Page 40 of Bound in Blood

She glances back at him, and her smile grows wider. “He says it’s safer than a horse.”

Malachi drops his head into his hands. “Horses aren’t all that safe, baby.”

But there’s no talking her out of this. It’s the best plan we have. Besides, the sooner she leaves, the sooner she gets to Alexandros. And the quicker we can get out of this fucking prison.

Chapter

Sixteen

OPHELIA

Had someone told me even six short months ago that magic and witches and vampires were real, I would have told them they’d been reading too many fantasy novels. Had they told me I’d one day be soaring over the Himalayas on the back of a freaking dragon, I would have sat them down and called a doctor. But here I am, sitting on Ani’s back, which is surprisingly comfortable, his neck so vast that I have plenty of room.

Despite the rush of the wind, I don’t feel cold at all as the heat from Ani’s skin is enough to keep me warm even without my stolen furs.

Are you still okay up there, sweet girl?Malachi’s check-in is the fifth time I’ve heard from one of the boys since we took flight about fifteen minutes ago.

Yes. I told you, it’s super comfy. I’m in no danger of falling, and it’s not even that cold. I bet it’s more comfortable than an airplane.Not that I’ve ever been on one of those.How are things there? Is Giorgios still foaming at the mouth?

Yeah.Xavier’s reply is followed by a chuckle.Elpis just flattened his entire east wall with her tail.

Imagining the look on his face, I suppress a giggle.Be safe, and I’ll update you when we’re close to Peru.

Be careful, princess.Axl’s deep voice floods my thoughts now.

I will. Love you all.

Their responding reiterations of love and devotion resound in my head, and I smile, pressing my cheek against Anikêtos’s warm scales. They’re alarmingly soft, similar to velvet. I had no idea dragons were so cuddlesome. Immediately, I caution myself to never describe Anikêtos as either soft or anything even remotely akin to cuddly within his earshot.

Thank you so much for coming, Ani. You have no idea how much it means to me that you did. If you could have seen Giorgios’s face when Imari told him there was a dragon at his gate…The memory makes me snort a laugh, and I can’t suppress it this time. Anikêtos doesn’t strike me as the kind of creature who finds much of anything amusing, and I don’t want to offend him, but Giorgio’s startled expression was a picture.

I weighed the options, and helping you save Alexandros seemed like the most logical course of action.

Did Elpis make you do it?I’m unable to resist teasing him.

He simply snorts. But he doesn’t attempt to throw me off, so there’s that.

How did you discover Alexandros was in Peru?

It is the logical place. I am aware that the Welsh mountains are too densely populated now. The Qilian Mountains are home to far too many demonkind, the Ethiopian Highlands to too many powerful shamans. That leaves the silver mines of Peru, which is also the most powerful of the ancient sites, for it is the place where dragons once laid their eggs.

So you’re sure he’s there?

I am certain, little elementai. It is the place Giorgios would choose because it is the place Alexandros would choose. He and his brother are alike in so many ways.

My lip instinctively curls into a sneer.I beg to differ.

You have known each of them for but a brief time, and I have known them both for millennia, child. Trust I know of what I speak.

I refuse to accept that Alexandros is anything like his brother.Well, I think they’re different in all the ways that matter.

He falls quiet, and I do too, replaying all of my conversations with Giorgios over and over in my head. Looking for any clues as to what his grand plan is. And then I can’t help but recall all of the awful things he said about Alexandros—how, given the choice, he would choose Lucian over me, even if it meant my death. I don’t believe it. My eyelids flutter closed, and I sit up quickly, sucking in a cold lungful of air to wake myself up.

You may sleep if you must. We have many hours to travel yet, elementai. I will not let you fall.

I lay my head back down on Anikêtos’s warm neck. With my eyes closed, I check in with the boys and remind them to be careful, and then I tell them how much I love them and miss them already.

I won’t sleep, but I will rest. Just a little.

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