“What raid?”
“We located a possible storage site outside the city. Will you accompany me?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Eliel, never doubt my admiration of you. And never feel unworthy again. You do that, and Bara wins. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” I whispered.
“We will destroy everything he built, Eliel. You and me. Together.” The Dragon King stood up and then offered me his hand again.
It was easier to put my hand in his this time. Almost natural. I intertwined my fingers with his, and he pulled, bringing me to my feet. The motion was too fast, and I stumbled, my wings whooshing open to steady me. I cried out as my broken wing extended too far.
“Eliel!” The King caught me and held me against his chest.
I froze. His scent invaded—musk and sage. It was so primal, so masculine, that my body buckled, wanting to submit to his dominance. And that terrified me. Bara had used magic to make me his slave, but King Raventar didn't need it. One deep breath, and I would willingly kneel before him.
I flung myself back, another cry coming to my lips. The chair tripped me, and I fell. Once more, the Dragon King was there, catching me before I hit the floor. But he quickly set me on the couch and backed away, his hands lifted, palms facing me.
I was shaking so badly that I couldn't stand, only sit there and feel like a coward. Breath catching, I bent forward, bringing my wings around myself and covering my face with my hands. I had spent all morning lamenting the loss of this man and lusting after him. Yet, when my sorrow proves false, and he saysbeautiful things to me, I stiffen. I pull away. I could barely hold his hand. One accidental embrace sent me into an insane fit.
“Eliel,” the Dragon King whispered. “Don't hide from me, sweetheart.”
My wings opened as I lowered my hands to look at him. Even after that humiliating display, he showed me kindness. “I'm so broken. I want to be with you, but I can't even be held by you without panicking.”
“You were hurt horribly. This is normal.”
“Normal?! There is nothing normal about this!” I held out my shaking arms. “Look at me. I may never be normal again.”
The Dragon King knelt before me. “Yes, you will be. You will get stronger, and you will learn to trust again. I don't expect you to fall into my arms instantly, Eliel. It will take time. Don't push yourself. Just let it happen. I will be here when you're ready.”
Swallowing my fear, I held out my hand.
King Raventar's eyes went wide. Slowly, he laid his palm on mine. Then he twined our fingers together. “This is our win for today. Take hope from it. I have.”
I nodded. “One touch at a time.”
The Dragon King smiled, and my heart shook in a good way. Hope. Yes, I had hope now. That bleak future without him was fading. Even if all he did was help me become me again, I would be eternally grateful to the Dragon King of Tabaa.
Chapter Five
Riding in a carriage was difficult with a broken wing. If I'd been healed, it wouldn't have been so bad. Wings are flexible. I could have sat back on the bench, and my wings would have simply curved over the seat. As it was, I sat on the edge, my broken wing partially extended so the fracture wouldn't be stressed.
The Dragon King was not pleased. He sighed for the fourth time and rubbed his hands together. “Are you sure there's no way for me to make you more comfortable?”
“I'm fine, Your Majesty.”
“Perhaps I should have put you on a horse.”
“I prefer this. I don't want to be out there.” I looked out the window at the Dragon knights on horseback riding beside us. “This is better.”
“Very well.” He looked at my broken wing again. “Would you like to lie down?”
“Lie down?” I looked at the bench.
“On your stomach. Then your wings will be straight.”
“Oh. Um.” I tried to lie flat on the bench and then sat up. “Thank you for the suggestion, but it's the wrong angle. I'd need to prop myself on my arms, and that would tire me.”
