Carpathian 23 - Dark Storm

misleading, especially
     with all this ash in the air.”
    “Which is why our emergency contact hasn’t sent in their helicopter to bring us out,”
     Gary said.
    “Avoid any tribesmen,” Dax advised. “You can’t trust anyone you meet. Riley’s given
     us Mitro’s general direction, but she can’t know if he’s killed anyone else, turned
     them into puppets, ghouls or programmed them to kill you. We’ll be back well before
     sunrise.”
    Dax stepped back, taking Riley’s hand. “Be safe, all of you. If you call to me, I’ll
     hear you, but I may be too far away to give much aid,” he warned.
    Jubal gave him a small salute. “Just get us those flowers. We’ll handle this.”
    “Don’t be cocky, Jubal,” Dax said. “Mitro is unlike any vampire you’ve come across.
     I’m a skilled hunter. Even while tracking Mitro, I executed many vampires, none of
     whom held anything close to Mitro’s power.”
    “Believe me, Dax,” Jubal assured. “When it comes to vampires, I’m always ready to
     pass on them. Any of them, let alone this one. I’ve seen what he does. I have no desire
     to meet him, especially without you to back me up.”
    Dax nodded his head and turned abruptly, as was his way. He was still a little uncomfortable
     in the presence of so many people, but he liked both Jubal and Gary. They both were
     men of integrity and they’d fight with him if needed. He read their determination
     to protect Riley. They also understood the lifemate bond. Riley didn’t fully comprehend
     yet, but she was willing to try with him and he couldn’t ask for more.
    He tugged on Riley’s hand, bringing her under his shoulder. “So are you ready to be
     a dragonrider?”
    Riley’s impossibly long lashes lifted and her eyes met his. His breath caught in his
     lungs. Her eyes glowed at him with excitement. Her cheeks were flushed beneath her
     flawless skin. She looked more beautiful than ever.
    “I can’t wait, although I’ll admit I’m a little afraid. You’ll talk to me the entire
     time?”
    That was his lifemate, ready to meet each adventure head-on. He brought her knuckles
     to his mouth and nibbled gently. “I’ll be with you. The Old One regards you as his
     family. He won’t allow anything to happen to you, either. You’ll be safe.”
    “I know.” Riley made it a statement.
    Dax walked with her beneath the protection of his shoulder, her hand pressed against
     his heart while he took her away from the camp and the prying eyes of the others—especially
     Weston, who had no idea he was placing himself in danger every time he turned his
     leering, all too hungry gaze on Riley.
    Her body moved like liquid grace against his. Flowing. Sensual. The taste of her was
     still in his mouth. His pulse leapt at the close proximity. He had always known the
     lifemate pull was strong, he’d witnessed that powerful force between couples, but
     he hadn’t expected the need to be so intense. Still, he was determined that Riley
     make her own choice. He wanted her to save him because, to her, he was worth saving.
    Once they were out of sight of the others, he lifted her in his arms and took to the
     sky. He needed a large clearing where the dragon could take off and land. He could
     feel Riley’s excitement, the faint trembling of her body, the shimmer of anticipation
     running through her, and found himself smiling. He couldn’t remember experiencing
     shapeshifting for the first time, or flying, or just being happy. Now that he was
     with her, he was learning all over again to laugh, to feel. He really was just as
     genuinely excited for her as she was.
    She turned her face up to the wind and laughed out loud. The sound resonated through
     his body. He could feel the Old One stirring as well. Her laughter was so contagious,
     that not only was he affected, but so was the dragon. Setting her gently in the tree
     line at the edge of a meadow, he strode into the center of the large field.
    At once he felt the Old One stretch deep inside of him. Strangely, this time, instead
     of feeling apart from the dragon, he felt a part of him, feeling the intense emotions
     much more vividly than before. Dax wasn’t certain if it was because Riley had restored
     his own emotions to him, or if he was merging with the dragon to the point they were
     becoming one and the same. He knew once he made his claim on Riley and said the ritual
     bonding words, their two souls would be forged together. Could that be