That night, they were holding a final dinner before the last fight the next day. Marina had already narrowed her choices down to her final two contestants, and she knew who was supposed to be her final pick.

Why was Mercury so adamant that it couldn’t be him?

Now that she knew what he’d been through in his life, she only felt more bonded to him. If he had things to answer for, she wanted to be there by his side, helping him try and make it right.

But she couldn’t do anything for him if he didn’t want to fight for himself. Despite the incredible strength inside him, the fight had seemed to go out.

Tonight she was a wearing a shimmery silver and lavender dress that flashed a turquoise blue in certain angles. She’d put her hair in a loose braid and tossed it over her shoulder.

She didn’t mind going to see the men who’d been fighting for her, who she’d been getting to know day by day, but she also didn’t know if anything mattered anymore.

A life without Mercury, a life mated to someone else, seemed totally empty and sad. How could she communicate that to him, though, without putting on pressure?

Maybe she should put on pressure, but then again, she’d always felt if they got together, he would have to be the one to come to her. It had to be his choice, too. It couldn’t only be hers.

But regardless, she would pay her dues, keep her promise to mate one of the dragons from the challenge, and do her best to be happy.

Still, a little part of her heart hoped it could be Mercury, that sometime between today and the end of tomorrow, he would change his mind, see reason, and realize they would be great together.

That they were meant to be together, if her dragon could be trusted. And she’d always been able to trust her dragon before.

She’d visited Zinc before the dinner to give him her final two choices, and they were partway through dinner when he stood up to make the announcement.

He lifted a crystal goblet and tapped it with his spoon. “I would like to announce that Marina has chosen her final two.” He looked around the table where all the dragons were seated.

There was silence as all the men looked up, interested.

“Marina has chosen Mercury and Lead as the final combatants. Tomorrow, she will choose one of them as mate.”

Lead’s shocked eyes met hers, and she saw a slight flush on his cheeks. He was happy. That was good. He was a good friend, a handsome, strong man. Any woman could love him. Perhaps with time, she could, too.

Mercury was avoiding her gaze, staring at his plate with a dark expression. When the announcement was over, he stood abruptly, his silverware landing with a clang, and set his napkin on the table.

With a slight bow, he left the room, striding out with hunched shoulders that told her he wasn’t feeling any better about the situation than she was.

“Marina, can I talk to you?” Lead said, standing and looking over at her as the other dragons gawked in curiosity. None of them looked particularly upset, and she supposed Zinc had been right when he’d told her none of them would be terribly surprised. They all liked her, but they could tell her affections were elsewhere from nearly the first day.

She’d been willing to give her life for Mercury, after all.

Hope sprung eternal, so they were willing to compete just in case, but they’d known that Mercury and Lead both had a head start.

She gave them all a smile as she followed Lead to the veranda. He leaned on the railing, looking out at the kingdom.

“I love it here,” he said, glancing back at her. “I love Drakkaris, with its rolling hills and mountains. The purple trees and the lakes. But you know… Earth might not be so terrible.”

She raised an eyebrow at him. “What do you mean?”

“I know you’re going to choose Mercury,” Lead said quietly. His golden eyes were serious. “I know nothing I say could change your mind. So I was thinking maybe I’ll go to Earth. Wait for another female dragon to awaken there. Sure, it’s against the rules, but maybe they’d make an exception. It’d be worth it to meet someone like you.”

She frowned, knowing there were even fewer of her kind on Earth (as far as she knew) than there were here.

Tomorrow, after the competition was over, she would get in touch with the oracle about the possibility of the dragons here mating human females. See if she would be willing to break the treaty and bring them over.

They couldn’t just let them die.

She couldn’t make any promises yet either, and besides, Lead didn’t need to worry about it. At least for now.

She walked over and leaned on the balcony, letting out a weary sigh and thinking about the way Mercury had held her. Made love to her. Told her everything in a way she was sure he had never told any other person.

“You’re wrong, Lead. Mercury won’t let me choose him.” She eyed him cautiously. “I’m going to choose you.”

He looked at her askance, and she could see he was taken off guard. “What?”

