Page 68 of Don't Fae With Dragons

My breath hitches as he steps in closer to me, his fresh rainy forest smell finally breaking through the musk of Max’s shirt. I nod at him, my hand still resting on his groin. I clutch it like a sensual lifeline as he leans in to me and kisses my parted lips.

He catches my lower lip in his teeth and pulls back, slowly, until releasing it. It snaps back and a current of warmth blooms in me like a smoldering ember. Port smiles gently at me, but there’s a hint of sensual darkness in his eyes –need, maybe, orrestraint. I want him to show me everything he can do, I realize. I want him cracked open.

As I’m leaning in to catch his lips again, a massive force shakes the floor. I gasp and fall forward into Port, who catches me expertly. He turns the stove off quickly before calling out to Max and Cory, both of whom are already arriving in the kitchen.

“Cory?” I ask at the sight of his brows knit tightly together. “Do you sense anything?”

He nods, then holds a hand out to me. I take his hand in mine and grab Port’s arm to bring him and Max with us.

We make it outside together, Cory’s eyes narrowed as he tries to pick up on the cause of the quake. As we’re nearing the yard’s gate, the ground shakes again, and the three shifters all instinctively throw their arms around me in a protective stance. As horrible as this strange disaster is, the knowledge that these dragons are guarding me brings me some solace. Still, we have to find out what’s happening before we can try to stop it.

I close my eyes in frustration and try to listen for something, a clue, a sense, anything. I hear the muffled sound of rushing water and my eyes shoot open.

“The river,” I cry out –then I take off flying.

–––

I land with a loudthump, having miscalculated the fall. I stumble for a moment, both from the clumsy landing and the shock of the sight before me. As my wings fold back into me, I gasp and take in the state of the dam.

The river bank is flooded, and the water nearly reaches the small dirt path that runs parallel. Max and Port are close behindme, landing abruptly beside me as I touch down beside the bank. Cory’s been beside me the whole time, and he whirls around to make sure our entire group has arrived safely.

“What happened?” Max whispers, horrified.

Port shakes his head and grabs Max by the arm, pulling him to the remains of the dam. It’s about two-thirds destroyed, and water rushes violently through the wide opening.

“Come on,” Port barks out. “We’ll hold it as best we can. Cory?”

“We’ll start a spell,” Cory responds, nodding firmly.

I take a second to catch my breath, holding back a scream of frustration.Who did this?It could only have been Kar, but none of the shifters have sensed him –unless they’re hiding something from me. The thought fills me with sudden rage, but I set my sights on the shattered dam and focus.

I turn to Cory and straighten my shoulders as I say, “Can you guide the wind?” He nods, eyes stony. “Good. I’ll use magick to protect Max and Port while they hold the remaining barricade.”

Then the two of us set to work without a word. Cory must sense my anger, because his gaze keeps flicking back and forth between my face and the water. I ignore him and kneel to the ground, lowering my head to the cool earth. I begin to chant with my arms open:

Mother of Ethelinda, Mother of this Realm, here work two bodies, two of your own.

Here work two dragons, here work your kin.

Mother of Ethelinda, guide the dragons’ hands.

Mother of this Realm, calm the river’s spirit. Hum, hum.

Here work two bodies, two of your own.

Here they work, their bravery shown.

Guide the dragon’s hand, calm the river’s spirit. Hum, hum.

As I chant, I hear the river slowing. I don’t dare look up, though –I can’t risk losing the Realm’s Mother’s trust. Instead, I stay with my eyes pressed tightly closed, hands and forehead firmly planted on the ground.

On my third chant, I feel a hand land softly on my back. I gasp, my focus broken, and leap to see that everything’s alright.

It’s Cory’s hand on my back, and I let him guide me by the hand until I’m standing. I turn to him, feeling like a shell of myself, and he frowns gently as he wipes the dark earth from my brow.

“You look tired, Mili,” he murmurs softly.

A bitter laugh escapes me, and I utter, “I’m godsdamned exhausted.”

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