The Queen's Flight (Emerging Queens) by Jamie K. Schmidt Read Free Book Online Page B

“Why?”
    “Because Carolyn got ambushed by the Cult of Humanity.”
    Sergei snarled a curse that had Viola staring at him wide eyed. “Is she all right?” he asked.
    “Yes. Luckily, I was flying in the clouds above the car at the time. I lifted it up with her in it and flew off.”
    “What did those dickheads do?”
    “They shot at me, but they weren’t expecting a dragon in full battle mode. Little weasels were hoping for a panicked Queen.”
    “Well, we’ve been clear so far.”
    “Keep off the roads until morning. I’m afraid they’re going to double back and catch you.”
    “There’s no way they can pick us out of a crowd.”
    “Some genius ran all the plates in the Talon Industries parking lot and your bike lit up as belonging to a dragon. The press will be looking for it. It’s not exactly discreet.”
    “If I wanted discreet, I would have bought a cruiser.” Viola’s bike was a cruiser.
    She stuck her tongue out at him.
    He returned the favor and shocked her into a blush. Sergei stopped listening to Reed as he droned on about statistics and probabilities. Viola was combing her fingers to fluff up her helmet head. Her hair, a darker shade of blonde, fell down to her shoulders in soft waves.
    She crinkled up her brow as she frowned at a few split ends. Sergei was mesmerized by her cute nose and full lips that were twisted into a small pout. Her V-neck sweater was stretched tight over a generous rack, and he was distracted by the deep cleavage.
    Shifting in the booth because his jeans went tight, Sergei rubbed the back of his neck and tried to remember she was a Queen.
    He breathed in her scent, hoping it would make his body react like he’d plunged into a cold shower. But instead of the rancid perfume he recalled from Cassandra, Viola was scented like a wood stove and autumn leaves. For a moment, he pictured the two of them curled up in front of the fire in his cabin in Vermont. Her hair would be splayed across the bearskin rug and she’d be gazing up at him with those wide, brown eyes. He’d lose himself in her lush curves and bury his face between her juicy—
    “Are you still there? Did the connection drop?”
    Sergei blew out an exasperated breath. “No, I’m here. The connection is a little sketchy. Repeat what you said.” He took a large swallow of black coffee, letting the heat burn down his throat.
    “I said, I still think it would be best if you two ditch those bikes and take to the air.”
    “She can’t fly,” Sergei bit out.
    There was a pause on the line. “Damn,” Reed said softly. “You’re going to have to show her how.”
    “I’m not a good teacher. I don’t have any patience.”
    “No kidding,” Viola said in a sotto voice.
    He flipped her off.
    “Well, the only other alternative is to pick her up and carry her.”
    Revulsion shook the last of the horny thoughts out of his mind. “Never,” he growled.
    “Well, she can’t ride on your back. She’ll slide off.”
    “I need my arms free to fight.”
    “It’s your choice. I can send some troops out to you now, but I think it will cause a media ruckus that we don’t want.”
    “No,” Sergei said. “Let’s keep this as low-key as possible. We’ll be at the safe house in another four hours if we drive through the night. We’re stopping for a meal right now.”
    “I don’t think I have another four hours in me,” Viola said.
    “Have her ride on the back of your bike,” Reed suggested.
    “No.” No Queen was going to wrap her arms around him. He knew that didn’t make any sense when less than five minutes ago he was fantasizing about making love to her on the floor of his cabin. But that was different. She was on the bottom. He was in control. On the back of his bike, she could cause them to crash or she could attack him.
    He scratched the stubble on his chin and willed the paranoia back. Her scent calmed him, reminded him of the out-of-doors instead of being locked up or trapped. He couldn’t be in