Chapter 20
SkyGuard
DELILAH
Istudied the General, he was overcome with loss and shame.
Cercies didn’t chase after her. I don’t think he could, even if he wanted to.
For the first time in the unbreakable General’s life, he had fallen.
His opponent wasn’t a warrior of superior strength, skill, or power, but a delicate, doe-eyed female with long, wavy chocolate-brown hair.
It was clear Cercies had little experience with relationships. Understandably so—he was forbidden to have a mate, so why put any time or effort into dating… eh, courting.
His life was dedicated to the Kingdom of Flame’s military.
While visiting Dragon’s Maw, I only noticed a handful of female servants, and that’s where he had lived most of his life.
The only encounters with females were probably paid for, or meaningless nights with the ones who threw themselves at him during his travels.
When it came to matters of the heart, the master strategist was in unknown territory, completely in over his head.
I took pity on Cercies. Sure, he was rough and gruff and a little barbaric, but he did have a heart. This kingdom had molded him in fire and expectation, sanding down anything soft until only a weapon
remained. It was hard to blame a male for surviving the only way he had ever been taught. Maybe the sharp edges I bristled against were not who he truly was, but who he had been forced to become.
And maybe Cercies was not the only one. This kingdom did not create softness in its males. It burned it out of them. Titus was no exception. He just hid his scars a little better.
Cercies had saved me from the three soldiers and then, in his own way, comforted me—even though it was something he’d probably never done before.
He was lost in thought, his eyes open but not seeing. “I’ll talk to her,” I said, trying to ease his pain. “Thanks,” he replied shortly, his voice empty.
“Can you help me? … Will you teach me how to be a proper mate? How to be someone Calpurnia could… love?” he asked.
My heart broke for him. Just as he had done at Dragon’s Maw for me, it was my turn to return the favor. I comforted the General.
“Of course,” I replied softly as I sat beside him on the bed. “You teach me how to be a badass and fight, and I’ll teach
you how to be romantic and win Cal over.” “Deal,” he replied with a half grin.
“Shall I start by teaching you how to use a door?” I said playfully, gesturing to the scraps of wood on the floor. Hoping it would make him laugh.
Finally, he cracked a full grin.
“Sorry about that. I don’t know what came over me. I followed her scent all through the castle, and when I finally found her… I had to have her. I don’t even remember seeing a door.” He paused. “... I’ll
make sure your room is restored to its original state in a timely manner.”
“It’s okay. I think Titus did the bulk of the damage… what was that anyway?” I asked.
The General furrowed his brows and blew out a breath. “He lost his temper,” he replied shortly with and unreadable expression. The Fae could hide their emotions with iron will. I called it their Fae face.
A typical non-answer. The Fae were experts at withholding information.
“He almost killed you, Cercies!” I scolded.
He stood and began to walk out, then turned to say, “Let’s just say that ever since you arrived here, my brother hasn’t been the same.”
Then he left.
What the hell did that mean?
I didn’t allow myself to believe the notion that Titus had feelings for me.
Cercies must have meant something else by his last words.
It could mean he’d been overly stressed since I arrived, or for some completely unrelated reason that only happened to coincide with my arrival—literally anything.
Any other probable reason was more believable than the High Lord of Flame holding anything for me in his heart of ice and hate.
But I didn’t have the energy to ponder it further. I’d been awake for over fifty hours with nothing more than a few catnaps. I grabbed an extra pillow and blanket from my closet and headed for the loveseat in the nearby sitting room. I curled up, and finally, slumber took hold.
I didn’t recognize the room I woke up in. Its size and layout were similar to mine, but the color scheme was a blend of blues, greens, and whites. I lay in navy-blue silk sheets on an opulent four-post bed made of hand-carved black wood.
The designs engraved in the bulky posts were delicate and detailed dragons, all sizes, and species, etched in a swirling pattern.
Heavy footsteps clanked like metal on tile. A door in the unfamiliar room swung open.
I almost didn’t recognize him at first. It was Aurelius.
He wasn’t in his normal dragon-riding brown leathers.
He wore a much more decorative version, complete with gold-tipped boots.
On his head sat a full golden helmet that continued over his nose, with a large headpiece of dragon horns and feathers that cascaded down to the floor.
Gold buckles with intricate gems replaced the usual bronze, and a long crimson cape gathered on the floor.
I’d never seen him look so… regal—radiating a power that was both terrifying and beautiful.
“You’re awake,” the Master of Dragons greeted.
“Aurelius… why am I in your bed?” I asked, my tone direct and full of concern. My heart started to race.
“I heard about the incident in your room and went to check on you. I found you asleep, half falling off the sitting-room chair,” he explained innocently.
“Oh. How did you move me without waking me up? Did you use some secret Fae levitation power or something?” I asked.
“Uh, no. I carried you. You were out cold. You even drooled on me.” He said it with impeccable posture, hands held behind his back, with a taunting smile on his face.
He chuckled softly, and the lightheartedness of it was just so… refreshing. And God, he looked good.
“So, um… what are you wearing?” I asked, trying to conceal my lingering gaze.
“Oh. This is my full ceremonial armor. Tonight is the SkyGuard performance,” he explained.
