He chuckled. “At least you’re honest.”
“You don’t seem all that bothered,” I pointed out.
“I’m not.” He shrugged. “I’ve been to battle many times. Panos is a disease, but he’s not the worst thing we’ve faced.”
I set my fork against my plate and gave him a frank look. “If he isn’t so bad, why haven’t you all done something about him before now?”
“We’ve tried. He always comes back. There’s nothing we can do to stop him permanently.”
I frowned down at my plate. How would we ever succeed if there was nothing four dragonlords could do to stop him? Five, including Callista. Even if we managed to get her back, he’d still be out there, desperate for more revenge. He wouldn’t stop.
“Ah,” Orion said gently, edging his elbow against my side. “I see I’ve troubled you. I’m sorry.”
I flicked up my gaze and gave him a weak smile. “It’s okay. At least you’re being honest.”
His grin widened. “Listen, I know you’re scared and you have every right to be. But we will be there by your side every step of the way. We would never let something happen to you.”
I wanted to believe him. I really did. Orion and the others had welcomed me into their lives. Where Yuto had been fire, they’d been a soothing balm against the burn. There was no reason to doubt them. Unless you counted the fact that they were four terrifying dragonlords who would do anything to get one of their kind back—including sacrificing someone else.
Would they really do that to me though? Would Yuto? After everything we’d shared?
But a bed was not a heart.
I was diving headfirst into danger. This time, if I tried to run, I wasn’t sure that Yuto would try to stop me. In the darkness of the moonless night, I could slither out into the forest without anyone knowing. Panos was back at his castle. The monsters were somewhere out there, but I had a dagger now.
If I really wanted to run, now would be the time to do it.
I could get away. I could find somewhere safe on this strange island.
Yuto’s heavy-lidded gaze caught mine from across the table. His stare snagged at my heart, anchoring me in place. I could barely breathe from the scorching heat that seemed to emanate between us, even with the length of the table in the way.
A part of me still wanted to run. It was the only thing I knew to do when faced with so much danger. Just like my father. But Yuto needed my help. Without me, the dragonlords might never be able to lure Panos out into the open.
For the first time in my life, I’d stay put. At least until this was over.
20
Yuto
“Panos will know we’re coming. He’ll have his Lykaon scouting the forest.” I slid my arms around Aradia’s waist and breathed in the flowery scent of her hair as Cleatus trotted along the dirt path. She’d twisted it back into a long braid that trailed down her back, accentuating the delicate curve of her neck. I wanted to nibble on it and taste her flesh until she moaned.
And then I wanted to taste a much sweeter part of her.
She shivered, though I wasn’t sure whether it was from my words or from my touch. “Do you think they’ll ambush us?”
Hmm. My words then. A shame. We hadn’t spent the night together since our argument, and she’d shown no signs of wanting to crawl back into my bed. Seemed she was as stubborn as me.
“The Lykaon won’t want to take on four dragonlords without their master nearby. Panos is no doubt hiding in his castle, protecting his prize.” My arms tightened around Aradia instinctively. “Besides, they’ll see we have you and assume we’re on our way to deliver a new prize.”
“I hope I haven’t been wrong in trusting you,” she grumbled. “If you’ve been lying to me all this time…if youactuallyhand me over to Panos…”
“You’ll what, my love?” I drawled into her ear.
She shivered, and this time, itwasfrom my touch.
“Why don’t you try it and find out?” she asked hotly.
I smiled. Aradia would never admit she was scared. It was one of the many things I loved about her. I’d never met a mortal more brave, even if it got her into more trouble than she needed.
