Page 26 of The Dragon's Captured Heart
“Sounds nice.” I had to wonder if Laura and I had anything in common after all. “Much better than being thrown into a chamber and selected one by one by random dragon men like we’re at some sort of meat market.”
Laura sighed. “I can understand how that is … unsettling.”
“So, why aren’t you up in arms about it now that you know we’re here against our will?” I pushed, curious as to her answer.
She stopped walking and faced me directly. “Has Callum treated you poorly? I know him, so I’m fairly certain of the answer, but …”
“No,” I was forced to admit. “He hasn’t. If anything, I’ve been the one giving it to him. But can you blame me? Again,kidnapping.”
“I doubt anyone would blame you,” Laura agreed. “It’s just that if I’ve learned one thing about dragons, it’s that things just work …differentlywith them. Especially when it comes to women and love and mating.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, that if you’re here, with Callum, then I think you’re here for a reason. It sounds insane, I know,” she said, holding up both hands to keep me calm as she said it. “Trust me, I’m well aware I sound like a blithering idiot. But that doesn’t mean I’mwrong,” she added, reaching up to rub her breastbone in what appeared to be a subconscious manner.
She touched it in the same spot Callum’s scale was adhered to him. I couldn’t help but wonder about it, but it was her words that drew my attention first.
“You’re saying it like it’s a thing. Are you talking about ‘fate’?” I asked, waggling my fingers in the air.
“Yes. I am. Things aredifferentwith dragons, Madison. They aren’t human, and they operate in different ways. Their mate bonds are … incredible.” She shook herself. “And on the flip side, you being here is helping stop a war. A war that was killing so many. I can’t help but wonder if that’s a sacrifice worth making?”
“That’s easy to say when you aren’t the one being forced to make that sacrifice,” I pointed out.
“You’re very right. I can only wonder. I can’t relate. But you’re here now. There’s peace between our people. And maybe, just maybe, I’m right,” she said with a shrug. “And if I am, there’s something in store for you. All of you.Ifyou choose to open yourself up to it.”
“Are you suggesting I Stockholm syndrome myself?” I asked bluntly.
“Nobody is going to force you,” Laura said.
“They’ve already forced me to be here. They’ve forced me to be with Callum, to live with him.”
“Nobody can force you to love him.”
“Love? That’s quite the jump, don’t you think?”
Laura smiled. “Not once you open your eyes, I don’t think. Discover that here is where you’re supposed to be.”
“Ishouldbe back home.”
Laura tilted her head. “If you were sent here against your will … does home really want you back?”
Opening my mouth to reply, I was cut off as someone down the hallway called Laura’s name.
“I’m sorry. I have to go. It was nice talking to you. I’m sure I’ll see you again.”
“You, too,” I said as she started hurrying away.
“Believe me,” she added over her shoulder. “It’s worth giving it a try.”
I watched her go, the last two points she’d made spinning around and around in my head, leaving me with one really big question.
What was I going to do?
Chapter Fifteen
Callum
Igrabbed Madison by the waist and pulled her close to me just as a group of kids hurtled by. The oldest, no more than ten, was shrieking orders to his charges as they darted in and out of the crowd.
