Drago weaved in and out between the maze of steps, cutting through tall, narrow doorways, following the paper bird as it sped through the deep cavern. Sweeping over a large boulder, Drago tucked his wings and rolled as they passed through another doorway. His stomach rubbed against the stone pillar, but he refused to let it deflect him from his mission.

Nearly twenty minutes later, the bird passed through a large opening. Against the far wall, Drago could see the glowing light lying near Carly. Spinning upward, Drago swept past the bird that headed for Carly. He shifted, landing on the platform above her.

He took the steps down two at a time. The paper bird chirped at him as it hopped onto Carly’s shoulder. Drago knelt next to Carly. He picked up her hand. Her slender fingers were almost blue. Leaning forward, he tenderly rolled her enough so that he could slide his arm under her and lift her up.

Her head rolled and her cold nose touched his neck under his chin. He couldn’t feel her breathing. The tightness in his stomach grew along with the unfamiliar sensation of panic. He lifted her frozen fingers to his mouth and blew on them.

“Drago…,” Carly moaned in a barely audible voice.

“Ah, my little thief, what did you think you were doing?” Drago gently chided.

“I left you a note,” she said in a voice that slurred. “You… need… an….”

“What do I need, little thief?” Drago asked, holding her closer to his warm body.

His breath caught when she didn’t answer. The paper bird landed on Carly’s knee and chirped at him. He drew in a deep breath and nodded.

“Yes, I need to get her warm,” Drago agreed.

His body shimmered. One second Drago was holding Carly; the next, a dragon was. They were one and the same, both determined to protect the fragile creature who was quickly capturing their hearts with her fierce personality.

Drago grunted to the paper bird. It took off first, its tiny, delicate wings fluttering madly to lead the way back to the upper levels. Unwilling to chance dropping or harming Carly, Drago murmured the spell, causing the ground to open up as he flew upward until Carly, the paper bird and he burst through to the courtyard and out into the fading sunlight.

He rose even higher until he reached the balcony of his living quarters. Shifting even as he landed, he tightly cradled Carly’s unconscious form against his body. He decided the best way to warm her was in the large bathing pool in the bathing chamber. The doors opened at his command and he walked through to the bedroom.

Gently laying Carly down, he methodically removed her boots before removing her jacket and the tunic he had given her this morning. His fingers paused for a moment on the waist of her pants before he muttered a curse under his breath and removed those, along with her pink panties. Once she was undressed, Drago removed his own clothing. Worried that her breathing was too shallow, he shot a glance at the fireplace. His fist clenched for a moment before opening. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the fireball in his hand at the fireplace. Flames flared in a brilliant display of colors, igniting the enchanted wood.

The room would quickly warm with the fire. Returning his attention to Carly, he gently picked her up and cradled her in his arms once again. Her body was icy and her skin a pale, unnatural shade of blue.

“I will not lose you, Carly,” Drago said in a quiet voice. “I cannot lose you.”

Drago crossed the room and into the bathing chamber. He stepped over the side of the deep bath and down the steps. The sensors imbedded in the pool flashed and jets of warm water began to fill the large tub. Drago used the controls on the side to adjust the water until he was satisfied with the heat level.

He sank down onto one of the built in seats and held Carly close to his body. A soft whimper escaped her when the water swirled around her feet and moved up her legs. Drago held her when she jerked and tried to escape the warm water. Her fingers moved against his skin, as if she were trying to clutch at him but couldn’t quite get her fingers to work properly. It wasn’t until the water swirled around their waists that she melted back against him and quit trying to fight him. A low groan escaped both of them, the sounds of their voices blending in harmony with the intense feelings coursing through them. For Carly, it was her body beginning to defrost. For Drago, it was the feel of Carly’s body pressed against his own.

“What am I going to do with you, my little thief?” Drago asked in a quiet, remorseful tone. “I have been alone for far too long, Carly. The thought of losing you is more than I wish to bear.” Drago relaxed against the seat. “I will tell you a story, one that you will not remember and one that I have never shared with anyone else. Perhaps, this is the best time to tell you since I am not sure I would share it otherwise,” he reflected with a wry smile, rubbing his thumb along her arm. “It is the story of my people… and myself.”