Dragon Guard Scholar: Preview

Dragon Guard Scholar Preview 

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Chapter One

Ginny Russel drummed her fingers on her arm as she stood on the edge of a barren cliff overlooking the Norwegian Sea. As she watched the icy water churn and listened to the surf breaking along the rocks below, her chest tightened as if gripped in an invisible vise.

Her inner lioness paced, perhaps sensing the activation of her flight-or-fight response. But how could she tell it that the perceived threat was all in her head?

She willed her animal to stay calm. As long as she stayed up here, she could manage the tension building up inside.

Taking deep breaths, she closed her eyes and envisioned soothing places, like the stillness of Badain Jaran dunes of Mongolia or the Salar de Uyuni salt flats of Bolivia. Even thinking about the beautifully kept gardens of her childhood home in Colorado helped, despite the fact that she literally spent most of her adult life avoiding that place. When her body loosened up, she let out a sigh, and her lioness lay down in a relaxed position.

Glancing down at her wristwatch, she checked the time. Still early. It was a short hike from the sleepy little village where she’d stayed the previous evening. Before that, she’d taken three flights, driven six hours, and took a ferry ride to get here. But in truth, she didn’t mind the journey; that was the most exciting part of any trip for her. The exhilaration of travel never lessened, even now, in the tenth year of her nomadic life.

However, hopping from place to place and country to country for a decade did have its downsides, namely, she’d gone to almost every place she wanted. Traveling began to get boring, and for a while, she even thought it was time to settle down. In fact, she nearly did; two and a half years ago when she bought a one-way ticket back home. And that’s when things changed.

Her lioness suddenly went on alert, sending the hairs on the back of her neck bristling. It knew, before she could hear or see it, that something approached. Something big.

There.

Her enhanced shifter sight spied the small dot in the distance, becoming bigger as it drew closer. Her animal’s ears pricked forward, then flattened out as its tail lowered. This time, Ginny knew what it was first. Or rather, who.

Her lioness cowered.

Calm down.

It hissed at her, as if saying, you try calming down when there’s a humongous predator up there.

But this wasn’t a predator, at least, not any normal predator. No, this creature rushing toward them was special. One of the few dragon shifters in the world.

As it drew closer, the golden scales that covered the dragon’s gigantic body gleamed. Its giant horned head swung around, searching for something, until its gaze landed straight on Ginny, then made a long arc to redirect its flight path. Leathery wings spread out, and it used the wind to glide, then slow down and descend toward the cliff.

She stepped back a few feet to give the dragon space as its clawed feet touched down on the rocky ground. The wind generated from its flapping wings nearly knocked her over, but she knew to dig in her heels to prevent herself from falling back.

The dragon began to shrink, its golden scaly body and giant horned head slowly disappearing until it was completely gone and only a dark-haired female stood in its place. “Hey, Ginny!” Sybil Lennox called as she slipped on the dress she had been carrying in her dragon’s claws.

“What’s up, Sybil?” she greeted back. “Long time no see.”

Though Sybil Lennox was a few years younger than her, they’d known each other through their parents. Hank Lennox and Geraldine Russel had run in the same social and business circles, coming from two of the wealthiest and most influential shifter families in Colorado. Ginny recalled being invited to their castle for many birthday parties in her youth, and Sybil’s older brothers Jason and Matthew had been in the same year as her brother Gabriel at Lucas Lennox High.

And now, apparently, she had married some king of a faraway land and ruled alongside him as queen. “Should I curtsy or bow, Your Majesty?”

Sybil approached, her silvery eyes rolling. “Ugh, no please. No formalities, at least not when we’re alone. It’s so nice to see you after all this time, Ginny! But I have to admit, I was surprised when Christina told me who she was sending to help us. I didn’t even know you were part of The Agency.”

“I’m the one they call on when they need someone to sniff out secrets,” she said with a wink.

