Page 209 of Ash

“Take me to him, Ash,” she said.

47

Jacques took his leave on the rooftop.

Dani stiffened when the Satyr slipped his hands into her own, but he merely smiled gently at her. “May you find your true path,Mademoiselle.”

She nodded, unable to speak through the sudden knot in her throat.

Ash was already in Dragon form, gleaming softly in the moonlight. He wasn’t nearly as big as Tyrez, although she thought his Dragon had benefited from an increased crystal load.

The huge silver eyes rolled her way. “Wills yous shift?”

She stiffened. “No. I don’t fly.”

The surprise was obvious in his Dragon face. “Nots ats all?”

“No. Can you carry me?”

He dipped his head, but it didn’t disguise the concern in his eyes. “Of course.” He offered her his forearm.

This time, she expected the warmth and softness of the scales, but not the sensation that flooded through her the moment she made contact. Despite his attempts to squelch it, his life essence reached for her, and merged with her own.

It distracted her, and her foot slipped. It wasn’t until she nearly fell that he steadied her with his wingtip. She still needed practice at this passenger thing. But as she settled between the spikes, she was seized by the same sense of belonging that she’d felt when riding Tyrez.

If Ash felt it as well, he gave no sign. Just waited for her to grab his spikes before he launched into the sky.

Cara’s garden was only a short flight away. Dani half expected to see the Watcher waiting for them. But the garden appeared empty as Ash slowed to land.

“We’re not going to splat, are we?” Dani asked as he backwinged.

“Nopes. Ams much betters ats this now.” And indeed, he managed a decent landing, if a little rough.

Dani slid off. He shrank his Dragon form, but stayed shifted as he led her down a seldom used path to a portal framed in stacked stones.

“Where are we going?”

“I wills shows you.” He offered her his wingtip. She hesitated only a moment before she took hold. They stepped through.

Moments later, she gaped at the thick forest that surrounded them.

“What realm is this?” she asked.

“It’s the ssames realm. Buts we’re a longs ways froms Winnipeg. This iss Papua New Guinea, an island called New Britain.”

The jungle was lush and filled with the sounds of nocturnal animals. “You guys live here?”

“Nears heres, yes. Climbs on.” Ash seemed locked down as he answered. She could sense the tension in him.

Dani eyed him. “Does Tyrez know you came to talk to me?”

Bingo. Ash looked away. “Nos. Hes didn’t wants me tos bother yous.”

But the two had the link—surely Ash had spoken with him? “So does he know I’m coming?”

Ash ducked his narrow head. “He isn’t talkings tos mes ats the moment.”

Dani stared at him. The desperation in his tone, and his face, wrung her heart. This was far, far worse than she’d assumed, if Tyrez had locked Ash out. No wonder he’d come looking for her.

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