Page 25 of Dark Prince's Mate

“My power,” I whisper.“I think I feel something.”

He gives my fingers a squeeze.“Like Vitai said when he healed you, there’s only one way we’ll know.”

The first thought that pops into my head is Betty.I’m frantic to know if she made it home in one piece.I’m holding my breath, my face trained toward the window, when a piercing cry rips through the sky.I sit like a statue, unable to speak or move as I wait for the verdict.And then she dives straight up out of nowhere in front of the window and lands with a thud that shakes the balcony.

I’m on my feet and in front of the window in a blink, opening the latch with laughter bubbling from my lips.From somewhere behind me Aruan is calling my name, but I’m too ecstatic to acknowledge anything but the fact that Betty is here, safe and sound.

I make a beeline for the predator, who lowers her long neck to put her head at my eye level.

“Good girl,” I say, scratching her chin.

“Elsie,” Aruan says, this time with more warning than caution.

I turn around to face him like a giddy child, unable to squash my happiness and excitement.

“It’s back,” I cry out.“My power is back.Betty is safe.”

He holds out a hand, his arm stretched out toward me with the palm facing up.“Come to me, Elsie.Now.”

Understanding dawns.He thinks I’m going to fly off again.

He continues grimly.“Step away from that dragon?—”

I narrow my eyes.“Do not say ‘or,’ Aruan, not if you want whatever we’re trying to do here to work.I won’t allow you to threaten Betty or give me ultimatums.”

A muscle ticks in his temple.“You’re testing my patience, mate.”

“I can’t live with you if you threaten the animals I love.”

“You neglected to mention that detail of your terms when you negotiated the safety of your friends on the island.You should’ve thought about making a list of your requirements before you offered me a deal.”

My joy turns to anger.“Don’t be like that.”

“Like what?”He drops his arm and comes closer.“Honest?You obviously care more for the dragons than for your own mate.”

“Are you jealous ofBetty?”

The floor starts shaking, huge cracks that have nothing to do with Betty’s weight running up the walls.

“I just got you back, and I’m not losing you again,” he bites out.

“I’m not going anywhere.”To prove the point, I take a step toward him.“I just wanted to say hello to her.That’s all.Calm down, Aruan.Please.”

It takes a moment before the earthquake he brought on with his power passes, but it doesn’t completely stop until I place my hand in his.His grip around my fingers is almost painful.

I glance over my shoulder at Betty.

Catch you later, girl.

She takes off into the air with a screech, once more quaking the rock face of the palace.

“Come to the table,” Aruan says, pulling my attention back to him.“You have to eat.”

My hunger is all but forgotten.Giving my power a last test-drive, just to be sure, I reach out in my thoughts to Pip, the cute little anurognathus.

Aruan seats me at the table and pours water in my glass.Not a moment later, Pip plunges through the air and darts into the room through the open window.I squeal in delight when he perches on the edge of the table next to my place setting, eyeing the food on my plate with greedy little beady eyes.

“You did it,” Aruan says.“You summoned that pixie dragon.”

---