Free Destiny of Dragons by Amber Kell Page A

managed to say as his body slowly gave into paralysis and he toppled to the snow. Fuck he hated the cold.
    Out of the corner of his eye Liang saw Rye slink away while the ambush soldiers wrapped them in ropes. Maybe that had been the fire dragon’s entire intent, but Liang knew if he saw him again he’d rip the bastard’s head off. Even if he managed to reach Aden, who knew what the sick psychopath could do to Liang and Zhou before they were rescued.
    Fuck, he’d just told him where to find their people. If he weren’t already paralyzed he would’ve thrown himself on a sword for his betrayal of the other shifters.
     
    * * * *
     
    Proteus floated around his tank thinking over his relationship with Liang. He and his mate were beginning to bond but for the past few hours tension had been strumming through him. Maybe knowing Liang had gone to scout out the emperor had him on edge. He hoped it wasn’t anything more. He watched the babies flit around each other and smiled.
    His smile vanished when Kurtis ran into the room and tapped on the tank. “We need you.”
    “It’ll be okay,” Proteus muttered to himself. “It’ll be fine.”
    But the fact they said they needed him and his mate wasn’t there sent alarm bells ringing through his head. He made his way to the top of the tank and Kurtis scooped him up and set him on the ground.
    Proteus transformed then stood and accepted the towel Kurtis handed out.
    “I brought you some clothes.” Kurtis pointed to the pile on the bench.
    “What happened?”
    “Liang and Zhou have been captured.”
    Proteus quickly dressed. His emotions numb, Proteus followed Kurtis to where he guessed the others were meeting. His stomach twisted and turned, looping over and over like a slinky. He could no longer fool himself. It wouldn’t be okay.
    He entered the living room to find a redheaded man kneeling before Aden. The dragon king’s eyes glowed a bright gold, a sign of his agitation. His mate stood on one side of the room, Aden’s son on the other. None of the men had happy expressions.
    “Proteus. I—” Aden began.
    “He’s gone isn’t he?” Proteus cut off the king, too upset to care. Tears formed in his eyes and he couldn’t stop the sob yanked from his chest.
    “No, he’s been captured, but he’s not dead. If he were dead you’d know.” Aden walked over and wrapped his muscled arms around Proteus. He rested his head on the dragon king’s chest taking comfort from his strength.
    “What do we do?” Proteus had to take action. Someone had captured his mate.
    “I’m going to have Gallen send me and a few others through a portal to get your mate.” Aden’s tone indicated he doubted anyone could stop him.
    “I should go with you.” Proteus stepped out of the king’s embrace and flushed. “I can help.”
    “No offense, little one, but you aren’t exactly a warrior,” Aden said, his tone gentle.
    Proteus wiped away his tears with the back of his hands. “No, but I can blend in and check out the area without being caught.”
    “There is snow. They will see your footprint,” Aden argued.
    “No. It is part of my blending. My footprints will match my environment. They’ll never see me coming.”
    “He could pull it off,” the man on the floor said. “The guards aren’t super-vigilant. They might overlook your friend. Even if they hear him they won’t investigate if it means leaving their post and having to explain their absence to the emperor if no one is there.”
    The redhead stood up, but kept his head down and his shoulders slumped as if bracing himself for Aden’s punch. Since Proteus hadn’t seen the king be violent against his own people the dragon’s fear surprised him.
    “Proteus, this is Rye. He was there when Zhou and Liang were captured.”
    “And what were you doing while they were taken?” The story didn’t strike him as complete.
    “Yes, Rye, please explain to Proteus why his children don’t have their father.” Aden’s voice