16
Aradia
Luxurious sheets whispered across my bare skin like a caress. Smiling, I rolled over and snuggled into Yuto’s strong arms, a delicious drowsiness tugging down my eyelids. His warm breath curled around my cheeks, and then two soft lips pressed against my forehead. A rush of exhilaration poured through me at the unexpected kiss. I nuzzled closer, basking in the sense of safety and warmth. This gentleness was such a stark contrast to the passionate beast from the night before. I liked it.
“Morning, Aradia,” he said softly.
So many thoughts and questions flew through my mind. What was he thinking? Had he enjoyed the night before as much as I had? Or did he hope to kick me out of his bed as soon as possible? He was an ancient dragonlord, and I was an inexperienced mortal. Had I been enough for him?
I didn’t speak any of that out loud.
“Good morning,” I managed.
He chuckled. “Aradia, do you—”
A knock sounded on Yuto’s bedchamber door. With a sigh, he slid out from under me and crossed the room, his bare skin smooth and tanned against the glow of the morning sun. I swallowed hard as I watched him, and desire swirled through my core. I yanked the sheets up to my chin as he cracked the door. I couldn’t see the person on the other side, but I heard their words clear enough.
“My lord, there’s been an incident,” Eryx murmured. “We need to speak to both you and Aradia about it.”
Yuto’s back went taut. “What incident? Why Aradia?”
“Do you wish for me to tell you now or…”
Yuto glanced over his shoulder at me, his expression pinched. His gaze dropped to my breasts, even though they were hidden by his silky sheets. “We’ll meet you in the Great Hall in fifteen minutes. No one sees Aradia in a state of undress but me.”
Heat crept into my cheeks. How had Eryx even known I was in here? I decided I didn’t want to ask.
* * *
Afew moments later, Yuto and I entered the Great Hall. I still wore my tunic and trousers from the night before, and my hair was clearly mussed. Orion and Aleka waited with Eryx at the table. Not a single one of them commented on my appearance. For that, I was grateful.
“Eryx,” Yuto said, frowning as he crossed the room. “Tell me what this is all about.”
Eryx cast a quick glance at the others that sent a shiver of dread down my spine. Then, he stood, his hand a fist around a crumpled sheet of parchment. He passed it to Yuto.
“We received a letter this morning,” he said quietly, eyes downcast. “From Panos.”
Yuto snatched the parchment up to his eyes and glared down at it. I inched closer, trying to read the words, but he gripped it so tightly in his fists that it began to shake. “No. Dammit, Panos.NO!”
His shout echoed off the stone walls. Fury rolled off his body in waves. When he turned to me, I swore actual fire danced in his eyes. He held out the parchment to me, his entire body visibly shaking.
Gingerly, I took the letter, half-afraid to read what it said. As soon as I turned my focus on it, Yuto began to pace furiously across the hall, every step louder than the last.
To my dearest friend,
Look closely around your halls. Have you lost something—or someone? Callista, perhaps? She’s a quiet little thing. Doesn’t cause much of a fuss, does she? She’s mine now. Forever. I shall drink her blood dry. I hear dragonladies have a bittersweet taste to them. I’m sure you’ll be sad to lose her, but I must drink, you know.
Unless…you give up the girl. The mortal. The human plaything.
You have four days to decide.
Yours forever,
Panos
My hands shook by the time I finished reading the letter. The words blurred before me, and two heavy tears dropped onto the page, melting the ink. I crumpled the letter and glanced up. Everyone in the room stared at me with grim sadness.
Horror churned in my gut. This was it. The moment they all turned their backs on me. And could I blame them? Callista was one of theirs. She belonged to them. They were like family, even if not by blood. Of course they’d have to give me up in order to get her back. It was her life or mine. Panos had left them no other choice.
