Page 18 of Surge of Ice

Yes, the scientist had a theory about this, but his words feel like a scam. A clever way to get to Sam, since that’s all any of these dragons want. Unfortunately for him, I’m not falling for his little plan.

His gaze flicks to Sam. “You’ll believe me, eventually. Although you, Aydan, always take the longest to convince.” He meets my eyes again. “Did you grow up with her again? Loving her for your entire lifetime so much that your souls are entwined?”

My entire body stiffens.How could he know that?

His gaze moves to Evander. “And you two are still fighting over her. You must have just started sharing her.”

Sam’s cheeks turn red. “How do you know that?”

He grins. “It’s the same every lifetime. Your fire dragons simply take forever to learn to share. But they eventually do.”

“With you?” I accuse. “Isn't that what you want us to believe?”

He shrugs. “You are not ready to hear it, so I will not waste my breath.”

“That's the first smart thing you've said,” I mutter.

Sam gives me an irritated look, then her gaze is back on him, which I don't like. “The truth is that since becoming dragons,things haven't been easy. Male dragons have been coming after me, and even though we've found ways of keeping me safe temporarily, we know that won't last forever.”

“Of course not,” Zane says, inching away from the fire again. “Sam, you cannot possibly stay safe without a complete harem of alpha dragons. That is simply the way it works.”

“A harem of dragons?” Evander asks, brow raised.

Zane nods, like this is something we should be familiar with. “Most of the dragons who are coming after Samantha are beta dragons trying to steal a mate. They're not worthy of a dragon female like Samantha, but every lifetime they try.”

Evander rubs his head. “I don't understand. You're saying…?”

Zane's voice is cool and calm. “Female dragons always have several mates who are powerful enough to scare off any interlopers. This, of course, is only necessary until the female dragon becomes pregnant and her scent changes, becoming more similar to that of her mates. Then, the beta dragons are no longer interested.”

I glance at Sam, and I can practically hear the wheels turning in her head. Her lips purse, and she says, “Is that why I feel drawn to both Evander and Aydan? Because in my past lifetimes I've been with both of them?”

He nods. “Yes. A female dragon is meant to have multiple mates for her protection. Her needs can only be met this way, and she is only safe this way. Interestingly enough, she falls in love with the souls of the men, not the men themselves, so she tends to love the same souls each lifetime.”

I hate that it feels like some things are clicking in my mind. All along we've been wondering how she could stay safe. We knew she needed more help than we could give her. And yet, I don't like any of it. Not the implication I might have to share herwith more men, nor the fact that this man is suggestinghe'sone of those men.

It could all be lies for all we know.

“You are wondering if you can trust me?” He smirks, but it's not unkind. “Do you know what woke me from my slumber beneath the sea? I heard my mate screaming in pain and fear.”

Sam's eyes widen. “You heard me?”

I think back to her attack by the green dragon. I can still hear her screaming in my mind. It was like I was listening to her dying.

There's never been a worse sound.

“It took me longer than I like to admit to fully awaken. And when I did, you were gone. I found your scent, the scent of your fire dragons, one that might have been human, and Balor and Than.”

“Balor and Than?” Evander asks.

He tilts his head. “One is a green dragon, the other, brown.”

Sam shivers, wrapping her arms around herself.

Zane leaps to his feet and heads toward her.

I'm on my feet in an instant, blocking his path.

For the first time, he seems to size me up, a look of irritation on his face. “Hold our mate. She is frightened.”

---