I directed our operatives through the trees, lifting a hand to give the signal. We slowed our pace as our hideout came into view. We were in good spirits, riding the high of a successful raid. We'd stolen enough raw wood to get us through the next few weeks.

Prince Theodred had been nothing short of magnificent. His companions too. They'd made quick work of the mercenary guards at the sawmill, killing them to ensure they wouldn't talk. We couldn't risk my father knowing the prince was on our side now.

I kept my mask firmly in place.

That didn't seem to matter. Theo still looked at me with fire in his eyes. It only made my insides turn hot and oozy. My want for him was palpable; it appeared my body had completely betrayed my mind. I could practically taste him like a phantom flavor on my tongue.

For the past three days, I'd replayed our kisses over and over until my mind begged me to put it out of its misery. To kiss him again. But I couldn't—wouldn't.

I'd replayed our conversation too. Especially the part where he'd blatantly said he didn't want me marrying Hawthorne. Gods, I didn't want me marrying Hawthorne either. I was so against it, that when Theo had announced his plan to strip my father of his titles, my first thought had been how I could use the situation to get out of my upcoming marriage.

I'd never felt so selfish in all my life. Then I'd sat there arguing with him, saying whatever I needed to, to get a rise out of him. A reaction. To feel his jealousy.

Why?

Because I was pathetic. It felt like ages ago when I'd told him, point blank, that I'd never fall at his feet. That if he and I the last living people in Dragonwall, I'd never want him. It hadn't been a lie.

As it turned out, I was all too eager to go back on my word, because now I was pining after him. It was ridiculous. I hated it. Hated him, for making me feel things, hot uncomfortable things, despite who he was. Despite his spoiled attitude, his reputation, his very existence.

The others moved a little quicker, rushing to deposit our wood in the storage area of the caves. It would be parsed out, then delivered to those who needed it most. I couldn't help the warmth that unfurled in my chest.

"So...this is where you've been hiding, all this time," Theo mused, throwing me a grin. "I should have known there'd be caves in these woods."

We slipped through the entry. Theo was close on my heels, his four companions following after. Orange firelight danced on the walls. It was a bustle of activity as wood was stacked against the far wall.

Theo turned in a circle, regarding the space.

Our operatives gave him respectful glances as they passed by. Except those he'd freed. They'd greeted him almost reverently, with shy, thankful smiles. Even Edric, who'd greeted the prince with a firm handshake. Like they'd known each other for years.

He'd used his charm to win them over.

Amelina swept up to me, taking my hands. Her eyes darted towards the prince, only briefly, before settling on me. "I think we have good reason to celebrate tonight, yes?"

I huffed a laugh. "I suppose we do. Not just a successful raid, but the impending end to a rebellion."

Her eyes widened. "Truly?!"

"Yes, I'm planning to make the announcement momentarily."

Her cheeks glowed with excitement, hope. Again, her eyes darted towards the prince. I couldn't blame her for being shy in his presence. He was sickeningly handsome.

"My lady." Edric came to stand beside us.

I dropped Amelina's hands. "Edric, as soon as the wood is unloaded, gather everyone together. I'd like to make an announcement."

He nodded, then rushed to hurry our operatives along. When they finished, they gathered as we always did, around the center of the cave. Every crate and chair was occupied. Theo's companions, Amil, Fallon, Idris, and Xander, took up positions near the edge, standing with their arms crossed. Theo stayed by my side.

Wine bottles were uncorked and passed around. Most of them drank directly from the bottles, though some poured cups. One of those cups was thrust into my hand. I contemplated taking a drink. We'd been successful, after all, and things were finally looking up.

I nocked back a swallow, enjoying the burn of wine as it passed over my tongue and down my throat. Someone called for a speech. The chant was taken up by others until I lifted my hands to silence them.

"Every one of you has my deepest gratitude," I told them. "You've all risked your lives, over and over, to keep our secrets, to care for our people. Your bravery and strength has been an inspiration, and I am honored to call myself your leader."

Quiet cheers went up around the group.

"I know not all of our operatives could be here tonight. Some, because they have family duties to see to, others because we lost them from this world. I propose a toast, to all those brave souls who couldn't be here with us tonight."

"Here, here!" some of them agreed.

I lifted my cup as other cups and bottles went into the air. "To the rebellion," I chanted.

"The rebellion," they cried.

