Page 29

At the sound of Mia screaming, Tiber abruptly turned, shooting through the air faster than he’d ever flown. He used the flow of wind to his advantage as he soared up over the plateau only to see an altomayudo carrying Mia up the side of the mountain.

Rage and fear punched through him in a way he’d never experienced.

Ilmari chirped pitifully from the ground, his wing clearly injured.

Tiber would take care of him later, all his focus on Mia as he arrowed straight for the beast.

With a humanoid body, feathery wings, and a face with six bulging black eyes, the flying beast was known for its viciousness.

When it spotted Tiber flying straight for it, it released Mia from its talons with a savage screech and flew straight up in the air, knowing it would lose in a battle against Tiber.

He dove straight toward Mia as she plummeted toward the earth. She wasn’t even screaming, but as he arrowed straight for her, he could see the fear etched into her face as she watched him flying at her.

Keeping pace, he swooped in underneath her, felt the moment when she landed on his back with a yelp. He slowed immediately as he flew downward, spreading his wings to slow their descent. Though it only took minutes, time seemed to stretch for an eternity until he landed next to Ilmari.

Before he’d even tucked his wings in, she was scrambling off him and racing for the dragonling. And by the time he’d shifted, she was already crouched down next to the chirping little beast.

Tears tracked down her face as she murmured soothing words to him. “You’re going to be okay, you have to be.”

“He’s going to be fine,” Tiber murmured, scooping his arms under Ilmari. The hold was awkward, but he could easily transport him back to the cave. “His wing is sprained, but he should be able to fly tomorrow. If not, I’ll carry you both.”

“I can’t believe you’re carrying him now.” Her teeth were chattering, her face pale as she hurried alongside him.

And goddess, he wanted to comfort her, but they needed to get Ilmari out of the open and settled so he could rest and heal.

Once he got Ilmari next to the fire, he worked quickly to stretch the little one’s wing to the right angle. “The ointment in the green bottle,” he said as Mia opened his small kit.

They worked together to rub the healing salve where he could see Ilmari had been injured the worst. Likely tossed against the side of the mountain given the scratches.

“I know I shouldn’t have left the cave, but that… thing, attacked Ilmari. He was just trying to protect me and it shook him like a ragdoll, then threw him down. You were so brave though,” she whispered to Ilmari, who was making sad little chirping sounds. “The bravest dragon that ever lived.”

Ilmari sniffed slightly, then nudged his head up against her hand for comfort as Tiber continued to set the wing. Dragons and dragonlings healed quickly, but… “You’ll have to remain still tonight, Ilmari. No hopping around. If you do that, you’ll be fine in the morning.”

Ilmari chirped, then nudged Tiber’s hand as if to say thank you.

“What was that thing?” Mia asked, her voice shaking, traces of fear lingering in her words as she got some of the dried snacks out for Ilmari.

“Altomayudo. They’re not normally in this territory, so either something is hunting it, or it got separated from its flock. Maybe both.”

She shuddered. “It was creepy looking. All those eyes.”

Creepy was one word for it. Dead was another, because Tiber was going to find it and kill it later. But he kept that thought to himself as he scanned Mia’s face.

Goddess, she looked terrified. “Come here,” he ordered, belatedly realizing he still didn’t have any clothes on.

But she didn’t seem to notice or care as she basically threw herself in his arms. That’s when he knew how afraid she was. He was kneeling as she buried her face against his neck. He held her close, inwardly cursing the animal that had almost taken her from him.

“You’re okay.” He kept his voice low, soothing, as he gently rubbed a hand up and down her spine.

Her fingers dug into his back as she held him tight, her breathing evening out until he finally stood, but kept his hold on her.

As she looked up at him now, without thinking, he cupped her cheeks and began to wipe away her tears—but stilled when she sucked in a sharp breath.

It took him a moment to recognize the scent rolling off her as she stared up at him, her green eyes wide, searching as she watched him. No longer was the acrid scent of fear filling the cave, but something sweeter, deeper.

Lust.

“Mia.” Her name tore from his throat as he cupped her jaw, leaned down slowly, closing the distance between them.

He didn’t want to stop, but he wouldn’t take advantage of her. Never. But definitely not now when she had to be feeling vulnerable.

To his surprise, she grabbed onto his shoulders and leaned up on her toes, closing the distance between them.

That was all he needed to take over, to crush his mouth to hers in a raw claiming.

Goddess, she tasted sweet and perfect, and instead of being timid, she kissed him hard and with abandon, pressing her body up against his as they learned each other.

When she playfully nipped his bottom lip, he groaned against her mouth, then lifted her up so she could wrap her legs around him.

He’d never been this hard in his entire life, his cock steel between his legs, but when Ilmari suddenly chirped wildly, they broke apart.

Mia was breathless, her eyes slightly unfocused as she blinked and looked over at the dragonling.

Who was looking at them in what Tiber could only describe as pure disgust.

Mia snickered, then buried her face against Tiber’s chest. “Pretty sure he’s grossed out by us. I can’t even look at him.”

Ilmari chirped in the affirmative.

Goddess, Tiber wanted to tell Ilmari to just shut his eyes if he didn’t like it, then drag Mia deeper into the cave and taste the sweetness between her legs until she was crying out his name.

Then he wanted to do it again until all she knew was pleasure, until his name was the only one she ever thought of. It took a long moment for him to settle, to get himself under control as he continued to hold her close.

“This was probably a mistake anyway,” she said, pulling away from him on a sigh.

Mistake? Oh no. His instinct was to yank her back to him, but he didn’t give into his more primal urge. Mia was human, physically weaker than him. And right now, it was just the three of them on this mountain, with potential threats out there.

He clearly scented her desire, but he never wanted her to feel pressure when it came to him. Still, kissing her could never be a mistake. It was just the beginning.

“This was not a mistake,” he growled, before stalking out of the cave into the cold rain.