Chapter 30
I close the door behind me and fight through the crushing fatigue. Auri watches me from where she sits on the bed, but she looks like she’s going to fall asleep sitting there. “All right. You probably have to go to the bathroom after flying all day. I know I do.”
A few minutes later, we’re back in the bedroom. A knock on the door stops me before I get too far. “Hey, I brought these for you to sleep in.”
“Thanks, Farrah.”
“Of course. Do you need anything else?”
I look over at Auri, who shakes her head at me.
“I think we’re good thanks.” Farrah disappears, and I help Auri out of her clothes and into the soft shirt and pants Farrah brought for her.
They’re too big of course, but we make them work.
I slip on another set of clothes. The pants are short, but they’ll do.
After I get Auri settled in bed, I crawl in next to her.
Her breathing evens out almost immediately, and I figure I’ll fall asleep right away as well.
But sleep doesn’t find me as I stare up at the ceiling.
My mind won’t relax, and I keep thinking through the attacks.
I can’t get away from the guilt that rides me hard.
The members of the Dragon Kingdom couldn’t figure out why the Northerners and the Southerners were finally pairing up, and all I can think is that it’s my fault.
They saw Red and came to attack. I wonder how many deaths there were today, and I wonder absently if Rauk is okay.
I huff out a quiet laugh to myself; of course, he’s okay.
He's Rauk; he’s too stubborn to get hurt.
Still, there’s a disconcerting feeling inside me that won’t go away, no matter how many times I try to fall asleep.
I finally sit up and slip on my boots. I grab a fur and wrap it around me and slip out into the hallway and make my way downstairs.
It’s quiet, and I walk over to the fireplace and sit a few feet from it. There’s an empty feeling in my chest that I don’t quite know what to do with. I reach out to Redara, hoping I’m not waking her. Are you settled okay?
I guess.
Her answer doesn’t really surprise me. She and Noxlyn have been inseparable since we got to the Dragon Kingdom. I’m sorry you had to leave him behind.
It was the safest thing for Auri.
I notice you didn’t say the same for me, I point out.
The safest place for you will always be by your mate’s side.
I snort at that. Right. She doesn’t comment on my sarcasm. Did you hear anything more about Elowen?
Yes, Nox said she’s safe and whole.
Relief fills me. Good. Thank you.
You should sleep.
I know. But I can’t bring myself to move. You need rest too; it was a long flight. Thank you for getting us here safely.
Of course.
My mind doesn’t settle, and it’s a long time before I finally head back to bed. And when I sleep, it’s fitful. I feel like I’ve only just shut my eyes when somebody shakes me lightly. “Harper.”
It takes me a moment to remember where I’m at. Once I remember, I roll over. “Hey, Kiddo, you okay?”
“There’s a cramp in my leg,” she says through a clenched jaw.
I get out of bed quickly and walk over to her side of the bed. I start taking her legs through the gentle movements Elowen taught me. It takes a few minutes for the tension in her face to ease. I keep going until she finally lays her head back on the pillow. “That’s better. Thank you.”
“Yeah.” Giving her leg one last pat, I stand up. “Did you sleep well?”
She shrugs and watches me. “Are you getting up now?”
I stretch out the muscles in my back, which are weary from holding us both up all day yesterday. “Yeah, I’m too awake to go back to sleep.” I don’t tell her that sleeping’s pretty pointless anyway. “Are you?”
“I can’t sleep now either.”
I look over at her. “We probably both need a bath after riding on Red all day.” She nods but doesn’t say anything.
I rub my hands together. “Okay. Let me get the water going.” When I come back, I walk over to her side of the bed.
“All right. Ready?” I bend over, and she puts her arms around my neck.
I take a breath and pull her up and into my arms. The muscles in my back scream at me, but I push through.
When we get to the bathroom, I set her down on the side of the large tub and hand her a towel.
“All right. Take off your top and use that, and then I’ll help with your pants. I turn around to give her a minute.
“Okay,” she says softly. We make quick work of her pants together, and I don’t give her a chance to get embarrassed. We turn her so her legs are in the water, and then she uses her arms to help lower herself in.
“Is that good?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“Okay, I’ll give you some time. Let me know when you’re ready for me to help you get out.”
I head back into our room and make the bed.
When she’s ready, I go to work trying to get her out.
Getting her out is a whole lot more complicated than getting her in.
By the time we get her back in the clothes Farrah loaned us, we’re both breathing heavy.
I help her get settled on the bed. “All right. Let me get a bath and then we’ll see about getting some food. ”
As soon as I finish, I dress in the clothes that Farrah gave me and walk into the bedroom. “Are you starving?” I ask Auri, who’s sitting quietly on the bed. I frown at her. “Why are you being so quiet?”
“Why are you being so pushy?” she responds, and I grin.
“There’s my girl.”
