Page 30 of Secrets of Ruin

As much as she loved and missed them, they couldn’t keep sending immortals to die in Doomed Valley. She would prefer to only send the dragons, but Alina said that because the jungle was so thick, it was difficult for the dragons to see anything on the ground. They were mostly there for backup and air support.

Alina also said the dragons had no idea if they’d repeatedly search the same areas of the jungle or different parts, as from land or sky, everything looked nearly identical. She’d reported that sometimes there were breaks, clearings, rivers, and abnormalities in the landscape, but it was mostly dense, green trees.

It was all so disheartening, but Lexi refused to give up hope. Even if all they brought home was Brokk and Kaylia’s bodies, at least they would bring them home.

“We have two volunteers to go with you,” Skog said with the slightly English accent of the dwarves. “I’d like to tell you we had more, but we’ve lost too many to that place. Those are the only ones willing to go.”

Skog rubbed the grayish-brown beard hanging to his chest while he spoke. His intelligent, hazel eyes focused on her, and while she’d come to learn his grumpy demeanor was more of an act, it wasn’t this time. He’d prefer not to have any more dwarves enter that place, but, like her, he wouldn’t stop them.

“It’s more than we could have hoped for,” Lexi admitted.

There weren’t many other immortals who were willing to go either. They’d all heard about those who vanished in the jungle and weren’t eager to add their names to the list.

Some were still adventurous and arrogant enough to believe they’d survive, but most weren’t willing to find out. They’d found enough for this trip, though; she didn’t know what would happen if it also failed because she refused to think about losing any more of her loved ones, especially when they’d just gotten Sahira and Orin back.

Another dragon soared into view. Unlike Alina, who circled lazily above, this one’s bellow quaked the ground and rattled some pebbles from the mountain. Skog stepped out of the way of the stones bouncing toward him as they all shifted their attention to the sky.

Lexi frowned as Alina stopped circling to turn herself upright. She flapped her wings as she kept herself suspended above.

When the other dragon roared again, Alina turned and dove straight toward them. Lexi’s heart raced as the dragon’s sense of urgency gripped her.

Shielding her eyes, she stepped forward as shadows raced across the ground toward Cole. They gathered around him and her as the powerful, red dragon with flecks of yellow decorating the underneath of her wings and belly landed.

Dust and air kicked up around them as Alina settled on the ground and closed her wings. Lexi stepped toward her, but before she could speak, Alina did.

“Brokk and Kaylia have returned.”

At first, everyone was too astonished to respond, but Cole finally found the ability to do so. “What?”

“Your brother and Kaylia have returned to Dragonia. I will take you to them.”

Cole’s Persian blue eyes were troubled but joyful when they met hers. She sensed his fear that this was somehow a mistake and they’d discover that someone else had entered Dragonia.

“Brokk is in rough shape,” Alina said.

Cole’s nostrils flared, and his jaw clenched. Lexi took his hand and clasped it in both of hers. “Let’s go.”

He nodded, and some of his tension eased as he squeezed her hand. “You’ll take all of us?” Cole inquired as they strode toward Alina.

“Yes.”

Lexi was the first to scramble up Alina’s leg and settle on the thick scales behind her head. Cole settled himself behind her and slipped his arm around her waist.

Despite the apprehension battering her, Lexi relaxed in his grasp as warmth spread through her. One small touch from him could make the worst of her apprehension a little better, but her heart continued to hammer, and her pulse raced with her need to reassure herself they were really here.

When she looked over at where Sahira and Orin had stood near Skog, she saw Sahira had started toward them while Orin remained planted in place.

“Come on,” Cole called over to his younger brother.

“Fuck no. I’m not getting back on a dragon.”

Sahira’s eyebrows rose, and Lexi suppressed a chuckle as she recalled how much Orin hated flying on the dragons. She was glad the exasperating man made her aunt so happy, but she still enjoyed watching him squirm.

“It will take at least an hour to ride back to the palace,” Sahira said.

“Someone should take the horses back.”

“We’ll get them back for you,” Skog assured him.