Holly
Holly didn’t notice she’d forgotten to keep breathing until the burning sensation in her chest had almost overwhelmed her.
She felt like she was trapped in a dream – no, in a nightmare.
But a nightmare she knew she had no chance of waking up from anytime soon.
No, no. Don’t think like that, she told herself. Stefan could beat Erik. She knew it in her soul. He’d protect her. She had no doubt whatsoever about that. Taking a deep breath, she tried to pour all her love and trust and belief in Stefan into the link between them.
He would need it.
She had thought that Stefan was a large dragon, but Erik was absolutely hulking. He was both larger and more heavily muscled, but if she had assumed that this might make him a slower target, she quickly realized she was mistaken. Despite his size, Erik Lukich moved with the swift grace of a cat.
And Stefan has already had to fight one dragon today…
Holly bit her lip, fear boiling in her belly.
But she knew that if she doubted, or if she allowed herself to feel that everything was lost, Stefan might feel it through their mated bond. She couldn’t let him think she had lost faith in him.
So instead, she drew herself up, ignoring the tight grip of Erik’s man around her upper arms.
I believe in you, Stefan. I know you can do it. I know you can beat him!
As if he had heard her, Stefan let out a mighty roar. Holly gasped, feeling the ground beneath her shake with the power and fury of it. Then he launched himself forward, steel muscles coiled beneath his red scales, his wings spread wide.
The sound of impact as Stefan threw himself bodily into Erik’s larger form made Holly catch her breath. She could scarcely believe what she was seeing was real: two massive dragons – real, winged, fire-breathing dragons – circling each other, snapping their jaws, and charging without warning.
She didn’t know anything about how dragons fought, but it seemed to her that Stefan and Erik were sizing each other up, looking for weaknesses, testing each other’s strength and resolve.
Stefan’s resolve was clear. Despite Erik’s larger size, he never backed down from his charges, snapping and clawing and fighting him off, forcing Erik back. Holly could see scratches, dripping with blood, on both their bodies.
Erik growled, the sound seeming to rattle the stones on the ground. It was the only warning Stefan had before Erik launched himself forward again, claws flashing in the moonlight. Stefan was only just fast enough to avoid the charge, sweeping his wings up and propelling himself away, his jaws snapping at Erik’s neck.
Both of them found their mark: Erik’s claws slashed at Stefan’s side, dislodging scales and opening wounds. Stefan’s mouth closed on Erik’s neck, his teeth tearing at the soft skin on its underside, blood dripping.
Rearing back, Erik roared in pain, twisting in Stefan’s grip. His eyes blazed, and Holly saw the glow of dragonfire surging at his mouth.
“Stefan!”
Stefan released his grip and leapt back just in time – a moment later and he would have been scorched by the white-hot flame that erupted from Erik’s mouth. It poured from him like a wave, turning the stone of the driveway black beneath it. Stefan opened his wings, turning in mid-air to return the blast with one of his own, catching the side of Erik’s body in his flames.
Snarling, Erik writhed away, body sinuous, wings flapping.
Evidently, Stefan catching him in his fire had angered him, because there was nothing cautious or testing about his next charge. It was a full-on attack, furious and wild.
Their bodies crashed against each other, twisting and turning in the air, jaws snapping, claws raking over each other’s bodies. Short puffs of fire spewed from their mouths, singeing and blackening their scales.
Holly bit down on her lip so hard she tasted blood. She felt utterly helpless – what could she possibly do to help Stefan in this? There seemed to be nothing. Even if she wouldn’t have been killed with one snap of Erik’s jaws, she couldn’t shake herself free of his henchman’s grip. Dragons were strong even in their human forms, and his fingers dug into her upper arms like twin vises.
You can believe in him.
The voice suddenly flashed into her head, and after a moment Holly realized it was Darklis, speaking to her with her dragon’s psychic abilities.
Dragons draw strength from their clans and families. Send him your strength! He’ll feel it. He’ll know. And it’ll help him. I can’t – we’re still shielded from each other. But you – you can do it.
Quickly, she glanced over at Darklis, and found her looking at her steadily, her eyes fearful, but also full of hope.
You can do it, she repeated, nodding slightly, encouraging her.
Holly nodded back. I’ll try. I promise I’ll try.
Gathering up all her strength, Holly gritted her teeth, sending her love for him through their bond.
She had no idea how it would work – or whether it even would. There was still so much she didn’t understand about dragons.
Stefan, know I believe in you. Know I love you. Know that I’m your mate, no matter what. You’re the only one I want. The only thing I need. And I know you can do this. I know it!