Race vaulted onto the Soul Forge’s dais, his claws flexing as fire built in his chest—a white-hot inferno, begging for release. The chamber emptied as the last explosion thundered through the tunnels—pressure punched outward.
Race released his fire.
Flames erupted, ripping through stone, metal, and shadow alike. The Soul Forge screamed, a sound part metal, part dying soul. Its molten veins burst wide, spraying fire and shards of liquefied metal. The entire forge collapsed inward, folding in on itself, disintegrating into slag.
Somewhere deep in the mountain, a roar boomed in sheer rage, impossible to mistake.
Malcarion.
Soon, you bastard.
Race dematerialized through the falling rubble, reappearing where the others waited. A semi-shifted Varkyn—nearly brushing the ceiling in that form—was already passing the young through the vent one by one to Skaldr.
Six still remained.
“Grab the children,” Race barked.
Varkyn scooped up two and climbed out with them.
Koal and Rhaedra moved instantly, gathering a child each as Race took the smallest two into his arms. “Hold onto me, tight.”
Two tiny pairs of arms wound around his neck.
His heart stuttered. He meant Koal and Rhaedra, who complied.
With everything in him, he dematerialized with them through the vent. They reformed amid icy winds and blinding snow, the children’s wails snatched away by the gale. He staggered a step, then handed the two he carried to Skaldr.
“Varkyn, get the children to safety.”
“You?” the male bellowed over the wind.
“I’m going for Ash,” Race bit out, voice roughened by heat and fear. “Evacuation points are marked. Move. Now!”
“Sire,” Rhaedra fought forward through the snow. “Attor can see to her?—”
“No!” His growl rolled out, more dragon than man. “Get them clear. Varkyn, you’re in command. Move fast and stay low. The storm won’t hold much longer.”
Then he felt it.
Ash’s strength snapped, her warmth within their soul bond faltering like a flame torn apart by wind.
No!Race’s roar split the night.
His dragon exploded free—scales bursting through flesh, wings tearing wide as he launched into the storm-wracked sky.
Race paced the attic room where Ash lay sleeping, every muscle locked tight, his pulse still hammering as if his heart mightpunch straight through his chest. He could still see her, blood seeping from her nose, collapsed against Attor, fighting to hold the eye of the storm together even as it broke her.
And when she saw him…she smiled.
Then she collapsed in his arms as soon as he shifted to his human form.
Stars!His precious mate was so fucking fierce, stronger than anyone he’d ever known—and she made him so godsdamned proud. But at what cost?
Now she slept deeply, her breathing even, the strain finally fading after he’d forced the healing tonic Bregga had pressed into his hand down her throat.
He halted at the rain-drenched window, the streetlamp’s glow blurred into silver streaks. He rested his forehead against the cold pane. Outside, Duskscale drowned in rain, the wind driving water through the narrow alleys, Ash’s storm still raging on without her.
Another wave of heat rolled through him, coiling his body tight, the rut refusing to lie low. His cock throbbed, his blood blazing. He inhaled roughly, trying to steady the inferno inside him—and failed.
