When Time Stops: Dragon Shifter Surprise Pregnancy Romance by Anya Nowlan

onto a cliff and the drop seemed to go on endlessly below them. If she had to guess, she would have said that there was a small slip of sand beneath them, but all she could see was the white cap of waves washing against the cliff.
    So I guess we’re at the French West Coast? she mused to herself.
    It was gorgeous, that much was painfully evident. The trip there had been a quick, if painful one. This time, instead of being plucked up by a dragon outright, she’d been shown into something resembling a carriage, with the doors getting locked and then that getting picked up by a dragon.
    The flight had not been long, but considering that she had no idea where she was to begin with, it didn’t exactly make for easy guessing as to where she was brought to.
    “So what happens now?” she asked out loud, her voice carrying maybe a little too well on the count of the wind.
    “Now they fight for you,” a warm voice said, making Isobel jump a little in her seat.
    A woman with bright almond eyes looked up at her from one row below, wearing a friendly smile. She was dressed in an ivory dress and jacket that complemented her short raven-black hair beautifully and everything about her screamed elegance. The man next to her remained unperturbed. Considering he was built like a brick house, Isobel had to assume that he was a dragon shifter.
    “Oh, I’m sorry,” Isobel said, practically clapping her hand over her mouth.
    The woman only smiled wider, shaking her head a little.
    “Don’t worry about it. I know how it feels. Do you want to know what happens next?” she asked. “They really should do a better job of explaining things to the tributes, I’ve always thought.”
    Her voice was velvety soft. While she wore an impressive diamond ring on her finger, what really caught Isobel’s eye was the gorgeous, intricate gold and ruby necklace she had around her neck. It seemed far finer than anything even the most talented craftsmen could devise, and the rubies shone brighter than they had any right to.
    “I’d love to know more.” Isobel nodded eagerly. “And your necklace is stunning.”
    The woman smiled wide, her hand going to trace the edges of the rubies in a sort of distant way, like she was rediscovering them every time she touched them. There was something very intimate about it. When the man by her side leaned in, who Isobel now guessed to be her husband – or mate, as the dragons called it, - Isobel looked away. The two shared a quick kiss before the man turned away again, a tender look in his eyes.
    “Thank you,” the woman said. “They say love makes a diamond shine, but what they don’t tell you is that love does that for all the gems. I’m Casey, by the way.”
    They shook one another’s hand over the railing, Isobel having to stand up slightly for it. Her guard took a step forward immediately, his stern gaze sending Isobel back into her seat with the slightest roll of her eyes. One that was mirrored by her unexpected friend.
    “Settle down, Grale,” Casey said. “I’m not going to abduct her.”
    “Can never be too careful,” the guard now identified as Grale said, his expression remaining stony.
    “Uh-huh,” Casey snickered. “I’ll just grow wings and carry her off, now won’t I?”
    Grale quirked a brow and didn’t dignify that with an answer.
    “Anyway,” Casey continued, turning to lean on the railing separating their seats with one elbow. “They’re going to have a series of challenges now. Each fight sees some of the dragons drop out. The one that’s marked as the winner gets an evening with you. Don’t worry though, they’re not allowed to do anything with you. Despite what you think, these guys are pretty honor-bound. Isn’t that right, honey?”
    “Not all of us,” the large man beside her said, his voice rumbling.
    “That’s the spirit, scare her further,” Casey said with a sigh.
    “That’s alright. I get what he means.”
    It pained her to admit that, but she really