Chapter 21
Chapter 2 1
Sir Keyon
“Are you sure, Toast?” I asked my dragon out loud for Elpis’s benefit, since he’d be sharing with her as well. Elpis had moved closer to my side, wrapped in the blanket, and listened with rapt attention.
It’s time, Keyon. Elpis… finally got through to me. I’ll always regret that it took her abduction to do it, but at least it’s over. She doesn’t scare me anymore, Toast said tiredly. I could have saved us so much grief had I just been able to trust her from the start. Yet no matter what, she came back to me. Healed me. Cared about me.
Do you want me to share this with her? I asked him.
You should share all of this. I have nothing to hide, not after tonight. He sighed. I repeated his words to Elpis, and she scooted forward to lay her head on my knee, staring up at me with glittering, emotional eyes. I picked at my cooked meat and cleared my throat, preparing to repeat Toast’s words to Elpis.
When I awoke on your eighteenth birthday, I began the process of catching up on your memories, familiarizing myself with you and getting to know the life that was waiting for me. I… was distracted right away by a memory that had a curse on it, so I ended up watching that one first. Perhaps if I’d watched them in order as instinct told me to, I might not have been so traumatized, but we’ll never know. It felt like luring a hatchling over to a stage with candy, only to end up making them witness an execution.
Toast occasionally paused to give me time to relay his story to Elpis, who seemed to absorb every word as though it was the most important tale to ever be told.
When you were a nine-year-old hatchling, Toast revealed, there were a lot of rumors about you—us—being the next absolute dominant. The adults saw the signs… you were more mature than others, stronger and sharper. You didn’t really know what it meant, so you just kept being yourself.
It drew more attention to you over time. Mentors gave you extra attention, lots of hatchlings wanted to be your friend, and sometimes, the little females would fight over you.
I didn’t remember much of my youth, and I certainly didn’t recall being that popular, but I supposed I wouldn’t if some of it’d been locked like Toast had said.
Toast continued. Our father often took you with him to the castle when he was summoned by the king. You wanted to be the knight general too when you grew up, so he thought it’d be good to expose you to castle life once in a while. When he had to attend private meetings, he’d drop you off to play with the young princes and princesses. You liked it at first but grew to hate it after a couple weeks when the king’s hatchlings found out that you might be the next absolute dominant.
The princes Odalric and Cyneric were busier, and the little princesses constantly bickered over who got to play with you. Gisila, Odilia, and Asmin would steal you from each other, drag you around, and brag to anyone who’d listen that you’d be their future mate and the next king. You ended up begging our father to stop bringing you with him, and he promised he would after just one last day. Mother was still away as a field doctor, and he needed to find a nanny.
That day, Gisila dragged you onto a rooftop to hide from the other princesses. They eventually found you both, and the princesses got into a scuffle. When Gisila tried to bite you—thinking she could mark you like a stupid hatchling would assume—you jerked back and fell off the roof. You cracked your head open on the stone floor and fell unconscious. The princesses panicked and surrounded you, thinking you were dead because you were bleeding a lot. The stupid things didn’t even notice your breathing or heartbeat.
Your memory didn’t have any sight, but it had sound. I remember hearing them talk to another hatchling around the corner who told them to bury you. ‘Hide the body,’ he’d said. I’m pretty sure it was Cyneric now. He never seemed to like you much. I think he was jealous that you’d have a stronger dragon than him someday.
Cyneric? Fuck. That bastard had tried to get rid of me twice now. I needed to think more on this later.
Anyway… Toast sighed. The princesses dragged our unconscious, bleeding body to the garden, where they started digging a hole. I’ll never, ever forget what felt like hours of listening to little shovels digging your intended grave, Keyon. Never. I’ll never forget how they spoke about you. Not as a person, but as an object. That it was a shame you’d died, not a tragedy.
I’d been buried alive? Elpis’s fingers dug into my thigh after I told her, and I reached down to stroke her hair while my heart pounded. Shit. This story was fucking insane.
