Page 35 of The Dragon and Her Thief
“Slow down, Jasper.” Kelsey tucked her hair behind her ear and rested back fully on the couch. She brought her knees up to her chest and blew out a long breath. “Look, you don’t need to come and get me. I’m fine, I promise.”
“What do you mean, I don’t need to come and get you?”
“I’m safe. I have something to work out here.”
“Did that dragon shifter hurt you? Is she keeping you hostage? Is she punishing you for breaking in?”
Kelsey’s eyes met Mythia’s. She wasn’t sure if her friend was ready to hear how Mythia punished her.
Hurt her?
No.
Keeping her hostage?
That was debatable, since the mating bond had awoken in Mythia. She had been extremely protective and possessive. If Kelsey were to leave, or someone took her, there would be nothing to stop Mythia from coming after her. That little bit of knowledge stirred something deep inside of Kelsey.
She liked it.
“It’s nothing I can’t handle,” she replied softly. That was the truth. The punishment was something she’d be willing to experience repeatedly.
Memories surfaced from the previous night, and she had to clench her legs together.
Her core pulsed.
“What is that supposed to mean?” he demanded.
Mythia’s nose flared. She pushed off the wall and came to sit on the sofa next to Kelsey.
“It means for you not to come. I’ll call you back later.”
“When?”
“I don’t know. But please, don’t come here tomorrow.” She had to try to keep him from coming here. There was no need for him and the others to storm the castle.
“How did you know about tomorrow? You know what? Don’t answer. We’re coming for you, Kelsey.”
“Jasper, don’t!”
The line went dead.
Dammit. Jasper could be so damn stubborn. He had his mind set that she needed his help. He was always her knight in shining armor when they were kids. She was always much smaller and awkward. Bullies would try to mess with her, and then he would step in and beat them up for her.
Mythia rested her hand on Kelsey’s knee. “You couldn’t change his mind?”
Shaking her head, Kelsey clutched her phone tight. She didn’t want things to get out of hand.
“Promise me you won’t harm him or any of the people that show up. They’re my friends. They just want to protect me.”
“That’s my job,” Mythia snapped, her amber eyes glowing. Her hand tightened on Kelsey’s knee.
Kelsey had to calm her dragon down and diffuse this situation. If Mythia lost her temper when the humans came, someone was bound to get hurt. She couldn’t have that on your conscience. This all was her fault. She had been so set on taking back the necklace for her family.
Setting her phone down on the armrest, she turned to Mythia.
“If they attack me, then I’m obligated to respond in the same fashion.”
Kelsey moved over and straddled Mythia, whose hands came to settle on her hips.
