Defender Dragon (Protection, Inc 2)

“It could be Raluca’s uncle, Duke Constantine. He would gain profit and power through the treaties with Brandusa. Or... I don’t like to believe this, but it might be my great-uncle, Grand Duke Vaclav. He may believe that he still influences me as he did when I was young, and wish to be the power behind the throne.”

Journey had seen that expression of cool ruthlessness on Lucas’s face before, when he had stood between her and the assassins. “Should we go back to the palace and investigate?”

“I will go back and investigate,” Lucas replied. “You’ll be safer here. No one knows where you are.”

“Isn’t your spare castle kind of an obvious place to look?”

He smiled. “We have many spare castles. But don’t worry. Dragons have a special bond with their mates. It’s how I knew you were in danger on the riverbank. If you’re in danger, I’ll know. And I’ll come flying to save you.”

“But—” Journey began.

“But what if I cannot come all the way from the city in time?” he interrupted. “Then go to the castle caretakers— they have cottages in the woods outside the walls— and they will hide you.”

“Thanks,” Journey said. “But that’s not what I was thinking. What if you’re in danger?”

Lucas seemed startled by this question. “Oh— Well— Journey, I am a dragon. And also a bodyguard. Danger is quite literally my business. You mustn’t worry about me. I am quite capable of protecting myself.”

“I know.” His argument was reasonable, but she still felt uneasy. “How long do you think you’ll be gone?”

“No more than two days. If I’m not back by this time, two days hence...” In the carefully controlled voice he used when he was trying hard to suppress some emotion, he said, “Go to the caretakers and tell them you need to be smuggled out of the country, immediately.”

Journey’s heart lurched. “Lucas, if you don’t come back, I’ll go looking for you!”

“No!” His unexpected shout made her jump. More calmly, he said, “I swear to you, I will come back. But it is not easy to imprison a dragon. If I do not return...”

“You’re dead,” she said flatly.

“If I do not return, there will be nothing you can do to help me.” He bent and kissed her eyelids; her eyes had begun to brim with tears. “Do not think on it. It will not happen.”

Journey fought to control her emotions. She hated the thought of Lucas going alone into danger, and wished she could at least go with him.

Stupid small-town girl, she told herself fiercely. Who do you think you are? You’re not a magical shapeshifter. You’re not a warrior princess, like you used to imagine. You’re just a chubby little backpacker. If he did get in trouble, you being there would only make it worse— he’d be distracted trying to protect you.

Journey made herself smile. She didn’t want him distracted by worrying about her, either. “I trust you. And I know you’ll come back for me.”

Chapter Eight

Lucas

Lucas hated to leave Journey, but he couldn’t justify deliberately taking her into danger. He led her out of the labyrinth, and then they stood in the garden, kissing and holding each other, neither willing to let go.

Finally, he forced himself to step away. “I will be back soon.”

Journey gave him a shaky smile. He didn’t know whether to be glad that she cared enough to worry about him or sad that she was worried. “I know you’re a brilliant swordfighter and a bodyguard and a dragon. But... Be careful.”

“I will not take foolish or reckless action,” Lucas assured her. “At Protection, Inc., Nick and Destiny considered me to be overly cautious.”

That seemed to reassure her. She gave him one last, lingering kiss. “Go solve the mystery. I know you can do it.”

He stepped away from her and the nearest trees, and allowed his mind to fill with a dragon’s longings. He would fly high, he would burn his enemies to ash and gone, he would find the finest treasure in the land and lay it at his mate’s feet.

His blood ran hot and his wings unfurled. Lucas leaped upward into the sky. Below, Journey waved him on, her expression bright with unspoiled joy in watching his transformation. He dipped a wing in response, then concentrated to make himself invisible to all but other dragon shifters. He hoped Journey would enjoy the surprise of watching him blink out of view. Then he flew on, leaving the castle behind.

The forest spread out below him. Now and then he glimpsed a cottage or a castle. The trees grew less dense as he came closer to the city, broken up by large glens and shining lakes. When he had been a young dragon, he had learned to dive into the lakes and snatch fish in his jaws, like an osprey. Lucas dipped lower, thinking to do so now. Transformation took a great deal of energy, and he was very hungry.

A burning pain pierced his chest. Then a second, agonizing shock wrenched at his body, forcing it to change shape against his will. He was suddenly a man again— a man falling from the sky.