by Naomi Sparks
Finally, Ezra looks up and nods. "It'll take some time to go over everything, but from what I can tell, this research is solid. If those vials are what's being described here, they should be able to sustain Hannah through her pregnancy. I suggest getting everything back to the camp so Tyko and I can go over it in detail."
Lex nods, then he gives the order. Some of the Fae find a Jeep left behind and are able to hook the cooler to it to keep it powered on the drive back to the camp. A handful of Fae ride in the Jeep, their job to protect the medicine at all costs. The rest of us take to the skies again, staying close to the Jeep, circling it, and ensuring nothing goes wrong.
If this is the miracle for Hannah, then none of us are willing to risk it getting damaged in transit.
Tyko is waiting for us when we get back. He and Ezra carry the cooler back to Tyko's tent. Faith and Saphira go along with them, just in case anything they'd overheard during their stays at the compound might come in handy.
The rest of us sit around a fire, thinking over everything. The sun dips low, barely providing any light, by the time Ezra returns.
"Well?" Lex asks, standing. He's shaking slightly like he can't quite keep his nerves under control.
Ezra nods. "I think it's legitimate. From what Tyko and I can tell, if she takes one injection a month until she delivers, it'll sustain her enough to survive the pregnancy and birth. I can't guarantee it, but I think it's your best shot."
Lex nods and looks over at Hannah. She looks a bit paler than earlier, and I wonder just how viable the blood transfusions are going to be going forward. "Come on, let's go talk this over," Lex says, helping her to her feet. Hannah nods, and the two of them head off to their tent.
As Ezra plops down to stuff his face, I say goodnight to everyone and head off to find Saphira. The camp is small, since most of the Fae are still being held captive, and it's easy enough to find her.
The moment she sees me, she runs over to me. I open my arms, and she jumps into them, laying her head against my chest. It's still so hard to believe I've found my mate. Now that I have her, I'm not going to let go. Ever.
"I love you," I whisper into her ear.
Saphira nods, seeming to melt against me. "I love you, too," she says. Her voice is soft, barely audible, but I have no doubt she means every word.
We still have a long road ahead of us. As long as her father is still out there with the full might of the Clutch behind us, we won't be safe. So long as he has his sights set on her, Lex, and Faith, we won't truly be able to rest.
One day we will, though. Deep inside, I know that's the truth. We'll stop Amasis. We'll rescue the Fae. And afterwards, I'll be able to spend the rest of my life with my mate.
13
Amasis
As people swarm around the compound, buzzing like angry bees, I sit calmly, writing out my note for Aleksander. Meroe is pacing impatiently in front of the desk, and I do my best to ignore him. It's either that or I'm going to end up snapping his fool neck. He's been one of my most loyal soldiers over the years, but lately, his incompetence tries my patience.
"Do you think he will actually use it?" Meroe asks. I don't need to look up to know he's sneering at the thought of helping Aleksander and his human mate. He's made his opinion of Aleksander quite clear over the years.
I shrug as I sign the letter, setting the quill pen down. Even if I'm not sure, I have to do what I can to try and bring him back, convince him I'm not his enemy. "I cannot be sure. But I've made an overture. Now it's up to him how he will respond. The human he's taken as a mate is of no consequence to me, but if she is useful to bring Aleksander back to me, then I will do whatever I need to."
Meroe lets out a growl as I pick up the note and bring it over to the cooler of medicine I'd instructed the men to leave behind. Meroe stalks behind me, sounding like a puppy with a thorn caught in its paw. It's hard to believe he's one of my most powerful followers, the man I'd chosen to lead my armies against my enemies. Now I'm starting to wonder if he's exceeded his usefulness already.
"Are you sure this is a good idea? Aleksander has already betrayed you once. He's taken up with a human mate." Meroe practically spits out those words, as if they leave a bad taste in his mouth. "He took one of your most valuable tools. He convinced your own daughter to turn against you. What more can he do before you give up on this foolish quest to bring him back?"
I whirl around, grabbing Meroe by the neck. His eyes go wide, hands grabbing at mine, even as I lift him off the ground, squeezing tight enough to cut off the flow of blood to his brain. "I will say this once. Do not overestimate your usefulness. You have been loyal thus far, and I haven't found a reason to dispose of you, but if it comes down to it, I will choose Aleksander over you any day."
I squeeze his neck one more time, then release him. He drops to the floor like a rag doll. His hands go to his throat, rubbing it at, as he gasps for breath. Meroe glares up at me from where he sits, then finally stands and storms away. For all of his bluster, he still lacks the balls to confront me. For everything Aleksander has done, at least he has that.
He has the courage to stand up for what he believes in. He may be misguided, but unlike the fools shuffling around here, he's able to think for himself. It's more than I can say for any of them.
As Meroe leaves, I frown, wondering if promising him Saphira had been a mistake. It'd seemed like a good idea at the time, and a way to secure my line of succession. Now though, I'm starting to see more of Meroe, see the resentment he's been harboring deep inside him. Perhaps I should've listened to Saphira and found her someone more suitable to replace me eventually.
I will need to watch my back around Meroe. No doubt he will want his revenge for what I said to him. Or he will do something rash in an attempt to retrieve Saphira. Either way, it may be time to find someone to replace him.
I glance over at the steel cooler one more time. I hope Aleksander will trust me and use it. I need him back with me, even if it means he brings his human mate alongside him. That will be a small price to pay to have him by my side once more.
The compound is mostly empty as I make my way out. I'd given the order the moment I'd heard Saphira and Faith were escaping. I was not taking any chances this time. And now, there's a convoy parked out front, most of them already loaded and ready to move to the next compound. This one Saphira doesn't know about, so I doubt she'll be able to lead Aleksander and the others there.
Faith might be able to find it. I frown at that idea and take one last look at the compound. Losing her is one of my biggest regrets. She's a valuable asset and an even more dangerous adversary. Who knows just how much information she was able to gain from my soldiers before she fled back to the Fire Riders. The two I'd put in charge of breaking her, of bringing her back in line, were ones I'd trusted. They'd been loyal followers for a while, and no doubt had plenty of fodder in their minds. The only question is whether or not Faith was able to gain any of it before she fled.
I let out a sigh, suddenly feeling every single one of my four thousand years. I feel old and frail, and I'm starting to wonder if I'll be alive to see my plans come to fruition. I've spent so much of my life trying to secure a future for dragonkind, and ensure we'll be able to live on. For the first time though, I'm starting to wonder if I'll be alive to see the achievement of my dreams for myself.
Once again, I wish for Aleksander and Saphira to be at my side. He would have made a good mate for her. If only he hadn't latched onto that human woman. Still, I'm sure I can find someone suited to replace me, one deserving of Saphira, to name my heir. Then, at the very least, I can die happy. Until then, I will have to persevere.
One way or another, I need to see this plan through, need to ensure a future for our race. Nothing matters more.
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Thanks for reading!
Ezra & Gabrielle’s story is next!
Forsaken
I must trust a dangerous dragon to save my baby.
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aomisparks.com
Naomi Sparks (Exiled Kings Dragon Romance)
Fated — Lex & Hannah’s story
She was meant for me, which means she’s the one woman I can never have.
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Redemption — Faris & Kyra’s story
When he says my name, its like he’s already made me his.
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Survivor — Jerrick & Faith’s story
He’s no angel, but he saved me from hell.
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Betrayed — Galen & Katia’s story
Even if I must go against my entire tribe, I will save this dragon baby.
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Prisoner — Bren & Saphira’s story
I may be his captive, but I will never belong to him.
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Forsaken — Ezra & Gabrielle’s story
I must trust a dangerous dragon to save my baby.
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