Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 112416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
An unexpected ache throbbed in the center of Adrian’s chest, and his throat grew dry. Hearing both Caelan and Drayce at the same time left him feeling unexpectedly homesick. The only things missing were Rayne’s dry, sharp words and the low rumble of Eno’s teasing answer. The rest of the family he’d been adopted into as they risked life and limb to save the world.
“Do you remember Vitor?” Caelan inquired.
Adrian stiffened at the mention of Erya’s spymaster. They’d met the so-called Gray Fox in Brightspire when investigating the Ilon government and searching for the fifth godstone. Haru shifted, moving so that he could peer at Adrian and shoot him a questioning glance. The dragon had never met him, which was probably a good thing.
“I do,” Adrian answered a bit cautiously.
“I’ve sent him to you. He possesses deep knowledge of the area and should be able to help you with your digging. Return to Bellcairn if you’re not there now and wait in Pinepass Heights. He will find you.”
Adrian nodded. “Got it.” Pinepass Heights was a nicer part of town without being in the rich, gated districts. Maybe a little less looking over their shoulder.
“Also, while he is important, both of you are important to me. Do you understand?”
Adrian’s grin returned, and heat grew in the pit of his stomach. He got the message. Caelan wanted them to find and rescue Prince Shey, but he didn’t want them throwing away their lives to get him.
“Don’t worry. I will bring Adrian and him home safely,” Haru chimed in.
“Thank you. I—” Caelan’s voice cut off, and the screen flashed, showing the call had been cut off. The magic of the old gods had decided they’d talked long enough.
Adrian swallowed a sigh. It was for the best. They’d gotten the help they needed. Any longer, and Adrian would have been tempted to ask for some palace gossip. Rayne and Eno had to be back from their honeymoon.
“Guess we’re returning to Bellcairn,” Adrian murmured, pulling free of Haru’s arms to climb to his feet.
The dragon shot him a petulant glare, but it cleared almost as quickly as it formed. “Who is this Vitor?”
Adrian smirked. “A spy.”
Haru’s eyes lit up. Yes, things should go much smoother for them now. At the very least, it promised to get much more interesting.
CHAPTER 10
Omari Haru
“Are you sure this is the right guy?” Haru asked in a low voice.
A choking noise escaped Adrian, and the lips of the man in question twitched in a near smile, proving that maybe Haru had not spoken as quietly as he’d thought.
“Yes,” Adrian groaned, once again pushing Haru away to put some space between them. However, it wasn’t the standard arm’s length Adrian usually opted for. No, the Erya royal guard had shoved him only half that distance. That was progress. At the very least, proof that Adrian had enjoyed their private time together.
“It’s okay. It’s not the first time I’ve gotten that reaction.” The man with the bland brown hair and slight frame cocked his head to the side and smirked. “It is interesting that the last time it happened, it was another dragon who raised the question. I wonder if that means your race is naturally distrustful of newcomers.”
“No, it means that we are protective of those who belong to us.” As Haru spoke, he edged closer to Adrian, positioning himself between his mate and the stranger.
Adrian’s answering growl set butterflies loose in Haru’s stomach. He was too adorable when he was irritated. “Why don’t we sit and talk? I’m assuming that since this is your room, it’s safe to talk.”
Vitor nodded and motioned for them to join him in the small parlor area of the hotel room. It was a pleasant space that had a separate seating area, as if the person renting the room would be entertaining guests.
At Caelan’s direction, they’d returned to Bellcairn and taken up a cheap motel room in Pinepass Heights. It was far nicer than any place they’d stayed in Little Stip and Black Water Gate, though it lacked the charm and simple coziness of Voxmore. It had taken Vitor only two days to find them. However, Haru could have sworn he’d felt eyes on them far sooner than that.
“How long have you been in Damardor?” Adrian inquired. He settled into one of the chairs, and Haru perched on the arm. Haru held his breath, waiting for Adrian to push him at the sofa or just away from him, but it never happened. The breath slipped silently from his lungs. Caelan might trust this man, but Haru couldn’t fully relax. Yes, he was very plain and ordinary in appearance, but there was an aura about him that screamed that he was not to be taken lightly. He was deadly, and Haru did not like dangerous things getting too close to Adrian.