His dread flooded her through their bond.
“Race?” Her gaze held his as she put her palms to his chest, trying to ground him. His fears were hers too—not for herself, but for him. “I’m not some fragile flower to be put in a vase and kept on a shelf. My powers are growing stronger, and you know it.”
She brushed a fingertip across the tight line of his lips. “Let me fight beside you. I don’t mean literally next to you, but let me use my powers. It’s something dragons don’t possess, right? I can be your hidden asset. Don’t call me that, though.” A smile sparked in his darkened eyes. “Just help me learn to wield my abilities better.”
“I wish we had more time to hone your powers, heart-fire. Once Michael returns from Gaia, we must leave.”
“Then I’ll just have to train harder in the time wedohave. Also, maybe we could ask someone for help with a spell to hide my humanity. Wait, Bregga’smorvaenstone!” She grasped his shirt, her excitement rising. “It’s supposed to conceal a person’s innate nature. It did for Bregga’s mate when she smuggled children to safety.”
Faced with the shadows still in his eyes, she added softly, “I promise I will be careful. I’m fully aware dragons are deadly.”
He groaned and pressed his brow to hers. “I’m going to hold you to that. I just found my heart—I can’t lose it now.”
“You won’t.” She caught his hand and tugged him along. “Let’s go get the stone and see what we can do so I can wear it.”
In the lift, the moment the doors shut, he had her pinned against the metal wall, and with a rough groan, his mouth captured hers. Ash responded with the same desperate need burning through her.
The door slid open. Without breaking the kiss, Race scooped her into his arms and carried her into the bedroom. He dropped her onto the bed and moved over her, arms braced on the mattress.
“I missed you,” he murmured against her mouth.
“I’m right here,” she panted, sucking on his tempting lower lip. With a growl, he settled on her and took over, and she relished it as he kissed her deeply, his tongue sliding along hers, teasing, tasting?—
Her mobile rang, and he pulled back.
“What horrid timing,” she groaned, throwing an arm over her eyes.
Race rolled off her, then reappeared with her phone in hand and drawled, “It’s Mummy.”
She laughed, hearing him say that in a lofty tone, then she sat up quickly, her eyes wide. “I have to tell them about us. When we’re gone and with the time difference, I don’t want them worrying.”
“Makes sense.”
Okay then, here goes.A deep breath, and she answered, “Mum?”
“Darling, I’ve been thinking, when you return home?—”
“Mum, I have something to tell you.”
“You do?” There was a new quiet in her mother’s voice. “What is it, Ash?”
She kept it simple. Later, she’d explain. “While in the Himalayas…” She hesitated, scrunching her nose. “I, erm, met someone.”
Race sat on the bed, lifted an eyebrow and smirked, clearly waiting to hear how this fascinating tale would unfold. She rolled her eyes.
“So, he’s interested in climate change, as well, darling?”
“Er-hmm, no. He’s in…in, er, security. Oh, he’s wonderful, Mum. I cannot wait for you and Dad to meet him.”
“Of course, we’d be delighted to. Will you be inviting him to visit us, then? Does he live in England or…?”
“Tomorrow?”she mouthed to Race. He nodded.
“He lives in Romania. How about tomorrow?”
“But you’re in the Himalayas, darling. Won’t it be rather tight, dashing to get to your flights?”
Damn. Ash rubbed her temples. “I know, Mum. Trust me, we’ll be there. Anyhoo, got to go.”
