Page 11

He smirked. “No, they probably won’t.”

Chapter 4

VALEEN

Wind whipped through Valeen’s hair as Presco took a sharp downturn. Her stomach tickled with the quick descent, and she gripped the powder-blue spike in front of her just a little tighter.

Katana circled her arms around Valeen’s waist and let out a laugh. “Wahoo! This is fun! I have never ridden a dragon before!”

Presco’s massive, scaled body rumbled with deep laughter. “I’m glad I am the first to escort you.”

“Don’t turn so fast, Presco,” Thane hollered. Valeen sat in front, then Katana, then Thane behind her, but he didn’t hold onto her sister for balance. He was gripping the smaller spike his back rested against and his knees were up to his chest. The look of worry on his face made her giggle.

“And I thought you were the one most comfortable riding dragons,” Valeen teased. “Shall I fasten you a safety belt with my vine?”

He sneered at her. “I’m fine. I’m just in an awkward position, that’s all.”

“You can hold onto me,” Katana suggested, patting the spot behind her. Her hair flowed out behind her like a ripped sail on a windy sea. Reaching up, she grabbed hold of her hair, twisted it, and tucked it under the strap of her dress. “Scoot closer. Or if you are more comfortable, you can hold onto Val and I will hold onto you.”

His brows shot up. That appeared to scare him more than the potential of falling. “Sit sandwiched between the two of you? I’m good right where I am, thanks.”

All it took was one glance at each other and the sisters giggled together. “I think your beauty makes him nervous,” Valeen said, quietly.

“I think what makes him nervous is being squished bytwogoddesses.”

Valeen laughed. “He would love it, who wouldn’t?”

“You are naughty, Val, but I agree. It would be a dream come true for just about any male.” Katana giggled. Oh, it was good to have her sister again. The males they had drooling over them back in the day were numerous and how they loved to tease. They fell right back into their friendship like they’d spent no time apart.

“I can hear you, you know,” Thane grumbled.

“Then why haven’t you accepted the invitation?” Valeen winked at him over her shoulder. It might be too soon for this, but she’d always liked teasing Thane just as he teased her. “You can hold onto me. Don’t make it awkward and it won’t be.”

“It’s notawkward. But when we land and Hel sees me holding onto you, he’ll lose his bloody mind. I’m not up for dealing with his bullshit right now. I’ve dealt with enough of it the past several months.”

That was certainly true. But she kind of liked it when Hel got jealous, she just didn’t want it to happen at the expense of Thane and now wasn’t a good time to poke the bear so to speak. It was much too soon for that. Hel and Thane had very recently accepted to be friendly again. Although being with Katana was making her feel a little more mischievous.

“So, hold ontome.” Katana grinned. “You look like you might fall. Come.” Katana patted the spot behind her again.

“Yeah, Thane, come on,” she razzed.

Finally, his broody glare broke and even though he tried not to smile, he failed. “Fine. Since you both are pestering me.” He dropped his boots to the side of Presco and scooted forward, putting himself behind Katana.

“Now, hold my waist.” She picked up his hands and put them on her hips. “See, that is not so hard.”

“You two are going to cause me problems, aren’t you?”

Katana laughed, throwing her head back against his chest. “Only problems you will enjoy. Presco, I dare you to do something wild!”

“Hold on,” his deep voice rumbled.

Oh, that was a dare she should not have given Presco. Valeen pressed herself against his spike and held on tight. He tumbled left, turning in a full circle. Katana screamed, half terror, half glee, right in her ear. And Thane lifted off his seat then slammed back down once Presco leveled out.

“Damn, Presco.” Thane’s arms were completely circled around Katana now.

He turned his massive head around. “Too much? I never lose my riders. If you fall, I’ll catch you.”

“That’s reassuring,” Thane mumbled.