Page 109 of Dragon's Honor

“I’m with you. I think uniting makes us stronger. What of Tristian?”

“He didn’t want to come today,” Ash said quietly. “He’s still a mess. Everything he did. Grey still has his mate. He’s not sure how he’s going to get her back. Apparently, she’s human too.”

Gavin and Ryker glanced at each other.

Henrik sat down on the edge of the sofa. “Has he claimed her yet?”

“I don’t think so,” Ash replied.

The Amazonite king glanced around. “You’re going to need more followers than this.”

Ash sighed. “Yes, I know.”

“You can consider the Amazonites with you, though I don’t know if my whole clan will be so eager.”

Ash nodded. “I understand, but I thank you for listening and coming here today with an open mind.”

“I must return home. With Grey out there lurking, I don’t like to leave my mate behind.”

“I don’t blame you,” Ash said. “If mine wasn’t upstairs pacing worriedly, I’d already be up there checking on her.”

Gavin chuckled. “I don’t think I’ll get over how quickly you became domesticated.”

“If you think she’s tamed me, you’re wrong about that,” Ash replied.

Henrik sighed. “Are all mated dragons this annoying?”

Ash smirked. “Don’t worry. I have a feeling your time is coming soon.”

Henrik looked decidedly uncomfortable with that notion, but he didn’t say anything.

The Amazonite king left, leaving the friends alone.

Gavin and Ryker were both standing in front of Ash. “Your mate is truly a dragon?” Gavin asked.

Ryker and Gavin exchanged glances again.

“I take it you’ve been holding onto a secret?”

Ryker knelt before Ash. “Forgive me, my king, for leaving the way I did.”

Ash grabbed his friend and brought him back to his feet. “Please, it’s me who should be apologizing to you. You were one of my most loyal friends and guard and I just turned my back on you. And here I am, guilty of the same act as you. I am sorry.”

Ryker shook his head. “When she shifted, I thought for sure we’d started the apocalypse or something.”

Gavin chuckled. “I have to admit Pru and I were pretty terrified too. We never told anyone. You were pretty quick to reveal what happened with Finley.”

Ash scoffed, “That was all Finley’s idea. I had no intention of saying anything. But she argued the point that if we’re going to make change, it’s easier to do when change has already happened. The other clans might not like it, but eventually, they’re going to start having their own issues. I think fate is just getting started.”

“Do you really think we can trust the humans?” Ryker asked. “I’ve met plenty I wouldn’t trust.”

Ash laughed humorlessly. “I’ve met plenty of dragons I wouldn’t trust either. Tristian said he’s with us. I told him we would help find his mate and bring her home if we can manage it.”

Henrik sighed. “We’ve got a big problem in Chicago.”

“What the hell is happening in Chicago?” Ash asked.

“The black market there has got something called Dragon’s Breath. I don’t think Grey is done making things out of dragons. I doubt he’s done with Dragon Fire. It was pretty fucking effective. Are we sure Tristian is cured? And your mate and her sister?”

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