Hard Hearted Read online

  Finder and Frost sat, but Frost fidgeted as his wings got in the way.

  Mist turned back. "Frost, there is a small button under the base of the seat, press it."

  Frost followed orders and the chair back folded inward to create a solid column that would not mash his wings. "Thanks."

  "You are welcome. You will need all the comfort you can get." He grinned as Reset gunned the engines and they rolled rapidly down the runway.

  When they lifted off, everyone tensed, instead of hitting the thrusters, she eased the shuttle through the atmosphere and out into the depths of space. The ship spun until she had her heading and she poured on the power. Her laughter warmed her friends and made Mist send a friendly look her way.

  * * * *

  "Okay, so she is a little better and a little worse." Roxy muttered in Esur's ear.

  "He seems to be a good influence on her."

  "That he is. Wait, what is he doing?" As Roxy watched, a thin mist snaked between the two partners and their pilot gasped.

  It took a few minutes of sharp jerks before a growl broke free of Gray's throat and her head went back for an instant.

  "Did he just…"

  "I believe he did."

  Gray's arm lashed out and smacked Canil's. She yelled, "Cheater!" and they both dissolved into laughter that precluded them hopping through a jump that was so smooth, Roxy didn't even feel like hurling.

  "I think they are perfect partners." She said it softly, but Esur picked up her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm.

  "I think they are almost perfect partners. For true perfection, they need to watch us."

  Finder smiled and kissed her mate, her dragon and her partner. While growing up, she had never imagined that she would be solving mysteries with a dragon who shared her bed, but here she was.

  Looking at the couple in front of them, she knew that they had been matched the same way she had been and they were not fighting it. Fighting it made the end result more explosive than it should be and could injure some feelings if not done with care.

  Lost in her thoughts, she smiled again as the word cheater preluded a slap. This was going to be a fun assignment.

  Author's Note

  Hard Hearted is the companion piece to Hardcore Green. They were both released on the same day and involve Gralial and Garoz.

  I am glad that I could write a female Kozue into the Sector Guard. They are a fun warrior race with starchy rules and violent traditions. Powered Up and Resurrecting Flame were the first books with this species.

  Thanks for your continuing support of the Sector Guard Series.

  Tell me, when should it end?

  At this time, I am contemplating book 25, but I am unsure. All I do know is that Helen and Hyder will get their story this year sometime.

  Thanks for reading,

  Viola Grace

  [email protected]

  http://www.violagrace.com

  http://www.extasybooks.com

  http://www.devinedestinies.com

  P.S. If you enjoy dragons…join Tianna Xander and Viola Grace in their new series, the D.A.R.E. Project. The first book, Ruby D.A.R.E. is already out. Dragons raised in a lab who are out to right a planetary wrong and punching through dimensional doorways on a day-to-day basis.

  About the Author

  Viola Grace was born in Manitoba, Canada where she still resides today. She really likes it there. She has no pets and can barely keep sea monkeys alive for a reasonable amount of time. Her line of day job tends to be analytical which leaves her mind hopping to weave stories. No co-worker is safe from her character analysis. In keeping with busy hands are happy hands, her hobbies have included cross-stitch, needlepoint, quilting, costuming, cake decorating, baking, cooking, metal work, beading, sculpting, painting, doll making, henna tattoos, chain mail, and a few others that have been forgotten. It is quite often that these hobbies make their way into her tales.

  Viola's fetishes include boots and corsetry, and her greatest weakness is her uncontrollable blush. Her writing actively pursues the Happily Ever After that so rarely occurs in nature. It is an admirable thing and something that we should all strive for. To find one that we truly like, as well as love.