Chapter 44 #2
Terra studies him with open curiosity. “Your dragon is magnificent,” she says.
“I look forward to getting to know you and the others. The Drakar – although not yet back from her search for Salvorne – is eager to meet you, as well.” She glances toward the assembled shifterfae.
“I am sure that Drakar Kilara will extend an invitation as soon as she is back.”
Orion inclines his head. “I appreciate that. We’ll be in touch soon. Let us know when your Drakar returns. We will come as soon as we are invited.”
“I will certainly do that,” Terra tells him. “We look forward to sharing a meal and our home with you.”
“And making plans to end Snow’s rule,” he says.
“That goes without saying.” Terra nods.
Orion turns to me and clasps my shoulder briefly. “Take care of yourself, Isla. We’ll see each other again before long.”
“Thank you, Orion. For everything.”
We hug quickly.
Then he walks back and mounts Delphine, giving me a final nod. Then, with a powerful beat of her wings, the dragon launches into the sky.
We watch until she disappears.
“Isla.”
I turn back to Terra. She’s looking at me strangely, her head tilted, her eyes searching.
“What is it?” I ask.
“So you did not bring the Shadowfae King with you after all?” She bites on her bottom lip for a moment. “I have to say that I am shocked. I expected him to return with you. For the two of you to have made up by now.”
I shake my head slowly. “I’ve forgiven him, but…” I trail off, looking down at my boots. “I don’t think there’s a future for us.”
“I take it that he tried to fix things, but you…”
“I couldn’t do it. Not right now.”
“But you love him,” Terra says. It’s not a question.
“Sometimes that isn’t enough.” My voice sounds a little broken. “We were always destined to go our separate ways. You know that.”
Terra considers this for a moment. “That is a pity.”
“Why is that?”
“Because the two of you scented right together.”
I let out a startled laugh. “We scented right? What does that even mean?”
Terra nods a few times. “Just the right amount of lust hormones and pheromones, mixed with the feel-good ones that a person only gets from being with someone they truly love. I could smell all of it on both of you.” She shrugs.
“Oh well.” Her eyes drift over my shoulder toward the forest. “You will not lack in interest here. That much I can tell you.”
She steps forward and raises her voice. “Attention all! We will leave soon! Get ready.”
A large male shifter approaches. He’s broad-shouldered and handsome in the way that all fae seem to be, with dark hair and amber eyes.
“Would you like to ride back on me, Isla?” he asks. “I am a hy-were and very strong and swift. I will get you to our court safely.”
“I’m sure she would be more comfortable astride a dragon,” another male snarls, striding up to the first. This one is leaner, with blond hair and broad shoulders.
“Nonsense,” the first male insists. “I’m sure—”
“She doesn’t want to ride on a slow, grounded beast,” the second one cuts in. “She just came from flying. Why would she want—?”
“Grounded beast?” The first male’s eyes flash. “I am twice as fast as any of your winged—”
A third male joins the argument, and suddenly all three of them are shouting at each other, gesturing wildly, voices rising in the quiet night.
Terra laughs and pulls me away from the squabbling group. I glance back and see that the argument has devolved into shoving.
By now, my mouth is hanging open.
“See what I mean?” Terra says, still laughing. “They have been fighting like this since we left to fetch you.”
“Why?” I whisper.
“They are all interested in the human with magic.”
“Oh.” I make a face. “I’m not very interesting, though.”
“Oh, but you are. Aside from being powerful and very pretty, they are attracted to your roundness.”
“My what?” I frown.
“Your roundness. Your round ears, your very round breasts, and your rounded hips.”
“My round breasts… Are you serious?” I can’t help but giggle.
“Very.” Terra looks down at her own naked chest, which is much smaller than mine. “You have very large breasts compared to us. Many of them want you in their furs to test how well they would bounce.” She giggles.
I choke out a shocked-sounding laugh. “That isn’t going to happen,” I tell her firmly.
“It is sometimes easier to get over someone if you get under someone else.” She winks at me.
“Terra!” The word comes out on another shocked laugh.
I turn serious quickly. “I’m still cut up over Sebastian.
I won’t be getting into anyone’s furs anytime soon.
I don’t need sex. It’s what got me feeling heartbroken in the first place.
I need peace and quiet…But I also need to keep busy.
And that’s all. I just…I don’t want to think of him. It’s driving me crazy.” My lip wobbles.
“Oh, Isla.” Terra’s voice softens. She pulls me into a hug, and despite myself, a tear slips out. Then another. I wipe my face quickly, sniffing.
“Let’s get you home,” she says gently. “You will start to feel better before you know it.” She slips an arm around my shoulders and guides me back toward the still-arguing males.
“Isla is going with me, you fools,” Terra shouts, silencing them instantly.
They fall back, looking somewhat abashed, though they continue to shoot glares at one another.
Terra turns to me. “Ready?”
I look at her, then at the forest.
“As I’ll ever be.”
I bite down on my lip to keep from crying again.
I hope to the goddess that I’m not making a mistake.