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His eyes brightened and he moved a step closer. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever heard you use my full name before.”

“Don’t change the subject.”

“I like it. A lot.”

Unwilling to be distracted, she said, “Seriously, Kaiden. You didn’t just keep us from falling—you saved ourlives. Why didn’t you say anything?”

He sighed and glanced out across the city sparkling in the moonlight. “What was I going to say? ‘By the way, guys, I’m the reason we’re all still here—you can thank me later’?” He shook his head. “I don’t need praise for protecting the people I care about. That’s not the kind of person I am.”

Alex just kept looking at him, even more amazed. “You’re something else, you know that?”

He chuckled lightly and returned, “I think the same about you.”

Feeling the compliment settle right down to her toes, she became distracted for only a second as Xira mentally called out and she responded, before she focused on Kaiden again.

Mustering her courage, she quietly asked, “Do you have plans for the next few hours?”

He cocked his head, curious about the waver of nerves audible in her voice. “Nothing that doesn’t involve you.”

She should have perhaps scoffed at his confidence, but instead warmth blossomed within her. Still quietly, she asked, “Do you trust me?”

With his gaze locked on hers, he didn’t hesitate to answer, “More than anyone.”

Unable to keep from closing her eyes as his declaration washed over her, Alex only opened them again so she could reach out and entwine her fingers with his. Embracing the not-unpleasant feeling of butterflies that were now swarming within her, she stepped forward, closing the distance between them.

She was acutely aware of Kaiden watching her every move as her right hand kept holding his, but her left trailed up his chest to curl around the back of his neck, sliding through his silky dark hair.

Holding his now impossibly alert eyes, she put gentle pressure on the back of his head and slowly tilted his face down towards hers. She heard him draw in a surprised breath, but she also heard something else—something she had been waiting for since awakening from her nap.

With a wicked grin spreading across her lips, she swerved her head at the last possible moment to whisper into Kaiden’s ear, “Then whatever you do, don’t let go.”

She was close enough to feel him freeze, but before he could say or do anything, she pulled back swiftly and tugged on his hand, her grip strong enough that he had no choice but to follow as she dragged him sideways…

… and sent them both straight over the edge of the balcony.

Seventeen

Alex let out an exhilarated whoop asshe and Kaiden plummeted through the air, holding his hand tight as they soared down the length of the palace. But then, just as the ground rose up to meet them, Xira swooped in from below, his arrival timed perfectly to catch them.

As if she’d done it thousands of times before, Alex manoeuvred into a secure position in front of his wings, drawing Kaiden with her until he was seated at her back. She was almost certain she felt his thumping heart when his arms slid around her and Xira launched them straight back up into the air.

Nowthatwas entertaining, Xira said to Alex.The only way it could have been better was if he’d trusted you less; then he might have at least looked alittlescared.Amused, the draekon finished,I think he enjoyed the fall as much as you did.

Alex just grinned in reply, knowing what he’d said was true. Kaiden hadn’t even screamed during their freefall. In fact, when she’d glanced over at him the instant before Xira’s arrival, he’d had a smile on his face almost as wide as hers.

But, euphoric or not, that didn’t mean she was going to get away with the stunt she’d pulled. And she knew that when, wrapped in Kaiden’s embrace, he leaned forward to speak over the wind, directing his words straight into her ear. “Well played, Jennings. But don’t think you won’t pay for what you just did later.”

His warm breath on her nape caused prickles of awareness to trail along her skin, and she was certain he must have felt her shiver in his arms. To cover, with one of her hands gripping Xira’s scales while her other remained linked with Kaiden’s against her stomach, she twisted until they were eye to eye. Still grinning widely, she replied with the same words she’d said to D.C. only a few hours earlier, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

She swivelled forward again and didn’t bother to hold in her laugh when he growled playfully in her ear. They couldn’t share further words, however, because they soon became too distracted by the wonder of the flight.

Xira’s glossy black scales reflected the light of the overhead moons as he flew them high over the gaudy extravagance of the city and continued across the bare, cloudswept land.

What do you say, Alex, are you up for a bit of fun? Just like old times?

She didn’t need to think twice about her answer, so thrilled as she was to be flying with him again just for the sake of it.Definitely.

Then you’d better tell your boyfriend to hold on.