Page 50 of Dragon's Honor

“You didn’t think about the timing of that?”

Ash blinked at the witch and then looked over at Finley.

Syrena sighed. “Would you mind taking it off again?”

Ash grumbled but he reached out his hand in a silent request. Finley considered not giving it to him, but she needed to know what was happening to her. She dropped her hand into his. Their eyes locked as Ash gripped the bracelet and slipped it off her.

Syrena’s eyes remained on Finley while she continued to study her.

Finley reached for each side of her robe and pulled it open a little more. She’d been feeling a little chilled before and now she’d grown warm. Her face felt like it was on fire.

Syrena gestured insistently. “Ash, put the bracelet back on.”

His brow furrowed.

It was so hot. When did it get so hot? Finley pushed off the bed, opening and closing the flaps of her robe trying to get some relief. Then the slow sensation of burning seeped into her skin. She felt like she was cooking in an oven.

“Ash, now!” Syrena barked.

He jerked into action and grabbed Finley’s hand and pushed the accessory back on her arm. Her arm chilled along with the rest of her body almost instantly.

Finley took a few calming breaths and then glanced around at all of them. “What the fuck was that?”

“I don’t know, but it’s safe to say, that needs to stay on her for the time being.”

Ash shook his head. “What is going on? She didn’t even have a reaction to the Dragon Fire the first time. Why would she be reacting now?”

“Great question, but I need to run some more tests. And I need whatever data Pru has.” Syrena’s eyes stopped glowing green. “Finley, you need to stay with Ash right now.”

“Why? Because he can keep me safe?”

Syrena sighed. “Yes. Not to mention, he’s the one who can get into contact with me if something else happens. Right now, you have a dangerous drug in your system that turns humans into ash. The only thing that is keeping you from burning from the inside out or maybe even something worse, is his heartstone. Maybe because you’re a dragon mate, it’s causing some kind of new reaction. Maybe because of the lack of claim, its effects were delayed but not forgotten. I don’t know. And until I can get my hands on Tabitha, I probably won’t know the full effects of it all. Or what Tristian is trying to accomplish. Stay here. Stay safe. And don’t do anything stupid.”

“What constitutes as something stupid?” Finley asked.

“Not listening to Ash.”

Finley rolled her eyes.

“I can see why you like her, Ash. She’s feisty. Let’s hope she’s not stupid.” With that Syrena headed out of the bedroom.

Henrik stood from the chair. “I have somewhere else to be unless you think you need me,” he said.

Ash didn’t reply right away.

Finley glanced back at him.

She couldn’t read his expression, but he hadn’t taken his eyes off her.

“Well?”

“Go, Henrik. We’ve got it handled here.”

Henrik headed for the door.

“We? Not you?”

Ash’s mouth slid into a smirk, not what she’d been expecting.

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