21. Vexxion
21
VEXXION
I woke sometime later and flitted to the town’s aerie, looking into each stall until I found the pen where Madrood lay.
Stepping inside, I secured the gate behind me and leaned against it, crossing my arms on my chest.
He rose to his feet, a towering mass of muscles, claws, and silver scales gleaming in the moonlight through the open entrance on the opposite side. The glint on the sand strewn across the base of the pen created a halo around this beast who would either be persuaded to be an ally or who would remain my enemy.
I thought you’d come, he said. Eventually.
If I didn’t already know that Tempest was my fated mate, our ability to speak in our minds would confirm it. I only could because I was bonded with her.
This is the first chance I’ve had since I woke, I said .
You could’ve come to me immediately after she released you from his collar.
I rubbed the place on my neck, still unable to believe I was finally free of Ivenrail after so many years. I could feel the lack of it, as if a torn limb I’d finally gotten used to had been severed and replaced with the pristine original. I owed Tempest for that if nothing else.
If you wanted to speak with me, you only needed to ask, I said. What is it now?
We need to discuss the past, the present, and the future.
The past cannot be changed.
Nor can the present. But the future . . .
It’s true, I said. I’ve spent most of my life trying to avoid my inevitable fate. Even when I found her, I’m sure I knew I had to be careful. He was seeking her too, and the tendrils of his magic could travel farther than mine. I traced my fingers across the back of my neck, something I’d done so often that there must be a groove back there. Now I only felt the clasp of the new collar. The spiking pain of the other was gone.
You still don’t remember her.
I remember traveling to the fortress with only one mission, to rein in the commander.
Madrood snorted. I bet you killed him.
I shrugged and settled against the wall, leaning on my right shoulder. If I did, I’m sure I had a valid reason. He was supposed to stop draining Nullens. Had something more sinister happened? I sensed it was vital I remember, but I couldn’t find a way through the thick mist blocking off that part of my mind.
Why couldn’t I remember what happened after I arrived? Those drained wandered the ether, and other than Reyla and Brodine, I didn’t know of any who’d been brought back. There was no history anywhere for me to explore, no one to quiz about their experience.
She’s remarkable, Madrood said with pride. You shouldn’t underestimate her.
I don’t believe I ever have. Despite the blurring of time since arriving at the fortress, that knowledge had been seared across my soul.
Madrood backed down onto his haunches, his show of force complete. Our combined need drove this interaction, and neither of us needed to bluster. The time for confrontation, for the push and pull to determine who had the most power, was in the past, and as I said, it could not be changed.
I’ve seen a bit, he said. I’m willing to share.
What will you demand in exchange? I might find a way to form a truce with this beast, but we’d never be friends.
Nothing for this.
Images flashed through my mind. She worked with a golden dragon and kept peering carefully over her shoulder at a fae male standing on the other side of the fence—me. She didn’t like that she couldn’t look away, that she was attracted to me.
Next, we battled dregs from the backs of our dragons, driving the creatures away from a village and saving those we could. We snarled at each other, but even in this, I could feel the heat of her glance, the longing for something she couldn’t quite name. An unexpected craving coiled through me .
Then she gazed at me with complete trust as I placed a Claiming collar around her throat, as I bound her to me forever.
A flash, and we stood in front of the king. Feeling betrayed, she was dismayed at my coldness, at my unwillingness to speak to her or protect her. I could feel her rage, her horror, and I wanted to reach out to the Tempest of that time and stroke her face, tell her everything would work out as it should.
Finally, she gaped down at where I lay on the throne room floor, so depleted of power that I could barely draw up enough to tell her . . .
I was jerked back to the present. Swallowing hard, I struggled to bind myself to those memories, because I was worried they could be stolen again.
I was a broken thing that should be tossed away.
No, I would not give into sadness. She loved me. She needed me. And as long as she didn’t tell me to leave, I’d remain by her side.
Why did you share this with me? It was all I could do to keep the pain from my voice. It shocked through me in heavy waves, threatening to drag me under. Drown me. You could’ve demanded almost anything from me for this, and I would’ve given it. It was a precious gift, something he hadn’t needed to share, something I would’ve burned through the world to obtain .
She needs to be protected.
I. Am. Her. Shield. The words burst through the fog and erupted from me before I could give them thought.
We both stand by her side. Never forget this.
She bonded with you. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that, but then, my emotions related to Tempest kept jerking in one direction and then the other. At times, I could almost feel warmth when I looked at her. And after being in her mind if only for a few short snippets, I felt closer to her than ever.
She was beautiful, vibrant, and full of passion, but it was so much more than that. Something about her compelled me. I could no more look away from her than stop breathing. And I suspected when her heart stopped beating, mine would at the exact same time.
Fated mates. I should trust in this if in nothing else.
I bonded with her, yes, he said.
Did she realize she was casting the spell? I wasn’t sure why I suspected she didn’t. But that was the way of magic. We might feel we controlled it, but always, it controlled us.