I took another deep sip, waiting for them to do the same. When they quieted down, I spoke again. "We have much to celebrate tonight. Not just a successful mission, but the addition of Dragonwall's prince. I, for one, didn't think I'd see the day." Snickers and chuckles echoed around the cavern. I glanced at Theo to find his gaze rapt on me. The heat of his full attention was almost too much. "Not only has he joined our cause, but he's found a way to end it. A way that makes everything we have been fighting for worth it."

More quiet cheers rang out.

"So, I propose another toast." I lifted my cup again. "To the prince!"

"To the prince," they all chanted.

I drank deep, enjoying the slight buzz that settled over my limbs. When I caught the prince's gaze again. I nodded. He stepped forward. "Thank you for that," he said, lifting his voice. "I—"

A scream split the air. We both froze, our eyes locking. For a moment, everything around us disappeared, shock over taking it all. Then another shout followed. We whirled towards the cave's entrance. Before thinking better of it, I raced through the cave and out into the darkness. Was it one of our operatives? Were they harmed?

Through the trees, I caught sight of a shadowed body. "Sari?" I cried, rushing forward.

"No, Lady Mask—wait!" Theo raced after me, but I didn't stop.

My eyes were locked on Sari, her arm outstretched for me, a look of pure shock on her features. She was on her knees, an arrow protruding from her shoulder. "I'm...I'm sorry," she cried, blood spilling from the corner of her mouth.

"Oh, gods!" I picked up my pace, racing towards her.

A sickening squelch was the only warning before another arrow shot straight through her skull. The light in her eyes vanished and she fell forward. Lifeless.

"Sari!" I screamed, my throat splitting open.

"Watch out!" Theo cried from behind me, tackling me to the ground, his body covering mine. Overhead, arrows shot through the trees. I gasped for breath, my heart pounding in my chest. A roar rose up in my ears, muffling the sounds around us. The sounds of pounding feet. Hundreds of them.

I fought against the prince, clawing my way to standing. What I found made my vision flash white. Rebellion operatives streamed out of the cave, taking up arms in an attempt to fight as armored mercenary guards swarmed us. My stomach dropped as I caught sight of Sari again.

I looked away. How had this happened. How...?

"Did you...did you betray us?!" I couldn't help but cry, rounding on Theo. Now was not the time, and yet, I couldn't stop the burning betrayal lodging in my throat. "Did you tell Lord Lasker about our raid?"

"You think...are you crazy? Why would I do that? I would never betray you." I looked into his eyes, his beautiful blue eyes, and found only honesty. And worry. His brows were furrowed, eyes darting between mine and the armed men closing in.

I blinked. An arrow wizzed past me, nearly clipping my shoulder. Theo was faster. He grabbed me around the waist and pulled me against his body, turning his back on our enemy to stand as a shield."I have to get you out of here!" he cried.

"No!" I shouted. "I'm not leaving them!" I drew a dagger from my belt, trying to struggle free of him. I'd propped my bow just inside the cave and hadn't thought to grab it. Not that it would do much good in close combat.

Theo's companions had already drawn their svearks. They moved with precise efficiency, removing heads from bodies. A mercenary guard screamed and raced for me. I lifted my dagger right as Theo stepped in front of me, shoving his sword into the man's chest before withdrawing.

"There are too many," he cried. "Retreat!" he called to our operatives. "Retreat to safety!"

I glanced around, blinking, taking in the chaos as Theo and his drengr formed ranks around me.

Our people weren't fighters. The moment they heard the prince's command, they took off into the trees. We knew this forest better than anyone. They'd lose them in the trees, and save themselves in the process. But...we'd lose our stronghold.

"We need to go, sweetheart," Theo growled in my ear. Except that we were surrounded. While the other operatives managed to disappear in ones and twos, the mercenaries had pegged us as their biggest threat. There must have been fifty, just around the six of us.

"No!" I pulled at Theo, as if that might keep me here. I refused to give up. Especially not while my operatives were in danger.

I caught sight of Amelina and Edric. They held my gaze, a question in their expression. "Go!" I screamed, breathing a sigh as they disappeared.

"We'll hold them off," Amil shouted. "Get her to safety."

Theodred growled, leaping forward. Then, before my very eyes, he transformed into a hulking gold form. The mercenaries who stood in his way were flattened. Trees crunched, ripped from the earth to make room for him.

"No! I'm not leaving," I screamed at him, trying to put distance between us. I wasn't a coward. I couldn't just run away.

In the end, Theo didn't give me a choice. I had only a moment to blink before his talons were clutching me, before his body launched into the air, using the clearing he'd just created to take us skyward.

