by Ginna Moran
“Just take her to my place. I’ll meet with the warden as planned.” Warm arms shift me from somewhere cold and into the familiar embrace of Kash’s arms. Maddox’s cinnamon scent engulfs me as he presses a kiss to my forehead. “Rowan, get Inmate D64876. Bring him with you but do not let him near Delphia.” He’s serious if he’s using my Magaelorum name.
“Be safe, brothers,” Kash says, adjusting me in his arms.
I manage to flutter my heavy eyelids open, but my voice remains stuck in my throat. My limbs hang limply, whatever the hell that power blast was messed with me.
“I will protect our mate with my life,” Kash adds. Curling me up, he kisses my temple. “I got you, kitten, okay? We’re leaving soon.”
Rowan moves in and kisses me softly. “See you shortly, Nova.”
Static zips through me, lifting my hair around my head. Kash jogs us through a different door leading to who-knows-where in the prison. I suck in my bottom lip to stop my mouth from pouting and concentrate on pulling myself together. I have no idea what is going on, but a terrible feeling swells in my chest, seizing my heart.
“Someone is messing with the magical barrier,” Kash whispers into my ear. “Things are about to go to shit.”
“What?” The word barely sounds from my mouth. “Is it La—”
Pain rampages through my skull, making it feel as if my brain will explode at any second. I groan and bury my face into Kash’s chest. He strokes his hand up and down my side but doesn’t stop to check on me. My muscles bunch with my nerves, reacting to something in the air. It makes it harder and harder to breathe.
“Slow breaths, kitten. Try not to panic. What you feel is the crack in the barrier seeping into the prison. You’ll be okay in a second when it fades. As for the rest of us...I want you to be prepared.” Kash slows down and stops at a huge metal door. He eases it open, his hand glowing with dragon fire. “The inmates will take advantage and wage a war against the COs.”
Of course they will. If something happened to the magical barriers, the inmates will take advantage. Hell, I’d take advantage if I were them too.
Before I can say anything, Kash shoves the door open and breaks into a sprint. He speeds across an unfamiliar lot and to a chain-link gate that divides this building of the prison from another one. Wind whips through my hair at his speed, and each gate we enter clanks closed behind us. I try to peer around to take in our surroundings, wondering where the hell we’re going, because the prison looms behind us as Kash runs along the electrically charged wall.
Like Kash can read my mind, he says, “My brother’s place is on the outskirts of the prison. He prefers somewhere to escape in his time off. We’re almost there.”
Kash shifts me in his arms, turning me to face him. I cling onto him and squeeze his waist between my thighs while dangling my arms around his neck. His hazel eyes sparkle in the glow of the setting sun, igniting a different sort of blaze in their depths. A strange need cascades through me, my body begging me to close the space.
Kash beats me to it, kissing me so tenderly that I want to bask forever in the softness of his emotions. Where Maddox is hot and cold, Kash is just pure warmth like settling into the best bubble bath. But I know under his cautious care lies fiery passion waiting to burst out. He can fill the needs of whatever mood I’m in without me even having to experience such a thing. It’s just something that feels like a fact, one of our truths I now desperately want to discover outside the confines of this prison. I so badly want to get to know these dragon brothers on a level beyond the intimacy our bodies crave. My soul, heart, and mind have their own needs to be fulfilled.
“And I plan to satisfy every last one of them,” Kash says, his voice trickling through my mind.
I gasp at his sudden presence in my mind and kiss him harder, wanting to hear his velvety voice again. It feels as amazing as Maddox’s thoughts in my mind as he let me in.
“No, kitten. You finally let him in like you’re letting me in now.” Kash releases his hands from me to climb up a small, steep hill where it seems the land itself attempts to escape the prison. “The magic blocking our mental link has thinned enough that if you allow us in, we can speak to you as you can do the same to us.”
“I can?” I ask in my mind.
Kash nuzzles his nose to mine, not even looking at the surroundings during our ascent. It’s not like he has to worry about falling, and me? I feel so safe in this moment. I feel freer than I have been since arriving here.