Toast’s tone became darker. They apparently didn’t do a very good job digging because the hole wasn’t deep enough. They covered your head, though. I remember dirt pressing against your nostrils, and you ran out of air. The groundskeeper—we owe that male our life—found the princesses trying to pack the dirt over you, and he yanked you out of the ground. They tried to order him to secrecy, but he wasn’t having it. He was old, curmudgeonly, and really didn’t give a shit about anything other than saving a little hatchling who’d been buried alive.
No wonder Toast had always encouraged me to say hi to him.
I remember hearing a commotion with the doctors—who were also all males, Toast said. Your life was hanging by a thread from head trauma, blood loss, and asphyxiation. I’m certain that had you not been strong, destined to be the absolute dominant with me, you would have died. You were just strong enough to pull through with the help of the doctors.
I heard them bring in a witch who was asked to isolate that year of your life and lock it. They didn’t expect me to come along and bypass that magic. It wasn’t strong enough to keep me away.
I heard the king visit you in the hospital with our father while you were still unconscious. He’d ordered his best doctors to treat you, but after that, he lied to Father about how we’d gotten hurt. He’d told him we’d climbed onto a human’s horse without supervision and had gotten bucked off. Our father never believed it—said that not only would you never mount a horse without permission, you also knew better than to go near them. You knew horses were afraid of shifters.
Nothing traumatizing happened after that. The king had protected his daughters but took pity on you and spent a little time with you. He ended up liking you and decided you’d study with his best warriors and tutors if you still wanted to try and be the knight general when you grew up. The rest you should remember. That was all that the witch locked away, Toast said and went quiet so I could process the hard truth of his trauma.
After relaying the last to Elpis, I followed Toast into speechlessness. I rubbed my face with both my hands, hardly able to believe I’d almost died before I was old enough to hold a sword—not to mention at the hands of three little females. No wonder Toast had balked at flirting females. He kept flashing back to the princesses hurting me by trying to own me. That had been the first thing Toast had seen after waking. Father, the king, the groundskeeper, and doctors had all been males in the memory and cared for us. The only females in that memory had hurt us. Males were good. Females were bad.
“Toast had to carry that memory all by himself for years,” Elpis said, sniffling. “Why’d he hide it?”
Because it was fucking terrible, and I didn’t want him to relive it, Toast answered, and I relayed it back to Elpis. If that meant suffering alone, so be it. Keyon was still a hormonal teenager, and I had no idea if he’d confront anyone about it. I thought I was protecting him .
“Toast, can you come out so I can hug you again?” Elpis pled with a trembling lip. I scrubbed a hand over my face to hide a smile. That was fucking adorable. Toast laughed, sharing my sentiment.
Hug Keyon. I’ll feel it, he said dryly. I’m too tired to come out again. I need to rest.
When I repeated his answer, Elpis stumbled to her feet and tackled me with a sniffly whimper. She hugged me in her typical fashion—fiercely, unrelenting, and full of heart. I smiled and leaned into her, closing my eyes and savoring her affection. She was sweet, and my feelings for her rooted deeper by the day.
Elpis drew back and grabbed my face with both her hands. She looked deep into my eyes and said, “Toast, you are so brave to share this with us. I am so p-proud of you!”
She helped, Toast said tiredly. All while suffering her own traumas.
I relayed the message, and her eyes flickered, searching my own eyes. “Why do I feel like there’s more to you both?” she murmured to herself.
Does she suspect? Toast asked. Perhaps her beast is coming soon.
I don’t know, I replied, intensely distracted by Elpis’s suspicious stare. It’s possible.
“What could be more,” I replied jokingly to diffuse her suspicion, “is some clothing. Pardon me, Elpis.” I stood to get dressed, unable to stop thinking about everything Toast had shared. I might even get nightmares tonight .
I noticed with some interest that Elpis had changed into a nightgown. Though she looked tantalizing in it, I knew the gown wasn’t as warm as her borrowed pajamas. We both could stand to find some water to clean up in and wash some clothes.
