Chapter 8
Rayna
She entered the wide tunnel, dimly lit with glowing stones fixed into the walls about ten feet apart. The deeper she went into the labyrinth, the more an ominous feeling engulfed Rayna. There were small side rooms and various dead ends to confuse those who didn’t know the way. She had to turn around several times.
The design would puzzle any intruder, and the magic made it hard to focus. Her head was pounding. Galadon had intentionally forced her to walk through a spell meant to terrify and repel her. Her body shook with the need to race back toward the fading sunlight outside.
The bastard no doubt enjoyed doing this to her.
Why did he have to make everything difficult? Not only that, but he kept sending mixed signals. One minute, he practically cursed her existence, and the next, he worried for her safety as if she meant something to him. Rayna was done with the games. Today, they would lay all their cards on the table and figure out where they stood.
After what seemed like forever, she made a final turn and spotted a large open room ahead. It was at least thirty feet by forty feet, with the dirt walls and ceiling sealed with a light sheen by dragon flames so they wouldn’t collapse. At the back, she spotted a wide bed on the floor. It lacked a frame, and a large black camrium blanket lay haphazardly across the mattress. Galadon’s considerable dragon form could easily fit on it, almost like a nest rather than a traditional human-style sleeping arrangement. He didn’t even have pillows.
A table and two chairs sat off to the left beside a bookshelf with old-style tomes and various trinkets she wished she had time to examine. To the right, he had a rug on the floor and a large chair upholstered with a deep red camrium cloth to prevent it from burning.
Galadon sat on it in a lazy sprawl like an indolent king, watching her intently as she took in his private quarters. How many people had even seen this place? If he could count them on one hand, she wouldn’t be surprised in the least, especially with all the protection spells to get inside. They would scare almost anyone without the fortitude and determination she had to see this through, and she’d had to use some of her sorceress powers to shield herself. It was all Rayna could do not to run away.
“What did you wish to speak to me about?” Galadon asked in his deep, raspy voice.
She swallowed. “The thing you made me promise we’d never discuss again.”
“And you are asking to break this vow?”
The look he gave her wasn’t pleasant, and it took all her strength to hold her ground. This was an apex predator on his home turf. It had been over five months since she last saw him in his human form, and it nearly took her breath away. He was intimidating while also being viciously sexy. His black sleeveless tunic and pants did nothing to hide his large, muscular form that Rayna wished she could touch all over again. He had such a strong, arrogant face, yet perfectly formed bone structure, and beige skin, maybe a shade darker than hers. A hint of stubble added to his dark looks. If he didn’t have such a tendency to terrify everyone, he’d have the masses panting after him.
“Yes,” she said in an even tone. “With your consent. I won’t break it otherwise, but keeping my thoughts to myself is…not working.”
She never broke a promise, which was the only reason she was asking.
“What if I say no?”
Rayna gave him a pleading look. “Please don’t.”
He was silent for so long that she began to wonder if he’d leave her standing there for eternity, fighting the agony of his warding magic. Then the building pressure on her mind and body that made her want to flee his home suddenly lifted. Galadon had released the terrifying spell that likely kept everyone out. It was as if a boulder had been lifted from her chest, and she could finally breathe.
“No one has ever made it this far down here before without my approval,” he said, lifting a brow. “Was it difficult for you?”
“Extremely.” Did he even let his mother down here to visit?
He sighed. “Then you must be desperate to discuss this if you’ve managed to pass my test.”
“I am,” she agreed, resisting the urge to bristle at his “test” comment since he had his mother send her down here in the first place.
Galadon stretched his feet out in front of him as if he didn’t have a care in the world. Rayna was so used to him being stiff and stoic that it was odd to see him appear relaxed. Was he intentionally giving her some breathing space, or was he always this way in his home? There was still so much she didn’t know about him.
“Very well.” He scratched at the stubble on his cheek. “I’ll allow you to break your vow this one time, but after you leave, I’ll hold you to it once more. Agreed?”
She nodded, relieved. “Yes.”
“Then, by all means, go ahead.”
Rayna drew up every ounce of courage she possessed as she faced one of the most dangerous dragons in existence to tell him how she really felt about him. It would be worth it if he’d listen and consider her argument. On the other hand, she was putting herself in a precarious position where he could really hurt her. She’d never done anything like this before, and it was more terrifying than facing a hundred dragons intent on killing her.
She drew a deep breath and pulled from that inner strength that had kept her going through the worst of times since the apocalypse. He needed to hear the full, unvarnished truth. “From the day we met, I was attracted to you. I mean…I felt an immediate connection to you despite your pissy attitude toward me. I’m not sure if you know that.”
