Page 24 of Dragon Rivals of New York

“We pushed her too far,” I say quietly to Jethro.

His dragon head nods. I hate to say it, but the man’s not a horrible mate. No matter how much I still hate him.

I shift partially, allowing just my wings to take shape, then use them to lift myself and Sora onto Jethro’s back.

She snuggles into me, and I hold her tighter, hoping pressure and heat will calm her nervous system. Her eyes are closedwhen she mumbles, “That was… thank you.”

“No, thank you, Ara’ha,” I whisper, kissing her forehead.

I don’t know much about my mate’s past, but I think it’s going to take some time before she trusts she doesn’t have to earn our affection. Hopefully, this is a step in that direction.

Jethro lifts into the sky with the same grace he has on the dance floor. He’s careful not to rock his body the way I rocked mine on the way, careful to fly steady, making it easier for me to hold Sora while straddling him.

An image of me straddling him in a very different way slips into my mind, and I shake it clear. I’ll never seek pleasure with the man who killed my best friend, my mate.

Even if the goddess has given me a new one. Sora is incredible, perfect. But she’s not a replacement for Nadia. No one ever could be.

Chapter 12

Sora

“Thisisn’tmyapartment.”I yawn sleepily and rub my eyes, piecing together what happened. I’m still in Kyro’s arms and on Jethro’s back. Cool air hits one side of my body. The sky has a pale tint to it that lets me know it’s nearly morning. We’re on the patio of Jethro’s penthouse.

Kyro holds me as he slides off the other dragon’s back, and Jethro shifts back into his human form. Too tired to filter myself, I stare freely. He shifts everything but his cock back to normal, letting that dragon appendage stay on display a breath longer than the rest of him.

I lick my lips. Not feeling exhausted any more. That’s for sure.

Looking up, I find Kyro’s eyes burning with that strange flame dragons get in the middle of their pupils.

“Feeling better?” His voice is husky and even deeper thannormal.

“So much better.” I wiggle, letting him know I’m ready to get down, but he just tightens his hold. Alright, he doesn’t have to let me go for what I have in mind. “Kiss me.”

His lips are warm and soft, but the kiss is rough, full of tension and need. I adjust my position, pulling myself up and wrapping my legs around his torso, very aware of how naked we both are. He palms my ass as we kiss, and I moan into his mouth.

Just as I feel Jethro’s warmth behind me, Kyro breaks away.

“We need to clean you up.” He drops his forehead to mine, voice reticent.

“I’m fine.” Well, my feet and a few other places sting, scratched up from my run in the woods. But nothing hurts too badly.

“Kyro’s right.” Jethro rubs my back. “Let me draw you a bath.”

“Fuck,” Kyro mutters.

“What?” I ask.

“For a second I forgot we were at Jethro’s.” There’s a bitter bite to thename.

“Better make yourself at home here,” Jethro says. “It’ll be your place too once we all enter the pools together.”

“Fuck that.” Kyro squeezes me a little tighter. “We don’t even know if three peoplecanenter the pools together.”

“Don’t know unless you try.” Jethro playfully slaps Kyro’s hip.

Kyro growls and steps away.

“I haven’t actually agreed to… mate either of you,” I say.

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