Surge of Storms (Dragon Bonds #4)

Chapter 20

TWENTY

Granger

The colors of the sunrise are lively and beautiful, oranges and reds dancing together, and yet, I don’t share their joyfulness. The events of the night before keep playing in my mind. I see Kek speaking to Sam. Speaking about her like she’s something to possess. An object without a mind of her own.

I replay the moment he came toward her, and feel his sense of ownership. He truly believes if he can just get his hands on her, she’ll belong to him, heart, body, and soul. No one should ever think they can own another person like that. Kek’s version of love is kidnapping and rape. How can he not see it?

And how can I live knowing that every moment those dragons draw breath, Sam is in danger? The notion fills me with rage unlike anything I’ve ever felt in my life. I truly want to be the badass dragon that everyone seems to think I am, so I can watch them burn.

Granger , Aydan says my name loudly in my mind.

I shake myself from my thoughts. What?

Whatever you’re thinking about, you need to stop.

Why?

Look around you, man.

I do, and it's the first time that I realize the clear sky has faded away, replaced by dark gray clouds, threatening to storm. Fuck. It happens so damn fast. This power is a blessing and a curse.

A storm dragon must always be aware of his thoughts, Zane says. Dark thoughts bring dark clouds.

He’s right, I guess, as much as I don’t like it.

What are you thinking about? Sam asks, darting past me.

I consider lying, not wanting to ruin her good mood, but I know she’ll see right through me. I was thinking about that asshole, Kek, and you.

My words have an immediate impact, as their flying becomes less playful and more rigid and on edge. Maybe I should have just tried lying. I hate being “that” guy.

I just don’t want you in a position like that again.

Agreed, Aydan says. We tried reasoning with the assholes. That didn’t work. We won’t waste our time with it again. If we see him again, we’re shredding his wings and being done with this.

Sam’s voice is small as she says, It’s less about being in that position and more about talking to one of them and seeing the way they see me. It’s chilling. I’m not even a person with wants and needs of my own.

I wanted to kill that guy for talking about you like that , I confess.

The other men confirm they felt the same way. I fly closer to Sam, breathing in her scent, wanting to wrap myself around her and protect her from the world. It was bad enough knowing men had been unkind to her as a human, I wasn’t about to let dragons be unkind to her now.

I don’t envy women of any species , I say.

You shouldn’t , Sam says, followed by a snort. I can’t tell you how many men I’ve met who treat women like they’re… nothing, like the women are there to cook, clean, and bang, but they’re not actually people. It’s heartbreaking.

We won’t let them hurt you , I promise. And I mean it. I’ll never let them hurt her.

I know. But the doubt in her voice makes my chest ache.

Just remember, Zane explains. Sam was never in any real danger from Kek. We were there to tear him to pieces. And she’s not in danger now. The four of us will die before we let anything happen to her. She’s safe with us.

The problem is, she shouldn’t have to be with us to be safe. She should be safe wherever she is, because the world should be safe for her, the way it is for us. Of all the things I wish I could give her, that kind of safety is what I want the most.

Thunder rumbles overhead.

Aydan laughs. You have to relax, man.

Suddenly, Sam slides along me from above. My mind snaps from the dark place it had been to her. She circles back and then spins around me, coaxing me to play with her. And I might be a complete sucker, but it works. Soon, we’re all playing tag in the air, even if Sam goes slower just to give the rest of us a chance.

As the sun climbs higher in the sky, Evander says, Anyone ready to eat? I’m starving.

We’re all quick to agree. We fly closer to base and see the other betas flying around, relaxing between their courses about this new world of humans, taught by some of the scientists. From what I’d been hearing, the dragons were doing well, even if they were a bit eager for the females to start awakening.

Landing, we shift back. As we go to head toward the base, Sam snags my hand and tells me to hold back. The others go ahead, and we stand together, looking out at the picturesque sea.

Sam pulls me against her and wraps her arms around my neck, stroking my hair with one hand. Her scent washes over me, and I breathe in deeply, completely lost to this extraordinary woman. My best friend, and the love of my life.

“Just remember, there are a lot of wonderful things about being a dragon. We’re just dealing with some of the shitty things right now.”

I lean my forehead against hers. “I know.”

She kisses me, then leans in and whispers in my ear, “For a recent virgin, you’re certainly always up for the task, aren’t you?”

My cheeks heat, and I try to move back a little to hide my obvious erection, but she grabs a belt loop, and pulls me back against her. I shudder, loving our bodies being pressed together, even if I’m starting to feel like a slight wind might make me explode when she’s around.

“You want to go take a shower?” she asks.

I sniff, wondering if I smell. “I think I can wait until tonight.”

She laughs. “I meant with me, silly.” Then she gives me the sexiest look, turns, and starts running for the base.

What’s a guy to do? I run after her perfect ass, picturing all the things we’ll do once we reach the shower, and trying to forget all about my stormy thoughts.