Page 47 of Dragon Awakened

"We could go back to Unity," Jianyu suggests. "Regroup. Try again."

I shake my head harder this time. "They'll redouble their defenses. With the Shadow Dragons here, they might even be able to find a way to prevent anyone portalling into the kingdom, for all I know."

I'm arguing about logistics here, but the panic spiraling within me runs deeper.

We came here to find my final mate. I stalled and dragged my heels, dreading having to face Storm and the Air Kingdom again. But now that we're here, the empty piece inside of me where my mate will fit is a gaping hole in my chest.

"We have to find him," I insist.

I must really sound unhinged, because Malik tries again to soothe me, pulling me into his body this time. "All right, beloved. All right."

"Or..." Jianyu gazes out the window thoughtfully. Then he darts a glance at Fury's crumpled form. "What if we induced Prince Storm to come find us?"

I furrow my brows, not quite following, but Rafe's eyes light up. "You devious bastard. I didn't know you had it in you, Juju."

Jianyu shoots him a glare but we don't have time for them to start goading each other right now.

"What?" I ask, pulling away from Malik.

"We announce that we've captured the Crown Prince," Jianyu says levelly.

Malik nods slowly. "And we will only negotiate the terms of his release with Prince Storm."

My stomach twists into a tight knot. "That sounds...kind of evil."

"Right?" Rafe says, but he's grinning, clearly sold on the idea.

"All we need is a minute to see if Storm is truly your mate," Malik reminds me.

"I know, I know."

"If he is, great, problem solved." Rafe curls one hand into a fist and punches it into his other palm. "If he's not, then we fight our way out."

I shudder, the knot in the pit of my stomach clenching harder. "I really, really don't like the sound of that."

Jianyu shoots Rafe another glare before taking my hand in his. "You have the locket. You can pull us out at any time."

How could I have forgotten? The magic in the locket glows against the center of my chest. "That's true..."

"We need to find a defensible position," Malik says, like it's all been decided.

But niggling doubt still has me wavering inside. I worry my hands in front of myself. "It isn't..."

To my mates' credit, they all stop, waiting while I try to gather my thoughts.

Hot shame burns my cheeks, and the knot in my abdomen sends out twisting tendrils.

"It's just," I try, but my tongue is tied up, too.

"What?" Malik asks, his voice gentle.

I force the word out. "Pathetic."

My face flares even hotter, and I toe the ground.

"I mean." I shake my head. "Crawling back to my ex like that." I gesture at Fury. "Going to all these lengths just to get his attention."

Rafe laughs out loud. When everyone turns to gawk at him, he holds up his hands. "Wait--are we being serious, here?"

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