He took my hand and pulled me back to him. “Won't you at least try?”
“Isn't this a big enough step forward?”
Rian's cheek fluttered as he clenched his teeth, and I thought his dragon might rise, but he managed to gain control and nod. “Yes, of course. Will you stay for lunch? I want you to meet Geris. Properly, I mean.”
I scrunched my face at him.
He laughed. “He isn't here in any romantic capacity. In fact, I've told him about you.”
“Have you?” I sighed. “I didn't make a very good first impression.”
“To the contrary, you reacted like a Dragon, something all Dragons admire in the other races.”
“Even when it's a temper tantrum?”
“That was hardly a temper tantrum,” Rian scoffed. “And I've reacted far worse to things you've said and done. I'm rather relieved that you've shown your teeth.”
That finally got a smile out of me. “That wasn't me.” I looked over at Vashana. “Come here, Vash.”
The dog perked up, then climbed to her feet and hurried over, tail wagging.
I stroked her sweet face as I said, “This is Vashana. I just got her today.”
“Hello, Vashana.” Rian held out his hand.
Vashana sniffed it, then looked at me.
“It's all right. He's our friend.”
Vashana yipped but didn't nuzzle him. I thought it odd since she'd been so affectionate with me. But then I remembered the way she had sat still under Arena's stroking, allowing it but not eager for more. And Furn had been so shocked with the way both Leeya and Vashana had reacted to me. Especially Vashana. Our bond was special. Maybe it would become as strong as Rontor's bond with Mivi.
“She's wonderful,” Rian said. “And I'm pleased that you have a guardian to be with you when I can't.”
“She's my companion, first and foremost.”
“Certainly, but she's trained to protect you. I experienced that firsthand.”
“I'm sorry about that. It's her training, as you say—”
“Galin,” he cut me off. “Stop. I'm glad she's so protective. And she didn't hurt me. It takes more than a dog bite to do that.”
“Oh. Good.”
“But how did you get a vanrussa? The Ricarri are . . .” he trailed off, his face going blank. Then his eyes twitched. His lips pulled back, baring his teeth.
“Hey.” I cupped his face in my hands. “I'm yours, remember? I love you. Rontor had nothing to do with this beyond inspiring me to want a vanrussa. I love you, Rian.”
Rian blinked, his breath coming out on a shocked exhale. “Fuck.” He gripped my wrists and grinned. “It worked. You calmed him.”
“Your dragon?”
“Yes.” He slid his hands down my arms, then over my shoulders to rest along the column of my throat. “You calmed my dragon. You know what that means, don't you?”
“Stop it, Rian.” I dropped my hands.
Rian gripped my shoulders and kept me from turning away. “Why are you so against accepting this?”
“Because there's nothing to accept yet. I can't believe what you do. I can't.”
