Page 128 of Stealing the Dragon's Heart (Dragon Lords 3)

“For how long?”

“They started moving again yesterday.”

She blinked at him. “Their ship was stopped for two days?

He nodded grimly. “They came in fifteenth place.”

A clipped laugh escaped her. “You’re kidding.”

“What did you do to them?” he asked.

“I have no idea.” With a gasp, she sat up and planted her palms on his torso. “Wait…does that mean we won?”

His lips twisted into a wry grin. “Not that it matters, but yes.”

She pouted. “And I missed all the excitement.”

“You missed all the panic,” he corrected. “The race is still underway with stragglers simply fighting to finish. A ceremony is going to be held to announce the winners, but we won’t be attending.”

Her mouth dropped open in outrage. “Whyever not?”

“Because I dread the idea of even letting you out of this room,” he replied, but she saw humor in his eyes. “Keeping you alive, I fear, will be my full-time occupation.”

She laughed. “I’ll try to make it as easy on you as possible. Tell me more. Tell me everything that I missed.”

She learned that the finish line had been only twenty minutes away when she’d been rendered unconscious by that unholy power. Whatever she had done had madeThe Condemnedinstantly cease their barrage, allowingDragoonto proceed with only a few scrapes and bruises. Ash had taken over as pilot so Aidan could tend to her. She felt sorry that he hadn’t been the one to take them over that last leg, but he didn’t seem to care.

Once they’d arrived on a little planet called Shihana, it was a mad dash to find the Serakian healer they’d been hoping for; Lear carrying Caryn, Aidan carrying her, and the others rushing around like headless birds bullying officials for information.

When they found the Serakian’s tent, Aidan admitted it was the hardest thing he’d ever done in his life to allow Caryn to be tended to first. “I knew what your wishes would have been,” he said. “And you would have murdered me if my concern for you cost Caryn her life.”

She remained silent, wondering how truly close she’d come to losing Caryn.

“Not to mention it would have started a brawl between me, Asher, and Lear,” he added.

“Do you think they both love her?”

“I don’t know,” he replied honestly. “They’re certainly treating each other as rivals.” He shrugged, then continued his story. “Once Caryn was healed, the Serakian looked you over for a very long time. Too long for my comfort. I’d begun to worry it was too late. And so, finally, when she declared there was nothing she could do for you, I…well, I’m ashamed to say I may have lost my mind. I remember being restrained, and I’m sure it was either Asher or Lear who knocked me unconscious. Probably Lear, the bastard. I woke soon after, but the Serakian was gone. I found myself alone in a tent with Zeek watching over me, and he relayed the Serakian’s words.”

According to the Serakian, Onnika had drawn from a forbidden well of magic that few even believed existed, even among her own kind, and as with most unnatural magic, a price must be paid. The Serakian had been unsure what that cost would be, but had suggested it could be as little as a few days of her life…or as hefty as the whole of it. No wonder Aidan had looked nearly broken when she’d awakened.

She saw a shadow cross his features and kissed him until it went away. “I feel perfectly well,” she assured. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”

He snorted out a laugh, his eyes crinkling with the first hint of real humor. Then he turned serious. “Promise?”

“With all my heart.”

A vulnerable tenderness crept over him. “I love you.”

She leaned over him to plant another swift kiss on his lips, then blithely flipped her hair. “Of course you do. I’m amazing.”

He attacked then, tickling her until she cried out for mercy and wailed that she loved him, too, and promised him forever.

Once their amusement died down, a warm breeze drew her attention to the balcony and beyond. “Where are we, anyway?

His lips spread in a mischievous grin. When he revealed the answer, she was robbed of breath, suspended in astonishment for several moments. She couldn’t believe it. It couldn’t be real.

Bursting with wonder, and uncaring of her nudity, Onnika shuffled out of bed and raced to the balcony overlooking the land that had for so long felt like the memory of a fading dream…Evlon.

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