I exhaled and changed back to my fae body, holding her eyes still. After a moment, she dropped her gaze down my figure, and for the first time in my many years of shifting carelessly in front of all manner of fae, I was acutely aware of my nudity.
It felt good to have her attention linger before lifting back to my eyes. Arousal burned in my stomach, and my cock twitched. I bit my tongue so as not to ask her if she liked what she saw. I couldn’t go there. Not only would that make our situation muchworse, but she was meant for the future king, and somehow, I didn’t think defiling her when I was tasked with protecting her would go over well. If anything were to get me hunted to the ends of the known realms, it would be taking what is promised to an heir.
As the feeling of attraction washed over me, her scent reached me, and I went cold with something heavier. Something way more than attraction that could not be ignored.
Goddess spare me, this could not be happening.
What had I done that was worthy of this punishment? Other than abandoning my homeland and my family, of course, and I guess you could say a thousand other indiscretions that might add up over time…but honestly…A MATE?
The betrothed of the heir, no less. A female I could never have in any way.
No. I had to have it wrong. After all, what experience did I have with such things? I was purely attracted to an objectively stunning female, and my body was reacting accordingly. And if her looks at me were anything to go by, it was a mutual attraction. Nothing more.
She was betrothed, yes. But she was not yet officially in the hands of her fiancé. They had not met. She was surely free to have attractions? Who would even know if we were to find a moment to sate them on our long voyage back to the First? Dragons. Dragons would scent it immediately. But no one else ever needed to if that were something she was up for…
Guilt twisted in my gut.
Faolan, shut the fuck up!
I couldn’t do that to her. Not knowing I was definitely leaving. She had to know, at least in part, that there was a feeling of connection between us. There was no doubt in my mind she wouldn’t take no for an answer if she knew what the feelings meant, either.If she thought for a minute she was a ryder, shewould demand we fulfill our bond, it was written all over her face. She had the look of adventure about her, and I could sense it called to her like it called to me. But as the daughter of a duke, destined to be Queen, her sense of civic duty would no doubt demand we serve the crown as all dragons and ryders are supposed to.
I had to make sure no one told her. If she could never put a name to it, she would never know the solution either.
She stepped towards me, transfixed. “I’m?—”
I cut her off. “Maiden.” I inclined my head in a bow as I spoke. “No need to trouble yourself with pleasantries. I am merely part of the royal guard.”
I had to distance myself completely. I would escort the ship back to the First Kingdom, but I had to stay away from her. It wasn’t fair to her.
“But—”
“It was nothing but my duty.” I knew she wasn’t thanking me, but I played it off as such. “Please direct all your thanks to the general and the King.” I gave her another bow and turned to find some damn clothes.
She let out a frustrated sound I only heard because of my sensitive hearing. I threw up walls, shielding my mind to make sure none of her thoughts bled through. As a noble raised in this society, she should have the proper shielding training to not leave her exposed to those with mind magic, but I wasn’t taking the risk. The last thing I needed was to be tempted to find her chambers.
Kol ran after me, grabbing my arm. “Where were you?” he sounded angry or upset.
“I left.” I shrugged out of his grasp.
“Why?” he demanded, jogging along beside me.
“She’s my ryder,” I said simply.
Kol stopped in his tracks. I kept walking, not even sure where I was heading. He caught back up with me and grabbed my arm again. “Excuse me. Who?”
“The Daughter of Light. The one meant for the heir.”
“Calytrix?!”
“Don’t say her name.” I squeezed my eyes closed.
“You’re serious?”
I nodded and stopped, knowing I should be helping Nyx and the duke’s guard secure the surrounding areas and make sure none of the undead were missed, not be here stewing about something I have no control over.
“That’s not good,” Kol murmured.
“No fucking kidding.” I turned on him. “You know him. What do you think the heir will do to me when he finds out?”
