"-don't know what we'll do if someone finds us up here. The trails are still blocked, but a stubborn person could make it," Nariti said.
Eskal sneered. "We don't know anyone that stubborn. The military certainly can't track us."
"What about heat-seeking or heat-reading devices?" I asked, folding my hands behind my back.
The dragons frowned at me. Eskal shrugged. "The mountain above is three hundred feet thick. Should they manage to find us under that, there is nothing that can be done for such matters. We shall have to do what we must to maintain and leave out the back."
"What he means to say is, if someone comes to harm us, you will be the first out and on your way to safety, Olivia," Nariti said.
I felt a blush creeping up to my cheeks. "I don't need anyone to protect me, per se."
"Then you picked a poor group to follow," he said, reaching over and cupping my cheek. "I know things are different. I have little doubt some of this may be hard for you. You were passionate about your job and it's our fault that you've lost it-"
I shook my head at him, interrupting. "I made my decision. I'm sticking with it. Don't get me wrong; I love the museum. Maybe one day I can talk my way back in there or find another one like it. I have the experience these days to look elsewhere and it sucks to lose them. But they were going to steal your kids. And when it comes down to it, that's just wrong."
"It isn't the first time humans have made a march on us like that," he said. "It won't be the last. But we're thankful we have you, while we do."
His hand was satin against my face. I leaned toward it, sliding a hand over his wrist just to keep it there. "You don't have to let me go. You could keep me here, if you want. I won't be much in a fight-"
"You saved my life against a tank shell. I think you're better in a fight than you think you are," Vadriq said, across the cavern.
I looked back at him. How could he have heard? Then I realized the curved form of the cave was probably helping the acoustics out, sending our voices further than they normally would. I shrugged. "You'd have done the same for me."
"Perhaps we don't want to keep you here if there is a fight," Eskal said.
He gently pushed Nariti's hand out of the way and took me into his arms. As if he wasn't used to the gesture, he was stiff-legged and a little rough, but the hug was still a hug. He was still warmer than a normal human, much like the rest of the dragons, but I was starting to get used to that. I tucked my head against his chest and nestled in. How long had it been since I'd been held like that?
Much longer than I'd meant for it to be.
"I know I'm not an omega dragon. I'm just a human, but," I hesitated, then murmured, "This is pretty nice."
"I suppose I must agree," Eskal said.
I frowned, looking up at him, but there was a twinkle in his eye. I prodded him in the ribs and smiled. "I knew you were capable of joking around, somewhere in there."
"Good that you knew it. I didn't remember how until rather recently."
"Yeah?" I asked him, warmth trickling into my belly as the rest of me tickled with goosebumps. He watched me with those wild, dragon's eyes and my instincts told me something was happening. That I was being led into a trap full of things I didn't fully understand. That those things would eat me up like a lamb wandering into a lion's den.
Or maybe it was a dragon's den. I didn't remember all the specifics, okay?
I tipped my nose up under his chin and he nestled against me. Nariti ran his fingers through my hair from behind and I turned my head to nestle at his hand as well, not wanting him to feel left out.
What was I doing? I fought with myself, briefly. I didn't know these men well enough for this, but being up in the cavern and with everything else that had gone on? Maybe I was feeling a little Stockholm-y. Maybe it was more than that. I wasn't sure. But I knew that I didn't want them to stop and I didn't want to pull away.
Nariti was more cautious than Eskal, whose draconic tongue flicks across my ear to try to get my attention back to him. I nudged him away from me, teasing, and stole a glance at Iyadre, who was already headed our way.
These were my people now, the only ones I had to rely on in a world that wanted me stuck behind bars. I slid my arms around Eskal's neck and kissed him as best as I knew how to.
He froze against me and I wondered if I'd made a horrible mistake. His eyes opened and he looked down at me, a question in his eyes, one I didn't know the answer to.
But I wished I did.
Iyadre joined us and the four of us sank to the ground, Nariti's hands slipping under the hem of my shirt and disappearing. Clawed fingertips ran along my skin, tickling everywhere they touched. I drew away from Eskal's kiss, touched with brimstone, to lift my head as he nipped his away along my collarbone.
A stronger, more sensible part of my mind asked what I was doing once again. It demanded that I slow things down, but
