Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 129584 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 648(@200wpm)___ 518(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129584 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 648(@200wpm)___ 518(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
“Sora. Honey bear,” Ravi started again as he closed the door behind him. At least the entire castle wasn’t going to hear how Ravi had royally pissed off Sora. “This is important. It will get us closer to finding the Jaeggi and defeating them once and for all.”
Sora swung back around, his long dark hair fanning out around him almost like a cape. “Do you honestly think I don’t understand how important this is? What I want to know is, why? Why does it have to be you?”
“Because I’m the fastest and the sneakiest. Thomas Jaeggi will never know I’m there.”
“But what if he does? I’ve heard the stories of Cameron’s kidnapping, as well as the nearly fatal attack on Cassie. And the Jaeggi needed them. What do you think he will do with a dragon? It makes me sick to think of the risk you’re taking.”
“Think of what could happen if I don’t do this. How many other mages out there will suffer as Cassie did and ultimately die? What will happen to dragons and mages if the Jaeggi continue to run unchecked through the world?” Ravi quickly countered, but Sora was already shaking his head, unwilling to listen.
“So, you’re charging in there alone—”
“Not alone. I’ll have Sahan with me, most likely.”
“Sahan!” Sora spun and paced out of the parlor and into the bedroom before turning back toward Ravi. “I love Sahan like a brother. I have known him my entire life, but as a dragon he is young.”
“There’s not even a two-year age difference between us!”
“Plus, he has no real experience fighting mages, let alone the Jaeggi. At best, he’s had a couple of rough tumbles with another dragon. That does not give him the experience or training he needs to watch your back and keep you safe.”
“Then I won’t take Sahan. I’ll take Gunter with me. He’s faced off against other dragons, mages, and even the Jaeggi.”
But Ravi could see from the dark expression on Sora’s face that it wasn’t enough. “I don’t want it to be you.”
Ravi’s heart broke. He’d never seen Sora anything but calm and collected. The mage was incredibly controlled and logical; his emotions never seemed to overrule his mind. He rolled with all the strangeness filling Ravi’s life, and it never ruffled his feathers. But this appeared to be breaking his mate.
“It has to be me, honey bear. I have the best shot at succeeding without tipping off the Jaeggi. I’ll get in and out, and I won’t be hurt.”
“Yes, but you’ve already been hurt by these bastards!” Sora shouted, throwing his arm out as if motioning toward the main foyer where the explosion had occurred. “And that time, I was there to take care of you, to heal you. If something happens in Prague, who knows how long it will be before I can reach you? If you’re going, then you have to let me go with you.”
“No! Absolutely not!”
“Ravi—”
“Mages shouldn’t be anywhere near Thomas Jaeggi.” A shudder ran through Ravi, and an icy chill slithered through his veins. His dragon was on his side about this, growling at the idea of Sora coming along. “We have tried time and again to hide mages in the field, and the Jaeggi have always found them. I won’t let the Jaeggi get their hands on you. The only place you’re safe is here, at the castle.”
“And I’m supposed to let you walk into danger?”
Ravi closed the last few feet between them and wrapped Sora tightly in his arms. Sora hugged him back with a fierceness that would have cracked the ribs of a normal human.
“I just found you,” Sora whispered in a shaky voice. “They’ve already hurt you, and I can’t stand the idea of letting you out of my sight. Not so soon. I love you, Ravi. I can’t lose you.”
Turning his face into Sora’s throat, Ravi nuzzled him, breathing his scent in deeply, as if he could hold that part of his lover in his lungs forever. “I love you too, and you won’t lose me. I’m too fast for anyone to catch me.”
He loosened his hold just enough to run his hands up and down Sora’s spine in a gentle caress. Bit by slow bit, the tension humming through his frame eased. Ravi didn’t need to say anything because he understood Sora’s fear. It was his own. What would he do if something happened to his mate? It would destroy him.
“I know I’m not being logical, but there has never been danger like this in my life. We’ve lived hidden away. I’m spoiled.”
Ravi lifted his head and smiled. “Not spoiled, but maybe a little lucky. It means you’ve missed out on a lot we’ll get to experience together—good and bad—I promise.”
“I can’t stop you from going…”
Ravi sighed. “You can, actually. You’re my mate. I would do anything to keep my mate happy and safe.”