Defender Dragon (Protection, Inc 2)

Journey hugged Stefania back. Whatever else happened, at least she had a friend. “Thanks. I’ll take you up on that some day. Listen, Stefania, I don’t want go back to the ball. I... um... I’d be embarrassed to go barefoot. But I shouldn’t have taken you away. You turn eighteen at midnight, and it’s almost midnight now. If you swear on your honor that you’ll stay in the ballroom and come home once the ball is over, I’ll let you go back.”

“I swear on my honor,” Stefania said instantly, touching her fingers to her temples where a crown would press.

The coach pulled up in front of the Florescus’ house. Journey got out, gave the coachman his instructions, and waved goodbye to Stefania. The coach clattered away, back to the palace.

Journey went inside the darkened home. She sat down on her bed, but couldn’t imagine sleeping. Finally, she put on a pair of her own shoes and went back outside to get some fresh air.

The neighborhood was especially beautiful in the moonlight. The steepled roofs and narrow roads were like an illustration from a fairytale.

She was all alone. Brandusans were not often night owls, and everyone was either asleep or at the ball. But she wasn’t afraid. She knew the neighborhood well. It was very safe, and if anyone bothered her, one scream would send everyone rushing out of their houses.

Lost in thought, Journey walked and walked until, with a start, she realized that she had left the houses behind. She’d walked all the way to the broad main road that ran between the residential neighborhoods and the woods that bordered the river.

She glanced into the woods. They were dark, but not too dark to walk through on this bright night. And she’d like to see the river by moonlight, one last time.

Journey made her way through the woods and to the sandy riverbank. There she stood a while in thought, looking out at the shimmering waters. When it had become clear that she wouldn’t find another job, the Florescus had invited her to stay in their home as a guest for the week after Stefania turned eighteen. She had agreed at the time, but all she wanted now was to make a clean break— with Brandusa, with her year of travel and freedom, and with Lucas.

As soon as the sun rose, she’d go to the airport and get on the first flight back to America.

Chapter Five

Lucas

Lucas looked wildly around the ballroom. Journey was nowhere to be seen.

He’d finally, finally met his mate, and she’d been so much more wonderful than he’d ever imagined. And she’d decided that he was a liar and a cheater, and fled from him as if he was her worst nightmare.

Lucas buried his face in his hands and groaned.

Then he pulled himself together. He could still convince her. She might not believe him, but surely she’d believe Raluca.

He quickly explained what had happened, then said, “Come with me. I’ll find her and then you can help me explain about the engagement.”

They hurried across the dance floor in the direction he’d last seen Journey running, but she was nowhere to be found. Finally, they went outside and asked the guards at the doors if they’d seen a red-haired woman leave.

“Yes, your highness,” replied a guard. “I tried to stop her, but she and her companion jumped into a carriage and left.”

“Her companion?” asked Raluca.

“A very young woman in a red dress,” replied the guard.

“Why did you try to stop her?” Lucas inquired.

“She dropped her shoe.” The guard held up a dancing shoe of black wood and green leather. “She was barefoot and carrying them— see, the heel is broken off.”

Lucas took the shoe, running his fingers over the polished wood and soft leather. As a memento of Journey, the ordinary object felt unexpectedly precious to him.

Mischievously, Raluca suggested, “Now all you need to do is have every woman in the kingdom try it on and see who it fits.”

Lucas wasn’t in the mood for jokes. “That won’t be necessary. I know who she is.” To the guard, he said, “Show me the guest list.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the guards all looking incredibly curious. Raluca noticed too, and haughtily informed them, “The crown prince of Brandusa takes a personal interest in the welfare of every single one of his subjects. Even an ordinary guest whom he merely spotted running away as if something had upset her. Of course he wishes to know what went wrong for her at his ball.”

The guards hastily said, “Of course, your highness,” and “Very kind, your highness,” and “Didn’t mean to look nosy, your highness.”

One of them shoved the guest list at him, eyes averted. Lucas scanned the list until he found her: Journey Jacobson, guest of Stefania Florescu. He memorized her address, which was in a quiet neighborhood near the river.

Even out of the