I ate more of the meat and cooked some for tomorrow. The stress had made me ravenous. I looked over at Elpis, who was checking her arm. “That healed fast too,” she mumbled and glanced up at me. “I got a deep gash earlier. I suppose my beast is to thank for this…”
Gods, and I’d almost lost her today too. What a fucking day. My head was a jumble of thoughts and emotions, but I was starting to go a little numb. I needed to sleep, and I needed the comfort of my fated mate.
I marched over to kidnap Elpis like a barbarian, lifting her then reclining us both on the blanket. She didn’t seem to mind in the least, especially when I trapped her under a wing per usual to keep her warm.
Sleep well, Toast... I need some time to sit on what you’ve shared. It’s a lot. I’m sorry you were alone with it. Love you, big guy, I said sadly.
Good night, Keyon. Love you too.
Elpis then turned to face and stare sleepily at me. “I wish I had been there to kick their butts,” she said, angling her face away to yawn. She rubbed sleepy tears from her eyes and grabbed my hand in hers, placing it between us. “I would have protected you.”
I grinned lazily, barely able to keep my eyes open. “I’m sure you would have. I’d have let you march me around and call me your fated mate too,” I mumbled, realizing a little too late that I probably shouldn’t have said that.
I cracked an eye open and blew out a sigh. She’d passed out, and I sent a drowsy prayer to all the fuckin’ gods, thanking them that she hadn’t heard that.
I woke with the sunrise only to notice that Elpis had left her sleeping spot by my side. I scented her nearby, so I wasn’t alarmed, just mildly concerned. When I walked around a corner, I found her curled up on the ground, wrapped in her blanket, and under a number of clothes to keep warm. She tilted her drained and exhausted gaze to mine, sporting rings under her eyes and blue lips.
“Elpis…” I chastised with crossed arms, “why did you sleep over here?”
“I didn’t want to wake you,” she mumbled and looked away in shame.
“Your heat? I thought we were past the embarrassment, Elpis,” I said, feeling a little hurt that she’d pulled away from me last night.
“Toast just opened up to us. He was vulnerable. I didn’t think it was right to ask,” she said with a frown. I could tell she was getting cranky by her tone and disgruntled expression.
“So you just stayed out here and suffered in the cold?” I returned her frown. “I’m not happy with that.”
“You’re not the only one,” she grumbled.
I sighed and scrubbed my face with my hands. “And the heat spike is over? You don’t need relief anymore?” I asked, and she shook her head. “Ok, well, let’s get some food in you. I’d like to let you rest more, but considering the attack last night, I’d like to get out of this area.”
“That’s a good idea...”
I moved to provide breakfast but froze and grinned when I realized something. “Elpis,” I said in a playful voice, turning to look at her. Her head swung up to stare curiously at me. “Guess who finally gets to start carrying their own weight around here…?” I said in a sing-song voice with a broader grin. Her eyes lit up, and I think she knew exactly what I was going to say.
You’re going to say it’s me, aren’t you? Toast said grumpily, but I knew it was an act.
“Toast!” I shouted, rushing to lift and spin her to make her laugh. I put her down and she wobbled.
“So he’ll carry me?” Elpis asked excitedly. Her smile faltered when she added, “He won’t… drop me like that other dragon did… right?”
“Not in a million-fucking-years,” I said, gently poking right below her collarbone. “That means we’ll reach our destination in a matter of hours today! Oh my fucking gods, it’s miraculous.”
Yes, yes. Truly a miracle, Toast said, continuing his dry charade.
Elpis, once again, didn’t have much of an appetite, but she got ready in a blink. For the first time, I went to say bye to her before shifting into Toast. There was only so much of my affection I could hold back, and it took all of my effort to keep from kissing her. I approached her completely naked, wrapped her blushing form in a hug, and leaned into her hair to breathe in her scent. I dug my fingers into her back for just a moment before releasing and enjoying her bashful smile.
“See you in a while.” I grinned and jogged away to shift into Toast. My colossal dragon ambled toward our female and eased into the gentlest nuzzle. He was so strong that his new fear was simply hurting her on accident. It gave him little solace that she was a fast healer.
