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HELENA JOLTED AWAKE, rubbed the sleep from her eyes, and then did a double take. “Patsy?”
Her friend tucked her hands into the folds of her skirt. “I didn’t mean to wake you. I came to check on you.”
She scooted to a seated position. “No, no! I’m so glad you’re here! Grab a chair. How did you get here? I’ve been trying to find a way to see you and Henry. Is he here, too?” She had much to tell Patsy but didn’t know where to start and felt a little wary of the reaction she might get. Meeting Draconians in person hadn’t helped her friend overcome the aversion. If anything, the loathing had deepened. Will it change how she feels about me when she finds out I’m part dragon?
Henry would have been a good buffer. Dragons didn’t bother him. Like her, he’d adjusted.
“Henry didn’t come with me. He’s at the habitat.”
Something smelled like road kill too long in the sun. Helena wrinkled her nose. “How are you two getting along over there?”
“All right. They put you up in style. Marble, tapestries, gold fixtures, silk canopies.” She eyed the drape around the bed.
“I doubt it’s silk unless lava worms can produce thread.” Helena prattled, feeling uncomfortable. Patsy gave off an odd vibe. And what was that nasty odor? It reminded her of the time a rat had died in one of the air-conditioning ducts in the governor’s mansion.
“Whatever. The habitat isn’t nearly as opulent.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll speak to T’mar about getting you better accommodations. He’s moving me to the palace. I’ll see if you guys can move there, too.” She felt guilty her friends hadn’t been treated as well as she had, but since T’mar had claimed her as his mate, she might have some clout. “So, how did you get here?”
“By dragon. How do you think?” Patsy’s lip curled with disgust. “They told us you would die unless you got blood, so they flew us over here to see if we were a match. But you have a rare type.”
“Rhianna donated.” It was such a huge gift. She’d worried her friend would never forgive her, and then Rhianna literally saved her life. That had to mean they had a chance of rekindling their friendship, didn’t it? Their sisterhood. She and Rhianna were both descendants of the priestess. Perhaps that accounted for why they’d become such fast friends all those years ago.
“How fortunate. How are you feeling?”
“Good!” Better than ever. All residual weakness had vanished. Give her a transfusion, a nap, and some fyre, and she could run a marathon. She tossed back the cover and got out of bed, tightening the belt on her robe, noticing it was one Patsy had bought.
I’m so fortunate to have so many good friends watching out for me. Friends with resources, she thought, remembering how Patsy had provided her with a disguise and documents enabling her to board the spacecraft. Something niggled at her brain but darted out of reach when she tried to grab it. Suddenly, she felt uneasy. T’mar, I wish you were here!
What’s wrong mate? His voice popped into her head.
You heard that? She hadn’t meant to broadcast to him, but telepathy was so new to her. She felt guilty for bothering him just because she felt a little out of sorts. He had to meet with the king, for goodness’ sake!
You called out to me. Of course I heard. What’s wrong?
There’s nothing wrong. Just missing you.
Ah, mate, I miss you, too. I regret leaving. As soon as I mollify the king, I’ll be back.
Do what you need to do. We don’t want an angry king. My friend Patsy is here with me.
I’ll be as quick as I can.
“Is your neck okay? You’re holding your head at an odd angle,” Patsy said.
That came from listening to voices in your head! “I’m fine. Sit down—please. Stay a while,” she said. The elusive connection darted close then danced away again.
“Are you sure you should be up and around?” Patsy moved toward her. “That dragon bite on your neck looks severe. Let me help you back to bed. You lost a lot of blood.”
Blood! Blood. Her friends had been brought here to potentially give blood. Helena backed up a couple of steps. “You said Henry’s at the habitat. He didn’t come here with you?”
Patsy halted. “No, he couldn’t be here, but he sends his regards.”
“But you said they flew you both here to give blood.”
“They took him back when neither of us matched your type. I stayed to find out how you were doing.”
“Henry didn’t want to stay to find out what happened to me?” Since leaving Earth, they’d gotten to know each other better, and Helena had come to consider him a friend.
“Well, there was nothing he could do anyway. Besides, a man can’t remain in a harem. The dragon who brought him insisted on taking him back.”
Let it go. It’s nothing. But it didn’t smell like nothing.
The force inside that had danced with T’mar’s essence, her fyre, flashed bright. Hadn’t T’mar said lies smelled like decay? The dead-animal stench had increased along with some caustic odor smelling like...danger? She sidled away, putting distance between her and her friend. A chill traveled the length of her spine, filling her with dread. Her mouth suddenly dry, she licked her lips. “Patsy...how...how...did you get the required travel documents for me so quickly?”
The room grew so silent she could hear the drum of her heart. And then it was almost like watching a shift. Patsy’s face went blank, her eyes grew cold, her posture assumed an attack stance. “Actually, Biggs arranged for your passage.”
Pieces snapped into place—the tips passed on in violation of policy and confidentiality, Patsy’s willingness to risk her job and prosecution to assist her, supplies acquired with no difficulty. The documents. Coming with her to Draco.
“You work for Biggs.”
“Yes.”
“Henry?”
“No. When my ex-partner learned I planned to accompany you, he came to provide backup for me—and to help you.”
She’s going to kill me. Helena shook her head in disbelief. “Why? Why now?”
“Since your father assumes you’re safe, he’s grown a backbone.”
She backed away. Patsy’s eyes flickered, and she lunged.
Helena screamed and flung herself over the bed, but Patsy caught her ankle. Helena flailed her free foot, catching her in the face, but Patsy hung on. Metal flashed, and a knife came up. She’s going to cripple me, cut the tendons of my feet! Helena aimed and kicked hard.
Patsy’s nose spurted with blood, but she hung on.
