The den members gathered around, bombarding him with questions, and I stood back, pleased they were not only not afraid of him but that they were wanting to know more about dragons.
When we finally got away, it was almost dark.
“That went well, I think.”
My mate nodded but didn’t say anything. He was probably as tired as I was.
We were too exhausted to cook, so we heated up leftovers and crawled into bed early.
I was almost asleep when Ford shook me.
“Mmmm, what is it?”
My mate flicked on a lamp, and I blinked.
“I learned something today.”
Was that all? Surely he could have waited until morning to tell me.
“Okay. Was it that polar bears can’t keep up with a dragon?”
“No.”
My eyes snapped open because his voice had that undertone of regret that I’d picked up on early in our relationship. I sat up and took his hands.
“What is it?”
“I realized how much my dragon needs this, needs a den. And please don’t think it’s because you’re not enough for me. You are.”
I wanted to be more for him. More of everything and to fill that emptiness inside him. But I couldn’t. That wasn’t my role, which was to love and support him.
“I know you aren’t. A den is part of who I am. Do you need a flight? Is that what you’re saying?”
My mind was filled with possibilities. Ford would leave to find a new flight because he couldn’t return to his previous one. I’d remain here because dragons were very territorial. Or he’d go back and forth living a half life in either place. He’d experience guilt at not being present for his flight or for me 100% of the time.
He kissed my cheek. “No. That’s not it, but I used to think I did. But at one time, I thought I might and I didn’t tell you. Are you mad I kept it inside?”
I took him in my arms and placed my lips on his head. “I’m not, I promise.” And I was telling the truth. “Not at you. I’m a little mad at me, though. It means I didn’t make you feel safe.”
I’d planned on discussing big things when it was the right time. But it had snuck up on me sooner than expected and bitten my ass, leaving my mate feeling guilty.
I needed to make a grand gesture and reassure my mate that I’d stay by his side and trusted him completely. It had been my choice to leave the den because of Asher’s stepfather’s actions all those years ago. But his reign was over and I left it open, allowing me to visit any time. I wasn’t rogue.
But my mate didn’t have a choice about being an outsider in his birth flight.
“Hey, no matter where you decide you want to be, I’ll be there with you. That’s what mates do. I’m happy being here, and the den loves you, but if your dragon needs more and that needs to be elsewhere, we will make that happen.”
Ford crossed his legs and peered at me. “You’d give up this place and the land that you love to come with me on my quest?”
I giggled because he made it sound as though we were knights searching for the meaning of life. “Sure, why not.” As a builder, I could get a job anywhere and could support us even if Ford couldn’t.
“But you might be far from your den, and then you’d be feeling like I am now.”
I slid down onto the mattress and pulled him beside me. “That’s where you’re wrong. I’m secure in the knowledge that my den will welcome me back no matter how long I’ve been away.”
That wasn’t always the case when Asher’s father as Alpha and his stepdad was making the decisions.
“What if I can’t find a flight that accepts me? I’ve been tarnished, and every flight in the country may have been warned not to accept me.” He put his head on my chest and a tear slid onto my skin.
