“She has to figure it out on her own,” Farrah finishes.
I blink. “I didn’t catch any of that.”
“You weren’t supposed to,” Farrah says. “Now, let’s get your stuff because I want to go home.”
_____________
Three days. It only takes me three days to realize I made the wrong decision. Redara certainly isn’t helping things; she’s been pining after Noxlyn nonstop. I keep reminding her that she said she’d be fine. But it’s not just her. I don’t fit in here, in the Wolf Kingdom, anymore. Me and my massive dragon don’t have a place here.That’s because our place is in the Dragon Kingdom,Redara reminds me.
So, you’ve told me for the last three days.But it’s not just Redara that doesn’t fit; I don’t either. I can’t believe how much I miss Auri and Elowen.
And Noxlyn’s bonded,Redara adds.
I don’t respond, not because it’s not true, but because it scares me. I throw my head back against the wall and groan. “I’m going crazy!” I want out. I want to ride Redara; I want to be free to walk around, to do what I want to do. But I can’t do much while I’m not allowed to put any weight on my leg. Hector warned me that I could do some serious damage if I don’t let it heal. So, I’m stuck doing next to nothing for six weeks. Six weeks!I’m going to lose my mind, Red.
You sure there was much there to begin with?
Ha. Ha. You're so funny.
Somehow, by some miracle, I make it to the end of the first week. Farrah and I celebrate by throwing knives in the basement.My idea, not hers.It took me nearly a day to recover from that trip. At the end of week two, she made me a cake. I’m still not really sure why, but she said it was a “making it through two weeks cake.” Kinsley came to visit for the conclusion of week three. She and Farrah spent the entire time telling me they were sure I was in love with Rauk. Week four came and went without much fanfare, and week five was spent mostly by myself because Farrah and Rysden had to attend a dinner of some sort in the Jaguar Kingdom. By the end of week six, I’m ready to chop my leg off myself if it will help me to be able to get back to regular life. As soon as the last day of week six arrives, I’m out of bed early. I take off my leg wrap and step on my leg gingerly. It’s achy and weak, but it holds my weight. I lift my head and close my eyes. “Finally!” I grab the bag I’ve had packed for weeks and walk right out my door and down the stairs. It takes me a little bit, but I feel like my leg gets stronger with every step.
“Harper!”
“You’re walking!”
I turn to Kinlsey and Farrah with a scowl. “You make it sound like I’m two. And what are you doing here, Kinsley?”
She laughs. “How does it feel?”
“So good. Again, why are you here?”
She smiles. “I wanted to see you before you took off.”
I frown. “How did you know I would be leaving?”
Farrrah and Kinsley look at each other and smile. “We just did,” Farrah says. “We figured you’d go back as soon as your legwas healed.”
Kinsley’s smile fades. “So, you’re going back to the Dragon Kingdom?”
“I am.” Indecision hits me, and I pause. “Do you think—” I pause and throw back my shoulders. “Never mind.”
“No way; you’re not getting out of this one,” Farrah says. “What were you going to ask?”
“I don’t want to be one of those indecisive females.”
Farrah and Kinsley both laugh. “Harper, you don’t have an indecisive bone in your body. Nobody would accuse you of that. Just ask what you want to ask,” Farrah urges. I want to, but the words won’t form. “Okay. I’ll ask for you,” Farrah continues. “You want to know if you should go back? If I think Rauk will want you there.” I don’t show anything on my face, but she nailed it. “The answer is yes, you should go back. You’re not happy here, Harper,” she says with a sad expression. “Honestly, the most alive I’ve seen you is when he’s around.”
I snort. “That’s because we’re always fighting.”
Farrah smiles softly. “You guys may call it fighting; the rest of the world calls it flirting.” I balk at her words. “I know you don’t see it, Harper, but you’re good for him. And,” she pauses and waits for my eyes to meet hers. “He’s good for you.”
I scoff. “He’s arrogant and demanding.”
“He is,” she agrees. “But he’s also protective and safe.” That word does something to me. I bite my tongue.
“Safe?” I can’t help but ask.
“Yeah.” She smiles again, that soft smile.
