Chapter 14
New sketchbook in hand, Skye wandered out of Oldrik’s house. When Tierney called after her, she waggled the book at him to signal she was going out to draw. He waved back and gave her a thumbs-up.
Skye craved a few hours in nature. She loved her time with her mates, but sometimes she needed to be alone. Automatically, she headed toward Ardon’s mountain. Walking through the fields of livestock and down the path of the garden, Skye searched for the perfect place to sit and draw.
A spot under a gigantic oak tree beckoned. Skye chose to lean on the trunk where she had shade and a magnificent view of Ardon’s mountain. Opening her sketchpad, she drew a rough outline of the huge peak. With that accomplished, she focused on adding details to capture the rugged beauty of the rock.
The metallic twang from the barbed wire strung along the fence line caught her attention. Raising her eyes from the sketch, Skye spotted a man who’d vaulted over the barrier between the bronze and blue dragons’ properties. Skye shrunk back against the tree, closing her book and bringing it to her chest, making herself as small as possible.
Trying to ignore the feeling this man was up to no good, Skye struggled to get a good look at him. Surely, he was someone she’d met over the last few weeks as she’d settled on her mates’ land. When the man turned to face into the light, Skye knew he was a stranger.
Um… Some guy just jumped the fence between your lands. I don’t recognize him.
Where are you?
Skye could tell from Oldrik’s voice that he was worried. She answered quickly. I’m sitting under a tree. He hasn’t seen me. Should I say something?
Stay out of sight, Skye. We’re on our way, Ardon told her.
Another man just ran out of the tree line. I don’t think these are good people. Just from the way they’re slinking around.
Can you hide, Blueberry?
She could tell Oldrik was trying to remain calm. The concern behind his words rang in her mind. He was ill at ease. Oldrik didn’t fret. He acted.
Skye scanned the area, trying to figure out a better place to camouflage herself. They hadn’t spotted her under the dense canopy of leaves over her head. If she moved, she might draw their attention. Weighing her options, Skye decided to stay where she was.
They’re pulling a big bag. No, make that big bags through the fence.
We don’t need you to report what’s going on, Skye. Get to safety. Ardon was not happy with her.
Ignoring them, Skye continued her description of the men’s activities. They’re setting something up. It’s like a rocket. A thick tube propped up on a metal pole. They’re filling it with a powder. It must be toxic. They’ve covered their mouths and noses.
Get out of there, Skye! Oldrik ordered.
They’ve started on another. There’s a third. How many do they have?
Information clicked together in her brain. She put the pieces together, and her heart rate sped up as she tried not to panic. Skye needed to tell her Daddies.
Didn’t some of the dragons get targeted by something launched into the air? I bet I’m close to where you normally fly back to Oldrik’s. They’re planning to hurt you. Don’t fly here!
You are at risk, Blueberry. Of course, we’re coming to protect you. Oldrik obviously wouldn’t listen to reason.
She’d have to do something to keep them safe. Skye couldn’t sit there and let them harm her Daddies. What could she do to prevent this?
Skye! Stop….
Deliberately ignoring Ardon’s demand, Skye collected several rocks and stuffed them into her jeans’ pockets. She set the sketch pad to the side and silently rose to her feet. Aware of her lack of athletic ability, Skye knew she couldn’t hit those rockets from here. She wasn’t confident whether she’d be able to strike them from a closer point either. Sports and hand-eye coordination had never been her thing.
Creeping forward, she noticed the men focused intently on the skies above. That confirmed her suspicion they were targeting Ardon and Oldrik. Quietly, she filled each hand with two rocks. Maybe that would double her chances of hitting something.
The men still sported protective gear over their mouths. Skye pulled her T-shirt up over her nose. If they were concerned about breathing whatever was in those tubes, she wouldn’t risk inhaling that substance either. The cotton material wouldn’t help her much, but this wasn’t the time to worry about herself.
A twig snapped under her shoe, drawing their attention.
Skye tossed the two rocks in her right hand at one of the rockets and missed. CRAP! The men ran toward her, cursing. Throwing the ones in her left hand wildly, Skye knocked over the farthest tube.
Everything inside her told her to flee, but Skye needed to take out the other rockets. Struggling to pull more rocks from her pockets, she kept dashing forward. Reaching the closest tube, she kicked over the threat before throwing all the stones she had left at the final target. Success!
“Bitch! You’ll pay for messing with us.” A dark-haired man grabbed her and twisted her arm painfully behind her.
Crying out, Skye felt her Daddies’ presences. She warned her attackers. “They’re almost here. You don’t want to be around when they arrive.”
Daddies! It’s safe!
Suddenly, she was free. Skye turned to see the men racing toward the fence. A swoop of black wings and a massive dragon bulk blocked her view. Anguished shouts filled the air. Keres shot straight up into the sky, taking her attackers with him. Shocked, Skye swallowed hard when she noticed her attackers stopped moving quickly.
Warm arms wrapped around her shaking body and pulled her close. A second pair encircled her from the side. Thankful her mates had arrived, Skye dropped her forehead to Ardon’s shoulder. Their scent and heat surrounding her reassured her on a visceral level.
“I couldn’t let them hurt you,” she whispered, needing to use words to stress how important protecting them was to her.
“Your bottom is going to be so red,” Oldrik promised.
