Page 84 of Betrayed By Dragons

And there's something else, prickling at the edges of my senses.

I struggle to sit up. A wave of exhaustion washes over me, but I push through it.

We're in a clearing. Someplace I've never been before, and yet it's familiar somehow.

The sound of rushing water tinkles through the humid air, and lush, tall grass surrounds us. Tropical plants and trees form a dense forest to my right. I glance upward. The bright moon peeks through a wispy mist of clouds, lighting up the night sky.

A quiet crack rings out--a twig breaking under an otherwise silent footfall. I jerk my head around.

A group of men and women with dark skin stands at the edge of the forest. They're dressed in vivid blue, green and purple silks. Some hold intricately carved spears that glow with magic, while others extend their open hands. Blue-tinged light fills their palms, and my eyes widen.

Then there's a gasp. A man from the back of the group pushes his way forward. Our gazes meet, and oh--

Cool water surges like a tsunami in my chest, an empty room in my heart exploding open like a lily in bloom. Turquoise swirls of light burst through me, and I sit back, my jaw dropping open in shock.

He's gorgeous, with deep, ebony skin and short-cropped, wiry black hair. He stands at well over six feet tall, his shoulders broad with lean muscle. Peeking out from beneath the wide sleeves of his tunic, spirals of glowing ink swirl around his arm, enticing me with their beauty and power.

Deep in the pit of my abdomen, desire blooms. I want to rip that silk from his body. Trace my mouth over the sharp point of his jaw.

He looks like he wants to eat me alive.

"Mate," the man breathes.

The word punches the breath from my lungs. I look up, and new sparkles of effervescing energy swim their way around my heart.

And I'm floating. Ecstatic. Overwhelmed with the joy of letting my gaze truly connect with this man's brilliant, crystal blue eyes.

But I'm also sinking with dread.

All I can think is, Oh, Gods.

Not again.

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