“Right now, you’re completely open to me,” Kash says. “It’s the most incredible thing I’ve ever experienced. You have no idea how hard it’s going to be not to make love to you to feel the intensity of our connection. Maddox is a lucky bastard.”
Kash swings on one arm hard enough to launch the two of us into the air. I squeeze him even tighter, half-expecting to fall, but he lands in a crouch in the entrance of a cave. A fucking cave. Or I guess, a dragon’s lair. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this, and—now it kind of explains a lot. I’d be moody too if I had to live in a cave.
Tipping his head back, Kash roars a laugh and sets me on my feet. “I wish Maddox was here to hear this.”
I flush and cover Kash’s mouth. “Don’t you dare tell him anything. He suspected I’d find something wrong with this, and it’s why he didn’t want to bring me here.”
“It is completely wrong. He’s the leader of our clan. We should all live in luxury like our ancestors. The Drekis had huge palaces within enormous, impenetrable mountains with only the most beautiful things nature has to offer. And this bullshit? It’s inadequate for a line such as ours but it is our duty to fulfill our end of the agreement our late leader had with the High Council. It’s the only reason we guard this place.” Kash spins me around to get a view of the penitentiary stretching out below us. It’s much larger than I expected from this view.
“I don’t think I understand,” I say, wiggling in Kash’s arms until he sets me on my feet. “So you really are kind of prisoners here?”
Lacing his fingers through mine, he tugs me away from the opening of the cave and deeper inside. “We are free to leave the premises when we’re off duty, but we have another hundred and four years on our contract.”
My eyes widen. “So a life sentence.”
He smirks. “Maybe a quarter life sentence. We’re not mortal, Nova.”
So many questions flit through my mind. I don’t even know where to start, but I know if I don’t ask something else, I might lose my chance to do so. “Fuck. So this is worse than I thought.”
“Not for long. It was one thing for you to be here, convicted under your mortal name, but it’s another thing, knowing who you really are. It’s what really pissed off Maddox, thinking that some witch fucked up our fates, sending us you, a murderer and criminal.” He traces his finger along my jaw. “It was a hard idea to fathom.”
“And you all thought I killed Rhett,” I whisper. “Which I didn’t.”
“I know, kitten. It’s all still a bit hard to believe he’s gone. Not many could ever take him out and why they’d want to? Fuck, I don’t know. I don’t want to think about it. I need to keep my head clear.” Kash closes his eyes and inhales a breath.
Sorrow washes over me as Kash’s grief trickles into me through an invisible bond I can hardly grasp. I cup his cheeks and stand on my tiptoes, kissing him in an attempt to push the sadness for his lost friend away. I’ve been so concerned about myself, about getting out of here and getting to Kash, Rowan, and Maddox in a way they couldn’t ever deny me that I’ve selfishly forgotten that their attitudes and meanness upon my arrival stemmed from them thinking I was the real monster. A part of me wants to hold onto their actions to remind myself that they could make my life miserable, even if they think I’m their mate, but a bigger, louder, more urgent part of me accepts their reasoning. It accepts that they had every right to want to torment me. But even so, I’m not sure if I can let go of the fact that none of them believed me
.
Kash groans and tightens his arms around me. “Delphia—Nova, I...I wish finding you would have been different, and I’m sorry. I will regret how I treated you for the rest of my existence. It is a shame that will pass to our children as they discover what you’ve gone through only to be stuck with a clan that might not even deserve you despite the fates.”
His response touches my soul as he listens in on everything that whirls through my mind. I can’t decide if I’m annoyed or relieved that he manages to break through my guard to my thoughts since I’m incapable of even uttering a breath of a word in this moment.
Resting his head to mine, he adds, “But I hope we can earn your trust, your desire for a future with us, and maybe even one day your heart.”
I lick my lips. “I don’t know how to respond, Kash. You say things I can’t wrap my mind around, and you sound so certain.”
“I am certain,” he murmurs against my mouth. “But I see you need convincing. Whatever spell that trapped your true self...I’ll—we’ll—do everything in our power to find out answers.”
