“No.” Dani frowned. “No more splatting. If that’s part of the deal, I’m not getting airborne.”
It wasn’t until she rolled out of the bed that she remembered she was naked. She was quick to pull her scales over her skin. Almost went for the complete bodysuit, but then amended it to hipster tights and a short shirt that showed off her belly.
Ash’s brows rose even higher when his gaze fastened on the belly tattoo.
“Don’t dress on my account,” Tyrez purred.
“If I don’t, I doubt we’ll be doing any flying.”
“Not with wings, anyway.” He did, however, appear undecided.
“Oh, c’mon,” Ash stated. “It’s a beautiful morning to fly. Nice tattoo, by the way.”
Tyrez made an odd sound between a grumble and a growl as he led them into the tunnel beyond the bedroom. His naked, retreating back gave Dani her first real look at the Dragon tattoo spanning it. Her gaze followed the tail down—the scales started indecently low, and she could see how it disappeared between his buttocks...
She’d seen, now, where that tail ended. Dani tripped and almost did a face-plant.
Tyrez twisted to glance at her. He then flashed her a grin that caused her to bump into the wall.
He laughed, and turned away.
They stepped onto the ledge. The warm, tropical night had given way to a sunrise that sent fiery trails of scarlet across the horizon, but it was laced with clouds that promised rain.
Dani eyed the clouds uneasily. “Perhaps we should take a rain date?”
“We’ll fly above them,” promised Tyrez, his body starting to writhe its way to beast.
“Above?” she squeaked.
“Come, Dani,” Tyrez said, his energy reaching for her. “Change for me.”
Her body was already with him, and with a small shudder, she let it go. She hadn’t shifted form since the battle. Her Dragon leaped to the surface, and to her shock, the transformation didn’t hurt like it used to. Tyrez and Ash carried her with them through the link, showing her the little ways to position herself to ease the transition. Even the pain of the wings bursting from her back was bearable.
Soon, she crouched as a small black Dragon on the ledge, framed by Ash’s shining gold, and Tyrez’s gleaming turquoise.
Ash’s Dragon was as elegant and as graceful as his human. Tyrez’s was still impressive, but Dani noted the smaller size, the way his muscles hugged tighter to his frame, and her heart hurt.
A part of himhadwanted to die. The big Dragon would never admit it, but his body told the truth of it.
Dani poised with care at the edge and looked down at the jungle far, far below. This also seemed suicidal. She really didn’t mind riding Dragons. Providing your own winged transport was another thing altogether.
Tyrez launched himself off the ledge and vanished into the darkness.
“Hey! I still vote breakfast before splatting...” Dani yelled after him. But he was gone. She debated turning around and disappearing back into the cave. Maybe if he had to drag her back out, he wouldn’t bother.
Ash seemed distracted; his narrow head tilted to watch the sky.
She swallowed and backed away. “I’m going in—”
Something immensely powerful swept down from overhead and grabbed her at the base of her wings. She shrieked and thrashed as it dragged her off the ledge.
Relax. I’ve got you, Dragonfly.
With a crackle of displaced air, broad wings spread overhead, halting her downward plummet, and effortlessly carrying them above the rainforest peaks.
A golden blur from below—Ash, glancing up at her with a gleaming silver eye.
You arrogant bastards—she began.
