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"Do either of you know how to get out of here?" I asked, looking around the hall again. With Serali out ofcommission, the only way out seemed to be up the stairs or using the lift …

If Liam had just listened —I released a frustrated breath and tried to control my raging emotions.

"Do you see that?" Liam pointed to something behind me.

I turned to see a tall metal door with a freshly painted plaque just above it, fear clamping my heart as I read the words …

B5.C — Bonded Ward.

Chapter 41

Liam

B5.C — Bonded Ward!

That amazing little dragonling had brought us exactly where we needed to go …

"See, Kaiya." I grinned moving towards the door. "It's all going to work out."

"Stop." Kaiya moved to block me, hazel eyes fiery. "What are youthinking, Liam?" she hissed. "We have no idea what's in there! There's no way Frexin would leave this area unguarded, and our way back out is asleep in my arms."

"That's the beauty of it!" I grinned, excitement expanding in my chest. "Two guards are supposed to be here, but both are otherwise occupied tonight."

Her expression twisted with confusion. "How could you possibly know that? And if you say it's one of your damn feelings —"

I shook my head. "I ran into an old friend earlier. Oneof the two guards is off with her lover, and the other is in his bed, sleeping off one too many drinks."

Kaiya's eyes narrowed.

"Don't you see?" I pointed to the door. "This is theperfectopportunity! We can slip in, look around, then get back out without anyone the wiser."

"But —"

"I'm SURE about this, Kaiya. Please. I could really use you and that bond magic of yours in there."

She looked from me to the door, then back at me, expression tight. "If you're wrong and it somehow gets back to Frexin, she won't hesitate to kill people."

My heart lodged itself in my ribs. She was right. Could I live with myself if I was wrong?

But a chance like this wasn't going to come again …

I ran my hand through my hair and looked between her and the door.

"Unfortunately," Rien's voice broke through my thoughts. "Without the dragon's help, the safest way out of this area is through the narrow tunnels that allow airflow through these caves. The closest ones are in the back of these cells." His vine-arms lengthened and stretched to the ceiling. "Once inside, I can help you get up to them, if you'd like."

Kaiya closed her eyes, pulling Serali close to her chest, expression broken.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. I really hadn't intended on forcing her hand like this. I tugged on my collar. If onlythat damn thing was gone, then I could do more of this by myself …

She stood there, chin tucked against the little dragon, for what felt like minutes before finally shaking her head and lifting her chin.

"It is what it is," she said, using her free hand to tear at the bottom of her sleeping dress. Within seconds she'd removed a thick strip of the pale fabric revealing a very smooth, golden leg — "We might as well make the most of it."

I tore my attention from her leg.Seriously? I was getting excited by the sight of a damn LEG now? Fuck —

Kaiya wrapped the fabric around her and the sleeping dragonling in a strange sort of sling, then looked at me and Rien.

"If we're going to do this, we'll be smart about it. Rien, please stay in the hallway and watch for guards while I help look for Liam's family. The second you see anyone, let us know, and we'll all leaveimmediately. Agreed?"