Seraphina turns to face me and my grip on Ash tightens.
“I may have healed her wounds, but her exhaustion is still there. This isn’t something my blood will fix. She needs rest.”
“I would rather leave this place.”
“As would I, but it seems we may have to spend one more night.”
I grunt and look around the very dark valley. The moon is now cloaked in clouds, and not a single star can be seen.
“Come, follow me. We will stay in the cave tonight. Tomorrow, we leave.”
I hesitate, looking down at Ash, then out into the night.
Fuck . . .
Maybe I’ll just carry her . . .
“If we attempt to escape under the cover of darkness, we will die. The creatures that prowl this place after dark are not to be trifled with,” Seraphina says, as if reading my mind.
My eyes fall shut on a heavy sigh; my shoulders are so tense. I won’t put Ash in unnecessary danger, but the idea of spending the night here in the Valley of Death makes me cringe. Bending down, I carefully cradle her in my arms, feeling the warmth of her body against mine. Her gold markings shimmer faintly, still visible, making her look even more like a goddess. My heart is completely hers. There’s no limit to what I would do for this woman.
With Ash securely in my grasp, I enter the cave and immediately feel a damp, cool breeze against my face. I can only see the outline of Seraphina up ahead as she crouches down and picks something up.
Standing, she turns to me and opens her mouth, blowing on whatever is in her hand. My jaw drops as a torch unexpectedly bursts into flames.
“Did you just breath fire in your human form?” I ask, completely stunned.
Seraphina shrugs and makes her way deep into the cave without answering, leaving me with no other option but to follow her. After walking for several minutes, the cave opens into a small cavern bathed in a warm, golden glow emanating from a crackling fire in the hearth. The walls are adorned with shelves filled with jars of various herbs and ingredients, giving off a comforting aroma. A large wooden table stands in the center, surrounded by mismatched chairs, inviting us to sit and rest. A stream flows gracefully through the middle of the cavern, its crystal-clear water reflecting the dancing flames of the hearth. There’s a space where it opens up into a small rock pool, the water looking inviting. It’s as if this hidden haven has been carefully crafted to provide solace and respite amidst the harshness of the outside world.
“She can sleep here,” Seraphina says, moving blankets and pillows around on a small bed that’s built into the rock wall.
I walk over and gently lay Ash down, tucking the soft blankets tightly around her. My heart swells with protectiveness; she looks so delicate and vulnerable like this. It brings a smile to my face, knowing how much she would despise being seen as fragile. As I stroke her head, I discover the stickiness of the drying blood on the back of it. The rising tide of anger propels me to lean down and plant a soft, reassuring kiss on her forehead.
“I’ve got you baby. Sleep,” I murmur, resting my forehead against hers.
I breathe in her scent and take a moment to just surround myself with her. Ash lets out a soft sigh and snuggles deeper into the blankets. I smile, giving her one last kiss on the cheek before walking over and joining Seraphina in front of the fire.
“You two are close?” she asks, not moving her eyes from the flames.
“She is my everything.”
“How did you meet?”
I grin. “She showed up in town one night seeking an escape. I was bewitched from the moment I laid eyes on that dark, mysterious, sexy, confident woman.”
I sense Seraphina’s attention on me, but my focus remains on the fire. Though I’m acutely aware of every sound, smell, and movement around me.
“These other dragon shifters . . . what are they like?”
“Honestly, I’ve only met the one brother, Penn. In my world, they are part of a well-known family, rich and notorious for organized crime. Not people to be messed with. Ash has worked for them for a very long time. Coming here and finding you would grant her freedom to live her life as she wanted.”
A wave of magic sweeps over me, making the hairs on my arms stand on end. “So, they are like the old hags? Keeping others prisoner. Do they want to keep me prisoner? A trophy, hidden away?”
“Seraphina, Ash has already told you she will not force you to come with us. She isn’t like that—she is good. She also wouldn’t deliver you to that kind of fate. It took me a stupid amount of time to realize that. I hate that I wasted time pushing her away. I don’t know what the brothers have in mind for you, but I would suggest speaking to Ash about them or meeting them and making up your own mind. You are free now; you can leave this place. We won’t stop you if you choose not to follow us.”
Seraphina relaxes, the magic in the air dying down. “I don’t remember my life before waking up here.”
“How long have you been here?”
