Sighing, she followed him as they looked for a stream or brook. “I guess I should be grateful, all things considered.”
“How so?” Falcyn asked.
She pointed up at the dim, gray sky. “At least I’m not bursting into flames in the daylight.”
He drew up short at her words. “Do that a lot, do you?”
“Well, I was banned from it as a girl. After Apollo made his curse.”
“But not anymore?”
“That demon blood you smelled in me?”
He nodded.
“It allows me to tap into their powers and shields me from his curse. With it, I can walk in daylight. Not for long. Just enough that it leaves me with a nasty sunburn and no exploding flesh. And I’m completely immune from his curse in other realms, like this one.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “The demon blood at least gives me time to do some damage in the human realm to go after enemies where and when they’re most vulnerable.”
“You like being a villain, don’t you?”
That was a no-brainer. “I played by the rules and what did it get me? A broken heart and murdered family. Busted body. Fuck that. So yeah. I learned to harden my heart and give as good as I get. With relish.”
He pulled her to a stop. “I know the feeling.”
“I’m so sorry that you do. I would never have taken your son from you. Especially not like your brother did. If you want, I’ll help you kick his ass.”
With a tender expression, he brushed his thumb against her cheek. “And I would never have allowed the humans to harm yours, or you.”
A tear fell from her eye as those sincere words singed her. “We will find your Maddor for you. You should meet him at least once in your life.”
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“That’s the SOD talking.”
“No. It’s common sense talking. I’m sure he hates me for what my brother did to him. Hates me for not finding him sooner.” He drew his brows together in deep consternation. “You’re right. That might be the SOD talking and not me.”
Rising up on her toes, she kissed his cheek. “You’re adorable when you blush. Uncertainty looks good on you.”
Falcyn savored the gentleness of her touch. “Why are you being so kind to me?”
“I have absolutely no idea. It’s really not like me. I’m usually a major bitch to everyone.” She smoothed down his collar. “But something about you makes me want to leash my claws.”
He fingered her ear. “Yeah. I feel the same with you. There’s a calmness inside me whenever you come near. And I don’t understand it. Even now. Most bring out the beast in me. But you… you seem to bring out only the best.”
Those words made her eyes water. Even stranger, they made her feel giddy like a girl again. Something she hadn’t felt in countless centuries.
More than that, he made her feel safe in a way no one ever had.
It was so peculiar. Not unwelcomed.
But strange nonetheless.
“What are you like in your dragon’s form?”
“I’m sure you don’t want to know. It tends to terrify the natives.”
“I’ll bet you’re beautiful.”
He laughed bitterly. “Bet you’d scream.”
