“I know,” the elf said, watching him with an inscrutable expression. He somehow looked all at once surprised and relieved and uncertain. There was a beat of silence, then the elf seemed to shake himself, blinking rapidly before speaking again. “Ah, I’m—I’m Braern Rolastra.”
“Braern,” Adrissu said, testing the name on his tongue. It felt right, as if he’d always known it. “I’m glad to meet you.”
“Me too,” Braern said, flashing that same nervous smile. “I was—well, I’m hoping you’ll have some answers for me.”
Adrissu smiled in return. “Of course. How can I help?”
“I...” the elf started, finally looking away. His smile faltered and faded, as he seemed to gather his thoughts. “I’ve had dreams. For most of my life. About... this place, and you. And me, I think.” His brown eyes flicked up to watch Adrissu’s reaction. “I didn’t think anything of it for a long time. But you’re really... You’re really here.”
He could not stifle the laugh that escaped him. “I assure you, I am certainly real. And I am... not surprised you’ve dreamt of me. How much do you remember of these dreams?”
“I’ve dreamt of going places with you,” Braern said, a faraway look crossing his face. “Of being in a tower, and seeing the ocean, and...” One hand unconsciously lifted to hold his side, just under his ribs. “Being stabbed and dying. I dreamt of being a soldier.”
“These are all things that have happened,” Adrissu said softly. “Memories of your past lives.”
“Lives?” Braern said, blinking up at him owlishly. “Multiple lives?”
“Just two,” Adrissu said quickly. “Do you remember why? Do you remember us?”
A flush rose in Braern’s cheeks—evidently, he remembered enough. “I think so. But I don’t know why I’ve dreamt of you. Why I know you. And I’ve dreamt of...” The elf licked his lips nervously, eyebrows furrowing. His gaze fell away from Adrissu as he said it. “I’ve dreamt of a dragon.”
Adrissu went still. He had sworn that he would not keep his true form a secret from his mate any more, not after the disastrous end of Volkmar; but he had not anticipated Braern already knowing the truth. It unsettled him to suddenly be so vulnerable with a man that was nearly a stranger.
“That’s you, isn’t it?” Braern pressed, evidently unnerved by Adrissu’s silence. “Isn’t it?”
Adrissu sighed, leaning back. “I vowed I wouldn’t hide it from you. Yes, that’s me.”
He watched Braern as he said it. There was no hint of surprise on the elf’s expression, but a host of other emotions crossed his face as he processed the answer. Uncertainty and concern and maybe fear were all recognizable in the furrow of his brows and the tension of his mouth. But it was a far cry from the absolute terror that had seized Volkmar when Adrissu had restored his memories, which had to be a good sign.
“Why?” Braern finally asked. Adrissu blinked in surprise—whatever host of reactions he had expected from Braern, such a simple question had not been among them. “Why do you do this? Living amongst humans, disguising yourself?”
It was a reasonable question, and not unwelcome, but Adrissu still hesitated before answering. “Long ago, the original Polimnos, a dwarven city, was destroyed by a dragon. I am that dragon. But... I like it here. I liked it when they first started rebuilding it, and I liked it more as it grew. My home is here, but I’m happy to share it.”
Something like recognition stirred in Braern’s eyes, but the elf remained silent. He still seemed tense, almost troubled. Adrissu wanted to reach out to touch him, just to place a comforting hand on his wrist, but such a gesture felt too intimate. Though he was Adrissu’s mate, they were still strangers.
“You have known all of this in the past, as well,” Adrissu continued softly. “If you’d like, I can help those memories resurface. If you want more than just dreams. But only if you want.”
Braern looked at him, then back down at his hands clasped in his lap. He opened his mouth, then closed it again, before shaking his head.
“No—not yet,” he said. “There’s something I should tell you first.”
To Adrissu’s surprise, the elf’s eyes were suddenly swimming with tears, his voice constricting with emotion. Unsure of how to respond, he murmured, “What is it?”
Braern took in a deep breath, rubbing at his eyes almost angrily. His lips trembled, then the words all left him in a rush. “I’m—I’m already married. My husband doesn’t know I’m here, but I’m sure he’ll come looking for me eventually.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
FuryexplodedthroughAdrissu’sveins, his vision going red. He didn’t realize that he’d stood until his vision cleared, and he could see Braern looking up at him, eyes wide and fearful.
“I—” he started, feeling heat building in his throat—he clamped down on it immediately, before his true form threatened to burst forth out of rage. Such a transformation had never happened to him before, but neither had he experienced the sudden fit of mindless jealousy and hatred that the elf’s words had so easily elicited in him.
He cleared his throat, clenching his fists tightly at his sides to contain his anger, and forced himself to sit back down. How could his mate have bound himself to another? Why, then, was he even here?
“I apologize,” he said, his tone clipped. “You... This comes as a surprise to me, as you can see.”
“I understand. I’m sorry,” Braern said, looking away with an expression that was utterly miserable. Despite his best efforts, his eyes were glossy with tears again—then his face twisted in anger, tears spilling over his lids and down each cheek, and he hissed with absolute contempt, “Ihatehim.”
Again, everything seemed to click into place—his fear, his unannounced arrival, the wretchedness with which he’d spoken of this husband. Possessive rage flooded Adrissu anew, but this time he forced himself to remain sitting, though he could not stop the snarl that crossed his face.
