“Well, shit.”

She clenched her teeth as she forced herself to stand. Her body ached from the earlier exertion, but she paid it no mind. Instead, she looked around.

Braeden had managed to make it past the forest. They'd crashed into a field of wheat.

And there, past the field, stood the motel.

Alyx felt tears rise up in her eyes as she stared at the neon sign.

She'd really made it. She was back in the human world. Back with cars and TVs and phones.

Now she just had to get them both to that motel. Surely there was no way the fire dragons would find them there. There were hundreds of motels around, and they'd been flying for so long. She didn't even know herself where she was, so how would Steele know?

She knelt down by Braeden's side and pressed her hand to his cheek.

“Hey,” she said softly.

His skin was warm against her fingers, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

“You have to wake up now. I can help you walk, but there's no way I can carry you. You're the muscle in this operation.”

Braeden groaned. There were smudges of ash on his face.

Carefully, she brushed at a dark smudge with the pad of her thumb.

He really didn't look evil at all. Weird how at first she'd thought he was one of them. Now that she got a good look at him, she could see that he looked different.

She couldn't say why or how, but there was something almost innocent about him. He had the body of an ancient god, and powers that could make a volcano erupt—but he didn't look like his hobby was terrorizing human prisoners.

Then she sighed, looking down at the unconscious man at her feet again. The motel wasn't far. But she couldn't carry him. And she really didn't want to leave him behind.

Fire dragon or not, he'd saved her and risked his life for her. He'd gotten wounded because he'd helped her escape.

And no matter how badly she wanted a shower and some food, there was no way she'd go without him.

Now I wish I'd paid attention during that boring first aid refresher last year...

Cautiously, she touched his shoulder. “Hey. Braeden. Can you hear me?”

He didn't react. Biting her lip, she cupped his cheek with her hand. His skin was dirty from all the ash and smoke they'd flown through, b

ut it was warm.

A moment later, she saw his forehead crease as he frowned.

“Braeden,” she tried again. “Hey. You've got to help me now. You've got to wake up. I can't carry you. And I'm not leaving you out here for Steele to find.”

At the mention of Steele, a shiver went through Braeden. Slowly, his eyes opened. They were glassy and dark with pain—but there was recognition in them when he saw her.

“Oh, good,” she joked, even though the sight sent an unexpected jolt of pain right through her heart. “You're alive. You've got to get up. There's a motel there by the highway. I don't have any money or ID, but maybe I can get us a room. We'll be out of sight, and then I can check your wounds.”

Grimacing with pain, Braeden reached for his pocket. The exertion made him grit his teeth, but a moment later, he pulled out a slim wallet. Without a word, he pressed it into her hand.

“Perfect,” Alyx said as she flipped it open. It held his credit cards and driver’s license. “I see at least one of us came prepared for adventure.”

She shoved it into her own pocket, then wrapped her arm around his waist. “But you've still got to get up. The motel's right across the field. Only a few minutes, and then you can rest. Okay?”

He didn't answer her, but she saw his jaw clench as he forced himself up. Despite her support, his face was gleaming with sweat.

Tags: Zoe Chant Elemental Mates Paranormal
Source: readsnovelonline.net