Page 25 of Her Warrior Dragon
She reached out a hand and laid it on Vander’s dragon. She allowed her fingers to trace along the smooth metal of his arm and down to the talons, and stared up in awe at the massive statue.
She closed her eyes and sent up a short prayer, knowing that wherever he may be, he was probably in danger, trying to keep her safe. But, looking at the fierceness of the dragon in front of her, she thought it was the evil dragon who should be worried.
“He really cares for you.” Dalma’s soft voice broke through her thoughts, and she came to stand next to her.
“And I, him,” she murmured, opening her eyes. She wished she could tell him how she felt at the moment but knew she would have to wait. Their relationship was a whirlwind and blowing by too fast. Her mind and heart were in the middle of a battle. Her mind screamed that this was not normal and that they should take their time getting to know each other, while her heart was steadfast in its belief.
You love who you love.
Even though she was in the midst of an internal battle, something whispered to her to hold on tight. He wastheone for her. She slowly backed up from the statue, unable to take her eyes off Vander’s dragon. She just knew it would be magnificent in person, and she couldn’t wait for him to return.
“Now, let’s move on. We have more of the family to show you,” Dalma said with a twinkle in her eye.
“These statues are beautiful, and I’m sure they don’t do their dragons justice,” Faye replied with a laugh. She entwined her arm with the older woman’s, thrilled to be able to learn more about Vander’s family.
“They don’t. I’m sure Vander has planned to have you meet?—”
Her words were cut off by the sounds of a deafening roar from above. Faye covered her ears and looked up. A shadow passed overhead. She froze in place, her eyes locked on those of a black dragon. It was larger than she would have ever expected. It was easily longer than a few hundred feet. Her mouth flapped open, and she watched it fly away. She didn’t need to be told who the dragon was.
Gamair.
“Oh, no!” Dalma gasped, pulling on Faye’s arm. “We’ve got to go!”
Faye didn’t hesitate. She turned and ran behind the older woman. For the woman to be the age she admitted to, she sure could sprint. Faye glanced behind her and found the black dragon headed straight for them. She picked up her speed, wishing she had kept up the workout she had abandoned so long ago.
Darkness surrounded them. The dragon reached them, blocking the sun with his massive form. She would not be able to outrun a dragon.
“Dalma!” she screamed out.
The rough talons of the dragon grabbed her by the waist, plucking her from the ground. She fought to release herself but was no match for the dragon’s tight grip. He carried her off.
“Faye!” Dalma’s voice drew faint as the dragon flew away.
She looked down at how far they were from the ground. He spirited her away from the castle. She let loose a scream and scrambled to hold on to the leg of the dragon for dear life. She wouldn’t survive if he decided to let her go.
A distant roar filled the air. Faye glanced back down at the castle and saw a smaller dragon making its way toward them.
Dalma.
Hope filled her chest that Dalma’s dragon would be able to save her. The smaller dragon was swiftly heading toward them, but Faye’s hope was soon doused. Gamair’s chest rumbled; he discovered they were being followed. A bright beam of light shot from the black dragon.
Faye screamed and watched the energy ball slam into Dalma’s dragon.
“Dalma!” she screamed and watched, horrified.
The smaller dragon fell from the sky, disappearing through the clouds. Faye tightened her grip on the dragon’s leg, tears clouding her vision. She didn’t want to think of what could have happened to the sweet dragon shifter. She prayed Dalma would survive.
A new fear entered her chest. If Gamair was here, where was Vander?
“Where is she?”Vander roared. He burst through the doors of the castle. He instantly sensed Faye was gone. His dragon knew it. It sensed the loss the moment they had landed.
“It was the Death Lord, sir,” Farta announced and stalked toward Vander.
“How did he break through the wards of the property?” Vander growled.
“We don’t know,” Farta admitted. He followed behind Vander. “We have been working at repairing the wards, sir.”
Vander let loose a roar of angst and pain that shook the floors. His mate had been taken from their home. Somewhere that was to be a sanctuary for her, and she was just snatched away. Plucked from the grounds that were to protect her from evil. He stood there, breathing hard. His beast wanted to break free and fly off in search of their mate.
