“Don’t be an idiot. You heard what they said.” I scowled. “She’s bonded with an earth dragon as well. This is not as simple as we both assumed.”
Tyson snarled. “She wouldn’t.”
“You don’t even know her name!” I punched the air. “This is clearly complicated.”
Tyson snarled again but didn’t call his people.
One of the twins took out his phone, his fingers flying across the screen.
Tyson threw his head back. A stream of fire streaked from his mouth, lighting the trees above us. I sent a cascade of water to douse the flames, covering Tyson in cool liquid and charred branches. I didn’t even try to hide my smirk.
Scales crawled across Tyson’s skin. His eyes turned to dragon slits before he charged me. I skidded to the side, hitting his back with my fists while bringing my knee up into his stomach. The hot-headed fire prince released an oomph of pain and fell to the floor.
I focused on the twins. “I need to see her. It is my right.”
Tyson groaned from the muddy ground. “Mine fecking too.”
“This was expected.” The twins inclined their heads. “Ogden is on his way with the woman.”
Tyson shot to his feet and brushed off his clothing. When the charred wood didn’t come off, he growled at me. “Use your water magic to clean me off.”
I raised an eyebrow. “You want me to douse you again.”
Tyson pointed at the mud on his shirt. “No. You put the mud there, and I want it off.”
“A lot of people want a lot of things.” I whistled.
Tyson growled again, but before he could lunge, the sound of Jay’s distinct squeaky laughter caught our attention, though we couldn’t see her yet.
“Clean me off now,” Tyson growled. “Would you rather see her trapped in one of earth’s sunless caves?”
The fire prince’s gaze blazed with single-minded need. This asshole never considered the consequences of his actions, with one exception. He wanted Jay to be happy so badly; he’d looked past himself and offered a truce. I’d thrown it in his face. If I hadn’t, I might have been at Jay’s side when the volcano blew.
For a moment, standing in that moonlit cave with my mate in his arms, Tyson had been the better dragon.
“I cannot describe how much I hate you,” I clenched my fist before calling on my magic. Water swirled around Tyson, sucking dirt out. I even sent a stream through his short, dark red hair.
He danced in victory, steam rising from his clothing as he heated it to dry, leaving him pristine in his crisp white short-sleeve button-down and fitted shorts. I glanced down at my bare chest, palm tree-decorated board shorts, and flip-flops. I looked like a bum, but it was too late to do anything about it.
“Wiggles, come here!” Tyson demanded the moment Jay came into view.
Dressed in loose pants and a green tube top, my mate shook her head and tightened her grip around Ogden. The warlock wasn’t supporting much of his own weight. Sweat beaded his forehead, and he shook with every step.
“Wiggles!” Tyson demanded again.
Ogden cleared his throat. “Shall assume you’re the dragon attempting to call my mate to your side?”
I bit my lips shut. I also tried but when she didn’t respond, I backed down. Just like last time, Tyson had not. A growl rose in my throat, and I fought it down.
Jay scowled at Tyson before focusing on me. My heart thudded in my chest. Anger and worry tore me apart when she vanished after the explosion. Our connection had gone still andthen cut off like someone chopping off one of my hands. I’d never felt helpless before and never wanted to feel it again.
“I just needed to know you’re okay.” I hadn’t realized how true that was until I said it.
Jay’s entire posture softened, and she leaned toward me. ‘I’m OK,’ she mouthed.
I scowled. “You still can’t speak?” I shifted my gaze to Ogden. “Aren’t you a warlock? Why didn’t you fix her voice?”
Ogden straightened, taking a bit more of his own weight. “It’s not that simple.”