Feray
We're no closerto finding out why Easton's mark pulses in my presence. It seems even Revelin and Dezi don't know why. Looking out the window, I watch the town prepare for nightfall. The sun dips below the horizon, casting a warm, orange glow across the sky. I've been on the road all day, miles upon miles of endless asphalt stretching out before us. My weary muscles ache from the hours spent cooped up in the car being Khal's pillow. The anticipation of a hot shower has kept me going, and now I finally step into the bathroom, ready to bask in its warm embrace.
As I turn the knob, hot water splashes onto my skin, sending shivers of relaxation up my spine. Steam rises, engulfing me in a comforting cocoon. The beads of water cascade down my body, washing away the fatigue and tension that have accumulated throughout the day.
The jet stream massages my back, releasing knots, and I let out a contented sigh. My shoulders drop as the soothing heat seeps into my pores. The scent of my favorite shower gel fills the air, mingling with the steam, helping me relax further. Theday's events fade into the background as I stand beneath the cascading water, lost in sheer bliss. With a final rinse, I step out, my body refreshed, and wrap myself in a soft, fluffy towel. As I emerge from the bathroom, I can't help but smile, grateful for the simple pleasure of a hot shower after a long day on the road.
Exiting with just a towel around me, I stop to appreciate Khal's silhouette against the backdrop of the setting sun. "Ready for bed, Precious?" Khal asks from his chair by the window. Where he's sitting, he's blocking the door and able to see out the window to the main road below.
"Yeah, I feel bad that you have to stay up all night." Pouting, I dig through my bag, finding my favorite nightgown to slip into.
"I feel better knowing one of us is up watching. No one else in the group is naturally nocturnal except me." He shrugs and smiles.
After I'm dressed, I close the distance between us, wrap him up in my arms, and kiss him softly. "Thank you for watching over us."
He kisses me back gently and smirks. "So, Precious, whose bed are you climbing into tonight?" He motions to the doors on the opposite side of the room.
"I think I'm going to go scare a dragon." I giggle, thinking about how badly it's going to throw him off finding me in his bed.
"I see my penchant for chaos is rubbing off on you. Go scare the dragon, just don't get burned." Khal swats my ass, sending me on my way.
Sneaking across the dimly lit suite, I move with practiced stealth, my heart pounding like a trapped bird in my chest. The carpeted floor absorbs the sound of my careful steps, muffling anynoise that could betray my presence. My destination: Diaval's bedroom door.
The air is thick with anticipation, and I feel my pulse quicken as I reach for the doorknob. With a gentle turn, the door swings open, revealing Diaval's inner sanctum. The room is bathed in the soft glow of moonlight filtering through heavy curtains, casting silvery shadows across the polished wood floors.
As I inch closer, I can't help but marvel at the sight before me. Even in slumber, he exudes an air of regal serenity. Lying on his back, Diaval appears almost otherworldly, a sleeping prince in his enchanted slumber. His features, usually so stern and calculating, are softened in the ethereal light, and a ghost of a smile tugs at the corners of his lips. His dark, raven-like hair is still perfectly in place. I hold my breath as I approach the bed, hesitant to disturb his peace. His hands, large and strong, are folded neatly on his chest, as if he guards his secrets even in sleep. I dare not touch him, fearing the magic of this moment might break if I do.
Instead, I slowly slide under the cool, crisp sheets, nestling beside him but maintaining a respectful distance. The sensation of lying beside him, so close yet impossibly far, fills me with a bittersweet ache. I can't resist stealing a moment to admire the details of his face, tracing the lines of his jaw and the curve of his lips with my eyes. How is it that such a formidable man can appear so vulnerable in his slumber?
As I lie there, I feel the rise and fall of his chest, a rhythmic reminder of his living presence. In this stolen moment, I feel closer to him than I've ever dared to hope. Diaval, the ancient dragon shifter. The fancy-drink-loving grumpy puss now lies before me, a mysterious enigma that has captured my heart. Andin this silent, moonlit bedroom, I find solace in simply being near him.
