How did he know?

It is because we are connected, a voice says in my mind, loud and clear as a bell—and the voice is wholly masculine.

Oh my God.

17

SASHA

The dragon is in my head.

In. My. Head.

I stare at Dakh like he’s the enemy. Because he is. He’s been spying in my head for God knows how long, and he’s just now thinking to tell me? I feel hysterical with the anger and betrayal that’s sweeping through me. This is the worst kind of privacy invasion. Not only has he kidnapped me, he’s taken my body…and now he’s taking hold in my mind. Is nothing going to be mine anymore? Not even my thoughts?

You are upset. The male voice booms in my brain, even as Dakh cocks his head, a perplexed expression on his face. I wish I understood why.

Because it’s my head. You can’t take everything from me. I put a fist to my brow, frustrated. “Shit, now I’m talking in my head, too.” I give myself a little shake. “How long have you been in there? How is this even possible?”

When I gave you my fires, it connected us. My soul is now anchored to yours. You are my mate, and I am yours.

“You didn’t ask me if I wanted to be connected!” And then the rest of it hits me like a load of bricks. “Wait, mate?”

Yes. You are my mate. His eyes gleam with that gold-on-gold luster. My sweet female, you are my reason for living.

I can’t help but be a little flattered at that. “I’m trying not to be angry, Dakh, but I don’t understand so much. Is…is this why you stole me?” I shiver, thinking of that horrible day back in Fort Dallas. “Is this why you were attacking the fort? To get to me?”

I attacked the human hive to help my friend Kael and his human mate. You fell from the sky, and I plucked you from the air. The moment I touched you, I knew you were mine. The gold in his eyes seems to get even deeper. You would be the one to drive the ravens from my mind. You would be the one to make my thoughts clear once more. The one I can depend on to calm me when the madness hits. It’s all true. You soothe me.

“Madness? Ravens?” There’s so much I don’t grasp. I feel like I’ve been left behind in an important conversation. “You said Kael had a human mate. Kael is…he’s the other gold? Claudia’s gold?”

I do not know the human’s name, but she is the one with fire hair.

That’s her. That’s my friend. I press a hand to my lips, worried. “Is she…alive? Did they survive the attack on Fort Dallas?”

She is alive. Kael’s thoughts are yet clear. If she were dead, he would be lost to the madness once more.

I stagger against him with relief, not caring that there’s rain slanting down on both of us. “So she’s okay? Amy too?”

I do not know. Shall I ask Kael the next time I fly into range?

“Oh my God, that would be wonderful.” I gasp as I realize he’s known all this time that she’s fine and I’ve been worried sick, and I smack his arm. “I can’t believe you’ve let me worry for so long! That’s cruel!”

Rain drips into my eyes, and before I can wipe it away, he is there, brushing my forehead with his knuckles protectively. We have only been bonded since we mated and you received my fires. I could not understand you before.

Oh. “That was still two days ago,” I protest. “Why didn’t you speak up?”

His eyes flash dark. Because I heard your thoughts and they were displeasing. I wished to understand you more.

My thoughts were unpleasant to him? “Well, that’s what you get for snooping. If you don’t want to hear what I think, don’t listen in.”

I cannot help it. I am addicted to your thoughts. I need them. I need your connection to keep me sane.

“Sane?” That’s the second time he’s mentioned madness. “What do you mean?”

He touches my face again, as if he cannot help himself. His fingers are tender, and he’s so careful. Those of us that came through have gone mad. When I touch the minds of others, I feel nothing but chaos. Even my own mind has been lost for so long that I cannot remember much. The ravens have taken it all away.

“Ravens?”

They live in my thoughts. His eyes go even darker. They tell me to do terrible things. They want me destroyed.

I don’t like how black his eyes are getting. I’m also starting to receive flashes of weirdness from his thoughts, like his mental cup is spilling over. “It’s okay,” I whisper to him and put my hand on his chest. “I’m here.”

Immediately, the storm I’m sensing in his thoughts quiets. The gold returns to his pupils. My Sasha. You are the only light in this world.

Even though I’m angry and confused, I can feel the heartfelt emotion bleeding through, and I soften toward him. I can’t be upset. He’s trying really hard, and his devotion…okay, it’s really flattering. “Dakh, I’m glad I can help you, but couldn’t we have done the mental bond in another way? If you can talk to other dragons, why not reach out to humans?”

I can only bond with you because you have received my fires. And now that you have, you can receive my seed.

Eek. I’m blushing, and when a wicked smile crosses his face, I can tell that he’s picking that up from my thoughts. “You…you came inside me. Is pregnancy going to be a concern?”

His eyes turn so brightly gold that it’s like watching the sun flare. I would find no greater pleasure than to watch you grow round with my young.

“Yes, well, I don’t know that I’m in a hurry for that.” My cheeks are still red at the thought. “You can’t just take me away and not ask permission. You’ve snatched me away from everything I know.”

You would have died if I did not catch you.

“You’ve got a point. But you could have set me down inside the city.” And…then what? Starve a bit longer? Have to go back to Tate and “trade” for more food? I’m getting angry when in reality, he’s saved me and brought me to a place that’s a post-apocalyptic paradise. I’ve got food and clothes and I’m safe, even if I’m still trading myself for sex. “Never mind. I’m sorry. I’m just freaking out because this is all new to me.”

I can feel in your thoughts that you are upset. I did not wish to upset you. His knuckle rubs along my wet cheek. I wish for nothing but your happiness. Ask me for anything and I shall make it yours.