Chapter 10 Solace #2
It is the first moment I find myself wondering if we have it all wrong.
What if the dragons are not the monsters King Frederik has painted them to be?
What if they are simply defending themselves against wave after wave of Alphas coming to claim their heads as trophies?
What if the real monster in this story is the greedy king sending warriors to their deaths in pursuit of power and riches that may not even exist?
The thought unsettles me. If we are wrong about the dragons, then what are we doing out here? What are we really going to find once we go further? And what magic is truly calling my princess?
Before I can voice these concerns, the tavern door bursts open and three rough-looking men swagger in.
Bandits, my instincts scream immediately.
They have that particular energy about them, predatory and entitled, scanning the room for easy marks.
Their eyes land on Kaia, and I see their minds churning, sizing her up against the risks.
A young woman, small and alone except for one companion. They think we will be easy prey.
They are very, very wrong.
The leader approaches our table, a sneer on his scarred face. "Well, what do we have here? Two pretty things all alone in a dangerous place. That doesn’t seem very smart."
I stand slowly, placing myself between him and Kaia. "We are just passing through. We do not want any trouble."
"Oh, we are not trouble." His grin widens, showing missing teeth. "We are just friendly locals offering to help protect you. For a small fee, of course. Everything you have got should cover it."
I feel Kaia stand behind me, her hand already moving, most likely to rest on the hilt of her dagger at her side. Through our bond, I sense her assessing the situation, her building confidence flowing toward me.
"We decline your offer," I say flatly. "Leave us alone."
The man's face darkens. "That was not a request."
He reaches for me, everything happening quickly after that.
I grab his wrist and twist, using his own momentum to send him stumbling past me.
Kaia moves at the same moment, her dagger flashing out to press against the throat of the second bandit who had been trying to circle around behind us.
The third one makes the mistake of drawing a knife, and I kick it out of his hand before driving my elbow into his face.
He goes down hard, blood streaming from his broken nose.
The leader recovers and lunges at me with a roar of rage.
I dodge to the side, Kaia there, her leg sweeping out to catch his ankles and send him crashing to the floor.
We move together like we have been fighting side by side for years rather than days, each anticipating the other's movements, covering gaps, and creating opportunities for the other.
It’s beautiful in its own way, this dance we’ve somehow entered into.
I protect her back while she strikes at openings I create.
She reads my body language and adjusts her position accordingly.
Kaia told me several times over the last few days that I do not have to protect her, that she can help, and that her training will prove useful.
I’m still wary that we’ll meet the wrong person and I’ll have to step in between her and another threat but she is proving that she is every bit the warrior a princess should be.
The fight is over in less than a minute. All three bandits are on the floor, groaning in pain or unconscious. The tavern has gone silent, everyone staring at us with wide eyes. I realize belatedly that we may have just drawn far more attention than we wanted.
The barkeep breaks the silence with a low whistle. "Well, that was impressive. You two have training."
"Some," I admit cautiously, dragging Kaia behind me. She places her head against my back, her warm breath hitting my skin through the fabric.
She nods slowly, then gestures to two large men near the bar. "Get these idiots out of here. And tell them that if they come back, they will be dealing with me." She turns back to us. "Drinks are on the house. Anyone who can handle themselves like that deserves respect."
We sit back down, though I remain alert for any other threats.
My heart is still pounding in my chest, and I realize that fighting alongside Kaia has awakened something in me.
Watching her move with such deadly grace, seeing her hold her own against men twice her size, has stirred feelings that are both protective and possessive and distinctly physical.
I want to pull her into my arms. I want to kiss her until we are both breathless.
I want to claim her in every way possible.
From the flush creeping up her neck and the way her breathing has quickened, I suspect she is feeling something similar. The adrenaline from the fight has translated into a different kind of energy, and we are both acutely aware of each other in this moment.
Later, I send through our bond, and I feel her shiver with anticipation.
The exhaustion in the lines of her body despite the recent surge of adrenaline are starting to show.
She has been pushing herself hard, refusing to acknowledge her own limits because she is so focused on her goal.
As her protector and her lover, it is my responsibility to ensure she takes care of herself.
"We are staying here tonight," I announce, my tone leaving no room for argument.
Kaia's head snaps toward me and I already know she’s going to argue anyway. "What? No, we need to keep going. We are so close, I can feel it."
"You are exhausted, princess. You need real rest, a proper meal, and a chance to recover before we continue.
" I soften my voice, reaching out to take her hand.
"I know you want to push forward, but you will be no good to anyone if you collapse from fatigue.
One night in a real bed will not make that much difference in the long run, but it could make all the difference in your ability to face what comes next. "
She wants to argue further; I can see it in her eyes. But she also knows I am right. Finally, she sighs and nods reluctantly. "Fine. One night. But we leave at first light."
"Agreed."
I approach the barkeep and arrange for a room, paying with some of the monies Kaia packed.
The woman gives us a key and directions to the second floor, along with a knowing look that suggests she has deduced more about our relationship than we might like.
But she says nothing, and I appreciate her discretion.
The room is small but clean, with a proper bed large enough for two and a window overlooking the main street.
It is more luxury than we have had in days of sleeping on the ground.
Kaia removes the fabric covering her face and lets out a long breath.
"I feel like I have been holding myself tense for hours. "
"Sit," I command gently, guiding her to the chair. "Let me see your arms from that fight."
She obeys, and I check her over carefully.
There are a few minor bruises forming where one of the bandits grabbed her, but nothing serious.
I massage her shoulders and neck, working out the knots that have built up from days of riding and sleeping on hard ground.
She melts beneath my touch, soft sounds of pleasure escaping her throat as her scent sweetens.
"That feels amazing," she murmurs.
"Good. You carry all your stress in your shoulders." I continue working, feeling the tension slowly drain from her body. "You did well today. Both in the fight and in how you handled yourself around the townspeople. I am proud of you."
"I am proud of us," she corrects. "We were incredible together. I have never felt so in sync with anyone."
"Neither have I." I press a kiss to the top of her head. "We make a good team."
She turns in the chair to look up at me, heat in her eyes that makes my breath catch in my throat. "We do. In every way."
The air between us thickens with her scent and my desire, but before either of us can act on it, my stomach growls loudly enough to make Kaia laugh.
"Food first," she says with a grin. "Then we can explore other appetites because,” she says softly. "I believe you promised me 'later.'"
Heat floods through me at the reminder. "I did."
She pushes off the door, crossing to me, her hands coming up to frame my face. "Then show me after dinner, Sol. Show me what it's like when we don't have to hide or rush or worry about being discovered. Show me what it's like when we can just be us."
I capture her lips in a kiss that's both answer and promise, the world narrowing to just the two of us, alone together in this small room at the edge of everything we know. “As you wish, princess.”