Page 88 of Dragon Me Through Space

“Who and how much?” I asked.

“Two million,” she answered.

“Who posted it?” I asked again.

She seemed like she wasn’t going to answer, but the soldiers moved closer, scaring her into raising her hands and answering. “Lord of Porantine.”

“He’s dead,” Zeke said. “I snapped his neck myself.”

Laughing, she shook her head. “The new Lord.”

“What? Who replaced Charles?”

She shrugged. “Don’t know anything about him except he’s got the funds and wants you back to Porantine.”

“Not happening,” Gage growled. “You should leave now, while we’re still feeling charitable.”

With her hands still raised, she took several steps back. “From one female to another, I’m impressed with your skills at obtaining valuable guards. I don’t think anyone will get past these Dragonkin.”

“Spread the word,” Preston ordered her. “Let them know that anyone who tries to harm Diamond will be hunted by the Princes of Drakorantia.”

Her eyes widened and she whistled. “You lucky bitch.” With a smile and a wink, she spun on her heel and disappeared into the crowd that had gathered.

“Well, that was fun,” I said and clapped my hands together. “Come on, we’re almost there.” I took Wayne’s hand and resumed skipping, but he wasn’t in the mood any longer.

“Why aren’t you worried?” Gage asked as he walked on my other side.

“Guys, this has been my every day life for ten years. What just happened has happened hundreds of times to me. I told you this.”

“It’s one thing to hear it and another to see it … and feel it,” Zeke replied.

“Did she hurt you?” I asked, my brows furrowing in concern.

“She used a taser,” Wayne explained. “He’s fine.”

“A taser?” I scoffed. “Wow, my reputation took a hit, I guess. Normally, they wouldn’t come at me with less than a blaster.”

“Please don’t joke about this,” Wayne said, a bit of growl in his voice. It was then that I realized that all of my princes were tense, shoulders tight and eyes darting around.

“Guys, it’s okay. I doubt anyone else here will try anything. I’m sure they saw you defend me and saw the guards come up. They won’t try anything now.” I smiled, trying to convey my lack of concern. “Come on, we’re close to a really great shop that has some of the best snacks in this solar system.”

“Snacks?” Zeke asked, interest piqued.

“Have you ever had barbecue chips?” I asked.

“I’ve heard of those!” Wayne said, eyes shining with excitement.

Finally, they all followed me, but they didn’t relax and didn’t stop scanning our surroundings.

I would take the small win.

The building looked like it was seconds away from collapsing, but inside it was a treasure trove of items from all across the universe.

Wayne immediately started grabbing bags of snacks from the shelves and I let my own excitement for it bleed into his. Eventually, Zeke and Gage joined us in our shopping spree and by the time we made it up to the checkout, all four of our arms were loaded with items.

The clerk, a female Bearbella, a bear shifter humanoid, looked from me to the four males behind me, clearly shocked by our group. “Which one is yours?” she asked softly, leaning slightly so our heads were closer.

“Oh, uh …” My cheeks burned hot in embarrassment.