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Arrik

She’d seen him.

Even now as he thundered toward the last place she’d been spotted on his mount, Rage; his heart beat quicker than it should have. His dragon princess with her flame red hair had looked like a warrior queen, haloed by the moonlight. She exuded power. Power that he wanted to collect.

That isn’t the only reason.

Arrik gritted his teeth. She’s crawled beneath his skin and left her mark. Everything had gone according to plan, except for that part. He couldn’t allow himself to feel, to care. It put too many at risk. He wouldn’t be a selfish creature like his father.

Shane rounded the nearest inn, his giant black stead tossing its head. Arrik slowed as did his second in command.

“Any sign of her?” he rasped.

Shane shook his head. “My men are searching the area, but there isn’t anyway they could have gotten past our blockade. They took to the sewers.”

Then she was as good as gone. He growled.

This is what you wanted.

Arrik cursed. He’d always planned on getting her out of the palace. There’d been too many assassination attempts on her already. Plus, he wanted, noneededher cooperation. With the dragon princess at his side, they would hold the power of the world in their hands.

They would befree.

“Send Josenu to me,” he bit out before wrestling his passive mask back in place.

Shane nodded and wheeled his horse around then galloped away.

No one approached Arrik as he sat on Rage. His horse pranced, feeling his anger. Eventually the guard appeared, his stride brisk.

“My lord,” the blond guard murmured, bowing slightly as he reached Arrik’s side.

“Is it done?” he murmured, so only Josenu could hear.

Josenu nodded.

Wren was with the rebellion. While it hadn’t been his first choice, at least she was out of the grips of his father and brothers.

“What would you have me do?” the guard asked.

“Keep watch over her. If she is harmed, you will rue the day you were born.”

“Noted.” Josenu backed away.

Arrik watched him leave. The spy was a wily one, but he hated Soren almost as much as Arrik did, so they made a good team. Wren’s escape had surprised him. Rarely was he surprised. What was the worst part was thefearhe felt when she’d sank into the water with the dragon and rebellion supporter. She’d unnecessarily risked her life. If only Wren had been a little more patient, Arrik would have been the one helping her escape and gaining her trust. He would have been able to tell her that he’d put on a good show of hunting her down for his father.

He clicked his tongue and Rage spun around, moving back toward the palace. Now she would think he truly wanted to hunt her, to chain her to his side.

You do want those things.

Arrik wanted her to willingly come to him. It was foolish but he couldn’t help it.

A spark of excitement ran up his spine. The coming days would be interesting.

He was used to playing the monster. It was a part he excelled at.

His princess wouldn’t see him coming. She was caught in a web of his own making with nowhere to go but back to him.

And her surrender would be all the sweeter.

“Run, little dragon,” he whispered.