During that fateful trip back two-and-a-half years ago, an anti-shifter organization had planted bombs in what she considered her home town—Blackstone. When she heard about the trouble, she volunteered to help sweep for bombs. It was a dangerous task, but during the entire time, there was an excitement and thrill she hadn’t felt in years.

The town had been saved, and in the aftermath, she discovered the existence of The Shifter Protection Agency or simply, The Agency, run by Sybil’s brother Jason Lennox and his wife, Christina. They had been so impressed with her investigation skills that they brought her in as one of their recruits, and after a solid year of training, started sending her out on missions.

Now when she traveled, she actually had a purpose. Though she’d done a variety of jobs for The Agency, undercover work seemed suited to her. Being pretty and petite helped, as few people suspected she had anything to hide, and putting on the dumb blonde act had gotten her out of more than a few scrapes. But she completed every mission assigned to her, and nothing satisfied her more than bringing justice to the helpless and oppressed of her kind.

When it came to jobs, she was relentless and never stopped until she finished her mission, then she moved onto the next. Her missions kept her grounded and in the present. Stopped her from dwelling on the past.

“Did Christina tell you why we need help?” Sybil asked.

“Yes, she briefed me on the situation,” she replied, grateful for the distraction. “You and your husband were attacked, and you suspect someone on the inside had something to do with it.”

“Yes.” Sybil’s nostrils flared, and her eyes glowed briefly with the anger of her dragon. “We can give you more details when we get to the palace.”

“Sure. When do we leave?”

Sybil chuckled. “Now.”

“Now?” Ginny glanced around. “But how … oh.” Oh fuck. Her stomach flipped like a pancake. They were flying to the palace—via Dragon Airlines, apparently.

“Are you all right?” Sybil cocked her head to the side. “You don’t mind, do you? The Northern Isles doesn’t have any commercial flights or ferries, and if we flew you in with the jet, we’d have to explain why you were there. Aleksei thought it would be better if there was no record of your arrival since we still don’t know who our mole is.”

Ginny swallowed hard. “That makes sense. And no, it’s no problem at all. I don’t mind flying.” No, flying wasn’t the problem, after all. It was what was ahead, or rather, what they would be flying over.

The frigid, icy water stretching between them and their destination.

Her lioness backed away, snarling in displeasure, and Ginny couldn’t even find the words to calm it down.

“Are you sure you’re fine, Ginny? You look a little pale. I promise it’s not a long flight. Just thirty minutes until we’re over the main island.”

“I’m sure,” she said flatly, then turned on her heel to walk over to the rock where she had placed her backpack. “Ready when you are.” Yet, the sweat beading on her forehead told her she’d never be ready. As long as we fly high, I’ll be fine.

“Great. I’ll grab onto you. I promise I won’t let go.”

“Thanks, I’m sure it’ll be okay.” It was her that was the problem, after all. With a deep breath, she secured her backpack to her body. Sure enough, when she turned around, Sybil was gone, and the dragon stood by the edge of the cliff. “Here goes nothing,” she murmured under her breath.

Her lioness was calmer as they approached the dragon, perhaps sensing they were in no danger of being devoured by this particular predator. Its long, scaly arms stretched out, and Ginny stepped into them. The limbs wrapped around her, and she found herself crushed against the surprisingly warm scales. She pressed her cheek against the leathery surface as she heard the flapping of wings and her feet lifted off the ground.

She held her breath as her heart and stomach suddenly felt like they were trying to switch places as the dragon soared higher and then dipped down. Her eyes shut tight as terror seeped into her veins. Thankfully, Sybil’s dragon quickly found the perfect cruising altitude, and they moved forward at a steadier pace. Instead of thinking of what was below, she concentrated on the fact that she was flying.

Cracking one eye open, she turned her head and looked up. The sky was a perfect blue, and the puffy white clouds were so close she could probably hold her arms out and touch them. It was like being in a plane, but so much better. The wind rushed around her, reminding her of skydiving in New Zealand, except she wasn’t falling. It was exhilarating, and in this moment, she could forget all her troubles.

