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)
It was on the tip of Dimitri’s tongue to plead with Sam again to come out of the ward, to return to his arms where he could keep him safe from harm, but he couldn’t form the words. As much as it was killing him, he also understood his mate’s desperation. Sam’s one last hope for being able to fix his core was potentially within his sight. So close now he could taste it.
And Dimitri couldn’t promise that Rodrigo wouldn’t pull Sam back, wouldn’t keep him from this knowledge because he’d hidden his bloodline. Not intentionally, but still a possible hidden threat to the meager remains of the Valerii.
Of course, the Jaeggi tended to make them all a little irrational. Rodrigo probably felt it more than any of them. He’d been the king when hundreds of their mage mates had suddenly dropped dead one day, only to be followed closely by hundreds of dragons. Rodrigo had watched his clan be decimated by the Jaeggi with one evil spell.
Even if he could explain to Rodrigo that Sam had nothing to do with the past and that Sam would never do anything to hurt the Valerii, he couldn’t guarantee that Rodrigo wouldn’t stop him, and Dimitri’s entire purpose in being was to protect and help his mate.
“Okay,” Dimitri choked out while his dragon roared loud enough in his head to rattle his molars.
“Really?” Pure joy exploded across Sam’s face and Dimitri’s heart flipped in his chest. He wanted Sam to always look that happy, even if part of him was dying inside from fear and panic. “Are you sure?”
Dimitri nodded, trying to get his tongue working again. “Go. Just be quick. Be careful. Don’t let anyone spot you. Come right back.”
“Okay. I will. I’ll be so careful. Come right back to you.” The normally grumpy archeologist was currently bouncing on the balls of his feet, appearing as if he was about to come out of his skin in his excitement.
Sam turned and ran deeper into the warded territory, disappearing from sight behind a brick wall. Dimitri’s dragon roared in his head, but it was nothing compared to the panic that was clenching his heart in a vise-like grip, threatening to crush it to powder.
Vasily stepped closer, dropping a hand on Dimitri’s shoulder and squeezing. “Sam is a smart, resourceful guy. He’ll be okay.”
“And if it was Luka in there alone?” Dimitri bit out.
The dragon snorted. “This place would already look like the North Pole.”
Yeah, Dimitri was tempted. As they spoke, puffs of frozen air curled past his lips, and the ground under his feet was coated in frost.
Come back to me safe and sound, Sam.
If you don’t, I’m turning Brazil into a winter fucking wonderland.
Sam was aware Dimitri was currently going apeshit—he wasn’t blind. Anyone could tell that. He wanted to hug his dragon, though, for stomping on his instincts and letting Sam do this. He was going to reward Dimitri with so much kinky sex after this—assuming he didn’t freeze all of Brazil.
Slipping beyond what appeared to be a protective brick wall built in the past century, Sam slowed his steps almost immediately as his eyes fell on the first row of ancient buildings—no, ring of buildings. It didn’t take more than a second to realize that these pale brown buildings formed a very large circle and pointed toward a central plaza.
How fascinating. Why? Was this an ancient way of keeping time, turning the whole town into a clock? Was it for some magical purpose?
His steps slowed and he allowed his hand to slide carefully across the wall, taking in the unique architecture. The farther he moved into the clan grounds, the more details he saw in the buildings. These were better preserved than the outer buildings. All the vegetation had been cut back to protect the structures and to reveal more of their intricate features. Flecks of red, black, orange, and yellow paint could be seen here and there, but it was mostly worn away by time and weather.
However, a few of the stones surrounding the windows and along the doorframes had images etched into them. Some were pictures of people and animals, but in other spots he could make out some words in their native language. Or more likely spells. Had they placed spells around the entrances to their homes to protect them?
Time ticked by as he ran his fingertips in the grooves of the stones, trying to better make out the faded symbols. What had their protection symbols and wards even looked like? Were they different from what many of the mage clans used now?
The archaeologist in him was dying to know. Surely some of their records would say.
If he could find any of their records.
Sam glanced down at his watch and cursed himself. He’d wasted nearly fifteen minutes on a freaking doorway. Dimitri was waiting for him. All of this could wait a little while longer. It was just reassuring to know it was still here. Remnants of a civilization long gone remained for him to uncover.