The Dragon King went flying backward to sprawl on the floor. He gaped at me, limbs akimbo and eyes blinking. I hurried to him but instead of helping him up, I straddled him.
Setting my palms on his barrel chest, I leaned forward until our faces were just inches apart. “I love you, Mate. Do you hear me? I was stupid to run. I didn't understand that all I had to do was tell you what I needed. I only had to speak to you. Reach past your dragon's instincts. Trust you. But trust is hard for me. You scared me. You're scaring me still. But now, I'm frightenedforyou, not of you. Please, stop, my love. Stop this and come back to me.” I slid my hands up to cup his face. “Come back, Rian.”
“Galin?” Rian whispered, his face shifting under my hands, bones realigning, horns withdrawing, and muscles shrinking. The monster returning to man. “It's really you.”
I breathed out a sigh of relief. “Yes, it's me. I'm here.”
“Galin!” he sobbed and sat up to wrap me in his arms. “My mate. You came back. You're here. You're real.”
“I'm so sorry, Rian.” I held him tightly. “So sorry. I love you. I'll never leave again. I promise.”
“I'll never speak to you as I did again.” He pulled back. “I didn't have control of myself. But it was the mating instincts. I can control myself now. I swear it.”
“I see that.” I made a huffing sound of amazement and shook my head. “You were insane just a few moments ago.”
“Not insane. Wild without you. Terrified. Heartbroken. On the edge of madness. But not there yet. It would have beeneasier had I been. Instead, I was aware of every second of your absence.”
“Why didn't you come after me?”
“You asked me not to, said I wouldn't if I loved you. And I love you, Galin. I love you more than I love myself. More than freedom and my entire kingdom. If you wanted me to stay away, I had to find a way to do that. For you. You'd been through too much. I couldn't make your life worse.”
I burst into tears.
“No.” Rian put our foreheads together. “No, Mate. My jewel. Don't cry. This is good. Our love has been tested, and we've proven ourselves. Now, nothing can separate us.”
Someone cleared their throat.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I growled, swinging my head toward Geris.
“I rejoice that you are recovered, Your Majesty,” Geris said to Rian. “And I hate to interrupt your reunion.”
“But?” Rian smirked at the other Dragon.
“But the dread will be convening in a week to discuss replacing you.”
Rian stood up surprisingly steady despite his condition, and then he helped me to my feet. Suddenly the suave king again, he gathered my things, slid my wing scarf on, and settled my cloak over my shoulders. Covered in blood and filth, he lifted his chin and looked as if he were dressed in the finest silk. Then he flung open the cell door.
Geris shifted anxiously.
“Relax, Geris,” Rian said. “I'll send word to the enclaves. I need to summon them for Galin's presentation anyway. That should stop any talk about my removal.”
“You've given them a reason to reject Galin,” Geris said. “Shouldn't you go to the enclaves yourself? Maybe if you speak with them, you can lay to rest their doubts.”
“Galin's invention saved the forest around Riscavik. He has proven himself worthy,” Rian said.
“Geris told me. I'm so relieved that the trap worked,” I said.
“Yes, thankfully, I had just enough strength to pass on your instructions to Geris along with the trap before I had to imprison myself to stop my dragon from hunting you.”
“Rian, I'm so—”
“Stop apologizing,” Rian cut me off. “We've both made mistakes. Big mistakes. But we've got the chance to move on from them.” He held his hand out to me. “Will you take that chance with me?”
“Yes, of course.” I took his hand. “I love you.”
“I love you too. And with your love, I can do anything.”
“Great.” Geris rolled his eyes. “Fantastic. The romance is making me swoon. Can the first anything you do be to save your throne, Your Majesty?”
