Chapter 11

Moving slowly to not jostle his mate, Argenis forged though the water along the beach. The small pile of clothes Ciel had left on the sand waited patiently for him. Their explorations and the sunshine had zapped Ciel's energy. His mate was almost asleep on his back.

Watching her reaction to the various sea creatures they'd encountered had pleased him to the core. It was impossible to miss her delight. Now, he would help her dress and they would stop to complete his reason for visiting the coast before winging it home.

The moment he approached her belongings, Argenis was on alert. Men and women came out from the tree line bordering the beach. They held weapons in their hands as they dared to approach.

His roar of warning made them back up. Ciel sat up on his back and froze at the sight of the crowd.

"Hey, you! We're going to take your dragon," one angry looking man called to Ciel.

Pretend you are the one in charge. Meet their bluff with bravado.

"Good luck with that. You know dragons will only attach themselves to virgins, right?" Ciel called. She knew Artemis could eliminate everyone with one massive burst of flame or simply launch into the air. She knew he was intrigued by their motivation.

The group looked at each other as if asking each other a silent question. She controlled her laugh when it seemed virgins were in short supply.

"Perhaps you could get him to do something for us?" one man requested.

"Trying to grab my dragon is a weird way of asking for a favor," Ciel pointed out. They might as well learn some manners.

One woman stepped out from the line into open space. "My apologies. I suggested that wasn't the wisest plan, but the men vetoed me. Thank you for not having your dragon roast us as a crunchy treat," she said, keeping her eyes on Ciel and Argenis but visibly rolling her eyes at her companions.

Ciel squashed the laughter that threatened. "What is the favor?"

"Our people are dying of thirst. We have the salty ocean water, but fresh water is far away. We need a trench to bring water closer. We will not survive digging it."

"Have you considered moving?" Ciel asked.

"It is too far. We will not survive the move either," the woman said, shaking her head.

Ciel looked at Argenis.

This group chose not to offer mates to the dragons in their area eons ago. Both the dragons and the people have suffered from their ignorance.

I'm sure they aren't even aware their ancestors had a choice.

Argenis nodded his agreement to that statement.

"He's going to help?" the woman said eagerly.

"No. He can help right a poor decision from the leaders of your past."

Can you call to one of the dragons in this area?

Argenis lifted his head and trumpeted a message into the sky.

Ciel watched everyone cower back except for the one woman who'd spoken. She stood bravely, waiting to see what happened. Ciel crossed her fingers, hoping for the best.

A massive red dragon appeared on the horizon. Its broad wings propelled it quickly through the sky. It circled over the beach as if curious before landing a distance from Argenis. In a familiar shimmering glow, it shifted into a very handsome silver-haired man.

"Why have you summoned me?"

Ciel watched the silent communication obviously taking place between the two dragon shifters. She was not privy to their conversation. Dragon business. She rolled her eyes.

The man looked toward the spokeswoman. "The assistance of dragons comes with a price."

"What kind of price?" the brave woman asked.

A young woman emerged from the greenery and walked forward as if drawn by an invisible thread. She walked past the woman standing on the sand.

"Chloe, no!" the spokeswoman said, trying to grab her arm.

"Mother. He calls to me." Chloe walked up to stand before the dragon shifter. His face had visibly softened, and he lifted one hand to cup her jaw. A wave of sexual tension and instant love burst from the two as he touched her, making Ciel's heart swell with happiness. There was no mistaking that this was his mate.

Grab your clothes, Little Sky.

Without questioning Argenis, Ciel followed his directions and scrambled onto his back.

"Wait! You are safe and happy?" the spokeswoman called to her, knowing that they would leave.

"Yes," Ciel called and held on as Argenis leapt into the sky.

She watched them over her shoulder for as long as she could. We could have stayed.

An agreement will not be easy. Rough times are ahead.

Ciel understood he was concerned for her safety. After a few seconds, she added, I could feel their connection.

As could I. His was the most intact mind I found. There are other dragons in the area who have not fared as well without the balance a mate provides.

