by Olivia Ash
And if Jace is thinking it, that’s a massive concern.
When we first came here, the other dragons wanted to kill Levi the moment they realized he couldn’t shift into his human form. They were ready to rip out his throat, and they wouldn’t have felt the slightest remorse.
Not for a feral dragon.
Only Jace’s order to stand down kept them at bay. And if Levi snaps for even a moment—if he lets on at all that the last threads of his control are slipping—well, I’m beginning to suspect not even a command from the Grand Master would protect my ice dragon from that.
Chapter Thirteen
That night, I lay in Tucker’s bed, with nothing between our naked bodies but the sheets. His head rests on my shoulder, and I gently weave my fingers through his hair as we lay in the silence.
It’s nice to have a moment of peace.
A nagging thought burrows into my mind, and I tilt my head toward the flip phone sitting on the end table beside me.
No messages. No calls. Not even a text.
Nothing.
With a sigh, I close my eyes, trying not to dwell on the phone or my new opponent’s theatrics.
Tucker’s warm body presses against me, hard and covered in muscle, and I debate waking him up for round two. After all, we might as well take full advantage of my birth control.
His hand weaves around my waist, and though I love his touch, I wince as his fingers pass over one of the many bruises I got from my day of training.
“Sorry, babe,” he says groggily. Still half-asleep, he kisses my neck apologetically, making comically exaggerated smooching noises.
I chuckle. “Didn’t mean to wake you up.”
“Nah, it’s fine.” He rolls over onto his back and sighs. “Sleep is for the weak, anyway.”
“I dunno.” I shrug. “Sleep sounds pretty great right about now.”
“Yeah, especially after your run-in with the wood-chipper.”
I laugh. “You’re so ridiculous.”
“You love it.” He peppers more kisses along my shoulder, igniting my skin with longing and desire.
“Yeah,” I admit. “I do.”
“So, how is Jace as a teacher?” Tucker leans on one elbow, looking me over with unabashed curiosity.
“Merciless.” I rub my eyes. “Efficient. Effective. It’s funny, but the only time we’re not arguing about something is when we’re literally in a fistfight.” I chuckle. “Even if it is just a sparring match.”
Tucker laughs. “Do you figure the mate-bond thing is just… I don’t know, wrong? How could two people so wildly different—”
“I know.” I groan, my voice fading a little in my frustration. “I know.”
“You clearly need another orgasm to sleep.” He gives an exaggerated sigh, like he has to make some great sacrifice. “All right, then. Let me do my civic duty.”
With a swift motion, he kicks off the sheet covering me. As it flies off the bed, he grabs my knees and pulls them apart, settling between my legs, his rock-hard cock already teasing my entrance.
I laugh. God, how I love this adorable idiot.
The chime of his phone interrupts us, and he groans for real this time. He reaches across me, his cock still tantalizing close to my sensitive folds, and checks the screen.
“Shit,” he mutters. He hunches over the phone, scowling, all his adorable charm gone in an instant.
Whatever just popped up on his screen killed the mood entirely.
I sit up, leaning against the headboard as I study his face. “What is it?”
Briefly, Tucker scans the room around us. “You’re sure there’s no recording devices in here? Nothing at all?”
“Nothing,” I confirm. “I check every time I come in.”
“Good.” His shoulders relax somewhat, and he rubs the back of his neck. “The Knights are getting impatient. Dad has been texting me—that’s when you know it’s bad. He usually doesn’t bother with me except to tell me when I screw up.” Tucker looks down at the phone. “They want news and updates. I don’t know how much longer I can keep this ruse of ours going, babe.”
“Then don’t.” I lock eyes with him, intent on making him see reason. “This is dangerous, Tucker. Don’t push your luck.”
“I can’t,” he says stoically. “I know it seems like they’re not a real threat right now, but they haven’t given you much trouble because I’ve kept them at bay.” He watches me warily and gently shakes his head in frustration. “They’ve only stayed quiet this long because I’ve dangled you in front of them without giving them anything useful. It’s worth it to keep this going as long as possible. It buys you—and Irena—time.”
