42. Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Two
“What did the healer say?” Nyx asked as I slid into the chair beside her, eyeing the two books, and one scroll on the table.
“She couldn’t find anything wrong. Rune argued about the scent thing, but there wasn’t any evidence of something off in me.
We agreed it was likely the stress and lack of sleep.
I promised both of them I’d take something tonight to knock myself out.
Rune said he needed a walk and would meet us here.
I’m guessing he had to blow off some steam.
Dealing with the healer pissed him off.” I yawned and lifted the closed book with a red cover.
“Find anything about the tree?”
Nyx shook her head as Tor walked around a massive bookshelf.
“This library is intense.”
“Did the librarians give you any recommendations?” Nyx asked with a hopeful smile.
“Yeah, they’re rolling a cart over shortly. It’s a heavily studied topic in this place. They even have a Heart Tree theory book club once a month.” Tor looked me over and frowned.
My purple haired friend broke the short span of silence. “Why’d you kiss me?”
I stared at her while Tor kept his gaze locked on me.
“Who kissed you?” I asked. My friend kept reading like she hadn’t spoken. When she realized, I was talking to her, her face pinched up.
“Um... No one.” She reached over and placed a hand against my head.
“I’ve never known you to be a coward,” she said and I pulled back like she’d slapped me.
“How am I being a coward right now?”
Nyx and Tor looked at each other.
“Sapphira, Nyx didn’t say anything.”
I shook my head. Something was off. Maybe the healer was wrong. I heard Nyx speak clearly, but they are saying she didn’t. Was I losing it?
“I…”
Two female Fae with long black horns on their heads rolled a cart with books to our table.
“If you’re looking for the Heart Tree, these books are our favorite. Though no one has found it, they are still great reads.” The one with blue eyes spoke first, then the other with green bowed.
“If your grace needs any more assistance, please don’t hesitate to ask.” Their gray dresses swished as they spun around to leave.
Tor and Nyx stared at me, waiting, both ready to pin me down, and force me to rest if they had to.
They didn’t.
“I’m gonna go nap. Keep looking.”
Rune arrived from his “walk” as I turned around. He didn’t even wait before plucking me up, tossing me over his shoulder, grunting at the others, and leaving.
“I can walk.”
Rune didn’t say anything, and frankly, I didn’t have the energy to fight back.
I’d pushed myself too much already.
By the time Rune made it to my suite, my eyelids were fighting for their life to stay open.
With gentle hands, he lowered me down and helped me undress.
“I can sleep in this.” I yawned. My mate stomped over to the closet and picked out a long sleeve tunic Nyx packed for bedtime. No fancy lingerie needed on this trip.
Rune’s gaze remained locked on mine as his fingers unclasped the dress at my back. It fell and I stepped out without looking away, then raised my arms.
Even with me nearly naked, Rune had a tight grasp on his control.
I wondered what made him so close to slipping earlier.
After he guided the tunic over me, he lifted the covers on the bed for me to slide in. The sheets felt like soft clouds against my skin. I hummed and waited to feel the dip of Rune’s warm body settle beside me. Where else would my mate wish to be but with me?
It didn’t take long, he was there. Boots, weapons, and shirt were off with me pressed against him in seconds. Thank the Heart Tree.
“Rest, mate. I will keep the nightmares away.”
I believed him and pressed a kiss to his muscled chest in gratitude.
Falling asleep was easy while I listened to his steady breaths despite still nervous about what would happen once I let go.
Turns out, my mate really doesn’t lie.
Instead of nightmares flooding my subconscious.
I was flying as a dragon.