Princess Lyrian: Dragon Breeze Compilation (Return of the Dragons Book 7)

by Rinelle Grey

  Did he?

  Lyrian looked confused. “You didn’t mean me to?” Her voice was hurt and uncertain, and Brad could almost feel her pain.

  He pulled her close, enjoying the feel of their naked bodies up against each other.

  “I was just testing it out before I said it,” he thought, trying to project his words to Lyrian, hoping she heard them. “But I definitely want you to know it, and I intend to repeat it. A lot. I love you.” The second time wasn’t nearly as hard. But maybe he needed to try it out loud too. “I love you,” he repeated.

  Lyrian smiled up at him. “I love you, too,” she said softly. She stood on tiptoe and planted a kiss on his lips. Her body pressed up against his.

  Brad had thought they might have a chance to have a bit of a rest before everything went crazy again, but his body responded instantly to her closeness.

  This time though, he suspected they should use the bed.

  Chapter 36

  Lyrian stretched. Every muscle ached, but in a good way. In a way that says she was loved, wholly and thoroughly. She must have drifted off there for a moment. Not surprising, all that exercise had made her tired.

  Lying in the dark, it felt like something was wrong.

  Anarian. She missed her daughter. Her breasts were heavy and engorged, and as soon as she thought of the baby, her milk let down. She should go bring her into the bed for a feed.

  She slipped out quietly, hoping not to wake Brad, but he stirred as soon as she moved, and reached for her.

  “Don’t go,” he mumbled. “Not done yet.”

  Lyrian giggled. “Yes you are,” she said firmly. “It’s been three times already, Brad. We both need a rest. And I need to give Anarian a feed.”

  Brad let her go at that, falling back onto the pile of furs, and smiling up at her. “Fine then, but later,” he insisted.

  As she rose to go into the other room, Lyrian became aware of voices, not raised exactly, but she could hear the concern in them. “Something’s wrong,” she said, pulling on her clothes just as Taurian’s voice bloomed in her mind.

  “Lyrian, can you spare a moment?” His words were courteous, polite, but Lyrian didn’t miss the undercurrent of concern.

  “I’ll be right there.”

  Brad pulled on his trousers, and followed her into the other room, where a small group was gathered.

  Mostly her family, her brother’s and their mates, and two of the elders, Ostrian and Mesrian. And one other dragon that Lyrian didn’t know. A metal dragon with steely eyes and a concerned face.

  Karla handed Anarian to her, and Lyrian attached the fussing baby to the breast as she asked, “What’s going on?”

  Taurian looked at the strange dragon, who explained, “The humans have brought dogs. They will scent us, tell the human’s where to find us.”

  Now that he mentioned it, Lyrian could hear the dogs outside, their barks alternating with howls. The sounds were a mixture of fear and determination. They already had the dragon’s scent.

  Panic filled Lyrian’s mind. They would find them. They would find Anarian. How was she supposed to protect her daughter now?

  Brad must have been thinking the same thing. “I need to go down there. I can put them off our trail.”

  His words only intensified the fear in Lyrian’s heart. “You can’t,” she said quickly.

  Brad looked at her intently. “It’s the only way, surely you have to see that?” he said softly. “I need to protect you and Anarian, that’s my job.”

  “No,” Lyrian said firmly. “There has to be another way.” She turned to Taurian. Surely he would have a better idea? Surely he would realise that they couldn’t send Brad out there?

  Nate and Kyrian stumbled out into the main cavern, their hands clasped, their clothes rumpled. “What’s going on?” Nate asked.

  “The police have dogs,” Brad explained. “I have to get down there before they find out where we are. Once they do, there’s no way we can avoid them finding the clan.”

  “I’ll come with you,” Nate said immediately. “There are two cars, so you’ll need two of us.”

  Brad nodded.

  Lyrian stared at Taurian. “You aren’t going to let them do this, are you?” she demanded through dragon voice, knowing her panic would show through, not caring. “Would you let Karla do this?”

