Page 36 of Dragon Flames
“Worse—she’s of breeding age.” Elias clenches his hands at his sides, staring off into space. “They won’t let her go so easily, not when they can use her to breed an army of more dragons.”
The very idea of being bred to anyone, much less against my will, has my beast hunkering low, fury burning through my veins at the thought of having my choices taken away again.
At the threat of being imprisoned again for the rest of my life.
Never again.
Thoughts of fleeing race through my mind, followed by a sharp pang at the very idea of leaving these men behind.
My beast is having none of it, a possessive growl making my bones feel like they’re vibrating.
We will fight for our freedom.
Fight for our males.
Fight to free the others who are being held against their will.
I break out in a sweat at the idea of the men going off on their own, and I realize I’m actually worried about their safety. They’re risking everything to bring down these monsters…for me.
I’ll just have to go with them and keep them safe.
My skin feels tight and itchy at the thought of something bad happening to any of them, my stomach twisting inside out.
Darius exchanges a foreboding look with the others. “If other dragons learned about it, they would pay millions for a female child.”
“She’sourmate!” Preston snarls, practically vibrating with outrage.
Darius only shrugs, his low voice resigned. “While the other dragons wouldn’t dare encroach on our female directly, they’ve lived too long without a mate of their own. They’re desperate. Every decade that passes, their sanity slips more. If Felicia were to be taken, they might look the other way in the slim hope that they would find their own mate.”
Preston paces the kitchen, agitation making him fidgety. “What are we going to do?”
Elias’s grin is all fangs. “We destroy their operation, then cripple them enough that they won’t be able to recover for at least a few decades or more.”
The guys nod in agreement, and I step into the room. “I agree. What can I do to help?” The men freeze, none of them saying a word, and I narrow my eyes. “Lord Gresky probably knew I was a dragon since well before the debutante ball. He paid people to torture me every fucking day. The only reason I’ve been set loose now is because I’m finally of breeding age. Prison was the safest place to keep me, one of the few places where no one would ask questions.”
Fury swirls in their eyes, but I see the instant they make their decision.
When their faces shut down, my heart sinks.
They’re going to leave me behind.
I hold up my hand before they can voice their decision. “There is nothing you can do that will keep me from going with you. I can be an asset. While you dismantle the operation, I’ll get the women to safety. These assholes need to be stopped, and I need to be there when we do it.”
* * *
Ihad to open my big fucking mouth.
I pound on the door again, beyond pissed that they dared to lock me away. Panic claws up my insides, my mind fracturing slightly. I refuse to be trapped and helpless again. “Unlock the door this instant. Don’t you fucking dare leave. I will never forgive you.”
“But you will be alive,” Darius answers, completely unrepentant. “And we will have years to beg for your forgiveness.”
The metallic taste of fear coats my mouth, and I press my forehead against the metal door, taking slow, deep breaths as I struggle not to hyperventilate.
I feel like I’m about to jump out of my skin.
I pound on the door again until my fists are bloody but barely manage to leave a dent.
I close my eyes, humming to myself, rocking back and forth as I feel my mind shatter.
