Varus has assured me the journey to where he first found me won’t be long, but as far as I’m concerned, we can’t reach my people fast enough. I think of Anna, Talia, Milo, and Skye. They probably think I’m dead.
I can’t wait to show them what I’ve found and introduce them to Varus. I rest my chin lovingly against his back. I love this man and I’m eager for him to meet my friends. Moreover, I am desperate to get my loved ones to safety.
Stars forbid the Wind Clan captures them first.
Chapter 26
Varus
I lead our formation back toward the site where I found Lilliana. She is uncertain where exactly her people have settled but suspects they are nearby since the rover she used to reach that area has a limited range.
My mate chastises herself for not possessing a better sense of direction, but I reassure her that this is something that could just as easily happen to a Drakarian. The harsh winds of the desert plains are constantly shifting the dunes, making it impossible to identify landmarks, especially after a sandstorm.
A flash of light in the distance catches my eye. Lilliana must notice it too because she taps my shoulder and cries out in excitement. “Over there! That’s our ship!”
As one, our group turns in that direction. Rakan flies up beside me, projecting concern. He is probably thinking the same as me—the humans are dangerously close to Wind Clan territory. If I had to guess, they must have crashed right along the border between the Fire and Wind lands. It’s highly likely they’ve already been discovered by Prince Raidyn’s people. I only hope that I am wrong.
As we approach, small figures begin scrambling for cover below. It is just as Lilliana predicted—the sight of my brethren is frightening to her kind—but it cannot be helped. Until we land, we must maintain this form.
A female wails in terror as we set down upon the ground. “It’s one of the monsters that stole Skye!”
My hearts stop. It is as I’d feared. They have already been discovered by another Clan.
In a whirl of dust and sand, we shift one by one as our feet touch the ground, Lilly jumping to the ground beside me. Gasps sound from several of the humans as they watch us warily from behind pitiful hiding places: boxes, crates, pieces of their wrecked ship, and such. Do they really believe such poor shelters will keep them safe? They are in dire need of protection. I can only hope they accept our offer to provide it.
Lilliana takes my hand in her own. One of the braver females emerges from behind part of the wrecked ship as soon as she notices my mate. “Lilliana, is that you?”
My mate smiles in greeting. “Yes, Talia, it’s me.”
This female is brave indeed, for she runs up to Lilliana, ignoring the ring of warriors surrounding her. She throws her arms around her and hugs her tightly. “Oh my Stars! We thought you were dead!”
“No, I’m fine, I swear,” Lilliana soothes her, then turns to me. “This is my… husband, Varus.”
Husband? This is the first time she has used that term, but according to my translator, she has called me her mate.
The female’s jaw drops as wide, blue eyes turn to me. “Husband? Him? An alien dragon man?”
I purse my lips in slight annoyance. I suppose alien dragon man is better than ugly lizard man, as Lilliana first called me after I rescued her.
She nods, glancing over the female’s shoulder to scan the rest of her people, who are slowly creeping out from behind their poorly sheltered hiding places. “Where’s Skye?”
Skye. I heard that name as we were landing. I forget that my mate’s hearing is not as acute as mine.
Talia gives her a grim look. “She was taken by one of them.” She raises her hand, pointing an accusing finger at Rakan.
Offended, he growls low in his throat. “I would never steal a female.”
Talia’s face pales at the guttural sound of our language. I forgot that my mate’s people lack translator chips. Fortunately, my mate remembers.
“He says he would never steal a female,” she translates.
“That—that’s what he said?” Her friend’s voice quavers slightly as she studies Rakan in wide-eyed fear.
I meet her gaze. “No male of the Fire Clan would,” I state firmly, then look to my mate. “Please tell her this.”
“How do you understand their language?” her friend asks, curiosity slipping into her tone.
Lilliana taps the space behind her left ear where her translator chip is embedded beneath the skin.
“They have translator chips.” She grins. “They can give one to all of you.”
I am pleased when the female relaxes slightly. We are already beginning to establish the beginnings of trust with my mate’s friends.
Talia turns to a human male. At least, that’s what I assume he is. If this creature is female, she is hideous, lacking the soft curves and delicate form of my mate and many of the other humans that have gathered around. He is square jawed, covered in a light smattering of coarse, dark fur, and smells as if he has rolled around in a carcass that has been dead for several days. I certainly hope this person is male, for I know he will never find a mate among any of the Clans otherwise.
“John was with her when she was taken. He saw the dragon that took her.”
She called him “he,” so I surmise that my appraisal was correct. This foul-smelling, hideous creature is a male of their species. I dart a glance at my warriors and tilt my chin up with pride. If these human males are our rivals, they do not stand a chance. My people are by far more handsome and definitely cleaner.
I note that several human females are already staring at me and my warriors with something akin to wonder. Several of the males behind me puff their chests out, displaying their muscular forms as
