24. Chloe

TWENTY-FOUR

With nothing to distract her, Chloe was forced to think over the situation.

What is Adrian going to do?

Putting herself in his shoes, she considered the consequences carefully.

Marrying Gayle would ensure her safety, but she didn't want a relationship that could only be tended to behind closed doors. She wanted to live life to the fullest with Adrian … for them to travel, to love, and to be together through all of life's experiences.

Would he do it to keep her alive?

Maybe Gayle really would back off once she got what she wanted, but even then, how could Chloe possibly trust her after being drugged and kidnapped?

Besides, if Adrian loved her, then wouldn"t he fight for their love and not give in to Gayle's demands?

"The dragon shifter community," she muttered. "What if they all are like Gayle? I mean, would they truly accept a human as their queen?"

It would be pretty ridiculous, she admitted, thinking about it from their perspective. She'd seen how dragons viewed humans through Gayle's eyes.

She had an itch on her spine she couldn't reach, and it was driving her mad. She closed her eyes, frustrated at her utter powerlessness.

The door at the top of the basement swung open. She braced herself, knowing the decision could've been made. Jimi appeared, smoking a cigarette.

"What's happening?" she asked immediately upon seeing him.

"No word yet," he replied, much to Chloe's disappointment. "Cigarette?"

"Shove it," she hissed.

"Do you know what? I'm just about done treating you civilly. I can't wait to see the look on your face when Gayle marries Adrian. Then you'll get to see the throne pried from you like her family did."

"I don't care about the damn throne."

"Perhaps not, but I know you care if Adrian and Gayle decide to consummate their marriage," Jimi said, his snicker boiling to a full laugh.

"Shut up," yelled Chloe. "Just shut up. You don't know what the hell you're talking about."

But the look of rage in Jimi's eyes caused her tenacity to dissipate almost as quickly as she conjured it. He marched over and grabbed her by the back of her head, igniting a wave of pain in her body.

"Hold still, I'm marking you for your insolence," he growled.

"Let me go!"

He puffed on his cigarette to light its end, blowing smoke onto her face. She coughed as it invaded her throat and eyes, stinging them in agony. Jimi brought the cigarette's tip to her cheek.

"I'm going to enjoy this."

Then it came, the bloodcurdling roar that shook Chloe, Jimi, and the very room in which they stood. The cigarette dropped to the ground, but it was the last thing Chloe was concerned about now.

Her stomach twisted in fear. The roar came again, its sound tearing its way into her head. It was a nightmare coming to life.

"What the hell was that?" she yelled.

Jimi stumbled back and tripped over his own feet, tumbling to the ground. He yelped when his hand landed on the lit cigarette.

Chloe spotted the fear on his face, seemingly tenfold more than hers. His mouth hung open, quivering as he looked to the window.

She followed his line of sight.

Immediately, she wished she hadn't, for a large silhouette shape flew across the small pane in a split second. It was gargantuan. Her heart sank to her stomach, which was already twisted.

"No," stuttered Jimi, struggling to get back to his feet. "It can't possibly …"

"What?" asked Chloe. "Tell me what the hell is going on!"

The door at the top of the staircase swung open, with another man appearing in its frame.

"Jimi!"

"Nathan! What's happening? Is that him?"

"No time to talk. Get up here! Quick!"

Jimi scrambled up the stairs, tripping on every third step. He reached the topmost step, reaching for Nathan. Then, in the blink of an eye, the ceiling of the basement, along with the two men, was swept away.

It lasted a mere second, but it was all the time Chloe needed to see it was the silhouetted monster who was responsible. Light from above came glaring down at her.

Her unadjusted eyes lit up in agony, closing them and wishing this was all over. She wondered if this was all a dream and if she had actually died in the wreckage.

She was afraid to open her eyes again, but the roar forced her. When she did, she saw the ceiling was completely ripped away, as was the top half of the staircase.

How the hell am I still alive? Or in one piece?

All around her was the debris from the ceiling.

She expected to see the corpses of her captors, but they were gone.

The beast reappeared. She peered closer as the dragon hovered above, flapping its magnificent wings as it peered down at her.

