Page 68 of Dragon Unleashed

“We could just do what Father wants. You and I could get engaged.”

I recoil.He has to be joking.

“Chano already hates me. That would break any connection we still share. And for what? To keep the Virrey happy?”

“To keep you safe, Lorelei,” Farrell corrects me, stepping into my space again. “I can keep you safe if you’re mine. If you’re not, I—I can’t. He’s threatening to kill you.”

“Let me get this straight. You’ll look after me if I belong to you? Like I’m property.” I scowl up at him.

He groans and leans his forehead on mine. “No, Lorelei…not—”

The common room doors swing open and Chano’s unmistakable bulk steps inside. I spring away from Farrell, a fraction of a second too late. Chano’s gaze swings between the two of us and he emits a low, pained growl.

“So, this is how it is?” Chano says, a vein bounding on his temple. “Royals together.”

He backs out of the room without another sound, his face contorted in grief. The doors shut with an ominous finality.Just when things couldn’t get any worse…Covering my face, I choke back a sob.

Arms wrap around me and I still.

I should slap him away, but somehow being encased in Farrell’s hug eases the tightness in my chest, stops the misery overwhelming me completely. He steps back and I shiver fromthe loss of his touch. His fingers gently grip my chin, forcing me to look up at him.

“I’m sorry, Lorelei. It wasn’t my intention he see. But the question remains. Will you save yourself? Will you agree to marry me even if—” He swallows hard. “Even if it’s only in name?”

For a beat too long, I let myself lean into his hand.

Chano thinks he saw us being intimate. He’s hurting right now, and I’m what? Considering marrying someone else? To save my own skin?

“I’m still waiting, Lore. Please? Even Naeve and Zephyr think you should. Protect yourself, please.”

What is wrong with me?I wrench out his grip and shake my head.

“No, Farrell.”

Pain shoots up my wrist and I glance down, alarmed.What now?Farrell’s symbol glares accusingly red but my Aeternum mark is barely visible. A lump forms in my throat as I will it to look normal again.By the goddesses, I’ll do anything…

Nothing changes.

By the time I look up, Farrell’s broad shoulders are vanishing out the same door Chano went through moments ago.

Fuck, this can’t be happening.

Chapter Thirty-three: Lorelei

I hesitate as I reach the portal, Silas’ pass in my hand. It’s not stolen, not really. He can have it back. But there’s no way I’m training with him today, not when he plans to include the whole allegiance.

I pat the printout in my pocket and determination snakes up my spine. Stepping into the portal, I pull my shoulders back. I don’t need them. Any of them.

My feet hit the tarmac on the other side, and I sway, steadying myself on the dull gray brick of the Venez street corner. The dirty buildings glower down at the even filthier road. I forgot just how depressing it was, even in the upmarket end of town.

Setting off toward the red-light district, I glance back at the portal. No one following me, point to Lorelei.

It takes a good half hour of walking to reach the area of Venez I need. I don’t know it, not really. Only by rep. It’s full of seedy strip bars, with hookers on every corner.

I slip past a group of guys, ignoring their catcalls and glancing at my tablet only when I’m a safe distance away. The app clearly shows the next street over tailing off into an industrial yard.Please let it be right.The tankers there had the same logo as in the amethyst quarry. Three cheers for reverse image searches.

A chain-link fence bars my way and I hurry along it, trailing my fingers across the cool metal. My breath hangs visible in the air. I should’ve brought a warmer coat. I didn’t want to wear anything too obviously expensive but now, hell. What a mistake. I’m a shivering wreck.

The cold has seeped into my bones by the time I find a spot in the fence I can wriggle under. A few quick words of fire magic and the metal’s warm enough to be pliable. With a grunt I force the wire a few inches higher. I glance over my shoulder. No one. Now or never…

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