Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“Don’t worry,” I say. “The portal is open. I’ll get you out of here.”
“We have to take them with us,” she cries out when I start moving, pointing at a row of naked people lined up behind the platform whom I haven’t noticed.
The humans are smaller than the average Alit, but it’s not only their meager height that gives them away. Their features are distinctly Earth-like with daintier bone structures and more sharply defined lines. I recognize a few of those faces from the barge. They’re the ones I sent on their way when I first found Elsie. Back then, I was too consumed with having found my allegedly dead mate to worry too much about how they’d get back to Earth. They study me now much like they had on that first day, looking as petrified as the Phaelix.
I don’t like to deny Elsie. Of course I won’t leave them here to die. However, a group of humans will cause havoc at the palace. The scrolls forbid all contact with Earth, and I don’t want it to be known that someone besides my mother can open portals to that world. The believers—and there are many—will consider these humans to be violating one of the principal laws of their doctrine. The result will be chaos. Plus, on a diplomatic level, it will be difficult to explain their presence without coming clean about the slave trading, which we’ve suspected for a while. The objective of letting me deal with the issue quietly was to avoid pandemonium in the kingdom. Bringing these unfortunate humans back with us will have the opposite effect.
I purse my lips. “I’m sorry, Elsie.”
A piercing shriek rips through the sky as a Phaelix loses his footing and tumbles to his death. The others climb faster, but the cliff face is too steep. A cruel smile curves my lips. Considering what awaits them, the one who fell was lucky. At least he died quickly.
When I look back at Elsie, she’s glaring at me. “You’re not suggesting that we leave them behind?”
“I’ll bring them to safety and set them free, but it’ll cause nothing short of a rebellion among the followers of the scrolls if I bring them to Lona.”
“Your mother can send them back to Earth,” she exclaims. “Why would you deny them that?”
“I won’t be able to keep their presence a secret at the palace. There are too many eyes and ears in that place.”
She crosses her arms and lifts her chin. “I’m not going without them.”
I narrow my eyes. “You’re making the mistake of thinking I’m giving you a choice.”
Panic flashes through her beautiful eyes. They glitter like gemstones as she cuts me to pieces with her angry gaze. “All right.” She clenches her dainty jaw. “Name your price.”
I turn toward the portal, tightening my arms around her. The portal has been open for long enough as it is. I don’t know how much longer my mother will be able to hold it.
“Wait!” Elsie says, glancing over her shoulder at the humans who stand uncertainly in place. “Aruan, please. I beg you. Stop.”
Dragons. I can’t deny her when she’s begging me. I pause to look down at her gorgeous face. Her cheeks are streaked with dirt, and her bloodied hair stands up in all directions, but she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve seen.
“If you take them with us…” she starts hesitantly. “I’ll…” The column of her neck bobs with a delicate movement as she swallows.
My curiosity is piqued. I arch a brow. “You’ll what?”
“I’ll mate with you willingly,” she declares in a rush.
I go still.
“Anytime and anywhere you want,” she adds. “I won’t be difficult or resist.” She takes on a pleading expression. “I’ll learn. I’ll try harder to please you.” She continues with darkening cheeks. “I’ll do my best to give you what you want in bed.”
Her offer stuns me. She is everything I want in bed. But her willingness to please me does something to my cock. It rises eagerly to the occasion. Albeit… “Did you just offer me sex in exchange for saving these wretches?”
The pink stains on her cheeks turn bright red, but the tilt of her chin is as stubborn as ever. “If that’s what it takes.”
“You’re willing to stay and never run away again for the sake of these humans?”
“I didn’t say that.”
Huge rocks are breaking loose from the summit of the mountain and flattening the palm trees on the island. The world is literally falling to pieces around us, but I can’t help the smile that tugs at my lips. Elsie is always feisty and full of surprises. Not a single moment with her is boring. I could never grow tired of spending time with her.
“You’ll stay,” I say. “In my bed, where you belong. Promise me, and we have a deal.”