Page 79 of Destiny of the Dragons

“Can you…die…” Mia started, looking at him.

“Yes,” he said, the breath escaping him.When I’m at the top,he thought,it won’t have to be like this.“But Selena isn’t in that kind of danger.”

Mia nodded, looking relieved.

Smoke stumbled into the kitchen, looking adorably sexy with his bedhead. Jace kissed him on the cheek the same time Mia did, and they sat in her little kitchen and ate breakfast.

Jace finished his coffee. Time to get this over with. “So. I was an asshole and I’m sorry.”

Mia nudged him with her foot. “I mean, I like my omelets without so much green pepper, but it was a perfectly good—“

Smoke laughed, and Jace nudged her back. “I mean about before. About joining my clan.”

He hated killing the joy on their faces, but it had to be said.

“I’m sorry. I really wanted to protect both of you from the world. And I thought my clan was the way to do it.” He looked down at his coffee. “Also, it’s what I wanted my entire life. I don’t know what I’m going to do to get out, but I will.”

“You don’t have to, not for us.” Mia brushed her hand along his arm.

“But I do. I kept telling myself it would all feel worth it when I was at the top, but if I have to give you two up to get there, it doesn’t seem worth it.”

Mia looked down at her hands.

Smoke sighed. “Jace, I get it. You want to prove to your family that you matter. But you’re just a tool to them, and I don’t want them to break you.”

“I just keep thinking once I’m at the top, things can change.” He couldn’t look at them. He was a stupid, naïve idiot for thinking things can change. For expecting more.

Mia and Smoke both touched his arm.

“You’re not naïve,” Mia said. “At least, not any more than me. I keep thinking if I just keep my head down, things will get better. But there’s always a new line to cross.” Her face grew darker and he wondered what horrible things her family had her doing.

Jace looked over at Smoke.

Smoke shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re looking at me for. I’m perfect.”

Mia laughed, and Jace followed her, punching Smoke on the arm.

Smoke smiled at them. “Honestly. I need to try.” He looked down at the table. “I was so afraid of hurting you Mia, so afraid to try I did nothing.”

Mia took his hand, and the three of them held hands together.

Jace squeezed their hands in his. “So. We have some obstacles. Smoke, your immediate concern about the clans raiding the dragons is gone?”

He nodded. “For now.”

Mia winked. “We’re going to need to ward the other warehouses.”

“Noted,” Jace said. Maybe they could do this. They could figure this out. “Mia, about your fiancé.”

“I need my family’s spellbook.” She frowned. “If I had that sort of leverage, I won’t need Cross and I can try to get away from my Mother.”

“Any leads?” Smoke asked.

“Just an address.”

“Okay, we can go with you to scout the address.”

“And you?” Smoke raised an eye at him.

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