Or hot, as the case may be.
Screaming in shock, all three men reeled back—Enor falling to the floor. Shelves caught on fire. The other Tyasmorans caught on fire. Everything fucking burst into flames as I took the stairs two at a time and tried not to be flammable.
I emerged into sunlight, smoke and flames bursting at my back, and instinctively slammed the door shut. Off-kilter, I went reeling across the room. And right into the middle of a group of Tyasmorans.
I caught my balance, grinned, and said, “It's been a slice, boys. But my mate's calling. Gotta go!”
From behind the shut door, men screamed. One of the Tyasmorans ran for it.
“No!” I shouted. “Don't open it!”
He didn't listen.
I ran, barreling aside anyone who tried to stop me because—
Boom!
It wasn't just a buildup of fire using up its oxygen. It was also a chemical fire. And chemicals turn fire into a freak. The backdraft was strong enough to create sound. Shit, maybe all those magic components in the lower basement compounded the effect. Whatever happened to create that magnificent explosion, it took out several more of my captors. While the rest were shouting, I ran toward the front door.
When I was halfway down the corridor, the entire wall and part of the ceiling gave way, crumbling along with the front door. I backpedaled, arms waving to clear the air, and squinted upward. Through dust and raining debris, a pair of glowing green eyes stared at me. Dragon eyes. A glossy white head pierced the haze, bringing those eyes closer. They widened, then focused behind me. And narrowed.
A talon the size of a truck reached into the opening and grabbed me. As Kas drew me out like a prize from a vending machine, he breathed in. Deeply. I cringed, thinking he was going to roast all those Tyasmorans. Instead, he put out the fire that had already spread upstairs.
“Take them!” Kaspian snarled and drew back.
Armored soldiers raced through the opening Kas had made and apprehended the surviving Tyasmorans. Meanwhile, Kaspian clutched me to his chest, drew back on his haunches, and then launched us into the air.
The city spread beneath me, and the damage of a deranged dragon was revealed. All right, not deranged, but definitely enraged. Several buildings in the Tyasmoran neighborhood bore the signs of dragon ire. They were all still standing—likely thanks to Kaspian's guards—but it was clear that Kas had been zeroing in on my location and didn't give a fuck about property damage.
I laid my face on one giant claw and sighed. It was a partial escape and partial rescue. We'd been partners in gaining my freedom. How perfect was that? But it wasn't why I sighed. Kas wasn't the only one who had gotten anxious about our separation. Being near to him again calmed me. Everything was all right now—that's what my heart was saying.
Seconds later, Kas landed in the castle courtyard and quickly shifted into his man's body. Even as he shifted, he held me, folding around me until he was hugging me tightly—arms wrapped around me and head folded over mine.
“Mate,” he whispered and let out a long breath. “You are safe.”
“Hey, babe.” I squeezed him back. “That was good timing. I had just gotten free. They had me hidden under a spell. I heard you roaring and broke out.”
“I know.” He drew back enough to look at me. “I felt you near, but I couldn't find you. And then you were there—brightness in my soul. As if the sun rose inside me.”
“In your soul, eh?” I grinned.
“In my soul.” He leaned down.
I met his lips halfway. Instead of the passion that usually burst between us, I felt something softer. Tender. His hands cupped my face. His warmth invaded me. Everything else fell away. My heart pounded rapidly, reaching for his. And this time, his heart reached back.
Light and joy exploded in my chest to shoot through my body. Kaspian sighed into my mouth. His hands slid down my throat, then to my back. He enclosed me in himself. His scent filled my head. Kaspian's flesh filled my hands. And his essence filled my soul. Yeah, my soul.
Gasping, we eased back and stared at each other.
“You love me,” he declared.
“Aw, man!” I jerked back. “You just fucking ruined the moment. God! Why do you do that?”
Kaspian chuckled and pulled me back into his arms. I stiffened, but then he brushed our lips together. “I love you too, Met.”
I went still.
Kas leaned back to look at me.
