Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 84237 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84237 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Dimitri whirled on Sam, his eyes wide as he swallowed hard. “Don’t say that! Don’t you dare ever say that! You are not useless. Look at what you’ve done. How far you’ve come. Do you see any other mage standing here? Any other mage in all the world who has come even this close to finding the Sousa? No! You don’t need magic to be amazing!”
Sam’s expression softened and those big blue eyes turned shiny. Two warm hands came up and gently cupped Dimitri’s cheeks. “What the hell am I going to do with you?”
Unexpected warmth unfurled in Dimitri’s chest and his dragon settled enough that it was no longer trying to claw its way out of Dimitri’s skin. Right now, it seemed happy to curl up against his ribcage in a bid to get closer to Sam.
“You could call me your mate and leave this forest right now. Go back to the safety of the clan with me,” Dimitri said.
Sam groaned loudly in Dimitri’s face before releasing him and stepping past him to approach the others.
“It looks like the tangled web of wires extends in both directions for at least a quarter of a mile, if not farther. It’s too hard to tell in all this vegetation. Since we can’t get rid of the booby trap, let’s go around it.” Sam bent and picked up his pack. “We can head east and then cut north again when we’re past the trap.”
This was a horrible idea. Going deeper into the forest, where more creatures were waiting to eat Sam and probably more booby traps waiting to kill him.
But Sam needed to find the Sousa ruins. He’d grown up with other mages, spent a lifetime around magic. Just the fact that he could feel the power Dimitri poured into him meant he was destined to work magic one day. This quest to locate the missing clan had to give him a sense of accomplishment and inclusion. Something he’d been possibly missing all these years. Dimitri couldn’t stand in the way of that.
He only wanted Sam safe.
With all of them loaded up with their gear, Gregori rotated into the lead now that it was clear whoever had come before them was setting traps. At least if something was set off, the dragon would be hit first. Even in his human form, he was far more durable than Sam. Dimitri wasn’t fond of the idea of risking Gregori’s life, but this was the kind of thing the dragon was trained for.
Besides, Dimitri had his hands full keeping an eye on Sam. His brain was a fucking mess of fears and panic. He’d never heard of a mage having a broken core like this. He needed to calm down, but it wasn’t an easy thing to do when they were surrounded by things that wanted to eat or simply kill his mate.
The best he could do to keep calm was to remain glued to Sam’s side, grabbing his arm to steady him anytime it looked like he might lose his footing or need help climbing over a fallen log. Sam smacked and batted his hands away several times, but Dimitri ignored it, staying focused on his mate’s well-being.
They walked for another hour, until Vasily called for them to stop for the night. Their new route had taken them close to the river once again. They spread out on a nice flat patch of ground that would allow them to set up their tents.
Sam, at least, showed some understanding that Dimitri had no intention of allowing him out of his sight. He gave a noisy sigh before muttering, “At least your tent comes air conditioned.”
Dimitri was more than happy to expend a little energy through the night to keep Sam cool if it meant he was able to hold his lover in his arms the entire time.
Vasily and Luka went down to the river to inspect it for any signs of caimans, mermaids, or anything else that might attempt to kill them in the night. The rest of them remained behind to put up tents, start a fire, and prepare a meal from their supplies.
Thankfully, it was Gregori’s turn to cook, and he’d already agreed to make his carreteiro rice, which was rice mixed with dry meat, sauce, and vegetables all in a single pot over the fire. The meal was tasty and incredibly filling. Dimitri was going to need a full and possibly sleepy Sam when he hit the man with his newest suggestion.
When the others returned to the camp, the meal was bubbling and Luka was adorably flushed. The lips of both dragons were definitely swollen.
“No iara or other dangers, I take it,” Dimitri drawled from his spot on the ground several feet from the fire. Sam was next to him on a small folding seat, tugging at the front of his shirt to create a breeze on his chest and neck.