“But I don’t even know the questions to ask. All I want is to go back to the Mortal World. Maybe find my Aunt McKayla to confront her.” I puff a breath between my lips. “If it’s even possible now. I lost touch after I up and left. It’s hard to explain why I did, but I just had this need to leave. I wish I understood more.”
A whistle sounds through the cave, drawing Kash’s attention from mine before he can respond to me. He pulls me closer and moves deeper into the shadows, sandwiching me against the rock wall. Two silhouettes appear in the mouth of the cave, and I try to peer around Kash to verify with my vision what my instincts feel.
“Stand against the wall and don’t move,” Rowan says, shoving Quillon away from him hard enough to make him stumble. “If you so much as move, I will tear you in half and eat you.”
I crinkle my nose at the thought. Because, gross. It makes me wonder if he’s actually ever eaten anyone in dragon form. With my thought, a dozen more follow, and I feel as if I’ll die from my curiosity.
“Like I’m fucking going anywhere without Delphia. She’s the only one who I know will assure you dickwads follow through,” Quillon says, his voice rumbling through the cave. “But your brother better hurry the fuck up. The Darkonians aren’t the only ones who desire to possess Delphia. You guys are dumb and dense as hell if you think this is them. Infinity is breaking every last magical barrier around this place. He’ll come for his prize next.”
“And we’ll be ready.” Rowan’s fiery eyes blink yellow against his shadowed silhouette. “Maddox is on his way. Now be quiet. I don’t want to hear another word from you.”
Rowan struts in our direction and away from Quillon. I push against Kash’s solid form in an attempt to break out of the muscular cage he creates. He finally shifts as Rowan draws closer and allows me to dart past him toward his brother. The happiness at seeing Rowan surprises me a bit, but it doesn’t stop my feet from running toward him. As I slow, Rowan moves faster, closing the space to lift me off my feet.
He groans as he kisses me. “I know you didn’t intend to greet me with that gorgeous smile, but I’m glad you did. It gives me hope.”
I ease from his arms before he—or should I say, I—get carried away. “You can be cautiously hopeful, despite the damn move you guys pulled making the deal with Quillon. Don’t think I’m just going to ignore the fact that you’ve taken it upon yourselves to try to alter the course of my life.”
Rowan hooks his hands to my hips, not allowing anymore space to get between us. “Hey, if you want to be mad at anyone, be angry with Kash. His bargain was far worse.”
I nearly forgot. Fuck.
“And speaking of bargains, you better find the little princess, Kash. It’s fucking every man for himself in the prison yard right now. I suggest you change.” They’re talking about Rose.
Kash hooks his fingers to the hem of his shirt and drags it over his head. “I’m already on it.”
My eyes devour Kash’s muscles as I blatantly ogle him. Fire lights his eyes, and he moves around Rowan to come up and press his chest into my back. His heat washes over me before his lips caress my throat, silently begging for me to crane my neck to kiss his mouth.
“Behave, kitten. If you’re good for my brother, I will do anything you want when I return,” he murmurs. “Hopefully more than answer more of your questions.”
I giggle against his lips, savoring the light tease of his voice. “We’ll see.”
Dropping his pants, Kash watches me watch him undress completely. It’s now that it dawns on me that by Rowan’s suggestion to change, he didn’t mean clothes but form. And holy shit. My heart hammers in anticipation, my body smoldering and buzzing. Excitement rushes through me at the memory of Kash in his dragon form and how incredible it is to see him in such a powerful, dangerous state.
He winks at me, his body awakening at my reaction. With a quick kiss and a surprise squeeze of my ass, Kash rushes toward the mouth of the cave, his body sparking with his dragon fire before he jumps from the cave and transforms midair. I run to get a view of him flying, but Rowan cuts me off before I can get within a dozen feet of Quillon, who remains lurking in his spot where Rowan demanded he stay.
“Mmm, you want me to take you for a ride again and not in the bedroom.” Kash’s voice sneaks into my mind. “I think we can—”
A screeching roar echoes through the air, shaking the cave beneath my feet. Rowan swears under his breath and snatches me to lift me up. He swings me around, and I automatically cling to his broad back, my body always ready for the unexpected while off the ground. He summons fire into his hands, his arms prickling with scales as he allows a part of his dragon to break free while remaining in human form.
