Chapter 11
Lyrian stretched. Every muscle ached, but in a good way. In a way that says she was loved, wholly and thoroughly. She must have drifted off there for a moment. Not surprising, all that exercise had made her tired.
Lying in the dark, it felt like something was wrong.
Anarian. She missed her daughter. Her breasts were heavy and engorged, and as soon as she thought of the baby, her milk let down. She should go bring her into the bed for a feed.
She slipped out quietly, hoping not to wake Brad, but he stirred as soon as she moved, and reached for her.
“Don’t go,” he mumbled. “Not done yet.”
Lyrian giggled. “Yes you are,” she said firmly. “It’s been three times already, Brad. We both need a rest. And I need to give Anarian a feed.”
Brad let her go at that, falling back onto the pile of furs, and smiling up at her. “Fine then, but later,” he insisted.
As she rose to go into the other room, Lyrian became aware of voices, not raised exactly, but she could hear the concern in them. “Something’s wrong,” she said, pulling on her clothes just as Taurian’s voice bloomed in her mind.
“Lyrian, can you spare a moment?” His words were courteous, polite, but Lyrian didn’t miss the undercurrent of concern.
“I’ll be right there.”
Brad pulled on his trousers, and followed her into the other room, where a small group was gathered.
Mostly her family, her brother’s and their mates, and two of the elders, Ostrian and Mesrian. And one other dragon that Lyrian didn’t know. A metal dragon with steely eyes and a concerned face.
Karla handed Anarian to her, and Lyrian attached the fussing baby to the breast as she asked, “What’s going on?”
Taurian looked at the strange dragon, who explained, “The humans have brought dogs. They will scent us, tell the human’s where to find us.”
Now that he mentioned it, Lyrian could hear the dogs outside, their barks alternating with howls. The sounds were a mixture of fear and determination. They already had the dragon’s scent.
Panic filled Lyrian’s mind. They would find them. They would find Anarian. How was she supposed to protect her daughter now?
Brad must have been thinking the same thing. “I need to go down there. I can put them off our trail.”
His words only intensified the fear in Lyrian’s heart. “You can’t,” she said quickly.
Brad looked at her intently. “It’s the only way, surely you have to see that?” he said softly. “I need to protect you and Anarian, that’s my job.”
“No,” Lyrian said firmly. “There has to be another way.” She turned to Taurian. Surely he would have a better idea? Surely he would realise that they couldn’t send Brad out there?
Nate and Kyrian stumbled out into the main cavern, their hands clasped, their clothes rumpled. “What’s going on?” Nate asked.
“The police have dogs,” Brad explained. “I have to get down there before they find out where we are. Once they do, there’s no way we can avoid them finding the clan.”
“I’ll come with you,” Nate said immediately. “There are two cars, so you’ll need two of us.”
Brad nodded.
Lyrian stared at Taurian. “You aren’t going to let them do this, are you?” she demanded through dragon voice, knowing her panic would show through, not caring. “Would you let Karla do this?”
Taurian held up a hand. “There’s no need for anyone to go out there,” he said firmly. “Even if the human’s find the entrance to the lair, they can’t get up here easily. It will take them time, and they will probably need to send for more equipment. As soon as the tunnel is finished, we will send our fastest flyer to ask the Trima clan for help. I’m sure Latrima can be here before the police get into the lair, and she can scare them off.”
“I’ll go,” the metal dragon said immediately. “I can be there in ten minutes, I’m sure.”
“Thank you, Kelrian,” Taurian said firmly. “See, we can still make this work.”
Lyrian swallowed the fear down. Taurian’s plan was a sensible one. And more importantly, one where she and Brad weren’t separated. “How is the tunnel progressing?” She was relieved her voice sounded calm.
“It’s nearly finished,” Mesrian said. “They’ve broken through the rock and are just digging through the dirt now. It will be finished in a few minutes.”
Ostrian was staring at them in disbelief. “That’s your plan?” he demanded. “You think the answer is to go to the Trima clan for help? Even if the life dragon comes, and I’m not convinced she will, even if she does manage to scare the humans off, the damage will be done. They will know where we are, and they will return. Then the only option left will be to move to a new lair. Again.”
“That is not going to happen,” Taurian said sharply. “I will not be forced out of our home.”
“Then your only option is to let the humans go and try to convince these police there is nothing here,” Ostrian said promptly.
Lyrian couldn’t help feeling he was manipulating them, using Taurian’s unwillingness to leave the lair to lead them to the solution he wanted. Well, she wasn’t having it. “Or we can stop wasting our time arguing, and send this young dragon, Kelrian was it?” Kelrian nodded, and she continued, “Send Kelrian to bring the life dragon as soon as possible.”
Ostrian put his hands on his hips. “Are you so besotted with the mating bond, you aren’t willing to do what’s best for your clan?”
For a moment, Lyrian felt a surge of pity. Ostrian had never been mated. He couldn’t possibly understand that the mating bond made them stronger, not weak. That it was the truce with the Trima clan that would bring them together. He didn’t trust that.
Ostrian was still intent on his own plan. He turned to Brad and asked, “What will happen to you if you go to the humans? Will they kill you?”
Brad actually laughed at that. “Not a chance,” he said with certainty. “I’m not sure they can even arrest us, we’ve done nothing wrong. At least, I’m pretty sure mating with a dragon isn’t a crime.” He turned and gave Lyrian a teasing, coaxing smile.
She was having none of it. She didn’t care if it was the best choice for her clan or not. She’d just got him, she wasn’t about to risk losing him again.
“You can’t go,” she said into his mind. “Anarian and I need you.” She felt tears fill her eyes.
Brad stepped forwards, ignoring all the other dragons and humans around them, and cupped her cheek, wiping away her tears. “Don’t cry,” he said softly in dragon speech. “I promise, I’ll be safe. And I’ll be back for both of you as soon as I’m sure the police won’t follow.”
Lyrian wasn’t convinced. She was afraid that if he walked out of the lair now, she’d never see him again. Panic welled up in her, almost making it hard for her to speak in human or dragon speech.
Luckily, Karla spoke for her. “That may be,” she said briskly, “But there is no reason for you to risk yourself. Ostrian has always been a fearmongerer, but we’ve never let his fears sway us. I will not separate a couple in love.” She looked over at Nate and Kyrian. “Two couples in love,” she corrected herself, “When we have other options.” She turned to Kelrian. “Ready yourself and be waiting in the tunnel to leave as soon as it’s done.”
“Yes, Princess,” Kelrian said obediently. He turned on his heel and strode away.
“You’re really so stubborn and convinced that love saves all that you will risk our clan?” Ostrian spat.
Karla stared at him. “I don’t want to hear another word from you, Ostrian. We’ve made our decision.”
Ostrian stared at her for a long moment, before turning away, his shoulders slumped. He shook his head, muttering under his breath as he walked away.
But he did walk away.
Lyrian drew in a shaking breath. She looked over at Brad, but though it was clear from the expression on his face, that he disagreed with her, he didn’t say anything.