Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 42796 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42796 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
I’m going to spank you so hard.
I’m going to hold you to that promise, Daddy.
His energy faded each second he stayed in this disorderly space. The whirling memories and information inside Rogan’s brain tempted Brooks to lose track of that path he followed. Brooks pushed away his curiosity and put one foot in front of the other.
Frightful creatures beset him. Most kept their distance, but as he got closer, Brooks had to dodge a few and chanced losing his connection with Rogan. He didn’t know if they would or could hurt him, but he wouldn’t risk it.
Brooks reached a section of a deep valley between steep cliffs. Once inside, the smooth rock faces would pin him inside like a trap. He debated. Scale the mountains or take that dangerous path through the darkness? He chose the quicker path through the valley. Climbing over the mountains would take too long. His energy wouldn’t last.
Entering the dark passage, Brooks didn’t glance left or right to spot anything lurking to harm him. A vicious swipe of something sliced his arm. Blood welled from the wounds and rolled down his arm. Red droplets soaked into the dirt. He jogged forward, wasting part of his dwindling energy to get away from whatever that was. Brooks ripped his T-shirt down the center of his chest so he could maintain his focus and wrapped the material around his biceps.
An ear-shattering roar sounded above him. Brooks sped up into a run. He could see the end of cliffs in front of him. The rush of wind ruffled his hair. He threw himself into the dirt and shouted when talons raked over his back. For the first time, Brooks doubted that he’d reach Rogan. Out of the edges of his fixed gaze, he spotted familiar red scales.
Daddy! Call off your dragon.
He’s not listening to me. Get out of here, Brooks!
The desperation in Rogan’s voice sent bone-chilling fear through him. He pushed himself up to his feet and pelted forward. Rogan’s presence filled his senses. Brooks could feel and smell him ahead. His Daddy was close.
The dangerous sound of flapping wings sounded above him. He had to make it a few more feet. The temperature rose around him. Brooks heard the dragon inhale and knew flames would follow.
I love you, Daddy.
Red light flared around Brooks, obliterating his vision. He squeezed his eyelids closed as he continued his forward progress and slammed into an immovable object. Daddy, I’m not going to make it.
I’ve got you, Brooks. A powerful arm wrapped around his waist, pulling him close.
Brooks forced his eyes open. Daddy!
Relief burst over him as Brooks realized Rogan had him. Brooks peeked above them to see a red glowing dome extending around them. Rogan projected the barrier from the fingertips of a hand he held over their heads.
Somehow with that flickering shield, Rogan protected them from the dragon’s fire. Brooks could feel Rogan pulling the dragon toward him. Rogan needed to reconnect himself with his beast. In the tumult, the dragon shifter had lost the other half of his essence.
Brooks could see the dragon hesitate. He had to be attracted by the red light of the protective shield. The fierce creature landed and paced forward. Pressed against his Daddy, Brooks hugged him tighter as Rogan begin to shake from the effort to reconnect with the rampaging beast. Brooks funneled the last of his energy through their mate connection and Rogan drew on it to steady himself.
“Come on. Just a bit closer,” Rogan commanded, his voice strong and convincing.
Taking one more step forward, the dragon’s snout touched the projected light. Red sparks flew in all directions around them like a breathtaking firework explosion. Brooks buried his head against Rogan as his mate’s other arm hugged him close.
You did it, Adventurer. Rest now.
The last of Brooks’ energy drained from his body, and blackness filled him as he crumpled.
Brooks snuggled closer to the hard chest he slept on. He blinked his eyes open as his mind burst into alertness. Pushing himself up on a forearm, he studied his mate. Rogan slept peacefully. Gone was the torment that had floated across his features.
Gently dropping his head to Rogan’s chest, Brooks celebrated. He suspected his mate would never have escaped from that nightmarish environment without him opening that third lock. Brooks couldn’t imagine how his mate had survived, divided with the two distinct parts of his psyche split apart. Had the powder done that to him?
“You’re thinking very hard, Mate,” Rogan’s voice interrupted his wandering mind.
“Rogan. I thought I’d lost you,” Brooks told him, trying to hold all the emotions inside him at seeing his mate’s blue eyes staring back at him.
“I owe you a serious spanking. Luckily for your bottom, I need food and water first.”
“Do you need to go hunting?”
“Yes. Run to tell Sara to send word to isolate a half dozen cows in the back pasture while we get dressed.”