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Would he be mad at me for not reaching out sooner? I didn’t mean when I was a captive, but I’d escaped a while ago.
Why hadn’t I gone to him right away?
Healing, my dragon said.
I was out of it too long.
Yes, but back.
I am. The truth of that had sunk into my bones. I wasn’t ever going to return to the sanctuary I’d sought in my mind. Everything I needed to keep me in the here and now was with me at this moment, and I didn’t just mean Mazie and Asher.
I’d found myself again, and that was enough.
With a heavy swallow, I dialed. Kuunik picked up right away.
“Mazie?” His voice sounded so familiar, so good.
My eyes stung, and I wasn’t surprised tears had formed in my eyes already. Even though I’d escaped the torture of the commune, life kept tossing me hard against the wall.
“It’s . . . Gravor.” My voice came out low and deep. Would he recognize mine?
“Gravor,” he sighed. “It’s so good to hear your voice, to know you’re—” His words choked off. “Sorry. I told myself I wouldn’t turn into a wreck when you called, yet here I am, doing it anyway.”
“It’s been a long time.”
“It sure has.”
“I’m just so grateful you’re alive, that you’re okay. You are okay, aren’t you?”
“I am.” It felt wonderful to say that. “The worst is over, and only the best waits for me now and in the future.” I cleared my throat. “I want to tell you everything, and I will, but you’re on your honeymoon. Congrats on that by the way. I can’t wait to meet Zara. And Mazie told me you’ve got a daughter, my niece! It’s hard to believe that five years ago, she was there, but we didn’t know it.”
“Zara’s amazing. So’s Livy. They can’t wait to meet you.” He paused. “Is everything going okay with Mazie?”
“She’s my fated mated.”
Silence rang out.
“I told her, but I’m not sure she fully understands what that means,” I said.
“Give her time. She’s a smart and sweet woman. I couldn’t be happier for you, brother.”
“We’re not quite together yet, but it’s coming.”
“Zara’s going to freak out. She and Mazie are super close.”
I wanted to tell him about Asher, but Asher needed to be the first to hear that news.
“I’m going to ask her to marry me,” I said. “Not right away, but when the time’s right.”
“Wow. I’m so happy for you. It hasn’t been long, has it?”
“Long enough. You know how it is.”
He sighed, but it was a happy sound. “I do. I knew with Zara immediately, too, though I fought it.”
“Not you!”
His laugh rang out. “Yeah, me.” His voice deepened. “I still can’t believe it. You’re alive. You’re okay. And you’ve found your mate.” He sucked in a shaky breath and released it. “And we’re going to see each other soon. In less than a week. We can go flying and . . . just sit and talk. You know? Catch up. Share what you want and know you don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to. I just want to be with you.”
