Page 1 of Cage Me

Chapter One

Ch 1 – Never Say Die

He would not quit.

He would not let his people down, nor his mate. The warrior inside of him would never allow it.

Cage threw a punch, ducked and weaved, then threw another. He might not be able to shift into his dragon form anymore, but he could still fight.

He growled at his opponent who treated him like a little fucking flower. “Come on, Zon. Bring it. Don’t go easy on me. My bare knuckles are all I’ve got left to fight with, I’m not quitting until they’re bruised and bloody.”

If he had to die trying, he would ensure the future of the gold dragons.

His sparring partner lunged and caught Cage right on the jaw, snapping his head back. He tumbled to the floor and spit out the blood pooling in his mouth. Served him right for navel-gazing. Warriors didn’t think, they didn’t screw around.

About time he learned that lesson.

Better late than never.

Probably.

“Sorry, sir.” Zon looked down, the telltale worry in eyes. God, how Cage was tired of concerned looks. He’d lost his dragon, but it didn’t make him a breakable baby.

He waved the offered hand away. “I’m fine. But, remind me to dock your pay later.”

That anxious look turned to shock. Thank the First Dragon, because one more second of being pitied and Cage really would start docking warriors’ pay.

That would teach them. Gold dragon warriors were greedy bastards.

“Kidding, man. Teach me that move and I just might give you the key to my lair.”

Another look of shock. Cage really needed to get his men to lighten up.

Worry was not the way to be a warrior. Action was.

AmberGris, his second in command, and Zon’s twin walked into the training room and frowned at Cage lying on the floor. He assessed the situation, folded his arms, not pleased and scowled at Zon, who shrugged.

The two exchanged glances that had a whole lot of - what the hell is going on here – I don’t know, he asked me to spar with him – well, you have to be careful with him, he’s weak – communication between them. Before Cage could smack them both upside the head Gris gave him the news he’d been waiting for.

“Sir, we have her.”

Cage ignored everything else and pulled himself up from the mats. “Good work. Put her in my office and draw the shades. We want to make our guest is as comfortable as possible.”

“Respectfully, sir, she’s been a giant pain in the ass and I would prefer we escort her to the dungeon where I, we, can keep a better eye on her.”

Gris was an excellent dragon warrior… and a little overdramatic. Cage had turned The Lindens dungeon into a wine cellar years ago. But, since this whole shit storm had started, Gris had become an overprotective mother hen.

“I'm sure you would. Put her in my office anyway.”

Gris grumbled, and Cage could practically see his feathers puffing up. “Sir.”

Cage raised up a hand to hold the oncoming objections. “I promise you and the rest of the guard won't be far away when I question her. She's already stolen my soul shard once it's not like she can get it again.”

Cage waved to his empty chest. It still felt strange to not be wearing the talisman that held a piece of his soul intermingled with the First Dragon’s.

She'd stolen a whole hell of a lot more from him than his shard, she'd taken something precious from every Golden Dragon.

And it was his own damn fault.

---