Pretty awesome, right?” Ry swept her hand toward the underwater cavern after they swam inside one entryway and surfaced. Every inch of the carved walls glittered with gemstones.

Ling gawked for a few minutes, unable to form a response. Those stones were mesmerizing. She extended her fingers to touch one, but Ry slapped her hand. “No touching. These belong to the Dragon King and he’s pretty possessive.”

“Dragon King?” Ling squeaked. My grandfather?

“Yep.” Ry tapped her lips. “He’s dying to meet you. They all are.”

A single torch in the center of the cavern was enough to illuminate it, because every stone reflected the flame and cast bright beams around the chamber, like a dancing rainbow.

Water dripped from her clothes onto the marble beneath her. She glanced at her drenched outfit and grimaced.

“Hey, I got you covered.” Ry jerked her chin toward a side hallway. “We’ll get you properly attired first.” She marched down the corridor, not even waiting for Ling to follow. Because, of course, she would.

Even if she figured out how to get past the electrified ward, there was nowhere to go. Just a dock in the middle of the ocean with a helicopter she had no ability to fly.

Deflated, she treaded down the hallway, following Ry into a room on the right. Blinding white greeted her and she squinted. The entire chamber was polished white stone, not a hint of color anywhere.

“My favorite room.” Ry headed straight for a wardrobe. “Now, let’s see. Ah, yes. You’ll look great in this.” She withdrew a blue gown and flourished it in front of Ling.

It was a floor-length, form-fitting cobalt blue cheongsam with a massive train and stunning white embroidery, including a dragon winding across the bodice.

“Ah.” Ling didn’t get a chance to protest, because Ry glided behind her and began wringing out Ling’s wet locks.

Ry’s touch was sensual, but also, oddly comforting. Offer of sex aside, Ry might be a friend, or an ally.

She appeared firm in her convictions. Dragon loyalty and all that.

“Thanks, but I’ve got it.” Ling snatched the gown and dashed behind the changing screen. After placing the gown’s hanger on the knob, she shrugged out of her clothes and wiggled into the dress, realizing too late she’d never reach the zipper at her back. Shy, she emerged from behind the divider, pivoted, and pointed to the zipper. “Do you mind?”

“Not at all,” Ry hummed, sliding the zipper upward. Either she’d changed her clothes into another full leather suit, or she’d dried the one she’d been wearing. Ry grabbed the brush from the side table and ran it through Ling’s tangled hair.

“So, tell me something about yourself?” Ling shifted awkwardly on her feet.

“My father is a General in the King’s army. I’m a Commander right now, but someday, I hope to follow in his path. It’s a great honor to serve the Qinglong, and my family has been warriors for centuries.”

Huh. Interesting. “How old are you?”

“Two hundred and sixty-one.” Ry chimed a laugh. “Does that blow your human mind?”

Ling peered over her shoulder. The woman didn’t look older than twenty-five. Most dragons she’d met passed for humans in their mid-twenties to mid-thirties. Youthful creatures that they were.

“No, I’ve met dragons before.”

“Fucanglong and Shenlong.” Ry scoffed. How did she know about Liem and Lok? “You should’ve been with your own kind.” She set down the brush. “There. All done. Now, it’s time to meet the rest of your real family.”

Steeling herself, she followed Ry from the room, down another long corridor, and into a massive hall. Waterfalls trickled down the stone walls into shallow pools. Meandering pathways cut through the still-as-glass water forming the floor. Dozens of beings milled about, or rested quietly, spread throughout the space.

Ling stepped onto the stone pathway and peeked over the side, gasping. The clear water revealed endless blue-green depths below, the sides lined with sparkling gold nuggets and gemstones. It was so entrancing, she could have admired it forever, except Ry tugged on her arm.

“Let’s go.”

Right. Ling blew out her breath and kept pace beside her escort. The ceiling above them consisted of jagged rocky spears, worrying enough to make her not glance upward for too long. Better not to contemplate the possibility of impalement from above.

At length, they wound toward the far end of the room, where a handful of dragons in their massively fearsome animal forms had gathered. The largest one in their midst had thick bands of dark blue striping his pale sapphire scales, a bushy mass of plumes gracing his lionesque head, and two five-foot-long silver whiskers on either side of his nostrils.

She drew in a sharp breath. No mistaking the regal tilt of his head or the commanding presence of his burly body.

The Donghai Longwang—the Dragon King. Ao Guang. My grandfather.

Do I bow? Probably?

Ry nudged her forward. Ling went with her instinct and dropped into an awkward curtsy.

The King’s luminescent cobalt scrutiny followed her movements, his forked tongue flicking out once. “Granddaughter.”