I sigh. Fine. I have to give him a point there. “When do you have to meet with them?”
“Tonight.” Tucker runs a hand through his hair. “That’s what the text was about. They’re getting irritated.”
“I’m coming.”
“Like hell—”
“Tucker, I can come with you or follow you,” I interrupt, glaring at him. “What will it be?”
He clicks his tongue in mock disappointment. “You’re so damn bossy.”
“You love it.” I smirk. “Let’s get going, shall we?”
He raises one eyebrow in confusion as I hop out of bed and begin to dress. “Well, someone’s certainly eager.”
“Jace probably has extra sentries posted to keep an eye on me,” I say as I tug on my pants. “We’re going to need extra time to avoid them.”
Tucker leans an elbow on the headboard, a bemused expression on his face. “So, when you swore to remain on the dojo lands in exchange for his help and training…”
“I mean, it’s close.” I shrug. “We won’t go that far off-property.”
Tucker laughs and grabs his shirt off the floor. “One of these days, he’ll learn he can’t really control you.”
“Yeah, right.” I scoff. “Either that, or he’ll give up and just zip-tie me to a bed.”
“Oh, good idea.” Tucker grins. “Want to grab some zip-ties on the way back?”
I laugh and shake my head.
Oh, Tucker.
Never change.
Chapter Fourteen
Out in the dark forest that surround the dojo, I press my back against a thick tree trunk as yet another dragon flies overhead, scanning the exposed path I was just on, no doubt vaguely able to sense where I am.
Briefly, Tucker and I share a deeply frustrated look. The security here is tighter than it has ever been, and we both know why.
Jace.
Sexy. Domineering.
Control freak.
He knows I’m going to defy his orders to stay in the embassy, and he wants to catch me in the act. I’m not entirely sure why he wants that so badly, but that’s not at the top of my list of problems right now.
“Your boyfriend’s kind of an asshole,” Tucker mutters to me.
I scoff and gesture toward the path, urging him forward so we can get the hell out of here.
Tucker obliges me and jogs through the forest, a pistol strapped to his waist. Odd, since he usually hides his weapons, but I figure it’s part of the show. To remind the Knights we’re meeting who’s boss.
There’s no telling what they might try, especially if they’re getting impatient with him.
As we hop over a log, he turns to me, his voice low. “Have you told Jace about our exit?”
“Hell no,” I say with a humorless laugh. “I want to know I have a way out of this place whenever I need it. When he’s not being such an idiot anymore, maybe I’ll tell him.”
Tucker chuckles and sidesteps a twig, running silently through the forest beside me. I smirk, impressed with how quickly he learns.
Hell, with a few more lessons, he could even pass for a Spectre.
Our trip through the forest is quick and quiet. The occasional rush of air overhead is the only warning that dragons circle the skies, looking for me. Several of them intently scan the forest nearby, no doubt sensing m
y presence even though they can’t pinpoint exactly where I am. Jace probably already knows I’m gone—but I don’t really care.
Tucker’s safety is more important than facing Jace’s anger.
At around two in the morning, we arrive at the dark clearing just outside the embassy lands. The moon is almost full, and it casts a silvery glow across the flattened meadow grass in the once-lush field.
The voices of two men filter over the forest floor, their muffled tones unclear but unmistakably out of place.
They’re here. The Knights.
Wordlessly, I tap Tucker’s shoulder and point to the tree I’ll be in, should he need backup.
He nods, his expression hard, his shoulders tense. Carefully, he scans the trees around us, no doubt looking for possible hidden Knights, but I already checked. We’re clear.
I’m no good with feelings, but I brush my finger over the back of his hand, gently reminding him that he’s not alone. I’m here, and I won’t let anything happen to him.
