by Rinelle Grey
If he did go, he wouldn’t be coming back, Lyrian knew that. If he led the humans away from the lair, he couldn’t risk bringing them back again. He’d return across the ocean to America, and she’d never see him again.
“Anarian needs you here,” she said into his mind. I need you here, she wanted to add, but didn’t. She wasn’t sure if that would convince him to stay or push him away.
Brad looked at her, his eyes sad, his mind made up.
“Lyrian’s right, it’s not possible,” Taurian interrupted. “The only way down from the lair is to fly, and there’s no way to achieve that without being seen. Anyone leaving the lair right now risks leading the humans right to us.”
Her brother’s sensible words calmed Lyrian’s beating heart a little. It was true, there was no way to carry out Brad’s plan.
Brad’s lips were tight, and the way he stared at her indicated he hadn’t given up on the idea.
“We’ll be fine here,” Lyrian said firmly. “The humans can’t see our lair, and provided we don’t leave, they won’t have any idea we’re here. They will grow bored of waiting and leave soon enough.”
None of the humans, not Brad, Karla, or Lisa, looked convinced. Taurian and Verrian didn’t either.
But it wasn’t them Lyrian was trying to convince. The dragons surrounding them looked a little comforted by her words. But not enough.
“That could take a long time,” Lisa warned into her mind.
“Their presence stops us leaving the lair. It stops us waking Princess Sarian while Ultrima is not here. That could ruin any chance of making a truce with the Trima clan,” Karla pointed out.
“And what if Latrima comes back, and gives our position away?” Lisa added. “We can’t control that.”
“We can assign dragons to broadcast a telepathic message, warning any other dragons to stay way,” Verrian said firmly. “My sister is right, there is no need to panic yet.”
“That isn’t going to stop everyone from panicking,” Karla pointed out. “If we don’t do something, Ostrian will stir them up again the minute he sees an opportunity.”
The old man had accused Kyrian of being a traitor earlier. Karla was right, he was the one they needed to watch.
He was watching them now, his eyes narrowed. He knew there was a conversation going on he wasn’t privy to, and he wasn’t impressed.
“The human’s plan is sound,” he said firmly. “He is the one who led them to us, it is only right that he be the one to lead them away again.” He looked at Brad with something akin to respect in his eyes.
Taurian didn’t look respectful at all. “And just how do you propose we do that?” he demanded. “As soon as a dragon leaves the lair to fly him down, our position is given away more surely than anything else.”
“There may be a way,” Mesrian, another of the elders, said thoughtfully.
All eyes turned towards her, and Lyrian’s heart began to thump uncomfortably again.
“What?” Taurian demanded. He wasn’t looking at Lyrian. He couldn’t surely be considering…
“Hundreds of years ago, before we left the lair, the elders were working on an escape tunnel. We tunnelled back into the mountain, intending to come out further down the cliffs, away from here.”
“So there is another way out?” Verrian demanded.
Lyrian’s heart was in her throat. “You can’t let him,” she said frantically. “I won’t let him,” she added.
“If there is another way out, we don’t need to,” Verrian said calmly. “We can evacuate the lair. No one need be in any danger.”
“No,” Taurian said firmly. “I won’t leave our home. We did that once before, and no good came of it.”
“We can’t sacrifice Lyrian’s mate for a lair,” Karla pointed out, her voice firm.
“He is not her mate, she has made that quite clear,” Taurian said, looking at Lyrian. “He is a human. The other humans are no danger to him.” He nodded towards Brad, who looked as determined as he did. “He wants to do this.”
“I won’t let him,” Lyrian said firmly. “He’s already given up too much to get me home. He needs to go home himself, not be tied up in this forever.”
“And you have no right to ask her too,” Karla said firmly to her mate. “Find another way.”
Taurian glared at his mate, and she put her hands on her hips and glared back. Lyrian was glad Karla was on her side. The human was surprisingly formidable.
“If we can get out, someone can go and ask the Trima life dragon for help,” Verrian said calmly. “Her powers of suggestion could make the humans leave without anyone having to sacrifice themselves.”
Everyone turned to stare at him.
“That just might work,” Karla said thoughtfully.
“Ostrian is going to have a fit at the idea of asking Trima clan for help,” Taurian warned. “You saw how distrustful he is.”
“As if you ever let Ostrian dictate what you can and can’t do,” Karla said firmly. “You can find a way to convince him. And if the Trima dragons help us out of this mess, then that will go a long way towards convincing the clan to accept the alliance.”
It was clear this suggestion met with Taurian’s approval. He looked at the grumpy elder thoughtfully.
And it would keep Brad safe. Lyrian’s heart slowed a little, returning close to its normal pace.
“How long would it take to finish this tunnel?” Taurian asked Mesrian.
“If we set dragons working in shifts, a day, maybe two.”
“That’s a long time,” Jayrian said, his voice worried. “What if the humans find the lair in that time?”
“It’s unlikely,” Lisa said. “Humans are slow and methodical. They will wait for others to arrive and set up a base before they even start searching. They will search all the bush below before they even consider searching in the cliffs.”
