Defiant Dragon by Kassanna

now it was more like security. “The way she said it was strange. It’s probably nothing.”
    He swept the sand from her back. “If you found it disturbing, that gives me reason for concern. Later we’ll find some clothes and head to the bathhouse. Get some sleep.” He twisted to curl his body around hers.

Chapter Eight
     
    His pants came to midcalf on his legs and the polo fit him more like a muscle shirt than casual wear. The outfits were the only items they could scrounge up, left behind in an empty Laundromat’s lost-and-found box. The pier was just ahead of them. Jax glanced over at River. The wide neck of her sundress didn’t hide the iridescent scales that formed a chain around her throat and traveled down her spine to the middle of her back. Her skin glowed under the rays of the rising sun. He grabbed her hand and stopped.
    She glanced over her shoulder at him. Since the claiming she’d been quiet and almost withdrawn. He wondered if she was regretting their connection and wasn’t sure how to respond to her. Emotions warred within him. In the past, he’d done what he wanted and damn the consequences but now he had to consider the feelings of a mate. This claiming shit was confusing. He stared out toward the sea. The need to fly her away, hide her to keep her safe, rivaled with his desire to keep her by his side while he chased down every threat to her and eliminated it. How the hell did you comfort someone when you weren’t sure what you were soothing them for?
    “When we get to the bathhouse I need to contact Kirill and give him an update.” Jax gently squeezed her hand. “Once I have what we are looking for, I swear we will hunt for your dad.”
    “What exactly is it we need to search for? What kind of jewel or is it a whole chest?”
    “I don’t know. It could be something as simple as a coin. I’m hoping the piece is so unusual that we can’t miss it. Let’s keep this information to ourselves. Contrary to your beliefs, I don’t think the Mako’s can be trusted.” He turned his head to watch her reaction.
    Her brows came together in a frown. “You’re being paranoid. I’m probably emotional from our mating. Hyori probably meant nothing by her comments.”
    “It’s a mating, not a pregnancy. You’re one of the more levelheaded people I know. You had a concern and personally, it’s better to keep you safe than to eat a bitch. Fish give me indigestion.” He winked. “Think about it. Why would your old friend Hyori warn you off? I want all the Batak information we can gather from the Ajumma, and then we will be on our way.”
    “All right, but I think Hyori is only trying to keep me out of Bali’s way.” She released his hand and strolled toward the wide, squat structure ahead of them.
    So early in the morning, no one was on the pier. They made their way to the jimjillbang and entered the bathhouse. Beyond the doors was a buzz of activity. A veil of excitement permeated the room. Jax stood on the threshold, staring at the men and women that bustled about carrying towels, buckets, trays and toiletries before peering down at River.
    A faint smile hovered on her lips. “The Ajumma is here.” She stepped into the chamber and started across the walkway that ran down the center of the area. On either side of the brick path were three huge sunken, blue-tiled empty pits with thin openings leading into the area. Shoulder-high, cloudy, glass-block walls obscured any views. A strong rancid, salty smell made his nose twitch as they strolled past the tubs.
    The narrow aisle prevented him from moving beside her. He trailed behind her.
    “She rarely comes on land anymore. I thought we might meet her at the inlet beneath this building. This is a great honor, Jax, so behave.” Eagerness and awe filled River’s voice.
    “Fuck that.” He coughed.
    As they grew closer to the carved gilt double doors at the end of the corridor, one side was thrown open. Hyori stood dressed in a green robe trimmed