She may be my mate, but she has not permitted me to touch her intimately. In the back of my mind, I wonder if she ever will once she realizes that I abandoned her in the desert, leaving her vulnerable to attack by the sand tarkin.
A Drakarian female would never forgive such a careless act of negligence.
Her skin reminds me of the petals of the inora flower. Soft and delicate, this flower is so fragile that even the slightest touch can bruise it. I’m careful as I skim the tips of my calloused fingers across her body to check her for injury, noting the mottled discoloration of her chest and abdomen that I surmise may be bruising.
What could have harmed her in this way? These marks were not left by the sand tarkin. They claw and bite their prey, but do not beat them.
I bite back a snarl at the thought of another harming my mate. My mind recalls the image of fire trailing across the sky and suddenly everything falls into place. My mate fell from the stars. Since I noticed no wreckage near where I found her, I’m not sure how she survived.
My mouth drifts open as I eye her form. What if she is alone? The sole survivor of a terrible crash? Why else would she be wandering the desert all by herself and unprotected?
My hand trails up her body and I circle my fingers around her wrist, feeling the delicate bones beneath her skin. Gently, I cup her cheek and turn her face toward mine.
She is fragile, my mate. I realize I will have to take great care to not harm her accidentally during our mating, if she ever allows such a thing.
Even if she does not, it is my duty to care for her, and I will do so gladly.
My hearts clench as she turns her head into my palm and a soft sigh escapes her. She nestles against my body and I gently extend my wings forward to encircle her.
She instinctively turns to me for comfort. Unbearable fear threatens to consume me. Already, the mate bond has firmly anchored in my soul and my hearts simultaneously plummet and soar. I am terrified to fail in protecting such a delicate female and yet, happy beyond measure that I have found she who is mine.
Lifting her small hand, I study the blunted claws that tip her fingers. She sighs again and I gasp as I notice her flat, white teeth, devoid of sharp edges. How will she eat? Will I have to chew her food for her like a newly hatched fledgling?
With a heavy sigh, I shake my head in frustration.
Couldn’t the Gods at least have seen fit to give my mate wings so she could fly from danger? How could the Gods create such a defenseless species? How has my mate’s race managed to survive? They must hail from a safe, temperate planet to have evolved with no natural defenses.
Balling the fabric once covering her torso in one hand, I approach the water. I will use this material to clean her wounds, then search for caza root, which shouldn’t be difficult to find. This plant thrives in dark spaces and caves are ideal growing spots. The root can disinfect her wounds—I hope.
I’m glad I spent so much time with Healer Ranas of the Earth Clan, one of the most skilled Healers among his people. He has taught me many things, among them how to find medicinal plants.
Little did I know that I would need his teachings to heal my mate’s injury. I am thankful at this moment, that I have always been a curious male, or else I never would have thought to study under Ranas.
Dragging the wet cloth gently across her injured skin, I am glad that at least one thing is going right for me this day. I should have no problem locating the healing roots my mate requires.
When I’m satisfied that her wounds are clean, I study her sleeping form. She appears so vulnerable that I am loath to leave her in such a helpless state, but I have no choice. Though the winds have died down a bit, the sandstorm is still raging.
I cannot leave her injuries untreated. Especially since I do not know how long we will be trapped here.
Chapter 7
Lilliana
Awareness slowly trickles back into my mind at the sound of rushing wind. My eyes snap open to face dark, uneven, red stone walls. The smell of damp earth fills my nostrils, and a soft orange glow illuminates the space. I blink in wonder when I realize the light is emanating from strange crystals embedded within the rock. They cast just enough light that I’m able to see clearly as my vision slowly adjusts.
I must be in a cave, but how did I get here?
I sit up and then gasp when I realize I’m naked, except for my bra and underwear. Thank goodness I’m at least still wearing those. How did I lose my clothes?
My pants are folded neatly beside me, while my top is bunched up, wet, and stained pink with blood. I lift my arm and a sharp sting of pain draws my attention to deep claw marks on my skin. A myriad of images fill my mind as my memory returns. A small shudder runs through my body when I recall the large predator that attacked me.
I remember feeling faint, but not much after that. I certainly don’t have any memory of finding this shelter or cleaning my wounds.
Maybe someone from our campsite found me—hopefully, one of my friends or Talia’s brother Milo. He’s like a brother to me also, so I’d feel a little less self-conscious if one of them dragged me here and undressed me.
The fleeting memory of hitting my head returns. I gasp as the image of a terrifying red dragon fills my mind. I reach
