Azh followed Wynn as they climbed out of the cellar and back down the alley to discover the streets now bustling with early morning commuters heading to work.
They didn’t speak as they walked toward the river, both knowing their next step would be tracking down the coven who’d tried to burn Wynn at the stake. Even if the witches from two hundred years ago were dead, there had to be some record or stories left behind that gave a clue to who Wynn had been before her memories were stolen.
Plus, it was their best hope for finding the spot where Gabriela created the rift to this world and where the corruption was trying to enter.
What happened after they found it...well, he’d worry about that once they were standing in front of the rift. Until then he was far more concerned about Wynn and the toll the chase was taking on her.
She was still suffering from the hours she’d spent in Pheral’s dungeon and the amount of magic she’d been forced to release in her battle with Malis. It was no wonder her face was pale and she could barely place one foot in front of the other. She was on the edge of a complete crash.
“Enough,” he growled, reaching out to wrap an arm around her shoulders and tugging her tight against his side. “We know where we’re going. It’s time to rest.”
She tilted back her head to send him a wry smile. “I feel like you say that to me a lot.”
“Because you keep rushing into danger and draining your energy,” he chided.
“I didn’t rush into danger,” she protested. Azh stared down at her with raised brows. “I stumbled into it,” she clarified.
“The end result is the same. You can barely stay awake.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I want to argue, but you’re right. It’s probably better to go to Chiltern Hills later tonight. I need some time to rest.” She glanced around, her lips twisting as two women in expensive business suits and designer heels nearly stumbled over each other as they stared at Azh with wide, disbelieving eyes. “Besides, you attract too much attention during the daylight hours.”
“Me?”
“You’re overly gorgeous,” she groused.
Azh abruptly stepped to the edge of the sidewalk, pulling Wynn behind a large potted plant in front of an organic bakery. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he gazed down at her upturned face, his heart clenching with an unfamiliar tenderness. In the early morning sunlight she looked unbearably fragile, the impression only emphasized by the pallor of her skin and the shadows beneath her lavender eyes. But there was a ruthless grit etched into her delicate features.
This woman was a force of nature who would face down any danger with a smile on her face. A knowledge that both impressed and horrified him. As much as he desired a strong partner at his side, he understood it came with a constant worry that she was about to leap headfirst into disaster.
“Overly gorgeous?” The words were a low rumble as his dragon prowled close to the surface. The sweet scent of this woman was like a siren call to his beast, stirring a hunger that had been dormant for endless centuries. “Is that even possible?”
She tilted back her head, sending him a wry smile. “Don’t pretend you don’t notice the women watching you like you’re a tasty snack.”
He shrugged. “I don’t care about them. My only interest is whether or notyouwatch me like I’m a tasty snack,” he assured her.
She sniffed. “I’m too busy.”
Azh’s nostrils flared as he caught the sweet spice of her desire. She could deny her attraction to him all she wanted, but her body gave away the truth. Her passions smoldered just below the surface.
“A pity.” Slowly lowering his head, Azh stroked his lips along the curve of her throat. “And in case you’re wondering. Iama tasty snack.” He breathed out a soft flame, allowing it to caress her cheek with a warm promise of pleasure.
Wynn sighed, arching closer to his hardening body. She liked the feel of his fire. Satisfaction stabbed through him. Not every woman could handle a dragon lover. This one was more than strong enough.
“Maybe someday when I’m not so preoccupied I’ll find out for myself,” she whispered.
His dragon roared with impatience. The beast had waited for what felt like an eternity to discover a female who could not only stir his lust but fill the emptiness in his heart. A partner, a queen, a beloved mate.
His fingers spread across her lower back, pulling her tight against his thickening cock. “Why wait?”
“I...” The words trailed away, as if Wynn had forgotten exactly why she should say no to him. Then, shockingly, she reached up to trail her fingers along the line of his jaw. “You’re right.”
“I am?” He gazed down at her with wary disbelief. “That’s a miracle.”
She pulled out of his arms, but before he could protest, she grabbed his hand and urged him down the sidewalk.
“Come with me.”
Azh smoothly fell into step next to her, using his large body to clear a path through the hustling crowd.
