Page 79 of Dragon Blood

“This is going to be one hell of an adventure,” she grinned up at him, nibbling his lips, then lifted a brow, “Shall we?”

There would be hell to pay when she got home. Brimstone and sulfur would erupt from the council matrons.

Her thoughts brought up the image of Kai’s grandmother, Matron Zadora Steelscale.

What would she think about this?

The conflict would turn her inside out.

So be it. I’m so fucking done with her—them, all of them.

Butthiswasn’t about them.

No.

Thisreally was about just Astred and Kai. Completing something she had wanted to do the instant he’d asked her. She’d re-examined her charts, aligned the compass and re-calibrated her course.

Kai was her guiding star.

The one that gave her assurance and calmed her in a world of storms. It was why she’d returned tohisport again and again.

Her crew had teased her mercilessly about the convenience of this same port, no matter her excuses that it held the best bars, beer, and brawls in the world. It did. But only because Kai added the right flavor to the night. They all knew it.

Now, she wished she did too. Truly.

Astred wasn’t going to waste any more time, now that she knew they’d weather the counter-wave together.

Whatever it smashed against them.

She’d always been strong, especially with her crew surrounding her. With Kai? The way he looked at her—into her?

They’d be invincible.

Linking her fingers with his, she stepped toward the glittering pool, fed by a freshwater spring tumbling from the rocks above.

The peace of Kai’s sanctuary reminded her of the magic and natural silence of the Nexus’ companion grove. Birds and glimmering insects flitted by, ignoring them as they began their day.

As Astred and Kai would begin this new era of their lives.

After so many years of fast weekends and slow returns, and a too-long break, she was ready.

Once the edge of the water slid silky cool around her waist, she turned to face him, heart threatening to gallop out of her chest.

Her dragon rose to the surface with a huff, calming her racing pulse.

Kai smiled down at her, though there was a hint of weariness in his eyes.

In case she left him again.

No more.

Astred wove her hands around his waist and up his muscled back, drawing them together.

His fingers traced her spine downward, causing her to shiver when he reached the cleft of her bottom, caressing her haunch before pulling her thigh up onto his hip.

He dropped below the water, taking her with him toward the deeper center.

She clung to him, linking her ankles behind his hips, her belly pressed to his, her breasts pebbled against his solid chest.

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