Page 53 of Dragon Blood

She burrowed deeper into Kai’s embrace, linking her fingers through his, eyes squeezed shut.

The sensation of being protectively enveloped in warmth eased the icy fear lodged in her throat.

Safe.

While there was no distinct impact, the turmoil within her suddenly stopped.

Drawing a shuddering breath, she listened.

“Astred.” Kai’s voice caressed her temple.

She didn’t want to open her eyes just yet. Instead, she clung to the wisps of knowledge that she wanted nothing more than to remain in the safety of his arms, his world.

I can’t.

And yet, she had to let go.

She opened her eyes, blinking against the change of scene, realizing they weren’t huddled on the ground, but stood facing the narrow entrance of a glittering crystal cave.

Silky shadows lightened, receding from the perimeter, seeming to gather behind Kai before disappearing.

Her gaze dropped to their hands, fingers still entwined, then up to Kai’s face.

He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze as his eyes trailed above her head with a smile and a respectful nod.

Astred turned with a gasp.

That’s me! Us!

Her dragon loomed behind her, sniffing at Kai and the two figures that flanked him.

His dragon and his tiger.

Astred swallowed the lump in her throat.

She wasn’t alone.

She wasn’t just one soul making this journey.

They were five.

Where Astred’s dragon scales shimmered in earthy tones, Kai’s held the metallic glint of his mother’s celestial line. His tiger’s ethereal white fur was brought into balance by the sooty striations of his coat. Blue eyes pinned on her.

Luminescent threads of ever-changing color connected Astred and Kai to their beasts. Another thread disappeared up into the darkness of the overhanging root system.

The sudden sharp sounds of crackling from within the glittering crystal maw drew Astred’s attention back to their task.

There was only one way to go.

In.

She stepped forward, fingers still linked to Kai’s. Narrow and jagged, the entrance was just wide enough for a human-sized being, and maybe a prehistoric-sized tiger. She glanced back. Her dragon continued to sniff at Kai’s much larger, shinier embodiment.

“I’m not sure we should leave them alone.”

Kai chuckled, brow lifted. “They won’t fit. Lead on, Captain.” He jerked his head toward the opening.

Astred growled, eyes narrowed on her dragon.

---