I wonder if she dreamed too…Iwonder if she heard me jerking off.
The thought lingers, heavy and distracting, butIdon’t ask—some things are better left unsaid.
We make a quick meal of berries from a nearby bush—tart and slightly sweet—and drink from the stream.It’snot much, but it’s enough to keep us going.
“Ready for the second quest?”Iask her.
She nods.
“Let’s get it done.”
IShiftagain, letting theDraketake over.Thistime, the change feels easier, more natural, as if he’s eager to be out in the open again.Elowenclimbs onto my back without hesitation, settling into place between my spines.
Her hands rest against me—light, but sure, trusting in myDrake’sstrength to carry her to where she needs to be.
I spread my wings and launch us into the air.
The forest falls away beneath us once more, replaced by rolling land and winding paths of water that glint in the early morning light.Somewhereahead lies theSacredRiver—the next step in her quest—the next test we have to face.
It should be simple—it’s just water—just another element.
I have no idea theSacredRiverwill nearly kill us both.
31
ELOWEN
I woke up feeling worse thanIdid the night before andI’mstill not right.
I shift on theDrake’sbroad back, trying to ignore the need inside me—the curse spreading through my body like an incurable disease.
I try to ignore it and enjoy the flight.Swoopingthrough the air on dragon back is something few people get to enjoy—the land spreading below us and the wind whistling through my hair…
It should feel peaceful…but it doesn’t.
Because the heat is still there.Theache between my thighs is deeper now—sharper somehow, like something inside me is tightening, coiling, demanding attentionIdon’t know how to give it.Mywhole body feels restless, oversensitive, as though even the brush of my own robes against my skin is too much.
Goddess,Ineed to be touched…Ineed to be filled…
I close my eyes, swallowing hard asItry to steady my breathing.
I barely slept last night because the need was so strong it wouldn’t let me relax.
At some point in the night, whenIwas sureTheronwas asleep—when his breathing had gone slow and even and his back was turned to me—Itried touching myself.Justto see ifIcould get some kind of relief from the constant, gnawing need that won’t leave me alone.
My cheeks burn even now asIremember it—my own tentative touch, the way my body had responded almost instantly, as if it had been waiting for it.ThewayIhad arched into my own hand, biting my lip to keep from making a sound.
I had been so sure this time would be different—thatIcould finish and finally ease this relentless hunger gnawing at me constantly.
But just like before,Icouldn’t reach the peak.
No matter whatIdid, no matter how closeIfelt, it was like hitting an invisible wall—like something inside me refused to let me reach a release.Thetension just built and built until it became almost unbearable, and then—nothing.
No release…no relief.Justmore need.
I press the heels of my hands against my eyes now, groaning softly under my breath.
It has to be part of the curse—it has to be.