After what seemed like an eternity, they dipped low and began their descent. She plastered her body tighter against the dragon’s chest, holding her breath until she heard a loud thump and felt the jolt as the massive creature landed.

Her feet touched the ground, and the dragon’s grip loosened. The fact that she could stand up straight without falling over was a miracle, as her knees were like jelly. But at least they were finally on solid ground, and she didn’t even see the ocean as they flew. However, the thought that they were surrounded by the sea set her on edge.

When Christina had told her about this assignment, she’d been eager for the challenge. Even after working nonstop for half a year now, she had no plans of slowing down, not when her work was the only thing keeping her distracted.

Heck, she had even been looking forward to visiting a new country. But that was before her research told her she would be living on an archipelago. The name Northern Isles should have given her a clue.

“Gosh, I really needed that.” Sybil, now fully transformed and dressed, exclaimed. “I don’t get to do much flying these days with my duties and all, plus Aleksei’s being overprotective with me being pregnant and all.”

“Oh, I didn’t realize,” Ginny said. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks. Now, c’mon, let’s head inside.” They had landed on a huge balcony, and Sybil led her through the double doors that led into what Ginny assumed was Helgeskar Palace.

“I’m back,” Sybil announced. “And I brought our guest.” Stepping aside, she let Ginny in.

Now or never. Ginny put on her most confident air, hopefully to mask the maelstrom of emotions inside her. “Woo-hoo, that was fun!” she blustered. “Reminds me of skydiving, with less falling. Thanks for the ride, Sybil. We should do it again sometime.”

“Sure,” Sybil chuckled.

“Are you all right? No trouble during your trip?” A tall, handsome man with dark blond hair strode forward, making his way toward Sybil. While he looked harmless in his formal suit, Ginny’s lioness cowed back, as it could tell he was the biggest and most dominant creature in the room. So, this was the dragon king. Intimidating was a mild word to describe him.

The king placed a hand on Sybil’s shoulder. “Sit down, lyubimaya moya. You’ve had a long flight.”

“I’m fine, Aleksei, stop fussing,” she said, then glanced behind him. “Poppy, you accepted the job, I hope?”

Across what looked like the living room of a plush apartment was a brawny giant of a man and a small, pretty woman—Poppy—who nodded. “Uh, yes … but if you don’t mind my asking, what is this about?”

“Oh, right.” Sybil gestured to Ginny. “Everyone, this is Ginny. She’s from the Blackstone Shifter Protection Agency.”

“You’re the undercover agent?” the brawny giant asked. He was even bigger than the king, probably seven feet tall, with shoulders like rocks.

Ugh, of course. She should be used to the reaction by now, but it still irked her when people underestimated her because she was female. “Well, I won’t be undercover for much longer if you shout it out like that.” She marched over to him, hands on her hips. “Or do you think that just because I’m a woman, I can’t find your mole? I’ve been doing this for years now, and I’ve never had my cover blown. Not even my family knows about my job.” She could feel this man—dragon shifter—sizing her up, but she wasn’t going to be intimidated.

“Apologies, I did not mean to imply that you were not capable.” He turned to the king. “But, Your Majesty, I do not understand what Poppy has to do with this.”

“Remember how we were trying to find a suitable position for the undercover agent to take without arousing any suspicion? After much discussion, Sybil and I figured it out: She’s going to replace Poppy as Alric’s nanny.”

“It’s perfect, when you think about it,” Queen Sybil said. “Poppy is our current nanny,” the queen explained to Ginny. “With her taking the teaching position, we’ll have reason to train someone new. And that means Ginny will be able to move around the palace and amongst the staff without any suspicion.”

“That makes sense,” Poppy added. “No one really pays any attention to me, unless I’m with the prince.”

