The hair on the back of my neck stands up. Zadyn must be close.
It’s exhilarating—the thought of him chasing me. Catching me.
I slip behind a groove in the rock, smirking at the sound of his footfalls. A shadow darts into my vision, and I open my mouth to greet him with a witty remark. That anticipation morphs into dread as something hard slams me back into the mountain and a hand shoots out to silence me.
“Don’t scream. Don’t make a sound.”
I meet Kylian’s gaze with a bitter intensity. He waits until I stop struggling to slowly lower his hand from my mouth.
“I could kill you right here and now,” I bite. He rattles off a laugh. “Give me one good reason not to burn you alive before you can even blink.”
“You’ve been dreaming about me.”
I’m taken aback. “I’ve been havingnightmaresabout you,” I hiss, shaking off my surprise. “There’s a difference.”
“Come home.”
“How did you find me?”
“I told you I would. Come home.”
It’s my turn to laugh. “You’ll have to drag me by my hair.”
“That can be arranged.”
“You touch me and I will fry your ass.”
He suppresses a smile. “You’re awfully confident in your power.”
“Rightfully so.”
“Come.Home.” He leans in, lowering his eyes to mine. When I make no move to answer, he continues, “I will go to war if I have to.”
“I have a dragon. You don’t stand a chance.”
“You think I don’t know how to handle a dragon? Darling, I’ve been preparing for this for longer than you’ve been alive.”
I shove against his bare chest. “I willdestroyyou.”
“I welcome you to try.” That arrogant smirk boils my blood. My magic gathers, coiling within me like a snake preparing to strike. “I’ve missed this mouth. This neck?—”
Fitting his hand over the side of my jaw, he tips my head back and presses his lips to my throat. I push him back and move to slap him across the face. Long fingers shoot out to stop me, wrapping around my wrist in a vice-like hold. “And your spirit.”
I focus, sending out a wave of heat to scorch his palm. His eyes shift to my searing arm. Steam rises from where we’re connected.
I stare in awe.
He just put out my fire.
“I’d like to propose something.” He scans my body, head to toe. “Two weeks.”
“What?”
“I will give you two weeks to bid farewell to your life in Aegar—say goodbye to your friends, your so-called home. Then you join me.”
“How is that a fair deal? You plan to kill them all anyway for your ceaseless ambition.”
He hangs his head and sighs like he’s dealing with a petulant toddler. “Fine. I solemnly swear to leave your friends unharmed.”
