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She glared at me, and I sighed, aware of how insensitive I sounded.
“Look, you said it yourself. Dragons are very territorial, and they haveneverallowed anyone into their lairs. I suspect that bonding with the most dangerous or estranged of the Dragons might have become a challenge for the men. They tried to tame him to prove their might or courage, and suffered the consequences. It’s the oldest story ever told. Men are men no matter the world.”
Chewing on her lower lip, she processed my words, perceiving them as true. “Except you… They let you in, why?”
Slowly shrugging, I just shook my head. “Because I’m extremely lovable and no one can resist my charms?” I gave her my most dazzling smile, only for her to shove me underwater. Bubbles burst out of my mouth with my laughter, quickly rising to the surface, and I lunged out of the water like a sea monster, taking her down with me.
A squeal escaped Evie a second before we sank, splashing the stone floor around us. My lips descended over hers under the water, our kiss tasting like soap, but she didn’t seem to care. Pulling her back up, I sat with her against me, chuckling while I stole another kiss. The back of her hand smacked my chest as she laughed, wiping the water out of her eyes.
I loved enjoying moments like those with her. Also, part of me was glad her soaking tub was as big as a jacuzzi, and carved from pure rock, or we both would have turned it and rolled out of it.
Wiping my face too, she straddled me, wrapping both arms around my neck. “I know you are right. Everything you said made sense, but I can’t help but worry. You haven’t known the Tharion we know.”
Letting out a heavy breath, I nodded, my hands holding her waist. “He will never hurt innocent people again, Evie. You have my word,” I vowed. “I know he is dangerous, but he is also very protective of me, and everyone here. Otherwise, he would have never followed your people from refuge to refuge after they escaped the Crimson Fortress. He has been with you for years; you have to believe it was because he wanted to keep you safe.”
“I believe you.”
“Thank you, that means a lot.” Pressing her mouth over mine for a quick peck, she reached for the soap and began to wash my body. I smirked. “That could get sexy dangerous really quick; you know that, right?”
Evanna’s lips quivered, eyes narrowing, but she ignored me. “What exactly was it you felt with Vyper’s sickness,” she added, returning to our previous conversation.
“Well, it started as an ache, but the closer he got to me, the more painful it became. It was as though my muscles were being stretched beyond their capacity, and he was so exhausted.” My gut tightened with guilt as I glanced up at her. “I think it’s my fault, baby. All this back and forth at night might have gotten to him. I was so consumed with wanting to be with you that I didn’t even notice he was going through that.”
Her thumb caressed my cheek, like she was trying to sooth my guilt, but her gaze focused on the wall. “Tired and hurting, you say?” she asked, trying to decipher my words.
I nodded, but I doubted she saw it. “Not just tired, he seemed completely drained of energy. I gave him some of mine.”
That called her attention back to mine, remembering my confession about being able to heal them too. She began to chew on her lower lip again, but suddenly stopped. “Has he acted a bit strange lately? Perhaps he’s tried harder to get your attention, or has been kindlier and nicer than he normally is?”
That made me snort. The words kind or nice and Vyper didn’t mix, but now that I thought about it, I remembered him being more needy. “You know how I sleep in the lairs sometimes after I leave you at night?”
My fingers drew invisible lines on her lower back while she nodded.
“Well, for several nights now, he has been curling his tail around me and pulling me to him when we are in Tharion’s cave. At first, I thought he was just having a hard time getting used to my bond with Tharion, or maybe trying to spite him. Except, Tharion never seems to give a damn as long as we are all in his lair.”
“All?”
“Yeah.” I chuckled. “Sometimes the bronze baby flies to us too. We all huddle together in the cave.” I shrugged.
“You have to give him a proper name, you know? You can’t call him the bronze babe forever.”
“I know.”
“Vyper could definitely be trying to spite Tharion. That sounds like him. But I think there is a bigger reason behind him keeping you by his side while you sleep.”
“What?”
“You make him feel better,” she answered simply, her gaze returning to mine. “Your energy might be the only thing that was soothing his aches until today, when they became too draining to sustain.”
Shocked, I blinked. “You think I was somehow keeping his illness at bay with my presence?”
“Did you see any signs that he might shed his skin soon?” Evie asked instead.
“How did you know?” My eyes widened.
“I think I recognize what he is going through, but I need the answer to confirm it.”
“Yeah, except I think he is already shedding,” I admitted. “The color of his skin was duller, almost grey. And it felt wrinkly, like it might come loose on him at any moment.” I shuddered from the memory. “I told him to leave me, and take as much time to rest as he needed, that I would be okay. It was the only way for him to do it.”
