Page 48 of Real Scale Blazer

“Impossible,” he finished, but the fondness in his voice made her heart skip.

“Yet here you are, putting up with me.”

His expression softened. “Here I am.”

The simple response held more weight than all their playful banter combined, and Quinn found herself looking away, her cheeks warm despite the cold air. It was easier to trade quips and jokes than to acknowledge the growing something between them. Easier to deflect with humor than to admit how natural it felt to walk beside him, to fit against his side as if she belonged there.

The palace loomed ahead, its crystalline spires catching the last rays of sunlight. Behind them, the tremors continuedtheir ominous rhythm through the frozen ground, a constant reminder that their problems were far from over. But for now, in this moment, Quinn allowed herself to feel the strength of Kai’s presence beside her, and for once, she didn’t fight the warmth that spread through her chest at his touch.

The battle was won, but the war was just beginning. And somewhere in the shadows, Ordan watched and waited, planning his next move in a game where the stakes were higher than any of them had imagined. Yet as Quinn glanced up at Kai’s face, seeing the determination and strength there, she realized something that both thrilled and terrified her: whatever came next, she wanted to face it by his side.

She might not be ready to name the emotions stirring in her chest, but she couldn’t deny them anymore. The physical attraction she could admit to—he was gorgeous, and she wasn’t blind. But it was more than that now. It was the way he respected her abilities while still wanting to protect her. The way he matched her sass with his own dry humor. The way he looked at her like she was something precious and fierce all at once.

The sun dipped below the horizon as they reached the palace gates, painting the sky in shades of purple and gold. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new dangers. But for now, walking beside her dragon king, Quinn allowed herself to imagine a future where geological research wasn’t the only thing keeping her on Nova Aurora.

THIRTY-SEVEN

Barely twelve hours later, Kai grumbled as he watched Quinn navigate the treacherous mountain path ahead of him, her movements sure despite the slick ice beneath her boots.

This morning, he faked being injured so she would not want to go back into the mountains. But she saw right through that the minute she looked at him still in bed. “Overdramatic,” she said when she raised a brow and ordered—ordered—him out of bed to take her to this secret location. He should’ve never mentioned it until later.

His only choice was to take her the difficult way. Yesterday, he traveled the easy path and was ambushed by Ordan. This time, he’d sent his guards ahead of them to make sure everything was safe for his mate.

“Your mountains have terrible trail maintenance,” Quinn called over her shoulder, expertly picking her way across a particularly steep section. “Though I suppose that’s what happens when your maintenance crew flies instead of walks.”

A smile tugged on his lips despite the weight in his chest. “Most visitors arrive by dragon.”

“Well, some of us prefer to keep our feet on solid ground.” She paused to consult her hand-held device, frowning at the readings. “Speaking of ground, these energy signatures are fascinating. I’ve never seen anything like them.”

Well, of course, she hadn’t. The readings came from his ancestral magic, not geological forces, though she hadn’t figured that out. Yet. The thought of telling her everything tied his stomach in knots—an unfamiliar sensation for someone who’d ruled a kingdom for centuries.

“The cave isn’t far,” he said, moving closer as she navigated a particularly treacherous patch of ice. His hand hovered near her elbow, ready to steady her if needed. “Watch your step here.”

She shot him an amused look. “I’ve spent years studying glaciers, remember? This isn’t my first ice dance.” As if to prove her point, she gracefully sidestepped a hidden crevasse he hadn’t even noticed.

Her competence should have reassured him, but his dragon instincts remained on high alert. After the recent attack from Ordan’s forces, every shadow seemed to hide potential threats. He scanned the crystalline peaks around them, nostrils flaring to catch any unfamiliar scents on the wind.

“You’re doing that thing again,” Quinn observed, not looking back.

“What thing?”

“That overprotective dragon thing where you try to smell danger on the wind.” She glanced over her shoulder, brown eyes sparkling with mischief. “Do I need to remind you that I handled myself pretty well during the last attack? I did cause an avalanche, after all.”

“I remember.” How could he forget? The sight of her taking charge, using the terrain itself as a weapon, had stirred something primal in him. She fought like a dragon, even withoutwings or claws. “Though I’d prefer if you didn’t bring down half the mountain range today.”

“Spoilsport.” But her smile faded as she studied the ice wall beside them. “These patterns though... they’re not natural formations. The crystalline structure suggests some kind of energy influence, but that shouldn’t be possible unless...” She trailed off, her scientific mind clearly trying to make sense of what her instruments told her.

She was close to figuring it out on her own. Perhaps that would make the revelation easier. Or harder. After centuries of rule, few things rattled Kai’s confidence. Yet here he stood, uncertain how to tell this remarkable human woman that she held not only his heart but the fate of his entire kingdom in her hands.

The hidden cave mouth finally came into view, a dark slash in the gleaming ice face. Ancient runes carved into the surrounding rock glowed faintly in response to his presence, recognizing the magic in his blood. Quinn immediately zeroed in on them, her eyes widening.

“Those markings... they’re giving off energy readings similar to the seismic disturbances.” She stepped closer, reaching out to touch one of the glowing symbols. “How is that possible?”

“That’s what I need to tell you.” Kai took a deep breath, steadying himself. “But not out here. Follow me.”

He ducked into the cave entrance, having to stoop slightly due to his height. The passage quickly opened into a vast chamber where massive ice crystals grew from floor to ceiling like the pipes of a frozen organ. Each crystal thrummed with magical energy, creating a subtle harmony that resonated in his bones. He’d discovered this place shortly after taking the throne, and it had become his private sanctuary when the burden of rule grew too heavy.

Quinn entered behind him, her sharp intake of breath echoing off the crystalline walls. “This is incredible.” Her voice held the same wonder he’d heard when she first arrived on Nova Aurora. “The geological implications alone... these formations shouldn’t exist. The pressure and temperature conditions required...”

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