After #2
Harper frowns. “Yeah. Why?”
I turn to look at Kaldar, but he’s already looking at me. I steeple my fingers together. “I need to talk to her.”
Harper’s eyebrows hit her hairline. “Why?”
“I need to ask her a few questions.”
Harper stares at me. “Kins, what are you going on about?”
“There’s a man on our council who’s granddaughter left thirty years ago to participate in the trials and never came back,” Kaldar says calmly. “Her name is Eliza.”
I watch as Harper seems to think about it. “Yeah, the timeline might add up.”
“Can we go with you and talk to her?” I ask, trying not to get my hopes up.
“I guess. I mean she has to still be up to let me in.”
“Thank you.” I squeeze Kaldar’s hand as hope clangs around in my chest. It would be so good if it were really her.
Lox ends up staying back since we’re riding with Harper. We make the ride to where Harper lives now. Thankfully, it doesn’t take long. I take it in by the light on the streets, thanks to the magic of this kingdom. “Harper, I love it,” I say softly.
“Yeah.” That’s all she says, but it’s enough.
We hang back when she knocks on the front door.
The door opens, and I can’t really see the woman because Harper’s blocking her from view.
Harper talks to her for a moment. We agreed to let Harper handle telling her who we were.
When Harper turns to us and waves us forward, my stomach knots with tension.
Kaldar puts a hand behind my back and leads me forward.
I smile at the woman, but she doesn’t smile back.
Her eyes are on Kaldar, and I wonder what she sees.
I don’t have to guess because she tells us a moment later.
“You’re the jaguar king’s son.” Kaldar nods.
“You look just like him. Did he send you here?” Her voice is sharp, and I take a step forward. But Kaldar answers her first.
“My father is dead. Kinsley, my mate, is the queen now.”
The woman turns to me. “Hi, I’m Kinsley.” I give her my friendliest smile and put out my hand, but she doesn’t shake it. I end up dropping it back to my side.
“What do you want with me?” she asks.
I wonder how much Harper told her, obviously not enough to put her fears at ease.
I take the lead, since I’m not as intimidating as Kaldar.
“We are looking for a woman named Eliza that grew up in the banished community. She competed in the Spirit Trials around thirty years ago and failed to produce a spirit animal and was banished. I grew up in the banished community as well,” I tell her, hoping to put her at ease.
“Why would it matter if I were that Eliza?”
I can tell she’s nervous, and I rush to tell her the rest. “Because that woman’s grandfather asked me if I would reach out to my connections in the banished community to see if I could find her because he misses her.
” I watch as she flinches back, and I soften my voice even more.
“He says he misses her so much, and her father has never recovered from losing her.” I pause.
“I feel like I should also tell you that the Jaguar Kingdom lets those who fail to produce a spirit animal return, just like the Wolf Kingdom does.”
She takes a step back. “I’m sorry. I can’t help you.” She leaves us then and heads back inside.
I turn to Harper, feeling awful. “It’s probably her,” she says in a no-nonsense voice. “Just give her time. If she wants to know more, I’ll let you know.”
“Thanks, Harper.”
That conversation stays with me all night and into the next morning when we say our goodbyes and make our way out of the Wolf Kingdom and to the cabin that’s a little under an hour’s ride away.
Kaldar and I talk about it and agree to just let it be.
At least now she knows. It’s in her hands now; she can do with the information what she wants.
When the cabin comes into view, I can’t help my smile.
We tie up the horses and make our way inside, stopping just inside.
I stare in shock. There’s a fire already lit in the fireplace.
A pot of something that smells amazing is simmering on the stove.
The bed in the center of the room is made with what looks like fresh linens, and there are furs on the bed and on the back of the small couch.
Upon closer inspection, there’s also a glass jar with fresh flowers on the table.
“Somebody was here early,” Kaldar says as he squeezes my hand.
“I can’t believe we have this place to ourselves for the next three days.” It’s adorable. It’s just one large room, but it's perfect. “I love it.”
“You know what I love about it?” Kaldar asks, tugging me against his chest.
I stare up at the man I love. “What?”
“I have you all to myself here for three days.”
He leans close and kisses me lightly on the lips. My entire body seems to sigh at his touch; I don’t think I’ll ever not be affected by his touch. He pulls back after a little bit. “Are you ready for this?”