Her words were certain and sure. Even Lyrian believed her. She relaxed a little more. They could make this work. Brad wouldn’t give himself up to the humans. He would be safe, even if he wasn’t with her.
That was important to her.
But Brad was still looking determined, if a little nervous.
He hadn’t heard their private conversation, Lyrian realised. And the public words seemed to indicate that the plan was for him to give himself up. Ostrian’s self-satisfied smile confirmed that.
She’d have to set that straight as soon as she could get a moment alone with Brad.
Better to let Ostrian go on believing, for now. Taurian was right, he was going to have a fit when he found out they were planning to ask the Trima clan for help. No reason to deal with that before they needed to.
There was still a chance the humans could leave in an hour when they couldn’t find any sign of Brad or the dragons. No use courting trouble before it was necessary.
“Show me this tunnel,” Taurian said, “and we’ll discuss plans to get it finished.”
Lyrian wasn’t too interested in the tunnel, so she stayed behind while Taurian headed off, followed by several of the elders, including Ostrian. Brad moved to follow them too, probably thinking he needed to know what was happening, but Lyrian spoke into his mind, “Stay. I need to talk to you.”
He glanced over at her, and for a moment she thought he was going to object. But he still held their daughter in his arms, so he remained.
Lyrian retreated back into the room where she and the others had been talking earlier, and Brad followed.
Once they were alone, suddenly all Lyrian’s thoughts deserted her.
She stared at Brad and Anarian, her eyes eating up the image hungrily.
No matter what happened, he would be gone soon. Whether he returned home to his job in America, or gave himself up to the police, the end result would be the same for her. He wouldn’t be here. It would be a long time before she saw him again either way, and when he came, it would be to see Anarian, not her.
And yet, it was vitally important to her that he choose the optio
n that was best for him. The one he needed and wanted.
“I appreciate your offer to distract the police to protect us,” she said softly.
Brad shrugged uncomfortably. “It is the least I can do. It was my truck they recognised. If it weren’t for me, they would have just flown on over.”
Lyrian shook her head. “You were only here because you were returning me to my clan. None of this is your fault, and I won’t let you suffer for it.”
Brad took a step towards her, and laid the hand not cradling Anarian on her arm. Sparks crackled when he touched her, and Lyrian drew in a breath. “I want to do this. For you and Anarian,” he said earnestly. “All that matters to me is that the two of you are safe.”
Tears pricked at the back of Lyrian’s eyes. How could he care so much about them, but not want to stay with them? How could he be prepared to risk his career to keep them safe, but not want to remain here with them?
She’d never understand humans, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t appreciate the sacrifice he was prepared to make.
Even though she wasn’t going to let him.
“There are other ways we can be safe,” she said, blinking away the tears. “Verrian has another plan, to use the tunnel to escape and call for the Trima life dragon’s help to lure the humans away from the lair.”
It was a good plan. A sensible one. And more importantly, one without risks to anyone.
But Brad was still frowning. “I’m not sure the police will give up that easily,” he warned.
“That’s because you haven’t experienced a life dragon’s powers,” Lyrian said with a forced smile.
Brad’s eyes searched her face. “Do you really think this is going to work?” he asked, his voice soft. “Because… because I couldn’t handle it if they hurt you or Anarian.”
His eyes caught Lyrian’s and held them, earnest and determined. His expression almost took her breath away. He’d mentioned her first. This wasn’t just about their daughter.
He cared for her too.
Why? Why couldn’t they just make this work? It hurt so much that they felt this way about each other and yet they couldn’t be together. It just wasn’t fair.
“We’ll be fine,” she said, with more confidence than she felt. “We’ll be safe here with the clan.”
Brad didn’t look so convinced. “I’m staying until I’m sure of that,” he said in a voice that brooked no argument.
Lyrian didn’t even try. “I’m glad,” she said softly.
Brad stared down at her, his expression intent. For a moment, Lyrian thought he was going to kiss her, and she held her breath, her heart thudding.
But Anarian started fussing in his arms, her little face screwing up and her hands waving around. She wanted a feed.
The moment broken. Lyrian held out her hands for the baby, and Brad handed her over.
They sat in companionable silence while Anarian fed. Lyrian wished it could always be like this, peaceful and quiet, just enjoying the connection between them with no need for words.
But peace was fleeting right now, a fact only emphasized by the raised voices outside the cave that caught their attention.
“The Trima dragon is to remain here, where I can see her. I don’t want her to have any chance to telegraph our location to those humans outside.” The voice was one Lyrian was quickly coming to recognise as Ostrian’s, whiney and imperious at the same time.
“She wouldn’t do that.” Nate’s voice, hot and indignant, was just as easy to recognise.
“Nate,” Kyrian’s protest was so quiet it was almost inaudible.
Lyrian held out a hand to Brad for him to help her up. “I’d better go sort this out,” she said with a sigh.
But as Brad pulled her to her feet, another voice entered the conversation, one Lyrian didn’t recognise. “You need to get over yourself,” a woman said. The voice was older, confident, and more than a little derisive. “Are you so old you don’t remember what it’s like to be young and in love? To be willing to give up everything, even your family, for the chance at it?”
