“When will we rest?” Alfryd asks. “My brother is tired.”
I turn toward Olifer.
“I’m fine,” he says quietly.
“If it’s safe, I’ll procure mounts for us in the next village.” I turn toward Alfryd. “Assuming you two are strong enough to ride. Otherwise, I’ll find a carriage or cart.”
“A king does not ride in a cart.” Alfryd raises his chin.
I try to hide my irritation. I much prefer the version of Alfryd I met last year. That version was full of admiration for me—impressed that I was a dragon rider and eager to please. This version is a brat, even though he’s technically a man. On the other hand, I quite like Rosomon’s younger brother. He’s not strong, but he’s kind. He’s much more like his sister.
Thoughts of Rosomon take control of my mind to the point I can’t see or hear anything else. Surely, she and Zogar have returned from the Darkness by now. I can’t wait to take her into my arms. I can’t wait to kiss her. I can’t wait to suck on her cunt and her tits and then fuck her until we both pass out from the effort and ecstasy.
Our time apart makes me nervous that her affection for me might have waned, but her gratitude when she learns I not only secured a pardon for Saxon, but also freed her brothers, will more than make up for any lapse in our romance.
CHAPTER 55
Rosomon
We fly toward Achotia, traveling at close to top speed, and the closer we get, the more my heart pounds. The turrets and keep of my father’s castle rise in the distance, but it all disappears behind trees as we land in the field where I most often rode Sky Stallion. We all agreed it would be best to approach the castle on foot, and without revealing that some of us are dragon-shifters.
Xendus, Surath and Zogar put on the clothes we brought for them, and the five of us start along the road. Surath and Xendus walk behind, with me Zogar and Saxon in the lead. Physically, I am tiny between these two men, and yet their presence makes me feel strong and powerful. And I’ll be very proud to introduce them to my father.
Saxon’s hand brushes mine. “I well remember those woods.” He nods toward the forest, and warmth spreads inside me.
“What happened in those woods?” Zogar asks, sounding more curious than angry.
“It’s where Saxon and I first met.”
“I thought you met on the way to the dragon rider camp.” Zogar offers his arm as I navigate a rut in the road, and we descend toward the bridge where I first saw Tynan’s family. I don’t want to think about Tynan right now and try to push those thoughts away.
“We met before that,” I tell Zogar. “Very briefly.”
“Verymemorably,” Saxon adds, and his hand brushes my back.
Zogar takes my hand. “Saxon knows how you and I met, so it seems fair that I should know more of this story.”
I smile up at him. It’s adorable to me that he wants to know.
“I met Rosomon when I saved her from breaking her neck,” Saxon says.
I chuckle. “That’s an exaggeration.”
“You were about to tumble down that riverbank.” Saxon points up as we cross the bridge.
“You did nothing of the kind.” I turn toward him. “I was absolutely safe.” I turn back to Zogar. “What really happened is, I was trying to protect a servant girl from…” I don’t want to mention Tynan’s name right now. “To help her, I was about tosafelyclimb down a riverbank. But Saxon grabbed me and slammed me up against a tree. Very hard, I might add.”
“What?” Zogar’s voice lowers to a near growl, and his thumb brushes my hand, held in his.
Saxon laughs. “Now, she’s the one exaggerating. Also, I most certainly did save her life.”
“I was in no peril. You greatly underestimate me, sir.
Saxon chuckles. “We’ll have to disagree about whether or not I saved your life, ma chérie.” Saxon winks. “But there is no doubt that you saved yourself later that night.”
He takes my other hand and presses a kiss to the back of it. “But, if youhadn’tescaped, I would have found a way to stop that wedding.”
I brush my thumb over the back of his hand. “I doubt that’s true, but I do like the sentiment.”
