Dragon Prince (The Bride Hunt Book 6)

by Charlene Hartnady

  The bell rang, pulling him out of his reverie. Torrent handed him the iron ball. It was heavier than it looked.

  “It’s filled with silver,” Torrent explained. “It won’t affect you, other than weighing you down.”

  That explained it. Tide took his first step. He staggered. It was worse than he had imagined. Torn muscle and sinew protested. He growled deeply, watching as the others began to run. All out fucking run.

  “Better get going.” It was Shale. The male still had that smirk on his face.

  Tide took a step. Fuck! Then another.

  Shale was barely moving, staying just ahead of him. “Too slow. At this rate, I’m going to end up with the prize. I know which female I’m hunting today.”

  “Fuck you,” Tide growled through clenched teeth. He picked up the pace, not feeling the pain as much. Not caring that his blood began to flow again as the teeth bit into his flesh.

  “Two weeks is a long time. Pretty sure I can make that sweet, little doctor forget you ever existed.”

  He knew that the male was goading him into a reaction. That the bastard was taking perverse satisfaction from his pain and suffering, but he couldn’t help reacting anyway. “I’m going to fucking kill you,” he snarled.

  “You have to catch me first.” Shale winked at him and picked up the pace, widening the distance between them.

  He wanted to snarl at the male. Scream at him. He wanted to kill the fucker for even thinking of his sweet female. Tide roared as he picked up the pace. A slow jog was all he could muster. It frustrated him to see the others leaving him behind. He only prayed that his leg healed enough for him to pick up the pace and soon.

  “My feet hurt.” Meghan sat down on a boulder. She took off her sneaker and massaged her foot.

  “You need to get up and get going.” George looked concerned. He put his hands on his hips. “Now missy. Hustle.” He tried to sound light-hearted. Like he was making a joke, but she could see that something was bothering him. He had been acting weird all day. She assumed, like her, that he was worried about how things would turn out.

  “Tide is the strongest of all the dragons. I only planned on taking a five-minute break. We’ve been at it for hours.” Exercise was not one of her strong suits. She had two left feet and no muscles to speak of. It was a good thing that Tide liked his women soft because that’s what she was, soft. “Shoot,” she muttered as she removed her sock. “I have a blister. No wonder my foot hurts so darned much.”

  “Put on the sock and shoe and let’s get going.” George walked up ahead a few steps and turned back to her. “Let’s go.” She’d never seen him like this. Thing was, George also wasn’t much of an exercise fanatic, even though he had been acting like one since they set out. “Tide specifically told you to get as far away as possible. You need to buy him time to get to you before the others.”

  Meghan put her sock and shoe back on. "What's going on?" she asked as she tied her laces. "You're acting weird. We're both really worried here, George, but at the same time, we need to have a little faith in our men. You didn't see how Tide fought off that dragon that was after us. How he still managed to outrun the group of shifters who were right on our tail. He is strong and fast and we love each other. He will make it to me first. I have no doubts about that. You're starting to make me nervous." She began to walk. They were headed through a forest. It wasn't too dense beneath the tall trees. She suspected it was because the canopy was so thick. It blocked out much of the sun, making it difficult for the plants to grow. There was plenty of moss and ivy.

  George stopped dead, Meghan almost walked into him. “I have to tell you.” He covered his face with his hands and made a pained noise. “I promised Ice I wouldn’t but I can’t keep quiet any longer.” He turned around and she noticed how pale he looked. “You need to know.”

  “What the hell is going on? I’m not just nervous anymore, I’m scared.” She noticed that her hands were shaking and folded her arms. “What aren’t you allowed to tell me?”

  “Tide didn’t want you to know. He was afraid you wouldn’t go through with this if you did.”

  Her heart beat faster. Her stomach clenched tight. "Tell me." It came out as a whisper. Dread filled her. It made her feel icy cold. Made goosebumps rise on her arms.

  “Tide was hobbled at the start of the hunt.”

  “Hobbled?” she shouted the word because it didn’t sound good. “What the hell is that? What did they do to him?” Her voice was shrill.

