Chapter 16

Forcing himself to stop and listen, Argenis detected the sound of one man's breath. He zeroed in on the sound to find his location. He'd apologize to Ciel later.

Whack!

The flat sandal smacked the man's torso as planned. When the guard stashed at the entrance swung his shovel downward to bash anyone who tried to follow inside, Argenis dodged the blow easily and ripped the man through the entrance. Luckily for the bad guy, he struck his head on the jutting rock as was out completely.

Argenis tossed him to the side as Khadar, and the other men reached the entrance. "Stay out here and deal will the trash I toss out to you. Don't let anyone get away."

"On it, sir. You can count on us," his supervisor promised.

"Thank you, Albert."

Listening again, he heard nothing. This time, he slipped through the opening. His bulk challenged the narrow opening. Argenis tore chunks of rock away to make room.

The entrance was the only source of light. Argenis paused to let his eyes adjust to the darkness. The darkness would be a challenge for his foes as well. With luck, they didn't know the talent of a silver dragon.

When the passageway branched off in two directions, Argenis eliminated one by smell alone. The stench of fear was coming from the right side. He continued that way.

A narrowing made him hesitate. Argenis wrapped his hand around the wall and discovered the bottleneck led into a wider section. It would be the perfect spot to jump someone. If they weren't a dragon…

Using his senses, Argenis pinpointed two people in the room. From the sound of their racing hearts, he knew they were on the edge of panicking. He blew a long stream of warm air into the room, heating it. Now he could smell them sweating. Their hands would be slippery on their weapons now. Laying his hands on the rocks, Argenis pumped heat into the stone.

The men yelped and dashed to the center of the room to get away from the burning rocks. Sliding through the now unguarded opening, Argenis quickly knocked the men out. He took a few seconds to tie them together with their belts before moving on.

A glow of light appeared before him. This must be the final area. He searched for a trace of Ciel and could feel a tendril of fear. They had her enclosed in something. His anger threatened to overrule his strategic plan. Quickly, he controlled his emotions. She was safe.

Once again, he forced himself to stop and listen instead of rush immediately to her side.. Five men filled the area before him, scattered throughout the room.

"This doesn't end well," he called. There was no need to try to sneak up on them. They already knew he was there.

"We'll make a trade. A million in silver coins for your mate," one man answered.

"She is definitely worth that and more. Dragons are selfish creatures. They don't part with treasures."

"You will this time."

The incredible bravado of that response almost made him laugh as his plan to deal with these kidnappers took a fatal turn. There was no way these men would survive today. "You are already dead. You just don't realize it yet."

Restless shifts of bodies answered him. Argenis didn't wait long. He didn't want them to regain their confidence. Wedging himself as far back as he could, Argenis shifted. Completely venerable in his position squished into the passageway, he concentrated. His scales gathered light from the room in front of him and magnified thousands of times over.

As the intensity grew, it filled all the spaces inside. Khadar would realize what was happening and get his men away from the opening, so they weren't affected. Whatever they had restrained Ciel inside would protect her. If it could stop her thoughts from reaching him, it would stop enough of his light.

One by one, Argenis heard their hearts stop beating. When the last one ceased, he forced the glow to recede. Shifting back into his human shape, he raced through the opening and spotted the box where they'd secured Ciel. He dropped to his knees, quickly dealt with the locks, and threw the lid open.

Ciel huddled cramped inside the small space. With her arms stretched over her eyes, she'd obviously realized what was happening and shielded herself. Her heart rate and breathing were very slow. The tight seal of the locker had restricted the airflow as well. Obviously brought in through the tight passages in pieces and assembled there, the locker contained miniscule gaps in its construction that had allowed him to sense Ciel through the reinforced sides, but over time, she'd consumed the oxygen inside. Especially with panicked breathing.

Argenis knew he had barely gotten to her in time. Biting off a curse, he smoothed a hand over her hair. "Breathe, Little Sky. Daddy's here. You're safe now."

She moved slightly, trying to get closer to him.

"That's it, Ciel. You're safe. Take a deep breath."

"Daddy?" she mumbled.

"I am here. You're okay now. Just breathe." He gathered her into his arms, lifting her out of the confining box to hold her close.

When his hands felt the lump under her shirt, he quickly pulled reached a hand into investigate. "What in the…"

"It's Silly. He was going to pop out and hurt them if they did anything to me."

"I'm sure he would have taken on the whole group. Thank you, Silly for having my mate's back." Argenis pressed Silly into her arms before drawing her close once again. He kissed her temple as he rocked her slowly. Celebrating each movement she made, he gave her the time she needed to recover. When her hand clamped onto his shirt as if she'd never let him go, Argenis knew she'd be okay.

"I've got you, Ciel."

"Could we get out of here?" she asked.

"Are you hurt?" He ran his hands over her arms and legs, mentally cursing the invaders at each of her gasps.

"I can walk. They didn't break anything."

Argenis saw red for a flash and forced himself to control his anger as she deliberately didn't answer his question. He vowed that no one would ever endanger her again. When he was back under control, he spoke to her.

"Yes. I want you to follow Daddy's instructions closely. It may be dark in some places," he warned. "Stay close to me and we'll be outside soon."

"Yes, Daddy," she agreed, nodding enthusiastically.

He could tell she just wanted to be out of the tunnel. Drawing her face forward, Argenis kissed her lightly. "I'm very proud of you, Ciel."

"I knew you'd come. Who takes on a dragon?" she said.

Argenis was glad to hear some of the spunk coming back to her normal attitude. "Who indeed? Let's go. Close your eyes."

