Dark Promise by Annika West
18
Oz’s wings beat against the wind, which was stronger now that we were in the air. It took nearly no time at all to reach the halfway point between the ship and the island.
“Remember,” Willow shouted. “Don’t shift dimensions until we’re on the shore and beyond the wards! We don’t know what kind of enchantments you can set off if they actually block fae magic on this island!”
“Duh!” I yelled back. Adair repeated that about a million times. A bummer, since I’d prefer to skip merrily into the temple and finish this mission like a bad bitch.
Oz cursed.
“What is it?” I shouted, shocked to see that his eyes were glowing brilliant and blue.
They fell on me, cold and god-like. “For your sake, I hope you can swim.”
He held my gaze for a tense moment. Behind the glow, it was hard to read his expression.
Whatever he meant, I didn’t expect his arm to disappear.
My stomach lurched as I fell. Wind tore over my ears.
Oz had dropped us.
Fuck, fuck, fuck. How far up are we? When is the water going to hit? Why can’t I see shit?
I lurched as Willow grasped my hand and jerked me toward her the second before we hit the ocean.
We both came up, gasping.
“I’m going to kill him,” Willow snarled. A wake slapped her in the face and made her choke on sea water.
“Swim now. Threat later,” I gasped.
Now that I had the power to shift dimensions and casually propel myself over all this water, I wasn’t allowed.
There could be wards right on top of us. The only way to be safe was to wait until we were well onto the beach.
Stupid witches and rules.
So, as my muscles burned, I decided I was making a vow tonight. A vow of Cayne celibacy, platonic and sexual.
No more would I let any dragon into my business, and may my bones turn to strawberry Jell-O if I ever do again.
This was just way too much betrayal for any girl to handle.
I swam against the current. The ocean pulled back at me, coaxing away from the shore.
But I swam.
If anything, we’d make it to the shore and take asylum with the witches. If they didn’t kill us first, that is.
What were the international laws between unauthorized border-crossing? Who owned these islands? Spain or Portugal?
Not that it mattered. I mean, I paid attention in school, but not that much attention.
The water was cold, and my lungs burned. Willow was keeping pace with me and making sure I wasn’t going to drown.
When it came down to it, she really did love me, didn’t she?
The sky behind us suddenly filled with cold, blue light. Oz’s dragon roar accompanied it, and chills whipped down my spine, urging me forward.
See? I thought in an Oz-like mocking voice. I’m a dragon all the way up here. For some reason, I’m acting like a two-faced fucktwat. Now, I’ll never be trusted again because I’m a conniving, evil, murdering little —
A second roar tore through the sky, layering over Oz’s.
Followed by a burst of angry, orange light.
As the fire illuminated our faces, Willow and I locked gazes for one terrified second.
No way, I wanted to say.
Um, I’m pretty sure it’s ‘yes way.’ Or are you stupid? she’d probably reply.
But how could he be here? He’s supposed to be specifically not here!
Willow started swimming again. “Don’t fall behind.”
My legs and arms trembled almost as much as they did after Hux fucked my brains out.
But we weren’t remembering those times.
Nope.
I was a woman of propriety.
And grudges.
We didn’t fantasize about people we held grudges against. That was completely subverting the whole purpose.
I was wiping those instances with him from my muscle memory completely. I shall retroactively revisit every delicious, mind-blowing experience and replace Hux with a big, silicone dildo.
It’ll probably be purple.
Or tie-dyed.
Definitely tie-dyed.
The dragon battle was ear-shattering. Every roar sent trembles down my body that I couldn’t control like some deeply instinctual, animalistic response. The only good thing was that the blue and orange flames kept the shore visible for myself and Willow.
There was no chance I’d turn around. I’d freak out, lose focus, and drown.
Then how would I take out my revenge on the dragons? Because I’m pretty sure that was my life’s mission now.
Make their lives a living, breathing, betrayal-filled hell.
I’ll pay all of Hux’s employees to inconvenience him every single day. Tiny, terrible things.
Replacing his regular coffee with decaf.
Stealing one sock from every pair.
Slowly. Methodically.
Sneaking fire-retardant into his salad. Good luck breathing flames next time, buddy.
My foot brushed something hard. A scream tore from my throat and through the sky.