Page 54 of Cage Me

The water from the spring swirled up into the air and a handful smacked each of them in the face.

“You can all put your dicks away now. I don't have to do what any of you say, nor do I need anyone's protection from the other. Got that?”

The two mermen who were behind the leader exchanged glances and one of them might've even smiled a little. Interesting.

Cage put his arm around her and said, “Sorry, mate.”

Azy picked his fingers up and drop them into the air away from her, not acknowledging his claim on her.

“Now, shall we all try this again?” About half of them nodded, Azy would take it.

She had an opportunity here and would need all of her inner strength to grasp it, use it for all it was worth. Because, doing so meant leaving Cage and what he wanted for her behind.

“Now, why are you really here?”

The smiling Merman stepped forward. “Demon dragons are attacking all over our realm. Many women have been lost to them. Some of our leaders,” he glanced at the douche bag merman, “do not think we need help. They are wrong.”

“Good. That’s a good start. Now, let’s talk about an alliance between the mermen and the dragons. Because, together I think we can defeat Kur-Jara.”

Cage grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the rest of the group.

“Azynsa, you can not endanger yourself like this. I will not allow it.”

Words she dreaded she would hear from him. She wanted so much for the spark of love between them to be enough for him to trust in her. But, it wasn’t.

“My actions are not for you to allow or not. If you don’t want to be a part of the solution, then go back to your golden castle and protect your way of life. Not mine.”

“Azy. Don’t do this. Come with me. Let me keep you safe. We’ll find another way to defend against the Black Dragon.”

“No. I’m going with the mermen to fight.”

Cage sighed and bowed his head. “I’m sorry, my love. I truly am.”

Gold scales shimmered over his body and in a flash, he shifted into his dragon form and snatched Azy in his claws. He jumped into the air and flew straight up toward the sun and clouds.

She beat against his talons until they were too far up into the sky for her to survive a fall. The cold air took her breath away and made her shiver.

Yes, it was the cold air. Not the fact that Cage had truly broken her heart this time.

Chapter Fifteen

Chp 15 – Even Dumb Dragons Deserve Love

The anger rolled off his mate in waves, pushing him to fly faster than he ever had. Cage stuck to the warmer currents and pulled upon his power of the sun to keep her warm at their altitude. He felt her shivers anyway.

The skies were clear, which was good because he needed the space and time to clear his head. He'd sworn that he could bear the brunt of her utter rejection of him like a warrior. He’d been wrong about how dark and lonely he already felt without the light of her love.

They may be fated mates, but they still had free will. If Azy chose not to be with him, decided she wasn't in love with him, even a little bit, that was her choice.

He wouldn’t blame her for it now. Cage had betrayed her so deeply. He wasn’t even sure he could forgive himself.

He would never know the joys of love. Not like Jakob or Ky. He would turn into a bitter old man, like Match was already.

He’d never know the love of children or true family. He would not have an heir. Because without Azy, none of it mattered.

There would be no one else for either of them. That was exactly the way Cage wanted it. He would live in misery as long as she was safe.

He didn't try talking to her during the flight. He doubted she would listen or respond, anyway.

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