“I’m confused,” Felix said.“Are we beating up the dragon or welcoming him to the family?”
Scarlett frowned, then a solution presented itself.“An abduction,” she whispered.“I’ll abduct him.”
17.A Capture After All
Drake clan home, Narenda
Ransomstoodoutsideinthe garden, watching the whitelight take over from the black.Every muscle and tendon ached with fatigue and cried out for sleep, yet his mind was too busy.Slipping back into a routine was surprisingly tricky.
Gryffnn and Kaya had everything under control, even though they’d left to visit Viros.They’d also had time to go on a romantic outing while completing their daily responsibilities.The soldiers were training under Torg, the flight captain.The young apprentices were busy designing jewelry for the clan to sell at the new markets his brother and sister-in-law had arranged.There were plenty of raw stones in the storage bunker.Niran Vasilakis, the leader of the Incorporeal people who lived in the village, was busy rebuilding homes after an arsonist had torched their properties.
Nobody needed him.
“You’re an old fool,” Ransom muttered.
He was safe.His people were safe, and early reports were that the resonance had faded to a level most of the dragons could handle.
“Don’t make a move,” a harsh voice said.
Instinctively, Ransom tried to turn, but a weapon—a blaster by the size of it—dug into his ribs.Someone slapped a cloth, smelly and impregnated with a type of drug, over his nose.Before he could object, he crumpled, hands catching him before he struck the ground and lost consciousness.
“How long will the drug take to wear off?Are you sure it won’t hurt him?”Scarlett asked.She turned to her brothers, all five of them having helped her with this abduction.
“I checked with Gryffnn.He indicated the drug is fine for dragons.I consulted him about the dosage,” Saber said.
Scarlett nodded, nerves simmering at the pit of her stomach.What if Ransom wasn’t interested in her?“What if this goes badly wrong?”
“You have your com-circle.Call us.We can be here in a few hours.I’ve given you Gryffnn’s and Kaya’s contact numbers.They’re back tomorrow.”Saber wrapped his arm around her shoulders and hugged her to his side.“Instead of stressing about what ifs, act with decisiveness.Do you want to recall your past and have regrets?”
“No, but what if he rejects me or thinks I got pregnant on purpose?What if he thinks I’m trying to trap him?”
“Then we’ll be there to pick you up and help you move on,” Joe said.
“The dragon is a fool if he walks,” Sly said.“He didn’t strike me as dumb.”
Leo stalked closer and grabbed her into a quick hug.“Did the purple guy hit your head or something?Where is our feisty sister?”
“Yeah,” Felix said.“You want this dragon guy, you go out there fighting.Don’t act defeated before you speak with him.”
Scarlett nodded.“You’re right, but things have become real since I discovered I’m pregnant.The stakes are larger.I have more to lose.”
“I understand,” Saber said.“Once I met Eva, everything changed.You’ve got this.”He kissed the top of her head and stepped back.“Bring your dragon to visit once you’re done here.”
“Thanks.”Her brothers’ confidence had her shoulders straightening and her courage climbing to normal levels.
“Call if you need us,” Saber reminded her, and with a wave, her brothers boarded their ship and headed back to Tiraq.
Gryffnn had suggested a spot for their campsite, and it was perfect.A clearing set near a pond and a waterfall.Gryffnn had arranged for a tent and supplies while Eva had prepared food and drink, perfect for a romantic tryst.She had the ingredients for seduction, now it was time to apply them.
Scarlett went to check on Ransom.He was still asleep in the tent where her brothers had left him.She squatted beside him and checked his temperature.Normal.
While she waited for Ransom to regain consciousness, she pulled out her jewelry-making supplies.She’d use this time to put the finishing gloss to the ring she’d made for Ransom.Although she wasn’t sure if he’d wear a ring, she wanted to offer it to symbolize her regard.Weird, but until they’d parted, she hadn’t realized how he’d crept into her heart.The separation had underlined the depth of her feelings for the dragon.
Her dragon.
If anyone had told her she’d be pregnant and happy with the situation, she would’ve scoffed and perhaps bloodied their nose.As Casey and Eva had pointed out, pregnancy didn’t need to halt her jewelry production.Waiting for the babies to arrive allowed her to increase her stock while she could still generate income through sales at the resort store.
With that in mind, she’d spoken to the agent on Dalcon and told him she was no longer interested in the premises he’d found for her.Even if everything went pear-shaped, she’d forge ahead with a revised plan.Flexibility didn’t equate with failure.Saber said it meant she’d grown up and was adulting.Not a word she’d ever expected her brother to quote.She smiled, aware she was lucky to have the support of family.
