What is time? What is the future? The only thing I can think about right now is my husband—how much he loves me, how much I love him, and how well his cock is stuffing me full.
His thrusts deepen, and no space remains to consider anything beyond my fulfillment and ecstasy.
CHAPTER 37
Rosomon
The moment we cross the veil, sunlight bathes my face, spreading warmth and joy through every part of my soul. Not only does my husband love me, I’ll soon see Saxon and Tynan again. And I can’t wait to tell them I love them.
After Zogar and I made love, I fell asleep in his arms, and while I’m grateful to have had time to recover from my ordeal, I hate that perhaps another week passed in the Light while I slept. I have no way to know what’s happened since I was separated from Tynan and Saxon, but I’m excited to find out.
Assuming I understood Zogar’s explanation about time, many moon cycles may have passed here while we were gone. In the Darkness, they call moon cyclesmonths, and I do like how much shorter that is to say. But no matter what I call it, a great deal of time has passed here, and not only do I long to see my loves, I’m anxious to learn how many dragon-shifters have been freed, and how everyone at camp has reacted.
The fresh cold air bites my cheeks as Zogar swoops between two mountain peaks, and the sunlight paints the snow a pale pink not unlike my hair.
The sunlit snow is pleasing, my love, but could never match your beauty.
Leaning against Zogar’s neck, I stroke his scales and love fills my heart—every part of me. When Zogar told me he loved me, I wanted to say it in response. I wish I’d been able to say it. But now I’m anxious about the other men, and my mind’s full of fears and questions about the future.
When we’re reunited with Saxon and Tynan,Zogar says,we’ll discuss our future.
I guess that’s all the certainty I’m going to get for the moment. “It’s strange there are no riders on patrol,” I muse aloud.
Since we crossed the veil, we haven’t seen a single dragon. “How many dragon-shifters do you think have been freed?” I gasp. “Do you think they’re refusing to carry riders, now they’re free?”
Zogar grunts, then swerves sharply.Surath and Xendus are approaching.
My chest expands. Joy and hope quicken my breath and speed up my heart. I’m nervous about the conversations we need to have but can’t wait to see Tynan and Saxon. Two other men who’ve told me they love me.
As we fly toward them, a fantastical dream washes through my mind—one where I can be with all three of the men. I try to hide my thoughts, knowing my love for Saxon and Tynan might hurt my husband’s feelings.
Saxon and Tynan aren’t atop the dragons,Zogar tells me.
Surath and Xendus come into better focus, and I see that for myself. “Why not? Where are they? What’s going on?” My heart stops beating, then starts back up with a fury.
Let’s land,Zogar says.After we shift, you can get your answers directly from Surath and Xendus.
Zogar swerves, heading toward the Draconveil Valley. It’s summer here, and the violets and pink daisies are in bloom, a hint at how many months have passed, but the colorful, sunlit-bathed sight doesn’t fill me with joy in the way it should.
My heart, galloping like a wild stallion, refuses to slow. The three dragons circle the valley. Before landing, Zogar drops his treasure, and I dismount quickly, striding away from Zogar, giving the dragons privacy to shift—something they seem to prefer.
What does Zogar want me to hear directly from Surath and Xendus? My fantasy future shatters into shards around me, replaced by horrible scenarios of what might have happened while we’ve been separated.
I bend to grip my thighs, fighting to fill my lungs. My husband’s heavy hand slides over my shoulder. I rise, turning to press myself against him, needing a moment of comfort and safety before I face the answers I dread.
Dressed in the simple clothing of peasants, Surath and Xendus are holding hands, and I drag in a long breath, seeing their human forms for the first time in natural light. Surath is even more beautiful than I remember from when I saw her in Lymbo. Her cherry-red hair billows around her warm complexion and bright turquoise eyes. And Xendus—while he appears even more fierce and battle-scarred in this light, I can better understandwhy Surath finds him attractive. There’s something close to animalistic about Xendus, like he’s a wild predator, perpetually prepared to attack.
I tighten my hold on Zogar.
“My wife seeks information about herlovers.” Zogar’s fingers flex against my ribs.
Xendus nods toward Surath, and she licks her lips, the same bright red shade as her hair.
“Much transpired while you were in the Darkness,” she says. “I don’t know where to begin.”
“How many dragon-shifters have you freed?” I ask, choosing a topic for opening, even though it’s not what I most want to know.
Xendus shakes his head. “Not a single one.”
