“Yep. Only one place those bastards can’t follow.”
“Why can’t you just…” I puffed out my cheeks, blowing a long, flatulent stream of air to mimic Thorn’s ability to breathe fire.
He narrowed his eyes, far from impressed. “It will draw too much attention.”
“And a giant winged lizard won’t?” I squawked.
“Do youwantme to set the fallen victims from Nefarr on fire?”
When presented with the choice of barbecuing ghouls or flying on the back of the beast that once tried to eat me, I stalled.
“Really?” Thorne arched a brow.
I held up my palms. “I don’t even like most of them.”
The groans grew louder.
“Time’s up.” His eyes gleamed in a way I didnotlike.
“Thorne.” I used my firmest voice. “Listen here. I still have a scar from your—”
Firm hands grasped my waist and flung me over the side of the cliff.
“Ahh!”Terror erupted from my lips.
Air rushed over my body. I flailed my arms and legs to no avail. My stomach flew into my windpipe, lodging in my throat. The ground raced up. Furious howls echoed from the ghouls above me.
Die! Die! I’m going to die!
Iron-hard muscles slammed into my frame. “Oof,” I grunted, bells ringing in my ears.
“Hello, Princess. Going my way?”Thorne’s voice rattled inside my brain, and I dropped back down, plastering my torso against the massive dragon’s back.
Beneath my nose was a broad expanse of midnight scales with a metallic blue sheen.
“Thorne,” I snapped, pressing myself tighter against his ridged spine.
“Yes,”he answered, sounding far too pleased with himself.
“Remind me to stab you tonight while you’re sleeping.”
“Aw, Princess. Now you don’t really mean that.”
“You shifted.”
“I did.”
“And I’m on your back.”
“You are.”
“Why am I on your back instead of in your claws?”
“Because Alaric is a twat who refuses to let anyone ride him.”
“And you?”
“Sweetheart,”he purred deep in my psyche, sending heat spiraling low in my belly,“you can ride me anytime.”
