Page 7 of The Dragon's Captured Heart
As I did, the giant red dragon that had been watching came forward. He lifted a claw and casually lowered the tip into the whirling blades. Metal shrieked, and the entire frame shook like mad as they were sheared free, spinning off into the night.
The dragon-man at my cockpit door cursed and shouted at his partner but then swiftly turned his attention back to me. There was a giant smile on his face.
“There, it’s settled now. You’re coming with us. Tribute number eight.”
Chapter Five
Callum
We approached the palace from the west with speed, dropping in pairs toward the roof where yet more guards waited to usher the women below.
Each of us carried two women ensconced in our curled claws. They were still mostly asleep, the magic of the barrier around the Dragon Isles having put them under. That wouldn’t last for much longer, however, and they needed to be safely on the ground by the time they did.
Guards closed on me as I dropped toward the flat stone roof. My wings spread wide, the reddish-orange membranes catching the sun's rising rays as it appeared from the east. Slowing my pace, I swept across the landing area, and then, with one last powerful beat of my wings, I dropped lightly onto my rear legs, sinking back onto them as I lowered my front paws. As a guard reached each paw, I slowly uncurled my long claws, careful not to let the women get scraped as they slid easily into the waiting arms of the guards.
With my cargo deposited, I shifted into my human form and cleared the area so the others could land.
“Hey!” I shouted, storming across the pad as one of the guards was less than careful with his charge, her heels banging off the ground before he hauled her up and let the passed-out woman’s head fall backward, her black hair blowing free in the breeze. “Clean it up.”
“They’re only humans,” the guard growled angrily as he turned.
I stifled a further outburst as I saw who it was.
Dyson’s cheeks dimpled as he smiled in acknowledgment. “Good morning, Callum.”
“These are property of the sovereign,” I said coldly, ignoring his greeting. “If you damage them, she will be very, very angry with you. Now, clean this up. Have her head rest against you so she doesn’t suffer any injuries. Knowing you, you’ll smash her head open on a doorway.”
Dyson’s eyes darkened at the insult and reminder of just who would be mad if he screwed up. I met his gaze and didn’t let it go. Perhaps it was too much, but I didn’t care. Not with Dyson.
There was no logical reason for me to hate him. But I did. He’d been first on the scene, the one who’d discovered Noa’s cold body that fateful morning, and a part of me simply could not accept that there was nothing Dyson could have done. He should have saved her.
I should have saved her.
Dyson adjusted his grip, all the while not breaking eye contact. “Better?”
“It’s the best I can expect from you,” I replied, not bothering to look down.
“You’re a fucking asshole, Callum. Life was so much better without you around the palace. For all of us.” Dyson gave me one last sneer, and then he was gone, heading below with the others.
I let him go.
There was a commotion across the roof over one of the women. I paid it no mind as the dragons there quickly sorted it out, switching off who was carrying the straw blonde.
With the last of my charges taken below, I breathed a slow sigh of relief. I’d done it. The mission was over, and I could—
“Callum.”
I stiffened. “My sovereign,” I said, saluting formally as I met the cold green eyes of the Leader of All Dragonkind. “The mission has been accomplished.”
She looked me up and down. “You seem stressed.”
“Simply an issue with a guard who lacked proper decorum in treating our guests,” I said. “It has been resolved. Though I look forward to returning to work so I can ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
As part of the contingent of guards sent to fight, I hadn’t been at my post in several months, and I missed it.
Her mouth twitched at the corners. “I’m sure you do, though I’m not sure you will return to active duty immediately.”
“Why not?” I asked, shocked.
