He looks shocked. “He did not?”
I shake my head. “No.”
“Then… he does not know the location of the remaining humans.”
“Not unless Lilliana told him,” I counter.
His expression darkens. “We must take a team of warriors to rescue your people from the Fire Clan territory and bring them here.”
“Wait a minute,” I shove his chest. “If he’s part of the Fire Clan and that desert is his territory, what about you?”
He dips his chin in a subtle bow. “I am of the Wind Clan. This is our territory.”
“So, the desert belongs to the Fire Clan,” I mutter as I commit this information to memory. “And these floating islands are yours.”
“Yes,” he answers impatiently. “We must go get your people at once.”
I meet his eyes evenly. “And what if I want to return to the desert and stay with my people instead?”
He frowns. “Why would you want that? We are fated, you and I.”
A soft puff of air escapes me as I flash him a nervous grin. “That’s… not how it works for humans. You seem like a nice guy, but I barely know you, Raidyn.”
A smile quirks his lips. “What would you like to know? I will tell you everything.”
He looks so earnest that his reaction would be endearing if he wasn’t so stubborn as well.
“I’m sorry, Raidyn, but I’m not your mate.”
“Yes, you are,” he states firmly.
“No,” I reply, equally as firm. “I am not.”
“I do not understand why you are upset with me.” His brow furrows softly. “Is it my scar?”
“Your scar?” I parrot as my gaze drifts over his face. “Why would I care about your scar?”
He blinks, taken by surprise. “My disfigurement does not bother you?”
“It’s just a scar, Raidyn. But that’s not the point. I don’t belong to you.”
“We belong to each other,” he counters.
I cross my arms over my chest and glare up at him. “Shouldn’t I have a say in that?”
He gives me a curious look. “What is there to say?”
“I refuse to be your prisoner.”
He gestures again to his palace. “You are not a prisoner; you are my mate. You will enjoy all the freedom in the world. You are the Princess of the Wind Clan. This is your kingdom now, as much as it is mine.”
“And what if I don’t want to stay in Wind Clan territory?”
He frowns. “Why would you want to leave? Where do you want us to go if not here?”
Rolling my eyes, I huff out a frustrated breath. “We’re not going anywhere,” I gesture back and forth between us for emphasis. “But I’m going back to my people.”
“You want me to return you to the desert and abandon you?” He stares at me in shock. “What kind of male do you think I am? I am not a dishonorable male. I would never abandon my mate.”
I sigh heavily. This argument is getting me nowhere.
“Here.” He grips my hand. “Let me show you our rooms. You can bathe and get clean. I will send for the Healer to fit you with a translator chip.”
Mildly annoyed that he just implied I smell bad, I glare. “Shouldn’t you see the Healer first?”
“Why?”
“You’re injured.” I point to his wound.
“Do not worry.” He tips his chin up slightly. “I am strong and capable of protecting my mate.”
Even as he brags, I note the slight sway in his stance as he straightens.
“You don’t look so good, Raidyn.”
He frowns. “I thought you did not care about my scar.”
I place my hands on my hips. “I’m not talking about your scar. I’m talking about your injury. It needs to be tended.”
“I am strong.” He thumps his chest caveman-style. “Allow me to take care of you, my beautiful mate.” He drops to his knees before me. “I vow that I will worship and protect you until I draw my last breath in this world.”
I notice his scales have paled, which is a feat considering they were light gray already. He looks so sick, I’m worried he’s about to make good on his promise of worshipping me as he draws his last breath, right here and now. His eyelids flutter open and closed as if he’s struggling to remain conscious.
I grip his shoulders. “What’s wrong? Are you all right?”
He meets my gaze evenly. “You must trust me.” His words slur. “I will be well after a short rest. Please, do not leave. I promise to be a mate worthy of you, my Skye. I—”
His eyes roll to the back of his head and he slumps forward, collapsing at my feet.
Oh Stars, please, don’t let him be dead.
Chapter 6
Skye
I press my palms to his side wound, attempting to stem the bleeding as I cry for help.
How was Raidyn able to stand for so long with such a deep injury? Anger sweeps through me as I think of John. This is all his fault. If he hadn’t tried to hurt me, Raidyn might never have intervened.
Another dragon-man rushes toward me. With dark-gray scales the color of stone and ice-blue eyes similar to Raidyn’s, he ogles me. Glancing over my shoulder, he calls out in harsh, guttural tones.
Several more dragon men approach, each narrowing their eyes at me as they growl in warning.
Oh my Stars, do they think I hurt him?
I raise my bloody hands in a gesture of surrender. “This isn’t what it looks like. I didn’t hurt him, I swear; one of my people did. He thought Raidyn was a monster trying to eat me.”
Judging by their hard expressions, they either don’t believe my words or can’t understand me.
“Can you understand me?” I ask the dark-gray alien, who nods. “Oh, thank goodness. That’s a relief. Are you getting help for Raidyn?”
He nods again, but I note that his expression is still stony.
“Tell them to hurry. I think he’s seriously hurt.” I shake my head in frustration. “He tried to act like he was fine, but he’s obviously
