Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Keres? Are you okay?
Did you get bashed?
How could I? You threw yourself over me. How are you?
Ever wonder what one of those smashed hamburgers feels like?
I don’t even know what that is! I’m shifting to check you out.
No! The roof is too heavily damaged. More could come down at any time. We need to get out of here. Can you lead the way?
Scared that more rocks would rain down on them, Rimi squeezed around him and stepped carefully to scale the rubble. When Keres didn’t follow her, she glanced back at him. Both of his eyes were swollen shut. He could barely see, if at all. How could she get him out of here safely?
An idea popped into her mind. She swung her tail to brush his mouth. Grab my tail. I’ll tug you from the rubble. Navigating over the shifting stones seemed to take forever, but soon, she reached a space where she could launch herself into the air.
Flapping her wings, she rose a few feet. Keep coming, Keres. I’ll tell you when to fly.
The gusts of air from her wings shifted the rocks under his feet. Keres slid down the incline back into the cavern. Push off now, Keres. Fly toward me.
In a split second, he launched himself up into the air. A rattling avalanche of stone gained speed, sweeping everything in its path down the mountain and filling the area where she’d existed for so long. Rimi didn’t have time to consider what had happened. She navigated higher, getting away from that mess, and Keres followed her.
That was probably not the best idea I’ve ever had, Keres announced wryly.
But it worked.
A blast of heat seared over Keres’s damaged scales, making him whirl around.
Fuck my life! Rimi roared her indignation at the attack. It’s the same dragon who knocked down the mountain.
Which direction, Rimi? I don’t want to hurt you.
Five o’clock and nine o’clock. I’ll stay on your right flank.
Which is larger?
Nine o’clock, she messaged.
The fiery torrent that emerged from Keres’s mouth scared her. She knew he was powerful, but wow! Rimi automatically shied away from the heat before steeling her nerves to stay tucked in next to Keres’ side. When the smaller dragon targeted her, Rimi reacted automatically and sent her own flames his way.
Pull a deep breath in from your abdomen, Keres instructed. Kindle your flames and count to three. Then, fire.
Frightened to the core, Rimi tried to follow his instructions. All her life she’d run and hidden. Perhaps thrown a warning shot over her shoulder as she ducked and weaved. She definitely had never learned to fight, but these dragons needed to leave them alone. How dare they bury them alive!
This time, the flames roared from her throat. Fear and fury combined. She recoiled at the ferocity of her attack. Damn! That worked. The red dragon distanced himself to stay out of range.
Careful, Keres! The bigger green dragon is changing angles. Think seven this time.
Following her instructions, Keres torched him again.
Bullseye! Rimi celebrated.
The attacking dragons hesitated. They lifted their snouts into the air. The larger one let out a roar and turned to flee. Immediately, the smaller one followed. Within seconds, they were specks on the horizon.
Tell me what’s happening, mate!
They… They’re gone. Incredulity flooded her. The dragons had scented her and departed. Could she actually be safe as Keres’s mate?
Good. Can you guide me to a stream or lake? I think if I wash my eyes out, I’ll be able to see.
In a short time, Rimi stood next to a creek bed as the black dragon splashed in the water. He lifted his head from the cool liquid and turned to assess her condition. That’s better. I can see more clearly. Come in. Your scales are more gray than crystal. Between the two of us, we’ve brought half the mountain peak down.
Rimi stared at him, speechless. How could he be so nonchalant? Entombed. Cavern collapse. Keres hurt. Dragon attack. Her body shook as all the events of the last few hours registered. She shifted from dragon to human as she trembled.
Strong arms wrapped around her. Rimi glanced up to see Keres’s dark eyes filled with concern. The mesmerizing, dark orbs were now bloodshot and bleary.
“Sorry. It must be a reaction,” she whispered.
“You have nothing to apologize for, Snowflake. I definitely needed a hug as well. Life is definitely not boring with you, Mate.”
She tilted her head as she stared at him. Was he being serious or sarcastic? The corner of his mouth twitched, and Rimi knew he was trying not to laugh. She shook her head. “I could do with some boredom.”
“Let’s get cleaned up, go grab something to eat, and get out of here.”
Rimi nodded. “I’d love to get far away from here.”
She allowed him to scoop her up and carry her into the creek. Even though shifting had dispersed most of the dirt, Rimi felt better with her hair and skin rinsed. When he finished helping her, Keres attended to his own bath.