His only solace over the centuries had come from the fact that he hadn’t known Maddor. His son had been a concept for him. Not a reality. He hadn’t held him or known Maddor at all.
Not the way he knew Medea.
Now…
She was a part of him.
The best part.
And the thought of something happening to her was crippling.
“How did you survive after Evander?”
Her eyes turned dark and haunted. “One breath at a time. Some days, that was all I could manage to get through.”
That was a sobering thought he didn’t want to even contemplate. Terrified beyond rational thought, he pulled her into his arms, and teleported her to his home. “I willneverlet you go, Medea.”
“I’m counting on that, dragonfly.”
Taking her hand, he led it to his lips and kissed her palm, then stepped back so that she could inspect his island home.
Medea gasped at the beauty that was Falcyn’s “lair.” No wonder he’d been so defensive when she’d accused him of living in a cave. This was absolutely breathtaking. Open and airy, it was technically a cavern.
Just a very large, spacious one with an ocean view that took her breath. The enchanted walls were crystal clear, so that he could look out, but not be seen by anyone else. Their transparency made them shimmer and sparkle from the daylight that burned her eyes, yet not her skin.
“How long have you lived here?”
“Forever and a day.” He winked at her.
Shaking her head at his humor, she turned a small circle to survey everything. Outside the cavern, the landscape held ancient ruins of some Greek city and temple. Inside, it was a bit cramped by the number of dragons. She could see why he’d balked a bit about having them here.
Still, without them, it would have to be lonely. Such a large space with no company…
Yeah, that wouldn’t make her happy.
But then she’d never really been alone. She’d always had her mother and then her husband.
Unlike Falcyn. Never had she been forced to live by herself. Family had always been a part of her life.
His sister came over to them. “Like the new decorations? Wall-to-wall dragon?”
“Ha ha. I hate you so much.” Yet there was a light in his eyes that said he appreciated his sister’s teasing.
And Xyn knew it, too. “Ah, you’re not fooling anyone. I know you missed me.”
Falcyn made a disgruntled face at her.
Medea pressed her lips together to keep from laughing. It was so strange to see this side of him. He was so protective with his brothers. Protective with her and Xyn as well, but they saw the much less serious part of him. While he could be flippant and sarcastic with Blaise and Urian, it was a different kind of humor than the more vulnerable one he showed the two of them. He was softer and kinder to the women in his life.
“So what do you plan to do with all of these beasts, Xyn? I’m not planning to let them move in, you know. Definitely not comfortable with them here.”
“Why not? It’s rather cozy.” Xyn smiled.
Falcyn let out a sound of supreme disgust. “You know why. And don’t start on me. As the old saying goes, door’s in the wall.”
“Oh relax, you old mangy beast. They’re not planning to stay, anyway. We’re just messing with you.”
His relief was tangible.
