“The journey to your resting place is onerous.There are many mountains and valleys, lakes and much thermal activity between us and your haven.I can’t fly, so I must walk.The woman is delicate, and I am not strong.I require all my strength to make the journey safely.If I fail en route, who will free you?”A long speech for him.To his surprise, the prince let him speak.
“I, too, require strength,”the prince said after a pause that had Ransom’s stomach roiling with nerves and fear.“But you are correct.Each time our minds join, I weaken you.It is important for you to succeed.Now, tell me more about the woman.Is she worthy of a future king?”
“She is elegant and will make an admirable consort.Her beauty is without question, while her conversation is polite yet intelligent.She has kept up with me on this trek, so she has a strong body.I believe you will find her commendable.”
Ransom didn’t add that she bore a temper and could defend herself.Her tongue could be smart and sassy, and she’d dance rings around a weak male.Scarlett Mitchell was not a woman happy to stand in the background.She’d demand equality.
“From the moment I glimpsed her face in your mind, I sensed she would be my savior.Her presence will help me awaken.I will be watching.Do not fail me.”
There was a faint pressure as the prince pulled free then blessed silence and peace in his tortured mind.Ransom released his dragon from his barricade, welcoming his other half and his help in healing some of the damage the prince had inflicted.And luckily, the prince hadn’t scooped up any stray thoughts or memories.Ransom hadn’t allowed that to happen since his misstep with his dreams of Scarlett.Thankfully.
He frowned as he recalled the prince’s last words.Scarlett was to be his savior.What did he mean by that?
7.Scarlett Insists on a Great Quest
Ransomwokewithacurvy woman wrapped around him and a foil blanket covering them both.It was early still, with the blacklight lifting to give way to whitelight.The air was fresh, but he was relaxed and better rested than usual.The medicine Mistress Aelene had given him had worked.The prince considered him a feeble specimen.
Scarlett mumbled in her sleep and wriggled closer, her backside cozying up with his groin.Ransom tensed, his cock swelling at the feminine provocation.His dragon perked up with interest, and Ransom puffed out a lungful of air.Wrap your arms around her.Kiss her.Make love.She’s our mate.You might not get another chance.
He couldn’t.
He refused to take advantage of her trust.
Determined, he focused on the coming cycles.The prince required them to locate his resting place.If they failed, he’d have to find another stooge.Start over.Low on food, Prince Kalim didn’t possess the luxury of time.Chances were he’d punish them for their incompetence.
Scarlett shifted against him again, ripping through his determined thoughts of the prince, their upcoming cycle.She sighed, and her black hair slid over his arm.Suspicion rose in him.One so fantastical, he…
“Scarlett, you’re awake.”
She released an unladylikehumphand turned to face him.“And you’re terrible at taking hints.”
Ransom found himself speechless.He blinked, unable to hide his shock.Instead, he stumbled along the path his befuddled mind took him and hesitated at the conclusion he reached.
“It’s obvious you’re capable.Don’t you want me?”
Ransom blinked again.
“This quest is dangerous.What if one of us or neither of us makes it out alive?Have you thought of that?Those howling creatures, whatever their species, are between us and our goal.”
“Stop talking,” he growled.
“Make me.”She closed one eye in a wink.
Ransom grasped her shoulders to push her away, but instead, he drew her flush against his body.They fit perfectly.Her mocking smile goaded him, dared him, so he kissed her.At first, their teeth clashed, the fierceness of the contact a display of his dominance.But soon he gentled to a caress where he coaxed her to reciprocate.Her hands crept up to tangle in his hair, anchoring him, enticing him.
He tongued her lower lip, and she opened for him, inviting him to deepen the kiss.Ransom went slow, not because he was afraid of rejection, but because he wanted to savor Scarlett.Later, he’d haul back the memories of this moment to sweeten the pain that coursed through his body, especially after the prince fed from his energy.
Slow and deep kisses.Playful nips.Passionate caresses.
He tried them all and couldn’t decide which he preferred.They were both breathing hard when he parted their lips and pressed his forehead to hers.
“Now that’s what I’m talking about,” Scarlett said.
“Has anyone told you you’re a mouthy brat?”He punctuated this by kissing the tip of her nose.
“Sure, all the time.My brothers are bossy, alpha types.A bit like you.Big and strong and growly but marshmallow inside with women and those who are weaker and require protection.”
“I am not a marshmallow,” he stated, maintaining a direct gaze.“Whatever that is.”
