Tropical Dragons Series Box Set - Naomi Lucas Page 0,39

away far too soon.

Licking my lips, his own move up to clean the tears from my face.

“We will go to them once the storm settles,” I say as his mouth slides over my cheeks softly.

“Yes,” he agrees. “We will go to them. I did not know you had a brother. I would like to meet your kin.”

His words warm me more than his breath ever could. My hopelessness drains by the second, and I throw my arms around him. “I would like that. He was my ward my entire life… He was my life until recently. He also needs strong male guidance, and you will be perfect.”

He huffs. “I will do what I can. But first,” he pulls away, looking around, “where is your territory? I do not like the rain nearly as much in this new body of mine,” he grumbles further. “And I want you well away from those waves.”

Grabbing his hand and nodding my head to the side, I choose to believe his words. “Come. If we are to make it before dark, we should go now.” And then I remember the rocky shore and uneven terrain ahead. “I hope you know how you use those legs of yours by now. You’ll need them,” I warn, keeping my small, teasing smile hidden from his view.

21

Home

Most of the day is behind us by the time we ascend the cliff overlooking the lagoon of my home. By following the rocky shore, we were able to take the high routes to my home. They are rarely used, unless for hunting—usually too dangerous to traverse for their uneven terrain and the predators that make their home by the water.

But the predators are scarce still, and there’s no raft for us to use—no mermaids to guide us. And even if there were, it would be impossible, and stupid to go out into the ocean during such a storm.

The worst I’ve seen in years.

Looking out over the ocean and its riotous waves below, shivers course through me, not only because of the chaotic waters but the dawning knowledge that there are huge, terrifying beasts that could be swimming just beneath. I always knew serpents, krakens, and giant sharks existed, but they rarely come near my home… and during the odd instance when something large passed through, the mermaids always warned us in advance.

Seeing my home now, below me, lower still with the large jungle trees shielding it, my heart squeezes.

Seeking out Kaos meant leaving them longer than I meant to. A strange feeling hits me, hoping my tribe—my future responsibility and pride—are okay.

They will be mourning Leith’s loss. They will be celebrating for his future too.

I glance at Kaos. What will they think of him? Will they trust him?

Will they accept him? Let me keep him as he keeps me? Or will they deny him—deny us?

The branches below shake madly, like everything else. The crystal lagoon stirs in the middle, but the waves of the ocean come nowhere near, having been blocked by the many isles and large boulders in the sea in front of me. Love fills me looking at my perfect home.

Leaving it will hurt greatly. I squeeze Kaos’s hand, so massive that mine doesn’t even wrap around. But if Leith can leave it, I can too. I will always watch them and protect them from afar. I would never abandon them.

And once again, just once, I tell myself Leith is okay. Aida is okay. If a dragon attacks Sand’s Hunters, even one such as this Zaeyr, Aida will destroy him. Knowing her, she will pull out all weapons and rush him head-first to protect her tribe.

“Down there?” he asks, directly behind me, shielding me from the wind as much as he can, pulling my thoughts away from Aida.

“Yes, I live down there.”

He growls. “How do we get down? Do you have wings I do not know of? If you kept such a thing from me…”

“No. Come, I’ll show you.” Following the cliff’s edge to a rocky inlay, reaching down where branches hide it, I reveal two thick ropes and a ladder between. It’s wet but solid. “We climb down here.”

Kaos hisses, and I hear the frustration in it even through the distant thunder. “I cannot believe your kind still exists.”

“Your kind now, dragon,” I mutter.

He pushes me aside and tests the rope. “I will go first, and you,” he fumes, looking at me, “will follow between my arms.”

“I’ve done this climb many times.”

“I do not care!” Without waiting, dropping himself