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He took her hands in his. “Of course, I was. I never expected to fall in love with you. I never even believed I had what we call an eternal flame. Not all dragons are gifted with one. So, seeing you at the award ceremony took me by surprise, but I was smart enough to recognize that you were my mate. If it’s any consolation, I was none too pleased with myself this morning after what you said last night, and I knew I hadn’t been completely honest.”
Warrick walked out. The pitiful creature in the net had been given a pair of her sweatpants, which made sense as he was closer to her size than Tevryn’s. Warrick tossed Tevryn some clothes.
“I’m going to tie this wretch up. I think we should eat, hydrate, and rest before we go to Dragonwyk.”
“Dragonwyk?” she asked, her eyes widening as Tevryn groaned behind her.
Warrick nodded, but locked eyes with Tevryn. “Falkor wants her up at Dragonwyk. It isn’t safe for her. Word has spread that she is with you.”
“I can’t just go running off to Dragonwyk—I have a sister and a life. Is Lucy safe?”
“Yes. When we realized that you two were in danger, Ridley Monroe sent one of his planes for your sister. She thinks she’s meeting with him to discuss a development deal. She doesn’t know she will be amongst dragon-shifters. We’re very good at hiding in plain sight.”
“Ridley Monroe is one of you?” she asked.
“Yes, and thank you, Warrick,” said Tevryn. “I would have sent Delaney with you and gone back for Lucy myself.”
“I tell you what,” said Warrick, “how about if I secure our prisoner and start making us something to eat, and you two have a little chat.”
Delaney turned around to face Tevryn. “So, you knew about Dragonwyk the whole time? Let me guess, you know where it is? Do you know any members of this Phantom Fire?”
“We are the Phantom Fire,” called Warrick.
“Do you want to do this, and I’ll cook?” growled Tevryn.
“Sorry. Just trying to help,” chuckled Warrick, who seemed to be enjoying himself immensely.
“He’s right. Warrick and I are both members of the Phantom Fire.”
“Whistler seemed to think the dragons of the Phantom Fire were ancient.”
“Most of us are. Some of us are thousands of years old. A few have lived so long they no longer remember the time from which they came.”
“What about you?”
“Several thousand years old, but there’s a whole lot more to it. For now, can I just hold you and promise I’ll answer all your questions when we get up to Dragonwyk?”
“How are we going to do that?”
“Warrick and I will shift again. He’ll carry the prisoner, and you can ride on my back.”
“Seriously? I get to ride a dragon?”
He nodded. “You seem to be taking this extremely well.”
“I am, aren’t I?” she teased. “But you have to remember, before I saw you shift, I’d already seen one dragon fight, and Whistler had convinced me of your existence and that of other shapeshifters…”
“Shifters. Shifters are noble creatures who can shift from their human form to their animal form. Shapeshifters can shift at will amongst a variety of creatures and objects. For the most part, shapeshifters are not considered honorable.”
“What’s he?” Delaney said, pointing at the prisoner.
“I can speak,” growled their captive.
“Good to know,” said Warrick. “Don’t do it again until you’re asked a question.”
“What if I don’t want to go to Dragonwyk?” she asked, afraid she knew the answer.
“You know the answer to that. Falkor—he’s our leader—must have sent Warrick to find us and bring us to Dragonwyk. You would not be safe anywhere else. And before you ask, Lucy is not as valuable a target as you are.”