“I know it’s not ideal. You know where my heart is, but well, as we’ve seen with Mercury, hearts can change. He is unselfish enough to think he can’t be with me, and he used to think only of himself. If only he would now.”

Lead frowned seriously at her, and she gave him a weak smile.

“But it’s fine. I mean, maybe I can change, too. Maybe I was just supposed to come here and save him. Maybe I didn’t do everything I needed to in order for more to happen. Maybe…”

She felt a single tear run down her cheek. Lead’s expression darkened, and he quickly reached forward, pulling Marina into his strong, safe arms.

“Shh,” he said. “You did everything right. You were perfect. Are perfect. Mercury’s an idiot.”

Her hands dug into Lead’s back as she let the tears fall, grateful they were out on the veranda and he was hiding her from anyone’s sight.

She didn’t want anyone to see her cry. She was always the happy one, upbeat and strong. But she didn’t feel strong right now. She felt like her heart was breaking.

Why had she allowed herself to fall in love with such a complicated, difficult, damaged man?

Perhaps because she hadn’t had any choice from the beginning. She’d taken one look, and her heart just wanted him.

She felt Lead’s hand in her hair, stroking softly. He wasn’t making a move on her, and she felt utterly safe with him. Comforted.

“It’s not over, Marina. It’s not. I have seen changes in Mercury. I have seen him treat you differently than anyone else here. And he hasn’t acted in line with the rumors about him on Earth. Perhaps he is changing. Perhaps he still can.”

“He is determined that we can’t be together,” she said hopelessly. “And I’m tired of hoping. I’m ready to just let go. I have to. I’ve been holding on to Mercury for too long. Even if he is changing, maybe he’s right. Maybe it’s time to let him go.”

Lead pulled back and looked down at her. He cupped her face in his hands, brushing the tears away from under her eyes. “Let’s see how things go tomorrow. It’s not over, dragon princess.”

“I hate that name,” she said, fighting back a smile.

“But you know,” Lead said, leaning back against the railing, resting his hands on her hips to keep her steady in front of him, “It’s kind of suitable because Mercury was once a prince. If you end up with him—”

She shook her head. “Stop it. Don’t talk like that. You don’t know him like I do.”

“I don’t know,” Lead said. “But I know you. And I don’t see how any dragon can resist you. Perhaps he just needs some sense beat into him.”

She raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“Perhaps I know just the dragon to do it.” His gaze was meaningful.

“Lead,” she said, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Just stop. You can’t help me like this, and besides, don’t you want me for yourself? Don’t try to help me with Mercury. Don’t try and give me hope. Shouldn’t we both just try to get along?”

He grumbled something, avoiding her eyes, then finally nodded. His eyes met hers. “If that’s what you really want.”

“It is.”

He sighed, standing up to escort her back into the dinner. “All right, Marina. I won’t push it anymore.”

“And tomorrow?”

“Don’t worry about it,” he said. “I won’t meddle. I’ll stick to the plan and focus on winning you for myself.” He gave her a dazzling smile, one that she was sure would have made any other woman go weak in the knees.

“Thank you, Lead,” she said, giving him a hug again. “I really appreciate it.”

He nodded, and they walked back into dinner, where she was determined to sit and talk to all of the dragons who had become her friends in the past few days and just relax.

And do her best not to think about Mercury at all.

* * *

“You’re an idiot,” Lead said, staring at Mercury. He held his sword in one hand but was resting it on the ground as he waited for the announcer to finish discussing Lead’s feats so the final fight could begin.

Mercury just rolled his eyes at his opponent, imagining what his “feats” would sound like if they announced them. Even at best, they wouldn’t sound good.

Even though he tried to kill six dragons, he didn’t actually kill any of them.

Kidnapped a few mates, but never hurt any of them.

A pretty good fighter.

He looked up into the stands at Marina and saw her sitting next to the queen, watching with glittering eyes. Perhaps he did have one feat.

Winning Marina’s heart.

And perhaps even greater.

Let Marina go to Lead because he knew she was too good for him.

She deserved a man who had defeated behemoths and protected entire cities, not an attempted murderer who’d only recently had a change of heart.

