Page 27 of Dragon Unhinged (Royal Dragon Shifters #5)

Chapter

Twenty-Seven

DECLAN

I t’s good that Brianna didn’t bring her cell phone because they can be tracked, but it would’ve been nice to give Ash and Finley a call so we could go directly to their house. I don’t want to drop by unannounced. They may not even be there.

Instead, I drive to the Sea Glass, a supernatural exclusive club that humans can’t find without a little supernatural help. I hope Pru and Gavin will have some ideas of what I can do with the wolf in the backseat, and whether my brother would be okay with me just dropping in. If he’s even here in Miami.

Would anyone be able to identify Ellie’s car? Would anyone be on the lookout for us?

I pull into a parking spot, and frown at Ewan’s sleeping form in the back. I don’t want to leave him here, but I can’t send Brianna into the Sea Glass alone, any more than I could leave her here alone.

And carrying an unconscious wolf into a restaurant, even one that’s only patronized by shifters and other supernatural creatures isn’t an option. If he wakes up in a bad mood, it will be dangerous. He’s not in the headspace to wake up and not know where he is or if he’s safe.

Gavin, if you’re inside, come out and meet me. I project the thought, knowing that there’s a chance I’m putting everyone I talk to into more danger, if Grey has any way of keeping tabs on me that Ellie might not have been aware of.

Declan? Is that really you? The surprise in his tone isn’t unexpected, but I’m sure he’s wary.

I’ve been missing for months.

I doubt any other dragons would trust me either.

It’s me. I’m not alone. I’ve got a damaged wolf with me. I pause for a second. And my mate.

It doesn’t take long for the former garnet dragon prince to come out, followed closely by his mate, Pru, and my brother, Malcolm.

The joy hits me hard and tears sting my eyes. My brother. My family. He’s one of the younger of my siblings and somehow, he looks older, matured. This war is aging us all prematurely.

Malcolm leans down on the open window so we’re eye to eye. “Dec, where the hell have you been?” My brother looks at me warily before his eyes shift over to the passenger seat.

“It’s a long story,” I mutter.

“Is Krystana with you?” Malcolm glances in the backseat.

“Krystana? No. Why?” Dread sinks deep into my gut. “Why do you think she’s with me?” My voice cracks.

“She disappeared at the same time you did. We’ve gotten some messages from her, but they’re all vague. She won’t tell us anything. We thought you guys were together. We didn’t know what else to think.”

Disappeared? Fucking great. Ash must be going out of his mind.

I run my hand down over my face, stress and tension tightening my already sore body. I’ve managed to heal, but there’s left over exhaustion and soreness. I imagine it will take some time for my body to get used to the weight lifted off me since the spells were broken and the cuffs were removed. “She wasn’t with me. I didn’t see her,” I murmur, meeting Malcolm’s gaze. At least if she’s been able to text, it means she’s not stuck in a fighting pit somewhere.

Malcolm sighs and his eyes drop to the ground dejectedly. “What happened to you, man? Where have you been? We’ve been looking for you for months.”

“It would be better discussed inside.”

Malcolm shakes his head. “You can’t come in here. Not yet.”

“Can you at least take Ewan? He needs help. He’s in bad condition and he’s separated from his wolf, I think, but that could dramatically change any moment too.”

Both the male dragons look in the back seat, and then come back to the front. “Is his sleep natural or unnatural?”

“Natural, but trauma-induced. He was rented out last night by a bunch of humans from the smell of it.”

Pru is a doctor, and I know that stoic expression on her face. I’ve seen it too many times since this war started. She was a doctor before she met Gavin, when she was human. We all knew he left his father’s side to be with a human mate, what we didn’t know was that she had turned into an Obsidian dragon, not until my brother’s mate did the same thing.

Pru walks around the car and pulls her long, black hair into a ponytail and opens the passenger door. “You’re Declan’s mate?”

Brianna nods softly, her hand clutching mine like she’s not sure if she can trust these people. “He hasn’t claimed me yet, but…”

“She’s pregnant?” Malcolm’s eyes grow wide as he stares at Brianna. “How?”

“That’s why I need to see Syrena and Ash. Any idea where they are?”

“Not until you take a salty swim, brother. Not after everything we’ve been through. Both of you need to make sure there’s no thrall on you.”

“We haven’t been around any bloodsuckers. Unless Grey’s taught humans how to enthrall others, we’re not any risk.”

Gavin shakes his head at me. “We’re not chancing it. You want to interact with anyone, you’re taking a bath.”

I frown, but I get it. “Okay. We’ll do whatever is necessary to see Syrena. We need to know what this all means.”

“I’ll call her, and Ash. But you need to take the wolf to a safehouse. We’re not letting any more of this disrupt the safety and sanctuary of the Sea Glass.” Gavin pulls a slip of paper out of his pocket, and hands it to me along with a cell phone. “We’ll let you know when we’ve talked with Ash.”