  “Something about ancient traditions and Lores. I don’t know exactly. Ice has never seen it before. They hobble him. Do something to him designed to slow him down. It’s bad, Meghan. Really bad.”

  “Why would they do something like that?” She felt something on her face and realized that she was crying.

  “Something about him being royal and leading by example. He should have had more willpower where you were concerned. He displayed weakness and must therefore show immense courage if he is to save you.”

  “What the fuck is wrong with these people?” she sobbed, wiping a hand across her face, trying to staunch the flow of tears. “Why would they do such a thing? It would have to be bad to slow him down. Really bad.” She remembered how he had made it back to the lair with his back burned.

  "That's why we need to hurry. You need to give Tide time to get to you. That's why he told you to get as far away as possible. Ice told me that whatever they did to him will slowly heal given time. He will get stronger and faster and hopefully makeup time."

  “He should have told me.”

  “You wouldn’t be here if he did.”

  “No.” She shook her head. “I would never have expected this of him. Hobbled.” It sounded terrible.

  “He loves you. He’ll do anything for you. It was his choice. You said you were willing to give up everything, to risk it all.”

  “Of course.” Tears still ran down her cheeks. “I love the big, lying asshole. I wouldn’t have wanted him to suffer though.” A terrible thought occurred to her. “What if it’s for nothing? What if no matter how hard he tries, he—”

  “Hush!” George widened his eyes. “Don’t you dare say it.”

  “I need to go. I need to run.”

  “Like I was saying, let’s hustle.”

  “Not you, George. Your and Ice’s strategy was the opposite to mine and Tide’s. You shouldn’t get too far. You might end up with a real prince instead of your prince.” Tide had explained that royals had more stamina. They could outlast the general population. Ice was not a royal. If George got too far, he risked losing him.

  “I can’t leave you. You need me.” His eyes welled with tears.

  “I’ll be fine.” She wiped away her own tears. Crying was not going to help her. “Thank you for telling me. I appreciate it.”

  “I’m glad I did. You needed to know. Don’t be too hard on Tide. He’s carried this since you guys got back. He’s going through hell to get to you before the others. He did it because he knows how sweet, kind and genuinely good you are. You would never have let him suffer.”

  Another tear slipped down her cheek and she wiped it away. “I need to go. I’ll see you back at the castle.”

  “Yes, you will. I might need a day or two though.”

  “Oh, are you guys going on a honeymoon?”

  “No,” George winked at her. “To recover. I think you will too.”

  “I hope so, George.” She turned to run.

  “Oh, and Meghan …”

  She looked back over her shoulder, brows raised.

  “I’ll try to hold them back. If any of those shifters head this way, and they’re not Tide, I’ll kick them in the balls for you.” A look of determination took up residence on his face.

  Despite the sheer terror that coursed through her, she burst out laughing. "Just don't hurt yourself in the process." Meghan didn't wait for a reply. She picked up a fast jog. Moving as fast as she could through the undergrowth. On and on and on until finally, the fore
st began to thin out, making it easier for her. It took about a half hour and the trees gave way to a grassy hill, which eventually led to more forest.

  It was slow going up the hill. Her muscles burned from the exertion. Sweat dripped off of her and her bangs stuck to her forehead. Breathing was the hardest part of all. She couldn’t seem to catch her breath and her throat felt raw. Water. She’d take a one-minute break and ease her throat with something to drink.

  She unfastened the water bottle on her hip and took a deep drink. Not too much though. That was when she heard it. Dull methodical thuds. With a gasp, she turned. Oh no! Oh god! It wasn't Tide. This person had dark hair. She dropped the bottle, the water sloshing out. Meghan turned and ran. Her muscles were screaming in protest. A couple of minutes later, she was on the plateau. She glanced back as she reached the descent. The sound of footfalls was much louder.

  Shale.

  It was Shale. His eyes were set, a look of determination on his face. Although he seemed to be limping ever so slightly, he was gaining on her big time. She sobbed as she turned back to face the pathway ahead of her. Thankfully the decline wasn't steep or she might end up falling. Any faster and she would risk a stumble.

