Into The Dragon's World - Brittany White Page 0,26

clawed at the ground with its lower talons. Casey half-expected to be hit by a torrent of fire.

Instead, the dragon shifted into its human form: a beautiful woman with coal-black hair and amber eyes dressed in a long black tunic.

Brady’s mother, Casey realized. The Queen. She didn’t know if she should bow or curtsy or shake her hand.

“How was my son wounded?” the Queen asked, her voice low and smoky.

“He was protecting me.” Casey cleared her throat and fought to keep her bearings. “He was attacked by a bear shifter.”

Another murmur of activity from the crowd burst inside Casey’s mind. She winced and closed her eyes for a moment, waiting for the abrupt jab of pain to cease.

“Are you Brady’s mate?”

Casey’s mouth dropped, her words failing her. She shook her head slightly. “I...I don’t know. Maybe?”

The Queen smiled faintly. “All right.” She looked into the crowd. “Dorris? Are you here?”

A beautiful spotted doe gracefully slipped away from the others. She shifted as she approached Casey, transforming into a young woman with chestnut hair and wide, innocent eyes.

“Yes, my Queen?”

“Please take…” The Queen glanced at Casey again. “I’m sorry...who are you?”

“Casey Donahue.” Casey began to curtsy and stopped herself just in time.

“Please take Casey inside. She needs a bath and clean clothing.” The Queen stepped closer to Casey, her smile growing warmer. “Thank you for saving my son, Casey.”

“He saved me.” Casey felt tears burning behind her eyes and tamped them down. Now wasn’t the time. Not until she knew Brady would be okay. Until then, no tears.

The Queen nodded. “He tends to do that sort of thing.”

17

Casey

After a long soak in a hot bath, Casey was given her own tunic. The material was rough, almost like burlap, but its color was a deep emerald. There were no frills on it, just like the other clothes she had seen so far. It was utilitarian, as were the cloth slippers she was given. She remembered what Brady had told her about the shifters from his world. They tended to remain in their animal forms, shifting to human only if and when they felt like it. Clothes weren’t exactly a priority here.

The tunic was shapeless but comfortable, if not a little itchy. The collar was rounded, exposing her collarbone, and the sleeves were impractically long. The hem of the dress flared slightly, with small slits on either side. A thin woven belt cinched the waist. All in all, it wasn’t too bad...she just wished they believed in underwear. Going commando was going to take some getting used to.

Casey wanted to find Brady immediately, but Dorris insisted on preparing Casey’s hair first. I don’t need a makeover, Casey thought angrily. I need to see Brady.

She sat grudgingly as Dorris combed and braided her hair, twisting it into an elaborate coil atop her head. Every second felt like hours.

“I can understand why Prince Braydon chose you,” Dorris said, smiling as she tucked in the last few stray hairs.

“He hasn’t ‘chosen’ me.” Casey felt her cheeks grow warm. “He’s helping me with a...situation. That’s all.”

“Of course,” Dorris said with a faint smile. “As you say.”

“Will you take me to him now? Please?”

“Yes, m’lady.”

Dorris led Casey through endless hallways until they reached a stone staircase that wound upward into a turret. There were no handrails, so even though Dorris nearly skipped up the steps with grace and ease, Casey clung to the wall, not daring to look anywhere but the next step. Small windows allowed enough light into the staircase to see, but Casey couldn’t imagine how dangerous it would be at night. Managing a torch and keeping her balance on these stairs seemed like it would be an impossible task.

By the time they reached the quarters at the top, Casey felt as if her heart was going to burst out of her chest. She held up a hand for Dorris to wait a moment as she wheezed for breath. Dorris, of course, hadn’t even broken a sweat.

Casey had another reason to delay the moment. She was afraid Brady’s wounds had been too serious for help. She could vividly imagine him lying cold and still. No more smiles. No more soft touches. No more...Brady.

Enough, she thought, taking a deep breath and calming herself. Her hands still trembled and her stomach rolled with anxiety, but she managed to control the worst of it. She nodded at Dorris, who went ahead of her and opened the heavy wooden door.

The first thing Casey focused on was the bed. Brady lay