T’mar! Help! Help! She’s going to kill me!
She swung a pillow as the knife plunged. The blade sheared through the cushion, slicing it in half. The motion loosened the grip on her ankle, and Helena somersaulted sideways off the bed.
Patsy bounded to her feet. Blood ran from her broken nose. Grasping the hilt of the blade, she raised the weapon over her shoulder, preparing to throw it.
A dragon roared.
T’mar rushed in.
Patsy spun around and threw the dagger.
He whirled. The blade missed him by a hair and hit the wall. The assassin pulled a throwing knife from her boot, raised her arm—
T’mar shifted. Not to full dragon but close enough to expel a burst of flame and engulf Patsy. A horrific shriek ended mid-scream as she was reduced to ash within seconds.
He shifted to demiforma and leaped over the bed. “I’m here, mate! I’m here.” He pulled her into a tight, safe embrace, but she couldn’t stop shaking. In a single day, she’d been attacked by a jealous dragoness and a trained assassin. “Sh-she was going to k-k-kill me.”
“It’s all right. You’re safe now.” He rocked her.
She clung to him, drawing strength from his strength. “H-how did you get here so fast?”
“I left right after we spoke. Something had scared you, and you are more important than a meeting with the king.”
A premonition. From the moment she’d awakened to find Patsy in her room, she hadn’t felt comfortable. And that odor. She hugged T’mar. “The king will be furious you stood him up again,” she said. “I’m sorry.”
“Never be sorry. You’re my mate. You come first, always.”
“I’ll handle the king.” The priestess appeared in her room—along with Henry.
“What happened? Are you all right?” Henry’s gaze shifted from her to the smoldering pile of ash.
“I am now.” She peered around T’mar’s shoulder to scrutinize Patsy’s ex-partner. She had said he wasn’t involved, but the woman’s entire life had been a lie. “Patsy tried to kill me.”
He recoiled as if she’d slapped him. “Patsy did? No. No. That’s not possible.” He shook his head. “No.”
Helena jutted her chin at the ashes and the knife lying among them. “She worked for Biggs. He ordered her to kill me.”
“She wouldn’t—I don’t believe—” He clenched his fists, and she could practically see pieces snapping into place, inconsistencies coming together. Sorrow like rain scented the air, mingling with the acrid odor of betrayal. Patsy had told the truth on this one; Henry hadn’t been involved.
The priestess made a move, almost as if to touch him, then dropped her hand.
“I had no idea.” He shook his head. “I wasn’t involved. I swear. I don’t work for Biggs.”
“I believe you.” She could smell the truth.
The priestess glided over. Helena wiggled, trying to disengage from T’mar’s embrace, but he resisted. As soon as I take my eyes off you, your life becomes endangered, he said.
Keep your eyes on me, then, but let me talk to the priestess.
Reluctantly, he released her.
“Your fyre is strong, my daughter,” the priestess said. “You will always be human, but you are definitely dragoness. Your flame burns steady and bright. The more you allow it to guide you, the stronger it will grow. That and your mating link saved you. I regret I couldn’t foresee the actions of the one known as Patsy, but she was fully human, and her motivations were blocked to me.”
“Nobody saw it,” Helena said. “I’ve known her for years.”
“Decades,” Henry muttered.
“We will meet again soon,” the priestess said. “For now, I must pay a visit to the king before he sends your mate to the dungeon. I can feel his anger from here.” She glided away, seeming to hesitate as she came abreast of Henry but then continued on until she vanished.
“Holy shit.” Henry stared and took a drag of the inhaler around his neck.
Helena peered up at T’mar. My dragon mate. He’d rushed to her side even before it had become apparent how much she needed him. Can we go to the palace now?
Immediately. Golden eyes smoldered.
She couldn’t fly away and leave Henry alone in the harem or the habitat. Staring at the ashes, he appeared shell-shocked. Helena could empathize. She’d been stunned by Patsy’s true identity, and they’d been friends a relatively short time. He’d worked with her for years. They’d relied on each other. He’d thought he’d known her better than anyone—but hadn’t known her at all.
Henry should be moved to the palace, too. He shouldn’t stay alone.
I don’t like the idea, T’mar said. I don’t detect sexual interest toward you, but he is a man and—
Not a man. He has fyre, the dragon cut in.
Henry? Helena gasped.
Henry? T’mar repeated.
He and the priestess are mates.
She takes no mate. She is a celibate, T’mar said.
Not anymore.
“You think?” Helena murmured.
“I doubt the dragon is right about this,” he said in a low voice. “If he was, he wouldn’t have been so jealous of your man friend.”
“He was jealous of Henry?”
Henry raised his head. “I’m sorry—did you say something to me?”
“You’re moving from the habitat to the palace,” Helena said.
“I would like to return to Earth. You don’t need me anymore.” He twisted his mouth. “You would have been safer without...us.”
“I can arrange passage to Elementa, where perhaps you could get on a colonists’ vessel?” T’mar offered.
“You should stay awhile,” she said. “Please? We can explore Draco together. When will you have another opportunity like this?” What if the dragon is right?
I am always right, the dragon said.
Henry nodded. “There will be fewer memories here anyway.” He paused. “The woman who was here—she is somebody of importance?”
“She’s the priestess of the Eternal Fyre,” T’mar answered.
“Oh.” He winced but then pulled himself up straight. She could guess his thoughts now. On Earth, a priestess would be the equivalent of a nun.
They had rushed in together, she recalled. Could there be something between them? Should we tell him what the dragon believes? she asked.
The dragon has a lot of opinions. Not all of them are true.
You will see...
“If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be,” she murmured.
“Like us.” T’mar’s seductive clove musk washed around her. “Are you ready to fly, my mate?”
“More than ready,” she said.
