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 will swear an oath to you. Over all these years, I’ve proven to you my word, once given, is solid. That hasn’t changed. I will treat her well.”
“I don’t even know exactly where she is.”
“Tell me everything you can. I’ll find her,” Keres assured him. “I just need a hint of where to start.”
Keres studied Oldrik’s expression as the bronze dragon considered his options. Rare female dragons battled for survival as shifters doomed to madness sought them as a last option. He couldn’t imagine a life that didn’t involve flight and freedom—all those things that a dragon craved. For eons, females existed only to give life to new dragons. The procreation process couldn’t be easy for them, taken by a dragon barely holding on to sanity without a mate bond to make it pleasurable.
Keres met Oldrik’s gaze. “I will plead my case with your sister and hope she will help. I will accept no as an answer. Death will come to me either way. I will not drag an innocent into the torture that besieges me.”
“I have your word on that?” Oldrik’s focus was laser sharp.
“You have my word.”
“The last I heard, she was in a small hilltop in Montana. Rimi mentioned the construction of a new sports arena that might force her to move.”
“Thank you, Oldrik.”
“Bring her back, Keres. She deserves to live in the light.”
Keres met his gaze and nodded. There wouldn’t be a good end for him, but perhaps there could be something positive that came out of this. The horde would protect his offspring and Oldrik’s sister.
After the threat to his mate, Rogan isolated Brooks from others as he investigated whether more on his staff were involved with the two men who’d plotted against them. No one else had joined his workforce during that same time period. Those two had come seeking work with a sad story of needing to feed their families. His supervisor wouldn’t fall for that in the future. Rogan would insist on serious investigations of any applicant’s past.
Twenty-four-hour patrols of the border resumed. Their enemies still plotted to bring danger into Wyvern. The dragons wouldn’t relax until the threat was completely eliminated.
“Do we ever get to go to Angelino’s?” Brooks asked as he pulled a string over the carpet to entertain Marmalade.
Rogan’s first impulse was to refuse, needing to protect his mate. One glance at Brooks’ face told him isolating this man completely would not be positive. He forced himself to nod. “How about for lunch tomorrow?”
“Thanks, Rogan. I’d love that. Can Marmalade come?”
The small kitten’s complete lack of fear of his dragon needled at Rogan. How could anything so helpless not cringe when confronted with his raw power? Marmalade’s bravery matched his mate’s. Wherever Brooks went, the orange kitten wanted to go. He’d even gone on patrol flights with the two of them, napping without a shred of uneasiness in a messenger bag slung over Brooks’s chest.
“No. Marmalade can’t visit the restaurant,” Rogan declared.
“But the other mates will want to meet him.”
“We’ll host a gathering soon to introduce him.”
“Oh, good idea. I bet Skye will draw him for me. I’d love to hang a picture in my room,” Brooks shared.
“You can ask her tomorrow,” Rogan suggested as the fearless kitten stalked toward him. He snarled to scare him, letting the furry tabby see the red flash in his eyes. Marmalade didn’t hesitate. He climbed Rogan’s pant leg with those needle-sharp kitten claws and curled up on his lap.
“He likes you, too. Maybe you have two mates,” Brooks suggested with twinkling eyes.
“I do not have a cat for a mate. Felines and dragons are sworn enemies,” Rogan growled.
“Are you sure about that? I see a lot of similarities. You both purr very loudly.”
Rogan raised his gaze from the soft kitten to his mate, giving him a warning glare. Brooks laughed, completely unphased by his ferocity just as Marmalade was. Rogan shook his head. His mate didn’t need an accomplice to keep him on his toes. Brooks could handle that perfectly well on his own.
“Will Keres join us?” Brooks asked, changing the subject.
“At Angelino’s? I doubt it. He’s been scarce. He visited Oldrik a few days ago, and no one has seen him since.”
“What does Oldrik say?”
“Not much. Something is going on there, and the two of them aren’t sharing information with the horde. I don’t think Ardon even knows what’s happening,” Rogan shared.
“That’s suspicious.”
“It certainly is. Maybe we’ll find out more tomorrow over pizza,” Rogan suggested as Brooks stood and walked to his side.
“Can I join you two or is this a private party?” Brooks asked, leaning forward to pet Marmalade.
“Save me, please,” Rogan requested and scooped up the cat to pass him over to his mate before lifting Brooks onto his lap. Rogan brushed his mate’s bangs out of his face. “We need to get your hair cut again. This lock is completely red now. I think I’m wearing off on you.”