When she compiled, he stood with her in his arms. Carrying her away from the bodies scattered on the hard stones, he reached the doorway. They would have to go through that one by one. In each section, he lit the torches and extinguished them as they left, except for the one area where he'd bound his two attackers together. His light had finished them. Argenis guided her through that murky area without the torches to prevent her from seeing the men.

When they reached the final doorway, Argenis sent a blast to Khadar. We're coming out. He could hear the emerald dragon warning the men who guarded the entrance.

A cheer went up as first Argenis and then Ciel emerged. In the sunlight, he checked her over, finding only scrapes and bruises she'd alerted him to, but no severe injuries. When he was sure she wasn't hiding any injuries from him, Argenis turned to the men who'd backed him up.

"My thanks for ensuring my mate is safe. Know that your place here on my land is secure for generations."

He would thank them with security for their loved ones. Just as they had loaned their strength to protect his mate.

Holding Ciel close to his side, Argenis shook hands with each one and learned their names. He would not forget their help that day.

"If you will forgive me, I will tend to my mate."

Everyone nodded and moved to make a path back to the mansion as Argenis swept her up into his arms. He paused to look at Khadar and sent him a message.

Would you secure that opening after bringing the bodies out?

Khadar nodded. What would you like done with the bodies?

Burn them. I owe you one, Khadar.

I will count on your assistance when my mate is in danger.

You will have it.

Giving that promise, Argenis turned and strode toward the mansion. He pressed a kiss to Ciel's forehead, concerned by her paleness. "You're safe now."

"I knew I was safe when you arrived. I've been trying to keep score. It's like Dragon at four thousand, seven hundred and twelve to bad guys at zero. You'd think they'd learn a lesson," she said in a light tone.

"You would think. Unfortunately, bad guys in critical situations make even worse decisions."

"Is she okay?" the housekeeper asked, opening the door for Argenis to carry her inside.

"I'm fine," Ciel rushed to assure her. "Argenis just likes carrying me around."

"Abby, would you mind making us a tray for dinner? Something light."

"Of course, sir."

"Thank you, Abby," Ciel called over her mate's shoulder as he carried her away.

"You're welcome, ma'am."

"I think a warm bath is in order," Argenis suggested, carrying her through their bedroom and into the large, attached bathroom. He set her on the vanity. "Are you okay here for a minute?"

"I'm fine, Argenis. You don't need to fuss over me."

"Get used to it, mate." He hoped his gentle tone completely erased the bluntness of his words. Having her at risk had taken a few hundred years off his life.

"I'm fine, Argenis. Go start the bath for us."

He kissed her lips softly and stepped away to turn on the tap. Thank goodness the old ways of pumping water had not been completely destroyed. He tossed a handful of healing salts into the water, knowing they would sting her wounds at first, but soothe them while she soaked.

As the water rose, he returned to her side. "Silly will need to stay here. We'll give him a bath later."

She nodded and set the stuffie on the vanity.

"Stand up for me, Little Sky. Let's get these dirty clothes off."

"Can we wash my hair, too? I'm sure there were spiders in there."

"Of course."

Argenis tried not to growl at every scrape and scratch on her body. The hint of bruising would blossom into colors tomorrow. There was no doubt that the men had not cared about his precious mate at all. He wished he could slaughter them all again and make it so much more painful.

"Stop it, Daddy. Whatever you're thinking, push it out of your mind," she ordered, smoothing a finger over his wrinkled brow. "We're home together. It's okay."

"I will try, Little Sky. I don't like seeing you hurt."

He knelt in front of Ciel to remove the one sandal still strapped to her foot and the clothing bunched around her feet. When he had her stripped, Argenis discarded his garments quickly. He enjoyed seeing the spark of interest in her eyes. They had mistreated his mate, but she was strong and already recovering.

Leading her to the bathtub, he held her steady with one hand as he leaned over the water to heat it. Several short breaths of heat made the aroma of the bath salts perfume in the air. After testing it with a swipe of his hand, he lifted Ciel and sat her in the water.

"It hurts," she cried and tried to scramble to get out.

"The sting is gone now, Ciel."

She froze as she took stock of her level of pain before sending a pointed look his way. "It is better now. But it hurt. You didn't warn me."

"Would that have made it better?"

"No," she admitted, leaning back against the side of the tub to wave her hands through the fragrant liquid.

"It could use some more water," she pointed out.

"Not once a dragon gets inside."

"You're coming in, too?" she squeaked as he stepped into the tub.

"Make way… Dragon."

He settled behind her and pulled Ciel back to rest against his chest. He felt her soften against him and he pressed a kiss to her head. "Just relax. I've got you."

He slowly smoothed water over her body, washing away the smudges of grime and cleaning the scrapes and scratches. Holding on to his self-control as he discovered sore spots on her skin, Argenis treated her injuries.

A large crashing sound made the surface of the water quiver. Ciel sat straight up. "What's that?"

"Khadar just sealed the entrance for us."

"What he do? Take down half the mountain?" she asked with awe.

"I have a feeling he just gave the mountain a tap with his tail. That's what I would have done."

"That was a tap?"

He kissed her shoulder and resumed bathing her.

"That feels so good," she whispered.

"I'm glad, Little one. Let's slide you down to dip your head in the water. I didn't know when I met you, I'd become a world famous spider hunter."

"Spiders are awful," she whispered as he helped her wet her hair.

When she sat back in front of him, Argenis poured shampoo on his hands and lathered her long hair. Scratching her scalp lightly, he assured her, "No spiders, Little Sky."

"They all ran away. Because, you know, Dragon," she teased.

"As they should. Dragons are fiercely protective of those they love."

"Thank you for saving me, Daddy."

"Every time, Ciel. If you call, I'm there. Of course, I may never leave your side again," he warned.

"I'll be okay with that for a while."

"Deal."