At some pointI fall asleep watching him, only to slowly awaken wrapped tightly in his embrace. His nose is buried in my auburn locks, and his arms feel like bands of steel surrounding me. The heat from his body is slightly warmer than Torben's but not as hot as Easton's.
Diaval's warm breath caresses the nape of my neck, a gentle, tantalizing sensation that sends shivers down my spine. I'm enveloped in the alluring fragrance of geraniums, a scent I've come to associate with him. It fills the air, becoming stronger as his muscular arms band tighter around me. It's as if I've been ensnared in a cocoon of desire and enchantment.
"Sneaky little wolf climbing into my bed," he murmurs, his voice like a sultry whisper in the night, laden with amusement and desire. His lips brush against my ear, igniting a fire within me. He's playful and seductive all at once, a combination that makes my heart race. As Diaval rolls away, the loss of his warmth against my back is palpable, and I let out a soft sigh of longing. His absence leaves me feeling vulnerable and exposed, like a lone wolf without its pack.
I watch in the dim, silhouetted morning light as he exits the room, his movements fluid and graceful, a testament to the dragon within him. The room falls into a hushed stillness, but the imprint of his touch lingers on my skin. I reach out, my fingers grazing the space where he was, as if trying to capture afleeting moment of connection. The sheets still bear the warmth of his presence, and I can't help but wish for more.
Diaval, with his enigmatic allure, has woven his way into my heart, and every stolen moment with him is a treasure. I listen to the distant echoes of his footsteps, each one taking him further away. The longing for his return is undeniable, and I yearn for the sensation of his arms wrapped around me once more. I stare at the door for far too long before I remove myself from the bed and his room.
Stepping out, I look around to find him and Khal at the table sipping their orange juice like nothing happened. Diaval tilts his head, then reaches back, grabbing a third glass of orange juice and wiggling it at me. "Come, drink your juice and wait for breakfast." His tone still holds that rough early morning quality. Without putting too much thought into it, I walk over to the guys and take the juice. Khal pats his thigh, and I climb up to sit snuggled in his lap.
Easton is the next to emerge, and he stops, taking in the scene. "Where did you sleep last night?" He pauses on his way past me to kiss my temple before pouring himself a glass of orange juice.
"Some sneaky little wolf found herself in the dragon's den." Diaval's grumpy tone has a hint of playfulness that wasn't there before. Shaking my head, I just stare at my orange juice. I will not rise to his baiting this time. Before I can say anything, Torben walks in with a tray filled with breakfast foods.
"Where did you sleep last night, little wolf?" He drops a spinach and cheese omelet and bacon in front of me before kissing my temple.
"I invaded grumpy's room. This morning I woke up being held like a woobie." I raise my gaze, staring defiantly at Diaval, waiting for his retort.
Torben's head whips back and forth between Diaval and me in shock. "Oh... Okay then." Shrugging, he sits down and eats his breakfast.
Clearing his throat, Easton gets everyone's attention. "It's approximately twelve hours between here and Vasserdell." He retrieves the mini map so we can follow along. "Taking into account that Torben, Feray, and Khal need to shift and hunt at some point, I figure if we stop about here—" he points to a spot approximately in the middle between the two towns "—we should be able to shift safely and allow their animals to hunt." He turns his gaze to Diaval. "Did you hear from the elder in Vasserdell?"
Diaval pulls his phone from his pocket and stares down at it as he taps away. "They have a waterfront home for us to use for a few days. I requested to be allowed to take everyone to the ruins while we're there." His normally grumpy demeanor shifts, and I see pain in his eyes. I study his features for several minutes and decide now isn't the time to ask what's wrong.
"It sounds beautiful." My words catch him off guard as he stares openly at me. It's now that I notice he's using the mug I gave him for his coffee. I smile and go back to eating my breakfast.
