Page 44 of Dragon’s Rebel

Thorne sounded amused, the fucker. I don’t think so. He went quiet for a minute. No. I can feel the ties back to our bodies.

Well, that’s something. I just hope Corwyn doesn’t happen along and murder us in my bed while we’re—wherever we are. And why are we wherever we are?

We must be on the brink of death.

Oh, hells to the no. We are not on the brink of death. No death allowed. She told him quickly what happened after he took the serum.

You told Vyrkos you were my mate? His voice was slightly stunned.

Yeah, well, he pissed me off. It knocked him right out of your fucking mind, too. Boom. I wish I could get rid of the serum’s effects that easily. Because I hate to tell you, but you’re not reacting well to that shit.

Am I human? He paused. In our world, I mean.

Yep.Rebel became suddenly aware of the feel of Thorne’s body against hers, and shifted uncomfortably. It was weird to feel like she was still lying down with him, but not feel anything under her. We got that far. But it—well, I have to admit, I was worried there for a little while.

You were worried for me?

He sounded surprised. What did he think she was, some kind of stone-hearted monster? Of course I was, you lizardy lummox.You had blood coming out your ears.

That got a moment of silence. I’m sorry. Thank you for being with me. But… I’m afraid I’ve dragged you down the dark hole with me.

Rebel said, We just have to wake up, right? Go back in our bodies?

I don’t know. I…

His voice drifted off and he seemed to grow insubstantial, as if he were dissolving right there in her arms.

“Thorne!” she called out loud. “Thorne!”

For a long moment there was no answer, and she clung desperately to him, trying to pull him back with force of will.

Then there was something in the darkness all around her, something lithe and warm and smelling of cinnamon.

It wasn’t Thorne. It was the dragon.

“You have to help me,” she said desperately. “I’m losing him.”

“It’s not true. Losing you will kill him.”

Rebel felt tears clogging her throat. “No! Don’t die. You can’t die.”

She felt him uncoil himself and move away in the darkness. His voice grew softer.

Rebel reached out, but her fingers closed on empty air. All she heard was a final whisper:

And then she could feel Thorne again, solid and whole. She could feel his velvet skin and the hard muscles underneath; the bones of his skull as she cupped his face. He was real. Solid. Alive.

You’re the princess. You know what you have to do.