Loved by a Beast - Miranda Bridges Page 0,53
it, the sound he was listening intently for. A familiar trilling has me swiveling my head back and forth until my gaze lands on a small black figure in the distance.
Shadow trots toward us with her tail high and a bounce in every step. I snatch her in my arms the second she’s within reach, and my eyes immediately fill with tears.
“Where have you been?” I ask, clutching her to my chest. “I’ve been worried sick about you.”
The little creature chirps at me, her pitch high with what seems like excitement. Then she turns her head, peering around me as though looking for something.
“What is it?” I ask.
Jaxar holds up a hand, commanding silence, so I press my lips together, my gaze darting from side to side.
“Someone approaches,” he says, his voice so low it’s hardly a whisper.
I couldn’t be that quiet if my life depended on it.
Shadow trills long and loud, earning a glare from Jaxar. But then his expression relaxes, and surprise flits across his face right before he marches further into the trees. I tighten my grip on my pet and race after him, trying to keep my steps light.
“Every fucking tree looks the same on this fucking planet.”
I skid to a halt just behind Jaxar, not believing what I’m hearing. Could that be who I think it is?
“Zaden, your displeasure at the terrain will not assist us in locating the Boraq. Perhaps you’d do well to go over the coordinates one more time to ensure we do not waste another second ambling about.”
“Varek, my dear cousin, you would do well to shut the fuck up.”
“As your general, I hold you in the highest regard, but as your cousin, you can go fuck yourself.”
“As much as I enjoy watching the two of you bicker, let us concentrate on the matter at hand.”
Masculine grumbling follows as Zaden, Varek, and Braxton come into view. Behind them is a large group of Dravians that I’m not familiar with, but I don’t care.
The cavalry is here, pointed ears and all.
“Welcome,” Jaxar says, nodding at each of the three males. “Thank you for coming to our aid.”
Zaden frowns, his gaze roving over my husband. “What in the hell happened to you?”
Jaxar waves his hand in dismissal. “There isn’t time to explain. My people, along with my allies, have been overtaken and are in captivity. We must see to their rescue immediately.”
“Very well,” Varek says. He signals for his men to follow and falls into step beside Jaxar, with Braxton flanking him. “Tell me everything about their numbers, defenses, and weapons being used. We wasted enough time as is, so we need to end this quickly and liberate your people.”
I trail behind my husband as hope rises in my chest. Whatever grudges I had toward the Dravians died when I fell in love with Jaxar because if they had not abducted me, then I wouldn’t have met him. So I let bygones be bygones. But seeing them now, I no longer have a passive attitude but one of extreme gratitude.
“That’s a cool-looking pet you’ve got there.”
I swing my gaze to peer up at Zaden as he grins down at me. “Thanks. I call her Shadow.”
He reaches out to touch her, and Shadow growls in warning. However, Zaden doesn’t seem to care, and he pats her head twice, causing the creature’s low hum to grow louder.
“Oh, come now, Shadow,” he says with a grin. “Every female loves to be adored.”
Zaden strokes the little dragon under the chin, and I hold my breath, waiting for her to attack him. But she doesn’t. Actually, her growl morphs into a purr, and my mouth falls open.
“Never met a female who could stay angry after a gentle caress in the right spot,” he says with a grin. Then he winks at me.
I scoff before a giggle escapes me. Morgan always said Zaden was incorrigible, and I’m beginning to understand that now. But I also know how much he loves her, so his overly friendly personality is just that and completely harmless.
However, based on the way Jaxar’s head swivels around to look at me and Zaden, I’d venture to guess he does not find it innocent in the least. His golden eyes flare, the color becoming molten before he turns to face forward.
“Looks like Jaxar does not appreciate my behavior,” Zaden says, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial volume, his smirk still in place. I’m pretty sure my husband can hear us though. “I will just have to do