Page 70 of The Dragon Queen

Andthere'snopointlying. "You'reworriedwemightbecompletelyfucked."

Herthroatbobs,andhereyesgleamevenbrighter,andJianyu'ssilentdisapprovalissoloudIcanscarcelyhear,butthat'sfine.He'ssupposedtodisagreewithme.

"Yes,"shehiccups.

"Wemightbe."

"Jesus,"Stormmutters,butIblockhimout,too.

"Wemightbe,"Irepeat,takingherfaceinmyhandsnow.Istraightenmyspine,gazingdownatherfrommyfullheight,butIstillfeellikeshetowersaboveme. "Butbelievingitmakesittrue,sodon't."

Sheflinches,blinkinghard. "Wait--what?"

"Don'tgiveintothatshit.Fightit,justlikeyou'regoingtofightErembour.Likeyou'regoingtofightwithusandforusandfor..."Mygazedipstoherabdomen.

I'llburndowntheentirefuckingworldtodefendourchild,andshewill,too.

"But--"

"Butnothing."Imeethereyesagain,strugglingtoholdhergentlywhenallIwanttodoisgrabontoherwitheveryounceoffireandstrengthinmybones. "Theoddsarestackedagainstus--wemaybetotallyscrewed.Butdon'tyoufuckingdareusethatasanexcusetogiveup."

Heatfillsmybelly,afireburstingintolifeinmyheart.

ThisiswhatIwasputonthisearthtobe--todo.

AllthoseyearsofmywastedyouthIspentwanderingaround,losingmyselfinpleasureanddistraction.Iwasimpulsive,stupid,expendable.

Butnotanymore.Mylifehaspurpose,andthatpurposeistobewithher.

Tofillherwithfire.

"Wemightalldie,"Igrowl,holdingherfaceinmyhands. "Butthat'sareasontofuckinglive."

Withthat,Icrashmymouthintohers.Theflamesinsideofmespillover,turningfromrighteousnessandconvictiontoneedandloveandadesiresohotitturnsmetoash,butthat'sperfect--that'sexactlythewayIwantit.

I'mbornagainfromthefieryheatofherkiss.Sheopensforme,welcomingmein.I'minstantlyhard,andshemoansasIskatemyhandsdownherbody,tracingeverycurve.

"Fight,"Imurmuragainstherbreath,andevenJianyuisn'targuingwithmeanymore. "Fightwitheverybitofthefireinyoursoul."

Forasecond,herresolveflickers.Shebreaksawayfromourkiss.Hereyesaredark,butthere'salightintheirdepthsthatsearsmethrough. "WhatifIdon'thaveenough?"

Andit'ssoeasy.Soobvious.

Bendingtokissheragain,deeperandharderthistime,Iwhisper, "Thentakemine."

EMBER

FireleapsthroughmybondwithRafe,lightingmeupandburningmethrough.Theheatofdesireisall-consuming.Hisloveradiatesintomybodyandintomysoul,andmydragondevoursitall,takingitintoherself.

Ichokeonaswallowedechoofasob,kissinghimwitheverythingI'mworth.

He'sright.Damnitall,he'ssofuckingright.

Mypanicburnsawaytoash,leavingmewithconvictionandconnection,andawilltofightsohotthewallsofthecastlecouldmelt.

Theonlythingmorescorchingismywilltolive--myneedformymates.Myfierceprotectivenessforourchildandforourworld.

Anyonewho'ddaretotrytotakethemfrommecanburn.

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