The guy had smooth moves, that was for sure. I couldn’t disagree, because in my heart there was nothing I wanted more than to stay here in Darken. In this house filled with a family I adored. With the man I more than adored. It was bittersweet, learning the truth of my parents’ deaths, and my true purpose as a secret keeper. But there was also some hope. Hope that I might eventually find happiness and a home again.
Roland and Ambra both walked over to stand before me and Lexen and I waited to hear their response. How would they feel about a human and their future overlord together? I knew from Lexen it had never happened before…
Ambra’s hug took me completely by surprise as she squeezed me so tightly all the air exited my lungs in one big oomph. “Welcome to the family,” she cried. “I couldn’t have chosen someone better for Lexen. You have a strong heart and soul. You’re a survivor.”
Do. Not. Cry. Do not cry!
“We’re going to be sisters!” Star squealed.
I snorted, swallowing down my emotions. “Hold up, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. I only just turned eighteen.”
I was so tuned into Lexen that I noticed immediately when he stilled. “We missed your birthday?” he asked me.
I smiled, shaking my head at him. “Not a big deal, seriously. It’s just another day.”
“We don’t celebrate birthdays here,” Jero said. “But we know theyarea big deal on Earth. We’ve seen all the squealing teens when they turn the big one-eight. You should have told us.”
I shrugged, aware that Lexen still looked upset. “I didn’t even know. It was only when Lexen told me the date in the justices that I realized my birthday was yesterday.”
“You spent your birthday being held captive? Hurt?” Lexen was pissed, and before I could answer he swept me up in his arms and was marching out the door.
Laughter sounded behind us, Jero calling out a few suggestive things, which no doubt had my face turning an interesting shade of pink.
“Put me down!” I struggled against him, wanting to walk.
Lexen ignored me, his march losing no speed even as I struggled. “My draygone soul does not like that we missed a special day for you, Em, so please let me make this up to you.”
His voice was gruff, but not quite as rumbly as before. Conceding defeat, I relaxed back into his arms. “Fine, but I am warning you, if you continue to use your strength to push me around, I’m going to fight back. And I fight dirty.”
The hard rigidness to his jaw relaxed a little. “Is that right? Well, rest assured, I will never use my strength to do anything other than protect you. Your body. Your heart. Your soul.”
As lines went, that one was pretty freaking stellar. My friends back home would have said it was cheesy, but I never understood why someone expressing a strong level of caring for someone was deemed corny. I found it sweet.
“I’m not sure I understand this dragon thing,” I said quietly. “But I’m really glad your soul found a mate in mine.”
He growled, pulling me closer and burying his head into the space between my head and neck. As he pressed his lips to my bare skin, I tried not to breathe embarrassingly loud.
“I’m a mess,” I whispered, biting my lip to stop from saying anything else.
Lexen lifted his head, his lips tilted enticingly in a half-smile. “You’re about as far from a mess as is possible. Even if you were, where we are going it won’t matter.
Okay, then. I was two parts relieved and one part seriously disappointed when Lexen finally set me on my feet. A girl could get used to being carried, but mostly this girl liked to stand on her own two feet. Let’s say ninety percent of the time.
I expected to be led to the basement with the transporter, so I was astonished when we ended up in Lexen’s room. He opened the glass doors. Qenita’s giant white head popped in almost immediately and I managed not to scream or pee myself.
“Do you trust me?” Lexen asked, holding his hand out for me.
I didn’t even hesitate. “With my life.”
He helped me up onto the back of the massive dragon, her hard, cold scales scraping across my bare skin. The dress was pretty much done, and I was really looking forward to getting out of it.
Lexen settled in behind me, his warmth chasing away the chill of Qenita’s hide. I was extra grateful for his support when Qenita’s huge wings started flapping on either side of us, and then far more gracefully than I had expected, we were up and soaring across the sky.
Nerves had me tense at first, but her gliding was so smooth that I soon settled back against Lexen. He wrapped his arms around me and I could have died right then a happy human.
Qenita rose higher and higher, flying in a zigzag pattern through the underground. The heat and brightness increased as we got closer to the dragon fire that filled the top of the cavern. I was just about to ask if Lexen was taking me to a fiery death when Qenita veered off to the left, toward a huge opening in the side of the mountain, five times the size of the one we’d used in the lower sections to enter.
Like her own special dragon entrance.