Ostrian was so startled, Lyrian could hear his splutter even before she stepped into the doorway of the cave. “How dare you speak to me like that. The follies of youth should be discouraged, not encouraged. What foolishness is it to think that love could overcome a war that has been raging for three centuries? You are too young to possibly understand.”
Lyrian followed his eyes to see the woman who had challenged the elder.
She was probably old enough to be Lyrian’s mother, and the way she stared angrily at Ostrian, her hands on her hips, only added to that image. As did the neat bun her auburn hair was coiled into, and her no nonsense, dark blue skirt and shirt.
A human, that much was clear. One not afraid to stand up to a dragon.
Who was she? Lyrian liked her already.
The woman looked back at Ostrian, her indignant expression matching his own. “Young? You’re saying I’m too young to understand? I’ll have you know I’m forty-three years old. More than old enough to understand what’s going on here. And what’s bothering you is that the princes and princess are back, and suddenly you’re not king pin anymore. Well, all this fuss might help you regain the limelight, but it isn’t going to make anyone like you.”
She glared at Ostrian, who was staring back at her, his mouth hanging open.
Lyrian hid a grin.
Everyone else was staring slack jawed at the couple too. Even Nate seemed to feel no need to add anything to the woman’s tirade.
All except one young human woman. “Aunt Mary,” she said nervously. “I don’t think you should be speaking to one of the elders like that.” She pushed her glasses back up on her nose and looked around the room. At everyone staring at her aunt. Her face went bright red, and she looked to a young dragon man for help.
Feeling sorry for her, Lyrian stepped in, Anarian still attached to the breast. “Just what is going on here?” she demanded, though she spared a smile for the young woman to let her know her ire wasn’t directed at her.
“Someone needs to defend this young couple,” Aunt Mary said firmly, not giving an inch.
“Well, I’d say that’s my job,” Lyrian said firmly.
She turned to Ostrian. “My brothers and I have spoken. Kyrian is to be accepted as one of the clan. There is no dispute in this matter. She can go wherever she likes in the lair.”
Ostrian glared at her, but it was to Aunt Mary that he gave his most mutinous look. To Lyrian’s surprise, he didn’t speak up in dispute.
“I’m sure there is some clan business you could be attending to.” Lyrian looked at him sternly, and to her surprise, he immediately ducked his head and took a step back. “As you wish, Princess.”
That had been easier than she’d expected. But then again, the damage was done. Everyone had heard Ostrian’s words. Lyrian looked around at the crowd.
An air of uneasiness still hung about the cave. One or two dragons glanced after Ostrian. A few more looked towards the mouth of the cave, as though they thought the police below might suddenly appear there. Which they wouldn’t unless they’d figured out how to grow wings. Lyrian was pretty sure that the human helicopters were too big and awkward to even get the right angle to see there was a cave there.
The young human woman was still staring at Aunt Mary, not looking happy.
Everyone was on edge. And that didn’t bode well.
It would take at least a day to finish digging the tunnel, and Lyrian really wasn’t excited about spending that time breaking up fights. She had no illusions that Ostrian would choose to behave, and she wasn’t too sure Aunt Mary would either. The older woman was staring after the elder, her lips tight.
And even if she kept them apart, the uneasiness would lead to other disagreements. Being cooped up in a small space for an unknown amount of time always did.
But what would provide a distraction? A feast would soon grow dull, too much singing and dancing had the risk of being hear
d, and there wasn’t room inside the caves for any dragon games.
She stared around the room, then her eyes fell on Nate and Kyrian, holding hands, looking even more on edge than anyone else in the room.
An idea blossomed in her mind.
Chapter 5
Brad could tell from Lyrian’s narrowed eyes that she had an idea in mind.
One that probably didn’t involve him. She apparently thought he couldn’t even distract the police from the dragon caves. He really was useless around here. And since they were trapped inside until the police left, he couldn’t even go back to America where he could be useful.
He bit back a sigh.
He had to admit, the idea of bringing someone from Trima clan to help them out had merit. If this life dragon really could somehow convince the police to leave, then everyone could return to their normal lives.
For a while at least. Things here were only going to continue to get more and more interesting for the dragons now that the police were aware of their existence.
But none of that was his problem. There was nothing he could do to help. He’d be miles away.
Besides, Lyrian didn’t want his help anyway.
“Do you think Nate and Kyrian would be willing to get mated now?” Lyrian’s beautiful, haunting dragon voice filled his head.
Brad stared at her. Was she waiting for him to answer? He wasn’t sure how, or even if he could.
“Scratch your right ear if you think they would,” Lyrian added, realising his difficulty.
Brad stared over at his brother as he bent towards his dragon mate. Despite asking for the reassurance of Brad’s presence, Nate seemed more than ready. He appeared to have no doubts that he was making the right choice.
Then again, Nate always had been more impulsive than he had.
It usually worked out for him too. Brad suppressed a sigh. Sometimes he thought it would be nice to just leap first and look later. But he had seen that the ocean below held a dangerous reef of jagged rocks far too many times.
He looked over at Lyrian and scratched his right ear, wondering even as he did so, why she wanted to know. Mating seemed like the last thing to be worrying about right now.
