She shifted from one foot to the other and glanced at the Dragon King. She hated that her gaze was drawn to him over and over again. She knew how heinous they were, how cruel and vicious. That should be enough to remind her that his looks were just a pretty shell to hide the horrors within. She drew in a deep breath and met Rankin’s hard stare.
“You’re not going to like what I have to say.”
He didn’t move, didn’t so much as flinch.
Jeyra licked her lips. “I crossed the border into their territory.”
“For fuck’s sake,” Rankin said and turned away. His fists were clenched, anger vibrating his body. It was several long moments before he faced her once more.
The last thing she wanted to do was finish the story. If her first sentence got him so riled, he certainly wasn’t going to like the rest of it. But she also knew that Rankin wouldn’t give up until he had every minute detail from her. It was going to be more painful if she dragged things out. So, she took a deep breath and let the words tumble hurriedly from her lips.
When she finished, Rankin’s face was no longer lined with anger. It was pale, and for the first time in her life, she saw panic in his gaze.
“Ah, girl,” he murmured sadly and slowly closed his eyes as his chin fell to his chest.
Jeyra had expected him to shout, to tell her how reckless and idiotic she’d been. She hadn’t anticipated his quiet words or the alarm on his face. That caused her heart to race and her chest feel as if someone were squeezing her – or a dragon stood on her.
She didn’t know how many minutes had passed. She was too lost in thought, too wrapped up in Rankin’s reaction to think about it. But the moment the Dragon King groaned, both she and Rankin stilled, their eyes darting to the prisoner. Rankin was the first to move. He strode to the Dragon King and punched him hard in the face, knocking him out once more.
Jeyra breathed a sigh of relief. There was no telling how long that emotion would stay with her, and she had a feeling that once it was gone, it would never return again. But no matter how many laws she had broken, no matter what the consequences of her actions was, she had to do this. Not just for herself, but for everyone living in fear of the Dragon Kings. It was time her people got justice for the numerous deaths caused by the dragons. It was time the Kings realized they couldn’t dominate everyone. Maybe then the killings would stop.
When Rankin’s gaze swung to her, she saw he had come to a decision. “I’m going to carry him. If anyone asks, you’re going to tell them that you found him on our side of the border. The two of you fought, and you got the upper hand before he could shift into his real form. I trained you, so that won’t seem too farfetched. And our people know of your skill, so that works to your advantage.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t,” he spit out. “I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing this for our people, because if it’s ever discovered what you’ve done, then whatever truce we have will be shattered and the killings will start up once more. I can’t live through that again. We’ve had peace for decades now, and you might very well have ruined all of that.”
Jeyra’s heart clutched, because she realized that whatever kinship she and Rankin had developed through the years had just been smashed, destroyed - shattered beyond any hope of reconciliation. She had seen Rankin react like this one other time. He never forgave his once best friend for the transgression.
And he wouldn’t forgive her.
Rankin had been the only family she had, and she had ripped that into a million pieces for the justice she needed. She ached for the loss, because she loved Rankin like a father. But her path had taken her to this point. She’d always known this was exactly where she had been headed. If Rankin couldn’t see and understand that, then he hadn’t known her at all.
She blinked back tears as Rankin grabbed the Dragon King by his hands to sit him up. Then Rankin squatted and let the King slump over his shoulder before Rankin straightened and adjusted the King. Without a word he started walking. Jeyra had no choice but to follow.
With one last look over her shoulder to the border she’d crossed, and the line she had ignored, she squared her shoulders and prepared for whatever was next.
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Thank You!
Thank you for reading WHISKY AND WISHES. I hope you enjoyed it! If you liked this book – or any of my other releases – please consider rating the book at the online retailer of your choice. Your ratings and reviews help other readers find new favorites, and of course there is no better or more appreciated support for an author than word of mouth recommendations from happy readers. Thanks again for your interest in my books!