He gave her a curt nod that didn’t tell her anything.
“I was hardly a virgin, and I’ve certainly been with a few men.” She paused when he stiffened, but he said nothing. “But you were the first one to make me really feel and want more. Not only that, but I haven’t desired anyone else since then, even if they might have interested me before.”
The glint of flames in his eyes appeared to grow hotter.
She couldn’t stand still anymore and began circling around his small dining table, tracing her fingers along it. “I know I drove you crazy with my taunting and teasing, but I couldn’t help it. Getting a reaction—any reaction—out of you made me feel like you saw me. I only knew I wanted your attention however I could get it.”
“I have never doubted that,” he said in a low voice. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear there was a hint of lust in his tone.
“To be perfectly honest, I didn’t think you’d ever act on my flirting.”
He grunted. “Neither did I.”
Shocked at his admission, she spun around to face him. “Then why did you?”
Silence fell as he stared at her, contemplating…something. “You almost died in my arms, and I admit it bothered me. After you survived, I realized that you truly could be killed at any time, especially with your penchant for running into danger. If I didn’t have you just once, and you died, I knew I would regret it for the rest of my days.”
Well, that was interesting. Not exactly a romantic declaration, but at least he admitted his desire in some form. Also, it proved he did care at least a little, aside from his gruff warnings to avoid danger. Rayna took some comfort in that, and it helped strengthen her to continue.
“Sometimes, I wish you hadn’t given into it,” she admitted.
He arched a brow. “Oh, why?”
Rayna resumed her pacing. “Because…because that was the best sex I’ve ever had by, like, a lot. It was everything a woman dreams it could be but rarely experiences. You know very well what you did and how it would make me feel. Dammit, Galadon, you made me want more!”
She glanced over at him, cheeks heating at her admission.
The flames in his eyes grew hotter. “You surprised me with your passion as well. That was the first time I’d ever performed the act in human form, and I hadn’t expected it to be that…enjoyable.”
“What?” She stopped to stare at him incredulously. “Before me, you always had sex in your beast form?”
“Yes,” he said, shrugging. “I’ve only been with dragons, which has always been more than enough.”
She seriously couldn’t have been his first—right?
Rayna rubbed her face, unable to believe what he’d told her. “But you were so damn good at it, I thought…”
“I had enough time to plan exactly what I’d do to your body,” he said, wry amusement in his expression. “If I was going to give in to my lust for you, I was going to make the most of that time so that I wouldn’t be tempted to do it again.”
She glared at him. “Are you kidding me? That was seriously enough for you, and you have no intention of us ever having sex again?”
Though by her standards, she’d have said they made hot, passionate love that day. No human man or slayer had ever taken the kind of time Galadon had to bring her that much pleasure. They’d never used their lips and tongue with as much finesse and skill as him. Ugh, Rayna had to stop thinking about it, or he’d smell the lust on her. No need to give him any more of an upper hand.
“It has to be enough.” He worked his jaw and stared hard at her. “And no, I won’t touch you again. Get that through your head right now because nothing you say will change my mind.”
The way he said it was so cold that tears pricked her eyes, and she turned away so he couldn’t see how he affected her. It was like a slap to the face. Thanks for your time, Rayna. It was most enjoyable, but I’m done with you. The fucking asshole!
It took several minutes to get her hurt under control as he sat in his chair like a judge who’d just passed down a harsh sentence. Why was she attracted to him? Why had that sorceress sworn he was the one for her, but she’d have to fight and be patient if she wanted to make it work? This was impossible. She couldn’t even understand why people insisted she talk it out with Galadon when it was clear he didn’t care what she had to say. This was exactly the response she’d expected, though she’d hoped for a different result.
Rayna slowly turned around and met his unemotional gaze. “Do you hate me? Is this all some kind of joke to you by playing with me like this?”
“I want to hate you and should,” he admitted, working his jaw. “I learned a lesson when I was only twelve years old that even female slayers who appear kind and caring will turn on me once they lose control. Never again will I fall for that.”
Realization dawned on her. That’s why he was so stubborn, because some stupid slayer during his childhood ruined any chance Rayna had to earn his trust. It made more sense now, though she wished he’d see her differently.
“Galadon.” She ran a hand through her wind-tousled hair. “I know you don’t believe this, but I’m not her. There are no circumstances where I would ever attack you. I would die before ever harming you physically or emotionally—I swear this to you.”
