Once she’s perched sideways on the saddle in front of me, her feet crossed at the ankles, I grip my thighs with both hands to stop myself from touching her in all the little ways I used to. Tucking her hair behind her ear. Resting my hand possessively on the nape of her neck. Stroking a forefinger down her pretty nose as I talk to her. Gods, I used to touch her so much, and I never realized. I took it for granted, and now it’s killing me to keep my hands to myself.
Zenevieve is so close to me, but she keeps her eyes averted from my face. I hurt her so many times in the past, and it’s no wonder she’s reluctant to get close to me again.
Finally, she turns to me. “Will Shar bond with me?”
“We must wait and see if Kane can bring down the barrier. If we can even win the battle today, reach Shar, and free him.”
“Zabriel is handling the battle and Kane. I’m asking you about Shar as the dragonmaster. You must know something about dragons who have already had a rider.”
“I know a little. It’s rare for dragons to bond with a new rider, and I’ve never heard of it happening while the original rider is still alive, but in Shar’s case, it’s possible. Shar has been betrayed by his rider and put in chains. He knows you. He will feel connected to you through his sister.”
“We share a tormenter as well.”
My heart aches for her. “Yes.”
Emmeric was horribly cruel to Shar, and he was probably worse to Zenevieve. Just because she doesn’t remember what he did to her, doesn’t mean she’s not been devastated by him. I wonder if I’ll ever see her smile again.
On Zabriel’s command, we set off for the south.
As we fly, Zenevieve puts her arms lightly on my waist to hold on. When I feel her shiver, I take hold of my cloak and wrap itaround both of us. Zenevieve’s scent is as lovely as it always was, and I can’t help savoring it.
The southern barrier rises before us, thick and impenetrable, and the dragon army lands nearby.
As we wait for Kane, Zenevieve’s scent fills with distress. “Shar is so close. What if we can’t get to him? What if we have to leave and Emmeric continues to torture him?”
Her pain is too much for me, so I do something that an Alpha only does for family or a mate. I make my scent richer, more soothing, and she burrows into me, seeking comfort in my arms. Zenevieveisfamily. I cradle the back of her head and push her face against my throat. I can feel her taking deep breaths, and the anxiety in her scent is ebbing.
When she pulls away and looks up at me, Zenevieve’s eyes are dilated and unfocused. In my haste to soothe her, I think I drowned her in my scent.
“Zen? Can you hear me? We’re about to go into battle.”
She reaches up and combs her fingers through my loose hair. “You know why I like you wearing your hair like this, don’t you?”
The whole world plummets away from me. I’m transfixed by her gaze. Her upturned lips. I know why, but I rarely allow myself to think about the reason.
It was the last time we were happy together. Right before the world ended, two years after she packed up her things and left my home.
“I know you never visited lavishes. It’s against your principles, but it’s not against mine. So why don’t you be my lavish?”
My eyes widen, and my mouth is too dry to speak.
Zen softly twists my hair around her fingers. She’s doing the same to my heart and soul. I’m wound tight by her slender fingers. “You told Zabriel you’d give your life for mine when you thought I would be executed for betraying Maledin. Youoffered your body for mine when you believed I was going to be punished. Is that still true? Would you do that for me?”
I find my voice. “Always and forever.”
“So give it. But give it to me. Why should Alphas be the only ones to have any fun? Be my lavish.” A faint smile curves her lips. “Or is that against your principles as well, dragonmaster?”
We’re on the precipice of a battle. I should be hunting the skies for a golden dragon, but Zenevieve’s soft, alluring voice has ensnared me.
“You never wanted a lavish because you believed that if you ever stopped seeing her, she’d cough her insides out and perish from a broken heart. I survived you, but will you survive me? Will you cough yourself bloody if I take you as my lover? A big, strong Alpha like you surely can’t be afraid of the affections of a weak little Beta. If I grow feverish with need, shouldn’t I be able to choose the man I most desire to sate me? Isthatagainst your principles?”
I swallow hard, imagining Zen astride me and sinking down my shaft as she moans about how much she needs me. My knot is suddenly throbbing. I’m grateful for the fact that she’s not pressed too tightly against me because hearing Zenevieve tell me she needs me is making me so hard that I think I might explode.
A dragon flies overhead without warning, and I hear the telltale rumble of dragonfire. I see a flash of yellow and realize it’s Auryn. I seize Zenevieve’s shoulders, ready to protect her with my body, but he passes over us. Kane shouts one of his silly magic words and predictably, nothing happens to the barrier except for some minor crackling.
Auryn wheels around and makes another pass over us, this time lower than before. Shining yellow talons are extended toward Zenevieve. I pull her into my arms and fling myself forward over Nilak, covering her with my body. One of my hands cradles Zenevieve’s head to protect her from the hard scaleson my dragon’s back. Nilak throws her wings up to protect us. Anger and fear spike through me as I realize just how close Auryn came to ripping Zenevieve’s head off.
Raising my head, I growl, “What is hedoing? Can the idiot not control his own dragon?”