Pru pulls out three vials and hands them to Brianna. “Add one of these to a bathtub filled with water as hot as you can stand, and an entire box of Epsom salts. Each of you must bathe separately.” She looks across the car at me. “Since I’m assuming you’re not going to let your mate bathe the wolf, you’re going to need to get him in there tonight, even if he’s asleep while he soaks.”

I nod at her. “We’ll do it right away.”

Brianna looks more wary as she accepts the vials, and I can tell we’re going to have even more to talk about before I introduce her to the rest of my family.

“Bring your girl around once you’ve been given the all-clear.” Malcolm winks at Brianna, and for the first time in a long time, I want to pummel him into the ground. He’s always been flirtatious, and it’s never really bothered me before, but now that I have a mate, and an unclaimed one at that, I don’t want him anywhere near her.

The three dragon shifters step back onto the curb, and I put the car into reverse before I take Brianna’s hand again. “It’s just a precaution. Nothing to worry about.”

I’m not entirely sure, though, since I know there’s been a vampire in her house, interacting with her, but I don’t want her to worry. I don’t want her to have any reason to doubt that we’re completely fine. If she’s been enthralled we’ll know soon enough.

Besides, if there’s anyone who can make sure that any lingering spells get washed away, it’s going to be Syrena’s magic.

Brianna leans her head on my arm as I drive, and I want so badly to just take her to bed, to wrap myself around her somewhere comfortable, somewhere where no one and nothing can hurt us.

“Krystana is your sister?”

I take my eyes off the road to glance at her for a second. I can see worry there and concern. “Yeah. I didn’t know she was missing.”

“Is she like you?”

“Like me?”

“Strong?”

I can’t help the laugh that escapes me. “Krystana is the strongest of us all. Ash has been pretty unfair to her, basically her whole life. She was one of the last female dragons born. She’s a hot commodity and Ash has been overbearing and overprotective of her. I can’t help but wonder if she found an escape from him and is milking it for as long as she can.”

“Would she worry you all like that?”

I scoff, “Oh yeah, and sleep just fine. She’s not malicious. She has every right to be pissed. She hasn’t had a life. She hasn’t had her own autonomy. I’m afraid as her big brothers, none of us have been particularly lax where her safety is concerned and since our parents were killed, it’s been worse. I’m not sure where she is, but I would bet on her every time.”

She nuzzles against me. “She sounds awesome. I hope we can be friends.”

“She’ll love you.”

Brianna stiffens against me. “Is your family going to…” She pauses, her voice quiet and almost timid. “Are they going to accept me? I mean…my father held you captive. Made you kill other shifters. Why would they want someone like that to join the family?”

My hand tightens on her thigh. “It’s not really up to them.” I steal a quick kiss at a stoplight, needing the connection, even if it’s just for a few seconds. “Besides, you’re my family. Even if you don’t have my claim on you yet. But I might keep you away from Malcolm until you are claimed. He’s a flirt.” I grumble the last bit.

She’s chortles a little and it’s a welcome sound. “As if he could have anything on you.” She winks. “I just…I don’t want them to hate me because of what my father did.”

“If they even consider thinking anything of the sort, we don’t ever have to see them again. But I really don’t think you have to worry. Four of my brothers have already mated with humans, and they’ve all been welcomed with open arms.” I bring her hand up to my lips to give her another kiss. It’s not where I’d like to kiss her, but it’ll do for now. “If we judged people solely on what their families are like, I don’t know if we’d ever find mates. Not when my parents were part of the counsel that forbids human mates. Not to mention, we’re friends with the dragon who killed our parents. He was under a spell and didn’t have any control, much like you were imprisoned in that house too. Don’t worry about it. I promise, all will be well.”

I pull up to the safe house, a townhome in the middle of a neighborhood, sandwiched between two other units. There’s nothing I hate more than a townhouse. This must be punishment for getting kidnapped. Something I’m sure I won’t live down for a while.

Once we get inside though, it’s obvious that the two-bedroom townhome is outfitted into a dragon’s opulent preferences. The primary bedroom has a huge en-suite bathroom with plenty of room and an oversized tub with jets, and a California king where I can just picture my mate all spread out for me.

The second bedroom is almost as opulent, and I get Ewan settled on the bed as I leave Brianna to wander around.

The wolf is just starting to wake up, and he looks at me like I’ve betrayed him in some way, for taking him away from our prison, for not letting him die.

“Where are we?” His voice is a clipped growl.

“Somewhere safe,” I say in a low voice. “You may not like it, but I wasn’t going to let you die in that fucking basement. Kill yourself later if you want, but for now, just sleep.”

“Why didn’t you just leave me behind? Why does your mate think she needs to save us all?” he asks in a tone that suggests she out of her mind. I don’t appreciate it, but I know he’s coming from a place of trauma, hurt, and damage on a level I hope I never understand, but I don’t want him to be alone either.

“You’re starting to sound crabbier than Kayden, and he almost died. For all I know, he did.” I silently hope he’s doing better with Ellie. “Yes, you’ve been through some shit. We all have. But you’re safe now, and it’s time to start healing. Starting with a bath and some fresh clothes.” I point at the bathroom. “My clan witch has a potion to wash clean any spells that might still linger. It won’t make you forget, or undo anything that’s been done, but it’s a start to healing.”

