But given all of the pictures and messages being shared about her defeat, it wouldn’t be long before word reached Saldrea’s mother, Valnea, the queen regent. And she made Saldrea seem positively sane in comparison.
This was far from over.
But today, at least, we’d won the battle.
And it was as if nature itself knew it; the sun was out and a cool breeze off the ocean tempered the heat of the day. A perfect moment, and I had the perfect woman in my arms, even if she was out cold.
Safir led me to the free royal residence, not far from the lesser residence. Two mansions sat overlooking the stairs down to the beach — also known as The Tumble — and the ocean. Where the lesser and nobles’ residences were meant to house many, these mansions housed only a single high ranked elf and their retinue. With so few actual royals left, most of the “royal residences” on campus had gone to the friends of the queen regent. But since the queen regent was notoriously insular and anti-social, only five of the six such residences were occupied.
The door was unlocked when we arrived, and waiting for us inside was Svokol, the dwarf who’d helped us in the past. Apparently, he wasn’t afraid to hide his position anymore, coming out as a firm royalist.
“Everything’s ready,” he said to me as I entered. “Follow that hall to the end.” He indicated a hall off the main entranceway and sitting area, and I took Izzy to the room in question, a grand master bedroom, worthy of her station. A wall of windows looked out over The Tumble and the ocean, a stunning view. The massive four-poster bed could easily fit Izzy six times over and only took up a small portion of theroom. Several large wardrobes lined the wall behind me and before me was a sunken sitting area around an open fireplace. On the opposite side of the room from the bed was an office area with a grand desk and many bookshelves. And closer to the windows was a table and chairs, the perfect place to have a private breakfast or dinner while looking out at that spectacular view.
I laid Myel and Izzy on the bed. Her golden blond hair splayed out like a halo around her head, framing her pale features.
When I set her down, she stirred, sea-green eyes blinking open. Perfectly pink lips smiled.
“Where…?” she asked lazily.
“Don’t worry, you’re safe, rest for now.” I don’t know what came over me, but I kissed her brow softly.
She smiled.
“My big, strong dragon,” she mumbled, eyes fluttering shut.
Had she liked that? I’d worried I’d gone too far, but… she didn’t seem to mind.
I stood guard at the side of the bed, and now that the fight was over and Izzy was safe my thoughts slowly caught up to me.
I’d been so worried about losing Izzy and never having the chance to be with this perfect woman. But shehadsurvived, and Icouldbe with her… if she wanted me.
I’m all in, if you’ll have me. My words still echoed in my mind.
She hadn’t said yes, but she hadn’t pushed me away either. And given her reaction when I’d kissed her, I assumed she was okay with me wanting to be with her, but I couldn’t be sure. Perhaps she’d been half asleep and notknown what she was saying. Although she had previously told me she wouldn’t mindexploring a new partner.
There’d be plenty of time to confirm all of that later, and I’d make sure she was safe until then. Because it was still my duty to watch over her, protect her.
And somehow… I’d figure out how to protect her while also being with her.
My brain said it would be easy. I’d always be near her, always ready to leap into a fight. It wasn’t like I needed armor or weapons. So even if I was naked in bed with her, I’d be able to protect her as well as any other time.
But still, questions plagued me.
Would this amazing woman be too much of a distraction?
Would I react fast enough when needed?
Would my feelings for her lead me to make the wrong choice in the heat of battle? I didn’t even know what the wrong choice would be… only that I’d made it last time, leaving Mynrial to try to save her parents… or perhaps being with Mynrial in the first place?
What if I focused too much on Izzy and Myel got hurt again? I’d seen the torment she’d gone through when he’d been tortured. I’d need to protect both of them. But could I? Maybe, if they both stayed close to me, but I didn’t see that being possible all the time.
Would I need more guards?
Did I trust anyone else to guard Izzy or those close to her?
Vyns maybe.
But even with his help, I couldn’t protect everyone around Izzy all the time. Especially if Valnea was coming for us. With an all-out war brewing, and Izzy probably in aleadership position… it seemed impossible to protect her and those around her all the time.
