Harper:

The rainy season is finally over. For the last three months, we’ve waited impatiently for the weather to clear, and now, it’s time to move out of our camp in the Na’Lung Cliffs, and back to the lowlands. It’s time to go in search of the Cloakship, if it indeed exists, and it’s time to rescue the other women.

Olivia, May, Paige, Felicity, and Bryce, we’re coming for you. Hang tight.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

The day after Beirax tried to take me hostage, Arax consulted with Viola, Ryanna, Sofia, and I. “Beirax caused injury to the four of you when he crashed your spaceship on the prison planet,” he said. “His actions led to the death of one of your companions. He tried to hurt Harper. Zorahn law dictates that the victims of Beirax’s crimes may determine his punishment.”

“That’s us?” I’d asked, stunned.

He’d nodded grimly.

“How the hell are we supposed to decide what to do with him?” Viola had demanded. “I mean, I don’t like Beirax, but I don’t want him to die.” She’d turned to me. “Do you?”

I’m not going to lie. Part of me wanted to pass a death-sentence on the Zorahn. Not because of what he did to me, but because of what he was planning to do with my mates. He knew that their wings would be seriously damaged if they flew in the rain, and he hadn’t cared. He’d demonstrated that he didn’t think of any of us as people, just pawns on his chessboard.

And yet, I didn’t want his death on my conscience.

“You can ask for advice, you know,” Vulrux had said at my side, his lips curling up into a smile.

“We can?”

“Of course.”

We’d talked for hours, trying to figure out what to do with the man. Finally, it was Nyx that had come up with the solution. “Exile him,” he’d said. “You know the Dsar Cliffs, the ones we’ve never been able to climb because the ascent is too steep? We could fly him to the top of it and leave him there.”

“We can’t starve him,” Sofia had protested immediately, her expression horrified.

“We won’t,” Dennox had replied. “We’ll take him food and water.” He’d looked thoughtful. “The only way to reach the peak of the Dsar Cliffs is to fly,” he’d said. “It’s a very effective, very isolated prison.”

“In that case, that’s my vote,” I’d said promptly.

After that, it was Raiht’vi’s turn. I’d braced myself for a death sentence, convinced that Vulrux and Dennox would want to avenge their first mate, but I was wrong.

Dennox spoke first. “I remember you,” he’d said to Raiht’vi. “You were just a child when they brought you underground. You were frightened the first day. Terrified about what was happening.”

“I was fifteen,” she’d replied, her voice steady, her gaze never wavering from his face. “I don’t need your pity, soldier. I was old enough to know what I did.”

“I killed my first man when I was fifteen,” Dennox had replied quietly. “He was a slaver, and deserved to die, but my heart ached for days after, remembering the look of surprise on his face as he clutched the wound in his abdomen. I forgot many things, but that image never left me. This isn’t pity, scientist. This is understanding.” He’d turned to Arax. “We all had fresh starts on the prison planet,” he’d said. “Raiht’vi deserves one too.”

“You saved Harper’s life,” Vulrux had added. “And for that, Raiht’vi, you will always have my gratitude. I agree with Dennox.”

Arax had frowned. “You are welcome to live with us, Raiht’vi,” he’d said, and then his voice had hardened. “My cousin and his pair-bond forgive you. I’m more cautious. If you harm us in any way, there will be consequences.”

Which brings us to the present day. Arax and Nyx are going to fly Beirax to his mountaintop prison, and then we’re dividing into two groups.

Arax, Nyx, Viola, Rorix, Ferix, and Sofia are going to look for the Draekons that took the other women.

Thrax, Zorux, and Ryanna are accompanying Vulrux, Dennox, and me in the search for the cloakship.

And if we find a way out of the prison planet, what happens next?

I don’t know.

The three of us have talked about it. We can’t go back to Zoraht—their fear and prejudice against Draekons are too great. We can’t go back to Earth—can you imagine a shape-shifting dragon in the middle of LA? That’ll create one hell of a traffic jam, and the highways are clogged enough, thank you very much.

Confession: I don’t even know if I want to leave. The prison planet might not have Starbucks, but I’m starting to get very fond of it. It is the place where I fell in love with my mates, after all.

But if we do want to go, there’s a whole galaxy out there. As long as Dennox and Vulrux are with me, I can be happy anywhere.

Whatever the future holds, I’m ready. Bring it on.

* * *

Draekon Heart, the third book in the Dragons in Exile series, will release in Fall 2017. to receive a notification when the book goes live, as well as to receive a special Draekon Mate bonus scene.