my arms. “You apparently did all this to keep me safe, but you left!”

He didn’t do this for you. He did it for his status. If you give him the opportunity, he’ll hurt you again.The doubts ring so loud, but I suffocate them with my determination.

Because the dragon islisteningto me.

“I need my mate to come back.Weneed you to come back.” My words are strong, anger as clear as ever, but I place my hands on my stomach, trying to dig into his brain to remind him of our daughter.

The dragon snorts and creeps toward me.

Surprise at succeeding in getting his attention is replaced by alarm. Now I have a mindless dragon approaching me.

I keep still as his serpentine neck brings his massive head near me. His movements are slow and curious. He reminds me of a giant dog.

---