Page 73 of Dragon Touched
“He wants to know if he can help.”
“Of course.” A bloom of happiness burst within her chest. She didn’t know how the little guy thought he could assist, but the offer was sweet, like a child giving a favorite toy to an adult.
His jaws opened wide, and a long wisp of steam escaped.
Oh, that’s how.
“Come on, Cyan.” She gave an excited clap. “You can do it.”
Still fluttering his wings and hovering, he shook his head and let out a small cough.
“You little bugger.” Fin chuckled. “You’re still just a baby. Dragons can’t breathe fire until they’re at least sixty years—”
A bright, steady stream of flames poured from the dragon’s mouth and joined the growing destruction already unfolding.
Fin’s eyes were wide, and his mouth hung agape.
Sacha pushed it closed with a finger underneath the chin.
“You were saying?” She nudged his shoulder.
The dragon floated toward the couple. His small grin revealed sharp, white teeth. Once settled into Sacha’s arms, he released a thin stream of fire onto the lapels of Fin’s robe.
The sorcerer jumped backward, then hastily patted the smoldering material.
“Gods, it’s not enough I have to deal with your attitude, but now I’m going to have to worry about you setting things on fire—particularlyme?” He let out a long sigh. “Guess I better brush up on water enchantments.”
The smell of charred cloth blended with the scent of burning wood.
She and Fin held each other and watched the bonfire grow brighter and larger.
Cyan, still lying in Sacha’s arms, pushed his claws against Fin’s chest, then nipped a tiny hole into the soft material of the robe. With a squawk that sounded annoyed, he climbed onto Sacha’s shoulder and curled around the back of her neck.
“This is for both of us.” She looked at Fin’s sharp cheekbones. “We each lost a parent thanks to my father, and he took something precious, our childhood—innocence and hope.” Her fingers twined around his neck.
“I want Pops to rot in prison. And if by some miracle he ever gets out, he won’t have anything to come back to.”
“My hope returned when I found you.” Fin placed a chaste kiss on Sacha’s brow. “Ready to go home?”
“Absolutely.” She squeezed his hand. “I can’t wait to seeErbse.”
“And I can’t wait to see you on it.”
They walked together with his warm hand clasped in hers. The winter sun shone bright, and the body heat from both Fin and Cyan kept the chill from creeping into Sacha’s bones.
“Fin?”
“Yes, love?” He leaned a shoulder into her.
She propped her head onto it. “Why exactly did you need me for your test?”
“Well, three people came through the portal—two of royal blood, which was my father and myself, a dragon, and one busybody Nanny—so the same balance is required to re-enter. All magic must be balanced or repaid.” He squeezed her hand. “So, you see, I couldn’t have gone home anyway unless I stole you away. Plus, the ring can only be charged with the pain of a princess.”
She looked to his face. “Royal blood? You mean to tell me you’re royalty?”
“Shh.” He brushed her lips with his and then pulled away. “That’s not important.”
His previous sentence gave her pause.He needed the pain of a princess.
