Chapter Fourteen
Fear flash across Cage’s eyes. He tried to hide it, but she didn't miss the abject terror her wants and words had caused in him.
He wasn't going to help her destroy the Black Dragon. He wasn't going to listen to what she wanted or even try to give it to her.
That hurt like a shard from a broken mirror slicing her open. They were mates, but they weren’t meant to be together. Not like this.
She understood. He was going to do what he thought was right, just like her father had, just like she had.
At least Cage and her father had acted out of love.
Maybe, for the first time ever, Azy was too.
Love for herself.
“You're not going to help me fight Kur-Jara, are you?” She wasn't sure why she asked, she knew. Perhaps, she was just giving him one more chance.
“Azy.”
She held up her hand, stopping him from saying anything more. “Don’t.”
She pushed away from him and marched off toward Fallyn's tent. Stupid dragon. Stupid mermaid.
Cage followed, so she stopped and pushed him away again. “Leave me be for a while. I need to think.”
He swore under his breath. “We have a few hours before the plane gets here. You have until then to figure out how stupid you’re being. Dragon warriors have been fighting the darkness for a millennia. We aren’t going to be able to defeat the black soul just because you want us to. It will mean the end of us.”
He turned and marched away. She didn’t try to stop him.
She watched him walk away from her.
A pulsating pain rippled through her chest and spread across her back and neck. She laughed at herself for thinking it was her heart breaking.
Nevermind. She wouldn’t think about that now. It had been her decision to voice what she wanted, and now she needed to accept the consequences for that.
She ignored the pain and went to find Ninsy and Fallyn. It might be too late, but she would apologize for trying to make the same kinds of decisions for Fallyn, taking away her choices, just because Azy thought it was right.
Ninsy met her outside the tent, and looked her up and down. Azy was being weighed and measured. She didn’t care.
“I see you found your inner strength, my lady.” Ninsy smiled at her.
Azy patted her self, trying to imagine what Ninsy was seeing. “That's a really weird thing to say.”
Ninsy shrugged. “Am I wrong?”
Azy thought about that for a second. Was that what had happened between her and Cage? “No, I think you're right.”
Ninsy looked out over the water of the spring. She squinted her eyes as if the sun's reflection of the water had her seeing mirages. She cupped her hand over her eyes and gave a small chin jerk. Then she grabbed Azy's arm and gave it a squeeze.
“Good, you're going to need it.”
Ninsy went back inside the tent, but before as he could follow three very tall men, who looked a lot like wet Vikings walked out of the water and straight toward her.
Shit, shit, shit.
She didn't recognize these men in particular, but knew exactly what they were.
Mermen.
What she didn't understand, was why they were here. She so did not need these guys in her life right now. Mermen were domineering, testosterone filled bags of misogyny and racism. The Mami Wata only interacted with them a few times a year. For mating.
Sex only, not true mating.
Not like what she thought she had with Cage.
But, what did she know?
Merman believed that magical races should not mix. Which had a lot to do with why they hated her.
Azy stood a little bit taller, trying her best not to show that they intimidated her at all. “Gentlemen.”
The tall one in the middle dipped his head in greeting. “Azynsa.”
Uh-oh. They knew her name. That wasn’t a good sign. She sure hoped they were here to make trouble with the dragons. They were as powerful warriors, but who didn't fight the same kinds of battles.
They were usually working to conquer new waters. Not all mermaids around the world bowed to their need to be in charge. The Mami Wata had been aligned with the mermen long before Azy came along. She didn't like it, but had been instructed to treat them with deference. It was the best way to keep them from bothering her.
“What can I do for you?”
The merman scoffed at her like her questions was idiotic. “We are here to take you back to your people. Your time with the dragons is through.”
She would have thought they would be glad she was out of the ocean. Regardless, she was not ready to bow to them and be dragged away. She had plans that would do more for the Mami Wata then these dickheads never done. “I'm sorry you have wasted your time.”
The leader of the pack glared her. “Your sisters are worried about you. Many fear you are dead. It is our duty to protect them and you.”
Cage’s voice came from behind her. “You should've thought of that when the demon dragons were attacking them and kidnapped her.”
Uh-oh. Azy smelled a pissing match coming on.
Cage in all his golden glory, came up and stood next to her, legs spread wide and arms crossed. The mermen might have been able to take him on, but Jakob and Ky joined in the fun and games.
“Hello there, douchebags of the sea. Caught any crabs lately?” Ky’s greeting was not exactly friendly.
Jakob simply growled at them.
“We appreciate your assistance in helping our women in their battle and in rebuilding their home. Your water dragons have been dismissed. We are here now.”
“Ta, bro. But, I think we will stick around.” Seems like Ky had had dealings with the mermen before.
There had to be more to the mermen showing up here and now, then wanting her back. She took a close look at the group standing in front of her and noticed they all had burns. They were mostly healed, but she knew what that looked like. They were the burns of fire whip. They had been battling demon dragons, and maybe even the black Dragon himself.
They were they were here, no, not for her, they were here to ask for the help of the dragons.
Ninsy had said she would need her inner strength. Azy felt it bubbling up inside. Or, maybe that was her complete and utter irritation with the males of every species she knew.
She raised her hands into the air, close your eyes and very kindly asked the water element to douse them all. It so nicely complied.
The water from the spring swirled up into the air and a handful smacked each of them in the face.
“You can all put your dicks away now. I don't have to do what any of you say, nor do I need anyone's protection from the other. Got that?”
The two mermen who were behind the leader exchanged glances and one of them might've even smiled a little. Interesting.
Cage put his arm around her and said, “Sorry, mate.”
Azy picked his fingers up and drop them into the air away from her, not acknowledging his claim on her.
“Now, shall we all try this again?” About half of them nodded, Azy would take it.
She had an opportunity here and would need all of her inner strength to grasp it, use it for all it was worth. Because, doing so meant leaving Cage and what he wanted for her behind.
“Now, why are you really here?”
The smiling Merman stepped forward. “Demon dragons are attacking all over our realm. Many women have been lost to them. Some of our leaders,” he glanced at the douche bag merman, “do not think we need help. They are wrong.”
“Good. That’s a good start. Now, let’s talk about an alliance between the mermen and the dragons. Because, together I think we can defeat Kur-Jara.”
Cage grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the rest of the group.
“Azynsa, you can not endanger yourself like this. I will not allow it.”
Words she dreaded she would hear from him. She wanted so much for the spark of love between them to be enough for him to trust in her. But, it wasn’t.
“My actions are not for you to allow or not. If you don’t want to be a part of the solution, then go back to your golden castle and protect your way of life. Not mine.”
“Azy. Don’t do this. Come with me. Let me keep you safe. We’ll find another way to defend against the Black Dragon.”
“No. I’m going with the mermen to fight.”
Cage sighed and bowed his head. “I’m sorry, my love. I truly am.”
Gold scales shimmered over his body and in a flash, he shifted into his dragon form and snatched Azy in his claws. He jumped into the air and flew straight up toward the sun and clouds.
She beat against his talons until they were too far up into the sky for her to survive a fall. The cold air took her breath away and made her shiver.
Yes, it was the cold air. Not the fact that Cage had truly broken her heart this time.