“Ah, yes, I’m your granddaughter. I’m Ling.” She pressed her lips together to stop from bleating any other obvious facts.

Ling froze as the gigantic dragon meandered his head toward her, long neck stretching with ease to wind around her, sniffing and assessing.

“You keep your dragon locked away. Why?” He puffed out a displeased snort.

“It was to keep me safe.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m not sure how to—”

“Ry, is this true?” he snapped at her escort.

“Yes, my King.” Ry dropped to one knee like a devoted soldier.

“Humph.” The King snuffed at her, retracted his head toward his long body, and nuzzled something between his claws. Weird.

She squinted, struggling to make out what he was so focused on. It was definitely shiny. Glittery. Sparkly. Mesmerizing. And powerful. She sensed its potency.

Sweet Emperor. It’s one of the stones. How in the hell had her grandfather come to possess it?

“She just needs a little help recovering her dragon,” Ry murmured with respect, interrupting Ling’s musings. “That’s all, my King.”

Ling gaped at her. Was Ry defending her? Why? Would she prove to be a new friend, new ally?

Or just another enemy?

* * *

We’re absolutely going with you.” Delun thumped his hand onto the table. “You can’t break into there alone.”

Cao whipped his head, then winced at the movement. Delun had used Dragon’s spirit animal dragon fire to melt the gold. Being freed had been as painful as being trapped. His body was still healing. “One man can sneak in better than three. Trust me on this.” If he’d mastered anything from those times with his brother, it was the art of break-and-enter. He wouldn’t risk anyone else for what should have never happened. Ling’s protection was his responsibility.

“She’s one of us now, mate.” Price crossed his arms. “We’re bound to help her.” His lips curved devilishly. “Besides, my wife can open a portal anywhere, remember?”

True. He hadn’t considered the fox spirit Queen’s abilities, but that would be easier. He glanced between the two Chosen males. Dragon and Horse were going to be stubborn about this, weren’t they.

“You do realize they would have come for her either way, yeah? It’s not your fault,” Delun patted Cao’s shoulder. “The world is changing for the dragons, and Ling couldn’t have hidden from them much longer.”

Cao bobbed his head, agreeing, but not convinced. He should have done more to anticipate this. A heads up from M might have been nice.

“If they haven’t turned her yet, there’s a chance we can steal her away without them noticing.” Price unfolded his arms and clamped a hand onto Cao’s other shoulder. “But mate, once she joins the Hive, there’ll be no hiding.”

Right. The Dragon Hive Mind was a neutral connection between dragons. A method of communicating through space and time. Once a part of the network, it was almost impossible to conceal one’s presence from the other dragons. Lok had managed it for a while, but disconnecting from his own kind had taken a toll. Dragons needed each other.

The idea of tearing Ling from her family gave him pause. This rescue might not even be what she chose.

Then again, the dragons weren’t leaving her any choice, either. They’d kidnapped her and were holding her captive, stripping her freedom.

What she deserved was a chance to discover her nature, her own way.

At least, this was the argument he hoped to present her if he could locate her.

“I have to try. You should be aware, if the Dragon King or any Qinglong sees me, I’m as good as dead.”

“Uh, why?” Price frowned at him.

“Really bad drunken choices,” he clenched his jaw, “that have now come back to bite me in the ass.”

* * *

Dismissed from the Dragon King’s presence, Ling trudged after Ry.

“Come and hang with us.” Ry pointed toward one of the adjacent chambers from the change room, where Ling had donned something more appropriate—jeans and a light sweater.

Not that she’d been hoping for a teary-eyed reunion with her grandfather, but a little affection would’ve been nice. She hadn’t even had the chance to inquire after her mother. However, this was also the same man who’d locked Princess Tasi, his daughter, in a prison for centuries, and thrown away the key.

Don’t cross him. Unless she planned to wind up as her mother’s cell mate. For the moment, she had a free hall pass. She couldn’t come and go as she pleased, but no one had told her to stay away from any forbidden chambers or anything. Ry didn’t even insist on her joining them, only offered.

Curiosity won out, though, and Ling would take any opportunity to finally meet her family. As a child, she’d longed for brothers and sisters. Learning she had hundreds of kin was even better. Sheep was totally thrilled—a flock thing. At the very least, she ought to learn a little more about her ancestry.

A roaring hearth dominated the center of a darkened cavern. Half a dozen dragons scattered about on the plush cushions sprawled across the stone floor. A buffet-style table displayed several large platters of…dragon food.

Way cool.

“Hungry?” Ry caught her gaze and winked. “You haven’t lived until you’ve tasted Qinglong cuisine.”