  Taurian held up a hand. “There’s no need for anyone to go out there,” he said firmly. “Even if the human’s find the entrance to the lair, they can’t get up here easily. It will take them time, and they will probably need to send for more equipment. As soon as the tunnel is finished, we will send our fastest flyer to ask the Trima clan for help. I’m sure Latrima can be here before the police get into the lair, and she can scare them off.”

  “I’ll go,” the metal dragon said immediately. “I can be there in ten minutes, I’m sure.”

  “Thank you, Kelrian,” Taurian said firmly. “See, we can still make this work.”

  Lyrian swallowed the fear down. Taurian’s plan was a sensible one. And more importantly, one where she and Brad weren’t separated. “How is the tunnel progressing?” She was relieved her voice sounded calm.

  “It’s nearly finished,” Mesrian said. “They’ve broken through the rock and are just digging through the dirt now. It will be finished in a few minutes.”

  Ostrian was staring at them in disbelief. “That’s your plan?” he demanded. “You think the answer is to go to the Trima clan for help? Even if the life dragon comes, and I’m not convinced she will, even if she does manage to scare the humans off, the damage will be done. They will know where we are, and they will return. Then the only option left will be to move to a new lair. Again.”

  “That is not going to happen,” Taurian said sharply. “I will not be forced out of our home.”

  “Then your only option is to let the humans go and try to convince these police there is nothing here,” Ostrian said promptly.

  Lyrian couldn’t help feeling he was manipulating them, using Taurian’s unwillingness to leave the lair to lead them to the solution he wanted. Well, she wasn’t having it. “Or we can stop wasting our time arguing, and send this young dragon, Kelrian was it?” Kelrian nodded, and she continued, “Send Kelrian to bring the life dragon as soon as possible.”

  Ostrian put his hands on his hips. “Are you so besotted with the mating bond, you aren’t willing to do what’s best for your clan?”

  For a moment, Lyrian felt a surge of pity. Ostrian had never been mated. He couldn’t possibly understand that the mating bond made them stronger, not weak. That it was the truce with the Trima clan that would bring them together. He didn’t trust that.

  Ostrian was still intent on his own plan. He turned to Brad and asked, “What will happen to you if you go to the humans? Will they kill you?”

  Brad actually laughed at that. “Not a chance,” he said with certainty. “I’m not sure they can even arrest us, we’ve done nothing wrong. At least, I’m pretty sure mating with a dragon isn’t a crime.” He turned and gave Lyrian a teasing, coaxing smile.

  She was having none of it. She didn’t care if it was the best choice for her clan or not. She’d just got him, she wasn’t about to risk losing him again.

  “You can’t go,” she said into his mind. “Anarian and I need you.” She felt tears fill her eyes.

  Brad stepped forwards, ignoring all the other dragons and humans around them, and cupped her cheek, wiping away her tears. “Don’t cry,” he said softly in dragon speech. “I promise, I’ll be safe. And I’ll be back for both of you as soon as I’m sure the police won’t follow.”

  Lyrian wasn’t convinced. She was afraid that if he walked out of the lair now, she’d never see him again. Panic welled up in her, almost making it hard for her to speak in human or dragon speech.

  Luckily, Karla spoke for her. “That may be,” she said briskly, “But there is no reason for you to risk yourself. Ostrian has always been a fearmongerer, but we’ve never let his fears s
way us. I will not separate a couple in love.” She looked over at Nate and Kyrian. “Two couples in love,” she corrected herself, “When we have other options.” She turned to Kelrian. “Ready yourself and be waiting in the tunnel to leave as soon as it’s done.”

  “Yes, Princess,” Kelrian said obediently. He turned on his heel and strode away.

  “You’re really so stubborn and convinced that love saves all that you will risk our clan?” Ostrian spat.

  Karla stared at him. “I don’t want to hear another word from you, Ostrian. We’ve made our decision.”

  Ostrian stared at her for a long moment, before turning away, his shoulders slumped. He shook his head, muttering under his breath as he walked away.

  But he did walk away.

  Lyrian drew in a shaking breath. She looked over at Brad, but though it was clear from the expression on his face, that he disagreed with her, he didn’t say anything.

