Despite the lack of physical contact, what passed between them was so intense that when Tyrez looked to her, she couldn’t meet his gaze.
“He needs to rest,” the big shifter said. “Can you sit with him?”
Dani swallowed. “Of course.”
“I’m fine,” growled Ash. “I don’t need to be watched over.”
Dani’s brows rose. “Maybe I do. The thought that Rindek is coming here...” She couldn’t suppress a shudder.
Ash looked away from them both. He waved at Tyrez. “Go. I’ll be fine.”
You’re sure?Tyrez sent along the link.You don’t look fine.
Dani barely stopped herself from agreeing with Tyrez. This was tricky, hearing without participating.
I’m good. I’ll hang with Dani until she’s okay.
Dani looked away before her lips twitched. As she followed Ash along the hall, she called back to Tyrez.
“If you’re calling a meeting, count me in this time.”
The Dragon flashed her a look, but he nodded before he stalked off down the tunnel.
* * *
Accompanied by two Gryphons, Tyrez came in low and from the north. Disguised by the darkness, they flew over farmland in the human realm.
Ash’s vision had set Tyrez in desperate motion, gathering all the pieces together. Using the human realm for the meeting made sense, as it was home to the Dire packs, many of which had traveled to be closer to the Winnipeg Watcher and her gates, in preparation for what was to come. There were similar gatherings at a few other locations, but they hadn’t time to spread the word very far.
The technology of this realm would be likely to notice Dragons and Gryphons flying in daylight, so the best they could do for such an assembly was after dark. Taking the route exactly as he’d been instructed, he passed over gravel pits and dense stands of smaller trees. Dani’s warm legs tightened against his neck as he banked. The woman had insisted on coming, and because she’d be a significant piece of their defense of the Gryphon realm, he’d agreed.
Having Ash a permanent resident in his head felt so right, as though he filled the missing piece of himself. But when Dani climbed onto his shoulders, his heart pounded. And the contentment he sensed as she wrapped her legs around him—what was that about?
It was Ash who pegged it.She belongs with us.
Dani’s legs twitched against his neck, but when Tyrez glanced back, she was staring down at the ground.
He couldn’t deny the power that pulsed between him and her. When he’d held her in his arms on the beach, it had rocked his world. What was the difference between what he experienced every time Dani touched him, and the soul-deep longing for Ash?
Some shifters mate in multiples.
Tyrez’s heart accelerated. Could it be? But he’d never heard of a triad soulbond among Dragons.
Maybe we are unique.
She doesn’t want this, Ash. Every time I’ve tried to get closer, she’s pulled away.
I ran away too.
It was true. He had. But Tyrez had pursued him. Hadn’t given Ash a choice. He’d been as certain of his bond with Ash as he was that the sun would rise. But he was able to sense the other Dragon’s energy, and he couldn’t get a firm read on Dani’s.
Was that why he hadn’t done that with her? The attraction was there on his part. Without the ability to read Dani, he wasn’t sure it was there on hers.
Perhaps she just needs more time.Ash sounded thoughtful now.
The pasture loomed ahead, already busy with figures moving around. After making arrangements, Tyrez had spent the day with Ash, helping him sift through the timelines. But there was no way Tyrez would let him come to this meeting. His presence would lead to everyone peppering the Dragon with questions that he’d try far too hard to answer.
I could have handled it.The mindvoice was reduced in volume, but Tyrez was relieved he could hear Ash at all. Sometimes this early in a bond, the mental link couldn’t withstand hopping between realms.
