Page 36 of I Dream of Dragons
My breathing is so loud in my ears, punctuated by my thumping heart, that nothing else registers for long moments. Nothing but the feel of Phaethon’s back against my brow, the rise of his muscular shoulders with each breath he takes, the knowledge that we’re both still here, still alive.
Both of us, or the three of us.
Plus the drak.
Crazy laughter bubbles up and I snicker.
Nobody else seems to be around. Has no other human made it up here? Not surprising, but my heart sinks nevertheless.
The shadows around me tighten and slowly lift me off the saddle, thick like serpents. My arms slip free as I dangle, my laughter fading. The shadows move me over the drak’s side and lower me gently to the ground, then retreat, wreathing him in darkness.
Shadows. Thick, strong shadows. Which means…
I swallow hard. “… Jai?”
He turns his head, still astride the drak, and gives me a crooked, sweet smile. A smile that is all Jai.
He shoves the black hair out of his eyes and the way he looks at me…Oh my heart…
The drak shifts, and Jai lifts one leg over the saddle. Slides down.
And falls to one knee. “Godsdammit!”
Something in his voice makes me look closer, and I stand there, gaping. “What in the world! How did that happen?”
A dagger is sticking out of his thigh, the hilt set with flashing gems, but… a fuckingdaggeris sticking out of his thigh.
“When did that happen?” I demand, fear sharpening my voice. “I was inside that drak-filled tunnel with you all this time, and there was no knife stuck in you, so how…? Who did that to you?”
His mouth twists but his smile returns. “Idid.”
He did.Oh, right. Of course…What? “By accident?”
“No accident.”
Wait, he has stabbed himself in the thighon purpose?
“Why in the five hells would you do that?” I demand. “You harmed yourself!”
“Why do you think?” His lips peel back in a snarl. “To control Phaethon.”
Holy sleeping Gods.
“Control him through pain,” I whisper. “You said that.”
“Yeah, with fucking pain.” He grimaces but that brilliant smile returns. “And here I am.”
“How does he let you do that?”
“I catch him unawares while he’s busy gaping at your antics.”
A snort escapes me. “Really.”
“Wasn’t that why you did it? Yell and call Remi to create a distraction?”
“It was to distract the drak from snacking on us,” I say, “but sure, make this about yourself.”
His smile turns into a wide grin that reveals that delicious dimple in his cheek. “Of course it wasn’t about me.”
