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I nodded my head the best I could without getting up.
She staggered forward, wiping the tears away. “How is this possible?”
I stayed very still, wishing her closer.
Charity took another step toward me, then extended her hand. “May I touch you?”
I nodded my head again and didn’t move.
She took another step, her hand trembling. She bit her lip and I closed my eyes, not wanting to scare her.
Her fingers touched my shoulder lightly, acutely aware of each of her strokes over my scales as she grew bolder and pressed even closer.
“You’re... I... can’t believe it.” She was whispering but my hearing was sharper in dragon form and I picked up every nuance. Her shock, her fear, and her wonder.
Both of her hands touched my side now, moving toward my wings. I tried not to move, but it was almost impossible.
As soon as her fingers touched the delicate webbing I gasped, my wing shivering in a strange blend of ticklish pain and delight.
She jumped back. “Oh, I’m sorry.”
It was time to shift to human. I let go of my dragon form, though he begged to stay and get to know our mate.
Then I was naked and in a kneel on the stones in front of her.
When I looked up, Charity was staring straight at me, her mouth open. I stood up, aware of how her hungry gaze slid over my aroused body. I wouldn’t hide my desire for her, which was lucky as, in this state, there was no way I could.
“You didn’t hurt me,” I managed. “My wings are sensitive.”
She nodded and then her eyes dropped to my erection. She laughed lightly. “Clearly.” Then she gulped as if her own forwardness had shocked her, glancing behind to the door. “Would you like some more clothes?”
I scooped up the pants that I’d torn and said, “The servants have cloaks. I’ll just grab one.”
I went to move past her and she grabbed my bare arm. “You can’t go into the castle like that.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at the shock in her tone. “Every staff member is also a dragon shifter. Nudity doesn’t offend anyone. It is normal and natural, and part of being a shifter.”
My arm tingled where she touched me but I moved forward and stepped inside the palace once more. “A cloak please.”
One of the nearby guards retrieved one for me and I slipped it on quickly.
The door closed behind me and I turned to see Charity step inside once more. My discarded shirt and shoes were in her hands. I wasn’t exactly dressed for a town tour now. “I need to re-dress. Would you like to wait here for me?”
She nodded and shoved the clothes at me. I took them, then drew her to sit down on one of the chairs in the foyer. “I won’t be long. Would you like a cup of tea? Or something stronger?”
“Um... ah... tea. Yes.”
I called over a servant and indicated to Charity. “Get her anything she wants. I’ll be back momentarily.”
I gave her fingers a reassuring squeeze and turned tail. I reached my bedroom in record time, dressed quickly, then rushed back to her side.
Half of me expected to find her gone. So, when I found her still sitting on the same chair, a cup of tea in her hand, my hammering pulse began to slow down.
“You’re still here.” I was unable to hide my relief.
“Where am I going to go?” She took a sip of what I assumed was a fortified cup of tea. “If you were telling the truth about the dragon shifter thing, then you’re telling the truth about everything. About us being in a different realm. About me being unable to get home without your assistance.”
I held out my hand and she placed her tea on a side table and took my offered hand. “Come. See the city. Then you can decide if it’s such a terrible thing that you’re here with us.”