“Of course, Poppy will stay to do her duties and pretend to train you,” Queen Sybil added.

“That’s great! Because I don’t know shit about babies,” Ginny chortled. “But don’t worry, I shouldn’t take too long. If you have a traitor in your midst here, then we can’t waste any time. I’ll sniff him out for you, lickety-split.” She gave herself a week to solve this case. Ten days, tops.

“It’s settled then,” the king said. “Rorik, please inform the rest of the guard of Ginny’s presence so they can assist her in any way possible.”

“Or just tell ’em to stay outta my way,” she snorted. “I work better alone.” And it was better that way. Working alone meant she could make decisions on the fly without having to consult a partner.

And if she was alone, no one else could get hurt.

After saying their goodbyes and the couple left the room, the king turned to Ginny. “I hope you are up to the task.”

“I’ll do my best, Your Majesty.”

Sybil clapped her hands together. “Oh, sorry, I was so excited, I didn’t introduce you properly.” She cleared her throat. “Aleksei, this is Ginny Russel. Ginny, this is my husband and mate, His Majesty, King Aleksei of the Northern Isles.”

“Your Majesty.” She bowed her head in deference. “An honor to meet you.” That’s what you said to royalty, right? She’d never met any king or queen in her life—well, not real ones anyway. She was pretty sure that guy with dreadlocks on that beach in Thailand wasn’t really royalty, even though he proclaimed himself king of the Phi Phi islands and invited her back to his palace–hut made of coconut palms.

“Ginny is actually from Blackstone and a friend of the family,” Sybil continued. “You were in Jason and Matthew’s graduating class, weren’t you, Ginny?”

“My younger brother Gabriel was,” she corrected. “I was in the year ahead.”

“Ah, right,” Sybil said.

“Ms. Russel, thank you for coming on such short notice,” King Aleksei said. “If there is anything we can do to assist your investigation, do let us know.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“But first, we must make the necessary preparations to keep your identity a secret.”

“I’ve arranged for your apartments in the staff wing of the palace. It’s not fancy, I’m afraid,” Sybil said.

“I don’t need to stay in a five-star hotel. I’m sure it’s fine. Besides, it’ll help me blend in better.”

“You can use this day to get settled in,” King Aleksei said. “I’ll arrange for you to meet with the rest of the Dragon Guard first thing tomorrow.”

“Dragon Guard?” she asked.

“They’re kinda like our Secret Service,” Sybil explained. “The man who was here with Poppy was their captain, Rorik.”

“Oh right.” Oops. Maybe I should have been nicer to him if he was the head of security.

“Let me call on one of them to escort you to your rooms,” King Aleksei said. “Excuse me.” He turned around and faced the windows.

“I’m going to call our head housekeeper to make sure everything’s ready for you. Have a seat.” Sybil led her to the living area, then walked over to the console table and picked up the phone. “This won’t take too long.”

“Awesome.” Ginny dropped her backpack on the floor and plopped down on the plush couch.

Seconds later, the door opened, and a figure appeared in the entryway. “King Aleksei, I’m here.”

Wow, that was fast. Ginny glanced behind her. The king didn’t even move an inch from where he stood. How did he call this guy?

When the newcomer stepped inside, his gaze immediately landed on her. “Oh, hello,” he greeted, a grin spreading over his face.

Oh, brother. She knew that look in his eyes, and she was not in the mood. Her lioness, on the other hand, eyed him warily, sensing another big predator in the room. You’re going to have to get used to that, she told her animal. This was a land of dragons, after all.

He stalked over to her, his tall, lean body moving languidly like a cat. “I think I recognize you.”

“You do, do you?” She crossed her arms over her chest and stared up at him. He was cute, she gave him that, though blond pretty boys weren’t her usual type. Not that she had time to entertain any type these days.

“Uh-huh.” He stared right back at her, amber eyes twinkling with amusement. “You look like my next girlfriend.”

