“Wrong,” Serafina snarled, the vehemence in her tone causing my lips to curl. “Tell me who sent you to capture my dragon, and I’ll order him to go easy on you.”
My inner beast preened at her words.My dragon.
“Never got his name,” Slim blurted out. “Arrogant fella. Goldish hair. Fancy clothes.”
“Alaric,” she spat.
“That’s him.” Goldie bobbed his head. “Fellow’s name was Alaric. It’s his fault your dragon’s hurt. So, how about you let usgo? No harm done. Right, sweetheart?” Goldie flashed a metallic smile.
Serafina leaned over my shoulder and snarled at the idiot in a way that had blood heating my veins. “Run.”
Without uttering a single objection, the cowards spun and fled, abandoning their smoldering leader.
“We’re letting them go?”I rumbled.
“Hell, no,” she scoffed. “There are some in this world who actually deserve to burn. Light them up.”
I adored this vicious side of her.“As you wish, Princess.”Another blast of liquid flames set the remaining hunters on fire. As well as their weapons and carts.
“Let’s go.” Serafina patted my shoulder, and I was happy to obey.
Despite my weakness, I managed to drag my pathetic carcass a distance away from the campsite before I collapsed near a rolling stream. Air dragged in and out of my lungs, thick and sludgy. Even lifting my tail was too much effort.
“Thorne!” She scrambled off my back. Gentle hands massaged my muzzle. “It’s okay. I’ve got you.”
I wanted to snort at her confidence, certain it was death that held me in her grasp. The poison they’d used was too potent for my debilitated body to defeat.“I love you, Serafina.”
She gasped. “What?”
Of course, she was overwhelmed by my admission. What woman wouldn’t be? She’d confess her adoration as well now.
Her grip on my muzzle tightened, her eyes going wide.
Her booted foot nailed me in the shoulder. “Thorne, you idiot. You are not dying on me. Snap out of it.”
“I tell you I love you, and you call me an idiot?”I groaned.
“As if you would have said it otherwise,” she spat.
She had me there. Funny how emotions came easily when you were near death.
“Roll onto your side,” she commanded, running her handsalong my throat to my chest. I did as she ordered to give her better access, her touch enough to work a purr from my throat, despite my agony.
“Hold on. I’ve got you.” She clasped the stone pendant she wore and set her palm against my sternum, connecting with my dragonflame. Her touch warmed against my scales, a golden light emerging from her hand. The dying ember at my center sparked, then roared. Heat surged, turning sluggish veins into molten rivers. My muscles shuddered with returning strength.
Blessed flames, she was doing it.
The arrow wound burned. It grew hotter, hotter still until I feared I’d humiliate myself by crying out like a youngling. Thankfully, as quickly as the searing pain started, it cooled, taking the sting of the poison with it.
“There you go.” She stumbled back and tripped, landing on her ass.
“Sera?”
“I’m okay.” She waved me off, breathless.
I rose slowly and tested my limbs, the fire inside me alive again. Good enough to shift. Bones cracked, muscles flexing. The sharp bite of magic washed over me, and when I blinked, my nude form rested on the ground.
“Thank the goddess.” Serafina scrambled to my side, and I grunted as she flung herself into my arms. “I thought I’d lost you.”