  The thuds grew louder and louder, until they were right behind her. He grabbed her hips and hauled her off the ground. Meghan yelled in both anger and frustration. “Don’t!” she shouted as he turned her around. “Get away from me!” Shit! She was crying again. Struggling to form words because she was breathing so darned hard.

  Shale was covered in sweat and grime. There was a streak of dried blood on his cheek. “You did well, female.” She was happy to see that he was also out of breath. He smiled at her. “Not well enough, I’m afraid.”

  Meghan gripped her side, which was cramping. She pushed past the pain and fatigue and squared her shoulders. "Don't do this. I love Tide. There is no one else for me."

  “We don’t have any time.” Just as he said it, she heard a whole bunch of footfalls coming from above them, followed by a shout as the first of the shifters caught sight of them. “My apologies.” Shale pulled her against him and closed his mouth over hers.

  Meghan’s eyes widened and she clamped her mouth shut. She kicked and railed against him, but it was no use. He held on tight. It was like hitting against a brick wall. A scream built up inside her. This couldn’t be happening. It couldn’t!

  Chapter 29

  “Hurry!” George screamed as Tide jogged up to the couple. Ice had his arm around the male. “They’ve gone that way.” George pointed in the direction the scent trail led. Ice didn’t say anything, he just gave a nod of acknowledgment.

  He slowed just a smidgen. “Thank you.”

  George looked like he wanted to say something else but he didn’t wait. Tide couldn’t. He picked up the pace once more. By now his body had mostly healed around the steel teeth. It remained uncomfortable. He went from carrying the iron ball until his arms shook from fatigue, to dragging it. The ball would hook onto undergrowth and bounce over rocks, pulling on his flesh, reopening the wound some. He felt weak. Not just from pushing so damned hard but he suspected that blood loss played a role as well. Right now he carried the thing even though his arms shook.

  What kept him pushing was that he could scent that fucker along with several other males. They weren’t all that far ahead of him. Shale’s scent was weakest. The asshole was in the lead. He grit his teeth and forced his body to move quicker.

  It wasn’t long before the forest gave way to open ground. He dropped the ball, growling as the teeth pulled in his flesh. His thigh burned and fresh blood trickled where his wounds reopened. The scent of his female grew stronger and he noticed a discarded water bottle on the ground. Tide picked it up, sniffing it. Her scent was strong. It renewed his vigor. Dropping the bottle, he forced himself to put one foot in front of the other. To keep going. Higher and higher, he climbed. The gradient wasn’t steep but he could still feel the burn.

  What the fuck!? Tide stumbled when he saw them. It was a group of seven males, they headed towards him.

  Towards him?

  No!

  They were going the wrong way. Fuck! His blood ran cold. His scales rubbed. Smoke wafted from his nostrils. Everything in him tightened as adrenaline pumped.

  “I’m sorry, Tide,” one of the males announced as he drew nearer. “You are too late. Your female has already been won.”

  “No,” he roared. “I will fight.”

  The male who had spoken shrugged, looking down at his messed up leg. “Suit yourself. Good luck, I hope you win her back.”

  Tide could see that the male thought that Tide was crazy. That he didn’t have a hope in hell.

  “Why are you rooting for him?” another male spoke. “Not ten minutes ago you were pursuing the female. You wanted her for yourself.”

  The male pulled a face. “Nah.” Then he grinned. “Okay, fine. You’re right, I would’ve liked—”

  Tide punched the male in the face. He heard the satisfying crunch of bone. The asshole gasped, managing to stay on his feet despite the impact. His eyes were wide, his hands closed around the injury. Blood flowed unchecked. The others shifted from one foot to the other. “Anyone else want to tell me how they were hoping to win my female? Mine!” He snarled the last, unable to control the emotions that surged through him.

  They all looked at the ground. Most of them shook their heads as well for good measure. Tide didn’t have time for this shit. He took off at a run. It wasn’t too late. He would fight despite his fatigue and waning strength. He would win. Fuck that, he was going to kill Shale. The decision had been made. He didn’t care about the consequences.

