I caught a flash of movement from the depths of the ship as I skidded to a stop and spun around, whipping my cutlass from where it was stuck into my sash. “Right. If I’m going down, I’m going to do it with style.”
The dog’s eyes lit with an unholy joy when it realized I was standing still, and it gathered itself in a massive leap, obviously about to flatten me before it ripped me into a million bloody bits. I yelled as I lifted my sword, hoping to catch it either in its throat or in its gut, when suddenly I was hit on the side by a blurred shape. I went flying a good fifteen feet, landing in a patch of prickly grasses, cracking my head on a rock. It took me a minute to gather my wits, but when I sat up, rubbing my head, I beheld the most amazing sight.
Rowan was fighting the monstrous beast.
“Rowan?” I asked, getting to my feet, my admiration unbounded as I watched him wield my Xena sword, parrying the monster every time it lunged at him with snapping, razor-sharp teeth. “Great Caesar’s goatees, Rowan—watch out!”
Just as I spoke, the monster’s body twisted, knocking the sword out of Rowan’s hand. I rushed forward with my cutlass raised high, but I underestimated Rowan. He swung around in a roundhouse kick that had connected with the beast’s neck with a nauseatingly audible crack, before using both hands to pound on the monster’s back, slamming it into the ground with a force that sent dust flying up in a cloud around us.
I choked, coughing like mad, and squinting as I dashed forward, prepared to help Rowan just as soon as the dust settled enough to see.
“Sophea!” Rowan’s voice was hoarse and interrupted by a spate of coughing. “Sophea, are you all right?”
“I’m here. I’m okay. Where’s the hell beast?”
“Gone. He just disappeared.”
I stumbled forward, blind in the cloud of dust until I saw a dark shape loom up in front of me. I hesitated for a minute, then flung myself into Rowan’s arms, and kissed every part of him I could reach. “I thought I was a goner for sure. And then there you were, and you were awesome. Goddess above and below, Rowan! Where did you learn to do that?”
“I have no idea,” he said, panting and coughing and kissing me all at the same time. “I suspect it was the dragon part of me, because all I could think of was grinding that thing into the dust. You’re sure you’re all right? I didn’t mean to shove you so hard, but that thing was almost to you.”
The same low horn noise sounded from the ship as I patted down his arms and chest, just to make sure he wasn’t hurt in any way. “I’m glad you did. I mean, I may be a badass almost dragon, but you’re a badder-ass full dragon. That was seriously awesome, but don’t you ever do it again! You scared at least ten years off my life.”
“I scared you? I scared the shit out of myself,” he said with a little laugh, and then kissed me, really kissed me, his body getting into the act to the point where I forgot the near-death experience we’d just shared, and focused on just how hot were the flames he built within me.
People emerged from the big building, trailing out chatting and laughing just as if nothing momentous had occurred. They passed us, calling their congratulations to Rowan for defeating the first challenge, all of which we heard, but really didn’t pay attention to, because the kiss had turned into something deeper.
“Our feet are on fire,” I said breathlessly a few minutes later, when we managed to pry ourselves apart.
“Up to the knees,” he said, then kissed me again. I melted against him, wondering how I had ever existed without him.
A little pang smote me when I remembered thinking the same thing about Jian, but I tucked that memory away gently. Life went on, and although I would never stop loving Jian, it didn’t mean I couldn’t open my heart to someone else.
“Why are you crying, love?” Rowan brushed a dusty tear from the corner of my eye. “You forget that I’m a dragon now, and pretty much immortal. The monster probably couldn’t have killed me.”
“It’s not that,” I said with a little shake of my head. “It’s just… I was remembering… oh, hell. Never mind. Let’s get back on the ship before something else happens. Besides, I’m starving and it has to be lunchtime. I heard the bell go.”
“That wasn’t a meal bell,” he said, taking my hand as we maneuvered our way up the gangway. “It was the signal announcing the start of the first challenge. At least that’s what Gabriel told me, which is why, when I saw you standing outside, I went out to help you.”
“Where is he, speaking of immortal beings?” I asked, glancing around as we walked the couple of flights to the top deck. “I’d have thought he would be on hand to help out with that since that’s why he said he and May were here.”
“I believe they went to protect Mrs. P in case the beast breeched the ship.”
“She has her priestesses,” I pointed out.