“Sophea!” Rowan’s voice was hoarse and interrupted by a spate of coughing. “Sophea, are you all right?”

“I’m here. I’m okay. Where’s the hell beast?”

“Gone. He just disappeared.”

I stumbled forward, blind in the cloud of dust until I saw a dark shape loom up in front of me. I hesitated for a minute, then flung myself into Rowan’s arms, and kissed every part of him I could reach. “I thought I was a goner for sure. And then there you were, and you were awesome. Goddess above and below, Rowan! Where did you learn to do that?”

“I have no idea,” he said, panting and coughing and kissing me all at the same time. “I suspect it was the dragon part of me, because all I could think of was grinding that thing into the dust. You’re sure you’re all right? I didn’t mean to shove you so hard, but that thing was almost to you.”

The same low horn noise sounded from the ship as I patted down his arms and chest, just to make sure he wasn’t hurt in any way. “I’m glad you did. I mean, I may be a badass almost dragon, but you’re a badder-ass full dragon. That was seriously awesome, but don’t you ever do it again! You scared at least ten years off my life.”

“I scared you? I scared the shit out of myself,” he said with a little laugh, and then kissed me, really kissed me, his body getting into the act to the point where I forgot the near-death experience we’d just shared, and focused on just how hot were the flames he built within me.

People emerged from the big building, trailing out chatting and laughing just as if nothing momentous had occurred. They passed us, calling their congratulations to Rowan for defeating the first challenge, all of which we heard, but really didn’t pay attention to, because the kiss had turned into something deeper.

“Our feet are on fire,” I said breathlessly a few minutes later, when we managed to pry ourselves apart.

“Up to the knees,” he said, then kissed me again. I melted against him, wondering how I had ever existed without him.

A little pang smote me when I remembered thinking the same thing about Jian, but I tucked that memory away gently. Life went on, and although I would never stop loving Jian, it didn’t mean I couldn’t open my heart to someone else.

“Why are you crying, love?” Rowan brushed a dusty tear from the corner of my eye. “You forget that I’m a dragon now, and pretty much immortal. The monster probably couldn’t have killed me.”

“It’s not that,” I said with a little shake of my head. “It’s just… I was remembering… oh, hell. Never mind. Let’s get back on the ship before something else happens. Besides, I’m starving and it has to be lunchtime. I heard the bell go.”

“That wasn’t a meal bell,” he said, taking my hand as we maneuvered our way up the gangway. “It was the signal announcing the start of the first challenge. At least that’s what Gabriel told me, which is why, when I saw you standing outside, I went out to help you.”

“Where is he, speaking of immortal beings?” I asked, glancing around as we walked the couple of flights to the top deck. “I’d have thought he would be on hand to help out with that since that’s why he said he and May were here.”

“I believe they went to protect Mrs. P in case the beast breeched the ship.”

“She has her priestesses,” I pointed out.

He smiled. “And just like you, he prefers to make sure of her safety without relying on—what did you call them last night? Underwear models?”

“They sure could be,” I said dryly, and decided that it behooved me to check on Mrs. P’s welfare, too. Just so I could satisfy my conscience that I was earning my way.

We hurried up to the cabin, skidding to a stop at the sight of bodies strewn around the sitting room. Pitchers of icy margaritas melted in puddles that leaked into pools of wet black substances. Stacked tidily along one wall were three bodies of men in various colors, sizes, and shapes. In the middle of the room, Mrs. P sat serene on a chair, while the priestesses puttered around with mops, towels, and trash bags, clearly tidying up the results of what must have been a horrible attack.

May and Gabriel emerged from the bathroom, towels in hand.

I gawked for a minute, then asked, “What the hell happened here?”

“As we suspected, Bael arranged for demons to swarm the ship as soon as the first challenge started,” Gabriel said, wiping his hands and looking in distaste at the corpses. As we watched, they started evaporating, leaving behind oily black smears on the flooring.

“How did you—” I looked around for signs of a weapon, but saw none. “How did you kill them? Or rather, destroy their forms?”

May smiled and finished dabbing at a black stain on her shirt. “Dragon form doesn’t need weapons. At least, not against some demons. And the priestesses helped, of course.”

“We intended to take care of the demons ourselves,” Ipy said, picking up a severed hand and tossing it into a bag, along with a knife stuck into half a pineapple. The shaft of the knife was stained black. “But when it became clear that the dragon and his mate would handle destroying the demons, we simply protected our sister while they did the hard work.”

“I take it you took care of the first challenge?” Gabriel asked, nodding toward my Xena sword, which Rowan still held.

“Yes.” He glanced toward Mrs. P, frowning. “We need to have a talk.”

She shrugged. “It won’t change anything.”

“What won’t?” I asked, confused, nodding when May murmured something about them returning to their cabin to change their clothes. They left, and since the models had the cleanup well in hand, Rowan and I sat with Mrs. P.

“I see that your man has been made a dragon.” She flashed Rowan a surprisingly flirtatious grin. “I did tell you that the First Dragon would demand payment.”

“I had no idea that the payment would consist of my… self,” Rowan answered somewhat acidly, although that expression faded and he added, “It could have been much worse. I have to say that being a dragon is rather… liberating.”

“You may not have my shiny,” Mrs. P said, and I let my gaze roam over her. Dammit, she was getting even younger yet, just in the space of an hour. Her hair was entirely brown now, a glossy walnut that made my plain-old-black-hair heart envious. In addition, the wrinkles were gone, all but a few around her neck and eyes, and her arms were toned and smooth. “My beau needs it. Without it, we can’t leave.”