Page 148 of Ashborne: Defiance

If I could have left Vosgaarde, left the conflicts of denying this bond, left the big, round eyes following me—but for a purpose. To protect…

But Donavyn wasn’t a man to speak lightly. And his refusal had been emphatic.

I was stuck.

Stuck being haunted, and hounded.

Stuck feeling my dragon be so fucking happy.

Stuck waiting to watch my kingdom crumble, and take with it the only sense of family and safety that I knew.

Please, God, there has to be something more. There has to be something better. It can’t stay like this forever.

“You’re just jealous,” Bren giggled at Gil, though there were high points of pink on her cheeks.

No, I’m not!

I swallowed the words, the sullen protest, recognizing it for what it was, but panicking, because she hadn’t even been speaking to me.

Still. The sentiment remained. I wasn’t jealous.

I couldn’t be.

I was the one who’d denied this bond!

51. Notice Me

~ VOSKI ~

When I reached the stables back home, hoping for a ride to the solitude, Kham was there—but so was Koa. And while most of the Keep still slept, they were flirting.

My heart sank as the simmering desire in my chest rose slowly during the walk, and burst into flames just before I made it up the aisle to Kham’s stable.

When I appeared, Kham stood in her doorway, crooning and weaving, attempting to entice her out. And I could feel that she wanted him, but she teased and… shit.

Clawing a hand through my hair, I picked up my pace, hoping the movement would help settle the demand in my body.

‘Demand for your mate is a gift, Voski. Don’t fight it,’ Kham sent, trumpeting at me, despite the early hour.

I shushed him. ‘Most everyone is still asleep.’

‘We don’t wish to sleep.’

‘I can see that,’ I sent dryly. ‘I think you should take this outside.’

Kham backed further into the aisle so his shoulders no longer filled Koa’s door. Her head appeared a moment later and she peered down at me.

She was massive. Almost as big as Kham, which was very large for a female.

‘Do you need a ride? Koa could join us. We can rest in the clearing.’

Where their mating would be audible as well as close enough to sense in detail? No, thank you.

‘That’s not necessary, Kham. Thank you. I’ll gather my things and I’ll walk.’

‘Are you certain?’

‘I am. Very certain.’