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“I had no idea Dragons were so dramatic.”
He scoffs. “You’ve not seen drama until you’ve spent time with the Fae.”
“I’ve never met any Fae.” I laugh softly. “But I’ve certainly learned that Dragons possess a flair for the dramatic.”
He growls low in his throat.
“Oh stop,” I gently nudge him with my elbow. “I’m only teasing you.”
“You truly do not fear me at all.” Surprise tinges his voice. “Do you?”
I glance over my shoulder, arching a brow. “Should I?”
His emerald eyes stare deep into mine, and warmth unfurls from deep within. “Never.”
My heart stutters, and I swallow hard as I turn away from him again. I do not understand how or why he has this effect on me. He’s arrogant, frustrating… pompous. And yet… he can be gentle. The way he’s so attentive to my needs is surprisingly tender.
Drawing in a deep breath, I remind myself that he’s only doing it because of the bond. If not for that, he’d probably want nothing to do with me. I’m a duty to him. Nothing more.
Aurdyn shifts closer and tightens his arm around my middle. With my back pressed to his front I can feel his heart beat beneath his chest in a strong and steady rhythm. My Dragon protector may be arrogant and overbearing, but he makes me feel safe in a way that I haven’t in a very long time. And it doesn’t hurt that he’s the most handsome man or Dragon I’ve ever seen.
Sighing heavily, I push down my errant thoughts and close my eyes, allowing myself to drift away into sleep.
CHAPTER11
AURDYN
It is impossible to sleep like this. Between the infernal snoring of the Dwarves, their terrible stench, and sharing the bed with Freyja… I doubt I will get any rest this night.
Her nearness is affecting me in ways I did not think a human ever would. Freyja shivers slightly in her sleep and I tuck my wing tighter around her, pulling her back into my chest to keep her warm. She instinctively nestles further into me, and a low growl of arousal vibrates in my chest a moment before I force myself to stop.
Although my mind understands that Freyja is not my mate, my body believes otherwise. My every sense is attuned to her as I watch the rise and fall of her chest and listen to the soft sound of her breathing as she lies against me. The desire to protect her is an urge I cannot ignore and the need to possess her is a fire that simmers in my veins that would ignite if I would only let it.
I am completely fascinated with her and everything she does. When she touched her finger to my lips to silence me earlier, I was stunned. No one would dare do this to me, and not fear for their life. No one but her, that is.
My T’kara is brave.
I lean in just enough to run my nose through her hair, breathing deep of her lovely scent. As much as I try to convince myself that I do this to drown out the smell of the Dwarves, I know it is more than that. It is instinct to memorize the scent of one’s mate, and my heart rate quickens with the longing to claim her as mine.
My nostrils flare as her scent sours with fear. “No!” she cries out, thrashing against my hold in the throes of a nightmare. “Stop! Please!”
“Freyja,” I speak in a calm and even tone. “Wake up.”
She still and her eyelids flutter and open, widening a moment before her gaze locks onto mine. “You were having a bad dream.”
She pulls back the blanket and looks down at her feet, smoothing a hand over the scars along her calves and ankles as she breathes out a heavy sigh. “I was tied to the stake,” she whispers, her gaze fixed on the wall with a faraway look. “I was burning and—” She swallows hard. “No one came to save me.”
“I did.” I touch her face, drawing her attention back to me. “You are safe, Freyja. I will allow no harm to come to you.”
“You cannot promise this,” she murmurs, her eyes glazed as if still trapped in the terrible memory. “No one can make such a promise.”
Cupping her chin, I gently lift her face to mine. “I can.” I frown. “Or do you still doubt my strength, human?”
Despite the fear still etched in her features, the spark of defiance that I enjoy so much, returns to her eyes. “It’sFreyja. Not‘human.’ Remember? Or shall I refer to you as ‘Dragon’ for the rest of our journey?”
“Have you not heard?” I arch a teasing brow. “It is unwise to challenge a Dragon, especially a king.”
“And it is unwise to provoke a woman, regardless of rank or species.” A mischievous smile curves her mouth. “Surely even Dragons have learned this lesson by now, else your race would have ceased to exist long ago.”
