Chapter 15

Chapter Fifteen

A s Nathan headed in the opposite direction of Hayley, he still couldn't believe they'd stumbled across Stonefire's historical treasure trove.

Every clan member learned about the artifacts as a child; Nathan had even seen a few pieces of dragon armor while still in school. But in the previous decade, before Bram had become clan leader, some of the jewelry had gone missing and never been found. Not wanting to risk losing any more history, Bram had stashed everything away in secret and it hadn't been seen since.

Well, until now.

And he couldn't just enjoy looking around, either, and had to be on alert in case of any booby traps. Maybe all the thieves and traitors had been caught that way. Or maybe Bram had just felt it was safe enough here. Regardless, he'd have a word with his clan leader about better security.

His dragon spoke up. There are more important things to discuss than security measures. Such as Hayley.

Nathan glanced over and watched the human female for a few beats, as she looked around in wonder. He couldn't help but smile. Dragon hoard, indeed.

His dragon sniffed. You fancy her. Stop denying it and life will be a lot easier.

Leave it alone for now, dragon. We first need to find a way out of this place before we can do anything.

So you do want her.

It's getting harder and harder to resist her, for so many reasons. But the ultimate decision must be hers.

Fine. I'm not the most patient dragon, but I'll try.

As his beast settled down for a nap, Nathan explored the various rows and studied the objects on display—old painted pottery, intricate gold jewelry, a dragon carved from a large piece of amethyst, and even an old wooden throne, carved and decorated with various precious stones.

Combined with the old gold and silver currency of dragon-shifters centuries past, all one had to do was pile it all up and it'd resemble one of those paintings of a dragon sitting atop a mountain of treasure.

He eventually approached a section full of weapons. Various ones were displayed on a wall, from swords to bows to shields. On the far side, there were some old-fashioned tools and equipment. The masonry and woodworking tools wouldn't help them. However, he soon came to an area of what looked like tools and gadgets used to break into fortresses or castles.

The rope ladders wouldn't help since he couldn't reach the holes leading to the surface. However, he spotted a metal object with four pointed prongs spread out—a grappling hook.

Since it needed to be attached to a rope and thrown, it would take more than his own strength to get it through the holes in the ceiling. But if he could find a way to launch and secure it through the openings, he could climb up a rope with Hayley on his back. Or, if that didn't work out, he could climb up and then get help.

He'd rather do the former and not leave her alone, but he'd have to talk with Hayley about it later.

Since the metal prongs were in good condition, not rusted, and had obviously been treated in the not too distant past, he thought it would hold. If not, surely he could find something in the supplies to craft his own. Maybe a weapons cache existed down the last unexplored tunnel, back on the lake's shore.

He picked up the hook and searched the room. Hayley was staring at a dragon's suit of armor, studying it.

His beast said sleepily, We should try it on and show her.

Why?

She's obviously interested in it, and it would make her happy.

Maybe later. Getting out is our top priority.

His beast yawned. You found something to help, or at least an idea to work with. We all deserve to relax a little. So collect Hayley, get back to the main area, woo her, and then strip her naked. We can kiss everywhere but her mouth.

He should dissuade his dragon and tell him to be patient. However, the thought of Hayley naked as he lapped and licked her pussy made his mouth water and cock twitch.

He was tired of fighting his attraction to the human. Maybe it would go nowhere, but he wanted her and was done pretending he didn't. Even if it ended up breaking his heart again, he couldn't stand the thought of another male on Stonefire mating her instead.

His dragon spoke up. Yes, yes. Hurry! Forget dinner. I just want to feast on her.

Soon, dragon. Behave until we finish our tasks on this side of the lake.

His beast huffed but fell silent.

Nathan weaved through the rows and objects until he was nearly to Hayley. After holding up the grappling hook, he said, "I have an idea."

She frowned. "A grappling hook?"

"Yes. If I can reach those openings, back along the lake, I can climb up and we can finally get out of here."

"Er, you might be a dragon-shifter, but I don't think even you can throw that far."

"No. Computers may be my strength, but I've always been interested in how things work. I might be able to make a launching device from the supplies we have."

She stepped forward and placed a hand on his forearm. "So we might see the sky again soon?"

At the hope shining in her eyes, his resolve strengthened. "I'm going to try my bloody best to make that happen. But before we head back across the lake, let's quickly go down the other tunnel. The more supplies I have at hand to work with, the quicker we can escape."

She took his hand, tugged, and charged toward the exit. "Well, come on, then. We have another tunnel to explore, and who knows what other dragon treasures we'll find. Maybe there's a giant golden statue just waiting to be discovered." She grinned at him. "And maybe it'll be sitting atop a pile of gold, too."

She winked, and he laughed. "So one hoard wasn't enough for you? You're greedy?"

"Well, it's not every day you get to find hidden treasure. So, yes, I'm greedy for more. It's like a movie has come to life, or something."

"Does that make me the sidekick, then?"

"No, you're the dashing male lead, of course." She waggled a finger at him. "But don't get too cocky and let it go to your head."

"Ah, but I'm not the only lead. You're the clever female who wins everyone over by the end."

Even me , which he didn't say.

"Perhaps. But come on. Enough dilly dallying. We have treasure to find!"

Smiling, he followed her. His female could be rather determined when she wanted to be. And he admired her for it.

His beast said, She'll be a good mate. A good mother.

Nathan agreed, but quickly pushed thoughts of Hayley round with his child from his mind. She still hadn't agreed to a frenzy, and he didn't want to get his hopes up. Oh, he was going to try winning her, and try hard. But it would ultimately be her choice of if, when, and where.