"Are you really bonded?" Joe asked.
Lian stood up and pulled off his shirt. He turned to show them his mark. The gasps told him they saw the multi-colored dragon on his back.
"This doesn't change anything," the guard on the left argued, "We still need to hold the rite."
Oh goody!
Lian scratched at his back as far back as he could reach. The damn thing itched and his shoulder blades had a weird sensation to them as if they didn't fit quite right in his skin. Ever since he'd had the hunch to find Nevair he'd struggled with shaky nerves. Of course, right afterwards Tres sentenced him to a lovely burning, so maybe he had a reason to feel slightly panicked.
"Lian, we can get you diplomatic immunity and fly you out of here," Joe offered.
If he had any sense, Lian would snatch up the opportunity.
"It would completely dishonor the Pontifex," helpful guard number two offered.
"How?" Lian scowled, wishing he could blame them for this horrible debacle his life had become.
"He will be stripped of his title and possibly banned from the planet," the guard remarked.
"Has anyone ever refused and run off with their mate?" Joe asked.
"Pontifex Reeven. He hung himself later because he lost communication with his goddess and couldn't stand the shunning." How friendly these macabre guards were.
Lian didn't bother asking why, pretty much every society handled shunning about the same way.
"Ignore them," Joe growled. "Instead, ask yourself if he's worth losing your life over?"
"Yes," Lian said without hesitation. Better Nevair die believing in his goddess than abandon all belief.
Defeat flashed across Joe's face. "I wish I could say I understood, but I don't. You're the finest healer I've ever met and I'll be sorry to see you die. I'll make sure to bring Tres and Bourne to justice, so don't worry about that anymore." Joe patted Lian on the shoulder.
Lian didn't mention he'd completely forgot about Bourne with the entire burn Lian at the stake situation. "Thank you," he said, proud his voice didn't tremble.
"Good luck, Lian. May I say it's been a pleasure working with you?"
"Same to you, sir." Lian nodded politely.
He resisted the urge to throw himself at Joe and beg to be taken away, anywhere but here in this dragon world where people were fated mates and religious leaders had fewer rights than the average citizen.
Lian lay back down on the bed when the cheerful trio left. He wished he'd stayed on the medical ship he'd spent the past year aboard. He didn't even realize his eyes had drifted closed until kisses on his lids snapped them open.
Nevair stood over him, a solemn expression creasing his face into worry lines. Lian's carry-on was slung over one shoulder.
"Nevair? What are you doing here?" Lian asked.
Nevair kissed Lian's forehead. "I'm breaking you out."
"You can't do that. It'll ruin you, and I thought your goddess was supposed to save me?" From Nevair's expression, Lian hadn't made that as light-hearted as he'd hoped but he thought he'd done rather well for being on burner's row.
"I trust in my goddess to guide my people but…" Nevair trailed off.
"You don't trust her to keep me safe?" Lian stared at his lover in shock. Nevair had seemed so positive of his goddess, so devout in his beliefs.
"I can't, Lian," Nevair's voice broke. "I can't. I'd rather be disgraced and living alone the rest of my life than watch you burn."
Lian didn't know what separation from his dragon mate would do to Nevair but he doubted it would be anything good. "I won't leave you."
Nevair dropped to his knees and put his head in Lian's lap. "Please, baby, run!"
