“She was a seer,” Boutrol stated.
I nodded, still fighting tears. “Yes. That is the biggest gift of the Bratu family.”
“If it came back with you, then someone might feel its power unless it is drained.” Kane’s jaw set.
“Not if she has blocked its energies as well, it could be cloaked. Or it her. The crystals are built with that within them. There are ways to contain its signature either from within it or from within someone with her gifts.”
His eyes narrowed. “I did not feel it. So, it should be safe.”
“Yes. I would agree.” Boutrol started back for his throne.
My world was spinning. With everything that happened and everything that I was learning, a wave of pain hit me, I nearly buckled.
“Auri!” Kane reached out for me, lifting me up and cradled me in his arms.
“I’m fine. I just want to know more about…”
“You need the herbs that the Emalne can offer you, unless you want this to kill you,” Boutrol explained casually as he settled back in.
“I had planned on going there already. She had insisted on finding out more about the portals and coming with me.” Kane shifted to holding me closer as I winced.
The leather wings that flanked him ruffled. “Then I suggest you make that journey now.” I opened my mouth to insist on getting more questions answered, but Boutrol stopped me. “Kanedraven can tell you all you need to know along the way. And I will keep my word should you ever need it.”
“Thank you.” I offered a smile as Kane walked away from the dragon, going back where we had left Wulfgar and the horses.
As we approached, I saw the raider snap up to attention and come our way. He looked worried.
“Is she hurt? If he hurt her, tell me that he does not live, or we are going back in there.” Wulfgar pulled his axe out of its holster and held it out.
Kane chuckled. “You have grown protective over her quickly.”
“You are one to speak,” he retorted.
With a nod, Kane snorted. “True.”
“Besides,” Wulfgar added, “She will be my queen, will she not?”
A smile tugged at the corners of Kane’s mouth. “Are you saying you see me as your king now?”
Wulfgar scoffed and sheathed his axe. “We should get back before your guardsmen decide you’re past your curfew and come looking for us. I doubt your pet dragon would take kindly to his arrogance being matched so closely.”
Setting me up on the horse and mounting in behind me, Kane huffed. “If you’re not careful, Boutrol won’t take too kindly to your mouth running within earshot. His kind has very good hearing.”
“I’m not afraid of a dragon!” Wulfgar looked off toward the mountain before bringing his horse up next to ours as we headed back.
“No. I am sure you are not.” Kane smirked.
Both men made quick work of getting me back to the carriage. And to none of our surprise, Dorian was pacing. Clearly agitated.
“Did you get the answers you sought, My liege?” He tone was short despite his attempt to appear friendly.
“And then some.” Kane dismounted and carried me past the tense man, ignoring his silent plea to know what went on and placed me inside the carriage on the bed.
I kissed his cheek. “I am not so much an invalid that I need you to cater to me this much. Besides, making him angrier by ignoring him will not help.”
He pulled the quilt up over me. “It is of no concern to him. He needs not to know anything more than what’s necessary to guard you.”
As Kane went to turn away to exit, I gripped his hand. I bit my lip as he turned back. “No leader is truly effective if they are treated like an outsider. Especially not one that seemed offended by it.”
“I know.” He hung his head. “It would just be easier if I didn’t have to rely on trusting anyone and could keep everyone away from you so I can keep you safe.”
“You do not trust him?” I asked.
He looked up, exhaustion clouding his eyes. “I only trust you.”
“You may have to trust those you put in power if we’re facing dangers.”
He pressed his lips to mine. Breaking the kiss, leaving his forehead against mine, he sighed. “I’m trying.”
“Your men are getting restless out here. They don’t seem to like the idea of staying so close to a dragon any longer.” Wulfgar leaned on the doorframe of the carriage, using his knife to pick at his nail.
Kane grumbled. “Tell them to get into formation. I will ride in here with Auriena.”
“I’m fine. You should be with your men.” My own layer of exhaustion blanketed me as the pains eased.
By his expression, he was about to argue. But I flicked my wrist, shooing him out with a smile.
Reluctantly, he exited, growling at the shifter as he passed. “Get on your horse.”
Wulfgar laughed and winked at me. “I am amused by the affect you have on him. You are good for him.”
“I am a distraction,” I retorted.
He grinned. “You are his everything now.”
I waited until the door shut and the carriage pulled forward before I tugged the quilt up over my shoulders as I lay down fully. With a slow, measured breath, I exhaled. “I know.”
As landscape passed by the windows, I listened to Kane brief Dorian and Wulfgar on the portal situation and my
