So much artwork of dragons, it’s hard to look at anything else. The beasts are majestic, their strong, muscular bodies twisting and turning graciously as they float through the sky. White, pink, blue, and red flames sprout from their snouts.
The more I look at those pictures as we make our way through the monastery, the more my anxiety melts, giving way to a different emotion.
Excitement.
I have literal butterflies in my stomach as I remember the day I metmydragon. How could I not have known we shared a bond then?
What if…what if instead of letting it fly free, I would have bonded it that day? In front of everyone’s eyes, during the very first trial.
How different would reality be now?
“General, you’ll be staying here,” Ren says, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I blink and focus on him. He looks nervous as he glances between me, my Ezkai, and Jax.
Ren holds the carved wooden door open for me. I clear my throat and enter the room. Same limestone floors, walls, and domed ceilings. It’s not a lavish suite, the space rather small and bare, as I have grown accustomed to here in Ekios.
I have two floor-to-ceiling wood-paneled windows that overlook the gardens, and between them is a rather small double bed. On the right is a modest armoire, and on the left, a leather armchair is wedged in the corner.
Thankfully, attached to the chamber is my own private bathroom.
“Looks lovely. Thanks, Ren,” I say, turning to the monk.
Ren’s face pales and for a second he’s struggling to find words. “Traditionally, the Ezkai General always stays in the High Chamber in the east wing of the monastery. Unfortunately, that whole wing is under construction. We weren’t expecting your visit so soon, so we couldn’t get that ready in time.”
“That’s fine, Ren,” I say and wave him off. “This room is more than enough. We won’t be staying for long.”
Ren clears his throat. “In the High Chamber, there’s the—a separate space for the Blood Sentineal. Our apologies, but there isn’t any space here for another bed. I hope your Blood Sentineal doesn’t mind sleeping on the floor. We’ll bring the floor mattress and prepare a comfortable space to sleep in a moment.”
For a second, my mind doesn’t register the meaning of his words, so I simply stare at him, mute.
“My… Blood Sentineal—” I mumble to myself.
I glance at the lone bed in the room.
“Tradition demands the Blood Sentineal accompany the Ezkai General at all times,” Ren explains, glancing between me and Jax. “I hope you don’t take offense at the sleeping arrangements. But as I said, we weren’t expecting you so soon, General.”
Oh, for fuck’s sake.
Of course, how else. Jax and I will have to sleep in the same damn room.
Alone.
From the corner of my eye, I see Jax’s mouth twitch up.
Kazh snorts.
I shoot her a glare, and thankfully she doesn’t make any more noises or comments.
“That’ll be fine, Ren,” I say, my words clipped. “No offense taken. I wasn’t planning on visiting again so soon either.”
Ren exhales with relief and smiles at me. “Wonderful, General. Please take your time settling in. We’ll show the rest of the visitors to their rooms, and once you’re ready, the lunch will be served.”
I mumble thanks again and watch as the rest of my group follow Ren down the hall to their rooms. Jax hovers close to me, silent.
I don’t look at him.
But I don’t have to.
