Trapped By Claws (Of Seas and Tides)

26. Seen

Air flooded my lungs, and energy surged into my fingertips.

Gentle fingers without claws pressed against my cheeks and neck.

It was as if my eyelids had millstones on them. The scent of salt, blood, fresh air, and green leaves filled my nostrils. That, and something muskier and heavier. Familiar, even if the touch wasn't.

"Come on. Wake up, clever girl. Open those gorgeous eyes. You took on all those men. I don't think you thought that through, but I know you're here. You wouldn't leave me. Not now."

Corvin?

His voice was gentle and teasing all at once. His lips brushed my forehead, then pressed against my cheek.

Slowly I opened my eyes and met his gaze. I froze. The man peering down at me… "Corvin?" I whispered.

His skin was no longer striped with yellow and green. He was deeply tanned now, his cheekbones and jaw even more exquisitely sculpted, and his eyebrows strong and proud. No claws protruded from his fingers. He was even more breathtakingly handsome, and all that intensity and need in his brilliant gaze was focused on me.

He held me in his arms. We sat in a clearing near the stone staircase and the portal. But the portal at the top of the staircase had closed, the runes no longer glowing and the basin upturned.

He touched my cheek with his fingertips. "Yes, it's me." The smile that lit up his face had such joy. It crinkled around his eyes. "Hello, clever girl."

"I'm not dead."

Tagger squeaked and popped up, prodding me with his cold nose. I giggled as his whiskers tickled me.

"No, you're stuck with me," he whispered.

Tagger trilled again.

"Fine." Corvin chuckled. "With both of us." He stroked my cheek, his fingers curling against my skin. "Darling, I have to tell you…I'm rather obsessed with you now. Shocking, I know. But that's how it is." His smile wavered. "I didn't realize how badly you were hurt before."

"They shot me with a poisoned dart," I whispered, staring up at him through half-lidded eyes.

He clasped me against his chest. His heartbeat thrummed in my ear. "It was almost enough to kill you. Almost. But…" He held up his clawless hand. It was so strange to see him with such an ordinary flesh coloration. He fluttered his fingers in front of my face. "Look who isn't diseased or cursed!"

"And you were a dragon," I murmured. "A raven dragon."

He nodded, his throat bobbing. Tears misted his eyes. "It was so easy. Like that's what I was made to be. I think…I wasn't a failure or a disappointment after all. That magic—it kept me in the eel and human forms and whatever I could do in between. But the raven dragon—I've never felt anything like it. I was so angry when I saw them attacking you, and—after the mate bond snapped into place and all of the king's magic fell away—the raven dragon form came to me even easier than the eel form. I flew. At least one of my parents was a raven dragon. And I was named for them. It wasn't a mistake or a mockery."

"Corvin." I smiled, savoring his name.

He grinned, nodding. He traced patterns on my cheek. "I didn't disappoint them because I could only become an eel. The King of the North Sea lied about everything."

"Maybe we'll find your family out there."

"Maybe. But I know I have family, here in my arms," he said softly. "Whatever happens—" He stopped then. His brow furrowed, then his eyes shuttered. "First, all jokes aside…I don't want to trap you in this." He took my hand in his, stroking it. "If you want to go your own way, I will let you. I'll even help you get to a town or a village."

I laughed, looking up at him. My heart was so full it was almost bursting. "You aren't getting rid of me that easily."

"Well then," he said, standing. He prodded Tagger away and helped me to my feet as well.

I swayed for half a breath before steadying myself on a birch. The warm golden sunlight surrounded us, birdsong flitting in the air.

With a smile, he knelt on one knee in front of me, still holding my hand. His hair was still fluffy and black and so soft, even if his black clothing was tattered and rent in too many places. "I've heard this is how humans proclaim their need for a mate."

My eyes widened. "Oh?" My stomach fluttered. "I mean, yes, this is how many propose marriage."

"And marriage is similar to mates, yes?" Corvin asked, still holding on to my hand.

I shrugged a little. "Are you asking me if I want to be with you officially, Corvin?" My face hurt from smiling so much. It was rather humorous to consider since I would have put a mate bond above any other.

He grinned, then steeled his face in a more somber expression. His eyes sparkled with lively mischief. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Mena. Do you want to spend yours with me?"

"I do," I said, tears brimming in my eyes. Part of me wanted to laugh at how serious he was being about this, and yet I loved it as well.

His eyebrow arched. "And what else do you want, Mena? I'll give you anything. I'll give you the world or I'll drown it. I'll do anything so long as it makes you happy."

"You're offering me the whole world?" I smiled down at him, heat burning through my core and up into my face. "Is that what you think I want?"

His gaze softened. He stood. His thumb pressed against my lower lip. "You're right." His fingers curled along my cheek then. "I see you. I love you. I want you. You are my light, my heart, and my home. And if anyone ever tries to take you from me, I'll tear them to pieces and give you their bones."

"And I will never abandon you, Corvin," I whispered. "I'll stay with you through dark passages and on bright paths." My lips trembled. "I love you with all I am."

He swept me close, his mouth claiming mine.

The rest of the world melted away with that kiss. His tongue pressed against the seam of my lips, urging them to part. I happily responded. It was nothing but us here. And the world spread out around us, full of joy and so much possibility. Dreams no longer felt pointless. It was as if it was all opening up once more in a realm of possibilities. Not what I had expected or planned for but beautiful in its own right.

When at last we broke the kiss, he kept his arms around me, and I left my hands in his hair. Tagger scampered around us, peeping and squeaking happily.

"We should probably see about a camp," I suggested, nuzzling him.

"Always so practical. At least you're accepting my compliments now," he murmured, smiling. "I suppose if you insist. It would be nice to have a place to stay." His hand lowered on my hips and squeezed. "Soon I'll give you the home you deserve. Someplace where you'll be safe and happy."

I hugged him once more, leaning up on my toes. "As long as I'm with you, I'm home."

He cradled me even closer. "And you will always be mine."

Thank you for joining me on this adventure, travelers. If you'd be so inclined as to leave a review, I'd greatly appreciate it.