“Oh, give her some of the dumplings. Ting made them this morning and they are awesome.” A large male high-fived the woman beside him, who sent her an easy grin. Now that they weren’t kidnapping her, this den of dragons seemed almost…nice.

“Don’t forget to try the wine!” a cheery female hollered, toasting her glass.

“Yeah, yeah,” Ry waved them off. “Let’s see what she likes first.” She pointed to the dumplings, one brow cocked. “Despite what Bron says, these are not that good.”

“Yes, they are.” He stuffed one into his mouth.

Ry scrunched her nose. “Well, you can try one, but don’t worry about passing it to the turtles.” She plucked a steaming ivory dumpling off the platter and plopped it onto an empty plate, handing it to Ling.

“Ah, thanks. Turtles?” Sounded fun.

“Sure.” Ry flashed her a smile. “We keep them as pets, but they’re free to come and go.”

Hmm. Someday, I will be, too.

Schemes of escape slipped her mind and her mouth began to water at the sight of so much yummy food. Ry scooped various delicacies onto her plate, pointing them out to Ling as she did so, and Ling copied her, until there wasn’t any space left on her plate.

“Nice appetite,” one of the guys droned. “You’re going to need it for tonight.” He extended his arms, stretching them in the air, and then whispered with the woman drinking wine at his side.

“What happens tonight?” Ling murmured to Ry, but she waved off the question.

“Have some noodles, hon.”

Ling puffed out her breath and did as told, settling onto a cushion beside Ry. The other dragons cast her curious glances, but nothing threatening or unnerving. They appeared to welcome her.

It was surprisingly relaxing.

“You guys ever gonna…introduce yourselves…to the poor girl?” Ry chirped between bites of rice.

“Waiting for your command, oh, glorious leader,” the dumpling guy, Bron, intoned.

Ling curved her lips at their easy banter.

“Just do it.” Ry blew air between her lips.

“Name’s Bron.” He jerked his chin at Ling and reclined on a mountain of cushions. His long, solidly built body burst with ripped muscles. In fact, all of them were athletic specimens. Resembling each other, their hair was dark, some with blue or silver streaks. Their eyes were varying shades of blue to silver. The tallest female, Ting, had made the dumplings. To her right, the other female, Zyx, was shorter than Ry, but the same height as Ling. The four males were almost the same height and breadth. One, named Garin, hadn’t spoken a word the entire time. The male who’d commented on her appetite was Kaz. Bron seemed to be the chattiest. The last, Nagen, regarded Ting with an intense broodiness in his angular features.

They were clearly dragons, bestowed with beauty and youth, and powerful, lithe bodies. Their skin was kissed with a light tan like hers, and their ethnicities were as hard to pinpoint as hers was.

Because we’re not from this realm. Not human.

Well, at least half of her wasn’t.

It was like staring into a splintered mirror, viewing varying versions of herself. At once disconcerting and comforting.

Is this where I belong? The question haunted her while she ate, musing over the situation she’d found herself in. What about Cao? Her chest pinged. She missed him, but the sad truth was he couldn’t be here. He had a bad history with her kin.

He’s safer without me.

She hoped he grasped this and stayed far, far away.

As soon as he finished gorging on dumplings, Bron leaned over to Ting and planted a kiss on her lips, then deep-throated his tongue inside her mouth in a full-on make-out session.

Ling shifted, uncomfortable, at their display. She was about to ask where she should sleep, but Nagen sauntered to the kissing couple and knelt in front of them, joining in the fondling.

Okay…

A few seconds later, clothes were being ripped off their hard, gleaming bodies.

Ling tried to look away but ended up freezing in place. They didn’t appear to mind the audience while they got naked and rubbed their bodies against each other.

“Those three.” Ry scoffed, munching on an orange. She bit into the fruit, peel and all.

Which thankfully, distracted Ling. “You’re supposed to peel that.” Maybe dragons didn’t know.

“Why?” Ry grunted. “I like the whole thing.”

Ling inclined her head. Who was she to argue?

A rapid series of moans dragged her attention to the threesome. Well, that had escalated fast. Ting was on her back, legs spread, while Bron thrust into her, and Nagen pounded into him.

Sweet gods. A flush of blazing heat crashed through her and Ling tore aside her gaze. Well, that explained Nagen’s surly fixation on Ting. Jealousy.

The others didn’t react to this erotic exhibition, but Ling couldn’t help be both embarrassed and somewhat aroused, too.

A dragon orgy. Hadn’t Liem warned her about those?

Too late.

If she didn’t seek to join in—and she didn’t—she’d have to formulate an excuse, and fast.

“Relax, human.” Ry patted her on the shoulder. “Nobody’s going to force you into anything. Although,” her lips curved slyly, “the offer is definitely on the table.”