Page 111 of Escape from the Green

As soon as everyone got the message, they all took off, leaving just me and Amy taking the direct path back to the veil.

Like Smoky, her legs hooked under my wings even as her hands held a death grip on my shoulders.

But unlike Smoky, she leaned forward, pressing her soft cheek to my plates, planting a sweet kiss there.

She said nothing, just held on as I pushed my body to its limits, forcing it forward with a determination that made my lungs ache, made my wings scream, every thought that was able to penetrate only focusing on getting her home, getting her safe, making sure she was okay.

It was a good few hours shorter than it had been on the way from the veil to get back to it.

The pull was even stronger in Draca form, pulling us inward, begging us forward like a warm embrace.

I flew through it without stopping, not slowing as I tore through the common square where people cheered.

I could hear another Draca behind me.

Tsar.

He could land.

He could tell them.

I didn't.

I flew right past our little home, taking her to the waterfall I kept promising to show her.

I slowed, dipping low, curling down, urging her off.

She slid off my side, tripping, dropping down on a soft moss-covered rock.

I lifted up again, did a lap around the waterfall, searching for the Change back.

I felt it as my gaze found her again, watching me with fascinated eyes.

Mine the dragon called.

Mine, I agreed as the Change burst through me as my feet met the ground, shrinking me back down into my usual form in a blink, faster than normal, the urge inside so strong to get back to my woman, to talk to her, to wrap my arms around her.

"You're beautiful," she called as I moved toward her.

I bent low, swooping her up, crushing her small body to mine, the relief overwhelming, making my stomach feel wobbly, my heart slamming against my ribcage.

"It's okay," her voice said, sounding small, choked. Because I was squeezing the air from her lungs. "I'm okay. It's okay."

Searching a moment for the strength to do so, I finally set her back down on the rock, my hands roving over her body, looking for bruises, cuts, anything.

She was paler than usual, but clean, freshly dressed.

Okay.

She was okay.

"Ah!" she shrieked when my hand slid down her leg.

Brows furrowed, my fingers dragged up the leg of her pants, finding the skin raw, eaten up, singed at the edges.

I knew that look too well.

I knew that pain too well.