Page 13 of Dragons Of Shadow and Sea

Malik's about to learn the hard way that she won't suffer any fools. I almost feel bad for the guy.

Almost.

He nods once more at the guards, and they do something on their end. Moments later, there's a ripple of energy in the invisible barrier in front of me. One guard raises a spear, while the other lifts his hands, a menacing ball of blue light hovering between his palms.

"Go on," Malik tells Ember.

She steps inside, and it's as if I can breathe for the first time since these assholes trapped us in here.

"Mate," I exhale, pulling her into my arms.

Jianyu grabs for her at the same time, and without hesitation, I let him. As I bury my head in her hair, and he clasps his hands around her upper arms, I want to laugh. Look at us, actually playing nicely for once. All it took was being captured and yet another, even more dickish dragon showing up and trying to lay claim to our mate.

I shift my gaze to the side, unable to ignore the fact that Malik's watching. He glowers, even more revolted than he was before. But that silk dress he's wearing only hides so much. He's turned on, too.

"Are you all right?" Jianyu asks Ember, doing a much better job than I am at tuning the bastard out.

"I'm fine."

She's distressed and aroused and terrified and pissed. I can feel it all through our bond. As I hold her, I run my hands over her body, not trying to cop a feel, exactly--though that is a perk. Just trying to reassure myself that she really is at least physically unharmed.

My insides clench. I don't want to know, but I have to ask. "Have you two..."

Unbidden images assault me again, my imagination running wild. That man's hands on my mate. His mouth on hers, his dark, smooth skin against her pale, soft, beautiful flesh.

She shakes her head and lifts her gaze. "No. I couldn't. Not after they led you away like that. But..."

She glances at Malik, and my stomach tightens further.

She hasn't made love to him yet. But she will.

I close my eyes. "I understand."

"You do?" she asks, surprised.

I look at her again, and my heart is being ripped apart. But at the same time, I get it.

"I remember what it's like, you know." I try to put some innuendo in my tone, but it doesn't work.

I do remember, though. It was only a handful of weeks ago. My gaze connected with hers, and it was all over. I needed her, craved her, had to have her. The ache was sharp, and it left me hollowed out until she let me strip her bare and push inside.

She was as desperate as I was--maybe more so.

What she's feeling right now...

With this piece of shit...

I hold onto her too tight, and she lets out a little gasp. I let go, even though it hurts.

Jianyu grits his teeth. "I'm not giving you my blessing."

"I know." She brushes her hand against his. "I don't expect you to."

"You have no choice," I force myself to say. Because it's true.

I want to fight for her. I want to kill this man who put us in this cage--this man who wants nothing more than to fuck the love of my life.

But I've seen this play out before. I can't fight--I won't. If I attacked her new mate, I would just be hurting her.

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