“Stop!” I scream, tears streaming down my face. “Please, just stop! I can’t—”
I fall over and realize it’s because the dragon nudged me. He does it again. It’s like he’s trying to tell me something, but I don’t speak dragon. Besides, I can’t think through all the pain.
I’m gritting my teeth so hard I fear they might crack. Right now, I don’t care.
He nudges me again, making me roll over onto my stomach. I twist to keep my eyes on him.
“Grim!” I sob, clutching my temples. “I want Grim! Please shift…please.” My voice sounds as agonized as I feel.
There’s something wrong with me. Something very wrong.
I’m begging now, not even caring how desperate I sound.
“Please!” I cry. “Grim, please. Come back. I need you,” I whisper, gasping for air. My eyes are so wide. My eyeballs feel like they’re popping out. Maybe he will know what to do. Maybe—
The pain ends like it was never there.
The dragon and I stare at each other for a few seconds. I’m still trying to catch my breath. Right now, I don’t care if he kills me.
It doesn’t happen. Instead, he shifts. It happens quickly. His body contracts, scales receding, wings folding in and disappearing.
I roll onto my back and pull myself up onto my elbows. I’m still breathing hard.
He’s tall and muscular, and— He has a great gaping wound on his side, just below his ribs. It’s oozing blood. It looks nasty. One of the many bullets must have found purchase. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, since he was shot so many times. Hisarm is sliced at the bicep, but it doesn’t look nearly as bad as the one on his torso.
I push up, readying to stand.
“Wren,” he gasps.
Then he drops to his knees.
His eyes roll back, and he collapses forward.
I lunge instinctively, catching him before his head cracks against the ground. His weight nearly crushes me, and I go down with him, cushioning his fall as best I can.
“Grim.” My hands hover over the wound, not sure whether to apply pressure or if that will make it worse. “No, no, no. Grim, wake up. Please wake up.”
But he’s out cold, his breathing shallow and labored.
His skin is hot, but at the same time, he’s so incredibly pale.
I look around for the first time, noting that we seem to be in the middle of nowhere, with no phone, no help, and security forces that want us dead.
A sob catches in my throat.
20
Grim
I open my eyes and frown when I see blue skies. I’m outside. My attention is diverted by pain in my side. It’s a dull ache, nothing crazy.
My mouth is as dry as desert sand, my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth. And my cock is hard as fucking steel, jutting up from my body like a damned flagpole.
What the hell?
I blink against the light filtering through…trees? We’re in some kind of forest clearing. I try to piece together what happened, but my brain feels foggy. It’s hard to think with that delicious scent all around me.
There’s something warm pressed against my side. I turn my head and freeze because Wren is curled up against me, her arms wrapped around my torso. She’s in a white cotton bra and her jeans. Nothing else. Her blouse is…gone?
