Next, we battled dregs from the backs of our dragons, driving the creatures away from a village and saving those we could. We snarled at each other, but even in this, I could feel the heat of her glance, the longing for something she couldn’t quite name. An unexpected craving coiled through me.
Then she gazed at me with complete trust as I placed a Claiming collar around her throat, as I bound her to me forever.
A flash, and we stood in front of the king. Feeling betrayed, she was dismayed at my coldness, at my unwillingness to speak to her or protect her. I could feel her rage, her horror, and I wanted to reach out to the Tempest of that time and stroke her face, tell her everything would work out as it should.
Finally, she gaped down at where I lay on the throne room floor, so depleted of power that I could barely draw up enough to tell her . . .
I was jerked back to the present. Swallowing hard, I struggled to bind myself to those memories, because I was worried they could be stolen again.
I was a broken thing that should be tossed away.
No, I would not give into sadness. She loved me. She needed me. And as long asshedidn’t tell me to leave, I’d remain by her side.
Why did you share this with me?It was all I could do to keep the pain from my voice. It shocked through me in heavy waves, threatening to drag me under. Drown me.You could’ve demanded almost anything from me for this, and I would’ve given it.It was a precious gift, something he hadn’t needed to share, something I would’ve burned through the world to obtain.
She needs to be protected.
I. Am. Her. Shield.The words burst through the fog and erupted from me before I could give them thought.
We both stand by her side. Never forget this.
She bonded with you.I wasn’t sure how I felt about that, but then, my emotions related to Tempest kept jerking in one directionand then the other. At times, I could almost feel warmth when I looked at her. And after being in her mind if only for a few short snippets, I felt closer to her than ever.
She was beautiful, vibrant, and full of passion, but it was so much more than that. Something about her compelled me. I could no more look away from her than stop breathing. And I suspected when her heart stopped beating, mine would at the exact same time.
Fated mates. I should trust in this if in nothing else.
I bonded with her, yes,he said.
Did she realize she was casting the spell?I wasn’t sure why I suspected she didn’t. But that was the way of magic. We might feel we controlled it, but always, it controlled us.
I don’t believe she did,he said.But it took, nonetheless. It surprised us both. I didn’t think such a thing was possible any longer.
Times have changed.
She has brought about this change. You, son of Ellyn, are destined for greatness.
I’m destined for death.No matter what was coming, I sensed my end still loomed.
There are times when you must walk alone and times when you must lean on those around you. Find a way to lean.
I huffed.I haven’t leaned on anyone since before I was five.
You’re not alone any longer.
I hadher. Somewhere deep inside me, I knew this. No matter how hard something tried to scrape the imprint off my soul, that knowledge would remain.
You can speak with her like we do now,I said.
Such is the bond.
Not between us. Never between us.If that kind of magic floated near, I’d lash it away with my threads.
There will never be a bond between us.A hint of a sneer came through in his voice.
My lips twisted.You’re the last dragon I’d ever choose to bond with.
Because of what happened.
