Page 72 of Marked Dragon

His company wasn’t our problem, but what Thorn wanted to do was. My heart ached, and I murmured, “You want to run away?”

“Not run away.” Thorn faced me, giving me his full attention. “Protect you and everyone we love. Here, we’ll be in constant danger.”

“Honey, do you really think Drake will stop hunting you?” Cassidy shut the refrigerator door. “You’re a threat to him and the throne.”

She was right. Drake wouldn’t stop looking, especially with Eva and me involved. “And what about your people? We just learned that Drake is hunting and killing some of them.” I swallowed hard as I placed a hand on his chest.

“We’ve gone through this.” Thorn brushed his fingers against my face. “As long as you and my family are safe, that’s all that matters. The other dragons will figure out their problems on their own.”

The jolt penetrated my soul, encouraging me to take a step closer. King Arman had done a number on him, and I could only try to undo the damage. I opened my mouth to speak but couldn’t.

“Uh…where do I fit into this picture?” Saphira jutted out a hip. “I’m not your family or Everly’s. Are you just going to throw me andmy familyto the warriors and get away?”

Tyson stood, his face twisting in anger. “Figures. You can’t take the jackass out of the royal blood.”

Thorn’s rage slammed into me like a raging inferno. He rasped, “Do not lump me in with themeveragain.”

If I didn’t interject, this confrontation would go too far. But with the hurt swirling from Thorn, I feared everyone would know the pain he usually tried to hide.

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE

My heart clenchedat the pain and anger roiling through my mate. The resentment he’d built up over the years was so strong it stole my breath. Whatever issues I had with Peter didn’t even come close to Thorn’s level of devastation. I’d known my mate had deep-rooted issues, but it was worse than I’d realized. He might be stronger because of it, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t wounded to his very core.

His own parents had tried to have him killed because they feared him.

Thorn took a menacing step toward Tyson, and I jumped in front of him. I placed my hands on his chest and locked eyes with my mate.Just like you have issues with the royals—I was careful not to say family—so does he. Remember what Saphira told us. Drake injured his dragon, leaving him disabled, and now he’s learned that Drake is killing people like him. He’s got his own baggage, and he’s lashing out. Please, be the man I know you are. Understanding, kind, and strong.

He exhaled, his minty breath hitting my face, and his irises came close to returning to their gorgeous color—just a tad darker.Only for you. Only because I want to be the man you deserve.

My heart skipped a beat. Even when he was hurt and angry, his love for me shone through. I couldn’t help but fall in love with him more.

As my dragon grumbled, I turned toward the kitchen table. Brenton and Saphira had stood up and flanked Tyson. They were ready to protect their family, and that reinforced my trust in them.

I lifted my hands to diffuse the situation, but I had to stand up for my mate. “Look, that was a low blow. Thorn didn’t have anything to do with what Drake did to you or the way the king protected his son. In fact, the king—his own father—tried to kill him. Or did you forget that?”

Tyson closed his eyes.

“I’ll be honest. When I met Thorn, I didn’t trust him.” Saphira remained tense and on alert. “I thought he was full of shit, though I could tell you were taken with him. Now, I understand why—he’s your soulmate, and when he turned you, he created his fated mate. Because of that connection, I saw the truth. Drake is much worse than I realized, and Thorn wasn’t lying at all. But what Tyson said holds true. Thorn admitted to only caring about protecting the people he loves.”

“Yes, that’s exactly what I said,” Thorn added.

If anyone were to hurt Thorn, I’d defend him, but the urge to smack the shit out of him surged through me. I was trying to calm the tension, and he’d reinforced the words that had brewed up the tension in the first place. I knew he was smart, but he wasn’t showing any common sense, allowing his emotions to get the best of him.

“Then why the hell are we here?” Peter spat, his body rigid.

For once, I couldn’t blame my stepdad, but I knew Thorn. He had to be talking out of his ass, or I’d make sure to beat some sense into him…maybe while pleasuring him sexually.

Whoa. Where had that thought come from?

“Because if any of you are captured, the people I love will be at risk.” Thorn pulled at the roots of his hair. “That’s why I tried not to forge connections—because the more people you let in, the more people are at risk.” Thorn gestured to Peter. “I can’t stand you, but your kids love you. If Drake threatened you, Eva or Elliott would be desperate to save you, which then puts Everly at risk. The same thing goes for Saphira. So yeah, maybe you aren’t the ones I’m most concerned with, but that doesn’t matter. I care about your safety because that’s how I protect Everly.”

I winced. That sounded somewhat better, but it still wasn’t the most reassuring thing he could’ve said.

I was surprised when Brenton relaxed.

Straightening, Brenton nodded. “When it comes to someone taking care of their fated mate, we have nothing to worry about. You’ll protect us just as valiantly as her.”

Saphira lifted a finger. “I allowed myself to get captured to save you, and I don’t even make it into the somewhat-loved category?” She tilted her head back. “I’m offended.” But humor glimmered in her eyes.

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