The intensity of its gaze brought with it an epiphany.

"Adrian?"

But no answer came.

"Is that really you?"

That's when two more dragons materialized from out of the rubble, sending more debris flying in Chloe's direction. She screamed, dodging the rocks and material that almost pelted her.

Her stomach felt like it was being squeezed, causing her to nearly gag and almost vomit. She would have, but she needed to focus if she wanted to survive this. Whatever was happening could have killed her.

She still had no idea who was who, but she noticed a dragon flying closer to her, almost defending her. She had to assume it was Adrian.

Adrian was larger than his foes. That much was clear. Jimi and Nathan rallied together and roared.

But she now realized they looked small by comparison.

There was no question who would win this fight. The question was whether or not she would survive it.

When her lover roared again, the two enemies reeled back.

Gone now was all of her fear now that her man had come to rescue her. She knew deep in her heart that he wouldn't give up. She was grateful to herself for not relenting, even when at the breaking point.

It had to be him.

He had come for her in spite of her doubts.

If … No, when he survives this … I'm going to tell him how I feel.

All she could do was cheer for him. She wasn't sure if it had any impact.

Jimi and Nathan separated, each of them flying in a semi-circle toward Adrian's position.

They drew dangerously close as Adrian darted his gaze between them both. He dropped down at the last second, causing the two adversaries to collide.

Dazed, they wavered in the air, somehow still conscious.

Adrian shot up like an arrow from a bow, flying behind them. Using his rear talons, he grabbed them by their necks and took off, dragging them along as he turned to fly in a circle.

There was beauty and grace in his movement as he dragged them through the sky, spinning them in his talons.

She cringed when two snapping sounds rang through the air.

One of them went limp and dropped out of sight.

The remaining dragon was still alive but couldn't seem to move.

His body writhed. Chloe almost looked away, but her life was in the balance.

The large dragon picked the weakened remnant up, and she hoped she was right. She hoped Adrian was okay.

Inside her heart, she knew.

Adrian lifted the dragon, then breathed hellfire down upon him at point-blank range. His enemy's flesh and scales were incinerated in the blast, nearly ashen as it fell to the ground.

Had she been right? Was Adrian okay?

Her gut told her he had just won, and she shivered with elation.

The giant dragon contorted itself, its body rearranging and shrinking. It was both beautiful and disturbing.

From out of the transforming survivor, Adrian emerged. His nude form, victorious after a hard battle, with tattered skin and bloodied arms, reminded her of a Greek warrior rendered in statue form. He was pale marble, marching forward.

"Adrian!" she called.

He untied her and swept her body up into his arms. Their lips met in a passionate embrace.

She didn't want the kiss to end.

"Oh, Adrian, they were trying to …"

"I know," he whispered. "But there's nothing they could have done to make me do it."

"So," Chloe whimpered. "You're not going to marry Gayle?"

He smiled. "My life with you will be lived on our terms; no one else will get to decide that for us."

Remembering her promise to herself, she brought her hands to Adrian's cheeks.

"I never thought I'd get to tell you this … But Adrian, I love you. I love you more than anything or anyone."

"I love you too, Chloe."

She cherished the way her name slid off his tongue. A tear fell down her face as she stared into his eyes.

"I need you to do something for me," she said.

"Anything."

"Mark me," she said. "Claim me as yours. I don't want to spend my life with anyone but you."

"But Chloe, shouldn't we wait until …"

She threw a finger to his lips.

"I promise you we can consummate later. Right now, I just need you to claim me before anything else happens."

She took a step back and spun around, partially lowering her bloodied jeans. Her hip was exposed to him.

"Very well," Adrian said. "Brace yourself. This is going to hurt."

"I'm ready."

She took a deep breath as he first caressed her hip.

A sudden burst of pain ignited across her skin. It felt as though someone had taken a knife to it, running it under her skin.

The pain was immense.

She stifled her cries, and the pain subsided.

It was finally over.

Adrian wrapped his arms around her, stroking her head as he planted a kiss on her.

"It's over now," Adrian confirmed through a whisper.

She swallowed the lump in her throat.

"I never want to be apart from you ever again."

"You never will be. I promise."