Like the black dragon?

Without a mate in the near future, Keres will become a threat to himself and others.

I think he'll find his mate soon

I hope you are correct, Little one.

Where to now, my magnificent mate? Home?

There is one stop I need to make.

Knowing he'd chosen his words deliberately and wouldn't tell her more, Ciel chose to relax on Argenis's back rather than ask more questions. She shivered a bit in the cool air and wished she'd had time to change from her bikini. Instantly, the scales below her heated to warm her.

Perfect! She wadded up the clothes and tucked them under her body to keep them safe.

She watched as they approached a large city. The massive skyscrapers reached into the clouds. How are they surviving? The streets were clogged with nonfunctional busses, taxis, and cars. The smell was not pleasant even from above. Ciel pinched her nose.

People milled around on the street below. She couldn't tell if they were actually doing something or just wandering. Suddenly, Ciel was very thankful for being part of a small community that had rallied together.

To her relief, Argenis flew over the city without stopping. When the path below turned into an industrial area, he descended. The large parking area was mostly deserted, with all the junk vehicles pushed to the far side.

What could you want here?

Seconds after the question left her lips, Ciel saw a man walk out with a cloth wrapped around his mouth.

"Don't bring your Little here. There's an illness here. I think it's the water," the man called.

Instantly bristling at the thought that Argenis had shared her secret, Ciel bristled and glared at the beast in front of her.

Calm yourself, Little one. He addresses you like this because I'm here on business. Climb down, please.

Descending, she sent him a harrumph!

I am noting your unhappiness and disrespectfulness.

Wait? Am I in trouble?

Argenis didn't answer, but shifted to his human form. "Stay here, Ciel."

She crossed her fingers as he approached the man in front of them. Could dragons get sick?

Straining her ears, she tried to hear what they were discussing. She could tell from the man's posture that he was unwell. Her heart ached at the thought of everyone suffering from all the challenges and illnesses cropping up in the aftermath of the big change.

Argenis turned and scanned the parking lot. She suspected he was looking for any threat. His gaze met hers.

Scream or make noise.

She nodded.

Argenis walked forward and disappeared inside the building.

The breeze over her skin reminded her she still wore her bikini. Quickly, she put on her shorts and T-shirt. Ciel stuffed the bra and panties into her pocket. The swimsuit would replace them for a while.

Ciel watched the door, waiting for him to return. It was just a few minutes but felt like forever. When he appeared, Argenis carried a large package balanced on his shoulder. She knew that was the reason for their trip away from Wyvern.

Ater trying to figure out what could be in the brown cardboard box and giving up, Ciel noticed the other man had not reappeared. She hoped that wasn't a bad sign. When Argenis was about halfway to her, he exploded into flames.

"Argenis!"

She rushed forward several steps before noting that the fiery figure kept moving forward. Bad movies flashed into her brain, and she took several steps backward. Ciel prepared to turn and run. She froze in place as the fire died out.

Argenis emerged unscathed and nude. Mesmerized by his powerful body striding across the parking lot on full display, she tried not to look at his private parts while staring at the same time.

Oh, what big eyes you have, Little Sky!

Ciel could feel her face heating and knew that she was blushing. Forcing herself to raise her focus above his body, she noticed that burned wispy bits of paper floating to the ground. They appeared to be the destroyed packaging around the box on his shoulder. The part that remained was sooty, with bits gleaming in the sunlight.

"What is that?" she asked.

"Something for your birthday."

"My birthday? I don't even know what day it is."

When he set it on the pavement and continued forward, she asked, "Can I see it?"

"Not yet."

In a flash, he regained his dragon form. When he lowered his head, she knew she was supposed to climb up on his shoulders. The allure of the object before them made her try to dart around him to see what it was.

"Eek!"

Argenis caught the back of her shorts easily in this mouth and lifted her off the pavement. Bending his long neck, he placed her on his back . In position, Little one."

She felt him move forward and watched him grab that mysterious item with his claws. Feeling his muscles bunch, she scurried into position. In a flash, he was back in the clouds.