A flash of light appeared in front of Silver and then Platinum, and when it faded, Kate could see them both holding weapons. Platinum had a sword in each hand, long and made of dark, shiny metal. He stepped back with one foot and got in a low fighting stance.
Silver had pulled a comically large longsword and wielded it one-handed. It was almost blindingly shiny, and the hilt was covered in jewels, along with the ornate hand grip. He held it out to his side, then pointed it at her and the sword in front of her.
With a flash, Gold’s rapier was out, too. His golden eyes narrowed. “Charge.”
17
Liam could hardly believe the sight before his eyes as he and his crew stormed into the mansion.
Kate was standing in the middle of the room, the three “noble” dragons surrounding her, all wielding their weapons menacingly. And between her and them was his sword, floating, a powerful blue glow emanating from it as it flitted back and forth, thrusting and swinging as if Liam himself were using it.
Liam never knew it could do that.
But then again, he’d never been mated before. So it sort of made sense that the very weapon he’d imbued his strength and essence into would defend his mate.
He’d been hoping his bracelet would do something for her when he’d put it on her that morning. It was just a vague inclination that had made him do it.
“Liam!” Kate called out, seeing him at the doorway.
Just the sound of her voice, the worry in it, gave Liam inhuman strength as he rushed across the room toward her side.
But just then, the platinum dragon, wielding the gigantic hammer that Liam hadn’t seen in ages, swung at the floating blade, knocking it to the side. It clattered across the ground so nothing now stood between Kate and her captors.
Platinum sent a quick glance at Gold, who’d just noticed Liam had entered the building.
Gold gave him a malevolent grin and leapt forward, bringing down his rapier with lightning speed, right in Kate’s direction.
But just as it slashed through the air, Liam was there, holding Kate in one hand as he brought his other arm up to protect them both. He felt pain lance through him as the sword crossed over his arm.
“Buffoon. So eager to protect your mate you’d suffer yourself harm,” the gold dragon said, almost sounding disappointed.
“How dare you threaten my mate like that,” Liam swore, keeping himself between Kate and his enemies, bringing his injured arm to survey the damage.
“You don’t actually think I was going to cut your mate in two? No, I’m not a barbarian as you are. I just knew you’d come to her side like an idiot and leave yourself vulnerable.” He scoffed.
“Liam, are you okay?” Kate asked. Where human skin had been there were now thick, steel-colored scales with a thin slash through the center where blood slowly seeped out.
Good, Dante had only nicked him. Liam had seen much worse in his day.
But Liam was going to make sure the noble dragons more than paid for taking his mate.
“You really are a dragon, I guess,” Kate said, noting the scales on his arm as she hugged him closely.
“Why would I ever lie to you?” he replied, too happy with having her back to be angry with her anymore. “I love you, Kate.”
“Liam, sword!” Magnus called out, tossing Liam’s sword to him as Magnus and Titus rushed to his sides, weapons in hand.
“My friends are outside. Go to them, Kate. We’ll take care of this,” Liam said, catching the blade with one hand and holding her close, not wanting to let go.
“Okay. But I love you, too. Be careful,” Kate said as she reluctantly let go and ran for the doorway, Magnus and Titus stepping in front of her to shield her exit.
And then she was gone. But Aegis and Opal were just outside, she’d be safe with the emerald and opal dragons.
Now he just had an age-old grudge to settle.
“How long has it been?” Platinum said, tapping the huge hammer in his hand as he addressed Titus directly
“Not long enough,” Titus growled.
“Still toying with machinery like a little kid, Magnus?” Silver hissed, squaring off with Magnus.
“Still acting like a spoiled brat?” Magnus retorted, gripping his large, earth-colored metal ax in both hands tightly.
“Why did you perpetrate this, Gold?” Liam said, moving toward his enemy as Dante just stepped back nonchalantly.
“When you betrayed us, obviously.”
“How did we betray you?” Liam asked, confused, fury still raging.
“Oh, I think you know what you did. Don’t play dumb with me,” Dante said, getting angrier at Liam’s supposed ignorance.
Liam definitely didn’t know. They had run into each other several times, but when Liam and his crew had set sail to find mates, they thought they’d be leaving their rivalry with Dante and his men far behind.
But now, centuries later and a world apart, it had still found them.
And Liam was going to end it.
“I don’t know what you mean. But I do know you crossed a line when you messed with my mate.” Liam snarled, tired of talking, charging at Dante.
“Strong words. For a barbarian.”
All at once, the grand foyer became a battleground of clashing metal and shouts as they rushed at each other.
It was just like the old days. But instead of a snow-covered battlefield, it was a half-refurbished mansion.
And Liam was fighting to protect his mate this time.
That changed everything.
Liam brought his sword down with all his strength, shattering the tiles beneath him as Gold dodged to the side, parrying with a quick thrust of his rapier. Liam swung upward to deflect then blow, then attacked again, aiming directly for Dante’s heart.
With great effort, Dante blocked the assault, pushing forward until they were face to face, blades locked together.
“You know, your taste in women might not be so bad after all,” Dante said, grinning devilishly. “Your mate looked so delectable.”
“You’re just trying to get under my skin. It won’t work.”
“Pity. It’s so easy to do usually,” Dante said, looking up at something behind Liam.
“Captain, look out!” Magnus called as Liam looked over his shoulder just in time to see the platinum dragon coming down from above him, his hammer swinging down with terrible speed.
Liam braced for the impact just as Titus appeared from nowhere between them, blocking the blow with his shield, a thunderous clang resonating though the entire hall from the impact, causing the air to vibrate from the force of the it.
“Fighting dirty. You haven’t changed a bit.” Liam snarled, kicking Dante in the chest as he flew backward with an, “Oof.”
Suddenly Liam saw a pile of metal piping behind Dante, probably materials the renovation crew had brought in, and he focused his energy inward. With a wave of Liam’s hand, the pipes flew up and toward Dante, hurling themselves like flying metal spears at the gold dragon.
Though he and his brethren weren’t telekinetic, they could control the more basic metal elements in certain ways that could be used to their advantage.
Being filled with rage certainly made it easier.