Trusted: Dragons' Trust Book 1 by Krista Wayment Read Free Book Online Page A

lazier pace. It seemed to trickle along, spreading out and taking its time. The rushing sound had also quieted to just above a whisper. Lainey caught her breath and soaked in the peaceful moment, saving it for later.
    "Do you think we can cross here?" she asked.
    Thane's brown eyes scanned the river, his brow furrowed in concentration. "I think so," he said as he rubbed the stubble that had formed on his square jawline.
    Lainey turned to Renick, to whom she had really been speaking. "What do you think, Renick?"
    He shrugged like he always did when he was unsure. "It looks safe enough." He glanced over at Thane as he spoke, a question on his face.
    To keep from laughing, Lainey pressed her lips together. It was just too much fun to make Renick squirm. Thane took a deep breath and clenched his fists. It was a bonus that it annoyed Thane as well.
    Some bushes nearby rustled, the sound breaking through the calming melody of the river. The boys turned to watch the spot. Thane's hand went to his sword.
    "I think if we're going to cross here, we should do it quickly." Thane was trying to sound tough and brave, but she saw his feet shifting nervously. A knot formed in Lainey's throat. If Thane was really that worried, there was something to be worried about.
    "Why?" Lainey asked. When the question came out shaky, she mentally kicked herself for letting the fear leak out. She really was trying to be strong, like the boys.
    "This'll be a good watering hole for the animals of the forest, which means there'll be predators lurking about," Thane answered.
    "Yep. All right, then, shall we cross there?" Renick pointed to the widest part of the river. A sister knot formed in Lainey's stomach. Renick was feeling unsettled too. Were they really in that much danger? She was glad for her grip on the baby dragon's pack because it meant the boys could not see her hands shaking.
    Thane nodded. "As good a place as any. I'll go first to make sure it's safe." Thane stripped off his sword as he spoke. He also pulled the knife from his boot. Holding the weapons above his head, Thane started to cross the river.
    Lainey watched him intently. At the midway point, the water rose to his thighs. She could feel her breathing speed up. The water would be up to her waist. She could not swim. She opened her mouth to tell Renick as much and closed it again. They had to cross the river and it was silly for her to be afraid. After all, she could still walk across—she would not have to swim.
    Renick turned to face her, his arms outstretched. "Let me take the dragon."
    Lainey tilted her head and looked at him sideways. She smiled and said, "I can carry him—he's not that heavy. Plus, you'll be the rear guard. It wouldn't do to have you burdened by a passenger."
    He seemed unconvinced, so she did not give him a chance to argue further. Lainey took her first step into the river. The water soaked through her thin travel shoes. The cold cut into her feet and legs as she trudged deeper into the water. At first, she kept her eyes on Thane, who was waiting on the far bank, but then her feet went numb. She had to keep her head down, watching where she stepped through the murky water.
    The gentle push of the current against her legs made Lainey falter and her foot came down on a loose rock. She felt herself tilting dangerously close to the water. Throwing her hands out, she managed to steady herself. She took a few deep breaths to quiet her drumming heartbeat. When she felt ready to continue, she wrapped her arms back around the baby dragon, who had started to squirm, and took another step forward. She felt her foot slip on a slime–covered rock and went down.
    The cold water of the river surrounded Lainey. The only sound that broke through the din of the rapids was the plaintive pleas of the baby dragon. Lainey felt the water close around her head. Yanking the pack off her arms, she pushed the baby dragon up toward the surface. Something pulled against her arms, and her