Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 89222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Transitioning from my Awaker form to my ancient one is swift yet flying the vehicle from our estate to the very edge of their private road is slow thanks to the unexpected rainstorm beginning. After landing, I hustle over to the door behind the driver’s seat and open it, exposing my bound fate-in-law who is impatiently waiting for the more exciting portion of our plan.
Ehette pulls out the roll of duct tape from the space he’s about to be occupying on a mischievous grin. “Can I please be the one to put this over her mouth?”
“Why?” Dai grunts her retort. “So that you can prove to your oldest kin you’re incapable of that task as well?”
Bright green flashes flare in his glare leaving me with no choice but to defuse the situation. “Toss me the tape and get under the blanket, E.”
Two puffs of shimmery emerald smoke penetrate the air prior to him tossing me the roll.
He slips into position while I focus on her, expression and tone as serious as possible. “You understand you have to really sell this shit, right?”
“I wasn’t aware financial ransom was part of the proposition.”
Frustrating.
Her literal language issue? A little. But…if everything goes to plan, we’ll have a lifetime to adjust to it.
When.
When what?
Plan.
The instant I realize the correction he wants me to make I do so.
When everything goes according to plan.
Correct.
“What I mean is…you have to put on a realistic performance. If they think for even a second that you are no longer under their control-”
“Dragonborn,” she interrupts with her own annoyed huff, “I do not need to be told how to handle myself in battle. I will do my part. You just do yours.”
Mindlessly, I grumble, “Great Ones, you sound just like your daughter.”
Dai can’t help but briefly grin over the grousing. “I am glad she has retained my spirit even in my absence.” A throat clearing action is taken to banish the warm expression. “Now, no matter what happens to me, head of the Draak clan, you are to get my only offspring safely home. This is not a request. It is an order from the mother of your half.” Her green skinned chin tips higher. “Acknowledge your receival.”
I hesitate to agree with the statement until Platinum nudges me to accept the command. “Received.”
She nods in happiness and motions for me to finish the job.
Ripping off a piece of tape is followed quickly by placing a strip over her mouth and carelessly tossing the tool in the trunk, accidentally hitting Ehette in the process.
While tense and drenched are not the best combination for the pending assault, they do bring back fond memories from my bar days. Memories I’ve spent hours reminiscing over with Cami only to realize I wasn’t always the uptight, overbearing, responsible dragonhole I am now. That I can be laid back. That I remember how to play drinking games like quarters and drunkenly belt out my favorite Draggle Stones song to impress the hot female at the other end of the bar or in last weekend’s case directly beside me. Talking openly about life before I became head Draak not only sparked the desire to connect with that side of myself again but to enjoy it with my mate. To let us unearth that portion of my soul and continue exploring the half of hers she didn’t even know existed for decades.
We still have so much to learn about one another.
Ourselves.
And that shit alone is worth breaking a few necks for.
Despite driving the long stretch at high speeds, I still manage to catch the cameras lining the road, following my vehicle’s movements. A certain amount of ease blankets my shoulders from knowing we’re being watched by our own team and settles warmly in my chest due to the fact I know Griff will be ready to act when given the signal.
Assuming Ana isn’t distracting him with an insult contest that she’d clearly win.
My arrival at the gated front entrance isn’t allowed. Three armored vehicles are blocking the area along with a small army of security members. One of the guards hold up a hand for me to stop where I am and then motions for me to step out of the vehicle. I complete the first request with enough distance to allow Ehette to slyly slip out of the unclosed trunk unnoticed but refuse to fulfill the second.
The elf leading the task force raises his weapon to my windshield in a warning nature.
When I still don’t do as I’m told he fires a shot, only to have it ricochet back into one of the other elves. That being crumples to one side, gripping his leg, blood already oozing from the new wound in the rain puddle beneath his feet.
The elf in charge shoots his narrowed stare back to me.