They look more astounded than ever.
“Skye,” he turns to me, “this is Dyren and Mauryn. They are the caretakers of this home; they have known me since I was a child. They are like family to me.”
Mauryn smiles warmly at him then rushes forward to embrace me as well. When she pulls back, she eyes me appraisingly, stifling a gasp. “You do not have any wings.”
I shake my head. “My people don’t fly.”
“And no claws.” Her gaze drifts to my hands. “Or scales or… fangs.” Her eyes are full of worry as she faces Raidyn. “You must take great care with her. She has no natural defenses.”
I would protest, but she’s right. Drakarians are much taller and stronger than humans. Not to mention their dragon form.
Mauryn is the first female Drakarian I’ve seen up close, and she strikes me as formidable. She is as large in height and build as her husband. I’m nothing like the women of their species. Doubt begins to creep into my heart as I wonder why Raidyn would even want such a defenseless mate.
“She is stronger than she seems.” He smiles and tilts his chin up with pride as he pulls me again to his side.
The sincerity in his words melts my heart and warmth fills my entire body. He really is proud to be attached to me. When he turns to me and flashes his devastatingly handsome smile, his gaze holds more love, pride, and devotion than I’ve ever received before.
Mauryn steps forward, still regarding Raidyn with concern. “We heard there was trouble between you and your father.” She shakes her head softly. “He just hasn’t been the same male since your mother died.”
Dyren adds, “We were worried about you, so we decided to come by and stock the stasis unit in case you came here. We anticipated that you might need a place to hide until your father comes to his senses.”
Their words touch me. These people care for him deeply.
“Thank you,” he says. “I appreciate it.”
Mauryn gestures to some boxes behind them. “This is everything we brought to restock the stasis unit. If you should need anything else, simply contact us. It is safer for you to remain hidden here than to venture out for supplies.”
As she says this, I think back on our night-time flight over the nearby city, hoping and praying that no one recognized him. Though when I glance at him, his relaxed shoulders tell me he isn’t worried, and I trust him. If he’s not concerned, then I won’t be, either.
Mauryn looks aggrieved. “I do not think your father would look for you here, but you should be prepared if he does.”
He nods. “I will set up a perimeter defense system.”
“That should suffice,” Dyren chimes in. “We will leave you two to your nest. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to let us know.”
Our nest? My cheeks heat in embarrassment.
Mauryn approaches me, carefully placing one hand low on my abdomen. “May the Gods bless you with many fledglings.”
I give her a nervous grin. Instead of arguing that we’re not technically mates, I reply, “Thank you.”
When they leave, I turn to Raidyn. Dyren’s words replay in my mind—he called this house our nest. Images of Raidyn and I wrapped in each other’s arms beneath the covers fill my mind.
He takes my hand. I swear, with the way he’s looking at me, if he lifts me into his arms and takes me to the bed to ravish me like a romance novel hero, I won’t protest. “I must set up a perimeter defense system. You should rest, my mate.”
A strange mixture of disappointment and relief washes through me at his words. I don’t have to make any decisions yet. Again, I don’t argue when he calls me his mate. I tell myself it’s because it’s not worth an argument, but secretly, I’m beginning to like it when he calls me his. He declared it with so much pride to the caretaker and his wife, two people who are obviously very important to him.
He leaves and I head for the bedroom. I look around for pajamas but find none, so I guess I’ll be sleeping in my robe. Raidyn’s people probably sleep naked, since nudity doesn’t seem to bother them in the slightest. However, I don’t think I’m ready to go nude just yet.
I must be more tired than I realized because I fall asleep quickly. A dip in the mattress behind me rouses me. I recognize Raidyn the moment he slips beneath the comforter and his delicious scent fills my nostrils. He curls protectively around me, and I’m too exhausted to protest. I trust him. He won’t try anything unless I consent.
Tonight, all I’m interested in is sleeping.
A soft puff of air parts the hair on top of my head as he scents me before gently nuzzling the spot and tugging me back into his chest. I rest my arm over the one he has draped around my waist.
“Good night,” I whisper, closing my eyes as I allow myself to drift away.
Chapter 15
Raidyn
I wake up curled protectively around my mate in the morning. My stav is fully extended from my mating pouch and painfully erect with the need to claim her. And though I’m sure we must be compatible to mate since we are fated, I do not know if she wants me, too.
Although she does not feel it yet, she is mine. I am already hers; I have been since the moment I first saw her. I would have loved her then, if she had accepted me, but now that I have spent more time with her, I find my love deepening.
My thoughts turn to my father and my cousin. How can they not see that it would be wrong to make the human females feel as if they had no choice but to pick a mate simply because they present them with eligible warriors? My
