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When she’d finished the two, Rimi shook her head. Sorry. I didn’t offer to share.

I’m good, Snowflake. Want another?

Snowflake?

That’s what you remind me of. Beautifully unique with a sparkling shimmer and sharp edges.

Not cold and wet?

Was she teasing him? Keres liked it—a lot. Never! Now, are you still hungry?

No. I’ve been out here for too long. Someone will see me.

Anger rushed through him. No one will ever threaten you again.

Rimi brushed her snout against his to soothe Keres. Take me home, Keres.

He nodded. Do you want to fly or would you rather ride?

Ride, please.

With a shimmer, she morphed into her human form and scrambled onto his back.

Keres was selfishly glad she’d chosen that option.

He enjoyed having her wrapped around him, even if her shirt had regenerated around her when she shifted.

His mate was indescribably alluring. He took to the sky and headed back toward her mountain.

He could feel the need building inside him. They would need to consummate the mate bond soon. Rimi’s stamina and strength rebounded slowly with each moment that passed. He could wait until she was less fragile.

Mate? Would you send Oldrik a message? Tell him I’m with you and you’re good? He was worried about you.

A blast of heat sizzled past Keres. Without a second’s delay, he raised a wing to shield Rimi as he scanned for whoever had endangered his mate. There. He angled himself to guard his mate as he spotted a red dragon approaching. Flatten yourself to me and hold on!

Fury lanced through Keres at the insult. Who thought they could best him? He screamed his anger into the darkness, warning their attacker.

Keres! I’m afraid I’ll fall.

His mate wasn’t at a quarter of her strength yet.

He would have to take shelter and protect her until she was well.

Keres spat flames toward the invader as he flew toward her cave.

Swerving and dodging the aggressive dragon’s attack, Keres balanced his efforts with her ability to cling to him.

When the cave opening loomed in front of him, Keres tucked his wings in close to his body and dove.

He spotted the flare of a second attacker’s blast with barely enough time to roll to protect Rimi.

The flames raked his underbelly. He roared at the offense, but Rimi’s hold loosened.

Keres dropped like a rock through the air to get below her and caught his mate between his wings like he’d performed that dangerous move a dozen times before.

Her breath jetted from her lungs at the impact, but Rimi immediately grabbed his scales with determination. Go, Keres! I won’t let go again.

He spun around the mountain in an upward spiral that surprised the two opposing dragons.

As Keres approached the mouth of Rimi’s cave, he scanned the interior to make sure no one lurked inside.

It was risky to take the time to investigate, but her entrance was a narrow tunnel.

Someone lying in wait would have the advantage.

Again, he shielded Rimi from flames thrown at her. He understood the duo attacking him. He was an invading dragon. But why were they attacking her?

Pushing the question out of his mind, Keres dove into the entrance. Thrashing his tail to cause an avalanche, he sealed the opening behind them and skidded to a stop. The roars of the two thwarted dragons reached his ears, even through the layers of stone. It appeared he’d made a couple of enemies.

“What have you done?” Rimi asked, sliding off his back as quickly as possible.

Kept you safe? Keres suggested before shifting.

“How are we going to get out of here?”

“How about if we worry about that later? You need rest. I made sure you could get some.” Keres crossed the short distance she’d put between them. The mate bond hadn’t allowed her to stray far.

Scooping Rimi up in his arms, he carried her back to the large chamber. “Where do you sleep, Mate?”

“Pick a rock. Any rock,” she said in a tone that told him how crappy her existence was. Her tone was markedly hopeless for anything different.

Spotting a patch of moss growing at the side of the cavern, Keres set her down close before stripping off his shirt. He draped it over the slight padding and unfastened his pants. Rimi whirled around to face the rock.

“Whoa! I’m not having sex with you.”

“You will, but not now. Now, you’ll rest. I’m only making a mattress for you.”

“I’m not undressing.”

“We’ll take care of that when you’re ready.” He hid his amusement at her harrumph of disbelief as he finished smoothing out his discarded apparel.

When he was naked, he helped her settle on top of his clothes and lowered himself to her side. Snuggling in next to her, Keres held her to his side. Her tense muscles were rigid against him.

“Sleep, Mate. I won’t ravish you while you rest.”

“You’ll ravish me later?” she asked sarcastically.

“Exactly.”

After a few moments, she softened in his arms. Exhaustion overwhelmed her ability to stay awake.

Keres was confident that somewhere inside, she understood she was safe.

He listened carefully as the dragons continued to rally outside the collapsed entrance.

His mate would be safe. Keres would make sure of that.