“You seem to be an open, honest person. I’m sure that was the reason why Amira decided to bring you here,” the priestess observed as she handed me a piece of her flatbread.
“I’ll do it. But, you have to promise me that Victor will be safe.”
“Once you claim him, no one will ever touch him. You may want to give him a charm to let the other sisters know that he belongs to you.” Mahin took a sip of her honey wine.
“A charm?” I placed the rolled up bread into my mouth.
“Something should be wrapped around his wrist to show the other daughters of the goddess that he is off limits.”
“I want to see him.” I swallowed the dough without recognizing its taste.
Mahin’s lips stretched in a slow, confident smile. Her amazing bronze skin was healthy, well nourished, and gorgeous. She leaned back in her chair and only then glanced toward her partner.
“Amira, make sure our quests have everything they need. I’m counting on you.”
“Yes, priestess.” Her partner bowed.
“When do you want me to start looking?”
I took a bite of the baked chicken. I picked up more bread and placed a hefty chunk in my mouth. The meat was quite spicy, but it did not stop me from eating it. My only worry was that it was not enough.
“As soon as you are healthy enough. For now, please eat.” Mahin smiled, watching me with a serene expression.
There was something maternal about it and it made me uncomfortable. I never had parents, no one ever cuddled me, or helped me through the awkward stages of my childhood. There were many decent people around when I was growing up, but they were not my family, and I knew that no one truly neededme. To them, I was just an abandoned child who needed help. That was why I liked to hang out with Tynan, Victor, and Sol. They never treated me as if I was different, even though all of them had parents or relatives who took care of them. No one ever made me feel like I was inferior, all I needed to do was to keep up.
“Do you have any family?” Mahin asked.
I nearly dropped my fork. It felt like she knew exactly what I was thinking.
“No.”
“Only Victor?”
“I have friends.”
“I didn’t know dragonborns allow their women to wear suits and wield swords.”
“Things changed. Now it’s allowed.”
“How very interesting,” Mahin drawled.
Suddenly, another woman walked in. She wore a well made linen dress that covered every inch of her body.
“Forgive me, priestess. You are needed.”
“Finish up and let Amira show you around.” Mahin got up.
She walked with calm, demanding authority that was easily seen in every move, every turn of her head. In some ways, she reminded me of Alina.
When she was gone, I switched my gaze to Amira, who stood by the entrance without any attempt to make conversation.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
ALINA
Idreamed of fast moving, snow white clouds that covered the entire sky. My dragon flew high above the surface of a winding lake. Prisms of endless colors drew lines and patterns on the water, its surface polished like a perfectly crafted mirror. The flicker of light danced on my skin, brushing against my eyelashes.
I opened my eyes, staring at the sheer window curtains that billowed slightly. I turned to check the other side of the bed. Then the memories of the last few days flooded my head. Tynan being sick, me trying to delay the clan meeting, the wedding ceremony. It seemed more like a really long, exhausting dream. But all that really did happen, and I was going to have to face the consequences of my decisions.
