Page 52 of Serving my Dragon

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“Well, well. Guess the male they found in Canada isn’t the only one that can talk.” Blake’s predatory smile almost rivalled mine.

“You will depart at once, or face my wrath,” I threatened. Did I plan to let him live? No, but he stood much too close to Kayleigh. I needed him to move away from her and then maybe my claws and teeth would be enough.

“I will leave, but you’re coming with me.”

I snorted. “No, I’m not.” I eyed Blake and didn’t spot any kind of weapon. Foolish male.

“That’s what you think. Get it,” Blake yelled. The command led to movement as men poured in from the passage, pointing weapons.

At me.

Kayleigh shrieked, “Hide, Polly.”

As if I needed her advice. I dove off the ledge and swooped into the chasm where they couldn’t see or catch me.

But I’d forgotten one thing.

“Ouch. Let me go.”

Kayleigh.

I fluttered to one of the honeycomb caves and tried to close my ears to Kayleigh’s pained cries as my enemies beat her.

Beat the woman who’d saved me.

Fed me.

Bathed me.

Taught me.

Cuddled me.

Loved me.

Drats.

I fluttered from my perch and landed a few paces from Blake who’d raised his hand to strike Kayleigh again.

“Do not touch her,” I growled.

Blake turned slowly. “I won’t lay another hand on her if you come with me.”

Every ounce of me wanted to scream no. Seeing Kayleigh’s bloodied mouth and the tears tracking down her cheeks wrenched me. I didn’t understand why I cared. A servant could be replaced. Dragons weren’t supposed to care about the fate of one human.

Other dragons might not, but I did.

“Let her go.”

“I will once you get in the cage.”

Cage? I saw it, barely tall enough to accommodate me. A prison. An end of my reign. But either I complied, or Kayleigh would be harmed.

“Don’t do it, Polly. Fly away.”

“He’ll kill you if I flee,” I stated.

“Painfully,” Blake added.

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