Not that he really needs the protection. For all his dumb jokes, he’s still a hardened warrior who grew up surrounded by rifles and blood.
But still.
His eyes flit down to my hand and, a moment later, the corners of his mouth gently tilt upward. His shoulders relax ever so slightly, and he plants a rough kiss on my cheek. I grin and climb the tree without a sound, as eager as he is to get this over with.
Time to check in with the organization that even Zurie despises.
Two grown men sit in a modified military field vehicle, a massive anti-dragon rifle mounted on a circular platform in the back. With no roof, that leaves them exposed to a dragon dive—but it also allows them free range of movement for the gun to fire on its rotating platform.
I don’t recognize either of these men. One bald, one redhead. I frown, scanning their faces, wondering why the organization would send new faces on a familiar mission. Dressed in all black, the men sit with their rifles on their laps, nervously watching the skies.
“Hey, ladies,” Tucker says as he enters the field.
The two men nearly jump out of their skin, and the bald one instinctively aims his rifle at Tucker. A moment later, they both sigh in exasperation.
“You scared the shit out of us,” the bald one mutters.
“You, maybe,” the redhead snaps impatiently. “Status report, Captain. I want to get the hell out of here.”
“Why are they so pissed?” the bald man interrupts, pointing to the skies. “They’re circling the forest like they’re hunting for someone. You get found out?”
“You give me too little credit, Hitchens,” Tucker says, clicking his tongue in disappointment. “No, there are reports that a Vaer got onto the property. They’re hunting it down.”
“You find anything useful, yet?” the redhead sneers. “You’ve been here, how long, exactly? And we have nothing to go on. The General is getting impatient.”
“That’s his default state.” Tucker laughs and crosses his arms. “And you’d best watch your tone with me, Reynolds.”
The redhead snorts. “I don’t give a shit if you’re the big guy’s son. You’re failing, and I finally want my chance to prove I’m better.”
“But you’re not,” Tucker says with a smirk. “Why waste everyone’s time?”
The redhead scowls at Tucker, mouth open, ready to chew him out and start something petty, but the bald man interjects. “Captain, you need to give us something useful. The General, well—” He scratches the back of his head. “He’s making threats.”
Reynolds hits the bald man hard in the arm, like he said something he wasn’t supposed to divulge.
“I’m close,” Tucker says, his voice dropping all pretense of humor. “This girl has some strange ability, something they’re keeping quiet but carefully honing.” He looks around, as though afraid someone might overhear, really selling this new lie he’s probably formulating on the spot. “It’s big. War-crime-big. They want to harness it, but I think we can beat them to it. Once I have more details, we can act.”
“How about we just come back with you now?” Reynolds offers, his nose wrinkled in disdain. “You bring us in, show us around a bit? Why won’t you tell anyone else about this secret entrance you found? Seems suspicious to me.”
“Suspicious?” Tucker barks out a laugh, like that’s the stupidest thing he’s ever heard. “Are you serious? You have the stealth of a Clydesdale, Reynolds. You’d get us all caught and kill any chance of this mission’s success. Get the hell out of here and report back to my father,” he adds, emphasizing his connection to the General. “And he can smell your bullshit from a mile away, Reynolds, so try to keep it to a minimum.” Tucker glares at the redhead.
“Yeah, sure,” Reynolds mutters. He taps the side of the car, and without another word, the two drive off, kicking up dust as they hightail it out of dragon country.
Tucker holds his ground, arms crossed, glaring at the car until it’s out of view. When they’re gone, his shoulders finally relax, and he runs a hand through his hair.
His expression shifts from stoic disgust to deep concern, and he looks up at my tree.
I jump to the ground, keeping to the shadows just in case, and gesture for him to join me. He slips into the forest, scanning the trees around us nervously, and rubs my shoulders, pulling me close. His warm touch sends off a flurry of joy through me—the need to be close to him, to hold him, the delight of having him there.
But I suppress it so that I can remain focused.
