Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
He just has a compelling face. I don’t have any feelings for him. I’d like to sketch him.
That rumble coming from Oldrik intensified, and the other dragons turned to stare at them. Each dragon lifted their mate from their lap and sent them toward Khadar’s mansion.
Go with the other women, Oldrik instructed, lifting her to her feet before he stood between Skye and the other dragons. The other shifters instantly rose to their feet as well. Everyone appeared to bristle with energy—and not the positive kind.
No! I’m sorry. I don’t desire him. How could I? I have both of you!
Skye tried to dash around Oldrik to stop this madness. How could they go from laid-back to ready to attack in seconds? And over her?
Ardon scooped her up and placed her behind him. Her mates formed a wall to keep Skye away from the other dragons. Climbing Ardon like a rock face, Skye looped her arms around his shoulders and held on. This is all a big misunderstanding. I want to go home. Will you take me there?
Frightened tears welled from her eyes, splashing down to Ardon’s skin. He reacted like they were made of fire, instantly, paying attention to her and gathering Skye into his arms. “Oldrik. Our mate needs us. We will go. It was too soon for us to join unmated dragons.”
The other dragons relaxed out of their intent postures. They nodded at the triad and didn’t try to stop them from walking to an open area to shift. Their urgency to put distance between themselves and the others bled into her mind as Oldrik and Ardon changed in a flash. With Oldrik surveying everything that moved, Ardon urged Skye to climb his scales. Once in place, Skye clung to Ardon’s neck as he launched himself into the air. He headed to the top of a nearby mountain with Oldrik next to him.
Where are we going, Ardon? Skye asked when they didn’t head for the mansion.
I need to be in my lair. Oldrik is accompanying us.
Oldrik? Are you okay?
I will be soon.
Their voices in her head sounded tense. She didn’t feel like she was in danger—just that she’d really messed up. Swallowing hard, she concentrated on sending her love to both shifters. Skye wanted them to know how much she cared about them.
A tear slid down her cheek. She’d screwed up so badly. They didn’t understand that an appreciation for unique features and shadows was engrained in her artist’s soul.
It’s okay, Blueberry. You did nothing wrong, Oldrik reassured her.
But I did. I almost made you attack your friends.
No. My jealousy was behind that. Not you. Ardon flew toward a ring of fire.
Was he going through that? She wouldn’t survive the flames. Squeezing her eyelids shut, Skye sent a final blast of her love out to her mates as Ardon’s head got close to the circle. She hadn’t gotten enough time with her mates.
Hold on, My Treasure. The entrance appears treacherous, but you and Oldrik are with me. You’ll be fine.
Scared, Skye held her breath and kept her eyes tightly closed. Warmth flashed over her skin. Skye exhaled a sigh of relief that she hadn’t been set on fire. I didn’t die.
“No, Blueberry. We’re safe,” Oldrik reassured her from his position next to Ardon, still in his dragon form. “The flames extinguish when the dragon or person entering is cleared by its owner. Ardon has given us both his permission to visit. An intruder would face a much different reception.”
My Treasure, I wouldn’t have endangered you. I’m sorry I didn’t warn you earlier. I forget there are many things you have to learn about living with dragons, Ardon said. Can you slide off? Oldrik will hold you while I change.
Moving shakily, she allowed Oldrik to help her unclasp her arms from around Ardon’s throat. Skye swung her leg over the bronze dragon’s back and scooted down his shining scales into Oldrik’s arms. The blue dragon hugged her tightly as he backed away to give Ardon space to shift.
In a short time, Ardon’s arms wrapped around her from behind as he held her close. “Mate, are you okay?”
Reacting to the kindness in his voice, Skye lost it. Tears raced down her cheeks, and her chest heaved as she tried to control the emotions inside her. Fright and worry battled against her embarrassment that they thought she was attracted to someone else. I’m at fault for all of this. If I hadn’t studied that guy’s face, this would have never happened. You wouldn’t have gotten mad at the other dragons, at each other, at me!
When she struggled to free herself, the dragons relaxed their hold on her to allow her to stand in front of them. Each stayed in contact with her. Ardon took her hand, and Oldrik rubbed her back.
Lifting her hand to his lips, Ardon pressed his mouth to her skin before saying, “Shh, My Treasure. Everything is fine. You did nothing wrong. We aren’t angry with you.”