Chapter Thirty-Seven #2
“You are far too understanding.” He closes in, curving his palm around the dip below my ribs, before leaning in to brush the edge of his lips against the shell of my ear, breath tickling as he whispers, “Please, Tasch. Tell me. Your face fell before I gave you the flower, so I know it is not my newfound life of crime.” His eyes study me, seeing past anything I might hide behind.
“No matter how hard you might try to convince me otherwise.”
My lips pull to the side, rising in the wry smile his words have conjured.
He lets out an amused breath, and I shudder at the feel of it trailing down my neck.
“It’s the positioning of the straps, isn’t it?
You were expecting to ride next to me or some other configuration.
” I nod. “This is the safest way.” He shifts, taking me by the arms as he pulls back to meet my eyes.
“I should have explained my reasoning and made sure you were comfortable with it before doing this without your consent. I’m sorry, Tasch. ”
A small laugh trills from my chest. “You say that often, you realize?”
“Yes, and I admit to behaving in ways requiring atonement far more frequently over the last few days.”
Days. It has been mere days since he came to find me on the balcony.
The chill air stings my lungs as I pull in a breath to ready myself for this. Slowing my movement, I turn with his guidance to reach and take hold of the thick leather horn.
“No need to be gentle,” Minea jests as Varic narrows his eyes at the Dragon. “You won’t hurt me. I promise. I come from hearty stock.”
My fingers curl around the handle on the far side of the harness, as Varic takes hold of either side of my waist to effortlessly lift me up so I can swing my leg to the other side of Minea’s spine, hovering above the cantle where Varic will be supported once he lies behind me.
His movements are practiced as he helps me readjust my posture—firm but gentle as he guides my arms and legs where he needs them to make sure the restraints are secure.
Then my whole body shudders when sparks light up, scattering everywhere his hand skates as it marks a distinct path down the outside of my thigh.
“I’m sorry. I commanded the Imperial servants to bring your winter gear to wear over the leathers.
I could throttle them for failing to do so.
” He yanks the wool sock up and over the hem of my leathers to try to stave off the chill.
“It’s even colder in the sky, and the only thing keeping me from charging back up the hill to send a letter demanding they bring you the appropriate attire is that you will at least have my warmth and my shield. ”
The flush from his attention expands across my chest, and I slam my eyes shut, refusing to create a visual memory of how I must look bent over this Dragon like a toad.
Shivers roll down my limbs as he secures the belt around my middle before running his rough hands down both of my legs, inserting a finger between the restraints and my flesh, checking their tautness while my muscles twitch under him, until he drags his hands back up to grasp my hips.
His fingers flex as they dig in. “Is this okay?” he rasps.
“Yes.” My voice is hoarse as the weight of his body settles in behind me.
My eyes widen with the heat of his lap as it radiates over my ass, flaring wider as he bucks forward, pressing down into me as he secures his torso and legs. Pulse pounding as his chest covers my back, thrumming louder in my ears while he threads his arms through the black leather straps.
“Will you depress the center of the horn? Just push it straight up.”
Having watched this process countless times, I trigger the internal mechanics of the harness to pull the restraints taut around his arms, braced on the outside of my own. I hold my breath as he settles over me and only release it once he’s finally stopped moving.
“Is this comfortable?” he asks, and I nod, unable to form intelligible speech.
Lucrea and Malin stomp ahead of us, while Brea and Cirrin take to our left. Sutrea and Fray move in on our right, with Dranea and Lars completing our formation from behind.
“Lucrea.” Varic projects his voice to the ruby Dragon before us. “Are you ready to lead?” A definitive roar emits from his chest, which rumbles in my own.
An amber veil drops around us, coloring the world in its warm hue, while protecting us from the chill of the wind as the ruby red Dragon takes off at a brisk pace, wings spread, cracking the earth beneath his talons as he pushes off and takes off into the sky.
Minea prepares to do the same, and my stomach rises, lodging in the center of my throat. Swallowing does nothing to relieve the pressure, and the veins on the side of my neck throb so hard they might burst.
“Breathe in through your nose,” Varic’s voice intones, settling comfortably in my bones, “Then out through your mouth as you close your eyes. Keep them closed until I say, okay?”
I nod, and his hands shift closer until his fingers slide, carefully—caringly—between each of mine, gliding down until they’re entwined, giving me the pressure and warmth I need.
Tears well behind my eyelids as Minea bounds forward, jostling our bodies over his spine until his giant paws push off the ground.
The impact of his wings catching on the air is harsher than I’d imagined it would be, yet Varic’s hold helps me to feel secure, even as every organ in my body is pulled downward from the force.
Minea angles his front upward, soaring higher until he levels us out to coast toward the Imperial Palace.
Wind whistles over the shield, surrounded by the flapping of Dragon wings.
“Whoo!” Lars cries from behind us.
“Whoo!” Cirrin, Fray, and Malin all join in, their excited voices creating a chamber of joy around us as we fly hundreds of feet in the sky.
“Don’t worry, I won’t risk your hearing by joining in,” Varic says into my ear. “You can open your eyes now.”
My smile widens as I stare at the clouds around Minea’s giant green wing beside us. The visual, the height, and the sounds of my Guards’ excitement all get to me, and I scream, “Whoo!”
Varic’s cheeks lift as he presses his face into the side of my head, and I match his expression, smiling hard against the smooth black leather.