Page 74 of Don't Fae With Dragons

I hate to admit it, but I know she’s right. A moment passes, and it’s clear she cantellthat I know she’s right. Still, my pride stings from being left behind, and I growl back, “If she hurts you–”

“She won’t.”

“If she does,” I continue, growing heated just at the thought, “I reserve the right to storm in there and show her exactly who she’s messing with.”

Mili purses her lips. I don’t know how she’s going to respond –was I too aggressive? Did I scare her away? Does she see me as the violent dragon they all think I am?–but after a moment, she sighs and nods. “Fine.”

I can’t hide my surprise. “Fine?”

“If anyone hurt you or the other shifters, I wouldn’t know what to do. I’m a peaceful person, but that would – it would be hard to keep my usual composure.”

I nod, mind reeling from these words. Mili, who I can’t imagine hurting a fly, would defend Max, Port, and me? Perhaps we have more in common than I thought.

“You understand, then,” I say slowly.

Mili nods, her expression growing hard with resolve. “I’ll be back, okay?”

I nod, but don’t let myself kiss her. If I touch her now, I’ll never let her go again. I watch as she enters the small beach hut, where I found Aurora by sensing her scent. My shoulders tense with stress and agitation, and I roll my neck to try to calm myself down.

Minutes pass.

Then more minutes pass.

The Sun grows low on the horizon, and I decide that if Mili hasn’t come out by the time it falls completely, I’ll storm into the cabin, decorum be damned. Luckily, she slips out the front door a moment later, and I restrain myself from rushing over to her.

She hurries over to me and sighs, “Let’s get the Realm out of here.”

We fly back to Ethelinda, but Mili lands before we turn from the path leading to the forest back to the town. I frown, but land with her, wondering what she’s stopping for.

“What happened, Milica?” I ask, looking deep into her eyes for some explanation.

She shakes her head, eyes shining, and steps to bury her face in my chest. I wrap my arms around her, lowering my chin until it’s resting on the crown of her head, and rub circles into her lower back.

“She was soangry, Cory.”

I frown. “What do you mean?”

She pulls back, wiping a single tear from her eyes. She looks heartbroken, but I can tell she’s doing her best to keep it under wraps. I brush her cheek with my thumb, and she leans into my touch, lip quivering slightly.

She sighs shakily and continues, “She’s just different. Colder. It ... it scared me.”

“Oh, Mili,” I sigh, wrapping my arms around her again.

“Eventually,” she speaks into my chest. “She admitted that she broke the dam, although she said she didn’t realize how much damage it would cause. She wouldn’t tell me why she did it, but she said that Kar gave her the idea.”

I’m struck with such sudden rage that my voice sounds unlike my own as I growl out, “Kar?”

Mili winces. “I wasn’t surprised, per se, but it did alarm me.”

I straighten, pulling back to gaze into her face. “I’ll go find him.”

“Cory–” she starts, eyes widening.

“It’s safer than you coming with me. It’sKar, for the Realm’s sake. He might try to harm you, Mili. I won’t let that happen.” The words come out steely and firm, and Mili stares up at me with pursed lips.

“What if you can’t find him?” she whispers.

I can’t let myself think that’s possible. I straighten my shoulders and shake my head. “I will.”

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