I looked at the strong planes of his face, the high cheekbones sculpting lines that made my stomach tighten with happiness. The brown, elegant slashes of eyebrow set off his eyes so that they just about glowed with emotion. The phylactery was everything to Gabriel— if Kostya regained it, I knew without the slightest doubt that he would use it against the silver dragons. It was of tantamount importance that we get to it before he did . . . and yet Gabriel was willing to set aside his need to protect his people in order to help me with Cyrene.

My heart heaved a little sigh of resignation and allowed itself to do what it had wanted to do from the very beginning—I fell in love with Gabriel.

‘‘I think that is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me,’’ I said once I could manage to speak around the lump in my throat.

He gave another short nod, acknowledging the fact that I recognized his sacrifice.

‘‘Would it upset all sorts of dragon etiquette if I was to kiss you silly in a taxicab?’’ I asked him.

One dimple started to show despite his serious expression. ‘‘Not in the least.’’

‘‘Good. Because I don’t think I’m going to be able to stop myself,’’ I said, smiling into his mouth. The second my lips touched his, fire swept through me. Mindful of the surroundings—and not wanting to have to explain to a startled cab driver why the backseat of his vehicle was engulfed in flames—I controlled the dragon fire, allowing it to pass back into Gabriel.

‘‘You taste so good,’’ he murmured, his hands hard on my hips as he tried to pull me over his lap. ‘‘You taste of the cool water that hides deep in a stream. You taste of the night air, soft and scented and mysterious. The taste of you drives me wild. I want to be with you, be inside you, shout to the world that you are mine at the same time I want to keep you hidden where you will exist only for me. You make me feel invincible, little bird.’’

‘‘You are invincible,’’ I whispered, nibbling his delicious lower lip. ‘‘You are my dragon in shining armor who will slay that pesky Saint George for me.’’

His dimples deepened even though he sighed with frustration as, aware the cabby was watching us in his rearview mirror, I settled back down on the seat next to Gabriel.

‘‘Saint George?’’ he asked.

‘‘Well, his name is Porter, and he’s not a saint, but I can tell you that he has stepped over the line and done something very foolish.’’

‘‘You think the blackmailer kidnapped your twin?’’

"Can you think of anyone else who would do something so crazy?"

Gabriel shook his head. ‘‘No. It does seem to be an attempt to manipulate you by holding Cyrene hostage.’’