Page 9 of Firedrake Betrayal
“With blood and with seed. We are bound.” His smile is gentle, but his eyes burn with a possessiveness that terrifies me. “In all ways, Jade of House Kaida, you are mine, and you will be mine forever. Only death can part a mated pair.”
“No,” I breathe.
He touches his lips to mine. “Yes.”
He pulls away before I can shove him away. “Since pasta wasn’t to your liking, I will take you out to celebrate. I have a jade bracelet in here that perfectly matches your eyes.”
My back stiffens. “I don’t want a jade bracelet.”
He stops at the door, peering over his shoulder. “Then perhaps a diamond?”
And he closes the door.
A lock snicks shut.
I rush toward it.
“No. No.No.” Wrapping my hand around the knob, I rattle it.
Too late.
It’s much too late for that. “You cannot lock me in your hoard! Let me out.”
“I have not locked you in, mate. You’re selecting a piece of jewelry to wear for dinner tonight. I will return in two hours.”
“I’ve picked something,” I yell. “You can open the door now.”
His arrogant laugh drifts through the door, and I grind my teeth, wanting to punch him in the face. “Take your time to select something you truly love.”
His footsteps move away from the door. And me.
“You cannot lock me in here. I am not a piece of gold,” I yell, rattling the door. I even kick it, and all I get for my trouble is a stubbed toe.
“Dominik! I just need to know if my dad is okay.Please.” I wait. “Dominik!”
Silence.
Turning my back on the dark wood, I take in the gold and jewels covering the floor, every table, and even hanging from hooks on the walls.
My eyes burn as I slide down it, covering my face with both hands while I try not to cry. “I just need to know my dad is still alive.”
4
ISAIAH
The sun is setting, and we’re parked up on the side of a dusty road.
It’s been nearly two hours since the guards chased us away from the collector’s compound. If the guards survived, so must have the collector, and if the collector survived, he will want Jade.
But none of us know where Jade is.
Probably somewhere in Wilkerson with the dragon who abducted her.
Or elsewhere.
The town’s lights are barely visible in the distance, and despite roundabout conversations about where to go, we’re no closer to working out what to do next.
The time on the car dashboard says it’s nearly 6.p.m. and I think Brennan is dying in the back seat of my Audi.
