Tanis gasped as Dash literally disintegrated from beneath her. She started to fall into the dark shadow only to have it wrap around her and pull her against the rockhard body she’d come to know so well.
Before she could speak, he gave her a kiss so fierce that it left her breathless. Hot and cold. It was demanding and carried with it an unbelievable passion.
Everything faded away as she breathed him in and felt his strength enveloping her entire body.
At least until Dove cleared his throat to get their attention. “Anyone happen to notice an army going by? War coming? Any of this sound familiar?”
Dash pulled away from her lips to give him a stern glower. “Must you?”
“Must I annoy you? Yes. Battle...” He pointed over Tanis’s shoulder. “That way. You might want to join us since we are actually fighting foryourkingdom, High King Hard-head.”
Ryper flew back toward them. He opened his mouth to speak only to have Dash hold his hand up to silence him.
“You,go. I don’t want to hear it,” Dash said in a voice that brooked no argument. “We’ll be along right behind you.”
Rolling their eyes, the two of them, along with Halla, drifted off into the army.
Dash cupped her face and smiled down at her. “Wish you’d told me sooner, Dragon.”
“Sorry. I’ve never had good timing in anything.”
His eyes burning her with their tenderness, he shook his head. “Not true. You are perfect in every way.” He returned to being a unicorn.
Tanis was aghast as she found herself back in the saddle. How did he do that?
“And for the record, Dragon. I love you, too.” With those words spoken, he flew through the portal and landed them next to a beautiful manor hall.
Tanis barely had time to take everything in as her head reeled from his declaration.
Dash loved her. While a part of her had suspected as much, it was different hearing it from his lips. That made it more permanent. More real.
He loved her.That knowledge had her heart soaring. How could this even be possible? She’d headed out on her journey to find her brother’s killer.
And she’d found the last thing she’d ever expected to have.
Someone who loved her.
How could this be?
She’d been hated for so long that the thought of anyone loving her was as alien a concept as Karura and Keegan becoming best friends.
It just didn’t seem right.
Amazed, she savored the sensation of Dash carrying her up a small rise toward a manor house that sat on the hill as if it owned it. Regal. Polished, it was a great thing of beauty.
But that wasn’t what she was focused on. She wanted to talk in private with Dash. There were so many things she wanted to ask him.
Tell him.
Please let us have that time later...
As Dash started for the house, a crow flew at them. “They’ve been taken, Sire.”
Dash froze as he heard Chrysis’s words. “What?”
“Meara’s centaurs struck just after Ronan left to find you. They took the Outlaws hostage.”
He was baffled by her words. How could this have happened? The Outlaws were natural born warriors. Every one of them.
