Page 65 of Kingdom of Ashes & Bone
“GODDAMNIT,” I shouted at no one, frustrated beyond belief. I wasn’t fucking crippled just because I was pregnant! I eyed the rope ladder next to me that went all the way down to the ground. If I was just careful and took it one rung at a time …
A dragon roared and screeched, a dragon that wasn’t Zariah or Zion.
“Fucking men,” I complained to the air and hurried down the ladder as quickly as I dared. Stupid dragon men and their stupid pride. All men were the same in some areas no matter what the species!
Hobbling like a fat little bird, I pushed aside leaves and vegetation as I followed the large path we’d cut through the jungle toward the overlook that would give me a good view of north. The west side of the island had gently sloping beaches, but the east had perilous, rocky cliffs. We’d decided to build our house in the jungle but also on the side of the large mountain that stretched toward the heaven in the middle of the island. The boys said it was defensible; I’d simply liked the view.
A dragon roared in pain. Zion, if I had to guess.
And now, as I scrambled on my hands and knees as fast as I could up the side of the hill to the overlook, it granted me the perfect view as Sabrathan came at me hard, determination and fire in his gaze. I stood and met his eyes squarely, bracing my feet under me and placing my arms protectively around my stomach.
His gaze shifted imperceptibly to my rounded middle, and a somber sound came from his throat. Zariah was behind him, gaining ground fast. Snapping branches and the smell of smoke told me Zion had fallen into the forest and was trying to burn his way through it in order to reach me.
Fucking calm down,I ordered all of them.I will handle this. Sabrathan is a friend!
I felt rather heard the raging protests of my two mates, and I snarled in response.
I am your mate, and you will listen!I screamed internally.I am not injured or helpless! Now STAND DOWN.
Shocked silence met me through the bond, but Zion belched a stream of fire half a mile wide into the air in frustration. Zariah dove onto the side of the mountain a decent distance away, but high enough that he felt comfortable he could quickly intervene if something happened.
Thank you,I sent back through our bond, knowing this was hard for them. Ceding control to what their dragon viewed as a very tiny, very breakable human girl was something we constantly worked on.
And they were getting better.
So I stood firm as Sabrathan flew straight for me, seemingly on a collision course with me and the top of the hill until he flared his wings hard at the last moment, sending trees and branches and my hair blowing backwards with the force of the gale. My eyes squeezed shut from the sudden wind, so I didn’t see what he had clenched in his claws until he set it gently at my feet. Feeling something soft and warm, my eyes shot open.
He gave me blankets. Thicky, heavy blankets that unfurled slightly as they rolled toward me. I bent down toward, flinching and jumping back as the bundle twitched and moved.
“Sabrathan?” I asked warily, my heart pounding.
Sabrathan dug his claws into the side of the cliff and hung there, wings flared. I realized he was waiting … for me.
Mari …Zariah whined in my head, Zion sending his frustration along down the bond with it.
Shut it and let me investigate,I snapped at both. I would make it up to them later, since I knew they were only trying to protect me.
Tentatively, I reached a hand out and pulled back the top layer of blanket.
Vivid lavender eyes met mine, and iridescent white scales flashed every color before me, a rainbow of beauty and perfection. Tiny little wings tried to flare and couldn’t, bound by the blankets tangled around it. Its little cheeks huffed and puffed, pumping its small fists and legs and getting nowhere. Puffs of black hair floated about her little porcelain features.
“Oh my gods,” I whispered.
What is it?Zion asked, unable to help himself. Both him and Zariah inched closer and closer, crawling up the cliff behind me like two large, scaly guardians. Curiously, they peered over my shoulder at the bundle.
Not a dragon—
Nor a human—
“Shut it, both of you,” I said in a hushed voice, still stunned. I reached out and plucked the little humanoid baby with wings and scales from the blankets, holding it in my arms. It was a creature I’d never seen before, half-human, and half-dragon.
Her name is Nuri,Sabrathan breathed out, unable to meet my gaze.Please, I helped save your mate when he was crushed. I helped your city when it fell. Please … help … me … now.
The despair in his voice burrowed under my skin and clung there. I knew from experience how hard it was for a dragon to admit defeat and ask from others.
“Sabrathan, where is your mate?” I asked gently, backing up so he had room to comfortably land.
The black dragon crawled up onto the ledge and hunkered down on his belly, ears tucked back against his skull and his head on the ground.
