Page 25 of Her Two Dragons

“That…was the obsidian queen.” Darius scowled. “I don’t like this.”

“Too damn bad.” Michelle groaned as her dragon ripped free.

The shift startled her. She’d watched the men doing it, but even that didn’t prepare her for the way the world had changed around her. Scents were strong, the sun’s heat barely registered, and she didn’t even mind the hot sand beneath her feet. The height difference gave her a moment of wobbly vision. The swish of her tail drew her attention to behind her.

Holy crap, and wings. Her black scales gleamed in the moonlight. She spun once, her limbs nearly twisting up around her. She righted herself and her tail whipped back and forth.

How do I shift back? I can’t fit through the door like this.

Why did it have to happen now, like this, when it felt forced? She wanted to enjoy being a dragon. She could just see herself, flying between her two mates, soaring around the world.

Instead, she was a pawn, a puppet for the obsidian queen.

Just relax. Let your dragon lead you. She knows the way.The queen’s voice filled her head again, and she tried to slow her breathing, tried to focus on what she was feeling. Not the fear bubbling up in her throat that she’d gone from being held captive by one dragon, right into the arms of another.

Was this dragon form even hers? Or was it all a trick of the queen?

Khal’s voice was steady and even as he reached out a hand and touched her scales. “I promise, mate, we’ll soar together soon. You’re a beautiful dragon. Powerful. This isn’t the queen’s doing. No dragon or spirit of one, could force fate. And none would be able to pull forth a shift if you weren’t already meant to do so. You may be going into her building alone physically, but you’re never alone.” He pulled a necklace off from around his neck and draped it over her front leg. “You have two mates with you, always.”

The necklace twisted and changed, stretching until it fit around one of her talons. Almost like a wedding ring.

I can’t take your heartstone. She already has Darius’s. What if this is her plan? What if the Obsidian Moon doesn’t exist at all, and it’s all a ploy for her to steal your heartstones?

“She’s not evil, Michelle. When I met her before, she was hurting, angry, but she didn’t take my heartstone for nefarious reasons. Give her freedom, and you’ll wear both of ours, together.”

Michelle took a deep breath, and slowly, she returned to her human body, now completely naked, just like her men had been. “So much for putting on my boots.” She sighed. “I guess I should just go do this thing.” She strode around the edges of camp, careful to avoid any lights. It was bad enough that her ass wasn’t the only full moon on display tonight. The last thing she needed was Dr. Brighton seeing her like this.

The door to the structure was open, and she grabbed one of the flashlights from the table outside before heading in.

Just follow your instincts, Michelle. They haven’t led you astray so far.She could hear the humor in Darius’s voice.

The first time we fell was all you. And if I go in there, buck ass naked, and die, you better get in here and pull me out before anyone sees.

With a deep breath, she made her way inside.

The number of turns she made, following her feet, or the call of the queen, made her head spin, and she started to wonder if this whole place was built like a labyrinth with no escape.

Abruptly, she stopped in her tracks, like she’d hit an invisible barrier.

Shining the flashlight around didn’t do any good.

Then she remembered what the queen said. She needed her dragon to see.

Great. How the hell did she call on that?

Focus on how you saw as a dragon. You can see sharper, farther. This time, it was Khal’s voice.

Even this far underground, every time Khal or Darius spoke to her, it felt like they were right by her side.

She tried to do what he said, even going so far as to picture her eyes working the way they had as a dragon. It took a few blinks, but she saw it.

A door etched into the solid stone wall, faintly glowing blue.

And five slots that looked just big enough for fingers. Or talons.

With a shaky breath, she reached forward and put her hand into the slots. Okay, what now?

The queen’s voice dripped with irritation. Your dragon must help.

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