Chapter 30

THIRTY

H is name on her lips ignited something primal in his soul. Power exploded from him in a wave of blue fire that incinerated the creatures holding him back. His tail shot out, wrapping around her waist as she plummeted into darkness.

He yanked her to safety, curling her against his scaled side where she clung, trembling. His wings formed a protective cage around her as he faced the remaining creatures.

“The avalanche,” she gasped against him. “It’s our only chance.”

Her brilliant mind still worked even in terror. Pride and affection surged through him as he coiled for action. In one explosive movement, he launched them skyward. His tail slammed into the ridge with devastating force.

The world turned to chaos.

The avalanche roared down like nature’s fury unleashed. Snow and rock thundered past as he sheltered Quinn with his body. The creatures’ otherworldly shrieks were cut off one by one as tons of ice buried them.

When silence finally fell, Kai landed unsteadily. Blood streamed from multiple wounds where their claws had pierced his scales. The transformation back to human form sent fresh waves of pain through him.

“You’re hurt.” Quinn caught him as he stumbled, her own terror forgotten. “Why didn’t you say something, you stubborn lizard? Here, sit down before you fall down.”

“Had to keep you safe first.” His voice emerged rough with pain and a lingering dragon growl.

“I didn’t ask you to get hurt for me.” She slung off the pack still on her back and dug through it for medical supplies, hands shaking slightly. Her scientific detachment cracked as she cleaned his wounds, revealing genuine concern beneath.

“No.” He caught her hand as she worked on a particularly deep gash. “You never have to ask. Protecting you isn’t a choice—it’s as natural as breathing.”

The raw honesty in his voice made her pause. She looked up to find his eyes had shifted to molten gold, fixed on her face with an intensity that stole her breath.

“I could have handled it,” she muttered, but her usual defiance lacked conviction.

“Could you?” His other hand cupped her cheek, thumb brushing over the small cuts left by the ice shards. “Because watching you fall...” His voice roughened. “Quinn, I?—”

Kai’s attempt at leaning toward her made him wince in pain. “Perhaps we could focus on getting back to the palace before more creatures appear?”

Quinn sobered at that. As they gathered their equipment, Kai caught Quinn stealing glances at him, worry evident in her eyes despite her attempts to hide it.

“I’m fine,” he assured her softly.

“You’re bleeding from multiple magical ice-monster wounds.” She hefted her pack with more force than necessary. “That’s pretty much the opposite of fine.”

“Worth it to keep you safe.”

She paused, something vulnerable flickering across her face. “Don’t... don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Say things that make it hard to keep my distance.” She wouldn’t meet his eyes. “I can’t afford to care about you.”

“Too late.” He touched her chin, guiding her gaze to his. “You already do.”

Before she could argue, movement caught his attention. Through the ice wall beside them, a shadow shifted—disappearing too quickly to track, but undeniably there. Someone watched them. Someone with enough power to create and control those creatures.

Someone who now knew exactly how much Quinn meant to him.

His dragon snarled at the thought of her being targeted. But as she walked ahead of him, he realized a harder truth: His enemies would use her to get to him. And he’d already proven he’d risk everything to keep her safe.

The real question was how could he protect both her and his kingdom while letting her maintain the independence that made her who she was.

“Stop brooding,” Quinn called back to him. “I can hear you thinking dramatic thoughts from here.”

“I do not brood.”

“Please.” She rolled her eyes. “You’re the living embodiment of tall, dark, and brooding. Well, tall, pale, and brooding in your case.”

“I prefer ‘thoughtfully concerned.’“

“You would.” But her smile softened the words. “Come on, drama dragon. Let’s get you patched up properly before you bleed all over my scientific equipment.”

His dragon preened at her concern, even wrapped in snark as it was. But as they made their way back to the palace, his senses remained on high alert.

Someone had declared war today. Not just on him and his kingdom, but on the woman who’d somehow become more precious to him than his own life.

They’d learn exactly why challenging a Dragon King was considered suicide.

Right after he convinced his stubborn mate to accept proper protection.

He had a feeling the ice creatures would be the easier challenge.