“They’re not going to give me much longer,” he mutters.
I frown. “That didn’t seem any different—”
“Reynolds has it out for me.” Tucker shakes his head. “That asshole wants my job, and he would love nothing more than to put a bullet in my head. Any excuse, any opportunity, he’ll take it. If Dad sent him with only one witness to keep Reynolds in line, they’re trying to send me a message.”
I raise one curious eyebrow. “And that is?”
“Deliver,” Tucker says, staring intently into my eyes. “He’s done playing, and he’s done being patient. Very soon, he’s going to give up on me.”
I hold his arms, trying to comfort him. “And what exactly does that mean?”
“That depends on how much they figure out,” Tucker admits with a deep frown. “Knights aren’t a forgiving bunch. They’ll probably kill me, but they might try to drag me home first. For debriefing.” He sighs and watches me. With a gentle smile, he runs his fingers through my hair. “But you know I won’t let them hurt you, right?”
I want to laugh and remind him who he’s talking to—the Spectres aren’t afraid of Knights.
But I refrain. He meant well.
“I know.” I rub my thumb along the stubble on his jaw, allowing a bit of my fondness to bleed through. “Thank you.”
He nods, shooting another uneasy glare over his shoulder at the open field. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”
We jog through the forest in silence, pausing to hide any time we hear a dragon whoosh overhead, and that makes for slow going. When we’re finally in the embassy once more, we glide through the shadows of the secret hallway.
It strikes me, then—I’m fairly certain Tucker’s hallway isn’t connected to the ones Drew took me through. They have different walls, different floors and ceiling heights. It’s clear they were built at different times.
Interesting.
Eager to get back to the room and get some sleep, I push onward. Of course, if Tucker gets his way, we probably won’t sleep for another hour or so. I grin, already anticipating the sexy mischief he probably has planned for me.
I, however, want to simmer on this new development. There’s a chance the General might enlist Zurie’s help in this matter—and if he does, I’m not sure what that would mean for me or Tucker.
We might both be in deep trouble.
Together, we slip out of the secret tunnel. Wordlessly, we weave through the halls toward our rooms, avoidin
g the cameras as much as possible.
But as we round a corner, I spot a familiar silhouette leaning against the far wall. The muscled shifter has his arms crossed, propped against the wall as if he has nowhere to be and nothing to do.
Drew tilts his head toward me, smirking. “Have a nice trip?”
I stiffen. He had been absolutely still, barely breathing, intentionally lying in wait. I didn’t even hear him until it was too late.
There’s no telling how long he’s been here, but one thing is abundantly clear—he knew exactly where I would be.
The question is how?
Even though my chest tightens, wondering what he’s doing here, I force a cocky smile. “We took a little walk.”
“A romantic walk,” Tucker corrects with a goofy grin.
Drew’s gaze flits briefly toward Tucker, but it’s clear he can’t be bothered with the weapons expert next to me. The dragon shifter stands, making a grand show of slowly sauntering toward us. Toward me. “How is it that you keep managing to shake me?”
Interesting.
Drew was tailing me, trying to see where we went, and it seems we lost him. That’s why my every movement is made with intention, precision, and caution. I never know who’s following.
Thank goodness, too—I can’t let anyone discover Tucker’s connection to the Knights.
They would kill him.
Casually, I set my hand on my hips. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sure.” He grins and rubs the back of his neck. “Sure, Rory. You continue to surprise me, so I’ve got to hand it to you.” He grins, passing me, and doesn’t bother looking back. “I admire that.”
As Drew disappears around the corner, Tucker’s cocky smile disappears. He looks at me, deeply concerned, but I shake my head.
We can talk about this later.
A little more eager to get back to the room, we steal silently through the castle’s corridors. As we scale the circular stairwell to our suites, I hear the shuffle of boots on tile.
I hold up my hand, gesturing for Tucker to stop, and he watches me with a concerned expression.
