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Shaking my head no. “Not always. It depends on the cause of the nightmares. If it’s from not feeling safe, then yes, my presence is enough–or anyones–but if they’re from trauma, no.” I let go of her thighs, not realizing how tight my grip had become on them. My hands form fists at my sides. It’s the only way I can ensure they stay to themselves.
“Then you saw Meg…” Her voice is barely audible. If it weren’t for the fact I keep staring at her mouth, I wouldn’t have heard her, and she’s inches away from me.
“Yes. Was she in the dungeon with you?”
Calamity sits back, still straddling my hips. “You could say that. She raised me.”
“So, she’s your mother?” My eyebrows raise.
“Chosenmother. I’m not sure who my biological mother is. Asmo wouldn’t tell me and Meg said she didn’t know. I’d made a promise to her, saying if I ever made it out I wouldn’t speak a word about knowing her. She said it would only put me in danger, but clearly the secret’s out.” Her lips twist as she chews the inside of her cheek.
“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to invade your privacy. Did she say why knowing her would put you in danger?”
She shakes her head. “You should’ve told me how your magic worked, but I forgive you. It allowed me to see her again. Even if she was a figment of my memories, there aren’t enough words to tell you what that meant to me…” She tucks her chin to her chest, rolling the hem of her dress between her fingers. She’s quiet for far too long, but I’m not sure what to say. “If you want me to kiss you, why run when I tried in the dream?”
“I didn’t think you knew it was me, for starters, and that felt wrong.” I chew my bottom lip, choosing to stare at where her fingers twist the fabric of her gown. “Just because we want to do something, doesn’t mean we should.”
Calamity tilts her weight, drawing my eyes back to hers. There's no witty remark, no snarky comment as she leans in, her fingers lifting my chin. The air becomes trapped in my throat. I go rigid beneath her, unmoving, unblinking, unbreathing, then her lips crush to mine and every ounce of tension eases from my body, dissipating in an instant.
It’s soft at first, her lips gently brushing against mine, then deepens, and deepens until my tongue teases her own. I feel weightless as I grab the back of her neck, pulling her closer while getting lost in the taste of her lips, the smell of her hair, the way her hands rove over my skin. Goosebumps rise to the surface, as if seeking the power that radiates off of her.
It’s mesmerizing… entrancing… and just as I begin to give in, to accept that I can control myself in this state of bliss, there’sa knock on the door. Whoever it is, doesn’t wait for a response before the hinges squeak open.
“Good morning! Are you hungry—” Vik stops in the doorway and Calamity jolts away, but my hands keep her in place as I peer around her body. Vik’s violet eyes go wide and her hand shoots up to cover her mouth. “Oh my… I, um, interrupted. I’m so sorry.” The door clicks shut and I exhale heavily, knowing she’s about to tell everyone. Closing my eyes, I let go of Calamity’s head, then draw my lower lip between my teeth, tasting her there.
Calamity’s golden orbs are pinned on me, and she tentatively gets off my lap. “I, uh…” She scratches her head. “I…”
Running my fingers through my hair, I stand, adjusting myself. “I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry. Why don’t you get dressed? Your clothes are on the desk. I couldn’t find any pants that might fit you, but we’ll be in Ashbourne by the end of the day tomorrow. We’ll get something there.”
My heart is in my throat as I leave the room. I don’t even make it out of the doorway before spotting Jesper’s head poking through the crack of his door, his eyes on me as he mouths, “Oh my gods.”
Chapter 20
Loric
“For fates sake…” Jesper whispers, sneaking across the cavern.
I glance to my left, where Vik is speed walking down the row of doors, disappearing into the spring room.
“Don’t look at her,” he says, and I reluctantly turn my attention back to him. “She’s a snitch, but she’ll tell everyoneexceptBrenn. ”
He remains vigilant , keeping an eye out for anyone else who decides to step out of one of the rooms. Despite the circumstances his high-stepped tiptoe is enough to bring a smile to my face, and he comes a significant distance in just a couple seconds. However, Jesper screeches to a halt in the middle of the cavern, his spine lengthening. Eyes closed, he brings a clenched fist to his lips, like it could hush the sexually frustrated whimper that leaves them. He takes a huge step back as the lump in his throat bobs. Only then does he look at me again, his eyes pleading as if he’s in pain. “I’m going to need you to come this way. I didn’t realize her lady time was going to happen thatquickly or be that potent… Someone should give you a medal for surviving a night in there and being able to walk afterward.”
I shake my head, crossing the cavern. His face scrunches as I near. “Fuck,I take it back.Just stay over there. You reek of that divine woman. Perhaps a bath,thencome find me.”
“I don’t have time. Do you want to know what I found out, or not?” I cock my head, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Found out?What did you find out? I was coming to talk to you about what I saw just now.”
I cock my head in challenge and he pouts his lower lip, shoulders slumping. “Fine, I'll suffer. Tell me.”
Continuing forward, I close the distance between us. I’d much rather be prepared for their questions before telling the others, and whisper yelling across the cave isn’t going to help with that.
“I hope you plan to at least court her. Put us all out of our misery,” Jesper says, plugging his nose, as if that’ll help.
I give him a stern look, arching a brow, and he sighs heavily before bringing a mug of ale to his lips, taking a deep gulp as if he needs liquid courage to get through this. At this point I almost wonder if he has the right idea.
Clearing my throat, I come right out with it. “I think Calamity is a dragon.”
