“You should lay down before you fall over.” He reached out thoughtlessly but quickly pulled his hand away before it made contact.
“Make me.”
He groaned, and I smiled. “Why do you want to make this worse on us? I know you understand.”
“Why would the God of Light put us together if it didn’t mean something? What if Alaric is wrong?”
“You don’t know the future King like he does. Alaric isn’t wrong.”
“It still doesn’t make sense why you won’t touch me?” I took a step towards him, leaving him nowhere to escape to. He couldn’t even get the door open without bumping into me, and maybe it was bad, but I needed more answers.
He hesitated for a minute. “Because it’s only a matter of time before our magic melds.”
I laughed. “For the God of Light’s sake, that’s not how it works.”
He gave me a flat look. “How do you think it works?”
“We have to use magic together.” I’d first heard about those blessed to be a ryder when I was young, and I was captivated. As I grew up, I would dream of it as my perfect escape from the life I was doomed to. It is irony at its finest to get my dream and have my betrothal ruin it. “It’s a process, isn’t it? It doesn’t just click. With some pairs, I heard it takes months or years, and that’s with training in their magic for most of their life.”
“You seem to know a lot about it.” He eyed me.
“I know a bit.” I wouldn’t tell him I’d had any yearning for that kind of life. “Have you even had training in your magic? Considering you’re draft dodging?”
Confusion washed over his expression. “Draft dodging?”
“I know all dragons have to go to the First Kingdom to be trained, no exceptions, so I’m guessing the King doesn’t know about you being a dragon if you can just leave without being hunted down.”
He tore his gaze away from mine. “I’m not from the Twelve Kingdoms. This wasn’t a thing where I’m from. We aren’t called like they are here. We don’t have ryders there.”
“How can that be? Doesn’t the call stretch time and any distance?”
“Not where I’m from. There are magics that block those bonds.”
“Old magic?” I asked, since I knew of no other kind capable of such.
Astonishment showed on his face. “I thought speak of old magic was forbidden here?”
It was my turn to give him a look. “Pot, kettle.”
“I wasn’t born here. We have different ways. I told you.” He looked me over again before putting his head in his arms. “Will you at least put your clothes back on or something?”
“No, I’m not sleeping in my leathers.”
“Then get in bed,” he growled.
“Am I making you uncomfortable?” I teased.
“Uncomfortable isn’t the word I would use.” He exhaled sharply.
I lifted a brow. “Is that why you won’t touch me?”
“Partly.”
I laughed again. “And the other part?”
“I explained it to you. I don’t want it to harden our bond.”
I risked another step towards him while he couldn’t see, but I’d forgotten about the dragon hearing.
