Page 13 of To Ignite a Dragon's Desire

He wasn’t lying when he said he had everything we’d need. This was a fortress. A hide-away. I spun around again, realizing how truly separated from the world I was.

No one would find me out here.

I’d never be able to find my way back.

I pulled out my dead phone and stared at it.

I couldn’t even call an Uber to come get me.

Tears welled in my eyes. I blinked until they cleared. It was so stupid how dependent on modern conveniences we were. Stupid how easily I trusted the world would somehow be a sturdy place. That it wouldn’t all fall apart.

The ground shook beneath my feet and I panicked, looking around to make sure nothing would come crashing down. It was just a small tremble, but it was enough to bring me to my knees.

A single tear slipped out, dripping down my cheek.

I hastily wiped it away.

Don’t cry. We’ll figure this out.

Another tear rolled down my face.

Then another.

I dried my eyes, but it didn’t help.

How much longer can I hold on?

I didn’t know anymore.

Or I could just let go…

A painful sob escaped my chest.

My insides cramped as I doubled over, gripping my waist and trying to suck in breaths, but my throat closed up, and I couldn’t get enough air.

Hot, fat tears ran down my face as the world around me blurred into a kaleidoscope of color.

I wasn’t sure that anything would be okay.

6

Lucan

Aggressive Cuddles

She hurts.

My dragon landed on the roof, opening his maw to roar as he sent away the molecules of his form and released our human skin. Riley’s tear-filled eyes shot up in my direction from where she lay crumpled into a heap on the path leading out of the gardens.

A terror unlike any I’d ever known seized my chest as I dropped the duffle bag and cat carrier.

I’d kill whatever hurt her.

“What’s happening?”Kieran circled above. His blood-red scales reflected the morning sun.

“Give me a minute,”I spoke through our familial link, praying my words would penetrate his thick skull. The shadows of my wings refused to disperse as I leaped off the roof, clinging to me as if preparing for battle at any moment.

If Kieran refused to listen to my command, I wasn’t sure if I could contain the protective rage of my beast.

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