Page 35 of Defy Me

Jett scoffed. "But it's not yours."

Yvaine shushed him. What a tattletale. She didn't need Ciara thinking she was some sort of common thief. She'd never steal from them. Unless they happen to be walking down the street with their bags hanging open. Then she'd do it so no one else could.

Ciara raised her champagne glass. "How about we just lend you one of our cars?"

"Road trip!" Yvaine had been on the road for months, but mostly hitchhiking or walking. No speed limits meant they'd be across the English Channel in no time. That got them that much closer to making all her dreams come true. Other than getting laid. That was one double checked off the list. "Autobahn here we come."

"You're not driving." Jett was not being very gracious.

Yvaine put her hands on her hips. "Why not? You got to drive last time and we ended up in a steaming pile of junked Boxster and tree."

"Because you don't have a drivers license." His face said something else entirely. 'Your fault' to be exact.

"You don't either." Probably. What did she know? Did they even give licenses to dragons?

"Neither of you are driving. I am." A deep resonating voice boomed into the kitchen area. Standing in the doorway, leaning against the wall like he didn't have a care in the world was a very tall, very blond, golden to the point of almost sparkly, man who was most definitely also a dragon. Yvaine didn't know who he was, but probably he was some sort of dragon royalty. He had that kind of air about him.

Jett stiffened and threw his bacon down on the plate. This must be serious. "Fuck you, Cage. This is none of your business. What the hell are you even doing here?"

Golden boy straightened up too and pointed a finger at Jett. "Jakob called me right after you showed up, bastard. I've been looking for you."

Nope, nope, and no way, Jose. Nobody put her Jett in a corner. Yvaine stepped in front of Jett and pointed her finger right back at this Cage dude. "Keep your name calling to yourself, buster."

The man's golden eyes sparkled and he gave her a wide grin. "My apologies, miss. I didn't realize our black rogue dragon was under anyone's protection."

She could practically feel Jett bristling behind her so she grabbed one of his arms to keep him in human form. Plus, also she liked touching his muscles. If he could protect her from her enemies, she could do the same. "Don't you forget it. Now, who are you?"

He half bowed like a prince or something. "I am Cage Gylden, the Gold Wyvern and leader of the dragon warriors."

She stuck out her hand to him. The nuns always said you could catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Dragonflies too. "Yvaine."

He held onto her hand a little too long then kissed it instead of shaking it. "Just Yvaine?"

"You want a fancy title? I can make one up. Yvaine de Hythus, pickpocket and Houdini extraordinaire and mate to the Black Rogue Dragon. How was that?" Sounded fancy. She might start introducing herself like that anyway.

"Mate?" Jakob and Cage said together.

"Told ya," Ciara said and topped off everyone's mimosas with champagne, winking at Yvaine when she refilled hers.

Cage tipped his head sideways and glanced at Jett and then at Yvaine's chest. What was with this guy? Were all dragon leaders so, so, pervy? "Hey. Eyes up here, buddy."

His gaze remained exactly where it was, a smidge above boobline. "This isn't another Portia, is it?"

"No." Jett didn't say anything more.

She'd ask him about this other woman later. When they were alone and she could torture it out of him with kisses, below the belt. Because all's fair in love and war. "I don't care who is driving, let's pack some lunch and snacks and get this show on the road."

"On the road to Geshtianna's new hideout since Jett is the only one who knows where she and my dragons are being held." Cage twirled keys in his hand.

Woman number two she'd be asking Jett about later. "Good try, oh golden one, but unless that chick is in Scotland, she's gonna have to wait. We've got a unicorn to find, beg for some of it's blood, and some curses to cure. Let's go."

Despite marching toward the door, no one followed her. Cage picked up a piece of bacon, chewed it, and swallowed before saying anything. "Rogue, your mate says some very strange things. Unicorns? They are a myth."

Screech. Wait, what? "What are you talking about? Of course they exist. Come on. Dragons do, witches do, why wouldn't unicorns?"

Cage examined Yvaine looking at her now like she was not the sharpest hoe in the garden. Snortlaugh. Little did he know. He shrugged and looked to Jakob for confirmation. "They simply don't. Who told you they did? Perhaps someone acting under the influence of Geshtianna or Ereshkigal to lead you farther away from where they are hiding my dragon warriors and Portia."

Yvaine was all ready to defend dear Mr. Bohacek but Jett pulled her to him and kissed her on the top of the head. "Don't worry, love. We will find your unicorn. I believe they are real are the solution we both need."

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