Ewan shakes his head. “What’s the point? My pack won’t accept me back. I’ll never find a mate. Lone wolves don’t last long by themselves.”

“And why not?” Brianna’s voice from the doorway surprises us both, and I turn to see her standing with her hands on her hips. “Do you really think things you were forced to do would change someone’s mind about your worthiness? Do you really think that other wolf shifters would abandon you, just because you were held captive, drugged, and tortured? If they do, then they’re not worthy of you. Then you come back and be a member of our pack.”

“You really think it’s that simple, lass? You know nothing about wolves. You barely know anything about dragons.” He rolls his eyes at her and flops back down onto the bed, curling into a pillow and hugging it to his chest.

He doesn’t mean it. Leave me to deal with him, and I’ll come find you soon.

She looks at Ewan’s back one more time before turning and walking away. I’ll get started on my bath. Any specifics I need to know?

Just submerge yourself in the water and let the potion do the rest. I’ll come find you soon.

I hate that she’s out of sight, even if we’re far from her father’s house, my prison cell. It would be so much easier if I didn’t have to worry about Ewan, but until I know he’s not going to do something rash like trying to slit his wrists, or worse, running back to imprisonment, I have to hope that Ash, Syrena, or someone else we can trust will show up soon, so that I can have some time with my mate.

We’re free and I want to celebrate.

“Just leave me alone, Declan. I’m not suicidal, and I’m not stupid.” He looks over his shoulder at me. “I just want to sleep.”

I can’t fault him for that. “Take a bath first, would you? You’re mucking up the nice clean sheets, and we both know you’ll sleep better clean.”

“You just want to make sure I haven’t been poisoned or thralled.”

I give him a playful grin. “That’s a small part of it. But you must admit being able to get clean, without other people watching over you, staying in the water as long as you want, sounds pretty nice.”

“Like you’re not going to watch over my shoulder?”

“Hey, you prove to me you can take care of yourself, and I’m gone. I have a mate upstairs who’s waiting for me, and her naked body is a hell of a lot more interesting than yours.” I sit on the edge of the bed and look him over. “Don’t punish yourself or your wolf for the things humans did. It’s not worth it.”

Ewan sighs. “Fine, I’ll take a damned bath. Give me the potion.”

I hand it to him, along with a box of Epsom salts. “Empty both into the hot water.”

As soon as he’s in the bathroom alone, I head off to find my mate.

Brianna is soaking in the huge tub, her eyes closed, and her hair tied up in a messy bun on top of her head, a few strands sticking wetly to her neck.

“Feeling any different?”

“Not unless you count being able to relax and breathe a bit, knowing I’m not under my father’s thumb anymore, and knowing you’re safe.” She opens her eyes and shifts so that she can rest her arms on the side of the tub and look up at me. “Do we really have to do this separately? I would be more than happy to wash your back, if you want to wash mine.”

“Maybe after we’re both cleared of the spells.” I kneel on the bathmat and kiss her forehead. “I’m not pissing off Syrena just because I can’t seem to keep my hands to myself.”

Brianna sighs. “You’re not the only one with that problem.” She stands and grabs a fluffy white towel off the rack. “I’ll leave you to it, so that we can get this over with and we can refocus on you and me.”

Before she can get far, I grab her and scoop her up into my arms, pressing a hungry kiss to her lips. “I haven’t been able to really focus on anything but you since the moment we met, princess. There’s no way in hell that’s going to change now that I have you all to myself.”

She grins. “Good.” Her towel slips open, and it takes everything I have to not rip it off her and make her come all over my tongue before I take my own bath.

“Soon enough, you insatiable dragon.” She winks at me, and I realize I must’ve been projecting my thoughts. “How’s Ewan?”

“I think he’ll live. It might take him some time, but he’s never struck me as someone to just give in or give up.” I give her a feeble smile and set her on her feet again. “I don’t know if we have any clothes that might fit you, but there should at least be a robe in the closet.”

She nods and readjusts the towel around herself. “I’ll figure something out. I would kind of like to have some underwear if we’re going to meet people or go anywhere besides this place.”

I chuckle and shake my head. “All the more reason to keep you all to myself.”

Brianna shakes her head back at me and steps out of my reach. “We’re going to help Ewan. I should try to find out how to contact Ellie. And we need to figure out just what’s going on with me. With our baby.” She presses her palm to her belly, even though she’s nowhere near showing yet. “Would Syrena be able to tell us if there’s anything wrong with it?”

“We can ask, she’s pretty handy with all the magic stuff. And if not, Pru’s a doctor, so she could check you out.”

I can see the relief on Brianna’s face the moment I say it, and I pull her into my arms again, stealing a fleeting kiss. If I go for anything more than that, we really will never leave this room. “I promise, the risks of a dragon pregnancy are far fewer than a human one.”