I’m not sure if two souls would bond if they knew how consuming it was.
I stretched my body under the covers. Caedryn leaned over me, sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Do you think the intensity fades?” I asked. “I’m not sure I can function at this level.”
Caedryn laughed. “I hope not. But you have to consider. We’ve opened ourselves up because it’s new, and we wanted to. The bond is like your dragon’s bond; we still have some semblance of privacy if we choose.”
I purred under a wave of satisfaction from Caedryn.
He was satisfied. Satisfied.
I couldn’t even begin to think of him that way.
“I’ve been waiting for you to wake—for three hours,” he said.
“What? Why? Why are you grinning like that? Don’t keep me in suspense.”
He leaned over and whispered into my ear. “You don’t see it, do you?” He straightened and stepped back from the bed. He covered his mouth with his hands as his body trembled with excitement.
I jumped up, standing on the bed, my head hitting the canopy. His tremors raked my spine. “You’re exciting me with terrific joy.” Wide-eyed, I looked within myself. “You’re thinking about how I’m going to screech and throw myself into your arms because what you have to tell me will blow me away.”
Caedryn’s countenance remained unchanged.
“You’re killing me! Just tell me!” I exclaimed.
“I think you don’t see it because it’s inside you. Your own light is blocking the tiny speck of brilliance.”
“Tiny speck?”
“It blinked into existence last night. Like a jolt through my system. You were so dead asleep I guess you didn’t feel it.”
My breath caught. My foot tangled in the covers as I moved to the mattress’s edge.
“You mean—”
“Niawen, please tell me you see it—I mean, him or her. Please tell me. I’m bursting here. Look inside yourself.”
“You’ve blindsided me. I can’t think. Tone your enthusiasm down.” I touched my stomach. With my hand guiding my vision, I focused. A light. New and pure. So small. “I see it! Caedryn, I see it!”
I bounced on the bed, and my tangled feet pitched me into Caedryn’s arms.
“You have an inkling of panic,” he said. “It’s all right, my love. I know we didn’t talk about this. I’m shocked, but I’m beyond happy.”
I relaxed into his arms while he kissed me. Our child. We’re having a child.
My legs rippled like jelly. “I need to lie down.” This excitement crowned all others.
“I think we shall just stay in bed today.”
I sighed. “Yes, darling. That would be wonderful.”
SIXTY
I rushed into the courtyard. “Seren! You didn’t tell me you were coming. You’re early.”
“I wanted to see you.”
I wrapped my arms around Seren’s neck. Her scales warmed my fingers. “Did you have any trouble leaving Gorlassar? Were there guards at the portal?”
“I didn’t have an issue. And yes, guards are inside and out. The High Dragoness decreed no dragon can be prevented from leaving the realm if they desire, and no dragon should be prevented from seeing her rider.”
“Oh, Seren.” I squeezed her tighter and pressed my face against hers. “I have much to tell you.”
I know. You’ve been blocking me. Do you want to tell me something now? Seren asked.
I’ve bonded with Caedryn.
I thought as much. Seren’s voice was too steady.
Aren’t you overjoyed for me? I’m happy.
I should have come sooner, Seren said. And warned you.
About what?
You remember your misgivings concerning Caedryn?
Yes, but they’ve been set aside, I said.
You trust him?
Yes! Why? Should I not?
Seren shuffled her feet. Let’s talk in private.
No one can hear us.
We’re being watched.
The guards are always watching, I said. Seren, tell me what’s going on.
I know he’s been playing mind games. You’ve been hiding them from me, but a few have slipped through. Why?
They were just that.
It’s never just that. He’s been manipulating you, Seren said.
I know he’s damaged. I’ve talked to him about his games. He wouldn’t do anything to hurt me.
He’s possessive. You told me yourself.
Seren! I’ve bonded with him, I said. Mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. I love him. Don’t speak of my husband this way. We’re happy.
All right. But there’s something else.
What? An ache formed in my brow, circling my head like a crown. Tension between Seren and me never happened.
I bring news of Sieffre’s people.
A whooshing started in my ears. A heavy pulse. Seren’s words were not laced with glad tidings.
Has someone died? Oh please. Don’t say someone’s dead.
Kenrik’s missing. He’s been missing ever since you left. I didn’t fly by Cynwrig on my way home, or I’d have found out sooner. I learned only hours ago. He saw us flying north the day we left. In his desperation, he followed you. He packed a horse and rode out. Kelyn couldn’t dissuade him. His men couldn’t. King Sieffre said Kenrik punched out a guard.
Oh, Deian.
Tiwlip begged him to wait until spring, Seren said. She assured him you’d return. That you were just upset. She said you loved them enough you’d be back, but Kenrik kept going on about how she didn’t see the misery in your eyes. She didn’t hear how broken you were. He wanted to make things right between you and him. He blamed himself. Even Brenin’s tears didn’t stop Kenrik. He ripped the weeping child off his waist and pushed him into Tiwlip’s arms.
That was five weeks ago! And the snowstorm started shortly afterward. What was he thinking? No. NO. I covered my mouth. Where was he?
They’ve been searching, but it’s slow. Kelyn and his men only go out in the day because of the cold, and they move from village to village, but the snow’s deep. They aren’t making progress.
This is awful.
