Not that he wasn’t happy to take the blame.
Lothair had needed killing, the state of his family tree notwithstanding. The sadistic SOB might have been XO of the Razorback pack—and Rodin’s second born son—but powerful connections never exempted a male from what the universe doled out. The bastard had had it coming. The world was better off without him. Would be without Rodin too, if fate ever saw fit to deliver the Archguard leader into his claws. The instant that happened, Rodin would end up a dead dragon so fast heaven would spin on its axis as angels sang Forge’s praises.
Still…
Last he checked, wanting someone dead wasn’t a crime.
Manufacturing evidence, however, made the list of no-nos. For that, the Archguard wiggled on the hook. The original question, though, remained—why target him? Charging him for Lothair’s death made no sense…unless Rodin was using the murder as misdirection. A distinct possibility. Clever beyond words. Particularly if Forge’s missing memory unearthed something Rodin wanted to keep buried. A something so important it threatened the ambitious bastard’s bid to become the High Chancellor of Dragonkind.
Which left one conclusion to draw.
Whatever lay locked inside his mental vault must be vital. A true threat. Potentially devastating to Nightfury enemies in Prague. Rolling his shoulders, Forge stretched taut muscles. Could be. Probably was, which meant the Archguard would never stop calling for his head. Or lift sanctions on the Nightfuries as long as his brothers-in-arms protected him.
All the more reason he needed to remember.
Endangering his new family wasn’t in the plan. Protecting the males he now considered his brothers, however? Aye. Without question. Duty and devotion dictated the path. He loved the Nightfury warriors more than he did himself. Owed his brothers-in-arms everything. None judged him for his mistake—for dancing the two-step with Ivar as he considered joining the Razorbacks. Grief, the loss of his birth pack in Aberdeen, combined with a desperate yearning to belong had driven his decision, and him right into disaster.
Thank God he’d come to his senses in time.
Ivar’s endgame—mass genocide, the extermination of the human race—sickened him. The rogue leader needed his head examined. Or mayhap, ripped off. Forge snorted. Aye. Sounded like a plan. Someone needed to take the bastard out. Dragonkind would be stronger for it, and humans all the safer. Not that Forge could do much about either. At least, not from outside the Razorback pack. He could kill rogues wherever he found them, but he was out of Ivar’s inner circle now. Gone for good. Never to return.
Bastian had done that for him. Stepped up, risked his life to drag Forge out of darkness and into a strong pack, then let his warriors do the rest. A miracle to his way of thinking. He still couldn’t wrap his brain around the shift in circumstance most days. The Nightfuries had accepted him. Drawn him in. Given him purpose and a best friend in Mac. Provided him and his son a home while worming their way into his heart. So…
No choice at all.
He would stay the course. Sit his arse in the chair. Endure the agonizing claw of mind regression. Recall all the ugly details to protect his pack. No matter how dangerous. No matter how damaging. Even if it proved too much for him to handle in the end.
BUY NOW: Fury of Surrender.
A Note from the Author
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Also by Coreene Callahan
DRAGONFURY SERIES
Fury of Fire
Fury of Ice
Fury of Seduction
Fury of Desire
Fury of Fate (a short story)
Fury of Obsession
Fury of Surrender
DRAGONFURY SERIES: SCOTLAND
Fury of a Highland Dragon
Fury of Shadows
CIRCLE OF SEVEN SERIES
Knight Awakened
Knight Avenged
WARRIORS OF THE REALM SERIES
Warrior’s Revenge
Fun Facts about Coreene
Favorite food – Breakfast for dinner…I love a good omelet!
Favorite dessert – anything chocolate
Favorite vacation spot – Camping beside a lake
Favorite movie – The Bourne Identity
Favorite snack – crackers and cheese
Favorite time to write – Early morning…think 5 AM!
Guilty pleasure – Quiet time near a lake. Hiking is one of my favorite things to do.
Dream job – I’m doing it…writing stories that capture the imagination of my readers.
Something no one knows about you – I’ve been a tom-boy all my life, but also have an impressive collection of high heel shoes!
Favorite book of all time – Defy Not the Heart by Johanna Lindsey. I’ve read it so many times the spine is broken and pages are falling out.
Least favorite chore – cooking
About the Author
Coreene Callahan is the bestselling author of the Dragonfury Novels and Circle of Seven Series, in which she combines her love of romance and adventure with her passion for history. After graduating with honors in psychology and taking a detour to work in interior design, Coreene finally returned to her first love: writing. Her debut novel, Fury of Fire was a finalist in the New Jersey Romance Writers Golden Leaf Contest in two categories: Best First Book and Best Paranormal. She lives in Canada with her family, a spirited Anatolian Shepard, and her wild imaginary world.
For more information, please find me at:
www.CoreeneCallahan.com
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