Page 48 of The Dragon Sacrifice

“I know,” he said. “But we wondered if you may have felt pressure to save our lives. Now that the pressure is off, there is no hurry. We can take our time.” His eyes half-lidded on this last line like he was imaging their bodies slowly pressing together.

“You keep saying we,” she said, studying his face.

“My brothers and I have come to an agreement. We will put aside jealousy. We can learn to share.”

Share? The possibilities stretched out before her like rolling images of fun. More encounters like the time she’d had with Jerrard? Seela shivered at the memory of pleasure. “What about the horde?”

“Stenton says they are nearly decimated. And I can shift now, so there is no worry. Having a full-grown dragon at your command has its perks.” Taking her hand, he kissed it tenderly. A wanton heat was building between her legs. Seela wondered how Jerrard might feel about a romp in the hay so to speak.

But he stood, offering her a hand that she took. “My brothers will want to know that you’ve awakened and are feeling all right. And we’ll feed you. Now that I’m free, our meal options are vastly enhanced.”

“So you’ll stay? In the caverns, I mean?”

He nodded like there wasn’t even a thought. “My brothers are there. Until we can all leave, none of us will. But you may. Just say the word and you are released. I can take you anywhere you like.”

He stopped, his eyes searching hers. The expression on his face let her know he didn’t want her to leave. And the other two needed her if they were to turn. Unless her ability was a once-in-a-lifetime situation. Would Stenton and Langdon be doomed to stay in the dark? And Jerrard would be trapped here, too, loyal to the brothers, and stuck even though he could be free. She could not let that happen. Already, she cared so much for these three kindhearted and sexy men.

And the idea of sharing… That sounded downright naughty. And Seela was getting used to the idea of being naughty.

“Of course I’ll stay,” she said with a grin. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him, catching Jerrard off guard. He laughed, taking her in his strong arms. As he held her, the world felt warm and bright and full of possibility. And when he returned her stolen kiss with a much more passionate one of his own, Seela knew she’d found what she’d always wanted.

“Seela?” a voice called.

She whirled in time to see a figure running toward them through the meadow. A man in a cloak tore at them through the flowers, aiming right for Jerrard. He only had a moment to consider this new stranger before the man reared back and punched him in the face.

There was a crack of bone. The man crumpled, bringing his hand into his chest as a groan escaped his lips. His hood fell back as he stumbled away, eyes searching between them.

“Mickey?” Seela gasped.

Mickey stared at her, pain and confusion on his face. He appeared thin and travel weary, his cloak dirty and mud-stained, his face gaunt.

“What in the world are you doing here?” Seela asked.

“Rescuing you,” Mickey said, holding a hand that appeared to be broken. His eyes continued to dart between Seela and Jerrard, who seemed shocked by this new turn of events.

Focusing on Jerrard and then Mickey, Seela shrugged before saying, “Oh, hell. Come inside then. There’s a lot to explain.”

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