Elpis clutched onto his snout and squeezed, laughing in delight at seeing Toast again. I felt my dragon’s heart launch, and his joy washed over me like a warm bath. Yes, this was how it should be. Now we just needed her beast to awaken so Elpis could identify us as hers. We were so close. I could feel it.
Toast tried to pull away from Elpis, but she clung on, giggling mischievously as she became airborne by a foot. He shook her gently, snorting in amusement until she released him, landed, and picked up my bag. Toast carefully gathered her in his hands, crouched, and launched into the air past the treetops, flapping his wings to reach his preferred altitude.
Toast had caged her in his hands but left gaps so she could still look at the scenery. She’d screamed at first, then complained about her ears popping, but then her noises turned into laughter and gasps of amazement that we could barely hear over the wind. “Oh my goddess! We’re so high!” she screeched in astonishment and laughed again, clutching Toast’s fingers while she gaped at the scenery.
Toast was pleased as fuck because Elpis never stopped praising him and exclaiming about the view. He was going to be a smug bastard over this, and I couldn’t be happier about that.
Imagine going from living in a cell to this, I said to Toast. Her mind must be exploding.
We’ll take her flying whenever she wants. Those days are over, Toast asserted firmly.
Let’s veer west a bit toward the river. I think she’d appreciate a chance to clean up, I suggested.
I have a better idea.
Toast found a possible stop higher up on the snowy section of the mountain range, and Elpis was beside herself when she saw where we were headed. “What’s that?” she gasped. “Is that a pool? Why is it steaming?”
Toast descended and held Elpis in one hand after landing on a snowy ledge. He walked cautiously to the hot spring to test the temperature and acidity, but Elpis jumped recklessly out of his hold and ran toward the pool. “Toast, this is amazing!” she sang.
He panicked and shifted into me, not wanting to hurt her with his teeth and claws in an attempt to grab her. I raced after her, shouting, “Elpis, wait! Don’t g—”
She jumped with a squeal, fully clothed, and landed in the steaming water with a giant splash. I jumped in after her and scrambled to find her in what I’d discovered was scalding water.
“Elpis! Where’d y—” I screamed, and my hand finally found a waist. I ripped her out of the water and held her up over it. “Fucking shit, Elpis!” I shouted, expecting to see burns all over her pale skin, but her flesh was flawless. “What?” I exclaimed, thinking I was imagining things. “Why are— Elpis, this water is almost boiling! You sh— I…” I was a babbling idiot, and she was just wrestling with me to get out of my grip.
“Nay... What are you talking about? I’m fine!” She showed me her palms and pointed to her clear face. “It’s not that hot!”
“What?” I asked breathlessly, narrowing my eyes in confusion.
“I’m fine! See? I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she complained and reached down to splash water at me. My jaw swung open, and my body froze while my eyes jumped from one section of her exposed skin to another. I slowly moved back and set her on the stone ledge of the hot spring.
“Elpis…” I said, still gaping. “This water is almost boiling. Your skin should be… you should have third-degree burns. That was… incredibly… stupid!” I was getting angry now that the fear was replaced by confusion. “I shouldn’t have brought you here,” I snarled. “Or I should have done a better job warning you, but you should know better than to just…” I snapped and turned away from her to stride farther into the pool. My wings exploded from my back, and I dug my claws into my palms, trying to quell my fury. I was so confused! I was pissed off!
Only dragons are heat resistant, Keyon… Toast murmured.
I know! I just… I don’t… I was so flustered. She… She just doesn’t seem like a dragon, though! I thought for a minute I’d be dragging her dead—or near dead—body out of there! That scared the fucking shit out of me! My heart almost stopped!
Me too…
“So can I come in?” Elpis’s small voice asked. I turned to see her toying with the laces on her dress, frowning. “It’d be nice to get clean. Haven’t bathed in a while…”
Test her, Keyon. There’s snow nearby if it goes wrong, Toast suggested nervously.
I frowned and waded toward where she was sitting, not liking the idea too much. I frowned deeper in disapproval when I saw her dip her feet in the water. “Keyon?” she asked with a puzzled expression when I moved between her splashing feet and reached behind her ear to pull forward a long lock of her lustrous white gold hair. This would be the safest part of her to test .