“Kash?” I whisper in my mind, my thought soft and nearly inaudible even to me. “Kash, what’s going on?”
“Rowan, move!” Maddox’s yell erupts in my head so loud that I wince.
The ground shakes again and flames explode at the mouth of the cave. A huge dragon roars and breathes fire, clawing its way inside. Rowan jogs with me deeper into the cave and out of the way.
Blue electricity sparks through the cave, sending static into the air. Quillon tumbles across the stone floor as he tries to keep his footing. Dark hair sprouts from his arms and face, his lycan form taking control. A deep growl reverberates through the cave, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d think Quillon was attempting to protect me from some force I have yet to see.
“Get her out of here. Take the back.” Maddox’s huge head swivels in our direction, his glowing eyes meeting mine.
“But her brands,” Rowan says, his words mingling with Maddox’s in my mind.
“All barriers are down. It’ll be at least ten minutes until someone gets them back up. Now go!” Maddox blows a hot breath of fire across the floor shooting it in a circle that cuts us off from the mouth of the cave. More blue electricity zings through the air, and Maddox roars again and launches toward the sky.
I don’t get a chance to see him go. My heart sinks into my stomach as Rowan yells for Quillon to move his ass, and the three of us head deeper into the cave. Firelight illuminates the dark cave, allowing me to see the vast space, sparse of basically anything. A king bed rests untouched and off to the side with a dresser and wardrobe. I think a bathroom sits nestled within another cave, but I can’t be sure. Apart from those things, all I notice is a grand circular carpet. Nothing else.
“My brother prefers to sleep in his fiercest form,” Rowan comments, focusing on me. “It helps him remain guarded out here.”
I can’t help wondering what it would be like to wake up to that. To wake up to any of them for that matter.
A rumble quakes through the cave, pushing my thoughts away. Rowan grunts and shoves Quillon out of the way as a basketball-sized rock comes crashing down from above. With one hand, Rowan drags Quillon up, half carrying him until he regains his footing to keep up. The cave nar
rows the deeper we run through until soft light trickles from the purpling twilight of a large crevice in the rock wall.
It’s barely big enough for one person, and Rowan and I can’t fit together, so he sets me on my feet. Linking our fingers together, he squeezes my hand like he’s afraid if he doesn’t grip me tightly enough, I might somehow disappear. He forces Quillon out of the cave ahead of us and then slides through the crevice before me, shuffling sideways to squeeze his hulking frame through.
Fear sneaks up on me at the cool wind whipping my hair in front of my face. I thought the mouth of the cave was high up but it’s nothing compared to this. Dense forest stretches out far below, disappearing into the darkening sky. The bright moon shines above, casting silver light over Rowan’s hair. I meet his gaze, his eyes flashing with blazing fire. With one hand, he starts unbuttoning his shirt. I realize he plans to transform into a dragon to fly us down.
I shift on the small ledge that drops straight down onto jagged rocks and carefully slide open Rowan’s belt to speed up the process. He groans under his breath, rolling his shirt between his hands, watching me undress him.
“Next time you undress me will be for something more fun,” Rowan says, his voice remaining even, light almost, like he’s trying his best to assure he doesn’t do or say anything to make me panic.
Quillon growls. “Hurry up already.”
I glower at Quillon, letting Rowan brace on my shoulder to kick his pants into my outstretched hand. “Do you want me to knock you off this ledge?”
The ground beneath us shakes, and something explodes from our right. Quillon yells and tries to brace himself on the rocks, but the ledge crumbles beneath him. I screech at his fall, panic lashing at me. I don’t even get a chance to think as Rowan slings his arm around me to jump with him.
He launches into the air, and I hold my breath for a split second before a blast of pain rips at my scalp. Rowan loses his grip on me, letting me go. My back slams into the side of the cliff. I gasp with the force that steals the breath from my lungs. Tears blur my eyes, and I can’t focus on anything except Rowan’s massive form taking flight.