She burst out laughing because there was no way that was happening. “Oh my God, did you practice that in the mirror or something? Hmmm, I’d give you … four out of ten for effort.”

To her surprise, her reaction didn’t offend or anger him, and instead, he chuckled. “All right then, let me try again.” He cleared his throat. “What’s your sign, baby?”

She rolled her eyes. “Dead End.”

“Niklas!” Sybil admonished as she put the phone down. “Stop pestering Ginny.”

“Er, sorry, Your Majesty.” He grinned at her again. “I have more where that came from.”

“I don’t want to know where those came from,” she replied drolly, which earned her another laugh from Niklas.

“Well—Your Majesty.” His face turned serious, and he bowed deeply.

King Aleksei walked up to them. “Niklas, this is Ginny Russel. She’s the undercover agent The Agency sent to us to investigate the mole.”

“Heya,” she greeted.

The corners of his mouth quirked up as if he was trying to stop himself from making some kind of smart remark. “Er, welcome, Ms. Russel. Let me know how I can be of service.” The audacious man actually winked at her.

King Aleksei sent him a warning look. “If you don’t mind, Niklas.”

“Of course, Your Majesty. Right this way, Ms. Russel.”

The queen looked at Niklas, one brow quirking up. He laughed and then bent down to pick up her backpack.

“Great.” Ginny got to her feet. “I can carry that myself, thank you.”

“Nah, it’s fine.” He waved her away. “C’mon, let’s go.”

He led her out of the suite, stopping briefly to nod at the statue standing right outside the door. A quick glance back told her that was no statue—but rather, another dragon shifter. He stood eerily still, steely eyes forward and jaw set. Something about him set her lioness on edge, but in a different way. Like it knew there was something not quite right about that other man.

“Don’t worry about Stein,” Niklas said. “That’s just how he is. So,” he glanced at her. “You’re going to be the new nanny, huh?”

“I—wait a minute.” She stopped and looked at him, then lowered her voice. “How did you know? I thought they didn’t decide what my role would be until the previous nanny accepted her new job.”

“The king told me,” he said matter-of-factly.

“When?”

“He—oh!” He snapped his fingers. “I forgot, you’re not from around here. As dragons of the same species, His Majesty and I can communicate via telepathy.”

“Oh, no way? Really?” Huh. She’d never heard of any other kind of shifter having that ability.

“Yeah.” He waggled his eyebrows at her and leaned forward. “Wanna know what’s on my mind?”

“Oh, please.” She placed a hand on his chest and pushed him away. “I don’t think there’s enough bleach in the world to clean my brain from the depraved thoughts lurking in there.”

“I like you,” he chuckled. “All right, all right, I’ll stop. But first …” He took a sniff of the air. “Hmmm … lioness, right?”

“Yes. How did you know?” Most shifters could narrow down another shifter’s animal to species, but not exact animal.

“My first girlfriend was a lioness,” he said. “Not an experience I’d care to repeat. You guys are vindictive.”

“Only if you deserve it,” she shot back. “And I’m guessing you did.”

“Probably.” He flashed her a boyish grin then cocked his head. “C’mon, let’s keep going.”

She followed him down the long, luxuriously decorated hallway, then down a set of stairs. The palace must be huge because it took them another fifteen minutes of walking before they reached what she deduced was the staff wing of the palace. It was located on the ground floor past the kitchens, and the corridors here were more utilitarian and modest. Niklas seemed to know almost everyone and greeted them as they passed by, then led her into one of the offices where he introduced her to the head housekeeper, a middle-aged woman named Mrs. Anna Larsen.

“The nannies usually stay closer to the royal apartments for convenience, but Her Majesty told me that you would be staying in the staff wing until you fully transition into your position,” Mrs. Larsen said.

“I should get going,” Niklas said. “But Their Majesties requested that I give you a tour of the palace. Let’s meet at the main foyer at five, if that’s okay?”

