Don’t think of it again, my love. Especially not right now. Rest against me, and I’ll take you to safety.
I lean against his neck, pressing my breasts and the side of my face against his scales, and his knot adjusts its angle, keeping me comfortable and secure. My body fits perfectly between the saddle knobs that I typically hold. And again, I marvel at how well Zogar and I match—like he was custom made for me. This flying position not only keeps my eyes fully out of the wind, I feel closer to Zogar, my hands draped over his sides rather than grasping the handles.
Please forgive me,Zogar says. I’ll never leave you alone again. Not ever.
“You’ve done nothing that needs my forgiveness,” I whisper. “You took every precaution to keep me safe. It was me who was fooled.” Besides, it’s not realistic for him to be at my side at every waking moment.
I’m up for that challenge,he responds to my thought.It will be my honor and privilege to remain by your side, even if it can never make up for how I failed you today.
“You didn’t fail me.” I stroke his scales. “I was tricked. I should have known it wasn’t you.”
You couldn’t have known, my love.Gabreal and his followers are devious.
“How did he look and sound so much like you? I thought demons didn’t have magic.”
Some demons possess extraordinary talents for impersonation. And as for your surroundings—he growls—those treacherous mages conspired with him and built that illusion to lure you.
“Eleanor was one of them,” I say, in case he didn’t see her. “She spoke to me.”
Zogar’s fury rises.Traitor. She will pay.
“I think she already has.” My mind flashes to the sight of those mages burning on the rooftop. I fear that image will linger for some time to come.
Zogar remains silent as we continue to fly, but I sense his continuing rage. We’re well past the city now, and I can see the shield, a black void in the distance. Suddenly, I’m reminded that I’m naked.
“What will we do for clothing, once we’re back in the Light? Will you clothe us using magic? What if someone notices?”
With Eldrath’s help, I devised a plan for our quick escape. Although, I assumed we’d be making our quick escape because I killed Gabreal. I fear I failed in that.
“You saved my life,” I remind him.
He circles a field I quickly recognize as the one where we first landed. Zogar sets down so gently I barely notice when his talons touch the ground.
Are you strong enough to dismount?he asks.
“I think so.” I’m shaky, but physically unharmed except for a few shallow cuts.
His knot releases, and I position myself over his wing, noting that he dug in his spike at an even lower angle than usual to ease my descent. As I slide down the silky strong skin of his wing, I realize this angle must put more strain on him. Once again, Zogar is putting my comfort above his own.
When my feet hit the ground, I’m thrilled to discover my legs hold me up, but they shake as I wait for him to shift into human form, something he does so quickly, I barely see it happen. Did his magic become stronger during the time we’ve been in the Darkness? Certainly, we made love enough times for him to replenish any power he might have used.
“Come.” He scoops me into his arms and strides across the field. “Are youtrulyunharmed?”
“Yes.” Unharmed seems an overstatement, but I don’t want him to worry. My mind is hazy, and my bones and belly are shaking from an internal earthquake.
He sets me down, and as I wait, he clears a pile of branches and stones. “I asked Eldrath to stash another chest for us here.”
I should help him, but he’s moving so quickly I might get in his way. Instead, I lean back against the bark of the owk tree and admire my husband’s naked physique as he works. When the area is cleared, he opens a large chest.
I’m about to ask what he had Eldrath stash but hear a loud clank as he sets several bags onto the grass. He’s filled those bags, and others, with treasures from his hoard. While emptying the chest, he hands me my riding uniform, and although it’s been less than two weeks since I’ve worn it, it seems like an ancient relic—something from a faraway past.
“Do you need my help to dress?” he asks.
Looking up, I discover great worry in his eyes and smile softly as his concern wraps around me. “No, but thank you.” I run my hand over the solid muscles of his forearm. “I can manage.”
Zogar has always been considerate, but his attention seems different now, and I think about how he called me, ‘my love,’ as we were flying, instead of ‘my queen’. My heart swells. I want to tell him that I’ve fallen in love with him, but don’t want to do or say anything that might impede our trip home. Nor do I want my memories of sharing this news to be tainted by the other events of today.
I slip on the breeches and chemise, and I’m sliding my second arm into my flight jacket when Zogar strides from under the tree, looking back toward the city.
