The Fate of Her Dragon Read Free Page A

control, Rayne
MacLendon drunk and falling out of the hayloft, not to mention throwing up in
the training pitch. She wondered if Kyndel knew about her mate’s childhood
exploits. “I’m not sure I can get away with the comment about his
‘buttocks’, she mimicked his accent. “His mate may take issue with
that.”
    “His mate?” Pride mixed with loss floated from Drago.
    Alicia felt horrible that
she’d dropped that bomb on him without thinking. There was going to be so much
he had to deal with but that could all wait until she got him out of the hole
in the ground. Answering as quickly as she could and pouring all the warmth and
happiness she could into her words, Alicia replied, “Yes, he has been mated
for several years and they have a son. They’re very happy and I know they’re gonna
be even happier to meet you.”
    Her words were met with a
tired sigh, “So many years…” She felt an immediate about face in his
attitude. “Well, that is for another time. You need to be going. Get your
help and get back here. I have lost too much time.”
    Alicia opened her mouth to
argue. She wanted to tell him not to order her around, that she had a mind of
her own and knew what needed to be done. Instead, she stopped and took a deep
breath. It was obvious he was dealing with the little bit she’d told him about
his family, as well as what she was sure was pain and fatigue from his prison.
She’d seen what just little bits of silver did a dragon shifter, so she could
only imagine what he’d been through being trapped in a silver box for a hundred
years. He was lucky to be alive.
    “You rest, I’m going to
get help. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Don’t worry. We’ll get you outta
there.”
    “I know you will, mo maite . I have all the faith in the world in
you.”
    His voice sounded distant as
she said one more goodbye and took off through the woods. Alicia offered a prayer
to the Universe and the Goddess as she ran…
    “Please let me help Drago.
Don’t let his faith in me be in vain.”

 
    Chapter Three
    Arriving at the house she and
her family were sharing while staying with the dragons, Alicia stopped to catch
her breath. The entire way through the woods, she’d been going over all she’d
learned and thinking about what she was going to tell everyone. She was sure
her family would believe her and prayed her sister’s mate, Liam, would too, but
she was seriously worried about the other dragons. All she could do was try. If
they thought she was crazy then she’d just have to figure out another way to
free Drago.
    Opening the gate at the back
of the property, Alicia made her way through the garden and up the steps to the
kitchen door. Happy sounds of her mother and sisters chatting about their plans
for the day drifted through the weathered wood. She had to smile, they were a
crazy crew, but they were hers and she wouldn’t trade them for the world. With
her hand on the doorknob, she took one last deep breath and slowly let it out.
    It’s now or never.
    Turning the knob, she opened
and stepped in. All conversation stopped and everyone looked up. Her mother,
Sarah Beth, put her hands on her hips and shook her head. “And just where have
you been, little missy?”
    Fiona and Brenna, two of the
youngest of her six sisters, giggled into their hands and waggled their
eyebrows while Sarah Beth continued her inquisition. “And don’t tell me you got
up early and left the house. I know better, Alicia May. I went to check on you
in the middle of the night and your bed hadn’t even been touched. So out with
it, where have you been?” 
    Alicia knew she was going to
tell her mom the truth, she always did, but it was the fear that Sarah Beth
would think she’d lost her ever-loving mind that made her stop and think for an
extra minute. And of course, true to form, that extra minute cost her dearly.
As she opened her mouth to speak, the unmistakable sound of the front opening
sounded, quickly followed by her