With an expression of deep sympathy, she covered his hand with hers and pulled the dagger back from his arm. “Little baby, what are you doing?”
Even more ashamed by her loving care that didn’t scold or judge, he dropped his gaze to the floor, unable to look her in the face. The ache inside him was so great that at times it felt as if it would swallow him whole. It was like some great beast that gnawed at him, threatening to devour what little was left of his soul. “I’m too young to be this tired, Tannis,” he whispered. He was sick of the way the others treated him. Of the lies they told behind his back and of how they watched him—with malice, jealousy, and hatred when he’d done nothing to warrant it.
It was what made him lash out in violence. He wanted to beat the world down as much as it tried to do to him. Most of all, he just wanted to be left alone.
Sliding onto his bed, she drew him into her arms and held him. “I know. Everyone expects you to be strong and to act like a grown man and you’re just a boy, Urian. Yet you were never allowed to be a child.”
It was true. They always had to be on guard. And because they appeared to be grown, everyone treated them that way, but inside, they were still kids. At least that was how he felt.
“Do you feel old enough to be married?”
She shook her head. “There are parts about it I like. Parts of it that scare me.” She sighed. “I imagine it’s like you in the ring. Do you feel ready for real battle?”
“Sometimes. You know, I’ve been battling Theo’s and Archie’s hairy asses for years.”
She snorted. “Not the same and you know it.”
“So you say. It’s gotten pretty bloody at times.” And at the mention of blood, he became acutely aware of how hungry he was. How near her veins were to his lips. It caused his stomach to rumble.
Tannis’s eyes widened. “How long has it been since you last fed?”
Unlike humans, they didn’t call their nourishment eating. It wasn’t the same. At all.
What they did was primal and raw in a way humans would never understand. It was more a ritual. Not that he would know, since the only thing he was intimate with was a cold, nasty sheepskin bladder.
Urian shrugged.
“You don’t feed every day?”
“Why bother? It’s not like it’s ever filling, anyway.”
“Urian!”
He let out a tired breath. “Don’t, Tannis. You’ve no idea what it tastes like. It’s disgusting.” He pulled the bladder from the drawer where he’d thrown it and held it out to her.
She gingerly took it and, after a dainty sip, gagged on the foul taste.
“Told you so.”
Pressing her hand to her lips, she handed the bladder back to him and shuddered. Still unable to speak, she nodded and then coughed. “You win. That’s revolting.”
“I know.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I wish I were a warrior. I’d kick all their rears for being mean to you and force them to feed you.”
“That’s called rape, sister. I’d rather starve.”
She took his hand into hers. “I’m going to help you find someone. I promise.”
How easy she made it sound. Not even bloodlust or intoxication could override their innate mistrust or fear of him. It left him so lonely and isolated. He felt like such an outsider. Like an enormous freak. So much so that the only one he could relate to was a dragon …
“Wish you luck with that.”
“Tannis!”
She jumped at their father’s roar.
Urian tightened his grip on her hand. “You want me to come with you?”
