Ash’s trembling knees finally gave way and she sat on the step?—
Race’s growl rumbled through the room as he blurred over and scooped her up. “You, my mate, need rest. We’ll talk later.”
He flashed upstairs and set her gently on the bed, but Ash sat up, watching him. The air shimmered around him in waves, heat rolling off his skin. Scales pushed through his arms, his throat, his cheekbones, glinting in the lamplight. He looked like a creature trapped between two worlds—and losing.
And still, he said nothing, wearing grooves in the wooden floor instead.
Bloody stubborn male.
“What did she mean, Race?” Ash bit out. “That males of your kind have needs?”
“I did speak of it with you,” he rumbled, rubbing the back of his neck—something she’d never seen him do before. His gaze lowered to his hands, to the deadly talons edging his fingers. “Fuck! I have to leave.”
He spun for the door.
Running on nothing but adrenaline, Ash leapt off the bed and planted herself in his path. “Not until you tell me what the bloody hell is going on! You’re fighting your dragon, and from where I’m standing, it looks like he’s about towin.”
“The rut?—”
“What?” Her stomach sank. “You said there was time.”
“I was mistaken,” he ground out. “I’m so fucking hard, I fear if I linger another breath, it’ll be disastrous. I have to go.”
“Go where?” she demanded, not letting him pass.
A half-broken laugh tore from him, and he pivoted toward the window. “There’s a trail of active volcanoes in the northern peaks. Three days of solitude there until it burns out?—”
“No.”
He spun, his eyes black with barely contained hunger. “Ash?—”
“Don’t youAshme, you impossible dragon! You’re not facing this alone!”
“The rut isn’t gentle,” he snarled, clenching his fists. “I won’t be able to control—” He broke off, his chest heaving. “You’re still weak from the storm.”
“I’m stronger than you think.” She took a careful step closer, ignoring the slight tremble in her limbs. “I won’t let you suffer alone.”
“You don’t understand.” Desperation cracked through the anger in his tone. “I held out too long. I could hurt you. Get you with child!”
“Then I’ll deal with it,” she shot back.
“No!” his shout rattled the rafters. His presence filled the room like a gathering storm, his power pressing against her skin. “I won’t risk you.”
“It is my choice—mine!”
A knock shattered the tension.
Breathing hard, she spun and opened the door.
Bregga stood in the doorway, holding a crystal vial of pale green liquid, his lined features drawn with concern. “The ‘lixir.”
“What?” She blinked.
“I hear, mistress…”
Curse these dragons and their heightened hearing!
“This be preventing a babe during the fever time.” His rheumy eyes held ancient wisdom. “It be what our females take now.”