She took her backpack from him. “Sounds great. See you, Niklas.”

“Can’t wait.” He winked at her, then turned on his heel and walked in the opposite direction.

“Come this way, Ms. Russel,” Mrs. Larsen said. “I’ll show you to your room.”

They headed down a long hallway, then stopped at the fourth door on the left. “Here you go, Ms. Russel. It’s an en suite, so you should have everything you need, and the staff dining room is open twenty-four hours a day. You are welcome to eat as much as you like, plus you’re free to make your own meals as well with the ingredients we stock in the pantry. If you need anything, just let me know.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Larsen.”

“Welcome to Helgeskar Palace.” With a nod, she left.

“Alrighty then.” Ginny squared her shoulders and walked inside. “Huh.” The room was larger and more comfortable than she’d imagined for staff housing. There was a double bed in the corner, a large window with a view of the outside, a desk, flatscreen TV, and wardrobe. Setting her bag down on the floor, she walked over to the bed and sat down, then lay back.

She let out a long sigh. Another day, another mission. But this is what she signed up for, after all. It was bright and sunny outside, but despite the traveling and jet lag, she wasn’t tired. She was a shifter, after all, and didn’t need as much rest as normal humans. And she didn’t sleep. Not anymore. Not when the darkness of sleep only brought on nightmares she’d sooner forget.

Getting up, she reached for her backpack. She had a couple of hours before she had to meet Niklas, so she needed to get to work. Unpack, reach out to HQ, then figure out how to hunt for a traitor who aided in the assassination of a king. Easy peasy.

* * *

“… and you’re doing well so far?” Christina Lennox asked, her voice tinny through the small speakers of the beat-up laptop. “No problems?”

“Yup, all good so far.” Ginny had to wait until it was morning in Colorado to call her boss via video chat, which was around four o’clock in the afternoon, Northern Isles local time. “The king said he’ll arrange for me to meet his security team tomorrow and give me a more comprehensive view of the situation.” She wished it was sooner, but she supposed one more night couldn’t hurt.

“Excellent.”

“I’ll find this mole lickety-split, don’t you worry.” This wasn’t just any normal case, after all, and not just because the dragons were one of The Agency’s most powerful allies. This was personal for Christina, as Sybil was her sister-in-law.

“I know you will, otherwise I wouldn’t have assigned this case to you,” Christina said. “Thanks for hopping right on it.”

“Just have my next assignment ready.”

Christina’s brows drew together. “About that … Ginny, don’t you think it’s time for a break? You’ve been working nonstop. Maybe you should slow down.”

Ginny stiffened. “I don’t need a break.”

“That’s what you keep saying.” Christina’s expression became worried. “It’s been almost six months since Malta. I know it’s been tough, but Kristos—”

“I said, I don’t need a break,” she snapped. “Sorry, I have to go meet someone soon. Bye, Christina, I’ll update you as soon as I wrap things up here.” She quickly slammed the laptop lid down and shut her eyes tight. Her chest tightened as if her lungs were collapsing in. Like they did that day, when they were filling with saltwater.

It was everywhere. Around her. Over her head. Smothering her like a cloak and—

Her lioness growled, knocking her out of the memory, and she could breathe again.

It had felt so real. Like it was happening again. She raked her hands through her hair, her hands still shaking.

Can’t dwell on it. Need to forget. She forbade herself from thinking about that incident. It was ancient history, and she didn’t need to remember anything about it.

Except Kristos.

When was the last time anyone mentioned that name around her? Or when she’d last heard it aloud?

His funeral, probably.

An ache in her chest bloomed, and her lioness mewled in a comforting manner. Counting to ten, she unclenched her jaw. It’s fine. I’m fine, she told her animal. Her eyes darted to the clock on the bedside. “Shit!” It was five minutes to five, and she still had to find her way through the maze-like corridors of the palace and out to the main foyer. How long had she been in a daze?

