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TO BE MATED 1357
"Just a little deep mana?" Ethan asked."The tiniest bit would work," Alana replied. "If your deep mana was a lake, a single drop of water would do."Ethan felt a little silly and looked around. The deck of the airship was covered with bleary eyed men loading cargo and rations. The main deck was sixteen feet wide and about a hundred feet long, including the raised quarterdeck at the stern. Above him, the upper main mast towered sixty feet above them and it was topped with a crow's nest for a lookout. Ethan knew there was a similar arrangement underneath the vessel with the second mast.Anthiel was in her element, and shouted orders from the quarterdeck behind the steering wheel. Beth was looking surly and winced when she moved her back. She glanced at Ethan and Alana occasionally, but there was less jealousy in her glances than he expected. Rachel was still bound and gagged, but they had locked her in a storage room to keep her presence a secret and out of the way."Come on, I promise
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He couldn't say she was wrong, but still didn't like the idea. They talked for another minute, and then Beth wandered off to indulge her curiosity about how the airship was operated.He picked up the spear Alana had given him and put some of his deep mana into that too, although he found himself enjoying the war hammer more in the confines of the ship. He found himself dropping it then calling it back to his hand over and over. He even threw it a few times and called it back. It was oddly satisfying and strangely comforting to know he could call it to his hand from anywhere.* * *Ethan saw the last of the supplies being loaded twenty minutes later. Lord Borden led his family up the gangplank onto the deck. Beth had a tearful goodbye with them and Lord Borden walked up to Ethan when they were done."I told Anthiel you are in charge," Lord Borden said."I appreciate the vote of confidence sir," Ethan said. "But, I don't know anything about this world or being on the run.""I didn't bec
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Almost instinctively, Ethan called his hammer and spear to his hands. Alana made a beeline for the storage compartment where she'd stashed her bow and arrows. Anthiel drew her sword and a roll of leather. He felt the tingle of magic being used, then the roll of leather unrolled itself into a small shield that looked quite rigid. The two crewmen drew sabers and took up defensive positions."We're so dead," Beth whispered looking up towards the twenty ropes that had just fallen from the attacking airship, then to the mere five defenders on the ArgoAnthiel smiled. "Do you really think your father would send just anyone to protect his little girl?"She shook her head, then glanced at the two crewmembers. A flicker of recognition came to her face. Despite that, she looked unsure what to do."Can you fight?" Ethan asked. She shook her head again, so he said. "Then lock yourself in the captain's cabin."She nodded, then then did so."Defend the Quarterdeck," Anthiel said. "If they take that
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Alana had felt the knife drag over her skin as the pirate fell, but could tell instantly that the wound was neither deep nor serious. It was more like a deep scrape than an actual cut. She let out the breath she didn't realize she'd been holding and looked at Ethan to thank him.But something was wrong.For the briefest moment, Ethan seemed to fight an internal battle. Then his entire countenance changed. His body language shifted to be more predatory and aggressive. His eyes went from very human concern to the cold, pitiless eyes of nature's greatest apex predator.This wasn't Ethan anymore; it was the dragon.The feelings of concern and protectiveness vanished from their bond like they had been washed away by a flash flood. A deep, primal rage formed in their absence; a bottomless black pit seemed to encompass Ethan's entire mind and being, consuming him with primitive fury and wrath.The dragon opened his mouth and the roar he released froze her to the spot. Her limbs lost all abil
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As she lay in bed trying to fall asleep, the events of the day finally caught up with her. Ethan's wedding, the emotions during his wedding night, Rachel's attack, Ethan convincing her to come with him on the Argo, the fight with the pirates and the conversation afterward: it had been a full day. Her emotions were all jumbled up and they didn't want to separate so she could work through them.She was exhausted, physically, mentally and emotionally. Her life had changed so much the past month it was unbelievable. She had lost her farm, found love, been bonded, lost love, and then watched her man marry another woman. To top it off, she has traveling with them. Alana had heard many stories about heroes and heroines in similarly awful circumstances where the story always ended well.But this wasn't a story.This was real life.There was no guarantee of a "happily ever after" and it looked like she would live out her days bonded to Ethan while he was married to another woman. That bothered
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"I don't know," she mused. "I was always wandering around my father's mansion with my nose in a book. My mother always caught me and scolded me for being unladylike. She said real ladies didn't read, they worked to become better wives for their future husbands.""Wow," he said and his mouth was hanging open slightly."Maybe I should've listened," Beth bit her lip and averted her eyes. What if she hadn't spent enough time learning how to be a good wife and he could tell? What if she wasn't a good enough wife and made him miserable?Ethan used the side of his index finger tip gently tip her chin up so she was looking at him. "Beth, I like the fact that you read. Smart women are sexy.""Really?""Absolutely."He said it with enough conviction that she almost believe him. Almost. Not that she thought he was lying -- she didn't -- but after years of hearing her mother say it, it was rather stuck in her head."She always told me I didn't help enough. She said if I wasn't helpful, I wouldn't
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"Can we take the ring off without hurting her?" he asked."Tough to say," Anthiel replied. "I've heard if they're on long enough then taking them off will outright kill the person.""Beth said the same thing," Ethan added"So basically," Alana said. "We either risk her life by taking off the ring or condemn her to a life of slavery.""If it were me, I know what I'd pick," Ethan said. "I'd rather die than be forced to do someone else's bidding for the rest of my life."Everyone else agreed except Raklan. "I'd take life; you can always escape if you're alive. You can't do nothing if you're dead."Everyone ignored him."So we're agreed then, we'll take the ring off of her?" Ethan asked. Everyone but Raklan nodded. Raklan was too busy stuffing his face with pickles to answer verbally, but the look on his face made his opinion clear enough."Better sooner than later," Anthiel said.Ethan nodded, wolfed down the last bite of salt pork, and stood up."Serif, Raklan; you're on watch duty," An
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Alana told the whole story of how she had tried to kill her and her friend Ethan a couple times. However, they had figured out she was being compelled, removed the ring and how Ethan had given her some deep mana to save her life."I remember most of that, but it's a little fuzzy," Rachel said. "Isn't Ethan a dragon?"Alana nodded. "Yes, and one of the best men I've ever known.""Thank you for helping me; it would've been a lot easier to just kill me.""We don't do that kind of thing,""I'm glad," Rachel replied. "Could you help me up? I would really like to thank him in person.""Sure thing," Alana said.The wood elf helped her stand and provided a steadying hand to the door of the captain's cabin. Outside, it was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, the air was warm, and the gentle breeze felt amazing. On deck, a steel gray dragon was sparring with a massive blond crewman who was built like a troll or golem.Rachel sat down on deck for a minute's rest and watched them spar until the
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