Gwenyth relaxed against him, finally comprehending the reason for the public kiss.
Leo kissed her once more, breathing more of that enticing heat into her before pulling back.
“I take it you’re ready for your clothes now,” Felix said in amusement.
“Please.” Leo drew his black trews over his erection.
Gwenyth blushed on catching Felix’s gaze. He winked at her, and the heat in her cheeks increased.
“Where did you meet your human?”
“I rescued her from the sea,” Leo said without hesitation.
“I need to do more flying around the coast,” Felix shared with her, his grin big and white. “How come I’ve never seen a beautiful lass during my flights? When did you marry? You never mentioned it last time I saw you.”
Leo shrugged and finished buttoning his shirt. “It’s a recent thing.”
Felix’s eyes narrowed. “Your parents will question your timing.”
“Too bad,” Leo said emphatically.
Gwenyth allowed Leo to guide her from the training field toward the castle portcullis. Apprehension filtered through her when they crossed a moat and strolled beneath a fortified gate complete with gleaming spikes. Workers bustled around the courtyard beyond, and within seconds, the weight of stares brought a prickling discomfort. Ignoring them, she picked her way around a muddy puddle and wrinkled her nose at the blast of body odor.
Leo didn’t stop to speak to anyone, instead continuing into a second courtyard, past a small chapel with a stained window. Their surroundings grew quieter and much cleaner, and she risked a full lungful of air.
“Stay close to me,” Leo murmured as he led her up a marble staircase and through an impressive entrance with vaulted ceilings and gleaming floors. They climbed another set of cream and brown stairs, and Leo directed her along an equally impressive passage. Light sparkled off a chandelier hanging from the high ceiling and left dappled patterns on the tiled stone floor. As they passed open doors, Gwenyth received impressions of lavish rooms with expensive furnishings and paintings of men and women—perhaps dragons—who gazed down from the walls. Each bore a disapproving expression as if they knew she was a human and inferior and therefore had no business entering this castle.
Gwenyth had no right to Leo.
A tremor shook her fingers, and she curled her left hand to a fist to halt the show of nerves. Her heart palpitated, her breaths short and choppy while it felt as though sand filled her mouth. Repeated swallows failed to shift the dryness.
They walked for what seemed like hours but was probably ten minutes. The nerves dancing at the bottom of her tummy heightened her apprehension and exaggerated every worry. With Leo at her side, no harm would befall her.
She was safe.
He’d make it so. Of this, she was confident.But he is one dragon among many, a tiny voice whispered. Fear darted off, screaming through her until the horrified shout reached every nook of her mind. What if marriage to her ended in death for Leo?
“Don’t worry.” Leo grasped her right hand in a comforting squeeze. “Everything will be all right. We’ll inform my parents of our marriage and leave. I have friends who will give us a roof for the night. Tomorrow, we’ll fly to Perfume Isle and start our quest for the truth.”
“I’m so nervous. What if they act first and don’t listen to our explanations? All they need to do is embrace their dragon and breathe fire over me. I’ll be toast before I can blink.” Her voice took on an edge of hysteria, while trepidation embraced her like a lumpy shawl on her shoulders.This is ridiculous. Get a grip, woman.
Leo laughed, amusement sparkling in his gaze. “That will never happen. No dragon breathes fire within the castle. We’re a civilized race. We no longer allow our tempers or our dragons to fight whenever the instinct roars at us.”
She lifted a brow, her gaze on him as she sought his reassurance. “No fire?”
“Not indoors. The last thing my parents wish is to destroy the home they and my ancestors have protected and beautified over the centuries. Damage of that sort would invite ridicule from their friends and acquaintances and destroy their standing within the community.”
“Oh.”Gwenyth sucked in a breath and let it ease out again. She was a ninny, bringing out her judgey hat. Just because they could morph into massive creatures in a blink of her eyes and blow fire, it didn’t mean every dragon she encountered would attack. From what she’d learned so far, the dragon society was as old as the human one. Civilized. They had rules. Laws. “You’re right. I’m sorry for acting so stupid.”
Leo’s fingers tightened on hers. “You’re shaking. The worst thing you can do is let my parents witness your fear. Don’t worry, my lodestone. Everything will be all right.” Confidence rippled in his voice, his relaxed demeanor.
I hope he’s right.
Leo guided her around a corner, and the first thing she noticed was the guard. The man—dragon, she presumed—stood taller than Leo while his scarlet tunic strained to contain his muscled bulk. A sword in a decorative silver hilt sat at his right-hand side, although she guessed it was more a statement than the guard’s go-to weapon. The tension swelling inside her had a tremor rushing down her spine. Fear got ready to give a shout-out to the rest of her body, and she sucked in a fast, calming breath.
“Steady.” Leo stopped and turned Gwenyth to face him. Tenderness shone in his face as he placed his hands on her shoulders. The corners of his eyes crinkled again, and she relaxed. “Gwenyth.” He leaned in to steal a kiss. She stiffened when their lips met, then he licked the seam of her mouth, and passion roared to life in her. Her own hands lifted to clutch his biceps and draw him closer. A moan sounded, echoing down the passage.
Leo parted their mouths and pressed his forehead to hers for a long moment. “You can do this,” he whispered. “We’re married, and I can’t wait to get to my room to celebrate in private.”
