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)
“Are they willing to meet with us?” Rodrigo demanded.
Sam nodded. “They’ll lower the ward long enough to allow me to bring three people inside for now.”
Dimitri’s hands tightened on his waist. “How many people are inside the ruins?”
“Fewer than two dozen.” Sam turned his attention to Rodrigo. “They don’t mean to be cagey or difficult. They’re just…wary.”
“I understand,” the king said with a nod. “Dimitri and Evora will accompany me inside.” Rodrigo’s expression immediately softened as he gazed down at his mate. “Forgive me for leaving you outside the ward.”
Ha Na gave a dismissive scoff, as if she had no desire to stick by her mate’s side, but the effect was completely ruined when she placed her hand against his cheek. “Evora is a logical choice. Besides, I’ll keep Thiago company so he doesn’t worry too much about his mate.”
Rodrigo covered her hand with his own and turned his face enough to press a kiss to her palm. “My family is safe in your capable hands.”
That earned a giggle out of her. “I can’t wait to tell my grandson-in-law that nonsense you’re uttering now.”
Sam cleared his throat and looked away from the cute couple. “I’ll just go inside the ward and tell them what’s been decided. I—”
Dimitri cut him off by gathering him in his arms, squeezing him tight enough to make him squeak. “You are not leaving my sight again!”
Sam might have dropped his head back against Dimitri’s shoulders and rolled his eyes, but he got it. Dimitri was still recovering from his first scare. He was not about to let Sam be separated from him anytime soon.
Dragging this new dragon growth closer to the ward with him, Sam cupped both hands around his mouth as he shouted, “They agreed! You can lower the ward!”
In the blink of an eye, the buzzy, crackling barrier that surrounded the ruins disappeared. Sam pulled at Dimitri’s arms until he finally loosened his hold enough to let Sam take a step forward. With a smile, Sam threaded his fingers through Dimitri’s, holding his hand as he led the way into the restricted area. Rodrigo and Evora followed close on his heels. The second the quartet were inside, the ward snapped into place.
Low, dragon-y grumbling came from the other side of the barrier, and the general temperature of the forest area dropped by at least fifteen degrees. The clan members separated from their king and head mage were not happy.
Rodrigo stopped and turned back, delivering an impressive warning glare. He pointed a finger in the general direction of his clan. “Behave yourselves. The Valerii will not be responsible for starting a new war.”
“Don’t worry, dear!” Ha Na called out, waving one hand in the air toward him. “I’ll keep them in line.”
Evora snorted next to Rodrigo. “It would have been safer if you’d left Thiago to watch over the clan.”
Rodrigo smirked at the head mage and resumed following Sam. “You think Thiago is thinking all that clearly right now with you on this side of the ward on your way to meet with Jaeggi? Doubtful. Very doubtful. My love will keep them distracted from their raging nonsense.”
Sam smirked to himself as he led the way along the path to the central courtyard surrounded by old buildings and ruins. There wasn’t a single sign of any of the Jaeggi who were currently occupying the space, but then it was likely they’d all pulled back to the safety of the ruins rather than trying to face two dragons and a highly accomplished mage on their own.
As they passed beyond the walls, they quickly spotted the crowd of Jaeggi standing in the central courtyard of the Sousa Clan home. The woman who’d been sitting across from Lester in the library was standing in the front of this small clan of Jaeggi, her arms folded over her chest and a frown on her thin lips. Her eyes darted over each of the people as they approached. To her left was Lester, ready to act as an interpreter. Thank god.
Though, if he was staying in Brazil with Dimitri, it meant that he’d need to buckle down and learn Portuguese as well. Something warm and tingly rose in his chest at the thought. He was willing to bet he could work out a very good reward system with Dimitri as he studied the language. Yes, that could be very fun.
But ideas of fun rewards were shoved to the back of his mind as tense silence filled the air. Even the forest animals around them had fallen quiet, as if they were all waiting for the fighting to begin.
“Lester, this is King Rodrigo Valerii of the Valerii Ice Dragons, and this is Evora, head mage of the Valerii.” He paused and motioned toward Dimitri, who was practically plastered to him. His dragon’s skin was cool to the touch, sending a delicious chill down his spine. “This is Dimitri Valerii—”