I don’t believe she did, he said. But it took, nonetheless. It surprised us both. I didn’t think such a thing was possible any longer.
Times have changed.
She has brought about this change. You, son of Ellyn, are destined for greatness.
I’m destined for death. No matter what was coming, I sensed my end still loomed.
There are times when you must walk alone and times when you must lean on those around you. Find a way to lean.
I huffed. I haven’t leaned on anyone since before I was five.
You’re not alone any longer.
I had her . Somewhere deep inside me, I knew this. No matter how hard something tried to scrape the imprint off my soul, that knowledge would remain.
You can speak with her like we do now, I said.
Such is the bond .
Not between us. Never between us. If that kind of magic floated near, I’d lash it away with my threads.
There will never be a bond between us. A hint of a sneer came through in his voice.
My lips twisted. You’re the last dragon I’d ever choose to bond with.
Because of what happened.
That and for so many other reasons, I said. It would take a lifetime to count them.
His head dropped but only for an instant. Nothing and no one would ever drag this fierce, arrogant dragon down for long. Will you tell her what I did?
What exactly do you refer to? I was playing with him, something I’d savored in the past.
You know.
Everyone knows.
I ask again, he growled. Will you tell her?
I should.
He drew himself up stiffly, his muscles bristling as if he would strike. I’m asking you not to.
Would he actually beg? For a moment, sympathy for this beast slipped past my guards. I shoved it away and shored up the forest in my mind. What he’d done could never be forgiven. He knew that.
But . . .
What will you give me if I let you tell her before me? I asked, meeting the flames swirling through his eyes.
He leaned close to my ear, though there was no need to do this since he still spoke in my mind. What he offered stunned me.
Impossible, I said.
His low growl rumbled through his chest. Do not doubt me .
There was no harm in accepting his offer. If he could do this . . . Well, I’d survived this long without his intervention.
You have a deal, I said. I’ll give you a week.
Thank you.
With a nod, I left him, flitting back to our room in the inn where I climbed beneath the covers and gently drew Tempest into my arms.
I held her, my chin pinning the top of her head, her soft, slumbering breaths warming my skin.
Gathering my threads, I slashed them against the mist separating my mind from our past.
Tempest was gone when I woke, and I sent out my threads, finding her in the dining room with her friends.
With the light of dawn stretching its wings across the world, all I could think of was being with her.
I’d slept better than I could remember, and that gave me hope—for what, I wasn’t quite sure. As I rose and dressed, I kept thinking about how I’d touched her while she bathed. How I’d given her pleasure. My cock had been on fire while I teased her into an orgasm that rocked through me as completely as it did her. I couldn’t remember the last time I came in my pants, and I wasn’t sure I ever wanted to do it again.
After bathing and dressing in clean clothing, I’d gone downstairs and was pulled into her charms once more, teasing my foot along her leg and between her thighs, barely holding in my grin when she responded so beautifully to my touch.
She’d nestled in my arms last night. She’d whispered my name in her sleep. And her touch . . . It had awakened a slumbering beast inside me who roared.
If only I could understand what he said.
Would I ever feel the perfect love dangling just beyond my grasp?
With a shake of my head, I packed my things, noting she’d already done so, leaving nothing behind. Fear jolting through me, I left the room, taking the stairs quickly to the ground floor. There, I came to a halt, my tension lifting when I drank in her beauty and the animation on her face. With Drask bobbing on her shoulder, she sat at a table with Layla, my half-brother’s fated mate. Her sister. Did anyone else know that Lydel Court had two heirs? I hadn’t heard anything about another child.
From what Tempest shared about the confrontation at Bledmire, the king knew. He also knew she was my fated mate. From the time the mark appeared on my wrist, I kept it hidden. I didn’t want to hand the king a weapon.
“Are you going to stand there, or are you going to join everyone else and eat some breakfast?” Brodine asked, though in a pleasant enough manner. He tapped my back. “You’re blocking the way.”
“Sorry.” I shifted to the side, and he gave me a smile as he passed. When he sat beside Tempest, I could barely hold back my growl. While I was unsure where my emotions would take me next with this woman, it was clear I wouldn’t allow anyone else to claim her instead.
A slim fae man who’d had too much ale for this time of the morning stumbled out of the bathing area beneath the stairs and lurched into me. He peered up at me through rheumy eyes. “Sorry. My mistake,” he slurred, staggering over to sit at one of the tables. He beat his fist on the pocked wooden surface. “Ale. I need ale!”
“Be right there,” a server called out.
Striding over to the table, I sat opposite Tempest, seeking her gaze. She studiously avoided looking my way, taking a slice of bread from the platter in the center of the table and slathering it with breekberry jam. She broke off a piece and fed it to the crow.
I also took bread and added breekberry jam. “This is one of my favorite flavors,” I told her.
