Page 49 of To Spark a Dragon's Love
Malachy’s frown deepened. “That will be impossible.”
I sucked in a breath, ready to defend myself from—
“Your other dragon friends and their mates will be coming with us to my estate,” Malachy explained. “Kieran’s territory can’t be warded to protect the two of you from future attacks.”
I wanted to argue, but when it came to the safety of my daughter, I wouldn’t take any risks. Morgana and her wolf’s vague warning from earlier this morning was still ringing in my ears.
That witch had a way of getting under my skin.
“Future attacks?” My voice came out a frightened whisper.
“You fear me.” It wasn’t a question. Something dangerous flashed across Malachy’s face as his fists tightened at his sides. “It’s my fault Harper was taken. You have every right to be afraid of what I am. But I won’t allow any harm to come to you.”
I shook my head, but he’d closed his eyes, so I had to speak up, “It’s not that.”
When he opened his eyes again, the raw pain in that look tore my heart wide open. I could drown in his agony if I wasn’t careful. But I couldn’t live with myself if I let him—or anyone—suffer alone.
I rested my hand on his chest, forcing him to face me. “I was angry earlier when I said it was your fault, but you’re the reason she came back. I trusted you with her life. And I would do it again.”
I hoped he knew how much of an honest compliment that was. There weren’t many people I’d ever rely on when it came to Harper. He’d more than proved himself, though.
Malachy nodded.
His face softened as his fists relaxed.
The pupils of his eyes slid into diamonds as he slowly raised his hand, keeping his fingers an electric inch from my skin.
My breath caught in that moment.
He wanted to kiss me.
I would let him. Welcome it even.
I licked my lips as his knuckles ghosted softly along the curve of my cheek.
And then like a freezing blast of winter, he stepped away, leaving the aching cold in his absence.
“Gather yours and the child’s things. We leave in the morning.”
18
Malachy
Precious Cargo
You need to be… careful.
A new kind of terror was plaguing my beast, but it didn’t ignite his typical degrading response. It was a quiet, chest-tightening anxiety as I gripped the steering wheel of the borrowed human vehicle.
Kieran’s smoke trail cut through the sky overhead as he traveled with his mate. Miss Grace flew along beside him, swearing she had no problem making the long flight because she needed to be near Harper a while longer.
I would’ve flown with them, but the child squished in the backseat between Riley and Lucan needed more belongings than I could safely carry. Instead, I towed a trailer behind the Jeep.
“We’ll never get there if you keep driving this slow.”Lucan grumbled through our link from his spot in the back.
I checked the rearview mirror, glaring at my brother before making sure Harper was okay. She gave me the same thumbs up and toothy grin she’d given each time I looked in the mirror.
I glanced at Willow, seeing the outline of her profile as she stared straight ahead. The sharp angle of her cheek bones. Herpointed nose and chin refusing to relax as I forced her into a world she didn’t want.
