The stone floor is hard under my bruised and battered body, and I do the only thing I can. Crawl onto the cot, burrow under the lone blanket, and sob until I have no more tears left to cry.
Chapter Seven
Roarke
Icannot sleep for more than a few hours at a time. My worry for Aurelia grows stronger with each breath I take, and after a day of pacing and planning, I turn the dagger over and over in my hands.
The rust is gone now, but I have the dust saved in a small pouch I tuck into my pocket. I will not waste a single speck of this precious metal that may be our only hope.
Crux reports that Abbot has not made a sound, thank the gods, and well after the town has started to settle down for the night, I use the forest as cover and head for the Fae castle.
My dragon snarls to be freed, and I soothe him with the promise he will get to spread his wings very soon. There is no way to climb the tower, but with the supplies I have in my pockets, I may be able to rappel down. Windows spaced every five to ten floors offer glimpses inside the structure, and I am certain they will not be keeping her anywhere she could escape easily.
The top floors are my safest bet.
At the very edge of the tree line, I shed my clothing and fold it into a neat pile before securing it with a thick cord of leather. The dagger is within easy reach, its handle protruding slightly from the bundle.
I take a deep breath and release the strict hold I keep on the dragon inside me. His roar fills my ears, but he knows better than to allow anyone but me to hear him.
The bones all along my spine crack and lengthen, and a leathery hide starts to spread along my ribs. My legs, well-muscled as a man, are three times as thick as my entire human body now. Ridges form on my back, and my ears flatten, my eyes grow and elongate, and my teeth transform into lethal sharpened weapons without a second thought.
Swishing his tail, the beast takes over. He grips the leather between his talons and flaps the wings that sprouted from my shoulder blades. He’s completely silent as he rises into the air, and our combined magic serves to hide us from view. In flight, we can remain invisible for short periods of time, and that is all we need to reach the very top of the Fae castle.
Circling twice, my dragon sniffs the air, then extends his forked tongue and tastes it. The Fae’s magic is all through this place, but there do not appear to be any wards in place. Only residual detritus from past charms.
Setting down gently on the stone and wood roof, my beast snorts, a plume of smoke escaping his nostrils.
“I know. This was not long enough to sate you, but we have a greater need now. Remember. Our mate is here.”
He snorts again, but I know he will give in. My physical strength is nothing compared to his, but he lacks the mental control to force me to do anything.
“Can you scent her?”
For the mass he carries, he should shake the entire tower as he moves, but he is graceful to a fault, and almost glides to the edge of the roof before sticking his nose over the side and inhaling deeply.
Moving slowly, checking all directions, he stops halfway around, and the mating call threatens to knock me—and him—on our ass.
Aurelia. Her scent is the strongest here, tinged with salty tears and desperation.
It takes only a handful of moments for the beast to relinquish control back to me, and I rip open my small parcel, don my clothing, and tuck the dagger into the pocket of my coat. The leather strap wraps around one of the tower’s capstones, and I lower myself down to the left of her window—or what I hope is her window. If I’m wrong, this could be my last act on this earth.
I creep closer, and when I angle a glance inside, my heart stops beating for a single breath. She’s curled on a narrow cot, her face stained with tears and dirt, her blouse torn, and her long black hair mussed. But she is alone.
Pushing off the wall, I twist my body and land in a crouch on the floor inside her room.
“Aurelia,” I say quietly as I spring for her.
She jerks, a hoarse scream bubbling up in her throat until I cover her mouth with my hand.
“Shhh, darling. It’s Roarke. Do not fight me, please.”
After her nod, I release her, and she narrows her swollen and bloodshot eyes at me. “You...cannot be real. This is another trick.”
“It is not. I swear it.” Her hands are so cold, and I take them in my own. Her wrists bear thick, red welts from the ropes. “I bought a blanket from you yesterday. We almost kissed. And every moment since, I’ve regretted not being braver.
“Roarke.” Aurelia throws her arms around me, and her tears soak into the collar of my shirt.
“I can get you out of here. Come with me.” I pick her up and carry her to the window, but her body goes rigid.
