Page 56 of Mate of a Monster

That has my brows snapping together. “What? No. Hell no. I came here to save you, not play nice with them.”

“I know, little mate, and we will figure out how to do that, but think. You were exiled, believed to have used forbidden magic to trick their king. Gifted are watching.”

My tongue rolls along my teeth. “And the Kings of Rathe can’t look weak.”

“It will only make things worse. Their hand will be forced and we will all fall in the end.”

That’s a bit dramatic, but I guess I’ll listen. For now.

I bite the inside of my cheek. “I think I have every right and reason to be here, don’t you?”

“Haide.” Creed’s expression doesn’t change but there is a softness in his expression that wasn’t there before. “Think.”

“I’m what keeps you up at night, ain’t I?”

“You are nothing!” Legend screams so suddenly I startle.

My knees threaten to buckle, but I keep them upright.

“She has tricked the dragons as she’s tricked you! End her!” Arabella shrieks.

I roll my eyes.

Creed comes closer. The movement creates a chorus of rumbles among the dragons and he halts midstep, raising his hands in a show of innocence.

It’s like warmth spread straight into my soul.

The dragons really are protecting me.

They’re standing with me, an exile. A no one.

“Turn yourself over.” Creed tries again. “Now.”

“And why would I do that?”

“Hellpet.”

I ignore him.

Creed drops his voice this time, speaking only for me to hear. “Because we have something you want. Something you lost that we have found.”

My nails dig into my palms. Zev.

“Yes,” he hisses. “The one I saw in your head. He’s here.”

“Where?”

“Underground.”

“Creed!” Legend booms from behind him. “Wrap her ass in bounds and be done with it.”

“Surrender,” he says for their ears, then adds for mine, “It’s the only way I can help you now.”

“Do it,” the beast agrees. “It will get us inside the castle without bloodshed. And once we are in his space, he won’t be able to stay away. Legend will come to us.”

My attention snaps back to my mate, and his eyes narrow further.

“Okay, royal.” I stick my wrists out. “Take me away.”