Stop thinking about it, I chided myself. I focused on the faint pink-and-orange hue settling over the rocky shore, the blue-and-gray waves crashing onto the sand, the solitude of the morning before the storm hit.
Nox silently slipped up to the window. He squeezed my ankle, and I moved to give him space to sit. The golden sunrays highlighted the dark blond of his hair, making his tan skin glow as he fixed his gaze on the horizon.
I loved seeing him like this. Soft and muted, without all the hard, anxious lines and tense muscles. I didn’t think many saw this side of him—they either got the ferocious dragon and rebel leader or the cocky, silver-tongued charmer. And I loved all of it. All ofhim. But this version of him…this was mine.
I nudged his leg with my toe. “What’s on your mind?”
He hummed. “Just thinking about how it’ll feel to watch that mansion burn.”
“How romantic,” I said with a chuckle.
“What can I say?” He looked at me. “Listen, Devora, tonight will be dangerous, and?—”
“If the rest of that sentence involves you asking me not to go, you can stop right there,” I said, quirking an eyebrow.
It was his turn to smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I learned my lesson the last time. But I’m still allowed to be worried aboutyou.” He repositioned his legs and patted the spot in front of him. I set my mug down and grabbed my blanket, crossing to sit between his legs. My back was flush to his chest, and his chin rested on top of my head, his arms wrapping around me.
“How has your magic been?” he asked.
I shrugged. “It’s been fine. Normal. Nothing like the night of the fight. Maybe it was temporary.”
“We’ll just have to be careful tonight.” He pressed a kiss to my temple. “Hopefully, it won’t come down to fighting at all.”
I craned my neck to look at him. “You don’t believe that, or you wouldn’t be prepping over a dozen refugees for battle.”
He sighed. “We have to be ready for the worst.”
“Trust me, I get it.” I nestled back into his chest. “But have you thought about what happens if we win?” I asked, more quietly this time.
“Darling, I’ve dreamed about that every day for the last nineteen years.”
I turned so I could face him. I ran my fingers through his hair, marveling at its softness as his eyes fluttered closed.
“And what does the famous dragon Shifter dream of doing with his freedom?” I whispered.
“Seeing my mother and sister. Being a family again.” His shoulders relaxed slightly as he spoke. “Not having to look over our shoulders at every turn. Traveling the world because I want to, not because I’m forced to.” He let out a breath, slowly opening his eyes to meet my gaze. “Waking up next to the woman I love without wondering if today is the day I lose her.”
I brushed my thumb across his cheek. “You will never lose me, Nox.”
He caught my thumb with his lips and kissed the pad. “Never is a long time, darling.”
“It’s not long enough,” I murmured. “Not with you. I want forever.”
The idea should’ve scared me. Being this vulnerable, placingmy heart in someone else’s hands, trusting him so implicitly when I’d only ever been used and cast aside in the past.
But I wasn’t scared. I couldn’t imagine anyone I felt safer with.
He smiled, slow and aching, and he reached up to grasp my hands. “If we make it through this, then I promise you, Devora, darling…” He kissed the tips of my fingers. “Our forever will start tomorrow.”
I took a deep breath and nodded. Closing the gap between us, I rested my forehead against his.
Tomorrow.
67
Devora
Scarven’s manor loomed ahead. It was all black spires and sharp edges, with darkened, empty windows that looked like unblinking eyes. Watching. Waiting. It made the cut on my thigh prickle with awareness.