A scream burst from my lips. The ground disappeared beneath me. I didn't dare struggle. Didn't dare fight against his grip for fear I'd fall to my death.

I looked down over the network of caves below, quickly disappearing into the darkness. Tears filled my eyes. All our hard work, everything we'd done, lost. How many operatives had they slain before our retreat? Oh, gods! How could this have happened?

My breaths came faster and faster. I tried to hold myself together. To keep from sobbing.

Once we were aloft, the dragon holding me by my torso repositioned me, cradling me against him. The hold was intimate. My mind was too overcome to process it, so instead, I turned my face inward until my mask pressed against the dragon's chest.

There was a moment of heat from Theo's scales, hot against my exposed jawbone, and then everything around us disappeared. Suddenly, I wasn't in the arms of a dragon anymore, I was standing amidst castle ruins. Ruins as far as the eye could see.

"What?!" I whispered, blinking, taking it in. How?! Had I fainted? Had it all been a bad dream? Only for me to wake up here? "Where...am I?" I wondered, more to myself than anything.

I didn't expect the voice that answered. An incredulous burst of laugh, more shocked than mirthful, sounded as if it was right beside me. "You, sweetheart, just burrowed your way into my head. Can't say that I'm surprised, given the way you've been burrowing into my heart these past few days."

"Theo?" I blinked, taking in the expanse of crumbled stones. There were half formed turrets, battlements with broken crenations, crumbling staircases leading to nowhere. All of it was a mix of bleak, gray stone.

"I'm here," came his steady voice.

"Where? I don't...I can't see you."

I couldn't make sense of what he'd said. Something about his mind. Burrowing into his heart.

Then a realization hit me, hard and fast, and I sucked in a breath, trying to find air. Amelina's words came rushing back, as if they'd been waiting for this moment to pop up and remind me. She'd asked, 'what if,' and I'd brushed it off as ridiculous.

"To be fair, it's not something I considered either. Not beyond the mere want of it."

I went rigid. "Are you...are you reading my mind? Get out of my head!"

"Not exactly trying to, sweetheart. You're thinking pretty loudly."

"Well, don't!" I screeched. Or, my thought was a screech, but it wasn't. I hadn't opened my mouth a single time to speak out loud.

"Fine. I'll do my best." His sarcastic words were accompanied by a snort.

"Unbelievable," I muttered.

"No, what's unbelievable is that we're mates," he decided. "I hadn't planned on searching for my mate, wasn't all too keen on the idea. But, suddenly, I find I've changed my mind. Thank the gods. I think I might have lost it had you actually married that abominable Hawthorne fellow."

I clenched my jaw so forcefully that pain flared up into my temples. The smug, superior tone he used made me want to pommel him. Gods, how could I want him so badly, but be so frustrated by him at the same time?! He was so good at infuriating me. "Just because we're mates doesn't mean I have to choose you, Theo. I might still want to marry Hawthorne. You don't get to make my decisions for me—"

A roar cut me off, an angry one. I could feel the possessiveness in it. The raw anger. "You are my mate! I will not part with you for anything."

I sucked in a breath. "You're over here playing possessive when...when my rebel base was just attacked? You selfish, spoiled brat."

The words were out before I could stop them. I might have meant them weeks ago, but I'd seen a deeper side of him. He could be selfish at times, but at the heart of him, he cared. Still, there were times like now, when he infuriated me so much, it was easy to throw punches with the intent to wound.

Theo growled this time. I could feel the hurt my words had imparted. I needed...I needed out of this.

The solution came almost naturally. Forcing myself back into my own consciousness, I ripped my head backwards, pulling my face away, breaking the contact between Theo's scales and my skin. The desolate, crumbling landscape vanished. I gasped, coming back to reality. That reality happened to be far above the ground, in the middle of the sky.

My stomach heaved.

"Put me down!" I screeched. Surely he could hear me. I wouldn't dare touch him again to tell him.

But he did. I felt our descent immediately. Theo reached a deserted strip of land and made a direct path to land. His giant wings flapped, churning the air around me, before he landed on his hind legs. Then, ever so gently, he opened his arms, removing me from the cradle of him to set me on my feet.

I immediately put distance between us. He didn't bother shifting. We were in the middle of nowhere. Instead, he just lowered his golden head, staring at me with blue eyes.

It was easier to summon anger. Easier than processing what this meant. For me. For us.

"This changes nothing," I spat. Then I turned on my heel and marched off into the wilderness.

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