Page 50 of The Dragon and Her Thief
Kelsey didn’t miss Mythia’s snort.
“But that’s okay. I know my mom and grandmother would love to meet you. They would get a kick out of it. When Mythia confirmed that I have dragon’s blood running through me, it made me realize that my mom even has dragon behavior. She collects things.”
“What kind of things?” Mythia and Xomor echoed simultaneously.
“Things from our family that she’s found. She’s researched her family, but we’ve only been able to go back a few generations to Paxton Rose. I’m sure she would love to ask you questions.”
“This is not my territory. I am not welcome here.”
Kelsey spun around and moved over to Mythia. She stopped in front of her mate, who kept her eyes trained on Xomor.
“Mythia.” She rested her hand on Mythia’s chest, getting her attention. “Can he have permission to travel here for my family? For me?”
Something deep inside of her needed to find out the information he had about her family. Her heart wouldn’t allow him to just walk away and never have a connection with his family. Now that she was the mate of a dragon, she would live as long as them. He wouldn’t have to be alone again.
“What?” Mythia frowned. “Another dragon is not needed to protect the area. This is my job.”
“Paxton asked you to protect the area. I’m asking you to allow my kin to visit. Help my family.”
“If your family needs help, then I shall—”
Kelsey placed a finger on her lips to shush her. Mythia was one stubborn dragon.
“I love how possessive you are, but this is something I need. My mom and grandmother will need. He’s my family. Please, do this for me?” Mythia stared at her for what seemed like ages. If Kelsey was a full-blooded dragon who came from a long line of dragons, would they not be allowed to visit her?
“What do you think?” Mythia asked him.
“Without a mate, life has been lonely. Kelsey has stirred a curiosity in me. I would be honored to meet her family and help them in any way, because she’s right. I should have looked out for my lineage without being made to.”
Kelsey looked at the proud man before her. He didn’t seem as scary as he had during her time walk.
“Then so be it. Xomor, you may come and go to visit your kin. But do not bring trouble to these lands or—”
“You do not need to say it, Mythia. I would never want to bring harm to those who share my blood.” He bowed deeply to Mythia, who strode forward and offered her hand to him.
Kelsey’s heart skipped a beat as she watched them shake on the deal they’d just struck. Her mother and grandmother were going to love knowing that some of the old family tales were true.
“I must be going on my way.”
“How will I get a hold of you?” Kelsey asked, doubting the dragon carried a cell phone around as he flew all over the world.
Reaching into a small pocket of his leathers, he stepped toward her. She held out her hand and gasped when he dropped a red gemstone into her hand.
“Hold that in your hand and call my name.”
“Why rubies?” she asked. The blood-red stone was oval-shaped, smooth, and translucent, giving way to the hexagonal prisms underneath the surface. It was beautiful.
“It is my favorite stone. It reminds me of the hair of the first woman I loved.” He stared down at the stone, and Kelsey found herself intrigued by his story. It was one she believed he needed to share with them.
With a nod, he took one last look at her and spun around on his heel. He sprinted away toward the cliff and dove over the edge.
Kelsey screamed and took off after him. What the hell? Did he just—
She drew to an abrupt halt at the sight of his massive blue dragon flying off into the sky. Her heart was racing a mile a minute. She’d thought he had plummeted to his death.
“Are you all right?” Mythia asked, coming to stand next to Kelsey. “Why did you scream?”
“Did you not see him jump off the cliff?” Kelsey asked incredulously, clutching the stone in her hand.