“I should be grateful to you,” Lead said, cocking his head to one side so his longish, dark hair went over his shoulder. He was wearing warrior garb as usual, some kind of leather skirt thing and just a band of leather going diagonally over his chest, emphasizing his muscles. “She will be a delicious prize. I can hardly wait to claim her tonight.”

Mercury’s eyes flashed as rage shot through him like lightning. He needed to calm down. Lead was only trying to provoke him.

“Marina told me you’re making her pick me after the fight. I’m just trying to make the best of it.” Lead’s smile turned cruel. “I know I’m her second choice, but maybe once we’re in bed, I can show her why I should be first.”

Mercury felt as if metal spikes were going to shoot out all over him, impaling everyone in the area, but he suppressed the impulse. He was getting good at suppressing himself these days.

Good at suppressing the dragon inside him who wanted badly to go to his mate.

Good at suppressing the little boy inside him who just wanted to belong.

Good at suppressing his heart, which belonged only to Marina and wanted to just say screw it to everything and be with her.

But he was a different dragon now. He wasn’t going to be driven by rage and passion. He wasn’t going to live in an unthinking blur of wrath. That had already taken everything away from him.

Just for once, he would have Lead’s stupid honor.

“Don’t be silly,” Lead said, and Mercury realized he’d just read his mind. “You don’t know anything about my kind of honor.” His yellow eyes glinted. “Maybe I just pretend.”

Mercury barely had time to react to that before the announcer announced the start of the fight in a booming voice, and Lead leapt forward, slamming his sword down toward Mercury.

Mercury barely recovered in time to put his sword up, and he was driven backward into the ground from the force of Lead’s blow.

Lead retreated, preparing to attack again, and Mercury realized this was nothing like the Lead he had fought before. This one was practically feral.

“You think you’re the only one with a dark side?” Lead asked. “The only one who is dangerous?” He threw back his head and laughed, and Mercury looked around them, wondering if anyone else was shocked. But most weren’t even watching the match. He supposed most of them thought it was a foregone conclusion at this point that he would lose.

“Stop it,” Mercury said, rushing forward with his sword as Lead ran to meet him in a loud clash that echoed throughout the arena. “We both know you’re a better choice for her.”

Lead pushed his sword into Mercury’s, getting into Mercury’s space so he could whisper right into his ear. “I will be after I bed her, nice and rough so she learns to appreciate me.”

That was it. If Lead was trying to provoke him, he’d succeeded. Mercury let out a cry of rage, and his sword tripled in size as he knocked Lead back with a wave of energy. He felt small spikes emerging out of his arms and back. The stupid, pitiful dragons here knew nothing of his strength.

Days and days, months and years alone in the dark, practicing and practicing, and the dragon in him had become strong.

No one was going to talk about Marina like that. About his mate like that.

No one.

With another unearthly shriek, he leapt forward, bringing his sword down on Lead as Lead barely evaded. Mercury attacked again and again, relentless, backing up a panting Lead until he was at the edge of the arena, just in front of the dragon guard. With a hiss, Mercury reached between their clenched swords to punch Lead in the face, once, then twice, holding him trapped against the wall.

“The contestants will return to the center!” the announcer boomed.

Just like them to try and tilt the fight toward their own, Mercury thought, stepping backward, still snarling at Lead, who looked bruised but amused.

When they were in the center again, Lead said, “Really got you going, huh? What’s wrong? Not liking your little plan any longer?”

“I thought you had honor,” Mercury spat out, lunging with his sword again, catching Lead across the shoulder.

Lead paled slightly as he looked at his arm, where blood was dripping, and a tinge of blueish gray was moving into his skin. “You broke the rules.”

“You broke them first,” Mercury said in a low voice. “No one talks about Marina like that.”

“Fine,” Lead said. “Then I will take this seriously.” His mouth spread into a grin, despite the pain he must have been in. “Then I’ll take your woman.”

Mercury shrieked, the dragon in him struggling wildly as he launched himself toward Lead again, attacking with his sword over and over, listening with satisfaction as the rate of Lead’s breathing increased.