I blinked a couple times and stared at him blankly.
“Right— you don’t know what that is. It’s an annual display for the High Lord and our citizens to showcase the strength and skill of our dragon army.
It’s a mix of synchronized stunts and aerial acrobatics.
You’ll be able to watch from the castle balcony, where a great feast will be held.
” He looked at the clock on the wall. “I have to meet with them soon. And—as much as I love the visual of you in my bed, you should get ready. It’s a formal event,” he added politely.
A flood of heat rushed over me—heat I should not have been feeling. No matter how much he liked seeing me in his bed… no matter how much I didn’t hate being in it.
What was wrong with me!
I nodded, gulped, and then asked, “Could you show me where Calpurnia’s room is first?”
I tried to steer the conversation away from my lustrous thoughts. Plus, I really did need to speak with her.
“Sure. It’s on the way, My Lady,” he replied in a chivalrous manner.
He held out his arm and linked it with mine, as if I were a queen and he my knight in shining armor—no, not a knight. A king of dragons.
When we arrived at the servants’ corridor, he pointed at her door.
“Look for me in the skies tonight, Lady Delilah.”
Then he kissed the back of my hand and left. I watched his long crimson cape trail behind him as he went.
I’m sure if anyone saw the interaction, they would find it odd— here I was in a lumpy robe and messy hair, being handled like royalty by a fully decorated Master of Dragons.
I knocked on Calpurnia’s door, trying to steady my racing heart. I couldn’t tell if it was nerves from having to face my friend, or the very romantic mood Aurelius was in, but either way… I had to do this.
I knocked again.
“Cal, it’s me. Can we talk, please?” I asked.
Her door creaked open, and I found her lying on her bed. Her room was simple but spacious—the furniture was plain but solid, not at all what I’d expected.
I lay next to her, facing her. I took note of her red, puffy face from crying and her running makeup. I tucked a piece of her silken hair behind her pointed ear and said softly, “I’m sorry, Cal. I didn’t know.”
In her sweet, congested voice she replied, “How could you have known? I didn’t even know.” She gave me a small smile, and I gave her one back.
“Cercies is barely a friend to me—that is all. I promise. I have no interest in your mate, Cal. I swear,” I pleaded.
Her plump lips pressed together. She gave a small nod, then said, “I’m not sure I have any interest in him either.”
We let out a brief, soft giggle.
I studied my beautiful friend. How nice it was to have one again— a friend.
Hannah had moved three hours away with her husband and had a bunch of kids, so we’d drifted apart over the years, as friends in their thirties do. Cancer had made it impossible to
form new friendships. Who would’ve guessed my next best friend would be an immortal Fae?
“I know he cannot have a mate,” I said, “but you could spend some time together. Maybe you should get to know him—give him a chance before you make that decision.”
“But what if it doesn’t work out and I get hurt?” she asked meekly.
Cercies would never harm a hair on her head. That was clear now. She was referring to him breaking her heart.
“Then I’ll kill him,” I deadpanned.
We both laughed. I shook my head jokingly.
“I’ll be right here to put you back together,” I reassured her. Then her smile faded, and her eyes welled with tears.
“But… you’re leaving soon. Back to your realm,” she whimpered.
Her words hit me like stones. How did I not connect those dots? Did I forget? Did I want to stay?
I didn’t want to leave her.
“Come with me tonight—as my guest—to the SkyGuard dinner, feast-thing,” I suggested. “We can pick gowns from my wardrobe and do each other’s makeup.”
Her eyes lit up, but she didn’t respond. “I’m sure Cercies will be there,” I taunted. Her smile widened.
“Do you think Lord Titus will be upset? Royalty doesn’t dine with the staff,” she said hesitantly.
“When isn’t Titus upset?” I replied. “Don’t worry about him.
You just worry about me doing your make-up.”
She grimaced comically, but it was still polite. Then embraced me in a warm hug. We walked to my room discussing our hair, makeup, jewelry, and shoes.
I stopped at the threshold, overcome with bewilderment.
In the short amount of time I’d been away, my room was completely put back together restored to its original state. It was as though the altercation had never occurred.
Calpurnia recognized my expression.
“I love that you are so easily impressed by the simplest things,” she said.
I was impressed.
In under two hours, both of us were dressed and dolled up.
Calpurnia selected a sequin yellow fitted gown with a plunging neckline that looked absolutely stunning on her.
It complemented her deep brown hair and golden-tan skin.
She left her hair down in soft curls and wore just a touch more makeup than normal.
She looked beautiful—you would never be able to tell she was just a servant.
She radiated grace and elegance befitting a queen.
I opted for my usual simple black style. The gown was satin and fitted, hugging every curve. It was a sexy dress, but it had an element of elegance in the way the strap draped one shoulder.
I left my hair down as well—it was the fastest option.
Calpurnia curled it into the most beautiful beachy waves.
Once again, the mirror presented an unfamiliar image. I failed to recognize my own reflection.
There was no evidence of my previous cancer diagnosis. All physical signs had completely disappeared.
Just like my bedroom, once broken and in disarray, magic could mend anything.
Even me, apparently.