Page 74 of The Mating Quest
Emotion overwhelmed him. He’d only found his sisters two months ago. It was tough to leave them. Ava at least was with Tristan at a ranch filled with Lupines. But Chloe and dragons? Chloe’s blonde hair billowed in the breeze and her sweet blue eyes regarded the meadow filled with dragons. So innocent and young, and his instincts surged to protect her. But he had agreed to escort them on this quest, really, theirdestiny.
You have to let themgo.
As he walked away,Drust joined him, clapped a hand on his shoulder, squeezed, as if in understanding. “It is hard to stop being their protector, but you must trust me and trust Lacey, that Chloe is ready forthis.”
Ethan studied the shifters milling around Chloe in fearsome dragon form. She looked so small compared to them. They could easily snap her inhalf.
“Chloe is stronger than she looks, which can be an asset. My people may be more willing to approach her with their troubles than myself or Lacey because they will not fear her asmuch.”
“That places her in greater danger.” Ethan watched his sister talk with a dragon that was two storiestall.
“Chloe has sufficient magick to protect herself. I will teach her to use it, but for now, she has excellent defensiveskills.”
As if testing that theory, the dragon with her opened his mouth and a line of fire streamed out. Ethan yelled, but the fire streamed over Chloe, not touching her. She looked up,frowned.
A bolt of energy shot from her fingers and the dragon tumbled backwards, making the earth shudder. Ethan breathed a sigh of relief. He glanced at Drust’s amusedexpression.
“Do you believe me now? They will test her, but she will put them in her place and earn their respect. She also has her own bodyguard who will watch over her.” Drust gestured to the smaller silver dragon flying overhead, now landing next toChloe.
The dragon walked over to Chloe’s much larger, still dazed attacker, and whacked him in the head with his tail. Then the smaller dragon shifted to skin, clothed himself by magick and ran to Chloe’s side, looking herover.
“Lucas.” Ethan sighed and rubbed the tensed muscles in the back of his neck. “You’reright.”
“Of course I am right. I am the ColdfireWizard.”
“And quite modest,” hemuttered.
Drust grinned, showing very white teeth. “You will see Chloe again when she finishes with her training. Family is important. She will need those connections to you and her sisters, and of course, your pack of Lupines, though she will be living among dragonsnow.”
Ethan laced his hands behind his back. “You knew which dragon would attempt to kill you. And yet you gave almost all your power to Lacey, leaving yourself vulnerable todanger.”
A nod from Drust. “I was warned by Caderyn. The Shadow Wizard can sense our fates at times, but I already knew from my spies. I emptied most of my magick into Lacey so I could absorb the dragon scale powers, which were considerablystronger.”
“Like filling a car’s gas tank.” Ethan gave him a questioning look. “How do you give someone yourmagick?”
A knowing smile curved Drust’s mouth beneath his beard and mustache. “To give it to a woman, the most pleasant way is by making love. It also restores a woman’s strength if she isweakened.”
Ethan looked at Ilana. Perhaps it was time she had her own strengthrenewed.
“The wizards have decided to give all of you two days to rest and recover before retrieving Gideon’s talisman. I can tell you this much of Gideon. Our Crimson Wizard was raised in the Fae Winter Kingdom, where he was a prince. He adored the forests and streams and often visited there with the love of his life, who is now hismate.”
Drust’s eyes were filled with secrets. “What do you prefer, the beach or the mountains, for your rest andrecovery?”
Ethan shook his head. “If you don’t mind, I’m a little weary of the mountains. Too manydragons.”
A smile touched the wizard’s face. “Very well. Chloe has chosen to remain with Lucas so he may teach her dragon culture. She will take over the condo where you have been staying. Dakota chose to be in a guest house with Ryan’spack.”
Suspicion filled him. “Everyone is splitting up… what aboutIlana?”
Drust’s smiled widened. “You will see. The house is quite comfortable, on the beach and has splendid views and muchprivacy.”
Oh…damn. “You mean Ilana andI…”
“Have a nice vacation.” Drust waved his hand and Ethan felt himself tumbling through time andspace.
Chapter 22
Ethan materializedinside an opulent bedroom overlooking the ocean. He put a hand to his head, feeling as if his brain cells were scrambled. Staggering to the king-sized bed, he sat until the dizzy spellcleared.