Donna Grant
www.DonnaGrant.com
www.MotherofDragonsBooks.com
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Don’t miss these other spellbinding novels
by NYT & USA Today bestselling author DONNA GRANT
CONTEMPORARY PARANORMAL
* * *
DRAGON KINGS SERIES
(Spin off series from DARK KINGS SERIES)
Book 1: Dragon Revealed (novella)
REAPER SERIES
Book 1: Dark Alpha’s Claim
Book 2: Dark Alpha’s Embrace
Book 3: Dark Alpha’s Demand
Books 1-3 Bundle: Tall Dark Deadly Alpha
Book 4: Dark Alpha’s Lover
Book 5: Dark Alpha’s Night
Book 6: Dark Alpha’s Hunger
Book 7: Dark Alpha’s Awakening
Book 8: Dark Alpha’s Redemption
Book 9: Dark Alpha’s Temptation
Book 10: Dark Alpha’s Caress
DARK KINGS SERIES
Book 0.1: Dark Craving
Book 0.2: Night’s Awakening
Book 0.3: Dawn’s Desire
Books 0.1-0.4 Bundle: Dark Heat
Book 1: Darkest Flame
Book 2: Fire Rising
Book 3: Burning Desire
Book 4: Hot Blooded
Book 5: Night’s Blaze
Book 6: Soul Scorched
Book 6.5: Dragon King (novella)
Book 7: Passion Ignites
Book 8: Smoldering Hunger
Book 9: Smoke and Fire
Book 9.5: Dragon Fever (novella)
Book 10: Firestorm
Book 11: Blaze
Book 11.5: Dragon Burn (novella)
Book 11.6: Constantine: A History, Part 1
Book 12: Heat (short story)
Book 12.5: Constantine: A History, Part 2 (short story)
Book 13: Torched
Book 13.1: Constantine: A History, Part 3 (short story)
Book 13.5: Dragon Night (novella)
Book 14: Dragonfire
Book 14.5: Dragon Claimed (novella)
Book 15: Ignite
Book 16: Fever
Book 16.5: Dragon Lost (novella)
Book 17: Flame
Book 18: Inferno
The Dragon King Coloring Book
Dragon King Special Edition Character Coloring Book: Rhi
Book 19: Whisky and Wishes, A Dark Kings Special Holiday Novella
Book 20: Heart of Gold, A Dark Kings Special Valentine’s Novella
Book 21: Of Fire and Flame
DARK WARRIORS SERIES
Book 1: Midnight’s Master
Book 2: Midnight’s Lover
Book 3: Midnight’s Seduction
Book 4: Midnight’s Warrior
Book 5: Midnight’s Kiss
Book 6: Midnight’s Captive
Book 7: Midnight’s Temptation
Book 8: Midnight’s Promise
Book 8.5: Midnight’s Surrender (novella)
CHIASSON SERIES
Book 1: Wild Fever
Book 2: Wild Dream
Book 3: Wild Need
Book 4: Wild Flame
Book 5: Wild Rapture
LARUE SERIES
Book 1: Moon Kissed
Book 2: Moon Thrall
Book 3: Moon Struck
Book 4: Moon Bound
WICKED TREASURES
Book 1: Seized by Passion
Book 2: Enticed by Ecstasy
Book 3: Captured by Desire
Books 1-3: Wicked Treasures Box Set
HISTORICAL PARANORMAL
* * *
THE KINDRED SERIES
Book 0.5: Everkin (short story)
Book 1: Eversong
Book 2: Everwylde
Book 3: Everbound
Book 4: Evernight
Book 5: Everspell
DARK SWORD SERIES
Book 1: Dangerous Highlander
Book 2: Forbidden Highlander
Book 3: Wicked Highlander
Book 4: Untamed Highlander
Book 5: Shadow Highlander
Book 6: Darkest Highlander
ROGUES OF SCOTLAND SERIES
Book 1: The Craving
Book 2: The Hunger
Book 3: The Tempted
Book 4: The Seduced
Books 1-4: Rogues of Scotland Box Set
THE SHIELDS SERIES
Book 1: A Dark Guardian
Book 2: A Kind of Magic
Book 3: A Dark Seduction
Book 4: A Forbidden Temptation
Book 5: A Warrior’s Heart
Mystic Trinity (a series connecting novel)
DRUIDS GLEN SERIES
Book 1: Highland Mist
Book 2: Highland Nights
Book 3: Highland Dawn
Book 4: Highland Fires
Book 5: Highland Magic
Mystic Trinity (a series connecting novel)
SISTERS OF MAGIC TRILOGY
Book 1: Shadow Magic
Book 2: Echoes of Magic
Book 3: Dangerous Magic
Books 1-3: Sisters of Magic Box Set
THE ROYAL CHRONICLES NOVELLA SERIES
Book 1: Prince of Desire
Book 2: Prince of Seduction
Book 3: Prince of Love
Book 4: Prince of Passion
Books 1-4: The Royal Chronicles Box Set
Mystic Trinity (a series connecting novel)
MILITARY ROMANCE / ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
* * *
SONS OF TEXAS SERIES
Book 1: The Hero
Book 2: The Protector
Book 3: The Legend
Book 4: The Defender
Book 5: The Guardian
COWBOY / CONTEMPORARY
* * *
HEART OF TEXAS SERIES
Book 1: The Christmas Cowboy Hero
Book 2: Cowboy, Cross My Heart
Book 3: My Favorite Cowboy
Book 4: A Cowboy Like You
Book 5: Looking for a Cowboy
Book 6: A Cowboy Kind of Love
STAND ALONE BOOKS
Mutual Desire
Forever Mine
Savage Moon
Dark Beginnings: A First in Series Boxset
Contains:
Chiasson Series, Book 1: Wild Fever
LaRue Series, Book 1: Moon Kissed
The Royal Chronicles Series, Book 1: Prince of Desire
Check out Donna Grant’s Online Store for autographed books, character themed goodies, and more!
About the Author
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant has been praised for her “totally addictive” and “unique and sensual” stories. She’s written more than one hundred novels spanning multiple genres of romance including the New York Times bestselling Dark Kings series featuring immortal Highlander shape shifting dragons who are daring, untamed, and seductive. She lives with her two children, two dogs, and four cats in Texas.
* * *
www.DonnaGrant.com
www.MotherofDragonsBooks.com