Page 20 of Dragon Sword

I lifted an eyebrow. “Them? I thought you said you didn’t have any friends.”

Alisa opened her mouth to reply but something flitted through the window. It was one of the golden birds I had noticed in the rear garden the night before. Alisa smiled and held up a finger which the bird landed on. She drew the bird close to her face. “Have you brought me some news?” The bird bobbed its head and chirped. Alisa furrowed her brow. “I see. Keep your eye on them.” The bird nodded and flew back out the window.

“What did it say?” Will asked her.

“He saw a contingent of the troops leave the city via the old bridge only fifteen minutes ago,” she told us as she gave Will a worried eye. “And they had a captive among them.”

My heart skipped a beat. “Sylvia? Or Steve?”

She shook her head. “He couldn’t get a clear view of them. They were covered in a black cloak and walked in chains.”

“Did he see where they were headed?” Will questioned her.

“Into the forest in a northwesterly direction,” she told him.

Will pushed his bowl away and stood. “Then I had better go have a look.”

“Wehad better go have a look,” I insisted as I, too, rose.

Will shook his head. “This would be faster with one person-”

I clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Then I’m going. You stay here and worry about me.”

I didn’t wait for him to reply but slipped past him and out the door.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

Will didn’t catchme until I was halfway down the garden path where he grabbed my arm. He pulled me around and I could see the worry in his eyes. “You need to stay here,” he insisted.

I set my hand atop his and shook my head. “This isn’t negotiable. Besides, if you kick the bucket what does it matter to me? I’ll be left alone in a world I hardly know.”

“Raines would always look after you,” he reminded me.

I glared up at him as tears pooled in my eyes. “But I wouldn’t want Raines, I wantyou. You told me yourself that if a dragon lord loses his bride he often takes his own life.” I choked on my words but forced them out. “I couldn’t see any other way out for myself, either. Even if I had a hundred years ahead of me they’d be pointless without you.”

Will studied me with those soft, beautiful eyes of his. He reached up a hand and cupped my cheek in his palm. “I want nothing more than for you to be at my side for all time, but this isn’t safe. The elves would not have used the decrepit old bridge unless they were desperate to avoid detection.”

I stared up into his eyes with a steady unblinking gaze. “I don’t know anything about this old bridge, but I do know I can take care of myself. I need to prove that to you and the only way is to show you, but you’re telling me I need to stay home.”

His thumb brushed against my cheek. “I’m only trying to keep you safe.”

I leaned into his touch and shook my head. “I don’t need that. I needyou. Even if it’s dangerous, I still want to be with you and have your back.”

Will pursed his lips before he sighed. “Very well but if I tell you to run then you will run, no matter what. Is that understood?”

I nodded. “Understood.”

He turned away so his back faced me. I started back when his wings burst out of his clothes. He looked over his shoulder and grinned at me. “Climb on.”

I glared at him as I marched up to his back. “Why don’t you just carry me in your arms?”

He shook his head. “You’ll be more comfortable and warmer on my back.”

I had my doubts but stepped up to him. I tried to hop onto his back but the height difference and my really poor attempt at hopping meant I ended up sliding down his back and back on my feet.

Will chuckled as he bent on one knee so I could climb aboard. “Let me help you.”

I quickly climbed aboard and wrapped my arms around his neck. He stood and flapped his leathery wings before leaping into the air. I gasped as we took off into the sky. The evening air flew over us and was slightly chilling, showing that Will had been right in keeping me behind him. The warmth from his body beneath me kept me comfortable.

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