Page 56 of Hers to Keep

Anger surged in Mari’s chest.They had been lovers?Golden wrath filled her.

Beautiful, Ashdei purred in her head.

You did that on purpose.She surprised herself when she responded in the same manner.

Yes.His fingers curled into her shoulders, and she could feel his significant pride.She needs to see how strong you are.The only way we’ll survive this is if she’s not sure she can beat us.

I can’t reach Dohal.Mari squared her shoulders and met the multicolored eyes of the angel.“I didn’t know it was against the rules.I didn’t even know what I was doing at the time.”

Darveyn tilted her head.“Not a lie.Interesting.”

“She wasn’t aware that controlling power from two realms wasn’t allowed.”

Darveyn’s gaze pivoted to him.“But you were.”

“Do you need to hear me say that I can deny her nothing?Would it ease your fury to know that?”His voice was steady as a mountain.“I gave her everything you ever wanted from me and more, just to please her.”

Mari’s heart sang in her chest.She reached back to rest her hand on the side of his leg, both in support and in acknowledgement of his words.

Darveyn looked them over with a sneer.“After the centuries of plays for power that I have witnessed, you expect me to believe that sentiment for this child is what has finally bested you?”

Mari kept her lips pressed so she wouldn’t snap back at the angel’s dismissal.

“Have I so much as bent the truth?”Resignation edged his tone now.“She holds my leash.Now and forever.”

Shock twisted the angel’s beautiful face.“Every word true.”She exhaled a long breath.“That being the case, we will wait and reserve judgment until some sort of resolution is reached with the Forest Lord.”

Mari almost lost her feet when power was ripped from the wards.

Ashdei wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her against him when he felt her falter.He transformed around her, his body becoming larger and his wings unfurling to blot out the sun.

“What have you done?”Mari gasped.

Darveyn glanced over her shoulder.“We had to contain the dragon in order to make this assessment.”

“You captured him?”Mari shouted.“After he was held prisoner for centuries?”How dare they?If Ashdei hadn’t been holding her, she would have charged to close the distance and grabbed that bitch by the throat.Instead, she lashed out with her magic, flattening the angel with one shot.

A roar from above drew Mari’s attention to the sky.A dark shape barreled toward them, but Mari felt only joy.The red markings glowing through his scales were immediately recognizable, even if he hadn’t been the only dragon left in the world.

Dohal landed with a heavy thud, one huge claw on either side of them.Smoke curled from his massive muzzle as he glared at the prone form of the angel.“Leave, before I decide you deserve to pay for the sins of your ancestors.”His deep voice shook the ground around them.

Darveyn pushed herself up to standing and hastily launched into the sky, her feathered wings beating.

Mari waited until the form of the angel faded into the distance before she turned around in Ashdei’s arms, her eyes searching her dragon.“Are you okay?”

Dohal lowered his head, huffing in a breath to catch her scent.The remains of glowing ropes hung from his forelegs, but he looked unhurt.“Aside from being annoyed, I’m fine.I pulled power from the wards to transform and get free.”

Mari reached up a hand to touch his muzzle.He was magnificent.His scales were warm and smooth, and power filled him to bursting.“You’re so beautiful.”

He dropped his head further to give her better access.“I’m glad you think so.I was concerned I might scare you like this.”

“Never.”She pulled herself up to rub her cheek against his nose and then planted a kiss in the center.“I love you in every form.”

He rumbled with contentment as he gently nuzzled her.Once he had soothed himself enough with her presence, he narrowed his glowing red eyes.“What happened to bring a Prince of the Heavens here?”

“I channeled from the nexus here and Ashdei’s at the same time.”

“Well, that’s a surprise.”He turned toward the demon.“I assume you didn’t intend that?”

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