“Okay,” she said, nodding. Skye didn’t care what consequence they doled out. They were unharmed. She’d do it again.
“Should you be this close to whatever that is?” Skye asked.
“We’re fine,” Ardon reassured her. “It’s only when the mixture is ignited. The smoke is dangerous to dragons.”
What does it do? Skye lapsed back into mind-talk.
“I was caught by it and became dizzy immediately. I lost my sense of up and down. Ardon pushed me out of the haze and into clean air,” Oldrik shared.
You saved him. Skye rewarded Ardon with a kiss.
And you, Oldrik. You need to stay away from danger. She softened her rebuke with a kiss to the blue dragon as well.
Her mates squeezed her tight. Their love for her streamed through their connection. It reassured her and lessened the trauma from the encounter.
Was that Keres?
“Yes, Blueberry. We’d called to see if anyone was closer than we were. Keres responded,” Ardon explained.
I think he killed those guys.
“Keres won’t stand for anyone messing with mates. They’re too special,” Oldrik stated firmly. “He needs to find his soon.”
Or what?
“We’ll deal with those problems in the future. For now, we have more samples of this dragon attack substance. There’s a scientific team already working on it,” Ardon said. “First, we’re going to take you home and make sure you are free of any residue from the powder. It can’t be good for you.”
Oldrik picked her up and carried her a far distance away. He shifted and lowered his neck for her to climb onto his back.
I have to grab my sketch pad.
Ardon will retrieve it. Come on, Blueberry. Let’s get you home.
Thank goodness they were close. Almost immediately, she knew something was wrong. Struggling to hide her sudden dizziness from Oldrik, Skye tried to think calm thoughts. By the time Oldrik landed in the front yard, Skye could barely hold on. She half-slid, half-fell to the ground, landing on her knees, no longer able to hide the weakness growing inside her.
Blueberry!
Oldrik scooped her up in his arms and ran for the mansion. Pelting up the stairs, he called for Ardon. Come quickly. Our mate is in bad shape.
“Skye? Can you tell me what’s happening? How do you feel?”
She tried to answer, but her brain whirled in her skull like a kaleidoscope. Everything jumbled together. Worst of all, the edges of her vision were turning black.
A blast of cold water made her jerk. It pushed away some of the darkness from her mind. She tightened her fingers around Oldrik’s shirt.
“What’s happening?” Ardon said quietly.
His calmness frightened Skye more than if he’d yelled. She struggled to talk, but the jumble of her brain made it impossible.
“Help me get her clothes off. There must be some dust on her. We’ll have to wash as well,” Oldrik ordered.
In minutes, they had her naked under the frigid spray of the water that warmed up slowly. When Ardon had stripped, he lifted Skye from Oldrik’s hold to allow him to disrobe. Ardon grabbed a handful of liquid soap and smoothed it over Skye. With each stroke of his hands over her skin, Skye recovered a bit more of herself.
“Dip her hair into the water,” Oldrik requested.
Skye moaned as he smoothed the water through her hair. Fragrant shampoo perfumed the air as he applied the thick mixture to her tresses. The feel of his fingers rasping over her scalp made her close her eyes in appreciation.
“Look at me, My Treasure. You have to stay awake,” Oldrik demanded.
Feels… good. Her thoughts emerged as slowly as running honey. They oozed from her mind with the same level of stickiness as well.
“I’m glad to hear you, Blueberry.”
“The best thing ever,” Ardon agreed.
After several minutes, Skye could stand with support. That was awful. What happened?
“We were stupid. We should have gotten that powder off your skin immediately,” Ardon said.
Skye lifted a hand to ease over the wrinkles between his eyes. I’m okay.
“You’re never leaving our homes from now on,” Oldrik stated as he washed her legs and feet for the second time. “I’m concerned that kicking over the rockets coated you with the chemicals. Can you sense anything on your skin? Does it burn or tingle?”
I can feel your hands. Nothing hurts.
“Thank goodness, My Treasure,” Ardon said fervently.
I’m sorry I scared you.
“We learn more about that poison with each encounter. Unfortunately, with that added knowledge comes an increase in the severity of the threat.” Oldrik shook his head before asking, “How did they get on our land?”
“Keres’s intervention safeguarded our mate but kept us from investigating further,” Ardon pointed out.
I’m glad he took care of them, Skye thought furiously before yawning so widely her jaw popped. Suddenly exhausted, she leaned back against Ardon. Can I take a nap now?
“Yes, Blueberry. After such a shock, sleep is a good idea,” Oldrik agreed as he stood and turned off the water. He grabbed a towel and dried her skin gently before using another to wrap around her hair. He held her close as Ardon dried himself.
“Let me put you to bed, My Treasure,” Ardon requested as he gathered her in his arms.
“Yes, Daddy.” Skye lolled onto his chest as her powerful mate carried her out of the bathroom.
He settled her efficiently in her space in the middle of their bed, where she now slept every night. To Skye’s delight, Ardon slid in next to her and pulled her close.
Is Oldrik coming?
“Soon, mate. He went to ask Tierney to warn everyone to stay away from that section of land.”
Skye was almost asleep when Oldrik’s fiery body wrapped around her from behind. Daddy .
“Sleep, Skye. We’ll be here when you wake up.”