  The fucker was dead.

  Dead and fucking buried.

  The incline was a killer, only because of the weight of the ball. It pulled on his thigh. Blood ran down his leg but he ignored it. Renewed energy coursed through him as he spotted his female at the top of the hill. Shale stood behind her. Lucky for him, he wasn’t touching her. Maybe Tide would let him live. Maybe.

  Shale said something to Meghan and she turned towards him, her eyes lighting up. She tried to run to him but Shale grabbed her around the waist and shoved her behind him. Fuck him! Tide snarled and tripled his efforts. He hoped that the male would underestimate him. He hoped to use surprise as an advantage. Shale had folded his arms. It was clear he was expecting a conversation and not the fight that was coming.

  Good!

  Meghan stepped out from behind Shale, her eyes widening as they landed on his wound. She sobbed something that sounded like ‘oh no,' but he couldn't be sure. The injury looked as bad as what it felt. Maybe worse. A mangled mess of flesh and metal. Not to mention the blood. So much blood. She covered her mouth and sobbed into her hands, squeezing her eyes shut.

  Shale just stood there, arms folded. “It’s about time. You don’t have to,” his eyes widened and he inhaled sharply, reacting too slowly, “wait—” Tide’s fist connected with the side of his jaw. There was a cracking sound and Shale groaned as he went flying to the left. Just as planned. He had to keep Meghan safe. His female screamed. It sounded like she was shouting for him to stop but that couldn’t be right.

  He was on Shale in seconds. The male held up his hands. “No, stop!” Tide kicked him in the ribs. There was a loud thud. Not quite hard enough. He really was tired and weak. Tide tried again. There was a sickening crack and Shale screamed. Sweet music to his ears. Tide staggered though, only just managing to keep his footing. Unfortunately, he was running low on reserves. He could feel his leg bleeding again. With it, he could feel the last of his energy spattering on the ground.

  He wrapped his hand around the chain and pulled the silver-centered iron ball to himself. Even that was hard work. Shale gave his head a quick shake. Trying to shake it off. He could see that the male was preparing to get back onto his feet. Once that happened, it would be over for him. It was now or never if he wanted to win this thing. If he wanted to win his female. He gave an almig
hty tug, rolling the ball where it landed at his feet. Then he bent over, breathing deeply through his nose. He picked it up. So fucking heavy. His muscles shook with the effort. Tide was going to brain the fucker. No-one touched his female and lived. No-one!

  “No, Tide. Stop!”

  He lifted the iron ball above his head.

  Shale rolled onto his back, his eyes widening as he saw the iron ball in Tide’s hands. “No—”

  “No!” Someone jumped on his back, making him drop the ball. It landed with a dull thud next to Shale, who staggered to his feet. His face was pale. His cheek was puffy and his lip was split. Tide clenched his fists, preparing to fight on.

  “Tide, he’s helping us. Tide!” It was Meghan. Her voice was right in his ear. She was on his back. “Don’t hurt him.”

  “The female is yours,” Shale assured him.

  “Damn straight,” Tide growled. “Damn fucking straight she is.” He leaned down, helping her off of his back. Tide pulled her into his arms, keeping his eyes on Shale.

  “I’m trying to help you,” Shale said.

  Help him? Like fuck! “What, by going after Meghan, by—”

  “No, I never went after her with the intention of taking her for myself. I did it to help you.”

  “Why would you do that?” Tide narrowed his eyes. He didn’t trust the male, could scent him on his female. It irritated him. Rubbed him raw.

  “You love each other. I could see it back then already, at the Earth lair. There was something between the two of you.”

  “So you asked Meghan out on a date?” Tide raised his brows, pulling his female closer.

  “I’m a shit stirrer. What can I say?” Shale chuckled, then winced, putting a hand to his chest. “It was fun watching your reaction.” He shrugged one shoulder, wincing again. “You broke a rib.”

  “Just like you enjoyed fucking with me at the start of the race?” Tide snarled. “I wish I had broken all of your ribs.”

  Shale frowned. “That was to get you going. I wanted to anger you so that you would forget about your leg.”