Dashing out of the room, she did her best to retrace her steps out of the staff wing. But once she reached the main palace, everything looked the same. Did we turn left or right at the painting of the guy riding a horse? Or was it the other guy on the horse? Damn it, she was already late.

Unsure what else to do, she turned the next corner. However, she bumped into someone rushing in the other direction, sending her scrambling backwards. “Oh shit! I’m sorry!” She steadied herself. “My bad! I wasn’t looking—” Ginny blinked and found herself staring into familiar amber eyes. “I …” She gasped. Niklas?

Mine, her lioness roared.

And something big and fierce shrieked it right back.

Niklas’s mouth parted, but nothing came out. He just stood there, amber gaze boring into her.

No, he couldn’t be—

But her lioness repeated it again. Mine.

Niklas was her mate.

A surge of panic rose up in her. And this time, she let her flight response take over. Using her shifter speed, she ran past him, then turned into the first hallway on the right, then into the next. When she decided she was far enough away, she slowed her pace, but kept on walking.

Her heart beat like mad in her chest, threatening to escape. How could Niklas be her mate? They’d met this morning and her animal didn’t say anything. Was it a delayed response?

Not every shifter had a mate. In fact, many shifter couples had successful marriages even without the mating bond, like her parents. But when her brother Gabriel had met his mate Temperance, he said that he knew right away, the moment he looked into her eyes.

Maybe I’m too broken.

Her animal shook her head. Mine, it repeated.

Oh God. A mate? Her? It couldn’t be. She didn’t need a mate right now. Or ever. Certainly not a dragon. Plus, she could never live here. Or in any one place. It would drive her mad. She needed her freedom to roam and travel.

Okay, calm down, she told herself. Maybe Niklas didn’t want a mate either. Sure, he was flirty and all, but she could tell he was a player, with all those cheesy lines. Plus, he looked about as shocked as she had been.

Taking a deep, cleansing breath, she straightened herself and turned around. In her mad dash to get away from Niklas, she had somehow found herself in a familiar hallway. She’d definitely seen that statue of the man playing the flute this morning. And that rug with the blue squiggles. All she had to do was turn right at the end and—

“Ah-ha!” she exclaimed when she saw the long winding staircase that led to the staff apartments. At least now she could go back to her room and figure out what to do.

“Ginny?”

She stopped short at the sound of the familiar voice behind her. Shit. “Hey, Niklas,” she began. “We should probably talk.”

“Talk?”

Pursing her lips together, she turned around to face him. “Yeah. About what happened.”

“What happened?”

She frowned. “You know. I—” Wait a minute. Narrowing her gaze, she peered up at his face. Those amber eyes peered back at her and …

Nothing.

Huh?

Not a peep from her lioness nor from his dragon.

What the hell?

“Ginny?” He waved a hand in front of her face. “What’s going on? You okay? Do you need a minute?”

More like a lifetime. “Um, no, I’m fine. I just … got a little lost.”

“Oh.” He scratched at this chin. “Yeah, when you didn’t show up, I figured you must have taken a wrong turn or something. Do you want to do the tour another time? We could just grab dinner.”

“What? No, I’m great. Fine. Dandy.” She blew out an annoyed breath. Wasn’t he going to say anything about what happened earlier?

“Oh cool. All right,” he began. “Why don’t I start by orienting you so you can find your bearings?”

“That sounds great.” Well, if he wasn’t going to say anything, she wasn’t going to either. Besides, what was she supposed to tell him? Sorry I freaked out, but I hallucinated you were my mate.

Relief poured through her. No, the last thing she needed was a freaking dragon mate. Her animal, on the other hand, sat in the corner and pouted.

Ugh, weirdo. Maybe being out here was affecting her shifter side. In any case, that was another reason to finish this mission quickly and get the hell out of the Northern Isles.

Dragon Guard Scholar

Releases April 14, 2021