Page 63 of To Ignite a Dragon's Desire

“Nope. You chose the cave; you don’t get comfort.” I climbed to my feet, watching as the flames danced higher, pulling the magic of the world into my fingertips.

“You’re going to do this now?” Malachy rested back against the stone wall and closed his eyes. “Wake me when you’re done.”

“Yes, oh King Guardian Royal Highness.” I shook off my annoyance as I cracked my knuckles, letting the strength of my protective nature flow through me.

I wanted to hurry and hunt a scumbag human down so I could get back to my beautiful mate.

But first, I had an annoying older brother who needed my wards for protection, since he decided to live in a cave like some feral beast.

25

Riley

On the Road Again…

Lucan’s helmet was heavy on my head and my nerves thrummed in tune with the engine humming between my legs. The wind chilled through the leather jacket I’d borrowed. I couldn’t help but miss Lucan’s warm arms around me.

He hadn’t returned at all last night.

I’d laid awake for the first time in weeks, letting my anxious thoughts consume me.

I couldn’t wait much longer.

Every second I didn’t act gave Drew that much more time to come up with a plan to hurt me—to hurt my friends.

This was a mistake.

I knew it.

It felt like every cheesy horror movie where you’re screaming at the girl to stop running up the stairs when the serial killer breaks into the house.

Unlike the movies, this was real life.

And Drew was really capable of hurting someone. I’d rather it was me. I couldn’t live with myself if he went after Ember or Willow.

Revulsion twisted my stomach.

This was my fault. I’d brought him into our lives. Led him to believe we had a future together. All for what? Because I was too scared to leave?

I had to handle this.

It was the only way I could reclaim the part of me that Drew had taken bit by bit over the years. I couldn’t wait around hoping for Lucan or anyone else to help solve my problems.

I was old enough to take care of myself.

And I needed to get Drew far away from everyone I loved while I figured out how to end this for good.

Through the miles and miles of empty desert, I tried to come up with a plan that didn’t involve me going back to Portland with Drew. He wasn’t leaving empty-handed.

He knows about the cabin…

He’d probably want that more.

I chewed the inside of my cheek raw as I eased off the throttle, turning left down the abandoned back country roads.

Thankfully Lucan’s cell booster on the motorcycle worked with the GPS maps on my phone, or I would’ve been lost hours ago.

Dragons are resourceful.

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