Sweat broke out on Lead’s forehead as they circled and chased around the arena, but Mercury was always faster. He was basically half dragon at this point, though contained in human form, and there was nowhere Lead could go that he wouldn’t be there, ready to deliver a blow or a block or a punch to the face.

And since he was still enraged about what Lead had said about Marina, he couldn’t even enjoy it.

Finally, Lead was panting, forced to one knee in front of him, holding up his sword with both hands, one on the handle and one on the blade, slowly bleeding.

His shoulder was looking gray and gnarly, and though his wound wouldn’t kill him, Mercury was satisfied that it was enough to definitely make it impossible to fight.

“I surrender,” Lead said in a low voice. “You win.”

Mercury pulled back with a snarl, knowing Marina was watching and he couldn’t gut the man. He couldn’t risk being a monster anymore. Now that his heart wasn’t hard, he knew exactly how bad what he’d tried to do was, and he’d never think that way again.

But that wouldn’t stop him from going as far as he needed to in order to protect what was his.

He stood there heaving as the arena watched in stunned silence.

Lead slumped to both knees, rocking back and holding his arm, breathing hard. “Good. I didn’t think I would be able to act dishonorable any longer.”

Mercury raised an eyebrow. “What?” He slowly lowered his sword.

“I… I know it is dishonorable, but I had to lie. Otherwise, you were going to hurt Marina.” He smiled ruefully. “I suppose it is funny, my first time being dishonorable and I don’t even get to enjoy it.” He fell on his side, and Mercury knelt over him, utterly confused as he turned the other man over to check that he was okay.

Now that he thought about it, those words hadn’t sounded anything like Lead. They were obviously just a provocation. So why had he fallen for it?

“Because you know she’s yours to protect,” Lead said dully, his eyes glazing as he looked up at him. He blinked, and Mercury put a hand to the poison, slowly withdrawing it as much as he could so Lead could stay lucid.

The arena was still silent around them.

“She deserves better,” Mercury said for Lead’s ears only.

Lead shook his head and looked into Mercury’s eyes angrily. “But she wants you. So just be good enough to deserve her for once.” He sighed. “Besides, as beautiful and kind as she is, she might just need a terrifying beast like you to protect her.”

That thought hit Mercury with a thud as he looked up to the stands to see how Marina was reacting. He was strong. He knew that. And he was trying to be better. And he couldn’t stand the thought of anyone else touching her.

Was that enough?

His eyes narrowed as he realized she wasn’t alone on the stand. The king’s stooge, Nilo, was walking onto the platform, something long and sharp in his hand, and Mercury quickly realized it was the Dragonslayer. The sword capable of killing any dragon with even the smallest cut.

“Marina!” Mercury shouted desperately, looking up at the stand. She turned at the same time as everyone else, and Nilo spun defensively, holding the sword out, pointed at all of them. The king, the queen, and Marina especially.

“Don’t move,” he shouted. “I can kill any of them in an instant.” He looked down at the arena. “Thank you for distracting the dragon guard so I could have use of the Dragonslayer, but I believe this mate will be mine.” He grinned lasciviously at Marina. “My house will finally stand, and the rest of you will fall.” He glared at the king as Mercury saw dozens of men in silver tunics making their way through the arena to join Nilo in the stands.

So this was a coup?

“Come here,” Nilo said, looking at Marina. “I’m not going to hurt you.” She hesitated, looking down at Mercury, and Nilo pointed the sword at the king threateningly. “Hurry, before my hand gets shaky.”

Lead struggled to his feet and looked at Mercury. “That’s your woman,” he said. “Aren’t you going to do something?”

Mercury nodded, assessing the situation for a moment longer. “All right,” he said. “If I don’t move, don’t knock me over.”

“What?” Lead asked, looking confused. Now that the poison was fading, he was looking a bit more lucid.

“I’ll take care of this,” Mercury said, rolling up his sleeves and focusing deeply. There was still one power no one knew about, and he couldn’t think of a better time to use it.

Marina was his, and after she was safe, he would make sure she knew it.

It didn’t matter that he was bad for her, that he didn’t deserve her. He could protect her better than anyone else in the world. He would just have to dedicate himself to that for the rest of his life and hope it would be enough.