Then suddenly, Lila broke away from their perfect kiss, her breathing ragged as she pressed a hand against his chest.
“We should... we should really get back to the castle,” she said, her voice a little slurred. “I think I had too much wine. I’m not feeling quite right.”
Draven’s protective instincts immediately overrode his arousal as he took in her appearance. Her cheeks were flushed—though whether from their passionate kiss or the Sidaii wine,he couldn’t tell—and she swayed slightly on her feet, gripping his forearms for balance.
Damn. How much did she drink?
“Lila.” His voice held the commanding tone of a king who was used to being obeyed. “How are you feeling exactly?”
“Dizzy,” she admitted, blinking slowly as if trying to focus. “Everything’s a bit... spinny.”
Guilt crashed over him like a tidal wave. He’d been so caught up in their dinner, in the intoxicating pull between them, that he hadn’t been paying attention to how much wine she’d consumed. Sidaii wine affected humans far more strongly than dragon shifters, and he should have been more careful.
“I’m carrying you to the car,” he declared, already moving to sweep her into his arms.
“No, that’s not necessary—” she protested, but her words cut off in a small gasp as he lifted her effortlessly against his chest.
“Don’t argue with me right now,” he growled softly, his protective instincts in full alpha mode. “You can barely stand.”
After a moment of resistance, Lila’s arms wound around his neck, and she rested her head against his chest with a soft sigh. The way she fit perfectly in his arms, trusting and vulnerable, made something deep in his chest clench with fierce possessiveness.
This is right. She belongs here, in my arms.
Even as worry for her wellbeing dominated his thoughts, he couldn’t deny how perfectly she molded against him, her curves fitting against his body like she’d been made for him. Which, he supposed, she had been.
The walk to the car felt both eternal and far too short. When they reached the vehicle, he set her down gently and helped her into the passenger seat, his hands steady as he buckled her seatbelt.
“How many glasses did you have exactly?” he asked, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
“I lost count after...” She paused, her brow furrowing in concentration. “Three? Maybe four?”
Four glasses of Sidaii wine. No wonder she’s struggling.
“Close your eyes,” he instructed, after he climbed into the driver’s seat and started the engine. “We’ll be home soon.”
Home.The word slipped without conscious thought. But it felt so natural to call his castle their home somehow.
The drive to the castle passed in tense silence, broken only by Lila’s soft breathing. Draven pushed the car faster than was probably safe, his gaze flicking between the road and her pale face every few seconds. His dragon paced restlessly, torn between protective concern and the urge to comfort their mate.
When they arrived at the castle, Lila attempted to convince him she was fine and could walk on her own, but the way she swayed when she stood told a different story.
“Absolutely not,” he said firmly, scooping her up again before she could protest. “You’re not walking anywhere in this condition.”
This time she didn’t argue, simply melting against him with a trusting sigh that made his heart race for entirely different reasons than before.
He carried her through the castle corridors to her guest suite, kicking the door closed behind them before settling her gently on the king-sized bed. She looked small and fragile against the dark silk sheets, her forest green dress spread around her like flower petals.
“Stay here,” he commanded, moving to the adjoining bathroom to fill a glass with water.
When he returned, she was attempting to sit up straighter, though her movements were still unsteady.
“Drink this,” he ordered, pressing the glass into her hands. “All of it.”
She obeyed without question, and he watched with relief as some color returned to her cheeks after she’d drained the glass.
“Better?” he asked.
“Much better,” she admitted, offering him a sheepish smile. “Thank you.”
