The Dragon King cleared his throat. “You could lie on my lap.”
My eyes went wide.
He hurried to add, “If you'd like to.” He paused. “One touch at a time.”
“One touch at a time,” I whispered, my gaze going to his thick thighs. Dare I?
“I will lay my arm here.” The King slid to his left, pressing himself against the window, and stretched his right arm out along the back of the bench. “You could face me, and then your wings will drape onto the floor.”
We went over a bump, and I yipped in fright.
The Dragon King looked out the window. “It's all right. Stay where you are. We'll go slowly.”
Biting my lip, I slid off the bench and onto the floor. The King jerked his head around to look at me, eyes wide. I dropped my gaze. I couldn't look at him if I was going to do this. Instead, I focused on the bench. His lap was just another part of it. Those thick thighs were mere cushions. And the bulge between them was padding. Just padding. Oh, dear Gods.
Easing onto the bench, I lay on my side, my wings rustling into a straighter position behind me. It did ease the ache, but I had to roll slightly onto my belly so the bottom wing wouldn't bend. The Dragon King's thigh was an inch beneath my cheek.His scent collected between us, and I breathed in deeply. It felt almost medicinal, easing my anxiety. Slowly, I lowered my head.
Another bump rocked the carriage, and my face smacked into his thigh.
The King's hand shot forward to brace my shoulder. I shrieked and rolled away, falling onto the floor. It jerked my wing, and I cried out again, this time in pain.
“Eliel!” The Dragon King reached for me.
I scrambled back, one arm outstretched to hold him off, and pressed into the bench. The King became Bara, his hand furred on the back and padded on the palm, claws extended. Eyes glittering with possession, he smiled at me.
“Come here, my Eliel. I need you now,”Bara's voice slid down my spine, making it curl until I was in a fetal position. I didn't care about my wing anymore. He would hurt me far worse than this.
His hands gripped my shoulders. His claws hadn't cut me yet, but they would. I screamed and drew back, wishing I could fight. But all I could do was submit. My body went limp, and my scream became a whimper. Back to being a possession. A thing. Used for someone else's pleasure. The emptiness inside me echoed my heartbeat. Louder and louder. Tha-thump, tha-thump, tha-thump.
“Eliel!” the rich, powerful voice slammed through my memories and sent them scurrying away.
I opened my eyes to see King Raventar kneeling on the floor of the royal carriage beside me, his hands clutching my upper arms. My breath caught. I looked around. I wasn't inBara's home, wasn't bent over the swing he made for me. I was with the Dragon King. I looked down at his strong hand, the nails trimmed and clean. No claws. Not now, at least.
The Dragon King let go and eased back. “Are you alright?”
Shame shot up my spine and heated my face. “Oh, Great Gods. I'm sorry, Your Majesty.”
“Eliel,” his voice ached. “Please may I hold you?” He opened his arms.
I stared at those big arms, muscles stretching the fabric of his tunic. His chest seemed wide enough to encompass the world. I would be safe there, tucked against his heart. My head knew this. My heart longed for it. But my gut clenched in terror, and I drew back.
Face twisting with pain, the Dragon King lowered his arms and moved back onto his bench. He hung his head and stared at his boots.
“I'm so sorry,” I whispered, my wing dropping between us even as I felt ashamed of my reaction.
His hands clenched.
I pressed my lips together. He wouldn't put up with this for long. Why would he? I was a mess. The Dragon King didn't need this.
“Don't apologize.” He looked up at me, his turquoise eyes wet with tears. “I wish I could help you. Comfort you. It kills me to sit back and do nothing while you flounder under your memories. Damn that bastard!”
I let out a wounded sound as my wings flapped back against the bench.
“Eliel!” the King cried, his hands opening and closing uselessly.
I knew I had to push myself. If I didn't try, I'd never be free of Bara. And I'd never know what it felt like to be with the Dragon King. All he offered was a hug. It was nothing to fear. Gathering my fury and pain, I used them to propel myself across the carriage.
Eyes wide, the King opened his arms at the last moment and caught me. I fell between his legs, kneeling before him. My arms slid around his waist before I could give in to the fear, and I clutched at him to stop myself from pushing away. His chest lifted to meet my descending cheek, and I sighed as I pressed my face against his warmth. Behind me, my wings found peace at last, folding together with the ends propped on the opposite bench. I shuddered with the strange feelings—warmth, affection, and safety. I was safe. I hadn't felt like this since before I'd been taken. Not after I had killed Bara. Not when I lay in my bed in the royal palace. Not even when I sang. This was what I'd been afraid of? I could have had this the very first night. Once again, I proved myself a fool.
