Chapter 12 #3
The thought of Leita in nothing but the jewelry he longed to give her heated his blood.
It took effort not to turn his face and nuzzle into her thigh.
He was so very close to the apex of her thighs, where her scent was strong and her body warmest. He’d forbade himself from thinking about it too much out of self-preservation, but it seemed he’d fallen into a trap of his own making.
Who could have foreseen the soft lap of his beautiful mate would be so dangerous.
“A few days ago, you mentioned venom in your wound. Are dragon bites venomous?”
“They can be.” He smiled wide for her, showing off his fangs. “But don’t fret, doe. My bite for you will always be sweet. Unless of course you’d like it to hurt a little.”
He wasn’t overly surprised when his teasing innuendo left her unmoved. It was instead him who was moved at the thoughtful, almost—dare he think it—tender expression she wore as she regarded him.
“Is it deadly?”
He knew what it was she truly asked—and that he absolutely couldn’t answer truthfully. Not after what she’d told him about losing two families. He couldn’t appear weak to her in any way or else she might not dare to fulfill their bond.
“It can be if there’s enough of it. Once it’s in the blood, it has to run its course.
Your magic and tender care has seen to that, though.
” He smiled sweetly, hoping she believed him.
It wasn’t entirely a lie, just not the whole truth.
She’d certainly healed the infection and sealed the wound; however, he could feel the venom lurking in his blood.
After her intervention, it would likely take longer to work out of his system.
It would run its course, as he said, just milder thanks to her.
That’s what he believed, at least. He couldn’t be weak. He had to stand strong beside her and prove he belonged there.
She didn’t seem entirely convinced, her expression unchanged, but Attalus hoped that the way she fluttered her fingers over his horns, as though reassuring herself of what he said, was a good sign.
He needed to change the subject. Although underhanded, he knew just what would distract her.
“If you don’t mind my asking, what is it that stops you from connecting with the faelands?”
Her moue of frustration told him she indeed minded him asking, but to his surprise, she eventually answered, “Something just seems to block the connection. The magic doesn’t…trust me.”
He cocked his head, intrigued. “Have you given it reason to trust you?”
She frowned at him with pure exasperation. “I’ve done everything I can to show it I’m trustworthy.”
“All right. Do you trust it in return?”
Her mouth opened, but nothing came out. He seemed to have truly stumped her with his question.
“I…” Leita licked her lips, her expression growing more troubled. “I suppose so, but it doesn’t matter. Not really. I’m all it has.”
“Not the most rousing reason to get along with someone.” He winked, trying to soften her adorable pout.
“Have you…talked with it? Introduced yourself? Perhaps it stays away because it doesn’t know you yet.
” Attalus shrugged, feigning nonchalance.
“I could be wrong, but trying to like each other seems a more pleasant way.”
Leita’s eyes narrowed. “You’re not talking about the faelands anymore.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“I’ll have you know that I—”
Look! Both of you, look!
Attalus and Leita blinked at each other in surprise to hear Thalia’s excitement. Carefully sitting up so that he didn’t take an eye out, Attalus turned with Leita to look across the suddenly verdant landscape.
It took him a moment to realize—the forest was growing.
Literally growing before their eyes. Petals and leaves and needles shot from stems and branches, all reaching for the sky.
Lush vegetation erupted from the lingering patches of barren ground, tree branches burst with bright green leaves, and stalks of grasses and beds of flowers marched across the landscape.
Vines slithered up tree trunks, flowers turned their faces toward the sun, and pollen floated through the air in hazy blooms.
Attalus’s mouth fell open to see the absolute wonder. The forest, struggling a few moments ago to regrow, had come back to life.
Everywhere he looked was green, with flowers blossoming in colorful splashes. Birdsong swirled through the air, followed by the birds themselves. Burrowing creatures poked their heads from their dens, little black noses twitching.
Slinky herself deigned to look up from her nap, and Attalus held her up for a better view. She wriggled excitedly, and Attalus put her down, setting her loose to frolic in the fresh undergrowth.
Attalus turned to smile at his amazing mate but was startled to find a tear running down her cheek.
“Leita?” he murmured, his joy withering to think she was unhappy.
“It…” She turned to meet his worried gaze, her eyes glassy with disbelief. “It’s working.”
He burst with laughter and happiness, throwing his arms around her. “It’s working!” he cried. “You’ve done it!” Kissing away her tears, Attalus told her, “You’re amazing, Leita. Just look at you.”
It was small, almost shy, but a smile crept upon her lips. Careful not to scare it away, Attalus nuzzled her temple gently and gave her a supportive squeeze.
“My beautiful, wonderful mate. I knew you could do it.”