Page 32 of Of Scale and Blood

“A sensible woman. My wife is a rare jewel indeed.”

“You, sir, are an idiot.”

“And you, ma’am, are stuck with me.”

I rolled my eyes and glanced around as Kerryn pulled his mount to a steaming, stomping halt in front of us. The rest of the team swept in a semicircle around us, ready to respond to another attack. Jax had a bloody cut across one eyebrow, and Nico’s mount a shallow wound across his flank, but for the most part, the squad had escaped this first rally unscathed.

It was something that wasn’t likely to hold if we didn’t get out of here fast.

“Kerryn, lead the team back to Esan. Damon will ride with you and provide any necessary magical assistance.”

“And you, Captain?”

“Will fly ahead with Kaia.”

His gaze dropped briefly to my leg. He might not be able to see the wound from that height, but he’d certainly see the blood soaking through my leathers. There was enough of it. “The prince will have to ride on Desta, as we left Red tied up in the forest. We’ll collect him on the way through.”

I nodded, patted Desta’s nose, and informed her of our plans. She wasn’t happy about having a new rider, but the promise of extra carrots secured an agreement not to buck him off. Though I suspected Damon had a good enough seat not to be dislodged by her antics. I unknotted her reins and handed them to Damon. “Take care of her.”

His gaze dropped briefly to my lips, and warmth briefly flooded the chill beginning to seize my body. He didn’t step toward me, didn’t kiss me, as much as I wanted him to. He simply mounted and nodded his readiness.

“You want us to wait until your drakkon snares you?” Kerryn asked.

“No. Go. Kaia can’t approach with all of you here.”

“Good luck, Captain.”

And with that, he pushed his mount past me, into a gallop. The squad wheeled around and followed. Desta half reared, eager to be with them, but Damon held her in check, then leaned down and kissed me fiercely.

“See you in Esan,” he said, then spun Desta around and raced after the squad.

Leaving me standing on the hill alone with the Mareritt racing toward me, their battle cries filling the air and their swords and axes raised high. Behind them, a line of archers was forming. We reallywererunning out of time.

Am above, came Kaia’s thought.Move not.

I glanced up sharply. She filled my sight, her scales glowing like fire in the hazy light of the day.Won’t.

She dropped slowly, carefully, toward me, one leg outstretched, the others tucked up out of the way. But the Mareritt were now far too close, and the archers were nocking their crossbows. We had to get out of here, and fast.

Kaia…

Know.

Hurry.

Am.

But she continued her slow descent, inching toward me, then, when she was finally close enough, opened her claws and, with surprising gentleness, wrapped them around me.

Just as the Mareritt crested the hill and charged.

CHAPTER5

“Get us out of here, Kaia.”I raised my arms as her claws snapped closed around me, holding me tightly but securely. The beat of her wings increased, and a cloud of dust and stone particles rose with us, filling the air and making it difficult to breathe. An arrow cut across my cheek, drawing blood but thankfully not doing greater damage. I swore and cast what little fire strength I had left at the long, tinder-dry grass that dotted the slope between them and us, hoping it would make them hesitate and give us the few vital seconds we needed to get away.

They didn’t hesitate, but we were above the treetops now and rising ever higher.

Then I saw it—the long cylindrical weapon being held steady by two Mareritt while a third stood at the back, seemingly arming it.

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