***
Tressa climbed on Fi's back, weary, but ready. What other choice was there? Stay behind? Tell the others she was just too tired? No, none of that would do. The Black had saved her and her friends in Malum without being asked. She at least owed them her sword.
You okay? Fi asked. We're almost there.
I know, Tressa answered. I'm okay.
You're not. I can tell. Why don't I drop into the back? We can avoid the bulk of the battle that way.
You don't really want to do that. Tressa knew Fi. Her friend wanted to fight. She wanted to be in the lead. And she was prepared to kill.
You're right, I don't. If you change your mind, tell me.
Tressa didn't respond. She leaned down, resting her chin on Fi's scaly neck. Her sleeves flapped in the wind. The smell of saltwater lingered in the air. She closed her eyes, enjoying the last moments of peace before her world would explode into one of blood and death. Soon the smell of copper would overtake her. Everything else lost in the heat of battle.
Suddenly, Tressa's heart began pounding. Her lungs felt hot with fire. She sat up, her eyes snapping open.
Fi, drop to the back. NOW!
Without hesitation, Fi descended below her fellow dragons, letting them fly over, their wings beating wind down.
Tressa held onto Fi until the last supply and medic dragons passed. Then she let go. Fi flew forward, as if she knew exactly what was coming.
Tressa's clothes tore. Her sword plummeted to the ground. A spasm shook through her body, then bloomed into her dragon form. She flapped her wings and pulled up alongside Fi.
Well, I wasn't expecting that. Tressa bared her sharp teeth in a smile. It hadn't taken long, but she already preferred being a dragon to being a woman.
I had a feeling it might happen, Fi answered. In the beginning, the change is hard to control. You're smart enough to feel it coming. Soon you'll be able to control it.
I hope so. Had she been human, Tressa would have laughed nervously. What if I fall out of the sky?
Just focus and it won't happen, Fi said. At least, let's hope it doesn't.
The two dragons raced to catch up, passing the medic and supply dragons. The healers raised their hands toward the two, offering them luck. Tressa blew a little smoke into the sky in appreciation.
Her exhaustion wore off with each flap of her wings. But there was something lingering in the back of her mind. Jarrett standing on the shore of that island. She swore she could still hear him calling her.
"Tressa..."
And she knew if he kept calling, she’d be powerless to resist.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Bastian twirled a lock of Elinor's hair around a finger. He kissed her milky white shoulder. "Finally, everything has settled down," he said. "We've gotten rid of every enemy in our way."
Elinor snuggled into his chest, tracing his muscles with her fingertip. "You know that's not true."
"We can pretend, can't we?"
She rolled over and sat up. The blanket that had been covering Elinor’s naked body fell to her waist. Bastian gulped and forced himself to look her in the eyes.
"Bastian, we may have taken ourselves out of one battle, but it doesn't mean the war is over. We still have plenty of enemies out there. The realms are rising. The Black, Yellow, and Red are all at war. The Green is trapped..."
"And the Blue cowers in the corner of the Dragonlands," Bastian said. He reached out, his hands caressing her breasts. "I've heard all the rumors."
Elinor bit her lip, her eyes closing. "It's not a rumor, Bastian." A little moan escaped her lips before she ripped the sheet from the rest of her body.
Bastian quieted her questions with his lips, and soothed away her worries with his hands. The sun rose, blanketing them with a warm beam as they made love.
"Enough," Elinor finally said, laughing. She pushed Bastian away from her swollen lips and flushed skin.
"It's never enough," he said, his lips curled in a smile.
"Don't you get tired?" Elinor slipped out of bed and pulled on a silken robe. Sapphire blue, it had been one of Stacia's. Elegant and sexy at the same time.
"I do," Bastian said. "But some things are worth doing even if I'm exhausted."
Elinor rested her hand over her chest. "You're insatiable."
"Let me show you." Bastian waggled his eyebrows and dove after her.
Elinor squealed, hiding behind a chair. "Your daughter will be wondering why you missed both breakfast and the midday meal."
"Fine, fine." Bastian sauntered over to the wardrobe and pulled on a fresh pair of pants, then tossed a new white shirt over his head. Elinor’s eyes were trained on him. "Like what you see?"
"You know I do." She let her robe fall off and stood stark naked in front of him.
"What are you trying to do to me?" Bastian asked.