“It’s not a secret anymore that you can shift. They’ve seen what you’re capable of. They got massacred by two of you. Just two. I think they need to regroup. I think it would be really stupid of them to try to touch Torrynth right now.”
“Word had to have reached back to Torrynth already,” Raef says to Daegan, contemplating. “They’ll be ready. And they’ll be pissed.”
Daegan nods his head. “It might actually be the safest place for us to hide out right now.” He turns to face me. “Is there another reason you think we should go there?”
“The curse was cast there. You’re… sure there’s no way to reach the eternal pit?”
Daegan nods. “Very sure.”
“Then maybe there’s something else there with similar properties. Some other solution we’re not thinking of?”
Daegan looks away, pensive and quiet. “Maybe,” he says at last.
“Okay, so it’s settled. We’re going home.”
Daegan pulls me into his lap and I sit between his legs, leaning back against him. He wraps his arms around me, filling me with warmth and a sliver ofhappiness. “I get to show you my home,” he says, and the way he sounds genuinely pleased at the idea makes my stomach flutter.
“It’s the best place on the continent,” Raef adds with the ghost of a grin on his face.
“You’re biased,” I tell him.
“Nope.”
“What’s it like?”
“Warm,” Raef says.
“The air smells different, the warmth feels… indescribable. The sandy rolling hills and brown, jagged mountains have a certain kind of beauty that may not be so obvious to others, but… it’s home.”
“Your father is there?”
“Yes.”
“Well then, let’s not waste any more time. We already have all our stuff packed, and we really can’t hang out here longer than a day or two anyway.” Daegan stands and helps me up, and then he and Raef shift into their dragon forms that are still completely jarring.
I climb onto his back, and we head for the land of the dragons.
I feel so comfortable and safe when I ride on his large, powerful form. Like absolutely nothing can touch me. I know he’ll protect me by any means necessary.
It’s about a two-week journey, they informed me just before shifting. Plenty of time for me to ride atop my personal dragon and think of a solution.
Part of me is nervous about finally visiting his homeland. Especially as… whatever I am to Daegan. Will people judge him? I don’t want anyone to think less of him because of me. He’s the best person I know.
I’ll defend and protect him until my last breath.
Chapter 74
We’ve been traveling for eight days, staying completely in the wilds and away from any villages or inns.
We’d rather face the wild beasts of the night then risk any elves spotting us. We’ve had to fight off a few packs of creatures, but none of us have been harmed.
I don’t want it to end because they’ve been the best eight days of my life, despite all the threats to our lives. That’s just normal now.
I’ve felt so close to Daegan every time I climb on his back, and when we stop for rest during the day, which I usually take most of the watch for since I get rest while I ride him, we get to spend even more time together. Almost like a normal couple.
Almost.
We decided to have them rest during the day because it’s easier for me to keep watch that way, but Daegan is stubborn and sleeps way less than he should, choosing to spend time with me instead. When he does nap, it’s with his head in my lap while I sit against a tree keeping watch. He hasn’t left my side.
