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No, no, no.
“How long do you thi … enge will … st?”
“... ot long if th … wants to save … te.”
Their voices die off as the sucking mud sensation pulls me deeper.
* * *
The weight pressing in on me lessens slightly. I have no idea how much time has passed, and it takes me several precious moments to force some of the fog from my brain. I sink my claws into the darkness. Flexing every muscle, I pull. And I pull. And I pull. I have to get out from under this drug. I have to get to Kem … if I’m not already too late.
With great control, I keep my body still as I drag myself out of the muck. I listen closely as sounds clarify. The air smells the same. I don’t think they’ve moved me. A slight shuffling comes from across the room—the second man. The small smack of licking lips indicates the guard is standing behind me, maybe leaning against the wall.
Hmm. It seems this human form can pick up quite a lot if I concentrate.
But I need my dragon.
Working my way up my body, I test my movement. I concentrate on my toes and realize I’m still barefoot. I’m pretty sure I could wiggle them, but I stay still. A light pressure around my legs and torso tells me I’m still in my stretchy pants and top. The pads of my fingers brush against metal. I push down slightly, feeling the solid table under me.
A shuffling forces me to relax as the second man shifts his position, but remains where he is on the other side of the room.
I almost jerk as the guard speaks. “How long has it been?”
Good question.
A chuckle rings out. “Don’t be so impatient.”
“I just want this to be done.”
“It will take as long as it takes.”
The room goes quiet again, with only the little shifting and shuffling sounds of my captors. I catalogue my body, taking note of every tingling sensation as my muscles wake up. My feet and calves burn as the numbness wears off. Keeping my body relaxed and my breathing steady, I fight against the need to scratch my arms as they regain feeling.
I want to move. I want to shake off this awful pinprick sensation that’s spreading over my body. But I stay still. I wait. I gather my strength.
My dragon opens her eyes, and my fire burns bright. Her head is too heavy to lift, but she’s enraged. She wants blood.
And I will have it.
I will save my Mate.
14
KEMREMIR
I swish my tail against the dirt of the large natural amphitheater, looking for Tatha’s amethyst scales.
Kudrer kept me in the council chambers for over two hours until finally, Syphe interrupted us, pulling me away. There was a small fire in the kitchen. No one was hurt, but one of the pantries was completely lost, and some equipment was destroyed. Not a huge deal, but with Moneria fast approaching, it’s poor timing. So, I arranged for two of our cooks to travel to other worlds to gather whatever they’d need for the new year celebration. I also called in extra hands from the valley to help with cleanup.
Just as I was leaving the kitchens, Hiti jogged down the hall, her pinched face telling me another issue needed my attention. I nearly growled in frustration. Why was the kingdom falling apart, today of all days?
Hiti reported the main water line had burst. So, I spent the next hour organizing containment and repairs, and after, I had just enough time to clean up before leaving the castle, shifting, and flying to the northern edge of the valley.
My gaze scans the foothills that melt into the red grasses, framing the circle of hard-packed dirt where I stand. Dragons dot the climbing rocks and pepper the landscape with their brilliant colors.
But Tatha’s brilliant purple scales are still absent.
Inchel’s lime-green scales flash in the setting sun as he circles overhead once before landing with a great thud. The ground shakes, and his roar bounces off the rocks. Several dragons roar in answer, but I just smirk at him.
