She reaches up to stroke my cheek with a shy smile. “It’s not that. It’s just… distracting. That’s all. I’m worried I might be tempted to do something I’m not entirely ready for.”
Despair turns to relief at her words. My chest swells with pride as soon as I realize what she has implied: She finds my appearance too pleasing. Happiness brighter than a thousand stars fills me as I leave quickly to retrieve a robe. A robe can be easily removed in case she becomes tempted to mate with me. I will not pass up the opportunity if she changes her mind and decides to claim me tonight.
After I change into a long gray robe, I lie down beside her. I want to wrap my arms around her, but I resist. If she wants my touch, she must be the one to initiate. After a moment, she rolls toward me and rests her head on my shoulder and her hand on my chest, directly between my two hearts. The glowing fate bond pattern flares to life at her touch as warmth suffuses my body. I tug her close to my side, pleased when she nestles into my touch.
I lie awake, listening to the sound of her breaths softening as she drifts off. She trembles and I realize she must be cold, so I tug the blanket up around her shoulders to warm her.
I must take great care to serve her needs. She is fragile, my mate. With no wings, fangs, claws, or scales, I wonder how her people have managed to survive as a species.
My father was shocked that they possess weapons powerful enough to pierce our scales. How can he not realize that such a race would need to develop weapons for defense? They are not dangerous; they are simply trying to survive. Would we not have done the same in their place?
It is still dark when she gently stirs in my arms. She lifts her head with a momentary, sleepy smile before her expression falters.
“What is wrong?”
She hesitates. “When you called my people the answer to your problems… it bothered me.”
My brows knit together in confusion. “How so?”
“You said Lilliana is like me—fated to a Drakarian.”
I nod, waiting patiently for her to continue.
“What will happen to us when word gets out that this is possible? I mean, you told me the bond had never happened outside of your species before and… you don’t have many women left.”
My mouth drifts open as understanding dawns upon me. She is worried my people will force human females to mate with Drakarian males. I move quickly to reassure her. “No Drakarian of any Clan would ever force-mate a female.”
“But you were upset that the Fire Clan might find my crew before the Wind Clan did.”
“Yes,” I admit. I do not know how to explain myself to her, but I must try. I take her hand in mine and meet her gaze evenly. “If the Fire Clan had found you before I did, they would have taken you to their capital city, and I might never have met you. I might never have known you were my fated one. I only wish for others to have the same chance. What if more human females are fated by the Gods to be joined with a warrior from another Clan?”
“But what if they don’t want to be?”
“Please, believe me when I tell you that no female will come to harm, just as I would never harm you. My vow.”
“You say that,” she counters, “but your father’s actions tell me otherwise. Do you understand?”
With a clenched jaw, I lower my gaze. She is right to worry. I hate that my father has caused her to fear, to doubt that her people will be safe on Drakaria.
“My father is mad,” I explain. “He has not been completely sane since my mother died. After we find your friends and your crew, I will go back to him and make him see reason.” I meet her eyes evenly. “I will make certain he cannot threaten you or your people, my Skye. I will protect you. My vow.”
She snuggles closer to me and I grit my teeth as my stav extends from my mating pouch, stirred by her proximity and the brush of her leg against mine.
She must feel my reaction, because she inhales sharply. The scent of her need fills the air. I dip my head to the curve of her neck and shoulder, and draw her delicious scent deep into my lungs.
Chapter 18
Skye
My entire body flushes with warmth as he scents along my neck. His stav is hard against my body and I’ve never been so aroused in my entire life.
The last thing I need is more temptation. Especially as I recall all those thick cords of muscle and the hard planes of his abdomen and chest. Warmth blooms in my core as I think of our make-out session by the falls.
He pulls back and a low growl rumbles deep in his chest as he rasps. “Forgive me, my mate. Your scent…it calls to me.”
I shiver slightly as desire ripples through me. I nestle into his warmth. “It’s all right. I trust you,” I whisper.
However, wrapped in his arms, I’m not entirely sure that I trust myself. Every part of me wants him. I’m falling hard for this man and the reasons I’ve held back are beginning to crumble under his ice-blue gaze.
He doesn’t speak, but he doesn’t have to. Carefully, he wraps his wings around me and I sigh in contentment at the sensation of his warmth enveloping me completely. I try to fall back asleep, but it’s impossible while his arousal is a hard bar between us, pressing insistently against my abdomen.
I open my eyes
