Page 23 of Marked Dragon

Rubbing my chest where it hurt, I tried to focus on the conversation and not on how much I needed him.I know. He knew I was expecting to hear from King Arman, and he’s seemed trustworthy so far. What do we have to lose?

Thorn’s frustration increased, and my limbs shook harder. He replied,Not much, but I hate the idea of talking to the king. I still don’t believe he was behind saving my parents and Saphira.

Has Saphira tried calling her dad?The last I’d heard, she hadn’t wanted to. She didn’t want to make her father more of a target than he already was just by being her blood.

We decided it was too risky,he replied, and I sensed no malice through our bond. His parents had been kidnapped, and he knew getting family more involved was a lot to ask of anyone. They were probably monitoring Saphira’s parents in the hopes she would reach out to them.

Though I didn’t want to push him, we didn’t have a ton of time. The shower turned off in the bathroom. Eva would be joining us soon.If we’re going to give him your number, we need to do it. Uther can’t stay in the bedroom with me much longer without making Ladon more suspicious.

Thorn’s dragon snarled as he asked,A guard is with you in a bedroom?

Maybe that hadn’t been the best detail to include.Ladon was watching us, so I pretended that my stomach hurt and said I’d stopped up the toilet. It chased him off so I could talk to Uther alone.

My stomach tickled from the humor swirling through the bond. He replied,Gods, I needed that. I miss you and your crazy stories so damn much.

“You’re mated to him?” Uther whispered as the bathroom door opened, and Eva stalked out.

When her gaze landed on Uther, she froze, and her mouth opened. “What ishedoing in here?”

Uther stiffened. “I’m just about to leave.” He held out his phone to me.

Babe,I connected.Do you mind giving me a number in case the king calls? This might be our best bet. What is there to lose? They already know you’re coming.Last night, I’d even begged him to stay at the cabin and rescue me later, but he wouldn’t budge. He didn’t want Drake forcing me to do anything.

Fine.He huffed.It’s not like Falkor doesn’t have it already.

That was true. When his parents were being held captive, Falkor had called Thorn to inform him and give him timelines.

He rattled off the number, and I quickly typed it into the phone as footsteps headed toward us. I handed the phone back to Uther, and the warrior placed it back in his pocket just as the bedroom door opened.

I hunched over again and shuffled toward Eva. Her eyes widened as I placed a hand on her shoulder and whimpered, “It’s not any better.”

She blinked in confusion. As Ladon stepped inside.

“Are you going to be all right?” Eva asked, her face lined with concern.

“I… I don’t know.” My face burned, and I wanted to bury it in Eva’s chest, so I didn’t have to look at all their faces. “I’m just glad Uther unclogged the toilet.”

Coughing, Uther rubbed his nose. “Uh…yeah. I’m glad I could help.” He pivoted toward Ladon and strolled past the older warrior into the hallway.

“Just…try not to do it again.” Ladon inched backward, too, and searched the area around me, like he expected a huge gas cloud to emerge. “And get a handle on your issues before the wedding. You can’t be doingthat,” he said and gestured to my butt, “during the ceremony. Drake won’t allow it.”

My dragon hissed, but laughter bubbled in my throat. I was a mixture of emotions and wasn’t sure which one I’d settle on when all was said and done, but laughter waswaybetter than crying.

When the bedroom door shut, Ladon muttered, “What thehellis Drake thinking?”

That sent me over the edge. I clapped my hands over my mouth to keep my chuckles silent. If I’d truly been in this much agony, I wouldn’t have been giggling uncontrollably.

“Everly, what iswrongwith you?” Eva asked as she placed her hands on my shoulders. “You’re acting like we aren’t trapped, constantly watched, and being forced to have some demented relationship with an egotistical asshole who also happens to be a dragon prince.”

The shaking in my chest changed to uncontrollable sobs. My smile vanished as tears poured down my face. We were screwed, and if the king couldn’t find a way to save us, I’d be married off to Drake tomorrow and forced to spend my nights beside him.

Lifting her hands, Eva stepped back. “Okay, forget I said anything. I prefer laughter over this.”

But there was no going back. A shiver ran through me, and I wrapped my arms around myself to get warm.

“Hey, I’m sorry,” Eva whispered as she touched my arm. She crawled into the center of the bed and opened her arms.

That was exactly what Mom used to do when we were hurting. The pain of losing her weakened my legs. I clambered onto the bed and scooted over to Eva. I faced the door and pressed my back to her chest as she wrapped her arms around me.

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