“One minute, moonflower,” I said gruffly, brought her lock to my mouth, and parted my lips to breathe out my coolest flame. The ends of her hair didn’t blacken and sizzle into a tight curl like normal hair would. I increased the heat little by little until I was blowing a little blue flame over it. Nothing. Her hair was as shiny and healthy as ever, and Elpis was just watching with wide-eyed curiosity.
“Not possible…” I murmured. Even my blue flame burned other dragons. I looked up to meet her stunned gaze. “Clothes off, Elpis,” I ordered and stood back to give her space. She furrowed her brows but pulled her dress over her shoulders and tossed her underclothes to the side. She shrugged and elevated her arms a little, not sure what I wanted her to do.
I cradled her arm and blew a small, cool flame across it. I looked up with raised eyebrows and asked, “Did you feel that?”
“It was warm,” she said, peeping down to look at her clear skin. I blew a hotter flame over it and sent her the same question with my eyes. “Just warmer,” she murmured, eyes glued to her arm. “I’ve never really tried to touch fire before, and Adelmar doesn’t brand his slaves.”
I nodded with a hum. Yeah, most people didn’t go around sticking their hands into fire. I shifted nervously and blew an extended flame over her arm. That should have given her blisters… but it hadn’t. “Felt nice,” she said thoughtfully. I scrubbed a hand over my mouth and stared at her arm. Dare I? All signs pointed to her being able to handle it, but I was scared.
I licked my lips, swallowed heavily, sent a prayer to the Sun God, and then blew a burst of blue fire across her beautiful, soft skin. “Ooh!” she said, laughing. “That was a bit hot there!” I looked up in disbelief at her amused expression, my lips still parted from breathing fire.
“That’s not supposed to feel ‘a bit hot,’ Elpis,” I said carefully. “That should have…” I clenched my teeth, unable to believe what I was seeing. This wasn’t possible. Not possible fo r a dragon, and there was no way she could be an absolute dominant either.
My mind shifted to our compatibility issue. If she could take my blue fire, could she carry my hatchlings? It was an exciting prospect, and it got my blood rushing, but I needed to see more to believe it.
I methodically worked from her hand to her shoulder, testing her resistance to my blue fire. I cautiously huffed some jets over her chest and belly, fighting arousal that surged in my groin when sweat dripped down her breasts.
I leaned against the ledge between her legs to breathe small flames slowly up her neck to her jawline. Nothing... she was just sweating. I blew gently over her ears, then her cheeks. I stopped there and just stared at her patient face. Her eyes were closed serenely, but her heart was drumming in excitement.
“Elpis…” I whispered, and her large, brown-sugar eyes fluttered open. I was speechless for a moment while I tried to make sense of her. “You can take my fire,” I breathed in wonder. “You can take me at my hottest,” I murmured and slid both my hands up her slender neck to palm her blushing cheeks. Her soft, pale lips parted, and her pulse bound into a racing gallop. “No one can do that, Elpis,” I said, stroking her cheek lovingly with a thumb. She looked shocked, but—unless I was imagining it—she looked hopeful too.
She was so beautiful, but she glowed when she was full of hope. Her pale skin seemed to have fully recovered from her time in the cages. It was healthy. It was now smooth, shiny, and pearlescent, just as nourished as her white gold hair. The Sun God had been good to her. She looked to be in full bloom now, my moonflower.
“O-oh…” she said softly, barely above a sigh. Her face drew into a tender expression, and she asked, “Does that mean I could be pregnant?”
I sighed and leaned into her to press our foreheads together. I took a calming but ragged breath and clung to the comfort of the secret mate bond. If she was with hatchling, I hoped she could forgive me.
I pulled back to look her in the eyes again, still cradling her face. Her glittering eyes flickered between mine expectantly. “Yes… I’m sorry, moonflower. It’s very possible,” I answered apologetically and hoped she could feel my genuine regret.
What I wasn’t expecting was the slow smile that spread across her face from my words. It was my undoing. My hands slid to cup the back of her head, and I crashed her lips into mine.