  Chapter 37

  Brad didn’t bother to argue. It was clear that neither Lyrian, nor her brothers, could see the reality of it. Maybe it was because they didn’t know humans, didn’t really recognise how persistent they could be. Or maybe it was simply because they didn’t want to believe it. Either way, he didn’t have time to convince them.

  He was painfully aware that all this had already been recorded on tape or logged on a computer somewhere. Even if the police left, this area would forever be down on record as a possible place to find dragons.

  And it was becoming more and more clear that dragons couldn’t completely hide their existence for much longer.

  The only option was for them to convince the police that they had it wrong. That they were on a wild goose chase, and there were no dragons here.

  Brad glanced over at his brother, wondering if this dragon speech thing worked on anyone but his mate. And if he could talk to someone else without her hearing. He had no idea how it all worked, and very little time to find out.

  “Nate?” he thought at his brother. “How’d your mating go?”

  If Lyrian overheard that, she would think nothing of it, but she didn’t even turn in his direction. She was talking to Taurian about how long he thought it would take the Trima dragon to arrive.

  “Like nothing else I’ve ever experienced.” Nate’s dragon voice sounded amused, but his eyes were narrowed and fixed on Brad’s.

  Brad took a deep breath. Either this was going to work, or it wasn’t. “You up for an adventure?”

  “Anytime, you know that,” Nate said promptly. “What did you have in mind?”

  Brad hesitated, but Lyrian was intent on her conversation. She was distracted for now, but they wouldn’t have long. “The dragon’s plan isn’t going to work and they can’t see that. We need to get out of here and talk those police into leaving.”

  “I agree,” Nate said swiftly. “If we can get to that tunnel, we should be able to walk back around to the cars. We can tell them… tell them we got lost or something.”

  Brad was relieved Nate was on the same page. He watched as his brother turned to his mate and communicated with her silently.

  For a moment, Brad felt a spike of jealousy, that he could share what he was doing with his mate and have her accept it. But he reminded himself that the only reason Lyrian was objecting was that she was afraid of losing him. Unlike Nate and Kyrian, they’d had a very rocky start to their relationship. He shouldn’t blame her.

  “Let’s go,” Nate said. Then he paused. “Do you have any idea how to find that tunnel?”

  “No, but I have a good idea who does.”

  Lyrian was so intent on her discussion with Taurian that she didn’t notice him and Nate slipping away. Once they were out of the main cavern, Brad and Nate hurried down one of the side tunnels where Brad had seen Ostrian disappear.

  Trouble was, the area was a maze of tunnels, with rooms coming off each one. Dragons slept in these rooms, and Brad didn’t want to risk waking them. How was he supposed to find the old dragon?

  What was the distance on this dragon voice anyway? Was there any way he could contact Ostrian with it?

  Worth a try.

  Brad focused on the old dragon, picturing him in his mind, then he thought the words. “Ostrian?”

  There was a long silence. Just as Brad was beginning to think it hadn’t worked, a grumpy voice filled his mind. “What do you want?”

  Brad thought he caught an echo of a voice, something about humans not understanding proper etiquette, but it was gone before he could catch hold of it. It didn’t matter anyway. He didn’t need the old dragon to like him, just to help him. And he was pretty sure he would.

  “I need you to tell me where the tunnel is.”

  Another long silence. “Why?” Ostrian asked eventually. “You wouldn’t be planning on disobeying the princes and princess, would you?”

  Brad hesitated. Had he made a mistake in coming to the grumpy elder? He’d been sure he would be willing to help them. He hadn’t counted on him being a rule follower.

  “I won’t be disobeying them,” Brad said firmly. “I’m one of them. Mating with Lyrian made me a prince.” His certainty wavered a little. “Didn’t it?”

  Ostrian appeared in the hallway ahead of them, scrutinising them for a few moments. Brad had the uncomfortable feeling he was being judged and hoped he hadn’t made the wrong call. But he’d work it out somehow, he always did.

  That thought gave him the confidence to say, “Are you going to help us or not?”

  He spoke out loud without thinking, his voice echoing in the rocky hallway. Brad winced, and glanced at the doorways nearby, but nothing moved.

