Free Night's Awakening by Donna Grant Page B

been there before,” Guy said.
    Elena hurried to say, “No. She was adamant about finally getting to cave in such a private place.”
    Con’s face grew grim. “Which means someone else was.”
    “Ulrik?” Guy offered.
    “We’d know.”
    “Then who, dammit?”
    “Let’s hope Banan finds out.”
    Elena looked from one to the other as they spoke rapidly. “Where does that leave me?”
    Guy looked up from his musing, his amazing light brown eyes softening as they met hers.
    “It means,” Con said, breaking into their stare, “that we need your help.”
    Elena smiled at Con. Eagerness filled her as she realized she could finally help him see she wasn’t lying. “I’d love to help. What can I do?”
    “We need you to go back into the cave.”
    “Nope,” Elena said, and limped out of her room and into the hallway. “I told Guy I wouldn’t go back there, and I’m not.”
    “No’ even if it clears you of suspicion?” Con asked as he followed.
    Elena gripped the wall as she put too much weight on her ankle, but she kept going. “I want you to believe me. I really do, but if it means going back into that…that…cave…” She shook her head. “Forget it. I don’t care what you think of me. Press charges, do whatever you want, but don’t make me go back there.”
    Guy stood in the doorway of Elena’s room and watched her gradually limping down the corridor. She was going so slowly, Con had to actually stop walking to let her get ahead.
    If there had been any doubt in Guy’s mind about her innocence, it was gone now after hearing that speech. She wanted no part of the mountain.
    And if a cave scared her, what would a dragon do?
    Guy leaned a hand against the doorframe and sighed. He’d been about to tell her he was a dragon when Rhys had knocked. Maybe Con was right and it was best to keep their secret amongst themselves.
    He’d already done enough damage by telling Elena he was immortal. But to tell her the rest of it…he couldn’t, wouldn’t now. He’d lose her for sure.
    “You look like someone just shot your puppy,” Rhys said as he walked up. “I’d thought you’d be thrilled to have Con asking for Elena’s help.”
    Guy didn’t bother to respond. Elena had reached the stairs and was attempting to make her way down. Con wasn’t going to stop her, so someone had to.
    He started toward them, lengthening his strides when Elena gripped the railing. She was just about to jump on the first stair when Guy scooped her up in his arms.
    “You’re going to kill yourself,” he ground out.
    She looked up at him, her eyes wide and mouth open. “I did all right these past twenty-eight years. Humans are fragile, but we heal well enough.”
    Guy inwardly winced at her words. Would Con and Rhys pick up on the double meaning? Would they guess he’d told her something?
    “No’ if you break your neck,” Guy said, and started down the stairs.
    He didn’t know where he was going, but it didn’t matter. She was in his arms, and he had to get away from Con and Rhys to calm his thoughts and his breathing.
    “I shouldn’t have said that,” she whispered.
    “Nay,” he murmured.
    She rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
    He gave her a light squeeze and brought her to the entertainment room. Usually it was full of the other Dragon Kings, but they’d been ordered to stay away because of Elena.
    “Such a huge house for just the four of you. Why do I believe there are more?” she asked, her eyes twinkling with merriment.
    He didn’t answer, but she laughed just the same.
    “There are. I knew it,” she whispered as he set her down on the couch.
    Guy moved away from her in time to see Con raise a brow at him. There was no need to try to deny anything. He wasn’t keeping what was between him and Elena a secret.
    “Verra protective,” Rhys murmured as he walked past. “A sign no one can ignore.”
    Guy glared at him before turning to Elena and sitting on the arm of the couch. “Will