Page 64 of Whispers of the Dragon
“My heart is just fine … when I’m not flying under a dragon!”
Eira knew she had fucked up the moment Ryu shifted back into his human form the second he had dropped the boat off on the palace’s front doorstep.
Her grandmother, concerned about Eira’s safety, bravely stepped between them before he could get to her. “Eira’s not safe here. Your little friends are evil, so how do we know you aren’t, too?”
“Yeah,” Grandfather gruffly agreed with a nod when his wife hit his shoulder.
It was a simple and harshly frank answer that the dragon, still raging within from the flight, burst out, “Because I ripped Kage’s windpipe out, and then I dropped Yuri off in the middle of the ocean right before I picked you all up in the boat.”
All of them stared blankly back at him with their jaws on the ground.
It took her grandmother a few moments to put her still worried thoughts together. “How close did you drop her off next to the shore? She could swim back and want reven—”
“I was flying about a hundred feet high, and if she did survive the fall, she can’t swim.”
“Welp, that’ll do it.” Grandfather wiped his hands clean. “I’m going to get some fresh iced tea.”
With only her grandmother still standing in his way, she noticed the weak smile she gave her, letting Eira know she was shit out of luck.
“What happens between husband and wife should stay between them.”
Watching her grandmother scurry off after her husband, Eira couldn’t believe the betrayal. She guessed knowing Ryu wouldn’t hurt her was good enough for them, but Eira was still frightened by the way he was furiously staring at her.
“Bedroom—now.”
Jumping at his command, she knew better than to defy him as she hurried into the palace and up the steps. Shivers went down her spine the second she entered the confines of her room. She was afraid to turn around and face the dragon, and his next command sent up another chill.
“Eira, look at me.”
Slowly turning, she could see the reflection of his dragon in his eyes.
“Why didn’t you directly come to me?”
It was a simple question put in a rather harsh tone, yet Eira could hear the hurt in his voice underneath, and along with it was the fear of losing her behind his dragon eyes.
“I’m sorry,” she confessed, unable to keep looking into his eyes at the hurt and worry she had caused. “I heard them talking in the library about not only killing me but my grandparents. I know how important Kage and even Yuri were to you, and I was afraid it would take too long to convince you of their plan. Because I wouldn’t have believed it myself ifIhadn’t heard it. I knew you would just fly over and meet us at our old home, and you’d find me in a place that was safe, so then I could tell you.I just couldn’t risk my grandparents’ safety. I’m so sorry, Ryu. I hope you understand.”
A part of Ryu’s eyes gentled in understanding, but the fire still roared. “Do not ever think I would not believe you over anyone else in this life. Our bond would have told me you were telling the truth, you know.”
“Really?” Eira asked, shocked it would have been that easy. “So, you’d know if I ever lied to you?”
Ryu stalked closer now, like a dragon stalking his prey, before he nodded with a devilish smile. “Yes.”
“Oh.” Eira’s stomach fluttered at the way he looked at her as if he wanted to eat her. “That’s good to know.”
“And one more thing.” Ryu tipped her chin up to hold her eyes to his—she always looked away from the dragon roaring inside, but not this time. This time, he was determined she’d face the monster. “If I ever catch you trying to leave this island again without me, I will chain you to this bed forever.”
Nodding, she knew it might have sounded like he was only joking, but she knew her fated mate was not.
Only when he was certain she understood did he claim her mouth in a searing kiss that promised he would hold true to his words.
Hoping to be let off easy, she tried to go for the door. “Okay, well, I’m going to go make sure—”
Ryu simply shook his head, startling her to a screeching halt. “I’m not done with you, darling.”
Eira cleared her throat, slightly startled for what was to come. Ryu had promised her that his dragon wouldn’t eat her when they made love, but it was hard to believe when it seemed his scales were still fighting to come out from under the surface.
Lazily, Ryu sat down on the edge of the bed, giving her another demand in his husky voice. “Now, undress.”