“I remember.” She bit down hard on her slice of bread and chewed, turning Brodine’s way, cutting me out. No, she wasn’t blocking me; she merely wanted to speak with her friend.
“Madrood said they’re ready to leave when we are,” Tempest said. “He also said the aerie here is decent, the food is stale, but the sand is clean.”
Brodine nodded, also chewing through a big slice of bread. “I think it’s amazing that you’ve bonded with a dragon, that you can communicate with him in your mind.” Thankfully, he kept his voice low, though there were few others inside the dining area. “Does the bond give you anything else other than mind-to-mind communication?”
“Like what?” she asked around another bite .
He shrugged. “There must be something. I’m not surprised you did it. You always did have a special affinity for beasts. With just a simple stroke of your hand, you make them eager to do whatever you ask. It’s amazing. I used to love watching you work with the wildest dragons. They’d be kissing you and showering you with sparks within half a day.” The admiration in his voice irked me.
My pulse quickened, and my free hand clenched on my thigh. Watching her interact with him, smile at him, though I could see it was only in a friendly manner, stabbed raw rage through me. Irritation boiled within my veins, and it was all I could do not to snarl.
When had I turned into a jealous fool? She’d made it clear she was mine for the taking, that she loved me. She wouldn’t look twice at her friend.
Or would she—if I shoved her away?
We had too much to do. I couldn’t let this bother me.
The longer I studied her sitting across from me, the more I knew that I would not leave her. I’d remain by her side and give myself time to know her once more. As for love? It would come if it must, or it wouldn’t. Right now, it felt farther from my grasp than ever.
My irritation slipped away. Something like this didn’t matter.
When Tempest sought my gaze, I studiously avoided meeting it, though I did note that her cheeks had reddened.
“Brodine will ride with me today,” she said, foolish woman that she was .
Despite the erratic feelings for her clawing their way across my skin, she was my fated mate. She belonged with me.
“No,” I clipped out.
“I didn’t enjoy riding with you yesterday.” Pain scraped through her voice.
Why couldn’t I find a shred of emotion for her? Last night, I’d held her, though it appeared she hadn’t noticed. Then, I’d felt longing. I’d enjoyed being with her. I could almost remember craving . . . something with her.
I was tempted to suggest she’d enjoyed my touch well enough last night, and if this was anyone but her, I would’ve. I’d savored manipulating people as much as anyone else at Bledmire Court. But some shred of decency inside me told me not to name it while everyone watched us, listening raptly.
“Don’t do this.” Tempest’s fingers sought the hilt of a blade strapped to her side. “Don’t push me or you’ll regret it.”
“Will you pull my family dagger and gouge me, sweet little storm that you are?”
Her lips quivered, and the hurt in her eyes could not be denied. What in particular had I done to cause that?
I didn’t like that I’d caused her pain. I wouldn’t blame her if she pulled the blade and slashed it toward my neck. Regret sent a sharp pang through my chest. I’d driven another wedge between the fragile bond we were forming.
“I would never hurt you,” she said stiffly. “If you can’t see that, then you’re a fool.”
“I’m sorry.” For being unable to give her the love she craved. For pulling her close only to push her away. For taunting her .
A shudder went through her and resolve filled her pretty green eyes. “Alright, I’ll ride with you.”
“What are you doing?” Zayde hissed from beside me.
The glare Layla sent me could’ve impaled me to the wall. Leaning around him, she sneered, keeping her voice low. “If you don’t stop acting like an ass, you won’t have to worry about my sister pulling her blade. I’ll gut you myself.”
“I probably deserve it,” I said.
That stole the energy from her anger. Her gaze sought Zayde’s.
“She loves you,” Zayde said softly. “I understand that you don’t remember her, that you don’t yet feel the same, but if you can find even a shred of kindness in your heart for her, I’d appreciate it.”
“I’m not being mean to her.” My hands splayed wide, and I met his gaze with my own steel. “I’m doing all I can. It hasn’t been long.”
“Don’t call her storm.”
“Why?”
“Because . . .” He scowled. “Just don’t.”
“Alright.”
Airia studied me with flinty eyes from across the table. I could swear she muttered something, though I couldn’t hear the words. Then her attention shot to Tempest before flickering away.
Marla came over to our table as we were finishing. “Will you be staying another night, my lords and ladies?” she asked, her gaze caressing Brodine.
“No, we’re leaving today,” I said .
“Very well.” She moved to the next table where the man well into his ale slouched across the surface. Her knee nudged his thigh. “Get a move on, Prager. If I know you, you don’t have the coins to pay for what you drank.”
Prager, huh? A common enough name, but . . .
Tempest’s gaze shot their way.
The man rose and grunted, staring around with bleary eyes before stumbling across the room and out the door.
“I’ll meet you all at the meadow.” Tempest rose quickly. “I need to . . .”
Go to the bathing area?
She bolted up the stairs with the crow fluttering his wings on her shoulder.