  Ostrian strode down the passageway until he was close to them. “You are planning on giving yourself up to the humans?” he demanded, though he kept his voice low.

  Brad nodded. “You’re right,” he said, hoping to play to the old man’s vanity. “The life dragon will never get here in time. This is the only way to keep the clan safe.”

  Ostrian’s eyes narrowed. “Why?”

  His question surprised Brad. He would have thought the answer was obvious. “Because it’s the only way to keep Lyrian and Anarian safe.”

  “You love them enough that you are prepared to sacrifice your freedom for them?” Ostrian demanded, his voice disbelieving.

  “Of course,” Brad said simply.

  Ostrian looked to Nate. “You as well?”

  Nate nodded, his expression determined. “Kyrian has already gone through so much, she doesn’t need more to deal with. I want her to be happy, no matter what it takes.”

  Ostrian stared at them both for a long moment, while Brad held his breath. Finally, he nodded. “I’ll help you then. The tunnel is this way.”

  Brad and Nate followed him through the maze of tunnels, having to walk quickly to keep up. He was quite spry for an old man.

  “It’s just down here,” Ostrian said, turning one last corner.

  “And just what do you think you’re doing?” a voice said, as they turned the corner to come face to face with Aunt Mary.

  Frustration welled up in Brad. So close.

  “Get out of my way, I’m on important, dragon business,” Ostrian said brusquely.

  Brad winced. From what he’d seen of Aunt Mary (whose aunt was she anyway?), he didn’t think that was going to work.

  He was right.

  She put her hands on her hips and glared at all of them. “Since neither Taurian nor Verrian are here, I’m going to guess that whatever you’re doing doesn’t have their approval. Meaning it isn’t important, dragon business, it’s unsanctioned, probably troublesome business.”

  Brad hid a grin. Normally, he would have agreed with Aunt Mary’s assumption. Just not right now.

  “I asked for Ostrian’s help,” he said firmly. “While I have the utmost respect for Taurian and Verrian and their decisions, in this case, they’re wrong. The police have brought in sniffer dogs, and they’re going to find our scent in no time at all. If Nate and I don’t get out
there and put them off the trail, there’s going to be no hiding the dragon lair. And I don’t need to tell you what a disaster that will be.”

  Aunt Mary stared at him, her lips pursed.

  Brad held his breath, trying not to shift impatiently. Every minute she delayed him, the police were one step closer to finding the lair. This whole thing could be in vain if they didn’t get a move on.

  “And just what do your mates think of that?” she asked eventually, one eyebrow raised.

  “Kyrian has no problem with it,” Nate said promptly. “She understands sacrifice for the clan.”

  Brad said nothing, hoping she would take Nate’s answer.

  Of course, she didn’t. “And what about Lyrian?” She raised an eyebrow.

  “Sometimes these princes and princesses don’t know what’s good for them,” Ostrian interrupted. “That’s why the elders need to step in.”

  Aunt Mary held up a hand in Ostrian’s direction and looked at Brad. “I was asking you.”

  Brad heaved a sigh. “Lyrian is afraid of losing me,” he said softly. “She can’t see past that. I don’t want to hurt her, but I have to protect her and Anarian. If anything were to happen to them, if they are discovered by humans, I’d never forgive myself.”

  He held his breath. That was the best he had. He just hoped it was enough.

  Aunt Mary stared at all of them for a few moments, then gave one, sharp nod. “I’ll help you then.”

  There was no time to spare. Brad hurried down the tunnel with the others, hoping there were no more roadblocks, or tunnelblocks in this case, to their exit. A guard waited at the end of the tunnel, of course, but he was only a minor warrior. Ostrian’s authority, combined with Brad’s, were enough to make him step aside, even if he did look uncertain.

  Brad stared out at the bushland, trying to get his bearings.

  “Turn right and follow the cliff face along until you get to the clearing,” Ostrian instructed him. The grumpy elder paused for a moment, then added gruffly, “And be careful.”

  Brad stared at him in disbelief. It was the nicest thing he’d ever seen the old dragon say to anyone.