“I’m on pins and needles.”
Drax produces a velvet satchel and takes out a large, brilliant emerald. It hovers just above his palm, and Rune’s expression lights up.
“Beautiful,” Rune whispers.
“It’s the Emerald of Castle Bainswan,” Drax says.
“Oh, I know what it is,” Rune replies. “Wherever did you get it?”
“That’s for me to know. Do you find it an appealing trade?”
Rune taps his chin, glancing between me and the emerald. “I smell a trap.”
“No,” Atlas says forcefully. “We’re here with good intentions. We just want our friend back.”
Rune’s expression softens when he looks at the gargoyle. “What is your name?”
“Atlas.”
“Atlas,” Rune repeats. “May I?”
Atlas nods as Rune approaches. We all watch as Rune places his hand on Atlas’s chest, and I’d swear the air around us warms and thickens. Drax seems to notice too, as he tilts his head, watching the interaction.
“I see,” Rune says, almost too softly to hear. “I won’t hurt your friends.”
Atlas nods stoically.
Rune removes his hand, putting distance between him and Atlas. “I accept your trade.”
He snaps his fingers and Drax stumbles forward and straight into my arms. I hold him close, happy to feel him again, to smell him, to know he’s safe and we can be together again. My dragon purrs, rising to the surface as scales ripple across my flesh.
“The emerald please,” Rune says, holding out his hands.
Drax hands it over. Now I have to figure out where the amulet is and how to talk Rune into handing that over too.
Too bad I don’t get the chance. Rune smiles, his eyes lighting up. “Pleasure doing business with you.”
And then he’s gone, leaving us alone in a room filled with junk.
“No!”
“Damn mage,” Drax mutters.
“It’s okay,” Atlas says. “I have his scent. We can find him again.”
I get to my feet, looking over the dusty shelves and the few things left behind, but there’s nothing of value here.
“He still has the amulet,” I mutter.
“But we have you,” Drax says, lightly touching my cheek.
“Thank you.” I pull him close. “I felt how hard you worked to free me.”
“Never expect less, Mac. I am yours and you are mine, through thick and thin.”
For once, the reality of this bond doesn’t scare me. Who knows where I’d be without this beautiful, devoted demon in my life? The least I can do is give this mating thing a chance.
“Now what?” I ask.