I know exactly what he’s asking. When he had to break our bond, it nearly destroyed both of us.
I hated that I was no longer affected when we were apart from each other for long periods of time.
I wanted that pressure drawing us together again.
I wanted to be connected to him again. He explained that the bond would reconnect us once we connected in the deepest way possible.
Once we were together for the first time, the bond would snap back into place.
“I’m ready for all of it,” I tell him honestly.
He blows out a breath. “Good because I can’t wait to have you.
” My face heats at his words, but I don’t get a chance to be embarrassed because he pulls me close and kisses me again.
He kisses me deeply before pulling away and kissing my neck.
I arch into him and moan at the contact, but eventually I force myself to pull away.
“Wait.” He tugs me back, and I laugh. “Give me a minute. I need to do something.”
He stares at me. “Angel, I have waited for this day for a really long time. What could you possibly have to do?”
I grin. “I have something that Rakel gave me. Well, I actually have a whole bag of stuff Rakel gave me.”
He cocks his head to the side. “A bag of...stuff?”
“Okay, not stuff. It’s...you know.”
He cocks an eyebrow. “I do?”
“Yeah, you know. It’s...” I throw both hands up. “Stuff.”
“Angel, I’ve got nothing.”
“Oh my word. Are you going to make me say it?” He just stares at me. “It’s stuff...for me to wear for you.” I wait for him to get it.
“I don’t get it.”
I huff and turn around to go get the bag, so I can just show him. But he grabs my hand and spins me back. “Don’t go. I got it.” He chuckles at me, and I scowl up at him.
“When did you get it?”
“The first time you told me,” he says with a grin. He puts his hand behind my back and pulls me close. “I would love to see said stuff. On your body,” he adds in a husky voice.
I grin at him. “Okay. Then you have to let me go.” He seems to think about it but then finally releases me.
I take a step away from him, but he tugs me back again.
He puts his hands on either side of my face.
“I love you, Kinsley. Just remember, you have complete control over what happens or doesn’t happen.
You’re my mate now and forever, and that will never change.
And I could never ask for a better mate. ”
My heart settles in a puddle of goo at his feet. Shockingly, my eyes tear up. “You’re so good to me, Kaldar. I love you.” I reach up on my tiptoes and kiss him. I never do make it back for that bag...at least not for a very long time.
We spend an amazing three days at the cabin, and I will cherish the memories we made there forever.
Our bond snapped back into place, connecting us forever.
Kaldar told me the morning after the first night that my eyes were green now, just like his.
He said they were a shade lighter than his and Jespar’s.
They matched Veyra’s perfectly, just as he told me they would that first day he met me.
He also told me that he knew he was going to fall hard as soon as he met me.
I asked him when he knew. He grinned and said it was right after I shouted that Harper was his mate.
We were sad to leave the cabin, but Kaldar told me we’d be back. I’m taking his word on that.
When we get back to Rysden’s, we stop in just long enough to thank them. It’s time to get back. I’ve been asking Kaldar every day, but there’s no news on the cubs yet. I'm selfishly hoping they won’t come until we’re back.
I hug Farrah tightly. “We’ll come visit again soon.”
“I’m hoping to convince Rysden to take me to visit you sometime soon.”
“Anytime,” Kaldar says, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me close.
We say our goodbyes and prepare to leave.
Rysden and Farrah wave to us one last time, and we mount up.
I blow a kiss at Farrah and give them one last wave.
Before we leave, I hear something. I don’t even know what it is, but a shiver runs down my spine.
I turn to Kaldar and notice his eyes are on the sky.
“Is it a guivre?” I ask as quietly as possible.
I glance behind me and notice Rysden has his weapon out and at his side. And then the screaming starts.
“Kinsley!” Kal shouts as he maneuvers his horse next to mine.
“Ride with me.” I don’t get a chance to think before he’s pulled me out of the saddle and seated me in front of him.
“Rysden!” he shouts and nods at the horse.
Precious seconds later, we’re following Rysden and Farrah as they thunder through the city.
My heart gallops in my chest, especially when I realize the pandemonium is coming in the direction where Harper’s living.