He let out a dramatic chuckle. “You may truly believe that, but we both know that the only type of relationship we could ever have from this point forward would result in a permanent bond. The attraction between us is too strong for another brief tryst. Yet being around each other full time would eventually lead to circumstances where your instincts—not your heart—would guide you. I’m saving us from a tragedy waiting to happen.”
So he did feel the pull as much as she did. It was somewhat of a relief that this wasn’t all one-sided, and he ached for her on some level as well. Rayna had begun to wonder if she was going crazy thinking otherwise.
“Even if I somehow lost control, you’re stronger than me. I couldn’t kill you,” she argued.
He ran a hand through his short, dark hair. “I’d have to maintain my guard constantly and never truly trust you. Would that really be any way for us to live?”
Rayna wanted to argue Bailey was doing that just fine, but he’d shot down that example before. He wouldn’t consider it this time, either. In Galadon’s mind, the two cases were entirely different, though they really weren’t.
“So that’s it? We should just forget what happened between us and move on?”
He dipped his chin. “It’s for the best.”
Rayna put her hands on her hips. “Just to be clear. It won’t bother you in the least if I find a fellow slayer, have passionate sex with him, and go on to have little slayer babies?”
Galadon stiffened, rage and jealousy entering his eyes. “I’d rather you didn’t go that far, but it’s your life, and your choice. My opinion shouldn’t factor into it.”
Ugh, she could see she’d gotten to him on that one, but he still resisted.
“This also means no saving me anymore.” She pointed a finger at him. “If you foresee my death, let it happen. Stop confusing me by acting like you care with your warnings, rushing to protect me, and having your mother heal me. Just let me die and be done with it because we both know that’ll be my fate sooner or later, like every other slayer. Is that clear?”
He looked away and worked the strong jaw she ached to trace. “Very well.”
Silence filled the room. Rayna had made every point she’d planned, hopeful that at least one might break through his big, thick skull. She’d failed. He might care for her on some level, but he’d never surrender to his attraction again. She couldn’t win this battle, no matter what that sorceress had foretold about their relationship.
“So that’s it?” she asked, fingers clenching on the back of a chair. “I leave now, and we never see each other again?”
Galadon finally met her gaze, regret in his fire-banked eyes. “It is for the best.”
Rayna’s throat tightened. “Fine.”
She turned and walked toward the tunnel entrance. It had been the hardest thing she’d ever done, putting all her feelings out there for someone who was technically her enemy. To have him reject her was too much, and her eyes watered. The kind of relationship they could have had would have been earth-shattering if he’d given it a chance.
“Goodbye, Galadon,” she said with her back to him, tears running down her face. “I wish you all the best.”
“Rayna.”
She froze at the strain in his voice.
He cleared his throat. “You’re beautiful, fierce, and have a good heart. If you were anything except a slayer, I wouldn’t have hesitated to make you mine.”
The words weren’t the comfort he likely meant them to be.
“The one thing I can’t change, right?” she whispered.
“Right.”
She rushed out of the tunnel like her life depended on it. The whole conversation had been a waste of her time. Sure, she’d gotten everything off her chest she’d wanted to say over these past months, but it made no difference. He didn’t see her the way she saw him. Galadon was so busy protecting himself from getting hurt that he was hardly living at all.
Full darkness waited for her outside. The tears were coming faster and freer now, and she gulped in deep breaths as grief filled her. Until then, she hadn’t realized how much hope she’d held onto that she could succeed if she just opened herself up all the way. Like, maybe, she stood a chance of not being alone anymore. It had been so exhausting for all these years, and the ache of loneliness ate at her more each day, no matter how hard she tried to shove it down.
Ujala came running to her, wrapping Rayna in her arms with her kind warmth.
“I’m so sorry,” she said, rubbing her back. “He’s too stubborn for his own good.”
How Galadon’s mother knew what this visit had been about, she didn’t know, but maybe it had been obvious. She was wise and astute after so many centuries of living.
“I don’t ever want to see him again, and I told him that,” she said.
The female shifter pulled back and looked down at her with sorrow as she gently wiped the tears from Rayna’s cheeks. “I understand why you feel that way, but I’m proud of you for being brave. Far braver than my son can understand or appreciate. Your life’s journey is not one I envy, but perhaps someday, you’ll find the happiness you deserve.”
Rayna couldn’t imagine that ever happening, but she appreciated Ujala’s compassion. “Thank you. I hope so.”
Titan waited a short distance away in his dragon form with a mournful look in his eyes. He was a good friend and didn’t want to see her hurt. She appreciated that at least one male shifter didn’t balk at her being a slayer and stood by her.
“Take care, Ujala,” Rayna said, giving her a tremulous smile.
She dipped her chin. “You do the same.”