14. CHAPTER 14 #2
I took in a deep breath. Tears flooded my cheeks, leaving a salt taste on my lips.
I tapped my fingers on my thumbs, my knee bounced as fast as it could.
It felt as though an elephant sat on my chest. My head felt dizzy with a wave of nausea.
I could finish. I said the hardest part. He sat in silence, not interrupting me.
“Several weeks later, intelligence suggested he was hiding out in that building. It didn’t mention that a meeting was scheduled in the late hours.
I rode on Kim with my dad to a village. Several other dragons and phoenixes rode out, including Lili’s dad.
Kim landed near the building, as well as Lili’s dad.
We moved in, and to our surprise, they were having a meeting of sorts.
They were protecting him. My dad and her dad knocked them out.
When we arrived, David was cowering under a table.
My dad pulled him out, and I drove a dagger into his heart.
I watched his life end, and afterwards, I pulled my dagger free.
We got back on the dragons and incinerated the building. ..”
“I am truly sorry that you ever had to experience that.”
He communicated directly into my mind, similar to how the dragons did that day. Holy shit. I looked up at him, and his eyes were brimming with tears.
“I am sorry that you lost uncles that day.”
He kissed the top of my head, closed his eyes, and took a breath.
“David was one of my uncles, and don’t be sorry, he clearly deserved to die. I didn’t know any of that. We were told it was an unprovoked Rider attack.”
Tears streaked my face—and his. The water cooled as he lifted me from the tub, carrying me into the bedroom with towels draped in his arms. He set me on the bed, wrapped one around me, and drew the other across his waist.
His eyes never left mine. My chest swelled until I thought it might break open. Gods, I already loved him .
I didn’t want this. I hadn’t asked for it.
We barely knew each other, yet something in me had already fallen, sharp and deep, before I could stop it.
The speed of it made my stomach twist. Love wasn’t supposed to hit like this, not so sudden, not so complete.
And yet here I was, already lost. He climbed onto the bed and pulled me back into his lap, and I let him—because even as fear clawed at me, I couldn’t look away.
“Sooooo… we can talk to each other, in each other’s fucking heads?” I wanted to run as far away from the previous conversation as fast as I could.
"Yeah… I sort of suspected. My aunt and uncle were mates.
Both were warriors. She told me bits and pieces.
Watching them was almost sickening as a kid.
They couldn't keep their hands off each other. They seemed to be always having a conversation no one else could hear, dancing with their eyes. Years later, she told me that mated couples have unique bonds. I thought maybe she was hinting at that, but I wasn’t sure.
I guess some things about mates are kept secret. "
“Ophelia says we should keep the mate part secret, that it can make us vulnerable.”
“We can do whatever you want, but do know, if someone puts your life in danger, theirs may cease to exist. The fear you felt after five years tells me that the fear you felt during was insurmountable, and…” He lost his words, as if he held back tears.
“I am okay. I am strong now, and I will never stop fighting for my life.” I looked up at him and smiled at him.
He placed his hand on my cheek, rubbing his thumb side to side, caressing my face, before leaning in and giving me a long, deep kiss.
“Please promise me that you won’t treat me or look at me differently.” I pleaded with him.
"Right now, all I see is the brave, beautiful female that fate put into my life. From what I heard, you didn’t need saving. Which, honestly, is perfect because I love a strong, fierce female."
He gripped me tighter, holding me like he never meant to let go.
I knew what I shared was heavy, what we did before that.
Everything tonight felt heavy. My dad only knew the full details of what had happened out there, something he learned while Lili and I were unconscious.
It was the only time I was happy for his ability, happy that I wasn’t required to share it all out loud.
“I really rather not talk about it… beyond tonight. If that’s okay with you. I still have nightmares every now and again.”
“Anything you want. If you ever change your mind, I will sit with you however you need me to.”
I nodded. I was not sure if I would want to talk about this again. I wanted to change the topic, move so very far from anything heavy.
“What is your middle name?”
He let out a little laugh. “Zane.”
I furrowed my brow in confusion at him. “Wait, what?”
“Roarke Zane Braegon the second.” He flashed his little mischievous smile.
“Waitttttt… as in… the duke’s son?” My eyes widened. “Shit!”
“As in that guy… I mean, you’re the general’s daughter. I am the duke’s kid. It’s fantastic.”
My eyes were blinking at him. When they said his last name yesterday, it didn’t click, but the situation preoccupied me.
“So, is it a bad time to mention that I am the marquess, the first son in line?”
“Why are you here?” I blurted that out before I realized it even came out.
He tilted his head at me, giving me a smirk. “If that was the case, how would I have met you?”
“I mean, you don’t have to be?”
“Well, if my history lesson is correct, you don’t have to be either. As for me, I want to be here. I don’t want to be the duke now or ever. Also, no one knows I am his son. I checked in under my middle name. Of course, my father knows and respects my wishes to be here quietly.”
“But your last name?”
“If someone starts to put it together, I brush it off and change the subject. Although I am pretty certain most of the higher officers are aware of my presence here, they haven’t outed me. ”
“Sooooo… don’t call you Roarke?”
“I’ve never really gone by that anyway, because of my dad, but yes, please let’s keep this between us.”
I turned around to face him. Got up on my knees and moved to straddle him. I flashed him a devious smile, “Okay, Roarke.”
“You got jokes, huh?” He sucked his teeth, giving me a big smile, and pulled me closer to him.
Children of novelty, only children, and those deemed not well enough were exempt from conscription, yet here we both were.
We were going against what was expected of us.
He should be learning about taking his father’s place as a duke, should his father pass.
I could be doing anything, but I chose to be here.
It seemed as if fate wanted us both here—fighting against a destiny we denied.
We sat holding each other, giving room for every heavy moment tonight. I steeped in his presence and comfort, though I knew I needed to go as I had many different things to do.