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When he rolls me beneath him, I freeze, nervous because I worry this may be happening too fast. His people mate for life, and while my heart may want him, my mind knows this is all still so new.
He pulls away, and I stare up at him, breathless and panting. “Aurdyn, I—”
“I can sense your hesitation,” he murmurs. “Know that I will never take from you that which you do not willingly give.”
I did not believe him to be the kind of man who would ever force me into anything I did not wish, but to hear him speak it aloud warms my heart. He cares and whatever happens between us, will be my choice.
He leans in and skims the tip of his nose alongside mine, and a low rumbling growl accompanies his words as he whispers against my skin. “Sleep, my val’nara. I will hold you.”
As we lie in bed together, I think of what Aurdyn said about how worried he was when I was unconscious. He was truly concerned about me. Part of me wonders if it’s because of the bond, but another part holds out hope that it’s much more than that. Especially since I cannot deny that I have feelings for him.
He warned me that Dragons do not love, but I’m falling in love with my Dragon protector, despite knowing that he may never feel the same for me in return. I rest my palm on his chest, directly over his beating heart. We are not as different as I thought we were, and perhaps he is wrong. Maybe his kind are capable of loving someone, but I suppose only time will tell.
CHAPTER26
AURDYN
When morning comes, Healer Trian assesses Freyja once more. When her gaze travels over the burn scars on my T’kara’s legs and feet, she frowns. “I’ve heard the Fae have poultices that can lessen the appearance of scars.”
Trian is right. I don’t know why this never occurred to me. A vague memory returns of hearing that they treated the Dark Elf King—Varys—with a poultice to minimize the appearance of his many scars. The Fae are known for their vanity. It is no wonder their Healers have developed such things. “I will speak with King Kyven about this,” I tell Freyja.
Hope sparks in her ice blue eyes. As much as I loathe the idea of asking the Fae King for anything, I will do it for her if she wishes.
Crossing my arms, I lean against the doorway as I study her. Soft morning light spills in through the window, highlighting the various shades of her long, scarlet hair and the many small spots that dot her skin. I stare transfixed as a stunning smile curves her lips and she laughs at something Trian has said, the sound sparkling and bright like the sun on a warm summer day.
She asked to speak with a priest about dissolving our bond, but I do not want our connection severed. Even the mere thought is unbearable. Freyja is a rare and precious treasure. I will not force her to stay with me, but I do not know how I am going to let her go.
“I’ve a favor to ask of you, Dragon King.” Trian’s voice interrupts my dark musings.
“I am not in the habit of granting favors to Dwarves.” I narrow my eyes. “What would you ask for: gold, gems?” Dwarves are known to be greedy, and more than one has been flamed trying to steal from a Dragon’s hoard. “I’ll not give you access to my holdings, but I will see to it that you are handsomely compensated for my T’kara’s care.”
Trian purses her lips. “I’m not after your treasure.”
“Oh?” My brows tick up in surprise. “Whatareyou after then?”
“Your destination is the Ice Mountains,” she begins. “My cousin Kaila lives in Vangarn. She’s expecting a child soon, and I want to check in on her. I would ask for you to take me there, on your way to your home.”
I dart a glance over her shoulder at Freyja, watching our interaction intently. I want nothing more than to get her to my kingdom, as soon as possible for her safety. I do not have time to drop a Dwarf off to visit her relations. “No.”
“Aurdyn,” Freyja says my name pointedly. “Vangarn is on the way, is it not?”
Drawing in a deep breath, I straighten. “It is. But that does not mean we need to stop.”
“But—”
“Until we reach the capital city of Windhelm, and I have you secured in my fortress, you will not be safe,” I cut her off. “You are still being hunted. Just because we defeated one Mage and his pitiful band of humans, does not mean there won’t be more.”
Freyja crooks her first finger, summoning me to her side, and despite my pride I go willingly for I can deny her almost nothing. She then turns to Trian. “Would you mind waiting outside the door for a moment?”
Trian nods despite her wide eyes and quickly leaves, closing the door behind her.
Freyja turns to me, anger flashing in her eyes. “I cannot believe you,” she admonishes. “After everything Trian has done for us, you cannot be bothered to make one stop for her to visit her pregnant cousin even though it’s already on our way?”
“Your safety is more important,” I counter. “I will not have it compromised for one Dwarf.”
“She treated your wing, Aurdyn,” she points out. “She’s the reason you’re even able to fly right now in the first place, and you haven’t even thanked her for it yet. Nor have you thanked Garvin for giving us this room. Any decent person would at least do that much.”
Clenching my jaw, I swallow back my pride and stalk toward the door. I jerk it open and Trian and Garvin both jump back, startled by my sudden appearance. Irritation burns in my chest as I glare down at them both, hating what comes next. But it must be done, else Freyja will remain cross with me our entire trip. I am certain of it. “Thank you,” I grit through my teeth. “For the rooms and for our care.”