We come around a corner, and Kalder jerks the horse to a stop.
Shock reverberates through me as I stare at the huge dragon sitting in front of Harper’s house.
People are still screaming and running, but the dragon doesn’t looked fazed.
My eyes finally move to the house, and I see Harper standing with her arms crossed defiantly. I blink. But when I look again, the scene hasn’t changed. Why isn’t she terrified? I would be.
She must finally realize we’re here because she turns to the four of us.
“Oh good. You're here.” I exchange a wide-eyed look with Farrah because what in the world?! Kaldar climbs off and helps me down. Rysden and Farrah are down now too, but none of us move any closer. Rysden and Kaldar both have weapons drawn, but they’re both lowered as of this moment.
“Can you get this dragon out of here?” Harper asks.
The dragon huffs, and I jump. “Yeah, no thank you.” I look between Harper and back to the dragon.
She shakes her head. “Not going to happen.”
“Harper,” Farrah asks calmly. “Are you talking to the dragon?”
“What’s it look like?” she snaps.
Farrah exchanges a glance with me. “Uh, yes.”
“Is the dragon talking back?” I ask, voice breathless.
“Yes!”
My eyes are wide. “What?”
She finally turns to me. “What do you think is happening, Kinsley?” she snaps.
Farrah turns to me, her eyes dancing. “I think Harper managed to bond herself to a dragon.”
“A dragon with an attitude problem,” Harper says in an irritated voice.
I look up at Kaldar and notice his smirk. I smile but try to wipe it off my face when Harper looks over at us. “Oh, just laugh it up, everybody.”
I sober up. “Why now?”
Harper stares at the dragon with her arms still crossed over her chest. She shakes her head and rolls her eyes.
“Apparently, this dragon is directionally challenged.” The dragon huffs again, and I get the distinct impression it’s not a happy huff.
She rolls her eyes again before looking over at us.
“She said every time she got a lock on my location, I wasn’t there. ”
I think about how much Harper has moved around since the end of the Trials. “Well, she’s not wrong.”
Harper glares at me, but I ignore it. “Explains the dragon appearance in our kingdom,” Kaldar says in a low voice. He turns to Rysden. “Well, I guess it’s official. Now, we have to contact Rauk.”
Harper jerks her head our way and drops her arms. “Oh, no. Absolutely not. You are not contacting some dude you’re all terrified of.
Nope. Not gonna happen. I’m just going to send this dragon back to happy dragon land where it belongs.
” She takes a step towards the massive dragon.
“Shoo. Go. Go back to where you came from.” The dragon huffs again, and this time smoke billows out of its nostrils.
“Harper, I don’t think you should do that,” Farrah says, taking a step forward. But Rysden tugs her back, away from the dragon.
Harper stares at the dragon, and I know she’s communicating with it. “Stubborn dragon,” she mumbles.
“Met her match,” Farrah mutters under her breath, and I can’t help but agree.
She turns to us and tries again. “Can you guys get it to go away?” Rysden and Kaldar both give her looks that don’t need any interpretation. “Come on. Please.”
I start towards her, but Kaldar stops me. His eyes are still on the dragon. “I’m just going to talk to her,” I tell him.
“It’s fine,” Harper says. “She said she won’t eat any of my friends or burn them alive.”
I swallow. “Oh. Good.”
“Everybody else is fair game?” Rysden asks in a low voice.
Harper frowns, turning to Rysden. “She says not to push her, King of Wolves.” Rysden doesn’t exactly like that answer, but he stays quiet.
Harper huffs. “Okay. She’s not going anywhere. What am I going to do with a huge dragon for a pet?”
“Um, Harper,” Farrah starts.
Harper puts up her hand. “Don’t say it because I am not doing it.”
“Doing what?” Farrah asks in an innocent voice.
Harper gives her a very Harper look. “I know what you’re thinking. I know what you’re all thinking. But it’s not going to happen. I am not going to the Dragon Kingdom. I’ve seen what’s happened to all of you. That is not happening to me.”
“Okay,” Farrah says.
I nod as well. “Okay.”
“Okay.” Harper nods. “That settles it.”
When she turns back to the dragon, I meet Farrah’s eyes. We both grin because it is absolutely not settled. In fact, it's only the beginning.