“Thanks for being honest.” She looked at Cian again. “I know that was probably a tough request to carry out, Keeper of Memories.”
He hadn’t used the title officially, but it was his to those who knew him best. She also realized he struggled with more than just halfway loving her. Struggled with something even bigger than the massive Great War on the horizon.
Raven narrowed her eyes again, catching something she hadn’t before. “Or maybe not so difficult after all.” She cocked her head. “Maybe a relief in some small way?”
Though he offered no response, she saw the truth of it in his eyes. Cian had been living to help her for a very long time and, though he would never admit it, was ready to move on. Let her go.
“I’m so sorry.” It was strange squeezing a perfect stranger’s hand in comfort, but somehow he didn’t feel like a stranger. If anything, he felt more and more like one of the best friends she had ever had. “And I’m thankful. I might not remember all the details yet, but Iamthankful for everything you've done for me, Cian.”
“And I’m thankful to you.” He squeezed her hand back, baffling her with things he hinted at. “More than you know.” His lilt thickened with amusement and his eyes grew merry for the first time since they met. “Ye’re making yer mate jealous by holding my hand. But ye know that, aye, lassie?”
“Maybe,” she granted, biting back a smile. “But I’m having trouble getting past him loving Revna whether she was me or not.” She sighed. “No matter what he felt in the woods the day he saw her differently, he should have remembered he was destined for someone else.” Her mood went from amused to frustrated in a flash. “He should have tried to hold back.” She clenched her teeth, again swamped by emotion. “He should have been stronger.”
Cian arched his brows. “Stronger against you? Because shewasyou that day in the forest.” He shook his head. “No, he was helpless against turning from her. He couldn’t if he tried.”
He might say as much, but what if he spoke from his own desire for her? Or spoke for a need to see his obligation to her fulfilled? Or, as would make the most sense, simply wanted this war ended?
“Lassie.” Cian cupped her cheek, really testing his limits with Tor. But he meant business. It was clear in his eyes. “Do not doubt what’s between you and your mate when you already feel it.Knowit. You can try to rationalize it all you want, but both your dragon and human halves are already too far gone.” He brushed his finger over her cheekbone, not invoking the feelings a hottie like him should. “You know that every bit as much as I do.”
“No,” she said automatically when she felt Tor turning back. When she felt his patience waning quickly. She put her hand over Cian’s and said words that made no sense but then they were fueled by magic. Her own little safeguard. “I’m not ready. Not yet.”
“But you need to be and soon.” He kissed her palm and stepped away when she felt Tor approaching. His inner dragon was moments from erupting and attacking Cian.
“Enough, Tor,” Raven spat at him. She spun on her heel and strode by him down the path before he could growl, push, punch, or whatever dragons in his mood did. It didn’t help in the least that his growly dominant alpha mood made her ache something fierce. In an alternative reality, she would thoroughly enjoy him not letting her pass but slamming her against the rock wall and taking her until she screamed in pleasure.
But this wasn't that reality.
Not yet.
She ground her teeth and kept moving, praying she didn’t give off too much of a telling scent.Focus on anything else, she preached. The violence of the waterfall. The intricate designs the water had made in the rocks over the centuries. The scent of forest, wildlife, and flowers.
Say what?
She frowned and slowed at the bottom of the pathway. Why did she smell those things in a deep mountain cave?
“Because like before,” Tor said gruffly, behind her so quickly it startled her, “our Vanaheim grove has followed us.”
Just like that, she had trouble focusing on much but him when he stood so close. When his deep, dark, delicious words fanned her neck and tickled her ear. When the heat of his body seemed to seep right through her clothing.
“Not for much longer,” he murmured in her ear, his voice spiraling right down to where she needed a man most. “Pretty soon, these clothes will be gone and—”
“Pretty soon you will be too,” came his young voice, interrupting them with yet another memory.
One that showed them there were two sides of the coin when it came to their happiness.