She shakes her head. “You’re so weird.”
I shake my head. “Takes one to know one. Now, let’s get downstairs.
” I bend over, and she wraps her arms around my neck as I pick her up.
I fight past the aching muscles and walk out into the hallway.
When we get to the top of the stairs, I mentally prepare for carrying her down the stairs.
By the time I get to the bottom, I’m starting to sweat.
Man, I’ve got to train more. We finally make it to the large main room, and I head to the table and set Auri down in the closest chair.
“Oh, hey, I didn’t hear you two come down,” Farrah says as she comes into the room from the cooking area. “I hope you’re hungry; Hector’s been cooking up a storm.” She looks down at Auri. “Whenever we have visitors, he goes to work.”
“He doesn’t cook when you have no visitors?” Auri asks, totally serious.
Farrah smiles. “He does, but he just cooks extra when we have guests.” Right on cue, Hector walks into the room carrying a large platter.
“Hey, Hector,” I call out.
He gives me a small nod and walks back into the kitchen area. “Does he not like you?” Auri asks quietly.
“That’s just how he is,” I explain. My stomach growls as I take in the sight of the huge platter with fresh fruit, biscuits, and meat patties.
“Let’s eat,” Farrah says, sitting in the chair across from us.
“Where is everybody?” I ask as we load our plates.
Farrah takes a bite and swallows before answering. “They’re all away on business.”
I frown. “What business?”
“Just dealing with a pesky problem,” she explains.
My fork stops halfway to my mouth. “Has it gotten worse?”
Farrah nods, and my stomach tightens. “Yeah, but we can’t complain. It’s not nearly as bad here as it is in the Jaguar Kingdom. They can’t get a break.”
I put my fork down, now that my appetite is gone. “Kinsley and Kaldar?”
“They’re okay,” she rushes to say. “But the attacks happen all the time.”
“Is the shifting still happening?” I ask.
Farrah nods, her face solemn. “Yeah. It’s been happening more and more.” She glances between Auri and me. “Did you have any luck on your end?”
I stare at her as defeat washes over me. “No.”
“None at all?” I shake my head. “Why not?” she demands.
I don’t say anything. “It’s complicated.”
She raises an eyebrow. “What’s complicated about it?
People are dying! The attacks are more and more frequent.
Kaldar thinks they want the Jag Kingdom.
He thinks they’re trying to drive them from their homes and land, so they can take over.
I guess now that they’re shifting back to human, they need a place to live.
But I don’t understand. Why won’t they help? ”
I sit back in my chair. “Like I said, it’s complicated.”
She studies me. “Does any of this have to do with why you’re here?”
I glance at Auri, who doesn’t bother to beat around the bush. “Our kingdom is under attack.”
Farrah’s wide eyes meet mine. “What?’
“Yeah. I messed up.” My voice is flat.
Her eyes go impossibly wide. “You did?”
“How is it your fault, Harper?” Auri asks in confusion.
“Because they saw Red,” I tell her and then look across the table.
“The Dragon Kingdom has enemies above and below them. The Northern ones are brutal and cruel. The ones from the south aren’t as bad, though no less a threat.
They teamed up and came against the Dragon Kingdom. That’s why we’re here.”
“I don’t get it,” Farrah says in confusion. “What’s that got to do with you?”
I glance over at Auri, hating that I have to tell the next part of this story. “I was stupid.”
“Okaaaay,” Farrah says, drawing the word out.
“I needed to talk to Rauk about this war actually, and he kept leaving. I thought he was just avoiding me, so I followed him. Then the guys from Southmere showed up; after that, the Northerners showed up and killed the Southmerians and were threatening to do the same with me.” I take in Farrah’s face.
“Yeah. Anyway, Redara showed up, and then Rauk showed up. He sort of killed them all, but somebody somewhere saw Redara because then both crazy groups attacked.”
Farrah’s eyes are so wide now. “They’re after you, Harper? Is that why Rauk sent you both here?”
I snort. “Uh, no. Rauk would gladly hand me over to them.”
“No, he wouldn’t,” Auri says quietly.
I drop my hand on her shoulder. “Agree to disagree, Kiddo.”
“No, the real reason we came is because our friend Auri here is way too popular. They keep trying to use her as bait to get Rauk to do what they want.”
Farrah shakes her head and rolls her eyes. “That never works.”
“Yeah, but we got tired of her being bait. When both the Northerners and the Southmerians attacked and used Auri for their battle cry, we knew it was time to get her out of there. So, here we are.”
Farrah continues to stare at me. “So, let me get this straight. He refuses to help us here with our,” she pauses and glances at Auri before continuing. “Our problem, but he has no problem sending you both here for protection?”
It’s quiet for a moment. “Technically, I’m the one that pushed to come here.”
Farrah blinks. “Are you defending him?”
“Rauk? Yeah, no.”