“Sorry.” I shifted to the side, and he gave me a smile as he passed. When he sat beside Tempest, I could barely hold back my growl. While I was unsure where my emotions would takeme next with this woman, it was clear I wouldn’t allow anyone else to claim her instead.
A slim fae man who’d had too much ale for this time of the morning stumbled out of the bathing area beneath the stairs and lurched into me. He peered up at me through rheumy eyes. “Sorry. My mistake,” he slurred, staggering over to sit at one of the tables. He beat his fist on the pocked wooden surface. “Ale. I need ale!”
“Be right there,” a server called out.
Striding over to the table, I sat opposite Tempest, seeking her gaze. She studiously avoided looking my way, taking a slice of bread from the platter in the center of the table and slathering it with breekberry jam. She broke off a piece and fed it to the crow.
I also took bread and added breekberry jam. “This is one of my favorite flavors,” I told her.
“I remember.” She bit down hard on her slice of bread and chewed, turning Brodine’s way, cutting me out. No, she wasn’t blocking me; she merely wanted to speak with her friend.
“Madrood said they’re ready to leave when we are,” Tempest said. “He also said the aerie here is decent, the food is stale, but the sand is clean.”
Brodine nodded, also chewing through a big slice of bread. “I think it’s amazing that you’ve bonded with a dragon, that you can communicate with him in your mind.” Thankfully, he kept his voice low, though there were few others inside the dining area. “Does the bond give you anything else other than mind-to-mind communication?”
“Like what?” she asked around another bite.
He shrugged. “There must be something. I’m not surprised you did it. You always did have a special affinity for beasts. With just a simple stroke of your hand, you make them eager to do whatever you ask. It’s amazing. I used to love watching you work with the wildest dragons. They’d be kissing you and showering you with sparks within half a day.” The admiration in his voice irked me.
My pulse quickened, and my free hand clenched on my thigh. Watching her interact with him, smile at him, though I could see it was only in a friendly manner, stabbed raw rage through me. Irritation boiled within my veins, and it was all I could do not to snarl.
When had I turned into a jealous fool? She’d made it clear she was mine for the taking, that she loved me. She wouldn’t look twice at her friend.
Or would she—if I shoved her away?
We had too much to do. I couldn’t let this bother me.
The longer I studied her sitting across from me, the more I knew that I would not leave her. I’d remain by her side and give myself time to know her once more. As for love? It would come if it must, or it wouldn’t. Right now, it felt farther from my grasp than ever.
My irritation slipped away. Something like this didn’t matter.
When Tempest sought my gaze, I studiously avoided meeting it, though I did note that her cheeks had reddened.
“Brodine will ride with me today,” she said, foolish woman that she was.
Despite the erratic feelings for her clawing their way across my skin, she wasmyfated mate. She belonged with me.
“No,” I clipped out.
“I didn’t enjoy riding with you yesterday.” Pain scraped through her voice.
Why couldn’t I find a shred of emotion for her? Last night, I’d held her, though it appeared she hadn’t noticed. Then, I’d felt longing. I’d enjoyed being with her. I could almost remember craving . . . something with her.
I was tempted to suggest she’d enjoyed my touch well enough last night, and if this was anyone but her, I would’ve. I’d savored manipulating people as much as anyone else at Bledmire Court. But some shred of decency inside me told me not to name it while everyone watched us, listening raptly.
“Don’t do this.” Tempest’s fingers sought the hilt of a blade strapped to her side. “Don’t push me or you’ll regret it.”
“Will you pull my family dagger and gouge me, sweet little storm that you are?”
Her lips quivered, and the hurt in her eyes could not be denied. What in particular had I done to cause that?
I didn’t like that I’d caused her pain. I wouldn’t blame her if she pulled the blade and slashed it toward my neck. Regret sent a sharp pang through my chest. I’d driven another wedge between the fragile bond we were forming.
“I would never hurt you,” she said stiffly. “If you can’t see that, then you’re a fool.”
“I’m sorry.” For being unable to give her the love she craved. For pulling her close only to push her away. For taunting her.
A shudder went through her and resolve filled her pretty green eyes. “Alright, I’ll ride with you.”
